Final Defense Lawyer Offers Argument In Smith Case

Anna Nicole Smith's lawyer-manager Howard K. Stern was also her best friend and lover and would never have been part of an alleged plot to furnish her with harmful drugs, a defense lawyer said Thursday.

During a dramatic closing argument, attorney Steve Sadow, who represents Stern, said his client was closer to Smith than anyone.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Lindsay Lohan's Day in Court (July 6, 2010)

"Here'sa guy whose been with her since 2001," Sadow told jurors. "Witnesses have said he cherished her, loved her. She was the love of his life."

Stern and Drs. Sandeep Kapoor and Khristine Eroshevich have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to provide excessive prescription drugs to an addict and other charges. They are not charged in Smith's 2007 accidental overdose death in Florida.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebs In Court

Sadow was the last of the three defense lawyers to deliver a closing argument. He warned the panel to be wary of prosecutors trying to win at all cost rather than tell jurors the truth.

"It's time, ladies and gentlemen, for someone to stand up and say it's not right," he said.

Prosecutors maintain Smith was an addict, and the defendants were feeding her addiction rather than providing prescription drugs for any legitimate medical purpose. Stern, Kapoor and Eroshevich catered to Smith's whims so they could remain a part of her celebrity circle, and Smith faked her pain to get drugs, according to prosecutors.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Born Identity: Uncover Celebs Real Names

Sadow depicted Smith as a strong-willed person who made her own decisions when it came to her medication.

He also accused prosecutors of trashing her reputation and trivializing the pain she experienced when her son died of a drug overdose after her daughter was born.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebrity Yearbook Photos

On Wednesday, attorneys for Eroshevich and Kapoor accused prosecutors of trying to prejudice the case with photos of Eroshevich naked in a bathtub with Smith, and other photos of Kapoor nuzzling Smith's neck.

Eroshevich's attorney Brad Brunon said the psychiatrist was doing everything she could to help Smith.

"And what is her reward? She's dragged through this, her name is ruined, and she's publicly humiliated," he said.

Kapoor's attorney Ellyn Garafalo said Kapoor's diary showed he knew he might have crossed the line by socializing with his patient.

"He never saw Anna Nicole Smith in a social setting again," the lawyer said.

She said his medical judgment was never affected by Smith's celebrity, and his instinct was always to help her overcome the pain that plagued her.

Copyright 2010 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:

PLAY IT NOW: AH Nation: Will Lindsay Manage To Keep Clean? (September 27, 2010)
PLAY IT NOW: Lindsay Lohan Out Of Jail… Now What? (September 27, 2010)

More from Access: [ Anna Nicole Smith Howard K. Stern Courts ]

Copyright NBCAH - Access Hollywood
Contact Us