ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Resident Bill Brooks appeared Thursday before Belmont County Western Court Judge Eric Costine following his removal from a St. Clairsville City Council meeting and public hearing in mid-May.

Brooks faces charges of disturbing a lawful meeting and criminal trespassing into the city’s municipal building. Both are fourth-degree misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail. Costine set Brooks’ trial for June 20.

There was a brief exchange before Brooks entered his plea of innocent.

“Mr. Brooks, are you aware of the nature of the charges that have been filed against you?”

Brooks responded: “Yes sir, but I don’t understand them.”

“I’m not asking for you to understand what they’re alleging you did, it’s just if you know what the charge is,” Costine said.

Brooks said he understood the charges and penalties. He began to ask a question, but Costine cautioned him against it.

“If you were to plead ‘not guilty’ and prior to pleading ‘not guilty’ I let you talk, and you said something that incriminated you, I would have not done any favors for you,” Costine said. “I’m compelled by law to try and keep people quiet until they enter a plea.”

Brooks said he had no attorney and asked if Costine could appoint counsel. He said his only income was his Social Security. The public defender’s office was appointed.

Costine set a recognizance bond and instructed Brooks not to enter the St. Clairsville Municipal Building until the case is resolved. Brooks asked if this covered the building at all times or just during meetings. Costine said it covered the building at all times.

“I was never barred from the building,” Brooks said.

“I’m barring you today,” Costine said. “We’ll get this over with quickly.”

Brooks had been banned from attending council meetings following several altercations with city leaders. When council members observed him in attendance during the May 15 meeting and hearing, council President Jim Velas called a five-minute recess and asked Brooks to leave. A police officer escorted him out. Brooks left without incident.

Brooks is a former candidate for mayor and city council. He has spoken out about proposed policies and public affairs. He and current city leaders have often clashed in heated arguments during meetings.

Brooks has denied making rude or intimidating gestures to council members and using some of the pejorative terms he has been accused of saying. He has also criticized Council President Jim Velas, saying Velas acted unilaterally to bar him from meetings three months ago without an investigation or vote.

After the hearing, Brooks commented on the process.

“This is just an arraignment and they took no evidence, but I feel that my constitutional rights are being violated. I think that my civil rights are being violated, because nowhere around here in this whole valley have they ever banned anyone from city council meetings, and for one man to be able to do it is illegal and it’s discriminatory.”

Brooks has also said he is considering filing a lawsuit against St. Clairsville.

“If I have to get a lawyer, I’m going to sue the city,” he said in the parking lot after the hearing.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman and city officials were contacted following the hearing and said they had no comment.