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CNN Live At Daybreak

Videotaped Beating in New Orleans; Faulty Forecasts

Aired October 10, 2005 - 06:31   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK on a Monday. I'm Betty Nguyen, in for Carol Costello this morning. Good morning, everybody. Thanks for waking up with us. Chad will be along in just a moment with your forecast.
Also coming up this half-hour, brutality on Bourbon Street. The New Orleans Police Department is facing tough questions this morning, and we will have a live report.

Also, we have been able to watch the hurricanes center's forecasts over the past few months, but they've been dealing with a storm of their own. We'll explain.

But first, "Now in the News."

Relief is coming into Pakistan this morning in the aftermath of a major earthquake in south Asia. More than 30,000 are dead in Pakistan and India. CNN's Matthew Chance told us earlier that entire cities were utterly destroyed by the quake.

Insurgents in Iraq may be getting ready for some more serious attacks. An Army intelligence officer says insurgents may be rehearsing for attacks aimed at disrupting the upcoming election. Iraqis vote on their constitution October 15.

And a compromise in Germany could lead the country with its first ever female chancellor. Angela Merkel would replace Gerhard Schroeder if the agreement is approved by parliament. Merkel's Christian Democrats and Schroeder's social democrats would reform a coalition government since neither took a clear majority in last month's election.

Did you get all of that, Chad? It's kind of confusing.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: No. I wasn't taking enough notes. I don't have any paper here with me. But I'll get it later today.

NGUYEN: All right.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Our top story this half-hour is what appears to be a brutal beating on Bourbon Street. Three New Orleans police officers have been charged in the incident.

Now, it began with a relatively routine arrest, but then it turned ugly. Very ugly.

A warning: Some of the pictures are disturbing.

CNN's Alina Cho has the full story from New Orleans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On the tape, two New Orleans police officers can be seen trying to make an arrest. The man in question, identified as 64-year-old Robert Davis, does not appear to resist.

Moments later, an officer on horseback maneuvers in front of the Associated Press photographer, blocking his view of the scene.

Then a glimpse.

By our count, Davis sustains four blows to the head. His head also appears to hit the wall. Later, four men, two of them clearly identified as police, push Davis to the ground and place him in a headlock. They try to handcuff him. Here again, an officer punches Davis two more times.

CAPT. MARLON DEFILLO, NEW ORLEANS POLICE SPOKESMAN: Now, the question that comes to mind as far as the investigators is the degree of force used by the officers. And was that force appropriate? And we believe that the approach based on the preliminary review was not appropriate. It was not in line with the department policies and procedures. It was not in line with the department's training. So, certainly that's a great concern for the police department.

CHO: At this point, a man who identifies himself as Officer F.M. Smith pushes the Associated Press producer and pins him against a car.

In a tirade full of expletives, the officer says, "I've been here for six weeks trying to keep myself alive. Go home."

All of this is happening just outside a hotel, where a CNN photojournalist is staying. He notices the street is blocked off, a bloody man is on the ground, and begins taping.

Davis' shirt is soaked with blood. As he tries to turn over, it becomes clear he has suffered head injuries.

DEFILLO: Those three police officers that we've identified will be suspended from the department, and they will be arrested and will be arrested for simple battery.

CHO (on camera): The suspect, Robert Davis, is charged with battery on a police officer, public intoxication and intimidation and resisting arrest. A New Orleans police spokesman calls the Associated Press tape of the incident troubling. And says the department has launched a full criminal investigation.

Alina Cho, CNN, New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Troubling indeed. And, of course, we will be staying on top of this story.

Carol Costello joins us now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

I imagine you guys will probably be talking a little bit about this as well.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, absolutely, Betty. And good morning to you.

We'll also have more on the fragile recovery effort in New Orleans, including a look at the role casino gambling could play.

Plus, this weekend's south Asian earthquake to hurricanes here at home, are we living on an angry planet? TV host Bill Nye "the Science Guy" joins us for a look at what's behind the recent disasters.

And Dr. Sanjay Gupta stops in with a "New You" checkup. It's been eight months since we've seen our five "New You" friends. And today, we'll begin to find out whether they kept up with their resolutions.

All those stories and much more coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Back to you -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Yes, I wonder if the nail-biter has quit it for good. I remember watching that from the beginning. Thanks, Carol.

Here's a look at the stories that will be making news in the week ahead.

On Monday, space tourist Gregory Olsen comes home after 10 days in space. The wealthy American scientist hitched a ride on a Russian rocket to the International Space Station for a reported $20 million.

Tuesday, Martha Stewart's new book comes out. It is called "The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success As You Start, Grow or Manage a Business." It is her first book after being released from prison.

Wednesday, Bernard Ebbers reports to prison. The former WorldCom CEO got 25 years behind bars, the stiffest sentence yet in the recent string of corporate scandals.

On Thursday, shrimp cocktail, shrimp scampi, shrimp footer, shrimp everything. The National Shrimp Festival kicks off in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It's going on despite hurricane damage in that region.

And on Friday, a weekend of events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March begins. This time, women are included.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, they forecast the big one, but some say their budget is small, and you could suffer the consequences.

Here is a look at what else is making news on this Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Let's take a look at the international markets right now. They are mixed. The Nikkei is down 131 points. The FTSE is up 30 points. I know it says 25, but it's a Monday. We're working on those graphics. And the German DAX is higher by 44, not 38. So there you go. You're informed.

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh is on the media circuit promoting his new book. And he is very critical of his former boss, President Clinton. Freeh's memoir is called "My FBI." And in an interview with "60 MINUTES," Freeh says he had a specific reason for staying in the job until 2001 when President Bush took office.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE WALLACE, CBS CORRESPONDENT: Is it true you stayed on longer as the FBI director because you didn't want Bill Clinton to get a chance to name the new guy?

LOUIS FREEH, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR: That's correct. I was concerned about who he would put in there as FBI director, because he had expressed antipathy for the FBI, for the director. I was going to stay there and make sure that he couldn't replace me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Freeh also says the various investigations of President Clinton, including the Monica Lewinsky, scandal, dominated his tenure.

It looks like the FBI is having trouble finding a few good workers. So, the traditionally straight-laced agency is considering relaxing its hiring policy on drug use. The Associated Press reports that some FBI managers have been frustrated by not being able to hire applicants because they may have smoked pot in college or used other illegal drugs earlier in life.

Now, current rules prohibit the FBI from hiring anyone who used marijuana within the past three years or more than 15 times ever. They also ban anyone who used other illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, within 10 years or more than five times total.

So, if the rules are relaxed, they would affect positions such as accountants or computer specialists, not FBI special agents who conduct most criminal and terrorism investigations.

Your news, money, weather and sports. The time is 6:43 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

The death toll is nearing 31,000 in the wake of the earthquake in south Asia. Most of the deaths are in Pakistan, which is pleading, pleading for international aid. The U.S. is sending money, helicopters and a disaster response team.

In money, auto parts giant Delphi filed for bankruptcy protection after failing to gain major wage concessions from the United Auto Workers Union. The company wanted to cut pay in half to some of its 50,000 workers in the U.S. Delphi will continue operating while they restructure.

In culture, Madonna's upcoming album dedicated to a Kabbalist rabbi is drawing the ire of other rabbis. One song is about a 16th century Jewish mystic and Kabbalist scholar. Now, the rabbis are upset because Madonna is using the name of the holy rabbi for profit.

And in sports, the Cincinnati Bengals fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after being held in check by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags won 23-20. That leaves the Indianapolis Colts as the only undefeated team in the NFL.

But there you have it, Chad Myers.

MYERS: I did not know that. I thought there would be more. But obviously that was an early end to a lot of people's seasons.

NGUYEN: Yes, it was.

MYERS: At least the undefeated season.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Still to come on DAYBREAK, they are the nation's first line of defense in this busy hurricane season. But are hurricane forecasters overwhelmed and under-funded? We'll find out.

First, though, here's a look at who is celebrating birthdays on this Monday, October 10.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: I want to welcome you back right now. It is 6:50 Eastern. Here is what will be making news today.

New York's mayor declares the subways safe this morning. But commuters are seeing more police underground. A reported plot to bomb city subways with remote-controlled explosives has not been corroborated.

And Hurricane Vince is no threat to this country. Now downgraded to a tropical storm, Vince is churning in the far eastern Atlantic off the coast of Spain.

Well, they are the ones who tell you when the storm is coming and where it will head. But are hurricane forecasters off track when they track hurricanes?

In a series of reports, "The Miami Herald" says poor equipment and gaps in research have led to some faulty forecasts. A former National Weather Service officer tells the "Herald" quote: "It is almost like we are forecasting blind. We have never really had the equipment to do it."

That is frightening.

Joining us now with more is "Miami Herald" reporter, Debbie Cinziper.

We appreciate your time with us this morning.

First of all, how did you find out about these problems? I doubt that they were just forthcoming with one question.

DEBBIE CENZIPER, "MIAMI HERALD": No, that's exactly right. I interviewed every former hurricane center director going back to Robert Simpson in the 1970s. So, we talked to more than 200 people about this -- former forecasters, current forecasters, researchers, meteorologists all over the country.

NGUYEN: You know, this quote is just really pretty shocking really to say it's almost like we're forecasting blind. These are the people that the nation turns to when it comes to a disaster like a hurricane. So, what kind of problems are we talking about specifically here?

CENZIPER: Yes. I mean, what's happening is that very basic weather observing equipment is not available to forecasters when they need it, when they need it most. We're talking about specially-rigged hurricane hunter planes are grounded, or they're diverted by the federal government for research missions completely unrelated to hurricanes.

NGUYEN: Wait a second. They're grounded? A hurricane is approaching. These planes, which fly into the eye of a storm, are grounded for what reason?

CENZIPER: Well, we're talking about NOAA has -- the federal government has three specially-equipped hurricane hunter planes that have special equipment, you know, to track storms. And they have very limited flight hours. So, the federal government will -- you know, so the hurricane center will choose not to fly, will not fly the planes because they're worried about breaking the bank, busting their budget.

NGUYEN: And they have better equipment than the military does when it comes to tracking storms.

CENZIPER: That's exactly right. One of the planes flies in the environment around the storm. And it's been credited with improving forecasts by as much as 25 percent. They only get...

NGUYEN: Really?

CENZIPER: Yes. They only get 250 hours a year during hurricane season to fly that plane. So, when, you know, storms are coming, the hurricane center has to make a decision whether or not they want to break the bank.

NGUYEN: Debbie, I want to bring in meteorologist Chad Myers, because he obviously has some questions for you as well.

MYERS: Well, one thing I was really amazed at your story and how good the hurricane center's forecasts have been basically with one arm tied behind their back.

But I did notice this year -- and I think everybody here in the weather office did -- that a lot of times when storms were getting close to the U.S., there was still no plane in that storm. I know they had to move from Keesler, because Keesler was, you know, hit by the hurricane basically. They moved up here to Atlanta to Marietta. They were flying out of there.

But where were some of these planes? Why didn't we have planes in the storms all the time? We kept hearing about computer problems on the aircraft. What's that?

CENZIPER: Yes. Yes, that happened, in fact, right during -- before Hurricane Katrina made its first landfall in south Florida. They only flew their Gulfstream jet one time. They wanted to fly it more often. They were worried about, you know, wasting flight hours. And on that single mission before the Florida landfall, there was a computer crash on the jet, and they lost a whole bunch of key data, you know, right when they needed it most. And then there was no second flight to make up for it.

And some people feared that that kind of hurt that forecast in south Florida. If you remember, Katrina kind of wobbled at landfall, and it dipped deep into Miami-Dade.

MYERS: Yes, it did.

CENZIPER: A lot of people weren't expecting that.

MYERS: And it did damage in the lower and the upper Keys that we weren't expecting as well.

CENZIPER: Exactly right.

MYERS: And then all of that rainfall over Cutler Ridge (ph), where it just sat and rained like 17 inches in 24 hours. So, boy, I appreciate your investigation. I hope to read the rest of it as well.

CENZIPER: Great.

NGUYEN: Yes. And, Debbie, I want to read you something that Scott Smullen, a NOAA spokesperson, had to say about this.

He says: "NOAA's accurate storm forecasting and timely weather bulletins have saved thousands of lives during this hurricane season. NOAA has an effective budget mix between hurricane research and operational capabilities and is committed to advancing hurricane science and forecasting. After last year's Florida hurricanes, NOAA spent 1.7 million deploying seven new hurricane buoys in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico that played a pivotal role in accurately tracking Katrina and Rita this year. NOAA is adding $10 million in new technology radiometers on hurricane hunters that dissect storm structure to better predict their track and intensity. NOAA has worked with Caribbean countries to ensure that the weather balloon data is now received twice a day. The agency continues to take seriously its research to help monitor and forecast hurricanes."

But let me get your reaction to that one part of this where he says, NOAA has an effective budget mix between hurricane research and operational capabilities. Did you find that to be true in your research?

CENZIPER: First of all, yes. I mean, the money that they were just citing in that statement came from a one-time allotment last year. Congress came up with about $21 million last summer after the four Florida hurricanes. And so, some of that is to put some new buoys in and to put some equipment on the planes.

But we're still finding that countries in the Caribbean are not launching weather balloons regularly. And, for example, researchers, they've been working with the Hurricane Research Division here in Miami with the same base budget for more than two decades.

NGUYEN: It is an eye-opening report. Debbie Cenziper with "The Miami Herald." We appreciate your time.

CENZIPER: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Very interesting.

CENZIPER: Great.

NGUYEN: When we come back, your chance to win a DAYBREAK coffee mug. I know you've been waiting. This is DAYBREAK for Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Now is that chance to win that coffee mug, Chad.

MYERS: We had breaking news on Friday, so we didn't ask the question then. But we're asking questions right now. Here's your chance to win a mug.

What percentage of U.S. workers have called in sick when they weren't really sick? And a new law governing what type of bankruptcy goes into effect next week?

Go to CNN.com/daybreak. There's a little link there that says give us your answers and your opinions. Click it over there. And we'll do it for you.

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: From the CNN center in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Betty. I'm Miles O'Brien.

The search for survivors in Pakistan as the death toll tops 30,000 after Saturday's powerful earthquake. Tens of thousands injured. Entire villages flattened. We're live from the region.

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