Howard K. Stern is, unexpectedly, in the clear.
The lawyer and boyfriend of the late Anna Nicole Smith was cleared of any wrongdoing in her death, a judge ruled in an L.A. hearing on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Back in October, Stern had been found guilty on two out of nine felony counts for giving false names and acting by fraud to obtain presciptions for the star, who died at age 39 in Feb. 2007.
But during Wednesday's sentencing hearing, Superior Court Judge Robert Perry threw out those drug conspiracy convictions, citing a lack of evidence proving an intent to commit fraud, the AP reports.
The judge also set aside most charges against Smith's psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich; Judge Perry concluded the physician was acting out of concern for Smith, and reduced her felony convictions to one misdemeanor, giving her one year of probation and a $100 fine.
Pleased with the outcome, Stern said outside the court: "This case never should have been brought," adding that he has not had time to grieve for Smith in the four tumultuous years since her death.
"I'm very happy," Dr. Eroshevich said. "I can live with the misdemeanor."
Both Stern, 41, and Eroshevich, 63, could have lost their professional licenses had their felony convictions stood.
