Stern's Arraignment Postponed

7 months ago 08th Apr 03:40

Anna Nicole Smith's former lawyer-turned-lover Howard K. Stern will have to wait until next month (May09) to enter his plea in response to chargesof conspiring to drug the late model.

Stern and two doctors have been charged with conspiring to keep Smith stocked up with a steady supply of prescription drugs - despite knowing she was an addict.

Smith died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in a Florida hotel room in 2007.

Prosecutors are now said to be re-investigating the events leading up to the tragedy following the arrest of Stern, Dr Sandeep Kapoor and Dr Khristine Eroshevich in mid-March (09).

Stern and Eroshevich appeared in Los Angeles criminal court on Tuesday (07Apr09) but did not enter pleas.

Their arraignment has been delayed until 13 May (09) - the date Stern was originally due to be arraigned before his hearing was moved forward last month (Mar09).

(Howard) is innocent. Let me repeat that, he is innocent

And Stern is continuing to protest his innocence.

His lawyer, Steve Sadow, says, "(Howard) is innocent. Let me repeat that, he is innocent".

The two doctors face an additional charge of obtaining a prescription for opiates by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and prescribing opiates by giving a false name or address.

All three face up to 33 years behind bars if found guilty of all charges.