Texas track meet stabbing suspect’s lawyer plans to ask for $1M bond to be lowered: report

Texas track meet stabbing suspect’s lawyer plans to ask for $1M bond to be lowered: report

**Legal Proceedings Update: Bond Reduction Hearing for Texas Track Meet Stabbing Suspect**

The tragic events of April 2, 2025, at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, have led to significant legal developments. Seventeen-year-old Karmelo Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, faces a first-degree murder charge following the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, a fellow 17-year-old and student-athlete from Memorial High School. The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over seating under a tent during the meet, culminating in Anthony allegedly stabbing Metcalf in the chest. Despite immediate medical efforts, Metcalf succumbed to his injuries, with his twin brother, Hunter, present during the tragic moment.

**Self-Defense Claim and Legal Representation**

Anthony has asserted that he acted in self-defense during the altercation. His defense attorney, Deric Walpole, has expressed support for this claim, stating he has no reason to disbelieve Anthony’s account. Consequently, Walpole has filed a motion to reduce Anthony’s bond from the current $1 million, aiming to facilitate his pretrial release.

**Community and Financial Responses**

In the aftermath of the incident, Anthony’s family initiated a fundraising campaign to cover legal expenses, successfully raising over $85,000 of their $100,000 goal. They describe Anthony as a respectful student with a 4.0 GPA and multiple college offers, asserting that he was provoked during the incident.

Conversely, Metcalf’s family has established a GoFundMe page to support funeral and related expenses, which has garnered nearly $250,000. They remember Metcalf as an accomplished student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA and aspirations for college football

**Public Reaction and Legal Considerations**

The case has sparked public discourse, particularly concerning the bond reduction request. In previous instances within Texas, bond reductions for individuals charged with serious crimes have elicited controversy. For example, in July 2022, a Belton High School stabbing suspect’s bond was reduced from $1 million to $175,000, leading to his release. Such decisions have prompted concerns from law enforcement about potential risks to public safety. The Austin Police Association, for instance, criticized a bond reduction in a separate case, labeling it as “irresponsible” and expressing alarm over the potential for individuals to disregard house arrest conditions.

**Next Steps in the Legal Process**

As legal proceedings continue, the court will evaluate the merits of the bond reduction motion, considering factors such as the self-defense claim, community safety, and the defendant’s background. The outcome will have significant implications for the involved families and the broader Frisco community, which remains deeply affected by the loss of a promising young life and the circumstances surrounding the