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JW PRESS RELEASE

Oct 17, 2003
Contact: Press Office
202-646-5172

GOV. BUSH HAS AUTHORITY TO STOP DEATH OF TERRI SCHIAVO BY DEHYDRATION & STARVATION

Judge Ordering Terri Schiavo’s Death Violated Eighth Amendment (“Cruel and Unusual Punishment”) & Florida’s Abuse and Neglect Statutes

Gov. Bush Should Direct Florida’s Dept. of Children and Family Services to Intervene, Resume Nutrition & Investigate
(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, stated today that Florida Governor Jeb Bush has the authority to prevent the death by starvation and dehydration of Ms. Terri Schiavo.

Unless rapid action is taken by Governor Bush, Ms. Schiavo will die of dehydration; a slow, grueling death taking approximately two weeks. This form of death entails less blood flow to major organs – the brain, kidneys, heart, lungs and skin. The kidneys stop functioning and the body cannot expel its waste. As Ms. Sciavo grows weaker, her breathing will become more difficult, taking in less oxygen and expelling less carbon dioxide. U.S. law forbids animals to die this way. The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations (9 C.F.R. ' 2.131) specifically prohibits the withholding of food and water from farm animals.

Pinellas County Circuit Court Judge George Greer’s ruling to remove Ms. Schiavo’s feeding tube is the most liberal applications to date of a person’s constitutional right to refuse medical treatment. Judge Greer did what judges in other landmark cases did not do – ordering the end of life in opposition to a majority of the patient’s family members.

“Ms. Schiavo is being subjected to a cruel and inhumane form of torture that violates her fundamental rights and human dignity, under both federal and Florida state law. Governor Bush must immediately order the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to intervene on behalf of Ms. Schiavo, restore her nutrition and initiate a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Schiavo’s disability. Terri Schiavo’s life is in Jeb Bush’s hands,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

To view a copy of the complaint filed with the Florida Department of Children and Families, click here.

To view a copy of the cover letter sent to Governor Jeb Bush along with the complaint, click here.