Florida appeals court rejects pleas to reopen case of Terri Schiavo

Published: 2005-01-03

LAKELAND, Fla. (CNS) -- A Florida appeals court Dec. 29 denied an appeal from the parents of Terri Schindler Schiavo to reopen the severely brain-damaged woman's case, based upon statements by Pope John Paul II against euthanasia. The 2nd District Court of Appeals, in Lakeland, issued the denial without a written opinion. Schiavo, 41, has been impaired for the past 14 years and lives in a Clearwater nursing home. She can breathe on her own but requires nutrition and hydration through a feeding tube. Her husband, Michael, who now has two children by another woman, says Terri would want the feeding tube removed. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, say that she would want to live, in part because of her Catholic beliefs. The Schindlers can ask the appeals court to rehear the motion or can appeal the decision to the Florida Supreme Court. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has already asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

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