Judge Reduces Bond for Teen Accused of Murdering Texas Track Star, Orders House Arrest
In a controversial decision drawing outrage from the local community, a Texas judge on Monday reduced the bond for 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony — the teenager charged with first-degree murder in the brutal stabbing death of 16-year-old Austin Metcalf — from $1 million to $250,000, and placed him on house arrest.
The attack took place earlier this month during a high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, in broad daylight. Metcalf, a star athlete from Frisco Memorial High School, was fatally stabbed during the school-sanctioned event — a tragic end to what should have been a celebration of sportsmanship and student achievement.
Anthony, who attended Frisco Centennial, was arrested and charged with murder. Despite the gravity of the charges, his defense attorneys successfully petitioned the court for a reduced bond and electronic monitoring.
A Divisive Decision
Presiding over the bond hearing, Judge Angela Tucker of the 199th Judicial District Court cited that bond is designed to ensure a defendant’s appearance in court and protect the public — not to serve as punishment before trial.
“This is a bond hearing, not a trial,” Judge Tucker said. “The purpose of bond is to ensure the defendant returns to court and to ensure the safety of the community. I don’t take that lightly at all. I take those things very seriously.”
Anthony’s attorneys argued that he had no prior criminal record and should be allowed to remain with his family under house arrest. They also noted that Anthony’s family had raised over $400,000 in donations but was having difficulty accessing the funds.
Prosecutors, however, revealed that Anthony had been involved in an altercation at school earlier this year, though it had not escalated to law enforcement involvement.
Judge Tucker ultimately sided with the defense, reducing the bond and allowing Anthony to return home under strict conditions, including:
- Wearing an ankle monitor
- Weekly check-ins with the court’s bailiff every Friday
- Prohibition from using social media
Community Reactions
The decision has stirred strong reactions from the public, particularly in the Frisco community, where residents are still reeling from the shocking slaying of a beloved student-athlete.
The fact that Anthony is now permitted to await trial from the comfort of his home, despite being accused of a violent, premeditated act, has been seen by many as a failure of the justice system to adequately weigh the severity of the alleged crime.
Judge Tucker clarified that she would not be presiding over the trial itself, only the bond reduction hearing. The case will be reassigned to another judge for trial proceedings through a random selection process.
As the legal case moves forward, the tragic loss of Austin Metcalf continues to weigh heavily on his school, teammates, and grieving family.
