Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, stood beside her husband at the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN) headquarters in Dallas as she spoke about what she said was online disinformation about her family and her son’s case. The couple was joined and introduced by NGAN's president, Dominique Alexander, a Black Lives Matter protest organizer and minister with a checkered past, including time served in prison for injuring a child.
Anthony, a Black student, is accused of stabbing Metcalf, a white student from a different high school, once in the chest after a reported dispute at a UIL track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco on April 2. Witnesses told police Anthony had been sitting under a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team. When Anthony was reportedly asked to move, an altercation ensued. During the altercation, according to reports, Anthony reached into his bag, pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf. Anthony and his lawyers have since claimed he was acting in self-defense.
The press conference was delayed almost an hour after the victim’s father appeared in the crowd of journalists, uninvited. Jeff Metcalf, who began speaking with reporters hours after his son died on April 2, was escorted off the premises by Dallas Police officers and members of the NGAN’s security detail.
“What we've seen at the beginning of this press conference, of [the] father being at this press conference, these are my words, don't call me about it, is a disrespect to the dignity of his son,” said Alexander at the start of the conference.
The press conference comes days after Anthony was released from Collin County Jail on a $250,000 bond, which was reduced from the initial $1 million bond set.
Press Conference Points
After the delay, Alexander took to the podium to clarify rumors about the case, which had caught national media attention.“From the very beginning, there was intentional disinformation surrounding the fund created in the support of the Anthony family,” Alexander said to reporters.
Fraudulent fundraisers have appeared on various platforms, amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Internet rumors have alleged that the family has used the funds to purchase a new home, cars and private security. Alexander and Hayes said that the single fund the family started on the GiveSendGo platform has not been accessed yet.
Since Metcalf's killing, users supporting both sides of the case have turned to X to show support, spread theories and even share personal and private information about both families.
Austin Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf (middle with back to camera), was asked to leave the press conference.
Alyssa Fields
“Since this tragedy unfolded, the Anthony family has been subject to unimaginable amount[s] of hate, racism, threats to their safety,” said Alexander. “People have sat outside their house, sent objects delivered to their door, publicly harassed, online and in person. This is not just about Karmelo. It's about the family who dare to stand and demand justice and return and receive ugliness that racism in this country still brings.”
Hayes, through tears, told reporters her family is living in fear.
“The lies and false accusations that have been said about us, especially over the past week, has been overwhelming,” she said. “The lies and their amplification put my family in danger, as well as everyone in our community, everyone involved in an investigation from the police, the attorneys and the court here.”
The conference took a turn when Alexander seemed to blame the event on the weather and the Frisco Independent School District.
“What I have not heard the media say, as many media outlets have asked us what went on, I'm trying to find how many of you all have asked the superintendent or one single board of trustees, why didn't you cancel or postpone with weather in that magnitude?” he said to the room of reporters. “You couldn't have a track meet in rain or thunderstorm or clouds. You all are media. Ask your journalists, your weather journalists, how the weather was that day and that time. You all do that research.”
It was raining on the day of the stabbing. The track meet ended early, but was rescheduled later that week with heightened security.
Thursday's press conference ended abruptly when Alexander announced the family would not speak to the media again before guiding them out of the room without opening the floor for questions.
“We’ll see you at trial,” Alexander said.
