Anna Nicole Smith Judge Retires, Plans to Pursue Spotlight

Remember this guy? The judge who wept as he announced his ruling in the Anna Nicole Smith body custody case? Who also popped up in the news last week when his trash came under scrutiny?

This afternoon CNN reports that Judge Larry Seidlin will retire. In a letter written June 13, but made public today, Seidlin writes:

"…it is now time for me to devote more of my daily life to my own young family and to pursue the many opportunities that have been offered to me outside the judicial system, and I have disregarded until now. While those opportunities are varied, they all share in common a further commitment to helping my fellow citizens through roles in the educational system, the media and non-profit organizations.

Seidlin pursuing work in television, as some are speculating, supports accusations made at the time that he intentionally stirred the pot, cried on camera, and increased the wacko atmosphere in one of the circusiest legal proceedings in recent history.

And yes, "circusiest" is a word. A word we just made up.