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American Morning

John Mark Karr Awaiting Extradition to U.S.; Judge Halts Wiretaps; Political Twist for Lieberman

Aired August 18, 2006 - 06:29   ET

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening this morning, new questions about John Mark Karr's confession in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey. His story riddled with inconsistencies. Among them, Karr's ex-wife says he was in Alabama or maybe Atlanta at the time of the killing in Colorado.
The White House says it will appeal a ruling that strikes down its domestic surveillance program. A federal judge in Michigan has ruled wiretaps and e-mail checks without warrants are unconstitutional.

And Fidel Castro is getting better. So says his brother and acting Cuban president, Raul Castro. Raul also says he's mobilized Cuba's troops just in case the U.S. tries to invade while his brother recovers.

Good morning to you. I'm Miles O'Brien.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Carol costello, in for Soledad.

O'BRIEN: A lot of questions this morning about that sensational confession in the JonBenet Ramsey murder. At this hour, John Mark Karr is in a detention facility in Bangkok, Thailand, awaiting extradition to the United States.

Let's go live now to Bangkok, to CNN's Atika Shubert with more -- Atika

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, he's still being held in the detention center behind me. Two U.S. officials have gone in to see him today, but they haven't made any comment since coming out. There's been none of the chaotic press conferences and admissions that we had yesterday, but we were able to interview Thailand's immigration chief, and he gave some more details about that initial admission by John Karr.

Here is what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GEN. SUWAT THAMRONGRISAKUL, CHIEF OF IMMIGRATION: He was told that, "You know that you have a warrant, a arrest warrant from the U.S. with first-degree murder." And he stayed quiet, keep quiet, kept quiet. And then in the morning, he said, "It's not first degree. It's second degree." (END VIDEO CLIP)

SHUBERT: Now, in addition to that, we have some more details coming through on what exactly Karr was doing in Thailand. He was apparently living in a small apartment in southern Bangkok. And neighbors there and receptionists there say he was very much a loner, he was never seen with anybody else, but he paid his rent exactly on time and never caused any problems.

We've also learned from school officials that he taught in at least two Bangkok international schools, including one of them being an all girls school. According to one school official, he says that although he taught there for a few weeks, he was ultimately not hired because they felt he was too strict on the students there -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Atika Shubert in Bangkok.

Thank you very much -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All this attention on the Ramsey murder case after almost 10 years is once again putting the spotlight on the scene of the crime, Boulder, a small city 35 miles northwest of Denver.

CNN's Ed Lavandera is outside the former Ramsey home.

Good morning, Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, here.

Well, many people here wondering whether or not John Karr's story is simply unraveling. Just to break down a few of the questions that have kind of arisen in his story yesterday, his ex-wife says that in December of 1996, that the family had spent -- when they were married at the time, 10 years ago -- that they had spent that Christmas season together in Alabama. His brother and family in Georgia say that they have evidence that proves he's innocent and they will perhaps release that later today.

There's also some question about what he said yesterday. John Karr saying yesterday that, according to people who had overheard or had spoken with investigators in Thailand, that John Karr said he had drugged and had sex with JonBenet Ramsey before he accidentally killed her. But the autopsy report shows that there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in her system.

Of course, all of this is what reporters and investigators have been trying to chase down and investigate throughout the day as the story of what seemed to be a, you know, sensational confession yesterday morning has seemed to begin to unravel. So many people here questioning whether or not this is the man. And the district attorney yesterday, at a press conference, where essentially they came out to say that they had nothing to say, said that people should refrain from speculating, and that they still have a lot of work to be done -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I know. I watched that news conference. And really, the D.A. was just congratulating all of her investigators. And not much else came out of that.

In talking to the people of Boulder, though, Ed, what are their feelings about this?

LAVANDERA: Well, you know, I think there's still a great deal of interest in what is going on with this case here just because it is, you know, a hometown mystery. And many people would obviously like to see justice for JonBenet Ramsey. But, you know, there is still also a feeling among many people here that this story has brought in so much intense scrutiny and tabloid coverage and sensational news media coverage, that that is something they just don't welcome.

COSTELLO: Yes. The interesting thing, there's -- there's an article in one of the tabloids in New York about the house you're standing in front of. They said the fence was put up to keep gawkers away and that nobody lives in the house right now.

LAVANDERA: Yes, it is empty. I haven't been to this house before, but I have been told by some people who have that it's -- the appearances of the outside has changed quite a bit. But right now it does sit empty.

COSTELLO: Ed Lavandera, live in Boulder, Colorado.

Thanks.

O'BRIEN: A federal judge says the Bush administration is breaking the law by listening in on phone calls without warrants. The White House says it could not disagree more with the ruling. So, clearly, the battle is far from over.

Here's Kelli Arena.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's the first legal setback for the government's wiretapping program. A federal judge says it violates the Constitution.

ALBERTO GONZALES, ATTORNEY GENERAL: Of course, I'm disappointed. I believe very strongly that the president does have the authority to authorize this kind of conduct, particularly in a time of war. Conduct is very consistent with what other presidents have done in a time of war.

ARENA: Attorney General Gonzales and the administration argue the program in which the National Security Agency monitors international phone calls and other communications without a warrant is necessary to keep the U.S. safe. They say it only covers communications among people with terror connections, but the judge who heard the case brought by the ACLU says the wiretapping program violates free speech and privacy rights.

ANTHONY ROMERO, ACLU EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The judge agreed with our arguments. The president had overstepped his powers as the chief executive that no one is above the law, not even the president. ARENA: The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of lawyers, academics and journalists like Jim Banford, who say some of the people they talked to could be targeted by the government. They argue the possibility of the government eavesdropping interferes with doing their jobs. Government supporters weren't very impressed with the argument.

LEE CASEY, FORMER JUSTICE DEPT. LAWYER: They don't really know whether they have been monitored. They're only guessing at that, and ordinarily that is not sufficient for bringing a suit in federal court.

ARENA (on camera): The Justice Department appealed the ruling, and the wiretapping will continue until the judge decides what will happen as the case makes its way through the legal system.

Kelli Arena, CNN Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Kelli's report first aired on "THE SITUATION ROOM" with Wolf Blitzer. It airs weekdays at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

And coming up in our 8:00 hour Eastern, we'll speak with Jonathan Turley. He's a professor of law at George Washington University, a constitutional law expert. And Tom Ridge, the former Homeland Security secretary who was instrumental in creating that wireless -- or, excuse me, warrantless wiretapping campaign -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Right now, though, we're going to talk to Chad and get a little more of the forecast.

Good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MYERS: Back to you guys.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: Sure.

COSTELLO: Still to come, waiting for U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Thousands of people returning home, or to what's left of their homes. But will the cease-fire hold?

O'BRIEN: Them's fighting words. The number two man in Great Britain uses a four letter word when talking about the president. We won't say what it is, but it rhymes with sap.

COSTELLO: It rhymes with sap?

O'BRIEN: Yes.

COSTELLO: Oh, I'll have to think about that.

O'BRIEN: Think about that.

COSTELLO: And Senator Joe Lieberman, you know he lost that Democratic primary. But, guess what? He's now leading in the polls. Connecticut's mixed message to Washington coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We have correspondents working throughout the world. Time to take a look at what they're covering for you this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Ben Wedeman in south Lebanon, where since Monday, when the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, more than 200,000 people have returned to their homes. But in many cases, they've come home to find their houses in ruins because of the fighting.

And not only that. According to the United Nations, there are apparently thousands of unexploded bombs and rockets throughout the southern part of this country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Aneesh Raman in Tehran.

Officials here say as early as Tuesday, Iran will give its answer as to whether the country will suspend its uranium enrichment. There's a deal on the table being offered by the EU, but signs are that Iran will reject that deal, saying that it will pursue what they call here a peaceful civilian nuclear program. That's despite a U.N. deadline for Iran to suspend that same program by the end of the month.

If Iran does not do so, it could swiftly, U.S. officials say, face sanctions. So Iran is now on a collision course directly with the U.N. Security Council.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Max Foster in London.

The British deputy prime minister, John Prescott, has developed a bit of a reputation for making gaffs, and it seems he's done it again. During a meeting with fellow labor politicians, he apparently called President Bush a cowboy and said his administration was "crap" on the Middle East peace process. Mr. Prescott issued a carefully-worded statement afterwards saying it was an inaccurate report of a private conversation.

The White House, meanwhile, has made light of events, saying President Bush has been called a lot worse. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: For more on these or any other top stories, head to our Web site, CNN.com.

O'BRIEN: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, Joe Lieberman's declaration of independence is apparently working. We'll show you some numbers which are making him smile.

COSTELLO: Plus, taking it on the chin not once, but twice. Drug maker Merck having more legal troubles with Vioxx.

We'll have more details for you after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Happening this morning, the White House says it will appeal a ruling striking down its domestic surveillance program. A federal judge has ruled wiretaps and e-mail checks without warrants are unconstitutional.

In Wyoming, cooler weather today should help firefighters make progress against that huge wildfire on Casper Mountain. So far, the fire has burned more than 11,000 acres.

And a four-alarm fire burning right now in New Jersey. It's at a storage center in New Brunswick. So far, no injuries reported and no word yet on how it started.

O'BRIEN: Senator Joe Lieberman hoping to pull victory from the jaws of defeat by walking away from the Democratic Party. And so far, it looks like a winning strategy.

CNN's Mary Snow with more on the closely-watched Connecticut Senate race.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shedding his Democrat-only coat, Senator Joseph Lieberman, as an Independent, now has a 12-point lead over Ned Lamont, the Democrat who beat Lieberman in last week's primary.

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: I am encouraged, but I am ready for a tough fight.

In a new poll, Joseph Lieberman leads the three-way race with 53 percent of the vote. Ned Lamont, 41 percent, among likely voters. Republican Allan Schlessinger trailed with only 4 percent. The poll also shows Lieberman with overwhelming support among Republicans and a large lead among Independents.

STU ROTHENBERG, ROTHENBERG POLITICAL REPORT: The Connecticut general election is really about independence. Lieberman has to appeal to Independent voters, he has to get their support, and he has to continue to display his independence from both parties. SNOW: Political observers say there is a risk to Lieberman if he appears too cozy with Republicans, and what appeared to be national GOP support is certainly drawing attention. This week the White House declined to endorse the Republican candidate in the Connecticut Senate race; it's not endorsing Lieberman, but Vice President Dick Cheney went out of his way to praise the Senate veteran and take a jab at the Democrats who defeated him.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Dean Democrats have defeated Joe Lieberman. Their choice instead is a candidate whose explicit goal is to give up the fight against the terrorists in Iraq.

SNOW: That sparked a strong reaction from Ned Lamont.

NED LAMONT, (D), SENATE CANDIDATE: I think I would just tell Vice President Cheney that we don't need any sermons on the meaning of 9/11.

SNOW: Lamont blasted Lieberman and Republicans for tying last week's thwarted terror plot to the Iraq war.

At a rally last week, Lieberman said, "If we just pick up like Ned Lamont wants us to, get out by a date certain, it will be taken as a tremendous victory by the same people who wanted to blow up these planes."

(on camera): As Lamont fights back against the notion that Democrats are soft on national security, he's getting the support of some high-profile Democrats like former senator John Edwards, who came here to Connecticut to campaign for him. Also, former presidential candidate John Kerry launched an online fund-raising effort for him.

Mary Snow, CNN, New Haven, Connecticut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Mary's report first aired on "THE SITUATION ROOM." Watch it weekdays, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. with Wolf Blitzer, right here on CNN.

COSTELLO: And coming up on AMERICAN MORNING, Samuel L. Jackson, a plane, and snakes, a lot of snakes. The buzz behind the hottest B movie this summer.

Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

O'BRIEN: Ooh, I'm scared.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A double whammy and probably a big headache for the lawyers at Merck

Carrie Lee in for Andy Serwer, here with the business report.

(BUSINESS REPORT)

COSTELLO: A look at some stories we're working on now.

Did he or didn't he? Holes in the JonBenet murder confession.

The White House being ordered to hang up its wiretaps. An appeal is now in the works.

All eyes on North Korea. U.S. officials say the country may be ready for a nuclear test.

Rubbing elbows with people in the heartland. Political candidates head to the Iowa State Fair.

And "Snakes on a Plane." We take a sneak peek at one of the most anticipated movies of this summer and talk to its star, Samuel L. Jackson.

Let's head to Atlanta now for a check of the forecast, though.

Hello, Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: The JonBenet Ramsey murder confession, sordid facts or delusional fiction?

COSTELLO: The future of the president's domestic surveillance program is uncertain after a federal ruling. Why the White House says it could not disagree more.

New images from North Korea. U.S. officials say a nuclear bomb test may be in the works.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Bob Franken at the Iowa State Fair, where oftentimes it seems real people are outnumbered by the politicians.

O'BRIEN: And "Snakes on a Plane." After all the hysteria, a movie you're probably dying to see. Not. We'll talk with the star, Samuel L. Jackson, and see if he speaks with a forked tongue on this AMERICAN MORNING.

Good morning to you. I'm Miles O'Brien.

COSTELLO: And I'm Carol Costello, in for Soledad.

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