High court rejects Bush-Schiavo case

UPI | Jan 23 2005

The U.S. Supreme Court Monday rejected an attempt by the Florida governor to prevent a husband from removing life support to his wife.

The lower courts have found Terri Schiavo is in a "persistent vegetative state," but her parents and others contend she is responsive to her surroundings.

In February 1990, Terri Schiavo suffered cardiac arrest caused by a potassium imbalance in her body. Since 1990 she has lived in a nursing home in Pinellas Park, Fla., under constant care, has been fed and given water by tubes, and nurses change her diapers. A court ruled she has never regained consciousness.

In 1998, eight years after his wife slipped into a her state, her husband asked a court to order her life support removed, which was finally authrorized in 2003.

However, Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature enacted a temporary law to prevent the removal of life support. The Florida Supreme Court struck down the law, and Bush unsuccessfully asked the U.S. Supreme Court for review.