JANUARY 4, 2023 SPOON + FORK COMING TO KYLE
BUDA CELEBRATES AT COCOA JINGLE
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Hays Free Press
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HaysFreePress.com
Vol. 128 • No. 43
Serving Hays County, TX
Attorneys: 'Don't say no mo', release the video' Family demands transparency for victim of officer-involved shooting By Natalie Frels
natalie@haysfreepress.com
SAN MARCOS — “Don’t say no mo’, release the video!” echoed through the crowd that gathered at The Cephas House in San Marcos at noon on Monday for a press conference, hosted by the attorneys for the family of the victim in an officer-involved shooting on Dec. 12. The family of Joshua Leon Wright, 36, an inmate in the Hays County Jail who was being held prior to his trial for several misdemeanors, is
demanding transparency in the form of body camera footage from Hays County Jail corrections officer Isaiah Garcia. According to the second autopsy requested by the family, Garcia shot Wright six times as the inmate allegedly attempted to flee. Beverly Wright, the mother of the deceased, was comforted by local attorney Chevo Pastrano as attorney Ben Crump addressed the crowd and a gaggle of reporters. Crump, who has represented families
of victims involved in high-profile officerinvolved shootings, cited a Facebook post by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) posted on the day of the incident which claimed that Wright threatened hospital staff with a sharp medical instrument. “We are challenging CLEAT to release the video showing Joshua Wright had a sharp medical device in his hand and PHOTO BY NATALIE FRELS if he didn’t have a sharp Ben Crump, right, walks with Beverly Wright, middle, the mother of Joshua Leon Wright — the pretrial detainee who was killed by corrections officer Isaiah Garcia — along with Wright's
See WRIGHT, Page 9 daughter, Xyrrena Wright, 13.
Kyle council considers ethics ordinance By Amira Van Leeuwen
amira@haysfreepress.com
KYLE — On Dec. 20, Kyle City Council unanimously approved an ordinance repealing and replacing the city’s Code of Ethics Ordinance No. 961 as amended on the first reading. The city’s Ethics Commission met on Nov. 14 to discuss modifying the ethics ordinance. Mike Rubsam, the Ethics Commission chairman, gave a presentation of those recommended
changes at the council meeting. Some of the changes included the following: • Defining employment as the performance of work or services for remuneration and includes work or services performed by independent contractors. • Adding “supported by evidence” to Section 2-181 to read: “A city officer or employee who has knowledge of a violation, supported
See COUNCIL, Page 6
PHOTO BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
A ground view of La Verde park as of Dec 28.
Park delayed by supply shortages By Amira Van Leeuwen KYLE — Significant supply shortages continue to prolong the completion of La Verde Park, which was supposed to be finished in July 2022. Although the project is 75% complete, La Verde Park, located at 3901 Burnham Road, still
needs exterior tile at the pavilion, landscaping at the dog park, swings and a volleyball court, along with additional punch items. The projected completion date is this month, but availability of materials for the unique structures in the park may further delay opening. Ryan Rosborough, AG|CM
vice president for Central Texas, said the pavilion structure is driving the project’s schedule — a structure facing supply chain issues. Rosborough said the company had to wait three months to get a Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) and nearly
See PARK, Page 2
Soaring into the new year
PHOTO BY ASHLEY KONTNIER Kyden, clad in his Superman outfit (cape and all) soars through the air at Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park in Kyle to usher in the new year.
KLEA, PASTRANO RECOGNIZED AT COUNCIL
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