Schiavo Debate Continues One Year Later

March 27, 2006 — -- Although Terri Schiavo was laid to rest a year ago Friday after the longest right-to-die battle in American history, the war between her family, the Schindlers, and her husband of 21 years, Michael Schiavo, rages on.

Schiavo fought the Schindlers in court for eight years over Terri's removal from life support, arguing she would not have wanted to be kept alive in a permanent vegetative state. The Schindlers disagreed that she was in a permanent vegetative state and that she would want to die. The feud that came to involve 40 court petitions and appeals, a governor, a president, and Congress continues in two new books.

Schiavo's book, "Terri: The Truth," is being released today, one day before Bob and Mary Schindler's "A Life That Matters" hits stores.

In his book, Schiavo admits he's settling some scores. He unloaded his feelings Sunday on NBC's "Dateline" in his first interview since his wife died. Among his accusations is that Terri's family, including her father, demanded the money from a malpractice award.

"First, he asked when the money was coming down, and then he asked me, 'How much money am I going to get?''' Schiavo told "Dateline."

"I said. … 'I'm giving it all to Terri.' Then with some anger in his voice, he pointed at Terri and said, 'Well, how much is she going to give me?' She's not going to give you anything. That money is entrusted with a guardian."

On "Good Morning America," the Schindlers admitted there was a disagreement over money. They said it was because they wanted the money from the malpractice suit to go to Terri's rehabilitation and Schiavo spent it on legal fees.

"The money Michael promised for Terri's therapy and rehabilitation. … Instead it went to Michael's attorney to have Terri killed," said Bobby Schindler, Terri's brother.

Bitterness between the Schindlers and Schiavo affected Terri's final moments. The Schindlers were escorted out of Terri's hospital room so Schiavo could be alone with his wife as she died.