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Ray Rice's Wife Regrets Her Role On Night Rice Hit Her; Apple Unveils iPhone 6 And iPhone 6 Plus

Aired September 09, 2014 - 15:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: We are just past bottom of the hour. You are watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Back in July, before the nation knew, before the nation saw on exactly what knockout punch from Ray Rice fully looked like, he apologized to his wife.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAY RICE, BALTIMORE RAVEN: It's just totally inexcusable and I'm here today to tell you that, you know, I made the biggest mistake of my life, me. She can do no wrong. She's an angel.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And while Rice himself says he is the only at fall, I want you to hear what Janay Rice says. This is the news conference back in May speaking after her now husband was indicted on a count of aggravated assault.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JANAY RICE, WIFE OF RAY RICE: I do deeply regret all that I have plead in the infinite (inaudible), but I can tell you that I am happy that we continue to work through it together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: You heard it from the couple. The biggest mistake of my life and that night. It sounds like they are speaking of just one incident.

Joining me now Myra Spearman of the National Domestic Violence Registry and Sil Lai Abrams, a writer and domestic violence activist and survivor. Ladies, welcome.

Let me begin with you and your story. So you are a survivor. I read a little bit about your background that you went to the ER. I don't know. I don't know how many times. Four or five times from being in this kind of relationship.

So just with your perspective, reading what Janay Rice wrote on Instagram today, what's your read?

SIL LAI ABRAMS, FOUNDER, TRUTH IN REALITY: It's not surprising at all. When you think about domestic violence victim of which she is currently a victim, she still in this violent relationship. There is a brainwashing that occurs.

When you're with your partner, you have been isolated. You have been psychologically and emotionally and often times physically and otherwise abused. So that your primary source of support is in fact your perpetrator.

Now there are many variables as to why does a woman stay? Whenever that is brought up, let shift the focus back on why does he beat her? Because it puts the responsibility of the abuse back on to the victim.

Now, in her particular case, making the statement, not surprising at all. I would imagine as I think back to my situation what was a primary concern to me was keeping my family together.

What was a primary concern to me was not to have another relationship failure. Another primary concern was the threat of physical violence and/or murder. That was a real factor in my relationship.

BALDWIN: That was something you woke up and thought about?

ABRAMS: Absolutely. Every single day when you're in a violent relationship, you're walking on eggshells. And so, what I find very interesting about this, the public outcry is the fact that nothing has changed from the time that first video came out showing him dragging her out of the elevator.

Now we see the inside. Now we see what happened inside the elevator, which actually contradicts what some of the commentary was at the time. We see very clearly he initiated that first punch. We see he also initiated the second punch.

So it's just a very unfortunate state. The fact is our society needs to see something so graphic in order to have any type of sympathy for an obvious victim of violence.

BALDWIN: That's the thing you talk about. Nothing's changed. What has changed is he is, you know, off the team and we know he is indefinitely suspended by the NFL. But it took this video from TMZ for that to happen.

And I know, and Myra to you, I just want to hear your voice, too, people are calling on bigger changes, larger changes within the NFL. Just given everything you've seen, read, heard, your own experience with domestic violence cases, what's your read on this?

MYRA SPEARMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REGISTRY: I think that Ray Rice, he instigated the entire thing. I think when I saw, when I initially saw the video and they were walking down a corridor going into the elevator, it seemed like Janay was mad at him for something.

I don't know what, but she was leading the way. Like they were, you know, leaving both being angry. And when they get into the elevator, you know, you see him go up to her and say something and then he -- he makes a hit, he tries to hit her, he hits her.

She comes back, you know, as if to say, you know, don't do that to me. And then, that's when he knocks her out. It was that, it was completely malicious. And being a victim of domestic violence, being, actually in Janay's position at one time, you know, getting abused and going on to marry this person thinking I can change him. I can make him better.

BALDWIN: We don't know what she's thinking. I get a little uncomfortable, you know, thinking about what she could be thinking or feeling. We have no idea what she could be thinking or feeling, but I think your point is, you know, despite all of this after this indictment she went on to marry the man.

And she, you know, Instagram is saying today, I love him. We're working through this, and she's mad at the media and everyone who is slamming them. And I'm curious if you experienced this with what you went through talking to another survivor. She was almost saying going through these beatings in an odd way bonded them versus society.

ABRAMS: And it's a theory, it's called trauma bonding. So when you think about it. This man who she has pledged her love for, who has -- she has bonded with on every single level. And you think of Stockholm syndrome and how people can bond with their kidnappers.

This is what happens with victims of violence. And so what she's doing, unfortunately, is very reflective of a common thread that exists within victims of domestic violence. Janay needs compassion. She does not need judgment.

BALDWIN: Yes. Thank you for saying that.

ABRAMS: She is caught in a cycle of abuse. She herself is not aware because she's in the middle of this. Exactly how she's been manipulated. How the team put her out, you know, to the pasture and used her as a tool to defend a blatant batterer.

And now, again, and I say this at the beginning, what's so infuriating to me is the fact that the NFL had an opportunity. Goodell had an opportunity when that video first came out and I find it improbable, not impossible, but improbable that they never saw what happened inside that elevator.

Because we know the defense team most likely had access to that. Now, here. He gave a two-game suspension. There was a huge outcry. He took a stand. But now because of the new video, now they cut him. To me, what that looks like is protecting your brand.

It's distancing yourself from a player who has no longer, now the benefit, you know, is minimized by his liability based upon this huge position that Goodell took saying we are going to be the leaders in professional sports, and we're taking a zero tolerance policy.

And now -- and, again, what was very interesting was that he said it was not retroactive. Now all of a sudden, everyone's outcrying, now it's retroactive. That hypocrisy right there, that's very disturbing to me.

BALDWIN: There are people asking very serious questions about the NFL, about Goodell's status. And, you know, it's like who is watching the NFL? What's true? What isn't? And I think ultimately it'll be maybe journalists who will hold the NFL's feet to the fire and find out who did or didn't see the video.

NFL says they didn't see it. But, Sil Lai Abrams, I appreciate you very much and Myra Spearman. Ladies, thank you so much. So important to have this conversation and compassion, not judgment. For more information on organizations that help with domestic violence, go to cnn.com/impact.

A year from now, will many Americans be wearing these things? Apple watches. Apple certainly hopes so. We'll take a look at what they revealed this afternoon.

Plus, new video from inside the White House as we mentioned, President Obama meeting with leaders from Congress about a strategy against ISIS. The one he is expected to reveal to the nation tomorrow night prime time stay here.

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BALDWIN: All right, you Apple nerds, myself included. The wait is over, Apple's new iPhone is here. Actually, two phones.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are the new iPhones, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 plus. They are without a doubt the best iPhones we've ever done.

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BALDWIN: The best, they say. One iPhone bigger than the other. They are both bigger actually than the current 4-inch iPhone 5s, have a retina HD display. Apple says it's the thinnest phone it's ever made.

Let's go to my go-to tech analyst, Katie Linendoll at Apple HQ in Cupertino, California, with all the news and the buzz. Katie Linendoll, tell me about those phones. Are you excited?

KATIE LINENDOLL, TECH ANALYST: I'm very excited. Let me tell you something, it is Apple picking season here in Cupertino. And to your points that you just made on both iPhone 6s, the things we expected, obviously, thinner, lighter, faster, bigger battery boosts, which is always welcome and a better camera.

But the theme of the day is bigger is better. Right now, the screen size on your iPhone is about 4 inches, now it's going to be 4.7 or 5.5 iPhone 6 plus. It's in this tablet category. Another big add-in feature was Apple Pay. You're going to have the capability to actually pay at a cash register with your iPhone.

BALDWIN: No way. LINENDOLL: This is something new that I think Apple could take over and make very popular. Now, one other note from the day and probably got the most attention was also unveiled was Apple Watch. A smart watch, a cool design coming in a number of different styles and additions.

One for sport, one that's a little bit more business like. And what's very cool about it, it displays texts, e-mails, you can even send somebody your beating heartbeat or an animated emoji. Yes, please.

But the biggest emphasis on the smart watch, which will be due out next year unfortunately. The iPhone 6s will be out, shipping September 19th. You have to wait a little bit for the Apple Watch.

What's really cool about it, yes, you can pay with your watch at a cash register, as well. But it's a fitness tracker. If I was Nike fuel band or Jawbone or the fitbits of the world, comprehensively taking your data. It's also an awesome fitness tracker and awesome for e-mails and text.

BALDWIN: I'm taking all of this in. How much is the watch? How much would that set me back?

LINENDOLL: Watch is coming in at $349 next year.

BALDWIN: Katie Linendoll, thank you so much. I appreciate it, in Cupertino, California. All things Apple for us.

And now all things fashion, Gwen Stefani may be the hardest working woman in show business. Keeping busy with a brand she created a decade ago that's just one of the many hats she wears. We'll catch up with Gwen Stefani next.

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BALDWIN: She took a little time off and now Gwen Stefani is back. The singer, designer and mom returns to New York's "Fashion Week" with a brand new collection. Gwen Stefani tells CNN entertainment correspondent, Nischelle Turner, her celebrity label is here to stay.

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NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mom, singer, songwriter and fashion designer, there is no doubt Gwen Stefani has talent and a lot on her hands. After a brief hiatus, she's back at New York Fashion Week and ready to show off her other child she calls "Lamb."

GWEN STEFANI: For this collection, it's a little orange county, a little Jamaican, a little English girl. We're calling it the new nomad.

TURNER: Since her last New York Fashion Week appearance in 2011, Stefani's had quite the adventure, releasing a new record, becoming a mom for the third time being and she recently signed on to be a coach on "The Voice." But for the hard working mom of three, her experience doubled as inspiration for the latest selection.

STEFANI: I didn't realize this when I was designing it, but I feel like my life is in a new kind of chapter and everything is so kind of exciting and colorful and right. When you look at the collection, it really does look like that. It looks like I'm a monarch butterfly.

TURNER: Lamb is just one of Stefani's fashion line. Lamb as in love angel music baby, a brand no doubt front woman has been able to keep alive for over a decade. And the feat that hasn't been easy.

STEFANI: I have to fight every day to keep these brands alive I think. It's work and it's just like anything else that you do. You have to like work on it.

TURNER: And she works hard to keep the brand alive, incorporating her love of music and fashion together, even using the set of "The Voice" as inspiration.

STEFANI: It's so interesting to see people that can actually, you know, they can sing really good or whatever, but they don't maybe have their personality is coming out in their fashion. And it makes such a huge difference to be up there and have like watch these kids evolve with the way they're dressing. So I think that's why fashion and music have always gone side by side because it's personality, it's storytelling.

TURNER: Since its debut in 2003, Lamb style and success has depended heavily on its number one follower. Someone the designer will continue to rely on for fashion weeks to come.

STEFANI: I am a Lamb customer, but I feel like I've evolved. Like we all do.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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BALDWIN: Confirmation today of what could turn out to be the biggest theft of retail information to date, Home Depot. Home Depot says hackers broke into its payment system, stole debit card information, credit card information of millions of its customers.

They are putting it in the estimate of some 60 million. That is far more than a data breach at Target. That hit 40 million people. The Home Depot hack may have started as early as April and lasted until early last week.

Stores in the U.S. and Canada were hit, so if you bought something from Home Depot online, you're OK. You're in the clear. Homedepot.com was not affected. If it was the store, check your finances.

I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thank you so much for being with me today. We'll see you tomorrow. "THE LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts right now.