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By Parrish Alford
Daily Journal
STARKVILLE - Legal troubles for Ole Miss football signee Jamar Hornsby were not resolved Wednesday after an appearance in Starkville city court.
Hornsby faces charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor petit larceny stemming from a March 2 arrest a day after what police termed a traffic accident at the Starkville McDonald's.
Two men who were with Hornsby that day were also charged with aggravated assault.
The prosecution must decide now if it will present the case to the grand jury.
"Due to the fact that Mr. Hornsby and the other defendants were out on bond, the judge has a policy of no preliminary hearings," said Steve Farese, attorney for Hornsby. "We have to reappear on Aug. 12 and see whether the case was presented or not."
Hornsby, of Jacksonville, Fla., was already on parole after a May 2008 arrest while he was a member of the University of Florida football team. He was eventually convicted of misdemeanor credit card fraud after running up gasoline charges of almost $3,000 with the credit card of a deceased friend.
Hornsby played at East Mississippi Community College in 2008 and was expected to compete at Ole Miss for the starting strong safety position vacated by Jamarca Sanford.
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt has not commented on how Hornsby's arrest impacts his status as a member of the football team.
Hornsby could face jail time if it is found that he violated his parole.
Nutt did not immediately return a text message asking if Hornsby would be allowed to begin practice in August if his legal problems are unresolved.
Correspondent Brandon Wright contributed to this report.