TALLAHASSEE, Florida (CNN) -- Florida authorities have filed a new request to intervene in the case of brain-damaged Florida woman Terri Schiavo, arguing that new information suggests she may retain some consciousness, Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday.
Dr. William Cheshire, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, concluded Schiavo is "most likely in a state of minimal consciousness," rather than the persistent vegetative state previous doctors have diagnosed, Bush said.
"This new information raises serious concerns and warrants immediate action," Bush said.
Cheshire reviewed Schiavo's medical records, watched videotapes and observed her at the hospice, but was not able to personally examine her, Department of Children and Families Secretary Lucy Hadi told reporters.
A Florida judge, who also reviewed medical records and videotapes, in 2002 rejected arguments put forth by doctors chosen by Schiavo's parents that she was not in a persistent vegetative state. Three other doctors -- two chosen by Schiavo's husband, Michael, and one chosen by the court -- concluded she was in that state.
Michael Schiavo has said his wife told him she would not want to be kept alive in her current state. Florida courts have agreed, and Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed Friday.
Bush said the request was likely to go back to Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer, who issued the order to remove Schiavo's feeding tube and rejected earlier attempts by the state agency to step into the case.
The move comes amid last-ditch efforts to restore a feeding tube for Schiavo, who suffered severe brain damage in 1990 after heart failure linked to an eating disorder. Schiavo, now 41, has been at the center of a legal and moral tug-of-war between her husband, Michael, and her parents for the past seven years.
Bush said he is "doing everything within my power" to get Schiavo's feeding tube restored. His announcement came as federal appeals court in Atlanta rejected her parents' latest attempt to obtain a federal court order restoring the feeding tube.
"I'm to make sure that Terri is afforded at least the same rights that criminals convicted of the most heinous crimes take for granted," Bush said. "If a prisoner comes forward with new DNA evidence 20 years after his conviction suggesting his innocence, there is no doubt that the courts, in our state or all across the country for that matter, would immediately review his case. We should do no less for Terri Schiavo."
Repeated court rulings have held that Michael Schiavo is his wife's legal guardian and has the right to make decisions regarding her care.
Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have been more successful in the political arena: Bush and his brother, President Bush, both have signed bills aimed at preventing doctors from removing the feeding tube and allowing her to die.
Wednesday afternoon, the Florida Senate rejected a bill that would have allowed Terri Schiavo's feeding tube to be reinserted to provide the brain-damaged woman with water and nutrition.
A Florida law that would have kept her alive was ruled unconstitutional last year, but a new bill that would prohibit the suspension of food and water from patients in a persistent vegetative state without a living will was working its way through the state Legislature on Wednesday.
And Congress passed a bill early Monday that pushed the issue into federal courts, but a federal district court in Tampa and an appeals court in Atlanta have since refused to intervene.
Terri Schiavo collapsed in her home in 1990, suffering from heart failure that led to severe brain damage. Michael Schiavo said his wife suffered from bulimia that resulted in a potassium deficiency, triggering the heart failure.
Datamax it appears Jeb Bush got what he wanted. "I'm to make sure that Terri is afforded at least the same rights that criminals convicted of the most heinous crimes take for granted," Bush said.
Criminal's lawyers put "experts" on the stand to bolster thier position.
Jeb had/has an agenda.
I am not calling Terri nor Jeb Bush a criminal, what I am saying is that biased "experts" have been provided.
A Florida judge, who also reviewed medical records and videotapes, in 2002 rejected arguments put forth by doctors chosen by Schiavo's parents that she was not in a persistent vegetative state. Three other doctors -- two chosen by Schiavo's husband, Michael, and one chosen by the court -- concluded she was in that state.
If you were making a different point I guess I missed it.
Thanks
Mr-Pirk
What agenda did the judge have? NONE that I am aware of.
__________________
A proud owner of a Flying Vee. Bestowed by the fine Gentleman VC1111 himself.
Good point, mr-pirk. Experts are hired to argue your side of the case. You pay them the $$$, they form the opinion. To disagree would risk loosing all that $$$.
__________________
You may beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride!
I am not calling Terri nor Jeb Bush a criminal, what I am saying is that biased "experts" have been provided.
All "experts" (witnesses) testify as to their opinion on the issue at hand. It is common for each side to present its' own expert witnesses whose opinion bolsters their side's arguments. Does that make them biased?
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
The thing that gets me is that the Florida courts ruled over and over for Michael Shiavo. The courts' job was to evaluate the evidence and make their best attempt to determine Terri's wishes regarding care after her accident. Every single time they rule for Michael, yet her parents kept at it with their media campaign, and continue to do so today.
Now the case has gone to the federal courts for review, and each one has upheld the rulings of the state courts. I don't expect the U.S. Supreme Court to say anything new.
Let the case go! Move on and worry about your own wishes, and those of your family!
The thing that gets me is that the Florida courts ruled over and over for Michael Shiavo. The courts' job was to evaluate the evidence and make their best attempt to determine Terri's wishes regarding care after her accident. Every single time they rule for Michael, yet her parents kept at it with their media campaign, and continue to do so today.
Now the case has gone to the federal courts for review, and each one has upheld the rulings of the state courts. I don't expect the U.S. Supreme Court to say anything new.
Let the case go! Move on and worry about your own wishes, and those of your family!
i have to agree...the fact that the federal courts have upheld the state's decisions confirms to me that the original decision was correct.
Data, I was just watching Fox news they had another doctor on from the Mayo clinic. This doctor when asked about this noted nuero Dr. William Cheshire he said"he knows alot about headaches." He also stated that Dr. William Cheshire is very involved in pro life orgs and thought this had more to dio with his diagnosis then anything else. Especially since he never examined Terry.
__________________
You're only one post away from a federal watch list.
OOOOOOOPS !!! Sorry about that Terri
