Daniel Smith Inquest Delayed by Tropical Storm

91. NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) -- Anna Nicole Smith's mother said Tuesday that she hopes an inquest into the death of her 20-year-old grandson will lead to justice as a Nassau court selected a jury to hear the case.

Virgie Arthur, who flew to the Bahamas for the long-delayed proceedings, has suggested foul play contributed to Daniel Smith's death last year in the Atlantic archipelago where he was visiting his celebrity mother.
"I hope this starts the process of justice," Arthur told reporters as she entered the courthouse.

Magistrate William Campbell told the seven-member Coroner's Court jury that its only duty is to determine the cause of death and said police have no evidence of homicide.
"Nobody is on trial here," he said, but noted the jury can refer the case for criminal charges if it finds evidence of negligence.

About 35 witnesses are expected to testify during the inquest, which was postponed until Nov. 19 due to the approach of Tropical Storm Noel.

Daniel Smith died Sept. 10, 2006, as he visited his mother three days after she gave birth in a Nassau hospital to her daughter, Dannielynn. A private pathologist said he died from combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants.

Anna Nicole Smith died in Florida on Feb. 8 at age 39 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including the painkiller methadone and a powerful sleep aid.
In February, Arthur claimed in a television interview that Smith's boyfriend-attorney Howard K. Stern played a role in both deaths, but she didn't provide evidence.

Stern has feuded with Arthur over issues including the grandmother's access to Dannielynn and the burial location for Anna Nicole Smith. As the executor of the late reality TV star's will, he filed papers last month to make Dannielynn the sole beneficiary of Smith's estate, which stands to inherit millions from the oil fortune of her late husband J. Howard Marshall II.

The inquest had been delayed by a challenge from Stern's legal team, which wanted jurors to take a questionnaire to test for possible bias. Stern did not attend the session Tuesday, and the courtroom was closed to reporters during jury selection.
Campbell told jurors not to discuss the case with reporters and to avoid media coverage.
"Listen if you must, but don't get your minds clogged up," he said.

An attorney for Arthur, Neil McCabe, said he hopes the probe will clarify whether anyone bears responsibility for Daniel's death.
"We have our own ideas and our own suspicions. We just hope the inquest will get to the bottom of this," McCabe said.

Stern, who came to the Bahamas with Smith last year, has been living in the waterfront home they shared and initially claimed he was the father of her infant daughter. He gave up custody last spring after DNA tests proved Smith's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead is the father.

Posted at 4:47PM on Oct 30th 2007 by butterfly

92. NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) -- Anna Nicole Smith's mother said Tuesday that she hopes an inquest into the death of her 20-year-old grandson will lead to justice as a Nassau court selected a jury to hear the case.

Virgie Arthur, who flew to the Bahamas for the long-delayed proceedings, has suggested foul play contributed to Daniel Smith's death last year in the Atlantic archipelago where he was visiting his celebrity mother.
"I hope this starts the process of justice," Arthur told reporters as she entered the courthouse.

Magistrate William Campbell told the seven-member Coroner's Court jury that its only duty is to determine the cause of death and said police have no evidence of homicide.
"Nobody is on trial here," he said, but noted the jury can refer the case for criminal charges if it finds evidence of negligence.

About 35 witnesses are expected to testify during the inquest, which was postponed until Nov. 19 due to the approach of Tropical Storm Noel.

Daniel Smith died Sept. 10, 2006, as he visited his mother three days after she gave birth in a Nassau hospital to her daughter, Dannielynn. A private pathologist said he died from combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants.

Anna Nicole Smith died in Florida on Feb. 8 at age 39 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including the painkiller methadone and a powerful sleep aid.
In February, Arthur claimed in a television interview that Smith's boyfriend-attorney Howard K. Stern played a role in both deaths, but she didn't provide evidence.

Stern has feuded with Arthur over issues including the grandmother's access to Dannielynn and the burial location for Anna Nicole Smith. As the executor of the late reality TV star's will, he filed papers last month to make Dannielynn the sole beneficiary of Smith's estate, which stands to inherit millions from the oil fortune of her late husband J. Howard Marshall II.

The inquest had been delayed by a challenge from Stern's legal team, which wanted jurors to take a questionnaire to test for possible bias. Stern did not attend the session Tuesday, and the courtroom was closed to reporters during jury selection.
Campbell told jurors not to discuss the case with reporters and to avoid media coverage.
"Listen if you must, but don't get your minds clogged up," he said.

An attorney for Arthur, Neil McCabe, said he hopes the probe will clarify whether anyone bears responsibility for Daniel's death.
"We have our own ideas and our own suspicions. We just hope the inquest will get to the bottom of this," McCabe said.

Stern, who came to the Bahamas with Smith last year, has been living in the waterfront home they shared and initially claimed he was the father of her infant daughter. He gave up custody last spring after DNA tests proved Smith's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead is the father.

Posted at 4:48PM on Oct 30th 2007 by butterfly

93. Howard is the last witness to be called. This is an inquest about Daniel and not Howard on trial. Or even Anna on trial. Why would he be sitting there for months everyday? I do think Virgie will have a problem being there every day as the courts there are slow and will have many delays, and will take many months. At least she has a lot of padding to sit on.
Howard will have an attorney there to represent him and follow the proceeding. Plus he is also involved in other court cases and proceedings that he has to deal with.
Larry has a daughter to raise so for any of you to think he should be in court every day for months is unrealistic. And by the way all parents are allowed to go out for an evening. It is not against the law. And we know that Larry will only be there when it is his turn to testify about what he knows. I doubt he will bring DL to the Bahamas. I know I wouldn't.

Donna Hogan is getting breast implants cause she wants to look like Anna and feel good about herself. This family is wackey.

Posted at 4:49PM on Oct 30th 2007 by plain and simple

94. Mr. Edmond (Jerry) Brown
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94255-2550

Dear Mr. Brown:

I express my appreciation that you are addressing an outrageously ridiculous situation in the Anna Nicole Smith tragedy that exposes obvious corruption. While the public has watched in disbelief you have emerged as a no-nonsense hero. You have absolute support in this investigation and in taking control of jurisdiction.

I ask that you use this situation as a message not only to the medical community but also to all fiduciaries, legal authorities, and politicians. Besides the obvious suspicions, the case exposes weakness in our system that results in legally taking another’s assets for personal gain despite what would be the logical and moral intent of the owner of the assets.

1. Joint Tenancy – it is wrong that one can filter money from a person and the heirs of that person and even the creditors of that person by right of joint tenancy outside of a will and an estate when one contributes none of their own funds to bank accounts, property and corporations. The system allows, legalizes and protects exploitation of an elderly or weak-minded individual by caregivers and greedy family members. It happens all the time. The laws need to be changed as they are designed to protect financial institutions.

In general, it is the rule the surviving joint tenant is legally entitled to own all of the funds in that bank account – regardless of anything the will does or does not say. A will can only dispose of an estate's "probate assets". Financial-institution accounts such as bank accounts are considered "non-probate" assets. Each state has it’s own laws, but they need to be changed. Israel for example says everything is covered by a will. I believe this joint tenancy is a caveat most people don’t understand until they are faced with the reality that someone with influence over another can legally take advantage of a person’s assets. Upon a person’s death or incapacity it puts the burden of litigation on the damaged party.

2. Probate – this is a powerful issue. It is too easy for a Probate Judge to make appointments for someone who cannot speak. How often do friends of judges profit by their appointments as executors and guardians? Why, when asked to appoint someone to act in a protective capacity do judges bypass capable family members? Probate court is a fertile ground for lawyers to unjustly enrich themselves and of course if they have a fellow lawyer who just happens to be a friend wearing a black. It creates the scenario wherein entire estates are lost by heirs to the system of guardians and executors and their fees. This needs some outside scrutiny. It is too common.

It is the situation created by the first issue that creates an environment where greed is legalized and obvious suspicions can be raised upon the demise of the owner of assets. It is the second wherein an entire estate can be taken from the heirs to benefit judges and their friends.

Please relay to our legal authorities and politicians in every state that these two issues need to be addressed for the benefit of the public. Perhaps you could make a mention of the issues in one of your press conferences as a challenge to our lawmakers.



Sincerely,



Posted at 7:26PM on Oct 18th 2007 by World We Live In Needs Fixin ... Da Da Dum ... Lets Do It

GREAT LETTER !!! LETS DO IT FOLKS. No apoligy necessary World, keep posting. Thanks

Posted at 4:40PM on Oct 30th 2007 by DR UGLY IS GOIN DOWN FOR MURDER

Posted at 3:16PM on Nov 6th 2007 by DR UGLY IS GOIN DOWN FOR MURDER

95.
Oct 30, 2:16 PM EDT


Jury Selected for Anna Nicole Son Case

By JESSICA ROBERTSON
Associated Press Writer


NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) -- Anna Nicole Smith's mother said Tuesday that she hopes an inquest into the death of her 20-year-old grandson will lead to justice as a Nassau court selected a jury to hear the case.

Virgie Arthur, who flew to the Bahamas for the long-delayed proceedings, has suggested foul play contributed to Daniel Smith's death last year in the Atlantic archipelago where he was visiting his celebrity mother.

"I hope this starts the process of justice," Arthur told reporters as she entered the courthouse.

Magistrate William Campbell told the seven-member Coroner's Court jury that its only duty is to determine the cause of death and said police have no evidence of homicide.

"Nobody is on trial here," he said, but noted the jury can refer the case for criminal charges if it finds evidence of negligence.

About 35 witnesses are expected to testify during the inquest, which was postponed until Nov. 19 due to the approach of Tropical Storm Noel.

Daniel Smith died Sept. 10, 2006, as he visited his mother three days after she gave birth in a Nassau hospital to her daughter, Dannielynn. A private pathologist said he died from combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants.

Anna Nicole Smith died in Florida on Feb. 8 at age 39 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including the painkiller methadone and a powerful sleep aid.

In February, Arthur claimed in a television interview that Smith's boyfriend-attorney Howard K. Stern played a role in both deaths, but she didn't provide evidence.

Stern has feuded with Arthur over issues including the grandmother's access to Dannielynn and the burial location for Anna Nicole Smith. As the executor of the late reality TV star's will, he filed papers last month to make Dannielynn the sole beneficiary of Smith's estate, which stands to inherit millions from the oil fortune of her late husband J. Howard Marshall II.

The inquest had been delayed by a challenge from Stern's legal team, which wanted jurors to take a questionnaire to test for possible bias. Stern did not attend the session Tuesday, and the courtroom was closed to reporters during jury selection.

Campbell told jurors not to discuss the case with reporters and to avoid media coverage.

"Listen if you must, but don't get your minds clogged up," he said.

An attorney for Arthur, Neil McCabe, said he hopes the probe will clarify whether anyone bears responsibility for Daniel's death.

"We have our own ideas and our own suspicions. We just hope the inquest will get to the bottom of this," McCabe said.

Stern, who came to the Bahamas with Smith last year, has been living in the waterfront home they shared and initially claimed he was the father of her infant daughter. He gave up custody last spring after DNA tests proved Smith's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead is the father.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ANNA_NICOLE_SMITH_SON?SITE=TXWIC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Posted at 4:51PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Here you go

96. Posted at 4:30PM on Oct 30th 2007 by BillyBoy
POST #87


how very kind you are.
I return the same kind wishes for your dear Mother.

Posted at 4:53PM on Oct 30th 2007 by WHAT A MAN SEWS IS WHAT A MAN REAPS

97. BOYCOTT the Bahamas until the Inquest is underway!!!

We have had enough of their excuses and delays!!! What else has been cancelled due to this weather????????

All of the hotels and restaurants should be closed and all other businesses as well if this weather report is true and if this storm poses such a threat.

Posted at 11:37PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Boycott the Bahamas Lock \\\\\\\\\\\\\\

98.
81 anna speaks.

so your mother has a filthy barRoom foul mouth and she passed it on to you?

Posted at 5:20PM on Oct 30th 2007 by takes a sternoid to be disrespectful every single time.

99. I bet howards boy toy larry will no way show up for the inquest. Howie told him to stay home. YOUR GOING DOWN MS. STERN

Posted at 4:59PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Larryb

100. 7532.

E-RO-SHE-WITCH
BUTT-A-FLY
COW-ARD
JERK-HEAD
MILLER-STEIN
JUDGE SIGH-DLAND
PICKLE-PERPER-PICKED-PECK
HOWARD NO-SPERM
REJECTED POETS
FART HARRIS
LIN-DUHHHH

Posted at 5:04PM on Oct 30th 2007 by ship of fools?

101. Virgie has said she wants the Truth to come out? She also said she LOVED the book about the death of her daughter (Blondie Ambition) AND Grandson... I think the only thing she really wants is her daughters media attention for her fat self and Anna Nicole's money.
Hey Virgie, I don't know why you would want anyone to take your picture your big as a house you fat cow!

Posted at 5:01PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Rusty Vain

102.


How totally disrespectful to someone you claimed was your friend.
how totally disrespectful that you not honor the woman you claim you loved by being concerned enough to make sure everything possible is done to ensure that if any foulplay occurred that you will seek justice.

how very obvious you are howard. were you making plans to run in case something comes out whereby they could arrest you on the spot?

Posted at 5:03PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Anna was the love of my life. Daniel was very dear to me. We were friends (just not in death?????

103. NO EVIDENCE OF HOMICIDE HUH? WELL, WHO DID HE GET THE DRUGS FROM?
HIS MOTHER? OR HOWARD? OR A QUACK DOCTOR?
I THINK IT IS ALL A CRYING DAM SHAME... I THINK IT WAS ACCIDENTAL ON HIS PART, BUT WHERE DID HE GET THE LETHAL COMBO THAT KILLED HIM? THAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE......

Posted at 5:04PM on Oct 30th 2007 by AUNT DAR

104. This is good, in one way.

The feds (and Jerry Brown) are now gonna be so red-eyed enraged, I think they're likely to trample Howie-Boy right down when they're finally let out of the gate!!!! Yee-haw!!!!

He's NOT going to escape them, or anything like it, IMO.

Meanwhile, it took WAAAYYYY too long for the Bahamas to get to this pitiful point -- to delay again. They're franky starting to look like clowns.

No matter; extradition is a beautiful thing ...

Posted at 6:00PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Bahamian Criminal Justice is a Farce

105.

with all due respect to the People for Justice, i refrain from posting until the November 19 when inquest gets underway, barring anything else of interest such an arrest in CA, etc.

reason for non posting until then is that i refuse to get into the chitthole mix of these howard people. thats gotten a little tooooo low for me. I'm willing to engage in intelligent dialog but when it becomes obvious that these people totlly pretend they dont know the score, then i refuse to bend that low.

to take a job to support this man is someone i would not associate with in my daily life, so why would i do it on a blog. When we didnt have enough information i was willing and understood how they might be confused, but now it is clearly a criminal element of support for him, and this is where i bow out and protect me and mines.

i'll be blogging the blog on Nov. 19th.

Posted at 5:47PM on Oct 30th 2007 by on the sidelines