Ethan Couch Facebook
The American justice took a huge step backwards yesterday. The events of the incident were not in dispute. Late in the evening of June 16, 2013 sixteen-year-old Ethan Couch piled seven friends into the cabin and bed of his red Ford F-350 pickup truck. Within 400-yards he had accelerated to 70 in a 40 mph speed zone. Ethan’s truck swerved off the road and plowed into two parked vehicles, a disabled motorist and three good Samaritans before it came to a stop. Four pedestrians were killed, and two people were tossed from the bed of Ethan’s pickup 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.
Crash Scene
Although it is illegal for teenagers to drink alcoholic beverages Ethan’s blood alcohol was three times the legal limit in Texas, Valium was found in his system. So in September prosecutors decided to charge Ethan with 4-counts of intoxication manslaughter and 2-counts of intoxication assault. They sought a determinate sentence of 20-years in prison through the juvenile court system so that Ethan wouldn’t be released from a juvenile detention facility and have his record expunged when he turned 21-years old.
Hollie & Shelby Boyles
Ethan’s trial defense was based on Affluenza: a lifestyle where wealth brought privilege and there were no consequences for bad behavior. In other words, Ethan wasn’t responsible for killing and maiming innocent people. Instead a circumstance created by his parents was responsible. Unbelievably, Judge Jean Boyd bought into the defense theory and sentenced Ethan Couch to 10 years’ probation, and at least two years of therapy and no contact with his parents. Ethan’s father has agreed to pay $450,000 so that the murderous teen can receive treatment at a posh Southern California treatment facility.
Breanna Mitchell
The families of the victims were correctly outraged by this travesty of justice. Eric Boyles, who lost his wife Hollie and 21-year-old daughter Shelby hit the nail on the head when he told the Fort Worth Star Telegram, “Money always seems to keep (Couch) out of trouble. 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
24-year-old Breanna Mitchell’s family and the family of 43-year-old youth minister Brian Jennings will join Mr. Boyles in a lifetime of grief, regret, and broken hearts as they live with the reality that justice money and privilege over the lives of their dearly departed loved ones.
When high-profile killers purchase their freedom faith in the criminal justice system is undermined by a fear of retribution. When only nine percent of reported violent crimes are resolved with the perpetrator being incarcerated, criminal justice is perceived as justice for criminals. When this perception infects the majority of innocent people, the process is eroded by a reluctance to cooperate, which fosters still more criminal activity.
Why isnt anyone asking for past cases from this judge and demanding
to find out why he gives no jail and preference to all the clients that can
afford to give him a kick back or some type of endorsement. I am sure that he is not the only Judge that does this type of immoral justice it is all around us,
but until the 99 % of the people start fighting back as in paying attention to the laws that are passed and not voting for the senators and calling or writing congress and other government officials nothing will change it will only get better for the 1% meaning the Rich People.
I believe Judges have to much power without any honest monitoring being done at all, they will do and say what ever they want until We The People come together and stop them. That is why you see so many people being released after 10,20, and 30 years after being found not guilty for the charge they were sent to prison for because the judges don’t even pay attention any more they don’t care if you don’t have any money……………….. WAKE UP CITIZENS OF AMERICA! THE SKY IS NOT FALLING BUT YOUR RIGHTS ARE BEING TAKEN ONE BY ONE, AND IT WILL BE THE RICH AND POOR AND THEY WONT BE THE 1 % THEY WILL BE THE 75 %AND AFTER THAT THERE IS NO TURNING BACK YOU WONT HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO EVEN COMPLAIN OR CHANGE ANYTHING.
When is the justice system going to start putting the victims first? I am once again appalled at our legal system. More people need to stand up fight for our rights.
Write your legislators.
If this young man had been my son I’m sorry to say I would have disowned him. Killing and injuring innocent people is wrong and I don’t care how rich you are. Rehab in a country club setting is a joke. What ever happened to “TOUGH LOVE” ? THIS YOUNG MAN SHOULD ROT IN HELL FOR EVER THEN GET SENT TO PRISON FOR ANOTHER GO AROUND IN HELL. I’ll pray for the families of those he injured but I will also condemn this idiot child and his parents to a living hell. I’m sick to my stomach LOCK THIS BRAT UP
Mark this case is so upsetting to so many people. I don’t know what the punishment should have been but I’m pretty sure in my mind it would have looked something like this. (My degree is in criminal Justice)
1) 1 year in a Juvenile Facility.
2) 5 years probation.
3) 100 hours of community service.
4) Some type of therapy/rehab as well once he’s released from jail.
I say this because of his age I do not believe 10 years in prison would be the answer for a 16 year old.
However the list above would make me a lot happier than what the judge is doing if I were one of the family members. Mary
I am appalled! I have had to live the last 19 years without knowing who murdered my 18 yr old son. Now the families of they victims know who murdered their loved ones and he isn’t going to jail! If he had been one of my children he’d be in jail! Why isn’t he paying compensation???? How is that fancy expensive rehab giving the victims justice???? This makes me sick!!!
A sad day. The sentence is criminal in itself. This young man. Has been sent a message that being rich is an advantage. I thought Justice was blind; not so in Texas!