Karmelo Anthony's mother says family has received death threats in wake of Frisco ISD stabbing investigation
The mother of the teen accused of fatally stabbing a Frisco ISD student at a track meet earlier this month spoke out on Thursday for the first time since the incident.
Karmelo Anthony's mother spoke publicly Thursday morning about the case alongside the Next Generation Action Network, an advocacy group working with the family.
Minister Dominique Alexander, president of NGAN, said the Anthony family has heard false information, misinformation and hateful attacks, which they said misrepresent the family and the case.
"The Anthony family has been subject to an unimaginable amount of hate, racism and threats to their safety," Alexander said.
One thing NGAN will work through with Frisco ISD includes the expulsion of Anthony, one month before he was set to graduate with a 3.7 GPA.
"This shows me that Frisco ISD is trying to push off the blame," Alexander said.
In the wake of the fatal stabbing at a Frisco high school track meet, the CBS News Texas I-Team found a surge of misinformation has swept through social media platforms, causing confusion and fear, which Alexander addressed.
Both Alexander and Anthony's mother, Kayla Hayes, said the family has not seen a single dime from the fund created online.
He addressed the stories going around about the family moving into a lavish new home, purchasing a new car and hiring security. Alexander said the family hasn't "splurged" and security detail was provided by the NGAN.
Before Anthony's mother spoke, Alexander asked to stop harassing the judge who had lessened his bond.
"If Aaron Dean can get a $300,000 bond when he killed Atatiana Jefferson...if Amber Guyger can get a $200,000 bond for killing Botham Jean, if Roy Oliver can get $250,000 bond….why couldn't Karmelo Anthony be entitled [to a lesser bond]?" Alexander said.
Hayes took the podium with Anthony's father next to her. She said that their family moved to North Texas three years ago in search of a better life and to give their children the future they didn't have.
She said the lies and false accusations being spread about her family have been overwhelming as they have received death threats, impacting their mental health. Her husband is currently on a leave of absence from work due to the investigation.
"I don't know why we've been targeted and discriminated against," Hayes said.
The family said it's been notified that Frisco ISD plans to expel Karmelo Anthony, who has been placed on house arrest since his release from jail on Monday. They protest that move and say the 17-year-old senior should be entitled to at-home tutoring so he can graduate next month.
Reiterating what Alexander said, Hayes said her son deserves the same rights as others. She said the family believes in the legal process, "that's when the truth will come out."
"My heart truly goes out to the family who suffered loss," Hayes said. "To those who supported our family, thank you. We ask for continued support, patience and prayers."
Austin Metcalf's father was present at the beginning of the press conference, wearing sunglasses and talking on his phone at times. About 40 minutes after the press conference was supposed to begin, Dallas police showed up and Jeff Metcalf was asked to leave, CBS News Texas' JD Miles said.
"What we saw…of the father being here..is a disrespect to the dignity of his son," Alexander said after Metcalf left the press conference.
Jeff Metcalf told JD Miles that he thought it would be an opportunity for the two families to come together in a productive way. Officers told the father of the teen who was stabbed to death that he would be charged with trespassing if he did not leave, which he agreed to do.
Alexander continued to say that Metcalf's appearance at the press conference was disrespectful and that he wasn't invited.
"He knows that it is inappropriate to be near this family. But he did it," Alexander said. "Actions speak louder than words."
Watch the full press conference in the player above.
