WARNING: The most enraging trial (literally) you will ever read about. "Affluenza" is now a dismiss-able reason for manslaughter?

[Dwn4BassAlan]

Try to contain yourselves while reading this, lord know I almost punched a hole through my monitor.

A North Texas teen from an well-to-do family was sentenced to probation this week after he killed four pedestrians when he lost control of his speeding pickup truck while driving drunk, a punishment that outraged the victims' families and left prosecutors disappointed.

The 16-year-old boy was sentenced Tuesday in a Fort Worth juvenile court to 10 years of probation after he confessed to intoxication manslaughter in the June 15 crash on a dark rural road.

To the defense, the youth is himself a victim -- of "affluenza," according to one psychologist -- the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for the boy.

Prosecutors had sought the maximum 20 years in state custody for the teen, but his attorneys appealed to state District Judge Jean Boyd that the teenager needed rehabilitation not prison, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

If the boy continues to be cushioned by his family's wealth, another tragedy is inevitable, prosecutor Richard Alpert said in court.

"There can be no doubt that he will be in another courthouse one day blaming the lenient treatment he received here," Alpert said.

Authorities said the teen and friends were seen on surveillance video stealing two cases of beer from a store. He had seven passengers in his Ford F-350, was speeding and had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit, according to testimony during the trial. His pickup truck slammed into the four pedestrians, killing Brian Jennings, a 43-year-old Burleson youth minister; Breanna Mitchell of Lillian, 24; Shelby Boyles, 21; and her 52-year-old mother, Hollie Boyles. Another person who didn't die is no longer able to speak due to brain injuries.

Boyd said the programs available in the Texas juvenile justice system may not provide the kind of intensive therapy the teen could receive at a rehabilitation center near Newport Beach, Calif., that was suggested by his defense attorneys. The parents would pick up the tab for the center, at a cost of more than $450,000 a year for treatment at a high-end rehab facility.

Relatives of those killed in the accident drew little comfort from that assurance. Eric Boyles, who lost his wife and daughter, said the family's wealth helped the teen avoid incarceration.

"Money always seems to keep you out of trouble," Boyles said. "Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail. If you had been any other youth, I feel like the circumstances would have been different."

Shaunna Jennings, the minister's widow, said her family had forgiven the teen, but believed a sterner punishment was needed.

"You lived a life of privilege and entitlement, and my prayer is that it does not get you out of this," she said. "My fear is that it will get you out of this."

What are your thoughts?

Lol, this is not meant to brag; but if I was able to grow up with as much leniency and spend as much of my moms money as I could, without ever killing someone or even doing anything remotely that retarded, this case is complete BS. Affluenza? Are they joking?

I'm almost at a loss for words for this.

[TylerParrish]

If a boy gets away with 4 murders because his family is rich, I no longer have any thoughts of hope for this country.

[Skullz]

Sucks for all the victims families to see such a ridiculous sentence handed down to someone.

So much to say but i will leave it at that.

[hatch]

blows my mind what people can get away with these days.

[Dwn4BassAlan]

right? so, besides driving 7 of his friends illegally, drinking underage, driving under the influence with 3x the legal limit, and theft/stealing on camera which are all jail-able offenses in themselves except driving friends illegally, he KILLS 4 people and PERMANENTLY brain damages a guy who will never speak again..............................................

I actually don't have words for it. I'm just too mesmerized at the stupidity of the legal system.

[HowLowCanYouGo]

Are you fucking kidding me. That fucking murderer should be rotting away in prison right now.

[lifted_silverado]

Hes been spoiled all his life, lets send him to a half million dollar a year vacation in california where they probably fucking serve champagne at brunch. Someone should kick the shit out of this kid.

[Dwn4BassAlan]

God if I ever had money like that and my kid did something like that, you can guarantee I would personally throw them into the prison cell. Being family doesn't make you any less of a murderer.

[baron_of_bass]

And they say California is going to shit

[Tecomah]

I am so done.