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Jurors In George Zimmerman Trial Heard From 22 Witnesses This Week; Joe Lefeged Arrested On Firearms; President Barack Obama Visits South Africa; Parts Of Southwest Heats Up To Above 100 Degrees
Aired June 29, 2013 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. It is 3:00 p.m. on the east coast, noon out west. For those of you just joining us, welcome to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Here are the top stories we're following this hour.
The west is sizzling right now. An impressive heat wave is bringing triple digit temperatures from California to Nevada. We'll have a live report.
The jury has the weekend off in the murder trial of George Zimmerman after hearing from nearly two dozen witnesses. The latest is straight ahead.
Plus, CNN's interview with Trayvon Martin's stepmother.
And straight ahead, we will go to San Francisco. That's where same- sex couples are getting married this afternoon after an appeals court ruling gives it the green light.
A brutal heat wave is bearing down on the west, sending temperatures over 110 degrees. A look at some of these predictions, up to 129 degrees tomorrow in California's death valley and 118 in Phoenix today. This heat wave is expected to hang on until Tuesday.
Casey Wian is live for us at one of the hot spots in Palm Springs, California. We're talking about a water park. I see a few people behind you. It's not hugely crowded, just too hot to even be there for a lot of folks?
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's really interesting, Fredricka. One of the things we expected when we came here is we expected it would be jam packed, but officials here tell us that it can actually be too hot to go to a water park. The water actually gets really warm. But there are quite a few people here enjoying this water and trying to cool off, but we spoke with a lifeguard a little while ago about the challenges that 120-degree heat can -- those challenges that these lifeguards face.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AUSTIN BRAGG, LIFEGUARD, SOAK CITY: Hydrating is the key to success here at the water park. Staying cool, not skipping a meal because they want to go on a ride or running out of sun block. I mean, these are the difference between life and death at a Water Park when it's 120 degrees and so humid outside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIAN: Now, we are expecting a high temperature, perhaps a record high temperature today of 120, 121 degrees, possibly. It has just spiked up quite a bit in the last hour or so. It was only about 105 or so an hour ago, and you can see right now this thermometer showing it is about 120 degrees right now where I'm standing. You see the sweat just beading up on my arm. I've been out here for about ten minutes now, so it is really, really hot, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my God. And I bet that asphalt is hot on the bare feet that I see walking by, too. Of course, that lady has flip-flops, that's smart, but I bet it's very hot to the feet.
WIAN: It certainly is. We were out on an airport tarmac yesterday afternoon, and the soles of my shoes were starting to melt. It was 155 degrees on the ground out there, very, very hot. You wouldn't believe it, though, there are some people who are braving these elements and doing things like playing golf. Here's one man we spoke to at a golf course earlier this morning.
WHITFIELD: All right. I think -- well, we're going to have to re- rack that tape.
WIAN: I guess we didn't have that. Sorry about that.
WHITFIELD: It wasn't ready to go, but I imagine even the golfers are doing all they can, they're getting creative to try to stay cool on the green because, you know, they can't stay away from trying to tee off.
Casey Wian, thanks so much. Try to stay cool as best you can. I appreciate it.
All right. Now on to a high-profile case in Sanford, Florida where jurors in the George Zimmerman murder trial heard from 22 witnesses last week. All of them were called by the prosecution in an attempt to prove the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin was second- degree murder. But our Martin Savidge says at least a few of those witnesses seemed to bolster Zimmerman's claim that he fired the fatal shot in self-defense.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What Jonathan Good saw the night Trayvon Martin died goes to the heart of the Zimmerman case.
MARK O'MARA, ZIMMERMAN DEFENSE LAWYER: That night that you saw the person who you now know to be Trayvon Martin was on top, correct?
JONATHAN GOOD, ZIMMERMAN'S NEIGHBOR: Correct.
O'MARA: That he was the one raining blows down on the person on the bottom, George Zimmerman, right? GOOD: That's what it looked like.
SAVIDGE: Good lives in the subdivision where the shooting took place. He was watching from his patio about 15 to 20 feet away. Zimmerman that night was wearing a red and black jacket, Martin a dark, hooded sweat shirt.
O'MARA: The color of clothing on top, what could you see?
GOOD: It was dark.
O'MARA: OK. How about the color of clothing at the bottom?
GOOD: I believe it was a light, white or red color.
SAVIDGE: But that's not all Good said he saw. He witnessed physical blows being thrown and then a style of, Mixed Martial Arts.
O'MARA: What you saw someone on top in an MMA style straddle position, correct?
GOOD: Correct.
O'MARA: That was further described, was it not, as being ground and pound?
GOOD: Correct.
SAVIDGE: Good also testified about one more key question, that voice screaming for help in the darkness he believes belonged to Zimmerman.
O'MARA: The voice screaming for help, however many times you heard it, it was just one person's voice?
GOOD: When I heard it outside, I believe it was just one person's voice, yes.
O'MARA: And you now believe that was George Zimmerman's voice, correct?
GOOD: I never said that. I said it could have been his, but I was not 100 percent sure.
O'MARA: I'm not asking for 100 percent certainty. I'm asking you to use your common sense and tell us if you think that was George Zimmerman's voice screaming for help, the person on the bottom?
GOOD: That's just my opinion.
SAVIDGE: The next person to take the stand was another neighbor, Jonathan Manalo, who was the first person to talk to Zimmerman seconds after the shooting. The prosecution seemed to zero in on Zimmerman's state of mind. A handcuffed Zimmerman had asked Manalo to call his wife for him.
JONATHAN MANALO, ZIMMERMAN'S NEIGHBOR: I had a connection right away and I said, your husband has been involved in a shooting. He's being questioned and taken to the Sanford police department. At that time he kind of cut me off and said, just tell her I shot someone.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did you say?
MANALO: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did you say?
MANALO: OK, well, he just shot someone.
SAVIDGE: Manalo also testified that Zimmerman had the look of the man who just looked beaten up and even snapped this cell phone picture of Zimmerman's bloody head. On cross examinations, Manalo seem to encapsulate Zimmerman's entire defense, quoting what Zimmerman told him moments after the fatal shot and with the body of the teenager nearby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This guy was beating me up and I shot him.
MANALO: I was defending myself when I shot him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry.
MANALO: I was defending myself when I shot him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So this guy was beating me up. I was defending myself and I shot him is what he told you.
MANALO: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Without hesitation?
MANALO: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And from what you could tell at the moment, it seemed completely true?
MANALO: Yes.
SAVIDGE: After the testimony of Jonathan Good, then came Sanford police officer Timothy Smith. Smith had a number of things to say, but perhaps most important from the aspect of the defense was he said that he noted that George Zimmerman's jacket, the back of it, at least, was wetter than the front and also that it was covered or stained by grass. Now, that again would seem to verify the point that the defense has made all along, that George Zimmerman was struggling on his back on the ground with Trayvon Martin over him, swinging -- Fredricka.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much. Martin Savidge there in Sanford.
Also, straight ahead, a voice we have not heard from in this tragedy. We'll play CNN's exclusive interview with Trayvon Martin's stepmother. That's coming up.
And overseas, President Obama is in South Africa today. He called now Mandela's wife at the hospital and met with family members, but Obama did not visit Mandela out of what he called deference to his peace and comfort. The 94-year-old remains in critical but stable conditions.
Our Jessica Yellin is live for us now in Johannesburg.
So, Jessica, the president spoke about Mr. Mandela today when he was at a youth rally group. What did he say exactly?
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.
You know, the president has spoken about former president Mandela almost every time he has appeared publicly during this trip. At the youth workshop, he did a town hall with young people here. He said that Mandela is an example of what's possible in the world when one man puts his own needs aside to address the needs of his larger community and the world. Here's a little bit of what the president had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The struggle here against apartheid for freedom, moral courage, this country's historic transition to a free and democratic nation has been a personal inspiration to me. it has been an inspiration to the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
YELLIN: Now, President Obama appeared with South Africa's president, Zuma, earlier in the day, and South African president Zuma said that both President Obama and President Mandela, as the first black leaders of their respective countries, are bound by history and carry the dreams of millions of people. It was a beautiful statement. President Obama and president Zuma are now at a state dinner here in South Africa, and there they just held a moment of silence for the man that this country refers to as Mandiva -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And Jessica, while it appears as though it's been a beautiful reception for the president, in some circles there's been a little resistance, some protest that the president of the United States is there.
YELLIN: Reporter: There have been, Fredricka. There's been quite a bit of media coverage in particular of rallies by leftist groups protesting the president's -- the fact he's kept Guantanamo Bay open and the fact that he has supported and backed the use of drones based here in the African continent.
But I would point out that that is held to groups on the left, and the vast majority of people here do support President Obama. A Gallup poll taken before he left for the African continent showed that 70 to 80 percent of the population approves of the president's leadership. So while there is a very vocal group of critics, in general, he is still held in high regard here. WHITFIELD: All right, Jessica Yellin, thank you so much, from Johannesburg. I appreciate that.
All right, later on we are going to be talking to Congresswoman Maxine Waters. She will have details on how Nelson Mandela made a lasting impact on her life.
And new development in the case of NSA leaker, Edward Snowden, the president of Ecuador said today that U.S. vice president Biden called him about the case. He said Biden asked him to, quote, "reject the request," end-quote for Snowden's asylum for Snowden. Snowden is currently believes to be in a transit area at the Moscow airport. The Ecuadorian president said, his country won't consider Snowden's request until he is officially on Ecuadorean soil.
And yet another NFL player has been arrested. Indianapolis Colts safety Joe Lefeged was arrested on firearms charges including carrying a firearm without a license. Lefeged was riding in a car, police stopped or erratic driving. According to a law enforcement source and a gun belonging to the player was found under the passenger seat. This traffic stops taking place in the Washington, D.C. area. Lefeged is the 28th now player arrested since the Super Bowl, including former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez who is now accused of murder. We'll have more on the Hernandez case later on this hour.
Trayvon Martin's stepmother breaking her silence and speaking exclusively to CNN, how she feels the role has played in the teen's murder.
Then, they have lived together for more than 40 years. Are they more than roommates? The gay buzz surrounding Bert and Ernie.
And Nick Wallenda, talking about defying death as he walks across the Grand Canyon. What was going through his mind, and why he made this interesting wardrobe choice?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: In the death of Trayvon Martin, we've heard very little from his stepmother. She helped raise him since he was a toddler. Alicia Stanley broke her silence in an exclusive interview with "CNN's AC 360." She says whatever happened that night, she's certain Trayvon is not the aggressor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALICIA STANLEY, TRAYVON MARTIN'S STEP MOTHER: I have no doubt he didn't start that fight. He didn't start the fight. What I'm saying is it was a fight. There is no doubt it was a fight. And Zimmerman had to put his hands on him to cause that fight. He was defending himself. So for people to say where he tried to kill him and he this and he that, I don't think anyone would have been standing somewhere in the dark and then approached by someone they don't know and being pushed around and you're not going to defend yourself. And his friend stated it in her statement, he approached Trayvon, and Trayvon asked him, why are you following me? ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Do you believe that race was a factor in why George Zimmerman zeroed in on Trayvon?
STANLEY: I'll be lying if I said yes. So I'm going to say this. No, I really don't think it was Zimmerman don't like black people, or he picked him out because he was black. Did he profile him with the hoodie and stuff like that as this thug or whatever walking or whatever, I whatever in Zimmerman's mind, yes. But to say he targeted him because he was black, no, I don't think so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Alicia Stanley, the stepmother of Trayvon Martin. You can see the entire interview on the "AC 360" blog on CNN.com.
All right, Paula Deen's publisher says it is cancelling publication of her next cookbook. It's the latest blow for Deen whose empire has been crumbling ever since she admitted to saying the n word. The cookbook's credibility skyrocketed, but now it won't even hit the shelves.
On Monday, don't miss a CNN Special Report "the n word." Don Lemon host Monday night 7:00 eastern time only on CNN.
All right, a U.S. congresswoman opens up about her close friendship with Nelson Mandela and how the former South African president changed her life. Representative Maxine Waters, joins me live, next.
New developments in the Aaron Hernandez murder charge case. Investigators have found a key piece of evidence of case.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: As President Barack Obama visits South Africa, his trip is overshadowed by the deteriorating health of Nelson Mandela. The former president of South Africa is gravely ill at a hospital in Pretoria. Let's bring in congresswoman Maxine Waters to California.
Representative Waters, it is so good to see you.
REP. MAXINE WATERS (D), CALIFORNIA: Good to be here.
WHITFIELD: Now, you say Mandela changed your life by getting you involved with the free South Africa movement. How did he recruit you to get involved?
WATERS: Well, as I began to learn what was going on in South Africa and particularly when South African schoolchildren were massacred because they refused to accept that they couldn't speak their own language in school, I became very, very annoyed and anxious to do something to help. And Winnie Mandela began to give more exposure to what was going on and I got involved. I decided I was going to introduce legislation to did vest more funds from a pension fund to businesses in South Africa. And we did that.
We passed that. It became part of the divestiture movement and the sanction movement. I traveled all over the country organized students. I went to jail. And the more I worked, the more I became so impassioned about the need to get rid of apartheid, uncountable apartheid and to help free South Africans and help create a democracy. And I really learned who I was and what I cared about and what my life was all about.
WHITFIELD: And what do you think of in Nelson Mandela as so many people around the globe are praying for him as he continues to be in critical condition in the hospital?
WATERS: We just don't want him to go. We know that he can't live forever, but to think about him dying is just not easy for us. Not only is he a man that inspired the entire world to be better, but he was a man that -- with so much courage that he showed us the difference that one man could make. And so, we just hang on to him, and we love him so much, and we want him to be with us forever, but he cannot be.
WHITFIELD: Yes. At 94 years old, he's had an incredible life, you know.
You know, Representative Waters, you talked about the trade and encouraging trade between the U.S. and African nations. That's indeed what the president is in Africa for right now. He's met with family members of Nelson Mandela.
But, you know, with the president being in Africa making a trip to Tanzania later on, do you see any real parallels between what this presidents, President Obama symbolizes, and that of Nelson Mandela given that they are the first black presidents of their nations?
WATERS: Well, absolutely. Not only did Nelson Mandela inspire us to have the courage to work for justice and equality, but he inspired many of us to seek higher office and to become stronger leaders.
I was in the California state legislature when I was doing all of that work. And, of course, I was inspired to run for Congress and to get involved not only with what was going on in this country but more with what was going on around the world. This president certainly had to be inspired by Nelson Mandela. I'm so pleased that he's in Africa, and I'm so pleased that he has spoken about his courage and what had to be done and what it meant to get rid of apartheid. I think that, yes, this president was inspired, motivated, and because of Nelson Mandela, I believe that he, too, has a lot more courage of his convictions.
WHITFIELD: Representative Maxine Waters. Thanks so much for your time. Appreciate it.
WATERS: You're so welcome.
WHITFIELD: All right, live pictures right now of same-sex couples lining up in California to get married thanks to an appeals court ruling now making it there legal again after a historic Supreme Court ruling earlier in the week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Hot weather out west is going from being uncomfortable to downright dangerous. More than 30 people at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas had to go to the hospital yesterday. People in Phoenix, Nevada and California could see heat above 110 degrees. The heat wave was expected to hang on at least Tuesday and even at night, it will be in the 90s scorchers.
All right, the murder trial of George Zimmerman has finished its first week. The prosecution called nearly two dozen witnesses. But the testimony from some of those witnesses, including neighbors and police officers, seemed to back Zimmerman's claim that he killed in self- defense. The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case next week.
All right, now to the case of NSA leaker, Edward Snowden. The president of Ecuador said today he talked to vice president Joe Biden about the case. He said Biden asked him to reject Snowden's request for asylum. Snowden is currently believed to be in a transit area in the Moscow airport.
And President Barack Obama met with members of Nelson Mandela's family in Johannesburg, South Africa, today, and he and the first lady called Mandela's wife at the hospital. The president also held talks with South African president, Jacob Zuma and spoke at a youth town hall meeting in Soweto.
Protesters filled the streets in Egypt today, a day before the one year anniversary of President Mohammed Morsi's election. Some are calling for him to step down, and others are defending him. The clashes have been building this week. One man was killed in protest yesterday, and an American was stabbed.
Back in this country now, same-sex couples are tying the knot once again in California. A federal appeals court cleared the way yesterday. The decision comes just two days after the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed an appeal against same-sex marriage. Dan Simon is in San Francisco where more same-sex marriages are happening today. It looks very busy where you are standing.
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Got a steady stream of traffic, Fred. Let me set the scene for you. This is where people come in in San Francisco City Hall and get their marriage licenses. The doors opened at 9:00 a.m., and the mayor says that this place will be open all weekend long. It's going to close at 5:00 today, but then will reopen tomorrow. People exercising their newfound freedom.
I want to introduce you to a couple here that just got married. This is Kathy San Felipo and Jude McHugh. You guys are from Oregon.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are!
SIMON: You made the trip - you decided to make the trip when?
JUDE MCHUGH, JUST GOT MARRIED IN CALIFORNIA: Last night.
SIMON: Can you explain what went through your mind, how come just spur of the moment you decided to come here?
MCHUGH: Sure. I was checking the news and I saw that the federal government was going to extend benefits to employees regardless of the state they were in, and I almost then saw almost immediately that California had reinstated the right. A historic day and a beautiful time to be married to this beautiful woman.
SIMON: Kathy -- you guys have been together for 12 years, by the way. Kathy, can you just sort of explain what it's like to be part of this atmosphere, what it's like to come to San Francisco and be amidst all these other people getting married?
KATHY SAN FELIPO, JUST GOT MARRIED IN CALIFORNIA: I'm totally in awe. I didn't want to get my hopes up again because I didn't want to be disappointed, so I'm just still kind of in shock.
SIMON: And Jude, you said the key for you in terms of really wanting to do this now is so you could get those federal benefits. And you're confident, at least of your interpretation of the way things are going now, is that you'll get those federal benefits in Oregon.
MCHUGH: I'm very hopeful. I'm very hopeful. But regardless, the important part is the love we share.
SIMON: Well, congratulations. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.
So Fredricka, there you have it. There have been at least 100 marriage ceremonies that have taken place. And just to kind of tell you the way this works is they get their marriage licenses over here. Back there in the corner, there are actually some volunteers who are going to perform these marriage ceremonies, and then in front of me over there, that's where they get their marriage license stamp certified. And then it becomes official. And as I said, they'll be open all day long here in the city. Back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Quite the process. A very busy day. Very busy week, for that matter. Thanks so much, Dan Simon. Appreciate that.
So the same-sex ruling is even resonating on Seasame Street. The cover of this week's "New Yorker"magazine suggests lifelong roommates Bert and Ernie may be more than just friends. Jeanne Moos takes a look at all the speculation about the couple's sexual orientation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Do Bert and Ernie have a secret? Are the "Sesame Street" Muppets coming out of the closet?
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": What if they are gay? What if they're neck deep in each other's fuzz every night?
MOOS: The gay buzz has been around for years, but now there's an online petition asking "Sesame Street" to let Bert and Ernie get married.
The petition was dreamed up by gay activist Blair Scott.
BLAIR SCOTT, GAY ACTIVIST (via telephone): When I was nine years old, I wondered if they were a gay couple.
MOOS: There's been a lot of purely circumstantial evidence.
SCOTT: They sleep in the same room.
MOOS: They take baths together.
Look at the photo on their wall.
BERT: That's our picture.
MOOS: Oh, sure, there are also counter indications.
KIMMEL: Let's talk about Bert's eyebrow. No self-respecting homosexual would leave a unibrow like that unplucked. If there's one things gays do, it's pluck.
MOOS: They've been together more than 41 years, and just as folks speculated that Tinky Winky, the purple Teletubby with the purse, was gay, rumors have swirled around the roommate Muppets.
MIKEY GAY TODAY, YOUTTUBE.COM, : Bert not gay, Ernie very gay. And no matter how hard you try, Ernie, and I've tried, believe me, you can't twist them.
MOOS: The petition to let Bert and Ernie marry has spawned petitions to stop them.
(on camera): "The New York Daily News" even wrote an editorial on the subject entitled "They're just Muppets."
(voice-over) It sarcastically asks, "Why stop there? Why not march Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo down the aisle, too."
Funny, but not applicable.
SCOTT: That's more of a mentoring situation.
MOOS: The creators of "Sesame Street" are not budging. They say Bert and Ernie are best friends. "They remain puppets and do not have a sexual orientation."
But denials don't stop suggestive songs like the one for the show "Avenue Q."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): If you were gay that would be OK.
MOOS: The petition organizer knew when he was 5 years old --
BLAIR: That I had an attraction to Tarzan.
MOOS: So he wants role models for other young gay kids watching TV.
Though chances for a wedding for Bert and Ernie seem nil, still someone joked, "Will the reception be in Oscar's can?"
OSCAR THE GROUCH (singing): I love trash.
MOOS: Ernie may proclaim who he's true to --
ERNIE (singing): Rubber ducky, you're the one.
MOOS: -- but gay spoofs keep bubbling up.
THE VILLAGE PEOPLE, MUSICIANS (singing): It's fun to stay at the YMCA.
MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN --
THE VILLAGE PEOPLE: YMCA.
MOOS: -- New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. It's indeed been the roller coaster ride of a week in testimony in particular in the murder trial of George Zimmerman. Straight ahead, a look at Rachel Jeantel, the star witness for the prosecution.
And investigators looking into an unsolved double murder have seized a car registered to former NFL star Aaron Hernandez. We'll have details next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: It's been a dramatic week of testimony at the George Zimmerman trial. For two days, the prosecution's star witness was on the stand. Rachel Jeantel is believed to be the last person to talk to Trayvon Martin before his deadly confrontation. Her compelling testimony riveted the nation.
Now Brian Todd looks at whether Jeantel's testimony helped or hurt the state's case.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She's a star prosecution witness, the last person to speak to Trayvon Martin before his fatal confrontation with George Zimmerman, but at 19, not an easy witness to prepare. And Rachel Jeantel's cross-examination was contentious from the start.
WEST: What exactly did you say there? Will you just tell us exactly what that says?
JEANTEL: Could hear Trayvon.
WEST: That's your testimony?
JEANTEL: Yes, sir. TODD: That account, whether she heard Martin or another person screaming for help that night, was one of a few inconsistencies the defense called Jeantel out on.
Criminal defense attorney Jeffrey Jacobovitz has prepared hundreds of witnesses.
(on camera): If she's your witness, and you had seen her deposition, how would you have coached her before this to come across and to speak?
JEFFREY JACOBOVITZ, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: What I would have done is carefully go over the facts with her from her deposition and try to have her explain any inconsistencies and give legitimate reasons why they're inconsistent. And then I would try to soften her demeanor.
TODD: Did the prosecution make mistakes with this witness?
JACOBOVITZ: Well, it's hard to say because we don't know what the prosecution said to her and what she took. She is a 19-year-old fairly hostile witness.
TODD (voice-over): Jacobovitz says he would have counseled Jeantel to avoid scolding her cross-examiner.
JEANTEL: If the officer wants to talk to me, know the exact story, everything about what happened that night, they would reach me at my number.
You got it? That's a little retarded, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm sorry
JEANTEL: That's very retarded to do that, sir.
TODD: But as we dissected her testimony, Jacobovitz said her body language may not backfire.
JEANTEL: When you did not want to interview me that Friday?
WEST: Hmm.
Are you finished?
WEST: I'm sorry?
JEANTEL: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How much more time do you think that you need to finish your cross?
WEST: Well, I certainly wouldn't -- I don't know for sure. I would think we should plan on at least a couple of hours.
JEANTEL: What?
TODD (on camera): How's the body language coming across?
JACOBOVITZ: Well, the body language is terrible, but, you know, jurors may look at that, saying, look, she's young, she doesn't want to be involved. Her close friend was killed and she thinks the defendant is guilty. And so, she has body language because she feels it's justifiable.
TODD (voice-over): And when we looked at a crucial point from defense attorney Don West, Jacobovitz offered some coaching to him.
WEST: That's why you weren't worried. That's why you didn't do anything. It was because Trayvon Martin started the fight and you knew that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Objection.
TODD: Is he badgering? And how does that play with the jury?
JACOBOVITZ: Sure. He's certainly badgering. He's asking -- not only is he asking a compound question. He's asking an objectionable question because he's conveying his message to the jury by a question.
TODD: Jacobovitz says if he was cross examining Rachel Jeantel, he would be very careful not to come across as badgering a young woman on the stand when you have six women in the jurors' box.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And new information is revealed in the Aaron Hernandez investigation while another NFL player is arrested today in a separate case. Details next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Another NFL player was arrested overnight in Washington, D.C. Twenty-five-year-old Indianapolis Colts safety Joe Lefeged faces five charges, including carrying a firearm without a license. According to police, Lefeged was a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven erratically. A law enforcement source says a semi- automatic pistol belonging to Lefeged was found underneath the passenger's seat.
And new developments in the case against former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez. Investigators are now looking at a vehicle that may be tied to an unsolved murder case. Deb Feyerick is following this investigation.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, last night, police impounded a silver SUV that is registered and owned by Aaron Hernandez. Boston police believe the car could be linked to an unsolved murder, specifically the drive-by shooting in the summer of 2012 that resulted in the death of two people.
Now, this would be the second vehicle linked to Aaron Hernandez used in a possible crime. The first one, as we know, is that rented silver Nissan that Hernandez, Odin Lloyd, the victim, and two friends were driving the night that Odin Lloyd was shot and killed. He was shot and killed about a mile from here in a gravel pit. This is Hernandez' home. Gravel pit, just about a mile away. He was shot and killed there.
Police found a .45 caliber shell casing in that car, along with chewed bubble gum. Why is that important? Well, because Aaron Hernandez bought a pack of the blue Bubblelicious the night that Odin Lloyd was killed. He even actually offered a piece to the rental person when he was returning that car.
We were here at about noon, about 12:30 when two women did enter the home that Aaron Hernandez was living in when he was arrested. Not clear who they are or what they were doing inside, but they did have a key and knew exactly how to get in. And there are vital pieces of evidence that connect Aaron Hernandez to the death of Odin Lloyd, specifically cell phone records that place Hernandez and his friends in the area of that gravel pit where Lloyd was murdered.
Also surveillance video from Hernandez's home. And in surveillance video, Fred, it actually shows Hernandez holding a .45 caliber Glock about an hour before Odin Lloyd was killed with a gun - or at least with shell casings that match that same kind of gun, same kind of weapon that was used.
Also can't forget two friends. One of them under arrest, the other turned himself in. Both of them could provide some crucial evidence as to what happened that night. Fred?
WHITIFIELD: All right, Deborah Feyerick, thanks so much.
Nik Wallenda, well, he's achieved a major high-wire feat. Another one, that is, walking across the Grand Canyon this time with no cables attached. So, what was going through his mind at the time? We'll tell you after this.
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WHITFIELD: It was indeed a nail biter, but Nik Wallenda made history again. He managed to walk on wire over the Grand Canyon at a height higher than the Empire State Building. The wire, the length of four football fields with no safety net, no cables, nothing. And he joined us today to talk about his daring attempt.
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NIK WALLENDA, TIGHTROPE WALKER: There were butterflies, of course, leading up to it. People are always amazed at how calm I am and peaceful leading up to it. But of course there's butterflies. There's a lot of nerves. And dealing with the winds. The winds were what we predicted. I had a couple of gusts, two gusts at 48 miles per hour, I was told by Jim Cantore while I was out on the wire, which is quite a bit of wind.
But the cable was a little bit of an issue. The cable was little more slack than it was supposed to be. It had to with the temperature that day. My engineers had estimated the temperature would be around 97, 98 degrees, which makes that cable actually contract, which makes it much tighter. However, it was about 86, 87 degrees, which made the cable more slack by about 5,000 pounds. So, it was moving a little bit uniquely under my feet.
Actually, I'll talk about it on Sunday at 8 p.m. on the Discovery Channel. We have a special, "Nik Talks The Walk."
WHITFIELD: Oh, fantastic! You know, as we look at these images again, I mean, you can't see it enough. And even though we know how, the outcome, I still -- my heart is like palpitating for you there. And you see the wind. You see your shirt moving. You see your jeans, and it seems like there are moments where you might have lost some balance, but that is what that support is all about, right?
WALLENDA: Well, it really comes down to training. Here in Sarasota, Florida at Nathan Benderson (ph) Park, I walked on a cable for two- and-a-half weeks rigged the same way with wind machines creating gusts at 92 miles per hour at one point actually, so that I was over- prepared. I walked on that cable multiple times so I'd have plenty of endurance and I was prepared for that walk.
But there were two points where I had to kneel down to actually take the rhythm out of that cable. As you walk a cable that's not supported or stabilized, it starts to get a wave inside of it. And if I didn't stop, that wave would have got bigger and bigger and eventually knocked me off. So, I had to stop and just let that wave calm and get back up and walk.
WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh, incredible! You know, and then Nik, come on! You look like you're getting ready to go out for a walk, to go walk your dog or something. You're wearing jeans, you've got a T-shirt on. I guess I envisioned you might be wearing, like a full-body aerodynamic kind of Lycra suit. But no --
WALLENDA: It's amazing how many comments I've gotten about the jeans. You know what? I love Buffalo jeans. I love the way they fit, and I've been wearing them for a long time. I actually talk about it in my book, why I dress that way. I have a book that was just released called "Balance," and it talks about my life story and the fact that I've always tried to make sure that people can relate to me. I think if I was wearing rhinestones and some sort of a fancy costume, people can't relate to that. They thing there's something - you know, there's definitely something unique about what I do. But I'm just a normal person. I eat, sleep and bleed just like the rest of us.
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WHITFIELD: And he walks on wire from high above. All right, Nik Wallenda, and of course, we look forward to the next feat.
Still ahead, one amazing man's journey across the country to raise awareness for the disabled. We'll meet him, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: All right, imagine, being born without the use of your legs. It's all that you know. That's your normal. But if someone gave you a chance to get out of that wheelchair, would you take it? In this week's "Human Factor," Ryan Chalmers did just that. Here's Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
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SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wheelchair racer, hockey player, paraolympian - all these words define Ryan Chalmers. But there's one word he won't let define him, "disabled."
RYAN CHALMERS, PARALYMPIAN, WHEELCHAIR RACER: I was always one of these kids that said I'm not going to let my disability get in my way.
GUPTA: Chalmers was born with spina bifida. It's an incomplete closure of the spinal column. He's confined to a wheelchair as long as he can remember. That was his normal. But one day at a track meet, he met a man that offered to change that.
CHALMERS: I met Roger Muller, who is the founder and president of Stay Focused, which is a nonprofit organization that brings teens and young adults to the Cayman Islands and gets them certified in scuba diving.
GUPTA: That trip changed his life forever.
CHALMERS: When I went diving for the first time, it really opened my eyes to the whole idea that I'm exactly like all the able-bodied people down under the water.
GUPTA: Chalmers and his new friend Roger hatched this audacious plan to help fundraising efforts for the nonprofit.
CHALMERS: He just kind of said, "Do you think you could push your racing chair across the country?" It clicked right away for me.
GUPTA: And so on April 6th, his journey, dubbed "Push Across America", began in Los Angeles - 60 miles a day for 71 days to help kids like him experience a life outside of their chairs.
On Saturday, June 15th, Ryan rolled into New York City to a crowd of cheering fans, the end of a long journey to raise awareness about people with disabilities.
CHALMERS: Anybody, able-bodied or not, if you're passionate, you set goals for yourself, you can achieve anything.
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: That's going to do it for me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Straight ahead much more of the NEWSROOM. Don Lemon in New York. Don?
