Balloon Incident with boy in Colorado: Real or fraud?

[NoahKokoro]

Sheriff: Charges will be filed in balloon saga - Yahoo! News

I think this settles whether or not they'll be charged, but now there's the question on whether they aren't being charged harsh enough.

[baconbit]

Even though they are being charged it will never hold up in a court. There is not enough evidence to show that it was a hoax. Sure it seems obvious it was but it's not really provable.

In all honesty they're wasting time and money on trying to prove this was a hoax; the boy is safe at home that should be the end of it. There is no need to drag this whole thing out and make proof of a hoax out of things that aren't necessarily so. Plus if this really was a media stunt then why the heck would you go dragging out this whole event, as more media coverage is being given to the family by dragging it out.

[Customizer]

Originally Posted by baconbit

Even though they are being charged it will never hold up in a court. There is not enough evidence to show that it was a hoax. Sure it seems obvious it was but it's not really provable.

In all honesty they're wasting time and money on trying to prove this was a hoax; the boy is safe at home that should be the end of it. There is no need to drag this whole thing out and make proof of a hoax out of things that aren't necessarily so. Plus if this really was a media stunt then why the heck would you go dragging out this whole event, as more media coverage is being given to the family by dragging it out.

Exactly. From what we've read, it seems Falcon just did something stupid by letting the balloon fly off, hiding and having his brothers say he was carried away by the balloon.

[pajamakitten53]

According to the BBC it was a hoax. At least according to the sherrif, they may be charged with conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. And they are looking at a max of 6 years in jail or $500000 fine.

[baconbit]

Originally Posted by pajamakitten53

According to the BBC it was a hoax. At least according to the sherrif, they may be charged with conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. And they are looking at a max of 6 years in jail or $500000 fine.

Like I said it will never hold up in court. His parents very well could have really thought he was in the balloon. His young age shows possible reasons for things he said that made the cops think it was a hoax. The lack of proof of this being a hoax makes charges impossible, plus since the charges are going to be criminal even more proof would be needed. The whole thing is a waste of time and money, as no jury would convict them.

[angelabauer]

Originally Posted by baconbit

Even though they are being charged it will never hold up in a court. There is not enough evidence to show that it was a hoax. Sure it seems obvious it was but it's not really provable.

In all honesty they're wasting time and money on trying to prove this was a hoax; the boy is safe at home that should be the end of it. There is no need to drag this whole thing out and make proof of a hoax out of things that aren't necessarily so. Plus if this really was a media stunt then why the heck would you go dragging out this whole event, as more media coverage is being given to the family by dragging it out.

Does this mean you are planning a career as an attorney? Perhaps after 4 years of pre-law, 3 years of law school and some post-graduation time as a research law clerk, then you might well be in a position to evaluate evidence you have not seen.

Under the law the parents of Balloon Boy are innocent until the contrary is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. At this time we have the statement of the local sheriff. In the near future all the evidence returned under the search warrants, witness statements and officer reports will be presented to a prosecutor. That office will make the decision to file formal charges. They will file if they honestly believe they have the evidence to convict.

I do not practice criminal defense. I am a civil litigator. I am licensed to practice law in Colorado and I am familiar with Fort Collins juries. Let me say that a whole lot of Colorado folks are very upset not so much that National Guard helicopters were flown and that countless public safety people were sent on a wild "space ship" hunt, but rather that the once every two year wheat crop of a small farmer was ruined when the device came to earth.

Criminal prosecution is just the first step. After that there will be civil law suits, to recover the cost of the wheat and repairing that field. Other civil cases will try to recover the public costs. Good luck because apparently that family is without funds.

Certainly the Colorado child protection authorities will be asking probing questions about existing video tape showing the mother of those 3 boys driving a truck with her children chasing tornadoes. Does this act seem to a reasonable person to be gross and reckless child endangerment, a felony under Colorado law? Should these parents be allowed to retain custody of those minor children?

[Chillhouse]

Turns out it was actually a hoax (confirmed):
Charges in 'Balloon Boy' Falcon Heene Case

Richard and Mayumi Heene were shopping for snacks at Walmart with their three sons as Alderden told reporters that the whole thing was a hoax.
Richard Heene told The Associated Press he was "seeking counsel."

"This thing has become so convoluted," Heene said as tears welled in his eyes. He said his wife was holding together better than he was.
The couple's attorney, David Lane, issued a statement later Sunday saying the Heenes were willing to voluntarily turn themselves in to face charges. Lane said he advised the family against making public statements.

Huh. Who'da thunk it?

[baconbit]

Wow the worse thing is if they kept their mouths shut they most likely have gotten away with it.

[wayward1]

wow, what I cant believe is that the media and the rescue people didnt relize that that baloon could never hold a child. and to quote monty python.." its a matter of weight ratios!" lol.
anyone who has ever had a physics class could tell you that thing could never fly with a child.

[Fire2box]

Originally Posted by baconbit

Wow the worse thing is if they kept their mouths shut they most likely have gotten away with it.

They couldn't do that.. they LOVE being on TV and that's what this has got them a big well deserved bite in the freaking ass.

This is many times worse then the gosslin's however.