4 dead, 2 seriously injured, no jail time

**MaFioSo** · 12-11-13, 10:55 PM

Apparently the other two surviving victims remain paralyzed.

Ethan Couch crash: Drink driving teen who killed four is spared jail 'because he's rich' | Mail Online

**-Lazarus-** · 12-11-13, 11:31 PM

Like I said, the civil lawsuit will mete out justice, though not enough. These parents will lose everything.

**MaFioSo** · 12-11-13, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by -Lazarus-

Like I said, the civil lawsuit will mete out justice, though not enough. These parents will lose everything.

I'm not sure it works that way. Juries and judges look at the victims damages, not necessarily the net worth of the defendant. I'm sure the damages will be a lot but a court is not going to make a defendant hand over all of his money just because he has a lot. The courts interest is in making sure that the victims are compensated for there damages - which may or may not be a significant financial burden for the defendant in this case.

**BigHub** · 12-12-13, 01:48 AM

Considering two of the victims are paralyzed, I would venture to guess the civil suit will be a very hefty amount... Then add onto the amount they will have to pay to the families of those that actually died. It will be A LOT.

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**BigHub** · 12-12-13, 01:51 AM

Or it SHOULD be A lot.

Pain & suffering, loss of life, lost wages, etc...

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**MaFioSo** · 12-12-13, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by BigHub

Or it SHOULD be A lot.

Pain & suffering, loss of life, lost wages, etc...

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Yes it most likely will be a lot to us. However, it may be a small amount for the defendant in comparison with his net worth.

**deputyfestus** · 12-12-13, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Bunni

wow, apparently money trumps justice....

disguisting

Unfortunately it usually does.

**deathgodusmc** · 12-12-13, 06:42 AM

The civil suit will end in nothing. Not because its the right thing but because their lawyer will be top notch with the man power to bury them.

**-Lazarus-** · 12-12-13, 07:24 AM

We'll have to see. But being rich does usually make this worse. The jury usually is who awards the damages. All they need to see is photos of the crime scene, autopsy photos and the victims' relatives on the stand. No lawyer could prevent a huge settlement in the tens if not hundreds of millions in a trial, and as far as I know there are no tort reforms covering this sort of lawsuit. I suppose if the family is billionaires it will not affect them but I expect it will.

Trust me, the victims' families will be very, very well represented by lawyers who will get 1/3 of any settlement or award. Not to mention there will probably be a separate trial for each family affected.