Teen accused in fatal track meet stabbing will receive diploma, won't attend graduation: Reports
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Frisco track meet stabbing suspect released on bond
Frisco track meet stabbing suspect Karmelo Anthony has been released on bond after it was reduced from $1 million to $250,000. Anthony is accused of stabbing and killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf after an altercation at a track meet.
Fox - 4 News
Karmelo Anthony, a Texas teenager charged in the fatal stabbing a fellow track athlete, is reportedly set to receive his diploma but will be barred from participating in his high school's graduation ceremony.
The 18-year-old, who was released from custody last month after posting a $250,000 bond, is charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, 17, on April 2 at a track meet in the Dallas suburb of Frisco.
An affidavit previously obtained by USA TODAY alleges Anthony admitted to stabbing Metcalf out of self-defense.
'I did it': Texas teen charged with murder in track meet stabbing cites self-defense
Next Generation Action Network, a nonprofit advocating for Anthony's right to a fair trial, said in a news release that the teenager is set to graduate and receive his diploma without needing to attend school for the final month and a half of the academic year, according to WFAA. The nonprofit added that Frisco ISD allowed this because Anthony completed the necessary credits, has a 3.7 GPA and his family reached an agreement with the district, which included the teenager not participating in "any senior graduation activities," Dallas-based TV station 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,' Minister Dominique Alexander, NGAN president, said, per CBS News Texas and NBC 5 DFW. 'This is a moment of dignity for Karmelo and a reminder of the power of advocacy done right.'
USA TODAY contacted Next Generation Action Network and Anthony's attorney, Mike Howard, on May 14 but has not received a response.
Frisco ISD emails staff, students and families before graduation
With Anthony being charged with murder, Frisco ISD's Superintendent Mike Waldrip, in an email to staff, students and families on May 13, said: "I want to be clear. No student who commits a serious criminal offense (Title V felony) is permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony."
Frisco ISD did not explicitly mention Anthony in the email, telling USA TODAY on May 14: "Due to privacy laws, Frisco ISD cannot discuss individual student records."
The email alluded to "misinformation" that Waldrip said was being shared about the graduation "via several media outlets and perpetuated through social media," but did not elaborate.
"Frisco ISD does not condone violence or crime in our schools or at our events and will not reward or celebrate those who hurt others," the email reads.
Ahead of the graduation ceremony, Waldrip said, "Anyone who trespasses on Frisco ISD property or at a District event will be subject to immediate removal and possible arrest by law enforcement."
More than $500,000 raised for Karmelo Anthony's legal defense
The Next Generation Action Network, which celebrated Anthony turning 18 on May 10 in an X post, continues to defend the teenager's right to due process through news conferences and on social media.
In the May 10 post, the nonprofit shared an online fundraiser page, which as of May 14 has raised over $500,000 toward Anthony's legal defense and expenses.
"Karmelo should be celebrating the final stretch of his senior year — prom, graduation, and preparing for the next chapter," the nonprofit's May 10 post reads. "Instead, he's facing a legal system that has historically failed young Black men, fueled by media spin, hate-filled attacks, and political pressure that ignores due process and humanity."
The nonprofit has alleged there are "double standards" surrounding the case, saying Anthony and his family have received death threats despite not being convicted.
'Their personal address has been exposed,' Alexander said about the Anthony family during a news conference last month. 'This justice must be fair and impartial, and protected from biases. We do not pull the race card. We live it.'
Metcalf's father recalls spending last weekend with son
Metcalf's family has also garnered support since his death. Multiple fundraisers have been created, including one by his father, Jeff Metcalf, that has raised over $550,000 in donations.
Jeff Metcalf previously spoke with local media outlet KDFW-TV about a hunting trip he took with his son before his death.
"I'm so fortunate to be able to spend that weekend, not knowing it was the last weekend I'll ever spend with him," Jeff Metcalf told KDFW. "I was able to watch and be blessed, so much, to have such, both my sons are amazing. My other son is just crushed. I feel for him now, he won't be the same. None of us will."
The father, who learned of his son's stabbing when a coach called him, added that he hopes for "justice, because this is unacceptable," according to KDFW.
Contributing: Saleen Martin and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
7 hours ago
- CBS News
Hit-and-run, police chase ends on tarmac at Dallas Love Field Airport
A man is in police custody after a brief chase that ended on a runway at Dallas Love Field Airport. It happened on July 4 around 6:10 a.m. Police said a man was driving a car when he intentionally hit another car in a parking lot. The man then rammed his car through a gate and drove into the secured tarmac area of the airport. According to the Dallas Police Department, officers responded immediately and a short chase ensued, pausing airport operations. The man was eventually stopped by police and taken into custody. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Normal operations resumed on the west side of the airport but the east side remains temporarily closed, DPD said. No injuries were reported.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
Body of Alaska cruise passenger found 1,700 feet below ridge line of intended hike
The body of a Norwegian Cruise Line passenger who went missing in Alaska has been recovered. Marites Buenafe, 62, vanished Tuesday after texting her family that she was going for a hike in Juneau, according to an Alaska State Troopers missing persons bulletin. She was reported missing after not returning to the Norwegian Bliss on time that afternoon. On Thursday, an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter spotted her body roughly 1,700 feet below the ridge line of the area she planned to hike, state troopers shared in an update via Juneau Police. 'Troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue were able to recover her body with the assistance of Temsco Helicopters and the National Guard,' read the troopers' Facebook post, which thanked the agencies and volunteers involved. Disappearance timeline State troopers said Buenafe texted her family at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, saying she was headed to Mount Roberts Tramway and planned to hike Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak. Security footage showed her leaving the buildings at the top of Mount Roberts Tramway at about that time. She was supposed to return to the Norwegian Bliss by 1 p.m. that day, for the ship's scheduled 1:30 p.m. departure. A Norwegian spokesperson said multiple attempts were made to contact the guest before the ship departed. CruiseMapper shows the Bliss continuing on its week-long Alaska cruise sailing, which originated in Seattle on June 28. Search and recovery Multiple agencies searched the Gold Ridge area until Buenafe's body was recovered below the ridge line of Gold Ridge at around noon Thursday. 'Her next of kin have been notified, and her body will be sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy,' according to Alaska State Troopers. Norwegian told USA TODAY it's assisting local authorities in the investigation. Also, 'Our CARE team is providing support to the guest's family and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.' Contributing: Nathan Diller, USA TODAY
Boston Globe
13 hours ago
- Boston Globe
After an art heist hit a New Hampshire town, ‘the banana is back'
Franconia Police Chief Martin 'Mac' Cashin said in a video accompanying the social media post that he had confirmed the banana was the original artwork and not a duplicate banana. 'I would like to very much thank whoever returned it for doing so,' he said. 'It was the right thing to do.' In the original banana's absence, other bananas were affixed to the large steel fishing-rod, which was part of the original artwork. Cashin said those additions would remain on display, alongside a game camera, padlocks, and zip ties contributed by the police department to ensure the sculpture remains intact. Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up 'Enjoy your artwork, Franconia,' he said. Advertisement The piece was made by Massachusetts-based sculptor and art educator 'It's been the funniest outcome of any of my art ever,' Belenky said. 'I'm absolutely obsessed.' He said the police department is now planning to put it on a float for a town celebration on July 12. The banana was missing for about two weeks from late May into June. The artwork, entitled 'Elevated Fruit,' was installed on the front lawn of a local restaurant as part of the Advertisement The foam-and-fiberglass banana was only on display for four days before it first went missing, prompting community members to rally around the artwork, asking whoever had taken it to please bring it back. Someone apparently heeded their cry. Kathie Lovett, co-chair of the Franconia Artwalk, said one morning in June, the banana had been restored. During its hiatus, people had put up real bananas and inflatable bananas, Lovett said, in addition to a wooden banana her friend carved with a chainsaw. Lovett said she took the banana lookalikes down after a few days. She said everyone she spoke to was happy the banana was back. 'It felt like the banana crisis was sort of calming down,' she said. 'We said that we loved it, and somebody brought it back,' she said. Amanda Gokee can be reached at
