You are missing the entire point. Auto theft does not trump murder charges, ever (unless a large amount of money happens to change hands). I don’t care if he stole the truck or not. We all know that the other kid, didn’t come from a rich family, who gave him his own car at age 13. That doesn’t make Ethan Couch better then the other kid, just because he is richer. Ethan Couch stole beer from a Walmart, so he is not beyond stealing, if thats what he has to do to get what he wants. The ONLY difference in the two cases was the amount of money their parents had, and the fact that one kid got his own car at age 13.
The contention was made that the judge made a totally reasonable and logical ruling. Whoever believes that I challenge you to find another case where a judge sentenced someone to 20 years for DUI manslaughter, but suspended the sentence, because they didn’t steal a car in the commission of the crime. If you can find another case like that I will guarantee you that money played a roll in that case too.