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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhile 'Affluenza' Teen Went Free, Similar Case Led to Prison
Source: Associated Press
While 'Affluenza' Teen Went Free, Similar Case Led to Prison
By NOMAAN MERCHANT, ASSOCIATED PRESS
HUNTSVILLE, Texas Feb 15, 2016, 2:39 PM ET
One 16-year-old drove drunk, ran a red light and crashed into a pregnant woman's car, killing her and her unborn child. Another drunken teenager rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of people assisting a stranded driver, killing four.
Jaime Arellano went to prison. Ethan Couch went free.
The stories of the two Texas teens illustrate how prosecutors' decisions in similar cases can lead to wildly different outcomes. The poor immigrant from Mexico has been behind bars for almost a decade. The white kid with rich parents got 10 years of probation.
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But prosecutors in Fort Worth said they didn't ask to have his case moved to the adult system because they thought the judge would refuse. Instead, he stayed in juvenile court and became infamous for his psychologist's assertion that his wealthy parents coddled him into a sense of irresponsibility the psychologist called "affluenza."
Arellano was charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, the same counts against Couch. But prosecutors in Arellano's case moved quickly after his June 2007 crash to send him to adult court. Arellano took a plea deal and got 20 years in prison, where he remains today.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
By NOMAAN MERCHANT, ASSOCIATED PRESS
HUNTSVILLE, Texas Feb 15, 2016, 2:39 PM ET
One 16-year-old drove drunk, ran a red light and crashed into a pregnant woman's car, killing her and her unborn child. Another drunken teenager rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of people assisting a stranded driver, killing four.
Jaime Arellano went to prison. Ethan Couch went free.
The stories of the two Texas teens illustrate how prosecutors' decisions in similar cases can lead to wildly different outcomes. The poor immigrant from Mexico has been behind bars for almost a decade. The white kid with rich parents got 10 years of probation.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
But prosecutors in Fort Worth said they didn't ask to have his case moved to the adult system because they thought the judge would refuse. Instead, he stayed in juvenile court and became infamous for his psychologist's assertion that his wealthy parents coddled him into a sense of irresponsibility the psychologist called "affluenza."
Arellano was charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, the same counts against Couch. But prosecutors in Arellano's case moved quickly after his June 2007 crash to send him to adult court. Arellano took a plea deal and got 20 years in prison, where he remains today.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/affluenza-teen-free-similar-case-led-prison-36949150
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While 'Affluenza' Teen Went Free, Similar Case Led to Prison (Original Post)
Eugene
Feb 2016
OP
System with Obvious bias, Obviously results in Obvious outcome, Obviously no one is surpised.
Glassunion
Feb 2016
#2
i wonder why the jailed teen cant sue under equal protection under the law =- the law protected
saturnsring
Feb 2016
#3
lastone
(588 posts)1. And so it goes
If you have $ for a good lawyer you skate - if your poor you get a public defender who's tried all about 3 cases and you are doomed...
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)2. System with Obvious bias, Obviously results in Obvious outcome, Obviously no one is surpised.
saturnsring
(1,832 posts)3. i wonder why the jailed teen cant sue under equal protection under the law =- the law protected
couch why didnt it protect this kid?