Governor Seeks New Trial Over Brain Damaged Woman's Wishes

Tampa Bay Online ^ | November 19, 2003 | Vickie Chachere

[sweetliberty]

Gov. Jeb Bush fired a volley of legal shots Wednesday at the husband of a brain damaged woman who is at the center of a right to die case, saying there needs to be a jury trial on whether Terri Schiavo wanted to be kept alive artificially. The governor also sought to remove Pinellas Circuit Court Judge W. Douglas Baird from hearing the constitutionality of the new law enacted to keep Terri Schiavo alive after her feeding tube was removed last month. In yet a third legal filing, the governor argues that Terri Schiavo's rights under the Florida Constitution are being protected, not violated.

Terri Schiavo went for six days without food and water after her husband Michael Schiavo removed her feeding tube. Florida lawmakers and Bush intervened, enacting a hastily drawn law that allowed the governor to order the feeding tube be reinserted.

Michael Schiavo has challenging the constitutionality of the governor's action. He contends his wife had said she did not want to be kept alive artificially before she suffered severe brain damage in 1990. Doctors have ruled she has been in a persistent vegetative state since, but her parents believe she is aware of her surroundings and could be rehabilitated.

Bush's attorney Ken Connor said a jury has to establish what Terri Schiavo's wishes were before a court can decide whether her private health care wishes were violated.

George Felos, Michael Schiavo's attorney, could not immediately be reached for comment.

[sweetliberty]

So the deposition is a go? But if Greer was going to go along with Felos (as per usual) can't he still throw the deposition out since the guardianship case is being heard in his court? That SOB really needs to get off the case, but I'm not convinced there is an impartial judge anywhere in Pinellas County.

I'm happy to hear that Terri was up today. Was this in her new chair?

[sweetliberty]

Palpatine got the big ZOT last night, so unless he shows back up with another screen name (wouldn't be the first time), we won't be having to deal with him anymore.

[sport]

Please send the A.M. A thank you for banning c.p. for me.

[sweetliberty]

Got this in my email today. Thought y'all would like it.

.

[sweetliberty]

See post #303.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

FV, this is all astounding news:

As a matter of fact, here's the latest from the front lines of Terri's fight. Pat Anderson, the Schindlers' attorney scheduled a deposition for tomorrow of the doctor re: the fractures. Felos tried to block the deposition and a judge without Pat Anderson's knowledge went along with Felos and was going to prevent tomorrow's deposition. Pat went to another Judge who ordered that the deposition of the doctor would take place tomorrow. Felos is still up to shifty moves.

By the way, Terri was in a chair until about 7:15 pm tonight. She's doing fine. Sorry I don't have the Judges' names.

297 posted on 11/20/2003 7:47 PM EST by floriduh voter (www.conservative-spirit.org freeper site)

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Are they filming Terri? It would help to get those pics to the nightly news.

How are spirits at the vigil?

Thanks for the news and for being there, FV!

[T'wit]

Thanks, everyone should enjoy it.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The Center is presently making demands in order to acquire reports and records necessary to undertake a thorough and impartial investigation of complaints we have received.

Thanks, Sandra. Good news.

[sport]

Me too!

[Graymatter]

>>If Terri is a "vegetable" why would they need to sedate her?

Well, her dad said she was agitated a few days ago. Maybe they're trying to counteract the agitation.

[floriduh voter]

Vigilers are in good spirits and the Schindlers are ever grateful that Governor Bush has some cajones.

[Graymatter]

>>Lex Rex not Rex Lex. Law is King.

Try saying it in French...loi roi... :)

Thanks for the link. On my way!

[floriduh voter]

Terri's family or parts thereof see her every day and always come out and tell the Vigilers how she's doing.

By the way, Hospice has NOW HIRED AN UNMARKED POLICE CAR and gotten rid of the squad car(s). I guess they were worried about their image while they're starving people in there.

[sisterjforteri]

I agree. Don't know about the rest of you on here, but I know plenty of so-called "normal" people who are dead from the neck up.

[FR_addict]

Thanks for the update.

[cyn]

T'wit asked this question earlier; I've not seen it answered and thought it was worthy of consideration. Here it is:

George Felos is perforce an officer of the court, is he not? You can say many things about Felos, but "stupid" is not one of them. I am certain that he knows his client is guilty of attempted murder. He has filed several motions specifically to cover it up (cremation, blocking the bone scan). He also knows that MS is lying about Terri's "wish" not to live that way. He's covered that up too, by twisting words. He knows further that Terri's condition does not fit the Florida definition of PVS required for killing a patient, but he has deliberately exaggerated her injury, ignored his client's cruel neglect of her and downplayed her chances of recovery. (He even helped himself to most of HER therapy money.)

It's ethical for an attorney to represent a man he knows to be guilty of a crime, of course. But it seems to me a different matter altogether for the lawyer to HIDE a crime (attempted murder) from the court, and to misrepresent plain facts in order, in effect, to FINISH the murder. That's going a long way past representing a scoundrel. That's being a knowing accessory to the crime.

Can you comment? (thanks -- cynic#456,789)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Dear Concerned Citizen:


As you may know, the Florida House recently led the fight to help save Terri Schiavo’s life from being cut short by court-ordered dehydration and starvation.

We passed legislation, known as “Terri’s Law” to allow the Governor to issue a stay on court-ordered starvation and dehydration deaths under certain circumstances.

Like many Floridians, I believe the process failed to protect Terri Schiavo and her family. Our action helps to restore a piece of what has been taken from her family.

Unfortunately, Terri’s husband, Michael, has continued to pursue legal avenues to end Terri’s life. Terri’s case is again in courts, and the Florida House has filed a friend of the court brief defending the constitutionality of “Terri’s Law.”

I have attached the House brief for your information. Please take a minute to read our defense of “Terri’s Law”. At the following web link:

http://www.myfloridahouse.com/files/brief/index.htm

Thank your for your continued interest in this matter.

Very truly yours,
Johnnie Byrd
Speaker

Have you seen this yet? Just a bit more info.

[cyn]

Thanks so much for the update -- glad to hear Terri was OOB. It really helps to hear what's going on there! So tell us more about the wheelchair, please.

[iowamomforfreedom]

Here's the thread of the Transcript from the LKL interview:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1014240/posts

[cyn]

Thank you so much for passing this info along. You're asking questions we're asking -- it is good to hear some answers. What kind of team does the GAL have working with him -- especially, what medical people does he have working with him on the medical records, pointing meaningful info out to him, explaining implications?