Posted on 03/30/2005 10:09:34 AM PST by churchillbuff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The state House Judiciary Committee chairman said Tuesday he will consider starting an impeachment investigation of the state judge in the Terri Schiavo case, but said he thought it unlikely that the judge would be impeached. Christian conservatives and advocates of the disabled have launched an Internet campaign and collected more than 28,000 electronic signatures in favor of impeaching Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer, who has presided for seven years over the legal battle between Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, and her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler. Greer allowed Michael Schiavo to have her nutrition and hydration tube removed March 18. He contends she would have wanted its removal, but the parents want to keep her alive. ''People have asked me to seek to impeach him,'' said House Judiciary Committee Chairman David Simmons, R-Longwood, which he said was not unusual given his position. Article 3, Section 17 of the Florida Constitution says circuit judges ''shall be liable to impeachment for misdemeanor in office.'' Such a move would require a two-thirds vote by the state House to impeach, and then a two-thirds vote by the state Senate to convict, with the chief justice of the state Supreme Court presiding over the trial before the Senate. ''I think that's a pretty heavy burden to sustain,'' Simmons
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said Tuesday. Simmons said he has received ''numerous e-mails'' asking for an investigation. ''We will look at it and analyze it,'' said Simmons, who is a lawyer. But Simmons added, ''I'm not committing to do anything other than review what any constituent tells me, as a representative and as chairman of the Judiciary [Committee], to look at.'' Stories about the severely brain-damaged woman, appeals for donations to defray legal expenses, and ''Action Alerts'' urging visitors to contact state and federal lawmakers dominate Christian conservative and anti-abortion Web sites. ''She will be a martyr when she dies,'' Simmons predicted. Although it appears that time has run out for the legislature to act in time to halt Schiavo's impending death, Simmons said he intends to work with the Senate to prevent future situations.
I'd like to see him do it. Really.
More big talk from spineless legislators. Nothing will come of this
If we start impeaching these judges they might learn that they actually DO have something to fear.
I hope Greer is inpeached, we don't need a man like him as a judge. A judge should be able to read the papers of the case.
It would be a waste of time and taxpayers' money since Greer has technically done nothing illegal and would most assuredly survive any serious impeachment inquery on that basis.
When was the last time a Judge at any level has been impeached?
Impeachment in the FL judiciary may not hinge on legality, but competence.
In which case, the only thing standing in the way of impeachment is politics.
You are right. The case shows a deficiency in the law. Bad law has bad results.
He'd better be careful. He is liable to get crotch rot from sitting on the fence! s/off
If Greer simply issues a court order to bar him from doing so, won't that end the matter by the precedents we've already seen in this case?
Like I said, the people only get what they deserve. If you want real change, then don't take for granted what those in other countries have had to clear great obstacles to accomplish.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE!
He broke the law requiring him to review the case as mandated by Concgress, de-nova(sp?)
Even if an impeachment inquiry was based upon questions of technical and legal competence, he would still survive it since his rulings have in fact stood through the Appeals and Supreme Court levels. Impeach him, and theoretically you would have to impeach them all. And it would still be a waste of time and taxpayers money since nothing would come of it...
They already do have something to fear. His name is Brian Nichols. (I know, I know. Tasteless.)
US Congress has impeached and removed at least a couple of federal judges -- for corruption -- within the past 15 years.
No, the federal judge did that and was derelict in doing his duty.
Alcee Hastings?? In Florida I think. Last I heard he was one of Floridas congressmen in DC.
i'd like to see about a dozen impeachments a week. maybe the MIB would start behaving like servants instead of tyrants. wishful thinking..
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