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Tornadoes Threaten The Plains; Arizona Mom in Mexican Prison; Former Football Player Found Dead; Kellogg to Settle Over Mini Wheats Claim; Injured Military Assist Boston Victims; Marine's Wife Stabbed to Death
Aired May 29, 2013 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, our own Chad Myers is chasing storms in America's heartland as this region is sitting as a possible bull's eye for tornadoes. We're about to go to him live.
I'm Brooke Baldwin. The news is now.
A former NFL player found dead. And his family sensed fear in his final phone call. We're on the case.
JC Penney under fire for this. Resemble anyone?
Plus, two of the world's most violent gangs talking truce from behind bars.
And --
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Twinkle, twinkle little star
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BALDWIN: A 10-year-old girl with weeks to live is being denied a transplant because of her age. Now her parents' urgent fight to change the rules.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not going to tell her she's dying because she's 10.
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BALDWIN: Good to see you. I'm Brooke Baldwin.
Top of the hour, we talk nasty, nasty weather. Dangerous storms are breaking out now in the Plains and we are going to chase that weather live. Chad Myers, you know Chad Myers, our CNN meteorologist. Guess where he is? Southern Kansas right now. He is imbedded with this team of storm chasers. So we're going to see what they're seeing. And Chad will take us through it, of course, beginning in just one short moment. But first let me just walk you back to yesterday. You see this? This giant twister. Look at this thing. This was on the ground for half an hour. It skirted this small town of Corning, Kansas. Thank goodness it didn't do too much damage despite these pictures you're looking at. Again, this was yesterday.
Flash forward to today. Simply stated, red. See the map. Red means danger. More than 3 million people are under the gun right now including Chad.
Chad Myers, you're on the phone with me. Tell me where you are. And I hear you are chasing storms as I speak to you.
CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST (via telephone): Well, you know, Brooke, they couldn't let us together more than one day in a row, because that would be a new record. So here I am out in Kansas. And we'll be in the Oklahoma panhandle soon and eventually into the Texas panhandle where the town of Boerger (ph) has a big storm headed to it right now. Not a tornado on the ground that we know of, but there are still many hours of heating to go.
The sun is coming out. The air is warming up. And that -- those are the two ingredients that you truly need on a day like today. Certainly we have the humidity. Walk outside, bad hair day. Humidity everywhere. When that sun heats the humidity up, the air wants to rise in the thunderstorms. And we have a jet stream above us and dry air to our west. All of those things coming together to make another severe weather day.
The bigger story today is that how large the area truly is. It's not just one or two counties or one or two watch boxes. This could encompass a lot of the U.S. from the Midwest all the way up toward the Northeast today and even into tomorrow. We're going to watch into Oklahoma City for tomorrow, maybe even late tonight. Obviously, a lot of people there that are still picking up the pieces.
We'll watch them for you here. We'll keep you advised. When we see something or we get anything on the ground, we'll bring it to you live, of course, Brooke.
BALDWIN: OK, Chad, so Kansas and Oklahoma and Texas you go. Keep us posted. We can always pop you back on the phone and let me know what you're seeing with this crew of storm chasers. Stay safe, Chad. Thank you.
MYERS: You're welcome.
BALDWIN: The weather has been intense across much of the United States. Take a look for yourself at some video. This is Illinois. This is Carl Sandburg College in the town of Galesburg. It had to close its campus today because of this. Look at this. Flooding. Clearly you can see why they had to close. The floodwaters built up and built up outside before shattering the glass here and crashing through this building.
Locked up in a Mexican prison. An Arizona wife and mother facing the unthinkable. Today, Yanira Maldonado is back in court hoping to convince a judge to set her free, let her go home. Her nightmare began on a bus headed back to the United States after attending a funeral in Mexico. The Mexican military say that they found 12 pounds of marijuana under her bus seat, but her family, they said no way and they don't believe that.
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ANNA SOTO, MALDONADO'S DAUGHTER: Whoever was the cause of this, that's who I'm angry at. The people that put my mom in prison without having evidence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Incredibly difficult, obviously, for this family. Casey Wian covering this story for us in Goodyear, Arizona.
Casey, a Mexican state official says it appears this mother of seven was framed. There's even talk, you know, from authorities asking for bribe money. So how strong of a case do they have against her here?
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we really don't know at this point, Brooke. We'll know more a little bit later today. In about half hour, another hearing in Mexico is expected to begin. And testifying will be some of those Mexican military personnel who apprehended Yanira Maldonado and initially her husband, Gary, last week. Her attorney will also have the opportunity to cross-examine them.
So far all we know in terms of the case that they have built against her, if you can really call it a case, is the fact that marijuana was allegedly found underneath this -- her bus seat on a commercial bus. Witnesses have testified that she and her husband got on that bus and they weren't carrying anything. Initially, according to Yanira's family, they arrested Gary Maldonado, her husband.
BALDWIN: Right.
WIAN: They said it was under his seat. They then let him go, then arrested his wife, sent her off to prison before he says he could gather the money together to pay the bribe, $5,000 bribe is what he says he was asked to pay to secure her release, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Yes, experts saying perhaps she was a softer target than her husband and you know the deal in Mexico, it's kind of like you're guilty until you're proven innocent.
Let me ask you this, though. What kind of contact has she had with her family members, with the United States?
WIAN: Limited contact with her family members. They visited her briefly over the weekend in prison. Very heart wrenching, difficult experience for her daughter who we spoke to about that yesterday.
Her husband was in touch with the U.S. consulate in Nogales and councilor officials say through the State Department that they have been in touch with Mexican authorities. They haven't told us if they're actually inside this courtroom, this small courtroom, monitoring the proceedings. They say that any comment on this case needs to come from either Mexican authorities or Yanira's attorney in Mexico.
We should also point out, though, that U.S. Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona is monitoring this situation, has been in contact with Mexican officials, as well as the family, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Casey Wian for us in Arizona.
Casey, thank you.
And now to that mysterious death of this former college football star by the name of Cullen Finnerty. Police say Finnerty, who was briefly with the Baltimore Raven, apparently set out to go fishing Sunday. But he disappeared. His body found last night in the woods about a half mile from where he left his boat. Want to bring in Alina Cho, whose covering this for us today from New York.
And so I know you've seen the preliminary autopsy report. What does it say, Alina?
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it just came out, Brooke. In fact, we just got off the phone with the sheriff's office. And here's what we can tell you. A lot of this is so mysterious, but the preliminary autopsy came back with an undetermined cause of death. There will be some brain tests conducted. A final autopsy report will be released tomorrow. But one important point is that there was no sign of foul play.
Again, as I mentioned, so much mystery surrounding this story and there's a lot that we don't know. But as we gather the facts and put all the pieces together, here's what we can tell you. Cullen Finnerty's last phone call was apparently to a family member on Sunday. That was the last anyone had heard from him.
He was on that fishing trip. He was supposed to meet a friend. That friend apparently never showed up. Now, in the phone call, Finnerty apparently said that he was uncomfortable. He wanted to come off the river and that he added he was leery about something, but he wouldn't say what that was.
Now, you should also know that family members have expressed concern apparently to investigators that Finnerty had suffered from concussions in the past. But at this point, too early to know if that played a role in his death. And even when that final autopsy report comes out, Brooke, that won't be mentioned whether concussions played a role.
Now, Finnerty, as a person, just 30 years old, married with two children. Really a star quarterback in college. After that, he joined the Baltimore Ravens briefly and "The Denver Post" is reporting that he was briefly with the Denver Broncos as well. But he really was a star in college. Grand Valley State University. That university did put out a statement saying in part, quote, "all of our thoughts and prayers go out to Cullen's family." It went on to say, "you can tell by the outpouring of support and now grief just how much this young man means to the Grand Valley community."
One of his former coaches, interestingly enough, Brooke, said he's a big character kid and had a lot of friendships. And that was evident. I mean, imagine this, many current and former players, coaches, even alumni were among those actually searching for Finnerty's body.
BALDWIN: Looking for the body, right.
CHO: That's right. Which, as you mentioned, was found about a half mile from his boat, in the woods. And again, another mysterious part of this story that we're still trying to figure out at this point.
Brooke.
BALDWIN: A lot of questions. Still so early in the investigation.
Alina Cho, thank you.
CHO: You bet.
BALDWIN: Coming up, a story that I know a lot of you are still talking about, that newborn baby who survived hours inside this sewer pipe before being rescued. We have some brand-new pictures for you today as his mother says she deeply regrets what she did.
Plus, cereal maker Kellogg settling a class action lawsuit over claims of false advertising. It is the big Frosted Mini-Wheats controversy. That story after the break.
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BALDWIN: Now to some of the hottest story a flash. We call it "Rapid Fire." Roll it.
First up, it is being called a threat to the entire world by the World Health Organization. This new kind of virus has no treatments, no vaccine and has killed 27 people and sickened another 49. This is called the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Saudi Arabia has the most cases at 32. A handful of other countries have also been hit, as you can see here on the map. Symptoms often start, they say, as a fever and cough.
A training accident that killed seven Marines in Nevada in March is being blamed on human error. Investigators found one of the Marines didn't follow proper procedure before a mortar round exploded at the Hawthorne Army Depot. Eight other service members were injured. No criminal charges have been filed, but three Marine leaders were relieved of duty after the incident.
Sixty years ago, Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Mt. Everest. But I bet he didn't think of doing this, jumping. But, oh, yes, this is what Russian extreme sports star Valerie Rozov did earlier this month. I don't know. Do you have some butterflies? I'm never trying this. It is a first. It is the world's highest base jump made at an altitude, wait for it, of 23,700 feet. She flew for nearly one minute before landing on a glacier more than 4,000 feet below. JC Penney says it didn't intentionally create a teapot to look like -- look at this. What do you see? Adolf Hitler, perhaps? But some drivers in southern California apparently disagree. Take a look for yourself. This is the billboard with the kettle on display. Located on the 405 interstate near Culver City. Drivers passing it by tweeted photos of it in anger. JC Penney tweeted back, quote, "if we had designed the teapot to look like something, we would have gone with a puppy tea kettle." JC Penney.
All right, parents, if you bought your kids a box of Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats because you believed that ad that said it would improve your child's attentiveness, well, I've got some news for you. Kellogg just agreed to settle a class action lawsuit over that claim. Alison Kosik has those details.
And, Alison, first of all, tell me who sued Kellogg and what else it claimed the cereal could do exactly?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So a bunch of consumers, Brooke, got together and sued. It wound up turning into a class action lawsuit because according to the lawsuit, Kellogg's made it seem that if you ate these Frosted Mini-Wheats you'd be smarter. More specifically, if your kids ate it, they'd focus better in school. Well now Kellogg's has created a $4 million fund to settle this lawsuit involving charges over this ad campaign. Look at this.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This school year, make a resolution to give your kid Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal, an excellent source of fiber from 100 percent whole grain that helps keep them full so they can focus on the day ahead.
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BALDWIN: OK.
KOSIK: So in 2009, these ads specifically, you know, basically cited a highly suspect clinical study, Brooke that supposedly proved that kids focused more when they were fed these Mini-Wheats. But listen to the problem here. The comparison group was only given water. So, duh, of course kids focus better when they eat breakfast instead of starving in the morning.
BALDWIN: What?
KOSIK: So what Kellogg's did was they took these claims out of the ads after the FTC complained. But, you know what, they are still standing by the claim that the cereal improved focus and it still stands by the claim, but it's looking to change these ads to make this lawsuit go poof, go away.
Brooke.
BALDWIN: Are these the same people that brought those Nikes because they thought they could dunk and they're not dunking and so they're kind of like, I want my money back?
KOSIK: Yes.
BALDWIN: Anyhow, do customers get their money back?
KOSIK: They can. So what you can do is you can go online, submit a claim form, or, you know, either online or through the mail. It's for boxes purchased between certain times, January 28th of 2008, October 1st of 2009. You can only get up to $15. So it's three boxes of cereal. So you can go to cerealsettlement.com for more info.
Brooke.
BALDWIN: OK. Alison Kosik, thank you.
KOSIK: Sure.
BALDWIN: Coming up, wounded war vets coming to the aid of those injured just a couple of weeks ago in the Boston bombings.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Always had a passion for cars and was concerned that I was never going to be able to do it again.
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BALDWIN: Men and women who have sacrificed themselves going to war for us, losing limbs in the process, sharing their experiences with the newly wounded from the Boston Marathon bombings. We share their stories. Don't miss this, next.
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BALDWIN: "Boston Strong," the concert to benefit the One Fund, which, if you recall, sold out in all of five minutes, is tomorrow night. And the lineup is, if I may, wicked awesome. You have James Taylor, Aerosmith, who, by the way, are flying in from Singapore for this, Boston, Drop Kick Murphies, New Kids on the Block. Remember, it was Joey McIntyre who had just crossed the finish line when the bombs went off.
Want to let you know, I will be in Boston tomorrow. So tune in for our live show outside the TD Garden and you will see who or what we have up our sleeve as far as special guests for you.
Meanwhile, as the healing continues, our nation's veterans, our wounded warriors, have banded together to offer the kind of advice and empathy for marathon victims that only they can provide. Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr shares their amazing stories.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a Boston native, I was saddened to learn of the deaths and injuries as a result of the Boston Marathon bombing. My friends and I from the (INAUDIBLE) military community - UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have a message to share -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have a message to share with all of those affected.
ADAM POPP, VETERAN/AMPUTEE: My name is (INAUDIBLE) Retired Adam Popp.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Adam's leg was amputated after an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2007.
POPP: When I lost my leg, my greatest concern was the unknown.
STARR: He and other wounded veterans made the video for one reason.
POPP: And just kind of share our experiences with the newly wounded community of the Boston Marathon bombing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I always had a passion for cars and I was concerned that I was never going to be able to do it again.
STARR: They want the Boston victims to know --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd say we still find a way to do some pretty cool things.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And my best advice on recovery is --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just to be patient.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trying to focus more on the things you can do instead of what you can't.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And don't hid in the hospital room.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're not limited, you're just adaptive.
STARR: And they have a message for the rest of us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have access to the best doctors, physical therapists --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Civilian amputees do not always have access to the same level of care.
STARR: Chris Ferguson spearheaded the video the veterans made to help raise money for Boston victims and families.
CHRIS FERGUSON, (ph): This was a clear cut opportunity for them to give back.
STARR: Adam Popp has now been to Boston.
POPP: I visited Spalding, the rehabilitation center up there, and got to meet a few of the amputees and talked with them a little bit, kind of share and learn from them as well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To the victims and families of the Boston Marathon bombing --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We stand with you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We stand with you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We stand with you.
STARR: Barbara Starr, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: I know a lot of those survivors will be there tomorrow night for the benefit show. And so, again, we will be there live at 2:00 Eastern in Boston. I can't wait. We'll see you there.
Coming up next, a shooting rampage in Texas.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wouldn't wish this on anybody. And for somebody just come in and opening up on us, for no reason, they don't even know us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: A Texas couple says they came face to face with a man who fired more than a dozen rounds into their truck as they walked away with barely a scratch. Their story.
Plus, two of the world's most violent gangs are brokering a truce from, of all places, behind bars. Stay with us.
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BALDWIN: A U.S. Marine, a veteran of two combat tours in Afghanistan, goes on a rampage in Texas. Lance Corporal Esteban Smith started shooting, seemingly at random. Investigators say one person was killed, seven wounded before he was killed in a shootout with police. Later, officers searched this motel in North Carolina and made a gruesome discovery. They found the body of Smith's wife. She had been stabbed to death. And now we're hearing from two of his alleged victims who survived this spray of bullets. Brendaliss Gonzales has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CASIMIRO SOLIS, SHOOTING VICTIM: I don't know how we survived it.
BRENDALISS GONZALEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Consider this a miracle.
SOLIS: That was our regular routine. I drop her off at work and then I go to work myself.
GONZALEZ: Except this time a man pulled up as the couple was inside their truck and began shooting. They have no idea who he was. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He was just looking at me.
SOLIS: With a dead blank space.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
GONZALEZ: Or that he would soon go off and shoot three others and kill a woman, who, like them, was in her car.
SOLIS: See that? That's where it went through the roof.
GONZALEZ: Police counted 16 bullet holes on the truck.
SOLIS: Came through here.
GONZALEZ: Yet here they are, standing, with only bruises from fragments where the bullet should have gone completely through.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would have thought the side of my face was shot off.
GONZALEZ (on camera): The very spot where they were attacked may have been what saved them. This is the bullet that should have gone straight through Casimiro's head. This is where Charlotte (ph) was sitting and she says the seat belt is what saved her.
SOLIS: It ricocheted and came up through the roof.
GONZALEZ: Would you consider this a miracle?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. A God's miracle.
SOLIS: Basically, yes. The hand of God was with us that day.
GONZALEZ (voice-over): But it's still hard not to wonder why.
SOLIS: I wouldn't wish this on anybody. And for somebody just to come in and opening up on us, for no reason, they don't even know us, and leaving us for dead.
GONZALEZ: They may never find out after the alleged shooter was shot and killed by state troopers.
SOLIS: As far as I'm concerned, that's what he deserved.
GONZALEZ: For now, they're just taking it one day at a time, knowing each day is a miracle in itself.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Brendaliss Gonzalez from KTAB reporting.
