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Tag: ethan couch

  • 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.

  • “Affluenza Teen:” Mom Withdrew $30K from Bank, Told Dad He Wouldn’t See Them Again

    “Affluenza teen” Ethan Couch’s mom, Tonya Couch, reportedly withdrew $30,000 from the bank a few weeks before the two were discovered in Mexico. She also told Ethan Couch’s father he wouldn’t see them again.

    This is recent information obtained from the “affluenza teen’s” mom’s arrest warrant, according to Fox News.

    The “affluenza teen” and his mom left Texas with the money, and drove a pickup truck over the border into Mexico, where they alluded police for over two weeks. Ethan Couch dyed his blonde hair black and his beard brown.

    The 18-year-old Couch was on probation, stemming for a 2013 drunk driving crash that killed four people and injured several others. When a defense witness argued Couch was long coddled by his wealthy parents, the catch phrase “affluenza teen” was born.

    The “affluenza teen” and his mom fled to Mexico after a video clip surfaced online that depicted Ethan Couch drinking alcohol at a party–a clear violation of his probation.

    The teen’s mom and dad, Fred and Tonya Couch, divorced back in 2006. Authorities don’t believe Fred Couch played any role in the “affluenza teen” and his mom disappearing.

    It will be interesting to learn what kind of punishment Ethan Couch and his mother will receive for going on the run.

  • 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?

  • Ethan Couch’s Family Will Pay Out $2 Million To Paralyzed Victim

    Ethan Couch’s Family Will Pay Out $2 Million To Paralyzed Victim

    The family of Texas teenager Ethan Couch has agreed to pay $2 million to the family of the boy who was paralyzed during the drunk driving incident that happened in 2013.

    Ethan, who was 16 years old at the time of the accident, was driving a pickup truck when he crashed into pedestrians, killing 4 and injuring several others. Reports say that he had 3 times the legal alcohol limit in his body when the accident happened.

    Ethan’s case gained attention and concerned citizens accused his parents of coddling him. In 2013, Judge Jean Hudson sentenced Ethan to a 10-year probation and sent him to therapy instead of prison. The supposed reason was that the boy was suffering from “affluenza”, resulting to his irresponsible behavior.

    The $2 million will be paid to Sergio E. Molina, who was riding at the back of Ethan’s pickup truck when the accident happened. Molina is now paralyzed, only having the ability to blink and smile. Before the accident, Molina was a star soccer player in high school and had hopes of playing for the Barcelona soccer team.

    Alexander Lemus, Molina’s older brother, said that they are not happy with the settlement, but said they have to “take what we got and strive for better days.”

    The liability insurer of Ethan’s parents will be paying over $1 million in cash. The rest will be placed in a trust for Molina. An annuity to cover the attorney’s fees is also included based on court documents.

    Five families of those who were killed or injured in the incident have also settled with Ethan’s family. However, their settlements are still pending court approval. Lucas McConnell, one of the victims injured in the accident, was the only one who did not opt for a settlement. His family said that they prefer going to court, as they said that is the only way they will be able to seek justice.

    Ethan is being treated for mental health at the North Texas State Hospital.

    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