Smith Paternity Battle Continues In Court

(andPOP) - The mystery surrounding the paternity of ANNA NICOLE SMITH's baby daughter DANNIELYNN is still far from resolution, despite frenzied legal activity yesterday.

In a Los Angeles courtroom HOWARD K STERN's lawyers argued with attorneys for Smith's ex-boyfriend LARRY BIRKHEAD over the five-month-old in a closed hearing.

Stern's lawyer, JAMES NEAVITT, said Superior Court Judge ROBERT A SCHNIDER declined to relinquish control over the paternity suit, insisting there were still questions pending as to which state has jurisdiction over the baby's case.

Birkhead's attorney, DEBRA OPRI, reportedly asked the judge to take emergency jurisdiction and have the baby brought to California. According to Neavitt, the judge denied the request.

In another development, FREDERIC VON ANHALT, the husband of actress ZSA ZSA GABOR, filed a separate paternity challenge, claiming he is the father of the baby.

Smith died at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on February 8 at the age of 39. The cause of her death is still under investigation.


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