Federal Appeals Court Schedules Emergency Hearing in Schiavo Case
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 1, 2003
Tampa, FL (LifeNews.com) — A federal judge has scheduled an emergency hearing Tuesday to determine whether Michael Schiavo is denying Terri Schiavo’s family access to her medical records.
The family contends that Michael has denied them thorough updates about Terri’s condition during two hospitals stays, in violation of a 1996 court order requiring him to keep them informed.
Circuit Court Judge George Greer, who has Terri’s fate in his hands, had scheduled a hearing on September 11, where he said he would also determine whether or not a feeding tube that is keeping Terri alive will be removed.
However, U.S. District Judge Richard Lazzara says he will hear arguments in the medical records motion filed by family attorney Pat Anderson.
According to a statement issued by Terri’s family, Anderon’s motion "asked the court to issue an injunction allowing Ms. Schiavo’s parents access to her medical information, continuance of medically necessary treatment and several other
issues that relate to Ms. Schiavo’s care."
Pamela Hennessy, a representative of the family, told LifeNews.com that some medical information had been faxed by George Felos, Michael’s attorney, to Anderson, but Felos’ medical reports "have been conflicting and contradicting of each other."
Terri was released from a Clearwater, Florida hospital on Friday. She was first hospitalized for coughing up blood, and then hospitalized last week because of a significant illness, according to court records.
Despite initially ruling that Terri’s medical care be uninterrupted, on Friday Greer approved Felos’ motion that Terri be released from the hospital. However, Terri’s family says her condition is still serious and she needs further medical attention.
Related web sites:
Anderson’s motion asking for medical records – https://www.zimp.org/complaint.pdf
Terri Schiavo Foundation – https://www.terrisfight.org
