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New Day
Another Arrest in Steubenville Rape Case; Maersk Alabama Crew Speaks Out; Interview with Callista Gingrich; Second Chance for Nascar Driver
Aired October 08, 2013 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to NEW DAY. Time now for the five things you need to know for your NEW DAY.
At number one, President Obama daring John Boehner to allow the House to vote on a clean spending bill. The speaker claiming he doesn't have enough Republican votes to pass it.
The Senate, meanwhile, preparing to vote on a measure that raises the debt ceiling for more than a year with no strings attached to keep the country from sliding into default.
Pope Francis calling on bishops to attend a summit at the Vatican next October on the modern family. Questions about whether or not divorced people can receive communion during mass is also likely on the agenda.
A status hearing for that nine-year-old boy who snuck onto a flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Las Vegas, scheduled for today. His parents said to be fully cooperating with the child welfare investigation.
And at number five, it is all about the Benjamins. The new $100 bill goes into circulation today. The Federal Reserve redesigned the bill to make it harder to fake.
We're always updating those five things to know, so be sure to go to newdaycnn.com for the very latest.
Kate.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Michaela, thanks so much.
More than a year after the crime, there's been another arrest in the notorious Steubenville rape case. Two high school boys have already been convicted. Well, now, the technology director of their school faces prison time as well if he's found guilty of charges. Our Poppy Harlow is here with details on this.
Pretty starting.
POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very starting. There's been a grand jury investigation for quite a while. And this school employee faces up to four years in prison if convicted. What authorities are doing is they're looking beyond the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville. They have arrested a school district employee suspected of tampering with evidence and lying.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW (voice-over): When these two Steubenville High School football players were found guilty in March of raping a 16-year-old girl in August 2012, emotions ran high. The victim's mother saying --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This does not define who my daughter is. She will persevere, grow and move on.
HARLOW: The rapists reacted in court after being convicted.
MA'LIK RICHMOND, CONVICTED OF RAPE: I just want you to realize that I'm sorry. I'm sorry. (INAUDIBLE). I know (INAUDIBLE) life.
TRENT MAYS, CONVICTED OF RATE: I would really like to apologize to (DELETED), her family, my family and the community.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We sweep the filth for Jane Doe.
HARLOW: But some in this Ohio town suspected an attempted cover-up. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine promised a thorough investigation.
MIKE DEWINE, OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL: this community needs assurance that no stone has been left unturned in our search for the truth.
HARLOW: On Monday, the first arrest and indictment from the ongoing investigation. Fifty-three-year-old William Rhinaman, Steubenville schools director of technology, faces four counts, including perjury and obstruction. He is being held without bail and could not be reached for comment. Details of his indictment were not immediately available. Social media brought the case national attention, including vulgar tweets, "song of the night is definitely 'Rape Me' by Nirvana," said one. And this shocking video, mocking the victim.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): If that was my daughter, I wouldn't care. I'd just let her be dead.
HARLOW: Since the trial, investigators have conducted searches at the high school, the school district office and a technology company. The victim's attorney told CNN, "this considers the importance of those responsible for reporting and/or preserving evidence after a crime is committed involving a child."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW: Now, William Rhinaman is expected to make a first court appearance Wednesday afternoon. The school superintendent says he is aware of the situation but did not want to comment when we asked him late Monday. He said they will be putting out a press release today.
But, you know, Kate, when this verdict came in, the attorney general said 16 people refused to talk to us in our initial investigation, thus the grand jury. So there could be more indictments. A grand jury will reconvene at the end of October.
BOLDUAN: As you say, one good thing is that the investigation did not end and they continued to look into this.
HARLOW: Absolutely.
BOLDUAN: All right, Poppy, thank you so much.
Let's send it over to Chris.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Kate, we're going to take a quick break here. When we come back on NEW DAY, "Captain Phillips," more fiction than fact? Some of the crew members, that's exactly what they say. We'll tell you about the controversy brewing around this movie when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CUOMO: Welcome back to NEW DAY.
The new Tom Hanks movie is getting rave reviews, but also taking some heat. "Captain Phillips" tells the real life story of the Maersk Alabama, a ship hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. The captain was taken hostage, later hailed as a hero. Well, now, some of the crew members are speaking out saying the movie gets it all wrong. Drew Griffin is live at the CNN Center with that.
Good morning, Drew.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT REPORTER: Good morning, Chris.
And, you know, while that movie heads to theaters this week, several members of the captain's crew are getting ready to head to court. A case to be heard later this year alleging it was the captain himself who, far from the hero, actually may have led his crew directly into trouble. Allegations we first confronted Captain Phillips with while he was on a book tour in 2010.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN (voice-over): As their captain was being lauded as a hero, the crew of the Maersk Alabama watched and bit their tongues. No more.
MIKE PERRY, CHIEF ENGINEER, MAERSK ALABAMA: We vowed we were going to take it to our grave. We weren't going to say anything. Then we hear this PR stuff coming out about him giving himself up and we said, and he's still on -- he's still a hostage. And we -- the whole crew is like, what? Because everybody's in shock.
GRIFFIN: Back in 2010, the Alabama's chief engineer, Mike Perry, told us he and most of the crew couldn't believe the story being painted about their captain, Captain Richard Phillips, that he had given himself up in exchange for the safety of his crew. Left out of the entire story, says Perry, is the captain's recklessness that steered the Maersk Alabama into pirate-infested waters. According to crew members, Captain Phillips, on a voyage from Oman to Mombasa, Kenya, set a course to save money. That route would shorten the trip and, according to third engineer John Cornan, put the crew directly in harm's way.
JOHN CORNAN, THIRD ENGINEERING OFFICER, MAERSK ALABAMA: He was advised to change course by competent deck officers and he overruled them. Stay on course. Make our easy a (ph). Stay on the same course.
GRIFFIN: In a 2010 interview, Captain Richard Phillips told us he was not used to criticism. When CNN confronted him with these e-mails and his crews' concerns, he said it was the first time his judgment had been questioned.
GRIFFIN (on camera): The complaint is that there were specific e-mails sent to your ship stressing the need to go further out to sea.
CAPT. RICHARD PHILLIPS, MAERSK ALABAMA: Yes. So something like that, we will deal with that in the arena that they wish, and that's the court. That's what this is based on.
GRIFFIN: Is it true?
PHILLIPS: Umm, there are warnings put out - I don't know what authorities he's talking about. He doesn't say.
GRIFFIN: Well, I have the e-mails.
PHILLIPS: Yes.
GRIFFIN: You've seen the e-mails.
PHILLIPS: I haven't since the e-mails since I've been on the ship.
GRIFFIN: You got them, right? But you were warned to go further out to sea.
PHILLIPS: (INAUDIBLE) warned to stay clear of an area, yes.
GRIFFIN (voice-over): The captain is now a witness in a contentious lawsuit between some of the crew and the shipping company. In a deposition just last year, Captain Phillips admitted he did indeed receive the e-mail warnings. He also admits he kept the warnings to himself. Asked by a plaintiff's attorney why he didn't move further offshore, Phillips testifies, "I don't believe 600 miles would make you safe. I didn't believe 1,200 miles would make you safe." Phillips told us much of the criticism is driven by human nature and by lawsuits filed by members of his crew. He also says the story itself was fueled by a press that wanted a hero, a captain who saved his crew, a good story and now a movie.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, ACTOR, "CAPTAIN PHILLIPS": Four pirates on board. Four pirates.
PHILLIPS: The media got everything wrong. I don't know how I could control this when I'm in a lifeboat and the media is saying I gave myself up for it. In the book, if you read it -- have you read that book?
GRIFFIN (on camera): I did. I read it. PHILLIPS: So you know I didn't give myself up. I was already a hostage by then.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: To his credit, Chris and Kate, when we interviewed the captain, he said he never called himself nor considered himself a hero. The real heroes, he said, were the Navy SEALs that rescued him and his crew. That case goes to trial in December.
Back to you.
CUOMO: Be no controversy about the SEALs. Hey, Drew, thank you very much for the reporting. Appreciate it.
All right, how about a little "Good Stuff"? What do you think?
BOLDUAN: Please.
CUOMO: A little Tuesday edition. All right, here's what we have. When it comes to helping people, all it takes is a little bit of magic. Magician and YouTube fixture Stewart Edge (ph) was surprised to learn just how little pizza delivery drivers make. Well below minimum wage. Did you know that? Especially once you figure in they have to use their own car and all the expense that goes along with it. If they don't get decent tips, well, tough situation to say the least. So, Stewart came up with a new trick, turning a tip of five singles into five 20s. Needless to say, the drivers thought it was magical.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You made it work, so here you go, 20, 40, $100.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. It is pretty awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm tearing up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, no, no, don't. I'm sure you can use it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, definitely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait. Are you serious?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not going to change back to ones on me when I'm driving home?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maybe it will change to hundreds. That would be cool.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel like I owe you something now definitely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, just -- you gave me the pizza. (END VIDEO CLIP)
CUOMO: He did get his pizza. He made sure of that. All of those tips come out of Stewart's own pocket. October is National Pizza Month. So remember your delivery drivers and tip them if you feel so suited.
BOLDUAN: (INAUDIBLE).
PEREIRA: Dude eats a lot of pizza.
CUOMO: Right, he eats a lot of pizza, that's right.
BOLDUAN: And what's wrong with that?
CUOMO: He put on 45 pounds in the process, but it was for a good cause.
PEREIRA: That is so cool.
CUOMO: He - you know, it's just a - you've got to remember, there are a lot of people who are working today who aren't making a lot of money.
PEREIRA: Yes, that's true.
CUOMO: That's one of the things we talk about all the time. So the good stuff was recognizing that there are people out there working hard, not getting a lot for it. So, good on Stewart for doing it.
BOLDUAN: I had a favorite pizza guy in D.C. That's how much pizza I ordered, yes.
CUOMO: Did you tip him?
BOLDUAN: Yes.
CUOMO: The word is you're (INAUDIBLE) to pay (ph), is that true or were you generous with the tips?
BOLDUAN: What?
PEREIRA: Hey. Not (INAUDIBLE).
CUOMO: Michaela said it.
BOLDUAN: I knew your source was questionable.
PEREIRA: Here comes the bus.
CUOMO: That's exactly right.
PEREIRA: And now being thrown under it. Man.
CUOMO: Yes.
BOLDUAN: All right. Coming up next on NEW DAY, because now we're going to fight it out in the break, we spoke with Newt Gingrich earlier, but who better to get the word than his better half. Callista Gingrich will be joining us in just a few minutes to talk about her new children's book about the American Revolution.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PEREIRA: You're sounding out your words, Christopher?
CUOMO: Yes.
BOLDUAN: Welcome back to NEW DAY.
PEREIRA: Callista Gingrich is the author of three children's books about American history, including her brand new book "Yankee Doodle Dandy". That's the music. The book may be a good lesson in fact for some of the politicians in Washington.
Good morning to you Callista. Thanks so much for joining us.
CALLISTA GINGRICH, AUTHOR, "YANKEE DOODLE DANDY": Good morning. Thank you for having me.
PEREIRA: Of course.
The third in the series -- congratulations.
GINGRICH: Thank you. Yes, this is the third volume in my "Ellis the Elephant" series, my time traveling pachyderm who introduced his children to American history. And in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" Ellis the elephant discovered the American Revolution and how we became a free and independent nation.
PEREIRA: Why did you decide that this was the topic you're going to write this time around?
GINGRICH: Well, the American Revolution is a very important historical period for us as it's the great struggle that forged our nation. And when we look at some of our founders like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, we realize just the challenges they endured, their periods of frustration and defeat and yet they managed to establish a nation where all men and women are created equal. And our young people today need to be introduced to these patriotic heroes and the remarkable revolution they led and learn about how we did become a free nation.
BOLDUAN: And we know that many great writers, they take experiences from their own lives to inform their writing. Who is Ellis, the character, based off of?
GINGRICH: Well, Ellis the elephant --
BOLDUAN: I don't see too much resemblance to Newt. We've been looking for it.
CUOMO: Political pachyderm that he is.
GINGRICH: There you go. Well, I knew I needed a unique character to capture the attention of small children. And I did consider many animals, including bunnies and hippos and giraffes but in the end I couldn't resist this wonderful little elephant, Ellis.
And I've really been blessed to work with a wonderful illustrator, her name Susan Arciero --
PEREIRA: These illustrations are lovely.
GINGRICH: Thank you. She has really brought Ellis to life.
CUOMO: You have one of the keys of what I've learned to helping the kids absorb anything right because we have three young kids at home.
GINGRICH: Yes.
CUOMO: It rhymes.
PEREIRA: Yes.
GINGRICH: Absolutely.
CUOMO: The book rhymes. And that cannot be underestimated in terms of getting kids to focus on something because even if the concepts are --
PEREIRA: The musicality of it.
CUOMO: -- a little much. They get the rhythm.
GINGRICH: That's right.
CUOMO: So that's good.
GINGRICH: That's the challenge. You know, you have a very limited amount of text. You want to convey a particular story, convey a specific value and do it in two verses in rhyme.
BOLDUAN: Because you have a very limited attention span.
GINGRICH: That's right.
BOLDUAN: You're working with children.
PEREIRA: So, Callista, I'm working at Ellis here writing in the book. Some are going to ask -- an elephant? What about donkey parents? Can donkey parents read the Ellis the elephant stories to children? Is it for everybody?
GINGRICH: Absolutely. This book is about patriotism and our nation's humble beginnings. It's not meant to be a conservative book or a Republican book but a pro-American book. And I really hope that many families will see it as a celebration of our patriotism and of our nation. BOLDUAN: When did you start writing the book? During the primary, post the primary? When did you find time to slip this all in?
PEREIRA: Do you sleep at all?
GINGRICH: Well, this is the third in the series --
BOLDUAN: Yes.
GINGRICH: -- as we've said and I've been doing this for about two years.
PEREIRA: I was thinking about the fact that you went and did your kiddie congress recently. Kids really have more of a sense of things. You were showing us that example, reminding us of that example. You feel like kids are open and excited and enthralled by our history.
GINGRICH: Absolutely. They're eager to learn and I was reminded of this as I went to many libraries and schools during the campaign and after, you know. They're hungry for information.
PEREIRA: Yes, they are.
GINGRICH: And we owe it to our kids to give them the tools they need to appreciate the greatness of America at an early age.
BOLDUAN: All right. Off topic, but still important, what do you think of "CROSSFIRE"?
GINGRICH: I love it. I really think it's going to be an educational and entertaining show.
BOLDUAN: Do you spar with Newt over politics at home? Do you help him prepare for this?
GINGRICH: You know, we don't spar over politics, but we spar over other things.
PEREIRA: Is it laundry, taking out the trash --
BOLDUAN: Like any other --
(CROSSTALK)
GINGRICH: Exactly.
PEREIRA: There you go.
GINGRICH: Exactly right.
CUOMO: Is there a part of you that feels that the show is great but Newt should be alone? A little bit right? Every spouse.
GINGRICH: No.
CUOMO: Come on. Families are always that way. GINGRICH: Newt loves being a part of the "CROSSFIRE" team and we're really excited about this opportunity.
BOLDUAN: And we're excited to have him, and have you and have this book.
PEREIRA: It's a delight to have you here. We should remind our viewers that Callista's husband, Newt is, of course, a colleague of ours. He's co-host of CNN's "CROSSFIRE". Can you give the plug for the next appearance when he is on?
GINGRICH: Well, I believe he's on this evening actually.
BOLDUAN: She's like, "I'm the last to know, because our schedules are completely off," like any good marriage.
PEREIRA: Thank you Callista. Great to be with you.
BOLDUAN: Really delighted.
PEREIRA: Thank you for bringing the book to us.
GINGRICH: Thank you for having me.
BOLDUAN: Let's go now to this week's "Impact your World" segment. Just two years ago, Brian Vickers suffered a medical emergency off the track. Well now he is using his experience to help others. Here is CNN's Joe Carter with his story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE CARTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At the start of the 2010 Nascar season, Brian Vickers was the driver to watch. Then his world stopped.
BRIAN VICKERS, NASCAR DRIVER: I just couldn't breathe. Every single breath became so painful I couldn't stand it.
CARTER: Vickers had blood clots in his left leg, lungs and fingers. Doctors also found a hole in his heart, prompting surgery.
VICKERS: I think at first your reaction is just trying to sort through, you know, am I going to be okay? And then what about racing?
You know, as the doctor put it, you have to take the risk of dying from another clot or potentially an internal injury and bleeding to death, being on blood thinners.
CARTER: Vickers was eventually cleared by doctors and did come back.
VICKERS: I wasn't sure if I would ever race again period, much less be able to get back to this level in a winning car.
CARTER: Vickers sees his chance as a chance to help others. He supports Clot Connect, a foundation started by one of his doctors. VICKERS: I've helped and tried to support as often as I can along the way, putting them on the race car, and donating money and time. I will say that through the ups and downs, I kept my eyes open and said, ok, you know what this sucks but what can I learn from it? The truth is that I probably grew more as a person through the negative experiences than I did the positive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CUOMO: I like this song. It's got a lot of words in it.
PEREIRA: Like whistling.
CUOMO: Yes. And scatlings (ph) and --
PEREIRA: You're a whistler. Nice.
BOLDUAN: Barely, hardly, but I love to try.
PEREIRA: That is it for us.
CUOMO: Did you enjoy NEW DAY? Hope you did.
BOLDUAN: Yes, we did. Hope you did as well.
That's it for us. Time now for "NEWSROOM" with Carol Costello -- my dear Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: That was the worst rendition of a Paul Simon song ever.
PEREIRA: We just got called out.
COSTELLO: And I say that with love.
BOLDUAN: It was me. It was me.
CUOMO: That's ok.
PEREIRA: Make a noise.
COSTELLO: Talk amongst yourselves. Thanks very much. Have a great day.
"NEWSROOM" starts now.
Happening now in the "NEWSROOM": hot potato, the debt ceiling --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The President would rather default on our debt than to sit down and negotiate.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hold a vote. Call a vote right now and let's see what happens.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Day eight of the shutdown looks a lot like day one.
Also, the unarmed truth--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rather than meet the wolf head on, we sharpened his teeth, added number to his claw.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Now the man who exposed the botched "Fast and Furious" gun sting is banned from publishing his tell-all book.
Plus, $45? Why iPhone is slashing its prices.
