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CNN Live At Daybreak
Michael Jackson Cleared of All Charges
Aired June 14, 2005 - 06:00 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: It is Tuesday, June 14.
Michael Jackson cleared of all charges after months of testimony, celebrity witnesses and all kinds of twist and turns, Michael Jackson walks off the legal stage a free man.
Also, do you want to live in this neighborhood? You have to do a lot more than just keep your lawn green.
And VHS -- Wal-Mart says that's so yesterday. In the meantime, how about a Big Mac and a movie? McDonald's offers some one stop shopping.
ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.
COSTELLO: And good morning to you.
We'll have more reaction to the not guilty verdicts in the Jackson case in just a moment.
Also ahead, the vice president and the head of the DNC -- harsh words for both. Oh, and it involves their mother.
But first, now in the news, a suicide bomb attack has killed at least 19 people in northern Iraq this morning. The bomber blew himself up at a busy market in the center of Kirkuk. Nearly 90 other people are wounded.
Authorities in Aruba have now released two security guards. They were the first men arrested in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The two say they were wrongly detained.
Charles Jenkins, the U.S. soldier who deserted his Army unit in South Korea 40 years ago, arrives in the States this morning. He left Japan last night and plans to visit his 91-year-old mother at a North Carolina nursing home.
To the Forecast Center now and Chad -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Up first this hour, not guilty. Those words heard in a California courtroom ended a long legal battle n changed Michael Jackson's life forever. Live to Chris Lawrence.
He's at the pop star's Neverland Ranch in Los Alamos, California.
And before you begin, I want to read you a quote. This is from Elizabeth Taylor. She says: "Thank god Michael is vindicated for all time. Now maybe people will leave him alone."
But from your standpoint at the Neverland Ranch, people aren't leaving him alone, are they?
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, that sounds very much like what we have been hearing from the family in the wake of this acquittal. A lot of support from Michael (AUDIO GAP)...
COSTELLO: Well, we're obviously having technical problems with transmission for Chris Lawrence's report. Hopefully, we'll get back to him at the Neverland Ranch, where there are still signs up and hearts on the fences and people are still hanging out there.
We'll get back to him as soon as we can.
Nearly half of all Americans say they watched or listened to live coverage of the verdict. That's according to a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll taken after the verdict was announced. But only about a third of those polled agreed with the jury's decision. Forty-eight percent say they disagree with the negative.
In the meantime, jurors in the case are getting the chance to tell their side of the story. Many say they questioned the credibility of the accuser and his mother. And while they were troubled by Jackson's admitted sleepovers with young boys, they say the prosecution simply did not prove its case.
Still, one juror says they weighed the evidence very carefully.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAYMOND HULTMAN, JACKSON JUROR: I don't want to give the impression that this was a really slam dunk deal where you just go into a room and 12 people agree. I don't think 12 people can agree on anything except that the sun might come up tomorrow morning. And beyond that, you've got to talk about it. And we did talk about it. We challenged the issues and we came to the decision that pointed to reasonable doubt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: But the jurors seemed conflicted. When you take away the sensational trappings of this case, it boils down to a man accused of molesting a child.
Let's talk about this with attorney Karen Russell.
Good morning, Karen.
KAREN RUSSELL, ATTORNEY: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Let's start with this. The jury foreman -- we just heard from him -- he also told Larry King Jackson probably molested boys. "After all," he said, "how can you sleep in the same bedroom night after night with a kid and just eat popcorn?"
It is difficult for some to believe a jury would acquit believing this.
Why did they?
RUSSELL: Well, Carol, I think they tried to stick to the facts in this case and to not be swayed by their personal beliefs. And they talked a lot about reasonable doubt and that they felt like the case -- the state's case might -- should have been stronger and that the mother and the accuser had real credibility issues.
COSTELLO: Well, you talk about personal feelings, another juror, a woman, wondered why any parent would allow their child to sleep in any man's bed. She seemed to convict the kid's mother and not Jackson.
Was the dislike, the personal feelings about this witness, so great that it overshadowed everything else?
RUSSELL: Wow, they really did not like her, you know? You saw the sound bite of them talking about her snapping her fingers at them. But, again, I think they tried to put their personal beliefs aside. I do think they were troubled by the mother's behavior. But I think they were ultimately troubled by her credibility with respect to the facts in this case.
COSTELLO: One of many editorials in the papers across the land this morning, this verdict gives Jackson, they say, free reign to live his life as is normal for him, sleeping with boys, entertaining children.
Must he change his behavior on threat of more legal action, though?
RUSSELL: Yes, I think one would hope that he's learned a lesson from this and I think that, you know, he has been very isolated from reality and that he should know that it's inappropriate to sleep with other people's children. And I hope that he has learned from this.
COSTELLO: Well, we'll see.
Civil case -- do you think that the civil case will come soon?
RUSSELL: Yes, I mean I think they're going to make a shot at it. But you have to look at, you know, this jury said that the mother's testimony and the kid's testimony, which would be the critical component of a civil case, they just weren't credible. So I'm sure they're thinking about it. I think even though it's a lower standard of proof, I think it could be another win for Jackson.
COSTELLO: Karen Russell live for us from Seattle this morning.
Thank you.
Tonight, Larry King talks to Michael Jackson's lawyer. Thomas Mesereau appears on "LARRY KING LIVE" at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. That's 6:00 p.m. on the West Coast.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger got trumped by the Jackson verdict last night. Schwarzenegger delivered a televised address calling for a special election in November. He wants to change the way the state does some of its business, including the way it spends money, picks politicians and hires teachers. Ordinarily, that would probably get a lot of play in California. But local TV stations opted to spend most of their time doing special coverage of the Michael Jackson verdict instead.
Time now for some of the stories making "News Across America."
One person was seriously injured on a Fort Lauderdale, Florida street after a vintage plane made a fiery emergency landing there. One of the DC3's engines was on fire when the pilots tried to land on a downtown street. A broken fuel line is blamed for the accident. Everyone on board survived.
A cross country flight stops halfway in Chicago when a suspicious package is found in the bathroom. It turned out to be just a radio. The American Airlines flight was headed from New York to Seattle Monday. The 164 passengers and crew were taken off the plane while it was searched.
A teenager in suburban Philadelphia faces sentencing after he was found delinquent in a school bombing threat. That's the equivalent of a guilty verdict in adult court. Police found chemicals and bomb making equipment in his home. The teen's father said they were just for science projects and smoke bombs. The 17-year-old could be jailed until he turns 21.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, one new community in Texas claims it'll be sex offender free. We'll see how they plan to keep it that way.
And what's the deal with Howard Dean? Well, the vice president has some thoughts on that hot topic, and he is sharing them.
Also, we'll go back to California for a live report, we promise, on the Michael Jackson verdict.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
DR. MAE JEMISON, ASTRONAUT: You know when you're growing up you have lots of things you want to do. I always assumed I would go into space.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ignition and liftoff.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): On September 12, 1992, at the age of 35, Dr. Mae Jemison boldly went where no African- American woman had gone before.
JEMISON: It was really after we got on orbit that I had a sensation that I belonged anywhere in this universe.
O'BRIEN: Jemison makes it her life mission to explore the universe in every way she can. This high achiever is also a chemical engineer, Peace Corps veteran, physician, author, and teacher.
In 1994 Jemison started an international science camp for teens called The Earth We Share.
These days, Jemison is the founder and president of the BioSentient Corporation, where she is working on a device that provides mobile monitoring of people's nervous systems. JEMISON: We think that there are real applications in the future for trying to identify certain diseases that can also help people monitor how effective drugs are.
O'BRIEN: In addition to her work in the sciences, Jemison says she may one day explore the field of politics.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Jurors say they simply didn't have enough evidence to find him guilty, so they cleared Michael Jackson of child molestation and conspiracy charges. No comment from the pop star.
In money news, Ford is recalling nearly 260,000 trucks for safety defects. They include the sudden stalling of diesel engines. Among the affected vehicles are F Series super duty pickup trucks and full sized Ford Excursions from the past two model years.
In culture, the members of Destiny's Child announced that the group is breaking up. They say they'll go their separate ways after they finish up their ongoing world tour. They've decided to pursue opportunities as solo artists in music, movies and TV.
In sports, the Florida Marlins backed up pitcher Dontrelle Willis with some good defense on their way to beating the Chicago Cubs 9-1. Willis won his eleventh game, to lead the major leagues -- Chad.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT) COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, what does Saddam Hussein look like now and why are these new images being shown?
Then, to the missing girl mystery in Aruba. Two men released from jail. We will hear from one of them.
But first, we want to say good morning to New York City.
We'll be back in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Time now for a little "Business Buzz."
Morgan Stanley's CEO, Philip Purcell, says he's stepping down by early next year. Purcell's management style led to a string of departures by senior executives and had critics calling for his resignation. Morgan Stanley's shares gained 2 percent after Purcell's announcement.
Visa is taking steps to stop credit card fraud amid a string of high profile data breaches. Visa introduced new technology that's designed to detect fraud during a purchase instead of after the fact. Visa says the preemptive technology might cut fraudulent card use by as much as 40 percent.
Soon, you won't be able to buy a VHS tape at Wal-Mart, but you will be able to rent a DVD at McDonald's.
Carrie Lee joins us now with more -- good morning.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.
A sign of the technology times. Wal-Mart is reportedly going to completely get V.H. tapes out of its stores by the beginning of next year. They're going to create more shelf space for DVDs.
Target, Circuit City and Best Buy have already announced plans to phase out VHS tapes. And even McDonald's is expanding its DVD rental program. The fast food giant originally started with 100 stores in Denver. It's since expanded to four other cities. And according to reports, McDonald's will have 1,2000 kiosks in 10 cities by the end of the year. The kiosks carry mostly the top 40 new releases, which you can rent for a dollar a day.
As DVD players become more common in cars, maybe one day you'll be able to stop at a McDonald's for dinner and a movie on the road trip and then return that DVD to a different McDonald's the following day. You know, as we're commuting more and living in our cars, pretty much. Well, people in the suburbs, anyway.
COSTELLO: Well, that's pretty smart, though.
LEE: Yes. Absolutely. COSTELLO: Yes.
LEE: A dollar a day. Who knows how much money they're -- McDonald's is really making on it. But, you know, you go in to get a movie, buy a cheeseburger, return it, buy a cheeseburger. So that's the idea.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
A quick look at the futures?
LEE: Things looking up this morning. You know, we saw a lot of volatility yesterday at the end of the session. The Dow, Nasdaq, S&P just slightly higher.
Two key reports today, a look at prices at the wholesale level, the Producer Price Index and May retail sales are going to drive the session. Those reports out an hour before the opening bell.
COSTELLO: All right, Carrie Lee, thank you.
LEE: OK.
COSTELLO: In our "Security Watch" this morning, a Somali immigrant accused of conspiring to help terrorists blow up an Ohio mall is asking that his statement to investigators be barred from his trial. His attorney says the federal government had no grounds for the arrest and built a case solely on his client's statements. The Feds have until July 1 to respond.
Some names are missing from the government's centralized database for terror suspects. That's the finding of an audit by the Justice Department's inspector general. He says even one missing name increases the risk that a terrorist could be operating in the United States. The report also says some names were mistakenly included in the database.
The nation's new intelligence director is coming under criticism from a former member of the 9/11 Commission. Former Navy Secretary John Lehman says John Negroponte has not torn down the barriers dividing the nation's spy agencies. No response to the criticism from Negroponte's office.
Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, they're out of jail, but they say they never should have been there in the first place.
And we'll take you live to the Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson is recovering from a long legal battle.
We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.
COSTELLO: And good morning to you.
Coming up this half hour, Michael Jackson beats the rap and you can't beat some of this morning's newspaper headlines.
Plus, no sex offenders allowed. One Texas community will check up on a lot more than just lawns and mailboxes. How about your criminal background?
But first, now in the news, in Kirkuk, Iraq today, a suicide bomber wearing an explosives belt detonated his explosives outside of a bank, killing at least 19 people and wounding 89 others. Another bombing in Ba'qubah killed five people and wounded four.
President Bush attends a fundraiser tonight in Washington for Republican House and Senate candidates. The dinner is expected to raise more than $14 million. And a postscript. Among those planning to attend? Porn star and former California gubernatorial candidate Mary Carey.
To the Forecast Center now and Chad -- good morning.
MYERS: And good morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Authorities in Aruba have released two security guards detained in the disappearance of an American teenager. The men worked at a hotel near where 18-year-old Natalee Holloway was staying before she disappeared. One of the security guards told CNN he believes the arrest was racially motivated.
He describes the night of his arrest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUESTION: The night they took you, were you shocked? I mean, did you know what it was about?
MICKEY JOHN, FORMER DETAINEE: No. I was asleep and they wake me up. All I can see is thousands and thousands of men with guns on top of my bed.
QUESTION: Really?
JOHN: Yes.
QUESTION: Were they violent when they took you?
JOHN: No, because, remember, the tall Dutch guy say you cooperate with us, we'll cooperate with you. Treat us good, we'll treat you good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You did treat them good.
JOHN: Of course. I cooperated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Let's get more on the release of these two men and the investigation into that missing teenager.
John Zarrella is in Aruba's Palm Beach -- good morning, John.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Well, those two security guards, we had expected that there would be a hearing today to discuss their release, but that was not necessary in the end. The two security guards were released late last night. They had been arrested on June 5. And the finger had been pointed to them initially by three young men, two Surinamese brothers and a Dutch, 17-year-old Dutch boy, pointing the fingers at them.
But now authorities releasing those two security guards. And one of the security guards says that while he was being detained, he was at the same jail with at least one of the Surinamese boys and he told CNN, that is, the security guard, that the Surinamese boys told him they had nothing to do with the disappearance and that they admitted lying to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN: He told me he's sorry, personally sorry, because he's telling a lie into that mess.
QUESTION: But he's innocent? He told you he's innocent?
JOHN: He told me he's innocent because he dropped the Dutch guy with the missing girl close to the Marriott.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZARRELLA: So, according to the security guard there, the two Surinamese boys are saying that they dropped the Dutch boy off with Natalee Holloway at a hotel near the Marriott.
Now, nobody has been charged in this case. The two security guards now released. The two Surinamese boys and the Dutch boy remain in custody as authorities continue to try and unravel what happened to Natalee Holloway. But on the other side of this story, still no new developments into her disappearance. A family search continued yesterday. Family members saying they plan to continue on with their searches until this case is finally resolved -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, I guess everything is pointing at this Dutch boy. But there are so many different stories out there, who knows?
Is there anything we know for sure?
ZARRELLA: Well, all we know for sure at this point is that the three, the two Surinamese youths and the Dutch boy are in custody being questioned in the disappearance. That's all we know. And we know that the Surinamese boys apparently are pointing the finger now at the Dutch boy.
But, again, we have had so many different stories in the last 10 days or so that it is very difficult to figure out exactly where the truth lies in all of this and if any of what we are hearing at this point is really the truth or not -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We know you'll do your best to try to work it out.
John Zarrella reporting live from Aruba this 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 June 14, 2005 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is Tuesday, June 14.
Michael Jackson cleared of all charges after months of testimony, celebrity witnesses and all kinds of twist and turns, Michael Jackson walks off the legal stage a free man.
Also, do you want to live in this neighborhood? You have to do a lot more than just keep your lawn green.
And VHS -- Wal-Mart says that's so yesterday. In the meantime, how about a Big Mac and a movie? McDonald's offers some one stop shopping.
ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.
COSTELLO: And good morning to you.
We'll have more reaction to the not guilty verdicts in the Jackson case in just a moment.
Also ahead, the vice president and the head of the DNC -- harsh words for both. Oh, and it involves their mother.
But first, now in the news, a suicide bomb attack has killed at least 19 people in northern Iraq this morning. The bomber blew himself up at a busy market in the center of Kirkuk. Nearly 90 other people are wounded.
Authorities in Aruba have now released two security guards. They were the first men arrested in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The two say they were wrongly detained.
Charles Jenkins, the U.S. soldier who deserted his Army unit in South Korea 40 years ago, arrives in the States this morning. He left Japan last night and plans to visit his 91-year-old mother at a North Carolina nursing home.
To the Forecast Center now and Chad -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Up first this hour, not guilty. Those words heard in a California courtroom ended a long legal battle n changed Michael Jackson's life forever. Live to Chris Lawrence.
He's at the pop star's Neverland Ranch in Los Alamos, California.
And before you begin, I want to read you a quote. This is from Elizabeth Taylor. She says: "Thank god Michael is vindicated for all time. Now maybe people will leave him alone."
But from your standpoint at the Neverland Ranch, people aren't leaving him alone, are they?
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, that sounds very much like what we have been hearing from the family in the wake of this acquittal. A lot of support from Michael (AUDIO GAP)...
COSTELLO: Well, we're obviously having technical problems with transmission for Chris Lawrence's report. Hopefully, we'll get back to him at the Neverland Ranch, where there are still signs up and hearts on the fences and people are still hanging out there.
We'll get back to him as soon as we can.
Nearly half of all Americans say they watched or listened to live coverage of the verdict. That's according to a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll taken after the verdict was announced. But only about a third of those polled agreed with the jury's decision. Forty-eight percent say they disagree with the negative.
In the meantime, jurors in the case are getting the chance to tell their side of the story. Many say they questioned the credibility of the accuser and his mother. And while they were troubled by Jackson's admitted sleepovers with young boys, they say the prosecution simply did not prove its case.
Still, one juror says they weighed the evidence very carefully.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAYMOND HULTMAN, JACKSON JUROR: I don't want to give the impression that this was a really slam dunk deal where you just go into a room and 12 people agree. I don't think 12 people can agree on anything except that the sun might come up tomorrow morning. And beyond that, you've got to talk about it. And we did talk about it. We challenged the issues and we came to the decision that pointed to reasonable doubt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: But the jurors seemed conflicted. When you take away the sensational trappings of this case, it boils down to a man accused of molesting a child.
Let's talk about this with attorney Karen Russell.
Good morning, Karen.
KAREN RUSSELL, ATTORNEY: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Let's start with this. The jury foreman -- we just heard from him -- he also told Larry King Jackson probably molested boys. "After all," he said, "how can you sleep in the same bedroom night after night with a kid and just eat popcorn?"
It is difficult for some to believe a jury would acquit believing this.
Why did they?
RUSSELL: Well, Carol, I think they tried to stick to the facts in this case and to not be swayed by their personal beliefs. And they talked a lot about reasonable doubt and that they felt like the case -- the state's case might -- should have been stronger and that the mother and the accuser had real credibility issues.
COSTELLO: Well, you talk about personal feelings, another juror, a woman, wondered why any parent would allow their child to sleep in any man's bed. She seemed to convict the kid's mother and not Jackson.
Was the dislike, the personal feelings about this witness, so great that it overshadowed everything else?
RUSSELL: Wow, they really did not like her, you know? You saw the sound bite of them talking about her snapping her fingers at them. But, again, I think they tried to put their personal beliefs aside. I do think they were troubled by the mother's behavior. But I think they were ultimately troubled by her credibility with respect to the facts in this case.
COSTELLO: One of many editorials in the papers across the land this morning, this verdict gives Jackson, they say, free reign to live his life as is normal for him, sleeping with boys, entertaining children.
Must he change his behavior on threat of more legal action, though?
RUSSELL: Yes, I think one would hope that he's learned a lesson from this and I think that, you know, he has been very isolated from reality and that he should know that it's inappropriate to sleep with other people's children. And I hope that he has learned from this.
COSTELLO: Well, we'll see.
Civil case -- do you think that the civil case will come soon?
RUSSELL: Yes, I mean I think they're going to make a shot at it. But you have to look at, you know, this jury said that the mother's testimony and the kid's testimony, which would be the critical component of a civil case, they just weren't credible. So I'm sure they're thinking about it. I think even though it's a lower standard of proof, I think it could be another win for Jackson.
COSTELLO: Karen Russell live for us from Seattle this morning.
Thank you.
Tonight, Larry King talks to Michael Jackson's lawyer. Thomas Mesereau appears on "LARRY KING LIVE" at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. That's 6:00 p.m. on the West Coast.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger got trumped by the Jackson verdict last night. Schwarzenegger delivered a televised address calling for a special election in November. He wants to change the way the state does some of its business, including the way it spends money, picks politicians and hires teachers. Ordinarily, that would probably get a lot of play in California. But local TV stations opted to spend most of their time doing special coverage of the Michael Jackson verdict instead.
Time now for some of the stories making "News Across America."
One person was seriously injured on a Fort Lauderdale, Florida street after a vintage plane made a fiery emergency landing there. One of the DC3's engines was on fire when the pilots tried to land on a downtown street. A broken fuel line is blamed for the accident. Everyone on board survived.
A cross country flight stops halfway in Chicago when a suspicious package is found in the bathroom. It turned out to be just a radio. The American Airlines flight was headed from New York to Seattle Monday. The 164 passengers and crew were taken off the plane while it was searched.
A teenager in suburban Philadelphia faces sentencing after he was found delinquent in a school bombing threat. That's the equivalent of a guilty verdict in adult court. Police found chemicals and bomb making equipment in his home. The teen's father said they were just for science projects and smoke bombs. The 17-year-old could be jailed until he turns 21.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, one new community in Texas claims it'll be sex offender free. We'll see how they plan to keep it that way.
And what's the deal with Howard Dean? Well, the vice president has some thoughts on that hot topic, and he is sharing them.
Also, we'll go back to California for a live report, we promise, on the Michael Jackson verdict.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
DR. MAE JEMISON, ASTRONAUT: You know when you're growing up you have lots of things you want to do. I always assumed I would go into space.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ignition and liftoff.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): On September 12, 1992, at the age of 35, Dr. Mae Jemison boldly went where no African- American woman had gone before.
JEMISON: It was really after we got on orbit that I had a sensation that I belonged anywhere in this universe.
O'BRIEN: Jemison makes it her life mission to explore the universe in every way she can. This high achiever is also a chemical engineer, Peace Corps veteran, physician, author, and teacher.
In 1994 Jemison started an international science camp for teens called The Earth We Share.
These days, Jemison is the founder and president of the BioSentient Corporation, where she is working on a device that provides mobile monitoring of people's nervous systems. JEMISON: We think that there are real applications in the future for trying to identify certain diseases that can also help people monitor how effective drugs are.
O'BRIEN: In addition to her work in the sciences, Jemison says she may one day explore the field of politics.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Jurors say they simply didn't have enough evidence to find him guilty, so they cleared Michael Jackson of child molestation and conspiracy charges. No comment from the pop star.
In money news, Ford is recalling nearly 260,000 trucks for safety defects. They include the sudden stalling of diesel engines. Among the affected vehicles are F Series super duty pickup trucks and full sized Ford Excursions from the past two model years.
In culture, the members of Destiny's Child announced that the group is breaking up. They say they'll go their separate ways after they finish up their ongoing world tour. They've decided to pursue opportunities as solo artists in music, movies and TV.
In sports, the Florida Marlins backed up pitcher Dontrelle Willis with some good defense on their way to beating the Chicago Cubs 9-1. Willis won his eleventh game, to lead the major leagues -- Chad.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT) COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, what does Saddam Hussein look like now and why are these new images being shown?
Then, to the missing girl mystery in Aruba. Two men released from jail. We will hear from one of them.
But first, we want to say good morning to New York City.
We'll be back in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Time now for a little "Business Buzz."
Morgan Stanley's CEO, Philip Purcell, says he's stepping down by early next year. Purcell's management style led to a string of departures by senior executives and had critics calling for his resignation. Morgan Stanley's shares gained 2 percent after Purcell's announcement.
Visa is taking steps to stop credit card fraud amid a string of high profile data breaches. Visa introduced new technology that's designed to detect fraud during a purchase instead of after the fact. Visa says the preemptive technology might cut fraudulent card use by as much as 40 percent.
Soon, you won't be able to buy a VHS tape at Wal-Mart, but you will be able to rent a DVD at McDonald's.
Carrie Lee joins us now with more -- good morning.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.
A sign of the technology times. Wal-Mart is reportedly going to completely get V.H. tapes out of its stores by the beginning of next year. They're going to create more shelf space for DVDs.
Target, Circuit City and Best Buy have already announced plans to phase out VHS tapes. And even McDonald's is expanding its DVD rental program. The fast food giant originally started with 100 stores in Denver. It's since expanded to four other cities. And according to reports, McDonald's will have 1,2000 kiosks in 10 cities by the end of the year. The kiosks carry mostly the top 40 new releases, which you can rent for a dollar a day.
As DVD players become more common in cars, maybe one day you'll be able to stop at a McDonald's for dinner and a movie on the road trip and then return that DVD to a different McDonald's the following day. You know, as we're commuting more and living in our cars, pretty much. Well, people in the suburbs, anyway.
COSTELLO: Well, that's pretty smart, though.
LEE: Yes. Absolutely. COSTELLO: Yes.
LEE: A dollar a day. Who knows how much money they're -- McDonald's is really making on it. But, you know, you go in to get a movie, buy a cheeseburger, return it, buy a cheeseburger. So that's the idea.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
A quick look at the futures?
LEE: Things looking up this morning. You know, we saw a lot of volatility yesterday at the end of the session. The Dow, Nasdaq, S&P just slightly higher.
Two key reports today, a look at prices at the wholesale level, the Producer Price Index and May retail sales are going to drive the session. Those reports out an hour before the opening bell.
COSTELLO: All right, Carrie Lee, thank you.
LEE: OK.
COSTELLO: In our "Security Watch" this morning, a Somali immigrant accused of conspiring to help terrorists blow up an Ohio mall is asking that his statement to investigators be barred from his trial. His attorney says the federal government had no grounds for the arrest and built a case solely on his client's statements. The Feds have until July 1 to respond.
Some names are missing from the government's centralized database for terror suspects. That's the finding of an audit by the Justice Department's inspector general. He says even one missing name increases the risk that a terrorist could be operating in the United States. The report also says some names were mistakenly included in the database.
The nation's new intelligence director is coming under criticism from a former member of the 9/11 Commission. Former Navy Secretary John Lehman says John Negroponte has not torn down the barriers dividing the nation's spy agencies. No response to the criticism from Negroponte's office.
Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, they're out of jail, but they say they never should have been there in the first place.
And we'll take you live to the Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson is recovering from a long legal battle.
We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.
COSTELLO: And good morning to you.
Coming up this half hour, Michael Jackson beats the rap and you can't beat some of this morning's newspaper headlines.
Plus, no sex offenders allowed. One Texas community will check up on a lot more than just lawns and mailboxes. How about your criminal background?
But first, now in the news, in Kirkuk, Iraq today, a suicide bomber wearing an explosives belt detonated his explosives outside of a bank, killing at least 19 people and wounding 89 others. Another bombing in Ba'qubah killed five people and wounded four.
President Bush attends a fundraiser tonight in Washington for Republican House and Senate candidates. The dinner is expected to raise more than $14 million. And a postscript. Among those planning to attend? Porn star and former California gubernatorial candidate Mary Carey.
To the Forecast Center now and Chad -- good morning.
MYERS: And good morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Authorities in Aruba have released two security guards detained in the disappearance of an American teenager. The men worked at a hotel near where 18-year-old Natalee Holloway was staying before she disappeared. One of the security guards told CNN he believes the arrest was racially motivated.
He describes the night of his arrest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUESTION: The night they took you, were you shocked? I mean, did you know what it was about?
MICKEY JOHN, FORMER DETAINEE: No. I was asleep and they wake me up. All I can see is thousands and thousands of men with guns on top of my bed.
QUESTION: Really?
JOHN: Yes.
QUESTION: Were they violent when they took you?
JOHN: No, because, remember, the tall Dutch guy say you cooperate with us, we'll cooperate with you. Treat us good, we'll treat you good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You did treat them good.
JOHN: Of course. I cooperated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Let's get more on the release of these two men and the investigation into that missing teenager.
John Zarrella is in Aruba's Palm Beach -- good morning, John.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Well, those two security guards, we had expected that there would be a hearing today to discuss their release, but that was not necessary in the end. The two security guards were released late last night. They had been arrested on June 5. And the finger had been pointed to them initially by three young men, two Surinamese brothers and a Dutch, 17-year-old Dutch boy, pointing the fingers at them.
But now authorities releasing those two security guards. And one of the security guards says that while he was being detained, he was at the same jail with at least one of the Surinamese boys and he told CNN, that is, the security guard, that the Surinamese boys told him they had nothing to do with the disappearance and that they admitted lying to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN: He told me he's sorry, personally sorry, because he's telling a lie into that mess.
QUESTION: But he's innocent? He told you he's innocent?
JOHN: He told me he's innocent because he dropped the Dutch guy with the missing girl close to the Marriott.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZARRELLA: So, according to the security guard there, the two Surinamese boys are saying that they dropped the Dutch boy off with Natalee Holloway at a hotel near the Marriott.
Now, nobody has been charged in this case. The two security guards now released. The two Surinamese boys and the Dutch boy remain in custody as authorities continue to try and unravel what happened to Natalee Holloway. But on the other side of this story, still no new developments into her disappearance. A family search continued yesterday. Family members saying they plan to continue on with their searches until this case is finally resolved -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, I guess everything is pointing at this Dutch boy. But there are so many different stories out there, who knows?
Is there anything we know for sure?
ZARRELLA: Well, all we know for sure at this point is that the three, the two Surinamese youths and the Dutch boy are in custody being questioned in the disappearance. That's all we know. And we know that the Surinamese boys apparently are pointing the finger now at the Dutch boy.
But, again, we have had so many different stories in the last 10 days or so that it is very difficult to figure out exactly where the truth lies in all of this and if any of what we are hearing at this point is really the truth or not -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We know you'll do your best to try to work it out.
John Zarrella reporting live from Aruba this morning.
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