Karmelo Anthony’s bond has been reduced to $ 250,000 from $1 million. A judge ruled that the teen could pay the reduced amount and go home after being held for several days in jail. He is to be under constant surveillance at home. Anthony ran into legal trouble on April 2 after he stabbed a sports rival from another school during an interscholastic event. Meanwhile, the victim’s father has appealed to the public not to make the incident a racial or political one.
Karmelo Anthony’s Bond Reduced
A Texas judge has reduced the bond set for Karmelo Anthony, 17, accused of stabbing another teenager. The Collin County judge ruled that the high schooler could pay the reduced amount and go home. Karmelo Anthony’s bond was initially set for $1 million, but the judge slashed it astronomically to $250,000. A week before the reduction, Anthony’s attorney declared they would ask the court to lower the “excessive” amount, per The New York Post.
They also planned to ask the local district attorney for “a better determination” of their client’s charges. The teen has been charged with first-degree murder. After posting the bond, the judge allowed Karmelo Anthony to go home from the Collin County jail. He will stay under house arrest until his trial. He will also wear an ankle monitor and be monitored around the clock by his parents or an “adult designee.”
Karmelo Anthony Claims Self-Defence
Karmelo Anthony got into a heated argument with Austin Metcalf, 17, leading to a fatal stabbing on April 12. The duo, who attended rival high schools, fought over a seat in a pop-up tent during a track meet. According to witnesses, Metcalf asked Anthony to vacate the tent, but the latter refused. He then tried to shove Anthony, who pulled out a knife from his backpack and plunged it into Metcalf’s heart. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms, according to a police report.
Anthony confirmed the witness statements. He also told the police he acted in self-defense. Meanwhile, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis has revealed that Anthony can’t be given the death penalty even if the court convicts him of first-degree murder. The high schooler also can’t get life without parole because of his age. In the meantime, Karmelo Anthony’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help with his bond and legal fees.
On the platform GiveSendGo.com, they claimed: “the narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful.” They have raised over $415,000 already. The family has retained two Dallas lawyers—Kim Cole and Billy Clark — with a history of high-profile racially charged cases.
Austin Metcalf’s Dad Addresses Speculations About Stabbing Incident
Austin Metcalf’s dad has also addressed speculations that the incident was racially or politically motivated. In a video Onsite obtained, he said he wanted to clarify the truth because of “rumors” and “gossip” flying around.
“This was not a race thing. This is not a political thing. Please do not comment if you do not know what happened. Do not turn this into a racial thing; it was not. Do not politicize this; it’s not. This is a human being thing. This person made a bad choice and affected both his family and my family forever,” he said.
Karmelo Anthony’s family also maintains the same stance and insists their son wasn’t the aggressor.
Karmelo Anthony’s action has gained widespread attention since it happened, and his reduced bond has intensified the situation. The public is largely divided over whether his action was self-defense or not. Some have also noted that there is more to the story. Hopefully, the whole truth will come out before and during the trial.
#Clique, what do you think? Let us know in the comments.
