Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Interview with John McDaniel

Aired August 09, 2002 - 08:49   ET

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

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: You know him as the right hand man for Rosie, leading the band on the "Rosie O'Donnell Show" helped John McDaniel become a star, but his now celebrity status has brought some unwanted attention. McDaniel is the target of a stalker, 45-year-old Susan Moore, a homeless woman from Britain has been charged with harassing McDaniel. She claims to be engaged.
John McDaniel is with us this morning here in New York -- good morning to you.

JOHN MCDANIEL, STALKING VICTIM: Thank you. Good to see you.

HEMMER: Ever met this woman?

MCDANIEL: Never met her. Nope.

HEMMER: Never laid eyes on her?

MCDANIEL: Never seen her. She claims that we're engaged. She gains entree that way, and she's worked her way into my life over the last couple of years, and it's the creepiest thing that's ever happened to me.

HEMMER: Why creepy?

MCDANIEL: Well, the letters and the phone messages -- gotten very angry and -- first, they were very nice and kind of lovey-dovey and referred to third parties who I have never heard of, and they got increasingly angry and she finally showed up at my studio in April.

HEMMER: And what happened then?

MCDANIEL: She buzzed the buzzer, and my manager happened to be there, and he said there's nobody here by that name. She then walked up to the First Precinct and walked in to find the detective who had called her a month previously to tell her to stop harassing me, to find out what was wrong with harassing someone she's engaged to. So they put her in jail, and there are charges pending now, but she has told the police she's homeless, so they don't know where to find her, although there is a warrant out for her arrest.

HEMMER: So, they put her in jail, but she was later released, then?

MCDANIEL: Correct. The next day.

HEMMER: She was telling people you were engaged. How did that come about? What did people say, though, when she told them that?

MCDANIEL: She has a whole scenario in her head. I don't really understand it. The girl is highly sick and needs help.

HEMMER: You know, when I first heard we were going to have you on yesterday, I thought, Why would John want to come on national television and tell people his story? Why is that?

MCDANIEL: Well, the basic reason is that I hope that someone will see her picture and will turn her in to the authorities, because it's a weird -- it is kind of dark cloud hanging over my life. I'm a very optimistic, positive guy who loves music and this is a weird, creepy thing.

HEMMER: You say you feel threatened. Some have suggested that you say you are threatened with your own life because of this. Is that going too far?

MCDANIEL: Well, let me say this. When she showed up at my place, she had three things in her purse. She had her driver's license; she had an expired Visa, because she's English, and it's expired; and she had scissors that were sharpened down to a point, which is just -- considered a weapon. So, it's scary.

HEMMER: So you've gone looking for help. You've collected, as you said, letters and e-mails, you have turned them over to authorities. Why is it that police or others can't find that woman -- this woman?

MCDANIEL: I don't know. There's a warrant out, and they are apparently using every bit of muscle they have. But it's not -- they can't find her.

HEMMER: We have talked in the past about cases. Brad Pitt comes to mind, Madonna comes to mind. David Letterman, well known in New York, he had a stalker up in his home in Connecticut. Have you gotten any feedback on these scenarios and these situations as it might apply to yours, and help you?

MCDANIEL: Not really feedback. It just -- it concerns me, because they can lead to very, very serious complications. It freaks me out a little bit.

HEMMER: And you came on today simply to let people know that her picture is out there.

MCDANIEL: Yes.

HEMMER: You have got concerns. We showed it a short time ago. What do you do when you sit back and think, you know, there's someone who is really trying to get in touch with me. Do you have a problem sleeping at night? Do you have a problem going out? Do you look behind yourself as you are walking down the streets of Manhattan or what?

MCDANIEL: I'm a little more careful when I'm out in public, but the thing is, I love my fans so much. I have a Web site, johnmcdaniel.com. I communicate with fans all over the country daily. I am really into the fans. And to have one fan who has this disturbed situation going on, it kind of spoils it.

HEMMER: I got to think if you were Rosie O'Donnell, it might be one thing, but you were the band leader.

MCDANIEL: Hello. I'm telling you. It's weird. I hate it. I really hate it.

HEMMER: Well, listen we wanted to have you on today. We appreciate you stopping by, and good luck to you.

MCDANIEL: Thank you.

HEMMER: And good luck staying safe.

MCDANIEL: And if anyone knows her, please contact the police.

HEMMER: Is there a number that we can put out?

MCDANIEL: Any police, any police station.

HEMMER: Got it. Thank you, John.

MCDANIEL: Thank you.

HEMMER: Enjoy your weekend as best you can.

MCDANIEL: Thank you.

HEMMER: You got it.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com