Celebrity Justice
Battle for the Body: Stern, Birkhead Arrive In Court

Larry Birkhead & Howard K. SternHoward K. Stern and Larry Birkhead, the two men who claim to be the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby, are in the Florida courtroom of Judge Larry K. Seidlin right now to determine what will happen to Smith's body.

At 9:37 AM, Howard K. Stern entered the courtroom and took a seat just a few feet away from Larry Birkhead. Smith's mother Virgie Arthur is in the courtroom as well, and warmly embraced Birkhead before the beginning of the hearing. Anna Nicole's father Don Hogan also made a surprise appearance in court.

Judge Seidlin addressed Stern and Birkhead and said, "I expected both of you to show."

To watch the hearing unfold live, click here to watch a live feed from Miami affiliate WTVJ.

Update 1:00 p.m. ET: Court has recessed for lunch. The hearing will reconvene at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Tags: Anna nicole Smith, AnnaNicoleSmith, Howard K. Stern, HowardK.Stern, Larry Birkhead, LarryBirkhead

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(Page 2 of 4) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. Yes, the judge is ridiculous!! He's so slow, goes off on weird tangents, and makes about as much sense as ANS in clown makeup. He keeps saying he doesn't want to take up too much time, but he himself goes on and on and on and on about absolutely nothing. I've never seen anything like it.

Posted at 10:18AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Jen

17. You people that keep saying Anna should be buried near her son just don't get it do you? She SHOULD be buried near her son, BUT that should be in TEXAS with the rest of her family, or in CALIFORNIA where she lived. That's what Vergie ultimately wants to do. Why would they want their graves to be out in the Bahamas all alone, where nobody but that creep can go visit them? He probably won't even stay in the Bahamas either! They need to take Anna and Daniel back to Texas, or California, where they spent most of their time, because in the end, family comes over top a sleazy murdering douche-bag of a lawyer any day. You all make comments about Vergie not being a good mother. Do you think ANNA was a good mother? Drugs all over her house, screwing everything that moved? Nice things for a young son to witness. I don't care how much she loved him, she never instilled any values in that child. Kids learn what they live. And you think STERN was a good parent and lover/companion? Letting Anna get deeper and deeper into drugs, photographing every sexual or pathetic escapade? If I was Daniel, I sure wouldn't want to see my mother splashed on every channel or billboard stoned out of her gourd, shoving her tits in everyone's face, and linked to a continuous parade of men. Can you spell W-H-O-R-E? It's just too bad that someone didn't take Daniel away from Anna before this tragedy was allowed to happen. I say, give the baby to Birkhead, and let Anna and Daniel go back to their country to rest. Stern can go to Hell, where he belongs, and even Hell is too good for that bastard!

Posted at 10:46AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Howard is a murderer

18. I agree with #12. I think that Virgie would take Daniel back to Texas. Why should he remain in the Bahamas, he never lived there? Anna Nicole only lived there 6 months. Howard K. Stern will probably get kicked out of Bahamas since he doesn't own a home there and after Dannielynne goes to live with her father he will have no reason to stay there.

Posted at 11:42AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Deb

19. ANNA is not going anywher etill the DNA is figured out!!!!!! YOU allwait

Posted at 10:23AM on Feb 20th 2007 by lier lier

20. Ya know, I am sick of everyone acting like Larry BIrkhead is the saint in all this. FIRST he claims that Anna dumped him because Howard "made her." THEN he clains he dumped Anna because of drug use during the pregnancy. THEN this tape conveniently turns up (stolen from Howard and Anna's home). It does not prove that Mr Stern gave her the drugs nor condoned it. We do not know the story behind the tape. I personally think Mr BIrkhead and Anna's Mom have THEIR own selfish motives. Her Mom was not in her life for years before Mr Stern and did not even go to Daniel's funeral. But to me this point is clear regardless of whom turns out to be the Baby's father. Anna would want to be buried next to her son...any Mom would. I lost two daughter and my ex husband made it clear that the extra plot next to them was for me when it was my time..that it was only right. It only makes common sense that Anna should be buried next to her son. WHY does her Mom think she would want to be buried in Texas? I am sure her Mom loved her, but they had their differences and Anna hardly came to Texas. I know in times of sadness and grief we want what makes us feel better but Anna would have want to be buried next to her Beloved Daniel...

Posted at 10:14AM on Feb 22nd 2007 by Ann

21. Why should Larry have any say on where she is buried? I don't understand Anna's mother wanting to bury her in Texas. What is her reasoning? She should be buried next to her son in the Bahamas. She would've wanted it that way. He was the most important person to her. That would maybe put her soul to rest a little knowing that she is with her son physically and spiritually.
Oh, is it just me? or Is there something a little creepy about that judge. It seems like he's feeding off of all of the publicity and is just putting on a show to me. At times, he doesn't seem professional. It's like he's trying to be a star in his own right. He bothers me, especially when he said that Anna's body belonged to him. He reminds me of those perverts who are into necrophilia. I wouldn't be surprised if some creep took advantage of the body in a sexual way.

Posted at 4:49PM on Feb 20th 2007 by Angieland

22. This is not a tough one people,Next of kin of ANS is Dannielynn .Who is representing Dannielynn? doesn't matter. Documents state Howard K Stern as guardian. Whether you like it or not Howard has to take possesion of the body!

Posted at 11:26AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Webb Kopp

23. When was the last time Anna was in Texas? I doubt she wanted to go back! All she wanted to do was get away from there. I have no respect for Virgie her intentions are EVIL! Larry is a creep! Why is he there? Oh to be on tv! The tape that was shown last night was STOLEN from Judge and does not show the whole thing. Judge is a snake!! He said he took the items because Anna wanted him to. Yeah I'm sure Anna really wanted him steal these items to sell to Fox and TMZ!

Posted at 10:31AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Weezy

24. What a dumb ass judge! He is boring and NOT coming across as too bright at all. How did he get appointed to the bench...OMG! How could he have ever been a GOOD lawyer.

Posted at 11:47AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Fergie

25. Anna needs to be burried next to her son~

Posted at 10:38AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Kim

26. I guess ANYBODY can be a judge. What a loser.

Posted at 11:46AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Fergie

27.
ANS's mother is nothing but a f***ing leech ! I was on Larry Birkhead's side until he got on board with that fat slob Virgie !

Larry should keep it man to man -

ANS should be buried next to the most loyal person in her life ... DANIEL !

Butt out Virgie ! you should have showed this much emotion when ANS's step father was molesting ANS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 8:20PM on Feb 20th 2007 by Stop talentless hacks !

28. Even though it may seem the judge is going on tangents he really is cutting to the chase to the most important decision of all and that is who is the father of Dannielynn. I think he comes across as very compassionate and has a great sense of humor.

Posted at 11:53AM on Feb 20th 2007 by Jersey

29. SHE NEEDS TO BE BURIED IN HOLLYWOOD WITH DANIEL!

Posted at 12:01PM on Feb 20th 2007 by lala

30. Thank you to Ford Shelly and his wife for showing the WORLD finally and exposing HK$ for what he really is......................all he wanted and still wants is $$$$$$$$$...............

Posted at 12:30PM on Feb 25th 2007 by Tambo

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