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CNN Live Today
Rowe Turns Tables on Jackson Prosecution; Bride-to-Be Search Intensifies
Aired April 29, 2005 - 10:30 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." A series of bombs exploded in rapid succession in Iraq today. Most of the 11 attacks took place in Baghdad. At least 24 people were killed. Close to 100 were hurt. Many of the victims were Iraqi soldiers and police officers.
An audio message said to be from insurgent leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi appeared on two Web sites today. The speaker warns President Bush he will never give up. CNN cannot at this point authenticate the tape, but our journalists familiar with al Zarqawi's voice say it does sound like it's him.
A California jury will decide now whether to recommend the death penalty for the man who killed Samantha Runnion. Jurors took nine hours to find Alejandro Avila guilty of murder and child molestation. The 5-year-old child was kidnapped and killed in 2002.
And remember those guys who said they found old bills and coins buried in the backyard? Police say they were cons, that the guys actually stole the money. The men are being arraigned in Massachusetts today. Police got suspicious after the pair appeared on several national newscasts. Seems their story changed a bit with each appearance.
Let's turn now to the Michael Jackson molestation trial. Three more prosecution witnesses are on the docket today. It's likely some of their testimony will be out of the presence of the jury. As we've come to learn in this case, witnesses can be unpredictable. Case in point, Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, who just finished up two contentious days on the stand.
CNN's senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin joining us with some thought to share. Jeff, good morning.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SR. LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning, D.K.
KAGAN: So to review, it's the prosecution looking to the ex- wife. Debbie Rowe, to be their last big make an impact witness. Well, she made an impact, all right, but apparently for the defense.
TOOBIN: Absolutely. I mean, you know, I think the prosecution is paying a price for an original sin in this case. You know, most people know this is a child molestation case and there was an accuser who testified that Michael Jackson abused me. However, there is also another part of this case, which is a so-called conspiracy that Jackson and his employees tried to silence the accuser's family, kidnap them. And that part of the case has been an unmitigated disaster for the prosecution, and yesterday's testimony from Debbie Rowe was part of that disaster.
KAGAN: And so now they've come up with three bonus witnesses that have to appear before the judge out of the presence of the jury. What do you know about this?
TOOBIN: You know what? Daryn, I have to admit, the first I heard of it was listening to you.
KAGAN: Oh, OK.
TOOBIN: This was not...
KAGAN: Well, that's good...
TOOBIN: This was news to me.
KAGAN: That's the idea of CNN. This is where you get your news.
TOOBIN: There was no "this just in" at the bottom of the screen. And I -- it was just into me, I have to say.
KAGAN: Well, it was even not knowing exactly who it is. I mean, this appears to be a last-ditch attempt by the prosecution to tie up their case...
TOOBIN: Well, you know...
KAGAN: ... that Debbie Rowe was not the last thing they want this jury to hear.
TOOBIN: Well, you know, other than Debbie Rowe, a lot of the witnesses lately have been these, you know, document custodian records. Very boring, very routine witnesses to put in. You know, telephone records and things like that. The prosecution always wants to try to finish with a little bit of a flourish. And I think, you know, the mistake here is that the prosecution has simply gone on too long.
There have been witnesses who testified in this trial, Michael Jackson abused me. That's what this case is about. That's what they should have stuck to. Instead, they tried to inflate this conspiracy theory, which isn't holding much water and has basically just given the defense the opportunity to raise questions, when they could have kept a narrow better case.
KAGAN: Let's go back to Debbie Rowe for a moment and some of the things that she said that might have hurt the prosecution.
TOOBIN: Well, just to refresh people's memory, what she was supposed to testify was about this so-called rebuttal video. She was testifying about her giving an interview to Michael Jackson's associates, refuting the Martin Bashir documentary which suggested Jackson, you know, was a child molester. Rowe testified far from the prosecution's theory. She said, look, I gave this of my own free will. I didn't -- this wasn't a scripted appearance. This was what I thought about Michael Jackson, which is that he's basically a good guy and a good father. That was the exact opposite impression, apparently, she gave prosecutors earlier or -- as they wouldn't have called her as a witness. So she really did backfire completely on this conspiracy side of the case.
KAGAN: One thing seems for sure. The defense is coming up very soon. What do they need to do, bottom line? If you're a defense attorney, do you put Michael Jackson on the stand?
TOOBIN: Absolutely not in a million years...
KAGAN: Really.
TOOBIN: ... would I put Michael Jackson on the stand. No, I think his case is going as well as can be expected. If Michael Jackson takes the stand, everything -- the focus goes entirely to him. And remember, this is a guy who said in the past that he believes it's OK to sleep in the same bed with young boys who are not -- you know, is not his son. He's going to have to explain that. He's going to have explain his relationships with all these other kids. Forget it. Keep him off the stand.
The best way to use the defense case, I think, is to call some of these other kids who were his other supposed victims, Macaulay Culkin and some others who now say, as we know, that nothing happened between them. Deflate the prosecution's theory in that way. That could be effective. Calling Michael Jackson, I think, would be a disaster. And I don't think there's a chance in the world we're going to see him testify.
KAGAN: Ah, but if it does, I bet you anything you'd get yourself to Santa Maria. You wouldn't miss that for anything.
TOOBIN: You betcha. Daryn, that's the truth. I don't expect that I will be heading out for Michael Jackson's testimony.
KAGAN: OK. Jeffrey Toobin. Thanks, Jeff, have a great weekend.
TOOBIN: OK, Daryn, you, too.
TOOBIN: Let's move on now to an update on the search for a missing woman here in Georgia. It was supposed to be the eve of her wedding. Georgia authorities are scouring cell phone records and e- mail for other clues to her whereabouts.
CNN's Tony Harris is live from Duluth, Georgia, with the latest.
TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. We're standing by waiting for a 12:15 statement from Jennifer Wilbanks' family and we understand that at that time, family members will take questions, so perhaps then we'll get a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and perhaps get an update on the status of the investigation at this point. Jennifer Wilbanks, 32 years old, bride-to-be, as you mentioned, scheduled to be married tomorrow. Her fiance says that she left their home on 8:30 in the evening on Tuesday for a run and she simply never came back.
At about 1:00 this afternoon, John Mason, Jennifer's fiance, will let police know here in Duluth whether or not he will take a polygraph test, which you know is pretty much standard procedure in investigations like this. Many of you may be wondering why he hasn't already taken that test.
Here is Police Chief Randy Belcher on that very question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF RANDY BELCHER, DULUTH, GEORGIA POLICE: We requested Mr. Mason to submit to a test yesterday. He stated at the beginning of the investigation that he would voluntarily submit to a polygraph, but he did advise us yesterday that he would let us know today by 1:00 as to whether he would take the test or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Actually, Daryn, two events at 1:00 this afternoon. First of all, police will learn whether John Mason will take that polygraph test. And also at 1:00, Duluth police will hold a briefing to update us on the investigation. But before all of that, at 12:15, we're standing by to hear from Jennifer Wilbanks' family. Back to you.
KAGAN: That's a lot happening over the next couple of hours. Thank you for that. We're going to have live coverage of it all. We're going to have live coverage of the news conference by the family of Jennifer Wilbanks, expected to begin, as Tony was saying, 12:15 Eastern. That's about 40 minutes from now.
His teams have won more games than any other current baseball manager. He has a new book out. Incredible access he's given the author about some of his wins and losses. St. Louis Cardinals coach Tony La Russa joins me live here, when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We are turning off the cell phone, right? Good work, coach.
OK, we're taking baseball. A lot of books have been written about the national pastime. Perhaps none have captured it quite like the one that's coming up, "Three Nights in August," Focusing on the epic ballot between the Cardinals and the Cubs back in 2003. Yet within that three-game series emerges a view from the dugout rarely seen before. Much of Buzz Bissinger's book is focused on manager Tony La Russa, who is in Atlanta today, because you're Cardinals playing the Atlanta Braves later today.
Good to have you here. TONY LA RUSSA, MANAGER, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Thank you.
KAGAN: Good season. You guys starting out. You're on top of the N.L. Central.
LA RUSSA: It's always what you do next. So ask me on Sunday how I feel.
KAGAN: OK, we can do that. I had a chance to look at the book. Incredible access you've given Buzz Bissinger to go behind the scenes not just with you, but with the team into the offices with teammates. And so since you do have access, I just want to ask you some frank questions since you're just kind of telling all. Steroids -- what is honestly the state of steroids in baseball today?
LA RUSSA: Well, it was more a subject, you know, mid late '90s, early 2000. At this point, we've just about got it licked. And if we just stay on top of it, I think it will not be an issue.
KAGAN: Mark McGwire, do you think he was using steroid when he set the home run record in '98?
LA RUSSA: I do not. I mean in fact, I came out so strongly on it. And since then, I've even been even been encouraged. Losing credibility because you keep saying it, because he looked so damaging on -- in front of Congress.
KAGAN: The congressional testimony just about a month ago.
LA RUSSA: Right. But yet, for all the reasons that I believed before, I believe. I just think he was very uncomfortable that day. I wish he had come out clearly like his statement a couple of weeks before and say he didn't use it. But no, I saw the work over the many, many years when he pounded it hard in a legal way. You can get strong legally. I think he did.
KAGAN: And you are sticking with that.
LA RUSSA: Yes I am. That's what I believe.
KAGAN: At the very least a missed opportunity perhaps to make a statement about -- to kids, and young people and to the sport.
LA RUSSA: Absolutely. That's one thing I have said clearly. I was disappointed. All of us who believe in him were disappointed. I just think he got flustered and he kept relying on that one statement that he made. But I think he was very uncomfortable.
Mark, even in his day of the great chase, was never comfortable with the spotlight. He is basically a shy guy. In our great teams, he would be in the background letting all the other guys have the spotlight, and he would just be having fun. So that's how it adds up to me.
KAGAN: Let's talk about the book a little bit. Now the guy that wrote the book, Buzz, this is the guy that wrote "Friday Night Lights," the football back about high school football in Texas. That book was so inflammatory, he is not even allowed back in the town, and yet you sought him out to write this book and give him this incredible access. Why did you want to do that?
LA RUSSA: Well, I knew that our subject matter is not inflammatory for one thing, and I really liked his style. He can tell a story. I've read other stuff by him. He's a Pulitzer Prize winner. This guy can write his -- and you know, we started together. We kind of felt our way through the collaboration. At first it was going to be more us just talking and him relaying. But then when myself and others with the team and in baseball started trusting that he would take the access and tell an honest story and do it in an entertaining way. We thought that was the way to go.
KAGAN: Well, there is honesty in the book, and you do name names, and you are very blunt about things like egos, and how being a manager today in baseball is much about being a psychologist as it is doing all the stats, and numbers and lineups.
LA RUSSA: Well, I think, you know, there's a couple of points. One is, it's about the Cubs and the Cardinals and our players, but it's about any three-game series that's being played now anywhere. I mean, these are all the issues that we go through. There are so many distractions for players. And right now a lot of them are tied to their ego, because their friends, their family, their agent is saying, get your number, get your stats, get the money.
KAGAN: Which makes it less of a team game.
LA RUSSA: Yes, and in fact I've heard, you know, the one of the best things that's happened is I've heard from coaches in other sports, too. This is really a good look at what we're facing. You're always trying to get through the distractions, trying to get players to concentrate on just play the game right, let the numbers happen and then everything comes from that. So from that point, I think it is informative, and I think it's because of buzz, entertaining.
KAGAN: Off the topic of baseball for a moment, I want to talk about a passion that both you and I share, and that is animals that find their way to shelters. I have two on my own.
You can put them up.
Why -- how has that become -- and this is your Web site, ARF, right.
LA RUSSA: That's Animal Research. We are Animal Rescue.
KAGAN: Rescue. OK, they got the wrong...
LA RUSSA: It's arf.net.
KAGAN: That's my baby.
LA RUSSA: That's your baby. KAGAN: That's Darla Louise. She's from the Humane Society here in Atlanta. And then we'll see my three-legged cat Tripod in a moment.
But for you, how has that become a passion?
LA RUSSA: Well, my wife and I were married 30 years, and you know, we've always shared this love of animals. And over time, we've really concentrated on companion animal, and then it just pained us to see how many were being euthanized. So now, 15 years ago, when we were with the A's, we started the Animal Rescue Foundation. We were just going to rescue dogs and cats. But we had so much support. And then about our third or fourth year, we starting saying, you know, there is something is missing here, people don't appreciate the magic of these animals; so our organization as much finds ways that animals rescue people. We work with seniors, victims of violence, kids in education.
KAGAN: There's your Web site, right?
LA RUSSA: That's ARF.
KAGAN: OK, there you go.
And give us the Web site so people with check it out.
LA RUSSA: It's arf.net. And all of my portion of the proceeds from this book, we built when they see the Web site, in August of 2003 build 38,000 square feet. That's our headquarters, and we're trying -- $17 million, and now it's a little under $4 million, so we need to pay that off.
KAGAN: It's an expensive passion to have.
LA RUSSA: Well, like I said, because of the dual missions, we are benefiting animals and we're benefiting people, we think it is real worthwhile, and we've got some 700 active volunteers in the Bay Area and we've got members all across the country.
KAGAN: Well, it is indeed. Good luck with that.
LA RUSSA: Thank you.
KAGAN: Good luck with the season. As I said, you guys are in first place, but the season is young. You're playing the Atlanta Braves tonight. I would wish you well, but you know, we're CNN, Atlanta Braves, owned by the same company. So I don't know if that's...
LA RUSSA: We both love animals, so you to pull -- but so does Bobby Cox.
KAGAN: We're all on the same team there.
LA RUSSA: That's right.
KAGAN: Tony La Russa, thank you.
LA RUSSA: Pleasure meeting you, Daryn.
KAGAN: And good luck. Good luck with the book.
Thank you.
Well, let's take a look at the time, 11:46 on the East Coast, 8:46 on the West. We'll be right back with a look at the weather when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's find out what's coming up at the top of the hour. Carol Lin is filling in for Wolf Blitzer.
Hello.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Daryn.
It's been a busy day. And some of the stories you've been covering as well this morning. But we are going to be talking about the search intensifying for a Georgia woman, Jennifer Wilbanks. She's the woman who disappeared just days before she was supposed to get married. So coming up in the next hour, you are going to hear from her parents. They have scheduled a news conference and we are going to be there live.
Also, breaking down the president's plans to reform Social Security. How will you specifically be affected depending on what you make. We are going to answer that question. A lot of it is going to depend on your income. We are going to get to the bottom line.
Watch for those stories and a lot more at the top of the hour on "NEWS FROM CNN." But right now I'm going to turn it back to Daryn.
KAGAN: We will do that. Looking forward to it.
And today's dot-com desk goes to the movies for a cosmic joyride. To get the journey started, let's check in with CNN's Christina Park at the dot-com desk.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN.COM CORRESPONDENT: Is it the end of the world as we know it? Well, cnn.com's Todd Leopold has got your back and his eye on entertainment.
TODD LEOPOLD, CNN.COM: It's an exciting weekend for sci-fi fans at movie theaters, because the world ends. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" opens up at theaters all over the country and the movie begins with the world ending. It's a very funny series that fans have been waiting for years to come to the screen.
Douglas Adams wrote several books in the late '70s and early '80s. I used it as a jumping off point an I.N. entertainment column, because one of the themes in the book is the meaning of life. Adam says it's 42. And Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that people contribute to, has a fine site to devoted to 42 and the answer to the meaning of life. We also have a terrific gallery put together by our Andy Walton about "Hitchhiker's Guide." Tells you information on some of characters, the settings and author Douglas Adams himself.
And for movie fans who aren't interested in "The End of the World," Ice Cube stars in "XXX: State of the Union." "National Treasure" comes out on DVD Tuesday. And Aimee Mann's new album "The Forgotten Arm" comes out Tuesday as well.
PARK: Thanks, Todd. And for all of your entertainment headlines, just log on to cnn.com/showbiz. That's your eye on entertainment from the dot-com desk.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Picture this, art buffs. Auction giant Christie's and Sotheby's were recently summoned. They were called to Tokyo. That's where a Japanese corporation wanted to liquidate its $20 million art collection, but only one auction house would get it. So how did they decide? Rock, paper, scissors. No joke. That's how they did. The winner, Christie's. They did scissors. There you go.
By the way, on this story, the auction is Wednesday night. Rock, paper, scissors will not be accepted a valid bids at the auction. They want the real moolah.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: That's going to do it for me for the week. I'll be back on Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan. Have a great weekend.
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 April 29, 2005 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." A series of bombs exploded in rapid succession in Iraq today. Most of the 11 attacks took place in Baghdad. At least 24 people were killed. Close to 100 were hurt. Many of the victims were Iraqi soldiers and police officers.
An audio message said to be from insurgent leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi appeared on two Web sites today. The speaker warns President Bush he will never give up. CNN cannot at this point authenticate the tape, but our journalists familiar with al Zarqawi's voice say it does sound like it's him.
A California jury will decide now whether to recommend the death penalty for the man who killed Samantha Runnion. Jurors took nine hours to find Alejandro Avila guilty of murder and child molestation. The 5-year-old child was kidnapped and killed in 2002.
And remember those guys who said they found old bills and coins buried in the backyard? Police say they were cons, that the guys actually stole the money. The men are being arraigned in Massachusetts today. Police got suspicious after the pair appeared on several national newscasts. Seems their story changed a bit with each appearance.
Let's turn now to the Michael Jackson molestation trial. Three more prosecution witnesses are on the docket today. It's likely some of their testimony will be out of the presence of the jury. As we've come to learn in this case, witnesses can be unpredictable. Case in point, Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, who just finished up two contentious days on the stand.
CNN's senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin joining us with some thought to share. Jeff, good morning.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SR. LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning, D.K.
KAGAN: So to review, it's the prosecution looking to the ex- wife. Debbie Rowe, to be their last big make an impact witness. Well, she made an impact, all right, but apparently for the defense.
TOOBIN: Absolutely. I mean, you know, I think the prosecution is paying a price for an original sin in this case. You know, most people know this is a child molestation case and there was an accuser who testified that Michael Jackson abused me. However, there is also another part of this case, which is a so-called conspiracy that Jackson and his employees tried to silence the accuser's family, kidnap them. And that part of the case has been an unmitigated disaster for the prosecution, and yesterday's testimony from Debbie Rowe was part of that disaster.
KAGAN: And so now they've come up with three bonus witnesses that have to appear before the judge out of the presence of the jury. What do you know about this?
TOOBIN: You know what? Daryn, I have to admit, the first I heard of it was listening to you.
KAGAN: Oh, OK.
TOOBIN: This was not...
KAGAN: Well, that's good...
TOOBIN: This was news to me.
KAGAN: That's the idea of CNN. This is where you get your news.
TOOBIN: There was no "this just in" at the bottom of the screen. And I -- it was just into me, I have to say.
KAGAN: Well, it was even not knowing exactly who it is. I mean, this appears to be a last-ditch attempt by the prosecution to tie up their case...
TOOBIN: Well, you know...
KAGAN: ... that Debbie Rowe was not the last thing they want this jury to hear.
TOOBIN: Well, you know, other than Debbie Rowe, a lot of the witnesses lately have been these, you know, document custodian records. Very boring, very routine witnesses to put in. You know, telephone records and things like that. The prosecution always wants to try to finish with a little bit of a flourish. And I think, you know, the mistake here is that the prosecution has simply gone on too long.
There have been witnesses who testified in this trial, Michael Jackson abused me. That's what this case is about. That's what they should have stuck to. Instead, they tried to inflate this conspiracy theory, which isn't holding much water and has basically just given the defense the opportunity to raise questions, when they could have kept a narrow better case.
KAGAN: Let's go back to Debbie Rowe for a moment and some of the things that she said that might have hurt the prosecution.
TOOBIN: Well, just to refresh people's memory, what she was supposed to testify was about this so-called rebuttal video. She was testifying about her giving an interview to Michael Jackson's associates, refuting the Martin Bashir documentary which suggested Jackson, you know, was a child molester. Rowe testified far from the prosecution's theory. She said, look, I gave this of my own free will. I didn't -- this wasn't a scripted appearance. This was what I thought about Michael Jackson, which is that he's basically a good guy and a good father. That was the exact opposite impression, apparently, she gave prosecutors earlier or -- as they wouldn't have called her as a witness. So she really did backfire completely on this conspiracy side of the case.
KAGAN: One thing seems for sure. The defense is coming up very soon. What do they need to do, bottom line? If you're a defense attorney, do you put Michael Jackson on the stand?
TOOBIN: Absolutely not in a million years...
KAGAN: Really.
TOOBIN: ... would I put Michael Jackson on the stand. No, I think his case is going as well as can be expected. If Michael Jackson takes the stand, everything -- the focus goes entirely to him. And remember, this is a guy who said in the past that he believes it's OK to sleep in the same bed with young boys who are not -- you know, is not his son. He's going to have to explain that. He's going to have explain his relationships with all these other kids. Forget it. Keep him off the stand.
The best way to use the defense case, I think, is to call some of these other kids who were his other supposed victims, Macaulay Culkin and some others who now say, as we know, that nothing happened between them. Deflate the prosecution's theory in that way. That could be effective. Calling Michael Jackson, I think, would be a disaster. And I don't think there's a chance in the world we're going to see him testify.
KAGAN: Ah, but if it does, I bet you anything you'd get yourself to Santa Maria. You wouldn't miss that for anything.
TOOBIN: You betcha. Daryn, that's the truth. I don't expect that I will be heading out for Michael Jackson's testimony.
KAGAN: OK. Jeffrey Toobin. Thanks, Jeff, have a great weekend.
TOOBIN: OK, Daryn, you, too.
TOOBIN: Let's move on now to an update on the search for a missing woman here in Georgia. It was supposed to be the eve of her wedding. Georgia authorities are scouring cell phone records and e- mail for other clues to her whereabouts.
CNN's Tony Harris is live from Duluth, Georgia, with the latest.
TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. We're standing by waiting for a 12:15 statement from Jennifer Wilbanks' family and we understand that at that time, family members will take questions, so perhaps then we'll get a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and perhaps get an update on the status of the investigation at this point. Jennifer Wilbanks, 32 years old, bride-to-be, as you mentioned, scheduled to be married tomorrow. Her fiance says that she left their home on 8:30 in the evening on Tuesday for a run and she simply never came back.
At about 1:00 this afternoon, John Mason, Jennifer's fiance, will let police know here in Duluth whether or not he will take a polygraph test, which you know is pretty much standard procedure in investigations like this. Many of you may be wondering why he hasn't already taken that test.
Here is Police Chief Randy Belcher on that very question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF RANDY BELCHER, DULUTH, GEORGIA POLICE: We requested Mr. Mason to submit to a test yesterday. He stated at the beginning of the investigation that he would voluntarily submit to a polygraph, but he did advise us yesterday that he would let us know today by 1:00 as to whether he would take the test or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Actually, Daryn, two events at 1:00 this afternoon. First of all, police will learn whether John Mason will take that polygraph test. And also at 1:00, Duluth police will hold a briefing to update us on the investigation. But before all of that, at 12:15, we're standing by to hear from Jennifer Wilbanks' family. Back to you.
KAGAN: That's a lot happening over the next couple of hours. Thank you for that. We're going to have live coverage of it all. We're going to have live coverage of the news conference by the family of Jennifer Wilbanks, expected to begin, as Tony was saying, 12:15 Eastern. That's about 40 minutes from now.
His teams have won more games than any other current baseball manager. He has a new book out. Incredible access he's given the author about some of his wins and losses. St. Louis Cardinals coach Tony La Russa joins me live here, when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We are turning off the cell phone, right? Good work, coach.
OK, we're taking baseball. A lot of books have been written about the national pastime. Perhaps none have captured it quite like the one that's coming up, "Three Nights in August," Focusing on the epic ballot between the Cardinals and the Cubs back in 2003. Yet within that three-game series emerges a view from the dugout rarely seen before. Much of Buzz Bissinger's book is focused on manager Tony La Russa, who is in Atlanta today, because you're Cardinals playing the Atlanta Braves later today.
Good to have you here. TONY LA RUSSA, MANAGER, ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Thank you.
KAGAN: Good season. You guys starting out. You're on top of the N.L. Central.
LA RUSSA: It's always what you do next. So ask me on Sunday how I feel.
KAGAN: OK, we can do that. I had a chance to look at the book. Incredible access you've given Buzz Bissinger to go behind the scenes not just with you, but with the team into the offices with teammates. And so since you do have access, I just want to ask you some frank questions since you're just kind of telling all. Steroids -- what is honestly the state of steroids in baseball today?
LA RUSSA: Well, it was more a subject, you know, mid late '90s, early 2000. At this point, we've just about got it licked. And if we just stay on top of it, I think it will not be an issue.
KAGAN: Mark McGwire, do you think he was using steroid when he set the home run record in '98?
LA RUSSA: I do not. I mean in fact, I came out so strongly on it. And since then, I've even been even been encouraged. Losing credibility because you keep saying it, because he looked so damaging on -- in front of Congress.
KAGAN: The congressional testimony just about a month ago.
LA RUSSA: Right. But yet, for all the reasons that I believed before, I believe. I just think he was very uncomfortable that day. I wish he had come out clearly like his statement a couple of weeks before and say he didn't use it. But no, I saw the work over the many, many years when he pounded it hard in a legal way. You can get strong legally. I think he did.
KAGAN: And you are sticking with that.
LA RUSSA: Yes I am. That's what I believe.
KAGAN: At the very least a missed opportunity perhaps to make a statement about -- to kids, and young people and to the sport.
LA RUSSA: Absolutely. That's one thing I have said clearly. I was disappointed. All of us who believe in him were disappointed. I just think he got flustered and he kept relying on that one statement that he made. But I think he was very uncomfortable.
Mark, even in his day of the great chase, was never comfortable with the spotlight. He is basically a shy guy. In our great teams, he would be in the background letting all the other guys have the spotlight, and he would just be having fun. So that's how it adds up to me.
KAGAN: Let's talk about the book a little bit. Now the guy that wrote the book, Buzz, this is the guy that wrote "Friday Night Lights," the football back about high school football in Texas. That book was so inflammatory, he is not even allowed back in the town, and yet you sought him out to write this book and give him this incredible access. Why did you want to do that?
LA RUSSA: Well, I knew that our subject matter is not inflammatory for one thing, and I really liked his style. He can tell a story. I've read other stuff by him. He's a Pulitzer Prize winner. This guy can write his -- and you know, we started together. We kind of felt our way through the collaboration. At first it was going to be more us just talking and him relaying. But then when myself and others with the team and in baseball started trusting that he would take the access and tell an honest story and do it in an entertaining way. We thought that was the way to go.
KAGAN: Well, there is honesty in the book, and you do name names, and you are very blunt about things like egos, and how being a manager today in baseball is much about being a psychologist as it is doing all the stats, and numbers and lineups.
LA RUSSA: Well, I think, you know, there's a couple of points. One is, it's about the Cubs and the Cardinals and our players, but it's about any three-game series that's being played now anywhere. I mean, these are all the issues that we go through. There are so many distractions for players. And right now a lot of them are tied to their ego, because their friends, their family, their agent is saying, get your number, get your stats, get the money.
KAGAN: Which makes it less of a team game.
LA RUSSA: Yes, and in fact I've heard, you know, the one of the best things that's happened is I've heard from coaches in other sports, too. This is really a good look at what we're facing. You're always trying to get through the distractions, trying to get players to concentrate on just play the game right, let the numbers happen and then everything comes from that. So from that point, I think it is informative, and I think it's because of buzz, entertaining.
KAGAN: Off the topic of baseball for a moment, I want to talk about a passion that both you and I share, and that is animals that find their way to shelters. I have two on my own.
You can put them up.
Why -- how has that become -- and this is your Web site, ARF, right.
LA RUSSA: That's Animal Research. We are Animal Rescue.
KAGAN: Rescue. OK, they got the wrong...
LA RUSSA: It's arf.net.
KAGAN: That's my baby.
LA RUSSA: That's your baby. KAGAN: That's Darla Louise. She's from the Humane Society here in Atlanta. And then we'll see my three-legged cat Tripod in a moment.
But for you, how has that become a passion?
LA RUSSA: Well, my wife and I were married 30 years, and you know, we've always shared this love of animals. And over time, we've really concentrated on companion animal, and then it just pained us to see how many were being euthanized. So now, 15 years ago, when we were with the A's, we started the Animal Rescue Foundation. We were just going to rescue dogs and cats. But we had so much support. And then about our third or fourth year, we starting saying, you know, there is something is missing here, people don't appreciate the magic of these animals; so our organization as much finds ways that animals rescue people. We work with seniors, victims of violence, kids in education.
KAGAN: There's your Web site, right?
LA RUSSA: That's ARF.
KAGAN: OK, there you go.
And give us the Web site so people with check it out.
LA RUSSA: It's arf.net. And all of my portion of the proceeds from this book, we built when they see the Web site, in August of 2003 build 38,000 square feet. That's our headquarters, and we're trying -- $17 million, and now it's a little under $4 million, so we need to pay that off.
KAGAN: It's an expensive passion to have.
LA RUSSA: Well, like I said, because of the dual missions, we are benefiting animals and we're benefiting people, we think it is real worthwhile, and we've got some 700 active volunteers in the Bay Area and we've got members all across the country.
KAGAN: Well, it is indeed. Good luck with that.
LA RUSSA: Thank you.
KAGAN: Good luck with the season. As I said, you guys are in first place, but the season is young. You're playing the Atlanta Braves tonight. I would wish you well, but you know, we're CNN, Atlanta Braves, owned by the same company. So I don't know if that's...
LA RUSSA: We both love animals, so you to pull -- but so does Bobby Cox.
KAGAN: We're all on the same team there.
LA RUSSA: That's right.
KAGAN: Tony La Russa, thank you.
LA RUSSA: Pleasure meeting you, Daryn.
KAGAN: And good luck. Good luck with the book.
Thank you.
Well, let's take a look at the time, 11:46 on the East Coast, 8:46 on the West. We'll be right back with a look at the weather when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's find out what's coming up at the top of the hour. Carol Lin is filling in for Wolf Blitzer.
Hello.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Daryn.
It's been a busy day. And some of the stories you've been covering as well this morning. But we are going to be talking about the search intensifying for a Georgia woman, Jennifer Wilbanks. She's the woman who disappeared just days before she was supposed to get married. So coming up in the next hour, you are going to hear from her parents. They have scheduled a news conference and we are going to be there live.
Also, breaking down the president's plans to reform Social Security. How will you specifically be affected depending on what you make. We are going to answer that question. A lot of it is going to depend on your income. We are going to get to the bottom line.
Watch for those stories and a lot more at the top of the hour on "NEWS FROM CNN." But right now I'm going to turn it back to Daryn.
KAGAN: We will do that. Looking forward to it.
And today's dot-com desk goes to the movies for a cosmic joyride. To get the journey started, let's check in with CNN's Christina Park at the dot-com desk.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN.COM CORRESPONDENT: Is it the end of the world as we know it? Well, cnn.com's Todd Leopold has got your back and his eye on entertainment.
TODD LEOPOLD, CNN.COM: It's an exciting weekend for sci-fi fans at movie theaters, because the world ends. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" opens up at theaters all over the country and the movie begins with the world ending. It's a very funny series that fans have been waiting for years to come to the screen.
Douglas Adams wrote several books in the late '70s and early '80s. I used it as a jumping off point an I.N. entertainment column, because one of the themes in the book is the meaning of life. Adam says it's 42. And Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that people contribute to, has a fine site to devoted to 42 and the answer to the meaning of life. We also have a terrific gallery put together by our Andy Walton about "Hitchhiker's Guide." Tells you information on some of characters, the settings and author Douglas Adams himself.
And for movie fans who aren't interested in "The End of the World," Ice Cube stars in "XXX: State of the Union." "National Treasure" comes out on DVD Tuesday. And Aimee Mann's new album "The Forgotten Arm" comes out Tuesday as well.
PARK: Thanks, Todd. And for all of your entertainment headlines, just log on to cnn.com/showbiz. That's your eye on entertainment from the dot-com desk.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Picture this, art buffs. Auction giant Christie's and Sotheby's were recently summoned. They were called to Tokyo. That's where a Japanese corporation wanted to liquidate its $20 million art collection, but only one auction house would get it. So how did they decide? Rock, paper, scissors. No joke. That's how they did. The winner, Christie's. They did scissors. There you go.
By the way, on this story, the auction is Wednesday night. Rock, paper, scissors will not be accepted a valid bids at the auction. They want the real moolah.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: That's going to do it for me for the week. I'll be back on Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan. Have a great weekend.
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