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CNN Live Today

Anthrax Probe

Aired May 12, 2003 - 10:11   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.


LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: There are some new developments in the anthrax investigation to talk about this morning. Now as you may remember, five people died, and at least 13 others sickened after coming into contact with the toxic mailings.
Our justice correspondent Kelli Arena is following that story, and she's joining us now with more.

Good morning, Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

The FBI thinks that it may find some answers in its anthrax investigation in a pond in Frederick, Maryland. The mayor of that Washington suburb says that city officials are in talk with the FBI about draining the pond, which the FBI has searched at least four times since December.

Now the FBI had originally received a tip back then about someone allegedly dumping laboratory equipment in the pond. Sources say that among the items found by the FBI was a large plastic tub with two openings in the side, similar, they say, to those used to limit exposure while performing scientific tests. The FBI so far has come up empty in its anthrax investigation. The FBI at one point had a list of about 20 people that it was looking at, and they -- only one person, though, has been talked about publicly by Attorney General John Ashcroft, and that's the former Army researcher, Stephen Hatfill.

Government sources in him say that interest in him remains high. Hatfill has repeatedly said that he is innocent, and I will tell that you investigators say that no arrests of any kind are imminent in this case -- Leon.

HEMMER: All right, thank you, Kelli. Kelli Arena, in our Washington bureau.

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






Aired May 12, 2003 - 10:11   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: There are some new developments in the anthrax investigation to talk about this morning. Now as you may remember, five people died, and at least 13 others sickened after coming into contact with the toxic mailings.
Our justice correspondent Kelli Arena is following that story, and she's joining us now with more.

Good morning, Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

The FBI thinks that it may find some answers in its anthrax investigation in a pond in Frederick, Maryland. The mayor of that Washington suburb says that city officials are in talk with the FBI about draining the pond, which the FBI has searched at least four times since December.

Now the FBI had originally received a tip back then about someone allegedly dumping laboratory equipment in the pond. Sources say that among the items found by the FBI was a large plastic tub with two openings in the side, similar, they say, to those used to limit exposure while performing scientific tests. The FBI so far has come up empty in its anthrax investigation. The FBI at one point had a list of about 20 people that it was looking at, and they -- only one person, though, has been talked about publicly by Attorney General John Ashcroft, and that's the former Army researcher, Stephen Hatfill.

Government sources in him say that interest in him remains high. Hatfill has repeatedly said that he is innocent, and I will tell that you investigators say that no arrests of any kind are imminent in this case -- Leon.

HEMMER: All right, thank you, Kelli. Kelli Arena, in our Washington bureau.

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