Terri Schiavo’s Estranged Husband Fails to Show to Second Deposition 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 23, 2004
Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) — For the second time, Terri Schiavo’s estranged husband has failed to show for a deposition in the case surrounding whether or not he should remain as her legal guardian.
The deposition was scheduled for Monday and was a result of a court order by Circuit Judge George Greer. The order allowed Pat Anderson, an attorney for Terri’s parents Bob and Mary Schindler, to depose both Michael and Jodi Centonze, Michael’s fiance since 1997.
"[Michael] Schiavo’s excuses for not appearing are growing thinner," Anderson told LifeNews.com.
Though he is still legally married to Terri, Michael currently lives with Centonze and they have had two children together.
Michael failed to show for the first scheduled deposition earlier this month. Later, his attorneys said he had not had enough time to prepare and the deposition was rescheduled for Monday.
Centonze has been scheduled for a separate deposition on September 2.
Terri’s family is concerned that the depositions won’t take place. Attorneys for Michael say Judge Greer’s order for them was oral and they may demand a written order requiring Michael and Centonze to submit to them.
Terri’s father Bob Schindler, Sr., told LifeNews.com that Greer needs to enforce his request.
"Other than Greer, there is not a judge in this country who would tolerate Schiavo’s continued defiance of court orders," Schindler said.
The Schindlers want Terri’s brother Bobby to replace Michael as her legal guardian and have filed a lawsuit requesting the change.
The Schindlers point to Michael’s refusal to use money from a $700,000 medical malpractice award for medical care or rehabilitative treatment for Terri. As a result of the lack of care her health has deteriorated and five of Terri’s teeth had to be extracted recently.
They also say Michael has abrogated his duties by failing to comply with a Florida statute requiring guardians to establish an annual medical care plan for patients under their watch.
Michael Schiavo has failed to file the annual care plan since August 2001. He has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Terri’s law, which allowed Governor Jeb Bush to ask doctors to reinsert the gastric tube that is providing Terri with food and water.
Removing the tube would cause Terri to die a painful starvation-dehydration death over the course of a week or more.
Greer has not made a final decision on their request for change in guardianship.
Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo’s family – https://www.terrisfight.org
