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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

American Sniper Trial: Guilty Verdict; Syrians Kidnapped by ISIS; Snowy in the South; Bulls Derrick Rose Will Undergo Knee Surgery

Aired February 25, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Life in prison awaits the man who shot and killed the American sniper and his friend. A Texas jury took just hours to reach this verdict. Reaction and brand-new video from the trial, moments away.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Christians held hostage. ISIS militants kidnapping more than 100 in Syria. Can anything be done to save them? The latest on their situation coming up.

ROMANS: And no, you cannot hibernate. Winter weather hitting the Deep South again. A region not used to snow and ice. Just can't escape it this winter. I even said summer. Look who's getting hits hardest today.

Good morning, and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. Very tired of the weather Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. It's great to see you. It's Wednesday, February 25th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Breaking overnight, a verdict in the American sniper murder trial. Eddie Ray Routh was found guilty of the murder of Chris Kyle and his friend, Chad Littlefield. The jury did not seem persuaded by Routh's claim that he was not guilty by reason of insanity. Again, this happened overnight.

CNN's Ed Lavandera was at the courthouse for the verdict -- Ed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, it was a swift verdict. They took the jury here in Stephenville, Texas, less than 2 1/2 hours to convict Eddie Ray Routh of the murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, rejecting his claims and his arguments that he was insane at the time of these murders back in February of 2013. This means that Eddie Ray Routh will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

JUDY LITTLEFIELD, MOTHER OF CHAD LITTLEFIELD: We just want to say that we've waited two years for God to get justice for us on behalf of our son. And as always, God has proved to be faithful, and we're so thrilled that we have the verdict that we have tonight. LAVANDERA: Eddie Ray Routh showed no emotion as the verdict was read.

He just stood there and took it all in, which is basically the ways he's acted throughout most of this trial. There's been very little reaction from him. Most of the time in court, he's just sat there and taken pages and pages worth of notes.

But Eddie Ray Routh found guilty of the murders of American sniper Chris Kyle and his best friend, Chad Littlefield -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Ed, thanks for that.

With the end of that trial overnight comes the release of hours of brand-new courtroom video, never-before-seen moments like this one. As Chris Kyle's widow explains how her husband sounded on the phone from the firing range where he and Littlefield took Eddie Ray Routh for an outing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How would you characterize what you were hearing on the phone? Like what emotion?

TAYA KYLE, CHRIS KYLE'S WIDOW: I mean, I would say irritated. I thought he was irritated. I thought the guy must be -- I thought he --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want to think about, you know, speculate.

KYLE: No, no, no. I'm just saying, OK, so what would cause him to be irritated is what I was thinking?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right. Yes. He didn't seem like normal Chris when you talk to him.

KYLE: No, because normally going out there, especially a place like Rough Creek, it's beautiful, he feels really good about helping somebody. Usually he's making their day and he knows it. Which is what, you know, that happened earlier. He thought that the guy sounded really excited to go, and so he thought he was doing a good thing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So he sounded a little irritated when you talked to him that afternoon?

KYLE: Yes. It was very short. And it wasn't short like hey, you're interrupting a good time. It was short like I wish I could say more, but I'm not going to because there are people around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Again, a guilty verdict in that trial, developing overnight. All right. Three minutes past the hour.

New this morning, Syrian human rights advocates are raising the alarm. They say ISIS militants have now stormed Syrian villages around the town of Tal Tamer. This is in northeastern Syria. They're kidnapping scores of women, children and the elderly as hundreds more members of the Christian ethnic group flee for their lives.

Following this situation is our senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Christine, we understand from this Syrian Observatory for Syrian Rights and Syrian Human Rights Network that yesterday morning at 4:00 a.m., a group of ISIS fighters entered these two villages. They overpowered these small number of guards who were standing by in that town.

They broke into house after house, and they abducted, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, around 150 people, most of them women, children and the elderly because many of the men in the village were away elsewhere fighting ISIS.

Now, we don't know the fate or the current status of this approximately 150 people. We understand, however, that 700 families have fled those two villages and are now taking refuge in the city of Hasakah in northeastern Syria. So, a very worrying situation there. And we know from past experience, of course, that ISIS, when they take prisoners from other minorities, from the Yazidis, the Christians, they oftentimes sell them as slaves.

Now, just to explain to you where we are, we're in a valley north of Irbil, the Kurdish capital, where there's training exercises going on, conducted in this particular spot by the German army where they are teaching or rather providing training for Peshmerga and Kurdish forces in the use of small arms. A while ago we were watching Italian soldiers training the Peshmerga in the use of 80-millimeter anti-tank weapons. And this is part of this big program by the coalition, trying to increase the capabilities of the Kurdish fighters of the Iraqi army in anticipation of further offensive action against is in Iraq -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Ben Wedeman near Irbil for us -- thank you, Ben.

BERMAN: This morning, Iraqi forces are preparing for their next move against ISIS. Ben just telling you about the training they're getting. Now, CNN is getting details on exactly the kind of help they're getting in terms of weapons and money from the United States -- millions of dollars worth of weapons and ammunition flowing into Iraq in just a last couple of months.

CNN's Barbara Starr at the Pentagon with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: John, Christine, we've learned that the Pentagon has been shipping weapons to Iraq since the beginning of the year to help those Iraqi forces get ready for their next fight, widely believed to be the fight to retake Mosul.

Let's take a look at some of the equipment now being sent since the first of the year. We know that there have been 10,000 M16 rifles, 10,000 optical scopes. That's equipment, technology, that goes on top of the rifles to help increase the actual targeting, to make it more precise, especially in urban environments like Mosul.

Also, 23,000 ammunition magazines and another 250 or so MRAP vehicles, mine-resistant vehicles, because it's known that ISIS is likely to mine and booby-trap the Mosul area.

But an alternative scenario is emerging. The Pentagon has talked about conducting that Mosul attack in the April-May time frame. Now, Defense Secretary Ash Carter making it clear he's not quite ready to sign on to that yet. He wants to know that the Iraqi forces are really ready to go.

One official saying if they go to Mosul and they can't succeed, that would be very bad. So they want to make sure they have the training and the equipment to be successful.

But another alternative scenario emerging, will the Iraqi forces actually go to Mosul first, or might they go to western Iraq? Go to Anbar province west of Baghdad, which is not so heavily populated. It might be an easier task for them -- John, Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right, Barbara Starr -- thank you, Barbara.

All right. It may be the first of many. President Obama, as promised, swiftly vetoed a Republican bill green-lighting the construction of the Keystone oil pipeline. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell countered by scheduling a vote to override that veto next week. It's the first time in five years the president exercised his veto power. But now with the GOP in charge of Congress, this could be the first shot in a volley of White House vetoes.

BERMAN: All right. This morning, two possible scenarios are emerging that could end the stalemate over funding for homeland security. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell says he will allow a vote on a clean bill to fund DHS, followed by a separate vote to halt the president's executive actions on immigration. But with a Friday midnight deadline approaching, there's a short term spending bill to keep DHS operating into fall. That might be the more likely option.

Other news, four students from Wesleyan in Connecticut arrested in connection with an overdose involving the party drug Molly. Eleven people were hospitalized Sunday after taking an apparent bad batch of Molly at a weekend party at that college. Police say there may have been a mix of multiple designer drugs in that batch of the drug. Four students arrested, those students have all been suspended from school.

ROMANS: Charges of felony hit-and-run against a driver who abandoned his pickup on railroad tracks in Oxnard, California, leading to a collision with a Metrolink commuter train. The 54-year-old driver now in custody, police found him a mile and a half from the scene.

At least 30 people injured in this fiery crash Tuesday. Four of them are in critical condition this morning. It appears new train technology may have prevented a bigger tragedy. Officials say some of the Metrolink cars were equipped with what's called collision energy management technology, something installed five years ago following a deadly rail crash.

BERMAN: It just keeps them from crumpling inward to protect the people inside.

ROMANS: Another round of brutal weather bearing down on the South. The governors of Alabama and Georgia declaring a state of emergency. You got ice, sleet, snow, freezing rain expected across both of those states. Atlanta has already canceled classes for several school districts today.

BERMAN: The relentless record-breaking cold and snow causing big problems there. In Tennessee, tens of thousands of residents are without power in six counties. The state has reported dozens of weather-related deaths in the past week.

ROMANS: In North Carolina, snow and icy roads caused problems for commuters. Part of Interstate 85 in Rowan County -- look at that -- closed after that pickup truck overturned. Several other vehicles crashed nearby. Officials say the driver of that pickup was not injured.

BERMAN: So, how long before things return to relative normal for the Southeast?

Let's bring in meteorologist Pedram Javaheri for an early look at the forecast.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: John and Christine, good morning to you.

Yes, it's going to be one of those days especially around central and northern Texas yet again, sort of a slushy accumulation there. One to two inches around the Dallas metro, hundreds flights impacted earlier in the week. And temperatures should warm into the 40s.

So, I don't foresee much sticking around by the evening but still enough falling during the morning commute to cause issues around Dallas metro and points east eastward.

Really about 45 million or so people impacted by wintry weather. Winter storm warnings in place. You don't see this every single day in places like Birmingham, Tupelo or Atlanta. But Wednesday will be one of those days where we know a snow accumulations is going to be a probability.

You also have some wintry weather pushing into central Iowa. But here we go to the South, we've got all the ingredients in place. Southern storm system tracking across the Gulf of Mexico. Plenty of moisture there, plenty of cold air to the north. So, this narrow band right here, that's the area we have the 40 or so

million people. That's the area we're concerned about for snow beginning into the late morning, early afternoon hours. By the overnight hours, it should begin to taper off. The end result will be a few inches left in place, generally speaking, around Atlanta. Perhaps two to three in northern areas of, say, North Carolina could see far greater amounts, around eight to 10 inches -- guys.

ROMANS: All right. Pedram, thanks.

From weather to money -- time for an early start on your money. European and Asian stocks and U.S. stock futures pulling back after yesterday's great day. The Dow and S&P 500 closing at record highs. The NASDAQ closing in on 5,000 -- a level not seen since the dotcom bubble in 2000. Stock market records in the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden. Other markets, Ireland, France, Belgium, the list goes on and on, are at the highest levels since before the recession.

So, what's driving all these markets higher? Central banks. Fed Chair Janet Yellen, she said the Fed will be "patient" -- that's the word she used twice -- when raising interest rates. Other central banks in Europe and Asia have goosed their markets in the last several months. That's keeping the rally going.

BERMAN: American missionary abducted in Nigeria. A ransom being demanded for a woman's release. The question this morning, who took her and what is being done to set her free?

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: The latest on the American missionary kidnapped this week in Nigeria. The Reverend Phyllis Sortor, a Seattle pastor, taken by an intruder from her school in Kogi state. Her kidnappers demanding some $300,000 ransom for her safe return. What is not clear this morning is who these kidnappers are.

CNN's Nima Elbagir tracking the latest developments live from London for us.

Good morning.

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESONDENT: Good morning.

Well, the free Methodist Church with whom the Reverend Sortor was a missionary have put out a statement and they say that the State Department and FBI are working with local authorities to try and find and rescue Reverend Sortor, as you just said there.

We still don't really have any details about the men that have taken her. We do know that this isn't an area where Boko Haram have had any activity in the past. But then an area where there really have not been concerns about criminal kidnapping before. So, a lot of the contacts we've been speaking to say that they really are flying blind on this. I want to read you a little bit from Reverend Sortor's last newsletter back in January, in which she talks about the joy at finally getting another school, another encampment, to send its children to, the second school that she has just opened. It sounds like she was really, really valued within this community. And we're seeing that in the community response.

Eyewitnesses are telling us that groups of men have been searching since yesterday morning. The community has banded together. They're not happy to just allow the authorities to take the lead on this.

One of them speaking to us over the phone said, she was loved. We are praying for her. But we're not just praying. We're acting. And we're hoping that we can give her back to her family -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Nima Elbagir, thank you for that, Nima.

BERMAN: About 18 minutes after the hour right now.

And I've got to say, just a devastating blow for sports fans everywhere, particularly Chicago Bulls fans. Derrick Rose, knee injury again, surgery again. His season in jeopardy again. Andy Scholes with the details in "The Bleacher Report", next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Oh, man, I just wanted to cry when I woke up and saw this news this morning. It's so bad. Imagine what Bulls fans think.

Point guard Derrick Rose has reinjured his knee and could miss the remainder of the NBA season.

ROMANS: Andy Scholes has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report."

Hey, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, guys.

Yes, this is just terrible news for the Bulls. This season, Derrick Rose, he was finally starting to look like his old self, was playing some great basketball, but once again a knee injury will force him to miss considerable time. An MRI on Tuesday revealed Rose has a torn meniscus in his right knee, the same injury he sustained in the 2013 season that caused him to miss the remainder of that season.

Now, this is the third time Rose has suffered a significant knee injury. The team says a timetable for his return will be announced after he has surgery.

Now, players all around the NBA were tweeting out their support for Rose. LeBron tweeted last night, "Man, feel bad for D-Rose. Keep your head up, homie, and stay strong."

Before LeBron sent that tweet out, he was on the court helping the Cavs beat the Pistons. In the second quarter of that game, LeBron found Kevin Love for a three. With that assist, LeBron became the most prolific passing forward of all time, passing Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen for the most assists ever by a forward. LeBron said after the game of the accomplishment that it's, quote, "probably one of the greatest achievements I've ever had in my career."

All right. Elsewhere in the NBA last night, the Mavs were hosting the Raptors. Third quarter, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle appears to be yelling instructions at Rajon Rondo. While Rondo doesn't even look his way and Carlisle immediately called a time-out. Then the two exchange words as Rondo heads to the bench, Carlisle, he would sit Rondo for the final 20 minutes of the game.

The Mavs would go on to win, but all the questions afterwards were about that spat. Rondo, he would not talk about it. While Carlisle, he downplayed the exchange, saying it was just a difference of opinion. Rondo's going to be a free agent after the season.

All right. Los Angeles area is getting closer to getting back an NFL team. Late last night, the Inglewood City Council approved a $2 billion plan to develop Hollywood Park and build an 80,000-seat stadium for the St. Louis Rams. The Rams' owner is a partner in the deal. This announcement comes just a week after the Raiders and Chargers announced they are planning a shared stadium in Carson.

So, L.A. hasn't had a team, guys, in 20 years. But now, all of a sudden, three teams are racing to get back there. It's going to be interesting to see how this develops. We could have an NFL team playing in L.A., not next season, but the season after that if one of them gets one of these deals approved.

BERMAN: It is really weird that there hasn't been an NFL team in L.A. for that long, given how big of a city it is. Strange.

All right. Andy Scholes, thanks so much.

So, the vice president, Joe Biden, you may have heard of him. He's trying to laugh off an awkward moment from last week. He was attending a black history reception in Washington last night. The vice president poked fun at himself for his recent photo/personal space issues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So, I just want to say enjoy the evening and I hope you'll stick around. And I just want you to know that I will not be offended if you don't want to, but I'm going to be in that room if anybody wants to photograph. I would not blame you if you didn't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: That was funny. What's he joking about? Well, that right there. The picture of him getting just strangely friendly with the wife of new Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

ROMANS: He is a great retail politician, and I think sometimes --

BERMAN: Back rubs are not part of retail politics. You kiss babies. You don't --

ROMANS: This is true. This is true. This is true.

I'm just saying. The same quality that makes him really engaging in a small group of people when he's out there, you know, on the campaign trail is the same thing that looks kind of creepy when it's caught on camera.

BERMAN: Political massage. Classes being taught by Vice President Joe Biden.

ROMANS: All right. It took a jury in Texas less than three hours last night to convict the man who shot and killed American sniper Chris Kyle and his friend. It was a swift sentencing for Eddie Ray Routh. Details, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)