I think they feel they have no standing. Howedver< it seems to me that this denial of food and water is a direct violation of Terri's civil rights, and thus a Federal issue (cf. Rodney King).
Exactly. An innocent citizen whose life is taken has had every one of of his constitutional rights violated.
If I recall correctly, the Emancipation Proclamation didn't require court action, in order for government to be considered valid.