Judge orders Texas teen Ethan Couch to rehab for driving drunk, killing 4
updated 9:05 PM EST, Thu February 6, 2014
'Affluenza' lawyer says teen acts 12
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The lock-down residential treatment facility is not identified
- The teen's family will foot the bill
- Couch was sentenced to 10 years' probation but no jail time
State District Judge Jean
Boyd had already decided the Texas teenager would serve no jail time.
He was sentenced last year to 10 years' probation.
His story made national
headlines after a witness claimed Couch was a victim of "affluenza" --
the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for the
boy.
That particular defense,
however, played no part in the judge's decision, Couch's lawyer told
reporters on Wednesday. Court proceedings were closed to the public.
Victim: 'Affluenza' boy never apologized
'Affluenza' teen killed 4, sent to rehab
Laywer: 'Affluenza' was not our defense
Victim's family: Affluenza is 'nonsense'
"She (Boyd) said it
(affluenza), and specifically mentioned that that was not a basis for
her decision," said attorney Reagan Wynn. "She heard all the evidence
and she made what she thought was the appropriate disposition."
The judge ordered that
Couch's parents pay for the treatment facility, which was not
identified. It was also unclear how long Couch might stay there.
As part of his probation,
the teen must refrain from using drugs or alcohol. He will also not be
allowed to drive. If Couch violates the terms of his probation, he could
face up to 10 years behind bars.
"I think he can be
rehabilitated given intensive therapy and I hope that he gets it," Wynn
said about the teen. "The juvenile system is about rehabilitation and if
it's going to be about rehabilitation, she (Boyd) absolutely made the
right decision."
Eric Boyles, who lost his wife and daughter in the crash, disagrees.
He told reporters he has no doubt that money played a role in the case.
"Had he (Couch) not had
money to have the defense there, to also have the experts testify, and
also offer to pay for the treatment, I think the results would have been
different," he said Wednesday after the proceedings.
Last June, his wife,
Hollie Boyles, and daughter, Shelby, left their home to help Breanna
Mitchell, whose SUV had broken down. Brian Jennings, a youth pastor, was
driving past and also stopped to help.
All four were killed
when the teen's pickup plowed into the pedestrians on a road in
Burleson, south of Fort Worth. Couch's vehicle also struck a parked car,
which then slid into another vehicle headed in the opposite direction.
Two people riding in the
bed of the teen's pickup were tossed in the crash and severely injured.
One is no longer able to move or talk because of a brain injury, while
the other suffered internal injuries and broken bones.
According to
prosecutors, three hours after the crash, tests showed Couch had a blood
alcohol content of 0.24, three times the legal limit.
"There has been nothing
from Ethan from these proceedings with regards to remorse on his part at
all -- that I do think would have helped. It would have helped the
victims. No doubt about it, it would have helped," said Boyles.
Prosecutors were similarly disappointed with the judge's decision.
They had asked for the maximum of 20 years behind bars.
"This has been a very
frustrating experience for me," said prosecutor Richard Alpert. "I'm
used to a system where the victims have a voice and their needs are
strongly considered. The way the system down here is currently handled,
the way the law is, almost all the focus is on the offender."
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