Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Reagan National Airport Opens to Private Planes; Jackson Defense Prepares to Rest
Aired May 25, 2005 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now the rest of the news. Lionel Tate, who made headlines six years ago as the youngest person to be sentenced to life in prison, is back in court. Tate, who is now 18 and on probation, is accused of pulling a gun on a pizza deliveryman in Pembroke Park, Florida. His attorney says Tate was in the area, but had absolutely nothing to do with the crime.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM LEWIS, LIONEL TATE'S ATTORNEY: This is still an 18-year-old very young man who's doing quite well, who graduated from school, was going to cooking school, was putting his life back together. And it's just a real shame now that this has come up. But quite frankly, I think too many people are rushing to judgment and I think when all the facts are in, we're going to find out he didn't do this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: A hearing for Tate was set this morning. No word yet on the outcome there, but we'll keep you posted.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In a CNN "Security Watch" this morning, Reagan National Airport going to be open to private planes for the first time since 9/11. But the flights must first pass a number of rigorous security measures.
Jeanne Meserve, live for us from Reagan National Airport with some details. Jeanne, good morning.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
Congressional and aviation sources say general aviation could resume here at Reagan National within 90 days, but under very tight restrictions. According to an aviation source familiar with the regulations that are expected to be announced today, only 48 operations a day will be allowed in and out of the general operations portion of Reagan National. That would be 24 landings and 24 take- offs.
All aircraft flying into Reagan National and would have to go through one of 12 gateway airports, where the passengers and crew would be screened by the TSA and the aircraft would be swept by canines. Crew and passenger manifests must be provided to the TSA 24 hours ahead of time so the names can be matched against no-fly lists. Pilots and crew would be required to have gone through pre-screening, including criminal background checks. And armed law enforcement officers will be on every flight.
Now, Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia in Congress, calls these onerous restrictions. She's not particularly happy with all the hoops that are going to have to be jumped through. But there are many others in Congress and in the aviation community who are very happy that after three-and-a-half years of effort after 9/11, finally this airport is opening a little bit to general aviation operation. And they do hope that if this goes well, operations will be expanded in the future -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: All right. Jeanne Meserve for us this morning. Jeanne, thanks. You want to stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Michael Jackson's case now, Soledad, expected to rest today, his side is, without the pop star taking the stand. Jurors in the case did hear from Jay Leno on Tuesday. The "Tonight Show" host talked about his testimony during his monologue last night. Listen here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, "TONIGHT SHOW" HOST: It's really odd walking into that courtroom today because I realized it was the first time I'd seen Michael since I was 12. You get those weird feelings.
There was one kind of embarrassing moment. When I took the stand, they asked me to point to defendant and I pointed out Latoya.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: From last night. Here's defense attorney Anne Bremner this morning. She was in court Tuesday. How you doing, Anne? Good morning out there in Santa Maria.
ANNE BREMNER, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Great. Good morning.
HEMMER: I want to move quickly through Jay Leno here. Did you think he played for the defense or the prosecution?
BREMNER: He played right in between, but maybe a little more for the prosecution. You know, he was supposed to get up -- he was kind of oversold and then underperformed by virtue of that. Because he said he did get the calls from the accusers, there were not requests for money. And that basically he had nothing else to say about these calls. The only thing he contradicted in what the accuser said was that there were a number of calls. The accuser denied that.
But he was funny. And he came over to where we were sitting on the way out. I sit next to the courtroom artist. And he said, how do I look? And the person next to her said you look way better in person. He was so charming.
HEMMER: Way in better on person, as opposed to on TV or in the court sketches that he was asking about?
BREMNER: I think it was the court sketches. But the court sketch wasn't done yet, so...
HEMMER: Michael Jackson's not going to take the stand unless there's a major bombshell today. Based on what we're hearing back here, that doesn't seem to be a surprise. Is it there?
BREMNER: Not at all. Yes, not at all. He testified in the outtake of the Bashir documentary. That was the biggest day for the defense. It was the day that Macaulay Culkin testified and it was the day Michael Jackson testified. And Michael Jackson was never cross- examined because he was just on tape.
HEMMER: What about this paralegal who was on the stand yesterday? I believe it was your take that she was the most effective. Is that right?
BREMNER: Yes, and it's so interesting with all the celebrity in this case, Bill, that some of these more bombshell-type witnesses that don't misfire in the twilight zone out here are kind of buried in the coverage. She was -- she said that the accuser's mother had lied in the JCPenney case -- she worked for the firm that represented the mother -- that the bruises on the woman's body were from the husband beating her, not JCPenney, and that also the mother coached her children to lie. She wanted them to be actors and actresses, and that she would sit through and tell them what to say and hope they would follow the script. That is bombshell testimony for the defense, right along the themes and what they need.
HEMMER: Ultimately, though, jurors decide this case, as you well know, Anne. And you made a comment to our producer, I think it was last night, that Michael Jackson a few days ago smiled at the jurors, and there was no interaction back. Explain that to our viewers.
BREMNER: Well, Michael Jackson is in court -- sits so still. He's almost like a statue. And you know, yesterday, he had on the joker vest when Jay Leno testified, he did his Cinco de Mayo vest on that day. But other than that, you don't see much from Michael Jackson, other than his clothes. But the on the Larry King testimony day -- you know, Santa Maria, hello -- right after Larry King didn't offer proof and it was excused, Michael Jackson for the first time that I've seen really looked at the jurors as they filed in and smiled.
I just didn't see a connection. This is a small town, an everyman jury and not Michael Jackson's peers, as we know. And it was just an interesting kind of lack of affect from that jury. And it's so important for a jury to connect with a defendant.
HEMMER: I want to get to two things quickly here. Overall, the defense rests today, how do you think they did?
BREMNER: I think they did a great job. You know, this case changes every single day. And when you're looking at, you know, the hearts of the jurors, they may find the accuser credible and find guilt. But if you look at going to their minds and how they have to decide this case, there was so much reasonable doubt. You know, five pattern evidences victim. Three testified for the defense. The documentary completely rebutted with the outtakes. And of course, many great witnesses for the defense, attacking the credibility of the mother and the family. So they did an excellent job, but we'll see if it carries today -- Bill.
HEMMER: I said two things, but we only have time for one, so we'll get to it tomorrow. Anne Bremner, thanks. Santa Maria, California.
BREMNER: Well -- and closing arguments will be key.
HEMMER: OK, we'll watch for that. Thanks, Anne. Here's Soledad.
BREMNER: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: A small high school in West Virginia held its graduation on Tuesday, but there was little joy. Two of the two students were killed on Saturday in a plane crash on New York's Coney Island. JoBeth Gross and Danielle Block were on a trip to celebrate the end of finals. Two chairs were left empty at their graduation ceremony.
Joining us this morning to talk a little bit about how the school's coping today is the principal of Bishop Donahue High School, Rene Roy. nice to see you, sir. Thanks for being with us. We certainly appreciate it.
High school graduation, of course, supposed to be a big celebration. Give me a sense of how you were able to celebrate for the students and at the same time, not the minimize the massive loss they've experienced?
RENE ROY, HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Well, Soledad, it was an amazing experience. We went in a little fearful about what the reaction would be, but as soon I saw the students walking down the aisle to pomp and circumstance and feeling strong within myself, I was able to convey a tone to the evening, which was picked up by the salutatorian and the valedictorian.
And amazingly enough, there were very few tears. There were some sadnesses when, one student put it, it was a bittersweet evening. But overall, I would say it was very positive and very upbeat, and surprising to most people. It just displayed the resiliency of our student body and the strength that has been gathered over the past few days as we pray together, talk together and just sat in silence together.
O'BRIEN: One girl, Melissa McCulley (ph), was originally on that flight and she got off, though, because she was feeling sick and gave her seat to another girl's father. I mean, you have to imagine that her sense of guilt is just immense. How is she doing? How was she at the graduation? RENE: She was very good. She received her diploma. She received some awards. And there were smiles on her face the whole time. And it was -- she has bounced back amazingly well.
O'BRIEN: Gosh, that's good to hear.
ROY: Yes, it is.
O'BRIEN: All the girls were part of a group that was called the "Four Musketeers." Tell me a little bit about them. I know you've said a lot about how you want them to be remembered for their lives, not their deaths.
ROY: That's correct. These four girls were friends from freshman year, and maybe even before that. They clung together. They went over each other's houses. They stayed overnight. They worked together on service projects. They played sports together. They were truly sisters to one another. So it was just a beautiful relationship. And the two remaining sisters -- the two remaining girls -- I call them sisters -- are really feeling the loss of family.
O'BRIEN: Yes, one would imagine. Certainly, for Joe Beth's family they have had a terribly difficult time. Joe Beth's mother died of cancer. Her father's permanently disabled because of an accident at work. Their home was destroyed in a flood. And then of course this girl' death. The father, I know, was looking to borrow some money to pay for his daughter's funeral, but your school stepped in. Explain to me what's going to happen now.
ROY: Well, someone came up with the idea of an angel fund, and it took off -- actually it came from WINS 1010 in New York City. People reading about this and seeing it on TV called the station and said, what could we do? Well, it became evident when we learned that Mr. Gross didn't have any burial insurance that there was going to be a great gap there. So people are just is sending in money to Bishop Donahue High School, and we're putting it in a fund and we will take care of all the funeral expenses.
And if there's anything left, which we anticipate there will be, we will set up a memorial fund for tuition assistance for other students who would come to the school and have the same kind of experience that Joe Beth and Danielle had.
O'BRIEN: What a nice memory for those girls.
ROY: Yes it will keep the school -- it will keep their memory alive, and it will help the school in the future.
O'BRIEN: Brother Rene Roy is the principal of Bishop Donahue High School. Thanks for joining us. We certainly appreciate it.
ROY: Thank you for having me. Have a good day.
O'BRIEN: A short break. We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: For millions of fans, the wait's almost over. The fourth "American Idol" will be crowned tonight. Fans voted between rocker Bo Bice and country singer Carrie Underwood on Tuesday night. The winner gets a recording contract. But tonight's idol isn't -- contest, rather, isn't the only winner.
CNN's Sibila Vargas explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fans cheering, contestants singing, and insults hurling.
SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Absolutely horrible.
VARGAS: And if you listen closely, you might hear "American Idol's" biggest sound of all: cha-ching.
DAVID LIEBERMAN, "USA TODAY": Our estimate was that last year the show generated over $900 million in revenues, and it's probably over $1 billion this year.
VARGAS (on camera): In just a few hours, the Kodak Theater will host the season-four finale. And the fact of the matter is, Fox's billion-dollar baby is stronger than ever.
(voice-over): Even amidst an alleged judge sex scandal, a phone number voting snafu and contestant arrest records, ratings are up 5 percent over last year, a remarkable feat for a show in its fourth season, and one that translates into about $600 million in ad sales alone. But that's only a piece of the "Idol" pie.
LIEBERMAN: You've got it on television, obviously. That's the big cash cow. But also on records, and concerts and merchandise. It's really quite a phenomenon.
VARGAS: 19 Entertainment and Free Mantle Media, co-producers of "American Idol," also share in profits from text-message voting, 33 foreign "Idol" spinoffs, and cash generated by music of "Idol" winners and finalists through albums, concerts and tours.
NADIA TURNER, SEASON FOUR FINALIST: The opportunities are just endless, from being seen by 40, 50 million people. The doors are just opening.
LIEBERMAN: Simon Fuller's got a couple of ideas for the show. He's looking at creating a stage show, for example, where you have people from the audience get on stage and audition for prizes. Another idea is to have separate programming come over the Internet. And then they're also looking at expanding the brand name, for example, having "American Idol" furniture.
VARGAS: And while there's no way to know just how long the "Idol" empire will reign supreme, so far the business of making dreams come true has been a good one.
Sibila Vargas, CNN, Hollywood.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: We'll find out later tonight.
Check of what's coming up next, "CNN LIVE TODAY." Daryn Kagan has that.
What you working on, Daryn?
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We've got a lot for you, Bill.
Straight ahead on "CNN LIVE TODAY," she ran away from her wedding, but she might not be able to escape the law. Will Jennifer Wilbanks face criminal charges? We're going to find out from authorities live this morning.
Also, if you want to get away, how about the best beaches. You're going to find out the top 10 spots for surf and sun this summer. That much and a lot more, coming up at the top of the hour.
Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: You mentioned sun?
KAGAN: Yes. There's not a lot of it up there, is there?
HEMMER: Someone stole the sun up here.
See you, Daryn, top of the hour, about 12 minutes away.
In a moment here, having your name misspelled in your high school yearbook is one thing, but one graduating senior says her yearbook mistake is way beyond a typo. Some students even say it's racist. Now that story still to come this hour, when we come back after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: We have new developments on the plane that violated Washington airspace about two weeks ago. From the Pentagon, the secretary of defense is talking about this.
Want to go to Jamie McIntyre right now. What are you hearing, Jamie?
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, a very strong denial from the Pentagon this morning to a front page "Washington Post" story that said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld authorized the shootdown of that small Cessna aircraft that prompted the evacuations of several major buildings in Washington on May 11th. A Pentagon spokesman, Larry Di Rita, says simply it just isn't so that Rumsfeld gave that authority, despite the report in the "Post," quoting two federal officials saying he did.
The Pentagon is sticking by its original version of events that Rumsfeld was fully informed, standing by, and would have given the authority, if necessary, but that it never came to that point because the plane was not seen a threat.
The "Post" said their story was corroborated by law enforcement officials, but the Pentagon says that Rumsfeld was fully consulted, had the -- needed to make a decision, he was available to do that. But they insist no authorization was ever passed to the pilots to shoot the plane down. And the pilots, in their own interviews with CNN, say that's also the case -- Bill.
HEMMER: Jamie, thanks. Strong denial from Secretary Rumsfeld there at the Pentagon -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: A final look at some answers from the "Question of the Day."
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The "Question of the Day" has to do with whether or not the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research should be a priority for the Congress. The House passed a bill authorizing it. The president says he'll veto it if it gets through the Senate.
Edgar in New Jersey writes this: "Yes, stem cell research should be a priority for Congress. It's the government's responsible to overcome irrational religious dogma when it impedes scientific process."
Stephan in California: "One by one, our elected representatives are neglecting the job they were elected to do. They ignore the real issues, put on a big show and then pass questionable legislation in late-night votes."
And Sue in Michigan finally writes this: "While I believe in stem cell research, I agree with Jack this is another issue thrown out there for political purposes. The Republicans are reeling from their negative poll results due to Terri Schiavo situation, the so-called nuclear option power-grab, the economy, the war in Iraq, privatizing Social Security and on and on and on."
O'BRIEN: Well, good question. Jack, thanks.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Well, a graduating senior in Texas says her memories of high school will be forever marred because of a mistake that was made yearbook. Ed Lavandera reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JONES: I was disappointed.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shadoyia Jones couldn't wait to open her senior yearbook. Four years of hard work as an honors student at Waxahachie High School in Texas would be captured forever in these pages.
JONES: This yearbook is one that I really, really wanted to buy, because it is my senior year. I have my senior picture in there.
LAVANDERA: But when Jones opened the book and flipped to the National Honors Society page, she was stunned to find her name wasn't in the caption. Instead, the only African-American student in the picture was labeled as black girl.
JONES: I just felt like all my achievements, everything that I've been working so hard for, it just went down the drain, basically.
LAVANDERA: School officials say it was a terrible mistake and have apologized to the student and her family. They say a student editor had written in the words black girl as a placeholder until they could verify Jones' name. The name was never added.
CANDACE AHLFINGER, WAXAHACHIE SCHOOL DISTRICT: There were no racial issues involved. It was purely a mistake. It was an unfortunate mistake. And it was a pure choice. But it was one where someone didn't think.
LAVANDERA: Katherine Camp is a yearbook staff member. She says the caption was not written in a malicious way.
KATHERINE KEMP, YEARBOOK STAFF: We all apologized to her. And we are very sorry that it happened. But it wasn't meant to happen.
LAVANDERA (on camera): The Waxahachie School District says it has already taken steps to make sure this never happens again. Currently, three people edit each page of the yearbook. But starting next year, there will be two additional editors, including a faculty committee that will be required to proofread each page before it gets published.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thanks for stopping.
LAVANDERA (on camera): But the apologies aren't enough for some students.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There is no excuse to put to label somebody as that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel that it is very offensive and wrong and it's racist.
LAVANDERA: The school has ordered corrected pages and are asking students to bring their yearbooks back to get the offensive page replaced. But, for Shadoyia Jones, ripping out this page won't erase the humiliation two words have left behind.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Oh, for God sakes, she's the only black person in the entire National Honors Society.
HEMMER: They ought to let her speak at graduation, give her a platform, make it up to her a little bit.
CAFFERTY: Why don't they just order new yearbooks for everybody?
O'BRIEN: You would think that would be a better thing to do.
HEMMER: They're working on that.
CAFFERTY: No, not just the page. Order new yearbooks for everybody.
O'BRIEN: That poor girl.
CAFFERTY: I mean, that's just -- that's just unconscionable. Order new yearbooks for everybody and pick up the old ones and throw them in the garbage, where they belong.
O'BRIEN: And pick up the tab, too.
CAFFERTY: Well, of course. No, absolutely.
O'BRIEN: Well, anyway, the district says that it's going to have those new pages reprinted hopefully by today and tomorrow's the last day of school.
CAFFERTY: Unbelievable.
O'BRIEN: Yes, it is. All right. A short break. We're right back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Man, time is just flying today. Here we are, we're gone like that.
O'BRIEN: Bill, is that how it felt for you today?
HEMMER: We'll see you tomorrow. With Daryn Kagan at CNN Center.
O'BRIEN: Hey, Daryn, good morning.
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 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now the rest of the news. Lionel Tate, who made headlines six years ago as the youngest person to be sentenced to life in prison, is back in court. Tate, who is now 18 and on probation, is accused of pulling a gun on a pizza deliveryman in Pembroke Park, Florida. His attorney says Tate was in the area, but had absolutely nothing to do with the crime.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM LEWIS, LIONEL TATE'S ATTORNEY: This is still an 18-year-old very young man who's doing quite well, who graduated from school, was going to cooking school, was putting his life back together. And it's just a real shame now that this has come up. But quite frankly, I think too many people are rushing to judgment and I think when all the facts are in, we're going to find out he didn't do this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: A hearing for Tate was set this morning. No word yet on the outcome there, but we'll keep you posted.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In a CNN "Security Watch" this morning, Reagan National Airport going to be open to private planes for the first time since 9/11. But the flights must first pass a number of rigorous security measures.
Jeanne Meserve, live for us from Reagan National Airport with some details. Jeanne, good morning.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
Congressional and aviation sources say general aviation could resume here at Reagan National within 90 days, but under very tight restrictions. According to an aviation source familiar with the regulations that are expected to be announced today, only 48 operations a day will be allowed in and out of the general operations portion of Reagan National. That would be 24 landings and 24 take- offs.
All aircraft flying into Reagan National and would have to go through one of 12 gateway airports, where the passengers and crew would be screened by the TSA and the aircraft would be swept by canines. Crew and passenger manifests must be provided to the TSA 24 hours ahead of time so the names can be matched against no-fly lists. Pilots and crew would be required to have gone through pre-screening, including criminal background checks. And armed law enforcement officers will be on every flight.
Now, Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia in Congress, calls these onerous restrictions. She's not particularly happy with all the hoops that are going to have to be jumped through. But there are many others in Congress and in the aviation community who are very happy that after three-and-a-half years of effort after 9/11, finally this airport is opening a little bit to general aviation operation. And they do hope that if this goes well, operations will be expanded in the future -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: All right. Jeanne Meserve for us this morning. Jeanne, thanks. You want to stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Michael Jackson's case now, Soledad, expected to rest today, his side is, without the pop star taking the stand. Jurors in the case did hear from Jay Leno on Tuesday. The "Tonight Show" host talked about his testimony during his monologue last night. Listen here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, "TONIGHT SHOW" HOST: It's really odd walking into that courtroom today because I realized it was the first time I'd seen Michael since I was 12. You get those weird feelings.
There was one kind of embarrassing moment. When I took the stand, they asked me to point to defendant and I pointed out Latoya.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: From last night. Here's defense attorney Anne Bremner this morning. She was in court Tuesday. How you doing, Anne? Good morning out there in Santa Maria.
ANNE BREMNER, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Great. Good morning.
HEMMER: I want to move quickly through Jay Leno here. Did you think he played for the defense or the prosecution?
BREMNER: He played right in between, but maybe a little more for the prosecution. You know, he was supposed to get up -- he was kind of oversold and then underperformed by virtue of that. Because he said he did get the calls from the accusers, there were not requests for money. And that basically he had nothing else to say about these calls. The only thing he contradicted in what the accuser said was that there were a number of calls. The accuser denied that.
But he was funny. And he came over to where we were sitting on the way out. I sit next to the courtroom artist. And he said, how do I look? And the person next to her said you look way better in person. He was so charming.
HEMMER: Way in better on person, as opposed to on TV or in the court sketches that he was asking about?
BREMNER: I think it was the court sketches. But the court sketch wasn't done yet, so...
HEMMER: Michael Jackson's not going to take the stand unless there's a major bombshell today. Based on what we're hearing back here, that doesn't seem to be a surprise. Is it there?
BREMNER: Not at all. Yes, not at all. He testified in the outtake of the Bashir documentary. That was the biggest day for the defense. It was the day that Macaulay Culkin testified and it was the day Michael Jackson testified. And Michael Jackson was never cross- examined because he was just on tape.
HEMMER: What about this paralegal who was on the stand yesterday? I believe it was your take that she was the most effective. Is that right?
BREMNER: Yes, and it's so interesting with all the celebrity in this case, Bill, that some of these more bombshell-type witnesses that don't misfire in the twilight zone out here are kind of buried in the coverage. She was -- she said that the accuser's mother had lied in the JCPenney case -- she worked for the firm that represented the mother -- that the bruises on the woman's body were from the husband beating her, not JCPenney, and that also the mother coached her children to lie. She wanted them to be actors and actresses, and that she would sit through and tell them what to say and hope they would follow the script. That is bombshell testimony for the defense, right along the themes and what they need.
HEMMER: Ultimately, though, jurors decide this case, as you well know, Anne. And you made a comment to our producer, I think it was last night, that Michael Jackson a few days ago smiled at the jurors, and there was no interaction back. Explain that to our viewers.
BREMNER: Well, Michael Jackson is in court -- sits so still. He's almost like a statue. And you know, yesterday, he had on the joker vest when Jay Leno testified, he did his Cinco de Mayo vest on that day. But other than that, you don't see much from Michael Jackson, other than his clothes. But the on the Larry King testimony day -- you know, Santa Maria, hello -- right after Larry King didn't offer proof and it was excused, Michael Jackson for the first time that I've seen really looked at the jurors as they filed in and smiled.
I just didn't see a connection. This is a small town, an everyman jury and not Michael Jackson's peers, as we know. And it was just an interesting kind of lack of affect from that jury. And it's so important for a jury to connect with a defendant.
HEMMER: I want to get to two things quickly here. Overall, the defense rests today, how do you think they did?
BREMNER: I think they did a great job. You know, this case changes every single day. And when you're looking at, you know, the hearts of the jurors, they may find the accuser credible and find guilt. But if you look at going to their minds and how they have to decide this case, there was so much reasonable doubt. You know, five pattern evidences victim. Three testified for the defense. The documentary completely rebutted with the outtakes. And of course, many great witnesses for the defense, attacking the credibility of the mother and the family. So they did an excellent job, but we'll see if it carries today -- Bill.
HEMMER: I said two things, but we only have time for one, so we'll get to it tomorrow. Anne Bremner, thanks. Santa Maria, California.
BREMNER: Well -- and closing arguments will be key.
HEMMER: OK, we'll watch for that. Thanks, Anne. Here's Soledad.
BREMNER: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: A small high school in West Virginia held its graduation on Tuesday, but there was little joy. Two of the two students were killed on Saturday in a plane crash on New York's Coney Island. JoBeth Gross and Danielle Block were on a trip to celebrate the end of finals. Two chairs were left empty at their graduation ceremony.
Joining us this morning to talk a little bit about how the school's coping today is the principal of Bishop Donahue High School, Rene Roy. nice to see you, sir. Thanks for being with us. We certainly appreciate it.
High school graduation, of course, supposed to be a big celebration. Give me a sense of how you were able to celebrate for the students and at the same time, not the minimize the massive loss they've experienced?
RENE ROY, HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Well, Soledad, it was an amazing experience. We went in a little fearful about what the reaction would be, but as soon I saw the students walking down the aisle to pomp and circumstance and feeling strong within myself, I was able to convey a tone to the evening, which was picked up by the salutatorian and the valedictorian.
And amazingly enough, there were very few tears. There were some sadnesses when, one student put it, it was a bittersweet evening. But overall, I would say it was very positive and very upbeat, and surprising to most people. It just displayed the resiliency of our student body and the strength that has been gathered over the past few days as we pray together, talk together and just sat in silence together.
O'BRIEN: One girl, Melissa McCulley (ph), was originally on that flight and she got off, though, because she was feeling sick and gave her seat to another girl's father. I mean, you have to imagine that her sense of guilt is just immense. How is she doing? How was she at the graduation? RENE: She was very good. She received her diploma. She received some awards. And there were smiles on her face the whole time. And it was -- she has bounced back amazingly well.
O'BRIEN: Gosh, that's good to hear.
ROY: Yes, it is.
O'BRIEN: All the girls were part of a group that was called the "Four Musketeers." Tell me a little bit about them. I know you've said a lot about how you want them to be remembered for their lives, not their deaths.
ROY: That's correct. These four girls were friends from freshman year, and maybe even before that. They clung together. They went over each other's houses. They stayed overnight. They worked together on service projects. They played sports together. They were truly sisters to one another. So it was just a beautiful relationship. And the two remaining sisters -- the two remaining girls -- I call them sisters -- are really feeling the loss of family.
O'BRIEN: Yes, one would imagine. Certainly, for Joe Beth's family they have had a terribly difficult time. Joe Beth's mother died of cancer. Her father's permanently disabled because of an accident at work. Their home was destroyed in a flood. And then of course this girl' death. The father, I know, was looking to borrow some money to pay for his daughter's funeral, but your school stepped in. Explain to me what's going to happen now.
ROY: Well, someone came up with the idea of an angel fund, and it took off -- actually it came from WINS 1010 in New York City. People reading about this and seeing it on TV called the station and said, what could we do? Well, it became evident when we learned that Mr. Gross didn't have any burial insurance that there was going to be a great gap there. So people are just is sending in money to Bishop Donahue High School, and we're putting it in a fund and we will take care of all the funeral expenses.
And if there's anything left, which we anticipate there will be, we will set up a memorial fund for tuition assistance for other students who would come to the school and have the same kind of experience that Joe Beth and Danielle had.
O'BRIEN: What a nice memory for those girls.
ROY: Yes it will keep the school -- it will keep their memory alive, and it will help the school in the future.
O'BRIEN: Brother Rene Roy is the principal of Bishop Donahue High School. Thanks for joining us. We certainly appreciate it.
ROY: Thank you for having me. Have a good day.
O'BRIEN: A short break. We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: For millions of fans, the wait's almost over. The fourth "American Idol" will be crowned tonight. Fans voted between rocker Bo Bice and country singer Carrie Underwood on Tuesday night. The winner gets a recording contract. But tonight's idol isn't -- contest, rather, isn't the only winner.
CNN's Sibila Vargas explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fans cheering, contestants singing, and insults hurling.
SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Absolutely horrible.
VARGAS: And if you listen closely, you might hear "American Idol's" biggest sound of all: cha-ching.
DAVID LIEBERMAN, "USA TODAY": Our estimate was that last year the show generated over $900 million in revenues, and it's probably over $1 billion this year.
VARGAS (on camera): In just a few hours, the Kodak Theater will host the season-four finale. And the fact of the matter is, Fox's billion-dollar baby is stronger than ever.
(voice-over): Even amidst an alleged judge sex scandal, a phone number voting snafu and contestant arrest records, ratings are up 5 percent over last year, a remarkable feat for a show in its fourth season, and one that translates into about $600 million in ad sales alone. But that's only a piece of the "Idol" pie.
LIEBERMAN: You've got it on television, obviously. That's the big cash cow. But also on records, and concerts and merchandise. It's really quite a phenomenon.
VARGAS: 19 Entertainment and Free Mantle Media, co-producers of "American Idol," also share in profits from text-message voting, 33 foreign "Idol" spinoffs, and cash generated by music of "Idol" winners and finalists through albums, concerts and tours.
NADIA TURNER, SEASON FOUR FINALIST: The opportunities are just endless, from being seen by 40, 50 million people. The doors are just opening.
LIEBERMAN: Simon Fuller's got a couple of ideas for the show. He's looking at creating a stage show, for example, where you have people from the audience get on stage and audition for prizes. Another idea is to have separate programming come over the Internet. And then they're also looking at expanding the brand name, for example, having "American Idol" furniture.
VARGAS: And while there's no way to know just how long the "Idol" empire will reign supreme, so far the business of making dreams come true has been a good one.
Sibila Vargas, CNN, Hollywood.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: We'll find out later tonight.
Check of what's coming up next, "CNN LIVE TODAY." Daryn Kagan has that.
What you working on, Daryn?
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We've got a lot for you, Bill.
Straight ahead on "CNN LIVE TODAY," she ran away from her wedding, but she might not be able to escape the law. Will Jennifer Wilbanks face criminal charges? We're going to find out from authorities live this morning.
Also, if you want to get away, how about the best beaches. You're going to find out the top 10 spots for surf and sun this summer. That much and a lot more, coming up at the top of the hour.
Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: You mentioned sun?
KAGAN: Yes. There's not a lot of it up there, is there?
HEMMER: Someone stole the sun up here.
See you, Daryn, top of the hour, about 12 minutes away.
In a moment here, having your name misspelled in your high school yearbook is one thing, but one graduating senior says her yearbook mistake is way beyond a typo. Some students even say it's racist. Now that story still to come this hour, when we come back after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: We have new developments on the plane that violated Washington airspace about two weeks ago. From the Pentagon, the secretary of defense is talking about this.
Want to go to Jamie McIntyre right now. What are you hearing, Jamie?
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, a very strong denial from the Pentagon this morning to a front page "Washington Post" story that said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld authorized the shootdown of that small Cessna aircraft that prompted the evacuations of several major buildings in Washington on May 11th. A Pentagon spokesman, Larry Di Rita, says simply it just isn't so that Rumsfeld gave that authority, despite the report in the "Post," quoting two federal officials saying he did.
The Pentagon is sticking by its original version of events that Rumsfeld was fully informed, standing by, and would have given the authority, if necessary, but that it never came to that point because the plane was not seen a threat.
The "Post" said their story was corroborated by law enforcement officials, but the Pentagon says that Rumsfeld was fully consulted, had the -- needed to make a decision, he was available to do that. But they insist no authorization was ever passed to the pilots to shoot the plane down. And the pilots, in their own interviews with CNN, say that's also the case -- Bill.
HEMMER: Jamie, thanks. Strong denial from Secretary Rumsfeld there at the Pentagon -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: A final look at some answers from the "Question of the Day."
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The "Question of the Day" has to do with whether or not the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research should be a priority for the Congress. The House passed a bill authorizing it. The president says he'll veto it if it gets through the Senate.
Edgar in New Jersey writes this: "Yes, stem cell research should be a priority for Congress. It's the government's responsible to overcome irrational religious dogma when it impedes scientific process."
Stephan in California: "One by one, our elected representatives are neglecting the job they were elected to do. They ignore the real issues, put on a big show and then pass questionable legislation in late-night votes."
And Sue in Michigan finally writes this: "While I believe in stem cell research, I agree with Jack this is another issue thrown out there for political purposes. The Republicans are reeling from their negative poll results due to Terri Schiavo situation, the so-called nuclear option power-grab, the economy, the war in Iraq, privatizing Social Security and on and on and on."
O'BRIEN: Well, good question. Jack, thanks.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Well, a graduating senior in Texas says her memories of high school will be forever marred because of a mistake that was made yearbook. Ed Lavandera reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JONES: I was disappointed.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shadoyia Jones couldn't wait to open her senior yearbook. Four years of hard work as an honors student at Waxahachie High School in Texas would be captured forever in these pages.
JONES: This yearbook is one that I really, really wanted to buy, because it is my senior year. I have my senior picture in there.
LAVANDERA: But when Jones opened the book and flipped to the National Honors Society page, she was stunned to find her name wasn't in the caption. Instead, the only African-American student in the picture was labeled as black girl.
JONES: I just felt like all my achievements, everything that I've been working so hard for, it just went down the drain, basically.
LAVANDERA: School officials say it was a terrible mistake and have apologized to the student and her family. They say a student editor had written in the words black girl as a placeholder until they could verify Jones' name. The name was never added.
CANDACE AHLFINGER, WAXAHACHIE SCHOOL DISTRICT: There were no racial issues involved. It was purely a mistake. It was an unfortunate mistake. And it was a pure choice. But it was one where someone didn't think.
LAVANDERA: Katherine Camp is a yearbook staff member. She says the caption was not written in a malicious way.
KATHERINE KEMP, YEARBOOK STAFF: We all apologized to her. And we are very sorry that it happened. But it wasn't meant to happen.
LAVANDERA (on camera): The Waxahachie School District says it has already taken steps to make sure this never happens again. Currently, three people edit each page of the yearbook. But starting next year, there will be two additional editors, including a faculty committee that will be required to proofread each page before it gets published.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thanks for stopping.
LAVANDERA (on camera): But the apologies aren't enough for some students.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There is no excuse to put to label somebody as that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel that it is very offensive and wrong and it's racist.
LAVANDERA: The school has ordered corrected pages and are asking students to bring their yearbooks back to get the offensive page replaced. But, for Shadoyia Jones, ripping out this page won't erase the humiliation two words have left behind.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Oh, for God sakes, she's the only black person in the entire National Honors Society.
HEMMER: They ought to let her speak at graduation, give her a platform, make it up to her a little bit.
CAFFERTY: Why don't they just order new yearbooks for everybody?
O'BRIEN: You would think that would be a better thing to do.
HEMMER: They're working on that.
CAFFERTY: No, not just the page. Order new yearbooks for everybody.
O'BRIEN: That poor girl.
CAFFERTY: I mean, that's just -- that's just unconscionable. Order new yearbooks for everybody and pick up the old ones and throw them in the garbage, where they belong.
O'BRIEN: And pick up the tab, too.
CAFFERTY: Well, of course. No, absolutely.
O'BRIEN: Well, anyway, the district says that it's going to have those new pages reprinted hopefully by today and tomorrow's the last day of school.
CAFFERTY: Unbelievable.
O'BRIEN: Yes, it is. All right. A short break. We're right back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Man, time is just flying today. Here we are, we're gone like that.
O'BRIEN: Bill, is that how it felt for you today?
HEMMER: We'll see you tomorrow. With Daryn Kagan at CNN Center.
O'BRIEN: Hey, Daryn, good morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
