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American Morning
Paging Dr. Gupta: Tomatis Method for ADHD; Mother Faces Murder Charge for Stillborn Twin
Aired March 12, 2004 - 10:30 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: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is due to hold a town hall meeting at the Pentagon in about an hour. Rumsfeld will be joined by the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Ashley Pearson (ph), the 10-year-old who wrote a letter mentioned in President Bush's State of the Union address.
Spain has started three days of mourning honoring those killed in yesterday's train bombings. The death toll inched up overnight with 198 people now confirmed killed. Some 1,400 people were wounded. Spanish investigators say they're not yet sure who's responsible for the attacks. They're not yet convinced by denials oft Basque separatists, nor the claim of responsibility from a group saying that it represents al Qaeda.
Earlier today on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we spoke to an expert in foreign policy and defense issues. Peter Brookes is a senior fellow with the Heritage Foundation. He says there is ample reason to suspect al Qaeda, and he believes the nation has long attracted interest of al Qaeda officials, including the lead hijacker in the 911 attacks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETER BROOKES, SENIOR FELLOW, HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Mohammad Atta, one of the leaders of 9/11, met in Spain. A number of al Qaeda people have been arrested, some senior financiers, some senior operatives over the years. In fact, there is -- I believe there is an al Qaeda operative on trial in Spain today.
Al Qaeda has also put Spain in the crosshairs. Osama bin Laden himself has mentioned Spain in the past as a target. And at one point, southern Spain was Muslim, and al Qaeda has talked about this worldwide pan-Islamic caliphate that stretches all the way from Spain to Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Brookes says it may be up to investigators to decide who's to blame for the attacks. He says al Qaeda rarely claims responsibility.
On to health news now. There is a new audio training program. It's called the Tomatis method, and it has caught the attention of many parents whose kids have learning disabilities.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta tells us how sound therapy has been a calming influence for one family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Concentration doesn't come easy to many 12-year-old boys, but for twins, Teddy and Alex Gilmartin, it was just a bit harder. They were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in kindergarten.
TEDDY GILMARTIN, DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD: It always took me possibly until 9:00, when I started at 7:00 to do my homework. And that's not because I get lots of homework. That's because I used to have a lot more trouble concentrating on it.
ALEX GILMARTIN, DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD: Attention and focusing is a whole lot better.
GUPTA: Their parents tried everything -- speech therapy, reading therapy, summer programs, special school and medications -- to help them along. Last summer, they tried the Tomatis method.
STACEY GILMARTIN, MOTHER OF TWINS WITH ADHD: It was more successful than other methods, and was probably more radical.
DORINNE DAVIS-KALUGIN, AUDIOLOGIST, DAVIS CENTER: When you have the ability to understand what's coming in better, you're going to be better able to adapt to what's going on around you.
GUPTA: Tomatis attempts to teach listening by learning how to filter out all of the irrelevant information that overwhelms people with ADHD. This is done by training the brain to ignore certain auditory stimuli.
Here's how it works. Through the use of special filters, sounds of Mozart music and Gregorian chants, along with their own voice, enter the child's ear through the ear canal. Sound hits the eardrum, enters the cochlea, and into the brain. Over time, the theory is the child adjusts their listening to filter out irrelevant information, allowing them to pay attention more effectively.
Fifteen-year-old David Sportelli has been using Tomatis for two years.
DAVID SPORTELLI, USING TOMATIS METHOD: It helps you, like, kind of bring everything together, and, like, do things for yourself and help calm down a little bit.
GUPTA: But it isn't cheap: $2,800 for a 15-day session. Many patients require a second session and boosters, costing over $1,600.
The Gilmartins aren't sure if it was Tomatis alone or the culmination of years of different therapies.
COURTNEY GILMARTIN, SISTER OF TWINS WITH ADHD: They definitely didn't change from being ADHD boys going, like, turning perfectly normal, but you could see different changes. GUPTA: Changes for the better, the Gilmartins say.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: We want to show you a story we're watching now out of South Carolina, a bus crash involving some military personnel.
It was part of a caravan of four or five buses from the Charleston naval weapons station. They were going -- they were carrying Navy personnel from the guided-missile destroyer, the William Pinckney, to a replaying ceremony at Buford National Cemetery.
The bus accident involved a bus and a car. Two people are dead -- at least two people are dead following this accident. Unclear whether the two people were in the bus or in the car.
Navy officials on the way of giving more information. But, once again, two people dead after a bus carrying Navy personnel to Buford for a memorial service was involved in an accident, also involving a car, earlier this morning in South Carolina. More on that just ahead.
Also, the story of a Utah mother who loses one of her twins at birth and she is arrested because of it. Coming up, why authorities are charging this mother with her baby's death.
And Kobe Bryant's accuser will have to answer questions. We check the stories across America when we return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MARKET UPDATE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: All right. Kind of a strange story here to tell you about out of Salt Lake City, Utah. A woman there charged with murder in the death of one of her stillborn twin. The reason: she refused to have a C-section.
Reporter Sandy Riesgraf of our Riesgraf of our affiliate, KFTU, spoke to the woman in a jailhouse interview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA ANN ROWLAND, CHARGED WITH MURDER: Pretty scared. I don't feel that I did anything wrong.
SANDY RIESGRAF, CNN AFFILIATE KFTU REPORTER (voice-over): Melissa Ann Rowland can't believe she's being charged with murder. By phone from jail, she denied doing anything to harm her twin. But could she have saved the one who died by having a C-section two days before she gave birth?
ROWLAND: I don't have any comment on that right now. RIESGRAF: Prosecutor Kent Morgan says his office has never filed murder charges in a case like this. But, he says, Melissa Rowland knew one baby could die if she didn't have a C-section. Morgan says she also ignored other vital medical prenatal care.
KENT MORGAN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, nurse after nurse told her, this is the only way you're going to save this child. This is what you have to do.
RIESGRAF: The charging document says Rowland told one doctor, a C-section would -- quote -- "ruin her life." That she would rather "lose one of the babies than be cut like that."
Did she say it?
ROWLAND: No, I did not. I deny that.
MORGAN: What is happening here is balancing the procedure necessary to save the life that she alone could do against her interest in vanity. She allowed vanity to win out.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And that was reporter Sandy Riesgraf of CNN affiliate KFTU in Salt Lake City.
Now a look at some of the stories making news across America.
First to Colorado, where the Supreme Court has ruled that defense attorneys for NBA star Kobe Bryant will indeed be allowed to ask his 19-year-old accuser about her sexual history. She'll face a two-day hearing behind closed doors later this month. Defense attorneys are trying to discredit the woman, who accused Bryant of rape last June.
Federal investigators in California have arrested a man in Stockton, California, and charged him with last month's highway shootings. There were eight sniper-related shootings at vehicles on I-580 between San Leandro and Dublin. There are no injuries in those indents.
The nation's tallest building is being sold. New York-based MetLife says that a favorable market has led to its sale of Chicago's Sears Tower. The company will pocket a $90 million profit in the deal. The buyer has not been identified. The Sears Tower has faced leasing problems after the 9/11 attacks dampened enthusiasm for high- profile properties.
At the White House, administration officials have just wrapped up their informal briefing they have every morning called "the gaggle."
Kathleen Koch was there. She tells us more -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, it was Scott McLellan, the White House spokesman, who went over a number of issues with reporters today. One of the primary focuses, though, was the continuing aftermath of the terrorist bombings in Spain.
McLellan said that the United States continues to stand with the people of Spain at this very difficult time. He said that the president condemned the very brutal, vicious attacks on innocent people. He said that the United States stood ready to offer whatever assistance Spain needed in both the aftermath and the investigation, although McLellan said at this point he's not aware of any requests, official requests, that have been made by Spain.
McLellan was asked whether or not the U.S. is taking these specific steps in response. He said that obviously the Department of Homeland Security is working 24/7 to keep the U.S. safe. But he said at this point when it comes to the terror threat level in the United States, there is no plan to raise it to a higher level, though McLellan said that is something that we always look at and review.
And I asked the spokesman also about these reports of this shadowy al Qaeda-connected group that's claiming responsibility by e- mail for the attacks, and Spain had also mentioned that it was 90- percent ready to strike against the United States. McLellan said, we take all threats seriously. It's just another reminder that we are at war on terrorism.
And then another subject was addressed. The Senate earlier this morning passed a budget for 2005, a budget that falls somewhat short of some of the items that the president wanted passed, giving only $81 billion in tax cuts versus 181, which the president had been asking for. Still, McLellan applauded what the Senate had passed, saying that it follows the president's budget program of keeping taxes low and spending responsible.
And when I pointed out the discrepancies as far as the tax cuts, which are very central to the president's program for economic recovery, McLellan said, well, we are still very early in the process -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Kathleen Koch, as we are early in the day here. Thank you for that.
Jayson Williams was a star on the hardwood, but the former NBA player is facing an all-star who is accustomed to a very different type of court. Renowned forensic scientist Henry Lee, who gained fame in the O.J. Simpson case, testified for the prosecution yesterday in the manslaughter trial.
Our Maria Hinojosa has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Five weeks on trial may be taking a toll on former basketball star Jayson Williams.
DR. HENRY LEE, FORENSIC SCIENTIST: Henry C. Lee, L-E-E.
HINOJOSA: On Thursday, he faced Dr. Henry Lee, who took the stand for the prosecution. Lee is a renowned forensic specialist, who testified in the O.J. Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey cases.
LEE: This is the bedroom. Everything in the proper place.
HINOJOSA: Lee's testimony, based only on photographs he saw, supported that of other prosecution witnesses, who said they saw Williams shoot his limo driver, Gus Christofi, at close range.
LEE: The weapon, the barrel to target is approximately 6 to 18 inches. So, in other words, the shooter more likely, probably, four or five feet away.
HINOJOSA: Lee testified the weapon was handled after the shooting. The prosecution says Williams attempted a cover-up.
LEE: Weapon was found next to doorway. It's inconsistent with our reconstruction. Somebody had to move the weapon to that location. So we see being altered.
HINOJOSA: The defense maintains the shooting was an accident, and challenged the accusation of a cover-up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't know who touched those hands, how those hands were touched or anything about that, correct?
LEE: Did I say anybody?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I'm asking you yes or no. Just say no if you don't.
LEE: I don't.
HINOJOSA (on camera): The trial resumes on Monday with more prosecution witnesses. Because of a gag order, no one knows if Jayson Williams will take the stand to try to convince jurors it was an accident. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 55 years in prison.
Maria Hinojosa, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: From a pirate to a writer, Johnny Depp is always looking for the secret to success.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You stole my story.
JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: I don't believe I know you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know that. That doesn't matter. I know you, Mr. Raina (ph). That's what matters.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And we know Mr. Moviefone. He's going to tell us if Johnny Depp has a hit on his hands with the new movie, "Secret Window."
And, this is what we're working on for next hour:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN (voice-over): CNN's complete coverage of today's headlines.
At 11:00, train bombings. As a nation mourns, the mystery still remains who's responsible. Live from Madrid with new information.
And it's getting nasty as the presidential campaign kicks into attack mode. A look at the new ads and the new accusations.
Stay with CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gentlemen, start your engines!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: "NASCAR" The IMAX Experience" roars into theaters across the country this weekend. Also new on the big screens, "Secret Window," starring Johnny Depp. "Spartan" and "Agent Cody Banks 2.".
Mr. Moviefone, also known as Russ Leatherman in his other life, is in L.A. with some insight on these new flicks.
Hi, Russ.
RUSS LEATHERMAN, MR. MOVIEFONE: It is a busy Friday, Daryn. We've got a lot of movies.
KAGAN: We've got to roll up the sleeves here, OK?
LEATHERMAN: Roll them up. So, you want to start with "Secret Window."
KAGAN: "Secret Window," Johnny Depp's new movie.
LEATHERMAN: OK, well, first of all, let's just say we all love Johnny Depp. I mean, if I was a man lover, he'd be my man.
KAGAN: All right.
LEATHERMAN: You know what I'm saying. I think he's...
KAGAN: Unfortunately, I do, but go on with the movies.
LEATHERMAN: I think this is a good movie. You see, there is Johnny Depp, stars John Turturro. He plays a writer, who is recently divorced, living in the woods with his hair all disheveled and in that robe. I love that about him. Then Turturro shows up and claims that Johnny Depp stole his screenplay. And if Johnny Depp doesn't prove in three days that he didn't, some bad things are going to start happening.
KAGAN: Oh!
LEATHERMAN: Daryn, some bad things start happening, of course.
Now, this is from a Stephen King novella, so it's got some horror element. It's really sort of a thriller. And I really liked it. He's fantastic to watch on the screen. The movie sort of unravels towards the end, but the first 80 minutes of the movie are really good. He's, you know, so watchable on the big screen it's unbelievable.
And so, I really like this movie. I didn't like the ending so much, but most of the movie I really liked.
KAGAN: OK. What about another filmmaker who kind of likes to play with your mind? David Mamet has another one coming out.
LEATHERMAN: Well, one of the better, maybe best, writer/directors in America, I think. This movie is called "Spartan." It stars Val Kilmer, who we haven't heard of in a long time, right? He makes his comeback in this movie, I think. He's really terrific. It's another thriller.
He plays a CIA operative sort of guy, who is sent to recover the president's daughter who's been kidnapped. So, there are all kinds of twists and turns in this movie that sort of leads you back to a conspiracy in the White House.
The thing I liked about this movie, different than maybe "Secret Window," is from beginning to end "Spartan" keeps you guessing. It keeps you on your toes. And by the end of it, you get some twists that are sort of surprising. That didn't really happen with "Secret Window," but both of these are really good thrillers and I think worth checking out.
KAGAN: OK. One that's really going to stretch your brain, "Agent Cody Banks 2."
LEATHERMAN: "Agent Cody Banks 2." This is, sadly, a blatant attempt to pick your pocket of $9.50, I think.
KAGAN: If you have kids, it might be a good idea.
LEATHERMAN: You know what? I took the kids. The kids didn't like it so much, and really just because it's just a rehash of the last movie. Scott Anthony is in it, who you see right there, who's pretty funny. But you know what? Kids are getting a little more sophisticated with their movies, and this one just didn't deliver. So I have to say no "Agent Cody Banks."
KAGAN: OK. And let's bring it full circle, all the way around the track and talk "NASCAR" The IMAX Experience." I think that sounds like a good match-up, to just get right down there on the track with the cars.
LEATHERMAN: Well, you know what? I didn't know that NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport in America. Mix it with IMAX, which is a fantastic format on the big screen, and you get sort of an interesting movie. This thing is also in 3D, so there are wrecks. The tires are coming -- flying at you. Yes, so that's really cool.
And this movie is not just, you know, for people whose, you know, homes are made of tin and on wheels. This movie is not just for Bud Lite drinkers. Everybody's going to like the IMAX experience. And I didn't realize, you know, it's the No. 1 spectator sport in America.
KAGAN: Well, I don't know where you've been. It's the No. 2 drawing after the NFL. It's huge.
LEATHERMAN: Yes, it's really amazing. So, we've got a lot of good movies this weekend.
KAGAN: Good.
LEATHERMAN: The weather is getting better. The movies are getting better. I couldnt' be happier, Daryn.
KAGAN: It's a good thing. We're happy to have you here, too. Russ, thank you so much.
LEATHERMAN: I'll see you next week.
KAGAN: Russ, Mr. Moviefone.
LEATHERMAN: Bye-bye.
KAGAN: And you can keep your eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to CNN.com/entertainment. Among the highlights you'll find there, more on all of the new movies that we talked about.
So, you say you still haven't found anything to replace your favorite foursome from New York City. Well, try this one for size. The next best thing to "Sex and the City": the clothes. Jeanne Moos has the story in the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY.
But before we get to all of that, "The Cat in the Hat" is now officially all that. The Walk of Fame now bears the name of the one and only Dr. Seuss.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Loved by children around the world. Dr. Seuss now has a special place in Hollywood -- a star on the Walk of Fame. That honor was bestowed on the late Theodore Geisel yesterday. His widow attended the event. The tribute is part of celebrations marking what would have been Geisel's 100th birthday.
(WEATHER BREAK)
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Murder Charge for Stillborn Twin>
Aired March 12, 2004 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is due to hold a town hall meeting at the Pentagon in about an hour. Rumsfeld will be joined by the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Ashley Pearson (ph), the 10-year-old who wrote a letter mentioned in President Bush's State of the Union address.
Spain has started three days of mourning honoring those killed in yesterday's train bombings. The death toll inched up overnight with 198 people now confirmed killed. Some 1,400 people were wounded. Spanish investigators say they're not yet sure who's responsible for the attacks. They're not yet convinced by denials oft Basque separatists, nor the claim of responsibility from a group saying that it represents al Qaeda.
Earlier today on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we spoke to an expert in foreign policy and defense issues. Peter Brookes is a senior fellow with the Heritage Foundation. He says there is ample reason to suspect al Qaeda, and he believes the nation has long attracted interest of al Qaeda officials, including the lead hijacker in the 911 attacks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETER BROOKES, SENIOR FELLOW, HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Mohammad Atta, one of the leaders of 9/11, met in Spain. A number of al Qaeda people have been arrested, some senior financiers, some senior operatives over the years. In fact, there is -- I believe there is an al Qaeda operative on trial in Spain today.
Al Qaeda has also put Spain in the crosshairs. Osama bin Laden himself has mentioned Spain in the past as a target. And at one point, southern Spain was Muslim, and al Qaeda has talked about this worldwide pan-Islamic caliphate that stretches all the way from Spain to Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Brookes says it may be up to investigators to decide who's to blame for the attacks. He says al Qaeda rarely claims responsibility.
On to health news now. There is a new audio training program. It's called the Tomatis method, and it has caught the attention of many parents whose kids have learning disabilities.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta tells us how sound therapy has been a calming influence for one family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Concentration doesn't come easy to many 12-year-old boys, but for twins, Teddy and Alex Gilmartin, it was just a bit harder. They were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in kindergarten.
TEDDY GILMARTIN, DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD: It always took me possibly until 9:00, when I started at 7:00 to do my homework. And that's not because I get lots of homework. That's because I used to have a lot more trouble concentrating on it.
ALEX GILMARTIN, DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD: Attention and focusing is a whole lot better.
GUPTA: Their parents tried everything -- speech therapy, reading therapy, summer programs, special school and medications -- to help them along. Last summer, they tried the Tomatis method.
STACEY GILMARTIN, MOTHER OF TWINS WITH ADHD: It was more successful than other methods, and was probably more radical.
DORINNE DAVIS-KALUGIN, AUDIOLOGIST, DAVIS CENTER: When you have the ability to understand what's coming in better, you're going to be better able to adapt to what's going on around you.
GUPTA: Tomatis attempts to teach listening by learning how to filter out all of the irrelevant information that overwhelms people with ADHD. This is done by training the brain to ignore certain auditory stimuli.
Here's how it works. Through the use of special filters, sounds of Mozart music and Gregorian chants, along with their own voice, enter the child's ear through the ear canal. Sound hits the eardrum, enters the cochlea, and into the brain. Over time, the theory is the child adjusts their listening to filter out irrelevant information, allowing them to pay attention more effectively.
Fifteen-year-old David Sportelli has been using Tomatis for two years.
DAVID SPORTELLI, USING TOMATIS METHOD: It helps you, like, kind of bring everything together, and, like, do things for yourself and help calm down a little bit.
GUPTA: But it isn't cheap: $2,800 for a 15-day session. Many patients require a second session and boosters, costing over $1,600.
The Gilmartins aren't sure if it was Tomatis alone or the culmination of years of different therapies.
COURTNEY GILMARTIN, SISTER OF TWINS WITH ADHD: They definitely didn't change from being ADHD boys going, like, turning perfectly normal, but you could see different changes. GUPTA: Changes for the better, the Gilmartins say.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: We want to show you a story we're watching now out of South Carolina, a bus crash involving some military personnel.
It was part of a caravan of four or five buses from the Charleston naval weapons station. They were going -- they were carrying Navy personnel from the guided-missile destroyer, the William Pinckney, to a replaying ceremony at Buford National Cemetery.
The bus accident involved a bus and a car. Two people are dead -- at least two people are dead following this accident. Unclear whether the two people were in the bus or in the car.
Navy officials on the way of giving more information. But, once again, two people dead after a bus carrying Navy personnel to Buford for a memorial service was involved in an accident, also involving a car, earlier this morning in South Carolina. More on that just ahead.
Also, the story of a Utah mother who loses one of her twins at birth and she is arrested because of it. Coming up, why authorities are charging this mother with her baby's death.
And Kobe Bryant's accuser will have to answer questions. We check the stories across America when we return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MARKET UPDATE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: All right. Kind of a strange story here to tell you about out of Salt Lake City, Utah. A woman there charged with murder in the death of one of her stillborn twin. The reason: she refused to have a C-section.
Reporter Sandy Riesgraf of our Riesgraf of our affiliate, KFTU, spoke to the woman in a jailhouse interview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA ANN ROWLAND, CHARGED WITH MURDER: Pretty scared. I don't feel that I did anything wrong.
SANDY RIESGRAF, CNN AFFILIATE KFTU REPORTER (voice-over): Melissa Ann Rowland can't believe she's being charged with murder. By phone from jail, she denied doing anything to harm her twin. But could she have saved the one who died by having a C-section two days before she gave birth?
ROWLAND: I don't have any comment on that right now. RIESGRAF: Prosecutor Kent Morgan says his office has never filed murder charges in a case like this. But, he says, Melissa Rowland knew one baby could die if she didn't have a C-section. Morgan says she also ignored other vital medical prenatal care.
KENT MORGAN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Doctor after doctor, hospital after hospital, nurse after nurse told her, this is the only way you're going to save this child. This is what you have to do.
RIESGRAF: The charging document says Rowland told one doctor, a C-section would -- quote -- "ruin her life." That she would rather "lose one of the babies than be cut like that."
Did she say it?
ROWLAND: No, I did not. I deny that.
MORGAN: What is happening here is balancing the procedure necessary to save the life that she alone could do against her interest in vanity. She allowed vanity to win out.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And that was reporter Sandy Riesgraf of CNN affiliate KFTU in Salt Lake City.
Now a look at some of the stories making news across America.
First to Colorado, where the Supreme Court has ruled that defense attorneys for NBA star Kobe Bryant will indeed be allowed to ask his 19-year-old accuser about her sexual history. She'll face a two-day hearing behind closed doors later this month. Defense attorneys are trying to discredit the woman, who accused Bryant of rape last June.
Federal investigators in California have arrested a man in Stockton, California, and charged him with last month's highway shootings. There were eight sniper-related shootings at vehicles on I-580 between San Leandro and Dublin. There are no injuries in those indents.
The nation's tallest building is being sold. New York-based MetLife says that a favorable market has led to its sale of Chicago's Sears Tower. The company will pocket a $90 million profit in the deal. The buyer has not been identified. The Sears Tower has faced leasing problems after the 9/11 attacks dampened enthusiasm for high- profile properties.
At the White House, administration officials have just wrapped up their informal briefing they have every morning called "the gaggle."
Kathleen Koch was there. She tells us more -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, it was Scott McLellan, the White House spokesman, who went over a number of issues with reporters today. One of the primary focuses, though, was the continuing aftermath of the terrorist bombings in Spain.
McLellan said that the United States continues to stand with the people of Spain at this very difficult time. He said that the president condemned the very brutal, vicious attacks on innocent people. He said that the United States stood ready to offer whatever assistance Spain needed in both the aftermath and the investigation, although McLellan said at this point he's not aware of any requests, official requests, that have been made by Spain.
McLellan was asked whether or not the U.S. is taking these specific steps in response. He said that obviously the Department of Homeland Security is working 24/7 to keep the U.S. safe. But he said at this point when it comes to the terror threat level in the United States, there is no plan to raise it to a higher level, though McLellan said that is something that we always look at and review.
And I asked the spokesman also about these reports of this shadowy al Qaeda-connected group that's claiming responsibility by e- mail for the attacks, and Spain had also mentioned that it was 90- percent ready to strike against the United States. McLellan said, we take all threats seriously. It's just another reminder that we are at war on terrorism.
And then another subject was addressed. The Senate earlier this morning passed a budget for 2005, a budget that falls somewhat short of some of the items that the president wanted passed, giving only $81 billion in tax cuts versus 181, which the president had been asking for. Still, McLellan applauded what the Senate had passed, saying that it follows the president's budget program of keeping taxes low and spending responsible.
And when I pointed out the discrepancies as far as the tax cuts, which are very central to the president's program for economic recovery, McLellan said, well, we are still very early in the process -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Kathleen Koch, as we are early in the day here. Thank you for that.
Jayson Williams was a star on the hardwood, but the former NBA player is facing an all-star who is accustomed to a very different type of court. Renowned forensic scientist Henry Lee, who gained fame in the O.J. Simpson case, testified for the prosecution yesterday in the manslaughter trial.
Our Maria Hinojosa has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Five weeks on trial may be taking a toll on former basketball star Jayson Williams.
DR. HENRY LEE, FORENSIC SCIENTIST: Henry C. Lee, L-E-E.
HINOJOSA: On Thursday, he faced Dr. Henry Lee, who took the stand for the prosecution. Lee is a renowned forensic specialist, who testified in the O.J. Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey cases.
LEE: This is the bedroom. Everything in the proper place.
HINOJOSA: Lee's testimony, based only on photographs he saw, supported that of other prosecution witnesses, who said they saw Williams shoot his limo driver, Gus Christofi, at close range.
LEE: The weapon, the barrel to target is approximately 6 to 18 inches. So, in other words, the shooter more likely, probably, four or five feet away.
HINOJOSA: Lee testified the weapon was handled after the shooting. The prosecution says Williams attempted a cover-up.
LEE: Weapon was found next to doorway. It's inconsistent with our reconstruction. Somebody had to move the weapon to that location. So we see being altered.
HINOJOSA: The defense maintains the shooting was an accident, and challenged the accusation of a cover-up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't know who touched those hands, how those hands were touched or anything about that, correct?
LEE: Did I say anybody?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I'm asking you yes or no. Just say no if you don't.
LEE: I don't.
HINOJOSA (on camera): The trial resumes on Monday with more prosecution witnesses. Because of a gag order, no one knows if Jayson Williams will take the stand to try to convince jurors it was an accident. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 55 years in prison.
Maria Hinojosa, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: From a pirate to a writer, Johnny Depp is always looking for the secret to success.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You stole my story.
JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: I don't believe I know you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know that. That doesn't matter. I know you, Mr. Raina (ph). That's what matters.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And we know Mr. Moviefone. He's going to tell us if Johnny Depp has a hit on his hands with the new movie, "Secret Window."
And, this is what we're working on for next hour:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN (voice-over): CNN's complete coverage of today's headlines.
At 11:00, train bombings. As a nation mourns, the mystery still remains who's responsible. Live from Madrid with new information.
And it's getting nasty as the presidential campaign kicks into attack mode. A look at the new ads and the new accusations.
Stay with CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gentlemen, start your engines!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: "NASCAR" The IMAX Experience" roars into theaters across the country this weekend. Also new on the big screens, "Secret Window," starring Johnny Depp. "Spartan" and "Agent Cody Banks 2.".
Mr. Moviefone, also known as Russ Leatherman in his other life, is in L.A. with some insight on these new flicks.
Hi, Russ.
RUSS LEATHERMAN, MR. MOVIEFONE: It is a busy Friday, Daryn. We've got a lot of movies.
KAGAN: We've got to roll up the sleeves here, OK?
LEATHERMAN: Roll them up. So, you want to start with "Secret Window."
KAGAN: "Secret Window," Johnny Depp's new movie.
LEATHERMAN: OK, well, first of all, let's just say we all love Johnny Depp. I mean, if I was a man lover, he'd be my man.
KAGAN: All right.
LEATHERMAN: You know what I'm saying. I think he's...
KAGAN: Unfortunately, I do, but go on with the movies.
LEATHERMAN: I think this is a good movie. You see, there is Johnny Depp, stars John Turturro. He plays a writer, who is recently divorced, living in the woods with his hair all disheveled and in that robe. I love that about him. Then Turturro shows up and claims that Johnny Depp stole his screenplay. And if Johnny Depp doesn't prove in three days that he didn't, some bad things are going to start happening.
KAGAN: Oh!
LEATHERMAN: Daryn, some bad things start happening, of course.
Now, this is from a Stephen King novella, so it's got some horror element. It's really sort of a thriller. And I really liked it. He's fantastic to watch on the screen. The movie sort of unravels towards the end, but the first 80 minutes of the movie are really good. He's, you know, so watchable on the big screen it's unbelievable.
And so, I really like this movie. I didn't like the ending so much, but most of the movie I really liked.
KAGAN: OK. What about another filmmaker who kind of likes to play with your mind? David Mamet has another one coming out.
LEATHERMAN: Well, one of the better, maybe best, writer/directors in America, I think. This movie is called "Spartan." It stars Val Kilmer, who we haven't heard of in a long time, right? He makes his comeback in this movie, I think. He's really terrific. It's another thriller.
He plays a CIA operative sort of guy, who is sent to recover the president's daughter who's been kidnapped. So, there are all kinds of twists and turns in this movie that sort of leads you back to a conspiracy in the White House.
The thing I liked about this movie, different than maybe "Secret Window," is from beginning to end "Spartan" keeps you guessing. It keeps you on your toes. And by the end of it, you get some twists that are sort of surprising. That didn't really happen with "Secret Window," but both of these are really good thrillers and I think worth checking out.
KAGAN: OK. One that's really going to stretch your brain, "Agent Cody Banks 2."
LEATHERMAN: "Agent Cody Banks 2." This is, sadly, a blatant attempt to pick your pocket of $9.50, I think.
KAGAN: If you have kids, it might be a good idea.
LEATHERMAN: You know what? I took the kids. The kids didn't like it so much, and really just because it's just a rehash of the last movie. Scott Anthony is in it, who you see right there, who's pretty funny. But you know what? Kids are getting a little more sophisticated with their movies, and this one just didn't deliver. So I have to say no "Agent Cody Banks."
KAGAN: OK. And let's bring it full circle, all the way around the track and talk "NASCAR" The IMAX Experience." I think that sounds like a good match-up, to just get right down there on the track with the cars.
LEATHERMAN: Well, you know what? I didn't know that NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport in America. Mix it with IMAX, which is a fantastic format on the big screen, and you get sort of an interesting movie. This thing is also in 3D, so there are wrecks. The tires are coming -- flying at you. Yes, so that's really cool.
And this movie is not just, you know, for people whose, you know, homes are made of tin and on wheels. This movie is not just for Bud Lite drinkers. Everybody's going to like the IMAX experience. And I didn't realize, you know, it's the No. 1 spectator sport in America.
KAGAN: Well, I don't know where you've been. It's the No. 2 drawing after the NFL. It's huge.
LEATHERMAN: Yes, it's really amazing. So, we've got a lot of good movies this weekend.
KAGAN: Good.
LEATHERMAN: The weather is getting better. The movies are getting better. I couldnt' be happier, Daryn.
KAGAN: It's a good thing. We're happy to have you here, too. Russ, thank you so much.
LEATHERMAN: I'll see you next week.
KAGAN: Russ, Mr. Moviefone.
LEATHERMAN: Bye-bye.
KAGAN: And you can keep your eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to CNN.com/entertainment. Among the highlights you'll find there, more on all of the new movies that we talked about.
So, you say you still haven't found anything to replace your favorite foursome from New York City. Well, try this one for size. The next best thing to "Sex and the City": the clothes. Jeanne Moos has the story in the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY.
But before we get to all of that, "The Cat in the Hat" is now officially all that. The Walk of Fame now bears the name of the one and only Dr. Seuss.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Loved by children around the world. Dr. Seuss now has a special place in Hollywood -- a star on the Walk of Fame. That honor was bestowed on the late Theodore Geisel yesterday. His widow attended the event. The tribute is part of celebrations marking what would have been Geisel's 100th birthday.
(WEATHER BREAK)
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