Michael's Attorney Backs Kicking Out Terri Schiavo's Parents

Michael's Attorney Backs Kicking Out Terri Schiavo's Parents

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 31, 2005

Pinellas Park, FL (LifeNews.com) -- In comments made to reporters outside of Terri Schiavo's hospice, the lead attorney for her estranged husband Michael defended him against his actions this morning kicking Terri's parents out of the hospice 10 minutes before she passed away.

Michael asked Terri's family to leave to avoid a "potentially explosive" situation, euthanasia advocate George Felos said.

"I can just tell you that Mr. Schiavo's overriding concern here was to provide for Terri a peaceful death with dignity, and I emphasize it because this death was not for the siblings, and not for the spouse and not for the parents," Felos claimed. "This was for Terri."

Felos told reporters that Michael's main concern was making sure Terri's final moments were not filled with a squabble between him and Terri's family.

He claimed the decision to ask the Schindler family was made because hospice staff wanted to check on Terri's condition.

"I don't think it was made out of spite or animus but out of regard to Terri," Felos said. "She had a right to spend her final moments on earth...without the possibility of altercation."

Terri's parents and family were with her 10 minutes before she died before being asked to live.

Paul O'Donnell, a Franciscan monk who has been a spokesman for the Schindlers during the last two weeks, said, "At that point, they pleaded with the police -- the police were acting under the orders of Michael Schiavo - that Michael allow them to stay in the room as Terri was about to pass away."

The Schindler family told police they would agree to be in the room with Michael there at the same time.

Police passed on the plea to Michael, who denied it and instructed police to threaten them with arrest if they did not comply with his wishes to leave.

"They not only escorted them out of the room, but also off the hospice property. Within ten minutes, it was reported that Terri passed away," O'Donnell said.