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CNN Live At Daybreak
Police at Michael Jackson's Playland
Aired November 19, 2003 - 06:23 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: As you've no doubt heard, the police were at Michael Jackson's Playland. Yes, that Michael Jackson and that Playland, the Neverland Ranch. Police were looking for evidence in what officials called an ongoing criminal investigation. They told us theyll tell you more in a news conference scheduled for later this afternoon.
But we want to talk about it now so time for some Coffey talk and our legal analyst Kendall Coffey -- good morning, Kendall.
KENDALL COFFEY, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Supposedly this involves a 12-year-old boy.
Is that what you've heard?
COFFEY: That's what we're hearing. That's what's being reported. And with a convoy of police vehicles, 60 to 70 officers conducting the search, forensic evidence gathering van, it's obviously a serious matter -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, I know this is speculation, but what might they be looking for?
COFFEY: Well, one of the things they're going to do in any search where issues of alleged abuse are alleged is traditional forensic stuff. For example, they're going to look for photographs. One of the charges that they look at in that kind of case involving minors is whether there are any photographs, any videos depicting the minor. That is a crime in and of itself under federal and state law.
They'll go through the computer. One of things that authorities believe is a chronic pattern of abusers is something that they will find in the computer, abusive photographs and the like over the Internet. With 60 to 70 officers, they're looking under every rock, under every blade of grass at that -- at Neverland Ranch.
COSTELLO: You know, some of our viewers have been e-mailing us this question. Michael Jackson was not home at the time. He was in Vegas promoting his new album.
Can the police go in -- well, they obviously can go in there if they have a warrant to search the place.
COFFEY: They certainly can. And the police will not apologize for relying on the element of surprise. The last thing they want to do is run any risk that someone is tipped off to a search. And the fact that he was away has nothing to do with anyone trying to submarine his latest musical release. It's traditional law enforcement to go there and maximize the element of surprise.
COSTELLO: Court TV's reporter Diane Dimond is going to appear on AMERICAN MORNING later this morning. She says there is a -- there's an arrest warrant out for Michael Jackson.
If there is, will he come home or will he stay in Vegas?
COFFEY: Well, I think he would almost assuredly come home to answer charges. He's obviously not going to run and there's no sense in making an issue out of extradition.
Much too early to speculate. We'll hear later today, Carol. And remember, there is an enormous range of charges that could be brought in a case like this, everything from forms of child abuse to obviously things much, much more serious, such as assault.
COSTELLO: All right, Kendall Coffey joining us live by phone from Miami, we thank you.
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 November 19, 2003 - 06:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As you've no doubt heard, the police were at Michael Jackson's Playland. Yes, that Michael Jackson and that Playland, the Neverland Ranch. Police were looking for evidence in what officials called an ongoing criminal investigation. They told us theyll tell you more in a news conference scheduled for later this afternoon.
But we want to talk about it now so time for some Coffey talk and our legal analyst Kendall Coffey -- good morning, Kendall.
KENDALL COFFEY, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Supposedly this involves a 12-year-old boy.
Is that what you've heard?
COFFEY: That's what we're hearing. That's what's being reported. And with a convoy of police vehicles, 60 to 70 officers conducting the search, forensic evidence gathering van, it's obviously a serious matter -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, I know this is speculation, but what might they be looking for?
COFFEY: Well, one of the things they're going to do in any search where issues of alleged abuse are alleged is traditional forensic stuff. For example, they're going to look for photographs. One of the charges that they look at in that kind of case involving minors is whether there are any photographs, any videos depicting the minor. That is a crime in and of itself under federal and state law.
They'll go through the computer. One of things that authorities believe is a chronic pattern of abusers is something that they will find in the computer, abusive photographs and the like over the Internet. With 60 to 70 officers, they're looking under every rock, under every blade of grass at that -- at Neverland Ranch.
COSTELLO: You know, some of our viewers have been e-mailing us this question. Michael Jackson was not home at the time. He was in Vegas promoting his new album.
Can the police go in -- well, they obviously can go in there if they have a warrant to search the place.
COFFEY: They certainly can. And the police will not apologize for relying on the element of surprise. The last thing they want to do is run any risk that someone is tipped off to a search. And the fact that he was away has nothing to do with anyone trying to submarine his latest musical release. It's traditional law enforcement to go there and maximize the element of surprise.
COSTELLO: Court TV's reporter Diane Dimond is going to appear on AMERICAN MORNING later this morning. She says there is a -- there's an arrest warrant out for Michael Jackson.
If there is, will he come home or will he stay in Vegas?
COFFEY: Well, I think he would almost assuredly come home to answer charges. He's obviously not going to run and there's no sense in making an issue out of extradition.
Much too early to speculate. We'll hear later today, Carol. And remember, there is an enormous range of charges that could be brought in a case like this, everything from forms of child abuse to obviously things much, much more serious, such as assault.
COSTELLO: All right, Kendall Coffey joining us live by phone from Miami, we thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
