Court Keeps Ruling to Let Life-Support Be Removed

TAMPA, Fla. — The state Supreme Court refused Thursday to reconsider its ruling overturning a state law that let Gov. Jeb Bush keep a severely brain-damaged woman on life support against the wishes of her husband.

In a 4-3 opinion, the court rejected a request by Bush’s attorneys to rehear the case. The court ruled unanimously last month against the hastily crafted law that prevented Michael Schiavo from withholding food and water from his wife, Terri. She has been on life support since suffering a heart attack in 1990.

Michael Schiavo’s lawyer, George Felos, said the ruling cleared the way for the feeding tube to be removed again, but said Schiavo would not take any action before a ruling due today on a request by his wife’s parents for a new trial to determine their daughter’s wishes.

Bob and Mary Schindler say their daughter was a practicing Roman Catholic who would not choose to have her feeding tube removed, based on statements by Pope John Paul II in March that people in vegetative states still had the right to basic healthcare and nutrition.

Bush spokeswoman Jill Bratina said the governor’s office was reviewing its legal options. An attorney for Bush has said he is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.