Story #1: "Judge Larry"

Posted: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 8:07 PM by Countdown

It doesn't happen every night, but when a story tells itself...

We like to try to stay out of the way, to invoke the catch-phrase of the CBS News program "You Are There."

Our number one story on the Countdown: this is one of those nights.

If the court hearing about who should get to bury Anna Nicole Smith looks to you like the judge is auditioning for his own t-v series...that may be because, as the website T-M-Z dot-Com is reporting... the judge has a demo tape, and wants to audition for his own t-v series.

Judge Seidlin is ready for his close-up, Mr. DeMille.

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Comments

Where did they find this judge. What a mockery of our justice system.

Jean, Spring Lake, NC (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:23 AM)

I'm getting discourged with the judicial system while watching this. Get on with it!! Why is the judge holding things up? He needs to take control of his courtroom. This is not a drama show. This court hearing represents the judicial system in the USA. Very disappointing.

Julila Conn McBride, Myrtle Beach, SC (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:57 AM)

This judge Larry Seidlin is an embarrassment to my culture and people. I am ashamed of him - with his courtroom one-liners and antics all for his measley 15 minutes of fame. He makes me want to throw up. As for ANS, think she should be buried with her son in the Bahamas and I think Larry Birkhead is the father of Dannilynne and whoever turns out to be the father is the one who should get custody of Dannilynne. Just my 5 cents worth. Signed: A Florida Mom

Ellen in Florida (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:58 AM)

This judge is so ridiculous that I can hardly believe it.

Brenda (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:07 AM)

Virgie Arthur is an awful person for delaying her decaying daughter's wishes for Anna's own personal burial. Arthur should butt out and mind her own business and stop trying for stardom and financial gain as she always has done via Anna!! It is a crying shame the viewing and funeral can't be fullfilled to Anna's wishes. The judge should see this and move forward. NOW!!

Donna Baker (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:25 AM)

As a Broward County attorney who has practiced before Judge Seidlin in the past, one thing I have noticed is that he always appoints third party attorney 'non-friends' of his (who also get fees additional to the numerous attorneys already involved in this case). In this case, he has appointed two new attorneys, Millstein and Kelly, as Guardian and administrator ad litem to share in the take and more unbelievably, found friends to fly witnesses and parties around? There is never any flow allowed to witness testimony when Seidlin's around because he likes to hear himself talk and he usually has his mind made up anyway. He always interrupts the flow of questioning. This particular fiasco will end up reversed on appeal no matter what he decides.

Carole, Fort Lauderdale (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:53 AM)

Judge Larry wants this to be a lovefest. He pontificates like he is Judge Solomon. Get over it judge, this could have been wrapped up within 2 hours. It is not sweepsweeks, put Anna (and the rest of us) to rest.

a camilli, Reading, PA (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:00 PM)

You know it is just par for a case that involves Anna Nicole Smith to have such a clown for a Judge in charge. Lets get on with it already, nodoby cares about this Judge's stories and quips.

Loly (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:02 PM)

Who cares? Isn't there a war going on?

Julie, El Paso, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:16 PM)

This Judge seems to be more concerned about his TV show chances than the actual case he is trying right now in the Anna Nicole Smith case. Anna's wishes should come first and I believe this Judge is only thinking of himself. This is a 3 ring circus and the worst thing is: Anna Nicole Smith's final wishes for burial are at stake.

Rhonda, New Albany, IN (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 12:35 PM)

First of all, how long does it take to establish paternity?? If this Judge wants to be on TV, I think he will need to take a class on compassion. Anna Nicole was a person, not a BODY or an IT! If I were her mother or boyfriend I couldn't bare to listen to Seidlin. Make a decision by Friday like you stated judge.

Kathryn, HB, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:07 PM)

I agree with all others who think this judge is a joke. He has to be the laughing stock at all parties and get togethers with other lawyers and judges. He loves to hear himself talk and really makes no sense at all. He needs to be replaced with a real judge.

Fran, fredericksburg va (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:11 PM)

Regardless of ANS's rather wild and strange past, she died very suddenly and young and all parties involved need to show her respect and dignity, and a final resting place should be determined ASAP for her sake and no others! Regardless of whether she was estanged from her mother, I do think her lifestyle and her substance abuse was a factor in her distance from her Mother, who obviously hated the lifestyle she was leading. That said, her mother did give birth to her and did raise her and I'm sure loved her very much. She is after all the logical "next of kin" and should have a say in where ANS is buried!!!! And as for Judge Seidlin, he needs to conduct his court in a more judicial and respectful manner!!!!

c davis, Columbus, Oh (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:13 PM)

Am I the only one having flashbacks to the judge in the OJ trial??????

K, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:38 PM)

Judge Seidlin is awesome, he makes the lawyers act like real people, just like he is.

ScottyRocks, Umatilla, FL (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:40 PM)

I have seen clips of this "judge" on the Today Show, and thought to myself "who is this guy"? This is the man to represent our legal system? Now hearing about him possibly getting a tv show, it all makes sense. A woman just lost her life, and he's using our legal system to profit from it!! It sickening!!

Shauna C. Milwaukee, WI (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:41 PM)

All I have to say is let her be buried next to her son. The one thing we know she loved in life and mourned in death. Everybody get over it and let her rest in peaced next to her son

J Des Mt Prospect, IL (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:46 PM)

he is asbured judge or more like a clown judge. huh!!no time joke around in court room. get a new real judge.

cecil, wamego,ks (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:47 PM)

The judge is growing on me. His accent is irritating, but I think he has a kind heart and wants the proper outcome. It's a tough call because Anna was estranged from her mother, but should her unmarried live-in boyfriend who facilitated her drugged up condition really be calling the shots?

Dennis Campbell, fairfax, VA (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:48 PM)

Judge Seidlin is an embarassment to the people of Florida. His lack of decorum and common sense is disgraceful. Last week, he should have immediately ordered the extra DNA requested, ordered the embalming of Ms. Smith's body by a reputable mortuary, and ruled that she should be buried next to her son in the Bahamas, where she had purchased a plot for herself next to him. Then the rest of them could fight over everything else. I called Chief Judge Dale Ross (Fl. 17th district) and e-mailed Govenor Charlie Crist to express my anger over the unseemly behavior of Judge Seidlin.

Pam Lafever, Florida (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:49 PM)

I believe that the judge is doing exactly what he is paid to do.....make a decision based on the merits of the case. He is trying to find out who has a right to determine the final resting place of ANS. Should it be a man she met years ago but did not marry or her mother who gave birth to her. Perhaps they were estranged. Is it so unusual that a child puts distance between themselves and a parent that does not approve of their lifestyle? That distance is by no means an indication that a child is not loved. Whatever ANS thought of her mother, she thought enough of her to leave her son in her care until he was 7 years old. Perhaps this is a lesson for all of us who have lovers without benefit of marriage. The judge is simply doing his job and if he does so in an entertaining way, then so be it.

debbi (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:49 PM)

Puhleese people. Leave it to the States to wind themselves up over an attention seeking, drug-addled, self-indulgent twink. I am certain this sort of thing would never have reached the embarassing heights of ridiculousness it has in Canada.

Graham, Lloydminster, AB (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:50 PM)

The whole thing is sickening. It is not a tv show, it is a life decision. If she wanted Stern to be the father, and to be her lifemate, that is HER decision, and should not be second guessed by her mother (whom i do not believe), or this courtroom of idiots. Obviously, she wanted her son buried in the Bahamas as she buried HIM there, and she would want to be w/her son. What mother would not?

Janet Smitley (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:51 PM)

I think the case is over, Vergie said a mother should be buried with her children. Well Anna buried her son in the Bahamas so the decison should be easy.

B Bell, Tallahassee, FL (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:52 PM)

I for one think this judge is a joke. The Court System of America is failing because of Judges like him. There is NO order, NO compassion, NO results. This woman reguardless of the life that she lead was a human, just like you and me. She loved her son very much and anytime in the last 10 years or so she has been in the spot light there isn't a single person that can say that there is evidnece that she did NOT love her son. She wants/wanted what was best for her son and I feel the same will go with her daughter. This judge needs to let ANS be with her son. He was the ONLY person that she loved and trusted. As far as Danielynn, she needs to be with someone that will raise her as good, if not better, than Anna no matter who the father is she needs to be with THE person that will take care of her the best. Get this joke over with, bury the woman next to the man that she loved more than anything, her son. Give her some peace for once in her short life.

Betsy, Lansing, MI (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:52 PM)

The Bottom line is this.Anna Nicole bought cemetary plots in the Bahamas for her son and herself plus 2 others. Let the woman get buried there and that it will the end of it. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out.

Cris, Morgantown, WV (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:52 PM)

The very fisrt day I saw him talking to himself, I knew he want his 15 minutes, he is a clown and an idiot.

Abdoul, Los Angeles, California (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:53 PM)

I think it is very sad, This judge is a fool!!!! A woman is dead, and Howard should bury her with her son. I'm grown and I don't talk to my mom about my wishes, but my boyfriend knows my wishes. Who would think at 39 to make a will. I will now!!! Put Anna to rest.

cara, bowie maryland (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:54 PM)

I can't believe what I am seeing! Someone has died, and this Judge is cracking jokes. He should have continued his career as a cab driver.

Colleen,NJ (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:54 PM)

I agree with Julie from El Paso. Who cares, we have a war going on that's much more important that this. No disrespect, but we have soldiers fighting for our country and dying everday. You don't see them getting all this publicity.

Ann, Rembert, SC (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:55 PM)

I have been watching this show for the past almost week and it is just a sad case no matter which way you look at it. When it all comes down to it, Anna Nicole wanted to be with her son and that was her wish and how is everyone missing that!!!! How long does it take to decide that?? How does her mother know what she wanted when she had been estranged from her for almost 15 years. It is so obvious that if Anna Nicole loved her mother and her so called family then she would have stayed in contact with them and I know on many occassions she has let the world know that. This is what killed her and to think that they would let her go back to Texas where she left years ago never to return is almost sickening!! Greed is the root of this whole thing. They are trying to make it look like drugs and Howard had control of her life when she was a grown strong willed woman who had been on her own for many years and she did what SHE wanted to do and that was not to stay in contact with her family. Let her rest in peace with her son for God's sake!!!!

April, Fort Myers Florida (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:57 PM)

This judge is a total hoot! Can I say hoot? This situation should have been taken care of in less than a day. Oh and Vergie is another joke. She should go back to Harris County and quit trying to be a caring mom after death. Show some decency and respect not trailer trash. Maybe the Judge and Vergie could have their own show together. She can play the bailiff. What a shame - just get on with it!

Sara, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:57 PM)

First and foremost, my deepest, and sincerest sympathy to Anna, Daniel, and loved ones. This entire story is completely unbelievable. I followed Anna's modeling, interviews, reality series for a long time. I have seen several interviews in Anna's own "words", she had resintment towards her mother and family. After Anna's rise to fame, then all the family came running out the woodwork to put her down! A true family does not put you down in the public eye, has her own aunt, counsins, and mother has done. Anna, verbalized it herself before her passing, who is handle her affairs. Allow her peace with Daniel in the Bahamas. Has anyone noticed Virgie continues to contradict herself on the witness stand?

Shawn Hamilton Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:59 PM)

This judge looks right into the camera at times while talking to someone on the opposite side of the court room. Anna's mom should get a life. She acted like she didn't understand the question regarding whether or not she was going to be profiting off of Anna's life and death. She responded "no" to the question "have you been paid anything by any tv syndication?" HOWEVER, when asked if she was going to be paid by any syndication, she acted like she didn't understand the question. Give us a break!!! I'd like to know if a judge could enforce a "no profit" clause to whomever gets custody. It would also be interesting to see how many people would want custody of her body then. Howard Stern is a jerk. His eyes remind me of Ted Bundy's eyes - BLANK. There is something about him that makes me shudder.

Cheryl Stapleton, Portland, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:00 PM)

How long can the Florida judicial system allow this mockery to continue? The quickest way to resolve this whole mess would be to pull the cameras and reporters from the courtroom. There would probably be a decision within an hour!!!

Harold Lee (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:01 PM)

ANS led a wild and crazy life. No doubt that the love of her life was her son Daniel. Since his death it is apparent she was not her self. She should be buried with her son, as she wished. I agree the father of this child should be given custody, provided it is deemed in her best interest, the money should be secondary in placing her in a loving safe environment. Jeanette, Brooklyn, NY

Jeanette Coley (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:01 PM)

Jeanette Coley (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:03 PM)

Is anyone paying attention to what's going on in this courtroom? I am watching the video feed from fox news and after the judge recessed for lunch today Larry Birkhead is shown with this lady he keeps hugging and handing something to a her. This guy is a joke as well. The only one to me that seems genuine is Howard Stern. Another note: Did anyone notice how the judge stayed on Howard yesterday about not getting money from Anna Nicole's money and Howard told the court that he would denounce any money for services, then today the judge praises Virgie and won't even allow her to answer who is paying for her hotel room!!

Leitha, Fayette, AL (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:03 PM)

Is this judge for real or are we watching some new reality show!!!

L.. Hoazk Rutherford, NJ (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:05 PM)

I am amazed at how ludicrous this all is. Give the woman some peace and bury her with her son in the Bahamas as she wanted. This "judge" is a real joke. He is handling this in a very unprofessional manner and is obviously quite full of himself. Who put him in charge of all this anyway. Shame on him.

Cynthia, Terre Haute, IN (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:05 PM)

The judge needs to make a decision and fast. It is a shame that her body is decaying while the living are fighting on where to bury her. Bury her next to her son in the Bahamas and be done with it. Her mother needs to go back to Texas and butt out. It seems very clear through the interviews of Anna and those closest to her that she did not like her mother. Anna should be buried next to Daniel. Paternity needs to be decided and get Dannilynn settled. Please let Anna be buried soon. She was very beautiful in life and it is terrible what is happening to her now.

Michelle McLaughlin, St. Louis, Missouri (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:06 PM)

Bury the poor woman already! There's an easy way to solve the entire mess. This is a family law judge, correct? So, order the paternity testing and enforce the order...even if it has to be performed in the courtroom and get it over with.

Deb, Topeka, KS (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:07 PM)

I think this judge is refreshing. He's letting everyone get their say. No thoughts or sentences left unfinished. Basically getting it all out into the open. Let's face it our judicial system is not as full of decorum as we think. Around here our judges bring their dogs to the courtroom and do their personal tasks on court time. So this guy talks! Big deal.

Kim S (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:07 PM)

Judge Seidlin said this is not a 3-ring circus. Why does he conduct his court like a comedy club? ANS wanted to be buried with Daniel. Cut and dried, no if's and's or but's. What's there to decide on other than paternity??

Sheila, Indpls, IN (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:08 PM)

I think if you cut out all of the gray areas and just look at the black and white, any idiot can tell you that Anna would want to be buried next to her son. And as for her mother, it doesn't matter why her and Anna were estranged. Anna didn't want to have anything to do with her in life, and out of respect for that she needs to take her money hungry, drama queen ass, and go back to Texas where she belongs. AND---- Can anyone tell me why they haven't filed a motion for a new Judge? (Anna not only had people riding her coat tails in life, now people are doing in her death. It's no wonder she didn't have the will to go on anymore.)

Cori Cassidy, Albertville, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:10 PM)

If you think Seidlin is a clown, you should try the probate court (only one) in Davidson County, Tennessee. He and the "good old boy" attorneys are real eye openers. Both are what our courts should not be.

Barbara, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Nashville, TN (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:11 PM)

I think ANS should be buried with her son in the bahamas. Little Dannilynn should be with Larry Birkhead because that is her dad. How can Howard K. Stern call himself a lawyer but lives off his parents. My opinion is that he had something to do with both deaths. It's about money for him. He probably doesn't really care that the baby may not be his. Also, did anyone see any tears coming from his eyes?

Barbara, fayetteville, nc (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:16 PM)

This mockery of the judicial system by this judge only proves that common sense and wisdom are not traits needed to be a judge. The fact that he is a judge at all, a former taxi driver, speaks volumes about our laws and the people that enforce and interpet them.

Mark Archer, Shawnee, Kansas (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:20 PM)

First off I wonder if this is really how the court system operates in the united states. As a concerned citizen of the Bahamas he should display respect for our court system when making note that he can determine when a prior court hearing can be heard. I've been following the trial on the internet and I must say it leaves me speechless to see the on going rambling from the judge. The bottom line is where and whom should recieve the body of Anna Nicole Smith and not the child as that is an entirely diffrent matter.

Jewels, Nassau, Bahamas (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:20 PM)

We're not in Judge's Seidlin shoe so we shouldn't be speculating how he should or shouldn't conduct his court room. This is a serious case and it's good that Judge S. doesn't rush into making his decision on who gets custody on ANS's burial. It makes logical sense that he should deligently take the time to hear both stories from both parties - Anna's mother and Coward Stern. Ops, I mean, Howard Stern. Speaking of that Howard, I think he does have something to do with the death of Anna's and her son, which is exactly what Anna's mother has stated. This has been planned and premediated by Howard since the first day he became her lawyer - the day that he gets to know everything, everything, especially Anna's millions estate from her late husband. And the only way that he can inherit those $$$$$ is to get rid of all Anna's related family members. Things have come into this favor, first the estrange relationship with Anna's mother, the closest kin that she has. Then came Daniel, and now Anna is gone. I believe in karma, sooner or later karma will get to that Coward, I mean, Howard.

DD Denver,CO (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:20 PM)

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