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Investigators: Only One Gunman at Fort Hood; Rethinking Afghanistan: Is Karzai the Answer or the Problem?

Aired November 12, 2009 - 13:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to take you straight to Fort Hood, where it's beginning its news conference. We hope to hear more about the investigation to the alleged shooter.

COL. JOHN ROSSI, U.S. ARMY: ... wounded that remain in our local hospitals. This will be the last routine daily press update that we will execute from Fort Hood. From this point forward we will be schedule them as required.

In a moment I'll bring out Mr. Chris Grey from our criminal investigation division to give you an update on the case. But at first, I think it's appropriate to give everybody an update on the activities here at Fort Hood.

The dignified transfer of remains continues, and dedicated casualty assistant teams are passionately supporting the families of our fallen. Fort Hood's 20th Engineer Battalion today will conduct a memorial service recognizing the sacrifice and service of their four fallen comrades. Even as we move to resumption of normal mission and operational activity, we do so with the utmost respect for our families, as we would never want to minimize the enormity of their sacrifice.

The 3rd Armored Corps here at Fort Hood maintains several titles: Phantom Corps, America's Hammer. Yet the one we are so proud of is the Family First Corps, as this was spawned from demonstrated focus and commitment to our families. That will continue.

Twelve of our gunshot victims remain in local hospitals. One is in ICU, and 11 remain on the wards. All of them are in stable condition at this time.

Behavioral health professionals continue to assist us here at Fort Hood. Since the incident, over 100 of them have augmented the Fort Hood staff, enhancing our capability to assess and assist across the command. Critical incident stress management teams, unit ministry teams, health specialists, family life consultants, just to name a few, are out there supporting us right now. Collectively, they have been able to make nearly 3,000 individual contacts so far.

All of the wounded have received a critical incident stress debrief. All present at the scene are receiving the same debriefs. Our goal is to ensure that all who require or desire help get it.

We are guarding against any premature determination that all is OK. All unit commanders and leaders are actively engaged in this process. This is not only a medical activity; this is a leadership activity, and our commanders and our leaders are actively engaged in this.

Our local central Texas community, such as Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Harker Heights and others, continue to provide their enormous and genuine support.

Local businesses -- local businesses and organizations are contributing immensely. Most notable, this outpouring of support that we see now, following this incident, did not start with the sirens started blaring last week. For us here at Fort Hood, this is what we're used to, and we know that it will continue.

Additionally, Fort Hood -- Fort Hood has received nationwide over $165,000 in donations to support the families and the organizations that -- and individuals that we're working with here that need it, to include those that were on the scene. And we really appreciate this.

As part of our healing process, Fort Hood continues to responsibly and respectfully resume normal mission and training activities. Our security posture remains vigilant. And our Fort Hood home, the great place, remains safe and secure.

Units are returning from deployments while others continue to train. The Soldier Readiness Processing Center has re-established and is fully operational at this time. Scheduled post-wide events such as the 20 November Army family covenant reaffirmation ceremony, will occur as planned.

General Casey called this event a kick in the gut, which is so appropriate, but I will tell you at this time Fort Hood has gotten its breath back, and we continue to move forward.

At this time I'd like to introduce Chris. Please give us an update on the case.

CHRIS GREY, SPOKESPERSON, U.S. ARMY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION: Thank you, Colonel.

Good afternoon. Again, my name is Chris Grey, G-R-E-Y. I'm the spokesperson for U.S. Army criminal investigation division and the joint task force that's working here at Fort Hood. I'll be providing you an update on our case today into the mass shooting that occurred November 5 at the Soldier Medical Readiness Center here at Fort Hood.

Joining me today from your left is Special Agent U.S. Army Steven Downs, who is heading up the joint task force; FBI's on-scene commander, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Royce Curtin (ph); and Texas Rangers on-scene commander, Captain Kirby Dendi (ph). We are very grateful for their support.

Before I start, I'd like to send my sincere appreciation to the media for their understanding and patience in this very complex investigation and traumatic event. I will not be releasing any details today that will jeopardize our ongoing criminal investigation or future legal proceedings. Our investigation remains open and ongoing. Let me reassure the American public we are doing everything possible, and we are looking at every reason for this shooting. We are aggressively following every possible lead. We are collecting, analyzing and disseminating every piece of critical information pertaining to this case.

Today I've confirmed that U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a 39-year-old psychiatrist assigned to Darnell Medical Center here at Fort Hood, has been charged with 13 specifications of premeditated murder under Article 118 0f the Uniform Code of Military Justice. These are initial charges. and additional charges may be preferred in the future, subject to the ongoing criminal investigation.

A press packet will be distributed immediately following this press conference, which will include information explaining the legal process under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

It's important to remember that the preferral of charges is the first step in the court-martial process and that a charge is merely an accusation. The accused is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty, and we have a duty and obligation to protect the constitutional rights of everyone involved.

Major Hasan has obtained legal representation. An accused soldier has the right to be represented by civilian counsel at no cost to the government and/or by detailed military counsel at no expense to the accused.

Any questions regarding Major Hasan's medical status should be directed to his attorney. Major Hasan remains hospitalized from injuries received when he was shot by two responding Fort Hood director of emergency services police officers after he allegedly opened fire at the Soldier Medical Readiness Center November 5.

Major Hasan is currently under pretrial restriction while receiving medical care. I'll repeat that. Major Hasan is currently under pretrial restriction while receiving medical care.

We still believe that there was only one gunman at the scene involved in the actual shootings on November 5. We do know that the suspect was not at the readiness center for any scheduled appointments or command-directed activity.

Again, we are looking at every possible angle in this case. We are working closely with numerous agencies to get a complete picture of the entire event, and we are seamlessly sharing that information with those agencies.

Earlier in the week, all autopsies of the deceased were completed by the armed forces medical examiner's office. Our investigation thus far indicates that two responding police officers, one male and one female, arrived at the scene, and both engaged the armed suspect. I would caution anyone from drawing final conclusions concerning the actual engagement in terms of who did what until all the evidence is fully analyzed. We also ask that you please be patient and understand the magnitude and complexity of the crime scene and the related investigation pertaining to this mass shooting. The crime scene involves a very large area, to include the inside of the soldier readiness medical center. The center includes offices, cubicles and open areas where the shooting took place. The crime scene also includes a large area outside of the Soldier Readiness Center. That area encompasses four adjacent buildings that are in close proximity to the medical readiness center as well as two large parking areas and the entire surrounding area.

Highly-trained experts have been working tirelessly to meticulously reconstruct and analyze all evidence collected at the scene. We have made visual inspections for bullet evidence of hundreds of vehicles that were parked in the general vicinity of the crime scene. We have identified and completed critical investigative leads related to the shooting.

Again, please understand that each one of those leads has to be documented, analyzed, and we have -- each one of those is very complex. Some requires more time than others.

Additionally, some of the witnesses that experienced this tragic event are still seeking medical attention, and we have not been able to talk to them. And the special agents have not been able to speak with them yet.

We have no estimated time of when the crime scene will be released. We will be conducting important investigative work there until we ensure that we capture all pertinent evidence into this crime.

Again, Army CID would like to recognize the following agencies who have worked shoulder to shoulder with us on this case: the FBI, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers, the ATF, the DHS, the Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services and the local police and sheriff's departments, first responders from Killeen Police Department, Temple Police Department, Harker Heights Police Department and Coriole (ph) Sheriff's Department -- sheriff's office, excuse me, as well as the entire greater Fort Hood community. Your outpouring and support to the law enforcement that are here has been overwhelming and very much appreciated.

Again, all of us, as law enforcement officials, express our deep condolences to the families and friends who have lost ones -- lost their loved ones and -- and have soldiers who were injured in this incident.

And speaking for this joint multi-agency task force, I can assure you that we remain steadfast and committed to doing what has to be done and bring anyone and everyone responsible for this crime to justice.

Thank you, and I won't be taking any questions at this time.

PHILLIPS: All right. Bottom line coming out of Fort Hood just now, we just heard from Chris Grey with the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division.

What we've now learned is that that Army psychiatrist, 39-year- old Nidal Malik Hasan, has been charged with 13 counts of murder in that slaughter that stunned the nation one week ago today.

Hasan, as you know, was shot and wounded but exactly how and by whom is still -- is now in some question. We didn't get any answers to that. Hopefully, we will get more into that soon.

And as you know, his defense team, members of his defense team already speaking to the media, but at this point that's all we know. Charged, 13 counts of murder. We'll continue to follow the investigation.

Now, this just coming across to me from the FBI, actually a memo from the president of the United States with regard to an inventory of files that related to the Fort Hood shooting. This comes directly from Barack Obama.

It said, "Back on November 6, 2009, I directed that an immediate inventory be conducted of all intelligence in U.S. government files that existed prior to November 6, 2009, relevant to the tragic shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, especially anything having to do with the alleged shooter, Major Nidal -- Nidal Malik Hasan, U.S. Army."

In addition, the president goes on to say in this memo, "I directed an immediate inter -- or review, rather, to be initiated to determine how any such intelligence was handled, shared and acted upon within individual departments and agencies, and what intelligence was shared with others. This inventory," the president says, "and review shall be conducted in a manner that does not interfere with the ongoing criminal investigations of the Fort Hood shooting."

That's the bottom line of this memo that came out, which would answer a lot of questions that we all have about who knew what about this alleged shooter? With regard to his performance, with regard to possible mental problems, with regard to arguments that allegedly took place among patients and the sort of disgruntled nature that he had and that he was anti-war and wanted to get out of the U.S. Army. Hopefully we'll get more information as those files come to light.

Quick break. We'll be back with more in just a second.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: President Obama is in the air and will be for much of the next 13 hours, give or take. He's setting out on his first presidential tour of Asia with a brief layover in Alaska.

Over the next eight days he'll visit Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. He'll also take part in two international forums that will bring him face to face with even more leaders, including the presidents of Russia and Indonesia, where he spent part of his childhood.

Now, across the board, economic growth is issue No. 1, but war, climate change and nuclear proliferation will also be on the table.

And speaking of war, Mr. Obama left his military and security team with some pretty tall orders. After eight strategy sessions on Afghanistan, the president is still unhappy with the four main options that are laid out for him. He's said to want changes, but that doesn't mean he's ruling out sending more troops.

Reportedly arguing against more troops is the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry. Now, we're hearing that he's strongly, yet privately, criticizing the newly-reelected Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, and he fears that U.S. troops could wind up enabling a weak, corrupt regime.

Earlier in the NEWSROOM, my colleague, Heidi Collins, spoke to former NATO commander, George Joulwan, who shares the ambassador's worries and thinks U.S. Commander Stanley McChrystal should just be patient.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. GEORGE JOULWAN (RET.), FORMER NATO SUPREME COMMANDER: As I understand it, about 60 to 70,000 U.S. troops and 40,000 NATO troops. So we're not just sitting on our thumbs there. There are actions going on.

He has the wherewithal to work within what he has already and -- as he awaits a decision. So I don't think we're standing still, Heidi. I think there's a lot of effort going on.

The challenge is, in my view, is the legitimacy of this Afghan government. How do we square that with our overall goals and where do you want an end state to be? And until we resolve that question, do we live with what we have? Do we try to get Karzai to really change and fight corruption and the drug trade? All of that needs to be hammered out, and much of that is beyond McChrystal's power to resolve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Joining me now here at a brief stop in Atlanta, CNN's Kabul-based correspondent Atia Abawi. Atia has actually seen the effects of that widespread lack of confidence in the Karzai government.

You've seen it every day that you've been out on the ground, talking to the Afghan people, even members of the U.S. military.

ATIA ABAWI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. And when you talk to the people on the ground and you talk to the Afghans, when you talk to the troops, many people do know that the hindrance right now to the effort, the international effort, the U.S. effort in Afghanistan is really the government at this moment. They say that they don't see a partner in them right now.

There are elements within the Afghan government that do want to help. They want to move forward, but it's been eight years of corruption at the moment there. It's been eight years of people within the government that are using this new mission, this international mission in Afghanistan, to actually just fill their pockets.

And we have talked so much about that with you, with other correspondents that have gone through Afghanistan talking about the corruption, not only within Karzai -- Hamid Karzai's background but also his brother, and all the corruption that surrounded the election.

But there's another element too: the man who Hamid Karzai picked as his running mate, Marshal Fahim. Am I saying that correctly?

ABAWI: Yes.

PHILLIPS: And -- and you actually challenged him at a news conference. Tell me what happened.

ABAWI: Well, back in July when President Karzai picked Marshal Fahim as his first vice president, I did ask him. I just asked him, "Give us a reason. Give the audience a reason, the journalists a reason, the Afghan people a reason" why he picked Marshal Fahim.

Marshal Fahim is a man that, within the Afghan community, many Afghans believe that he has been involved in the death of many Afghans. Human Rights Watch condemned the decision by President Karzai.

I asked him why he chose him. He gave a few reasons as to why and also asked me why other candidates wanted him, as well. But later on, after the press conference, I was approached by the translator, who was translating that press conference, frightened. He said, "Why did you ask that question?"

And I said, "Why not?"

He said, "Because I had to translate it, and now I will be in trouble."

PHILLIPS: So even the Afghan people see what's happening. And those are the hearts and minds that the U.S. wants to win over, that troops want to win over. So how can you even win this war if you don't even have a government in there that is trusted by the U.S. government, by the U.S. military? I mean, the Afghan people will just want to go back to the Taliban, because that's all they know, right?

ABAWI: And that's a question that's gone on right now: how do you win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people again? How do you get them to support the international mission?

It's been eight years, and eight years of failures in the eyes of the Afghan people. And more and more, you are seeing the Afghans moving towards the Taliban, because the Taliban have a very strong propaganda machine right now. Even though they're responsible for the majority of the civilian deaths, what they do is they have the power to go within the community, tell them, with the same language as the Afghans speak, and say, "No, it's not us. It's actually the troops that are doing this."

So you're seeing more and more Afghans trusting the Taliban over the Afghan government, because there are elements within the Afghan government who are part of the civil war, the whole reason why the Taliban in the first place was welcomed with open arms back in 1996.

PHILLIPS: It seems like neither one is trustworthy. You've got all these issues with Karzai and family members and his running mate, or his No. 2 guy, and also the Taliban. So I mean, what's the answer? It doesn't sound like it's either one of those?

ABAWI: The answer right now, I'm not the one to judge what the answer is, but what it seems to be, what the Afghan people are saying and what the troops on the ground have been telling me, is that they need to win over the Afghan people. And the only way to do that is with a legitimate partner, but at the same time you cannot wait too long.

General McChrystal put his assessment in on August 30, and the Taliban are using this to their advantage, the fact that his assessment, his strategy still hasn't been accepted. The Taliban right now are on some sort of high at the moment. They are having some brazen attacks within the capital of Kabul, the Kabul known once as the safe haven in Afghanistan.

PHILLIPS: Atia, thanks so much. We'll have to see what happens.

ABAWI: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Without his help, a lot of kids who need prosthetic limbs simply wouldn't get them. Our CNN hero is actually taking huge strides to help others, and you're going to meet him.

And calling all you news know-it-alls. You want to show off your smarts? Just head to CNNchallenge.com. Here's a little taste of this week's head scratchers.

Which U.S. congressman crossed party lines to vote for the health-care bill? Was it Henry Waxman, Anh Joseph Cao, Reuben Hinojosa, or Steve Rothman. We'll give you the answer right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right, all you smarties. Before the break, we asked which congressman crossed party lines to vote for the health- care bill. The answer, it was B: Republican Anh Joseph Cao of Louisiana.

You can actually get all this week's questions at CNNchallenge.com and see how high you can score.

Checking the top stories now.

President Obama headed to Asia at this hour. An eight-day trip to Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. He'll make a stopover this afternoon in Alaska to refuel and to chat with the troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Higher taxes on the rich. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid looking into whether that's the way to pay for health-care reform. The A.P. says that Reid is considering higher payroll taxes on people making more than 250 grand a year. He says that senators could begin debate on their version of the reform bill next week.

A Florida paramedic says it was the worst call of his career. He was first on the scene after a teen was allegedly set on fire by five of his schoolmates. Bobby Goss tells CNN 15-year-old Michael Brewer's decision to jump into the swimming pool put out those flames and probably saved his life. Brewer remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Mike Stewart, call him a renaissance man. He earned a master's degree with honors. He's taught medieval European history, managed a financial trust, kept nonprofit groups running, and written a reference book. Mike also happens to be blind. He lost his sight in a horrible car accident back in '92, but he's full of skills, and he's out of work. He's our "30-Second Pitch." Mike joins me from Dallas.

Mike, thanks for being with us.

MIKE STEWART, JOB SEEKER: Thank you, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Now, I know, no doubt, that that car crash changed your life on a personal level tremendously. How did it impact your working life at that point?

STEWART: Rather critically. For several years I had to learn to adapt to my new circumstances, as well as retrain myself for independent living.

PHILLIPS: How did you do that? Did you have to learn Braille? Did you -- kind of give us a feel for what you had to -- the changes that you went through.

STEWART: Well, Braille was something that needed to be learned, but it was all sorts of things. Just learning how to feel your way around certain circumstances, learn to pay attention to your surroundings a bit more. We're such a visual society, and it's easy to forget the fact that your other senses can be very useful if you pay attention to them.

PHILLIPS: So, and how -- now you're in this position where you're out of work. Do you think it's more economy or do you think it's more of the fact of what your background entails and even possibly the fact that you're blind? Do you think that's affecting you being able to get a job?

STEWART: Well, naturally enough I'd prefer to think it was the recession. But I remember reading some statistics that the unemployment rate among the blind is 70 percent.

PHILLIPS: Wow. STEWART: So, I can't help but think that people are reluctant to hire, thinking they will require a lot of adaptive equipment. Of course, a lot of people don't realize that technology for the blind has advanced so far, especially with computers and other software. I can do anything on a computer that a sighted person can do.

PHILLIPS: And quickly before we get to the "30 Second Pitch," just for a moment, if you don't mind, the advantages that you have of a blind individual looking for work that maybe an employer wouldn't realize you have.

STEWART: Well, regarding the technology, for example, I have all the equipment and software already. No employer would need to invest in that. It would be simple to transfer it over to any employment computers I maybe needed to use. Also, there are certain advantages for the blind regarding transport. There are special services and bussing that would allow me to, you know, go to work regularly and not have problems like, you know, car troubles or various other traffic issues.

PHILLIPS: That's a great point. All right, Mike, let's get down to it. Are you ready for the "30 Second Pitch?"

STEWART: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Let's start the clock. Mike Stewart, go for it.

STEWART: My name is Mike Stewart. And I am a doctoral student with 12 years experience in a variety of educational fields. I have graduated with honors with my degrees and hold membership in several honors fraternities.

Outside of education, I have management experience with several companies, both for profit and nonprofit alike. I am looking for employment in education or administration fields. I believe my skills, experience and enthusiasm would be of great benefit to your company, be it in the public or private sectors.

PHILLIPS: Perfect. Mike, keep in touch with us and let us know what happens, OK?

STEWART: Thank you very much. I appreciate the opportunity.

PHILLIPS: Oh, it's our pleasure, Mike. And here's Mike's e-mail once again. Stewart69@gmail.com. His address also on our blog.

And if you want to be part of the pitch just like Mike e-mail your resume to 30secondpitch@CNN.com or tweet me at KyraCNN. Another pitch next hour.

Now, Jordan Thomas, a Godsend to a lot of kids, and he's one of CNN's Top 10 Heroes. The 20-year-old college student lost both legs in a boating accident and in the hospital, he was struck by the number of children who needed prosthetic limbs but just couldn't afford them. So, he took a big step to help them. Jordan Thomas with us now from Charleston, South Carolina. Wow. So, was it a certain child that touched you that you met, Jordan, in the hospital?

JORDAN THOMAS, FOUNDER, JORDAN THOMAS FOUNDATION: Well, I met a lot of kids in a similar situation, that didn't have the financial wherewithal to afford their health care. But there was one kid in particular, 7-year-old Larry, who was waiting for foster parents who had burns over 70 percent of his body. And that, seeing him stuck with me. At that point, I realized that I had come across my mission in my life, and that was to help kids in need.

PHILLIPS: Oh, my gosh. How is he now?

THOMAS: I haven't heard. I sent my doctor a note asking how he is, and the last she heard he was still in a home waiting for foster parents. But I would love to go back and see how he's doing now.

PHILLIPS: Oh, and I'd even love to follow up on that, so let us know.

THOMAS: Yes, definitely.

PHILLIPS: Okay. Now, a few weeks ago you were on Capitol Hill. Tell me what you were doing up there.

THOMAS: Right. I was just trying to educate lawmakers on prosthetics because prosthetics are something a lot of people aren't very educated about. For example, my legs are $24,000, and kids need new legs every 18 months.

So, at $24,000 every 18 months for kids, that's an extreme amount of money and a huge burden that that poses on parents. And a lot of insurance companies will put, say, a $5,000 lifetime cap on prosthetics, which pays only a small portion of that. So, basically all I was doing was raising awareness and educating lawmakers. And that's all I have to do. My job is pretty simple, it's not, you know, a left-wing or right-wing issue. I can always say it's just an ethical problem. If I educate, then it takes care of itself.

PHILLIPS: I tell you what, 20 years old, college student, and what you're doing with this foundation is remarkable. I'd be so honored to call you my son, that's for sure. Your parents must be so proud, Jordan.

THOMAS: Definitely, definitely. They did a great job and they deserve a lot of the credit for getting me here today.

PHILLIPS: Well, we give you a lot of credit as well. Jordan, thanks so much.

We want to plug your Web site, of course. If you want to find out more about Jordan Thomas or vote for him, he's one of the Top 10 CNN Hero finalists. Just go to CNN.com/heroes, plus watch our all- star tribute hosted by Anderson Cooper on Thanksgiving night only on CNN. THOMAS: Thank you much.

From a cough to a coma. What it's like to be deathly sick from swine flu. One man was given a 10 percent chance to survive. How he beat the odds straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: The CDC is rechecking its swine flu math, possibly revising the number of Americans who have died from H1N1. A news briefing is about to begin here in Atlanta, and we're going to keep a close eye on it.

Now, earlier this week, federal doctors estimated 4,000 Americans have died from the virus since the spring. That's about four times higher than the old estimate. But don't panic, the virus is not any more lethal than before. The new number includes deaths related to complications from the bug as well.

Doctors say that most swine flu cases clear up with a little rest and maybe some chicken soup, but what it's like to be deathly sick with the virus. What is that like? One Georgia man was on the edge in an induced coma for an entire month. Only a 10 percent chance to live. Now, he's back from the brink. Our Brooke Baldwin talked to him.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN BOUDROT: Let me get some ice.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In his 51 years, John Boudreaux has never gotten a flu shot. In fact, he says he rarely gets sick. But eight weeks ago, what started out as a cough nearly killed him.

JOHN BOUDROT: Fifty-one is much too young to go anywhere.

BALDWIN: It was late August and both John and his wife fell ill. But unlike Renee who bounced back after three days, John was hospitalized. The entire month of September spent in intensive care.

RENEE BOUDROT, HUSBAND NEARLY DIED FROM SWINE FLU: A little over four weeks. He was in the induced coma and paralyzed.

BALDWIN (on camera): For basically all of September.

RENEE BOUDROT: Yes.

JOHN BOUDROT: That's right.

RENEE BOUDROT: Gone. Yes.

BALDWIN (voice-over): John's organs shut down. His body paralyzed as part of his treatment. And according to doctors, John's chance of survival 10 percent. DR. ROBIN DRETLER, INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST: It had to be the swine flu. There really wasn't any question about what it was going to be.

BALDWIN: And infectious disease specialist, Dr. Robin Dretler knows John's situation was dire. The Tamiflu John was taking wasn't enough. So with permission from the Food and Drug Administration granted because this was an emergency Dr. Dretler tried an experimental anti-viral drug called Peramivir.

DRETLER: I was telling his wife he had a 10 percent chance. He'd been on two days of the drug. If the drug didn't give him some catch-up space in the next day or, two he was going to run out of time.

JOHN BOUDROT: It's worse at night than it is during the day.

BALDWIN: After five days of taking Peramivir intravenously, John was out of his coma and in physical therapy. Learning how to talk and walk all over again. John and Dr. Dretler credit the drug with saving his life. John's lesson is simple. Once it's readily available, get the H1N1 vaccine.

JOHN BOUDROT: I know how fortunate I am. And you know, especially getting back again to that darn Dr. Dretler. I mean, that's why I'm here because of him. I wasn't going to cry.

BALDWIN (voice-over): But you feel that grateful?

JOHN BOUDROT: Oh, absolutely. I think without that drug...

RENEE BOUDROT: We don't know.

JOHN BOUDROT: We don't know what would have happened.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Wow. Brooke Baldwin joining us live from New York. Brooke, what exactly is this experimental drug, and is it available to all of us?

BALDWIN: Short answer is no. The drug is called Peramivere (ph), Kyra, and according to Dr. Dretler, the infectious disease specialist we talked to in this case, he told us the CDC recently released this drug Peramivere in emergency cases so, no, not just anyone can get this drug. You have to show severe symptoms. We're talking in John's Boudrot's case organ paralysis in order for the doctor then to call the CDC to then get permission to administer the drug, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: I'll tell you what. John is one lucky guy. Thanks for telling us his story, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Sure.

PHILLIPS: Let's look at our top stories now. The suspect in last week's shooting rampage at Fort Hood now faces 13 counts of murder. Just minutes ago, an Army spokesperson says that Major Nidal Hasan could face additional charges. Hasan, who's still in the hospital, could face the death penalty if he's convicted.

In Japan, all charges are dropped against the American-born dad who tried to take back his kids from his wife. Christopher Savoie was arrested in September but later released from jail. It's not clear whether he's gotten to see his two kids since his release. His ex- wife fled to her native Japan with them after a U.S. court granted him full custody.

Starting next July, no more overdraft fees on an ATM and debit card transaction unless you have overdraft protection. The Federal Reserve is making banks stop that practice. If you don't have overdraft protection, you can't withdraw more than what's in your account. The move after heavy criticism from of the fees from consumer groups, regulators and lawmakers.

He's buried in a simple grave next to a muddy road, but his actions at this school for Muslim girls have made him a national hero. It's a remarkable story of courage you won't want to miss. Ivan Watson joins us live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right. We all hate our driver's license photo, maybe our yearbook photo, definitely our prom picture. But what if your mug shot just doesn't do you justice? Look at this mug from across the pond. Matthew Maynard, on the run, wanted for buglary. Well, South Wales police put his pic in the local paper, but our bloke here Matthew didn't dig it.

So, what does he do? He sends the "South Wales Evening Post" this replacement photo. Voguing in front of a police van with matching Day-Glo pants, I might add. Think he'd be easy to spot? Nope, he's still on the run.

What can you say about this guy, he's one cheeky burglar. And Matthew, no need to worry, mate. You can bet your new and improved picture is all over the place.

A pancake craving keeps a Brooklyn kid out the slammer. You're going to flip when you hear his alibi.

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PHILLIPS: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Just ask 19-year-old Rodney Bradford. His late-morning pancake craving got him out of the slammer thanks to Facebook. "Where's my pancakes?" Posted at 11:49 a.m. on October 17 from a computer in his father's Harlem apartment. So, when Bradford was arrested for a robbery that happened in his Brooklyn neighborhood at the same time, his status update turned into his alibi. His new status? Charges dropped.

A convicted murder let loose after a bureaucratic misstep. Now he's accused of brutally murdering a Baltimore teen with a box cutter. Did a missing file cost that 15-year-old his life? We're pushing forward on the investigation.

And strange allies in Salt Lake City. Mormons and gay activists standing together. You heard right. The church that helped defeat same-sex marriage in California now fighting gay discrimination in its own backyard.

He stood in this doorway, blocking a terrorist's path. Now he's Pakistan's new national hero.

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PHILLIPS: Well, he was part of Pakistan's Christian minority. Not much money, not much education, but today, he's a national hero. CNN's Ivan Watson reports on a man who had little but sacrificed everything.

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IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A grieving mother and a widow on a sad and silent march. Seventy-year-old Kurshaid Siddique makes this walk every day, clutching a photo of her son. Pervaiz Mahsi was killed on October 20th when a suicide bomber attacked the university cafeteria where he worked.

Pervaiz was a janitor. He barely earned enough money to feed his family. Now some people are calling him a hero.

SUMAYA AHSAN, STUDENT: Now, he's like a legend to us, because he saved our lives and our friends' lives.

WATSON: Twenty-year-old Sumaya Ahsan and her classmates are also in mourning. The suicide bomber killed three of their friends in the women's cafeteria of Islamabad's International Islamic University. But if it wasn't for the janitor named Pervaiz, they say many more of their classmates could have been killed.

AFSHEEN ZAFAR, STUDENT: If he wouldn't have stopped that suicide attacker, there could have been a great, great destruction.

WATSON: On October 20th, a suicide bomber disguised in women's clothes shot and wounded the guard on duty and then approached this cafeteria, which was packed full of hundreds of female students.

(on camera): The cafe where this deadly attack took place is back open. This is the doorway where, by some accounts, Pervaiz Mahsi helped stop the suicide bomber from coming in and doing more damage. The bomber instead detonated right outside the doorway. And you can see the telltale pock marks here in the stone floor of the ball bearings which were sprayed out by the bomber's explosive vest.

(voice-over): The explosion instantly killed Pervaiz.

Who knows how many young women would have died if the bomber had gotten into this room?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello. WATSON: Pervaiz's family lives here, in a house crowded with three other families.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the daughter, yes?

Hello.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Diah Pervaiz.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Diah. Diah Pervaiz. Hello, Diah.

WATSON: The family, eight people, lives in this single room, sleeping on three beds.

(on camera): And you all are -- you're Christians?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

WATSON (voice-over): They are members of Pakistan's Christian minority -- one of the poorest communities in Pakistan. They had to borrow money for Pervaiz's coffin and now they're behind on the rent. From time to time, Pervaiz's 3-year-old daughter Diah turns to her mother and repeats one word "papa."

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WATSON: Pervaiz's mother is inconsolable.

(on camera): From what we've heard, your son really helped save a lot of people and he's a hero.

(voice-over): "But my hero is dead now," she says.

The illiterate Christian man who saved the lives of so many Muslim girls is buried here, just a few feet from a muddy road in a garbage strewn grave. The government of Pakistan is calling him a national hero.

Ivan Watson, CNN, Islamabad.

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PHILLIPS: Ivan Watson now joining me live. Ivan, is the government or the university doing anything for this man's family?

WATSON: Kyra, the university offered to help pay for part of the funeral. They have offered a job to Pervaiz's widow. And the government has also pledged a million Pakistani rupees -- that's about $12,000 -- to the family to help them out after the loss of this man. But as of this week, none of that money had arrived. Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Wow. Well, let's definitely follow up on that. Now Pervaiz, what a remarkable human beings. Also a Christian saving Muslims in a place where Christians feel discriminated against.

WATSON: Absolutely, and some of the university officials, Kyra, says there's a lesson here for this country. As you pointed out, the Christians really are an underclass here. They're a minority, they're usually the garbage men, the cleaning ladies. They are servants in this society.

And often will tell you that they feel put upon here, they that they really don't feel like they have a place here and they feel discriminated against.

And here you have this story of this man who, in a moment, stopped and got in the way, and you saw if he had not been there, definitely the bomber would have walked into this place that was packed with girls -- and it was Muslim girls who were studying at this Islamic university. So, he really saved many, many lives. And the rector of the university says this Christian man, this illiterate he rose above creed, he rose above class and he stood up to terrorism. So, there's a lesson there for Pakistanis. Kyra.

PHILLIPS: He lived a life like a Christian. Ivan Watson, what a remarkable story, thank you so much.