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Zimmerman Jury Selection Resumes; Violent Weekend in Chicago; Alleged Mob Boss Goes on Trial; Minnesota Man Accused of Being Nazi War Criminal; Jay-Z's Free Album; Spurs 1 Win Away from 5th NBA Title; Pitcher Alex Cobb Out of Hospital

Aired June 17, 2013 - 13:30   ET

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

JEAN CASAREZ, HLN LEGAL ANALYST: The defense says no. The prosecution says yes.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: I understand that they are going to be dealing with that 911 tape. What are they looking for?

CASAREZ: Here's the thing. The defense has brought this motion to not allow expert testimony. What the prosecution wants to do is put on experts saying that they believe, as uncertain as they are, that they believe it's Trayvon Martin that was crying out for help. But the defense put on as a witness the senior audio engineer from the FBI. He said you need 16 seconds of a good scream, of sound to be able to analyze it. In this particular case, I could find no more than three seconds. And also, with the voices overlapping and over the screams, it's just too speculative. And anyone who is serious in the audio engineering forensic industry would say you cannot have testimony on this. It's too speculative.

MALVEAUX: That will be interesting to see if it gets in at all.

Jean, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Jean Casarez. You can watch more of her report on our sister network, HLN.

In Chicago, they have now had another horrific weekend of violence. Chicago police say seven people were shot to death and that there were 26 shooting incidents, 30 people wounded. Despite the figures, police say that last year was worse and things are actually getting better there.

I want to bring in Pastor Corey Brooks.

Thank you for joining us.

You've been trying to fight the crime in the neighborhoods and really trying to figure out what's going on. Can you explain to us what happened this past weekend? How did things break down the way they did?

COREY BROOKS, PASTOR, NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH OF CHICAGO: Well, we're still experiencing a lot of crime and violence in the city of Chicago. I know the numbers are down and the police are doing everything they can, but when you live in Chicago and any time in these areas where there's a lot of young people who have a lot of guns and a lot of anger and hostility, at any time gun violence can jump off. This weekend it was a tough weekend, and I hate to say it, but these are the type of weekends we're going to be experiencing over and if we don't get our hands on the problem.

MALVEAUX: What is the problem? Is this matter of people who are going after each other to try to settle old scores? Is it gang related? Explain how so many people went after each other?

BROOKS: There's a lot of issues. You have educational issues and social and spiritual issues. At the end of the day you have a lot of angry young men. There's a lot of retaliation. A lot of going back and forth. A lot of people don't understand the trauma and drama that's going on in our community. When you have a young man, like I've experienced working with a young man getting shot and his 6- month-old getting shot and killed and she laying on his chest and being rushed to a hospital and getting killed, and then having to deal with that type of trauma of him going to court, to see the young man that potentially did this to him, that retaliation sets in a person's mind. And then you have the other person that committed the crime, his family, his friends, who are amped up. It's always a tough situation to deal with.

MALVEAUX: Pastor, we got statement from the police superintendent, Gary McCarthy. I want to read this for our viewers. He said, "While we've had fewer murders to date this year than since any year since the mid-1960s, there's more work to be done whether it's police, clergy, community organizations, parents or residents, we have to play a role in reducing violence and no one will rest until everyone enjoys the same sense of safety."

What can be done, Pastor? What is the most important thing to be done right now?

BROOKS: The most important thing to be done right now is there has to be collaboration. The police are doing everything that they can. They have the areas, they have neighborhoods, they have specific areas targeted. They're doing a lot of good work. There's going to have to be a lot of outcries from pastors to parents. We have to get on the same page and tackle this problem. We have to gang up on the problem and stop ganging up on each other. What we do in Chicago is we gang up on each other. If we're going to solve this issue, we're going to have to work together and going to do everything it takes to solve the problems of the day.

MALVEAUX: Pastor, thank you. We wish you and the community the best --

BROOKS: Thank you.

MALVEAUX: -- in tackling a difficult situation there.

He's accused of killing 19 people decades ago. Now, James "Whitey" Bulger hears from a key witness against him. The latest from Boston, up next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: He's the government star witness in the case against mob boss, James Whitey Bulger, and he's also his former best friend. He's on the stand today. Bulger is accused of killing 19 people in the almost two decades he was the head of the Irish mob.

I want to bring in Deborah Feyerick who is covering the trial.

Tell us what it's like to see these two men in the same courtroom.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's fascinating. They were best friends and partners in crime. They even were godparents to each other's children. John Martorano, the star witness for the government, put Whitey Bulger at the scene of several of the murders. He described a number of them saying how they would go in teams, different cars, and they would focus on the targets. In one case, John Martorano opening fire with a machine gun. Because of his position, Whitey Bulger could feel some of those bullets flying over his head. He described another murder where they got the wrong guy. They put his body in the trunk of the car and then dumped the car in the projects, fully knowing the car would be stolen, which ultimately it was.

Suzanne, what was especially interesting is the dynamic between Whitey Bulger and the rogue FBI agent, John Connelly. It was that relationship that many believe allowed Whitey Bulger to become so powerful and to be so ruthless during this time period, really controlling Boston.

What he described is, when John Connelly got back from his FBI training, he went to Billy Bulger, a prominent politician in Boston and said, I want to thank you for keeping me honest, and Bill said, do me a favor and watch out for my brother, which John Connelly ultimately did. He was paid off by Whitey Bulger.

If was interesting. John Martarano said this is the first time -- he said what he didn't know is thinking they were being protect by the FBI, what he didn't know was that Whitey Bulger, in turn, was providing information on other gang members -- Suzanne?

MALVEAUX: What's been the reaction or the response of people in courtroom when they listen to these stories?

FEYERICK: It's so fascinating. For people who live in Boston, they know a lot of the history. But those on the outside, Whitey Bulger is the character -- with Jack Nicholson. "The Departed" based with Jack Nicholson, Whitey Bulger is that character. And so to hear all of this, to see the connections, to see the killings, the murders and the role that Whitey Bulger is alleged to have played is a very interesting dynamic. You have all these old gangsters taking the stand, they're testifying. It adds a whole different level, but it is fascinating to watch.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely.

Deb, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

He's accused of being a Nazi war criminal. Hear what this 94-year-old man's son is saying now about those accusations.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: In Minneapolis, a 94-year-old man is accused of being part of a Nazi-led military unit that was responsible for many deaths. His son says he is not a Nazi.

Miguel Marquez has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Is he or isn't he? The allegation that 94-year-old Michael Karkoc hid his Nazi past for nearly 70 years has shocked this suburb.

GORDON GNASDONSKY, NEIGHBOR: The Nazi thing was big. I would feel differently about him.

MARQUEZ: The allegations begin with his own memoir published in the Ukraine in 1995. Karkoc admits he helped found the Ukrainian Self- Defense Legion, an offshoot of Hitler's brutal S.S. division.

His son insists his father is innocent.

ANDRIJ KARKOC, SON OF MICHAEL KARKOC: The associated press intentionally and maliciously defamed our father, Michael Karkoc.

MARQUEZ: The Associated Press alleges that Mr. Karkoc lied about his military service when he entered the U.S. in 1949, was in charge of the Nazi-directed division when it nearly wiped out the population of a Polish town, and even may have taken part in the ruthless suppression of Warsaw towards the end of the war. Even the Associated Press admits there is no evidence that Mr. Karkoc was directly involved in any of it.

KARKOC: To quote the A.P., "Records do not show that Karkoc had a direct hand in war crimes," end quote. My father was never a Nazi.

MARQUEZ: Still, the A.P. says it sticks by its reporting. And the U.S. Department of Justice will only say it looks into all credible allegations of Nazi war crimes. If this is found to be credible, finding Mr. Karkoc in court would be a long process.

(on camera): A very long process. If these charges move forward, Mr. Karkoc would have to be denaturalized, deported, and then tried in either Germany or Poland.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: If you're looking to buy a house, you'll want to listen to this. Home price, mortgage rates both on the rise. Coming up, why now is the time to lock it?

Then, Jay-Z making a big announcement during an NBA game. He's offering up his 12 albums for free. We'll explain that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SINGING)

JAY-Z, SINGER: The album is like this duality.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Jay-Z's next album doesn't come out until July. It's already gone platinum. How did that happen?

Nischelle Turner, from New York, has the news.

How did that happen?

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good question. Basically, in layman's terms, Suzanne, he's pre-selling a million copies of his upcoming album to Samsung at $5 a pop. It's not going to be leased until July 7th. It's already made this $5 million.

This is part of a move by Samsung to change the game in its battle with Apple iPhone. Galaxy users can download this album for free on July 4th, 72 hours before the general public can get it.

If you notice in that commercial, there's a few quick shots of the song writers also going to be on the album, using the Samsung tablet to do their work. There's some more cross-promotion going on there.

We don't initially know if this is going to be a platinum album. Nielsen scales haven't decided if sales will count for its official count. Every album Jay-Z has done has got platinum. It's likely this one will, too.

MALVEAUX: Has anyone done this for an album release?

TURNER: The scope and scale is unique. The idea of using corporate sponsorships is getting more and more common. The last artist we heard of lately to do it, his wife, Beyonce. She signed that deal with Pepsi.

(LAUGHTER)

Jay-Z worked with mobile phone companies before. In 2003, he teamed up with Nokia when we released the "Black" album. That music was loaded on a special Nokia phone that people could buy. He kind of likes this deal with the mobile users.

This is an art form. If you talk to people in the music game, Suzanne, they will tell you it's a dying industry. They're trying to find a way to jump start it once again. This could be it. MALVEAUX: Pretty smart move on his part.

Nischelle, thanks. Appreciate it.

TURNER: Sure.

MALVEAUX: This is a double whammy for home buyers. Not only are prices starting to rise, mortgage rates also creeping up.

If you're looking to buy, Christine Romans has three little words for you, "Lock it in."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: To buy this house just a few weeks ago, you might have locked in a mortgage at 3.5 percent but rates may never be that low again.

GERRI DETWEILER, DIRECTOR OF CONSUMER EDUCATION, CREDIT.COM: If you are either in the market to buy a house or you've been on the fence about refinancing, I would say do not wait.

ROMANS: Mortgage rates are still historically low but now a sudden move higher, up more than half a percentage point in six weeks.

BOB MOULTON, PRESIDENT, AMERICANS MORTGAGE GROUP: The rates went up very dramatically. They went up very quickly.

ROMANS: Ironically, an improving economy is to blame.

MOULTON: Unemployment is down. The stock market is doing really well. Median home prices are up. People are feeling better. They're out there buying again. So the economy does well, you will see a rising-rate environment.

ROMANS: And you will see it in your monthly payment. At 3.5 on a $250,000 home with 20 percent down, you pay $898. The same 30-year fixed mortgage will cost you 954 bucks at 4 percent. That's $56 more a month or $672 a year. Down payment, credit score and income determine the rate you'll pay.

MOULTON: Borrowers that are getting the best rate are putting 20 percent to 25 percent down. They have income that is documentable so they're providing W-2s and federal tax returns and they have an excellent credit score, something over 700 or 720.

ROMANS: A quick closing date also helps.

MOULTON: You get your best rate from a lender if you lock in for 30 days. Standard to lock-in for 60 days and the longer you go out. The more you go out, the more expensive it will be.

ROMANS: Ask your lender about a float-down provision so your rate could be adjusted lower if rates do slip again.

If you're still looking for the right house, make sure you're preapproved for a mortgage. And pay down your debt while interest rates on auto loans and credit cards are still low.

DETWEILER: This is a time to take advantage of those rates. It means be as aggressive as you can about paying down your debt, because once they start to rise, there won't be a stop.

ROMANS: No stop. And the lowest mortgage rates in history may be gone for good.

Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Just one day after being hit in the head with a line drive, Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Alex Cobb out of the hospital. The latest on his condition, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: You probably remember this moment, former NFL star, Chad Johnson, in court for a probation violation, slapping his attorney on the butt for a job well done. Right? The judge thought this was disrespectful, tossed out his plea deal, sent him to jail for 30 days. Here's what happened in court today. Now that Johnson has apologized to the judge, he is being -- he's been released from that sentence. Before the butt slap, Johnson had been in jail on a probation violence charge from a domestic violence arrest last summer.

After crushing the Heat last night, the Spurs now one win away from winning their fifth NBA title.

Andy Scholes, he's got more in "The Bleacher Report."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDY SCHOLES, BLEACHERREPORT.COM: Hey, Suzanne. Just when it looked like the Heat were going to take control of this series after winning game four in blowout fashion, the Spurs changed things up last night and answered back with a blowout of their own. Gregg Popovich tried to get Ginobili going. He put him in the starting lineup for the first time in over a year. Boy, did it work. Ginobili had a season high 24 points with 10 assists. It was just a one-point game in the third quarter. That's when the Spurs went on a 19-1 run. Danny Green on fire once again. He smashed the NBA finals record for three- pointers, hitting six more while scoring 24 points. The Spurs cruise to a 114-104 win. The series now shifts back to Miami for game six tomorrow night. San Antonio one win away from the fifth NBA title.

Yesterday's final round of the U.S. Open turned out to be another heartbreaker for Phil Mickelson. He had the lead heading into the final round. Check out this amazing shot from him on the tenth. He holes it from the fairway. That was an eagle. He was in the lead at that point. But Mickelson would bogey three of his final six holes. He finished in second place for a record sixth time at the U.S. Open. While Mickelson struggled through his final round, Englishman Justin Rose had a solid day. Rose shot even par. That was good enough to win his first major of his career. It's been quite the journey for Rose. After turning pro in 1998, he missed his first 21 cuts. Now he's expected to rise to number three in the world right behind Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Just one day after getting hit by a line drive in the head, Rays Pitcher Alex Cobb is out of the hospital. Cobb was struck in the head by his right ear on a comebacker by Eric Hosmer. During the fifth inning of the game, Cobb was taken our on a stretcher. But he tweeted from the hospital that he was OK. All tests were normal. He was diagnosed with a concussion. The Rays have placed him on the seven- day concussion list. There is not a timetable for him to return to the rotation.

That'll do it for "The Bleacher Report."

Suzanne, back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Thanks, Andy.

That's it for me. Don Lemon takes it from here.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Suzanne.

I'm Don Lemon, in today for Brooke Baldwin. I'm live from New York. Thanks for joining me. A huge hour of news for you.

We begin with a breaking story out of New Jersey. It's unfolding right now. A plane has just landed in Newark after a passenger claimed to have poisoned everyone onboard. Here's what we know right now. The United flight traveling from Hong Kong -- Newark was its original destination. We're told the passenger became disruptive. And the feds aren't sure whether the threat is real. But they're taking it seriously, of course. Updates for you as we get them throughout the hours here on CNN.

Also happening right now, the FBI is digging today for the body of Jimmy Hoffa again.