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American Morning
Schiavo Ruling; Jackson Breaks Down
Aired March 21, 2005 - 09:30 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. 9:30 here in New York as we continue now. Much more on the ruling for a federal judge deciding not to intervene in the Terri Schiavo matter. Lots of reaction to talk about. We'll talk with one of Terri's former nurses in Florida, too, about what she says she saw with Terri as a patient down there.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Also another strange day in the Michael Jackson trial. The singer late to court, barely able to walk, as you can see from these pictures here. We get an insider's look at just what happened in the courtroom this morning.
But first, let's get another check of the headlines with Carol Costello.
Good morning again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Good morning to all of you.
Now in the news, authorities in Georgia have issued an Amber Alert. They say a man shot his girlfriend's father and he kidnapped two children, ages 4 and 5. This is a shot of the children. Now this Amber Alert was issued just one hour ago in Clayton County, Georgia. The man is believed to be driving a 1998 Kia Sephia. You can see the license plate number, ARL-5783. Any information, please call Georgia authorities in Clayton County.
The chairman of the Red Lake Indian Reservation says his community is in shock and disbelief after a high school shooting rampage. The suspect apparently killed his grandparents, and then killed at least seven people at the school, and then himself. Authorities say the boy used his grandparents' police issued weapons. Is it not clear this morning what triggered that rampage.
The Army is looking for a few good men and women and don't seem to mind if they're a little older. The Army raising the maximum age for recruits by five years from 34 to 39. The change, already in effect, gives the Army access to another 22 million potential enlistees.
And all eyes on the Federal Reserve. You heard Bill say just a short time ago, Fed chairman Alan Greenspan will make his announcement a little later this morning. There is word that interest rates may be going up by a quarter point, to 2.75. If so, it would be the seventh interest increase since last June, No. 7 since last June.
HEMMER: More to come, possibly, too, after today.
COSTELLO: Possibly.
HEMMER: Thank you, Carol.
We've been reporting all morning now, a federal judge in Florida has refused to order Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reinserted. It has been out since Friday at the end of last beak, and that ruling is a blow to her parents who have been fighting for years to keep it in. They're now appealing that ruling. Terri's husband, Michael, says Terri would not want to be kept alive in her condition.
Carla Sauer Iyer was Terri Schiavo's nurse for more than a year. She's my guest now in Tampa.
Good morning to you. Thank you for your time. This goes back about eight or nine years since you took care of Terri in Florida.
How did you interact with her, do you believe?
CARLA SAUER IYER, TERRI SCHIAVO'S FMR. NURSE: Terri would be -- we would have her at the nurse's station. She would interact with visitors and staff. She would communicate by letting us know that she was in pain. She would laugh. She would say words such as, "Mommy, help me." She would say the word "pain."
HEMMER: So you heard those words, "mommy" and "pain" and "help me?"
IYER: Correct.
HEMMER: Why was there no videotape taken of that speaking opportunity?
IYER: That was back in '95 and '96. There's four hours of videotape that the judge has put a gag order on.
HEMMER: But you've seen it, you say, and that was not entered into court, that's your claim?
IYER: Correct.
HEMMER: What's your interaction with Michael Schiavo at this time, Carla?
IYER: He was very intimidating. He would come up to the nurse's station and state, these are my orders, you're going to follow it. There were rehab orders for Terri and Michael would void those orders.
HEMMER: You say in part of this affidavit that Michael at one point would ask the question, when is she going to die? Is that a fact, do you believe?
IYER: Yes in front of all the staff he would say, when is she going to die? Has that B-I-T-C-H died yet? HEMMER: Apparently these claims have been investigated, and they found nothing to support what you're saying today. How do you respond to the investigation that was carried out there?
IYER: I believe there's a gag order, and they're favoring Michael for some reason.
HEMMER: Well, we talked with -- just about 30 minutes ago, we talked with a guy that prepared the case for the governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, to look at back in 2003. He said there was not a single evidence of a bed sore on Terri Schiavo's body over 15 years, which he points out for a bedridden person. As a nurse, do you find that remarkable, too?
IYER: Yes, Terri is a very, very healthy female.
HEMMER: But he also says that this is proof that Michael took good care of her.
IYER: The nurses took good care of her. We would give her range of motion. We would move her arms and legs. We would feed her. She was taking nutrition through a baby bottle. She was eating thickened liquids Jell-Os, milkshakes, puddings with no aspiration.
HEMMER: Michael has said that his wife would not want to live this way. Can you understand that?
IYER: That is not true. Terri wants to live.
HEMMER: You also asked whether or not Michael Schiavo would threaten nurses with termination. Is that your claim?
IYER: Yes. There was a restraining order against him. He would come up to the nurse's station, threaten the nurses, being a bully -- you have to follow my orders and not the doctor's orders.
HEMMER: Well, Carla, did you report all this?
IYER: Yes, I did.
HEMMER: What did they say?
IYER: I went to my director of nursing, to the administrator, and I did eventually go to the police.
HEMMER: What did the police come back and tell you then?
IYER: I went to the police regarding possible injection marks of regular insulin injected into Terri.
HEMMER: Well, why do you believe none of this evidence has come out in the cases that we've followed in court then?
IYER: The judge has put a gag order on any positive documents or entries regarding Terri Schiavo.
HEMMER: Why are you coming forward now? Do you feel like the time's ticking?
IYER: Yes, I do. I want the public to know the truth. I was one of the very few people that were able to take care of Terri.
HEMMER: Also, do you think you're speaking on behalf of her parents, coming forward publicly like this?
IYER: I'm speaking the truth. I have no opinions, no judgments just the facts.
HEMMER: One more thing I'm kind of curious about here, when Michael was in the room with Terri, how much interaction was there between them, do you believe?
IYER: He would shut the door. I -- we weren't able to see any. There would be no TV, no music, no pictures. He would shut the door.
HEMMER: So you're saying every time Michael showed up to visit his wife, he would close the door, so no nurse was ever present during these meetings?
IYER: Correct, correct. Michael was concerned about her superficial looks. He would want makeup on her, but not any therapy done.
HEMMER: I know you mentioned the gag order several times. But I just want to try and nail this home again, that there is no evidence that supports what you're saying today. How can you explain that?
IYER: There was pages and pages of documents that I documented in Terri's chart.
HEMMER: Well, let's leave it there. And again, this case has been sent up to Atlanta. We expect the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal to hear this hearing, that the parents of Terri Schiavo already say that they will appeal. The ruling came down about three hours ago in Florida. We'll watch it from here. Carla Sauer Iyer, a nurse who once took care of Terri Schiavo, going back to 1995 and 1996.
Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Let's turn to talk about the Michael Jackson trial. Another day of high drama there. The pop star made another emergency room stop on the way to court before breaking into tears in the courtroom.
Miguel Marquez has our report this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The fans chanted for Michael Jackson, but the self-described king of pop only mustered a weak wave and a peace sign. Did he even know the fans were there?
STEVE CORBETT, "SANTA MARIA TIMES": He seemed dazed. His eyes seemed not focused on where he was. MARQUEZ: Jackson, supported by a bodyguard and his brother, Jackie, was five minutes late. Once there, his face was blank, and he appeared confused. He sat down gingerly, grabbed a handful of tissues, and began to sob. Moments later, he got up and made his way toward the exit. His hands shook uncontrollably as he held tissues to his mouth. It appeared the pop star was about to vomit.
CORBETT: People seemed very, very concerned for his well-being physically and mentally, I believe.
MARQUEZ: A local doctor wearing scrubs beneath a Letterman jacket joined Jackson's team for a short time, just in case. In the end, testimony in the child molestation case was 45 minutes delayed. The judge said nothing about Jackson's tardiness.
CORBETT: For the most part, Michael Jackson is sitting quietly, relatively still, listening.
MARQUEZ: And the trial went on. A flight attendant testified she'd previously served Jackson white wine in a Diet Coke can and hid minibottles of hard liquor for the pop star in the plane's bathroom. She also testified she never saw Jackson give any child a drink.
By day's end, Jackson seemed to have recovered somewhat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you OK? You look (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
MICHAEL JACKSON: Well, very much hurting, I'm in pain.
MARQUEZ: On his way out of court, Michael Jackson admitted to taking doctor-prescribed medication. He didn't say what he was on or how much he was taking. Also, all this drama happened outside the eyes and the ears of the jury. All they knew is the court day got started a little late.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Santa Maria, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: About 21 minutes now before the hour.
This just in to us here at AMERICAN MORNING. Apparently the attorneys for Terri Schiavo's parents, the Schindlers, have filed their appeal in Atlanta with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. That's the next stop in the legal process.
We've been warned throughout the morning with a number of legal experts here on our program that after this ruling, whatever comes out of Atlanta will ultimately sent up the U.S. Supreme Court. Whether or not they take this case though remains to be seen. So again the latest news, at 9:15 a.m. Eastern time, 25 minutes ago, the appeal was filed with the 11th Circuit in Atlanta. We will watch that for you.
Also watching the weather, and a lot to talk about there, too. Back to Chad. What are you seeing now, Chad?
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: Hang in there down there. Thank you, Chad.
O'BRIEN: Well, The Gap dropped "Sex and the City" star Jessica Parker -- Sarah Jessica Parker rather in favor of a young, up-and- coming star. We're going to tell you who that is. Any guesses?
HEMMER: I already know the answer, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Oh, well then don't say. Don't say.
HEMMER: Think Grammys and Melissa Etheridge.
The days are numbered for a legendary New York hotel but not without controversy. That story and more as we continue after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. Here's Jack again. The question of the day. One final batch here.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: What's the greatest threat to the way of life in this country? Is it terrorism, or is it the deteriorating economy? Andrea in Maryland writes: "Considering one of the main goal of bin Laden is to bankrupt our country, it seems our government is doing a fine job of helping him along. At this point, the terrorists don't need to do more than sit back and wait."
Greg in New York writes: "Get rid of the terrorists, and the economy will remedy itself.
And Robert in New Jersey writes: "As Pogo says in the comics, we have faced the enemy and it is us."
Thank you for your responses.
O'BRIEN: Interesting feedback this morning.
HEMMER: Those are intertwined topics too. Thank you, Jack.
O'BRIEN: Well, The Gap is dropping a "Sex and the City" girl. With that and a look at the markets, Gerri Willis is in for Andy Serwer. He on a little vaca, and she is "Minding Your Business" this morning. SJP, out. Say it ain't so.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm telling you. Let's start with the markets first here. Little turnaround that we're seeing this morning in the markets. They opened down; now up 8 points. As you can see, the Dow Industrials right here. So, I got to tell you, Soledad, don't expect a whole lot out of the markets before 2:00, because the Federal Reserve is going to meet at 2:15, and anything could happen.
O'BRIEN: Okay, let's get into the more important story. SJP.
WILLIS: I think it is for you. O'BRIEN: So what happened? Do they feel like Sarah Jessica Parker wasn't making it work for The Gap?
WILLIS: Well, they're not saying that. Sex is out. Soul is in. They've got a new star for their ads -- Joss Stone. She's a 17-year- old phenom out of Britain. Soul singer. You might have seen her at the Grammys singing with Melissa Etheridge a Janis Joplin tune.
O'BRIEN: That's right. Another little piece of my heart.
WILLIS: Yeah, there she is.
And where else are you going to see, you know, on primetime TV a Rodgers and Hammerstein song, right? I mean, fabulous song here, "I Enjoy Being a Girl." But she's out. The Gap is saying, we're going to do something different. They don't really explain their thinking. She had a three-season deal; she's gone.
O'BRIEN: Well, we love her anyway. All right, Gerri. Thanks.
HEMMER: Joss Stone sang in bare feet, by the way.
O'BRIEN: Yeah, remember.
HEMMER: At the Grammys.
O'BRIEN: Was it because her feet -- her shoes hurt?
HEMMER: No, I think she was doing the tribute to Janis Joplin. She was doing her best early '70s imitation.
O'BRIEN: Well, she did a good job.
WILLIS: Terrific.
O'BRIEN: All right. Thank you, Gerri.
It is the place where the rich and famous used to stay, the rock stars partied, and the little girl lived on the very top floor. Fans are flocking to the Plaza Hotel for one last look. And many wonder what's going to happen to little Eloise. A look at that's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: The days are numbered for a New York City landmark. The Plaza Hotel, as we know it, is getting ready to close. And it's not happening without controversy and some questions about one special little girl.
CNN's Kelly Wallace has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A New York City icon, the place where Mick Jagger partied, Donald Trump ruled and the swankiest of New York's visitors slept. But now it's all coming to an end.
THOMAS SANTA MARIA, PLAZA KITCHEN STEWARD FOR 35 YEARS: It's not fair what they're trying to do here, destroy an icon like this which has been for many, many years the jewel of New York. It's a shame.
WALLACE: Thomas Santa Maria has worked as a kitchen steward at the Plaza for 35 years. Now he and hundreds of others are about to lose their jobs. It's a controversy that has drawn protests for weeks. Plans to close the Plaza next month and convert its 800 rooms into condos, stores and a much smaller 150-room hotel.
The new owner says legendary rooms like the Palm Court, the Oak Bar and the lobby won't be altered. Miki Naftali says he's trying to return the glory to the Plaza, not take it away.
MIKI NAFTALI, PRESIDENT, ELAD PROPERTIES: I'm not changing the integrity of the space, because this is what the Plaza is all about.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning, Mr. Salomoney (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning, Eloise.
WALLACE: The Plaza is also all about something -- or rather, someone else. That little girl that every little girl wanted to be. Eloise, footloose and fancy free, the fictional character with a whole lot of room to run around because, of course, she lives in the Plaza.
(on camera): So could she be running around the hall right now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. Probably is.
WALLACE: What time is it? It's 12:15. Could she be ordering lunch?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sure.
WALLACE (voice-over): Meet the man who knows Eloise better than anyone else still living, the illustrator of "Eloise" books, Hilary Knight.
(on camera): What is that amazing connection between Eloise and the Plaza?
HILARY KNIGHT, ILLUSTRATOR OF "ELOISE" BOOKS: She is established now as this symbol of something that is extraordinary and forceful and imaginative. Lots of things that this hotel represents.
WALLACE (voice-over): Since she first arrived in 1955, she's been attracting moms and daughters to the hotel, hoping for a glimpse of her shoes.
(on camera): How often do people ask to see Eloise's shoes?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At least 20 times a day. WALLACE (voice-over): And hoping to get a glimpse of their idol. Fernando Luna, who's worked as a doorman for 24 years, gets the question, "Where's Eloise?" more than most.
FERNANDO LUNA, PLAZA DOORMAN FOR 24 YEARS: Oh, she left yesterday. But next time when you come over here, I'm going to let Eloise know you're here.
WALLACE: But what will happen once the Plaza closes its doors and the precocious Eloise will no longer be able to order room service, dash through the halls and keep those doormen on their toes?
4-year-old Morgan Killam, who was visiting the Plaza, thinks she knows.
MORGAN KILLAM, 4-YEAR-OLD "ELOISE" FAN: She's going to live in Paris.
WALLACE: Maybe, for a while, but listen closely, Eloise fans, we pressed the new owner.
(on camera): You can assure Eloise will be running around the plaza, leaving her shoes in the lobby, calling for room service, that's not going to change?
NAFTALI: Right.
WALLACE: She will have a place?
NAFTALI: Yes.
WALLACE: She will have a place somewhere in the new Plaza, further reinforcing her connection to this legendary hotel, which faces an uncertain future.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: The Plaza Hotel first opened its doors for business nearly a century ago, on October 1st in 1907.
HEMMER: End of an era. Seven minutes before the hour, Soledad. Next hour on CNN LIVE TODAY, Terri Schiavo's condition far from black and white. Dr. Gupta looks at the varying medical opinions on her prospects for recovery. Daryn has that next hour. We're back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Here at CNN, we're marking our 25th year of broadcasting. June 1st, 1980, in fact. We're also looking back at the major stories that touched our lives in that period. 1991, Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas facing off in Washington. Here's Sharon Collins.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANITA HILL: I have no personal vendetta against Clarence Thomas.
SHARON COLLINS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When law professor Anita Hill came forward with sexual harassment charges against a future Supreme Court justice during his Senate confirmation hearings, it shocked the nation, divided and captivated it at the same time.
HILL: I seek only to provide the committee with information which it may regard as relevant.
CLARENCE THOMAS, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: I've heard enough lies.
COLLINS: No matter who you believed, Hill's televised Senate testimony brought workplace sexual harassment into the forefront.
HILL: It's good to be home.
COLLINS: After it was over, Hill went back to teaching law at the University of Oklahoma. But her life would never be the same.
HILL: I had no appreciation for the fact that there would be so much attention to this issue and that I would become a symbol of the issue.
COLLINS: Hill wrote a book about her experiences called "Speaking Truth to Power." She's now 48 years old and teaches at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. What drives her, she says, is a responsibility to her students.
HILL: They deserve a better society. That is what motivates me. And I think that I can be a part of creating that. Having been given that chance, I don't want to blow it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Tomorrow here on AMERICAN MORNING, we begin a series on reports of faith in America. We'll look at religion and politics, religion and music. And tomorrow we'll look at religion and young people. Three college students who have different religious beliefs but one overall fear. Their story tomorrow. 7:00 a.m. Eastern time here on AMERICAN MORNING.
O'BRIEN: That's it.
HEMMER: I think so.
O'BRIEN: We're out of time.
HEMMER: Busy day.
WILLIS: We're exhausted. We've got to go home.
HEMMER: I'm telling you. The marathon's over. Here is Daryn Kagan at the CNN Center.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 21, 2005 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. 9:30 here in New York as we continue now. Much more on the ruling for a federal judge deciding not to intervene in the Terri Schiavo matter. Lots of reaction to talk about. We'll talk with one of Terri's former nurses in Florida, too, about what she says she saw with Terri as a patient down there.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Also another strange day in the Michael Jackson trial. The singer late to court, barely able to walk, as you can see from these pictures here. We get an insider's look at just what happened in the courtroom this morning.
But first, let's get another check of the headlines with Carol Costello.
Good morning again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Good morning to all of you.
Now in the news, authorities in Georgia have issued an Amber Alert. They say a man shot his girlfriend's father and he kidnapped two children, ages 4 and 5. This is a shot of the children. Now this Amber Alert was issued just one hour ago in Clayton County, Georgia. The man is believed to be driving a 1998 Kia Sephia. You can see the license plate number, ARL-5783. Any information, please call Georgia authorities in Clayton County.
The chairman of the Red Lake Indian Reservation says his community is in shock and disbelief after a high school shooting rampage. The suspect apparently killed his grandparents, and then killed at least seven people at the school, and then himself. Authorities say the boy used his grandparents' police issued weapons. Is it not clear this morning what triggered that rampage.
The Army is looking for a few good men and women and don't seem to mind if they're a little older. The Army raising the maximum age for recruits by five years from 34 to 39. The change, already in effect, gives the Army access to another 22 million potential enlistees.
And all eyes on the Federal Reserve. You heard Bill say just a short time ago, Fed chairman Alan Greenspan will make his announcement a little later this morning. There is word that interest rates may be going up by a quarter point, to 2.75. If so, it would be the seventh interest increase since last June, No. 7 since last June.
HEMMER: More to come, possibly, too, after today.
COSTELLO: Possibly.
HEMMER: Thank you, Carol.
We've been reporting all morning now, a federal judge in Florida has refused to order Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reinserted. It has been out since Friday at the end of last beak, and that ruling is a blow to her parents who have been fighting for years to keep it in. They're now appealing that ruling. Terri's husband, Michael, says Terri would not want to be kept alive in her condition.
Carla Sauer Iyer was Terri Schiavo's nurse for more than a year. She's my guest now in Tampa.
Good morning to you. Thank you for your time. This goes back about eight or nine years since you took care of Terri in Florida.
How did you interact with her, do you believe?
CARLA SAUER IYER, TERRI SCHIAVO'S FMR. NURSE: Terri would be -- we would have her at the nurse's station. She would interact with visitors and staff. She would communicate by letting us know that she was in pain. She would laugh. She would say words such as, "Mommy, help me." She would say the word "pain."
HEMMER: So you heard those words, "mommy" and "pain" and "help me?"
IYER: Correct.
HEMMER: Why was there no videotape taken of that speaking opportunity?
IYER: That was back in '95 and '96. There's four hours of videotape that the judge has put a gag order on.
HEMMER: But you've seen it, you say, and that was not entered into court, that's your claim?
IYER: Correct.
HEMMER: What's your interaction with Michael Schiavo at this time, Carla?
IYER: He was very intimidating. He would come up to the nurse's station and state, these are my orders, you're going to follow it. There were rehab orders for Terri and Michael would void those orders.
HEMMER: You say in part of this affidavit that Michael at one point would ask the question, when is she going to die? Is that a fact, do you believe?
IYER: Yes in front of all the staff he would say, when is she going to die? Has that B-I-T-C-H died yet? HEMMER: Apparently these claims have been investigated, and they found nothing to support what you're saying today. How do you respond to the investigation that was carried out there?
IYER: I believe there's a gag order, and they're favoring Michael for some reason.
HEMMER: Well, we talked with -- just about 30 minutes ago, we talked with a guy that prepared the case for the governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, to look at back in 2003. He said there was not a single evidence of a bed sore on Terri Schiavo's body over 15 years, which he points out for a bedridden person. As a nurse, do you find that remarkable, too?
IYER: Yes, Terri is a very, very healthy female.
HEMMER: But he also says that this is proof that Michael took good care of her.
IYER: The nurses took good care of her. We would give her range of motion. We would move her arms and legs. We would feed her. She was taking nutrition through a baby bottle. She was eating thickened liquids Jell-Os, milkshakes, puddings with no aspiration.
HEMMER: Michael has said that his wife would not want to live this way. Can you understand that?
IYER: That is not true. Terri wants to live.
HEMMER: You also asked whether or not Michael Schiavo would threaten nurses with termination. Is that your claim?
IYER: Yes. There was a restraining order against him. He would come up to the nurse's station, threaten the nurses, being a bully -- you have to follow my orders and not the doctor's orders.
HEMMER: Well, Carla, did you report all this?
IYER: Yes, I did.
HEMMER: What did they say?
IYER: I went to my director of nursing, to the administrator, and I did eventually go to the police.
HEMMER: What did the police come back and tell you then?
IYER: I went to the police regarding possible injection marks of regular insulin injected into Terri.
HEMMER: Well, why do you believe none of this evidence has come out in the cases that we've followed in court then?
IYER: The judge has put a gag order on any positive documents or entries regarding Terri Schiavo.
HEMMER: Why are you coming forward now? Do you feel like the time's ticking?
IYER: Yes, I do. I want the public to know the truth. I was one of the very few people that were able to take care of Terri.
HEMMER: Also, do you think you're speaking on behalf of her parents, coming forward publicly like this?
IYER: I'm speaking the truth. I have no opinions, no judgments just the facts.
HEMMER: One more thing I'm kind of curious about here, when Michael was in the room with Terri, how much interaction was there between them, do you believe?
IYER: He would shut the door. I -- we weren't able to see any. There would be no TV, no music, no pictures. He would shut the door.
HEMMER: So you're saying every time Michael showed up to visit his wife, he would close the door, so no nurse was ever present during these meetings?
IYER: Correct, correct. Michael was concerned about her superficial looks. He would want makeup on her, but not any therapy done.
HEMMER: I know you mentioned the gag order several times. But I just want to try and nail this home again, that there is no evidence that supports what you're saying today. How can you explain that?
IYER: There was pages and pages of documents that I documented in Terri's chart.
HEMMER: Well, let's leave it there. And again, this case has been sent up to Atlanta. We expect the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal to hear this hearing, that the parents of Terri Schiavo already say that they will appeal. The ruling came down about three hours ago in Florida. We'll watch it from here. Carla Sauer Iyer, a nurse who once took care of Terri Schiavo, going back to 1995 and 1996.
Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Let's turn to talk about the Michael Jackson trial. Another day of high drama there. The pop star made another emergency room stop on the way to court before breaking into tears in the courtroom.
Miguel Marquez has our report this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The fans chanted for Michael Jackson, but the self-described king of pop only mustered a weak wave and a peace sign. Did he even know the fans were there?
STEVE CORBETT, "SANTA MARIA TIMES": He seemed dazed. His eyes seemed not focused on where he was. MARQUEZ: Jackson, supported by a bodyguard and his brother, Jackie, was five minutes late. Once there, his face was blank, and he appeared confused. He sat down gingerly, grabbed a handful of tissues, and began to sob. Moments later, he got up and made his way toward the exit. His hands shook uncontrollably as he held tissues to his mouth. It appeared the pop star was about to vomit.
CORBETT: People seemed very, very concerned for his well-being physically and mentally, I believe.
MARQUEZ: A local doctor wearing scrubs beneath a Letterman jacket joined Jackson's team for a short time, just in case. In the end, testimony in the child molestation case was 45 minutes delayed. The judge said nothing about Jackson's tardiness.
CORBETT: For the most part, Michael Jackson is sitting quietly, relatively still, listening.
MARQUEZ: And the trial went on. A flight attendant testified she'd previously served Jackson white wine in a Diet Coke can and hid minibottles of hard liquor for the pop star in the plane's bathroom. She also testified she never saw Jackson give any child a drink.
By day's end, Jackson seemed to have recovered somewhat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you OK? You look (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
MICHAEL JACKSON: Well, very much hurting, I'm in pain.
MARQUEZ: On his way out of court, Michael Jackson admitted to taking doctor-prescribed medication. He didn't say what he was on or how much he was taking. Also, all this drama happened outside the eyes and the ears of the jury. All they knew is the court day got started a little late.
Miguel Marquez, CNN, Santa Maria, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: About 21 minutes now before the hour.
This just in to us here at AMERICAN MORNING. Apparently the attorneys for Terri Schiavo's parents, the Schindlers, have filed their appeal in Atlanta with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. That's the next stop in the legal process.
We've been warned throughout the morning with a number of legal experts here on our program that after this ruling, whatever comes out of Atlanta will ultimately sent up the U.S. Supreme Court. Whether or not they take this case though remains to be seen. So again the latest news, at 9:15 a.m. Eastern time, 25 minutes ago, the appeal was filed with the 11th Circuit in Atlanta. We will watch that for you.
Also watching the weather, and a lot to talk about there, too. Back to Chad. What are you seeing now, Chad?
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: Hang in there down there. Thank you, Chad.
O'BRIEN: Well, The Gap dropped "Sex and the City" star Jessica Parker -- Sarah Jessica Parker rather in favor of a young, up-and- coming star. We're going to tell you who that is. Any guesses?
HEMMER: I already know the answer, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Oh, well then don't say. Don't say.
HEMMER: Think Grammys and Melissa Etheridge.
The days are numbered for a legendary New York hotel but not without controversy. That story and more as we continue after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. Here's Jack again. The question of the day. One final batch here.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: What's the greatest threat to the way of life in this country? Is it terrorism, or is it the deteriorating economy? Andrea in Maryland writes: "Considering one of the main goal of bin Laden is to bankrupt our country, it seems our government is doing a fine job of helping him along. At this point, the terrorists don't need to do more than sit back and wait."
Greg in New York writes: "Get rid of the terrorists, and the economy will remedy itself.
And Robert in New Jersey writes: "As Pogo says in the comics, we have faced the enemy and it is us."
Thank you for your responses.
O'BRIEN: Interesting feedback this morning.
HEMMER: Those are intertwined topics too. Thank you, Jack.
O'BRIEN: Well, The Gap is dropping a "Sex and the City" girl. With that and a look at the markets, Gerri Willis is in for Andy Serwer. He on a little vaca, and she is "Minding Your Business" this morning. SJP, out. Say it ain't so.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm telling you. Let's start with the markets first here. Little turnaround that we're seeing this morning in the markets. They opened down; now up 8 points. As you can see, the Dow Industrials right here. So, I got to tell you, Soledad, don't expect a whole lot out of the markets before 2:00, because the Federal Reserve is going to meet at 2:15, and anything could happen.
O'BRIEN: Okay, let's get into the more important story. SJP.
WILLIS: I think it is for you. O'BRIEN: So what happened? Do they feel like Sarah Jessica Parker wasn't making it work for The Gap?
WILLIS: Well, they're not saying that. Sex is out. Soul is in. They've got a new star for their ads -- Joss Stone. She's a 17-year- old phenom out of Britain. Soul singer. You might have seen her at the Grammys singing with Melissa Etheridge a Janis Joplin tune.
O'BRIEN: That's right. Another little piece of my heart.
WILLIS: Yeah, there she is.
And where else are you going to see, you know, on primetime TV a Rodgers and Hammerstein song, right? I mean, fabulous song here, "I Enjoy Being a Girl." But she's out. The Gap is saying, we're going to do something different. They don't really explain their thinking. She had a three-season deal; she's gone.
O'BRIEN: Well, we love her anyway. All right, Gerri. Thanks.
HEMMER: Joss Stone sang in bare feet, by the way.
O'BRIEN: Yeah, remember.
HEMMER: At the Grammys.
O'BRIEN: Was it because her feet -- her shoes hurt?
HEMMER: No, I think she was doing the tribute to Janis Joplin. She was doing her best early '70s imitation.
O'BRIEN: Well, she did a good job.
WILLIS: Terrific.
O'BRIEN: All right. Thank you, Gerri.
It is the place where the rich and famous used to stay, the rock stars partied, and the little girl lived on the very top floor. Fans are flocking to the Plaza Hotel for one last look. And many wonder what's going to happen to little Eloise. A look at that's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: The days are numbered for a New York City landmark. The Plaza Hotel, as we know it, is getting ready to close. And it's not happening without controversy and some questions about one special little girl.
CNN's Kelly Wallace has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A New York City icon, the place where Mick Jagger partied, Donald Trump ruled and the swankiest of New York's visitors slept. But now it's all coming to an end.
THOMAS SANTA MARIA, PLAZA KITCHEN STEWARD FOR 35 YEARS: It's not fair what they're trying to do here, destroy an icon like this which has been for many, many years the jewel of New York. It's a shame.
WALLACE: Thomas Santa Maria has worked as a kitchen steward at the Plaza for 35 years. Now he and hundreds of others are about to lose their jobs. It's a controversy that has drawn protests for weeks. Plans to close the Plaza next month and convert its 800 rooms into condos, stores and a much smaller 150-room hotel.
The new owner says legendary rooms like the Palm Court, the Oak Bar and the lobby won't be altered. Miki Naftali says he's trying to return the glory to the Plaza, not take it away.
MIKI NAFTALI, PRESIDENT, ELAD PROPERTIES: I'm not changing the integrity of the space, because this is what the Plaza is all about.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning, Mr. Salomoney (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning, Eloise.
WALLACE: The Plaza is also all about something -- or rather, someone else. That little girl that every little girl wanted to be. Eloise, footloose and fancy free, the fictional character with a whole lot of room to run around because, of course, she lives in the Plaza.
(on camera): So could she be running around the hall right now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. Probably is.
WALLACE: What time is it? It's 12:15. Could she be ordering lunch?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sure.
WALLACE (voice-over): Meet the man who knows Eloise better than anyone else still living, the illustrator of "Eloise" books, Hilary Knight.
(on camera): What is that amazing connection between Eloise and the Plaza?
HILARY KNIGHT, ILLUSTRATOR OF "ELOISE" BOOKS: She is established now as this symbol of something that is extraordinary and forceful and imaginative. Lots of things that this hotel represents.
WALLACE (voice-over): Since she first arrived in 1955, she's been attracting moms and daughters to the hotel, hoping for a glimpse of her shoes.
(on camera): How often do people ask to see Eloise's shoes?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At least 20 times a day. WALLACE (voice-over): And hoping to get a glimpse of their idol. Fernando Luna, who's worked as a doorman for 24 years, gets the question, "Where's Eloise?" more than most.
FERNANDO LUNA, PLAZA DOORMAN FOR 24 YEARS: Oh, she left yesterday. But next time when you come over here, I'm going to let Eloise know you're here.
WALLACE: But what will happen once the Plaza closes its doors and the precocious Eloise will no longer be able to order room service, dash through the halls and keep those doormen on their toes?
4-year-old Morgan Killam, who was visiting the Plaza, thinks she knows.
MORGAN KILLAM, 4-YEAR-OLD "ELOISE" FAN: She's going to live in Paris.
WALLACE: Maybe, for a while, but listen closely, Eloise fans, we pressed the new owner.
(on camera): You can assure Eloise will be running around the plaza, leaving her shoes in the lobby, calling for room service, that's not going to change?
NAFTALI: Right.
WALLACE: She will have a place?
NAFTALI: Yes.
WALLACE: She will have a place somewhere in the new Plaza, further reinforcing her connection to this legendary hotel, which faces an uncertain future.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: The Plaza Hotel first opened its doors for business nearly a century ago, on October 1st in 1907.
HEMMER: End of an era. Seven minutes before the hour, Soledad. Next hour on CNN LIVE TODAY, Terri Schiavo's condition far from black and white. Dr. Gupta looks at the varying medical opinions on her prospects for recovery. Daryn has that next hour. We're back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Here at CNN, we're marking our 25th year of broadcasting. June 1st, 1980, in fact. We're also looking back at the major stories that touched our lives in that period. 1991, Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas facing off in Washington. Here's Sharon Collins.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANITA HILL: I have no personal vendetta against Clarence Thomas.
SHARON COLLINS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When law professor Anita Hill came forward with sexual harassment charges against a future Supreme Court justice during his Senate confirmation hearings, it shocked the nation, divided and captivated it at the same time.
HILL: I seek only to provide the committee with information which it may regard as relevant.
CLARENCE THOMAS, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: I've heard enough lies.
COLLINS: No matter who you believed, Hill's televised Senate testimony brought workplace sexual harassment into the forefront.
HILL: It's good to be home.
COLLINS: After it was over, Hill went back to teaching law at the University of Oklahoma. But her life would never be the same.
HILL: I had no appreciation for the fact that there would be so much attention to this issue and that I would become a symbol of the issue.
COLLINS: Hill wrote a book about her experiences called "Speaking Truth to Power." She's now 48 years old and teaches at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. What drives her, she says, is a responsibility to her students.
HILL: They deserve a better society. That is what motivates me. And I think that I can be a part of creating that. Having been given that chance, I don't want to blow it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Tomorrow here on AMERICAN MORNING, we begin a series on reports of faith in America. We'll look at religion and politics, religion and music. And tomorrow we'll look at religion and young people. Three college students who have different religious beliefs but one overall fear. Their story tomorrow. 7:00 a.m. Eastern time here on AMERICAN MORNING.
O'BRIEN: That's it.
HEMMER: I think so.
O'BRIEN: We're out of time.
HEMMER: Busy day.
WILLIS: We're exhausted. We've got to go home.
HEMMER: I'm telling you. The marathon's over. Here is Daryn Kagan at the CNN Center.
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