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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Balloon family 'ready for arrest' | Balloon family 'ready for arrest' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US couple accused of faking the disappearance of their son in a weather balloon are ready to turn themselves in to police, their lawyer says. | The US couple accused of faking the disappearance of their son in a weather balloon are ready to turn themselves in to police, their lawyer says. |
| David Lane said he shortly expected police in Colorado to bring charges against his client, Richard Heene. | David Lane said he shortly expected police in Colorado to bring charges against his client, Richard Heene. |
| "These folks are absolutely willing to turn themselves in, so I don't want to see a 'perp walk' done for media consumption," Mr Lane told NBC TV. | "These folks are absolutely willing to turn themselves in, so I don't want to see a 'perp walk' done for media consumption," Mr Lane told NBC TV. |
| Mr Heene and wife Mayumi are accused of planning the hoax as a publicity stunt. | Mr Heene and wife Mayumi are accused of planning the hoax as a publicity stunt. |
| The disappearance of their son, six-year-old Falcon Heene, became a media drama, but he was later found at home. | The disappearance of their son, six-year-old Falcon Heene, became a media drama, but he was later found at home. |
| His parents appeared on several TV networks with Falcon and his two brothers to talk about the incident and insist it had not been staged. | His parents appeared on several TV networks with Falcon and his two brothers to talk about the incident and insist it had not been staged. |
| Acting abilities | Acting abilities |
| Official details of any charges the Heenes might face have not yet been made public. | Official details of any charges the Heenes might face have not yet been made public. |
| However, Sheriff Jim Alderden said on Sunday that charges might include conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. | However, Sheriff Jim Alderden said on Sunday that charges might include conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. |
| Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (£305,000) fine. | Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (£305,000) fine. |
| We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between husband and wife Sheriff Jim Alderden Profile: 'Balloon Boy' family | We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between husband and wife Sheriff Jim Alderden Profile: 'Balloon Boy' family |
| Sheriff Alderden said that at first the parents' acting abilities had made them appear credible to the police. | Sheriff Alderden said that at first the parents' acting abilities had made them appear credible to the police. |
| But it had become clear when the son referred to his hiding as part of "a show" during a television interview that they were not telling the truth. | But it had become clear when the son referred to his hiding as part of "a show" during a television interview that they were not telling the truth. |
| Sheriff Alderden said the authorities were investigating whether anyone else may have been involved, including a media outlet that may have been in on the hoax. | Sheriff Alderden said the authorities were investigating whether anyone else may have been involved, including a media outlet that may have been in on the hoax. |
| "We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between the husband and wife, you've probably seen some of the e-mails and some of the things on the internet suggesting that there may be other conspirators," he told reporters. | "We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between the husband and wife, you've probably seen some of the e-mails and some of the things on the internet suggesting that there may be other conspirators," he told reporters. |
| Investigators have said they want to question Robert Thomas, an associate of Mr Heene's from Denver, who provided the website Gawker.com with e-mail exchanges in which he and Mr Heene talk about a possible balloon stunt to promote a proposed reality TV show. | Investigators have said they want to question Robert Thomas, an associate of Mr Heene's from Denver, who provided the website Gawker.com with e-mail exchanges in which he and Mr Heene talk about a possible balloon stunt to promote a proposed reality TV show. |
| Police have searched the house of Richard and Mayumi Heene for evidence that the family was hoping to use the incident to obtain a lucrative contract for such a show. | Police have searched the house of Richard and Mayumi Heene for evidence that the family was hoping to use the incident to obtain a lucrative contract for such a show. |
| The family has made previous appearances on a US reality show, Wife Swap. | The family has made previous appearances on a US reality show, Wife Swap. |
| Other conspirators? | Other conspirators? |
| US news networks devoted hours of live coverage to the drama on Thursday after it was reported the boy might be in a balloon floating high over Colorado. | US news networks devoted hours of live coverage to the drama on Thursday after it was reported the boy might be in a balloon floating high over Colorado. |
| The sheriff accused the Heenes of staging a publicity stunt | The sheriff accused the Heenes of staging a publicity stunt |
| Denver International Airport was temporarily shut down during the incident. | Denver International Airport was temporarily shut down during the incident. |
| When the balloon landed in fields there was no trace of him, prompting a major ground search and further fears for his safety. | When the balloon landed in fields there was no trace of him, prompting a major ground search and further fears for his safety. |
| The sheriff said the police may seek compensation for the time wasted. | The sheriff said the police may seek compensation for the time wasted. |
| He did not give an estimate, though the Associated Press news agency said the cost of two police helicopters sent out on a rescue mission was $14,500 (£8,900). | He did not give an estimate, though the Associated Press news agency said the cost of two police helicopters sent out on a rescue mission was $14,500 (£8,900). |
| The boy, his two brothers and his parents gave numerous TV interviews late on Thursday and early Friday. Falcon was twice sick on camera. | The boy, his two brothers and his parents gave numerous TV interviews late on Thursday and early Friday. Falcon was twice sick on camera. |
| US MEDIA REACTION | |
| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Cynthia Tucker asks how far people will go in search of fame. | |
| The desperate desire for celebrity - of any sort - has long been a dominant feature of our culture, no matter how ignoble or notorious the acts people may have to pull off for their 15 minutes of fame... But, if the police are right, the culture may have reached a new low in which parents involve their children in huge lies with huge consequences. | |
| Steve Haigh, writing for INDenverTimes.com, believes the Heenes are playing for big stakes. | |
| If this were a game of Texas hold 'em, the Heene family would have just gone all in... In this hand of poker, the winner collects the most face time on television and the Internet. But while the attention is satisfying, the Heenes must think the ultimate jackpot is the lucrative book deal or movie rights or reality TV series. They're after the big money, and they're willing to gamble not only with their individual freedom and finances, but also with the emotional future of their young children. | |
| Scott Collins and Nicholas Riccardi, of the Los Angeles Times, look at the media's role. | |
| Children's advocates warn that reality-TV producers and news organizations are exploiting children from exotic backgrounds for higher ratings. In the 'balloon boy' case, TV news was rewarded for sticking with the story: As the drama unfolded Thursday afternoon, the cable news networks logged ratings roughly double their usual averages, according to the Nielsen Co. | |
| Writing for the New York Daily News, David Hinckley speculates that the Heene family may get their own show. | |
| If you think the Heene family's Balloon Boy stunt was too bizarre and disturbing even to catch the eye of 'reality' TV, think again. |