Belant files motion to exclude public from trial w/UPDATE

☛ TS Belant files motion to exclude public from trial
Less than a week after he was stabbed six times in the Humboldt County jail by another inmate, Andrew Belant appeared in court Monday for a hearing.

Belant, who has exercised his right to represent himself in court, filed a number of motions, requesting that his trial date be extended and that the public not be allowed to witness his jury trial, scheduled for Jan. 12.

”As you might have heard,” Belant told Humboldt County Judge Bruce Watson, “I've been attacked recently in my dorm.”...

...Belant blamed the media attention given to his case as impetus for the attack, and requested the judge grant his motion to exclude the public from his proceedings....

...Belant also told the judge he had filed a writ of habeas corpus -- a legal petition for prisoners who believe they have been arrested illegally. Watson replied that the court has not yet received the writ.

Watson declined to hear the motions Monday, as District Attorney Paul Gallegos was unable to attend the hearing. Those motions were reset for a Wednesday hearing....

◼ Watson declines motion to close Belant's trial
A motion to exclude the public from Andrew Belant's jury trial was denied at a hearing Wednesday.

After Belant was stabbed six times by another inmate in the Humboldt County jail this month, he requested Judge Bruce Watson to keep the public out of his trial.

”To exclude the public in a proceeding is highly extraordinary, to say the least,” Watson said, declining the motion. “By no means does this matter rise to the level to exclude the public -- we're not even in the same ball park.”

Watson did approve a motion filed by the District Attorney's Office to join two cases against Belant, who was arrested in March on suspicion he molested four young boys between the ages of 9 and 13. Belant faces an additional charge, which arose when investigators found several pornographic images of children on his hard drive.

Belant, who is representing himself in the case, requested an opportunity to have those photographs copied to a CD and given to him at the jail.

Watson declined to allow Belant access to the photographs in jail, instead requesting prosecutors give the evidence to Belant's investigator, who will allow Belant to look at the evidence outside of the facility.

Because the cases were joined, Watson granted Belant's motion to continue the trial, which was formerly scheduled for mid-December. The trial is now scheduled to take place Jan. 26.

Dude, you REALLY NEED A REAL LAWYER.