Judge Greer's ruling against the Schindlers on the matter of feeding by mouth seemed the most indicative of his frame of mind. By precluding attempts, as a “last ditch” measure, to feed her by mouth, the judge showed that his object was not merely to stop what he might (erroneously) argue is an “extraordinary” means of support, but to make certain that Terri died. One might make an analogy to someone on a respirator: frequently respirators are removed from patients, but sometimes they continue to breathe on their own without support. It is as though a judge were to order not only that a respirator be removed, but that the patient's mouth and nose be sealed with duct tape, just to make sure he couldn't get any air by any means.
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=37860
A woman was murdered. The fact that the Judge refused to allow Terri to be fed even by mouth, and there was no diligent attempt at proper diagnosis or rehab, proves this was only about outside parties trying to kill a patient, not about the patient's "rights" or dignity.
Because the precedent may affect every person, not only the immediate patient. As it went, we now know it is more acceptable to kill people without their consent, or based on flimsy hearsay. HOWEVER, Judge Greer did not accept testimony that would save Terri's life.
Fellow Americans: Watch your back.