Karmelo Anthony has been assigned a court-appointed lawyer in Texas as he appeals his murder conviction in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco.
Anthony, 19, was convicted on June 9 in Collin County and sentenced to 35 years in prison. In a recent court filing, he claimed he is a “penniless, destitute, and indigent person” who cannot afford a lawyer for the appeal.
Court records reviewed named his appointed lawyer as criminal defense attorney Lara Bracamonte Davila. She is now listed as Anthony’s court-appointed appellate counsel.
Anthony Seeks Appeal After 35-Year Sentence.
Anthony filed a notice of appeal after the jury convicted him of murder. The filing means he is asking a higher court to review the trial and sentence. The appeal does not erase the conviction. It also does not automatically grant Anthony a new trial.
An appellate court will review the trial record for possible legal errors. Those may include rulings on evidence, jury instructions, objections, sentencing issues, or constitutional claims. Anthony remains convicted of murder while the appeal moves forward.
Texas Court Reviews Indigency Claim
Anthony also submitted paperwork saying he cannot afford to hire a lawyer. In the filing, he described himself as “penniless, destitute, and indigent.” That request placed him under Texas indigent defense procedures. Defendants who cannot afford lawyers may qualify for court-appointed counsel after a financial review.
The court must decide eligibility through legal standards, not public debate. A defendant’s personal finances are usually reviewed before counsel is appointed.
The filing has drawn scrutiny because Fox News Digital previously reported that Anthony’s family had links to businesses in Texas and Louisiana. Those reported ties do not automatically decide whether Anthony personally qualifies for appointed counsel.
Previous Attorney Leaves Appeal
Before Davila was listed as Anthony’s appellate lawyer, criminal defense attorney Donny Perales was briefly appointed to the case. Perales later told Fox News Digital that he no longer represented Anthony. He also said it was expected that Anthony’s family would retain an attorney for the appeal.
The latest court records still list Davila as the appointed lawyer. Fox News Digital said it reached out to Davila and Anthony’s family for comment. The lawyer’s change does not alter the verdict or sentence. It only affects who represents Anthony during the appeal.
Fatal Stabbing Happened at Track Meet
The case began on April 2, 2025, at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Students from area schools had gathered for a district track meet. Metcalf attended Frisco Memorial High School. Anthony attended Frisco Centennial High School.
Witnesses said the confrontation started near a team tent during rainy weather. Metcalf and others reportedly asked Anthony to leave the area. An arrest document described the tense confrontation before the stabbing.
Jury Rejects Self-Defense Argument
Anthony’s defense argued that he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors argued that deadly force was not justified. Anthony was convicted of murder after jurors rejected the self-defense claim. Jurors heard testimony that the dispute escalated after Anthony was asked to leave the tent. A witness told investigators that Anthony allegedly reached inside his bag and warned, “Touch me and see what happens.”
Anthony stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. Metcalf later died from the wound.
Sentencing Followed Emotional Testimony
After the conviction, jurors considered Anthony’s punishment. The defense sought a finding of sudden passion, which could have lowered the range of punishment. Jurors rejected that option and sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison.
The sentencing phase included testimony about the impact of Metcalf’s death on his family. Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, was present at the track meet when the stabbing happened. The verdict ended the trial phase but opened the door to post-conviction filings.
Appeal Moves to Higher Court
NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported that Anthony filed his notice of appeal after the conviction. He also sought appointed counsel by way of a pauper oath. An appeal is not a second jury trial. Appellate judges review whether the trial court made legal mistakes serious enough to affect the outcome.
Anthony’s appellate lawyer can review transcripts, motions, rulings, and sentencing records. Prosecutors will have the chance to defend the conviction in written filings.
No appellate ruling has been issued.
Metcalf Family Continues to Speak
Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, has spoken publicly since the verdict. He told Fox News Digital that Anthony’s family had not spoken to his family after the trial. Jeff Metcalf also said he had forgiven Anthony for his own peace. He made clear that forgiveness did not erase what happened to his son.
“I don’t forget what he did to my son,” he said. The Metcalf family has described Austin as a son, brother, and student athlete whose life ended during a school event.
Conviction Remains in Place
Anthony remains convicted of murder in Texas and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The latest development is his appointment of appellate counsel after claiming he could not afford a lawyer. The next steps are expected to involve preparation of the trial record and written appellate briefs.
The court has not overturned the conviction. Anthony’s appeal is now moving forward while the sentence remains in effect.
