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American Morning

Gas Stations From Virginia to Massachusetts Running Out of Fuel; Police in Kansas Discover Plan to Massacre Students at a High School

Aired April 21, 2006 - 07:00   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, good morning, everybody. Happy Friday. I'm Betty Nguyen in New York, filling in for Soledad.
Hi, John.

JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Hey. And I'm John Roberts in for Miles O'Brien in Washington this morning where the sun is beginning to peek, out but the weather apparently is going down the flue a little bit later on today. Blame Chad Myers for that. And we will later on this hour.

Add this to your headaches this morning as gas prices go higher and higher, no gasoline at all. Gas stations from Virginia to Massachusetts are running out of fuel.

Carol Costello is looking into this. She's in New York. Good morning, Carol.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of people are angry about this. Sounds so scarily '80s, doesn't it? It does. Gas shortages not far from where you are, John. Tempers flares at a gas station in Chesapeake, Virginia. Police had to be called in. There was no gas there because of a technical problem. And let me explain further about this before we go to our map.

Apparently, there was some water in the gas line there, so when people pumped gas into the cars, they drove away, and then their cars broke down because of this water in the gas. Now their cars are going have to be repaired. So you can see where why they were so angry and why police might of had to be called in.

Across the country, though, nothing technical about the gas shortage. They flat ran out in Massachusetts, in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Why? Well, because of the ethanol problem. That is ethanol has to be added to gas now, and refineries just haven't kept up. That means Gas stations cannot get enough gas.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CATHY ROSSI, AAA: There's plenty of crude oil. There's plenty of gasoline to go around. lt's a matter of getting it to the gas stations in a reasonable amount of time, and there may be some problems with that in the days to come.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: She sounds so calm about it, doesn't she?

So how long will this last? AAA says maybe, maybe as long as 30 days, and if refineries can't get their act together, gas prices will continue to rise, as they have in California. In "The Washington Post" this morning, the story of a man in California who went to work in the morning. He noticed that gas $2.99 a gallon. Five hours later, he came home, he noticed gas prices had risen to $3.10 a gallon. And they could go higher in the short term as refineries get this new additive in the gas and try to get the gas to gas stations quick enough so there are no shortages -- John.

ROBERTS: Talk about inflation. That is amazing. Carol, thanks -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Police in Kansas say they discovered a plan to massacre students at a high school just in time. Five students suspected of planning it could be in court as early as today. The plot unraveled on an Internet chat site. It was supposed to happen yesterday, the seventh anniversary of the Columbine shootings in Colorado.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHIL KLINE, KANSAS ATTY. GEN.: This community is safe. The school is safe.

NGUYEN (voice-over): Kansas Attorney General Phil Klein trying to reassure citizens of Riverton, Kansas after authorities discovered an alleged plot of a shooting rampage at a local high school.

ASHLEY MCGOWAN, RIVERTON H.S. STUDENT: We live in a little bedroom community, and you never really think that anything like this could really ever happen to this kind of school.

NGUYEN: Police and school officials say details appeared on the Web site myspace.com, and made reference to the April 20th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. The five suspects, 16 to 18 years old, are now in custody.

One parent said the alleged plot is a disturbing reality.

DEB MCGOWAN, RIVERTON H.S. PARENT: We've lived away from away here and we've been around this type of situation before, so knowing that it's starting to come to the small communities was not a surprise to me, and I believe that we always need to stay on top of things and be involved with our children every day to know what's going on.

NGUYEN: Sheriff's deputies found guns, ammunition, knives and coded messages in the bedroom of one suspect, and documents related to firearms in two school lockers. Police say interviews with the suspects indicated they planned to wear black trench coats and disable the schools security cameras before starting the attack. Police believe they'd been plotting since the beginning of the school year.

JAMIE HOLMAN, RIVERTON H.S. PARENT: It's a shame you can't send your kids to school without worrying about them getting injured or killed.

NGUYEN: Still, Attorney General Klein praised authorities for acting quickly to eliminate any threat.

KLINE: All I can say is that the information that was obtained by law enforcement justified every step of the investigation and actions that they have taken to insure that the citizens of this community, the students, and the faculty and the administration are safe at that school.

We're going to have the latest details when we speak to Attorney General Phil Klein live in the next hour of AMERICAN MORNING.

Well, there are some developments in the rape investigation at Duke University. Police have searched the dorm rooms of two of the suspects.

AMERICAN MORNING's Alina Cho is live in Durham, North Carolina.

Good morning to you, Alina.

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

We are still waiting on the results of a second round of DNA tests, and we do have new information this morning about what police were looking for when they searched the dorm room of one of the suspects.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHO (voice-over): Just hours after suspects Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann arrived at a Durham jail in handcuffs, police were searching Finnerty's dorm room on the Duke campus. A copy of the search warrant reveals officers were looking for photos or videos of the lacrosse party, clothing worn on the night of the alleged attack, even a white high heeled shoe the accuser said she lost when she left the house.

What they seized, a news article and an envelope addressed to Finnerty from his girlfriend in Boston. It's not known how the items might be connected to the case.

Defense attorneys say Finnerty and Seligmann are innocent and were not at the off-campus home at the time of the alleged rape. A potential key witness, cab driver Moez Mostafa, who now says he made not one, but two trips to the home in the early morning hours of March 14th.

His first trip, he says, was to pick up Reade Seligmann. Less than an hour later, around five minutes after 1:00, a.m., Mustafa says he was back to transport four other players. When he arrived...

MOEZ MOSTAFA, CAB DRIVER: I saw a bunch of people outside the house, on the right side, on the left side.

CHO: Mostafa says he noticed what he called some kind of trouble, and overheard one of the players talking about either the accuser or her friend.

MOSTAFA: I hear one guy, he said, she just a stripper.

CHO: News of the alleged rape has not stopped thousands of Duke alumni from returning to their alma mater. It's reunion weekend. Bucky Fox went to Duke Law School. He's here for his 40th reunion, and says he is not worried about how all of this will affect the university's reputation.

BUCKY FOX, DUKE ALUMNI: I still get calls from parents and friends who want their kids to go to Duke, and they want to know if I can help them in that process, so that tells me there's still an awful lot of kids who'd love to come to Duke.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: Now in a little more than a week, the grand jury will be back here in the building behind me to hear evidence that could lead to a third arrest. And, Betty, two weeks after that, the two suspects will be back in court.

NGUYEN: Alina, this is interesting. The other exotic dancer at the party has changed her story of that night's events. What can you tell us about that?

CHO: That's absolutely right. A source close to the case tells us that that second exotic dancer first believed that she thought that the accuser was not telling the truth, and now she believes the suspects are guilty. Defense attorneys will tell you that she is doing that in order to get favorable treatment in another unrelated criminal case -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Oh my. OK. It just -- the information just keeps flowing in on this.

Alina Cho, thank you. We'll continue to watch it -- John.

ROBERTS: President Bush begins a four-day trip to the West Coast today. He's talking about how the United States can compete against countries like India and China. He's also leaving behind and meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao that yielded few results, but did manage a few embarrassments.

Kathleen Koch live at the White House and joins us now.

First of all, Kathleen, the president's trip today, what are his talking points?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: First of all, he is going to be heading to San Jose, California. He'll be meeting first thing when he arrives -- it'll be evening time East Coast Time, but at Cisco Systems, and he'll be participating in a panel discussion on his American Competitiveness Initiative, and what that does is it focuses on increasing investment in research and development, and also strengthening math and science programs in the nation's schools.

And after that, the president will be having a closed door meeting with Hoover Institute fellows at Stanford University -- John.

ROBERTS: His meeting with President Hu Jintao yesterday didn't produce anything of substance from the diplomatic side of things, but certainly there were some interesting moments, some embarrassing, interesting moments. What's the White House saying about that this morning?

KOCH: Well, the White House, the president himself as a matter of fact, expressed regret directly to President Hu Jintao for the heckling incident that occurred in the morning, as the President Hu was making remarks at a welcoming ceremony. The heckler was Wong Ying Li (ph). she is a naturalized U.S. citizen, a reporter for something called "The Epic Times." She had an one-day press pass to attend the event. She is now behind bars, charged with disorderly conduct. And at meeting in the Oval Office, Mr. Bush told President Hu that the incident was unfortunate, he was sorry it had happened, but then there was a second incident before the playing of the national anthems of the two countries, the announcer, the White House announcer, referred to China as the Republic of China.

Now unfortunately that is the proper name for the self governing island of Taiwan, split politically from China back in 1949. The White House says it also regrets that mistake.

ROBERTS: Yes, that's kind of like somebody playing the national anthem of the United States and introducing it by saying, and now the national anthem of the United Nations.

Kathleen Koch at the White House, thanks very much.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Well, we all know it is dangerous to drive and talk on the phone at the same time. But how much more likely are you to get into an accident if you do? Some startling answers just ahead.

ROBERTS: Also, what's the perfect birthday gift for the woman who has it all? How about a castle, maybe the crown jewels? We'll take you live to Windsor Castle for Queen Elizabeth's 80th birthday.

NGUYEN: I like the sound of that, yes.

ROBERTS: And when China's president was heckled at the White House Thursday, it put him in good company, a history lesson in heckling, ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

ROBERTS: A Catholic priest is going on trial for murder today. He is accused of killing a nun in Toledo, Ohio 26 years ago.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim is live in Toledo this morning.

Good morning to you, Keith. KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, John.

And opening statements in the trial of the Father Gerald Robinson are scheduled to get under way in just over an hour from now. And keep in mind, nearly one quarter of the residents in Lucas County, where Toledo is, are is Catholics, and that's just one reason this case has invoked intense reactions in this community.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM (voice-over): Father Gerald Robinson was a popular priest who spoke Polish. In Toledo's Catholic community, few would have suspected him of murder.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just can not believe it. I just won't. Unless I hear it from him, I won't believe it.

OPPENHEIM: Twenty-six years ago this month, a 71-year-old nun was found murdered in the chapel of Toledo's Mercy Hospital. Sister Margaret Ann Paul was strangled and stabbed more than 30 times on the neck and chest. At the time, Father Robinson was the hospital chaplain. He was questioned, but never charged.

Dave Davison, a former Toledo police officer, was among the first to arrive at the crime scene.

DAVE DAVISON, FMR. TOLEDO POLICE OFFICER: The story I heard was that he had cut short Good Friday services here, and that she confronted him on it, and said don't do it for Easter services. Don't cut it short. Next thing you know, she is dead.

OPPENHEIM: Some investigators believe it was a ritual killing, and that her wounds were in the shape of a cross.

SGT. STEVE FORRESTER, DETECTIVE, TOLEDO POLICE: We have some evidence now that we believe indicates that some type of ceremony took place.

OPPENHEIM: Twenty-four years later, an unrelated investigation into the diocese, led detectives back to the Sister Paul murder case. In April 2004, Robinson was arrested and charged with murder. The difference this time, a sketch artist noticed something previously overlooked.

DAVID YONKE, REPORTER, "TOLEDO BLADE": He recognized that there was a pattern in the -- on the altar cloth left in blood by what was the weapon that stabbed her, which was a letter opener.

OPPENHEIM: Prosecutors believe the weapon was a dagger-shaped letter opener, and say the priest has admitted it was his, but denies killing the nun.

The case against Robinson is based largely on old circumstantial evidence.

JACK SPARAGOWSKI, FATHER ROBINSON SUPPORTER: And the facts just aren't there to, at least in my mind, to get a conviction here.

OPPENHEIM: A spokesperson for the diocese wouldn't talk about the case, but as the trial begins, the question is, in a heavily Catholic community, could a jury convict a priest for a murder that happened 26 years ago?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM: By the way, there is a gag order in this case. So the attorneys are not speaking to the media. Later today, the jurors will take a field trip, boarding a bus to a hospital chapel where the crime scene took place, where Sister Margaret Ann Paul was murdered 26 years ago.

John, back to you.

ROBERTS: Keith Oppenheim in Toledo. Keith, thanks very much.

It's coming up to 19 minutes after the hour.

And still to come, crisis in Nepal. We'll go live to Kathmandu, where angry protesters are demanding their king leave the throne.

And later on, we're going to live to New Orleans for a preview of tomorrow's election. Will Mayor Nagin get to keep his job?

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROBERTS: It is good to be queen. Well, if you're a woman, or Will from will and grace, and Britain's monarch Queen Elizabeth is celebrating a royal milestone today, her 80th birthday. There you see her outside the royal residence in Windsor, Windsor Castle, saying hello to the folks, shaking some hands, receiving flowers.

Paula Newton is live in Windsor, England.

And, Paula, lot of festivities for what's being called a low-key celebration this year.

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is incredible what passes for the low key around here. The crowds are pretty thick now. The queen and the band are just passing in behind us. As you can see, it's quite festive here. People are aching, straining for a shot.

And what's always interesting to me to hear people say how important they think it is to be here, to see the queen, to wish her a happy birthday. They've got slimmest of chances that she's going to take the bouquet, or pay attention to the note they have in their hand, and yet they're still here for it. It really is a sign of how much they value their queen and their monarchy here in Britain.

But I have to say, it was a big international crowd, as well. People here from all over the United States, and certainly other countries in the Commonwealth -- John.

ROBERTS: This is a significant birthday for her, four score years old, and SHE looks like she's in terrific health.

NEWTON: She is in terrific health. You know, it's interesting, everybody always comments on how, you know, what great condition she is in. You got think about it, John, it's not how many miles you can run, it's how many people you can talk to on this walkabout.

She is walking up and down, talking to everybody, and she has that kind of stamina, and you know, her kids have even said that this walkabout, she's perfected it, they watch her do it, she does it so well.

And for a woman of 80 years old to be doing this is really unbelievable. She's had a very busy week. She's been holding some events at Buckingham Palace and elsewhere to commemorate her birthday.

And, John, it just goes on and on. You'll be see more of these festivities in June. That is, in fact, her official birthday. This is just the private one.

ROBERTS: Right. Well, she should have the walk about perfected. She's been doing it since 1953. She is still a little bit more than a decade of the record held by Queen Victoria, though, being 80 years old and with good genes -- her mother lived to 101 -- she could well outdo Queen Victoria's rule.

How are people viewing the monarchy these days in England? There seems to be a pretty mixed bag of opinion there.

NEWTON: It is a mixed bag of opinion. And one newspaper here today with the headline said, look, after the queen, let's just put this institution to bed.

Having said that, the polls don't really bear that out, John. They say that quite solidly, almost 70 percent of Britons back the monarchy.

Now having said, Queen Elizabeth is almost universally respected. Will it be the same when Prince Charles eventually takes over? Who can say? But certainly by the crowds here, you can tell they really have an affection for her, and that's what's coming out, and that's what the monarchy has always tried to cultivate -- John.

ROBERTS: All right, Paula being jostled around in the huge crowd there. Have a good time at the birthday party. Have some cake for us. Thanks.

(MARKET REPORT)

NGUYEN: All right. A message, now, for Manhattan residents this morning. You won't have to hold that door after all. Oh no. A strike of the city's 28,000 doormen was avoided overnight. The union representing doormen, elevator operators and building superintendents reached a tentative agreement with building owners. Doormen will get about $15 more a week. They make around $37,000 a year.

Before this tentative deal, comedian Jay Leno, well, you know, he had to weigh in on the subject.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": In the Big Apple, New York City doormen are threatening to go on strike if their demands are not met. Oo! Well. That will just shut down the whole city, huh?

(LAUGHTER)

LENO: Thousands of rich people trapped in a building unable to figure out how to open a door. When are they coming back, it's getting hot in here!? How do doormen go on strike? Do they just walk around a revolving door, "We're on strike." Oo, doormen on strike, oh my God, the power.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW SERWER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Well, it was serious business at my household. We have a doorman, and I'll admit...

NGUYEN: You were worried about the strike?

SERWER: We were very worried about it. I had my kids practicing how to open the door.

NGUYEN: Get out of here.

SERWER: This is how you do it. You turn the knob, you pull...

NGUYEN: Yes, but why were you worried? Why would you be worried?

SERWER: Well, basically, one thing that I was concerned about is they said they were going to lock up our bikes - are in the bike room downstairs in the basement of our apartment building. They said, "Without the doormen, you can't get to the bike room." I said, I can get to the bike room on my own. And they said, no, it's going to be shut because of the strike. So my kids wouldn't be able to ride their bikes.

NGUYEN: And then you would be in big trouble.

SERWER: And then I would be in big trouble. So, you know...

NGUYEN: No fun...

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: Tomorrow is a big day for New Orleans. It is the city's first mayoral election since Hurricane Katrina. We're going to go live to New Orleans to break down the frontrunners.

Plus this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I use my cell phone. I'll read. I'll do crossword puzzles.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One hand on the wheel, one hand looking down dialing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Can you believe it? Some folks call it multitasking. But safety experts call it dangerous. Oh, yes.

Coming up, stunning new numbers on how distracted drivers are risking your life.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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