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CDC Sets New Ebola Guidelines for Caregivers; Serial Killer Probe Spans States, Decades; Pistorius Gets Five Years for Killing Girlfriend; Meth-Dealing Doll at Toys "R" Us; Lewinsky Vows To Stop Cyberbullying

Aired October 21, 2014 - 10:00   ET

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

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CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I'm Carol Costello. We begin this hour with some breaking news. A Dallas judge will be speaking any moment now about the remaining five people on the initial 48 who had contact with Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to die in the United States from Ebola.

As you remember, the quarantine period ended yesterday for the other 43 people. We are monitoring his comments for any new developments and we'll bring you that as soon as we get it.

But first, the CDC lays out new guidelines to protect health care workers from Ebola after two nurses who treated Duncan contracted the disease. CNN's senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen is at CNN headquarters in Atlanta with more. Good morning.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. These new guidelines will hopefully prevent the infection, the kind of infection that got Nina Pham and Amber Vinson sick with Ebola, those two nurses we've heard so much about.

Let's go over what the CDC wants to change. First of all, rigorous and repeated training, that is so important. Training people how the do this. Also no skin exposed. The previous guidelines left the possibility for skin exposure. And supervised by a trained monitor so you're not just doing this on your own, someone is watching you.

A few more details, respirators, that's a fancy word for masks, disposable full-face shield, surgical hoods covering the head and neck and a waterproof apron, which would cover the torso to the mid-calf. Double gloves, mid-calf boot covers and a fluid resistant gown or cover all.

So they're being much more specific about what they want. Hopefully, again, this will prevent more health care workers from getting Ebola - Carol.

COSTELLO: Well, I guess the big question is why didn't they do all of these months ago?

COHEN: Right. They put these guidelines out quite a while ago. And what I'm hearing from folks is, look, the CDC was trying to make it easy for hospitals to do this so they wanted them to be able to use whatever they had on hand.

And, you know, now they're thinking maybe that wasn't the best idea. Maybe they should have been sort of more -- given better directions, been sort of more dictatorial about this and said, look, you may not have this on hand, but you're going to have to get it.

COSTELLO: All right, Elizabeth Cohen reporting live for us this morning, thanks so much. In Gary, Indiana, a murder investigation widens and police fear they may have the work of a serial killer on their hands. They questioned Darren Deon Van about a weekend murder inside a motel room in Hammond, Indiana.

They say he not only confessed to killing 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy, he then let them to six more bodies in nearby Gary, Indiana, and police are looking for more bodies this morning.

CNN's Poppy Harlow will be heading out with search teams. She is actually on the phone with us right now. Are you embarking right now, Poppy?

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Good morning, Carol. We are leaving shortly. We're at the Gary, Indiana, Police Department. What I can tell you is that this town is on edge. They are looking for possibly any more bodies that may be connected to this string of murders, seven murders, all of the bodies have been led to by the 43-year-old suspect Darren Van.

What is happening in just a few moments, we'll head out with them. They are going to go building to building using what the officers are calling a grid pattern, about 20 different police officers, multiple teams. There are a lot of abandoned structures, homes and abandoned buildings around here.

That's where all of these bodies were found over the last few days and that's the big concern, are there more bodies. I asked officers "have you had any indication from Darren Van that indeed there are more bodies?"

And they said no, but they are checking as a precaution. We know that they're going to go out with cadaver dogs, that is typical in how they would do this search.

We also know that Darren Van has been incredibly cooperative with police and we're told by the police chief his mental state is, quote, "normal." Now I'm talking as you know, Carol, about a guy with a string of arrests, a criminal history going back to 1993, an aggravated rape conviction in 2009 for which he served five years in jail.

So what we keep asking officers is did the system fail here? Why was someone like this who was apparently monitored as recently as September, how could he have carried out at least this one murder of Afrikka Hardy that he was charged for and the six other bodies that he himself led police to.

COSTELLO: All right, Poppy, I'll let you get to it. I know you'll check back with us if anything develops. Poppy Harlow reporting live from Gary, Indiana.

The family of Oscar Pistorius's girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, say they're satisfied justice has been done, but prosecutors could still appeal after the Olympian was sentenced today. Pistorius faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for culpable homicide in the shooting death of Steenkamp.

The culpable homicide charge in South Africa means a person was killed unintentionally but unlawfully. Pistorius can ask to be released under house arrest after serving ten months of his sentence.

Joining me to talk about this, HLN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney, Joey Jackson. Good morning.

JOEY JACKSON, HLN LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: So, you know, I mean, five years doesn't sound like much for killing someone.

JACKSON: You know, it's a very difficult thing, Carol, and I have never worn the black robe, but I certainly appear regularly before those that do and it's a difficult decision. If you listen to what she indicated when she was rendering the decision she said, listen, I'm going to do two things.

Number one, I'm going to ensure the sentence I impose sends the right message to the community. We don't want to send the wrong message. You remember, Carol, the defense was really pushing for house arrest and community service. She said I'm not going to do that. That's the wrong message.

At the same time, I don't want to be vengeful and I don't want to carry out a sentence, which would do anything else but impose some measure of mercy. So judges have to balance the equities.

And to the extent as you explained it, it's culpable negligence charge, it's culpable homicide and that amounts to gross negligence, unintentional so she had to balance those two and as a result it's five years.

COSTELLO: The Steenkamp family seems to be OK, with this but there are some curious things surrounding this. For example, Oscar Pistorius has been sending the Steenkamp family money. Is that usual?

JACKSON: It really is unusual, Carol. As the hearing proceeded after the sentencing phase, there was the indication by the family they would be returning the money and they termed it quote/unquote "blood money." So it's unusual.

At the same time Oscar Pistorius felt it was the appropriate and right thing to do based upon the financial needs of the family and his measure of remorse, at least that's how it came across. At least that's how, you know, it came across and that's how he indicated it would be.

It was a remorseful thing, he knew there was some financial difficulties so he wanted to do -- showing some measure of support by doing that, but it's rather unusual, Carol, to say the least.

COSTELLO: When all is said and done, Oscar Pistorius actually even though he was sentenced to five years could spent far less time than that behind bars, so can he get out in ten months?

JACKSON: He could. And there's some dispute from the defense and the prosecution as to whether it's 10 months or as to whether it's 20 months, but nonetheless whether it's 10 or 20, the point to be made, it's far less significant than the five years and some would argue five years is not significant at all particularly when he could have faced 15 years for doing what he has done.

So based upon that, it would certainly seem that ten months you have to wonder whether that would be appropriate at all and also remember, Carol, that he'll be in a hospital unit. There was an argument during the sentencing that jail could not accommodate special needs. He has a disability.

But they've been assured by the main official at the jail he'll be kept in a hospital unit and serve his time there away from the general population. But ten months 20, months, it begs the question.

COSTELLO: It certainly does. Joey Jackson, thanks so much for your insight. I appreciate it.

JACKSON: Pleasure and a privilege.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, does a drug-dealing action figure belong at a toy store? We're talking about an action figure who deals meth. Mothers are demanding Toys "R" Us remove that toy. We'll talk about that next.

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COSTELLO: A question for you this morning. Can abortion be de- stigmatized? I asked you that question because there's a new strategy in the battle over abortion rights. I write about that in an op-ed on cnn.com this morning.

Not only are some TV shows like "Parenthood" portraying abortion without shame, but activists are, too, as in posting their abortions online for everyone to see as Emily Lets did.

Lets, then 25, and an abortion counselor at Cherry Hill Women's Center in New Jersey videotaped her surgical abortion procedure and posted it to YouTube earlier this year.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll be by your side the whole time during the procedure for your hand to hold. I'll be here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just want to share my story.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Extreme. You betcha. After all, extremism works in America. In-your-face behavior seems to be the only message that get through all the other noise. Pro-choicers say extremism has worked for the pro-life movement so why not give it a try.

Although a pro-life advocate told me, quote, "I don't think women standing up and saying, I've had an abortion and I'm proud of it is going to have much of an impact." I would love to know what you think, can abortion be de-stigmatized? Go to cnn.com/opinion and post your opinion there or message me at facebook.com/carolcnn or tweet me at carolcnn. I'll be right back.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Say my name.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Heisenberg.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're -- right.

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COSTELLO: Whoo, Heisenberg, Walter White, whatever you call him, one Florida mother does not want to see his face at Toys "R" Us. Yes, Toys "R" Us sells drug-dealing action figures inspired by the hit -- inspired by the hit AMC television show "Breaking Bad," which, of course, followed the downfall of a science teacher turned meth kingpin and now a Florida mother has kicked off an online campaign to get the toys taken off the shelves.

CNN's Alison Kosik joins me with more on this. Not only is it a Walter White action figure, but it comes with meth!

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: With your own little meth bag, sure, that your child can play with. So let me back up for those of you who have no idea what "Breaking Bad" is. It's seen as one of the greatest TV series of all time. It ended last year after running for five seasons and you alluded to it.

It's about a chemistry teacher, Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston. He takes on a crazy life of crime, produces and sells crystal meth to make as much money as possible for his family before he dies. OK, he ultimately becomes a drug kingpin.

Not the kind of role model you want for your children, right? But how about toys based on the series? So that's what's upset this Florida mom. She's really upset she launched this petition to have his character and the other "Breaking Bad" action figure taken off the shelves of Toys "R" Us.

She started a change.org petition. It has 6,000 signatures. She says "Listen, I'm a fan of the show, it was riveting but dolls shouldn't be sold next to children's toys" because of what she calls the violent content and celebration of the drug trade. The "Breaking Bad" doll as you said and we laughed about it, comes with a detachable sack of cash and a bag of meth. Imagine your child walking around with that and wondering what that means.

Now Toys "R" Us told one of our Florida affiliates that the products are carried in limited quantities and the product packaging clearly notes the items are intended for ages 15 and up. A little bit of humor here. Bryan Cranston took to Twitter. He tweeted, "I'm so mad, I'm burning my Florida mom action figure in protest" -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I was just going to say. You really want your 15-year-old to have a meth action figure?

KOSIK: That's another thing. They say it's for 15 or older. But especially don't want my 15-year-old who may have access to get drugs in the first place? Come on!

COSTELLO: Yes. Alison Kosik, thanks so much. It's a strange world, isn't it? I'll be right back.

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COSTELLO: Monica Lewinsky stepping back into the spotlight with a new mission -- to end cyber bullying. The former White House intern is all too familiar with harassment after her affair with President Clinton and the fallout reviewed around the world through the internet.

Now Lewinsky is vowing to help others not only deal with their shame but also to survive. Here's what she told the attendees at the "Forbes" 30 Under 30 Summit.

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MONICA LEWINSKY, FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN: Sixteen years ago, fresh out of college, a 22-year-old intern in the White House and, more than averagely romantic, I fell in love with my boss in a 22-year-old sort of way. It happens. But my boss was the president of the United States. That probably happens less often.

Overnight I went from being a completely private figure to a publicly humiliated one. I was patient zero, the first person to have their reputation completely destroyed worldwide via the internet.

There was no Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram back then, but there were gossips, news, and entertainment web sites repeat with comment sections and e-mails could be forwarded.

Staring at the computer screen, I spent the day shouting "My God!" and "I can't believe that put that in" or "that's so out of context." And those were the only thoughts that interrupted a relentless mantra in my head "I want to die."

This was different than the embarrassment I felt when my younger brother read my diary or when my seventh grade crush shared the love letter I had written him with everyone he knew. Now my brother and all his fraternity brothers were privy to my most intimate details, as were my dad and his fellow doctors and my step dad and his World War II war buddies, my step mom and her knitting circle.

Even both of my grandmothers who were in their 80s knew about the internet. Today I think of myself as someone who -- who the hell knows how -- survived. What I want to do now is help other victims of the shame game survive, too. I want to put my suffering to good news and give purpose to my past.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Nearly two decades after her ordeal, Lewinsky's message was this -- anyone can be a target of cyber bullying and it can impact not just your career, but also your entire life.

So let's talk about this, Kelly Wallace is our CNN digital correspondent and Jenny Kuttner is the assistant editor with salon.com. Welcome to both of you.

So earlier I talked with the editor of "Forbes" who organized Monica Lewinsky's talk and he said the audience was moved to tears. Why do you think she struck such a chord?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN DIGITAL CORRESPONDENT: I know, Carol, I saw that interview that you did and also I looked at the tweets coming from the speech they said "Courageous, inspiring, standing ovation." It's a powerful, powerful message. I'm moved listening to it.

It is powerful to hear what she went through. We all know it. Many of us were covering it. But it's relatable. One moment someone's reputation can flip on a dime and I think very brave of her to come forward and say I want to dedicate myself to try and prevent this, this kind of internet activity that is damaging lives and leading to some deaths, too.

COSTELLO: On the other hand, Jenny, the trolls were out and you wrote about them on salon.com.

JENNY KUTNER, ASSISTANT EDITOR, SALON.COM: So I -- not to give it more airtime, but I did sort of a roundup of some of the terrible things that were said to or about her yesterday because she also joined Twitter yesterday morning.

Sort of as her first show or a stand against cyber bullying and so at the same time while you had some tweets saying how wonderful her speech was and how honest, there were also people referencing oral sex wherever they had the opportunity or just making really low blows.

COSTELLO: And we're not just talking about -- famous people, too.

KUTNER: Yes, definitely. There was a really upsetting comment from a Fox News contributor that stands out in my mind. Public figures still slamming her nearly two decades after this all happened.

COSTELLO: Why do we continue to want to punish Monica Lewinsky, do you think?

WALLACE: That's the million-dollar question. Why are people so darn mean, Carol? Really, I don't understand. Look, she obviously admits she was having a relationship with the president of the United States. We had the impeachment of President Clinton. It was an incredible political time.

People like to poke fun of her. She mentioned in the "Vanity Fair" article she wrote in June listening to the New York -- a "New York Post" page 6 calling her the portly pepper pot.

I mean, it's just cruel and mean and I think people aren't able to turn the page and accept her saying she's here, she wants to do something good with her life, why can't we embrace that?

COSTELLO: It's not like she doesn't know she did something wrong, clearly she did, but she was 22 and how long are you to be punished for something you did in your early 20s?

KUTNER: Exactly.

COSTELLO: Do you think this is the turning point for Monica Lewinsky? Is this her thing? She's been searching for something so she can put the past behind her?

KUTNER: I hope it is. I think it's an important cause and I think the fact that she still has this odd staying power that I don't think anyone would want, I think the fact that we can still tie her name this-to-this concept of being harassed online and having your private life made so public. It could be helpful to other people who this has happened to, something similar. But for other people it doesn't last as long anymore. I think that her story --

COSTELLO: Lots of people come to mind, like Angelina Jolie, she had an affair with a married man and she's widely admired right now.

WALLACE: And look at her, too. I think it would be interesting to see what she does from here. No question the people in that room listening to that speech were blown away by her and her message.

If she keeps taking that to audiences, to schools, if she works with the Tyler Clemente Foundation, talks about his death and how it impacted her and her mother who knows that she could have lost her own daughter to suicide I think it can be incredibly powering. A lot of people want to see the follow through but it sounds like she's committed to it.

COSTELLO: We'll see Kelly Wallace, Jenny Kutner, thank you for being here, I appreciate it. I'll be right back.

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