CO - Richard & Mayumi Heene charged in Balloon Boy hoax, Fort Collins, 2009 - #1

[Lexiintoronto]

Tinfoil, tarps, duct tape and string... a hoax in the making for 2 weeks. What a jerk...

<respectfully bolded by me> Those are also the items used in most murders - I guess we're lucky that we're talking about a crime about a balloon. He looks like a crime waiting to happen.

 

[Kimster]

My apologies to the posters who said in the beginning that this was a hoax. I couldn't believe people would do that sort of thing!

What is wrong with families today? Poor kids!!!

 

[smart blonde]

If indeed this was a publicity stunt, and I believe it was, I am happy that law enforcement will be charging them with anything and everything possible.

I am so angered when I think of all the time, money and resources their little farce abused. They were stealing from people who will have real situations in the future, who will have a real need to be rescued.

Also, teaching your children to lie as they did (to the world, through the media, no less), is disgusting.

I am so glad they parent's little plan for quick fame and fortune has backfired on them.

The sheriff said, "The department has concerns about the possibilty of domestic violence in the family". (Link is on the other thread).

Even before I watched the body language expert analyze the video, I got a bad feeling/ impression from Richard Heene's movements after Falcon made his statement.
I think this father has some serious anger issues.

 

[Linda7NJ]

http://trueslant.com/whitneylittle/...dent-a-hoax-heene-children-officially-doomed/


The most disturbing part of this story is the fact that these parents coached all three boys to tell a lie — not just to the crowd of reporters, but to the authorities. These children need a miracle if they’re going to become responsible, functioning adults who don’t constantly seek attention from any cameras lurking nearby.
Children need parents who value their well-being; unfortunately for the Heene boys, they’ve been raised in a household that instead values attention at any cost.
Watch below as Falcon demonstrates how effectively he’s been taught to sell his soul for “the show.”

 

[Muffet]

That poor baby threw up on the interview. Wonder what the parents did or said to him to have him that upset. That baby did NOTHING wrong he was doing what his parents told him to do. I hope CPS does investigate IMO it is emoctional abuse having your children go along with this or asking them to.

ITA Can you imagine what it did to those boys - emotionally and morally - to sit through those interviews with their father, knowing he was lying and requiring them to lie with him?

You could almost tell what was going on in thier minds and what types they were by watching...

The littlest one just seemed hyper and didn't really understand the implications, until the next day, at least. I worry about what an earful he got after the LKL show.

The middle one gave me the impression of a kid trying hard to think about other things...

But the eldest, quiet one seemed disturbed by it all. You could see his mind reeling as he watched his dad talk.

 

[Quiche]

Yes! He really is hinky, isn't he? He didn't seem as worried as he should, and might as well have been a paid pro PR rep with the way he was painting the family and Richard in particular.

He might just be in denial, but if he knows them as well as he seems to, he has a very strange idea of what makes for a "great guy" and "well-adjusted kids." :crazy:

Here's a video him and, I'm assuming, his wife, titled
"Heene Neighbor: 'Appalled' by Hoax Accusations" -
http://video.ap.org/?t=By Section/U.S.&p=&f=FLTAM&g=1016dv_balloon_neighbors

(It's followed by some of the sheriff's presser.)

Thank you for this link, Muffet! Yeah, that Mark F. fellow is the one that has my hinky meter up-- when the event was happening live, they had an interview with him as well. Too "pro Richard" to be completely objective imo.

 

[Kimster]

I haven't seen this anywhere yet, but have the producers of "Wife Swap" said anything? Did they see any indication of domestic violence? I wish I would have seen that episode and what the "other wife" felt about living there for two weeks.

 

[angeleleven]

Fox News reports.....the Sheriff has lost all credibility/crossing the line with the public and media in believing their story when all along he knew that it was a hoax. I suppose he went along with it to get more information. He admitted one media outlet was in on the truth. O'Reilly will be interviewing the Sheriff tomorrow night on Fox.

 

[angeleleven]

I haven't seen this anywhere yet, but have the producers of "Wife Swap" said anything? Did they see any indication of domestic violence? I wish I would have seen that episode and what the "other wife" felt about living there for two weeks.

Just reported on Fox News that on one 911 call, that the wife had cuts/bruises on one eye, but nothing became of it. I guess she didn't pursue with charges.

 

[Kimster]

Just reported on Fox News that on one 911 call, that the wife had cuts/bruises on one eye, but nothing became of it. I guess she didn't pursue with charges.

Yes, I read that report and thank you for bringing it up again.

My question was more specifically about the producers of "Wife Swap" and whether or not anything seemed hinky to them.

 

[Muffet]

Yes Quiche, like the farmer whose wheat crop was damaged with all the rescue vehicles driving out in it when the balloon came down. They might not have the wherewithall to settle a suit, but at least it would be of record against the Henee's.

Poor man. I really hope he gets compensated for his loss. I'd rather see any money Richard scrapes up go to him than to paying fines.

Maybe a civil suit from him could tie up any future money Richard could make from publicity?

It would be great if a good civil lawyer would step up to the plate and represent him pro-bono to assure that.

Of course, the skeptic in me expects the first pro-bono lawyers we'll see will be publicity-seeking criminal defense attys for Richard. :sheesh:

 

[Lexiintoronto]

I haven't seen this anywhere yet, but have the producers of "Wife Swap" said anything? Did they see any indication of domestic violence? I wish I would have seen that episode and what the "other wife" felt about living there for two weeks.

In one of the clips of 'wife swap', he throws a sandwich and then a glass of milk at the 'other wife' and a producer has to step in.

(okay, I officially know too much about these crazy people. Will get back to housework now )

 

[Spawngasm]

I'm wondering which media outlet was also involved in this hoax.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Thank you for this link, Muffet! Yeah, that Mark F. fellow is the one that has my hinky meter up-- when the event was happening live, they had an interview with him as well. Too "pro Richard" to be completely objective imo.

I found this
Marc Friedland, the family's next-door neighbor, said he saw Richard Heene working on the giant Mylar balloon in the backyard.

Learn more about airborne balloons »
"Basically, the whole family was out there and they were working with it," he said. "When I came back is when I found out that the event happened."
He said the aircraft was intended to hover around 20 feet in the air and was not intended to carry people.
"Obviously, something went wrong with that."
Friedland described his neighbors as "a great family."

​

"They're unusual, yes, of course. He's sort of a scientist-slash-inventor. They're storm chasers -- they go after tornadoes, hurricanes, things like that," he said.

"He's a great kid," Friedland said of Falcon. "We see him a lot and they come over and they're always friendly."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/15/colorado.boy.balloon/index.html

IMO He was lying. Anyone who spent more than 10 minutes with that obnoxious child could not walk away and and say he's a "great kid." Or call the rest of them a "great family"

 

[Kimster]

In one of the clips of 'wife swap', he throws a sandwich and then a glass of milk at the 'other wife' and a producer has to step in.

(okay, I officially know too much about these crazy people. Will get back to housework now )

Oh my gosh! I've watched a few episodes of "Wife Swap" and never saw THAT happen before, that's for sure! So he couldn't even maintain control with cameras on him for a two week period of time?

Me thinks his wife and kids need a safety shelter!!!

 

[BuzzieCat]

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/2...40/Father-s-drive-propels-Heenes--say-friends

SNIP:

"He attacked me and shoved toilet paper down my throat," Slusser said. "The camera man had to pull him off me. I thought, 'This is too over the top.' At that moment, I felt like he was no longer acting."

 

[Capri]

I'm wondering which media outlet was also involved in this hoax.

not a legitimate one

The sheriff wouldn't say, but indicated it was not a "news" outlet, but more of a reality tv type

 

[Kimster]

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/2...40/Father-s-drive-propels-Heenes--say-friends

SNIP:

"He attacked me and shoved toilet paper down my throat," Slusser said. "The camera man had to pull him off me. I thought, 'This is too over the top.' At that moment, I felt like he was no longer acting."

In Oregon, that's grounds for having him arrested for assault!!!!

 

[BuzzieCat]

http://trueslant.com/whitneylittle/...dent-a-hoax-heene-children-officially-doomed/

The most disturbing part of this story is the fact that these parents coached all three boys to tell a lie — not just to the crowd of reporters, but to the authorities. These children need a miracle if they’re going to become responsible, functioning adults who don’t constantly seek attention from any cameras lurking nearby.
Children need parents who value their well-being; unfortunately for the Heene boys, they’ve been raised in a household that instead values attention at any cost.
Watch below as Falcon demonstrates how effectively he’s been taught to sell his soul for “the show.”

If my ears do not deceive me, Mr. Heene claims that on the tape you can see Falcon climb into the jiffy pop thing. Hoo boy.

 

[SuziQ]

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/2...40/Father-s-drive-propels-Heenes--say-friends

SNIP:

"He attacked me and shoved toilet paper down my throat," Slusser said. "The camera man had to pull him off me. I thought, 'This is too over the top.' At that moment, I felt like he was no longer acting."

Omg, this guy is not a scientist or intellegent. He's an overgrown 5th grade bully.

Gosh, he reminds me of that movie that Harrison Ford was in. The name escapes me at the moment. Anyone remember that movie?