Two Massachusetts men alleged to be members of a Fall River, Mass.-based burglary ring that has operated in several eastern states are on trial in New London Superior Court.

Joseph Cote, 63, and Albert Kalil, 58, are charged with breaking into a home at 677 Pequot Trail in Stonington in January 2009 and stealing jewelry and other valuables. Both men have been incarcerated in Connecticut since they were apprehended by a Richmond, R.I. police officer on the day the burglary occurred.

Kalil, who is represented by veteran defense attorney Richard Kelly, demanded that Judge Matthew E. Frechette take up several motions he had filed "pro se," or on his own behalf.

"You gave me your word, your honor," Kalil said. "You said you was gonna hear my motions."

Frechette said he had already taken up the motions.

Kalil also demanded a new attorney. Kelly is serving as a court-appointed public defender in the case, and is the second attorney to represent Kalil.

"I've met with this guy 10 minutes and I'm going to put my freedom in his hands? Come on," Kalil said. At one point, Kelly told Kalil to be "mature."

But he became increasingly agitated, banging his hand on the table when Frechette denied his request for a new attorney. When the six- member jury was brought into the room and sworn in, he stood up and announced these were "illegal proceedings." Frechette sent the jury out and told Kalil that if he continued to disrupt the proceedings he would be removed from the courtroom and the trials would take place without him.

Cote's attorney, Gregg W. Wagman, asked that his client's case be severed from Kelli's, saying Kelli's behavior could prejudice a jury against his client. The judge denied the motion.

Kalil remained quiet as prosecutor Peter A. McShane began calling witnesses, including homeowner Judith Stanton, Stonington Police Officer Dale Brummond and Lucinda Wesson, a neighbor who described the men's car – a Saab convertible – and one of the passengers to police when they canvassed the neighborhood following the burglary.

The trial is expected to last several days.