One step closer to a
merciful end for Terri Schiavo and America in general:
A state judge and the U.S. Supreme Court refused today to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo, leaving the brain-damaged woman's parents with only the slimmest hopes in their fight to keep her alive.
Meanwhile, a hearing was set in Tampa on this evening on yet another legal move.
Gov. Jeb Bush's request seeking custody cited new allegations of neglect and challenges the diagnoses that Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state, but Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer wasn't convinced and declined to hear Bush's arguments.
More below...
Greer hits the nail on the head:
"The requested intervention ... appears to be brought for the purpose of circumventing the courts' final judgment and order setting the removal date in violation of the separate of powers doctorate," Greer ruled today.
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Bush said he was expecting Greer to rule against the state and he planned to appeal.
He added that he won't violate Greer's order by sending state officers to take custody of Schiavo under a law that allows the Department of Children & Families to act in emergency situations of adult abuse.
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In his ruling, Greer said an affidavit from neurologist William Cheshire, who believes that Schiavo is "minimally conscious," was not enough to set aside the judgment in the long-running legal case that established Terri Schiavo's right to have the feeding tube removed.
"Theresa Marie Schiavo cannot live without a nutrition and hydration tube and Dr. Cheshire does not suggest otherwise. By clear and convincing evidence, it was determined she did not want to live under such burdensome conditions and that she would refuse such medical treatment/assistance," Greer wrote
Greer's only mistake is citing "evidence" like it has meaning (this is meant to be sarcastic, no flaming please). The country needs closure, the Schindler's need closure, Michael needs closure, Terri needs to be let go. Maybe the poll numbers will finally convince the radical right to let this travesty end.