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CNN Live At Daybreak

West Virginia Killings: Drug Link?

Aired August 20, 2003 - 05:42   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In West Virginia there is speculation this morning a series of deadly sniper shootings may have been drug related.
CNN's Art Harris reports police may be near a break in the case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAYOR DANNY JONES, CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA: I'm not sure if that puts a scent on me or not.

ART HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Until now, the mayor has been one of the many people in Charleston, West Virginia who drive a large black pickup truck, not anymore. Now the mayor comes to work in his antique 1956 Chrysler Imperial.

JONES: My black pickup is at home and it's been there since the investigation started.

HARRIS: Ever since a dark pickup truck, like this, was seen speeding away from the scene of the latest murder, police have been stopping this type of truck, taking names and license tags.

SHERIFF DAVE TUCKER, KANAWHA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA: Anyone that is in an area where a crime was committed, that's who we want to talk to. Suspect, victim, don't make any difference.

HARRIS: For the first time, investigators are raising the possibility that the latest shootings in rural areas outside Charleston might be drug related, even though police offered no evidence to tie any victim to drug involvement.

CHIEF PHIL MORRIS, KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: I'm not speculating on whether they were or were not, but the people that reside in Campbell's Creek stated that there is a drug problem and we are looking into that problem.

HARRIS (on camera): Whether drug related or random sniper, police seem confidence they'll crack the case soon. One investigator told me -- quote -- "we don't have a smoking gun yet, but we feel like we're getting close.

Art Harris, CNN, Charleston, West Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 August 20, 2003 - 05:42   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In West Virginia there is speculation this morning a series of deadly sniper shootings may have been drug related.
CNN's Art Harris reports police may be near a break in the case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAYOR DANNY JONES, CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA: I'm not sure if that puts a scent on me or not.

ART HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Until now, the mayor has been one of the many people in Charleston, West Virginia who drive a large black pickup truck, not anymore. Now the mayor comes to work in his antique 1956 Chrysler Imperial.

JONES: My black pickup is at home and it's been there since the investigation started.

HARRIS: Ever since a dark pickup truck, like this, was seen speeding away from the scene of the latest murder, police have been stopping this type of truck, taking names and license tags.

SHERIFF DAVE TUCKER, KANAWHA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA: Anyone that is in an area where a crime was committed, that's who we want to talk to. Suspect, victim, don't make any difference.

HARRIS: For the first time, investigators are raising the possibility that the latest shootings in rural areas outside Charleston might be drug related, even though police offered no evidence to tie any victim to drug involvement.

CHIEF PHIL MORRIS, KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: I'm not speculating on whether they were or were not, but the people that reside in Campbell's Creek stated that there is a drug problem and we are looking into that problem.

HARRIS (on camera): Whether drug related or random sniper, police seem confidence they'll crack the case soon. One investigator told me -- quote -- "we don't have a smoking gun yet, but we feel like we're getting close.

Art Harris, CNN, Charleston, West Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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