Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Riots Erupt Again in Missouri over Police Shooting; Police Relations with Communities and Perceptions of Young Black Men Discussed; U.S. Air Strikes Target ISIS Militants near Mosul Dam; Rick Perry Indicted for Abuse of Power

Aired August 16, 2014 - 14:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, hello again, everyone. I'm Fredericka Whitfield. Here are the top stories we're following in the CNN NEWSROOM.

We begin with a major development and a big question today for the police department in Ferguson, Missouri. Why did they release this surveillance video yesterday after apparently the Department of Justice asked them to hold off on doing so? Let's go straight to CNN's Rene Marsh at the White House. So Rene, what more are we hearing about this conversation or advice given by the Department of Justice to Ferguson police?

RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, this is very significant in the sense that for the first time we're getting a behind-the-scenes look essentially at the conversation that was happening before the controversial release of this surveillance video. So we now know based on sources telling our CNN's Evan Perez that the Department of Justice thought this was a bad idea from the very beginning. They objected to the release of this surveillance video. They made that very clear as early as Thursday, telling the Ferguson police department that they should not release the video because they believed that it would enhance or escalate the tensions already pretty high within this community.

So that conversation happened on Thursday. It appeared both parties agreed because the video was not released. Fast forward to Friday now, and Ferguson police department does indeed release this video. Apparently that agreement that they had went out of the window.

Unclear what changed from Thursday to Friday. We have not heard from Ferguson police officially now that we have this new information here. But we do know this. When that video was released, that police chief received a lot of sharp criticism, also accused of attempting to smear the character of Michael Brown in an attempt to possibly make him look less sympathetic. He was asked, the chief was asked at the press conference what was the thinking behind releasing this video? And this is what he said on Friday. He said that he felt that he had to because the media requested it through a Freedom of Information request, and he feared that the police department would be sued if he did not release this video. So that is the explanation we received on Friday. We do want to point out, Fred, that the DOJ's advice was just that,

advice. They could not make the Ferguson police department listen to them, essentially. We do know that investigators with the Justice Department also have a copy of this video. They never planned on releasing this video. And just to reset, the DOJ has a role here, but it is very separate from the criminal investigation. They are squarely focused on determining was Michael Brown's civil rights violated. So that is their role here, and that is how they come into the picture. But the headline today, Fred, Department of Justice said this was a bad idea and Ferguson police department did not listen.

WHITFIELD: And so, Rene, is this customary or is it unusual that DOJ would offer that kind of advice?

MARSH: Well, I think when you look at the environment that we're operating in where emotions are very high, we saw a lot of outbreak as far as violence within the community during these protests, I think when you take all of that into account, although they are running their own independent investigation, they're going to weigh in. We saw Attorney General Holder weigh in about the sort of military-style weapons that he saw being used by this local police department. So they're there, they have a presence, they're very hands-on. However, it is very clear what their role is when it comes to the law here, and their role is strictly on that question of was his civil rights violated.

WHITFIELD: All right, Rene Marsh at the White House, thanks so much.

All right, people outraged over Michael Brown's death held a peaceful vigil today. Protesters also gathered outside the Ferguson police department with arms raised, the position witnesses say the unarmed teenager was taking when he was shot dead by a police officer. Last night protests escalated, however, into violence, looters robbing three stores and demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails at the Domino's pizza restaurant there. Firefighters did put out some of the flames, but a SWAT team across the street didn't move in or arrest anyone at the time of looting taking place.

But the crowds did eventually disperse. Our correspondents Ed Lavandera and Ana Cabrera are on the ground at Ferguson. Let's begin with Ed outside that Ferguson Police Department. So what are you learning today about the police officer who has now been named, Darren Wilson?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Darren Wilson, but you know the police department, even though they released the video images of Michael Brown involved in what they say was a strong-arm robbery yesterday, many people still angry about the fact of the picture of Darren Wilson, the 28-year-old officer involved in this shooting, was not released.

So they describe him, the police department here in Ferguson, as a six-year veteran, as a police officer, four of those years as a police officer spent with the Ferguson police department. He's described as quiet and distinguished. We had a chance to speak with a friend of his, someone who's known Darren Wilson since high school, a man by the name of Jake Shepard. They went to high school together, played on the same hockey team. He says he was stunned when he heard that police had announced that his friend was involved in the shooting. In fact he says that he thought there must have been another Darren Wilson on that Ferguson police force who was involved when he first heard that news.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE SHEPARD, DARREN WILSON'S FRIEND: I could never imagine him even in that situation taking someone's life, let alone taking someone's life with malicious intent, you know. He's just the last person on earth that you would think to do something like that. I mean, it's just shocking.

I can say without speaking to Darren, without even having heard his statements, that at that moment in time he was scared for his life. I am 100 percent positive of that, because I could never imagine him even in that situation taking someone's life let alone taking someone's life with malicious intent, you know. He's just the last person on earth that you would think to do something like that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Jake Shepard went on to tell us, Fredricka, that he's always seen his friend, Darren Wilson, as someone who's well-mannered, courteous, very quiet, very, very calm, and the reason he had become a police officer is, in his words, he said that Darren Wilson was someone with a big heart who wanted to help people.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ed. Ana Cabrera also on the ground there in Ferguson. You're at the location where the looting took place last night. Today things calmer, quieter, what are people saying about what happened and why?

ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Definitely calmer and quieter. It was raining all day until now where you see we have a nice break in that rain and the sun just about to peek through the clouds. Of course you can also see behind me there is law enforcement on scene. And we've just learned, they just pulled up within the last few minutes, in fact, that they're blocking this street here because there is a protest march that is taking place right now.

You may recall it was almost exactly almost to the hour a week ago today that Michael Brown was shot and killed. It happened a little after noon local time, so it would have been an hour earlier. And so there is a march that is supposed to be coming down this road.

And again, you mentioned, we're right in the heart of where that looting happened last night. We are standing across the street from that store where Michael Brown allegedly went in and took those cigars earlier on. And so last night we saw looters going into that store, and police not really responding or stopping looters from vandalizing and stealing property from several stores within this area.

We've been talking to those store managers as they are cleaning up today about what happened, and they have expressed a little bit of anger, frustration, and confusion about why law enforcement didn't come in and stop these people who were breaking the law and getting into their stores. And so there are still questions about what exactly law enforcement should do given the nature of the tensions that have been developing and festering out here for the past week when law enforcement was initially criticized for overreacting and showing too much force. Now there's the criticism for them not doing enough.

We can also point out that citizens in this community have come forward saying we really care, and they have tried to take a stand against the violence. They want peace, they want answers, and they want justice in the case of the shooting death of Michael Brown.

WHITFIELD: And the governor's visit today, how important, how significant is that?

CABRERA: Well, I think it is important, because he too has been criticized throughout the past week for not showing up, not being here where the heart of the unrest has occurred. He's gone to some of the neighboring communities. We saw him twice now go to a church that's in Florescent, which is just a neighboring suburb right next to Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis. He did come directly to Ferguson, though, the last couple of days, and he sent out a tweet this morning. I want to put that up on the screen for you, talking about how he will also be here today. And he said "Long night. Thanks to all who tried to stop unnecessary violence. I will be in Ferguson today." And again, as he mentioned, Thanks to those who tried to stop the necessary violence. Those who were trying to stop were actually protestors who were demanding peace.

He's supposed to hold a press conference this afternoon at 3:00 local time, so in just two hours, where he says he's going to lay out some new action steps they're going to try to put in place tonight to prevent more looting and more unrest, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ana Cabrera, thanks so much, and Ed Lavandera as well, appreciate it.

Overseas, a new round of U.S. air strikes hit northern Iraq early today in an effort to take back a critical dam from militants. ISIS, the so-called Islamic state, took over the Mosul dam earlier this month, and with it they took control of the flow of energy and water in that region. We're also hearing reports of a deadly attack on a Yazidi village in northern Iraq. Senior International Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh is live for us down in Erbil, Iraq, to give us the update on those two fronts.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Certainly when it comes to the U.S. air strikes that happened early this morning, and they have been pounding ISIS positions far and away and around that vital part of Iraq's infrastructure, the Mosul hydroelectric dam. Now we understand ISIS is still there, still it seems to be in the dam, and there are engineers still there as of a few hours ago. But those air strikes clearly paving the way for something to come next, and most believe there has to be ground forces. Conflicting reports as to whether the Kurdish militia, the Peshmerga is already moving into position towards that dam. Officially or not officially they may be on the way.

But that feeds into the broader issue of how easily will ISIS vacate this vital piece of infrastructure. It feeds electricity to not just the area around it but a lot of Iraq altogether, a vital part, a vital prize in their advance. So the real fear being if so much heavy weaponry is being used around that dam, could it be structurally damaged in some way in a fight for it?

But also as you mentioned, troubling news coming out just to the south of Sinjar near the dam. A Yazidi village known as Kocho, which you've been hearing troubling reports out of the past few days, ISIS moved into it, advanced there recently. Recently we heard that 80 men were killed in that advance and 120 women abducted by ISIS. That itself would have been terrifying. We are hearing unconfirmed reports from another official that in fact those numbers may amount to as many as 300 plus men killed and potentially 1,000 women and children abducted. I should say those are not confirmed, but they do tally with ISIS behavior in the past, so many deeply concerned about exactly what's happening in that village now.

WHITFIELD: All right, Nick Paton Walsh, thanks so much from Erbil.

All right, now back to Ferguson, Missouri, where so many emotions are bubbling to the surface there. Michael Brown's shooting is raising a whole lot of questions about race, relations with law enforcement, and why things happened the way they did there. We dig into some of those questions next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A peaceful morning in Ferguson, Missouri, this afternoon. People held a vigil for 18-year-old Michael Brown outside the police station to mark one week since his death. The town has been through a roller coaster of emotions in this week -- anger, frustration, sadness, and there are feelings that have rippled across the country. This story has touched a nerve and raised so many questions.

Was this a case of racial profiling? Was the suspected robbery at a convenience store related at all to the shooting death of an 18-year- old? And how did whatever happened last Saturday escalate to an officer shooting this teenager? Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said yesterday the community response shows that there is a deeper wound here beyond Michael Brown's death.

To talk more about this, I'm joined now by Judge Glenda Hatchett, a former presiding judge over Fulton County's juvenile court, here in Atlanta, Reverend Wilbur Purvis, who started a program at his church to empower and mentor black children and teens, and Henry Kelly, the chairman of the board for 100 Black Men of Atlanta, a nonprofit focused on mentoring black youth. Good to see all of you.

HENRY KELLY, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, 100 BLACK MEN OF ATLANTA: Thank you for having us.

WHITFIELD: So let's talk about this, because so much has happened throughout the week. But the conversation has changed. While it went initially from, what's the conversation we have with our young black sons, young black men, the conversation has now evolved into, what can a community do to improve relations with police, law enforcement? Mr. Kelly, in your view, what has happened here in terms of your concerns, the questions that you have had over the week, and how now perhaps it has crystallized into a new thought or concern?

KELLY: Well, first let me say that our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, the Brown family, regarding what has transpired here. When you think about an African-American young man in today's society, it's unfortunate that we're having seemingly a trend of attacks on black youth and black me period, because when you think about it, it goes back to the Rodney King situation of where law enforcement presumptuously seems to take a negative view when they encounter an African-American male.

So what 100 Black Men have tried to do with the youth that we work with, particularly the males, is focus on communicating to them what should they do when they encounter law enforcement.

WHITFIELD: Will that conversation take a turn, will it change now as a result of what took place with Michael Brown?

KELLY: I think that it will become more intense. As a matter of fact out national organization, 100 Black Men of America, we're planning to bring together leaders from around the country to have a summit to focus on strategies that we in our community can embrace to help avoid another situation like what has occurred with Michael Brown.

WHITFIELD: And judge, what are your concerns as it pertains to the surveillance video that has been released? Ferguson police felt like it was justified to do so six days after the shooting took place. But then the DOJ we understand said the recommendation was don't. How does this influence or change the dialogue here?

JUDGE GLENDA HATCHETT, "JUDGE HATCHETT" TV COURT SERIES: I think that it really just confuses the dialogue. I do. I think it confuses the conversation, because at the end of the day, if he did, and we don't know for sure that he did, but if he did, hypothetically someone goes in and robs a convenience store and then is later confronted by the police, you have to ask whether that confrontation was appropriate or whether it was an execution. And so in my mind the two are separate and distinct. He was not leaving the convenience store at the time. He was not being pursued. And even if he had been pursued, it is so critically important that we understand this.

But still, the question is, did it justify that level of force? And we have to be very clear in that conversation. I will say that I thought the police chief's explanation, to say that it was going to have to be released under the Freedom of Information Act, I thought that was an interesting thing for him to say --

WHITFIELD: Because that wasn't the argument when there were questions about the release of the officer's name.

HATCHETT: You can't have it both ways. WHITFIELD: So these kinds of inconsistencies, pastor, how concerning

is it to you that there are lots of distractions here now. Still at the core is what happened just preceding the first shot?

REVEREND WILBUR PURVIS, LEAD PASTOR, DESTINY WORLD CHURCH: Correct.

WHITFIELD: But there are so many other things that have kind of clouded people's judgment or perhaps precipitated new questions from the looting to the peaceful protests versus protests that weren't peaceful.

PURVIS: Right.

WHITFIELD: So how do you interpret this landscape now?

PURVIS: I think America has to have a real candid conversation about, number one, race, about the involvement of police in community. There needs to be a serious question about whether or not we are allowing -- and I want to say this at the outset. I don't think every police officer is bad. There are some guys out there and ladies who are putting their lives on the line every day.

HATCHETT: Every day.

PURVIS: And protecting us and doing a great job.

WHITFIELD: You're right.

PURVIS: But at the same time, we cannot -- it's twofold. We must hold our children accountable. I think that's what we are talking about in terms of mentoring. We must hold and raise the standard and the bar for our own kids. And that's a conversation that I think the church community, community organizations are having. But at the same time we also must hold police officers who are not doing a good job accountable. We cannot allow renegade officers to hide behind the badge in the name of the law.

HATCHETT: I agree.

PURVIS: And allow our children to be mowed down on the streets like is happening now.

WHITFIELD: I've got lots of questions, including what's next from all of this. What's next in all the different areas that you just proposed, from the conversations with young men to the judicial system to the community to the relationship? We're going to take a short break right now, and when we come back, we'll explore all of that further.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Exactly one week ago today an 18-year-old, Michael Brown, was gunned down by a police officer, Darren Wilson. There's still so many unanswered questions. Back with me now, Judge Glenda Hatchett, Reverend Wilbur Purvis, and Henry Kelly. Good to see you guys stick around for this conversation. So we were talking about a distrust in many black communities as it pertains to the relationship with police officers. So now I wonder, Pastor Purvis, if this only worsens the situation, since it's not just Ferguson, Missouri, but this kind of strained relationship between the community and police is multiplied many times over. How does this worsen it?

PURVIS: Well, it magnifies because we're on a national, I dare say, an international stage. But again, I think we must now come together and begin to have this real dialogue that I mentioned a few moments ago about how do we fix it. We can rehearse the problems over and over. And I think one of the important things as relates to us is we must raise the standard of what we expect and what is the perception of African-American men. We've got to help America realize that every time you see a black male you don't automatically think thug, you don't automatically think criminal, you don't automatically think dropout, you don't automatically think threat.

And so in our church we're raising the bar for our males to say we expect great things. The greatness is on the inside of you, and we've got to raise that bar and continue to let guys know, boys in particular, that we believe in you. We know greatness resides on the inside of you, and that it's our job as mentors, as pastors, as business leaders, law professionals, to bring that out of our males.

WHITFIELD: Except many of these young men would say, I'm not the one responsible for that perception. So I'm not the one, me the black male, is not the one who has to be schooled on how to interpret me, but instead it's others. So how do you, Mr. Kelly, get at that? Because if it means teaching, schooling, helping people retool their thinking on what they see in a young black man, how do you get at that?

KELLY: One of the things that the 100 has tried to do is build relationships with local law enforcement here in the Atlanta community. So we have what we call a Saturday academy, and we actually bring in police officers to spend time with our students, because I think one of the key elements is any time you're talking about trust, it comes -- it starts with the relationship, and helping officers understand that these are -- these boys are no different than your sons. They have high energy. They want to be able to explore different things. And so when you see an African-American male walking along the street, you don't just naturally assume he's up to no good.

So what we've tried to do is bring law enforcement to the table with the students that we work with to be able to build relationships for them to see them in an environment where they start to hopefully understand that they are just boys with high energy just like any other average teenager. And just remember, you were one of those teenagers at one time, and, quite honestly, have more of a deference to want to give them a benefit of the doubt than to already prejudge that they're up to something that is no good.

WHITFIELD: And, Judge, this is not an overnight fix.

HATCHETT: It is not an overnight fix. And you know, I have seen this from so many different angles as a judge but also as a mother of two young men --

WHITFIELD: One in their 20s and the other in their 30s.

HATCHETT: Right, and who have both -- and one in a severe situation, they have been the subject and they have been targeted, as we say, in our neighborhoods, in our communities driving while black. And I have often wondered frankly what would have happened had an adult not intervened in the situation. In one situation, I might be one of these grieving parents right now, Fredricka. So this is very, very, very passionate. I'm very passionate on this issue because I have -- I have raised young black men.

Having said that, let me quickly tell you that this is -- it's not going to be an overnight fix, but there is going to have to be -- this is a problem that all of us, that all of humanity is going to have to address. We're going to have to address it from the legal situation. We can't continue to give police departments these high caliber weapons without sufficient training and without sufficient observation. I mean when you see these people on the streets treating citizens like we're in a war zone, it is in my mind despicable.

WHITFIELD: So, judge, your conversation with your now 20-something and 30-something year old son, what was your conversation with them, and at what point did you have the conversation with them that there will be people who interpret you a certain way just by virtue of what you look like?

HATCHETT: Absolutely. And I was very quick to say practical things. Don't reach for the glove compartment when you're stopped. They're very practical things. Keep your hands where they can see them.

KELLY: Yes, yes.

HATCHETT: Get out of the car if you're asked to get out of the car. And I know that my sons are held to a different standard. That is my reality. That is their reality. And Fredricka, wishing it so is not going to make it better. I have to make sure that as a parent I do whatever I can to protect not just my children but all of our children.

WHITFIELD: And most families who have a black son in the picture know about this conversation.

HATCHETT: Yes.

WHITFIELD: But there are some families who perhaps are unaware or don't feel like that conversation has to be had. But now you're talking about a young man, Michael Brown, who was not in the car. So all those things you talked about were presuming the child was in the car. So now they're walking on the street. What's the conversation with our young men today, especially given this is the springboard of a new conversation, the Michael Brown case?

KELLY: Well, it's interesting that you ask that question that way, because I have a 17-year-old son. His name is Phillip. And three weeks ago, he was driving my vehicle, which happens to be kind of a nice little sports car, and he was pulled over. And in a neighborhood that he -- he was actually near his school. And it was fortunate nothing occurred. It was during the daytime. But the officer said I just want to let you know you've got a light out in the back of your vehicle. And so that was a good situation.

But two years ago, he was stopped while walking with two other friends that were African-American males near his school by an officer saying, you know, are you guys supposed to be in this area? And it was like, yes, you don't belong here. And fortunately, the security for the school stopped by and was able to acknowledge that these were students of that school.

So we continue to drill in my case in our family to say that you have to understand unfortunately, and this was a conversation that my parents had with me, and unfortunately with my dad. So this is three generations where this same conversation is being -- is happening, and it's 2014. And so it's unfortunate. But you must tell young men, especially African-American men, that they are looked at differently, regardless of their socioeconomic status, because they are just viewed, when they're on the street, as a black male that's potentially up to no good.

WHITFIELD: And Pastor Wilbur, we saw the Ferguson police released the videotape alleging that this was Michael Brown in this surveillance tape robbing a store. That changed -- or that became a distraction, you know, in the conversation about what took place six days ago, and now seven days ago today, but yesterday six days ago of, you know, Michael Brown being gunned down in the street. Does that change the conversation? Does the release of that kind of information, this videotape, change the conversation that you will have with young men who are at this mentoring class at your church?

PURVIS: No, it does not. I think you used a perfect word, "distraction." The issue is Michael Brown still deserved civil rights.

KELLY: Absolutely.

PURVIS: The reality is it was broad daylight. The reality is he's 18. The reality is his hands were in the air. And so this officer is a trained -- he's trained to do -- I assume that he's trained to do what he does. And so, again, the conversation -- we do have to come alongside parents, and the church has to begin to say -- have the same kinds of conversations. Like tomorrow, at our church my message has totally shifted. It's not about whatever I was going to preach about seven days ago.

WHITFIELD: What's your message now?

PURVIS: Now it's how to I keep peace with the police. I'm going to give a 10-point message about how do African-American boys and girls, how do we when we're stopped, when we are stopped by police, how do we keep peace with the police? How do I survive a 15, 20-minute stop so that now the next day I'm going to college as opposed to planning for a funeral? HATCHETT: And I also have to say, Fredricka, that we have to remind

all people in this nation that we are a nation with laws. And that even, even if there is someone who is fleeing a scene as a suspect, that does not mean that you have street side justice. That person is entitled to the benefit of the justice system that should be brought in. And I am still convinced that whatever the circumstances are, that there was a way to have stopped him --

WHITFIELD: To diffuse the situation.

HATCHETT: To diffuse the situation. And the last time I checked, the standards are that you use your weapon as a last resort and that you only shoot to kill if you believe that you are immediately in threat of being killed.

WHITFIELD: So given that, do you trust the -- there are several investigations here.

KELLY: Yes.

WHITFIELD: There's the investigation of the shooting death, the investigation of the alleged robbery, the shooting death of -- I mean, the investigation of the police, whether that officer acted appropriately. Do you have confidence in the investigations that look at how these events transpired involving an officer, whether the officer acted appropriately, whether the police department is acting appropriately?

KELLY: Well, I think the good news is the Justice Department is involved, the FBI is involved. They are independent agencies that obviously are not based in Ferguson. So that provides some objectivity to be involved in this investigation. So I feel better that we have those agencies alongside the Ferguson police doing the investigation.

But I will tell you that the important point that I would like to make at this point -- these officers are being supported by the taxpayers of that community. And they should all, no matter what color they are, should feel that those officers are there to protect and to serve. And in this case --

HATCHETT: All of the citizens.

KELLY: All of the citizens.

HATCHETT: Yes.

KELLY: And in this case, as the facts at this point, it is a question of whether that officer was really looking to protect and serve, especially given the distance that he was away from Michael Brown, 35 feet, and at that time using his weapon. So from my perspective, I feel good that FBI, Department of Justice is also involved.

HATCHETT: May I just make the distinction a little bit. The Justice Department, though, is not investigating the actual act. That's an important distinction for all of us to remember. WHITFIELD: It's a civil right investigation.

HATCHETT: Whether his civil rights -- but I do agree that I think it's great that they're all involved. But they're just really going to be investigating whether Michael Brown's civil rights were violated.

PURVIS: We also can't let this die. A lot of times something like this will occur and we get all in an uproar and, you know, two weeks, two months, once it comes off the news, our commitment to making sure that justice takes place wanes. We've got to make sure that we keep it on the front page.

WHITFIELD: We'll leave it there, Pastor Purvis, Judge Hatchett, Henry Kelly. Thanks to all of you, appreciate it.

PURVIS: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: And we'll have much more in the Newsroom right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, top of the hour now. We're expecting at the top of the hour, rather, we're expecting to hear Texas Governor Rick Perry's response after being indicted on felony charges. The potential presidential candidate is accused of abusing his power and coercing a public servant. The governor is expected to speak at 3:00 eastern time. His lawyer has already spoken. Nick Valencia has more.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fred, Texas Governor Rick Perry is facing two felony counts stemming from an alleged threat that he made against a Democratic district attorney, Rosemary Lehmberg. She's a district attorney in Travis County, and Governor Perry threatened to withhold upwards of about $7 million from a unit, an anti-corruption unit that she was running, after she was busted for a DWI back in April, 2013. Lehmberg did not step down, and Governor Perry reportedly followed through with that threat, withholding money.

KVUE reports that the charges are coercion of a public servant as well as abuse of power. They also go on to say that Governor Perry will have to report to the Travis County jail to be booked and fingerprinted and take a mug shot. He will reportedly be able to continue on with his governorship for the time being.

But his attorneys are speaking out. They released a statement to CNN saying, quote, "We will continue to aggressively defend the governor's lawful and constitutional action and believe we will ultimately prevail." They went on to say this is political in nature and does not have a foundation to stand on. Governor Perry is expected to address the media at 3:00 p.m. eastern. Fred?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We're now just moments away from hearing from Texas Governor Rick Perry. He is expected to respond to being indicted by a grand jury on two felony charges. This is the front page of the "Austin American Statesman" today. Take a look. "Perry indicted for veto threat." He faces two felony charges, one on coercion and one on abuse of office.

Joining me right now is CNN's national political reporter Peter Hamby in Washington. So, Peter, this can't be good news. Of course he has not been convicted. This is strictly an indictment, meaning the case can go forward. But what is it that the governor is likely to say in this 3:00 scheduled press conference?

PETER HAMBY, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL REPORTER: Well, we've already gotten signals from Perry's legal team that they're going to fight these charges aggressively. I expect Perry to come out and say this is -- you know, these are drummed up charges in a Democratic county, Travis County is where this grand jury was empanelled. That where Austin is in Texas. That county is a fleck of blue in a sea of red. It's a hub of liberalism in the state.

And the Travis County district attorney who runs the public integrity in the state has often clashed with Perry and the Republicans who have power in the state house in Texas. So I expect him to come out strong. We've already seen other Republicans rally to his side. Ted Cruz, who's actually not, you know, one of Perry's best friends, to put it lightly, already came out attacking this indictment, saying that it's flimsy. We've even seen a tweet today from David Axelrod, President Obama's former adviser, who also said these charges seem kind of sketchy. So the Perry team is already kind of winning the message war here, and I expect Perry to just keep hammering what we've just been talking about in this presser a few minutes, Fred.

WHITFIELD: And is the feeling that the governor is coming out as quickly as this because, you know, he feels like these allegations are flimsy because he may potentially run again for president, or simply because it really is taking a direct stab at the way in which he is conducting business as the head of state?

HAMBY: I mean, it's all of those things. First of all, the Perry team are very confident that this veto threat was well within his constitutional authority. The governor of Texas has the right to veto money for an office, especially in the case of a district attorney who was arrested for drunk driving.

And then secondly, yes, of course your point, Fred, is absolutely the case. Perry is very likely to run for president. He needs to get out ahead of this, define it on his own terms, and really kind of right this, because while he might not be in total legal jeopardy, we don't know yet, this still is a political headache for him about a lot of potential landmines, and he's got to address it quickly, because he's going to New Hampshire next weekend. He's going to South Carolina to meet with Republican activists after that. It's going to be in the news and we're going to get our first glimpse today of how he's going to frame his response to this, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, what timing. Peter Hamby, thanks so much in Washington, appreciate that. We'll be back with much more in the Newsroom after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, any moment now we'll take you to Austin, Texas, where Governor Rick Perry will be addressing the camera there and the reporters there. He is now facing an indictment for abuse of power. We'll take you there live as it happens, just minutes away.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield. The next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM begins right after a short break with Poppy Harlow in New York.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)