Smith judge bans 'lesbian' talk

The judge overseeing a court case involving Anna Nicole Smith's former lover has banned questioning about the late star's alleged affair with her female doctor.

Howard K. Stern - along with Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr Khristine Eroshevich - is facing charges of conspiracy to provide Smith with prescription drugs.

All three have pleaded not guilty, and a Los Angeles court is holding a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to take the case to trial.

Prosecutors allege the late model struck up a sexual relationship with Eroshevich, and that the affair motivated the doctor to grant Smith's demands for more medication.

But Superior Court Judge Robert Perry objected to the allegation, which was raised during the questioning of Smith's bodyguard, Maurice Brighthaupt, telling prosecutors, "I'm not buying this. What's the relevance?"

He went on to ban questioning on the subject, admitting he wanted to avoid turning the trial into "a circus sideshow".

News of the alleged affair surfaced last month (Sep09) when court papers revealed the existence of photos depicting the two women naked together in a bathtub in "various intimate embraces".

Smith died in 2007 following an accidental overdose at a Florida hotel.