Decision to let Karmelo Anthony graduate prompts outrage from victim’s family

A Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing another teen at a track meet is being allowed to graduate, despite protests from the victim’s family.

The Frisco Independent School District is allowing Karmelo Anthony, 17, to graduate next week, although he will not be permitted to attend the ceremony since he is banned from school property following the incident.

Anthony allegedly stabbed Austin Metcalf, 17, to death on April 2 after a dispute arose over Anthony sitting under the wrong school’s tent. Anthony, who claims he acted in self-defense, is charged with first-degree murder and will be tried as an adult.

In an April 17 email posted on X, Metcalf’s mother, Meghan, urged the Frisco school board not to allow Anthony to graduate. 

“I have been informed the civil rights team that this person has behind him are reaching out to you requesting he be able to graduate,” Metcalf wrote. “I do not know much about your stance on protests, etc., but I would urge you to make sure that you do not change your mind on this ruling – that the boy is expelled and it stays that way. 

“My son, Austin, will NEVER be able to graduate. This person will have the opportunity to get his GED at a later time because he is still living. I would strongly request that you do not allow them to sway your ruling and keep him from being able to graduate from the Frisco ISD schools we hold so dear.” 

She received no response until May 13, the date she sent a follow-up email demanding one. Superintendent Michael Waldrip’s reply came 10 days after school board elections were held. 

The superintendent wrote that while expelled students typically continue their education through a Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP), if a student has completed all graduation requirements, they may be offered early graduation. 

“By law, once a student meets all graduation requirements – whether at their home campus or JJAEP – they are eligible to receive their diploma,” he said, declining to discuss the particulars of Anthony’s case due to student privacy. 

Anthony reportedly has a 3.7 GPA and has completed all necessary credits, even without attending the last six weeks of school. 

Metcalf was less than satisfied, criticizing the superintendent and board for offering “not even condolences.” 

“Never would I have imagined a response like this,” she wrote. “If any of you had a heart, the fact you can’t even acknowledge my loss is telling of this board.” 

A Metcalf family friend, who called Austin her “bonus son,” also wrote a scathing rebuke. 

“What policy does Frisco ISD have that allows a student to take the life of another student and still walk away with a diploma?” the friend wrote. “Is there no honor in receiving a diploma in this school district? What precedent are you setting for the future of Frisco ISD? To me, you are setting one that tells students that violence and murder will be tolerated and rewarded.” 

The writer criticized Dominique Alexander, a convicted felon who is representing the Anthony family, and questioned whether the board made its decision after an April 17 press conference by the group that “mentioned Frisco ISD in the same sentence with the words like ‘negligence,’ ‘racism’ and ‘lawsuit.’” 

“You can honor Karmelo’s right to privacy but you cannot honor Austin Metcalf’s life?” the friend wrote. “You have devalued the honor of receiving a diploma for all the students in this district … Your messaging is loud and clear. You can hide behind any policy you see fit.” 

Alexander praised the decision, NBC-DFW reported. 

“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,” he said. “This is a moment of dignity for Karmelo and a reminder of the power of advocacy done right.” 

The dispute highlights a growing divide between supporters of Anthony and those of the Metcalf family. Both families have raised more than $500,000 through crowdfunding, with the Metcalfs receiving a significant boost after reports showed Anthony had outraised them. 

It has also drawn attention to issues of race and equal treatment. 

One X account posted a collage of headlines featuring students who weren’t allowed to graduate for offenses such as participating in a pro-Palestinian protest or refusing to take a mandatory LGBTQ health class – far less severe than a murder charge. 

Metcalf’s father, Jeff, attempted to meet with Waldrip on Wednesday but was turned away by security. He was told the earliest available meeting would be Monday morning. 

“I offered to wait all day today for 15 minutes of his time, but he was unable to spare any time for me,” Jeff Metcalf posted online. “See you on Monday.”