Follow up -- Terri Schiavo Case

Florida Supreme Court rejects request to review case -- other matters go unresolved.

Clearwater, FL -- August 22, 2003 -- The Florida Supreme Court today rejected a motion for stay and a motion for jurisdiction over the case of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. This move by the Florida Supreme Court sends the case back to Circuit Judge George Greer for final disposition on removing the feeding tube that provides the disabled Pinellas County woman nutrition and hydration.

A hearing is scheduled for September 11, 2003.

Earlier this week, Judge Greer ordered that medical information (in particular, a discharge summary from Morton Plant Hospital) be provided to Terris parents, Bob and Mary Schindler of Gulf Port, Florida. As of this writing, the Schindlers have not received the summary.

Further in the same hearing, Judge Greer was asked to reinstate visiting privileges to Terris spiritual provider, Monsignor Thaddeus Malanowski of Clearwater, Florida. Michael Schiavo, Terris husband had barred him earlier in the week, stating he didnt want his wifes hospital environment to become a circus". This issue has been shelved until the week of August 25 by Judge Greer. Mr. Schiavo, however, offered visitation to local radio personality, Todd Schnitt, as a follow up to a radio program Mr. Schnitt conducted in reference to the case. On that program, Mr Schiavo gave his first public interview in two years, the last being at the time Judge Greer previously ordered Terri Schiavos feeding tube removed.

Terri Schiavo is a brain-damaged woman whose husband has petitioned the courts to end her life by removal of her feeding tube. Her husband argues that she is in a persistent vegetative state, though her parents have been told by 12 doctors that she can improve with proper therapy.