Posted on 05/02/2005 5:06:09 AM PDT by Quaker
NEW PORT RICHEY - Pinellas- Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer, who was thrust into the national spotlight and scrutinized by pro-life advocates during the Terri Schiavo case, was a consistent judge who followed the law, colleagues say.
His professionalism and integrity was punctuated by the way he handled the Schiavo case, said Alan Scott Miller, a New Port Richey lawyer and member of the West Pasco Bar Association.
As part of Law Week, which kicks off today, the association will award Greer, 63, its Special Justice Award.
``He's getting this award for all of his contributions on the bench, not just the Schiavo case,'' Miller said. ``It's like a lifetime achievement award for an actor.''
Greer will receive the award during a banquet Thursday at the Heritage Springs Golf and Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway.
For years, Greer presided over the politically and emotionally charged Schiavo case, which ended when the 41- year-old woman died March 31, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed a third time on a court order.
Some doctors said Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state since suffering brain damage after her heart stopped in 1990.
Her husband, Michael, fought for years to have her feeding stopped, saying his wife didn't want to be kept alive by artificial means.
Her parents, hoping she would recover, fought him in court after court.
Eventually, Florida's governor and Legislature and then Congress took up the battle.
Supporters and detractors watched as Greer made rulings backing Terri Schiavo's purported wishes and received threats on his life.
``I don't think anyone could ever say his decisions were unlawful,'' said Joan Nelson Hook, president of the West Pasco Bar Association. ``They were very thoughtful. His decisions were meticulous.
``We admired his ability to sustain the pressure not to follow the law. ... I think that shows his character.''
Steve Doran, association president-elect, echoed Hook's thoughts on Greer's handling of the Schiavo case.
``His decisions in that unfortunate case withstood the test of every appellate court in the country,'' Doran said. ``Those who are criticizing him are not seeing the big picture.''
When the association voted this month on this year's recipient of the Special Justice Award, the result was almost unanimous for Greer.
``He's a man of integrity. He's followed the flow. He's done an excellent job on the bench,'' said Miller. ``That's why he's getting this award.''
In addition to Greer's award, the Law Week celebration offers events that allow the community to get a closer look at what the West Pasco Bar Association and the law profession are about, Hook said.
``It's an opportunity to interact with all levels of the community,'' she said.
``It's not just about battles; law is a way of life.''
Here are some events:
* Representatives of the association will be at Gulf View Square mall in Port Richey offering free legal advice from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
* All week, 22 lawyers will visit Pasco schools to discuss the law and this week's national theme, ``The American Jury: We the People in Action.''
* The 2nd District Court of Appeal will hold a special session at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, in county commission chambers.
* Business suits, shoes and accessories will be collected at area law offices for Connections, a not-for-profit organization that helps people looking for jobs.
The following law offices are collecting men's and women's apparel:
The Law Offices of Attridge, Cohen & Lucas, 7136 Little Road, New Port Richey; The O'Conner Law Group, 9735 U.S. 19, Suite 2, Port Richey; Pejot Law, 11911 Pine Forest Drive, New Port Richey; and The Law Offices of Gay & Ehrhardt, 5318 Balsam St., New Port Richey.
Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.
Since we are discussing this on an internet forum, what would you call it? Chat, perhaps?
You must be one of those "true pro-lifers".
The hate is unmistakable.
That and the insane ranting.
You obviously do not have any detective skills.
Husband claims wife would live 41 years in current condition with enough money for treatment.Husband receives over $2 million dollars to take care of wife for next 41 years.Husband gets engaged to other woman and has children with her.Husband claims his wife told his brother she would rather die instead of receiving any type of life support back in 1984.Husband gets approval to spend wife's money on everything else except her treatment.Husband continues his crusade to kill his wife with his expensive lawyer.Greer didn't see anything suspicious in the actions of the husband.They say justice is supposed to be blind but in this case only the judge was blind.
Well they are talking about how much good they are doing on this thread. I agree.. exposing their ignorance and prejudice against those less fortunate.
Bump.
So, killers can be nice people. They can kill with a smile.
It's so obvious that you haven't done any research.
It's so obvious you have no idea about my thoughts or comments on this topic.
But don't let that stop you. Just make inane and false statements about someone because it's the Christian thing to do.
It is the only way these boobs can keep flogging this issue. Without their faulty assumptions they would have had to shut up long ago.
Lol.
I noticed that. Of course, some of them are worse than others. What gets me is that they are all so dedicated to the cause but some of them are on this forum for hours on end. Don't think that accomplishes much.
Willingly blind, with prejudice/bias and on a mission.
Among those who can rationalize the murder of Terri.
Good point.
You wouldn't happen to be part of the legal profession in Pinellas, would you? Or perhaps just someone like a funeral home owner who also profits from the scraps the probate and guardianship legal vultures throw your way?
Judge Greer/Michael Schiavo fan club is getting testy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.