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Teenager Kills 4 People In Car Accident & Gets Probation - Why?

by TLTheLiberator
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Story and video report here...










______ Defense: Rich Texas Teen Gets Probation For Killing 4 Pedestrians While Driving Drunk (VIDEO)
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    These things just happen

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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    A life of privilege and entitlement
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    • Profile picture of the author AnniePot
      But take a look at it realistically. The kid is 16 years old, if he were sentenced to a 10 year jail term, he would walk away free on his 18th birthday. On the other hand, with 10 years probation, all he has to do is screw up in some way in say, 5, or maybe 9 years from now and he can be sent straight to jail, as an adult.

      Initially, my reaction was one of disgust, but after thinking it though I wasn't quite so sure this was a bad sentence.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by AnniePot View Post

        But take a look at it realistically. The kid is 16 years old, if he were sentenced to a 10 year jail term, he would walk away free on his 18th birthday. On the other hand, with 10 years probation, all he has to do is screw up in some way in say, 5, or maybe 9 years from now and he can be sent straight to jail, as an adult.

        Initially, my reaction was one of disgust, but after thinking it though I wasn't quite so sure this was a bad sentence.
        Well, they HAVE sentenced YOUNGER as adults! The IDEA that one would argue that the kid is a spoiled brat to get him/her leniency is LUDICROUS! There was a time when you dared NOT cause ANYONE to stray to think that your client was a spoiled brat. AND, if they were spoiled, they would be treated HARSHER, NOT better!

        Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
        Originally Posted by AnniePot View Post

        But take a look at it realistically. The kid is 16 years old, if he were sentenced to a 10 year jail term, he would walk away free on his 18th birthday.
        Not if he was tried as an adult. He would serve time in juvenile hall and moved to a prison at the age of 18. Not free.

        The defense would never hold up for a poor minority. If it was, "gang members" would be using the same defense.

        He should have received the max. Probation, which won't be revoked for bad behavior, is a slap in the face of the parents of the kids he KILLED and to society.

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        • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
          I know these kids as I work in TX in an area where the parents are rich and probably work for the oil industry and spend all there time working and indulging the kids to keep them quiet. The kids get cars at 16 (freaking 16, should not be aloud) and I see them driving dangerously in expensive cars every day. the parents even get them nice rented accomodation and give them an allowance so they dont have to work. so parents like this are instrumental in churning out kids with no morals, values or understanding of the REAL world.

          One case I heard about is about a kid that drove recklessly and caused a serious accident and injured the driver. The driver took the kid to court 4 times to prosecute, hold the kid accountable, each time the kids uncle was the presiding judge and pretty much got him off.

          The guy eventually managed to get a prosecution out of state. The kid needs to learn eventually that there are consequences for his actions despite the misguided upbringing. He needed the shock and will grow up because of it. No q-dos to the parents though.

          Another incident happened just down the road from where I work, kid gets distracted and ploughs into the back of a car in a line at a stop sign. Causes a knockon effect. Kid says (while driving 60 in a 45 mile an hour zone), well I was reaching for my coffee. Er, driving without due care and attention you mean. Cops on the scene. Kids parents show up and talk to the cops. Kid does not get prosecuted at all. Hmmmmmm One of the people I work with had his car slightly damaged so know this one first hand.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

    It's interesting they way things skew. If it had been a 16 year old under-privileged kid, I don't think anyone would've said a word if he had gotten probation.

    In fact, I think it's the right thing to do. He was 16 and screwed up. Ruining his life and hopes will do nothing for the people he killed. Certainly, his act was not intentional.

    Oh, I forgot. His parents have money. Hang him.
    Oh, except that if it were a 16 year old under-privileged kid, his butt would be in jail til 18.

    As for his "intentions", he intentionally stole 2 cases of beer from a store, intentionally drank it, and intentionally drove under the influence ... or is he just an innocent victim of his own lousy choices. I'd say he ruined the life and hopes of 4 innocent people.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Oh, except that if it were a 16 year old under-privileged kid, his butt would be in jail til 18.

      As for his "intentions", he intentionally stole 2 cases of beer from a store, intentionally drank it, and intentionally drove under the influence ... or is he just an innocent victim of his own lousy choices. I'd say he ruined the life and hopes of 4 innocent people.
      And their families.

      Perhaps losing a loved one to a drunk driver would change some people's perspective. I know it certainly changed mine!


      Terra
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

      I have intentionally stolen two cases of beer (and considerably more than that) and intentionally driven the hell out of automobiles at high speeds while drunker than a hootie owl. I must admit I enjoyed it immensely. If I had killed anyone while doing it, it certainly would not have been intentional.

      Nah, everybody's climbing on this kid because he comes from money.

      16 year old kids do wildass things. I think the punishment for what the kid did is about right. I'm sure the families of the people who died in the accident will be contacting attorneys in their grief to capitalize on the event.

      Sorry, I ain't joining this lynch mob. The popular mind is moronic.
      Ken,

      With all due respect, this has nothing to do with being popular or not, but everything to do with losing my mom to a drunk driver when I was only 19. I almost died myself due to the intense mourning I went through unable to eat for three weeks.

      I'm all for having fun, but if that fun includes killing people, I'm out!

      I really hope you value human lives more than drinking and driving recklessly all in the name of fun.

      Let me ask you this...If you had a choice between not being able to have your fun as a teenager drinking and driving or getting taken out of this world by a different teen having fun drinking and driving, which would you choose?

      Yea, thought so...

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
        Redemption? Then let Jesus have the b^stard!

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        Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

        ... Everyone who breathes is redeemable.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          What he needed was a cold dose of harsh reality so that he'd begin to understand change was needed....he didn't get it.

          Think money and power had nothing to do with this? Try to find the names or info on the kid's family and parents....seems to be missing.

          These parents were supposedly to blame but there's not one picture of them - no names - no occupations....amazing what money will buy.
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            Did some more digging - they can't keep the info out of civil suits and so far there are FIVE civil suits filed against the boy, the father AND his father's company.


            The suit accuses Ethan Couch of driving while intoxicated, driving above the speed limit, failing to control his speed, having more than one person in the truck who was under 21 and not related to him, disregarding a restriction on his driver’s license that he only drive with a licensed adult in the front seat, and being in possession of alcohol even though he was underage.
            Ethan Couch’s father, Fred Couch, is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, as is the company he owns Cleburne Metal Works. The trucks is registered to Cleburne Metal Works, and Fred Couch is accused of “gross negligence” for entrusting the pickup to an incompetent or reckless driver.
            - See more at: Fifth lawsuit filed against teenage drunk driver » Local News » Cleburne Times-Review, Cleburne, TX
            Whoa! Some very deep pockets there....and I hope they get royally picked.
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      • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
        Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

        The point, Terra, is that young and reckless go together like peas and carrots.

        That's never going to change. Most people get through it without killing themselves or someone else. Some don't.
        Interesting thought that young and reckless go together. It is kind of a shame to see killing people as a recreational sport for irresponsible young people.

        Taking that a step backwards, there is no such thing as a bad animal, only a bad owner.

        Wonder if that applies here?

        And we'll just totally ignore the minor detail that humans have a higher thought process... at least most of them... than animals.

        And the entitlement mentality coupled with a lack of responsibility is alive and well in addition to being rationalized as okay? Hard to see a positive side to that.

        What is the message being spread by allowing kids under the (arbitrary) age of 18 to do such things with no or few repercussions?

        Maybe a good caning would help... to the parents... and the politicians supporting this type of behavior.

        Marvin
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        • Profile picture of the author Midnight Oil
          Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

          It's interesting they way things skew.
          Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

          Nah, everybody's climbing on this kid because he comes from money.

          I'm sure the families of the people who died in the accident will be contacting attorneys in their grief to capitalize on the event.
          Wow. Talk about skewing things.

          Nice job attacking those who lost loved ones while coddling the murderer.

          Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

          Everyone who breathes is redeemable.
          You clearly have no understanding of just how evil your fellow man can be.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

      I have intentionally stolen two cases of beer (and considerably more than that) and intentionally driven the hell out of automobiles at high speeds while drunker than a hootie owl. I must admit I enjoyed it immensely. If I had killed anyone while doing it, it certainly would not have been intentional.

      Nah, everybody's climbing on this kid because he comes from money.

      16 year old kids do wildass things. I think the punishment for what the kid did is about right. I'm sure the families of the people who died in the accident will be contacting attorneys in their grief to capitalize on the event.

      Sorry, I ain't joining this lynch mob. The popular mind is moronic.
      Talk about a lynch mob, in the state of Texas, if this were a poor black or Hispanic kid, then you'd see a lynch mob rather than the slapping his hands you're seeing now. So then what would it be. Everyone's climbing on this poor kid because of .... what? Fill in the blank.

      You think everyone's climbing on this kid because he comes from money. I think this kid gets a pass that many don't because he comes from money.

      I do hope the families sue the hell out of them, so that this kid's family can mourn the loss of a whole lot of little green things, something that probably will hit them a lot harder than the deaths of just some people they don't know or care about.

      This "kid" is being raised to believe that he can do what he wants to do with inpunity. He won't be so cute when he does this or worse as an adult.

      Rather than being shocked and remorseful at the crime scene, where 4 people lay dead, this kid just says "I'm outa here." That's some empathy ... I'm impressed. Yeah, this is a kid worth saving. He's going to be somebody some day.

      The best "therapy" for this narcissistic little prick would have been holding him accountable for what he'd done. It can be very therapeutic.

      @Kay: found this article with the parent's names:
      Two of Couch's friends were riding in the bed of the pick-up and were tossed from the vehicle. One of whom was Sergio E. Molina, whose parents Maria Lemus and Sergio Molina, are the plaintiffs in the aforementioned lawsuit. Sergio has been in a vegetative state since the night of the accident. Lemus and Molina are suing Ethan's parents Fred and Tonya Couch, as well as Fred's company Cleburne Metal Works. They are seeking $20 million in damages.
      His defense was basically that he had crappy parents:
      Miller testified that Ethan was never disciplined, and enjoyed freedoms "no young person should have," including the freedom to drive since the age of 13:

      "The teen never learned to say that you're sorry if you hurt someone. If you hurt someone, you sent him money."

      Local station KHOU reported that Miller testified Couch's family "felt that wealth bought privilege and there was no rational link between behavior and consequences." The defense argued that Couch's parents deserved as much blame for the crime as their son, and that Couch's life could be turned around if he cut-off all contact with them for a one to two year period of intense psychological treatment.
      From the same article:
      "What is the likelihood if this was an African-American, inner-city kid that grew up in a violent neighborhood to a single mother who is addicted to crack and he was caught two or three times ... what is the likelihood that the judge would excuse his behavior and let him off because of how he was raised?"
      Ethan Couch: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | HEAVY
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        I'm sure the families of the people who died in the accident will be contacting attorneys in their grief to capitalize on the event.
        That is one of the crudest statement I've ever seen on this forum. Four people are dead - two are horrendously injured. When you kill a wife, daughter, son, father - you kill a family.

        The only way these people have to punish this kid is to pursue justice in the civil courts. The criminal court failed them.

        I have intentionally stolen two cases of beer (and considerably more than that) and intentionally driven the hell out of automobiles at high speeds while drunker than a hootie owl. I must admit I enjoyed it immensely.
        That explains a lot. Had you killed four people would you still have thought it was great fun? I guess to understand how this kid thinks you have to be on his level.
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        Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
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        So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    When you steal beer, get drunk, drive 70 in a 40 zone and kill 4 people I don't think "unintentional" carries much weight.

    Dr. Suniya Luthar, a psychologist who specializes in the costs of affluence in suburban communities, told The Associated Press that her research at Columbia University in New York has shown that 20 percent of upper middle-class adolescents believe their parents would help them get out of a sticky situation at school, such as being caught for the third time on campus with a bottle of vodka. The judge's sentence reinforces that belief.


    "What is the likelihood if this was an African-American, inner-city kid that grew up in a violent neighborhood to a single mother who is addicted to crack and he was caught two or three times ... what is the likelihood that the judge would excuse his behavior and let him off because of how he was raised?" Luthar asked.
    That's a good question. This kid has been in trouble before and has always been able to get by with it. This time his father is paying $500k for a luxury "treatment center" where the kid will stay for a while.

    I have no doubt he'll violate probation - and I expect that will be covered up or smoothed away, too.

    Really hurtful for the families who lost loved ones due to one spoiled brat.
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    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
    January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
    So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Maybe if all the families sue this kid's parents, they won't be so rich and privileged going forward.

      Suit seeks damages for Jennings' family - The Burleson Star - Burleson, Texas

      "the denial of his part, refusing to accept that he did anything wrong," Mitchell said. "Telling paramedic that he didn't have to answer his questions"


      Testimony described Couch as belligerent and uncooperative following the deadly crash, at one point saying I'm outta here and starting to walk away from emergency crews.
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      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
      January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
      So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    I know that all kids do stupid things - but the consequences need to measure up to the damages you do. This kid did large damage, and needs to face large consequences - If for nothing else than to give a morsel of satisfaction to the families he's destroyed.

    If I ever wreck another life through my own willful negligence, I'd be begging for jail time. And if anyone ever kills one of my family members in such a way, they'll also be begging for jail time.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    No lynch mob mentality here - it's called personal responsibility and justice. Had I of killed several of my friends through an act of gross negligence, I'd have probably saved the other families some grief and either taken myself out, or plead guilty and begged for full punishment.

    Every teenager on the planet by now knows the possibilities of what can happen when you get behind the wheel drunk. Fun or not, if you're stupid enough to still do it, then you should be isolated from the rest of the gene pool.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I agree with Annie - considering his age and attitude, I think the probation is going to work more to the favor of society in the long run than the full conviction at the age of 16 would have. In the meantime, Mommy and Daddy are going to get sued right out of their business. I'm sure there'll be some severe atonement for him at that end. He's got a few years to figure it out. If he doesn't, he'll find that committing a crime as an adult while on probation isn't going to be the cakewalk this sentence seemed to be.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomM
    I don't think jail time at his age would be the right path.
    I think probation with community service in an area where he has to deal with victims of drunk drivers would have better impact on him. His parents both have driving records that mirror his and have got free rides over and over. So maybe in addition to the kid doing community service, make the parents do the same.
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