Teen murder suspect accused of stabbing Texas high school track star to death freed on bail
After a significant bond reduction Monday morning, the 17-year-old accused of stabbing Frisco, Texas track star Austin Metcalf to death has been released from jail.
Karmelo Anthony, 17, faces first-degree murder charges in Metcalf’s death. His bond was dropped from $1 million to $250,000 Monday morning, FOX Dallas Ft. Worth reported.
Anthony’s bond conditions include house arrest and an ankle monitor, and he will only be able to leave his home with the judge’s permission.
His newest criminal defense attorney, Mike Howard, hired Saturday, confirmed immediately after the hearing that Anthony would post bond, but said he was unsure exactly when that would happen.
“I anticipate that he will be able make bond,” Howard told reporters after the hearing. “I can’t speak to how quickly that will go. The funds that have been raised are not quick to come out and then there’s obviously a process to the release process once bond is posted.”
Anthony is accused of stabbing Metcalf, also 17, at a high school track meet. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms.
MOURNING MOTHER, TWIN BROTHER OF SLAIN TEXAS TEEN SPEAK OUT: ‘LOST MY BEST FRIEND IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE’
The Anthony family had crowdfunded almost $415,000 on the platform GiveSendGo as of Monday morning.
“Every Texan has the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life,” Howard said. “Self-defense is a protection that applies to each and every one of us. There are two sides to every story.”
“This is a tragedy all the way around for both families,” he added. “Rushing to judgment, trial by public perception, and trial by media is not how we ensure justice is done. We are confident that, after a full investigation, that the truth will come out.”
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said the case will be taken to a grand jury.
“The judge has made the call, and so what’s important is what’s next,” he said. “Frisco PD will be finishing up their investigation. They will submit the case to my office. We will review it and ultimately present it to a grand jury, and so that’s what’s next. That’s really much, pretty much all I can say right now. We do our, speaking as far as the facts go, in the courtroom.”
If convicted, Anthony cannot face the death penalty because he is a juvenile, thanks to a 2005 Supreme Court ruling in a case called Roper v. Simmons.
GRIEVING TEXAS FATHER SPEAKS OUT AFTER SON WAS STABBED TO DEATH AT HIGH SCHOOL TRACK MEET
“The Supreme Court has said not only can you not seek the death penalty against someone who committed a crime when they’re 17, you can’t even get them life without parole,” Willis said last week. “That would not be something we could do even if we wanted to.”
Metcalf was laid to rest Saturday.
“My son is gone, and he’ll never come home again,” Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said Thursday on “America Reports.”
“Do not politicize this,” he added. “It’s not… this is a human being thing. This person made a bad choice and affected both his family and my family forever.”
“People ask me, how can you forgive this other person? I said I forgive the other person because the forgiveness is not for him. The forgiveness is for me so I can have peace,” he said.
“His life is destroyed. My life is destroyed.”
The altercation unfolded under a tent at a track meet in Frisco. The arrest report from the incident said Anthony “grabbed his bag, opened it and reached inside it” and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”
TEXAS TRACK MEET STABBING SUSPECT TOLD RESPONDING OFFICERS HE ‘DID IT’: DOCS
In the next moment, a witness told police that Anthony “reached into his bag and the male took a knife out of the bag and stabbed Austin.”
The witness told the officer that Anthony deserted the scene following the stabbing. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms.
Anthony told the responding school resource officer, who cuffed him upon arrival at the scene, that he was protecting himself. The officer also noted blood on Anthony’s left middle finger.
One officer at the scene referred to Anthony as the alleged suspect, and Anthony made a “spontaneous statement,” according to the report: “I’m not alleged, I did it.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Anthony also asked the officers if Metcalf was “going to be OK” and asked if what happened could be considered “self-defense,” the report said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Howard for comment.
Associated Press cries foul after WH reportedly blocks them out, despite judge’s order
The Associated Press accused the White House of violating a court order after it was once again banned from an Oval Office event.
On Monday, AP writer David Bauder reported that a reporter and photographer were barred from attending a news conference with President Donald Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.
This decision came despite U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruling last week that the White House had violated the Constitution by blocking the longtime publication’s access to press events.
“The Government offers no other plausible explanation for its treatment of the AP. The Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination, even in a nonpublic forum like the Oval Office,” McFadden wrote in his order.
ASSOCIATED PRESS SAYS IT WAS BARRED FROM OVAL OFFICE OVER USE OF ‘GULF OF MEXICO’
McFadden ruled the White House must restore AP’s press access but delayed the order for one week to allow the White House a chance to appeal. According to Bauder’s article, the order was set to take effect on Monday.
The AP also reported that McFadden rejected the White House’s request to delay the order on Friday.
The White House quickly filed an appeal and set up a hearing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit for Thursday over whether AP’s access can still be restricted while the case is reviewed.
In the meantime, AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton said in a statement that she expects access to be restored.
“Our journalists were blocked from the Oval Office today. We expect the White House to restore AP’s participation in the (White House press) pool as of today, as provided in the injunction order,” she said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and AP for further comment.
The controversy began after Trump signed an executive order renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” on his first day in office. The AP later issued style guidance for how the news outlet would refer to the body of water.
NYT COLUMNIST ‘SYMPATHETIC’ TO TRUMP ADMIN BARRING AP FROM OVAL OFFICE, AIR FORCE ONE
“The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences,” the guidelines stated.
The White House then blocked AP from the Oval Office and Air Force One in February over its refusal to use the term “Gulf of America.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Trump admin slashes billions in grants to Harvard after school defies demands
The Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism announced it is freezing over $2 billion in multi-year grants and contracts to Harvard University in Massachusetts, after the school’s president released a statement saying the school would not comply with the administration’s demands regarding antisemitism.
“Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges – that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws,” the task force said. “The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable.
“It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support,” the statement continued. “The Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism is announcing a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60M in multi-year contract value to Harvard University.”
The decision comes after Harvard University President Alan M. Garber said the school would not comply with the Trump administration’s demands, despite the possibility of the Ivy League school losing federal funding.
HARVARD WON’T COMPLY WITH TRUMP ADMIN’S DEMANDS AMID THREATS OF CUTTING FEDERAL FUNDING
In his letter, Garber said the federal government has threatened its partnerships with several universities, including Harvard, over accusations of antisemitism on their campuses.
He also noted that the Trump administration issued an updated and expanded list of demands, saying if the school plans to maintain a financial relationship with the federal government, it must comply.
“It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” Garber wrote. “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement.”
TRUMP ADMIN PAUSES $1B FROM CORNELL, $790M FROM NORTHWESTERN AMID CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION: REPORT
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who graduated from Harvard in 2006, ripped the Ivy League school’s response, saying in part, “…Harvard University has rightfully earned its place as the epitome of the moral and academic rot in higher education.”
“Fueled by the radical groupthink Far Left faculty, inept University leadership, donations by foreign adversaries, and pro Hamas terrorists, Harvard has fully embraced and tolerated the raging antisemitism threatening the lives and physical safety of Jewish students on campus,” Stefanik said. “It is time to totally cut off U.S. taxpayer funding to this institution that has failed to live up to its founding motto Veritas. Defund Harvard.”
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey praised Harvard’s decision to not fold to the Trump administration.
DHS: DEPORTED BROWN UNIVERSITY DOCTOR ATTENDED HEZBOLLAH CHIEF’S FUNERAL, SUPPORTED TERROR LEADER
Specifically, she thanked Harvard and Garber for their leadership in standing up for education and freedom by standing against, what she called, the administration’s “brazen attempt to bully schools.”
“We all agree that antisemitism has no place in America and that it should be fought in the workplace, classrooms and everywhere,” Healey said. “Complying with the Trump Administration’s dangerous demands would have made us all less safe.”
President Donald Trump has suspended federal funding to every Ivy League, besides Penn and Dartmouth, over investigations into anti-Israel protests that have taken place on their campuses since October 2023. Funding for dozens of other universities has also been impacted by investigations for the same reason.
Earlier this month, a federal antisemitism task force announced a review of Harvard’s federal grants and contracts, worth nearly $9 billion, as the university faces an investigation into campus antisemitism.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Trump administration has promised to be more aggressive in ending campus antisemitism after saying President Joe Biden did not hold universities accountable for their violent protests.
The administration has also made moves to detain and deport foreign students who participated in or orchestrated anti-Israel protests at American universities.
‘Harry Potter’ actor warned by doctors that he may never walk or speak again
Nick Moran, who portrayed Scabior in the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” films, is recovering from a “life-threatening” diagnosis that caused him to undergo emergency spinal surgery.
“Nick had surgery a little over a week and a half ago and is home walking, talking and making a full recovery,” a representative for the 55-year-old actor told People magazine.
“Nick will be back working on his next film shortly and is looking forward to being back at the studio, tending to his busy schedule. Nick would like to thank all of the well-wishers and assure them that he is well and appreciative of their support.”
‘HARRY POTTER’ STAR MAGGIE SMITH RECEIVES TRIBUTES FROM HOLLYWOOD: ‘WE WILL NEVER SEE ANOTHER’
In a lengthy interview with The Daily Mail, Moran’s friend, Terry Stone, told the outlet that Moran’s girlfriend was the one to encourage him to seek medical help after the actor was experiencing neck pain.
Stone said his friend was told he needed an “emergency operation because this is life-threatening.”
“I spoke to one of his family members, and he damaged his neck somehow, and it’s affecting his spinal cord and some of the things that operate your speech and your legs,” Stone said.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“He’s recovering but [doctors] basically said [ahead of surgery] that he might never walk or talk again, which was traumatic. He’s not in the best of health, but when he came out of the operation I was like, ‘Thank, God,’ because I think he’d decided he’d rather not walk or talk than die.”
“They had to replace [bones in his neck] with artificial bone, it was micro-surgery and because there’s so many nerves around the neck and spine, this made the operation tricky with those awful chances of not being able to speak or walk again,” he added.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Stone said that while he’s recovering, Moran still has a long road ahead of him.
WATCH ‘FOX & Friends’ hosts a magical Harry Potter celebration
“He’s speaking now, which is a good sign, but he’s shuffling around like a 100-year-old and has a neck brace on and taking it easy,” he said.
A representative for Moran did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Dem who voted in favor of bill to prevent noncitizen voting, now says its a ‘myth’
Democratic New York Congressman Tom Suozzi said claims that illegal aliens are voting in his state’s elections are a “myth” and “completely inaccurate,” pointing specifically to an argument from Elon Musk several weeks ago claiming Democrats in states like New York and California have engaged in a strategy of “turning” illegal aliens into registered voters.
“I don’t want [noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections]. That’s actually a myth that Elon Musk [said] on a show where he was talking about noncitizens voting in New York — it’s just not true,” Suozzi told a reporter on Capitol Hill, who asked him why he “wants noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections.”
The question came shortly before Suozzi voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which ultimately passed with enough congressional support and restricts federal voting to only fully legal U.S. residents. Suozzi, during the last legislative session, voted in favor of a congressional measure that banned noncitizen voting in local D.C. elections.
SCOOP: ARIZONA TO BEGIN REMOVING AS MANY AS 50K NONCITIZENS FROM VOTER ROLLS FOLLOWING LAWSUIT
“It’s an actual lie,” Suozzi said about Musk’s claim of noncitizen voting in New York, before walking into the Capitol building.
Liberal localities, including New York City, have become flash points in the debate over noncitizen voting.
In January 2022, an ordinance passed by New York City’s city council sought to allow green card holders, DACA recipients and other non-U.S. citizens residing in New York to vote in municipal elections. However, the controversial measure only lasted for roughly six months before the courts shot it down, and then, last month, the state’s appeals court affirmed the move, which would have added roughly 800,000 noncitizens to the city’s voter rolls, according to the New York Times.
DEMS FIGHT BILL TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT VOTING DESPITE POLLS SHOWING VOTER SUPPORT
“Why is the Democrat propaganda machine so fired up to destroy me? The main reason is that entitlements fraud… for illegal aliens is what is serving as a gigantic magnetic force to pull people in from all around the world and keep them here,” Musk said during a Feb. 28 episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. “If you end the illegal alien fraud, if you turn off that magnet, then they leave… and if that happens a massive — they will lose a massive number of Democratic voters.”
Musk’s argument on Rogan’s podcast sought to underscore a view from many Republicans more broadly about an effort by Democrats to increase the number of Democrat-friendly voters on the nation’s voter roles by enticing illegal aliens, who historically vote largely for Democrats, into the country with generous public assistance programs, and then permitting them to engage in elections.
“They’re already turning them — so in New York State illegal aliens can already vote in state and city elections. A lot of people don’t know that,” Musk added. “They’re trying to stop that, but currently, I think it’s 600,000 are registered to vote — illegal aliens — in New York.”
Musk also cited California, where in San Francisco and Oakland noncitizens can vote in local school board elections. According to Ballotpedia, in addition to California, only Maryland and Vermont also have jurisdictions where noncitizens can vote.
STATE CONSERVATIVES DEMAND ACTION ON NONCITIZEN VOTING: ‘TIME FOR CONGRESS TO LISTEN’
“I won’t accuse him of lying — I’ll just say he’s just completely inaccurate, as he is on many things,” Suozzi told Fox News Digital. “He’s spreading it like a gospel and pissing all these people off behind a complete fabrication.”
Suozzi pointed out how Musk is a high-profile figure that many Americans look to for guidance, noting that this makes it important for people to understand the facts of the matter when it comes to noncitizen voting.
The need to remain vigilant and educated on the topic was echoed by Musk during his appearance with Rogan as well.
“I invite people to do their research,” Musk told Rogan when he remarked how fascinating it was that people were not aware of the scenario which Musk was discussing. “The more they do their research, the more they will see that what I’m saying is absolutely true.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
When reached for comment on Suozzi’s remarks about Musk’s claim on noncitizen voting in New York and other areas, White House spokeswoman Liz Huston remarked that noncitizen voting “is a very real problem,” and added that “anyone who says otherwise is delusional and lying.”
“He’s choosing to ignore the facts and pander to his far-left base at the expense of the truth,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella added.
Trump turns up the heat on CNN during tense Oval Office exchange
President Donald Trump repeatedly needled CNN and its primetime anchor Kaitlan Collins on Monday during an extended exchange in the Oval Office about deported El Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Trump welcomed El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to the White House on Monday, and as Collins tried to get in a remark, Trump said he wanted to hear a question from the “very low-rated anchor.” Collins ignored the slam and asked Trump if he would ask Bukele to assist in bringing back the man who was mistakenly deported.
Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to answer Collins, who said Abrego Garcia was illegally in the country and had previously been ruled by immigration courts to be a member of transnational terrorist group MS-13. It was “up to El Salvador” if it wanted to return him, she said.
Trump interjected that CNN asked “with a slant, because they are totally slanted.”
‘UP TO EL SALVADOR’: TRUMP ADMIN PUNTS ON RETURN OF WRONGFULLY DEPORTED MARYLAND RESIDENT
“They don’t know what’s happening, that’s why nobody is watching them,” Trump said.
White House advisor Stephen Miller was also tapped in by Trump to respond to Collins, saying it was “very arrogant even for American media to suggest that we would even tell El Salvador how to handle their own citizens.” He added that because Trump had declared MS-13 a foreign terrorist outfit, Abrego Garcia was ineligible for immigration relief in the U.S.
While a court ordered the U.S. government to pursue “steps to facilitate the return” of the man who was removed last month, the Justice Department asserted that federal courts do not have the authority to dictate to the executive branch how to handle foreign relations and that the order only requires removal of “domestic obstacles” that would hinder the man’s ability to return to the U.S.
The Supreme Court upheld the decision by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis saying Abrego Garcia had to be returned, saying it “properly requires the government to ‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador.” However, the Trump administration has framed the decision as a victory that affirmed the president’s authority over foreign policy.
STEPHEN MILLER DOUBLES DOWN ON DEPORTATION OF ALLEGED GANG MEMBER: ‘NOT MISTAKENLY SENT’
“We won a case 9-0,” Miller said. “And people like CNN are portraying it as a loss, as usual, because they want foreign terrorists in the country who kidnap women and children.”
Collins followed up that Trump had said he would abide by the Supreme Court decision. Trump shot back, “Why don’t you just say, ‘Isn’t it wonderful that we’re keeping criminals out of our country?’ Why can’t you just say that? Why do you go over and over — and that’s why nobody watches you anymore. You have no credibility.”
Collins hosts “The Source” on weeknights in addition to being a White House correspondent for CNN.
Earlier in the conversation with Bukele, Trump said of CNN, “I think they hate our country” and accused it of stifling reporting about decreased illegal border crossings under his administration.
Asked for comment, a CNN spokesperson didn’t respond on the record to Fox News Digital.
‘WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT’: US JUDGE REAMS TRUMP ADMIN FOR DAYS-LATE DEPORTATION INFO
In a court filing submitted Sunday evening, Justice Department lawyers argued they are not required to comply with a judge’s order to “facilitate” the return of Abrego Garcia, who was sent to an El Salvadoran prison in what administration officials have since acknowledged was an “administrative error.”
They argued that the order itself likely exceeds the power of the courts, arguing they “have no authority to direct the Executive Branch to conduct foreign relations in a particular way, or engage with a foreign sovereign in a given manner.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Vance has hilarious response after Ohio State’s trophy nearly breaks in his hands
Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio State University alumni, was eager to meet with the Buckeyes football team at the White House on Monday to celebrate the team’s national championship.
But he needed those Buckeyes to help him out just a bit after nearly fumbling their large, gold trophy out on the White House lawn.
After President Donald Trump, Vance, and head coach Ryan Day said a few words about the accomplishments of the Buckeyes this past college football season, pictures were taken, and the vice president took the opportunity to hoist the College Football Playoff national title trophy.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
However, Vance didn’t realize that the black base was nearly a stand for the gold vessel, and it almost fell out of his hands as he went to lift the entire thing.
Luckily, Vance recovered thanks in part to help from head coach Ryan Day and star running back TreVeyon Henderson, who were both quick to help him out.
Vance took the trophy off its stand and felt much more comfortable as the pictures continued on the White House lawn.
The vice president joked on X after seeing the clip of him going viral.
“I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it,” he wrote.
OHIO STATE SPRING GAME: BUCKEYES HONOR THE PAST, SHOWCASE 2025 TALENT
Other than having the trophy, the Buckeyes also made Trump a custom Buckeyes football jersey with his name and the number 47 on the back in honor of his presidency.
Vance said he was “so proud” to be an Ohio State alumni on this day, while also pointing a finger at United States Senator Ted Cruz, who the vice president says needs to pay up on a bet.
“I want to say just a couple of words about this team because they really helped make a really incredible year even better for this very proud Ohio State alum,” Vance began. “First of all, I made a bet with Ted Cruz over the Texas game, a bet he has still not paid up on. Ted Cruz, if you’re watching on TV — I don’t like losing any bet, but I really don’t want to lose a bet to Ted Cruz. So, thank you all for helping me win that bet against Ted Cruz.”
Vance also admitted mentioning to Trump that he wished to see the Buckeyes face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship, but it landed on Jan. 20 — the day of Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president.
“The second thing, I asked the president on Jan. 20 I said, ‘Sir, would you mind if I skipped that final inaugural ball to go to the Ohio State national championship game.’ The president said, ‘No, but we’ll have them at the White House.’ So, here we are celebrating their national title,” Vance said, laughing.
“You guys were resilient. You were tough. You represented the state of Ohio well. You represented the whole country well.”
Trump commended the Buckeyes for battling through the 12-man playoff, especially after tough losses to the Oregon Ducks and Michigan Wolverines, the latter of which being Ohio State’s most bitter rival.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Vance even pointed out that someone was wearing a Michigan hat during the ceremony at the White House, and jokingly said he’s going to tell Secret Service that the person had a “dangerous weapon.”
The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish, 34-23, in the national title game, which was capped by a beautiful deep pass from Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith late in the fourth quarter.
‘Duck Dynasty’s’ Phil Robertson and Miss Kay back together in care facility
There is some good news for “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson as he battles his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
On the “Unashamed with the Robertson Family” podcast, sons Jase and Al Robertson shared that their father and mother, Phil and Miss Kay, have been reunited in a care facility.
“We now have Phil and Kay back together. It has been fantastic,” Jase said in the April 11 episode.
While Phil has been in “professional care” as Jase put it in a previous episode, Miss Kay is recovering in the hospital from an infection following a cut she got from a fall.
‘DUCK DYNASTY’ STAR ‘UNCLE SI’ ROBERTSON HOSPITALIZED AFTER HUNTING ACCIDENT
“My dad’s not doing great overall, and my mom is not doing great physically,” Jase said. “She has to have pretty much 24/7 professional healthcare, but my dad, it’s like, ‘You’re helping her morale.’ She’s helping his morale.”
Al added, “He’s been so much calmer since she came back.”
Jase explained that family and friends have been visiting, with Miss Kay’s visitors dubbed “Kay’s Kingdom” and Phil having his own respective “kingdom” of visitors.
“They’re in a facility where there are other people, but they have their own little private room. It’s great. And so, they’re helping each other, so that’s been positive,” Jase said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
He added that with a large extended family and network, “the challenge has been, we have so many people coming up there, we’re being disruptive. We’ll have to address that later.”
Jill Dasher, wife of Robertson cousin Zach Dasher, was on the podcast as well, and shared a funny story about Phil recognizing the fact that his wife of almost 60 years hasn’t been able to have her hair dyed, asking, “What’s Kay got going on [with] that half-devil hair?”
Jase confirmed Phil notices Miss Kay’s typically dark hair looks different, and that they bicker a little like old times.
Earlier this month on the podcast, Jase, Al and Zach shared the “blunt truth” that Phil is not doing well.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“We’re making him comfortable, and we’re doing the best we can. I think that’s just what you do,” Jase said.
He first shared the downturn in his father’s health in December, saying on the podcast that Phil has the “early stages of Alzheimer’s.”
“It’s like accelerated, and it’s causing problems with his entire body. And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s really not doing well. He’s struggling,” Jase said at the time.
Willie Robertson, Phil’s son, also spoke with Fox News Digital by phone at the time and clarified that Phil is “battling a lot of different things right now.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“He’s got a blood disorder, and then he’s got the mental issues that could be early [on-set] Alzheimer’s… and probably some mini-strokes because of his blood,” Willie explained. “And so, it could be some stroke stuff happening, that has happened. So, we’re still checking on all that. But then he also has a back issue. He’s fractured his back and that’s where the pain’s at. So, he’s kind of battling many different things at the same time.”
Suspect accused of torching governor’s mansion displays strange antics before court
The suspect accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion over the weekend was arraigned on Monday, where he stuck his tongue out at reporters trying to ask him questions.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, resident Cody Balmer entered the court on Monday evening. Speaking to Judge Dale Klein, Balmer identified as a former welder who is not currently employed, and stated that he had no savings or income.
Balmer also said that he had no history of substance or alcohol abuse, and said that he had taken medication for mental health in the past, but that the pills “lead [him] to different types of behavior.” The judge later denied Balmer’s bail request on the grounds that his behavior endangered the community.
Earlier on Monday, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) said that Balmer was “currently receiving treatment” at a hospital for a “medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest.”
PENNSYLVANIA POLICE ARREST SUSPECT AFTER GOVERNOR’S MANSION SET ON FIRE WHILE GOV JOSH SHAPIRO, FAMILY SLEPT
The suspect was charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other related offenses after allegedly setting the fire at around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Shapiro and his family celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover shortly before the fire started, and were asleep at the time of the incident.
In a press conference on Sunday, PSP Lt. Col. George Bivens said that Balmer hopped fences and brought “homemade incendiary devices” to the governor’s mansion.
PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR’S MANSION ATTACK SUSPECT CODY BALMER ADMITTED ‘HARBORING HATRED’ TOWARD SHAPIRO: POLICE
“He actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence,” the official explained. “While [police] were searching is when he attacked at the residence, [and] broke in and set the fires…it was a very quick event that occurred.”
Shapiro denounced the attack on Sunday and expressed gratitude to the authorities who saved him and his family.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said. “And I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It is not okay and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”