Toxicologist: Smith was ill before death

LOS ANGELES (AP) - October 14, 2009

Harold Schueler, the coroner's chief toxicologist in Broward County, Fla., testified Wednesday that Smith was suffering from a bacterial infection before she died.

He says that could have affected her sensitivity to drugs she received for pain, anxiety and sleeplessness. The testimony came during questioning by a lawyer for Smith's former attorney-boyfriend, Howard K. Stern.

A preliminary hearing is under way to determine if Stern and two doctors should stand trial on charges of conspiring to illegally provide Smith with controlled substances before her death.

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