Husband Calls for Schiavo Autopsy to Rebut Allegations

Terri Schiavo’s husband agreed to let an autopsy be performed on his wife after she dies in an effort to clear allegations that he has "ulterior motives" to cremating her body, an attorney for Michael Schiavo said Monday.

Michael’s attorney George Felos said his client requested an official autopsy to show the "massive" extent of his wife’s brain damage.

"We didn't think it was appropriate to talk about an autopsy prior to Mrs. Schiavo's death," Felos told reporters outside his law office in Dunedin, Florida.

"But because claims have been made by, I guess, opponents of carrying out her wishes that there was some motive behind the cremation of Mrs. Schiavo we felt it was necessary to make that announcement today," he said on Monday.

The autopsy will be performed by Dr. Jon Thogmartin, the chief medical examiner of Pinellas County who earlier found that Terri was in a Persistent Vegetative State.

The bitter struggle between Michael and Terri’s kin, the Schindlers, has played out over the years in contentious arguments surrounding Terri’s medical treatment, mental capabilities, end-of-life wishes, and even her posthumous rest.

The Schindlers want their daughter, who is dependant on feeding tube, to be kept alive and believe she can recover from her condition. Michael, who now lives with his fiancé with whom he has fathered two children, says his wife never wanted to be kept alive in her condition.

The Schindlers also wants their daughter to have a full-body burial – as is the tradition in her Roman Catholic faith – in Florida. Michael, meanwhile, plans to cremate his wife and send her ashes to her Pennsylvania hometown.

Pinellas Court Judge George Greer, who sided with Michael in ordering the removal of Terri’s tube, refused to intervene in the issue and by default is allowing Michael – Terri’s legal guardian – to carry out his will after her death.

Outside the Florida hospice where Schiavo is slowly dying of thirst and hunger, protestors charged Michael of trying to hide the facts about how she ended up in her condition by cremating her body.

"It's a way to cover his behind," said Randall Terry, an pro-life activist speaking for the Schindlers.

Michael contends his wife’s condition – which was brought on by a sudden heart attack at age 26 – was a result of her supposed eating disorder. The parents deny such a disorder, and talks have circulated about possible abuse on the husband’s part that may have led to her fall.

Florida’s social service agencies, however, in the past ruled these charges and allegations were unfounded.

Meanwhile, Bob Schindler, in what may be his last plea for his daughter’s life, asked that "the powers-that-be" to continue fighting for Terri.

"I plead again that the powers-that-be don't give up on her. We haven't given up on her and she hasn't given up on us," said Schindler. "She's failing, but she's still with us. She has to be saved."

Bob also clarified statements made Sunday where the Schindlers called on Terri’s supporters to return home for Easter.

"What I meant to have announced was that people should go home and go to church with their families on Easter Sunday. But not to stay home. We want people to continue to be here [at the hospice] with Terri, and with us," Bob Schindler said in a statement.

The 24-hour vigils that began March 18 – the day Terri’s tube was removed – have continued with the numbers of supporters growing daily. On Monday, there were about 100 supporters waiting outside Terri’s window.





Pauline J. Chang
Ecumenical Press