CenturyLink FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A North Texas teen from an affluent family was sentenced to probation this week after he killed four pedestrians when he lost control of his speeding pickup truck while driving drunk, a punishment that outraged the victims’ families and left prosecutors disappointed.
The 16-year-old boy was sentenced Tuesday in a Fort Worth juvenile court to 10 years of probation after he confessed to intoxication manslaughter in the June 15 crash on a dark rural road.
Prosecutors had sought the maximum 20 years in state custody for the Keller teen, but his attorneys appealed to state District Judge Jean Boyd that the teenager needed rehabilitation not prison, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (http://bit.ly/1f8GnvQ ) reported.
If the boy continues to be cushioned by his family’s wealth, another tragedy is inevitable, prosecutor Richard Alpert said in court.
“There can be no doubt that he will be in another courthouse one day blaming the lenient treatment he received here,” Alpert said.
Authorities said the teen and friends were seen on surveillance video stealing two cases of beer from a store. He had seven passengers in his Ford F-350, was speeding and had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, according to testimony during the trial. His pickup truck slammed into the four pedestrians, killing Brian Jennings, a 43-year-old Burleson youth minister; Breanna Mitchell of Lillian, 24; Shelby Boyles, 21; and her 52-year-old mother, Hollie Boyles.
Boyd said the programs available in the Texas juvenile justice system may not provide the kind of intensive therapy the teen could receive at a rehabilitation center near Newport Beach, Calif., that was suggested by his defense attorneys. The parents would pick up the tab for the center, at a cost of more than $450,000 a year for treatment.
Scott Brown, the boy’s lead defense attorney, said he could have been freed after two years if he had drawn the 20-year sentence.
But instead, the judge “fashioned a sentence that could have him under the thumb of the justice system for the next 10 years,” he told the Star-Telegram.
Relatives of those killed in the accident drew little comfort from that assurance.
Eric Boyles, who lost his wife and daughter, said the family’s wealth helped the teen avoid incarceration.
“Money always seems to keep you out of trouble,” Boyles said. “Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail. If you had been any other youth, I feel like the circumstances would have been different.”
Shaunna Jennings, the minister’s widow, said her family had forgiven the teen but believed a sterner punishment was needed.
“You lived a life of privilege and entitlement, and my prayer is that it does not get you out of this,” she said. “My fear is that it will get you out of this.”
A psychologist called as an expert defense witness said the boy suffered from “affluenza,” growing up in a house where the parents were preoccupied with arguments that led to a divorce.
The father “does not have relationships, he takes hostages,” psychologist Gary Miller said, and the mother was indulgent. “Her mantra was that if it feels good, do it,” he said.
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Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com
“Authorities said the teen and friends were seen on surveillance video stealing two cases of beer from a store. He had seven passengers in his Ford F-350, was speeding and had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, according to testimony during the trial.”
Not only did he kill four people, he STOLE from a store. Had this been my son, he would have received a life sentence for each count of murder, and another harsh sentence would have been brought down for the theft.
No tolerance for not wearing a seat belt where I live, but this snot nosed punk gets a slap on the wrist for murder and theft. What a backwards society we live in today, where money talks. Sad and pathetic!
This is an outrage. Killed four people and it gets probation.
If the prison rehab is good enough for others, it’s good
enough for this rat. Never did read the name of the family
of the killer involved. This was a ritual murder. Like that
freak who tried to assassinate Reagan, he was in prison and
then rehab for three or four months then allowed to go home.
This is typical, folks. We just happened to hear about this particular case.
Here’s how our “just-us” system works: This boys dad is a Freemason (research it). The Judge is a Freemason (Research it). The Attorneys are Freemasons (a given). Why do you think their called “Free” Masons?? They are “free” of the very laws that they create to hinder us, suppress us and oppress us.
Rapist Teachers who get probation: Freemasons let go by Freemason Judges.
Killer Cops who never see the courtroom: Freemasons.
The deck is stacked against us, and has been for hundreds of years, it’s just that now “they” want us dead. So, look at this story in this way, the Freemasons figure this kid did them a favor by eliminating 4 “useless eaters.” You can expect more of this in the future.
He will surely get his house burnt to the ground.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Teens-Fatal-DWI-Wreck-Sentencing-Sparks-Ire-Ethan-Couch-235549211.html
his name is ethan couch.
Had just watched ABC news, fast forward thru the junk and the lies,
no mention of this incident. What a joke for a news network.
Fox did report on this.
I failed to mention earlier, that my husband is currently serving more time than this POS. My husband refused to go along with the game by not filing taxes and got 3yrs in a fed prison and 3 yrs probation.
This POS MURDERED AND STOLE and got next to nothing. Hell, he will qualify to work for TSA or be a cop when his parole is up!
oh yeah, USA USA, were number ummm, nevermind….
Judge Boyd who did the sentencing will not run for re election, basically
retiring. She is nothing more than a whore. Can’t help but wonder
how much she received to pad her pockets. You scratch my back, I’ll
scratch yours. I thought there were sentencing guidelines these corrupt
judges were suppose to abide by. She is just as bad as the anti-social
tart. When the cops were questioning him at the site he says “I’m outta
here”. Just like that.