Col. Gritz will arrive in Pinellas Park later today
Press Release
16 March 2005
TRUE GRIT(Z) RIDES AGAIN: FILES CITIZEN’S ARREST IN SHIAVO CASE
Former Green Beret Commander Bo Gritz is charging-in once again. The 66 year-old retired Army Lt. Colonel with his wife, Judy, drove straight through from their Southern Nevada home to Pinellas Park, Florida in their own effort to rescue Terri Schindler-Shiavo. In his typically unconventional fashion, Gritz is arresting Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer and Terri Schiavo’s estranged husband, Michael Schiavo, plus anyone else who would aid or abet in removing Terri’s feeding tube.
Bo and Judy arrived this evening, after furnishing a notarized “Citizen’s Arrest Warrant” to Governor Jeb Bush and Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist. Gritz intends on “papering” State and Federal enforcement offices with his warrant on Thursday, one day before Judge Greer has ordered the denial of food and water to Terri Schiavo. Gritz says the “arrest” is meant to allow officials additional options as the Florida State Executive and Legislative Branches maneuver to secure Terri Schiavo from starvation. “It’s just another arrow in the quiver which may help pro-Terri forces to counter Judge Greer’s death-order,” says Gritz.
The “Gritz-effect” remains to be seen, but he successfully used the arrest-tool against federal law enforcement in August 1992 when he intervened in the siege at Ruby Ridge, Idaho and brought what was left of the Randy Weaver family down the hill without further bloodshed. Sammy, the 14 year-old Weaver boy, was killed along with his mother, Vicki, and U.S. Marshal William Degan. Randy Weaver and another man, Kevin Harris, were wounded by police gun-fire. Gritz secured the services of renowned defense lawyer Gerry Spence, and the U.S. Department of Justice paid the Weavers $3.2-million in an out-of-court settlement. Harris was awarded more than $300,000.
Gritz was also present during the longest FBI-siege at the Montana Freemen compound, and helped in the failed-search for Olympic bombing suspect Eric Rudolph -- due for prosecution in Birmingham this month.
Gritz says while he doesn’t want to “cause trouble,”he gets involved when it appears Americans are in needless life-and-death situations with the law. Citing his officer’s oath of allegiance to “defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic,” Gritz says while he doesn’t know Terri Schiavo personally, she nevertheless represents an American in danger of citizen-rights abuse, and he feels an obligation to act while she remains alive. Says Gritz: “Amer-I-cans will always fight for freedom. Millions of our military place their life on the line to keep tyranny away from our shores.” He acknowledges and supports the broad-front of Americans who have for years stood-up in saving the life of Terri Schiavo. Besides a “Terri-Bill” under consideration in the U.S. Congress, the Florida Legislature votes Friday on a modified-measure to keep Terri’s life-support in place. A previous Florida Bill was ruled un-Constitutional barring further intervention by Governor Bush. “We all do what we can. Most people wisely don’t arrest important officials, it can be non-habit forming. It’s my contribution, as I see it,” says Gritz.
While threatened with arrest at Ruby Ridge and Jordon, Montana, when the smoke-cleared, the much decorated war hero instead walked away with FBI letters of appreciation. Time and events will soon tell if his presence is thus appreciated in Florida.
A copy of the Gritz Warrant language is attached.
CITIZEN’S ARREST NOTICE
I, James G. “Bo” Gritz, a private citizen, being an American by birth in Enid, Oklahoma, on 18 January 1939, and possessing personal knowledge (reasonable cause) that certain individuals and agencies in and around Pinellas Park, Florida have committed, or will soon commit, specific felony violation of U.S. and Florida State laws, do hereby issue and publish this Citizen’s Arrest Notice requesting government agencies responsible for enforcement, including the Pinellas County Sheriff, Florida Attorney General, State Police, FBI, district attorneys and local police departments arrest the identified person(s) for crimes already committed and restrain them from committing further violations identified in this document.
The focus of this action is to secure the personal safety of Theresa “Terri” Marie Schindler-Schiavo, a natural-born U.S. Citizen currently being held in the Woodside Hospice (727-541-4199) at 6774 102nd Avenue N in Pinellas Park, FL 33782-2909 (Scott Kistler, Vice President of Operations, 727-586-4432). Terri is paralyzed and in need of care by the Woodside staff – specifically the provision of nourishment and hydration at meal times through a feeding tube.
The specific threat is the wrongful withholding of nourishment from Terri Schiavo beginning at 1:00 p.m. local-time on 18 March 2005 with the specific purpose of her death through starvation and dehydration, as ordered by Circuit Judge George W. Greer (727-464-3933) in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County, Florida at 2:50 p.m. on 25 February 2005; to be executed by Michael Schiavo (Marrie Ct, Clearwater, FL). This is a felony conspiracy to cause the wrongful death of an innocent person. The conspiracy will become a homicide if carried through to completion.
With the exception of the feeding tube at meal time, Terri Schiavo is on no other form of life support-system. She is not in a comma – she opens and moves her eyes; she is aware, recognizes and reacts to people and other stimuli. She is paralyzed, but more than 17 physicians and medical specialists have signed affidavits believing her condition will improve with proper therapy. Nobel Prize nominee Dr. William Hammesfahr has examined Terri and states her injury is a type of stroke that he treats everyday with success. Terri’s parents, Robert and Mary Schindler are prepared to assume responsibility for continued care of their daughter. The American people, the U.S. Congress, Florida Legislature, Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Department of Children and Families, the Vatican, numerous public interest groups, and luminary Americans are making public their adamant interest sustaining Terri’s life.
As an American, Terri Schindler-Schiavo is protected under both U.S. Constitutional Laws and Florida Statutes which have been over-ridden by Judge George Greer. The 8th Amendment forbids cruel and unusual punishment. Not even the most heinous criminals are starved to death! The 14th Amendment protects her human rights as an American.
Florida Statute 744.3215 (Rights of Persons Determined Incapacitated) forbids depriving Terri of food and water, a felony.
Florida Statute 765.404 requires the diagnosis of “persistent vegetative state” be determined as “permanent” prior to withdrawal of life prolonging means. Judge Greer has refused any further definitive tests (MRI) to ascertain Terri’s current status.
Florida Statute 765.309 prevents mercy killing and assisted suicide.
Florida Statute 765.404 calls for clear and convincing evidence of a ward’s intent concerning life and death medical decisions. Terri is a Catholic (suicide and assisted termination not an option); Judge Grer ruled-out pro-life testimony and accepted instead Michael Schivo’s self-serving hearsay that he had heard Terri refer to ceasing life-support on one occasion (violation of FL Statute 90.602).
This Citizen’s Arrest Warrant becomes null and void upon transfer of guardianship for Terri Schindler-Schiavo to her mother and father, or the Florida Department of Children & Families, prior to 1:00 p.m. on 18 March 2005.
As the plaintiff, I will physically be present in Pinellas Park at the Woodside Hospice. I am causing this complaint to be widely distributed so appropriate officials are made aware and may act to prevent this cruel death. As previously stated: The sole purpose of this document and resulting action(s) is to safeguard a helpless Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Any action that accomplishes this objective satisfies this Citizen’s Arrest Notice.
Sworn to and Certified before a Notary Public on this date
I am James G. “Bo” Gritz, a Private Person and U.S. Citizen,
resident address: HC-37, Box 472, Sandy Valley, NV 89019
pc93 - is THIS for real?????
God Bless him...that is cool.
This is action folks.
If he files it, the officals have to acknowledge it.
I guess we'll see what happens.
Thanks for posting that pc93. That is good news. He don't take no s**t.
Was it not Gritz who launched a "secret" mission to Southeast Asia to search for American POW's, and announced said "secret" mission at a news conference? Then proceeded to foray into Southeast Asia armed with four semi-auto UZIs and a pistol, to expected results (I.E., he was arrested and kicked out)?
And hasn't Gritz been the same gadfly who has been involved in EVERY nutjob "hostage" crisis in recent memory?
And didn't he try to run a laughable campaign for President once?
Pooh, looks like this case is now attracting the SERIOUS whackjobs.
Where did this news release come from? Do you have a link? It sounds a bit fantastic to me.