Drunk drivers kill and maim so many people, they're hardly ever reported anymore, except perhaps in the local news for the area where it happened. I've been a police officer for over 25 years, and I can only recall one incident I responded to where someone was shot accidentally. Drunk driving crashes are too many to even hazard a guess, I had 3 in the span of 8 hours one night. In any event, if you get drunk and get behind the wheel of a 3,000 pound projectile, you've displayed "depraved indifference" to human life, regardless of your actual intent.
late arriving update. this kid is going to stay in jail until he turns 19 (in April) in hopes that when the case shifts to adult court they'll consider it "time served" and let him out on probation. 'Affluenza' teen likely to stay in Texas jail until April birthday | Fox News
Go to jail. Go directly to jail . . . Judge gives affluenza teen Ethan Couch almost two years in jail | | Dallas Morning News
Still think the kid's sentence was far too lenient. However, I am hopeful that two years in big boy prison might give him a necessary attitude adjustment. With mommy unable to hug him and daddy's money unable to buy him comfy sheets he MIGHT learn a lesson and turn things around in his life. That is, of course, assuming daddy doesn't get him released during the day on work release.
Incredible! Sanatone made a good observation: "This judge who gave this kid a slap on the wrist was the same judge who gave a 14 year old, poor, black boy years in prison for punching someone, which led to the person's death. I'm sure he didn't intend for that person to hit his head on the ground so hard that he ended up dying, but he got a much harsher sentence than a well-to-do white boy who had a history of engaging in criminal activities, killed four people, and seriously injured two people while being a minor under the influence of alcohol and Valium. His BAC was three times the legal limit, and he had just stolen beer before he slaughtered those people". This kid got a slap on the wrist. I wonder what his sentence would have been if he was black and poor?
'Affluenza' Teen's Parents Paid for Fraction of One Rehab Program, Documents Show Geez! 'Affluenza' Teen's Parents Paid for Fraction of One Rehab Program, Documents Show - ABC News "Court documents indicate that "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch's parents were unable to pay for much of one of his court-ordered rehab programs, leaving most of the massive bill to be paid for by someone else".
Judge - "No, I really mean it. Go to jail!" Judge Rejects 'Affluenza' Teen's Appeal to Reverse Jail Term - ABC News
I've been thinking about this 2 year hitch that the Couch kid is going to do in jail. On the one hand, 2 years is nothing. When you consider that his two years is for the probation violation and not for the actual death and destruction it is downright insulting. But this kid has avoided consequences for everything his entire life. And this isn't the summer camp rehab his parents didn't pay for. This is jail. And it's unpleasant and harsh. I don't feel that harsh prisons deter crime. And I'm skeptical that they can provide the "attitude adjustment" needed for someone like this. I think that prisons have a much stronger track record of taking non-violent criminals and turning them violent or turning young inmates into hardened criminals. But, I still hold out some hope that two years in a Texas prison is going to teach this precious little snowflake that there are indeed things that Daddy can't buy him out of and that acting like a little turd does have consequences that are wholly unpleasant. But it also seems like his mother is enabling his poor behavior. So I imagine unless she actually serves some time and said sentence gives her an attitude adjustment as well he'll be right back to his antics upon release. I just hope he doesn't hurt anyone else when he self-destructs.
Mrs. Affluenza catches a break https://www.yahoo.com/news/affluenza-mom-gets-her-curfew-214628495.html
I know you've all been worried about Ethan so here's an update https://www.abqjournal.com/858494/affluenza-teens-request-to-remove-judge-from-case-denied.html
We had a tragic case here in Canada, recently. Son of a very wealthy family - age about 28, drove drunk, killed three young children and their grandfather. Defendant pled guilty, got a 10-year jail sentence. Bereaved family are suing him (and his family) for $25 million in civil court. How this US affluenza kid gets off so light - I have no idea. Then again, the Canadian will likely get early parole, so... http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/marco-muzzo-likely-to-get-very-early-parole-analyst-1.2836165 J.
We're either incarcerating too many people or not puting them in for long enough. Make up your minds.
Both. They're not mutually exclusive. Incarcerate only the people for whom there is no alternative - those that need / deserve to be locked up -for whatever valid reason(s). Then you can keep them incarcerated for as long as need be, with less strain on the system. J.
I love this whole story. This latest chapter just made me laugh because it's crystal clear that the crimes and misadventures of this family will never end. Beyond dysfunctional. 'Affluenza' Teen's Dad Convicted of Pretending to Be Officer - ABC News
Sure, why not? Let's take it to the Supreme Court. 'Affluenza' teen Ethan Couch turns to Texas Supreme Court for release from jail | Crime | Dallas News