Next Generation officials said the press conference will be a “critical” opportunity for the public to hear directly from the Anthony family.
DALLAS — The parents of Karmelo Anthony — the Frisco teenager accused of fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a track meet earlier this month — spoke to media for the first time at a press conference Thursday.
The Next Generation Action Network, a Dallas-based group advocating on the family’s behalf, hosted the press conference at its headquarters at 11 a.m.
We’ll post a full recap of the press conference shortly.
The press conference was delayed on Thursday after Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, arrived at the organization’s headquarters. Next Generation Action Network called Dallas police to have him removed.
A court order prevents Karmelo Anthony from having any contact with the Metcalf family. Karmelo Anthony did not attend the press conference, according to Next Generation Action Network. The organization said it would not proceed with the press conference until Metcalf leaves.
Next Generation officials, led by group president Dominique Alexander, said the Anthony family “has endured a wave of falsehoods, misinformation, and hateful attacks — some of which have been blatant, intentional misrepresentations of both the family and the ongoing legal case.”
Next Generation officials said the press conference will be a “critical” opportunity for the public to hear directly from the Anthony family.
“This is a moment for truth,” Alexander said. “The Anthony family deserves the opportunity to speak for themselves, to clear the record, and to share the impact this has had on their lives—not through the lens of speculation, but through their own words.”
The Anthony family will make a statement at the press conference and then take questions from the press.
Anthony was released from jail Monday after posting bond. Judge Angela Tucker earlier in the day decided to significantly reduce Anthony’s bond amount from $1 million to $250,000.
Anthony was arrested and charged with murder in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf April 2 at the UIL District 11-5A championship track meet at Frisco ISD’s Kuykendall Stadium.
Under his new bond conditions, Anthony, who appeared at the hearing in a yellow jumpsuit, is required to wear an ankle monitor and ask permission to leave his home.
Anthony’s father testified as a witness at the bond hearing Monday, and about ten people attended the hearing in support of Anthony.
Metcalf’s family was also present at the bond hearing, including his dad, grandfather, aunt and mother, who wore a gold ribbon and No. 11 pin.
Anthony was represented by Dallas defense attorney Mike Howard at the hearing. Howard initially asked the court to reduce the bond amount to $150,000. After the hearing, Howard said the $250,000 bond imposed by the judge was “fair,” in a press conference.
Collin County Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye argued that the Anthony family raised enough money through the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, where the family has raised about $415,000, to pay the $1 million bond.
“The judge has made her call and we look forward to continuing the process and looking forward to reviewing all of the facts of the case that Frisco PD has come up with,” Greg Willis, Collin County District Attorney said. “We will go where the facts lead us.”