Mel B's estranged husband wants domestic violence trial public
Mel B's estranged husband is fighting the Spice Girl's request to conduct
their upcoming domestic violence restraining order trial behind closed
doors.
In new court documents obtained by the Daily News, Stephen Belafonte claims
he deserves a chance to publicly defend himself against Mel B's "false and
damaging" claims he repeatedly abused her during their 10-year marriage.
Mel B filed for divorce in March. Weeks later, the 42-year-old "America's Got
Talent" judge, whose real name is Melanie Brown, won a temporary domestic
violence restraining order with claims Belafonte punched and choked her,
threatened to release sex tapes if she reported him and got their nanny
pregnant.
"Essentially, (Brown) had free reign to make all manner of false allegations
and besmirch (Belafonte) to her hearts content and now seeks to seal the record
before (he) presents his evidence and his defense at the time of the upcoming
trial," his new filing argues.
He said Mel B's claim that a public trial would cause "irreparable harm" to
their 5-year-old daughter and her other children was overblown.
"It is hypocritical for a public figure who has willingly 'chosen to be in
the limelight' not only in her professional life but in her personal life, to
turn around now at this juncture of the case and seek a veil of secrecy that the
general public is otherwise not afforded," his filing states.
Belafonte is asking the court to deny Brown's request for a private trial and
instead issue a tailored ruling that would close the courtroom for any
proceedings related to the kids.
"I believe that protecting the privacy interests of (the kids) is of the
utmost importance and I am agreeable to limiting access to the courtroom during
the limited time the court makes any custody or visitation orders and
subsequently limiting access to court records regarding the same," Belafonte
said in a signed statement filed with his paperwork.
He said Brown's request for a completely sealed trial amounted to an attempt
"to use her 'celebrity' to unfairly benefit from the secrecy of a private
trial."
The domestic violence trial is set to begin Sept. 25.
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