DA To Appeal Anna Nicole Smith Drug Case
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A prosecutor has denounced a ruling dismissing the drug conspiracy convictions against the late Anna Nicole Smith's former boyfriend Howard K. Stern and her psychiatrist and says he will appeal.
District Attorney Steve Cooley says the decision Thursday by Superior Court Judge Robert Perry diminishes the huge social problem of prescription drug abuse facilitated by unscrupulous medical professionals.
Cooley also says the ruling denigrates investigative efforts by the state Department of Justice and the state Medical Board.
The judge allowed only one conviction to stand against psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich for obtaining a Vicodin prescription under a false name. However, the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and she was sentenced to probation and a $100 fine.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
