Anna Nicole Smith's Boyfriend and Doctor Found Guilty of Conspiracy

By Tori Richards Posted Oct 28th 2010 05:49PM

The late Anna Nicole Smith's psychiatrist and boyfriend were found guilty Thursday of conspiring to provide the starlet with drugs during the three years preceding her 2007 overdose.

Howard K. Stern, Smith's boyfriend and lawyer, was convicted of conspiracy for helping Smith obtain a controlled substance by fraud and for providing a false name for a prescription. Her psychiatrist, Khristine Eroshevich, was found guilty of conspiring with Stern on the fraud and false name charges, and was also convicted of unlawfully prescribing and obtaining Vicodin through fraud and use of a false name.

The verdict came after two months of testimony and nearly 12 days of deliberations. Prosecutors alleged that Stern and Eroshevich kept Smith doped up on drugs in order to stay in her inner circle and exert control over her.

Smith's medical doctor, Sandeep Kapoor -- who prescribed methadone and a variety of other drugs to Smith under the alias Michelle Chase -- was acquitted of prescribing excessive drugs and prescribing to an addict. Kapoor claimed the one-time Playboy model had issues with alcohol, but that he did not believe Smith was a drug addict.

Outside of court, a haggard-looking Stern offered a brief statement: "They found me not guilty of seven counts, these were all the counts related to whether the medications were for a legitimate medical purpose or whether Anna was an addict. Everything related to the appropriateness of the medication I was acquitted."

Eroshevich and Stern are are due back in court for sentencing on Jan. 6.

Jurors heard testimony that Smith, 39, consumed up to 1,500 pills a month, and spiraled out of control following the death of her son, Daniel. The star witness was Larry Birkhead, Smith's former boyfriend and father of her now 4-year-old daughter, Dannielynn.

Birkhead, who at one point lived with Smith, recounted how he tried to wean her off drugs and even hid her methadone so she wouldn't take it. His efforts led to a confrontation with Stern.

"I was told by Howard she needed it to live, the methadone," Birkhead testified. "She would say, 'I'm in pain. I'm not a drug addict.'"

But a telling piece of evidence was an appearance by Smith at the American Music Awards, during which she appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The video was played for jurors.

Before deliberations started, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Perry dismissed two of the charges against Stern and had some choice words for prosecutors. "I think there are weaknesses in the prosecution's case," Perry said. "But my inclination is to let it go to the jury."

Perry added that if he didn't like the verdict, he would likely change it or order a new trial.

During deliberations, jurors asked several questions. They wanted to know how Stern, who isn't a doctor, could be found guilty of illegally prescribing drugs. On Wednesday, they sent the judge a note asking for guidance if they were unable to reach a verdict on "a count or an object crime."

The judge responded by telling them, "If you can't reach a verdict, you can't reach a verdict. We declare a hung jury on that count."

Outside of court, Kapoor spoke of his ordeal.

"I was just praying and praying," he said, adding that the jury "seemed like they want(ed) to do the right thing." He called his acquittal a victory for Smith and her daughter.

The defendants were not charged with Smith's death.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Tags: anna nicole smith

Comments

(109)

Thursday 28 October

By Rhonda

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Thank God!! Let justice be served in this poor woman's death. Howard Stern is the lowest frm of human life on this planet. May he get his as good as he gave it.

Friday 29 October

By Ruth

I agree Howard Stern is the lowest form of life on the planet but this article is about a different person named Howard K. Stern.

By KENNY NASH 777

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

She was a 1500 pill a day death waiting to happen! No one to blame but herself............

Kenny Nash

youtube KENNY NASH "BROKE IN BEVERLY HILLS"

By BROC

She was 1500 pill a day train wreck waiting to happen. Very sad but no one to blame but "EVERYONE ELSE" not !!!!!!!

KENNY NASH

YOUTUBE KENNY NASH "BROKE IN BEVERLY HILLS" tribute to Anna

By jinyuejguai

I am so glad to see this. She needs to take some responsibility but she cant now. But when you see a patient or client in trouble you get them help or shut them off but don't send them down in flames. I believe that doctor also supplied to her son who also died he should be locked up they need to crack down on prescription abuse!! I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'ming le.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By Robin From Pennsylvania

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I Agree

By CJ Smith

YOU are an addict by CHOICE!!
She killed herself.
It's pretty simple - she had everything money could buy and was a miserable human being.

By krzifngrs

where have you been hiding, she was a junkie long before anyone gave her drugs, she made sure everyone in her life did what they were told and if they were useless, love had nothing to do with it

By hfgfhrt

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Once they got her hooked they didn't have to hold a gun to her head. Anna was so deep into meds that she 'needed' them and Howard was so in love with her that he got them for her any way he could. One of her problems was chronic pain due to her huge breast implants. If Howard really loved her he would have encouraged her to have them taken out. But NO - her boobs were a big money draw for her so he just got her the pills instead! I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'gapsingles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By Robert

I think we can ALL agree on that Rhonda. I could never stand him on any of his shows. I speak for all of us when I say....I'm glad he isn't on TV anymore so we don't have to look at that ugly face. Has anyone else heard if he has been fixed yet. I heard he was and I don't think he should be allowed to reproduce. Can you imagine how his mom feels when she sees him? I heard she canceled her XM radio contract when he got his show there. I did the same thing.

By joan

This could not have happened to a better pair of low life people. So called lawyer Howard Stern and a doctor whose license should be revoked deserve getting the book thrown at them. Thank goodness that adorable little girl is living a life away from the user Stern and with her loving true father, Larry Burkhead. Lord knows what would have happened to that child if Stern would have gotten his hands on her. I would not be surprised that he had something to do with the death of Anna Nichol son too.

By Opinion

And you know these guys so well to make that judgement? I highly doubt it. Do you really think the information you get from "People" and "Us" magazines are accurate? You don't even know her name (it's Nicole, not Nichol).

Take a look around...So many people are in similar situations. Sure , she had a choice...But that low breed could have been telling her it was different medication

By Cindy

I con't agree with you more I had always thought he had something to do with it. I think because Anna Loved her son so much that Ster was Jelous (sorry for the spelling) so he overdosed him that is my opinion.

By dave

What a sad story. Even tho they were not convicted on all charges, I hope the judge wacks these guys. They are leaches and responsible for her death! Unfortunately, it is the kind of story we might see from L. Lohan in the future. Leaches latch on and control without any regard for the person they are using. Sad.

By jimall3

Thank God; there is at least a little justice. Stern and this "Dr." found a way to murder both Anna Nicole and her son so they could keep her millions: Procure and Distribute drugs to them like it was candy. Anna was a vulnerable dits and her son young, innocent and naive. Perfect for predators like these. These two deserve much worse.

By P Niswrinkles

Did you idiots read the article?Neither of these two A wipes were convicted of anything other than "obtaining a prescription under a false name"...all your post seem "rah rah rah" the murder's have been convicted! Now granted the Author of the article needs her testilcles cut off for the way she headlined this thing to make us believe justice was done....the boyfriend and shrink who killed her basically got a spanking..read it again

WAS SHE REALLY A CELEBRITY? NO!
Just anothe bimbo blonde with big boobs, marry her grandfather for money...oh yeah, she loved him.

By Blonde Ambition

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So many of her fans thought she was a great example of "The American Dream". Too bad she couldn't handle it.

By Jessica P

EXACTLY!

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