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President Bush Nominating Congressman Porter Goss to be New Head of CIA; New Fighting in Najaf Between U.S. Forces, Militiamen

Aired August 10, 2004 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the stories now in the news.
President Bush wants the man next to him as the next director of the CIA. Just about 90 minutes ago, the president announced his nomination of Congressman Peter Goss. The Florida Republican is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and a one-time Army intelligence operative. We'll have much more on this story in just a minute.

Tropical Storm Bonnie, only a day old but already getting the attention of people on the Gulf Coast. It could reach land by Thursday. Bonnie is the second-named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and its 50-mile-an-hour winds are expected to strengthen throughout the day.

Prosecutors in the Scott Peterson murder trial are expected to call their star witness today. His former mistress, Amber Frey, is likely to testify for much of the day. Prosecutors contend that Peterson's affair with her was a motive in killing his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn child.

To Salt Lake City; prosecutors have filed formal murder charges against Mark Hacking and revealed details of his alleged confession. According to court papers, Hacking told his brothers that he and his wife Lori argued before she went to bed. He said he then came across his 22-caliber rifle and shot her to death while she slept.

Keeping you informed, this is CNN, the most trusted name in news.

President Bush is nominating Congressman Porter Goss to be the new head of the CIA. Our Jill Dougherty is at the White House this morning. That is where the president made the announcement about an hour and a half ago.

Jill, good morning.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, he made that announcement in the Rose Garden. And you have to say that the president was stressing both the intelligence background and the political background of Porter Goss. Goss, of course, the head of the House Intelligence Committee. And the president calling him a leader who knows the CIA inside and out. He also said he's a reformer who will help to move forward on those recommendations from the 9/11 Committee. The president, again, hoping that this combination of political and intelligence background should help him through the confirmation process in the Senate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: His experience on Capitol Hill will serve him well at the CIA, because he's respected on both sides of the aisle. And because he understands the important role Congress must play in the effort to improve our nation's intelligence capabilities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: So, Porter Goss in Congress for 16 years. In 1988, he began serving in Congress. He's a former U.S. intelligence officer, and a former CIA officer, member of the Select Committee for Homeland Security. He replaces George Tenet, who stepped down after criticism of how the intelligence agencies have handled both pre-9/11 intelligence and intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq.

And as we mentioned, he does have to face Senate confirmation. And that is the question. Some Democrats are already criticizing him, saying that he has too political, too partisan side to him. And also saying that since he has been so intimately part of the intelligence side, that perhaps he's too close to the intelligence side to really critique it, and do the reforms that are necessary.

KAGAN: Jill, assuming that Porter Goss is confirmed, how is this job going to coincide with that new intelligence director that the president plans to create with an executive order? Who would trump who?

DOUGHERTY: Right. The National Intelligence Director would actually be over -- overseeing the CIA and the other agencies that deal with intelligence. So it's a different job than it was just a few months ago. He will be underneath the NID, the National Intelligence Director.

KAGAN: NID, there's a new abbreviation for us to get used to. Jill Dougherty at the White House, thank you for that report.

On Capitol Hill, the debate over the progress of reforms proposed by the 9/11 Commission continues. In two hours, the co-chairs of that 9/11 panel will be testifying. Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton will appear before the House Armed Services Committee. We'll be following the hearing and bringing you developments as they are warranted.

Was al Qaeda casing casinos in Las Vegas? And if so, why was the public never told? Video surveillance tapes uncovered in the U.S. and Spain two years ago show the exteriors of prominent casinos. The Justice Department says the FBI offered to show the tape to local authorities. But as Atle Erlingsson, an affiliate at KLAS reports, the mayor of Las Vegas heatedly denies any offer was ever made.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) OSCAR GOODMAN, MAYOR, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: If there's anything that the federal government has that would reflect on the well-being and the public safety of folks who live here and folks who visit here, and they have not shared it with me and allowed me to go out and tell the people that they're safe, they're derelict and they're guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance and they should be in prison.

ATLE ERLINGSSON, KLAS-TV CORRESPONDENT: An angry Mayor Oscar Goodman, lashing out at a report that questions his and other's response to information about possible terrorist activity.

GOODMAN: So whenever anybody tells a lie, OK? And I'm involved in it, it gets makes me real angry.

ERLINGSSON: In 2002, authorities confiscated videotapes found in Detroit and Spain. Both tapes were from al Qaeda showing footage of a Las Vegas strip. Specifically the MGM, New York New York and Excalibur. The A.P. report says federal prosecutors tried to show the video to Las Vegas officials, but that local authorities showed little interest. Mayor Goodman says he was never notified.

In the article, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Convertino is quoted as saying, "The information, unfortunately was not taken as seriously as we believed it to have been."

DOUG GILLESPIE, UNDERSHERIFF, CLARK COUNTY, NV.: And that is totally inaccurate. And that is not the case.

ERLINGSSON: Metro Undersheriff Doug Gillespie says his department was aware of both videos, but blames the feds for not telling metro about them soon enough. The report says the casinos did not want to see the footage, because it could make them liable in civil court should an attack occur. MGM-Mirage spokeswoman Yvette Monet tells Eyewitness News, "We've seen the tapes," but adds, "With this being a law enforcement matter, there's only so much we can say."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that report from Atle Erlingsson of our affiliate KLAS.

The federal government is taking over security for New York's heliport operations. That's an effort to reduce the chances that helicopters could be used by terrorists. Law enforcement sources say that recently discovered photographs from al Qaeda suspects' computer shows the heliport interiors, and there's evidence that terror suspects were talking about how easy it would be to smuggle weapons on the helicopters. But New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg notes private security officers have been searching helicopter passengers since 9/11.

If you've been following the trial of Scott Peterson, this may be the day you've been waiting for. The prosecution is scheduled to call Scott's former mistress, Amber Frey. We will go live to Redwood City.

The summer has not been so hot in some circles. Hear why some of this year's biggest concert tours have been canceled, and why the future may hold -- what it might hold for the music industry.

And later, it may be slippery, but the intrepid Richard Quest tries to get his arms around the politics of the Pacific Northwest.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: New fighting erupted today in Najaf between U.S. forces and militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al Sadr.

Our Matthew Chance is in Najaf with the latest -- Matthew.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, thank you. And a plume of black smoke hanging over the Holy City of Najaf, evidence -- if more evidence of the fierce fighting that's been raging now for several days the Shiia mosque of Imam Ali, one of the holiest shrines in Shiia Islam. Battling between U.S. forces and fighters loyal to the firebrand, Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr.

Now, we understand, of course, that the U.S. Marines have been leading the assault against the Mehdi army in that area of central Najaf. We now have been told that they've switched out temporarily with the First Armored -- sorry, the First Cavalry Division, in order to get those Marines some rest after the fierce fighting they've been engaged in, in recent days. As for the plan, well, they've established a perimeter around the mosque of the Imam Ali, as well as the ancient cemetery that's right next door. That's obviously the center of the sacred city itself. It's also where the militants have been holing up and launching attacks over the U.S. forces over the past week or so.

Now, they say that the governor of Najaf has given them permission to enter the mosque. To clear it out, if that's necessary for military reasons. But military officials here in Najaf telling me that obviously they're aware of the sensitivities of that. Very concerned that any U.S. presence in the sacred compound of the mosque could provoke a very ferocious backlash amongst the Shiite, the majority of the Iraqi population. However, they are saying at the same time that they're not ruling out the possibility of facilitating an Iraqi military forces attempt to clear that mosque. But all of these things still being discussed at this stage -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Matthew Chance just arriving on the scene in Najaf. Thank you for that report.

You can view the video from the fighting in Najaf and get more details on the battle right from your own computer. Just click on cnn.com.

Coming up, we're going to go live to Redwood City. The murder trial of Scott Peterson. The star witness for the prosecution, Amber Frey, set to take the stand today. That's just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: Scott Peterson's former mistress is expected to take the stand for the first time today in his double murder trial. But Amber Frey's appearance won't be the only thing going on in that courtroom.

Our Rusty Dornin is covering the trial in Redwood City, California.

Rusty, good morning.

Rusty DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, big buzz around the courthouse this morning. Of course, high anticipation of Amber Frey's testimony. She will be kept under very tight wraps for her arrival and departure, coming in through the underground garage in the courthouse coming into the courtroom. Possibly the only pictures we may see of her may be courtroom sketches.

Of course, inside the courtroom, prosecutors are going to be trying to show through her side of the story, and through all the taped conversations, that lie after lie that Scott Peterson told that he did have a motive for murder. While the defense, on the other hand, has claimed all along, and he admitted in court to the jury that he was a lying, cheating husband.

Her own attorney says she expects that Amber Frey will spend a considerable amount of time on the stand. Her father says she's ready.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RON FREY, AMBER'S FATHER: She's 100 percent prepared. And she'll be able to deal with questions from the defense attorney, Mr. Geragos. Not a problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: First up, both sides are likely to go behind closed doors to discuss that newly discovered evidence that abruptly ended court proceedings last week. We don't know how long that's going to last. And then, first up on the stand we expect Amber Frey -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Rusty Dornin live in Redwood City. We will be checking back with you throughout the day.

Right now, we want to talk more about the impact of the testimony from the person known as Scott Peterson's other woman.

Anthony Locascio is a defense attorney. He's not the other woman; he's the attorney today. Sorry for the mix-up there. He's live in New York.

(LAUGHTER)

ANTHONY LOCASCIO, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: That's OK. That's OK.

KAGAN: I don't you'd be accused of being the other woman. But you hear... LOCASCIO: I have not. No.

KAGAN: OK. Been called a lot of things.

Let's talk the other woman, Amber Frey. How is her -- possibly how could her testimony help the prosecution?

LOCASCIO: Well, the biggest way that her testimony can help is really with one thing, an admission. If she's able to establish with the tape recordings and whatnot, that Scott Peterson made an admission with regards to the killing of his wife, and unborn son, that's the big evidence. In every prosecution case, you want either a murder weapon, a cause of death, which we don't have, an eyewitness, or an admission. If they have that, then they're finally on the right track to a conviction.

KAGAN: But without that that, as you just heard Rusty Dornin report, he's already -- Scott Peterson has already stood up in court and said basically I was a scumbag husband, I lied and cheated on my wife. But there's a gulf between scumbag husband and murderer --Tony.

LOCASCIO: Well, there's a big difference. And that's what Geragos said in the very beginning in his opening statement. He said that, you know, he's certainly a cad. He's a philanderer, and I agree with you. He's a complete scumbag for cheating on his wife. But, that again, doesn't make him a murderer. And what you're going to see is, I think this weeklong testimony, if not two weeks, is really going to be a smoke screen. And all it's going to reveal is the lies, which everyone already knows. That Scott Peterson was cheating on his wife in a bad way. And -- but again, he's not a murderer. Hasn't been proven.

KAGAN: Did you say you think she's going to be up there on the stand for two weeks?

LOCASCIO: That's what I've been reading in a couple of the reports. That even I think her lawyer was chatting with some of the reporters yesterday, saying that she'll probably be on the stand for a week, at least. If not two weeks. Which is mind-boggling, because I think the jury is going to get extremely bored if it's nothing but just detailing over, and over, and over again, day after day with information we already know. And that could be very dangerous for the prosecution. If they give them stuff they already know.

KAGAN: OK. And looking forward to when the defense gets its turn, what's it going to need to do; not just with Amber Frey but has its opportunity to present its case?

LOCASCIO: Well, what the defense has already been doing is just making holes in the state's case with their own witnesses. So what I think the defense, specifically with Amber Frey, is going to do two things. One, with regards to the tapes. They're going to establish that one, there are no admissions by Scott Peterson. Just romantic talks and conversations, to continue on the dating.

But two, they may go after an issue of credibility on Amber Frey with regard to those tapes. Not what's in them, but the quantity of them. Because there has been some discussion that Amber hasn't given all of the tapes that she should have over to the investigators. So that could be a big question. And if she doesn't, if it's proven she hadn't given all the tapes, then she's going to be considered along the lines of detective Brocchini in preventing a honest investigation.

KAGAN: Got it. Tony Locascio, thanks for your insight this morning.

LOCASCIO: You're welcome. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: Appreciate it. Good to have you on with us.

Bonnie and Charlie are churning up the waters south of the U.S. We're talking about storms here. Forecasters saying one of them is expected to hit the states. We'll check the forecast, coming up next with our Jaqui Jeras.

And still to come, can rock revenues thrive in a summer of slumping concert sales?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are bracing for Bonnie. At the top of the hour, the National Hurricane Center will issue its next advisory on the tropical storm and its likelihood of reaching hurricane strength before landfall.

A major move this morning from the White House, the announcement of a new director for the CIA. We'll get live reaction from Capitol Hill.

And as if the battle ground states didn't have enough worry already, guess who's in town? Richard Quest is stirring up the political controversy in the Pacific Northwest.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at the stories now in the news.

Newly released videotapes suggest that terrorists were casing Las Vegas casinos and resorts as possible targets. The city's mayor is voicing anger that he had not been told of the tapes. But a federal memo quotes a federal prosecutor saying authorities were worried about damaging tourism to the city. The video was reported shot in 1997.

In Hamburg, Germany a retrial is under way for the only terror suspect convicted in the 9/11 attacks. The 0-year-old Moroccan is charged with aiding the three Hamburg based hijackers. The U.S. says it will provide evidence, but the suspect's defense attorney is asking that the case be dismissed.

Apparently coordinated attacks were launched on sites in Istanbul, Turkey today. Explosions hit two hotels killing two people, around the same time suspected terrorists set off small bombs near storage fuel tanks. The bombs were unable to pierce the tanks, and no injured were reported.

Former Enron Chairman Ken Lay is asking for a speedy start to his trial on fraud and conspiracy charges. Attorneys for Lay filed papers yesterday asking that his trial start September 14, and be decided by the judge rather than by a jury. Lay faces up to 175 years in prison in connection to the collapse of the energy giant.

President Bush is citing his former career -- actually, Porter Goss's former career as an agent, and his current work in the House Intelligence Committee. And President Bush has named Porter Goss -- actually nominated him, the congressman to lead the CIA. The president made the announcement in the White House Rose Garden two hours ago. He said Goss is well prepared for the mission.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Porter Goss is a leader with strong experience in intelligence and in the fight against terrorism. He knows the CIA inside and out. He's the right man to lead this important agency at this critical moment in our nation's history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: But the Senate must confirm Porter Goss to be the new CIA director. And that process is not, to borrow a phrase used by former CIA chief George Tenet, "a slam-dunk."

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Aired August 10, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the stories now in the news.
President Bush wants the man next to him as the next director of the CIA. Just about 90 minutes ago, the president announced his nomination of Congressman Peter Goss. The Florida Republican is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and a one-time Army intelligence operative. We'll have much more on this story in just a minute.

Tropical Storm Bonnie, only a day old but already getting the attention of people on the Gulf Coast. It could reach land by Thursday. Bonnie is the second-named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and its 50-mile-an-hour winds are expected to strengthen throughout the day.

Prosecutors in the Scott Peterson murder trial are expected to call their star witness today. His former mistress, Amber Frey, is likely to testify for much of the day. Prosecutors contend that Peterson's affair with her was a motive in killing his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn child.

To Salt Lake City; prosecutors have filed formal murder charges against Mark Hacking and revealed details of his alleged confession. According to court papers, Hacking told his brothers that he and his wife Lori argued before she went to bed. He said he then came across his 22-caliber rifle and shot her to death while she slept.

Keeping you informed, this is CNN, the most trusted name in news.

President Bush is nominating Congressman Porter Goss to be the new head of the CIA. Our Jill Dougherty is at the White House this morning. That is where the president made the announcement about an hour and a half ago.

Jill, good morning.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, he made that announcement in the Rose Garden. And you have to say that the president was stressing both the intelligence background and the political background of Porter Goss. Goss, of course, the head of the House Intelligence Committee. And the president calling him a leader who knows the CIA inside and out. He also said he's a reformer who will help to move forward on those recommendations from the 9/11 Committee. The president, again, hoping that this combination of political and intelligence background should help him through the confirmation process in the Senate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: His experience on Capitol Hill will serve him well at the CIA, because he's respected on both sides of the aisle. And because he understands the important role Congress must play in the effort to improve our nation's intelligence capabilities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: So, Porter Goss in Congress for 16 years. In 1988, he began serving in Congress. He's a former U.S. intelligence officer, and a former CIA officer, member of the Select Committee for Homeland Security. He replaces George Tenet, who stepped down after criticism of how the intelligence agencies have handled both pre-9/11 intelligence and intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq.

And as we mentioned, he does have to face Senate confirmation. And that is the question. Some Democrats are already criticizing him, saying that he has too political, too partisan side to him. And also saying that since he has been so intimately part of the intelligence side, that perhaps he's too close to the intelligence side to really critique it, and do the reforms that are necessary.

KAGAN: Jill, assuming that Porter Goss is confirmed, how is this job going to coincide with that new intelligence director that the president plans to create with an executive order? Who would trump who?

DOUGHERTY: Right. The National Intelligence Director would actually be over -- overseeing the CIA and the other agencies that deal with intelligence. So it's a different job than it was just a few months ago. He will be underneath the NID, the National Intelligence Director.

KAGAN: NID, there's a new abbreviation for us to get used to. Jill Dougherty at the White House, thank you for that report.

On Capitol Hill, the debate over the progress of reforms proposed by the 9/11 Commission continues. In two hours, the co-chairs of that 9/11 panel will be testifying. Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton will appear before the House Armed Services Committee. We'll be following the hearing and bringing you developments as they are warranted.

Was al Qaeda casing casinos in Las Vegas? And if so, why was the public never told? Video surveillance tapes uncovered in the U.S. and Spain two years ago show the exteriors of prominent casinos. The Justice Department says the FBI offered to show the tape to local authorities. But as Atle Erlingsson, an affiliate at KLAS reports, the mayor of Las Vegas heatedly denies any offer was ever made.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) OSCAR GOODMAN, MAYOR, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: If there's anything that the federal government has that would reflect on the well-being and the public safety of folks who live here and folks who visit here, and they have not shared it with me and allowed me to go out and tell the people that they're safe, they're derelict and they're guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance and they should be in prison.

ATLE ERLINGSSON, KLAS-TV CORRESPONDENT: An angry Mayor Oscar Goodman, lashing out at a report that questions his and other's response to information about possible terrorist activity.

GOODMAN: So whenever anybody tells a lie, OK? And I'm involved in it, it gets makes me real angry.

ERLINGSSON: In 2002, authorities confiscated videotapes found in Detroit and Spain. Both tapes were from al Qaeda showing footage of a Las Vegas strip. Specifically the MGM, New York New York and Excalibur. The A.P. report says federal prosecutors tried to show the video to Las Vegas officials, but that local authorities showed little interest. Mayor Goodman says he was never notified.

In the article, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Convertino is quoted as saying, "The information, unfortunately was not taken as seriously as we believed it to have been."

DOUG GILLESPIE, UNDERSHERIFF, CLARK COUNTY, NV.: And that is totally inaccurate. And that is not the case.

ERLINGSSON: Metro Undersheriff Doug Gillespie says his department was aware of both videos, but blames the feds for not telling metro about them soon enough. The report says the casinos did not want to see the footage, because it could make them liable in civil court should an attack occur. MGM-Mirage spokeswoman Yvette Monet tells Eyewitness News, "We've seen the tapes," but adds, "With this being a law enforcement matter, there's only so much we can say."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that report from Atle Erlingsson of our affiliate KLAS.

The federal government is taking over security for New York's heliport operations. That's an effort to reduce the chances that helicopters could be used by terrorists. Law enforcement sources say that recently discovered photographs from al Qaeda suspects' computer shows the heliport interiors, and there's evidence that terror suspects were talking about how easy it would be to smuggle weapons on the helicopters. But New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg notes private security officers have been searching helicopter passengers since 9/11.

If you've been following the trial of Scott Peterson, this may be the day you've been waiting for. The prosecution is scheduled to call Scott's former mistress, Amber Frey. We will go live to Redwood City.

The summer has not been so hot in some circles. Hear why some of this year's biggest concert tours have been canceled, and why the future may hold -- what it might hold for the music industry.

And later, it may be slippery, but the intrepid Richard Quest tries to get his arms around the politics of the Pacific Northwest.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: New fighting erupted today in Najaf between U.S. forces and militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al Sadr.

Our Matthew Chance is in Najaf with the latest -- Matthew.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, thank you. And a plume of black smoke hanging over the Holy City of Najaf, evidence -- if more evidence of the fierce fighting that's been raging now for several days the Shiia mosque of Imam Ali, one of the holiest shrines in Shiia Islam. Battling between U.S. forces and fighters loyal to the firebrand, Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr.

Now, we understand, of course, that the U.S. Marines have been leading the assault against the Mehdi army in that area of central Najaf. We now have been told that they've switched out temporarily with the First Armored -- sorry, the First Cavalry Division, in order to get those Marines some rest after the fierce fighting they've been engaged in, in recent days. As for the plan, well, they've established a perimeter around the mosque of the Imam Ali, as well as the ancient cemetery that's right next door. That's obviously the center of the sacred city itself. It's also where the militants have been holing up and launching attacks over the U.S. forces over the past week or so.

Now, they say that the governor of Najaf has given them permission to enter the mosque. To clear it out, if that's necessary for military reasons. But military officials here in Najaf telling me that obviously they're aware of the sensitivities of that. Very concerned that any U.S. presence in the sacred compound of the mosque could provoke a very ferocious backlash amongst the Shiite, the majority of the Iraqi population. However, they are saying at the same time that they're not ruling out the possibility of facilitating an Iraqi military forces attempt to clear that mosque. But all of these things still being discussed at this stage -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Matthew Chance just arriving on the scene in Najaf. Thank you for that report.

You can view the video from the fighting in Najaf and get more details on the battle right from your own computer. Just click on cnn.com.

Coming up, we're going to go live to Redwood City. The murder trial of Scott Peterson. The star witness for the prosecution, Amber Frey, set to take the stand today. That's just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: Scott Peterson's former mistress is expected to take the stand for the first time today in his double murder trial. But Amber Frey's appearance won't be the only thing going on in that courtroom.

Our Rusty Dornin is covering the trial in Redwood City, California.

Rusty, good morning.

Rusty DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, big buzz around the courthouse this morning. Of course, high anticipation of Amber Frey's testimony. She will be kept under very tight wraps for her arrival and departure, coming in through the underground garage in the courthouse coming into the courtroom. Possibly the only pictures we may see of her may be courtroom sketches.

Of course, inside the courtroom, prosecutors are going to be trying to show through her side of the story, and through all the taped conversations, that lie after lie that Scott Peterson told that he did have a motive for murder. While the defense, on the other hand, has claimed all along, and he admitted in court to the jury that he was a lying, cheating husband.

Her own attorney says she expects that Amber Frey will spend a considerable amount of time on the stand. Her father says she's ready.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RON FREY, AMBER'S FATHER: She's 100 percent prepared. And she'll be able to deal with questions from the defense attorney, Mr. Geragos. Not a problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: First up, both sides are likely to go behind closed doors to discuss that newly discovered evidence that abruptly ended court proceedings last week. We don't know how long that's going to last. And then, first up on the stand we expect Amber Frey -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Rusty Dornin live in Redwood City. We will be checking back with you throughout the day.

Right now, we want to talk more about the impact of the testimony from the person known as Scott Peterson's other woman.

Anthony Locascio is a defense attorney. He's not the other woman; he's the attorney today. Sorry for the mix-up there. He's live in New York.

(LAUGHTER)

ANTHONY LOCASCIO, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: That's OK. That's OK.

KAGAN: I don't you'd be accused of being the other woman. But you hear... LOCASCIO: I have not. No.

KAGAN: OK. Been called a lot of things.

Let's talk the other woman, Amber Frey. How is her -- possibly how could her testimony help the prosecution?

LOCASCIO: Well, the biggest way that her testimony can help is really with one thing, an admission. If she's able to establish with the tape recordings and whatnot, that Scott Peterson made an admission with regards to the killing of his wife, and unborn son, that's the big evidence. In every prosecution case, you want either a murder weapon, a cause of death, which we don't have, an eyewitness, or an admission. If they have that, then they're finally on the right track to a conviction.

KAGAN: But without that that, as you just heard Rusty Dornin report, he's already -- Scott Peterson has already stood up in court and said basically I was a scumbag husband, I lied and cheated on my wife. But there's a gulf between scumbag husband and murderer --Tony.

LOCASCIO: Well, there's a big difference. And that's what Geragos said in the very beginning in his opening statement. He said that, you know, he's certainly a cad. He's a philanderer, and I agree with you. He's a complete scumbag for cheating on his wife. But, that again, doesn't make him a murderer. And what you're going to see is, I think this weeklong testimony, if not two weeks, is really going to be a smoke screen. And all it's going to reveal is the lies, which everyone already knows. That Scott Peterson was cheating on his wife in a bad way. And -- but again, he's not a murderer. Hasn't been proven.

KAGAN: Did you say you think she's going to be up there on the stand for two weeks?

LOCASCIO: That's what I've been reading in a couple of the reports. That even I think her lawyer was chatting with some of the reporters yesterday, saying that she'll probably be on the stand for a week, at least. If not two weeks. Which is mind-boggling, because I think the jury is going to get extremely bored if it's nothing but just detailing over, and over, and over again, day after day with information we already know. And that could be very dangerous for the prosecution. If they give them stuff they already know.

KAGAN: OK. And looking forward to when the defense gets its turn, what's it going to need to do; not just with Amber Frey but has its opportunity to present its case?

LOCASCIO: Well, what the defense has already been doing is just making holes in the state's case with their own witnesses. So what I think the defense, specifically with Amber Frey, is going to do two things. One, with regards to the tapes. They're going to establish that one, there are no admissions by Scott Peterson. Just romantic talks and conversations, to continue on the dating.

But two, they may go after an issue of credibility on Amber Frey with regard to those tapes. Not what's in them, but the quantity of them. Because there has been some discussion that Amber hasn't given all of the tapes that she should have over to the investigators. So that could be a big question. And if she doesn't, if it's proven she hadn't given all the tapes, then she's going to be considered along the lines of detective Brocchini in preventing a honest investigation.

KAGAN: Got it. Tony Locascio, thanks for your insight this morning.

LOCASCIO: You're welcome. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: Appreciate it. Good to have you on with us.

Bonnie and Charlie are churning up the waters south of the U.S. We're talking about storms here. Forecasters saying one of them is expected to hit the states. We'll check the forecast, coming up next with our Jaqui Jeras.

And still to come, can rock revenues thrive in a summer of slumping concert sales?

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KAGAN: We are bracing for Bonnie. At the top of the hour, the National Hurricane Center will issue its next advisory on the tropical storm and its likelihood of reaching hurricane strength before landfall.

A major move this morning from the White House, the announcement of a new director for the CIA. We'll get live reaction from Capitol Hill.

And as if the battle ground states didn't have enough worry already, guess who's in town? Richard Quest is stirring up the political controversy in the Pacific Northwest.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

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KAGAN: Let's take a look at the stories now in the news.

Newly released videotapes suggest that terrorists were casing Las Vegas casinos and resorts as possible targets. The city's mayor is voicing anger that he had not been told of the tapes. But a federal memo quotes a federal prosecutor saying authorities were worried about damaging tourism to the city. The video was reported shot in 1997.

In Hamburg, Germany a retrial is under way for the only terror suspect convicted in the 9/11 attacks. The 0-year-old Moroccan is charged with aiding the three Hamburg based hijackers. The U.S. says it will provide evidence, but the suspect's defense attorney is asking that the case be dismissed.

Apparently coordinated attacks were launched on sites in Istanbul, Turkey today. Explosions hit two hotels killing two people, around the same time suspected terrorists set off small bombs near storage fuel tanks. The bombs were unable to pierce the tanks, and no injured were reported.

Former Enron Chairman Ken Lay is asking for a speedy start to his trial on fraud and conspiracy charges. Attorneys for Lay filed papers yesterday asking that his trial start September 14, and be decided by the judge rather than by a jury. Lay faces up to 175 years in prison in connection to the collapse of the energy giant.

President Bush is citing his former career -- actually, Porter Goss's former career as an agent, and his current work in the House Intelligence Committee. And President Bush has named Porter Goss -- actually nominated him, the congressman to lead the CIA. The president made the announcement in the White House Rose Garden two hours ago. He said Goss is well prepared for the mission.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Porter Goss is a leader with strong experience in intelligence and in the fight against terrorism. He knows the CIA inside and out. He's the right man to lead this important agency at this critical moment in our nation's history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: But the Senate must confirm Porter Goss to be the new CIA director. And that process is not, to borrow a phrase used by former CIA chief George Tenet, "a slam-dunk."

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