Frisco, Texas – Carmelo Anthony Secures New Legal Representation

Carmelo Anthony has recently appointed a new attorney in his effort to appeal his murder conviction.

This month, he was found guilty and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track event in Frisco. Following the verdict, Anthony filed an appeal notice.

Records from Collin County indicate that Lara Bracamonte Davila is now serving as his public defender.

Prior to her appointment, the court briefly assigned criminal defense attorney Donny Perales, who is no longer representing Anthony.

Bracamonte Davila, the state’s appellate lawyer, noted that the Anthony family is expected to retain private counsel for the appeal, as mentioned in an email from Perales.

Shortly after his conviction on June 9, Anthony submitted a TDFA Investigative Packet as part of his appeal process. Under the Texas Fair Defense Act, defendants who prove they cannot afford a lawyer can apply to have one appointed.

To qualify, a defendant must show financial need. In documents he filed, Anthony claimed he is “penniless, destitute, and too poor to hire an attorney” for his appeal.

Interestingly, records indicate that the Anthony family is linked to various businesses in Louisiana and Texas, with one reportedly established just weeks after Metcalf’s death.

Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, acknowledged that despite the ongoing appeals process, the Anthonys have not reached out to his family since the trial concluded.

In an interview, he reflected on the situation, stating, “I’ve never forgotten what he did to my son. I have no compassion, but I have no anger or hatred because I gave him forgiveness, and of course that forgiveness was for me.”

FOX News Digital has attempted to contact Bracamonte-Davila and the Anthony family for their thoughts on the matter.