Mark Kernes reporting for www.avn.com is calling the John Stagliano trial
“the most secretive obscenity trial in American history” with Judge Richard J. Leon [pictured] again closing the courtroom to all but the attorneys involved in the case.

A hearing originally scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday was rescheduled to 3 p.m. But about 10 minutes after the lawyers had entered the courtroom, it was announced that the proceedings were to be closed to everyone except the attorneys.

“In fact, even the defendant, John Stagliano, was sent out of the courtroom in what may be a violation of his due process rights,” Kernes writes.

One observer noted that Leon was treating this case like it was a national security one.

Stagliano was eventually readmitted to the courtroom, but the proceedings remain closed to spectators.