Ethan Couch, who turned 19 on Monday, was 16 at the time of the incident. He had fled to Mexico with his mother in December 2015 after being filmed at a party, drinking alcohol and violating the terms of his 10-year probation.
During Couch’s trial in juvenile court in 2013, a psychologist claimed he was so coddled by his rich parents he did not know the difference between right and wrong. The psychologist described him as being a victim of "affluenza," a term whose definition and usage sparked outrage across the nation.
It was also revealed that taxpayers footed the bill for the court-ordered rehabilitation of the teen. The year-long treatment is costing the people of Texas $150,000, after his parents claimed they could not afford it.
On Wednesday, state District Judge Wayne Salvant sentenced Couch to 180 days for each of the four deaths.
Couch is not charged with fleeing to Mexico, but his mother is. Tonya Couch is currently on house arrest after being charged with hindering the apprehension of a felon. She is facing the possibility of two to 10 years in prison if convicted. Salvant will be the judge in her case as well.
