Arlan Galbraith, who is accused in a multi-million dollar fraud case, was in a Kitchener courtroom on Monday.
The appearance marks the beginning of a preliminary hearing for one fraud and four Bankruptcy Act charges laid against Galbraith in 2010.
Around 1,000 farmers from across Canada and the U.S. allege they invested up to $30 million in pigeon-raising businesses hoping for big financial returns.
The birds were supposedly to be used for racing or to be sold as meat in specialty markets.
However, in 2008 the Pigeon King company went bankrupt and a year later Galbraith filed for personal bankruptcy.
A publication ban prevents the media from reporting what was said in court.
But on Monday Galbraith seemed nervous and shaky, a stark contrast to his calm and cool demeanour during a court appearance in February.
Galbraith is representing himself, and has asked for a jury to decide the outcome should the case go to trial.
The hearing is expected to continue until the end of January, when a judge will decide if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
