Should Judge George W. Greer be Impeached?

by NewLight2 12 Replies latest social current

  • NewLight2
    NewLight2

    Impeach Judge George W. Greer of Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit
    http://www.petitiononline.com/ijg520/petition.html

    To: Florida House of Representatives

    Whereas the Florida Constitution Article III Section 17 provides for
    the impeachment of judges for misdemeanor in office, misdemeanor
    being defined as a misdeed or offense less than a felony.

    Whereas Judge George W. Greer is a judge in the 6th circuit court of
    Florida and bound to rule in agreement with Florida Statutes and the
    Judicial Code of Ethics,

    The undersigned are petitioning Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd
    and the Florida House of Representatives to impeach Judge George
    W. Greer pursuant to the provisions in the Florida Constitution for the
    following violations of Statutes and Judicial Canons, which prove
    justification for impeachment.

    Judge George W. Greer has caused public confidence in the judiciary
    to deteriorate due to his rulings regarding Terri Schiavo and thus
    violated Judicial Canon 1.

    Judge George W. Greer has made rulings, which advance the private
    interests of Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Senate President Jim
    King by allowing the statutes, which apply, to persons with terminal
    illness to order the death of Terri Schiavo by dehydration and
    starvation at the request of Michael Schiavo and thus is in violation of
    Judicial Canon 2B.

    Judge George W. Greer has not ruled according to law in the case of
    whether to remove Terri Schiavo?s tube by which she receives
    nutrition and hydration. The rulings, which are inconsistent with
    Florida Statutes and Constitution, are:

    1. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(2 ) for failure to discharge his
    duties as guardian. The statute requires that the guardian protect the
    rights of the ward, provide for her health and safety, properly manage
    her financial resources and help her regain her abilities to the
    maximum extent possible.

    2. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(3) for abuse of his powers as
    evidenced by his denying her any significant sensory stimulation and
    his efforts to have her life ended.

    3. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(7) for wasting, embezzlement, or
    other mismanagement of the ward's property, one example is
    Michael?s statement on national television that he had Terri?s wedding
    rings melted down and made into jewelry for himself.

    4. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(11) because of a conflict of
    interest between the ward and the guardian due to Michael Schiavo
    living with and fathering children with another woman.

    5. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(13) for failure to comply with the
    guardianship report.

    6. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(14) for failure to file annual
    guardianship reports in a timely manner.

    7. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(16) for improperly managing the
    ward?s assets by using Terri?s money which was awarded by a court to
    be used for her rehabilitation but at the authorization of Judge Greer is
    being used to pay legal fees in an effort to end Terri?s life.

    8. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(17) because there has been a
    significant change in Terri?s assets due to the actions of her guardian.
    Terri?s assets have likely increased since her accident and Michael
    Schiavo is denying Terri the benefit of any assets accrued after the
    malpractice award which would be equally hers as Michael?s legal
    spouse.

    9. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian even though he should be removed as Terri?s guardian
    pursuant to Florida Statute 744.474(18) because Michael?s adulterous
    relationship (which is a misdemeanor under Florida law) with another
    woman ought to disqualify Michael as a suitable guardian for Terri as
    the interest which Michael said (in malpractice trial court proceedings)
    he had toward Terri is directed to another woman who is not his wife
    and has two children by said other woman of whom he is the father.

    10. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to remain as Terri?s
    guardian and has aided Michael in abusing, neglecting, and exploiting
    Terri, a vulnerable adult, by appropriating funds that were awarded for
    her rehabilitation to pay legal fees, and has aided in exploiting Terri by
    denying the money to be used for her benefit. Both these infractions
    were committed with the
    knowledge that Terri lacked the capacity to consent and explained in
    detail in Florida Statute 415.102.

    11. Judge Greer?s rulings to date have deprived Terri Schiavo of her
    constitutional right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, to pursue
    happiness, to be rewarded for industry, and to acquire, possess and
    protect property which are detailed in Section 2 of the Florida
    Constitution by ordering her life to be ended by denying her hydration
    and nutrition.

    12. Judge Greer has deprived Terri of her constitutional religious rights
    by allowing Michael Schiavo to prevent Monsignor Malonowski from
    visiting Terri, by allowing Michael to prevent Monsignor Malinowski
    from administering last rites when her feeding tube was removed in
    October 2003, and by allowing Michael to prevent Terri?s blood
    relatives from placing pictures of religious figures in her room.

    13. Judge Greer has allowed Terri?s constitutional right to privacy to
    be violated by Michael Schiavo by not restricting his comments during
    interviews on national television.

    14. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215C(a) To
    have an annual review of the guardianship report and plan.

    15. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215(b) (b) to
    have continuing review of the need for restriction of her rights.

    16. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right to be restored to capacity,
    FL statute 744.3215C.

    17. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215(d) (d) to be
    treated humanely, with dignity and respect, and to be protected against
    abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

    18. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215(e) to have a
    qualified guardian.

    19. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215(f) to remain
    as independent as possible, including having her preference as to place
    and standard of living honored, either as she expressed or
    demonstrated her preference prior to the determination of his or her
    incapacity or as she currently expresses her preference, insofar as such
    request is reasonable.

    20. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215 (g) to be
    properly educated. She is not receiving any rehabilitative therapy.

    21. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215 (h) to
    receive prudent financial management for her property and to be
    informed how her property is being managed. Michael Schiavo stated
    on national television that he melted Terri?s wedding rings down and
    had them made into jewelry for himself.

    22. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215 (i) to
    receive necessary services and rehabilitation. Judge Greer has allowed
    Michael to deprive Terri of the same. She did not have a working
    wheelchair for an extended and unnecessarily long period of time.

    23. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215 (k) to have
    access to the courts. Judge Greer has relied upon the testimony of
    others related to Michael Schiavo as to Terri?s condition yet ignored
    the testimony of her blood relatives which was contradictory to
    information provided by Michael and his family.

    24. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215(l) to
    counsel.

    25. Judge Greer has denied Terri the right under 744.3215(m) to
    receive visitors and communicate with others.

    26. Judge Greer has allowed violation of 744.3215(a) by allowing Terri
    to be moved to different facilities without prior approval of the court.

    27. Judge Greer has allowed violation of 744.3215(b) not requiring
    Michael to have follow up examinations of electrodes, which were
    implanted in Terri?s brain. These implants should have been removed
    years ago, as they are a source for both infection and hydrocephalus.
    Hydrocephalus may cause pressure that could suppress cognitive
    function and be responsible for much of Terri?s condition. If so, there
    could be a vast improvement in her condition if a shunt were placed.
    Hydrocephalus could also cause pressure that would flatten the brain
    and show fluid filled areas on a brain scan.

    28. Judge Greer has allowed Michael to violate a court order stating
    that he is to keep Terri?s family advised of her medical condition.

    29. Judge Greer has ignored Terri?s right under 765.102(5)(a) to
    palliative care which addresses physical, psychological, social,
    spiritual, and existential needs of patients.

    30. Judge Greer has not required Michael Schiavo to implement a plan
    which would provide for Terri?s needs under 765.102(5)(a).

    31. Judge Greer has allowed Michael Schiavo to neglect Guardianship
    Education, which is a requirement under Florida law.

    32. Judge Greer relied on Dr. Ronald Cranford?s definition of PVS
    (Persistent Vegetative State) instead of the legal definition contained
    in the Florida Statutes. There were several doctors who gave reports
    that Terri is not PVS but Greer decided not to use the Florida Statute?s
    definition.

    33. Judge Greer has failed to be impartial and has ignored testimony
    and evidence presented by Counsel for Terri?s natural family and has
    consistently ruled in agreement with Counsel for Michael Schiavo.

    34. Judge Greer has allowed Michael to continue denying visitation to
    Terri?s family even though a police investigation found that they were
    not responsible for marks found on her arm.

    35. Judge Greer in his February 11, 2000 Order, committed
    malpractice by
    misdiagnosing Terri as being an unconscious and unaware person and
    then ordered the Guardian of the Ward to commit a 1st Degree Felony
    Crime by removing Terri's feeding tube and denying her constitutional
    and legal right to be protected and not feloniously victimized by being
    caused to die.

    35. Judge Greer authorized the euthanization of Terri Schiavo by
    authorizing the removal of her feeding tube when she does not fit the
    definition of PVS under Florida statutes. Euthanasia is illegal in
    Florida.

    36. Judge Greer has violated the Americans With Disabilities Act
    (ADA), 42 U.S.C. Sections 12101 provides that necessary and
    appropriate rehabilitation services and physical/motor skill therapy
    may not be denied a substantially disabled patient in the United States
    of America.

    37. Judge Greer has violated the ADA Cf 28 CFR, Ch 1, Subpart B,
    Sect 35.130 States "Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the
    representative or guardian of an individual with a disability to decline
    food, water, medical treatment, or medical services for that
    individual."

    38. Judge Greer has violated FS 38.10 four times by not disqualifying
    himself from the case when it was requested. The statute states
    whenever a party to any action or proceeding makes and files an
    affidavit stating fear that he or she will not receive a fair trial in the
    court where the suit is pending on account of the prejudice of the
    judge of that court against the applicant or in favor of the adverse
    party, the judge shall proceed no further, but another judge shall be
    designated in the manner prescribed by the laws of this state for the
    substitution of judges for the trial of causes in which the presiding
    judge is disqualified.


    The rulings and actions listed above are in violation of Judicial Canon
    3B(2)

    Judge Greer has violated Judicial Canon 3B(4) as seen in a video clip
    of a court proceeding where Judge Greer was visibly impatient and
    angry during court proceedings. The video can be viewed at this url.
    http://real.scripps.com:8480/ramgen/tampalive/news/2003/11/1105schiavo.rm


    Judge Greer should be investigating whether any life insurance policies
    have been purchased or other investments made with funds intended
    for Terri, which would cause Michael Schiavo to profit from her death.


    Judge Greer serves on the Committee for Guardianship Monitoring but
    is, in fact, violating the intentions and guidelines established by the
    Committee. Information concerning the Committee for Guardianship
    Monitoring may be found at this url
    http://www.flcourts.org/osca/divisions/Guardian/guardianshipmonitoring.pdf


    1. Judge Greer has neglected the mission of guardianship monitoring in
    Terri?s case.The mission of guardianship monitoring is to collect,
    provide, and evaluate information about the well-being and property
    of all persons adjudicated of having a legal incapacity so that the court
    can fulfill its legal obligation to protect and preserve the interests of
    the ward, and thereby promote confidence in the judicial process.

    2. Page 5 of the document contains ?Thus, the court must be proactive
    to discover and respond to disputes and issues.? Judge Greer has
    intentionally ignored disputed issues in Terri?s case and not made any
    ruling to correct them.

    3. On page 6 of the document is this statement ?An ideal guardianship
    monitoring program encompasses four major service areas: (1) initial
    and on-going screening and reviewing of guardians; (2) reporting on
    the well-being of the ward; (3) reporting on the protection of the
    ward?s assets; and (4) case administration.? Judge Greer?s flagrant
    oversight of Michael Shiavo?s violations of the statutes pertaining to
    guardians is certainly no example for any monitoring program.

    4. It is unclear whether Judge Greer has required Michael Schiavo to
    meet all the requirements of a guardian (listed on page 6 of the
    document). ?A family member guardian is required to hire an attorney,
    provide detailed personal information, undergo a credit check, post a
    fiduciary?s bond, attend an 8-hour training course, and file detailed
    initial and annual personal and financial reports.?

    5. Pinellas County employees a full time monitoring staff, which
    reviews cases to make sure guardianship plans are being filed and
    followed. It would not have been possible for them to give approval of
    the plan for Terri since the guardianship plans have not been an
    important issue with Judge Greer evidenced by his granting Michael
    extensions to file the plan. Judge Greer is deliberately undermining the
    guardianship monitoring program which was established to make sure
    that all wards receive the protection they are entitled to by the law.

    6. Judge Greer did not adhere to the monitoring guidelines which state
    that ?in cases where it appears there is substantial likelihood for
    serious irreparable harm (similar to the injunctive relief standard),
    immediate action steps by the court should include but not be limited
    to: Filing an abuse, neglect, or exploitation complaint with the
    Department of Children and Families, as required by statute, referral
    to local law enforcement agencies or the state attorney and,
    conducting immediate hearings among several other possible actions.
    Terri is at risk of irreparable harm as long as Michael is her guardian.
    He didn?t want to treat her for an infection, has not had preventive
    health care examinations for her and stated on national television that
    he would do whatever it takes to have her feeding tube removed.
    Michael also stated during the same interview that Terri's teeth were
    fine but recently she is missing several teeth.

    Judge Greer?s rulings ought to be thrown out due to all these violations
    and the Supreme Court ruling on May 18, 2004 that states may be
    liable for money damages for denying disabled persons access to the
    court.

    Terri?s feeding tube can only be removed ?if? she is PVS and Judge
    Greer?s ruling is based on a definition not contained in the Florida
    Statutes. This is an outrageous liberty which Judge Greer has taken
    and combined with the other violations of statutes there is no question
    that he should be removed from his duties immediately.

    We urge Florida Speaker of the House Johnnie Byrd and the Florida
    House of Representatives to begin immediate impeachment
    proceedings against Judge George W. Greer of the Sixth Judicial
    Circuit of Florida for the violations contained in this petition.

    Sincerely,

  • NewLight2
    NewLight2

    Here is the link to sign the petition on line:

  • http://www.petitiononline.com/ijg520/petition.html
  • Tatiana
    Tatiana

    Click on "petitions" and read some of the comments...wow

  • Kenneson
    Kenneson

    I signed it. Over 30,000 signatures already and hopefully climbing. The Judge may not be as popular as he imagined himself to be.

  • Gollum
    Gollum

    Cool! Is there one I can sign to impeach Bush and Tom Delay for not abiding by the constitution in regards to the seperation of powers?

  • funkyderek
    funkyderek

    What nonsense! A judge is not going to be impeached simply because he made an unpopular decision, especially one that's been repeatedly upheld. It's worrying that so many people seem to have such strong opinions on this case but don't care about the facts.

  • under74
    under74

    Giving me a damn break! You know, all Judge Greer asked for was some evidence that something had changed with Terri S. or that something would change. They couldn't give him anything. He followed the damn law. Gollum is right, impeach Bush, Delay, and the many others who won't even abide by our constitution.

    This happens everyday. The only thing that makes this different is politicians have involved themselves in it. In Texas it's easier to pull a feeding tube because of then Governor Bush. Why isn't everyone up in arms about that?

    It's amazing how far the pendulum has swung in this country. When the head of Operation Rescue is one of the leaders in this case and taken seriously and little kids (prompted by their parents) are breaking the law and getting arrested I would think more people would raise their eyebrows or in the least think a bit harder about what's happening.

    Look, no offense to anyone I just think that this is a private 16 year family matter that got hijacked by christian fundamentalist politicians.

  • Kenneson
    Kenneson

    If a petition is meaningless, maybe someone can explain how Floridians managed to Save Our Library? I'm speaking in reference to the State Library of Florida. It is still here today because of an online petition and continuous protests. The voice of the people was heard and will continue to be heard. If the law allows murder, than the law needs to be removed.

  • doogie
    doogie
    If a petition is meaningless, maybe someone can explain how Floridians managed to Save Our Library?

    yeah, i see the similarities...oh wait...no i don't.

    i signed a petition once to replace the street lights in my neighborhood. and then they were replaced. that doesn't mean that my signature carries great weight; it means that the street lights are (relatively) insignificant.

  • under74
    under74

    petitions aren't meaningless....blaming a judge who abides by the law is. It's not Judge Greer's verdict that is blurry here. The line between murder and letting someone who is already gone go is where it's blurry.

    Like I said look into state law under Bush and then tell me who needs to be accountable and impeached. Why go after the little guys?

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