Inquest on Anna Nicole Smith's son death halted

The inquest to find out more about how Anna Nicole Smith's son Daniel died in September kicked off yesterday and stalled shortly thereafter. 

Shortly after the hearing convened, spectators and reporters were told to leave the courtroom.  The reason is a bit sketchy, Anna Nicole's companion Howard K. Stern wants to challenge the use of a jury to oversee the inquest.

Wayne Munroe, a lawyer for the estate of the former Playboy Playmate (currently overseen by Stern), asked the judge to consider a motion that "relates to the impaneling of a jury to act on this inquiry."

Once outside, the lawyers refused to comment saying Bahamian legal rules prohibited them from discussing a closed session.

Later the director of public prosecutions told the media that the court will take at least a day to consider Stern's request likely to reconvene on Thursday.

Daniel Smith died of a lethal mix of lexapro and methadone while visiting Anna Nicole and his newborn sister Dannielynn in a Bahamas hospital last September.