Is the ‘affluenza’ psychologist being mischaracterized?

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411302392311738368

Ethan Couch was sentenced in Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday to 10 years’ probation, though he faced up to 20 years behind bars. Outrage over the case of the 16-year-old drunk driver who killed four people has made the case national news. Nearly every news outlet, though, has focused on the term “affluenza” in its coverage, suggesting that the “defense” in the case (Couch pleaded guilty) argued that wealth and a privileged life were to blame for Couch’s deadly irresponsibility.

WFAA-TV reports:

Prior to sentencing, a psychologist called by the defense, Dr. G. Dick Miller,  testified that Couch’s life could be salvaged with one to two years’ treatment and no contact with his parents.

…

Miller said Couch’s parents gave him “freedoms no young person should have.” He called Couch a product of “affluenza,” where his family felt that wealth bought privilege and there was no rational link between behavior and consequences.

Lawyer Liz Buddie, however, believes the “affluenza” hook that has driven the coverage, both liberal and conservative, is misrepresentative of the actual court case and how it played out, and she’s letting the media know by coming to the defense of Miller.

First on trial for malpractice: Dr. Drew.

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411062050232619008

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411063258326368256

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411066581515378688

Dr. Drew wasn’t the only offender.

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411264428814778369

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411264787771711488

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411264955594190848

Dr. Miller is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411265534378770432

Of course Anderson Cooper weighed in on the “affluenza” case as well.

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411300662945648640

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411302009896071168

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411303528687099904

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411304282793574400

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411306273989091328

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411307226683281410

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411312212481830912

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411314787427942400

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411315286088749056

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411315948134486017

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411316308957868032

Yes, Fox is in the doghouse too.

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411317801585238016

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411319113789632512

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411319849512484864

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411327592247984129

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411339486480461824

http://twitter.com/#!/nickelbmw/status/411340746550030336

http://twitter.com/#!/nickelbmw/status/411342146344472577

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411343249547096065

http://twitter.com/#!/nickelbmw/status/411344295275155456

http://twitter.com/#!/nickelbmw/status/411345148585340928

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411345660206542849

http://twitter.com/#!/nickelbmw/status/411346765799895041

http://twitter.com/#!/lizbuddie/status/411343558701228032

Bonus exit question:

http://twitter.com/#!/CatsPolitics/status/411376090293473280

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/12/13/is-the-affluenza-psychologist-being-mischaracterized/

Is the ‘affluenza’ psychologist being mischaracterized?

affluenza, Dr. Miller, ethan couch, G. Dick Miller