Appeals court: Terri Schiavo parents cannot intervene

Jolie Rouge

Thursday, July 1, 2004 Posted: 12:47 PM EDT (1647 GMT)


Terri Schiavo


http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/07/01/sc....ap/index.html

DUNEDIN, Florida (AP) -- An appeals court said Wednesday the parents of a woman at the center of a bitter right-to-die case may not intervene in the legal battle over a state law keeping her alive.

"Terri's Law," passed in October, allowed Gov. Jeb Bush to order the reinsertion of a feeding tube keeping Terri Schiavo alive. She has been in a persistent vegetative state for 14 years after collapsing from a chemical imbalance.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld Circuit Judge W. Douglas Baird's ruling denying an attempt by Bob and Mary Schindler to join the fight over the law's constitutionality.

The appeals court didn't issue an opinion with the ruling.

Terri Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, is suing the governor to have the law overturned. Bush is defending the law and the Schindlers wanted to join him as a party to the lawsuit.

The state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments August 31.

"There's no question that the governor is actively defending the lawsuit and there was no purpose to be served by adding additional parties," said Michael Schiavo's lawyer, George Felos.

The ruling doesn't prevent the Schindlers from filing documents with the Supreme Court related to the case. The parents' lawyer, Pat Anderson, said the Schindlers' voices will be heard. "It would be a shame to shut them out of the process," she said.

For years, the Schindlers have battled Michael Schiavo as he has tried to have his wife's feeding tube removed. He argues she would not have wanted to be kept alive artificially. The Schindlers say they doubt their now 40-year-old daughter had any such end-of-life wishes and believe her condition could improve with therapy.

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bell_peaches

Go ahead and flame away. I agree with the husband. I would not want to be kept alive in that condition. I don't agree with the parents and Governor. JMO

DAVESBABYDOLL

I wouldn't want to kept alive either if there was no chance of living a full quality life.However,I can see her parents side of this as well.I as a parent would not want my child to die.Even if I had all the medical proof in black and white layed in front of me i still probably would not accept the truth.Most parents I think would be that way.What parent would want to see their child die?

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DAVESBABYDOLL

Not only living with her but fathered children with her. And yes,it's about money too.

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JKATHERINE

I agree.

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ntgsmommy

That's exactly what he wants.....the money--he doesn't care about her...ITA!

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iowakat

The husband has refused to allow any kind of rehibilitation treatment all these years and also refuses to give up guardianship. Terry was awarded a huge settlement and he's spent it all. Who knows if she could have gotten better or not if something had been done years ago? The parents suspect he had something to do with her illness/injury but they can't prove it.

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belcherpi

I'll never understand why he refused to get her help years ago. It may be too late now but if he had got help for her years ago, who knows, maybe her condition could have improved. If it had been a family member of mine, I would have tried anything and hoped it would have helped them. It's just a sad situation now.

jedmatters

Her parents had no right to intervene. Once you marry, you place all the control in your spouse's hands whether your parents agree or not.
And, yes, the governor and her parents over stepped. No one knows if she told him prior to 14 years ago what she wanted, but him. And it was his call.
14 years is too long for this mess to have gone on. He had every right to do what he did, and the saddest part is that people punish him for his rights.
I hope he can have a reasonable life now, and be happy.

qwestgirl

I have to agree. I live in Clearwater FL (about 5 miles from Dunedin, FL) and hear about this case all too often. In my opinion, I think that the parents are being selfish. It is time to let go and live on. NOTHING LASTS FOREVER...The husband has a right to move on if he so chooses.....Therapy will not help her.....And, for all of you who seem to think that the hubby is involved with her condition....? WRONG and proven so......

ntgsmommy

Do you have any proof of that?

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