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| Defendant Howard K. Stern, long-time attorney and partner of late celebrity Anna Nicole Smith... (Photo Credit: Reuters) |
According to an online new report, "Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry dismissed two counts of conspiring to provide prescription drugs against Howard K. Stern, 42, [Anna Nicole] Smith's lawyer and boyfriend at the time of her death in 2007, saying there was “insufficient evidence,'' despite the fact a jury had convicted him in October."
The article continues to report that Judge Perry also dismissed 3 of 4 charges against Anna Nicole's former psychiatrist, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, 63. The one felony he did let stand (unlawfully obtaining a prescription by using a false name), he reduced to a misdemeanor. then fined her $100 and put her on probation for one year.
Los Angeles DA Steve Cooley said that Judge Perry's decision ``denigrates the substantial investigative efforts conducted by the state Department of Justice and the Medical Board." He continued, "It diminishes the huge social problem of prescription drug abuse facilitated by irresponsible caretakers and unscrupulous medical professionals" before vowing a forthcoming appeal.
In turn, and not surprisingly, Stern's defense attorney stated, “This case should never have been brought. It was a waste of time and a waste of effort. And it impacted people's lives in a horrible way.'' Stern, himself, called the trial "totally inappropriate". Go figure.
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