Trial date unchanged for teacher accused of student assault

A trial date set for a former Cape Girardeau teacher charged with assaulting a student didn't change at after a Wednesday hearing.

Roman D. Smith, former high school physics teacher at Cape Girardeau Central High School, received a trial date at Wednesday's pretrial hearing at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson. Brian Greaser, Smith's attorney, said he doesn't expect any complex pretrial issues or any jury obstruction issues. Smith is scheduled to appear in court June 29 for trial on his misdemeanor third-degree assault charge and for a hearing on his probation violation.

Smith is accused of assaulting a former student by allegedly placing the student in a choke hold after a "play fight" escalated. After his placement on administrative leave, Smith resigned from his job Feb. 9.

Smith proclaimed innocence from the charges in a statement from Greaser issued at the time of his resignation.

Pertinent address:

100 Court St., Jackson, MO