Karmelo Anthony, convicted this week of murdering fellow student Austin Metcalf in Texas, tells the court he cannot afford a lawyer for his appeal. Multiple outlets report that Anthony describes himself as “penniless” or “broke” and requests a free public defender for appellate proceedings.
The reports also say Anthony’s family has raised substantial funds through an online crowdfunding effort tied to his legal defense. According to the accounts, the campaign collected about $625,000, described by the outlets as intended for legal expenses and living costs.
The coverage focuses on the contrast between Anthony’s claim of indigence and the reported donor-funded support for his case. The outlets do not indicate that authorities or the court have ruled on the funding dispute in the cited material. The case proceeds as Anthony pursues an appeal, with the question of whether he qualifies for publicly funded counsel reported as a central issue.
