topic Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16 in Community Chat

Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Marianne1 — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:07:45 GMT

Hearing this am in Tx for the "affluenza" teen.

In adult court.

In addition to various arguments made on various matters, the Judge sentenced him to 720 days inside (180 days for each victim).

"You are not getting out of jail today"

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

ItsME — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:31:47 GMT

Thanks for the update. Not nearly enough time, but I'm glad to see him locked up!

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Krimpette — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:37:49 GMT

From the article I just read on CNN, this sentence is not cast in stone. His attorneys have two weeks to appeal. The judge then might reconsider. He'll never spend that much time in jail, if any, sadly. (IMHO.)

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Mj12 — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:48:12 GMT

Unbelievably lenient sentence.

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Marianne1 — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:59:42 GMT

yes, the attys have 2 weeks to argue for differences, however, they have to convince the Judge what he already decided is incorrect.

Additionally, this is a non-good time reduction issue for these sentences, I believe.

I wholeheartedly agree that the sentences today are in no way proportionate to the crime; however, they are not really about the crime itself-- they are about violating the parole and being moved to adult court. The ship has sailed on getting him on the crime itself.

I do believe that this defendant is prime for offending again, as he is not learning anything from his errors--he will pull an OJ and get in trouble sooner or later.

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Mj12 — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 18:00:51 GMT

@Marianne1 wrote:
yes, the attys have 2 weeks to argue for differences, however, they have to convince the Judge what he already decided is incorrect.

Additionally, this is a non-good time reduction issue for these sentences, I believe.

I wholeheartedly agree that the sentences today are in no way proportionate to the crime; however, they are not really about the crime itself-- they are about violating the parole and being moved to adult court. The ship has sailed on getting him on the crime itself.

I do believe that this defendant is prime for offending again, as he is not learning anything from his errors--he will pull an OJ and get in trouble sooner or later.

@Marianne1 excellent points.

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Cakers3 — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 22:55:30 GMT

@Marianne1 wrote:
yes, the attys have 2 weeks to argue for differences, however, they have to convince the Judge what he already decided is incorrect.

Additionally, this is a non-good time reduction issue for these sentences, I believe.

I wholeheartedly agree that the sentences today are in no way proportionate to the crime; however, they are not really about the crime itself-- they are about violating the parole and being moved to adult court. The ship has sailed on getting him on the crime itself.

I do believe that this defendant is prime for offending again, as he is not learning anything from his errors--he will pull an OJ and get in trouble sooner or later.

@Marianne1 Are you referring to time served whihle awaiting sentencing or sentence reduction for good behavior while in jail?

He is also in isolation right now with only 1 hour of free time for "protection". However, the sheriff has already indicated that this will change.

The other issue is the terms of probation which could be altered to reflect adult probation vs. juvenile probation. His juvenile records have now been sealed.

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

SydneyH — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 23:00:21 GMT

He still won't be doing heavy time. He'll probably get out early, or so some analysts were predicting...........

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Marianne1 — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 00:02:47 GMT

Cakers, I am referring to good behavior reductions (aka good time). Not to the time served.

There was no audiable discussion during the hearing today on time served already, but I would venture to guess it will not be the awarded for the entire time he has been in (since Mexico) but only since he was transferred to adult court.

That calculation and theory is just an opinion of mine, I watched the hearing, but as I said, there was no discussion in open court over that.

Yes, his juvie records were sealed today.

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 00:23:09 GMT

Did any of the families of the people he killed file civil lawsuits against this spoiled brat?

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

SXMGirl — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 00:31:14 GMT

Not only do I hope that the judge enforces his sentence, but I also hope that the families file a civil suit and that the government makes this young man and his mother pay back the hundred of thousands of dollars that were spent looking for them.

I do agree that this is probably the start of his prison career--that he will be back soon after he is released. It does not appear that he has ever had to be responsible for anything.

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

Marianne1 — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 00:35:09 GMT

there were civil lawsuits, all settled now

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

gonnab — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:41:03 GMT

I am in agreement that his sentence was not nearly harsh enough. He killed 4 people, and injured several others, including one whoc is now paralized and in a wheelchair. And he will certainly appeal, and probably get his sentence reduced. As a comparison, my local paper has an article today about a local woman who killed one person and got 25 years in jail. True, it was intentional since she shot him, but still - the life of one person vs the lives of 4, plus the 8 injuries, the evasion of accountability, and the escape to another country deserves more than 2 years!!!

Re: Ethan Couch update 4/13/16

SahmIam — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 18:24:52 GMT

I would love to know what the law is in Texas regarding this.... Lawyer buddies of mine in my state have all said that he would have received far more years in jail here. Again, the original slap on the wrist was due to how laws covering minors are written in Texas.

I think he should serve life, to be honest. But that's me.