Murder Suspect Karmelo Anthony Allowed to Graduate

Suspected teen killer Karmelo Anthony will graduate from his Texas high school despite missing the last month and a half of classes as he faces a murder charge in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf.

Anthony’s parents and an activist group vocal in supporting the accused murderer played prominent roles negotiating for the teen to receive his diploma from Frisco’s Centennial High School while under house arrest, WFAA reported.

Next Generation Action Network, the controversial group backing Anthony’s legal troubles, announced the teen’s high school achievement after his parents met with officials in the Frisco Independent School District.

“We are proud to share that Karmelo Anthony will graduate and receive his high school diploma, and that his academic achievements will not be disrupted,” the group’s President Dominique Alexander told the outlet.

“NGAN has worked diligently alongside the Anthony family’s legal team to bring about this fair and student-focused resolution. This is a moment of dignity for Karmelo and a reminder of the power of advocacy done right.”

The school district said it would honor Anthony’s credits and previous achievements in the classroom, but he will not be recognized to walk across the stage at the May 22 graduation due to his murder charge.

“No student who commits a serious criminal offense (Title V felony) is permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony. Additionally, anyone who trespasses on Frisco ISD property or at a District event will be subject to immediate removal and possible arrest by law enforcement,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip wrote in an email to the Centennial High School community, according to WFAA.

Anthony’s graduation status has been in limbo since his deadly encounter with Metcalf at a high school track and field event on April 2 in Frisco, Texas.

He is accused of stabbing Metcalf, 17, in the heart at Kuykendall Stadium after a brief altercation between the two teens.

Anthony, a Centennial High senior, was allegedly sitting underneath the tent of Memorial High School when Metcalf confronted the uninvited visitor.

Anthony threatened the junior to not touch him before digging into his backpack and pulling out a knife, plunging the blade into Metcalf’s chest.

Police captured Anthony, who later confessed to the stabbing but claimed he did it in self-defense.

Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms after the blade pierced his heart.

His brother, Hunter Metcalf, said the altercation happened in less than 30 seconds and the siblings didn’t know Anthony before the fight, according to WFAA.

Anthony was charged with first-degree murder.

He was originally held in jail on a $1 million bond, which was reduced to $250,000 and released to house arrest on bond.

The Anthony family moved their son to a $900,000 home inside a gated community after his release from jail.

Although Anthony turned 18 on May 11, he will not face the death penalty if convicted because he was 17 when the alleged murder occurred.

“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. That would not be something we could do even if we wanted to,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis told WFAA.