American Courts Fail Terri Schiavo Terri Schiavo is dead… and America should hang her head in shame. Long before the court ordered her feeding tube removed for the final time in order to euthanize Terri—what other word fits here besides, perhaps, murder—this entire nightmare could have and should have been stopped based solely on two time-honored words in American jurisprudence: reasonable doubt. Suspected double-murderer O.J. Simpson walks the fairways of golf courses across the nation today because of reasonable doubt. “If the glove doesn’t fit,” intoned lawyer Johnny Cochran, “you must acquit.” And what of Terri? Her husband, Michael, insists she told him and two of his relatives that she would not want to be kept alive by artificial means, a revelation that he suddenly remembered eight years after Terri’s collapse. Terri’s parents say that because of her Christian faith she would never say such a thing. A close friend of Terri’s testifies that she told her it was wrong for the courts to allow the comatose Karen Ann Quinlan’s life support to be taken away. Did Terri express a desire to not have a feeding tube if necessary? Reasonable doubt. While the media routinely claim that Terri’s collapse was the result of a chemical imbalance brought on by an eating disorder, a full body bone scan shows possible evidence of multiple fractures—perhaps caused by physical abuse. Was Terri simply the victim of an unfortunate medical condition? Reasonable doubt. A Florida court appoints Michael as Terri’s guardian, making him responsible for taking actions in her best interest. Soon after settlements are made totaling nearly two million dollars, Michael ends all rehabilitation for Terri, and orders that a potentially fatal infection not be treated. Has Michael Schiavo had Terri’s best interests at heart? Reasonable doubt. Michael takes up with another woman, Jodi Centonze, announcing their engagement in 1997, and has two children by her. Did Michael, as court-appointed guardian, prove that he was looking out for Terri’s welfare? Reasonable doubt. The court appoints doctors who claim Terri is in a persistent vegetative state. Other doctors testify that she is not. According to the website www.Terri’sFight.org, “Terri responds to stimuli, tries to communicate verbally, follows limited commands, laughs or cries in interaction with loved ones, physically distances herself from irritating or painful stimulation and watches loved ones as they move around her.” Is Terri in a persistent vegetative state? Reasonable doubt. The court appoints an “independent” doctor who is the younger brother of a member of the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association, an organization for which Michael Schiavo’s attorney, George Felos, served as a state governor. Was this doctor truly independent and objective? Reasonable doubt. According to Terri’s parents, “At a medical malpractice trial in November 1992, Mr. Schiavo swore to the jury that he would devote any jury award to Terri’s care and rehabilitation and he promised under oath that he would take care of Terri for the rest of his life. After securing an award of over $700,000 for Terri’s care, Mr. Schiavo did an about-face, and has spent the last 10 years in a determined campaign to cause Terri’s death. This campaign began within a few months of the malpractice award, when, in mid-1993, Mr. Schiavo had a ‘do not resuscitate’ order placed in Terri’s medical chart.” Was Michael honest with the jury when he swore he would take care of Terri? Reasonable doubt. At least $400,000 of the settlement awarded for Terri’s medical needs has been used to pay lawyers working for Michael in his attempt to end her life. Has Terri’s rehabilitation fund been properly used? Reasonable doubt. Four lawyers who have represented Michael Schiavo, including current layer George Felos, make contributions to Judge George Greer’s re-election campaigns during the ongoing court battles. Has Judge Greer’s decisions concerning Terri’s life been on the “up and up”? Reasonable doubt. While claiming that Terri would feel no pain and would lapse into a peaceful sleep as she dies from lack of water and food, Michael says that when touched, Terri looks around in confusion. If Terri can feel someone’s touch, then certainly she feels the pain of her body slowly dying as she dehydrates. Was Terri free of pain while dehydrating to death? Reasonable doubt. Even though the glove didn’t fit, the Florida state courts did all in their power to force it on, condemning Terri to an unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment. Along with the federal courts—including the United States Supreme Court—they have failed Terri in her hour of need. Indeed, America should hang her head in shame.