Probate records subject of Schiavo hearing
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
The hearing was held in a Clearwater courtroom.
Paso-Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer is contemplating a motion filed by attorneys for the Department of Children and Families.
DCF attorneys asked the judge to unseal probate records in the Terri Schiavo case, including financial information, to determine if she was abused or exploited.
Greer asked the attorneys why this request wasn't made before in previous investigations. A DCF attorney argued the records are needed for the current investigation.
Possible tough decision for doctors
Another controversial topic came up during the hearing in Clearwater when an attorney for Morton Pant Hospital entered the courtroom looking for advice about what to do if its doctors are instructed by the executive branch of government to reinsert Schiavo's feeding tube.
"Obviously, my clients don't wish to be in contempt of judicial rulings, but likewise, we don't want to be in violation of an administration order," said the attorney, James Martin Jr.
Greer said he would be on standby for that type of situation, even though the courts will be closed Friday for Good Friday.
Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, said he would take legal action if the feeding tube is reinserted.
"Any action would be a violation of Mrs. Schiavo's constitutional right to refuse medical treatment," said Felos. "It will be a violation of civil rights, and an assault, a battery, trespass on her, and should that occur or be attempted, we will hold those to the fullest extent of the law."
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2005/3/23/75550.html
". . . the courts will be closed Friday for Good Friday."
This line from the article you posted answers the earlier question about when DCF would need to go to court if they go in and take custody of Terri. I would think they could have gone in any time after the close of court Wednesday and still had until Monday to explain themselves to the court.
It turns my stomach to read this convoluted "thinking". It's MS, Greer, Felos et al. who are perpetrating the assault, battery and trespass against Terri, and THEY certainly should be held accountable.