Day three at court to decide the custody of Anna Nicole Smith's body. Pictured is Howard K. Stern arriving at court. (02/20/2007). Photo Credit: Splash News23 February 2007 (Sawf News) - Howard K Stern has many detractors but very few friends. Anna Nicole Smith's partner appears to have become tabloid fodder simply because painting him evil makes a more compelling story, a story that results in more pageviews / greater circulation.
The only hard evidence, if it can be called that, against Howard at this stage seems to be his dodging of a DNA test to determine the paternity of Anna Nicole's daughter, Dannielynn. Yet in the eyes of most of the tabloid press and the public at large Howard is a killer.
In the recent court room drama to decide on the rights to dispose off Anna Nicole Smith's body, one got the distinct feeling that it was the law of the land, and not an abiding faith in justice, that made Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin grudgingly hand out a fair ruling in the end.
The top story in today's online edition of Page Six, titled "Smith aide blasts Howard K," is an illustrative example of where the press is going with its painting of Howard as the arch villain. It lists excerpts from a vicious diatribe by Anna Nicole Smith's former assistant, Kimberly Walther. The excerpts are taken from what appears to be a very hurriedly put together one page blog at http://www.kimberlywalther.com/
Amidst the excerpts quoted in the Page Six story is an assertion by Kim that Howard was never close to Anna Nicole.
"You never slept in the same bed with Anna!" Walther fumes on the blog. "You crawled in there after she fell asleep. She never invited you to her bed! The burial plots were bought by you, you sicko. That is the only way you could think of to finally get to sleep next to her each night. After you are dead - because it wasn't happening while she was living."
In another excerpt quoted in the story she insinuates that Stern's testimony in a Florida courtroom this week was a joke:
"Howard . . . you lied on the stand . . . You said you do not gain [monetarily] by being executor of Anna Nicole's will? What about that document you had her sign once you won the huge award from [the] Howard Marshall estate? Do you get 10 percent or 100 percent? . . . What a [bleeping] liar!"
The problem with the PageSix story is that Kim claims to ET's Jann Carl that the blog is fake!
On Howard's relationship with Anna and her late son, Daniel, Kim tells ET, "I would never think that he would do anything to harm either Daniel or Anna. Anna was his entire world. I can't even imagine what he's going through. I know what I'm going through is hard, but Howard, he's been with her for these last couple of years that I haven't been there, and I really wish people would leave him alone."
Kim says the blog, purported to be hers is the work of an impersonator. She is not involved with it in any way.
Clearly one of the two tabloids is wrong. We are inclined to think that at the very least there has been a cynical oversight that will hurt either Howard K Stern or the ethics of journalism, though not the circulation of the tabloid responsible for the oversight.
We would like to hear what our readers might have to say on the issue.
News Copyright © Sawf News. May not be reproduced without explicit written permission
I agree that Howard K. Stern is being unfairly targeted. He is obviously a very good man who loved Anna Nicole for years and helped her, looked after her, protected her, in spite of her eccentricities. He's just a wonderful person. It's unfair that bad things are being written about him. It's just a way to sell newspapers but it's unfair and low. I hope he gets the full custody of Danielynn. If anyone else is the biological father, he can have visiting rights, but custody should remain with Howard.
By the way, I have enjoyed your excellent coverage of the Anna Nicole Smith matters.
Jacqueline, 23 Feb 2007
No one knows whether Howard K. Stern is a murderer (though seemingly heartless, from the looks of that home video). It's fascinating to watch the coverage and conjecture. As with all celebrity intrigues, the "Anna Nicole saga" is a creative exercise for most people because most people really don't have any idea what went on.
McKinney, Lucy, 23 Feb 2007
Howard is getting precisely what he deserves. He is a "do nothing leach" who found an "easy ride" at ANS' expense. The video as played in court yesterday (2/22/07) provides "data" to back up my statement, as do many other "suspicious actions" on his part (such as...UM...just happening to be around when an otherwise healthy 20 year old young man dies...Danny Smith...and then 5 months later, his Mother? Come on, folks!!).
This video showed a TOTALLY stone d Anna, probably days or weeks (at most) before giving birth, painted up as a "clown" with him mocking her as he filmed her. Father of her unborn baby? Not on this planet! Then again, Howard may not BE from this planet.
If he IS the father of Dannielynn, he would simply put all speculation to rest and have long ago taken the needed paternity test to prove this. He also would not allow the "mother of his unborn child" to be stoned out of her mind as evidenced by this video, as filmed by him!
Howard K. Stern has simply been shown for who he is...an evil, lowlife who may even be guilty of two murders, even if simply by supplying the drugs that caused the ODs. He is still guilty. He is unfit to parent any baby.
Alexandra, NJ/NY, 23 Feb 2007
I think that what they are doing is so wrong. For one why don't they just let Anna Smith rest in peace. She wanted to be with her son. Seems to me Howard Stern has been there for her through everything. Obviously Anna Nicole wanted Howard to raise her daughter and she must have loved him. Why can't people see this. This is morally wrong - what the Anna Nicole Smith's mother and ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead are doing. They are just after her money. That's the only reason they want anything to do with the baby. If Larry really cared for Anna why wasn't he there for her when her son died. Some man he is. He wasn't even there when the baby girl was born. If he really wanted anything to do with her where was he the first five months of her life. He is the one out there selling pictures of Anna Nicole. Why can't they just do the right thing and do as Anna wished..
parks, 23 Feb 2007
Yes, we have noticed incendiary comments made by "questionable" people who the media fails to come down harder on. These people have defamed Howard K. Stern. It appears he may have two lawsuits, in particular, to file against Virgie Arthur & Jackie Hatten. These two women, along with a few other "unmentionables", have been extremely inflammatory and all pure conjecture of Mr. Howard Stern, who is the only one is this saga that actually DID something to help Anna Nicole Smith win her case. No one else can say they helped Anna financially in that regard. Hatten's brother was thrown in prison for stalking, and she has an apparent vendetta against Howard.
Also, everyone seems to forget Howard was actually "working" to accomplish something for her. Even Larry Birkhead's behavior is suspicious, attempting to impregnate a woman who obviously was an addict, yet hypercritical of Howard in suggesting he was plying Anna with drugs. We look forward to hearing from the Seminole Police Dpt. that Anna's death was unfortunate but had nothing to do with foul play. We hope they shut the door hard on speculation, for Mr. Stern's sake. Those very close to Anna knew the truth, and you can believe the police department does, too. This is about a very sad woman who unarguably cared deeply for her son and who also cared for Howard Stern, and who had to take medications to stop her pain. We sympathize with Howard Stern more so than some of the ill-reputes we have witnessed out there.
Carl & Laura Pivonka, Billings, Montana, 23 Feb 2007
The day I heard that Anna had died I knew that the circus surrounding her would have to find a scapegoat. Of course the easiest one is Howard K Stern, who simply reminds me that he is a confused, socially impotent man who thought he had landed a "centerfold" and wouldn't let her go: he had a pretty, potentially wealthy girl talking to him and people might infer they were lovers! Jackpot! It is obvious that she needed him just as much, or he would not have been on her payroll.
He just was the sexless schmuck who got her sober for appearances and tried to contain what was going on. I do think he enabled the substance abuse to happen, but he also apparently saved her life after suicide attempts as well. It is obvious Howard would never had entered the picture if her mother had really been involved in her life, and she had plenty of time to make contact.
Sefronia, 23 Feb 2007
Another word that is befitting of Howard K. Stern is a modern day "svengali". In almost every clip since 1992...HE is constantly up front and personal, in every photo shoot, and was supposedly only the lawyer. What lawyer goes to photo shoots, walks dogs, and generally controls almost every aspect of your life. The answer for $500 Alex is....."Howard K. Stern". I find it ironic that both Anna and her son are deceased. The only common thread and person with them before and near the time of death was Howard K. Stern. Most certainly, the law should look at these deaths as coincidental, and hold him as a person of interest.
Thank you.
Barbara M. Stacey, 24 Feb 2007
i think it's really sad, what is happening with Anna Nicole Smith. if her mother really loved her like she says, then she would respect annas wishes, and let her be buried in the Bahamas next to her beloved son. if she wanted him buried in Texas that's where he'd be. she bought 4 plots in the Bahamas, so obviously that's where she wanted to be. her mother, and larry birkhead,are only looking for money, they don't care about anna or the baby.
I feel sorry for Howard stern and the way he's being talked about. Anna must have loved Howard very much, to have a commitment ceremony and be with him all these years. even if he's not the baby's father, Anna wanted him to be, or his name wouldn't be on the birth certificate.
My thoughts and prayers are with Howard, and I hope he doesn't loose dannielynn.he hasn't even been able to grieve for anna for all the he's being put through right now.i pray everything goes ok for howard.he has someone on his side for a change, and I wish he knew that. anna wanted howard to have dannielynn,and i hope with all my heart he gets to keep her, I hope her mother never gets hold of that baby, Anna would be devastated if she could see what's happening. let her rest in peace.
elizabeth russo, 24 Feb 2007
I pray Howard gets the baby. It is the mother's wishes. I heard the way Larry is when he is angry via his emails. Anna knows the effects of bad parenting and did not want this for her child. A parent will get mad at a child, we all do. Look at his words when he is angry who would want that kind of parent?
Those words were spoken after her son's death. How cruel is this person? My husband feels he went after the baby because she was next in line after Daniels death. He did go after the baby right after Daniel's death.
Larry's attorney Debra O. is ridiculous and her personality is obnoxious it is said we hire an attorney like our self.
Howard gave his life to Anna from the time he was 26 he honored her, he earned his living, he got her to the supreme court. The is so much about this guy I like and so much I can not stand about Larry. The baby will have a lot of love with Howard.
I pray God will watch over this situation, I think heaven meant earth in the court room when the judged cried over Anna's life. His talk about foundation, said a lot. I think Anna's problems have to due with her mother. Anna had problems way before Howard.
Howard was always trying to make Anna happy. He had to realize how sad her life was. Ms. Arthur is really a piece of work. Arthur validated Anna. She wants to void Anna's life. Well for me Anna was real, a good girl, loving, funny even if she did like to get high. The clown video should not have been shown and the guy who stole it and showed is not a friend and I hope it all catches up with him.
Anonymous, 25 Feb 2007
Every woman wishes she had a Howard K. Stern. He was always there, ever faithful and stood by Smith when she did stupid things like getting involved with a poor, tabloid photographer. Except for a half dozen posed pictures, we've never seen a picture of Smith and Birkhead that does not include Stern.
Stern gave up his law practice to concentrate solely on Smith's legal problems and care for her. A bright attorney, he - with Ron Rael and team - got her to the Supreme Court. I doubt Birkhead's "screaming meemee" lawyer or Arthur's "gold 'ol boys" could do as much.
Stern was the father Daniel never had, and is only now the brunt of the cable tabloids because all those "ugly (and mouthy) broads" are friends of Opri. Attorneys are like teachers. Those who can go to the Supreme Court. Those who can't become cable show commentators.
If you want to believe the talking heads, that's your choice. If you want a young stud who makes his living taking pictures of celebrities, go for Birkhead. I'll take the guy smart enough to get to the Supreme Court.
gayle, 04 Mar 2007
Did it ever occur to anyone that HKS was doing drungs right along with Anna ? She was his supplier. Notice how much he slurred his words on interviews. He was just as stoned as she was . In a lot of picutres all he could do was stare at her. So she supplied him with money and drugs. No wonder he would get her prescriptions filled . She was paying for them.
Anonymous, 15 Mar 2007
Anna died on February 8th. In the Orthodox tradition the soul of the deceased stays on earth for 40 days and listens everything been told about her. People who accused her and the man she was deeply in love with should be careful about their words. Only Howard followed her wishes and gave her Red Carpet she wanted and deserved.
Most girls have a hero that is their mother but if Virgie was only 15 when she became pregnant with Vickie, this is not a good start. By the time she turned 55, Virgie had been married 5 times. So her mother is certainly not her hero.
Larry Birkhead was not Anna's boyfriend. He was just someone lucky enough to have a short fling with her. It was not a deep relationship, and especially not a relationship of love. Its clear that Anna didn't even want to share coffee with him, let alone have a baby with him. So Larry is certainly not her hero.
Anna loved Howard Marshall and his money because he wanted to give to her his money. He treated her and her son like a queen and prince. But now he is gone and she doesn't have any of his money. He spoiled her but didn't provide adequately and clearly for her future. So Howard Marshall is certainly not her hero.
Howard Stern, however , became a best friend to Anna and her son. Even when Anna was unfaithful to him with Larry, Howard stood by her and supported her. Howard understood Anna like no one else. She was his shining star for more than 10 years. He helped her to become the most beautiful entertainer ambassador. Anna was his life and her last wish was to have a baby with Howard and marry him. This is enough to consider him her hero!
oksana, 21 Mar 2007
I support Howard K. Stern 100%. I hope they get this one right. Howard K. Stern is the only one who loved and cared about Anna and baby Dannielynn. He is the GOOD guy! I have seen nor heard anything that would prove otherwise. Howard is a saint. Anna was lucky to have him in her life. I only hope that little Dannielynn will be as lucky. He is the best candidate to raise this child. Sperm donor or not, what is best for the child. Answer: Howard K. Stern.
S. Runyan, 22 Mar 2007
Howard K. Stern is a sleazy leach. The only reasons for wanting the baby is the 5 hundred million. After that he won't even acknowlege the poor kid. Does he really look like the fatherly type? He looks like what he is. A weasel eyed lawyer looking for a quick buck for doing nothing except getting Anna stoned and getting her to agree to his demands while she couldn't think for herself.
Anonymous, 28 Mar 2007
Clearly Kim was telling the truth the web page was a fake. I saw her next to Howard during the funeral giving him her support. Howard did NOT live off of Anna, he earned those shoes she paid for. On the other hand who paid when Larry stayed at her place? Who sold pictures of Anna after they promised they would not? And who behaved like a child when making an excuse for selling those pictures and making money off her. Well I did promise I would not sell the pictures but BOOHOO they made me mad so I sold the picture and got paid! Where do you all think The journals that got sold on ebay came from? Did you notice the yr? Vergie who?
Everyone but Howard took FREEBIES from Anna and not just hand outs they stole from her. Anyone really believe Larry didn't get paid- or Vergie didn't get paid or Ford Shelby? And the list goes on. Now if they all made money off ANNA please tell me what "ANY" of "THEM EVER"did for her?? Howard did more for her then any one she knew.
And the video thing makes me sick. SHE WAS NOT HIGH. if you saw the whole video you would know that a 4 yr old painted her face and she was talking little kid talk for the 4yr old. Wonder why we only saw that part of a video? And Howard was right to say this would be a money maker in a joking way. In others words oh boy wouldn't the public love to see this.
As far as the baby goes, Howard is pretty darn brave, in the face of all this he has the guts to do what ANNA would have wanted. Howard is only doing what Anna wanted. Proof of that was when he would not let Vergie pick up or touch the baby! Anna did not want Larry around her baby for some pretty strong reasons and Howard is gonna try to respect her wishes. No matter who comes at him!
Anonymous, 31 Mar 2007
If you watched her show you'd know Anna was in charge all the way. She dismissed alot of creeps in her life, but kept Howard by her side for more than a decade!
I seriously doubt he forced her to take anything she didn't want to take. Have you ever dealt with an addict that you loved? If you don't enable, they'll get rid of you.
My heart goes out to Howard, he's lost EVERYTHING.
Anonymous, 13 Apr 2007