It was a long afternoon. I didn't get word re: the location of the hearing so I drove downtown, talked to the civil records clerk, some bailiffs and someone in the administrative office who was kind enough to call Judge Baird's office for me to find out when and where today's hearing was. Before I sped to the 49th St. Complex, I notified the bailiff in downtown Clearwater to direct others to Room 2 of the 49th St. Complex. ALL THIS IN HEELS.
I arrived at the Criminal Courthouse Complex on 49th Street which appears to be a much smaller building from the outside.
The marble hallways went on forever but I located Judge Baird's Courtroom and watched counsel arrive. Michael Schiavo was not in attendance. ATTY GEORGE FELOS, DEBRA BUSHNELL and also an ACLU Attorney for the west coast of Florida was sitting at the heartless table.
ATTORNEY KEN CONNOR and his assistant came all the way from Virginia to represent Governor Bush. They were kind of surprised by the warm temps, even in the a.c. Other Terri supporterss started to arrive as did the local news media but I can't recall exactly what the news media was doing because only one person had a camera. The other news crews in polo shirts were sitting in the back where we sat.
Judge Baird asked us to stand and then told us to be seated. I aced that portion of the hearing.
FIRST UP: GEORGE FELOS who wanted Judge Baird to approve MICHAEL SCHIAVO'S MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER which would prevent Jeb from taking any depositions or discovery. And, GEORGE FELOS also wanted Judge Baird to simply do a Summary Judgment which would for all purposes DISMISS Terri's Law and end Schiavo v. Bush lawsuit. (his droning voice did give me a headache - it reminded me of the canned voices at theme parks that tell you when to get on and off rides). His sentences were crafted, and I do mean crafted like an old crazy quilt.
NEXT UP: KEN CONNOR, GOV. BUSH'S ATTORNEY: Ken Connor was taller than George Felos and in addition, he had the recent reversal of the 2nd DCA to base his arguments upon. The point of the 2nd DCA reversing was not so that a Judge could do a summary judgment but so that there would be a resolution between the parties. Ken Connor mentioned that he had DOZENS or numerous Affidavits sent to him that supported Governor Bush's position and that Felos would have an insurmountable hurdle to prove that Terri's Law is unconstitutional since it originated in the Legislature before Gov. Bush signed it into law. Governor Bush RETAINS the right as Terri's proxy to do discovery and to take depositions. Ken Connor made sense.
GEORGE FELOS TRIES AGAIN: What does Felos pull out of the hat? That Senator Jim King said he was "hoodwinked" into signing Terri's Law. KEN CONNOR: Objected as hearsay and not admissable. GEORGE FELOS was running out of steam at this point and made the same points that he apparently made at the last hearing about a motion for protective order according to a portion of Ken Connor's remarks to the Court.
That was basically it. JUDGE BAIRD said that he would review the proceedings and put something in writing... The Orders usually come down by fax to the parties.
Terri's supporters stood around after the hearing in the marble hallway and I thanked Ken Connor for coming. He's a good man, folks.
Pls excuse the "s" typos above. (can't see them at the moment to correct). FV
Jim King? Hoodwinked? By his constituents and other concerned FL citizens?
Oh, that is rich.
I posted a "ping" link here from the other thread.
Oh my, can anyone here imagine the fun that could be had if that was a basis for overturning legislation?
...is this where what Pat Anderson calls "the rule of Terri's case" comes into play (as Wesley Smith wrote on 1/30/04)? Judge gives every appearance of fairly considering all points (heLLO, MS is a compromised guardian!), but then comes back with an outrageous ruling out of the blue?
What concerns me is that we do not know how Terri is. Those trumped up marks w/immediate blame placed on Terri's parents were for just this purpose: to keep scrutiny off Terri, exhibit A if you will.
Tonight, Terri is still missing (at least) 2 (TWO) teeth and has a decubitus ulcer of unknown severity. Those teeth didn't just walk out of her mouth, and the same neglect that allowed the ulcer to form (did her parents say how severe it was; did they see it?), if not remedied, will allow it to continue to progress -- healing it takes diligent effort! Infection can result from either site, and we know that MS did not allow treatment in past infections.
Anyways . . . I'm concerned for Terri. She and all fighting for her remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh, God, may your angels seen and unseen continue to guard, protect, and defend Terri from all evil near and far. Please keep anyone from hurting her -- in any way, in her body, her case, her family. This I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.
:o) Thank God for good people. I'm so glad you were able to meet and talk with him!