Affluenza

ShawnKemps7Kids

I'm sure some of you have seen or heard of this story. Nothing surprising (sadly), but still outrageous.

To the families of the victims, Ethan Couch was a killer on the road, a drunken teenage driver who caused a crash that left four people dead.

To the defense, the youth is himself a victim -- of "affluenza," according to one psychologist -- the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for the boy.

To a judge, who sentenced Couch to 10 years' probation but no jail time, he's a defendant in need of treatment.

The decision disappointed prosecutors and stunned victims' family members, who say they feel that Couch got off too easy. Prosecutors had asked for the maximum of 20 years behind bars.
Let's face it. ... There needs to be some justice here," Eric Boyles, who lost his wife and daughter, told CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" on Wednesday night.

"For 25 weeks, I've been going through a healing process. And so when the verdict came out, I mean, my immediate reaction is -- I'm back to week 1. We have accomplished nothing here. My healing process is out the window," he said.

Lawyers for Couch, 16, had argued that the teen's parents should share part of the blame for the crash because they never set limits for the boy and gave him everything he wanted.

According to CNN affiliate WFAA, a psychologist called by the defense described Couch as a product of "affluenza."

He reportedly testified that the teen's family felt wealth bought privilege, and that Couch's life could be turned around with one to two years of treatment and no contact with his parents.

Couch was sentenced by a juvenile court judge Tuesday. If he violates the terms of his probation, he could face up to 10 years of incarceration, according to a statement from the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office.

Judge Jean Boyd told the court she would not release Couch to his parents, but would work to find the teen a long-term treatment facility.

"There are absolutely no consequences for what occurred that day," said Boyles. "The primary message has to absolutely be that money and privilege can't buy justice in this country."

His wife, Hollie Boyles, and daughter, Shelby, left their home to help Breanna Mitchell, whose SUV had broken down. Brian Jennings, a youth pastor, was driving past and also stopped to help.

All four were killed when the teen's pickup plowed into the pedestrians on a road in Burleson, south of Fort Worth. Couch's vehicle also struck a parked car, which then slid into another vehicle headed in the opposite direction.

Two people riding in the bed of the teen's pickup were tossed in the crash and severely injured.

One is no longer able to move or talk because of a brain injury, while the other suffered internal injuries and broken bones.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/11/us/texas- ... index.html

I know that the American justice system has long been very favourable to the rich, but this is pretty extreme. 6 people's lives ruined and probation? Please audit this judges finances so the truth (that he got paid off) can come out.

polaris_x

the sad part is that this is probably not too shocking ... :twisted:

Last-12-Exit

the same judge sentenced a 14 yr old black kid that killed one person in a DUI crash 10 years. Not 10 years probation, 10 years of incarceration.

chadwick

sick fucking story. pampered little creeps freak me out, parents, kids, the whole lot of them kind of ppl.

even flow - question mark

First off: love the user name!

The parents of this fuckhead will learn just like Orenthal James did. You may get off with murder but you'll pay for the rest of your living life. How much is the civil case for? Life? That will suffice.

Cosmo

I'm not a big fan of our litigeous society, but in this case, it seems warranted.
Since the Court Record ruled that the parent's played a major role in, what ended up in the deaths of innocent people... the parent's should be held responsible and sued for the loss of life their actions had lead to. A Wrongful Death lawsuit is probably in order.
It the DUI driver's family can escape the loss of their son to the corrections system... they should lose a great portion of their wealth that was, ruled by the Justice System, at the root of this tragedy.

hedonist

I think a kid can be spoiled/raised to feel entitled, etc. without wealth.

I mean, I've seen children of affluent families turn out pretty level-headed and responsible.

It's down to the parents, wallet aside.

And, while the kid in question has been done a huge disservice by his parents, he too is responsible.

To me, there were many victims in that crash, and he wasn't one of them.

polaris_x

Last-12-Exit wrote:

the same judge sentenced a 14 yr old black kid that killed one person in a DUI crash 10 years. Not 10 years probation, 10 years of incarceration.

WHAT!??

:evil: :evil:

Jason P

Doesn't this lack of punishment only increase the severity of this made-up affliction?

This is like a dietitian observing someone is obese because they eat too many cheeseburgers and then recommending a diet that only consists of cheeseburgers.

And are we sure this didn't happen in Florida? :think:

mickeyrat

heres how I see this playing out.
1st, the victims still living and the families of the dead will take the parents for everythig they are worth. The parents set themselves up for this with this bullshit defense. Documented on the record their failings and setting him up for this.

2. Judge is retiring anyway. Not she she gives a fuck regardless, but I would watch her finances closely for years afterward or look at family .

3. The kid WILL violate. This is a no brainer. so Daddy will have spent wads of cash to keep little pissant out of jail for a while. But when he violates , he will likely be an adult by then and will go to big boy jail.

4. I surely do hope the PO holds this kid rigidly to his terms.


edited to reflect accurate info on the judge retiring date. Am told by WHO Princess that its Dec of next year not Jan as I previously stated above. Misheard on the radio this morning.

backseatLover12

Money and Politics. That's what this case is about. Someone was paid off, likely the judge.

Godfather.

Affluenza my ass...what a bunch of crap, that being said I have to agree with mickyrat,if you think about it what better way to punnish this kid and family then to take the (said)source of problem from them and let them live and want with no money......but I was just thinking that people that are wealthy are usally pretty money savey and prepared for the law suits.


Godfather.

backseatLover12

Cosmo wrote:

I'm not a big fan of our litigeous society, but in this case, it seems warranted.
Since the Court Record ruled that the parent's played a major role in, what ended up in the deaths of innocent people... the parent's should be held responsible and sued for the loss of life their actions had lead to. A Wrongful Death lawsuit is probably in order.
It the DUI driver's family can escape the loss of their son to the corrections system... they should lose a great portion of their wealth that was, ruled by the Justice System, at the root of this tragedy.

But will they? Are the parents punished? Are they going to jail? No.

backseatLover12

Jason P wrote:

And are we sure this didn't happen in Florida? :think:

backseatLover12

Godfather. wrote:

Affluenza my ass...what a bunch of crap, that being said I have to agree with mickyrat,if you think about it what better way to punnish this kid and family then to take the (said)source of problem from them and let them live and want with no money......but I was just thinking that people that are wealthy are usally pretty money savey and prepared for the law suits.


Godfather.

To them, it's just money though. Taking some away isn't taking it all away, the affluent always has money somewhere.

PJ_Soul

I can't believe that I actually think society's going to hell in a hand basket, but there you have it. :fp:

Who Princess

I live in the city where this kid was sentenced. When the wreck occurred last year, it was very BIG news and the sentencing has been even bigger.

Since the wreck, the families of those who died have filed civil suits against the parents and the father's business. Also, a suit was filed by the family of a boy who was riding in the bed of the kid's pickup and was left paralyzed and unable to communicate. How much any of this will affect the parents financially, I don't know. But they are being held accountable to some extent.

To say that people here are OUTRAGED is an understatement. Even the county sheriff went on the news to say how inappropriate the sentencing was and that the carnage was the worst of any accident he had ever investigated. Nothing can really be done about the judge because she announced early this year that she won't run for re-election. Her term ends December 2014. She doesn't have to explain her sentencing decision and I don't expect her to, or to step down before her term ends.

I wish I had something profound or positive to say about this. I am absolutely disgusted.

mickeyrat

Who Princess wrote:

I live in the city where this kid was sentenced. When the wreck occurred last year, it was very BIG news and the sentencing has been even bigger.

Since the wreck, the families of those who died have filed civil suits against the parents and the father's business. Also, a suit was filed by the family of a boy who was riding in the bed of the kid's pickup and was left paralyzed and unable to communicate. How much any of this will affect the parents financially, I don't know. But they are being held accountable to some extent.

To say that people here are OUTRAGED is an understatement. Even the county sheriff went on the news to say how inappropriate the sentencing was and that the carnage was the worst of any accident he had ever investigated. Nothing can really be done about the judge because she announced early this year that she won't run for re-election. Her term ends December 2014. She doesn't have to explain her sentencing decision and I don't expect her to, or to step down before her term ends.

I wish I had something profound or positive to say about this. I am absolutely disgusted.

if called before a judicial review board , she wouldnt have to answer to that?

Cosmo

backseatLover12 wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

I'm not a big fan of our litigeous society, but in this case, it seems warranted.
Since the Court Record ruled that the parent's played a major role in, what ended up in the deaths of innocent people... the parent's should be held responsible and sued for the loss of life their actions had lead to. A Wrongful Death lawsuit is probably in order.
It the DUI driver's family can escape the loss of their son to the corrections system... they should lose a great portion of their wealth that was, ruled by the Justice System, at the root of this tragedy.

But will they? Are the parents punished? Are they going to jail? No.

...
My best guess (admittedly, not founded in fact or truth and based purely on unverifiable opinion) is that parents that claim that type of (Poor Me) defense cherish their money greater than their freedom. Take away their money and you take away their definition of themselves. Donate huge sums of their worth to 'Mothers Against Drunk Drivers' and other teen DUI awareness programs.
Make them re-start from the bottom.

brianlux

PJ_Soul wrote:

I can't believe that I actually think society's going to hell in a hand basket, but there you have it. :fp:

Close PJ_Soul-- it's going to hell in a Gucci handbag:

http://www.therichest.com/luxury/shoes- ... ndbags/10/

backseatLover12

Anyone else think the judge was paid off? And at such a convenient time in her career... the end of it.