Should Karmelo Anthony Crowdfund His Way to Justice? Seems Pretty Normal.
By: Damien Thaddeus Jones - @NobleNegroe + Facebook + TikTok
Brothers and sisters, I write today in the spirit of truth and compassion to reflect on a matter that has stirred the hearts and minds of many: the tragic death of Austin Metcalf and the corresponding legal defense fund in support of the accused, Karmelo Anthony. Now, let me be clear from the outset—America’s legal system isn’t perfect. It’s got its flaws, cracks, and stumbles along the way. But I can testify that it remains the best in the world, a system built on the sacred principle that every man, woman, and child deserves their day in court. And in that system, Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old boy, stands innocent until proven otherwise. He deserves a well-funded legal defense team, just like any other American walking these streets of liberty.
This young man, caught up in a tragic storm after the death of Austin Metcalf, has become the center of a whirlwind. Some folks are raising their voices in outrage because a GiveSendGo campaign has swelled to over $300,000 to support his legal fight. Many have cried foul, pointed fingers, and demanded the money be stripped away. But let me ask you this: is not that the same right we’ve cheered for others to have? Look at Daniel Penny, who raised over $3 million online after he faced charges in that subway incident. George Zimmerman pulled in more than $500,000 through crowdfunding to defend himself in the Trayvon Martin case. Kyle Rittenhouse? The young man had folks pouring in nearly $2 million from every corner of this nation to back his self-defense claim. Derek Chauvin, convicted in George Floyd’s death, raked in over $1.5 million for his legal battles. Amber Guyger, the officer who shot Botham Jean, saw supporters raise upwards of $500,000 online. And O.J. Simpson—well, we all know how that Hollywood-sized war chest, estimated in the millions, turned out. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they had their shot at justice because the system allowed it. Why should Karmelo Anthony be any different?
Now, I hear the whispers, the shouts, the accusations that this tragedy is about race or politics. I’m here to tell you—no, far from it. This isn’t about Black or White, red states or blue states. This is about two families torn apart by a moment of chaos at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. A young life, Austin Metcalf’s, was lost, and our hearts break for that. But Karmelo Anthony’s life hangs in the balance, too, and we can’t let division blind us to that truth. This shouldn’t push us apart; it should pull us closer together. We ought to be locking arms, not drawing battle lines, waiting for all the facts to rise up like the morning sun before we cast judgment.
Yet, instead of patience, I see venom. I see folks out there wishing the death penalty on young Karmelo, calling him a thug, painting him as some monster before the gavel’s even struck. I condemn that with every fiber of my being. As a preacher and a human, I’m not allowed to say who deserves to die, but I can tell you this: who are we to play judge and jury? Karmelo claims self-defense, and whether that holds water or not, it’s the court’s job—not ours—to decide its validity. To those hurling stones, I say: put ‘em down. Let justice do its work.
In this hour of pain, I lift a prayer for the Metcalf family. Lord, wrap Your arms around Jeff, Meghan, and Hunter as they mourn their son and brother, a star athlete taken too soon. And I pray for the Anthony family too—Karmelo’s kin, who are weathering threats and fear, clinging to faith in a storm they never asked for. Both these families need our love, our grace, and our unity, not our hate.
America, we’re at a crossroads. We can let this moment divide us further, or we can rise above it. The legal system, imperfect as it is, gives Karmelo Anthony the right to fight for his freedom with his $300,000 fund, just as it did for Penny with $3 million, Zimmerman with $500,000, Rittenhouse with $2 million, Chauvin with $1.5 million, Guyger with $500,000, and Simpson with his millions. Let’s honor that. Let’s wait for the truth. Let’s pray for healing.
And as we stand together, I leave you with the words of Ephesians 4:3—“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” May this be our anthem for all Americans, in this trial and beyond. Amen.
Rev. Damien Thaddeus Jones is a Christian minister, author, distinguished conservative thought leader, and political analyst with nearly 15 years of expertise in civic and political engagement. He is the author of the best selling book Black Voters Red Wave.