WASHINGTON, January 21, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The US Supreme Court deliberates today whether to hear the case of Terri Schiavo, the brain-disabled Florida woman at the center of a right-to-live case.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled in September that Terri’s law – the last ditch measure instituted by the Florida legislature to prevent her death in 2003 – is unconstitutional, granting her husband the green light to proceed with her euthanasia.
The governor’s attorneys filed an appeal to the US Supreme Court in December, arguing that the Florida Supreme Court decision could have “ominous” consequences for “the most vulnerable of our citizens who cannot speak for themselves,” according to an AP report. The Florida attorneys also argue that the lower court rulings denied the governor his federally safeguarded right to due process.
Terri’s execution will proceed pending the present Supreme Court decision and the outcomes of other ongoing lawsuits launched by her parents. The decision is expected Monday.
Legal experts believe there is little chance the US Supreme Court will hear the case. Terri’s estranged husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo, has cohabited with another woman for some time, and has two children with her. Putting the situation into context, Concerned Women for America’s Wendy Wright described Terri’s husband. “Michael Schiavo won a lawsuit granting him a large sum of money based on his claim that he would care for Terri in her disabled state. As soon as the money was in the bank, he began advocating for the right to starve her to death,” said Wright.
With files from the Orlando Sentinel.
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Governor Bush Files US Supreme Court Appeal to Save Life of Terri Schiavo
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