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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Quadruple Murder Suspect Arrested; Police Warned About Biker Revenge Attacks; ISIS Advances in Iraq & Syria; Warriors Deny Rockets a Win in Game 2. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired May 22, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:00] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: 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.

Prices at the pump are creeping higher. National average is $2.74. That's up 26 cents from last month, but still close to $1 less than last summer.

So, hey, you can get a break on the gas compared with last year.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: EARLY START continues right now.

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ROMANS: Breaking news this morning. U.S. marshals arresting the man accused of murdering a Washington, D.C. family and setting their home on fire. How he was captured. That's ahead.

BERMAN: Happening now. Police on alert. Warn that biker gangs may be planning revenge attacks against officers' heavily armed biker gangs. Their plans coming up.

ROMANS: ISIS making critical gains across the Middle East, expanding at a record rapid pace in several directions. Many now questioning President Obama's strategy to take down the terrorists. Live coverage ahead.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. Nice to see you this morning.

BERMAN: It's very nice to see you.

I'm John Berman. It's Friday, May 22nd. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East.

And breaking overnight: manhunt over. Daron Wint is in custody. The prime suspect in the quadruple murder the nation's capital was taken into custody late last night. The 34-year-old ex-marine killed his previous employer, Savvas Savapoulos, along with the executive's wife, son and housekeeper before setting their $4.5 million mansion on fire.

This is what we know about the arrest: Daron Wint was tracked by investigators to New York City, but he fled just before officers arrived. He was found in a hotel in College Park, Maryland, with five other people, three males and two females.

Investigators say all six left the hotel in two vehicles and were followed for five miles before being apprehended. No one was hurt during these arrests. That is lucky.

Wint has a long history of run-ins with law enforcement. Court records show three assault convictions in New York state dating back to 2007. He also has an outstanding arrest warrant for violating an order of protection for a former girlfriend.

In the Washington, D.C. area, he has been charged with domestic violence, burglary and assault. His former attorney, though, a man named Robin Ficker, insists there's no way that Wint could not 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: Police connected DNA found on pizza crust and the burned down mansion to Wint. The suspect worked for the company belonging to Savvas Savopoulos at least ten years ago. He is facing first degree felony murder charges this morning.

ROMANS: Texas law enforcement officials say they are investigating specific threats against police officers from local bike gangs. This comes in the wake of a shootout between rival gangs in Waco 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.

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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, thanks for that.

Now, it's still not clear what ignited the deadly shootout in Waco. Police recovered hundreds of weapons, knives, guns from the crime scene the Twin Peaks restaurant. And there had been reports of parking space dispute triggered all this.

You know, 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.

[05:05:04] It just finally brewed up to where it erupted.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Meanwhile, Waco police are under fire at the same time. They're accused of arresting innocent bystanders in the aftermath of that shootout. Police deny that charge. They insist that 170 people arrested were involved in this big incident.

BERMAN: All right. Happening this morning: ISIS force on the move in Iraq. After taking control of Ramadi less than a week ago, ISIS forces now heading east toward Baghdad, apparently, overwhelming some government troops with mortar and rocket fire. One Iraqi military official describes the situation as very critical.

We want to get the latest from CNN senior international correspondent Ivan Watson -- Ivan.

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

ISIS in the last 24 hours appears to have pushed through at least one of the frontlines to the east of Ramadi, a frontline that set up by Iraqi security forces after they had to withdraw from Ramadi on Sunday, ceding control of this city, this key city to ISIS. So, it's another setback for the Iraqi security forces. It is still not a straight shot to Baghdad, but it does show that ISIS has enjoyed a certain amount of momentum. In the meantime, we have been learning a bit more about how the Iraqi

security forces retreated and what overwhelmed them last Sunday to give up control of the key city. According to a U.S. State Department official who gave a long and detailed briefing to journalists this week, in a 96-hour period, ISIS hit Iraqi forces in Ramadi with some 30 car suicide bombs, 30. And this official said at least ten of them had the power and had the force of Oklahoma City-style bombs, if you recall the horrific bombing in Oklahoma City more than a decade ago.

And that is part of what just simply overwhelmed the Iraqi security forces in that town. The Pentagon says that it is going to rush some 2,000 anti-tank missiles to the Iraqi security forces to try to give them some kind of defense against what are basically construction trucks and bulldozers that are wrapped in makeshift armor and loaded with explosives. Something straight out of a "Mad Max" movie, but terrifying for people who are not themselves suicidal fighters on the battlefield in Iraq -- John.

BERMAN: Sending these weapons, but there have to be troops, Iraqi troops willing to stay and use them. That, of course, is a problem in some places.

Ivan Watson for us, thanks so much.

ROMANS: Meanwhile in Syria, ISIS tightening its grip on its latest conquest in the city of Palmyra. The extremists dumping the decapitated bodies of their enemies in the city's historic streets, calling on citizens to turn on the government soldiers who may still be left behind. These latest developments triggering global concerns about the fate of Palmyra's priceless ancient ruins.

CNN's Ian Lee tracking the latest developments, live from Cairo for us.

And, you know, "Reuters" reporting now that, you know, ISIS advance in Palmyra is actually, they're gaining more territory. They're really taking that town and solidifying control of the town.

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Christine. As we heard from Ivan as well. ISIS is on the offensive. They're pushing out. They're gaining territory. The latest prize, Palmyra. There are a lot of ramifications there.

First off, you have civilians. Tens of thousands trapped there, as you said, killing people who they see as a threat. We heard at least 17 people so far have been killed. It is a vital crossroads that leads to Homs in the west and Damascus in the southwest. But also when you look at the antiquities, the historical site. You have the significance. This is a site that dates thousands of years old. It was important during Roman times. The Syrian government was able to pull out some statues beforehand, but now the rest is in ISIS' hands. We have seen in other parts of Iraq and Syria, they are not afraid to destroy any of the artifacts or sell them off.

I was at a conference about stolen antiquities. I talked to a former U.S. ambassador who told me about the supply and demand and had advice for Americans. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WENDY CHAMBERLIN, PRESIDENT OF THE MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE: You can call it as we used to call blood diamonds. These are blood antiquities. And it's important that the American public know that when they're buying antiquities, they check it out first. They don't want to be involved unwittingly supporting terrorist groups.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEE: Well, that was Wendy Chamberlin. She is the president of the Middle East Institute.

At this conference, they also gave some real numbers as well.

[05:10:00] One of these artifacts can go for up to $1 million which can buy them thousands of AK-47s, millions of rounds and also hundreds of rocket propelled grenades. So, there is a real benefit for selling antiquities. The international community is trying to stop it. Stop the funding of ISIS -- Christine.

ROMANS: Yes, every town that ISIS takes, every oilfield it controls, every ransom it raises is just more money to fund more terror and more, you know, aggressive behavior in the region.

Ian Lee, thank you so much.

BERMAN: So, despite these territorial gains by ISIS. Despite the fact that ISIS held some territory now in Iraq and Syria for well on a year, President Obama claims the United States is not losing the war against ISIS. The president admits that more needs to be done to help the Iraqis recapture the territory they have lost. The White House does concede there have been setbacks.

I want you to listen, though, to this assessment of the crisis from a man who spent a lot of time in the region, 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. 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 admits one of the air strikes in Syria killed two children last November. This is the first time the Pentagon acknowledged causing civilian casualties in Syria.

ROMANS: All right. Time for an early start on your money this morning.

Stock futures pointing to a higher open after the S&P 500 hit a record yesterday. Asian markets posting solid gains overnight. U.S. stock market is closed Monday for Memorial Day.

Now, the exploding air bag problems led to 34 million recalled vehicles. It could take as many as five years to replace all of those dangerous air bags. According to an auto export at the Consumer Federation of America, the main issue, how long it will take to make all of the replacement air bags, finding all the owners, getting them to take their cars to dealerships. That's also a big problem.

Also, some dealerships are overwhelmed by the number of repairs. Takata, the company that made those faulty airbags has manufactured just 4 million replacements so far. Most of those have already been installed. When you think of the scope of this, it also shows you the industry made a mistake, the auto industry made a mistake by relying so heavily on one big supplier.

That, I think, is something the auto companies should take a hard look at. You need to have options in case something like this happens.

BERMAN: They need to see what changes they make going forward.

All right. Some big news out of Baltimore. Six police officers now indicted in the death of Freddie Gray. We will tell you the charges they are facing and some of the charges they are not facing, coming up next.

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[05:16:20] ROMANS: A grand jury in Baltimore indicting six police officers on charges connected to the death of Freddie Gray. State's attorney Marilyn Mosby says some charges against the officers were dropped. Other charges added.

Freddie Gray died last month after he suffered a fatal spinal injury while held by police.

CNN's Miguel Marquez has more this morning for us 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 Marquez in Baltimore.

Protests in Olympia, Washington, drew 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), were suspected of shoplifting. Police say that one suspect assaulted an officer before the shooting. Both men are expected to survive. This incident is now under investigation.

ROMANS: All right. 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 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.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, now president of the Boy Scouts of America, is calling on that organization to end its ban on gay scout leaders. Gates says if the Boy Scouts do not act on their own, it is likely the courts will force them to. When he was defense secretary, Gates helped end the military policy of "don't ask, don't tell".

BERMAN: New revelations about the money flowing into the Clinton Foundation. It received more than -- or up to $26 million in previously undisclosed payments from corporations, 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 all the scrutiny of foreign donors and whether any of the funding sources could cause some kind of conflict of interest for the former secretary of state in her bid to become president.

All right. Big night in sports. The Warriors and Rockets, they battled it out to the very last seconds in game three of the Western Conference Finals.

[05:20:00] This was a classic match up of the two best players in the game. It came down to just the final moments right there.

Andy Scholes, who is not happy about it, has the details in the bleacher report next.

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BERMAN: So, it is no consolation likes of Andy Scholes that it was a phenomenal game. The Golden State Warriors now lead the Houston Rockets 2-0 after a nail biter at Oracle Arena.

ROMANS: Andy Scholes picked up the pieces and now, he has more in this morning's bleacher report this morning.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, guys.

Well, it's not a good morning because I'm a Rockets fan. And, you know, this was a brutal loss for Houston, and it was the final play of the game last night that has everyone talking this morning. Rockets got the rebound with eight seconds left. Instead of calling a time- out, they let James Harden go for the win. He's going to pass to Dwight Howard and get the ball. But Steph Curry and Klay Thompson trapped him. The Rockets don't get a shot off.

Warriors escape with a 99-98 win. They are up 2-0 in the series.

Harden, he was amazing. He had the game high 38 points, he was clearly frustrated after the game. Game three of that series is going to be Saturday night.

Tonight, it's going to be game two between the Hawks and the Cavs. Tip off for game two of that eastern conference series is at 8:30 Eastern.

All right. Brewers and Braves last night in Atlanta. In the seventh, Braves manager Freddie Gonzalez is going to come out of the dugout, ask the amp, but check out Brewers pitcher Will Smith's arm.

[05:25:01] Well, they quickly find a substance on this arm and Smith was immediately ejected from the game.

He was not happy about, yelling back towards the Braves dugout. After the game, Smith said he put rosin and sunscreen on his arm while warming up and forgot to wipe it off. All right. Aaron Hernandez back in court yesterday and he has some

new ink. The former Patriots tight end now has a neck tattoo that says "lifetime." How one gets such a professional looking tattoo behind bars is beyond me. Hernandez was in court Thursday facing charges of witness intimidation stemming from another shooting.

All right. Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly is now weighing in on deflategate. He says that Tom Brady definitely knew what was going on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM KELLY, NFL HALL OF FAMER: No doubt. You really think about it. There's no we way that an equipment manager and the National Football League going to do something to the football without the greatest quarterback ever to play knowing that, hey, I did something to his football, but he doesn't know about it. He knows.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Strong words there from Jim Kelly.

And, of course, guys, we are still waiting to hear from Tom Brady and hear what he has to say of actually happened.

BERMAN: Let's put that aside and talk about your pain. Do you think Kevin McHale should have called a time-out? Do you think he should have called the timeout and set up a play for Harden?

SCHOLES: Well, you know what? I was all for it, once they had, it was four on three, once Harden went down the court, you know, you let him go for the win there. But once he passed the ball to Dwight Howard, if I was McHale, I'd been like time out, time out, because the play was broken at that point, and they needed a rest.

As you see, Harden right here, right here I let him go. But once he passed the ball, right there, you got to call a time-out because the play was broken. You would have given yourself at least one last chance at a good look.

BERMAN: I'm sorry for your loss. Andy Scholes, thank you so much.

ROMANS: Respect his plays in the dignity in which he delivered the sad news for such a good fan.

Breaking news this morning: U.S. marshals arresting the man police say murdered a Washington, D.C. family before setting their mansion on fire. New details on how he was taken down, next.

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