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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Suspected Cop-Killer Captured; Nurse Defies Maine Governor; Ferguson Police Chief: I'm Not Resigning; Israeli Conflicts at Home and Abroad

Aired October 31, 2014 - 04:30   ET

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


CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: We get more details this morning from our Susan Candiotti.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, after escaping capture just shy of seven weeks, suspected cop killer Eric Frein runs out of luck and out of time.

Without one shot fired, he is taken down by U.S. Marshals who spots Frein before he even knew eyes were on him.

Sources say, helped by intelligence, a special ops team clearing a previously searched area spots him walking across an airstrip at an abandoned airport between Henryville and Tannersville, Pennsylvania. His latest hiding place, about 40 miles from the Pennsylvania state police barracks where Frein is accused of shooting two troopers, killing one of them.

Marshals getting him on the ground recovering at least two weapons, a rifle and a pistol. The self-style survivalist is put in a car, his nose appears to be injured. Late Thursday night, he is printed and booked and photographed and jailed pending his first court appearance.

Pennsylvania's Governor Tom Corbett weighs in on the capture.

GOV. TOM CORBETT (R), PENNSYLVANIA: We will not rest until his capture was made. And I'm so please to be able to say that tonight, we have made that major step that has to be taken down the path to justice. He was placed under arrest and handcuffed with the handcuffs of Corporal Dickson, which I think is very appropriate.

CANDIOTTI: While Frein was on the run, life far from normal. Even Halloween canceled to keep kids out of harm's way. Now, that's back on, one official says Frein's arrest has made him ecstatic -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Our thanks to Susan Candiotti for that.

There are new developments this morning in the tense standoff between nurse Kaci Hickox and the state of Maine. Governor Paul LePage tells ABC News that he will drop demand that the Doctors Without Borders volunteer nurse remain in quarantine of the nurse if she will agree to an Ebola blood test. LePage tells reporters that negotiations with Hickox have failed.

CNN's Alexandra Field is in Ft. Kent, Maine, with the very latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and John, we know that Kaci Hickox is in quarantine and that she isn't happy about it. But that doesn't mean she is staying inside her house. She went for an hour long bike ride with her boyfriend by her side.

TED WILBUR, KACI HICKOX'S BOYFRIEND: We did not go into town. We did not go into the grocery store. We are not trying to get anyone sick.

We're -- we don't believe that we can get anyone sick and we are not trying to put anyone at risk. We are not trying to push any limits here. We're members of the community, too, and we want to make everyone feel comfortable.

FIELD: Maine's governor, Paul LePage, doesn't seem to take issue specifically with that bike ride itself, but he has been clear that he doesn't want Hickox out in the public, at work or at restaurants. He even went further saying that he doesn't want her within three feet of anyone.

The state says they been negotiating the terms of this quarantine with Hickox, but after hours of discussion, negotiations broke down. The governor now says he's prepared to take legal action if necessary in order to enforce the terms of the quarantine and to protect public health and safety.

As for Kaci Hickox, she insists that she continues to be symptom-free. She says she's fighting this fight because she doesn't want other health care workers, returning from West Africa, to be unfairly treated -- Christine, John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Alexandra Field -- thank you for that, Alexandra.

Now, meantime, the Pentagon racing to prepare military hospitals in the United States to care for troops who may contract Ebola during their deployment in West Africa. It is unclear how many facilities are prepared to treat Ebola patients. It requires an elaborate setup, of course.

Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, recently conducted preparations exercises. Some 4,000 troops are set to help fight the disease. About a quarter of them are there already.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said progress is being made.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHUCK HAGEL, DEFENSE SECRETARY: About 1,100 DOD personnel have deployed to West Africa. And they're making progress despite difficult weather conditions and rough terrain. They are making a difference in Liberia with the construction of up to 17 Ebola treatment units, the first of which will be completed over the weekend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The Pentagon also standing by a decision to quarantine all troops for 21 days after leaving West Africa, despite a general push against quarantines from the White House.

BERMAN: There is word this morning that the Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has called the White House to take a, quote, "sharper view" of Syria's Assad regime. A senior U.S. official tells CNN Hagel wrote a blunt internal memo to national security advisor, Susan Rice, earlier this month. In it, he expressed concern about the administration's approach in Syria.

At a Pentagon news briefing Thursday, Hagel declined to comment on the memo, but he admitted that Assad, quote, "derides some benefit from coalition airstrikes on ISIS militants." He said this is just one of the complexities of operating in that region.

Now, in Syria, 10 Iraqi Kurdish fighters enter Kobani on Thursday. They are the first of about 150 Peshmerga troops expected to join the battle to try to save that city from ISIS.

I want to turn now to our senior international correspondent Nick Paton Walsh who is on the border.

Nick, what's the latest?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, people have been expecting some of those more Peshmerga to go in overnight, 150 or so. But this morning, we are hearing from those inside Kobani that they have not joined that initial nine to ten strong Peshmerga group of scouts that went in yesterday. Their job it seems to pave the way to work out how hard it's going to be to insert the heavy armored vehicles into Kobani, with 150 soldiers, Peshmerga as well. As dusk fell yesterday, intense explosions across the city, and we saw a lot of Turkish military movement around as well, suggesting that perhaps everyone trying to prepare the ground for that big Peshmerga move.

But time certainly is not on the side of the Kurds in there. ISIS has got a lot of time to prepare for the Peshmerga arrival. And now, many people are wondering exactly when, John, can the Peshmerga get in there and begin that important task of reinforcing the Kurdish defense of Kobani -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Nick Paton Walsh for us on the border between Turkey and Syria -- thanks so much.

ROMANS: The former Navy SEAL who wrote a book about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden is reportedly under criminal investigation for possibly disclosing classified material. Now, in the book, "No Easy Day", Matt Bissonette says he was one of the SEAL Team 6 members who shot Osama bin Laden. His attorney tells "The New York Times" the investigation is focused on revelations in the book. Other says the feds are more interested in the information he has been sharing during paid speeches.

All right. Thirty-six minutes past the hour. Ferguson's police chief refusing to step down, responding to reports that his department will disband following the shooting of Michael Brown. We've got that full report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New this morning, the police chief in Ferguson, Missouri, says he is not quitting. Thomas Jackson is responding to CNN's reporting that he is not stepping aside. In an interview, he said he is staying put. This despite continued unrest months after the Michael Brown shooting.

Now, Chief Jackson also lashed out at Attorney General Eric Holder, saying he is uninformed about the situation in Ferguson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Is there anger towards the attorney general?

THOMAS JACKSON, FERGUSON POLICE CHIEF: No, I'm just confused.

CARROLL: Frustration?

JACKSON: A little frustration that he did come in town. He didn't meet with anybody from the city, nobody from the police department or the city or our neighborhood associations and he drew conclusions.

He says he has an investigation going on right now, so he doesn't want to comment on the investigation. However, he has drawn conclusion that wholesale change needs to be made. So, do we -- when you say wholesale, do we get rid of the neighborhood associations? Or do we stop our SRO program? Do we take the police out of the schools? Do we quit teaching DARE? Do we quit sending police officers on parks program trips?

We have a lot of good stuff going on. So, I think he needs to be more specific.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: All right. This is going on, prosecutors say there is no evidence supporting claims of leaks by the grand jury deciding whether to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the Michael Brown shooting.

ROMANS: The prime suspect in Hannah Graham's disappearance will face a judge this morning. Jesse Matthew has been charged in the rape of a 26-year-old woman back in 2005. Matthew will appear for the hearing through video from the jail where he's being held in Charlottesville, Virginia. Matthew is scheduled for a hearing in December in connection with Hannah Graham's disappearance and death.

BERMAN: A Massachusetts judge has rejected Aaron Hernandez's request to move his murder trial elsewhere. The former New England Patriot's tight end is accused of gunning down football player Odin Lloyd last year. The lawyer for Hernandez urged the judge to move that trial out of Bristol County where he claims his client cannot get a fair trial because of the extensive media coverage there.

ROMANS: NTSB investigators are on the scene of a small plane crash in Wichita, Kansas. The pilot of the plane -- small plane -- reported losing power in one of the two engines just after takeoff. The plane hit a roof of a pilot training building near that Wichita airport, killing the pilot and three people inside the building. Four people are still unaccounted for.

BERMAN: The lava flow on Hawaii's big island has slowed, but it is still advancing on homes and a major access road in the small village of Pahoa. Nearly 100 Hawaii National Guard troops there. They're helping with the security. Really can't do anything about the lava. The river of lava from Kilauea, the Kilauea volcano, is making a slow- motion trek toward Pahoa since June.

ROMANS: All right. With midterm elections just days away, President Obama making a final push on the campaign trail. He spoke to a packed crowd in Portland, Maine, at a campaign rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud, who's in a close race with Republican Governor Paul LePage.

BERMAN: So, while the president will not be going to Kentucky, former President Bill Clinton is. He was on hand in Louisville campaigning for Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. The Democratic candidate is rallying supporter, trying to as she faces off with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will campaign with Grimes in Lexington and Northern Kentucky on Saturday. The Clintons are longtime family friends with her family.

ROMANS: In Louisiana, Republicans are calling for an apology from Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu after comments she made about race. She told NBC News that President Obama's low approval ratings in the south are partly tied to race, saying the South, quote, "has not always been the friendliest place for African-Americans".

BERMAN: And New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on the trail a lot, campaigning for Republicans across the country. He will be stumping for candidates in Arkansas, Kansas and Wisconsin today, that follow stops Thursday in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Iowa. Interesting.

ROMANS: Second trip to Iowa for him.

BERMAN: This is the second trip to Iowa this week for Christie., as he, of course, keeps all doors open to a possible 2016 presidential run.

ROMANS: So, minimum wage is up for a vote next week. Voters in Alaska, Arkansas and South Dakota, they are all voting on minimum wage increase. Those states all typically lean Republican. Minimum wage has been a Democratic priority, but polls show, John, there's a good chance these hikes will pass.

Illinois has a non-binding vote on the ballot. Many cities are also voting as well. So far, 26 states and D.C. have approved a minimum wage higher than the federal standard of $7.25. Public opinion on the minimum wage, John, has shifted. Business leaders tell me it is a matter of time and a hike is good for their customers -- really seeing a big push for that. And some are saying that the minimum wage increase could actually help Democratic turnout in some of those states.

Forty-five minutes past the hour.

Great day for stocks. Asian stocks much higher this morning. Look at Tokyo. The Bank of Japan announced more stimulus measures and the stock market loves it. European stocks and U.S. futures are climbing right now as well.

BERMAN: All right. Let's get a look at the weather. Here's Chad Myers -- Chad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: And a very good early morning to you.

Temperatures are going to be nice for a lot of trick-or-treating tonight. Now, there maybe the occasional rain slicker as a Halloween costume across the Upper Midwest or across parts of the Great Lakes. But this is not as bad as I have seen for some Halloween nights.

Some scattered rain showers across parts of the west. And I'll tell you what, California will take that rainfall as much as they can get. It has been obviously so dry out there.

Fifty-six in New York City the high today, 60 in D.C. Chicago, you only get to 42. So, yes, in the afternoon and evening hours, it will be colder than that.

But tomorrow's forecast is even colder as that cold front goes all the way down even into the Gulf of Mexico. So, cold air across parts of Georgia, even to North Florida as well. And rain showers continue with some snow in the Mountain West.

So, here are the highs for tomorrow. Chicago, 46. Memphis, 52. But those morning lows will be down in the 30s in all of the cities.

Guys, back to you. Happy Halloween.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right. Happy Halloween to you, Chad. ROMANS: Happy Halloween.

BERMAN: All right. We have some shocking news to report this morning. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost. Even more shocking, the New York Knicks won.

This was supposed to be a big emotional homecoming for LeBron James's first game back with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But uh-uh, it didn't happen. The Knicks won 95-90.

LeBron James struggled throughout the game, scoring just 17 points. He committed eight turnovers. For those of you who aren't sports fans, that means he's making a lot of mistakes. Afterwards, Mr. James said it was a special night, but that he was glad it was over. It's a deep three. Oh, it is a miss on a deep three.

LeBron James shrugging his head. This will not happen every night for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They will win some games.

ROMANS: Yes, they're going to suit up and try again, gentlemen.

All right. Tensions rising in Israel. Violence forcing a holy site to close for the first time in nearly 15 years. We are live with what's happening this morning -- ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: The government of Burkina Faso has collapsed amid huge protests in the West African nation. The military is now believed to be in control after demonstrators vented their anger at longtime the President Blaise Compaore after he announced he plans to extend his 27-year stay in office.

Parliament was set on fire, homes of the president's family members also burned. Still, the president is vowing to remain in office and says he will hold talks with the opposition to end this crisis.

BERMAN: Tensions at a boiling point this morning in Jerusalem. This after Israel announced it is reopening access to the Temple Mount for some. Officials closed the contested site after the attempted assassination of a controversial activist.

Secretary of State John Kerry trying to defuse these tensions with Israel of a different sort this morning. The secretary condemning a comment from an American official to "The Atlantic" magazine. The anonymous remark to Israeli prime minister with a vulgarity meaning coward, I'll tell you it rhymes with chicken spit.

Here to sort out the tensions and the conflict, international correspondent Erin McLaughlin live in Jerusalem.

Erin, there was a lot of concern over what might happen today. What's the latest?

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, John. As you can see behind me, there is a heavy police presence outside the Damascus gate to the old city in East Jerusalem. Police have set up barricades. They are checking people's identification as worshippers arrive to enter the site to pray.

And today, there are restrictions as to who can go to the noble sanctuary or Temple Mount to be able to worship. Only men over the age of 50 and all women allowed inside today to pray. It's the kind of restriction that has been put in place in the past through the anger of many Muslims. In fact, times in the past you can see people have been praying actually in the streets when this has happened. Given today's heavy rain conditions, it will be interesting to see if that does, in fact, happen.

Now, yesterday, the site was completely closed to all worshippers for the first time in some 14 years. It was a decision that the spokesperson for the Palestinian president called a declaration of war. But it was a decision that Israeli police and security say was taken based on intelligence and security assessments following the assassination attempt of far right Rabbi Yehuda Glick, who we understand, according to hospital sources, is still in stable, but serious condition.

Hospital spokesperson this morning saying that he is currently in a coma on life support following yesterday's two and a half hour surgery -- John.

BERMAN: All right. Erin McLaughlin for us in Jerusalem -- thanks so much, Erin.

ROMANS: Starbucks pumpkin spice latte delivered to your door? Big plan, but a sinking stock. We'll tell you why, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: All right. Let's get an early start on your money this Friday.

Looks like a great way to end the week for stocks. Asian stocks booming this morning. Look at that, Japan's benchmark index up almost 5 percent. The bank of Japan made a surprise announcement. It's going to expand stimulus measures.

European stocks also climbing. So are U.S. stock futures. Right now, the Dow and S&P 500, NASDAQ futures up 1 percent this morning before the official opening bell.

Yesterday, the Dow added 221 points. That's 1.3 percent, because of strong corporate earnings and solid economic growth. Economy growing at 3.35 percent yesterday.

All right. One stock to watch this morning, Starbucks. Those shares are down 4 percent before the bell. The company said profit won't be as strong as expected next quarter.

Why? Well, it's got to give some raises to employees, upcoming raises. Also, rising coffee costs. Starbucks also announced plans for coffee and food delivery services. That's right. Pumpkin splice latte right to your house.

CEO Howard Schultz called the service e-commerce on steroids.

BERMAN: The problem is, it's still pumpkin splice latte when it gets there.

ROMANS: Right, the Chevy guy. It turns into huge publicity. During the World Series MVP ceremony, the Chevy regional manager Rick Wilde nervously presented the keys to a Chevy Colorado. The truck has, you know, technology and stuff.

The internet loves this Chevy guy. Chevy is capitalizing on the so- called mistake, with tweets like this one, #technologyandstuff, that everyone is talking about it.

BERMAN: Yes, it was a tough moment. But, you know, not everyone is as skilled as Christine Romans on TV, or eloquent at all hours of day. So, our heart goes out to that guy.

EARLY START continues right now.

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