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CNN Live Event/Special

Missing Player: Former Teammate Charge with Murder

Aired July 22, 2003 - 19:42   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.


ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: An update now on a story we've been following for several weeks. The search continues for the body of missing Baylor University basketball player Patrick Dennehy.
Now, tonight, Carlton Dotson, Dennehy's best friend and former teammate, is behind bars, charged with murder. He was arrested after reportedly making statements to the FBI implicating himself.

CNN's Gary Tuchman joins us now from Waco, Texas, near where search crews are looking at this moment for Dennehy's remains at a nearby gravel pit. Gary, what's the latest?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, that's right. Authorities still have not found the body of the missing Baylor University basketball player, but they are virtually certain he is dead, so certain, as a matter of fact, that they've arrested his so-called best friend and former roommate, who is now under arrest in a prison in Maryland.

His name is Carlton Dotson. As you said, he was a person of interest early on in the investigation. According to police, Dotson went to authorities on Thursday, said he wanted to talk to them without his lawyer. But then Sunday, he checked himself into a Maryland hospital, saying he was hearing voices. And then yesterday, on Monday, he told the FBI to come to the hospital. He wanted to talk to them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. RYAN HOLT, WACO POLICE DEPARTMENT: Mr. Dotson then spoke at length to the FBI about his involvement in the apparent homicide of Mr. Dennehy. An arrest warrant was obtained by the Waco Police Department for Mr. Dotson in relation to the murder of Patrick Dennehy. Mr. Dotson was taken to the Kent County Detention Center by Chestertown police.

This morning, Mr. Dotson refused to waive extradition from Maryland and has been ordered held without bond. According to Maryland authorities, an extradition hearing will be scheduled within the next 30 days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: Patrick Dennehy has been missing since June 12. His SUV found in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As we speak, they are searching areas of Waco for his body. It's not clear, police are not telling us if the areas where they are searching are based on tips from Carlton Dotson.

Now, what's the motive? Authorities aren't saying that either, but we can tell you that Carlton Dotson's scholarship was not going to be renewed here at Baylor University to play on the basketball team. He and Dennehy played the same position, forward.

And about the extradition, as of now, Dotson wants to stay in Maryland, is fighting the extradition to Texas. Authorities aren't saying why he's fighting it either, neither is his lawyer. But one of the reasons he may be fighting it is because Texas, of course, is number one in this nation for executions.

Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: Gary, so many questions still unanswered in this case. Thanks for the update. We're actually going to talk to Carlton Dotson's attorney in just a moment.

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 July 22, 2003 - 19:42   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: An update now on a story we've been following for several weeks. The search continues for the body of missing Baylor University basketball player Patrick Dennehy.
Now, tonight, Carlton Dotson, Dennehy's best friend and former teammate, is behind bars, charged with murder. He was arrested after reportedly making statements to the FBI implicating himself.

CNN's Gary Tuchman joins us now from Waco, Texas, near where search crews are looking at this moment for Dennehy's remains at a nearby gravel pit. Gary, what's the latest?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, that's right. Authorities still have not found the body of the missing Baylor University basketball player, but they are virtually certain he is dead, so certain, as a matter of fact, that they've arrested his so-called best friend and former roommate, who is now under arrest in a prison in Maryland.

His name is Carlton Dotson. As you said, he was a person of interest early on in the investigation. According to police, Dotson went to authorities on Thursday, said he wanted to talk to them without his lawyer. But then Sunday, he checked himself into a Maryland hospital, saying he was hearing voices. And then yesterday, on Monday, he told the FBI to come to the hospital. He wanted to talk to them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. RYAN HOLT, WACO POLICE DEPARTMENT: Mr. Dotson then spoke at length to the FBI about his involvement in the apparent homicide of Mr. Dennehy. An arrest warrant was obtained by the Waco Police Department for Mr. Dotson in relation to the murder of Patrick Dennehy. Mr. Dotson was taken to the Kent County Detention Center by Chestertown police.

This morning, Mr. Dotson refused to waive extradition from Maryland and has been ordered held without bond. According to Maryland authorities, an extradition hearing will be scheduled within the next 30 days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: Patrick Dennehy has been missing since June 12. His SUV found in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As we speak, they are searching areas of Waco for his body. It's not clear, police are not telling us if the areas where they are searching are based on tips from Carlton Dotson.

Now, what's the motive? Authorities aren't saying that either, but we can tell you that Carlton Dotson's scholarship was not going to be renewed here at Baylor University to play on the basketball team. He and Dennehy played the same position, forward.

And about the extradition, as of now, Dotson wants to stay in Maryland, is fighting the extradition to Texas. Authorities aren't saying why he's fighting it either, neither is his lawyer. But one of the reasons he may be fighting it is because Texas, of course, is number one in this nation for executions.

Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: Gary, so many questions still unanswered in this case. Thanks for the update. We're actually going to talk to Carlton Dotson's attorney in just a moment.

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