Karmelo Anthony’s parents Andrew Anthony and Kala Hayes interviewed on CBS Mornings, in video posted June 11, 2026.(CBS Mornings/YouTube)

A fundraiser started by the family of Karmelo Anthony was shut down this week after the teen was convicted of murdering a fellow teenage athlete at a track meet last year — but not until after it had raised at least $630,000 to support his legal defense and his family’s personal needs.

Anthony was convicted of first-degree murder on Tuesday in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in April 2025. Anthony went into the rival team’s tent and Metcalf repeatedly asked him to leave. When an altercation ensued, Metcalf pushed Anthony, who then pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest.

A Texas jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison this week.

Shortly after the jurors handed down their conviction, GiveSendGo closed down a fundraising page that Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, had started at the time of her son’s arrest. GiveSendGo operates similar to GoFundMe, with the important caveat that criminal cases can use the platform to fundraise.

“The fundraiser was supported to support pre-trial needs, and those funds were disbursed over the last year,” GiveSendGo said in a statement. “With that stated purpose complete, the fundraiser has been closed.”

The goal was to raise $1.4 million, and a “bulk of this money is going to be used for Karmelo’s legal defense,” GiveSendGo co-founder Jacob Wells said in April 2025.

However, the family’s fundraising page also noted the donations would be used for their own personal needs.

“While legal defense is a critical part of this journey, we want to make it clear that this fund is not solely dedicated to legal expenses,” the fundraiser read. “The funds raised will also support a range of urgent and necessary means that have emerged as a result of the situation, including – but not limited to – the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats to their safety and well-being, as well as basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and other security measures.”

The case has drawn national attention, with supporters of Anthony, who is black, alleging that the trial was biased because there were no black jurors.

Metcalf’s father, Jeff, and the district attorney denied that the proceedings had anything to do with race. The arrest report does not mention race as a contributing factor.

Controversy emerged surrounding allegations that the money had been spent to buy the Anthony family a new home, but GiveSendGo previously confirmed that at the time of disbursement, the family had already purchased their home.

Per GiveSendGo’s guidelines, the company prohibits fundraising for people who have been convicted of committing violent crimes, notably campaigns that “financially reward, glorify, or support the lifestyle of individuals convicted of violent crimes.”

After Anthony’s conviction was handed down on Tuesday, but before the page was shut down, donations were still rolling in.

As long as the family follows GiveSendGo guidelines, they may be able to create another campaign page now that Anthony intends to file an appeal to his conviction.

“We can’t comment on the specifics of the movement of the campaign funds, just that they will be disbursed in accordance with our typical procedure,” Wells told the New York Post. “The family will be able to set up a new campaign if they desire as long as it aligns with our terms of service.”

In its statement, GiveSendGo said hosting a fundraiser is not an endorsement of a person’s actions.

“It is not a declaration of innocence and it is not a political statement. GiveSendGo provides access to lawful fundraising, which we extend across the full spectrum of cases,” the statements reads. “Our hearts are with Austin’s family, his twin brother, and everyone grieving a loss that no verdict can undo.”