by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 8, 2003
Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Circuit Court Judge George Greer on Wednesday afternoon refused to delay the removal of a feeding tube that is providing Terri Schiavo with food and water. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, hoped he would delay the order so they could appeal his decision.
Greer previously set a date of October 15 for the removal of the gastric tube that is keeping Terri Schiavo alive.
Terri's family have filed a separate federal lawsuit asking that Terri be allowed to learn to eat and drink on her own before the tube is permanently withdrawn. They say Terri's husband Michael has refused to use a large sum he received in a settlement for rehabilitative care some doctors say will greatly improve her condition.
The hearing in the federal lawsuit is set for Friday.
Michael Schiavo contends his wife would not want to be kept alive artificially and asked the federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Governor Jeb Bush (R) filed a brief in the suit saying Terri should receive proper rehabilitative therapy.
In the documents filed on Monday, Governor Bush argued that Terri should be allowed to learn to eat and drink on her own before she is permanently removed from the feeding tube. To deny her that chance would be a violation of her right to life under the U.S. and Florida constitutions, Bush argued.
"Terri's right to life is violated by the state when the state, acting as her guardian, assumes that her wish to live without artificial sustenance is the same as her wish not to be fed at all," Bush said in the brief.
Related web sites:
Bob and Mary Schindler - http://www.terrisfight.org
Bush's amicus brief - http://www.zimp.org/100603ab.pdf
