Anna Nicole Smith: Court Battle over Body Continues

A Florida judge ordered more DNA samples be taken from the body of Anna Nicole Smith today as he heard arguments from all three parties fighting over her remains.  Lawyers for Virgie Arthur, Larry Birkhead, and Howard K. Stern accompanied Broward County Medical Examiner Dr. Joshua Perper to his office to view DNA samples he already collected and to collect one more DNA test.  
 
Birkhead’s attorney, Debra Opri, wants to be certain enough DNA evidence and been collected. She also wants to be sure that none of the samples have been tampered with. Anna Nicole Smith’s DNA is important because it will prove there was no baby switch during the paternity test.
 

Bodog.com has posted odds on who will a court ordered paternity test reveal is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby Dannielynn?

Larry Birkhead: 2/3 

Howard K. Stern: 10/11   

Other: 6/1

 
Despite objections from both Howard K. Stern’s team and Virgie Arthur’s team, and testimony from Dr. Joshua Perper explaining further DNA testing would not be necessary, the judge ordered an additional swab of Smith’s cheek be taken.  Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin was to be sure all samples are collected prior to burial.  He doesn’t want Smith’s body to have to be exhumed.   
 
"When we bury her, I want it to be forever," he said.
 
The hearing today seemed to drag on and the judge explored issues other than the main issue he has been appointed to decide over; who will Anna Nicole Smith’s remains be released to? The setting was very informal.  Lawyers sat around a table with the judge in a conference room filled with people.  At times there didn’t seem to be any real order.  
 
Judge Seidlin knew the hearing was being broadcast live on network news stations.  The media aspect seemed to play into the judges behavior, almost to the point that it was like he was trying out for his own version of “Judge Judy.”
 
The hearing in the battle over Anna Nicole Smith’s body will continue tomorrow.  Hopefully Judge Seidlin can make a decision by the end of the day.