But the governor said, "I'm disappointed for the moral reasons of the taking of innocent life without having, I don't think, a full hearing on the facts of what her intent was."

He observed that courts can delay death sentences for decades. Will the innocent Mrs. Schiavo be accorded the same privileges granted to vicious murderers? Bush said he might appeal the ruling. He has 10 days to ask for a rehearing.

Her brother, Robert Schindler Jr., told reporters the family found the court's ruling "disappointing and troubling." He said, "We're motivated by our love for Terri, and we're going to try to stay strong and find some way to save my sister."

Diane Coleman, head of the disabled rights group Not Dead Yet, told the Associated Press, "If this can happen, it means really that people with cognitive disabilities are in terrible danger in our health care system."

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