Texas Teen Charged with Murder Allowed to Graduate but Barred from Ceremony

Karmelo Anthony, the Texas high school senior charged with the murder of fellow student Austin Metcalf, will graduate from Centennial High School with a 3.7 GPA despite his ongoing trial. An agreement between Anthony's family, represented by the advocacy group Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), and the Frisco Independent School District (ISD) allows him to receive his diploma without attending the final weeks of school or participating in any senior graduation activities. Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip emphasized that no student charged with a serious criminal offense is permitted to walk the graduation stage and warned against trespassing at district properties. Anthony was arrested and charged after the fatal stabbing at a track meet, and though he claims self-defense, he remains out on bond. NGAN President Dominique Alexander described the graduation as a moment of dignity and a testament to effective advocacy, while the community continues to navigate the tensions and misinformation surrounding the case. Anthony has been kept in a secure location due to death threats, and the district maintains a clear distinction between upholding academic policies and the ongoing legal proceedings.