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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bomber's Parents Visit Him in Reno, Nevada Jail

Aired May 10, 2002 - 05:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the United States now for the latest on the smiley face pipe bombing case. Luke Helder's mother says her 21-year-old son asked her, "Do you think I'll go to jail because of this?" The college student will learn more about the seriousness of the case against him beginning today.

CNN's Martin Savidge reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Three days before Mother's Day, the parents of accused mailbox bomber Luke Helder had a painful family reunion.

CAMERON HELDER, SUSPECT'S FATHER: We are here to see our son in his hour of need. We told him we love him. I feel better, a lot better after speaking to him.

SAVIDGE: The face to face meeting followed an anguishing odyssey taking Helder's mother and father from their small town in Minnesota to a jail outside Reno, Nevada.

SHERIFF DENNIS BALAAM, WASHOE COUNTY, NEVADA: Any meeting of this type where you have two parents and a sibling, I think it's very difficult. This is a complete surprise to them and I think it's a huge emotional situation here.

SAVIDGE: The visit was said to be part of a deal made between the FBI and Luke Helder as authorities were closing in on him. Talking to federal agents on a cell phone, Helder asked he not be harmed and that he be allowed to see his parents. The couple came to Reno full of questions, but drained of emotion.

HELDER: It's already been very hard on us and our heart goes out to the families of the victims and the victims. We're really sorry.

SAVIDGE: The journey for Luke Helder's parents may be over, but the legal one for their son is only beginning, as authorities in five states where 18 pipe bombs were found line up with charges.

Cedar Rapids is his first stop. Iowa is where two of six victims were wounded by pipe bombs. A conviction there alone could send Helder to prison for the rest of his life. (on camera): According to the sheriff, the family meeting lasted just 30 minutes and was conducted over a telephone looking through a glass partition where Helder's parents, understanding, must have seemed much like their son himself, still out of reach.

Martin Savidge, CNN, Reno, Nevada.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And again he allegedly told police that he was making a geographical smiley face and that's how he targeted his victims.

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