Terri Schavio: Where Things Stand

The case and life of Terri Schiavo received a judicial reprieve late Friday afternoon from Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer. Judge Greer ruled that Terri's husband can remove her feeding tube at 1 p.m. on March 18, and he let it be known in his decision that his court will grant no further extensions. Now Terri's parents, who want to keep their daughter alive, will have to appeal to a different court in hopes of Terri's survival. The order came down on the 15th anniversary of the day Terri slipped into a coma under still unknown circumstances. The parents need more time to pursue additional medical tests, which might prove their daughter has more mental capabilities than previously thought. In addition, Governor Jeb Bush is asking for more time to investigate allegations that Terri is being mistreated by being denied appropriate medical care and rehabilitation. A court settlement gave Terri and her husband, Michael, money for rehabilitation, yet her husband consistently refused treatment that might help Terri's situation. Unless some last second legal maneuver occurs or there is a change of heart, this will be a further step in legally recognized euthanasia in the United States.