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Van Flips Off Overpass Near Bronx Zoo; Kate Middleton Makes a Fashion Statement; Chen GuangCheng has Escaped; Death of Osama bin Laden a Year After

Aired April 29, 2012 - 17:00   ET

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

ALISON KOSIK, CNN HOST: Susan Candiotti joins us live. What are we learning about the cause of the accident?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Alison. We're hearing a bit more about what happened now. First of all, who was driving the car?

According to police, it was a woman who was 45 years old. The passengers included the mother of three children, who was in the car, but it's unclear who the other woman was in the car. However there was also an elderly couple in the car as well, a married couple in their 80s.

According to police, here's what they think happened. This SUV was traveling on a six-lane highway heading southbound in the left-hand lane. The left side of the driver's car hit a concrete barrier in the median strip. And then according to an eyewitness the driver appeared to overcompensate, make a sharp right turn, hit a curb on the far side of the road, and then went over that railing and over an overpass. She sailed about 60 feet into the air, and then about the same distance down before coming to rest upside down.

All the passengers inside were dead on arrival. Police do say all of them were wearing seat belts. But obviously that was not enough to save them in this horrific accident.

KOSIK: I know you said that the vehicle hit that concrete barrier, and so that leaves the impression that that sort of caused the car to sort of go into that spin. Any sign, any witnesses saying that the vehicle was acting sort of an erratic fashion, driving in an erratic fashion before that?

CANDIOTTI: There doesn't seem to be any indication of that so far. What police are hearing is that the car appeared to be speeding. How fast it was going isn't known. It's also not clear what caused the driver to hit that barrier, the median strip in the middle, which I'm told is only a few feet high. And, when she crossed over the three lanes, when she hit that curb and then the railing, that also, it's more like a fence. And it, too, is just two to three feet high before she went sailing over the overpass.

So authorities believe that's another reason why they think she was going so fast, that the car was going at such high speed, that it flipped over that railing. KOSIK: And it's amazing no other cars were hit in this.

CANDIOTTI: Apparently not. Exactly. It's a very, very crowded expressway, usually a very busy one, especially on a Sunday when people are out and about. Obviously it's near this Bronx Zoo, where it landed on the southeast perimeter of that -- of this area. Its 275 acres wide, but yes, inn deed, that is something to be sadly thankful for, where there's nothing else to be thankful for on this particular day that no other car was hit during those accidents.

KOSIK: OK. Susan Candiotti, in New York. Thank you.

Fire officials in St. Louis, Missouri, are launching an investigation after a sports bar tent collapsed during a severe storm this weekend. One person was killed, 16 were seriously hurt, and almost 100 others suffered minor injuries. Officials say 50-mile-an-hour wind gusts lifted the tent off the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF DENNIS JENKERSON, ST. LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT: They got hit with the metal pipes, the stainers that hold the things down, the wire. We've got electric inside this tent. So, it's -- we had a mix of about everything that could have happened here. We had live wires laying on the ground. We've got severe injuries to quite a few people.

DEPUTY CHIEF JOHN ALTMANN, ST. LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT: We understand there was about 100, 150 people under the tent when the weather came in. The music was loud. People had been, you know, in attendance at the ball game all afternoon. And I don't think they were really aware the seriousness of the situation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: And officials say manufacturer of guide lines on the tent require it to withstand winds up to 90 miles an hour.

Three sailors are dead and the coast guard is looking for a fourth after an accident during a California-to-Mexico sailing race. Race organizers say the victim's sailboat likely collided with a much bigger vessel in the early-morning hours yesterday. Organizers say the deaths are the first in the race's 65-year history.

It was a low point in the protest against the Vietnam war, and one of the darkest chapters in recent American history. Forty two years ago this week, National Guard troops opened fire on students at Kent State University in Ohio killing four and nine others were wounded.

Just this week, the justice department refused to reopen the investigation into the shootings after it found enhanced audio recordings of the incident remained inconclusive.

It's been one year of royal wedded bliss. William and Kate are celebrating their first year of marriage today, and unlike their fairy tale wedding, the couple is keeping their wedding plans pretty darn private. Coming up in 20 minutes, we will take a look at how Kate's, royal style, has made an impact on the fashion world.

High-level talks between American and Chinese officials will go on this week despite a new source of tension about human rights, freedom of protest and about a blind man who has been a thorn in China's side for years.

CNN's Stan Grant reports from Beijing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STAN GRANT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Somewhere behind these walls may well be the answer to China's great guessing game. Where is Chen Guangcheng? Within minutes of pulling out our camera, security at the United States embassy in Beijing pounced.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Plus, you can't take photo here.

GRANT: I understand we can't take photos. But is Chen Guangcheng here at the embassy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know whether he is.

GRANT: The blind human rights activist has been in hiding after escaping house arrest in his provincial village and fleeing to Beijing. Now, a close friend and fellow campaigner, says Chen is indeed here, given refuge at the U.S. embassy.

"When Chen Guangcheng first fled to Beijing, we had to keep moving him from place to place, to ensure his safety. And we agreed the U.S. embassy is the only absolutely secure location in town."

Hu Jia is seen here in these photos with Chen in recent days. Chen was also meeting his wife. They're among a group of supporters who have aided Chen's dramatic escape, who himself is targeted by Chinese authorities and would only speak to CNN away from our cameras. But even then, within hours of meeting us, Hu was arrested.

He Peirong is another friend of Chen seized by cops. She spoke to CNN by Skype just before disappearing. Telling how Chen Guangcheng says he has no desire to flee China.

HE PEIRONG, ACTIVIST (through translator): When I asked him if he would go abroad, he said he wants to live freely in his own country. He said he hopes to take my hand and take me to his village one day.

GRANT: More details are emerging just about how Chen Gunagcheng managed to escape. Now, according to activists who know what happened, they say that for months he has lulled his captors into a false sense of security. He was spending more and more time asleep on his bed. They got used to his absences and then dropped their guard.

Now, he is where it is interesting, under cover of darkness as they said that Chen made his break. He climbed over a wall, and then this blind man managed to cross a creek, along the way he stumbled, injured himself but finally managed to meet a car at a secret rendezvous point and they brought him to Beijing.

Chen had been under heavy guard for the last 18 months. The self- taught lawyer angered Chinese authorities by campaigning against alleged forced abortions and sterilizations. He had spent more than four years in prison convicted of disrupting traffic and damaging property during demonstrations. Since his release, he's been in lockdown. This is what happened when we tried to visit Chen last year with Hollywood actor and bank man star, Christian Bale.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've been stopped. We've been stopped.

GRANT: Now Bale has released a statement to CNN, in it he says "an innocent family has been horrifically tortured while it gives hope that for now Chen is safe. His family is not. As a world leader, China must now show its wisdom and compassion. And remind the world of its rich cultural history by permanently freeing Chen Guangcheng and his family and never allowing thuggery and corruption to tarnish Chinese reputation again. China's citizens deserve more."

If indeed Chen Gunagcheng is here behind the gates of this U.S. embassy, then this threatens to become a political tug-of-war between China and the U.S. At the moment, neither country is making any public statements. But U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton is due in Beijing this week, and in the past, she has championed Chen.

Stand Grant, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: It's one of the great American tragedies, the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. But now, there's a new account of what happened that night in 1968. As you know, Sirhan Sirhan was sentenced as the lone shooter, but his attorneys are hoping for a new trial. Among the evidence they may present is the story told by Nina Rhodes-Hughes. That's her on the left with Robert Kennedy there. She was there at the ambassador hotel the night Kennedy was shot.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, she said there's part of the story that the FBI has ignored all these years. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NINA RHODES-HUGHES, WITNESS TO RFK ASSASSINATION IN 1868: There were more than eight shots. And interesting that you read whatever the FBI issued, everybody said eight shots, not. I wish there was some recordings of me that night, where I did give an interview to someone with a microphone when I said there were at least 12, maybe 14. And I know there was, because I heard the rhythm in my head, you know. And I know with the first two or three shots, I wasn't aware as I said, I thought were flash bulbs.

What has to come out is there was another shooter to my right. And Robert Kennedy was also to my right where Sirhan Sirhan was, almost straight ahead and attack to my left standing on some steel platform -- you know, raised platform., and that, there were two shooters. It must come out and who they were. It must come out who the other shooter is, because there definitely was another shooter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: Rhodes-Hughes was never called as a witness in the original trial. But she said she just wants to get her story out. She'll join us at 35 past the hour to talk about what she says she saw.

Anti-aircraft missiles in the middle of London? The British army says, on the big security. But some residents say, wait a minute. Take it down a notch. I'm going to have more on that in a minute.

Also, almost a year since Osama bin Laden's death, the fight against terrorism is far from over. But al Qaeda is no longer the biggest threat. Details next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSIK: Happening overseas today, Sudan's air force attacked military units across the border in South Sudan. This is what's left after the air strikes today. A witness says helicopters and jets fired on forces in South Sudan. At least four soldiers were hurt.

South Sudan and Sudan are fighting over where there should be their border and how to share oil production.

Elsewhere in Africa today, a campus shooting spree at the University of Northern Nigeria. No official word on casualties yet, but witnesses say gunmen opened fire inside electro hall used by Christians for Sunday worship services.

And some Londoners are shocked to learn that the British army may set up surface-to-air missiles right in their neighborhood. It's part of security preparations for the summer Olympic games. The army is informing people in the east London neighborhood of Tower Hamlet that they may see anti aircraft missiles as the games get closer. Many residents say it's an overreaction.

It's been almost a year since Osama bin Laden was killed during a U.S. commando raid on his compound in Pakistan.

CNN's Athena Jones takes a look at where al Qaeda stands now, and even a bigger terror threat on the horizon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was an historic moment.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Tonight I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda.

JONES: After a risky overnight raid, America's enemy number one was dead. LEON PANETTA, DEFENSE SECRETARY: I think the one thing all of us feel pretty good about that were involved in this operation, is that as a result of what we did, America's safer.

JONES: It's a view shared by national security analysts. Peter Bergen who interviewed bin Laden in 1977 says al Qaeda is in terrible shape.

PETER BERGEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: All their leaders are dead or captured. They haven't managed a successful attack in the west since the London attack of 2005. Their brand is severely tarnished.

JONES: But government officials and experts warn that the fight against global extremism isn't over. So-called lone Wolf attackers, like the man who planned the bomb square, and the underwear bomber and the man who killed southern people in southern France earlier this year remain a threat.

Terrorist expert Bruce Riedel is a former CIA officer.

BRUCE RIEDEL, BROOKINGS INSTITUTIONS: We have al Qaeda franchises in places like Yemen, Iraq, which remain dangerous, and we have the idea of al Qaeda, the idea of global Jihad which inspires a small minority of fanatics to carry out mass murder and commit suicide.

JONES: Riedel said Americans should underestimate the importance of getting rid of bin Laden and people like American born clerk, (INAUDIBLE) killed by a Jerome strike in Yemen last fall.

U.S. counterterrorism efforts are aimed at keeping up the pressure on al Alaki (ph) sponsor, al Qaeda, and the Arabian Peninsula and other al Qaeda allies who are still bent on attacking us. Analysts say the Arab spring has changed the game.

RIEDEL: The Arab spring showed the dictators could be toppled through twitter, not terror. And that's not al Qaeda's MO

JONES: Peter Bergen said it's important to maintain perspective.

BERGEN: Seventeen people have died since 9/11 in the United States at the hands of al Qaeda or people inspired by their message. About 300 Americans die every year in accidental bomb threat drownings. And we don't have sort of irrational failure, bomb threat downings.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JONES: Athena joins us live from Washington now. How concerned are officials at this point that terrorists may strike on the actual anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death?

JONES: Right. Well, the FBI and the department of homeland security issued an intelligence bulletin last week saying extremists have been posting messages on what they call these violent extremist web forms, these websites. They were vowing attacks on the U.S. around the anniversary. But the advisory goes on to say that, quote, "such threats are almost certainly aspirational", meaning that there's no credible information that anything is in the works.

Now, these kinds of warnings around these anniversaries are not at all uncommon. I had one analyst put it to me saying, you don't get in trouble for warning people to keep their eyes open. So everyone should remain vigilant, but no credible information about any threats.

KOSIK: OK. Athena Jones in Washington, thank you.

JONES: Thanks.

KOSIK: All right. Let's stay in Washington. They make a hard right turn and talk about the menu at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. And on it, a little glitz, a little glamour, and of course, lots of laughter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: It's great to be here this evening in the vast magnificent Hilton ball room. Or what Mitt Romney would call a little fixer- upper.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: And you'll hear President Obama's take on the secret service's new curfew.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSIK: In political circles, it's called the Washington prom. It's the White House Correspondents' dinner, though, and it's all about poking fun. Here are some of the best laughs from last night's big event from comedian Jimmy Kimmel and President Obama at the helm.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OBAMA: Four years ago, I looked like this. Today I look like this. And four years from now, I will look like this.

(LAUGHTER)

JIMMY KIMMEL, COMEDIAN: Mr. President, you remember when the country rallied around you in hopes of a better tomorrow? That was hilarious.

(LAUGHTER)

KIMMEL: You know. There's a term for guys like President Obama. Probably not two terms, but --

OBAMA: We've got men in tuxes, women in gowns, fine wine, first-class entertainment. I was just relieved this was not a GSA conference.

(LAUGHTER) KIMMEL: If anyone has tickets to the GSA after-party, the plane is leaving for the four seasons in Dubai at midnight on the dot. If you leave later, you'll miss out on your complementary white tiger cub.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: It's nice to be here this evening in the vast magnificent Hilton ball room, or what Mitt Romney would call a little fixer-upper.

(LAUGHTER)

KIMMEL: We have numerous members of the print media in attendance which reminds me of a riddle. What's black and white and read all over. Nothing anymore.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: Even Sarah Palin's getting back into the game. Guest hosting on the "Today" show which reminds me of an old saying, what's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? A pit bull is delicious.

(LAUGHTER)

KIMMEL: I do have a lot of jokes about the secret service. You know, I told them for $800, I wouldn't tell them, but they only offered $30, so.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: I really do attending these dinners. In fact, I had a lot more material prepared, but I have to get the secret service home in time for their new curfew.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: Time for a check of what's happening in the week ahead.

A somber start to the week, Tuesday, a memorial will be held for "60 minutes" icon Mike Wallace. He died earlier this month.

On Wednesday sources tell CNN that Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will officially end his bid for the White House.

On Friday we'll get the latest look at the job market when the labor department releases the April jobs report.

Saturday, let the celebrations begin, it's Cinco De Mayo celebrating commemorating the Mexican army's victory over France.

Also, on Saturday, the start of the Kentucky Derby.

Prince William and his wife Kate are celebrating their first anniversary. And while Kate has only been a royal for a year, she's made quite an impact especially on the fashion world. We will take a look at the Kate effect next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSIK: One year ago today, the world watched Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot. But, did you know notice since the two were engaged Kate's style has been quite an effect on fashion around the world.

Nadia Bilchik joins me now.

So, clearly the duchess of Cambridge has had a huge effect on the monarchy. But she's also impacting what we wear.

NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: Absolutely. They call it the Kate effect. The duchess of Cambridge effect. I notice you're wearing nude pumps, as am I by the way, popularized by Kate Middleton.

KOSIK: I had no idea.

BILCHIK: Because she always wears LK Bennett nude pumps. And one of their shoes is even called the Kate.

KOSIK: Go figure. Besides shoes, she's also -- the fashions she's wearing, she's made one American designer very happy.

BILCHIK: New Zealand born, New York designer, Rebecca Taylor was thrilled this week because on Thursday, Kate emerged in a tweed navy suit made by Rebecca Taylor that sold out online in 30 minutes.

KOSIK: That's amazing. Now, how do people know exactly where to go and get this?

BILCHIK: They obviously, "fashionistas" and the tabloids came out that the fact that she was wearing a Rebecca Taylor. Rebecca Taylor said it's a dream come true. And very quickly, people know it was from her pre-fold 2012 collections.

KOSIK: Of course. Of course. And it's not just what she's wearing here, she's on her head - she continues to have an impact.

BILCHIK: Huge impact her wearing hats. Have you heard of something called a fascinator before Kate Middleton?

KOSIK: Never.

BILCHIK: I spoke to Vivien Sheriff who is one of Kate's hat designers. There are two, Philip Treacy and Vivian Sheriff. And Vivien said that since she's been designing hats for Kate and Kate's family, she's gone from having this little company in Wilshire, England, to having a multi-national vast hat company.

KOSIK: It's amazing how - yes, the interest in hats has certainly grown. And the interest in getting clothes that look like what Kate is wearing. That is growing as well. Those popular copies are just a new industry. BILCHIK: Prolific. Anything Kate wears, the next day you can find a copy. Now, JS designs, here in the United States have come up with several Kate copies. And they've been very popular. Remember the Navy lace cocktail dress?

KOSIK: I bet they will forget it.

BILCHIK: There are copies of that. Also the beautiful chiffon dress she wore to the BAFTA awards. A very popular copy. But her sister, Pippa, that copy of that bridesmaid dress, just with this company alone, there were other copies that sold around 10,000.

KOSIK: That's amazing. So, is there like one central place that you can go to, to find copies online, if you want to find the popular copies of the wonderful fashions?

BILCHIK: That would be a pretty good business. You might do that.

KOSIK: Or in the meantime I'll just continue to wear the nude pumps.

BILCHIK: The reality is, if you Google Kate Middleton fashion or the Kate effect or the duchess effect, huge impact. She's made designers around the globe very happy.

KOSIK: Very rich, very happy. Nadia. Thanks so much.

After the super bowl, it's probably the biggest event in the NFL. We are going to tell you what happened in NFL draft right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSIK: Checking today's top stories.

We have new video now you're looking at it of the horrific accident in New York. You're looking at aerials of the crash site. Seven people were killed when a van flipped off an overpass and fell right into a transit facility right near the Bronx Zoo. Three of the victims inside that vehicle were children. Everybody inside that vehicle, were killed in that tragic accident.

Fire officials in St. Louis, Missouri, are launching an investigation after a sports bar tent collapsed during a severe storm over the weekend. One person was killed, 16 were seriously hurt and almost 100 others suffered minor injuries. Official say 50-mile-an-hour wind gusts lifted the tent right of the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF DENNIS JENKERSON, ST. LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT: They got hit with the metal pipes, the stainers that hold these things down, the wire. We've got electric inside this tent, so it's -- we had a mix of about everything that could happen here. We had live wires laying on the ground. We've got severe injuries to quite a few people.

DEPUTY CHIEF JOHN ALTMANN, ST. LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT: We understand there was about 100, 150 people under the tent at the time the weather came in. The music was loud. People had been in, you know, attendance at a ball game all afternoon. And I don't think they were really aware of the seriousness of the situation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSIK: It's a dubious anniversary. It's been 20 years since the start of the Los Angeles riots. Much of south Los Angeles burned in violence sparked by the acquittal of four white police officers in the videotaped beating of Rodney King. More than 50 people lost their lives during six days of rioting.

Switching gears now. It is the best time for the best sports stories of the week. And I'm joined by NPR's Mike Pesca.

Mike, hi. How are you?

MIKE PESCA, NPR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good.

KOSIK: OK. I'm going to take a big shot here at this. And say that the biggest sports story of the week that it didn't materialize on any playing field, it was actually the NFL draft. Am I right?

PESCA: Yes, guys in suits, not with cleats, not with skates, but suits. It's because the NFL is just culturally ascending into the biggest sport going. And so, who gets to play on the teams next year is always a matter of interest.

And the top two picks in this draft, Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III, the highest metro winner out of bailer. These are two of the most highly regarded quarterbacks in years and years.

But I always find the draft a little bit overrated. I find that -- I go to the draft every year and the fans are high fiving each other. But if you cut ahead to four or five years later, it turns out half of these guys don't pan out. A bunch of undrafted guys will always do well, like Victor Cruz, who is the Giants who was undrafted. This happens all the time.

And in fact, this year I thought the most interesting story out of the draft was from Hamilton College, which isn't known for its football team. They're not as good as Alabama. But some professors there did a study and they found that players who were arrested or suspended from their teams actually might be more valuable in the draft than NFL GMs think, because some - yes, people are scared away from character issues. And these professors found that if a player was arrested but not charged, take them. But they did find if a player was suspended by a team that will be a bad player in the NFL.

KOSIK: That's interesting. OK. So, the NBA play-offs are in full swing right now. Let's go ahead and talk about a team who, alas, won't be playing for a championship. But they do have a historic record, the Charlotte Bobcats. Officially the worst team in NBA history. But at the same time, they're owned by Michael Jordan, one of the best players in NBA history. What is up with this?

PESCA: I'll tell you exactly what's up with it. The reason that the Charlotte Bobcats set this record for horrendousness is because they were designed to be a bad team. If that doesn't make sense, you just have to look at, again, we're talking about the draft.

When teams do poorly, they get a better shot at the number one pick. So, the general and conventional wisdom around the NBA is that, you don't want to be a team that's pretty good, a team that kind of makes the play-offs but gets eliminated in the first round because you'll never qualify for one of the great picks. I mean, there we see the list of the worst teams ever. Charlotte only had seven wins. They had a lower win percentage. Because remember, this year they played fewer games than is usually played in the NBA.

I do like the third team on the list. They played in the league that eventually became the NBA. I think they should be called the providence steam rolled, because they were a terrible team.

But, yes, the Bobcats were supposed to be bad because they wanted to get high picks. I don't think they were supposed to be this bad. And it does tarnish Michael Jordan's legacy.

KOSIK: I mean. He has to take some of the responsibility here, come on.

PESCA: He does. He only to give majority owner in 2010, so, it's not like every bad decision happened on his watch. They made a conscious choice to let's not win that many games, let's try to get a number-one pick. That doesn't always work out. But this is what the Bobcats wanted to do.

KOSIK: All right. Switching gears, baseball. For some fans, the major highlight isn't necessarily the guy who hit the home run or turned the double play. It's the guy who's the beer guy. You know what I mean, one the greatest say it, you know.

PESCA: Yes.

KOSIK: But lately, he's been getting booed in some stadiums. You know the people at the Denver post, did you read this, they actually put together a list of the parks that have the most expensive beer. The average price for a small beer at all the major league parks is just over $6. Which parks had the most expensive beer, Mike?

PESCA: Well, actually, it turns out that not the greatest team, but look at that. That's now the Miami Marlins, $8.

KOSIK: Look at their new stadium. They have to pay for it.

PESCA: $8 the cheapest beer. And some really expensive -- it has the giant piece of artwork that I'm sure cost a lot. You've got to spend a lot to get a lot of beer.

Now, usually, its parks in big cities or newer parks or team that are good, that can afford to charge a lot. So we see here, for instance, the Boston Red Sox. They charge $7.25.

Now, some places have reported that Boston actually has the most expensive beer, because in Miami, the smallest beer you can get is 14 ounces and in Boston you can get a 12-ounce beer for $7.25. But, I think it's fair to say what's the cheapest beer I could get. You can't get a beer cheaper than --

KOSIK: Smuggle it in, you'll get it cheaper. But don't take it from me.

All right. Thanks, Mike Pesca of NPR. Appreciate it.

PESCA: You're welcome.

KOSIK: Corporations buying space on NBA jerseys of all places. Team owners are reportedly considering it the controversy coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSIK: Right now, a federal court is preparing to rule on a challenge to the murder conviction in Robert F. Kennedy's assassination along over the witness to the murder is now trying to get her story told. She is Nina Rhodes-Hughes, that's her right there on the left with Senator Kennedy. She was at the ambassador hotel on the night he was shot in 1968. And she said there were two shooters that night, not one.

Rhodes-Hughes joins us now from Vancouver British Columbia.

First of all, what did you see and hear and how long ago did you first tell authorities about it?

RHODES-HUGHES: I told authorities about it when the FBI came to my home, about a month after the incident.

KOSIK: OK. But you're coming out now 40 years -- more than 40 years after the murder. Why come out now?

RHODES-HUGHES: Well, actually, it was something that was brought out by CNN. I got a phone call from Brad Johnson, who has been doing a lot of due diligence on the amount of shots that were fired that night from a tape that they have just uncovered. And I got contacted and felt compelled to cooperate because of the importance of the true story coming out obviously.

KOSIK: OK. Nina, you're calling this a cover-up. Why do you call it a cover-up?

RHODES-HUGHES: Well, because when I was at the ambassador hotel that night, which was in June 1968, there were more than eight shots. Because as I was running down the hall to bring Senator Kennedy back to the press room, as I was instructed to bring him to, this other gentleman escorted him very, very quickly to the other area, which was known then as the kitchen and the pantry. And I ran after them shouting, you know, come back, please, please come back, your-going the wrong way.

And as I did, I noticed -- I was watching Senator Kennedy, and he stopped to greet a few people and then he went on. And I saw him kind a left profile. And then he went on more towards my right, and suddenly I heard like pop-pop. And I looked and saw Sirhan Sirhan and Rosy Grim Meredith Johnson running to subdue him. But then, there were still shots going on to my right which was more to where Senator Kennedy was. And it was at least 12 to 14 shots because it was very rapid fire. It was like a bam, bam, bam, bam, bam and I will never forget that ever.

KOSIK: OK. So, let's talk about the shots. Sirhan Sirhan is the only person arrested, trialed and convict in Kennedy's shooting. He's now looking to get a new trial and it's partially based on your account of the shooting and there's a dispute about what you're talking about, over how many shots were heard. And prosecutors say, you know, you heard only eight and they came from the same direction. Defense attorneys are saying, more along the line to put your saying, you heard 12 to 14 shots. So, which is it? Who's right?

RHODES-HUGHES: Well, I was there. And the FBI, I don't believe was. And when you have an experience like that, it's burnt in your memory forever, because not only is it a horrible tragedy, but it's something you just never, ever forget.

And I relive it in a very, very realistic like now manner. I know there were more, because as I said before, when Raker (ph) went to tackle Sirhan, I started looking to my right and I heard all these other gunshots. And he had already been subdued. And then I saw Senator Kennedy disappear from view. And I screamed, oh, my God. And stock laying there and I passed out.

KOSIK: All right. Nina Rhodes-Hughes, thank you for joining us and telling us your story.

RHODES-HUGHES: I want to thank you so much for pursuing this.

KOSIK: Sure. You got it.

RHODES-HUGHES: Thank you.

KOSIK: Big corporations, they may soon be buying space on your favorite NBA player's jersey. The controversy, coming up next.

And here's the reason Fredricka Whitfield is not here today. She's talking to the stars taking the stage of Jazz Fest. Here with gospel singer, Irma Thomas tells Fred, coming up.

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KOSIK: Come on. First the sports stadiums, now the shirts. The NBA may follow the lead of NASCAR and plaster their uniforms with corporate logos, team names replaced by advertisements for companies that pony up enough cash.

CNN contributor, Bob Greene, joins us live from Florida.

Now Bob, you've just written a column on CNN.com about this. Are NBA owners seriously considering this? BOB GREENE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, they're meeting earlier this month; the details were reported by Richard of "The New York Times." There were six mannequins, actually the torso of mannequins in front of the owners, and three of them wore Chicago Bulls jerseys and three wore Boston Celtics jerseys. But they had been purposely altered. And in place of the name of the team on some versions, was the name of an advertiser.

The second version was a little more subtle. Underneath the player's name was the name of the advertiser. And the third one just had the advertiser's logo on the shoulder strap. But as you pointed out, NASCAR, golf, and soccer already have advertising on the clothing that the athletes wear.

What's called the four major sports in North America, national football league, major league baseball, national hockey league don't permit it. But it looks to me if the owners are starting to look at these things in private meetings that that's where they're heading toward.

KOSIK: So Bob, you write in your column that no other American major sports leagues have turned their uniforms into advertising billboards. You know. Is the NBA in that badly need of money at this point?

GREENE: Well, I think they're probably the test case for the other leagues. It's not, you know, badly in need of money. They want more money. And when the -- if the players -- if this happens, it hasn't happened yet, but if the players object and say, we don't want to be your walking billboards, they'll negotiate. And the players will ask for a certain percentage and they'll work it out.

But I think maybe sadly, after the fans express initial consternation about this, they may just get used to it. Because advertising has been so ingrained now in every aspect of American life, that in some circles, people think, you know, if a national soft drink advertiser puts their logo on your charity race t-shirt or on you cuddy unit program, it sort of elevates it. It's almost like a re-write of the old Dean Martin song where somebody buys you.

KOSIK: And you know. It's not just on jerseys. I mean, you write trains. Trains are wrapped in advertisements. I mean, advertisements are everywhere. I mean, it's just everywhere. I mean, do you think that this is a bad idea for sports?

GREENE: Well, good or bad idea, it looks like if it happens -- once they're in the door, it will keep going. I take it beyond sports. My thought is what are two parts of American life that are really in need of finances now? The United States postal service, and the federal treasury itself. How far are we away from the day when advertisers are invited to bid to put their logos on postage stamps, or even on dollar bills? It sounds ridiculous, but ten years ago you wouldn't have even thought we were talking about the NBA, with the coca-cola Celtics of the Budweiser Bulls.

KOSIK: Yes. Who knows where it ends.

All right. CNN contributor Bob Greene. Thanks so much for your report.

GREENE: Thank you.

KOSIK: So, not everyone can be in New Orleans at this point for Jazz Fest. But gospel singer Irma Thomas is there and so with our Fredricka Whitfield. Fred talks to Irma right after this.

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KOSIK: Some breaking news now to tell you about from the university of south Alabama, they have put a statement on their Web site saying there's a crime alert about an armed individual, that there's been reports of somebody on campus, armed with a weapon who was last seen in the housing area. They're asking anyone on campus to please remain inside until further notice, and that all students to take shelter and remain inside.

We'll stay on top of this and let you know new details as they come in.

KOSIK: So, I'm filling in for Fredericka Whitfield tonight, because Fred is on assignment. She's in New Orleans covering the Jazz and Heritage Festival. I know, rough, rough, assignment.

So, here she is talking to a gospel great, Irma Thomas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It must feel very special different to be in the gospel fest, to be in the New Orleans Jazz Fest when you are home grown. What happens when you hit that stage?

IRMA THOMAS, GOSPEL SINGER: It feels like I'm in the living room singing to my friends.

WHITFIELD: Really?

THOMAS: Yes. All of my performances, to me, is that way. I don't sing at an audience. I sing to them. I bring them to me. And that's what I like about all of my performance. But this one is special because I'm not just singing to local people, I'm singing to the world.

Oftentimes when you see a person who's an R&B artist, doing gospel music, I think they expecting it to have that oozy tinge to it. And I'm going to straight up gospel singer. I sing in my church choir when I'm not working on Sundays. And this is how I was taught to do it. And this is how I feel good doing it. I don't think was meant to be polished up and sound like any dance the way that it was meant to be. And that's true gospel music, because gospel music is prayer set to music.

Some songs I can't get through without crying, because it connects with me. I connect the song in so many ways. It's been a year ago last month that I lost my mom.

This is what gospel (INAUDIBLE), to get you through those rough times.

WHITFIELD: What happens when you start singing and you take a look at that audience?

THOMAS: I really -- it's not a situation where something -- it's a spontaneity when you're doing gospel. When you listen to the words and you relate to the words, it becomes a whole thing. It doesn't say that that's the audience. It's everybody involved.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: And Fredericka returns to the anchor set next weekend with lots more from the New Orleans' Jazz Festival. You definitely want to see that.

Parts of Florida are facing a severe weather threat tonight.

CNN's meteorologist, Jacqui Jeras, in the weather center, now here at CNN.

Jacqui, how's serious of the threat is it?

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we are looking at flooding and that's going to be the biggest problem. There's been a lot of standing water around the Miami-Dade area. Here's a live picture to show from our affiliate, WSVN TV.

Record rain already reported since midnight, 2.86 inches and then the next 24 hours, we could be talking about an additional three to five on top of that. Yes. Parts of south Florida could get as much as eight inches of rain before all is said and done.

We have a lot of tropical moisture that is in effect here. And this is affecting much of the Caribbean. We are talking parts of Jamaica, into Cuba, up into the Bahamas in the Atlantic. We're getting all this rain and we are looking at flood advisories in effect, including you in Ft. Lauderdale. The Ft. Lauderdale air show had to be cancelled today because of the wet conditions. Good call but kind of a bummer.

They quite kind a quite down, right now, but we do think things are going to continue to fire up late tonight and until tomorrow.

We are also watching that severe weather trek some storms in parts of Colorado and New Mexico, could be some ill producers. And this is the general area for severe weather tonight. Many of the same areas that got hit this weekend, up towards Kansas city and up toward St. Louis, so be aware. That frontal boundary remains parsed so you're going to see more wrecker loads tonight in the northeast and hot and sticky in the south and near record in Atlanta and just kind a sultry for Fredricka there, in New Orleans.

KOSIK: Lucky her.

JERAS: I know.

KOSIK: For the sultry weather, I think.

All right. Jacqui Jeras, thank you.

Just want to tell you about our breaking news. A crime alert on the University of South Alabama, their Web site, you can see there, there's an armed individual. There have been reports of somebody on campus who has a weapon, last seen in the housing area. Anybody on campus is asked to remain inside, we're told they're giving more notice, all students are asked to take shelter and remain inside.

All right. That will do it for me, CNN NEWSROOM continues at the top of the hour with Don Lemon. Have a great week.

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