Background: News coverage of the incident at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas (KXAS). Inset (left): Karmelo Anthony (Frisco Police Department). Inset (right): Austin Metcalf (GoFundMe).
The family of a Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing another teen during a high school track event — who told police he was acting in self-defense — has secured an agreement with the school district. This arrangement allows the 17-year-old suspect to graduate without attending classes for the final six weeks of the school year, according to a local advocacy organization.
Karmelo Anthony, a student from Frisco, will graduate with all academic credits and a diploma, as stated by the Next Generation Action Network in a release to ABC affiliate WFAA. However, he will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony or any senior events, according to the group’s statement.
“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,” said Next Generation Action Network President Dominique Alexander. “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.”
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Anthony is accused of killing Austin Metcalf, 17, at a track meet on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, according to local police. He allegedly used a knife that he pulled from his backpack to stab Metcalf after Metcalf reportedly attacked Anthony.
An arrest affidavit obtained by WFAA says Anthony told officers, “I was protecting myself” and that Metcalf “put his hands” on him while the two of them were arguing in the bleachers.
Anthony’s family has received more than $500,000 in donations through an online fundraiser posted on GiveSendGo — a religious crowdfunding website regularly used by far-right conservatives and their allies — maintaining that he’s been wrongfully charged with murder. “The narrative being spread is false, unjust and harmful,” the fundraiser description says.
“As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period,” it continues. “Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever.”
As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser had brought in more than $528,000 in donations. Its original goal of $100,000 has been raised several times and now stands at $600,000.
Tensions have surrounded the Anthony murder case over the support he has received, and how he has been treated in the eyes of the law.
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Things reached a boiling point in April when the judge overseeing it was doxxed and threatened online after she lowered the teen’s bond from $1 million to $250,000.
The bond reduction by Judge Angela Tucker — a Republican who is Collin County’s first Black judge — led to immense backlash. She was forced to make her X account private after her private information was shared on social media. Things got so bad for Tucker that she had to hire extra security and authorities stepped in to investigate, according to local officials.
The outrage over the case and the judge’s decision has involved numerous factors, including Tucker’s background and the teens’ respective races, as well as Tucker’s, according to the Atlanta Black Star, which published a list of posts targeting Tucker and Anthony.
Speaking to reporters in early April following the bond reduction, Anthony’s attorney Mike Howard said, “Every Texan deserves the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life. Self-defense is a protection that applies to each and every one of us.”
Prosecutors, meanwhile, have described Metcalf’s death as the result of an “altercation” and insist that stabbing him was not needed.
“For reasons unknown, the defendant brought a knife to a track meet for what probably could have been a fist fight at worst,” Collin County First Assistant Bill Wirsky said during the bond hearing, according to local Fox affiliate KDFW.
The NGAN did not immediately reply to Law&Crime’s request for comment.
