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Storm Tips Houses Into Ocean; Suicide Bomber Targets Coalition Forces; North Korea: "Inching Close" To War; Stocks Soar To All-Time Highs; Unemployment Falls In February; White House Reacts To Jobless Report; Obama: We Need "To Keep Momentum"; Vatican Prepares For Conclave; Rare Naked-Eye Comet Visible; Asteroid Passing Earth Today; What The New Jobs Are; Jurors Question Arias Over Lies; Zimmerman Drops "Stand Your Ground"; You Can Board With Your Pocket Knife; Truck Hits Pedestrian Bridge; "The Secrets Of Happy Families"; Mandela Hospitalized For Routine Check Up; No Charges In CPR Call Death; Police: Mom Wanted Kids To Kill Grandparents; Identity Thief Caught; Bieber Spends Rough Week In London; Good Time To Spend On Home

Aired March 09, 2013 - 12:00   ET

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

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: CNN NEWSROOM continues with Fredricka Whitfield. Hi, Fred.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good to see you. I know you are enjoying kind of the sunshine down here.

KEILAR: I am.

WHITFIELD: Because it's been very cold in the Northeast and other parts of the country. We'll focus on that winter storm in a town in Massachusetts in particular. They're getting ready for a major cleanup operation now today after that winter storm slammed the northeast.

This house was among the hardest hit. It looks as if it will tip right into the Atlantic Ocean any moment now. Another home is has already fallen in and authorities are beginning to demolish it to limit the impact on nearby houses. John Atwater of affiliate WCBB toured the damage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN ATWATER, WCBB REPORTER: Right now as we approach high tide, the waves are just rolling right in. You can see down at what used to be the first floor, and the waves are just coming in. As they go in, they're carrying out chairs, tables, wood.

There's metal coming out of that house obviously a lot of personal belongings here, a very sad story. But the problem, all this debris is coming out and then hitting other houses down the coastline.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Meanwhile, Colorado, parts of the Rockies and plains will get more snow today. At least 400 flights to the area have actually been canceled. All right, in Afghanistan now, two deadly bombings. One happened near a building in Kabul where Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was getting briefed. Police say a suicide bomber detonated explosives in front of the Afghan Defense Ministry, killing nine people. The Taliban is claiming responsibility and it says the attack is a message for Hagel.

U.S. military officials say Hagel was not in danger and his briefing continued as planned. East of the capital, a suicide bomber targeting coalition forces was spotted by an Afghan policeman. The officer threw his arms around the bomber to minimize the blast. The policeman and eight children were killed.

The political powder keg is building on the border between North and South Korea. North Korea today formally rejected U.N. sanctions against it saying the Korean Peninsula is, quote, "inching close to the brink of war," end quote, because of them. The United Nations imposed them because of North Korea's recent nuclear test. Its leaders are also vowing to end pacts from the Korean War and threatening a pre-emptive nuclear attack.

All right, now to the U.S. economy and Wall Street's history- making week, the Dow closed at record high levels for four consecutive days, and it ended the week up more than 2 percent.

Another encouraging economic sign, in February, unemployment fell to 7.7 percent. That's the lowest it's been since December of 2008. The economy added 236,000 jobs last month, almost double the amount it gained in January, and much more than experts had actually predicted.

All right, so how did the White House react to the jobs report? CNN national political correspondent Jim Acosta has that.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Fred, after those positive jobs numbers came out, officials here at the White House certainly have a spring in their step, but they are well aware that plenty of on obstacles lie ahead that could trip up this recovery.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA (voice-over): After the latest jobs report found the nation's unemployment rate had dipped to levels not seen since before President Obama took office, the White House wanted to know one thing -- where were all the questions about the good news?

JOSH EARNEST, DEPUTY WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I suspect that the jobs numbers had been different it would have taken less than four people to ask me about them, but that's the nature of our work I think here.

ACOSTA: But the Obama administration warns don't get too excited. This report does not account for the automatic budget cuts that just took effect.

EARNEST: Democrats and Republicans agree that "The Sequester" is going to have a negative impact on job creation.

ACOSTA: Which makes President Obama's latest outreach to Republicans all the more important, a charm offensive that just so happened to coincide with a secret dinner the first couple had with Bill and Hillary Clinton more than a week ago. The Clintons have their own history of brinkmanship with the GOP in the '90s.

(on camera): Did former President Clinton mention that as his advice to the current president, that perhaps an outreach would be a good thing?

EARNEST: Well, I can't confirm the dinner for you. They enjoyed the meal and they enjoyed the conversation. In terms of the president's bipartisan outreach to rank-and-file members of Congress, that was actually something that started before that dinner.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Whenever it started, one top Republican urged the president to keep it up.

JEB BUSH (R), FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: This is a change that I think we should encourage, whether it's motivated for all sorts of reasons that we don't understand or not.

ACOSTA: But more budget drama could be on the horizon. Republican Senator Marco Rubio told a conservative radio host he may not sign on to the latest temporary spending bill aimed at keeping the government running.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R), FLORIDA (via telephone): About a year and a half ago, I voted for the first continuing resolution, and then I announced this is the last continuing resolution, the last stopgap measure that I'm going to vote for. I will only vote from here on, on something serious. So far we haven't seen that.

ACOSTA: Asked whether that means he might Rubio might filibuster the bill, a spokesman told CNN we're reviewing our legislative options. Back at the White House, where officials say the automatic cuts are forcing them to cancel all public tours starting this weekend. Visitors are losing their patience.

TERESA KABAT, WHITE HOUSE TOUR VISITOR: Well, I just think it's unfair because it's supposed to be government for the people, and by taking away the tours, they're not letting us see the government.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA: The White House is conducting some of its business in secret these days, holding meetings on subjects ranging from Israel to energy policy. But officials won't talk about it until well after they happen. The Obama administration is evolving in its second term, but it's doing so cautiously and quietly -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much. Jim Acosta there at the White House.

So President Obama tonight takes a break from his push to stop the forced spending cuts. He's actually giving a speech at the Gridiron Club Dinner, a yearly event that involves Washington journalists doing parodies of politicians.

But this morning the president stayed on track using the latest jobs numbers as another point against the $85 billion in cuts, which went into effect eight days ago. In his weekly address, the president pointed out 236,000 new jobs was added in February and the country needs to maintain its momentum by replacing the cuts. They'll slow the growth of the economy according to analysis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: As Democrats and Republicans, we may disagree on the best way to achieve our goals, but I'm confident we can agree on what those goals should be -- a strong and vibrant middle class, an economy that allows businesses to grow and thrive, an education system that gives more Americans the skills they need to compete for the jobs of the future, an immigration system that actually works for families and businesses, stronger communities, and safer streets for our children.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: But Republicans continue to resist what the president calls, quote, "balanced deficit reduction," which means raising taxes while cutting spending. They say new taxes will crush American workers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), ALABAMA: President Obama speaks of his deep concern for struggling Americans, yet his plans are focused on growing government, not the economy. He has no effective plan to create better jobs, more hiring, or rising wages. That's what's missing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Senator Sessions is the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee. He says Senate Democrats will present their plan for a budget on Wednesday, the first time in four years.

At the Vatican, a very visible sign that the conclave to elect a new pope is about to happen. Today workmen installing a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, white smoke from that chimney will mean a pope has been picked. Black smoke will mean the vote is inconclusive.

The conclave actually begins on Tuesday. Cardinals are holding meetings today to prepare for that vote. Today, the fisherman's ring and seal that Benedict XVI used as pope have both been scratched, making them now invalid. The new pope will get his own ring and seal.

Sky watchers can enjoy a rare treat today. A comet is now visible on the western horizon in the northern hemisphere. Folks in the U.S. may even be able to see it the naked eye, which is pretty rare. Naked-eye comets happen only once every five to ten years.

All right, also in the sky today, an asteroid the size of a city block is passing by us, but don't worry. There is no danger of it actually hitting earth. The closest it will come to earth is about 605,000 miles. It's about two-and-a-half times the distance from the earth -- between the earth and the moon.

All right, coming up, a digging down on the latest jobs numbers, what industries are hiring and what does it mean for the economy overall?

And Jodi Arias, the accused murderer, taking some tough questions not just from the prosecutor but also from jurors.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The government just announced 236,000 jobs were created in February so we know how many. Now let's take a look at what those jobs are. Our Ali Velshi and Christine Romans dig into the numbers.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: OK, let's talk jobs. I have no idea what this is. Christine's going to tell you about it. What I do know is that in February the United States created 236,000 net new jobs.

I say net because it means jobs minus jobs lost, 236,000, way more than we expected. But, you know, a long time ago, both presidential candidates in that election said they'll create 12 million jobs over four years, that's 3 million a year. That's 250,000 a month. You know what I said?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: What?

VELSHI: You remember, I said if that happens I'll wear a dress for a week. So I'm a little worried about the whole dress wearing thing.

ROMANS: Let's look at the trend. Here are all those jobs that were lost during the great recession, financial crisis, a really tough year and a half there. We tried to figure out if we could really get some sustained job growth.

Here's what it looks like more recently. On average about 195,000 jobs created every single month. If you go like this, Ali, you're not going to have to wear a dress.

VELSHI: Good. We like that.

ROMANS: At 196,000 a month, you're not going to wear a dress, is that right?

VELSHI: Well, the point is we want to wear this dress, right, as much as I don't want to and you don't want me to, we want to be able to create this many jobs. That would be great if we are, but what's the question we're getting? I think good quality jobs? ROMANS: Let's look at where some of the jobs are. OK, I want to show you a couple of places I think that are important, construction jobs, 48,000, housing market recovery. You feel better if your house is worth more, also you feel better if you're working on a house.

VELSHI: Could this have been related to Sandy?

ROMANS: A little of bit of it started that way but economists are saying it's both. First it started with Sandy, now that's real job creation, 14,000 in manufacturing, a trend that's been tentative but holding in there.

Of course, we lost, what 2.5 million manufacturing jobs so 14,000, we'll take it. Also we look at retail jobs, that's important, and health care jobs, careful with those health care jobs, the quality of those health care jobs. Some may $19,000 a year. Some of them are physical therapists, which pay six figures.

VELSHI: But remember, there are lots of different types of health care jobs, but these have never been negative. These have not been negative for years, all through the recession. We never gave up health care jobs. We have professional business services. That's a lot of what's going on. Mining jobs, may not like mining, but it's -- they're good paying jobs.

ROMANS: I want to give you one more thing to look at, Ali, and you can discuss this. Here is private sector job creation. That's 246,000, 36 months in a row of that and then public sector jobs. You're feeling these.

VELSHI: That's right. These are the government jobs. We're going to see more of these in "The Sequester." Those forced budget cuts. Bottom line is we are building these jobs in the private sector, companies are hiring but the governments are laying off, state governments --

ROMANS: This is likely schools. So even if it's not your job, you could be feeling it -- services you're getting at school.

VELSHI: All right, so it's an interesting jobs report, generally positive but important for you to look at particularly if you're considering getting a new job or changing.

WHITFIELD: All right, as the stock market climbs higher, it's time to get in, cash out, or stay on the sidelines? All question marks. That's just one of the issues Ali Velshi will tackle on "YOUR MONEY" at 1:00 Eastern Time later on today.

All right, the man charged with murdering Florida teenager, Trayvon Martin, preparing for trial by making a surprising legal move. We'll tell you what George Zimmerman did straight ahead.

And a waitress recovered her stolen I.D. in the most unusual way. We'll tell you why she can't stop telling her customers the story.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: It seems jurors in the Jodi Arias trial may be revealing their sentiments in their line of questioning. On Wednesday and Thursday, they had a chance to ask the accused murder what they wanted, hammering her with at least 220 very pointed questions read by the judge.

Arizona is one of a handful of state where is jurors can ask questions of witnesses at trial. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you decide to tell the truth if you never got arrested?

JODI ARIAS, MURDER DEFENDANT: I honestly don't know the answer to that question.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You said when the gun went off you weren't sure if you shot Travis. So when you came out of the fog on your way to Utah, why didn't you call 911 to help Travis?

ARIAS: When I sort of came out of the fog, I realized, crap, something bad had happened and I was scared to call any authority at that point.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How can you say that you don't have memory issues when you can't remember how you stabbed him so many times and slashed his throat?

ARIAS: Well, I -- I think that I have a good memory, and June 4th is an anomaly for me. It's like I said yesterday, it's in a class of its own and I can't explain why -- what kind of state of mind I was in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK. So let's bring in our legal guys, Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor, joining us from Cleveland. Good to see you. And Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor joining us from Las Vegas. Good to see you as well.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK, this is an incredibly fascinating case, isn't it? Avery, you first, did these jurors infer which way they might go based on the kinds of questions they've been asking?

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: No. I think if anything what we're learning is the failure of the prosecution has been picked up by the jurors asking prosecution-style questions, same with the defense. Jurors are asking the right questions.

But the question here is do we have a runaway jury. Granted, the questions are being filtered through the judge and through the lawyers, but we're all over the place. Are we getting to the truth? Perhaps so, that's a plus. But the minus, Fredricka, is, is this getting so out of control that it's going to create issues for an appeal? That's one of the concerns here.

WHITFIELD: Well, Richard, this seems pretty incredible that a witness would be on the stand, the defendant on the stand as long as it's been, more than a week now. I mean, just an extraordinary amount of time. It would seem the longer that she's up there she's undermining the defense strategy, whatever that strategy may be. Richard, what do you think about that?

HERMAN: Well, it's a self-defense case, not like the real self- defense case we're going to talk about later today. This self-defense case, I don't think so, Fred. I think the longer she stays on the stand actually it inures to her benefit.

WHITFIELD: Really?

HERMAN: Because the jurors -- somehow the jurors start to feel like they know her and have some kind of -- they're connecting with her that long. If the prosecution really was sharp, they would have gone after her surgically and been done with it.

But to keep her on so long, you run the risk of someone on that jury finding some sort of sympathy with her, not appreciating the badgering she's taking from the prosecutor. And maybe, maybe just falling into grounds where at least there could be a hung jury here.

But I agree with you, Fred, some of those questions -- wait, wait. The questions that were asked there, they show more than a state of mind. Some of those jurors are really upset with her, and I think that's what we glean from some of those questions.

WHITFIELD: Yes, some of those questions seem like those jurors have made up their mind, some have made up their minds about what this is because some of the questions are tainted with a little condescension, you know, a little disbelief.

HERMAN: Right.

WHITFIELD: But at the same time, you know, we're talking about an admission that's already happened. She has admitted to killing him. So what is this case about then, Avery? There's an admission. It's not about insanity not coming into question will be her mental state of mind. This is a murder trial. So why is this carrying on if she's already admitted she did it?

FRIEDMAN: Well, the issue is premeditation. What kind of evidence is there that supports the prosecution's position of premeditation. This is a capital case. And frankly, the case winds up, if there were a "Guinness Book of Records," I don't know if you've ever had a capital case, one, where you had a defendant on the stand 18 days or frankly 220 questions plus from jurors. We've never seen anything like this in American jurisprudential history. It's anybody's guess at this point. We just have no idea. HERMAN: Fred, it's a self-defense case. It's either she walks out of there free or she's facing death penalty. But what she's saying is as a result of the mental and physical abuse she sustained by Travis over time and the fact that at the moment she was in mortal fear that he was going to kill her, she had the right to kill him.

And then because of the abuse and the battered woman syndrome, that explains why she stabbed him 29 times, eight times in the back, and cut his throat. That's the issue, if it's supported or not.

WHITFIELD: All right, I'm sure we'll be discussing this again next week because it seems like it will carry on at least another week. So here's the other case you were talking about, Richard, the other self-defense case.

A big surprise in the George Zimmerman murder trial in Florida, his lawyers have waived his right to a stand your ground hearing that was planned for next month. If the judge had decided in Zimmerman's favor, the case would have been dismissed next month. Now it is set to go on trial in June. So what is the strategy here, Richard?

HERMAN: You know, Fred, I think it's brilliant lawyering. To win that stand your ground with this state court judge with all the pressure on this judge I don't think they had any chance to win a stand your ground. And I don't think this is a stand your ground case.

I've said that from the beginning. This is a pure self-defense case. The defense is getting a lot of reconnaissance on the witnesses that the prosecution are going to call, especially their star witness, who's perjured herself now, perjured herself.

WHITFIELD: This would be Trayvon Martin's girlfriend you're talking about.

FRIEDMAN: Right. Right.

HERMAN: Yes. Witness eight. So, I mean, I think they're going to spring it all at trial and go for the real self-defense case. And as I said before, I really think he's got a real shot to walk out of that courtroom.

WHITFIELD: Wow. Which is fascinating and very confusing, Avery, because from the very beginning this was a stand your ground case, and now it will no longer be such as the case. And you say that the fact that this witness eight has kind of changed her story really does impact this case in a big way for prosecution, in what way, Avery?

FRIEDMAN: Well, sure it does. Well, there are all sorts of issues in this case. I mean, the fact there would be a second-degree murder charge way after the fact, 42 days, you know, to take -- to have the arrest occur, one of a multitude of issues.

I actually think that the defense in making sure that Zimmerman didn't take the stand many the stand your ground defense is really a smart thing to do because if he did it, he was going to be subject, Fredricka, to cross-examination by the prosecution. That's one big meatball sitting out there.

And so basically he passed on it. He could raise it again, by the way. He can raise it at the trial. I just don't -- actually, where we near agreement is that I do think it's a self-defense. I don't think it has anything to do with stand your ground.

WHITFIELD: All right, gentlemen, thanks so much. We're going to talk to you again in about 10 minutes or so. We have more including the case of a woman accused of trying to get rid of her former in- laws. There isn't a better way of putting it, by actually having her kids kill them. That's the allegation. Police say she actually provided the weapon.

And the longest interstate highway in the U.S. coming to a screeching halt in Cleveland, Avery, your town, and this is why. We'll have that story after this.

And a 911 call that shocked the nation, a nurse refusing to perform CPR on a dying woman at an elderly visiting facility. Our legal guys will weigh in on that case as well straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. If you're just tuning in, thanks so much for joining us. A look at the top stories right in the NEWSROOM, the TSA is allowing small knives on planes. Delta's CEO says it's a bad idea, writing to the TSA saying this.

Quote, "These items have been banned for more than 11 years and will add little value to the customer security process flow in relation to the additional risk for our cabin staff and customers," end quote. The TSA says it's lifting the small knives ban to match international rules.

And a major interstate is shut down in Cleveland after this happened. That's a dump truck that you're looking at over the side. It smashed into a pedestrian bridge over I-90 then flipped over. Police say the truck was riding with its trailer up and couldn't clear the bridge. Amazingly no one was seriously injured. The interstate could be shut down all weekend long.

And don't forget to set your clocks forward by an hour. Daylight-saving time starts at 2:00 in the morning. You'll lose that extra hour of sleep, but it also means that you'll have an extra hour of sunlight every evening.

All right, now checking some stories trending on cnn.com, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's body will rest in a glass case forever. His body will be embalmed and put on public display for an eternity. Venezuelans are mourning his death. He passed away this week of cancer.

South Dakota's governor has signed a new weapons law. It will allow school employees, hired security personnel or volunteers to carry guns in schools. The law goes into effect July 1st. South by Southwest is in full swing in Austin, Texas, this weekend and 3D printing is all the rage there. A tech company unveiled a prototype of a desktop device that can scan small three- dimensional objects.

In this week's "Human Factor," Dr. Sanjay Gupta introduces us to Bruce Feiler, a devoted father, husband, and writer who overcame a very rare form of bone cancer.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): I first met Bruce Feiler three years ago when he was trying to rebound from a cancer diagnosis, grappling with the possibility of dying before his twin daughters, Eden and Ivy, grew up. Facing his own mortality --

BRUCE FEILER, AUTHOR, "THE SECRETS OF HAPPY FAMILIES": I could feel my body sort of slipping away.

GUPTA: He makes an extraordinary request.

FEILER: Will you help be their dad?

GUPTA: Thankfully, Bruce and his family got through that, and today Bruce has no evidence of cancer in his body. With all that behind him, he has resumed doing what he does best -- writing. His new book is called "The Secrets of Happy Families."

(on camera): What inspired you to write this book?

FEILER: We were always on the defects. And that's what it's like, you know, to be a parent these days. We made a list of all the things that the kids have to do in the mornings. And then, here's the key, they have to check of their own lists.

And so a lot of what we are doing here is trying to kind of bring them into the process, be less top-down, be less kind of parental, controlling them all the time, kind of enlist them wherever possible in their own upbringing.

GUPTA: Are there ground rules of the things that cannot be said, for example?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. You are allowed to criticize the parents.

FEILER: Just the other week they were saying, you know, dad, you were yelling too much. In fact, we have this iPad and we recorded you yelling. She was giving them a high five. I said, yes, mom, but we got you cursing, too.

It turns out there's only 10 minutes of productive time in any meal, 10 minutes. The rest is taken up with take your elbows of the table and pass the ketchup. Research shows you can take that 10 minutes and put it at any time of the day and still have the benefits. So can't have family dinner? Have family breakfast. Meet for a bedtime snack. Should we play the game? OK. I'm a ballerina! Here's my favorite thing. Researchers at Emery gave kids a simple do you know test. Do you know where your grandparents were born? Do you know where your parents went to high school?

If children understand that they're part of a larger narrative, then they're more capable of coping. So you should spend time telling and retelling the story of your family's positive moments and the negative moments and how you overcame them.

GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We're just getting word from South Africa that former President Nelson Mandela has been hospitalized in Pretoria. He is said to be undergoing a routine scheduled medical checkup. Earlier this year, Mandela was hospitalized for a lung infection and gallstone surgery.

Police say no charges will be filed in the case of a woman who died after a worker at an elderly living facility refused to give her CPR despite a 911 operator's pleas. The woman's death and that 911 call attracted nationwide attention.

But after investigating, police say no crime was committed. The facility, Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield, California, has a policy against its employees providing medical care. But it is so hard to hear this cry for help. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: We need to get CPR started. That's not enough. OK?

GLENWOOD GARDENS: Yes, we can't do CPR at the facility.

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: Then hand a phone to a passerby. Hand it to the passerby, I'll have her do it or if you have any citizens there --

GLENWOOD GARDENS: No, no it's not --

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: Anybody there can do CPR. Give them the phone, please. This woman is not breathing enough. She's going to die if we don't get this started. Do you understand?

GLENWOOD GARDENS: I understand. I am a nurse. But I cannot have our other senior citizen who is don't know CPR --

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: I will instruct them -- I will instruct them. Is there anyone there who can --

GLENWOOD GARDENS: I cannot do that.

UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: OK, I don't understand why you're not willing to help this patient.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, no matter what, it is tough to hear. Our legal guys are back, Avery Friedman in Cleveland and Richard Herman in Las Vegas. All right, gentlemen. No charges filed against the facility, not against the nurse who made that 911 call. So, Richard, why not?

HERMAN: Well, Fred, this is an independent living facility, and the patrons in there are elderly. There is a stated no-CPR policy. When you go into this facility, you know this. They tell you up front, we will not resuscitate. There is no CPR policy here. There are no medical staffs on the premises. That's also known when you come into this facility.

WHITFIELD: So it's an at your own risk, is what you're saying.

HERMAN: It's an at your own risk. And when an 87-year-old woman goes into respiratory situation like this, they're not going to bring her back. It's hard to hear that phone call. It's incredible that she wouldn't pass the phone on to someone else, and that's what the criticism is right now, why she didn't pass it on. But that's the policy of this facility and it's stated up front, and everybody knows it.

WHITFIELD: So, Avery, this underscores that you simply can have a policy that relieves you of responsibility that could ultimately save someone's life. Is this common?

FRIEDMAN: Well, if you're an independent living facility as opposed to an assisted living facility. Look, I think it was fairly inhumane, but the legal is there a difference. If it's assisted living, Fredricka, there is an obligation. You have to have a license from the state and there are responsibilities by staff.

In assisted, independent living, it's sort of like renting an apartment, meaning you expect the rental agent to do CPR? No. If you are humane, you'll do your best the save a life. But in this case not only is there no crime committed but the family is saying we're not going to do anything about it.

The woman's greatest wish was to die naturally. Well, for better or worse, her wish came true, but it doesn't resolve the legal issue. Even if the family did anything about it, it wouldn't go anywhere.

WHITFIELD: Right. For just the record, while we are still talking about it, the family of the woman said it did have full knowledge of the limitations and the care at the Glenwood Gardens and they are satisfied and they are not going to pursue anything further.

FRIEDMAN: Yes. WHITFIELD: OK, let's move on to another case. This is catching a lot of people's attention. This is in Florida. A woman is accused of actually asking her young children to kill their grandparents and the police are saying that this woman even provided a would-be murder weapon, mailed it to them.

The 31-year-old Latissia Silva is now charged with four counts of first degree solicitation to commit murder. Her two daughters, ages 7 and 9, who live in North Carolina with their paternal grandparents who have full custody, Sylvia's grandparents say their daughter had been fighting with the grandparents over custody.

But they think their daughter was actually set up. Where is this investigation going? Richard, you first. What a mess?

HERMAN: What a mess? What a crazy woman. Nuts. Listen, she hasn't had custody of these kids from day one. They've been living with the paternal grandparents for years. She speaks to them once or twice a month. All of a sudden she comes up with this brainstorm, mama sent you this knife, you go kill them right now. I mean, this is absolute insanity and the grandparents --

FRIEDMAN: But it's true.

HERMAN: -- found the knife. If it's true, it sounds true to me. I don't know. I think this woman is in big trouble here.

WHITFIELD: Well, this is what investigators say. They are saying the children were not planning to kill grandma and grandpa. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DET. CHARLES MITCHELL, PITT COUNTY, N.C. SHERIFF'S OFFICE: -- hard to say what a child is going do. The grandparents have told me they spoke to the children and neither one of them would carry it out. They said they loved their grandparents very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Yes, this is getting very confusing. So the detective that we just heard from actually says the grandmother found the knife under one of the girl's pillows last month and that maybe it was just a strange fluke, Avery?

FRIEDMAN: No. Kids, Merry Christmas, would you kill grand ma for me? The mother allegedly sent the knife to the kids, who put it under the pillow whether or not the children were going to do it isn't the issue. The question is was there solicitation to commit murder.

The mother actually lost custody around the time of the birth of the second child on conviction of a meth charge. The grandparents have had custody. Mom lives in Florida, although she's in a North Carolina jail now.

I don't know why these cases always come out of Florida, but interestingly enough, it's a fascinating case. I think the prosecution is going forward. They're going forward with it.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I guess so. And I love Florida. I was once a resident of Florida, very special place in my heart. All right, thanks very much.

HERMAN: Sunshine state.

WHITFIELD: That's right. Avery, Richard, thanks so much, always good to see you.

HERMAN: You, too.

WHITFIELD: You always bring sunshine to our hearts.

The legal guys are here every Saturday at this time to give us their take on the most intriguing legal cases of the day.

All right, a Colorado waitress got a shock when she asked a woman at the table that she was serving, she asked her for her I.D., but what she got was the waitress' own driver's license, and it had actually been stolen earlier. What did she do next? Will Ripley of affiliate KUSA actually has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How are you guys doing?

WILL RIPLEY, KUSA REPORTER (voice-over): At first it looked like any other customers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Four people come in, walk in, sit down.

RIPLEY: Rihanna soon learned who they really were.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They start ordering drinks. This girl hands me my I.D. as a fake I.D.

RIPLEY: It had been a rough couple of weeks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My wallet was stolen.

RIPLEY: Stolen during a night out. They took her cash, credit cards, and worst of all her driver's license.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a pain in the butt.

RIPLEY: Someone was using her identity, writing hundreds of dollars in bad checks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My I.D., you give me my I.D.?

RIPLEY: Now that someone was sitting in her section.

BRIANNA PRIDDY, WAITRESS: I didn't say anything. Sure, I'll be right back with your margarita, went straight to the phone, called the cops. RIPLEY: Priddy pretended nothing was wrong.

PRIDDY: I put on my server's smile and tried to take care of them, but I was shaking like crazy.

RIPLEY: Police arrived in minutes. Police spokesman Steve Davis cannot release the name of the woman they arrested.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dumb criminal. That's the first that comes to mind.

RIPLEY: He says the investigation is ongoing.

STEVE DAVIS, POLICE SPOKESMAN: We found some narcotics and stuff in this woman's possession, so she's in quite a bit of hot water.

RIPLEY: And get this -- she's 26, more than old enough to buy a drink with her own I.D. Priddy has her license again.

PRIDDY: Crazy, unbelievable. What?

RIPLEY: She also has quite a story for her customers.

PRIDDY: I am the 0.0001 percent it happens to.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, lucky break there. That was Will Ripley from our affiliate KUSA.

It's been a bad week for the Biebs, Justin Bieber. We'll tell you why the pop star has lost some of his die-hard Bielibers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Justin Bieber is ready for a new week. He needs a new week after spending a particularly bad one in London. He got booed on stage, went to the hospital, and fought with a photographer. Erin McLaughlin has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Boos for Justin Bieber. It's been a tough week for the teenage pop star. Appearing in London for a series of sold-out shows, he was nearly two hours late to the stage on Monday. His fans, better known as Beliebers and their parents were not happy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wanted to get home and sleep because I had school tomorrow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm totally and utterly disgusted. We are all fans and now we hate him.

MCLAUGHLIN: The singer took to Twitter saying that he was only 40 minutes late and said, quote, "There's no excuse for that and I apologize for anyone we upset." Then, a real show-stopper during Thursday's concert after Bieber appeared whoozie.

A representative for the singer says Bieber went backstage with the EMTs and a doctor after getting very light of breath. To the delight of the fans, Bieber finished the show.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He said, I can't breathe. I can't breathe. Everyone was cheering him on. Everyone wanted him to come back on stage.

MCLAUGHLIN: After the concert, the singer was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure and released early Friday. Later, he thanked his fans online, tweeting, getting better, thanks for everyone pulling me through tonight. Figuring out what happened. Thanks for the love.

Then, Friday morning, a photo flap as Bieber was caught on video losing his temper with the paparazzi while rushing to a waiting SUV, the singer apparently shoves a photographer.

The photographer retaliates with a verbal assault and Bieber versed out of the van. He had to be restrained by his own security team and then got back in the vehicle and drove away. Erin McLaughlin, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Two hours late, 40 minutes late, maybe he had already sprung forward an hour on his watch.

All right, if you've been planning to give your house a facelift, well, there's no better time to do it than now. We'll tell you (inaudible) just might help you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Good news. The housing market is looking up. So it's a great time to remodel your home to make it just right for your family perhaps. It can also help you later on if you decide to sell. CNN business correspondent Christine Romans has the details in today's "Smart is the New Rich."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS (voice-over): How did this start with this?

MEGAN AYLWARD, HOMEOWNER: We have four children and the refrigerator was 18 cubic feet and it was hideous. What started with a little refrigerator turned into a family room and a laundry room and another bathroom and upstairs the bedroom that's being expanded.

ROMANS: As the housing market has bounced back, home owners like Megan are feeling good about putting money into their homes. In 2012, home renovation spending hit the highest level in six years.

AYLWARD: When we figured out what the addition was going to cost, my husband said maybe we should just move. So this summer we looked at everything in town. Anything I could afford, mine was better. Anything I loved, I couldn't afford.

ROMANS (on camera): The decision to move or renovate is never easy and never cheap, and not all renovations pay the same returns. Did you know most renovations don't even return your entire investment in here are some of the better venerations, an attic bedroom, a minor kitchen remodel or upgrading to vinyl siding.

Those return more than 70 percent of your costs. On the other hand, look at backup generators, sun room addition, a home office remodel, those only recoup about half of what they cost when it comes time to sell.

SAL ALFANO, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, "REMODELLING" MAGAZINE: Kitchens and baths are still very attractive rooms. They're the rooms that buyers look at and pay a lot of attention to, and an upgrade in one of those rooms can make a big difference in resale value of the house.

ROMANS: If you're planning to sell, focus on basics.

ALFANO: Anything that has to do with assistance of the house. So the mechanical systems, HVAC, heating, air conditioning, good roofing, good siding, good windows, all of that is taken for granted. If those need upgrading, do those first.

ROMANS: If you're planning to stay, focus on things that improve your quality of life.

TONY DONATO, DEFINO REALTORS: Long-term goal or short-term goal is very important. If they plan on being here 20, 30 years, you know, then basically just put the improvements in that make you enjoy your home.

ROMANS: No matter what your intention, remodelling is disruptive so, brace for chaos.

AYLWARD: It's hideous. Not convenient at all, but I keep saying I am the prize. Like when it's done, it's going to be fantastic and it will -- but you do what you've got to do.

ROMANS: Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, later this afternoon, we'll take you inside the Vatican, just days before the super secret conclave. We'll show you also -- we'll take you to the movies and show you the preview of the new film, "Oz, The Great and Powerful."

And then that jaw-dropping video, he pushed her off, my gosh. That was boyfriend and girlfriend and you can see what she did. Let's see if their relationship really did survive or not.