Former Fort Lauderdale judge and New York City cab driver, Larry Seidlin, re-emerged last week with the release of his new book “The Killing of Anna Nicole Smith.”  Three years ago, the dispute over Anna Nicole Smith’s final resting place catapulted Seidlin into the national spotlight with his odd, emotion filled ruling.  After a six day trial, Seidlin promised not to discuss the case again, yet it seems outside entities forced him into the public eye again, as revealed on the TODAY show where he confessed “so much information came [his] way” that his “hands are dirty finding all of this information.” Seidlin’s tough critique of Smith’s former lawyer and companion, Howard K. Stern, emphasizes an important aspect of the case.  Fortunately, courtroom pressure forced Stern to give testimony admitting his role in providing Smith with drugs that eventually killed her.  Stern admitted “in the courtroom that he obtained Anna Nicole’s drugs and got these drugs in other people’s names.” Though it appeared the case was closed, numerous events triggered a new interest for Seidlin – the role of celebrity enablers and facilitators.  Upon re-examining the case, he realized he may have set a significant precedent. Since Anna Nicole Smith’s Read More …

Just weeks after a federal appeals court ruled Anna Nicole Smith’s estate was not entitled to any of her late husband’s fortune, Larry Birkhead went on a whirlwind publicity tour to announce personal items from the former Playmate’s estate would be sold at public auction last weekend in Las Vegas.  Birkhead appeared on the TODAY show, MSNBC and E! News with his young daughter Dannielynn, sole heir to Smith’s estate.  Throughout this tour, outlets reported a portion of profits from the auction will be given to two charities – PETA and the Anna Nicole and Daniel Wayne Smith Foundation.  In fact, the official auction booklet featured a letter written by Birkhead stating as much. As Chuck Muth noted recently in Nevada News & Views – “Anna Nicole Smith Auction in Vegas Big Rip-Off?” – motives for hosting this auction are highly suspect.  In addition to the question of exactly who will receive profits from last weekend, there are two legal issues at play here: the fiduciary responsibility of Howard K. Stern – Smith’s former companion now accused of contributing to her death – as executor of the estate and the questionable decisions of Birkhead as guardian of the sole heir.  Read More …