Charleston White has publicly pulled back his support for Karmelo Anthony’s family after a new dispute over fundraising added more controversy to an already divided case. The online commentator, who had previously said he would help Anthony’s appeal, is now criticizing Anthony’s father and saying he would rather support Austin Metcalf’s family instead.
White had earlier pledged $75,000 toward Anthony’s legal appeal after the 19-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison. But that support changed after a public fallout with Anthony’s father, Drew Anthony.
In a video that began circulating online, White accused Drew of being too focused on money connected to the family’s fundraising efforts. He claimed the GiveSendGo campaign and questions around the donations had become a major issue behind the scenes.
White also said he felt misled in connection with his earlier support. He claimed he would return the money he had pledged and instead shift his backing toward Jeff Metcalf, the father of Austin Metcalf.
The comments quickly drew attention because the case has already been surrounded by intense public debate. Anthony’s family previously raised more than $600,000 through a GiveSendGo campaign before the fundraiser was shut down after his conviction.
That fundraiser had been described as support for legal defense, relocation, counseling, and family needs. But after Anthony filed an appeal and claimed he could not afford legal counsel, questions about the earlier donations became louder.
White’s reversal now adds another layer to the controversy. For critics, his comments feed into existing concerns about transparency and how the fundraising money was used. For Anthony’s supporters, the appeal remains a legal right, and they argue the family has faced heavy public pressure since the case began.
Anthony was convicted in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in 2025. Prosecutors said the confrontation happened during a weather delay after Metcalf asked Anthony to leave a team tent area.
Anthony’s defense maintained that he acted in self-defense, but jurors rejected that argument and sentenced him to 35 years in prison. He has since filed a notice of appeal and has been transferred into the Texas prison system as the legal process continues.
The fallout involving Charleston White shows how the case is still creating new fights outside the courtroom. Even after the verdict, the debate over Anthony’s sentence, the appeal, the fundraising money, and the pain of Austin Metcalf’s family continues to grow.
