Anna Nicole Smith's Doctor A Court No Show

4 months ago 09th Jun 15:00

The doctor accused of conspiring to illegally prescribe the drugs that led to Anna Nicole Smith's 2007 overdose is facing arrest after failing to show up for a court hearing on Monday morning (08Jun09).

Sandeep Kapoor, Khristine Eroshevich - Smith's neighbour and psychiatrist - and the late model's former lawyer-turned-lover Howard K. Stern, entered not guilty pleas before Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Kristi Lousteau last month (May09).

Charges against the trio were filed in March (09) following a two-year investigation by California's Attorney General.

They have been accused of conspiring to keep Smith stocked up with a steady supply of prescription drugs including methadone, clonazepam and chloral hydrate - despite knowing she was an addict.

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.

The 8 June (09) court date was been issued to determine the preliminary hearing date now set for 12 August (09), though defense attorneys have filed a motion asking the case be thrown out.

Kapoor's attorney claims a medical emergency involving his client's patient caused him to miss the court appearance.

The judge has agreed to hold back on the arrest warrant until 11:00 am local time pending his arrival, reports TMZ.com.

Kapoor, along with Stern and Eroshevich - who were both present for the hearing - face up to 33 years behind bars if found guilty of all charges.

Smith died of an accidental overdose in a Florida hotel room, aged 39.