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More Unrest in St. Louis; Parents Worry; Will Obama and Clinton Hug it Out?

Aired August 13, 2014 - 09:30   ET

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

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Just very -- like in the position of the body and how it was - I just thought it was too much. And I just thought -- and maybe we have some culpability too as a news organization because we took this press conference live. So, as journalist, if you're getting this information from the police and you have time to figure out what you're going to disseminate, that's one thing. But when you're just hearing the information live, you can't do that. So --

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: But the sad thing is, is it's his quick - it paints a picture in your mind.

TURNER: Yes, it did.

COSTELLO: And this is how you remember this beloved icon.

TURNER: It did. And you're so correct because that's what I was saying yesterday, like, why did I did I have to hear that because now that's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm look - I'm thinking in my head exactly how he was found. And this picture was in my head.

I just feel like you can still get the information without having to know those little, minute details. And I think it diminishes, you know, the legacy of this man. Yes, did he take his life, but I think hearing those minute details was a bit much.

COSTELLO: Nischelle Turner, Dan Simon, many thanks to both of you.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, another night of protest at a suburb - in a suburb of St. Louis. Police refusing to identify the officer who killed an unarmed black teenager. We'll talk to former LAPD chief over the lack of transparency, at least that's what it seems so far.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Peaceful demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri, this morning. Well, they erupted in violence for a fourth straight night. Angry protesters again taking to the streets, outraged over the death of Michael Brown. What's worse, there was another unrelated police involved shooting in the neighborhood. It only adds to the tension that is now peerlessly close to boiling over.

I wish I could say efforts to calm things down by police and the NAACP were working, but they're not. One of the reasons for that, a lack of transparency. County police refuse to release the name of the officer involved in Brown's death and they are not releasing specifics in Brown's autopsy report. With me now, Bernard Parks, former LAPD police chief during the O.J. Simpson and Rodney King incident.

Welcome, chief.

BERNARD PARKS SR., FORMER LAPD CHIEF OF POLICE: Thank you very much. How are you doing?

COSTELLO: I'm good. Thanks so much for being here.

Police say they will not release this officer's name because they fear for his safety. What would you do?

PARKS: I think if there's a legitimate safety issue, you must - the city and the department's responsible to ensure that the officer and his family are safe and then I think they could rightfully release it. I don't think you'd want to be in a situation where you release it and then have another type of incident going on at the same time you're trying to investigate this and handle the demonstrations.

COSTELLO: At what point do you decide to release it, though? Because right now it's just making people think there's some sort of conspiracy going on within the police department.

PARKS: Well, I think you release it as soon as you've secured the officer and his family. And, you know, the circumstances that we're confronted with in the shooting are not going to change, nor is making the officer's name public going change the circumstances. The key factor here is investigating this case thoroughly to provide as much information to the public once it's achieved. And I think that you could get taken off track by multiple events such as demonstrations and debates about the timeliness of whether the name is released. It's not going to change the circumstances that they're confronted with.

COSTELLO: A preliminary autopsy is now complete. Police say Brown was shot multiple times but they won't say where the bullet wounds are. You know, as I said, there are so many rumors flying around. Why not just tell the community the facts that you know?

PARKS: Well, I think generally what I experienced is that you attempt to have a case that you're investigating and you attempt to bring forth as clear a picture as possible. Having just one segment of the investigation, such as the autopsy, is not going to cast any light on the circumstances because other evidence hasn't been discovered or evaluated. Right now the physical evidence is going to be very, very critical, far more critical than in many instances the eyewitness testimony. And so it's important to put together a clear picture of what occurred and then make it public. A thorough investigation is much more credible than a swift investigation.

COSTELLO: But the longer these things are not shared with the community, the more tension there is. So how do you control that? How do you calm people down and make them understand?

PARKS: Well, I think you have to talk to the community, but the talking to the community should happen well in advance of these circumstances. It's almost impossible if you do not have a good relationship in the community to start having one once there's an incident. That's why you have to build up that rapport and that cache in the community on every given day within every officer contact that you're serving the public. If you have a community that's on edge about day-to-day activities, this circumstance of a shooting is just going to escalate it and you then can't show up with a public relations kind of circumstance and attempt to quell their fears.

I think we also need to ensure that, you know, in reading the articles, many people are saying they want an objective investigation, they want justice. I think it's got -- there has to be some understanding what justice is because if some people who have stated justice is termination, firing and prosecution, anything short of that they're not going to be happy. And so the key is, what is justice? What is an objective investigation? And then presenting it so that there's no missteps or misinformation as you present the material. You could only harm yourself by going too quickly.

COSTELLO: There has also been this heavy, heavy police presence in Ferguson. Some say that is just inflaming the community. Do you agree with that?

PARKS: Well, I think the issue is just not being there, I think you need to have presence because the issue is, are people demonstrating peacefully? Does it turn into violence? There's just as much criticism for the police if they allow a situation to get out of hand and the city burns. And so it's one of those balancing acts that you must protect the property and the citizens of that city, at the same time, allow people to express their First Amendment rights and demonstrate. But I don't think you could stand by and let property damage and damage to the community and possible life threatening damage occur by just letting people demonstrate. So I think you have to have a balance.

COSTELLO: Well, you're right, some scary things are happening. The FAA, for example, issued a no-fly zone offer Ferguson after police say a police helicopter was fired upon multiple times. Who is the person who should come out on television, local television, whatever, and calm things down? Who is that person?

PARKS: Well, I don't think it's one person. I think it has to be a number of people. I would think the political leadership, the mayor, the council members, I believe the chief of police. I also understand that this investigation is being done by another agency. Certainly they have a role in letting people know that they intend to make an objective investigation. If the Department of Justice is involved, they have a role. I don't think people are willing to listen just to one person if that one person has not been established as a leader and a documented person that has the sensitivity and understanding prior to the incident. So it's going to take a combination of a lot of people on the same page, discussing this issue and trying to calm communities and particular groups in the community that they may have influence with.

COSTELLO: Chief Bernard Parks, thanks so much for your insight. I appreciate it. PARKS: Yes. Thank you.

COSTELLO: In light of all - you're welcome.

In light of all the questions in Ferguson, many African-American parents are again asking how they can protect their children. CNN's Stephanie Elam has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LASHON SPICER, MOTHER: As a parent, you have to worry about everything that happens once your kid step outside.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Regardless of wealth, education or shade of brown, parents of black children across this country are worried.

BRENT PAYSINGER, FATHER: It makes me think about one of my own.

ELAM: Trayvon Martin, now Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Another unarmed black teen dead.

ROBERT SPICER, FATHER: Here we go again.

ELAM: How to keep black boys safe. I spoke with several parents, all of whom say there are unwritten rules for raising black boys. Make sure they understand they may be judged for the color of their skin rather than the content of their character.

R. SPICER: Appearance is big.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You show me your friends, and I'll show you your future.

B. PAYSINGER: Pull the pants up.

KELLI KNOX, MOTHER: Do not have more than three males in - you know, friends in your car.

ELAM: Brent and Andrea Paysinger are constantly talking to their sons about saying safe. Isaiah is 15 years old. Sometimes staying safe means knowing how to act around the police. A conflicting notion for Isaiah.

ISAIAH PAYSINGER, 15 YEARS OLD: They're supposed to be the people that protect us and keep us safe, but these actions and all these gestures that they do is making it hard for us. It's like, who do we turn to? If the ones protecting us are hurting us, who do we turn to?

CRISHAWN SPICER, 15 YEARS OLD: Why should I be afraid to walk down the street and get discriminated because of the color I am or the way I'm dressed or the way I look.

ELAM: It's a lesson that can rob them of their childhood innocence. Lashon and Robert Spicer also talk with their 15-year-old son Crishawn about racial profiling. R. SPICER: We worry all the time that it's going to happen more and

more often as he goes on in life, no matter what he does.

ELAM: Steve Perry is founder of Capital Preparatory Magnet School.

STEVE PERRY, PRINCIPAL, CAPITAL PREPARATORY MAGNET SCHOOL: If you have a black son and you're not taking the time to explain to him what he needs to do when he's out in the streets, how he needs to dress and how he needs to act and to explain to him that he actually does have a target on his back, then you are not doing your job as a parent.

ELAM: Kelli Knox's son is 26 and she still reminds him of her rules for survival.

K. KNOX: I've had these conversations with my son since middle school on how to behave. When the police comes, this is what you do, this is how you, you know, speak to them. Do not get in a power struggle. It's just not worth it.

JOSEPH KNOX, 26 YEARS OLD: I think she has a right to worry. She's a little bit too worried, but I mean I don't blame her.

ELAM: Kelli's son Joseph was at first reluctant to speak with me.

J. KNOX: Yes.

ELAM (on camera): What made you change your mind?

J. KNOX: Well, I figured I would like to give a perspective of a kid who, you know, I don't look like trouble, I don't dress like it. I went to college and graduated and I still have problems like the next kid. I've gotten harassed by cops. I've gotten a gun pulled on me. I've been told to crib walk, and I don't even -- never gang banged (ph) a day in my life.

PERRY: Black males are criminalized from the time we enter into the quote/unquote system. And I'm talking about school. From the time children enter the system, African-American males are the most suspend, most punished of any group, period.

ELAM: As for the teens, Robert tells his son to keep pursuing his education.

R. SPICER: Once you get out there to the real world, it gets harder and harder every day and the challenges, they don't stop. So for right now, you be 15, let me be the dad. I'll take care of it.

ELAM: A hope that their sons can just be boys for a little while longer.

Stephanie Elam, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, what's a little foreign policy criticism among friends. The Clinton and Obama camps say nothing and tonight both sides will be put to the test while the president and his former top diplomat meet at a party on Martha's Vineyard. Jim Acosta, will they really hug it out?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, we'll see, Carol. First she criticizes his foreign policy, then the White House says it's no big deal but she still wants to hug it out. It's complicated, Carol. We'll explain in just a few moments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Hug it out and then golf? Just two things on President Obama's agenda today at Martha's Vineyard where he'll meet up with Hillary Clinton for the first time since she publicly slammed his foreign policy. Senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta is traveling with the president. So, Jim, the two are attending this big birthday party for a former aide to President Clinton. Will it be a little awkward?

ACOSTA: It could be complicated. We'll have to wait and see, Carol. We'll see if they put out photographic evidence of this hug that we're all anticipating here on Martha's Vineyard. We should point out the president is getting constant updates on the mission in Iraq. He's hearing about those advisers that are being sent in, humanitarian aid drops that are continuing. But he does have some political business to attend to later on today, Carol. As you mentioned earlier this week, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, his old campaign rival back in 2008, she criticized his policy in Iraq, saying that the failure of the Obama administration to arm those Syrian rebels contributed to the rise if ISIS in Iraq.

She even went after President Obama's foreign policy mantra, "don't do stupid stuff" when she said great nations need organizing principles and don't do stupid stuff is not a organizing principle. Now, Secretary Clinton called President Obama yesterday to say basically didn't mean any offense there, didn't mean to go after you and your foreign policy, but I asked one of the president's top aides, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes whether the president took any of this personally and here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

ACOSTA: Did the president take that criticism personally?

BEN RHODES, DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: No, look, I think he and Secretary Clinton have been through so much together, on the campaign trail, in the White House, the State Department.

ACOSTA: It was sort of a flashback back to the campaign a little bit.

RHODES: Well, but again, I think their relationship is very resilient. They have been through so much together.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

ACOSTA: So a flashback to the campaign, flash-forward to later today, Hillary Clinton will be doing a book signing here on Martha's Vineyard, then they'll be going to this party hosted by a former Democratic advisor, Vernon Jordan. But, getting back to this disagreement between the president and Hillary Clinton over the situation in Iraq. We should point out that her people put out a statement, Nick Merrill, a spokesman for Hillary Clinton put out a statement essentially saying that the former secretary of state did not mean to attack the president. But it says here, "Like any two friends who have to deal with the public eye, she looks forward to hugging it out when they see each other." So after everything that President Obama and Hillary Clinton have been through over the years, every once in a while, they still need a hug, Carol.

COSTELLO: Doesn't everyone, Jim?

ACOSTA: I think so.

COSTELLO: Yes, exactly. Jim Acosta reporting live for us. I'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Tonight on CNN, hippies, peace signs and flower power. CNN's Emmy nominated original series "THE SIXTIES" takes you from San Francisco to a farm in Woodstock, New York. It's sex, drugs and rock and roll on "THE SIXTIES." Here a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The drug culture really took hold and they started saying let's get as many people to try LSD as he can.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The idea was if everybody is trying to work for the corporation, that you are losing a sense of self. Kids were starting to question authority, question what was happening in their country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are young people who are hungering for older people, for their parents to listen to them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The rules were changing and the rules were really that there were no rules.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the dawning and the start of something new.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Woodstock was an opportunity for people to realize they weren't alone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was a lot of freedom, there was a lot of drugs, there was a lot of beautiful women, there was a lot of good rock and roll being made. It was a fabulous time.

ANNOUNCER: "The SIXTIES," tonight at 9:00 on CNN.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

COSTELLO: Watch it. The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM after a break.