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CNN Live At Daybreak

Update on Michael Jackson Case; New York City's Olympic Dreams; Catching Cheaters On College Campuses

Aired June 06, 2005 - 06:29   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: And this just in to CNN, actor Russell Crowe has been arrested. It happened in New York City early, early, early this morning. Police say the actor got really mad when he couldn't call Australia on a hotel phone. He threw the phone at a hotel employee. The worker got a pretty serious cut on his face. He actually needed stitches. So, again, Russell Crowe under arrest this morning in New York.
(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: A verdict in the Michael Jackson molestation trial could come as early as today with jurors resuming deliberations after a weekend break. And it was a weekend that included another hospital visit for the pop star.

Kareen Wynter live in Santa Maria with the latest.

Good morning.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

That's right. Jackson's second trip to the hospital in less than a week. The singer's spokesperson said that Jackson was taken there yesterday afternoon by his bodyguards. He went to the emergency room for treatment involving back pain. And that this very much has to do with just the toll, the effects, the stress from the trial. Nevertheless, she says Jackson is in good spirits.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WYNTER (voice over): It's here that Michael Jackson reportedly spent the weekend in prayer with his family, Neverland Ranch, and here where the pop star will await word of a verdict, a one-hour drive from the Santa Maria courthouse, where an eight-woman, four-man jury will decide the singer's fate.

A Jackson spokesperson says he has faith in the justice system and believes his attorneys have done an excellent job.

RAYMONE BAIN, JACKSON SPOKESWOMAN: This is the hardest part now, the waiting game.

WYNTER: The prosecution and defense ended closing arguments Friday. Some legal analysts say the case now hinges on who jurors will believe: an adult who is a world-renowned entertainer or a child who is recovering from cancer. MICHAEL CORDOZA, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The prosecution may have proved to this jury that Michael Jackson is a pedophile. But did they prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt? And that's what the defense was trying to do, was to focus them on this case and not look at the past acts of sexual misconduct.

WYNTER: The 12 jurors range in age from 20 to 79 years old -- seven whites, four Hispanics and one Asian, no African-Americans.

Some jurors have said they're fans of Jackson's music. Others have relatives or close friends that have been diagnosed with cancer. Two of the panelists have family members charged with or victims of sex crimes.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

The judge has set a one-hour notice for the verdict to be read after the jury reaches a decision. Now, Carol, deliberations begin at 8:30 local time this morning. They're expected to go until 2:30. But the court will allow jurors to deliberate longer if they so choose -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Kareen Wynter live in California this morning.

Michael Jackson's former attorney, Mark Geragos, will share more details about the case with Larry King tonight. You can catch that at 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

The mystery surrounding Natalee Holloway has turned into a criminal case. The 18-year-old Alabama girl vanished a week ago on the Caribbean island of Aruba. She was on a high school graduation trip with her classmates.

Police have now charged two men in her disappearance. Here's one of them being hauled away. No word on what the charges are, though. The two worked as security guards at a hotel near the one where Holloway was staying.

Also, police found a blood-stained mattress near the area where the men were arrested, but tests determined the blood was from a dog, not a person.

CNN will follow this mystery out of Aruba all day. Soledad O'Brien joins us now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol, good morning to you.

And you're right. We are also following developments in that search for Natalee Holloway out of Aruba. The 18-year-old, as you mentioned, has been missing a week now. And the two men who are now in police custody, well, what are the police learning from them? We've got the very latest on that investigation and the search as well. It intensified over the weekend. Plus, we'll take you live to Aruba and also bring you to Natalee's hometown. It's a suburb of Birmingham in Alabama.

Also ahead this morning, one community's aggressive steps to monitor sex offenders. It's using state-of-the-art technology to try to track convicted child predators in real time. Authorities say it's helping keep kids safe. There are critics, though, who say it's a big, old waste of taxpayer money. We're going to take a look at the issue, ahead on "AMERICAN MORNING" -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Soledad.

In news across America now.

A missing Texas college student has been found after seven years at a dance club in Kentucky, but she's not so happy about being found. Brandy Starr (ph) disappeared from Texas A&M University in 1998 after a right with her parents. She's been hiding in Kentucky for the last five years.

About 400 people turned out for a Confederate memorial service in Higginsville, Missouri. The state's governor ordered that the Confederate flag be allowed to fly over the annual event. It's the first time the flag has been raised over state property since it was removed from the site in 2003.

A former community college professor in Florida is charged with stealing students' identities. He and his girlfriend allegedly used the Social Security numbers of at least three students to apply for department store credit cards.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, a key vote today will have a big impact on New York's Olympic dreams. We'll have a live report for you straight ahead.

Plus, a new survey ranks the states with the dumbest drivers. Maybe you'll be surprised at the results. I don't know.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: There was a huge party in Paris over the weekend. Thousands of Parisians crowded the streets to celebrate the possibility of getting the 2012 summer Olympic games. Paris has not hosted a game since 1924. Ditto in Madrid. Evaluators are releasing their findings to members of the International Olympic Committee today. Moscow and London are the other European cities hoping to get the Olympic rings.

New York is also among the hopefuls for the 2012 games, but it has another important decision to make that could mean a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on its Olympic aspirations.

We get more now from Lisa Colagrossi of CNN affiliate WABC here in New York.

Good morning, Lisa. LISA COLAGROSSI, CNN AFFILIATE WABC REPORTER: All right. Today in New York City, we're all waiting for the vote from the Public Authorities Control Board regarding the West Side stadium project. The board is scheduled to vote later on today in Albany on $300 million in state funds for the project. If they do not approve the funding, this essentially could kill the West Side stadium project and seriously cripple New York City's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Now, also another thing we're looking at today is the IOC. They are going to be coming out with their evaluations of the five finalist cities.

Right now, what's causing a little bit of -- in New York City is a London newspaper, "The Independent," that is reporting that New York's bid is dead, because of all of this wrangling with the West Side Stadium. They've put New York's chances of getting the Olympics at 16 to 1. However, NYC 2012 was quick to come out and say that they're confident that the IOC's evaluation will put New York's bid on the same standing as Paris and London.

The biggest problem right here in New York City with this West Side stadium: the neighborhood doesn't want it. They say it's going to be a lot of traffic and a lot of congestion.

Also, the politicians have been bickering about this whole thing. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who is one of the key votes on this state panel that's taking the vote today, he is concerned that his lower Manhattan district is going to be left out if this huge project is built on the West Side of Manhattan.

Today is really do or die for New York City's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Reporting live in New York, Lisa Colagrossi for CNN.

COSTELLO: Well, thank you, Lisa. We appreciate it.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:41 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

In Iraq, the military says that massive underground bunker the Marines found near Falluja last week has been destroyed. It's suspected the bunker was used by insurgents. The complex contained a weapons cache, living spaces, air conditioners, showers, you name it.

In money news, you want to be a director? Now you can for under $30. The one-time use video camera goes on sale today. If you want one, though, it's only at CBS stores in the Northeast.

In culture, the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to former Vice President Al Gore. The award recognizes the pivotal role Gore played in the development of the Internet. And, of course, this is all done tongue in cheek.

In sports, an eighth inning three-run homer gave the Washington Nationals a come-from-behind 6-3 win over the Florida Marlins. It is the first time since 1933 a team called Washington is in first place in the NL East.

To the forecast center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: So, this organization, Chad, the GMAC Insurance survey...

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... did a survey to find where the dumbest drivers are. That's what they call them: the dumbest drivers.

MYERS: Oh, that's going to be a long and winding process to find that, because they are everywhere.

COSTELLO: Oh, you have that right. But you really want to stay off the roads in the Northeast. Drivers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey are said to be the dumbest drivers.

MYERS: Really?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: I wouldn't think so.

COSTELLO: They were the least to know the rules of the road.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: And that's according to this GMAC Insurance survey. It's not from us. Drivers in Oregon, Washington State and Iowa are ranked the smartest.

MYERS: Not the best. This is not the best drivers, I understand. This is just the smartest. They took the tests and did best on the tests.

COSTELLO: That driver's ed test that you took years ago...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... that you never have to take again for some reason.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: The survey found 1 in 10 people nationwide would fail a state driver's test if they took one today.

MYERS: Oh, at least. I think 3 in 10.

COSTELLO: I wonder if we could take it. Maybe we'll get one, and we'll pose the questions to our viewers.

MYERS: I would like to even post that on our Web site to see if we could get a link to that. COSTELLO: Because, you know...

MYERS: That would be awesome.

COSTELLO: Because, you know a lot of people are going, oh, I know all of the rules of the road. And you know they don't.

MYERS: Carol, what sign is the pennant? Do you know that?

COSTELLO: No. Oh, it's a pennant. It's like a triangle sideways.

MYERS: Correct. What's the sign? Let's say the snow was covering up the sign and you couldn't read the words. What does it say?

COSTELLO: Beware.

MYERS: Kind of.

COSTELLO: What?

MYERS: No passing zone.

COSTELLO: Well, if it says the words on it why do I care about the shape of the sign?

MYERS: Well, if it's covered in snow you can't see it.

COSTELLO: That's true.

MYERS: But you shouldn't be passing anyway.

COSTELLO: OK. We're going to get the test. That would be a fun thing to do.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: The parade of stars and the dancing on cars are over. And now Michael Jackson's fate is all up to the jury. "AMERICAN MORNING" is following the legal maneuvers. Soledad is here again with a preview.

Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Hey, Carol, good morning to you.

We are on the Jackson verdict watch this morning. Deliberations are going to resume in just a few hours. CNN's senior legal analyst is Jeff Toobin, and he was in the courtroom on Friday. That's when the prosecution and the defense wrapped up their case. We're going to ask Jeff about Michael Jackson's health. He was hospitalized again. We'll find out just how Michael Jackson is looking.

The jury has a full day to meet today. How long could it take for them to reach a verdict? A little twist on how we're going to hear their decision. Jeff is going to fill us in on all of that.

Also, Carol, that bizarre story out of Arizona, the 14-year-old boy who is now accused of stealing a 40-ton construction vehicle, that big thing right there, he's in critical condition this morning. He was shot by police after a 15-mile chase through the streets of Tuscan. This morning, we talk to the boy's attorney.

Those stories and much more ahead on this "AMERICAN MORNING." And you know what? I found on Google the driver's tests for you.

COSTELLO: Oh, please don't give me another question.

O'BRIEN: I won't. But, you know, you could just click it on and take the test and see how smart you are, because drivers in Massachusetts, have you ever driven in Boston? You've got to be pretty smart for that actually.

COSTELLO: Oh, well, that's true, because of the roadway system there.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

COSTELLO: And the amount of traffic.

O'BRIEN: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Well, we're going to get that test up. And maybe tomorrow on DAYBREAK, we'll pose the questions to our viewers, because I'm interested now.

O'BRIEN: Right.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Soledad.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, fighting plagiarism on campus. A college professor joins us next to talk about his school's very expensive solution.

More news in a moment. But first, it's time to say happy birthday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's 6:50 Eastern. Here is what will be making news today.

Mark Hacking hears what his sentence will be. It's been nearly a year since Hacking's wife, Lori, disappeared. Her remains were finally found in a Salt Lake City landfill in October. Hacking pleaded guilty to the killing.

Military base closing commissioners will visit Hill Air Force Base. It's home to the Utah Test and Training Range. The base would lose 400 jobs under Pentagon recommendations.

A judge is to rule on Washington State's governor's election challenge. On a third vote count, the Democrat won by just 129 votes. If the Republican candidate wins, she could be asked to step down immediately or perhaps in early July after the state supreme court reviews the case.

It is the long summer before the big trip to college. And, parents, before you send your child off to school, please review the rules of plagiarism. It has become a huge problem. Penn State is dealing with it with a very expensive system. It's going to cost them 40,000 a year.

Live to Chicago now and Penn State's John Harwood. He's in charge of education technology.

Good morning.

JOHN HARWOOD, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY: Good morning.

COSTELLO: First off, Penn State found 341 instances of cheating last year. How were the students doing it?

HARWOOD: First of all, I think we need to frame the question. It's not so much cheating is that lots and lots of students simply do not know the proper way to document their sources. We're dealing with a Net generation. Students who from the time they learn to read have also learned to copy and paste. And so, I think that's the background for what we're trying to do at Penn State.

COSTELLO: So, you don't call it cheating?

HARWOOD: There are all kinds of cheating. There are a very small number of students. Remember, we have 60,000 full-time students -- 80, students all together. And if you're talking about 340 infractions, that's a pretty small number.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: I understand, but I'm just talking about the act itself, because I'm reading this article from the "Patriot News," and it quotes Sharon Shriver (ph), a Penn State biology professor. She recalls a graduate student who found information on the Internet, that, according to the students, that exactly what she would have written, so she copied it without attributing the source. Don't we all learn that in grade school, not to do that?

HARWOOD: Well, I certainly learned it in grade school. But there are an awful lot of students who, when they're given any kind of assignment, the first thing they go to is Yahoo! or Google, and from there it's cut and paste. This is wrong. Everyone at Penn State agrees it's wrong. And the reason that we're licensing turnitin.com is so that both students and faculty will have a better, easier way of checking the originality of what students are writing.

COSTELLO: OK. So, clearly, this would be cheating. How are you combating this at Penn State?

HARWOOD: Well, we have done a lot of things over the last 10 years. Academic integrity is not a new issue for us. We have policies and procedures in place so that every department in every college knows how to deal with questionable student activities. We want every faculty member at Penn State to have language in their syllabus that links to the college or the department policies on academic integrity.

What we're doing at Turn It In is simply strengthening efforts that we have made over the last 10 years to be sure that every student is graded appropriately on the work that he or she has done.

COSTELLO: And it's going to cost $40,000. Is it worth it?

HARWOOD: Well, let's think about costs and let's think about value. By my math, this is about 50 cents per student per year, a quarter, a semester. It seems like kind of a small price.

COSTELLO: A small price to pay for doing things the right way. Thank you for joining us this morning. John Harwood from Penn State.

It's time to give away a mug.

MYERS: You don't even have to cut and paste it.

COSTELLO: I just can't believe that students wouldn't know that was cheating.

MYERS: Oh, of course, they do, Carol.

COSTELLO: Of course, they do. He was just trying to be nice.

MYERS: They didn't get into college not knowing that kind of stuff.

Here are the questions and the answers from Friday. Archaeologists from what three countries are working to bring the King Tut's tomb back to America? The answers: Egypt, Germany and the United States. And give the definition of appoggiatura, the final word in the 2005 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. And that is an embellishing tone, up or down, sharp or flat.

And the winner, the winner, Tracey Lytle from Rochester, Washington.

COSTELLO: Wow!

MYERS: Man, we are getting people out West, Midwest. We think all you're all sleeping out there; so do the bosses. Good for you for writing in, because that just lets us know that you guys are awake out there.

Here are the questions for today. How much money in state funding is needed for that proposed West Side stadium in Manhattan? They're going to Albany today to apply for this money. According to a new survey, which state has the dumbest drivers? It's in New England, but what state had that number one right over the top of it?

CNN.com/daybreak. There's a link. Click on it and send us your answers.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

When we come back, a look at your travel forecast. You're watching DAYBREAK for a Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You're looking at pictures of a funnel cloud near Marlow, Oklahoma. I want to bring Chad in on this, because five people were injured there.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And there could be more severe weather today.

MYERS: True. A funnel cloud means that it was not touching the ground, but obviously if five people were injured, at some point that did touch the ground and turned into the tornado. There you go. You can see it stretching to the ground even right there, from our affiliate, KOCO, the affiliate I used to work for and tornado-chased for. Certainly don't get out there and try to look for those things. Let the professionals do it, because they know where they're going, and they know where they've been.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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 June 6, 2005 - 06:29   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And this just in to CNN, actor Russell Crowe has been arrested. It happened in New York City early, early, early this morning. Police say the actor got really mad when he couldn't call Australia on a hotel phone. He threw the phone at a hotel employee. The worker got a pretty serious cut on his face. He actually needed stitches. So, again, Russell Crowe under arrest this morning in New York.
(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: A verdict in the Michael Jackson molestation trial could come as early as today with jurors resuming deliberations after a weekend break. And it was a weekend that included another hospital visit for the pop star.

Kareen Wynter live in Santa Maria with the latest.

Good morning.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

That's right. Jackson's second trip to the hospital in less than a week. The singer's spokesperson said that Jackson was taken there yesterday afternoon by his bodyguards. He went to the emergency room for treatment involving back pain. And that this very much has to do with just the toll, the effects, the stress from the trial. Nevertheless, she says Jackson is in good spirits.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WYNTER (voice over): It's here that Michael Jackson reportedly spent the weekend in prayer with his family, Neverland Ranch, and here where the pop star will await word of a verdict, a one-hour drive from the Santa Maria courthouse, where an eight-woman, four-man jury will decide the singer's fate.

A Jackson spokesperson says he has faith in the justice system and believes his attorneys have done an excellent job.

RAYMONE BAIN, JACKSON SPOKESWOMAN: This is the hardest part now, the waiting game.

WYNTER: The prosecution and defense ended closing arguments Friday. Some legal analysts say the case now hinges on who jurors will believe: an adult who is a world-renowned entertainer or a child who is recovering from cancer. MICHAEL CORDOZA, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The prosecution may have proved to this jury that Michael Jackson is a pedophile. But did they prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt? And that's what the defense was trying to do, was to focus them on this case and not look at the past acts of sexual misconduct.

WYNTER: The 12 jurors range in age from 20 to 79 years old -- seven whites, four Hispanics and one Asian, no African-Americans.

Some jurors have said they're fans of Jackson's music. Others have relatives or close friends that have been diagnosed with cancer. Two of the panelists have family members charged with or victims of sex crimes.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

The judge has set a one-hour notice for the verdict to be read after the jury reaches a decision. Now, Carol, deliberations begin at 8:30 local time this morning. They're expected to go until 2:30. But the court will allow jurors to deliberate longer if they so choose -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Kareen Wynter live in California this morning.

Michael Jackson's former attorney, Mark Geragos, will share more details about the case with Larry King tonight. You can catch that at 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

The mystery surrounding Natalee Holloway has turned into a criminal case. The 18-year-old Alabama girl vanished a week ago on the Caribbean island of Aruba. She was on a high school graduation trip with her classmates.

Police have now charged two men in her disappearance. Here's one of them being hauled away. No word on what the charges are, though. The two worked as security guards at a hotel near the one where Holloway was staying.

Also, police found a blood-stained mattress near the area where the men were arrested, but tests determined the blood was from a dog, not a person.

CNN will follow this mystery out of Aruba all day. Soledad O'Brien joins us now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol, good morning to you.

And you're right. We are also following developments in that search for Natalee Holloway out of Aruba. The 18-year-old, as you mentioned, has been missing a week now. And the two men who are now in police custody, well, what are the police learning from them? We've got the very latest on that investigation and the search as well. It intensified over the weekend. Plus, we'll take you live to Aruba and also bring you to Natalee's hometown. It's a suburb of Birmingham in Alabama.

Also ahead this morning, one community's aggressive steps to monitor sex offenders. It's using state-of-the-art technology to try to track convicted child predators in real time. Authorities say it's helping keep kids safe. There are critics, though, who say it's a big, old waste of taxpayer money. We're going to take a look at the issue, ahead on "AMERICAN MORNING" -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Soledad.

In news across America now.

A missing Texas college student has been found after seven years at a dance club in Kentucky, but she's not so happy about being found. Brandy Starr (ph) disappeared from Texas A&M University in 1998 after a right with her parents. She's been hiding in Kentucky for the last five years.

About 400 people turned out for a Confederate memorial service in Higginsville, Missouri. The state's governor ordered that the Confederate flag be allowed to fly over the annual event. It's the first time the flag has been raised over state property since it was removed from the site in 2003.

A former community college professor in Florida is charged with stealing students' identities. He and his girlfriend allegedly used the Social Security numbers of at least three students to apply for department store credit cards.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, a key vote today will have a big impact on New York's Olympic dreams. We'll have a live report for you straight ahead.

Plus, a new survey ranks the states with the dumbest drivers. Maybe you'll be surprised at the results. I don't know.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: There was a huge party in Paris over the weekend. Thousands of Parisians crowded the streets to celebrate the possibility of getting the 2012 summer Olympic games. Paris has not hosted a game since 1924. Ditto in Madrid. Evaluators are releasing their findings to members of the International Olympic Committee today. Moscow and London are the other European cities hoping to get the Olympic rings.

New York is also among the hopefuls for the 2012 games, but it has another important decision to make that could mean a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on its Olympic aspirations.

We get more now from Lisa Colagrossi of CNN affiliate WABC here in New York.

Good morning, Lisa. LISA COLAGROSSI, CNN AFFILIATE WABC REPORTER: All right. Today in New York City, we're all waiting for the vote from the Public Authorities Control Board regarding the West Side stadium project. The board is scheduled to vote later on today in Albany on $300 million in state funds for the project. If they do not approve the funding, this essentially could kill the West Side stadium project and seriously cripple New York City's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Now, also another thing we're looking at today is the IOC. They are going to be coming out with their evaluations of the five finalist cities.

Right now, what's causing a little bit of -- in New York City is a London newspaper, "The Independent," that is reporting that New York's bid is dead, because of all of this wrangling with the West Side Stadium. They've put New York's chances of getting the Olympics at 16 to 1. However, NYC 2012 was quick to come out and say that they're confident that the IOC's evaluation will put New York's bid on the same standing as Paris and London.

The biggest problem right here in New York City with this West Side stadium: the neighborhood doesn't want it. They say it's going to be a lot of traffic and a lot of congestion.

Also, the politicians have been bickering about this whole thing. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who is one of the key votes on this state panel that's taking the vote today, he is concerned that his lower Manhattan district is going to be left out if this huge project is built on the West Side of Manhattan.

Today is really do or die for New York City's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Reporting live in New York, Lisa Colagrossi for CNN.

COSTELLO: Well, thank you, Lisa. We appreciate it.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:41 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

In Iraq, the military says that massive underground bunker the Marines found near Falluja last week has been destroyed. It's suspected the bunker was used by insurgents. The complex contained a weapons cache, living spaces, air conditioners, showers, you name it.

In money news, you want to be a director? Now you can for under $30. The one-time use video camera goes on sale today. If you want one, though, it's only at CBS stores in the Northeast.

In culture, the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to former Vice President Al Gore. The award recognizes the pivotal role Gore played in the development of the Internet. And, of course, this is all done tongue in cheek.

In sports, an eighth inning three-run homer gave the Washington Nationals a come-from-behind 6-3 win over the Florida Marlins. It is the first time since 1933 a team called Washington is in first place in the NL East.

To the forecast center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: So, this organization, Chad, the GMAC Insurance survey...

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... did a survey to find where the dumbest drivers are. That's what they call them: the dumbest drivers.

MYERS: Oh, that's going to be a long and winding process to find that, because they are everywhere.

COSTELLO: Oh, you have that right. But you really want to stay off the roads in the Northeast. Drivers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey are said to be the dumbest drivers.

MYERS: Really?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: I wouldn't think so.

COSTELLO: They were the least to know the rules of the road.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: And that's according to this GMAC Insurance survey. It's not from us. Drivers in Oregon, Washington State and Iowa are ranked the smartest.

MYERS: Not the best. This is not the best drivers, I understand. This is just the smartest. They took the tests and did best on the tests.

COSTELLO: That driver's ed test that you took years ago...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... that you never have to take again for some reason.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: The survey found 1 in 10 people nationwide would fail a state driver's test if they took one today.

MYERS: Oh, at least. I think 3 in 10.

COSTELLO: I wonder if we could take it. Maybe we'll get one, and we'll pose the questions to our viewers.

MYERS: I would like to even post that on our Web site to see if we could get a link to that. COSTELLO: Because, you know...

MYERS: That would be awesome.

COSTELLO: Because, you know a lot of people are going, oh, I know all of the rules of the road. And you know they don't.

MYERS: Carol, what sign is the pennant? Do you know that?

COSTELLO: No. Oh, it's a pennant. It's like a triangle sideways.

MYERS: Correct. What's the sign? Let's say the snow was covering up the sign and you couldn't read the words. What does it say?

COSTELLO: Beware.

MYERS: Kind of.

COSTELLO: What?

MYERS: No passing zone.

COSTELLO: Well, if it says the words on it why do I care about the shape of the sign?

MYERS: Well, if it's covered in snow you can't see it.

COSTELLO: That's true.

MYERS: But you shouldn't be passing anyway.

COSTELLO: OK. We're going to get the test. That would be a fun thing to do.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: The parade of stars and the dancing on cars are over. And now Michael Jackson's fate is all up to the jury. "AMERICAN MORNING" is following the legal maneuvers. Soledad is here again with a preview.

Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Hey, Carol, good morning to you.

We are on the Jackson verdict watch this morning. Deliberations are going to resume in just a few hours. CNN's senior legal analyst is Jeff Toobin, and he was in the courtroom on Friday. That's when the prosecution and the defense wrapped up their case. We're going to ask Jeff about Michael Jackson's health. He was hospitalized again. We'll find out just how Michael Jackson is looking.

The jury has a full day to meet today. How long could it take for them to reach a verdict? A little twist on how we're going to hear their decision. Jeff is going to fill us in on all of that.

Also, Carol, that bizarre story out of Arizona, the 14-year-old boy who is now accused of stealing a 40-ton construction vehicle, that big thing right there, he's in critical condition this morning. He was shot by police after a 15-mile chase through the streets of Tuscan. This morning, we talk to the boy's attorney.

Those stories and much more ahead on this "AMERICAN MORNING." And you know what? I found on Google the driver's tests for you.

COSTELLO: Oh, please don't give me another question.

O'BRIEN: I won't. But, you know, you could just click it on and take the test and see how smart you are, because drivers in Massachusetts, have you ever driven in Boston? You've got to be pretty smart for that actually.

COSTELLO: Oh, well, that's true, because of the roadway system there.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

COSTELLO: And the amount of traffic.

O'BRIEN: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Well, we're going to get that test up. And maybe tomorrow on DAYBREAK, we'll pose the questions to our viewers, because I'm interested now.

O'BRIEN: Right.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Soledad.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, fighting plagiarism on campus. A college professor joins us next to talk about his school's very expensive solution.

More news in a moment. But first, it's time to say happy birthday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's 6:50 Eastern. Here is what will be making news today.

Mark Hacking hears what his sentence will be. It's been nearly a year since Hacking's wife, Lori, disappeared. Her remains were finally found in a Salt Lake City landfill in October. Hacking pleaded guilty to the killing.

Military base closing commissioners will visit Hill Air Force Base. It's home to the Utah Test and Training Range. The base would lose 400 jobs under Pentagon recommendations.

A judge is to rule on Washington State's governor's election challenge. On a third vote count, the Democrat won by just 129 votes. If the Republican candidate wins, she could be asked to step down immediately or perhaps in early July after the state supreme court reviews the case.

It is the long summer before the big trip to college. And, parents, before you send your child off to school, please review the rules of plagiarism. It has become a huge problem. Penn State is dealing with it with a very expensive system. It's going to cost them 40,000 a year.

Live to Chicago now and Penn State's John Harwood. He's in charge of education technology.

Good morning.

JOHN HARWOOD, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY: Good morning.

COSTELLO: First off, Penn State found 341 instances of cheating last year. How were the students doing it?

HARWOOD: First of all, I think we need to frame the question. It's not so much cheating is that lots and lots of students simply do not know the proper way to document their sources. We're dealing with a Net generation. Students who from the time they learn to read have also learned to copy and paste. And so, I think that's the background for what we're trying to do at Penn State.

COSTELLO: So, you don't call it cheating?

HARWOOD: There are all kinds of cheating. There are a very small number of students. Remember, we have 60,000 full-time students -- 80, students all together. And if you're talking about 340 infractions, that's a pretty small number.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: I understand, but I'm just talking about the act itself, because I'm reading this article from the "Patriot News," and it quotes Sharon Shriver (ph), a Penn State biology professor. She recalls a graduate student who found information on the Internet, that, according to the students, that exactly what she would have written, so she copied it without attributing the source. Don't we all learn that in grade school, not to do that?

HARWOOD: Well, I certainly learned it in grade school. But there are an awful lot of students who, when they're given any kind of assignment, the first thing they go to is Yahoo! or Google, and from there it's cut and paste. This is wrong. Everyone at Penn State agrees it's wrong. And the reason that we're licensing turnitin.com is so that both students and faculty will have a better, easier way of checking the originality of what students are writing.

COSTELLO: OK. So, clearly, this would be cheating. How are you combating this at Penn State?

HARWOOD: Well, we have done a lot of things over the last 10 years. Academic integrity is not a new issue for us. We have policies and procedures in place so that every department in every college knows how to deal with questionable student activities. We want every faculty member at Penn State to have language in their syllabus that links to the college or the department policies on academic integrity.

What we're doing at Turn It In is simply strengthening efforts that we have made over the last 10 years to be sure that every student is graded appropriately on the work that he or she has done.

COSTELLO: And it's going to cost $40,000. Is it worth it?

HARWOOD: Well, let's think about costs and let's think about value. By my math, this is about 50 cents per student per year, a quarter, a semester. It seems like kind of a small price.

COSTELLO: A small price to pay for doing things the right way. Thank you for joining us this morning. John Harwood from Penn State.

It's time to give away a mug.

MYERS: You don't even have to cut and paste it.

COSTELLO: I just can't believe that students wouldn't know that was cheating.

MYERS: Oh, of course, they do, Carol.

COSTELLO: Of course, they do. He was just trying to be nice.

MYERS: They didn't get into college not knowing that kind of stuff.

Here are the questions and the answers from Friday. Archaeologists from what three countries are working to bring the King Tut's tomb back to America? The answers: Egypt, Germany and the United States. And give the definition of appoggiatura, the final word in the 2005 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. And that is an embellishing tone, up or down, sharp or flat.

And the winner, the winner, Tracey Lytle from Rochester, Washington.

COSTELLO: Wow!

MYERS: Man, we are getting people out West, Midwest. We think all you're all sleeping out there; so do the bosses. Good for you for writing in, because that just lets us know that you guys are awake out there.

Here are the questions for today. How much money in state funding is needed for that proposed West Side stadium in Manhattan? They're going to Albany today to apply for this money. According to a new survey, which state has the dumbest drivers? It's in New England, but what state had that number one right over the top of it?

CNN.com/daybreak. There's a link. Click on it and send us your answers.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

When we come back, a look at your travel forecast. You're watching DAYBREAK for a Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You're looking at pictures of a funnel cloud near Marlow, Oklahoma. I want to bring Chad in on this, because five people were injured there.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And there could be more severe weather today.

MYERS: True. A funnel cloud means that it was not touching the ground, but obviously if five people were injured, at some point that did touch the ground and turned into the tornado. There you go. You can see it stretching to the ground even right there, from our affiliate, KOCO, the affiliate I used to work for and tornado-chased for. Certainly don't get out there and try to look for those things. Let the professionals do it, because they know where they're going, and they know where they've been.

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COSTELLO: From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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