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Italy wants Amanda Know Retried; Support for Marriage Equality; From Unknown to Sweet 16; Gay Son, Traditional Family

Aired March 26, 2013 - 10:30   ET

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

BARBIE NADEAU, ROME BUREAU CHIEF, NEWSWEEK & THE DAILY BEAST: Those two evidence are really the focus of the appeal and the prosecution very successfully convinced this high court that they should have looked at all the body of evidence and not just those two pieces.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: So what happens now, Amanda Knox is now living in the United States. She's going to college. She's trying to get her life together. I mean if I were her, I would not be going back to Italy anytime soon. Is there any way that Italian authorities could force her to return to the country?

NADEAU: Well, extradition really won't be an issue unless she is re- convicted of the murder in the second appeal. And you know it's important to distinguish between the original conviction for murder and the appeal. It was the appeal, the acquittal that was -- that was thrown back today, not the original conviction.

So they don't have to start back at square one. They just have to re- try the appellate process of the case. In which you know they very well might find her original conviction not valid and throw it back again. You know extradition is going to come years from now if at all in this case because there are several processes to go through.

We probably not going to see a new trial until the early part of 2014 or maybe the end of 2013. And then that trial, the appellate trial, the first one took over a year. The second one could take just as long. And then the high court has to look at it again. And all of that has to happen before Amanda Knox would ever be extradited if she's convicted and if she's sentenced to anytime in Italian prison.

COSTELLO: I know but the difficult part for Amanda Knox, this could drag on and on and on seemingly for the rest of her life.

NADEAU: Well, in fact. I mean this is -- she's already, she spent four years in an Italian prison. She's spent you know 18 months trying to recuperate from that time. She's written her own book which is expected to be out April 30th. And you know she's been keeping busy with her studies and things like that.

You know probably a person in more danger is Raffaele Sollecito who is an Italian citizen who's living here and studying in Verona, you know. He is probably under more of a threat in terms of his liberty right now.

But -- but it really is going to take a long time, several years, before there is a final result in this case. Amanda Knox for her is safe in the United States right now. She's not going to be extradited to Italy. I wouldn't take an Italian vacation if I were her at this point in time but I think she's safe where she is right now.

COSTELLO: All right. Barbie Nadeau of "Newsweek" and "The Daily Beast", thanks so much for joining us.

Next, the feel good story of the NCAA tournament, at least so far, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles flying high, reaching the sweet 16. Coming up, we take you to their campus where the team's wins are paying off.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A little bit of sports for you now. Tiger Woods back on top of the world -- in the world golf rankings for the first time since October of 2010. Tiger regained the number one spot after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. It is the eighth time he's taken that tournament. And check out this ad that Nike put on their Facebook page just hours after Tiger's big win. It says quote, "Winning takes care of everything." It certainly does in the United States.

The Miami Heat's winning streak now 27 games after they beat Orlando last night. The Heat are now six games from tying the all-time NBA streak set by the '71/'72 LA Lakers. Next game for the Heat tomorrow night against the Bulls in Chicago.

Sweethearts of the tournament -- Florida Gulf Coast University unknown to many college basketball fans just a week ago is now the hottest team in the world of sports.

CNN's George Howell reports from the campus in Ft. Myers, Florida.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A 15th seeded team in the NCAA basketball tournament advancing to the sweet 16 -- they defied the odds. But even with all the media hype and cameras rolling, these players still keep it loose on the court at a school most of the country had never heard of, even one of the team's star players admits --

(on camera): Before you got the offer to come here and play, had you heard of FGCU?

SHERWOOD BROWN, FGCU SHOOTING GUARD: To be honest, I had never even heard of them and I was actually going to school in Orlando at the time and I've never even heard of Florida Gulf Coast.

HOWELL (voice over): But now Florida Gulf Coast University is on the radar and everybody's talking about them.

DAVID MOULTON, CO-HOST, "MILLER AND MOULTON IN THE AFTERNOON": A lot of people in southwest Florida hadn't followed this school until Friday night. We are a region of people from everywhere else in the country and nothing unites us except a potential hurricane. And now we have something to unite us.

HOWELL: Since defeating second-seeded Georgetown in their first ever NCAA tournament game, then going on to beat San Diego state, the FGCU Eagles surprised everybody.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody is so excited to see their little small town and their community of Ft. Myers be getting so much, you know, national attention.

HOWELL: Officials says sales of the schools bookstore shot up by 1,000 percent this weekend with fans buying up T-shirts and team merchandise. There's even a new rap song renaming the school and Fr. Myers for that matter as Dunk City.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dunk City.

HOWELL: And then there is the story about the team's coach, a self- made millionaire, Andy Enfield left it all to coach college basketball.

ANDY ENFIELD, FGCU COACH: We're up tempo on offense, we play tough defense like Florida State did when I was there.

HOWELL: A lot of attention has not only gone to Enfield and his team, but also his wife, Amanda Marcum, a former model who's appeared on the cover of "Maxim" magazine to name just a few. And now this underdog story of his team is playing out on the tenth anniversary of the weekend Enfield met his wife.

ENFIELD: She's from Oklahoma State, finished from Oklahoma City. And we went to Boston and I drove her and her friend from New York City to Boston to go to the Oklahoma State first and second round. And when I picked her up in the car, I didn't know her at the time. But I knew as soon as she got in my car it would be a great trip to Boston.

HOWELL: Enfield eventually won her over and now his team is winning the hearts of fans who had never heard of this school.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: So Carol you know we've spent the last day or so here in Ft. Myers and look the excitement is here, the energy is here. Just the other day, we saw thousands of people pack into this arena. We got to meet the coach. It's everything you would expect of a college in this situation.

But here is the thing. We're talking about a school that's really surrounded by somewhat of a retirement community. It's not exactly a college campus. But you know, you do get the sense that it's a mix of all ages, everybody's really excited to see what this team does next come Friday when they face Florida -- Carol.

COSTELLO: How old is that coach? He looks so young to me.

HOWELL: Yes, you know, I mean and it's a young team, as well. But you do get the sense that this is a team that is newly discovered even here in Ft. Myers. A lot of people didn't know that the school was here. They know it now. People around the country know it now.

And you know, they're excited to see what happens. But for a lot of people, this kind of threw off their brackets I'll bet.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes, that's an understatement. George Howell, many thanks.

HOWELL: Yes.

COSTELLO: Still ahead, arguments right now at the Supreme Court may change our definition of marriage. But why are some politicians now taking a very public stand on the issue? We'll talk about that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time now to "Talk Back". The Supreme Court poised to make history on same-sex marriage. But some politicians seem to be rushing to put their own stamp on the issue. The latest Senator Mark Begich of Alaska. Begich following his fellow Democrat Jay Rockefeller, Claire McCaskill and Mark Warner -- all four senators now publicly backing the issue. And that comes after Rob Portman became the first Republican Senator to support marriage equality. Portman says he was influenced by his son who is gay.

Joining me now, CNN political contributor, Donna Brazile and chairwoman of the Tea Party Express, Amy Kremer. Welcome to you both.

AMY KREMER, CHAIRWOMAN, TEA PARTY EXPRESS: Thanks for having us.

DONNA BRAZILE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Thanks for being here. So Donna, I'd like to start with you. Why are so many lawmakers suddenly coming out and saying we favor same-sex marriage? Where have they been?

BRAZILE: I think they've always supported equality for all Americans under the law. Believed they've always supported and some case civil unions they've always supported equal rights for all Americans. The fact that they're coming out today or came out last night, it doesn't really matter.

What's important is that they're embracing something that should be just simple. We're a country of laws. And the Constitution clearly states and affirms equal justice under the law. So I'm proud of them. I'm glad that they are here.

And one last thing, Carol. You know in 2004, only 32 percent of Americans embraced gay marriage. Today it's 58 percent and among young people is 81 percent according to the latest ABC/"Washington Post" poll. So clearly public opinion has changed and the country is ready.

COSTELLO: Amy, some people believe that it doesn't really matter what the U.S. Supreme Court rules because as Donna says, the tide has turned. There is no going back now. KREMER: Well, I think that regardless of what the Court rules, we haven't heard the end of this. And it's going to be interesting because it's very complicated, both of these cases. Proposition 8 was something that was actually voted on by the citizens of California. And so for the Supreme Court to go in and overturn that, that's a big deal.

You know I -- we -- the Tea Party Movement stays out of the social issues because we can't even get everybody to agree on them in the same party, let alone across party lines. That's why we stick to the fiscal issues. But you know, the 14th amendment gives us all equal rights. And nowhere in the constitution is the word "marriage". So it's going to be really interesting to see what happens this next week -- or these next couple months as they are deciding these cases.

But Carol, you know, another interesting fact is that these justices, they're people, they live in the same society that we do. And you have to wonder how when Donna talks about public opinion, you know, the tide has turned, has that affected the justices. Are they able to insulate themselves and not have that play into what their decision is? And I think that's going to be very interesting.

COSTELLO: It certainly will.

Donna you wrote a CNN.com op-ed today about Bill and Hillary Clinton and their evolution on the issue of same-sex marriage, writing in part, "The American people respect the Clintons because they walked this journey with us. They've debated with us and struggled with us. And they've shown us it's okay to evolve and to stand on the right side of history."

Do the Clintons symbolize the struggles of other politicians on this topic?

BRAZILE: I think so. Especially a president that signed, you know, the Defense of Marriage Act into law, a president who just recently penned an op-ed saying it was wrong, it was discriminatory to basically forbid gays and lesbians who marry from enjoying over 1,000 so-called federal rights that married couples enjoy. So again, it's due process, equal justice under the law.

Look, there are even religious institutions that have signed on to somebody's brief. So this is a historic day and I hope the justices will do what's right by the constitution and go ahead and affirm that all Americans should enjoy these rights.

COSTELLO: Amy, do you see a point in time in the near future -- I mean depending on how the U.S. Supreme Court rules, will more Republicans come out or conservatives I should say and support same- sex marriage?

KREMER: Well, I think that you're already starting to see that. But you know, you also have people that absolutely will never, you know, evolve into that. I think each and every person has to make their own decision. And what's best for themselves. But when Donna talked about the 81 percent of the youth, those are people under 30 already support it, you know, that's a huge number. And it's not surprising to me at all. So I see how the tide has turned. But at the same time, we have to remember that 30 states I believe have also banned same-sex marriage in those states.

So it's interesting what's happening across the nation on a national level. But then when you get down to the state level, you see something different. So let's wait and see what the Supreme Court rules.

All right. We want to talk about something else this morning, too. So, our next topic. Mark Kelly, the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, joining in the fight for gun control. Recently Mark Kelly bought an AR-15 to show how easy it was to get around background checks.

And now the Arizona store that sold him the rifle says it has canceled his purchase. In a Facebook posting, the store owner says that while he respects Kelly's Second Amendment rights to buy and use a gun that quote, "His recent statements to the media made it clear that his intent in purchasing the rifle from us was for reasons other than for his personal use." CNN was unable to reach Kelly for a comment, but I don't know, it kind of struck me as hypocritical that the store owner would say we're not going to sell you a gun because does it really -- should it really matter why Mark Kelly wanted the gun in the first place, Donna?

BRAZILE: Absolutely not. Mark Kelly is a supporter of the Second Amendment and based on what I've read about this, he was trying to illustrate just how easy it is to get these weapons of mass destruction. I mean he was trying to purchase the AR-15, a weapon that's been used in countless mass shootings most recently in Connecticut. And he went to this gun store and he filled out all of the proper paperwork.

But I think he was trying to make the point about how easy it is to purchase these weapons and perhaps the owner of that facility took issue with being used in that way. But, look, over one million people have been -- over a million people had been rejected in purchasing firearms over the last 14 years because of criminal background or mental situation or drug use. But I think Mr. Kelly was trying to make an important point this trying to purchase this firearm.

COSTELLO: Amy, your thoughts.

KREMER: I think he was absolutely trying to make a political point. And it sounds to me like it upset the owner of the business and so he rescinded the sale. At the end of the day, he's a business owner and he has the right to do that. I personally don't think it was the right thing, but that's what he chose to do.

COSTELLO: Amy Kremer, Donna Brazile, many thanks to you. We appreciate it.

KREMER: Thanks Carol. COSTELLO: Well, same-sex marriage is front and center in a very public debate. It's also a personal issue for one California family. We'll share next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The Supreme Court is hearing arguments this hour on a challenge to California's Prop 8, a voter-approved initiative banning same-sex marriage and the debate over whether gay couples should be allowed to marry hits very close to home for one California family.

Here's CNN's Kyung Lah.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In California's conservative Antelope Valley, a fight inside this the Barros home mirrors the debate in the U.S. Supreme Court, just far more personal.

(on camera): Do you regret how you were before?

NARDA BARROS, MOTHER: I regret yes. You don't realize, you know, how far you can go on your own son, you know. I didn't know.

LAH (voice-over): Narda Barros cheered the passage of the Proposition 8 five years ago, the state measure that eliminated same-sex marriage. What she didn't know, her shy and withdrawn 13-year-old son was gay being eaten alive by a sense of shame over his secret.

BARROS: The most scary part for me was he trying to kill himself. He was so decided. I remember nights I had to sleep with my eyes open.

LAH: Shortly after California banned same sex marriage, Anthony came out to his family, changing everything for the self-described conservative and religious mother.

BARROS: I think it's very important for a lot of people that are gay now why they have to wait so many years to realize that under the law, they deserve a marriage like the same rules that we have. And I support my son.

LAH: Her husband disagrees.

JOHN BARROS, FATHER: It's about family. It's about procreation. It's about, you know, values. He's not going to be a second citizen in any way.

LAH (on camera): Except he can't get married according to your beliefs.

J. BARROS: According to what I believe, yes, I'm against it. Yes, I am. I have my reasons, you know, and I believe strongly in those reasons.

LAH: What is it like for you to hear your father speak? ANTHONY: It's just kind of really harder to hear him say stuff like that, but I know it's a process for everyone. I don't think he realizes how much it hurts me individually that he does not support gay marriage. Because I would like to get married one day. And I would want him to be there.

LAH: This is quite the list of achievements here.

(voice-over): Anthony now a high school senior is a young activist with the Gay Straight Alliance, but he's also senior class president, on the homecoming court, and finds out this week about his acceptance into Harvard.

On the eve of his graduation, this high achiever wants it all, including equality in the home -- why he pushed to paint this mural in his conservative hometown.

A. BARROS: How much longer is it going to take if it doesn't get ruled unconstitutional? How much longer am I going to have to wait to have a marriage?

LAH: Are you talking to the Supreme Court or to your father?

A. BARROS: I'm talking to both.

LAH (voice-over): Kyung Lah, CNN, Lancaster, California.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: "Talk Back" question this morning, "If you fly, should you have to pay what you weigh?" Your responses coming your way next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right. "Talk Back" question of the day, "If you fly, should you have to pay what you weigh?"

This is from Wally, "We live in a free market. If airlines feel the extra weight costs airlines more to fly, they have a right to recoup that cost."

This from Don, not fair at all. Muscle weighs more than fat. Someone in great shape without and an ounce of body fat my weigh more than someone of similar size."

And this from Tom, "I'm a bit heavy. I'd pay a fee for adding more weight."

COSTELLO: That's so nice of you, Tom.

Thank you so much for participating and joining in on the conversation. If you'd like to continue at Facebook.com/carolCNN or please tweet me @Carol CNN.

I am Carol Costello, thank you so much for joining me today. "NEWSROOM" continues now. ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, carol. I'm Ashleigh Banfield. Hello everyone. Amanda Knox may not be not guilty -- believe it or not. The highest court in Italy orders a brand new murder trial for the young American who was acquitted of killing her roommate.

The highest court in America takes up a case that is supremely personal. Do same-sex couples have a right to get married? Who has the right to decide?

And a domestic violence expert returns to the witness stand in the Jodi Arias murder trial. Arias claims she slashed and stabbed and shot Travis Alexander in self-defense. What does the domestic violence expert say?

A bombshell dropped by Italy's Supreme Court. It wants American Amanda Knox to go to trial again for murder. Remember, she was convicted --