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American Morning
Ramsey Murder Case; Showdown With Iran; British Terror Charges
Aired August 22, 2006 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. It is Tuesday, August 22. I'm Soledad O'Brien.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Rick Sanchez in for Miles O'Brien.
And here's a look at what's happening this morning.
O'BRIEN: John Mark Karr, the suspect in the 1996 killing of JonBenet Ramsey, will appear in court in Los Angeles this afternoon. There are reports that Karr is not going to fight extradition to face charges in Boulder, Colorado.
SANCHEZ: Eleven suspects in the alleged plot to blow up planes over the Atlantic are in a London courtroom right now. They were escorted under heavy security. They face terrorism-related charges. Eleven others are still being held without charges.
O'BRIEN: In Baghdad, it's day two of Saddam Hussein's second trial now under way. One of Hussein's co-defendants testified that Iraq's military attacked Iranian troops and Kurdish rebels, not Kurdish civilians.
And in about two-and-a-half hours, Iran is expected to formally respond to the U.N.'s demand that it end its nuclear program. The U.N. has offered incentives to Iran to freeze the program. Iran, though, is expected to reject the proposal.
SANCHEZ: A top aide says former President Gerald Ford is resting comfortably this morning. The 93-year-old Ford now has a pacemaker. He's expected to remain at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for several more days.
O'BRIEN: More rain in the forecast for Amarillo, Texas. Heavy thunderstorms flooded streets, just like that, stranded cars, too.
Much the same scene in Tempe, Arizona where several cars got stuck in the water despite warnings to folks to stay off the roads.
And take a look at this right here outside of our window. It's a beautiful sunrise right over New York City this morning.
Brings us right to Chad Myers. He's at the CNN Center with the forecast.
Chad, is it smog and pollution that makes the sunrise so beautiful? CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Can be. Can be smoke or ash from a volcano. Really what it is, and I was thinking about this the other day how I'm going to explain this with a graphic. If you think about how blue the sky is, if the sun is overhead, the sun only goes through about, well let's call it on my hand, an inch of atmosphere.
But if you're standing here and the sun is just rising, it has to go through inches and inches of atmosphere before it gets out. And so that reflection and refraction of the red happens when it goes through a long distance of the atmosphere, but only blue refracts when it goes through a short distance if you're looking straight up. So there you go, your lesson that's -- probably you already knew that anyway.
(WEATHER REPORT)
We'll come back in 10 minutes to talk about the weather. Back to you guys.
O'BRIEN: All right, Chad, thank you.
MYERS: You're welcome.
O'BRIEN: John Mark Karr remains in a high-security jail in Los Angeles this morning. Later today, he is expected to make his first appearance before a judge.
CNN's Drew Griffin is at the courthouse for us this morning.
Hey, Drew, good morning.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
It could be his first and only appearance here in California. He'll go into the criminal courts building behind me, the site of so many celebrity sightings when those celebrities get in trouble, and perhaps that's fitting.
John Karr will face an extradition hearing here. And according to CNN analyst Jeffrey Toobin, really the only thing to contest is whether or not he is John Karr or he isn't John Karr. If he says he is John Karr, he's bound for Colorado to face the murder, kidnapping and sexual assault charges in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey in 1996.
The big question will be, Soledad, is he going to be represented? This guy, who was flown here from Thailand on Sunday, is supposedly seeing lawyers yesterday in his six-by-nine prison cell at the Twin Towers, just a little less than a mile from here, from the public defender's office.
And also reporting from the Denver newspapers this morning, his old attorney, Patience Van Zandt from his 2001 case involving child pornography in northern California, she supposedly is going to be in court, according to those newspapers, and will also represent him perhaps in Colorado. But other than that it should be a fairly quick hearing. He'll come in here, supposedly not fight extradition, and then the arrangements will have to be made whether or not he'll go back to Colorado today or tomorrow. We don't just know yet.
O'BRIEN: Drew Griffin for us with an update.
Thanks, Drew -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: A defiant Iran unlikely to budge on their nuclear ambitions this morning. Iran is facing a self-imposed deadline to respond to a U.N. demand to stop enriching uranium.
CNN's Aneesh Raman is the only U.S. correspondent in Tehran. He files this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These images broadcast on Iranian TV send a simple message: If any military force tries to enter Iranian airspace, this is what will happen.
It was the latest in a series of war games launched across the country, set to last five weeks, and set to showcase what Iran calls its new defensive military doctrine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We have designed and manufactured systems that can make Iran's air territory insecure for enemies in different magnitudes.
RAMAN: On display, to Iranian TV cameras and nobody else, a readiness for war, a readiness to protect nuclear sites against a potential strike by the West, to reinforce the message of defiance, a TV appearance by the country's top official, the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He announced, Iran would continue to pursue nuclear energy, despite a U.N. deadline to stop by the end of the month.
Combined with these scenes, it's all meant to reinforce, this is a government intent on pursuing a nuclear program and ready to defend against any military attack to prevent that.
But do Iranians feel the same way? At one of Iran's war memorials, a solemn art reminds of a brutal past of the eight-year battle between Iran and Iraq. We came to see if people were worried that their country's pursuit of a nuclear program could lead to an international conflict. Nobody here questioned the government's claim that its program is strictly for producing energy. It's their right, they say, whatever the consequences.
"It is useless," Ali (ph) told us, "to worry about an attack, when a basic need of the people, nuclear energy, is being threatened. We will pursue that right against everything."
"People who believe in God," said Gorbani (ph), "are not afraid of sanctions or attacks by the United States."
Not afraid, and, as Iran's military proclaimed, ready for whatever may come. (END VIDEOTAPE)
And, Rick, we have yet to hear confirmation from the Iranian government on the exact mechanics of today's official response. Early suggestions, though, say that at about 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time representatives from Russia, China, France, Britain, Germany and the Swiss, who represent the U.S. in Tehran given that America has no diplomatic relations with Iran, they will receive this lengthy response, the headline of which will be a rejection of the deal -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Do the people on the streets in Iran, Aneesh, since you have this rare opportunity to actually be in their midst, do they say or do they feel that their country has a right to have this type of nuclear power and in fact that their leaders are correct?
RAMAN: They do. None of the people that we have talked to, and we have been extensively throughout the city, say that their country is pursuing anything but a peaceful civilian nuclear program. We are a Western crew with a CNN camera. It's not surprising that people would be a little timid when they talk to us.
But they have shown, I would think, real genuine support for this civilian nuclear program. There was immense pride when Iran figured out how to do this on its own a couple of months ago. It changed the entire dynamic. And it is because of that pride that really all segments of society are backing this. Whether that backing will survive sanctions that could come, or anything else, is what we'll have to see down the line -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: And this is going to be playing out for quite some time.
Aneesh Raman reporting from Tehran, we thank you, Aneesh.
Now Iran isn't the only country posing a nuclear threat right now, North Korea is once again sounding the alarm. Pyongyang is protesting joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises, seen here, that started yesterday. It says it may take retaliatory action if the exercises continue. The threats come amid concerns that North Korea may be planning a nuclear test -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: The Bush administration is calling for the quick deployment of more peacekeepers to the Middle East. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., John Bolton, says the shaky truce between Israel and Hezbollah must be preserved. The United Nations plans to send 13,000 more troops to the region. Meanwhile, the White House is announcing a $230 million aid package to help people in Lebanon rebuild.
Happening in America this morning.
A massive manhunt around the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia has ended with a capture of an escaped inmate. Police say 24-year-old William Morva shot and killed an unarmed security guard during a hospital visit. They say he also killed a sheriff's deputy. Mayhem outside of a Georgia courthouse, authorities say a chained inmate who was being transferred back to jail following a court appearance took a deputy's gun, then shot the deputy and took control of the transport van. Other deputies, though, shot and killed the inmate before anything else happened.
In western Missouri, more bone fragments found on the property of 33-year-old Michael Lee Shaver Jr., the man who was arrested for an attempted carjacking. Shaver shocked police by claiming to have killed and dismembered seven men at his home. He's being held on a million-dollar bond.
In Boston, the passenger who caused a disturbance last week on a United flight from London to Washington, D.C. has been charged. If convicted, Cathrine Mayo could face 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The flight had to be diverted to Boston.
A middle school teacher in Louisville, Kentucky has been removed from his classroom after burning two American flags during a civics lesson. Dan Holden (ph) burned the flags as part of his lesson on Freedom of Speech. Well, now he's been reassigned while the school investigates.
And a new wildfire is burning near Washington's Mt. Rainier. It's only burning on about 160 acres. The terrain, though, is steep. The dry weather is forecast. All expected to make that fire tough to control.
And in Chicago, foie gras lovers just going to have to do without. The city's goose liver ban going into effect. Some folks, though, are planning to challenge it in court today. Supporters of the ban say force-feeding geese to make foie gras is inhumane.
SANCHEZ: And still to come, the faces of terror. Eleven people charged in that alleged plot to blow up planes make their first appearance in court. We're going to be live on that one for you in London.
Also a possible cause for that train crash in Spain. Why officials say they may have seen this before.
O'BRIEN: Plus, it's slow going in New Orleans. Nearly one year after Hurricane Katrina and the city is still in ruins. We'll tell you what Mayor Ray Nagin says is to blame.
And Carrie Lee joins us with business headlines.
Good morning.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, everyone.
Last year the government cut some fees on phone bills, but now two telecom giants won't be passing that savings on to customers after all. That's the latest. We'll have more coming up on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Happening this morning.
The suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey killing will appear in court in Los Angeles this afternoon. There are reports that John Mark Karr may not fight extradition charges to Boulder, Colorado.
In just a few hours, Iran is expected to formally respond to the U.N.'s demand that it end its nuclear program. The U.N. has offered incentives to Iran to freeze the program.
And court in recess right now in the second trial of Saddam Hussein. Earlier, one of Hussein's co-defendants testified that Iraq's military attacked Iranian troops and Kurdish rebels in the late 1980s, but not Kurdish civilians as is alleged.
CNN "Security Watch" this morning. Those 11 suspects charged in that alleged plot to blow up U.S.-bound flights from Britain appearing in court today. Eleven others are still being held in the case. One suspect has been released.
CNN European political editor Robin Oakley is in London for us.
Hey, Robin, good morning.
ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN EUROPEAN POLITICAL EDITOR: Good morning, Soledad.
And this is the most significant development yet in the investigation of a terrorist plot which police here are saying could have produced murder on an unimaginable scale.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OAKLEY (voice-over): Nearly half of the 23 suspects held since a plot to blow up airlines on their way from Britain to the United States was revealed on August 10 have now been charged with terrorist offenses and are facing a first court hearing Tuesday.
SUSAN HEMMING, COUNTER-TERRORISM PROSECUTION CHIEF: Eight are currently being charged with two offenses relating to the alleged plot to manufacture and smuggle the component parts of improvised explosive devices onto aircraft and assemble and detonate them on board. Those individuals are being charged with conspiracy to murder and the new offense of preparing acts of terrorism contrary to Section Five of the Terrorism Act 2006.
OAKLEY: Along with the eight individuals facing that double count, three others have been charged with possessing materials useful to terrorists, or failing to disclose information which might have prevented a terrorist attack. Eleven more suspects are still being held without charge and one has been released.
Scotland Yard's anti-terrorism chief has outlined the kind of evidence the police have. PETER CLARKE, DEP. ASST. CMR. SCOTLAND YARD: This includes important, indeed highly-significant video and audio recordings. I can also tell you that since the 10th of August, we have found bomb- making equipment. There are chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, electrical components, documents and other items. We have also found a number of video recordings. These are sometimes referred to as martyrdom videos.
OAKLEY: Investigators have so far searched 69 houses, flats, business premises and vehicles. Four hundred computers and 200 mobile phones have been seized. And investigators say it will take many months to examine all the material.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
The first court hearings will begin here in about 50 minutes just behind me. But police are stressing that this is a long, long road that the scale of the investigation is immense and the span is worldwide -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Robin Oakley for us this morning.
Robin, thanks.
You want to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: A new development in that train crash in Spain. Officials now say the train was traveling at twice its normal speed when it derailed near the northern city of Villada. Six people were killed, 60 others injured.
Let's go from that now to a check of the forecast, find out what's going on around the country. Chad Myers is joining us now in Atlanta at our Weather Center.
What's going on, -- Chad?
MYERS: Pretty nice weather across the northeast, great flying conditions today.
(WEATHER REPORT)
Back to you guys.
O'BRIEN: Thank you, -- Chad.
MYERS: Sure.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, what's next for John Mark Karr as he awaits his extradition hearing in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case? We'll take a look. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. We're back in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Here's a look at some of the most popular stories on CNN.com this morning.
Things back to normal at Virginia Tech University after that manhunt for an escaped inmate shut down the campus. William Morva, accused of two killings, was found not far from the campus.
The deadline is near. Iran is expected to tell the United Nations today whether it plans to stop its uranium enrichment program or face sanctions. Yesterday, you'll remember, Iran's leader said his country will continue pursuing nuclear technology.
And it's slow going in New Orleans. Mayor Ray Nagin says it's red tape and a lack of money that's slowing the rebuilding of New Orleans nearly one year after Hurricane Katrina made landfall.
SANCHEZ: Just like hitting a brick wall, that's what they're calling the end of that five-day rally yesterday on Wall Street.
O'BRIEN: That can't be good.
SANCHEZ: Carrie Lee is joining us.
Like bang, huh?
LEE: Well we had a great week last week for the bulls, anyway, on Wall Street. Yesterday, markets gave back a little ground, the Dow down 36 points. You can see Nasdaq and S&P a little bit to the downside as well, so ending a five-day winning streak last week. We saw oil up over a barrel -- $1 a barrel yesterday. Also Lowe's worried about the slowing housing market cutting their profit outlook for the year. So those are some things triggering the selling.
This morning, though, it is looking up a bit, so we could see the bears -- the bulls, rather, come back in and buy a little bit. We have a couple of hours to go of course before the opening bell.
Now on to some corporate stories.
Ford is unveiling a new diesel engine in its F-series pickup trucks. This new engine is going to be bigger, more powerful and get better fuel mileage than the existing engine. It's also going to be clean burning. Its exhaust is going to be as clean as those from gas engines. Diesel is usually worse. The engines, as I said, will go into the new F-series trucks produced after January 1, so complying with some new federal regulations there.
And then finally, for some Internet customers your monthly bills aren't going to be coming down after all. You might remember the government last year got rid of a fee that a lot of people had to pay, basically to subsidize lower income rural customers.
Well now Verizon and BellSouth say they are going to impose a new fee, which is pretty much the same as the old one. And guess what, the money doesn't go to the government, it goes right into their pocket. They say that they need this extra money, so the fee is anywhere from $1.20 to almost $3. They're calling this the supplier surcharge, that's Verizon's word. BellSouth is calling it a regulatory cost recovery fee, so.
SANCHEZ: How does that song go, one way or another?
LEE: Exactly.
SANCHEZ: They're going to get you, get you, get you.
LEE: By any other name, right, a fee is a fee. So, there you go.
SANCHEZ: Thanks, -- Carrie Lee.
LEE: OK.
O'BRIEN: Got a look at the morning's top stories straight ahead, including the courtroom appearance that's expected today for John Mark Karr. Word is he could be headed to Colorado very soon to face charges there.
Plus, cleanup under way after severe weather has swept across the southwest. Chad has got the forecast for you.
That and much more ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Get the latest news every morning in your e-mail. Sign up for AMERICAN MORNING Quick News at CNN.com/am. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Happening this morning.
Iran is expected to formally respond to the U.N.'s demand that it end its nuclear program. The U.N. has offered incentives to Iran to freeze the program.
Eleven suspects in the alleged plot to blow up planes over the Atlantic are in a London courtroom right now. They were escorted in under heavy security. They face terrorism-related charges. Eleven others are still being held without charges.
And in Virginia, an escaped prisoner accused of killing a sheriff's deputy and a security guard will face capital murder charges. Charles Morva was captured yesterday after a two-day manhunt.
Welcome back, everybody. I'm Soledad O'Brien.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez sitting in for Miles O'Brien.
Good to be here again with you this morning.
O'BRIEN: And it's very nice to have you.
SANCHEZ: Nice and early.
O'BRIEN: Well it is early, I'll tell you that.
Let's begin with our top story this morning. The suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey killing, he faces an extradition hearing today. Today's "Denver Post" is reporting that John Mark Karr is going to represent himself at the hearing and that he's not expected to fight the extradition to Boulder, Colorado.
CNN's Drew Griffin is live at the L.A. courthouse where those hearings are going to be held.
Hey, Drew, good morning.
GRIFFIN: Good morning, Soledad.
A lot of confusion on whether he'll represent himself or perhaps be represented by his old attorney from a 2001 child pornography case in California. Patience Van Zandt supposedly visited John Mark Karr in his prison cell, or jail cell, I should say, here in Los Angeles.
But in any event, he's not expected to fight extradition, which means after a very brief moment in court here in California, the path will be cleared for John Karr to go back to Colorado to face the charges which has brought all this attention to him, the charges of killing, sexually assaulting and kidnapping JonBenet Ramsey back in 1996.
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