Posted on 10/16/2003 10:54:35 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Former Prosecutor of Jack Kevorkian Delivers Emergency Letters To Governor Jeb Bush in Terri Schiavo Euthanasia Case
ANN ARBOR, MI –Richard Thompson, responsible for the initial prosecutions of Jack Kevorkian, now Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, delivered two emergency letters to Florida Governor Jeb Bush Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, outlining the constitutional authority of the Governor to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo, including a factual basis for initiating a criminal investigation. The letters were prepared hours after a feeding tube was removed from Schiavo, depriving her of food and water, leaving her to starve to death unless immediate action is taken.
Recognizing the emotional and political issues involved, the two letters explain that the Florida Governor has authority under the Florida Constitution to intervene, and urged him to initiate a criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement based on a growing list of facts which suggest criminal wrongdoing and a conflict of interest on the part of Terri Shiavo’s husband and guardian Michael Shiavo.
Joining Thompson in the letters were former federal prosecutors Edward White III and Robert Muise. White served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, and Muise served as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Both now work under Thompson at the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, MI. Based on the extensive law enforcement experience of the attorneys involved, the letters set forth facts and steps upon which a formal criminal investigation should be initiated.
The letters assert that the facts of the case clearly establish probable cause to initiate a formal criminal investigation, and call on the Governor to direct the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct a full investigation of the facts and circumstances of the case, including securing search warrants, interviewing witnesses and medical experts, and to take measures to prevent future harm to Ms. Schiavo pending the outcome of the investigation.
Thompson noted in the supplemental letter that he was responsible for the initial prosecutions of Jack Kevorkian, and that in at least one case of physician-assisted suicide, the wife was a victim of domestic violence, and her death was used as a cover-up for the husband’s wrongdoing.
In a statement Thursday morning, Thompson urged the Florida Governor to review the letters, and take immediate steps to intervene in the case. “It seems prudent under the circumstances that the presumption for life should prevail and a formal “time-out” should take place, allowing for a formal criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and allow Terri’s parents to administer the necessary rehabilitation services to determine if Ms. Schiavo is able to ingest food on her own.”
You're right. So, they should just shoot her instead of starving her.
Call now. This man is pretty harsh...but insist he pass your conviction on, PLEASE CALL-EVERYONE. PLEASE.
Nick-I called the govenor's office at 850-488-7176 and spoke with a gracious woman who took my comments. I referred to the letter from the Thomas Moore center and let my heart out. She will relay the comments.
Then I called Attorney general Crist's office and again spoke with a very nice human being who will confer my message, my plea and conviction.
Then I called McCabe's office...the state attorney and got a convuluted, sent around the bean pole list of numbers to call-first to Tampa to a district court-then back to Clearwater to a probate person who ACTUALLY HAD THE NUMBER PLACED for comments on Terri---you cannot TALK to McCabe's office, at least that was my experience.
But I called the number, for the COURT REPRESENTATIVE of Greer's court who is taking comments.
His name is Ron Stuart, and he is a tough case to talk to....he is very defensive of Judge Greer, said the Judge was following the law, was ORDERED by a STATE APPEALS COURT to rule as he did, said the federal appeals court REFUSED to hear the matter, that is was a state issue only.
Ron is a older man, well versed in the law, and very unwilling to hear about the spirit of the law or about the fact that Terri's monster of a hsb DID NOT follow up on his intent to become a nurse, to even ATTEMPT to rehabilitate or test Terri's chances of improving with therapy.
This man kept saying this has gone on for TEN YEARS and Terri's parents lost. The end.
I reminded him that Terri's wishes WERE NOT in writing....he said that does not matter.
So we got again into the spirit of the law....and in the end, I simply said please convey my opinion to Judge Greer-that the Judge needs to reach down deep, and do the right thing. A woman is dying who is loved, wanted and has never really had the chance to determine if she is cabable of improving. That that is horrendous, and anti everything this nation stands for...imho. Teri has NOT had a real chance. (Because her executioner-her hsb. DOES NOT LOVE HER!)
Ron Stuart's number, again, is 1-727-453-7176
I hope someone far smarter than me, but who holds my passion for Terri, calls this man right away. He is there to do nothing but defend Judge Greer.
Hold on Terri I think help is on the way.
Jeb Bush had better put his carrer on the line here, or he has none. This is about good vrs. evil and what we will tolerate in this society. Jeb had better know the freepers will not rest, even with him, if Terri dies like this.
Just convuluted and outrageous!
Your post, #66 is INCREDIBLE. Sean needs to be sent that link!!!!
Judge Greer is a monster.
This is a test that Govenor Bush needs to step up to-and RIGHT NOW!
Ohhh I pray he steps in right away, has the feeding tube reinserted and then starts the investigations!!
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