PANAMA CITY — from www.newsherald.com – Joe Francis will represent himself in his civil trial this week, and he’s looking forward to having some fun with it.

Francis appeared at the U.S. District Courthouse this morning about 90 minutes after his trial was scheduled to begin and more than 30 minutes after potential jurors had been released for lunch. He spoke briefly with reporters after he arrived. He said he was late because his flight from Atlanta was delayed by weather.

Francis said he looks forward to cross examining the plaintiffs, who claim they were harmed by their appearances in Francis’ Girls Gone Wild video series. The four plaintiffs have been allowed to proceed anonymously during the trial, which is expected to last all week.

“I cannot wait to get these girls in front of me and let them have it,” Francis said.

Francis said the case against him was not solid, and said he would appeal if he does not prevail this week. He said he doesn’t know any lawyers in the area he can trust to represent him, so he will defend himself. Several of his former attorneys have quit the case.

“I think incorrectly and in error Judge (Richard) Smoak has let (Francis’ former attorney) Rick Bateman out of the case right before trial, which I do not believe is right but we’ll take that issue on appeal if and when we lose this case,” Francis said. “But in the meantime, I think we’re going to have some fun.”