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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Massive Earthquake Rocks California; Bush, Kerry Prepare to Face Off in Thursday's Debate; Alligator Kills Woman in Florida

Aired September 28, 2004 - 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.


HEIDI COLLINS, GUEST HOST: Good evening from New York. I'm Heidi Collins in for Anderson Cooper.
The biggest quake in 30 years hits central California.

360 starts now.

A massive earthquake rocks California. The magnitude 6 quake hit an unpopulated area. We'll take you there.

Both candidates cram for Thursday's showdown. What do past debates tell us about what you'll see when Bush and Kerry face off?

Just how many theories did the police have about how Laci Peterson died? Scott Peterson's attorney goes on offense.

Courtroom drama about a wonder drug. What did botox really do to this Hollywood socialite?

A brutal attack by an alligator leaves a woman dead in Florida. Are other residents at risk?

Just when you thought you had enough of Paris Hilton, she's done it again. Allegedly the hotel heiress has a new sex video in circulation.

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

COLLINS: We begin tonight with earth-shattering news, literally. A strong earthquake, 6 on the Richter scale, struck in central California today near the town of Parkfield. Today's quake was the largest to hit that area in more than 30 years, which is not to say it was unexpected.

Miguel Marquez standing by in the central California town of Chandon now. Miguel, the latest?

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're just south of where that 6.0 earthquake hit. And Parksfield has the dubious honor of being called the earthquake capital of the world, they even have a water tower as you drive into town that proclaims that. They say, "Be here for the next one when it hits."

It's a very small town, about 25 people there. About 1,000 people here in Chandon. Everybody in this area certainly felt it. The U.S. Geological Service saying that this 6.0 quake was probably the most heavily measured quake in history. That's because they have so many of them here, as you mentioned.

Several studies have been set up in the area because of the number of quakes to figure out what happens in the months, weeks, days, minutes, and seconds before that quake hits. And the hope is to figure out what these earthquakes are and to be able to predict them better.

Now, the quake did force the closure of a local bridge here for a short time because there were concerns that that bridge may have been weakened by the quake. It also damaged a fire station. Every resident that we spoke to today certainly felt it as far north as San Francisco and some people as far south as Los Angeles.

One of the other concerns with these earthquakes is always is aftershocks. And there were a multitude of aftershocks shortly after this quake. In the hour and a half after this quake occurred, talking to a USGS seismologist earlier today, there were 75 recorded aftershocks. Most of those were small, about 3.0 was the largest of those.

But keep in mind, the USGS also says that when a quake this big hits, there is a 5 to 10 percent chance that in the next week there will be a quake of equal or greater size that occurs. They believe that that quake would not happen north toward San Francisco, but rather south toward Los Angeles. But they believe it would be in a rural area, Heidi.

COLLINS: Boy, I hope that's not an indication of something worse. All right, Miguel Marquez, thanks so much.

Further north on the West Coast, it's a volcano that is making trouble, or threatening to. Lesser earthquakes that are coming at a rate of two tremors a minute seem to have awakened Washington's Mount St. Helens, which is increasingly giving signs that it may erupt sometime soon.

Brian Barker of Portland, Oregon, station KATU joins us now live with this.

Brian, good evening.

BRIAN BARKER, REPORTER, KATU, PORTLAND, OREGON: Heidi, good evening.

This is the biggest concentration of earthquakes they've had on Mount St. Helens since the last time it erupted back in 1986. We're not talking about a small amount of earthquakes, we're talking hundreds per day.

Let's take a look at the crater right now, a live look. Those quakes started on Friday and have only intensified through today. That crater was formed when the mountain erupted 25 years ago, and we have been seeing some debris coming down the sides of the mountain as earthquakes on the 2.0 to 2.3 magnitude continue underneath in that mountain.

Now, earlier today geologists flew into the mouth of the crater in a helicopter and actually landed on the lava dome that built up inside since that last eruption here in 1986. That dome is 900 feet tall and almost constantly rumbling now. They're installing equipment that will tell them if that dome is expanding.

If that's the case, it could be a precursor to an eruption. It is a dangerous job for those geologists, especially since there are warnings up and the hiking trails around the mountain are closed because of the risk of a steam explosion, which could hurl boulders thousands of feet into the air.

The latest theory from geologists is that water from rain is moving down into superheated rocks in that lava dome and causing small earthquakes. And just today they're saying they believe there could be some leftover magma inside that dome in Mount St. Helens trying to make its way to the top.

And that leaves open the possibility that we could have some sort of steam eruption or possibly an actual eruption involving magma left over from that 1986 eruption sometime in the next couple of days. It could be a couple of years.

But no doubt there are more geologists up here than there have been since the last eruption in 1986, watching and waiting to see if something happens.

Reporting live from Mount St. Helens, I'm Brian Barker. Heidi, back to you.

COLLINS: Yes, some beautiful but pretty ominous pictures there. Brian, thanks so much for that.

And a dreadful story out of Detroit tonight, where a man barged into a home serving as a daycare center and started shooting. A 3- year-old girl is dead, and an infant and two women are in critical condition. And tonight the gunman still on the run.

For the latest on the manhunt, we go live to Detroit and CNN's Jonathan Freed now. Jonathan?

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, police are calling this a heartless act that has shaken up this middle-class neighborhood. They call it a very solid middle-class neighborhood here in northwest Detroit, an area of town that doesn't usually see much crime at all, let alone a crime of this nature.

I'm standing across the street from the home where the daycare is run. It is an in-home daycare. And at about 10:00 this morning, a man in his 20s approached somebody who was outside the house and asked, as police describe it, about a particular person, whether a particular person was inside the house.

At that point, it is not clear to police whether or not the man forced his way inside or was allowed inside. But regardless, Heidi, that's when this person started shooting. That's when the 3-year-old girl was shot. And she has since died. That was reported to us by police a short while ago. Another woman, a 41-year-old who runs the daycare, she was critically wounded, shot. A 23-year-old woman was shot. And a 7-month-old baby was dropped in the commotion.

All three of those are still in critical condition in the hospital.

Now, a woman across the street right over here heard what was happening, wasn't even aware that they were shots, and she told us that she came outside and she saw people running around outside and a woman coming out of the house with a child asking for 911 to be called.

Now, two other children who were in the house, Heidi, were not hurt. And I can say that the suspect is still at large, but police are putting the emphasis on this, Heidi, they are saying that they do not believe that the community is in danger at this time.

Back to you.

COLLINS: At least that's some good news. Just a tragic story. Jonathan Freed from Detroit tonight, thanks so much, Jonathan.

In Washington, the story of the day had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with politeness. It involves a cell phone user who may have been too loud and a police officer who may have been too eager.

CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sakinah Aaron admits she was talking loudly on her cell phone September 9 when she walked into the bus area at the Wheaton Metro station in suburban Maryland. Aaron, who is 5 months' pregnant, says when a police officer told her to lower her voice, she told him he had no right to do that.

SAKINAH AARON, METRO PASSENGER: It was ridiculous, it was overkill, because I wasn't breaking a law.

KOCH: Aaron says the officer then grabbed her by the arm and pushed her to the ground.

AARON: So I just kneeled down on my knees and whatever, because he wasn't going to let me up. And he pushed me down, knee to my back, and then I started to cry, like, What are you doing? You know, I'm pregnant, please, you know, release the pressure off my back.

KOCH: Police say Sakinah was cursing loudly into the cell phone and struggled with the officer. They charged her with two misdemeanors, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.

TIM GRONAU, DEPUTY CHIEF, METRO TRANSIT POLICE: And she refused to comply, as a matter of fact, directing an expletive toward the officer himself.

KOCH: Passengers who ride Washington's Metro were shocked.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I still can't find the justification in this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we have a lot more important issues than someone using a cell phone too loud.

KOCH: Transit police actions have been questioned before. A woman was arrested in July for breaking Metro rules by eating a candy bar, a 12-year-old in 2000 cuffed and arrested for eating a French fry.

JIM GRAHAM, CITY COUNCILMAN: You know, in each case, the police technically are probably right. But the result is wrong, because we've escalated these minor situations in a way that really doesn't serve our priorities.

KOCH: Councilmember Jim Graham wants more training for transit police on how to respond appropriately to situations.

(on camera): Transit officials say that at no point over the last three weeks has Aaron complained to them about what happened. She has retained a lawyer.

Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Oil prices hit record highs. That tops our look at news cross-country now.

At the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude oil prices topped the $50 a barrel mark, fueled by unrest in Nigeria and the Mideast, and Ivan's damage in the Gulf of Mexico. Saudi Arabia pledged to increase output if necessary.

Nashville, Tennessee, a robber, armed and naked, holds up a convenience store. Police nabbed Larry Boyd on the spot. He was wearing only socks. After they put a towel on him, they threw the book at him. He's wanted for robbery and assault. Never mind the whole indecent exposure thing.

And staying on top of Columbus, Ohio, a naked photographer who ambushed women and took pictures of their shocked expressions is sentenced to 18 months in jail. Steven Linen (ph) was not forced to register as a sex offender, but he was ordered to get help.

And in San Francisco, famed Candlestick Park, home of the 49ers, is now Monster Park. Monster Cable Products paid $6 million for naming rights, beating out Oracle and Wells Fargo.

And that's a look at stories cross-country tonight.

360 next, smoke, mirrors, and earthquakes at the Scott Peterson trial. The defense talks drugs, poison, and plastic. We go live to the courthouse.

Plus, botox on trial. A Hollywood wife versus Michael Jackson's plastic surgeon. Did his unusual treatments for migraines ruin her life?

And teens taking it out on themselves, a scary new fad called cutting. It's a report every parent should see.

But first, your picks, the most popular stories on CNN.com right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Jurors in the Scott Peterson murder trial may have been rattled by the earthquake today, but the biggest jolt probably came from the witness stand. That's where the lead detective was being cross-examined by the defense. The questions involved the one thing that may never be answered.

CNN's Ted Rowlands has the latest from the court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): During his sixth day on the stand, lead detective Craig Grogan testified at one point he thought Scott Peterson may have poisoned or drugged his wife, Laci, before killing her. He said police pursued the theory because it would help explain why no crime scene was ever found. Grogan admitted that items tested for drugs came back negative.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos used his cross-examination of Grogan to attack the investigation into Laci Peterson's disappearance and murder. Geragos established that a number of items found near the remains of Laci Peterson were never tested, including a piece of plastic that one police officer thought smelled like human remains.

Geragos tried to counter earlier testimony that Peterson didn't seem to care about the investigation. Grogan admitted that a few weeks after Laci was reported missing, Scott Peterson called to say that police were wasting their time focusing on him and they needed to follow other leads.

DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: He doesn't have a huge point that he wants to make. He has a bunch of small points, and so he's just going one by one by one.

ROWLANDS: Testimony came to a sudden halt after many people in the courtroom, including most of the jury, felt the 6.0 earthquake centered in central California, some 200 miles south. Court resumed after a short break.

(on camera): The judge told jurors to expect that the prosecution's case, which was to end on Thursday, will most likely last at least another week.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Redwood City, California. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: And covering the case for us in justice served is 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, who was in the courtroom today.

Kimberly, hello to you.

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, 360 LEGAL ANALYST: Hello.

COLLINS: And from Miami, defense attorney Jayne Weintraub. Jayne, hello to you as well.

Jayne, first question for you. We just heard in Ted's piece there how the police believe that Peterson may have actually drugged Laci, because there were no signs of struggle in the house. How bad is this for the prosecution?

JAYNE WEINTRAUB, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, it is pathetic. That's how bad it is. This is a death penalty case. They're seeking to kill Scott Peterson. We do that based on evidence in this country. And the Constitution says beyond a reasonable doubt. There is absolutely no evidence of any crime scene, so the police decided, oops, maybe it was poison.

He's guessing. It is speculation. The judge will instruct the jurors, You are not to convict on speculation. It is not to be considered. And yet that's all we hear from Grogan. And I'm sure Kimberly won't dispute that.

NEWSOM: Well, as a matter of fact, I will, because I thought it was interesting that Mark Geragos brought this up, but really the DA has never suggested that this has been a case where Scott Peterson poisoned his wife. It was one of the many things that these detectives checked on to be thorough in this case, to leave no stone unturned. And they even tested an object in the kitchen, a mortar and pestle, to see if any kind of drugs or poisons were used.

Again, we don't even know if she was poisoned or not. I'll tell you why, because of the condition of her body, the extensive state of decomposition.

WEINTRAUB: We don't know that she was, so why talk about it? This is a criminal trial, Kimberly. They're trying to...

(CROSSTALK)

NEWSOM: Why did Mark Geragos even bringing it up? Why did Mark Geragos even bringing it up?

COLLINS: Ladies, let's talk about another topic to you. Kimberly, yesterday Geragos brought up the fact that sex was not a priority for Laci anymore because she was pregnant. Why would he bring that up in this case?

NEWSOM: Oh, Heidi, let me tell you something. This is one of the many things yesterday that was just stunning, because here we had to go and take a moment to say, Hmm, let's feel sorry for sex-starved Scottie. Let me cry a tear for Scott Peterson because his pregnant wife, who was nauseous and dizzy and tired and about to give birth, didn't feel like having sex, it wasn't a priority, OK? Maybe her child was more important.

And instead, Scott Peterson, we're supposed to feel sorry for him, that's why he had to go outside the marriage to have sex with Amber Frye...

WEINTRAUB: Kimberly, there's no evidence for any of that...

NEWSOM: ... or whoever...

WEINTRAUB: ... it's a great story.

NEWSOM: What is the point of that? It was in court -- I'm sorry, it was in court yesterday. That's what Mark Geragos brought up, that Laci told her friend Renee Tomlinson (ph) that sex wasn't a priority to her. So therefore Scott...

WEINTRAUB: Not that she was nauseous and dizzy...

NEWSOM: ... Peterson...

WEINTRAUB: ... because she was still walking her dog...

NEWSOM: ... that's and...

WEINTRAUB: ... she was walking over a mile a day, she wasn't so sick she couldn't go out to dinner with friends. Kimberly, come on. We've all had babies, come on.

COLLINS: All right, Jayne, let's...

(CROSSTALK)

NEWSOM: Well, I haven't had a baby...

COLLINS: ... (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

NEWSOM: ... but I do know the evidence in this case. And the bottom line is, even her gynecologist said that that was one of the things that Laci was suffering from. But it doesn't matter. Why does Scott Peterson have to go? And it is a justification, because his wife won't have sex with him, so go have affairs...

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: ... let me, let me interrupt you. Let's get to one more topic if we could before we let you go.

Jayne, to you, Geragos has been getting quite a bit more aggressive, if you will, with the lead detective in this case. Could this possibly backfire on him? WEINTRAUB: It could with a normal witness, Heidi, with a lay witness, as I would call them, a civilian, not with a police officer, because everybody -- is it, nobody's going to feel sorry for Grogan being beaten up by a defense lawyer. I think that they're going to sense and see what a struggle it is for Mark Geragos to get the information and the concessions and the truth out of Grogan. And as that unfolds, I don't think that they're going to feel sorry for Grogan at all.

COLLINS: All right, guys, unfortunately, that is all the time we have tonight. Certainly do appreciate your time, as always, Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom and Jayne Weintraub on the Peterson case tonight. Thanks, ladies.

360 next, going to the extremes to numb the pain. Find out why a growing number of kids are literally cutting themselves to get through the day.

And a little later, anything and everything on video. Paris Hilton reportedly stars in sex tape number two.

360 (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

COLLINS: President Bush and Senator Kerry stayed away from the stump today as they prepare for this Thursday's debate, the first of three between the candidates.

Tomorrow, we'll take a close look at Senator Kerry's debating skills.

Tonight, we focus on President Bush, who has a history of thriving under low expectations. That was evident in one major debate 10 years ago, which helped put him in the Texas governor mansion. Well, the debate proved Mr. Bush is no amateur when it comes to raw politics.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (voice-over): The televised debate in the 1994 race for Texas governor featured a popular Democratic incumbent, Ann Richards, against a 48-year-old businessman who had never held office, George W. Bush.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

GEORGE W. BUSH: This is a huge difference between Governor Richards and me. She is satisfied with the status quo in the welfare system, I'm not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Experts who studied the 1994 debate noted some differences between George Bush's oratory style then and now. His body language seemed more self-assured, the pacing of his delivery faster.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: Free the schools from the clutches of the Texas education agency and let them design the program that best fits the needs of each and every local community. One size does not fit all in the state of Texas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES FALLOWS, "ATLANTIC MONTHLY": For one reason or another, that kind of off-the-cuff polished skill, which was more natural to him 10 years ago, has become more difficult now.

COLLINS: But most of George Bush's debating skills have remained the same, his ability to turn political liability into an advantage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: I am not a fine tuner. And therefore the fact that I haven't held political office, in my opinion, gives me the freedom to think differently than someone who has spent her entire career in public office.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: The way he stays on message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: Nothing has been done to change a juvenile justice system.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FALLOWS: The ability to boil messages down to their simple essence has been one of George Bush's enduring strengths.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, August 2003)

ANN RICHARDS (D), FORMER TEXAS GOVERNOR: If you ask Bush what time it is, he's going to say, Saddam Hussein was a bad man, and he has to go. He doesn't get distracted by the question, you know? He remembers what the message is, and he delivers it very well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: And similar lines of attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: That is sending the wrong signals to our children in the state of Texas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Mixed signals are the wrong signals to send to the people in Iraq.

COLLINS: Making George W. Bush, experts say, one of the most formidable debaters in the realm of raw politics.

BUSH: ... to our troops in combat.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: A quick news note now on a surprising newspaper endorsement. The weekly "Lone Star Iconoclast," the newspaper of President Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford, Texas, has come out in favor of Senator John Kerry. The paper endorsed the president four years ago, based on what the publishers said were things he promised, not on, quote, "the smokescreened agenda."

And today's buzz is this. Who do you think is a stronger debater, President Bush or John Kerry? Long onto CNN.com/360 to cast your vote. We'll have the results coming up at the end of the show.

Two Italian hostages freed in Iraq. That tops our look at global stories in the uplink.

Rome, Italy, celebrations following the safe return of two female aid workers abducted in Baghdad three weeks ago. Just a few days ago, an Islamic Web site claimed the women had been killed. No word on what led to their release.

In Gaza, a CNN producer is free. "I'm thankful," those words from Riad Ali upon his release 24 hours after being abducted by armed gunmen. It is not clear who took him, although at one point Ali said they belonged to the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. That militant group, though, has condemned his abduction.

In nearby Rafah, Gaza, militants march, marking the fourth anniversary of the Intifada. The uprising started when then-Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited a holy site. Since then, at least 3,000 Palestinians, almost 950 Israelis, have been killed in the violence.

In London, Dolly's creators want to go even further. Scientists who created the world's first cloned mammal have applied for a license to clone human embryos. They want to get stem cells for research on Lou Gehrig's disease.

And that is tonight's uplink.

Cutting, it is the disturbing disease that affects millions. Why do people do it? Tonight, we'll explain.

Courtroom drama about a wonder drug. What did botox really do to this Hollywood socialite?

Just when you thought you had enough of Paris Hilton, she's done it again. Allegedly the hotel heiress has a new sex video in circulation.

360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: 360 next, teens going to extremes, a dangerous trend called cutting. Why kids are mutilating themselves to feel better about themselves. Could it be happening in your home?

First, let's check our top stories in the "Reset." In San Francisco, California, the man known as the American Taliban is appealing for a lesser sentence. Lawyers for John Walker Lindh say their client should get the same punishment as Yasser Hamdi who was also accused of fighting alongside the Taliban. Hamdi had been held for three years by the U.S. military. But last week the U.S. agreed to release him. Lindh, meanwhile, is serving a 20-year sentence.

Across the country, recalled soldiers are seeking a way out. The army says nearly one in three former U.S. soldiers who were called back into service have sought exemptions or asked to be excused. It is not unusual, though. The first Gulf War saw the same similar rate.

In Oregon, no Ralph Nader. The U.S. Supreme Court says it won't overturn a ruling to exclude Nader from Oregon's presidential ballot. The Independent candidate did have a victory today. New Mexico's supreme court ruled that Nader is qualified to be on the ballot there.

In Baltimore, Jeanne still causing trouble. Remnants of the hurricane have damaged buildings, flooded streets, and caused numerous traffic accidents. Part of Maryland got nearly six inches of rain today.

A secret plague is sweeping young people in America. Kids are cutting themselves, making themselves bleed to try to feel better. It used to be you would only see this behavior in juvenile prisons and possibly mental wards. But the problem is spreading, particularly among white girls from well off families. CNN's Adaora Udoji talked to a teen cutter from Chicago to find out why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Today Jennifer loves hanging with her friends and having fun. Fun comes after a turbulent year.

So how did you get to the point where the hurting of yourself comes in?

JENNIFER, RECOVERING CUTTER: It was like just a volcano almost and I had to get rid of it so that was my only way was to use physical pain so I could focus on that.

UDOJI: First came a diagnosis of depression. Then she started using sharp instruments to cut herself. The wounds healed, scars remain.

Is that your name?

JENNIFER: No, it says hate.

UDOJI: So you were really upset? JENNIFER: Yes.

UDOJI: And how did that make you feel then?

JENNIFER: Physically it hurt. But mentally it felt good. Which sounds kind of weird.

UDOJI: She blamed scratches on the family cat, hid deeper wounds with long-sleeved shirts. The 15-year-old who once loved ice skating had lost interest in everything. Her struggles doubled by overwhelming pressures of starting high school.

JENNIFER: It is like new people, new classes, homework is very strategic, you have to be on a certain amount of extracurriculars to get even accepted to a college.

UDOJI: How did you get involved in treating self-injurers?

Psychologist Kammie Juzwin has known hundreds like Jennifer, treating them the past 17 years.

DR. KAMMIE JUZWIN, PSYCHOLOGIST: Self-jury is a mechanism that an individual uses to stay alive, to cope, to manage, to relieve tension, to relieve pain.

UDOJI: Experts see the problem significantly increasing across the country especially among teens. They treat people from 6 to 65 who are cutting, burning, beating themselves. They estimate 3 million to 6 million people do it often individuals struggling with mental illness, eating disorders, or victims of sexual assault. 60 percent are female.

DR. JOHN LEVITT ALEXRAN, BROS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSP.: It is extraordinarily difficult to put figures on it because self-injury isn't a diagnosis. It is a behavior.

UDOJI: Jennifer doesn't even know how she started.

JENNIFER: The cutting kept getting worse and worse and with, like, more severe tools that I would use.

UDOJI: She finally told her mom and dad.

DEBBIE, JENNIFER'S MOTHER: And she pulled up her sleeves and just waves of -- almost like you got hit in your stomach, that guilt, that nausea, that -- what happened to my child?

TOM, JENNIFER'S FATHER: It is as close to hell probably as you'll get when it is your own child.

UDOJI: Jennifer and her family found help in a clinic specializing in self-injury.

JENNIFER: It is better now.

UDOJI: Her treatment includes drugs and therapy. JENNIFER: The most important thing I've ever learned was that I wasn't alone. I'm going to take us.

TOM: Fine. You can drive.

DEBBIE: And by day three she was starting to smile again and realized where everything was filled with hate, now there is hope.

UDOJI: They hope other families learn that self-inflicted abuse is treatable once identified.

JENNIFER: If I feel comfortable with myself, then I know that I'll be happy.

UDOJI: As a family, they're working through this day by day. Adaora Udoji, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: So is your child at risk for cutting? And how can you help if they are? Joining me now, psychologist Belisa Vranich to give us a little bit more insight on all of this. Now I know you have quite a bit of experience treating kids that go through this. Why do they do it in the first place? Is it always depression?

BELISA VRANICH, PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, it always goes together with depression. But believe it or not it is soothing. It actually feels good. It is a relief to have the emotional pain that you have inside, outside on your arm usually.

COLLINS: Well, the people who have not seen this before are not going to understand that. How can it not hurt?

VRANICH: Well it doesn't hurt because you feel such pain inside. When you're depressed as an adolescent, when you feel depression, intense sadness and anger that it actually feels better to have the pain on the outside of your body. So although people would think this is something destructive, it is actually not. It is soothing to the person who is doing it.

COLLINS: Are you usually seeing teenagers as the ones who are doing this?

VRANICH: Absolutely teenagers and young adults.

COLLINS: You have to look at that story we just had on moments ago. The pain in the parents' eyes, that mother just distraught once she saw the cutting on her child. The problem is, though, if I understand it correctly, a lot of times parents don't know.

VRANICH: Absolutely not. Arms are covered up with sleeves, pants are covered up -- pants cover legs up. So no, they don't know. But I can tell you that most parents are not surprised when their child gets the diagnosis of depression because they've seen other symptoms over a span of weeks or months even that that diagnosis is not surprising for them. COLLINS: Can you explain to us how long you say -- it soothes them to do this. How long does that relief, if you will, last before they feel like they have to do it again?

VRANICH: You just pointed out something very important which is until they have to do it again. It is addictive. It does have a very addictive quality to it. So it might be a few seconds, it might a few minutes, but it is a few minutes of feeling better. And you do want do it again and again. So it is addictive. That's why it is so dangerous.

COLLINS: So then is it obvious these are also addictive behaviors? Like there may be alcoholism or drugs or do those types of addictions come in as well?

VRANICH: When you're depressed, as a depressed adolescent, you could be abusing drugs and alcohol, but you definitely have other symptoms. Your grades have suffered, your relationships have suffered, you're not interested in the things you were before, maybe you're isolating yourself, maybe you're sleeping a lot or not at all. So there are a lot of other symptoms that usually go together with the cutting.

COLLINS: Some people might think this sounds really bizarre. But you say no, there are a lot of kids suffering from this.

VRANICH: There are a lot of kids suffering. If you think about the rates of depression, the rates of illness, mental illness in children is 1 in 5. The rates of depression in women is 1 in 4. In men, 1 in 8. And, of course, the threat that goes along with depression is suicide. And suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

COLLINS: Is this an indicator or could it be?

VRANICH: Absolutely. You need to watch out for it. You need to look for the other signs that I said and get your child help immediately.

COLLINS: And what is that help, quickly?

VRANICH: That help is therapy and medication or both together is the best.

COLLINS: We appreciate your insight on this. Something I didn't know about. I appreciate it.

Putting Botox on trial. Next on 360, the Hollywood court battle that could have a profound impact on the drug.

Also tonight, a deadly attack. An alligator kills a young woman in a Florida lake.

A bit later, is it another premiere for Paris? Word of yet another sex tape.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Among all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, Botox is king. In 2002, 2.2 million Americans were given Botox injections. Among the patients that year, the socialite wife of a powerful Hollywood producer. Her doctor dubbed Mr. Botox caters to stars and celebrities. And today he and the drug stand on trial in one of the biggest legal dramas to hit Tinseltown in a very long time.

Here now CNN's Jason Bellini.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Botox, it is a neurotoxin wiped foreheads clean of wrinkles around the world. And in Hollywood, where wrinkles are akin to sin, Botox is on trial.

IRENA MEDAVOY, PLAINTIFF: I did it for cosmetic use in the beginning and didn't have any problem at all. It was something that everyone was doing and, you know, little bit of collagen, a little bit of Botox, there we go.

BELLINI: Irena Medavoy is suing Allergan, the maker of botox and celebrity dermatologist, Arnold Kline.

Kline used Botox to treat Medavoy for migraines. She says the 86 units of Botox injected into the back of her neck ruined a year of her life.

MEDAVOY: I can tell you that I've -- I had such muscle weakness, I couldn't hold my head up. It was like a bowling ball on a pin. I had problems breathing. I had problems with dystocia. I wound up in the emergency room.

BELLINI: Allergan, with over a half billion dollars in Bobo sells is fighting back.

In a statement, Allergan says, "Mrs. Medavoy's medical records demonstrate that she has been suffering from a host of unrelated medical and psychological symptoms that were present long before her treatment for migraine with our product.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allergan is never going to say that the kind of serious symptom that Mrs. Medavoy has testified about that she suffered, that is documented by Dr. Kline and her other physicians, is Botox related, because it would have a very adverse effect to get FDA approval to treat migraine headaches with Botox.

BELLINI: Kline's attorney refused any comment to CNN due to on going litigation.

(on camera): Medavoy's attorney tells CNN his client's lawsuit is not about money, she wants Botox to be ordered to carry a warning for consumers so the future of Botox is not wrinkle free.

Jason Bellini, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS; And joining me from Glendale, California, for more on the Botox trial is Pat Lalama, correspondent for "Celebrity Justice."

Pat, thanks for being with us tonight.

PAT LALAMA, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" CORRESPONDENT: My pleasure.

COLLINS: The jury heard so many stories, John Travolta's birthday party. We've got summers in St. Tropez, winters in Aspen. Kind of seems like this is a little bit more of a the lifestyle for the rich and famous than a courtroom drama.

LALAMA: Don't forget Oscars and the Golden Globes, if I could spit it out myself. Yes, this is the kind of thing that in some sense, people who live in Southern California are so used to, they could sit on a jury and think, oh whatever, I read about this stuff on the calendar section of the "L.A. Times" every day.

On the other hand, it is so far removed from their lives and me sitting in the courtroom watching the 12 jurors every day. It's just hard to read their minds and wonder are they looking at her like, get a -- come on, give me a break here.

COLLINS: As a matter of fact, when we look at that jury it's quite a contrast. We're talking about a janitor, a bank clerk, some county employees.

How do they seem to be reacting to these types of stories?

LALAMA: I'll tell you this, I give this story a lot of credit from what I've seen so far. They don't react. I mean, the people in the courtroom audience react more with rolling eyes and smirks and snickers and all kinds of things whenever somebody tries to prove whatever their case might be. The jurors stay very stone faced. And even when they get to the medical stuff, which is important, let's not forget, they take notes. So I'm happy to say that I think whatever the matter is, whoever is right or wrong, they're going to try to do the best they can to make that decision.

COLLINS: All right. Now Medavoy's doctor actually testified his client sort of has a tendency to overreact. Apparently she described the pain in her breast bone as a heart attack, a headache as brain cancer.

Does she come off possibly as a hypochondriac?

LALAMA: I think there is no doubt about it. Early on before this case went to the courtroom, one of the attorneys for the defense said to me you going to see a list of medical problems a mile long. And judging by what doctors have said on the stand, yes it does seem that there are a lot of aches and pains and problems that, you know, perhaps could be imagined or perhaps real, but the point is there is a lot of them that plays into the jury's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I'm sure.

COLLINS: And looking on the other side of the fence, something pretty interesting here, a medical file that is actually been changed.

What is up with that?

LALAMA: This is an important part to remember. The defense has a little bit of a black mark in this area if you believe this to be true. On the medical records it was written certain amounts of cubic centimeters were used for Botox. Now, there are FDA standards as to how much you can inject. Dr. Kline's nurse wrote certain amounts. Now, when Irena called to say I'm in such pain, somehow those numbers got changed decimal points got changed to make it appear as though there was a lesser amount injected. Now, She Said on the stand, I have this habit of moving the decimal points around. But think what you will, it was just a little bit iffy.

COLLINS: All right. Interesting to see if that holds up or not. Pat Lalama, "Celebrity Justice" correspondent, we certainly appreciate your time here tonight. Thanks so much.

360 next, a swim turns deadly when an alligator attacks. If you ever come face to face with a gator, what do you do?

We'll talk to an expert.

Plus, Paris Hilton, reportedly the star of another steamy movie. Details in "The Current."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Twenty-year-old Michelle Reeves (ph) was visiting her grandparents in Florida last weekend. She told her family she was looking forward to a swim in the lake. And before dawn on Sunday she did just that. But later that morning her father found her body floating in the water. An autopsy confirmed that Michelle had drowned after an alligator bit off part of her arm. Florida wildlife officials say there are 15 to 20 such attacks every year.

Joining us now from Tampa is alligator expert Tim Williams. Mr. Williams, thank you for being with here. That is a pretty small alligator. But I imagine the one we're talking about was probably a little bit bigger. You're advising people on how to deal with alligators in a place like Florida. Do you normally tell them, hey, go swimming at night?

TIM WILLIAMS, ALLIGATOR RESCUE EXPERT: That's right, Heidi. We want people to understand these are dangerous animals. And there is a lot of them here in Florida. We probably have a couple million of them out in the wild. And we're building our homes right inside the alligator's backyard and we need to learn how to get along with these things. This little 'gator here, this is Elizabeth, named after the girl that does my hair. We want to know, even this size alligator, you notice we put tape on it, because it can inflict a real nasty bite.

So you have to be careful. Biggest problem we have with wild alligators is people think that it is really cute to go out in the wild and in your backyard where a 'gator might be and throw food to it. And that attracts the 'gator. Then we have a big problem with the alligators not being afraid like they should be.

COLLINS: Yes. And that certainly brings about a lot of problems I would imagine when people are out there feeding them. Don't the alligators become much less afraid of people?

COLLINS: Yes. Much less afraid and actually can sometimes become aggressive. We average about 15 to 16 attacks every year in Florida. Normally we don't have fatalities. 1948 we started keeping track of the alligator attacks and fatalities. Since that time there has been about 350 attacks with about 15 fatalities which is not a real high number.

However, being attacked by a large alpha predator out in the swamp is a very serious thing. At Gatorland we try to teach people all the time, be careful when you're around these animals. Parks like Gatorland, local zoos, those are great places to go see 'gators.

COLLINS: You can see how powerful they are. This little one that you have in your hands, Elizabeth, sweet name, maybe not so sweet creature. But let me ask you this about the hurricanes now. I know -- I remember Chuckie, this 14-foot huge alligator that escaped from the zoo down in Florida. What is the hurricane situation -- there are been four -- doing to alligator and where they live.

WILLIAMS: It has really given them a fit. Part of the big problem is flooding. The lakes and rivers and waters are starting to fill up. And we're getting these flooded areas and the alligators are moving around. They're looking for new homes. Larger 'gators were moving in and chasing out the smaller 'gators. So consequently they're scared. Another thing that adds a problem is that the eggs have just hatched the end of August, first part of September. Mama 'gator is an animal that is a very, very protective animal.

So you have to be careful when you're out in alligator country. And one of the things, reading the story of this very unfortunate incident and our hearts are really out to the family of this young lady, but you don't swim at night in alligator country. That's when alligators like to go out and hunt. They're a stealth animal, an opportunity feeder. They like to swim up and sneak up on something and grab it. And if you're splashing around when there is low light, they'll come over and see what it is and they'll take advantage of it.

COLLINS: Tim Williams, certainly nothing to mess with these creatures. We appreciate your time here tonight.

WILLIAMS: Thank you, Heidi. Thank you very much.

COLLINS: And as you said it is no consolation to Michelle's family, but Florida is considered the alligator and shark attack capital of the world.

A quick news note. From 1990 to this month, there have been 216 alligator attacks in Florida resulting in 9 deaths. There are also 320 shark attacks resulting in three deaths.

Reports of another Paris Hilton sex tape surface. Next on 360, the latest scandal to hit the celebutante, Paris.

Tomorrow, the prosecution's case against Scott Peterson is drawing to a close. We'll have the latest from the courtroom.

First, today's buzz. Who do you think is a stronger debater, President Bush or John Kerry?

Log on to CNN.com/360 to vote now.

Results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: In tonight's current, that media-happy heiress is at it again. Paris Hilton reportedly the center of attention in a steamy second new video, co-starring not one, but two ex-boyfriends.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (voice-over): Oh, Paris. Remember the sensational sex video? Paris Hilton burning up the sheets with her ex-boyfriend Rick Solomon? Well, Paris is said to be burning again. This time she's burning up the backseat of a car with her ex-boyfriend Nick Carter. Try and follow this two-tabloid trail. Today's "New York Post" reporting that Britain's "News of the World" received an 11-minute tape showing Paris doing the nasty with Nick and with another ex, model Jason Shaw. The "Post" says the scenes may be a small sample taken from the 12 hours of videotape. Paris' spokesman says it may have been stolen from Hilton's Hollywood Hills home.

PARIS HILTON, HEIRESS: I'm so scared.

COLLINS: It is not as if Paris has been starved for attention. Her hit reality show "The Simple Life" took her on the road with pal Nicole Richie and spawned a second series and probably a third.

HILTON: Actually, I love Vegas.

COLLINS: She's gotten guest spots on "Las Vegas" and the "O.C," walked the fashion week runways, became the new face of Guess Clothing, started her own line of jewelry, lost and found her tiny Chihuahua Tinker Bell, recorded her debut CD, and written a best- selling book "Confessions of an Heiress," dispensing advice to wanna- be divas like, people ask differently toward you when you have jewelry on your head.

So you would think another Paris porn video be with a bad thing. Not necessarily. Paris' great granddaddy was famous for building hotels. Paris is famous for just being famous. And when your claim to fame is your fame, there is probably no such thing as bad publicity especially when it keeps you current.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: 360 called representatives for both Paris and Nic for comment, our calls weren't returned. Now the buzz. Who do you think is a stronger debater, President Bush or John Kerry? Twenty-one percent said President Bush, 79 percent said John Kerry.

Not a scientific poll but it is your buzz.

I'm Heidi Collins. Anderson Cooper will be back tomorrow. We'll see you in the morning.

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 September 28, 2004 - 19:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, GUEST HOST: Good evening from New York. I'm Heidi Collins in for Anderson Cooper.
The biggest quake in 30 years hits central California.

360 starts now.

A massive earthquake rocks California. The magnitude 6 quake hit an unpopulated area. We'll take you there.

Both candidates cram for Thursday's showdown. What do past debates tell us about what you'll see when Bush and Kerry face off?

Just how many theories did the police have about how Laci Peterson died? Scott Peterson's attorney goes on offense.

Courtroom drama about a wonder drug. What did botox really do to this Hollywood socialite?

A brutal attack by an alligator leaves a woman dead in Florida. Are other residents at risk?

Just when you thought you had enough of Paris Hilton, she's done it again. Allegedly the hotel heiress has a new sex video in circulation.

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

COLLINS: We begin tonight with earth-shattering news, literally. A strong earthquake, 6 on the Richter scale, struck in central California today near the town of Parkfield. Today's quake was the largest to hit that area in more than 30 years, which is not to say it was unexpected.

Miguel Marquez standing by in the central California town of Chandon now. Miguel, the latest?

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're just south of where that 6.0 earthquake hit. And Parksfield has the dubious honor of being called the earthquake capital of the world, they even have a water tower as you drive into town that proclaims that. They say, "Be here for the next one when it hits."

It's a very small town, about 25 people there. About 1,000 people here in Chandon. Everybody in this area certainly felt it. The U.S. Geological Service saying that this 6.0 quake was probably the most heavily measured quake in history. That's because they have so many of them here, as you mentioned.

Several studies have been set up in the area because of the number of quakes to figure out what happens in the months, weeks, days, minutes, and seconds before that quake hits. And the hope is to figure out what these earthquakes are and to be able to predict them better.

Now, the quake did force the closure of a local bridge here for a short time because there were concerns that that bridge may have been weakened by the quake. It also damaged a fire station. Every resident that we spoke to today certainly felt it as far north as San Francisco and some people as far south as Los Angeles.

One of the other concerns with these earthquakes is always is aftershocks. And there were a multitude of aftershocks shortly after this quake. In the hour and a half after this quake occurred, talking to a USGS seismologist earlier today, there were 75 recorded aftershocks. Most of those were small, about 3.0 was the largest of those.

But keep in mind, the USGS also says that when a quake this big hits, there is a 5 to 10 percent chance that in the next week there will be a quake of equal or greater size that occurs. They believe that that quake would not happen north toward San Francisco, but rather south toward Los Angeles. But they believe it would be in a rural area, Heidi.

COLLINS: Boy, I hope that's not an indication of something worse. All right, Miguel Marquez, thanks so much.

Further north on the West Coast, it's a volcano that is making trouble, or threatening to. Lesser earthquakes that are coming at a rate of two tremors a minute seem to have awakened Washington's Mount St. Helens, which is increasingly giving signs that it may erupt sometime soon.

Brian Barker of Portland, Oregon, station KATU joins us now live with this.

Brian, good evening.

BRIAN BARKER, REPORTER, KATU, PORTLAND, OREGON: Heidi, good evening.

This is the biggest concentration of earthquakes they've had on Mount St. Helens since the last time it erupted back in 1986. We're not talking about a small amount of earthquakes, we're talking hundreds per day.

Let's take a look at the crater right now, a live look. Those quakes started on Friday and have only intensified through today. That crater was formed when the mountain erupted 25 years ago, and we have been seeing some debris coming down the sides of the mountain as earthquakes on the 2.0 to 2.3 magnitude continue underneath in that mountain.

Now, earlier today geologists flew into the mouth of the crater in a helicopter and actually landed on the lava dome that built up inside since that last eruption here in 1986. That dome is 900 feet tall and almost constantly rumbling now. They're installing equipment that will tell them if that dome is expanding.

If that's the case, it could be a precursor to an eruption. It is a dangerous job for those geologists, especially since there are warnings up and the hiking trails around the mountain are closed because of the risk of a steam explosion, which could hurl boulders thousands of feet into the air.

The latest theory from geologists is that water from rain is moving down into superheated rocks in that lava dome and causing small earthquakes. And just today they're saying they believe there could be some leftover magma inside that dome in Mount St. Helens trying to make its way to the top.

And that leaves open the possibility that we could have some sort of steam eruption or possibly an actual eruption involving magma left over from that 1986 eruption sometime in the next couple of days. It could be a couple of years.

But no doubt there are more geologists up here than there have been since the last eruption in 1986, watching and waiting to see if something happens.

Reporting live from Mount St. Helens, I'm Brian Barker. Heidi, back to you.

COLLINS: Yes, some beautiful but pretty ominous pictures there. Brian, thanks so much for that.

And a dreadful story out of Detroit tonight, where a man barged into a home serving as a daycare center and started shooting. A 3- year-old girl is dead, and an infant and two women are in critical condition. And tonight the gunman still on the run.

For the latest on the manhunt, we go live to Detroit and CNN's Jonathan Freed now. Jonathan?

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, police are calling this a heartless act that has shaken up this middle-class neighborhood. They call it a very solid middle-class neighborhood here in northwest Detroit, an area of town that doesn't usually see much crime at all, let alone a crime of this nature.

I'm standing across the street from the home where the daycare is run. It is an in-home daycare. And at about 10:00 this morning, a man in his 20s approached somebody who was outside the house and asked, as police describe it, about a particular person, whether a particular person was inside the house.

At that point, it is not clear to police whether or not the man forced his way inside or was allowed inside. But regardless, Heidi, that's when this person started shooting. That's when the 3-year-old girl was shot. And she has since died. That was reported to us by police a short while ago. Another woman, a 41-year-old who runs the daycare, she was critically wounded, shot. A 23-year-old woman was shot. And a 7-month-old baby was dropped in the commotion.

All three of those are still in critical condition in the hospital.

Now, a woman across the street right over here heard what was happening, wasn't even aware that they were shots, and she told us that she came outside and she saw people running around outside and a woman coming out of the house with a child asking for 911 to be called.

Now, two other children who were in the house, Heidi, were not hurt. And I can say that the suspect is still at large, but police are putting the emphasis on this, Heidi, they are saying that they do not believe that the community is in danger at this time.

Back to you.

COLLINS: At least that's some good news. Just a tragic story. Jonathan Freed from Detroit tonight, thanks so much, Jonathan.

In Washington, the story of the day had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with politeness. It involves a cell phone user who may have been too loud and a police officer who may have been too eager.

CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sakinah Aaron admits she was talking loudly on her cell phone September 9 when she walked into the bus area at the Wheaton Metro station in suburban Maryland. Aaron, who is 5 months' pregnant, says when a police officer told her to lower her voice, she told him he had no right to do that.

SAKINAH AARON, METRO PASSENGER: It was ridiculous, it was overkill, because I wasn't breaking a law.

KOCH: Aaron says the officer then grabbed her by the arm and pushed her to the ground.

AARON: So I just kneeled down on my knees and whatever, because he wasn't going to let me up. And he pushed me down, knee to my back, and then I started to cry, like, What are you doing? You know, I'm pregnant, please, you know, release the pressure off my back.

KOCH: Police say Sakinah was cursing loudly into the cell phone and struggled with the officer. They charged her with two misdemeanors, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.

TIM GRONAU, DEPUTY CHIEF, METRO TRANSIT POLICE: And she refused to comply, as a matter of fact, directing an expletive toward the officer himself.

KOCH: Passengers who ride Washington's Metro were shocked.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I still can't find the justification in this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we have a lot more important issues than someone using a cell phone too loud.

KOCH: Transit police actions have been questioned before. A woman was arrested in July for breaking Metro rules by eating a candy bar, a 12-year-old in 2000 cuffed and arrested for eating a French fry.

JIM GRAHAM, CITY COUNCILMAN: You know, in each case, the police technically are probably right. But the result is wrong, because we've escalated these minor situations in a way that really doesn't serve our priorities.

KOCH: Councilmember Jim Graham wants more training for transit police on how to respond appropriately to situations.

(on camera): Transit officials say that at no point over the last three weeks has Aaron complained to them about what happened. She has retained a lawyer.

Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Oil prices hit record highs. That tops our look at news cross-country now.

At the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude oil prices topped the $50 a barrel mark, fueled by unrest in Nigeria and the Mideast, and Ivan's damage in the Gulf of Mexico. Saudi Arabia pledged to increase output if necessary.

Nashville, Tennessee, a robber, armed and naked, holds up a convenience store. Police nabbed Larry Boyd on the spot. He was wearing only socks. After they put a towel on him, they threw the book at him. He's wanted for robbery and assault. Never mind the whole indecent exposure thing.

And staying on top of Columbus, Ohio, a naked photographer who ambushed women and took pictures of their shocked expressions is sentenced to 18 months in jail. Steven Linen (ph) was not forced to register as a sex offender, but he was ordered to get help.

And in San Francisco, famed Candlestick Park, home of the 49ers, is now Monster Park. Monster Cable Products paid $6 million for naming rights, beating out Oracle and Wells Fargo.

And that's a look at stories cross-country tonight.

360 next, smoke, mirrors, and earthquakes at the Scott Peterson trial. The defense talks drugs, poison, and plastic. We go live to the courthouse.

Plus, botox on trial. A Hollywood wife versus Michael Jackson's plastic surgeon. Did his unusual treatments for migraines ruin her life?

And teens taking it out on themselves, a scary new fad called cutting. It's a report every parent should see.

But first, your picks, the most popular stories on CNN.com right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Jurors in the Scott Peterson murder trial may have been rattled by the earthquake today, but the biggest jolt probably came from the witness stand. That's where the lead detective was being cross-examined by the defense. The questions involved the one thing that may never be answered.

CNN's Ted Rowlands has the latest from the court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): During his sixth day on the stand, lead detective Craig Grogan testified at one point he thought Scott Peterson may have poisoned or drugged his wife, Laci, before killing her. He said police pursued the theory because it would help explain why no crime scene was ever found. Grogan admitted that items tested for drugs came back negative.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos used his cross-examination of Grogan to attack the investigation into Laci Peterson's disappearance and murder. Geragos established that a number of items found near the remains of Laci Peterson were never tested, including a piece of plastic that one police officer thought smelled like human remains.

Geragos tried to counter earlier testimony that Peterson didn't seem to care about the investigation. Grogan admitted that a few weeks after Laci was reported missing, Scott Peterson called to say that police were wasting their time focusing on him and they needed to follow other leads.

DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: He doesn't have a huge point that he wants to make. He has a bunch of small points, and so he's just going one by one by one.

ROWLANDS: Testimony came to a sudden halt after many people in the courtroom, including most of the jury, felt the 6.0 earthquake centered in central California, some 200 miles south. Court resumed after a short break.

(on camera): The judge told jurors to expect that the prosecution's case, which was to end on Thursday, will most likely last at least another week.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Redwood City, California. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: And covering the case for us in justice served is 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, who was in the courtroom today.

Kimberly, hello to you.

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, 360 LEGAL ANALYST: Hello.

COLLINS: And from Miami, defense attorney Jayne Weintraub. Jayne, hello to you as well.

Jayne, first question for you. We just heard in Ted's piece there how the police believe that Peterson may have actually drugged Laci, because there were no signs of struggle in the house. How bad is this for the prosecution?

JAYNE WEINTRAUB, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, it is pathetic. That's how bad it is. This is a death penalty case. They're seeking to kill Scott Peterson. We do that based on evidence in this country. And the Constitution says beyond a reasonable doubt. There is absolutely no evidence of any crime scene, so the police decided, oops, maybe it was poison.

He's guessing. It is speculation. The judge will instruct the jurors, You are not to convict on speculation. It is not to be considered. And yet that's all we hear from Grogan. And I'm sure Kimberly won't dispute that.

NEWSOM: Well, as a matter of fact, I will, because I thought it was interesting that Mark Geragos brought this up, but really the DA has never suggested that this has been a case where Scott Peterson poisoned his wife. It was one of the many things that these detectives checked on to be thorough in this case, to leave no stone unturned. And they even tested an object in the kitchen, a mortar and pestle, to see if any kind of drugs or poisons were used.

Again, we don't even know if she was poisoned or not. I'll tell you why, because of the condition of her body, the extensive state of decomposition.

WEINTRAUB: We don't know that she was, so why talk about it? This is a criminal trial, Kimberly. They're trying to...

(CROSSTALK)

NEWSOM: Why did Mark Geragos even bringing it up? Why did Mark Geragos even bringing it up?

COLLINS: Ladies, let's talk about another topic to you. Kimberly, yesterday Geragos brought up the fact that sex was not a priority for Laci anymore because she was pregnant. Why would he bring that up in this case?

NEWSOM: Oh, Heidi, let me tell you something. This is one of the many things yesterday that was just stunning, because here we had to go and take a moment to say, Hmm, let's feel sorry for sex-starved Scottie. Let me cry a tear for Scott Peterson because his pregnant wife, who was nauseous and dizzy and tired and about to give birth, didn't feel like having sex, it wasn't a priority, OK? Maybe her child was more important.

And instead, Scott Peterson, we're supposed to feel sorry for him, that's why he had to go outside the marriage to have sex with Amber Frye...

WEINTRAUB: Kimberly, there's no evidence for any of that...

NEWSOM: ... or whoever...

WEINTRAUB: ... it's a great story.

NEWSOM: What is the point of that? It was in court -- I'm sorry, it was in court yesterday. That's what Mark Geragos brought up, that Laci told her friend Renee Tomlinson (ph) that sex wasn't a priority to her. So therefore Scott...

WEINTRAUB: Not that she was nauseous and dizzy...

NEWSOM: ... Peterson...

WEINTRAUB: ... because she was still walking her dog...

NEWSOM: ... that's and...

WEINTRAUB: ... she was walking over a mile a day, she wasn't so sick she couldn't go out to dinner with friends. Kimberly, come on. We've all had babies, come on.

COLLINS: All right, Jayne, let's...

(CROSSTALK)

NEWSOM: Well, I haven't had a baby...

COLLINS: ... (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

NEWSOM: ... but I do know the evidence in this case. And the bottom line is, even her gynecologist said that that was one of the things that Laci was suffering from. But it doesn't matter. Why does Scott Peterson have to go? And it is a justification, because his wife won't have sex with him, so go have affairs...

(CROSSTALK)

COLLINS: ... let me, let me interrupt you. Let's get to one more topic if we could before we let you go.

Jayne, to you, Geragos has been getting quite a bit more aggressive, if you will, with the lead detective in this case. Could this possibly backfire on him? WEINTRAUB: It could with a normal witness, Heidi, with a lay witness, as I would call them, a civilian, not with a police officer, because everybody -- is it, nobody's going to feel sorry for Grogan being beaten up by a defense lawyer. I think that they're going to sense and see what a struggle it is for Mark Geragos to get the information and the concessions and the truth out of Grogan. And as that unfolds, I don't think that they're going to feel sorry for Grogan at all.

COLLINS: All right, guys, unfortunately, that is all the time we have tonight. Certainly do appreciate your time, as always, Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom and Jayne Weintraub on the Peterson case tonight. Thanks, ladies.

360 next, going to the extremes to numb the pain. Find out why a growing number of kids are literally cutting themselves to get through the day.

And a little later, anything and everything on video. Paris Hilton reportedly stars in sex tape number two.

360 (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

COLLINS: President Bush and Senator Kerry stayed away from the stump today as they prepare for this Thursday's debate, the first of three between the candidates.

Tomorrow, we'll take a close look at Senator Kerry's debating skills.

Tonight, we focus on President Bush, who has a history of thriving under low expectations. That was evident in one major debate 10 years ago, which helped put him in the Texas governor mansion. Well, the debate proved Mr. Bush is no amateur when it comes to raw politics.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (voice-over): The televised debate in the 1994 race for Texas governor featured a popular Democratic incumbent, Ann Richards, against a 48-year-old businessman who had never held office, George W. Bush.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

GEORGE W. BUSH: This is a huge difference between Governor Richards and me. She is satisfied with the status quo in the welfare system, I'm not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Experts who studied the 1994 debate noted some differences between George Bush's oratory style then and now. His body language seemed more self-assured, the pacing of his delivery faster.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: Free the schools from the clutches of the Texas education agency and let them design the program that best fits the needs of each and every local community. One size does not fit all in the state of Texas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES FALLOWS, "ATLANTIC MONTHLY": For one reason or another, that kind of off-the-cuff polished skill, which was more natural to him 10 years ago, has become more difficult now.

COLLINS: But most of George Bush's debating skills have remained the same, his ability to turn political liability into an advantage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: I am not a fine tuner. And therefore the fact that I haven't held political office, in my opinion, gives me the freedom to think differently than someone who has spent her entire career in public office.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: The way he stays on message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: Nothing has been done to change a juvenile justice system.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FALLOWS: The ability to boil messages down to their simple essence has been one of George Bush's enduring strengths.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, August 2003)

ANN RICHARDS (D), FORMER TEXAS GOVERNOR: If you ask Bush what time it is, he's going to say, Saddam Hussein was a bad man, and he has to go. He doesn't get distracted by the question, you know? He remembers what the message is, and he delivers it very well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: And similar lines of attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 1994)

BUSH: That is sending the wrong signals to our children in the state of Texas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Mixed signals are the wrong signals to send to the people in Iraq.

COLLINS: Making George W. Bush, experts say, one of the most formidable debaters in the realm of raw politics.

BUSH: ... to our troops in combat.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: A quick news note now on a surprising newspaper endorsement. The weekly "Lone Star Iconoclast," the newspaper of President Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford, Texas, has come out in favor of Senator John Kerry. The paper endorsed the president four years ago, based on what the publishers said were things he promised, not on, quote, "the smokescreened agenda."

And today's buzz is this. Who do you think is a stronger debater, President Bush or John Kerry? Long onto CNN.com/360 to cast your vote. We'll have the results coming up at the end of the show.

Two Italian hostages freed in Iraq. That tops our look at global stories in the uplink.

Rome, Italy, celebrations following the safe return of two female aid workers abducted in Baghdad three weeks ago. Just a few days ago, an Islamic Web site claimed the women had been killed. No word on what led to their release.

In Gaza, a CNN producer is free. "I'm thankful," those words from Riad Ali upon his release 24 hours after being abducted by armed gunmen. It is not clear who took him, although at one point Ali said they belonged to the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. That militant group, though, has condemned his abduction.

In nearby Rafah, Gaza, militants march, marking the fourth anniversary of the Intifada. The uprising started when then-Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited a holy site. Since then, at least 3,000 Palestinians, almost 950 Israelis, have been killed in the violence.

In London, Dolly's creators want to go even further. Scientists who created the world's first cloned mammal have applied for a license to clone human embryos. They want to get stem cells for research on Lou Gehrig's disease.

And that is tonight's uplink.

Cutting, it is the disturbing disease that affects millions. Why do people do it? Tonight, we'll explain.

Courtroom drama about a wonder drug. What did botox really do to this Hollywood socialite?

Just when you thought you had enough of Paris Hilton, she's done it again. Allegedly the hotel heiress has a new sex video in circulation.

360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: 360 next, teens going to extremes, a dangerous trend called cutting. Why kids are mutilating themselves to feel better about themselves. Could it be happening in your home?

First, let's check our top stories in the "Reset." In San Francisco, California, the man known as the American Taliban is appealing for a lesser sentence. Lawyers for John Walker Lindh say their client should get the same punishment as Yasser Hamdi who was also accused of fighting alongside the Taliban. Hamdi had been held for three years by the U.S. military. But last week the U.S. agreed to release him. Lindh, meanwhile, is serving a 20-year sentence.

Across the country, recalled soldiers are seeking a way out. The army says nearly one in three former U.S. soldiers who were called back into service have sought exemptions or asked to be excused. It is not unusual, though. The first Gulf War saw the same similar rate.

In Oregon, no Ralph Nader. The U.S. Supreme Court says it won't overturn a ruling to exclude Nader from Oregon's presidential ballot. The Independent candidate did have a victory today. New Mexico's supreme court ruled that Nader is qualified to be on the ballot there.

In Baltimore, Jeanne still causing trouble. Remnants of the hurricane have damaged buildings, flooded streets, and caused numerous traffic accidents. Part of Maryland got nearly six inches of rain today.

A secret plague is sweeping young people in America. Kids are cutting themselves, making themselves bleed to try to feel better. It used to be you would only see this behavior in juvenile prisons and possibly mental wards. But the problem is spreading, particularly among white girls from well off families. CNN's Adaora Udoji talked to a teen cutter from Chicago to find out why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Today Jennifer loves hanging with her friends and having fun. Fun comes after a turbulent year.

So how did you get to the point where the hurting of yourself comes in?

JENNIFER, RECOVERING CUTTER: It was like just a volcano almost and I had to get rid of it so that was my only way was to use physical pain so I could focus on that.

UDOJI: First came a diagnosis of depression. Then she started using sharp instruments to cut herself. The wounds healed, scars remain.

Is that your name?

JENNIFER: No, it says hate.

UDOJI: So you were really upset? JENNIFER: Yes.

UDOJI: And how did that make you feel then?

JENNIFER: Physically it hurt. But mentally it felt good. Which sounds kind of weird.

UDOJI: She blamed scratches on the family cat, hid deeper wounds with long-sleeved shirts. The 15-year-old who once loved ice skating had lost interest in everything. Her struggles doubled by overwhelming pressures of starting high school.

JENNIFER: It is like new people, new classes, homework is very strategic, you have to be on a certain amount of extracurriculars to get even accepted to a college.

UDOJI: How did you get involved in treating self-injurers?

Psychologist Kammie Juzwin has known hundreds like Jennifer, treating them the past 17 years.

DR. KAMMIE JUZWIN, PSYCHOLOGIST: Self-jury is a mechanism that an individual uses to stay alive, to cope, to manage, to relieve tension, to relieve pain.

UDOJI: Experts see the problem significantly increasing across the country especially among teens. They treat people from 6 to 65 who are cutting, burning, beating themselves. They estimate 3 million to 6 million people do it often individuals struggling with mental illness, eating disorders, or victims of sexual assault. 60 percent are female.

DR. JOHN LEVITT ALEXRAN, BROS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSP.: It is extraordinarily difficult to put figures on it because self-injury isn't a diagnosis. It is a behavior.

UDOJI: Jennifer doesn't even know how she started.

JENNIFER: The cutting kept getting worse and worse and with, like, more severe tools that I would use.

UDOJI: She finally told her mom and dad.

DEBBIE, JENNIFER'S MOTHER: And she pulled up her sleeves and just waves of -- almost like you got hit in your stomach, that guilt, that nausea, that -- what happened to my child?

TOM, JENNIFER'S FATHER: It is as close to hell probably as you'll get when it is your own child.

UDOJI: Jennifer and her family found help in a clinic specializing in self-injury.

JENNIFER: It is better now.

UDOJI: Her treatment includes drugs and therapy. JENNIFER: The most important thing I've ever learned was that I wasn't alone. I'm going to take us.

TOM: Fine. You can drive.

DEBBIE: And by day three she was starting to smile again and realized where everything was filled with hate, now there is hope.

UDOJI: They hope other families learn that self-inflicted abuse is treatable once identified.

JENNIFER: If I feel comfortable with myself, then I know that I'll be happy.

UDOJI: As a family, they're working through this day by day. Adaora Udoji, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: So is your child at risk for cutting? And how can you help if they are? Joining me now, psychologist Belisa Vranich to give us a little bit more insight on all of this. Now I know you have quite a bit of experience treating kids that go through this. Why do they do it in the first place? Is it always depression?

BELISA VRANICH, PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, it always goes together with depression. But believe it or not it is soothing. It actually feels good. It is a relief to have the emotional pain that you have inside, outside on your arm usually.

COLLINS: Well, the people who have not seen this before are not going to understand that. How can it not hurt?

VRANICH: Well it doesn't hurt because you feel such pain inside. When you're depressed as an adolescent, when you feel depression, intense sadness and anger that it actually feels better to have the pain on the outside of your body. So although people would think this is something destructive, it is actually not. It is soothing to the person who is doing it.

COLLINS: Are you usually seeing teenagers as the ones who are doing this?

VRANICH: Absolutely teenagers and young adults.

COLLINS: You have to look at that story we just had on moments ago. The pain in the parents' eyes, that mother just distraught once she saw the cutting on her child. The problem is, though, if I understand it correctly, a lot of times parents don't know.

VRANICH: Absolutely not. Arms are covered up with sleeves, pants are covered up -- pants cover legs up. So no, they don't know. But I can tell you that most parents are not surprised when their child gets the diagnosis of depression because they've seen other symptoms over a span of weeks or months even that that diagnosis is not surprising for them. COLLINS: Can you explain to us how long you say -- it soothes them to do this. How long does that relief, if you will, last before they feel like they have to do it again?

VRANICH: You just pointed out something very important which is until they have to do it again. It is addictive. It does have a very addictive quality to it. So it might be a few seconds, it might a few minutes, but it is a few minutes of feeling better. And you do want do it again and again. So it is addictive. That's why it is so dangerous.

COLLINS: So then is it obvious these are also addictive behaviors? Like there may be alcoholism or drugs or do those types of addictions come in as well?

VRANICH: When you're depressed, as a depressed adolescent, you could be abusing drugs and alcohol, but you definitely have other symptoms. Your grades have suffered, your relationships have suffered, you're not interested in the things you were before, maybe you're isolating yourself, maybe you're sleeping a lot or not at all. So there are a lot of other symptoms that usually go together with the cutting.

COLLINS: Some people might think this sounds really bizarre. But you say no, there are a lot of kids suffering from this.

VRANICH: There are a lot of kids suffering. If you think about the rates of depression, the rates of illness, mental illness in children is 1 in 5. The rates of depression in women is 1 in 4. In men, 1 in 8. And, of course, the threat that goes along with depression is suicide. And suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

COLLINS: Is this an indicator or could it be?

VRANICH: Absolutely. You need to watch out for it. You need to look for the other signs that I said and get your child help immediately.

COLLINS: And what is that help, quickly?

VRANICH: That help is therapy and medication or both together is the best.

COLLINS: We appreciate your insight on this. Something I didn't know about. I appreciate it.

Putting Botox on trial. Next on 360, the Hollywood court battle that could have a profound impact on the drug.

Also tonight, a deadly attack. An alligator kills a young woman in a Florida lake.

A bit later, is it another premiere for Paris? Word of yet another sex tape.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Among all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, Botox is king. In 2002, 2.2 million Americans were given Botox injections. Among the patients that year, the socialite wife of a powerful Hollywood producer. Her doctor dubbed Mr. Botox caters to stars and celebrities. And today he and the drug stand on trial in one of the biggest legal dramas to hit Tinseltown in a very long time.

Here now CNN's Jason Bellini.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Botox, it is a neurotoxin wiped foreheads clean of wrinkles around the world. And in Hollywood, where wrinkles are akin to sin, Botox is on trial.

IRENA MEDAVOY, PLAINTIFF: I did it for cosmetic use in the beginning and didn't have any problem at all. It was something that everyone was doing and, you know, little bit of collagen, a little bit of Botox, there we go.

BELLINI: Irena Medavoy is suing Allergan, the maker of botox and celebrity dermatologist, Arnold Kline.

Kline used Botox to treat Medavoy for migraines. She says the 86 units of Botox injected into the back of her neck ruined a year of her life.

MEDAVOY: I can tell you that I've -- I had such muscle weakness, I couldn't hold my head up. It was like a bowling ball on a pin. I had problems breathing. I had problems with dystocia. I wound up in the emergency room.

BELLINI: Allergan, with over a half billion dollars in Bobo sells is fighting back.

In a statement, Allergan says, "Mrs. Medavoy's medical records demonstrate that she has been suffering from a host of unrelated medical and psychological symptoms that were present long before her treatment for migraine with our product.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allergan is never going to say that the kind of serious symptom that Mrs. Medavoy has testified about that she suffered, that is documented by Dr. Kline and her other physicians, is Botox related, because it would have a very adverse effect to get FDA approval to treat migraine headaches with Botox.

BELLINI: Kline's attorney refused any comment to CNN due to on going litigation.

(on camera): Medavoy's attorney tells CNN his client's lawsuit is not about money, she wants Botox to be ordered to carry a warning for consumers so the future of Botox is not wrinkle free.

Jason Bellini, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS; And joining me from Glendale, California, for more on the Botox trial is Pat Lalama, correspondent for "Celebrity Justice."

Pat, thanks for being with us tonight.

PAT LALAMA, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" CORRESPONDENT: My pleasure.

COLLINS: The jury heard so many stories, John Travolta's birthday party. We've got summers in St. Tropez, winters in Aspen. Kind of seems like this is a little bit more of a the lifestyle for the rich and famous than a courtroom drama.

LALAMA: Don't forget Oscars and the Golden Globes, if I could spit it out myself. Yes, this is the kind of thing that in some sense, people who live in Southern California are so used to, they could sit on a jury and think, oh whatever, I read about this stuff on the calendar section of the "L.A. Times" every day.

On the other hand, it is so far removed from their lives and me sitting in the courtroom watching the 12 jurors every day. It's just hard to read their minds and wonder are they looking at her like, get a -- come on, give me a break here.

COLLINS: As a matter of fact, when we look at that jury it's quite a contrast. We're talking about a janitor, a bank clerk, some county employees.

How do they seem to be reacting to these types of stories?

LALAMA: I'll tell you this, I give this story a lot of credit from what I've seen so far. They don't react. I mean, the people in the courtroom audience react more with rolling eyes and smirks and snickers and all kinds of things whenever somebody tries to prove whatever their case might be. The jurors stay very stone faced. And even when they get to the medical stuff, which is important, let's not forget, they take notes. So I'm happy to say that I think whatever the matter is, whoever is right or wrong, they're going to try to do the best they can to make that decision.

COLLINS: All right. Now Medavoy's doctor actually testified his client sort of has a tendency to overreact. Apparently she described the pain in her breast bone as a heart attack, a headache as brain cancer.

Does she come off possibly as a hypochondriac?

LALAMA: I think there is no doubt about it. Early on before this case went to the courtroom, one of the attorneys for the defense said to me you going to see a list of medical problems a mile long. And judging by what doctors have said on the stand, yes it does seem that there are a lot of aches and pains and problems that, you know, perhaps could be imagined or perhaps real, but the point is there is a lot of them that plays into the jury's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I'm sure.

COLLINS: And looking on the other side of the fence, something pretty interesting here, a medical file that is actually been changed.

What is up with that?

LALAMA: This is an important part to remember. The defense has a little bit of a black mark in this area if you believe this to be true. On the medical records it was written certain amounts of cubic centimeters were used for Botox. Now, there are FDA standards as to how much you can inject. Dr. Kline's nurse wrote certain amounts. Now, when Irena called to say I'm in such pain, somehow those numbers got changed decimal points got changed to make it appear as though there was a lesser amount injected. Now, She Said on the stand, I have this habit of moving the decimal points around. But think what you will, it was just a little bit iffy.

COLLINS: All right. Interesting to see if that holds up or not. Pat Lalama, "Celebrity Justice" correspondent, we certainly appreciate your time here tonight. Thanks so much.

360 next, a swim turns deadly when an alligator attacks. If you ever come face to face with a gator, what do you do?

We'll talk to an expert.

Plus, Paris Hilton, reportedly the star of another steamy movie. Details in "The Current."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Twenty-year-old Michelle Reeves (ph) was visiting her grandparents in Florida last weekend. She told her family she was looking forward to a swim in the lake. And before dawn on Sunday she did just that. But later that morning her father found her body floating in the water. An autopsy confirmed that Michelle had drowned after an alligator bit off part of her arm. Florida wildlife officials say there are 15 to 20 such attacks every year.

Joining us now from Tampa is alligator expert Tim Williams. Mr. Williams, thank you for being with here. That is a pretty small alligator. But I imagine the one we're talking about was probably a little bit bigger. You're advising people on how to deal with alligators in a place like Florida. Do you normally tell them, hey, go swimming at night?

TIM WILLIAMS, ALLIGATOR RESCUE EXPERT: That's right, Heidi. We want people to understand these are dangerous animals. And there is a lot of them here in Florida. We probably have a couple million of them out in the wild. And we're building our homes right inside the alligator's backyard and we need to learn how to get along with these things. This little 'gator here, this is Elizabeth, named after the girl that does my hair. We want to know, even this size alligator, you notice we put tape on it, because it can inflict a real nasty bite.

So you have to be careful. Biggest problem we have with wild alligators is people think that it is really cute to go out in the wild and in your backyard where a 'gator might be and throw food to it. And that attracts the 'gator. Then we have a big problem with the alligators not being afraid like they should be.

COLLINS: Yes. And that certainly brings about a lot of problems I would imagine when people are out there feeding them. Don't the alligators become much less afraid of people?

COLLINS: Yes. Much less afraid and actually can sometimes become aggressive. We average about 15 to 16 attacks every year in Florida. Normally we don't have fatalities. 1948 we started keeping track of the alligator attacks and fatalities. Since that time there has been about 350 attacks with about 15 fatalities which is not a real high number.

However, being attacked by a large alpha predator out in the swamp is a very serious thing. At Gatorland we try to teach people all the time, be careful when you're around these animals. Parks like Gatorland, local zoos, those are great places to go see 'gators.

COLLINS: You can see how powerful they are. This little one that you have in your hands, Elizabeth, sweet name, maybe not so sweet creature. But let me ask you this about the hurricanes now. I know -- I remember Chuckie, this 14-foot huge alligator that escaped from the zoo down in Florida. What is the hurricane situation -- there are been four -- doing to alligator and where they live.

WILLIAMS: It has really given them a fit. Part of the big problem is flooding. The lakes and rivers and waters are starting to fill up. And we're getting these flooded areas and the alligators are moving around. They're looking for new homes. Larger 'gators were moving in and chasing out the smaller 'gators. So consequently they're scared. Another thing that adds a problem is that the eggs have just hatched the end of August, first part of September. Mama 'gator is an animal that is a very, very protective animal.

So you have to be careful when you're out in alligator country. And one of the things, reading the story of this very unfortunate incident and our hearts are really out to the family of this young lady, but you don't swim at night in alligator country. That's when alligators like to go out and hunt. They're a stealth animal, an opportunity feeder. They like to swim up and sneak up on something and grab it. And if you're splashing around when there is low light, they'll come over and see what it is and they'll take advantage of it.

COLLINS: Tim Williams, certainly nothing to mess with these creatures. We appreciate your time here tonight.

WILLIAMS: Thank you, Heidi. Thank you very much.

COLLINS: And as you said it is no consolation to Michelle's family, but Florida is considered the alligator and shark attack capital of the world.

A quick news note. From 1990 to this month, there have been 216 alligator attacks in Florida resulting in 9 deaths. There are also 320 shark attacks resulting in three deaths.

Reports of another Paris Hilton sex tape surface. Next on 360, the latest scandal to hit the celebutante, Paris.

Tomorrow, the prosecution's case against Scott Peterson is drawing to a close. We'll have the latest from the courtroom.

First, today's buzz. Who do you think is a stronger debater, President Bush or John Kerry?

Log on to CNN.com/360 to vote now.

Results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: In tonight's current, that media-happy heiress is at it again. Paris Hilton reportedly the center of attention in a steamy second new video, co-starring not one, but two ex-boyfriends.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (voice-over): Oh, Paris. Remember the sensational sex video? Paris Hilton burning up the sheets with her ex-boyfriend Rick Solomon? Well, Paris is said to be burning again. This time she's burning up the backseat of a car with her ex-boyfriend Nick Carter. Try and follow this two-tabloid trail. Today's "New York Post" reporting that Britain's "News of the World" received an 11-minute tape showing Paris doing the nasty with Nick and with another ex, model Jason Shaw. The "Post" says the scenes may be a small sample taken from the 12 hours of videotape. Paris' spokesman says it may have been stolen from Hilton's Hollywood Hills home.

PARIS HILTON, HEIRESS: I'm so scared.

COLLINS: It is not as if Paris has been starved for attention. Her hit reality show "The Simple Life" took her on the road with pal Nicole Richie and spawned a second series and probably a third.

HILTON: Actually, I love Vegas.

COLLINS: She's gotten guest spots on "Las Vegas" and the "O.C," walked the fashion week runways, became the new face of Guess Clothing, started her own line of jewelry, lost and found her tiny Chihuahua Tinker Bell, recorded her debut CD, and written a best- selling book "Confessions of an Heiress," dispensing advice to wanna- be divas like, people ask differently toward you when you have jewelry on your head.

So you would think another Paris porn video be with a bad thing. Not necessarily. Paris' great granddaddy was famous for building hotels. Paris is famous for just being famous. And when your claim to fame is your fame, there is probably no such thing as bad publicity especially when it keeps you current.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: 360 called representatives for both Paris and Nic for comment, our calls weren't returned. Now the buzz. Who do you think is a stronger debater, President Bush or John Kerry? Twenty-one percent said President Bush, 79 percent said John Kerry.

Not a scientific poll but it is your buzz.

I'm Heidi Collins. Anderson Cooper will be back tomorrow. We'll see you in the morning.

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