A California judge has told potential jurors in the trial of a man accused of stalking actor/director Mel Gibson to avoid media coverage of the case.

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Jury selection was set to begin Tuesday in the trial of Zack Sinclair, a 34-year-old man accused of repeatedly harassing Gibson, E! Online reported.

Superior Court Judge John Fischer, who told a pool of 50 would-be jurors Monday to avoid media coverage of the case, said the trial is expected to last about six days.

Because Sinclair, an ex-convict and mental patient, is acting as his own defense lawyer, he could come face to face in court with Gibson, who sought a temporary restraining order against Sinclair last September. Gibson alleged in court papers Sinclair sent several "alarming, harassing and annoying" letters to the "Passion of Christ" director.