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Kavanaugh And His Accuser To Testify Tomorrow Before Senate; Bill Cosby Sentenced To Three To 10 Years In State Prison; FBI Offers $10,000 Reward In Hunt For Missing N.C. Boy; CNN Reality Check: Trump At The U.N. Aired 7:30-8a ET
Aired September 26, 2018 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[07:30:00] BETH WILKINSON, ATTORNEY FOR BRETT KAVANAUGH: I think there is lots of reasons why women don't talk about sexual assault when it happens and nobody is questioning why women might not do that for exactly the reason we're seeing today, that people on both sides of the aisle are using this for their own political purposes.
And I feel badly for her. She did not want to come forward. She did not want to say anything. She did not want her name used and someone leaked her name and forced her to have to be part of this.
And I don't think that's fair to her. I don't think -- I surely don't think it's --
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.
WILKINSON: -- fair to Judge Kavanaugh.
And I think people are using this whole thing for whatever their purposes are is dragging down the entire national discourse over something that is so serious and over a position of Supreme Court justice that is also so important to our country.
BERMAN: It is so important. It's a lifetime appointment.
And just for the record, that sex crimes prosecutor who noted that women often don't come forward is Rachel Mitchell, who will be doing the questioning on behalf of the Senate Republicans.
Who noted that women often don't come forward in RAINN, which is the rape and abuse and incest support group says that seven out of 10 women don't actually report these crimes or alleged crimes to the authorities. So we do know that often, it goes unreported.
Again, asking about something the judge said the other day -- and you've been an attorney for a long time -- does virginity preclude the possibility of sexual assault?
WILKINSON: I don't even -- I knew he was being asked about that in terms of an outrageous set of allegations by Mr. Avenatti, who still refuses the day before the hearing to even reveal what those allegations are.
And so I think he was responding to that specific set of just -- you know, if those things are even close to being true, he should be reporting those right away and he shouldn't be holding them back for some kind of political purpose --
BERMAN: I think --
WILKINSON: -- or some kind of media circus.
BERMAN: Sure.
WILKINSON: And that's what Judge Kavanaugh was responding to.
And I -- again, I think it's so sad that we have to have these kind of discussions about someone's sex life when we're talking about something -- a very specific allegation that is difficult to talk about and difficult to corroborate.
And so then we have someone coming out who has already announced that they want to run for president and refuses to even turn it over to the Senate -- not us, but to the Senate Judiciary Committee --
BERMAN: Understood.
WILKINSON: -- any evidence that he may or may not have.
BERMAN: And again, we're not going to get in an argument on Michael Avenatti right now.
I was merely saying -- because one of the parts in that interview that's been played and discussed quite frequently is when Judge Kavanaugh talked about the fact that he was a virgin, as he put it, for many, many years after college.
And I just want to establish again that virginity does not preclude a possibility of sexual assault and in and of itself isn't a defense against sexual assault.
WILKINSON: You're trying to tie together that with somehow suggesting he was using --
BERMAN: I'm not --
WILKINSON: -- that to defend against sexual assault.
BERMAN: I'm not suggesting he was using it to defend anything. All I'm saying is that I just want to make clear that whether or not in and of itself it is something that precludes the possibility of sexual assault.
WILKINSON: This is part of the problem. If you would let me finish, I -- this is, I think, again, what is -- what is wrong with this whole process.
He was answering that question based on what Mr. -- the allegations Mr. Avenatti has said. No one is claiming that, you know, your sexual activity could preclude or proves that you were involved with any kind of sexual assault. BERMAN: The FBI -- sorry, the Senate Judiciary Committee says there will only be two witnesses at the hearing tomorrow -- there will only be two witnesses at the hearing tomorrow -- Judge Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford.
We've talked about these four people who have sworn that they were told by Christine Blasey Ford of this assault.
Would it be helpful to have them come and testify before the Senate?
WILKINSON: As I understand it, they provide -- they've all provided sworn statements or written statements about what they know. And I do not blame them for not wanting to be dragged into this and cross- examined by the media and dragged through the mud and called -- we've had so many people call us and report that they've been hounded by the media.
BERMAN: Yes.
WILKINSON: They've been given -- sent e-mails and texts from groups saying can you find any dirt on Judge Kavanaugh.
So I don't blame any of these people for not wanting to participate in what's starting to appear to be a total circus.
BERMAN: By the way, we have no knowledge about whether or not they want to participate or not. What we do know is that the Senate doesn't want to call them. Nor does the Senate want to call Mark Judge, who is, according to Professor Ford, the only other person who was in the room for this alleged assault which Judge Kavanaugh denies.
Would his testimony be important?
WILKINSON: As you know, he has sent out a statement from his attorney absolutely denying that it occurred and saying it's not consistent at all with what he knows about Judge Kavanaugh and having been friends with him during that very time period. He doesn't want to testify.
He doesn't want to be involved with this nor do the other people who also provided statements, including a young lady who at the time was very close friends with Dr. Blasey who said she has no recollection of this. She doesn't ever remember meeting Judge Kavanaugh. And she doesn't want to be involved either for all the reasons that we can understand.
And I'm sure we will see tomorrow when people start questioning Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey.
[07:35:00] BERMAN: Finally, President Trump, yesterday, suggested that Debbie Ramirez, who is the woman who says that when she was a freshman at Yale, Judge Kavanaugh put his genitals in her face, which he denies -- President Trump, yesterday, said she was messed up at the time and drunk.
Again, whether or not she was drinking, do you think that that is pertinent to her memory -- her alleged memory of this incident? WILKINSON: I think what's pertinent -- and again, it is what actually occurred and what people remember -- what corroboration is there.
As I understand it, she originally told her friends just weeks ago that she didn't even remember it was Judge Kavanaugh. And that everyone else that she's named that was at the party said it didn't happen. And that's the best evidence that we have.
BERMAN: Beth Wilkinson, I appreciate you coming on and helping, again, clear up some of the statements that Judge Kavanaugh has made in the last few days. Tomorrow will be a very big day. We know you've been very busy so we appreciate your time.
WILKINSON: Thanks very much.
BERMAN: So --
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: So --
BERMAN: An interesting walk down the statements made by Judge Kavanaugh.
HILL: It is, and I think that's what's so fascinating in that. Those are the questions that a lot of people have, right? After watching that interview there were still more questions --
BERMAN: Yes.
HILL: -- some of them relating to his statements.
And one of the things that really stood out to me, too, that she said when she was talking about the yearbook comments that Judge Kavanaugh had made, and I'm paraphrasing what she here but she's basically saying it's a sad day if you're a yearbook comments are going to be a barometer for public service.
It's important to point out this is not running for a local position in terms of public service. The reason so many people are interested is because, as you said, this is a lifetime appointment for a job that affects millions of Americans for good and for bad, depending on how people feel about it. But it is a lifetime appointment and that's why there's extra scrutiny.
BERMAN: It is. And again, now we have this new standard of the statements that Judge Kavanaugh --
HILL: Yes.
BERMAN: -- has made on his own behalf and things he has said on his own, and that's what needs to be tested -- the issue of whether or not he has always treated women with dignity.
That's where the yearbook comes into play -- the idea of what he actually regrets about drinking -- and she did clear that up. And it's a shame there because it would be good to know. You just -- he regrets the yearbook page is what she said. He doesn't regret drinking too much, ever -- interesting.
We're going to talk much more about this, obviously, over the course of the next 90 minutes or so.
HILL: We are also going to talk much more about Bill Cosby in this hour. Bill Cosby waking up in prison today.
The stern message from the judge to Bill Cosby and also what his other alleged victims are now saying about his sentence. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:42:13] HILL: Disgraced comedian Bill Cosby waking up behind bars this morning. This picture just in to CNN. This is Bill Cosby's photo for the prison inmate system.
A judge sentenced the actor who is now classified as a sexual predator -- he sentenced him to three to 10 years in prison. This, on his conviction of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home 14 years ago.
CNN's Jean Casarez has been following this from the very beginning and was inside the courtroom for that sentencing and joins us now live from Collegeville, Pennsylvania.
Jean, I'm just curious. What was it like in those moments in the courtroom because the judge was also very clear in how he felt about Bill Cosby in that moment?
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was really surreal to be in that courtroom just as this was unfolding.
I want to tell everybody that we are right outside the maximum- security prison where Bill Cosby is today, SCI Phoenix. He spent his first night there last night.
But yesterday was really a two-step process with a packed courtroom the entire time.
The first step was that Bill Cosby was classified to be a sexually violent predator and that was a very big classification -- it was a big moment. I saw Bill Cosby's face and he just seemed shocked that he would be classified like that.
It was on to sentencing and it was filled with accusers from all over the country that had come to watch history in the making and to -- just to seek justice, really, through Andrea Constand.
Constand was there with her family and the judge talked about what a serious, serious sexual assault this was of planning and drugging, and getting the pills and giving them to her to render her unconscious.
He then issued the sentence which was three to 10 years in state prison.
But before there could be any reaction in court, the defense jumped up and they said -- your honor, we believe there is an audiotape that was used in the trial. It was tampered with. We want to appeal this and we're asking for bail.
The judge denied bail, but at that point the momentum and the emotion from the sentence just really wasn't there at that moment anymore.
But then he took off his jacket, his tie -- he was handcuffed and he was taken out of that courtroom.
You know, for the accusers that were there, this was a moment for them because some of them got to testify in the trial but most of them did not.
Alan Ladd's wife was there.
Tamara Green was there, who was the second person after Andrea Constand to publicly come out. She told me yesterday that she was watching CNN in 2005 and she hears Andrea Constand's allegations about sexual assault with Bill Cosby. She said that happened to me, and then she went to authorities herself.
[07:45:02] Listen to what she told me after the verdict.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAMARA GREEN, COSBY ACCUSER: Today's the day that we've been waiting for. Today's the day when we got to -- I got to witness the fact that Bill Cosby was rendered helpless by being taken out of the courtroom by policemen, which is what he inflicted upon all of us -- which was helplessness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CASAREZ: And after that sentencing verdict I saw everyone talking and -- but I saw Andrea Constand step away from her family and just look at Bill Cosby. It was a deep look. She was deep in thought. What she was thinking about, no one will probably ever know.
But this is someone that mentored her. She believed in him, she trusted him. And John, now she was not only the first person to ever go to police but she is the person that has sent Bill Cosby to prison -- John.
BERMAN: An incredibly meaningful and poignant day for some many of those women.
Jean Casarez, thanks so much for your reporting.
A family pleading for help as authorities desperately look for a missing autistic boy. Details on this huge search to find him, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:50:07] BERMAN: The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to a missing 6-year-old autistic boy in North Carolina. Authorities say Maddox Ritch vanished in a park on Saturday with his father.
The boy's mother has made a tearful plea for his return.
Our Dianne Gallagher joins us now with the very latest -- Dianne.
DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, John, complicating this even more is the fact that Maddox is non-verbal, so you're looking for a young boy with autism who cannot speak.
And you have had dozens of agencies scouring this 250-acre park in Gaston County -- it's a little bit west of Charlotte, North Carolina -- searching for Maddox. We're entering day four now of the disappearance.
They have got drones out searching for him, dogs, divers. They're beginning to drain the lake, which is more than an 80-acre lake, to see if that can help a little bit in this search here.
Meanwhile, they're trying to look for anybody who may have been in the park that day, John. They have asked for anyone who has got photos, they may have been there with their family.
People were eager to get out on that Saturday. They had been dealing with the weather from Hurricane Florence. It was a busy day at the park.
Right now, police are hoping that a professional photographer who was taking pictures of a family will come forward. Maybe they can talk to him about his pictures. Maybe there's something with Maddox in there -- as well as a male jogger who may have spotted him.
His mother made a tearful plea to people, saying that she just wants her son back. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARRIE RITCH, MOTHER OF MISSING BOY MADDOX SCOTT RITCH: I just want my baby home, please -- whatever you can do. Maddox is my whole world and my reason for living. I want my baby back in my arms.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: Now, Erica, to assist with this search because Maddox is non-verbal, they're using recordings of his parent's voices and playing those while they search. They did this overnight hoping that Maddox will respond to hearing their voices, Erica.
HILL: Oh, so tough. Dianne, thank you.
President Trump's U.N. speech met with laughter by world leaders. John Avlon gives his message a reality check, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HILL: President Trump's address to the United Nations, his aggressive nationalism and yes, the laughs heard round the world. CNN senior political analyst John Avlon is here now with a "Reality Check." Good morning, again.
JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning, Erica.
I've got a news flash for you. Donald Trump, not a big fan of the U.N. Remember this red meat speech from his 2016 campaign?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The utter weakness and incompetence of the United Nations -- the United Nations is not a friend of democracy, it's not a friend to freedom. It's not a friend even to the United States of America where, as you know, it has its home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AVLON: Not subtle. And when he finally stood in front of the General Assembly as president in 2017, Trump didn't pull any punches. He was a populist pugilist, putting America first and condemning Iran as a murderous regime.
[07:55:05] And who could forget this radioactive Elton John reference directed at North Korea's Kim Jong Un?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AVLON: Now, fast-forward to yesterday when Trump gave himself glowing grades for his first year in office and attacked what he called the ideology of globalism in favor of old-fashioned nationalism offered with a side shot of nonintervention. In other words, a slap at the very premise of the United Nations.
In Trump's sophomore scan of the globe, Iran is still a major threat. The socialist dystopia of Venezuela singled out for sanctions. But Kim Jong Un has suddenly become Captain Courageous.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: The missiles and rockets are no longer flying in every direction. I would like to thank Chairman Kim for his courage and for the steps he has taken.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AVLON: Look, it's welcome news that letters are flying between Kim and Trump rather than rockets, but Trump's own CIA director recently expressed skepticism that North Korea would actually denuclearize.
And as for China, Trump's getting tough, not backing down from the escalating trade war.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We will not allow our workers to be victimized, our companies to be cheated, and our wealth to be plundered and transferred.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AVLON: But there's one clear aggressor nation that avoided criticism from Trump in both U.N. addresses and it's the only one that actually attacked U.S. sovereignty. That would be Russia.
But the most headline-grabbing moment yesterday had to be this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country. America's -- so true.
(LAUGHTER)
TRUMP: I didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AVLON: It's not a good day when the President of the United States finds himself literally being laughed at by his fellow world leaders. But unfortunately, it tracks the perceptions of U.S. leadership in the world, which began the year at a new low.
It's almost enough to make you agree with this commentary. Quote, "We need a president who isn't a laughing stock to the entire world. We need a truly great leader -- a genius at strategy and winning."
Those aren't my words, they're Donald Trump's from 2014.
And that's your "Reality Check."
BERMAN: The populist pugilist.
HILL: Say that five times fast.
BERMAN: The populist pugilist.
John Avlon, thank you very, very much. I think the White House speechwriters may bring a new joke right around soon.
HILL: Yes, yes -- they just might.
Comics taking aim that U.N. speech. Here's a look at your "Late-Night Laughs."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SETH MEYERS, NBC HOST, "LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS": President Trump claimed that he has accomplished more than any other president in history and world leaders in the audience laughed. Though, technically, they were still laughing from when he said, "Hello, I'm the President of the United States."
JAMES CORDEN, CBS HOST, "THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN": And they say Donald Trump can't bring people together. I mean, even Israeli and Iranian diplomats at the U.N. coffee machine were like all right, all right -- look, I know we're sworn enemies but can we talk about that Trump thing just for a second?
STEPHEN COLBERT, CBS HOST, "THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT": I can't believe the only guy he praised was Kim Jong Un. Putin is going to be jealous. I will not be ignored.
JIMMY KIMMEL, ABC HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!": After the speech, Trump claimed he meant to make them laugh and he said it was a joke. Of course, he said it was a joke.
Watching Trump speak at the United Nations is like when your alcoholic uncle grabs the microphone at your wedding. No good can come of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: No comment.
BERMAN: Those guys -- those guys -- I think it may be the first U.N. speech the late-night comics have ever watched. It was good.
HILL: And, yes -- yes.
BERMAN: The president is bringing people together.
HILL: He is. He's the uniter.
BERMAN: All right. We have a lot of news, including some breaking developments in Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation battle, so let's get to it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: The second accuser has nothing but she admits that she was drunk.
SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D), NEW YORK: She's being disparaged publicly by this president. I just hope the American public are paying attention.
SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D), CONNECTICUT: Scheduling this hearing, even before hearing Dr. Blasey Ford, demonstrates exactly the disregard for assault survivors.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: They knew about this since July the 30th. For them to complain about the process is like an arsonist complaining about a fire.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was no place that he likes to be as much of a disruptor.
TRUMP: It's so true. I didn't expect that reaction but that's OK.
RALPH PETERS, U.S. ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL (RET.): It's pretty grim when the world is, indeed, laughing at a U.S. president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.
BERMAN: Mike Pence didn't know what to do at that point. Was he supposed to laugh? How was he supposed to react to the president's speech?
Good morning.
HILL: That's a tough spot to be in.
BERMAN: Indeed.
Welcome to your NEW DAY. It's Wednesday, September 26th, 8:00 in the east.
Alisyn is off. Erica Hill is with me.
Overnight, new developments that could affect the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Four people have come forward with sworn statements that Christine Blasey Ford told them about her alleged sexual assault that she says took place 36 years ago.
