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Texas teenager suffering 'affluenza' avoids jail for second time Texas teenager suffering 'affluenza' avoids jail for second time
(34 minutes later)
The Texas teenager who avoided prison afterThe Texas teenager who avoided prison after
a psychologist described him as suffering from "affluenza" has beena psychologist described him as suffering from "affluenza" has been
ordered by a judge to attend an undisclosed rehabilitation facility.ordered by a judge to attend an undisclosed rehabilitation facility.
Ethan Couch was given ten years' probation lastEthan Couch was given ten years' probation last
December for killing four people and seriously injuring two while drivingDecember for killing four people and seriously injuring two while driving
drunk. On Wednesday, district judge Jean Boyd again did not issue any jail timedrunk. On Wednesday, district judge Jean Boyd again did not issue any jail time
and assigned him to the centre in a court hearing that was closed to the media.and assigned him to the centre in a court hearing that was closed to the media.
The sentence handed out by Boyd last year outragedThe sentence handed out by Boyd last year outraged
the victims' families and the case attracted national attention after athe victims' families and the case attracted national attention after a
psychologist called by the defence testified that the teenager hadpsychologist called by the defence testified that the teenager had
"affluenza", indicating that his behavioural problems were influenced"affluenza", indicating that his behavioural problems were influenced
by a troubled upbringing in a wealthy family where privilege prevented him fromby a troubled upbringing in a wealthy family where privilege prevented him from
grasping the consequences of his actions.grasping the consequences of his actions.
Critics said the outcome was an egregiousCritics said the outcome was an egregious
example of a justice system that treats the rich and the poor differently.example of a justice system that treats the rich and the poor differently.
A statement from the Tarrant County district attorney's office said
that the judge "ordered the teen be placed in a lock-down residential
treatment facility, where he will remain for an undisclosed period. She
ordered his parents to pay for the cost of his treatment."
As a
condition of his probation, the teen is not allowed to drive and must
refrain from any alcohol and drug use, among other things. If he
violates any condition of his probation over the next ten years, he
could be sentenced to up to ten years behind bars."
Prosecutors had originally asked Boyd toProsecutors had originally asked Boyd to
sentence Couch to 20 years' detention, while his lawyers recommended his parentssentence Couch to 20 years' detention, while his lawyers recommended his parents
pay for him to seek therapy at a $450,000-a-year rehabilitation facility inpay for him to seek therapy at a $450,000-a-year rehabilitation facility in
California.California.
Wednesday's hearing was scheduled after prosecutors once more triedWednesday's hearing was scheduled after prosecutors once more tried
to argue he should go to prison, this time as punishment for charges related toto argue he should go to prison, this time as punishment for charges related to
the two injured people.the two injured people.
Couch, from Keller, near Fort Worth, admittedCouch, from Keller, near Fort Worth, admitted
four counts of intoxication manslaughter. He was speeding last June when he lostfour counts of intoxication manslaughter. He was speeding last June when he lost
control of his Ford F-350 pick-up truck, swerved off a suburban road andcontrol of his Ford F-350 pick-up truck, swerved off a suburban road and
ploughed at up to 70 mph into a group of people who were helping Breannaploughed at up to 70 mph into a group of people who were helping Breanna
Mitchell, whose car had broken down.Mitchell, whose car had broken down.
Mitchell, a youth pastor named BrianMitchell, a youth pastor named Brian
Jennings, Hollie Boyles, and her daughter, Shelby, were killed.Jennings, Hollie Boyles, and her daughter, Shelby, were killed.
Couch had sevenCouch had seven
passengers. Two were riding in the bed of the truck and were seriously injured. passengers. Two were riding in the bed of the truck and were seriously injured. One is paralysed and unable to speak. The other suffered broken
One was reported in December to be paralysed and unable to speak. The other suffered broken
bones and internal injuries.bones and internal injuries.
Lawsuits seeking damages from Couch and his familyLawsuits seeking damages from Couch and his family
have been filed by several of the victims' relatives.have been filed by several of the victims' relatives.
Aged 16 at the time, Couch's blood alcoholAged 16 at the time, Couch's blood alcohol
level was three times the adult legal limit and there were traces of Valium andlevel was three times the adult legal limit and there were traces of Valium and
other drugs in his system, according to prosecutors, who said the group hadother drugs in his system, according to prosecutors, who said the group had
stolen beer from a Walmart.stolen beer from a Walmart.
"Money always seems to keep [him] out"Money always seems to keep [him] out
of trouble. Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail," Eric Boyles,of trouble. Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail," Eric Boyles,
husband to Hollie and father of Shelby, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram afterhusband to Hollie and father of Shelby, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after
the trial.the trial.
The psychologist, G Dick Miller, told CNNThe psychologist, G Dick Miller, told CNN
he wished he "hadn't used that term. Everyone seems to have hooked on tohe wished he "hadn't used that term. Everyone seems to have hooked on to
it. We used to call these people spoiled brats."it. We used to call these people spoiled brats."
"Affluenza" is not a condition recognised"Affluenza" is not a condition recognised
by the American Psychiatric Association. The term was coined as far back as theby the American Psychiatric Association. The term was coined as far back as the
1950s and popularised in the late 1990s, when it referred to the stress caused1950s and popularised in the late 1990s, when it referred to the stress caused
by obsessive consumerism.by obsessive consumerism.
Last month, Mike Gatto, a CaliforniaLast month, Mike Gatto, a California
assemblyman, proposed a bill banning the "affluenza defence" fromassemblyman, proposed a bill banning the "affluenza defence" from
being used in the state's courts. "I just think it really is one of thosebeing used in the state's courts. "I just think it really is one of those
times where unless we're proactive it could become something that's far moretimes where unless we're proactive it could become something that's far more
common," he said.common," he said.