Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Condom Shopping With Secret Service; Beastie Boy Adam Yauch Dies; April Employment Numbers; Edwards' Aide Recounts Confrontation; Blind Activist Might Come To U.S.; Seau's Brain To Be Examined; Widow Retrieves Her Exotic Animals; Obama 2012 Campaign Rollout; Jazzfest Under Way; Dorm Room Lands Student In Trouble
Aired May 04, 2012 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Sanjay this weekend. He has new office hours. "Sanjay Gupta M.D." now airs Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern and on Sunday at 7:30 in the morning. CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Fredricka Whitfield.
Fred, that looked pretty intense there, huh?
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: I don't know. And, you know, Suzanne and Sanjay, plump to cover dimples. That's not a good combination either. Very depressing. But thanks for bringing that to us and keeping us informed. Thanks so much.
MALVEAUX: Thanks.
WHITFIELD: You all have a great weekend.
Hello, everyone. I'm Frederica Whitfield, in for Brooke Baldwin.
Any minute now two dozen priests accused of molesting children could learn their fate. The archbishop in Philadelphia expected to step to the microphone and announce the results of the church's investigation into sexual abuse. The priests involved are serving suspensions. We're watching that news conference. Updates as we get them, of course.
But first, bottles of vodka on Secret Service agents' tabs. Flirtations on the dance floor. Condom shopping on the way to the hotel. The escort in the middle of the Columbian prostitution scandal is spilling it all. Diana Suarez says she thought she was just calling out a cheapskate who wouldn't pay her. Well later she realized she was in the middle of an international debacle that would topple careers. It began in a bar in Cartagena.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DIANA SUAREZ, CARTAGENA ESCORT (through translator): And I said, yes, I can go out with you, but I want a little gift. I mean, I directly -- I didn't say how much. We just danced. We had drinks. And then when the time that he wanted to leave, I told him, well, dear, you know, you have to give me $800. That's the gift that I want so that I can go with you. And he said, OK, baby, let's go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Our Rafael Romo was listening to this interview intently, like so many people. So, Rafael, they meet in a bar and then there were some negotiations, and then what?
RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS EDITOR: That's right. It's a long interview. More than an hour. She offers many details after they meet at the bar. They, in her understanding, come up to an agreement. And the agreement is that he was going to pay her $800 the following morning. And what happens is that she describes a night at this bar in Cartagena where the agents were drinking heavily. She describes a moment in which the agent that she was with actually lift up his shirt to show off his six-pack. And then after that they go to the hotel. The hotel Caribe, where all of the agents were staying.
And the problem starts the following morning when she gets awakened by the hotel. They get a call in the morning and she demands her money. And the agent says, it's just not going to happen. He calls her an expletive and let's listen to what she said about what transpired in that hallway that morning after they met in Cartagena.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIA SUAREZ, CARTAGENA ESCORT (through translator): Two more agents showed up and stood at the door and asked me what was going on. I told them. I kept telling them I was going to call more police. More police so that my problem would get solved. And they didn't care. All they were saying was please, please, no police, no police. They were asking me not to call the police.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMO: Now, Fred, the obvious question here is -- and the question that many Americans have was, was President Obama ever in danger because of this? Was this a true security breach? She was asked specifically that, would she have been in a position to get compromising information. And this is what she had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUAREZ (through translator): Of course. At that moment, if I had been a member of one of those terrorist gangs, it's obvious that I would have been able to get everything. Just like the newspapers say, I put them in checkmate. They're a bunch of fools. They're responsible for Obama's security and they still let this happen. I told them, I'm going to call the police so that they would pay me my money. They didn't care. They didn't see the magnitude of the problem, even when being responsible for Obama's security. I could have done a thousand other things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMO: And so additionally, Fred, she says that her life is ruined. But she was also asked, what is she going to do next? And she's hinting that if a magazine gives her enough money, she would even pose nude because she is going to be financially completely ruined after this.
WHITFIELD: Well, why does she say her life is ruined? She didn't look at all reluctant to even speak. She was smiling as though she's kind of enjoying being able to talk about this publicly.
ROMO: It seems, based on the interview, that she's trying to make the best out of a really bad situation and an international scandal. She says before this I was a very low profile kind of escort and I didn't even know what had happened after -- for two days after the scandal exploded. She left Colombia and now she's trying to regain that peace that she says she had before this happened.
WHITFIELD: And which, by the way, the prostitution was legal where she was. It's not that she was breaking the law.
ROMO: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: But she feels because of this kind of public scrutiny or spotlight, it's damaged her future.
ROMO: That's right. That's right. And that's what she wants. She wants to find peace at some point.
WHITFIELD: All right, Rafael Romo, thanks so much. Appreciate that.
ROMO: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, more on this news just in. A member of one of the most influential rap groups of all time has died. Rolling Stones reports Adam Yauch, better known as "MCA" of the Beastie Boys, is dead at the age of 47. Yauch and his two partners, Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz, brought rap to the suburbs and then went on to become international superstars. Now with Yauch gone, the world of rap is in mourning. Let's get to our Nischelle Turner.
Nischelle, what more do we know about the circumstances of his death?
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, first, Yauch announced that he was being treated for a cancerous salivary gland and lymph node three years ago, back in 2009. But here's what we know. We know he was still undergoing treatment as recently as April. And apparently, you know, it just got too much for him, Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, you know, he wasn't apparently with his band mates just last months when the Beastie Boys were introduced into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame last month, but they know that he had been ailing. What are his, you know, fellow Beastie Boys, you know, friends telling him -- or saying about him right now?
TURNER: Well, by the way, Fred, that induction ceremony is going to air on HBO on Sunday. And, sadly, he was not well enough to attend. But CNN did speak with Beastie Boys Mike D just last week about the event and he talked about his close friend. He said that Adam was just not well enough to come to the event. He said that, you know, he was still getting treatment. He did send a letter in for the other guys to read his -- thanking the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for being inducted. And he also said that they were e-mailing and calling each other while they were sitting at the table just so they can kind of keep Adam in the loop about what was going there.
WHITFIELD: Awe.
TURNER: Yes.
WHITFIELD: So tell me about his legacy. How will people remember him as an individual, and at the same time as part of this incredible group?
TURNER: Well, they were a bonefied hip-hop group, Fred, but they were also a lot of fun. You know, Yauch co-founded the Beastie Boys in 1979. They started off wanting to be a hard core punk rock group, but they kind of started experimenting in the hip-hop game, and then they decided, you know, we actually -- we like this type of music. We like this genre. And they went on to be so successful. The Beastie Boys won three Grammy awards over the years. And, you know, some of those best known songs, when I say them, you'll start smiling. "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn," "Brass Monkey," "Fight For Your Right," "Paul Revere." They're one of the longest lived hip-hop acts. They've sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. They actually have a new album that's coming out that they delayed release of because of Adam's cancer. But it's coming out. It's called "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two." And it was expected to debut at number two on the billboard charts next week, but, you know, that could change now with word of his passing.
WHITFIELD: Wow, they made quite the impact on music. And even with this new album, still might do the same.
All right, thanks so much, Nischelle Turner. Appreciate that.
TURNER: Sure.
WHITFIELD: All right, the new jobs numbers sound encouraging, but economists say they're not. And that is not good news for your wallet or for President Obama.
Plus, very soon America's defense chief will address troops, but this isn't just any speech. He's got a message about behavior.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The self-professed mastermind of the September 11th attacks will be arraigned tomorrow at the U.S. base in Guantanamo, Cuba. Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four alleged accomplices will enter pleas in a military courtroom. Their actual trials still may be months away. Our affiliate New York 1 reports more than 250 family members of victims wanted to attend, but only six selected by lottery will be there.
And in little under an hour from now, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is scheduled to address soldiers preparing for deployment at Fort Benning, Georgia. Well, Panetta is expected to urge commanders and troops to refrain from inappropriate behavior. This comes after months of scandals, including soldiers taking tasteless pictures and even urinating on bodies.
An update now on that enormous sinkhole threatening homes in Windermere, Florida. A suburb of Orlando. One family has had to evacuate their home. They are renting. And their neighbors fear they will have to do the same. A geologist has been brought in to help decide what to do next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOU LAMBROS, TENANT: When we came outside, it was just dropping into the hole. And we just yelled, get the kids out of the house, because it was happening very quickly. It was like a little mini avalanche inside there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Drought is being blamed to help create the sinkhole, which is now at least 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep, and it's still growing.
Accused wife killer Drew Peterson was back in court today for the first time in nearly two years. The former police sergeant is charged in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and is still under investigation in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. Last month an Illinois appellate court ruled prosecutors can use potentially incriminating statements made by both of the women in his upcoming murder trial.
Torrential rain and flash floods stopped this trucker in his tracks today. It happened on Interstate 75 outside Flint, Michigan. Floodwater got so deep, he had to seek refuge on top of his semi. The only way help could reach him was by boat. Nearly four feet of water closed sections of the interstate between Flint and Detroit.
In Arizona, police are hoping a newly released home video of missing six-year-old Isabel Celis will help bring her home. According to the girl's parents, Isabel vanished from her Tucson home two weeks ago after she was put to bed. When her father went to wake her up the next morning, she was gone.
An Arizona woman is accused of lying about having breast cancer so that she could get breast implants. Police say Jami Toler told co- workers that she needed a double mastectomy. Well, fundraisers were held and thousands of dollars collected. Suspicions were raised when she couldn't provide a doctor's note for her medical leave. Toler faces felony fraud and theft charges.
Jobs and unemployment. New numbers out today indicate that we have an economy that may still be struggling. First the numbers, then we'll talk about the concerns. In April, the U.S. economy added 115,000 new jobs and unemployment fell to 8.1 percent. While that may sound encouraging, economists say not so fast. Alison Kosik joins us now from New York at the Stock Exchange.
So, Alison, why aren't today's numbers cause for some kind of celebration?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We'll start with that unemployment rate, Fredricka. You know, it's falling, but it's falling for the wrong reasons. It's because people dropped out of the labor force, meaning they're not counted in that labor pool. And then you look at that 115,000 figure. That 115,000 jobs were added to the economy in April, you know, but it just doesn't cut it when you see how bad the jobs market is right now.
And here's what's frustrating in all this. You know, you look at how the year has been going, and the year started strong. January had 275,000 jobs added. But the problem is, that job growth has been slowing every single month this year. Now we're at less than half that.
And, get this, some are actually blaming some of this on the weather. Warm weather actually led to more hiring in January and February. So some analysts say, you know what, the labor market right now is adjusting. Since there was this hiring binge earlier in this year, so it winds up, you know, equaling itself out.
But at the same time, the slowdown that we are seeing, not such a huge surprise. You know, there had been other signs that the economy is slowing. Look at GDP. The first reading of GDP, that's economic growth here in the U.S. Activity in the service sector. Both are slowing down. Those are indications of problems that definitely triple through right to the job market.
Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And any kind of reaction in the markets?
KOSIK: Oh, we are seeing a reaction. You see the Dow right now down 162 points. You know, the problem is Wall Street expected better. Expected 160,000 jobs and 115,000 missed it by a long shot, to say the least. So investors are sitting here wondering, all right, so where do we go from here. And CNN Money did a survey with some economists who predict that the unemployment rate is expected to fall to 8 percent this year. The Fed is a little more bullish, seeing the unemployment rate dipping to 7.8 to 8 percent this year. But either way you look at it, one analyst says, you know what, it's just like we're running in place. You know, some say the problem with this, even though we're running in place, is that it's not weak enough to get some help from the fed, for the fed to jump in with more stimulus. So what you see is kind of, we're stuck in this situation where you'll see some improvement, but nothing really outstanding at this point.
Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Alison Kosik, thanks so much for that.
KOSIK: Sure.
WHITFIELD: All right, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney wasted no time criticizing the president over slow economic recovery. Romney said any unemployment figure above 4 percent should not be cause for celebration. He spoke at a cement company in Pittsburgh. His event followed a private meeting with Rick Santorum, who has yet to endorse Romney.
And we've got more explosive testimony in the trial of John Edwards. Just a short time ago, his former advisor took to the stand and revealed a nasty fight that went down when he heard about Edwards' affair.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Another former aide to John Edwards recounted today in court that he warned Edwards about carrying on an extramarital affair. It was advice the former Democratic presidential contender clearly didn't want to hear. Joe Johns has the latest from the Edwards trial in Greensboro, North Carolina.
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Fred, the end of the second week of the Edwards trial here in Greensboro, North Carolina, a top advisor, Peter Scher, recounting how he asked Edwards in a 2006 meeting in New York whether he was having an affair with Rielle Hunter and warning Edwards if he was having an affair, he should not run for president. Scher said Edwards claimed he was not.
Weeks after finding out that Rielle Hunter was traveling with Edwards despite warnings, Scher recounted an angry conversation on the phone with Edwards. Scher said Edwards told him to "back off," that he did not need a baby-sitter. And, Scher said, Edwards told him to go blank himself.
Meanwhile, Bryan Huffman, an interior designer and friend of wealthy Edwards benefactor Bunny Mellon, wrapped up testimony. When asked what the 101-year-old Miss Mellon thinks about the case today, he said she doesn't condemn affairs, but thinks "you should pay for your girlfriend yourself." Huffman also said she had no idea what the money was being used for. We knew nothing about a baby or a girlfriend.
Fred, back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Joe Johns.
A huge development in the battle over a blind activist who made a dramatic escape in China. Get this, he may be coming to America for college. I'll ask my next guest what kind of message the U.S. is sending to political prisoners.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, the U.S. and China may have found a way out of an explosive diplomatic mess. An American university is offering Chen Guangcheng a fellowship here in the states, and it looks like China might actually let him travel here with his family to take it. Chen is the blind activist who escaped from house arrest and fled to the U.S. embassy in Beijing. From a hospital room he has been pleading for the U.S. to get him out of the country. I want to bring in Sharon Hom, executive director for the group Human Rights in China. So, Sharon, if Chen gets the OK to leave China, would he ever set foot back in his homeland again?
SHARON HOM, EXEC. DIR., HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA: Well, first, I think the story is still unfolding, and the question of there has been an agreement by the Chinese officially to say the MFA has said they will allow him to leave, but they said they will allow him to leave and apply for his papers according to law. And according to the Chinese passport law and according to previous precedent, it doesn't necessarily mean he will be allowed out. But that's what they've promised. So I think we need to see when he gets on the plane.
And then, secondly, whether he can return to China is going to depend on things in play right now that is very, very large and implicates the whole political crisis going on in China. The leadership transition. And whether he can return, we'll see what will happen with that, as well as the promised investigation into the massive corruption and violence in Linye (ph), his home province.
WHITFIELD: So in -- I guess in ordinary circumstances, during this kind of application process, are there usually terms involved, like we would allow you to leave China for this fellowship for a period of one year, two years, and then you must run. Is there anything like that?
HOM: Well, according to the passport law, there are conditions in which they can deny you a passport, and that is if they think you're a threat to the interests of the state, national security, like that. But we also know that there have been instances of foreign -- of Chinese nationals who have their passports, who have their visas, and they arrive at the airport, and they're not allowed to leave. So I think this is why I'm emphasizing, it really requires the international community, the U.S. government, and the NGO community and the media to really keep their eyes on this story. And until he gets on a plane safely with his family. And then keep their eyes on the safety of his family, his supporters and the much broader picture, which has become, I think, very important and made much clearer to the international community what the state of human rights are in China.
WHITFIELD: So how much of this outcome really is reliant on U.S. diplomacy and what kind of leverage U.S. diplomats feel that they have and that they can actually exercise.
HOM: Well, I think that it's clear that there was a tremendous diplomatic effort this whole week and ongoing to insure the ongoing outcome in a way that most importantly respects and carries out what Chen Guangcheng himself wants for his family.
The other piece of the story that's not widely out, and interestingly just about an hour ago posted on the Chinese -- online. Last week it was clear that Chen Guangcheng, words like embassy, Linye, blind man were all blocked from the Chinese microblock, the (INAUDIBLE). Today, pictures of Chen Guangcheng, his name, they're all back on the (INAUDIBLE).
And in terms of what is playing out, it's much more complex, because before Beijing, local papers, "The Beijing Daily," "The Beijing Times," "The Beijing News" and "The Beijing News Daily," all party controlled local Beijing papers, carried the same editorial -- or virtually the same editor -- that criticizes the U.S. official, criticizes them for using and that Chen Guangcheng was being used as a tool of U.S. government and labeled him anti-social, anti-society, and anti the system.
The more important story is the response to those Beijing editorials from the Chinese microblogs. And they are quite strong. They're saying, oh, so this official editorial is saying U.S. diplomats, you can't fool 1.3 billion people. And the microblogs are now saying, that's right. The whole story on Chen Guangcheng has not come out, and that's right. We hope that the paper remembers tomorrow, you can't fool 1.3 billion Chinese people. So there is very, very vibrant pushback on the Chinese microblogs today.
WHITFIELD: Yes. Except for the fact, Sharon, that, you know, you underscored, did the party control the country, control and the upper hand that, you know, those two elements have in this whole negotiations. And when you're involving some very senior diplomats on the U.S. and some pretty high profile names from U.S. ambassador to China, Gary Locke, to Curt Campbell (ph), to Harold Coe (ph), all who are, you know, prized foreign diplomats here, there is an awful lot at stake. Is that not the case in your view? An awful lot at stake for these U.S. diplomats and the lengths in which they can go?
HOM: There was a tremendous amount at stake on the diplomatic level for the U.S., and there's a tremendous amount at stake for the Chinese government, which is not monolithic. So, in fact, the more accurate picture is, there's a tremendous amount at stake for the diverse interests on both sides. And -- but the bottom line is, what will really insure the outcome in a way that's really going to respect the rights of not just Chen Guangcheng and his family, but all the people in China, is that protection is going to come from the efforts of Chinese people. It's really going to come from our own efforts. And it's going to come from the individuals who are courageous, like Chen Guangcheng and all the activists and supporters. But it's really going to come from inside China. That's what's going to affect the outcome of the human rights situation in China. We need the high level U.S. and foreign diplomatic support that is very important to send a message that the Chinese citizens have the support of the foreign community.
WHITFIELD: Sharon Hom, it is fascinating on so many levels. Thanks so much for your time.
HOM: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, you're about to hear from the last guy to interview Junior Seau just 36 hours before his shocking suicide.
Plus, they're the exotic animals that terrorized a town. Remember? But now they are back in the neighborhood and there is some backlash.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: The family of Junior Seau will let experts examine Seau's brain for possible signs of trauma. Seau's mother clearly still distraught at her son's suicide Wednesday. She was among those attending a vigil last evening in Oceanside, California.
A family friend now says that Seau had recently mentioned wanting his brain given over for scientific research, but other associates say the 20-year-old NFL veteran showed none of the signs of the mental decline that have stricken other players.
In fact, Seau appeared Monday at a charity golf tournament and displayed no hints of distress in this interview with a friend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whenever you're ready.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're here at hole 12 with Junior. How is the game going today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Going good. We haven't hit a birdie all day. Looking forward to that birdie. I've been here probably for 12 years. It's -- he does a great job. Great guy. Obviously, what he does for the kids and what they do nationally is very impressive.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you ask yourself --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, we'll be -- I hope all the viewers. Whatever you give yourself to -- there are a lot of kids out there that are always behind --
You know, it's fun to be in a position that we're in, for kids that look out for us and to give so much back. It's a fun time, but more importantly, it's something that -- I appreciate it, all right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Seau's death was officially ruled a suicide yesterday. It's unclear whether he left behind a note or any other explanation.
All right, some of the exotic animals that caused havoc in Ohio last fall. Remember that? Well, now they're returning to the same neighborhood. Not everyone is happy about that.
I'm going to be speaking live with the Columbus Zoo, which has been holding the animals all this time, but, first, young refugees risking everything to come to the United States often find their struggles are far from over.
They flee strife in their homeland only to face a language barrier, a cultural gap, and much more. This week's "CNN Hero," Mark Kabban, takes that struggle to the soccer field, and wins.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Living here during the war was pretty hard. The explosions, the kidnappings we wanted to come to U.S. it was like a dream, you know?
MARK KABBAN, CHAMPIONING CHILDREN: The United States has the most refugees in the world. Many are from Iraq, and they're in San Diego in large numbers. When they get here, they're learning a new language. They have to find employment. Really in a lot of ways the struggle is just beginning.
My family came from Beirut. I was 9 years old. Working as a refugee case manager, I saw a lot of kids idol, alienated. Having a normal childhood is something they really deserve. My name is Mark Kabban, and I use soccer to motivate refugee youth to succeed in the United States.
Everyone is going to be on your toes. Viola is an Arabic word that means let's go. We have 200 refugee youth in our program. These kids come from all over Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Their families have endured the same struggle. When they realize they become like brothers and sisters.
Soccer is an escape. It's confidence. It's making them feel like they belong. It's just fun. They use soccer as a hook, and then we have them in our education program. Try to get them on to college.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To find friends and they teach me how to speak English. Now it's a fun life.
KABBAN: Their families have sacrificed everything for their kids to have a better life. We can do anything to help them, it's my honor.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: This is a troubling day. For some people living near an exotic animal farm in Zanesville, Ohio. It comes six months after the owner released dozens of big game animals. Terry Thompson opened their cages, let the animals go, and then shot himself to death. We're talking lions, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, grizzly bears that stalked the area, stunning neighbors and prompting scores of calls to 911.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 911, what is your emergency?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, there's a lion on Mount Perry Road. There's a big horse barn on the right. I just drove by, and there was a panther there in the streetlights.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We one of those lions that are missing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Law officers hunted down and killed 48 of the big animals. Two more were eaten by their fellow farm mates. But five exotic creatures survived the ordeal, and they were still in their cages.
Today, they have been handed back to Thompson's widow. Jason Carroll is at the Thompson Exotic Animal Farm in Zanesville. So Jason, what kind of animals are we talking about, those five that survived?
JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're talking two primates, two leopards, and a bear. In fact, if you take a look behind me, that's the Thompson property over there, and I believe in one of those cages you might actually be able to make out one of the bears that has been returned.
This all happened just about 1:00. There have been a lot of questions, Fredricka, as to why these animals given what happened were returned to Marianne Thompson. Well, simply because the law -- what little of the law has been written in this state of Ohio is on her side.
The Columbus Zoo had kept the animals for about six months, the five animals that survived the ordeal. They were under quarantine. Now that that medical quarantine was over, zoo officials have no choice, but to return the animals to Marianne Thompson, who wanted them back.
When you look at some of the video of the reunion there, you can see Marianne Thompson actually hugging one of the black leopards, which does show that she does have as many people say out here a relationship with the animals.
But also there's a number of -- there's a bit of concern, Fredricka, from the folks who live in this rural community about these animals coming back to this particular area.
I spoke to the sheriff's department about it. What he thought about Marianne Thompson having these animals back at this particular time. Listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF MATT LUTZ, MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO: I know how devastated she was when we had to do what we did back in October, and if there is anybody here that she doesn't want anything to happen to those animals. She really cares about those animals. So I'm sure she's going to go above and beyond to make sure those animals are safe and secure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: Fredricka, it turns out that the state of Ohio is one of eight states that has one of the basically one of the least restricted laws on the books with regards to owning exotic animals. Other states like Ohio, including Idaho, Nevada, Wisconsin, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama as well.
So zoo officials, the sheriff's department, the Humane Society, Department of Agriculture all of these entities concerned about what's hamming with these animals, but there was no choice to return hem it to the woman who loves them, Marianne Thompson -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Jason Carroll, thanks so much. Appreciate that.
Well, joining me right now Tom Stalf, chief operating officer of the Columbus Zoo where the animals had been kept until today. So is that the case, what Jason just said that there really was no choice? These five animals had to be returned to the owner.
TOM STALF, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, COLUMBUS ZOO: Unfortunately, that is correct. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium acted as a resource for the state, and when the state enacted a quarantine order, they were placed in separate areas so our veterinarians and the state veterinarian could keep an eye on them.
WHITFIELD: What kind of condition are they in?
STALF: Now that the state -- they left the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in perfect condition, and now returned to Marianne Thompson's farm.
WHITFIELD: So what kind of concerns do you have now?
STALF: There are many concerns. I was there on October 19th, and I saw the horrible conditions. This is no place for any animal, let alone any type of restricted species or dangerous wild animal. In addition, the leopards are a breeding pair.
While they were at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, they were separated for quarantine and now if they place together, we're going to have more leopards, and I don't believe Marianne Thompson can care for the animals.
And I'm afraid that there's not going to be proper animal care and also not a safe place if you are in that neighborhood.
WHITFIELD: Is it the issue of, in your view, a lack of knowledge of how to handle this kind of big game or is it money, because didn't that suicide come in large part because of money problems?
STALF: Well, there were many speculations on what happened with Terry Thompson, and we hear how much the Thompson family loves the animals.
And I can tell you that going into the home and seeing the primates in small bird cages and the filthy conditions, it clearly didn't look like love to me.
It looks like there definitely needs to be some education on the proper care and husbandry for the animals and making sure that they have enriched lives, and a safe place in Zanesville.
WHITFIELD: All right, Tom Stalf, thanks so much for your time. Appreciate it.
All right, less than 24 hours from now, President Barack Obama and the first lady make a pretty big move in this re-election campaign. It comes as new polls show that he is neck and neck with Mitt Romney in a couple of key states.
Plus, you are about to see part of my interview with Chuck, the pianist for the "Rolling Stones," the "Almond Brothers," the list goes on. Even recently, John Mayer, don't miss it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, President Barack Obama's campaign to stay in the White House is about to officially begin. The president's re- election bid starts in earnest tomorrow's as he holds a series of campaign events at college campuses.
He will be trying to shore up the youth vote that helped propel him into office four year ago. The jobs and the economy remain issues, number one. The president spoke about today's jobs report. He restated that the economic recovery still has a long way to go.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: There's still a lot of folks out of work, which means that we have to do more. If we're going to recover all the jobs that were lost during the recession and if we're going to build a secure economy that strengthen the middle class, then we'll have to do more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Let's bring in Jessica Yellin in Columbus, Ohio. So, Jessica, it's May 4th. Six months away from the Election Day. What is the Obama camp going to be doing while in full campaign mode?
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Well, first tomorrow they're kicking off the campaign with two rallies. First here in Columbus, Ohio then going to Richmond, Virginia.
Both rallies on college campuses where they can know they can draw crowds. Crowds that will look somewhat similar to those audiences we remember seeing from 2008, and they know that they will be able to get some turnout.
Both events will hear him talk about the themes we've seen in some of his recent video ads touting the accomplishments that they target to their key demographics.
For example, here in Ohio the auto bailout is a particular message for them because one in eight workers is tied to manufacturing so you'll hear him probably emphasize that tomorrow, but you'll also see some of their new digital media strategies.
And that will be something to watch throughout the campaign. You know, in Ohio he had been -- the president ahead of Mitt Romney, but recent polling shows him in a statistical dead heat with Romney actually now ahead of the president on the question of who is better able to handle the economy for you.
So the president has some ground to make up there, and the campaign hopes to do it in part through their organizational power on the ground. They have 18 field offices here, and they are a real presence in this state, so we're going to see them in full force here in Ohio -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Jessica, what has been the Romney camp reaction today?
YELLIN: Well, you know, they've unveiled this new theme. They say the president's message back in 2008 was hope and change. Now it's hype and blame. Romney came out with an op-ed asking where is the -- where are the jobs? Then Romney was in Pittsburgh and had this to say about the new jobs numbers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The reason it dropped from 8.2 to 8.1 was not because it created a lot of jobs. As a matter of fact only 115,000 net new jobs were created. That was well beneath what it was expected to be.
It should have been in the hundreds of thousands, but it wasn't. The reason the rate came down was because about 340,000 people dropped out of the work force. So many became discouraged they stopped looking for work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
YELLIN: So I think what you are going to see in broad strokes is the Romney campaign focussing very heavily on jobs and the economy as their national message, and the Obama campaign increasingly targeting specific messages to specific groups across states.
Of course, focussing on the economy too, but trying to target even more than the Romney campaign -- whereas the Romney campaign is focussing on this jobs and economy message much more heavily.
WHITFIELD: All right, Jessica Yellin, thanks so much in Columbus, Ohio. We'll see you throughout Ohio throughout the weekend. Appreciate it.
YELLIN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right, the city of New Orleans, well, it's enjoying a huge economic boost now in its second and final weekend of what's known worldwide as Jazz Fest. At the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival featured artists today and over the next couple of days, including Jimmy Buffett, Florence and the Machine, Neo and Marcia Ball just to name a few.
Al Green caught up with him last weekend and some other musicians with a message like keyboardist Chuck Leavell of "Almond Brothers" and the "Rolling Stones" fame. He is out with a new book on what he calls the invisible forest health crisis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So you are as well known a conservationist as you are musician. Played with Eric Clapton, "Rolling Stones," "Almond Brothers, well, what is it about being so connected to the environment and making that commitment to your tree farm and wildlife? How did that come to be?
CHUCK LEAVELL, KEYBOARDIST: Well, you know, the first connection people ask me about. What in the world it seems like a dichotomy, but the very first connection is the fact that that marvelous instrument called a piano that's given me my career and livelihood comes from, what, resource of wood.
And so there's a direct connection in that way. But deeper than that my wife's family has been connected to the land for generations as farmers and attending forest lands and cattle and just being good stewards of the land. That began to rub off on me a long time ago, and eventually we acquired our own tree farm and we've been managing that now for 30 years.
WHITFIELD: And that's in Macon, Georgia.
LEAVELL: A little south of Macon, yes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, Chuck Leavell there so watch more of my face-to-face interviews this weekend starting tomorrow at noon Eastern with legend Al Green and the young man who is now being called the Louie Armstrong of the future. I'm talking about New Orleans' own Trombone Shorty. That's tomorrow starting noon Eastern.
A manhunt is underway for a man who tried to kidnap two women and stuff them in his car. Their stories of escape are incredible. I'm about to speak live with one of the victims.
Plus, a college student is in hot water after he transformed his dorm room into a technology paradise. You'll hear from him next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Trending today, a dorm room on the UC Berkeley campus that's so tricked out it includes voice-activated controls, a disco ball, and a button that when pushed turns the entire dorm room into a nightclub. It's the enterprising work of an engineering student, but as CNN's Dan Simon reports this little engineering project has landed the student in some campus trouble.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just wanted to do this, and learned how to do it.
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Derek Low is a freshman at UC Berkeley. He is majoring in electrical engineering, and he has made his college dorm room his laboratory. It's a technology wonderland, automated curtains, motion sensors, and voice commands.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So I can be in my bed, and I shout out sleep mode.
SIMON: Are just a few of the features Derek spent three months creating. When he uploaded this video to YouTube, Derek unofficially became recognized as having the coolest dorm room on the planet.
(on camera): What's your favorite thing about it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Party mode, of course.
SIMON (voice-over): Derek showed us his party mode, spinning disco ball, lasers, strobe lights, and techno music all controlled from his laptop. Here it is in all its glory.
As you can imagine, it's attracted some campus attention. Berkeley Housing Authorities were concerned about electrical wiring modifications, but found no issues. Nonetheless, Derek says he has been summoned to a campus hearing anyway to explain things.
DEREK LOW, UC BERKELEY STUDENT: They said I had violations of residential policies. I broke a few rules and modified -- my room is a fire hazard. I'm disturbing my neighbors. Look around. Everything is fine. No one is complaining.
SIMON: As Derek shows us, he used tape and binder clips to put the equipment in place and didn't drill any holes. The whole system, he says, can be dismantled in a few minutes.
(on camera): His name is Derek, but there's a sign on the door that says Brad. That's not anybody's name who lives here. It stands for Berkeley Ridiculously Automated Dorm.
(voice-over): Derek also bought a fog machine for the room, but hasn't used it in fear it will set off the fire alarm. With only 10 days left of school and students now studying for exams that's probably a good call.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, so Dan Simon joins us now from San Francisco. So what's the likely outcome, Dan?
SIMON: The likely outcome, Fred, is that Derek Low will probably be a billionaire and we'll be seeing a movie about his life someday. In all seriousness, you know, this was all in good fun.
The university was concerned that there might be a safety issue here, so they wanted to inspect things. He does have this hearing later this afternoon, but I got an e-mail from Berkeley Public Relations, and they like the story I did, so it's all good.
WHITFIELD: Really?
SIMON: Back to you.
WHITFIELD: Is he that lucky, and you helped get him off the hook I guess then?
SIMON: I'll take the credit.
WHITFIELD: OK. I'm sure he is very happy. Dan Simon, thanks so much from the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge there in San Francisco.
