Poor guy suffers from affluenza

[JanaDee]

Completely terrible. And, here's the thing, if this had been a young Black man, he would have gone to jail for decades, if not for life.

Of course he would have. I don't think anyone can deny the truth in your statement.

 

[DWGal210]

And I have to say (and maybe others don't agree with me) that I am pretty turned off by what I'd call "excuse" defenses. I am not responsible because of reasons X, Y, Z, A, B, C, etc.....I won't accept responsibility because of whatever. Gets pretty tiring.

 

[gwynne]

And I have to say (and maybe others don't agree with me) that I am pretty turned off by what I'd call "excuse" defenses. I am not responsible because of reasons X, Y, Z, A, B, C, etc.....I won't accept responsibility because of whatever. Gets pretty tiring.

I agree. On the other hand, it's kind of shocking that the defense had (what turned out to be) a successful plan for this situation.
The "solution" was well thought out. Get him out of Texas, send him to warm sunny Cali, and let him linger in spa/treatment for awhile.

Had he done time in treatment and juvenile detention in Texas, he would have actually experienced some consequences.

I am still really shocked that at sentencing there was no concern for justice. 4 people are dead. Yet, the defense basically won. Don't cry over spilt milk...Now let's put together a nice cushy plan because our little prince is entitled.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I would have said, you poor dear having nobody teach you that there are consequences. Allow me then to be the first. Maximum sentence. Next.


And just wait and see the damage that sociopath is going to do when he's running daddy's company.

 

[RitaZ.]

So, the judge's ruling is a continuation of what that his parents have done for him all his life: run interference. The "rehab" center that he is going to will teach him to have a conscience and make him all better. That's just awesome.

I'm disgusted by this story.

 

[pigletgirl]

This story is sickening! He killed 4 people!!! Who says he wouldn't do it again???

Shame on the judge.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Well, it's come full circle from "he can't be held accountable because he had a deprived childhood!.
Now having too much gives you a get-out-of-jail card.
This country is going to heck in a handbasket, to paraphrase my dear departed Dad.

That was my first thought as well.

No one is accountable for their OWN actions anymore. It's always someone else's fault.

 

[taterheads]

Incredibly sad! Poor rich boy who was never taught consequences for his actions continues to not be taught consequences. Throw his %^* in jail for those ten years and break the cycle. Teach him some consequences. Obviously this is a case of a judge not wanting to lose their bench and affluent supporters come election time! Complete and utter garbage. Since mommy and daddy are so rich I hope they are sued into oblivion in civil court, it won't bring back lives lost but at least it would be some form of restitution if this family were to lose ALL their wealth and standing over this! My deepest sympathy to the families who had their loved one stolen from them.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

There are two sets of laws in this country, one for the rich and then for the rest of us. The rich almost always get off and don't serve any time for their crimes. This is just another prime example of this.

It's absolutely disgusting. This pathetic 16 year old idiot had a BAL of .24. His butt should be in jail for a very, very long time. I have no sympathy for him or his parents, and I hope Karma bites them both in the $%%.

 

[Liberty Belle]

And I have to say (and maybe others don't agree with me) that I am pretty turned off by what I'd call "excuse" defenses. I am not responsible because of reasons X, Y, Z, A, B, C, etc.....I won't accept responsibility because of whatever. Gets pretty tiring.

I think it's ridiculous, except for in cases of severe mental illness.

Every behavior we make has an excuse. Every single thing we do is because of something. So, any one of us could excuse anything by saying it's how we were raised, or because we were not given the best education, or we never had a stable relationship, or our mother had a mood disorder, or anything. And, we'd be right, those things did have a huge influence on who we are and what we do, but that doesn't stop the fact that we made choices and have to pay for them.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Incredibly sad! Poor rich boy who was never taught consequences for his actions continues to not be taught consequences. Throw his %^* in jail for those ten years and break the cycle. Teach him some consequences. Obviously this is a case of a judge not wanting to lose their bench and affluent supporters come election time! Complete and utter garbage. Since mommy and daddy are so rich I hope they are sued into oblivion in civil court, it won't bring back lives lost but at least it would be some form of restitution if this family were to lose ALL their wealth and standing over this! My deepest sympathy to the families who had their loved one stolen from them.

There are currently 5 lawsuits. I hope the victims prevail, and Couch and his family lose all their wealth.

http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/x439239957/Fifth-lawsuit-filed-against-teenage-drunk-driver

The suit accuses Ethan Couch of driving while intoxicated, driving above the speed limit, failing to control his speed, having more than one person in the truck who was under 21 and not related to him, disregarding a restriction on his driver’s license that he only drive with a licensed adult in the front seat, and being in possession of alcohol even though he was underage.

Ethan Couch’s father, Fred Couch, is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, as is the company he owns Cleburne Metal Works. The trucks is registered to Cleburne Metal Works, and Fred Couch is accused of “gross negligence” for entrusting the pickup to an incompetent or reckless driver.

 

[Jennasis]

Makes me very very angry...and a whole lot sad to boot.

 

[CaliBear]

This story is disgusting. I hope those suits against them prevail.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Do we know what rehab he's going to attend in SoCal? I wonder if it is one of those silly posh ones where you can check yourself out after a week.

 

[Robbi]

There are currently 5 lawsuits. I hope the victims prevail, and Couch and his family lose all their wealth.

http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/x439239957/Fifth-lawsuit-filed-against-teenage-drunk-driver

They're probably insured.

 

[chirurgeon]

They're probably insured.

I don't think insurance will cover tens of millions of dollars. And does insurance cover criminal acts?

 

[CF'er]

I hope the lawsuits bankrupt both the company and the family. Maybe then they can get a taste of pooritis.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

My educated speculation --

Hefty settlements to the victims but no financial ruin for the family.

"Gross negligence" by the father and ownership of the vehicle by the corporate entity = insurance company cannot disclaim coverage.

 

[eliza61]

Well, no time like the present for him to start learning about consequences.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well if the judge is going to take the defense, I would jail the parents. She is essentially blaming them.

I agree. Since his parents are apparently responsible for his behavior, I'd be throwing them in jail for 20 years.