Bush Seeks Probe Of 10 Hang-Ups In Schiavo Case

The Tampa Tribune ^ | Dec 23, 2003 | DAVID SOMMER

[amdgmary]

Bush Seeks Probe Of 10 Hang-Ups In Schiavo Case By DAVID SOMMER dsommer@tampatrib.com

CLEARWATER - Gov. Jeb Bush wants an independent investigator to take a closer look at how Terri Schiavo became ill and the suitability of her husband to serve as her guardian.

In letters to the chief judge of the Pinellas-Pasco circuit and to University of South Florida Professor Jay Wolfson, Bush said he wants Wolfson to answer a series of questions not directly addressed in Wolfson's earlier investigation of whether Schiavo is so severely brain damaged that she would not want to be kept alive by a feeding tube inserted into her stomach.

Wolfson, who served as Schiavo's court-appointed guardian ad litem for about two months before being discharged last week, said late Monday that he was not sure he wanted to wade back into the controversial case.

Bush's three-page letter listing the questions he wants answered had not yet reached him, Wolfson said.

``Your call comes as a surprise to me,'' the professor said. ``The questions the governor is asking are those that ... some interested parties have begun to raise. I have not addressed those questions straight on.''

Bush listed 10 areas he wants investigated, including what happened the night Schiavo's heart stopped in February 1990, cutting off oxygen to her brain and leaving her in what has been diagnosed as a persistent vegetative state.

The governor also asked about ``statements of law enforcement, emergency medical professionals and staff members of medical facilities where Schiavo was treated.'' He asks what husband Michael Schiavo, his wife's legal guardian, said ``at the time regarding her condition and how she was found.''

Bush Asks About Conflicts

Terri Schiavo was facedown when emergency crews arrived, and they immediately called law enforcement, said attorney Pat Anderson, who represents Bob and Mary Schindler in their quest to keep their daughter alive. The Schindlers contend the cause of their daughter's heart failure was never properly investigated, and point to a later medical report in which a radiologist concluded Schiavo had suffered physical trauma.

Bush also wants Wolfson to report on any conflicts of interest Michael Schiavo may have in acting as his wife's guardian. If there are conflicts, Bush wants to know whether Schiavo acknowledges them.

Michael Schiavo contends his wife made statements before her illness indicating she would not want to be kept alive in a condition with no hope of improvement. The Schindlers contend their daughter reacts to them and could improve if given therapy.

Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, said Wolfson has already looked at all the medical and legal evidence and concluded that Michael Schiavo is a loving husband who wants to do what is best for his wife.

``I think the governor's correspondence is not only disgusting, it's immoral,'' Felos said. ``Does anyone anywhere believe that Jeb Bush under any circumstances is going to lift the stay?''

Felos was referring to Bush's last-minute intervention in a 5 1/2-year court battle over Terri Schiavo's fate. In October, Bush used hastily drafted legislation dubbed ``Terri's Law'' to order the feeding tube reinserted six days after Michael Schiavo had it removed with court permission.

Schiavo won that permission after a nonjury trial in January 2000 at which a judge concluded his testimony and that of two relatives showed his wife would not want to be kept alive.

Settlement Mentioned

The Schindlers have accused their son-in-law of wanting to inherit more than $700,000 awarded for his wife's perpetual care after a medical malpractice lawsuit in the early 1990s. That money has since been spent, most of it to pay for Schiavo's attorneys in his battle with the Schindlers.

Bush alluded to that in his letter to Wolfson when he asked the professor to interview an earlier guardian ad litem who concluded Michael Schiavo did have a conflict of interest because of the inheritance issue. That guardian ad litem recommended that the feeding tube not be removed.

The governor also asked Wolfson what Terri Schiavo would experience ``in the process of dying by starvation,'' and to address medical opinions that the process would be painless for a person in her condition.

It will be up to Chief Circuit Judge David Demers to decide whether Wolfson should be reappointed to answer the governor's questions.

In other action Monday, Bush's attorneys filed a new notice of appeal in the related court battle over the constitutionality of Terri's Law and announced an automatic stay of a hearing at which Circuit Judge Douglas Baird could decide the issue this afternoon.

Felos said Bush's attorneys were misinterpreting the law to assume he was entitled to an automatic appeal.

[farmfriend]

bttt

[amdgmary]

ping

[kimmie7]

ping

[sweetliberty]

Good for Gov. Bush. About time someone addressed it. Now if he can just get it beyond the d**m kangaroo court judges down there!

[dandelion]

Every time we hit a wall, Someone comes through for Terri. We need to let Jeb know how much we appreciate him going to bat for her, and we need to let all of Florida know it.

Keep praying, people!!! God ain't done yet...

so neither are we.

[Theodore R.]

Yes, indeed, it does seem that Governor Bush is "the good guy" here and is trying to remedy this great tragedy.

Wolfson is operating under instructions from George W. Greer, is he not? What if Wolfson refuses to consider the points that the governor has raised? It seems that George W. Greer has the power in the matter, not the governor. Of course, George W. Greer seems to be "working" for Michael R. Schiavo and George J. Felos. They seem to hold the "real power" in FL.

And Douglas Baird is now putting forth his "explanation" for the "unconstitutionality" of Terri's Law. I suspect that Baird delayed the kangaroo-court "hearing" from Friday to Tuesday because HE was not yet ready for presentation of his "ruling." I doubt that the short delay was to accommodate his "fellow Republican" Bush.

[Theodore R.]

I missed the part about Wolfson being "discharged." I suspect that he will not be reinstated and will not do the work Bush asked. The Baird-Greer "Republican" stonewall will block any reporting of the truth here.

[Theodore R.]

I am listening to Rush Limbaugh asking where the "civil libertarians" are in his case, now that he has been ordered to turn over medical records to criminal investigators to see if he has engage in "doctor shopping."

Yet, to my knowledge, not once has Rush mentioned his fellow Floridian Terri Schindler, whose civil liberties have been under assaults for more than a decade. So many in positions of influence do not consider Terri's case important -- unless they were in a similar situation, then they would be howling to the heavens, and no one would listen, I suspect.

[Theodore R.]

Wolfson was named by Greer to meet "the letter of the law." George W. Greer has never and will never abide by "the spirit" of Terri's Law. He is a judicial tyrant in league with David Souter, John Paul Stevens, Sandra D. O'Connor and other such "Republicans."

[TheSpottedOwl]

Terri Schiavo was facedown when emergency crews arrived, and they immediately called law enforcement, said attorney Pat Anderson, who represents Bob and Mary Schindler in their quest to keep their daughter alive. The Schindlers contend the cause of their daughter's heart failure was never properly investigated, and point to a later medical report in which a radiologist concluded Schiavo had suffered physical trauma.

This has always been a sticky point for me. For instance, when my oldest was 7, she ate cement playing leapfrog. Her friend's mother told me that she saw the whole thing, and she'd tell them what happened. I took my girl to Kaiser emergency room, because her bottom teeth went through her lip, and she chipped a front tooth. I was grilled by emergency room personnel, my girl was grilled by them and the cops. Quite agressively, and frankly they scared the hell out of us.

The point is why weren't LE more aggressive in their investigation as to what happened to Terri? I'm glad Jeb Bush isn't backing down.

Thanks for the ping, kimmie!

[countrydummy]

bump and ping!!!!!

[kimmie7]

welcome sweetie. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[cyn]

Keep praying, people!!! God ain't done yet... so neither are we."

What a wonderful way to put it! Thanks!

[Coral Snake]

If we really want to stop this some pro lifer who knows enough about the case HAS
to get the guts to place Michael Schiavo under citizen's arrest for Domestic
Violance and Attempted Murder based on that Bone Scan and other valid evidence
of such activity. This seems to be the ONLY way to stop Terri's starvation and dehydration now. I will also be posting this to the Terri Schiavo threads at TOS as EVERYONE involved with the case needs to know this.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Thanks for the ping, Kimmie!

Terri, you are ever in my mind and in my heart, even though there are times when I can't be on FR. You can rely on whatever strength the Lord provides. We're with you, Terri! Have a blessed Christmas, oh dear, sweet one!

[windchime]

``I think the governor's correspondence is not only disgusting, it's immoral,'' Felos said.


Another jaw-dropping comment from this evil man. Prayers for Terri.

[windchime]

Thanks, kimmie7!

[exDemMom]

Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, said Wolfson has already looked at all the medical and legal evidence and concluded that Michael Schiavo is a loving husband who wants to do what is best for his wife.

Since when is a man trying to kill his wife given credit for doing "what is best" for her???

I'd really like to see the answers to the questions Gov. Bush raised. This whole case still stinks. It is absolutely horrifying that so many people have ganged up against this poor woman--her plight could happen to any of us.