February 19, 2019

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DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911 @universitystar | universitystar.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

Volume 108, Issue 19

Spring Break Countdown San Marcos sees two homicides in less than a week

Townhall attempts to reconcile sit-in divisions

By Sandra Sadek News Editor San Marcos police responded to the first two homicides of 2019 in the last week, one of which involved a Texas State freshman. There was one murder in 2018. One case resulted in the arrest of two suspects who are currently being held in Hays County Jail. The other ended in a murder-suicide. The University Star will continue to follow both cases. A family member found Texas State exploratory freshman Aaron “Jack” Peterman, 20, dead by gunshot wound Feb. 13 in his Park North Condos apartment. Two days later, police arrested Martin Garcia Jr., 22, and James Lee Zapata, 19, in Austin on a charge of murdering Peterman. Both are being held in Hays County Jail. Feb. 17, less than a week later, Brihana Landrum, 24, was found dead by a gunshot wound from exboyfriend Adrian Diaz, 28, according to witnesses. Diaz fled the scene but was later found dead in Guadalupe County from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. San Marcos police and the Guadalupe Sheriff's Department are working on this incident, with San Marcos police investigating the murder and Guadalupe's Sheriff investigating the suicide. Anyone with information can contact the San Marcos Police Department's non-emergency line at 512.753.2108.

Eric Algoe (left) and Nayir Freeman (right) discuss moving forward Feb. 13 from 2018's LBJ sit-in. PHOTOS BY CARRINGTON J. TATUM

By Camelia Juarez News Reporter Student activists were brought to tears as they recalled the boiling point of racial tension on campus and the trauma of an overnight sit-in that occurred almost one year ago. Inside the Flowers lecture hall, administration sat silently, some taking notes, as the microphone was passed around to sit-in participants and activists who feel like their work has been ignored by the president's cabinet. The sit-in participants, some of whom are facing legal consequences following contentious student arrests, shared different perspectives with one common theme: demanding direct communication and respect from the university’s administration. Protest participant and history junior TeraLynn Steele said the university should maintain a dialogue with students of color through checkins, timelines and actual action. “That sit-in was the first time we got a response from the administration,” Steele said. “We have been crying out for years. Now we're back to a point of not getting a

Tips for how to have a fun and safe spring break By Brianna Benitez Life & Arts Contributor Spring break is a time for fun and relaxation. It is a time when worries become lost in the wind and stress seems to swim away. As fun as spring break is, it is imperative students stay mindful of these tips to ensure a good time, responsibly.

A few essentials to pack for a spring break vacation.

PHOTOS BY BRIANNA BENITEZ

SEE SPRING BREAK PAGE 3

response. I want accountability and attention. In the end, we were given crumbs.” Claudia Gasponi, a general studies senior and Student Government senator who helped impeach former Student Government President Connor Clegg, said she felt like the response from the university was ineffective and insincere. “They have created committees and pushed all our problems into tiny little corners, not let those committees be open,” Gasponi said. “We’re going to continue to demand direct action, which is bad PR for the school until those direct lines are met and have respect in both directions.” Last spring, university police waited three weeks to arrest four students after they tried to prevent a Student Government senator and Student Government vice president from leaving the LBJ Student Center garage. Each student was charged with interfering with the public duties of a peace officer and obstructing a highway or other passageway, both misdemeanors. SEE POST SIT-IN PAGE 2

Presidential candidates present platforms during Student Government debate By Geoff Sloan Assistant News Editor Diversity and inclusion, government transparency and Fraternity and Sorority Life were hot topics during the Feb. 11 Student Government debate, which gave presidential and vicepresidential candidates a chance to argue their platforms and win students over before voting starts. The debate, hosted by The University Star and KTSW,

gave candidates an opportunity to voice their platforms, debate opponents and take questions from the audience in the LBJ Teaching Theater. The campaigns consist of current Sens. Alex Plunkett and Kelly Torpey for president and vice president on one ticket and Corey Benbow and Sen. Tucker Thompson for president and vice president on another. SEE CANDIDATES PAGE 2


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February 19, 2019 by The University Star - Issuu