Mar 23, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Supreme Court this morning rejected an appeal on the part of the parents of brain damaged Terri Schiavo to reinsert a feeding tube which would prevent their daughter from starvation, but the battle for her life still continues in Florida.
The ruling comes after yesterday's tumultuous day of legal struggles in the battle to keep Schiavo alive.
Yesterday, two different appeals courts denied bids to have Terri fed again. The 41-year old woman has been without food or water since the court ordered removal of her feeding tube last Friday.
The Florida Supreme Court likewise denied an appeal by the Schindlers.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, who oversees emergency appeals cases in the 11th U.S. circuit--where Terri currently resides, turned the case over to other members of the Court who, for the fifth time, refused to hear it.
Meanwhile, Florida state lawyers have appealed to Judge George Greer, who ordered the feeding tube removed last Friday after ruling in favor of Terri's husband Michael Schiavo, who says that his wife would not have wanted to be kept alive in her current state.
The new appeal involves charges of abuse on the part of Michael Schiavo, on which, Judge Greer should rule by noon today.
In addition, the Florida Department of Children and Families has issued a petition citing board-certified neurologist, Dr. William Polk Cheshire, who claims to have information "that seriously challenges the diagnosis that Mrs. Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state."
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Florida Governor Jeb Bush has promised to do "everything in my power" so see the Schiavo's feeding tube is replaced.
"This new information raises serious concerns and warrants immediate action," he said.
Outside of the hospice where her daughter resides, an emotional Mary Schindler told reporters that Terri is "fading fast."
"Please, senators," she said, "for the love of God, I'm begging you, don't let my daughter die of thirst."
In an effort to save Terri Schindler-Schiavo from the court ordered death by starvation, the Society for Truth and Justice requested and delivered several legal briefs that explain to Governor Jeb Bush that he has the legal authority to save Terri Schiavo despite the courts' rulings.