Judge orders trial in Anna Nicole Smith drug case

By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A judge has ordered Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend and two doctors to stand trial on charges of illegally funneling prescription drugs to the former Playboy model.

The ruling Friday in Los Angeles follows a three-week preliminary hearing to determine if there was enough evidence to try Howard K. Stern, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich. All three pleaded not guilty.

The hearing delved deeply into Smith's troubled life and the role the defendants allegedly had in feeding her drug addiction before she died of an accidental overdose in 2007.

Prosecutors tried to show the doctors blurred the line between being physicians and friends to the celebrity model.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A judge in the Anna Nicole Smith drug case has allowed a video of the former Playboy model to be used as evidence but not played in court.

Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry said Friday he was not sure if the 2006 video of Smith painting her face like a clown at a child's birthday party showed she was under the influence of drugs.

Lawyers for Smith's boyfriend, Howard K. Stern, objected to admitting the video at the preliminary hearing, which will determine whether Stern and two doctors should stand trial for illegally providing Smith with prescription drugs.

Smith died of an accidental drug overdose in 2007.

Prosecutors have concluded their case and defense lawyers say they have no witnesses.

Both sides will make further arguments before Perry decides whether to order a trial.