Judge Rules Out Smith Drug Death Evidence For Trial
By WENNSunday, August 1, 2010
The Los Angeles judge overseeing the ANNA NICOLE SMITH drugs trial has banned prosecutors from presenting evidence linking the model’s two doctors and her former attorney to her death.
Medics Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich have been accused of conspiring with Smith’s lawyer lover Howard K. Stern to supply the late star with strong prescription pills in the run-up to her death from an accidental overdose in 2007.
They are awaiting trial on a total of 23 felony charges but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Perry has forbidden any evidence suggesting their actions led to Smith’s demise.
The three suspects have not been charged with causing her death and Perry fears they will struggle to receive a fair trial if such allegations arise in court.
Jury selection is due to be completed early next week (begs02Aug10) and the trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday (04Aug10).
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case is expected to last three months.
