Affluenza Teen to Remain in Juvenile Facility, For Now
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Affluenza teen Ethan Couch will remain in juvenile detention—for now. But, even his defense attorneys concede that his case will eventually be supervised in the adult courts. And that could happen sooner, rather than later.
Meanwhile, friends and relatives of those killed and injured packed today's detention hearing—telling reporters that the now 18-year-old is no different from the spoiled teen he was two years ago.
"Over and over and over again his decisions make it clear that nothing has changed," says Tim McLaughlin. His teenage son was injured in the crash. McLaughlin says he continues to follow the case as it winds through the courts in part to support those who lost so much more than he. Today's detention hearing, for example, was a relatively minor matter—because Couch's sentence of 10 years on probation still stands.
"I truly believe that until we're broken, we can't receive," says McLaughlin, "and Ethan needs to be broken… and I think going away and doing some time would be a reality check for him."
Couch was an over-indulged 16 year-old in June of 2013 when he drove drunk and slammed his vehicle into four people stopped alongside a rural road near Burleson. His probated sentence sparked outrage across the nation.
Nevertheless defense attorney Scott Brown says Couch has changed.
"From day one, we have viewed this as a tragedy," says Brown. "The families that lost their family members: that's a loss that none of us can imagine. And nothing that happens in this courthouse or with any judge, or anything with Ethan is ever going to make them whole again."
Still, the attention and venom only escalated late last year when a video surfaced of Couch at a party where it appeared that alcohol was served. Then, he and his mother escaped to Mexico. Law enforcement became involved when he missed a meeting with his probation officer.
"Every time this family has to come back up here and face him in court.. they're all waiting for the same thing," says Richard Alpert, Tarrant County Asst. Criminal District Attorney. "They're waiting for some sense of justice and the best we've been able to do is assure them that it is coming."
And ironically, Alpert believes that it is Couch that will give it to them. Prosecutors are anxious for Couch—who will turn 19 in April—to be transferred to the adult probation system. They say it provides more options when—not if—Couch violates those terms.
"I had a pretty good idea of how Ethan would do when he was given probation," says Alpert. "I have the same confidence that he is not going to be able to abide by those conditions… history tends to teach us things and history with him has taught us that he doesn't learn."
Defense attorneys concede that they have no crystal ball, but remain "hopeful" that Couch can successfully comply with the terms of his probation—and insist that he is sorry for the pain he caused.
"Yes, he is remorseful," says Brown, addressing media questions following the hearing. "Just because he hasn't come out and given a public statement to you all doesn't mean he's not remorseful.
But, family members maintain that Couch has yet to apologize to them, either.
"When you flee the country and you go to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and you're living a life like you're a celebrity," says McLaughlin, "you go to clubs and are spending thousands of dollars. That doesn't scream remorse."