Judge in ‘affluenza teen’ case tells British paper that critics ‘don’t understand’

The much-maligned judge who sentenced Ethan Couch to probation has finally spoken, albeit briefly.

Retired Judge Jean Boyd reportedly told the London-based Daily Mail Online that “I had all the facts — most people don't. They just don't understand.”

Boyd was widely criticized in December 2013 when she sentenced Couch to 10 years’ probation and intensive therapy after he admitted responsibility —the adult equivalent of pleading guilty — to driving drunk and causing a crash that killed four people.

During testimony, one witness suggested that Couch was a victim of “affluenza,” which was described as a mental state of reckless behavior brought on by affluence and the behavior of his parents.

Boyd said at the time that her decision had nothing do to with the “affluenza” comment and said during sentencing, “Ethan, you are responsible for what you did, not your parents.”

Boyd, 63, has not spoken publicly about his sentence.

A reporter and photographer for the British news organization approached Boyd outside her Fort Worth home. The article does not include the date of the encounter but refers to her “relaxing in the Texas sunshine and doing her shopping.”

Asked whether she regrets handing Couch probation in light of his fleeing to Mexico and being handed over to an adult court and remanded in custody, she said: “No. I have nothing else to say.”

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Judge in ‘affluenza teen’ case tells British paper that critics ‘don’t understand’."