Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Joyce Mitchell, Husband Involved in Prison Escape; Obama's Trade Deal Delivered Blow by House; A Look at Helicopters Used in Search. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired June 12, 2015 - 14:30   ET

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


[14:00:14] RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He says they are getting information through interviews that he could have been involved or, at the very least, he did have knowledge of this planned escape. He says they have information "on his role and the part that he played." Those were his exact words. I'm quoting him.

Also, I should note, Brooke, that Lyle Mitchell works at this prison, at the Clinton Correctional Facility. Not only does he work there, Brooke, but he works in the very same block with his wife, Joyce Mitchell, and that Richard Matt, one of the suspects, the very same block that the other suspect, David Sweat, had also worked in as well -- Brooke?

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Also looking at a very rainy day. Perhaps that could be good news because these two don't exactly know how to survive in the wilderness, especially when it's colder and rainier.

Randi Kaye, thank you so much.

We're going to analyze a lot more with a lawyer and someone who commanded this fugitive task force in a second.

But I want to take you to the White House, to this spokesperson, Josh Earnest, who is delivering notes on the trade bill that took a huge blow in the House. Let's dip in.

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The benefits of which are becoming clearer every day and bigger every day. She presided over House of Representatives that voted to reform Wall Street, to make sure that taxpayers would not be on the hook for bailing out big banks that make risky bets. She worked legislatively with the administration to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And these are all achievements that the president is quite proud of, legislative achievements that required the skillful leadership of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Since that time, there have been other important -- there has been additional important progress on other priorities the president has identified, from the fiscal clip and making sure that those in the top of the income scale were paying their fair share, to protecting the president's ability to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

You know, I don't know if anyone wants to talk about the Iran negotiations today, but if they do, one of my points of emphasis will be to remind you that because of a letter that was written and signed by just about every Democrat in the House of Representatives, the president feels confident that he'll be able to use diplomacy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. There has been an active effort by some in Congress to interfere with that ability but because House Democrats have signaled that they are prepared to stand strong with the president, we think we can accomplish that goal. I don't think there's anybody who has suggested that that priority is going to be threatened just because we might have a disagreement over this particular issue.

Now what is also true is we're going to continue to make an aggressive case to all of the House Democrats, including Leader Pelosi, about why it's important for them to support trade adjustment assistance.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Given the resounding defeat today on trade assistance, what is the president going to do to try to turn that around with the next vote?

EARNEST: Well, the president has spent a lot of time talking to members of Congress about these issues being a priority. And the fact is, as I mentioned at the top, making sure that workers have access to trade adjustment assistance is a top priority of the president. The truth is, it's a top priority of every Democrat, too. The last time it was on the floor at the House of Representatives, it wasn't just a situation that some Democrats voted for, every Democrat voted for it, including 125 members of Congress who -- Democrats who are still in office.

So -- and as I mentioned earlier, we are not suggesting that they should merely renew what they voted for three years ago. We are suggesting -- or four years ago. We're suggesting that they support a legislative package that would significantly enhance it. It would almost double the size of the cap, freeing up additional funds to help workers. 17,000 workers over the last 18 months have had their assistance denied. And allow them to have their applications reconsidered again. That's an indication that this particular program can do a lot for middle class families. And we know there are a lot of Democrats in the House of Representatives who ran for that job, specifically to benefit the middle class families and to make sure they had a voice and somebody fighting for them in Washington, D.C., and that's why we feel we have a strong case to make in terms of trying to build a bipartisan authority for trading assistance.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: The voting today was a little confusing.

(LAUGHTER)

If you could help us out about what happens if TAA can't pass. Does the Senate get back involved or what does the strategy become then?

[14:35:00] EARNEST: This will be the subject of a lot of conversations between White House officials and maybe even the president today and over the weekend and possibly into early next week. So figuring out the legislative procedure and the path forward will be the responsibility of members of the legislature. But the White House, as we have been in the past, will certainly be involved in those conversations because this is a priority that the president has identified.

Julia?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Thanks. Is the president concerned that his meeting with Democrats on the Hill this morning backfired in any way? Some Democrats said they felt insulted, that the president tried to impune their integrity when he told them to play it straight on the TAA vote. Is he worried about frayed relations ongoing into another vote next week?

EARNEST: Not at all. The president had a productive visit today and delivered a very strong case about helping those members of Congress understand precisely why he was strongly supportive of making sure we're expanding economic opportunity for every American by opening up overseas markets for goods and services. He explained how, as a young man, he left New York and traveled to the south side of Chicago, where he tried to help a community deal with the closing of steel plants. And he talked --

BALDWIN: All right. This is joshing Earnest. He's been talking about what has been a big blow to the White House. The president has been pushing for this bill. As we just learned moments ago, a key provision in this trade bill rejected by the House. The president trying to drum up support from within his own party, took a trip to Capitol Hill today, went out to a baseball game last night. A lot of critics are saying, Mr. President, it's too little too late. We've got to see where it comes from here in the coming days in Washington. But that's the latest on the trade bill.

Meantime, as far as this manhunt is concerned in Upstate New York, one new nugget that we've been reporting, this alleged prison worker who helped these two men with some items she procured. We're also learning that her husband now is being questioned. Perhaps he had knowledge of the plot as well. We have more on the husband here.

And we'll take you inside one of these helicopters being used right now in the skies above places like Cadyville, New York, using thermal image systems to find these two convicted killers and put them back in prison. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:41:50] BALDWIN: Back to our breaking story, this manhunt. And we're learning now more about the woman who allegedly helped these two murderers escape from prison and whether her husband was involved.

I'm joined by CNN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney, Phillip Holloway.

Phillip, great to see you back.

I should mention that her husband worked at the maintenance department at the tailor shop. We have to imagine, we know she's cooperating, I'm assuming, she's watching the news and he had radioing the local paper. We're all talking about her and her potential involvement. Why has she not lawyered up yet? PHILLIP HOLLOWAY, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: For what reason, I have no idea?

That being said, it was very wise of the police to not charge her yet because if they were to do so, they would have to read her Miranda rights. You have the right to remain silent and she's likely to clam right up.

BALDWIN: She is cooperating. We're hearing each and every day she marched into the police station. What charges could be added to this with possible charges for the husband?

HOLLOWAY: It's looking like it may be a conspiracy. Obviously that involves more than one person. She and now possibly her husband may be acting in concert with these two escapees and escaping from a prison is a felony criminal offense. So she can be charged just the same as them in the event that they do decide to charge her. I believe that's coming. The police are going to bleed her dry of all useful information and then throw her to the wolves and she's going to be on her own and she won't have a defense because she will have literally given them everything they need to convict her.

BALDWIN: Let me throw a curveball at you. What if she is intentionally not telling the truth?

(CROSSTALK)

HOLLOWAY: That's also a crime. And it's also -- if that's the case, if that's part of the plan, that's in furtherance of the conspiracy, which brings me right back to where we started. If that's the case, she's part of a conspiracy to help them escape and she will be charged. And if that is the evidence and what the D.A. presents to a grand jury and perhaps sends her to prison on, so be it.

BALDWIN: Phillip Holloway, thank you so much.

HOLLOWAY: Thank you, Brooke.

[14:44:27] BALDWIN: With the legal angle.

She's a fool, according to Phillip.

Coming up next, we're learning more about how these 800 investigative task force, all of these members of law enforcement are honing in on this perimeter area looking for these two escaped killers. And we're learning about the technology. We also now will take you on a demonstration here, live pictures inside one of these helicopters. This is what they are using with this infrared technology, the thermal imaging, as well, to try to find these two high above the skies over Upstate New York.

We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These two doctors are driving across the country to talk to you about your health. These two doctors from Orlando Health commissioned a survey that found that 80 percent of men could be members of the make and model of their first car but only half can remember the last time they saw a doctor. Studies show men are 24 percent less likely to have visited a doctor within the past year and there are repercussions to this. Men are 24 percent more likely than women to have been admitted to the hospital for pneumonia that could have been prevented with vaccinations. They're also 32 percent more likely to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes.

(on camera): So these doctors are telling men around the country, it's great to love your car but take care of your body, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:49:41] BALDWIN: Helicopters scouring the woods and farmland using heat-seeking technology in the search for these two escaped murders.

I want to go live to the helicopter pilot who is walking us through this same technology that they've used in this search in Upstate New York. I have Sergeant Darry Williams with me, with the DeKalb County Police Aerial Support Division.

Sergeant, thank you so much.

I also have Lenny DePaul, back with me on set, former commander of the U.S. Marshal Service Regional Fugitive Task Force for New York and New Jersey.

To the chopper, we go.

Sergeant Williams, this is an acronym being used. Hello. This is FLIR technology, infrared technology. It works in the daytime as well. Explain this to me.

SGT. DARRY WILLIAMS, DEKALB COUNTY POLICE AERIAL SUPPORT DIVISION: OK. The infrared camera, which picks up infrared energy, which is heat, that heat is converted to an electronic signal which is then converted into a thermal image which is then displayed on a monitor inside the aircraft.

BALDWIN: So what you're able to detect is anything with a heat source. So whether it's a human running around the woods below you or a bear, you would pick it up on this screen we're looking at on the right side of the TV. How do you differentiate between a human being and wildlife?

WILLIAMS: The image that you view is going to be the outline of whatever image you're being looking at. If it's a body, it's going to be the outline of a body. If it's bear, it identifies the bear. If it's a bird or dog, it will identify it just by the images produced on the screen. BALDWIN: Obviously, it's getting cooler at night. Would that be when

you would maximize this kind of technology or does that not Matter at all?

WILLIAMS: Yes. The nighttime amber temperature is greatly reduced, which enables the camera system to work more effectively. Everything cools down, the body is going to stay at a temperature about 96 degrees and everything else around it is going to cool off. Nighttime is very effective.

BALDWIN: And, Sergeant, stand by.

I want to bring Lenny in.

One thing I wanted to ask you earlier -- and you used to command. This was your task force and I know you wanted to give them props for all that they have been doing.

LENNY DEPAUL, FORMER COMMANDER, U.S. MARSHAL SERVICE REGIONAL FUGITIVE TASK FORCE FOR NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY: Absolutely. I want to tip my hat to my successor and his men and women who have been out there working around the clock.

BALDWIN: Is it in these two -- it sounds silly to say. Is it in these two killers' best interests to stay together or separate?

DEPAUL: I'm thinking they are together. They need each other. They fed off each other, they put this whole thing together and they are feeding off each other. They are picking each other's brains. They are almost day seven into this thing so they are probably on each other's nerves if it is them contained in this perimeter. I'm sure they are miserable. I'm not sure -- again, I'm assuming they are together.

BALDWIN: Right.

DEPAUL: Apparently, the investigation is leaning in that direction.

BALDWIN: Sergeant Williams, let's say that you are looking at these screens and you pick up on something from the skies. What is your next step? You have guys on the ground ready to roll?

WILLIAMS: Yeah. We will communicate with our police department guys on the ground via radio and give them play-by-play of what we are seeing which aids in apprehensions.

BALDWIN: We were looking at a live picture a second ago and it's a pretty nasty, rainy day. Does that Matter, the weather?

WILLIAMS: Actually, the rain helps to kind of cool things down. So on a rainy day like today, our camera is more efficient.

BALDWIN: What could a suspect do if they are smart? I don't know how many escaped fugitives are smart. But what could one do to evade detection from your thermal imaging infrared systems? WILLIAMS: By hiding beneath an object. We can't see through objects.

We can only see around them. So hiding under an item would aid in not being detected.

BALDWIN: OK. I know we'll have a live demo with you in DeKalb County at the next hour. Look forward to that to see how this works.

Thank you so much, Sergeant Darry Williams.

Lenny, you know how this works, you say they are shrinking the perimeter. How do they even know how to establish that perimeter?

DEPAUL: They are going off what the K-9s are detecting and establishing the perimeter that way. It's a large perimeter. I believe it's almost five miles. Shrinking it or moving in on these guys, you know, somebody possibly saw them, there's radio communication, aviation may have picked up on something and they may need to shrink it up. That's a good sign. Let's keep our fingers off and hopefully this thing goes down without incident.

BALDWIN: You keep checking your phone.

DEPAUL: I do.

BALDWIN: You keep hoping they'll have news, they will be caught.

DEPAUL: Yeah.

BALDWIN: We all hope they'll be caught.

Lenny, thank you very much.

DEPAUL: Thank you.

[14:54:53]BALDWIN: Next, more on our breaking news. Investigators looking at whether the female worker's husband may have been involved. Did he know about the plot? We'll take you there live in Upstate New York, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Top of the hour. You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

Breaking story just in to CNN regarding this manhunt for these two escaped killers and the woman alleged to have helped in the escape. Joyce Mitchell's husband, who, by the way, works at this prison, is being questioned by the police about his possible role as well. A source telling us that Mitchell gave the men hacksaw blades, drill bits and glasses with lights attached. Why? She may have had some kind of a relationship with not just one but both of them.

Let's go live now to CNN's Randi Kaye. She just spoke with the district attorney there.

And he is the one you asked about Joyce Mitchell's husband's role in this whole thing.