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Report: Matt Letter to Daughter Alludes to Escape; NASCAR to Fans: Don't Fly Confederate Flag; Miss USA Pageant Back on TV. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired July 03, 2015 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:32:58] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: So, did Richard Matt reveal his plans to break out of prison before he emerged from a manhole in Upstate New York?

The Buffalo News reports that Matt sent a letter to his daughter before he broke out. It reads, in part, "See you on the outside."

Did prison officials miss another opportunity to uncover this prison break?

Joining us now is retired Sergeant Jeff Dumas, who worked at Clinton correctional facility until October.

Jeff, thanks for being with us.

Let me read part of the letter, I misquoted it there before. It says, this is to his daughter, "I always promised you I would see you on the outside." He went on to say, "I'm a man of my word. What was the process at Clinton correctional with letters going from inside the prison to family members? Were they read? Were they screened? Should someone have seen this?

JEFF DUMAS, RET. SERGEANT, CLINTON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: No, with 3,000 inmates there at that facility alone, not all letters are read. There's a little bit of privacy. He could have mailed it to her easily.

If she would have gotten that and actually thought there was a legitimate escape attempt in the making, or he alluded to it a little bit more in his letter, if she would have brought it to the authorities, it would have immediately went to the inspector general's office and they would have conducted a deeper investigation into his mail, his phone calls, that kind of thing.

BERMAN: Well, she didn't get it until he already broke out. At that point, she did alert authorities, but it was too late.

DUMAS: It's too late.

BERMAN: So, you didn't screen everyone's letters. Who -- what prisoners would have their letters screened?

DUMAS: We're going to go with the high risk inmates, the ones that are high level gang members, escaped in the past from our facilities. The one that is like to traffic drugs or have been caught in the past. Those are going to be screened to a point.

Again, with the amount of mail coming in, there's no way to screen each and every single one.

[06:35:00] You can't read, you cannot possibly read all that material.

BERMAN: You know, it's interesting --

DUMAS: They will be opened up, make sure there's no contraband, no drugs, no razor blades, things like that. But to read every word, it's impossible.

BERMAN: It's interesting, because this guy was a vicious killer on the outside, you know, a dismemberer on the outside. On the inside, he made it to the honor block. What you are saying is perhaps his behavior is exemplary behavior inside those prison walls allowed him the freedom to write thing that may be suspicious to friends and family on the outside.

DUMAS: Correct. You have to understand, yes, he is a killer, he did dismember a body but we have 3,000 of the same type of individuals there. You know what I mean? So, it's not -- he doesn't stand out because of his crime. We have other individuals that killed ten, 15 people. We have individuals that have dismembered a body and carried around a head in a bowling ball bag for a week. So, you can't weigh that.

He did have good behavior more than six months and he was allowed on the honor block. Again, what he writes to family or friends, if it is found by them before the attempt, that would have been great. But, the timing wasn't good for us.

BERMAN: Let's talk about the changes taking place at Clinton correctional. Some of the new security regulations. We're talking about weekly cell wall inspections. Bed checks at random intervals. Tool boxes will be kept in restricted areas. The list goes on.

These sound like nice measures. They sound like common sense measures. They sound, Jeff, like the kind of thing that should have been in place already.

DUMAS: Absolutely, especially the tool boxes. They should have never been in there. If a contractor is going to use a tool, use it during the day and take it outside the prison wall. There's no excuse to have those inside. But again, that's an administrative decision.

And if you notice, on most of the changes, you don't see changes with the liberties of the inmates. New York state came out on Wednesday and stated the honor blocks are not eliminated, they are just suspended. So, they have already started to change their verbatim as far as what

they are going to do against the liberties that the inmates have. That's very crucial to security. When you give these inmates that much time out of their cells and the environment, it's not good for security.

CUOMO: What do you think the atmosphere is like for the workers still up there now? I was speaking to a reporter who said there's an atmosphere of fear, people taking early retirements. If it's not the place you want to be around right now.

DUMAS: Yes, that's correct. Absolutely.

New York state is going to be on a revenge tour. They are going to look to find any little thing that they can to reprimand or discipline any officer in there because they are the lowest rank available to discipline. They aren't going to discipline anybody who made the policies like honor blocks, civilian clothing, like contact visits so that contraband can be passed. The people who made the decisions -- they are going to be investigated or disciplined.

It's going to be the lower level. Most employees feel like they are a number getting ready to be picked on.

BERMAN: Jeff Dumas, thanks so much for being with us. I appreciate it.

DUMAS: Thank you very much.

BERMAN: Alisyn?

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: OK, John, let's talk sports, my favorite. An upset at Wimbledon. Roger Nadal is out. The stunning replay in our bleacher report.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: I want to see you do like a whole sportscast.

CAMEROTA: Oh, I will for you.

PEREIRA: We are going to talk weather. Is it going to impact your holiday plans? We're going to have the forecast, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:42:48] PEREIRA: Security is being boosted nationwide ahead of the holiday weekend amid concerns of ISIS inspired terrorist attacks. The Department of Homeland Security and FBI alerting authorities to be vigilant this Fourth of July. The threat level is said to be higher this year because terrorists are using social media to recruit supporters.

CAMEROTA: In Tennessee, the fire is out, but evacuation orders remain in place after a CSX train carrying flammable and toxic liquid derailed and burst into flames, 5,000 residents unable to return home until EPA determines it is safe. At least 75 people treated for possible chemical exposure.

BERMAN: Iran's compliance with inspections remain the key sticking point in nuclear talks. Tehran is said to be rejecting inspection rule that the West is demanding saying the U.N. standard is enough. Iran is also threatening to ramp up bomb enrichment if sanctions are reapplied. Negotiators hope they can reach an agreement by the new self-imposed deadline, next Tuesday.

PEREIRA: The sister of the confessed gunman in the Charleston church massacre is sparking backlash, after she sought donations online for her wedding. Amber Roof was supposed to get married four days after her brother admitted to killing nine people in bible study class. She sit up a GoFundMe page to cover cost of abandon wedding and her honeymoon. She has since taken the page down after receiving harsh feedback.

CAMEROTA: Yes, that was an insensitive move, tone deaf move. She was saying my dream day was ruined, please help me. Our dream honeymoon had to be postponed.

Well, nine people's lives were ended.

BERMAN: Yes, they were the dream lives.

CAMEROTA: The lives, yes.

PEREIRA: Yes.

CAMEROTA: We'd like to know what you think about that. Go free to weigh on.

How will the weather cooperate for your Fourth of July celebrations? We're wondering.

Let's get to Meteorologist Chad Myers.

PEREIRA: Will be able to see?

CAMEROTA: Yes, how is it looking?

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, that depends on where you are, seriously this weekend. Thousands of lightning strikes overnight already tonight. Part of a frontal system that will sneak up to D.C. for tomorrow.

Here is the chance for severe weather from Oklahoma through Memphis and into Atlanta. Tomorrow is the big day, obviously.

[06:45:00] And rain in parts of New York, Pennsylvania, all the way down to the Gulf Coast and then there'll be showers in many spots, especially at the time we don't want them. We have to watch out for it.

If you are outside tomorrow, the bigger story will be, where is the lightning? Because there will be a lot of it. Don't be too far from your car. Now, the West is a completely different story. The heat is on out here. The only place to be around L.A. will be closest to the water you can get. By the time you get to the inland empire, 112 degrees out there. So, closer to the water, the better in the West.

PEREIRA: You hope the marine layer doesn't get in the way, you can't see the fireworks. It's such a conundrum.

CAMEROTA: Thank you.

BERMAN: That's why you move this.

NASCAR Tracks across the country now asking fans not to display the Confederate flag at races.

Coy Wire has more on the bleacher report.

Hey, Coy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS: Good Friday to everyone. How are you?

NASCAR, guys, they haven't used the Confederate flag in official capacity for ten plus years, really, but the fans have been able to fly it on the infield if they chose to do so. In addition to asking them not to display the Confederate flag.

The statement released by NASCAR Tracks said, in part, "We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere, free of offensive symbol. This is an opportunity for NASCAR nation to demonstrate respect and acceptance for all who attend events sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing.

At Sunday's NASCAR race, the Coke Zero 400, fans can bring in any flag, including the Confederate flag and trade it in for an American flag this independence weekend.

In tennis, there was a huge upset guys in the second at Wimbledon yesterday. Ranked 102, the dreadlocked German Dustin Brown beat down two-time champ Rafael Nadal. Brown was raised in Germany and Jamaica. He once traveled around in a camper van while trying to stay on tour.

It's a cool story, cool hair. Maybe the coolest Twitter handle on tour as well. You can follow him @dreddytennis. He has Serbian Troicki in the next round.

Now, in hoops, Dwyane Wade, if you missed it, decided to stay home in Miami. He's agreed to a one year, $20 million deal. That squashed rumors he was going to join his former teammate LeBron James in Cleveland. Dwayne Wade now spent his entire 12-year career with the Heat.

So, let's talk soccer. The U.S. women's national team, they have their final practice today at 2:00 p.m. eastern before they face Japan in the final on Sunday. It was announced last night that Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill will be there to cheer on the U.S. They are heading there for a U.S. delegation that includes former U.S. greats Mia Hamm, Cobi Jones, and much to the chagrin of John Berman, I will be there to cheer on the U.S.

I'm flying out in a few hours to see if they can bring home the title, guys. But I checked, there is a flight leaving at 1:36 from New York, guy, that gets you there at 8:22 tonight. Come on out.

(CROSSTALK)

CAMEROTA: OK. Love Vancouver. Thanks so much, Coy.

WIRE: You're welcome.

CAMEROTA: All right. Well, the Miss USA pageant finding a new TV home amid the uproar of Donald Trump's harsh words about Mexicans. We will speak to a former Miss Colorado USA, who is Mexican-American, what does she think of Donald Trump?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:52:24] PEREIRA: A little hope for the Miss USA contestants. The pageant has been picked up by the Reelz Channel days after NBC/Univision, co-hosts and judges dropped out. Is this a band-aid or is the future of the pageant at stake?

Joining me now is a former Miss USA contestant and Miss Colorado USA 2012, Marybel Gonzalez.

What a pleasure to see you.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ, FORMER MISS USA CONTESTANT: Thank you so much. It's an honor to be here today.

PEREIRA: Well, I know this is something that has gotten you fired up. I'm going to read your Instagram post in a second.

The big news is the pageant has a new home on the Reelz Channel. Let me read to you what the statement is from the CEO. "The decision on part of Reelz to acquire the rights was based on the belief this special event and the women who compete in it are an integral part of American tradition." He was on the air talking about the fact he does not agree with the things that Donald Trump has said.

Do you think it was the right move to move it to a new broadcast home?

GONZALEZ: You know, during this controversy, I must say, my heart did go out with the contestants that are now in Louisiana competing for the title of Miss USA. These girls have worked extremely hard to earn their titles. And, you know, they are telecast for just an hour or two, but what they do leading up to that moment is incredible. They do charity work and volunteer work. They stand up for their social causes.

In certain sense, they were stuck in the middle of all of this controversy due to one individual's view. I'm glad that they will have that platform to continue the Miss USA tradition.

PEREIRA: You are very passionate in the post you posted on Instagram. I want to read a little of that if you'll indulge. You said, "When you belittled the people of the country for the sake of a vote or applause, you acted in an unjustly manner to benefit your needs further. Further, you will negate other girls the opportunity to be present and heard in a public forum, you are blatantly robbing them. If I am a rapist by the fact of being Mexican, what do these actions speak of you?"

Are you expecting to get a reaction from Mr. Trump?

GONZALEZ: You know, not necessarily. The reason why I wrote that and I posted it was not to get a reaction. I think this is something that is bigger than me. I think that this is something that I wanted to do to address discrimination and to address the dangerous rhetoric that Donald Trump is utilizing.

He is running for presidential candidacy. I think it's extremely dangerous to generalize a population and attribute such hateful comments to them.

[06:55:02] I think it is important, yes, to address international relations and your policies on immigration. That has been done for years. However, people are not going to subscribe to discrimination and hateful comments, especially not at the expense of a population of a nation and of a culture.

PEREIRA: If you -- let's play with time for a bit. Say you were representing Colorado right now instead of in 2012, would you -- how would you feel then, if Donald Trump had made these comments? Would you speak up? Would you participate?

GONZALEZ: Right. I think it's really easy to say that I would act in a certain way or not appear or decide not to compete in Miss USA. But, the more I think of it, the more important I know it is to voice my opinion. I have always felt this way. I have always felt that it is very dangerous to use hateful comments and to proliferate discrimination.

So, I would stand-up and I would say what I am today. It is important to do so in an educated manner. I don't know why it would be difficult to encourage this kind of public conversation. I would definitely do --

PEREIRA: Let me ask you about the future of the pageant. It may have a new broadcast tone. The judges, the co-hosts, some of the performers backed out.

What do you think is pageant is going to look like this year?

GONZALEZ: You know, I think this is a critical time to re-evaluate the association that the Miss Universe association has with Donald Trump. I think the Miss Universe organization aligns itself with diversity and they celebrate women from different cultures and backgrounds.

I think the values are not in accordance with one another, what Donald Trump represents and what Miss Universe organization represents. I think the spirit of the pageant will continue. There's a long standing tradition, I hope it does despite all the controversy.

I think that is it is a critical time to re-evaluate where the pageant is headed. I hope to see that this tradition continues.

PEREIRA: Well, it will be interesting for all those watching it with a keen eye. Marybel Gonzalez, thank you so much for joining us, Marybel, and we appreciate your comments here on NEW DAY.

So, what is your take? Get in on the conversation. Tweet us #NewDay or you can go on Facebook, Facebook.com/NewDay.

Certainly a lot to get to on this Friday. So, Let's get to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Growing fears of a terrorist attack this holiday weekend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are concerned because there's a group of sympathizers in this country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The lone wolves aren't very lonely.

(EXPLETIVE DELETED)

BERMAN: People arrested eight people at a beach report in Sousa.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the coming hours, the U.K. will observe a moment of silence to honor those victims.

BERMAN: Buffalo News is reporting Richard Matt sent a letter to his daughter before the breakout.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I always promised you I would see you on the outside.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I started shouting, shark! Shark! Everyone out of the water! At the same time, I'm punching the shark.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The park rangers are not going to close them for the holiday weekend.

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Alisyn Camerota and Michaela Pereira.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: Beautiful.

Good morning. Welcome back to your NEW DAY. Chris is off. We call this one John Friday Berman. He joins us today.

All right. Up first, security boosted amid word of is inspired terrorist threats ahead of the holiday weekend. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are alerting authorities coast-to-coast to be on high alert. CAMEROTA: Officials call the concern higher this year as terrorists

recruit supporters in the U.S. over social media. Law enforcement readiness on display Thursday after a false alarm called into Washington navy yard.

Let's get right to CNN's Boris Sanchez. He is live at Penn Station with the latest -- Boris.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Alisyn.

Tens of millions of Americans set to hit the road. So, law enforcement is giving scrutiny to places like New York's Penn Station. They are looking to make sure everyone has a safe and secure Fourth of July.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. JAMES LANKFORD (R), HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: They are reaching out on social media telling people it's a holiday, we ought to kill people.

SANCHEZ (voice-over): Police and FBI on heightened alert as 42 million people will travel this holiday weekend, according to AAA, the most in eight years. This, amid social media chatter by ISIS supporters and calls by the terror group to strike in the West.

REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: I don't think they are capable of a large scare attack. Certainly an attack which could kill, maim or wound hundreds of people.

SANCHEZ: Police departments in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston and Atlanta, tightening up security measures.