Mar 17, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Florida Judge George Greer, rejecting moves of members of congress as well as a ruling by another judge an hour before, has ordered the feeding tube of 41-year old Terri Schiavo to be removed, effective immediately.
Judge Greer said that he saw no reason to change his earlier decision, which granted permission to Terri’s husband, Michael Schiavo to remove his wife’s feeding tube as early as 1:00pm EST today. Terri has been in a brain-damaged state since 1990 and requires food and water delivered through the tube to stay alive.
Earlier today, lawmakers issued a subpoena to bring Terri before a Senate Health Committee meeting on March 28th. Under federal law, it is illegal to impose any harm on someone who has been issued a congressional subpoena.
David Gibbs, attorney for Terri’s parents, said that he’s “optimistic that no responsible” doctor or medical staff would remove the tube given today’s congressional action.