Affluenza
ShawnKemps7Kids
Posts: 44
I'm sure some of you have seen or heard of this story. Nothing surprising (sadly), but still outrageous.
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.
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.
Five favourite shows ever
1. Pearl Jam, Calgary, 2005
2. NIN/QOTSA/DFA 1979, Calgary, 2005
3. Pearl Jam, Calgary, 2013
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5. The White Stripes, Calgary, 2007
1. Pearl Jam, Calgary, 2005
2. NIN/QOTSA/DFA 1979, Calgary, 2005
3. Pearl Jam, Calgary, 2013
4. Rock the Bells, San Francisco, 2007
5. The White Stripes, Calgary, 2007
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"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
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.
The poison from the poison stream caught up to you ELEVEN years ago and you floated out of here. Sept. 14, 08
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.
Hail, Hail!!!
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.
WHAT!??
:evil: :evil:
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:
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.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Godfather.
But will they? Are the parents punished? Are they going to jail? No.
To them, it's just money though. Taking some away isn't taking it all away, the affluent always has money somewhere.
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.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
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.
Hail, Hail!!!
Close PJ_Soul-- it's going to hell in a Gucci handbag:
http://www.therichest.com/luxury/shoes- ... ndbags/10/
BTW prior to sentencing the kid has been staying at an adolescent rehab facility that costs just under $500K a year. That's where he'll be spending the first year or two of his probation.
Probably not. I don't know Texas law but I haven't heard any commentary that says what the Judge did was illegal or not in line with the State's sentencing guidelines. So she hasn't done anything wrong by the law which is why a judge would usually go to a review board.
In a way that's good or else otherwise people would report judges all the time to review boards because they didn't like the decisions the judges reached.
I work in the court system (public defender) and I can tell you this is not typical. I've used the opposite argument often - my client is too poor/stupid/incompetent to know what he did, cut him a break. Unsurprisingly, I've never gotten this type of result. Ever.
this kid killed 4 people. who is going to serve the time for that crime?
10 years probation??
10 years of staying out of trouble, in exchange for 4 lives. does not come close to adding up...
:evil: :evil:
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
He WILL violate. The only question is , is when and how long will he really sit in prison.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
As for the defense - of course he's a product of his up bringing. That's like saying someone who murders is insane. Of course they are, but that doesn't make it a valid defense.
Interestingly, the victims families seem to be way more level headed than in most cases that are not nearly as egregious, and I agree with the person who wrote that the civil suits should be quick and large (and I too think our society is way too litigious).
His parents insurance will probably take care of the civil suits, depending on the policies limitations. The victims' families were prudent enough to sue both the parents and the father's business because the truck involved in the accident belonged to the business. Dad is also picking up the tab for the cushy rehab facility in California. So the accident will affect his pocketbook but who's to say how much.
Beyond the ridiculousness of the sentence, I'm disgusted that neither the teen nor his parents have shown any remorse or compassion for the people who's lives have been upended.
this kid KILLED 4 PEOPLE, and he got PROBATION!!!
what a fucking joke this is!!
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Now the question is did he get charged with everything that he could have? Such as the injured people too? I know so very little facts of the trial.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
I don't know why he was charged as a juvenile and not as an adult. Since there's no criteria or system for it, I think some kids get charged as adults because of the sensational nature of their crime and not because of their apparent "maturity" or whatever. You'd think that would apply here though. As details of the accident were reported during the trial, I've got to say that it was absolutely horrible. I don't know how Mr. Boyles can still live in his house after finding his wife and daughter dead in the front yard. He had been outside with them until a few minutes before the wreck and was inside his house when it happened. Heartbreaking.
Because they paid the judge off, maybe? To the affluent, money and politics solves any problem...