Rebecca told police that she was afraid for her life before the accident and had undone her seat belt to jump from the moving vehicle. Jesse's family said she told them that she had grabbed the steering wheel and he lost control.

She was banged up in the crash but had no life-threatening injuries. He suffered a broken neck and major head trauma in the May 30 accident.

Ten days later -- after a doctor told Jesse's family that if he survived, he likely would be blind and might never progress past a vegetative state -- Rebecca ordered doctors to transfer her husband to hospice and end his life by disconnecting the tubes giving him food and water.

(...)

"She said she was in fear of her life," McCaleb said. "Ten days later, she's going to say whether he lives or dies? Frankly, it's too much to ask of the wife." Rebecca did not answer calls from The Arizona Republic. When reached Wednesday afternoon by a Channel 12 (KPNX) reporter, she was surprised to hear of the suit and declined to comment.

The important point in this is that Ramirez's wife, having allegedly been subject to a highly controlling and irrationally jealous husband, may not be in the best position to look after his well being. She may or may not have catalyzed the accident - these are allegations based upon hearsay. And, she may or may not have sinister motives following what was certainly a traumatic event.

What is clear is that a man's life hangs in the balance, a man whose family and doctors believe he has a chance at rehabilitation:

According to the affidavits filed by the Ramirez family, the doctors said that Jesse would likely be blind and could possibly remain in a permanent vegetative state. On the other hand, the affidavits say, doctors said he could possibly regain his ability to talk.

Family members felt that Jesse was responsive to people in his room and that his vital signs improve when they are there. The affidavits that Rebecca ordered that he be moved to hospice and that his food and water tubes be disconnected.

It is not clear to me what state Jesse is in but McCaleb asked the court to put Theresa and Jesse Sr. in charge of Jesse's health care, to send Jesse back to the hospital, to hook up his nutrition and hydration tubes, and to appoint an independent doctor to evaluate his status.

Please pray for Jesse and his family. A peaceful outcome involving reconciliation would be refreshing.

Source: Judge orders life support for crash victim, Arizona Republic

HT: Arizona Feeding Tube Case Eerily Similar To Schiavo, North Country Gazette

Posted: ProlifeBlogs.com