Is Jeb About to Intervene!?!

AP via Miami Herald ^ | Posted on Wed, Oct. 15, 2003 | MITCH STACY

[oneday]

Posted on Wed, Oct. 15, 2003

Removal of brain-damaged woman's feeding tube to proceed MITCH STACY Associated Press

DOVER, Fla. - Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday he has ordered his legal team to try to find a way to intervene in the case of severely disabled woman who is scheduled to have the feeding tube keeping her alive removed.

Bush's comments came after a 20-minute meeting with the family of Terri Schiavo, who faces a 2 p.m. Wednesday deadline in the removal of the tube. Her husband, Michael Schiavo, has been granted permission to remove the tube in a six-year legal battle against her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler.

Bush said his attorneys are looking for legal alternatives to somehow block the removal of the tube, but did not know yet what they might be.

"We are going to seek whatever legal alternatives are available and seek the best minds to find another avenue to submit to the courts to see if there can be a change in this ruling," Bush said at an appearance in Dover dedicating new housing for migrant workers.

"I am not a doctor, I am not a lawyer, But I know that if a person can be able to sustain life without life support, that should be tried," the governor said, adding the "ultimate decision of this is in the courts."

Bob Schindler Jr., Terri Schiavo's brother, said the family was heartened by the governor's last-minute effort. The Schindlers have pleaded with Bush - who in previous legal findings have supported their efforts to obtain therapy for their daughter - to intervene.

"The family has not given up hope on Terri," Bob Schindler Jr. said following the meeting with Bush. "We have spoken to the governor, and he hasn't given up hope either."

Terri Schiavo, 39, is expected to die within two weeks after the tube's removal. She's been in a vegetative state since suffering a heart attack in 1990. Her parents believe she is capable of learning how to eat and drink on her own.

A state appeals court in Lakeland rejected motions by an attorney for the Schindlers and their legal remedies have been exhausted, their lawyer said Tuesday.

Michael Schiavo says he is carrying out his wife's wishes that she not be kept alive artificially. The parents say their daughter has shown signs of trying to communicate and could be rehabilitated.

"In our eyes, it's murder," Bob Schindler said Wednesday on CBS' "Early Show."

George Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo, said that the Schindlers were "still in denial" over Terri Schiavo's wishes not to be kept alive.

Doctors have testified that the noises and facial expressions Terri Schiavo makes are reflexes and do not indicate that she has enough mental capabilities to communicate with others.

[itsahoot]

Gov. Bush cannot overturn the court ruling that allows this. It certainly is ironic that a governor can stop an execution of a convicted killer but cannot stop the court system from killing someone!

Well if he was a real man, he would taker what ever action is necessary to save this poor souls life, if he is to go to jail so be it. He can resign and let his replacement issue a pardon. That would be a real hero, but I wouldn't hold my breath on this one. He has known this was coming for years.

[oreolady]

keep it bumped, lets go, freepers-ACTION, lets hit em hard constantly, the media I mean, today and tomorrow!

[dixiegrrl]

I wonder what the rule on hearsay evidence is in Florida? I always thought that you couldn't use hearsay evidence in a court case.

[iowamomforfreedom]

"I think most of us assume that life-support means a ventilator. How many of us ever thought it could mean a feeding tube? IF Terri ever said this, I doubt she meant food and water."

Actually, at the time of Terri's incapacitation, Florida law did not recognize a feeding tube as life support. Schiavo's lawyer Felos was instrumental in getting the law changed in 1999 to include it in the law as life-support. Interesting, huh?

[itsahoot]

I realize he is busy at the moment, but I think it makes sense to save time by sending Terri's Get well card in care of her guardian

I think that would be her husband.

[Geezerette]

Bump for Terri!

g

[Theodore R.]

The FL Supreme Court was virtually all appointed by the late Governor Lawton Chiles as was the pro-death George W. Greer in Pinellas Co.

[Theodore R.]

It's a civil case, and the rules on "hearsay" are lax in civil court, particular a "court" of George W. Greer.

[iowamomforfreedom]

"Question...if a post-death medical exam (autopsy?) demonstrated her neck injuries were a result of abuse by her husband, could he be charged with murder?"

That is a good question. Of course, you would have to act quick, since MS has already requested that funds be released from the trust fund for Terri's CREAMATION....

[Theodore R.]

If this were a gay man about to be killed by his "partner" to collect insurance, and Bill Clinton were president, he would send in a commando team to rescue the gay man and take him to a place of safe passage.

[Theodore R.]

There will be no autopsy -- immediate cremation. Already approved by George W. Greer.

[tutstar]

it's hearsay which is not usually admitted in court, right?

[itsahoot]

If this were a gay man about to be killed by his "partner" to collect insurance

Yep. Welcome to the brave new world.

[Pegita]

ALL of Free Republic is waiting to find out if you've heard anything further on halting the removal of the feeding tube ... thanks ...

[CounterCounterCulture]

There will be no autopsy -- immediate cremation.

Destroy all evidence. BAH!

[diamond6]

I'm going to be sick!

[spectre]

Perfect. No grave for her parents to visit?

It just keeps getting worse.

sw

[mitchbert]

Waiting for 3pm news via the web. I'll be on it as soon as I hear.

Thanks.

[lonevoice]

Isn't it a smack in the face that today, the last day, now the cable shows are all there, live with their reporters! Disgusting!

Disgusting is a good word for them. They're too lazy to do anything proactive, like chasing leads and developing a story. But, they have no conscience. It's so easy for them to be there now. They're all excited to shove a microphone in the faces of the weeping parents and shoot some close-ups where they ask, "How do you feel knowing that your daughter is dehydrating to death??"

[diamond6]

This is driving me nuts, I wonder why there is no news being reported!