Judge Denies Bush's Request To Rehash Terri Schiavo Case

TBO News ^ | August 28, 2003 (actual date) | David Sommer

[NYer]

CLEARWATER - A judge on Tuesday quickly rejected Gov. Jeb Bush's request for a fresh look at whether Terri Schiavo's feeding tube should be removed.

``I read [the request from Bush] because it came from the governor and I respect his position,'' Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer said. ``Beyond that, it is going in the file.''

Greer received a letter from Bush asking that he appoint an independent guardian to investigate whether Schiavo would want to be taken off life support.

Schiavo's husband, Michael, and her parents have been battling for years over whether she should be allowed to die. The 39-year-old woman has been in a comalike state since suffering heart failure in 1990.

``This case represents the disturbing result of a severe family disagreement in extremely trying circumstances,'' Bush wrote to Greer. ``Emotions are high, accusations abound, and at the heart of this public and private maelstrom is a young woman incapable of speaking for herself.''

But appeals courts have already looked at the guardian issue and decided that Greer fulfills that role, the judge said Tuesday. Also, Greer said, he is under specific orders from the 2nd District Court of Appeal to schedule the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube.

In his letter, Bush said he realizes he has no role in the process of deciding whether Schiavo would want to be kept alive with no realistic chance of improvement. But after receiving more than 27,000 pieces of e-mail, ``I feel compelled to write,'' the governor said.

Greer said he is treating the governor's letter like the many others he has received and will place it in the case file.

Greer also summarily rejected Michael Schiavo's request to discontinue medical treatment for a severe infection that resulted in his wife's hospitalization this week.

In the three years Greer has been holding trials and hearings on Michael Schiavo's request for permission to remove his wife's feeding tube, the issue of withholding medical care for any illnesses Terri Schiavo might suffer has not come up, the judge said. The issue would require another trial, the judge said.

Michael Schiavo said Bush's letter was inappropriate.

``The governor has deliberately twisted the facts in this case in an apparent effort to kowtow to his `right-to-life' political supporters,'' Michael Schiavo said. ``This has nothing to do with him. He should stay out of it.''

Michael Schiavo said his in- laws, Bob and Mary Schindler, orchestrated a campaign to send e-mail to the governor through a Web site that also raises money from right-to-life supporters. He accused the Schindlers of using his wife's Catholic faith to their own ends.

``Suddenly, they are on the religious kick. They never went to church a day in their lives,'' he said. ``I believe in God and so did Terri, but they are out to push it on people.''

Bob Schindler said his son- in-law is forgetting he and his wife sent Terri and her siblings to Catholic schools and that the Schiavo wedding was performed by a priest.

``It [Michael Schiavo's comment] is really upsetting to my wife because she is a better Catholic than I am,'' he said.

The Web site has drawn a good response, Schindler said. Any donations it generates are going to family attorney Pat Anderson, who had been working for free, he said.

In a third development Tuesday, Greer denied Michael Schiavo's request for an immediate hearing to set a date for removing his wife's feeding tube. That matter will be handled at a hearing previously scheduled for Sept. 11 to decide whether Michael Schiavo can ban a priest from visiting his wife, the judge said.

Michael Schiavo's attorney said that Terri Schiavo's right to die has been thoroughly litigated and that it is time for the courts to call a halt to endless delay tactics on the part of the Schindlers.

``There ought to be a prompt hearing, and there ought to be a prompt decision,'' attorney George Felos said.

Reporter David Sommer can be reached at (727) 799-7413.

[cake_crumb]

"The Judge mocked this letter."

There's nothing in the letter worthy of mocking. Yes it IS wrong. Judges seem to suffer from the "God" syndrome far more frequently and thoroughly than surgeons, but but lawyers are a closed society and they protect one another.

[cake_crumb]

I hope it works. I was forced to call PA's version, the Judicial Advisory and Review Board about him. He "lost" court records...think of an excuse the Clinton's made. He made them all too. In the end, he was forced to back away in exchange for keeping his seat.

[cake_crumb]

"As to Michael Schiavo's EVIL rantings........Sounds like he could be driven to really go ballistic and make public statements extremely damaging to himself, if enough pressure was applied."

Agreed. The guy is definitely Evil, possibly a sociopath and a couple of dimes short of a roll.

As for the living will, if nothing else, we should encourage our kids to get a card printed up saying "Yes" to extraordinary measures. They can get one that says "No" to extraordinary measures. There are a few agensies that do those sorts of things.

[MagnoliaMS]

Amen. I do, too, and have been. There are no words that I can think of to describe this travesty. I just can't see how this can happen in a "civilized" country. Or at least it WAS "civilized." Thanks to people like Bill and Hillary Clinton, the "Honorable" (ha, ha) Judge Greer, and Michael Schiavo, civilization is on the back burner, if it's on the stove at all.

I cannot imagine the pain Terri's parents are going through. I don't think I even WANT to be able to imagine it, because I would not be able to stand it. Surely, somehow, some way, there must be a way to stop this. I wish I knew what it was, but I don't.

Her so-called husband had better enjoy that money while he can. I truly believe he is going to pay dearly for every single dollar of it. If not in this life, then certainly in the next.

[windchime]

"Save Weeki Wachee Mermaids, Save Cypress Gardens but who will save Terri?"

Well said!

[cake_crumb]

"agensies"

AGENCIES. Sheesh. Looks like I was trying to write phonetically in French.

[floriduh voter]

Judge Greer's Judicial Qualifications Commission. I urge people to call J. Greer's higherups to complain about him. #1-850-488-1581.

Terri Schiavo deserves a "guardian ad litem" like Gov. Bush requested. A simple, quick phone call is all that's necessary.

[windchime]

Thanks, RC!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

What is important to remember in this case is the woman is BRAIN DAMAGED.. NOT BRAIN DEAD.

She can follow balloons with her eyes,.. she responds to her mom with true emotions. She has NEVER had attempts to rehabilitate her. This is such a gross injustice. Why this man cannot simply return her to her parents who obviously love her and want to care for her is beyond me.

PURE AND SIMPLE.. this is "EVIL"!!

God Bless Gov. Bush for trying. He could do nothing less!!

I only pray that something will happen to prevent the murder of this young women right in front of her family's eyes.

This is so horrible.

[windchime]

First thing tomorrow!

[floriduh voter]

I emailed AG Crist. His dad's a doctor. Here's what I wrote:

To Office of Attorney General Crist, Terri Schiavo deserves an independent "guardian ad litem". Many Floridians consider themselves friends of Terri and the Judge should have honored the Governor's request to appoint a guardian ad litem. It is troubling that the State of Florida can preserve Cypress Gardens and protect the Everglades but Terri Schiavo has no representation and her parents have no rights. Justice is not being served in Pinellas County, Florida. We support Governor Bush's request to J. Greer for a guardian ad litem to be appointed for Terri Schiavo, a disabled woman who needs her parents' love and support. I am against the starvation and withholding of fluids because there is reasonable doubt as to her diagnosis. I request that someone step up to the plate for Terri's rights. Sincerely, N. Kramer

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

That's a good letter, fv.

You (will) have Freepmail (in a minute).

[windchime]

"Agreed. The guy is definitely Evil, possibly a sociopath and a couple of dimes short of a roll."

We have radio 'personalities' in Tampa that have been known to make calls to various places around the world with 'prank' type calls. Wonder what sort of verbal magic a 'right-thinking' and imaginative radio guy could use to get damning rantings out of Schiavo? Broadcast on the radio...hmmmm... He could certainly make a name for himself. Some of the EVIL must have spilled over on me.:)

The yes/no to extraordinary measures cards would work for normal families, but a spouse like Michael Schiavo would simply make it disappear.

[cake_crumb]

Good lord, I just read that the doctor in the video then testified that she's "non-responsive"...she's CONSIOUS! How can ANYONE caliming to have a heart believe that forcing her to die of thirst and starvation won't cause TERRIBLE suffering? At least CRIMINALS are allowed a quick, humane death.

[cake_crumb]

"We have radio 'personalities' in Tampa that have been known to make calls to various places around the world with 'prank' type calls."

FOFLOL...if they can put one over on Castro and Chaves, they can put one over on THAT slimeball.

Seriously, what this demon is demanding is cruel and inhuman!

[livius]

It's definitely horrible becvause it seems upstoppable. The parents are willing to do everything, but this evil man simply wants to kill her, and the Court is supporting him.

At this point, I doubt that it's even about the money, because there couldn't be much left. It may be about covering up for a crime, or it may be simply about - as you have said - evil.

[cake_crumb]

"At this point, I doubt that it's even about the money, because there couldn't be much left. It may be about covering up for a crime, or it may be simply about - as you have said - evil"

I've been trying very hard not to get the impression that the husband is acting like a murderer who botched the job and now only wants to see it finished.

[MagnoliaMS]

I could be wrong, but I believe most of the money is still there. He would NOT spend it on her therapy. This is why he won't just divorce her and let her parents take over. He would lose the money. That's the whole thing in a nutshell. It's all about the money. Which should have been spent on Terri.

[Calpernia]

>>>>I honestly don't know why both the husband and Judge Greer aren't charged with malicious neglect, at least.

So why aren't they? I bet the parents don't know they can do that! GREAT idea. I'm going to search Terri's site to see if there are contact information on her parents.

Floriduh Voter, here in NJ a citizen can issue a summons or charge. You just have to go to City Hall and fill out the paperwork. Is that an option in Florida?

I bet Terri's parents don't know they can do this!

Thanks Cowgirl, you are always on the money with great information!

[cake_crumb]

"He would lose the money. That's the whole thing in a nutshell. It's all about the money."

Yep. Did he have life insurance on her?