"Affluenza" Defense for Vehicular Manslaughter - Teen Gets Probation for 4 Deaths

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

Teen Sentenced To Probation For Deadly DWI Crash December 10, 2013 6:03 PM

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - A teenager who killed four people while driving drunk has been sentenced to probation.

Prosecutors were pushing for 16-year-old Ethan Couch to spend 20 years in prison. However, State District Judge Jean Boyd sentenced Couch to a decade of probation.

There was no debate about who was behind the wheel last June, when Couch plowed into and killed four people. Couch has admitted to being the driver, and court records show his blood alcohol level was .24 at the time of the crash, three times the legal limit for an adult. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Couch and some friends stole beer from a Burleson Walmart on June 15, the night of the crash. After consuming the alcohol, Couch and seven others got back into his pickup to go to another store. During the trip, he hit four pedestrians, killing them. Two teens riding in Couch’s pickup were thrown from the truck and severely injured.

Couch’s attorneys argued his parents were responsible for the teen’s actions that night because of the way he had been raised. Defense attorneys put a psychologist on the stand who testified Couch was a product of wealth and got whatever he wanted. The psychologist also testified the teen was allowed to drink at a very young age and began driving at 13 years old. Defense attorneys argued Couch needed treatment, not jail and suggested a facility that costs almost half a million dollars a year.

The victim’s family members began crying in court when the sentence was announced Tuesday evening. Youth pastor, Brian Jennings, Hollie and Shelby Boyles, and Breanna Mitchell were all killed in the crash. Eric Boyles, who lost both his wife and daughter, broke his silence for the first time after the sentencing.

“There…there are just some things that even today…are just too difficult to talk about. At this point, we are trying to take life one day at a time. I do look forward to the day that we can put some of this behind us. Today could have been a good start at that…and unfortunately the wounds that it opened only makes the healing process that much greater,” said Boyles through tears.

Couch’s family did not comment on the sentence. Couch was not allowed to go home with his parents. He will be housed at the detention center until he can be placed at a treatment facility.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/12/10/teen-sentenced-to-probation-for-deadly-dwi-crash/

Judge gives teen a slap on the wrist for his IDGAF mentality, which killed four people.

[Peikko 1,575]

The fact that the family were affluent is NOT what has led to his being sent to a treatment facility. The fact that his upbringing was neglectful was. Being 'allowed' to drink at a young age and becoming an alcoholic at 16 is not a privilege, it's an abuse. His parents should be the ones serving some kind of jail term, they are the ones that should have known the likely consequences of their actions with this awful parenting. If there is a way of turning this life around so he can become a productive member of society then so be it. He is not being placed back in the care of the parents. Of course if the treatment facility can't bring about any change in his behaviours then then the court should have the option to consider jail time again. I think that's the point of a 10 year probation.

[Dakine10 5,452]

I abhor vigilante justice, but it's pathetic when the justice system proves so weak as to seemingly provoke vigilantism. If something like this happened to a family member and the guy got off with probation, I would snap. No doubt at all I would end up on the six o clock news too.

It sucks to have irresponsible parents, but if we let that be a crutch for our own irresponsible actions, it's an excuse we'll all be using at some point. I don't buy it.

[Karee 4,190]

You can bet money this kid will be violating his probation. This is a clear message to him that there are no real consequences for his actions. The kid should've at least got 6 months to a year in the can.

[Peikko 1,575]

I abhor vigilante justice, but it's pathetic when the justice system proves so weak as to seemingly provoke vigilantism. If something like this happened to a family member and the guy got off with probation, I would snap. No doubt at all I would end up on the six o clock news too.

It sucks to have irresponsible parents, but if we let that be a crutch for our own irresponsible actions, it's an excuse we'll all be using at some point. I don't buy it.

Don't buy what? What's weak about it? This is a 16 year old. It's reasonable to assume that the judge is privy to more information than is presented in this somewhat sensational piece, and the fact that he's been removed from his parents and placed in a treatment center suggests to me at least that this is a chronic alcohol problem that the 16 year old has. Being an alcoholic at 16 is not something that happens overnight. Added to which, once again, probation for 10 years means the justice system can supervise his activities for a very long time to come. Four people needlessly died because of his appalling and reckless actions, that's a tragedy that nothing can change but a justice system that does not take into account all the circumstances surrounding the crime does not deliver justice, and is a blunt instrument indeed. Unless he's a psychopath, and there is no evidence that he is, he is living with this appalling choice and always will. I don't consider that getting off scot free.

I also think it's somewhat bizarre that you admit to the fact that you would 'snap' and commit a crime if the justice system didn't deliver the justice you personally approve of. That seems like an admission of appalling lack of self control even if it is just words.

[Karee 4,190]

Don't buy what? What's weak about it? This is a 16 year old. It's reasonable to assume that the judge is privy to more information than is presented in this somewhat sensational piece,

What makes it even remotely sensational? The piece stated the facts.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Don't buy what? What's weak about it? This is a 16 year old. It's reasonable to assume that the judge is privy to more information than is presented in this somewhat sensational piece, and the fact that he's been removed from his parents and placed in a treatment center suggests to me at least that this is a chronic alcohol problem that the 16 year old has. Being an alcoholic at 16 is not something that happens overnight. Added to which, once again, probation for 10 years means the justice system can supervise his activities for a very long time to come. Four people needlessly died because of his appalling and reckless actions, that's a tragedy that nothing can change but a justice system that does not take into account all the circumstances surrounding the crime does not deliver justice, and is a blunt instrument indeed. Unless he's a psychopath, and there is no evidence that he is, he is living with this appalling choice and always will. I don't consider that getting off scot free.

I also think it's somewhat bizarre that you admit to the fact that you would 'snap' and commit a crime if the justice system didn't deliver the justice you personally approve of. That seems like an admission of appalling lack of self control even if it is just words.

Probation for 10 years means statistically, it's likely just a matter of time before he's in the news again. Good thing his actions are not his fault.

I was 16 once. I liked to drink then too. Of course I wasn't as responsible then as an adult but I did understand there were legal and moral consequences of robbery, DUI, and manslaughter. For him the consequences of killing 4 people are having to behave until he's 26. People get more than that for stealing a pair of jeans.

[Karee 4,190]

Probation for 10 years means statistically, it's likely just a matter of time before he's in the news again. Good thing his actions are not his fault.

I was 16 once. I liked to drink then too. Of course I wasn't as responsible then as an adult but I did understand there were legal and moral consequences of robbery, DUI, and manslaughter. For him the consequences of killing 4 people are having to behave until he's 26. People get more than that for stealing a pair of jeans.

It's not just the probation part that makes it likely, it's the fact he's 16 which like you said which makes it almost certain he'll be back in front of a judge.

[Peikko 1,575]

Probation for 10 years means statistically, it's likely just a matter of time before he's in the news again. Good thing his actions are not his fault.

I was 16 once. I liked to drink then too. Of course I wasn't as responsible then as an adult but I did understand there were legal and moral consequences of robbery, DUI, and manslaughter. For him the consequences of killing 4 people are having to behave until he's 26. People get more than that for stealing a pair of jeans.

A teen is taken away from his parents, placed into a medical facility for treatment for alcohol abuse and placed under probation for 10 years and your analysis is that no one is holding him responsible for his actions? The US justice system is not about exacting revenge and retribution. More than that, apparently you're allowed to make your own rules based on circumstances you deem appropriate because you know better than people who have access to all the facts, not just some short newspaper piece in an article designed to tug at your emotional strings. How does that even begin to make sense?

[Dakine10 5,452]

A teen is taken away from his parents, placed into a medical facility for treatment for alcohol abuse and placed under probation for 10 years and your analysis is that no one is holding him responsible for his actions? The US justice system is not about exacting revenge and retribution. More than that, apparently you're allowed to make your own rules based on circumstances you deem appropriate because you know better than people who have access to all the facts, not just some short newspaper piece in an article designed to tug at your emotional strings. How does that even begin to make sense?

Obviously he's not being held fully responsible for his own actions. His lawyers went so far as making the case that it was his parents fault.

So yes, he's being treated for alcohol abuse because he's an alcoholic. It would have been great for the victims if that could have happened a little sooner. Separately from that, he got 10 years probation for robbery, DUI and 4 counts of manslaughter. I think that's an incredibly light sentence.

I'm not making up my own rules. In fact I'm not making up any rules. As far as I know they are not going to change his sentence because of what I posted. It's my opinion. He's 16 years old, not 8. He got off easy and chances are he's not going to learn from that. You're entitled to your opinion too. Just remember his name; it's going to be in the news again.

[Peikko 1,575]

Obviously he's not being held fully responsible for his own actions. His lawyers went so far as making the case that it was his parents fault.

So yes, he's being treated for alcohol abuse because he's an alcoholic. It would have been great for the victims if that could have happened a little sooner. Separately from that, he got 10 years probation for robbery, DUI and 4 counts of manslaughter. I think that's an incredibly light sentence.

I'm not making up my own rules. In fact I'm not making up any rules. As far as I know they are not going to change his sentence because of what I posted. It's my opinion. He's 16 years old, not 8. He got off easy and chances are he's not going to learn from that. You're entitled to your opinion too. Just remember his name; it's going to be in the news again.

There are mitigating circumstances, that's how the system works. Of course it's still a tragedy whatever way you look at it, but suggesting that the victims would be justified in taking their own revenge is ridiculous, and that's the part where you are making your own rules based on your own opinion of whether the sentence is right or wrong.

[Karee 4,190]

Obviously he's not being held fully responsible for his own actions. His lawyers went so far as making the case that it was his parents fault.

So yes, he's being treated for alcohol abuse because he's an alcoholic. It would have been great for the victims if that could have happened a little sooner. Separately from that, he got 10 years probation for robbery, DUI and 4 counts of manslaughter. I think that's an incredibly light sentence.

I'm not making up my own rules. In fact I'm not making up any rules. As far as I know they are not going to change his sentence because of what I posted. It's my opinion. He's 16 years old, not 8. He got off easy and chances are he's not going to learn from that. You're entitled to your opinion too. Just remember his name; it's going to be in the news again.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

A teen is taken away from his parents, placed into a medical facility for treatment for alcohol abuse and placed under probation for 10 years and your analysis is that no one is holding him responsible for his actions?

Cry me a river. Four people are dead - snuffed out - and he killed them. No, he's not being held to account.

[Peikko 1,575]

Cry me a river. Four people are dead - snuffed out - and he killed them. No, he's not being held to account.

I am not emotionally involved in the case in any way so I have no idea why you want to use such emotive language. Very odd. So,. apparently you know the exact circumstances of the case and know for a fact that justice would be better served by putting a 16 year old alcoholic in jail for 10 years or so? Good for you,

[sandinista! 1,816]

I am not emotionally involved in the case in any way so I have no idea why you want to use such emotive language. Very odd. So,. apparently you know the exact circumstances of the case and know for a fact that justice would be better served by putting a 16 year old alcoholic in jail for 10 years or so? Good for you,

No. Just, no. Are you trolling here? Crappy parents and teenage alcohol use ( there's no mention of alcoholism, just use. The leap to alcoholism is strictly yours. And neither is the disease aspect of alcoholism or alcohol use in minors carte blanche) do not mean that nothing beyond probation and private alcohol treatment are an appropriate legal response to a 16 year old sociopath who mows down four innocent people, severely brain damages one of his passengers, paralyzes another passenger, and injures ten other people besides. Probation and treatment is for teenagers driving drunk and hitting an empty parked car. Not for Ethan Couch's body count. One of his victims was cut in half.

This was not his first legal run in either. He had a DUI before, and another time was cited because there was a naked, passed out 14 year old girl in his vehicle. Nothing happened then. Probation after those two incidents would be hard to swallow, but still appropriate. After the body count accrued? No. It's not about punitive measures, but about protecting people from this POS. Public safety trumps his rehabilitation potential.

Edited December 12, 2013 by sandinista!