Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Rape Suspect Allegedly Knows What Happened to Two Oregon Girls

Aired August 16, 2002 - 11:22   ET

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

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: An Oregon man in jail for allegedly raping his son's girlfriend reportedly says he knows what happened to two teen girls who disappeared earlier this year. Law enforcement is not commenting, but there appears to be some skepticism.
CNN's James Hattori is in Oregon City, where authorities are trying to sort this all out.

And how are they doing about that -- James?

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Marty.

We're outside the home of 39-year-old Ward Weaver, and the question a lot of people, including perhaps law enforcement officials, are wondering is: Did he kill the two missing Oregon girls, or is he the victim or being wrongly accused by an angry son?

Law enforcement officials are being circumspect, but they are checking out this latest strange twist in the frustrating disappearance two of young girls.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HATTORI (voice-over): Did Ward Weaver kidnap two missing Oregon City girls, or is he the victim of a wild accusation by an angry son?

Weaver is in jail, accused of raping his son's 19-year-old girlfriend Tuesday night. That same night, according to a local newspaper, "The Oregonian," Francis Weaver called 911 and said his father claimed to have killed Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis, who were kidnapped from the apartment complex where they both lived more than five months ago.

Francis Weaver's mother says, she has doubts about her son's accusation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I'm angry with a person, you know, I could -- you know, with anger, they will say the things to put the other person in a lot of trouble to get even.

HATTORI: Michelle Duffy, mother of one of the missing girls, says investigators have doubts, too.

MICHELLE DUFFY, MIRANDA'S MOTHER: They have told me what happened has no connection. The only thing they're checking is because of what his son has said. And so, we're really hoping what he said is out of anger not real. (END VIDEOTAPE)

HATTORI: A lot of hope there still.

Now, Weaver has previously told reporters that police have told him that they consider him a suspect. He says, he is totally innocent of the kidnapping charges. He will be arraigned next week on the rape charge, but as for the kidnapping case, the FBI says there is, as of this moment, no suspect -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: This is such an odd turn of events. How will authorities try to nail this down? They look into the credibility of the son making the accusation, and -- what -- the whereabouts of his father?

HATTORI: Well, there is already some skepticism. As you heard his mother saying that he was angry and understandably, if, in fact, his girlfriend was raped by his father. And perhaps he said this just to get back at his father.

They are going to be -- they have questioned the son. We understand that for several hours yesterday, the FBI did talk with the son, or perhaps other police investigators did. So they are going to be sorting this out.

At this point, they are saying there is no connection, and this is not a significant break in the kidnapping case. Obviously, the rape charges will proceed -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: How very strange. James Hattori, thanks very much.

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