HOWARD K Stern took pictures of Anna Nicole Smith's dead son - and said he did so because they "might be worth some money", a court heard. Speaking at the inquest of Daniel Smith in the Bahamas, a friend of the family said he was "shocked" at the actions of the late model's partner just hours after the 20-year-old was found dead in a hospital room.
G Ben Thompson said Stern then turned to him and justified it by saying "it might be worth some money some day."
But Stern's legal team suggested the pictures were taken for the benefit of Anna Nicole, who had been dragged away from the body and was in "disbelief" that he had died.
The revelations came on the second day of evidence in the latest session of the inquest at Nassau's Coroner's Court.
Daniel died mysteriously on September 10, 2006, in the Bahamas, three days after his sister Danielynn was born there.
He had been sleeping in a hospital room along with his late mother and her partner Stern when he was found unconscious.
Thompson, a real estate developer in South Carolina, said he rushed to the hospital the morning Daniel was found dead.
After Anna Nicole was taken away from the room, he saw Stern with a digital camera, the court heard.
"He took two, maybe three or four at the most, photos of the baby and Daniel," Thompson said. "I was totally shocked. He was taking pictures of a dead child, lying on a bed."
However, when questioned by Stern's attorney he admitted it might have "also" been in order to help "prove to Anna that Daniel was indeed dead".
He also admitted he had not mentioned that Stern had spoken of the value of the pictures when interviewed by police.
Stern's legal team accused Thompson of later "fabricating" the suggestion because of a grudge against Stern, which he denied.
The property developer has an on-going ownership dispute with him regarding the Nassau house Stern and Anna lived in.
Thompson, who saw Daniel the night before he was found dead, also told the court the former Playmate's son was "totally ecstatic" when they last spoke.
The court had been told by an expert that he died of an intentional overdose - which could be classed as a suicide if there is evidence of "self destructive statements" or "suicidal thoughts".
But Thompson said that Daniel was "extremely happy" as he arrived on the island the previous night to see his mother and the newborn at the Doctors' Hospital in Nassau.
He said: "He walked straight over and embraced his mother ad immediately wanted to hold the baby."
"It give me chills to think about it," he added. "He was extremely happy, he was all smiles, he couldn't take the smile off his face.
"He was so happy to see his mother and the baby."
Later, Thompson said that Daniel had recently gone through a break-up and had been looking thinner than usual. He said he was aware Daniel had been hospitalized with depression over the previous year.
He also told the court that Anna Nicole was "as normal as one could be" when she was not on medications, but "totally out of it" when on them.
The inquest has been adjourned until March.
By Matheus Sanchez, Jan 31 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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