Terri Schiavo Deserves the Same Rights as Ted Bundy says Center for a Just Society
Ted Bundy, the BTK killer and others like them currently receive more protection under the law than Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who has been sentenced to death by starvation and dehydration by the Florida Courts. However, if Congress passes "The Incapacitated Persons Legal Protection Act," they can rightfully change that. Ken Connor, Chairman of the Center for a Just Society and former legal counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush and the state of Florida in defending "Terri's Law," released the following statement:
"The outrageous outcome of court rulings surrounding this case is this -- a convicted capital felon in Florida receives more due process protection than a disabled person at risk for starvation or dehydration because they have become burdensome to their family."
Capital felons in Florida are entitled to a trial by jury, independent counsel, competent representation and automatic review of their death penalty by the Supreme Court of Florida. By contrast, Terri Schiavo has received none of these protections. Perhaps even more ironic is the fact that if the most heinous of mass murderers were to receive a sentence of death by starvation or dehydration, the courts would overturn that sentence as a violation of the Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
"Although capital felons are recognized as 'persons' within the language and meaning of the constitution, it is obvious that, in the courts' view, those who share Terri Schiavo's disabilities fall outside the pale of 'personhood.' For years, disability advocates have lamented that they were not treated as 'whole persons' worthy of the full protection of the law. The courts' decisions in Bush vs. Schiavo prove they are right.
"It's outrageous that people like Ted Bundy and the BTK killer have more legal protections than someone like Terri Schiavo. Serial killers are entitled to counsel. They are entitled to effective representation. They are entitled to trial by jury. But Terri Schiavo has not been afforded such legal protections. Her mom and dad have had a lawyer. Her husband has had a lawyer. But Terri Schiavo, whose life hangs in the balance in these judicial proceedings, has never had a lawyer to represent her interests."
This bill is desperately needed and we applaud Sen. Mel Martinez and Rep. Dave Weldon for their efforts on behalf of Terri Schiavo and thousands of others like her who cannot speak for themselves."
Source: Christian Communication Network
Ted Bundy, the BTK killer and others like them currently receive more protection under the law than Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who has been sentenced to death by starvation and dehydration by the Florida Courts. However, if Congress passes "The Incapacitated Persons Legal Protection Act," they can rightfully change that. Ken Connor, Chairman of the Center for a Just Society and former legal counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush and the state of Florida in defending "Terri's Law," released the following statement:
"The outrageous outcome of court rulings surrounding this case is this -- a convicted capital felon in Florida receives more due process protection than a disabled person at risk for starvation or dehydration because they have become burdensome to their family."
Capital felons in Florida are entitled to a trial by jury, independent counsel, competent representation and automatic review of their death penalty by the Supreme Court of Florida. By contrast, Terri Schiavo has received none of these protections. Perhaps even more ironic is the fact that if the most heinous of mass murderers were to receive a sentence of death by starvation or dehydration, the courts would overturn that sentence as a violation of the Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
"Although capital felons are recognized as 'persons' within the language and meaning of the constitution, it is obvious that, in the courts' view, those who share Terri Schiavo's disabilities fall outside the pale of 'personhood.' For years, disability advocates have lamented that they were not treated as 'whole persons' worthy of the full protection of the law. The courts' decisions in Bush vs. Schiavo prove they are right.
"It's outrageous that people like Ted Bundy and the BTK killer have more legal protections than someone like Terri Schiavo. Serial killers are entitled to counsel. They are entitled to effective representation. They are entitled to trial by jury. But Terri Schiavo has not been afforded such legal protections. Her mom and dad have had a lawyer. Her husband has had a lawyer. But Terri Schiavo, whose life hangs in the balance in these judicial proceedings, has never had a lawyer to represent her interests."
This bill is desperately needed and we applaud Sen. Mel Martinez and Rep. Dave Weldon for their efforts on behalf of Terri Schiavo and thousands of others like her who cannot speak for themselves."
Source: Christian Communication Network
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