Thread: Appeals court: Terri Schiavo parents cannot intervene

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.

Originally Posted by 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

I agree.

Originally Posted by Tina

I've always wondered if he had something to do with her being in the state she's in. I guess we'll never know, since she's not able to tell anyone.

I honestly think he just wants the money he will get when she does die. Otherwise, he would have given guardianship of her over to her parents LONG ago. It's obvious he doesn't care about her.... since he's been living with another woman for how long??

This is such a sad case.

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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......

Do you have any proof of that?