State acts on two fronts to save Terri Schiavo's life
By MITCH STACY
Associated Press Writer
Posted March 9 2005
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-0310schiavo,0,2559751.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
EXCERPTS:
Wednesday, her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, were dealt another loss in the long-running, contentious legal battle when a state judge denied two more of their motions, including one that asked for new medical tests to determine if the 41-year-old woman has more brain activity than previously thought.
A DCF supervisor, Susan McPhee, testified that the accusations include denying her some medical treatment and therapy, and isolating her in her room with the blinds closed.
"This is a heightened situation because we are talking about the life of Terri Schiavo," DCF attorney Kelly McKibben told Circuit Judge George W. Greer in a hearing, adding that she believes the court cannot impede an agency investigation.
But the husband's attorney, George Felos, argued that the DCF has no legal right to interfere and Greer has no jurisdiction to allow it. He said he believes the agency's last-minute attempt is politically motivated, especially because dozens of previous complaints to DCF have failed to yield any evidence of abuse.
"DCF is simply acting as an arm of the executive branch to try to undo a court order they don't like," Felos told reporters. Greer said he would rule on the DCF request as early as Thursday.
In Tallahassee, a House committee approved a bill requiring doctors to provide nutrition and hydration to incapacitated patients who didn't leave an advance directive. It passed 7-4 on a party-line vote and still needs approval from two more committees before facing the full House.
Amazing how Felos says DCF doesn't have the right to
intervene.
You KNOW the DCF lawyer was laughing at that comment back at the office.
Not only does DCF have the authority, they HAVE A DUTY!!!!!
Greer can spout all he wants about the allegations being "nothing new". They are. DCF knows this, and they have got to be getting ticked off about this.
"This is a heightened situation because we are talking about the life of Terri Schiavo," DCF attorney Kelly McKibben told Circuit Judge George W. Greer in a hearing, adding that she believes the court cannot impede an agency investigation. "
steamroller, even over DCF. . . .
how oppressive that courtroom must be. May the fact that you all have more prayers, more supporters than you could ever know encourage and sustain you, even in that pit, even at what seems like the worst times.