Florida Officials Investigate In Nassau:
By Quincy Parker -
Nassau, Bahamas:

While the spectacle surrounding the estate and offspring of the late Anna Nicole Smith continues to linger on the dockets of the Bahamas Supreme Court, the investigation into her sudden death has also moved to Nassau, and continued almost unobserved.

Ms. Smith died after she collapsed alone in a room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on February 9. The cause of her death is unknown.

Seminole Police Chief Charlie Tiger was in Nassau on Monday and Tuesday conducting what a Seminole Police Department spokesperson called "a non-criminal investigation into (Ms. Smith’s) death."

It appears that Chief Tiger was first seen in Nassau on Monday night, in the company of a team from the Broward County Medical Examiner’s office and a Bahamian police officer. His office confirmed that he returned to Florida on Tuesday afternoon.

Bahamas Chief Superintendent Hulan Hanna told the Journal this was in fact the case.

"I can confirm that the police chief from the Seminole County (Tribal) Police Department along with some of his colleagues were here in The Bahamas. They have since left. In fact they left [on Tuesday]. The principal [reason] for them coming was to collaborate with the Bahamian police officers in their attempt and as well as our attempts to complete the investigations into the Anna Nicole Smith affair," Mr. Hanna told the Journal.

The senior police officer remained cryptic as to what precisely the officers were investigating, but said that the investigation was wide-ranging.

"The whole thing had to do generally with everything that related to the unfortunate death of the lady and matters surrounding her stay here in The Bahamas and any lead that they thought that we might have been able to help them complete; that is why they came," he added.

"We looked at everything. Everything was on the table, but again, because of certain sensitive aspects of the investigation we would be less than prudent to comment publicly."

Asked specifically about the allegations that Ms. Smith’s California doctor had mailed her methadone, Mr. Hanna confirmed that it is illegal to either import or export that particular drug into or out of The Bahamas.

"Anyone who seeks to send them to this country or to export them from this country has committed a criminal offence, but again, these matters have to be properly and thoroughly investigated," he said.

"Let me say that everything that has come to our attention, that we have concluded is worthy of our investigation, we have looked at everything and we continue to look at everything.

"And so, [as far as] the collaboration, they needed our assistance, and where we needed their assistance we have sought their help and we have been getting that from them."

And officials from the Broward County Medical Examiner’s office – sources say "a doctor associate and an investigator" – were in The Bahamas on Monday to continue their investigation into Ms. Smith’s death. They also apparently left the country Tuesday afternoon.

The Journal understands that the Broward County Medical Examiner’s officials spoke with doctors at Doctors Hospital, where Ms. Smith gave birth to her daughter Dannielynn Hope on September 7, and where her son Daniel died suddenly a few days later while visiting.

It was Daniel Smith’s bizarre sudden death that kicked off the media frenzy that has enveloped Ms. Smith and her estate here in The Bahamas, with suspicions of foul play allayed by assertions from celebrity pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht.

Dr. Wecht asserted that in his opinion, Daniel Smith’s death was a tragic accident, and in no way did the evidence suggest a homicide or any other foul play.

One insider said the Broward County Medical Examiner’s representatives requested documents from Doctors Hospital as part of their "continuing due diligence," and that the documents were supplied as requested.

A coroner’s inquest into Daniel Smith’s death, which is set for March 27, is expected to go forward as planned.

28/2/07

Custody battle continues:
By INDERIA SAUNDERS, Guardian Staff Reporter -
inderia@nasguard.com:
Nassau, Bahamas -

The Bank Lane courtyard was abuzz with members of the local and international media who converged on the historic Supreme Court building as the postponed custody hearing for Anna Nicole Smith's baby, Dannielynn Hope, continued yesterday.

The Court dealt only with "procedural" matters.

As Ms Smith's body lies in a Florida Medical Examiner's office awaiting burial, her mother, Virgie Arthur, made an appearance at the Supreme Court in the capital yesterday as well as the man who claims to be the baby's father, Larry Birkhead, and the legal representatives for Ms Smith's companion, Howard K Stern. However, Mr Stern was not present for the proceedings.

Although the details of what went on in court were not disclosed to the press, the attorney for Mr Birkhead, Debra Opri, said that they were expecting a DNA hearing soon and alleged that there was a "big hole" in Dannielynn's birth certificate.

However, the attorney for Ms Smith's estate, Wayne Munroe, said all that happened in the courtroom was procedure based. He pointed out that there were procedural time limits and stated that it could last up to 16 days.

" What happens next is the court does what the court does when it deal with procedures. It is not a matter that simple and straightforward," Mr Munroe explained to a group of reporters. "There is another hearing scheduled within 16 or 17 days into next March."

He added that he was "quite happy" with the judge's directions to deal with the matter, calling it "adequate" and stated that the case was adjourned until the 16 March, when there would be more procedural formalities.

"You have to work at the procedure before you have a serious case and that's what our court does, and if you look at the rules of the Supreme Court that's what they tell you: that there are steps to be taken, things to be put in place and then when they're put in place, then you're done."

In response to questions as to why Mr Stern was not present at the court hearing, Mr Munroe said that he did not see the need for Mr Stern to be present at the procedural level despite his involvement. He added that there was never really a reason for a client to be present during those times unless they were going to give evidence or be cross-examined. He said the body of his client was "still in Florida" and that he had "no clue" when the body will be buried.

The Florida court has given Mr Milstein and attorneys for Stern until 2.00 pm today to file responses.

27/2/07

Fight Over Smith’s Baby Continues In Nassau Court Today:
By Quincy Parker -
Nassau, Bahamas:

Now that the focus of the legal morass left by the death of controversial Bahamas permanent resident Anna Nicole Smith appears to be shifting to The Bahamas, the media circus camped out in New Providence is only likely to grow.

A hearing is set to resume before Supreme Court Justice Stephen Isaacs today at which The Journal understands that the judge may consider whether to consolidate the matters relating to the paternity and custody of Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern, the five-month-old daughter of Ms. Smith, who died in Florida on February 8.

Virgie Arthur, Ms. Smith’s estranged mother, flew back to The Bahamas on Friday accompanied by Texas lawyer John O’Quinn, who is expected to be present at today’s proceedings.

One of Mrs. Arthur’s Bahamian lawyers, Desmar Whitfield-Henfield, told The Journal what she hopes to achieve.

"Ultimately, Mrs. Arthur’s instruction to us is to secure the safe custody and guardianship of Dannielynn. So ultimately she intends to be the sole guardian – she is not interested in joint custody," Mrs. Henfield said.

"I suppose that’s reasonable. If you think you have good chances of securing sole custody as the grandmother, then why not go for it? I think that is her mindset right now, and that’s really what she wants to happen. She does not want (Ms. Smith’s companion and lawyer) Howard (K. Stern) to have custody of that baby for all of her beliefs and reasons."

Last week’s proceedings saw lawyers representing all possible sides of the increasingly contentious matter: Emerick Knowles was there for Ms. Smith’s ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead; Wayne Munroe was there for Mr. Stern and Ms. Smith’s estate; Anthony McKinney was present, also for Mr. Stern; and Mrs. Henfield and her Halsbury Chambers colleague Jamal Davis represented Mrs. Arthur.

Even Godfrey ‘Pro’ Pinder was present, although his client G. Ben Thompson has only a peripheral interest in the current proceedings. Mr. Thompson, reportedly another of Ms. Smith’s ex-lovers, disputes the ownership of the Eastern Road residence called Horizons, where Ms. Smith had been living with her lover and daughter.

Mrs. Arthur’s return to The Bahamas followed the circus-like courtroom antics of U.S. Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin who, after hearing testimony from practically anyone connected to the litigation, ruled that a representative he appointed for Dannielynn has custody of Ms. Smith’s body.

Immediately after Judge Seidlin handed down his ruling, Mrs. Arthur’s lawyers gave notice of their intention to appeal the ruling, while at the same time, Mr. Birkhead’s lawyers filed for emergency paternity proceedings in Florida.

Broward County Judge Lawrence Korda, who is hearing the paternity matter, on Friday noted that he was not convinced that his court had jurisdiction to hear the matter, although he left the door open for the proceedings to continue.

Mrs. Henfield reacted to the Florida judge’s ambivalence in the paternity issue.

"By birth, the child has some standing in The Bahamas and because the child was born in The Bahamas the Florida judge believes he doesn’t have jurisdiction to order a paternity test because the child is here," Mrs. Henfield explained.

"Furthermore, there is an injunction in place that the child cannot leave The Bahamas, so taking all that into account he is very reluctant to make a decision, or make an order as to paternity being granted. I think he believes that the best jurisdiction for that determination would be The Bahamas."

Last Thursday, after the lawyers for all involved discussed "procedural matters" in the Bahamas proceedings, Justice Isaacs adjourned the matter to today, and continued the injunction preventing the child from being removed from The Bahamas.

26 February 2007

Bahama Journal Editorial:
Nassau, Bahamas -
That Peculiar Contest For Power:

Politics in a democracy is all about winning and losing. It is that peculiar contest for power that means so very much to those who win and to those who lose.

Those who win get legal access to the law-making machinery. And as they do, they thereby gain lawful control of certain other machineries that give them lawful access to some of the goods.

Some of these goods are so very valuable that they can be said to provide their owners a certain degree of deserved comfort. And yet again, access to the levers of power do also provide those who win an opportunity to put their own distinctive stamp on those processes that quite literally determine who gets, what, when, where and how.

There is of course the other dimension to this equation, which is that those who lose in a democracy can slink off, lick their wounds, heal and prepare for another day’s fight.

So it was in that long period 1967 to 1992 when Sir Lynden O. Pindling and his Progressive Liberal Party could win contest after contest – in season and out of season.

But as in all things human, that rope had an end.

The end came on August 19, 1992 when a majority of Bahamian voters declared that they needed someone who was somewhat new. They turned to Hubert Alexander Ingraham and the Free National Movement.

That party was fated to govern for almost 10 years straight.

The Progressive Liberal Party was voted in on May 2, 2002.

Today these party leaders and others are fast approaching that moment when the people must be summoned to cast their vote for the person or party of their choice.

Of one thing we are absolutely certain is the fact that this upcoming contest will be hard-fought; it will evoke raw emotion and for sure its outcome will be significant.

That outcome will resonate all over the world.

Today as jockeying intensifies for position and power in leadership within the ranks of the Free National Movement, we counsel and caution against political fratricide in that great party.

We also make the point that while fights over leadership are legitimate, parties to these contests should always be mindful that they should not resort to winning no matter the cost.

Mr. Ingraham’s supporters give every impression that they are working from a ‘first-things first’ agenda. As the public now knows the first thing the public had for its delight was a prolonged period of waiting, which was filled with the question, has he left?

And after that, there was the other question, is he returning? And more recently, the question that has been put concerns whether or not the former prime minister can pull it off. This time around, it is quite evident that Hubert Ingraham’s staunchest supporters believe that his return to the fore is a done deal.

Some time ago we had this and more to say about Mr. Ingraham’s return: "Sources are today chatting about as they characterize the imminent return of Hubert Alexander Ingraham. This erstwhile Leader of the Free National Movement is being treated as if he was some kind of political saviour; a messiah.

"Our surmise today is that if things continue to go as they are currently going for those FNMs who would have Hubert Alexander Ingraham as their leader he will soon and very soon be in the saddle.

"And thereafter, they will prepare him for his part in the battle royal that must take place any day now. Even now, some of Mr. Ingraham’s nemeses say that he will lose the next one, fair and square.

"On the other hand, his supporters are today quite convinced that the Progressive Liberal Party’s current leader will not be up to the challenge of facing a re-energized Free National Movement and a ferociously focused and experienced Hubert Ingraham."

That moment is well on its way. The leader who loses will no doubt be sent in political retirement.

When the dust is settled, there will be winners and there will be losers.

But no matter who gets the right to gloat, the truth remains that the Bahamian people will have the last word.

20 February 2007

Fight For Anna’s Baby In Nassau Court:
By Quincy Parker -
Nassau, Bahamas:

While Florida Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin was delivering a ruling giving custody of the late Anna Nicole Smith’s body to her daughter’s legal representative, Bahamas Supreme Court Justice Stephen Isaacs was dealing with another matter involving five-month-old Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern.

Justice Isaacs met Thursday with lawyers concerning a temporary injunction granted to Ms. Smith’s estranged mother, Virgie Arthur, which prevents Dannielynn from leaving The Bahamas.

The proceedings were closed to the public. At the end of those proceedings, lawyers for Ms. Smith’s estate, Mrs. Arthur, Ms. Smith’s ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead and her lawyer-turned-lover Howard Stern exited the Supreme Court in Bank Lane.

Wayne Munroe, who represents Ms. Smith’s estate and also represents Mr. Stern in the custody matter, summed up all that the lawyers were permitted, by mutual agreement, to say.

"I cannot tell you what was discussed apart from the fact that there were procedural discussions, the judge adjourned the matter to Monday and the injunction continues to Monday," he said.

"That is all that we can say."

He said he hadn’t heard from Mr. Stern, and did not know whether he would be present in Monday’s proceedings.

There are lawyers representing all the parties that are likely to have a stake in the paternity hearing that will likely result from Mr. Birkhead’s challenge to the Bahamian birth certificate listing Mr. Stern as the child’s father.

Desmar Whitfield-Henfield and Jamal Davis, both of Halsbury Chambers, represent Mrs. Arthur; Anthony McKinney represents Mr. Stern; Godfrey ‘Pro’ Pinder represents South Carolina developer G. Ben Thompson, who is watching the paternity proceedings with interest considering the legal wrangling over the Horizons mansion, and Emerick Knowles of Alexiou, Knowles and Co. represents Mr. Birkhead.

Some of the testimony from the hearing in Florida to determine who should get custody of Ms. Smith’s remains may shed some light on a number of matters playing out on the Bahamian stage.

Mr. Thompson’s son-in-law Ford Shelley, who has admitted to removing items from the house where Ms. Smith lived, "for safekeeping", testified that some of the items he moved were in the possession of the Broward County Sheriff’s office.

Parts of his testimony had to do with a supposed cancelled deed to the residence issued to him by the liquidator who sold Mr. Thompson the Eastern Road home last August.

The Bahamian police are investigating a reported break-in at the Horizons mansion.

23 February 2007