Could someone explain the 19 judges thing that I keep hearing about?
I thought I heard that only Greer has really heard the case, and all others have just upheld his ruling.
Could somone elaborate?
Terri's only had one trial, over which presided Judge Greer. The appeals that have taken place have ruled on his finding of fact and procedure only.
The bill that Congress passed instructed that the federal judge hold a trial de novo, which according to answers.com is defined as the following -
"A trial in a higher court in which all the issues of fact or law tried in a lower court or tribunal are reconsidered as if no previous trial had taken place."
And apparently this federal judge disregarded the bill and ruled on the existing trial info anyway. Just like all the rest.