Posted on 10/17/2003 3:47:56 PM PDT by ex-Texan
They Are Going to Murder Terri Shiavo --Starve Her Until She is Dead
Terri Shindler-Shiavo Foundation
(Excerpt) Read more at terrisfight.org ...
Michael Schiavo Is Being Charged With Perjured Testimony and Fraud On the Court
In the past year, attention has been focused on a dispute regarding Terri’s neurological condition. In October 2001, The Appellate Court demonstrated their concern by ordering a process in which a battery of doctors will make a determination whether or not Terri is in the condition that she was characterized in her feeding removal trial. That procedure is underway and will reach a conclusion in October 2002 in Judge Greer's courtroom.
Receiving little attention is an April 2001 lawsuit in which Michael Schiavo has been charged with numerous counts of wrongful acts. At the time the suit was filed, Terri had been without food and nutrition for 48 hours. Although minimized by Judge Greer, the charges in the lawsuit compelled Civil Court Judge Quesada to conduct an emergency hearing on April 26, 2001. In that hearing, Judge Quesada recognized the inconsistency of Michael Schiavo’s original 2000 trial testimony and ordered Terri’s feeding restored.
The civil suit presented to Judge Quesada has since been amended and a portion pertaining to probate matters has been reassigned to Judge Greer’s court. However, the major segment of the lawsuit is presently under consideration in Judge Schaefer’s Civil Court.
The fruition of the suit has the potential of Michael Schiavo facing a civil court jury in a reenactment of Terri’s original trial that took place in Judge Greer’s probate courtroom in January 2000. Michael Schiavo will be on trial defending numerous charges amongst which include a charge that he gave perjured testimony at the January 2000 feeding removal trial and charges of fraud on the court for the specific purpose of killing Terri so he can inherit her money as her surviving spouse.
The ramifications of a civil court jury trial could have serious implications on many of the "player’s" associated with Terri’s January 2000 feeding removal trial. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Schiavo’s attorneys have been working feverously for the past year to have the civil suit dismissed. There was a court hearing on this matter as recently as April 5, 2002 and we anticipate additional hearings will be conducted in the oncoming months.
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Civil Lawsuit
Subsequent to the April 2001 filing, an amended Civil Lawsuit was filed on May 7, 2001, charging Michael Schiavo with the following counts and allegations:
- INTENTIONAL CONSPIRACY
- BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY
- INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
ALLEGATIONS COMMON TO ALL COUNTS
(The Following is a Partial Listing of the 50+ alleged charges in the Lawsuit)
1. In February 1990, Terri suffered a cardiac arrest that resulted in hypoxic brain damage.
2. In November 1992, in the trial of a medical malpractice action brought on Terri's behalf and styled Barnett Bank Trust Company v. C. Stephen Igel MD, Pinellas County Circuit Case No. 92-939-15, Defendant Schiavo testified that he intended to care for his wife as long as she lived, that he intended to adhere to his wedding vows, that he felt "wonderful" about being married to Terri, and that he intended to learn more about nursing so he could care for his wife for the rest of his life.
3. At the time of this testimony and ever since the time of this testimony, Defendant was and has been and is romantically involved with a series of women not his wife, including a woman with whom he presently resides and to whom he refers as his "fiancée."
4. The malpractice jury awarded the Defendant $640,000 in damages for the loss of consortium of his wife Terri and awarded a net of $l.2 million in damages to Terri’s guardian of the property.
5. Some eight months later, in July 1993, and despite his professed devotion to his wife, Defendant Schiavo ordered Terri’s caregivers to withhold antibiotic therapy for treatment of an infection she had developed and, in addition, gave her caregivers a "do not resuscitate" order. These orders became the subject of litigation in the guardianship case, and Defendant Schiavo admitted under oath during his deposition on November 19, 1993, that he had given the aforesaid orders.
6. As a result of the litigation described in the preceding paragraph, Defendant Schiavo withdrew his life-threatening orders to Terri’s caregivers, and, instead, set forth on a course of medical and physical neglect of Terri that Defendant Schiavo knew and intended would result in Terri’s mental and physical deterioration, which deterioration has occurred.
7. For approximately the last half of 1992, Defendant Schiavo was dating a woman whom he told on more than one occasion that he had never discussed with his wife her end-of-life wishes and to whom he said that Terri had "ruined his life."
8. According to a report filed in the guardianship proceeding some $718,000 remained in Terri’s trust account as of July 1998.
9. In 1998, after Terri had suffered significant deterioration at Defendant Schiavo’s hands, Defendant filed his Petition for Authorization to Discontinue Artificial Life Support for Terri which Petition eventually resulted in a bench trial before Hon. George W. Greer and an Order granting the Petition in February, 2000, which Order became final when the Second District Court of Appeal issued its mandate on April 24, 2001.
10. During the aforesaid bench trial, and despite his statements to his former girlfriend mentioned in Paragraph above, Defendant Schiavo gave perjured testimony that he and Terri, in fact, had discussed her wish to die in the event of her incapacity, which testimony Judge Greer specifically found to be credible in permitting life support to be withdrawn and further testified that he was a devoted and attentive guardian.
11. After all appellate remedies had been exhausted and Terri had received her final feeding, Defendant Schiavo called a local radio talk show on the morning of April 24, 2001 and made certain statements about himself and Terri’s condition and wishes. These remarks moved his former girlfriend to call another radio station and recount the conversations she and Defendant Schiavo had had in 1992, which are described in Paragraph 10 above,
12. Only then did Plaintiffs learn of those conversations and the former girlfriend’s identity.
13. Only after an interview with the former girlfriend did Plaintiffs learn that she feared Defendant Schiavo because of his harassing and irrational conduct in stalking her in the mid-1990s that she was too frightened to come forward earlier and participate as a trial witness before Judge Greer.
14. Throughout the period in which Defendant Schiavo has acted as Terri’s guardian of the person, he has denied Plaintiffs access to the most basic information concerning her medical condition despite a court order to the contrary, has instructed her caregivers to withhold information concerning their daughter’s medical condition from the Plaintiffs, has allowed only those of whom he approves to visit Terri, including a local radio disc jockey, while disallowing visiting privileges to those of whom he disapproves, including a priest and Terri’s brother and sister, has failed and refused to provide adequate medical and rehabilitative care to Terri with the end result that Terri has suffered avoidable physical and mental deterioration, which deterioration he now claims as a justification to kill her.
15. Only after this Court enjoined the resumption of Terri’s feeding did the Plaintiffs learn from a Board-certified neurologist that Terri’s deterioration could have been avoided.
16. Defendant has engaged in an intentional, knowing, mean-spirited, outrageous, deceptive, and intolerable course of conduct that amounts to perjury, fraud on the court, and malicious indifference to the Plaintiffs for the specific purpose of killing Terri so he can inherit her remaining money as her surviving spouse.
17. Defendant Schiavo has conspired with others, including but not limited to caregivers and attorneys, unknown to the Plaintiffs but whose identities are well known to him, in carryout his schemes as outlined in the foregoing paragraphs, in that he agreed with such parties to engage in a course of conduct designed to deprive Terri of necessary medical and rehabilitative therapy which he had an affirmative duty as her guardian to provide.
18. The Defendant further agreed to callously take advantage of the diminished state of Terri’s health occasioned by the conduct of himself and the other conspirators to convince the Court to disconnect Terri’s feeding tube and end her life in order to collect the balance of her funds by inheritance.
19. The Defendant made an overt act in furtherance of said conspiracy in that he did in fact deprive her of necessary medical and rehabilitative care, which had the effect not only of preventing such normal recovery as she may otherwise have enjoyed, but in fact caused her condition to substantially and unnecessarily worsen.
____________________________________________
the terri schindler-schiavo foundation
4615 gulf blvd # 104-103, saint petersburg beach, fl 33706
tax id number 23-3031168
Michael Schiavo Goes To Great Lengths Hiding Terri From Public View
In October 2001, the 2nd District Court of Appeals (2nd DCA) issued a ruling which will allow Terri to be examined by a team of doctors. We were delighted, because for the first time we will have doctors of our choosing examine Terri and order any necessary tests. A new hearing in October 2002 will follow, at which we will be able to present our evidence that Terri is not in a vegetative state, as her husband claims.
However, on February 8, 2002, Terri's husband, Michael Schiavo appealed the 2nd DCA’s October 2001 ruling with the Florida Supreme Court. On March 14th, 2002 the Court denied Michael Schiavo’s appeal.
We view the Florida Supreme Court appeal as the latest in a series of maneuvers to keep Terri isolated from doctors and the public. Since the initial, January 2000 nutrition removal trial, we believe Michael Schiavo and his attorney have worked diligently, using all kinds of subterfuge, to hide the truth about Terri's neurological condition. Keep in mind, Terri's life was put on trial in response to her husband's petition that she was in a "persistent vegetative state" (PVS) and therefore he asked the court to withdraw Terri’s feeding tube which supplies her nutrition and water. Should the court find that Terri was not in a PVS, as Schiavo and his attorney depicted, they would be exposed for misrepresenting Terri’s neurological condition at the initial trial.
The January 2000 trial was a horrible, one-sided trial, in which Judge Greer ruled that Terri’s feeding be terminated, ordering her to die of starvation and dehydration. The media labeled Terri’s court proceeding as a "Right to Die" action. The trial was a textbook example of this philosophy in action. In Terri's case, the court focused on testimony rendered by a neurologist, hired by Schiavo exclusively to testify at the trial. The doctor, who was not Terri’s treating physician, visited her briefly, ignored the accepted diagnosis protocol; yet, declared Terri was in a PVS.
He depicted Terri as so severely brain damaged that she was no longer a human being, existing only as a pathetic vegetable. Terri's "quality of life" was characterized as undesirable and that she was unworthy of living. Her future was predicted as grotesque, one in which she will exist in squalor without any possible hope for recovery. He went so far as to state categorically there was "very little inside this skull other than spinal fluid" (despite contradicting CT scans). As a result, on February 11, 2000, Judge Greer issued his death verdict to have Terri’s feeding halted, no doubt predicated on the neurologists damning testimony.
THE COVER UP
The first contradiction of Terri’s PVS condition came when a video was played at the January 2000 trial. Captured on tape was Terri, unmistakably, reacting to her mother at the Palm Gardens Nursing home. The amateur video, taken during the week of the trial, clearly showed that Terri was cognizant. Her actions in the video disagreed with the testimony of Schiavo’s neurologist that Terri was near brain dead. It visually corroborated testimony presented at the trial that Terri was responsive to family members and aware of her surroundings. Judge Greer reviewed the tape, but was not convinced and believed that Terri’s responses were nothing more than reflex rather than voluntary.
Even though the videotape did not impress Judge Greer, it would eventually play a major role in saving Terri’s life.
The second event happened two days after Judge Greer ruled to have Terri’s nutrition and hydration ceased. Three independent doctors visited and observed Terri in the Palm Gardens Nursing home. Subsequent to their visit, the doctors filed affidavits with Judge Greer stating that Terri was not in a PVS. The doctors also recognized Terri had the ability to swallow and recommended tests to determine her full capabilities of eating table food. The doctors believed if Terri had the ability to swallow food, it would eliminate the need for her abdominal feeding, thereby neutralizing Judge Greer’s verdict.
In an ensuing court hearing, the neurologist hired by Schiavo at the initial trial, vehemently discredited the doctor’s swallowing opinions. Even though it was revealed that Terri had not a swallowing test in seven years, Judge Greer minimized the three doctor’s findings and ruled against conducting any tests to determine if Terri could consume table food.
In the time frame when the video of Terri was taken and when the three doctors visited Terri, there were not any restrictions regarding Terri’s visitation. That would soon change because her existing visitation policy presented an ongoing threat to reveal the truth.
The preceding two events presented a serious risk to Schiavo and his attorney. Anyone who visited Terri would recognize her neurological condition and would see that her condition was misstated to Judge Greer. That possibility, coupled with additional unwanted doctor evaluations that Terri could swallow, had the potential to cause an outcry of adverse public opinion protesting Judge Greer’s decision. The reality that Greer’s death verdict was in jeopardy of being overturned, we believe, resulted in a scheme to prevent any future revelations regarding Terri’s neurological condition. The plan was twofold.
In our opinion, to prevent a reoccurrence of anyone visiting Terri and exposing the deceit in the original trial testimony, a ruse was fabricated about nursing home improprieties. An emergency hearing in March 2000 was requested in front of Judge Greer under the pretense that "Terri’s privacy was violated." In addition, it was alleged Terri’s family instigated nursing home protest rallies that created a nursing home safety threat. Also, Michael Schiavo claimed his life was being threatened.
Judge Greer sided with that story, not only restricting visitation to family members but also permitting armed guards to be placed outside Terri’s room. The public was banned from the nursing home property and Michael Schiavo was assigned a personal bodyguard for protection. Incidentally, the cost for these measures was paid for from Terri’s medical fund.
To further veil Terri from the public, she was clandestinely moved from the Palm Gardens skilled nursing home to a Hospice facility. Despite strong family objections that Hospice was not equipped to offer Terri progressive medical care, Judge Greer endorsed the move. He also agreed to impose severe visitation restrictions, allowing Schiavo to pre-approve a limited visitor list and to deny disclosure of Terri’s medical condition to her family. Judge Greer also banned doctors, photographs or any videotaping of any kind to be taken of Terri.
LOOKING BACK...
Since the inception of the January 2000 trial, we believe a propaganda campaign was orchestrated in which the media was deceived into conveying a variety of messages. To diffuse Michael Schiavo’s obvious inheritance motivation, a bogus contribution ploy was publicized claiming Schiavo would donate his inheritance to charity. Even after the donation proposal was exposed, it was continually repeated to show Schiavo’s financial disinterest.
Aim was taken at Terri’s family and anyone who supported her right to live. In a series of local and national media interviews, Terri’s family was discredited and portrayed as right wing fanatics. They were publicly vilified as having intentions to inherit Terri’s medical fund by gaining legal control of her fate and then pursue the courts to end her life in order to become heirs to the money in her medical fund.
An illusion was created by Terri’s husband and attorney with the media that she was being kept alive by artificial life support. This was done so the public would perceive that a mechanical respirator was sustaining Terri. The reason to move Terri to the Hospice facility was multi faceted. One by-product was to create the notion, to the public, that she was going to die. Indecently, Schiavo’s attorney was at one time a Hospice board member.
THE TRUTH PREVAILS
April 24, 2001, Terri’s feeding was terminated – the media bashing continued. Ironically, Michael Schiavo’s venomous rhetoric against Terri’s family irritated a listener who provided the Schindler’s attorney, Patricia Anderson, with evidence that Terri’s case was misrepresented to the court during the January 2000 trial.
Even though the conflicting evidence did not impress Judge Greer, it was valid enough for another judge. After hearing arguments, Judge Quesada issued an order to have Terri’s feeding restored. After being deprived of food and water for two days, God intervened and Terri’s life was saved at the eleventh-hour by Judge Quesada's order. The miraculous turn of events propelled Terri’s story into the national spotlight. The media attention focused on Terri and ironically, as a story lead in, the media repeatedly aired the amateur video of Terri taken in the Palm Gardens Nursing home.
As mentioned, the video of Terri did -not- impress Judge Greer, but it -did- impress a Nobel Prize nominee doctor of neurology. He saw something that prompted him to research Terri’s condition in much greater depth. He was convinced that Terri’s neurological status was -not- PVS. Six more doctors followed and filed court affidavits stating that Terri was -not- hopeless, confirming his conclusion. The seven affidavits emphatically state, with proper treatment, Terri may recover substantially. Now, ten doctors were on record, challenging Schiavo’s doctor diagnosis.
Shortly after the April 2001 order to restore Terri’s feeding, Schiavo filed an appeal with the 2nd DCA to have Terri’s feeding order overturned. Concurrent with Schiavo’s filing, the propaganda intensified. All who supported Terri were maligned. The doctors who gave their opinions were discredited along with their neurological opinions.
In June 2001, the 2nd DCA conducted hearings and ordered Judge Greer to review the new evidence. However, the doctor’s conflicting evidence did not impress Judge Greer. He re-issued an order to stop Terri’s feeding that August. In Greer’s order, he admitted he failed to read six of the seven doctor’s affidavits. Greer’s order was again appealed to the 2nd DCA. Once again, the 2nd DCA conducted hearings and in October 2001 issued an order calling for Terri to be examined by a team of neurologists.
In response to the 2nd DCA’s court verdict, Schiavo consistently told the media that he was not objecting to the court’s order calling for Terri’s neurological examination. Incredibly, the spin given to the media was that Michael Schiavo had nothing to hide and he was agreeable in allowing Terri to be examined. Schiavo’s acquiescence totally contradicted his actions.
In the six-month interim (April 2001 – October 2001) while waiting for the 2nd DCA’s verdict, six filings were made by his attorney requesting the immediate withdrawal of Terri’s feeding. If successful, Terri’s life would have been ended before the 2nd DCA could hear any of the doctor’s evidence that Terri could recover.
Shortly after the October 2001 court verdict calling for doctors to examine Terri and under the facade of an olive branch, Schiavo’s attorney proposed a mediated resolution to resolve the court issued mechanics of Terri’s neurological examinations. The transparent proposal didn’t fool anyone because Schiavo’s attorney required time to prepare the appeal of the 2nd DCA order with the Florida Supreme Court. We believe the gesture was a stall tactic, developed to extend the appeal filing time cap.
Predictably, the ill-conceived negations failed. Immediately, Schiavo’s attorney revealed his ethics by not only violating the negotiation confidentiality code of these meeting, but the content of what was discussed was distorted to conform to the spin that Michael Schiavo was more than willing to allow Terri to be examined.
The 20/20 vision that hindsight provides can be interpreted as revealing a two-year pattern of distortions, deceit and charades. The subversive efforts were expended simply to conceal the truth about Michael Schiavo’s motivation to inherit Terri’s medical fund and to hide the truth in which Terri’s neurological condition was presented to the court.
TERRI'S WILL TO LIVE
Throughout this two-year time period, Terri was used as a pawn, and in our opinion, has suffered the effects of a cold calculated scheme to end her life. Michael Schiavo, has complete control over Terri; she has been denied any basic neurological care, deprived of basic medical care, basic gynecology and basic dental hygiene. Michael Schiavo does not allow her to receive rehabilitation of any kind.
Terri is literally confined to a 10x12 room. She is not permitted to leave the Hospice facility property and her husband will not even repair her wheel chair. Essentially, Terri only hears and sees what her husband allows.
The legal turnaround in Terri’s legal case has dealt a serious blow to her husband’s plan to inherit Terri’s money. Schiavo based his crusade to end Terri’s life on the allege claim "he is carrying out her wishes." Ironically, the consequences of the cavalier statement has placed him in a "catch 22" position. If he stops his legal actions now and marries his fiancée, Jodi Centonze, it becomes rather obvious that his real motive to have Terri die was to inherit her money. If he continues, the legal costs will deplete his potential inheritance money.
Thus far, in his pursuit of Terri’s death, Michael Schiavo has paid his attorney close to $400,000. The fees were paid from the medical malpractice award money specifically intended to be used for Terri’s future neurological and medical treatment. Should Terri survive this legal battle, the money entrusted for her treatment will have been spent on Schiavo’s legal fees.
Conversely, we view the turnaround in Terri’s legal case as a bonanza for Schiavo’s attorney. His financial reward has been substantial. With a new October 2002 hearing expected and the doctor examinations planned in the interim, the attorney will likely compensate himself generously, while draining the balance remaining in Terri’s medical fund. Incidentally, Judge Greer has the responsibility to approve all attorneys’ fees.
Our perspective is the attorney should be thankful to Michael Schiavo for the media publicity he has generated. The free advertisement, in our opinion, enhanced his practice and labeled the firm as one that specializes in legal euthanasia under the banner of the right-to-die philosophy. It is also our opinion that the media exposure has earned him a reputation in a niche area of law, where not every attorney would be anxious to have his name associated.
____________________________________________
the terri schindler-schiavo foundation
4615 gulf blvd # 104-103, saint petersburg beach, fl 33706
tax id number 23-3031168
We recently posted a summary on Terri’s web site highlighting the money that has been withdrawn from Terri’s medical fund. Since then, we have been contacted by many of the web site visitors requesting we explain the malpractice award in more detail and to itemize the fund withdrawals. Essentially, visitors asked four questions:
1) How much was originally in the fund?
2) How did the money get into Terri’s medical fund?
3) Where did it go?
4) How much is remaining in Terri’s medical fund?
Question 1: How Much Was Originally Awarded To Terri’s Medical Fund?
Medical Malpractice Trial – Jury Award
November 10, 1992 – Jury Document, Item 5. What is the amount of Theresa Schiavo's future damages for medical expenses and lost earning ability to be sustained in future years?
| A.) Total damages over future years: | $9,400,000.00 |
|
B.) The number of years over which those future damages are intended to provide compensation: |
17 years |
| C.) What is the present value of those future damages: | $4,300,000.00 |
Note: The jury award amount was reduced to $1,290,000.00 to reflect Terri’s attributable negligence. Separate from these monies was Michael Schiavo’s personal award of $600,000.00.
Prior to this trial and in a completely independent medical malpractice lawsuit, Terri was awarded $250,000.00 in an out-of-court settlement. Also, prior to the two medical malpractice lawsuits, an estimated $50,000.00 was contributed to Terri’s medical fund via community fundraisers.
In Summary, Terri has received an aggregate sum of $1,590,000.00. Nonetheless, in June of 1993, the asset balance in Terri’s account was reduced to $761, 507.50, as reported by Michael Schiavo. Schiavo's attorney, however, has sealed the accounting, which would disclose how Terri's account was depleted by approximately $828,492.50, (52%) in only 1 year and 6 months.
Question 2: How Did the Money Get Into Terri’s Medical Fund?
Medical Malpractice Trial
November 1992 – A medical malpractice trial is petitioned by Terri's husband, Michael Schiavo. He asks the jury for 20 million dollars to pay for his wife’s (Terri) future medical and neurological requirements. This request was based on estimates of her life expectancy, which Michael Schiavo and his attorneys were estimating at 50 years.
Medical Malpractice Trial – Testimony of Michael Schiavo
November 1992 – In a highly emotional trial, Michael Schiavo implored the jury to award money for his wife’s future medical and neurological care. Actual excerpts from the malpractice trial transcript reveal Michael Schiavo’s sworn testimony as he responded to his attorney's question. (It is important to note that Terri’s alleged wishes stating, "she wouldn’t want to live this way," are never mentioned by her husband at the 1992 malpractice trial).
Q: Why did you want to learn to be a nurse?
Michael Schiavo: Because I enjoy it and I want to learn more how to take care of Terri.
Q: You're a young man. Your life is ahead of you. When you look up the road, what do you see for yourself?
Michael Schiavo: See myself hopefully finishing school and taking care of my wife.
Q: Where do you want to take care of your wife?
Michael Schiavo: I want to bring her home.
Q: If you had the resources available to you, if you had the equipment and the people, would you do that?
Michael Schiavo: Yes, I would, in a heartbeat.
Q: How do you feel about being married to Terri now?
Michael Schiavo: I feel wonderful. She's my life and I wouldn't trade her for the world. I believe in my wedding vows.
Q: You believe in your wedding vows, what do you mean by that?
Michael Schiavo: I believe in the vows I took with my wife, through sickness, in health, for richer or poor. I married my wife because I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'm going to do that.
Summer 1993 – Michael Schiavo dramatically demonstrates his interpretation of what his trial testimony "taking care of," really means. Less than a year after the medical malpractice jury award, Schiavo makes his first of two attempts to end his wife’s life. Bear in mind, Michael Schiavo is the inheritor of Terri's medical fund.
Michael Schiavo, under oath, in a November 1993 deposition, admits that he knew Terri would die when he instructed Terri’s caretakers not to medicate Terri with antibiotics for a potentially fatal infection. He also instructs Terri’s caretakers "not to resuscitate" should Terri require any life saving action.
Question 3: Where Did Terri’s Malpractice Award Money Go?
As mentioned, in November1993, Michael Schiavo’s guardianship was challenged for his actions when he instructed Terri’s caretakers not to medicate Terri with antibiotics for a potentially fatal infection. This legal charge culminated with a February 1994 Judge Pennock hearing in which Michael Schiavo was exonerated and his guardianship remained intact. The court permitted Michael Schiavo to withdraw money from Terri’s medical fund to reimburse his legal expenses.
May 1998, Michael Schiavo hires attorney George Felos to petition the court to have Terri’s feeding terminated. Subsequently, the court has permitted Michael Schiavo to withdraw money from Terri’s medical fund to reimburse his legal expenses in his efforts to have Terri die.
Note: In the ensuing (9) years since the 1992 jury malpractice award, Michael Schiavo has used Terri’s medical fund money in his pursuit of Terri’s death and to defend his guardianship role. The bulk of the money has gone for legal fees. Although Terri’s medical fund is sealed; there are court transactions available for public inspection.
Summary of legal expenses through September 2001
| Attorneys | Fee Amount | Fee Period |
| Attorney Gwyneth Stanley(1) Attorney Deborah Bushnell(1) Attorney Steve Nilson(1) Attorney Pacarek(2) Attorney Richard Pearse(2) Attorney George Felos(1) (1)Michael Schiavo's attorneys |
$10,668.05 $49,958.15 $7,404.95 $1,500.00 $4,511.95 $307,188.35 |
(6/93-3/97) (9/93-9/01) (10/93-7/94) (3/94) (6/98-12/98) (3/98-9/01) |
| Total | $381,231.45 | (As of Sept. 2001) |
| Other Expenditures | Amount | Dates |
| 1st Union/South Trust Bank | $55,459.85 | (10/94-4/01) |
| Michael Schiavo (Promissory Note) | $3,535.00 | (12/94) |
| Total | $58,994.85 | |
| Grand Total | $440,226.30 | (As of Sept. 2001) |
Question 4: How Much is Remaining in Terri’s Medical Fund?
The bleeding of money from Terri’s medical fund is far from over. The primary attorneys Michael Schiavo has used in his quest to end Terri’s life, Attorney Deborah Bushnell and Attorney George Felos, have not been compensated for their services since their last invoice – September 2001.
We estimate that Terri's account balance is now less than $300,000. We expect Attorney Deborah Bushnell and Attorney George Felos to invoice over $90,000 to bring their legal fees current. We believe that after legal fees are paid the balance in Terri’s fund, as of February 28, 2002, will be around $200,000.
Also, there is no telling the future amount Attorney George Felos will charge Terri, via Michael Schiavo, for his legal endeavors. On February 22, 2002, in response to the attorney’s February 7, 2002 appeal, the Florida Supreme Court issued a stay to the 2nd District Appellate Court’s order calling for Terri’s neurological examinations. The Florida Supreme Court is presently reviewing their posture regarding Terri’s case.
Should the Florida Supreme Court take jurisdiction, Attorney George Felos will then have the opportunity to totally deplete the entire assets in Terri’s medical fund.
Should the Florida Supreme Court take jurisdiction, Attorney George Felos will then have the opportunity to totally deplete the entire assets in Terri’s medical fund.
____________________________________________
the terri schindler-schiavo foundation
4615 gulf blvd # 104-103, saint petersburg beach, fl 33706
tax id number 23-3031168
|
Terri's Situation |
Terri was 26 years old when she suffered brain damage from a sudden collapse. Terri receives her food and water by me
ans of a feeding tube. Terri’s other bodily functions are physically stable. Terri smiles, laughs and cries. Terri recognizes voices and responds. At times, she vocalizes sounds, trying in her best way to speak. Terri is not a brain dead vegetable as characterized by her husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo nor a houseplant as implied by his attorney. Terri is not on a respirator or any artificial life support. She is a living human being and needs to be granted an opportunity to recover. Terri has not had any progressive rehabilitation or arousal therapy in more than ten years.
In a trial initiated by Michael Schiavo, Circuit Court Judge, George W. Greer, issued a verdict delivered on February 11, 2000. Judge Greer granted authorization to discontinue Terri’s feeding tube. Judge Greer’s verdict will cause Terri to die in 10 to 14 days. Terri’s death will be by painful starvation.
| Background |
In a malpractice lawsuit, Terri’s husband personally received over $300,000 for his loss of consortium. Terri was awarded $750,000 from this suit and an additional $250,000 from a separate malpractice lawsuit. The money was awarded to Terri for her care and rehabilitation and to be placed in a Medical Trust Fund. Terri’s husband received his personal award money and Terri’s medical fund money in early 1993. From the date he received the award money in 1993, Michael Schiavo has denied Terri any rehabilitation treatment. Michael Schiavo has confined Terri to a nursing home (currently, Terri is in a Hospice facility) where she is 'maintained.'
Her husband has directed that Terri only be sustained in a nursing home which is contrary to the intent of the award money. Michael Schiavo has on two occasions unsuccessfully attempted to end Terri’s life by instructing her caretakers not to medicate Terri for potentially fatal infections. The first occasion occurred less than nine months after her husband received the malpractice award money.
| Some Facts |
the terri schindler-schiavo foundation
4615 gulf blvd # 104-103, saint petersburg beach, fl 33706
tax id number 23-3031168
This is easy. The Fourteenth Amendment (the same one that seems to me to prohibit abortion) decrees that no state (which presumably includes state judges like Greer) shall deprive any person (which Teri presumably still is) of life, liberty, or property without due process of law (which seems to require, by the Fifth Amendment, that she be competent enough to call witnesses to her defense, which she presently is not). Starving someone to death (as opposed to taking her off a respirator) constitutes murder, and is so punishable under law.
Terri did have a swollowing test done several years ago. From what I understand, the last time she was tested was when the lawsuit was initially started several years ago.
A nurse on the AOL Message board insists that a swallowing test is REQUIRED BY LAW every 6 months if you have a feeding tube and I KNEW Terri had not been getting them,
"Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign."
- Mother Theresa ("Notable and Quotable," Wall Street Journal, 2/25/94, p. A14)
http://www.yahoogroups.com/groups/helpterri
http://www.yahoogroups.com/groups/helpterri/chat
PLEASE TAKE ACTIONS - HAVE PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH AND FLORIDA GOVERNOR JEB BUSH STOP THIS MADNESS. SAVE TERRI AN INNOCENT DISABLED WOMAN WHO HAS THE WILL TO LIVE FROM IMO CRIMINAL HUSBAND, JUDGE, AND COURTS. EXECUTIVE ORDERS CAN STOP THIS NOW. IN THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE BRAVE AND THE FIGHT AGAINST TERROR HOW CAN THEY ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN? PLEASE FIGHT FOR TERRI'S LIFE. SHE NEEDS YOU RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND. THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO STAND. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND IN ANY WAY YOUR CAN THINK OF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ACTIONS. REMEMBER IF YOU TAKE ACTION AND TELL OTHERS TO TAKE ACTION AND THEY DO THE SAME, ETC. WE WILL HAVE A GEOMETRICAL PROGRESSION OF ACTIONS. AGAIN WE BESEECH OUR PRESIDENT AND FLORIDA GOVERNOR TO BRING A HALT TO TERRI'S EXECUTION, MURDER, ETC. BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
Sunday, October 19, 2003 9:09 AM
Kangaroo courts and the Executive Power / Terri's will to live
10/18/03 -- Jeb's Emails to FR poster, summer, today, re: Terri. (And, a Message to Michael Shiavo)
Posted by pc93 to No More Gore Anymore
On News/Activism 10/19/2003 8:32 AM PDT #204 of 214
To: Lawdoc; dixiegrrl; supercat; Pegita
Rumours have been flying aroun the internet and people are getting things mixed up. This summary on one page seems to be the most accurate.
"Judge George Greer: Ruler of the Kangaroo Court set on killing Terri Schiavo. Impartial? Not in the least! Worked side by side as county commissioner with Barbara Sheen Todd (county commissioner) for eight YEARS. Barbara Sheen Todd is on the board of the hospice. Also, Judge Greer's fellow judge, Judge John Lenderman is the brother of Martha Lenderman (also on the hospice board! See the Hospice Board members! Greer accepted as the basis of his rulings, the questionable testimony of Michael Schiavo (and his family) that Terri would wish to be killed, yet Michael never stated that before he got about a Million Dollars to care for Terri forever. Greer also accepted as the basis of his rulings, the "opinion" of a third doctor who just happens to be the brother of a close associate of George Felos, right-to-kill attorney, and very significantly, former CHAIRMAN of the hospice board! If there ever was a rigged court, Judge Greer's is it!"
398 posted on 10/19/2003 4:41 AM PDT by TaxRelief
------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Post Reply | Private Reply | To 190 | View Replies
The war for Terri Schiavo's life- some links
Posted by pc93 to IcelandicConservative
On News/Activism 10/19/2003 8:30 AM PDT #412 of 417
Ok. Sorry. Yes she is conscious but Jeb needs to do something straightaway as she has gone without food or water since Oct. 18 at 8AM.
Jeb has the duty to uphold the laws of Florida. He has been notified that a murder is taking place in his state on his watch, to a defensless diabled person. She is being starved and dehydrated against her will, upon the false testimony that she is brain dead and wants to die. She is not either.
< IMG SRC=/images/del.gif WIDTH=12 HEIGHT=12 BORDER=0 title="Delete"> 
Sunday, October 19, 2003 9:00 AM
JEB PLEASE SAVE TERRI NOW
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schi ndler.asf
http://www.tomeaker.com/ts/terri-cabl e.mov
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download
TERRI HAS BEEN WITHOUT WATER AND NUTRITION SINCE
OCT. 15TH 8AM. PLEASE BESEECH JEB TO SAVE HER
AS HE IS THE ONLY ONE LEFT WHO HAS THE POWER
TO DO SO VIA EXECUTIVE ORDER.
---
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tammy Nicholas"
To:
Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2003 3:34 AM
Subject: [helpterri] Fwd: IMPORTANT UPDATE ON TERRY
And Very Important Info
>
> --- TERRISHOPE@aol.com wrote:
> > From: TERRISHOPE@aol.com
> > Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2003 03:26:35 EDT
> > Subject: IMPORTANT UPDATE ON TERRY And Very
> > Important Info
> > To: TERRISHOPE@aol.com
> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> > I have to do this ... this way, I have (many of
you
> > know this) tried to email
> > you all one on one and I just can't keep up, I am
> > losing it here. So it's a
> > MASS mail now, PLEASE bear with me. Let me try
and
> > tell you all ... all I
> > know and some other things as well. First of all,
> > there are many rumors going
> > around and they are making me mad, but I have got
to
> > ignore them because I don't
> > have TIME to waste and you know what, neither do
> > you. So if you want to
> > listen to me and believe me that''s a good thing,
> > because you will only get FACTS
> > from me, no made up BS. This isn't a game. And
if
> > I am half dead here I can
> > just imagine how all of you are holding up. You
are
> > fighting none stop, many
> > of you are putting ALL of your time and efforts
into
> > this and you are
> > AMAZING!! God bless all of you!!
> >
> > Okay now, first off... Terri as of RIGHT NOW 2 AM
> > Florida time has been
> > without food, water and any meds (meds that I am
> > aware of) for 88 hours. Her tube
> > was removed HOURS AFTER her last feeding, remember
> > she was only being fed
> > twice a day. She is still responding and aware!!!
> > She is still fighting for her
> > blessed life! "She has a will to live people!!!"
> > We have got to be her
> > voice, we just have to, it is the RIGHT thing to
do,
> > we can't give up on her, this
> > has got to be a sign to us ... how much more can
> > anyone take, her, her parents
> > and us??? I don't know, you all tell me. It is
> > said God will NOT put more
> > on you then you can bare!!! Do you believe that??
> > I think Terri's family is
> > our LIVING PROOF!
> >
> > I have been asked MANY questions about many
> > different things, a lot I can
> > tell you, some I can't and some is just simply NOT
> > important, please trust me. I
> > am in contact with the family and also someone who
> > is closer to this daily!!
> > I will NOT let you be in the dark, you guys made
Jeb
> > Bush act!! He may not
> > have done anything more then PROMISE the family
that
> > he would stop this if at
> > all possible, but WE are making him KEEP his
promise
> > now!!! Trust me, your
> > voices were hear and they were loud! None of you
> > are allowed to get a sore
> > throat now... Keep BOMBARDING Jeb Bush and
everyone
> > I send you email address's
> > to... and keep the faith. Something will happen.
> >
> > For those of you who have asked... Terri is not
> > allowed flowers, teddy bears,
> > a comfortable, soft warm socks, she is allowed
> > NOTHING! She never as had
> > flowers, cards or stuffed animals to brighten her
> > days ... her loving husband
> > Michael will NOT allow it. She is not allowed a
wet
> > wash rag on her lips. They
> > will put Vaseline on mouth. That's it folks.
> > Please read my emails ... this
> > was stated in the past, however I realize many of
> > you have just recently
> > joined this team of Angel's and I do mean ANGELS
...
> > so to those of you who are
> > new...WELCOME, God BLESS YOU and I am sorry we
have
> > too meet like this, all of
> > us.
> >
> > But do you all realize that that sweet woman who
> > even now while she lays
> > dying is bring sooo many good people together.
She
> > is STILL spreading her love,
> > the same love she spread to everyone who knew her
> > before her night of hell.
> > Terri to my knowledge (someone heard this rumor
and
> > ask me) is NOT chained to
> > her bed. She may be restrained because she may
have
> > grand Mal seizers because
> > of the lack of fluid in her system, lets pray not.
> > Which is a reason they may
> > restrain her ... but No she is not chained to the
> > bed. God bless her. :(
> > This is killing many of us too... Precious ones I
> > KNOW how you feel, all of your
> > feeling are sooo real, it hurts!
> >
> > Tomorrow morning at 10 am anyone and everyone who
> > can get up to that hell
> > hole hospice house (God please forgive me as I
know
> > Hospice does do good for
> > many, it has also helped those I've loved and lost
> > in the past) it is just THAT
> > place that has me crazy!! But anyone who can
attend
> > the protest PLEASE, PLEASE
> > go, even if only for 30 minutes, but I assure you,
> > if you go up there or down,
> > whatever the case my be, you'll want to stay for a
> > while, you just will. But
> > then it will weaken you and the feelings of
> > overwhelming sadness will make
> > you want to come home again, but d not let that
stop
> > you, PLEASE!
> >
> > As this family is horrified, grief stricken and
> > slowly dying with their
> > daughter/sister, they will STILL welcome you with
> > open arms!!!!! I promise you
> > that, find them among the crowd or in the camper
> > that is parked right there
> > across the street and tell them who you are and
tell
> > them you are with Lisa and the
> > TERRISHOPE group, They will know exactly who you
> > are, just not your name.
> > Sometimes there are 5 supporters there, sometimes
20
> > sometime 50 and sometimes
> > as many as 200. It changes constantly, but the
more
> > that go, the better. And
> > yes, people stay through the night, all night we
> > did.
> >
> > There are people from all over the world there I
> > swear to you, all the way
> > from Germany! I have met wonderful people, from
> > Colorado, Ga. Nebraska,
> > Washington, Calif. ... all over!! I was sooo
> > touched and I know you will be too...
> > All walks of life, red, yellow, black and white,
> > Jesus had all in his site!! I
> > started everyone singing God bless America,
Amazing
> > Grace, Jesus us loves us,
> > we talked, we prayed, we cried, we paced, we
yelled
> > out Bush save Terri over
> > and over to the lying media! You guys just
weren't
> > lucky enough to hear us
> > because they cut a lot of it out! We yelled out
> > many things, you just take the
> > steps and get everyone to join in ... do not be
> > afraid, someone has to get
> > people there started, but keep it peaceful! And
> > when someone is being
> > interviewed try and stay quiet. You can talk to
> > others about your feelings we all did,
> > many are full of anger, many are silent and just
> > pray and that's okay too.
> >
> > Be advised ... be very ready for someone in the
> > media to interview you,
> > there's a good chance of that, be ready to speak
up,
> > be calm and be clear that
> > Terri is NOT in a coma, that she is not a
vegetable,
> > that she is being murdered
> > and you are there because you want it stopped! Be
> > ready folks! I was
> > interviewed 5 times!! There is media there local
> > and National from all over, although
> > it has really slowed way down, BUT it will pick
back
> > up now that Voters will
> > be shredding their voters registration cards
> > tomorrow and they also will have a
> > Sunday service for Terri. Also there are MANY
> > police officers there, more
> > now then before and honestly I found them all to
be
> > very nice, just do NOT step
> > on the grass that belongs to the hell hole!!! You
> > will be confronted!
> >
> > As for Jeb Bush, YES ... he can and it is his DUTY
> > to stop this, what he has
> > said is political bull caca! HE CAN SAVE HER ...
If
> > he doesn't, I'd hate to
> > be in his shoes. HE NEEDS TO DO THIS and do it
> > YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!! Believe
> > me, this is TRUE, he CAN do it, it is in his
power!
> > STAY ON him and the others
> > whom I email you about and don't stop fighting
until
> > we no longer have any
> > reason to fight. Then we can deal with the rest
of
> > the evil ones ... they will
> > hang!!
> >
> > Okay, I hope for right now, just for tonight, I
have
> > answered some questions
> > for all of you. I really am trying and this is
all
> > effecting me too... I just
> > want t go into the closet and hide and cover my
> > ears. I can't bare to answer
> > my phone, it scares me, Jinks cell phone rings and
> > we hold our breath with
> > worry. So please believe me, I am really doing my
> > very best to keep you
> > informed at all times about everything, but I
can't
> > tell you things that don't know
> > and I have learned already not to repeat what I
hear
> > unless I hear it from the
> > family, because everyone has a different view on
how
> > they see AND hear things.
> >
> >
> > I am so tired dear ones ... just mentally and
> > emotionally drained and the
> > clock ticks on. It is now 3 AM :( and 89 hours
for
> > Our sister Terri ... without
> > food and water. :( Please keep praying hard for
> > her. Let Jeb Bush know
> > whenever you think about it, send him the hours.
> > Don't let him or his staff
> > forget through out the days. We will get through
> > this together. I will send
> > another update tomorrow and I will do this
everyday
> > if at all possible, more often
> > if I can ... THANK YOU ALL... Tammy you too honey,
> > God loves you ... your
> > doing a great job on our message board and once
> > again for anyone who wants to
> > join the message board that Tammy and I started
(she
> > did the work, I am too dumb
> > with that stuff and it couldn't have done it
> > witrhout her) email me and I can
> > have Tammy get you started.
> >
> > I hope all of you are in bed and resting. Boy, we
> > sure made quite a team
> > here didn't we? Somehow I am not at all
surprised.
> > I PROMISE TO KEEP YOU ALL
> > POSTED with all the news good or bad as soon as I
> > know, you'll know, no matter
> > what it is. May God's Angels keep you safe and
> > surround you with "Our Saviors
> > Love" always, Lisa Pray for Terri PS here is the
> > address for the hell hole
> > hospice hose in Clearwater...
> > Hospice Woodside is located at 6774 102nd Avenue
> > North in Pinellas Park and
> > is just west of 66th Street North.
> > A group of Republican demonstrators are planning
to
> > shred their voter
> > registration cards and officially change their
party
> > affiliations in order to call
> > attention to the Governorâ?Ts refusal to intervene
> > on behalf of Terri
> > Schindler-Schiavo.
> > IF YOU WANT TO BE REMOVED FROM THIS MAILING
> > GROUP...PLEASE EMAIL ME AND TELL
> > ME...I will remove you within 48 hours and I
promise
> > No uestions asked. Also
> > if you delete UPDATES or URGENT emails from me, I
> > will remove your name from
> > the list. God bless you one and all, Lisa
> >
REFS:
Refs:
supremecourt@flcourts.org
Substantive Contacts:
Craig Waters for the Supreme Court, (850) 414-7641,
watersc@flcourts.org Brenda Johnson, for the Office of
the State Courts Administrator, (850) 922-5081,
johnsonb@flcourts.org
Executive Office of Governor, Legal Team to Jeb (ask
to speak to the following individuals):
Robert H. Fernandez (Deputy General Counsel to
Governor) -> fernanr@eog.state.fl.us
Raquel A. Rodriguez (General Counsel to Governor) ->
raquel.rodriguez@myflorida.com
Christa Calamas (Assistant General Counsel to
Governor) -> calamac@eog.state.fl.us
850 / 488-3494 (voice)
850 / 488-9810 (fax)
Jeb Bush, Governor ->
jeb@myflorida.com,jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Voice: (850)488-4441
Voice: (850)488-7146
Fax: (850)487-0801
Executive Office of the Governor
400 S. Monroe Street
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
Ask to speak to Lauren O'Conner
Attorney General Charlie Crist -> ag@oag.state.fl.us
Office of Attorney General Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
Main office telephone numbers
Voice: (850)414-3990
Fax: (850)487-2564
Additional added note:
A criminal investigation needs to be conducted by John
Ashcroft. Please demand of President Bush to initiate
an investigation so that Mr. Ashcroft can get
involved:
President George W. Bush
c/o The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500
Voice: (202)456-1111
Switchboard: (202)456-1414
Fax: 1 202 456 2883
TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121
Although you'll get an automated response, here are
the e-mails for GW and Cheney:
President George W. Bush: president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Richard Cheney:
vice.president@whitehouse.gov
Fax: 1 202 456 2710
United States Attorney General John Ashcroft:
(AskDOJ@usdoj.gov)
Fax:202/514-1009
NOTE: Free faxing for entire Washington D.C. area:
www.tpc.int/sendfax.html
Format of number to input is:
(ex. Pres. U.S. [POTUS]) -> 1 202 456 2461
(ex. Ashcroft) -> 1 202 514 1009
Vice Pres. Dick Cheney 1 202 456 2710
U.S. Senator John W Warner
1 202 224 6295
U.S. Senator Bob Graham
1 202 224 2237
House Representative Corrine Brown
1 202 225 2256
House Representative Henry Hyde
1 202 225 1166
etc.
U.S. Senate:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_informat ion/sena
tors_cfm.cfm
< IMG SRC=/images/del.gif WIDTH=12 HEIGHT=12 BORDER=0 title="Delete"> Saturday, October 18, 2003 5:29 PM
People needed at Hospice Woodside, and also in Wash. DC. at the Whitehouse at 3PM
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