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Jury Selection Begins for Killing of Jennifer Hudson's Family; No Grand Jury in Trayvon Martin Case; Leading Democrat Says Republicans Are Rooting for Bad Economy; Alleged Oklahoma Shooters Appear in Court; Easter Eggs at the White House

Aired April 09, 2012 - 11:00   ET

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


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips. It is 11:00 on the East Coast, 8:00 out West. We've got a pretty busy hour ahead. Let's get straight to the news.

The two men accused of a deadly shooting rampage in Tulsa, Oklahoma, made their first appearance in court an hour ago. The suspects, Jake England and Alvin Watts, are being held on more than $9 million bond.

They are expected to be charged with murder and shooting with intent to kill. All their victims are African-American. Three were killed, two others injured. Their neighborhoods, predominantly black.

Right now, police are trying to determine if the shootings were racially motivated, but take a look at what England posted on his Facebook page just a day before the shooting. Apparently the second anniversary of his father's death, those blurred words, a racial slur.

But the police chief says this may not be enough to add hate crime charges. More details on the shooting and the suspects live from Tulsa in just ten minutes.

For singer, Jennifer Hudson, a painful three-and-a-half year wait for a trial is over. Jury selection begins today in the trial of William Balfour, the man charged with killing Hudson's mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew.

It happened after Hudson won an Academy Award and a Grammy. Balfour is the estranged husband of Hudson's sister. He has denied the charges.

Prosecutors say he acted in a fit of rage because he believed his wife had a boyfriend. A live report from Chicago in just 30 minutes.

And live pictures now from the White House. President Obama hanging out on the south lawn. It is the annual White House Easter egg roll. Thirty thousand people from all 50 states get tickets to come to the party.

And, when he gets back inside, the president is scheduled to sit down with Brazil's president who is in town to talk about trade and energy issues. More troubling news from North Korea. The communist government is said to be digging new tunnels for an underground nuclear test. A South Korea intelligence report obtained by CNN says the work is being done in the northeastern part of the country where it staged two previous atomic tests.

This comes as North Korea presses ahead with plans to launch a rocket carrying a satellite as early as Thursday. The U.S. and its allies believe it is a cover for a long-range ballistic missile test and warns the launch could result in more severe international sanctions.

In Syria, reports of mass executions of civilians on the eve of a government promise to withdraw troops from cities across the country. Opposition forces say at least 75 people have been killed today. And Human Rights Watch claims Syrian forces have executed more than 100 civilians during recent attacks.

And right now, a desperate search for more than 100 Pakistani soldiers trapped in an avalanche in the Himalayas. We are talking about 70 feet of snow. Rescuers have been searching with bulldozers and sniffer dogs at a military outpost on the border between Pakistan and India. So far, no reports of anybody being found.

Well, Newt Gingrich admits that Mitt Romney is the likely Republican presidential nominee, but he also says that doesn't mean he will get out of the race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEWT GINGRICH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Nobody walks up to me and says, please drop out. They walk up and say, I am glad you are here. I am glad you are talking about big ideas. I hope you will continue to do this. You know, please stick out all the way to the convention and help shape the platform.

And then we will see what happens. Governor Romney is way ahead, but he has not yet locked down enough delegates and, until he does, he is not the nominee.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Gingrich also says if Romney does close it out, he will do whatever the party asks him to do to help with the race against President Obama.

And there's a new Masters champ and his name is Bubba. Bubba Watson needed this little tap-in to win at Augusta and, let me tell you, it was an emotional moment for the former University of Georgia golfer.

He won the tournament on the second hole of sudden death and let's admit, the green jacket was a perfect fit.

Now, for most golfers, this is the pinnacle of their careers and Watson is not letting it go to his head. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUBBA WATSON, MASTERS CHAMPION: For me to come out here and win, it is awesome for a week and then get back to real life. I haven't changed a diaper yet so I will probably have to change a diaper pretty soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: He is referring to little Caleb, the one-month-old boy he and his wife adopted just two weeks ago.

Today, journalists and viewers around the world continue to lift up the life and career of Mike Wallace. The long-time, "60 Minutes" correspondent passed away over the weekend at the ripe age of 93.

In a statement, CBS says that Wallace passed away peacefully Saturday night surrounded by family members at a Connecticut care center. Wallace, known for his bulldog interview style, wasn't afraid to take on anyone and, in fact, colleague, Morley Safer, called him a one-man truth squad.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MORLEY SAFER, JOURNALIST: He was fearless, really. He would -- he interviewed some pretty nasty guys in his long career and he was absolutely fearless. He would get to the very core of the story.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Now, I was lucky enough to know Mike Wallace personally and, coming up later, I will share some of my favorite stories about him.

Well, protesters are converged in Sanford, Florida, once again. This is the scene this morning, the latest protest to call for George Zimmerman's arrest for shooting Trayvon Martin to death.

Dozens of students who call themselves the "Dream Defenders" are marching to Sanford police station. All sides waiting to see if a special prosecutor will bring charges against Zimmerman. A grand jury could take up the case as early as tomorrow.

So are you enjoying the warm weather? This March was officially the warmest March on record in the U.S. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report said the first three months of this year were the warmest first quarter since they started keeping records in 1895.

The March tornado outbreak in the Ohio Valley and across the Southeast was almost the first billion dollar weather disaster of 2012. The full NOAA report expected this hour.

And cuts coming to Sony. According to "The Wall Street Journal," the electronics giant plans to slash about 10,000 jobs. After four straight years in the red, the new CEO's main focus is to turn the company around and he will announce an restructuring plan on Thursday. It will be Sony's second major overhaul in four years.

Three African-Americans gunned down in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Police are looking into whether it was racially motivated. Two suspects in court today. The live report is next.

But first, you need to meet Jerry Kerr. This once wheelchair- bound man took his own experience and has mobilized hundreds of American heroes. Jerry was paralyzed from the shoulders down after a diving accident in the late '90s.

After surgery, he was able to stand for short periods of time. Enter the Segway. Jerry was able to buy himself this two-wheeled wonder, drastically changing his quality of life. He was so excited about his newfound freedom that he turned his attention to a different group, amputees returning from war.

Now, with a steep $8,000 price tag, Jerry knew Segways wouldn't be part of the rehab plan, so this former housing developer, recruited, raised funds and created Segs4Vets.

So now with a team of veterans. Jerry helps the wounded stand tall again and, for that, Jerry Kerr and Segs4Vets, you are today's rock stars.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Two men accused of terrorizing Tulsa, Oklahoma, three people killed, two wounded, all of the alleged victims, black. The question now? Motive.

The suspects, 19-year-old Jacob England and 33-year-old Alvin watts, both expected to be charged with murder and shooting with intent to kill. They are being held on more than $9 million bond.

Right now, police are digging into their backgrounds. Take a look at the map. The neighborhoods, predominantly, African-American, pretty close to one another and the timing could be telling.

A day before the shooting, England posts this on his Facebook, the second anniversary of his dad's death. England says, quote, "at the hands of 'f-ing'." Police say it is too early to define the shootings as hate crimes.

Jason Carroll on the ground there in Tulsa. So, Jason, the racial slur on England's Facebook, pretty significant, but what is the police chief actually saying about that and possible hate crime charges?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the police chief admits that that is significant and that will be part of their investigation. That's just one of the things they look at when they try to make the determination as to whether or not a hate crime has been committed.

They look at things like whether or not derogatory statements were made, threatening statements were made. They look at whether or not the victims are from a protected class. These are just some of the things they are going to be looked at.

You have to remember, this investigation came together so quickly and so fast because of all of the tips they received from the community, that, in a way, their investigation is flip-flopped.

Sometimes when you have an investigation, oftentimes you have a target of a person of interest that you are looking at, you're gathering evidence and then you make the arrest.

This happened so quickly. Investigators are still in the process of putting together their case and that's why they are waiting to make this determination in terms of whether or not hate crimes, in fact, will be charged with these two suspects.

Kyra?

PHILLIPS: I know the major, also city council members, are speaking out. What did they tell you, Jason?

CARROLL: You are hearing from a number of people in the community. You have the mayor out here who is basically saying the community now wants to come together and move forward.

You have one of the city councilmen that I spoke to earlier today, Jack Henderson, who was very vocal, Kyra. It is his feeling -- of course, he is -- he says he is obviously feeling encouraged by the fact that two suspects are in custody.

But he is looking at hate crime charges to be filed as well. I want you to listen to what he had to say when I spoke to him as well this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK HENDERSON, TULSA CITY COUNCILMAN: I think I know pretty much a hate crime when I see it. You have individuals, two white males, going into a predominantly black community, shoot at five black people and with the other evidence of the online stuff and some of the things that were said leads me to believe that was totally a hate crime.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Kyra, just to reemphasize here, the police chief, Chuck Jordan, telling me this morning they are still in the process of analyzing the motivations of these suspects.

Ultimately, though, it will be up to the distract attorney to determine whether or not hate crime charges are filed.

Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Can you give us a little history, Jason? Tell us more about what you know about these victims, the neighborhoods.

CARROLL: Well, in terms of the victims, from what police are saying, they are random victims. In terms of why they were targeted, of course, that is the ultimate question here.

Were they targeted because they were African American? This is one of the things that police will be trying to look at in developing this particular case.

One thing that I do want to make very clear, in speaking to representatives from the district attorney's office, in speaking to the mayor, in speaking to the police, they want to make sure, Kyra, that all the "T"s are crossed and the "I"s are dotted.

They know that this is a story that has gained national attention. The just want to make sure that whatever case they put forward is the strongest case possible.

Kyra?

PHILLIPS: When you think of the Trayvon Martin case and how communities have rallied and they have come forward and they have made race an issue, are you seeing that at all there in the community?

CARROLL: I can tell you this. This is a community, like so many communities across this country, that have had problems in the past, you know, between the African American community not trusting the police, problems with racial tensions in the past.

But if you listen to what the mayor says and other people here in the community, including the city councilman, great strides have been made. And you look at how many tips came forward, came through because of this particular case.

The city councilman, Mr. Henderson there, when I was talking to him earlier, he is African American and he said he was extremely encouraged for all the tips that came forward for people all over the community.

The mayor perhaps said it best in that many people in the community, both black and white, are looking to move forward, looking forward to prosecuting the two suspects, making sure they have their day in court, but also in some parts of the community, the African American community and possibly elsewhere, also hoping that hate crime charges are filed as well.

PHILLIPS: Jason Carroll, thanks so much.

Well, 43 days since Trayvon Martin was shot to death. Dozens of protests, rallies and outcries from around the country and it could all come to a head tomorrow.

Will the special prosecutor make a decision to charge or call a grand jury? Martin Savidge is live next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Right now live pictures of a rally for Trayvon Martin. They're being held at the Sanford police station. The "Dream Defenders" march from Daytona Beach ending today in Sanford. They are calling for Zimmerman's arrest. A few dozen people are now camped outside the station there.

And later today, a student led rally will be held in Orlando.

Right now, both sides are anxiously awaiting to see if charges will be brought against George Zimmerman, neighborhood watchman that killed the teen. Prosecutors are trying to see if there is enough evidence to charge him.

A grand jury could take up this case as early as tomorrow and Martin Savidge is in Sanford.

So, Martin, before we talk about these rallies going on right there behind you, I have to ask, what's the likelihood that a grand jury will actually take up this case?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We don't really know, Kyra. The reason I say that is the woman who is the special prosecutor in charge of this case, Angela Curry, is and she has said by her own words to CNN that she does not normally use a grand jury in cases like this. In fact, she never has, so whether it will go to a grand jury remains to be seen.

She has always made up the decision on whether to charge someone or not on her own. Those are the avenues she has. She can basically charge George Zimmerman, she could clear George Zimmerman or she could turn it over to the grand jury, but that's not normally the way she has handled things.

So that's why we don't necessarily have to be waiting until tomorrow when this grand jury is seated. It is quite possible that a decision could come at any time if the state attorney, the special prosecutor, makes it on her own, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Tell me about the folks behind you there, Marty. Obviously, not as big as what we have seen across the country in the past weeks.

Tell us more about these folks, what's going on, what their plan is for the day.

SAVIDGE: Yes, not as big a crowd as we have seen. As you pointed out, these are the "Dream Defender. They came all the way from Daytona Beach, a 40-mile march that they made over 30 days.

Let me show you what they are doing right now. We will try to make our way through. Pardon us. Excuse us.

So you can see right here, Kyra, there are six members of this group, all wearing hoodies which, of course, has become symbolic of protest.

(AUDIO BREAK)

It looks like they are trying to get arrested, but the police department here in Sanford hasn't exactly cooperated with that. In fact, if anything, they have gone out of their way to protect it. They have blocked off the streets, they have kept the traffic away to make sure nobody is harmed or injured as they protest and we have observers here in the blue and white. They are from the Justice Department. They are monitoring things as well.

But so far, there have been no arrests. It's been very peaceful and the mayor hopes it'll stay that way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR JEFF TRIPLETT, SANFORD, FLORIDA: There hasn't been any violence or any activities other than peaceful protests, a peaceful march, so, you know, my expectation, I am hoping that that will continue one way or another, whatever the decision us. You have to plan for the other side of it, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: They have been planning for the other side of it, Kyra. They have reached out to other counties and other police departments just in case they would need backup for any reason.

Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Marty, before I let you go, you broke up a little bit as you got close to the doors there. You were mentioning six individuals in hoodies there in front of the door. Could you just give me what you were telling me there because you were breaking up a little bit?

SAVIDGE: We will shoot it from here just so we don't get so close and it might break up, but there you can see they are clearly a group of about six people that are on the ground and they have been blocking the doors, at times, holding hands.

But they are trying to be an impediment to anybody that wants to come to the police station and that could lead to an arrest, but so far, authorities have not gone along with that. They have stayed at a distance, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Martin Savidge, thanks so much.

Well, preparing for summer travel season. The hotspots, the bargains, that's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right, so, if you start thinking about that summer vacation, a lot of us have, a little sun, a little surf, even better? R&R for a bargain and that's exactly what Felicia Taylor has for us, all those deals that are there.

Felicia, do tell.

FELICIA TAYLOR, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, despite rising fuel cost, a new AAA travel survey says this is going to be a busy travel season.

And the top five summer destinations are Orlando, Honolulu, Rome, London and, in fifth place, Anaheim, California.

Rick Seaney from FareCompare.com, who is always crunching the numbers, says the airline industry has already raised ticket prices three times this year and expects prices to rise even further as the vacation season swings into high gear, which is obviously just about upon us. I mean, we are already, you know, mid-April, practically.

PHILLIPS: Well, here is good news. I mean, there's top five vacation destinations. We see some here in the U.S., like Orlando and Anaheim. That's good for the economy. That's good for us.

TAYLOR: Definitely. No question about it.

And, you know, if people are worried about higher gas prices this summer, it means you can actually start comparison shopping right about now.

Seaney says the rule is to start shopping about three months before your departure date, so if you want to travel in June, now is the time to start.

Seaney says you would actually get mid-range prices if you book too early.

So if Europe is your destination this summer, then now is the time to start looking because prices will soon be increasing.

Kyra?

PHILLIPS: What about shopping online?

TAYLOR: OK. Write this down. Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., that's when FareCompare says is the best time to shop. That's when prices are lowest because sales get posted.

But most of those discounts get pulled on Thursday, so don't wait until the weekend to buy your tickets.

Also, Seaney says, if you are shopping for flights for two or more people, you can save up to $100 if you actually purchase separately. That's because reservation systems tend to bump up all travelers to a higher price if the seats are limited.

So, look at fares for one person first and then compare to a quote for the number that you are traveling with.

Also, keep an eye out for some of those discounts. JetBlue, for instance, had a deal on Living Social recently. So start to follow your favorite airlines on Twitter for possible promotion codes.

Social media can be a very valuable tool when it comes to saving money on summer travel.

Kyra?

PHILLIPS: OK. Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. That's a good tip. I never knew that one.

TAYLOR: Tuesday at 3:00.

PHILLIPS: OK, Felicia, appreciate it so much.

Well, it has been more than three years since the brutal killing of Jennifer Hudson's family. Now, the alleged killer faces his day in court.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: For Jennifer Hudson, everything was going right, an Academy Award for her role in "Dream Girls," a Grammy for best R&B album. Then, in 2008, the worst day of her young life. Her mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew were murdered. The alleged killer, William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, Julia. Prosecutors say that Balfour acted in a fit of jealous rage. He denies all the charges. Jury selection begins today in Chicago.

Ted Rowlands is there.

Tell us more about Balfour. The Hudsons actually knew him quite well before he married Julia Hudson, right?

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He grew up in the neighborhood where the Hudson family was in the south side of Chicago. He had a tough life. He was abandoned by his mother at nine, in and out of trouble, did some prison time, came out of prison in his early 20s and ended up marrying Julia Hudson, apparently according to the family against the family's wishes. They broke up. He apparently, according to the family and prosecutors, threatened to kill Julia Hudson and her family. That's the biggest piece of evidence that prosecutors have, the threats that William Balfour made.

PHILLIPS: Some are voicing concerns that he could walk, right?

ROWLANDS: Well, because there isn't a lot of physical evidence in this case. You would think with three fatalities, including a 7- year-old and a kidnapping, that there would be tons of physical evidence. William Balfour is not tied physically to the crime scene. That's the huge hurdle they have to get over.

PHILLIPS: What is Jennifer Hudson saying about all this? Is she saying anything right now?

ROWLANDS: She hasn't talked a lot since this has happened. She has made a few public appearances talking about what she went through as a person. We do expect her to be in the courtroom every day. That will dramatically change the proceedings. This is going to be a huge weapon for prosecutor. No matter what the judge says, having a celebrity in the courtroom that is also a crime victim every day during what is expected to be a three to four-week trial will make an impact. Prosecutors are anticipating that she will be there and may take the witness stand.

PHILLIPS: When is the trial expected to start?

ROWLANDS: 23rd of this month. Right now, they are going through the jury selection process. They have filled out a questionnaire last week. Today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, they will start plucking those jurors off, first letting the hardships go and then they will seek the jury likely on Wednesday. That's what the judge is hoping.

PHILLIPS: Ted Rowlands, thanks so much.

Following in the "Titanic's" wake, a new ship taking the same path. Hopefully, not the exact same path. What's behind this bizarre tribute? It is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Time for stories making news at "Street Level."

Let's start with the latest on the Chardon High School shooting. The suspect, T.J. Lane, is expected in court for a procedural hearing. They should set a date to see if he is fit to stand trial. Charged with six counts, three students were killed, two others wounded in that attack. Charges were filed in juvenile court. The maximum sentence he could face is life in prison without parole.

Ford is recalling more than 140,000 focus cars. There is a potential problem with the passenger side windshield wiper motors in the 2012 models that could reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. No efforts or injuries have been reported so far related to that issue. Owners will be notified.

Five apartment buildings were destroyed after an F-18 fighter experienced a mechanical malfunction during takeoff and plunged to the ground. Initial payments will begin at $2300 per person to cover immediate needs and the amount will increase for additional family members.

Let's head to Philadelphia. Two firefighters were killed battling a five-alarm fire at a factory according to WPVI. The walls actually collapsed while they were inside. Two others were trapped as well but they were rescued.

Let's head west to San Francisco where a utility worker fell ten feet from a ladder and became trapped in this manhole. He had to be rescued last night. Apparently, hit his head during the fall and wasn't able to crawl out on his own. They took about 30 minutes and they were able to pull him to safety.

A Seattle home becomes the target, the peep prank. Late Friday night, a group of friends got together to place 900 peeps on another friend's front yard. After sticking every last peep on the lawn, the group left a sign saying, "Happy Easter, from, of course, your peeps." This is the fourth year in a row, by the way, that they conducted their little peep prank. In the future, they hope to turn this fun tradition into a fundraiser.

Tim Tebow having some fun at an Easter events in Texas. The pastor tries to get the former Florida Gator to put on an LSU helmet. The current New York Jets quarterback became serious when he started talking about his faith.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM TEBOW, FOOTBALL PLAYER: Whatever happens in life, good or bad, whether you are the hero or the goat, whether you like it or not, you know that someone has a plan for your life and it is a special plan. And when you can trust that and you have hope in that, then you have peace in all decisions and everything that you do, and it brings a lot of joy to your life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Tebow says he loves talking about his faith and wants to get others thinking about their faith as well.

To England where a "Titanic" reenactment just set sail without the doom and gloom. Passengers and relatives of those died on the "Titanic" are taking the same route. Critics say it is a bit of a bizarre tribute. During the 12-night cruise, they will eat meals from the original "Titanic" menu. And the Balmoral Cruise ship is expected to arrive next weekend. The "Titanic" sank 100 years ago after hitting an iceberg.

Let's end in California where an autopsy is being performed after the death of a modern artist. Thomas Kincaid died unexpectedly on Friday. The family tributes his death to natural causes. The coroner is set to perform an autopsy today. The painter was known as the painter of light, millions of his paintings and prints are in homes around the world. Kincaid spoke with Larry King in 2006.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS KINCAID, PAINTER: When I was a young boy, my mother told me, your talents are God's gift to you, and what you do with your talents are your gift to God. So from the very first print I ever published, I began raising money for charities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Thomas Kincaid was only 54 years old.

Setting a strategy for Democrats, President Obama has two big names in mind that could help him win in November. We'll tell you why he is counting on bad guys to stop Mitt Romney. That's "Fair Game" next.

But first, when did John McCain clinch the Republican nomination in 2008? Tweet the answer to @KyraCNN. I will give a shout out to the first right answer. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Breaking news in the Trayvon Martin case. Let's get straight to Sanford Florida.

Martin Savidge, what do you have?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A statement from Angela Corey, the special prosecutor in this case. She is announcing she has decided not to use a grand jury in the Trayvon Martin shooting. She says this decision should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case. This is something we had talked about, that she had not in the past used a grand jury when considering cases of this nature. It appears she is now going to stay true to form. So she is saying it is not going to be a grand jury that hears this case if there is a determination of an arrest or no arrest. She apparently is saying that she as the special prosecutor will make that decision on her own -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Marty, you have been working this story obviously for weeks. Had your sources been telling you, more than likely, this was going to be the situation? If so, why? Why not?

SAVIDGE: They have been saying this, as a matter of fact, for a number of reasons. She was selected because of the fact that she is considered by Governor Scott of Florida to be very fair, very impartial and also very tough. As a resulted, it was felt she would make the hard decisions that needed to be made in this case and se things as they need to be seen as part of the investigation. She said, look, I previously have not used a grand jury. It is not her style. There have been others that said she simply doesn't like to use a grand jury. She believes she has a better understanding of the law than trying to explain it to a grand jury. It appears that's the way she is going to go now. It doesn't tell us if we are any closer to some sort of decision but it does at least give us an indication if anyone was pinning their hopes on tomorrow and a grand jury, that would mean the decision is imminent. That is not the case now.

PHILLIPS: Anything happening behind you? Are the protests kind of getting word of what's just been announced and they are responding and, then, number two, tell me where we go from here?

SAVIDGE: Well, the first, they are just hearing it out of my lips, because no one else has been reporting this. So this is their first indication. They still have a number of members of this group that's protesting here that are blocking the doors, the entrance to the police department here. As a result, it appears that they are gathering around and giving some sort of statement. At the same time, though, the Sanford Police Department has stayed away. They have not tried to interfere. There has been no altercation, no confrontation. Instead, it appears they are going out of their way not to arrest anybody. They closed off the street in front of the police department here. There are also members from the department of justice, community services team, that are monitoring the circumstances as well. It has been very peaceful. People have been speaking, singing and praying and no arrests -- Kyra? PHILLIPS: First here on CNN, no grand jury in the Trayvon Martin case.

Marty, before I let you go, what happens now?

SAVIDGE: That's a very good question. Clearly, the investigation by Angela Corey and her team of investigators will go on. There are a number of things they were waiting for. They have been doing interviews, going door to door in the community where Trayvon was shot. They have been talking to the witnesses. It is presumed at some point, they will talk to George Zimmerman. We don't know when. That would probably be the last thing they would do. On top of that, there is probably forensic information and this could be one of the issues that determines a time frame. Where does it get set? Who is going to analyze it, how long to analyze it and how long to get the results back? Toxicology reports from Trayvon Martin, all of this plays into the time frame. Whether it means we are close or not, many have felt this was a significant week. This may change things. We simply don't know, Kyra. Stay tuned.

PHILLIPS: Stay tuned, indeed. Marty, you are working your sources, which is why you were able to break that news. I know you have a number of people to talk to there on the ground. When you have more information, give us the sign. We will bring you up live once again, Marty.

Thanks so much.

With job loss and a brutal economy as the big issues for the majority of voters, why is a leading Democrat saying Republicans are rooting for bad times?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, (D), CHAIR, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE: What's really bothersome to me, Candy, is that it almost seems like my Republican colleagues in Congress and Mitt Romney are rooting for economic failure. They have been hyper focused on one job, Barack Obama's, for really the last two years.

PHILLIPS: "Fair Game." Let's turn to veteran Democratic strategist, Christine Pelosi and Gentry Collins, former national political director for the RNC.

Two questions, first, is she right? Isn't that exactly what they need to hope for it if they want to beat President Obama in November?

CHRISTINE PELOSI, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Good morning. I believe that Chairman Wassermann Schultz has a point when she says they want to make Barack Obama a one-term president. They are trying to convince that he is not up to the task. They are not seeking collusions. What we need to do is to get Republican cooperation to seek solutions for the American people. It is not too late to pass a jobs bill. And that will reinvest in American.

PHILLIPS: Gentry? GENTRY COLLINS, FORMER POLITICAL DIRECTOR, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE: Well, of course, she's not right. The fact of the matter is that Republicans have passed more than a dozen jobs bills in the House. They're stalled in the Senate. The jobs bill the president signed into law last week was a collection of Republican bills through the House. It took weeks to get them through the Senate over union objections. Democrats in the Senate haven't had a budget for more than 1,000 days. Republicans are working very hard to put this economy back on track. We will make Barack Obama a one-term president because he's not doing that job.

PHILLIPS: Let's talk national security. Possibly a part of the president's strategy now. "The New York Times" says the Obama campaign will trot out heavy-weights like Madeleine Albright and General Wesley Clark to talk about the president's record. And for the two names the president wants everyone to remember when it comes to national security, I'm sure you can guess exactly who I'm going to say, bin Laden and Gadhafi. Good strategy?

PELOSI: Absolutely. In my book, I talk about the NORAD test. If they identify a threat, the first job of the president is to keep the American people safe. Right now we know Barack Obama has passed that test, and he has done that, and he has brought Osama bin Laden to justice, but we don't know anything about Mitt Romney's national security experience. In fact, we don't know anything about his international experience except his international offshore tax havens. He has a job to do to convince the American people that he can keep us safe and do a better job than Barack Obama.

PHILLIPS: Gentry, do you agree?

COLLINS: Well, of course not. I think that's a silly thing to say. One week after President Obama told the leader of Russia, who is certainly no ally of ours and who is opposed to us with respect to North Korea and Iran and China, told the president of Russia that if you could just get another term, that he would bend to the will of the Russians and weaken --

PELOSI: He didn't say that.

COLLINS: He did say that.

PELOSI: He didn't say he was going to bend to the will of the Russians. That's just not true, Gentry. He still doesn't answer the question, how will Mitt Romney keep America safe? That's the question that has to be answered.

COLLINS: Mitt Romney has far more experience running big complex organizations than President Obama did. And, you know, President Obama's only foreign policy successes have come by continuing anti- terror policies of President Bush. His own defense secretary, former CIA Director Leon Panetta said we would not have gotten bin Laden if it were not for enhanced interrogation techniques.

PELOSI: But it does not tell us Mitt Romney would keep me safe. The fact he's run a big company does not tell me he can run the military or keep America safe. That's the fundamental question you have to answer to voters is who will keep you safe?

PHILLIPS: Let me ask you about Newt Gingrich, waving a white flag, laying down his sword? Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEWT GINGRICH, (R), FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You have to be realistic. Give the size of his organization, given the number of primaries he's won, he is, far and away, the most likely Republican nominee, and if he does get to 1144 delegates, I'll support him. I'll do anything I can this fall to help him defeat Obama, because the primary goal of the entire Republican Party has to be to defeat Barack Obama.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: He says he knows Romney is the guy. He's staying in the race.

Gentry, tell me the strategy here.

COLLINS: Well, you know, Speaker Gingrich has at least several million dollars in campaign debt. Staying in the race, being an active candidate probably helps him get rid of some of that. He's acknowledged the obvious, that is Mitt Romney will be the Republicans' nominee this fall.

PHILLIPS: Final thoughts, Christine.

PELOSI: Well, the Republicans have to resolve their fight between the Martini party and the Tea Party.

(LAUGHTER)

Meanwhile, however that turns out, the president is going to be re-elected.

PHILLIPS: The Martini party. OK. That's a new one. I have a feeling everybody will jump on board that one.

Christine, Gentry, thank you so much.

COLLINS: Thank you.

PELOSI: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: He was a friend and a mentor. Next, my personal tribute to legendary journalist, Mike Wallace.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: I want to recap some breaking news we told you about moments ago. Florida state attorney, Angela Corey, has decided not to use a grand jury in the Trayvon Martin shooting death investigation. A statement says that move shouldn't be considered as a factor in the final determination of whether charges will be filed in the case. Our Martin Savidge is breaking the news to us from Sanford. These pictures are from earlier today. These are the dream offenders. They marched from Daytona Beach, ending today in Sanford, and now they're holding a rally in front of the Sanford police station. They're calling for George Zimmerman's arrest. There's about a few dozen people who are camped outside the station there, as you can see. Later today, we're also going to be following a student-led rally being held in Orlando. Once again, that news coming forward, that protest remaining calm. We're following everything Trayvon Martin for you in the next hour.

OK. Before we wrap up our hour with all of you, I would love to take a moment to lift up news legend and friend, Mike Wallace. I think by now all of you know what an amazing correspondent Mike was, hard-hitting questions with world leaders, exposing corruption and getting exclusives that no one else could. He was no doubt one of a kind to our business. But there was also a personal side to Mike Wallace that I got to know through my mentor and his best friend, Art Buck Walt, the political satirist who was one of Mike Wallace's closest friends. First of all, it's sort of ironic that Mike passed away on Easter weekend because his buddy, Buck Walt, became pretty famous for dressing up as the Easter Bunny for Ethel Kennedy's Easter egg hunt. If you knew Art, I can guarantee he was right there standing, short and pudgy, at the Pearly Gates, waiting for his long- time best buddy right there in that bunny costume.

Now, Mike and Art's relationship wasn't always filled with laughter though. Mike, Art, and their other mutual best friend, the great writer, Bill Stieren (ph), all suffered from depression. Again, here is how these three journalists took a very private pain and turned it into a positive mission. They dubbed themselves the Blues Brothers and they went on tour talking depression, the stigma, and how not to be ashamed.

Mike Wallace also shared another passion with his buddies, poetry. He had a lot of favorite poets, and I remember him telling me how much he respected Robert Browning.

So, Mike, in honor of you the journalist, the mentor, and a man who loved the written and spoken word, a little Browning to send you on your way. That a man's reach should exceed his grasp or what's a heaven for?

Thanks for watching, everyone. CNN NEWSROOM continues now with Suzanne Malveaux.