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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
Source: Michael Jackson to Turn Himself in Tomorrow
Aired November 19, 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): An arrest warrant is issued for Michael Jackson on multiple counts of alleged child molestation.
Letters from home to convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad.
Rush Limbaugh out of rehab, now facing allegations of money laundering.
And designs for a World Trade Center memorial unveiled.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Thanks for joining us on 360.
We begin tonight with word from a knowledgeable source that Michael Jackson will turn himself into authorities in Santa Barbara, California tomorrow morning. A warrant was issued for Jackson's arrest earlier today. The charges, multiple counts of child molestation. Jackson's spokesman says his client would never harm a child.
National correspondent Frank Buckley has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Santa Barbara County authorities said they are actively pursuing an arrest warrant against entertainer Michael Jackson.
SHERIFF JIM ANDERSON, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: An arrest warrant for Mr. Jackson has been issued on multiple counts of child molestation.
BUCKLEY: Sheriff Jim Anderson and District Attorney Thomas Sneddon would not disclose any details of the allegations, including the age or gender of the alleged child victim. Jackson denied any wrongdoing through a spokesman who said, "The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false. Michael would never harm a child in any way. These scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a courtroom." The announcement came a day after a team of more than 60 investigators descended on Jackson's Neverland Ranch to serve a search warrant. Two additional warrants were served in Los Angeles. Jackson was not at any of the locations. He was working on a music video in Las Vegas. Authorities did not pursue him, allowing him instead to turn himself in.
ANDERSON: Mr. Jackson has been given an opportunity to surrender him to the custody of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department within a specified period of time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: With us now, Frank. Where is Michael Jackson now, as far as we know, and what details do you have about him turning himself in tomorrow?
BUCKLEY: Well, we talked to this knowledgeable source that you mentioned at the top of the program there just a few moments ago. This source telling us that Michael Jackson is still in Las Vegas, where he's been for the past two-and-a-half weeks with his three young children. He's been working on this music video to support this new CD that just came out yesterday.
We expect him to fly back to Santa Barbara tomorrow morning. At that point, he would go to probably the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department or the jail facility here, where he would be booked, fingerprinted, photographed and presumably post bail, $3 million bail. The authorities here expect that he will post bail because they were asked if they had made any special arrangements for Michael Jackson in the local jail facility, and they said they hadn't.
COOPER: And do we know what time tomorrow?
BUCKLEY: We don't know exactly what time. Just some time in the morning is the vague answer that we got when we tried to find out exactly when it was.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much tonight.
Due to Jackson's legal situation, CBS has decided to postpone airing a special on the pop music star. It was supposed to be on a week from tonight. In a statement released just a couple of hours ago, CBS said, "Given the gravity of the charges against Mr. Jackson, we believe it would be inappropriate at this time to broadcast an entertainment special." It went on to say "We are very mindful that Mr. Jackson is innocent until proven guilty." CBS says it will consider airing the special after "the due process of the legal system runs its course."
Well, this, of course, is not the first time Michael Jackson has faced allegations of sexually abusing a child. There was an out-of- court settlement in 1993 between Jackson and the family of another minor. But today is the first time charges are being sought.
What is different this time? Here's CNN's Charles Feldman. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Michael Jackson faces criminal charges because of one of the more ironic developments in recent legal memory. After a 1993 episode in which the singer was accused of sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy, but in which no charges were filed, the legal landscape in California changed considerably.
TOM SNEDDON, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The law in California at that time provided that a child victim could not be forced to testify in a child molest proceedings without their permission and consent and cooperation. As a result of the Michael Jackson case, the legislature changed that law, and that is no longer the law in California.
FELDMAN: And there are other key differences between the 1993 case and now. In 1993, the parents of the child sued Jackson in civil court and settled reportedly for millions of dollars. This time, the Santa Barbara D.A. says there will be no civil suit to get in the way of a criminal case. And this time, says the D.A., the alleged victim is fully cooperative, unlike in 1993.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Jackson, do you have anything to say about the allegations?
SNEDDON: The time that civil settlement went down, the victim indicated to us that they were no longer interested in cooperating criminally.
FELDMAN (on camera): One thing is the same between 1993 and now. Then Michael Jackson hired a high-powered defense attorney. He's done the same thing now.
Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, Jackson will soon face charges for child molestation. Here's a quick news note for you. In the U.S., there were roughly 88,000 cases of child sexual abuse in the year 2000. That is about 1.7 victims for every 1,000 girls and .4 victims for every 1,000 boys.
Coming up, we are going to have more on the new allegations against Michael Jackson and disturbing details of those past allegations. What a young boy said Jackson did to him back in 1993. We're also going to preview what legal battles lie ahead.
A lot of other stories we're covering, though, right now. Across the Atlantic, a night of royal pomp and elegance. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are the guests of honor of Queen Elizabeth II at a white tie state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The toast focused on the two countries' special alliance.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The mutual respect and fellowship between our countries is deep and strong and permanent. Let us raise our glasses to our common ideals, to our enduring friendships, to the preservation of our liberties and to her majesty, the queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Well, earlier it was a day of tight security and protests for President Bush. Our senior White House correspondent John King is traveling with the president.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At Buckingham Palace, a choreographed show of British pageantry and resolve. A royal welcome designed to showcase the most sturdy of partnerships. But off the palace grounds, a show of another sort. The first wave of mass protests by opponents of the Iraq war, and those who view the relationship between Washington and London, at least at the moment, as anything but special.
It was this view the president confronted in a high-stakes speech designed to get critics here and across Europe to think again. Mr. Bush said those who say he ignores international institutions like the United Nations are wrong, but that there is a limit to his patience and times when force is necessary.
BUSH: It's not enough to meet the dangers of the world with resolutions. We must meet those dangers with resolve.
KING: The president promised to keep U.S. forces in Iraq until it has a stable new government. And recalling the lessons of two world wars, said he, for one, would not ignore the threat of terrorism.
BUSH: The evil is in plain sight. The danger only increases with denial.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: Strategy sessions about Iraq on tap with Prime Minister Tony Blair tomorrow. Mr. Bush, of course, well aware this visit is causing the prime minister more than a little political grief, Anderson. A salute from Mr. Bush to Tony Blair today. He called him a strong partner and a man of "tough backbone" when times are tough.
COOPER: All right. John King in London tonight. Thanks very much, John.
On the first full day of President Bush's visit to Britain another royal scandal made headlines. This time, a security breach. Diana Muriel explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Behind the pomp and circumstance of President Bush's state visit, some seriously red faces at Buckingham Palace. According to British tabloid newspaper "The Daily Mirror," undercover journalist Ryan Parry (ph) had been working as a footman in the palace for two months.
PIERS MORGAN, EDITOR, "DAILY MIRROR": We've exposed a shocking security lapse in the system that surrounds the royal family.
MURIEL (on camera): Ryan Parry (ph) chose to leave his post voluntarily, just after President and Mrs. Bush arrived here at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night. If he had stayed, according to this report in "The Daily Mirror" newspaper, he would have served breakfast to National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
(voice-over): But former Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter says Parry (ph) would not have had the run of the palace.
DICKIE ARBITER, FMR. ROYAL PRESS SECRETARY: He would not have gotten near the queen. He would not have even gotten near the president. He would have been very junior, and he would have been working as part of a team.
MURIEL: But it seems basic checks weren't carried out, despite the fact that royal security has been in the spotlight since a man dressed as Osama bin Laden was able to walk into Prince William's 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle and an elderly protester climbed on to the gates of Buckingham Palace this week.
The home secretary, David Blanket (ph), says he's ultimately responsible for the breach, but told the House of Commons he's satisfied the security arrangements for the president's visit.
Diana Muriel, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, back here at home we're following a number of stories for you "Cross Country."
West Virginia: serious flooding. The storm system that caused damage. Look at these pictures. Just unbelievable.
Damage across the Southeast is now causing problems in the mid- Atlantic states. That's a person trapped in a car. Heavy rains over night; swollen, a lot of creeks and rivers. This woman was rescued when her car stalled and began filling with water.
Unbelievable. Most counties are under a flood watch right now.
Moving on to Washington, more good economic news. The housing market still going very strong. The Commerce Department says home building rose to the highest level in 17 years last month. It was a 2.9 percent increase in housing starts, thanks to ongoing low mortgage rates. Also in Washington: another Clinton scandal put to rest. Remember all those allegations about Denise Rich and her donations to the Clintons in exchange for a presidential pardon of her ex-husband? Well, the Federal Election Commission has been investigating and says there was no wrongdoing.
Northeast: power outage. Ohio's fault? Could it be? Well, the biggest blackout in this country's history last August is being blamed on a utility company, FirstEnergy of Ohio. After a three-month investigation, a U.S.-Canadian task force released its preliminary findings today, saying the massive blackout could have been contained if the Ohio-based utility responded in time.
And that is a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.
Rush Limbaugh fires back over allegations of money laundering. We're going to hear his side of the story coming up.
Plus, we're going to take a look at life with a sniper. John Allen Muhammad's ex-wife takes the stand. Find out what she has to say about his violent past.
And we'll also take you live to Vietnam, where tonight American sailors are once again on the streets of old Saigon. And those are definitely old pictures right there.
First, let's take a look "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, stunning testimony today in the penalty phase of convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad's trial. A defense witness described Muhammad as a devoted father. But Muhammad's ex-wife said he threatened to kill her. We get more on that from CNN's Jeanne Meserve.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Until now, mysterious figure in the sniper story (UNINTELLIGIBLE) testified that John Muhammad repeatedly threatened her after the breakup of their marriage, saying to her at one point, "Just know this, you have become my enemy, and as my enemy, I will kill you." In the courtroom, deputies shielded her whenever Muhammad was near.
Prosecutors theorized the sniper shootings were part of an elaborate scheme to kill Mildred and regain custody of their three children. Jurors haven't been allowed to hear that theory, but 10- year-old Taliba Muhammad (ph) is apparently aware. According to Mildred, when Taliba (ph) heard her father had been found guilty she said, "Mom, I know if dad gets ought that means he's going to kill you. And I don't want to live the rest of my life without my mommy."
Out of the presence of the jury she quoted 13-year-old John junior as saying, "If dad takes you out, then I'm going to have to take him out." Mildred carried to Virginia Beach letters for John Muhammad from each of the children. All wrote that they loved him and always would.
And from Taliba (ph), "I miss you so much. And can I ask you some questions? One, why did you do all those shootings?"
Mary Morez (ph), a former girlfriend of Muhammad's, testified for the defense, describing Muhammad as a generous and considerate man. She cried as she said, "I feel that his life will always have value. He's a person who has so much to give."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: Jurors had to pass around a tissue box after highly emotional victim impact testimony from friends and family of Dean Meyers. They described him as a generous man who always thought of others before himself until a single gunshot wound to the head left him dead -- Anderson.
COOPER: So much sadness for all involved. Jeanne Meserve, thanks very much for that tonight.
We are following a couple of international stories to tell you about. Let's check the "UpLink."
Seoul, South Korea: furious farmers. Riot police use their buses to block farmers from marching in protest of a free trade agreement. The farmers attacked police with bamboo sticks, even farm tools in some cases. Some also sprayed ground hot pepper and tried to set one of the buses on fire.
Cairo, Egypt: speech interrupted. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had to stop a televised speech for about 20 minutes today. Doctors for the 75-year-old leader say he is suffering from a cold aggravated by daylight fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
Sub-Antarctic waters: rower rescued. Take a look at this video. It's from a search plane. A little hard to see, but it monitored the rescue of a British adventurer whose second attempt to row from New Zealand to South Africa ended when his oars were destroyed in a violent storm.
The solo rower was rescued by a ship. There's the ship in the distance. He says he hurt his neck during the ordeal. That is not apparently stopping him from considering a third attempt to row the 9,000 miles.
And that is a look at tonight's "UpLink."
Now to Vietnam and a historic port of call. A U.S. Navy warship flying both the U.S. and Vietnamese flags became the first to dock in the communist country since the Vietnam War. CNN's senior Asia correspondent Mike Chinoy joins us right now from Ho Chi Minh City with more.
Mike, good evening. MIKE CHINOY, CNN SR. ASIA CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Anderson. Well, the last time a U.S. Navy ship was sailing up the Saigon River, people would have been shooting at it during the height of the Vietnam War. But when the USS Vandergrift docked here at the Port of Saigon in what's now called Ho Chi Minh City, it was accompanied by Vietnamese naval escorts. And the commander and the crew were greeted by members of the local people's committee, the local government, and representatives of the Vietnamese military.
Although the U.S. and Vietnam normalized relations in the mid- 1990s, contacts between the two militaries have remained uneasy. There is, of course, the legacy of the war to explain that. But with this trip following last week's visit to Washington by Vietnam's defense minister, that has changed, and the two countries are now talking about security cooperation in a way in which they've never done before -- Anderson.
COOPER: Mike, I actually went to school in Vietnam. And I know Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is kind of a swinging town. Sailors, I mean, are they on the streets? How long are they going to spend there and what do they get to do?
CHINOY: Well, it's not quite as swinging as it used to be during the war. But the sailors are on liberty here. And it's Thursday morning. On Wednesday night, we followed a bunch of them around as they were doing what sailors on leave do in a lot of ports.
They were shopping, they were having a bite to eat, going to some bars for drinks. They were instructed to be on their best behavior. What we found from the Vietnamese was a lot of startled looks followed by broad grins. Invariably, the reaction of the Vietnamese to the sailors was, we are really happy you are here -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Mike Chinoy in Ho Chi Minh City. Thanks very much, Mike.
Here are some fast facts on U.S. military forces and Vietnam. March 1973, that is the date when the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam, though some military advisers remained. Right now there are still 1,875 Americans missing or unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Moving on tonight, is there going to be more trouble for Rush Limbaugh? Hear what he has to say about allegations of potential money laundering.
And then, Michael Jackson. Disturbing details of child abuse allegations made a decade ago. And find out why this time charges are being brought.
First, today's "Buzz." A lot of parents have let their kids sleep over at Neverland Ranch. Would you? That's the "Buzz" question. Would you let your child stay at Neverland Ranch? Vote now, cnn.com/360. We'll have the results at the end of the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: Well, talk show host Rush Limbaugh may be in for some more trouble. Authorities are investigating whether he illegally funneled money. It's sort of an odd scheme. They are saying that basically he may have funneled money to finance his admitted addiction to painkillers.
Now today at the mike, Rush Limbaugh categorically denied the allegations. Let's get some details now from CNN's Deborah Feyerick.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rush Limbaugh, back on the air and back on the defensive.
RUSH LIMBAUGH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: I was not laundering money. I was withdrawing money, for crying out loud.
FEYERICK: Limbaugh recently got out of drug rehab after admitting he was addicted to painkillers. Police are investigating claims by Limbaugh's former housekeeper that she illegally sold Limbaugh thousands of prescription painkillers. He has denied doing anything illegal.
Now the question raised by news stories, did Limbaugh violate Florida money laundering laws? That's what the radio chat host was denying Wednesday, telling his listeners his bank told him to take out sums under $10,000 so the bank wouldn't have to report them to the government.
LIMBAUGH: The bank had apparently told many other of their clients that their cash withdrawal should be in amounts of less than $10,000.
FEYERICK: Limbaugh says a bank representative came to his New York office about four or five times, each time bringing him more than $9,000. The bank, US Trust, tells CNN it never talks about its clients.
Two years ago, US Trust paid state and federal regulators a $10 million fine for allegedly violating rules designed to stop money laundering and fraud. US Trust admitted no wrongdoing. Money laundering experts say Limbaugh still could be in jeopardy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It doesn't matter what the purpose of the withdrawals was. What matters under the criminal law that I'm referring to, the structuring law, is that he structured the transaction to avoid or evade the filing of a required federal reporting form.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Limbaugh told his audience he took out about $300,000 over the course of five years, mostly to remodel his home in Palm Beach. His lawyer says Limbaugh has not committed any money laundering offense -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Deborah Feyerick, thanks very much.
We're joined now by Andy Serwer, "Fortune" magazine editor-at- large. This is not traditionally what you think of when you hear the term "money laundering."
ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's right. Usually, Anderson, when you hear about money laundering you think about "The Sopranos," the Mafia, criminals garnering ill-gotten gains from, say, drug dealing or prostitution. Taking that money and putting it into the banking system, then moving it around maybe to offshore accounts. Then they take the money, repatriot it and put in to, say, a legitimate business, say a real estate investment. That's traditional money laundering.
COOPER: So what is being alleged here?
SERWER: Well, this kind of activity, according to the IRS, is also money laundering, because it appears that Rush Limbaugh was involved with US Trust when they were engaging in activity that circumvented bank laws, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, specifically, and what are called currency transaction reports or CTRs in the business. And that basically is, when a customer takes out $10,000 in cash, a report must be filed. Now, that $9,900 was used to go right under that limit.
COOPER: Right. But I've gone to banks and tried to take out large amounts of money, and they said, oh, you should do it under $10,000 or else we have to file out this form.
SERWER: That's true. And if you went to a bank and took out, say, $15,000 to buy a motorcycle from a friend who wanted only cash, the bank could say, that's fine. We're going to file a report. And that's OK.
It's what happens is that the government starts seeing someone filing these reports or reports filed on someone consistently.
COOPER: So it's a pattern.
SERWER: They want to know about a pattern. Exactly, Anderson. And that would sort of connote perhaps illegal activity.
COOPER: All right. And at this point, where does this thing go? I mean, because US Trust has already paid a fine, a rather hefty fine.
SERWER: They paid a $10 million fine two years ago. Investigators may or may not be looking into Limbaugh with relation to these type of transactions. Circumventing these laws may be illegal activity.
COOPER: All right. We'll be watching it. Thanks very much, Andy Serwer.
SERWER: OK.
COOPER: Well, Michael Jackson faces multiple counts of child molestation. Find out when and where he plans to turn himself in. Plus, a closer look at the past allegations against him. Some disturbing details. And will those have an impact on his case?
And resurrection. Plans for a new life at the World Trade Center. We'll show you what's in store.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: The "Reset." Tonight's top stories.
London, England, Bush at Buckingham. President Bush continued his visit to Britain with a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. His hostess, Queen Elizabeth ii said the U.S. and Britain have never been closer in their determination to defeat terrorism.
Springfield, Illinois. Death penalty overhaul. The Illinois legislature has approved changes to the states capital punishment law aimed at preventing wrongful executions. Three years ago evidence of at least 17 innocent men had been condemned prompted then Governor George Ryan to commute 167 sentences and declare a death penalty moratorium.
Washington, D.C. vaccination verdict. The Pentagon has concluded that vaccinations may have contributed to the death of an army reservist. Specialist Rachel Lacy died a month after receiving multiple vaccinations in preparing for duty overseas. Officials think it may have caused a flare-up of a disease Lacy wasn't even aware she had.
And Santa Barbara a wanted man -- a source tells CNN that Michael Jackson will turn himself in to authorities tomorrow morning. An arrest warrant issued today accuses the entertainer of multiple counts of child molestation. Jackson's spokesman calls the allegations malicious and wholly unfounded.
More on Michael Jackson now. After 10 years of rumors, gossip lawyers, tabloids and innuendo today for the first time the strange and strangely compelling 10-year saga of Michael Jackson came down to this, criminal charges. He denies any wrongdoing. For Jackson it may be the crisis of his lifetime. For us, it's the "Midweek Crisis."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF JIM ANDERSON, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: An arrest warrant for Mr. Jackson has been issued on multiple counts of child molestation. The bail amount on the warrant has been set at $3 million. The service of the warrants was part of an ongoing investigation alleging criminal misconduct on the part of Michael Jackson. The basis for this investigation regarding Mr. Jackson involves allegations of child molestation.
TOM SHEDDON, SANTA BARBARA CO. D.A.: I want to make several things clear about why this is different from the last investigation. Number one, it is different because the law in California has changed, and it was changed specifically because of the 1993-94 Michael Jackson investigation. The law in California at that time provided that a child victim could not be forced to testify in a child molest proceeding without their permission. There were never any charges brought in that investigation. No warrant issued. There is a warrant outstanding, and I can assure you that within a very short period of time there will be charges filed against Mr. Jackson. Multiple counts.
QUESTION: If Michael Jackson is watching this right now or his people, is there an opportunity to tell him what you would like should he contact authorities immediately? What's your message to him.
SHEDDEN: Get over here and get checked in.
ANDERSON: We'd encourage him to turn himself in and cooperate with law enforcement, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Well, in a statement today a spokesman asserted Jackson's innocence and criticized law enforcement officials for the tone of today's news conference saying, and I quote, "We are disturbed by the levity of the environment surrounding the announcement of these very serious charges. When the evidence is presented and the allegations proven to be malicious and wholly unfounded, Michael will be able to put this nightmare behind him."
During Jackson's last nightmare, the 1993 criminal investigation, he also proclaimed his innocence and no charges were brought, but a civil suit was filed.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): In 1994, Jackson paid the family of a 14- year-old boy an undisclosed amount to settle their civil suit. The family had asked for $20 million claiming sexual battery. Jackson proclaimed his innocence and the boy never publicly told his side of the story. Without the boy's cooperation, police and prosecutors said they had to drop their criminal investigation. Eventually details of the boy's story did emerge. Thesmokinggun.com has posted on their Web site what they say is a copy of the lawsuit and the victim's declaration.
In his declaration, the boy claimed Jackson showed him the movie "Exorcist." Scared he slept in Jackson's bed. Over the course of several months and many sleepovers, the boy alleges Jackson initiated sexual contact. According to the boy, it began with hugging, then after "A brief kiss on the cheek," he then started kissing me on the lips, first briefly and then for a longer period of time. The boy says Jackson and he bathed together and said Jackson eventually made manual and oral contact with the boy's genitals. Jackson denied the allegations, but he did say at least one person had suffered during the whole episode.
MICHAEL JACKSON, ENTERTAINER: I have been forced to submit to a dehumanizing and humiliating examination by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department and the Los Angeles Police Department earlier this week. They served a search warrant on me, which allowed them to view and photograph my body, including my penis, my buttocks, my lower torso, thighs and any other area that they wanted.
COOPER: However traumatic that was, it wasn't enough to stop Jackson from sharing his bed with children as he confirmed himself just this year. In fact, his explanation that it's normal behavior echoes wording in the 1993 lawsuit, which claimed Jackson reassured the boy that their sexual interaction was "normal, usual and customary acts in a relationship between friends."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Those allegations back from 1993.
Now Todd Gold is the Los Angeles bureau chief for "People Magazine." He's interviewed Jackson extensively, travelled with him on tour and is the author of "Michael Jackson: The Man in the Mirror." Appreciate you being with us, Todd, thanks very much.
I want to read to you a statement from Jackson's spokesperson Stuart Backerman. The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false. Michael would never harm a child in any way. These scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a courtroom. Today you had authorities come forward and said to other people who may be out there, please come forward.
How surprising was that to you?
TODD GOLD, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": Not at all. You know, I think my reaction when I first heard about this was what took so long?
Why, you know, is anyone surprised?
COOPER: But there have been -- I mean there was really own only this case in 1993 in which a suit was brought forward. Then it was settled out of court. No charges were ever brought. Jackson denied the charges.
GOLD: This was a district attorney who was very frustrated that the witness refused to cooperate with the authorities and testify. And now the difference is because this is, you know, like an eerie replay of 10-years-ago is that they do have a victim who is willing to testify willing to cooperate and not interested in being paid off.
COOPER: But police are basically saying that they believe there are other people out there.
GOLD: And they do and that has always been among the rumors. 10-years-ago when the first -- when that case was settled, there were many rumors, stories we checked out extensively that there had been other payoffs. And we'll see, I fully expect others to come forward.
COOPER: You think other people will be coming forward?
GOLD: I think that could be one of the next bounces we'll see. This district attorney, to my recollection has kept the case open for 10 years. He refused to shut the investigation and said many times he was just waiting for someone to come forward and he would reopen it in a second.
COOPER: The Michael Jackson you knew on tour, was it a different Michael Jackson today.
Who is advising him?
Is anyone advising him?
GOLD: It's a very different Michael Jackson. I was on tour with him several times between 1987 and 1990 and that was at the peak of Michael Jackson mania. At the time, he boasted of an inner circle of Advisers that included Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, David Gapen (ph). Now it's a rag tag group of no luster. People who are really, you know, trying to hang on to the contrails of a once very bright and prosperous career, there's nobody of any kind of noted of success around Michael.
COOPER: And you know, you always here -- I talked to, you know, his alleged friend Uri Geller, last night, who said, he is a naive, sort of got the heart of a child, he's naive.
Do you buy any of that?
GOLD: No. That's always been the image Michael has put forth. Michael is a master at spin and the spin he's given himself over the past decade, if not more is that of a victim, that of being misunderstood, that of being someone who was robs of his childhood. But at age 45, you know, get over it. If you look at the different lawsuits that have been brought up over the past year alone, you see that instead of, you know, surrounding himself with the titans of entertainment, Michael has been involved with a witch doctor. He's been involved with a producer of porno graphic movies.
COOPER: Not the upper echelon of Hollywood.
GOLD: Well, it's all symbolic of the fall of Michael Jackson, which is one of the great and sad showbiz stories ever. Here's a guy, who in 15 years, has gone from the biggest star in the world to probably one of the most shunned stars. I mean, since this situation 10 years ago, the guy has had no career in the United States.
COOPER: No matter what happens, it's only going to get sadder, at least in the short term. Todd Gold, thanks for being with us.
Well, now on our "Justice Served" segment, more on the legal aspects of the Michael Jackson case. 360 legal analyst, Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, joins us from San Francisco. Kimberly, thanks for being with us tonight.
CNN reporting now that Michael Jackson, according to one highly placed source, is going to turn himself in tomorrow morning. Is it surprising that authorities allowed him this time to turn himself in?
KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: No, I think it was appropriate in this case. They don't need to make a bigger spectacle of it than it already is. It was nice they afforded him that privilege. He should take the opportunity and from what we're hearing, he will do that tomorrow morning.
These are serious charges, and I think it's better for him to come forward, turn himself in on his own volition, instead of being forced to be arrested and authorities to travel to Las Vegas to go get him.
COOPER: First time charges have been brought. There were these allegations made in 1993, some sort of a settlement and Jackson still denies any of those charges. But can those -- that incident, those allegations from '93, can they be brought forward into this ongoing investigation?
NEWSOM: That's an excellent question. They cannot bring it as an independent charge, meaning adding it to this criminal complaint, due to the statute of limitations being six years since the child reported the incident. And, again, keep in mind there was a monetary settlement which obviously would not look good in front of a jury.
However, that information is called prior bad acts. Even though he wasn't charged or convicted can come in and the D.A. will take a motion, put it before the judge, to try to bring that information in to show this is a pattern and practiced behavior on the part of Michael Jackson. And that's persuasive evidence if it's admitted in front of the jury.
COOPER: And the authorities who were speaking today at this press conference, basically were saying that, look, the law has changed since back in '93. In fact, we have changed the law so we can now compel a child to testify.
NEWSOM: Well, the interesting change in the legislature in 1995 was section 1253. And what that pertains to statements from a child under age 12 can come in as evidence, as non-hearsay if they are made to a physician about abuse or neglect. So, even if you didn't have a cooperative victim you could put that evidence in, in front a jury. They didn't have that available to them at the time.
And it's to help in these cases that are so difficult dealing with child molestation and young children. It's very difficult to come forward and talk about this information. Here in this case, they have a cooperative victim, someone who hasn't tried to seek any civil settlement. There's a number of differences between the previous incident that occurred in '93 and the one we're dealing with today.
COOPER: OK, so shows up tomorrow, apparently all indications appear that's what's going to happen sometime in the morning. What happens to him?
NEWSOM: He's going to be fingerprinted and get a booking photo, which the D.A. indicated it will be released to the press. They'll get a date set for the arraignment where he'll be advised of the charges. The D.A. will have filed a criminal complaint listing all of the charges and counts against Michael Jackson.
We know already that there's one charge of child molestation, the penal code section 288 subsection A. And he could face up to a maximum of 8 years for that count. And then again, he said multiple counts, so I suspect there will be more than one incident. Every action or touching would count as a separate criminal count and charge against him.
COOPER: All right, it's fascinating. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, Thanks you very much for being with us.
Of course we want to hear from you. Today's "Buzz" question is this, "Would you let your children stay at Neverland Ranch?" Apparently a lot of parents have. Vote now, cnn.com/360. We'll have the results at the end of the program.
In a coma after drinking too much water. Find out how a frat party ended with one pledge in critical condition. That's coming up.
Plus gardens, reflecting pools, the finalists in the competition for The World Trade Center Memorial ahead on 360.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Now to Dallas, Texas, where a college student is in a coma right now, the possible victim of fraternity hazing. Police say he chugged way too much water. Brian Cabell reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It started, authorities say, at an off-campus fraternity party Saturday morning. There, according to the police, the young men began a competition of drinking large quantities of water. Police won't say at this point whether anyone was forced to drink. 21-year-old Braylon Curry a pledge with the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, apparently drank too much water, way too much. He ended up in the hospital.
JIM CASWELL, SMU VICE PRESIDENT: We'll have to find out what happened by interview the men involved in this activity, what they had in mind, what did go on here.
CABELL: Curry remains hospitalized in critical condition, a victim of excessive fluid consumption.
DR. GREGORY BLOMQUIST, PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL OF DALLAS: The most common manifestation is that the brain begins to swell. With the brain swelling, that's why you get the symptoms of lethargy, confusion, stupor, even coma and seizures.
CABELL: Southern Methodist University officials say the fraternity had just been reinstated on campus this spring after a 3 year suspension for a hazing incident.
DR. WILLIE EDWARDS, ALPHA PHI ALPHA REG. DIRECTOR: The fraternity does not condone this activity and we will deal with it in whatever vigor we need to in order to make sure that the culprits, if there are some, will be punished.
CABELL: The national headquarters for Alpha Phi Alpha declined to comment on the incident. Brian Cabell, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Still to come this evening, a panel deciding on the design for the World Trade Center memorial has looked at more than 5,000 contest submissions. We are going to show you the 8 that they have narrowed it down to, tonight. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: One of eight designs unveiled in New York today will become the plan for the World Trade Center Memorial. Jason Carroll was on hand when a panel of jurors revealed the finalists in the largest design competition in history.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The World Trade Center Memorial finalists come from all over the world. But the eight designs do share common elements, like the use of water, light and glass.
VARTAN GREGORIAN, WTC MEMORIAL JUROR: In these finalists, we have saw design that represent the heights of imagination, while incorporating aesthetic grace and spiritual strength.
CARROLL: This entry, from a German/Colombian team, called Passages of Light: the Memorial Cloud, calls for a massive glass honeycomb on the Trade Center Plaza. The entry Vodives (ph) in Suspension from two Houston architects. It has suspended lights, one for each victim, each hanging by a length reflecting their age.
MONICA IKEK, WIDOW OF 9/11 VICTIM: I just looked at them and I felt, wow, I could see myself in every single one of those memorial ideas.
CARROLL: All of the finalists marked the footprints in some way. This design creates islands with gardens of glass columns for each victim. Others call for reflecting pools. But some victims' families want the footprints untouched.
MARY FLETCHER, MOTHER OF 9/11 VICTIM: A hundred years from now, they should have the opportunity to stand on bedrock.
CARROLL: Another controversy, victims' names. All the entries list them, some randomly, others alphabetically, like the concept called Dual Memory from a U.S.-Venezuelan team. The victims' faces projected on glass panels. But rescue workers want their fallen comrades grouped separately.
JON SPEICH, NEW YORK FIREFIGHTER: They came down here as rescue workers, saved thousands of people. We feel it's the right thing to do.
(END VIDEOTAPE) CARROLL: And jurors say whatever design is chosen, they know it's not likely to please everyone. They also say that they hope they have that winning design chosen by the end of the year.
COOPER: Such an emotional decision. Jason Carroll, thanks very much.
Well, from the serious to the surreal. Time to check on tonight's "Current." A new poll finds that Swedes trust the make-it- yourself furniture store Ikea more than they trust their own government. In fairness to the Swedish government, it does not come with a free Allen wrench. So there is that problem.
"The Source" magazine says Eminem said something offensive about black women in a 1993 recording. Eminem apologized, said he was reacting to his breakup with a black girlfriend. The news is something of a milestone. The singer is now believed to have offended everyone who has ever lived.
Naomi Campbell's lawyer says a new lawsuit against her is an unfortunate byproduct of her visibility and celebrity. The suit claims Campbell physically assaulted an administrative assistant. Now, three years ago, Campbell pleaded guilty to assaulting another assistant. It's not clear whether that was also a byproduct of her celebrity.
Monica Lewinsky tells "GQ" magazine that because of her notorious presidential hijinx, her sex life now isn't that great. Although that may depend on what the definition of sex is. Hmm.
All right, so how would the flood of coverage of the Michael Jackson case affect coverage of other news stories out there? Well, it might just take it to "The Nth Degree."
But first, today's buzz. Would you let your child stay at Neverland Ranch? Hey, it sounds ridiculous, but a lot of parents do. Vote now at cnn.com/360. We'll have the results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for the buzz. We asked you, would you let your child stay at Neverland Ranch? Here's what you said, 15 percent said yes, 85 percent voted no. Not a scientific poll, just your buzz.
Tonight, taking Michael Jackson coverage to "The Nth Degree." Today's announcement of charges against one of the most successful, famous and infamous entertainers in the world could affect TV news even more than the O.J. Simpson trial did. The coverage and journalistic resources involved will be simply staggering. Already producers across the nation are clearing their slates. Network bookers are desperately seeking anyone who ever knew Michael Jackson, begging Uri Geller and Bubbles the Chimp to please call them back.
So before it's too late, we wanted to take just a quick moment to say goodbye to some of the stories that, as far as the media are concerned, have breathed their last. So, so long coverage of lingering questions about regulatory oversight of the nation's securities industries. We'll miss you. Goodbye, in-depth scrutiny of the future of Medicare. Farewell debate over the new military and its role in a changing world. We hardly knew you.
This is for you, and all the other homies we lost today. We'll be with you again some day, on the other side.
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
Aired November 19, 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): An arrest warrant is issued for Michael Jackson on multiple counts of alleged child molestation.
Letters from home to convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad.
Rush Limbaugh out of rehab, now facing allegations of money laundering.
And designs for a World Trade Center memorial unveiled.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Thanks for joining us on 360.
We begin tonight with word from a knowledgeable source that Michael Jackson will turn himself into authorities in Santa Barbara, California tomorrow morning. A warrant was issued for Jackson's arrest earlier today. The charges, multiple counts of child molestation. Jackson's spokesman says his client would never harm a child.
National correspondent Frank Buckley has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Santa Barbara County authorities said they are actively pursuing an arrest warrant against entertainer Michael Jackson.
SHERIFF JIM ANDERSON, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: An arrest warrant for Mr. Jackson has been issued on multiple counts of child molestation.
BUCKLEY: Sheriff Jim Anderson and District Attorney Thomas Sneddon would not disclose any details of the allegations, including the age or gender of the alleged child victim. Jackson denied any wrongdoing through a spokesman who said, "The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false. Michael would never harm a child in any way. These scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a courtroom." The announcement came a day after a team of more than 60 investigators descended on Jackson's Neverland Ranch to serve a search warrant. Two additional warrants were served in Los Angeles. Jackson was not at any of the locations. He was working on a music video in Las Vegas. Authorities did not pursue him, allowing him instead to turn himself in.
ANDERSON: Mr. Jackson has been given an opportunity to surrender him to the custody of the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department within a specified period of time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: With us now, Frank. Where is Michael Jackson now, as far as we know, and what details do you have about him turning himself in tomorrow?
BUCKLEY: Well, we talked to this knowledgeable source that you mentioned at the top of the program there just a few moments ago. This source telling us that Michael Jackson is still in Las Vegas, where he's been for the past two-and-a-half weeks with his three young children. He's been working on this music video to support this new CD that just came out yesterday.
We expect him to fly back to Santa Barbara tomorrow morning. At that point, he would go to probably the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department or the jail facility here, where he would be booked, fingerprinted, photographed and presumably post bail, $3 million bail. The authorities here expect that he will post bail because they were asked if they had made any special arrangements for Michael Jackson in the local jail facility, and they said they hadn't.
COOPER: And do we know what time tomorrow?
BUCKLEY: We don't know exactly what time. Just some time in the morning is the vague answer that we got when we tried to find out exactly when it was.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much tonight.
Due to Jackson's legal situation, CBS has decided to postpone airing a special on the pop music star. It was supposed to be on a week from tonight. In a statement released just a couple of hours ago, CBS said, "Given the gravity of the charges against Mr. Jackson, we believe it would be inappropriate at this time to broadcast an entertainment special." It went on to say "We are very mindful that Mr. Jackson is innocent until proven guilty." CBS says it will consider airing the special after "the due process of the legal system runs its course."
Well, this, of course, is not the first time Michael Jackson has faced allegations of sexually abusing a child. There was an out-of- court settlement in 1993 between Jackson and the family of another minor. But today is the first time charges are being sought.
What is different this time? Here's CNN's Charles Feldman. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Michael Jackson faces criminal charges because of one of the more ironic developments in recent legal memory. After a 1993 episode in which the singer was accused of sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy, but in which no charges were filed, the legal landscape in California changed considerably.
TOM SNEDDON, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The law in California at that time provided that a child victim could not be forced to testify in a child molest proceedings without their permission and consent and cooperation. As a result of the Michael Jackson case, the legislature changed that law, and that is no longer the law in California.
FELDMAN: And there are other key differences between the 1993 case and now. In 1993, the parents of the child sued Jackson in civil court and settled reportedly for millions of dollars. This time, the Santa Barbara D.A. says there will be no civil suit to get in the way of a criminal case. And this time, says the D.A., the alleged victim is fully cooperative, unlike in 1993.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Jackson, do you have anything to say about the allegations?
SNEDDON: The time that civil settlement went down, the victim indicated to us that they were no longer interested in cooperating criminally.
FELDMAN (on camera): One thing is the same between 1993 and now. Then Michael Jackson hired a high-powered defense attorney. He's done the same thing now.
Charles Feldman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, Jackson will soon face charges for child molestation. Here's a quick news note for you. In the U.S., there were roughly 88,000 cases of child sexual abuse in the year 2000. That is about 1.7 victims for every 1,000 girls and .4 victims for every 1,000 boys.
Coming up, we are going to have more on the new allegations against Michael Jackson and disturbing details of those past allegations. What a young boy said Jackson did to him back in 1993. We're also going to preview what legal battles lie ahead.
A lot of other stories we're covering, though, right now. Across the Atlantic, a night of royal pomp and elegance. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are the guests of honor of Queen Elizabeth II at a white tie state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The toast focused on the two countries' special alliance.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The mutual respect and fellowship between our countries is deep and strong and permanent. Let us raise our glasses to our common ideals, to our enduring friendships, to the preservation of our liberties and to her majesty, the queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Well, earlier it was a day of tight security and protests for President Bush. Our senior White House correspondent John King is traveling with the president.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At Buckingham Palace, a choreographed show of British pageantry and resolve. A royal welcome designed to showcase the most sturdy of partnerships. But off the palace grounds, a show of another sort. The first wave of mass protests by opponents of the Iraq war, and those who view the relationship between Washington and London, at least at the moment, as anything but special.
It was this view the president confronted in a high-stakes speech designed to get critics here and across Europe to think again. Mr. Bush said those who say he ignores international institutions like the United Nations are wrong, but that there is a limit to his patience and times when force is necessary.
BUSH: It's not enough to meet the dangers of the world with resolutions. We must meet those dangers with resolve.
KING: The president promised to keep U.S. forces in Iraq until it has a stable new government. And recalling the lessons of two world wars, said he, for one, would not ignore the threat of terrorism.
BUSH: The evil is in plain sight. The danger only increases with denial.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: Strategy sessions about Iraq on tap with Prime Minister Tony Blair tomorrow. Mr. Bush, of course, well aware this visit is causing the prime minister more than a little political grief, Anderson. A salute from Mr. Bush to Tony Blair today. He called him a strong partner and a man of "tough backbone" when times are tough.
COOPER: All right. John King in London tonight. Thanks very much, John.
On the first full day of President Bush's visit to Britain another royal scandal made headlines. This time, a security breach. Diana Muriel explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Behind the pomp and circumstance of President Bush's state visit, some seriously red faces at Buckingham Palace. According to British tabloid newspaper "The Daily Mirror," undercover journalist Ryan Parry (ph) had been working as a footman in the palace for two months.
PIERS MORGAN, EDITOR, "DAILY MIRROR": We've exposed a shocking security lapse in the system that surrounds the royal family.
MURIEL (on camera): Ryan Parry (ph) chose to leave his post voluntarily, just after President and Mrs. Bush arrived here at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night. If he had stayed, according to this report in "The Daily Mirror" newspaper, he would have served breakfast to National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
(voice-over): But former Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter says Parry (ph) would not have had the run of the palace.
DICKIE ARBITER, FMR. ROYAL PRESS SECRETARY: He would not have gotten near the queen. He would not have even gotten near the president. He would have been very junior, and he would have been working as part of a team.
MURIEL: But it seems basic checks weren't carried out, despite the fact that royal security has been in the spotlight since a man dressed as Osama bin Laden was able to walk into Prince William's 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle and an elderly protester climbed on to the gates of Buckingham Palace this week.
The home secretary, David Blanket (ph), says he's ultimately responsible for the breach, but told the House of Commons he's satisfied the security arrangements for the president's visit.
Diana Muriel, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, back here at home we're following a number of stories for you "Cross Country."
West Virginia: serious flooding. The storm system that caused damage. Look at these pictures. Just unbelievable.
Damage across the Southeast is now causing problems in the mid- Atlantic states. That's a person trapped in a car. Heavy rains over night; swollen, a lot of creeks and rivers. This woman was rescued when her car stalled and began filling with water.
Unbelievable. Most counties are under a flood watch right now.
Moving on to Washington, more good economic news. The housing market still going very strong. The Commerce Department says home building rose to the highest level in 17 years last month. It was a 2.9 percent increase in housing starts, thanks to ongoing low mortgage rates. Also in Washington: another Clinton scandal put to rest. Remember all those allegations about Denise Rich and her donations to the Clintons in exchange for a presidential pardon of her ex-husband? Well, the Federal Election Commission has been investigating and says there was no wrongdoing.
Northeast: power outage. Ohio's fault? Could it be? Well, the biggest blackout in this country's history last August is being blamed on a utility company, FirstEnergy of Ohio. After a three-month investigation, a U.S.-Canadian task force released its preliminary findings today, saying the massive blackout could have been contained if the Ohio-based utility responded in time.
And that is a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.
Rush Limbaugh fires back over allegations of money laundering. We're going to hear his side of the story coming up.
Plus, we're going to take a look at life with a sniper. John Allen Muhammad's ex-wife takes the stand. Find out what she has to say about his violent past.
And we'll also take you live to Vietnam, where tonight American sailors are once again on the streets of old Saigon. And those are definitely old pictures right there.
First, let's take a look "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, stunning testimony today in the penalty phase of convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad's trial. A defense witness described Muhammad as a devoted father. But Muhammad's ex-wife said he threatened to kill her. We get more on that from CNN's Jeanne Meserve.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Until now, mysterious figure in the sniper story (UNINTELLIGIBLE) testified that John Muhammad repeatedly threatened her after the breakup of their marriage, saying to her at one point, "Just know this, you have become my enemy, and as my enemy, I will kill you." In the courtroom, deputies shielded her whenever Muhammad was near.
Prosecutors theorized the sniper shootings were part of an elaborate scheme to kill Mildred and regain custody of their three children. Jurors haven't been allowed to hear that theory, but 10- year-old Taliba Muhammad (ph) is apparently aware. According to Mildred, when Taliba (ph) heard her father had been found guilty she said, "Mom, I know if dad gets ought that means he's going to kill you. And I don't want to live the rest of my life without my mommy."
Out of the presence of the jury she quoted 13-year-old John junior as saying, "If dad takes you out, then I'm going to have to take him out." Mildred carried to Virginia Beach letters for John Muhammad from each of the children. All wrote that they loved him and always would.
And from Taliba (ph), "I miss you so much. And can I ask you some questions? One, why did you do all those shootings?"
Mary Morez (ph), a former girlfriend of Muhammad's, testified for the defense, describing Muhammad as a generous and considerate man. She cried as she said, "I feel that his life will always have value. He's a person who has so much to give."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MESERVE: Jurors had to pass around a tissue box after highly emotional victim impact testimony from friends and family of Dean Meyers. They described him as a generous man who always thought of others before himself until a single gunshot wound to the head left him dead -- Anderson.
COOPER: So much sadness for all involved. Jeanne Meserve, thanks very much for that tonight.
We are following a couple of international stories to tell you about. Let's check the "UpLink."
Seoul, South Korea: furious farmers. Riot police use their buses to block farmers from marching in protest of a free trade agreement. The farmers attacked police with bamboo sticks, even farm tools in some cases. Some also sprayed ground hot pepper and tried to set one of the buses on fire.
Cairo, Egypt: speech interrupted. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had to stop a televised speech for about 20 minutes today. Doctors for the 75-year-old leader say he is suffering from a cold aggravated by daylight fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
Sub-Antarctic waters: rower rescued. Take a look at this video. It's from a search plane. A little hard to see, but it monitored the rescue of a British adventurer whose second attempt to row from New Zealand to South Africa ended when his oars were destroyed in a violent storm.
The solo rower was rescued by a ship. There's the ship in the distance. He says he hurt his neck during the ordeal. That is not apparently stopping him from considering a third attempt to row the 9,000 miles.
And that is a look at tonight's "UpLink."
Now to Vietnam and a historic port of call. A U.S. Navy warship flying both the U.S. and Vietnamese flags became the first to dock in the communist country since the Vietnam War. CNN's senior Asia correspondent Mike Chinoy joins us right now from Ho Chi Minh City with more.
Mike, good evening. MIKE CHINOY, CNN SR. ASIA CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Anderson. Well, the last time a U.S. Navy ship was sailing up the Saigon River, people would have been shooting at it during the height of the Vietnam War. But when the USS Vandergrift docked here at the Port of Saigon in what's now called Ho Chi Minh City, it was accompanied by Vietnamese naval escorts. And the commander and the crew were greeted by members of the local people's committee, the local government, and representatives of the Vietnamese military.
Although the U.S. and Vietnam normalized relations in the mid- 1990s, contacts between the two militaries have remained uneasy. There is, of course, the legacy of the war to explain that. But with this trip following last week's visit to Washington by Vietnam's defense minister, that has changed, and the two countries are now talking about security cooperation in a way in which they've never done before -- Anderson.
COOPER: Mike, I actually went to school in Vietnam. And I know Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is kind of a swinging town. Sailors, I mean, are they on the streets? How long are they going to spend there and what do they get to do?
CHINOY: Well, it's not quite as swinging as it used to be during the war. But the sailors are on liberty here. And it's Thursday morning. On Wednesday night, we followed a bunch of them around as they were doing what sailors on leave do in a lot of ports.
They were shopping, they were having a bite to eat, going to some bars for drinks. They were instructed to be on their best behavior. What we found from the Vietnamese was a lot of startled looks followed by broad grins. Invariably, the reaction of the Vietnamese to the sailors was, we are really happy you are here -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Mike Chinoy in Ho Chi Minh City. Thanks very much, Mike.
Here are some fast facts on U.S. military forces and Vietnam. March 1973, that is the date when the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam, though some military advisers remained. Right now there are still 1,875 Americans missing or unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
Moving on tonight, is there going to be more trouble for Rush Limbaugh? Hear what he has to say about allegations of potential money laundering.
And then, Michael Jackson. Disturbing details of child abuse allegations made a decade ago. And find out why this time charges are being brought.
First, today's "Buzz." A lot of parents have let their kids sleep over at Neverland Ranch. Would you? That's the "Buzz" question. Would you let your child stay at Neverland Ranch? Vote now, cnn.com/360. We'll have the results at the end of the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: Well, talk show host Rush Limbaugh may be in for some more trouble. Authorities are investigating whether he illegally funneled money. It's sort of an odd scheme. They are saying that basically he may have funneled money to finance his admitted addiction to painkillers.
Now today at the mike, Rush Limbaugh categorically denied the allegations. Let's get some details now from CNN's Deborah Feyerick.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rush Limbaugh, back on the air and back on the defensive.
RUSH LIMBAUGH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: I was not laundering money. I was withdrawing money, for crying out loud.
FEYERICK: Limbaugh recently got out of drug rehab after admitting he was addicted to painkillers. Police are investigating claims by Limbaugh's former housekeeper that she illegally sold Limbaugh thousands of prescription painkillers. He has denied doing anything illegal.
Now the question raised by news stories, did Limbaugh violate Florida money laundering laws? That's what the radio chat host was denying Wednesday, telling his listeners his bank told him to take out sums under $10,000 so the bank wouldn't have to report them to the government.
LIMBAUGH: The bank had apparently told many other of their clients that their cash withdrawal should be in amounts of less than $10,000.
FEYERICK: Limbaugh says a bank representative came to his New York office about four or five times, each time bringing him more than $9,000. The bank, US Trust, tells CNN it never talks about its clients.
Two years ago, US Trust paid state and federal regulators a $10 million fine for allegedly violating rules designed to stop money laundering and fraud. US Trust admitted no wrongdoing. Money laundering experts say Limbaugh still could be in jeopardy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It doesn't matter what the purpose of the withdrawals was. What matters under the criminal law that I'm referring to, the structuring law, is that he structured the transaction to avoid or evade the filing of a required federal reporting form.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: Limbaugh told his audience he took out about $300,000 over the course of five years, mostly to remodel his home in Palm Beach. His lawyer says Limbaugh has not committed any money laundering offense -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Deborah Feyerick, thanks very much.
We're joined now by Andy Serwer, "Fortune" magazine editor-at- large. This is not traditionally what you think of when you hear the term "money laundering."
ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's right. Usually, Anderson, when you hear about money laundering you think about "The Sopranos," the Mafia, criminals garnering ill-gotten gains from, say, drug dealing or prostitution. Taking that money and putting it into the banking system, then moving it around maybe to offshore accounts. Then they take the money, repatriot it and put in to, say, a legitimate business, say a real estate investment. That's traditional money laundering.
COOPER: So what is being alleged here?
SERWER: Well, this kind of activity, according to the IRS, is also money laundering, because it appears that Rush Limbaugh was involved with US Trust when they were engaging in activity that circumvented bank laws, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, specifically, and what are called currency transaction reports or CTRs in the business. And that basically is, when a customer takes out $10,000 in cash, a report must be filed. Now, that $9,900 was used to go right under that limit.
COOPER: Right. But I've gone to banks and tried to take out large amounts of money, and they said, oh, you should do it under $10,000 or else we have to file out this form.
SERWER: That's true. And if you went to a bank and took out, say, $15,000 to buy a motorcycle from a friend who wanted only cash, the bank could say, that's fine. We're going to file a report. And that's OK.
It's what happens is that the government starts seeing someone filing these reports or reports filed on someone consistently.
COOPER: So it's a pattern.
SERWER: They want to know about a pattern. Exactly, Anderson. And that would sort of connote perhaps illegal activity.
COOPER: All right. And at this point, where does this thing go? I mean, because US Trust has already paid a fine, a rather hefty fine.
SERWER: They paid a $10 million fine two years ago. Investigators may or may not be looking into Limbaugh with relation to these type of transactions. Circumventing these laws may be illegal activity.
COOPER: All right. We'll be watching it. Thanks very much, Andy Serwer.
SERWER: OK.
COOPER: Well, Michael Jackson faces multiple counts of child molestation. Find out when and where he plans to turn himself in. Plus, a closer look at the past allegations against him. Some disturbing details. And will those have an impact on his case?
And resurrection. Plans for a new life at the World Trade Center. We'll show you what's in store.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: The "Reset." Tonight's top stories.
London, England, Bush at Buckingham. President Bush continued his visit to Britain with a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. His hostess, Queen Elizabeth ii said the U.S. and Britain have never been closer in their determination to defeat terrorism.
Springfield, Illinois. Death penalty overhaul. The Illinois legislature has approved changes to the states capital punishment law aimed at preventing wrongful executions. Three years ago evidence of at least 17 innocent men had been condemned prompted then Governor George Ryan to commute 167 sentences and declare a death penalty moratorium.
Washington, D.C. vaccination verdict. The Pentagon has concluded that vaccinations may have contributed to the death of an army reservist. Specialist Rachel Lacy died a month after receiving multiple vaccinations in preparing for duty overseas. Officials think it may have caused a flare-up of a disease Lacy wasn't even aware she had.
And Santa Barbara a wanted man -- a source tells CNN that Michael Jackson will turn himself in to authorities tomorrow morning. An arrest warrant issued today accuses the entertainer of multiple counts of child molestation. Jackson's spokesman calls the allegations malicious and wholly unfounded.
More on Michael Jackson now. After 10 years of rumors, gossip lawyers, tabloids and innuendo today for the first time the strange and strangely compelling 10-year saga of Michael Jackson came down to this, criminal charges. He denies any wrongdoing. For Jackson it may be the crisis of his lifetime. For us, it's the "Midweek Crisis."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF JIM ANDERSON, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: An arrest warrant for Mr. Jackson has been issued on multiple counts of child molestation. The bail amount on the warrant has been set at $3 million. The service of the warrants was part of an ongoing investigation alleging criminal misconduct on the part of Michael Jackson. The basis for this investigation regarding Mr. Jackson involves allegations of child molestation.
TOM SHEDDON, SANTA BARBARA CO. D.A.: I want to make several things clear about why this is different from the last investigation. Number one, it is different because the law in California has changed, and it was changed specifically because of the 1993-94 Michael Jackson investigation. The law in California at that time provided that a child victim could not be forced to testify in a child molest proceeding without their permission. There were never any charges brought in that investigation. No warrant issued. There is a warrant outstanding, and I can assure you that within a very short period of time there will be charges filed against Mr. Jackson. Multiple counts.
QUESTION: If Michael Jackson is watching this right now or his people, is there an opportunity to tell him what you would like should he contact authorities immediately? What's your message to him.
SHEDDEN: Get over here and get checked in.
ANDERSON: We'd encourage him to turn himself in and cooperate with law enforcement, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Well, in a statement today a spokesman asserted Jackson's innocence and criticized law enforcement officials for the tone of today's news conference saying, and I quote, "We are disturbed by the levity of the environment surrounding the announcement of these very serious charges. When the evidence is presented and the allegations proven to be malicious and wholly unfounded, Michael will be able to put this nightmare behind him."
During Jackson's last nightmare, the 1993 criminal investigation, he also proclaimed his innocence and no charges were brought, but a civil suit was filed.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): In 1994, Jackson paid the family of a 14- year-old boy an undisclosed amount to settle their civil suit. The family had asked for $20 million claiming sexual battery. Jackson proclaimed his innocence and the boy never publicly told his side of the story. Without the boy's cooperation, police and prosecutors said they had to drop their criminal investigation. Eventually details of the boy's story did emerge. Thesmokinggun.com has posted on their Web site what they say is a copy of the lawsuit and the victim's declaration.
In his declaration, the boy claimed Jackson showed him the movie "Exorcist." Scared he slept in Jackson's bed. Over the course of several months and many sleepovers, the boy alleges Jackson initiated sexual contact. According to the boy, it began with hugging, then after "A brief kiss on the cheek," he then started kissing me on the lips, first briefly and then for a longer period of time. The boy says Jackson and he bathed together and said Jackson eventually made manual and oral contact with the boy's genitals. Jackson denied the allegations, but he did say at least one person had suffered during the whole episode.
MICHAEL JACKSON, ENTERTAINER: I have been forced to submit to a dehumanizing and humiliating examination by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Department and the Los Angeles Police Department earlier this week. They served a search warrant on me, which allowed them to view and photograph my body, including my penis, my buttocks, my lower torso, thighs and any other area that they wanted.
COOPER: However traumatic that was, it wasn't enough to stop Jackson from sharing his bed with children as he confirmed himself just this year. In fact, his explanation that it's normal behavior echoes wording in the 1993 lawsuit, which claimed Jackson reassured the boy that their sexual interaction was "normal, usual and customary acts in a relationship between friends."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Those allegations back from 1993.
Now Todd Gold is the Los Angeles bureau chief for "People Magazine." He's interviewed Jackson extensively, travelled with him on tour and is the author of "Michael Jackson: The Man in the Mirror." Appreciate you being with us, Todd, thanks very much.
I want to read to you a statement from Jackson's spokesperson Stuart Backerman. The outrageous allegations against Michael Jackson are false. Michael would never harm a child in any way. These scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a courtroom. Today you had authorities come forward and said to other people who may be out there, please come forward.
How surprising was that to you?
TODD GOLD, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": Not at all. You know, I think my reaction when I first heard about this was what took so long?
Why, you know, is anyone surprised?
COOPER: But there have been -- I mean there was really own only this case in 1993 in which a suit was brought forward. Then it was settled out of court. No charges were ever brought. Jackson denied the charges.
GOLD: This was a district attorney who was very frustrated that the witness refused to cooperate with the authorities and testify. And now the difference is because this is, you know, like an eerie replay of 10-years-ago is that they do have a victim who is willing to testify willing to cooperate and not interested in being paid off.
COOPER: But police are basically saying that they believe there are other people out there.
GOLD: And they do and that has always been among the rumors. 10-years-ago when the first -- when that case was settled, there were many rumors, stories we checked out extensively that there had been other payoffs. And we'll see, I fully expect others to come forward.
COOPER: You think other people will be coming forward?
GOLD: I think that could be one of the next bounces we'll see. This district attorney, to my recollection has kept the case open for 10 years. He refused to shut the investigation and said many times he was just waiting for someone to come forward and he would reopen it in a second.
COOPER: The Michael Jackson you knew on tour, was it a different Michael Jackson today.
Who is advising him?
Is anyone advising him?
GOLD: It's a very different Michael Jackson. I was on tour with him several times between 1987 and 1990 and that was at the peak of Michael Jackson mania. At the time, he boasted of an inner circle of Advisers that included Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, David Gapen (ph). Now it's a rag tag group of no luster. People who are really, you know, trying to hang on to the contrails of a once very bright and prosperous career, there's nobody of any kind of noted of success around Michael.
COOPER: And you know, you always here -- I talked to, you know, his alleged friend Uri Geller, last night, who said, he is a naive, sort of got the heart of a child, he's naive.
Do you buy any of that?
GOLD: No. That's always been the image Michael has put forth. Michael is a master at spin and the spin he's given himself over the past decade, if not more is that of a victim, that of being misunderstood, that of being someone who was robs of his childhood. But at age 45, you know, get over it. If you look at the different lawsuits that have been brought up over the past year alone, you see that instead of, you know, surrounding himself with the titans of entertainment, Michael has been involved with a witch doctor. He's been involved with a producer of porno graphic movies.
COOPER: Not the upper echelon of Hollywood.
GOLD: Well, it's all symbolic of the fall of Michael Jackson, which is one of the great and sad showbiz stories ever. Here's a guy, who in 15 years, has gone from the biggest star in the world to probably one of the most shunned stars. I mean, since this situation 10 years ago, the guy has had no career in the United States.
COOPER: No matter what happens, it's only going to get sadder, at least in the short term. Todd Gold, thanks for being with us.
Well, now on our "Justice Served" segment, more on the legal aspects of the Michael Jackson case. 360 legal analyst, Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, joins us from San Francisco. Kimberly, thanks for being with us tonight.
CNN reporting now that Michael Jackson, according to one highly placed source, is going to turn himself in tomorrow morning. Is it surprising that authorities allowed him this time to turn himself in?
KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: No, I think it was appropriate in this case. They don't need to make a bigger spectacle of it than it already is. It was nice they afforded him that privilege. He should take the opportunity and from what we're hearing, he will do that tomorrow morning.
These are serious charges, and I think it's better for him to come forward, turn himself in on his own volition, instead of being forced to be arrested and authorities to travel to Las Vegas to go get him.
COOPER: First time charges have been brought. There were these allegations made in 1993, some sort of a settlement and Jackson still denies any of those charges. But can those -- that incident, those allegations from '93, can they be brought forward into this ongoing investigation?
NEWSOM: That's an excellent question. They cannot bring it as an independent charge, meaning adding it to this criminal complaint, due to the statute of limitations being six years since the child reported the incident. And, again, keep in mind there was a monetary settlement which obviously would not look good in front of a jury.
However, that information is called prior bad acts. Even though he wasn't charged or convicted can come in and the D.A. will take a motion, put it before the judge, to try to bring that information in to show this is a pattern and practiced behavior on the part of Michael Jackson. And that's persuasive evidence if it's admitted in front of the jury.
COOPER: And the authorities who were speaking today at this press conference, basically were saying that, look, the law has changed since back in '93. In fact, we have changed the law so we can now compel a child to testify.
NEWSOM: Well, the interesting change in the legislature in 1995 was section 1253. And what that pertains to statements from a child under age 12 can come in as evidence, as non-hearsay if they are made to a physician about abuse or neglect. So, even if you didn't have a cooperative victim you could put that evidence in, in front a jury. They didn't have that available to them at the time.
And it's to help in these cases that are so difficult dealing with child molestation and young children. It's very difficult to come forward and talk about this information. Here in this case, they have a cooperative victim, someone who hasn't tried to seek any civil settlement. There's a number of differences between the previous incident that occurred in '93 and the one we're dealing with today.
COOPER: OK, so shows up tomorrow, apparently all indications appear that's what's going to happen sometime in the morning. What happens to him?
NEWSOM: He's going to be fingerprinted and get a booking photo, which the D.A. indicated it will be released to the press. They'll get a date set for the arraignment where he'll be advised of the charges. The D.A. will have filed a criminal complaint listing all of the charges and counts against Michael Jackson.
We know already that there's one charge of child molestation, the penal code section 288 subsection A. And he could face up to a maximum of 8 years for that count. And then again, he said multiple counts, so I suspect there will be more than one incident. Every action or touching would count as a separate criminal count and charge against him.
COOPER: All right, it's fascinating. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, Thanks you very much for being with us.
Of course we want to hear from you. Today's "Buzz" question is this, "Would you let your children stay at Neverland Ranch?" Apparently a lot of parents have. Vote now, cnn.com/360. We'll have the results at the end of the program.
In a coma after drinking too much water. Find out how a frat party ended with one pledge in critical condition. That's coming up.
Plus gardens, reflecting pools, the finalists in the competition for The World Trade Center Memorial ahead on 360.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Now to Dallas, Texas, where a college student is in a coma right now, the possible victim of fraternity hazing. Police say he chugged way too much water. Brian Cabell reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It started, authorities say, at an off-campus fraternity party Saturday morning. There, according to the police, the young men began a competition of drinking large quantities of water. Police won't say at this point whether anyone was forced to drink. 21-year-old Braylon Curry a pledge with the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, apparently drank too much water, way too much. He ended up in the hospital.
JIM CASWELL, SMU VICE PRESIDENT: We'll have to find out what happened by interview the men involved in this activity, what they had in mind, what did go on here.
CABELL: Curry remains hospitalized in critical condition, a victim of excessive fluid consumption.
DR. GREGORY BLOMQUIST, PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL OF DALLAS: The most common manifestation is that the brain begins to swell. With the brain swelling, that's why you get the symptoms of lethargy, confusion, stupor, even coma and seizures.
CABELL: Southern Methodist University officials say the fraternity had just been reinstated on campus this spring after a 3 year suspension for a hazing incident.
DR. WILLIE EDWARDS, ALPHA PHI ALPHA REG. DIRECTOR: The fraternity does not condone this activity and we will deal with it in whatever vigor we need to in order to make sure that the culprits, if there are some, will be punished.
CABELL: The national headquarters for Alpha Phi Alpha declined to comment on the incident. Brian Cabell, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Still to come this evening, a panel deciding on the design for the World Trade Center memorial has looked at more than 5,000 contest submissions. We are going to show you the 8 that they have narrowed it down to, tonight. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: One of eight designs unveiled in New York today will become the plan for the World Trade Center Memorial. Jason Carroll was on hand when a panel of jurors revealed the finalists in the largest design competition in history.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The World Trade Center Memorial finalists come from all over the world. But the eight designs do share common elements, like the use of water, light and glass.
VARTAN GREGORIAN, WTC MEMORIAL JUROR: In these finalists, we have saw design that represent the heights of imagination, while incorporating aesthetic grace and spiritual strength.
CARROLL: This entry, from a German/Colombian team, called Passages of Light: the Memorial Cloud, calls for a massive glass honeycomb on the Trade Center Plaza. The entry Vodives (ph) in Suspension from two Houston architects. It has suspended lights, one for each victim, each hanging by a length reflecting their age.
MONICA IKEK, WIDOW OF 9/11 VICTIM: I just looked at them and I felt, wow, I could see myself in every single one of those memorial ideas.
CARROLL: All of the finalists marked the footprints in some way. This design creates islands with gardens of glass columns for each victim. Others call for reflecting pools. But some victims' families want the footprints untouched.
MARY FLETCHER, MOTHER OF 9/11 VICTIM: A hundred years from now, they should have the opportunity to stand on bedrock.
CARROLL: Another controversy, victims' names. All the entries list them, some randomly, others alphabetically, like the concept called Dual Memory from a U.S.-Venezuelan team. The victims' faces projected on glass panels. But rescue workers want their fallen comrades grouped separately.
JON SPEICH, NEW YORK FIREFIGHTER: They came down here as rescue workers, saved thousands of people. We feel it's the right thing to do.
(END VIDEOTAPE) CARROLL: And jurors say whatever design is chosen, they know it's not likely to please everyone. They also say that they hope they have that winning design chosen by the end of the year.
COOPER: Such an emotional decision. Jason Carroll, thanks very much.
Well, from the serious to the surreal. Time to check on tonight's "Current." A new poll finds that Swedes trust the make-it- yourself furniture store Ikea more than they trust their own government. In fairness to the Swedish government, it does not come with a free Allen wrench. So there is that problem.
"The Source" magazine says Eminem said something offensive about black women in a 1993 recording. Eminem apologized, said he was reacting to his breakup with a black girlfriend. The news is something of a milestone. The singer is now believed to have offended everyone who has ever lived.
Naomi Campbell's lawyer says a new lawsuit against her is an unfortunate byproduct of her visibility and celebrity. The suit claims Campbell physically assaulted an administrative assistant. Now, three years ago, Campbell pleaded guilty to assaulting another assistant. It's not clear whether that was also a byproduct of her celebrity.
Monica Lewinsky tells "GQ" magazine that because of her notorious presidential hijinx, her sex life now isn't that great. Although that may depend on what the definition of sex is. Hmm.
All right, so how would the flood of coverage of the Michael Jackson case affect coverage of other news stories out there? Well, it might just take it to "The Nth Degree."
But first, today's buzz. Would you let your child stay at Neverland Ranch? Hey, it sounds ridiculous, but a lot of parents do. Vote now at cnn.com/360. We'll have the results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for the buzz. We asked you, would you let your child stay at Neverland Ranch? Here's what you said, 15 percent said yes, 85 percent voted no. Not a scientific poll, just your buzz.
Tonight, taking Michael Jackson coverage to "The Nth Degree." Today's announcement of charges against one of the most successful, famous and infamous entertainers in the world could affect TV news even more than the O.J. Simpson trial did. The coverage and journalistic resources involved will be simply staggering. Already producers across the nation are clearing their slates. Network bookers are desperately seeking anyone who ever knew Michael Jackson, begging Uri Geller and Bubbles the Chimp to please call them back.
So before it's too late, we wanted to take just a quick moment to say goodbye to some of the stories that, as far as the media are concerned, have breathed their last. So, so long coverage of lingering questions about regulatory oversight of the nation's securities industries. We'll miss you. Goodbye, in-depth scrutiny of the future of Medicare. Farewell debate over the new military and its role in a changing world. We hardly knew you.
This is for you, and all the other homies we lost today. We'll be with you again some day, on the other side.
That wraps up our program tonight. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
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