01-13-2016, 09:27 PM
I saw that in the print news too, FAHQTOO. The article stated that the judge ordered Tonya Couch to undergo a mental examination within 30 days because the court had reason to believe she might have a mental illness or be mentally retarded.
It wasn't noted whether that "reason to believe" stemmed from her attorneys making the claim or whether the judge just figured, "man, this bitch seems retarded." There's a gag order in the case now, so no detailed explanation was given.
I don't think the judge had much choice about lowering her bond. It would have been very difficult to justify keeping it at $1 million considering she no longer has much money, she's not accused of being a violent criminal, she no longer has a passport and thus isn't considered a high flight risk. I'll bet the Sheriff's department is keeping close tabs anyway.
I'm glad the judge put very tight restrictions on her bond conditions though: she's got to wear an ankle bracelet and live on 24-hour house arrest with her adult son's family, she can't have alcohol or drugs (she'll be tested regularly), she can't associate with bad actors, she has to report in once a week, and she can't own or possess a firearm. If she violates the bond conditions, she'll be even more screwed. Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/12/us/texas-a...nya-couch/
It wasn't noted whether that "reason to believe" stemmed from her attorneys making the claim or whether the judge just figured, "man, this bitch seems retarded." There's a gag order in the case now, so no detailed explanation was given.
I don't think the judge had much choice about lowering her bond. It would have been very difficult to justify keeping it at $1 million considering she no longer has much money, she's not accused of being a violent criminal, she no longer has a passport and thus isn't considered a high flight risk. I'll bet the Sheriff's department is keeping close tabs anyway.
I'm glad the judge put very tight restrictions on her bond conditions though: she's got to wear an ankle bracelet and live on 24-hour house arrest with her adult son's family, she can't have alcohol or drugs (she'll be tested regularly), she can't associate with bad actors, she has to report in once a week, and she can't own or possess a firearm. If she violates the bond conditions, she'll be even more screwed. Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/12/us/texas-a...nya-couch/