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You may remember the Texas teen from last year who killed four people and severely injured
two more while driving drunk. He was sentenced to 10 years probation.
And Wednesday, that same teen walked out of a Texas courtroom again — he had faced different
charges, but a similar outcome: no jail time. (Via MSNBC)
"A teenager who killed four people drunk driving is off the hook for the second time. ... The
judge said he was a product of affluenza, his wealthy parents were to blame for his
bad behavior." (Via Fox News)
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Couch was given ten years probation for killing four people after
prosecutors requested 20 years for manslaughter. In court Wednesday prosecutors again requested
20 years of jail time for Couch, this time for intoxication assault charges stemming
from the two people severely injured who were riding with Couch.
Instead of jail time, he will be sent to rehab, paid for by his wealthy parents — and Couch
will not be forced to stay there for any minimum amount of time. When the facility thinks he's
ready to go, he'll be a free man. (Via WFAA)
Jude Jean Boyd who presided over the case would not allow any media into Wednesday's
hearing, but the victims' families spoke out about the decision when it was all over.
"Had he not had money, ... the result would have been different."
"There's repercussions and consequences for everything you do ... and in this case, that's
not the case." (Via KDFW)
Couch's attorney, though, decided to focus on something different when leaving the courtroom
Wednesday, taking time to slam the media for its coverage of the "affluenza" case.
"I think that word might have got said once. ... It was ridiculous to think we walked into
court and said oh this is rich white kid and she decided to probate him. That's just crazy."
(Via CNN)
Couch will be on probation until he's 26 years old. As a part of his probation, he is not
allowed to drive or consume alcohol. (Via WCVB)
The night of the accident, Couch's blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit. He
was going 70 in a 40 miles per hour zone, and police found traces of *** in his system.