Anna Nicole drug trial goes ahead

Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in a Florida hotel room in February 2007

Two doctors and the former boyfriend of late Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith must stand trial for conspiring to give her prescription drugs, a judge says.

After a two-week hearing the judge in Los Angeles ruled there was enough evidence to try Howard Stern, Khristine Eroshevich and Sandeep Kapoor.

All three deny supplying Ms Smith with the drugs.

Ms Smith, 39, died of a prescription drug overdose in 2007. An investigation ruled that the death was accidental.

Her body was found in a Florida hotel room on 8 February 2007.

Inheritance battle

Judge Robert Perry said the prosecution had proven Ms Smith was an addict, adding: "I do find the proof is sufficient to bind them over for trial."

Howard Stern, Ms Smith's former boyfriend, and the two doctors will reappear on 11 December for arraignment.

Eroshevich, Stern and the unpictured Kapoor deny the charges

The defence lawyers argue that their clients were unaware of Ms Smith's addiction and were simply trying to help.

Lawyers for both doctors said their clients acted in good faith.

Mr Stern was "not a doctor and he is being charged with doctor-related activities", his lawyer said.

One expert witness told the hearing there was no medical reason for the doctors to supply this amount of prescription drugs.

At the age of 26, Ms Smith, a former topless model, married Texas oil tycoon J Howard Marshall, a billionaire more than 60 years her senior.

After his death in 1995, she spent years fighting his family over his fortune, winning and losing millions.

Her death triggered legal battles in the US and the Bahamas over control of her body and the paternity of her child, who stood to inherit millions of dollars.

Mr Stern initially claimed to be the father, before renouncing custody when DNA tests proved that the father was Ms Smith's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead.