FORT COLLINS, Colorado (CNN) - The Colorado couple accused of carrying out a bizarre hoax involving their son and a huge balloon is "not running from the law" and deserves the presumption of innocence, their attorney said Monday.

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/US/10/19/balloon.boy.investigation/art.heene.sheriff.kdvr.jpg caption="Richard Heene has told reporters that a runaway balloon incident involving his son was "absolutely no hoax.""]

"The sheriff having a press conference saying that they're guilty does not make them so," David Lane told CNN's "American Morning."

Authorities say the event - in which the tearful couple claimed their 6-year-old may have been trapped in the flying-saucer-like contraption floating through the air - was staged. Richard and Mayumi Heene had met in a Hollywood acting school and pursued fame for their family in the world of reality TV, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.

Lane, asked Monday by CNN about his client's state of mind, said it was "what you would expect someone's state of mind to be after law enforcement searched your house, seized your property, held a press conference announcing you're about to be charged with felony criminal charges. Your state of mind would be rather upset and you would feel somewhat under siege, which is exactly how the family feels at this point."

• Watch how attorney says family is dealing with hoax allegations
• A peek inside the Heene balloon

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A justice of the peace in Louisiana who has drawn widespread criticism for refusing to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple says he has no regrets about his decision.

"It's kind of hard to apologize for something that you really and truly feel down in your heart you haven't done wrong," Keith Bardwell told CNN affiliate WAFB on Saturday.

The couple at the center of the controversy, Terence McKay and Beth Humphrey-McKay, are now married and fighting to get the justice’s license revoked. They spoke to Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Monday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.

Kiran Chetry: What’s the latest with this justice of the peace who refused to marry you?

Terence McKay: I’m completely still in shock. I’m thankful for the justice of the peace that did marry us.

Beth McKay: I guess he just won't resign, won’t stand down, and he won't apologize. So that's his stance right now.

Chetry: Beth, you were the one that experienced this firsthand, because you spoke to his wife and you were going through the whole rigmarole. You had to say who you were, when you wanted to go there, what your plans were, and then she asked you, “Are you an interracial couple?” How did that happen?

Beth: That's exactly how it happened. At the end of the conversation, she said, “I have a question to ask you. Is this an interracial marriage?” I was shocked, and I said, “Excuse me?” She said, “Is this an interracial marriage?” And I said, “Yes, ma'am.” And she said, “Well, what's the deal? Is he black, are you black?” So I answered her questions and she just said, “Well, we don't do interracial marriages.”

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(CNN) - Three days after the world watched a giant balloon fly through the air as a tearful family expressed fears that their 6-year-old boy could be inside, authorities announced what millions already suspected: The whole thing was staged.

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.investigation/art.balloon.wide.cnn.jpg caption="The balloon is displayed at the sheriff's department in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Sunday. "]

The "Aha!" moment that led authorities to realize what had happened was an interview with the family Thursday night on CNN's "Larry King Live," Sheriff Jim Alderden of Larimer County said Sunday. In the interview with Wolf Blitzer, filling in for King, the Heenes asked their son why he had not come out from hiding when they called his name.

"You guys said we did this for the show," the boy responded.

On Sunday, Alderden called the incident a "hoax," adding that investigators believe the evidence indicates that "it was a publicity stunt" by the family in hopes of "better marketing themselves for a reality television show at some point in the future."

The parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, met in a Hollywood acting school and "put on a very good show for us," Alderden said. Authorities know there was "a conspiracy" between them, he added.

He said charges are expected to be filed in the case.

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French Vogue magazine is famous for pushing the fashion envelope.

A photo spread in this month's edition has triggered outrage in Europe and the U.S. over a white model posing in blackface.

Is it high-fashion or just highly offensive?

So what do you think – Is blackface ever okay?