Don't you realize that it was at the trial where Dr.'s testified repeatedly that she would never recover. It makes perfect sense. He tried the first four years, along with her parents. But at some point he accepted that it was over. Her parents never accepted that. And that's why we are where we are today.
It wasn't anticipated that she would ever be the wife she once was, because the lawsuit was about compensation for future loss - and the money awarded to Terri herself was to help Michael take care of her in her current state. He specifically asked for compensation for future medical care, and he and his lawyers estimated her life expectancy at fifty years.
That certainly explains why he felt no compunction about living with a woman on the side while his wife was still alive.
At this point, it's obvious MS has won his case and the feeding tube won't be put back in. I just want to know why Terri is being denied last rights according to the Catholic church.