Judge Who Ruled Terri Schiavo Should Die Faces Election Challenge

Life News ^ | 04-11-04 | Steven Ertelt

[phenn]

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- One of the circuit court judges who has been at the center of the controversy surrounding Terri Schiavo is facing a challenge in his bid for re-election. Judge George Greer ruled last year that Terri's estranged husband Michael could remove her feeding tube and now voters will be able to decide if they approve of his decisions in the case.

Just hours before the filing deadline last Friday, Jan Govan, an attorney in Clearwater, Florida, threw his hat in the ring. The race will be Greer's first since being elected to the judgeship twelve years ago.

While Govan is careful to not directly say that he disagrees with Judge Greer's decisions in the years-long legal battle over Terri's life, the case prompted him to run.

"I will serve impartially and without any predisposition," Govan told LifeNews.com in an interview.

Govan told LifeNews.com that Greer's judicial decision-making progressed to a point where the state legislature had to get involved and authorize Governor Jeb Bush to ask doctors to re-insert Terri's feeding tube.

"Then I see my courts identify what the legislature and the Governor are doing ... as unconstitutional," Govan said. "So now I have a situation where I can't talk to the court, the legislature's expression has been denied by the court, and the judicial and legislative systems are at odds. All three branches are at a stalemate."

"This is the least healthy situation I have ever seen in regard to our government," Govan said.

While Terri's supporters are unable to express their opinion to Judge Greer other than protesting outside his chambers, Govan said his candidacy allows people to express their "passion" about Terri's plight.

"For quite awhile I would come to my office and see people lined up with signs and flags and different information," Govan explained. His office is located a block away from the courthouse where supporters of Terri have rallied on numerous occasions.

"It's improper for anyone to speak to a judge, so we don't have a direct voice," Govan explained. "I want the people who have a passion" to be able to have a choice in the election. Without his candidacy, "the opportunity to vote would have been eliminated."

Pat Anderson, the leading attorney for Bob and Mary Schindler, Terri's parents, tells LifeNews.com that she isn't surprised by Govan's candidacy.

"I don't know this challenger, and as far as I can tell he has no connection to the Schiavo case," Anderson told LifeNews.com. "However, I have heard from a number of people over the last few years about their unhappy experiences in Judge Greer's courtroom, so I guess it was inevitable that someone would conclude he was vulnerable in this election and decide to run against him."

Govan will have an uphill battle.

According to the Division of Elections at the Florida Department of State, Greer has already amassed more than $55,000 in campaign donations from top area attorneys. Govan has yet to begin fundraising for the August 13 election.

Greer told the St. Petersburg Times newspaper that he was surprised by Govan's filing but that he would not be "unprepared" to defend his seat on the bench.

Anderson said Govan's candidacy is good for area residents.

"It takes courage, I'll tell you that, to challenge a sitting judge," Anderson told LifeNews.com. "The power of incumbency is very powerful, indeed, when you're talking about judges. But I think it's a good thing for the voters to have a choice. No public official should take the job for granted."

[phenn]

the time is now

[phenn]

~ping~

[hattend]

Good, kick his ass to the street.

[Cicero]

Greer told the St. Petersburg Times newspaper that he was surprised by Govan's filing but that he would not be "unprepared" to defend his seat on the bench.

"Vote for me, I support killing babies and innocent hospital patients."

[phenn]

And I don't.....like......WOMEN!

http://www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/120498/Never_allow_domestic_.html

>>Earlier this year, a Dunedin woman named Helene Ball McGee asked for court protection against her husband but didn't qualify. She told a co-worker, prophetically: "Maybe he's going to have to kill me before I can get a restraining order." Two weeks later, McGee was stabbed to death.<<

That was yet another Greer Gem.

[Luircin]

Good, but I wish that actual justice would be done. If I had my way, I would sentence this judge and Michael Shavio (Sp.) to years in a conscious vegetable state while watching his sadistic wife carry on an affair with another man and trying to get his food and water removed so she can get his medical insurance.

[bikerman]

Why? The decision should be between the wife and husband not for the Governor to step in a make a decision because he feels its not right. She did not want to be kept alive. the decision was between husband and wife not the state of Florida.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Pinging to new thread, this one about opposition to Judge Greer!

If anyone would like to be on/off my Terri ping list, please let me know!

[phenn]

There is no proof of Terri's wishes - only hearsay testimony. That is not clear and convincing evidence and it is not adequate for the judge to rule as he has.

Furthermore, feeding tubes were not considered 'life support' until 1999. That was 15 years after Terri made her alleged wishes so there is no informed consent that she would not have accepted a feeding tube in the case of disability. Also, that is more than a year after Michael petitioned to remove it.

A final note on this: the husband has disqualified himself to serve as Terri's guardian for a number of violations of the guardianship statutes. He is not a durable power of attorney. He is a guardian. He does not have the right to refuse a vulnerable ward basic services and humane care. None.

[Robert Drobot]

phenn, This thread needs Jan Govan's campaign mailing address, and the campaign name given to handling his campaign finances.

[Alberta Pride]

GO Govan GO!

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Agreed. I will mail in a contribution.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Agreed. I will mail in a contribution.

[phenn]

Here is what I got on Switchboard.com:

Govan Jan T PA
703 Court St
Clearwater, FL 33756-5507
Phone: (727) 441-4550

[Robert Drobot]

We need the name of his finance committee. Mailing checks to his office, in his name, isn't appropriate relative to reporting money received to be directed to his campaign.

[Robert Drobot]

We need the name of his finance committee. Mailing checks to his office, in his name, isn't appropriate relative to reporting money received to be directed to his campaign.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Dante3]

Among his many misdeeds, Michael Schiavo has a mistress named Jodi, two illegitimate children, has prevented his wife Terri's parents from visiting her, gains financially from her death, might have tried to murder her, and has abused her. No woman would want a husband, such as Michael, to decided whether or not she should die.

Terri should not be his property. In the Sunny von Bulow case the court ruled that not the husband (who had a conflict of interest), but her children, should be granted guardianship. Sunny is in far worse condition than Terri.

Terri never made a "living will." If she had felt strongly about it, she would have done it. Furthermore, Michael only recalled it years later when it was to his benefit.

[Robert Drobot]

Terri never made a "living will." If she had felt strongly about it, she would have done it. Furthermore, Michael only recalled it years later when it was to his benefit.

......and the entire judicial aparatus in Florida gave his BS their legal imprimatur.

[walford]

Judges like Greer actually threaten the concept of an independent judiciary -- an essential component of freedom. How?
-- His obvious corruption [having financial ties to a Hospice company]
-- his absurd blindness to evidence
-- his placing the fate of a helpless person in the hands of someone who has an obvious financial stake in her demise.

These and more are creating a growing public appetite for having judges more subject to political and popular pressure -- something the Founding Fathers worked hard to prevent. Hopefully Greer will be voted out before any more damage is done to the judicial system.

I would be interested in the opinion on this issue by any legal types out there.

[dufekin]

Well, he conceivably could defend his seat by passing the same judgment upon his opponent as he feels appropriate to pass upon any ordinary woman in health too poor to appear before His Honor.

The opponent of His Honor should beware!

[Dante3]

It makes me wonder if there were bribes and/or blackmail involved. I wish some investigative reporters would look into the skeletons in the closets of these judges. I bet they would find quite a few.

[Robert Drobot]

Been there; done that.

And yes, there is a smoking gun. It's all here in the many Terri threads. The investigative reporters came in the persons of a whole cadre of FReepers using their internet research skills.

Has it made a difference to the media? Proof of the pudding is in the eating. The Florida print and electronic information sources continue to misinform the Citizens of Florida. The majority of them think Terri's family are wearing the black hats.

So much for the 'truth will set you free' approach.

[walford]

The Florida print and electronic information sources continue to misinform the Citizens of Florida. The majority of them think Terri's family are wearing the black hats.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1130764/posts?page=31#31
One crucial aspect that exacerbates Terri's peril is that this is being framed as the 'right of a suffering patient to die in dignity' issue rather than what it really is: Euthanasia. Media coverage CAN make a difference.

[Robert Drobot]

Media coverage CAN make a difference.

Yes. But they appear complicit in supporting the death industry ( including physicians, lawyers, judges, all levels of political whores, organized religion, and the open marketplace for body parts ) in Florida and where ever else they can corrupt the corruptible.

Make no mistake about what the issue is here. This is a last ditch effort by America to foreclose the intent by all of the above to control and manipulate how and for how long you will live, and die.

[hattend]

BTTT

[Travelgirl]

She did not want to be kept alive. the decision was between husband and wife not the state of Florida.

How do YOU know this??? Because her husband that wants her dead said so? Why would somebody so young even think about a living will and not tell her parents or put it in writing? What if her husband wants her dead so he has no chance of ever being charged with murder?

[chiefqc]

And you know this because of what??????

[mtbopfuyn]

The time may be now but will Clearwater realize it or will they continue to pander to Greer and his minions? After all, no one ever challenges him and he's a known name so all the old folks and dimwits will put hanging chads beside his name come election time. No one has made him follow the law in his court.

[phenn]

If it is the last thing I do, I will make certain the citizens in this county know and understand the damage this halfwit as done.

[phenn]

List of Greer's Greatest Hits:

http://zimp.org/greerrulings.html

[walford]

Ah yes, the expected 'she didn't want to be kept alive/I wouldn't want to live that way/what's the big deal, she's a veggie' post.

I invite you to review the particulars of the case:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003808/posts?page=42#42

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003606/posts?page=41#41

Afterward, you may be inclined to say this when confronted with a similar post to yours:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1004572/posts?page=45#45

...but then again, given that you're jumping in without knowing the facts first and offering an opinion, this may be applicable:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1005899/posts?page=31#31

[Dante3]

A shame that the media has been so biased and misinformed.

Greer's opponent should publicize a Web site listing Greer's incompetence and/or corruption.

Terri never made a "living will." Her husband only "remembered" it yaers later when it suited him.

Michael's frenzy to have Terri die should raise lots of red flags.

[pickyourpoison]

I'd like to see Govan's cases. Wondering if Greer's ruling's have harmed some of his clients.
Anyone know why Bailey's not running?

[Canadian Outrage]

Greer looks plain evil and his rulings ARE evil. This man is NOT fit to sit on the bench. I sure hope the Conservatives give and give big to oust this horrible man and seat a decent Judge. I pray that Terri Schiavo survives through this election.

[Canadian Outrage]

If your supposition were true, then WHY did Michael Schiavo fight through the courts to win a HUGE settlement to fund Terri's rehabilitation?? Then immediately upon receiving such settlement, reneg on his committment and start attempting to kill her? NO WAY WAS this an agreement between those two. Makes no sense.

[cajun-jack]

if every freeper sent him at least $1.00, I think he could mount a pretty healthy campaign....someone tell him to get a secure server where we can donate online and he might be surprised at the dollars he receives in very short order.

[Canadian Outrage]

When an elections committee or a finance director or whatever is set up for the funding of Govan's election, even I will donate. Judges are NOT God and have absolutely NO business behaving as Greer does. He literally spits in the face of the Governor.

[Lesforlife]

Finally a glimmer of hope for Terri and her devoted family.

I can only imagine Mrs Schindler's sorrow on Mother's day!!

Please Dear Lord protect our dear Terri until justice
can be served to the wicked.

[Theodore R.]

If there are two challengers to George W. Greer, can Greer win by plurality? Apparently, Greer, based on personal popularity, starts out way ahead of the competition.

[Theodore R.]

Remember that George W. Greer has "Republican" establishment credentials: his fellow officeholders, the country clubs, the "old Rich", party leaders, chamber of commerce booster groups. It will be so tough to unseat him. I think he will also have united Democrat backing. Defeating Greer may be the only way to save Terri, but for all we know another "Republican" Baird may find a way to overrule another judge in Greer's spot.

[Theodore R.]

It would be interesting to read "letters to the editor" sent in by supporters of George W. Greer. Maybe then we could understand why the American people are morally self-destructing in a rapid fashion. I bet some of Greer's backers are nothing more than "party loyalists."

[Sun]

Pro-life folks need to write pro-Govan letters to the editor. The majority of people read the letters to the editor section more than any other part of the newspaper.

[floriduh voter]

JAY GOVAN is a Clearwater, attorney and he's a very pleasant, fair man. That being said, I feel that he will run a tough campaign.

My web site has thrown our support to Jay Govan.

[Ciexyz]

Go get 'em but good.

[floriduh voter]

WHY DON'T YOU STUDY THIS MATTER BEFORE POSTING MISREPRESENTATIONS ON THIS THREAD?

GEORGE GREER'S JUDICIAL CAREER IS HISTORY for mismanaging the entire guardianship/probate division all by himself. He's the Pandora's Box that Judge Lazzara in Federal Court didn't want to open. THE SIXTH CIRCUIT NEEDS A GOOD CLEANING and this is a good start.

[Dante3]

We should remind freepers of where to send contributions.

Author J.A. Jance wrote: "If people, not matter how well intentioned, are allowed to kill at will, to rid the land of people they deem unsuitable or to arbitrarily set a timetable to put others of their misery, the very foundations of our civilization begin to erode."

[floriduh voter]

I believe that's the wrong address for Jay Govan. I strongly suggest we take a deep breath and wait until JAY GOVAN launches his web site before we start throwing money to and fro.

You're right Drobot. When his campaign committee is organized, and the web site is up, that's the time to help the man.

THERE IS A NO SOLICITATION POLICY AT FREE REPUBLIC. Please communicate by "freepmail" if you discuss donations and dollar amounts.

This is hard ball and we don't have a clue what tactics Greer will be using throughout the election process. He hasn't been opposed in over 12 years. He wants to keep his job. WE WANT HIM TO GO.

Additionally, Judges have their own set of Laws that govern how they conduct their campaigns. Florida Statutes 106, 105 and 112.

fregards, fv

[pc93]

actually we can come close if everyone donates ten dollars.

[floriduh voter]

GEORGE OF THE BUNGLE.

Case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case after case.

Ya think that Terri's Guardianship File is the only one that's in disarray? Would I be concerned if I had a huge estate and I know that GEORGE OF THE BUNGLE was the only Probate Judge in the Sixth Circuit? People, GREER is warming a chair and signing whatever's handed to him.

You gotta hand it to Judge Rapkin who I hold partly responsible for Carlie Brucia's murder. HE SAW THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL and after calling Bill O' Reilly a piece of garbage and after public outrage, RAPKIN is retiring.

GEORGE OF THE BUNGLE "watch out any she!".