CLEARWATER, Florida, February 23, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A state judge extended the stay of brain-disabled Terri Schiavo today, giving her until five pm Friday to consider new arguments presented by the Schindler’s attorney. They contend that further testing be conducted before her feeding tube is removed, and that her husband be dismissed as her legal guardian.
The Florida Department of Children & Families, meanwhile, also attempted to intervene in the case. Judge Greer denied the DCF attorney an opportunity to speak at this afternoon’s hearing. The DCF intervention came after news that Florida Governor Jeb Bush was seeking ways to intervene in the case.
Michael Schiavo’s attorney, euthanasia activist George Felos commented to the AP, saying the DCF involvement, “reeks of the intervention of politics into the case and is an affront to the court.”
“I can assure you, I will do whatever I can within the means, within the laws, of our state to protect this woman’s life,” Bush said to reporters. “I won’t go beyond that.”
“People with deep faith and big hearts are concerned, as I am about the circumstance that Ms. Schiavo is in,” Bush continued. He told reporters his office had been deluged with calls and e-mails asking him to prevent Schiavo’s starvation. “I want them to know I will do what I can, but there are limits to what any particular person — irrespective of the title they currently hold — can do.”
Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry and others picketed outside the home of Michael Schiavo today and Tuesday. At one point, Terry and Schiavo had a conversation as police looked on.
“I just spoke with him very briefly and asked him to please let Terri live, give her back to mom and dad,” Terry told the AP. “He said, ‘Mr. Terry, I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want you on my property. Good day.’”
tv