Lawyers for Ethan Couch say they’re investigating whether the 18-year-old fled to Mexico, or was taken there against his will. Couchs attorney in Mexico didnt return messages.
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But members of the national advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving are planning to be in attendance during today’s hearing. He is now in an immigration detention center in Mexico City and has appealed his deportation.
They want to see Couch’s case moved to adult court to ensure his probation extends beyond his 19th birthday, which is April 19th.
Authorities allege that Ethan Couch and his mother fled to Mexico in December as Texas prosecutors investigated whether he violated his probation in the 2013 drunken-driving case after a video surfaced that appeared to show him at a party where people were drinking. The goal was to get a total of 30,000 signatures before the January 19 court date, but that goal was reached within 24 hours.
Ethan Couch’s attorney, Scott Brown, said after a hearing in the case that whether his client “was voluntarily or involuntarily taken to Mexico is something that is still being investigated”.
A hearing is scheduled Tuesday morning to determine whether or not the case against affluenza teen Ethan Couch will remain in juvenile court. The 48-year-old was released on bond last week in Texas.
Couch avoided jail time two years ago after his attorneys successfully argued the rich kid suffered from “affluenza”, and his spoiled upbringing meant he didn’t understand the consequences of his actions because his parents never set limits. The condition is not recognized as a medical diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association, and its invocation drew widespread ridicule.
Law enforcement officials say Tonya and Ethan fled to Mexico after a video surfaced that appeared to show the teen at a party drinking alcohol.
When the pair was arrested, Ethan Couch appeared to have tried to disguise himself by dyeing his blond hair black and his beard brown, according to investigators. Another probation violation could bring up to 40 years in prison, legal sources said.
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Tonya Couch was charged this month in Tarrant County with a third-degree felony for helping her son flee.
