Legal Commentary

Judge Tosses Jury Verdicts Against Anna Nicole Smith's Boyfriend

By Jeralyn

Howard K. Stern caught a break today when the judge threw out the jury's guilty verdicts against him.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry dismissed two counts of conspiring to provide prescription drugs against Howard K. Stern, 42, 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 judge also dismissed all but one guilty verdict against Anna Nicole Smith's former psychiatrist -- and reduced that remaining count to a misdemeanor.

Judge Perry dismissed the charges at Thursday's sentencing for the two defendants, saying there was no evidence of a conspiracy and that he believed Smith suffered from chronic pain and needed the drugs.

"This case should never have been brought," Stern's lawyer Steve Sadow said outside the court. "It was a waste of time and a waste of effort. And it impacted people's lives in a horrible way."

The prosecution says it will appeal.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 06, 2011 (boomark / email).