Followers of the Anna Nicole Smith cases may have heard about Jury Consultant and Investigative Strategist, Don Clark leaving the O’Quinn law firm. Although Mr. Clark is no longer operating in his former capacity, he was asked by executor of the John O’Quinn estate, Gerald Treece to work for the estate on certain confidential matters instead of working for the firm.

It’s possible Mr. Clark may also be performing other duties for the firm including assisting Virgie Arthur’s attorney Neil McCabe on matters which can not be disclosed at this time.

As for Wilma Vice, she will continue in her prior support capacity assisting McCabe in all things “Anna Nicole” with her primary focus on the criminal case in California regarding Howard K. Stern, Dr. Eroshevich and Dr. Kapoor.

Wilma said, “my dedication will remain firm and strong for Virgie Arthur and family.”

Wilma revealed that she is also going to reserve more time in her life for family and personal issues and she is planning and anticipating some exciting events for 2010.

*** I need to make a correction. I would like it make it clear that Don Clark no longer works for “The O’Quinn Law Firm”. He may be engaged to do things on an as needed basis but he is no longer an employee of the firm. He works for Gerald Treece. Sorry for any confusion I may have caused. Thanks. QV

Today is the third anniversary of Anna Nicole Smith’s death. This is a video tribute to her and her son Daniel Wayne Smith.

Since there are still questions regarding what’s in store for The O’Quinn Law Firm, I thought it might be appropriate to inquire within.

Senior Attorney Neil McCabe was kind enough to answer my questions. He sees exciting things happening for the firm which recently signed a new five year lease in their current office space. The biggest change for the firm is that it is no longer a company owned by an individual or even stock holders.

Mr. McCabe explained it like this…
The law firm is an asset of the estate, which means that he and the other lawyers and staff in the firm essentially work for a charity, not John O’Quinn, wealthy trial lawyer anymore. The estate is liquidating some assets, such as cars, real estate, etc… but not the law firm, which will continue to generate income for the estate, i.e. for the foundation.

Mr. O’Quinn died without any heirs. He was not married and never had any children.

McCabe said, “The liquidation of part of the car collection, as well as the fact that the will was published in the newspaper and called for the “orderly” winding up and dissolution of the firm, may have created a false impression that the firm now is closing. Even if the plan were to shut down the firm, an “orderly” process can take years, given the major litigation and the many hundreds of clients that the firm now has.  The firm has signed a new 5-year lease on the office space. The firm actually is taking new cases. I acquired a new one yesterday, and there are several others in the pipeline.”

Mr. McCabe also said that things just arent the same without John around and he is missed very much. He added, “The executor of the estate, Gerry Treece, told me yesterday that, contrary to the rumors going around, the firm is not shutting down.  There has been some streamlining of the firm, and a new business model is being developed.”

And that means prior recipients of O’Quinn’s good will such as health, mental health, children’s charities, law schools and science museum charities will continue to benefit from his legacy.

According to the Houston Chronicle, in recent years, a couple of Mr. O’Quinn’s larger gifts were, $1.1 million to South Texas College of Law and $5 million to a psychiatric hospital, The Menninger Clinic, where O’Quinn was on a committee. See photo above…

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Wesley has set August 4th, 2010 as the trial date for Anna Nicole Smith friends and doctors, Howard K. Stern, Khristine Eroshevich and Sandeep Kapoor.

The three were arrested and arraigned on a total of 23 felony drug charges. The charges include obtaining an opiate prescription by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;  prescribing, administering or dispensing a controlled substance to an addict; and unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance.

The next hearing is this case is set for April 23rd, 2010.

February 5th is the day trial is scheduled to begin for Howard K. Stern and doctors Sandeep Kapoor and Khristine Eroshevich for felony charges related to the drug overdose death of Anna Nicole Smith. Its anyone’s guess as to whether it will go forward at that time.

But, here’s a clue! America’s favorite “pimp-daddy”, Larry Birkhead made an appearance on Access Hollywood seemingly to proclaim Stern’s innocence and throw the doctors under the bus.

Even though Birkhead acknowledges that Stern “wreaked havoc” on his life, he proclaims that he would be shocked if anything “came down” saying that Stern hurt Anna Nicole or her son Daniel Wayne Smith who both died of drug overdoses.

In contrast,  pathologists testified at an inquest into Daniels death that no evidence was found proving Daniel to be a drug abuser.

Birkhead, on Stern injecting Anna Nicole: Never once did I see Howard inject Anna Nicole. I think we will hear a lot of colorful things from a lot of colorful people. I did hear that was said…about Howard injecting her.. when they get cross examined, we’ll see how they hold up.

Perhaps Birkhead didn’t see it, but at the preliminary hearing for the upcoming trial, Anna Nicole’s bodyguard Maurice Brighthaupt testified that he saw Howard K. Stern cook a crushed Valium pill in a spoon and also saw him inject her four or five times in the months leading up to her death. He also saw Eroshevich inject a substance into Anna Nicole.

About the doctors who prescribed the medicines.. “they were friends of Anna Nicole, also her doctor(s). I was witness to things regarding their interaction and I think that’s probably what might be of interest in the case and some of the other things that go along with the time line.”

Mark Speer, a highly decorated retired Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy swore in Howard K. Stern’s lawsuit against Rita Cosby for the book Blonde Ambition, that Birkhead gave him a needle that was used to inject Anna Nicole to hold for safe keeping. He ended up taking it back after Speer spoke to the DEA about the needle and they showed no interest.

Speer testified that the finger prints of TrimSpa owner Alex Goen might be found on the needle and vial and also that he believes that Larry Birkhead was “bought off”.

In what was believed to be a last ditch attempt on Howard K. Stern’s part to silence Speer in his suit against Cosby, Stern filed a  lawsuit before Speer was to give his deposition. Stern eventually dismissed the lawsuit against Speer. In a press release, Speer said, “I am delighted that the frivolous lawsuit brought against me by Howard K. Stern has appropriately been dismissed. I stand behind all the statements I have made in this case. I am glad truth prevailed.”

Stern also dismissed his lawsuit against Rita Cosby. Stern’s criminal attorney, Steven Sadow is fond of stating to the media that “settlement” terms are confidential. However, the document ending the case states that it is dismissed in its entirety without costs going to either party. Does that sound like a “settlement”?

On the 22nd of January, the World Society For The Protection Of Animals received an official request from the government of Haiti.

The Director of Inspection and Vigilance for the Environment,  Environmental Department who the WSPA has been in communication with wrote to the organization saying…

“After the information exchanges that we have been keeping and given the magnitude of the disaster suffered by Haiti, putting the country under great risk of infecto-contagious diseases spread and possible animal epidemic outbreaks; … both the Agriculture Department and the Environmental Department… have agreed that WSPA aid is very important… (and) suggest that WSPA should organise a trip to Haiti as soon as possible.”

The organization had already been preparing for such a request and according to their blog, http://www.animalsindisasters.typepad.com/ they are now on the ground in Port au Prince beginning field assessments to see how they can best serve the country and its animal population.

They have recent photos of the damage and the work that they are just beginning in the earthquake ravaged country.

Please consider visiting their donation page no matter what country you hail from, they have a way that you can help.

********

Update on Animal Rescue Site Donations! Yes!!!

The Last Picture Of Daniel Alive

Daniel was so excited about the birth of his new baby sister. He didn’t like to fly but on September 9th, 2006 he took a flight from California to Miami and on to the Bahamas. He arrived there and was taken by Howard K. Stern directly to the hospital to see his mother Anna Nicole Smith and the three day old baby who is now known as Dannielynn.

Daniel was not a drug user but less than 12 hours later, he was dead from a massive overdose of Methadone.

Hired gun pathologist, Cyril Wecht said Daniel died of a fatal combination of Methadone and an antidepressant. At an inquest into the death of Daniel, compelling testimony came from Dr. Lee Hearn, Director of the Toxicology Laboratory for Miami Dade County. He testified that, if not for the Methadone, Daniel would not have died.

I think someone wanted Daniel to die.

He would have been 24 years old today. I pray you rest in peace Daniel. Its a tragedy that our system failed you by never investigating why you had to die and who is responsible.

Update!

Over one billion dollars has been pledged world wide to help the victims of the Haiti earthquakes. But we can’t stop there. As in every disaster, there are the helpless and silent victims. Stray animals, livestock and beloved family pets are often not included in rescue and charity efforts. I hope you will join me today in making a donation to “The Animal Rescue Site” specifically for Haitian animal victims. 100% of your donation goes directly to charity.

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO OR HERE TO MAKE YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT. 100% GOES TO CHARITY

From the Animal Rescue Site…

You can help animal victims of the devastating Haiti earthquake.

Since the devastating January 12th earthquake just outside the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, the world’s attention has been turned towards the overwhelming human need in this, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The need to help humans is immense. Humanitarian relief agencies from around the world are now taking the first steps to assist the hundreds of thousands of people in desperate need of medical care, food, water and shelter.

And, as is always the case with disasters like this, many animals are also suffering and in need of care. Haiti has an estimated 5 million head of livestock, a large stray dog population, native wildlife, and, of course, an untold number of companion animals.

IFAW has partnered with WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) to launch a coordinated animal relief response. Together they will lead a coalition of animal welfare groups to help the animals of Haiti. Their first priority will be to treat critically injured animals. They are also very concerned about the possible outbreak of rabies, leptospirosis, and other diseases that can pass from animals to humans, so they’ll be vaccinating animals as quickly as possible, as well as be distributing food, water, and basic medical care.

The animal teams are in the Dominican Republican preparing for this critical mission. They’re setting up a mobile veterinary clinic, and donations will help stock it with medicine, syringes, bandages, food, and other supplies.

Once the human relief efforts have taken hold and security is in place, and depending on the needs found on the ground, animal teams will deploy and begin their lifesaving work. No one is certain of all the challenges to be faced, but with your help, they will be prepared.

You can be part of the first-line response to help animals in Haiti. Purchase of this Gift That Gives More™ provides much-needed emergency relief and aid in the wake of the Haitian earthquake.

Please note: Your purchase is tax-deductible in the U.S.A., and you will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. 100% of this gift goes to GreaterGood.org to help animal victims of the earthquake in Haiti. GreaterGood Network stores do not receive any profit from the sale of this Gift That Gives More™; we bring it to you in the spirit of the greater good. GreaterGood.org has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of GreaterGood.org.

Upon purchase, you will receive an automated e-mail with a link to a full-color certificate of acknowledgment that you may print and frame for display or gift-giving. Adobe Acrobat Reader, or equivalent .pdf viewing program, is required to open the file. The certificate makes a great “instant” gift for an honored colleague, family member or friend.

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO OR HERE TO MAKE YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFT. 100% GOES TO CHARITY

I always get a kick out of the commercials of that sweet faced kid (and his buddies) singing about how he should have checked his credit to see what is going on before… (insert life event here). If you don’t already know though, you don’t get a “free credit report” by going to their website. I just went there, and at least now they have a disclaimer and they actually direct you to the real place to get your free credit report as mandated by congress.

Here is the URL for http://www.annualcreditreport.com and you don’t just get one free credit report, you get three. One from each of Experian, Transunion and Equifax. You are entitled to one from each agency per year.

And that kid? He is not singing the catchy song and he is not American. He is a French Canadian actor by the name of Eric Violette. At the time the first commercial was made several years ago, I had read that his English was limited. However, he is a musician and you can see a YouTube video of him here and hear his real voice. As I write this, guess what’s on TV right now?

This is one of those stories that gets passed around in forwarded emails. I checked Snopes.com and they had a version of it but there is nothing there saying it was not true. Lets just imagine that it is true and hope that if the opportunity ever arises, that each and every person reading this would do the same.

SACK LUNCHES

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. ‘I’m glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,’ I thought..

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

‘Where are you headed?’ I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
‘Petawawa. We’ll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we’re being deployed to Afghanistan

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time….

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. ‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait till we get to base.’

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch.. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. ‘Take a lunch to all those soldiers.’ She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. ‘My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it’s almost like you are doing it for him.’

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, ‘Which do you like best – beef or chicken?’
‘Chicken,’ I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.

‘This is your thanks..’

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.
A man stopped me. ‘I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.’ He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, ‘I want to shake your hand.’ Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain’s hand. With a booming voice he said, ‘I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.’ I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. ‘It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a sandwich.God Bless You.’

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little…

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America ‘ for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.’

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.’