Former teacher's court date pushed back

A court appearance for a former Cape Girardeau teacher accused of assaulting a student in a downtown parking lot has been moved back. Roman D. Smith, 32, will appear at 9 a.m. April 4 before Judge Michael Bullerdieck at the Cape Girardeau County courthouse in Jackson. His original appearance date was March 7. Smith is charged with third-degree misdemeanor assault stemming from a January 21 incident where he and a student got into a "play fight" that ended with Smith allegedly placing the student in a choke hold, causing him to lose consciousness. Smith resigned from his position as a science teacher at the high school earlier in February.

Pertinent address:

Barton Square, Jackson, MO 63755