SIR HERDERP PRESIDERP SDO
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The parents of wealthy Texan Ethan Couch, who killed four people in a drunk driving accident and gained notoriety after one of his attorneys used the teen's extreme privilege as part of his defense strategy, will compensate a victim who was paralyzed.
The family of a wealthy Texas teenager who killed four people in a drunk driving accident will pay one of his victims $2 million, according to court documents released on Tuesday.
Ethan Couch’s parents have agreed to pay $1 million in cash and establish a $1 million trust fund in the name of Sergio Molina, a boy who was left paralyzed by the accident.
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Couch's drunk-driving case drew national attention after his attorneys argued that his wealthy parents coddled the then-16-year-old into a sense of irresponsibility, which one witness termed 'affluenza.'
The accident gained national attention when the teen’s defense lawyers called an expert witness who argued that the teen might be suffering from “affluenza,” a condition of irresponsibility brought about by extreme spoiling.
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Hollie Boyles, 52, and her daughter, Shelby Boyles, 21 were both killed by drunk driver Ethan Couch.
The issue regarding "Affluenza" as justification for a light sentence had sparked much controversy and debate, Ethan who was sentenced to a state facility which requires the family to only pay $1100 per month for a $750 per day facility, leaving tax payers to pay the remaining bill for his therapy, The facility offers a 90-day treatment program that includes horse riding, mixed martial arts, massage and cookery, a swimming pool, basketball and six acres of land.
"What is the likelihood if this was an African-American, inner-city kid that grew up in a violent neighborhood to a single mother who is addicted to crack and he was caught two or three times ... what is the likelihood that the judge would excuse his behavior and let him off because of how he was raised?" Said Dr. Suniya S. Luthar, a psychologist.
Critics have also complained that the presiding judge state District Judge Jean Boy gave a much harsher sentence to another 16-year-old intoxicated driver 10 years earlier. In February 2004, Boyd sentenced Eric Bradlee Miller to 20 years, telling him, “the court is aware you had a sad childhood... I hope you will take advantage of the services [offered by the Texas Youth Commission] and turn your life around.” Miller had killed one victim, not four, and had a much lower blood alcohol level (0.11 compared to Couch's 0.24) but was from a much poorer family.
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