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Suspected Cop Killer Hunt in the Poconos; Goodell's Presser; Lockdown in Sierra Leone due to Ebola; White House Security Breach, Two in a Row; Questions on Joan Rivers' Death

Aired September 20, 2014 - 16:00   ET

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

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ANA CABRERA, CNN ANCHOR: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. Thank you for joining me.

Right now, extreme precautions are being used in the hunt for a suspected cop killer in Pennsylvania. Eric Frein is a self-trained survivalist with a grudge against cops, possibly holed up somewhere in the Pocono mountains. Now according to his FBI Most Wanted poster, Frein claimed he fought with Serbians in Africa. He has studied Russian and Serbian languages. Police are telling people in Price and Barrett townships to stay inside, stay away from the windows.

Police are very concerned for the safety of this community, and they're urging people to stay locked inside their homes. Last night, police apparently thought they had Frein cornered. We know shots were exchanged near the home in Poconos. But still Frein is out there, somewhere. Here's what we do know. Frein allegedly ambushed and gunned down Pennsylvania police officer Byron Dixon last week. Another officer was seriously injured.

Let's bring in our Alexandra Field who is covering this story now in Pennsylvania. Alexandra, what are you hearing from police about this manhunt now?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Ana. It's such a tense week for everyone in this community. What we've seen in the last couple of hours is another sort of resurgence of police efforts. They've been focused for the last couple of days on a wooded area near the suspect's Eric Matthew Frein's parents' home. That's sort of generally the are that they have been in.

We saw the efforts appear to somewhat intensify a little bit earlier this afternoon. A lot of squad cars moving in in one specific direction, some helicopters overhead. What they are doing is they are executing what's called a grid search. Pretty common in this kind of situation where they want to check off an area and then restrict access to it.

It isn't clear what prompted this sort of stepped-up efforts in one specific area just a short while ago. Police are not yet saying what led them to that certain area. We're not identifying that area right now. The importance here is to protect the safety and security of any of the officers who are involved here.

And Ana, what I can tell you is that more and more officers have been added to this search as this manhunt continues. We're now at a point where there are 300 to 400 officers in the area, S.W.A.T. teams are here, state police are here, local police are here, the FBI, the U.S. marshal's office. This is a person who is considered to be armed and dangerous.

There appeared to be something of a break in the overnight hours last night. Police closed in on an area where they believed that Frein was. We know that there were shots fired but this morning, they are out there again continuing to search for the suspect who has evaded them for a week now. Ana.

CABRERA: All right. Alexandra Field, thank you.

Now to the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell and his meeting with the media. He apologized yesterday for what he said was his mishandling of the Ray Rice domestic violence scandal. But Goodell has said he has not considered stepping down. He vowed to reform league policies for starters, making all the players and staff get education and training on preventing abuse.

But questions still linger in the Rice case. Like, who knew what, and when? After TMZ released that elevator video of Rice knocking out his fiancee. A source within the Baltimore Ravens' organization tell CNN that Atlantic City Police described that elevator video to the Ravens security chief shortly after it happened. And ESPN reports that the security head had shared those details with team executives in Baltimore, who then began a campaign for leniency on Rice's behalf.

The Ravens responded in a statement that says "The ESPN.com 'Outside the Lines" article contains numerous errors, inaccuracies, false assumptions and perhaps misunderstandings." Roger Goodell's news conference marked the first time he has spoken publicly in more than a week.

Let's talk more about what he had to say with Mel Robbins. She's a CNN commentator, also a legal analyst. Mel, Roger Goodell promised reform. He talked about those internal education programs for every team but overall he didn't really offer specifics. How do you assess that news conference?

MEL ROBBINS, CNN COMMENTATOR: I thought it was extremely disappointing. And one of the main reasons why I'm using that word is because, yes, he did do a couple things that were fantastic. I mean, he is going to do mandatory training throughout the NFL. He's also provided local resources to all of the teams in terms of resources that are already available in communities to help couples that are going through these issues of violence in their homes.

They're also putting a ton of money behind two of the leading sexual violence, domestic violence support services and advocacy groups nationwide. However, the thing that has gotten the NFL into huge hot water with players, with fans, with sponsors, with the public, Ana, is the fact that we don't know where they stand in terms of punishment. So Roger Goodell, while he's taken a step forward to address training, he basically said, give us until the Super Bowl to figure out how we're going to handle the punishment aspect of these cases. And I thought that that was a humongous copout. Because you still have players like Ray McDonald, for example, who was arrested on domestic charges, who has been accused of getting into an altercation with his fiancee, who is 10 weeks pregnant, yet he remains on the field. Then you have other players that are being yanked indefinitely. And that's a huge problem, Ana.

CABRERA: And on that note, you mentioned Ray McDonald. We know that he was arrested on suspicion of a domestic violence and abuse, but he hasn't been charged. So is it fair to say he should basically lose his job, or lose his playing time if he hasn't even been charged yet?

ROBBINS: Well, it's a great point. And it's the one thing that people are talking to. You know how he came out at the end of August and he announced new protocol for domestic violence, saying your first offense is a six-week mandatory suspension, the second one is an indefinite one, which under the rules can be appealed.

But that whole set of rules is only triggered when you're charged. And in my mind, because domestic violence cases, which I've defended as a public defender prior - you know, when I used to practice criminal law, they're so complicated. 90 percent of the victims recant for numerous reasons. And the NFL, frankly, has zero business in investigating those cases and they have no interest in finding out the truth.

So my personal opinion is that the only thing that gives clarity is at the moment of arrest, if you as a player are arrested, and arrested based on probable cause for any violence against women, children or animals, you have an automatic six-game suspension. You're still going to get paid. I mean, I want to remind everybody out there that Adrian Peterson who is indicted on child abuse charges is on the bench, but he's getting $740,000 a week pursuant to his contract. He's just not on the field.

Being on the field is what matters to these guys. Putting them on the bench sends a message. It sends a message that an arrest alone is a violation of our policy, and that's what the NFL should be doing.

CABRERA: All right. Mel Robbins, thanks for lending your voice on this topic. We appreciate it.

ROBBINS: Great talking to you.

CABRERA: President Obama, he takes the world stage this coming week at the U.N. but will he be able to sell his plan for combating ISIS. Coming up, why some lawmakers still aren't onboard.

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CABRERA: Sierra Leone is on lockdown this weekend. People aren't suppose to leave their homes. This is an attempt to slow the spread of Ebola. Thousands of volunteers are now going door to door. They're trying to educate people on this disease. Will it make a difference?

Dr. Sheri Fink has written articles on Ebola for "The New York Times," and she's joining me now. Dr. Fink, thanks so much for being here. We know eight Ebola workers, they were killed last week after stemming another lockdown that happened. And while they were out, that's what happened. So is this lockdown the best solution?

DR. SHERI FINK, AUTHOR, "FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL": Well, the aid workers were killed in Guinea, so that's a different country. We'll see what happens in Sierra Leone. My understanding is that the workers were out in a kind of a rural area. I think the fear with the lockdown, of course, Sierra Leone doesn't want Freetown, their capital to become Monrovia, where this virus is so out of control, so they're taking this unprecedented step. I think the fear is you don't want to lose that trust with the population, and that's really key.

CABRERA: They say they're trying to educate the folks there. Is education an issue?

FINK: Education is critical. But it has to be done in a way that is culturally sensitive. And the fear is so huge. And so that's the fear, if you have a lockdown and people stop trusting the government.

CABRERA: We learned nearly 20 volunteers have now volunteered to be guinea pigs, essentially, on an Ebola vaccine. What do you know about that?

FINK: Yes, well this is exciting. It's some Americans, as well as British people, and I believe the country of Mali. So they are doing the very first safety tests of this vaccine. So brave volunteers. We don't know yet if it will be helpful. Of course, anything that you want to inject in somebody, you definitely want to do that safety test first.

The hope is that if it's safe, if it produces an immune response, that then it can be ruled out in a series of studies that will actually be done during the epidemic, in some of the countries where people are affected. So people have high hopes that perhaps this could help. Of course, the timeline is what's key here.

CABRERA: And on the time line note, how soon will we get results from the safety tests?

FINK: So they're saying, I think by November is what they're thinking. That's my understanding. October, November. So this is fast. We don't usually see things go that quickly.

CABRERA: Right. We've seen some of the other experimental drugs making a difference and those tests are ongoing too. But if that could make a difference, a vaccine, imagine the possibilities, right?

FINK: Yes.

CABRERA: All right. Dr. Sheri Fink, thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate it.

Coming up, breaking news. Another security incident at the White House. We'll have more on this just after the break.

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CABRERA: This just in to CNN. There's been a second security incident at the White House this weekend. And our Erin McPike is there joining me on the phone to tell us - you're in person, not on the phone. What happened, Erin?

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ana, this happened within the last hour or so. And a man in a car attempted to enter the barricaded part of the White House on the east side of the White House, at 15 and E Streets. Now Secret Service ordered him to stop. He did not do so. He didn't make it into the barricades, but then he was taken into custody, and he will be charged with unlawful entry, Ana.

So another big breach just in the last two days, because, of course, last night just after 7:00 p.m., in fact, four minutes after President Obama left with his two daughters for Camp David for the weekend, another man by the name of Omar Gonzalez, a 42-year-old man from Texas, scaled the fence right in front of the White House on the north side, and he ran up the lawn, about 105 yards and entered through the front doors of the north portico. And that is when Secret Service apprehended him. They then took him via ambulance to George Washington University Medical Center.

So in two days, really, within the past 24 hours, there have been two major breaches of security at the White House.

CABRERA: Which has you asking, how does that happen? This is the White House we're talking about. Are you hearing anything about beefing up security now?

MCPIKE: Well, certainly, Ana, we have seen just today that there has been an increased presence from Secret Service. There were Secret Service agents out this morning, Secret Service officers as well sort of talking in clusters about what went wrong. It's been big news today. And there is an investigation under way about what went wrong, whether protocols were followed, and if they even work, Ana.

CABRERA: And whether there are maybe some security holes, given that two people now think they had an opportunity to somehow get into that White House property. Erin McPike, thank you for that report.

Also reports of selfies in the operating room, and a doctor accused of malpractice. Coming up, how Joan Rivers' doctor is responding. That's next.

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CABRERA: Let's check in now with Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a look at what's ahead on his show, "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D. " That's at the bottom of the hour.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Ana, I don't have to tell you, you know, the news has been pretty dark lately. So we decided to devote our entire program today to the pursuit of happiness.

In fact, we traveled all the way to Denmark, it's the happiest place on earth, to learn some really important and valuable lessons about life and love and laughter. I hope you'll join us, 4:30 Eastern.

CABRERA: Something to look forward to. Thanks, Sanjay.

More information is coming out now about the day that Joan Rivers went into cardiac arrest and her personal throat doctor is responding to accusations that she took a selfie with Rivers while she was under anesthesia. Here's CNN's Susan Candiotti with more.

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SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Dr. Gwen Korovin, Joan Rivers' ear, nose and throat doctor is popular with celebrities. Even featured in singer Celine Dion's 2010 documentary seen examining Dion's vocal cords. Now the doctor is pushing back against allegations she took a selfie with the comedienne while she was under anesthesia.

In a statement, a source close to the doctor, quote, "categorically denies the doctor took a selfie with Joan Rivers, and categorically denies the doctor performed an unauthorized procedure on Rivers." A different source tells CNN, staff at the clinic told investigators, Korovin did take a photograph of Rivers while she was sedated, and that she made a comment, paraphrasing here, that Joan would get a kick out of this.

And there is more from that source about the medical procedures that day. Staffers tell authorities the Dr. Korovin begins with a laryngoscopy. A procedure that involves looking down the throat. Next, the clinic's medical director, Dr. Lawrence Cohen does an endoscopy, inserting a camera down the throat and into the stomach. He sees something. Dr. Korovin then attempts to do another largyngoscopy, presumably to investigate.

At that point Rivers' vocal cords begin to swell. She goes into cardiac arrest. The source also says Korovin was not certified to perform any procedure at the clinic. She denies that. Korovin's lawyers provided CNN a statement. It reads in part, "Dr. Korovin is highly experienced, board certified, respected and admired by her peers, revered by her patients." It goes on to say "because of her personal and professional policy, she does not publicly discuss her patients."

At this time, the doctors and clinic are not accused of wrongdoing. Three agencies are investigating - the medical examiner, state health department, and the federal agency regulating Medicare payments to clinics. Our source says investigators have not been able to talk to Dr. Korovin nor have access to her phone. It's unclear when all the investigations will be done.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) CABRERA: And Dr. Sheri Fink is back to talk about this. She's a correspondent for "The New York Times" who often writes about medical ethics. Doctor, thank you so much. I want to get your reaction to these allegations that Dr. Korovin took a selfie in the operating room.

FINK: Well, I think the reason why the allegations are so explosive is that clearly, it's unprofessional, it's distasteful, and I think one of the key ethical principles of medicine is autonomy. You listen to what the patient wants, and if this was unauthorized, that's just not a good thing. That's not something a professional would do. And of course, she's denying that. So this is the accusation of somebody else.

CABRERA: Right. Those accusations are kind of jaw-dropping when you think about the professionalism inside an operating room. We also heard these reports, you know, say Dr. Korovin only had the authority to observe this other doctor, but not to perform any procedures on Joan Rivers. Is that common for another doctor just to be there observing?

FINK: It may be, again, total speculation. But this was - if this was her longtime doctor, Dr. Korovin, Joan Rivers may have asked that she be there in the operating room. In terms of authorized or not authorized, that probably just has to do with the correct credentialing procedures for that particular clinic. And, of course, they could make an exception, temporarily credential somebody to be in there. But if she's board certified to do certain procedures, I could see a way that she could have officially been allowed. But, you know, maybe not.

CABRERA: Why wouldn't Joan Rivers have just gone to Dr. Korovin instead of going to this other facility?

FINK: Well, that's a good question. And I have to say the reporters working on the story for CNN and breaking all this news, these types of things are some of the hardest things for reporters to report on because we have these federal privacy laws around medicine. And there are good reasons for that. But then it can also be a way for doctors and health professionals to hide behind, oh, we can't release any information, because we have these privacy laws.

It's a felony to divulge private medical information. So these reporters are - it's a tough challenge to figure out what really happened there.

CABRERA: Absolutely. And our Susan Candiotti has some sources that are helping us to understand a little bit more about what happened here. When she talks about sort of the time line of what happened, and there was the second procedure, what might make that second procedure taken place the way it did, if that is true?

FINK: If it's true. Obviously the vocal cords are right there where the airway is. I've seen CNN's reporting, the idea that the airway became inflamed and that cut off the flow of oxygen, and of course, that is just devastating. But, you know, why that happened, whether they had - you know, the tube went in the wrong way, who knows, causing a hematoma, we don't know until we get THAT real information.

CABRERA: The investigation continues. Dr. Fink, thank you so much for being here.

FINK: Thank you.

CABRERA: CNN NEWSROOM continues at the top of the hour. But right now, keep it here for "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D."