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New Day

Amanda Knox Found Guilty, Again; Interview with President Barack Obama; Rodman In Rehab; Animals Pick Super Bowl's Winners

Aired January 31, 2014 - 06:30   ET

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

JOEY JACKSON, HLN LEGAL ANALYST: Absolutely. But when you think about also cart wheels -- let's talk about the cartwheels. Let's talk about the kiss to the boyfriend.

How are you going to base a legitimate prosecution upon evidence that doesn't exist at the scene but that we're talking about in terms of how she reacted? As far as the kiss is concerned, you could regard as him consoling her as a result of her learning of this tragedy. In terms of the cartwheel, you can certainly argue that she's relieving stress as a result of yoga and other things -- you know, and being held by the police.

And so when you look at the actual evidence in terms of the case itself, it's problematic.

Very quickly, on the issue of the DNA and the knife, on the issue of the broke glass (ph), you don't have evidence that you leave for seven weeks and then you determine we're going to test it then. You don't have a knife that you pick up out of the kitchen and you say, you know what, let's say that's the crime scene knife. There has to be more. And I think that was the troubling part when the conviction was overturned.

This court however saw things differently.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Now, you had two judges and six jurors, Steve, who viewed evidence -- we don't know exactly everything they looked at. We don't have a copy of the record here. But can you just explain away 12 hours of deliberation?

STEVE MOORE, RET. SUPERVISORY SPECIAL AGENT, FBI: Yes, I -- really I do believe that the -- the decision was made before the jury was impaneled. That's how the Italian judicial system works. That's why they're such -- I don't want to say laughingstock, but they are certainly one of the more suspect judicial systems in all of Western Europe.

And so, the 12 hours was simply to make it look good.

CUOMO: All right. So, now, let's get to what happens now. There's going to be review of the Supreme Court. There's 90 days for the decision to come out, 90 days to field. But forget about that process. It's what will the U.S. do if this conviction is upheld.

There is an extradition treaty.

JACKSON: Absolutely.

CUOMO: However, speak to the precedent of how each country has treated this treaty, and the provisions in it and what leeway there maybe -- Joey.

JACKSON: Sure. Well, in terms of the provision in the treaty, there's an article 10 and that speaks to the issue of reasonable cause to believe that the crime was committed. Now, certainly, Chris, the United States can interpret that provision as consistent with overturning her conviction, throwing it out and saying, look, we had independent experts evaluate this DNA establishing -- they weren't even at the crime scene and this DNA was unreliable.

Therefore, under article 10, there is no reasonable cause to believe they committed this crime.

CUOMO: So, it's not an ironclad commitment?

JACKSON: Not at all.

CUOMO: And we do have precedent that Italy refused to send someone to us, and we have refused to send people to them.

JACKSON: Oh, sure. And back in 2009, not that there was an extradition request, there may not be an extradition request here. But there were 22 CIA agents, of course, who were charged with the kidnapping of a terrorist, who they took from the streets of Milan, and they of course convicted, never spent a day of jail in Italy.

So, there is precedent for people convicted in Italy not being returned and vice versa.

CUOMO: Now, the worst part of this, of course, is Amanda Knox, whether this ends or not in the Italian system in her favor, she has a very long process of trying to figure out where her freedoms exist, when they do not.

And, of course, for the Kercher family, Meredith Kercher, the victim, her family still has to wonder when will there be absolute justice in this. So, while we have latest decision, the process still isn't over.

Steve, thank you very much. Joey, appreciate the perspective, fellas.

All right. Obviously, this is as much of a debate as it is a case. So, tweet us what you think, use #newday -- Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Coming up next on NEW DAY, more of Jake Tapper's exclusive interview with President Obama. The commander in chief, what he has to say about the NSA, and also what it's like to raise his two daughters in the White House these days.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to NEW DAY, everyone. Let's take a look at your top stories right now.

Peace talks on Syria set to end in Switzerland today, with really little or not progress. And allow humanitarian aid to get in. This discussion now moves to Germany with Secretary of State John Kerry.

The weather is finally starting to cooperate in Atlanta. Temperatures have inched up high enough for ice to start melting. From this week's snowstorm that crippled the city. The state of emergency in Georgia has been extended through Sunday. Governor Nathan deal is now taking responsibility for the slow response.

New this morning -- officials at an elementary school in Salt Lake City apologizing for taking food away from children with negative balances in their lunch accounts. They are acknowledging that they could have handled better. Many of the kids cried when their trays were taken away, infuriating parents who claimed they were never informed about issues with these accounts.

And George Zimmerman agreeing to take part in a celebrity, insert air quotes here, boxing match. Right now, he has no opponent, but the fight promoter says, he's had 8,000 emails from people wanting to get into the right with Zimmerman. Proceeds from the bought will go to charity. Zimmerman we're told will not make any money. The fight is scheduled for March 1st -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: All right. Thank so much, John.

Let's get now to more of Jake Tapper's exclusive interview with President Obama, his first since the State of the Union address. Their wide-ranging talk covers everything from raising two daughters to his thoughts on another global figure, Pope Francis.

Jake is here once again.

There's a lot to cover. You've covered a lot, because you're never allowed a lot of time.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: That's true.

And we ran through a lot of issues. This is from the lighter section of the interview. I want to confide in you and our viewers that as a White House correspondent, sometimes there was some tension between me and the president.

So, at the beginning of the interview we did this walk-in talk. And it felt like, to clear the air a little bit, get him in the mood, you know, it might good to ask him about his favorite topic, which, of course, is his daughters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TAPPER: So, the first lady just gave an interview. She said that your daughters not so concerned with whether or not you had a bad 2013, more concerned about, OK, dad, that's great, where's my allowance?

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You know, they have -- when we sit down at the dinner table -- have some awareness of what's going on. And we have great conversations although mostly, it's more about history than it is about what's going on right now. But it's true. Look, they're teenagers. They are fully absorbed with their lives, what's going on at school.

TAPPER: They're not into your approval ratings.

OBAMA: They really are not.

TAPPER: Are you bringing them when you go to the Vatican? When you meet the pope? Are they going to come?

OBAMA: You know, they met the previous pope the last time we went to Rome. I'm not sure they're going to have a chance to go this time. But it was wonderful, great story was. You know, Sasha was still pretty young at the time. This is in my first year of office.

And they see the Sistine Chapel and going through these various chambers. Each time she'd see somebody dressed up in the cloth, she'd say, is that the pope? Is that the pope? How about that guy over there? They said, no, no, you'll know when it is finally the pope.

TAPPER: So, I was thinking about this pope. I was thinking about there's so much excitement. People think he's going to change everything.

You're going to meet him. Do you want to talk to him about the importance of managing expectations at all? Is that something he needs to talk about?

OBAMA: Well, you know, I have been really impressed so far with the way he's communicated what I think is the essence of the Christian faith and that is a true sense of brotherhood and sisterhood and regard for those who are less fortunate.

And my suspicion is based on what I've seen of him so far, he's a pretty steady guy. I don't think he needs any advice from me about staying humble.

TAPPER: He's not looking at his approval rating.

OBAMA: I don't think he is. I think he is very much reflecting on his faith and what he needs to do to make sure that folks, not just of the Catholic faith, but people all around the world are living out a message that he thinks is consistent with the lessons of Jesus Christ. So, I've really been impressed. That's a meeting I'm looking forward to.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: And of course, we got into many, many more topics in addition to the economy and the, quote-unquote, "imperial presidency", Republicans are accusing of him, that we already aired. We talked about marijuana.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

TAPPER: We talked about whether or not he would send his friends, allow his friends to go to the Sochi Olympics.

(CROSSTALK)

TAPPER: I know. It's a very complicated answer. He doesn't just say, yes, go.

BOLDUAN: I also think a complicated answer when he has to talk to his daughters about his approval rating. That was a good question, Jake.

TAPPER: They don't care.

BOLDUAN: Really?

TAPPER: That's just so funny.

But I don't know -- I mean, for the dads here, like I come home, I've had a rough day, my kids could not care less. It's kind of nice to know that same thing happens with them.

BOLDUAN: Same thing, even when they're living at the White House.

TAPPER: I didn't ask him if the first lady feels bad for him. That would have been a little bit more dicey.

BOLDUAN: I don't think you want to get involved.

TAPPER: That's not my business. It's not my business.

BOLDUAN: You don't what his in yours.

TAPPER: It's not my business.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: We're going to let Jake take a break. We're going to bring him back.

More of Jake's interview with the president at the top of the hour. Find out what he says as Jake was telling us, about the NSA and safety at the Sochi Olympics. It's very interesting. And you can watch the full interview today on Jake's show, "THE LEAD" at 4:00 Eastern.

CUOMO: We'll take a break here on NEW DAY.

When we come back, Dennis Rodman's struggles. Our explosive interview on NEW DAY, was really just the beginning of the story. We're going to speak with him again. And the basketball star, we find him in a place that's more dangerous for him than North Korea. He's facing his demons in rehab. Can he finally get on the road to recovery?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) CUOMO: Welcome back to NEW DAY. This morning, former NBA star, Dennis Rodman, is undergoing treatment for his long struggle with alcoholism. He checked himself in after tumultuous trip to North Korea, which included his out of control interview here on NEW DAY. Now, later on in the show, we're going to speak again with Dennis Rodman live this time.

He made the request from rehab saying it's part of his healing. What is behind his decade's long battle with addiction? It's the main question for us today. Has his time in rehab changed his mind about his friend and the situation in North Korea? And what is hopefully a discussion about his determination to finally recover? First for you now, a look at what brought Dennis Rodman to this point.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO (voice-over): Five-time NBA champ, Dennis Rodman, the Worm, notorious with crossing lines, cross dressing, even crossing over into pro-wrestling.

All right. First question to you, Dennis --

But this was the crown jewel in his career of controversy.

DENNIS RODMAN, FORMER NBA STAR: I don't give a rat's ass what the hell you think.

CUOMO: The NEW DAY interview from North Korea, site of what was supposed to be an exhibition game of basketball diplomacy. It quickly turned into something else.

RODMAN: (SINGING) Happy birthday to you.

CUOMO: A birthday present for Kim Jong-Un, the leader of North Korea, a man Rodman inexplicably calls --

RODMAN: I love my friend. This is my friend.

CUOMO: The bizarre access Rodman had to the much maligned leader eclipsed by his own bizarre behavior. Rodman would later apologize to us, his teammates may of whom were taken by surprise by aspect of the trip, and to Kenneth Bae, the American held hostage in North Korea Rodman drunkenly accused of wrongdoing.

RODMAN: Do you understand what he did?

CUOMO: What did he do? You tell me. You tell me. What did he do?

RODMAN: No, no, no. You tell me. You tell me.

CUOMO: But behind all this bluster is a cry for help. Rodman admitted he was drunk in the interview and out of control. He checked into rehab, and it's not the first time. Rodman first went in 2008. In 2009, his behavior on the "Celebrity Apprentice" was so bad, friends and family staged an intervention.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Think this is going to help?

RODMAN: (EXPLETIVE DELETED)

CUOMO: Later that year, he chose rehab over jail and joined the cast of "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." But he was nowhere near bottom, insisting like so many that he could control his problem.

RODMAN: I've already got this under control. I'm cool. I mean, you know, I'm cool. I'm Dennis Rodman. I can do anything I want to, you know? I've got it straightened the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: The man who could control a game, a media image, even arguably access to North Korea could not control his own addiction. Right now, Dennis Rodman finds himself in a hell that is familiar to more and more Americans every day. A place, as I said, more daunting for him than even North Korea.

Rodman is facing those demons in rehab, and we're going to visit him there later and continue this conversation later in the show. So, stay tuned for that.

BOLDUAN: Going to take a break, though. Next up on NEW DAY, who do you think will win the big game this Sunday? I have my opinion. I will reserve them, though, at the very moment. The Broncos. Your choice -- let's see how your choice matches up with some astute -- oracles, though. Here's a hint, they never worry about the points.

CUOMO: Is that the Republicans (ph)?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

BOLDUAN: The music itself gets you excited. Welcome back. The big game is just two-days away and even the animal kingdom is weighing in on who will be king of the football jungle. Nischelle Turner is joining us from Time Square with those predictions. Hi, Nischelle.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey. Good morning, Kate. You're right. That music just gets you hyped. It gives you a little goose bumps, not the fact that it's 20degrees out here.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

TURNER: It's that music. But you know, we rely on the pundits, the analysts to go to school, get degrees, really study and prepare to give us these great predictions for the Super Bowl, and then what do we do? We want to hear what the animals have to say. And you know what, it's so cute we can't help it. Let's go to South Carolina this morning where two elephants are picking their predictions for the Super Bowl. Now, they're getting this prognostication game. You see there with the Broncos and the Seahawks. They're picking, of course, the Broncos. But I think, though, that their handlers may have been Broncos fans, because if you see there, it looked like their handlers were skewing them towards the Broncos, and that's what the elephants picked.

Now, I want to take you to Utah. We're going to see Eli the ape. Now, Eli the ape has been picking the Super Bowl for six years. And Eli the ape has not been wrong for six years. Could it be seven? Let me see what Eli is picking this morning. Eli is going straight for the Seahawks helmet. So, Eli is making the Seahawks. The Ringling Brothers' elephants are picking the Broncos. And I will tell you what I'm picking, guys, I'm going with Eli. I'm picking the Seahawks.

BOLDUAN: I got to tell you. I don't know -- he knocked the Seahawks helmet off. I think that actually has more to do with it. I think he was picking the Broncos because he was taking out the Seahawks.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: You see the thing (ph), Nischelle. He got --

(CROSSTALK)

TURNER: The spin gate.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: What I'm definitely good at.

BERMAN: I will argue with Eli. He's connected man. His book (ph), he will come after you.

BOLDUAN: You're right. I'm sorry. I will now be silent. Nischelle, thank you so much --

TURNER: There you go.

BOLDUAN: We'll see you in a little bit.

TURNER: All right, guys. See you a bit later.

BOLDUAN: Let's take a break. Coming up on NEW DAY, plenty of concerns over security at the Olympics in Russia. So, does President Obama think it's going to be safe? His answer in more of the exclusive sit-down interview with Jake Tapper coming up at the top of the hour.

BERMAN: And who could forget this explosion on NEW DAY a few week ago? Today, Chris will sit down face-to-face with Dennis Rodman again, this time, at Rodman's rehab center. We will find out what he has learned from this incident, how he's battling his addictions now, this, in a live interview ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In no way are my expectations diminished or my ambitions diminished, but what is obviously true is we've got divided government right now.

CUOMO: A CNN exclusive. Jake Tapper presses the president. What he now says about his stance on legalizing marijuana? And what does U.S. intelligence say about how safe is Sochi games are? The interview you can only see here.

BOLDUAN: Double jeopardy. Amanda Knox convicted again of murder in Italy, giving her strongest (INAUDIBLE) yet on whether she'll ever go back. But will the U.S. government have something to say about that? Her lawyer joins us live.

BERMAN: Quarterback sneak. Was giant's QB, Eli Manning, selling fake game jerseys and helmets, claiming he wore them during big games? Will the selling -- collectors? The shocking lawsuit just days ahead of his brother's big Super Bowl moment.

CUOMO: Your NEW DAY starts right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira.

(END VIDEOTAPE)