There is a bizarre case out of Texas where Ethan Couch, 16, was facing 20 years for killing four people in a drunk driving incident. His wealthy family hired a top gun trial attorney and leading expert who invoked what could be called the Richie Rich defense — Couch’s long spoiled lifestyle in the top one percent left him uncaring and irresponsible . . . and left four people dead. It would seem the type of argument that would produce a lynching rather than a light sentence in front of most juries. However, Couch was in front of State District Judge Jean Boyd, who sentenced him to probation and therapy. Couch, it turns out, predicted the outcome. Described as non-cooperative at the accident scene, he reportedly said “I’m Outta here” and walked away.
Couch pleaded guilty to driving drunk and could certainly expect a reduction in light of the plea. However, few people expected no jail time. However, the defense insisted that what Couch needed was therapy and argued that such therapy would cost more than $450,000 a year at a rehabilitation facility near Newport Beach, California– which would be paid by his wealthy parents. Half a million a year? That is the highest claim that I have encountered in such cases.
At trial, the defense expert Gary Miller trashed the parents as messing up their son, particularly after a bitter divorce. The father was described as someone who “does not have relationships, he takes hostages.” The mother was described as a materialistic individual right out of Bonfire of the Vanities with a “mantra was that if it feels good, do it.” The accident fittingly occurred on Father’s Day.
Miller insisted that Couch basically raised himself. An ironic argument since he would have received more jail time as an abusive parent than as the killer for four people in this case.
As a result, Couch walked despite a plea to four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury. Couch had seven passengers in his Ford F-350. Seven. Two were riding in his bed of the truck. Those two kids were seriously injured. Solimon Mohmand had extensive broken bones and internal injuries while Sergio Molina remains paralyzed and communicates by blinking his eyes. Therapy is not going to do much for Molina.
The dead included Breanna Mitchell who was by the side of the road with a broken car; Hollie and Shelby Boyles (right), who came out of their homes to help Mitchell; and Burleson youth minister Brian Jennings (shown left), a passer-by who had also stopped to help. Couch was going 70 miles an hour (in a 40 miles an hour zone) when he smashed into the car.
Couch had a BAL that was three times the legal limit as well as Valium in his system.
He appears narcissistic and spoiled but one would think that holding him accountable would have tremendous therapeutic value. If not, it would do wonders for the families of the victims.
Yet, Couch asked for the judge to sentence him — a smart move.
The irony did not escape Tarrant County assistant district attorney who noted that under this “too spoiled to care” defense “[t]here can be no doubt that he will be in another courthouse one day blaming the lenient treatment he received here.”
Now Couch can move on with this life. One possible dating prospect can be found in New York with Rachael Sacks who attracted a firestorm with a published essay on why “I’m Not Going To Pretend That I’m Poor To Be Accepted By You” . Sacks has words that might resonate with Master Couch: “People have been very mean to me. But people have been mean to me my whole life, so what. They think I’m a spoiled brat, and I am.”
There has been no public word from the parents who were featured so prominently in their son’s defense and candidates for the worst parents — let along people — in the world. Judging from the expert testimony, the response to the verdict of the mother was likely something like this:
The father was also no doubt celebrating:
Here’s the article for the state wide Offical …http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/12/09/5405319/fort-worth-statewide-judge-switches.html
Raff,
The district court is the felony court in the state of Texas….as well as certain misdemeanors…..District courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorce cases, land title disputes, election contests, civil matters in which at least $200 is disputed or claimed in damages, as well as other matters. Most district courts consider both criminal and civil cases but, in counties with many courts, each may specialize in civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law matters.
So the answer in short is could be….
Did I miss something here? If this kid was tried as a juvenile, why are we hearing about the decision? Aren’t most juvenile cases kept secret? Sad case for all concerned. This kid ruined an entire family and his family is non-existent.
Hope he runs into me some day. I am old and when I witness bad behavior I just don’t give a crap any more. Really, it only takes one person on the scene to mete out some basic justice.
Oky1, Oklahoma is far worse than Texas. Texas has some liberal pockets. 🙂
I seem to recall a state wide judge most recently announced he was going from the GOP to the D side…. He was welcomed with open arms by the SDEx…. Hinjosia….
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/18/1202958/-Texas-is-the-most-dangerous-state-to-go-to-work-in-and-Rick-Perry-likes-it-that-way#
oops uninsured
Oky, You might have a point although most people move because of a job or family. One thing for sure is that if you want to get gay married you won’t be moving south. I don’t think one would move to Texas for safety… the crime rate is high and and the number of insured is high. I am aligned with Pope Francis and not Rick Perry when it comes to social welfare. Also, I am opposed to the death penalty.
MikeS,Swm,
I find it interesting now that people are moving to some of these states for their families safety while others are moving the other way for the same reasons.
Mostly along their personal feelings of the 2nd amd/anti-socialism vs anti-2nd/pro socialism, it seems to me.
Mike S. It is getting worse. Glad I am no longer a resident.
If I recall Davis became a minister and denounced material goods…. I may be wrong…
There will be more to come out of this case….. I know a little about the family and it’s not pretty……. T. Cullen Davis … Comes to mind but he’s not the only one to her away with vehicular manslaughter….. In the state of Texas…. How about Laura welch…..now bush….. How about ted Kennedy…. Many others many places…..
SWM,
That’s weird. I can see the words you typed:
“Probably the most famous trial in Tarrant County was that of wealthy oilman man, T. Cullen Davis. If one is interested in the ethos of that culture, this book captures it.”
But, they don’t show up when viewed. I thought the graphic was covering them up, but after adding numerous carriage returns, they still wouldn’t pop out from the bottom.
Oh well, Just saying that Gary Cartwright’s book about the T. Cullen Davis trial lcaptures the ethos of Tarrant County.
How in the world does this judge let this psychopath go so lightly and still sleep well on his pile of money in the Cayman islands?
I was under the impression Smom had more than just that link, Nal.
Did you have additional commentary, Smom?
SWM,
The spam filter doesn’t like Amazon links.
Justice Holmes 1, December 12, 2013 at 11:13 am
The judge who granted this pass should be taken off the bench and the prosecution should appeal. An investigation into how such a travesty occurred should be done. It isn’t hard to understand why people are so very cynical about the criminal justice system when bankers and rich murders go free.
===========================
If you can’t follow the money because they drag a tree behind the pony, follow the immunity, it is more difficult if not impossible to hide, and it leads to the temple too.
**Gene H. 1, December 12, 2013 at 2:10 pm
mespo,
“Yeah, probably a confidentiality clause in the settlement agreement.
Forgive the snark.”
You say snark, I say probably accurate assessment.
There is nothing to forgive. 😉
**
We’ve seen for years these “confidentiality clauses” used by Wallst type firms.
There’s something I don’t understand.
In many cases the guilty party agrees to pay money to the plaintiff if the plaintiff agrees to withhold evidence of the defendant’s crimes to the general public at large.
My question is why doesn’t lawyers of other injured parties sue those that are signing those Aid/Abetting after the fact “confidentiality clauses”?