Parties argue over everything from Smith’s body to burial gown
By Jeffrey Jolson

Anna Nicole Smith

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 02/15/07 — The tug of war over Anna Nicole Smith’s body is becoming as intense as the one over her baby. Hearings today in Florida tried to reign in the increasingly bizarre twists and characters in a case that has already spun out of control in the media.
Smith’s mother Vergie Arthur wants her buried in Texas, Smith’s would-be husband Howard K. Stern is trying to get the body moved to the Bahamas and her ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead wants her remains to stay in Florida, at least until new DNA tests are done.
Meanhwile Smith’s ex-bodyguard says he may be the father, her sister says baby Dannielynn may have been conceived by the frozen sperm of Smith’s deceased husband, billionaire J. Howard Marshall,and other clownish would-be fathers are coming forth as quickly as candidates in a California run-off election.

A will that appears to be as contestable as everything else in the case was also confirmed Thursday by Howard K. Stern’s attorney. It’s par for the course that Stern’s attorney refused to disclose the contents of the will, perhaps because its very existence may be either a conflict-of-interest or damaging to his case to keep the baby. That’s because he apparently wrote the will, is its executor and also may be beneficiary.
The hearing over the body was as scattered and free-wheeling as the media circus, Judge Larry Seidlin began by saying “We want to protect the sanctity of Miss Smith. But the ultimate question before the court is what’s in the best interest of the child.”
The cable televised hearing quickly broke into a dozen arguments as to who was entitled to do that and the complexity of the case turned the hearing into a series of jurisdiction, admissible evidence, legal minutiae and ghoulish discussions on embalming. Even the dress Smith is to wear for burial was argued over, apparently being created by her favorite designer.
Smith’s mother wants her buried in Texas. Stern’s lawyer want to show the judge videotaped interviews of Anna where she says how much she disliked her mother.

Judge Siedlin appointed probate attorney Shane Kelly as guardian for the case, to represent the baby’s rights and work with the various attorneys and produce a report for another hearing this Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Meanwhile former Alexander Denk said he might also be the father, noting on TV show “Extra” that “She was a good kisser. She told me she wanted to have kids with me.” Smith’s sister said her upcoming book, the aptly-titled “Train Wreck,” claims that Anna artificially inseminated herself with Marshall’s frozen sperm. Even TV show host Stephen Colbert has claimed to be the father, and other comics are following suit.
A Bahamian judge has issued an injunction preventing the baby from being taken out of the country until the custody case is resolved. Smith’s mother is also vying to be appointed guardian of the girl.