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CNN Live Today

U.S. Forces Launch New Offensive in Iraq; Bush in Russia; Fatal School Bus Crash in Missouri

Aired May 09, 2005 - 10:59   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."
Screeching tires, followed by gunfire, in Compton, California. Deputies surrounded a white SUV after a chase earlier this morning. When the vehicle appeared to lurch forward, authorities responded with a hail of gunfire. The driver and a deputy were wounded. We'll have more on the incident just ahead.

A fire official says two people died and nearly three dozen were injured when a school bus crashed into two cars in Missouri this morning. Officials say the two fatalities were the drivers of the two cares. Nearly all of the injured were elementary school students.

President Bush took part in VE Day ceremonies in Moscow today. Mr. Bush joined Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and other dignitaries at the military parade through Red Square. The celebration marked the 60th anniversary of the allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II

And gas prices take another tumble. We'll take that. They've fallen three cents over the past two weeks and more than seven cents in the past month. That's according to the national Lundberg survey. The downward trend reverses a spike in pump prices that started at the beginning of the year.

And we learned a few minutes ago Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, will delay the Gaza pullout by three weeks. Israeli really troops and settlers are now expected to leave mid-August. Sharon says the change was made to accommodate an annual religious mourning period in Israel.

And let's check the clock. 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. on the West. From CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first this hour, a new military offensive in the fight for Iraq. More violence erupted today, including a suicide bombing in Baghdad that killed at least four people. Now U.S. forces are waging a battle against insurgents in Iraq's Anbar Province.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us with more on the operation.

Barbara, good morning

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

U.S. Marines and other forces are beginning a major operation now in far western Iraq, trying to get to those foreign fighters near the Syrian border. What this reflects, Daryn, is a growing concern about the latest wave of violence in Iraq, that foreign fighters are having an impact. Listen to just this one statistic. We are told the number of car bomb attacks in April doubled -- doubled -- in Iraq since the month of February.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (voice-over): U.S. Officials now have revealed that last week they captured the man who planned several bomb attacks that hit Baghdad April 29, part of a wave of rising violence. There is hope the arrest will bring them closer to getting Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian-born terrorist leader responsible for months of attacks.

The U.S. military estimates nearly 300 Iraqi civilians and security forces have been killed in the last 10 days. But senior officials insist their information is getting better. Each arrest now giving them more intelligence and more tips about Zarqawi.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: That intelligence allows you to plan future operations, which after conducting those operations also give you more intelligence. It's a virtuous cycle that's permitted us of late to take down a significant part of the Zarqawi network

STARR: The latest arrest? Mohammed Hamza al-Zubaydi is described by the U.S. as a prominent figure in the Zarqawi organization. Also captured in his home, letters, notes and sketches planning the assassination of a prominent Iraqi government official. The U.S. is not saying the name of that official.

The U.S. military clearly is ratcheting up its own information offensive. A new chart detailing Zarqawi's associates, killed, wanted and captured. And a U.S. military press release with the extraordinary statement that Zarqawi's captured driver told U.S. interrogators that Zarqawi became hysterical, Zarqawi did not know where he was on February 20 when he came close to being captured. The military has said detainee interrogation statements are classified intelligence.

So why now? One military officer told CNN, "We want to show people he is not 10 feet tall." Another said, "It's an effort to influence Iraqis."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STARR: So, Daryn, as U.S. military forces now press against those foreign fighters, what if they ever captured or killed Zarqawi? U.S. officials say that would put a dent in some of the most violent terrorist attacks going on inside Iraq, but they know it won't end it. Already, U.S. military intelligence looking to identify the key terrorist leaders that might step in and try and fill Zarqawi's shoes if he's ever captured or killed -- Daryn. KAGAN: And it seems like there's this big focus on the Syrian border as part of the foreign fighters that are coming into Iraq. What kind of cooperation are they getting from the Syrian government on that?

STARR: Well, top U.S. military officials, including General John Abizaid, the head of the U.S. Central Command, have said for months now that they have pressed the Syrians with very specific requests about shutting down that border and moving, again, some of those foreign fighters.

There has been, they say, some cooperation from the Syrian government. But they also say they want to see a lot more, that Syria has a long way to go -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr, live from the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you

STARR: Thank you.

KAGAN: President Bush is due in the Republic of Georgia this hour. His visits follows a remarkable day in Moscow. Sitting in the shadow of Lenin, the president marks 60 years since the end of World War II.

White House correspondent Dana Bash reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Cannons fired. The Soviet, now Russian anthem, plays.

In Red Square, hundreds of soldiers march lockstep, carrying flags bearing the hammer and sickle. Flower-holding veterans ride in vintage Soviet war vehicles. And next to Lenin's tomb in the reviewing stand, the American president, among the dozens of heads of state here, paying tribute to the 27 million Soviets killed in World War II.

An extraordinary gathering. Sitting side by side, the victors of 60 years ago and the adversaries they defeated, leaders from Germany, Japan, and Italy.

Open nostalgia for the Soviet war legacy, a seemingly awkward event for the president to attend, especially one hoping to make spreading democracy his legacy. But he's here to honor Russia's incredible sacrifice and show respect for his friend, Vladimir Putin.

Taking a seat of honor, Mr. Bush temporarily put aside increasingly public concern the Russian leader's retreating from democratic ideals.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There's a lot we can do together.

BASH: At one-on-one meetings the night before, Bush aides say he did press his fear Mr. Putin is backsliding on freedoms for Russians and trying to intimidate his neighbors moving toward democracy.

DAN BARTLETT, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: What President Bush's message is, is simple. Is that democracies are a good thing, that having democracies on your borders of Russia should be in the interests of the Russian people.

BASH: But this was a day to put aside differences about the course of the future, and instead, honor the past and the unknown soldiers who never returned from what the Russians call the great patriotic victory.

(on camera): Despite the public niceties, Russia is clearly irritated Mr. Bush is also visiting former Soviet states on this trip, publicly challenging Mr. Putin on democratic reform. The White House says the Russian leader is talking more about freedoms, but one top official admits is he yet to turn those words into deeds.

Dana Bash, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Back to our breaking news story happening in Liberty, Missouri, a school bus crash, also involving two other vehicles. On the phone with me right now, Lieutenant Mark Misenhelter of the Liberty County Police Department.

Lieutenant, thank you for joining us

LT. MARK MISENHELTER, LIBERTY, MISSOURI, POLICE: You're welcome, Daryn

KAGAN: What can you tell us about what took place I think about 8:00 a.m. your time this morning?

MISENHELTER: About 8:30 this morning. So we've been on the scene now for approximately 90 minutes.

We had a school bus with children on its way to an elementary school here in our city, at a major intersection here it veered off of the roadway for reasons that at this point in time still remain unknown. As it veered and left the roadway, it impacted two other vehicles that were on the other side of the intersection, striking both those vehicles and then pushing them off the roadway down into a ravine. The bus continued down into the ravine also, where it finally came to rest here on the south -- what would be the southwest corner of our intersection.

A lot of the children here have sustained some injury. I'm not sure the total count on the bus. But at this point in time, I think 15 have been transported.

I don't know the extent of their injuries. But two vehicles that were impacted by the school bus have heavy damage. And we have confirmed two fatalities at this point. I'm not certain, but I would believe they're probably in the vehicles that were impacted by the bus

KAGAN: So it's unclear if those fatalities, one in each car at this point?

MISENHELTER: It's unclear at this time. I'm -- preliminary information is there was only one other -- on person in each of these two vehicles that were impacted by the bus. Again, that's preliminary

KAGAN: And you're saying about 15 children taken to local hospitals. We had heard 30. But that number lower from what you know?

MISENHELTER: Well, it could be. The information at this point in time is still being gathered.

We've got a -- it's a large scene here. We've covered quite a bit of distance with the actual crash. And we've had a lot of parents come to the scene.

Some of the kids have been taken on to the school where they were going, those who were determined to be OK. But getting the official counts out right now and the official name list is still something we're working on.

KAGAN: Right. But now this new information we're getting from you, besides the fatalities in the two cars, a red car and it looks like a black truck, this is the first time we're hearing that it appears the school bus is the one that lost control and veered off the side of the road and plowed into these other two cars.

MISENHELTER: Yes, the initial information I have been given by our traffic officers here that were talking to witnesses and such indicate the school bus was coming down a hill approaching the intersection, and for whatever reason veered off of the roadway, not continuing on through the intersection, but veered to the right. Which then put it on a path to collide with the two vehicles that were eastbound at the intersection, striking them in the side and pushing them off of the roadway down into the ravine.

KAGAN: What's the status of the school bus driver?

MISENHELTER: I don't know. I've not heard if it's a male or a female. So I don't have information on the driver yet.

But this is one of the buses where it has the short front end. The driver sits right by the windshield, right on the front bumper. So it could have very well injured that person.

KAGAN: All right. Well, we will look for more information. But you did bring us new facts today. Lieutenant Mark Misenhelter from the Liberty County Police Department. Thank you for the latest on that bus crash situation in your city.

MISENHELTER: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: The Michael Jackson defense team continues its case today. Any bombshells ahead? A preview coming up next.

Also, a look to what happens to a child of same-sex parents after those parents break up. This exclusive story only here on CNN

And behind the scene with real-life crime scene investigators. We'll explore what happens when the investigation hits the ocean floor. "The Anatomy of Murder" ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Michael Jackson's defense team is expected to put Neverland employees on the stand today. Testimony resumes in a few minutes. Our Rusty Dornin gets us up to speed on the child molestation trial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After 10 weeks and more than 80 witnesses, it was no blockbuster finish for Michael Jackson prosecutors, say some legal analysts. But as the defense team launched its offense, it, too, came under fire.

First up were two young men, both boys during the early '90s, both originally from Australia. Both spent countless nights in Michael Jackson's bed. Both claimed absolutely nothing happened.

Their mothers and sisters followed them as witnesses. Also resolute in their convictions that nothing inappropriate happened with Michael Jackson at Neverland or anywhere else that would make them suspicious. Use of these defense witnesses could be a risky strategy according to some legal analysts.

CRAIG SMITH, FMR. PROSECUTOR: It's a good example of the perils and pitfalls of calling people who ultimately want to say nothing happened. To get to the "nothing happened," you have to go through "But I let my son" or "I stayed and slept with Michael Jackson in his bed." That is simply going to give the jurors a lot of pause.

DORNIN: When relatives claim nothing happened between the boys and Michael Jackson, prosecutors repeatedly asked the how could they know if it was behind Jackson's closed bedroom doors?

JIM MORET, LEGAL ANALYST: It seems incredible to think that the defense is the one putting on this evidence that you would -- you would suspect the prosecution would want to have come in, because it seems on its face to help the prosecution.

DORNIN: The defense did say at least 21 celebrities could be called to the stand, including actor Macaulay Culkin, who spent time as a youngster at the Neverland ranch and has previously said nothing happened.

Up next, four former and current Neverland employees are expected to testify. Sources also tell CNN that the defense Friday raised an issue regarding one of the jurors. The judge has not yet commented on that concern.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Santa Maria, California

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's check on weather across the country. Jacqui Jeras is here for us

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: In a moment, we're going to go for some real-life science behind some crime scene investigations. Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us into the world of forensics under water.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The science behind crime scene investigations is a popular subject for primetime entertainment. Now senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us to the next forensic frontier. He goes under water.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you watch the television drama "CSI Miami," you'll see plenty of water scenes, but little underwater investigating. There will be an occasional body in the water, but the detailed investigations the shows are known for rarely take place beneath the waves.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR, "CSI MIAMI": Eric, what've you got?

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR, "CSI MIAMI": Five bodies.

GUPTA: So is Hollywood accurately portraying reality? A few years ago, the answer would be yes.

But today, these instructors at Florida State University's underwater CSI program would beg to differ. They've built a program from scratch based on their experiences in law enforcement, criminology, forensics, even archaeology. There, students learn how to properly handle an underwater crime scene.

BANYAN PELHAM, FSU CSI TRAINING COORDINATOR: Well, an underwater crime scene before was basically just treated as a recovery. You'd go down, anything that looks like potential evidence, you bring it up.

GUPTA: The students are not your typical coeds. They are all accomplished divers who already work in law enforcement. On this day, they're following a missing-persons case. Because it is an active investigation, we can't get into the details.

MISSY ADAMS, UNDERWATER CSI STUDENT: This was a project that I came across in some of our older files, and is regarding a missing person, and we just came to do it as a school project.

TOM KELLEY, FSU UNDERWATER CSI: Our students are actually taken out on active crime scenes. In fact, all of our instructors are called in on a regular basis to assist police officers all over the state and actually all over the country.

GUPTA: For the Clarks, they learn how to use the latest technology, a GPS, a side-scan sonar to see the bottom of the pond. They even use a remote-operating vehicle, or ROV, which has a camera that can help show where evidence might be located.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, there it is. Drop the buoy. Drop the buoy. Yes, there's a barrel there, or a bucket.

GUPTA: The students find something they think might be important, so they send in the divers. A closer look, and it appears to be a barrel that could hold a body. But the day is running out, so they'll have to come back again for further inspection.

DALE NUTE, FSU CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSOR: You will spend a lot of time, a lot of preparation, a lot of resources, and possibly come up with negative results.

GUPTA: Another class studies how to properly document a case. The assignment is to find some boats that have been intentionally sunk in the bay.

MICHAEL ZINSZER, FSU UNDERWATER CSI: The same rules and requirements that are on land are also in the water. There is no changes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When we document a case, we're taking exact photographs and measurements of where the evidence is recovered or seen.

GUPTA: Sometimes that's easier said than done.

MARK FEULNER, FSU TECHNICAL ADVISER: No visibility. Like two, three feet. No visibility at all.

GUPTA: But that doesn't stop this team. They continue to measure and document the scene.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Literally, we call that diving by braille. If you can see your tape, you can take your measurement.

GUPTA: Back at the missing person case, the students have returned to the scene.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got her?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got her.

GUPTA: They've located and documented the barrel. It appears big enough for a body, so they bring it to shore.

So what was in that barrel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Empty as it can be. Well, you've got to look. You've got to check it.

GUPTA: The crime remains a mystery.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE; It just an old case, and we hope maybe some day we'll find something, but none of this is helpful to it.

GUPTA: The students learn a life lesson. Unlike on TV, investigations take more than an hour and aren't always solved.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And you can see more in a Dr. Sanjay Gupta primetime special. "Anatomy of Murder: Crime Scene Investigation" airs this Sunday, May 15, at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

And we want to go live -- to live pictures now in the Republic of Georgia to Slavici (ph). President Bush getting off the plane there. This is the last stop in his four-day, four-nation trip. He's visited Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia and now Georgia.

He -- we will have more. Well, he's getting off the plane. And we'll have more coverage from Georgia coming up

Also, other news ahead.

Authorities in Compton, California, are investigating a dramatic early morning shootout that was caught on tape. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(GUNFIRE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Authorities surrounded an SUV following a chase. They opened fire when the vehicle lurched -- appeared to be lurching forward.

Our Peter Viles is live now in Compton, California, with the rest of the story.

Peter, good morning

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, a lot of unanswered questions out here. And that videotape may hold the answer to some of them. But the early word from the sheriff's department here is that they fired on this vehicle because one of the deputies believed his life was in danger, that the guy driving this white vehicle was trying to run him down.

We don't really see that on the tape. What we see is what happens next. But a lot of unanswered questions.

I will tell you, the suspect who was shot is in good condition. And a sheriff's deputy was also shot. He is also in good condition.

It's not clear whether the suspect had a gun. He is going to be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, the weapon being the vehicle. But they haven't finished their investigation of the vehicle itself to find out if there was a gun inside of it.

But to date, they haven't said they thought he was firing on anybody, just that he was using the vehicle as a weapon. And that is reason in Los Angeles County for sheriff's -- sheriff's deputies to fire on the vehicle if they believe someone's life is in danger.

Again, you may not see it on the tape, but the early word is that there was a time when one of these deputies thought this guy was trying to run them down -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. We will have more from southern California ahead. Peter Viles, thank you.

We have a lot more news ahead, including more information on President Bush's trip overseas. That's just ahead.

Right now, a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired May 9, 2005 - 10:59   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."
Screeching tires, followed by gunfire, in Compton, California. Deputies surrounded a white SUV after a chase earlier this morning. When the vehicle appeared to lurch forward, authorities responded with a hail of gunfire. The driver and a deputy were wounded. We'll have more on the incident just ahead.

A fire official says two people died and nearly three dozen were injured when a school bus crashed into two cars in Missouri this morning. Officials say the two fatalities were the drivers of the two cares. Nearly all of the injured were elementary school students.

President Bush took part in VE Day ceremonies in Moscow today. Mr. Bush joined Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and other dignitaries at the military parade through Red Square. The celebration marked the 60th anniversary of the allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II

And gas prices take another tumble. We'll take that. They've fallen three cents over the past two weeks and more than seven cents in the past month. That's according to the national Lundberg survey. The downward trend reverses a spike in pump prices that started at the beginning of the year.

And we learned a few minutes ago Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, will delay the Gaza pullout by three weeks. Israeli really troops and settlers are now expected to leave mid-August. Sharon says the change was made to accommodate an annual religious mourning period in Israel.

And let's check the clock. 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. on the West. From CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first this hour, a new military offensive in the fight for Iraq. More violence erupted today, including a suicide bombing in Baghdad that killed at least four people. Now U.S. forces are waging a battle against insurgents in Iraq's Anbar Province.

Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us with more on the operation.

Barbara, good morning

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

U.S. Marines and other forces are beginning a major operation now in far western Iraq, trying to get to those foreign fighters near the Syrian border. What this reflects, Daryn, is a growing concern about the latest wave of violence in Iraq, that foreign fighters are having an impact. Listen to just this one statistic. We are told the number of car bomb attacks in April doubled -- doubled -- in Iraq since the month of February.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STARR (voice-over): U.S. Officials now have revealed that last week they captured the man who planned several bomb attacks that hit Baghdad April 29, part of a wave of rising violence. There is hope the arrest will bring them closer to getting Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian-born terrorist leader responsible for months of attacks.

The U.S. military estimates nearly 300 Iraqi civilians and security forces have been killed in the last 10 days. But senior officials insist their information is getting better. Each arrest now giving them more intelligence and more tips about Zarqawi.

BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: That intelligence allows you to plan future operations, which after conducting those operations also give you more intelligence. It's a virtuous cycle that's permitted us of late to take down a significant part of the Zarqawi network

STARR: The latest arrest? Mohammed Hamza al-Zubaydi is described by the U.S. as a prominent figure in the Zarqawi organization. Also captured in his home, letters, notes and sketches planning the assassination of a prominent Iraqi government official. The U.S. is not saying the name of that official.

The U.S. military clearly is ratcheting up its own information offensive. A new chart detailing Zarqawi's associates, killed, wanted and captured. And a U.S. military press release with the extraordinary statement that Zarqawi's captured driver told U.S. interrogators that Zarqawi became hysterical, Zarqawi did not know where he was on February 20 when he came close to being captured. The military has said detainee interrogation statements are classified intelligence.

So why now? One military officer told CNN, "We want to show people he is not 10 feet tall." Another said, "It's an effort to influence Iraqis."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STARR: So, Daryn, as U.S. military forces now press against those foreign fighters, what if they ever captured or killed Zarqawi? U.S. officials say that would put a dent in some of the most violent terrorist attacks going on inside Iraq, but they know it won't end it. Already, U.S. military intelligence looking to identify the key terrorist leaders that might step in and try and fill Zarqawi's shoes if he's ever captured or killed -- Daryn. KAGAN: And it seems like there's this big focus on the Syrian border as part of the foreign fighters that are coming into Iraq. What kind of cooperation are they getting from the Syrian government on that?

STARR: Well, top U.S. military officials, including General John Abizaid, the head of the U.S. Central Command, have said for months now that they have pressed the Syrians with very specific requests about shutting down that border and moving, again, some of those foreign fighters.

There has been, they say, some cooperation from the Syrian government. But they also say they want to see a lot more, that Syria has a long way to go -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr, live from the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you

STARR: Thank you.

KAGAN: President Bush is due in the Republic of Georgia this hour. His visits follows a remarkable day in Moscow. Sitting in the shadow of Lenin, the president marks 60 years since the end of World War II.

White House correspondent Dana Bash reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Cannons fired. The Soviet, now Russian anthem, plays.

In Red Square, hundreds of soldiers march lockstep, carrying flags bearing the hammer and sickle. Flower-holding veterans ride in vintage Soviet war vehicles. And next to Lenin's tomb in the reviewing stand, the American president, among the dozens of heads of state here, paying tribute to the 27 million Soviets killed in World War II.

An extraordinary gathering. Sitting side by side, the victors of 60 years ago and the adversaries they defeated, leaders from Germany, Japan, and Italy.

Open nostalgia for the Soviet war legacy, a seemingly awkward event for the president to attend, especially one hoping to make spreading democracy his legacy. But he's here to honor Russia's incredible sacrifice and show respect for his friend, Vladimir Putin.

Taking a seat of honor, Mr. Bush temporarily put aside increasingly public concern the Russian leader's retreating from democratic ideals.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There's a lot we can do together.

BASH: At one-on-one meetings the night before, Bush aides say he did press his fear Mr. Putin is backsliding on freedoms for Russians and trying to intimidate his neighbors moving toward democracy.

DAN BARTLETT, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: What President Bush's message is, is simple. Is that democracies are a good thing, that having democracies on your borders of Russia should be in the interests of the Russian people.

BASH: But this was a day to put aside differences about the course of the future, and instead, honor the past and the unknown soldiers who never returned from what the Russians call the great patriotic victory.

(on camera): Despite the public niceties, Russia is clearly irritated Mr. Bush is also visiting former Soviet states on this trip, publicly challenging Mr. Putin on democratic reform. The White House says the Russian leader is talking more about freedoms, but one top official admits is he yet to turn those words into deeds.

Dana Bash, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Back to our breaking news story happening in Liberty, Missouri, a school bus crash, also involving two other vehicles. On the phone with me right now, Lieutenant Mark Misenhelter of the Liberty County Police Department.

Lieutenant, thank you for joining us

LT. MARK MISENHELTER, LIBERTY, MISSOURI, POLICE: You're welcome, Daryn

KAGAN: What can you tell us about what took place I think about 8:00 a.m. your time this morning?

MISENHELTER: About 8:30 this morning. So we've been on the scene now for approximately 90 minutes.

We had a school bus with children on its way to an elementary school here in our city, at a major intersection here it veered off of the roadway for reasons that at this point in time still remain unknown. As it veered and left the roadway, it impacted two other vehicles that were on the other side of the intersection, striking both those vehicles and then pushing them off the roadway down into a ravine. The bus continued down into the ravine also, where it finally came to rest here on the south -- what would be the southwest corner of our intersection.

A lot of the children here have sustained some injury. I'm not sure the total count on the bus. But at this point in time, I think 15 have been transported.

I don't know the extent of their injuries. But two vehicles that were impacted by the school bus have heavy damage. And we have confirmed two fatalities at this point. I'm not certain, but I would believe they're probably in the vehicles that were impacted by the bus

KAGAN: So it's unclear if those fatalities, one in each car at this point?

MISENHELTER: It's unclear at this time. I'm -- preliminary information is there was only one other -- on person in each of these two vehicles that were impacted by the bus. Again, that's preliminary

KAGAN: And you're saying about 15 children taken to local hospitals. We had heard 30. But that number lower from what you know?

MISENHELTER: Well, it could be. The information at this point in time is still being gathered.

We've got a -- it's a large scene here. We've covered quite a bit of distance with the actual crash. And we've had a lot of parents come to the scene.

Some of the kids have been taken on to the school where they were going, those who were determined to be OK. But getting the official counts out right now and the official name list is still something we're working on.

KAGAN: Right. But now this new information we're getting from you, besides the fatalities in the two cars, a red car and it looks like a black truck, this is the first time we're hearing that it appears the school bus is the one that lost control and veered off the side of the road and plowed into these other two cars.

MISENHELTER: Yes, the initial information I have been given by our traffic officers here that were talking to witnesses and such indicate the school bus was coming down a hill approaching the intersection, and for whatever reason veered off of the roadway, not continuing on through the intersection, but veered to the right. Which then put it on a path to collide with the two vehicles that were eastbound at the intersection, striking them in the side and pushing them off of the roadway down into the ravine.

KAGAN: What's the status of the school bus driver?

MISENHELTER: I don't know. I've not heard if it's a male or a female. So I don't have information on the driver yet.

But this is one of the buses where it has the short front end. The driver sits right by the windshield, right on the front bumper. So it could have very well injured that person.

KAGAN: All right. Well, we will look for more information. But you did bring us new facts today. Lieutenant Mark Misenhelter from the Liberty County Police Department. Thank you for the latest on that bus crash situation in your city.

MISENHELTER: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: The Michael Jackson defense team continues its case today. Any bombshells ahead? A preview coming up next.

Also, a look to what happens to a child of same-sex parents after those parents break up. This exclusive story only here on CNN

And behind the scene with real-life crime scene investigators. We'll explore what happens when the investigation hits the ocean floor. "The Anatomy of Murder" ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

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KAGAN: Michael Jackson's defense team is expected to put Neverland employees on the stand today. Testimony resumes in a few minutes. Our Rusty Dornin gets us up to speed on the child molestation trial.

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RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After 10 weeks and more than 80 witnesses, it was no blockbuster finish for Michael Jackson prosecutors, say some legal analysts. But as the defense team launched its offense, it, too, came under fire.

First up were two young men, both boys during the early '90s, both originally from Australia. Both spent countless nights in Michael Jackson's bed. Both claimed absolutely nothing happened.

Their mothers and sisters followed them as witnesses. Also resolute in their convictions that nothing inappropriate happened with Michael Jackson at Neverland or anywhere else that would make them suspicious. Use of these defense witnesses could be a risky strategy according to some legal analysts.

CRAIG SMITH, FMR. PROSECUTOR: It's a good example of the perils and pitfalls of calling people who ultimately want to say nothing happened. To get to the "nothing happened," you have to go through "But I let my son" or "I stayed and slept with Michael Jackson in his bed." That is simply going to give the jurors a lot of pause.

DORNIN: When relatives claim nothing happened between the boys and Michael Jackson, prosecutors repeatedly asked the how could they know if it was behind Jackson's closed bedroom doors?

JIM MORET, LEGAL ANALYST: It seems incredible to think that the defense is the one putting on this evidence that you would -- you would suspect the prosecution would want to have come in, because it seems on its face to help the prosecution.

DORNIN: The defense did say at least 21 celebrities could be called to the stand, including actor Macaulay Culkin, who spent time as a youngster at the Neverland ranch and has previously said nothing happened.

Up next, four former and current Neverland employees are expected to testify. Sources also tell CNN that the defense Friday raised an issue regarding one of the jurors. The judge has not yet commented on that concern.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Santa Maria, California

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KAGAN: Let's check on weather across the country. Jacqui Jeras is here for us

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KAGAN: In a moment, we're going to go for some real-life science behind some crime scene investigations. Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us into the world of forensics under water.

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KAGAN: The science behind crime scene investigations is a popular subject for primetime entertainment. Now senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us to the next forensic frontier. He goes under water.

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DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you watch the television drama "CSI Miami," you'll see plenty of water scenes, but little underwater investigating. There will be an occasional body in the water, but the detailed investigations the shows are known for rarely take place beneath the waves.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR, "CSI MIAMI": Eric, what've you got?

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR, "CSI MIAMI": Five bodies.

GUPTA: So is Hollywood accurately portraying reality? A few years ago, the answer would be yes.

But today, these instructors at Florida State University's underwater CSI program would beg to differ. They've built a program from scratch based on their experiences in law enforcement, criminology, forensics, even archaeology. There, students learn how to properly handle an underwater crime scene.

BANYAN PELHAM, FSU CSI TRAINING COORDINATOR: Well, an underwater crime scene before was basically just treated as a recovery. You'd go down, anything that looks like potential evidence, you bring it up.

GUPTA: The students are not your typical coeds. They are all accomplished divers who already work in law enforcement. On this day, they're following a missing-persons case. Because it is an active investigation, we can't get into the details.

MISSY ADAMS, UNDERWATER CSI STUDENT: This was a project that I came across in some of our older files, and is regarding a missing person, and we just came to do it as a school project.

TOM KELLEY, FSU UNDERWATER CSI: Our students are actually taken out on active crime scenes. In fact, all of our instructors are called in on a regular basis to assist police officers all over the state and actually all over the country.

GUPTA: For the Clarks, they learn how to use the latest technology, a GPS, a side-scan sonar to see the bottom of the pond. They even use a remote-operating vehicle, or ROV, which has a camera that can help show where evidence might be located.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, there it is. Drop the buoy. Drop the buoy. Yes, there's a barrel there, or a bucket.

GUPTA: The students find something they think might be important, so they send in the divers. A closer look, and it appears to be a barrel that could hold a body. But the day is running out, so they'll have to come back again for further inspection.

DALE NUTE, FSU CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSOR: You will spend a lot of time, a lot of preparation, a lot of resources, and possibly come up with negative results.

GUPTA: Another class studies how to properly document a case. The assignment is to find some boats that have been intentionally sunk in the bay.

MICHAEL ZINSZER, FSU UNDERWATER CSI: The same rules and requirements that are on land are also in the water. There is no changes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When we document a case, we're taking exact photographs and measurements of where the evidence is recovered or seen.

GUPTA: Sometimes that's easier said than done.

MARK FEULNER, FSU TECHNICAL ADVISER: No visibility. Like two, three feet. No visibility at all.

GUPTA: But that doesn't stop this team. They continue to measure and document the scene.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Literally, we call that diving by braille. If you can see your tape, you can take your measurement.

GUPTA: Back at the missing person case, the students have returned to the scene.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got her?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got her.

GUPTA: They've located and documented the barrel. It appears big enough for a body, so they bring it to shore.

So what was in that barrel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Empty as it can be. Well, you've got to look. You've got to check it.

GUPTA: The crime remains a mystery.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE; It just an old case, and we hope maybe some day we'll find something, but none of this is helpful to it.

GUPTA: The students learn a life lesson. Unlike on TV, investigations take more than an hour and aren't always solved.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

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KAGAN: And you can see more in a Dr. Sanjay Gupta primetime special. "Anatomy of Murder: Crime Scene Investigation" airs this Sunday, May 15, at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

And we want to go live -- to live pictures now in the Republic of Georgia to Slavici (ph). President Bush getting off the plane there. This is the last stop in his four-day, four-nation trip. He's visited Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia and now Georgia.

He -- we will have more. Well, he's getting off the plane. And we'll have more coverage from Georgia coming up

Also, other news ahead.

Authorities in Compton, California, are investigating a dramatic early morning shootout that was caught on tape. Listen to this.

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KAGAN: Authorities surrounded an SUV following a chase. They opened fire when the vehicle lurched -- appeared to be lurching forward.

Our Peter Viles is live now in Compton, California, with the rest of the story.

Peter, good morning

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, a lot of unanswered questions out here. And that videotape may hold the answer to some of them. But the early word from the sheriff's department here is that they fired on this vehicle because one of the deputies believed his life was in danger, that the guy driving this white vehicle was trying to run him down.

We don't really see that on the tape. What we see is what happens next. But a lot of unanswered questions.

I will tell you, the suspect who was shot is in good condition. And a sheriff's deputy was also shot. He is also in good condition.

It's not clear whether the suspect had a gun. He is going to be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, the weapon being the vehicle. But they haven't finished their investigation of the vehicle itself to find out if there was a gun inside of it.

But to date, they haven't said they thought he was firing on anybody, just that he was using the vehicle as a weapon. And that is reason in Los Angeles County for sheriff's -- sheriff's deputies to fire on the vehicle if they believe someone's life is in danger.

Again, you may not see it on the tape, but the early word is that there was a time when one of these deputies thought this guy was trying to run them down -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. We will have more from southern California ahead. Peter Viles, thank you.

We have a lot more news ahead, including more information on President Bush's trip overseas. That's just ahead.

Right now, a quick break.

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