A supporter who had publicly pledged $75,000 toward Karmelo Anthony’s appeal has now withdrawn his backing, adding another controversial turn to a case already surrounded by questions over fundraising, family decisions, and public loyalty.
The supporter was identified in reports as Charleston White, a controversial online figure who had previously said he was willing to help Anthony’s appeal after the 19-year-old was convicted in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
White had reportedly pledged $75,000 to support Anthony’s legal fight after the verdict. The pledge came as Anthony’s case moved into the appeal stage and his family faced renewed scrutiny over earlier fundraising tied to his defense.
But that support did not last. According to Hindustan Times, White later withdrew his backing after clashing with Anthony’s father, Drew, and said he would rather support Austin Metcalf’s father instead.
The fallout appeared to center partly on money. Reports said White accused Anthony’s father of caring too much about funds connected to the case, including the GiveSendGo campaign that had already drawn major public criticism.
In a video referenced by the report, White was heard saying, “All you care about is that money,” while explaining why he was walking away from supporting Anthony’s side.
The reversal quickly became another flashpoint in the wider debate over Anthony’s appeal. What first looked like major financial support for the convicted teen’s legal fight suddenly turned into public anger and accusations.
The most serious part of the controversy came when White allegedly shared screenshots of messages he sent to Anthony’s father. According to the report, one message included a threat that he would make sure Anthony “catch hell in prison.”
The message immediately sparked backlash because Anthony has already been transferred to the Texas prison system to begin serving his sentence. Reports said he was moved to the Wallace Pack Unit near Houston after spending the previous night in county jail.
White also reportedly suggested he had been paid to support Anthony, then said he was sending the money back. That claim added more confusion to a situation already clouded by questions about donations, legal fees, and who still stands behind the family.
Anthony’s case has remained highly controversial since the April 2025 track meet confrontation that ended with Metcalf’s death. He claimed self-defense at trial, but jurors rejected that argument and convicted him of murder.
After the conviction, Anthony filed a notice of appeal and court documents reportedly described him as unable to afford legal counsel. That filing drew attention because his family’s earlier fundraiser had raised more than $600,000 before being closed.
GiveSendGo said the earlier campaign had been created for pre-trial needs and that the funds were disbursed over the past year for lawful purposes, including legal defense and family relocation. The platform said the campaign was closed after the stated purpose was complete.
That explanation has not stopped criticism from growing. Many people online have questioned how Anthony can now claim he needs court-appointed counsel after such a large amount was raised in his name.
White’s decision to withdraw his pledge now adds another layer to the controversy. It suggests that even some people who once publicly supported Anthony’s appeal are beginning to question the family’s handling of the case and the money surrounding it.
For now, Anthony remains in prison while his appeal begins, but the legal fight is no longer the only story. Between the closed fundraiser, the withdrawn $75,000 pledge, and the threatening message controversy, the case continues to create new divisions far beyond the courtroom.
