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Emotional, Overflow Rally for Brown; President Returns to Washington Tonight; ISIS Closing in on Kirkuk; Ferguson Under Curfew Tonight; Kurdish Forces Gaining Control of Dam

Aired August 17, 2014 - 19:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE KOBILINSKY, FORENSIC SCIENTIST JOHN JAY COLLEGE: Is there only the police officer's DNA on that gun? Or if there was, in fact, a struggle, is Michael Brown's DNA on that gun as well? That would certainly say a lot about whether a struggle for the gun took place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Poppy, a lot of people are going to wonder why three autopsies are necessary and what the differences you can find are. Well, there should be a lot of conclusions that we assume will be the same. The number of bullet wounds, for example, that should all pretty much match up.

But the things that we'll be looking for are any inconsistencies and you might get some inconsistencies as far as opinion about the trajectory of the bullets or distance between the victim and the shooter -- facts that will be important as the case moves on.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. And we know the Department of Justice said, yes, we're going to do our own, but we're also not discounting what the state has done. We want to be very careful to walk that line and not say there is anything wrong with this because we just don't know yet.

We'll be waiting and see what results are actually made public from all three.

Alex, thank you. Appreciate it.

FIELD: Thanks, Poppy.

HARLOW: All right. The next hour of NEWSROOM starts right now.

(MUSIC)

HARLOW: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Poppy Harlow. Seven p.m. Eastern Time here in New York.

Now to Ferguson, Missouri. Outrage was on display today at an emotional rally for an unarmed teen shot and killed by a police officer one week ago. Hundreds crowded into the Ferguson church there, demanding justice for Michael Brown who was killed eight days ago. Michael Brown's parents there were there. They did not speak publicly but we did hear from their attorney, Benjamin Crump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR MICHAEL BROWN'S FAMILY: When we say what we're here for today united for justice for Michael Brown, Jr., what we are really asking for is simple justice. We're not asking for anything extraordinary. They just want what any other would want if their child was shot down in broad daylight -- a fair and impartial investigation. They want to know that they will have their day in court, that the killer of their child will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: A total of three autopsies will be performed on Michael Brown's body before his parents will hold his funeral. The first autopsy we know was already done by the St. Louis medical examiner's office. Today, we learned the Justice Department will perform a second autopsy. Brown's family has also hired famed pathologist, Michael Baden, to perform a third autopsy.

Also, a new curfew will be in effect tonight at midnight Central Time once again this evening, as in last night. During last night's protest, those seven people were arrested. One protester is in critical condition after being shot in the chest. It is not known, though, who shot him.

I want to bring in our Jason Carroll, he was inside today, listening to what was a really long, very, very passionate, really memorial and service in honor and memory of Michael Brown.

Jason, what stood out to you the most?

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, so many things here at Greater Grace Church. I mean, some called it a rally. Some called it a revival. Other people simply called it a service, a church service, whatever you want to call it, I think you hit it right on the head there passion was one thing that stood out.

Everyone who came out here to this particular service today, whether they were able to get inside, actually so many people showed up, poppy, hundreds of people had to gather outside.

But those who were here were unified in terms of listening to the community leaders who came out to speak. They spoke about peace. They also spoke about justice.

One particularly moving moment was when Michael Brown's cousin stood up and spoke about the young man he knew.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TY PRUITT, MICHAEL BROWN'S COUSIN: And Michael Brown was not just some young black boy. He was a human being. He was a younger cousin. He was a son. He was an uncle, a nephew.

He was not a suspect. He was not an object. He was not an animal. But that's how he was killed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Poppy, you talked about some of the things that stood out.

One of the other things that stood out to me during this particular service was when a young woman took the stage and received a standing ovation. Her name: Maya Aaten-White. And what happened to her is extraordinary. On Tuesday, she came out, she was demonstrating and got caught up in some of the violence and was actually shot in the head, and lived to tell about it.

She joins me now you with her attorney, Marwin Porter (ph), as well.

I want to start with you, Maya. A lot of people looked at you up there on that stage and said you're a walking miracle, given that you are here, able to talk with us today.

Tell me about, first of all, how are you feeling?

MAYA AATEN-WHITE, INJURED IN PROTEST DAYS AGO: I feel great.

CARROLL: You know, you were telling me that you were leaving, along with the peaceful demonstrators Tuesday. You were walking along, and then all of a sudden, you heard shots rang out. Tell me what happened after that?

AATEN-WHITE: Correct. Then I fell to the ground there and were some young men walking ahead of me and came back, they picked me up. A civilian came out of their home and opened their home up to me, allowed me to lay there while we called 911, to get me help.

CARROLL: You know, it's still incredible. You've now been through surgery, still unclear where that bullet came from --

AATEN-WHITE: Correct.

CARROLL: -- that was lodged in your head

AATEN-WHITE: Correct.

CARROLL: Your mother said something to me -- before we came out here, Poppy. She said I feel like in some ways not only was my daughter injured, but she said I feel like her soul was injured. And I'm wondering what you think she meant by that.

AATEN-WHITE: In terms of my soul being injured? I think that that meant that you know, I went out there with the thought that, you know, everything would be fine and everything would be peaceful and that things would get better. And in the moment that I was just celebrating us having a successful, peaceful rally, that was kind of taken by that bullet. And I don't know where it came from so the anonymity that comes along with it, it really throws me off, you know, a little.

CARROLL: And you know, you're one -- you're really in the majority. You are the people who are out here, who are protesting peacefully, day in, day out, but then you have these agitators who are coming in and causing trouble. And I'm wondering, from your point of view, how do you try to reach them? You have tried do that before? You have been out there trying to keep the, quote-unquote, "bad folks" away and trying to keep the ones who are peaceful in there.

And so, I'm wondering how do you go forward at this point? Do you continue to protest?

AATEN-WHITE: I continue to protest, yes. And I think part of bringing people over from that, quote-unquote, "bad side", you know, to the, quote-unquote, "good side" is communication, opening up those doors of communication, kind of talking to people and letting people know, you know, hey, this is isn't acceptable there or this is allowed here and then making it a space where we can all voice our opinions without having to participate in any violence.

CARROLL: On the flip side of that, I'm just curious, and that your attorney may want to weigh in on this one, but what your thoughts are about the curfew and the police response so far.

AATEN-WHITE: Personally, I don't agree with the curfew. I think that that further adds to the agitation and the frustration of the people because there are a lot adults and I understand the perspective of, you know, I'm a adult, I don't want to be told when to enter my home. I also understand the perspective of we want people safe. You know, we want to make sure that these riots and things don't get out of happened.

So, I believe that the police response last night, I'm unsure of. I wasn't there to witness it myself. But as far as I'm told, most of the people did clear out around 12:30, you know, even those who came become and tried to go against that curfew were still pushed back, you know, kind of around 12:30, is so it cleared out pretty quickly.

CARROLL: Captain Ronald Johnson, who has been tasked with taking over security, he also spoke again, Poppy, at this rally earlier today here at the church. He received also a warm welcome. I'm curious what you think of his approach, which has been to sort of let the people be out there, let them be heard, sort of back off, engage the community, but use force when necessary.

What are your thoughts on that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that the purpose of law enforcement is to protect, serve of, to keep order and to keep peace. Not to create intimidation and conflict and chaos.

So, I think that with the new officer out here, he is restoring some of that trust back in the community. I think the problem that you're seeing here and you've seen over the last week is not just about this particular situation that happened in Ferguson, Missouri. It's about what is happening all over the country and it creates a conflict and a distrust between the community and those who are charged with serving the community. So I think that, you know, the officer and some of the statements that he's made, is helping to restore some trust are. CARROLL: OK, Mr. Porter, Maya, I really want to thank both of you.

AATEN-WHITE: Thank you.

CARROLL: All three of you for joining us.

Again, walking miracle, I think you inspired a lot of people who came by here today, and I want to thank you for lending your voice to CNN. So, thanks again.

AATEN-WHITE: Thank you.

CARROLL: So again, Poppy, Maya is telling me that she is going on out here protesting whenever it's called for. So, she will be out here later on in the week. Again, she's another one of those people calling for peaceful demonstrations, but she is still calling for people to let their voices be heard -- Poppy.

HARLOW: Jason, thank you for bringing us that. It's so important to hear from people on the ground, especially people like her who have gone through this and made her voice heard and I'm so sorry she got injured, but I was really glad to hear when she said I'm doing great, that she is doing OK. Please give her our best. Thanks, Jason.

CARROLL: Certainly will.

HARLOW: Well, you know, before the rally, the man heading up security in Ferguson, you just heard about Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson attended a prayer service and in his emotional remarks to a very enthusiastic crowd, he revealed to congregation how this unrest has affected him personally.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

CAPTAIN RON JOHNSON, MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL: Last night, I did a news interview about -- about 3:00 this morning. And the news reporter said we saw a different tone in you today. He said, you look a little bit weary. You look a little bit down. Or is it you're just tired?

And I said, my heart is heavy. Yesterday was a tough day. You know, sometimes when you're trying to create change, you start having conflict with your friends.

Now, can I answer your question? Can I answer your question?

Yesterday was a day that I -- first day that I cried. A text my daughter sent me about Jesus and Peter. It talked about Peter walking on the water when Jesus told him to get out there. And my daughter said, now, when Peter got tired or scared, Jesus picked him back up.

Well, last night, I got tired. I got scared. But Jesus brought me to this house today. And we're going to be all right. St. Louis is going to be better. Young black boys are going to be better. Young black girls are going

to be better. Black mamas are going to be better. And last but not least, we, black fathers, are going to be better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How many of you in here have a relative in jail? Stand.

In some sense, we have been drawn together today by the misery and the pain of the execution of Michael Brown. Ferguson today is a metaphor for abandoned urban America. It's like Selma was a metaphor for abandoned Americans denied the right to vote. One of my challenges is in the face of this is how do we turn pain to power?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can't stop now! You can't stop at the funeral! We must go beyond the funeral!

Hey, I am somebody! I am somebody! I am God's child! Respect me! Protect me! Never neglect me! I am God's child! I can make it if I try.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

HARLOW: And, of course, we will continue tracking here on CNN what happens tonight in Ferguson as that curfew goes into effect once again at midnight.

Meantime, coming up next here on THE NEWSROOM, the president returns to Washington from vacation. We know he will be briefed by the attorney general about the situation in Ferguson. He'll also have other key meetings. What is ahead for the president? That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: High tensions in Ferguson, Missouri, and the unrest and angry protest. This as the Obama administration is watching and is responding. Today, the Justice Department ordered another autopsy to be conducted on the body of Michael Brown. This one will be done by a federal medical examiner. That is at the request of Michael Brown's family, but it will not replace the state autopsy. Both will be considered, we are told, in this investigation.

Our senior White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, is traveling with the president, who is on vacation in Martha's Vineyard. But Jim, the president is leaving vacation later tonight, going back to the White House for a big day of meetings.

I am wondering at this point, because we know he was also briefed this morning on the situation in Ferguson, then he will meet with Attorney General Holder tomorrow, how much of his sometime now dedicated to the situation in Ferguson?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Poppy, he has been on vacation all week and it has been a working vacation we saw him out in front of the cameras a couple of times. He has been having regular briefings with his national security team and then, over the weekend, he's been getting briefings from Valerie Jarrett, his senior adviser on the situation in Ferguson. And as you mentioned, he has to get back to business. He's heading back to the White House later on this evening. He's arriving very late tonight and then two days of meetings at the White House. So, one of those meetings will be with the attorney general, Eric Holder, on the latest in Ferguson.

And as you mentioned with the Justice Department ordering a federal autopsy and in Michael Brown's death, that you get the sense that the administration is becoming more involved in that case, more involved in what's happening on the ground in Ferguson. It will be interesting to see, Poppy, whether or not the president decides to come out in front of the cameras again.

White House officials have been cautioning us over the last several days not to expect the president not to make any major news when he gets back to Washington, but events have a way of having a mind of their own, as we saw over the weekend, after the White House thought that things were starting to simmer down in Ferguson, we saw those two nights of pretty serious unrest on the streets of Ferguson. The president may be forced to get back out in front of the cameras.

The other thing that has been going on is the situation in Iraq. We saw those air strikes over the weekend and the president will be having a meeting with his national security team on that as well tomorrow.

HARLOW: And, of course, we know just in the last few hours, the president did send a War Powers letter to Congress. So, of course, that is what needs to be done, what operations are changing there.

What does that signify to us, Jim, though, on how significantly U.S. operations in Iraq might be changing?

ACOSTA: You know, this was a very interesting development, Poppy, because we saw those airstrikes over the weekend, around those ISIS targets that were really taking over that a dam in Mosul and administration officials have been cautioning thanks this was not an expansion of the president's authorization for airstrikes against ISIS targets around Irbil, where there are American personnel stationed and the humanitarian mission at mount Sinjar. They were hitting ISIS dark there.

So, when we saw this Mosul dam extension of the operation, the question became -- well, is the U.S. now expanding these operations and the White House in this War Powers letter, Speaker Boehner and congressional leaders, they're basically saying, no, that because that dam, had it been breached, had broken from ISIS being in charge of that dam, that water had to come down through Mosul and on down to Baghdad, that that could have significantly impacted the lives of many Iraqis and potentially those Americans that are stationed in Baghdad. And so, the president elected to authorize those air strikes to make sure that the Mosul dam holds.

But the question becomes in the coming days, Poppy, now you that they have seen that they have had some pretty big success against these ISIS targets, we saw the video that was released by central command later on today, whether or not there's a temptation inside the White House to continue to expand these operation and say well, you know, this is related to the original authorization from the president or does he seek perhaps new authorizations in the coming days. That's one of the big questions as this week develops, Poppy.

HARLOW: A really big question and a really big day for the president at the White House tomorrow.

Jim, we'll be following this closely. Thank you for the update. We appreciate it.

ACOSTA: You bet.

HARLOW: We're going to talk a lot more about what Jim brought up next here on THE NEWSROOM. Those ISIS forces on the verge, it looks like of possibly losing that strategic dam in Mosul that they have been holding onto so closely. We are going to talk about what the U.S. role is, how effective those airstrikes have been. A lot more on that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Kurdish forces could be close to victory in their weeks long battle to control a vital dam in Mosul.

A spokesman for the Kurdish fighter says that they took over the eastern side of that dam from ISIS militants today, but a fierce battle rages on in the western side. U.S. forces launched 14 air strikes against ISIS targets today. ISIS is using snipers, land miles and other explosives to try to regain control of that critical dam.

South of Mosul, ISIS forces are setting their sites on Kirkuk. Now, their intent is to establish a border of their self-declared Islamic state.

Our Nick Paton Walsh takes a look at ISIS' growing threat to that city and, also, frankly, the United States' possible willingness to intervene further.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On its edges, Kirkuk seems like a city walling itself off. Rich in oil and in religious minorities, it's a prime target for ISIS militants, who seek to loot and impose their radical beliefs.

And as ISIS advances to the south of Kurdistan, they're closing right in. In fact, for the naked eye for this Kurdish trenches, shaky in the heat, you can see something remarkable, an ISIS checkpoint, waving locals through.

And a line of ISIS flags that along this road that parallels the Kurdish lines spells out a new reality.

(on camera): Those black flags at that checkpoint in the distance, that is the border of what these extremists have declared now as their Islamic caliphate. (voice-over): Curious how ordinary life from traffic seems here from what Washington calls threat number one. This front is frozen, neither side moving for weeks, even though they exchanged fire daily. These men are called Peshmerga, Kurdish for those who faced death. But here, they face militants who actually call death, dream of it in battle.

There is an anxiety here where ISIS has become part of the landscape, even over a school roof about purloin (ph) attack, where these lines would have to hold to protect Kirkuk's Christians, here Turkmen, minorities ISIS would murder.

(on camera): On this expensive frontline around the vital city that you have to ask yourself what's the limits to the White House's involvement here. These Peshmerga want airstrikes now to push ISIS back, to stop them breathing down their neck day by day. But does America really have the appetite for that?

The commander describes how near last month ISIS militants came. "They came from us from the border", he says, "and from this village as well really hard. It took us three days and two nights to hold them back."

These lines will hold, they say, but they have little faith in the Iraqi army to help. And out there, the West's declaration of support sound like whispers, while ISIS are close enough at them to shout at them.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Kirkuk.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Our thanks to Nick for that report.

Meantime, coming up here in THE NEWSROOM: human rights activist are now in the ground in Ferguson, Missouri. Up next, we're going to talk to one of them live to find out what they're looking for and what they've seen so far. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Welcome back. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York.

And in the words of Missouri's governor, the world is watching what is happening in Ferguson. Today, we watched a packed rally filled with passion.

Michael Brown's parents were there. They did not speak, but others from Jesse Jackson to Martin Luther King III did. This rally followed another night of violence in Ferguson. One person was shot and in critical condition. Seven people were arrested. The midnight to 5:00 a.m. curfew returns tonight along with calls for calm.

I'm joined by Natalie Kato of Human Rights Watch.

You were there on the ground. Thank you for joining us, Natalie. NATALIE KATO, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: Thanks, Poppy.

HARLOW: So you guys just came in today, you and one over your colleagues. Tell me why Human Rights Watch has brought you to Ferguson. Why are you there?

KATO: So, Human Rights Watch saw an opportunity here for us to come to Ferguson and document in real-time what was going on the ground, get an idea of what was happening in the inner play between the community and law enforcement. We do see some advocacy opportunities.

My role at Human Rights Watch is an advocate to help change policies and we do hope to speak with law enforcement and community leaders to hopefully find some ways to examine their policies and make sure that their policies are consistent with human rights standards.

At the same time, we do have a researcher here on the ground who's been very concerned about the inner play between law enforcement and the community in the use of force, particularly the use of force on young men of color in this country. You know, starting with kind of Eric Garner's death about a month ago and moving forward up to now.

HARLOW: Right, that happening here in New York City.

I know that one of the key components of your visit is to meet with and have some hopefully really useful discussions with local leaders this on the ground. Who are you hoping to meet with specifically?

KATO: We really would like to meet with as many of the police chiefs and mayors as possible. We'd love to meet with Captain Ron Johnson, with the chief of the St. Louis County police, the chief of the Ferguson police, the mayor of Ferguson, anybody that can shed light on the policies that -- in this area and led us to where we are now with the need for force on the ground.

HARLOW: I know you've only been there since noon, but you were at that big rally for Michael Brown there were, you know, a lot of community members there, both inside and outside lined up who couldn't even get in. What have they told you in your discussions with them what they want to see happen on the ground there? Do some feel like their rights are being violated?

KATO: So, we heard a lot about the city of Ferguson police and they were very harsh, that they had a bad reputation and that that bad reputation preceded the -- Michael Brown's death. They do want to -- they told thanks they really want to see a response and that they really to see engagement from their -- from the officers. And that they want to feel like the officers are listening to them.

HARLOW: We will see what happens. I appreciate you joining us tonight with that perspective and we will talk to you later in the week as you guys continue to work on the ground.

Natalie, thanks.

Well, some of the controversy in Ferguson, maybe it could have been avoided if police had been having more cameras, even cameras that they would wear. There is a growing call for police officers to wear these body cameras and to have those dash cams on all vehicles.

Our Alina Machado went on a ride along with Florida's Daytona police to talk about what that could mean.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA MACHADO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I want to show you something. This is an actual police body cam. This is a recording device. This is the camera.

Police here in Daytona Beach have been using these devices since 2011 and they say they have already helped ease tenses in a few cases.

(voice-over): This is video taken from two body cameras last September when Daytona Beach police officers knocked down a door and saw a man armed with a knife threatening a woman. Moments later --

(GUNFIRE)

MACHADO: Officers fired several shots, an action they say saved the woman's life.

But that's not the end of the story.

CHIEF MIKE CHITWOOD, DAYTONA BEACH POLICE: I arrived on the scene 15 minutes later. There's at least 100 residents screaming at me as I get out of my car that my officers gunned down a guy laying in bed.

MACHADO: The video Chief Mike Chitwood says helped ease tensions because it showed what really happened.

CHITWOOD: And what could have been a really bad thing in the community, people start to look and say, oh, I understand what happened now. That's not what I was told.

MACHADO: That's not the case in Ferguson, Missouri, where the police chief says no video exists of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

CHITWOOD: It would make a huge difference.

MACHADO: Chitwood's department is one of more than 1,200 law enforcement agencies in the country using body cameras.

CHITWOOD: The positive so much outweighs the negative.

MACHADO: Daytona Beach police have 75 cameras right now with plans to add 50 more by the end of the year. Each camera costs $950 and the department is paying $23,000 a year to store the video. It's a lot of money, but Chief Chitwood says it's money well-spent.

CHITWOOD: I can tell you just from the few incidents we had here how it has been just a godsend for us.

MACHADO (on camera): So, why is there so much resistance? Why doesn't every police department in the country have these body cams?

CHITWOOD: Change is number one. Cops don't like change. Cost is number two.

MACHADO (voice-over): And another reason according to critics --

BERNARD KERIK, FORMER NYPD COMMISSIONER: Every single thing you say is going to be recorded, scrutinized and so forth. And I think that would put a hindrance on cops. It would create a problem with them in dealing with the everyday public.

CHITWOOD: I feel that I can do my job a lot better now.

MACHADO (voice-over): Officer Dale Kelly uses a body camera every day.

CHITWOOD: This camera will protect me.

MACHADO: We were with him as he responded to a call.

His body camera engaged, capturing his drive to the scene and what he did once we arrived.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's your name?

MACHADO (on camera): When would you say the camera is most useful?

UIUDENTIFIED MALE: I would say anytime that you come in contact with the public.

MACHADO (voice-over): We wanted to see for ourselves how the cameras work.

(on camera): Right now, you are recording.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now, we're recording.

MACHADO: Everything you see, everything you hear is being captured by that camera?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's correct.

MACHADO (voice-over): After a brief demonstration, Officer Mike Oteri (ph) helped me gear up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Line it up with the tabs and push down until it clicks.

MACHADO: The recording device on my belt, the camera on my head.

(on camera): It's not that uncomfortable, kind of like wearing a headband.

(voice-over): I turned it on.

(on camera): All I have to do is just -- UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You press the button twice.

MACHADO (voice-over): And went for a walk recording my every move.

(on camera): Right now, we're in the shade. If I were to walk out into the bright sun, what would happen?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The camera will adjust.

MACHADO (voice-over): The technology, Chief Chitwood, says is invaluable.

(on camera): Is this future?

CHITWOOD: In my heart, this is the future. It's here. We might as well embrace it.

MACHADO: By the way, the man we showed you at the top of the story did survive the police shooting and was charged with a felony. Meanwhile, there are a handful of companies that make these devices and one of them tells us that their sales have jumped 80 percent just in the last year.

Alina Machado, CNN, Daytona Beach, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: That is a fascinating piece by Alina. We'll see what happens and if that technology does come to more police departments. We're going to be right back with our legal panel to weigh in on the Michael Brown case. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Welcome back.

Let's talk more about the Michael Brown case with our legal experts, criminal defense attorney Danny Cevallos is here in New York with me. And in Atlanta, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, Holly Hughes.

First this, a photograph of Officer Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who shot Michael Brown. This photo was first aired by Yahoo.com yesterday, which said it was on Wilson's father's Facebook page. That page has now been taken down. A source close to the investigation has confirmed to CNN that it is Darren Wilson in the photo.

So, to Holly and Danny -- to you first, Holly, we were discussing this last hour, and it's important to note that this photo was not released by the police. Holly, what do you think? Does this change anything for this photo to now be out there?

HOLLY HUGHES, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Well, I think it may change how the community feels, Poppy. Legally, as we discussed earlier, nobody's entitled to have this. However, when we are talking about the media and reporting, if someone is a suspect in a case, and that's what we have right now, that's what we are looking at, he may eventually be charged with a crime, we do put the their photo out there.

And I think the community has been very critical of their leaders saying, you put, you know, the photograph of the young man who allegedly robbed the store, but you didn't release this. So, I think now that there has been, it's out there, even though it didn't come from the police department, which is what the public would have wanted, I think people may feel, you know, at least they are evening things up.

But again, we don't want anybody, you know, there are people out there who will want to do bad with it, but we here at CNN don't want anybody. We're not inciting or inviting anyone to commit violence or to go after him. We need to let the system do its job.

HARLOW: Danny, your reaction?

DANNY CEVALLOS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I understand the sentiment of wanting to see his picture. We are all curious to see what he looks like. But that is not a legal discussion.

That photograph is not anything that is exculpatory to the defendant. It is not anything the prosecution will use in its case in chief. It doesn't serve any purpose in the investigation. Why? Because, there is zero question as to the identity of the police officer. If there was, if we weren't sure who had pulled the trigger, it might be relevant somehow.

So, there are two different dialogues going on here. One is as a public, do we just want to see what we looks like, for whatever reason and hopefully not a nefarious, not a violent reason, but we just want to see? Then I understand that request.

But from a legal perspective, it will play no part in the criminal prosecution if there is one, and it's not anything that even a defense attorney would ask to see.

HARLOW: I know that, Holly, you had said earlier in the program that you thought that the police should release this if they did release, as they did that surveillance video that they say Michael Brown -- do you, Danny, think that police should be releasing this photo?

CEVALLOS: The photograph -- you mean the photograph of the officer himself. It's not the same as the photograph that we saw, say, in a convenience store.

HARLOW: Right. I'm asking about the officer, do you think the police should have released that, given that he's not officially a suspect in this?

CEVALLOS: No, I look at it from the legal perspective, and I'm sure Holly does, too. You take a step back, and you say, as an attorney, what information as a prosecutor do I feel obligated to disclose? And as a defense attorney, what information do I need in my case? I can't imagine a Facebook photograph of an officer whose identity we already know, that's the key. There's no question as to what his identity.

HARLOW: Yes. And there's no question that he is the one who shot and killed Michael Brown, I thank you sticking point for a lot of people, you say he is not a suspect. We know he is the one who killed him, but he hasn't been charged yet.

CEVALLOS: Yes. If someone can articulate for me, what purpose in any potential prosecution a photograph of an individual that we all unquestionably know the identity of, if someone can articulate for me or for the police why that would be necessary, a Facebook photograph of him in his uniform, then I'm listening, but where the identity is not in dispute. There doesn't appear to be any reason that that should be part of any discovery packet or any investigation that should be disclosed to the public. If they get it in their own way -- well, then, so be it.

HARLOW: Holly, can you speak to this a little bit more, I know you were talking to us about this it last hour. But do you think it is relevant and should be out there from the police department because they released the surveillance video of who they say is Michael Brown in the convenience store and that strong arm robbery.

HUGHES: Right. And again, we release photographs of suspects and persons of interest all the time. It happens all the time. I think what you need to consider, Danny's right. When I was a prosecutor, I never gave out the photographs of police officers. But he is not being looked at in this particular instance as a police officer. The public is looking at him as a person of interest, as a suspect in a crime. And those photographs are released all the time.

As far as would you ever use a face back photo, we do it all the time. You know, when we prosecute gang members that end get up there and they say, well, you know, I'm not in a gang or I'm not part of this or that, of course you do. Using social media photographs is huge in court. And then --

CEVALLOS: But when it goes an issue, Holly --

(CROSSTALK)

HUGHES: You show the photographs of them flashing -- right. Again, like I said at the beginning of the discussion, this isn't about what you're legally entitled to in discovery? About an inquiry from the public saying why are you trying to hide or shelter this particular person who clearly shot undisputed and unarmed men. And that's where the public is so upset.

HARLOW: Holly, before we wrap up, I do want to get to this. We don't have images yet. But we do want to tell our viewers that there are local community members gathering in an area in Ferguson in support of the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown. And I know that you wanted to weigh in on that, a rally of sorts happening there again. We don't have those images yet, we're working to get them.

HUGHES: Well, I mean, of course, there are going to be people who support the officer. Being an officer, let me tell you, I was a prosecutor for a long time and I always said, you could not pay me enough money to strap on a gun and go running into danger, OK? I absolutely respect what the police do. It is one of the hardest, most dangerous jobs in the world to go to work and to liberally not know if you were coming home to your family at the end of the night. So, you know what? The people out there, that's OK, let them support him, let them go out there and say, this is what we know about our friend. Each side has the story to tell and that story will play out in a court of law.

But right now, because passions are inflamed, that emotions are running, there will be people who support each side. We've seen it in every one of these major cases when Jordan Davis was shot in Florida, when Trayvon Martin was shot. We see both camps out coming out saying, I support. And as the evidence comes out, there's a grand jury that's going to be convened and they're going to hear evidence. If an indictment is issued, we will see a trial, Poppy, and that's when all of the evidence that's admissible will be shown to us.

HARLOW: Appreciate both of you being with us this evening for your legal expertise. Holly, Danny, thank you, guys.

HUGHES: Thank you.

HARLOW: Ahead here in the NEWSROOM, we're going to look at some of the other top news of the day, including some very emotional images. The video right here, the pope baptizing a man. We're going to tell you the story behind this, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Well, an all-out battle is raging right now for full control of Iraq's critical Mosul dam. Kurdish forces that are being backed by U.S. airstrikes took over the eastern side of that dam from ISIS militants today -- the first victory for those Kurdish fighters in the week-long siege at this dam.

Our Anna Coren was the only Western reporter embedded with Kurdish special forces.

Here is what she saw.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Black smoke billows on the horizon as heavy artillery and rockets pummel the enemy line.

Peshmerga special forces waging an extensive ground operation against ISIS as fighter jets and predator drones patrolled the skies.

Their mission: to take back Mosul dam, captured by militants early this month -- a critical piece of hydro electric infrastructure that if sabotaged could let loose a wall of water that would flood the cities of Mosul and Baghdad and everything in between, killing countless lives.

Commander Mansur Barzani, son of the Kurdish president, is in charge of the special forces and this operation.

CMDR. MANSUR BARZANI, PESHMERGA SPECIAL FORCES: We believe our Peshmerga can take back because this is something very, very dangerous. It's very dangerous (INAUDIBLE)

COREN: As the offensive continues, ISIS eventually retreats but in their wake leave IEDs and land mines, scattered on the road, across the fields and inside buildings.

(on camera): The Peshmerga finally allowed us to travel to the area that they attacked a few hours ago. We can still see smoke rising from the buildings. Now, we have been told that we're not allowed out of the vehicle because of the risk of land mines planted by ISIS.

(voice-over): But once we arrived at the area, hundreds of Peshmerga gather, ready for the next offensive.

Some showing off their achievements on the battle.

(on camera): They are showing photos of ISIS militants they killed earlier today.

(voice-over): But within minutes -- another explosion.

Well, this is where the battle was staged earlier today against the ISIS militants. We're about 15 kilometers as the crow flies to Mosul dam, and these soldiers were on their way there in this convoy when it was hit by an IED attack a short time ago.

The injured officers have been taken back to base. We later learned one of the soldiers died.

As they begin to credit the next offensive position, closer to their target, an American Humvee seized by ISIS sits in ruins on a dusty plains.

The result of U.S. airstrike are giving these long-term warriors the reassurance they need to take the fight to ISIS aggressively on the battleground.

Anna Coren, CNN, near Mosul Dam, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Thanks to Anna for that reporting, embedded.

And now this. Pope Francis wrapped up his trip to Asia with an emotional moment. He baptized the father of one of those 300 people who died when that large passenger ferry sank back in April. The father was a group of 12 that met privately with the pope. At that meeting, he asked to be baptized and the man took the Christian name Francis.

Coming up on CNN's new original series, "THE HUNT," John Walsh is on a quest to catch criminals on the run. This week, he's looking for a man who promised the American dream to 11 immigrants. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A coyote is a very cunning animal. At the first sign of danger, they take off. They hide.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That night, the train was stopped and searched by border patrol.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One of the officer's climbed up on top, and opened up the latch, and find this large group of people inside.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And sure enough, they were able to discover one car in which 26 people have been loaded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, it was the only group that they found.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At least one guy who is riding on the outside of the grain hopper fled the scene when the train was stopped, and it could have been his responsibility to let them out.

JOHN WALSH, "THE HUNT": The coyotes have spotters that ride on top of the trains or they drive parallel to the trains in cars. But when the border patrol inspected this particular train, they all bailed out, literally letting them ride to their horrible death. My opinion: that's mass murder.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can only imagine how this group of 11 must have felt when that train started to roll again. There must have been that feeling that we haven't been found and so the train is moving now so we'll be able to reach our destination. But I also can't help feeling that by this time, they were starting to feel the effects of the environment, the enclosure, the lack of water, the heat. It must have seemed like an eternity locked up in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: All right. Tune in that to brand-new episode of "THE HUNT" tonight, 9:00 Eastern.

First, though, catch up on "THE HUNT" with the episode "Point Blank Murder". That is next, only here on CNN.

I'm Poppy Harlow in New York. Thanks so much for spending your evening with us. We'll see you soon.