Judge Greer did NOT forbid oral hydration.
A motion was presented to him to allow an experimental procedure regarding oral hydration. That motion was denied because of that.
Now, how is this Judge Greer's fault? He didn't write the motion -- he simply ruled on it.
You know that Terri was unable to swallow. Yet you insist that those involved at least "go through the motions" so you can sleep better telling yourself "they tried".
All well and good to ask for this, just as those who asked that flowers be placed in her room. But when it's not done, to then call the judge a murderer, well, that's over the top.
The Order says explicitly that the hearing on March 7th concerned an "Emergency Expedited Motion for Permission to Provide Theresa Schiavo with Food and Water by Natural Means after the assisted nutrition and hydration are discontinued..."
Greer drew a conclusion. He could have concluded that the title of the Petition was the meaning of the petition. He did not.
As I said, I've worked with hospice in my practice. There is a difference between allowing the patient to die without further medical interference and between hastening and causing the death of the patient.
It is often a fine line.
It was not in this case.
Greer caused the death: first by discontinuing artificial means of feeding the patient who was in no distress, second, by ordering Terri to be taken to the hospital for the medical procedure to remove the tube, and most directly by forbidding hydration and nutrition by "Natural Means."
I have never heard of the second intervention - I would simply stop using the tube if it became distressful for the patient, possibly remove it at the bedside if the tract or surrounding tissue became infected or macerated - and would never contemplate or allow the third.
I know that Terri did not choke on her own saliva or nasal/sinus secretions. She did not require suctioning. She did not have repeated episodes of aspiration pneumonia secondary to her salivary and sinus secretions. I know that she could swallow small amounts of thin liquids.
Someone ordered and gave Terri morphine -- !! by IV !! And Greer allowed this medical intervention, which was superfluous if Terri was in a vegetative state.
You have been misled:
This was euthanasia - the intentional killing of a patient by another agent, rather than by the patient's disease.
It was unethical, as are all acts of euthanasia.
Unethical deliberate killing is "murder."
Greer murdered Terri Schiavo.
And I believe that he should be prosecuted for that crime. I hope that there is a brave DA who will charge him.