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Twin Accepts Posthumous Diploma Days Before Texas Teen's Murder Trial

The ceremony highlights the Metcalf family's grief under strict court limits on pretrial publicity.

Overview

  • The Memorial High School graduation on May 21, 2026 drew a long standing ovation when Hunter Metcalf accepted a posthumous diploma for his twin brother Austin.
  • Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed during a Frisco ISD track meet on April 2, 2025 after an altercation with classmate Karmelo Anthony, who was arrested at the scene.
  • Karmelo Anthony, who was 17 at the time of the killing, is charged with first-degree murder and his jury trial is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2026.
  • Anthony has been on house arrest since his bond was reduced on April 14, 2025 and faces a possible sentence of 5 to 99 years or life in prison if convicted under Texas law treating 17-year-olds as adults.
  • The case has prompted nationwide attention, large-scale online fundraising for Anthony, reported incidents of doxxing and swatting, and a Collin County judge has issued a gag order plus strict rules on media access and courtroom conduct.