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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Manhunt Heats Up; Healing in Charleston; Explosion in Afghanistan; Supreme Court to Rule on High-Profile Cases; Greece At Make-or-Break Moment. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired June 22, 2015 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:14] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight: a flurry of activity in the search for two escaped killers. A huge police presence in one area. Are authorities finally closer to capturing these convicts?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Charleston healing this morning as investigators dig into what motivated a young white man to open fire on a black church, killing nine. And now, the debate over the Confederate flag flying at the South Carolina statehouse. That debate heating up. Is it time for that flag to go?
BERMAN: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.
ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. It's Monday, June 22nd. It is 4:00 a.m. in the East.
BERMAN: All right. Breaking right now: we have our eye on an unexpected overnight activity in the hunt for the two escaped killers from maximum security prison. Possible sightings have officers chasing Richard Matt and David Sweat on opposite ends of New York state.
Just hours ago, there was a possible new sighting near Owls Head, about 20 miles west of the prison in Dannemora. New York state police are on the scene with command post, ATVs and help from Vermont tactical troopers. Now, while that was happening, a search in Friendship near the border in Pennsylvania that wrapped up overnight.
And there is new information on the investigation into the escape itself. A correction's officer at the prison is being questioned. A lawyer tells CNN that police interviewed the guard on Sunday for 14 hours.
For the latest, let's turn to CNN's Sara Ganim in Dannemora.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARA GANIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, it seems the investigation is now focused on the paintings that Richard Matt was making behind bars. We already know prison seamstress Joyce Mitchell received one of those paintings. She's now been charged with helping those two men escape by providing them the tools they used to break out.
And now, we've learned that 57-year-old male prison guard Gene Palmer also on the honor block where those two men were housed, he received one of those paintings as well. His attorney telling CNN that that is the focus of the investigation into him, the focus of the interviews, that police searched his home. They wanted to talk to him about that painting, about his relationship with those two men and with Joyce Mitchell as well. He knew all three of them. He had daily and constant contact with them.
Because he was a guard on that block, as most guards do, to maintain a good working relationship with the inmates for safety reasons. But his attorney told me 100 percent, he denied any knowledge of the escape plan. Take a listen to what he told me.
ANDREW BROCKWAY, ATTORNEY FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICER GENE PALMER: I can 100 percent confirm that he did not know that they were plan being to break out of the prison. These two people are psycho paths. They are master manipulators. They're obviously in prison for life, so they have nothing but time to develop schemes to take advantage of innocent people.
GANIM: Now, in addition to that, his lawyer also telling CNN that Gene Palmer was actually on vacation the night that those two inmates escaped. But he lives only a few blocks from here, a few blocks from that prison. And he told his lawyer that he was scared because he did know those two inmates and that people inside the prison could not believe that something like this could happen. And he tells me that he's continuing to cooperate, that he plans to cooperate as long as investigators need him to, that he wants to be exonerated because he believes that he did nothing wrong -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Sara Ganim for us this morning in Dannemora.
Overnight, thousands of people join hands in Charleston, South Carolina, demonstrating unity against the hate that drove a 21-year- old gunned down 9 people in a black church last week. Police estimate 10,000 to 15,000 people formed a unity chain across the 2 1/2-mile long bridge between Charleston and Mt. Pleasant.
We're learning more this morning about the gunman's motives for the shooting. Officials investigated the 2,000-word racist manifesto that appears on a website registered to Dylann Roof.
CNN's Alina Machado is in Charleston with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA MACHADO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, even though that manifesto surfaced online over the weekend, the focus here in Charleston remains those nine lives who were lost. The manifesto is about 2,000 words long. It has very inflammatory language, not just about blacks but about other minorities. The manifesto was published on a web site that was registered to Dylann Roof. And in it, the manifesto talks about a possible turning point, citing the Trayvon Martin case as a catalyst for change with Roof and perhaps what fueled what happened.
[04:05:04] And also talks about why Charleston was chosen as a target.
I want to read part of it to you. The manifesto says, ends with, "I have no choice. I am not in a position to alone in the ghetto and fight. I chose Charleston because it is the most historic city in my state and at one time, it had the highest ratio of blacks to white in the country. We have no skinheads, no real KKK, no one doing anything but talking on the Internet. Well, someone has to have the bravery to take it to the real world and I guess that has to be me."
Now, CNN has not been able to independently confirm that, in fact, Dylann Roof was the author of that manifesto, but it again was published on a Web site that was registered to him. We do know the FBI is carefully looking at that document -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Alina Machado in Charleston for that.
Now, the focus in Charleston this morning is on the nine people killed in this horrific attack, as it should be. The community came together at Emanuel AME to remember and to also look forward.
Martin Savidge has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, the church was filled to capacity and beyond. There were many people who felt that they had to be there. The couple I was sitting next to said they were simply walking by and then were felt compelled to walk into the church. On the other side of them was a woman whose family has been attending this church for over 100 years. A very mixed kind of congregation.
Initially, people were nervous. Security was tight. Uniformed police officers were patrolling in the outer aisles. And I think there were some nerves. But then the grand organ played, choir began to sing, and it just felt right.
Much of this service was very normal, normal in the sense of similar kind of hymns you would have, the kind of prayers you would have. And it was deliberately meant to be that way, to deliver back that sense of community and church after so much tragedy.
But you couldn't help but notice and certainly for the congregation, there were nine faces not there, including their own reverend. And so, at times you saw this congregation up on its feet dancing in the pews celebrating the life. And at other times, you could see people absolutely collapsed under the weight of grief. And when that happened, other members of the congregation would come
over and gently sit next to them, or put an arm around them, or in some cases actually love them and hold them close. It was very, very powerful, but I think also, too, people were wondering if they were going to talk about other issues that have been raised by this tragedy.
In the sermon, the reverend said this was not the time.
REV. NORVEL GOFF SR., LED EMANUEL AME CHURCH SERVICE: There is a time and place for everything.
AUDIENCE: Amen.
GOFF: And now, it's a time for us to focus on the nine families.
(APPLAUSE)
Oh, I know I'm right, because at this time we need to be in solidarity and praying for families and our communities around this state, and particularly in Charleston.
SAVIDGE: After the service was over, I asked a woman if it had helped her, and she said it did. But as a long-time member of the congregation, she said the pain runs so very, very deep -- Jon and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Martin, thank you for that.
You know, in the wake of the tragedy, there are growing calls to remove the Confederate flag flying on the grounds of South Carolina statehouse. Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley explained the controversy to CNN's Jake Tapper.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSEPH P. RILEY, JR., MAYOR OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: It sends mixed messages and at worst, for people -- hateful people like Roof, it's an affirmation because they have appropriated something and used it as a symbol of hatred. So, I think that needs to go into a museum, and I think it will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Needs to go into a museum. He thinks it will.
Republican Mitt Romney joining that opinion tweeting that the Confederate flag should be taken down, saying, quote, "To many, it is a symbol of racial hatred. Remove it now to honor Charleston victims." President Obama tweeted in response, "Good point, Mitt."
BERMAN: A statute in Charleston that memorializes the Confederacy was vandalized. This happened several days after the church shooting. People say someone spray-painted the message "black lives matter" on the statue. Authorities say it's not exactly clear when it happened but they said it will be scrubbed off immediately.
ROMANS : All right. Breaking news this morning: the Taliban claiming responsibility for an attack on Afghanistan's parliament building in Kabul. This is a video from inside parliament after a car bomb explosion. You can see smoke filled the air there.
Kabul's policemen say gunmen armed with rockets and AK-47s entered a nearby building but weren't able to get into the nearby parliament building because of security.
[04:10:00] Officials say all MPs in the building were evacuated unharmed. Unclear whether there were other casualties there.
BERMAN: Fire crews rushed to a plane at New Jersey's Newark airport overnight after the engine began throwing off sparks. Authorities say the Express Jet flight for United Airlines preparing to take off for Savannah, Georgia, when the pilot noticed sparks coming from one of the engines.
Express Jet says the 41 passengers were placed on a replacement plane. No one was injured thankfully. Not clear what prompted this engine trouble.
Later this morning, the Supreme Court will announce opinions on some of the high profile cases it is considering. Although it's unknown which of the 11 pending rulings they will announce. One of the most anticipated, a decision on federal subsidies provided through Obamacare.
Now, the question before justice is, which states are eligible for federal tax credits that help offsets insurance costs for low and middle income Americans -- all 50 or just those with their own exchange?
BERMAN: The Obamacare ruling is epic and big. Also --
ROMANS: It could gut Obamacare.
BERMAN: It absolutely could. The other major ruling that could come as soon as today on gay marriage, whether gay couples have the constitutional right to marry. The court is also considering a side issue, whether states are legally required to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Courts opinions are scheduled to come out about 10:00 a.m.
Again, they save the biggest decisions typically for last. It's not clear whether you'll get Obamacare or gay marriage today. But we could. If that happens both have huge consequences.
ROMANS: Absolutely, especially for same sex couple spousal benefits under Social Security.
BERMAN: The whole thing.
ROMANS: It's a big financial story there, too. Time for an early start on your money. It's make-or-break moment in Greece's debt crisis. It looks like investors are betting on a last- minute deal. European stocks much higher, so are Asian stocks. Look at that, U.S. stock futures also higher right now.
Eurozone leaders and finance ministers meet today for new proposals from Greece's prime minister. He was elected in January on a promise to end austerity, right? The people in Greece are taking to the street. They want this guy to end austerity.
But creditors have held firm. They are refusing to hand over more money for Greece, giving it anymore money, until there are some reforms. The two sides have been deadlocked for months. If no deal is reached today, withdrawals from Greek banks could speed up. Greece is only days away from default and be a possible exit from the Eurozone.
And, you know, it's the European Central Bank that are keeping the banks flush with money while Greek people are taking their money out. If Greece doesn't agree to what the tough medicine that the European Union wants, the ECB will stop giving them money.
BERMAN: A lot of people in Greece are saying, why should we listen to the Germans on everything, too? Interesting to see that this could happen today.
ROMANS: Because they'll be broke if they don't.
BERMAN: There's that. There's that.
The massacre inside the church in Charleston has people talking about gun control, but will this shooting cause change where others have not?
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:16:03] ROMANS: There is a renewed push for tougher gun laws following the church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina. President Obama and Hillary Clinton weighing in on the debate during separate appearances over the weekend. Both saying they were frustrated with previous lack of action.
CNN's Sunlen Serfaty is in Palm Springs. It's where the president was over the weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John and Christine.
Well, as the Charleston continues to mourn, the conversation politically speaking in moving to the constant debate between gun rights advocates and gun control advocates. On "STATE OF THE UNION WITH JAKE TAPPER", the Charleston mayor says
that he hopes what happens in his town at least helps public opinion move more towards strengthening gun control measures.
RILEY: The country is just having a very difficult time dealing with the proliferation of guns, and we have to use this most recent tragedy to keep us working on that. We have to do that. It is insane the number of guns and the ease of getting guns in America.
SERFATY: And this issue has, of course, picked up a lot of steam on the campaign trail. Over the weekend, Hillary Clinton gave an emotional speech in which she said it's time to admit that the state of race in our country, that the struggle is just not over, and we should not treat this as an isolated incident. She called for additional gun control measures.
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We can't give up. The stakes are too high. The costs are too dear, and I am not and will not be afraid to keep fighting for common sense reforms and along with you achieve those on behalf of all who have been lost because of this senseless gun violence in our country.
SERFATY: Meanwhile, Republican candidate Rick Perry said this is a conversation to have but told reporters over the weekend this.
RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I do have an issue that the knee jerk is from the left as always, we're going to take people's guns away from them, when, in fact, there may be a host of contributing factors here. But I think we must look at this and understand and respect that this was a clear hate crime that was committed.
SERFATY: And President Obama has called for the strengthening of gun laws but also at the same time seems a bit resigned to the legislative prospects of anything getting through Congress, blaming in his word the extremely strong grip the NRA has on Congress -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Defense Secretary Ash Carter is in Germany this morning to attend his first NATO meeting as secretary. He will speak at a forum in Berlin, calling for united NATO. The secretary says he will also lay out the U.S.'s strong but balanced approach deterring Russia's military aggression while maintaining Moscow's role in helping allies fight terrorism and also figuring out a way to reach some kind of a nuclear deal with Iran.
ROMANS: All right. The hunt is on this morning for two men who opened fire on a west Philadelphia street, injuring at least 10 people at a cookout. Police say the suspects drove down a street in the Belmont section Saturday, firing several shots, possibly with a handgun. They say among -- excuse me -- among the victims, a baby and two children, an 11-month-old baby shot in the neck. Fortunately, all of them are expected to survive. BERMAN: All right. While many of us were sleeping there was an
amazing finish to the U.S. Open. Jordan Spieth, guy's 21 years old, just won two majors in a row. But what everyone was talking about how Justin Johnson lost it or blew it, more appropriately. So, 21-year- old Jordan Spieth, he won the majors but he double bogeyed the 17th, before sinking a birdie on the 18th to take a 1 stroke lead.
Then, it was Justin Johnson's chance, he could have won with a 12-foot birdie putt, I mean, an eagle putt, then he missed a four-foot birdie putt and then he just lost altogether.
[04:20:02] So, Jordan Spieth wins it. He's the youngest U.S. open champ since Bobby Jones in 1926.
ROMANS: He's 21 or something?
BERMAN: He's 21, turns 22 in July.
ROMANS: Is he from Dallas?
BERMAN: He's from Texas -- yes, the Texas area. Turns out he's pretty good at golf.
ROMANS: He is pretty good at golf. All right. Congratulations to him.
All right. New reports this morning, ISIS planting explosives in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. A live report next on what they may be trying to accomplish.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: New this morning, reports that ISIS is planting bombs and mines around the ancient ruins in Palmyra in Syria. "Reuters" says a London-based monitoring group is supporting an ISIS tactic of one of Middle East's most important historic sights.
CNN's Ian Lee is watching this situation for us.
Good morning, Ian.
IAN LEE, CNN REPORTER: Good morning, John.
We're hearing of increased activity near Palmyra, Tadmur in Arabic. The Syrian Observatory for Human Reports reporting in the past 48 hours, there have been multiple airstrikes by the Syrian regime. At least ten people have been killed, including children.
We're also hearing that the Syrian regime is building up their troops on the outskirts of the city for a potential bid to retake it. Moving to these land mines or these mines could be one of really two things.
First off, we know when ISIS takes territory, they dig in, if there is a bid to retake the city.
[04:25:04] This is one of the tactics we've seen them use successfully in Syria and as well as in Iraq.
The other possible outcome of this could mean they are trying to blow up this ancient site. Unfortunately, we've seen this as well in the territory they control, John.
BERMAN: Just one of the many tragedies right now being set up by ISIS in their rampage.
Ian Lee, thanks so much.
ROMANS: All right. Charleston coming together in the aftermath of that horrific massacre in the church. Thousands lining the bridge, wow, trying to rise above the hate that motivated the young man to kill nine people. We have the very latest on the investigation and the healing, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Breaking overnight, stepping up the search. The manhunt for two killers shifts again, this time west of the prison they escaped from. Investigators begin to focus on a prison guard.
BERMAN: The city of Charleston trying to heal. The church where nine people murdered opening its doors for services. That as police look at writings connected to the accused young shooter to look for any reason, any justification for the awful -- there's no justification.
ROMANS: No, and across the country.
BERMAN: And a look at behind the awful crimes he committed.
ROMANS: In pulpits across the country this weekend, ministers trying to make sense and trying to heal.
Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BERMAN: I'm John Berman. About 30 minutes past the hour right now.
ROMANS: All right. Breaking overnight: a new focus -- a new focus on the manhunt for two inmates escaped from a New York maximum security prison. They've been on the loose for three weeks now. And then this possible sighting of convicted killers had officers chasing Richard Matt and David Sweat on opposite ends of the state.
Just hours ago, a possible new sighting near Owls Head. That's just about 20 miles west of the prison in Dannemora.
