MADD Gets 30,000 To Sign "Affluenza" Teen Petition In 1 Day
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Yesterday Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) launched a petition to gather signatures demanding that "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch's case be moved from juvenile to adult court. Today officials with the organization confirm their 30,000 signature goal had been met.
In a press release statement MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church said, "There is no denying the nation's frustration that Ethan Couch hasn't been held accountable. There is still a week left until Couch's transfer hearing and we're confident we can reach 60,000 signatures."
Originally MADD was hoping to get 30,000 petition signatures before the teen's scheduled court date in Tarrant County on January 19.
Officials with MADD believe that transferring Ethan Couch's case to adult court will give the criminal justice system the opportunity to hold him accountable and ensure that his probation extends beyond his 19th birthday. Couch will turn 19 in April.
"Couch is not a child," Sheehey-Church said, adding, "His actions are not that of a child. Four people were killed and several injured, and Couch continues to show no remorse and blatant disregard for the law."
Ethan was 16-years-old when he was driving drunk, with a vehicle full of other young people, and slammed into a disabled SUV parked on the side of the road. The crash killed four people.
After being convicted of four counts of intoxication manslaughter, and two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury, Ethan was sentenced to therapy and 10 years probation. His lawyers had argued that the teen suffered from "affluenza" – an irresponsible attitude that was the result of his rich parents not setting any limits for him.
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