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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

Chattanooga Gunman Criticized U.S. Terrorism Policy; Killer's Remains Held At Dover Air Force Base; Janice Dickinson Reacts To Cosby's Admissions; Shark Attacks Surfer On Live T.V.; D.C. Mansion Murders Suspect Back In Court. Aired 12:30-1p ET

Aired July 20, 2015 - 12:30   ET

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

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[12:31:58] PAMELA BROWN, CNN GUEST HOST: The man who killed four U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor last week in Chattanooga left behind writings, described his critical of U.S. counter-terrorism effort a potentially suicidal.

Sources tell CNN the writings date back more than a year adding yet another layer to the trouble and troubling history of Mohammad Abdulazeez, who also was killed in Thursday's rampage.

Earlier, the gunman's family said Abdulazeez had suffered from depression and "Was not the son we knew and loved."

Sources say the family also told investigators Abdulazeez had bipolar disorder and was abusing so-called party drugs and marijuana.

The family says they sent him to Jordan last year, to get him away from friends they thought were bad influences on him.

CNN's Boris Sanchez has more on all of this Chattanooga, Tennessee.

So first off, Boris, what more can you tell us about the killer's remains?

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Pamela, in the past two hours, we've learned that the killer's remains were move to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Officials tell us he was flown separately from the service members that he shot and killed last Thursday.

BROWN: And what more do we know about these writings, Boris? I know a big question is did they include threats or any plots that we know of?

SANCHEZ: Nothing we can tell right now. Sources tell CNN the extent of the writings showed some anti-American sentiment. He was disgruntled with U.S. policy in the Mid East, specifically America's stance on the war on terror.

Also, an expert called the writings suicidal. So there appears to be another kind of hint to the mental illness he was dealing with that his parents alluded to when they told the investigators that he sought help from a psychiatrist for manic depressive bipolar disorder.

BROWN: And there was also this ominous sounding text that the gunman sent to a friend just hours before the shootings, tell us about that.

SANCHEZ: That is correct. That text message was in a conversation with a friend and he sent, "Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of mine, then I have declared a war on him," that is from a holy Islamic text attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.

So, the interesting to note, the investigators tell us they don't see that as for shadowing or for a warning of an attack because in the context of the conversation, it did not appear to be that. They say it's just a small piece in a much bigger puzzle of trying to figure out the shooter's motif.

BROWN: I'm being told that the investigation still very active. They still have a lot of work to do to figure out what motivated him.

Boris Sanchez, thank you so much.

And we're going to have more on the new revelations from that controversial Cosby deposition and reactions from one of his allege victim.

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JANICE DICKINSON, MODEL AND ACTRESS: He's called everything a fabricated lie that we're liars. It just -- I'm sick of his sickness.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CNN spoke to model and actress, Janice Dickinson, an accuser who's filed suit against him for defamation.

[12:34:56] Stay tuned, we're going to have more from her straight ahead.

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BROWN: Well according to Bill Cosby and his own words in his 2006 deposition just in the CNN, "A pretty decent reader of people when it comes to "romantic sexual things." Cosby's 25 plus accuser would no doubt argue otherwise.

And you can imagine not every new revelation brings back painful memories. But it could also help their cases.

Fredricka Whitfield spoke with Former Supermodel Janice Dickinson yesterday.

Dickinson claims Cosby sexually assaulted her back in 1982. But keep in mind Cosby denies the allegations and hasn't responded to our question about her defamation lawsuit.

He's also not been charged with any crimes.

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FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In your case the statute of limitations has run out and you would not be able to pursue any kind of criminal charges but you do have an ongoing defamation suit along with other women against him.

How does what is been unsealed may public help your case?

JANICE DICKINSON, COSBY ACCUSER: His attorneys have called me a liar. He allowed his attorney to call my side a fabricated lie.

I've lost work, I've lost sleep. His called everything a fabricated lie that we're all liars. It just -- I'm sick of his sickness. But I'm not going to let it get to me anymore.

Justice must be served.

WHITFIELD: A lot has gone on since our conversation like the television shows that we're in the works, other shows that are no longer on the air for NBC, T.V. Land with Bill Cosby as well as Beverly Johnson another model who came out.

[12:40:01] How has all of that affected you?

DICKINSON: Like the rape back in 1982 just happened yesterday. It just keeps me in that same place. I haven't had my day in court yet. He hasn't had his day in court yet concerning me, Janice Dickinson. But I am proud to have come out back in November when the 12 women in the New York Times interview came out. And I had to back to these women. You know, I had to support these women because I can only speak my own truth, Fredricka. I can only speak to you what happened to me.

WHITFIELD: And the president, President Obama, recently saying...

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you give a woman, or a man for that matter, without his or her knowledge, a drug and then have sex with that person without consent, that's rape.

WHITFIELD: How did that make you feel to hear the President of the United States address the matter like that?

DICKINSON: I was in love with President Obama and Michelle Obama, and his politics. And now, you know, I just -- I'm a staunch Democrat. And I just -- I'm so grateful to you President Obama for saying that. That just really -- it just really made me just proud to be an American single mother and proud to be an American.

WHITFIELD: And President Obama also said, "There is no mechanism to revoke Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom." What do you want to happen next? DICKINSON: We have the court of public opinion, Fredricka. And I want Bill Cosby in jail. You know, I went to church this morning and I got down in my knees and I sobbed and I prayed for compassion. And I prayed to find in my heart to forgive this man. I only hope I can get there.

WHITFIELD: Even a former Cosby Show young actor, Joseph C. Phillips, said -- I'm quoting him now, "Of course, Bill Cosby is guilty."

JOSEPH PHILLIPS, FORMER "COSBY SHOW" COSTAR: I think that he is suffering consequences right now. This is a man that was beloved by everyone, who made his life in front of people with adulation. And now he is a pariah, now he is a public disgrace.

He's 78 years old. He doesn't have time to erase and spruce up his legacy. His legacy is gone forever. And I think that's consequences.

WHITFIELD: What is that make you feel in terms of whether there is a real turning point here?

DICKINSON: There is a turning point, whether there was -- I'm grateful for that -- for people that lived through those years working with this monster. I feel it really bad for you guys.

You know, thank you from coming out. Thank you for coming out and saying what you did, Mr. Phillips.

WHITFIELD: Do you think the chorus against Bill Cosby is getting louder?

DICKINSON: I do believe the chorus against Bill Cosby is getting louder. But it's going to get louder and louder and louder. And I don't know what they do the man in jail. But he's going to have rough time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: I want to bring Fredricka Whitfield now from Atlanta. Hi there Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Hi Pam.

BROWN: Clearly really difficult for Janice Dickinson to relive what she said she went through.

How does she believe this deposition will help her account?

WHITFIELD: Well a couple of things, a couple of things, Janice Dickinson believes that the details in this deposition by Andrea Constand and the other Jane Does is very consistent with what her story has been since 1982, where she talked about being with Bill Cosby willingly. And that there were drugs involved, she says she lost consciousness, and then when she woke up she was in pain.

The second thing she believes that these consistencies of other women's stories whether be in this deposition or even others who have spoken publically. She believes that this will help support her story. And will help combat what Cosby's Attorney Martin Singer had said that her story was a lie and she says she feels very compelled to speak her -- about her story for the sake for herself, for other women, and for all of the accusers.

BROWN: So if nothing else that gives her another is validation. Fredricka Whitfield, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: Thanks.

BROWN: A surfer started out waiting to catch a wave and round up fine (ph) of the shark. Have you seen this video? It's incredible. It was all on live television with the world watching including his mother. Here let me explain how he survived at this shark attack.

[12:45:04] Up next.

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BROWN: So what do you do when a shark attacks you? Apparently you punch the shark in the face. That's what Mick Fanning did.

The three-time world champ had just paddled out for the Worlds Surf League finals at J-Bay in South Africa, when a great white shark attacked as we saw in that video.

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(INAUDIBLE)

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BANFIELD: So amazingly, Fanning walked away unscratched. When he got back on dry land, he recounted coming face-to-face with a great white shark.

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MICK FANNING, WORLD HAMPION SURFER: I felt like I was just had to stop moving and get going like just to stop paddling again and then all of a sudden -- I don't know, I just had this instinct that something was behind me and then all of a sudden, I felt like I started to get pulled underwater. And then the thing came up and I was on my board and it was like right there, I saw the -- like a whole thing just thrashing around. But I was getting dragged under by my leg rope. And then I felt like it kicked me off. And then it was still there going and I was still attached to my board. I felt like I punching it couple of times.

[12:50:03] And then it was dragging me I feel like it was just dragging me. I felt like it was just dragging me under water and then all of a sudden my leg rope broke and I was like all right. I just start swimming and swimming and screaming and I was yelling at Jules (ph) to move as well. But he was coming at me. A legend is like coming up to me and then I was just like -- I was like swimming in and then I just turned around, nothing -- like I just had this tool, what happens, here comes another gnaw at me.

And so I just turned around so I could at least see it coming. And then before I knew it, the boat was there, the jetskis were there, more inside them (ph).

I just can't believe it. I'm just tripping out. I just want to thank all my family and friends that I known, I'm OK, I'm just tripping out.

I'm OK. Just so keeping a mess, see I'm OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Absolutely terrifying. That attack took place on live T.V. and the web with millions of people watching around the world, including Fanning's mother back in Australia.

She said that she thought Mick was gone and that she ran to the T.V. to try and pull him out. Thank goodness, he is OK.

And joining me now on the phone is Peter Mel, World Surf League Commentator and the Big Wave Tour Commissioner. He actually witnessed the attack from a jetski and the line up at J-Bay and helped with the rescue.

Peter, thank you so much for joining us. Just incredible that he is OK really on escape from this. Tell us first off, how close were you to Mick when you saw this attack happened? Because we see a little bit of it and then there is a huge wave, but you had a different advantage point. Tell us about that.

PETER MEL, COMMISSIONER, BIG WAVE TOUR: Yeah, I was beyond the line about 100 yards. So, you know, the view is it looks pretty close. And you know, I saw the crashing of the shark and Mick crashing as well. And then again disappearing, but there was an instant reaction from this eager that I was with and then also there was a water safety boat and the marine team and his boat was there and we all rushed to it.

It took us -- it fell like it's about 10 seconds. But we come to find out it's in about 30 seconds to get there which would have been an eternity for Mick I'm sure.

BROWN: So, you're watching this all unfold, he disappears, what is going through your mind, Peter?

MEL: Well, I really -- my instinct took over. I think just as well as Julian Wilson been ski (ph), take over, he see a friend or Mick's close friend of mine, you know, you instantly want to go help.

And that sort it was -- and we are the best opportunity to be there as fast as we could. You know, our ski driver, you know, both of them there, I was on the sled, you know, I had my surfboard. And so I knew that he was off of his surf board, we needed to be there as quick as possible.

And once we were there, we actually had another skier who picked up Mick and I was able to pick up Julian and get them, you know, up on the under the boat. And then into the marine boat which, you know, basically put us safe. And, you know, I just recalling it on when losing Mick, just right now telling the story over again. It was very, very, surreal.

You know, at the time I kind of try, you know, my advancement he have said I want to be glide of it. You know, I kind of joke around with them like, "Oh, hey, that is excellent with the shark," but it was a very, very serious incident. And I think, they can all learn from it. But I'm so glad, that makes OK.

BROWN: And you mentioned Julian. Julian Wilson, the other surfer that was in the water right near him. What was that like? Because we see the video of you actually talking to Mick in the boat, I mean I can only imagine how much his nerves were rattled. What was he like once you sort of pulled him to safety right here?

MEL: I think the agenda (ph) was more just trying to understand it's actually real. I mean you're all kind of did not seem thinking, you know, we all think in our heads because as surfers we do realize that, you know, when we're surfing in places like. I live in North California, I know that there's going to be, you know, sharks in the area. And you think about these situations and what would happen and what your reaction would be.

But as soon as it happened, your instincts kicks over, I think that same anything happen for Julian, you know, when he paddled straight for Mick just trying to help him, you know. And we all were there as quickly as we possibly could. And that's exactly what, you know, and we hope would happen.

We hope he even run to the beach. But we want to help him. And, you know, so it was nice to do that. But I think afterwards, you know, like literally we're all just kind of in shock.

I mean, you know, I tried to ask him what had happened and like I said, "My defense in shock is to make lighter the situation. You know, that it was very serious incident. And, you know, I was scared. I think that, you know, at that point in time they're all come to try and to process it.

I mean, I think and I stole (ph) him and, you know, even just listening to Mick just now, I've heard that interview, I talked to him, I spent that evening with him last night. And you know, that time was really nice because there was, you know, we kind of just talked about, you know, being friends and being in relationships and that's kind of what happens to you.

I think, you know, which he would -- that's really and he is very, very fortunate that there was, you know, no scratches on him at all. And, you know, I wouldn't say -- it's hard to say what the shark was trying to do. But it definitely hadn't any counter with Mick.

[12:55:06] BROWN: Wow, unbelievable. I imagine this is something you know could happen, I mean to see a play out like that. It's just incredible. So glad he's OK. Peter Mel, thanks for coming on to talk with us.

Coming up, find out what a South Carolina judge wants from Dylan Roof the accused Charleston church shooter. What prosecutors have that could show motive for the attack, right after this break.

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Checking top stories crossing to CNN news desk at this hour, the man charged in connection with the D.C. mansion murders in fire in May is back in court today for a preliminary hearing and detention hearing.

They are in discharge with the killing of three members of a prominent Washington family and their house keeper.

A judge in South Carolina has ordered Dylan Roof to give a hand writing samples to police investigating the killing in a Charleston AME church last month. Court papers indicate police had found hand written notes that they believe were authored by Roof and that could reflect motive and evidence of guilt. Roof faces 9 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and the weapons charge.

Well, thank you so much for being here with us on this Monday.

WOLF starts now.