Two former Texas football players have pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery.
Andre Jones and Robert Joseph accepted separate plea agreements in a trial Thursday.
Jones, who was led away from the courtroom in handcuffs, started a 30-day sentence in the Travis County Jail and is expected back in court July 14.
The state attorney said Jones may serve less than the 30-day sentence that is part of his plea agreement because he turned himself into authorities immediately following the trial.
Jones' plea deal also mandates 10 years probation, counseling and 340 hours of community service.
Joseph received eight years of probation and 340 hours of community service along with other educational performance and attendance requirements.
"Justice was done here," said Jerry Smith, Joseph's attorney. "I think it was a fair resolution for all parties involved."
On July 27, 2007, the two defendants broke into an apartment at the Ballpark apartment complex on East Riverside Drive and threatened five individuals with a gun. Joseph allegedly displayed a gun as the two stole portable electronic equipment, video games, cell phones, cash and unidentified contraband. Jones also allegedly had a gun in his waistband during the robbery, according to a police affidavit.
Joseph said he is relieved the trial is over and plans to attend Kilgore Junior College on an athletic scholarship in the fall.
"I'm ready to play football again," said Joseph, who added that he has not played since injuring his shoulder in 2006.
Smith said he does not believe his client will have to continue wearing a monitoring device, which he has worn for several months. This requirement will be decided at his July hearing.
Joseph said the device would inhibit his ability to play football for Kilgore.
Former UT backup running back James Henry was also arrested following the incident for allegedly retaliating against the victims of the robbery for reporting Jones and Joseph. Henry's trial was also originally scheduled for Thursday.
According to a police affidavit, Henry returned to the scene of the robbery that night with another individual and kicked one of the robbery victims six or seven times in the head, punched him repeatedly and threw one of his shoes into a nearby parking lot. Henry is facing charges for tampering with evidence for allegedly disposing of some of the stolen items.





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