By GottaLaff
I am so sick and tired of the Balloon Boy story, but here he is, the Colorado sheriff on the Tee Vee Machine. Liveblog (update... some of this reporting seems contradictory... is it me?Blog title changed to reflect updates):
"It's become known as the balloon boy hoax... It has been determined this was a hoax, a publicity stunt to ... get on a reality show in the future."
"Insufficent evidence for a criminal prosecution." [Note: I think he means right now, not until after further investigation]
"We now know it was not capable of lifting off... "
"It was plausible to believe that this event occurred.... the family granted us free access to house, to children.... to talk to him... suggested that it was a real deal."
"After the fact, we learned that these people were actors... they met in acting school in Hollywood. They put on a very good show... for us..."
"On Larry King Show... we had the 'aha' moment... the "put on a show" quote. It became clear to us that they were lying. We had to develop a strategy to get to the bottom of this. The only way... was if we got a confession. We had to get somebody talking... "
"It was important that they maintain their trust for us... that they believe that we were on their side still... so we could get them in here voluntarily... to conduct an interview on our turf...."
"We [had] to separate them, interview them separately... take a polygraph... to get the media frenzy off their back.... ultimately with the goal of getting a confession..."
"Had we run a polygraph under these circumstances [with them stressed out] would have been invalid... so we waited..." [paraphrased]
"While he was here, we had investigators go to the house to talk to [his wife]. She volunteered to come to sheriff's office for more interviews..."
"One thing you're not gonna like: There's a rule in Colorado... called Rule 3.6 and 3.8.... We are not allowed to talk about the results of the scientific evidence.... whether the polygraph was administered, and if it was, whether truthful or deceptive... or if anyone confessed."
"We did get enough probable cause for a search... [he lists what was covered in search]."
"At this point we have not filed charges. We need to regroup."
"Still an ongoing investigation... have to look at all the documents... We believe we will at some point... recommend conspiracy, contributing to delinquency of minor, false reporting.. influence a public servant. " [Some are felonies] And one about endangering public transportation, we don't have enough for that.
Talking to FBI, FAA about federal charges... if appropriate."
"Restitution, because we should have viable criminal case: We will seek restitution, but no dollar amount for man hours."
Conspiracy charges to be filed... contributing to delinquency of minor...
"The Heenes considered a flight risk, but felony warrants will follow them.
On bizarre meter,this rates a 10."
Children will likely face no criminal charges.
It was a planned event for at least 2 weeks, to launch craft to get publicity. Plan: To create situation that made it look like his life was in jeopardy... to get notoriety, further career, get reality TV show...
We have serious doubts that he spent time in the garage... That's the story still presented to us, that he was in the attic. For all we know he could have been 2 blocks down the road at the park.
They're investigating whether children's services will remove children from home.
Class 4 felony, 2-6 years, up to $500K... per count. That's the highest count they're looking at. Attempting to influence a public official is a Class 4. Decision for courts.
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