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CNN Live At Daybreak

Unsecured Security; Americans Killed; Caught on Tape; Hostage Crisis; Puppy Play

Aired September 22, 2004 - 05:30   ET

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

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


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Deadly violence in the streets of Baghdad's Sadr City this morning.
It is Wednesday, September 22. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

"Now in the News."

A little more than three hours ago, a car bomb goes off in Baghdad, killing at least seven people near a police recruitment center. At least 47 others are wounded. A second car bomb was found and safely detonated.

A group loyal to terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi says Ken Bigley of Liverpool, England, will be killed unless authorities release all female prisoners in Iraq. The group says it slaughtered American Jack Hensley on Tuesday.

Back here in the States at the murder trial of Scott Peterson, a lead detective said he had several reasons to believe Laci Peterson's body had been dumped by her husband in San Francisco Bay.

A terrible scene in Haiti, the death toll from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne rises to 700. And officials expect to find even more bodies. Tens of thousands of people are homeless (ph) -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You could see the mountains there in the background in that pictures and that was the problem, Carol. All that rain rained on the mountains and then ran down into mudslides and, obviously, into those rivers.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.

Let's talk more about what's going on in Iraq this morning. U.S. forces, backed by warplanes and tanks, battle insurgents in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City. Hospital officials tell us at least 10 people were killed, nearly 100 wounded. The fighting broke out as American and Iraqi forces search for weapons caches.

In western Baghdad, a car bomb attack targets Iraqi police recruits. At least seven are dead. Dozens of others are wounded. Soldiers found and safely detonated a second car bomb.

And farther south in Nasiriya, the U.S. military says a Blackhawk helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff. Three crew members were injured, an investigation now under way.

Iraq's Justice Ministry says one of two high profile female prisoners in American custody is being released. The prisoner is identified as Rihab Taha. The ministry denies the move is linked to a demand by militants who kidnapped those two Americans and a Britain and demanded that all female Iraqi prisoners be released.

Taha is an Iraqi scientist, nicknamed "Dr. Germ" for formally overseeing one of her nation's biological programs. She's married to a former oil minister and was educated in Great Britain.

It's unclear how the release of the woman called "Dr. Germ" will play into the kidnapping of that British citizen Ken Bigley. Bigley was taken, along with Americans Eugene "Jack" Armstrong and Jack Hensley, last week from their Baghdad resident. Armstrong was killed on Monday, and it's believed Hensley was killed Tuesday. Hundreds of people took part in a candlelight vigil last night in a church in Liverpool for the 62-year-old British engineer.

And since the three men's kidnappings, there have been vigils in each of their hometowns. This is Marietta, Georgia, where Hensley lived. The Hensley family spokesman reacted to the word Tuesday that Jack Hensley had reportedly been killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE HALEY, HENSLEY FAMILY SPOKESMAN: Pati and her family would like to ask that everyone still continue to pray for Kenneth Bigley that he still may be returned home safely to his family. The world has lost some exceptional individuals who truly cared about other people's lives and cultures. We are at peace that they are with their Lord.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: The kidnapping of the two Americans and the Britain raises questions about the security of foreign workers in Iraq.

Our Jane Arraf is embedded with the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division in Tikrit. She has talked about security with an American who directs the Bechtel Corporation's work in Iraq.

Hello -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi, Carol.

Well this news is obviously understandably riveting, as well as horrifying, and overshadowing almost everything else, but out here in the rest of the country, in places like Tikrit, things are actually going on. And amazingly enough, American workers, despite this news, are, according to business people, still signing up to come here. And we spoke with the head of Bechtel. Bechtel is one of the major American contractors here, and we spoke with the head of its Iraq program, who was here at the reopening of a bridge that they have just held complete. And he said while this remains an extremely challenging place to do business, that they remain on high security on all times, it really has not affected very much the number of people willing to come. He says that every time something like this happens, they do get some dropouts, but there are more to fill their places.

And that holds true for Iraqis and others, as well. Despite the horrifying news, they are still showing up and these projects are still going on in many places -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane, how much reconstruction is actually going on?

ARRAF: Certainly not as much as many people would have liked or had expected, but it is slowly getting back on track. There is a lot of money out there, a lot of U.S. money that hasn't been spent. And the security is part of the reason it hasn't been spent. But reconstruction officials that we spoke with this morning say that they are getting out there, hiring people, getting those bids out and getting going on these projects that they say will help increase security.

This morning, a major bridge that links two major cities reopened. Took $5 million. It took a year to do, but they have completed it -- Carol.

COSTELLO: A bit of good news this morning. Jane Arraf reporting live from Tikrit in Iraq. Thank you.

Want to talk to our senior international editor David Clinch now to talk more about this woman who supposedly is going to be released from Iraqi prisoner.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Right.

COSTELLO: But there are conflicting reports.

CLINCH: Well there are conflicting reports for a couple of reasons. I mean, first of all, this is a fascinating story. The Iraqi government, the Justice Ministry, telling us, telling everybody today that they are considering releasing this woman, Rihab Taha, today, known as "Dr. Germ."

Now this is interesting for a number of reasons. The idea that they are releasing her -- in their words -- "nothing to do with the demands of these hostage takers, but by coincidence, a review of her case is coming up and she may be released today at least gives the impression that they are in some way caving in or giving in to the hostage taker's demands. Again, stressing the fact that they say it's got nothing to do with the hostage taker's demands. And in fact,...

COSTELLO: Yes, but hold on. If I were the families of these two men that were beheaded, I would wonder if you were going to release her anyway, why didn't you do it Saturday? CLINCH: Well of course that's another question. The British family, the family of the British hostage, who is thought to still be alive, welcoming this move and saying the sooner they see her released the better. And they are the family who has been appealing to Prime Minister Blair to do something to get these women released so that their family member would be released. But of course the question is if the Iraqis are considering releasing her, why have they not done it days ago before two Americans released.

But the other question of course, the Iraqis, particularly Prime Minister Allawi, who is here in the United States, have been taking a very strong stand against the hostage takers and doing any kind of negotiating. And while he is here in New York and then Washington over the next couple of days, his government back in Baghdad at least giving the impression by this move, or by their desire to release her, that they may be prepared to give in to demands, even though, of course, the hostage takers were talking about women prisoners in Baghdad prison, Abu Ghraib, and in Umm Qasr. These women weren't even being held there, they are being held somewhere else.

Now the important point we need to remember, the Iraqi government saying they want to release this woman. The U.S. saying wait a minute, we have a say here and we haven't been asked about this yet. It remains to be seen whether she will actually be released today, but a very interesting...

COSTELLO: But you know, right now, whatever way it works out, it just seems so disorganized.

CLINCH: It does seem disorganized. And again, this lingering impression right now it will be interesting to hear from Allawi today, if he speaks on this today, that they are even considering doing something which gives the appearance of bowing to hostage taker's demands.

COSTELLO: David Clinch, many thanks.

Two Illinois police officers face felony charges this morning after a videotape reveals a brutal beating. The story of what led to the incident coming up in three minutes.

And a terror group in Iraq claims to have slaughtered another American, but his family in Georgia says they are still awaiting official word on his fate. We'll have a live report for you in seven minutes.

And our DAYBREAK "Question of the Morning," should U.S. contractors be temporarily restricted from working in Iraq? DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Was it just a scuffle or was it police brutality? That is the question this morning in Evanston, Illinois, where two officers are facing criminal charges stemming from a traffic stop last night. And some of what happened was caught on a police security videotape.

Craig Wall of our affiliate WFLD has the story for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Totally unacceptable, unprofessional.

CRAIG WALL, WFLD-TV REPORTER (voice-over): That's how the Evanston Police Chief describes the actions of his officers caught on videotape brutalizing a man stopped for a minor traffic violation.

JON LOEVY, QADRIS ATTORNEY: When a police officer crosses the line, we must take action.

WALL: So two Evanston officers now face felony charges. Twelve- year veteran Gus Horemis is charged with obstructing justice and official misconduct, as well as misdemeanor battery. Rookie Mike Yorty is also charged with obstructing justice and official misconduct, along with perjury for lying about what happened.

It all started when 21-year-old Siad (ph) Qadris made an illegal turn on Ridge Street while driving without a license on March 10.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Apparently he was sort of irritated that they were arresting him over this, and they apparently didn't like his attitude. So that's their excuse for having done this to him.

WALL: Police video shows officers taking Qadris into a bathroom in the Evanston lockup where authorities say Officer Horemis smashed Qadris' head against the wall. When he comes out, his shirt is soaked with blood streaming from a gash over his eye that required six stitches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have betrayed the public trust and have dishonored their fellow police officers.

WALL: Horemis' attorney did not return calls seeking comment, but Yorty's lawyer contends his client did nothing to Qadris and should never have been charged.

(on camera): Qadris has already filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, which is still pending. But with the criminal charges now on file, there is at least a sense of vindication.

SIAD QADRIS, CRIMINAL: I feel like the right thing is happening, because they did wrong and now they are paying for it.

WALL (voice-over): Evanston has fired Yorty and put Horemis on administrative leave. Both men face three to five years in prison if convicted.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: That report from Craig Wall of our Chicago affiliate WFLD. Both officers have pleaded not guilty and they have been released on their own recognizant.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:46 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.

A car bomb attack today in Baghdad kills at least seven Iraqis. At least 47 others were wounded. The blast occurred near a police recruitment center in front of a shop frequented by recruits.

The search goes on for a 13-year-old Florida girl missing since Sunday. It's believed Brianna Shaltese (ph) may have run off with a registered sex offender. The man had worked at the family's home.

In money news, little to smile about on your daily oil price report. Prices are up for a fourth day in a row. A barrel of crude costs $47.10.

In culture, Pele is still tops in the soccer world. A jersey worn by the Brazilian in the 1958 World Cup fetched over $100,000 at auction. That's still behind his own record. Two years ago, his jersey from the 1970 World Cup brought in almost $300,000.

In sports, Barry Bonds will be around for at least two more seasons. The San Francisco Giants decided to drop their right to void his contract after next year. That means that if and when Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's home run record, it will be as a Giant. That was rather smart of San Francisco, wasn't it -- Chad?

MYERS: Did he get 700 yet?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: He did. All right. I guess I was watching football.

COSTELLO: He's on his way to 715 now.

MYERS: Awesome! I guess I'm a little behind.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.

Family and friends of U.S. hostage Jack Hensley are waiting for official word on if decapitated remains found in Iraq are of their loved one.

Reporter Mark Mullins of CNN affiliate WGCL joins us live from Marietta, Georgia, the Atlanta suburb where the Hensley's live.

Good morning.

MARK MULLINS, WGCL-TV REPORTER: Good morning to you, Carol. Perhaps a detail that really stands out today would have been Jack Hensley's 49th birthday. Now the U.S. State Department has not officially confirmed that Jack Hensley is dead, but U.S. officials are warning the family and his wife, Pati, to expect the worst.

Iraqi authorities did confirm that they did find a headless corpse in western Baghdad. The body has been turned over to the U.S. Embassy overseas. And late this morning, we have learned that it is in the process of being identified.

An Iraqi militant Web site claims members of an al Qaeda-linked group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi killed a second American, presumably Jack Hensley. The family is holding on to that sliver of hope that Jack Hensley may still be alive. But now the Hensley's are praying for a third hostage, a British man, 62-year-old Kenneth Bigley.

Meantime, the Hensley's have set up a Web site for Jack Hensley, a memorial of him, and they are hoping that many people will visit this Web site to learn more about this great man, as they say. That Web site www.jackhensley.org.

The family is also asking people to not send flowers to his memorial service, which will not be public. They are asking instead that donations be sent via the Web site to a trust fund set up for Jack and Pati's daughter so that she may be able to go to college. A very, very tough time for the family as they wait for official word from the U.S. government but still holding on to a little bit of hope -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mark, it just breaks your heart. There's been an outpouring of love in that community. Tell us more about that.

MULLINS: Everyone has been helping out. Everyone from local restaurants sending food to the Hensley's. Pati Hensley wanted to thank the local media for giving her the chance to send a message to the Iraqi militants and also tell a little bit more about her husband and the kind of man he is. And so everyone has been sending cards and flowers.

The Cobb County Police Department, which manages this area, has been bringing flowers to the house from people that the Hensley's don't even know. And so the Hensley's very grateful for the support they have been receiving from this community. They are hoping that it continues and that people help to send their daughter to college.

COSTELLO: I'm sure that the outpouring of generosity will continue.

Mark Mullins from WGCL joining us live from Marietta, Georgia this morning. Thank you.

That story brings us to our e-mail "Question of the Day," should contractors in Iraq be temporarily restricted from working there? Should those contractors be pulled out until the security situation improves in Iraq? We've been soliciting your e-mail, DAYBREAK@CNN.com, and we've gotten some. This is from Ally (ph) from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In my opinion, U.S. contractors should be stopped from working in Iraq immediately. We should not forget that we are all doing all the good stuff in Iraq to bring prosperity to the country and the residents of the country. And if while doing so brings dead bodies of our young countrymen back home, then we must stop all the good work in Iraq. In other words, bring them home until we make Iraq secure.

This from Jeff (ph) in San Diego, California. I don't think we should pull out the civilian contractors. That would tell Zarqawi that he's won and that further action by him and his allied terrorists would likely result in total victory. We must stand strong and keep fighting.

This from Justin (ph) from Ontario. He says yes, pull them out for their safety. The only sane solution would be to ban them temporarily from working in Iraq until true stability has been reached.

And this from Chad (ph) from San Mateo, California. Free enterprise is free enterprise. Let contractors work where they want. But as war profiteers, they cannot say they don't know the risks involved.

DAYBREAK@CNN.com if you want to weigh in this morning.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right, here's something to crack you up this morning, especially all of you dog lovers. Chances are your pet can fetch and rollover on demand. But reporter Al Peterson of CNN affiliate KEZI in Oregon shows us a puppy that really knows some tricks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELLE PULKERSON (ph), JOEY'S MOM: Are you ready? OK, go for it. Come on, Joey, come on. Go push.

AL PETERSON, KEZI-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Skateboarding isn't just a trick for Joey here. No sir, it is his passion.

PULKERSON: It's hard to keep him off of it. He'd go until he dropped. Joey push. Come on, Joey, let's go. Go, go, go, go, go, go, push, push. Hurry up.

PETERSON: But it isn't his only passion because this is no one- trick puppy. Sure, he'll do the basics. He'll play dead, but he also drives an electric car with one hand, slowing down just enough to snag a snack from the drive-thru. And sure other dogs can slam-dunk.

PULKERSON: Joey jump.

PETERSON: But not many skip rope. And we have never heard of any other dog that can pull this off. Joey can fake an injury.

PULKERSON: My goodness sakes. It looks terrible. Are you going to live? Do you need mouth-to-mouth perspiration? Good boy. It looks like it's going to hurt awhile. Let's go to the doctor. We better -- come on, you can limp. Yes, you can. Yes. Through, through, through, where's your through? Where's through? Now play your piano.

PETERSON: He is no ordinary pup. Much of the credit goes to his trainer. She's a professional. Her dogs have appeared in hundreds of television commercials.

PULKERSON: For the AT&T commercials, my dog jumped over 3,000 times in two days, you know, and that's a lot of work.

PETERSON: And part of the credit goes to the breed. Frankly, Jack Russell Terriers may be a little overrated as house pets.

PULKERSON: They are not the dog for everybody. They are very, very high energy. They require a lot of attention. I mean they demand your attention.

PETERSON: But they are sure good at tricks. And since Joey's mom helps train him, he stays busy, she stays happy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He likes to perform. He seems to like when we're at Oakley Center (ph), he seems to really enjoy having the people around and performing.

PETERSON: What's next for Joey? Who knows, maybe his own TV commercial if he keeps on getting better, but there's no rush. He's a young guy and right now he's really into skateboarding.

PULKERSON: Joey, push. Give me more (ph). Come on, hurry up. Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick. Come on. Come on, you're warmed up. Let's go. Hurry, quick.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Pretty darned amazing. We got that report from Al Peterson of CNN affiliate KEZI in Oregon. And thank you for the smiles this morning.

In the next hour of DAYBREAK, it's the auto mechanics versus the car manufacturers. Why the mechanics want carmakers to give up computer coded information on cars. It's an issue that's now the talk of Capitol Hill.

This is DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired September 22, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Deadly violence in the streets of Baghdad's Sadr City this morning.
It is Wednesday, September 22. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

"Now in the News."

A little more than three hours ago, a car bomb goes off in Baghdad, killing at least seven people near a police recruitment center. At least 47 others are wounded. A second car bomb was found and safely detonated.

A group loyal to terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi says Ken Bigley of Liverpool, England, will be killed unless authorities release all female prisoners in Iraq. The group says it slaughtered American Jack Hensley on Tuesday.

Back here in the States at the murder trial of Scott Peterson, a lead detective said he had several reasons to believe Laci Peterson's body had been dumped by her husband in San Francisco Bay.

A terrible scene in Haiti, the death toll from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne rises to 700. And officials expect to find even more bodies. Tens of thousands of people are homeless (ph) -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You could see the mountains there in the background in that pictures and that was the problem, Carol. All that rain rained on the mountains and then ran down into mudslides and, obviously, into those rivers.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.

Let's talk more about what's going on in Iraq this morning. U.S. forces, backed by warplanes and tanks, battle insurgents in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City. Hospital officials tell us at least 10 people were killed, nearly 100 wounded. The fighting broke out as American and Iraqi forces search for weapons caches.

In western Baghdad, a car bomb attack targets Iraqi police recruits. At least seven are dead. Dozens of others are wounded. Soldiers found and safely detonated a second car bomb.

And farther south in Nasiriya, the U.S. military says a Blackhawk helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff. Three crew members were injured, an investigation now under way.

Iraq's Justice Ministry says one of two high profile female prisoners in American custody is being released. The prisoner is identified as Rihab Taha. The ministry denies the move is linked to a demand by militants who kidnapped those two Americans and a Britain and demanded that all female Iraqi prisoners be released.

Taha is an Iraqi scientist, nicknamed "Dr. Germ" for formally overseeing one of her nation's biological programs. She's married to a former oil minister and was educated in Great Britain.

It's unclear how the release of the woman called "Dr. Germ" will play into the kidnapping of that British citizen Ken Bigley. Bigley was taken, along with Americans Eugene "Jack" Armstrong and Jack Hensley, last week from their Baghdad resident. Armstrong was killed on Monday, and it's believed Hensley was killed Tuesday. Hundreds of people took part in a candlelight vigil last night in a church in Liverpool for the 62-year-old British engineer.

And since the three men's kidnappings, there have been vigils in each of their hometowns. This is Marietta, Georgia, where Hensley lived. The Hensley family spokesman reacted to the word Tuesday that Jack Hensley had reportedly been killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE HALEY, HENSLEY FAMILY SPOKESMAN: Pati and her family would like to ask that everyone still continue to pray for Kenneth Bigley that he still may be returned home safely to his family. The world has lost some exceptional individuals who truly cared about other people's lives and cultures. We are at peace that they are with their Lord.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: The kidnapping of the two Americans and the Britain raises questions about the security of foreign workers in Iraq.

Our Jane Arraf is embedded with the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division in Tikrit. She has talked about security with an American who directs the Bechtel Corporation's work in Iraq.

Hello -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi, Carol.

Well this news is obviously understandably riveting, as well as horrifying, and overshadowing almost everything else, but out here in the rest of the country, in places like Tikrit, things are actually going on. And amazingly enough, American workers, despite this news, are, according to business people, still signing up to come here. And we spoke with the head of Bechtel. Bechtel is one of the major American contractors here, and we spoke with the head of its Iraq program, who was here at the reopening of a bridge that they have just held complete. And he said while this remains an extremely challenging place to do business, that they remain on high security on all times, it really has not affected very much the number of people willing to come. He says that every time something like this happens, they do get some dropouts, but there are more to fill their places.

And that holds true for Iraqis and others, as well. Despite the horrifying news, they are still showing up and these projects are still going on in many places -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane, how much reconstruction is actually going on?

ARRAF: Certainly not as much as many people would have liked or had expected, but it is slowly getting back on track. There is a lot of money out there, a lot of U.S. money that hasn't been spent. And the security is part of the reason it hasn't been spent. But reconstruction officials that we spoke with this morning say that they are getting out there, hiring people, getting those bids out and getting going on these projects that they say will help increase security.

This morning, a major bridge that links two major cities reopened. Took $5 million. It took a year to do, but they have completed it -- Carol.

COSTELLO: A bit of good news this morning. Jane Arraf reporting live from Tikrit in Iraq. Thank you.

Want to talk to our senior international editor David Clinch now to talk more about this woman who supposedly is going to be released from Iraqi prisoner.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Right.

COSTELLO: But there are conflicting reports.

CLINCH: Well there are conflicting reports for a couple of reasons. I mean, first of all, this is a fascinating story. The Iraqi government, the Justice Ministry, telling us, telling everybody today that they are considering releasing this woman, Rihab Taha, today, known as "Dr. Germ."

Now this is interesting for a number of reasons. The idea that they are releasing her -- in their words -- "nothing to do with the demands of these hostage takers, but by coincidence, a review of her case is coming up and she may be released today at least gives the impression that they are in some way caving in or giving in to the hostage taker's demands. Again, stressing the fact that they say it's got nothing to do with the hostage taker's demands. And in fact,...

COSTELLO: Yes, but hold on. If I were the families of these two men that were beheaded, I would wonder if you were going to release her anyway, why didn't you do it Saturday? CLINCH: Well of course that's another question. The British family, the family of the British hostage, who is thought to still be alive, welcoming this move and saying the sooner they see her released the better. And they are the family who has been appealing to Prime Minister Blair to do something to get these women released so that their family member would be released. But of course the question is if the Iraqis are considering releasing her, why have they not done it days ago before two Americans released.

But the other question of course, the Iraqis, particularly Prime Minister Allawi, who is here in the United States, have been taking a very strong stand against the hostage takers and doing any kind of negotiating. And while he is here in New York and then Washington over the next couple of days, his government back in Baghdad at least giving the impression by this move, or by their desire to release her, that they may be prepared to give in to demands, even though, of course, the hostage takers were talking about women prisoners in Baghdad prison, Abu Ghraib, and in Umm Qasr. These women weren't even being held there, they are being held somewhere else.

Now the important point we need to remember, the Iraqi government saying they want to release this woman. The U.S. saying wait a minute, we have a say here and we haven't been asked about this yet. It remains to be seen whether she will actually be released today, but a very interesting...

COSTELLO: But you know, right now, whatever way it works out, it just seems so disorganized.

CLINCH: It does seem disorganized. And again, this lingering impression right now it will be interesting to hear from Allawi today, if he speaks on this today, that they are even considering doing something which gives the appearance of bowing to hostage taker's demands.

COSTELLO: David Clinch, many thanks.

Two Illinois police officers face felony charges this morning after a videotape reveals a brutal beating. The story of what led to the incident coming up in three minutes.

And a terror group in Iraq claims to have slaughtered another American, but his family in Georgia says they are still awaiting official word on his fate. We'll have a live report for you in seven minutes.

And our DAYBREAK "Question of the Morning," should U.S. contractors be temporarily restricted from working in Iraq? DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Was it just a scuffle or was it police brutality? That is the question this morning in Evanston, Illinois, where two officers are facing criminal charges stemming from a traffic stop last night. And some of what happened was caught on a police security videotape.

Craig Wall of our affiliate WFLD has the story for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Totally unacceptable, unprofessional.

CRAIG WALL, WFLD-TV REPORTER (voice-over): That's how the Evanston Police Chief describes the actions of his officers caught on videotape brutalizing a man stopped for a minor traffic violation.

JON LOEVY, QADRIS ATTORNEY: When a police officer crosses the line, we must take action.

WALL: So two Evanston officers now face felony charges. Twelve- year veteran Gus Horemis is charged with obstructing justice and official misconduct, as well as misdemeanor battery. Rookie Mike Yorty is also charged with obstructing justice and official misconduct, along with perjury for lying about what happened.

It all started when 21-year-old Siad (ph) Qadris made an illegal turn on Ridge Street while driving without a license on March 10.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Apparently he was sort of irritated that they were arresting him over this, and they apparently didn't like his attitude. So that's their excuse for having done this to him.

WALL: Police video shows officers taking Qadris into a bathroom in the Evanston lockup where authorities say Officer Horemis smashed Qadris' head against the wall. When he comes out, his shirt is soaked with blood streaming from a gash over his eye that required six stitches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have betrayed the public trust and have dishonored their fellow police officers.

WALL: Horemis' attorney did not return calls seeking comment, but Yorty's lawyer contends his client did nothing to Qadris and should never have been charged.

(on camera): Qadris has already filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, which is still pending. But with the criminal charges now on file, there is at least a sense of vindication.

SIAD QADRIS, CRIMINAL: I feel like the right thing is happening, because they did wrong and now they are paying for it.

WALL (voice-over): Evanston has fired Yorty and put Horemis on administrative leave. Both men face three to five years in prison if convicted.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: That report from Craig Wall of our Chicago affiliate WFLD. Both officers have pleaded not guilty and they have been released on their own recognizant.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:46 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.

A car bomb attack today in Baghdad kills at least seven Iraqis. At least 47 others were wounded. The blast occurred near a police recruitment center in front of a shop frequented by recruits.

The search goes on for a 13-year-old Florida girl missing since Sunday. It's believed Brianna Shaltese (ph) may have run off with a registered sex offender. The man had worked at the family's home.

In money news, little to smile about on your daily oil price report. Prices are up for a fourth day in a row. A barrel of crude costs $47.10.

In culture, Pele is still tops in the soccer world. A jersey worn by the Brazilian in the 1958 World Cup fetched over $100,000 at auction. That's still behind his own record. Two years ago, his jersey from the 1970 World Cup brought in almost $300,000.

In sports, Barry Bonds will be around for at least two more seasons. The San Francisco Giants decided to drop their right to void his contract after next year. That means that if and when Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's home run record, it will be as a Giant. That was rather smart of San Francisco, wasn't it -- Chad?

MYERS: Did he get 700 yet?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: He did. All right. I guess I was watching football.

COSTELLO: He's on his way to 715 now.

MYERS: Awesome! I guess I'm a little behind.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.

Family and friends of U.S. hostage Jack Hensley are waiting for official word on if decapitated remains found in Iraq are of their loved one.

Reporter Mark Mullins of CNN affiliate WGCL joins us live from Marietta, Georgia, the Atlanta suburb where the Hensley's live.

Good morning.

MARK MULLINS, WGCL-TV REPORTER: Good morning to you, Carol. Perhaps a detail that really stands out today would have been Jack Hensley's 49th birthday. Now the U.S. State Department has not officially confirmed that Jack Hensley is dead, but U.S. officials are warning the family and his wife, Pati, to expect the worst.

Iraqi authorities did confirm that they did find a headless corpse in western Baghdad. The body has been turned over to the U.S. Embassy overseas. And late this morning, we have learned that it is in the process of being identified.

An Iraqi militant Web site claims members of an al Qaeda-linked group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi killed a second American, presumably Jack Hensley. The family is holding on to that sliver of hope that Jack Hensley may still be alive. But now the Hensley's are praying for a third hostage, a British man, 62-year-old Kenneth Bigley.

Meantime, the Hensley's have set up a Web site for Jack Hensley, a memorial of him, and they are hoping that many people will visit this Web site to learn more about this great man, as they say. That Web site www.jackhensley.org.

The family is also asking people to not send flowers to his memorial service, which will not be public. They are asking instead that donations be sent via the Web site to a trust fund set up for Jack and Pati's daughter so that she may be able to go to college. A very, very tough time for the family as they wait for official word from the U.S. government but still holding on to a little bit of hope -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mark, it just breaks your heart. There's been an outpouring of love in that community. Tell us more about that.

MULLINS: Everyone has been helping out. Everyone from local restaurants sending food to the Hensley's. Pati Hensley wanted to thank the local media for giving her the chance to send a message to the Iraqi militants and also tell a little bit more about her husband and the kind of man he is. And so everyone has been sending cards and flowers.

The Cobb County Police Department, which manages this area, has been bringing flowers to the house from people that the Hensley's don't even know. And so the Hensley's very grateful for the support they have been receiving from this community. They are hoping that it continues and that people help to send their daughter to college.

COSTELLO: I'm sure that the outpouring of generosity will continue.

Mark Mullins from WGCL joining us live from Marietta, Georgia this morning. Thank you.

That story brings us to our e-mail "Question of the Day," should contractors in Iraq be temporarily restricted from working there? Should those contractors be pulled out until the security situation improves in Iraq? We've been soliciting your e-mail, DAYBREAK@CNN.com, and we've gotten some. This is from Ally (ph) from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In my opinion, U.S. contractors should be stopped from working in Iraq immediately. We should not forget that we are all doing all the good stuff in Iraq to bring prosperity to the country and the residents of the country. And if while doing so brings dead bodies of our young countrymen back home, then we must stop all the good work in Iraq. In other words, bring them home until we make Iraq secure.

This from Jeff (ph) in San Diego, California. I don't think we should pull out the civilian contractors. That would tell Zarqawi that he's won and that further action by him and his allied terrorists would likely result in total victory. We must stand strong and keep fighting.

This from Justin (ph) from Ontario. He says yes, pull them out for their safety. The only sane solution would be to ban them temporarily from working in Iraq until true stability has been reached.

And this from Chad (ph) from San Mateo, California. Free enterprise is free enterprise. Let contractors work where they want. But as war profiteers, they cannot say they don't know the risks involved.

DAYBREAK@CNN.com if you want to weigh in this morning.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

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COSTELLO: All right, here's something to crack you up this morning, especially all of you dog lovers. Chances are your pet can fetch and rollover on demand. But reporter Al Peterson of CNN affiliate KEZI in Oregon shows us a puppy that really knows some tricks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELLE PULKERSON (ph), JOEY'S MOM: Are you ready? OK, go for it. Come on, Joey, come on. Go push.

AL PETERSON, KEZI-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Skateboarding isn't just a trick for Joey here. No sir, it is his passion.

PULKERSON: It's hard to keep him off of it. He'd go until he dropped. Joey push. Come on, Joey, let's go. Go, go, go, go, go, go, push, push. Hurry up.

PETERSON: But it isn't his only passion because this is no one- trick puppy. Sure, he'll do the basics. He'll play dead, but he also drives an electric car with one hand, slowing down just enough to snag a snack from the drive-thru. And sure other dogs can slam-dunk.

PULKERSON: Joey jump.

PETERSON: But not many skip rope. And we have never heard of any other dog that can pull this off. Joey can fake an injury.

PULKERSON: My goodness sakes. It looks terrible. Are you going to live? Do you need mouth-to-mouth perspiration? Good boy. It looks like it's going to hurt awhile. Let's go to the doctor. We better -- come on, you can limp. Yes, you can. Yes. Through, through, through, where's your through? Where's through? Now play your piano.

PETERSON: He is no ordinary pup. Much of the credit goes to his trainer. She's a professional. Her dogs have appeared in hundreds of television commercials.

PULKERSON: For the AT&T commercials, my dog jumped over 3,000 times in two days, you know, and that's a lot of work.

PETERSON: And part of the credit goes to the breed. Frankly, Jack Russell Terriers may be a little overrated as house pets.

PULKERSON: They are not the dog for everybody. They are very, very high energy. They require a lot of attention. I mean they demand your attention.

PETERSON: But they are sure good at tricks. And since Joey's mom helps train him, he stays busy, she stays happy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He likes to perform. He seems to like when we're at Oakley Center (ph), he seems to really enjoy having the people around and performing.

PETERSON: What's next for Joey? Who knows, maybe his own TV commercial if he keeps on getting better, but there's no rush. He's a young guy and right now he's really into skateboarding.

PULKERSON: Joey, push. Give me more (ph). Come on, hurry up. Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick. Come on. Come on, you're warmed up. Let's go. Hurry, quick.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Pretty darned amazing. We got that report from Al Peterson of CNN affiliate KEZI in Oregon. And thank you for the smiles this morning.

In the next hour of DAYBREAK, it's the auto mechanics versus the car manufacturers. Why the mechanics want carmakers to give up computer coded information on cars. It's an issue that's now the talk of Capitol Hill.

This is DAYBREAK.

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