A fundraising campaign for the 17-year-old murder suspect accused of stabbing a high school football star to death during a track meet last week has raised more than $237,000 toward his legal defense.
Because as we all know, teens who stab other teens through the heart and take their life are definitely the sympathetic victims in the story.
The family of Karmelo Anthony is asking the public to “withhold all judgement” until the “truth” comes out about his killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf — which, I suppose, is somehow supposed to justify why this kid took out a knife he’d just been carting around in his backpack and jammed it in another teen’s chest. The incident occurred after an alleged altercation between the boys - who apparently didn’t know each other - at a high school track meet. Police say witnesses claim Anthony was in Metcalf’s team’s tent, and that Metcalf asked him to leave. Anthony then reportedly reached into his backpack and told Metcalf to “touch me and see what happens.” When Metcalf touched him, Anthony responded by taking out a knife and stabbing him in the chest before fleeing.
Anthony bled out and died in the arms of his twin brother before first responders were able to render aid. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
After being apprehended, Anthony reportedly admitted to police that he’d stabbed Metcalf, but that he had acted in self defense - a claim his lawyer says he doesn't have "any reason to disbelieve."
Related: Media Largely Ignore High School Junior Stabbed to Death at a Track Meet
"I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don't have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people and figure out what's going on before I make any statements about what I think happened," Deric Walpole told NBC 5, adding, "I don't have any reason to think it wasn't self-defense at this time.”
Anthony has been charged with murder and is being held on $1 million bail.
In the online fundraising campaign’s page, the Anthony family claimed that “the narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful.”
“As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever,” the fundraising summary continued.
While the total funds raised for Karmelo’s family surpassed its $200,000 goal, the comments section might be even more nauseating than the donations.
“Praying GOD protects this young and that Justice will be rightfully served and he is freed!” one donor wrote.
“Thank you Karmelo and I’m sorry this ever happened to you,” another penned - though it’s not clear why anyone would be thanking this guy for allegedly murdering another high school student over a seating dispute.
“Good job standing up for yourself young man!” another wrote.
A separate fundraising campaign, which had described Anthony as a good kid with no criminal record who’d been “jumped” by Metcalf and his brother during the track meet, was taken offline by the crowdfunding site for violating its policy against raising money for those accused of violent crimes, but not before raising $140,000.
A GoFundMe set up for Metcalf’s family has raised about $290,000, only about $12k more than the fund set up for his accused murderer.
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