PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (March 24) -- The U.S. Supreme Court turned down Terri Schiavo's parents Thursday, declining to intervene to keep the brain-damaged woman alive, but their supporters pressed a last-ditch effort in Florida courts.
Justices didn't explain their decision, which was received by somber supporters outside the woman's hospice with bowed heads and prayers for help from Gov. Jeb Bush.
''The governor is disappointed (at the Supreme Court decision) and will continue to do whatever he can within the law to save Terri's life,'' Bush spokesman Jacob DiPietre said.
Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, had urged the high court Thursday not to intervene because her case has been endlessly litigated. This was at least the fifth time the nation's high court has declined to get involved in the Schiavo case.
The appeal by her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, was part of a rush of legal activity in the unprecedented right-to-die struggle.
The custody request by Bush was made before Circuit Judge George Greer, who has presided over the case for years and ordered the feeding tube removed last month. Greer planned to decide by noon Thursday on whether the case would go forward.
He issued an emergency order Wednesday to keep the Department of Children & Families from reconnecting the tube.
Also Thursday, David Gibbs III, the attorney for the Schindlers, filed an amended version of his still-pending civil rights lawsuit against Michael Schiavo and others in federal court in Tampa.
''The new claims raised are even more insubstantial than the old claims,'' said George Felos, Michael Schiavo's attorney. He said he is hopeful the case will soon be peacefully settled and criticized state officials.
Where the Case Stands
Terri Schiavo's Health
The brain-damaged woman's feeding tube was removed March 18 upon orders from her husband, Michael Schiavo. Doctors said she probably would die within a week or two from the date of the removal.
Supreme Court: Her Parents' Appeal
Bob and Mary Schindler asked the U.S. Supreme Court to order their daughter's feeding tube to be reinserted. The court refused to intervene. The decision represented at least the fifth time the justices declined to take on the case.
Florida Courts: Governor Acts
Citing new allegations of neglect and challenging Schiavo's diagnosis, Gov. Jeb Bush sought court permission to take custody of Schiavo and presumably reinsert her feeding tube. A county circuit court judge rejected the request.
''It saddens me greatly that we have to run to court to get court orders to protect Terri Schiavo from the abuse of the state of Florida,'' Felos said. ''The conduct of the executive branch of the state of Florida has been reprehensible in this case.''
The parents have frantically tried to reconnect the tube, which was removed six days ago. Doctors have said Schiavo, 41, likely would die within a week or two at her hospice.
''There is no legislative and legal option open to us now. ... Gov. Bush is now the only practical hope for Terri Schiavo. Let us pray now for that,'' the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, a Schindler family advocate, said after the Supreme Court acted
I guess I was wrong about Gov. Bush after all I thought Gov. Bush has more power to stop it since he is a governor? I am also mad at the The U.S. Supreme Court, What the hell they turned it down?