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CNN Live Today

Malvo Sentenced to Life in Prison, New Trials Await; Exiled Haitian Becomes New Prime Minister; Iraqis See Interim Constitution as Promising; Philly News Team Under Fire for Under Cover Child Molestation Story

Aired March 10, 2004 - 11:00   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: It is 11 a.m. on the East Coast, 8 a.m. on the West Coast. At CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. Good morning once again.
Up first this hour on CNN, the D.C. sniper case.

His partner got the death penalty. Just last hour, a Virginia judge sentenced Lee Boyd Malvo to prison for the rest of his life.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve is at the courthouse in Chesapeake, Virginia, with the latest and what is next for these two men this morning.

Good morning, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

And we are learning something about that. Right now prosecutor Paul Ebert is at the microphones. He's the prosecutor in Prince William County. He has just told the press that he very likely will seek the death penalty against Lee Boyd Malvo, depending on what the Supreme Court rules.

It now has a case before it, the case of Christopher Simmons. It's a Missouri case. That case could determine the constitutionality of executing juveniles.

But Ebert said that he sees nothing that would indicate that Malvo otherwise could not get the death penalty, that he was a person of free will, that he was a bright person.

And he indicated he might be ready to try that case as soon as the summer of next year, depending, all of I, on what the Supreme Court decides in that Missouri case.

We also heard a short time ago from Mr. Horan, Robert Horan. He's the prosecutor in Fairfax County. He just completed the prosecution of Lee Malvo. He indicated that the next step for him will be to try John Muhammad.

Here's a bit of what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ROBERT HORAN, PROSECUTOR, FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA.: It would be my belief that Fairfax County will wind up trying Muhammad for his crimes there, and Prince William will probably wind up trying Malvo for his crimes in that jurisdiction.

So we're at step one. The task force that has worked on this case is the best I've ever seen, and hopefully they're going to stay intact for step two in the process.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: We also have been hearing from members of families who had victims in the sniper slayings. Several of them expressed displeasure with the outcome here today, that Lee Malvo was given a final sentence only of life in prison without parole. They wanted the death penalty.

The reason he got life in prison without parole is that that was the jury's recommendation here, and the judge had no leeway. Her only option was to reaffirm that penalty, and that's what she did today.

It was a very brief proceeding inside, only 12 minutes long. We did not hear from Lee Malvo. We did not hear from any victims testifying about the impact.

We only heard brief statements from the defense and prosecuting attorneys. The defense attorneys indicating that Lee Malvo was aware of what he'd done, had read the victim impact testimony and he had much to pay for.

There was a request that he be incarcerated in a facility where he could continue to receive mental health evaluation and treatment. The judge said she was not sure that was going to be possible, given the prison facilities available here in Virginia.

We also heard from the prosecutor, Robert Horan, who called these egregious crimes that had been committed. He, of course, somewhat disappointed in the verdict here. The verdict was for life in prison without parole. Reaffirmed here today by Judge Jane Marum Roush.

Back to you.

KAGAN: All right. Jeanne, stay with us one second. The defense attorneys are at the microphone. Let's listen in to what they have to say.

CRAIG COOLEY, MALVO'S ATTORNEY: I think all of us are very committed to Lee, and we will do whatever we are asked to do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

COOLEY: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do have you any reflection on the whole (UNINTELLIGIBLE). COOLEY: It's been sad from beginning to end. And we've tried to pursue the defense the best we could within the bounds of ethics and be committed to the presentation of an honest defense for Lee. And we're glad to have concluded this portion of it.

But it's certainly, I think, been a sad circumstance for everybody involved in this case.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Ebert said he might likely pursue the death penalty in Prince William.

COOLEY: Say that again?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Ebert said that he might pursue the death penalty.

COOLEY: That's his prerogative. And until we're involved in the Prince William case, I don't know it's appropriate for us to comment. We are not at this point, but that's certainly any prosecutor's prerogative.

KAGAN: Listening in just a little bit to Craig Cooley, one of the defense attorneys for Lee Boyd Malvo.

If I could bring Jeanne back in, I want to go back to the point you were making about what actually happened in the courtroom this morning.

It sounds like it was very different than the scene yesterday when John Allen Muhammad was sentenced. Not only did he speak, but you heard from victims' families as well.

Was there any explanation about why that didn't take place in this courtroom this morning?

MESERVE: Well, I spoke to some of the defense attorneys in the previous days, defense attorneys for Malvo, and the indication was they didn't want him to talk because there is a possibility that anything he said in the courtroom today might be used in future cases against him.

So it was their recommendation that he not speak here today. That's why they made that decision.

As to victim impact testimony, many of the families had filed victim impact statements that were attached to the pre-sentencing report that was part of the court proceedings today. Those have not been made public.

But they did have a chance to voice their feelings about what had happened here and what has happened to their families.

I have not had the chance to talk to Mr. Horan, the prosecutor here, and why he made the decision not to put them on the stand.

But the fact of the matter is the judge had no leeway here. The only thing she could do was reaffirm the jury's verdict. And so perhaps they felt it wasn't worth the trauma to the families of asking them once again to go on the stand before the court and articulate their very deep and painful feelings about what happened.

KAGAN: And the judicial process still has a long road ahead of it. Six other states still lining up for their turn to prosecute both of these men.

Jeanne Meserve in Chesapeake, Virginia, thank you.

Haiti today awaiting the arrival of its new prime minister, whose main job is to prepare the country for, hopefully, a peaceful and democratic election.

Gerard Latortue has been spending much of his life in exile; accepted the appointment yesterday from his home in Florida.

Our Harris Whitbeck is in Port-au-Prince with more plus the role of the U.S. Marines in disarming rebels -- Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

U.S. Marines are part of a multinational interim force, and they said yesterday that they would start helping the Haitian police to disarm Haiti's civilian population.

There are literally tens of thousands of weapons in the hands of civilians, and authorities here feel if they can get as many of those weapons off the streets, that would be a good first step towards bringing about a sense of security.

The U.S. Marine colonel in charge of the Marine contingent here gave more details on how his contingent is going to work closely with the Haitian police.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COL. MARK GURGANUS, MARINE CORPS SPOKESMAN: Yes, the multinational force will be assisting the Haitian national police in attempting to disarm people who are illegally armed.

Again, the lead will remain with them. The standards of -- by which we will follow will be set by them as kind of their guidelines as they work towards law again.

There will be -- I'm not sure exactly what they will allow people to hold, but the weapons will not be allowed to be on the streets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITBECK: Now there was an exchange of gunfire last night between U.S. Marines on patrol and (AUDIO GAP) the prime minister's office. That occurred around 7 p.m. last night. We actually heard that from the hotel.

And it's just one more indication of how difficult the situation can be on the street with all of these weapons floating around.

Now the new interim prime minister, Gerard Latortue, is scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince around 3 p.m. this afternoon. He is coming in from his home in Miami.

He has been working outside of Haiti for many years. For awhile he was a top official at the United Nations. And then he was working as an international business consultant.

So he will come in trying to use his diplomatic experience to bring all the sides in this very volatile situation together, try to start the building of a new government.

One of his first steps will be the forming of a new cabinet, which should take place sometime this weekend -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Harris Whitbeck with the latest from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, thank you.

Iraqi police say that authorities are questioning six suspects in an ambush attack near Karbala. Two U.S. civilians and an Iraqi translator were killed in that attack.

Officials say that five of the suspects were dressed in Iraqi police uniforms, but it's not clear at this point whether they were members of the Iraqi police force or whether they were wearing the uniforms as disguises.

Despite the violence, Iraqis took a step toward democracy this week. The signing of an interim constitution by the Iraqi Governing Council was hailed as a historic moment.

Joining us from Washington to talk about the changes in post-war Iraq is Rend al-Rahim. She is the Iraqi representative to the U.S.

Thank you for being with us.

REND AL-RAHIM, IRAQI REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S.: Thank you.

KAGAN: And what's your response to this constitution -- interim constitution finally being signed?

AL-RAHIM: This is indeed a historic moment. And I think both the process that led to the transitional law and the transitional law itself are really the beginning of democratic politics in Iraq.

KAGAN: And yet there is -- still are some significant problems here. The Shiites who were voicing some problems with the document that went ahead and signed still have big problems with the power they're giving to groups like the Kurds and also the Sunnis.

AL-RAHIM: Yes. You know, this is the political game. And every group has its own interest, has its own aspirations and has its own fears.

The transitional law actually is an enormous act of negotiation and compromise between all those groups. Now nobody is 100 percent happy; nobody is 100 percent unhappy. And indeed, this is how it should be.

Will people be grumbling and try to make changes and so on? Probably. But we do have a law. Everybody has signed on it, and I think this is a great step forward for Iraq.

KAGAN: Well, if you'll pardon me, the problems in your country go far past grumbling. There are many who think that your country is on the verge of civil war. Do you think that that could happen?

AL-RAHIM: You know, I've just come back from Iraq, actually. And indeed, if one is sitting in Washington and listening to the news, then that may be an impression.

I can assure you, having just come back from there, there is no likelihood or probability, or desire by any Iraqi group, to escalate the disagreements or to take up arms.

This is -- civil war is far, far from the minds of Iraqis. On the contrary, I think everyone is interested in peaceful movement forward, in dialogue, and in settling differences in a peaceful manner.

KAGAN: That would, of course, be the great hope. But there are so many divergent religious, groups, ethnicities within this country, each one wanting its own rights and wanting to protect its own group.

Do you think if pushed to the brink and feeling threatened that they would go to war?

AL-RAHIM: First of all, the desires and aspirations and the fears that we talked about are a result of 35 years of persecution, repression and so on, which have really damaged the psyche of Iraqis and make these groups very fearful.

I do not think, however, that any group is interested in conflict. All the groups want to resolve the differences through negotiation, through compromises. And there is a very strong commitment to Iraq and a very strong patriotic feeling amongst all the groups.

It's very clear when you go to Iraq and live there and talk to the groups, you come out with a sense everybody has a vested interest in a peaceful outcome to those negotiations.

KAGAN: And just real quickly on a personal note, what happens to you and to your job once this moves into the next phase?

AL-RAHIM: Well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it. I am now the ambassador designate. And when there is a sovereign government, we will accede.

KAGAN: Interested in the job full time?

AL-RAHIM: I think I will refrain from answering that. We will cross that bridge when we get to.

KAGAN: At the appropriate time. Thank you so much. Rend al- Rahim, thank you for your visit this morning. Appreciate it.

AL-RAHIM: Thank you.

KAGAN: Coming up, President Bush has locked up the nomination. Now he's locking horns with John Kerry. Some new fighting words, just ahead.

And later, a new push to allow teens to vote. They're talking about it in California. Do you think it's a good idea? Fourteen- year-olds at the ballot box. We'll talk to some teenagers just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK REPORT)

KAGAN: Major league baseball commissioner Bud Selig before Congress. He is testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee, the issue, steroid use in sports. Specifically right now, major league baseball, a hot topic in the sports world.

The concern for the Senate, not just what happens for major league sports, but the influence on young people across America.

Here is Senator Joe Biden.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: I now find myself not only as a senator resentful of what some athletes are doing to the sport, but I find myself angry, angry in my gut.

Because these are the same guys who would have taken me out, taken me out. Not because they have more God-given natural talent than me. But because they enhanced with artificial means their capacity. That is simply wrong. That is a -- that is a blot on the culture of this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Fighting words from Senator Joe Biden, not just about sports but about the influence it has on young people. The Senate Commerce Committee hearing from Bud Selig. Also from Donald Fehr, who represents the major league baseball players. Gene Upshaw was there as was Paul Tagliabue, the commission of the NFL.

When does a local news investigation go too far? Police and parents say when it lures sexual predators to a neighborhood full of children. Decide for yourself. That's coming up next.

And later, should teens be allowed to vote? A controversial proposal is being offered up in California. We'll be talking about that live in our next half hour.

First though, another of the best places for a summer vacation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARION ASNES, SENIOR EDITOR, "MONEY": Denver has become a national airline hub. And because of that, it's loaded with discount airfares. And that's why "Money" chose it as one of the great places to go visit this summer.

Denver, the Mile High City, is located right at the base of the Colorado Rockies. As a result, you've got a city that has so much outdoor activity, as well as the many sophisticated delights of the big town.

There are 90 miles of biking trails where you can go to work off a great steak dinner or microbrewed beer.

Denver is a big sports town, and the Colorado Rockies have been having some great seasons, so this is a great place to go see some baseball.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A fire that started as a controlled burn in Florida's Osceola National Forest is out of control today. Flames swept across 30,000 acres in rural Baker County, and it chased residents from three-dozen homes.

Authorities are tripling the number of firefighters working that blaze today.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Philadelphia now. A television station there under fire today for doing a series -- a sting on child sex. Was it journalism or was it just a ploy to get ratings?

Our Jason Carroll takes a look at the controversy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a driveway of an empty home in suburban Philadelphia sits a police car to ward off pedophiles. Placed there after a controversial news report on how pedophiles lure victims on the Internet.

It aired on Philadelphia's WCAU, and outraged some members of this community.

MARY PAT MINOR, NEIGHBOR: It was a rating stunt. I truly believe that.

CARROLL: In the story, a WCAU employee poses as an underage girl or boy. Contact is made with an adult on the Internet. Arrangements are confirmed to meet at this house, which the station rented. Once the adults show up, they're met by news cameras.

Neighbors Mary Pat and John Minor told the local NBC crew they were deeply troubled by the station's methods.

M. MINOR: We're not naive people. We know this goes, and we know it probably goes on in our neighborhood. But to invite them to a house two doors down from my house, where my children were standing.

JOHN MINOR, NEIGHBOR: It was an unbelievably irresponsible thing to do.

CARROLL: Irresponsible, Minor says, because once exposed, the alleged pedophiles were free to go in a neighborhood where a school is just around the corner.

CAROL CARY, PRINCIPAL: My foremost concern is for the safety of our children. And I think the story that they did really risked our children.

CARROLL: The station canceled a scheduled interview with CNN but issued this statement: "No one was put in danger by this story. The station's reporters and producers conducted themselves responsibly."

Critics called the report a form of vigilante journalism encouraged by this web site, PervertedJustice.com, which exposed alleged pedophiles and urges news organizations to go after them.

But police say WCAU put the community at risk, because they didn't contact law enforcement, had no way of knowing if the alleged pedophiles were armed and lured the suspects to a neighborhood heavily populated by children.

CHIEF LEE HUNTER, NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP POLICE: That's the worst possible scenario. Absolutely the worst possibly scenario.

CARRLL (on camera): There are still a number of people in this community who are angry about the report. That is why they've held a town hall meeting so community leaders, as well as a representative from the TV station, can hear their concerns.

The station, for its part, says it stands by the methods used in the report.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: It is official. George W. Bush has locked up the Republican nomination. Now the gloves are really going to come off. Your complete political wrap-up is coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Exiled Haitian Becomes New Prime Minister; Iraqis See Interim Constitution as Promising; Philly News Team Under Fire for Under Cover Child Molestation Story>


Aired March 10, 2004 - 11:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: It is 11 a.m. on the East Coast, 8 a.m. on the West Coast. At CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. Good morning once again.
Up first this hour on CNN, the D.C. sniper case.

His partner got the death penalty. Just last hour, a Virginia judge sentenced Lee Boyd Malvo to prison for the rest of his life.

CNN's Jeanne Meserve is at the courthouse in Chesapeake, Virginia, with the latest and what is next for these two men this morning.

Good morning, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

And we are learning something about that. Right now prosecutor Paul Ebert is at the microphones. He's the prosecutor in Prince William County. He has just told the press that he very likely will seek the death penalty against Lee Boyd Malvo, depending on what the Supreme Court rules.

It now has a case before it, the case of Christopher Simmons. It's a Missouri case. That case could determine the constitutionality of executing juveniles.

But Ebert said that he sees nothing that would indicate that Malvo otherwise could not get the death penalty, that he was a person of free will, that he was a bright person.

And he indicated he might be ready to try that case as soon as the summer of next year, depending, all of I, on what the Supreme Court decides in that Missouri case.

We also heard a short time ago from Mr. Horan, Robert Horan. He's the prosecutor in Fairfax County. He just completed the prosecution of Lee Malvo. He indicated that the next step for him will be to try John Muhammad.

Here's a bit of what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ROBERT HORAN, PROSECUTOR, FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA.: It would be my belief that Fairfax County will wind up trying Muhammad for his crimes there, and Prince William will probably wind up trying Malvo for his crimes in that jurisdiction.

So we're at step one. The task force that has worked on this case is the best I've ever seen, and hopefully they're going to stay intact for step two in the process.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: We also have been hearing from members of families who had victims in the sniper slayings. Several of them expressed displeasure with the outcome here today, that Lee Malvo was given a final sentence only of life in prison without parole. They wanted the death penalty.

The reason he got life in prison without parole is that that was the jury's recommendation here, and the judge had no leeway. Her only option was to reaffirm that penalty, and that's what she did today.

It was a very brief proceeding inside, only 12 minutes long. We did not hear from Lee Malvo. We did not hear from any victims testifying about the impact.

We only heard brief statements from the defense and prosecuting attorneys. The defense attorneys indicating that Lee Malvo was aware of what he'd done, had read the victim impact testimony and he had much to pay for.

There was a request that he be incarcerated in a facility where he could continue to receive mental health evaluation and treatment. The judge said she was not sure that was going to be possible, given the prison facilities available here in Virginia.

We also heard from the prosecutor, Robert Horan, who called these egregious crimes that had been committed. He, of course, somewhat disappointed in the verdict here. The verdict was for life in prison without parole. Reaffirmed here today by Judge Jane Marum Roush.

Back to you.

KAGAN: All right. Jeanne, stay with us one second. The defense attorneys are at the microphone. Let's listen in to what they have to say.

CRAIG COOLEY, MALVO'S ATTORNEY: I think all of us are very committed to Lee, and we will do whatever we are asked to do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

COOLEY: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do have you any reflection on the whole (UNINTELLIGIBLE). COOLEY: It's been sad from beginning to end. And we've tried to pursue the defense the best we could within the bounds of ethics and be committed to the presentation of an honest defense for Lee. And we're glad to have concluded this portion of it.

But it's certainly, I think, been a sad circumstance for everybody involved in this case.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Ebert said he might likely pursue the death penalty in Prince William.

COOLEY: Say that again?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Ebert said that he might pursue the death penalty.

COOLEY: That's his prerogative. And until we're involved in the Prince William case, I don't know it's appropriate for us to comment. We are not at this point, but that's certainly any prosecutor's prerogative.

KAGAN: Listening in just a little bit to Craig Cooley, one of the defense attorneys for Lee Boyd Malvo.

If I could bring Jeanne back in, I want to go back to the point you were making about what actually happened in the courtroom this morning.

It sounds like it was very different than the scene yesterday when John Allen Muhammad was sentenced. Not only did he speak, but you heard from victims' families as well.

Was there any explanation about why that didn't take place in this courtroom this morning?

MESERVE: Well, I spoke to some of the defense attorneys in the previous days, defense attorneys for Malvo, and the indication was they didn't want him to talk because there is a possibility that anything he said in the courtroom today might be used in future cases against him.

So it was their recommendation that he not speak here today. That's why they made that decision.

As to victim impact testimony, many of the families had filed victim impact statements that were attached to the pre-sentencing report that was part of the court proceedings today. Those have not been made public.

But they did have a chance to voice their feelings about what had happened here and what has happened to their families.

I have not had the chance to talk to Mr. Horan, the prosecutor here, and why he made the decision not to put them on the stand.

But the fact of the matter is the judge had no leeway here. The only thing she could do was reaffirm the jury's verdict. And so perhaps they felt it wasn't worth the trauma to the families of asking them once again to go on the stand before the court and articulate their very deep and painful feelings about what happened.

KAGAN: And the judicial process still has a long road ahead of it. Six other states still lining up for their turn to prosecute both of these men.

Jeanne Meserve in Chesapeake, Virginia, thank you.

Haiti today awaiting the arrival of its new prime minister, whose main job is to prepare the country for, hopefully, a peaceful and democratic election.

Gerard Latortue has been spending much of his life in exile; accepted the appointment yesterday from his home in Florida.

Our Harris Whitbeck is in Port-au-Prince with more plus the role of the U.S. Marines in disarming rebels -- Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

U.S. Marines are part of a multinational interim force, and they said yesterday that they would start helping the Haitian police to disarm Haiti's civilian population.

There are literally tens of thousands of weapons in the hands of civilians, and authorities here feel if they can get as many of those weapons off the streets, that would be a good first step towards bringing about a sense of security.

The U.S. Marine colonel in charge of the Marine contingent here gave more details on how his contingent is going to work closely with the Haitian police.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COL. MARK GURGANUS, MARINE CORPS SPOKESMAN: Yes, the multinational force will be assisting the Haitian national police in attempting to disarm people who are illegally armed.

Again, the lead will remain with them. The standards of -- by which we will follow will be set by them as kind of their guidelines as they work towards law again.

There will be -- I'm not sure exactly what they will allow people to hold, but the weapons will not be allowed to be on the streets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITBECK: Now there was an exchange of gunfire last night between U.S. Marines on patrol and (AUDIO GAP) the prime minister's office. That occurred around 7 p.m. last night. We actually heard that from the hotel.

And it's just one more indication of how difficult the situation can be on the street with all of these weapons floating around.

Now the new interim prime minister, Gerard Latortue, is scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince around 3 p.m. this afternoon. He is coming in from his home in Miami.

He has been working outside of Haiti for many years. For awhile he was a top official at the United Nations. And then he was working as an international business consultant.

So he will come in trying to use his diplomatic experience to bring all the sides in this very volatile situation together, try to start the building of a new government.

One of his first steps will be the forming of a new cabinet, which should take place sometime this weekend -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Harris Whitbeck with the latest from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, thank you.

Iraqi police say that authorities are questioning six suspects in an ambush attack near Karbala. Two U.S. civilians and an Iraqi translator were killed in that attack.

Officials say that five of the suspects were dressed in Iraqi police uniforms, but it's not clear at this point whether they were members of the Iraqi police force or whether they were wearing the uniforms as disguises.

Despite the violence, Iraqis took a step toward democracy this week. The signing of an interim constitution by the Iraqi Governing Council was hailed as a historic moment.

Joining us from Washington to talk about the changes in post-war Iraq is Rend al-Rahim. She is the Iraqi representative to the U.S.

Thank you for being with us.

REND AL-RAHIM, IRAQI REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S.: Thank you.

KAGAN: And what's your response to this constitution -- interim constitution finally being signed?

AL-RAHIM: This is indeed a historic moment. And I think both the process that led to the transitional law and the transitional law itself are really the beginning of democratic politics in Iraq.

KAGAN: And yet there is -- still are some significant problems here. The Shiites who were voicing some problems with the document that went ahead and signed still have big problems with the power they're giving to groups like the Kurds and also the Sunnis.

AL-RAHIM: Yes. You know, this is the political game. And every group has its own interest, has its own aspirations and has its own fears.

The transitional law actually is an enormous act of negotiation and compromise between all those groups. Now nobody is 100 percent happy; nobody is 100 percent unhappy. And indeed, this is how it should be.

Will people be grumbling and try to make changes and so on? Probably. But we do have a law. Everybody has signed on it, and I think this is a great step forward for Iraq.

KAGAN: Well, if you'll pardon me, the problems in your country go far past grumbling. There are many who think that your country is on the verge of civil war. Do you think that that could happen?

AL-RAHIM: You know, I've just come back from Iraq, actually. And indeed, if one is sitting in Washington and listening to the news, then that may be an impression.

I can assure you, having just come back from there, there is no likelihood or probability, or desire by any Iraqi group, to escalate the disagreements or to take up arms.

This is -- civil war is far, far from the minds of Iraqis. On the contrary, I think everyone is interested in peaceful movement forward, in dialogue, and in settling differences in a peaceful manner.

KAGAN: That would, of course, be the great hope. But there are so many divergent religious, groups, ethnicities within this country, each one wanting its own rights and wanting to protect its own group.

Do you think if pushed to the brink and feeling threatened that they would go to war?

AL-RAHIM: First of all, the desires and aspirations and the fears that we talked about are a result of 35 years of persecution, repression and so on, which have really damaged the psyche of Iraqis and make these groups very fearful.

I do not think, however, that any group is interested in conflict. All the groups want to resolve the differences through negotiation, through compromises. And there is a very strong commitment to Iraq and a very strong patriotic feeling amongst all the groups.

It's very clear when you go to Iraq and live there and talk to the groups, you come out with a sense everybody has a vested interest in a peaceful outcome to those negotiations.

KAGAN: And just real quickly on a personal note, what happens to you and to your job once this moves into the next phase?

AL-RAHIM: Well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it. I am now the ambassador designate. And when there is a sovereign government, we will accede.

KAGAN: Interested in the job full time?

AL-RAHIM: I think I will refrain from answering that. We will cross that bridge when we get to.

KAGAN: At the appropriate time. Thank you so much. Rend al- Rahim, thank you for your visit this morning. Appreciate it.

AL-RAHIM: Thank you.

KAGAN: Coming up, President Bush has locked up the nomination. Now he's locking horns with John Kerry. Some new fighting words, just ahead.

And later, a new push to allow teens to vote. They're talking about it in California. Do you think it's a good idea? Fourteen- year-olds at the ballot box. We'll talk to some teenagers just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK REPORT)

KAGAN: Major league baseball commissioner Bud Selig before Congress. He is testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee, the issue, steroid use in sports. Specifically right now, major league baseball, a hot topic in the sports world.

The concern for the Senate, not just what happens for major league sports, but the influence on young people across America.

Here is Senator Joe Biden.

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SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: I now find myself not only as a senator resentful of what some athletes are doing to the sport, but I find myself angry, angry in my gut.

Because these are the same guys who would have taken me out, taken me out. Not because they have more God-given natural talent than me. But because they enhanced with artificial means their capacity. That is simply wrong. That is a -- that is a blot on the culture of this country.

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KAGAN: Fighting words from Senator Joe Biden, not just about sports but about the influence it has on young people. The Senate Commerce Committee hearing from Bud Selig. Also from Donald Fehr, who represents the major league baseball players. Gene Upshaw was there as was Paul Tagliabue, the commission of the NFL.

When does a local news investigation go too far? Police and parents say when it lures sexual predators to a neighborhood full of children. Decide for yourself. That's coming up next.

And later, should teens be allowed to vote? A controversial proposal is being offered up in California. We'll be talking about that live in our next half hour.

First though, another of the best places for a summer vacation.

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MARION ASNES, SENIOR EDITOR, "MONEY": Denver has become a national airline hub. And because of that, it's loaded with discount airfares. And that's why "Money" chose it as one of the great places to go visit this summer.

Denver, the Mile High City, is located right at the base of the Colorado Rockies. As a result, you've got a city that has so much outdoor activity, as well as the many sophisticated delights of the big town.

There are 90 miles of biking trails where you can go to work off a great steak dinner or microbrewed beer.

Denver is a big sports town, and the Colorado Rockies have been having some great seasons, so this is a great place to go see some baseball.

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KAGAN: A fire that started as a controlled burn in Florida's Osceola National Forest is out of control today. Flames swept across 30,000 acres in rural Baker County, and it chased residents from three-dozen homes.

Authorities are tripling the number of firefighters working that blaze today.

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KAGAN: Philadelphia now. A television station there under fire today for doing a series -- a sting on child sex. Was it journalism or was it just a ploy to get ratings?

Our Jason Carroll takes a look at the controversy.

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JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a driveway of an empty home in suburban Philadelphia sits a police car to ward off pedophiles. Placed there after a controversial news report on how pedophiles lure victims on the Internet.

It aired on Philadelphia's WCAU, and outraged some members of this community.

MARY PAT MINOR, NEIGHBOR: It was a rating stunt. I truly believe that.

CARROLL: In the story, a WCAU employee poses as an underage girl or boy. Contact is made with an adult on the Internet. Arrangements are confirmed to meet at this house, which the station rented. Once the adults show up, they're met by news cameras.

Neighbors Mary Pat and John Minor told the local NBC crew they were deeply troubled by the station's methods.

M. MINOR: We're not naive people. We know this goes, and we know it probably goes on in our neighborhood. But to invite them to a house two doors down from my house, where my children were standing.

JOHN MINOR, NEIGHBOR: It was an unbelievably irresponsible thing to do.

CARROLL: Irresponsible, Minor says, because once exposed, the alleged pedophiles were free to go in a neighborhood where a school is just around the corner.

CAROL CARY, PRINCIPAL: My foremost concern is for the safety of our children. And I think the story that they did really risked our children.

CARROLL: The station canceled a scheduled interview with CNN but issued this statement: "No one was put in danger by this story. The station's reporters and producers conducted themselves responsibly."

Critics called the report a form of vigilante journalism encouraged by this web site, PervertedJustice.com, which exposed alleged pedophiles and urges news organizations to go after them.

But police say WCAU put the community at risk, because they didn't contact law enforcement, had no way of knowing if the alleged pedophiles were armed and lured the suspects to a neighborhood heavily populated by children.

CHIEF LEE HUNTER, NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP POLICE: That's the worst possible scenario. Absolutely the worst possibly scenario.

CARRLL (on camera): There are still a number of people in this community who are angry about the report. That is why they've held a town hall meeting so community leaders, as well as a representative from the TV station, can hear their concerns.

The station, for its part, says it stands by the methods used in the report.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

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KAGAN: It is official. George W. Bush has locked up the Republican nomination. Now the gloves are really going to come off. Your complete political wrap-up is coming up next.

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