Deal lets Schiavo stay

A judge orders a security guard for Terri Schiavo's room, a bodyguard for her husband and visitation by Mrs. Schiavo's parents and siblings.

[Times photo: Scott Keeler] Bob and Mary Schindler watch their son-in-law, Michael Schiavo, leave the courtroom Thursday. The Schindlers, the parents of Terri Schiavo, have not spoken to Michael in years because of a feud over Mrs. Schiavo's fate.

By ANITA KUMAR

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 3, 2000

CLEARWATER -- Terri Schiavo, whose right-to-die case has generated nationwide publicity, will remain at the Largo nursing home that has cared for her six years.

A judge ordered Thursday that a security guard be posted outside Mrs. Schiavo's room at Palm Garden nursing home. A bodyguard also was granted for her husband, Michael, who has been threatened since asking the judge to remove his wife's feeding tube last month.

Mrs. Schiavo's parents and two siblings will be allowed to visit her, said Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court Judge George Greer. Her family, the Schindlers, are allowed to bring visitors from a list of about 20 friends and relatives but cannot photograph Mrs. Schiavo or have doctors examine her.

The deal struck by the Schindlers and Michael Schiavo on Thursday afternoon will let Mrs. Schiavo remain in the nursing home that last week threatened to evict her because of the crush of publicity and unwanted visitors.

"I believe this will alleviate the nursing home's concerns," said George Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo.

It was the first time the feuding family members have come face to face since Greer ruled Feb. 11 that Michael Schiavo could remove his wife's feeding tube after 11:59 p.m. March 12.

The Schindlers asked the judge to reconsider his ruling, but he refused. Greer did agree, however, to postpone the date the tube could be removed until 30 days after any appeals have expired. The Schindlers have vowed to appeal to the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

[Times photo: Scott Keeler] Among the roughly two dozen people in court Thursday to support the Schindlers, were Clearwater residents Mick and Lillian Menchion whose daughter, also named Mick, suffered brain damage similar to Terri Schiavo's.

Mrs. Schiavo, now 36, collapsed at her St. Petersburg home Feb. 25, 1990. Her heart stopped beating, and she was deprived of oxygen for five minutes. She has been in a vegetative state since.

The Schindlers and Schiavo have been feuding since 1993 and have not spoken since. Schiavo wants to stop treating his wife artificially, but the Schindlers want her kept alive in the hope she will improve.

Each side has accused the other of trying to control Mrs. Schiavo's fate to get $700,000 she received in 1993 from a malpractice suit.

Thursday's emotional hearing was plagued by raised voices, objections by attorneys and a frustrated judge who urged the two sides to work out a compromise.

About two dozen people showed up to support the Schindlers, including Clearwater residents Mick and Lillian Menchion whose daughter, also named Mick, suffered brain damage similar to Terri Schiavo's 16 years ago.

The judge also heard arguments about whether Mrs. Schiavo should undergo a test to determine whether she can swallow food. She has not had a swallowing test for eight years, and her parents hope she can survive without a feeding tube. Greer is expected to rule on that early next week.

The cost of the test, like the security guards for the Schiavos, would be paid for with the $700,000 settlement awarded to pay Mrs. Schiavo's medical bills.

[Times photo: Scott Keeler] Michael Schiavo listens in court Thursday. He was threatened after seeking removal of his wife's feeding tube.

Hoping to prevent Terri Schiavo's eviction from Palm Garden, Felos originally asked Greer to prohibit the Schindlers from visiting, or at least to restrict their visits. No other visitors would have been allowed unless approved by Michael Schiavo.

Felos said the Schindlers violated nursing home rules by videotaping Mrs. Schiavo, bringing unauthorized visitors to see her, such as a priest and doctors, and participating in a prayer group outside the building. He also said Michael Schiavo received a threat two days ago, but he would not comment further about it.

The crush of publicity, the curious and self-described envoys of God has created an unsafe environment for other residents of Palm Garden, nursing home administrator Kevin Mort testified Thursday. "It's creating a problem for the whole facility," Mort said. "We're doing the best we can." The Schindlers' attorneys argued that the family was not to blame for those problems and that keeping the Schindlers away would not solve anything.

"We're happy," Mrs. Schiavo's father, Bob Schindler said after the hearing. "At least we're not being banned from seeing our daughter."

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