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Police Acquitted in Wedding-Day Shooting; How to Save Money at the Grocery Store; Peru's Lessons on Battling HIV/AIDS

Aired April 25, 2008 - 13:00   ET

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

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Gunned down on his wedding day in a chaotic run-in with New York police. Three cops go on trial. Three cops walk out of court. Three men.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Push comes to shove outside the courthouse in Queens. Critics of the cops and friends of Sean Bell say they wanted justice and they didn't get it.

LEMON: All right. So you thought you might not hear from him again. Well, he's not in the pulpit, but the Reverend Jeremiah Wright is back in the public eye. And he is not backing down. We'll get an earful from Barack Obama's former spiritual mentor.

Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon, live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.

WHITFIELD: And I'm Fredricka Whitfield. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

And this just in: in Southern California, reports of a fatal shark attack. We understand from eyewitness accounts that a swimmer was bitten below both knees and shortly thereafter died.

San Diego authorities are working the situation there and investigating this case. When we get any more information about what may have taken place there in Solana Beach there in the San Diego area of Southern California, we'll bring that to you.

LEMON: Meantime, on the other coast, in New York City, outrage and disbelief on the streets, relief in the NYPD. This after three detectives were acquitted today of all charges in the 2006 shooting death of Sean Bell hours before he planned to be married.

Our Deborah Feyerick joins us now from Queens with the very latest on this.

And Deborah, as I said in the beginning, when I was introducing you, there has been lots of outrage here.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there has. But it has also been a controlled outrage. What we can tell you is that it was very emotional right after the verdict was read. We know -- we know Nicole Bell, Sean Bell's fiancee, ran from the courtroom yelling -- saying, "I've got to get out of here. I've got to get out of here."

Here, where we were standing, there were these outbursts, people crying, yelling, "Murderers. No justice, no peace."

This because three detectives found not guilty on charges of manslaughter, assault and reckless endangerment. The judge in this case ruling that he did not believe prosecution witnesses. He said there were contradictions in their testimony, inconsistencies. The motive of some to lie on the witness stand because there's been a wrongful death lawsuit filed. That could account for millions of dollars in the future. At times the judge said the testimony simply did not make sense.

And the judge said prosecutors did not prove that those three detectives were not justified in their actions on that fatal night. They were surveilling a strip club where a bachelor party was taking place. There was talk of a gun. The undercover cops followed Sean Bell and some of his friends to a car. And one of the detectives opened fire when he saw one of those men reaching for what he believed was a weapon.

And the judge said prosecutors simply did not prove that the police officers were not justified in acting as they did.

Now Mayor Bloomberg also said -- talked about this. And he said, you know, this is a case where "there are no winners in a trial like this. An innocent man lost his life; a bride lost her groom. Two daughters lost their father. And a mother and father lost their son. No verdict could ever end the grief that those who knew and loved Sean Bell suffered."

Now, after the verdict, the detective who fired 31 of the shots, he was calm. And he was talking to his attorney. But another one of the detectives, he just put his head in his hands and was sullen and gloomy. The district attorney spoke about this, which is really kind of a blow to the prosecutor who tried this case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD BROWN, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, QUEENS COUNTY: While the criminal proceedings have now been concluded, the public debate as to what occurred has raised some very important issues with regard to current law enforcement practices and police community relations issues that require careful examination.

The police department has already taken some important steps in that direction. They've commissioned a number of studies into police practices and procedures.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Now, there was no public reaction from the fiancee, Nicole Bell. She walked from the courthouse early, surrounded by Sean Bell's family, surrounded by supporters. They made no statement whatsoever. And that in itself spoke volumes, because they were planning on addressing the public once the verdict was handed down.

But we are told that the fiancee went to Sean Bell's gravesite immediately after the verdict for some quiet -- Don. LEMON: Deb Feyerick, joining us from Queens. And as Deb mentioned -- Deb, thank you very much for that.

As Deb mentioned, that Nicole Paultre Bell ran from the courtroom, saying -- and was outraged by this. And we have been speaking with the Reverend Al Sharpton, who is going to be on this show in the 2 p.m. hour. And he's preparing now for his radio show and also for a press conference at 2.

Reverend Al's press person -- Reverend Al Sharpton's press person, I should say -- said that, obviously, Nicole Paultre Bell was distraught after hearing the verdict come down from the judge.

But we are watching Reverend Al Sharpton right now, preparing for his radio show. He's going to do a press conference in the 2 p.m. hour and also join us here, Fredricka, right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

WHITFIELD: We're going to get some more legal perspective on this. Let's bring in criminal defense attorney, Mickey Sherman.

Mickey, the judge says there were inconsistencies in the eyewitness account. So do we walk away thinking this case was decided mostly or solely on eyewitness accounts?

MICKEY SHERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: No. I think the judge tried to exercise his common sense and his evaluation of the witnesses individually, based upon his experience, which is exactly what you want him to do.

I think the prosecution sought to show that the police officers were confused, unorganized and maybe frightened. And they probably did show that, but the judge felt that that confusion, that -- and not anger, but their -- their lack of coordination with each other and perhaps their misinterpreting of the sounds out there, that just did not rise to the level of criminal conduct.

And that's the situation. They may have made a mistake, but that doesn't mean it's a criminal act.

WHITFIELD: OK. And Mickey, we're going to have you back in a moment. We're going to talk to you further about the beginning stages of an investigation like this. And if this simply underscores a bigger problem that, perhaps, New York has or other major cities have in investigating its own in police-involved shootings.

Much more from you, Mickey Sherman, in a moment.

Meantime, as this story evolves and more views emerge, we'll talk more with the defense attorney. And, as Don said, we'll be talking with the Reverend Al Sharpton, as well. He'll be joining us. And our resident police and security expert, Mike Brooks, is also with us this afternoon.

Stay with CNN for every development as it occurs in this case and others, of course. Certainly, you have an opinion on exactly what may have happened today in New York City. So we want to hear it. Tell us, show us, send us your e-mails and your I-Reports. Go to I-Report.com right now and make yourself seen and heard.

LEMON: Barack Obama's former pastor says publicizing his sermons was "unfair and devious." That's a quote. Reverend Jeremiah Wright is speaking out in his first TV view since clips of his fiery sermons made headlines. Wright sat down with Bill Moyers of PBS for an interview airing tonight.

Here's some of their conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL MOYERS, PBS: Here is a man who came to see you 20 years ago, wanting to know about the neighborhood. Barack Obama was a skeptic when it came to religion. He sought you out because he knew you knew about the community.

You led him to the faith. You baptized him. You performed his wedding ceremony. You baptized his two children. You were for 20 years his spiritual counselor. He has said that.

And yet he, in that speech at Philadelphia, had to say some hard things about you. How did it go down with you when you heard Barack Obama say those things?

REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT, FORMER PASTOR, TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: It went down very simply. He's a politician. I'm a pastor. We speak to two different audiences. And he says what he has to say as a politician. I say what I have to say as a pastor. They're two different worlds. I do what I do. He does what politicians do. So that what happened in Philadelphia, where he had to respond to the sound bites, he responded as a politician.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Bill Moyers' interview airs tonight at 9 Eastern on PBS. Now in the next hour in the CNN NEWSROOM, some people are saying, "You know what? The Reverend Wright should just simply shut up."

Others are saying, "You know what? He's free to air his own opinions."

Well, David Gergen and Roland Martin talk about what this really means for Obama's image and campaign going forward.

Moving on now, in other political news, don't look for Nancy Pelosi to back a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket. The House speaker's latest thumbs-down leads our political ticker today.

Pelosi told CNN's Larry King why she thinks the two Democratic rivals should not team up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LARRY KING, CNN HOST: If you had your power, would you want them to run together?

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: No.

KING: No?

PELOSI: I don't think that's a good idea.

KING: Not a good idea?

PELOSI: No. I don't think so.

KING: Because?

PELOSI: I think that, first of all, the candidate, whoever he or she may be, should choose his or her own vice-presidential candidate. I think that's appropriate. That's where you would see the comfort level, not only how to run, but how to govern the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Pelosi says the Democrats have more than enough talent to come up with a strong ticket.

Bill Clinton gets another scolding from the most powerful African-American in Congress. House Majority Whip James Clyburn tells "The New York Times" some of the former president's actions during the campaign have been bizarre.

The South Carolina Democrat says many African-Americans feel the Clintons have tried to damage Barack Obama to the point he can't be elected.

WHITFIELD: A former rival stumps for John McCain at one of McCain's so-called forgotten places in Arkansas. Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, took part in a fundraiser in Little Rock. Huckabee's name has come up as a possible running mate. But McCain staffers say the two are not holding any private meetings.

Well, all the latest campaign news is right at your fingertips. Just go to CNNpolitics.com. We also have analysis from the best political team on television. It's all there: CNNpolitics.com.

LEMON: All right, Fred. Hope you're -- everybody at home is sitting down with this one. Because here's where we are when it comes to the economy. Those stimulus checks, well, they're going out early. That's good news. Some as soon as Monday via direct deposit. More on that in just a second.

But first, we want to talk about the price of gas. It is up about two cents a gallon. Oil is up, as well, on reports of new tension between the United States and Iran.

As for rising food prices, two words: creative shopping. Later this hour we'll save you some money at the checkout. WHITFIELD: Always good.

LEMON: Yes, always good to save money at the checkout.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

LEMON: Well, President Bush strode out of a White House -- out of the White House today to talk about the stimulus payment. They're meant to help millions of households spark the economy by doing what Americans do best. And that is spend. He mentioned another possible plus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump and at grocery store. And will also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this economic slowdown.

I'm pleased that the Treasury Department has worked quickly to get the money into the hands of the American people. Starting Monday, the effects of the stimulus will begin to reach millions of households across our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: In case you're wondering, the president has been touting this. The government has been touting this. Here's how it works. It works like this.

Taxpayers below a certain income level can get as much as $600 or $1,200, for a couple. And the feds are kicking in as much as $300 per child. The total package, $168 million. Once again, the payments start on Monday.

WHITFIELD: High gas prices mean a traffic jam on the New Jersey turnpike. Prices there go up just once a week. Well, yesterday drivers lined up to fill what may have been the cheapest gas in the country: $3.17 a gallon.

Today and for the next week, $3.39.

Straight ahead, we'll show you how to skimp on gas, for real. You heard all the myths. But we've got the facts, as well. That's at 3:15 Eastern right here in the NEWSROOM.

LEMON: I hear she can change an -- not an oil filter, an air filter in 30 seconds. And she's going to do it. I can't change one in 30 -- 30 days. But...

WHITFIELD: OK. Really? You got (ph) -- OK.

LEMON: I'll just have her change one: "Can you change that for me?" How long was that, 30 seconds?

WHITFIELD: Right. LEMON: That's how long it takes to change it.

OK. Let's talk now about a serious story that we have been following. Breaking news in the NEWSROOM this morning.

A tense day in New York as three police officers are found not guilty of killing a groom-to-be on his wedding day. We will hear more from criminal defense attorney Mickey Sherman. What are the ins and outs of this? Should the judge have decided the way he did? We'll find all that out.

And the Reverend Al Sharpton is speaking out on the verdict now. We'll hear from him in just a little bit -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And a South Carolina town tries to come to terms with what could have been a tragedy. We'll find out more about the high school honor student who's accused of plotting an attack on his school.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: In fact, many of us felt, when the jury was waived, that we can not have confidence in a judge jury. We gave him the opportunity to prove us wrong. What we saw in court today was not a miscarriage of justice. Justice didn't miscarry. This was an abortion of justice. Justice was aborted.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: The Reverend Al Sharpton speaking on his radio show just a few moments ago about that verdict that was handed down this morning in New York. Obviously, there has been outrage here.

The Reverend Al Sharpton will hold a press conference in the 2 p.m. hour. But also, he's going to speak to us personally here in the CNN NEWSROOM about what he thinks of this verdict and what is to come after this -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And live pictures right now outside the Supreme Court -- or actually, not outside Supreme Court there. But there it looks like, perhaps, one of the precincts there of the New York Police Department.

We are expecting to actually hear from those three detectives who were acquitted in that Sean Bell shooting case. Let's listen in right now.

All right. It's unclear exactly all that are present right here. But we are expecting to hear, at least see -- you can see a couple of the detectives who were a part of this Sean Bell case. They were acquitted just hours ago of the shooting of 23-year-old Sean Bell, just hours before his wedding.

Let's try and listen in right now. I think we're trying to work out some audio.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... what we want to say. On behalf of the three detectives and on behalf of the families of our three detectives and on behalf of the Detectives Endowment Association, what we want to say is that our thoughts and our sympathy go out to the Bell family, to Mr. and Mrs. Bell and to Nicole and the children. We have been portrayed as insensitive murderers, and I can tell you that we are not.

There can be no greater pain than the pain of a parent having to bury a child. I have five children myself, and I sympathize with them completely.

Now having said that, let me introduce to you the three detectives who are involved here. And of course, that's Detective Jesse Isnora, Michael Oliver and Marc Cooper.

DETECTIVE GESCARD ISNORA, DEFENDANT: Hi. Good afternoon, everybody.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for bringing this all to fruition, for my family who now (ph) is here. Secondly, to the Honorable Judge Cooperman for his fair and accurate decision today. And lastly, for my family and friends for their support. Thank you.

DETECTIVE MICHAEL OLIVER, DEFENDANT: Good afternoon. I'd like to just say thank you to my family and friends, my pal Dino and the D.A. (ph), my attorney, James Culleton and Steve Cartagena (ph), Judge Cooperman for making a fair and just decision.

DETECTIVE MARC COOPER, DEFENDANT: I'd like to say sorry to the Bell family for the tragedy. I'd like to thank the Lord, my savior, for today. I just started my life back. I'd like to thank the D.A. president and the association. I'd like to thank the attorneys, Paul Martin, Tony Ricco, James Culleton, Steve Cartagena (ph). I'd like to thank the governors' association (ph), President Biswani (ph), my family, my colleagues. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, having -- having said all of that, you know, this has been an ordeal for the last 18 months, not only for the detectives and their families, but of course for this union, as well. And I stood at this microphone many months ago, and I said that this union would not blink, that we would mount a vigorous defense for these detectives. And we did that.

And this defense was not only for these three detectives, but for all of law enforcement throughout the city and throughout this country. And we are relieved today. And how do I spell relief? N-O- T G-U-I-L-T-Y, not guilty. That's how I spell relief.

The two people -- I'd like to take the time to thank a few people. I want to thank the legal team: Paul Martin and Anthony Ricco, and Jimmy Culleton and, of course, Steve Cartagena (ph) and, of course, the DEA's legal council, Phil Karatek (ph). I want to thank them for their dedication, and I want to thank them for their focus. And I want to thank God for their talent. God bless them. I appreciate everything they did for these detectives.

I also have to thank Justice Cooperman. Judge Cooperman was in control. He was focused during the trial, and he was -- most importantly, he was fair. He, too, was focused, and he was dedicated on seeking justice. I want to thank him for the decision. It was the right decision. I want to thank him for having the courage to make that decision. And he is truly a profile in courage, Judge Cooperman. So thank you.

And this was a very complicated, and it was a difficult case. And as I said right from the very beginning, the two critical points were going to be, A, the credibility of the witnesses who came before the court to testify. And secondly, the evidence, that the evidence support the accounts of the prosecution or did it support the accounts of the detectives?

I can tell you that I don't think any of the witnesses that came before the court for the prosecution side had any credibility. They had many different versions of the story, different accounts.

In some cases they had three, four and five accounts. Accounts that -- one account, the one version that they gave to the detectives from internal affairs and the investigating detectives shortly after the incident. Another version to the district attorney's office before they went in the grand jury. Another version yet in the grand jury. And a fourth version on the witness stand.

The evidence that was presented, the physical and the scientific evidence that was presented before the court supported...

WHITFIELD: All right. Powerful reaction there after a judge at Supreme Court there in New York acquits three New York police detectives in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Sean Bell on the day of his wedding. A shooting taking place at a Queens night club. This taking place back in 2006.

As you heard described there, this has been quite the ordeal for the last 16 months now. And you heard the words from the detectives themselves. Fair and an accurate decision is how Detective Isnora described it. Detective Michael Oliver says it was a fair and just decision. And Detective Marc Cooper, seemingly nearly fighting back tears, saying he was sorry for the Bell family, and now he has just been able to start his life back.

Criminal defense attorney Mickey Sherman with us at the top of the hour. And now we have a completely different perspective now that we're hearing from the detectives themselves. They do believe this was a fair and just decision, clearly, because they were acquitted, but do you agree as a criminal defense attorney?

SHERMAN: Well, you know, the soundness and the wisdom of the justice system and the decision of each judge and jury is always dependent upon what side you are on. One side is going to be incredibly miserable. One side is going to be very, very happy. We just saw that illustrated greatly in the sound bites of Al Sharpton and the officers.

You know, this is a great argument, as it happened to the Aloe (ph) case, for cameras in the courtroom. Because we would be able to judge for ourselves whether or not we believe in the judge's decision, whether or not we affirm it, whether or not he made a mistake or whether or not he made the right call if we saw for ourselves what had happened.

However, because of some good lawyering on the part of the offices, they didn't take the stand. So they were not cross-examined. So we would not have gotten to know them as well as, maybe, we should have. But the sound bite we just saw shows us that perhaps they're not the ogres that they've been painted to be.

But again, it's from whose viewpoint you're looking at. The winners or the losers.

WHITFIELD: Well, state Supreme Court Judge Arthur Cooperman said -- and he described the eyewitnesses, the friends of Sean Bell, including two injured who were in that vehicle that night. Describing them as having inconsistencies, that they were not credible witnesses. And for that, it seems, the judge said the evidence does not support that the police officers acted out of turn.

SHERMAN: And that's what a judge is supposed to do, Fredricka. They're supposed to weigh the credibility. The credibility. Not the character, but the credibility of each witness on each side and make a call on that.

And what this judge did -- what he did was he articulated the fact that these people were, in some cases, not believable. Not that they were bad people. It wasn't a case of "I don't like these people so I'm finding these officers not guilty."

WHITFIELD: And witnesses are really just one part of the equation. There is evidence that would be presented to this case. But in the case of police investigating themselves, one has to wonder whether the collection of evidence was done properly, given that it's NYPD investigating the shooting involving NYPD.

SHERMAN: That's always a problem. But you know, how soon can you get in some other police authority to safeguard the crime scene? And I know there's vast criticism that the crime scene was pretty much contaminated. But I don't know that they can act that quickly to bring in the state police, or some out of town or the FBI.

You have to have some faith in the system that they're not going to -- that they will be able to police themselves without fabricating anything or make some conscious mistakes.

WHITFIELD: And we heard -- just after we heard from those detectives, we heard the thought of mind that this really is a victory for all law enforcement. In what way? SHERMAN: Well, I don't know if I buy that. And I honestly question the wisdom of getting up there and pounding your chest and doing the "Relief is spelled N-O-T G-U-I-L-T-Y." It's just -- it's too flip when a life's been taken and the community here is very much upset. Not enraged, necessarily, but upset, justifiably. I think that's not the way to cool things down, frankly.

WHITFIELD: It certainly seems like it only adds fuel to the fire.

SHERMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: All right. Mickey Sherman, thanks so much. Criminal defense attorney. Thanks for joining us with your point of view on this case.

SHERMAN: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Don.

LEMON: Thanks, Fred.

Well, we told you we were going to do it. We're going to save you some money. Smart shopping -- we should call it Smart Shopping 101.

WHITFIELD: I like it.

LEMON: Class is about to begin soon, so don't go away for that.

But first, the new Fortune 500 list is out this week. And you might already know who No. 1 is. But we're looking at some of the names behind the numbers. Before we tell you who they are, we'll give you a chance to guess.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He got a start in women's clothing, and he's still into lotion and lingerie. He's also the longest-serving CEO on this year's list. Who's the billionaire with an interest in all things beautiful? Find that out after the break.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Our developing news today in the CNN NEWSROOM, three New York detectives acquitted on all counts of killing an unarmed man on his wedding day. Just moments ago those three detectives spoke out, along with a representative of the New York city Police Department. Those detectives, Michael Oliver, Jesse Isnora and Marc Cooper.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ISNORA: Hi. Good afternoon. First and foremost, I'd like to thank Lord Jesus Christ for bringing this all to fruition. For my family, who is here. Secondly, to the honoarable Judge Cooperman for his fair and accurate decision today. And I'll keep it brief. Lastly, for my family and friends for their support. Thank you.

OLIVER: Good afternoon. I'd like to just say thank you to all my family and friends. Mike Paladino (ph) in the DEA, my attorney James Calton (ph) and Steven Caradenga (ph), and for Judge Cooperman for making a fair and just decision.

COOPER: I'd like to say sorry to the Bell family for the tragedy. I would like to thank the Lord, my savior for today. I just started my life back. I would like to thank the D.A., the president and association. I would like to thank the attorneys, Paul Martin, Tony Rico, James Calton, Steve Caradenga. I'd like to thank the Guardian's (ph) Association, President Thiswin (ph), my family, my colleagues. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right, an emotional moment there in New York happening just moments ago. Those three detectives, along with representatives, holding a press conference and speaking out. Really the first time we've heard from them after the judge handed down his acquittal this morning.

Right now what you're looking at, the Reverend Al Sharpton doing his radio show there and obviously talking about this case, taking calls about the case. Reverend Al Sharpton will join us right here in the CNN NEWSROOM in the 2:00 hour -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: A small town in South Carolina stunned and bewildered. Why would a seemingly happy and high-achieving teenager allegedly want to kill his classmates?

CNN's Rusty Dornin reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was an honors student, well liked, just weeks from graduation. But authorities say unbeknownst to family and friends 18-year-old Ryan Schallenberger was planning a murderous bombing spree at his high school. His parents called police when they opened a package and found 20 pounds of ammonium nitrate, the same material used in the Oklahoma City bombing. Police say Schallenberger bought it on eBay.

SHERIFF SAM PARKER, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C.: They began their own investigation, and I think went into their son's room and found documentation that was brought to us, which was research of the Columbine shooting.

DORNIN: The Columbine killers, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, dressed in trench coats, and isolated themselves with their odd behavior. That wasn't Schallenberger's m.o., according to fellow students.

DECLAN ROLLINS, STUDENT: I would expect somebody else to do it, like some crazy psycho that wore black every day. But he wasn't like that. He dressed like me, and had his hair nice and fixed and stuff like that. I mean, he looked like a nice, well kid, you know, well behaved.

DORNIN: Chesterfield, South Carolina, population, 1,300 or so, established in 1785. If there was ever a model for small-town America this is it, complete with Main Street as its heart. For people here, high school sports are the major source of entertainment and pride.

(on camera): The nearest shopping mall, the nearest theater to Chesterfield is 40 miles away. So what do high school kids do after school? Well, a lot of them hang out across the street from the feed store.

(voice-over): That's where we found Baron Adams, a classmate, but he says Schallenberger never came here.

(on camera): When you say he had his own group, were they -- did they isolate themselves from the rest of the kids?

BARON ADAMS, STUDENT: They sat outside. But I mean, they weren't weird or anything. I went out there and talked to them a good bit.

DORNIN (voice-over): Friends who knew Schallenberger say he crossed the sensitive lines of high school cliques to chat with ease.

(on camera): Did you ever hear anything that people were picking on him that would make him angry?

ADAMS: People say now that people did. But I didn't see anything.

DORNIN (voice-over): Two days before his arrest, Schallenberger banged his head against the wall at his home and his mother called police. Prosecutors say the parents sought mental help for their son, but it's unclear what help, if any, they got. Schallenberger left behind an audiotape. Prosecutors will only say it was more a call for help than a murderous rant. Sheriff Sam Parker says the town is downright bewildered.

PARKER: It's a family-oriented industrial town where -- you know, we have a lot of hard working people. We're devastated. We're all heartbroken and we're trying to deal with it.

DORNIN: Schallenberger is in jail on suicide watch, facing state and federal charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. If convicted, he could get life in prison. Prosecutors said they have no idea why Schallenberger wanted to do this. He did tell authorities he also planted pipe bombs, but won't say where and none have been found. Everyone in this quiet little town hopes they simply don't exist.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: For most patients the results are great. What happens when lasik eye surgeries leads to serious side effects? The FDA is asking today.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, taxes or casinos? Some states want to legalize gambling to raise money. But some voters say it is a bad bet.

CNN's Josh Rubin is listening on this week's "Election Express Yourself."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSH RUBIN, CNN ELECTION EXPRESS PRODUCER: In these difficult economic times, a lot of states are turning towards legalized gambling to meet budgetary shortfalls. Pennsylvania just had a primary and Philadelphia has three casinos on the table. So, we asked voters to express themselves.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, there's a slots parlor that's proposed to open three-and-a-half blocks from my home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our front door is just about 300 feet from the proposed casino.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Approximately 350 feet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it will be a benefit to the community, yes. It's better than that big vacant field out there that they have now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a lot of promise of jobs and revenue for taxes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're going to give wage tax relief. I'm retired, that doesn't affect me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm very much opposed to it. I think that casinos don't belong in neighborhoods. They don't belong in a city like Philadelphia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's something terribly wrong when states across the union are resorting to things like gaming and vices to answer fundamental issues of economic growth and well-being.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Slowing the spread of the AIDS virus, what works and what doesn't? Strategies put into place in Peru offer lessons into battling HIV here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, just into CNN, the FBI's investigating a kidnapping for ransom case in Florida. And that's where our Susan Candiotti joins us from now with the very latest on this.

Susan, we're hearing that there is a press conference. The parents are going to talk. But apparently, a very odd situation in which the FBI is getting involved here with this 26-year-old pilot.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that of course because the FBI does get involved in kidnappings for ransom. What's odd about this is that apparently the person involved in this alleged kidnapping has been missing since April 1st. And yet, we're only hearing about it now. More on that in a moment.

First of all, the FBI, CNN has learned, is identifying this pilot as 26-year-old Robert Arthur Wiles of Lakeland, Florida. He does hold a pilot's license. And according to the FBI, he helps run the family business, an aircraft aviation maintenance business in Lakeland at the regional airport there. And they also have businesses in other locations in Florida as well as Ohio and in Toronto, Canada, among other locations.

Now, the FBI says that the parents received a ransom note. It was sent to them, but they won't elaborate about how or when that ransom note was received. Nor will they say exactly what was in the note except to say that it did ask for money for the return of their son. And the FBI will also add that it was signed in a very, "unique way," but again agents would not elaborate on that, saying all of this specific information might possibly compromise the investigation.

Now, the parents said that they first discovered that their son was missing around April 1st when they couldn't contact him. They said that they were, according to the FBI, sent this ransom note, that the parents tried to answer the alleged kidnappers, but then lost all contact. The FBI will only say at this time that the parents have decided to go public in hopes that this might generate new leads and that they will also announce a reward for additional information.

Back to you, Don.

LEMON: And that will happen, Susan, in a news conference. I'm being told the FBI will have a news conference with the parents this afternoon in Tampa to talk about the specifics and also that reward that you're talking about, correct?

CANDIOTTI: That's right, at about 2:30 or so, yes.

LEMON: Susan Candiotti in Miami. Thank you very much, Susan.

WHITFIELD: Well, if you haven't had laser eye surgery, you probably know someone who has. And odds are the surgery went well. But in rare cases, the procedure causes major problems: dry eyes, blurry vision, constant pain. Some people even are driven to suicide.

Well, today the Food and Drug Administration is holding a hearing for people who suffered serious side effects from lasik eye surgery. The FDA wants to know why the procedure sometimes doesn't work. It also wants to know if patients are getting adequate warnings about the potential risk of this surgery.

LEMON: All right, more medical news for you. Peru's experience in the battle against HIV/AIDS offers some important lessons for the rest of the world.

Here's our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

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DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I am here in Lima, Peru reporting on HIV/AIDS.

Now, the truth is when you think of HIV/AIDS, Peru may not be the first country that comes to mind. And the prevalence rate here is quite low. But it is a fine example of how prevention programs might actually work. Specifically, breaking the cycle between mother to child.

Now, let me tell you a story. It's a pretty remarkable story. A 20-year-old woman that I met yesterday, Magdalena (ph) is her name, she has two children. And when she had the first child, she realized that she was HIV positive and that she had transmitted the virus to him. She didn't know a lot about HIV before the birth of that first child. Between the birth of her first and second child, she was counseled.

When she came back in the hospital, three things happened. She received a caesarean section because natural delivery actually increases transmission. She was counseled not to breast-feed and given formula, again, to decrease transmission. And finally, given anti-retroviral medications so that her and her child could be treated -- her first child. Her second child was HIV negative. A perfect example, again, of breaking the cycle.

There are some sad stories, as you might imagine, as well. The seven-month-old boy that you're looking at here, he was abandoned. His mother was tested as was required and when she came back positive, she simply abandoned the child. He is seven-months-old. And until he is 18 months, no state orphanage will take him. So he is stuck for the time being.

Still, with Peru an example of how things might work, how prevention might work, how you can break that cycle.

We're going to have much more to come on this. Stay tuned.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Lima, Peru.

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WHITFIELD: Well, we told you that we'd do it. We're going to save you some money. Smart shopping class just about to begin.

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LEMON: All right, a developing story here in the CNN NEWSROOM. We told you about it just a little bit earlier as we started the newscast at 1:00 p.m. A man suspected of being killed by a shark at Solana Beach in San Diego there. Just moments from now, San Diego police are going to hold a press conference. And you see those microphones right there and you see police in the background getting ready for this press conference, tell us exactly what happened in the waters of Solana Beach in California. These pictures courtesy of our affiliate XETV.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now I approach it with a list and I get only what's on the list. And I get what I have coupons for. I don't go and buy those spur-of-the-moment purchases that I would have bought before, those snack items that I would have bought before. Basically, what I have coupons for.

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LEMON: All right, looking to save some money in this economy? Of course you are. Who isn't? Well, give as couple of minutes now. We'll save you some bucks. Our simple solution to the rising cost of food.

Here's a trip to the grocery store with a consumer expert and CNN's T.J. Holmes.

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T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: We haven't made it to a single item, no groceries at all, no food, but still, we need to be working right now and be mindful of what's going on, what's happening here.

ROBYN SPIZMAN, CONSUMER EXPERT: Exactly, before you put your foot in the door, you want to check out the stores.

The first thing I'm going to do is I'm going to look at the store circulars, see if there's any manufacturer coupons. And already, I've hit the big one. Just pages and pages of coupons right here, ready for me to use. And then, I might look to see how long they're good for, which this says all month. So, now I know if I don't have time to use them now, I can use them later.

HOLMES: One of the first things you often see when you come into the store are ...

SPIZMAN: Deals.

HOLMES: Deals, the signs. They often have these very kiosks like this set up. And you look through them, buy one, get one free, two for this, two for that. These are important to stop at always -- why?

SPIZMAN: Why, because first of all, take a look at them, take a second. It doesn't mean spend all day.

HOLMES: Right.

SPIZMAN: I'm going to spend just a few minutes. But for example, this vinegar, it's two for $4, it's a name brand that I use all the time. And I'm saving $2.38 on buying two.

HOLMES: A lot of people pantries are full of stuff -- we don't even know what's in there.

SPIZMAN: I promise you that most -- and most women in particularly, like we have 10 bottles of salad dressing. Not all of us, but some of us. And so, you want to start looking at what are you really using and running out of, so you don't have to run out every time.

The rule is to look high and to look low because store brands and manufacturers of popular brands often will pay more for what's called a slotting fee. And according to the grocers that I've spoken to, they say that's why, you know, there's these brands in the middle. They paid for that right.

Seasonal is so important because one, that means the price is going to be better. And then, it also means that the product is in season, so it's going to be juicier. You're going to get the value.

I think the goal is to be a conscious society and also, we can save money in the interim by buying smart, sometimes buying less and knowing what you're buying. And there's great power in that because you only have to learn it once. And once you know, you're ready to go.

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WHITFIELD: All right, well, just a couple ideas to help save you some bucks with food prices heading out of sight.

We're hearing from Americans coping with higher prices like i- Reporter Mary O. (ph) from Idaho. She has a big family, 10 kids.

LEMON: Oh my gosh.

WHITFIELD: She has to make every dollar count and she actually does. Somehow, Mary says that she has managed to keep her food budget at about $75 per person per month. Think about it. Feeding your kids for less than $3 a day? Mary has a blog, as well, owlhaven.wordpress.com.

And today, she's hosting what she's calling a frugal cooking carnival or maybe carnival. She's posting three days worth of recipes for all three meals that will feed 11 people, for only about $57 total. That's 99 meals for less than $58 cents per meal. And she says it tastes good, too because that's the bottom line.

LEMON: Yes.

WHITFIELD: It's really important.

LEMON: It makes you want to eat it.

WHITFIELD: Here's her advice. Stock up when there's a sale, like the time she bought and froze a month's worth of chicken at 99 cents a pound.

LEMON: Smart.

WHITFIELD: You got to have a big freezer for that. Mary says she looks to ethnic recipes, like Korean or Ethiopian for affordable and interesting food. And she keeps a list of her five favorite recipes on the fridge for days when she is uninspired.

So, you got to make it easy, too. Easy and fun.

LEMON: It's easy.

WHITFIELD: And tasty.

LEMON: You could go to my mom for some of those. Remember, items she used to (ph) ...

WHITFIELD: She'd just throw anything, and my mom is like that, too.

LEMON: Boom.

WHITFIELD: Elbow, and the stuff is good.

LEMON: But then you stretch like the ground meat, you put bread crumbs in it, or you know, that kind of stuff.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

LEMON: And then it goes further. So, you know what, people those -- as they call them, with all respect to my parents and those -- old heads, right, they knew how to conserve.

WHITFIELD: I am not calling my mother that.

LEMON: They knew how to conserve.

WHITFIELD: I'm going to get a phone call from your mother, I'm sure.

LEMON: They can stretch.

All right, all right.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, straight ahead, we're going to help you save money when it comes to gas, as well, really. You've heard all the myths, but we've got the facts. That's 3:15 Eastern right here in the NEWSROOM.

LEMON: And Fred, we've been following this story in the CNN NEWSROOM. A man believed to be 55, 60-years-old brought into the lifeguard station there in San Diego and did not make it. He's believed to be the victim of a shark attack on Solana Beach in San Diego and these pictures again, courtesy of our affiliate Metro News Networks.

We're a expecting a news conference at any moment. As a matter of fact, they're preparing for that news conference now. The media right there in the foreground. In the background, you can see police and investigators getting ready for that press conference. We'll bring it to you as it happens.

WHITFIELD: All right, big story on the East Coast and ripple effects. Acquittal times three and a shattered family sees no justice. Anger spreads outward from a courtroom in New York City. Al Sharpton's take straight ahead.

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