Judge rejects intervention of group in Schiavo case

Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 11, 2000

CLEARWATER -- Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer will not allow a group of doctors, lawyers and other professionals to intervene in the case of a St. Petersburg woman with brain damage whose family is divided on whether to remove her feeding tube.

Professionals for Excellence in Health Care wanted the judge to allow them to argue that Terri Schiavo, 36, should be kept alive despite her husband's request to let her die.

In his order denying the motion, Greer writes that the group's arguments are philosophical and perhaps should be directed to state lawmakers. The judge is expected to rule in the Schiavo case today.

Greer must decide whether Mrs. Schiavo, who did not write a living will, would have wanted to prolong her life by artificial means. Legally, the burden is on Michael Schiavo, who initiated the trial.

Her husband, Michael, said she would not have wanted to live in what doctors described as a persistent vegetative state.

But her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, are trying to stop him, saying they still hope their daughter will improve.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.