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December 13, 2013

Wealthy Texas Teen Gets Probation for Fatal Crash After "Affluenza" Defense 
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A Texas teenager from a wealthy family who killed four people while
driving drunk will avoid a prison sentence following claims he suffered
from "affluenza." Sixteen-year-old Ethan Couch was speeding with a
blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit during the
June crash. Prosecutors sought a 20-year sentence, but Couch was
sentenced to 10 years probation after a psychologist testified his
wealthy parents had not set limits on his behavior. CNN's Anderson
Cooper questioned the psychologist.

Anderson Cooper: "A 14-year-old African-American child was sentenced by
the same judge a year or two ago, this 14-year-old killed one person,
punching him, that person fell and hit his head on the sidewalk and
died, that African-American child got a 10-year sentence, got sent to
the juvenile justice facility. Why should there be a separate system
just because you have money?"

Dick Miller: "I don't think there is a separate system, this young man
will be a ward of the state for 10 years, Anderson."

Anderson Cooper: "He's on probation."

Dick Miller: "Ten years that if he missteps anytime, that judge can sent
him to the penitentiary."

Couch will reportedly be attending a rehab facility that costs $450,000
a year.

 

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