Vol. 69, Issue 1
Est. 1981
September 3 - September 10, 2024
THE PAISANO
Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community /PaisanoOnline
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@paisanomedia
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Robbery charge permanently benches football duo The State of Texas vs. Nick Booker Brown and Corey Lucius
Armin Suljovic/ The Paisano
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor Junior defensive lineman Nicholas Ryan “Nick Booker” Brown and freshman inside linebacker Corey Lucius were both arrested in June and charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony. According to the Express News, both men were involved in a robbery concerning a PlayStation 5. The arrests were made four days apart. Brown was arrested by the San Antonio Police Department following an incident involving a tow truck and his mother’s car. According to court records, Lucius was taken into custody by the University of Texas Police Department after a member of the UTSA athletics department informed UTSAPD of Lucius’ whereabouts in the university’s Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence facility. UTSA formally dismissed Booker and Lucius a week before the football team was scheduled to begin their preseason. On August 24, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos and football head coach Jeff Traylor released a joint statement to announce the dismissal of Booker and Lucius. “Nick Booker-Brown and Corey Lucius Jr. are no longer members of the UTSA football program. We have high expectations of conduct for all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and we will never compromise on those
expectations. We are looking forward to the start of preseason practice on July 31 with an excellent group of young men in our football program.” In his two years at UTSA, Brown earned Honorable Mention All-Conference USA performer at defensive end during his 2022 season and recorded three tackles and one sack while playing in UTSA’s first bowl game at Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl against Marshall. Lucius is a graduate of Tampa Bay Tech High School and this would have been his first collegiate season off the bench with UTSA. According to court records, both men were bonded out by the same bond company, A-Action Bail Bonds #2. Both men were released with bail set at $75,000 each. They were released under full house arrest as a condition of their bond. The athletes were sentenced to full house arrest and home confinement, and placed under electronic monitoring. They were also released on bail under the agreement not to possess any firearms or associate in any way with the two people who pressed charges against them. After attending a pre-indictment hearing on June 22, Lucius has begun his pretrial supervision, and the court has waived his GPS fees. Following his arrest, Brown has started his pretrial supervision, amended his bond conditions and has had his GPS removed. Lucius and Brown are awaiting an official indictment by a grand jury. Committing a felony violates the UTSA student code of conduct, even if committing a felony took place off campus.
Boy! More burgers on the boulevard By Mathew Moses Staff Writer On Aug. 20, Burger Boy opened their newest location in a prime location right on UTSA Blvd. off of the I-10 Frontage road. The date for the grand opening was revealed via their Instagram, and came alongside an announcement of special prizes and giveaways during the opening ceremony. The first 20 guests, with 10 in the lobby and 10 in the drive-thru respectively, would receive a $50 gift card. Those who missed the cutoff would be eligible to receive merchandise such as shirts, hats and stickers. Joe Valadez, the general manager of the new chain location and UTSA alumnus, spoke about the momentum they’ve received within the first week of opening. “We’re experiencing high traffic right now with our lunch hours going into our dinner hours as well. We have [customers] from UTSA students to families to car dealership employees, pretty much everybody all around a 10-mile radius is kind of coming to visit for our lunch and for dinner.” The new building sporting its traditional orange and blue, opened its doors at 10:30 a.m. to a long line and eager crowd. While many arrived just before opening, some had queued for hours at the busy intersection off I-10, reminiscent of iPhone releases and Black Friday frenzies. As the ninth location of the San Antonio native chain, the general manager shared his experience exposing newcomers to the brand. “Absolutely, I think at least three times a day there’s someone who has not eaten Burger Boy at all. It’s their first time here. So I think it’s a great spot for even UTSA students who are coming from different parts of Texas.” When asked about any hopes of collaborating with UTSA or any student organizations on campus, Valadez said
“We are [hopeful]; we are very fund-raising driven and we’re very community based; we look forward to those fundraisers. That way the community knows that we’re able to support them, and they support us.” Joe Valadez mentioned that prospective groups are able to reach out to the Marketing Director Justin Jurado at his email – Jjurado@burgerboysa.com “Just shoot him an email and we’re able to set something up from Monday through Thursday.” The Burger Boy on UTSA Boulevard proudly employs students from all over the state, the majority of which are students in the city. “Maybe half. Most of them are UTSA and most of them are Alamo Colleges and some of them are high schoolers as well.” He goes on to emphasize the impact local employers like Burger Boy have on new residents to San Antonio. “I know most of our employees are from the 956 area, Brownsville. It’s their first time, their first year here, and for them to work at Burger Boy San Antonio, kind of a local original, it’s good to have that exposure, especially for people who aren’t from San Antonio.” The new site is located at 5622 UTSA Boulevard, San Antonio, TX, 78249 and is open 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The fast food chain’s menu offers many special combos at affordable rates like the signature “Working Man” meal which includes a double burger with a large fries and drink, all for less than $10. The iconic crinkle cut fries of the local franchise also pair well with any of the wide variety of shakes to choose from such as original favorites like Vanilla and Strawberry or more off the wall flavors like Big Red, Fruity Pebbles or their famous Dreamsicle Shake. “As long as we’re following our processes and procedures, we’re able to give a hot, fresh meal to each customer.”
The code of conduct states that “a student is expected and required to obey federal, state, and local laws; to comply with the Regents’ “Rules and Regulations,” University rules and regulations — including this Policy — and directives issued by an administrative official of the System or the University of Texas at San Antonio in the course of their authorized duties; and to observe standards of conduct appropriate for an academic institution.” It also states that “any conduct which constitutes a violation of a federal, state, or local law regardless of whether the conduct takes place on or off Campus or results in the imposition of the penalty prescribed by the federal, state, or local law; possession or use of firearms, imitation firearms, explosives, ammunition, hazardous chemicals, or weapons as defined by state or federal law on Campus or other University premises in accordance with the designated exclusionary zones determined by the President of the University as outlined in the Campus Carry Policy, or on any property or in any building or facility owned or controlled by the U.T. System is strictly prohibited unless authorized by the Dean of Students and by federal, state, or local laws.” This is not the first time two UTSA football players have been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery related to the same incident. In 2012, Toyin Dada and Adefemi Adekeye faced similar charges and were initially suspended from the team before being dismissed from the team.
Local lawyer dead in murder-suicide By Analiyah Olivarez Contributor The life of a well-known San Antonio lawyer ended on Aug. 21 after what officials deem a murder-suicide. The 61-year-old Jerry Hernandez and 52-year-old Sonia Patricia Hernandez were found dead in their luxurious Cinnamon Oak home just six miles from the University Campus due to multiple gunshot wounds. The death of Jerry Hernandez was caused by several bullets at the hands of his wife, who eventually took her own life. Many community members have spoken out on behalf of the couple, primarily the San Antonio law community. Jerry Hernandez was born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin before pursuing law school in California. Jerry Hernandez was a well-known lawyer for the local Davis Law Firm company with a career spanning over 32 years as a top personal injury attorney. The firm itself has spoken out, sharing its condolences. “We were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our colleague, Jerry Hernandez, and our deepest sympathies are with the Hernandez family during this incredibly difficult time,” stated Davis Law Firm in an article. Rudy Vasquez, ex-colleague of Jerry Hernandez, has shared his thoughts, describing the San Antonio native as a fighter in the courtroom and always willing to help others. Many neighbors and friends have spoken out on behalf of the couple stating, “they were a lovely family.” Although the neighbors are not family, they feel and share their condolences with the surviving kin. The Hernandezes are survived by their two cherished daughters, who are unnamed. In response to the many news officials, the eldest daughter has pleaded for privacy and respect for her and her little sister.