Schiavo rivals 'agree to autopsy'

Michael Schiavo, who says his wife did not want to be kept alive artificially, wants the examination to uncover the extent of her brain damage.

Mrs Schiavo's parents, who have fought to keep her alive, are reported to have agreed to the request.

But they are also afraid an "overdose" of morphine could hasten her death.

"She's alive and she's fighting like hell to live," Mrs Schiavo's father, Bob Schindler said after visiting his daughter.

TERRI SCHIAVO CASE

• Feb 1990: Mrs Schiavo collapses
• May 1998: Mr Schiavo files petition to remove feeding tube, triggering legal battle
• Oct 2003: Florida's lower house passes "Terri's Law", allowing governor to order doctors to feed Mrs Schiavo
• Sept 2004: Florida Supreme Court strikes down law
• 18 Mar 2005: Florida court allows removal of tube
• 22 Mar 2005: Federal judge turns down parents' appeal
• 23 Mar 2005: Appeals court backs federal ruling
• 25 Mar 2005: Federal judge rejects parents' second appeal
• 26 Mar 2005: Florida state judge rejects parents' appeal; judgement upheld by Florida Supreme Court

Timeline: Terri Schiavo case

But he added that he had "a grave concern" that doctors at the Florida hospice where is being treated might hasten her death with an "overdose" of morphine.

Michael Schiavo's lawyer, George Felos, denied Mrs Schiavo had been put on a morphine drip but revealed her physical condition has weakened.

He said her eyes are sunken, her breathing has quickened and she has stopped urinating - a sign of kidney failure and an overload of toxins.

Amid bitter divisions caused by the lengthy legal battle, Michael Schiavo has insisted on a post-mortem examination.

"He's requested this very strongly," said Mr Felos.

"He believes it's important to have the public know the full and massive extent of the damage to Mrs Schiavo's brain that occurred through the cardiac arrest in 1990."

David Gibbs III, a lawyer for Mrs Schiavo's parents, told AFP news agency Bob and Mary Schindler supported an autopsy as a way to help solve "unanswered questions".

Last communion

Terri Schiavo, who has been kept alive by artificial means since she suffered severe brain damage when her heart stopped briefly in 1990, had her feeding tube removed by court order on 18 March.

Her parents have insisted that Mrs Schiavo remains responsive and have fought a lengthy legal battle to have her tube re-inserted.

But a series of judges and courts have ruled in favour of Michael Schiavo, leaving his wife on the edge of death.

As protesters gathered outside the Florida hospice where she is being treated, a Catholic priest gave Terri Schiavo her last communion.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation
American Civil Liberties Union
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