George Shirakawa Jr. shuffled into court Wednesday for the first time since being sentenced to a year in jail. The former county supervisor wore a red jump suit and his wrists were shackled to his waist while his ankles were shackled together. Except for a whispered exchange with his attorney, Jay Rorty, Shirakawa didn’t say a word during the brief proceeding.

Judge Risë Jones Pichon postponed setting a trial date until Jan. 22. The scandal-plagued former supervisor’s appearance came as a surprise. Rorty tried to avoid having him come in person to the hearing, but the paperwork didn’t process in time. The court did not allow cameras or still photography.

Shirakawa won’t have to make the trip from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin for his next court date. Delaying the trial date-setting will gives District Attorney’s office and the defense more time to prepare for the case.

“There’s a fair amount of discovery to be done,” prosecutor John Chase explained after the hearing.

Shirakawa arrived late to the hearing. because he’s being kept separately from the other inmates, Chase said, though he’s not sure why.

“[The jail] determined that he needs to be kept separate,” he said.