But after a two month trial, a Los Angeles jury acquitted a second doctor on all charges in what was seen by the defense as a victory for physicians who treat patients with chronic pain.

Smith's companion and lawyer Howard K. Stern was convicted on two counts of conspiracy for using false names to obtain prescription drugs for his lover, but was acquitted on seven more serious charges. Smith's psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich was convicted on four counts.

A Jan. 6 date was set for sentencing, and a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney said the pair could get anything from probation to three years in prison. The three were not charged in the 2007 death of Smith, known as a model, TV star and for marrying an 89-year-old oil billionaire, 63 years older than her, in the 1990s.

She died at age 39 from an accidental prescription drug overdose.