Retraction of Drug Testimony in Anna Nicole Smith Case
According to Linda Deutsch at the Associated Press, Dr. James Gagne, a witness for the prosecution, retracted some of the drug testimony he made in the Anna Nicole Smith case… partially. Recently, Dr. Gagne testified that Anna Nicole had a prescription for methadone that was hugely increased by her doctor, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, for no apparent reason; this was the part of the testimony that was retracted. The part that was not retracted was the assertion that Anna Nicole’s doctor fed her drug addiction with copious opiate painkiller prescriptions and was largely responsible for the continuation of her addiction which ultimately led to her death.
Why Did Dr. Gagne Partially Retract Methadone Testimony in Anna Nicole Case?
It was a misunderstanding, he says. He read Dr. Kapoor’s records incorrectly and “now believes the methadone prescriptions were not a major issue in the drug case against Kapoor and two other defendants,” according to Deutsch.
He is adamant, however, the Dr. Kapoor gave Anna Nicole far too many opiates and sedatives.
Whose Fault Was Anna Nicole’s Drug Addiction and Drug Overdose?
Though Gagne believes that the prescriptions were unnecessary and clearly excessive, some of his statements imply that he may not believe the fault to be Kapoor’s. Gagne says, “She was an expert at manipulating physicians into giving her the drugs she craved.”
Also, cross examination by Kapoor’s lawyer revealed Kapoor’s side of the story: Anna Nicole had suffered from two fractured ribs which occurred happened in a jet ski accident and the subsequent pain warranted the opiate painkillers he prescribed.
Gagne disagrees with Kapoor’s contention that the prescription fit the injury. He points out that pain from a couple of fractured ribs would have lasted a couple of weeks and could have been taken care of by a single and less potent painkiller than the ones prescribed; the prescriptions for Dilaudid and methadone that lasted for five months was absolutely not an appropriate treatment in this case, according to Gagne. He also said that there were too few follow up visits, which was inappropriate as well considering the painkillers Kapoor gave her and in those amounts could easily add up to psychiatric distress. The effects of his excessive prescriptions, if nothing else, should have been more closely monitored.
The Case of Anna Nicole’s Drug Overdose
Three people are on trial right now for their contribution to Anna Nicole Smith’s drug addiction and eventual death due to drug overdose: Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, the doctor referred to in this testimony; another doctor of hers, Dr. Kristine Eroshevich; and Howard K. Stern, her boyfriend and lawyer. All three are charged with, among other things, providing Anna Nicole with drugs illegally and contributing to her death. All three have pled “not guilty.”
What Will Happen Next in the Anna Nicole Drug Overdose Case?
Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry would like to move forward. Gagne’s testimony was made during a preliminary hearing to determine whether or not the defendants should stand trial. The preliminary hearing has last more than three weeks thus far and the judge is urging the prosecution to limit further examination.
