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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Staten Island Ferry Crash; Pretrial Hearing in Kobe Bryant Case Ends

Aired October 15, 2003 - 19:00   ET

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

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


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST (voice-over): A deadly ferry crash in New York. The injured streaming into hospitals.

Carnage in Gaza. The U.S. tells Americans, get out, now.

Kobe Bryant back in court. New details, more tough talk.

Why one state thinks free stomach stapling will save money.

Coupling? Not so much. Tonight, the pros and cons of staying single.

And no joy in Wrigleyville. Can the Cubs break the curse of the goat?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.

COOPER: And a good evening to you. Thanks for joining us on 360.

Rush hour horror in Staten Island, New York. A ferry ride ends with death. The 310-footlong ferry slammed into a pier trying to dock. Lives lost, limbs lost, a scene of terror.

Jason Carroll is on the scene and has the very latest on the death toll -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And we are here at the ferry terminal. If you can take a look behind me, you can see the number of investigators that are still out here. Members of the Department of Transportation, city, and fire as well. Investigators at this point are not willing to speculate on what the cause of the accident is.

What we can tell you is that just after 3:00, as the boat was trying to dock, somehow the boat was ripped open, the side of the boat by the pier as it was trying to dock. That's at least how one witness described it. Not clear why it all happened as the boat was trying to dock here at St. George terminal. One passenger described what he saw, what he heard, during the accident.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was coming in. It was rocking.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rocking.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It rocked a lot. And the wind always takes this boat when it comes to this side of the island. And all of a sudden, you heard like a big crash, like a real big boom, like that. And then, like I said, I thought it just hit the side of the boat, the side of the pier. And then I didn't know what happened (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and then that was it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been debriefed by investigators, members of the Department of Transportation, as well as city and fire. He held a press conference just a short while ago where he described what had happened. He said most of the fatalities occurred on the main deck.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK: The people who were sitting there as the ferry docked were hit by the pilings that came through the side of the boat. We don't know any more than that, and we' re not going to speculate on what happened. The crew is all being investigated, interviewed, tested for drugs and for alcohol, as is the normal procedure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Mayor Bloomberg saying that fortunately most people were actually inside, Anderson, and not outside on the deck because of the cold weather. Had the weather been a little bit warmer and more people outside, things could have been even worse. At this point we are told, again, 10 dead, 34 injuries at this point. Many of those injuries severe. We are told that there are several amputees.

At this point, the NTSB is on its way down here to join investigators who are already here at the scene. But again, as you heard, investigators at this point not willing to speculate on what the cause of this accident was. The weather was very windy out on New York Harbor today. Perhaps that had something to do with it.

They are going to be interviewing members of the crew, testing them for alcohol and drugs. That is standard procedure when something like this happens. But again, no one willing to speculate at this point what the cause of the accident was -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Jason Carroll following the story for us.

We are joined on the phone now by someone who was on board the ferry when it all happened, Justin Girard.

Justin, the ferry was about to dock. I understand you noticed something was wrong. What tipped you off? All right. Justin was just on a cell phone and I think we just lost contact with him. We will try to reestablish contact. We're going to be following this story all evening long as events warrant.

As Jason was reporting, 10 people are known dead at this moment. Many more people are in the hospital. We'll have a press conference later on in this hour. We'll be monitoring that and bring it to you live. A lot more to report.

We move on to Eagle, Colorado right now, where the pretrial hearing into the Kobe Bryant rape charges ended today. The defense questioned a lead detective, and that brought out a lot of graphic details. I want to warn you, sensitive viewers might want to leave the room. CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If the wheels of justice spin Kobe Bryant's way, he will not have to return to the Eagle County Court in Colorado. In the closing arguments during the hearing to determine if he should stand trial, Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, said the alleged victim is "not worthy of your belief."

One week after attorney Mackey angered the judge by making a comment about the accuser's alleged sexual past, she was permitted to address elements of it, cross-examining the detective who interviewed the 19-year-old. He acknowledged somebody else's semen and pubic hair were on the woman's underwear when she went to the hospital the day after the alleged crime and that said she recently had sex with someone else. The defense is trying to prove her injuries might have come from someone other than Bryant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They showed the prosecution, look, we're not building this on what Kobe says. We're building this case on what your witness says.

TUCHMAN: The prosecutors cited the 19-year-old's blood found on Kobe's T-shirt and a bruise on her jaw, they say, was caused by Bryant's thumb while putting his hands around her neck.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am confident that the judge will find probable cause and will bind this case over. And I am confident in the people's case versus Kobe Bryant.

TUCHMAN: The detective on the stand did acknowledge to defense attorneys that Bryant's clothes were not torn, that he had no scratches, and that nearby guests in the hotel heard nothing. But Detective Doug Winters says he has faith in the 19-year-old woman.

DOUG WINTERS, DETECTIVE: I don't feel that there was a Rush to judgment. We worked this case like we would any other type of sexual assault.

(END VIDEOTAPE) TUCHMAN: So will Kobe Bryant have to go to trial? Judge Fred Gannett could have made the announcement right after the hearing ended in the building behind me. But he said instead, he'll make his decision next week. Most likely Monday.

So if there is a trial, look for a battle of hotel employees: a bellman who says the woman was distraught when he saw her, a night auditor who says the woman looked like there was no problems when she saw her. Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: Gary, last week at the hearing, Kobe Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, came under some criticism, at least publicly, for some of her actions inside the courtroom. Today, how was she compared to last week?

TUCHMAN: Well, she said a comment last week about three men in three days, alluding to the woman's sexual history. Today, indeed, the judge allowed some of the sexual history to be talked about. She was very calm while she discussed it.

One other thing that happened last week, she said the alleged victim's name six times. Today, on her notes, in big type-written letters all over her file that was on her table, it said, "the accuser." And each time she referred to the woman she said "the accuser" and never used the accuser's name.

COOPER: Interesting difference. All right. Gary Tuchman, thanks very much for that report.

We are joined on the phone now by someone was on board the Staten Island ferry, which we've been covering earlier this hour. Justin Girard is his name.

Justin, the ferry you were on was about to dock. I understand you noticed something was wrong. What tipped you off?

JUSTIN GIRARD, FERRY PASSENGER: Well, I ride the ferry every day. And usually when we are a certain distance away from the dock, the boat slows down. And I was standing in front of the boat and I noticed that we were coming on pretty quickly. And we didn't seem to be slowing at all.

COOPER: And what did you do? I mean, I understand you left the area you were in.

GIRARD: Yes, because usually I stand in the front of the boat when it's docking on the bottom level. And when I noticed that we weren't slowing down and I had a split second to react, I just quickly turned around and ran back a few feet and just braced myself.

COOPER: What did you think happened?

GIRARD: Well, I could see that the dock was coming up really quick, and after the impact, I knew that we hit, but I really didn't think that we hit that hard until like a split second later, when it became very smoky inside and I heard people screaming. COOPER: If you could, I mean, try to -- you know we see these pictures, we hear the story. But being there is so different. What was it like actually being there on that boat, the sights, the sounds? Try to explain it if you can.

GIRARD: It was actually kind of frightening after it all happened. You know, people were screaming and, you know, again, it was very smoky in there. And it wasn't until I actually saw the damage a few seconds after impact, I walked from where I was bracing myself and I saw the actual damage on the vessel itself.

And it was so surreal that, you know, at that point I didn't know whether we hit something or whether it was a bomb or, you know, there were people speculating a lot of different things. And it was very frantic and chaotic.

COOPER: And authorities have been very clear, they don't want to go down the road of speculation until they have more facts in. But you talk about damage to the boat. I mean, 10 people dead, 34 people injured. Did you see people injured, or were you herded away to another area on board?

GIRARD: No. Actually, right after it all happened, I was trying to find a safe place to go. And I looked toward the back of the boat and I saw many people standing over there. But to get to that point, I had to pass the point of impact.

And I did see some rubble and some injured people, but I really didn't want to look at them because I ride the boat every day. And I just didn't want to see anybody who I see on a daily basis.

COOPER: Sure. Yes, totally understandable. I understand you looked back or you went back to the area you had been standing in a few seconds before and it was all -- it was destroyed.

GIRARD: Yeah, yeah. I was standing in front of the door, and it was -- it just crumbled and the glass was all shattered. So if I hadn't moved, who knows what would have happened.

COOPER: I understand you are a schoolteacher. You usually take the ferry I think a little bit later. Why did you take this one?

GIRARD: Yes, I usually make the 3:30 ferry coming home, but I wanted to get home to watch the ball game. So as soon as the last bell rang I was out the door. And I really rushed to make that 3:00 ferry so I could get home to watch the Yankee game.

COOPER: Justin Girard, I know it's been a difficult day for you. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us and try to explain what it was like being there. And I'm glad you are home safe and sound. Thanks, Justin.

GIRARD: OK, thank you.

COOPER: Fast fact now for you on the Staten Island ferry. Roughly 65,000 people like Justin take the ferry each day. There are five different ferries that serve the area. It's about 19 million passengers every year. It's about a five-mile ride.

We're going to have more on this a little bit later on. As we said, we are anticipating a press conference. We'll bring that to you shortly passed the half-hour mark.

Now to the Middle East. For the first time, Americans are murdered in an attack. The place, Gaza. The weapon, a roadside bomb ripped through a convoy carrying U.S. diplomats.

Three American security guards died. Another wounded. The reaction stateside, strong. Here's CNN's State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Bush condemned the unprecedented attack and blamed the Palestinian Authority.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today an American died as a result of a terrorist attack in Gaza.

KOPPEL: In an even tougher written statement, Mr. Bush said Palestinian leaders should have acted long ago to fight terror, and singled out Yasser Arafat by name. "There must be an empowered prime minister who controls all Palestinian security forces, reforms," Mr. Bush said, "that continue to be blocked by Yasser Arafat."

The Americans killed were private military contractors, providing security as part of a three-car U.S. diplomatic convoy en route from Israel to the Gaza Strip to interview Palestinian candidates for Fullbright scholarships in the United States.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: They were there on a mission of peace. They were there on a mission of reconciliation, a mission to help people to a better life. And terrorists killed them.

KOPPEL: Palestinian demonstrators blocked U.S. investigators from examining the scene of the attack. Militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad denied involvement, but State Department officials said they still believe Palestinian terrorists were deliberately targeting Americans because the convoy was easily recognizable.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN: In the absence of information to the contrary, that's the assumption one has to make given the nature of the attack.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOPPEL And tonight, a team of FBI agents is heading to the region to help investigate it. When asked about the future of the U.S.-backed road map to peace, Secretary Powell said there is a way forward, but he put the Palestinian on notice, Anderson. He said that the only way to get started, and it's not possible to get started in an environment of continued bombings and violence -- Anderson.

COOPER: And we will have to watch what happen next. Andrea Koppel, thanks very much for that tonight.

I want to take a trip quick for you around the globe: tonight's "UpLink."

Gobi Desert, China: historic mission accomplished. China's first manned spacecraft landed on Earth after orbiting the globe 14 times. China's first astronaut is said to be safe and in good condition. He emerged from the capsule less than half an hour ago. This makes China only the third nation to send a rocket carrying a person into space. More on this story in a couple of moments.

La Paz, Bolivia: more deadly protests. Thousands of anti- government demonstrators took to the streets of several cities there today calling on the president to resign. Two people died. At least six others injured in clashes with the army.

Vatican City, Italy: the festivities have begun celebrating the pope's 25 years on the job. Pilgrims waved Poland's red and white flag and sang Polish songs -- there you go right there -- in St. Peter's Square.

Baghdad, Iraq: new money without Saddam Hussein's face on it. Iraqis are lining up to swap out their old currency with the new dinars (ph) that also protect against counterfeiters.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, Yousef Islam, makes a rare on-stage performance for a fund-raising concert. Hundreds gathered to listen to him read poetry, while leaders from Islamic countries gathered for their annual summit.

And in London, the wild boys are back. Yes, I'm talking about Duran Duran, the mavericks who made men's eyeliner, cheese blonde hair and cinematic music videos all the rage in the early ' 80s. They're back. The former pinups performed for an ecstatic home crowd for the first time in 18 years.

And that is tonight's "UpLink."

Well, living life apart: formally conjoined twins coming out of a coma. Find out what doctors say about their progress. There they are.

Also, free weight loss surgery? Find out how they plan to trim the fat in Louisiana.

And the new space race. Why is China shooting for the moon now?

First, take a look "Inside the Box." What was the top story on tonight's network evening newscasts?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: You are looking at live pictures right now from Staten Island, where a commuter ferry crashed into a dock just several hours ago. New York's mayor has confirmed that 10 people have died. Dozens are injured, as many as 34 at last count. We'll be monitoring the story throughout the evening, bringing you any new information. We're also going to have an update in about 15 minutes on this.

On to Florida now, where a life and death decision pits a woman's husband against her own parents. It was a decision that Terri Schiavo couldn't make herself. She has been in a coma-like state for more than a decade. And today, just some five hours ago, her feeding tube was removed. For all involved it has been a very difficult day.

Here's CNN's John Zarrella.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pray to the divine...

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At 2:00 p.m., as Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was being removed, the crowd outside the hospice prayed. Terri's mother, Mary Schindler, prayed with them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

ZARRELLA: They were hoping that somehow a way could be found to keep Terri alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've always been optimistic. And I'm one of those people that I have a strong belief in divine intervention.

ZARRELLA: For 13 years, ever since she suffered heart failure, Schiavo has been in what the Florida court calls a "persistent vegetative state." Her husband, Michael, has been fighting to have her taken off life support. Although she did not have a living will, Michael Schiavo says his wife told him she would never want to live like this.

MICHAEL SCHIAVO, TERRI SCHIAVO'S HUSBAND: Terri has been gone for 13 years. She died in my arms 13 years ago.

ZARRELLA: Terri's parents believe she can be rehabilitated. But they've lost nearly every round in court. In a last-ditch attempt, the Schindlers met with Florida's governor, Jeb Bush, who also believes an attempt should be made to rehabilitate her.

GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: I will abide by the ruling of the judges, but we're going to seek whatever legal alternatives are available and seek the best minds to try to find another avenue to submit to the courts to see if there can be a change in this ruling.

ZARRELLA: But time is running out. It's not clear how long Terri can last without the feeding tube being put back in.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: John Zarrella joins us now. John, I hope this doesn't sound callous. I know death is inevitable. You say doctors say what, it could take about two weeks? And how will she be cared for until then?

He's having a problem with his IFB. All right. We're going to just move on and maybe try to talk with John in just a little while longer.

We've been following the progress of the two Egyptian boys, conjoined twins separated over the weekend in Dallas. They've been kept heavily sedated, but now doctors are slowly moving the twins out of their drug-induced coma.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has an update.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We still don't know what Mohammed and Ahmed Ibrahim look like now, but the hospital says one part of this picture has not changed, and that's the boys' parents standing by their side. While doctors are upbeat, they are not certain how the boys' recovery will progress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We really don't know what any child is going to do. We have expectations or we have targets. But we really don't know how any child is going to respond.

LAVANDERA: Doctors are now slowly taking both boys out of their medically-induced coma. It could take up to four days for all the medication to wear off, allowing the boys to regain physical movement, but for the first time on their own. Right now, Mohammed and Ahmed are connected to a ventilator and an IV that feeds them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's going to be many, many weeks before you can begin to test or assay what their different levels of functionality are going to be.

LAVANDERA: So far, there have been three brain scans performed on the boys. Doctors are excited to report those tests showed no problems and that the boys are recovering well. But at this point, doctors also say any day without a medical setback is a day worth being excited about.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, I want to take you on a quick trip "Cross Country".

Fresno, California: the president and the "Terminator". President Bush was in California today and plans to meet tomorrow with California's governor-elect. The White House says Mr. Bush will talk with Schwarzenegger in Riverside, California, where the president is scheduled to make a speech.

Charleston, South Carolina: pilots rescued. Two Marine fighter jets crashed off the East Coast today. Here's some video of the rescue. The jets were on a training mission and it is possible they may have clipped each other. But both pilots are safe tonight.

Los Angeles, California: tour postponed. Rock star Ozzy Osbourne, on the right, has scrapped plans for a European tour blaming a nervous tremor. Osbourne's doctor says medication is controlling the tremor, but the doctors are causing a temporary -- are causing a temporary impairment to Osbourne's voice.

And that's a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.

As we told you a few minutes ago, China's first astronaut has landed about a half-hour ago. Chinese state television showed pictures of Yang Lui (ph) merging from the capsule and waving. His flight is being hailed as a great success by Chinese authorities. Space correspondent Miles O'Brien takes a look now at what this mission may mean.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Space just got a little more crowded. China's launch into the elite club of nations that send people off the planet appeared to go off without a hitch. (UNINTELLIGIBLE), whose name was kept secret until the last minute, strapped into the Shen Zu (ph) spacecraft. It means divine vessel.

And by all accounts, the 38-year-old fighter pilot and father of an 8-year-old son was having a divine trip as he orbited the globe 14 times in all. As he whizzed overhead, he unfurled a Chines flag, ate chicken and rice, told mission controllers he felt great, called the view splendid, said hello to all the peoples of the world, and then snoozed. On board the international space station, the other two humans in orbit, Astronaut Ed Liu (ph) and cosmonaut (UNINTELLIGIBLE) paused to chat with me about this historic milestone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd like to have somebody else in space other than me and Ed (ph), and also I know it was great (UNINTELLIGIBLE) thousands and thousands of people from China.

O'BRIEN: The Chinese say this is just a start. They might very well seek an invitation to join the international space station partnership, or they might build a station of their own, or they might make good on a vow to establish a permanent colony on the moon. The sky is no limit, and a new generation space race might be on.

Miles O'Brien, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, what do you think? Can the Cubs pull out the big one tonight? We have a lot more still to come. But first, today's buzz, what everyone seems to be talking about.

Are the Chicago Cubs cursed? Vote now, cnn.com/360. That's where you can also send me your instant feedback. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, medical update for you now. Twelve days, one stroke and two surgeries later, magician Roy Horn is still in critical condition after that brutal on-stage tiger mauling. Although doctors say he has been recovering well, he's not out of the woods yet.

Our medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, join us live from Atlanta with an update. Sanjay, the "New York Daily News" reported that doctors actually cut away part of Roy's skull and actually stored it in his stomach to keep him alive. How does that work?

SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's sort of interesting, Anderson. Typically, what happens is, If there are concerns about brain swelling, what happens is the brain actually expanding against a rigid skull. So surgeons will sometimes remove part of the skull.

I've got a model here I want to show you. Now, this is an actual human skull. And sometimes you actually have to remove parts of the skull here to allow the brain to expand or to swell. That skull is actually taken -- it's not put into the stomach as much as it's actually put into the skin around the abdominal cavity. That's a sterile area, that's an area that has plenty of blood flow and an area where they can go back to get it put the bone back at some point when the swelling has gone down.

COOPER: That is just remarkable. And I also understand it was reported that Roy Horn may have stopped breathing for something like 30 seconds after this incident. Thirty seconds seems like a very long time. How much damage can this do?

GUPTA: Yes. In fact, they went on to say that he was actually reported as being dead for 30 seconds. And both those things are sort of these terms that are thrown around a bit.

Being dead is sort of one of these things that people have debated for quite some time. He certainly is not dead. To be dead is when your heart stops beating, and that's irreversible.

If his heart did stop beating and he stopped breathing, you can be shocked or have a defibrillator actually placed to bring you back, so to speak. Stopping breathing for about 30 seconds usually is not a significant problem. Neurosurgeons, surgeons who study the brain, worry more about when it gets to be about three to five minutes. That's when you have a lack of oxygen flow long enough where it can get to be a problem. Thirty seconds, usually people can recover from that and have a significant neurological recovery without much trouble.

COOPER: Just fascinating. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks very much. GUPTA: Thank you, Anderson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): A deadly ferry crash in New York. The injured streaming into hospitals.

What are the costs of being single?

And breaking a curse in Chicago.

360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSHUA MACHT, MANAGING EDITOR, TIME.COM: T-Mobile is a mobile communications company that has installed the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) antennas within Starbucks. It has yet to really been proven as a successful concept. The next question, though, is can you really charge them a premium for it and start to make money? At Starbucks, to figure out how to get us to pay $3.50 for a 50-cent cup of coffee, who knows? They may be the ones who can figure out how to sell this too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right. It's time for "The Reset," today's top stories.

New York City ferry deaths. One of New York's famed Staten Island ferries -- there are five of them -- slammed into the pier as it was docking this afternoon, killing 10 people, 34 others injured. Witnesses say heavy winds, high waves may have been a factor. Frankly, they don't know at this point. We're going to have more on the story just in a moment.

Northwest China -- down to Earth. China says its first astronauts -- taikonauts they call them -- returned home safely today after a 21-hour, 14-orbit flight. Chinese television showed Yang Lua (ph) emerging from his capsule in China's Inner Mongolia region.

Washington -- implant recommendation, saying women who understand the potential risk should have the option. Government health advisers have recommended an end to the 11-year ban on silicone gel breast implants. The Food and Drug Administration will get the final decision.

Worcester, Massachusetts -- translator hearing. A preliminary hearing was held today for a translator who worked with terror suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There he is there. Ahmed Mehalba is charged with lying to investigators. Prosecutors say he was carrying classified documents at the time of his arrest. And that is tonight's "Reset" for you.

Many -- now -- more now on our top story this evening, the Staten Island Ferry crash that left 10 people dead, about 34 others injured. Jason Carroll is on the scene with the very latest -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And Anderson, there are still obviously a number of investigators who are still here at this scene as well. You can see they are there behind me.

We are also being told that the NTSB is on its way down here as well. They are going to be helping investigators. Ferry service has been suspended so they can do their work without being interrupted.

Just to recap very quickly what happened here. Just after 3:00, the ferry was pulling into the -- pulling in -- tried to dock here. And eyewitnesses say that is when they heard some sort of loud crunching noise and then, all of a sudden, they say there was -- those who went to look to see what happened saw a large hole on the side of the boat. One eyewitness saying, telling me that it was the size of a city bus.

Mayor Bloomberg has been out here. He was debriefed by members of the Department of Transportation as well as city and fire. He is telling us that most of the injuries occurred on the main deck.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: People who were sitting there as the ferry docked were hit by the pilings that came through the side of the boat. We don't know anymore than that and we're not going to speculate on what happened. The crew was all being investigated, interviewed, tested for drugs and for alcohol as is the normal procedure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: That boat carries upwards of 1,500 passengers. We're told that the boat was just about at capacity. Again, as you said there at the top, 10 people at this point confirmed dead, 34 injuries. Those who were injured were taken to St. Vincent's Hospital out here on Staten Island. We're told that we should be getting an update from the hospital very soon.

In terms of those who are in the hospital who are injured. We're told that the injuries range from being very serious. Several amputees, severe lacerations as well. So at this point, once again, waiting for an update from the hospital.

But in terms of the cause, what exactly caused this accident, as you heard there, investigators at this point unwilling to speculate -- Anderson.

COOPER: And have love ones who want to know about the whereabouts of some people on this ferry? I mean, is there a number they can call? Have they -- is there any way they can try to find out who some of these injured and/or deceased people are?

CARROLL: Anyone who was trying to reach out in trying to find loved ones can contact city fire, the non-emergency number. They can also call a non-emergency number for the police as well. Those are the numbers that we are being told for anyone out there at this point who may indeed want to contact anyone who was out there on the ferry.

COOPER: Right, and I know locally here in New York there's this 311 number that people can dial for city information. I think that's one of the numbers.

Thirty-four people injured, though. I mean, as you said, some of them quite severely. I mean, I don't want to be maudlin in any way, but, I mean, I guess it's even possible the death toll could rise.

CARROLL: Very likely that that could happen. That's what fire officials are telling me down here. They said that when the boat was pulling into the dock, pilings were sort of ripping through the side of the boat and anyone who was unfortunate enough to be out there on that part of the deck and could not get out of the way, you could imagine just how extensive the injuries can be.

COOPER: All right. We're going to find out more about that right now. Jason Carroll, thanks very much for your report.

We're joined on the phone now by the president of St. Vincent's Hospital in Staten Island where some of the injured were received. Robert Dubicki is his name. He joins us now.

Robert, thanks for being with us. What can you tell us about these injured?

ROBERT DUBICKI, PRESIDENT, ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL: Well, good evening.

We had 22 patients delivered here. We are a level one trauma center, and we were the closest receiving hospital to this accident.

COOPER: You said you had 22 patients delivered to you. There was this figure floating around about 34 injured. I take it the others were sent elsewhere?

DUBICKI: That's correct.

COOPER: What kind of injuries were you seeing?

DUBICKI: We saw the typical trauma, traumatic injuries. We did treat one patient for hypothermia. But other injuries, blunt trauma and penetrating trauma.

COOPER: Of those 22, are they all still being held or have some been released?

DUBICKI: About half have been released. We have actually three patients in our operating room right now, and four have been formally admitted. Others are continuing to be treated. Others had minor, less serious injuries and several of those have actually been discharged.

COOPER: Have you ever seen anything like this?

DUBICKI: Certainly not in my experience.

COOPER: Yes. I mean, I'm a lifelong New Yorker and haven't seen anything like this either. Robert Dubicki, appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much for the update.

DUBICKI: Thank you.

COOPER: Got a fast fact now for you on the Staten Island Ferry. Ferry service runs 24 hours a day. It's a 25-minute ride. It is free. It's about a five-mile ride. The five ferries make 104 trips a day.

Well, as we reported earlier, a Colorado judge is promising a decision by next week on whether pro-basketball star Kobe Bryant will go on trial for sexual assault. After two days of testimony, spread over two weeks, Bryant's preliminary hearing concluded today. The district attorney says he is optimistic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am confident that the judge will find probable cause and will bind this case over. And I am confident in the people's case versus Kobe Bryant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, 360 legal correspondent Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom is in Eagle, Colorado for today's hearing. She joins us now. Kimberly good to see you.

A lot of details to go over. Let's talk about what came out on the witness stand. The detective cross examined said that the alleged victim had told him that she had had relations with somebody else within three days of the incident with Kobe Bryant. How significant is this?

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Well, significant for the defense because any evidence that they can introduce to suggest that someone else might have been responsible for the physical trauma, the penetrating vaginal trauma that we heard about in the previous week, then that's good for them because then that shows force perhaps wasn't used that this was consensual.

Again, though, that doesn't mean that this didn't occur because you have very damaging physical evidence on the flip side of blood evidence underneath his shirt, three stains and blood on her panties from the night of that incident. How does the defense overcome that? Still no suggestion as to how they'll do that.

COOPER: Just to caution some sensitive viewers, you might want to turn the sound down a little bit, because some of this is graphic. Gary Tuchman reported earlier some evidence found in the underwear of the alleged victim. I mean, I hate to bring this stuff up, but this is what they are talking about in the court today. What was significant? What was found? Why does it matter?

NEWSOM: Well, there is the two underpants that are basically booked into evidence. One is the night she wore the night in question that has the blood stain on it. And the second, is the pair she wore the next morning into the examination with the nurse practitioner.

Now that had evidence of semen on there and, again, this is very important because Kobe Bryant was excluded as a potential source of that semen. In addition there was evidence that there was pubic hair that belonged to a Caucasian. Again, Kobe Bryant being excluded.

This is helpful, beneficial evidence to the defense in this case. So, today the prosecution definitely had some struggling.

COOPER: Another thing is we all heard in the past about this, the bellhop who allegedly saw the alleged victim after she left Kobe Bryant's room. Said she was upset. Now there is word today that someone else was also a witness, wrote a letter to the prosecution saying she didn't seem upset.

NEWSOM: Yes, that's the nighttime auditor. But what we're being told is the only person that the alleged victim confided in was the bellhop, that she did explain what happened to him, that the night auditor that they had very limited contact, that she unsolicited, sent a letter in to the prosecution saying I didn't see any sign of distress, et cetera.

So that evidence should be viewed with some caution. We didn't get to delve into it. As the prosecutor said, Mark Hurlbert, we did not hear all the evidence in this. Kobe Bryant's statement was sealed. The prosecution was precluded from putting on the videotaped statement and other statements were not allowed to be presented in the courtroom. He feels he's confident he's got beyond a reasonable doubt to put this case forward, that it will be bound over and I expect we will see this go to trial.

COOPER: All right, we'll know in a couple of days. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, good to talk to you.

NEWSOM: Thank you.

COOPER: Living single, a record number of Americans, well, they are shacking up by themselves. Find out what is driving this cultural shift.

Also, midweek crisis. It was a missed catch seen around the world. A loyal fan now in hiding. We'll go live to Wrigley Field.

Plus, make sure you stick around for the next hour. Paula Zahn sits down with the Vatican's chief exorcist. And learns the tools of the trade. Be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: Welcome back. Time to catch up on some pop culture news with tonight "Current". "Variety" reports that Yoko Ono has sign a deal for a Broadway musical suing the life and songs of John Lennon. In a related story 360 producer, Eric Bloom, plans to spend the weekend in his apartment singing the songs of Ringo Starr. It's funny if you're on the staff.

Patrick Stewart of "X-men" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is seeking a separation from his wife of 3 years. Sad news to report. Stewart of course, is admired by many "Star Trek" fans for having had relationships with actual women.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is making a debut in Singapore after official censors finally relented. It is unclear whether anyone told the officials that Frankfurter is not a reference to food.

The Temptations are being sued by the lead singer Barrington Henderson for a slew of complaints. Among them, he claims the band made defamatory statements about his ability to hit certain notes. The case is expected to rely on precedence set in the so-called "Time To Change Case" of Peter Brady versus the Brady Six.

Next up on 360, we're going to go live to Wrigley Field to find out what kind of animal the Cubs need to beat, Marlins or a goat?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Sometimes the hand of fate wears a mitt. But not last night. The Cubs lost a shot at going to the World Series last night when an unnamed fan grabbed for a foul ball. That is our midweek crisis.

And you may have come across the video, I'll say, about 8,000 or 9,000 today. In just a minute we'll meet the descendants, two legged and otherwise, of those who said they put a curse on the Cubs in 1945. But first, CNN's Jeff Flock is at Wrigley Field right now, just minutes away from the final deciding Pennant game. Jeff, how is it going?

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed Anderson, in the midst of the crowd tonight, trying to get a sense for the mood. When the folks came out of here last night after yesterday's debacle it was quite a negative feeling.

You know, we found out a lot about that guy who touched the ball last night, caused all the problems. He's a 26-year-old baseball coach, a youth baseball coach.

Today he was reviled in Chicago. Some people called him the most hated man in town for getting in the way of that -- potentially one of the outs in the 8th inning. But as time went on today, I think folks had a more forgiving attitude toward him. He was led away from the stadium last night under sort of a security escort because they were concerned about his safety. But tonight, everyone feeling very positive. One of the Cubs prominent pitchers on the mound said it could go their way still in this game seven. A lot of folks on the street of Wrigleyville, Anderson, getting ready for this ball game. It will be another packed house in Chicago.

COOPER: It's going to be an exciting night. Also, Governor Jeb Bush said an offer of asylum might be a good deal for the guy idea who caught the ball. Jeff Flock, thanks very much.

At a loss to explain their woes and apparently not satisfied with statistics, and probability theories some Cubs fans have turned to a supernatural explanation. An explanation that CNN's Keith Oppenheim reports has its roots, as so many do, in a house of alcohol.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Deep under Michigan Avenue lies the Billy Goat Tavern. A place made famous by Saturday night live, but less known for its curse on the Chicago Cubs. The original owner, Billy Goat Sianis goated the opposition by bringing a goat to Wrigley Field. In a 1945 series with Detroit, Cubs' owner P.K. Wrigley had enough.

SAM SIANIS, OWNER, BILLY GOAT TAVERN: Mr. Wrigley says, OK, let the billy goat in, but not the goat, because the goat smells. So ushers approached Billy and the goat was shut out. The legend goes that Billy Sianis is pretty mad at this point and stands out in front of the park with his goat and raises his arm and says there will never be a World Series Played at Wrigley Field again. This is 1945, there hasn't been. Billy,'s nephew Sam, shows us a goat that he claims is a descendent of the original.

OPPENHEIM: Do the Cubbies have a chance?

Are the Cubbies going to make it to the series?

Kieth Oppenheim, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, I wanted to follow up on his question to the goat there. I spoke with its owner Sam Sianis, and him earlier, the goat, not to Keith.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: My first question to Billy the goat, Billy, do you have any plans to lift the curse so the cubs can make it to the World Series?

BILLY, GOAT: (ANDERSON COOPER MAKING GOAT NOISES)

Sam, what can you do this time to help the cubs win and get the course lifted?

SIANIS: They are going to win. You see the goat how happy he is. He lifts his head up. That means the Cubs are going to win tonight, the Pennant. Now, it's a different story (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Because my uncle put the curse on the World Series, the last game played with Detroit in 1945. So I lifted the curse up about two weeks ago. That's why we beat the Astros and we beat the Atlanta Braves. We almost beat the Florida in four straight games, and I don't know what happened.

COOPER: How can you assure us this goat is a direct descendent of the original goat?

SIANIS: This comes from the original goat, but this goat is young. That's why I brought him over here to give more strength to the Cubs so they can be in the Pennant.

COOPER: Sam, who needs the apology here, the goat or your uncle?

SIANIS: The goat. The goat. My uncle always tell the reporters they have to come to apologize to the goat all these years, but they never did.

COOPER: All right, goat, what would you tell each of the cubs to do last night to rebound from last night?

BILLY (through translator): They gotta play it one pitch at a time and just be happy to be there. They gotta help the ball club and give it their best shot and they good lord willing things will work out.

COOPER: Oh, that was me. Thanks very much, Billy and Sam Sianis.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

For tonight's "Flashback," we're going to go to game one of the 1996 American League Championship Series when 12-year-old Jeff Mayor (ph) reached out to knock a Derek Jeter shot into the stands, turning it into a home run shot. The run tied the game up and set up a 11th inning win by the Yankees and went up to win the Pennant and the World Series. That was the crowd cheering.

What do you think of the Girl Scouts?

Do you think they are uncool?

Some teens think they are. Now Girl Scouts are tossing their cookies and fighting back.

But first todays "Buzz," Are the Chicago Cubs cursed?

Vote now at cnn.com/360. The results totally unscientific when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right. Time now for "The Buzz." We asked you, are the Chicago Cubs cursed? 45 said no, 55 -- 45 percent said yes. There you go. 55 percent, no. As you can tell, this is a completely unscientific poll. We thought it would be interesting anyway. Log on to cnn.com/360 anytime to send us your instant feedback on this and all of today's stories. I try to e-mail back directly. We'll see what we can do.

Tonight, Girl Scouts it the "Nth Degree." The Associated Press reports the Girl Scouts have an image problem. They are 2.8 million members are almost all under 11. Seems the older girls, those tweens think they are too cool for scouting. They don't need no stinking badges uniforms or thin mints. We can't seem we blame them. It seems a shame that after 91 years the Girl Scouts have to get a makeover. What ever happened to growing old gracefully?

To fight the ravages of time and recruit teens and tweens Girl Scouts have created Studio 2B, the place for teens, says the Web site. Which also has polls on burning questions like, what's the most important item in your bag? Turns out lip gloss.

Girl Scouts, we wish you luck. Do you know what you are up against?

Tweens are the hot commodity right now and they belong to someone else. Do you think your (UNINTELLIGIBLE) make you a match for harden street fighters like Hillary Duff, Raven and yeah the Olsen twins. You think Mary Kate and Ashley are just going to give up their perfectly manicured vice like grip on American tweens. Listen Cindy Louho (ph), in Hollywood you get a merit badge for back stabbing plus 5 percent of the gross. Eat a thin mint in Bel Air you better make sure it comes back an hour later. So good luck Girl Scout you may have pluck and determination but tween stars have bitter stage moms and the law firm of Do We Cheat Them and How?

That wraps up our program tonight. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Case Ends>


Aired October 15, 2003 - 19:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST (voice-over): A deadly ferry crash in New York. The injured streaming into hospitals.

Carnage in Gaza. The U.S. tells Americans, get out, now.

Kobe Bryant back in court. New details, more tough talk.

Why one state thinks free stomach stapling will save money.

Coupling? Not so much. Tonight, the pros and cons of staying single.

And no joy in Wrigleyville. Can the Cubs break the curse of the goat?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.

COOPER: And a good evening to you. Thanks for joining us on 360.

Rush hour horror in Staten Island, New York. A ferry ride ends with death. The 310-footlong ferry slammed into a pier trying to dock. Lives lost, limbs lost, a scene of terror.

Jason Carroll is on the scene and has the very latest on the death toll -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And we are here at the ferry terminal. If you can take a look behind me, you can see the number of investigators that are still out here. Members of the Department of Transportation, city, and fire as well. Investigators at this point are not willing to speculate on what the cause of the accident is.

What we can tell you is that just after 3:00, as the boat was trying to dock, somehow the boat was ripped open, the side of the boat by the pier as it was trying to dock. That's at least how one witness described it. Not clear why it all happened as the boat was trying to dock here at St. George terminal. One passenger described what he saw, what he heard, during the accident.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was coming in. It was rocking.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rocking.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It rocked a lot. And the wind always takes this boat when it comes to this side of the island. And all of a sudden, you heard like a big crash, like a real big boom, like that. And then, like I said, I thought it just hit the side of the boat, the side of the pier. And then I didn't know what happened (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and then that was it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been debriefed by investigators, members of the Department of Transportation, as well as city and fire. He held a press conference just a short while ago where he described what had happened. He said most of the fatalities occurred on the main deck.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK: The people who were sitting there as the ferry docked were hit by the pilings that came through the side of the boat. We don't know any more than that, and we' re not going to speculate on what happened. The crew is all being investigated, interviewed, tested for drugs and for alcohol, as is the normal procedure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Mayor Bloomberg saying that fortunately most people were actually inside, Anderson, and not outside on the deck because of the cold weather. Had the weather been a little bit warmer and more people outside, things could have been even worse. At this point we are told, again, 10 dead, 34 injuries at this point. Many of those injuries severe. We are told that there are several amputees.

At this point, the NTSB is on its way down here to join investigators who are already here at the scene. But again, as you heard, investigators at this point not willing to speculate on what the cause of this accident was. The weather was very windy out on New York Harbor today. Perhaps that had something to do with it.

They are going to be interviewing members of the crew, testing them for alcohol and drugs. That is standard procedure when something like this happens. But again, no one willing to speculate at this point what the cause of the accident was -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Jason Carroll following the story for us.

We are joined on the phone now by someone who was on board the ferry when it all happened, Justin Girard.

Justin, the ferry was about to dock. I understand you noticed something was wrong. What tipped you off? All right. Justin was just on a cell phone and I think we just lost contact with him. We will try to reestablish contact. We're going to be following this story all evening long as events warrant.

As Jason was reporting, 10 people are known dead at this moment. Many more people are in the hospital. We'll have a press conference later on in this hour. We'll be monitoring that and bring it to you live. A lot more to report.

We move on to Eagle, Colorado right now, where the pretrial hearing into the Kobe Bryant rape charges ended today. The defense questioned a lead detective, and that brought out a lot of graphic details. I want to warn you, sensitive viewers might want to leave the room. CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If the wheels of justice spin Kobe Bryant's way, he will not have to return to the Eagle County Court in Colorado. In the closing arguments during the hearing to determine if he should stand trial, Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, said the alleged victim is "not worthy of your belief."

One week after attorney Mackey angered the judge by making a comment about the accuser's alleged sexual past, she was permitted to address elements of it, cross-examining the detective who interviewed the 19-year-old. He acknowledged somebody else's semen and pubic hair were on the woman's underwear when she went to the hospital the day after the alleged crime and that said she recently had sex with someone else. The defense is trying to prove her injuries might have come from someone other than Bryant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They showed the prosecution, look, we're not building this on what Kobe says. We're building this case on what your witness says.

TUCHMAN: The prosecutors cited the 19-year-old's blood found on Kobe's T-shirt and a bruise on her jaw, they say, was caused by Bryant's thumb while putting his hands around her neck.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am confident that the judge will find probable cause and will bind this case over. And I am confident in the people's case versus Kobe Bryant.

TUCHMAN: The detective on the stand did acknowledge to defense attorneys that Bryant's clothes were not torn, that he had no scratches, and that nearby guests in the hotel heard nothing. But Detective Doug Winters says he has faith in the 19-year-old woman.

DOUG WINTERS, DETECTIVE: I don't feel that there was a Rush to judgment. We worked this case like we would any other type of sexual assault.

(END VIDEOTAPE) TUCHMAN: So will Kobe Bryant have to go to trial? Judge Fred Gannett could have made the announcement right after the hearing ended in the building behind me. But he said instead, he'll make his decision next week. Most likely Monday.

So if there is a trial, look for a battle of hotel employees: a bellman who says the woman was distraught when he saw her, a night auditor who says the woman looked like there was no problems when she saw her. Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: Gary, last week at the hearing, Kobe Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, came under some criticism, at least publicly, for some of her actions inside the courtroom. Today, how was she compared to last week?

TUCHMAN: Well, she said a comment last week about three men in three days, alluding to the woman's sexual history. Today, indeed, the judge allowed some of the sexual history to be talked about. She was very calm while she discussed it.

One other thing that happened last week, she said the alleged victim's name six times. Today, on her notes, in big type-written letters all over her file that was on her table, it said, "the accuser." And each time she referred to the woman she said "the accuser" and never used the accuser's name.

COOPER: Interesting difference. All right. Gary Tuchman, thanks very much for that report.

We are joined on the phone now by someone was on board the Staten Island ferry, which we've been covering earlier this hour. Justin Girard is his name.

Justin, the ferry you were on was about to dock. I understand you noticed something was wrong. What tipped you off?

JUSTIN GIRARD, FERRY PASSENGER: Well, I ride the ferry every day. And usually when we are a certain distance away from the dock, the boat slows down. And I was standing in front of the boat and I noticed that we were coming on pretty quickly. And we didn't seem to be slowing at all.

COOPER: And what did you do? I mean, I understand you left the area you were in.

GIRARD: Yes, because usually I stand in the front of the boat when it's docking on the bottom level. And when I noticed that we weren't slowing down and I had a split second to react, I just quickly turned around and ran back a few feet and just braced myself.

COOPER: What did you think happened?

GIRARD: Well, I could see that the dock was coming up really quick, and after the impact, I knew that we hit, but I really didn't think that we hit that hard until like a split second later, when it became very smoky inside and I heard people screaming. COOPER: If you could, I mean, try to -- you know we see these pictures, we hear the story. But being there is so different. What was it like actually being there on that boat, the sights, the sounds? Try to explain it if you can.

GIRARD: It was actually kind of frightening after it all happened. You know, people were screaming and, you know, again, it was very smoky in there. And it wasn't until I actually saw the damage a few seconds after impact, I walked from where I was bracing myself and I saw the actual damage on the vessel itself.

And it was so surreal that, you know, at that point I didn't know whether we hit something or whether it was a bomb or, you know, there were people speculating a lot of different things. And it was very frantic and chaotic.

COOPER: And authorities have been very clear, they don't want to go down the road of speculation until they have more facts in. But you talk about damage to the boat. I mean, 10 people dead, 34 people injured. Did you see people injured, or were you herded away to another area on board?

GIRARD: No. Actually, right after it all happened, I was trying to find a safe place to go. And I looked toward the back of the boat and I saw many people standing over there. But to get to that point, I had to pass the point of impact.

And I did see some rubble and some injured people, but I really didn't want to look at them because I ride the boat every day. And I just didn't want to see anybody who I see on a daily basis.

COOPER: Sure. Yes, totally understandable. I understand you looked back or you went back to the area you had been standing in a few seconds before and it was all -- it was destroyed.

GIRARD: Yeah, yeah. I was standing in front of the door, and it was -- it just crumbled and the glass was all shattered. So if I hadn't moved, who knows what would have happened.

COOPER: I understand you are a schoolteacher. You usually take the ferry I think a little bit later. Why did you take this one?

GIRARD: Yes, I usually make the 3:30 ferry coming home, but I wanted to get home to watch the ball game. So as soon as the last bell rang I was out the door. And I really rushed to make that 3:00 ferry so I could get home to watch the Yankee game.

COOPER: Justin Girard, I know it's been a difficult day for you. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us and try to explain what it was like being there. And I'm glad you are home safe and sound. Thanks, Justin.

GIRARD: OK, thank you.

COOPER: Fast fact now for you on the Staten Island ferry. Roughly 65,000 people like Justin take the ferry each day. There are five different ferries that serve the area. It's about 19 million passengers every year. It's about a five-mile ride.

We're going to have more on this a little bit later on. As we said, we are anticipating a press conference. We'll bring that to you shortly passed the half-hour mark.

Now to the Middle East. For the first time, Americans are murdered in an attack. The place, Gaza. The weapon, a roadside bomb ripped through a convoy carrying U.S. diplomats.

Three American security guards died. Another wounded. The reaction stateside, strong. Here's CNN's State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Bush condemned the unprecedented attack and blamed the Palestinian Authority.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today an American died as a result of a terrorist attack in Gaza.

KOPPEL: In an even tougher written statement, Mr. Bush said Palestinian leaders should have acted long ago to fight terror, and singled out Yasser Arafat by name. "There must be an empowered prime minister who controls all Palestinian security forces, reforms," Mr. Bush said, "that continue to be blocked by Yasser Arafat."

The Americans killed were private military contractors, providing security as part of a three-car U.S. diplomatic convoy en route from Israel to the Gaza Strip to interview Palestinian candidates for Fullbright scholarships in the United States.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: They were there on a mission of peace. They were there on a mission of reconciliation, a mission to help people to a better life. And terrorists killed them.

KOPPEL: Palestinian demonstrators blocked U.S. investigators from examining the scene of the attack. Militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad denied involvement, but State Department officials said they still believe Palestinian terrorists were deliberately targeting Americans because the convoy was easily recognizable.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN: In the absence of information to the contrary, that's the assumption one has to make given the nature of the attack.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOPPEL And tonight, a team of FBI agents is heading to the region to help investigate it. When asked about the future of the U.S.-backed road map to peace, Secretary Powell said there is a way forward, but he put the Palestinian on notice, Anderson. He said that the only way to get started, and it's not possible to get started in an environment of continued bombings and violence -- Anderson.

COOPER: And we will have to watch what happen next. Andrea Koppel, thanks very much for that tonight.

I want to take a trip quick for you around the globe: tonight's "UpLink."

Gobi Desert, China: historic mission accomplished. China's first manned spacecraft landed on Earth after orbiting the globe 14 times. China's first astronaut is said to be safe and in good condition. He emerged from the capsule less than half an hour ago. This makes China only the third nation to send a rocket carrying a person into space. More on this story in a couple of moments.

La Paz, Bolivia: more deadly protests. Thousands of anti- government demonstrators took to the streets of several cities there today calling on the president to resign. Two people died. At least six others injured in clashes with the army.

Vatican City, Italy: the festivities have begun celebrating the pope's 25 years on the job. Pilgrims waved Poland's red and white flag and sang Polish songs -- there you go right there -- in St. Peter's Square.

Baghdad, Iraq: new money without Saddam Hussein's face on it. Iraqis are lining up to swap out their old currency with the new dinars (ph) that also protect against counterfeiters.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, Yousef Islam, makes a rare on-stage performance for a fund-raising concert. Hundreds gathered to listen to him read poetry, while leaders from Islamic countries gathered for their annual summit.

And in London, the wild boys are back. Yes, I'm talking about Duran Duran, the mavericks who made men's eyeliner, cheese blonde hair and cinematic music videos all the rage in the early ' 80s. They're back. The former pinups performed for an ecstatic home crowd for the first time in 18 years.

And that is tonight's "UpLink."

Well, living life apart: formally conjoined twins coming out of a coma. Find out what doctors say about their progress. There they are.

Also, free weight loss surgery? Find out how they plan to trim the fat in Louisiana.

And the new space race. Why is China shooting for the moon now?

First, take a look "Inside the Box." What was the top story on tonight's network evening newscasts?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: You are looking at live pictures right now from Staten Island, where a commuter ferry crashed into a dock just several hours ago. New York's mayor has confirmed that 10 people have died. Dozens are injured, as many as 34 at last count. We'll be monitoring the story throughout the evening, bringing you any new information. We're also going to have an update in about 15 minutes on this.

On to Florida now, where a life and death decision pits a woman's husband against her own parents. It was a decision that Terri Schiavo couldn't make herself. She has been in a coma-like state for more than a decade. And today, just some five hours ago, her feeding tube was removed. For all involved it has been a very difficult day.

Here's CNN's John Zarrella.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pray to the divine...

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At 2:00 p.m., as Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was being removed, the crowd outside the hospice prayed. Terri's mother, Mary Schindler, prayed with them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

ZARRELLA: They were hoping that somehow a way could be found to keep Terri alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've always been optimistic. And I'm one of those people that I have a strong belief in divine intervention.

ZARRELLA: For 13 years, ever since she suffered heart failure, Schiavo has been in what the Florida court calls a "persistent vegetative state." Her husband, Michael, has been fighting to have her taken off life support. Although she did not have a living will, Michael Schiavo says his wife told him she would never want to live like this.

MICHAEL SCHIAVO, TERRI SCHIAVO'S HUSBAND: Terri has been gone for 13 years. She died in my arms 13 years ago.

ZARRELLA: Terri's parents believe she can be rehabilitated. But they've lost nearly every round in court. In a last-ditch attempt, the Schindlers met with Florida's governor, Jeb Bush, who also believes an attempt should be made to rehabilitate her.

GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: I will abide by the ruling of the judges, but we're going to seek whatever legal alternatives are available and seek the best minds to try to find another avenue to submit to the courts to see if there can be a change in this ruling.

ZARRELLA: But time is running out. It's not clear how long Terri can last without the feeding tube being put back in.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: John Zarrella joins us now. John, I hope this doesn't sound callous. I know death is inevitable. You say doctors say what, it could take about two weeks? And how will she be cared for until then?

He's having a problem with his IFB. All right. We're going to just move on and maybe try to talk with John in just a little while longer.

We've been following the progress of the two Egyptian boys, conjoined twins separated over the weekend in Dallas. They've been kept heavily sedated, but now doctors are slowly moving the twins out of their drug-induced coma.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has an update.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We still don't know what Mohammed and Ahmed Ibrahim look like now, but the hospital says one part of this picture has not changed, and that's the boys' parents standing by their side. While doctors are upbeat, they are not certain how the boys' recovery will progress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We really don't know what any child is going to do. We have expectations or we have targets. But we really don't know how any child is going to respond.

LAVANDERA: Doctors are now slowly taking both boys out of their medically-induced coma. It could take up to four days for all the medication to wear off, allowing the boys to regain physical movement, but for the first time on their own. Right now, Mohammed and Ahmed are connected to a ventilator and an IV that feeds them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's going to be many, many weeks before you can begin to test or assay what their different levels of functionality are going to be.

LAVANDERA: So far, there have been three brain scans performed on the boys. Doctors are excited to report those tests showed no problems and that the boys are recovering well. But at this point, doctors also say any day without a medical setback is a day worth being excited about.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, I want to take you on a quick trip "Cross Country".

Fresno, California: the president and the "Terminator". President Bush was in California today and plans to meet tomorrow with California's governor-elect. The White House says Mr. Bush will talk with Schwarzenegger in Riverside, California, where the president is scheduled to make a speech.

Charleston, South Carolina: pilots rescued. Two Marine fighter jets crashed off the East Coast today. Here's some video of the rescue. The jets were on a training mission and it is possible they may have clipped each other. But both pilots are safe tonight.

Los Angeles, California: tour postponed. Rock star Ozzy Osbourne, on the right, has scrapped plans for a European tour blaming a nervous tremor. Osbourne's doctor says medication is controlling the tremor, but the doctors are causing a temporary -- are causing a temporary impairment to Osbourne's voice.

And that's a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.

As we told you a few minutes ago, China's first astronaut has landed about a half-hour ago. Chinese state television showed pictures of Yang Lui (ph) merging from the capsule and waving. His flight is being hailed as a great success by Chinese authorities. Space correspondent Miles O'Brien takes a look now at what this mission may mean.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Space just got a little more crowded. China's launch into the elite club of nations that send people off the planet appeared to go off without a hitch. (UNINTELLIGIBLE), whose name was kept secret until the last minute, strapped into the Shen Zu (ph) spacecraft. It means divine vessel.

And by all accounts, the 38-year-old fighter pilot and father of an 8-year-old son was having a divine trip as he orbited the globe 14 times in all. As he whizzed overhead, he unfurled a Chines flag, ate chicken and rice, told mission controllers he felt great, called the view splendid, said hello to all the peoples of the world, and then snoozed. On board the international space station, the other two humans in orbit, Astronaut Ed Liu (ph) and cosmonaut (UNINTELLIGIBLE) paused to chat with me about this historic milestone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd like to have somebody else in space other than me and Ed (ph), and also I know it was great (UNINTELLIGIBLE) thousands and thousands of people from China.

O'BRIEN: The Chinese say this is just a start. They might very well seek an invitation to join the international space station partnership, or they might build a station of their own, or they might make good on a vow to establish a permanent colony on the moon. The sky is no limit, and a new generation space race might be on.

Miles O'Brien, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, what do you think? Can the Cubs pull out the big one tonight? We have a lot more still to come. But first, today's buzz, what everyone seems to be talking about.

Are the Chicago Cubs cursed? Vote now, cnn.com/360. That's where you can also send me your instant feedback. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, medical update for you now. Twelve days, one stroke and two surgeries later, magician Roy Horn is still in critical condition after that brutal on-stage tiger mauling. Although doctors say he has been recovering well, he's not out of the woods yet.

Our medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, join us live from Atlanta with an update. Sanjay, the "New York Daily News" reported that doctors actually cut away part of Roy's skull and actually stored it in his stomach to keep him alive. How does that work?

SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's sort of interesting, Anderson. Typically, what happens is, If there are concerns about brain swelling, what happens is the brain actually expanding against a rigid skull. So surgeons will sometimes remove part of the skull.

I've got a model here I want to show you. Now, this is an actual human skull. And sometimes you actually have to remove parts of the skull here to allow the brain to expand or to swell. That skull is actually taken -- it's not put into the stomach as much as it's actually put into the skin around the abdominal cavity. That's a sterile area, that's an area that has plenty of blood flow and an area where they can go back to get it put the bone back at some point when the swelling has gone down.

COOPER: That is just remarkable. And I also understand it was reported that Roy Horn may have stopped breathing for something like 30 seconds after this incident. Thirty seconds seems like a very long time. How much damage can this do?

GUPTA: Yes. In fact, they went on to say that he was actually reported as being dead for 30 seconds. And both those things are sort of these terms that are thrown around a bit.

Being dead is sort of one of these things that people have debated for quite some time. He certainly is not dead. To be dead is when your heart stops beating, and that's irreversible.

If his heart did stop beating and he stopped breathing, you can be shocked or have a defibrillator actually placed to bring you back, so to speak. Stopping breathing for about 30 seconds usually is not a significant problem. Neurosurgeons, surgeons who study the brain, worry more about when it gets to be about three to five minutes. That's when you have a lack of oxygen flow long enough where it can get to be a problem. Thirty seconds, usually people can recover from that and have a significant neurological recovery without much trouble.

COOPER: Just fascinating. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks very much. GUPTA: Thank you, Anderson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): A deadly ferry crash in New York. The injured streaming into hospitals.

What are the costs of being single?

And breaking a curse in Chicago.

360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSHUA MACHT, MANAGING EDITOR, TIME.COM: T-Mobile is a mobile communications company that has installed the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) antennas within Starbucks. It has yet to really been proven as a successful concept. The next question, though, is can you really charge them a premium for it and start to make money? At Starbucks, to figure out how to get us to pay $3.50 for a 50-cent cup of coffee, who knows? They may be the ones who can figure out how to sell this too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right. It's time for "The Reset," today's top stories.

New York City ferry deaths. One of New York's famed Staten Island ferries -- there are five of them -- slammed into the pier as it was docking this afternoon, killing 10 people, 34 others injured. Witnesses say heavy winds, high waves may have been a factor. Frankly, they don't know at this point. We're going to have more on the story just in a moment.

Northwest China -- down to Earth. China says its first astronauts -- taikonauts they call them -- returned home safely today after a 21-hour, 14-orbit flight. Chinese television showed Yang Lua (ph) emerging from his capsule in China's Inner Mongolia region.

Washington -- implant recommendation, saying women who understand the potential risk should have the option. Government health advisers have recommended an end to the 11-year ban on silicone gel breast implants. The Food and Drug Administration will get the final decision.

Worcester, Massachusetts -- translator hearing. A preliminary hearing was held today for a translator who worked with terror suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There he is there. Ahmed Mehalba is charged with lying to investigators. Prosecutors say he was carrying classified documents at the time of his arrest. And that is tonight's "Reset" for you.

Many -- now -- more now on our top story this evening, the Staten Island Ferry crash that left 10 people dead, about 34 others injured. Jason Carroll is on the scene with the very latest -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And Anderson, there are still obviously a number of investigators who are still here at this scene as well. You can see they are there behind me.

We are also being told that the NTSB is on its way down here as well. They are going to be helping investigators. Ferry service has been suspended so they can do their work without being interrupted.

Just to recap very quickly what happened here. Just after 3:00, the ferry was pulling into the -- pulling in -- tried to dock here. And eyewitnesses say that is when they heard some sort of loud crunching noise and then, all of a sudden, they say there was -- those who went to look to see what happened saw a large hole on the side of the boat. One eyewitness saying, telling me that it was the size of a city bus.

Mayor Bloomberg has been out here. He was debriefed by members of the Department of Transportation as well as city and fire. He is telling us that most of the injuries occurred on the main deck.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: People who were sitting there as the ferry docked were hit by the pilings that came through the side of the boat. We don't know anymore than that and we're not going to speculate on what happened. The crew was all being investigated, interviewed, tested for drugs and for alcohol as is the normal procedure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: That boat carries upwards of 1,500 passengers. We're told that the boat was just about at capacity. Again, as you said there at the top, 10 people at this point confirmed dead, 34 injuries. Those who were injured were taken to St. Vincent's Hospital out here on Staten Island. We're told that we should be getting an update from the hospital very soon.

In terms of those who are in the hospital who are injured. We're told that the injuries range from being very serious. Several amputees, severe lacerations as well. So at this point, once again, waiting for an update from the hospital.

But in terms of the cause, what exactly caused this accident, as you heard there, investigators at this point unwilling to speculate -- Anderson.

COOPER: And have love ones who want to know about the whereabouts of some people on this ferry? I mean, is there a number they can call? Have they -- is there any way they can try to find out who some of these injured and/or deceased people are?

CARROLL: Anyone who was trying to reach out in trying to find loved ones can contact city fire, the non-emergency number. They can also call a non-emergency number for the police as well. Those are the numbers that we are being told for anyone out there at this point who may indeed want to contact anyone who was out there on the ferry.

COOPER: Right, and I know locally here in New York there's this 311 number that people can dial for city information. I think that's one of the numbers.

Thirty-four people injured, though. I mean, as you said, some of them quite severely. I mean, I don't want to be maudlin in any way, but, I mean, I guess it's even possible the death toll could rise.

CARROLL: Very likely that that could happen. That's what fire officials are telling me down here. They said that when the boat was pulling into the dock, pilings were sort of ripping through the side of the boat and anyone who was unfortunate enough to be out there on that part of the deck and could not get out of the way, you could imagine just how extensive the injuries can be.

COOPER: All right. We're going to find out more about that right now. Jason Carroll, thanks very much for your report.

We're joined on the phone now by the president of St. Vincent's Hospital in Staten Island where some of the injured were received. Robert Dubicki is his name. He joins us now.

Robert, thanks for being with us. What can you tell us about these injured?

ROBERT DUBICKI, PRESIDENT, ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL: Well, good evening.

We had 22 patients delivered here. We are a level one trauma center, and we were the closest receiving hospital to this accident.

COOPER: You said you had 22 patients delivered to you. There was this figure floating around about 34 injured. I take it the others were sent elsewhere?

DUBICKI: That's correct.

COOPER: What kind of injuries were you seeing?

DUBICKI: We saw the typical trauma, traumatic injuries. We did treat one patient for hypothermia. But other injuries, blunt trauma and penetrating trauma.

COOPER: Of those 22, are they all still being held or have some been released?

DUBICKI: About half have been released. We have actually three patients in our operating room right now, and four have been formally admitted. Others are continuing to be treated. Others had minor, less serious injuries and several of those have actually been discharged.

COOPER: Have you ever seen anything like this?

DUBICKI: Certainly not in my experience.

COOPER: Yes. I mean, I'm a lifelong New Yorker and haven't seen anything like this either. Robert Dubicki, appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much for the update.

DUBICKI: Thank you.

COOPER: Got a fast fact now for you on the Staten Island Ferry. Ferry service runs 24 hours a day. It's a 25-minute ride. It is free. It's about a five-mile ride. The five ferries make 104 trips a day.

Well, as we reported earlier, a Colorado judge is promising a decision by next week on whether pro-basketball star Kobe Bryant will go on trial for sexual assault. After two days of testimony, spread over two weeks, Bryant's preliminary hearing concluded today. The district attorney says he is optimistic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am confident that the judge will find probable cause and will bind this case over. And I am confident in the people's case versus Kobe Bryant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, 360 legal correspondent Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom is in Eagle, Colorado for today's hearing. She joins us now. Kimberly good to see you.

A lot of details to go over. Let's talk about what came out on the witness stand. The detective cross examined said that the alleged victim had told him that she had had relations with somebody else within three days of the incident with Kobe Bryant. How significant is this?

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Well, significant for the defense because any evidence that they can introduce to suggest that someone else might have been responsible for the physical trauma, the penetrating vaginal trauma that we heard about in the previous week, then that's good for them because then that shows force perhaps wasn't used that this was consensual.

Again, though, that doesn't mean that this didn't occur because you have very damaging physical evidence on the flip side of blood evidence underneath his shirt, three stains and blood on her panties from the night of that incident. How does the defense overcome that? Still no suggestion as to how they'll do that.

COOPER: Just to caution some sensitive viewers, you might want to turn the sound down a little bit, because some of this is graphic. Gary Tuchman reported earlier some evidence found in the underwear of the alleged victim. I mean, I hate to bring this stuff up, but this is what they are talking about in the court today. What was significant? What was found? Why does it matter?

NEWSOM: Well, there is the two underpants that are basically booked into evidence. One is the night she wore the night in question that has the blood stain on it. And the second, is the pair she wore the next morning into the examination with the nurse practitioner.

Now that had evidence of semen on there and, again, this is very important because Kobe Bryant was excluded as a potential source of that semen. In addition there was evidence that there was pubic hair that belonged to a Caucasian. Again, Kobe Bryant being excluded.

This is helpful, beneficial evidence to the defense in this case. So, today the prosecution definitely had some struggling.

COOPER: Another thing is we all heard in the past about this, the bellhop who allegedly saw the alleged victim after she left Kobe Bryant's room. Said she was upset. Now there is word today that someone else was also a witness, wrote a letter to the prosecution saying she didn't seem upset.

NEWSOM: Yes, that's the nighttime auditor. But what we're being told is the only person that the alleged victim confided in was the bellhop, that she did explain what happened to him, that the night auditor that they had very limited contact, that she unsolicited, sent a letter in to the prosecution saying I didn't see any sign of distress, et cetera.

So that evidence should be viewed with some caution. We didn't get to delve into it. As the prosecutor said, Mark Hurlbert, we did not hear all the evidence in this. Kobe Bryant's statement was sealed. The prosecution was precluded from putting on the videotaped statement and other statements were not allowed to be presented in the courtroom. He feels he's confident he's got beyond a reasonable doubt to put this case forward, that it will be bound over and I expect we will see this go to trial.

COOPER: All right, we'll know in a couple of days. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, good to talk to you.

NEWSOM: Thank you.

COOPER: Living single, a record number of Americans, well, they are shacking up by themselves. Find out what is driving this cultural shift.

Also, midweek crisis. It was a missed catch seen around the world. A loyal fan now in hiding. We'll go live to Wrigley Field.

Plus, make sure you stick around for the next hour. Paula Zahn sits down with the Vatican's chief exorcist. And learns the tools of the trade. Be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: Welcome back. Time to catch up on some pop culture news with tonight "Current". "Variety" reports that Yoko Ono has sign a deal for a Broadway musical suing the life and songs of John Lennon. In a related story 360 producer, Eric Bloom, plans to spend the weekend in his apartment singing the songs of Ringo Starr. It's funny if you're on the staff.

Patrick Stewart of "X-men" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is seeking a separation from his wife of 3 years. Sad news to report. Stewart of course, is admired by many "Star Trek" fans for having had relationships with actual women.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is making a debut in Singapore after official censors finally relented. It is unclear whether anyone told the officials that Frankfurter is not a reference to food.

The Temptations are being sued by the lead singer Barrington Henderson for a slew of complaints. Among them, he claims the band made defamatory statements about his ability to hit certain notes. The case is expected to rely on precedence set in the so-called "Time To Change Case" of Peter Brady versus the Brady Six.

Next up on 360, we're going to go live to Wrigley Field to find out what kind of animal the Cubs need to beat, Marlins or a goat?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Sometimes the hand of fate wears a mitt. But not last night. The Cubs lost a shot at going to the World Series last night when an unnamed fan grabbed for a foul ball. That is our midweek crisis.

And you may have come across the video, I'll say, about 8,000 or 9,000 today. In just a minute we'll meet the descendants, two legged and otherwise, of those who said they put a curse on the Cubs in 1945. But first, CNN's Jeff Flock is at Wrigley Field right now, just minutes away from the final deciding Pennant game. Jeff, how is it going?

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed Anderson, in the midst of the crowd tonight, trying to get a sense for the mood. When the folks came out of here last night after yesterday's debacle it was quite a negative feeling.

You know, we found out a lot about that guy who touched the ball last night, caused all the problems. He's a 26-year-old baseball coach, a youth baseball coach.

Today he was reviled in Chicago. Some people called him the most hated man in town for getting in the way of that -- potentially one of the outs in the 8th inning. But as time went on today, I think folks had a more forgiving attitude toward him. He was led away from the stadium last night under sort of a security escort because they were concerned about his safety. But tonight, everyone feeling very positive. One of the Cubs prominent pitchers on the mound said it could go their way still in this game seven. A lot of folks on the street of Wrigleyville, Anderson, getting ready for this ball game. It will be another packed house in Chicago.

COOPER: It's going to be an exciting night. Also, Governor Jeb Bush said an offer of asylum might be a good deal for the guy idea who caught the ball. Jeff Flock, thanks very much.

At a loss to explain their woes and apparently not satisfied with statistics, and probability theories some Cubs fans have turned to a supernatural explanation. An explanation that CNN's Keith Oppenheim reports has its roots, as so many do, in a house of alcohol.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Deep under Michigan Avenue lies the Billy Goat Tavern. A place made famous by Saturday night live, but less known for its curse on the Chicago Cubs. The original owner, Billy Goat Sianis goated the opposition by bringing a goat to Wrigley Field. In a 1945 series with Detroit, Cubs' owner P.K. Wrigley had enough.

SAM SIANIS, OWNER, BILLY GOAT TAVERN: Mr. Wrigley says, OK, let the billy goat in, but not the goat, because the goat smells. So ushers approached Billy and the goat was shut out. The legend goes that Billy Sianis is pretty mad at this point and stands out in front of the park with his goat and raises his arm and says there will never be a World Series Played at Wrigley Field again. This is 1945, there hasn't been. Billy,'s nephew Sam, shows us a goat that he claims is a descendent of the original.

OPPENHEIM: Do the Cubbies have a chance?

Are the Cubbies going to make it to the series?

Kieth Oppenheim, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, I wanted to follow up on his question to the goat there. I spoke with its owner Sam Sianis, and him earlier, the goat, not to Keith.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: My first question to Billy the goat, Billy, do you have any plans to lift the curse so the cubs can make it to the World Series?

BILLY, GOAT: (ANDERSON COOPER MAKING GOAT NOISES)

Sam, what can you do this time to help the cubs win and get the course lifted?

SIANIS: They are going to win. You see the goat how happy he is. He lifts his head up. That means the Cubs are going to win tonight, the Pennant. Now, it's a different story (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Because my uncle put the curse on the World Series, the last game played with Detroit in 1945. So I lifted the curse up about two weeks ago. That's why we beat the Astros and we beat the Atlanta Braves. We almost beat the Florida in four straight games, and I don't know what happened.

COOPER: How can you assure us this goat is a direct descendent of the original goat?

SIANIS: This comes from the original goat, but this goat is young. That's why I brought him over here to give more strength to the Cubs so they can be in the Pennant.

COOPER: Sam, who needs the apology here, the goat or your uncle?

SIANIS: The goat. The goat. My uncle always tell the reporters they have to come to apologize to the goat all these years, but they never did.

COOPER: All right, goat, what would you tell each of the cubs to do last night to rebound from last night?

BILLY (through translator): They gotta play it one pitch at a time and just be happy to be there. They gotta help the ball club and give it their best shot and they good lord willing things will work out.

COOPER: Oh, that was me. Thanks very much, Billy and Sam Sianis.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

For tonight's "Flashback," we're going to go to game one of the 1996 American League Championship Series when 12-year-old Jeff Mayor (ph) reached out to knock a Derek Jeter shot into the stands, turning it into a home run shot. The run tied the game up and set up a 11th inning win by the Yankees and went up to win the Pennant and the World Series. That was the crowd cheering.

What do you think of the Girl Scouts?

Do you think they are uncool?

Some teens think they are. Now Girl Scouts are tossing their cookies and fighting back.

But first todays "Buzz," Are the Chicago Cubs cursed?

Vote now at cnn.com/360. The results totally unscientific when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right. Time now for "The Buzz." We asked you, are the Chicago Cubs cursed? 45 said no, 55 -- 45 percent said yes. There you go. 55 percent, no. As you can tell, this is a completely unscientific poll. We thought it would be interesting anyway. Log on to cnn.com/360 anytime to send us your instant feedback on this and all of today's stories. I try to e-mail back directly. We'll see what we can do.

Tonight, Girl Scouts it the "Nth Degree." The Associated Press reports the Girl Scouts have an image problem. They are 2.8 million members are almost all under 11. Seems the older girls, those tweens think they are too cool for scouting. They don't need no stinking badges uniforms or thin mints. We can't seem we blame them. It seems a shame that after 91 years the Girl Scouts have to get a makeover. What ever happened to growing old gracefully?

To fight the ravages of time and recruit teens and tweens Girl Scouts have created Studio 2B, the place for teens, says the Web site. Which also has polls on burning questions like, what's the most important item in your bag? Turns out lip gloss.

Girl Scouts, we wish you luck. Do you know what you are up against?

Tweens are the hot commodity right now and they belong to someone else. Do you think your (UNINTELLIGIBLE) make you a match for harden street fighters like Hillary Duff, Raven and yeah the Olsen twins. You think Mary Kate and Ashley are just going to give up their perfectly manicured vice like grip on American tweens. Listen Cindy Louho (ph), in Hollywood you get a merit badge for back stabbing plus 5 percent of the gross. Eat a thin mint in Bel Air you better make sure it comes back an hour later. So good luck Girl Scout you may have pluck and determination but tween stars have bitter stage moms and the law firm of Do We Cheat Them and How?

That wraps up our program tonight. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."

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