Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Sharp-Eyed Neighbor Ended Manhunt; Memorial for MIT Officer
Aired April 24, 2013 - 12:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm joined by Liz Walker, who is formerly a local television anchor here, much beloved in this community.
As we watch this service, it is interesting this position that you're in. You became a reverend. You gave up being a television anchor.
Do you find commonalities? We're, both reporters and people of the cloth, are responding to people in great moments of turmoil.
REV. LIZ WALKER, ROXBURY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: We're both kind of first responders, if you will. You are covering the story and I'm moving in to try to help people find meaning or find their way through it and I think that's what you do, too, as a journalist.
And, so, yeah, it's similar. I find it a humbling experience because we get to see people at the deep end of the pool, if you will. We get to see people in celebration, in amazing celebration, and we get to see people in deep, deep, deep grief, like we're seeing here. And we're a part of that, too, so --
COOPER: It's interesting to me because we don't often speak about grief. We don't often speak about loss unless it's in the wake of something like this. In this society, people are very uncomfortable with that.
But it's only in these times when people's sort of hearts are open and more raw that people want to speak in that way.
And I think those of us who have experienced loss in our lives feel comfortable like to speak about it, like to kind of remember the -- not dwell on the loss, but to remember.
WALKER: I think that's how you find your heart, Anderson. I think that we -- you know, this culture kind of pushes us through. We've got to get done. We're competitive.
But when you have these moments, and they're very painful and they're horrible, but they also show you just the tenderness in your heart. And I think that's really necessary to be human, to be who we are.
COOPER: Reverend Walker, I've really enjoyed talking to you the last couple days. Thank you so much.
WALKER: God bless.
COOPER: Thanks so much, Reverend Liz Walker.
As I said, we are going to bring more of this memorial service as Sean Collier's brother speaks, Vice President Biden. James Taylor will perform.
There's another way you can help those affected by the Boston bombings. Visit "Impact Your World" on CNN.com. There's a lot of organizations there that you can link to that are offering help.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Looking at the memorial service for officer Sean Collier, the MIT police officer killed last Thursday evening.
The grieving continues in Boston, nine days after the terror attacks. As I said, we're going to bring more of this memorial throughout the hour.
Officer Collier was shot four to five times as he sat in his police car last Thursday on the MIT campus. Police believe Collier was ambushed by the suspected marathon bombers.
Welcome back to our continuing coverage, this special edition of "CNN Newsroom."
The area where tragedy struck directly behind me here is now open for business. Boylston Street, the public is being allowed back onto the street for the first time since the terror attacks. There's a strong police presence, obviously, but people are moving about freely.
And we're showing for the first time from the man who used to be married to the suspect's sister. He tells CNN he thinks the older brother, Tamerlan, went from being an aspiring Olympic boxer to a self-radicalized jihadist after becoming friends with a mysterious and influential Armenian man here in Boston in Cambridge, a man named "Misha," which is the Russian name for Michael.
He says the friendship started in Cambridge. U.S. investigators looking for answers from the suspects parents. A delegation from the U.S. embassy in Moscow has arrived in the Russian republic of Dagestan to try to interview the parents of the suspected bombers. We understand they have talked to the mother and waiting to talk to the father.
The district attorney who represents the Boston area weighs in on the case against the bombing suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
He's listed in fair condition in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center here in Boston. It appears he won't be facing state charges in the bombing.
Ashleigh Banfield joins us with more on that. So the D.A. has told you that he'll defer to federal prosecutors. Why is that?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's a great question, Anderson.
It's because the federal statutes that have been drawn up since the World Trade Center's first attack are very, very thorough and very narrow and they carry with them extraordinary penalties that are even stronger than they are here.
And the D.A. said they have everything they need to do what they need. And it would be redundant to just throw the resources towards the investigation to pursue state charges.
Again, this is for the bombings, for all of the crimes that you can tie to the bombing on the marathon day.
Don't forget the MIT officer who was killed is in another county. And that's a separate crime. And that happened on a separate day.
So the D.A. in Middlesex County across the river certainly has the option to go ahead with state charges in connection with that.
But in the meantime, it's pretty fascinating to note that this D.A. in this county, in Suffolk County, says it doesn't matter what's been said in this hospital behind me.
It doesn't matter whether it's Mirandized or not Mirandized, even if you can't use any of the statements that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has allegedly been making to investigators about his culpability, his involvement, the motive behind this attack, the radicalization, just the sheer volume of pristine evidence that he knows of so far, he believes makes it a very strong case.
Have a listen to the D.A., Dan Conley, as he put it to me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN CONLEY, SUFFOLK COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: I believe in this instance based on what I know about the evidence that it wouldn't be an easy case.
None of them really ever are, but it would be a compelling case and it would be a strong case and I would expect a conviction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: That's a pretty strong statement, "I would expect a conviction," given the fact that the federal authorities still have the option in front of them to actually pursue the death penalty with these charges.
I just want to let you know this as well, Anderson. Behind me in this hospital Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is in the custody of U.S. marshals, so if he is to be moved as the D.A. tells me he may be in the next couple of days due to the consternation of the families of those patients who are also here, victims, bombing victim families -- there are 11 of those patients still here -- if he is to be moved, that call is going to be made by the doctors.
The doctors will allow that to happen when the patient is sturdy enough. He's in fair condition at this point. But the doctors will make the ultimate call.
U.S. marshals will ultimately figure out how that transportation will happen because he's in their custody.
And what I'm told by the D.A. is that he could be potentially transferred to another medical facility if he still needs acute care, but then ultimately, he will likely end up in the Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Plymouth, about 40 miles south of here in Boston. It's a state facility, but it can house federal prisoners while he awaits trial.
The D.A. believes that trial could take 12 to 18 months from now. They also house Whitey Bulger, who is a convict there awaiting federal charges as well, so he could have some very notorious company if, in fact, that's where he ends up.
And that Plymouth facility is where the D.A. believes he would be housed waiting for that trial, Anderson.
COOPER: OK, Ashleigh, appreciate all the updates from you outside the hospital.
Coming up, he man who found the suspected bomber in his boat and alerted police is going to take us through those moments. His account is different than what had been reported for the last several days.
He'll explain what he saw with his own words, next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID HENNEBERRY, BOAT OWNER: And I look in the boat over here and looked on the floor and I see blood.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Welcome back. We are going to be taking you to the memorial service for officer Sean Collier, the MIT officer killed on Thursday night.
His brother is expected to speak in about five or 10 minutes from now. We're going to bring that to you live.
Vice president Biden is there. We'll also bring you his comments.
James Taylor is also going to perform. And we'll bring that to you as well.
Sean Collier is just one of the victims, of course, of the terror in Boston last week. His family along with the other victims will be getting help from something called the One Fund Boston.
One Fund Boston has already collected $20 million. They hope to raise more. If you'd like to donate, go to OneFundBoston.org.
Our Jake Tapper talked with Ken Feinberg, the man who's going to administer the fund and figure out how the money is distributed. He says it's not just about money, of course. It's about people's lives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAKE TAPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: An important part of this, as you've said, is you meeting with the families, talking about how this money cannot make them whole.
What else do you tell the families when you meet with them?
KENNETH FEINBERG, ONE FUND BOSTON: First of all, it is -- when you meet with individual families in confidence private meetings, it's very emotional.
Mr. Fienberg, keep the money. I don't want the money. Bring my son back. Bring my wife back. Bring my husband back.
I can't do that, you explain. I can only do a small thimble of your tragedy, of your -- of the crisis you confront, provide some financial help that may help you move forward as best you can.
You do not begin to try and place yourself in the shoes of these survivors. It's very, very emotional.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Ken Feinberg, of course, the man who helped distribute the 9/11 funds among others. You can see the entire interview today, 4:00 Eastern, on "The Lead With Jake Tapper." That's 4:00, live from Boston.
You've heard by now how the Boston bombing manhunt kicked into overdrive because of one neighborhood man checking on his boat.
That's how the boat looks now where the terror suspect tried to hide from police who were intensely searching, house to house.
How he was discovered is an amazing story and it's different than the version you've probably heard. It's not quite the way it went down.
The boat's owner talked to our Boston affiliate, WCBB.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENNEBERRY: This boat is my baby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Slipaway II was in Dave Henneberry's backyard as it always is in the winter.
Did you see anything unusual about the boat?
HENNEBERRY: Well, I put pads in between the shrink wrap.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
HENNEBERRY: It's called the belly strap. It's -- I put roller pads, old rollers in there, and it stops the chafing, and two of those had fallen down to the ground.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At the time he didn't think twice about it. And when word came to resume normal activity --
So at that point in time what do you decide to do?
HENNEBERRY: Go out. Get some air. You know, breathe. And I said I'm just going to put the pads back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They were bugging him, so he went to the backyard to investigate the pads.
HENNEBERRY: No indication of anything. I know people say, there was blood on the boat. He saw blood on one end. Not --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not true.
HENNEBERRY: Not true.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now the word is you saw the boat, you pulled back the wrapping, you saw a body, it --
DAVID HENNEBERRY, BOAT OWNER: Indication of anything. I know people say, there was blood on the boat, that he saw blood on went in. Not.
ED HARDING, WCVB REPORTER: Not true?
HENNEBERRY: Not true.
HARDING: Now the word is -
HENNEBERRY: No.
HARDING: You saw the boat. You pulled back the wrapping. You saw a body. It moved and you called 911.
HENNEBERRY: Oh, no, no, no.
HARDING: No?
HENNEBERRY: No, no, no.
HARDING (voice-over): So he went to the garage and grabbed a stepladder.
HENNEBERRY: I got I think three steps up the ladder and I was - I rolled it up and I can see through now the shrink wrap. I didn't expect to see anything. And I look in the boat over here on the floor and I see blood. And --
HARDING (on camera): A lot of blood?
HENNEBERRY: Had -- a good amount of blood.
HARDING: Yes.
HENNEBERRY: And I said, wow, did I cut myself last time I was in the boat a couple weeks ago and forget to clean? No, you know. No. Then I just looked over there and there's more blood in the forward path on the floor. And I looked back and forth to those things a couple times and my eyes went to the other side of the engine box. The engine box is in the middle of the boat (ph).
HARDING: Uh-huh.
HENNEBERRY: There was a body.
HARDING: And at that moment, what did you do? What were you thinking at that moment?
HENNEBERRY: Oh, my God.
HARDING (voice-over): He couldn't see suspect number two's face. He was glad he couldn't see his face.
HENNEBERRY: Well, I know I took three steps up the ladder. I don't remember stepping down off the ladder. I think I just --
HARDING (on camera): And then you run in the house.
HENNEBERRY: Yes.
HARDING: And immediately call 911.
HARDING (voice-over): And told them there's a body in the boat. And when he got off the phone, he went right back outside.
HENNEBERRY: This hits you more afterwards when you think, my God, we probably slept last night. This guy could be in - that -- you know, I don't know. It's just - it's surreal.
HARDING: In that instant, police responded and he and his wife were taken away.
HARDING (on camera): People are calling you a national hero. You know that?
HENNEBERRY: Incidental hero. I wasn't out on the prowl. I was out to see my boat and I stumbled across this. I mean, that's - that's, you know --
HARDING: But you - but you've contacted everyone. You did the right steps.
HENNEBERRY: Yes. HARDING: And it reached a successful conclusion.
HENNEBERRY: It did do that. I guess I did do that. I'm glad -- I'm just glad that if - I hate to use cliches words, but if the people killed can get some comfort --
HARDING: You know, in my ways, they do.
HENNEBERRY: Then I'm at peace with it, you know.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Want to thank Ed Harding, our Boston affiliate WCVB for that report.
I want to take you to the memorial service for Officer Sean Collier. His brother, Andrew Collier, is about to start speaking. He's not speaking just yet. He's standing next to the person who is speaking now. But let's just listen in.
(BEGIN LIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE COVERAGE - JOINED IN PROGRESS)
ANDREW COLLIER, BROTHER OF MIT OFFICER SEAN COLLIER: Support, friends, neighbors, officers, you students, strangers, old faces and new, just everyone has been showing our family so much love and respect and has been much appreciated. Looking out into the crowd, chief, sergeant, you guys have been topnotch. MIT campus police, all you guys, Officer West, David Smith, just outstanding. Somerville, Boston PD, Cambridge, Wilmington, Stoneham, Wilburn, all over the place, out of country. I've seen New Hampshire - or Canada, sorry. Canada, Ireland. South Carolina I heard was here. Florida. People from all over have just been outstanding. Neighboring towns. I mean, everyone. It just - it truly speaks to the respect and bond that you all have and the club that Sean is a part of for all eternity.
If there's anything that we can learn from this is the morals and beliefs that Sean exemplified during his time in service, respect, support and caring, is taught me that a smile to a stranger, a simple hello, an outreached hand can ultimately change how people treat each other. It's taught me that I want to be more like him. Comfort someone when they're having a bad day, offer some of your time to help someone out, tell your parents that you love them for no other reason than you just do, hug your family members, all of us, try something new, open up, square dancing -- Sean's got two left feet, so I was totally shocked by that one -- just for the chance that you might have - that you might meet some new friends and have lifelong memories. Sean has truly changed the way I want to live. And as a police officer, he would be proud.
If you knew Sean personally, you would know how much he loved country music. One of his favorites, Zac Brown Band, could always be heard pumping out from his truck going down the street. And just the thought of that makes me smile. One of their songs goes "I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand, life is good today, life is good today." Life is good because we -- our family has 27 years of memories with Sean. He will live in our family and hopefully yours forever. So whether you called him hard cop, bag of donuts, or his Boston PD covert called him, in our family he was Seanie, live long like he would, big smiles, big heart, big service, all love. We know that we'll see him again and he'll have that big grin and a hug for all of us. Officer Sean Collier, we love you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Rob and Andrew, both for your words and for having shared your brother with those of us at MIT. It is an honor to have welcomed him into our family.
It is my privilege now to introduce the senior senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren.
(END LIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE COVERAGE)
COOPER: We're going to take a short break. We'll have more of this memorial service in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: We're listening to the memorial service for Sean Collier, the MIT police officer who was killed on Thursday night. His brother Andrew was supposed to speak. Apparently chose not to. Rob Rogers, you just heard speaking. That's another brother of Sean Colliers, did, in fact, speak. Andrew was standing next to him. Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts is talking now and then Vice President Biden will talk. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN LIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE COVERAGE - JOINED IN PROGRESS)
