Ethan Couch was sentenced in Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday to 10 years’ probation, though he faced up to 20 years behind bars. Outrage over the case of the 16-year-old drunk driver who killed four people has made the case national news. Nearly every news outlet, though, has focused on the term “affluenza” in its coverage, suggesting that the “defense” in the case (Couch pleaded guilty) argued that wealth and a privileged life were to blame for Couch’s deadly irresponsibility.
Prior to sentencing, a psychologist called by the defense, Dr. G. Dick Miller, testified that Couch’s life could be salvaged with one to two years’ treatment and no contact with his parents.
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Miller said Couch’s parents gave him “freedoms no young person should have.” He called Couch a product of “affluenza,” where his family felt that wealth bought privilege and there was no rational link between behavior and consequences.
Lawyer Liz Buddie, however, believes the “affluenza” hook that has driven the coverage, both liberal and conservative, is misrepresentative of the actual court case and how it played out, and she’s letting the media know by coming to the defense of Miller.
First on trial for malpractice: Dr. Drew.
@drdrew You, sir, are a joke and a disgrace for trashing a professional whose testimony you did not hear b/c u didn't like 1 word.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
@drdrew U made a bunch of presumptions ~ Dr. Miller's testimony b/c you are an attn whore who has apparently learned nothing from experience
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
@drdrew No telling how many times ppl have made irrational assumptions ~ u, but u're a narcissist, so u're incapable of empathy.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
.@drdrew & @sonnyhostin want this kid punished b/c his negligent parents are able to pay for treatment judge & dr drew agree he needs.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
Why would it make @drdrew feel better that the taxpayers of Texas pay for this kid's treatment that he needs? @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
Wonder if any 'journos' offering OPINIONS re Couch case, like @jaketapper, even bothered to talk to a local reporter, like @wfaajdouglas.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
Recommended
Dr. Drew wasn’t the only offender.
FYI Right now @TheFiveFNC is completely misrepresenting the Ethan Couch case.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
And now @greggutfeld is participating in the complete misrepresentation of the Ethan Couch case. Shame on you.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
You are the disgusting one, @greggutfeld.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
Shame on you @DanaPerino for trashing a "psychiatrist" in this case. To show how stupid and irresponsible you are, there wasn't one.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
Dr. Miller is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.
I'm disgusted by @DanaPerino @greggutfeld @ericbolling and all of @TheFiveFNC. You didn't bother to learn the fact b4 trashing innocents.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
Nobody on @TheFiveFNC bothered to learn about this case before trashing everyone involved. Thank goodness some ppl have principles.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 12, 2013
Of course Anderson Cooper weighed in on the “affluenza” case as well.
The graphics that @andersoncooper is using is already misleading. There was no "defense" in the #Couch case. He plead guilty.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Couch case was a sentencing hearing. They were deciding what happens next. They were not putting on a "defense." @cnn @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Naturally, @andersoncooper keeps pounding all the details of the treatment center that will not actually apply in this Couch case.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
You and we don't know the facts of the case you're talking about @andersoncooper, because they relate to a CHILD,
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
BS, @andersoncooper – Dr. Miller told you multiple times yesterday & today that Couch killed 4 ppl. Quit pretending otherwise.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
You @JeffreyToobin are a DISGRACE, for calling testimony that you have not even read Junk Science. Wait to get sued.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
There is nothing wrong with a treating psychologist testifying in a sentencing case, @JeffreyToobin. Shame on you.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
The whole "affluenza defense" was an invention of @CNN, so now @JeffreyToobin will use it as a hammer on a guy w/o a voice.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Because @JeffreyToobin is a punk that doesn't have the courage or sense to know the facts before he speaks.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
NUMBER ONE LIE from @andersoncooper – Dr. Miller NEVER diagnosed Ethan Couch with "Affluenza," that is TOTALLY MADE UP BY @CNN!
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Number One lie from cable news: Dr. Miller never diagnosed Ethan Couch with "affluenza." That is entirely invented by the media.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Maybe @jeffreytoobin & @drdrew care that @cnn is completely LYING & misprep'ing the facts: Dr. Miller NEVER "diagnosed" w/"affluenza."
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Actually, @andersoncooper knows darn well that Couch will go straight to jail if he uses or messes up at all, he's just not telling u that.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
CNN is probably so used to fake doctors and lawyers to know a real one when they see one.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@lizbuddie @andersoncooper @CNN were you in the courtroom? You know first hand that affluenza wasn't used in court? seriously just asking
— Bridget (@nickelbmw) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw Yes, unlikes @andersoncooper @CNN I did my homework, and have first-hand info.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw That word was ONE used in a whole day of testimony. It was never a "diagnosis" or a "defense." @andersoncooper @CNN
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw Judge's job in a SENTENCING HRG is to understand how they all ended up there. Dr. Miller's was to tell her. @andersoncooper @CNN
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw He was called because he's the treating doc. Prosecution didn't argue w/what he had to say. @andersoncooper @CNN
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw There was no "defense." He pleaded guilty. It was a sentencing hrg of a child. Dr. Miller had to testify. @andersoncooper @CNN
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw The prosecution heard the same diagnoses they've heard in other cases: drug & alcohol addxn. Didn't argue. @andersoncooper @CNN
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw Sounds a little different than you were told by @andersoncooper @CNN and Fox et al, huh?
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Yes, Fox is in the doghouse too.
Let's see if @megynkelly's show will be the next to completely misrepresent the Ethan Couch case. Why not? Everyone else has.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Newest spin, this from @FoxNews: "the kid claimed to be a victim of his wealth." A total invention. Never happened. #Lies
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Sorry to say it, but @megynkelly has allowed a total lie on her show just now. Total perversion.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Notice the media makes a big deal about the "affluenza" thing, now they will punish the child and his doctor with what they created.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
.@marthamccallum is completely misrepresenting what the judge found, what the doctor's testimony was. NOBODY disputes what doc said.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
I suppose @marthamccall would feel better if the State of Texas paid for Couch's treatment, rather than his negligent parents.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
I hope @marthamaccallum is ready to be sued for by the judge for all the lies she just told about her and the case. @megynkelly
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Never thought I'd have to listen to @greggutfeld completely defame someone I love. W/o even bothering to try to learn the facts.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Oh, no. It's @seanhannity's turn to misrepresent the Couch case. Not one single national media outlet is doing their homework.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Shame on @seanhannity for perpetuating the lies in this case. He's working his way on the defamation list.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Unbelievable. How surreal.
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@lizbuddie @andersoncooper honestly so what if cnn did make up affluenza? The definition is still what the dr and defense attorneys used.
— Bridget (@nickelbmw) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw He said the word 1x. He didn't "diagnose" him w,it, or claim it was a disorder. Ever. Nor was it a defense. @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@lizbuddie @andersoncooper I'm not saying it was a defense;It was an excuse He deserves punishment I don't feel probation is appropriate.
— Bridget (@nickelbmw) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw It wasn't an excuse! The judge asked a doctor what was the child's upbringing & mental state & he told him. @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw Dr. Miller answered Qs. Lawyers made arguments. Judge decided. Wealth as an excuse was media invention. @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw Go read the transcript. You're imagining something that @andersoncooper and the media created for you. #sheeple
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@lizbuddie @andersoncooper I'm not sheeple. I believe the victims families. Why are you so in favor of this boy?
— Bridget (@nickelbmw) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw I'm not. I'm in favor of truth. And opposed to lies and defamation. Go figure. @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@lizbuddie @andersoncooper the facts are the boy was drunk driving, speeding, and it wasn't his first go around with drinking and driving.
— Bridget (@nickelbmw) December 13, 2013
@lizbuddie @andersoncooper he didn't learn anything then and I'm doubtful of his ability to learn anything this time.
— Bridget (@nickelbmw) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw Nobody disputes that. Dr. Miller said he wished the kid would have been charged. But he wasn't. They let him off @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@nickelbmw The cops were owned by the alcoholic and abusive father. So the kid was never charged. I wish he had been. @andersoncooper
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
@lizbuddie @andersoncooper I appreciate what you're saying The judge made the decision and it wasn't a good one I don't think it was enough
— Bridget (@nickelbmw) December 13, 2013
It's amazing how easily this crap is lapped up by the lemmings. #moreplease
— lizbuddie (@lizbuddie) December 13, 2013
Bonus exit question:
@lizbuddie Wonder how @JeffreyToobin feels about Ted Kennedy not even being charged when he drowned a woman while driving drunk.
— CatsPolitics (@CatsPolitics) December 13, 2013
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