Texas judge sends 'affluenza' teen's case to adult system

[WhiteTara]

Source: Reuters

America's "affluenza" teen had his case transferred to the adult court system on Friday, where 18-year-old Texan Ethan Couch faces decades behind bars if he violates the probation deal that kept him out of prison after he killed four people while driving drunk.

Judge Tim Menikos in Fort Worth transferred probation supervision for Couch, who was convicted in juvenile court in 2013 on charges related to the crash earlier that year, when he was 16. Couch will remain in custody at the Tarrant County jail as procedural matters are sorted out, the judge said.

In either the adult or juvenile system, Couch is set to serve 120 days in jail for violating terms of the probation deal by fleeing to Mexico last year. He is not eligible for release on bond in the juvenile system, while that option is available in the adult system.

Prosecutors wanted the case moved to the adult system, where Couch could serve up to 40 years in prison for any subsequent probation violation.

At his trial in juvenile court in 2013, a psychologist testified for the defense that Couch was so spoiled he could not tell right from wrong. The psychologist described the affliction as "affluenza," a term that quickly became a media buzzword.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-affluenza-idUSKCN0VS1E7

---

Every advantage wasn't enough.

[leftynyc]

1. He was given every chance in the

world and he still fucked it up. He's a loser who should never be let of his cage.

[WhiteTara]

2. Amazing, isn't it?

[leftynyc]

3. I also want his worthless

mother to spend quite a bit of time in jail also. She's responsible for the person she raised.

[WhiteTara]

4. It seems likely that she will nt

[iandhr]

5. Helping a wanted person escape...

... authorities by crossing an international border is a very serious charge she will do time

[leftynyc]

7. I also wouldn't mind the

judge that bought that "affluenza" defense to be disbarred. This case pissed me off royally and was so indicative of how while our justice system is one of the best around, the rich are held to a standard none of the rest of us are acquainted with.

[AnAzulTexas]

14. as we know here in texas

this original "affluenza" defense and the gut-twisting punishment that came with it is what we call some good ol' texas, old money worship passive/aggressive justice eom

[forest444]

16. Bingo.

His father, as I recall, had numerous run-ins with the law - including impersonating a police officer, which in Texas usually carries a stiff jail sentence - and was never given more than a slap in the wrist.

Little Ethan did as well, as was always given back to his alcoholic parents with nothing more than a verbal warning (other kids in the South are often taken away by Child Protective Services for a fraction of what runt got away with).

But as you pointed out, who you know is much more important than what you did in today's America - not just Texas or the South. Some of us remember the scandal surrounding the "suspended sentence" for the Wall Street stockbroker who raped a toddler to death because of his "value to society." Beyond belief.

[snooper2]

12. I think a Darwin award is in his future- hopefully he doesn't kill anybody else before it happens

Like the movie Final Destination, it WILL catch up with him - BEFORE HE BREEDS!

[leftynyc]

15. I had to google that movie

Interesting premise but sounds much too violent for my taste. I just want him locked in a cage for a very, very long time. He's already done enough damage. I also very much doubt that defense will get a second airing anytime soon.

[AnAzulTexas]

19. In 1999, it was "edgy" and "controversial" and, lol, "scary"

the first death(s) is the only thing that made me cringe as my anxiety gets to me when it comes to aeroplanes. but it was a good movie for me and my troupe of 15 year old high schoolers to watch with dates. now it's just a cringe worthy, campy movie. it'll give you a good laugh, looking past all of the dying and whatnot

eom

[Chakab]

6. I still don't understand why he and his mother ran. The authorities were initially very reticient to

issue a probation violation based on that grainy video.

If he had just stayed put and kept his mouth shut, it's likely that nothing would have happened and he'd still be on kiddie probation.

After seeing the behavior of his mother, it's not mystery why he turned out the way that he did. He's a product of atrocious parenting rather than affluenza.

[WhiteTara]

17. Above all laws and rules

She is a terrible mother and they are both going to suffer the consequences.

[C Moon]

18. The phrase "the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree" will never have a better fit.

[47of74]

8. Is it wrong of me to hope that he does slip up again so he can go away for 40 years?

[Vincardog]

9. No need to hope. I believe he is incapable of living the straight life. His FU is certain

[Old Codger]

11. My prediction

Is less than 6 months before he boots it....

[47of74]

13. If I was a gambling sort...

...I might put money down on that.

[turbinetree]

10. If you do the crime................ you do the time.................................................

[Judi Lynn]

20. Hope Texas will be a little less inclined to pamper this little creep starting soon. n/t