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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Wint in Custody; Police Warned About Biker Revenge Attacks; ISIS Advances in Iraq & Syria. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired May 22, 2015 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:30:00] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: He was tracked by law enforcement to New York City, but apparently fled New York just before officers arrived. He was found in a hotel in College Park, Maryland, with five other people -- three males, two females. Police say, law enforcement says, all six left the hotel in two vehicles and were followed for five miles before being caught. No one was hurt during these arrests.
But it is a dramatic development for people, particularly in the capital area who've been watching the case. Wint, the man has a long history with run-ins with law enforcement. Court records show he has three assault convictions in New York state dating back to 2007. He also has an outstanding arrest warrant for violating an order of protection involving a former girlfriend. In the Washington, D.C. area, he has been charged with domestic violence, burglary and assault.
This, though, is his former attorney, Robin Ficker. This man insists there is no way -- he claims there is no way that Wint could commit this kind of crime.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBIN FICKER, WINT'S FORMER ATTORNEY: It's not his act. He's a nice guy. He's patriotic. He's kind. I defended him in six cases. He was not found guilty in any of those cases in 2005 and 2006. They've got the wrong guy. It's not him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: We will see.
Of course, police connected DNA found on pizza crust in the mansion that burned down to Wint. The suspect worked for Savapoulos' company at least 10 years ago as a laborer. He is now facing first degree felony murder charges this morning.
ROMANS: Texas law enforcement officials are investigating specific threats against police officers from local bike gangs. This comes in the wake of a shootout between rival gangs in Waco, a shootout, a big biker shootout that left nine people dead.
Some bikers believe police escalated that violence. Now, the Texas Department of Public Safety has sent out a warning that top level officers and their families are being targeted.
CNN's Evan Perez has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EVAN PEREZ, CNN JUSTICE REPORTER: John and Christine, the Bandidos biker gang is, quote, "out for blood." That's the warning from a new bulletin issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. This is all in the wake of a shootout last weekend at the restaurant in Waco, Texas that left nine dead and nearly 200 people arrested.
The bulletin warns law enforcement agency that Bandidos and Black Widows motorcycle gang members have ordered a hit against Texas troopers and local police.
The warning lists potential trouble spots, including Austin, El Paso, Houston, and Corpus Christi, Texas.
The gang members are trying to obtain grenades and C4 explosives and plotting to attack high ranking members of Texas law enforcement with car bombs.
Now, the bulletin is based on information from an informant, and that hasn't been corroborated. But with the coming the Memorial Day weekend, a popular time for motorcycle club gatherings, police are taking the threat very seriously.
John and Christine, according to the bulletin, gang members believe police shot their fellow, quote, "brothers" at this Waco event.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Evan Perez, thank you for that. Now, it's still not clear what ignited the deadly shootout in Waco. Police have recovered hundreds of weapons from the crime scene the Twin Peaks restaurant. And there had been reports of parking space dispute triggered all this. But a waitress at the restaurant, excuse me, tells CNN it's much more complicated than that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
"AMY", WAITRESS, TWIN PEAKS: Contrary to what everyone is saying, it wasn't just over a parking space. I mean, it's a long -- it's been a long issue between Bandidos and Cossacks for a while. It just finally brewed up to where it erupted.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The Waco police are under fire at the same time. They're accused of arresting innocent bystanders in the aftermath of the shootout. Police deny that charge. They insist that 170 people arrested, all of them were involved in this big incident.
BERMAN: This morning, ISIS forces on the move in Iraq. After taking control of Ramadi less than a week ago, ISIS forces now heading east toward Baghdad. They continue to overwhelm government troops with mortar and rocket fire. One Iraqi military official describes the situation as very critical.
Let's get the latest from CNN senior international correspondent Iran Watson tracking all the developments for us -- Ivan.
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, John. What happened is after the Iraqi government forces lost control of the city of Anbar last Sunday, they pulled to the east towards a town called Habbaniya, and between Ramadi and Habbaniya, there's a town called Jusaba (ph). They were trying to establish and regroup and establish frontlines there. It appears ISIS had been able to punch through some of those initial frontlines in the town of Jusaba.
You still have Iraqi civilians fleeing the area.
[04:35:01] Our own Arwa Damon has been at a key bridge that has been really the only pathway out for civilians hoping to get out of Ramadi and escape the public executions that ISIS is so famous for and that bridge in the last couple of hours has been closed by the Iraqi security forces. They are dealing with the double challenge both hordes of civilians trying to get out, but also concerns ISIS agents mixed in with those crowds. So, that's a real security -- potential security threat.
We have been hearing a change of tune in some respects coming from Washington, coming from the U.S. government and particularly the State Department. A remarkable briefing coming from an unnamed State Department official on the fall of Ramadi who said a big reason that the city fell, that the Iraqi security forces collapsed there is that over the course of a 96-hour period, there were about 30 suicide car bombs sent by ISIS, 30, that targeted Iraqi security forces in that area and around ten of them had the, quote, "explosive capacity" of an Oklahoma City-type attack.
One of the measures that the U.S. government is now rushing in to play to try to help deal with these incredible armored vehicles loaded with explosives that get sent toward the frontlines. They look like something from the "Mad Max" movie is to rush some 2,000 anti- tank missiles to the Iraqi security forces. That's one of the latest measures that the U.S. government is planning to help try to slow down the advance of ISIS in western Iraq -- John.
BERMAN: Two thousand anti-tank weapons. That right now seems to be the majority of the aid going in there. Let's see if that's enough to make any difference.
Ivan Watson for us -- thanks so much.
ROMANS: Meanwhile in Syria, ISIS tightening its grip on the latest conquest. The city of Palmyra, the extremists dumping the decapitated bodies for their opponents in the city's historic streets, calling on citizens to turn in government soldiers. ISIS calling on citizens to expose government soldiers. Now, this latest developments triggering global concerns about the fate of Palmyra's priceless ancient ruins.
CNN's Ian Lee tracking the developments for us. He is live from Cairo this morning.
The ramifications of taking Palmyra, it's a way potentially to keep funding ISIS operations by selling illegal antiquities. It's also psychologically just devastating because it shows the reach and the ease ISIS is having in its record expansion here.
IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Christine. When you look at the taking of Palmyra, first, you do have the historical artifacts there that we have seen in other places in Iraq and Syria destroyed by ISIS. And we are waiting to see what will be the fate of the artifacts in Palmyra.
But there's also the funding element for ISIS, artifacts that they cannot move or are well-known, I was told are usually destroyed. Anything else is sold to the black market. Really, it's like robbing a bank for ISIS. They can get millions of dollars for these antiquities. We have seen into other areas where they have taken a hold of it, they start digging all over the area, looking for any sort of artifacts.
There are real numbers to this, too. Many artifacts can go for a range of $1 million. But that can buy a lot of weaponry, 12,000 roughly AK-47s according to the antiquities coalition, which monitors this, 2.5 million rounds for those. Or if you want to go with rocket- propelled grenades, they can get about 1,200 of them.
So, really, this is what they use to rearm themselves, get the weapons they need and continue these brutal advances across Syria, also in Iraq.
ROMANS: And each town, Ian, each town, each city that they take, and the Iraqi army flees, they are also taking Iraqi army equipment, Iraqi army weapons, tanks, Humvees and the like. So, as they expand, it is that much more devastating and they have that much more strength and financial support behind them.
Ian Lee, thank you so much for that.
BERMAN: Now, despite the gains in Syria and Iraq, holding territory now for nearly a year, President Obama insists the United States is not losing the war against ISIS. The president does say more needs to be done to help Iraqis capture territory they lost. Again, ISIS held Mosul for nearly a year.
While, the White House does concede there have been setbacks, listen to the assessment of the crisis in the Middle East from retired Army General Jack Keane.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. JOHN KEANE (RET), FORMER VICE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMY: The resources provided to support Iraq are far from adequate. The timing and urgency to provide arms, equipment and training is insufficient.
[04:40:03] And as such, we are not only failing, we are in fact losing this war.
JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I would acknowledge that we had seen a setback in Ramadi. I think you could accurately characterize the situation in Palmyra as a setback. It is a materially different one, though, because we don't have this local force on the ground that with whom we can coordinate and who we can support with coalition military air power.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: The U.S. now does admit that one of its air strikes in Syria killed two children last November. This is the first time the Pentagon acknowledged causing civilian casualties in Syria.
ROMANS: Time for an early start on your money this morning, this Friday morning.
Investors in a good mood heading into the holiday weekend. The S&P 500 sitting at a record. Stock futures are higher this morning. Markets in Asia are higher.
Guess what? The Cuban government is opening a U.S. bank account. That's right. Stonegate Bank, a Florida based chain that opens just a decade ago, it confirms it will host the Cuban government finances. Cuba, previously, had to do business with all cash transactions. The move will help renew U.S.-Cuba ties and will make it easier for Cuba to open an embassy in the U.S.
BERMAN: It's like no-fee checking. Cuba gets no fee checking or gets rewards. Air miles, Cuba gets air miles in its account for every dollar it spends.
ROMANS: Wall Street likes the new Stonegate stock is up in pre- market trading. But, you know, Cuba looking for a bank account.
BERMAN: I guess so.
ROMANS: What do the checks say?
(LAUGHTER)
BERMAN: All right.
Big news out of Baltimore. Six officers have now been indicted. That in the death of Freddie Gray. We will tell you the charges they face and do not face. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:45:22] ROMANS: A grand jury in Baltimore indicting six police officers on charges connected to the death of Freddie Gray. State attorney Marilyn Mosby says based on new evidence, some charges against the officers were dropped, others were added. Freddie Gray died last month after suffering a fatal spinal injury while he was in police custody.
CNN's Miguel Marquez has more for us this morning from Baltimore.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and John, this is a corner in West Baltimore, a corner that's seen some of the violence in the recent days and weeks here. This is Edmondson and Pulaski of West Baltimore. The people out here are with 300 Men March. It's been a movement that's been present here in Baltimore for several years. And certainly in last several weeks, they are trying to bring down the level of violence in this city. The word that these charges came down today is being treated as a victory on these corners here in West Baltimore.
The first time that Marilyn Mosby, the state's attorney, brought charges, she brought 28 charges total. The grand jury has now returned 28 charges, slightly different, though most serious of charges was second-degree murder. That is still there. There are six manslaughter charges, six assault charges, nine misconduct charges and six reckless endangerment charges. The one difference is the false imprisonment charges from previously have now gone away.
The other thing that happened, though, because these officers were meant to be in the initial hearing next week. Now that the grand jury has spoken, it moves it all into a different court, basically an end-round. Her critics who said she should recuse herself from this case.
The motion that was filed in the lower court now is null and void. They have to file it again or take another way to take on Marilyn Mosby whose position seems to be growing -- Christine, John.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Miguel for that.
A protest in Olympia, Washington, drawing hundreds of people angry over the shooting of two unarmed black men by a white police officer. The two men, step brother, Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin (ph), they are suspected of shoplifting. Police officials say one suspect assaulted an officer before the shooting. Both men are expected to survive. This incident is now under investigation.
ROMANS: The Florida man who landed a gyrocopter on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol last month pleading not guilty in federal court to the six charges against him. Sixty-one-year-old Douglas Hughes pulled the stunt as a protest against big money influence in politics.
Outside the Washington, D.C. courthouse, Thursday, Hughes says he had no regrets really.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOUG HUGHES, GYROCOPTER PILOT: Nobody else could do what I did and get away without at best being forced down. At worst, being shot down. I highly recommend nobody try it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The charges against Hughes could land him in prison for up to nine and a half years. Again, he is pleading not guilty, John. But he sent a video and letter to the media beforehand saying he was going to do it. It's going to be hard to defend him, I think.
BERMAN: I think that's a tough one.
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates who is now president of the Boy Scouts of America is calling on that organization to end its ban on gay scout leaders. Gates says the Boy Scouts do not act on their own, it is likely the courts will force them to do so. When he was defense secretary, Gates helped end the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell".
ROMANS: All right. New revelations about the money flowing into the Clinton Foundation. It received more than $26 million in previously undisclosed payments from companies, universities and other foreign sources. The money was paid as fees for speeches by Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. The disclosure by the foundation comes amid scrutiny of foreign donors and whether any of the funding sources could be a conflict of interest for Hillary Clinton in her bid for the presidency.
BERMAN: President Obama's trade agenda took a step forward. The Senate advanced legislation that would strengthen his hand in trade talks with Pacific Rim nations.
The fast track measure would allow the White House to negotiate trade deals that Congress could accept or reject but not change. The president says the Pacific trade deal would open access to more global markets. Opponents say it would cost American jobs.
And the fight is within the Democratic Party which almost derailed this vote again yesterday. Mitch McConnell had to give out handouts to the Democratic senators to get this through.
And the hard fight is in the House where it all heads now.
ROMANS: It's going to be interesting. Elizabeth Warren -- Senator Elizabeth Warren at odds with the president on this one.
All right. Biologists assessing the damage from the California oil spill. How long it's going to take to clean this up. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:53:25] BERMAN: This morning, Coast Guard officials say cleaning up the oil spill along the central California coastline could take months. Crews are scooping up patches of crude oil spill from a pipeline spill that has closed beaches and endangered wildlife. Look at that.
The accident is raising new questions about the pipeline owner's past.
Let's get more now from CNN's Sara Sidner.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, Christine, the clean up continues here in the beaches of Santa Barbara. We are still smelling the putrid smell of crude oil. And you can see, the crude oil splashed all over the rocks. There is still plenty to do and it will take at least a week before they begin to open some of these beaches here.
And we should also talk about what is happened with this company in the past because they have a checkered record when it comes to dealing with their pipelines. About 10 years ago, they had -- between 2004 and 2007, they had a series of 10 spills in states across the country, including Kansas, Texas and Louisiana. And those spills culminated in a settlement with the government, with the EPA, and with the Justice Department.
They ended up settling for $41 million. And that $41 million was supposed to go toward paying to upgrade about 10,000 miles of crude oil pipeline.
The company says it did that and safety is a priority. But, certainly, we're seeing again a problem here with that same company. We asked a lot of questions, but we didn't get answers when it came to their record -- John, Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. A lot more answers needed in that one. And, you know, for Memorial Day weekend, those beaches are closed. Beautiful stretch of the country --
[04:55:02] BERMAN: Huge camp sites, too. Thousands of people.
ROMANS: Those beaches are closed.
All right. Memorial Day weekend is here. That means big sales, the deep discounts, and what you should wait to buy. An early start on your money, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. Let's get a start on your money this morning.
U.S. stock futures higher. Markets in Asia are up as well. The S&P 500 record high yesterday. The market is closed on Monday.
We'll keep an eye on shares of Lumber Liquidators. Look at that one, one day after its CEO unexpected resigned, the stock fell 16 percent yesterday. It's down, John, nearly 70 percent this year as the fallout of the "60 Minutes" report that flooring containing dangerous levels of toxic chemicals were imported from China.
Memorial Day weekend is here and so are some big sales. What are the real deals this holiday weekend?
BERMAN: What are they?
ROMANS: Well, Retail Me Not gave us a list. The best deal, mattresses, up to 70 percent --
BERMAN: Go to the mattresses as they say on --
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: Major retailers, patio furniture also a smart buy.
BERMAN: Put your mattress on the patio.
ROMANS: Look for discounts on grills. You can grill from the mattress on the patio furniture.
BERMAN: There's so much you can do this weekend.
ROMANS: Some sales to avoid.
Retail Me Not says wait to buy electronics and tools. The best deals for those would be around Father's Day, and hold off on buying swim wear and video games. You'll get better prices on those toward the end of the summer.
You know I love to save a buck.
BERMAN: I've heard.
ROMANS: I love to save more than a buck.
BERMAN: I've got to hold off on buying the Speedo.
ROMANS: Wow, that was an image I was not ready for.
It will be a busy weekend on the nation's highways. AAA says 37 million Americans will hit the road, traveling more than 50 miles this holiday weekend in their Speedos. That's up 5 percent from last year. Analysts say a stronger economy and lower gas prices are boosting the number of road trips.
