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American Morning
Terri Schiavo Back on Life Support
Aired October 23, 2003 - 07:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who has been in a vegetative state for 13 years, is once again being fed through a tube. The 10-year battle over her fate has bitterly divided her family, jumping from court to court, bringing legislation that trumped the rulings of judges. Still, though, the case is not over.
From Pinellas in Florida this morning, here's Susan Candiotti with the latest there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Terri Schiavo, now back at a hospice, while the heart-wrenching battle over her right to die or live takes its latest twist. Her parents and siblings, there to greet her.
BOB SCHLINDER, FATHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: I think she looked better while we were in there the day before she left. She looks like really a tired girl.
CANDIOTTI: Schiavo spent the day at a hospital, where her feeding tube was reinserted. Her husband's lawyer tells CNN the 39- year-old woman was first re-hydrated and stabilized.
Escorted by an elaborate police and ambulance motorcade Wednesday night, she was returned to a hospice.
It is not what her husband, Michael, wanted, who insists his wife would not want to live in a vegetative state. Last week, after he won a protracted decade-long legal battle, the feeding tube was removed. Schiavo was not given long to live.
Then, in what some called a breach of Florida's constitution, Governor Jeb Bush intervened at the family's request. The legislature empowered him to overrule the courts and order Schiavo's feeding tube back in.
At the end of a very long day, her family, relieved she's again getting nourishment, worried about what lies ahead.
BOBBY SCHLINDER, BROTHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: This is one continuous fight. You know, I mean, it's extremely draining. You know, it takes its toll after awhile.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CANDIOTTI: It is an emotional case that is taking its toll on everybody.
Next, both sides are filing legal briefs over the next 10 days, which could mean another court hearing over whether Florida Governor Jeb Bush had the right to intervene. Ultimately, the court again trying to answer the question about what the end of life means.
Bill -- back to you.
HEMMER: Susan, thanks -- Susan Candiotti in Pinellas Park, Florida.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired October 23, 2003 - 07:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who has been in a vegetative state for 13 years, is once again being fed through a tube. The 10-year battle over her fate has bitterly divided her family, jumping from court to court, bringing legislation that trumped the rulings of judges. Still, though, the case is not over.
From Pinellas in Florida this morning, here's Susan Candiotti with the latest there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Terri Schiavo, now back at a hospice, while the heart-wrenching battle over her right to die or live takes its latest twist. Her parents and siblings, there to greet her.
BOB SCHLINDER, FATHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: I think she looked better while we were in there the day before she left. She looks like really a tired girl.
CANDIOTTI: Schiavo spent the day at a hospital, where her feeding tube was reinserted. Her husband's lawyer tells CNN the 39- year-old woman was first re-hydrated and stabilized.
Escorted by an elaborate police and ambulance motorcade Wednesday night, she was returned to a hospice.
It is not what her husband, Michael, wanted, who insists his wife would not want to live in a vegetative state. Last week, after he won a protracted decade-long legal battle, the feeding tube was removed. Schiavo was not given long to live.
Then, in what some called a breach of Florida's constitution, Governor Jeb Bush intervened at the family's request. The legislature empowered him to overrule the courts and order Schiavo's feeding tube back in.
At the end of a very long day, her family, relieved she's again getting nourishment, worried about what lies ahead.
BOBBY SCHLINDER, BROTHER OF TERRI SCHIAVO: This is one continuous fight. You know, I mean, it's extremely draining. You know, it takes its toll after awhile.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CANDIOTTI: It is an emotional case that is taking its toll on everybody.
Next, both sides are filing legal briefs over the next 10 days, which could mean another court hearing over whether Florida Governor Jeb Bush had the right to intervene. Ultimately, the court again trying to answer the question about what the end of life means.
Bill -- back to you.
HEMMER: Susan, thanks -- Susan Candiotti in Pinellas Park, Florida.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
