(Schiavo) Charges from inquiry unlikely (Sorry, Jeb)

[kskiska]

CLEARWATER - The prosecutor assigned by Gov. Jeb Bush to take another look at Terri Schiavo's death doesn't call what he's doing a criminal investigation. He uses the word ''inquiry'' -- because he does not believe he is investigating a crime.

State Attorney Bernie McCabe, in charge of prosecuting cases in Pinellas and Pasco counties, acknowledges he is drawing an unusual distinction. Prosecutors in Florida don't embark on inquiries for their own sake. They investigate crimes.

(snip)

Though Schiavo's March 31 death and subsequent autopsy would seem to have put her case to rest, it continues to put public officials in awkward positions. Other attorneys say McCabe is not likely to find much. The statute of limitations for charging Michael Schiavo with any crime short of murder or manslaughter has long since expired.

And both charges need far more evidence than one panicked husband's murky recollections of a 911 call.

(snip)

Failing to call 911 is not a crime. To level criminal charges, prosecutors would need physical evidence or witnesses that have so far been absent in the case.

(snip)

McCabe has not set a deadline for his own inquiry into the matter. ''It's going to be pretty quick, I would guess, unless I come across something,'' he said.

more…
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/11987348.htm

[geek tragedy]

1. Time for Jeb to get the lynch mob going.

Of course, we know of at least 11 Senate Republicans who don't disapprove of such tactics.

[napi21]

2. Oh for goodness sake. Jeb is desperately trying to keep the

support of the fundies. He's hoping he can show them he's doing EVERYTHING he ppossible can for them!

[jedr]

3. Jeb knows that he doesn't have a leg to stand on;

He's pandering to the fundies. That helps distant * , since he seems to get his ass kicked when he backs them.

[Cocoa]

4. add this prosecutor to the axis of evil

Michael Schiavo, Judge Greer, and now Bernie McCabe, all part of the "culture of death."

[DanCa]

5. can they now leave this poor women in peace?

Let her soul rest dammit

[movonne]

6. I think this woman is in peace, it is the husband that needs the peace.

[brooklynite]

7. Time for a CIVIL SUIT...

that should drag things out until the '06 elections.

[BiggJawn]

8. Repalce Mccabe with Nancy Grace and Jebbi will get his wish...

She'll not only bring an indictment, but she'll pesonally strap Mike Schiavo into Ol' Sparky and flip the switch herself, thus saving the taxpayers of Fla the expense of a trial...

And thus ensuring Jebbi's smooth path to 1600 Penn in a few years....
:sarcasm:

[daleo]

9. It is not a criminal inquiry

Just the state trying to dig up dirt on what the leader perceives to be an enemy of the people (cynically so), and wasting taxpayers money in the bargain.

[HockeyMom]

10. Living Wills /Lawyers must be doing a booming business in Florida

Keep it up, Jebbie.

[napi21]

11. Living wills are doing a booming buisness EVERYWHERE!

Almost everyone I talked to mentioned they either had one, or were going to get one, and it's all because of Terri. I'm not promoting lawyers making a lot of $$, but there are weeb sites where you can download the required documents, by State (because each State has different requirements) for free.

If there is anything good that resulted from this insane legal mess, it's that it sure did convince a lot of people to write their wishes down!

[ninkasi]

12. One thing I'm glad I did

was to make a living will. I had surgery in 1998, and when doing the pre-op admissions, one of the questions was whether I had one. I didn't, but the hospital had the forms. I took them home, filled them out and had them witnessed, and gave copies to my husband and grown children.

I don't remember the precise wording, but the result is that I wanted maximum doses of pain killers if I needed them, even if it would shorten my life. We are talking, by the way, about a condition such as Ms. Schiavo's, or a terminal condition such as cancer. No other extraordinary measures. No tubes, no breathing machines, just kill the pain and let me go.

This way, my loved ones won't be faced with any painful decisions, and my wishes are signed and witnessed, with nothing left to interpretation. This might be especially important in cases of the families where the spouse is not the grown children's parent, which is very commonplace nowadays.

Edited to correct spelling