Governor Bush Has Legal Authority, But Lacks Politcal Will To Save Terri Schiavo’s Life

THOMAS MORE LAW CENTER ^ | 10-17-03

[cpforlife.org]

ANN ARBOR, MI - According to Richard Thompson, former prosecutor of Jack Kevorkian, Florida Governor Jeb Bush has the legal authority to act in the case of Terri Schiavo, but lacks the political will to do so. Responding to the Governor’s statements that he cannot intervene in the civil case, Thompson claimed Bush is confusing the public on what is being asked of him.

“Nobody is asking the Governor to intervene in the civil case. We are asking him to initiate an independent criminal investigation based on a list of facts that suggest criminal wrongdoing,” said Thompson. “We have outlined for the Governor some of these facts, and confirmed his Constitutional authority to act. The fact that he has chosen to confuse the public by referring to the civil case, completely ignoring the request that we presented, reveals a lack of moral courage and political will. We expect the Governor to do the right thing, and so far, he has refused to do so.”

“If Governor Bush does not act quickly, I expect Terri will be killed by an overdose of morphine. She is being starved and denied fluids, and the Governor needs to act now before it’s too late,” said Thompson.

Thompson, now president of the Thomas More Law Center, delivered two emergency letters to Bush Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, asking him to initiate a criminal investigation. The letters outlined the constitutional authority of the Governor to act in the case, including a factual basis for initiating a criminal investigation. Bush has maintained he has no authority to interfere in the civil case that led to the feeding tube being removed.

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[BlessedBeGod]

A role for which a non-medically trained governor is not the appropriate authority.

Governors and presidents aren't trained in many, many areas. That's why they have expert advisors who they rely on. There's really no need for any governor (or president) to be medically trained in order to make a decision.

[Mo1]

“Nobody is asking the Governor to intervene in the civil case. We are asking him to initiate an independent criminal investigation based on a list of facts that suggest criminal wrongdoing,” said Thompson. “We have outlined for the Governor some of these facts, and confirmed his Constitutional authority to act.

How does initating an investigation stop the court order?

[blueriver]

He is the final arbiter for "life" not "life and death". There is a big difference. He has the authority to grant life for convicted murderers why not for innocent victims sentenced to die by a judge.

[PleaseNoMore]

Initiating a criminal investigation would save Teei, pending the outcome. There is probable cause to initiate such an investigation. Circumstantial evidence of domestic abuse, conflict of interest where the husband AND attorney are involved ( maybe even Jodi Centonze as well ), the fact that Terri has no representation ( misconduct on the judge's part for firing him?? ). Also, the law specifically states that nourishment cannot be withheld from a disabled person. That is a crime in Florida. Federal $$ may not be spent to do such ( Terri is on Medicaid ). Michael Schiavo's perjury at the malpractive trial. So many many things can open the door for this, in my laymen's opinion.

[Mo1]

I don't disagree with your points .. but it still doesn't answer the question of .. will it be enough to stop/stay the court order in time?

[Mo1]

He has the authority to grant life for convicted murderers why not for innocent victims sentenced to die by a judge.

Because this is a civil case and the Florida law?

[Guenevere]

This has ceased to be a Help Terri thread, and has turned into a Bash Bush thread, and I'm sick of it!

I wonder about some of your motives.

Anything to get at Bush eh....any one of the brothers will do!!!!

[Guenevere]

I have always wanted to be pinged to pro-life threads.... ...but I resent being pinged to a ...'Let's Bash Gov.Bush'... thread.

enough already!

[sinkspur]

If there is probable cause for an investigation, why has the Pinellas County DA not undertaken it?

He's had 13 years.

[sinkspur]

Any excuse to bash a Bush will do, BEST.

You can be counted on to stir the pot.

[Ahban]

So are only Democrats to be held accountable for their lack of support for the pro-life position?

Why is CPforLife "Bashing" Jeb Bush instead of just relating the facts of the case?

If those facts bring discredit on Jeb Bush is it the messenger's fault, or is it the fault of one Jeb Bush?

[PleaseNoMore]

sinkspur, I don't know why he hasn't. I do feel that it is pathetic that he hasn't. Why weren't a lot of things done that could have been done? The past is the past. Something CAN be done now as is evidenced by the opinion from the Thomas Moore Law group. To my understanding, a federal judge has requested this case and it hasn't been turned over to him yet?? I don't know the particulars or even if that is true but it is being reported by those closer to the situation than I.

[Theodore R.]

rick santorum

Though he is among the few seemingly decent Republicans in the Senate, this Pennsylvanian campaigned in 1997 for the militantly anti-life Christine Todd Whitman in neighboring NJ.

[AAABEST]

Wait until you or those you love are on the wrong end of one of Jebbie's un-American land grabs. Until then I suppose you'll just continue to blurt things out about a governor you know nothing about.

Either you know nothing about him or do know about him and you just you're a ratty, smelly RINO like him. One or the other.

[sinkspur]

Something CAN be done now as is evidenced by the opinion from the Thomas Moore Law group.

Well, with Jack "Batman" Thompson running Thomas More, I'd be less than reassured.

Where was all this "help" last year? Why is everybody crawling out of the woodwork now?

Is it your contention that Jeb Bush should establish a precedent that he be involved in every life and death decision in the State of Florida? That, by stepping over the separation of powers line, that he establish a precedent for a Florida governor to overturn every decree by a Florida judge?

[sinkspur]

Either you know nothing about him or do know about him and you just you're a ratty, smelly RINO like him. One or the other.

I know plenty about YOU and your history of Bush-bashing on this forum, BEST. Any excuse will do.

[Mo1]

This has ceased to be a Help Terri thread, and has turned into a Bash Bush thread, and I'm sick of it!

I agree

[pickyourpoison]

Is anyone getting carpools going for this, maybe from other counties in Florida. After watching the news, looks like we need more people in front of the hospice to keep the media's attention.

[lodwick]

Wake up, America.

[PleaseNoMore]

The person running Thomas More Law Center is not Jack Thompson.

Richard Thompson, responsible for the initial prosecutions of Jack Kevorkian, now Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center...

From thomasmore.org