Lawyers for "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch say he could be headed home to North Texas within the next few weeks, in time for a hearing on whether to transfer him to adult court.
Couch's attorneys said in a statement released Wednesday that, as they understood it, his counsel in Mexico was filing paperwork to terminate the ongoing Mexican immigration proceedings, which would result in his return to the United States within a few weeks.
American attorneys Scott Brown and William Reagan Wynn said they anticipate Couch will be present at the proceedings in the 323rd Judical District Court and that any transfer ordered by that court would take effect on his 19th birthday in April.
His first hearing on the matter was delayed because his mother, Tonya Couch, was not properly notified of the hearing.
Eighteen-year-old Couch was serving 10 years of probation for a drunken driving crash that killed four people in 2013 when he fled to Mexico with his mother. The two were captured last month and his mother was deported to the U.S., but Couch remains detained in Mexico City.
Couch's attorneys invoked an "affluenza" defense during his trial for the deadly crash, blaming their client's privileged upbringing for his irresponsible actions. The condition is not recognized as a medical diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association, and its invocation drew widespread ridicule.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving launched an online petition to demand that Couch's case be moved to adult court.
U.S. & World
Couch's mother, who was released from jail last week, has been charged with hindering the apprehension of a felon and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Letter from Ethan Couch's Attorneys
Statement of Scott Brown and Wm Reagan Wynn 1 20 16 (Text)
