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. Anthony was released following the bail reducation.
FOX 4 reports that Anthony must also check in with a bailiff each Friday and will remain under house arrest at his parents’ home.
“Given that Karmelo has no prior criminal history and given that this young man has not been in any sort of trouble before, $1 million is not necessary,” Howard said. “This family needs to be able to survive. There’s been a tremendous amount of pressure. I think at this point, living in a gated community, given everything, the safety of their younger children is very warranted. Security details and criminal defense are not cheap.”
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.
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[Feature Photo: Austin Metcalf/Memorial High School]