The mission of Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF) is to give innocent and helpless human beings of any age, particularly unborn children, a trained and committed defense against the threat of death, and to support their advocates in the nation's courtrooms. LLDF will accomplish its mission and purpose through the law and education.
FLORIDA SUPREME COURT PAVES THE WAY FOR FORCED DEATH OF CATHOLIC WOMAN
Contact: Dana Cody, Esq.916.727.4396
September 23, 2004
Today in Florida, the State Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Second District Circuit Court by ruling that Terri's Law is unconstitutional, basing its decision on the doctrine of Separation of Powers and stating that the doctrine "precludes the other two branches from nullifying the judicial branch's final orders."
Governor Bush issued Executive Order No. 03-201 on October 21, 2003, pursuant to Terri's Law, Chapter 2003-418. Terri's Law was enacted by the Florida Legislature on that same day, giving power to the Governor to intervene on Terri's behalf, thereby saving Terri from death by dehydration and starvation. Her feeding tube had been removed six days earlier.
Dana Cody, attorney and Executive Director of the Life Legal Defense Foundation, was appalled by today's decision. "I'm appalled but not shocked - this is a court system that maintains that Terri is permanently unconscious after seeing her on video tape. I've reviewed a copy of the tape and Terri is clearly not unconscious." Life Legal Defense Foundation is the non-profit organization which, along with Arizona based Alliance Defense Fund, is providing funding for the legal expenses for Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler.
The conclusion of the Court's decision justifies what could be a death sentence for Terri with a discourse on the need to uphold the integrity of a constitutional system of government.
The Schindlers have already filed a Motion for Rehearing for relief from the Probate Court's ruling based on Terri's Catholic beliefs and the Pope's recent statement condemning the removal of nutrition and hydration in circumstances like Terri's.
Life Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a non-profit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens, committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, particularly the unborn, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information, call Dana Cody at 916.727.4396.
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