Posted on 11/19/2003 10:05:54 AM PST by HAL9000
Sharon Bush has asked a state district court judge to order her ex-husband -- President Bush's brother Neil Bush -- to submit to a blood test to settle a paternity question at the heart of a defamation lawsuit against her.The request, filed Monday, asks that the judge order Neil Bush and Robert Andrews to submit blood tests to determine the paternity of Andrews' 2-year-old son.
Sharon Bush contends she needs the tests to defend herself against a $850,000 defamation lawsuit filed against her by Andrews. Andrews' suit contends Bush defamed him when she suggested in conversations with reporters, friends and restaurant employees that his son may have been fathered by Neil Bush.
Andrews and his wife, Maria Andrews, divorced in October 2002 after 14 years of marriage. The Bushes divorced in April after a 23-year marriage. Neil Bush and Maria Andrews met several years ago when she was working as a volunteer for former first lady Barbara Bush.
Sharon Bush's attorney, David Berg, said the tests are required for Sharon Bush to defend herself from Andrews' suit.
Dale Jefferson, Andrews' attorney, said Andrews cannot be ordered to submit to a blood test.
"There is no such thing as a compelled physical examination in a civil lawsuit when the physical health of someone is not at issue," he said.
Berg said the request for DNA testing was not an admission that Sharon Bush made the paternity statements at issue in Andrews' lawsuit.
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