7/12/2010 5:30 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Prosecutors in the Howard K. Stern trial -- in which Stern and others are accused of fueling Anna Nicole Smith's drug addiction -- want the judge to prohibit defense lawyers from telling the jury the two honchos involved in the prosecution are running for election.
According to legal docs obtained by TMZ, the D.A. does not want to "distract the jury into making their determination based on whether they like or dislike the candidates, or based on some perceived motivation for the prosecution."
Attorney General Jerry Brown, who played a vocal role in the investigation, is running for Governor of California. L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley, whose office is prosecuting the case, is running for Attorney General.
The D.A.'s motion asks the judge to exclude questions or arguments designed to show "the investigation was somehow motivated by these elections rather than the desire to determine whether crimes had been committed."
But Ellyn Garafalo, the lawyer for defendant Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, tells TMZ, "The prosecution seems to be acutely sensitive to allegations that have been swirling in the press for months -- that the prosecution is politically motivated."
Garafalo tells TMZ she will file legal papers this week, asking prosecutors to ante up legal docs that reveal the motive for prosecuting Dr. Kapoor.
Filed under: Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith, Celebrity Justice, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor
7/12/2010 5:20 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Melissa Etheridge's ex, Tammy Lynn Michaels, doesn't need $25,000 immediately since Melissa is footing the bills ... this according to an L.A. County Superior Court judge.
Tammy's lawyer wanted the judge to order Melissa to immediately pay 25k to his client, whom he claims is destitute. The lawyer wanted another 25k from Melissa for legal fees, but Melissa's attorney, Neal Hersh, convinced the judge Melissa was paying for everything -- housing, food, schools, the works -- so Tammy's claim that's she can't afford to live is bogus.
TMZ broke the story ... Melissa filed to end their domestic partnership, and Tammy then filed, claiming the two were married and she wanted the marriage dissolved.
The next hearing is set for September.
Filed under: Tammy Lynn Michaels, Melissa Etheridge, Celebrity Justice
7/12/2010 4:15 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Sandra Bullock went off on Jesse James' ex-wife during a heated phone conversation a few months ago ... so says Janine Lindemulder's attorney.
Attorney Richard Masson tells TMZ .... the blowup occurred while Jesse was in rehab earlier this year. Janine called her daughter's cell, and Sandra answered.
Masson would not reveal what Sandra said to his client, but he claims it wasn't the first time Sandy expressed harsh feelings toward Janine.
During today's custody hearing, a teacher from Sunny's school testified that Sandra made derogatory comments about Janine in front of Sunny. According to Masson, Sandra told the teacher, "Quite frankly, I'm glad Janine is in jail. She can go ruin someone else's life."
Janine is trying to stop Jesse from taking Sunny to Texas. As we first reported, Jesse wants the kids to continue a relationship with Sandra.
Filed under: Jesse James, Sandra Bullock, Janine Lindemulder, Celebrity Justice, Dirty Divorces
7/12/2010 12:45 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Lindsay Lohan is scared of jail -- not because of the other inmates ... not because the food is crappy .... but because she cannot stand being alone and thinks jail will push her over the edge.
Sources close to Lindsay tell us Lindsay is climbing the walls because of the prospect of jail. We're told she can't stand being confined to small spaces, and she can never be alone.
It's so bad that when Lindsay flew back from France in May, she asked a friend to fly from L.A. to Paris, just so she would have someone to fly home with her.
As we first reported, if Lindsay is locked up at Lynwood -- Paris' ol' stomping ground -- she'll be placed in a cell by herself ... and she doesn't think she can take it.
Filed under: Lindsay Lohan, Celebrity Justice
7/12/2010 1:26 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned Derek Fisher has officially decided to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers -- and the person who had the biggest impact on his decision was his friend and teammate Kobe Bryant.
Fisher tells TMZ, "I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles."
He adds, "While this may not be the most lucrative contract I've been offered this off season, it is the most valuable."
As we first reported, Fisher was being courted by LeBron James' new squad -- the Miami Heat -- but ultimately decided to stay in L.A.
"At the end of the day, there's one person I could not turn away from," Fisher tells us. "Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids, and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts."
Filed under: TMZ Sports, Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant
7/12/2010 11:25 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Oksana Grigorieva claims she told her dentist Mel Gibson knocked her teeth out the day after the alleged incident ... sources tell TMZ ... but there's a problem.
TMZ broke the story, Oksana claimed Mel knocked one tooth out and chipped another during an explosive argument on January 6. We're told Mel denies doing it.
The tape that Oksana secretly recorded with Mel during the showdown catches Mel saying, "You f**king deserved it."
Here's what's interesting about the dentist ... We're told the dentist never reported the incident to police. Under California law (Penal Code Section 11160), a health practitioner must report to police when the professional "reasonably suspects ... assaultive or abusive conduct" against a "spouse or cohabitant."
Sources tell us Mel and Oksana were indeed cohabitants on January 6.
The dentist could be a critical witness if Gibson is prosecuted for domestic violence. The failure to report could become a big issue.
Filed under: Oksana Grigorieva, Mel Gibson, Celebrity Justice
7/12/2010 1:14 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned ... the Oksana Grigorieva/Mel Gibson audio tapes are supposed to be voluntarily turned over to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department this week ... evidence in the domestic violence investigation.
Sheriff's spokesperson Steve Whitmore tells TMZ, "We are supposed to be getting the tapes this week." Whitmore says the tapes are supposed to be turned over voluntarily, adding there have been no subpoenas issued for the tapes by his department. And the D.A.'s office has not issued a subpoena.
TMZ broke the story ... the Sheriff's Department is investigating Gibson for 3 alleged crimes -- domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon and child endangerment.
Filed under: Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva, Celebrity Justice
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7/12/2010 1:52 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
We took your questions on everything -- including Elin's settlement from Tiger Woods, LiLo and Sam Ronson hanging out again, and why Oksana's
dentist could be a key witness if Mel Gibson is
prosecuted for domestic violence.
Plus: In Part 4 of today's TMZ Live, Eli "The Bear Jew" Roth stops by and gives his thoughts on today's stories -- including some scathing remarks for Mel Gibson ... which is in Part 4.
Filed under: Tiger Woods, Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Oksana Grigorieva, TMZ Live, TMZ Sports, Movies, Sam Ronson, Samantha Ronson, Eli Roth
7/12/2010 1:00 PM PDT by TMZ Staff
Several of Gary Coleman's closest friends -- including "Diff'rent Strokes" co-star Todd Bridges -- have just gathered for a memorial honoring the late actor at Il Cielo in Beverly Hills.
As we first reported, two of Gary's closest friends were organizing the memorial a few months ago -- but weren't planning on inviting Gary's ex-wife Shannon Price ... for obvious reasons.
We're told around 30 people are expected to show up to the restaurant today -- where they'll be served a bunch of Gary's favorite foods, including mini burger sliders with Kobe beef.
We're also told Gary's friends were planning on honoring his legacy by "telling fun stories" about him.
Filed under: Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges
7/12/2010 11:00 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
We've narrowed it down to our five favorite sun-baked photos in our "Titillating Tan Lines" Contest -- and now it's up to you to choose the winner!
Which of these tan lines photos should score the $250 prize and some super-secret uber-exclusive gifts from TMZ?
**CLICK HERE for contest rules and regulations!**
Filed under: Contest, Photo Galleries
7/12/2010 10:45 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Jesse James' ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder, threatened to kill him ... this according to what Jesse's lawyer just told the judge in their custody war.
Jesse has been testifying on the stand this morning, but hasn't mentioned the allegation ... so far.
As we previously reported, Jesse bought a house in Austin and wants to take Sunny there so she can be closer to Sandra Bullock ... who developed a close relationship with Sunny before her divorce from Jesse.
But Janine filed documents trying to stop the move -- saying the Sandra excuse is BS because if she really cared about Jesse's kids ... she would have stayed in California.
Story developing...
Filed under: Jesse James, Janine Lindemulder, Dirty Divorces, Celebrity Justice
7/12/2010 10:42 AM PDT by Johnny Lopez
Before Ringo Starr joined the Fab Four in 1962, Pete Best was the original drummer in the Beatles. Guess what he looks like now!
Filed under: Pete Best, Memba Them, Beauty, Music
7/12/2010 10:30 AM PDT by Johnny Lopez
It's an ass competition for the ages -- the curvacious Coco versus the badonkalicious Kim Kardashian. Four cheeks have entered ... but only two will emerge victorious!!!
Both ladies flaunted their famously plump backsides at the AMP Energy Bullrun Rally in New York City this weekend.
Question is ...
Filed under: Coco, Kim Kardashian, Beauty, Hot Bodies, Who'd You Rather?
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