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Bit long but worth a read .. extracts lifted from Sky news website
A man whose wife and daughter were killed by a teenage drink-driver has spoken of his anger after the boy's wealthy background was used as a defence and he avoided prison.
Ethan Couch, 16, could have faced up to 20 years behind bars after losing control of his vehicle and killing four pedestrians in Fort Worth, Texas.
Instead, he was given 10 years' probation - plus rehab - after his lawyers argued his reckless behaviour was due to "affluenza".
The condition is said by some psychologists to affect young people who come from rich families...
Lawyers told State District Judge Jean Boyd the mother had spoiled him, telling the court: "Her mantra was that if it feels good, do it."
Couch, whose blood-alcohol was three times the legal limit at the time of the crash, had admitted he was drinking and driving and confessed to intoxication manslaughter.
Speaking after the case, another psychologist, Dr Gary Buffone, said "affluenza" was never meant to be used as a defence in court cases.
He said the condition, which was popularised in the 1990s, was attributed to children with a sense of entitlement, and who are irresponsible and sometimes use drugs and alcohol.
"The simple term would be spoiled brat," he said. "The defence is laughable, the disposition is horrifying … not only haven’t the parents set any consequences, but it’s being reinforced by the judge’s actions."
A man whose wife and daughter were killed by a teenage drink-driver has spoken of his anger after the boy's wealthy background was used as a defence and he avoided prison.
Ethan Couch, 16, could have faced up to 20 years behind bars after losing control of his vehicle and killing four pedestrians in Fort Worth, Texas.
Instead, he was given 10 years' probation - plus rehab - after his lawyers argued his reckless behaviour was due to "affluenza".
The condition is said by some psychologists to affect young people who come from rich families...
Lawyers told State District Judge Jean Boyd the mother had spoiled him, telling the court: "Her mantra was that if it feels good, do it."
Couch, whose blood-alcohol was three times the legal limit at the time of the crash, had admitted he was drinking and driving and confessed to intoxication manslaughter.
Speaking after the case, another psychologist, Dr Gary Buffone, said "affluenza" was never meant to be used as a defence in court cases.
He said the condition, which was popularised in the 1990s, was attributed to children with a sense of entitlement, and who are irresponsible and sometimes use drugs and alcohol.
"The simple term would be spoiled brat," he said. "The defence is laughable, the disposition is horrifying … not only haven’t the parents set any consequences, but it’s being reinforced by the judge’s actions."
