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CNN Live Today

Mosque Attack; Terror Suspects Arrested In Ohio; Homeless Beatings; New Cardinals; Tips on Fighting the IRS

Aired February 22, 2006 - 10:00   ET

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We have a lot to get to. Let's start by taking a look at what's happening right "Now in the News."
To Iraq. Political leaders are appealing for calm after a bombing so powerful that it ripped the dome off of a major Shiite mosque. Gunmen stormed Samarra's Golden Mosque and set off explosives. No casualties are reported and 10 suspects are in custody. The attack triggered protests and a string of attacks on Sunni Muslim targets. We'll have a report from Baghdad straight ahead.

Heavy rain forces searchers to temporarily stop digging at the site of that mudslide in the Philippines. U.S. Marines had brought in a two-ton drill capable of going almost 200 feet in the rock and mud. The official death toll now stands at 107, but more than a thousand people are still missing.

Rescuers say they may be getting closer to the 65 workers trapped in a northern Mexico coal mine. So far there have been no sign of the miners since a gas explosion more than three days ago. Last night officials said they could not rule out the chance of finding survivors.

Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu is jumping into the race for mayor of New Orleans. He plans to announce his candidacy this afternoon. Landrieu is Senator Mary Landrieu's brother and the son of former Mayor Moon Landrieu. He'll be one of about a dozen candidates hoping to unseat Ray Nagin in April. Nagin was considered a shoe in before Hurricane Katrina.

And good morning to you on this Wednesday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan at CNN Center in Atlanta.

An attack in Iraq today is raising new fears about a civil war. Officials say men dressed like police commandos setoff explosives inside of a Shiite shrine. It's the latest in one of the most symbolic attacks in the Shiite Sunni violence clash. Our Aneesh Raman has the latest from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sectarian strife in Iraq reaching potentially new levels after a devastating attack on one of Shia Islam's most revered shrines. At around 7:00 a.m. local time this morning, gunmen dressed as Iraqi police commandos stormed the Askariya Mosque in the city of Samarra. They bound the guards that were on duty and then detonated a number of bombs destroying the golden dome that has defined this mosque for quite some time.

It sparked immediate outrage and fury among the majority Shia population in Iraq. Thousands upon thousands pouring into the street in the Cotania (ph) area of Baghdad. Up to 10,000 people protesting. That neighbor, Sadr City, where we understand members of the Meti (ph) militia, loyal to the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, have taken up arms. Many of them ready to descend upon Samarra.

Iraq's government swift in its response. The prime minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, urging calm, but saying that Iraq should protest this outrageous, as he say, act. Also the Grand Ayatollah Ali al- Sistani, the country's most revered Shia cleric, who has not been seen for over a year and a half, making a television appearance today with senior Shia clerics. He, as well, in a separate statement, urged calm.

But it is a very difficult sell to an enraged people. The thousands that are pouring on to the streets. There is also signs of reprisal attacks. In the southern Shia city of Basra, protestors there were out in force. Also Shia militia there engaged in a gun battle with Sunnis in Basra. And in the capital itself, a number of Sunni mosques have come under attack. One of them burned at the front. Another, an RPG was fired upon it. The exterior was damaged.

So the question now in terms of how damaging an impact this will have will be determined in the days to come as to whether there is violent massive Shia response.

Aneesh Raman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: The deal stands. That's what the White House says about a controversial plan to let a company based in Dubai run six major U.S. seaports. President Bush says he'll veto any bill that would block the agreement. This despite concerns by some members of both parties that it would leave ports vulnerable to terrorism. White House Advisor Dan Bartlett tells CNN's "American Morning" the administration is working to address any security fears.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: They will learn the same thing our administration and this president has learned, is that this company is a reputable company. We've worked with them all across the world. They own ports all across the world that send cargo to our country on a regular basis. That we have the necessary safeguards in place. That the port security that most people are concerned about is the responsibility of port authorities, the United States Coast Guard and customs office. They are charged with the security of our ports. That doesn't change by this transaction.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The administration is expected to brief members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on the deal tomorrow. Turning now to an alleged terror plot in the nation's heartland and charges against three men with ties to Toledo, Ohio. We get details now from CNN's Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): The plot allegedly began in Ohio in late 2004. The plan, to attack U.S. forces in Iraq. One of the men, Mohammad Zaki Amawi, is also accused of threatening to kill or inflict bodily harm upon President Bush.

ALBERTO GONZALES, ATTORNEY GENERAL: The three carried out their own Jihad military training exercises, which included the use of firearms and the shooting of weapons, (INAUDIBLE) and mortar training.

ARENA: Amawi's brother, who would only talk in shadow, admits his brother was against the war in Iraq but says he wouldn't hurt anyone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, actually, no. I mean, like, when I saw his picture, like, in the news, I was shocked.

ARENA: But the indictment says Amawi and two other men planned to recruit and train others to join them in violent jihad against the United States. And they allegedly took pains to conceal their mission, sending coded e-mails to a contact in the Middle East inquiring about pillows. Their code word for chemical explosives.

To prepare for their jihad, the indictment alleges the men studied how to build improvised explosive devices and that they downloaded a video like this one to learn how to construct a suicide bomber's vest.

But the indictment does not specify how far along the plot was or if any attack was imminent.

GONZALES: But clearly the folks had the motivation and I think that they demonstrated that they had the means.

ARENA: All three men had ties to the community and Toledo, Ohio. One, Wassim Mazloum, operated a car business there. He allegedly planned to use that business as a cover to travel to Iraq. When asked if law enforcement was helped in this case by the NSA's warrantless surveillance program, officials seem to indicate it was not.

GREG WHITE, U.S. ATTORNEY: Information came to the bureau in -- and to the joint terrorism task force in Toledo from the community prior to this investigation being started.

ARENA: For example, the indictment says a U.S. citizen with a military background acted as an informant.

All three men pleaded not guilty in federal court. If they are convicted, they face life in prison.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington. (END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Well you probably have seen the vicious videotape beating. Last month, security cameras captured the baseball bat beating of three homeless men. One of them died. Today the three teens accused of murder appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. Our John Zarrella picks up the story from Ft. Lauderdale.

John, good morning.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, certainly a tough day today in court. As you mentioned, it was back on January 12th and three homeless men, not far from here in Ft. Lauderdale, were beaten, brutally beaten. One of those beatings was captured by a security camera at a downtown college campus. That man survived. Another man, 45-year-old Norris Gaynor, who was attacked on a park bench, he died from his injuries.

Three teenagers from this area, from Broward County, were subsequently arrested for the attack. They were charged with first degree murder and attempted murder for the beatings of the other two. Today, the three appeared in court for their arraignment. None of the three spoke, but through their attorneys all three entered not guilty pleas. They came in, in handcuffs and shackles. It was a very difficult time for family members.

I recognize the mothers of two of these suspects in the cases. That's Thomas Daugherty's mother and William Ammons' mother. And at one point during the proceeding when William Ammons came in, his mother -- he looked at his mother and said, hi, mom. She broke down during the proceeding and had to be consoled. The attorney for William Ammons told us after the proceeding today that this has been a very tough time for everyone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY KROLL, ATTORNEY FOR BRIAN HOOKS: I think this whole entire community is troubled by what happened in early January and I think Brian, as a part of this community, is included in that. I think it's a period of great reflection for him and he's, obviously, disturbed by what happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: Now, Thomas Daugherty, who is 17 years old, if convicted, faces life in prison. Ammons and Hooks, on the other hand, well prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty against the two of them. They are both 18 years old. Attorneys for all three say they believe the first degree murder charge is too harsh because they do not believe their clients went out that night with the intent to kill.

Daryn.

KAGAN: So you have -- you talked about the family members of the defendants. What about any family members for the victims?

ZARRELLA: Well, the family members were not here, certainly, for any of the victims, although the family members for Norris Gaynor, his mother and father, after the attack, after their son's death, did come out. They were very, very distraught. Upset about what happened. Obviously wanting justice against those involved.

Another interesting point too in all this, Daryn, is police here in Ft. Lauderdale are now investigating five other beatings with similar MO's to these and police in Ft. Lauderdale told us they believe one or perhaps more of these teenagers may have been involved in those attacks as well.

KAGAN: So that investigation continues. John Zarrella, thank you. John live from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, this morning.

To California now where a death row execution has been postpone a second time in less than 24 hours and it now appears it might not happen for months, if it all. The issue, the constitutionality of lethal injections. Michael Morales is condemned for the 1981 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl. He originally was scheduled to die overnight on Monday and then again last night. The refusal of doctors to participate in the death sentence forced the delays. Prison officials now say they are unable to carry out a judge's order. That the lethal injection be administered by a licensed medical professional. Morales' attorney has argued that California's method of execution causes pain and suffering.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID SENIOR, ATTORNEY FOR MICHAEL MORALES: They use three drugs. The second drug that they use paralyzes the inmate, which doesn't allow the person administering the drugs to know whether the sedative, which is the first drug, is actually working.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The hearing on Morales' claim won't happen for at least three months. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had this response to the delay. "The federal court has interjected itself into the details of the state's execution process. I am confident that the convictions and sentence were appropriate in this case. I will continue to fight to uphold California's laws."

A lot of interesting legal points to this case and we'll visit with our Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin in our next hour.

Well, what happened inside New Orleans Memorial Hospital during Hurricane Katrina? Were trapped patients euthanized? A state investigation has turned up a name of someone who may know the answer. That's ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

Also, a vote today in one of the state legislatures that could reverberate nationwide. The issue is a volatile one, abortion.

But first, Pope Benedict names his first cardinals. We'll look at who has been elevated within the catholic church.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Pope Benedict XVI has named his first group of cardinals. Fifteen men will be elevated in a ceremony next month. The group includes two Americans. Our Faith and Value Correspondent Delia Gallagher joins us live, she's in New York, to take a closer look at this. Delia, good morning.

DELIA GALLAGHER, FAITH AND VALUES CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

KAGAN: First, let's talk about what's the significance of being a cardinal?

GALLAGHER: Well, a cardinal is essentially an honorary title in the catholic church. You know, next to being pope, it's about the highest honor that a priest can receive. Of course, the really important thing that cardinals do, as we saw last year, is elect the pope. So this is -- Pope Benedict sort of restacking the college. You know, they put a cap of 120 cardinals are allowed to go into the Sistine Chapel and vote in a conclave and that number had gone down to about 110. So he's bringing it back up now with the addition of these 15 new cardinals.

KAGAN: So could it be that one of these men could be a future pope?

GALLAGHER: Oh, absolutely. It's more than likely that one of these and perhaps if Pope Benedict creates more cardinals later on in his papacy, some of them could be chosen. But certainly the group that you have now, you're looking at the men, one of them who may become the new pope and certainly will be deciding who that man will be.

KAGAN: What can you tell us about the two Americans who have been elevated?

GALLAGHER: Well, Boston has a new cardinal, Sean O'Malley. He has been the arch bishop there for some years. You remember, he took over from Cardinal Law who resigned at the height of the sex abuse scandal. He was named this morning by Pope Benedict to receive the red hat.

The other American was the former archbishop of San Francisco, William Levada. He is now at the Vatican. Has been since last year. He took over what was Pope Benedict's role when he was cardinal at the congregation for the doctrine of the faith. It's a very important office there at the Vatican and a very important position. One which usually carries with it the title of cardinal. So you've got to remember that some of these places have always been held by cardinals. So somebody like Archbishop O'Malley was already sort of in line, as it were, to receive the red hat.

KAGAN: Any one -- any other stand outs to you or interesting choices?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think certainly Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was John Paul II's long-time private secretary. And everybody remembers him last year because he was the man that really had to care for the pope in those final months. And he's certainly very beloved at the Vatican. He is Polish. He is now back in Krakow as the arch bishop of Krakow. And this is really an honor title for him in recognition of everything that he did at the side of John Paul II.

KAGAN: And finally, since Pope Benedict has been pope, what kind of impact do you think he's had on the church so far?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think it's taken some time for him to get comfortable with the role. You know, whenever we see him there, we see that he's still a little bit stiff. He's not used to the big crowds and having to talk to them. But I've been back to Rome several times since he was elected and I can tell you that the people are enthralled. I mean they're saying there are record crowds coming to the Vatican, partially to come and visit the tomb of John Paul II. Of course he's buried there underneath St. Peter's Basilica and they come and pay their respect still to him. But also the interest that was generated by the election of the new pope and to come and see this new man. So they're saying at the Vatican that they're receiving still lots of people very interested to see this new pope.

KAGAN: I had my first chance to make my first visit to the Vatican last summer. It's a fascinating place.

Delia, thank you.

GALLAGHER: Thank you.

KAGAN: Delia Gallagher, thank you.

Let's go ahead and check in on weather. Jacqui Jeras has that for us.

Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Television's talk show queen helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OPRAH WINFREY: I think everybody has to do what they can. And this is something I could do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: I don't think those are live picture. OK. There we go. Oprah Winfrey talks to our Anderson Cooper about her project to help those left homeless by the storm.

And avoiding the worst fear of all tax paying Americans. Gerri Willis offers her "Top Five Tips" to keep from getting audited. CNN LIVE TODAY is back after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Markets have been open almost an hour. The Dow looks like it's doing pretty good. It is up 53 points. Yes, up 53 points. And the Nasdaq is up just a little bit. It is up two points.

So tax season is here and we want to talk about the fear of a lot of taxpayers, getting audited. If you decide to fight the IRS, so you better be armed. Our Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis has all you need to know in today's "Top Five Tips."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More and more people are getting audited by the Internal Revenue Service. If you find yourself gearing up for a fight, "Five Tips" is here to show you how to fight back against the tax man.

Tip number one, choose your battles. Before you decide to fight back against Uncle Sam, make sure your gains will be worth it. You should be confident that you will win and have all the records you need to prove you're right. Keep in mind that hiring a tax expert can cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Tip number two, don't delay. If you've been audited and you disagree with the outcome, you can file an appeal. Just make sure you do it within 30 days of the notice. If you don't, the government can take money from your paycheck or put a claim on your property.

Tip number three, seek advice. If you feel the size of your return was wrong, or you have a small tax dispute, you may want to check out the IRS taxpayers advocate office. This is a unit of the IRS that may help taxpayers understand their rights. There should be at least one taxpayer advocate office in your state. Check out irs.gov/advocate for information. If you have a high profile tax case, think about getting your own hired gun.

Tip number four, try negotiating. If you owe less than $10,000, you can pay back your debts on a payment schedule but you'll still have to pay interest. If you have no way of ever paying back what you owe, ask the IRS to compromise on the amount you have to pay. Of course, getting the IRS to settle for less is difficult.

And finally, in tip number five, if you don't feel your tax bill is fair, head to U.S. tax court. But, good luck, because taking on the IRS takes time and money.

I'm Gerri Willis and this is "Five Tips."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: In other news today, a single vote could dramatically change abortion laws. We'll go live to South Dakota to get details on a bill that would ban almost all abortions in that state. That's ahead. Also, were patients put to death inside of a New Orleans hospital during Hurricane Katrina? An investigation that turned up the name of a doctor who may have played a role.

And a truth in packaging controversy is erupting. How fresh is the beef that you're buying? We'll take a look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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