Teen Charged With Killing Austin Metcalf To Be Tried As Adult

The teen who’s been charged in the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf will be tried as an adult in Texas.

Last month, MetcalfΒ was stabbed to deathΒ at a high school track meet after reportedly telling Karmelo Anthony, 17, that he was sitting in the wrong seat. Anthony has been charged with first-degree murder and,Β accordingΒ to an arrest warrant, told police of the fatal stabbing, β€œI did it.”

Anthony will be tried as an adult, since Texas is aΒ concurrent jurisdiction state,Β accordingΒ to Capital B. The laws allow prosecutors to charge minors, typically 16 or 17 years old, as adults with certain crimes.

The Collin County District Attorney’s Office, which is north of Dallas, is prosecuting the case of Metcalf’s apparent murder. Anthony was charged with first-degree murder in April, but a grand jury will review the evidence and decide whether to formally indict on that charge, or on a lesser charge like manslaughter, Capital B reported.

If Anthony is convicted of first-degree murder, he could face life in prison with a chance at parole after 40 years. He will not face the death penalty.

β€œThe Supreme Court has said not only can you not seek the death penalty against someone who committed a crime when they’re 17, you can’t even get them life without parole. That would not be something we could do even if we wanted to,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said,Β accordingΒ to the New York Post.

AsΒ highlighted by The Daily WireΒ last month, Anthony’s bond was initially set at $1 million, but a Collin County judge agreed to lower the bond to $250,000 and granted Anthony house arrest at his parents’ home.

The racially-charged case made headlines again earlier this month when it was reported that Anthony was allowed to graduate high school.

Jeff Metcalf, the father of Austin Metcalf, said he wanted answers about the decision to allow Anthony to graduate high school, but he was β€œstonewalled” by Frisco Independent School District Superintendent Mike Waldrip.

β€œI’ve been stonewalled. Sad, you know, I understand the protocol,” Jeff Metcalf said. β€œThey said I have to make an appointment, which I did.”

There was reportedly an agreement between the district and Anthony’s parents to allow the teen to graduate.

β€œSo I’m just curious on how they arrived at it,” Jeff Metcalf said,Β accordingΒ to CBS News. β€œWhen I read their own policy manual about what it states for mandatory expulsion and also graduation, now, he may be placed in a program where he was able to continue his education at home, where he did maintain the credits and could get his diploma.”

There’s a movement online to grant Metcalf an honorary diploma, but that stirred up more feelings for Jeff Metcalf.

β€œThat would be great, because his name will be called right before his brother’s name,” he said. β€œBut the fact of the matter is, it’s not going to bring my son back. I mean, it’s a nice gesture, but in the long run, my son doesn’t get a diploma. So, there’s part of me that says maybe Mr. Anthony shouldn’t get one either.”