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American Morning
9/11 Commission; Jury Selection in Kobe Bryant Case
Aired August 27, 2004 - 07:31 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.
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. It's 7:31 here in New York on this AMERICAN MORNING.
The White House is getting ready, apparently, to act on the recommendations of that 9/11 Commission. A series of executive orders have now been drafted with the centerpiece being a new national intelligence director. A full look at the details on that in a moment today.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Also, prosecutors and defense attorneys are counting on 82 questions to help them find the right jury for the Kobe Bryant trial. The first stage of jury selection begins this morning. We'll talk to a professional jury consultant about what both sides need to do and how the process will affect the trial.
HEMMER: All right. First, though, Carol Costello live at the CNN center.
Good morning -- Carol. Looking at the other news today. Good morning.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Bill. Thank you.
Terrorism may be to blame for the crash of one of the two Russian passenger jets that killed 89 people this week. Russia's top intelligence agency officials tell CNN they have found traces of explosives in at least one of the wreckage sites. Officials also say they've identified some potential suspects. No one has been taken into custody as of yet.
Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board are expected to arrive this morning at the site of a chemical fire in Ferris, Texas. An explosion at a plant yesterday killed at least a dozen people. Some 800 people in the area were temporarily evacuated. Many of those residents are now being allowed to return home.
A Pennsylvania man who spent 16 years in prison for a rape and murder he did not commit is spending his first morning as a completely free man. Barry Laufin (ph) was released from prison back in November after DNA showed he was not the killer. The murder case has now been reopened.
And good news this morning for "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace. The Taxi and Limousine Commission says it will not press charges against the 86-year-old after a run-in with inspectors outside of a New York City restaurant earlier this month. Wallace was handcuffed and given a summons. The commission now says its agents acted -- quote -- "somewhat overzealously."
Back to you -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Not much you can do, except chuckle about that. All right, Carol Costello, thanks again.
President Bush is on the campaign trail. In the run-up to the GOP convention in New York, in Washington his administration has drafted executive orders now to implement some of the recommendations of the independent 9/11 Commission. That will include the establishment of a national intelligence director.
Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House now with the very latest.
Suzanne -- good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.
President Bush begins his run-up to the Republican Convention hitting six key battleground states. Yesterday it was New Mexico. Today it's Florida.
The central theme of the campaign is that he is the better candidate to protect the American people. That is why senior administration officials say as early as today, the president could sign executive orders to implement some of the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Essentially those orders would formally set in motion those steps that the president endorsed early in August.
They include creating the office of a national intelligence director, establishing a national counterterrorism center that would be run by the national intelligence director, giving the CIA director greater powers, and also encouraging greater sharing of intelligence among the 15 spy agencies.
Now, critics, of course, say that this national intelligence director really does not have very much power if he or she doesn't have budgetary authority. But, of course, that is something that the president cannot determine. It is something that is being debated in Congress -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much for the update -- Bill.
HEMMER: New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's accuser says he wants an apology. Golan Cipel, who says he was sexually harassed by McGreevey, now says he might drop his threat to sue if the governor says he is sorry. A spokesman says McGreevey has no reason to do that.
Earlier this month, McGreevey announced that he will resign the position after a gay affair. Reportedly it was Cipel. But McGreevey apparently does not want others to lose their jobs over the matter. That's whey asked a Minor League Baseball team to rehire its announcer and scorekeeper. The pair lost their jobs after dedicating the "YMCA" song to McGreevey during a game. "YMCA" is widely considered a gay anthem. The announcer apologized, got his job back. The scorekeeper is considering their offer.
Jury selection starts this morning in Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case. About 1,000 people are summoned, being considered to sit on that jury. What's the jury pool like, though, in Eagle County? According to a census back in 2000, the over 40,000 residents there are in their 30s, more slightly men than women. It's a well-educated jury pool. Most are married. More than 42 percent have college degrees, affluent community. Average income is over $62,000 a year.
Jury consultant and attorney Robert Hirschhorn is with us this morning. He was the defense team, the Bryant team, for a short time there.
Robert, good morning to you.
ROBERT HIRSCHHORN, ATTORNEY, JURY CONSULTANT: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: A perfect jury for the prosecution is what, Robert?
Well, what the prosecution's going to be looking for is primarily married men could be very helpful to them. They want liberal jurors, people that tend to identify with the victim or with the underdog. They're looking for older women, because a lot of older woman could very well identify and see the -- quote/unquote -- "complainant" as maybe their granddaughter.
So, the prosecution has a pretty good idea what they want. But I'll tell you, from the demographics you just shared with us, it sounds like a jury that's going to be a whole lot more helpful to Kobe. Because what he's going to be looking for is a younger jury. He's going to be looking for women in particular, because women tend to be very judgmental of their own.
Kobe is going to want an educated jury, because the DNA evidence, the forensic evidence in this case, is really going to cut in his favor. He's going to be looking for a conservative jury. And, again, in that part of Colorado, it's a pretty conservative town.
So it's very clear what each side wants, in my view. And I think Kobe is going to be in a position to find those people that are going to give him the fair that he deserves.
HEMMER: Well, back to that census, here's how the ratio makeup goes in Eagle County back in 2,000. Almost 75 percent are white, 23 percent Hispanic, .3 percent are African-American. If you're working for the defense, if you use these numbers, not an issue?
HIRSCHHORN: Not an issue, and I'll tell you why. You know, Kobe Bryant is -- before this allegation he was in that category with Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. He was an extraordinarily talented person that transcended race. Race is not going to have an issue in this case. Now, look, are there going to be people -- are there people in the country that have negative feelings about interracial relationships? Absolutely. But that's going to be flushed out in the jury questionnaire. That's going to be flushed out in the jury selection process.
You know, what I'm teaching my kids, Troy (ph) and Nicky (ph), is that we treat everybody equal, and I think that's what Kobe is going to be looking for, is folks that are going to give him a fair shot and not judge him by the color of his skin or the allegation that's made against him, but judge him on the proof and the evidence.
HEMMER: How much do you believe that trials are won and lost at this stage picking a jury?
HIRSCHHORN: Bill, I've got to tell you, I spend 90 percent of my time either in courtrooms or working with lawyers. When I'm not when I'm not spending time with you or Heidi, I spend a lot time understanding the process. And I've got to tell you, as much as I'd like to sit here and say, jurors wait until the whole case is over before they make their mind up, the fact of the matter is that a lot jurors, a substantial number of jurors make up their minds at the end of opening statements, the beginning of the trial.
So jury selection is supremely important in most cases, but in Kobe's case it's going to be absolutely critical to making sure that he gets a fair jury.
HEMMER: And it starts today. Thank you, Robert.
HIRSCHHORN: Thank you.
HEMMER: Robert Hirschhorn in Dallas -- Heidi.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: In a moment here, a "New You" checkup. Pam and Michael Kirkbride found that having a baby was not always a day at the beach. Now the baby's older. Can they find time to take care of themselves? We'll have that.
COLLINS: And, yes, there they are at the beach. Very good.
Also ahead, "90-Second Pop," and Beyonce Knowles' "Naughty Girl" could get her a Moonman at the VMAs this weekend. But who's getting the real buzz at the MTV bash? We'll talk about it in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Oh, there it is again, that kiss. Hey, it's "90-Second Pop" for a Friday with our pop players today. Jessica Shaw from "Entertainment Weekly," Josh Elliott from "Sports Illustrated" and Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine.
All right, Sarah, let's start with you today. The MTV video music awards are coming up Sunday night. SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Right.
COLLINS: But Britney and Madonna are not going to be there. We're not going to see the kiss again.
BERNARD: So they say. I'm thinking maybe a surprise is in the works.
COLLINS: Do you think they'll surprise everybody?
BERNARD: But I can't believe it's been a year since that kiss. I feel like we just started talking about it.
COLLINS: Oh, you do, do you? I do not.
BERNARD: I think we should talk about it again.
JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": If she gets married this year, I will be amazed.
JOSH ELLIOTT, "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED": She will be there.
BERNARD: Maybe that's what she's going to do.
ELLIOTT: She will be there. There is just -- she's desperately in need of good press at this point.
BERNARD: Yes, I don't see how she's going to miss this kind of party. But the controversy this year, first of all, obviously they've moved from New York to Miami.
COLLINS: Right.
BERNARD: So they're taking advantage of the setting, and having a few key people arrive via yacht to the red carpet.
COLLINS: Yes, I read about that.
BERNARD: Which is a fun idea. But what's happening already is the competition for who is going to have the biggest yacht...
COLLINS: The best yacht, right.
BERNARD: ... is already heating up. P. Diddy rented a 100-foot yacht. It sounds big to me.
ELLIOTT: That is a shock.
BERNARD: And Usher...
COLLINS: What does that even look like?
BERNARD: Something.
ELLIOTT: Like a spaceship. Like a spaceship rolling up on the beach. BERNARD: Yes.
SHAW: It doesn't matter, as long as it's bigger than Usher's.
BERNARD: Exactly.
ELLIOTT: Yes.
COLLINS: OK.
BERNARD: So, Usher is now upset because he actually wants to have the bigger yacht.
COLLINS: So it's not going to be about the music?
BERNARD: Not really. Although Usher probably is going to win big this year. So maybe it's fitting.
ELLIOTT: MTV hasn't been about the music since, like, 1985.
COLLINS: OK.
SHAW: Yes, I think at the point where Howard Stern bared his butt at the MTV awards, it stopped being about the music.
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: All right, Jessica, let's talk about the battle of the Tommys.
SHAW: Yes.
COLLINS: You've got Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Lee talking about how they want to be in reality TV now.
SHAW: It's more than talking. They both have actually signed deals. Tommy Hilfiger is going to be doing a reality show for CBS.
COLLINS: Right.
SHAW: Tommy Lee is going to be going back to college for NBC.
COLLINS: Oh, good.
BERNARD: Oh, man!
ELLIOTT: Quite literally, lock your girls up.
SHAW: Yes.
BERNARD: Exactly. Freshmen girls, watch out!
SHAW: Doesn't that seem like a cry for help? I mean, Tommy Hilfiger's stock is way down. It's not like you're going to see Ralph Lauren doing a reality show. It's kind of declassse (ph).
ELLIOTT: But also, did he not see his daughter's horrific entry in the...
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: And, you know, that ended up really badly. She ended up in rehab, first of all. And then she ended up not speaking to her best friend, Jamie (ph), who they started the show with. So, I mean, what's going to happen to Tommy?
(CROSSTALK)
SHAW: Maybe he's trying just to save the Hilfiger name?
COLLINS: That's true.
BERNARD: But I have to say, for the Tommy Lee one, anything that prevents a Motley Crue reunion tour, I'm all for it.
ELLIOTT: Yes. COLLINS: This will keep him too busy.
BERNARD: Yes.
COLLINS: All right, good point. Josh, I want to talk about the Olympics. Women's soccer team taking home the gold medal. This was huge.
ELLIOTT: Very impressive.
COLLINS: Very exciting. Women are also kicking butt in many other areas.
ELLIOTT: Yes.
COLLINS: What's going on here?
ELLIOTT: Do you know what? Women rock! Women are better. And I'll say it...
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: That's why (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
ELLIOTT: Because I don't feel like being attacked. And you know what? This is actually -- and it's really unfortunate that NBC has kind of missed the boat here, because, you know, they're used to sort of just having their little pixie de jour every Olympics, you know, to promote...
COLLINS: You mean the gymnasts?
ELLIOTT: The gymnasts.
COLLINS: OK.
ELLIOTT: But other than that...
COLLINS: Carly is the name.
ELLIOTT: You know, I just think that...
SHAW: He meant the weight lifter.
ELLIOTT: But I'm very -- you know, the women's team sports feature a lot of mature athletes, a lot of athletes that have children of their own. There are a lot of great, positive stories on these teams. And unless you have Bravo and you're up at 3:00 a.m., you're missing a lot of it, and it's really sad.
COLLINS: Yes. And it also brings up the issue of Title IX, too, doesn't it?
ELLIOTT: It does.
COLLINS: It makes you think about it.
ELLIOTT: It does, because we're finally seeing it now.
BERNARD: The results of it.
ELLIOTT: These are the first -- this is the first generation that because of Title IX, that because of grassroots youth leagues across the board have now matured into world-class athletes. And I just think it's impressive, you know, up and down the board. Meanwhile, the U.S. men struggle and struggle and struggle.
BERNARD: Yes, they won yesterday. Can we talk about Stephon Marbury for a second? Because...
ELLIOTT: No, let's not.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Because he's a Knick, and it's going to be much better in my house this year if the Knicks are good.
SHAW: Nothing beats the soccer team and carrying them up on the podium, singing the national anthem so off-key that had you to love them even more.
COLLINS: All right, guys, thanks so much for all of that. Jessica, Josh nad Sarah, appreciate it -- Bill.
HEMMER: You know, Josh, if I was on that side of the room, my friend -- take away the men's basketball team, on the track they've been unbelievable. Back-to-back days when they take, what, gold, silver and bronze?
ELLIOTT: Yes, Michael Phelps, I'll give you Michael Phelps.
HEMMER: Michael Phelps in the pool?
ELLIOTT: But look, the women's water polo team...
COLLINS: What about the women's swimming team?
ELLIOTT: ... the women's swimming...
HEMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) absolutely.
ELLIOTT: ... the women's basketball...
HEMMER: The softball team, 51-1, the real dream team.
SHAW: That's why they kept you over there, Bill.
HEMMER: Give that guy a megaphone. I think it's been a wonderful Summer Games from both sections.
ELLIOTT: Bill, I won't get out of here, so can you please stop?
HEMMER: See you.
A "New You" checkup in a moment. Josh. Despite a few workouts, the new parents find it hard to take care of themselves and the baby. Now that the baby's a bit older, how are they doing today? Back in a moment with the Kirkbrides this morning after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All right, a final checkup today for our "New You" participants and the new parents, Pam and Michael Kirkbride.
COLLINS: When we first met them, they were sleepless, disorganized and had gained 40 pounds together. But "New You" helped them get back on track. So how did they stay on that track? Dr. Sanjay Gupta is joining us now from the CNN center with our final "New You" checkup today -- Sanjay.
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill and Heidi. Yes, that's right. Baby Olivia has just turned 1-year-old, and the parents are still living in the fast lane. So here they are, team Kirkbride.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice over): It's a typical morning for the Kirkbrides, 6:00 a.m., Michael's at the gym.
PAM KIRKBRIDE, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: Good morning, little girl.
GUPTA: 7:30 a.m., Pam and Michael wake up baby Olivia after a full night's sleep.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Do you want to turn on the light? Press the button. All right. I love you.
GUPTA: 8:00 a.m., Pam is off to work. 8:30, Michael hands off baby Olivia to the baby-sitter. The biggest lesson team Kirkbride has learned in the past six months? P. KIRKBRIDE: You do have time. You just have to make that choice to either, you know, get the salad instead of the burger, and going to the gym or just doing that one-minute of crunches.
GUPTA: At first, "New You" did force them to make that choice.
MICHAEL KIRKBRIDE, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: We kicked everything into a gear in a way that I don't think we would have.
GUPTA: Now, there is even time for a few weekends at the beach with friends. Michael has lost a total of 36 pounds. Pam has kept it off, too, but she still finds it tough.
P. KIRKBRIDE: For me, it's going back to the gym. I mean, as soon as the cameras came off, let me tell you, I didn't go.
GUPTA: But Pam does sneak in planks and Pilates when she can, and skipping desserts and soda is now a habit for them both.
M. KIRKBRIDE: It's all a part of our lifestyle now without the intense pressure of those eight weeks.
GUPTA: It's no longer about the short-term weight-loss; it's about the long-term investment.
M. KIRKBRIDE: I think it's about the future and it's about feeling more confident, and just more respect for ourselves. We just feel better about ourselves.
GUPTA: Feeling better all around, the ultimate goal of any new resolution.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Feeling better, more confident. Well, that's a goal by all of our "New You" participants as you've seen this past week -- Bill.
HEMMER: Hey, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Hey!
HEMMER: For those who don't have the cameras in their face, how do you keep them honest and committed?
GUPTA: Well, you know, it's true that our "New You" team did have the added incentive of thousands of people keeping track of their progress, but here's the thing. It takes actually just three weeks to build an exercise habit. So focus on that. Michael Kirkbride's advice: force yourself stick to a diet, work out regularly for just a few weeks, three weeks, and then your body will actually be conditioned to crave the exercise and a healthier diet. You can't get away without it then -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Oh, crave the exercise. That's in my little head. But, anyway, it is pretty good to see all five of these people, the "New You" participants, doing so well. I detect a series, maybe, for next year?
GUPTA: Yes, absolutely. You know, first of all, another thanks to David, Kim, Kathryn and the Kirkbrides for participating in the first "New You" resolution. That was the first one. Log on to CNN.com/AmericanMorning for more on their six-month checkup.
As for next year, Heidi, stay tuned to AMERICAN MORNING for details. We're going to have a little surprise for you. Our anchor, who we miss, Soledad O'Brien, may just be playing a bigger part after the birth of her twins. Stay tuned for that.
HEMMER: There you go, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right.
HEMMER: We will.
GUPTA: All right.
HEMMER: Thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Take care.
HEMMER: All right, back to Jack now and the "Question of the Day."
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Bill.
Day two of moron season. We'll see what happens. Here's what happened yesterday. Three days before the convention even starts, some naked people were arrested in the street down by Madison Square Garden. Not a big deal. No harm, no foul.
This one, though, is a little more serious. Four clowns get on the roof of the Plaza Hotel, which, by the way, is private property, unfurl some banner. The cops get called. And one of the cops answering the call steps through a skylight and cuts himself. It's a wound that requires 40 stitches to close. Now these four bright bulbs are facing first-degree assault charges and potentially 25 years in prison.
Then a bunch more of them get in the middle of Broadway yesterday afternoon and clogged the street, slowed down traffic, inconvenienced tourists and citizens and business people. It didn't have any effect on President Bush. It didn't have any effect on the Republican administration. But you're jerking around with the lives of the people who trying to just make it in this city. And it's tough enough when you're not in town. You know what I'm saying?
So, how tough should the cops be on the protesters, is the question?
And Katie in Rochester said: "I think the police should be hard on them. The protesters should know by now that New York City is very cautious and aware of what types of things that can happen when there isn't enough security involved. If they want to protest, then they're going to have to deal with it."
Donna in Columbus: "They should allow people to exercise their freedom of speech and freedom to protest. That's what being an American is all about. As long as the demonstrators do it peacefully, the police should do nothing to incite problems."
Gordon writes: "While I agreed with you in principle, you have to remember that with a large segment of the population, this is not another election. It's a war against the conservative way of life."
David in Williston, Florida: "Terrorists hope to influence us by hurting and killing uninvolved civilians. Over-the-line demonstrators hope to influence us by inconveniencing civilians, a difference in degree, not in morality."
I hope the judge just nails those folks who hurt that cop.
And finally, David writes from Great Neck, New York: "Suggesting that 25 years for an ill-conceived prank is suitable is not appropriate in this day and age. Perhaps you let your emotions get the better of you. If so, get off the air and go back to the Middle Ages. You're in a newsroom and should recognize in your rhetoric that there are other facets to this story."
Thank you, Dave, for helping me out there. Appreciate it.
COLLINS: One other facet obviously, Commissioner Kelly who we talked to yesterday, you know, there is this sort of terrorism. There is the peaceful protester, those who would not be peaceful. There's the U.S. Open, the Mets game, the Yankees game, a lot of stuff going on. He says the city is ready.
CAFFERTY: One note about having to go to Bravo at 3:00 in the morning to see women's Olympic competition, right here on this program we showed you the victory celebration of the women's beach volleyball, right here on AMERICAN MORNING. And it was terrific!
COLLINS: All right, Jack, thanks.
Still to come this morning, investigators in Russia find evidence that may point to the cause of those twin plane crashes. A live report from Moscow, coming up on AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired August 27, 2004 - 07:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. It's 7:31 here in New York on this AMERICAN MORNING.
The White House is getting ready, apparently, to act on the recommendations of that 9/11 Commission. A series of executive orders have now been drafted with the centerpiece being a new national intelligence director. A full look at the details on that in a moment today.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Also, prosecutors and defense attorneys are counting on 82 questions to help them find the right jury for the Kobe Bryant trial. The first stage of jury selection begins this morning. We'll talk to a professional jury consultant about what both sides need to do and how the process will affect the trial.
HEMMER: All right. First, though, Carol Costello live at the CNN center.
Good morning -- Carol. Looking at the other news today. Good morning.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Bill. Thank you.
Terrorism may be to blame for the crash of one of the two Russian passenger jets that killed 89 people this week. Russia's top intelligence agency officials tell CNN they have found traces of explosives in at least one of the wreckage sites. Officials also say they've identified some potential suspects. No one has been taken into custody as of yet.
Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board are expected to arrive this morning at the site of a chemical fire in Ferris, Texas. An explosion at a plant yesterday killed at least a dozen people. Some 800 people in the area were temporarily evacuated. Many of those residents are now being allowed to return home.
A Pennsylvania man who spent 16 years in prison for a rape and murder he did not commit is spending his first morning as a completely free man. Barry Laufin (ph) was released from prison back in November after DNA showed he was not the killer. The murder case has now been reopened.
And good news this morning for "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace. The Taxi and Limousine Commission says it will not press charges against the 86-year-old after a run-in with inspectors outside of a New York City restaurant earlier this month. Wallace was handcuffed and given a summons. The commission now says its agents acted -- quote -- "somewhat overzealously."
Back to you -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Not much you can do, except chuckle about that. All right, Carol Costello, thanks again.
President Bush is on the campaign trail. In the run-up to the GOP convention in New York, in Washington his administration has drafted executive orders now to implement some of the recommendations of the independent 9/11 Commission. That will include the establishment of a national intelligence director.
Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House now with the very latest.
Suzanne -- good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.
President Bush begins his run-up to the Republican Convention hitting six key battleground states. Yesterday it was New Mexico. Today it's Florida.
The central theme of the campaign is that he is the better candidate to protect the American people. That is why senior administration officials say as early as today, the president could sign executive orders to implement some of the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Essentially those orders would formally set in motion those steps that the president endorsed early in August.
They include creating the office of a national intelligence director, establishing a national counterterrorism center that would be run by the national intelligence director, giving the CIA director greater powers, and also encouraging greater sharing of intelligence among the 15 spy agencies.
Now, critics, of course, say that this national intelligence director really does not have very much power if he or she doesn't have budgetary authority. But, of course, that is something that the president cannot determine. It is something that is being debated in Congress -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much for the update -- Bill.
HEMMER: New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's accuser says he wants an apology. Golan Cipel, who says he was sexually harassed by McGreevey, now says he might drop his threat to sue if the governor says he is sorry. A spokesman says McGreevey has no reason to do that.
Earlier this month, McGreevey announced that he will resign the position after a gay affair. Reportedly it was Cipel. But McGreevey apparently does not want others to lose their jobs over the matter. That's whey asked a Minor League Baseball team to rehire its announcer and scorekeeper. The pair lost their jobs after dedicating the "YMCA" song to McGreevey during a game. "YMCA" is widely considered a gay anthem. The announcer apologized, got his job back. The scorekeeper is considering their offer.
Jury selection starts this morning in Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case. About 1,000 people are summoned, being considered to sit on that jury. What's the jury pool like, though, in Eagle County? According to a census back in 2000, the over 40,000 residents there are in their 30s, more slightly men than women. It's a well-educated jury pool. Most are married. More than 42 percent have college degrees, affluent community. Average income is over $62,000 a year.
Jury consultant and attorney Robert Hirschhorn is with us this morning. He was the defense team, the Bryant team, for a short time there.
Robert, good morning to you.
ROBERT HIRSCHHORN, ATTORNEY, JURY CONSULTANT: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: A perfect jury for the prosecution is what, Robert?
Well, what the prosecution's going to be looking for is primarily married men could be very helpful to them. They want liberal jurors, people that tend to identify with the victim or with the underdog. They're looking for older women, because a lot of older woman could very well identify and see the -- quote/unquote -- "complainant" as maybe their granddaughter.
So, the prosecution has a pretty good idea what they want. But I'll tell you, from the demographics you just shared with us, it sounds like a jury that's going to be a whole lot more helpful to Kobe. Because what he's going to be looking for is a younger jury. He's going to be looking for women in particular, because women tend to be very judgmental of their own.
Kobe is going to want an educated jury, because the DNA evidence, the forensic evidence in this case, is really going to cut in his favor. He's going to be looking for a conservative jury. And, again, in that part of Colorado, it's a pretty conservative town.
So it's very clear what each side wants, in my view. And I think Kobe is going to be in a position to find those people that are going to give him the fair that he deserves.
HEMMER: Well, back to that census, here's how the ratio makeup goes in Eagle County back in 2,000. Almost 75 percent are white, 23 percent Hispanic, .3 percent are African-American. If you're working for the defense, if you use these numbers, not an issue?
HIRSCHHORN: Not an issue, and I'll tell you why. You know, Kobe Bryant is -- before this allegation he was in that category with Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. He was an extraordinarily talented person that transcended race. Race is not going to have an issue in this case. Now, look, are there going to be people -- are there people in the country that have negative feelings about interracial relationships? Absolutely. But that's going to be flushed out in the jury questionnaire. That's going to be flushed out in the jury selection process.
You know, what I'm teaching my kids, Troy (ph) and Nicky (ph), is that we treat everybody equal, and I think that's what Kobe is going to be looking for, is folks that are going to give him a fair shot and not judge him by the color of his skin or the allegation that's made against him, but judge him on the proof and the evidence.
HEMMER: How much do you believe that trials are won and lost at this stage picking a jury?
HIRSCHHORN: Bill, I've got to tell you, I spend 90 percent of my time either in courtrooms or working with lawyers. When I'm not when I'm not spending time with you or Heidi, I spend a lot time understanding the process. And I've got to tell you, as much as I'd like to sit here and say, jurors wait until the whole case is over before they make their mind up, the fact of the matter is that a lot jurors, a substantial number of jurors make up their minds at the end of opening statements, the beginning of the trial.
So jury selection is supremely important in most cases, but in Kobe's case it's going to be absolutely critical to making sure that he gets a fair jury.
HEMMER: And it starts today. Thank you, Robert.
HIRSCHHORN: Thank you.
HEMMER: Robert Hirschhorn in Dallas -- Heidi.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: In a moment here, a "New You" checkup. Pam and Michael Kirkbride found that having a baby was not always a day at the beach. Now the baby's older. Can they find time to take care of themselves? We'll have that.
COLLINS: And, yes, there they are at the beach. Very good.
Also ahead, "90-Second Pop," and Beyonce Knowles' "Naughty Girl" could get her a Moonman at the VMAs this weekend. But who's getting the real buzz at the MTV bash? We'll talk about it in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Oh, there it is again, that kiss. Hey, it's "90-Second Pop" for a Friday with our pop players today. Jessica Shaw from "Entertainment Weekly," Josh Elliott from "Sports Illustrated" and Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine.
All right, Sarah, let's start with you today. The MTV video music awards are coming up Sunday night. SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Right.
COLLINS: But Britney and Madonna are not going to be there. We're not going to see the kiss again.
BERNARD: So they say. I'm thinking maybe a surprise is in the works.
COLLINS: Do you think they'll surprise everybody?
BERNARD: But I can't believe it's been a year since that kiss. I feel like we just started talking about it.
COLLINS: Oh, you do, do you? I do not.
BERNARD: I think we should talk about it again.
JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": If she gets married this year, I will be amazed.
JOSH ELLIOTT, "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED": She will be there.
BERNARD: Maybe that's what she's going to do.
ELLIOTT: She will be there. There is just -- she's desperately in need of good press at this point.
BERNARD: Yes, I don't see how she's going to miss this kind of party. But the controversy this year, first of all, obviously they've moved from New York to Miami.
COLLINS: Right.
BERNARD: So they're taking advantage of the setting, and having a few key people arrive via yacht to the red carpet.
COLLINS: Yes, I read about that.
BERNARD: Which is a fun idea. But what's happening already is the competition for who is going to have the biggest yacht...
COLLINS: The best yacht, right.
BERNARD: ... is already heating up. P. Diddy rented a 100-foot yacht. It sounds big to me.
ELLIOTT: That is a shock.
BERNARD: And Usher...
COLLINS: What does that even look like?
BERNARD: Something.
ELLIOTT: Like a spaceship. Like a spaceship rolling up on the beach. BERNARD: Yes.
SHAW: It doesn't matter, as long as it's bigger than Usher's.
BERNARD: Exactly.
ELLIOTT: Yes.
COLLINS: OK.
BERNARD: So, Usher is now upset because he actually wants to have the bigger yacht.
COLLINS: So it's not going to be about the music?
BERNARD: Not really. Although Usher probably is going to win big this year. So maybe it's fitting.
ELLIOTT: MTV hasn't been about the music since, like, 1985.
COLLINS: OK.
SHAW: Yes, I think at the point where Howard Stern bared his butt at the MTV awards, it stopped being about the music.
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: All right, Jessica, let's talk about the battle of the Tommys.
SHAW: Yes.
COLLINS: You've got Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Lee talking about how they want to be in reality TV now.
SHAW: It's more than talking. They both have actually signed deals. Tommy Hilfiger is going to be doing a reality show for CBS.
COLLINS: Right.
SHAW: Tommy Lee is going to be going back to college for NBC.
COLLINS: Oh, good.
BERNARD: Oh, man!
ELLIOTT: Quite literally, lock your girls up.
SHAW: Yes.
BERNARD: Exactly. Freshmen girls, watch out!
SHAW: Doesn't that seem like a cry for help? I mean, Tommy Hilfiger's stock is way down. It's not like you're going to see Ralph Lauren doing a reality show. It's kind of declassse (ph).
ELLIOTT: But also, did he not see his daughter's horrific entry in the...
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: And, you know, that ended up really badly. She ended up in rehab, first of all. And then she ended up not speaking to her best friend, Jamie (ph), who they started the show with. So, I mean, what's going to happen to Tommy?
(CROSSTALK)
SHAW: Maybe he's trying just to save the Hilfiger name?
COLLINS: That's true.
BERNARD: But I have to say, for the Tommy Lee one, anything that prevents a Motley Crue reunion tour, I'm all for it.
ELLIOTT: Yes. COLLINS: This will keep him too busy.
BERNARD: Yes.
COLLINS: All right, good point. Josh, I want to talk about the Olympics. Women's soccer team taking home the gold medal. This was huge.
ELLIOTT: Very impressive.
COLLINS: Very exciting. Women are also kicking butt in many other areas.
ELLIOTT: Yes.
COLLINS: What's going on here?
ELLIOTT: Do you know what? Women rock! Women are better. And I'll say it...
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: That's why (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
ELLIOTT: Because I don't feel like being attacked. And you know what? This is actually -- and it's really unfortunate that NBC has kind of missed the boat here, because, you know, they're used to sort of just having their little pixie de jour every Olympics, you know, to promote...
COLLINS: You mean the gymnasts?
ELLIOTT: The gymnasts.
COLLINS: OK.
ELLIOTT: But other than that...
COLLINS: Carly is the name.
ELLIOTT: You know, I just think that...
SHAW: He meant the weight lifter.
ELLIOTT: But I'm very -- you know, the women's team sports feature a lot of mature athletes, a lot of athletes that have children of their own. There are a lot of great, positive stories on these teams. And unless you have Bravo and you're up at 3:00 a.m., you're missing a lot of it, and it's really sad.
COLLINS: Yes. And it also brings up the issue of Title IX, too, doesn't it?
ELLIOTT: It does.
COLLINS: It makes you think about it.
ELLIOTT: It does, because we're finally seeing it now.
BERNARD: The results of it.
ELLIOTT: These are the first -- this is the first generation that because of Title IX, that because of grassroots youth leagues across the board have now matured into world-class athletes. And I just think it's impressive, you know, up and down the board. Meanwhile, the U.S. men struggle and struggle and struggle.
BERNARD: Yes, they won yesterday. Can we talk about Stephon Marbury for a second? Because...
ELLIOTT: No, let's not.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Because he's a Knick, and it's going to be much better in my house this year if the Knicks are good.
SHAW: Nothing beats the soccer team and carrying them up on the podium, singing the national anthem so off-key that had you to love them even more.
COLLINS: All right, guys, thanks so much for all of that. Jessica, Josh nad Sarah, appreciate it -- Bill.
HEMMER: You know, Josh, if I was on that side of the room, my friend -- take away the men's basketball team, on the track they've been unbelievable. Back-to-back days when they take, what, gold, silver and bronze?
ELLIOTT: Yes, Michael Phelps, I'll give you Michael Phelps.
HEMMER: Michael Phelps in the pool?
ELLIOTT: But look, the women's water polo team...
COLLINS: What about the women's swimming team?
ELLIOTT: ... the women's swimming...
HEMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) absolutely.
ELLIOTT: ... the women's basketball...
HEMMER: The softball team, 51-1, the real dream team.
SHAW: That's why they kept you over there, Bill.
HEMMER: Give that guy a megaphone. I think it's been a wonderful Summer Games from both sections.
ELLIOTT: Bill, I won't get out of here, so can you please stop?
HEMMER: See you.
A "New You" checkup in a moment. Josh. Despite a few workouts, the new parents find it hard to take care of themselves and the baby. Now that the baby's a bit older, how are they doing today? Back in a moment with the Kirkbrides this morning after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All right, a final checkup today for our "New You" participants and the new parents, Pam and Michael Kirkbride.
COLLINS: When we first met them, they were sleepless, disorganized and had gained 40 pounds together. But "New You" helped them get back on track. So how did they stay on that track? Dr. Sanjay Gupta is joining us now from the CNN center with our final "New You" checkup today -- Sanjay.
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill and Heidi. Yes, that's right. Baby Olivia has just turned 1-year-old, and the parents are still living in the fast lane. So here they are, team Kirkbride.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice over): It's a typical morning for the Kirkbrides, 6:00 a.m., Michael's at the gym.
PAM KIRKBRIDE, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: Good morning, little girl.
GUPTA: 7:30 a.m., Pam and Michael wake up baby Olivia after a full night's sleep.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Do you want to turn on the light? Press the button. All right. I love you.
GUPTA: 8:00 a.m., Pam is off to work. 8:30, Michael hands off baby Olivia to the baby-sitter. The biggest lesson team Kirkbride has learned in the past six months? P. KIRKBRIDE: You do have time. You just have to make that choice to either, you know, get the salad instead of the burger, and going to the gym or just doing that one-minute of crunches.
GUPTA: At first, "New You" did force them to make that choice.
MICHAEL KIRKBRIDE, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: We kicked everything into a gear in a way that I don't think we would have.
GUPTA: Now, there is even time for a few weekends at the beach with friends. Michael has lost a total of 36 pounds. Pam has kept it off, too, but she still finds it tough.
P. KIRKBRIDE: For me, it's going back to the gym. I mean, as soon as the cameras came off, let me tell you, I didn't go.
GUPTA: But Pam does sneak in planks and Pilates when she can, and skipping desserts and soda is now a habit for them both.
M. KIRKBRIDE: It's all a part of our lifestyle now without the intense pressure of those eight weeks.
GUPTA: It's no longer about the short-term weight-loss; it's about the long-term investment.
M. KIRKBRIDE: I think it's about the future and it's about feeling more confident, and just more respect for ourselves. We just feel better about ourselves.
GUPTA: Feeling better all around, the ultimate goal of any new resolution.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Feeling better, more confident. Well, that's a goal by all of our "New You" participants as you've seen this past week -- Bill.
HEMMER: Hey, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Hey!
HEMMER: For those who don't have the cameras in their face, how do you keep them honest and committed?
GUPTA: Well, you know, it's true that our "New You" team did have the added incentive of thousands of people keeping track of their progress, but here's the thing. It takes actually just three weeks to build an exercise habit. So focus on that. Michael Kirkbride's advice: force yourself stick to a diet, work out regularly for just a few weeks, three weeks, and then your body will actually be conditioned to crave the exercise and a healthier diet. You can't get away without it then -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Oh, crave the exercise. That's in my little head. But, anyway, it is pretty good to see all five of these people, the "New You" participants, doing so well. I detect a series, maybe, for next year?
GUPTA: Yes, absolutely. You know, first of all, another thanks to David, Kim, Kathryn and the Kirkbrides for participating in the first "New You" resolution. That was the first one. Log on to CNN.com/AmericanMorning for more on their six-month checkup.
As for next year, Heidi, stay tuned to AMERICAN MORNING for details. We're going to have a little surprise for you. Our anchor, who we miss, Soledad O'Brien, may just be playing a bigger part after the birth of her twins. Stay tuned for that.
HEMMER: There you go, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right.
HEMMER: We will.
GUPTA: All right.
HEMMER: Thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Take care.
HEMMER: All right, back to Jack now and the "Question of the Day."
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Bill.
Day two of moron season. We'll see what happens. Here's what happened yesterday. Three days before the convention even starts, some naked people were arrested in the street down by Madison Square Garden. Not a big deal. No harm, no foul.
This one, though, is a little more serious. Four clowns get on the roof of the Plaza Hotel, which, by the way, is private property, unfurl some banner. The cops get called. And one of the cops answering the call steps through a skylight and cuts himself. It's a wound that requires 40 stitches to close. Now these four bright bulbs are facing first-degree assault charges and potentially 25 years in prison.
Then a bunch more of them get in the middle of Broadway yesterday afternoon and clogged the street, slowed down traffic, inconvenienced tourists and citizens and business people. It didn't have any effect on President Bush. It didn't have any effect on the Republican administration. But you're jerking around with the lives of the people who trying to just make it in this city. And it's tough enough when you're not in town. You know what I'm saying?
So, how tough should the cops be on the protesters, is the question?
And Katie in Rochester said: "I think the police should be hard on them. The protesters should know by now that New York City is very cautious and aware of what types of things that can happen when there isn't enough security involved. If they want to protest, then they're going to have to deal with it."
Donna in Columbus: "They should allow people to exercise their freedom of speech and freedom to protest. That's what being an American is all about. As long as the demonstrators do it peacefully, the police should do nothing to incite problems."
Gordon writes: "While I agreed with you in principle, you have to remember that with a large segment of the population, this is not another election. It's a war against the conservative way of life."
David in Williston, Florida: "Terrorists hope to influence us by hurting and killing uninvolved civilians. Over-the-line demonstrators hope to influence us by inconveniencing civilians, a difference in degree, not in morality."
I hope the judge just nails those folks who hurt that cop.
And finally, David writes from Great Neck, New York: "Suggesting that 25 years for an ill-conceived prank is suitable is not appropriate in this day and age. Perhaps you let your emotions get the better of you. If so, get off the air and go back to the Middle Ages. You're in a newsroom and should recognize in your rhetoric that there are other facets to this story."
Thank you, Dave, for helping me out there. Appreciate it.
COLLINS: One other facet obviously, Commissioner Kelly who we talked to yesterday, you know, there is this sort of terrorism. There is the peaceful protester, those who would not be peaceful. There's the U.S. Open, the Mets game, the Yankees game, a lot of stuff going on. He says the city is ready.
CAFFERTY: One note about having to go to Bravo at 3:00 in the morning to see women's Olympic competition, right here on this program we showed you the victory celebration of the women's beach volleyball, right here on AMERICAN MORNING. And it was terrific!
COLLINS: All right, Jack, thanks.
Still to come this morning, investigators in Russia find evidence that may point to the cause of those twin plane crashes. A live report from Moscow, coming up on AMERICAN MORNING.
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