Ex-officer’s firing appeal postponed

The former Little Rock officer who faced manslaughter trials after the slaying of a 15-yearold break-in suspect will have to wait longer for the chance to win back his job.

Josh Hastings — who was fired in October 2012 after his arrest in the August 2012 shooting of Bobby Moore III at a west Little Rock apartment complex — was set to appeal his firing before the city’s Civil Service Commission on Thursday. However, the hearing has been delayed because the commission will not have a quorum.

Kelly Shepard, the Little Rock Human Resources liaison to the commission, said in an email Monday afternoon that Hastings’ appeal will be rescheduled but she didn’t know when.

Only four of the seven commissioners are needed for an appeal hearing, according to city rules and regulations, but expecting Hastings’ appeal to last two long days, she said the city was having “problems” reaching the minimum number.

One commissioner, Brett Morgan, has been asked not to attend any more commission meetings until the city attorney’s office rules on whether he is a Little Rock resident.

City attorney Tom Carpenter began working on an “expedited” legal opinion last week after city officials learned that Morgan owns and pays taxes on a home in Scott while claiming Little Rock residence with an address belonging to his parents.

Carpenter did not return calls Monday for an update on his findings.