Judge rejects latest Schiavo request

TAMPA, Fla., March 25 (UPI) -- A federal Judge in Tampa, Fla., Friday rejected the latest attempt to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

Shortly before 8 a.m., U.S. District Judge Whittemore turned down a request by the family of Terri Schiavo to intervene in the case, WSVN-TV, Miami, reported.

U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore had vowed to work through the night reviewing the arguments of Bob and Mary Schindler for re-inserting a feeding tube into Schiavo's body.

Whittemore's decision dimmed the Schindlers' prospects even more and advisers said the only chance remaining to save her life was some action by Gov. Jeb Bush. He has indicated he does not have the power to do anything further.

For the fifth time Thursday the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene in the case, as has every other jurisdiction since Judge George Greer ordered the tube removed one week ago at the request of her husband.

Michael Schiavo has long argued his wife would not want to live in the dependent state she has endured since suffering brain-damage in 1990.