Closing the Schiavo case: An analysis of legal reasoning

Journal of Palliative Medicine

Volumn 9, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 1145-1163

  Kollas, Chad D ^a   Boyer Kollas, Beth ^b  

^a M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER ORLANDO   (United States)

^b ORLANDO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

AUTOPSY; CASE REPORT; CONFLICT; COURT; CULTURAL FACTOR; DECISION MAKING; EUTHANASIA; FEMALE; HUMAN; JURISPRUDENCE; LAW; LEGAL ASPECT; LIVING WILL; PARENT; PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE; POLICY; POLITICS; PRIVACY; REVIEW; SPOUSE; UNITED STATES;

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES; CONFLICT (PSYCHOLOGY); CULTURE; FEMALE; FLORIDA; HUMANS; MASS MEDIA; PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE; POLITICS; PRIVACY; RIGHT TO DIE;

EID: 33751069206     PISSN: 10966218     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2006.9.1145     Document Type: Review

References (148)

1. Last Acts. Means to a Better End: A Report on Dying in America Today. November 2002. 〈www. lastacts.org〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
2. Quill TE: Terri Schiavo: A tragedy compounded. N Engl J Med 2005;52:1630-1633.
3. Boyer-Kollas B, Kollas CD: Exploring Terri's Law:' Lessons learned from Bush v. Schiavo. J Palliative Med 2005;8:179.
4. Kollas CD, Boyer-Kollas B, Rhoades RD: The Schiavo Case: Predicting the Impact of 'Terri's Law' on Healthcare in Florida [Abstract]. 44th Annual Conference of the American College of Legal Medicine. Las Vegas, NV: March 5-6, 2004].
5. Annas GJ: "Culture of life" politics at the bedside: The case of Terri Schiavo. N Engl J Med 2005;352: 1710-1715.
6. Fine RL: From Quinlan to Schiavo: Medical, ethical, and legal issues in severe brain injury. Baylor Univ Med Ctr Proc 2005;18:303-310.
7. Hook CC, Mueller PS: The Terri Schiavo saga: The making of a tragedy and lessons learned. Mayo Clin Proc 2005;80:1449-1460.
8. Perry JE, Churchill LR, Kirshner HS: The Terri Schiavo case: Legal, ethical and medical perspectives. Ann Intern Med 2005;143:744-748.
9. Mareiniss DP: A Comparison of Cruzan and Schiavo: The burden of proof, due process, and autonomy in the persistent vegetative state. J Legal Med 2005;26:233-259.
10. PubMed: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query. fcgi?CMD=search&DB=PubMed (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
11. www.alltheweb.com/search?cat=web&cs=utf8&q = terri+schiavo&rys=0&itag=crv&_sb_lang=pref (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
12. Wolfson J: A Report to Governor Jeb Bush and the 6th Judicial Court in the Matter of Teresa Marie Schiavo. December 1, 2003.
13. Robert Schindler et al. v. Michael Schiavo, Re: Theresa Marie Schiavo. The Supreme Court of Florida (Case No. SC01-559). April 18, 2001.
14. Jeb Bush, et al, Governor of Florida, v. Michael Schiavo, Guardian of Theresa Marie Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida (Case No. SC04-925), Sept. 23, 2004 (corrected opinion).
15. 〈www.orlandosentinel.com〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
16. 〈www.abstractappeal.com〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
17. 〈www.terrisfight.org〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
18. Schindler v. Schiavo, In re Guardianship of Schiavo (Schiavo I). 780 So. 2d 176 (FL 2nd DCA 2001).
19. Campo-Flores A. The Legacy of Terri Schiavo. Newsweek April 4, 2004. 〈msnbc.msn.com/id/7306483/site/newsweek〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
20. Nair S: Terri Schiavo case reveals the dangers of eating disorders. The Johns Hopkins News-Letter. March 24, 2005. 〈www.jhunewsletter.com〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
21. Furman M: Silent Witness: The Untold Story of Terri Schiavo. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2005.
22. St. Petersburg Police Department, Incident 90-024846. 〈www.miami.edu/ethics/schiavo〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
23. Thogmartin JR. Report of Autopsy [SCHIAVO, Theresa]. June 13, 2005. 〈www.co.pinellas.us/forensics〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
24. Order Determining Total Incapacity and Appointing Plenary Guardian. Circuit Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Florida, Pinellas County, Probate Division; June 18, 1990. File No. 90-2907-04-IN, 90-2908-04-GD.
25. Bell M. High court says no to Gov. Bush on Schiavo. Orlando Sentinel January 25, 2005: A1.
26. Haidar S, Cerminara K: Key events in the case of Theresa Marie Schiavo. 〈www.journals.aol.com/shjusticeforall/SavingTerriSchiavo/entries/579〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
27. Conigliaro M: Rough timeline and decisions. Abstract appeal: The Terri Schiavo information page. 〈www.abstractappeal.com/schiavo/infopage. html〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
28. Pearse RL: In Re: The Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, An Incapacitated Person (Case # 90-2908GD-003), December 29, 1998.
29. The Multi-Society Task Force on PVS: Medical aspects of the persistent vegetative state: First of two parts. N Eng J Med 1994;330:1499-1508.
30. The Multi-Society Task Force on PVS: Medical aspects of the persistent vegetative state: Second of two parts. N Eng J Med 1994;330:1572-1579.
31. Order. The Circuit Court for Pinellas County, Florida, Probate Division (File # 90-2908GD-003). In Re: The Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Incapacitated. February 11, 2000.
32. In Re Guardianship of Estelle Browning, State of Florida v. Doris Herbert. 568 So. 2nd 258, (Fla. 2nd DCA, 1989).
33. In Re Estelle Browning, State of Florida v. Doris F. Herbert. The Supreme Court of Florida, No. 74,174. Sept. 13, 1990.
34. Order. Circuit Court for Pinellas County, Florida, Probate Division (File # 90-2908GD-003). In Re: The Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Incapacitated. March 7, 2000.
35. ABC News. Husband at the heart of the 'right to die' case speaks to Chris Bury. March 15, 2005. 〈www.abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=584124 &page=1〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
36. In re Guardianship of Schiavo. Wests South Report (Schiavo I), 2001;780:176-80.
37. Florida Statutes 1997, Chapter 765.
38. Robert Schindler et al. v. Michael Schiavo, Re: Theresa Marie Schiavo. The Supreme Court of Florida (Case No. SC01-559). April 18, 2001.
39. Schindler v. Schiavo (Schiavo II). In re Guardianship of Schiavo, 792 So. 2d 640 (FL 2nd DCA 2001).
40. In re Guardianship of Schiavo, Wests South Report (Schiavo II). 2001;792:551-64.
41. Schindler v. Schiavo (Schiavo III), In re Guardianship of Schiavo, 800 So. 2d 640 (FL 2nd DCA 2001).
42. In re Guardianship of Schiavo, Wests South Report (Schiavo III). 2001;800:640-7.
43. Notice of Impasse, In re Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo. FL 2nd DCA, Case Number 2D00-1269, February 13, 2002.
44. [Denial of Rehearing]. In re Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida, Case Number SC01-2678, March 14, 2002.
45. Schindler v. Schiavo (Schiavo IV), In re Guardianship of Schiavo. 851 So. 2d 182 (FL 2nd DCA 2003).
46. In re Guardianship of Schiavo, Wests South Report (Schiavo IV). 2003;851:182-7.
47. Petition for the Discretionary Revieiu of an Order of the Second District Court of Appeal Case No. 2D02-5394 Affirming the Trial Court's Order of Withdrawal of Food and Water From An Incapacitated Ward, Schindler v. Schiavo, In re Theresa Marie Schiavo, Incapacitated. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC03-1242, August 4, 2003.
48. Schindler v. Schiavo, Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC03-1242 (Lower Tribunal.2D02-5394), August 22, 2003.
49. Order. The Circuit Court for Pinellas County, Florida, Probate Division (File # 90-2908GD-003). In Re: The Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Incapacitated. September 9, 2003.
50. Crist CJ: Attorney General as Amicus Curiae: Memorandum of Law on the Constitutionality of Chapter 765, Florida Statues. U. S. District Court, FL Middle District, Case No. 8:093-CV-1860-T-26-TGW. October 3, 2003.
51. John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital v. Bludworth, 452 So. 2d 921, 924 (Fla. 1984).
52. In re Barry, 445 So. 2d 365 (Fla. 2nd DCA 1984).
53. Florida House of Representatives, HB 0035E, Engrossed 1, 2003.
54. Florida HB-35E (Chapter 2003-418, Florida Statutes).
55. Message from Speaker Byrd, Florida House of Representatives; Vol. I, October 24, 2003. 〈www.myfloridahouse.com〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
56. State of Florida Office of the Governor, Executive Order No. 03-201, October 21, 2003. 〈www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-bushorder 102103,0,4285286.story?coll=orl-home-headlines〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
57. Petition for Declaratory Judgment and Request for Temporary Injunction, Schiavo v. Bush. Circ Ct Pinellas Cty, Case No. 03008212-CI-20, October 21, 2003.
58. ACLU joins Schiavo legal team to ask a Pinellas judge to strike special law that reverses court order, violates patient's privacy rights. Associated Press October 29, 2003.
59. Mussenden S: President backs decision on Schiavo's feeding tube. Orlando Sentinel October 29, 2003.
60. Amicus Curiae Brief of Terry [sic] Schiavo's Parents, Mary and Robert Schindler, Supporting Respondents. Circ Ct Pinellas Cty, Case No. 03008212-CI-20, November 2003.
61. Colarossi A: Judge won't quit right-to-die case. Orlando Sentinel, November 21, 2003.
62. Stacy M: Schiavo case judge will stay, court says. Associated Press, December 11, 2003.
63. Bush JE: Governor on Schiavo case [letter]. Orlando Sentinel December 17, 2003.
64. Motion for Protective Order. Schiavo v. Bush. Circ Ct Pinellas County, Case No. 03008212-CI-20, November 25, 2003.
65. Stacy M: Schiavo says bar Bush's side from querying him, 6 others. Associated Press, November 27, 2003.
66. Chachere V: Schiavo asks judge to rule on Terri's Law' case now. Associated Press October 26, 2003.
67. Let her go [editorial]. Orlando Sentinel December 3, 2004.
68. Mussenden S, Bell M: Report: Schiavo unlikely to revive. Orlando Sentinel December 3, 2003.
69. Mussenden S: Bush dealt a setback in Schiavo case. Orlando Sentinel December 24, 2003.
70. Sainz A: Judge dismisses a guardian for brain-damaged woman. Associated Press December 23, 2003.
71. Petitioner's Response to Court's Request to Reinstate Guardian Ad Litern, Schindler v. Schiavo. Circuit Ct for Pinellas Cty, File No. 90-2908GD-003, January 4, 2004.
72. Senate president regrets vote to keep Schiavo alive. Orlando Sentinel February 11, 2004.
73. Schindler v. Schiavo. 2nd DCA, Case No. 2D03-5200, February 13, 2004.
74. Morgareidge v. Howey. 78 So. 14 (Fla. 1918).
75. Bell M: Court says judge erred in Schiavo case. Orlando Sentinel February 14, 2004.
76. Schiavo's husband tries to stop witnesses' testimony. Associated Press/Orlando Sentinel February 23, 2004.
77. State in Brief: Schiavo updates demanded. Orlando Sentinel March 27, 2004.
78. Order Denying Motion for Order to Show Cause. Circuit Ct for Pinellas County, Ref. No. 90-2908-GD-003, March 29, 2004.
79. Bell M, Rippel AC: Husband's call prompts move of Terri Schiavo. Orlando Sentinel March 30, 2004.
80. Bell M: Schiavo was not victim of foul play, police say. Orlando Sentinel March 31, 2004.
81. Bush v. Schiavo. 2nd DCA, Case No. D203-5123, April 23, 2004.
82. Court sides with spouse in appeal of Schiavo suit. Associated Press/Orlando Sentinel April 24, 2004.
83. Chachere V: Lawyer: Stop hunt for Schiavo evidence. Orlando Sentinel April 24, 2004.
84. Schiavo's parents sue to have visitation rights restored. Associated Press/Orlando Sentinel April 28, 2004.
85. Order Granting Petitioner's Motion for Summary Judgment, Schiavo v. Bush. Circuit Ct Pinellas Cty, Case No. 03-008212-CI-20, May 5, 2004.
86. Bell M: Judge strikes 'Terri's Law.' Orlando Sentinel May 7, 2004.
87. Initial Brief of Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida. Bush v. Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC04-925, July 6, 2004.
88. Answer Brief, Bush v. Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC04-925, July 24, 2004.
89. Reply Brief of Appellant Jeb Bush, Governor of the State of Florida. Bush v. Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC04-925, August 5, 2004.
90. Motion for Rehearing and Clarification, Bush v. Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC04-925, October 4, 2004.
91. Bush v. Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC04-925, October 21, 2004.
92. Appellant's Motion to Recall Mandate and Stay Issuance of Mandate Pending; Appellant's Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. Bush v. Schiavo. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. SC04-925, October 22, 2004.
93. Bell M: Supreme Court to rule on Schiavo. Orlando Sentinel January 16, 2005.
94. Pinellas judge extends stay, DCF Jumps into Schiavo Case. Associated Press/Orlando Sentinel February 24, 2005.
95. The Fight of Terri Schindler Shiavo. Originally found at 〈www.terrisfight.net/documents.html〉 Now found at 〈www. libertytothecaptives.net/terri_schiavo_bone_scan.html〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
96. Order [Motion to Intervene, Denied]. In Re: Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Schiavo v. Schindler. Circuit Ct Pinellas Cty, File No. 90-2908-GD-003, March 10, 1995.
97. Order, In Re: Records of the Department of Children and Family Services, Circuit Ct Pinellas Cty, File Nos. 05-1879-CI-003 and 05-2347-CI-003, April 14, 2005.
98. 〈www.miami.edu/ethics2.Schiavo〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
99. Order [Expedited Motion for Permission to Provide Theresa Schiavo with Food and Water by Natural Means, Denied]. In Re: Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Schiavo v. Schindler. Circuit Ct Pinellas Cty, File No. 90-2908-GD-003, March 8, 1995.
100. Order [Motion for Relief from Judgment, Denied]. In Re: Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Schiavo v. Schindler. Circuit Ct Pinellas Cty, File No. 90-2908-GD-003, March 9, 1995.
101. Order [Motion for Relief from Judgment Pending Contemporary Medical-Psychiatric-Rehabilitative Evaluation, Denied]. In Re: Guardianship of Theresa Marie Schiavo, Schiavo v. Schindler. Circuit Ct Pinellas Cty, File No. 90-2908-GD-003, March 9, 1995.
102. Bell M: Lawmakers wade into Schiavo case again. Orlando Sentinel March 10, 1995.
103. Roh J: Court denies request to reinsert Schiavo's feeding tube. FoxNews, March 19, 2005. 〈www.foxnews.com〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
104. Opposition Against Motion for Injunction. Schiavo, Ex Rel. Schindler and Schindler v. Schiavo. Greer, and Hospice of the Suncoast. US District Ct for Middle Dist of FL, Civ. Act No. 8:05-CV-530-T-27TBM, March 21, 2005; 〈www.findlaw.com〉
105. Order [Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Denied]. Schiavo, Ex Rel. Schindler and Schindler v. Schiavo. Greer, and Hospice of the Suncoast. US District Ct for Middle Dist of FL, Civ. Act No. 8:05-CV-530-T-27TBM, March 22, 2005.
106. th Circuit, DC Docket No. CV-05-00530-T, March 23, 2005.
107. Barton J: Schiavo's parents appeal to Supreme Court. Associated Press March 25, 2005.
108. Order in Pending Case. Schiavo, Ex Rel. Schindler and Schindler v. Schiavo, et al., 544 U.S., March 25, 2005; 〈www.findlaw.com〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
109. Order [(First Amended) Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Denied]. Schiavo, Ex Rel. Schindler and Schindler v. Schiavo. Greer, and Hospice of the Suncoast. US District Ct for Middle Dist of FL, Civ. Act No. 8:05-CV-530-T-27TBM, March 25, 2005.
110. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle of Florida. On Petition for Expedited Hearing En Banc (Opinion March 25, 2005). U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, DC Docket No. CV-05-00530-T. March 30, 2005.
111. Committee on Government Reform, The House of Representatives of the Congress of United States of America. Subpoena [to Michael Schiavo]. March 18, 2005.
112. Compromise Bill Signed Into Law. 〈www.news.findlaw, com/hdocs/docs/schiavo/bill31905.html〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
113. st Session), Senate Bill 686. March 20, 2005.
114. Bell M: Terri Schiavo dies. Orlando Sentinel March 31, 2005.
115. Stacy M: Schiavo autopsy fails to sway parents. Orlando Sentinel June 16, 2005.
116. Marquez M: Danger when pictures, emotions, rhetoric rule. Orlando Sentinel October 26, 2003.
117. Wynn P: Terri Schiavo: 1963-2005. Disabled Florida woman dies of court-ordered dehydration and starvation as family advocates urge legal reforms to ensure such barbarism never happens again. 〈www.family.org/cforum/ extras/a0035935.cfm〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
118. The reality of death by starvation. 〈www.prolifeblogs.com/articles/ archives/2005/02/the_reality_of.php〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
119. Gov. Bush: Prosecutor will investigate accusation of delayed 911 call for Schaivo [sic]. Associated Press/Orlando Sentinel June 17, 2005.
120. Kennedy J: Governor seeks probe of Schiavo's collapse. Orlando Sentinel June 20, 2005.
121. Kennedy J: Schiavo review done-Florida bows out of case. Orlando Sentinel July 8, 2005.
122. In the Matter of Karen Quinlan, An Alleged Incompetent. 70 NJ 10, 335 A. 2d 647 (1976).
123. N.J. Const. (1947), Article I, par. 1.
124. Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 85 S. Ct. 1678, 14 L. Ed. 2d 510 (1965).
125. Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Dept. of Health. 497 U.S. 261 (1990).
126. 〈www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Cruzan〉 (Last accessed July 27, 2006).
127. Bourke LH: In Re Guardianship of Browning. Issues Law Med 1990;6:313-318.
128. Florida Statutes (1987), Sections 765.01-765.015.
129. Initial Merits Brief of Petitioner, Appellee State of Florida. In Re: Guardianship of Estelle M. Browning, Incompetent. State of Florida and Sunset Point Nursing Center v. Doris F. Herbert. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. 74,174, 2nd DCA Case No. 88-1176-6D-3, June 23, 1989.
130. Answer Brief of Respondent, Cross Petitioner. In Re: Guardianship of Estelle M. Browning, Incompetent. State of Florida and Sunset Point Nursing Center v. Doris F. Herbert. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. 74,174, 2nd DCA Case No. 88-1176-6D-3, July 19, 1989.
131. Brief on Behalf of Amicus Curiae Concern for Dying in Support of Respondent. In Re: Guardianship of Estelle M. Browning, Incompetent. State of Florida and Sunset Point Nursing Center v. Doris F. Herbert. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. 74,174, 2nd DCA Case No. 88-1176-6D-3, July 17, 1989.
132. Brief of the American Geriatrics Society as Amicus Curiae in Support of Respondent. In Re: Guardianship of Estelle M. Browning, Incompetent. State of Florida and Sunset Point Nursing Center v. Doris F. Herbert. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. 74,174, 2nd DCA Case No. 88-1176-6D-3, July 17, 1989.
133. Brief on Behalf of Amicus Curiae Society for the Right to Die in Support of Respondent. In Re: Guardianship of Estelle M. Browning, Incompetent. State of Florida and Sunset Point Nursing Center v. Doris F. Herbert. Supreme Court of Florida, Case No. 74,174, 2nd DCA Case No. 88-1176-6D-3, July 17, 1989.
134. Florida Statutes (2003) Chapter 765, Section 102.
135. Florida Statutes (2003) Chapter 765, Section 401(b-g).
136. Florida Statutes (2003) Chapter 765, Section 101(10 and 11).
137. Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 23.
138. Florida Constitution, Article II, Section 3.
139. Walker RM: Physician assisted suicide: The legal slippery slope. Cancer Control 2001;8:25-31.
140. Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973).
141. Blendon RJ, Benson JM, Herrmann MJ: The American public and the Terri Schiavo case. Arch Intern Med 2005;165:2580-2584.
142. Johnson M: Terri Schiavo: A disability rights case. Death Stud 2006;30:163-176.
143. Espo D: Confirmed, Alito is sworn in as Justice. Associated Press/Orlando Sentinel February 1, 2006.
144. Associated Press: Frist reconsiders stance on Schiavo. Miami Herald January 30, 2006.
145. Black's Law Dictionary, 6th ed. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co., 1990.
146. Bell M: Terri Schiavo: One year later. Debate about how we die rages on, but chasm grows. Orlando Sentinel March 26, 2006.
147. Ersek M, Hanson SC, Churchill LR, Perry JE: Tube feeding for serious ill patients: the "not-so-extraordinary" life sustaining therapy [abstract The Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Nashville, TN: February 10, 2006].
148. American College of Legal Medicine: Legal Medicine Q&A. End-of-Life Preferences. December 2005.