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New Day

Poll Slip For Anthony Weiner; Zimmerman Juror: He Got Away With Murder; Spain Train Crash; Halliburton Pleads Guilty; Aaron Hernandez New Smoking Gun?; The Royal Baby; "American Idol" Lawsuit

Aired July 26, 2013 - 07:30   ET

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


ANA NAVARRO, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: The people that he sexted were political groupies that then turned into these inappropriate sexting partners. So you want to give those guys the power of being mayor of New York? You want to give him the high stress job and the high profile job that's going to attract political groupies given this predilection. This -- if it's not an addiction, I don't know what else to call it, this characteristic let's say.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Way too kind.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Ana, John, great to see you. Thank you for walking us through this. We'll continue to watch. The primary is September. A lot of times to see some I don't know, a lot of us to time more polls and more things to talk about.

CUOMO: The story makes you constantly have to choose your words carefully -- the names and the situations and the behavior, constantly checking yourself on this story.

BOLDUAN: That's true.

CUOMO: All right, it's just after 30 minutes past the hour. We're going to take a break here on NEW DAY. We've been talking about this advance in the Aaron Hernandez case. Here it is. Could this be the smoking gun surveillance photos appear to show the former Patriots star holding a firearm just minutes after the alleged murder? Details in a live report just ahead.

BOLDUAN: Plus, is "American Idol" guilty of racism? We'll that's what 10 former "Idol" contestants are saying. We're going to tell you about it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: All right, everybody. Welcome back to NEW DAY. It is Friday, July 26th. I'm Chris Cuomo.

BOLDUAN: Hi, everyone. I'm Kate Bolduan. We're joined by news anchor, Michaela Pereira. Let's get straight to Michaela for the top news.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, let's do that. Good morning, everyone. Juror B29 in the George Zimmerman trial says the defendant got away with murder. In an ABC News interview, the juror identified only as Maddy says she wanted to convict Zimmerman of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, but the state could not prove it. Maddy is the second juror now to speak publicly about the case. Trayvon Martin's mother says she was devastated after hearing this juror's comments.

The death toll from that train derailment in Spain now at 80 including one American. Government transport officials there say the crash may have been caused by excessive speed. Authorities are questioning the train's driver. He is now under formal investigation. One survivor described the horrific crash caught on this surveillance video as a scene from hell.

A guilty plea from Halliburton, Houston-based company, admitting it destroyed evidence following the Deepwater Horizon gulf oil spill. Halliburton will pay the maximum $200,000 fine and has agreed to cooperate fully with the Justice Department investigation. In exchange no further criminal charges will be brought against the firm.

And I promised it, I am delivering. Here we go. Now we know, thanks to hidden cameras, what bears really do in the woods. They just get those tough itches that you just can't scratch. You see what I'm saying. What I don't really understand, why this tree?

Glen Naylor and Alberta Parks posted this, had banjo music in the back ground. It's strange why it is this tree. If you watch this online, other wildlife steer clear because the bears had been around the stream.

BOLDUAN: They pull up seats and they are like this is quite a show.

PEREIRA: There was one that was just there and then all comes -- look at this guy, like good.

CUOMO: Some type of grooming behavior or maybe it's a marking competition. My friend, the deer love to take their antlers and scrape the bark on the tree.

BOLDUAN: I'm so impressed how deep we can go on one video.

CUOMO: Why else? There's got to be a reason for doing it.

BOLDUAN: You're welcome, America.

We got other stories we're watching, a potential smoking gun for accused killer Aaron Hernandez. According to a newly released court document, the former Patriot was captured on his own surveillance cameras with what appears to be a gun just minutes after his friend was shot and killed.

Susan Candiotti has been following this case from the beginning for us. She is up in North Attenborough, Massachusetts again this morning. Good morning, Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kate. We're in front of Aaron Hernandez's home where those surveillance photos were taken. Photos you're able to see for the very first time after a judge ordered their release to the public following a request from CNN and several other media organizations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Potentially damaging images taken from former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez's home security system. It's hard to make out in these blurry photocopies, but just before 1:00 p.m., a few hours before Odin Lloyd is murdered, prosecutors say Hernandez is in his living room allegedly holding what appears to be a firearm.

At 2:32 a.m., prosecutors say Hernandez and two other men pick him the victim at his home 30 miles away. About an hour later, Lloyd was shot five times execution style. His body is found less than a mile from Hernandez's home.

A few minutes later, 3:32 a.m., CNN has obtained this color photo of Hernandez still wearing a white shirt back home allegedly with Carlos Ortiz and Ernest Wallace. A second later, Hernandez is at his basement door, authorities say the time stamp system is 12 hours off.

Court documents state he appears to have a gun in his left hand. The next three black and white images immediately follow with Hernandez still apparently holding a gun. No murder weapon has been found and Hernandez has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have not responded to CNN requesting comment, but defended their client on Wednesday.

CHARLES RANKIN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Given the facts of the case as we know them, we're confident that Aaron is going to be exonerated.

CANDIOTTI: A law enforcement source tells CNN, prosecutors suspect this possible motive. Hernandez was angry about Odin Lloyd discussing an unsolved double murder in Boston with some people connected to two men who were killed. At his first pre-season press conference, New England Patriot Tom Brady talked about the arrest of his ex-teammate.

TOM BRADY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: I think that we as a team have tried to, you know, move forward better awareness and understanding of these types of things and hopefully nothing like this ever happens again.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI: There are two grand juries and two separate jurisdictions investigating Aaron Hernandez. One right here in Bristol County where victim Odin Lloyd's body was found and one in Boston where a grand jury is trying to determine whether there is evidence to charge him with a double shooting -- Kate and Chris.

BOLDUAN: All right, Susan, thank you so much.

CUOMO: All right, coming up on NEW DAY, now that Prince George is here, Kate and William want some privacy for their royal baby, but that maybe very hard to come by as the reporter talks about it on national television. We'll go live to London in just moments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Welcome back to NEW DAY, everyone. Prince Harry speaking out for the first time about his new royal nephew. So was he going to be the babysitter? Let's find out. CNN's Erin McLaughlin is in London with more on that. So what did he have to say, Erin?

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kate. Well, prior to parenthood, Prince William and Catherine had a very public run-in with the paparazzi. Topless photos of the Duchess on holiday were published in several European magazines. Now almost a year later, some editors and photographers are under formal investigation in France.

The new parents are likely to take their privacy and security very seriously now especially in light of the fact they have baby George and they are getting some help from Harry. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Enjoying being an uncle, sir?

MCLAUGHLIN (voice-over): Uncle Harry is speaking out about his new nephew and he's willing to babysit.

PRINCE HARRY: He's fantastic another addition to the family. I only hope my brother knows how expensive my babysitting charges are.

MCLAUGHLIN: Harry says he'll play multiple roles in the life of newborn, Prince George.

PRINCE HARRY: Make sure he has a good upbringing, keep him out of harm's way and make sure he has fun. The rest of it I leave to the parents.

MCLAUGHLIN: New parents, William and Catherine, are already trying to protect their son's privacy. The family is now safely kept away from public prying eyes at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury.

LOUIS PALUMBO, DIRECTOR, ELITE INTELLIGENCE AND PROTECTIVE AGENCY: They realized based on their behavior and making the child available to the press that this is something they are going to have to live with. They are not going to have privacy on the same level that you and I might.

MCLAUGHLIN: The couple is all too familiar with how invasive paparazzi can be, this week new fallout from these topless pictures taken of the Duchess last year while she and William were on vacation. Photographers and magazine editors who published the photos have been placed under formal investigation for violating France's privacy laws.

For William this is much more than a nuisance. His mother, Princess Diana, was a constant target for photographers. She was killed as her car was speeding away from paparazzi in hot pursuit, but with the first candid photos of the royal family expected to bring in a small fortune there's little to keep the cameras away.

PALUMBO: A photo of this type could go as much as $1 million. You could almost name your price. If it's more difficult to get the photo, they will able to demand more money from a publication. (END VIDEOTAPE)

MCLAUGHLIN: The privacy and security very important to the Cambridges in protecting Baby George and no doubt Prince Harry will play a role in that as well.

CUOMO: All right, thank you very much.

BOLDUAN: Thank you so much.

CUOMO: We said exactly the same thing, Friday jinx.

BOLDUAN: You didn't do it.

CUOMO: No, that's right. A group of former "American Idol" hopefuls say the show discriminated against African-American contestants and they're asking for big bucks in a new lawsuit.

BOLDUAN: And Anthony Weiner's sexting scandal continues, Sydney Leathers is now telling her side of the story. She says they talked about more than just sex.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Welcome back to NEW DAY, everybody. Ten former "American Idol" contestants are suing the show claiming they were treated unfairly, kicked off the program unjustly, and publicly humiliated because they're black. Nischelle Turner is here with details.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Chris, there have been contestants through the years that have been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. You know, these allegations by these ten former contestants first surfaced back in January and now they put a price tag on what they say is anything but "Idol" behavior by show producers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER (voice-over): It has been the biggest show on television. A show with a diverse group of judges and contestants, which has produced four African-American winners --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Jordan Spark, Candice --

TURNER: Out of 12 competitions. But now a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of ten former "Idol" contestants say the producers of the show engaged in racist behavior. They are asking the courts for more than $25 million each. Fox, which broadcast "Idol" and producers behind the show declined CNN's request for statements.

James Freeman, the attorney behind the suit, tells CNN he believes "Idol" producers target black men on the show for ridicule and dismissal -- and dismissal if they are discovered to have any sort of criminal record. In his complaint alleges white contestants who are accused of similar offenses are allowed to continue in the competition. It was the dismissal of Season 11 finalist Jermaine Jones that Freeman says inspired him to work on this case. Jones was dismissed after the "Smoking Gun" web site revealed he was the target of several arrest warrants. But his name is not on the lawsuit.

JERMAINE JONES, FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT: I was asked to be a part of it, but I decided not to because, like I said, I want to take the good with the bad and I'm just moving forward.

TURNER: He said contestants know what they're getting into when they sign up to be on "Idol."

JONES: You have an opportunity to make something of it so what you have done over the years to earn you $25 million.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER: Now of the ten former contestants filing suit, only Corey Clark, Jacob Smalley and Ju'Not Joyner advance to "Idol's" voting rounds. The others were sent home by the judges in auditions. By the way, we did see a white contestant, Matt Farmer, dismissed from the show this season for disciplinary reasons after it was discovered he lied about being injured by an IED while serving in Iraq.

BOLDUAN: This is clearly not over yet. All right, Nischell, thank you so much.

Coming up next on NEW DAY, she is the first Zimmerman juror to show her face on camera. Juror B29 and she said George Zimmerman got away with murder.

CUOMO: And no surprise for you, I get to go claw to claw with Hugh Jackman. What has two thumbs and everybody wants to be like him? Hugh Jackman is back as the Wolverine and he is here with us on NEW DAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: A Friday version of the rock block, everyone. A quick round up of the stories you're talking about today. First up, Michaela.

PEREIRA: Here we go. Friday edition from the "L.A. Times," we all heard a full moon brings out strange behavior. A new study though says it might actually disturb your sleep. Researchers suggest it may be linked to melatonin levels.

In the "London Telegraph," birds of a feather fighting crimes together, in parts of China, domesticated geese, the geese police are being used to aid in law enforcement.

From the "Atlantic Wire," go directly to jail. Rumors that toy giant, Hasbro, was getting rid of the jail space on Monopoly boards. Apparently not true, folks.

Christine Romans is going to change your Monopoly game this weekend I know. CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: It is. All right, ideas our elected officials float to fix the tax system. We should know about them, right? Wrong. Senators slapped a top secret on it in the last 50 years. Washington's ideas for how to collect and spend your money doesn't involve you. Check out that story at cnnmoney.com.

All right, that treat for yourself to help boost sales ends at Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Starbucks profit up by 25 percent helped by new food items. Strong sales at Dunkin, too, suggest indeed America runs on Dunkin at least last quarter.

Gamers listen up, the maker of "Call of Duty" is going solo. Activision is signing an $8.2 billion deal to break away from Vendi. Activision plans to go big into mobile gaming. Gamer nerds high five. Now to Indra Petersons, she's got the weather.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You know, the worst thing on the weekend talking about rain. Unfortunately, a lot of places seeing some rain this weekend. Down in the southeast, though, a break today, only to have more rain coming your way Saturday and Sunday. However, if you go right around New England, we're talking about that low bringing in cool temperatures. I mean 68 degrees. That's the high in Boston, very similar to New York yesterday.

More rain to come your way for the second half of the weekend and if you're in the Midwest. You're talking about rain first and the second half of the weekend looks so much better. Everyone gets one good day and one bad day.

BOLDUAN: All right, focus on the good day. It's Friday. Thanks so much, Indra.

We are at the top of the hour, everyone, which means it's time for the top news.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUROR B29: I would like to apologize because I feel like I let him down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Regretting the verdict. Another juror from the George Zimmerman trial speaking out, so, why is she apologizing to Trayvon Martin's family? The reaction this morning.

BOLDUAN: Coming forward and not mincing words. The woman who admitted sexting with Anthony Weiner breaks her silence and she is not taking it easy on the mayoral candidate. Can he survive it?

PEREIRA: Bugs for breakfast. Does the yogurt you eat every day contain ingredients made from bugs?

CUOMO: Your NEW DAY continues right now.