Agency to probe alleged spousal abuse of Terri Schiavo

Centre Daily Times ^ | Oct. 22, 03 | MICHAEL MARTINEZ AND PAT KAMPERT

[churchillbuff]

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - (KRT) - A state protection agency for disabled persons on Wednesday was planning to launch an investigation into alleged spousal abuse against Terri Schiavo, the severely brain damaged woman whose feeding tube was reinserted this week after intervention by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush.

The investigation by the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, an agency mandated in states and funded by Congress, could play a decisive role in a revived legal battle over who should be the guardian of the 39-year-old Schiavo - her husband or her parents.

...[snip] The Schindler family has accused Michael Schiavo of abuse and neglect as guardian, and the state protection agency's independent investigation could play a major role in removal of the husband as guardian - as well as shed light on how the husband managed funds during the guardianship.

...[snip]The governor's order of reinsertion of the feeding tube has bought time for the advocacy center to conduct its investigation as to whether Terri Schiavo has been a victim of abuse and neglect over the past 10 years.

Under federal law, the agency is granted strong investigative powers, including examining medical and court-sealed guardian financial records, and its findings of abuse or neglect would be conclusive and pre-emptive of any court or other agency determination, said Patricia Anderson, an attorney for Terri Schiavo's parents. ...[snip]"They are referred to as the `big sharks' in the disability field," Anderson said of the agency. "What we have here is a guardianship system that discriminates against disabled people." ...[snip]For his part, Michael Schiavo said Wednesday through his attorney that he is outraged that the legislative and executive branches would overturn a judge's order that had allowed him to have the feeding tube removed from his wife. ...[snip]Some experts are viewing the case as if it's a foregone conclusion that the courts will overturn the new law, under the assumption that Bush, who is President Bush's brother, and the legislature overruled the courts. But that is not necessarily true, said Andrew Koppelman, a constitutional law expert at Northwestern University.

"I don't understand what separation of powers has to do with it," he said. "Some law is going to govern how people behave toward (Terri) tomorrow. The legislature has to have power to legislate today about what we do tomorrow, and that power is not taken away by the fact that the judiciary said something else yesterday."

[dandelion]

PRAISE GOD!!!!

[Prime Choice]

With any luck and with the Good Lord's blessing, we may yet stake this vampire.

[churchillbuff]

bump

[churchillbuff]

Did Drudge ever post this? If not, why not?

[churchillbuff]

The correct story link is
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/7079354.htm

[MHGinTN]

Matt characterizes Terri as brain dead for 13 years and is in favor of her slow execution.

[churchillbuff]

The correct story link is
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/7079354.htm

[pollywog]

yes, Dandelion, Praises to our Lord are in order. I AM THRILLED THEY ARE DOING A INVESTIGATION.....there is PLENTY of " stuff" to investigate!!

[Budge]

WTG Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities!

[Bonaparte]

Only 12 years late.

[T'wit]

Good news! If the investigation is serious and they confirm the abuse Terri has suffered, Michael's scheme -- and credibility -- go up in smoke.

Terri is reportedly now getting Medicare funds too, so we may hope and pray that that agency gets involved too. In one post or another, I got the impression that Medicare prohibits the removal of a feeding tube. They must have other regulations to protect the helpless.

[buffyt]

She isn't brain dead, she is more like brain damaged, and now like a severely retarded person. I have four retarded cousins and I love them just as much as I love the rest of my relatives. Terry is not brain dead. She does respond. Her husband is just plain evil.

[sweetliberty]

"Matt characterizes Terri as brain dead for 13 years and is in favor of her slow execution."

Then he is obviously short on facts. I guess this case just isn't high priority to him.

[clee1]

Good!

This should prove/disprove once and for all the truth of the abuse and funds misuse charges.

This still does not prove/disprove "Terri's" choice of whether to live or die, but it may well remove guardianship from Michael.

[sweetliberty]

Isn't this the same investigation that was posted about a few days ago? Oh well, no matter. As long as it gets done. There are so many of these threads it is getting very hard to keep them straight.

[T'wit]

Sheesh, Buffy, what a tag line! I laughed out loud :-) :-)

[Budge]

Shouldn't this read, "For his part, Michael Schiavo said Wednesday through his attorney that he is outraged that the legislative and executive branches would overturn a judge's order that had allowed him to murder his wife."

[churchillbuff]

Isn't this the same investigation that was posted about a few days ago?

Perhaps. I just now ran across the article, and am posting it to as many web sites as possible, because I hadn't heard about this development. The media aren't exactly reporting "all the facts" -- and even though this article originated in a big paper, the Chicago Tribune, I've never heard the news reported on radio or TV, or seen it in my local paper. So the more posting by internet truth-warriors, the better.

[Budge]

I have no idea, SL. I'm more confused than you are.

But it is good news to me!