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Jane Velez-Mitchell
Jackson Family Drama
Aired July 27, 2012 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HLN HOST: The Jackson family drama continues to escalate.
A week after disappearing Michael Jackson`s mother steps in to take control of his estate. What will happen to Michael Jackson`s children? And why is Dr. Conrad Murray, remember him? Suddenly getting involved, next.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VELEZ-MITCHELL (voice-over): Tonight, you won`t believe who`s said to be getting involved now in the Jackson family war.
Remember this man? Reports claim that Dr. Conrad Murray now wants Katherine Jackson to come visit him behind bars. This is the very guy who was convicted in the death of her superstar son. We`ll analyze this.
Plus, the desperate search for two missing Iowa girls takes a dramatic turn. Little missing Lyric`s dad hauled into court today on unrelated drug and domestic abuse charges. Cops insist the girls are still alive as they plead for a mystery paddle boater to come forward.
Stunning new voice mails revealed by victim number two. His lawyer says this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just calling to see I didn`t know whether you had any interest in going to the Penn State game this Saturday.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Is the voice of convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky saying I love you and claims this is just a sample of numerous voicemails left by the now disgraced former football legend. You won`t believe when the victim says these messages were left and why he thinks this was another attempt to exert control.
Then outrage as police say one of their own, a Florida cop, is caught on his own dash cam video allegedly picking up a prostitute. What was he thinking? We`ll show you the stunning video tonight.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Jackson`s mother, Katherine Jackson, is finally home.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Looks like it`s going to be co-guardianship between Katherine Jackson and TJ Jackson.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Conrad Murray wants Michael Jackson`s mom to visit him in jail.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was rumored that she had been kidnapped by her children.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here`s what she told ABC news regarding where she`s been.
KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S MOTHER: I was still thinking about the children and I still worry about them, but they`re fine.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unequivocally this looks like a hostage video.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was a tweet from Michael Jackson`s son accusing the family of lying.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is going on in the Jackson family?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is going on with the Jackson family?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What the heck is going on here?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Indeed what`s going on? Late-breaking news tonight in the Jackson family war. Has a peace treaty been reached in the battle of control over Michael Jackson`s three kids? Heirs to a fortune that could ultimately be worth billions.
Late this afternoon after a lot of huddling with lawyers a deal to split the guardianship between 82-year-old Katherine Jackson and TJ Jackson, a 34-year-old cousin the kids reportedly love and view as a father figure.
Michael Jackson`s oldest son, 15-year-old prince, was involved in crafting the deal over who`s going to be guardian of him and his two siblings. And that`s now going to be put before a judge. But should a judge approve this? Remember, the kids claim grandma Katherine suddenly disappeared on them for days that they couldn`t even talk to her.
Paris tweeted, where`s my grandma? Then, Katherine shows up at an Arizona spa flanked by the very adult children, Janet, Jermaine, and Rebbie who are challenging Michael Jackson`s will that leaves them out and put Michael`s kids in.
Surrounded by the will challengers, Katherine delivered a bizarre scripted statement. What this from ABC.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACKSON: The Rumors going around about me that I`ve been kidnapped and held against my will. I`m here today to let everybody know that I`m fine and I`m here with my children. And my children would never do a thing like that, holding me against my will is very stupid for people to think that.
(end video clip)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Remember that odd statement was made just a couple of days after Janet was spotted on surveillance camera in a confrontation with 14-year-old Paris where Janet seems to be trying to grab Paris` cell phone after Paris sent out tweets to her more than 500,000 fans complaining about grandma`s absence.
The judge also pointed to third parties when he removed Katherine as the kids` guardian last week. Now, this new deal would have cousin TJ running the kids day-to-day lives, but grandma Katherine would still control the allowance that comes with taking care of the kids, which is $70,000 every month. So who won in this deal? And should this deal be OK by the judge? Or should he ask, is Katherine really in control of her own decision?
We are going to get the very latest from Alan Duke, our CNN entertainment wire editor who`s been all over the story. But first, I want to debate whether this is a good or bad idea?
Straight to Jen Heger, assistant managing editor of radar online. Jen, read the tea leaves, is this a good deal?
JEN HEGER, ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR, RADAR ONLINE: I think this is the best possible deal for everyone involved. First of all, Michael Jackson`s children, that`s what we need to remember here, is that this is what they want. Their interests need to be looked out for.
It`s also very good for the kids because in case something like this were to ever happen again, if Katherine were to be out of touch for several days or heaven forbid she is getting older, she suffers some sort of medical mishap, then automatically TJ is in place already. So, there will be no lapse in guardianship for these children.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, yes, yes. But, Jen, Jen, Jen -- I`ve got to jump in. And I`ve got to ask Rob Shuter. If Katherine could be controlled once, couldn`t she be controlled again? And since she`s got the purse strings, the $70,000 a month, how is this, a win for the kids?
ROB SHUTTER, COLUMNIST: It`s a very, very good question. Very good point here. What you`ve got to remember is the power now has been diffused 50/50 into two people`s hands. So, it`s a better deal than what we had before because no longer is one person 100 percent in control. However, it is not the best deal. I would argue to give TJ the 100 percent power and let Katherine be grandma.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Roland.
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN ANALYST: Well, first of all, I think we`re leaving out an important point. Michael Jackson mentioned Diana Ross in the will. What is her relationship here? There were two people he talked about, Katherine and Diana Ross. And so, what`s going on there?
I do think it makes sense absolutely, Jane, 82-year-old Katherine Jackson, you`ve got to have some support. People forget this is -- these are very young children. They`re teenagers. It`s very difficult for a grandmother, 82-years-old, trying to keep up and control kids this age. She of course needs some help. He`s in his early 30s. He has a family. It makes perfect sense. You`ve got to have some kind of continuity when it comes to raising children like this.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, reaction has been all over the place in Hollywood. And Roland, I want to get your take on this as well.
Watch what singing legend Gladys Knight had to say on the talk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GLADYS KNIGHT, PERFORMER: Paris is 14?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
KNIGHT: How old is Janet, you know? Who`s the one to try to direct the other one here? But if she called me that, she wouldn`t have no teeth.
(LAUGHTER)
KNIGHT: That`s the way we were brought up. You know what I mean? You respect your elders.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Of course Gladys Knight is music royalty, a Motown legend from Gladys Knight and the pips. One of my favorite of all time. But Gladys seems to be referring, Roland Martin, to this confrontation between Paris and Janet.
MARTIN: Hey, Jane --
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s so -- what`s her point?
MARTIN: Her point is this here. When you are a teenager and you have an aunt, you do respect your elders. Let me be clear. I have nine nieces and four nephews ranging in age from 4 years old all the way to 15. I don`t take any mess off of them. And they have mothers and fathers. And so when they`re in my company, you`re not going to disrespect me. You`re not going to ignore me. And so, Gladys is absolutely right.
And so people need to understand, forget all this stuff about she`s not the official guardian. You get out of line, you`re going to get checked. My nieces and nephews know act a fool, uncle Ro-Ro will have a problem with you and your attitude.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Uncle Ro-Ro, I like that. But don`t forget this is about big money. The Jackson are in a dispute about Michael Jackson`s will worth millions, like Marilyn Monroe when Elvis, there was only one Michael Jackson. Let`s remind ourselves, beat it, from Sony records.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: OK. Here he is from Sony records, thriller. His music is being played like crazy these days. Every time I go dancing, and believe I do go dancing, it helps me stay sober, I hear his music. There`s deals being made left and right. Shows in his honor. A huge fortune.
Listen, Rob Shuter, naughty but nice, Huff pub, the timeline to me is suspicious. Michael`s children, the heirs to that fortune can`t reach their grandma. And then during that time the siblings, Janet, Jermaine, Randy, Rebbie, challenge the will. Isn`t this about money?
SHUTER: It would seem that way. I can`t think of another explanation. I`ve called many, many people who know the Jacksons. Many of them are even friends with Janet. And they`re not giving me an answer of why Janet, why the Jacksons are doing this if it`s not about money.
And, remember, Katherine will be able to leave what she makes from Michael to whoever she wants. So even if they will never be able to get anything from the children, maybe they`re after Katherine`s share.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: All right. More on the other side.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LATOYA JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S SISTER: Yes, I absolutely do believe he was murdered. I truly believe it was a conspiracy. Michael told me what was going to happen. He told me they were after his catalog and they will kill him to get it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, the irony is Latoya who was so outspoken during the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, we`ll get to him in a second, she`s one of the few here in the family who`s staying away from this. And I hear she`s sort of saying, you know, stop.
Alan Duke, CNN wire entertainment editor, let`s clarify the money. Because for somebody to say whoever controls the kids, controls the money, Katherine, what is her stake in the fortune? And how much control do her adult siblings who are left out of the will have over her to get any kind of money?
ALAN DUKE, CNN WIRE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: She gets 20 percent with her passing then is divided among the three surviving Michael Jackson children. So there`s really nothing for her sons and daughters directly. The aunts and uncles, to get. And as far as with respect to uncle Ro-Ro, some would question is it miss Jackson acting a fool and like a 14-year-old and not Paris by stalking her as she was coming home from school and chasing her down with a cell phone with a video camera rolling. I saw the whole videotape on the security camera and that`s what I saw.
MARTIN: We saw one thing, but we didn`t hear anything. So we can`t make a conclusion based upon what we didn`t hear.
DUKE: Well, I`ve talked to people who were there. I talked to people who were there. And they`re telling me what was said and what happened.
MARTIN: OK. What was said?
DUKE: A conversation that Paris had with Janet on Wednesday. I knew about this when it happened Wednesday.
MARTIN: OK.
DUKE: Sat on it until the police report that I could report on. There was a very bad argument between Janet and Paris on Wednesday. Janet -- Paris wanted to call the FBI against Janet for kidnapping. So there`s already this tension going on because Janet wouldn`t even let her know where her grandmother is.
And I also know Janet wasn`t even telling her own sister Latoya where she was. As for Latoya, she was in the dark crying, and frustrated and very sad because she didn`t know her own mother was OK.
MARTIN: Well, I also talked to Marlon Jackson and Randy actually gave him the wrong location of where the mother was. And so, he even told me that. Randy is tweeting like crazy trying to put the truth out. And not even challenge him to say, look, man your own brother says you said a different location.
At the end of the day what you`re dealing with here is no doubt significant family drama. But, again, what we also do not know is, what is the state of these kids` will? That`s what I think for the judge to appoint a second guardian, someone who they have bonded with, makes sense because, again, an elderly grandmother it is difficult to still be able to control teenage kids even if they`re Michael Jackson`s children.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, we got a segue to this next bombshell. I use that word sparingly. But this one I think qualifies.
You will not believe who is getting involved with this drama now. The imprisoned doctor who is convicted of giving Michael Jackson the killer dose of propofol that led to his death. Dr. Conrad Murray found guilty of involuntary manslaughter is in jail as we speak, you remember him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOCTOR CONRAD MURRAY, CONVICTED IN MICHAEL JACKSON`S DEATH: Don`t worry. As long as I keep god in my heart and you in my life, I will be fine. I have done all I could do. I told the truth. And I have faith the truth will prevail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now, Dr. Murray has invited 82-year-old matriarch Katherine Jackson to visit him in jail. He says it will be a comfort to her noting that she looks sad when she read her statement.
Jen Heger, my head`s going to explode.
HEGER: Yes. I think mine just exploded with yours, Jane. I mean, for Dr. Murray to take this opportunity to exploit Katherine Jackson and that`s clearly what this is, you know, he had over three years to talk to Katherine before he got convicted. He never did.
Remember on the day that Michael Jackson was taken to the UCLA Medical Center, Katherine tried to ask Dr. Murray questions and he bailed from the medical center. That came out in the testimony.
So for Dr. Murray to be trying to exploit Katherine Jackson in this way and get himself back in the press in a positive way is just absolutely despicable.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Rob Shuter, is this the end of this family drama? Are we going to see other episodes?
SHUTER: No. This is not the end at all. They don`t know how to live without drama. I think Dr. Murray is a really good example of the people around the Jacksons or were around them. They all like attention. The Jacksons like attention. There`s a lot of Jacksons who all speak individually. We haven`t heard the end.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you fantastic panel especially Alan Duke, you`ve done such a great job talking to everybody uncovering all this info.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We believe these girls are alive. And we are not discouraged by the passage of time since their disappearance.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s just baffling to try to figure out the pieces to the puzzle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mother of one of the two girls missing in Iowa says she has passed a lie detector test.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s sad, you know, that they`re not found yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Breaking news tonight.
According to our three affiliates in Iowa, an uncle of missing Iowa girls, Elizabeth and Lyric, suffered a drug overdose last night. He is in stable condition reportedly.
Now, little Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook went missing two weeks ago. The FBI believe they are still alive. We certainly hope so. There are no named suspects. We do know however drugs were part of the family`s history.
Lyric`s parents, Dan and Misty, both have drug convictions on their records. Dan was in court today to set a court date for drug and abuse charges. Misty`s sister told us about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAMMY BROUSSE (PH), AUNT OF THE TWO MISSING GIRLS: They`ve been separated some time because of the meth use. You know, Dan had a real issue with it. Misty wanted no part of it in her life anymore.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Despite their troubles with the law, Lyric`s parents say they have been open about their past. And it should not affect the investigation. They`ve had nothing, they say, to do with the children`s disappearance. And they`re devastated.
Now, you remember this case, little Haley Cummings. She disappeared three years ago and has never been found. Her dad, Ron and his girlfriend at the time are both serving prison sentences for drug-related offenses. Drugs played a major role in that investigation as well.
So we`re joined now by the attorney for the missing child`s mother, Haleigh`s mother, Crystal Sheffield.
Do you see any parallels between these two cases?
KIM PICAZIO, FORMER ATTORNEY FOR HALEIGH CUMMING`S MOTHER: Sure. We`ve got another group of parents that are dealing drugs, using drugs, ending up in prison. And who`s watching the children? This is just another case where we`re saying the children didn`t have a chance.
So unfortunately, there`s a lot of parallels with regards to the drug use prior criminal history, et cetera. And, you know, when you`re dealing with parents that engage in sex, drugs, rock and roll and that`s the environment children grow up in, then you`re going to see tragedies like this happen.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I want to say that we`ve talked to all the families involved in this. And I`ve talked to Lyric`s parents, Misty and Dan. And they seem to me like they`re very caring. And they are not considered suspects. And the parents say they`ve been open with investigators and that now they`re being treated unfairly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MISTY COOK-MICRRISSEY, MISSING GIRL`S MOTHER: We were woke up in the middle of the night after we`d fallen asleep after the sixth night by the DCI. We were put into rooms and we were for three hours accused of taking our children. Told that we did it. That we need to tell them where the children are at. And it was a pretty intense coercion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Kim Picazio, can they get tunnel vision in they want to talk to a mystery boater near the lake where the children disappeared, but these parents, they`ve been very forthcoming. Everybody has a past.
PICAZIO: Yes, well, I don`t have a past like that. I don`t think you do either with multiple drug arrests. The mother herself had served time in a federal penitentiary. There are multiple drug arrests for both parties. The father was about to plea out on several drug deals and manufacturing of meth.
So, those aren`t the pasts that most of us have with children thank God. And with regard to the boater, they are still looking for that person. They`d like that person to come forward. We`re just dealing with some --
VELEZ-MITCHELL: We have to leave it right there, Kim. But I want to say that the family has invited -- they`ve talked to us, they`ve been very forthcoming and we want to help find the kids. So, we would like them to come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is he guilty?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was just calling to see if you had any interest in going to the Penn State game this Saturday.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jerry, what do you have to say about the verdict?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have anything to say to the victims?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From day one they believed these victims.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You could feel the emotion. There was no doubt about it that they were telling the truth.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would be very firm and express my feelings up front. But it hurts nothing really to hide --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I looked at him in the verdict I could see tears down his eyes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And when the council read she sobbed in silence and his eyes just filled with tears.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Concealing or attempts to minimize this crime is unacceptable.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ll talk to you later. Thanks, love you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight ,the young man who says he is Jerry Sandusky`s mystery shower victim comes forward. He claims he is victim number 2. That`s the very boy Sandusky was caught sexual assaulting in the Penn State showers in 2001.
The attack a turning point in this molestation saga because coaching staffer Mike McQueary says he walked in on the very disturbing scene. The victim`s always remained anonymous but his attorneys have released two voice mails they say Jerry Sandusky left for the victim just last fall less than two months before Sandusky was arrested on assumed child abuse charges. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m probably not going to be able to get a hold of anybody. Probably ought to just go forward. I would be very firm and express my feelings up front. But, you know, there`s nothing really to hide so. If you want, give me a call. Or call me on my other cell phone or this one, either one. All right. Take care. Love you. Hope you get this message. Thanks.
(end video clip)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: "Love you."
Well, HLN cannot independently confirm that is Jerry Sandusky`s voice. But Victim Number 2`s attorneys say they have many more voice mails that clearly show Sandusky`s predatory behavior. The shower assault -- one of dozens of charges Sandusky was convicted of last month. Victim Number 2 has not been heard from until now. So how will these voice mails factor in to Victim Number 2`s planned lawsuit against Penn State?
Here`s CNN contributor Sara Ganim.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARA GANIM, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: What the attorneys for this man say is that it shows that Jerry Sandusky was still exerting some kind of power over the people that he abused. When I think this man has to prove now is that he was after the boy. And if this evidence -- you know, his attorneys believe this evidence gets him one step closer to that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: What does this young man have to do to prove he was the boy in the shower and will Penn State be able to fend off pending litigation from Sandusky`s victims?
Straight out to Jean Casarez; you`ve covered this gut-wrenching trial. The attorneys and his victim say these voice mails are an attempt to control and manipulate on the eve of a monumental criminal case. Explain their argument.
JEAN CASAREZ, CORRESPONDENT, "IN SESSION": Well, what I`m shocked about is that there weren`t some charges of tampering with witnesses because if this is Victim Number 2, he came forward. Both sides knew who he was. It was no secret. But as man after man took all the strength and courage in the world to get in that courtroom and to testify against Jerry Sandusky, everybody was left wondering if Victim 2, is he alive, is he dead, where is he?
And even the credibility of Mike McQueary was questioned because there was no Victim Number 2. And now there suddenly is. And, yes, I think these can go forward. There could be more charges against Jerry Sandusky and Victim 2 because his attorneys are saying there were acts before 2001 and after 2001. Those could be prosecuted.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Unbelievable. Let`s listen to a second e-mail from that attorney for Victim Number 2. They say anyway this is Sandusky, Jerry Sandusky from last September just before he was arrested.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANDUSKY: I was just calling to see, I didn`t know whether you had any interest in going to the Penn State game this Saturday. If you could get back to me and let me know, I`d appreciate it. And when you get this message, give me a call.
And I hope to talk to you later. Thanks. I love you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Again, we can`t independently confirm that`s Sandusky, but if it is, Robyn Walensky, that "I love you" is so creepy.
ROBYN WALENSKY, AUTHOR: Jane, it shows how sick Sandusky is. When I hear that I get the chills. It shows that this guy is so sick, so warped and he is up to his old tricks pursuing boys up until the bitter end.
Apparently when these two calls in September were made of 2011, he was like two months -- less than two months from being arrested. He`s still pursuing the boys to go out with him to a game and then the "I love you"? That is so sick, Jane. I can`t take it.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, let`s go back and listen to something that got a lot of news at the time. Listen to this from Rock Center.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you a pedophile?
SANDUSKY: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you sexually attracted to young boys -- to underage boys?
SANDUSKY: Am I sexually attracted to underage boys?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
SANDUSKY: Sexually attracted, I enjoy young people. I love to be around them. But, no, I`m not sexually attracted to young boys.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Unbelievable answer that just had jaws dropping. Brian Claypool, criminal defense attorney and Penn State university graduate; the sad part now, how big a hurdle will it be for Victim Number 2 to prove that he was indeed the boy in the shower who was spotted by Mike McQueary?
BRIAN CLAYPOOL, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, Jane, I think the bigger issue now is that there should be an investigation of the district attorney`s office and also the state prosecutor. My question is this, how do you allow this monster -- he`s like a junkie looking for his last heroin fix before he`s put away.
These authorities knew about Sandusky in 1998, two boys reported him abusing him. They had a psychologist in 1998 who said he fits the pattern of a child predator. They had audiotape, Jane, of Sandusky in 1998 saying the same things now that he did back in 1998. They didn`t prosecute Sandusky then.
Fast forward to 2001. Then you have the incident in the shower. They don`t prosecute Sandusky. Then you have grand jury testimony by McQueary, December 2010. Eleven months go by after McQueary testifies in front of a grand jury and law enforcement allowed him to troll around and calling this young man, want to get taken to a Penn State game.
Nobody`s stopping him from going to the Penn State game and abusing another kid? There needs to be an investigation of law enforcement here. How did they let this happen?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, Robyn Walensky, any thoughts on how this young man is going to prove that he is Victim Number 2?
WALENSKY: You know what; I think it`s going to be very easy to prove, Jane. First of all, you can have the FBI do a comparison analysis of the voice. Clearly you could go back and look at the phone records. It`s not that long ago. And also McQueary states very clearly at the trial that he looked into both people`s eyes.
And I think that people`s eyes don`t change, Jane. If he saw the eyes of this little boy being abused in the shower, it`s a scene that he`s probably never going to forget for the rest of his life. And I think that there`s just going to be enough corroboration here that they`ll be able to prove it that it`s really him.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A wild story up next. Thank you fantastic panel. Stay right there. You won`t believe it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A shocking discovery at a police car`s dash cam. We`re going to have the story next. Cops say another cop was picking up prostitutes on the job and that his own dash cam camera caught the action on tape. But that wasn`t the only camera trained on this officer. It`s an unbelievable story. We`ll bring it to you next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, police say Otero was driving his patrol car to pick up prostitutes. He didn`t know that other officers were watching him from unmarked cars. Nor did he know that his own dash camera was gathering evidence. Investigators interviewed four prostitutes who admitted having sex with Otero on the job -- his job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A Melbourne, Florida police officer has been done-in by his own dash cam. His fellow officers say yes, Officer Jose Otero has been fired and faces criminal charges for allegedly picking up prostitutes in his patrol car. And it was all caught on tape.
Police officials say the officer picked up this woman -- sometimes the footage is grainy but watch it carefully -- a prostitute and drove away with her. Investigators followed the officer shooting their own video. Look at this. The surveillance video shows the woman leaving the car and Officer Otero getting out without his shirt on. Ok.
Police chief of the area wanted to hear this officer`s side of the story but then the cop never showed up for the meeting. Otero has since been fired and faces misdemeanor charges of purchasing the services of prostitutes.
Straight out to Robyn Walensky, anchor/reporter, "The Blaze", you`ve covered so many stories, does this shock you?
WALENSKY: What shocks me is the arrogance that he thought that he was going to get away with it; but, Jane, what an idiot. What a fool. I mean, really? You`re a police officer in uniform in your cop car picking up prostitutes, doing your business, getting out. Your car`s being tracked. Obviously he told or she told and the cops were onto him. And so another cop car is filming him.
So he was caught literally I want to say he was caught with his pants down, but he was caught with his shirt off. I mean, it`s ridiculous. It`s absurd. And really, Jane, this is really all about arrogance.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, yes. It is about arrogance because police officers have power. They carry guns. They have the power to order us out of our cars. And they have the power to put us in their cars. So that`s why it is such a violation.
Now, Officer Otero, former Officer Otero, now faces several misdemeanor counts of engaging a prostitute all while in uniform and in police car. Attorney Michael Brass was representing him and said his client was innocent but that attorney told Florida today he believes the suspected prostitutes involved are trying to get their own cases thrown out.
Meanwhile that lawyer`s no longer representing this cop and his office would not say why.
Areva Martin, attorney out of Los Angeles, couldn`t this cop argue, hey, these weren`t prostitutes. These were women that I met. And I was -- I mean I`m trying to think creatively. Is there a way out of this jam for this cop?
AREVA MARTIN, ATTORNEY: I think, Jane, there`s not a snowball`s chance, you know, in hell that this guy`s going to get off on these charges. It`s really galling to see that someone who`s hired to protect the law and to promote the law is indeed violating the law.
And I want to commend the woman because the story tells us that one of the prostitutes came forward to report this guy. So in addition to the cameras there was actually a woman that came forward to talk about the story.
So think about the courage that she had to have knowing that she`s engaged in conduct that could cause her to be prosecuted and incarcerated as well. But yet she came forward to talk about how he was intimidating and taking advantage of women who are prostitutes in this community.
So I think some focus needs to be on her and what it says about, you know, women engaged in this kind of conduct. You know, illegal absolutely -- but I think an important lesson here.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Funny you should mention that, Areva; on the other side of the break we`re going to talk to Jody "Babydol" Gibson, editor-in- chief, author of "Secrets of a Hollywood Super Madam".
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VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tonight a special pet of the day. Viewer Cindy sent us this video of her great grandson Josh and her two Great Danes. Both of Josh`s parents served overseas and today is Josh`s birthday. Happy birthday Josh.
Send your pet videos to me at HLNtv.com/Jane.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Officer Otero did not show up to that meeting to present any information.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A cop fired after failing to explain himself. Authorities say he had sex with four prostitutes -- four prostitutes said they had sex with this officer while he was on the job.
Jody "Babydol" Gibson, author of "Secrets of a Hollywood Super Madam". You`re a former Hollywood madam; does this surprise you? On duty?
JODY "BABYDOL" GIBSON, AUTHOR OF "SECRETS OF A HOLLYWOOD SUPER MADAM" (via telephone): Not at all, Jane. Let me tell you where it gets tricky. I`ve mentioned to you before about how men that work within the law seem to feel that they`re above the law. Where it gets tricky -- and I`ll give you an example -- like in my prosecution, the head investigating officer, we had testimony from the girl. He paid her, he had sex with her. He did not arrest her until two months later. When we approached -- when my defense team broached this and brought it to the attention of his superiors, we were told it was all in pursuit of the case.
That`s where it gets tricky. That`s where it gets trick.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, he might have a defense saying he was trying to investigate some prostitution team.
GIBSON: Exactly.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You remember the case of suspected madam, Ana Gristina. She was the soccer mom madam in Manhattan from earlier this year, arrested and held on $2 million bail back in February. She was reportedly heard on wiretaps bragging of her connections to law enforcement.
And Areva Martin, according to the "New York Daily News", her bodyguard was a retired NYPD cop. Is that right? Should there be laws against that?
MARTIN: You know Jane, I think what`s going to happen is these cops count on these prostitutes not being credible witnesses. So if you prey on prostitutes they`re such a vulnerable population to begin with. So this is the witness that`s going to come into trial to testify about you, but they`re breaking the law themselves. So you couldn`t pick a more vulnerable population to prey on them prostitutes.
So I think that`s why we see so many of these cases where the police themselves are actually engaged in this illegal conduct with these women.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: But I`m wondering if there`s no audio here, there is a phenomenon -- I`m sorry to say that I`m aware of it, not personally mind you -- called "badge bunnies", women who are attracted to men in uniform, Robyn Walensky.
Is there any way he could argue that this was just a consensual thing and that it`s not a crime; it was just maybe a dereliction of duty?
WALENSKY: Well, if that was the case Jane and he was working, you know, some sort of undercover sting operation, then why is he a no-show to the hearing? Go down to the court, plead your case and tell everybody what you were really up to. His absence makes him look extremely guilty.
There are plenty of amazing, wonderful cops in this country; he`s not one of them. He`s a bad apple and it`s a good thing that he was fired because you don`t want that on the street protecting you.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, and you know what; it`s a dash cam video, dude, you`re a cop, you should know that.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB BARKER, ANIMAL ACTIVIST: Bob Barker here on behalf of Mercy for Animals, with an important consumer warning about the pork sold at Wal-Mart stores.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: If those pigs were dogs, would there be animal cruelty charges for keeping them in those crates?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Without any question.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Growing outrage and controversy tonight and I have to warn you, the video you`re about to see is very disturbing but you should bear witness. As a consumer, you need to know what`s going on.
More and more pork suppliers turning away from pig gestation crates that critics call cruel and abusive; the pigs can`t turn around to scratch themselves. Look how small they are.
But not every company is following suit. Major retailer Wal-Mart still buying pork from farms that used pig gestation crates. Again, so small these pigs can`t turn around or scratch themselves.
You`re looking at video from an undercover investigation at the very farm where Wal-Mart buys some of their pork. When asked why, Wal-Mart said they offer consumers a choice, both gestation crate free and gestation raised pork. But critics say that`s like offering a choice between cruelty and non-cruelty.
Straight out to the director of investigations for Mercy for Animals, Matt Wright; Matt, tell us what you say you found in your undercover investigation.
MATT WRIGHT, DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATIONS, MERCY FOR ANIMALS: At this Wal-Mart pork supplier, we documented thousands of pregnant pigs confined to filthy metal gestation crates, so small they can`t even turn around or lie down comfortably for nearly their entire lives. Workers slamming conscious piglets head first into the concrete floor, ripping out their testicles, pulling off their tails without any painkillers. These abuses shock and horrify most Americans but are considered standard practice in the pork industry.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, and I have to say -- we can`t show you all the video, we`re showing you some protests because a lot of the video has been deemed too graphic to show you. We reached out to the Pork Council for their response, and they told us, quote, "The video released today does not show abuse of animals." And they added, "An independent panel comprised of animal-care experts who reviewed the video agreed concluding that there was no sign of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect."
What do you make of the Pork Council`s statement, Matt?
WRIGHT: Well, this is pork industry hogwash from a front group more interested in PR than with animal welfare. The pork industry admits to confining pigs in cages barely larger than their own bodies for their entire lives. They admit to slamming conscious piglets into the concrete. They admit to castrating animals without painkillers.
The fact is if Wal-Mart executives treated even one dog or cat the way that its pork producers treat thousands of pigs, they would be charged with felony cruelty to animals in most states.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Now we reached out as well to the farm where these undercover videos were shot. They told us the images are dated and taken out of context. They say they are seeking alternative methods for animal care.
You can head over to HLNTV.com/Jane for more information, Mercy for Animals statements, and also you can read the full statements from all the companies and the organizations involved. I urge you to check it out. This is a very important story.
You know, I`m reading from this statement by the farm and it says -- for example, let`s talk about tail docking. This method of clipping the tail of young piglets is standard animal welfare practice and it`s in fact done to prevent injury, infection and death. What does that mean by tail docking and what is your response to that?
WRIGHT: Well, what they do is they take dull clippers and actually cut into and rip off the tails of baby piglets without any painkillers. And while we agree with the industry that this is standard industry practice; where we disagree we find it appalling, they find it profitable.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And what about their statement that gestation crates provide the best individual care to sows and their piglets?
WRIGHT: Well, leading animal welfare experts including Temple Grandin and he`s the foremost farm animal welfare expert in the world, has condemned gestation crates as inherently cruel. In fact it`s so cruel it`s been banned in nine U.S. states and the entire European Union. Common sense tells us that animals with legs deserve the right to be able to walk --
Got to leave it right there, check it out.
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