NEW YORK (CNN) -
Martha Stewart's trial date was set for this January at a court appearance Thursday.
The date was set by U.S. District Judge Miriam Cedarbaum at a court hearing attended by Stewart, her attorneys and federal prosecutors.
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| Martha Stewart arrives at federal court June 4, the day she was indicted. She was back in court for a hearing Thursday, and her trial date has been set for Jan. 12. |
Stewart showed up at the pre-trial hearing after Cedarbaum rejected her request to stay home.
Shortly after 11 a.m., Stewart, carrying a light brown umbrella with white polka dots, got out of a car and quickly walked into the Manhattan courthouse in front of a bank of TV cameras. She made no comment.
A source familiar with the investigation told CNNfn that Cedarbaum rejected a request by Stewart's attorneys that she be excused from pre-trial hearings because her celebrity status created a circus-like atmosphere at the courthouse.
The judge instead assured Stewart's legal team that appropriate security measures would be in place at the court, the source said.
Thursday morning, security was plainly visible. Steel barricades were erected on either side of the street to keep the road and the driveway leading into the courthouse clear. At least six federal marshals could be seen at the court. The scene was crowded but not chaotic.
| Legal filings
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At the 11:30 a.m. hearing, lawyers for Stewart and her former stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, and federal prosecutors will update Cedarbaum on where the two sides stand in the case.
Two weeks ago, Stewart pleaded not guilty to five counts of criminal fraud, conspiracy and making false statements to federal agents. In a separate civil case, the Securities and Exchange Commission sued Stewart on insider trading charges in connection with her sale of shares of the biotechnology firm ImClone (IMCLE: Research, Estimates) in December 2001.
The criminal charges stem from Stewart's alleged attempts to cover up details surrounding the stock sale.
Bacanovic, who was fired by Merrill Lynch in the wake of the scandal, was charged in the same indictment. He also pleaded not guilty.
The scandal prompted Stewart's resignation as chairman and chief executive officer of her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO: up $0.06 to $9.44, Research, Estimates).
She has since set up a Web site, using it to thank supporters and present her response to some of the charges against her.
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