Texas Teen Allowed to Graduate Despite Murder Charges

A Texas teenager accused of murdering fellow student-athlete Austin Metcalf during the Contract Meet on April 2 is out on bail and set to graduate from high school.

Karmelo Anthony, 17, faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly stabbing Metcalf. The Frisco Independent School District (Frisco ISD) has reportedly cleared him to receive his diploma, as confirmed by Dominique Alexander, a spokesman for the accused. However, he will not be allowed to attend the graduation ceremony on May 22 or take part in any activities on stage.

“We’re coordinating an early graduation for him,” Alexander stated. “We aren’t seeking special treatment or accommodations.”

Witness claims suggest Anthony was sitting under a tent used by Metcalf’s team, Memorial High School, when he was told to leave. Reportedly, Anthony warned, “Touch me and see what happens,” according to the arrest affidavit. Following this, Metcalf allegedly pushed Anthony, and the incident escalated with Anthony accused of stabbing Metcalf.

In the arrest report, Anthony reportedly confessed, saying, “I did that. I did that,” claiming it was in self-defense, as noted by the Daily Mail.

Initially, the district expelled Anthony, which would have barred him from graduating, but reversed the decision shortly after a press conference on April 17, according to Alexander. The father of the deceased, Jeff Metcalf, attended the press conference but chose to leave after the Dallas Police Department requested he refrain from speaking publicly.

Frisco ISD cited the “Student Privacy Act” when approached for comments by the Daily Mail.

Alexander also mentioned that Anthony maintained a 3.7 GPA as of April 2, allowing him to graduate even if he didn’t complete all his coursework.

“This isn’t right. I don’t think he should be allowed out. Who knows why he had a knife? My kids were in track. You shouldn’t sit under another school’s tent,” a concerned individual expressed.