Originally published on Turnstylenews.com, a digital information service surfacing emerging stories in news, entertainment, art and culture; powered by award-winning journalists .
By: Jerome Campbell
Screen grab of a recent KHOU news broadcast, which aired an interview with "Angel"
Authorities in Houston, Texas, continue to investigate a woman who claimed her psychic visions conjured the location of a mass grave. What some are calling a hoax is reminiscent of 2009's Balloon Boy case. Will this psychic, only known as "Angel," get jail time just like the Heenes of "Balloon Boy" fame?
Law officials spent hours early this week searching for what "Angel" claimed was a mass grave of 25-to-30 dismembered bodies, some of which she said were children, but came up with nothing. The psychic was either wrong or lying.
While she may not have been out for the fame, it appears "Angel" may have to pay for her vision. "When you make a false statement to the government and they spend resources, that is a crime," says Texas Attorney Angel Reyes. "But that is a worst case scenario," he adds.
Richard Heene got the world to watch two years ago as his son Falcon allegedly floated in a helium balloon in the upper atmosphere of the surrounding Fort Collins, Colorado, area. Soon after the "Ballon Boy" was revealed to be hiding in the attic. A slip up on live television led to Richard and Mayumi Heene getting charged with false reporting to authorities. Richard received a sentence of 90 days and a $42,000 fine, while his wife Mayumi received a 20 day sentence.
"The big difference between this and the 'Balloon Boy' hoax is that the father knew what he was doing," Reyes explains. According to the Texas Penal Code, she could receive similar charges as the Heenes if prosecutors can prove that she intentionally knew that her vision was false.
Prosecutors have not yet decided if they will prosecute her for her false vision, but Reyes believes she may not escape her charges unless people believe her mystic powers. "At the end of the day, it is up to prosecutors to decide to use this information. In her defense, she will claim that she just got it wrong and depending on her jury, they may believe that."
Will this self-proclaimed "prophet" foresee a jail sentence and a heavy fine?
Related posts:
Powered by award-winning journalists, Turnstyle is a digital information service, surfacing emerging stories in news, entertainment, art and culture. Turnstylenews.com