Texas murder suspect Karmelo Anthony, 17, appeared in court Monday for a bail hearing, following the hiring of a prominent Dallas lawyer.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Anthony has been charged with murder following the stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco on April 2.
On Saturday, Anthony’s family announced that they had hired a new attorney, Mike Howard, to represent him at Monday’s hearing.
On Monday morning, a Collin County judge reduced Anthony’s bond from $1 million to $250,000 and placed him under house arrest with an ankle monitor, The Dallas Morning News reports.
Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School in Frisco, was fatally stabbed during a UIL District 11-5A track meet at Kuykendall Stadium. Police said that Anthony, a student from Centennial High School in Frisco, stabbed Metcalf in the chest during a confrontation after Anthony was seated under a tent designated for Memorial High School students.
Anthony reportedly sat under the tent while waiting out a weather delay, when Metcalf told him to leave.
In the arrest report, Anthony claimed to a school resource officer that Metcalf “put his hands” on him during the confrontation.
After police placed him in custody, Anthony reportedly said, “I’m not alleged. I did it.” He later asked if Metcalf would be OK and questioned whether his actions would be considered self-defense.
Last week, the law firm of Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, who previously represented Anthony, released a statement in an attempt to reduce his $1 million bond.
The firm told WFAA on Saturday that they were no longer his attorneys and that Howard will now represent Anthony.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Austin Metcalf/Memorial High School]
