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No jail for rich ‘affluenza’ teen, Ethan Couch, after deadly wreck: judge
nydailynews ^

Posted on 03/03/2014 10:02:24 PM PST by chessplayer

For a second time, a Texas judge sentenced Ethan Couch to 10 years' probation for a wreck that killed four people. The ruling in Fort Worth on Wednesday was the same previously made by the judge. Prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence the 16-year-old to 20 years in state custody.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A judge on Wednesday ordered a Texas teenager who was sentenced to 10 years’ probation in a drunken-driving crash that killed four people to go to a rehabilitation facility paid for by his parents.

Wynn and prosecutor Richard Alpert would not identify the facility where Couch will go or where it is located. The teen’s family previously had offered to pay for Couch to go to a $450,000-a-year rehabilitation center near Newport Beach, Calif.

There is NO MINIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME Couch must spend in the facility before his release, prosecutor Riley Shaw said.

(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...


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To: the_daug
One in Newport Beach, California charges 450,000.

I know they do it, but I said "legitimate" facility. Taking advantage of people willing to pay does not qualify as "legitimate". That's not an attack on you for your comment, I just find this outrageous.

21 posted on 03/04/2014 12:45:15 AM PST by KJC1
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To: beelzepug

You never know, but your line of thinking is right.


22 posted on 03/04/2014 12:48:51 AM PST by KJC1
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To: EDINVA

If they stay that long.

I am the oldest of 4 my middle sister got saddled with our baby brother after he blew the money he sold the paid for trailer our mom had owned o her death. He always lived with her. He is a alcoholic. Only keeps a job because they cover for him. I am not that tender of heart for people like my brother. He will not admit he is an addict, nor seek medical help. He is 52,looks 75. Shakes, can barely walk, DT’s after 2 hrs and no booze. I’d let him pass out and call the cops and say he was screaming irrationally about committing suicide. And let them haul him off for 30 day mental evaluation.

He need not come to me, baby sis does not want him either.


23 posted on 03/04/2014 12:59:23 AM PST by GailA (IF you fail to keep your promises to the Military, you won't keep them to Citizens!)
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To: chessplayer
Everyone is not equal. The life of this 'kid' is worth much more than those of the four people killed and one paralyzed. After all, this 'kid' comes from a wealthy family, while the others were from more normal means.

At least, that is what the so called 'Justice' System is saying in this case, and has been saying in many other cases.

A poor/average person speeding drunk - but not being in an accident - faces real jail time, while this 'kid' can destroy lives with no real punishment. A poor/average person caught with bags of weed and/or meth faces strong prospects of prison time, but a rich spoilt brat can have heroin and cocaine, and at most face rehab. A poor/average person may face a horrible time simply by video taping a police officer on a cellphone, but a rich person can shoot his wife outside a restaurant and nothing happens.

All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.

24 posted on 03/04/2014 1:34:02 AM PST by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: Glenmore
That is a veritable statement - the legal system may simply be following established sentencing protocol. However , I believe - and I may be wrong - but I strongly believe that were the 'kid' not from a wealthy family the sentence would have been different. Let's make everything the same - same age, same number of people killed/paralyzed, same level of blood alcohol at 3 times limit, same level of drugs in the chap's system, same race. The only difference is make the person some poor white kid from a trailer park.

If Trailerpark Joe would get the same ruling, then the sentencing was purely based on established protocol. However, I highly suspect that Trailerpark Joe would be facing the heavy hand of the law. Texas is a state that believes in personal responsibility and accountability strongly, and the judge would surely punish TP Joe. Hard.

Exceptions are however made for the wealthy.

25 posted on 03/04/2014 1:41:52 AM PST by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: chessplayer

Liberals believe in special treatment for their darlings: for the connected (especially Kennedys), for the rich (especially if they donate to liberal political campaigns), and for minorities. What they hate and fear most about decent Americans is that conservatives believe in far less government control over individuals, but we also believe that good laws should be enforced equally for all Americans.


26 posted on 03/04/2014 2:54:34 AM PST by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
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To: chessplayer
Romans 12:19 New International Version (NIV)

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord.
27 posted on 03/04/2014 3:57:15 AM PST by Old Yeller (In Latin, the word sinister means left. Which is appropriate for left-wingers.)
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To: Tainan

Texas is still great despite this case ruling. What ... This doesn’t happen in other states?


28 posted on 03/04/2014 4:14:00 AM PST by al_c (Obama's standing in the world has fallen so much that Kenya now claims he was born in America.)
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To: the_daug

I know a guy who killed someone in a car accident. He has no memory of the incident, and was never in legal trouble over it. However, he continues to beat himself up about it, and is terrified of driving again.

Sometimes, prison helps the perpetrator as well as serving society. The perpetrator who has a conscience and spends time in prison then feels he has been properly punished and is able to get on with his life.

This kid needs to be punished, regardless of whether he feels he did anything wrong. Otherwise, he is likely to repeat the behavior. Maybe when he is an adult, the law won’t be so lenient.


29 posted on 03/04/2014 4:23:24 AM PST by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org/)
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To: Old Yeller

Romans 13 says that civil authorities are to be a “minister of God,a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.


30 posted on 03/04/2014 4:26:57 AM PST by freedomfiter2 (Brutal acts of commission and yawning acts of omission both strengthen the hand of the devil.)
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To: chessplayer

May the victim’s families do better in the civil court.


31 posted on 03/04/2014 4:28:43 AM PST by freedomfiter2 (Brutal acts of commission and yawning acts of omission both strengthen the hand of the devil.)
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To: Old Yeller
Do not take revenge, my dear friends ..

Looks good on paper .. perhaps more instructive however to hear that some of the survivors played cowboys vs rich punk on the spoiled little bastard.

32 posted on 03/04/2014 4:39:59 AM PST by tomkat (3%+1)
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To: Tainan

Its the judge and every state has some really bad ones.The state is fine.


33 posted on 03/04/2014 4:42:40 AM PST by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: GailA

Almost every family has a dead lick in their midst including mine. When my mother passes “he” is in for one hell of a wake up call.


34 posted on 03/04/2014 4:49:50 AM PST by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: Tainan

Y’all tell me again how great Texaa is?
-
Texans don’t like the outcome any better but we have to live with it...and he will too. He and his parents are facing a life-time of civil suits. If he ever leaves Texas, your state, town, or neighborhood could be his next destination.

As I have said before, I love my state but this isn’t heaven down here. Texas still has the great spirit America once had, and even more...and some of its faults.


35 posted on 03/04/2014 5:21:16 AM PST by Texicanus (Texas, it's a whole 'nother country.)
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To: fella

After this , she is set for life. She won’t have to ever work again.


36 posted on 03/04/2014 5:28:11 AM PST by sport
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To: Texicanus

This incident and its outcome has touched us in many ways. Down here you will find prayer and the belief that GOD still exists. Our prayers and sympathy go out to both sides of this tragedy, especially the innocent victims.

We are shaken because if not for the grace of god, it could have been anyone of us having to deal with this mess.

We really try to love our neighbors in their times of need. We aren’t all heathens down here. Still, a few of us haven’t seen the light. But there is hope...

As fellow human beings, pray for these people, and in your own way.


37 posted on 03/04/2014 6:02:40 AM PST by Texicanus (Texas, it's a whole 'nother country.)
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To: fella
Judge Jean Boyd is not seeking re-election...

She probably no longer needs the paycheck. A family that can pay $450,000 for a year in rehab can easily afford twice that for a judge.

38 posted on 03/04/2014 6:06:07 AM PST by Leaning Right (Why am I holding this lantern? I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: Glenmore
the judge was probably ruling as the law required

The judge ruled as the law allowed, not required. Remember, prosecutors asked for a 20 year sentence. So I'm guessing that the sentencing range had to be at least 0 to 20 years.

39 posted on 03/04/2014 6:09:37 AM PST by Leaning Right (Why am I holding this lantern? I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: chessplayer

This is the worst case of a lawyer coming up with just anything to get his client off. His lawyer should be disbarred immediately for malfeasance.


40 posted on 03/04/2014 6:27:54 AM PST by maxwellsmart_agent
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