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Tag: affluenza teen

  • Affluenza Teen’s Mom Is Allegedly Broke, Gets Bail Bond Reduced

    After being captured and arrested last month for aiding her “affluenza teen” son in evading authorities and leaving the country, Tonya Couch is now facing detention.

    Tonya Couch was initially imposed with a $1 million bail bond, but was eventually reduced to a mere $75,000 after her older son testified that she was actually broke.

    During her hearing on Monday in Fort Worth, Texas, Tonya Couch’s 29-year-old son Steven McWilliams told the judge that his mother is incapable of fulfilling the $1 million bond fee due to the fact that her bank accounts have all been frozen by the government.

    McWilliams, who is also the half-brother of the affluenza teen Ethan Couch, added that Tonya was not left any money by Ethan’s father.

    Tonya Couch’s legal team requested Tarrant County Judge Wayne Salvant to reduce the bail from $1 million to $15,000, but only managed to drop it down to $75,000.

    Meanwhile, the infamous affluenza teen remains in Mexico where he is detained while fighting his deportation back to the United States. If released by the Mexican government to U.S. authorities, Ethan Couch will face extradition back home as well as possible jail time for violating his 10-year probation.

    Lawyer of Affluenza Teen Visits His Client at the Mexican Immigration Detention Center

    The saga of the affluenza teen has gripped the nation since last year because of the blatant injustice that seems to prevail in the case. Ethan Couch killed four people and injured nine others during a drunken driving spree in 2013, but only received a 10-year probation sentence in juvenile court because of a strange defense predicated on a condition called “affluenza.”

    Prior to Ethan and Tonya’s escape to Mexico, she reportedly severed ties with her ex-husband and withdrew $300,000 from one of their bank accounts.

    The affluenza teen is currently being petitioned by an organization called Mothers Against Drunk Driving to be moved from the juvenile justice system to the adult criminal system. Ethan Couch is due to turn 19 in April.

  • Ethan Couch, “Affluenza Teen,” and Mom Found, Detained in Mexico–He Will Likely Get Off Easy Again

    Ethan Couch, known as the “affluenza teen,” was found in Mexico in the company of his mom, Tonya Couch. Ethan Couch has been a fugitive from justice since violating his probation and going on the run with his mother.

    Reuters reports the “affluenza teen” and his mom disappeared in November, prompting authorities in Tarrant County, Texas, to place Ethan Couch on their most wanted list, and issue a warrant for his arrest.

    Dubbed the “affluenza teen” for living a life so privileged he couldn’t fathom taking responsibility for his actions, Ethan Couch killed four people while driving drunk at the age of 16. His defense team used the “affluenza” term as part of their defense strategy. It worked, too, as Ethan Couch didn’t do any jail time for the deaths of four innocent people. Instead he was sentenced to probation, which he recently violated. It was via social media that Couch was spotted by authorities playing beer pong. That’s when he and his mom went on the run.

    Those hoping Ethan Couch gets a stiffer sentence this time around better not hold their breath. CNN reports that chances of that happening are very unlikely.

    Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson explained during a press conference about Ethan Couch on Tuesday, that the most jail time he can serve is 120 days in an adult facility. She made the following five points when discussing the situation.

    1. Ethan Couch was sentenced as a juvenile and violated his probation as ordered by juvenile court system.
    2. Under Texas law, Couch, now 18, would be punished for his violation in the juvenile system.
    3. The maximum sentence that a juvenile judge can dish out for a violation of his juvenile probation is imprisonment in a juvenile facility until Couch turns 19, which is April 11, 2016.
    4. The DA wants to transfer Couch’s sentence to adult court. But since this violation happened in the juvenile system, Couch effectively would start with a clean slate in the adult probation system. That is, the adult court judge could not punish Couch for violations he committed as a juvenile.
    5. At the time a judge reassesses Couch’s probation in the adult system, he has the power to put Couch in adult jail for a maximum of 120 days.

    The families of the people killed by Ethan Couch are likely suffering all over again. They no doubt hoped the “affluenza teen” might finally receive a far more adequate punishment for his crimes.

  • Affluenza Teen Ethan Couch Found, Detained in Mexico

    “Affluenza teen” Ethan Couch has been found in Mexico and is presently detained there. The Texas teen from a wealthy family has been a fugitive from justice since breaking his probation and going on the lam. The affluenza teen was dubbed as such during his trial for killing four people while driving drunk at the age of 16.

    Reuters reports the teen and his mom, Tonya Couch, disappeared in November, prompting authorities in Tarrant County, Texas, to place Ethan Couch on their most wanted list, and issue a warrant for his arrest.

    The affluenza teen was discovered in Mexico–in the company of his mother–and will be turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service. A Tarrant County official confirmed on Monday that Ethan Couch was being held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

    Ethan Couch was 16 when he was speeding while driving drunk. His blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he slammed into a stranded motorist on the side of the road–killing that motorist, along with three people who had stopped to offer help.

    One of the passengers in the affluenza teen’s vehicle has permanent brain damage.

    The affluenza teen fled to Mexico after a photo turned up on social media, showing him playing beer pong, which was a violation of his probation. Ethan Couch’s father said his son’s passport was missing and the home he shared with his mother was cleared out. The father has been cooperative throughout the investigation.

    It’s uncertain what charges Tonya Couch will face one she is returned to the U.S. from Mexico.

    The affluenza teen will likely serve jail time upon his return from Mexico–instead of probation.

  • Ethan Couch: “Affluenza Teen” On the Run With Mom

    Ethan Couch, the Texas teen known as the “affluenza teen,” is on the run, presumably with his mother. Couch was convicted of driving drunk and killing four people when he was 16. His only sentence was that of probation. He did no jail time at all. His defense team coined the phrase “affluenza teen,” saying Ethan Couch was “raised so coddled that he never learned a sense of responsibility.”

    It was just over a week ago that Ethan Couch was spotted in a photo posted to social media. In it he was playing beer pong. The specifics of his probation state he cannot consume–or knowingly be near–alcohol. When his probation officer tried to reach him, he was nowhere to be found. It was determined shortly thereafter that his mother, Tanya Couch, is missing, too.

    On Monday, the Tarrant County, Texas sheriff’s office announced that Ethan’s mother Tonya Couch was listed as a missing person and that she may be helping her son.

    “We believe she is helping or assisting him but we can’t even prove they are together at this time,” said Sheriff Dee Anderson, according to CNN.

    If it is proven that Tanya Couch helped Ethan Couch hide from authorities, it will shed much light on what is already an unfathomable situation. In addition to his “affluenza teen” defense, Ethan Couch’s mom clearly doesn’t feel he should suffer any consequences.

    This ordeal involving the disappearance of Ethan Couch no doubt jabs at the hearts of those who lost loved ones when he drove drunk two years ago.

  • Ethan Couch: “Affluenza Teen” On the Lam With Mom, May Have Left the Country

    Ethan Couch, the “affluenza teen” sentenced only to probation after driving drunk and killing four people, is on the lam, presumably in the company of his mother, Tanya Couch. Some believe they may have left the U.S.

    Missing for a week, Ethan Couch was dubbed the “affluenza teen” when his legal defense said he was “raised so coddled that he never learned a sense of responsibility.” Couch disappeared after a video of him playing beer pong was posted on social media. Not only did this violate his probation, it was determined he missed a meeting with his probation officer, too. When the probation officer tried tracking Ethan Couch down, it was determined both he and his mom were missing.

    It was earlier on Monday that the Tarrant County, Texas sheriff’s office announced that Ethan’s mother Tonya Couch has been listed as a missing person and that she may be helping her son.

    “We believe she is helping or assisting him but we can’t even prove they are together at this time,” said Sheriff Dee Anderson, according to CNN.

    When Ethan Couch got off with only probation as his punishment for killing four people, it must have been devastating for the survivors of the deceased. Can you imagine how they must feel now that they’ve learned both Couch and his mother are missing? It no doubt opens old wounds and fills them with an added feeling of desperation.

    Hopefully other countries have received photos and word of Ethan Couch’s disappearance. When he is found, he will likely see some jail time after all.

  • Affluenza Teen On The Run With Mom, May Have Fled The U.S.

    Ethan Couch, the affluenza teen who killed four people and injured several people while driving drunk, is on the run and is being tracked down by authorities after violating his ten-year probation.

    U.S. Marshalls released a “wanted” poster on Friday and offered a reward of $5,000 to anyone who can give information on his whereabouts.

    “Every person who carries a badge in the United States of America is aware he’s a fugitive,” Terry Grisham of the Tarrant County sheriff’s office, said. The teen’s mom, Tanya Couch, was also put on missing person’s list and was believed to have fled the country with her son, said the spokesperson at the Tarrant County, Texas, District Attorney’s Office.

    Couch was 16 at the time of the incident, and his trial included a testimony from a psychologist who argued the teenager was suffering from an affliction called “affluenza.” Couch was charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter back in 2013, but Tarrant County Juvenile Court Judge Jean Boyd gave him 10 years’ probation and ordered him to undergo treatment.

    Couch crashed into a broken-down SUV parked on the side of the road, which took the lives of four people were fixing the disabled vehicle on the evening of June 2013. A blood alcohol level three times the normal limit plus traces of narcotics were found in his system.

    The now 18-year-old affluenza teen did not face any serious punishment nor was he sentenced to any prison term, much to the outrage of the families of the victims.

    The teen failed to show up at a December 11 hearing after a video showing him playing beer pong surfaced. An arrest warrant was reportedly issued the same day but there was no trace of the affluenza teen at the house he shared with his mother.

    Affluenza Teen’s Disappearance Does Not Surprise Victim’s Dad

    “We’re not going to give up. We’re going to come after you. We’re going to find you, wherever you are,” warned Tarrant County sheriff Grisham.

  • “Affluenza Teen” Ethan Couch on the Run After Killing Several People, Violating Probation

    “Affluenza teen” Ethan Couch is on the run. Authorities believe he is with his mother. Couch is the 18-year-old who, two-and-a-half years ago, killed several people while driving drunk. A judge gave him a light sentence that included no jail time, saying the teen suffered from “affluenza.”

    The “affluenza teen” killed Kevin McConnell’s then 12-year-old son. He is disgusted with the judge’s decision, especially now that Crouch is missing. In his view, the teen was never held accountable for his crimes. Still under orders to meet regularly with his parole officer, the “affluenza teen” has disappeared, and McConnell isn’t the least bit surprised.

    “No surprises at all; there was a pattern,” he said on Friday. “Nothing is going to make an impact on this guy unless there’s something severe or certain.”

    It was the night of June 15, 2013 when Couch and some of his friends stole beer and started drinking. Then they hit the road, with Ethan Couch behind the wheel.

    That same evening, Hollie Boyles and her daughter Shelby left their home to help their friend, Breanna Mitchell, whose SUV had broken down. Brian Jennings, a youth pastor, was driving past. He stopped to help as well.

    Couch plowed into them, and killed them all. Several others suffered severe injuries, including two passengers who were thrown from the bed of the affluenza teen’s truck.

    Three hours after the crash, tests showed Couch had a blood-alcohol content of 0.24. That’s three times the legal limit.

    Ethan Couch’s “affluenza” testimony made national headlines, as did the Tarrant County judge’s ruling to give him only probation instead of the 20 years behind bars requested by prosecutors. Crouch was also ordered into long-term mental health treatment, away from the influence of his affluent parents.

    Todd Clement is a lawyer who represents Hollie Boyles’s survivors and Kevin McConnell. He had the following to say about the judge who sentenced the “affluenza teen.” She is now retired.

    “It’s clear that she gave someone a chance that didn’t deserve it,” he said. “And (that is) exactly what Kevin McConnell predicted.”

    A warrant for Ethan Couch’s arrest was issued in recent days, following a video that turned up online of the “affluenza teen” playing beer pong at a party–despite explicit instructions in his probation guidelines not to consume alcohol. When his probation officer tried to reach him, he was nowhere to be found.

    Since then, the FBI and U.S. Marshals have joined local authorities in the hunt for the “affluenza teen.” A $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.

    Ethan Couch’s disappearance only creates more heartache for the families of those he killed. It also hits home their belief, as well as that of others, that he should have been jailed for his crime.

    “‘Affluenza’ aside, Ethan Couch appears to show blatant disregard for the law, and he must be held accountable,” Sheehey-Church, the head of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said.

    “The families impacted will never have their loved ones back; Ethan Couch must have consequences for his actions,” she added.

    Do you suppose the judge who allowed this “affluenza teen” to get off practically scot free is doubting her decision now?

  • Affluenza Teen’s Family Gets a Break on Rehab Fees

    Remember how outraged everyone was after the defense attorney for Ethan Couch, also known as “Affluenza Teen,” argued that his client was a victim of his family’s wealth, which affected his judgment when he decided to drive drunk? And then there was the equally infuriating decision by the judge to sentence Couch to 10 years probation and rehab–no jail time–for an accident he caused that killed four people. To further add insult to injury, it was revealed yesterday that Affluenza Teen’s parents are getting a huge break on the cost of his expensive rehab treatment on the taxpayer’s dime.

    In June 2013, Couch ran off the side of the road while driving his Ford F-350. Couch struck and killed four pedestrians, plus severely injured two of his own passengers. Couch, then 16, had a blood alcohol content level of .24 at the time of the accident, plus had traces of Valium in his system. During Couch’s trial six months later, his lawyer argued that he suffered from a disease called “affluenza.” Apparently having rich parents caused Couch to have poor judgment and to be unable to understand that his actions have consequences. Couch was eventually sentenced to 10 years probation and an undisclosed period in a rehab treatment facility.

    According to Star-Telegram out of Forth Worth, the cost of the rehab facility the now 17-year-old is being treated at, the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, is $715 per day. At that rate, a month at the facility will cost just over $21,000. Even though the teen’s parents originally offered to foot the bill for a posh, out-of-state rehab facility, they will only have to pay a fraction of the cost for the state facility.

    Following a hearing on Friday morning to decide how much Couch’s parents should pay for his rehab costs, it was determined that they should pay only $1,170 per month. No, we didn’t leave off a zero on that figure. Affluenza Teen’s parents will pay just under $1,200 per month for a facility that costs $21,000.

    “The family respects the decision of the facility and of the court and will honor the payment system that the court has put in place,” said Lance Evans, the attorney for Couch’s parents.

    The news that Couch’s parents aren’t obligated to pay more for their son’s expensive treatment has angered the masses. The decision is being discussed all over Twitter and Facebook, and it’s safe to say that most people are completely disappointed with the system yet again.

    Even though Couch’s parents are getting off easy on the cost of the rehab facility, it is likely that they will be forking over cash soon. Affluenza Teen’s parents face multiple lawsuits related to the accident, and some of the plaintiffs are asking for more than $1 million in damages.

    Image via YouTube

  • Affluenza Teen: Parents Get Discount On Treatment

    The Affluenza teen case out of Fort Worth, TX has taken another controversial, some might say face-palm-worthy, turn.

    According to AP, the teen’s wealthy parents, with the help of lawyers Reagan Wynn and Lance Evan, successfully argued that the teen’s reckless behavior was due to “Affluenza”. Now it is reported that they only have to pay a fraction of their son Ethan’s court-ordered treatment.

    The argument was that Ethan Couch’s parents had given him such a decadent, coddled lifestyle that he wasn’t responsible for driving drunk and high on Valium the day he plowed into and killed four people and injured several others as they helped a stranded motorist on the side of the road.

    As infuriating as the argument was, as well as the subsequent win of the case and light punishment, this new development takes the cake.

    The parents, who were too rich to raise a kid who is responsible for his actions, will be only be charged $1,170 a month for his treatment at the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon. That would only pay for about two days. Who pays for the rest? You and me.

    Debbie Spoonts, who is Tarrant County Juvenile Services’ placement supervisor, said the facility decided what Fred and Tonya Couch would pay based on a sliding scale. I would like to see that scale.

    Evans, the attorney for Tonya and Fred Couch, said that after hearing the news of the slashed treatment bill for their son, the family “respects the decision of the facility and of the court, and will honor the payment system that the court has put in place.”

    Several of the families of the victims have sued the Couchs and won settlements, but there is one parent who isn’t taking a settlement. Kevin McConnell, who had a child that was injured in the wreck, says he wants a trial not money.

    Image via YouTube

  • “Affluenza” Teen Still Gets No Jail Time After Killing 4

    On Wednesday, judge Jean Boyd ordered Ethan Couch to rehab in addition to his 10-year probation sentence. Couch is the 16-year-old Texan who killed four people and injured two with is father’s Ford F-350 pickup truck on June 15. The teenager had been driving drunk after being video taped stealing 2 cases of beer from a nearby Wal-Mart. At the time of the incident, Couch’s blood alcohol level was revealed to be 0.24, three times the legal limit in Texas. Couch also tested positive for valium. Despite this, he received zero jail time.

    As you can image, there has been intense public outrage regarding the outcome of the trial. The public anger intensified when the defense’s expert witness diagnosed Couch as having “affluenza” — a term used to claim that his family’s wealth impaired his ability to take responsibility for his actions.

    On Wednesday, prosecutors asked judge Boyd for 20 years in state custody on charges related to the two injured people. They were unsuccessful.

    Is Ethan Couch receiving special treatment because he comes from a wealth family?

    Fred Couch, Ethan’s father, is a multi millionaire and owner of a very successful metal works company in Fort Worth. His son received what amounts to a slap on the wrist for a crime that many believe would have  sent the “average Joe” to prison.

    Last year, CNN reported that judge Boyd sentenced an African American teenager to 10 years in juvenile detention after punching a man in the face. The blow inadvertently resulted in the man’s death. This is a stark contrast to sentencing Ethan Couch to probation and rehab for killing 4 people and injuring 2.

    Defence attorney Reagan Wynn said the judge did not use “affluenza” to make her decision. “She (Boyd) heard all the evidence and she made what she thought was the appropriate disposition,” he said.

    Eric Boyles lost his wife, Hollie Byles, and daughter, Shelby after both were mowed down by Couch’s truck. He remains convinced that money played a role in the outcome.

    “Had he (Couch) not had money to have the defense there, to also have the experts testify, and also offer to pay for the treatment, I think the results would have been different,”  Boyles said after the trial.

    Here’s happened on the night of the incident.

    Image via YouTube

  • Affluenza Teen Sent To Rehab Facility

    Affluenza Teen Sent To Rehab Facility

    Affluenza is a term used to described someone who is affluent and has no boundaries or responsibilities. A teenager who killed 4 people and severely injured two others in a drunk driving accident has been considered by many to be a victim of affluenza, and the supposed disease may have affected his recent sentence.

    Ethan Couch was driving drunk with two friends in the back of his pickup truck when he ran off the side of the road and struck 4 people working on another vehicle. The 4 people were killed and Couch’s two friends were thrown out of the truck and injured. One may never walk or talk again.

    Couch’s blood-alcohol level measured 0.24, three times the legal limit and Couch appeared to show no remorse for his actions in court. While prosecutors asked that Couch receive as much as 20 years in prison, a judge only ordered that he would be on probation for 10 years. The judge also decided that the boy would go to a lock-down residential treatment facility, which his parents will have to pay for.

    Although the judge claimed that Couch’s Affluenza did not affect her sentencing order, prosecutors and family members of the victim believe differently. Eric Boyles, who lost his wife and daughter in the crash, is one of the people who believe Couch was let off easy because his parents are wealthy.

    “Had he (Couch) not had money to have the defense there, to also have the experts testify, and also offer to pay for the treatment, I think the results would have been different,” he said Wednesday after the proceedings.

    Prosecutor Richard Alpert also expressed his disappointment in the sentencing saying, “This has been a very frustrating experience for me. I’m used to a system where the victims have a voice and their needs are strongly considered. The way the system down here is currently handled, the way the law is, almost all the focus is on the offender.”

    Do you think Couch was a victim of affluenza or is victim the wrong word?

    Image via YouTube.