Arrest warrant for former Jackson police officer rescinded

An arrest warrant was issued for a former Jackson police officer who failed to appear in court on an assault charge. However, the warrant was rescinded after the officer's attorney claimed his client was unaware of the court hearing. 

Former JPD officer Justin Roberts was fired in February after a cellphone video captured him appearing to knee a handcuffed man. An internal affairs investigation revealed violations, and Roberts was fired a day after the video surfaced. 

The man he allegedly kneed, Ladarius Brown, filed a misdemeanor simple assault charge against Roberts, according to Brown's attorney, Carlos Moore. 

A trial was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Hinds County Justice Court, according to court documents. 

Roberts did not appear in court and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, Moore said. 

Roberts' attorney, Francis Springer, said he was not aware of the court date due to a clerical error. Springer said the trial notice was sent to JPD instead of Roberts' home address. 

At the time of Thursday's trial, Roberts was in downtown Jackson at his civil service appeal hearing.

The arrest warrant was rescinded, Springer said, and a new trial date will be set.