The FBI has launched an investigation after the judge who reduced Karmelo Anthony’s bond received threats in the wake of her decision on Monday. Per TMZ Sports, authorities said that Judge Angela Tucker has also been assigned extra security.
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Anthony, 17, fatally stabbed Austin Metcalf, who is also 17, during an altercation at Frisco track meet on April 2. Anthony’s bond was initially set at $1 million after he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Tucker, however, ultimately reduced his bond to $250,000, paving the way for his eventual release on Monday.
But it appears some people have taken issue with the judge’s decision. Per the Collin County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), “court staff and concerned citizens” made authorities aware of the threatening comments that were coming toward Tucker’s way – paving the way for investigations to be launched.
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The CCSO also told the news outlet that they’re working on tracking down any person who leaked Tucker’s private and personal information. “If the individual responsible is identified, potential charges could include Unlawful Disclosure of a Residence Address or Telephone Number and Obstruction or Retaliation,” the CCSO stated.
Following the hearing on Monday, Tucker is said to have made her X account private, and that was supposedly a result of the negative comments being made about her.
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Tucker reduced Anthony’s bond after the accused teen’s attorney argued that the amount in question was too extreme as his client had a clean criminal history, TMZ Sports reported. But prosecutors asked the judge to maintain it because that is the general bond amount set for suspects facing murder charges in Collin County.
Per the conditions of his release, Anthony has been ordered to wear an ankle monitor and reside at his parents’ residence, CBS News reported. He is also to be under adult supervision by a recognized adult. Additionally, Anthony is barred from establishing contact with his classmates, participating in school-related activities, and going on social media. The accused teen also is required to report to the court every Friday for a check-in.
Witnesses said that an argument broke out between Metcalf and Anthony, a student from Centennial High School, after Metcalf allegedly asked Anthony to leave Memorial’s pop-up tent during a rainstorm, according to a police report.
Anthony allegedly reached into his gym bag and told Metcalf: “Touch me and we’ll see what happens.” According to a witness, Metcalf pushed Anthony, who then pulled out a knife, stabbed Metcalf in the chest, and fled the scene.
Anthony allegedly confessed to fatally stabbing Metcalf in the heart, telling the police, “I did it”. An officer also reports Anthony told him: “I was protecting myself.”
Anthony’s attorney, Deric Walpole, also previously told reporters the teen is claiming self-defense, as reported by Daily Mail.
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