Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Desperate Search; Jackson Verdict Watch; Killer Walks Free
Aired June 06, 2005 - 08:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Expanding the search for missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway as police question two hotel guards arrested in the case. We've got the latest live from Aruba.
On the verdict watch and the health watch in the Michael Jackson trial. His fate now in the hands of a jury as the singer makes another trip to the emergency room. A live report's ahead.
And in Iraq, the military destroys a massive underground hideout for insurgents near Falluja. Is the city any safer on this AMERICAN MORNING?
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
O'BRIEN: Good morning. And welcome back, everybody. Bill Hemmer's got the day off. A little long weekend for him, but Ali Velshi is nice enough to help us out.
Good morning.
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Good to be here.
Ahead, we're looking at what law enforcement can do when using the latest technology to track sex offenders. Amazingly accurate results, as satellites pinpoint every move that predators make. We'll show you how it works.
O'BRIEN: Pretty amazing technology.
Jack Cafferty is talking about Gitmo this morning.
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Senator Joe Biden of Delaware thinks we ought to close down that camp for detainees at Guantanamo Bay. He says it's a propaganda tool that encourages more terrorist recruits. Amnesty International called the place a gulag.
What do you think, shut it down, keep it open, perhaps expand it, put on some additions, some new wings? AM@CNN.com is the address.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thanks.
Let's get to headlines. Carol Costello's got that.
Good morning. CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Never thought of that solution...
O'BRIEN: Expansion.
COSTELLO: ... just expand the thing. Right.
Good morning, everyone.
"Now in the News," al Qaeda suspect number three is in U.S. custody. Pakistani officials say they have handed over Abu Faraj al- Libbi. He's wanted in connection with two assassination attempts against Pakistan's president. Some say he has very close ties to Osama bin Laden.
There has been a morning suicide attack in western Baghdad. At least four people, including three police officers, are wounded. And Iraqi and American forces now confirm a massive underground bunker and a weapons cache discovered last week have been destroyed. Troops say the site north of Falluja was most likely a command center and a base of operations for the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi network.
Israeli police clash with Palestinians in Jerusalem. Things are said to be under control now after a group of Palestinians threw stones at Israelis at a disputed holy site. Police tell CNN at least two Israelis were hurt. The fighting taking place on Jerusalem Day. It marks the capture of Arab east Jerusalem almost 40 years ago.
President Bush says he wants to encourage democracy in Latin America. The president will address the Organization of American States, the OAS, during a stop in Florida later this morning. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to the group last night.
The president then heads back to Washington. And he's set to speak at the White House Black Music Month reception later this afternoon.
And it is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Exactly 61 years ago today, more than 150,000 American and other allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. World War II vets are gathering around the world to mark the occasion.
Sixty-one years.
O'BRIEN: I know. Hard to believe it's been that long, isn't it? All right. Carol, thanks a lot.
Let's take you back to Aruba this morning. Investigators there plan to send an FBI dive team into the waters off the Caribbean island where Natalee Holloway disappeared. The 18-year-old Alabama student disappeared on Monday after leaving a popular nightclub on Sunday.
Police charged two security guards with crimes related to her disappearance. Prosecutors have not said what the charges are. Police say the two suspects work at hotel near the Holiday Inn, which is where Holloway was staying.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Carla Caccavlae's P.R. firm handles the Aruba tourism account. Natalee Holloway's family has asked her to act as her spokeswoman.
Carla, good morning. Thanks for talking with us.
CARLA CACCAVALE, HOLLOWAY FAMILY SPOKESWOMAN: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: I know you had an opportunity to have dinner with Natalee's family last night. How are they doing? How are they holding up?
CACCAVALE: They're amazing. They are very, very strong, and they are going forward and doing this for Natalee.
O'BRIEN: We know that her mother, obviously, Beth Holloway Twitty, very, very distraught, and she's in Aruba to try to help authorities. What kind of help is she able to provide?
CACCAVALE: She is going around handing out flyers on her free time. She's cooperating fully with the authorities. She's in constant contact with them.
Natalee's dad, Dave, is organizing volunteer searches. Yesterday, he was out with about 50 of the Dutch Marines, Aruba search and rescue. They had helicopters, ATVs. They are combing this island, piece by piece, on their own, in addition to the help they're receiving from the authorities.
O'BRIEN: And in fact, two men were arrested yesterday. Do you have any details on this investigation, what the charges are for these two men, anything you can tell us?
CACCAVALE: Unfortunately, all I know is what the prosecutor said yesterday at the press conference, and that is that these men are being charged with something to do with Natalee's disappearance. We don't know what that is exactly, but that's the case right now.
O'BRIEN: FBI dive team as well, the help from there has been requested. Any idea why?
CACCAVALE: All hands on deck. The more help we have to find Natalee, the better. We want to bring her home, and we want to do it soon. So the more help we have.
O'BRIEN: Back at home in Mountain Brook in Alabama, there are ribbons and a vigil also being held, vigils really for this young lady. Has that been helpful to the family? Are they aware of what's going on back in their hometown?
CACCAVALE: Yes, they are. They are. And they are so grateful for that. They repeatedly say that that's one of the reasons why they remain so strong today, because they know that back home everyone is pulling for them.
In addition to back home, here on the island, they have a great support network of friends and family.
And when people say to Beth, you know, how are you doing this? How are you remaining so strong? She simply says, I'm Natalee's mom.
O'BRIEN: You've never met Natalee, I know that, but you've had lots of conversations now with her family members. She sounds like a very remarkable young lady. What can you tell us about her?
CACCAVALE: Well, actually, Beth last night, before I left, she said to me, "Carla," she said, "tomorrow you better make Natalee proud, because she's going to review these tapes and critique you."
"I know she is a straight-A student. I know she has a full scholarship waiting for her for the University of Alabama. I know that she's a passionate dancer. I know that she used to babysit for children with special needs. Everything I've heard from everyone is just glowing about Natalee, and I do hope I have the opportunity to meet her."
O'BRIEN: I bet you will. Carla Caccavale joining us this morning. Thanks for talking with us, Carla. Appreciate it.
CACCAVALE: Thank you. Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: The family's posted a $50,000 reward for any information leading to Natalee's whereabouts -- Ali.
VELSHI: Well, Michael Jackson is out of the hospital, waiting to hear if the jury says he is guilty or not guilty of child molestation. Chris Lawrence is in Santa Maria, California. He's live now.
Chris, what are you hearing about Michael Jackson's visit to the hospital? It was late last night, I guess, he went in?
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. He went in Sunday, late Sunday afternoon. He spent a few hours there at the hospital for what we understand is treatment for a recurring problem with his back. His bodyguards drove him to the hospital, and there he was treated.
Now, what we're hearing is that it wasn't all that serious, but it is a recurring problem. His spokesperson says that he was exhausted and that he is under a great deal of stress, but this is the fourth time he has had a health problem in just this year alone.
Back on February 15, he was treated for symptoms of the flu. Then about a month later, on March 10, he showed up 90 minutes late to court wearing pajamas, and at that point the judge threatened to revoke his bail. And then just two weeks after that, court was delayed another 45 minutes when Jackson was late again, this time bringing his doctor with him.
Now, right now he is back at Neverland, and that's where he'll probably remain until he gets the call that the jury has reached a verdict. At that point, he'll have about an hour to get back here to the courthouse, and CNN will broadcast a live audio feed of that verdict. So we'll all hear the jury's answer at the same time -- Ali.
VELSHI: So they'll get notice -- they'll get notice, Chris, that their -- that Michael Jackson's to come back, all the parties will get notice, they'll come in. Theoretically, the jury will -- will read the verdict, and then whatever follows from that then unfolds. Is that how it works?
LAWRENCE: Yes, exactly. And what we're hearing from his brother, we spoke privately with Jermaine Jackson over the weekend, and he told CNN that, no matter what happens, even if Michael Jackson is acquitted, this will change how he relates to people.
Jermaine Jackson said Michael Jackson will become somewhat of a recluse because he feels at this point he just can't trust anyone. Probably referring to some of his former employees and confidants who have testified against him during this trial.
VELSHI: And there's no clue at this point yet as to how the jury deliberations are going? They got the trial Friday. Today will be their first full day, if they take a full day, to deliberate?
LAWRENCE: Right. Yes, they only deliberated about two hours. It was late Friday. They went home for the weekend.
So they did elect a foreperson, from what we understand. So today will be their first full day of deliberations.
VELSHI: All right, Chris. The eyes of the world are going to be on that as well. Chris Lawrence is in Santa Maria, California, following the Jackson deliberations.
O'BRIEN: One family in New Jersey to tell you about. They're outraged now after they discovered that their sister's killer will not have to serve a day in jail, even though a jury convicted him for her death.
Alina Cho has our report this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Marc Ferrara is a convicted killer. A jury on Thursday found him guilty in the 23- year-old beating death of 18-year-old Rosie Lorincz. Yet today, Ferrara is a free man. Kathy Lorincz is Rosie's sister.
KATHY LORINCZ, SISTER OF VICTIM: He got a slap in the wrist. We got a slap in the face.
CHO (on camera): Back in 1982, when the crime was committed, there was a five-year statute of limitations or manslaughter charges. It has since been overturned.
Ferrara was charged with murder, but the jury ultimately convicted him of aggravated manslaughter. The jurors were not told he could go free, even with a guilty verdict.
(voice-over): That's because jurors in New Jersey are not allowed to be told about potential sentences before they decide guilty or not. That law is still in effect today. Julie Golden, Rosie Lorincz' other sister, believes the jury would have found Ferrara guilty of murder, which does not have a statute of limitations, had they known he could walk free on the lesser charge because it was subject to such a statute.
JULIE GOLDEN, SISTER OF VICTIM: You know, when you go into court and you take the stand, they tell you to put your hand on the bible and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Well, I feel like they should have told the jurors.
CHO: From the time of her disappearance in 1982, until the killer's sister came forward 20 years later, Rosie Lorincz was listed as a missing person. Phyllis Ann Ferrara said her brother forced her to dispose of her Rosie's body in the Hudson River. She says she didn't come forward earlier because she didn't feel safe.
PHYLLIS ANN FERRARA, SISTER OF MARC FERRARA: There's no closure. There's no closure. He told me he'd go to jail for a long time, and he's walking free after what he did to her.
CHO: Repeated attempts to reach Marc Ferrara have been unsuccessful, although at trial he continued to maintain his innocence. But for the Lorincz family, their search for closure continues.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My sister's still not going to rest in peace, because we feel that we didn't get any justice for her. And the only -- the only thing we could think of is when we left the courtroom is going to her grave and apologizing to her that we tried.
CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, North Bergen, New Jersey.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Well, Marc Ferrara was convicted of manslaughter. He went free. Had he been convicted of murder, he could have been sentenced to life in prison -- Ali.
VELSHI: Soledad, we're following a potentially dangerous situation right now in the Northeast. Some very strong storms expected today. Even New York could -- New York City could see some severe weather, and parts of the Midwest will get a much-needed break after a week of intense storms.
Severe thunderstorms swept across Michigan on Sunday night, knocking down trees and power lines. Thousands of people lost power.
People in Oklahoma picking up the pieces after a tornado tore down trees and power lines there. Several homes were reportedly damaged.
Well, Chad Myers is at the CNN center with the latest forecast -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, keeping close tabs on child predators.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW SPANO, WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Not only are we watching them, but they know we're watching them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: One community shows what the latest technology can do when it comes to tracking sex offenders, but is it a waste of taxpayer money? We'll take a look.
VELSHI: Also, the nightmare for the family of Natalee Holloway after her trip to an island known for its safety. Coming up, security tips for you and your loved ones when traveling abroad.
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Cities across the country are rethinking how they track sex offenders after several recent high-profile cases. One community is cutting -- on the cutting edge in suburban New York City.
Kelly Wallace paid a visit there, got a little bit more on that.
Good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
That community, Westchester County, just outside New York City. Officials there tell us they are the only county currently in New York State using global positioning technology to track sex offenders 24 hours a day. But -- there is a "but" here -- not everyone thinks this is a good move and a way to keep communities safe.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SPANO: That's where he is right now?
WALLACE (voice-over): In Westchester County, New York, tracking sex offenders has gone high-tech. This yellow dot represents one sex offender and his movements throughout the count in real time. Probation offices can see where he is at any moment.
SPANO: Not only are we watching them, but they know we're watching them. And that's -- that's a deterrent.
WALLACE: The green dots represent where the sex offender has been every single minute of the day. It is a 24/7 history of a sex offender's every move.
SPANO: You know, this guy goes home at night, and a day later something is found in that area that occurred in is this day, we can go back and take a look. Was he there, was he there at that time, et cetera.
WALLACE: Here's how it works. The sex offender wears an ankle bracelet and carries a special cell phone. Any time he goes into a restricted area or deviates from his schedule, a probation officer gets an alert on a hand-held device. In fact, during our interview...
SPANO: He's getting it right now.
WALLACE: ... an officer received an alert that a sexual offender came home from work early.
SPANO: Call the guy up and say, "Why are you home early?" And if it sounds a little fishy, you know, he will follow that up and then we'll follow it through.
WALLACE: Right now, the county's pilot program involves only seven sex offenders on probation at a cost of $8 per day per offender. Westchester County executive Andrew Spano hopes one day every sex offender in the area will be tracked.
(on camera): Why is this so important to you?
SPANO: Look, we have 270 people on probation in Westchester County, and I want to know where they are all the time. That's why this is important. It keeps them away from certain places where they may be tempted, where they can hurt people. And we want to make sure that they don't hurt anybody.
WALLACE (on camera): But some prison reform advocates say 24- hour tracking won't necessarily stop a sex offender from preying on kids and could be an unwarranted intrusion.
DAVID SINGLETON, PRISON REFORM ADVOCACY CENTER: Requiring them to be subject to global positioning monitoring is a political gimmick that is not going to make our children safer, and is actually going to waste taxpayers' dollars.
WALLACE: David Singleton argues 24-hour tracking should only be used on case-by-case basis, taking into account a sex offender's criminal history. But Spano, who is up for re-election in January, says he'd rather be safe than sorry.
SPANO: The average person in Westchester County who was a victim of sex offenders is a 14-year-old girl. Well, we have 14-year-old girls throughout the entire county. So we have to be concerned where they are.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And currently in Westchester County, a judge is the one who decides if the sex offender should take part in this program. The tracking lasts for six months. Andrew Spano, though, is trying to put the legislature to make the tracking indefinite, and then the sex offender would have to go to court to have it stopped.
O'BRIEN: Is any other community thinking that this is a great idea and wants to do a similar thing, do you think?
WALLACE: Well, you sort of see -- it's hard to say what's happening exactly in other counties in New York State. You're seeing it across the board nationwide. But when you look at the state, the state senate, the state assembly, there are pieces of legislation moving through that would require the level-three offenders -- these are the ones deemed at highest risk of repeating an offense -- those would be required to be tracked 24 hours a day.
So it does appear to be -- having some movement. But again, only for those level-three offenders.
O'BRIEN: It's such a sad thing we have to track people so they don't attack children. I mean, it's just...
WALLACE: These communities, though, are taking certain steps. We're seeing different approaches. Another approach you're also seeing is trying to restrict the area, having sex offenders -- they're not allowed to live or spend any time within like 2,500 feet of a school, a park, other steps they're trying to take.
O'BRIEN: I remember there was some -- I can't remember who said, you know, the day that they -- we all hope for a day when they start naming laws after, you know, dead and missing children.
WALLACE: I think Mark Lunsford, over Jessica Lunsford. Exactly.
O'BRIEN: Pathetic. All right. Kelly, great spot. Thank you very much.
WALLACE: Sure thing.
O'BRIEN: Ali.
VELSHI: Thanks, Soledad.
Still to come the disappearance of U.S. student in Aruba raises an important question. How can you stay safe when traveling overseas? We'll have some advice ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Let's get right to the "Question of the Day" and Jack.
Good morning again.
CAFFERTY: Good morning.
Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware thinks the United States ought to shut down that military prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He says it's a great propaganda tool for the terrorists. Amnesty International, you'll recall, came out and called the place a gulag a week or so ago. Some of the folks down there have been there a while. Probably be there a while more.
The question is, should the United States close the place or not?
Paul in Virginia writes, "Gitmo has become more than a national embarrassment. It has become a symbol of an inflexible, unyielding and horribly unimaginative administration. I would like to see both shut down."
Sandy in South Carolina, "I notice there isn't much of an uproar when people of other nations are burning our flag and planning our demise with great gusto. Maybe it's just me, but isolationism is sounding better and better."
Tony in North Carolina, "I'm a Republican. We threw out the magic of our society when we let our fear rule. Let the detainees go."
And Reg gets the award for the best letter of the morning so far. "I agree with the bleeding-heart liberals who say Gitmo should be bulldozed into the ground. We only disagree on whether the terrorists ought to be taken out first."
O'BRIEN: Reg coming through for you this morning.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thanks.
Well, Monty Python's adaptation from TV to Broadway is a winning one. "Spamalot," the loony adaptation of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," won three Tony awards last night, including one for best musical. The drama "Doubt" one for best play.
(INAUDIBLE)
VELSHI: Nice. Very nice.
O'BRIEN: Yes. So congratulations to all the winners, as they say.
Still to come this morning, watching for the Michael Jackson verdict and asking, what happens if he's found not guilty? Could he become a big star once again? Toure takes a look at what that would take.
Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. It's just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. Bill has taken a long weekend. Ali Velshi is filling in for him this morning.
Coming up, we've got some tips for travel safety.
VELSHI: What should you look at when you research your travel destination? How do you find out whether it's safe? Also, what precautions should you take when you get there? We'll look at that.
O'BRIEN: All right. That's all ahead this morning.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
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 - 08:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Expanding the search for missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway as police question two hotel guards arrested in the case. We've got the latest live from Aruba.
On the verdict watch and the health watch in the Michael Jackson trial. His fate now in the hands of a jury as the singer makes another trip to the emergency room. A live report's ahead.
And in Iraq, the military destroys a massive underground hideout for insurgents near Falluja. Is the city any safer on this AMERICAN MORNING?
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
O'BRIEN: Good morning. And welcome back, everybody. Bill Hemmer's got the day off. A little long weekend for him, but Ali Velshi is nice enough to help us out.
Good morning.
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Good to be here.
Ahead, we're looking at what law enforcement can do when using the latest technology to track sex offenders. Amazingly accurate results, as satellites pinpoint every move that predators make. We'll show you how it works.
O'BRIEN: Pretty amazing technology.
Jack Cafferty is talking about Gitmo this morning.
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Senator Joe Biden of Delaware thinks we ought to close down that camp for detainees at Guantanamo Bay. He says it's a propaganda tool that encourages more terrorist recruits. Amnesty International called the place a gulag.
What do you think, shut it down, keep it open, perhaps expand it, put on some additions, some new wings? AM@CNN.com is the address.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thanks.
Let's get to headlines. Carol Costello's got that.
Good morning. CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Never thought of that solution...
O'BRIEN: Expansion.
COSTELLO: ... just expand the thing. Right.
Good morning, everyone.
"Now in the News," al Qaeda suspect number three is in U.S. custody. Pakistani officials say they have handed over Abu Faraj al- Libbi. He's wanted in connection with two assassination attempts against Pakistan's president. Some say he has very close ties to Osama bin Laden.
There has been a morning suicide attack in western Baghdad. At least four people, including three police officers, are wounded. And Iraqi and American forces now confirm a massive underground bunker and a weapons cache discovered last week have been destroyed. Troops say the site north of Falluja was most likely a command center and a base of operations for the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi network.
Israeli police clash with Palestinians in Jerusalem. Things are said to be under control now after a group of Palestinians threw stones at Israelis at a disputed holy site. Police tell CNN at least two Israelis were hurt. The fighting taking place on Jerusalem Day. It marks the capture of Arab east Jerusalem almost 40 years ago.
President Bush says he wants to encourage democracy in Latin America. The president will address the Organization of American States, the OAS, during a stop in Florida later this morning. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to the group last night.
The president then heads back to Washington. And he's set to speak at the White House Black Music Month reception later this afternoon.
And it is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Exactly 61 years ago today, more than 150,000 American and other allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. World War II vets are gathering around the world to mark the occasion.
Sixty-one years.
O'BRIEN: I know. Hard to believe it's been that long, isn't it? All right. Carol, thanks a lot.
Let's take you back to Aruba this morning. Investigators there plan to send an FBI dive team into the waters off the Caribbean island where Natalee Holloway disappeared. The 18-year-old Alabama student disappeared on Monday after leaving a popular nightclub on Sunday.
Police charged two security guards with crimes related to her disappearance. Prosecutors have not said what the charges are. Police say the two suspects work at hotel near the Holiday Inn, which is where Holloway was staying.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Carla Caccavlae's P.R. firm handles the Aruba tourism account. Natalee Holloway's family has asked her to act as her spokeswoman.
Carla, good morning. Thanks for talking with us.
CARLA CACCAVALE, HOLLOWAY FAMILY SPOKESWOMAN: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: I know you had an opportunity to have dinner with Natalee's family last night. How are they doing? How are they holding up?
CACCAVALE: They're amazing. They are very, very strong, and they are going forward and doing this for Natalee.
O'BRIEN: We know that her mother, obviously, Beth Holloway Twitty, very, very distraught, and she's in Aruba to try to help authorities. What kind of help is she able to provide?
CACCAVALE: She is going around handing out flyers on her free time. She's cooperating fully with the authorities. She's in constant contact with them.
Natalee's dad, Dave, is organizing volunteer searches. Yesterday, he was out with about 50 of the Dutch Marines, Aruba search and rescue. They had helicopters, ATVs. They are combing this island, piece by piece, on their own, in addition to the help they're receiving from the authorities.
O'BRIEN: And in fact, two men were arrested yesterday. Do you have any details on this investigation, what the charges are for these two men, anything you can tell us?
CACCAVALE: Unfortunately, all I know is what the prosecutor said yesterday at the press conference, and that is that these men are being charged with something to do with Natalee's disappearance. We don't know what that is exactly, but that's the case right now.
O'BRIEN: FBI dive team as well, the help from there has been requested. Any idea why?
CACCAVALE: All hands on deck. The more help we have to find Natalee, the better. We want to bring her home, and we want to do it soon. So the more help we have.
O'BRIEN: Back at home in Mountain Brook in Alabama, there are ribbons and a vigil also being held, vigils really for this young lady. Has that been helpful to the family? Are they aware of what's going on back in their hometown?
CACCAVALE: Yes, they are. They are. And they are so grateful for that. They repeatedly say that that's one of the reasons why they remain so strong today, because they know that back home everyone is pulling for them.
In addition to back home, here on the island, they have a great support network of friends and family.
And when people say to Beth, you know, how are you doing this? How are you remaining so strong? She simply says, I'm Natalee's mom.
O'BRIEN: You've never met Natalee, I know that, but you've had lots of conversations now with her family members. She sounds like a very remarkable young lady. What can you tell us about her?
CACCAVALE: Well, actually, Beth last night, before I left, she said to me, "Carla," she said, "tomorrow you better make Natalee proud, because she's going to review these tapes and critique you."
"I know she is a straight-A student. I know she has a full scholarship waiting for her for the University of Alabama. I know that she's a passionate dancer. I know that she used to babysit for children with special needs. Everything I've heard from everyone is just glowing about Natalee, and I do hope I have the opportunity to meet her."
O'BRIEN: I bet you will. Carla Caccavale joining us this morning. Thanks for talking with us, Carla. Appreciate it.
CACCAVALE: Thank you. Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: The family's posted a $50,000 reward for any information leading to Natalee's whereabouts -- Ali.
VELSHI: Well, Michael Jackson is out of the hospital, waiting to hear if the jury says he is guilty or not guilty of child molestation. Chris Lawrence is in Santa Maria, California. He's live now.
Chris, what are you hearing about Michael Jackson's visit to the hospital? It was late last night, I guess, he went in?
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. He went in Sunday, late Sunday afternoon. He spent a few hours there at the hospital for what we understand is treatment for a recurring problem with his back. His bodyguards drove him to the hospital, and there he was treated.
Now, what we're hearing is that it wasn't all that serious, but it is a recurring problem. His spokesperson says that he was exhausted and that he is under a great deal of stress, but this is the fourth time he has had a health problem in just this year alone.
Back on February 15, he was treated for symptoms of the flu. Then about a month later, on March 10, he showed up 90 minutes late to court wearing pajamas, and at that point the judge threatened to revoke his bail. And then just two weeks after that, court was delayed another 45 minutes when Jackson was late again, this time bringing his doctor with him.
Now, right now he is back at Neverland, and that's where he'll probably remain until he gets the call that the jury has reached a verdict. At that point, he'll have about an hour to get back here to the courthouse, and CNN will broadcast a live audio feed of that verdict. So we'll all hear the jury's answer at the same time -- Ali.
VELSHI: So they'll get notice -- they'll get notice, Chris, that their -- that Michael Jackson's to come back, all the parties will get notice, they'll come in. Theoretically, the jury will -- will read the verdict, and then whatever follows from that then unfolds. Is that how it works?
LAWRENCE: Yes, exactly. And what we're hearing from his brother, we spoke privately with Jermaine Jackson over the weekend, and he told CNN that, no matter what happens, even if Michael Jackson is acquitted, this will change how he relates to people.
Jermaine Jackson said Michael Jackson will become somewhat of a recluse because he feels at this point he just can't trust anyone. Probably referring to some of his former employees and confidants who have testified against him during this trial.
VELSHI: And there's no clue at this point yet as to how the jury deliberations are going? They got the trial Friday. Today will be their first full day, if they take a full day, to deliberate?
LAWRENCE: Right. Yes, they only deliberated about two hours. It was late Friday. They went home for the weekend.
So they did elect a foreperson, from what we understand. So today will be their first full day of deliberations.
VELSHI: All right, Chris. The eyes of the world are going to be on that as well. Chris Lawrence is in Santa Maria, California, following the Jackson deliberations.
O'BRIEN: One family in New Jersey to tell you about. They're outraged now after they discovered that their sister's killer will not have to serve a day in jail, even though a jury convicted him for her death.
Alina Cho has our report this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Marc Ferrara is a convicted killer. A jury on Thursday found him guilty in the 23- year-old beating death of 18-year-old Rosie Lorincz. Yet today, Ferrara is a free man. Kathy Lorincz is Rosie's sister.
KATHY LORINCZ, SISTER OF VICTIM: He got a slap in the wrist. We got a slap in the face.
CHO (on camera): Back in 1982, when the crime was committed, there was a five-year statute of limitations or manslaughter charges. It has since been overturned.
Ferrara was charged with murder, but the jury ultimately convicted him of aggravated manslaughter. The jurors were not told he could go free, even with a guilty verdict.
(voice-over): That's because jurors in New Jersey are not allowed to be told about potential sentences before they decide guilty or not. That law is still in effect today. Julie Golden, Rosie Lorincz' other sister, believes the jury would have found Ferrara guilty of murder, which does not have a statute of limitations, had they known he could walk free on the lesser charge because it was subject to such a statute.
JULIE GOLDEN, SISTER OF VICTIM: You know, when you go into court and you take the stand, they tell you to put your hand on the bible and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Well, I feel like they should have told the jurors.
CHO: From the time of her disappearance in 1982, until the killer's sister came forward 20 years later, Rosie Lorincz was listed as a missing person. Phyllis Ann Ferrara said her brother forced her to dispose of her Rosie's body in the Hudson River. She says she didn't come forward earlier because she didn't feel safe.
PHYLLIS ANN FERRARA, SISTER OF MARC FERRARA: There's no closure. There's no closure. He told me he'd go to jail for a long time, and he's walking free after what he did to her.
CHO: Repeated attempts to reach Marc Ferrara have been unsuccessful, although at trial he continued to maintain his innocence. But for the Lorincz family, their search for closure continues.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My sister's still not going to rest in peace, because we feel that we didn't get any justice for her. And the only -- the only thing we could think of is when we left the courtroom is going to her grave and apologizing to her that we tried.
CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, North Bergen, New Jersey.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Well, Marc Ferrara was convicted of manslaughter. He went free. Had he been convicted of murder, he could have been sentenced to life in prison -- Ali.
VELSHI: Soledad, we're following a potentially dangerous situation right now in the Northeast. Some very strong storms expected today. Even New York could -- New York City could see some severe weather, and parts of the Midwest will get a much-needed break after a week of intense storms.
Severe thunderstorms swept across Michigan on Sunday night, knocking down trees and power lines. Thousands of people lost power.
People in Oklahoma picking up the pieces after a tornado tore down trees and power lines there. Several homes were reportedly damaged.
Well, Chad Myers is at the CNN center with the latest forecast -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, keeping close tabs on child predators.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW SPANO, WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Not only are we watching them, but they know we're watching them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: One community shows what the latest technology can do when it comes to tracking sex offenders, but is it a waste of taxpayer money? We'll take a look.
VELSHI: Also, the nightmare for the family of Natalee Holloway after her trip to an island known for its safety. Coming up, security tips for you and your loved ones when traveling abroad.
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Cities across the country are rethinking how they track sex offenders after several recent high-profile cases. One community is cutting -- on the cutting edge in suburban New York City.
Kelly Wallace paid a visit there, got a little bit more on that.
Good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
That community, Westchester County, just outside New York City. Officials there tell us they are the only county currently in New York State using global positioning technology to track sex offenders 24 hours a day. But -- there is a "but" here -- not everyone thinks this is a good move and a way to keep communities safe.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SPANO: That's where he is right now?
WALLACE (voice-over): In Westchester County, New York, tracking sex offenders has gone high-tech. This yellow dot represents one sex offender and his movements throughout the count in real time. Probation offices can see where he is at any moment.
SPANO: Not only are we watching them, but they know we're watching them. And that's -- that's a deterrent.
WALLACE: The green dots represent where the sex offender has been every single minute of the day. It is a 24/7 history of a sex offender's every move.
SPANO: You know, this guy goes home at night, and a day later something is found in that area that occurred in is this day, we can go back and take a look. Was he there, was he there at that time, et cetera.
WALLACE: Here's how it works. The sex offender wears an ankle bracelet and carries a special cell phone. Any time he goes into a restricted area or deviates from his schedule, a probation officer gets an alert on a hand-held device. In fact, during our interview...
SPANO: He's getting it right now.
WALLACE: ... an officer received an alert that a sexual offender came home from work early.
SPANO: Call the guy up and say, "Why are you home early?" And if it sounds a little fishy, you know, he will follow that up and then we'll follow it through.
WALLACE: Right now, the county's pilot program involves only seven sex offenders on probation at a cost of $8 per day per offender. Westchester County executive Andrew Spano hopes one day every sex offender in the area will be tracked.
(on camera): Why is this so important to you?
SPANO: Look, we have 270 people on probation in Westchester County, and I want to know where they are all the time. That's why this is important. It keeps them away from certain places where they may be tempted, where they can hurt people. And we want to make sure that they don't hurt anybody.
WALLACE (on camera): But some prison reform advocates say 24- hour tracking won't necessarily stop a sex offender from preying on kids and could be an unwarranted intrusion.
DAVID SINGLETON, PRISON REFORM ADVOCACY CENTER: Requiring them to be subject to global positioning monitoring is a political gimmick that is not going to make our children safer, and is actually going to waste taxpayers' dollars.
WALLACE: David Singleton argues 24-hour tracking should only be used on case-by-case basis, taking into account a sex offender's criminal history. But Spano, who is up for re-election in January, says he'd rather be safe than sorry.
SPANO: The average person in Westchester County who was a victim of sex offenders is a 14-year-old girl. Well, we have 14-year-old girls throughout the entire county. So we have to be concerned where they are.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And currently in Westchester County, a judge is the one who decides if the sex offender should take part in this program. The tracking lasts for six months. Andrew Spano, though, is trying to put the legislature to make the tracking indefinite, and then the sex offender would have to go to court to have it stopped.
O'BRIEN: Is any other community thinking that this is a great idea and wants to do a similar thing, do you think?
WALLACE: Well, you sort of see -- it's hard to say what's happening exactly in other counties in New York State. You're seeing it across the board nationwide. But when you look at the state, the state senate, the state assembly, there are pieces of legislation moving through that would require the level-three offenders -- these are the ones deemed at highest risk of repeating an offense -- those would be required to be tracked 24 hours a day.
So it does appear to be -- having some movement. But again, only for those level-three offenders.
O'BRIEN: It's such a sad thing we have to track people so they don't attack children. I mean, it's just...
WALLACE: These communities, though, are taking certain steps. We're seeing different approaches. Another approach you're also seeing is trying to restrict the area, having sex offenders -- they're not allowed to live or spend any time within like 2,500 feet of a school, a park, other steps they're trying to take.
O'BRIEN: I remember there was some -- I can't remember who said, you know, the day that they -- we all hope for a day when they start naming laws after, you know, dead and missing children.
WALLACE: I think Mark Lunsford, over Jessica Lunsford. Exactly.
O'BRIEN: Pathetic. All right. Kelly, great spot. Thank you very much.
WALLACE: Sure thing.
O'BRIEN: Ali.
VELSHI: Thanks, Soledad.
Still to come the disappearance of U.S. student in Aruba raises an important question. How can you stay safe when traveling overseas? We'll have some advice ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Let's get right to the "Question of the Day" and Jack.
Good morning again.
CAFFERTY: Good morning.
Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware thinks the United States ought to shut down that military prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He says it's a great propaganda tool for the terrorists. Amnesty International, you'll recall, came out and called the place a gulag a week or so ago. Some of the folks down there have been there a while. Probably be there a while more.
The question is, should the United States close the place or not?
Paul in Virginia writes, "Gitmo has become more than a national embarrassment. It has become a symbol of an inflexible, unyielding and horribly unimaginative administration. I would like to see both shut down."
Sandy in South Carolina, "I notice there isn't much of an uproar when people of other nations are burning our flag and planning our demise with great gusto. Maybe it's just me, but isolationism is sounding better and better."
Tony in North Carolina, "I'm a Republican. We threw out the magic of our society when we let our fear rule. Let the detainees go."
And Reg gets the award for the best letter of the morning so far. "I agree with the bleeding-heart liberals who say Gitmo should be bulldozed into the ground. We only disagree on whether the terrorists ought to be taken out first."
O'BRIEN: Reg coming through for you this morning.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thanks.
Well, Monty Python's adaptation from TV to Broadway is a winning one. "Spamalot," the loony adaptation of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," won three Tony awards last night, including one for best musical. The drama "Doubt" one for best play.
(INAUDIBLE)
VELSHI: Nice. Very nice.
O'BRIEN: Yes. So congratulations to all the winners, as they say.
Still to come this morning, watching for the Michael Jackson verdict and asking, what happens if he's found not guilty? Could he become a big star once again? Toure takes a look at what that would take.
Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. It's just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. Bill has taken a long weekend. Ali Velshi is filling in for him this morning.
Coming up, we've got some tips for travel safety.
VELSHI: What should you look at when you research your travel destination? How do you find out whether it's safe? Also, what precautions should you take when you get there? We'll look at that.
O'BRIEN: All right. That's all ahead this morning.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
