Support fund for Karmelo Anthony — suspect in murder of HS star athlete Austin Metcalf — rises past $150,000 mark



The online support fund for 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony — the suspect in last week's murder of Texas high school star athlete Austin Metcalf, also 17 — has risen past the $150,000 mark.

The "Help Karmelo Official Fund" on GiveSendGo reached $159,479 at 11 a.m. ET Monday, and the figure appears to be rising quickly. The goal is $200,000.

'I know that my client said it was self-defense.'

"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 fund states.

Frisco police told KXAS-TV they arrested and charged Anthony with the murder of Metcalf at a track meet Wednesday morning.

Jeff Metcalf, the victim's father, added to the station that the suspect got angry after being told he was in the wrong place at Kuykendall Stadium and being asked to move: "I'm not trying to judge, but what kind of parents did this child have? What was he taught? He brought a knife to a track meet, and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart. The guy was in the wrong place, and they asked him to move, and he bowed up. This is murder."

Andrew Anthony, the suspect's father, painted a different picture, however.

“Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be,” Andrew Anthony told the New York Post, adding that his son "was not the aggressor" in the confrontation and "was not the one who started it."

“He’s a good kid. He works two jobs. He’s an A student, has a 3.7 GPA,” Anthony added to the paper about his son, a senior at Centennial High School.

The suspect's father also told the Post, “I feel bad for the other parents and family, and words can’t explain how both [families] have been affected by this tragedy.”

Anthony's family on Friday hired defense attorney Deric Walpole, who told KXAS in a separate story that he requested a hearing this week to lower Anthony’s $1 million bond. His client is behind bars in Collin County Jail.

"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 and talk to people and figure out what's going on before I make any statements about what I think happened," Walpole told KXAS. "I don't have any reason to think it wasn't self-defense at this time."

You can view a video report here about the case's new details.

'I'm not alleged. I did it.'

After the stabbing, the arresting officer said Anthony reportedly told him, "I was protecting myself," before the officer questioned him about the incident, WFAA-TV reported, citing the arrest affidavit.

Anthony also reportedly told the officer that Metcalf "put his hands on [him]," the station said, citing the affidavit, after which Anthony was handcuffed.

The arresting officer soon told a fellow officer arriving on the scene that he had the alleged suspect — and Anthony reportedly interjected, "I'm not alleged, I did it," WFAA reported.

A witness reportedly noted to police that Metcalf — who competed for Memorial High School — told Anthony he had to move from under his team's tent, the station said, citing the affidavit. With that Anthony opened his bag and reached inside, the witness told police, WFAA said.

"Touch me and see what happens," Anthony told Metcalf, the station added, citing a witness.

Metcalf reportedly touched Anthony, the witness told an officer, and Anthony told Metcalf to punch him and see what would happen, WFAA reported.

Metcalf then reportedly grabbed Anthony, after which Anthony reportedly pulled out what the witness recalled as a black knife and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest before running away, the witness said, the station reported, citing the affidavit.

Metcalf reportedly grabbed his chest and told others to get help, the witness told police according to WFAA.

While Anthony was in the back seat of a police vehicle, an officer saw fresh blood on his left middle finger, the station said, citing the affidavit.

More from WFAA:

The document states that Anthony also reportedly asked the officer if Metcalf was going to be OK while he was in the back seat of the vehicle. While being escorted to the squad car, Anthony asked an officer if his actions could be considered self-defense.

According to the affidavit, the knife Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf with was later found in the bleachers at the track. Anthony had reportedly thrown it there following the stabbing. Anthony is being held in the Collin County jail where his bond amount has been set to $1,000,000.

'This is not a race issue'

Jeff Metcalf urged those on social media to not use his son's death to stir up political and racial divisiveness, WFAA said.

"This is not a race issue. This is not a black and white issue. I don't want someone stepping up on their soapbox trying to politicize this. Unless you were there, unless you saw it: Don't spread gossip," Metcalf noted to the station.

When asked about Anthony's insistence that he acted in self-defense, Metcalf told WFAA that stabbing a person who tells you to move at a school track meet isn't a reasonable response.

"If you're caught, the best thing you're going to do is lie your way out of it," Metcalf added to the station. "The truth will come out. There were too many people there who saw what happened."

WFAA said police listed in Anthony's arrest documents more than 30 witnesses who saw the stabbing, including students and coaches.

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Legal defense for former Marine Daniel Penny raises over $500,000 on Christian fundraising website, Jordan Neely's attorneys demand murder charge



Daniel Penny, the former Marine who was involved in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, turned himself in to authorities on Friday morning.

After the former Marine surrendered, Penny's attorney, Thomas Keniff, told reporters that his client surrendered "voluntarily and with the sort of dignity and integrity that is characteristic of his history of service to this grateful nation."

Keniff said Penny "has his head held up high."

\u201cPenny\u2019s attorney Thomas Kenniff spoke minutes after his client surrendered \u2014>\u201d
— Ben Feuerherd (@Ben Feuerherd) 1683893084

With exorbitant attorney fees looming, a crowdfunding campaign raised more than half-million dollars for Penny's legal defense. At the time of publication, a campaign on the Christian fundraising website GiveSendGo has garnered more than $575,000 for Penny's legal defense.

The description for Penny's crowdfunding campaign reads:

Daniel Penny is, a twenty-four-year-old college student and decorated Marine veteran, facing a criminal investigation stemming from him protecting individuals on a NYC subway train from an assailant who later died. Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Penny’s legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense. All contributions are greatly appreciated. Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Penny’s legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.

The GiveSendGo fundraising campaign was launched by the law firm Raiser & Kenniff, P.C. — which is representing Penny in the case.

Penny was seen on video putting Neely in a chokehold while onboard the F subway train on May 1. Neely had been acting erratically and aggressively towards other subway passengers, according to witnesses. After subduing Neely, video shows Penny placing Neely in a "recovery position."

Neely died the same day. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner ruled Neely's death a homicide.

Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter.

However, attorneys for Neely's family are calling for Penny to be charged with murder.

"Justice looks like a conviction for murder," said Lennon Edwards, Esq., an attorney with Milles & Edwards.

"The consequences of manslaughter two is five to 15 years," Edwards said on Friday. "Ask yourself, is that enough? Murder two, up to 25 to life. So we need a full cup of justice here."

The 30-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator reportedly suffered from mental illness and was homeless.

Neely was reportedly arrested 42 times between 2013 and 2021, including for four alleged assaults. At the time of his death, Neely had an active warrant for felony assault in connection with an attack on a 67-year-old woman in 2021.

Daniel Penny's attorney speaks out www.youtube.com

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Derek Brumby/Getty Images

Canada’s justice minister says trucker convoy supporters who are ‘pro-Trump’ should worry about having bank accounts frozen

The justice minister of Canada said Wednesday that supporters of former President Donald Trump who also financially backed anti-mandate truck protesters “ought to be worried” about having their bank accounts frozen. Justice Minister David Lametti issued the stark warning Wednesday night during an interview on CTV News Channel, with host Evan Solomon. The exchange began […]

Ilhan Omar surprises with reaction to GiveSendGo donor hack: 'Journalists need to do better'



In our hyper-politicized discourse, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) offered on Wednesday what many of her critics may find to be a surprising position: She defended GiveSendGo donors whose privacy was breached and shared on the internet.

What is the background?

After a hacker breached GiveSendGo, the Christian-based crowdfunding platform that was being used to fundraise for the Freedom Convoy protests in Canada, media members on both sides of the border began identifying donors and demanding that they answer for their contributions.

Enter, for example, Tammy Giuliani, owner of Stella Luna Gelato Café in Ottawa. Her business was forced to close due to threats after media revealed that she had contributed $250 to support Freedom Convoy demonstrators.

An editor at the Ottawa Citizen highlighted the story on social media and appeared to suggest that Giuliani was supporting a violent movement — despite the Freedom Convoy protests remaining peaceful, yet politically inconvenient — by noting that Giuliani made her donation when Canadian law enforcement were describing demonstrations as "volatile and dangerous."

At least one reporter from the Washington Post reached out to people whose donation information was illegally breached to ask them why they supported the Freedom Convoy protests.

What did Omar say?

Responding to the ongoing incident, Omar condemned journalists' actions as "unconscionable" and urged them to "do better."

She was specifically responding to the harassment of Giuliani.

"I fail to see why any journalist felt the need to report on a shop owner making such a insignificant donation rather than to get them harassed," Omar said. "It’s unconscionable and journalists need to do better."

I fail to see why any journalist felt the need to report on a shop owner making such a insignificant donation rather than to get them harassed. It\u2019s unconscionable and journalists need to do better. https://twitter.com/alisonmah/status/1493676835028099072\u00a0\u2026
— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1645052262

While Omar was praised for her response, others pointed out the person she was responding to — the Ottawa Citizen editor — did not personally dox Giuliani.

While that is true, the substance of Omar's criticism also remains true: the media took advantage of an illegal breach of data and began exposing donors of the Freedom Convoy protests, which led to harassment.

Anything else?

GiveSendGo announced Wednesday the introduction of new security measures to prevent further breach of data. The company also confirmed that no money was stolen, and credit card data was not obtained in the hack. So far, more than $9.5 million has been raised for the freedom demonstrators.

Aubrey Cottle, an infamous hacker, has taken credit for hacking GiveSendGo.

"Yes, I tossed the trucker. I hacked GiveSendGo, and I'd do it again. I'd do it a hundred times. I did it. I did it. Come at me. What are you going to do to me?" Cottle admitted in a TikTok video. "I'm literally a famous f***ing cyberterrorist, and you think that you can scare me?"

GiveSendGo fires back defiant message after Canadian government moves to freeze donations to Freedom Convoy



GiveSendGo, the Christian-based crowdfunding platform, responded defiantly to a Canadian court order demanding that the platform freeze the transfer of donations to Freedom Convoy protesters.

The organization said that funds would continue to be disbursed to the protesters in defiance of the order.

"Know this! Canada has absolutely ZERO jurisdiction over how we manage our funds here at GiveSendGo," the platform said in a statement late Thursday. "All funds for EVERY campaign on GiveSendGo flow directly to the recipients of those campaigns, not least of which is The Freedom Convoy campaign."

Know this! Canada has absolutely ZERO jurisdiction over how we manage our funds here at GiveSendGo. All funds for EVERY campaign on GiveSendGo flow directly to the recipients of those campaigns, not least of which is The Freedom Convoy campaign.
— GiveSendGo (@GiveSendGo) 1644541284

What is the background?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey requested Thursday that the Canadian legal system take action to stop GiveSendGo from transferring crowdsourced donations to protesters demonstrating against draconian COVID restrictions in Canada.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice then granted the request.

"Today, the Attorney General brought an application in the Superior Court of Justice for an order pursuant to section 490.8 of the Criminal Code prohibiting any person from disposing of, or otherwise dealing with, in any manner whatsoever, any and all monetary donations made through the Freedom Convoy 2022 and Adopt-a-Trucker campaign pages on the GiveSendGo online fundraising platform," Ford's office explained in a statement.

"This afternoon, the order was issued. It binds any and all parties with possession or control over these donations," the statement added.

Supporters of the Freedom Convoy began a crowdfunding campaign on GiveSendGo last week after GoFundMe shut down the original donation campaign, citing talking points of the Canadian government that the protest had become an illegal "occupation."

As of Friday morning, donors have raised nearly $8.7 million on GiveSendGo. The donations are being used to pay food, lodging, gas, and other basic necessities of truckers and other demonstrators.

While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has refused to meet with protesters and has continually demonized them on social media and in the press, other leaders across Canada have listened to the protesters and rescinded COVID restrictions.

President Joe Biden has urged Trudeau to use the powers of the Canadian federal government to end the peaceful protests. Meanwhile, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has reportedly offered to use state resources to help end the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge, a key border crossing between Canada and the U.S.

Christian crowdfunding page to benefit teen Kyle Rittenhouse explodes with donations



Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo is hosting a fundraising campaign for Kyle Rittenhouse, who was charged with homicide last week following riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

At the time of this reporting, the page has received more than $270,000 in donations.

What are the details?

The fundraiser, which was purportedly set up by friends of the Rittenhouse family, aims to fund the teen's legal defense.

Authorities charged 17-year-old Rittenhouse with five criminal counts including first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide. He also faces charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Rittenhouse reportedly fired on three protesters during protests following Jacob Blake's police shooting on Aug. 23. Two rioters died, and one was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The page reads, "Kyle Rittenhouse just defended himself from a brutal attack by multiple members of the far-leftist group ANTIFA — the experience was undoubtedly a brutal one, as he was forced to take two lives to defend his own."

"Now, Kyle is being unfairly charged with murder 1, by a DA who seems determined only to capitalize on the political angle of the situation," the page continues. "The situation was clearly self-defense, and Kyle and his family will undoubtedly need money to pay for the legal fees."

Teen 'exercised his God-given' rights

In a recent statement, Rittenhouse's attorney said that the teen did "nothing wrong" and simply defended himself.

"He exercised his God-given, constitutional, common law and statutory law right to self-defense," the statement said.

Rittenhouse's legal team added that their client was in the area to help protect businesses amid protests, and provide first aid if necessary.

It was only when he was allegedly attacked did the teen reportedly fire on rioters, but still remained at the scene in order to provide first aid to one of the shooting victims.

He was forced to flee, however, "for his safety and his survival" when rioters converged on the scene.

The statement explains:

As Kyle proceeded towards the second mechanic's shop, he was accosted by multiple rioters who recognized that he had been attempting to protect a business the mob wanted to destroy. This outraged the rioters and created a mob now determined to hurt Kyle. They began chasing him down. Kyle attempted to get away, but he could not do so quickly enough. Upon the sound of a gunshot behind him, Kyle turned and was immediately faced with an attacker lunging towards him and reaching for his rifle. He reacted instantaneously and justifiably with his weapon to protect himself, firing and striking the attacker.

Kyle stopped to ensure care for the wounded attacker but faced a growing mob gesturing towards him. He realized he needed to flee for his safety and his survival. Another attacker struck Kyle from behind as he fled down the street. Kyle turned as the mob pressed in on him and he fell to the ground. One attacker kicked Kyle on the ground while he was on the ground. Yet another bashed him over the head with a skateboard. Several rioters tried to disarm Kyle. In fear for his life and concerned the crowd would either continue to shoot at him or even use his own weapon against him, Kyle had no choice but to fire multiple rounds towards his immediate attackers, striking two, including one armed attacker. The rest of the mob began to disperse upon hearing the additional gunshots.


Rittenhouse's legal team explained that investigators used the teen's conservative values against him in order to spin the narrative and detract from the Blake shooting.

"[T]his was not a serious investigation," the team added. "Rather, after learning Kyle may have had conservative political viewpoints, they immediately saw him as a convenient target who they could use as a scapegoat to distract from the Jacob Blake shooting and the government's abject failure to ensure basic law and order to citizens. Within 24-36 hours, he was charged with multiple homicide counts."

(H/T: Newsweek)