Judge Again Refuses to Save Terri Schiavo

Yet another Florida judge refused a last-ditch effort today by Terri Schiavo's parents to save her from a slow death by starvation and dehydration.

Judge Jonathan Sjostrom quickly rejected the request, which would have directed Gov. Jeb Bush to intervene.

Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, said they would turn to the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee.

The Schindlers wanted the court to compel Bush to order an investigation into their allegations that Mrs. Schiavo's husband, Michael, abused her. They want her feeding tube reinserted so police can investigate.

Schiavo says he did not mistreat his wife. State police and prosecutors have refused to investigate.

Pat Anderson, the Schindlers' attorney, said the judge's swift denial did not surprise her. The legal battle between the Schindlers and their son-in-law has already passed through 19 judges and six courts.

"There has been an awful lot of judicial attention to this case," Anderson said. "Judges don't like to second-guess each other."