Karmelo Anthony Seeks Court-Appointed Attorney for Appeal, Says He Cannot Afford Lawyer Despite $625K Fundraising
Karmelo Anthony is seeking a court-appointed attorney for his appeal after filing a notice challenging his murder conviction in the 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf, stating in court documents that he cannot afford legal representation.
Anthony made the request one day after a Collin County jury found him guilty and sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
In his handwritten notice of appeal, Anthony described himself as unable to pay for legal counsel and asked the court to appoint an attorney to represent him during the appellate process.
The filing, reviewed by WFAA, states that he lacks financial resources and is indigent, using standard legal language commonly included in requests for appointed representation.
Court records show the document was submitted using a form that Anthony modified by hand before filing.
Under Texas law, defendants have 30 days following sentencing to file a notice of appeal, which formally initiates appellate review.
Once an appeal is filed, courts may evaluate whether a defendant qualifies as indigent for the purpose of appointing counsel at public expense.
That determination typically involves a review of financial information and circumstances presented to the court.
Anthony’s claim that he cannot afford counsel comes after earlier reporting on crowdfunding efforts connected to his defense.
According to the New York Post, a family-associated online fundraising campaign raised more than $600,000 for legal expenses before being closed after the verdict.
The fundraising platform GiveSendGo stated that the campaign was intended for pre-trial costs and had concluded once that phase ended.
The platform also indicated that new fundraising efforts could potentially be launched for appellate representation, depending on its policies.
However, court officials have not yet ruled on Anthony’s request for appointed counsel or determined whether he qualifies as indigent for purposes of the appeal.
The case now moves into the appellate phase, where the court will decide whether Anthony is eligible for a state-funded attorney and how the appeal will proceed procedurally through Texas courts.
Anthony made the request one day after a Collin County jury found him guilty and sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
In his handwritten notice of appeal, Anthony described himself as unable to pay for legal counsel and asked the court to appoint an attorney to represent him during the appellate process.
The filing, reviewed by WFAA, states that he lacks financial resources and is indigent, using standard legal language commonly included in requests for appointed representation.
Court records show the document was submitted using a form that Anthony modified by hand before filing.
Under Texas law, defendants have 30 days following sentencing to file a notice of appeal, which formally initiates appellate review.
Once an appeal is filed, courts may evaluate whether a defendant qualifies as indigent for the purpose of appointing counsel at public expense.
That determination typically involves a review of financial information and circumstances presented to the court.
Anthony’s claim that he cannot afford counsel comes after earlier reporting on crowdfunding efforts connected to his defense.
According to the New York Post, a family-associated online fundraising campaign raised more than $600,000 for legal expenses before being closed after the verdict.
The fundraising platform GiveSendGo stated that the campaign was intended for pre-trial costs and had concluded once that phase ended.
The platform also indicated that new fundraising efforts could potentially be launched for appellate representation, depending on its policies.
However, court officials have not yet ruled on Anthony’s request for appointed counsel or determined whether he qualifies as indigent for purposes of the appeal.
The case now moves into the appellate phase, where the court will decide whether Anthony is eligible for a state-funded attorney and how the appeal will proceed procedurally through Texas courts.
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