"A Texas man who lost both his wife and daughter after they were struck and killed by a drunk teenage driver, is speaking out against the sentencing the teen received.
Ethan Couch, 16, was sentenced to 10 years probation after he caused a fatal accident that left four people dead and another severely injured. Couch was driving 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when the accident occurred. Prosecutors had asked for the maximum sentence of 20 years in juvenile hall with parole available after two years.
Afterwards police found he had a blood alcohol level of 0.24, three times the legal adult limit, and had valium in his system.
Eric Boyles lost his wife Hallie and only daughter Shelby in the accident. They had stopped to help a stranded motorist by the side of the road.
Boyles told ABCNews.com that although he knew it was an option, he never believed that Couch could receive just probation for his sentence.
"For the most part I think it's fair to say that everyone was disappointed in the sentence," Boyles said, referring to the victims' families. "It never crossed our minds that [probation] was a reality."
A psychologist in the trial argued that Couch was a product of too much privilege and had never been reprimanded for his actions and therefore was not responsible for his actions, calling him a product of "affluenza."
Boyles said he was frustrated, and he felt that the wealth of Couch's family protected him from a more severe sentence.
"At some point there should be some level of accountability for their actions," Boyles said. "I'm not sure how our justice system has gotten to this."
Before the final sentencing, Boyles and other families of the victims were able to directly address Couch and the judge. Boyles said Couch never made any remarks to the families, even when one family asked him a direct question.
"Nowhere in this process did Ethan ever say to the families, to the court, 'I'm so sorry for what happened,'" said Boyles. "Nowhere did Ethan express any remorse or anything."
Probation for Teen in Fatal DWI Case and Other Shocking Decisions
Boyles said he also spoke to the judge before the sentencing, because he was concerned that Couch might get extra consideration for the sentencing.
"My request to the judge and Ethan is 'You be treated like any other 16 year old,'" Boyles said. "That the 'affluenza' and…power and influence not come into play here in this verdict and unfortunately it did."
Boyles said he feels the justice system let down his family.
Speaking of his wife and daughter Boyles said, "There was something baking in the stove and something in the oven ... and now's there nothing. The house is just stark and sterile."
Teen in 'Spoiled Brat' Defense Gets Probation Sentence
The Associated Press contributed to this report. "
Sentence makes me want to throw up. Public is so outraged they have started a recall petition on the judge. I hope the recall is successful.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Field Modifications (Sins of the Farmer) - by Staff. Picture a new Chevrolet driving down the street without it's grill, right fender and trunk lid. Imagine a crude hole made in the hood to accommodate a new taller air cleaner, the fender wells cut away to make way for larger tires, and half of a sliding glass door used to replace the windshield. Top that off with an old set of '36 Ford headlight shells bolted to the hood. Pretty unlikely for a car... but for a tractor, this is pretty normal. It seems that more often than not they a
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
