Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Manhunt Ends for Escaped Prisoner and His Wife

Aired August 11, 2005 - 06:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Captured -- the manhunt ends for an escaped prisoner and his wife.
It's Thursday, August 11th.

The Tennessee couple on the run for more than 24 hours is caught in Columbus, Ohio. We're there live.

Also, Pennsylvania's National Guardsmen hard hit in the line of duty. We'll remember three of the fallen soldiers.

And public smoking bans -- do they really discourage people from lighting up?

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Carol Costello.

We'll have more from Columbus, Ohio in a moment.

Also ahead, we'll meet an amazing woman who, despite horrific loss, still wants to face down the enemy and do what she can to help.

And we've all heard of metrosexuals, right? Well, how about jetrosexuals? Jetsetters just seems so 20th century now.

Well, first, now in the news, an extradition hearing is beginning at this hour for an accused terror suspect in London. The U.S. Justice Department says Haroon Rashid Aswat tried to build a terror training camp in Oregon. A British court is considering whether to send Aswat to the U.S. to face those charges.

A new test fire. Pakistan today launched its first cruise missile. It's capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads. It can be fired from warships, submarines and fighter jets. Pakistan did not give up -- give, rather, a heads up to India, its rival and nuclear neighbor.

Experts have serious concern over Iran's resumption of nuclear activity. The U.N.'s watchdog agency meets again today to discuss possible sanctions. Iran unsealed equipment at one plant to begin processing uranium. They also warned that oil prices could rise if there's too much opposition to their nuclear activity.

And -- Chad, good morning again to you.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Fredricka.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: We begin with the capture of two fugitives late last night in Columbus, Ohio. George Hyatte is expected to appear in the federal court today. Police say he escaped from custody with the help from his wife. The couple had fled Kingston, Tennessee after the escape. They were found in a hotel room nearly 400 miles away.

CNN's Alina Cho joins us now from Columbus, Ohio -- Alina.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, good morning to you.

As one official put it, this is what happens when law enforcement agencies work together. It was at this motel just eight hours ago that George and Jennifer Hyatte gave themselves up without incident. You'll recall just a day earlier, they pulled off a dramatic Bonnie and Clyde escape in Kingston, Tennessee, nearly 400 miles away.

Now, this motel parking lot, as you might expect, immediately turned into a crime scene. Investigators say they have recovered weapons, though they will not say if it is the murder weapon that Jennifer Hyatte allegedly used to kill a corrections officer on Tuesday.

Inside the motel room where the couple was staying, investigators also found a messy bed, a Hawaiian Punch can and half eaten food. Authorities call the escape a well thought out plan, but one that clearly went awry.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK GWYN, TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION: Obviously, it's an ongoing investigation. We feel pretty sure that there were other people that knew about the escape. To what extent right now, we just don't know. I have agents en route to Ohio to interview both Jennifer and George. Once we conduct those interviews, I think we'll have a better idea of who all took part in this escape.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: It is believed that the couple actually took a taxi from suburban Cincinnati to this motel, about 100 miles away from here. Authorities got the tip that they were here. U.S. Marshals actually called the motel room where they were staying, on the second floor behind me. They said either you are going to come out peacefully or we are going to come in. And, of course, they chose the former.

We should mention that Jennifer Hyatte is said to be pretty seriously injured from a gunshot wound that she suffered in Tuesday's escape. But those injuries are not said to be life threatening. George Hyatte, Fredricka, as you mentioned, is expected to attend a court hearing today in Ohio. Then both he and her -- his wife -- will be extradited to Tennessee, where both will face first degree murder charges -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Alina Cho, thanks so much, in Columbus, Ohio. Seven years after a deadly school shooting in Jonesboro, Arkansas, one of the convicted shooters is getting out of federal prison. That's because major was sentenced as a juvenile. And guess what? He turns 21 today. Four middle school students and one teacher died in that 1998 attack. Johnson and another boy, who was 11 at the time, ambushed the group as they fled the school during a fake fire alarm.

People in the community say they're nervous about Johnson's release.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF JACK MCCANN, CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, ARKANSAS: Everybody I've talked to is pretty apprehensive. Of course, no one likes the thought that he's being released at this point and they certainly don't want him back in Jonesboro or Craighead County.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Johnson's mom says she regrets the attack and wants to become a minister.

Now for some stories making "News Across America" this morning, charges are expected today against an airline passenger who authorities say was carrying an explosive device in one of his bags. The 24-year-old man was arrested at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City Wednesday. An airport security employee is credited with spotting that device. The FBI won't say if the device was active.

A fire at a chemical plant near Detroit is still burning. An explosion at the plant Tuesday night started the fire, which is sending potentially toxic fumes into the air. Hundreds of people are being kept out of their homes in that area. Thirty-two people were treated at local hospitals. Most were having breathing problems.

An explosives truck in Utah overturned and exploded, leaving behind a massive crater in the road. At least 19 people suffered mostly minor injuries in the blast. Witnesses rushed to the scene to free the driver before the truck and it's 35, 000 pounds of explosives detonated.

A supposed new al Qaeda video has been broadcast on an Arabic television network. The video shown is part of a two hour production which contains, among other things, the picture of a U.S. Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon confirms to CNN that this is the photo I.D. of Petty Officer Danny Dietz. He went missing during an operation in Afghanistan's Kunar Province in June. His body was recovered July 4th.

The segment is part of a highly produced propaganda film, allegedly from al Qaeda, called "The War Of the Oppressed People." Subtitled in Arabic, this video claims to show jihadis of different nationalities training for terror in a mountainous region. In parts of the two hour program, the alleged militants show off their weapons, including surface to air missiles and what could be bomb making materials.

Elsewhere, the film contains interviews and anti-Western diatribes, not only in Arabic, but in French and English, as well. The production first aired on the Arab network Al-Arabiyah, which would not say how or where it was obtained. We want to emphasize that tape has not been authenticated. It's unclear if any or all of the people shown in it are actually members of al Qaeda.

Well, turning now to the fight for Iraq and a deadline that's fast approaching. Political leaders are scrambling to complete the country's draft constitution, which is supposed to be done by Monday. But major differences between ethnic and political groups still need to be resolved.

Meantime, there has been more violence today. Gunmen broke into the home of an intelligence official in Basra, killing him as he was getting ready for work.

And the losses in Iraq are hitting hard at home, as well. Seven members of the Pennsylvania National Guard were killed over a three day period. Five died on Tuesday in what the governor says was the deadliest day of the war for Pennsylvania's soldiers.

Our David Clinch tell us about three of these fallen troops.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DAVID CLINCH, CNN INTERNATIONAL EDITOR (voice-over): At 31, Gennaro Pellegrini was already a fighter before he ever put on an Army uniform. He had just won his first pro-boxing match when he shipped out for Iraq. Like his dad, Pellegrini was a veteran of the Philadelphia police force. When he wrote to students in his hometown that many Iraqi children didn't have shoes, the kids responded by sending hundreds of new pairs to his unit for the soldiers to hand out. Friends say Pellegrini just wanted to come home and meet a nice girl.

Nineteen-year-old Nat DeTample just graduated from high school in 2004. The son of a police detective, DeTample's family had assurances from Gennaro Pellegrini that he would look after the teenager in Iraq. DeTample died at Pellegrini's side on Tuesday.

Thirty-five-year-old John Kulick was inspired to join the military after 9/11. A full-time firefighter in a small township, his coworkers said that he was so dependable that he'd often show up for work an hour early. He picked up some Arabic while serving in Iraq and told family members he wanted the same freedoms for the Iraqi people that Americans enjoyed.

Kulick had just placed a call to his dad to say he was safe hours before heading out on the mission that was to be his last.

(END VIDEO TAPE) WHITFIELD: One thousand eight hundred forty-one troops have died since the start of the Iraq war. Forty-three have been killed this month alone.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: President Bush puts pen to paper, giving a green light to the new highway bill. The president even took time out from his vacation to travel to Illinois to sign the bill. At $286 billion, it's the most expensive public works legislation ever.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In order to keep this economy growing, we've got to become less dependent on foreign sources of oil. And that's why I'm proud to be here to sign this transportation bill, because our economy depends on us having the most effect, reliable transportation system in the world. If we want people working in America, we've got to make sure our highways and roads are modern. We've got to bring up this transportation system into the 21st century.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That $286 billion is even $30 billion more than the president first recommended.

Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is now 14 minutes after the hour and here's what's all new this morning.

Ten people charged with the failed July 21st bombings in London have court appearances scheduled for today. All 10 are charged with failing to disclose information about a terrorism suspect.

In money, oil prices are up again. The price hit a record $65 a barrel after a key energy report that oil stockpiles are down.

In culture, actress Barbara Bel Geddes has died of lung cancer. She's best known for her role as Miss. Ellie on TV's "Dallas." Barbara Bel Geddes was 82.

In sports, disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens has been sent home from camp. Owens was told to stay away from the training camp for a week after he got into a heated argument with head coach Andy Reid -- Chad, that's one way of getting off the team if he wants to move on.

MYERS: It's one way of getting an extra week's vacation.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

MYERS: And good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT) WHITFIELD: Ever wanted to be a space cowboy? Well, for this once in a lifetime adventure, you'd better have enough space on your credit card. It's going to cost you.

Also, if your travel keeps a little -- keeps you, rather, a little closer to Earth, Ben Mutzabaugh has details on airlines struggling to get off the ground.

But first, we want to say good morning to Atlanta.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTER UPDEGRAVE, SENIOR EDITOR, "MONEY": Shorting a stock is basically making a bet against a stock. You're hoping that the stock will go down in value, so you're selling shares that you don't own, hoping to replace them later, after they've fallen in value.

The chief concern when you're shorting a stock is that you could have some very large losses if instead of going down, the stock begins to climb in value, because the higher it climbs in value, the bigger your loss when you've sold a stock short.

In general, I think that short selling is a technique that is probably best left to professionals. So for the most part, I think that unless you're willing to do that kind of research and you have some money to put up in case things go against you, you're probably better off not short selling.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Time now for a little "Business Buzz."

Are you ready for your moon mission? The Space Adventures Company says it can send you. It can take you around the moon for a mere $100 million. The tourist trips could be available as early as 2008. So start saving.

Several deals have been rumored recently between companies in the U.S. and China.

Carrie Lee joins us from New York to tell us about the deals that are happening and those that aren't -- hi, Carrie.

CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, it looks like Maytag and Unocal will be sold, but to other U.S. companies, not to Chinese bidders.

Now, Maytag is likely going to merge with Whirlpool, which yesterday upped its offer for a third time, to $1.8 billion. And that beats out a U.S. investment firm and a Chinese investment firm, which dropped from the bidding when Whirlpool first got involved. Also, oil company Unocal gets shareholder approval to merge with Chevron for about $18 billion. That's less than Chinese oil giant CNOOC offered, but that CNOOC bid faced opposition in Congress. So it decided to drop from the bidding.

One deal that did happen, though, Yahoo! takes a 40 percent stake in Chinese Internet site Alibaba.com for about $1 billion. This has been billed as the Chinese Google. Alibaba's chief denied a report that Yahoo! would eventually buy the whole company. Yahoo! says China is an important part of its strategy, as it's the second largest market to the United States, with 120 million Internet users.

WHITFIELD: Wow!

LEE: And that is still less than 10 percent of China's population. So, Fredricka, a lot of opportunity for growth in that country.

WHITFIELD: Wow!

And futures?

LEE: Futures are pointing to a higher open. Of course, yesterday's surging oil prices, another record finish, overtook economic optimism, so the markets did close lower.

One stock to watch today is going to be Target, reporting profits today. Wall Street expecting them to continue four years of profit growth. We'll see.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Carrie.

Well, now for our DAYBREAK Departures.

British Airways passengers may get a little hungry and angry today. A dispute with its catering company left 41 long flights without any food. That includes flights to Australia and the U.S. Whew, you know folks are going to be hot. All that's apparently on board -- coffee, tea and water. Talking about hot, well, passengers are being given vouchers for a buffet lunch before they fly or they can wait to fly on another day.

Delta Airlines may be inching closer to bankruptcy. Rising fuel costs are partly to blame for the financial troubles. "USA Today" reports that a $1 increase in the price of oil changes Delta's bottom line by $60 million a year. The airline is also dealing with a credit problem that could leave Visa and MasterCard holders unable to use the cards to book flights.

Rising fuel prices could also send a smaller airline out of business, or at least into bankruptcy.

"USA Today" travel writer Ben Mutzabaugh joins us now from Washington with some details on that.

We're talking about Independence Air? BEN MUTZABAUGH, "USA TODAY": That's right. That's right. They issued their earnings earlier this week. They lost $98 million, which doesn't sound so bad compared to, say, the billions that Delta has been losing over the past few years, but they've warned that that could send them to bankruptcy. And they don't have a whole lot of cash reserves on hand, so if that happens, they might not be able to restructure.

WHITFIELD: Interesting.

So Independence Air, Delta kind of in the same boat when it comes down to possible restructuring or even filing for bankruptcy. You know, talk to me about Delta. It seems very unusual that this airline, which every time you fly these days, seems like almost all their flights are full.

So what seems to be the problem?

MUTZABAUGH: Yes, it's crazy, isn't it?

WHITFIELD: They talk about fuel prices being a culprit, but is that all of it?

MUTZABAUGH: It is fuel oil. Fuel prices play a huge role in it. You can't overstate how much the high cost of fuel is hurting the airlines.

But you're right, you see these full planes and you think to yourself, how can the airlines be losing money?

But really what's happening is the fuel costs are just really soaring out of control. And you also have the airline industry that's hyper competitive. And one airline will tend to match its rival dollar for dollar, even if that means selling fares that aren't profitable for them. And with the emergence and the rise of discounters like JetBlue and Southwest and Frontier, you name it, Delta doesn't want to be under sold in any market that they fly in.

So if JetBlue or Frontier or whoever is offering a fare that's less than Delta can make a profit on, they're going to sell price at that fare just to stay competitive.

WHITFIELD: And JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, both airlines doing pretty well.

MUTZABAUGH: That's right.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, let's talk about this new terminology associated with people who fly a lot -- jetrosexual.

MUTZABAUGH: Yes...

WHITFIELD: What does it mean? It's not just someone who has a lot of frequent flier miles, but...

MUTZABAUGH: No.

WHITFIELD: ... there's a real persona that comes with this, isn't there?

MUTZABAUGH: Well, this is a little bit of Virgin Atlantic's marketing shtick and, you know, not to give them some free props here, but it is a pretty clever marketing scheme.

WHITFIELD: Someone's going to make money if they're coming up with a new terminology.

MUTZABAUGH: Yes. They -- what this refers to is it's what they're calling is the modern jetsetter. And they have all kinds of -- they have the 11 commandments of the jetrosexual. One of which you see there is a person who leaves terra firma behind each day to move business forward and culture forward. So it's a little crazy.

But they're really trying to drum up support for their service and they're saying that these jetrosexuals, or the modern jetsetters, are really the people that have helped make Virgin Atlantic into one of the world's better performing airlines. And they're looking for a way to reward these people. They're looking for the world's ultimate jetrosexual. That's what they say on their Web site. And whoever wins this award or this contest is going to get two free tickets to London.

WHITFIELD: And I like that among the criteria you've got to be able to pack a week's worth of clothes in one little carry-on bag.

MUTZABAUGH: That's right. Or you can have a stamp in your passport from a country that now goes by a different name. So they have some pretty interesting guidelines for this club.

WHITFIELD: Or maybe it means you have a roomy credit card so that you don't need to travel with much, so you go shopping once you get to your destination.

MUTZABAUGH: Yes, you know, maybe if they read my credit limit, I'll have no problem qualifying for their club.

WHITFIELD: Right.

All right, Ben Mutzabaugh of "USA Today," thanks so much.

MUTZABAUGH: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Well, he was facing 30 years in prison. Now he and his wife are facing first degree murder charges. We'll hear more about the Tennessee couple who police say masterminded a breakout plot.

And later, former President Bill Clinton joins Wolf Blitzer in "THE SITUATION ROOM." That's today at 3:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Good morning.

Thanks for waking up with us this morning.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Carol Costello.

Coming up this half hour, a fugitive couple is caught after a 400-mile run. We'll have a live report.

And health concerns are leading another big city to consider a smoking ban. We'll look at who's next and why.

But first, now in the news, just minutes ago, a British court decided against immediate extradition for a suspected terrorist. The U.S. Justice Department says Haroon Rashid Aswat tried to build a terror training camp in Oregon. The Associated Press reports that the court ordered Aswat held until September 8 in Britain.

One of two students who killed four middle school kids and a teacher gets out of prison today. It's been seven years since the school shootings in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Today is the convicted shooter Mitchell Johnson's 21st birthday. He was prosecuted as a juvenile and since he's not one anymore, he gets out.

A new wildfire in Washington State has prompted more evacuations. Dozens of people have been moved out of their homes near Spokane. But firefighters are making some progress against a four day old fire that has destroyed as many as 100 residences.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com