Rich kid Ethan Couch who killed four in Texas spared jail by State District Judge Jean Boyd

A TEENAGER who killed four people while driving drunk has been spared jail by a judge who says his rich parents never taught him about consequences. 
 
The Star-Telegram reports that the families of those who died expressed their anger as Ethan Couch, 16, of Keller, Texas, escaped a possible 20-year prison sentence and instead was handed 10 years of probation.

"Money always seems to keep (Couch) out of trouble," Eric Boyles, whose wife and daughter were killed in the June 15 crash, told the Star-Telegram after sentencing.

"Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail. If (he) had been any other youth, I feel like the circumstances would have been different."

Youth pastor Brian Jennings; mother and daughter Hollie and Shelby Boyles; and 24-year-old Breanna Mitchell died in the June 15 accident.

Go to Breanna Mitchell's memorial Facebook page

Mitchell's car had broken down that night and the Boyles, who lived nearby, came out to help.

Jennings was passing by and stopped to help as well.

 

Crash victim Breanna Mitchell pictured on her Facebook memorial page. Picture: Facebook 

 

Couch had a blood alcohol reading of .24 and also had a Valium in his system after he and a group of friends stole alcohol from Walmart, drank it and then seven of them jumped in his truck.

Couch was 50km/h over the speed limit when he struck and killed the four pedestrians as well as injuring two of his own passengers who remain paralysed.

One of Couch's passengers, Sergio Molina, now communicates by blinking his eyes.

Molina's parents are suing Couch and his family for up to $20 million.

Couch's truck flipped in the air and crashed into a tree, while the impact flung the four pedestrians 50m. None of the teens were wearing seatbelts.

Dr Gary Miller, a psychologist for the defence, said Couch was a product of "affluenza" and that his family felt that money would solve any problem.

 

A judge says Ethan Couch was so spoiled that he never learned that actions have consequences so she spared him jail for killing four people. 

 

He said Couch was intellectually 18 but had an emotional age of 12.

The defence asked that Couch be sent to a private rehabilitation facility in California, which costs $450,000 a year. Couch's father said he'd foot the bill.

The teen will stay in the detention centre until he is booked into the rehabilitation facility.
He was barred from going home with his parents.

State District Judge Jean Boyd said there was nothing she could do to lessen the families' pain and that she hoped Couch could become a contributing member of society.

Hollie Boyles, 52, and her daughter, Shelby Boyles, 21, were helping out the driver of a broken-down SUV when they were struck and killed.

 

Brian Jennings, 41, was killed by Ethan Couch. His family say they have forgiven the teenager but believe he should be punished. 

heraldsun.com.au 12 Dec 2013

A 'deliberately' appalling decision by the judge?

No consequences for killing people because of allegedly bad parenting, being not telling someone the consequences.

This may set a precedence for other 'crimes' such as maybe 'piracy', since parents have not told someone not to download software, then it must be acceptable.

The story would be quite different if it were the family members of the judge.

The policy is to let 'criminals' loose so that they can re-offend and more money is poured into supporting judges, solicitors and lawyers.

The judge should be held responsible and sued if any other criminal act occurs from the person set free.