Karmelo Anthony claims he's penniless as business records tied to parents draw scrutiny

MCKINNEY, Texas – As convicted killer Karmelo Anthony asks for a taxpayer-funded lawyer for his appeal, claiming he is “penniless,” newly examined public records indicate that his parents activated a Texas business entity less than a month after the deadly stabbing of Austin Metcalf.

The records do not show that money from any fundraising efforts was funneled through the company. Anthony’s parents have not been accused of wrongdoing or charged with any offense.

Anthony, 19, was sentenced earlier this month to 35 years in prison after a Collin County jury found him guilty of murder in the April 2, 2025, stabbing death of Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco.

Shortly after sentencing, Anthony submitted paperwork requesting a court-appointed attorney for his appeal. In that filing, he said he was a “penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel to represent me on the appeal.”

Karmelo Anthony is shown after being transferred into the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and taken to the Pack Unit near Navasota, Texas. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice)

His request follows a GiveSendGo campaign launched on his behalf on April 15, 2025 — fewer than two weeks after Metcalf’s death — that brought in $633,908 before it was removed from public view after Anthony’s conviction.

Organizers said the fundraiser was created to support Anthony and his family as they navigated the legal battle.

“We are grateful for your support during this incredibly difficult time for Karmelo Anthony and his family,” organizers wrote. “This fundraiser has been established to provide comprehensive assistance to the Anthony family as they navigate the many challenges surrounding Karmelo’s case.”

The online fundraiser for Karmelo Anthony and his family, organized by his mother, has been scrubbed from the GiveSendGo website. (GiveSendGo)

As News Agency previously reported, fundraiser organizers said donations would help cover legal expenses, family relocation costs and other needs that arose as the case drew national attention. GiveSendGo later said the funds were distributed for lawful purposes, including legal defense and family relocation expenses.

Public records reviewed by News Agency show Anthony’s parents, Andrew Anthony III and Kala Hayes, have been connected to multiple business entities in Louisiana and Texas.

Louisiana records show Angelic Obsessions LLC was formed in July 2021 and later became inactive after being revoked by the Louisiana Secretary of State in November 2024.

ONLINE FUNDRAISER FOR TEXAS TRACK MEET STABBING SUSPECT NEARS $150K

Kayla Hayes speaking at a press conference indoors.

Kala Hayes speaks at a press conference on April 17, 2025, after her son Karmelo Anthony was charged with murdering Austin Metcalf. (Next Generation Action Network)

Texas records show Angelic Obsessions LLC became active in Texas on April 26, 2025, 24 days after the fatal stabbing that led to Anthony’s arrest. The filing lists Andrew Anthony III as the registered agent and an Arlington address as the company’s registered office.

Separate Louisiana records show Exclusive Luxury Services LLC, another entity connected to Anthony’s parents, was formed in 2016 and later experienced multiple administrative actions, including a revocation in 2019, reinstatement in 2020 and a second revocation in November 2023, after which the company became inactive.

The records reviewed by News Agency do not indicate whether either company generated revenue, maintained assets or played any role in the family’s finances during the criminal case. The filings also do not show whether fundraiser proceeds were ever distributed to either business entity.

Andrew Anthony III declined to comment.

News Agency has reached out to GiveSendGo seeking clarification regarding the disposition of the fundraiser proceeds, whether any money remains available and what safeguards were used to ensure compliance with company policies.

News Agency has also sought comment from Anthony’s defense team regarding the fundraiser, Anthony’s request for court-appointed counsel and whether any funds remain available to finance his appeal.

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