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Congressional Ball Gams Goes On; Former Giffords Staffer Reacts to Shooting; Former Capitol Police Chief Talks about Shooting; Jury Weighs Cosby Fate; Harlow Shares Champions for Change Story; Warmbier Press Conference. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired June 15, 2017 - 09:30   ET

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


[09:30:00] BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here for the game but there is hope that he will be watching from his hospital room.

Now, the managers for the two teams, Joe Barton and Mike Doyle were very emotional yesterday talking about this game, specifically Representative Barton because he was there during the practice with his two sons. He talked about how lucky he is to be alive and also about the support that he's received from some of his colleagues. Listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOE BARTON (R), TEXAS: everybody is supportive of - because we are - we have an "r" or a "d" by our name but the - our title - our title is United States representative. And I'm very proud to be a member of the Congress. And I'm proud to serve with people like Mike Doyle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Now, Representatives Barton and Doyle actually took both teams out to dinner last night so that they could talk about how to bridge the partisan divide and also to reflect on their friend Steve. I should also tell you the historical record between the Republicans and Democrats is actually tied 39-39-1. And no matter what side wins tonight, no representative will hold back in telling you that they feel like they are all part of the same team.

John and Poppy.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Boris Sanchez at National Park. Thanks so much.

Listening to Joe Barton, I'm reminded, look, these members of Congress, being elected to Congress is a public service. They are serving the country. And we should not - should never lose sight of that.

Now, the last time before yesterday that a member of Congress was shot was back in 2011. Gabby Giffords in Arizona. Her aide, Ron Barber, was there at the time. He too was shot during this attack. He joins us now from Tuscan. Congressman, thank you so much for being with us. We do appreciate your time.

I have to imagine yesterday when you heard the news of this shooting, it had to bring you back to a very painful moment. It was it like for you to hear the news?

RON BARBER, FORMER AIDE TO GABRIELLE GIFFORDS: Well, when I did hear it, I woke up to lots of e-mails and text messages to tell me what had happened and immediately my mind went back to that terrible day on January 8, 2011, when I saw Congresswoman Giffords shot. I was standing right beside her. And then myself and Judge Roll and several others. And, in the end, 19 people were shot and six good citizens died, including my deputy, Gabe Zimmerman, and Judge Roll. So it was a horrible day and what happened at the baseball field when they were practicing brought me right back to that.

The other thing that I thought about almost right away was the families. I remember after I got out of the hospital and was able to talk with my family about what it was like when they first heard the news of the shooting in Tucson and how devastated they were. My wife broke down in tears, sank to the floor when she got the phone call. So I was thinking about the families and what Congressman Scalise's wife must be going through and what the family members of the others who were shot. It was a horrible morning and all I can say is, we send our love and our heartfelt good wishes to everyone who was involved and the families, of course.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Congressman, even after you were shot twice, you went on to serve in the state of Arizona and serve the people of this country in Congress and you continued to receive threats against your life as you were serving. What makes you the most angry about all of this?

BARBER: That is true. Well, first of all, I think that what's happened in our country over the last several years and even more so last year is the level of vitriol and harsh rhetoric has escalated to a point that I've never seen in my life. And I've been a student of politics since I was a kid in high school. It's a very sad development for our country.

And what happened yesterday seems to have been somehow driven by a political motive. We don't know for sure. But regardless, the thought that anyone would take somebody else's life or try to is just wrong. And to target a member of Congress, particularly in this baseball practice situation, is just terrible.

But I think what - what this calls on is for the president, the speaker of the House, the leader of the minority, everybody in leadership and across the board, every member of Congress in the House and Senate, we need to say, tamp down the rhetoric. Let's get away from this toxicity that is creating an environment in which someone thinks they can go and take political action by shooting. The way we solve problems in this country is not by the bullet, it's by the ballot, and that's what we need to remind Americans, that that's the way to go forward. When I was shot, shortly afterwards my family and I created the Fund

for Civility, Respect and Understanding. That's what we're all about, trying to bring civil discourse back to our political process.

BERMAN: One of the sad bits of history, though, is that there were similar calls like this after Gabby Giffords and you were shot back in 2011 and then we still got to the point where we are right now. So why now would you have more hope?

[09:35:12] BARBER: Well, I - I'm the eternal optimist. That's probably why. I do know that we're at a point where it has gotten so bad that I think - hope the American people are going to say, enough is enough. We need leadership from below, as well as from above. We need Americans to say, we're not going to put up this any longer. We're not going to elect people who choose to downgrade others, to personally attack people that they're running against.

We can get through a political process without that. And I'm calling on everyone, both citizen voters as well as leaders and people in elective office, we have to stop the vehement and awful rhetoric that we charge at each other. It's time for calm. It's time to - for civility. And to be able to disagree without being disagreeable in the extreme. So it's really a moment of reflection for the entire country and I hope we'll see some good come out of this terrible day yesterday.

BERMAN: And I hope people are listening to what you have to say, sir. Former Congressman Ron Barber, thanks so much. We're counting on you to send that message, sir.

All right, to Paul Ryan and many other members of Congress, David Bailey and Krystal Griner, they are heroes. To the whole country, they're heroes. These two special agents are members of the Capitol Police Department. They helped take down the gunmen who opened fire on Republican lawmakers during this baseball practice yesterday.

HARLOW: Bailey, a part of the congressional delegation has been treated and released after suffering minor injuries in the incident. Griner is still hospitalized, but in good condition, we're hearing, after being shot in the ankle. Senator Rand Paul said if it were not for those officers, a massacre, a blood bath could have occurred yesterday, even worse than what played out.

Joining us now is Terry Gainer, the former chief of the U.S. Capitol Police. And it is our pleasure to have you here with us.

So how do you walk that line? We're here this morning at the U.S. Capitol. Members of Congress want to have access to their constituents and be with people, but they also need to be protected. What has yesterday taught us?

TERRY GAINER, FORMER U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF: Well, the Capitol Police does this day in and day out and I think they'll be reflecting on all our procedures. I think it highlights the work and the training they do. Chief Verderosa's doing a great job. Every one of the officers has gone through active shooter training. That was done under the previous chief. So I think they're ready for all these type of things, but it shows you how dangerous it can be any place in the United States right now (ph).

BERMAN: It shows you how good you all are at doing your jobs as well. You were able to save so many lives there on that baseball field. You know, when you were here, you obviously were right next door to a lot of political debates and I'm sure you saw things get nasty inside these chambers here. What's your opinion on whether or not it has contributed to an environment, an unhealthy environment in this country?

GRAINER: Well, I think it's pretty evident that there's a little bit too much hate in people, too many stone hearts, and we do have to calm down in a lot of areas. So whether it's in the inner city problems we have or Washington or any place else, we just have to work harder in the communities to see how we can prevent people from getting this angry to resort to the type of things that happened yesterday. It's incumbent upon us to be a part of that.

HARLOW: What about - it absolutely is. Looking at what could have potentially, if anything, been done on the front end of this, now we've seen the incendiary social media posts that this shooter made. We've seen his violent record through his - through his violent past, through his police records. Was any of it enough, though, to be a red flag?

GAINER: Well, you know, that is a challenge. I was the Senate sergeant of arms when Congresswoman Giffords was shot and I remember we all struggled with the issue of the things that came out afterwards, that that shooter was not permitted to join the army. He was not well liked. He was kind of strange. He purchased a gun. And we said, jeepers, if I had known that, could I have done something different? And that's the dilemma.

But what he did do after that is work with all the staffs so that when they're putting on events, they have to think about not only the logistics of the event, how many chairs, whether we're going to serve coffee, but also be in touch with either the Capitol Police or the local police about what the threat is. And we worked very, very closely with the staffs about sharing information with the United States Capitol Police. When they get messages from their constituents that discombobulate them, that raise the hair on the back of their neck, so that then the Capitol Police or the other, whether it was Secret Service or the FBI, can then further look into those things.

BERMAN: That, obviously, goes from up here on Capitol Hill as well and back home in these town meetings. There's a lot of concern oftentimes with the amount of emotion that takes place at these town meetings as well, even though every member - most members will tell you they like that interaction, they need that interaction with their constituents and it's part of their job.

[09:40:14] Terry Gainer, great to have you with us. Thank you -

GAINER: Well, it is.

BERMAN: Thanks so much, sir, for the job you've done over the years. Appreciate it.

GAINER: Thank you.

BERMAN: Nearly 30 hours of deliberations and still no verdict in the Bill Cosby sexual offense trial. What is taking so long?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: So, right now, jurors in the Bill Cosby sexual offense trial are weighing the comedian's fate. They're deliberating still. Cosby arrived at the courthouse just a short time ago, and jurors have been deliberating since Monday. Twenty-eight hours now and still no verdict.

BERMAN: On Wednesday, jurors asked to rehear testimony from accuser Andrea Constand. Cosby is accused of drugging and assaulting Constand back in 2004.

I want to bring in CNN's Jean Casarez. She is outside the courthouse.

Jean, what's taking so long?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that - that - we don't know. That's the question. The fact is, though, they're continuing to try to arrive at a verdict, so that is positive. You know, I've seen so much as I've been in that courtroom because they've asked six questions and it's mainly read back of testimony. It all is, basically, except one clarification on the law.

But what's interesting is that they have their notes. You know, they took notes through the whole trial and they're supposed to rely on their notes in the jury room, but they want to go one step farther and have these read backs. After the first night of deliberations, I saw jurors - full day of deliberations, I saw jurors not only exhausted and the judge said, I know you're exhausted, but I saw them upset. I saw them a totally different demeanor than during the trial when they would, you know, have some smiles, but serious and focused. Totally different.

Last night, after a 12-hour day, they were serious. I didn't see the anger. But I did see, when they had that final read back last night of Bill Cosby in regard to his police statement that he gave in 2005, I saw one female juror that really wasn't focused. Looking up, looking down, looking at her bracelets. The other jurors that I saw were focused on that testimony. And we don't know why.

[09:45:25] And, remember, this law, although it's simple in one respect, it's also complex in another respect because the actual law, the aggravated indecent assault, and there are three counts, it involves penetration of any part of the body, but it's without the consent, when one is unconscious, and one - when one has been given an intoxicant or drug without their knowledge. They've got to look at the facts, and it's he said/she said in many respects.

HARLOW: Jean Casarez live for us outside of the courtroom. We are on jury watch. Let us know as soon as you hear something. Thank you. In just minutes, we will hear more about the U.S. student, Otto

Warmbier, freed by North Korea, brought back to Ohio, but in a coma. His parents set to speak and you'll hear it here live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:50:57] HARLOW: So, this week, CNN kicked off a special series called "Champions for Change," and we're highlighting causes that are close to our heart and the remarkable people making a real difference in the lives of others.

For me, those are the folks at the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club. It takes just one visit to one of their clubhouses to see the difference that they are making in the lives of so many children.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Hi, guys!

KIDS: Hi!

HARLOW: I got involved with the Boys and Girls Club three years or so ago. I was walking in this park. I was feeling profoundly fortunate, lucky. I've never not had opportunity and a great education and a loving family. Every door has been opened for me.

And the Boys and Girls Club, for many of these kids, has been the first door to open.

Kids love, love the gym.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the carrot that brings them in.

HARLOW: This is the carrot?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the carrot right here. And then they have to join programs and activities.

HARLOW: What's your favorite thing about coming to the Boys and Girls Club?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The computer lab.

HARLOW: The computer lab! I love that. What about you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like coming here because they help us with our homework.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is true or false.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That levels the playing field so that young people, they have the opportunity to succeed and outgrow their current circumstances.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This clubhouse means family. It means a safe place.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The staff care about you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's like an alternative to being in the streets.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's a lot of love. That would be the word, love.

HARLOW: It's a second home for these kids, not replacing the parents, but working with the parents to give these kids the best possible shot.

Hi!

HARLOW (voice-over): Madison Square Boys and Girls Club Project Graduate gets kids on track for college. Last year, every single one of its high school seniors graduated.

HARLOW (on camera): Ninety percent of those applied to college. Eighty-three percent were accepted. And I can tell you, that is far, far above their peers.

Do you feel good?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

HARLOW (voice-over): Working with the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club here in New York City has been a gift, seeing these remarkable kids reach their full potential. I sit on the board, and I'm a mentor. But it's the staff at Madison, like Stan King, who are heroes.

HARLOW (on camera): This organization has been your life. What does the Boys and Girls Club mean to you?

STAN KING, DIRECTOR, MADISON SQUARE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB: You know, it's just a calling. The word for today is awesome. And I think we've been doing an awesome job, all right. One, two, three, awesome!

HARLOW: What's your favorite moment here every day?

KING: 3:00.

HARLOW: 3:00.

KING: 3:00.

HARLOW: Why do you love 3:00?

KING: It's when our doors open.

Come on in! Let's go! Let's get inside!

HARLOW: Do you feel like a dad to a bunch of the kids that walk in these doors?

KING: These are my kids.

Tie your shoe, buddy. You have to make it so that kids believe in you and they believe that

you genuinely care.

HARLOW: So this is the first clubhouse that I came to. It's less than a mile from my apartment. What separates where I live over there and the kids that come here are these projects right over here. This is also where I met Angel Victor (ph), my meantee (ph), about three years ago.

Hi, Miss Angel!

ANGEL VICTOR, COLLEGE SOPHOMORE: Having a mentor is amazing, to help you conquer your dreams, just basically telling you, you can do this, you can do this, you can.

Finally.

HARLOW: There you go. All right, 1-1. We're tied.

So, what's it like being back here? Does it remind you of good times?

VICTOR: Of course. The club is like family.

HARLOW: You're more and that halfway done with college.

VICTOR: Almost, yes.

HARLOW: How does that feel?

VICTOR: It's nerve-racking, but it's like, wow, I can do it.

HARLOW: You'll be the first in your family to ever graduate from college.

VICTOR: That's right. And then my mom, I got my mom to go to school as well. It was like -

HARLOW: You did? I didn't know this.

[09:55:01] VICTOR: And now she's in college. And it's like, wow.

HARLOW: So you and your mother will be college graduates?

VICTOR: Pretty soon.

I conquer my fear and my disability.

HARLOW (voice-over): Angel overcame a speech impediment, found her voice, and two years ago was celebrated as a "Youth of the Year."

HARLOW (on camera): I have wondered a lot, what would my life be like if I was born somewhere else, to different parents, in a different community. And there's just something fundamentally unjust about that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our goals in life -

HARLOW: This isn't about fame, money, power. It's about something higher and more important. What is it for you?

KING: It's about influence. If you can influence the next generation of leaders and really instill in them the importance of community and giving back, then you've done something great for the world, and I think in that is where the power lies.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: The Madison Square Boys and Girls Club just broke ground on a new clubhouse in Harlem led by the dedicated people who are really doing hero's work, making a difference to shape and influence the next generation of leaders.

We are bringing you the causes close to our hearts all week. For more, you can go to cnn.com/championsforchange. Be sure to check out CNN's special "Champions for Change." It is hosted by our Dr. Sanjay Gupta. It airs this Saturday night, 9:00 p.m. Eastern, right here.

BERMAN: Look, I love the message it sends, especially today with everything that's going on in Washington.

HARLOW: Especially today.

BERMAN: And, of course, the baseball game that goes on tonight, which is for charity. This city coming together. Democrats and Republicans coming together. Just one of the major stories we're following today, along with major developments in the Russia investigation. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right, breaking news. We're going to bring you a live press conference from the family of Otto Warmbier, also representatives of his family. Warmbier is the U.S. student who was freed by North Korea after being detained for 17 months, brought back to Ohio in a coma. Let's listen in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A minute to issue a brief statement and then we'll go ahead and bring Fred to the podium. Thank you.

KELLY MARTIN, UC HEALTH SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS: Hello. My name is Kelly Martin. I serve as the senior director of communications at UC Health. I'm here today specifically representing UC Health's University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

During the past 48 hours, I've had the privilege to get to know Fred, Cindy, Austin and Greta Warmbier, and they are truly incredible people. I feel like I know Otto through you.

Later today, at the request of the Warmbier family, three UC Health physicians caring for Otto will be sharing details of his medical condition. I can tell you that today at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Otto is in stable condition but has suffered a severe neurological injury. Again, the physicians specifically caring for Otto will provide the medical details later this afternoon.

On behalf of UC Health, we are sincerely honored to care for Otto and the entire Warmbier family.

Thanks.

[09:59:53] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

OK. Thank you, everyone, for coming here. And I've made a decision this morning to wear the coat that Otto wore when he was, I don't know, a prisoner in North Korea. This is the coat he wore when he did his confessions.