The Bahamian inquest into the death of Anna Nicole Smith’s son, Daniel Smith, is finally over! CNN reports that, after deliberating for less than two hours, the seven-person jury concluded today that his death was the result of an accidental drug overdose.
Popsquire’s perspective…
This is not a shocker. Police previously said there was no evidence of homicide, and autopsies found that Daniel died from a combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants.
If Popsquire were a Bahamian taxpayer, he’d be mad! The amount of time and money spent to reach this conclusion certainly could have been used more wisely.
For your viewing pleasure, below is a clip from Popsquire’s February appearance on the TV Guide Network discussing the inquest.
Following in Larry Birkhead’s footsteps, Howard K. Stern testified yesterday in the Bahamian inquest into Daniel Smith’s death. Predictably, Stern’s testimony was full of denials:
Stern denies knowing that Daniel was taking any medications, including Methadone.
Stern denies that there was a duffel bag full of drugs in Anna Nicole’s hospital room.
Stern denies giving Daniel any drugs or bringing any drugs into the hospital.
Stern denies seeing Anna give Daniel any drugs.
Surprise, surprise…this is very different from Larry Birkhead’s testimony. Could it be that Anna Nicole and Daniel were angels in Stern’s presence and devils with Birkhead? What do you think?
Popsquire’s opinion about Howard K. Stern’s testimony is best expressed by Fleetwood Mac…
Faithful Popsquire followers — like you — know that the Bahamian inquest into the death of Daniel Smith (Anna Nicole’s son) has been a stop-and-go phenomenon for more than a year. This week, however, it’s all go!
Larry Birkhead testified yesterday, and Howard K. Stern is set to testify today. Here’s a summary of Birkhead’s testimony, most of which provides clear foreshadowing of Daniel’s drug overdose death:
Five months before his death, Daniel Smith stole a bottle of methadone from his mother.
In July 2006, Daniel was admitted to a hospital due to valium abuse.
Anna Nicole was concerned about her son’s drinking, use of drugs and his recent 20-pound weight loss.
Anna Nicole preferred to have Daniel do drugs in her presence instead of “running around experimenting with his friends.”
For a good recap of inquest events, check out Popsquire in this clip from TV Guide Channel’s “Hollywood 411.”
According to CNN, a Los Angeles judge has declared Dannielynn the sole heir to Anna Nicole Smith’s estate. The court also set up a trust for the toddler, for which Larry Birkhead and Howard K. Stern will serve as co-trustees.
Popsquire promotion…
Because you are a faithful Popsquire reader, you already are an expert on Anna Nicole. In case you don’t have your flashcards handy, check out: (1) this timeline; and (2) Popsquire’s prior television commentary here.
Popsquire’s perspective…
It doesn’t take a lawyer to understand that Dannielynn may become a very rich little girl, if: (1) the estate wins an ongoing court battle for the fortune that Anna Nicole’s wealthy second husband left to her; and (2) Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead don’t squander it away.
In case Dannielynn, Larry, or Howard are wondering what to do with the money, here’s a suggestion: “Give It To Me,” by Timbaland.
Having created Supreme Court precedent during her lifetime and caused international courtroom drama after death, Anna Nicole Smith represents one of the biggest collisions between pop culture and law this world has ever seen.
On this one-year anniversary of her death, Popsquire invites you to visit this timeline that he previously posted. In addition, below are a few videos that should remind you of the constant collision…as if you could ever forget!
1. This classic/telling appearance on the American Music Awards.
2. Howard K. Stern announces that he is the baby daddy.
3. Larry Birkhead says “I told you so,” confirming *he* is the baby daddy.
As a quick follow up to the long post below, Popsquire thought you might like a reminder that Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Wyclef Jean and Tyler Perry are not the first entertainers to make headlines in connection with illegal HGH….
According to the coroner, HGH was found in Anna Nicole Smith’s body after she died.
Sylvester Stallone was detained by Australian customs agents, who accused him of having 48 vials of HGH stuffed in his luggage.
A federal indictment linked HGH to Barry Bonds’ growing neck size and home run totals. Bonds, of course, told a grand jury he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.
Like Popsquire always says, pop culture and law consistently collide. Why should today be any different?
For the 2007 Wackiest Pop Culture and Law Collision Award, Popsquire gives you Frederic von Anhalt. Zsa Zsa Gabor’s eighth husband and former masseur provided the world with laughter and surprise on two separate occasions this year. For that, Popsquire thanks him and wishes him a happy new year.
On February 9, von Anhalt claimed that he had a decade-long affair with Anna Nicole Smith. He says they met in the 90s, during Smith’s marriage to elderly oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II. And, of course, he filed a paternity suit claiming he was Dannielynn’s father. Ahahaha. Seriously?
On July 25, Fred claimed that three women pulled up next to him, asked for a photo, and instead of snapping the pics, they robbed him at gunpoint and left him naked and cuffed to his Rolls Royce. Oddly enough, he still managed to call the police. Uh-huh…Check out the pics.
In case you are thirsty for more von Anhalt information, check out this link here. If you just want to laugh, re-read the above. Popsquire is still laughing. Cheers to 2007!
Popsquire hereby presents Anna Nicole Smith with the award for 2007’s Biggest Pop Culture and Law Collision. Smith’s collision spans all aspects of the law, including family law, wills and estates, and criminal law.
To prove that Smith is the proper recipient of this (thankless) award, Popsquire has prepared a brief timeline of events, as follows.
May 1, 2006: Smith wins battle before the U.S. Supreme Court that allows her to continue to fight for part of her late husband’s oil fortune.
Sept. 7, 2006: Smith gives birth to daughter Dannielynn in Nassau, Bahamas.
Sept. 10, 2006: Smith’s 20-year-old son Daniel dies in her Bahamas hospital room.
Sept. 26, 2006: Smith’s lawyer/companion Howard K. Stern announces to Larry King that he is the father of Anna’s baby.
Sept. 28, 2006: Smith and Stern exchange vows in a “commitment ceremony.”
Oct. 2, 2006: Larry Birkhead files a paternity suit to establish that he is Dannielynn’s father.
Feb. 7, 2007: Judge orders Smith to submit to DNA testing in Birkhead paternity suit by no later than Feb. 21.
Feb. 8, 2007: Smith dies in Hollywood, Florida.
Feb. 14, 2007: Court hearing begins to determine where Smith should be buried.
Feb. 15, 2007: Judge decides that court-appointed guardian for Dannielynn should decide Anna’s burial location.
Feb. 16, 2007: Smith’s will is released, and Frederic von Anhalt (Zsa Zsa Gabor’s eighth husband) files court papers in paternity suit claiming he is the father.
Feb. 22, 2007: Tearful judge rules that Smith should be buried in Nassau, Bahamas.
March 2, 2007: Anna is buried next to her son in Nassau, Bahamas.
March 26, 2007: Florida medical examiner says Smith’s death was caused by “accidental overdose,” with methadone, valium and a sedative among at least nine medications in her system.
April 10, 2007: DNA results establish that Birkhead is Dannielynn’s baby daddy.
June 19, 2007: Birkhead and Stern sit side-by-side in a Los Angeles courtroom as a commissioner places Smith’s will in probate. Birkhead is ordered to be guardian of the estate while Stern serves as executor of Smith’s will.
To pay tribute to this collision, Popsquire presents the following video of Larry King’s coverage the day Smith’s death was announced. Larry could not get enough of this story!
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anna nicole smith | Tagged: anna nicole smith, bahamas, court, daniel, dannielynn, death, heir, howard k. stern, inquest, law, pop culture, trust, will | 
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