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Prosecutor Reaffirms Governor's Authority Under State Criminal Laws to Prevent Death of Schiavo
US Newswire ^ | March 26, 2005 | Dan Costanzo

Posted on 03/26/2005 8:15:27 PM PST by FairOpinion

To: National Desk, State Desk

Contact: Dan Costanzo of the Thomas More Law Center, 734-827-2001

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Former prosecutor of Jack Kevorkian, Richard Thompson, reaffirmed Thursday morning the authority of Florida Governor Jeb Bush to utilize state criminal laws to prevent the death of Terri Schiavo. Pointing to two legal memos prepared by the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which were delivered to Governor Bush in October of 2003, Thompson again urged Bush to launch a formal criminal investigation into the facts surrounding the disability of Schiavo.

Copies of the letters sent to Governor Bush can be viewed at http://www.thomasmore.org

The two letters dated October 15th and 16th point to the constitutional authority of Governor Bush to order the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate violations of criminal laws. The letters cite a number of facts suggesting Terri Schiavo is a victim of domestic abuse and neglect, and may be a victim of domestic violence. Furthermore, the letters point out that officials from the Florida Department of Children and Family Services have the authority to enter the premises where Schiavo is currently being held and remove her if they believe that medical care is necessary to avert a likely risk of death or serious injury.

The October 15 letter concludes that a growing number of facts establish probable cause to "conduct a full criminal investigation of the circumstances surrounding the disability of Ms. Schiavo. To date, the facts of this case have not yet been viewed through the lens of a criminal investigation. Shamefully, the government's investigatory resources have not been brought to bear on discovering the truth in this case."

Speaking Thursday, Thompson once again urged Governor Bush to launch a formal criminal investigation and remove Terri Schiavo from the custody of her current guardian. He further indicated that the consent of Schiavo's guardian is not necessary to obtain custody of Terri. Thompson also offered the assistance of attorneys from the Thomas More Law Center to assist the Governors staff if needed.

The two legal opinions were prepared and delivered to Governor Bush in October of 2003, after Schiavo's feeding tube was removed. Bush through his aides requested the legal counsel at the time, but instead chose to work with the Florida legislature to pass emergency legislation to prevent the death of Schiavo.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at 734- 827-2001 or visit our website at http://www.thomasmore.org/


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: jebbush; lawcenter; pontiuspilate; schiavo; terri; terrischiavo; thomasmore
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To: MarMema

As I am finding out more -- Hugh Finn was COMATOSE -- Terri ISN'T.

"The facts in the case are relatively straightforward. Hugh Finn, a popular, 44-year-old news anchorperson in Louisville, Ky., ruptured his aorta in 1995 in a traffic accident. The resulting anoxic damage to his brain left him, like Karen Ann Quinlan and Nancy Cruzan, irreversibly comatose."


141 posted on 03/27/2005 1:50:13 AM PST by FairOpinion
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To: FairOpinion
But I don't know how Finn's condition really compared to Terri's. Also, in Terri's case, the parents were willing to assume full responsibility for Terri -- I don't know whehter the same was offered in Hugh Finn's case.

Hugh's parents did offer to care for him, repeatedly.

And since you asked, Hugh was in much better shape cognitively than Terri. He spoke until his shunt became clogged and his wife refused to allow the physicians to repair it.

Hugh Finn

142 posted on 03/27/2005 1:51:50 AM PST by MarMema ("America may have won the battles, but the Nazis won the war." Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall)
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To: FairOpinion

Hugh was never comatose. Never.


143 posted on 03/27/2005 1:52:12 AM PST by MarMema ("America may have won the battles, but the Nazis won the war." Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall)
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To: NRA2BFree

jeb does not want to call patriotic militias to get after those cops rioting at the hospice at the service of crooked arse no good greer(fools).

its not pc, you know, and the Schlindler family might not be supporting people killing cops over this, makes them look bad.

Oh well, its their call to save her or not


144 posted on 03/27/2005 1:55:19 AM PST by JudgemAll (Condemn me, make me naked and kill me, or be silent for ever on my gun ownership and law enforcement)
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To: MarMema

"Hugh was never comatose. Never."


Oh, so the media was lying even way back then, what a surprise.


145 posted on 03/27/2005 1:56:14 AM PST by FairOpinion
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To: FairOpinion

And they lied about Nancy Cruzan and Christine Busalacchi as well.


146 posted on 03/27/2005 1:57:11 AM PST by MarMema ("America may have won the battles, but the Nazis won the war." Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall)
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To: FairOpinion; Keeley Finn

Hugh's daughter has posted here on several occasions.


147 posted on 03/27/2005 1:59:09 AM PST by MarMema ("America may have won the battles, but the Nazis won the war." Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall)
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Comment #148 Removed by Moderator

To: All
Based upon my understanding Governor Bush has the authority and can as executive act to remove Terri from the hospice.

Reference:

Thomas More Law Center: Schiavo Authority(PDF)

It has been reported that under the auithority of Governor Bush that FDLE and DCF were enroute to remove Terri BUT for reasons unknown decided to terminate the effort. WHY???

I have had my thinking cap on and would suggest that Governor Bush as executive is responsible for the common good of Florida and the protection of all citizens including Terri. As such, he is between a rock and a hard place... He does not wish an armed conflict between Pinellas Park police officers and FDLE -potential worst case scenario would be for several police and bystanders to possibly be killed and injured in an effort to rescue one innocent woman...

I would suggest that IF the Pinellas Park police officers were not there that Governor Bush would act. Additionally, IF Governor Bush had authority over the Pinellas Park police officers he would order them to stand down and he would act.

Therefore, in my opinion, the question is HOW can Governor Bush gain authority over the Pinellas Park police officers? Any ideas???

149 posted on 03/27/2005 4:00:16 AM PST by DBeers
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To: maine-iac7
"what the dems are learning now is how easily people like most of the posters here will turn on our own"

As a relatively new member and poster to this forum you may not know that it is a forum to discuss issues..particularly political issues. That is all I was doing.

My comments did not help the democrats in any way. Things done by our elected officials will speak for them selves, and have actions on their own weight. They are already done and I can not affect that.

You are beyond naive with almost a childish outlook to think my comments will affect that in one way or another on actions already taken by elected officials.
150 posted on 03/27/2005 4:20:08 PM PST by JSteff
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Comment #151 Removed by Moderator

To: FairOpinion; Pepper777; Mad Mammoth; farmer18th; Nowhere Man; 1stFreedom; Grateful One; ...

"The two legal opinions were prepared and delivered to Governor Bush in October of 2003, after Schiavo's feeding tube was removed. Bush through his aides requested the legal counsel at the time, but instead chose to work with the Florida legislature to pass emergency legislation to prevent the death of Schiavo. "

Thank you for posting. This proves that Gov. Bush did not do all he could to save Terri. The arguments for the authority of the governor were presented to him over 2 years ago and he did nothing.


152 posted on 03/28/2005 9:51:17 AM PST by FR_addict
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To: FairOpinion

Oh no! What will Pusillanimous Hugh Hewitt say!


153 posted on 03/28/2005 9:58:38 AM PST by farmer18th ("The fool says in his heart there is no God.")
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To: FR_addict
PRESS RELEASE by Conservative Spirit: Monday, March 28, 2005 12:00 noon est

On Monday, March 28, 2005 at approximately 11:00 am est, seven American citizens met with Representative David Simmons, Chairman of the Florida House Judiciary Committee to A. urge that our leaders save Terri's life and to declare to Representative Simmons that we didn't believe all possible had been done to save an innocent, woman from a painful, gruesome death by dehydration and starvation as ordered per a guardianship judge who lacks compassion. A guardianship judge should be compassionate whether the ward is Terri Schiavo or Jane Doe. B. demand that an exploratory committee be created regarding the impeachment of George W. Greer, Sixth Circuit Court, Pinellas County, Florida. (details being withheld at this time to protect the integrity of the process.) C. demand that Guardianship Laws in Florida are revisited In total to protect all Floridians and their families from bad law.

End of Press Release.

154 posted on 03/29/2005 6:21:51 AM PST by floriduh voter (www.theempirejournal.com BUST GREER, READ TRUTH ABOUT TERRI'S CASE)
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To: floriduh voter

Thanks for the update.

So they are considering impeaching Judge Greer, but leave Terri to die. What a bunch of jerks.

It's time to play the blame game. Don't get me wrong, Judge Greer needs to be impeached, but it goes higher than that. In the meantime, Terri is suffering a horrible death.

They've lowered the bar with their attitude that a lowly Circuit Court Judge trumps a Governor.

As we found out, Gov. Bush asked for the opinion of the Thomas More Law Center and was told in 2003 that he had the authority to save Terri.


155 posted on 03/29/2005 6:43:12 AM PST by FR_addict
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