Terri Schiavo’s Parents Lose Appeals Court Motion to Delay Issuing Opinion

Bioethics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 22, 2005   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Terri Schiavo’s Parents Lose Appeals Court Motion to Delay Issuing Opinion

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 22, 2005

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) — The parents of Terri Schiavo lost another legal battle Monday in their fight to prevent their daughter from being starved to death. The Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal denied a motion filed by Bob and Mary Schindler asking it to delay issuing a mandate that could allow Terri’s death.

Earlier this month, the appeals court rejected a legal argument saying starving Terri to death would violate her religious liberties. As a Catholic, the Schindlers contend Terri would not want to have her life ended.

The appeal court is expected to issue a mandate in the case tomorrow afternoon that has the potential of allowing Terri’s estranged husband Michael to remove her feeding tube and start the week-long starvation and dehydration process.

However, the Schindlers are asking local Circuit Court Judge George Greer to issue a stay preventing that from happening while they appeal the appeals court decision to the Supreme Court.

They want cognitive ability tests to be conducted on their daughter to prove their contention that she is more aware than courts have acknowledged.

An attorney for the Schindlers will present a motion today before Circuit Court Judge Greer pointing to a new study showing that disabled people who are treated as if they have no awareness of their surroundings or that they cannot interact with others may be absorbing more than previously thought.

"I think the bottom line is that Terri deserves to get these tests," her father Bob Schindler said Thursday. "It would be unconscionable for Judge Greer or any other judge to order her death without these tests."

Meanwhile, pro-life advocates are heading to southwest Florida to support Terri.

Last week, Terri’s parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, called on pro-life activist Randall Terry to organize grassroots action on Terri’s behalf. He’s responded by organizing dozens of pro-life advocates.

"We will fight for Terri with every ounce of strength we have, and we still have many ounces," Bob Schindler said

Terry’s group will start with protests at the home and workplace of Terri’s estranged husband Michael Schiavo.

"The gloves are coming off with Michael Schiavo," Terry said, adding that he hopes the protests will "wear down his will."

The protests will expand to include any medical facility where Terri’s tube may be removed and will include the governor’s office and state capitol in Tallahassee.

Standing outside the hospice where Terri lives, Terry also said he would unleash an "avalanche" of letter and email campaigns, and other activities on Terri’s behalf.

Terry also is putting pressure on Florida Governor Jeb Bush to get involved again to help Terri.

The courts rebuffed his earlier efforts and declared unconstitutional a law the legislature passed allowing Bush to ask doctors to keep the feeding tube in place. Still, the governor says he will do everything legally possible to help out.

Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo’s parents – https://www.TerrisFight.org