Judge Rules In Florida Coma Case

The feeding tube that has kept a brain-damaged woman alive for more than a decade must be removed Oct. 15, a judge said Wednesday, also denying her parents' request for therapy to show the woman how to eat without the tube.

Court-appointed doctors have testified that Terri Schiavo's brain damage is so severe she cannot be rehabilitated. They say she will live 10 to 14 days after the tube is removed.

This is at least the third time since 2000 that a date for the tube to be removed has been set.

Circuit Court Judge George Greer and Florida's appellate courts have sided consistently with Terri Schiavo's husband, who contends his wife would not have wanted to be kept alive artificially and should be allowed to die.

Pat Anderson, the attorney for the parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, said they believe Terri Schiavo could have been weaned off her feeding tube years ago if she had received therapy. Anderson is working on a federal lawsuit that would require such therapy.

Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, said his client expects further "desperation" legal maneuvers.

"I certainly hope this is the final date and we are approaching the end of the case and Terri's wishes can be carried out," Felos said. "It's going to take some courage and fortitude on the part of a number of judges to see that this happens."

Michael Schiavo filed the first petition to have the tube removed in 1998, and the Schindlers have been battling him in court ever since. In recent days, they unsuccessfully tried to get Greer kicked off the case.

Terri Schiavo collapsed in 1990 after her heart stopped from what doctors believe was a potassium imbalance. Now 39, she lives in a hospice.

By Vickie Chachere