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Runaway Bride Faces Charges in Georgia; U.S. Military Aims at Syrian Border

Aired May 25, 2005 - 11:30   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: The Senate is expected to vote soon on the nomination of Judge Priscilla Owen. She's the first of President Bush's stalled judicial nominees to get a floor vote. The action follows a Senate deal that allowed votes on some of the other judges. Other nominations won't move forward.
Iowa Senator Charles Grassley doesn't want Washington boosting your sex life. He wants a ban on tax dollars for sex performance drugs. Grassley calls -- that call follows revelations that sex offenders were receiving Viagra through Medicaid.

Convicted killer Gregory Johnson was executed today in Indiana. He had sought a reprieve so that his liver could be donated to his ailing sister. The state refused. It said that Hepatitis B made Johnson an unsuitable donor.

And British pub owners are putting curbs on happy hour. They say they want to cut down on irresponsible drinking. Happy hour promotion such as free or half price drinks are likely to dry up.

Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.

KAGAN: And let's go back now to the Jennifer Wilbanks story. She is best known across the country as the so-called runaway bride. She'll now face charges in that case. As for restitution, the city of Duluth estimates that it spent more than $40,000 looking for Wilbanks.

Duluth Mayor Shirley Lasseter joins us now with her reaction to today's announcement by the Gwinnett County prosecutor. Madam Mayor, good morning.

MAYOR SHIRLEY LASSETER, DULUTH, GEORGIA: Good morning to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: What do you think about the charges that Danny Porter is going after Jennifer Wilbanks?

LASSETER: Well, I think I was a little stunned they went for both of the felony as well as the misdemeanor. But we just don't underestimate the grand jury. They are very thorough and do what they believe is to be justice.

KAGAN: I think in the business that's what they call throwing the book at her. Do you think it's appropriate to have those strong of charges, including the felony charge? It could be five or six years in prison, as well as thousands of dollars in fines. LASSETER: I believe that they will come to an agreement of some sort and that -- I think that what probably the grand jury did was to give them an option of both. But as to what they are going to -- the outcome will be, I have absolutely no idea. That's totally within the realm of the district attorney.

KAGAN: Got it. Now, within your realm, is coming with some kind of settlement with Jennifer Wilbanks and your city. You're asking for $43,000. As I understand it, her attorneys are offering $14,000, saying that would cover overtime. What do you think of their offer?

LASSETER: That is correct. They have countered back with $13,000 plus, which actually covers the overtime hours and out-of- pocket expense for food and clothing -- or food and gas and things like that. It's a difference between 400 hours, which were overtime, and 1,600 hours, which were expended through our police department and city hall for the four-day search.

KAGAN: Any kind of sympathy you're hearing for Jennifer Wilbanks in your office, Madam Mayor? I mean, this is a young woman who has come out and said she has some problems to deal with. She has checked herself into a psychiatric facility. At what point -- or do you hear any kind of sympathy that you know, it's a young woman with a lot of problems and she doesn't need this on top of it?

LASSETER: Well, we don't hear anything from Jennifer herself at all. I think a lot of people certainly would like for her to receive some help, and I believe that that is what her family is doing at this point in time, according to her attorney. That she wanted to be able to get over there in a private setting, was what we were told. And that is the reason she's not coming out in public.

We've got mixed emotions. I think most of the world now would like to see this over. But also I think that they know that for every behavior, there is going to be some type of justification. And I know this has happened in the past, so that this time she will have to face for what she has done. Hopefully it will not be jail time. But I have absolutely no idea what they will do.

KAGAN: All right. It has been a busy year for you and your city. A lot of media attention, a lot of stories ending up there. Madam Mayor Shirley Lasseter, thank you for your time this morning.

LASSETER: Thank you.

KAGAN: Other news today. Amnesty International releases its human rights report today. You're going to find out what they're saying about President Bush, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and the war on terror.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A new crackdown in Iraq to tell you about this morning. The U.S. military is aiming its fire power at insurgents near the Syrian border.

CNN correspondent Ryan Chilcote is watching that and other developments in Baghdad today. Ryan, hello.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

Well, the U.S. military is on the offensive again. This time, it's called Operation New Market. The offensive is taking place in the city of Haditha. That's about 130 miles west of Baghdad, about halfway in between the Iraqi capital and the Syrian border. It's mainly a marine operation. The marines say that they have been in and around Haditha for the last three months, but over the last month, they've seen the insurgents pick up their operations there. That's why they decided to stage this offensive.

They say they went in just before dawn. The marines say they believe that they maintained the element of surprise, surprising the insurgents in there. They say there was already at least two fire fights today in which they are reporting that they killed some ten insurgents. They're also saying that two marines were wounded in the fighting there today.

Meanwhile, the insurgents keeping up their attacks in the Iraqi capital. Just a short while ago, a suicide bomber, according to the Iraqi police, apparently trying to target Iraqi police. Drove his car close to their convoy, instead, according to eyewitnesses, ramming it into a Mercedes. Still, it was quite devastating. Iraqi police telling us that at least one civilian was killed in that attack and another eight policemen wounded.

And then just a short while after that, according to the Iraqi police, another attack involving a car bomb. It's not clear if this one was detonated by a suicide bomber or a remote detonation. In any case, the target this time was a U.S. military convoy.

No word on U.S. casualties. However, we do know, according to the Iraqi police, that at least one civilian was killed in that attack and another eight wounded. And the police are also saying that they saw two U.S. military helicopters landing in that area, perhaps, of course, as part of an evacuation effort -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ryan, let me ask you about the story we first heard about on this show at this time yesterday, and that is Internet reports that the number one terror suspect in Iraq, Abu Musab al Zarqawi, has been injured. What kind of play is that getting in Baghdad?

CHILCOTE: It's getting all kinds of play. The U.S. military and the Iraqi military, as they have always said -- because this is not the first time we've heard rumors about this -- are saying they simply don't know. Iraqis, when asked, are saying they hope it's true. Obviously a lot of Iraqis here feel that Abu Musab al Zarqawi and the terrorism that he has been carrying out in this country is -- someone that is not dear to them and they welcome this news.

Meanwhile, we're also hearing that some people connected to the insurgency are taking this really as no surprise. They already believed that Abu Musab Al Zarqawi may have been injured, perhaps as long as a month ago, just before Operation Matador. That was the U.S. military's most recent offensive there. So different reactions. At this point, though, it's still rumor, not able to confirm it yet --- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Ryan Chilcote, live from Baghdad, thank you.

Back here to the U.S., where a human right group issued its annual report, and says the U.S. is a top offender. Amnesty International accuses President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld of being among the leading architects of torture. The report also says, quote, Congress must appoint an impartial and independent commission to investigate the masterminds of the atrocious human rights violations at Abu Ghraib and other detention centers. A Pentagon spokesman maintains that the U.S. treats prisoners humanely and continues to be a leader in human rights.

Question for you, is there any link between walking and surviving breast cancer? The full health details are coming up in our "Daily Dose" segment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Some health headlines for you this morning. A new study finds that breast cancer survivors may be able to cut in half their risk of dying simply by walking. Researchers say that walking just three to five hours a week seemed to offer the benefit. The study authors say that exercise may cut the risk, because it lowers blood levels of hormones linked to the disease.

A traffic jam in Kansas City forced one family to make a choice on the way to the delivery room. The parents-to-be, they just kind of ran out of time, and the child was born on the side of the road. A quick-thinking highway trooper called in for help, and the eight- pound, three-ounce baby was born without any more complications, anymore than being born on the side of the road.

It is baby times four for the Reedla (ph) family in Houston. Alphabetical order for you: Adele, Bonnie, Chloe, and Daphne. But who's who is anybody's guess. The girls are identical quads. Mom plans to use coded ankle bracelets to tell the babies apart. No drugs. No in vitro here. These quads are the real deal.

And let's not forget number five. Fifteen-month-old Logan is waiting for her sisters to come home this week. Oh boy, five girls under the age of two.

To get your "Daily Dose" of health news online, log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

It is a record for new home sales. Susan Lisovicz has that story coming up in business, plus the latest on the markets, after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's making news overseas this morning. A small truck bombing in Madrid today. Authorities say the separatist group ETA is behind the attack. Police say that ETA called ahead, giving authorities a warning. That gave authorities time to seal off the area. Still, several people were hurt by flying glass.

Protesters in Bolivia are threatening to storm Congress today. They're demanding the government take over the oil and gas industries. The protesters are mostly peasants who want a share of the profits. They're getting supports from miners, teacher and students. Police fired tear gas to keep the crowd this check.

And archaeologists in India are showing off a rare find. It is a statue of a female Buddhist monk. The sixth-century relic depicts Aratika (ph). Legend has it that she killed babies until Buddha turned the tables and kidnapped her own child. Aratika then became a remorseful monk.

Let's find out what's coming up for you at the top of the hour on "NEWS FROM CNN." Wolf Blitzer is in Washington. Hi, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Daryn. Thanks very much.

A busy hour ahead on "NEWS FROM CNN." Among other things, the United States Senate preparing a vote on that controversial nomination of Judge Priscilla Owen. The vote expected next hour. We'll go live to Capitol Hill as it unfolds.

Also, behind the headlines of the stem cell debate. Coming up, I'll speak live with two key members of the Congress. They have a personal stake in what happens, but they're on opposite sides of this extremely emotional debate.

Please watch for those stories, much more, coming up at the top of the hour on "NEWS FROM CNN." In the meantime, Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: All right, Wolf, thank you for that.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: Other numbers we want to check from the weather department, and we'll do that right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN.COM CORRESPONDENT: It this fourth season of "American Idol." Is the hit TV talent show looking too much like a soap opera? at CNN.com, the details in "As the American Idol Turns."

From Paula Abdul's alleged affair with a contestant, to a phone line debacle that led to a re-vote, fans have been tuning into see to more than just who will be voted off. To find out about those who left the show early, as well as those who made it all the way, go to our "Where Are They Now?" gallery, which highlights the whereabouts of the winners and the losers.

Speaking of winners, Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard aren't the only one who have used talent shows to find pop chart success. Click through this interactive for other crooners in history that have done the same, like Patsy Cline, who appeared on a popular TV talent competition in 1957 and stole the show of her rendition of "Walking After Midnight."

The next "American Idol": Do you think it should be Bo Bice or Carrie Underwood? You can log on and weigh in in our quick vote. And you can find it all online at CNN.com/showbiz.

From the dot-com news desk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: All right, Bo or Carrie? That's what people are talking about today.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Meanwhile, I hear there's some other news happening in the world. And Wolf Blitzer's going to handle that. I'm Daryn Kagan. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Hi, Wolf.

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 May 25, 2005 - 11:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The Senate is expected to vote soon on the nomination of Judge Priscilla Owen. She's the first of President Bush's stalled judicial nominees to get a floor vote. The action follows a Senate deal that allowed votes on some of the other judges. Other nominations won't move forward.
Iowa Senator Charles Grassley doesn't want Washington boosting your sex life. He wants a ban on tax dollars for sex performance drugs. Grassley calls -- that call follows revelations that sex offenders were receiving Viagra through Medicaid.

Convicted killer Gregory Johnson was executed today in Indiana. He had sought a reprieve so that his liver could be donated to his ailing sister. The state refused. It said that Hepatitis B made Johnson an unsuitable donor.

And British pub owners are putting curbs on happy hour. They say they want to cut down on irresponsible drinking. Happy hour promotion such as free or half price drinks are likely to dry up.

Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.

KAGAN: And let's go back now to the Jennifer Wilbanks story. She is best known across the country as the so-called runaway bride. She'll now face charges in that case. As for restitution, the city of Duluth estimates that it spent more than $40,000 looking for Wilbanks.

Duluth Mayor Shirley Lasseter joins us now with her reaction to today's announcement by the Gwinnett County prosecutor. Madam Mayor, good morning.

MAYOR SHIRLEY LASSETER, DULUTH, GEORGIA: Good morning to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: What do you think about the charges that Danny Porter is going after Jennifer Wilbanks?

LASSETER: Well, I think I was a little stunned they went for both of the felony as well as the misdemeanor. But we just don't underestimate the grand jury. They are very thorough and do what they believe is to be justice.

KAGAN: I think in the business that's what they call throwing the book at her. Do you think it's appropriate to have those strong of charges, including the felony charge? It could be five or six years in prison, as well as thousands of dollars in fines. LASSETER: I believe that they will come to an agreement of some sort and that -- I think that what probably the grand jury did was to give them an option of both. But as to what they are going to -- the outcome will be, I have absolutely no idea. That's totally within the realm of the district attorney.

KAGAN: Got it. Now, within your realm, is coming with some kind of settlement with Jennifer Wilbanks and your city. You're asking for $43,000. As I understand it, her attorneys are offering $14,000, saying that would cover overtime. What do you think of their offer?

LASSETER: That is correct. They have countered back with $13,000 plus, which actually covers the overtime hours and out-of- pocket expense for food and clothing -- or food and gas and things like that. It's a difference between 400 hours, which were overtime, and 1,600 hours, which were expended through our police department and city hall for the four-day search.

KAGAN: Any kind of sympathy you're hearing for Jennifer Wilbanks in your office, Madam Mayor? I mean, this is a young woman who has come out and said she has some problems to deal with. She has checked herself into a psychiatric facility. At what point -- or do you hear any kind of sympathy that you know, it's a young woman with a lot of problems and she doesn't need this on top of it?

LASSETER: Well, we don't hear anything from Jennifer herself at all. I think a lot of people certainly would like for her to receive some help, and I believe that that is what her family is doing at this point in time, according to her attorney. That she wanted to be able to get over there in a private setting, was what we were told. And that is the reason she's not coming out in public.

We've got mixed emotions. I think most of the world now would like to see this over. But also I think that they know that for every behavior, there is going to be some type of justification. And I know this has happened in the past, so that this time she will have to face for what she has done. Hopefully it will not be jail time. But I have absolutely no idea what they will do.

KAGAN: All right. It has been a busy year for you and your city. A lot of media attention, a lot of stories ending up there. Madam Mayor Shirley Lasseter, thank you for your time this morning.

LASSETER: Thank you.

KAGAN: Other news today. Amnesty International releases its human rights report today. You're going to find out what they're saying about President Bush, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and the war on terror.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A new crackdown in Iraq to tell you about this morning. The U.S. military is aiming its fire power at insurgents near the Syrian border.

CNN correspondent Ryan Chilcote is watching that and other developments in Baghdad today. Ryan, hello.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

Well, the U.S. military is on the offensive again. This time, it's called Operation New Market. The offensive is taking place in the city of Haditha. That's about 130 miles west of Baghdad, about halfway in between the Iraqi capital and the Syrian border. It's mainly a marine operation. The marines say that they have been in and around Haditha for the last three months, but over the last month, they've seen the insurgents pick up their operations there. That's why they decided to stage this offensive.

They say they went in just before dawn. The marines say they believe that they maintained the element of surprise, surprising the insurgents in there. They say there was already at least two fire fights today in which they are reporting that they killed some ten insurgents. They're also saying that two marines were wounded in the fighting there today.

Meanwhile, the insurgents keeping up their attacks in the Iraqi capital. Just a short while ago, a suicide bomber, according to the Iraqi police, apparently trying to target Iraqi police. Drove his car close to their convoy, instead, according to eyewitnesses, ramming it into a Mercedes. Still, it was quite devastating. Iraqi police telling us that at least one civilian was killed in that attack and another eight policemen wounded.

And then just a short while after that, according to the Iraqi police, another attack involving a car bomb. It's not clear if this one was detonated by a suicide bomber or a remote detonation. In any case, the target this time was a U.S. military convoy.

No word on U.S. casualties. However, we do know, according to the Iraqi police, that at least one civilian was killed in that attack and another eight wounded. And the police are also saying that they saw two U.S. military helicopters landing in that area, perhaps, of course, as part of an evacuation effort -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ryan, let me ask you about the story we first heard about on this show at this time yesterday, and that is Internet reports that the number one terror suspect in Iraq, Abu Musab al Zarqawi, has been injured. What kind of play is that getting in Baghdad?

CHILCOTE: It's getting all kinds of play. The U.S. military and the Iraqi military, as they have always said -- because this is not the first time we've heard rumors about this -- are saying they simply don't know. Iraqis, when asked, are saying they hope it's true. Obviously a lot of Iraqis here feel that Abu Musab al Zarqawi and the terrorism that he has been carrying out in this country is -- someone that is not dear to them and they welcome this news.

Meanwhile, we're also hearing that some people connected to the insurgency are taking this really as no surprise. They already believed that Abu Musab Al Zarqawi may have been injured, perhaps as long as a month ago, just before Operation Matador. That was the U.S. military's most recent offensive there. So different reactions. At this point, though, it's still rumor, not able to confirm it yet --- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Ryan Chilcote, live from Baghdad, thank you.

Back here to the U.S., where a human right group issued its annual report, and says the U.S. is a top offender. Amnesty International accuses President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld of being among the leading architects of torture. The report also says, quote, Congress must appoint an impartial and independent commission to investigate the masterminds of the atrocious human rights violations at Abu Ghraib and other detention centers. A Pentagon spokesman maintains that the U.S. treats prisoners humanely and continues to be a leader in human rights.

Question for you, is there any link between walking and surviving breast cancer? The full health details are coming up in our "Daily Dose" segment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Some health headlines for you this morning. A new study finds that breast cancer survivors may be able to cut in half their risk of dying simply by walking. Researchers say that walking just three to five hours a week seemed to offer the benefit. The study authors say that exercise may cut the risk, because it lowers blood levels of hormones linked to the disease.

A traffic jam in Kansas City forced one family to make a choice on the way to the delivery room. The parents-to-be, they just kind of ran out of time, and the child was born on the side of the road. A quick-thinking highway trooper called in for help, and the eight- pound, three-ounce baby was born without any more complications, anymore than being born on the side of the road.

It is baby times four for the Reedla (ph) family in Houston. Alphabetical order for you: Adele, Bonnie, Chloe, and Daphne. But who's who is anybody's guess. The girls are identical quads. Mom plans to use coded ankle bracelets to tell the babies apart. No drugs. No in vitro here. These quads are the real deal.

And let's not forget number five. Fifteen-month-old Logan is waiting for her sisters to come home this week. Oh boy, five girls under the age of two.

To get your "Daily Dose" of health news online, log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

It is a record for new home sales. Susan Lisovicz has that story coming up in business, plus the latest on the markets, after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's making news overseas this morning. A small truck bombing in Madrid today. Authorities say the separatist group ETA is behind the attack. Police say that ETA called ahead, giving authorities a warning. That gave authorities time to seal off the area. Still, several people were hurt by flying glass.

Protesters in Bolivia are threatening to storm Congress today. They're demanding the government take over the oil and gas industries. The protesters are mostly peasants who want a share of the profits. They're getting supports from miners, teacher and students. Police fired tear gas to keep the crowd this check.

And archaeologists in India are showing off a rare find. It is a statue of a female Buddhist monk. The sixth-century relic depicts Aratika (ph). Legend has it that she killed babies until Buddha turned the tables and kidnapped her own child. Aratika then became a remorseful monk.

Let's find out what's coming up for you at the top of the hour on "NEWS FROM CNN." Wolf Blitzer is in Washington. Hi, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Daryn. Thanks very much.

A busy hour ahead on "NEWS FROM CNN." Among other things, the United States Senate preparing a vote on that controversial nomination of Judge Priscilla Owen. The vote expected next hour. We'll go live to Capitol Hill as it unfolds.

Also, behind the headlines of the stem cell debate. Coming up, I'll speak live with two key members of the Congress. They have a personal stake in what happens, but they're on opposite sides of this extremely emotional debate.

Please watch for those stories, much more, coming up at the top of the hour on "NEWS FROM CNN." In the meantime, Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: All right, Wolf, thank you for that.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: Other numbers we want to check from the weather department, and we'll do that right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN.COM CORRESPONDENT: It this fourth season of "American Idol." Is the hit TV talent show looking too much like a soap opera? at CNN.com, the details in "As the American Idol Turns."

From Paula Abdul's alleged affair with a contestant, to a phone line debacle that led to a re-vote, fans have been tuning into see to more than just who will be voted off. To find out about those who left the show early, as well as those who made it all the way, go to our "Where Are They Now?" gallery, which highlights the whereabouts of the winners and the losers.

Speaking of winners, Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard aren't the only one who have used talent shows to find pop chart success. Click through this interactive for other crooners in history that have done the same, like Patsy Cline, who appeared on a popular TV talent competition in 1957 and stole the show of her rendition of "Walking After Midnight."

The next "American Idol": Do you think it should be Bo Bice or Carrie Underwood? You can log on and weigh in in our quick vote. And you can find it all online at CNN.com/showbiz.

From the dot-com news desk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: All right, Bo or Carrie? That's what people are talking about today.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Meanwhile, I hear there's some other news happening in the world. And Wolf Blitzer's going to handle that. I'm Daryn Kagan. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Hi, Wolf.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com