Karmelo Anthony, the individual convicted for the murder of high school athlete Austin Metcalf, has filed an appeal for the murder conviction but has reportedly claimed he cannot afford a lawyer despite the fact his family had set up a fundraiser and raised over $615,000 for legal costs. Anthony was found guilty by a jury on Jun 9. The 19-year-old was accused of stabbing Metcalf at a track meet event in April 2025 when he was 17. Jurors considered both manslaughter and murder charges. Because he was a juvenile at the time of the crime he did not face the death penalty but he was given 35 years in prison at his sentencing. A day after his conviction Anthony reportedly filed a notice of appeal as per PEOPLE. However, in court documents he stated that he had no money leaving him no choice but to ask the judge to appoint him an appeals attorney. Report indicates that Karmelo Anthony is ‘penniless’ and ‘destitute’ After his arrest a fundraiser was set up for the then 17-year-old on the platform GiveSendGo. At the time some compared his case to that of Kyle Rittenhouse, arguing that Anthony stabbed Metcalf in self defense. The fundraiser saw plenty of donations reaching more than $615,000 (with some outlets claiming it was as much as $634,000) by Thursday June 4. An article from the New York Post reported that the fundraiser was taken down following Anthony’s conviction. “The fundraiser was supported to support pre-trial needs, and those funds were disbursed over the last year,” a statement from the crowdsourcing platform explained. The statement suggests that the money went to Anthony’s family however, the funds were reportedly used for other “urgent and necessary means that have emerged as a result of the situation” according to an explanation from the now defunct fundraiser page (via Fox News). The expenses included “the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats to their safety and well-being,” as well as basic living costs, transportation, and counselling. Anthony has maintained that he acted in self defense. A probable cause affidavit stated that Anthony stabbed Metcalf after he was asked to move from a tent by the latter. Anthony then allegedly told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.” Metcalf then went to move on Anthony who produced a knife and stabbed him in the chest. The incident led to racial tensions between people in the community with some siding with Anthony and his self defense story, while others sided with the victim’s family. Both families also received threats.