Criminal Trial of Co-Defendants Stern, Kapoor & Eroshevich: Day Fourteen

Late on Friday, the prosecution showed a clip of the 2004  American Music Awards (AMA) where Smith appeared “loopy”.  Larry Birkhead responded to the clip, linking Smith’s bizarre behavior to possible drug use. On Monday, Howard K. Stern’s defense attorney Steve Sadow briefly cross-examined Birkhead.  Sadow presented a video of Smith shot by Birkhead just days after the AMAs. In the video,  Smith denies use of drugs at the performance and questions the public’s concern. She claims, “People thought I was drunk, on drugs, losing it….I’m not losing it, America. I’m fine, happy.” The Associated Press reports, “It was the jury’s most extensive look at the demeanor of Smith and the first time her voice was heard in the drug conspiracy case denying she was on drugs.“

August 23rd, 2010

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Criminal Trial of Co-Defendants Stern, Kapoor & Eroshevich: Day Thirteen

Larry Birkhead, the father of Smith’s daughter Dannielynn, took the witness stand late yesterday afternoon and continued his testimony today.  Birkhead spoke about Smith’s drug use and revealed information about his personal life with the former Playboy model.  He recalled seeing Smith take numerous drugs even though she claimed she was not an addict.  During his testimony, Birkhead even admitted hiding one of Smith’s powerful prescriptions, Methadone, but immediately regretted his decision when Stern told him she “needed it to live.”

An emotional Birkhead returned to court today, tearfully revealing “Smith sometimes suffered seizures after taking drugs, and at times he saw her fall asleep while eating and knew she was taking numerous prescription medications.” Birkhead said her strong will kept others from making decisions for her.

But it appears Birkhead may be changing his tune from previous statements regarding Smith’s drug habits. Back in 2007 during his custody trial against Stern, Birkhead attempted to prove Stern caused Anna’s overdose death.  He now claims that he is “confident Stern will be cleared of the charges and has urged the media to give the lawyer the benefit of the doubt.”

More to come next week!

August 20th, 2010

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Criminal Trial of Co-Defendants Stern, Kapoor & Eroshevich: Day Twelve

Today, Howard K. Stern’s sister, Bonnie, was called to the stand as a prosecution witness.  Deputy District Attorney Renee Rose has alleged Smith emailed Bonnie asking for her to ship prescription medications to the Bahamas.  Rose claims the emails were found on Smith’s personal computer.  Bonnie testified that she had no recollection of any drug shipments and instead, spoke of her brother’s devotion to the former Playboy model.

You may remember after Smith’s death in 2007, Bonnie was outraged to hear the media call Stern a killer and immediately jumped to his defense claiming her“brother never fed [Smith] a drug in her life.” At the time, she also said that Stern could not control Smith’s drug addiction but would never try to kill her.  Check back tomorrow as the trial wraps up for the week!

August 19th, 2010

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Criminal Trial of Co-Defendants Stern, Kapoor & Eroshevich: Day Eleven

Today, pharmacist Ira Freeman testified that Smith’s doctors requested a “shopping list” of prescriptions. He identified hundreds of medications prescribed to Smith, describing them as fatal if taken together. Freeman refused to fill the prescriptions because he believed it to be “pharmaceutical suicide.”

Freeman’s testimony was followed by that of fellow pharmacist Steve Mazlin. He recalled a 2006 exchange with Eroshevich where she requested antidepressants and the sleeping medication Chloral Hydrate for Smith. Mazlin warned if the drugs were taken with alcohol it could be “a deadly combination.”

Eroshevich was not present in the courtroom today to hear the accusations made against her. Despite the prosecutions attempts to make her stay, Eroshevich is currently in New York  tending to her ailing mother who fell and broke a hip.

August 18th, 2010

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Criminal Trial of Co-Defendants Stern, Kapoor & Eroshevich: Day Ten

In new developments today, Judge Robert Perry ordered that prosecution witnesses tone done their remarks regarding the severity of Smith’s drug use.  The Judge gave the warning just before Gregory Thompson, a pharmacology expert, took the stand.  Thompson previously stated Smith’s prescriptions would be effective “if you were going to kill someone.”

Judge Perry’s order is not surprising.  As I previously noted, Perry made it clear during opening statements that the defendants are not charged with Smith’s death.  Check back tomorrow for an update as testimony continues!

August 17th, 2010

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