A new team of attorneys has stepped forward to represent Karmelo Anthony in the appeal of his murder conviction in the death of Austin Metcalf, offering to handle the case at no cost.
Six lawyers from North Texas and Austin announced they will represent Anthony as he challenges his conviction and 35-year prison sentence. The attorneys said they plan to conduct what they described as a fresh and independent review of the trial record as part of the appeals process.
The legal team's involvement comes shortly after Anthony was sentenced and filed a pauper's oath with the court, stating that he can no longer afford legal representation.
Anthony was convicted in the fatal stabbing of Metcalf, a case that drew widespread attention across North Texas. The appeal will give Anthony's new attorneys an opportunity to review the trial proceedings for potential legal errors or other issues that could be raised before an appellate court.
The attorneys have not publicly detailed the specific grounds they expect to pursue on appeal.
Under Texas law, defendants who cannot afford legal representation may seek court-appointed counsel for appeals. Anthony's new legal team said it will represent him on a pro bono basis while pursuing post-conviction review of the case.
