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CNN Live At Daybreak
Not Guilty; Fertility Fight
Aired June 14, 2005 - 5:00 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 found not guilty on all counts. I'm sure you've heard by now, after a 14-week trial and more than 140 witnesses, the pop star is a free man.
Also, they were a target of suspicion in the Natalee Holloway case. Now they want an apology.
And the Vatican scores a victory on a fertility vote.
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 on Jackson's acquittal in just a moment.
Also ahead, we'll take you live to Rome to explain the controversial and confusing infertility vote.
And he's a free man, but can Michael Jackson save his career? Will the so-called king of pop hit the top of the charts ever again?
But first, "Now in the News," authorities in Aruba have released two security guards. They were the first men arrested in the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway. The two say they were wrongly detained. We'll get more on their reaction in just a few minutes.
A suicide bomb attack has killed at least 19 people in northern Iraq this morning. The bomber blew himself up on a busy street in the center of Kirkuk. Nearly 90 other people are wounded.
After months of stormy debate, John Bolton's future may be looking a bit brighter. The Senate could vote on Bolton's nomination as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. this week. Critics say Bolton is anti- U.N. and a harsh boss.
At least eight are dead after a powerful earthquake in northern Chile. Officials fear there could be more victims. The magnitude 7.9 quake jolted a rural area last night, destroying more than a dozen homes.
To the forecast center now. Chad is back.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol. I'm back. Back from a race in Montreal.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Our top story this morning, not guilty. Michael Jackson heard that verdict 10 times as the California jury cleared him of child molestation charges. Afterward, the pop star did not comment, he didn't dance on top of his SUV, and he didn't even smile.
Jackson is back at his Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos this morning, and that's where our Kareen Wynter is.
Good morning, Kareen.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.
Not sure if Michael Jackson got much sleep last night, if he went to bed. But if he did, he'll be waking up under his own roof instead of a jail cell. I'm going to step out of the way a bit to show you the scene behind me.
This is where scores of Jackson fans and supporters showed up in support of Michael Jackson upon hearing word of the verdict. You're looking at a sign that they put up. It says, "All of us here, millions around the world, love and support you." There are linked hearts, adorned with well wishes, forming a chain of love.
Now, the gates leading into the ranch, you can see some ribbons up, as well as balloons.
Now, we've also learned that Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father, came out yesterday. He spoke to fans through the fence. He shook some hands, basically just acknowledging their support before going back inside.
Now, Michael Jackson -- the world saw those who had a chance to see the verdict as it came down -- Michael Jackson was rather reserved, leaving the courthouse, briefly waving, blowing some kisses. He had basically no reaction. And came back here and is in seclusion right now.
We're not sure when he'll be coming out to make a statement at all, or to address the last several months. A very, very trying time -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, you've got to think that he's wondering if a civil suit might be on the way, because, you know, you never know.
WYNTER: Exactly. And the lead prosecutor in this case, Carol, Thomas Sneddon, when asked by reporters yesterday whether he'd take anymore legal action against the pop star, and his reaction on that was "No comment."
So again, there's a not guilty verdict across the board. This was a victory for the pop star. But again, we're not sure if anything will surface from this point on.
COSTELLO: Kareen Wynter live in California this morning at the Neverland Ranch.
Tonight, Larry King talks to Michael Jackson's lawyer. Tom Mesereau appears on "LARRY KING LIVE." That will come your way at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. on the West Coast.
From outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, to New York, Mexico City, France, and the Netherlands, fans of the entertainer around the globe are responding to the verdict.
Our Thelma Gutierrez has a sampling.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury, in the above entitled case find the defendant not guilty...
(CHEERING)
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, to Atlanta, Georgia, in the South, all the way to Times Square in New York City, fans erupted with elation, including Michael's relatives in Garry, Indiana, where his career began.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) be careful, you know. And when we think someone is being railroaded, oh, man, that's awful.
GUTIERREZ (on camera): It's here at Neverland Ranch where Michael Jackson lives that all these fans began to congregate right after the verdict. Many of them came from different parts of the world, and they said that they had to be here to give support to their icon.
(voice-over): We talked with fans from as far away as Mexico, Amsterdam and France.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, God, because this is justice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm very happy. The stress is gone. And I think Michael is feeling better now, and I think he's very happy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael is more than music only. Michael touches people. Whenever Michael is somewhere, even people that don't like him, if they see him, they're happy for some reason. I cannot explain it.
GUTIERREZ: Diehard fans stood outside the gates of Neverland, hoping the newly-acquitted pop star would make an appearance. Instead, they share their affections with Michael's brother Randy and Michael's lead attorney, Tom Mesereau. Many of the fans here told us when Michael was proclaimed innocent, they felt vindicated, too.
Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, at the Neverland Ranch in California. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Are you surprised by this verdict? Do you agree or disagree with it? According to a CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll, nearly half of you do not agree with the verdict.
Forty-eight percent say it is the wrong verdict. About one in three, 34 percent, agree with it. The poll's sampling error is plus or minus five percentage points.
In interviews with 635 adults, 67 percent say they are not pleased with the verdict, 27 percent are. When asked if they believe the verdict was affected by Jackson's celebrity status, 62 percent say it was a major factor, 17 percent say it was a minor factor, while 18 percent say it was not a factor in the verdict. But, as we all know, it's what the jury says that really counts.
And Chad, of course that brings us to our e-mail question this morning.
MYERS: Yes, which frustrates me all to heck, Carol, because all these people, 60 whatever percent, they were not in the court. They didn't hear the entire case.
COSTELLO: That's true.
MYERS: You can't judge anything unless you hear the entire case, from opening statements to closing arguments.
COSTELLO: But...
MYERS: What are your thoughts on the Jackson trial and the verdict? DAYBREAK@CNN.com -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I wanted to add a few more things, though, Chad, because what was interesting to me is some members of the jury thought that Jackson probably did molest boys at some point in his life. Just in this specific case it was a reasonable doubt, so they had to vote not guilty.
MYERS: No matter what...
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: And that leaves a lot of disturbing questions out there, doesn't it?
MYERS: Well, of course it does. But you have to be in the -- this is one trial for 10 counts, one trial for one thing. And if you weren't in that trial for every minute, like the jurors were, you cannot say what you think. There's no -- you don't have an opinion, basically, in my opinion, because you needed to hear every little shred of evidence there was there in that...
COSTELLO: Oh, and I absolutely agree with you. But in just -- in listening to what the jurors said, the overriding feeling was dislike for the mother of this boy.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: She overshadowed everything else.
MYERS: There was...
COSTELLO: So a lot of -- go ahead.
MYERS: There were a few problems in the prosecution's case.
COSTELLO: A few?
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: And the defense did an excellent job.
But we want to know what you think this morning. So send us your thoughts. Was it the right verdict, was it the wrong, was it a waste of time? Because do you know how much money was spent on this trial?
MYERS: Oh! How about -- how about just in helicopter fuel alone, following that -- that convoy every day?
COSTELLO: It's crazy. So, DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.
Some new developments for you this morning in the case of that missing Alabama teenager, Natalee Holloway. Authorities in Aruba have released two security guards arrested earlier this month. They were never charged in the case, and their release comes a day after Holloway's mother said she thought they were innocent.
Here's how they reacted to getting out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's your first reaction here when you -- they just released you from jail?
ABRAHAM JONES, FMR. DETAINEE: It actually felt good. (INAUDIBLE) a lot of joy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you know Natalee Holloway?
JONES: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You was with her in the car or something?
JONES: No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you want for the government to do? Do you want anything from them? I mean...
MICKEY JOHN, FMR. DETAINEE: As I said, first of all, we need a personal apology from them. And then we'll see what's taking place beyond.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Three other men remain in custody. One of them the son of a local judge. The detainees told police they took Holloway to a beach hours before she disappeared on May 30. Attorneys for each of them say their clients maintain they are innocent.
Still to come this hour on DAYBREAK, a vote on fertility issues runs into infertile ground in Italy, and that has the Vatican chalking up a victory.
And he's been called the king of pop, but can Michael Jackson regain his thrown?
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Here's a quick check of the international markets for you.
Tokyo's stocks rose to a two-month high. Japan's Nikkei closed up almost 24.5 points. Britain's FTSE is down nearly 10. The German DAX down almost 13 points.
Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:14 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 yet from the pop star.
Two security guards in Aruba are free men this morning. They were the first to be arrested in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Three other men still in custody.
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 again. They say they will go their separate ways after they finish up their ongoing world tour. They have decided to pursue opportunities as solo artists in music, movies and television.
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 11th game to lead the major leagues -- Chad. MYERS: And good morning, Carol. And I was up in Montreal this weekend, and everybody could -- all they were talking about were actually the Washington Nationals and how as the Expos they could do nothing. And there you go, on top of the -- on top of the big heap (ph) there...
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: That's called fan support.
MYERS: Well, there you go. Get them in -- get them inside. Get them inside the stadium, and that helps, obviously.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning.
What if they held an election and no one showed up? That's almost what happened in Italy over the weekend as voters decided against going to the polls. They were supposed to decide on a very controversial change to fertility laws that had upset the Vatican.
Joining me with more on this is Rome bureau chief, Alessio Vinci.
Good morning, Alessio.
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: This is a pretty restrictive law. Tell us about it.
VINCI: Well, it is restrictive if you compare it to other laws in Europe, for example. It doesn't allow for any kind of embryonic stem cell research. It does limit the number of eggs that can be fertilized and transferred at any one time into the woman's womb.
It does not allow for diagnosis to the embryo that has to be transplanted -- to the egg that has to be transplanted, and puts the embryo, for example, even a few days old, or a few weeks old, at the same -- grant it the same legal rights as, for example, a born child. So all of this, of course, is quite restrictive, at least according to those who are promoting the referendum.
At the same time, this country really needed a fertility law, which was approved last year. If you remember, back a few years ago, with the assistance of a fertility doctor in this country, a 62-year- old woman became pregnant. And so both promoters and defenders of the law -- the promoters of the referendum sort of argue that a law was necessary, perhaps not this one, that was put up for vote.
COSTELLO: So just to clarify things, if I want to get infertility treatments in Italy, can I do that?
VINCI: You can. Of course you can. But the law as it is now basically restricts your -- your rights, if you want. Doctors say that the way -- the fertility experts say that the way their law is written now basically makes it almost impossible for a woman to become pregnant, because, for example, limits, the number of eggs that can be transplanted at any one time to three. They also say it really depends on how many -- how the woman is doing.
A 20-year-old woman, three eggs can generate three kids. On a 40-year-old woman, three eggs may be not enough. So they're saying that they cannot have a law that fits all.
They're basically saying, we have to have the rights and the freedom to decide each treatment for each specific patient. This law, for example, doesn't give that right.
COSTELLO: The Vatican was involved in pushing this law. How much influence did it have?
VINCI: Well, they say -- the critics say that they have way too much influence not only in actually drafting this law which has been passed back last year by the government, the parliament controlled by the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, but at the same time, they are saying -- the Vatican actually has urged Italians not to go to vote, not to go to polls and defend existing law. Meaning that basically they knew that a majority of the country was not on their side, but basically they needed a vote of those who do not vote, meaning that if a referendum fails to show -- you know, if less than 50 percent of those eligible to vote fail to show up for the vote, then the vote is invalid.
And so the Vatican, basically what they did is they jumped on that bandwagon, knowing very well that, especially in referendums, and especially complicated issues such as fertility treatment -- because, by the way, this was not a referendum. They were not questioned whether or not they were in favor or against fertility. These were questions aimed at changing a comma (ph) or even a word of existing law.
And people simply didn't know what it was all about. They were confused, and so they didn't show up. And the Vatican basically used a no-show vote as a vote in this favor.
COSTELLO: A very smart tactic. Alessio Vinci live in Rome this morning. Thank you.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, Michael Jackson's trial inspired many "Late Night Laughs." Of course the verdict was no different. The punch lines for you after a break.
Later, music mogul LA Reid has put -- has some ideas to put Michael Jackson's career back in the stratosphere.
You are watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday, June 14.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Some of the headlines, Chad, on the London tabloids this morning, and also, of course, on our own tabloid here in the United States.
MYERS: Of course.
COSTELLO: "The New York Post" saying, "Boy Oh Boy! Jacko Cleared of Kid Molestation."
We have the e-mail question up. We are soliciting e-mails this morning, asking what you think of that verdict.
MYERS: And, you know, I'm getting a couple, but not very many. I think that people are just maybe waking up here about this because they stayed up a little bit late watching too many other things on TV today.
But a lot of them actually are kind of going along the line of, you know, yes, we don't really know what was said in that trial. But you have an opinion anyway. So we want to hear it.
What are your thoughts of the Jackson trial and the verdict? Go to DAYBREAK@CNN.com, click on that right there and send us your e- mail. Send us your ideas, your thoughts.
COSTELLO: Yes. We know it's a wide-ranging question, but was it a colossal waste of time and money?
MYERS: Well...
COSTELLO: We want to know.
We'll bet Jay Leno and David Letterman are sad this trial has ended, though.
MYERS: Oh, they have opinions, too?
COSTELLO: Oh, they certainly do, Chad.
MYERS: Oh, no!
COSTELLO: For weeks on end, they have used the trial as fodder for their nightly monologues. Here's what they were saying last night, in case you missed it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Good news for Michael Jackson. Not guilty on all 10 counts! Yeah.
The bad news, he's going to Disneyland. Yeah!
You know something, if he had been a black guy, he would have gotten convicted like that. You know.
(APPLAUSE)
LENO: Our society -- our society? Please!
How does this make Martha Stewart feel? O.J. goes free. Robert Blake walks. Michael Jackson, not guilty.
She made a phone call, hello, is this my broker? Prison! She's in prison!
(LAUGHTER)
LENO: One phone call.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID LETTERMAN, "THE LATE SHOW": Well, the verdict is in. Michael Jackson is not guilty. Not guilty.
(BOOING)
LETTERMAN: However -- however, his plastic surgeon, guilty on all counts.
(APPLAUSE)
LETTERMAN: He's going to be gone a very long time.
And by the way, this just in. Saddam Hussein would like his trial moved to Santa Maria, California.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: No need to say more.
MYERS: No. Dave was pretty funny last night.
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
The French Spider-Man mad another daring climb. This time in Hong Kong. Alain Robert scaled this 69-story office tower without any safety equipment, Chad.
MYERS: I know. I've seen him do this before. He's a wild man.
COSTELLO: Crazy. This is just the latest in Spider-Man's long climbing career, as you said. He's also made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and the Sears Tower, among others. Hong Kong police are not impressed, but the building's owners say they won't press any charges.
MYERS: See, but he needs to cut his hair, because they couldn't see the advertisement on his back.
COSTELLO: Twelve top sand sculptors took part in an annual competition in Haifa, Israel. Their elaborate sand creations range from a hippo to a really, really big head.
Is that you? No.
The so-called -- the so-called artworks will be protected for eight days before the tide washes them away.
MYERS: Oh, good.
COSTELLO: And what do you get a defending Super Bowl champion? Well, a really, really big ring. This is a picture of the ring of the New England Patriots players. It's the ring they got over the weekend. That's a big ring.
It's made of 14 karat white gold. It features 124 diamonds.
MYERS: Wow.
COSTELLO: The team is not saying how much each one costs, but last year's slightly smaller ring was priced at $15,000.
MYERS: Now, see, there's a new use for a marquis diamond. Call it the football diamond, and guys will buy it for their wives all over the place. It'll be the new -- it'll be the new thing.
COSTELLO: What a great idea.
All new in the next half-hour of DAYBREAK, with the trial behind him and freedom secured, what is next for Michael Jackson? A live report from the Neverland Ranch coming up.
Plus, in Aruba, new developments to tell you about in the case of that missing teenager.
Stick around for more DAYBREAK after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired June 14, 2005 - 5:00 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 found not guilty on all counts. I'm sure you've heard by now, after a 14-week trial and more than 140 witnesses, the pop star is a free man.
Also, they were a target of suspicion in the Natalee Holloway case. Now they want an apology.
And the Vatican scores a victory on a fertility vote.
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 on Jackson's acquittal in just a moment.
Also ahead, we'll take you live to Rome to explain the controversial and confusing infertility vote.
And he's a free man, but can Michael Jackson save his career? Will the so-called king of pop hit the top of the charts ever again?
But first, "Now in the News," authorities in Aruba have released two security guards. They were the first men arrested in the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway. The two say they were wrongly detained. We'll get more on their reaction in just a few minutes.
A suicide bomb attack has killed at least 19 people in northern Iraq this morning. The bomber blew himself up on a busy street in the center of Kirkuk. Nearly 90 other people are wounded.
After months of stormy debate, John Bolton's future may be looking a bit brighter. The Senate could vote on Bolton's nomination as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. this week. Critics say Bolton is anti- U.N. and a harsh boss.
At least eight are dead after a powerful earthquake in northern Chile. Officials fear there could be more victims. The magnitude 7.9 quake jolted a rural area last night, destroying more than a dozen homes.
To the forecast center now. Chad is back.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol. I'm back. Back from a race in Montreal.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Our top story this morning, not guilty. Michael Jackson heard that verdict 10 times as the California jury cleared him of child molestation charges. Afterward, the pop star did not comment, he didn't dance on top of his SUV, and he didn't even smile.
Jackson is back at his Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos this morning, and that's where our Kareen Wynter is.
Good morning, Kareen.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.
Not sure if Michael Jackson got much sleep last night, if he went to bed. But if he did, he'll be waking up under his own roof instead of a jail cell. I'm going to step out of the way a bit to show you the scene behind me.
This is where scores of Jackson fans and supporters showed up in support of Michael Jackson upon hearing word of the verdict. You're looking at a sign that they put up. It says, "All of us here, millions around the world, love and support you." There are linked hearts, adorned with well wishes, forming a chain of love.
Now, the gates leading into the ranch, you can see some ribbons up, as well as balloons.
Now, we've also learned that Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father, came out yesterday. He spoke to fans through the fence. He shook some hands, basically just acknowledging their support before going back inside.
Now, Michael Jackson -- the world saw those who had a chance to see the verdict as it came down -- Michael Jackson was rather reserved, leaving the courthouse, briefly waving, blowing some kisses. He had basically no reaction. And came back here and is in seclusion right now.
We're not sure when he'll be coming out to make a statement at all, or to address the last several months. A very, very trying time -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, you've got to think that he's wondering if a civil suit might be on the way, because, you know, you never know.
WYNTER: Exactly. And the lead prosecutor in this case, Carol, Thomas Sneddon, when asked by reporters yesterday whether he'd take anymore legal action against the pop star, and his reaction on that was "No comment."
So again, there's a not guilty verdict across the board. This was a victory for the pop star. But again, we're not sure if anything will surface from this point on.
COSTELLO: Kareen Wynter live in California this morning at the Neverland Ranch.
Tonight, Larry King talks to Michael Jackson's lawyer. Tom Mesereau appears on "LARRY KING LIVE." That will come your way at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. on the West Coast.
From outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, to New York, Mexico City, France, and the Netherlands, fans of the entertainer around the globe are responding to the verdict.
Our Thelma Gutierrez has a sampling.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury, in the above entitled case find the defendant not guilty...
(CHEERING)
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, to Atlanta, Georgia, in the South, all the way to Times Square in New York City, fans erupted with elation, including Michael's relatives in Garry, Indiana, where his career began.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) be careful, you know. And when we think someone is being railroaded, oh, man, that's awful.
GUTIERREZ (on camera): It's here at Neverland Ranch where Michael Jackson lives that all these fans began to congregate right after the verdict. Many of them came from different parts of the world, and they said that they had to be here to give support to their icon.
(voice-over): We talked with fans from as far away as Mexico, Amsterdam and France.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, God, because this is justice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm very happy. The stress is gone. And I think Michael is feeling better now, and I think he's very happy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael is more than music only. Michael touches people. Whenever Michael is somewhere, even people that don't like him, if they see him, they're happy for some reason. I cannot explain it.
GUTIERREZ: Diehard fans stood outside the gates of Neverland, hoping the newly-acquitted pop star would make an appearance. Instead, they share their affections with Michael's brother Randy and Michael's lead attorney, Tom Mesereau. Many of the fans here told us when Michael was proclaimed innocent, they felt vindicated, too.
Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, at the Neverland Ranch in California. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Are you surprised by this verdict? Do you agree or disagree with it? According to a CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll, nearly half of you do not agree with the verdict.
Forty-eight percent say it is the wrong verdict. About one in three, 34 percent, agree with it. The poll's sampling error is plus or minus five percentage points.
In interviews with 635 adults, 67 percent say they are not pleased with the verdict, 27 percent are. When asked if they believe the verdict was affected by Jackson's celebrity status, 62 percent say it was a major factor, 17 percent say it was a minor factor, while 18 percent say it was not a factor in the verdict. But, as we all know, it's what the jury says that really counts.
And Chad, of course that brings us to our e-mail question this morning.
MYERS: Yes, which frustrates me all to heck, Carol, because all these people, 60 whatever percent, they were not in the court. They didn't hear the entire case.
COSTELLO: That's true.
MYERS: You can't judge anything unless you hear the entire case, from opening statements to closing arguments.
COSTELLO: But...
MYERS: What are your thoughts on the Jackson trial and the verdict? DAYBREAK@CNN.com -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I wanted to add a few more things, though, Chad, because what was interesting to me is some members of the jury thought that Jackson probably did molest boys at some point in his life. Just in this specific case it was a reasonable doubt, so they had to vote not guilty.
MYERS: No matter what...
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: And that leaves a lot of disturbing questions out there, doesn't it?
MYERS: Well, of course it does. But you have to be in the -- this is one trial for 10 counts, one trial for one thing. And if you weren't in that trial for every minute, like the jurors were, you cannot say what you think. There's no -- you don't have an opinion, basically, in my opinion, because you needed to hear every little shred of evidence there was there in that...
COSTELLO: Oh, and I absolutely agree with you. But in just -- in listening to what the jurors said, the overriding feeling was dislike for the mother of this boy.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: She overshadowed everything else.
MYERS: There was...
COSTELLO: So a lot of -- go ahead.
MYERS: There were a few problems in the prosecution's case.
COSTELLO: A few?
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: And the defense did an excellent job.
But we want to know what you think this morning. So send us your thoughts. Was it the right verdict, was it the wrong, was it a waste of time? Because do you know how much money was spent on this trial?
MYERS: Oh! How about -- how about just in helicopter fuel alone, following that -- that convoy every day?
COSTELLO: It's crazy. So, DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.
Some new developments for you this morning in the case of that missing Alabama teenager, Natalee Holloway. Authorities in Aruba have released two security guards arrested earlier this month. They were never charged in the case, and their release comes a day after Holloway's mother said she thought they were innocent.
Here's how they reacted to getting out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's your first reaction here when you -- they just released you from jail?
ABRAHAM JONES, FMR. DETAINEE: It actually felt good. (INAUDIBLE) a lot of joy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you know Natalee Holloway?
JONES: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You was with her in the car or something?
JONES: No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you want for the government to do? Do you want anything from them? I mean...
MICKEY JOHN, FMR. DETAINEE: As I said, first of all, we need a personal apology from them. And then we'll see what's taking place beyond.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Three other men remain in custody. One of them the son of a local judge. The detainees told police they took Holloway to a beach hours before she disappeared on May 30. Attorneys for each of them say their clients maintain they are innocent.
Still to come this hour on DAYBREAK, a vote on fertility issues runs into infertile ground in Italy, and that has the Vatican chalking up a victory.
And he's been called the king of pop, but can Michael Jackson regain his thrown?
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Here's a quick check of the international markets for you.
Tokyo's stocks rose to a two-month high. Japan's Nikkei closed up almost 24.5 points. Britain's FTSE is down nearly 10. The German DAX down almost 13 points.
Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:14 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 yet from the pop star.
Two security guards in Aruba are free men this morning. They were the first to be arrested in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Three other men still in custody.
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 again. They say they will go their separate ways after they finish up their ongoing world tour. They have decided to pursue opportunities as solo artists in music, movies and television.
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 11th game to lead the major leagues -- Chad. MYERS: And good morning, Carol. And I was up in Montreal this weekend, and everybody could -- all they were talking about were actually the Washington Nationals and how as the Expos they could do nothing. And there you go, on top of the -- on top of the big heap (ph) there...
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: That's called fan support.
MYERS: Well, there you go. Get them in -- get them inside. Get them inside the stadium, and that helps, obviously.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning.
What if they held an election and no one showed up? That's almost what happened in Italy over the weekend as voters decided against going to the polls. They were supposed to decide on a very controversial change to fertility laws that had upset the Vatican.
Joining me with more on this is Rome bureau chief, Alessio Vinci.
Good morning, Alessio.
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: This is a pretty restrictive law. Tell us about it.
VINCI: Well, it is restrictive if you compare it to other laws in Europe, for example. It doesn't allow for any kind of embryonic stem cell research. It does limit the number of eggs that can be fertilized and transferred at any one time into the woman's womb.
It does not allow for diagnosis to the embryo that has to be transplanted -- to the egg that has to be transplanted, and puts the embryo, for example, even a few days old, or a few weeks old, at the same -- grant it the same legal rights as, for example, a born child. So all of this, of course, is quite restrictive, at least according to those who are promoting the referendum.
At the same time, this country really needed a fertility law, which was approved last year. If you remember, back a few years ago, with the assistance of a fertility doctor in this country, a 62-year- old woman became pregnant. And so both promoters and defenders of the law -- the promoters of the referendum sort of argue that a law was necessary, perhaps not this one, that was put up for vote.
COSTELLO: So just to clarify things, if I want to get infertility treatments in Italy, can I do that?
VINCI: You can. Of course you can. But the law as it is now basically restricts your -- your rights, if you want. Doctors say that the way -- the fertility experts say that the way their law is written now basically makes it almost impossible for a woman to become pregnant, because, for example, limits, the number of eggs that can be transplanted at any one time to three. They also say it really depends on how many -- how the woman is doing.
A 20-year-old woman, three eggs can generate three kids. On a 40-year-old woman, three eggs may be not enough. So they're saying that they cannot have a law that fits all.
They're basically saying, we have to have the rights and the freedom to decide each treatment for each specific patient. This law, for example, doesn't give that right.
COSTELLO: The Vatican was involved in pushing this law. How much influence did it have?
VINCI: Well, they say -- the critics say that they have way too much influence not only in actually drafting this law which has been passed back last year by the government, the parliament controlled by the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, but at the same time, they are saying -- the Vatican actually has urged Italians not to go to vote, not to go to polls and defend existing law. Meaning that basically they knew that a majority of the country was not on their side, but basically they needed a vote of those who do not vote, meaning that if a referendum fails to show -- you know, if less than 50 percent of those eligible to vote fail to show up for the vote, then the vote is invalid.
And so the Vatican, basically what they did is they jumped on that bandwagon, knowing very well that, especially in referendums, and especially complicated issues such as fertility treatment -- because, by the way, this was not a referendum. They were not questioned whether or not they were in favor or against fertility. These were questions aimed at changing a comma (ph) or even a word of existing law.
And people simply didn't know what it was all about. They were confused, and so they didn't show up. And the Vatican basically used a no-show vote as a vote in this favor.
COSTELLO: A very smart tactic. Alessio Vinci live in Rome this morning. Thank you.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, Michael Jackson's trial inspired many "Late Night Laughs." Of course the verdict was no different. The punch lines for you after a break.
Later, music mogul LA Reid has put -- has some ideas to put Michael Jackson's career back in the stratosphere.
You are watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday, June 14.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Some of the headlines, Chad, on the London tabloids this morning, and also, of course, on our own tabloid here in the United States.
MYERS: Of course.
COSTELLO: "The New York Post" saying, "Boy Oh Boy! Jacko Cleared of Kid Molestation."
We have the e-mail question up. We are soliciting e-mails this morning, asking what you think of that verdict.
MYERS: And, you know, I'm getting a couple, but not very many. I think that people are just maybe waking up here about this because they stayed up a little bit late watching too many other things on TV today.
But a lot of them actually are kind of going along the line of, you know, yes, we don't really know what was said in that trial. But you have an opinion anyway. So we want to hear it.
What are your thoughts of the Jackson trial and the verdict? Go to DAYBREAK@CNN.com, click on that right there and send us your e- mail. Send us your ideas, your thoughts.
COSTELLO: Yes. We know it's a wide-ranging question, but was it a colossal waste of time and money?
MYERS: Well...
COSTELLO: We want to know.
We'll bet Jay Leno and David Letterman are sad this trial has ended, though.
MYERS: Oh, they have opinions, too?
COSTELLO: Oh, they certainly do, Chad.
MYERS: Oh, no!
COSTELLO: For weeks on end, they have used the trial as fodder for their nightly monologues. Here's what they were saying last night, in case you missed it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Good news for Michael Jackson. Not guilty on all 10 counts! Yeah.
The bad news, he's going to Disneyland. Yeah!
You know something, if he had been a black guy, he would have gotten convicted like that. You know.
(APPLAUSE)
LENO: Our society -- our society? Please!
How does this make Martha Stewart feel? O.J. goes free. Robert Blake walks. Michael Jackson, not guilty.
She made a phone call, hello, is this my broker? Prison! She's in prison!
(LAUGHTER)
LENO: One phone call.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID LETTERMAN, "THE LATE SHOW": Well, the verdict is in. Michael Jackson is not guilty. Not guilty.
(BOOING)
LETTERMAN: However -- however, his plastic surgeon, guilty on all counts.
(APPLAUSE)
LETTERMAN: He's going to be gone a very long time.
And by the way, this just in. Saddam Hussein would like his trial moved to Santa Maria, California.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: No need to say more.
MYERS: No. Dave was pretty funny last night.
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
The French Spider-Man mad another daring climb. This time in Hong Kong. Alain Robert scaled this 69-story office tower without any safety equipment, Chad.
MYERS: I know. I've seen him do this before. He's a wild man.
COSTELLO: Crazy. This is just the latest in Spider-Man's long climbing career, as you said. He's also made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and the Sears Tower, among others. Hong Kong police are not impressed, but the building's owners say they won't press any charges.
MYERS: See, but he needs to cut his hair, because they couldn't see the advertisement on his back.
COSTELLO: Twelve top sand sculptors took part in an annual competition in Haifa, Israel. Their elaborate sand creations range from a hippo to a really, really big head.
Is that you? No.
The so-called -- the so-called artworks will be protected for eight days before the tide washes them away.
MYERS: Oh, good.
COSTELLO: And what do you get a defending Super Bowl champion? Well, a really, really big ring. This is a picture of the ring of the New England Patriots players. It's the ring they got over the weekend. That's a big ring.
It's made of 14 karat white gold. It features 124 diamonds.
MYERS: Wow.
COSTELLO: The team is not saying how much each one costs, but last year's slightly smaller ring was priced at $15,000.
MYERS: Now, see, there's a new use for a marquis diamond. Call it the football diamond, and guys will buy it for their wives all over the place. It'll be the new -- it'll be the new thing.
COSTELLO: What a great idea.
All new in the next half-hour of DAYBREAK, with the trial behind him and freedom secured, what is next for Michael Jackson? A live report from the Neverland Ranch coming up.
Plus, in Aruba, new developments to tell you about in the case of that missing teenager.
Stick around for more DAYBREAK after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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