Fundraiser Money Misused
Fundraiser for convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony removed after $630K went to living costs
A $634,000 online fundraiser for convicted killer Karmelo Anthony has been taken down after a Texas jury found him guilty of murder on June 9, 2026, sentencing him to 35 years in prison. The 19-year-old stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf once in the chest at a Frisco, Texas, high school track meet in April 2025.
Reports show the "Help Karmel Official Fund" — hosted on GiveSendGo — was not used solely for legal defense. The fund's own description listed "moving and living costs" as a permitted use, raising questions about how donor money was spent.
How $634,000 Was Raised — and Spent
GoFundMe removed early fundraisers for Anthony in April 2025, citing its policy against legal defense funds for violent crimes. The family then turned to GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding site. The "Help Karmel Official Fund" launched on April 9, 2025, and pulled in over $270,000 in its first week alone, according to Newsweek.
By the time Anthony stood trial in June 2026, the fund had topped $634,000. But the money did not go entirely to lawyers. The fund's stated purpose included helping the family cover moving and living expenses — costs the family said were necessary after they faced doxxing and death threats, WFIN reported.
Mother Denied Rumors of Luxury Purchases at Press Conference
As the fundraiser grew, so did suspicion. Rumors spread online that the Anthony family used donations to buy a $900,000 home and a Cadillac Escalade. Anthony's mother, Kala Hayes, held a press conference on April 17, 2025, to deny those claims. She said her family was being "threatened, harassed, and lied about," according to FOX 4 News.
GiveSendGo co-founder Jacob Wells said at the time that no funds had yet been withdrawn. He defended hosting the campaign, pointing to the principle of "innocent until proven guilty." The family did relocate — reports confirmed they moved to a gated rental community — but Hayes maintained it was for safety, not luxury.
Jury Convicts in Two Hours After One-Week Trial
Jury selection began June 1, 2026, in Collin County. The trial lasted one week. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye argued Anthony carried out a "sneak, surprise attack" and had warned Metcalf, "Touch me and find out," before pulling a knife. The jury — which included no Black members — deliberated for roughly two hours before returning a guilty verdict, The Guardian reported.
Austin Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, delivered a fierce victim impact statement. "You failed yourself. You failed your parents. You failed society," he told Anthony directly, according to CBS News. Metcalf later said a "one million pound weight" had been lifted from his shoulders after the verdict.
GiveSendGo Shuts Fund Down; Appeal Filing Raises New Questions
GiveSendGo pulled the fundraiser on June 10, 2026 — one day after the conviction. The platform's policy bars funds that "financially reward, glorify, or support the lifestyle of individuals convicted of violent crimes," according to TMZ. Whether any remaining balance will be refunded to donors remains unclear.
Anthony's legal team filed a notice of appeal within 24 hours of the verdict. But with a large portion of the $634,000 reportedly spent on the family's living costs — rather than legal strategy — questions remain about whether enough money is left to fund a serious appeal, CBS News noted.
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