Magistrate Roger Gomez has set a time frame for an answer to whether a coroner’s inquest will be held into the death of 20 year-old Daniel Wayne Smith – the son of US celebrity Anna Nicole Smith.
[BahamasB2B Editor’s Note: While not reported in the newspaper, it should be noted that Magistrate Gomez is part of the allegedly corrupt Gomez clan, a family that has, for generations, been accused of enriching themselves at the expense of hard-working Bahamians. This website believes nothing that comes from the mouth of a Gomez.]
Magistrate Gomez said that following the completion of the police investigations into the young man’s death; which can take between two to three weeks, the court will then make a decision as to which course of action it will take.
Recently the sole Coroner’s Court was disbanded by Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall, who announced that the system will be reverting to the old justice system where cases can be shared among the other 13 magistrates, who by law, can also serve as coroners.
Daniel was found dead sitting “upright” in a chair on September 10, 2006 in his mother’s room at Doctor’s Hospital. Just three days earlier his mother had given birth to a baby girl (Danni Lynn) by caesarean section.
Since Daniel’s death, media speculation has been overwhelming as to what could have contributed to his death. Following the initial reports, it was discovered that Howard K Stern, Ms Smith’s attorney, who later admitted to paternity of the newborn and said the couple planned to marry, was also in her hospital room the night Daniel died. It was also reported that a patient in the next room heard someone yelling: “You caused this!”
Both private and government pathology and toxicology reports have been completed since then.
Dr Cyril Wecht, the American pathologist hired by Anna Nicole, has already given his opinion that the death was “accidental” – the result of a mixture of methadone and two antidepressants, Zoloft and Lexapro, which fatally interacted in his system.
However, Dr Wecht has been quoted in the Associated Press as stating that he did not know why Daniel was taking methadone, as the pain-reliever is commonly used to ease heroin cravings for recovering addicts.
Magistrate Gomez pointed out, however, that there are a few discrepancies between the government and private reports, but would not elaborate further. He did say, however, that these discrepancies were not substantial.
By PAUL TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter
