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American Morning

Attacks and Aftermath in Spain; Interview With John Timoney; Bizarre Killings in Fresno; Interview With James Rubin

Aired March 15, 2004 - 9:00   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A seat change in European politics. A strong U.S. ally is lost in a storm over war and terror.
Piecing together an unthinkable crime where incest and cult-like rituals behind a family's massacre in Fresno, California.

And NASA planning a big announcement. What's new in the outer reaches of the solar system?

Those stories all ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Center Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, good Monday morning 9:00 here in New York. Now the stories this hour.

We're looking at how U.S. cities are responding to warnings from the government to protect railway stations and more. Just part of the aftermath coming out of Madrid last Thursday. We'll talk to Miami's police chief about what can be done here in this country.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, two sides of the controversial law in Maine that protects law enforcement officers from lawsuits. The case stems from a car wreck, where two teenagers were killed by a sheriff who was driving 86 miles an hour in a 55-mile-an-hour zone. No siren was going. We're going to take a closer look at that case.

HEMMER: And such a tragedy, too.

Jack Cafferty is with us. The "Question of the Day" deals with the top story of the day.

Good morning.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, whether or not those Madrid bombings represent a big victory for the terrorists that goes beyond the actual attack itself. The political seat change that happened in Spain in a period of about 70 hours from the time those bombs went off is one of the more dramatic turnarounds that we have seen recently. Suddenly, the incumbents were ahead in the polls going in and got voted out on their ears like that.

Email us at am@cnn.com.

HEMMER: And terrific emails already. CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: You've got it, Jack.

Top stories now top of the hour. The first reported U.S. casualty in Haiti since American forces started a peacekeeping mission in that country. A U.S. military spokesman says a Marine was shot and wounded in Port-au-Prince last night, Sunday night. He's being treated in a hospital in Miami. Officials say that U.S. troops have come under fire several times in the past week in Haiti. Some 1,600 U.S. Marines in the country trying to help restore order.

Overseas, Pakistani police have asked the U.S. for surveillance footage from outside its consulate in Karachi. Earlier today, experts defused a large bomb that investigators say had been left in stolen minivan outside the building. Police say the surveillance tape may show who was behind the explosion. The incident comes just two days before the secretary of state, Colin Powell, is set to visit Pakistan.

Police in California trying to determine if a suspect in a mass killing in Fresno had help from one of the victims. People in the community have piled flowers and balloons outside the home where police found nine bodies on Friday. The 57-year-old Marcus Wesson faces nine counts of murder. Fresno Police say the victims includes at least two children that Wesson fathered with his own daughters.

More on this story in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.

NASA's set to hold a news conference later today offering more details about what may be a 10th planet. Astronomers say they have named the object Sedna, after an ocean goddess. It's apparently the largest object found in the solar system since Pluto was discovered back in 1930. NASA's news conference is set for 1:00 Eastern Time later this afternoon.

College hoops: Kentucky one of the four overall number one seeds in the NCAA tournament, big win over Florida on Sunday. They cruised 89-73 and they looked good doing it. Kentucky now shares the number one seeds with Duke, Stanford and St. Joseph's. And the field of 64 is now set.

The madness begins on Thursday, and I, for one, cannot wait -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: I know you can't. Me too, Billy. You and Brad. And I'll be watching a lot of basketball.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Well, Spain's next prime minister is already making his presence felt after his socialist party was swept into power yesterday. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero says he wants to maintain Spain's relations with the U.S. even though he didn't support the war in Iraq. And he is talking tough about continued Spanish involvement there.

We take to you the Spanish capital, Madrid, now, where Brent Sadler is standing by for us.

Brent, good morning.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks. Good morning, Soledad.

The day after a major upstart in the elections here overnight. Still, Spaniards are grieving for the loss of victims, 200 of them in last week's bomb attacks against the rail network.

Now, there was a major surprise overnight, when the ruling popular party was booted out of power, as it seems voters turned against the 8-year-old government of the prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, who is stepping down in this election for his staunch support of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. As evidence continues to mount here that Al Qaeda may be behind the bombings, this reigned discontent here that Spain had joined forces with the United States, triggering a voter backlash at the ballot boxes.

Now, the prime minister designate has already said he thinks that the war against Iraq was a "total error." He held a press conference a short time ago and had this to say to journalists here in Madrid...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, SPANISH PRIME MINISTER ELECT (through translator): I don't agree with the war in Iraq. I don't think there was a reason to go into war. And I think time is giving me the credit that it was not a good idea to go in. And I don't think the administration in Iraq is the best.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SADLER: Mr. Zapatero says that he will withdraw some 1,300 Spanish troops on duty with the coalition in Iraq by June 30th, a date that sovereignty is expected to be handed over to the Iraqis unless there is a new United Nations Security Council resolution that could give international cover for the Spanish force to stay in place -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Brent Sadler in Madrid for us this morning. Brent, thank you.

The Madrid bombings have alerted federal, state and local authorities here in the U.S. that rail and subway lines could be terror targets. Joining us this morning from Miami to talk about increased security measures there is Miami police chief John Timoney.

Thanks for being with us, Chief.

CHIEF JOHN TIMONEY, MIAMI POLICE DEPT.: Good morning, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Good morning to you.

This past weekend in Miami, you held your big Calle Ocho celebration. And I know that you always up security for that celebration anyway with a million folks who come out. But did things change in the wake of the bombings in Madrid?

TIMONEY: Oh, clearly. We had some additional police officers out there. But we also had a much -- a much greater participation on the part of the FBI.

We had two separate teams of FBI working with the Miami Police Department, one on the tech side and another one, Miami FBI S.W.A.T., working with our S.W.A.T. units. There was a concern having well over a million people. It was the largest one we have ever had yesterday, and clearly there were 27 various stages around Calle Ocho, again, looking out for packages left unattended.

If you may hearken back to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when it was a backpack left unattended that exploded and killed one person and injured about 100 others, similar to what happened in Madrid a few days ago. And so Miami and other big cities are on alert.

We'll have conversations this afternoon on any updated information from our partners in the federal -- at the federal level to see if there's any more information. Right now, the objective -- and I guess we've done it successfully -- was to get through the weekend.

There was real concern with Calle Ocho coming up, but also at transportation hubs, at the airport, at the ferry terminals, the cruise ship terminals, and clearly the metro liner, which is the main train that comes into Miami. There was real concern.

O'BRIEN: So now that the Calle Ocho celebrations are over, and as you say, thank goodness everything went off as successfully as planned, do you intend then to keep the high alert raised or more raised than it would normally be in the wake of what happened in Madrid? Or do you drop it back to what it was?

TIMONEY: Well, we'll do that assessment today. We'll have conversations with our colleagues. We have our detectives at the joint terrorist task force.

I will be speaking to the head of the FBI, John Solomon (ph), here in Miami this afternoon. We'll talk and see if there's any more information, and then we'll make our assessment accordingly today.

O'BRIEN: You talked a little bit about these FBI teams that were helping you out during yoru celebrations. You also talk about a device called the sky watcher. What exactly is that thing, and how does it work?

TIMONEY: Yes, it was fantastic. It was the first time we ever used it, maybe in any police department across America.

It was an idea that came out of Disney on how you observe crowds. But here it's a much bigger version. It really is a portable room, for want of a better term, that's on a hydraulic lift that gets you 30 feet into the air. And we have cameras, lights, and we're able to observe the crowd, the full length of the crowd for almost over 50 blocks north and South, similarly east and west. And it was a good bird's eye view not just observing the crowd, but in this case a few fights broke out in the crowd. We were able to get to those situations and quell them quite easily. The same would have applied god forbid it was a package or if we needed to direct police officers into the area.

As you can well imagine, a million people shoulder to shoulder, it's quite difficult to observe on the ground. And this was really an extra added benefit. But I can guarantee you we will be using that in the future.

O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right. Chief John Timoney joining us. And as you mentioned, those conversations going on today about exactly what kind of security to keep in place following your successful Calle Ocho celebration.

Thanks for being with us, sir. Appreciate it.

TIMONEY: Thanks, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Bill?

HEMMER: Anti-war protesters marching in Washington today angry over the 564 American troops who have died in Iraq in the year since the war began. Elaine Quijano is standing by live at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center with more on this story.

Elaine, good morning there.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.

About 60 people have gathered here outside the gates of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. And organizers say these demonstrations are being held for several reasons.

First, to protest the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq. Also, to honor the dead, as well as draw attention to the plight of the wounded. That is why they have decided to start their protest in Washington today here at Walter Reed. This is where many of the injured soldiers are taken for rehabilitation.

Now, they have also decided to protest yesterday at Dover Delaware Air Force Base in Delaware.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (voice-over): Jane Bright carries with her a burden she hopes no other family will have to endure.

JANE BRIGHT, MILITARY FAMILIES SPEAK OUT: He was beautiful. He was 24 years old. He was a gifted student.

QUIJANO: Last summer, Bright sat vigil for two nights beside her son's body at a funeral home in California. Her son, Sgt. Evan Ashcraft (ph) with the 101st Airborne Division, was killed in an attack near Mosul, Iraq, last July. JIM BRIGHT, MILITARY FAMILES SPEAK OUT: And he died for something I think was a mistake, a big huge mistake. And it's a horrible waste and it has to be changed.

QUIJANO: Bright was among several hundred anti-war demonstrators. Among them, veterans, peace activists, and parents. Many of whom marched several miles to Delaware's Dover Air Force Base, where the remains of U.S servicemen and women first returned home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John T. Rivero (ph), 23, U.S. Army.

QUIJANO: Along the way, they read the names of those killed in the Iraq war, Americans and Iraqis alike. They then gathered and remembered those lost near the mortuary where their loved ones once lay.

JANE BRIGHT: I want to in my mind memorialize my son's journey home from Iraq.

QUIJANO: Their message: peace and the safe return of troops from Iraq, as well as the hope that people remember there loved one's sacrifices.

JANE BRIGHT: We want the American public to not lose sight as they go about their daily lives that people are still dying.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO: And here, outside the gates of Walter Reed, just in the last few minutes, perhaps you can hear some angry counter- demonstrators that have shown up with signs. They are here calling some of these protesters traitors.

We've heard them yelling very forcefully. However, they appear to be very limited in number. In fact, I talked to one of those counter-demonstrators earlier this morning, and he said they only expect to have a handful of people here.

As for the actual peace protesters, they will plan to march in about an hour or so down to Lafayette Park across the street from the White House there. They will continue their protest by reading the names of those killed in Iraq -- Bill.

HEMMER: Elaine Quijano, thanks for that, live in D.C.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, police in Fresno, California, uncover a house of horror. We'll tell you just what they found inside just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, it looks like MCI might be off the hook in the state of Oklahoma. But the state wants something in return for dropping a criminal case. Andy has details on that.

O'BRIEN: Plus, Hollywood can't ignore the success of "The Passion of the Christ." Our "90-Second Pop" crew will explain what the movie business plans to do about it. All ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Police in California still do not have a motive for the mass killings of nine people in Fresno. A bit earlier today here on AMERICAN MORNING, we talked with the police chief there in Fresno, Jerry Dyer, about the 57-year-old suspect, Marcus Wesson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF JERRY DYER, FRESNO POLICE DEPT.: We don't want to become too narrowly focused in our investigation to exclude anyone, but we do believe absolutely that he is responsible for the murder of all nine victims.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: And we're also told from the police chief tha the is cooperating at this point. We should get more information later today when the coroner releases a report. So we will keep you informed when that happens.

Frank Muna, meanwhile, did business with Wesson. He new the victims as well. And Frank Muna is our guest to talk about the story in Fresno, California.

We welcome you here to AMERICAN MORNING. I know your relationship goes back about five years, 1999. Describe to us the man you knew as Marcus Wesson.

FRANK MUNA, BUSINESS ASSOCIATE OF MARCUS WESSON: Well, when I first met him he was articulate, he did not look like he does today. I mean, back then he was clean, hair was kept. It was a little bit long, but it was not in outrageous dreadlocks like it is now.

Over the last couple years, perhaps three years, he's been deteriorating emotionally and psychologically. And so the last few times that I had spoken to him he was somewhat despondent, disheveled, dirty.

HEMMER: You describe his hair as being one solid mass of oil and dirt. You describe it as rancid. I'm not quite sure what lead to this. I don't know if you have insight at all either. But did you know the women very well inside the home?

MUNA: Yes, actually they had come to my office, and I've had several discussions with them over the years because they were making payments to me in regards to the house.

HEMMER: Was there a suggestion at a point that polygamy may have been involved inside that home?

MUNA: Not at first. One of them had one story about how they were related, and then another story. And then the story kept changing. But I started noticing that there was intimate contact when I would come over to the house between him and at least three of the women, if not four of them. And that was quite disturbing.

HEMMER: What do you mean by intimate contact that you observed?

MUNA: Well, you know, caressing, arm around one shoulder, that kind of stuff. Things -- nothing, you know, inappropriate or sexual, just obviously that they were familiar and they were in a relationship with each other. What was disturbing is that on one visit I would see this with one of the women, then on another visit I would see it with another of the women that were associated with him. And the other one was present, and that was quite disturbing.

HEMMER: Mr. Muna, when the women came to visit you, were they wearing what has been reported to be a black dress or black skirt with heels?

MUNA: Yes.

HEMMER: Did you observe that?

MUNA: I don't remember the footwear, but I do remember floor- length black skirts, and also headscarves sometimes.

HEMMER: Did you ask them about that, as to why they dressed that way?

MUNA: No. Actually, I thought perhaps they were Muslim. But I did not feel that is appropriate to inquire as to their religion because then they would feel perhaps that they were being discriminated based upon their religion, and that was not my intention at all.

HEMMER: One more question, Mr. Muna. Were you aware of the coffins that were ordered or purchased or delivered to that home?

MUNA: Yes. I had seen them at an antique dealer here locally, and then the antique dealer told me that Mr. Wesson had purchased all of them. I remember that because it was highly unusual and quite disturbing.

HEMMER: Perhaps more throughout the day here. Frank Muna is our guest here. He knew and was a business acquaintance of Marcus Wesson.

Again, last hour -- appreciate your time. Thank you.

MUNA: Thank you.

HEMMER: Just to reiterate, the police chief told us here live on AMERICAN MORNING last hour that Marcus Wesson is cooperating. To what extent, we do not know. But we'll track it for you later this afternoon from California here on CNN -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, a changing government in Spain after what is being described as the worst terror attack there. We'll have more with former Assistant Secretary of State James Rubin just ahead, as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Time to check in with Jack and the "Question of the Day."

CAFFERTY: Thank you, Soledad.

The United States may have lost a key ally in Europe after yesterday's upset in the Spanish elections. Prime Minister Aznar's populist party -- they are the conservatives -- had a lead in the polls before last week's train bombings in Madrid. Now the socialists suddenly have been voted in.

Elections held there yesterday. Their leader says he is going to withdraw Spain's troops from Iraq, a shift in foreign policy away from the United States and toward European allies like France and Germany.

The question is, do Spain's election results mean the terrorists are winning?

Sandra in Barnegat, New Jersey: "The fact that a nation's government was changed through free and open elections is not a victory for terrorists. Anytime the voice of the people is heard through the ballot, and not with bullets, it's a victory for free people everywhere. It means the system is working."

Henry in Bethesda, Maryland: "It's clear the Spanish people thought the way to make Spain and the rest of the world safer is for everyone to distance themselves from President Bush and his neo-con cohort's agenda to arrange the world, particularly the Middle East, to their liking. Hopefully the American people are as wise as the Spanish."

Rich in Rochester, New York: "I'm not sure one can call it a win for the terrorists. They'll just be a continuing source of pain and anguish. But the reaction of the Spanish people reflects the conciliatory nature of their European neighbors and will simply encourage the terrorists to keep trying."

Steve in Whitehall, Michigan writes: "There's no doubt that this will be viewed by terrorists as a victory for them, and they will no doubt try to influence other country's elections. Other European countries would probably be the easiest targets, but they may try to get Kerry the capitulator in, in this country, by doing something here in the fall."

AM@cnn.com.

HEMMER: How are they coming down mostly?

CAFFERTY: Oh, they are all over the place. We have gotten close to a thousand e-mails. And most of them feel that it was not coincidence the timing of the Madrid bombings. That if al Qaeda was involved in this at all, that it was done with the expressed intent of sending a message just prior to the elections, knowing there was a popular dissatisfaction with the conservative's position on supporting the United States in the war in Iraq.

HEMMER: What I find confusing is, was this a reaction to what happened on Thursday? Was this a reaction to Aznar going ahead with his support for the U.S. and the war in Iraq a year ago, knowing the polls before the war broke out were 90 percent opposed to it?

OBRIEN: Right.

CAFFERTY: The polls prior to the bombing showed that they were favored to retain control of the government. The polls leading up to the election before the bombs went off in the trains.

HEMMER: Well, that's true, too, this year. Yes, I'm talking about a year ago, exactly.

CAFFERTY: Oh, well...

HEMMER: A year ago, before the war broke out, 90 percent said they were opposed to the war with Iraq, they were opposed to allying themselves with the White House with the war in Baghdad.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: Interesting topic. I'll tell you what, it ain't going away.

CAFFERTY: Nope.

HEMMER: It's going to be with us all week here, Jack. Good question.

All right. In a moment here, also want to have a look at this thing. Nothing typical about a crash landing. This one's a bit unique, though.

A small plane put down yesterday in Edgewater, Florida, right on top of a pickup truck. No one was hurt, believe it or not.

The pilot knew he was in trouble right after takeoff. He tried to land on the street. Hit the truck instead. The truck driver said he looked left and right, but never thought to look up. He will next time. That story out of Edewater, Florida.

O'BRIEN: Amazing that nobody was injured in that.

HEMMER: I am telling you. You're exactly right.

O'BRIEN: Well still to come this morning, Larry David and the Donald. One show has just finished another season, another is going to be around for a few more seasons. All part of our "90-Second Pop," and it's coming up here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.

In a few minutes, we'll get some more perspective on last night's stunning Spanish election from former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jamie Rubin. What called the ruling party to go down to defeat, and what does this mean to the Bush administration?

HEMMER: Also this hour, do state laws to protect police from prosecution mean police can do no wrong? We're looking at a controversial case out of the state of Maine in which two teenagers were killed when a sheriff crashed into them. We'll hear from the mother who is fighting for the right to sue, and a representative from sheriff's department, as well. We'll also talk with the officer involved in that crash.

Stay tuned.

O'BRIEN: Top stories, though, first.

The first reported U.S. casualty in Haiti since American forces began a peacekeeping mission there two weeks ago. A U.S. military spokesman says a Marine was shot and wounded in Port-au-Prince last night. He is being treated at a Miami hospital.

Officials say that U.S. troops have come under fire several times in the past week in Haiti. Some 1,600 U.S. Marines are in the country to help restore order.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has canceled a summit meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmed Quray. This, as renewed violence erupted in the region. Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles in Gaza. Palestinians say four people were wounded.

The attacks taking place just hours after twin suicide bombings at an Israeli port. At least 10 people were killed in that.

CIA chief George Tenet and his advisors are reportedly being blamed for faulty intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. According to USA Today, the Senate Intelligence Committee said the agency gave firm estimates that Iraq had biological and chemical weapons based on shaky evidence. A report with the findings is expected to be edited and released to the public.

The manslaughter trial of former NBA star Jayson Williams enters its sixth week today in New Jersey. Two more witnesses for the prosecution are expected to take the stand today. Prosecutors say Williams acted recklessly in the February 2002 shooting death of a limo driver. It is not clear whether Williams will take the stand, though, in his own defense.

And Attorney General John Ashcroft is resting at home today after undergoing gallbladder surgery. The 61-year-old attorney general was released from a Washington, D.C. hospital yesterday, five days after his surgery. The Justice Department says it's still unclear just when he's going to return to work.

HEMMER: He was in the hospital for about a week, or a little bit more. Serious stuff.

O'BRIEN: Yes. Apparently it's ragingly painful, pancreatitis.

HEMMER: Yes. I don't want any part of that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Spain's incoming prime minister says he believes his nation's participation in the Iraq war has been a "total error." Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his socialist party swept into power yesterday in Spain's election. The victory is considered a repudiation of Spain's stand with the U.S. coalition.

Zapatero says he will remove Spain's 1,300 troops from Iraq by the end of June, the day an Iraqi interim government is set to take charge, if there is not a U.N. resolution in place at the time that would justify a larger presence there. All this coming now after the deadly Madrid train bombings on Thursday of last week.

Al Qaeda claiming responsibility for the attack, some are suggesting that already. But for others it is still not quite clear. Earlier today, I talked with the former assistant secretary of state, Jamie Rubin, asking him if al Qaeda can now claim a victory for influencing the elections in Madrid.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMES RUBIN, FMR. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: If al Qaeda was responsible, I think it's a fair point to make that, as tragic as it is, as temporary as it is, al Qaeda had a tactical victory. They contributed to the overthrow of a government. But they probably couldn't have done so had that government behaved responsibly, had that government not played politics with national security.

The real repudiation, I think, came when the Spanish government jumped to conclusions and played politics with this tragedy by immediately pointing the finger to its domestic terrorist organization, ETA, rather than waiting for the facts to determine who is responsible. Voters were coiled at this. They regarded the government as playing politics with this terrible tragedy.

And I think that's the one sure lesson. Whether al Qaeda was responsible, whether they ended up overthrowing the government, I think is a longer-term conclusion.

HEMMER: But even in the early hours, Jamie, you would admit that the evidence was not clear who was responsible. And even to this day it is still not certain.

RUBIN: Well, absolutely. And so what the government ought to have done is held its tongue. But instead of holding back, acting responsibly, waiting for the facts to come in, they appeared, at least to the voters, to be trying to play politics with this issue by showing that it wasn't al Qaeda and, therefore, the Spanish government's closeness to President Bush didn't make Spain vulnerable. And also, by showing that it's hard line against ETA and it's tough line on terrorism was vindicated.

So they played this very, very badly. But I do think that some will conclude al Qaeda had a tactical victory here.

HEMMER: Is there any evidence, Jamie, that suggests al Qaeda cares about influencing national elections, such as what we saw over the weekend?

RUBIN: Well, I don't know that they really distinguish between a socialist and a conservative government in Spain. But they do care about showing their power.

That's what 9/11 was about, this terrible tragedy, where they were able to bring New York to a standstill. And they care about showing they are still alive and well and can affect international politics.

I don't think they much care who the government of Spain is. So in the end, what is very, very important here is that we not only remember the political election yesterday, but also remember the 12 million Spaniards who went out on the streets Friday night who all collectively, whatever party they came from, were rejecting al Qaeda, were acting in solidarity with all the Spanish people. And that's the message we have to hold on to as we move forward in fighting al Qaeda around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Jamie Rubin from earlier today, live in London. Much more on this story throughout the day here on CNN. We will not leave it for long.

In the meantime, we want to shift our focus now. Six years ago, Michelle Norton Spicer's two young sons were killed in a car crash. It involved a sheriff's deputy in Maine. A jury acquitted the officer of manslaughter.

The mother has been unable to sue for damages because of a state law protecting officers in the line of duty. Now she is turning to the U.S. Supreme Court, trying to have that immunity lifted.

We'll here both sides of the story this morning. First, one side. Michelle Norton Spicer, and her attorney, Michelle Allot, is with us here in New York.

Nice to see you both. And good morning to you. That night six years ago, tell us briefly what happened.

MICHELLE NORTON SPICER, TWO SONS KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT: We were approaching the turn to our road, to our cottage. And my son, John, 18 years old, was driving. And as he made the turn, suddenly we were struck by a police car with no warning. And John died at the scene. And Matthew died a few hours later at the hospital.

HEMMER: You say there was no warning. Was there a siren?

SPICER: I didn't hear a siren.

HEMMER: And you saw no car, obviously, either?

SPICER: I saw flashing blue lights just as we were making the turn. I glanced over my left shoulder. It was a left-hand turn that we were making, and I just saw flashing blue lights for an instant.

HEMMER: You are now taking your case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Ultimately, to get the right to sue. What would that do for you at this point, a half a dozen years later?

SPICER: Well, my entire focus on this is to prevent this from happening to anybody else. Nothing can cure my situation. And it's been my entire focus to try and prevent this from happening again. And I think that in winning this appeal to the Supreme Court, it will help officers to find that line of where they are liable and where they are not, and where they have immunity and where they don't.

HEMMER: Law enforcement officials are saying that if they did not have that immunity, it would force them to second guess decisions. Sometimes in the blink of an eye, which could cost even more lives. How do you come down on that argument?

SPICER: Well, first of all, this wasn't in the blink of an eye. It was a long run the officer made before we were hit. And she had time to consider what she was doing.

And second of all, I think most officers would agree that a few seconds that it costs them to get to a scene is not worth something like this. They always have to manage the risks that are involved, and most of them do that responsibly.

HEMMER: Quickly, what's the chance of success at this?

MICHELLE ALLOT, ATTORNEY: We feel that we have a good chance of success in getting the case heard, first of all, at the Supreme Court, and in challenging the constitutionality. It's important to keep in mind this is the first time in Maine history that we have had unfettered and absolute discretion granted to police officers, even to the extent they are in violation of Maine's emergency response statute.

So we feel that not only the actions of the officer involved, but also the court's denial of our right of redress, are both unconstitutional. And we have a good likelihood of success.

HEMMER: I want to thank you both for joining us this morning.

To the other side of the story quickly now. Deborah Hall is the former sheriff's deputy who back in 1998 struck Michelle Norton Spicer's car, killing her two sons. She is with us from Cape Coral, Florida.

Also with us today, her attorney. Peter Marquizi (ph) is in Portland, Maine. We welcome both of you here. To Ms. Hall, can you explain why your speed that night was 86 miles an hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone? To what were you responding at that time?

DEBORAH HALL, FMR. CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY: I was responding to a residence where a 6-year-old was told to me to be awaiting the arrival of an ambulance. I had been to that residence before, and normally alcoholism and assaultive behavior was involved in those previous calls that I responded to.

I was advised that this child was not going to get any aid from rescue until I responded there first and secured the scene. So that lead me to believe there's a 6-year-old that's injured that was not going to get any help from an ambulance until I arrived on the scene and made sure it was secure.

Therefore, that was my decision to consider it an emergency, as I would have any other similar type of call that matches that. That goes along with my training and what any other officer that I worked with would have done.

HEMMER: You say law enforcement would be at a loss if this law regarding immunity would be changed. How so?

HALL: As was mentioned, we only have a few seconds to determine how we're going to respond to a call or make a picture in our mind somehow of what the call could involve. And if you try to take away our decision-making process, it would be impossible for officers to sometimes get to a call.

And, in fact, there are times when that 10 or 15 seconds can make a difference in someone's life. And normally, for obviously a number of years allowing officers to be able to make those split-second decisions based on their training and experience has not been a problem. In this case, it was a tragedy that happened, that I feel very badly about. But had I have to make that same decision again, I would have made that same decision that I made that evening.

HEMMER: And Ms. Hall, I know you have not spoken with Ms. Norton Spicer in the six years that have transpired. And I know you have had to live with your decision as well, as you pointed out to us. Is there something you would like to share with her at this point?

HALL: I have basically not been able to speak with her, but I would like to tell her that I am extremely sorry. I can't even say that I know what she is going through.

I have two sons of my own, and sometimes my love for them is the only thing that make me keep functioning for the past six years. It's been just extremely difficult for me even, and I can only imagine what it's like for her. And I can just express my deepest sympathy to her. I can't imagine losing my two boys.

HEMMER: Thank you for sharing. Deborah Hall in Cape Coral, Florida. Also returning there, Peter Marquizi (ph) in Portland, Maine. Here with us in New York, Michelle Norton Spicer, and her attorney, Michelle Allot.

Thank you all for sharing with us.

Now Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Sill to come on AMERICAN MORNING, MCI and the state of Oklahoma reach a deal that looks like it will be good for everybody. We'll explain.

Also, "The Passion of the Christ" tops the box office again. So far, it's made $250,000,000 and counting. Our "90-Second Pop" crew will tell you just how far they think it can go.

Those stories are ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

O'BRIEN: We're going to talk about that kiss this morning. It's time now for a little something we like to call "90-Second Pop." In today's episode, the Donald, the David and "The Passion."

Here to discuss, humorist Andy Borowitz, the author of "Governor Arnold." Toure is a contributing editor for "Rolling Stone" magazine. And BJ Sigesmund is staff editor for "US Weekly."

Good morning to all of you.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Everybody just pick the name you want to use today. Anybody can answer.

Let's start with "Curb Your Enthusiasm." This is a Larry David project which has gotten great critical reviews.

Still a relatively small audience, but like hard-core audience. So what was the end of the season episode like? Was it funny? And do you think -- what is going to happen with it?

ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Well, it's hilarious. I mean, I was out at the Aspen Comedy Festival a week ago and Larry David did a big panel on it. I mean, he's got just -- fans just have such intensity. I mean, the thing is bound to just keep building.

But the last episode, the whole theme of this year's season has been about him subbing in "The Producers" on Broadway, even though he has no apparent singing or dancing talent. And also, he's had this deal with his wife, which is that on their anniversary he could have sex with another woman, which almost came off last night until he was in the woman's dressing room and saw a photograph of President Bush. And that wrecked it for him. That wrecked the moment for him.

BJ SIGESMUND, STAFF WRITER, "US WEEKLY": He is such a jerk. You know? He's so sarcastic and he is so immature. And I just watch it and I'm like, "I hate you, I hate you." But you can't stopwatching it.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": This is exactly why you watch. He's such a jerk that it reminds you how to be a decent person in society. So, you know, this is a boundary.

O'BRIEN: I have a girlfriend who tells me the episodes, and it's like -- but then you're like, that sounds horrible.

TOURE: But then he is always doing something, one thing that is totally reasonable. Like, if I was fooling around with some girl and she had a picture of Bush in her room, I'd be, I'm out of here.

BOROWITZ: I was wondering what President Bush thought. And then I remembered he goes to bed at 10:00. He will never see the show.

O'BRIEN: All right. Let's turn...

SIGESMUND: The wife, also. I love the wife. The long-suffering wife.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: There is no reason why she stays with him, and yet she does.

O'BRIEN: Many more people are watching "The Apprentice." It's become this huge...

TOURE: I love "The Apprentice." This is smart reality TV. People trying to get a job and doing these fun tasks.

There's all this sociological stuff. There's Carolyn, Trump's executive, who hates all the women on the show. She is always bashing them.

SIGESMUND: I want to talk about the Donald, because I grew up in the '80s, and he was a big deal in the mid '80s. And then throughout the '90s he was like a big joke.

He was like a Trivial Pursuit answer by the end of the '90s. And now suddenly he's back.

O'BRIEN: Who know?

BOROWITZ: He saw something in reality television. Saw a way to create a comeback for himself. And now he has this autobiography coming out, more seasons of "The Apprentice." Brilliant.

O'BRIEN: There are lots of seconds and third acts.

Let's talk a little bit about "The Passion of the Christ," $250,000,000. There have got to be people in Hollywood who are saying -- because everybody was mocking Mel Gibson, how much was he going to lose. Would it be $30 million of his own money, $50 million of his own money?

SIGESMUND: You know, everyone in Hollywood is looking at this and thinking, how can we recapture this?

O'BRIEN: Can they?

(CROSSTALK)

BOROWITZ: Hollywood loves the bible because you don't have to pay the writer. So they are going to be all over this.

SIGESMUND: Marketing departments realized what a genius -- how genius Gibson was with this.

O'BRIEN: But it's not just picking a story out of the bible and -- that's the point.

SIGESMUND: No, no, no. And you could create more bible-based movies that would totally flop.

The trick here is that there's a huge controversy around it. Mel Gibson refused to take on his critics. So now the entire country feels like they have got to go see this movie and make up their own mind.

And that's why you are seeing all this business. And, you know, faith-based groups are going also.

O'BRIEN: But that's the key. It has nothing to do with the money. It's just make sure, if you want your movie to succeed, generate a big controversy, keep your mouth shut, and make everybody go see it.

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BOROWITZ: I'm developing a blockbuster about Purim right now. And it's going to do really well.

SIGESMUND: You know, he captured lightning in a bottle. And you can't do that. You can't plan that. Hundreds of publicists couldn't have created this much publicity around this movie.

O'BRIEN: I haven't seen a good Purim movie lately. Toure is like, what the heck is Purim?

All right.

TOURE: I was trying to keep that to myself.

O'BRIEN: We are out of time. As always, you guys, thanks so much -- Bill.

HEMMER: Funny one-liners on a Monday, Soledad.

In a moment here, the state of Oklahoma dropping its case against MCI. But, of course, there is a catch, and Andy has got that after this on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HEMMER: Well, the state of Oklahoma and MCI deciding to let bygones be bygones. With that, an early look at the markets today. Here is Andy Serwer, back with us, "Minding Your Business."

A bit of a bounceback on Friday.

ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Not true today.

HEMMER: Oh, really?

SERWER: We're going to whip through some stuff here, Bill.

Let's check out the Dow. We're down this morning, whoa, about 34 points. Let's talk about some stocks moving.

GE: sign of the times. Buying a bomb-making company. Bomb- making -- detecting machine. Check that. It's a machine that detects bombs called InVision. A sign of the times.

Also, Nortel's CFO taking a leave of absence. They're going to be restating numbers.

Speaking of restating numbers, MCI restating $74 billion. This is another thing on Friday. It's just unbelievable.

But the real interesting story with MCI is settling with the state of Oklahoma. They have agreed -- the state of Oklahoma has agreed to drop charges if they cooperate with an investigation into some of their executives. And if MCI agrees to create 1,600 jobs in the state of Oklahoma over the next 10 years.

Jobs will pay about $35,000 each. You do the math, it's about $50 million. A very novel solution to that case. Very novel.

HEMMER: You know, InVision was this company that really shot out of the roof in the days after the attacks on 9/11...

SERWER: That's right.

HEMMER: ... over two-and-a-half years ago. Had a huge mark-up.

SERWER: And then it went down and now it's back up.

HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.

SERWER: You're welcome.

HEMMER: All right -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: And Jack and the "Question of the Day."

CAFFERTY: "Question of the Day": Do Spain's election results mean the terrorists are winning? Interesting stuff this morning.

Pat in Island Lake, Illinois: "Anyone who thought this attacking Iraq would create a more peaceful world should look closely at the train attacks in Madrid. Anyone who looks at this for 10 seconds has to know that other similar soft targets in Europe and America are not safer with Saddam in prison."

Jim in Burlington: "Spain's pulling its troops out of Iraq because 90 percent of the electorate didn't want anything to do with America's unnecessary war with Iraq in the first place. The previous Spanish government didn't get reelected because it disobeyed the wishes of the majority electorate. It's a rather simple and novel idea. I believe it's called democracy."

O'BRIEN: But as you pointed out, that was a decision right before the polls. The polls right before the election.

CAFFERTY: Yes. No, the incumbent government was ahead in the polls right up until the bombs went off.

HEMMER: Tell you what, there was a nerve out there. I mean, what did you get more than a thousand e-mails today?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: When people respond like that, it is on their minds.

O'BRIEN: Yes it is. No question.

Well, coming up this morning on CNN, an alarming jump recently in cosmetic surgery. We're going to take a close look at why so many people are choosing to go under the knife coming up on "CNN LIVE TODAY" with Daryn Kagan.

AMERICAN MORNING is back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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





Timoney; Bizarre Killings in Fresno; Interview With James Rubin>


Aired March 15, 2004 - 9:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A seat change in European politics. A strong U.S. ally is lost in a storm over war and terror.
Piecing together an unthinkable crime where incest and cult-like rituals behind a family's massacre in Fresno, California.

And NASA planning a big announcement. What's new in the outer reaches of the solar system?

Those stories all ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Center Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, good Monday morning 9:00 here in New York. Now the stories this hour.

We're looking at how U.S. cities are responding to warnings from the government to protect railway stations and more. Just part of the aftermath coming out of Madrid last Thursday. We'll talk to Miami's police chief about what can be done here in this country.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, two sides of the controversial law in Maine that protects law enforcement officers from lawsuits. The case stems from a car wreck, where two teenagers were killed by a sheriff who was driving 86 miles an hour in a 55-mile-an-hour zone. No siren was going. We're going to take a closer look at that case.

HEMMER: And such a tragedy, too.

Jack Cafferty is with us. The "Question of the Day" deals with the top story of the day.

Good morning.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, whether or not those Madrid bombings represent a big victory for the terrorists that goes beyond the actual attack itself. The political seat change that happened in Spain in a period of about 70 hours from the time those bombs went off is one of the more dramatic turnarounds that we have seen recently. Suddenly, the incumbents were ahead in the polls going in and got voted out on their ears like that.

Email us at am@cnn.com.

HEMMER: And terrific emails already. CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: You've got it, Jack.

Top stories now top of the hour. The first reported U.S. casualty in Haiti since American forces started a peacekeeping mission in that country. A U.S. military spokesman says a Marine was shot and wounded in Port-au-Prince last night, Sunday night. He's being treated in a hospital in Miami. Officials say that U.S. troops have come under fire several times in the past week in Haiti. Some 1,600 U.S. Marines in the country trying to help restore order.

Overseas, Pakistani police have asked the U.S. for surveillance footage from outside its consulate in Karachi. Earlier today, experts defused a large bomb that investigators say had been left in stolen minivan outside the building. Police say the surveillance tape may show who was behind the explosion. The incident comes just two days before the secretary of state, Colin Powell, is set to visit Pakistan.

Police in California trying to determine if a suspect in a mass killing in Fresno had help from one of the victims. People in the community have piled flowers and balloons outside the home where police found nine bodies on Friday. The 57-year-old Marcus Wesson faces nine counts of murder. Fresno Police say the victims includes at least two children that Wesson fathered with his own daughters.

More on this story in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.

NASA's set to hold a news conference later today offering more details about what may be a 10th planet. Astronomers say they have named the object Sedna, after an ocean goddess. It's apparently the largest object found in the solar system since Pluto was discovered back in 1930. NASA's news conference is set for 1:00 Eastern Time later this afternoon.

College hoops: Kentucky one of the four overall number one seeds in the NCAA tournament, big win over Florida on Sunday. They cruised 89-73 and they looked good doing it. Kentucky now shares the number one seeds with Duke, Stanford and St. Joseph's. And the field of 64 is now set.

The madness begins on Thursday, and I, for one, cannot wait -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: I know you can't. Me too, Billy. You and Brad. And I'll be watching a lot of basketball.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Well, Spain's next prime minister is already making his presence felt after his socialist party was swept into power yesterday. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero says he wants to maintain Spain's relations with the U.S. even though he didn't support the war in Iraq. And he is talking tough about continued Spanish involvement there.

We take to you the Spanish capital, Madrid, now, where Brent Sadler is standing by for us.

Brent, good morning.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks. Good morning, Soledad.

The day after a major upstart in the elections here overnight. Still, Spaniards are grieving for the loss of victims, 200 of them in last week's bomb attacks against the rail network.

Now, there was a major surprise overnight, when the ruling popular party was booted out of power, as it seems voters turned against the 8-year-old government of the prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, who is stepping down in this election for his staunch support of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. As evidence continues to mount here that Al Qaeda may be behind the bombings, this reigned discontent here that Spain had joined forces with the United States, triggering a voter backlash at the ballot boxes.

Now, the prime minister designate has already said he thinks that the war against Iraq was a "total error." He held a press conference a short time ago and had this to say to journalists here in Madrid...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, SPANISH PRIME MINISTER ELECT (through translator): I don't agree with the war in Iraq. I don't think there was a reason to go into war. And I think time is giving me the credit that it was not a good idea to go in. And I don't think the administration in Iraq is the best.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SADLER: Mr. Zapatero says that he will withdraw some 1,300 Spanish troops on duty with the coalition in Iraq by June 30th, a date that sovereignty is expected to be handed over to the Iraqis unless there is a new United Nations Security Council resolution that could give international cover for the Spanish force to stay in place -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Brent Sadler in Madrid for us this morning. Brent, thank you.

The Madrid bombings have alerted federal, state and local authorities here in the U.S. that rail and subway lines could be terror targets. Joining us this morning from Miami to talk about increased security measures there is Miami police chief John Timoney.

Thanks for being with us, Chief.

CHIEF JOHN TIMONEY, MIAMI POLICE DEPT.: Good morning, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Good morning to you.

This past weekend in Miami, you held your big Calle Ocho celebration. And I know that you always up security for that celebration anyway with a million folks who come out. But did things change in the wake of the bombings in Madrid?

TIMONEY: Oh, clearly. We had some additional police officers out there. But we also had a much -- a much greater participation on the part of the FBI.

We had two separate teams of FBI working with the Miami Police Department, one on the tech side and another one, Miami FBI S.W.A.T., working with our S.W.A.T. units. There was a concern having well over a million people. It was the largest one we have ever had yesterday, and clearly there were 27 various stages around Calle Ocho, again, looking out for packages left unattended.

If you may hearken back to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when it was a backpack left unattended that exploded and killed one person and injured about 100 others, similar to what happened in Madrid a few days ago. And so Miami and other big cities are on alert.

We'll have conversations this afternoon on any updated information from our partners in the federal -- at the federal level to see if there's any more information. Right now, the objective -- and I guess we've done it successfully -- was to get through the weekend.

There was real concern with Calle Ocho coming up, but also at transportation hubs, at the airport, at the ferry terminals, the cruise ship terminals, and clearly the metro liner, which is the main train that comes into Miami. There was real concern.

O'BRIEN: So now that the Calle Ocho celebrations are over, and as you say, thank goodness everything went off as successfully as planned, do you intend then to keep the high alert raised or more raised than it would normally be in the wake of what happened in Madrid? Or do you drop it back to what it was?

TIMONEY: Well, we'll do that assessment today. We'll have conversations with our colleagues. We have our detectives at the joint terrorist task force.

I will be speaking to the head of the FBI, John Solomon (ph), here in Miami this afternoon. We'll talk and see if there's any more information, and then we'll make our assessment accordingly today.

O'BRIEN: You talked a little bit about these FBI teams that were helping you out during yoru celebrations. You also talk about a device called the sky watcher. What exactly is that thing, and how does it work?

TIMONEY: Yes, it was fantastic. It was the first time we ever used it, maybe in any police department across America.

It was an idea that came out of Disney on how you observe crowds. But here it's a much bigger version. It really is a portable room, for want of a better term, that's on a hydraulic lift that gets you 30 feet into the air. And we have cameras, lights, and we're able to observe the crowd, the full length of the crowd for almost over 50 blocks north and South, similarly east and west. And it was a good bird's eye view not just observing the crowd, but in this case a few fights broke out in the crowd. We were able to get to those situations and quell them quite easily. The same would have applied god forbid it was a package or if we needed to direct police officers into the area.

As you can well imagine, a million people shoulder to shoulder, it's quite difficult to observe on the ground. And this was really an extra added benefit. But I can guarantee you we will be using that in the future.

O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right. Chief John Timoney joining us. And as you mentioned, those conversations going on today about exactly what kind of security to keep in place following your successful Calle Ocho celebration.

Thanks for being with us, sir. Appreciate it.

TIMONEY: Thanks, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Bill?

HEMMER: Anti-war protesters marching in Washington today angry over the 564 American troops who have died in Iraq in the year since the war began. Elaine Quijano is standing by live at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center with more on this story.

Elaine, good morning there.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.

About 60 people have gathered here outside the gates of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. And organizers say these demonstrations are being held for several reasons.

First, to protest the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq. Also, to honor the dead, as well as draw attention to the plight of the wounded. That is why they have decided to start their protest in Washington today here at Walter Reed. This is where many of the injured soldiers are taken for rehabilitation.

Now, they have also decided to protest yesterday at Dover Delaware Air Force Base in Delaware.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (voice-over): Jane Bright carries with her a burden she hopes no other family will have to endure.

JANE BRIGHT, MILITARY FAMILIES SPEAK OUT: He was beautiful. He was 24 years old. He was a gifted student.

QUIJANO: Last summer, Bright sat vigil for two nights beside her son's body at a funeral home in California. Her son, Sgt. Evan Ashcraft (ph) with the 101st Airborne Division, was killed in an attack near Mosul, Iraq, last July. JIM BRIGHT, MILITARY FAMILES SPEAK OUT: And he died for something I think was a mistake, a big huge mistake. And it's a horrible waste and it has to be changed.

QUIJANO: Bright was among several hundred anti-war demonstrators. Among them, veterans, peace activists, and parents. Many of whom marched several miles to Delaware's Dover Air Force Base, where the remains of U.S servicemen and women first returned home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: John T. Rivero (ph), 23, U.S. Army.

QUIJANO: Along the way, they read the names of those killed in the Iraq war, Americans and Iraqis alike. They then gathered and remembered those lost near the mortuary where their loved ones once lay.

JANE BRIGHT: I want to in my mind memorialize my son's journey home from Iraq.

QUIJANO: Their message: peace and the safe return of troops from Iraq, as well as the hope that people remember there loved one's sacrifices.

JANE BRIGHT: We want the American public to not lose sight as they go about their daily lives that people are still dying.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO: And here, outside the gates of Walter Reed, just in the last few minutes, perhaps you can hear some angry counter- demonstrators that have shown up with signs. They are here calling some of these protesters traitors.

We've heard them yelling very forcefully. However, they appear to be very limited in number. In fact, I talked to one of those counter-demonstrators earlier this morning, and he said they only expect to have a handful of people here.

As for the actual peace protesters, they will plan to march in about an hour or so down to Lafayette Park across the street from the White House there. They will continue their protest by reading the names of those killed in Iraq -- Bill.

HEMMER: Elaine Quijano, thanks for that, live in D.C.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, police in Fresno, California, uncover a house of horror. We'll tell you just what they found inside just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, it looks like MCI might be off the hook in the state of Oklahoma. But the state wants something in return for dropping a criminal case. Andy has details on that.

O'BRIEN: Plus, Hollywood can't ignore the success of "The Passion of the Christ." Our "90-Second Pop" crew will explain what the movie business plans to do about it. All ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Police in California still do not have a motive for the mass killings of nine people in Fresno. A bit earlier today here on AMERICAN MORNING, we talked with the police chief there in Fresno, Jerry Dyer, about the 57-year-old suspect, Marcus Wesson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF JERRY DYER, FRESNO POLICE DEPT.: We don't want to become too narrowly focused in our investigation to exclude anyone, but we do believe absolutely that he is responsible for the murder of all nine victims.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: And we're also told from the police chief tha the is cooperating at this point. We should get more information later today when the coroner releases a report. So we will keep you informed when that happens.

Frank Muna, meanwhile, did business with Wesson. He new the victims as well. And Frank Muna is our guest to talk about the story in Fresno, California.

We welcome you here to AMERICAN MORNING. I know your relationship goes back about five years, 1999. Describe to us the man you knew as Marcus Wesson.

FRANK MUNA, BUSINESS ASSOCIATE OF MARCUS WESSON: Well, when I first met him he was articulate, he did not look like he does today. I mean, back then he was clean, hair was kept. It was a little bit long, but it was not in outrageous dreadlocks like it is now.

Over the last couple years, perhaps three years, he's been deteriorating emotionally and psychologically. And so the last few times that I had spoken to him he was somewhat despondent, disheveled, dirty.

HEMMER: You describe his hair as being one solid mass of oil and dirt. You describe it as rancid. I'm not quite sure what lead to this. I don't know if you have insight at all either. But did you know the women very well inside the home?

MUNA: Yes, actually they had come to my office, and I've had several discussions with them over the years because they were making payments to me in regards to the house.

HEMMER: Was there a suggestion at a point that polygamy may have been involved inside that home?

MUNA: Not at first. One of them had one story about how they were related, and then another story. And then the story kept changing. But I started noticing that there was intimate contact when I would come over to the house between him and at least three of the women, if not four of them. And that was quite disturbing.

HEMMER: What do you mean by intimate contact that you observed?

MUNA: Well, you know, caressing, arm around one shoulder, that kind of stuff. Things -- nothing, you know, inappropriate or sexual, just obviously that they were familiar and they were in a relationship with each other. What was disturbing is that on one visit I would see this with one of the women, then on another visit I would see it with another of the women that were associated with him. And the other one was present, and that was quite disturbing.

HEMMER: Mr. Muna, when the women came to visit you, were they wearing what has been reported to be a black dress or black skirt with heels?

MUNA: Yes.

HEMMER: Did you observe that?

MUNA: I don't remember the footwear, but I do remember floor- length black skirts, and also headscarves sometimes.

HEMMER: Did you ask them about that, as to why they dressed that way?

MUNA: No. Actually, I thought perhaps they were Muslim. But I did not feel that is appropriate to inquire as to their religion because then they would feel perhaps that they were being discriminated based upon their religion, and that was not my intention at all.

HEMMER: One more question, Mr. Muna. Were you aware of the coffins that were ordered or purchased or delivered to that home?

MUNA: Yes. I had seen them at an antique dealer here locally, and then the antique dealer told me that Mr. Wesson had purchased all of them. I remember that because it was highly unusual and quite disturbing.

HEMMER: Perhaps more throughout the day here. Frank Muna is our guest here. He knew and was a business acquaintance of Marcus Wesson.

Again, last hour -- appreciate your time. Thank you.

MUNA: Thank you.

HEMMER: Just to reiterate, the police chief told us here live on AMERICAN MORNING last hour that Marcus Wesson is cooperating. To what extent, we do not know. But we'll track it for you later this afternoon from California here on CNN -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, a changing government in Spain after what is being described as the worst terror attack there. We'll have more with former Assistant Secretary of State James Rubin just ahead, as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Time to check in with Jack and the "Question of the Day."

CAFFERTY: Thank you, Soledad.

The United States may have lost a key ally in Europe after yesterday's upset in the Spanish elections. Prime Minister Aznar's populist party -- they are the conservatives -- had a lead in the polls before last week's train bombings in Madrid. Now the socialists suddenly have been voted in.

Elections held there yesterday. Their leader says he is going to withdraw Spain's troops from Iraq, a shift in foreign policy away from the United States and toward European allies like France and Germany.

The question is, do Spain's election results mean the terrorists are winning?

Sandra in Barnegat, New Jersey: "The fact that a nation's government was changed through free and open elections is not a victory for terrorists. Anytime the voice of the people is heard through the ballot, and not with bullets, it's a victory for free people everywhere. It means the system is working."

Henry in Bethesda, Maryland: "It's clear the Spanish people thought the way to make Spain and the rest of the world safer is for everyone to distance themselves from President Bush and his neo-con cohort's agenda to arrange the world, particularly the Middle East, to their liking. Hopefully the American people are as wise as the Spanish."

Rich in Rochester, New York: "I'm not sure one can call it a win for the terrorists. They'll just be a continuing source of pain and anguish. But the reaction of the Spanish people reflects the conciliatory nature of their European neighbors and will simply encourage the terrorists to keep trying."

Steve in Whitehall, Michigan writes: "There's no doubt that this will be viewed by terrorists as a victory for them, and they will no doubt try to influence other country's elections. Other European countries would probably be the easiest targets, but they may try to get Kerry the capitulator in, in this country, by doing something here in the fall."

AM@cnn.com.

HEMMER: How are they coming down mostly?

CAFFERTY: Oh, they are all over the place. We have gotten close to a thousand e-mails. And most of them feel that it was not coincidence the timing of the Madrid bombings. That if al Qaeda was involved in this at all, that it was done with the expressed intent of sending a message just prior to the elections, knowing there was a popular dissatisfaction with the conservative's position on supporting the United States in the war in Iraq.

HEMMER: What I find confusing is, was this a reaction to what happened on Thursday? Was this a reaction to Aznar going ahead with his support for the U.S. and the war in Iraq a year ago, knowing the polls before the war broke out were 90 percent opposed to it?

OBRIEN: Right.

CAFFERTY: The polls prior to the bombing showed that they were favored to retain control of the government. The polls leading up to the election before the bombs went off in the trains.

HEMMER: Well, that's true, too, this year. Yes, I'm talking about a year ago, exactly.

CAFFERTY: Oh, well...

HEMMER: A year ago, before the war broke out, 90 percent said they were opposed to the war with Iraq, they were opposed to allying themselves with the White House with the war in Baghdad.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: Interesting topic. I'll tell you what, it ain't going away.

CAFFERTY: Nope.

HEMMER: It's going to be with us all week here, Jack. Good question.

All right. In a moment here, also want to have a look at this thing. Nothing typical about a crash landing. This one's a bit unique, though.

A small plane put down yesterday in Edgewater, Florida, right on top of a pickup truck. No one was hurt, believe it or not.

The pilot knew he was in trouble right after takeoff. He tried to land on the street. Hit the truck instead. The truck driver said he looked left and right, but never thought to look up. He will next time. That story out of Edewater, Florida.

O'BRIEN: Amazing that nobody was injured in that.

HEMMER: I am telling you. You're exactly right.

O'BRIEN: Well still to come this morning, Larry David and the Donald. One show has just finished another season, another is going to be around for a few more seasons. All part of our "90-Second Pop," and it's coming up here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.

In a few minutes, we'll get some more perspective on last night's stunning Spanish election from former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jamie Rubin. What called the ruling party to go down to defeat, and what does this mean to the Bush administration?

HEMMER: Also this hour, do state laws to protect police from prosecution mean police can do no wrong? We're looking at a controversial case out of the state of Maine in which two teenagers were killed when a sheriff crashed into them. We'll hear from the mother who is fighting for the right to sue, and a representative from sheriff's department, as well. We'll also talk with the officer involved in that crash.

Stay tuned.

O'BRIEN: Top stories, though, first.

The first reported U.S. casualty in Haiti since American forces began a peacekeeping mission there two weeks ago. A U.S. military spokesman says a Marine was shot and wounded in Port-au-Prince last night. He is being treated at a Miami hospital.

Officials say that U.S. troops have come under fire several times in the past week in Haiti. Some 1,600 U.S. Marines are in the country to help restore order.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has canceled a summit meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmed Quray. This, as renewed violence erupted in the region. Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles in Gaza. Palestinians say four people were wounded.

The attacks taking place just hours after twin suicide bombings at an Israeli port. At least 10 people were killed in that.

CIA chief George Tenet and his advisors are reportedly being blamed for faulty intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. According to USA Today, the Senate Intelligence Committee said the agency gave firm estimates that Iraq had biological and chemical weapons based on shaky evidence. A report with the findings is expected to be edited and released to the public.

The manslaughter trial of former NBA star Jayson Williams enters its sixth week today in New Jersey. Two more witnesses for the prosecution are expected to take the stand today. Prosecutors say Williams acted recklessly in the February 2002 shooting death of a limo driver. It is not clear whether Williams will take the stand, though, in his own defense.

And Attorney General John Ashcroft is resting at home today after undergoing gallbladder surgery. The 61-year-old attorney general was released from a Washington, D.C. hospital yesterday, five days after his surgery. The Justice Department says it's still unclear just when he's going to return to work.

HEMMER: He was in the hospital for about a week, or a little bit more. Serious stuff.

O'BRIEN: Yes. Apparently it's ragingly painful, pancreatitis.

HEMMER: Yes. I don't want any part of that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Spain's incoming prime minister says he believes his nation's participation in the Iraq war has been a "total error." Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his socialist party swept into power yesterday in Spain's election. The victory is considered a repudiation of Spain's stand with the U.S. coalition.

Zapatero says he will remove Spain's 1,300 troops from Iraq by the end of June, the day an Iraqi interim government is set to take charge, if there is not a U.N. resolution in place at the time that would justify a larger presence there. All this coming now after the deadly Madrid train bombings on Thursday of last week.

Al Qaeda claiming responsibility for the attack, some are suggesting that already. But for others it is still not quite clear. Earlier today, I talked with the former assistant secretary of state, Jamie Rubin, asking him if al Qaeda can now claim a victory for influencing the elections in Madrid.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMES RUBIN, FMR. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: If al Qaeda was responsible, I think it's a fair point to make that, as tragic as it is, as temporary as it is, al Qaeda had a tactical victory. They contributed to the overthrow of a government. But they probably couldn't have done so had that government behaved responsibly, had that government not played politics with national security.

The real repudiation, I think, came when the Spanish government jumped to conclusions and played politics with this tragedy by immediately pointing the finger to its domestic terrorist organization, ETA, rather than waiting for the facts to determine who is responsible. Voters were coiled at this. They regarded the government as playing politics with this terrible tragedy.

And I think that's the one sure lesson. Whether al Qaeda was responsible, whether they ended up overthrowing the government, I think is a longer-term conclusion.

HEMMER: But even in the early hours, Jamie, you would admit that the evidence was not clear who was responsible. And even to this day it is still not certain.

RUBIN: Well, absolutely. And so what the government ought to have done is held its tongue. But instead of holding back, acting responsibly, waiting for the facts to come in, they appeared, at least to the voters, to be trying to play politics with this issue by showing that it wasn't al Qaeda and, therefore, the Spanish government's closeness to President Bush didn't make Spain vulnerable. And also, by showing that it's hard line against ETA and it's tough line on terrorism was vindicated.

So they played this very, very badly. But I do think that some will conclude al Qaeda had a tactical victory here.

HEMMER: Is there any evidence, Jamie, that suggests al Qaeda cares about influencing national elections, such as what we saw over the weekend?

RUBIN: Well, I don't know that they really distinguish between a socialist and a conservative government in Spain. But they do care about showing their power.

That's what 9/11 was about, this terrible tragedy, where they were able to bring New York to a standstill. And they care about showing they are still alive and well and can affect international politics.

I don't think they much care who the government of Spain is. So in the end, what is very, very important here is that we not only remember the political election yesterday, but also remember the 12 million Spaniards who went out on the streets Friday night who all collectively, whatever party they came from, were rejecting al Qaeda, were acting in solidarity with all the Spanish people. And that's the message we have to hold on to as we move forward in fighting al Qaeda around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: Jamie Rubin from earlier today, live in London. Much more on this story throughout the day here on CNN. We will not leave it for long.

In the meantime, we want to shift our focus now. Six years ago, Michelle Norton Spicer's two young sons were killed in a car crash. It involved a sheriff's deputy in Maine. A jury acquitted the officer of manslaughter.

The mother has been unable to sue for damages because of a state law protecting officers in the line of duty. Now she is turning to the U.S. Supreme Court, trying to have that immunity lifted.

We'll here both sides of the story this morning. First, one side. Michelle Norton Spicer, and her attorney, Michelle Allot, is with us here in New York.

Nice to see you both. And good morning to you. That night six years ago, tell us briefly what happened.

MICHELLE NORTON SPICER, TWO SONS KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT: We were approaching the turn to our road, to our cottage. And my son, John, 18 years old, was driving. And as he made the turn, suddenly we were struck by a police car with no warning. And John died at the scene. And Matthew died a few hours later at the hospital.

HEMMER: You say there was no warning. Was there a siren?

SPICER: I didn't hear a siren.

HEMMER: And you saw no car, obviously, either?

SPICER: I saw flashing blue lights just as we were making the turn. I glanced over my left shoulder. It was a left-hand turn that we were making, and I just saw flashing blue lights for an instant.

HEMMER: You are now taking your case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Ultimately, to get the right to sue. What would that do for you at this point, a half a dozen years later?

SPICER: Well, my entire focus on this is to prevent this from happening to anybody else. Nothing can cure my situation. And it's been my entire focus to try and prevent this from happening again. And I think that in winning this appeal to the Supreme Court, it will help officers to find that line of where they are liable and where they are not, and where they have immunity and where they don't.

HEMMER: Law enforcement officials are saying that if they did not have that immunity, it would force them to second guess decisions. Sometimes in the blink of an eye, which could cost even more lives. How do you come down on that argument?

SPICER: Well, first of all, this wasn't in the blink of an eye. It was a long run the officer made before we were hit. And she had time to consider what she was doing.

And second of all, I think most officers would agree that a few seconds that it costs them to get to a scene is not worth something like this. They always have to manage the risks that are involved, and most of them do that responsibly.

HEMMER: Quickly, what's the chance of success at this?

MICHELLE ALLOT, ATTORNEY: We feel that we have a good chance of success in getting the case heard, first of all, at the Supreme Court, and in challenging the constitutionality. It's important to keep in mind this is the first time in Maine history that we have had unfettered and absolute discretion granted to police officers, even to the extent they are in violation of Maine's emergency response statute.

So we feel that not only the actions of the officer involved, but also the court's denial of our right of redress, are both unconstitutional. And we have a good likelihood of success.

HEMMER: I want to thank you both for joining us this morning.

To the other side of the story quickly now. Deborah Hall is the former sheriff's deputy who back in 1998 struck Michelle Norton Spicer's car, killing her two sons. She is with us from Cape Coral, Florida.

Also with us today, her attorney. Peter Marquizi (ph) is in Portland, Maine. We welcome both of you here. To Ms. Hall, can you explain why your speed that night was 86 miles an hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone? To what were you responding at that time?

DEBORAH HALL, FMR. CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY: I was responding to a residence where a 6-year-old was told to me to be awaiting the arrival of an ambulance. I had been to that residence before, and normally alcoholism and assaultive behavior was involved in those previous calls that I responded to.

I was advised that this child was not going to get any aid from rescue until I responded there first and secured the scene. So that lead me to believe there's a 6-year-old that's injured that was not going to get any help from an ambulance until I arrived on the scene and made sure it was secure.

Therefore, that was my decision to consider it an emergency, as I would have any other similar type of call that matches that. That goes along with my training and what any other officer that I worked with would have done.

HEMMER: You say law enforcement would be at a loss if this law regarding immunity would be changed. How so?

HALL: As was mentioned, we only have a few seconds to determine how we're going to respond to a call or make a picture in our mind somehow of what the call could involve. And if you try to take away our decision-making process, it would be impossible for officers to sometimes get to a call.

And, in fact, there are times when that 10 or 15 seconds can make a difference in someone's life. And normally, for obviously a number of years allowing officers to be able to make those split-second decisions based on their training and experience has not been a problem. In this case, it was a tragedy that happened, that I feel very badly about. But had I have to make that same decision again, I would have made that same decision that I made that evening.

HEMMER: And Ms. Hall, I know you have not spoken with Ms. Norton Spicer in the six years that have transpired. And I know you have had to live with your decision as well, as you pointed out to us. Is there something you would like to share with her at this point?

HALL: I have basically not been able to speak with her, but I would like to tell her that I am extremely sorry. I can't even say that I know what she is going through.

I have two sons of my own, and sometimes my love for them is the only thing that make me keep functioning for the past six years. It's been just extremely difficult for me even, and I can only imagine what it's like for her. And I can just express my deepest sympathy to her. I can't imagine losing my two boys.

HEMMER: Thank you for sharing. Deborah Hall in Cape Coral, Florida. Also returning there, Peter Marquizi (ph) in Portland, Maine. Here with us in New York, Michelle Norton Spicer, and her attorney, Michelle Allot.

Thank you all for sharing with us.

Now Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Sill to come on AMERICAN MORNING, MCI and the state of Oklahoma reach a deal that looks like it will be good for everybody. We'll explain.

Also, "The Passion of the Christ" tops the box office again. So far, it's made $250,000,000 and counting. Our "90-Second Pop" crew will tell you just how far they think it can go.

Those stories are ahead as AMERICAN MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

O'BRIEN: We're going to talk about that kiss this morning. It's time now for a little something we like to call "90-Second Pop." In today's episode, the Donald, the David and "The Passion."

Here to discuss, humorist Andy Borowitz, the author of "Governor Arnold." Toure is a contributing editor for "Rolling Stone" magazine. And BJ Sigesmund is staff editor for "US Weekly."

Good morning to all of you.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Everybody just pick the name you want to use today. Anybody can answer.

Let's start with "Curb Your Enthusiasm." This is a Larry David project which has gotten great critical reviews.

Still a relatively small audience, but like hard-core audience. So what was the end of the season episode like? Was it funny? And do you think -- what is going to happen with it?

ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Well, it's hilarious. I mean, I was out at the Aspen Comedy Festival a week ago and Larry David did a big panel on it. I mean, he's got just -- fans just have such intensity. I mean, the thing is bound to just keep building.

But the last episode, the whole theme of this year's season has been about him subbing in "The Producers" on Broadway, even though he has no apparent singing or dancing talent. And also, he's had this deal with his wife, which is that on their anniversary he could have sex with another woman, which almost came off last night until he was in the woman's dressing room and saw a photograph of President Bush. And that wrecked it for him. That wrecked the moment for him.

BJ SIGESMUND, STAFF WRITER, "US WEEKLY": He is such a jerk. You know? He's so sarcastic and he is so immature. And I just watch it and I'm like, "I hate you, I hate you." But you can't stopwatching it.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": This is exactly why you watch. He's such a jerk that it reminds you how to be a decent person in society. So, you know, this is a boundary.

O'BRIEN: I have a girlfriend who tells me the episodes, and it's like -- but then you're like, that sounds horrible.

TOURE: But then he is always doing something, one thing that is totally reasonable. Like, if I was fooling around with some girl and she had a picture of Bush in her room, I'd be, I'm out of here.

BOROWITZ: I was wondering what President Bush thought. And then I remembered he goes to bed at 10:00. He will never see the show.

O'BRIEN: All right. Let's turn...

SIGESMUND: The wife, also. I love the wife. The long-suffering wife.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: There is no reason why she stays with him, and yet she does.

O'BRIEN: Many more people are watching "The Apprentice." It's become this huge...

TOURE: I love "The Apprentice." This is smart reality TV. People trying to get a job and doing these fun tasks.

There's all this sociological stuff. There's Carolyn, Trump's executive, who hates all the women on the show. She is always bashing them.

SIGESMUND: I want to talk about the Donald, because I grew up in the '80s, and he was a big deal in the mid '80s. And then throughout the '90s he was like a big joke.

He was like a Trivial Pursuit answer by the end of the '90s. And now suddenly he's back.

O'BRIEN: Who know?

BOROWITZ: He saw something in reality television. Saw a way to create a comeback for himself. And now he has this autobiography coming out, more seasons of "The Apprentice." Brilliant.

O'BRIEN: There are lots of seconds and third acts.

Let's talk a little bit about "The Passion of the Christ," $250,000,000. There have got to be people in Hollywood who are saying -- because everybody was mocking Mel Gibson, how much was he going to lose. Would it be $30 million of his own money, $50 million of his own money?

SIGESMUND: You know, everyone in Hollywood is looking at this and thinking, how can we recapture this?

O'BRIEN: Can they?

(CROSSTALK)

BOROWITZ: Hollywood loves the bible because you don't have to pay the writer. So they are going to be all over this.

SIGESMUND: Marketing departments realized what a genius -- how genius Gibson was with this.

O'BRIEN: But it's not just picking a story out of the bible and -- that's the point.

SIGESMUND: No, no, no. And you could create more bible-based movies that would totally flop.

The trick here is that there's a huge controversy around it. Mel Gibson refused to take on his critics. So now the entire country feels like they have got to go see this movie and make up their own mind.

And that's why you are seeing all this business. And, you know, faith-based groups are going also.

O'BRIEN: But that's the key. It has nothing to do with the money. It's just make sure, if you want your movie to succeed, generate a big controversy, keep your mouth shut, and make everybody go see it.

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BOROWITZ: I'm developing a blockbuster about Purim right now. And it's going to do really well.

SIGESMUND: You know, he captured lightning in a bottle. And you can't do that. You can't plan that. Hundreds of publicists couldn't have created this much publicity around this movie.

O'BRIEN: I haven't seen a good Purim movie lately. Toure is like, what the heck is Purim?

All right.

TOURE: I was trying to keep that to myself.

O'BRIEN: We are out of time. As always, you guys, thanks so much -- Bill.

HEMMER: Funny one-liners on a Monday, Soledad.

In a moment here, the state of Oklahoma dropping its case against MCI. But, of course, there is a catch, and Andy has got that after this on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HEMMER: Well, the state of Oklahoma and MCI deciding to let bygones be bygones. With that, an early look at the markets today. Here is Andy Serwer, back with us, "Minding Your Business."

A bit of a bounceback on Friday.

ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Not true today.

HEMMER: Oh, really?

SERWER: We're going to whip through some stuff here, Bill.

Let's check out the Dow. We're down this morning, whoa, about 34 points. Let's talk about some stocks moving.

GE: sign of the times. Buying a bomb-making company. Bomb- making -- detecting machine. Check that. It's a machine that detects bombs called InVision. A sign of the times.

Also, Nortel's CFO taking a leave of absence. They're going to be restating numbers.

Speaking of restating numbers, MCI restating $74 billion. This is another thing on Friday. It's just unbelievable.

But the real interesting story with MCI is settling with the state of Oklahoma. They have agreed -- the state of Oklahoma has agreed to drop charges if they cooperate with an investigation into some of their executives. And if MCI agrees to create 1,600 jobs in the state of Oklahoma over the next 10 years.

Jobs will pay about $35,000 each. You do the math, it's about $50 million. A very novel solution to that case. Very novel.

HEMMER: You know, InVision was this company that really shot out of the roof in the days after the attacks on 9/11...

SERWER: That's right.

HEMMER: ... over two-and-a-half years ago. Had a huge mark-up.

SERWER: And then it went down and now it's back up.

HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.

SERWER: You're welcome.

HEMMER: All right -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: And Jack and the "Question of the Day."

CAFFERTY: "Question of the Day": Do Spain's election results mean the terrorists are winning? Interesting stuff this morning.

Pat in Island Lake, Illinois: "Anyone who thought this attacking Iraq would create a more peaceful world should look closely at the train attacks in Madrid. Anyone who looks at this for 10 seconds has to know that other similar soft targets in Europe and America are not safer with Saddam in prison."

Jim in Burlington: "Spain's pulling its troops out of Iraq because 90 percent of the electorate didn't want anything to do with America's unnecessary war with Iraq in the first place. The previous Spanish government didn't get reelected because it disobeyed the wishes of the majority electorate. It's a rather simple and novel idea. I believe it's called democracy."

O'BRIEN: But as you pointed out, that was a decision right before the polls. The polls right before the election.

CAFFERTY: Yes. No, the incumbent government was ahead in the polls right up until the bombs went off.

HEMMER: Tell you what, there was a nerve out there. I mean, what did you get more than a thousand e-mails today?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: When people respond like that, it is on their minds.

O'BRIEN: Yes it is. No question.

Well, coming up this morning on CNN, an alarming jump recently in cosmetic surgery. We're going to take a close look at why so many people are choosing to go under the knife coming up on "CNN LIVE TODAY" with Daryn Kagan.

AMERICAN MORNING is back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Timoney; Bizarre Killings in Fresno; Interview With James Rubin>