Posted on 10/20/2003 3:24:24 PM PDT by joesnuffy
STARVATION DAY 6 Flurry of activity to help save Terri Disabilities group seeks abuse probe, lawmakers consider bill but don't act
Posted: October 20, 2003 5:00 p.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Supporters of Robert and Mary Schindler's efforts to keep their daughter Terri Schindler-Schiavo alive are maintaining a frantic pace six days after the brain-disabled woman's feeding tube was removed by a judge's order.
The Tallahasse-based Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities has filed for an injunction to keep her alive in order to have time to investigate whether removal of her life-sustaining feeding tube was an act of abuse by her husband, Michael Schiavo, the Associated Press reported.
Schiavo -- who lives with another woman with whom he has a child and another on the way -- cut off all access to Terri's therapy and claims he only is fulfilling wishes expressed before she suffered a sudden collapse in 1990 under mysterious circumstances.
The Schindlers, who maintain a website on their daughter's case, say they have evidence Terri was physically attacked.
U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday announced he will issue a decision on the Tallahassee group's request by the end of the day.
Gordon Scott, an attorney for the advocacy group, asked for a 10-day injunction to provide time for an investigation after he had conversations with the Schindlers and a neurologist. Scott said he is not convinced Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" as claimed by Michael Schiavo and his advocates.
Pinellas County Circuit Judge George W. Greer agreed to that assessment, however, and ordered the feeding tube removed Oct. 15.
Scott also believes, contrary to Michael Schiavo's claims, Terri is feeling pain from the starvation and dehydration.
George Felos, Michael Schiavo's attorney, contended Merryday has no jurisdiction in the case.
The Schindler family said Terri appears to be in stable condition at the Pinellas Park, Fla., hospice where she resides.
"She seems to be alert,'' said her brother, Bob Schindler Jr., according to the Associated Press. "But every day that goes by, we're getting into a crucial time for her. She's got an incredible will to live."
Florida House of Representatives Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, said lawmakers were trying to put together a moratorium "on the removal of nutrition and hydration from those who do not have a written directive and where there's a contest among the family about how to deal with this."
However, no action was taken by the end of today's session.
Previous stories:
Will 'Terri's Bill' save her life now?
Terri Schiavo denied Last Rites
Jeb Bush 'fails' Terri
Abuse report filed for Terri Schiavo
Desperate parents plead to Jeb Bush
Lawyers: Bush can step in for Terri
Starvation begins for Terri Schiavo
Husband protests video showing alert Terri
Terri Schiavo wants to live
No intervention for Schiavo
Joni Eareckson Tada joins vigil for Terri Schiavo
Rep Gannon speaking now...all worrying about constitutionality.
Richardson is speaking now..he is asking if this is consistent with less government, questioning intrusiveness..
Asking if this establishes a precedent for legis to be involved in political, emotional judicial matter -
Send her home!!! Shut her up!
He obviously isn't too devout to have 2 children out of wedlock.
Oh that's rich, if he was sooooo devout then why did he refuse Last Rites??????? Lying POS
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.