Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

It's hard to tell who the star is at Anna Nicole Smith hearing

Attention has focused on the antics of Judge Seidlin.

By JEAN HELLER
Published February 23, 2007

Lance Ito, meet Larry Seidlin.

Not since Ito was criticized a dozen years ago for turning the O.J. Simpson murder trial into a media circus has a judge taken so much criticism.

But a hearing to decide the custody of the body of superstar Anna Nicole Smith focused national attention on Broward Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin, a Bronx-born former New York cabdriver who got a law degree at night school.

Seidlin, balding and 56 with an accent that never left the Bronx, is a man who some say seems intent on parlaying his role in the high-profile case into his own television show.

The way he announced his ruling Thursday will likely do little to change perceptions of him: He sobbed as he said he would leave the decision to the guardian of Smith's 5-month-old daughter, Dannielynn.

Seidlin said he would like to see Smith buried in the Bahamas next to her adult son, Daniel, but did not order it. So she could be buried in one place and then moved when another court determines who Dannielynn's father is, giving that man custody of both the child and Smith's remains.

It was an anticlimactic end to a custody battle among Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, one-time companion Larry Birkhead, a Los Angeles photographer, and the model's longtime lawyer, Howard K. Stern. Appeals are expected.

"I have suffered with this," Seidlin said, struggling with his composure as he prepared to rule. "I have struggled with this. I have shed tears over this."

Seidlin left the burial decision to Richard Milstein, Dannielynn's court-appointed guardian. Milstein, a soft-spoken attorney, quickly announced that the former reality star would be buried in the Bahamas, but did not say when.

The judge, who three years ago received one of the lowest rankings among Broward judges by lawyers there, made a name for himself with outrageous things he said during the hearing.

He allowed nearly a dozen lawyers in his courtroom to talk over one another and shout at him. He took questioning away from them and asked the questions himself. With proceedings playing out live on Court TV, and replayed at night on cable news channels, he became an instant celebrity.

Seidlin referred to out-of-state lawyers as "California" and "Texas" or "Houston." At one point Thursday he told John O'Quinn, one of the attorneys for Arthur: "Texas, you can help me here. You're a bright guy. ... You're wonderful. I love you."

He allowed questioning on subjects for which no legal foundation has been laid because "we don't have time to lay foundation."

He professed to have no interest in another core issue surrounding Smith's death Feb. 8: the paternity of Dannielynn. Then he allowed questions - and asked them himself - about personal relationships between Smith and Birkhead, as well as Stern.

At one point he suggested the courtroom proceedings stop to pay homage to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Seidlin's antics have critics referring to him as Judge Larry, a play on Judge Judy, the popular TV judge whose full name, Judy Sheindlin, is remarkably similar.

CNN Headline News talk show host Glenn Beck refers to Seidlin as "Judge Shecky."

"Judge Seidlin's audition for hell's version of American Idol ends now," Beck lectured Wednesday evening.

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann was no kinder.

"The circus has indeed come back to town," he said. He called Seidlin "a ringmaster" and "The MC."

"I'm waiting for this judge to stop securing his 15 minutes of fame," Olbermann said.

The most scathing criticism came from acid-tongue CNN Headline News talk show host Nancy Grace.

"The rules of evidence are out the window," Grace said. "There are no rules in this courtroom. ... They're practically booing and cheering in what should be a court of law. They are having a dog-and-pony show while (Smith's) body decomposes."

Court TV analysts, among those who agree the hearing was unusual, say Seidlin got away with it because no jury was present.

The entertainment Web site TMZ.com reported that Seidlin wants to become TV's next personality judge and was putting together a highlight reel as an audition tool. But some in the Broward legal world doubt that, saying Seidlin isn't acting any differently on Court TV than he does in lower-profile probate cases.

One point no one can argue: He does say bizarre things.

Wednesday: "It's a grieving process, and all of us are suffering from it. We are here to save one child. It's a ripple effect. We save one child in one case, and we can save another child in another case."

(The hearing had nothing to do with Dannielynn.)

Thursday, to the roomful of lawyers: "Instead of fighting, you should join hands, join hands, because this is the only country where you can join hands."

As Seidlin was rushing the hearing to a close, he told a lawyer who had "a couple of questions" for a witness, "No, you don't. Sit down."

At another point, O'Quinn, Virgie Arthur's attorney, collapsed, taking a lot of furniture with him as he went down.

"Let's get him some water, (for) my Texas friend," Seidlin ordered. "I'm working them all too hard. Get him some food. He hasn't eaten. He's a diabetic. I can tell (from) his color."

Actually, Quinn said, he was fine. He had only tripped.

Larry Seidlin's Own Words

At the start of the hearing, on custody of Anna Nicole Smith's body: "This body belongs to me now. ... That baby is in a cold, cold storage room. ... When we bury her, I want it to be forever."

At the end of a hearing day: "It was delightful having everyone."

Asserting that he was in charge: "Somebody's got to bite the bullet, and it's got to be me. I'm the trier of fact."

To an agitated attorney: "You were getting animated for no reason, my friend. You were getting stressed for no reason. Twice now we were on a different signal. I'm going to get you some juice."

To another agitated attorney: "I heard you, Texas. Let's move on. You're getting hungry for lunch."

On Smith's death: "It's a grieving process, and all of us are suffering from it."

In suggesting that the parties should try to reach a compromise: "We don't want to make each other (out) as evil. This would (happen) in a book (but) this is real life. We all come with some broken suitcases."

Fast Facts:

Judge Larry Seidlin

Age: 56

Born: The Bronx, New York

Judicial experience: Elected a County Court judge in 1978 at age 28. Appointed circuit judge in 1989.

Former professions: New York City taxi driver, accountant, state prosecutor.

Family: Married to Belinda, a former court investigator. They have a young daughter.

[Last modified February 23, 2007, 01:12:21]