‘Affluenza’ teen may delay deportation with human rights law

[Archae]

Source: WBAT-TV, ABC affiliate in Green Bay, WI

ORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Lawyers for a Texas teen who cited “affluenza” as a defense in a deadly drunken-driving wreck may be attempting to stall his deportation to the United States by claiming that Mexican authorities violated his human rights, according to legal experts.

Ethan Couch, 18, won a delay in his deportation based on a constitutional appeal in Mexico that could lead to a trial process that could last weeks or even months.

Any flaw in the process of his detention by Mexican immigration authorities can be considered a violation of due process and of his human rights, San Antonio attorney Javier Lopez de Obeso, who is licensed to practice in Mexico, said Thursday.


Read more: http://wbay.com/ap/affluenza-teen-may-delay-deportation-with-human-rights-law/

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Fucking spoiled BRAT!!!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

13. At least they're usually clear about who they work for ...

... unlike most politicians.

[rusty quoin]

2. Poor little affluenza babe. Human rights? Shouldn't he be tortured first?

[7wo7rees]

3. What about the gun they had?

This is a cluster F! This whole affair I believe, with all my heart will not end well for Ethan. At least I pray so. I want just some small degree of justice, that is all. For all the family's lives that have been changed forever. Because this little shit got behind the wheel of a really big truck, drunk off his ass at 16 years of age and plowed into people on the side of the road doing 70 mph.

WTF?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. That issue may have to wait until after the holidays.

I'm sure investigators will try to trace the ownership as well as check any fingerprints. Does the gun clearly belong to Ethan, or a parent?

[7wo7rees]

18. Well, not sure. According to reports, they left it in 1st

room they were in at resort in PV when they had to move to another room. The new occupants of room found it in drawer, like a Gideon bible and immediately called front desk. There has not been anything reported since he picked it up from front desk crew. Hmmmm ?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. I haven't seen details on the story. Who picked up the gun from the front desk?

Did Ethan pick it up? Or his mother?

Yeah, I'm surprised this isn't more of a story.

[7wo7rees]

27. Ethan picked it up from front desk crew. n/t

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

34. Do the police have the gun now?

Or is it somewhere in the Pacific?

It seems kind of dumb for the hotel staff to just hand it over. I'd bet in the U.S., the hotel would probably turn a forgotten gun over to the cops.

[Heeeeers Johnny]

32. ATF can trace it via the serial number to the last known purchaser.

From the manufacturer > distributor > gun shop > buyer.

Even if it was bought from an individual in a private sale, the trail isn't necessarily left cold.

Although I'm willing to wager that people with that kind of wealth, don't usually purchase second hand firearms
without a specific reason (collectible, bargain too good to pass up).

[newfie11]

4. Put him in a regular Mexican jail

Throw away the key.

[Myrddin]

39. Absolutely agree

He would need to sit on an inflatable rubber ring for the rest of his life.

[ck4829]

5. "Mexico violated my rights, please let me stay in Mexico!" OK then

Does affluenza also mean you're too rich to understand how insane you sound?

[beac]

26. He doesn't care how looney he sounds as long as he can run out the clock

on being a juvenile and return to the US after he turns 19 in April, when he won't face any punishment. Honestly cannot understand how that can be, but apparently it's true.

Here's hoping Mexico counters will an illegal firearms prosecution for the gun that asshole was hiding in his hotel room. I cannot imagine the State Department would waste much energy in trying to help him out of that one.

[Helen Borg]

6. Yeah! The right to be an asshole!

[Feeling the Bern]

7. Aren't you supposed to be human to have human rights? This affluenza SOB barely qualifies

as troglodyte.

[Srednas Einreb]

8. The American Society Federation of Troglodytes are on line three...

....something about "Me no Ethan. Ethan yes Blattodea"

[Feeling the Bern]

10. He is the slimy material that comes out of a chicken's back side.

[Srednas Einreb]

11. On that, we agree.

Happy New Year!

[davidpdx]

9. In the long run it is better to see that his rights have not been violated because that takes away

a possible appeal based on that. One way or the other whether it is in Mexico or the US he'll pay for his actions.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

12. Great grounds for appeal!

I think his appeal process should last years, as long as he's in detention somewhere, anywhere.

[NV Whino]

15. Keep him in a Mexican jail without his mommy

I'm okay with that.

[Dems to Win]

22. +1

[philosslayer]

16. I realize the mob is ready to string him up

But we have due process and laws for a reason. And he and his lawyers are perfectly justified in making sure his rights are respected.

[bigworld]

17. If he didn't want to be bound by the Mexican legal system

he shouldn't have to gone to Mexico.

[treestar]

20. +1

And I've seen on DU how it is unfair to poor bin Laden that he didn't get a trial.

[christx30]

24. Seal team six went to

Pakistan ready to arrest bin Laden. If he had surrendered, he would have gotten a trial. But he resisted arrest and bad things happened to him. Not weeping.
The time to fight is in court, and not when you are surrounded by Navy Seals armed with automatic weapons.

[7wo7rees]

28. Really? His rights? I'm speechless! n/t

[philosslayer]

33. Please explain

Yes, he has rights. Do you disagree?

[7wo7rees]

37. Oh for F's sake! Really?

Ethan and his parents have blown through every right they have!

[philosslayer]

38. Yes, really

Our legal system affords us rights, no matter what we've done. I know the emotional reaction is to say that Ethan and his parents have "blown through every right they have", but thats not how our legal system works.

[treestar]

41. They are still subject to the law

That never stops. Even if you are in jail, if you assault another inmate, you are charged with assault and have the right to counsel, etc. If you are assaulted, your assailant will be charged with assault and have the right to counsel, etc. Your air of superiority is uncalled for. You can be upset with this defendant without abrogating the rule of law.

[groundloop]

29. I think there's a difference between due process and milking the system by exploiting loopholes

The claim that Mexico is infringing on his human rights is a bunch of bullshit. He escaped prosecution for murder by the bullshit claim that he never learned right from wrong because he's rich. He violated his parole and fled into Mexico to avoid answering for that parole violation. It's pretty damned obvious he's attempting to prolong his stay in Mexico until his 19th birthday, at which point he can skate away scot-free.

[treestar]

42. If there are loopholes, try to get the legislature

to plug them. What are you advocating? That he be held without hearing and sentenced without hearing?

[a la izquierda]

44. Well, he didn't have a right to possess a gun in Mexico.

So he can stay in jail there if he wants. I'm not sure he'll like it much though.

[Mrs. Ted Nancy]

21. I think there is a cure for 'Affluenza'

Since this kid seems to have a severe case, I think it is necessary for him to face the consequences of his actions.
It may cure, or at least arrest (pun intended) the progression of, his "disease." This "disease" has already cost four people their lives and has injured several others. In the interest of public health, this kid should be sent back to Texas to be "treated." Although the care he is being afforded in Mexico may be having a beneficial effect.

I'm being facetious. Seriously though, his parents and the Texas legal system have done him no favors.

[VMA131Marine]

31. I think the real 'cure' is to make Ethan,

and his rich parents, poor. No chance of affluenza then.

[lark]

23. Two tier system of injustice in America is disgusting.

Also disgusting that this is common in other parts of the world as well. Rich literally get away with murder while poor minorities can be killed with impunity. Sickening.

[shanti]

25. same as it ever was

some things NEVER change.

[lark]

40. I disagree

Seems to me like it's getting worse. A kid kills 4 people with drunk driving and gets off only because he's rich, and that's even the excuse they use, that's worse than previous judgments, IMO. Yes, things were worse until the 50's with the treatment of African Americans in the south, but it got better for a while starting in the 70's and now is worse again when cops kills unarmed black children and get away with it because prosecutors throw the case.

[dhill926]

30. sorry....but I really want bad things to happen...

to this little shitstain....

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

35. So many shitstains ...

... so few bad things happen.

Money talks.

[petronius]

36. I don't understand why he would want to: is a Mexican immigration center

safer or more comfortable than a US adult jail (or wherever he would be kept until the probation hearing)? Other than the difference of where he's being held in the meantime, won't the courts in the US be considering the same questions and reaching the same decisions regardless of when he returns? He can't think he's going to be granted asylum, or get a long-term non-detained residency in Mexico, can he?

[question everything]

43. Hey, at least he is behind bars

Something that did not happen here

[jmowreader]

45. They have due process in Mexico?