It’s the morning of August 6, 2010 and I am just about to enter the court building, not knowing that the “star witness of the day” Big Moe, is right in front of me, entering the building the same time as I am. The paparazzi quickly surrounded Moe in a flood of flashbulbs! Then, I was next to be surrounded and photographed by the paparazzi pack. Once inside the court building, and through the security check, I went to the elevator to begin my journey up to the courtroom. Not realizing that one of the people in the elevator alongside of me was Virgie Arthur, Anna Nicole Smith’s mother, I started to feel that this was going to be an event more than I realized.
When I walked into the courtroom, I took a seat in the back row. Virgie, in a gray pant suit, seated to my left and an ABC reporter to my right in the same row. Linda Deutsch of the AP was seated in front of me in a bright pink blazer and pen in hand. The court room wasn’t very big, and had signs everywhere stating no cell phones or recording devices were allowed. The jury was on the left side of the courtroom, 2 rows of jurors.
Big Moe took to the stand in a pin striped suit and bronze shirt with a gold chain, and had trouble adjusting his mic. at first. Judge Robert Perry was more than accommodating to Big Moe. Anna Nicole Smith’s so called “dream team”; Howard K. Stern with his attorneys, J. Chris Smith and lead attorney Steve Sadow, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich with attorney Bradley Brunon, and Dr. Sandeep Kapoor with attorney Ellyn Garofalo sat center with the rest of their legal teams. Howard stuck out somewhat because of his bright royal blue tie and he appeared to have bad sitting posture, I thought. Dr. Kapoor was in a gray suit and monochromatic lavender shirt and purple tie. Dr. Khris opted for pin stripes!
Once the questioning began, Assistant Deputy Attorney, Renee Rose fired her inquiries at Big Moe. Steve Sadow was the “I object” person of the day…I swear he objected to so many things Renee Rose or Big Moe were saying, or the questions and how they were phrased, and on and on.
Dr. Khris’ lawyer, Bradley Brunon, also objected a few times when the questions or Moe’s answers were directed at Dr. Khris.
Big Moe started working with Anna, he said, in 2003, being introduced to her by Howard K. Stern at a photo-shoot.
Big Moe answered questions about Anna’s entourage, which consisted of Howard K. Stern, Kimmy Walthers, & Anna’s son Daniel Smith, etc. Mr. Sadow objected to the word “entourage” and it was sustained. Big Moe wasn’t exact on dates regarding Anna all the time. Although, he did say Howard K. Stern was her “right hand man”, and Kimmy was her “Assistant”, not Howard. The entourage, or crowd of people, would go with Anna to some of her occasions, but Howard went to everything. Big Moe did say that he never saw Stern do law or any other legal things, although Howard was Anna’s lawyer.
Big Moe said he always brought a Blood Pressure Cuff with him, because Anna would sometimes go without rest and he would check her.
During 2004 Anna was the spokeswoman for Trim Spa and went on tour with the Trim Spa Bus around the country, and Moe said he was pretty much on the bus the whole time. Big Moe went on to say that he saw prescription drugs on bus, and that Anna always had a backpack with a grocery bag inside with more medications in it. He did say he saw Anna take the meds. He did say he did not see what kinds were in the bag though. The E! crew, Howard, Kimmy, and Daniel were there as well on the Trim Spa bus tour.
Big Moe stated that he did see Anna take meds on the bus regularly, and she was tired a lot and slept a lot. However she did enjoy the attention from her fans he said!
He rekindled us with The Kentucky Derby meeting when Anna met Larry Birkhead, when Larry was a freelance photographer. Larry from that point became part of her crowd and joined on the bus to take pictures. Those photographs were seen in People Magazine, In Touch, etc.
At one point, one of the jurors I saw seem to be cat napping! LOL!
We then were taken on a journey of award shows when Anna was “medicated” or “Cristalized ” with the champagne, or both. Although Moe said Anna was a “casual drinker” and she loved Cristal Champagne! Anna would get slurred speech, become drowsy, and had trouble walking at one or more of these award shows. Big Moe said she would get nervous before an awards show or party, like anybody, and needed to relax. One of these award shows was The World Music Awards, when she presented Kanye West with an award in 2004. Moe said, “I saw her take her usual medications and drink before a show, and take whatever else to make her relax.” It got so bad at times that on one occasion they had to carry Anna out. He said Anna would take meds first, then drink.
One of the funniest things that happened in the courtroom was when Judge Robert Perry did not understand when Big Moe said The G Foria Awards. Judge Perry asked Moe to spell the name of the awards a couple of times and the courtroom broke out in laughter.
Another funny point in the courtroom was when Big Moe’s cell phone started to ring aloud: the ringer was the sound of a siren!
At one point, Moe painted a sweet picture of Anna when she was at Camp Kindle, a camp for children who are affected by HIV/AIDS. He said Anna loved playing with the children and really enjoyed herself. She also loved painting her face with them, she would be the person dunked in The Dunk Machine, play Camp Games, etc..
The heavy part of this inquisition was when The Bahamas came into the court room. Howard called Moe and asked him to come to the Bahamas because Daniel had died, so Moe flew into Nassau. Moe said that Anna was “a hurt lady” because of Daniel’s death and would breakdown. She was incredibly depressed. On Sept. 11, 2006, Moe talked to Anna and said she looked drained and lethargic due to Daniel’s death. At Horizons, he did say that Ford Shelley, G. Ben Thompson, Howard K. Stern, Anna, Dannielynn, and one of the nannies were there. There were two nannies, separate shifts, Alexis and Nadine. The others at Horizons included, Tracy Ferguson attorney, and Gina Shelley, Ford Shelley’s wife.
Moe said Anna was happy to see him when he first arrived. She hugged him, but was in pain from her C-section. Moe said Anna was in denial of Daniel’s passing. But she would come to life when Dannielynn was in front of her.
Moe did say that Anna would sleep during the day and get up at night. He would try to get her up and moving because she was sleeping a lot.
The infamous dish of pills became part of the inquisition. Over 20 different pills, and also some pills in bottles. Moe never saw the types or names on many of the bottles. He did mention Diazepam (Valium), B12 (liquid form) for energy, and methadone, because he saw the name on those bottles. Moe also said he saw syringes in the bathroom. He stated that Anna had a small refrigerator by her bed, four feet high, with Orange Juice, baby bottles, snacks, methadone and syringes.
He also saw the burnt spoon in the bathroom. Moe said Anna injected herself, but others injected her too, like Howard K. Stern. He explained the liquefying of the medicine and why they cooked it on a spoon. He said it draws up into the syringe easier and goes into the blood stream faster. He said he did see burnt spoons on the counter in the bathroom and in her drawer. Moe did not liquefy or cook meds on spoons.. Moe did say that Anna had two doctors, Dr. Minnis and Dr. Barrett in the Bahamas that did inject her, or administer drugs to Anna.
Moe stated that Chloral Hydrate given to Anna by Dr. Khris Eroshevich. Anna at one point would drink the Chloral Hydrate from the bottle. Moe said Anna drank the Chloral from the bottle in front of Dr. Khris and Dr. Khris told her not to do that, but Anna did it anyway.
Moe did raise his voice at one point to defend Anna’s honor and said “She wasn’t impaired all the time you couldn’t get over on her she wasn’t popping pills all day.” That may have been true but somehow sounded a little contradictory to me.
Although, this is just the beginning of this trial saga, I am sure the best is yet to come!
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The expressions in this blog article are based on the opinions of our featured author, Daniel DiCriscio, please remember we are not lawyers and those opinions expressed here are each of our individual opinions and should not be taken as legal advice and/or legal opinions. The comments following this blog article are the opinions and sole property of the blog site members and do not necessarily reflect those of the site owners.
Well, what a ride, the preparation for the inevitable, the trial of Howard K. Stern, Dr. Khistine Eroshevich and Dr. Sandeep Kapoor. It is August 4, 2010 and the “machine” is warming up! ….Dr. Sandeep Kapoor looked stressed and agitated, it will not be fun having his personal journals read aloud to the jury and the audience. His journals are mean spirited most of the time and just darn nasty. The dark side perhaps, but a little “bitchy,” if you know what I mean. Yet when you speak to him he comes across as friendly and caring, what he must be thinking? …Dr. Eroshevich looked as if she had run a marathon, her hair was not coifed as it was on most days and she looked a little ragged. She looked terrible as a matter of fact. At her age, to be going through this has to be taking its toll, unlike Kapoor, she is in her twilight years. …She too is a very compassionate person and loads of fun at times to talk to. …However, the doctors as they were presented to the jury by the prosecutor just seemed terrible. Go figure what were they thinking, why was not more effort placed in getting Anna to a re-hab center?
…Betty Ford was one that I had spent many days and weeks at making sure all went as planned. Sure the treatment facility had a plan, then so did my clients!
The defense got a huge break with the return of Judge Perry, during the pre-lim he did not seem to me to be happy that this case was coming down the criminal courts highway. …Sadow however seemed to be a hit with both judges, it is that dam “Steve Factor.”
Ms. Virgie Arthur entered the courtroom at 8:35 A.M. She was nicely dressed and she too seemed comfortable and focused. She held the hand of a gentleman who I am assuming was her husband, she sat a few seats from where I was sitting. …Quiet and patient, she was there to watch and listen to those who are charged in preparing her daughter for the afterlife.
The jury entered the courtroom at 9:47 A.M. and it looked to be a good cross section of our society. This was there big “debut,” the group who would either “set ‘em free or drop the court house on ‘em.”. …Why was this not done in Florida? The Bahamas? …they come across as being sinister and conniving if you believe the prosecution…there is so much more!
Prosecutor Rene Rose was on top of her game… She is good at her job and she is tough, I felt that her presentation and cadence was right on. Steve Sadow was nothing less than fabulous, this is what this guy was meant to do. He is interesting and the good ol’ boyish in his delivery had the jury’s attention…
Much was made of the ‘names’ that were used in the course of making sure Anna stayed medicated. The name that just kept coming was “Michele Chase,” over and over again this alias was used. Hmmm I am reviewing my notes, but I recall that this was a name used by a male who would sometimes “cross dress,” and was associated with Anna Nicole Smith & Co. For many years I would visit the ‘Queen Mary’ in Studio City, California, it was owned by one of my very good friends Robert Juleff. This place was a show place with live shows of female impersonators and in the very back was a very special bar. Robert would tell me that on a busy night you could go back there and find lawyers and perhaps a judge or two, depending on what night of the week. …Michele Chase will live on forever in the Anna Nicole Smith story.
Here is my prediction, Howard K. Stern will walk, he has a great lawyer, Steve Sadow is going to have this jury eating out of his hand. Dr. Kapoor I am not sure, on paper he looks just terrible, but he too has one of the best lawyers out there, Ellyn Garafalo, she is different and has a very no nonsense attitude. For Dr. Eroshevich who is on lawyer 3 or 4, she has lots of hurdles to get over and at her age it won’t be easy getting over them. Not sure how much the prosecution will get into in all of her baggage, but most is not good. …And in saying that, she is the only one who never made a dime on her relationship with Anna Nicole Smith, it cost her money to hang around and be a “doctor!” And in the end, it may cost her including her entire career (deals are good, too bad, we hope you enjoy the view).
We will be reporting in and out on this trial as time will allow and we at DesperateExes.com wish all three of these people the best of luck…..and for those who will testify against Howard K. Stern, wear a vest and a safety belt as Sadow is going to rock your world”…and ‘”Michele,” where is my lipstick?
Be sure to read the rest of this rather sad opening at Desperate Exes.com. We have been very fortunate to have developed a good exchange between Rose Speaks.com and Desperate Exes.com over the last three years.
The expressions in this blog article are based on the opinions of our featured author, John Nazarian, please remember we are not lawyers and those opinions expressed here are each of our individual opinions and should not be taken as legal advice and/or legal opinions. The comments following this blog article are the opinions and sole property of the blog site members and do not necessarily reflect those of the site owners.
The Deputy District Attorney Renee Rose will be the first up this morning for her opening statement on behalf of the state of California. She is expected to touch on the facts that the defendants, Howard K. Stern, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Drs. Khristine Eroshevich possibly along with uncharged conspirators Anna Nicole Smith and Bonnie Stern fueled Anna Nicole Drug habit. Rose is expected to point out they illegally conspired to provide the actress with drugs.
Deputy District Attorney Renee Rose is expected to outline the state’s case with facts of allegations that the three Stern, Kapoor, and Eroshevich face 23 felony charges, including three counts of conspiracy to dispense and administer controlled substances to a known addict. conspired to use false names to obtain drugs for Smith. Rose is expected to say she will present numerous witnesses testify that Smith was weak and “zombie-like” much of the time in the months after September 11, 2006, when her 20-year-old son, Daniel Smith, died in the Bahamas hospital room where she was recovering from the birth of her daughter, Dannielynn. One of the problems expected to be pointed out is that Stern picked up prescriptions for Smith in his own name that he knew was intended for Smith. There is expectation that Rose will also allege that Stern facilitated fueling drugs into Smith because after the death of Daniel she was easier to handle Smith if those around Smith kept her knocked out. Rose is also expected to make the allegations that Stern used false names to get double doses of dangerous drugs to feed the addiction Anna Nicole Smith.
Those allegations are expected to be countered by Steve Sadow, Stern’s lead defense attorney, by arguing that the use of false names to obtain drugs for Smith was intended to protect the celebrity’s privacy. Sadow had previous stated that “He, [Stern], is being charged doctor-related activities, which doctors have specific knowledge of and he’s just a layperson.”
Dr. Eroshevich’s former lawyer, Adam Bruan told the AP that “One of their theories is that the mere prescribing of medications using a pseudonym is a crime and it’s rebutted by the fact that some of the most respected hospitals in this city use this practice to protect the privacy of some of their celebrity patients.” Dr. Eroshevich’s new attorney, Bradley Brunon, of Phil Spector fame grilled the jurors about their knowledge of prescription drugs, use, family history, the Scientologist church with one of the potential jurors and if the jurors could remain impartial. Brunon is expected to strongly produce evidence that Dr. Eroshevich was first Anna Nicole Smith’s and then after the death of Daniel worked with Stern to wean Smith off of the prescriptions. I look for the good Samaritan defense to be presented also on behalf of Eroshevich.
Ellyn Garofalo Dr. Sandeep Kapoor’s attorney is expected to point out there could be no conspiracy because Kapoor and Eroshevich had never even met before the preliminary hearing last fall. Kapoor’s lawyer has previously stated that prosecutors could make it difficult for California doctors to treat their patients for pain, adding “If this prosecution is successful, you can all plan to call the D.A. office every time you ask your doctor for a prescription for pain, because that’s going to be the standard.”
Judge Robert Perry has agreed in that past that Eroshevich, “deeply cared for Anna Nicole Smith and was well intentioned” with her treatment, “Evidence in the record strongly suggests she, [Smith] was an addict and there was a widespread and ongoing effort to obtain drugs for Smith, whom he characterized as a “strong-willed person” intent on getting drugs. Judge Perry has previously said that the doctors may have been “blinded by the celebrity of their patient.”
Dave Kettel, a former federal prosecutor who handled prescription drug cases, and is now a defense attorney, said the case may be difficult to prove because of the multiple defendants. He said prosecutors could have a hard time showing that the doctors knew they were acting improperly and that one knew what the other was doing. He also said prosecutors may have erred by naming Smith as a coconspirator in the case. “Despite her personal problems, people liked her,” he said. “The last couple years of her life were so sad. I don’t think anyone wants to blame her.”
Another defense lawyer said the case could have a chilling effect on doctors who treat patients for pain, since the doctors could be held criminally liable if their prescriptions are deemed excessive. Sadow argued that Stern should not be charged because he did not know his companion was an addict or that it was illegal to obtain medication with a prescription written out to a false name.
Steven Sadow, the lead lawyer for Howard K. Stern, said the defense team was “very pleased” with the jury of six men and six women who were sworn in Tuesday afternoon.
Lawyers predicted the trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court could last up to three months.
There has also been hints that keeping a low profile that Virgie Arthur will be present daily and sitting on the front row right behind Renee Rose.
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The expressions in this blog article are based on the opinions of Rose Turner or our featured authors, please remember we are not lawyers and those opinions expressed here are each of our individual opinions and should not be taken as legal advice and/or legal opinions. The comments following this blog article are the opinions and sole property of the blog site members and do not necessarily reflect those of the site owners.
The headline caught my eye and it was with total disgust that I began to read the following: “Prosecution says white policeman deliberately shot black victim.“ My very first thought was “bullshit”…oh for sure, beyond a horrible event, the killing of Oscar J. Grant, 22 years old on New Years Day 2009. Former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle (the bay area rapid transit has its own police force to police the BART system), 28 years old was charged with murder. The scenario could not be worse for all involved.
But murder? This young officer had been on for less than two years and it would appear that he shot this kid by sheer accident. He says he thought he had reached for his taser and was shocked when it turned out to be his gun. Bad training? Poor supervision? 100% for sure. Murder? Bullshit. Now had it not been for Oscar J. Grant’s bad behavior, could it be that these two would never have met? …I think not. I have vivid memories of riding that very same route and at times holding my breath as the train would stop at certain stops through Oakland. Why you ask? Simple, some of those stops depending on the time of day are a nightmare! …
For anyone or any group that would believe former officer Mehserle set out to murder this kid in front of dozens of witnesses and other officers you’d have to have bad logic and even worse fantasies. And the cry for justice is nothing more than a cry for revenge. …Did this poor young man ever have any previous negative contact with the police? If he did will that come into play in the wishful thinking and planning of the crucifixion of this former young officer who resigned the following day? Another interesting thing is this, the trial had to be moved to Los Angeles for fear of riots in Oakland…no that is not the reason, it was due to finding a jury pool that had not been “tainted” in the Bay Area. …
Wanda Johnson, Oscar J. Grant’s mom was outside the courthouse, “our hope is that this does not continue to happen to the brown and black races.“ …when the criminal element of any color is performing, I wish the police could bump up their averages as to being present more often. And we could all hope that people of any race aren’t accidentally killed by a poorly trained officer of any race.
To read John J. Nazarian’s complete thoughts on this tragic shooting turned alleged lynch mob visit Desperate Exes.com
The expressions in this blog article are based on the opinions of our featured author, John Nazarian, please remember we are not lawyers and those opinions expressed here are each of our individual opinions and should not be taken as legal advice and/or legal opinions. The comments following this blog article are the opinions and sole property of the blog site members and do not necessarily reflect those of the site owners.
It is the picture in this article, see red circle of the car, that spawn the gossip that Howard K. Stern was driving a new Mercedes Benz and how tasteless would that be?
First I have not seen the registration nor even the license plate number and until I do I am not buying this. It could be his parents, a rental car, one for his out of town attorneys, etc. However, what if Stern bought a “new Mercedes Benz”? I just don’t think that, it is not his kind of car and what one drives to court does not mean one owns it. Remember we have all heard the stories of Stern’s like for baseball caps and to dress down, so why a Mercedes Benz? For those of you who know cars look at the hood ornament on this silver car and tell me what kind of car it is? If Stern bought this or any other car big deal, if he got money from some of the lawsuits or contracts he negotiated and he chose to buy a new car with that money, great for him. I don’t get what all of the commotion is about. If you have a copy of a registration please scan it and send it on to us, if you prove to me he does own a new Mercedes I will eat my typed words on this blog.
It appears Stern did have one set back yesterday. Judge Robert Perry after hearing the amount of money that had been made since Anna Nicole Smith’s death from body guards to Larry Birkhead, he did agree that better accommodations should be provided to the Texas crew. So out of what is fondly called the roach motel and into better quarters Don Clark and Wilma Vicedomine were entitled to. Stern’s team had paid the airfare although the duo with their attorney Neil McCabe changed it to a later flight on Monday morning, and Stern’s team had to pay for 2 nights lodging at a classier hotel. It came down to in court who was fibbing to the judge? Chris Smith, Stern’s California criminal attorney, said he had contacted the duo and had offered 48 hours notice before appearing. Mr. Smith argued that Neil McCabe should not be allowed to address the court as he was not licensed in California. In the end the Judge did allow Mr. McCabe to speak on behalf of his two Texas clients, asked what his clients wanted, asked the defense team if they were going to call them and then split the argument in half it appears to me. Stern paid the upgrade for the lodging and McCabe’s clients would be hustled out of town by Wednesday morning.
I talked to one person involved in the fiasco to be in town or not to be in town. They said the communications between Chris Smith and Wilma Vicedomine broke down when she emailed him and told him to talk and handle things through her lawyer, Neil McCabe, and Mr. Smith felt Mr. McCabe was not licensed in California. Is there hostility there on both sides?? YOU BET!!!!
However, the big news in all of this to me is that by Howard K. Stern’s legal team subpoenaing Don Clark and Wilma Vicedomine as “hostile material” witnesses for Stern, neither Clark or Vicedomine will be allowed in court for any of the hearings including the trial. I would think that someone else will have to accompany Virgie Arthur to court each day and set with her during the jury trial. In your opinion was this a good move by Stern’s legal team?
It appears the good Dr. Nathalie Maullin is NOT an EXPERT witness, she is just a witness relaying the facts as she remembered them over two years later. I was told she had the personality of aluminum foil and would be a doctor that none of the patients including Anna Nicole Smith would have felt warm, snuggly, or even comfortable with. I went to work yesterday to find out more about Dr. Maullin with the ever changing “definitions and who she talked to” taking place in court. I can sum it up in one long sentence. She had been a doctor barely two years when she “treated” Anna Nicole Smith, and she has been downgraded from the prestigious Cedars Sinai Medical Center to Kaiser Hospital. Enough said.
The other two witnesses yesterday were two pharmacists, Steve Mazlin and Romeo V. Par; very dry testimony reading their records of what was ordered when and by whom.
There was a brief walk on witness to testify that one of Anna Nicole Smith’s alias names was Charlene Underwood and Ms. Underwood made a cameo appearance as this was not her.
Judge Robert J. Perry did not have a good day and is a tad upset with everyone, by yesterday afternoon he was telling Renee Rose to move the case along. Some in the court house heard her say out of court she could be finished by Friday before noon. Court Observers are betting it will last no longer than next Tuesday, October 27. Several Court Observers also said that all three defendants would be bound over for a criminal jury trial and Judge Perry would be happy to be rid of this mess from everyone. I would imagine he has empathy for the judge that inherits this for trial. BEFORE ALL OF YOU GET UPSET!!! Remember I predicted they would be held for trial on a minimum bond, the district attorney has to basically meet the bar of standards of a ham and cheese sandwich and the pharmacists alone probably did that for the prosecution. Judge Perry wants to be done with this. This preliminary hearing has allowed the defense team to see the assistant D. A. Renee Rose in action as well as some of her star witnesses and you can bet that by trial the defense team for each of the three defendants will be loaded for bear and ready to meet and bring reasonable doubt for their clients to a jury. It was Adam Braun, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich’s attorney, who said if the district attorney’s office could not meet the low hurdle required by California statute in a preliminary hearing the assistant district attorneys should be laid off. I agree and if I was any of the defense attorneys I would just let this round go to the State of California. We will see if my prediction is correct.
Now for Mo Mo making over a hundred and fifty thousand with money from interviews which is still probably pouring in from Fox, not bad for five months of work in the beautiful Caribbean with Anna Nicole Smith paying all of his expenses while he was there. His testimony is going to get to when did you lie, at the paid media deals or now at the hearing and on to the jury trial. If Sadow did in fact cause Mo Mo to become angry and agitated then the defense learned a lot from Mo Mo’s three days of testimony and I would bet they are going to go over that transcript with a fine tooth comb so to say. If I was Renee Rose I would make sure there were more people then just Mo Mo that saw what he claims to have seen, if he is the only one I predict that will not get far with a jury.
Next up is Larry Birkhead and the 2.3 million dollars paid since Anna Nicole Smith’s death, well part of it came from NBC contracts to be Tony Potts best paid friend with exclusives for 3 to 6 months back in the spring of 2007, how ever long that contract was for. So the over one million more I would say came from other media like Fox and CBS – Entertainment tonight, and I wonder if Birkhead was also adding up the magazine layouts he has done with Dannielynn since winning the DNA test? If he can make this kind of money GREAT, it means he has the dough to take care of his daughter.
I was sent an excerpt of something that suggested Birkhead was pocketing Dannielynn’s money and cheating Dannielynn trust account, WRONG. If Larry Birkhead is in the interviews or pictures sold, the money goes to him. If the money coming in is for the use of Anna Nicole Smith’s name and/or likeness it goes into Dannielynn’s trust account. IF at a later date Birkhead decides to be in a reality show, which again I heard the first editing was a bomb, then the money MADE by Dannielynn would have to be held for her in another trust account NOT the Estates. The same goes for if she appears in pictures alone or begins to model, that money would have to be held and accounted for, EVERY penny. Since Birkhead testified that he had made that much money there is no reason to doubt him. Birkhead has also become a household name in the last 2+ years as has many in this sad saga.
The big question is did Larry Birkhead lie about the young new assistant district attorney Sarah Slice and his conversation with her. If these allegations floating around the courthouse corridors and the district attorneys office are true and Birkhead did lie what a crappy thing to do to a young assistant district attorney, in my opinion. She was back in court yesterday and all was normal and she has learned to NEVER talk to a witness outside of the courtroom. The reason is because in court it can be spun to look like you did a naughty and the witness is the victim. I do have to say this fiasco got Birkhead international coverage and bumped Mo Mo from the papers, perhaps that was the plan all alone. If Birkhead lied about his conversations with Ms. Slice then shame on him to take advantage of a new and probably friendly attorney. I bet in all future hearings involving this trial, the state of California vs. these three defendants we will see two big burly bailiffs bring Birkhead in and out of court and Sarah Slice will never forget this hard learned lesson in the legal world of the rich and famous.
I have often said this site will close before it becomes a propaganda site for either side in all of these lawsuits. However, if I am told something and I can verify it through at least one and preferably with two other independent sources it will appear here and hopefully start a good dialogue.
I hope we have debunked part of the gossip and put perspective on the rest, and yes it was the courthouse discussion as it was in the offices for the district attorney that the allegations of Birkhead lying is true, I guess we will find out with time won’t we?
There is no court today and I believe the rest of the witnesses are not going to give us the fireworks that Mo Mo and Birkhead provided.
UPDATE: I did forget to mention that there is of course some main media in the courtroom as well as bloggers covering the case. Those bloggers sharing with me or telling me where to look, they are great and neutral…. HOWEVER, there are some bloggers in the courtroom that do not appear to be fair and unbiased, they have been identified as VA bloggers and now their identities are known and they will be dealt with appropriately.
So what is in Howard K. Stern’s hand?
Day six is completed and there is approximately 4 days left until Judge Perry hands this entire mess over to the trial judge for the case. Tell us your thoughts and would someone look up the car in this picture and tell us what the hell it is?
The expressions in this blog article are based on the opinions of Rose Turner or our featured authors, please remember we are not lawyers and those opinions expressed here are each of our individual opinions and should not be taken as legal advice and/or legal opinions. The comments following this blog article are the opinions and sole property of the blog site members and do not necessarily reflect those of the site owners.
A young assistant D. A. by the name of Sarah Slice may not be back in court again. After Larry Birkhead testified that he felt like Slice had been inappropriate and wanting him to “ramp up” his testimony is Slice gone? Sarah Slice did not return to court after the lunch break and at the close of court another employee from the District Attorney’s office came in and picked up Slices papers and brief case. Slice did not answer her phone or return calls after court on Monday.
Sandi Gibbons the spokeswoman from the district attorney’s office said, “The matter is being discussed, and no decision has been made as to her further role in this case.” Sarah Slice has been an attorney less than a year… OUCH what a way to learn on the job.
On a break later, outside of the courtroom, Dr. Kapoor’s attorney Ellyn Gerafalo, said, “We’re distressed to learn of this attempt at witness intimidation.”
Birkhead finished up his two day testimony yesterday and before he left the stand Larry Birkhead answered Superior Court Judge Robert Perry questioned Birkhead, about if “he took this as a negative comment on his testimony”, Birkhead answered that he did.
Renee Rose a Los Angeles assistant D. A. pressured Larry Birkhead to reveal that since Anna Nicole Smith’s death he had been paid over $2 million dollars for interviews.
Rose went on trying to pressure Birkhead to get him to say Anna Nicole Smith was an addict of which Birkhead would not go there with Rose. Birkhead again clarified his testimony by recounting how Anna Nicole Smith would tell him, “I’m not a drug addict.” At that point again Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry turned to the Birkhead and asked if he ever had a conversation with Stern in which he used the word “addiction.” “No,” said Birkhead.
Assistant D. A. Renee Rose continued to press Birkhead on multiple issues, until the judge told her he had heard enough. “I think you’re done,” he said as she continued to raise new issues.
Next up was Dr. Nathalie Maullin an addiction specialist psychiatrist who has been practicing for six years which mean she had been a “specialist” for less than three years when she saw Anna Nicole Smith at Sinai Medical Center in the spring of 2006.
Where are these young guns ho “expert” witnesses coming from and did Maullin qualify as an “expert” or just a doctor/witness?
Dr. Maullin described Anna Nicole as a “difficult patient who was obviously going through withdrawal from multiple medications when she was admitted.” Maullin continued by saying that Smith came to the hospital in distress, sweating, having spasms in her arms and legs and with her eyes dilated. She said the symptoms showed that Smith had decided to “go cold turkey” and stop all drugs when she became pregnant, resulting in withdrawal. Maullin said she treated Smith for Methadone and Xanax addiction.
Maullin went on to testify that she talked to Smith and her companion Howard K. Stern to try to set up a program to wean Smith off of these two medications but found Anna Nicole Smith to be “uncooperative and hostile”. Maullin said the new regimen would have included hypnosis and acupuncture but Smith wasn’t interested. Smith angrily rejected a treatment program that included sessions with a psychologist and a complete cessation of sedatives and methadone.
Dr. Maullin testified that Anna Nicole would not “engage with her, would not make eye contact and was very hostile. She described Smith as saying; ‘”Give me my medication and leave me alone.” The psychiatrist said she told Smith and Stern that if she, [Anna Nicole Smith], wouldn’t comply with the hospital’s outpatient program, she needed to check into a rehab center. Smith’s reply was a stony glare. “When I asked her what she had been taking, she blew me off,” said Maullin.
Maullin said she contacted Smith’s physician, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and learned he had prescribed seven different drugs to Smith during the time she was seeking relief from pain. Maullin said that when Smith was asked questions, she would reply: “Ask Howard.” Maullin went on to say that during Smith’s hospital stay, Maullin tried to regulate the former model’s use of methadone for pain and remove her from a number of drugs known as benzodiazepines.
Muillin ended Monday’s testimony by saying that Anna Nicole Smith was very hostile with an attitude of “Give me my medications and leave me alone”.
“Smith had said, ‘I’ll do anything for my baby” Dr. Maullin recalled and that the hospital staff gave Smith methadone and the sedative Aptiva to start the process of weaning her off the prescriptions.
Dr. Nathalie Maullin was to continue her testimony Tuesday under direct examination by Renee Rose and then would be handed off to the defense for cross examination.
Stay updated throughout today as we have court observers who will tell us what is going on in court. I wonder if Don Clark and Wilma Vicedomine will be called today as tomorrow is a full day off for the court.
UPDATE: Wilma Vicedomine, Don Clark with their attorney Neil McCabe appeared briefly as court began this morning. The Judge said they were not needed in court so they all three left. Our court observer said they did not know how long the judge might keep Clark and Vicedomine on hold.
UPDATE: Judge Perry has decided there was some type of communication problem with Stern’s lawyers and Don Clark, Wilma Vicedomine and agreed with their lawyer Neil McCabe that they be released from testifying in the preliminary hearing. The three Texans will be heading back to Texas to perhaps be called if and when this goes to trial.
The expressions in this blog article are based on the opinions of Rose Turner or our featured authors, please remember we are not lawyers and those opinions expressed here are each of our individual opinions and should not be taken as legal advice and/or legal opinions. The comments following this blog article are the opinions and sole property of the blog site members and do not necessarily reflect those of the site owners.
This is a “fun article” and one I have been laughing about since learning of it yesterday.
As Rose Speaks.com had previously said, Don Clark, Wilma Vicedomine and Tom Pirtle were served the night of October 13 to be in the court as hostile defense witnesses for Howard K. Stern the morning of October 14.
They went to a Harris County criminal court the morning of October 14 to fight the subpoenas and the judge gave in a tad or at least the date, the Harris county judge gave them until Tuesday, October 20, 2009 to appear in Los Angeles.
Thus what I call the dance began it seems whoever subpoenas you has to pay your expenses, which brings up Mo Mo again, and how much was he paid?
Anyway back to our article today. The defense team told Ms. Vicedomine that they were willing to do a 48 hour notice “IF” they decided to they wanted her to testify as a hostile witness for the defense. However, there was a glitch in that California was ok with that but the Texas crowd did not want to pay to go before a Harris county judge again. I “think” the defense team for Stern could have faxed the agreement to the Harris county judge that the Texas people were just on stand-by and possibly would not be needed.
However following a barrage of emails of if you want me I am coming Tuesday and Howard K. Stern is paying for everything under the statute for out of town and out of state witnesses.
Thus after a week going back and forth with Vicedomine insisting on Tuesday October 20 quoting the order from the Harris County judge, Stern’s legal team made the reservations and accommodations for Don Clark and Wilma Vicedomine. I am “assuming” that Mr. Pirtle took the defense offer of a 48 hour notice if they need him.
At 3:00 AM yesterday, Sunday morning, the plane tickets and the lodging fell into Vicedomine’s email box.
The accommodations you ask? Well they booked them on a plane leaving Houston at 6 AM this morning, October 19, with several hours lay over in Phoenix. The five star accommodations is a tad lacking per Vicedomine, it is not a five star hotel it is not even a 2 star hotel and it is in the worse part of downtown L. A. It seems like the Stern legal team booked them into the Metro Plaza, see picture above and then one here.
When I interviewed Ms. Vicedomine for this article I have to make a full disclosure that I was laughing so hard I was doubled up and had to keep asking the same questions over and over. Funny I was the only one laughing she was NOT.
I asked her for a quote on the record as soon as I stopped laughing so hard I could get a full question out. Vicedomine was more than happy to give me one; “Thanks Howard for the roach infested ancient hotel, not funny”.
Remember that song Hotel California, I don’t remember the words but could this amusing antidote fit that song?
As one person close to the legal proceedings said to me, ask Wilma Vicedomine if she can spell R-E-V-E-N-G-E. This source also told me that Metro Plaza was raided about once a month to clear out the service industry that most used the hotel; you know that oldest profession known to mankind, which just made me laugh even harder this morning.
With that in mind it makes the Metro Plaza saying even funnier: “At the Metro Plaza Hotel, it’s all about you. You are our guest, our joie de vivre, our raison d’être. Come stay with us on your journeys and travels, and let us take care of you. Let our 80 luxuriously-appointed guest rooms and suites be your home away from home. Let us provide you with every convenience and comfort to see you through your days and nights with us. We will welcome you and treat you as a member of our family, one of our very own, as we attend to you and your needs. Let us have the privilege of being your pied-á-terre in the City of Angels . . . and let us show you how we’re all about you.”
I agree can you spell R-E-V-E-N-G-E?? I thought that this would be one of the lighter moods and articles through this whole saga. Why is it I have that Aretha Franklin song playing through my head today?
Stay with us today for the up to the minute coverage from multiple court observers who have agreed to share with Rose Speaks.com.
The expressions in this blog article are based on the opinions of Rose Turner or our featured authors, please remember we are not lawyers and those opinions expressed here are each of our individual opinions and should not be taken as legal advice and/or legal opinions. The comments following this blog article are the opinions and sole property of the blog site members and do not necessarily reflect those of the site owners.
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