INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 131, No. 93
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2015
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ITHACA, NEW YORK
12 Pages – Free
News
Arts
Sports
Weather
Fashion Forward
Fresh New Sound
One for the Books
Snow Showers HIGH: 5º LOW: -9º
The first Ecouture Fashion Show displays designs made out of recycled material. | Page 3
Tyran Grillo grad says Orchestre de la Suisse Romande brought freshness to Bailey Hall. | Page 6
Men’s lacrosse notches its first season win against Hobart College Friday. | Page 12
Former Student Pleads Guilty To 2012 Attacks Christopher Duenas appeared in Ithaca City Court Thursday By SOFIA HU Sun Senior Writer
A former Cornell law student was arrested and plead guilty to six charges following a two-year investigation by police. Christopher Duenas allegedly attacked two female students on campus in the early morning of Sept. 2, 2012, according to the University. Cornell Police identified Duenas, who has not been enrolled in the law school since September 2012, as a suspect after linking him to one of the victims through DNA evidence. In the days following the attack, Duenas — who fit the physical descriptions provided by the victims — was also reported missing by his friends, according to the University. On Sept. 5, 2012, Duenas’ vehicle was found passing through a United States Border Patrol checkpoint in California. CUPD investigators later flew to San Diego, California to obtain and execute a search warrant for DNA samples, which confirmed the link between Duenas and the victim. Police arrested Duenas at the United States-Mexico border on Jan. 14, 2015. He appeared in Ithaca City Court Thursday, where he plead guilty to two counts each of attempted assault in the third degree, unlawful imprisonment in the second degree and criminal obstruction of breathing.
CONNOR ARCHARD / SUN SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Suspended | The Sigma Pi fraternity, which stands on 730 University Ave., was placed on interim suspension.
Sigma Pi Fraternity Suspended Following Hazing Allegations By ANNIE BUI Sun News Editor
Administrators placed the Sigma Pi fraternity on interim suspension Friday following “credible allegations of hazing,” according to the University. The chapter may not take part “in any activities other than the operation of its residence” under interim suspension status, according to Joel Malina, vice president for university relations. “Interim suspension is used when a credible report is made indicating the actions of a chapter pose an immediate or imminent threat to students’ health, or that members’ actions are so egregious that the University is compelled to cease activities of the organization for the safety of the members, those joining or guests,” Malina said in a statement. The suspension marks the third time in the past month that a Cornell fraternity has been placed on sus-
See ATTACKS page 4
All-natural JASMINE CURTIS / SUN STAFF PHOTOGRPAHER
Briana Cortesiano ’15, president of Ivy Naturals, leads a workshop on creating homemade hair care products for natural hair at Ivy Naturals’ 2nd Annual Hair Expo in Trillium Saturday.
pension. On Jan. 30, the University suspended the Psi Upsilon fraternity following reports of an incident involving “alcohol and an illicit substance,” according to the University. The suspension was lifted Feb. 4 after the claims were found unsubstantiated. The same day, the University announced that the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was placed on interim suspension two days prior, pending an investigation. The suspension was lifted Feb. 13. Police Chief Kathy Zoner sent an email to the Cornell community Friday, reminding students of University hazing policies. “It is never O.K. to humiliate, demean or place someone in risk of physical harm or mental distress, individually or as a part of joining a group, team or organization,” Zoner said. “Hazing is a violation of Cornell policy, most organizations’ rules and [New York] State Law.” Annie Bui can be reached at abui@cornellsun.com.
Three People Arrested for Residence Hall Thefts By GABRIELLA LEE Sun Staff Writer
Three people were arrested in connection with a recent string of thefts at Cornell residence halls, the University reported Friday. Authorities were able to recover three laptop computers as well as a Bose stereo system which had an estimated value of around $4,000, according to the release. Justin Dickerson-Bozeman, 20, was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny and petit larceny, according to the University. Cornell Police also charged a 16-year-old Ithaca resident with three counts of second-degree burglary, fourthdegree grand larceny, two counts of petit larceny and criminal possession
of stolen property in the fifth degree. Cayuga Heights Police charged 22-year-old Jamal Ruff-Pringle — a resident of Cayuga Heights — with two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Dickerson-Bozeman and RuffPringle are both listed as temporary workers at Cornell, according to the University’s online directory. Dickerson-Bozeman and the unnamed 16-year-old were arraigned in Ithaca City Court and released without bail, according to the University. Ruff-Pringle was summoned to Cayuga Heights Village court and held at the Tompkins County Jail with a cash bail of $1,000. Gabriella Lee can be reached at glee@cornellsun.com.