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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Police On Frantic Search From Serial Killer In Wichita; Dover Public Schools To Teach Intelligent Design Theory Alongside Evolution

Aired December 15, 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, HOST: Good evening from New York. I'm Heidi Collins.
A serial killer on the loose in Wichita. Can police piece together a puzzle?

360 starts right now.

An eerie discovery, a package containing identification of one of BTK's victims. Tonight, the dangerous mind games of a serial killer that have police asking the FBI for help.

Holiday travel fears. A fake bomb planted at a U.S. airport makes it through security. Are federal screeners failing to do their job?

Intelligent design, critics charge it's creationism under a different name, and that it's coming to a school near you.

Does executing a murderer ever make the victim's family feel better? Why one woman is trying to save the life of the man who murdered her daughter.

And our special series, Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax? Tonight, we explore the healing powers of water from the Dead Sea.

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

COLLINS: Good evening once again. Anderson is off tonight.

Serial killers get a sick thrill in talking to the police. That certainly fits the profile of the infamous BTK killer. BTK stands for (AUDIO GAP) kill, bind, torture, kill. And for 30 years, he's left a trail of death in the Midwest. He's also left many clues. This week, he apparently surfaced again, giving more hints to consider. He probably thinks he'll never get caught. Maybe this time he's wrong.

CNN's Ed Lavandera reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wichita, Kansas, police believe the BTK killer left a small package of clues in this park. Investigators have asked the news media to hide the identity of the man who stumbled across the package. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't know what it was. It was wrapped in rubber bands, so I just held onto it, and I went on to the house, and I set there on the table and looked at it for a while.

LAVANDERA: He opened it, saw what was inside, and gave it to a local TV station that had recently received a letter from the BTK killer. Police say the package contained two new details, the driver's license of Nancy Fox -- police believe she was murdered by the BTK killer in 1977 -- and there was a wrapped metallic object.

But some of the items in the package police have seen before. One sheet was titled, "The BTK Story," listing 13 chapters. But this time, the last chapter, titled, "Will There Be More?" was revealed. Another sheet included a word puzzle with scrambled words like "old," "help," and "fake ID." There were also two photocopied IDs of a telephone company worker and a Wichita school district employee. The puzzle and the IDs were copies of papers police received earlier this year.

Authorities suspect the killer might have approached his victims by impersonating other people.

LT. KEN LANDWEHR, LEAD INVESTIGATOR, WICHITA POLICE: We truly feel that he is trying to communicate with us. This is one of the most challenging cases that I have ever been involved with.

LAVANDERA: To help track down this killer, we have recently learned that police and reporters are also being investigated. Some have agreed to provide DNA samples.

The BTK killer has been connected to eight murders between 1974 and 1986. But why he's coming out of the darkness now to send police clues is another chapter of this mysterious story.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: So will this new information lead police to the BTK killer?

Joining me from San Francisco is Candace DeLong, a retired FBI profiler and the author of "Special Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI."

Candace, thanks for being here tonight.

Want to begin with the question, why a package dropped in a public place? Why not just another letter? That's what we're used to from BTK.

CANDACE DELONG, AUTHOR, "SPECIAL AGENT": Well, if he places a package down for someone to pick up, then he could go to a vantage point where he can watch the activity, see who picks it up, what do they do with it, do they open it there, do they get in a car and drive off? And I would imagine he might get somewhat of a kick from this. COLLINS: Well, let's look at what is inside the package for just a moment. We know the driver's license from one of his victims, and also a chapter list from "The BTK Story." What does that tell you?

DELONG: Well, it was a couple of weeks ago where I think there was quite a bit of hoopla that made the media. Someone was arrested and was thought to be BTK, but it turned out not to be him. And here two weeks later, he sends what is probably proof positive that he's still out there, and that he is the one responsible for the murder of that young woman whose driver's license he sent.

Basically, he's sending back a trophy. He's done this before.

COLLINS: So what are the FBI people going to be looking at when the look at this package? Obviously for authenticication. Were they going to be looking at something in particular to make sure it's from him?

DELONG: They'll be looking at a lot of things, in addition to trying to authenticate that it was, in fact, sent by him, which probably would be done through handwriting analysis, or if he typed it, you know, comparing it to other things known to be from him.

They'll also be looking for trace evidence, anything that he might have left on the package, in the package, a fingerprint. He's pretty smart, and he hasn't left any prints yet. But some of the smartest criminals who have pulled off some phenomenal murders got caught by absent-mindedly leaving a fingerprint on the corner of an envelope.

COLLINS: Yes, but this time, now, there were some reporters in Wichita that were asked for DNA samples to rule them out as BTK. Is that unusual?

DELONG: Well, I've never heard -- it's certainly not unusual for the police to ask various individuals to give DNA samples to rule them out. That it happens to be a group of reporters, and I think your report also mentioned police, seems a little bit unusual. I would imagine a lot of people are doing some finger pointing in Wichita. That's what tends to happen in high-profile cases.

COLLINS: Well, this story continues to go on. Candace DeLong, we certainly appreciate your time here tonight.

DELONG: You're welcome.

COLLINS: This is good news-bad news homeland security story now. The good news is that the technology at an airport in New Jersey flawlessly did what it was supposed to do, spotted a bag that was deliberately made to look as if it had a bomb in it. The bad news is, the bag was then lost, loaded up, and shipped out.

CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An alarm on a machine like this indicated there was something suspicious in a bag at Newark Liberty International Airport. But then what turned out to be a fake bomb got lost during a training exercise.

Billy Vincent is the former head of security for the FAA.

BILLIE VINCENT, FORMER FAA SECURITY CHIEF: No system is perfect, people or the equipment that we have now, nor will it be in the immediate future.

TUCHMAN: A supervisor for the Transportation Security Administration planted the simulated bomb, complete with wires and a clock. It ended up on a Continental Airlines flight, making it all the way from New Jersey to Amsterdam.

Less than two weeks ago, national police in France planted a real bomb in a random suitcase to do a similar test. It did not have a detonator, so police said it could not explode. But it also made it on an international flight, and the bomb yet has not been found.

The TSA acknowledges the handling of the simulated bomb in Newark, an airport used by the 9/11 hijackers, was mishandled, but says, "It's arguable that this was even a breach of security, as there was absolutely no threat to passengers at any time."

But that doesn't mean passengers won't be worried about the simulated bomb that set off an alarm but still got on the plane.

VINCENT: Their failure then to follow up on that would be cause for concern, that's true. But if they knew it was a simulant, maybe they let their guard down.

TUCHMAN: There has been no comment if the screeners will be disciplined.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: The Internet age is climbing higher, and it's coming to commercial flight. That tops our look at stories cross-country.

In Washington, D.C., the FCC clears the way for high-speed wireless Internet access on domestic trips. You could be surfing the Web in the skies as soon as 2006, once airplanes have the equipment.

In Hawaii, on the north shore of Oahu Island, massive surf, with saves estimated to reach as high as 50 feet. Several beaches are shut down. Even a highway was closed due to damage by the powerful surf.

Houston, Texas, gas pump explosion caught on tape. The driver was filling her tank when the flames erupted. Firefighters say they found a lighter, but the woman denies having a lighter or a cigarette. Her hands are blistered and legs burned. As for the car, it's toast.

In Atlanta, Georgia, singer James Brown undergoes prostate cancer surgery. The Godfather of Soul is expected to make a full recovery.

And in Washington, D.C., first daughter Jenna Bush to teach at a public school. She had put her career on hold to help get her dad reelected after graduating from the University of Texas in May.

That's a look at stories cross-country tonight.

360 next, the Michael Jackson child molestation case. Will accusers from his past be allowed to take the stand against him? And should they?

Plus, forgiveness and the death penalty. Meet a mom who wants her daughter's killer spared from execution and set free.

Also tonight, challenging Darwin. A heated debate on evolution versus intelligent design in one school district. We're covering all the angles.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: In just over one month from now, the case against Michael Jackson is set to begin. While his lawyers ask for a delay, prosecutors are hoping to use the past to prove the singer's guilt. They want to introduce old evidence to show a pattern of sexual misconduct.

CNN's Ted Rowlands has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prosecutors think details of uncharged sexual offenses by Michael Jackson should be allowed as evidence at his upcoming trial. According to documents made public this week, prosecutors argue, quote, "As a matter of logic, the best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again."

In 1993, Jackson was investigated for child molestation, but charges were never filed. Jackson paid two alleged victims millions as part of a financial settlement.

THOMAS MESEREAU, JR., MICHAEL JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: Michael Jackson now regrets making these payments. Nevertheless, these efforts to settle are now being used against him, regardless of the merits or the truth behind them.

ROWLANDS: California law generally bars the use of evidence showing a defendant's propensity to commit a crime. But there's an exception for people accused of a sexual offense. The judge is scheduled to hear arguments on the issue next week. Legal analyst Arthur Barons says the fact that prosecutors are asking for this evidence to be allowed may say something about the case. ARTHUR BARONS, LEGAL ANALYST: I think it shows some weakness in the case that they're going to have to rely on alleged prior acts under 1108 of the evidence code, as opposed to current factual evidence that they have.

ROWLANDS: Meanwhile, Jackson's lawyers have asked for a delay in the start of the trial. They cite the December 3rd and 4th search of Jackson's home, Neverland Ranch, and evidence, they say, still hasn't been turned over by prosecutors.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROWLANDS: And Jackson's lawyers have also filed a motion to dismiss, citing what they call outrageous conduct by the prosecution, stemming from the latest search of the Neverland Ranch. All of these issues and more are expected to be heard when both sides are in court next week for four days' worth of hearings. Heidi, it is not expected that Michael Jackson will attend any of those hearings.

COLLINS: All right, Ted Rowlands, live from Los Angeles tonight. Thanks, Ted.

Heading overseas now, near Athens, Greece, an 18-hour bus hostage standoff ends peacefully. That tops our look at global stories in the uplink.

The two hijackers surrendered to police about two hours ago and released their six remaining hostages unhurt. They had threatened to blow up the bus if they didn't get $1.3 million plus safe passage to Russia. There's no word yet on the hijackers' identities.

Baghdad, Iraq, judgment day nearing for Chemical Ali, one of Saddam Hussein's most feared deputies. Iraqi officials say he'll be the first leader of the former government to be tried for war crimes, possibly starting as soon as next week.

Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, a report that that tennis bombshell Anna Kournikova and music star Enrique Yglesias tied the knot last month. "Us" weekly reports Kournikova was wearing a wedding band at a charity tennis event this past weekend. According to the magazine, she was also heard telling people she's married.

London, England, Queen to rock again. The rock band is planning a tour next year, likely across Europe. Guitarist and singer Paul Rogers will replace legendary frontman Freddy Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991.

Beijing, China, if this billboard can get past the censors, a naked Pamela Anderson will ask people to give fur the cold shoulder. Anderson has been a longtime PETA and animal rights supporter.

And that's tonight's uplink.

360 next, a fight over teaching intelligent design, an alternative to evolution. Civil rights groups take on a school district. Also tonight, does the death penalty really bring closure to victims' families? Meet one mom who is fighting to stop the execution of her daughter's killer.

And a little later, the brother of the Unibomber. He turned on his own family to solve a crime. Find out why he now feels betrayed by justice.

And in a moment, today's 360 challenge. Do you know the news?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Ever since Charles Darwin published his "Origin of Species" 145 years ago, there have been those who thought he was basically full of it. And the controversy over evolution hasn't gone away.

Consider this. A recent Gallup poll found that while 35 percent of people surveyed believe in evolution, another 35 percent do not.

Well, evolution has been taught in schools for years. One Pennsylvania school district recently decided that other options should be presented as well, and that has stirred the pot all over again.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (voice-over): It may look innocent enough, but a textbook called "Of Pandas and People" is fanning fury in Dover, Pennsylvania. The book is part of an intelligent design curriculum, which teaches the theory that all things were designed by an intelligent agent. The theory doesn't use the word "God" to describe the intelligent agent, but critics say it's creationism in disguise.

The Dover school board is allowing teachers the option to use this book as an alternative to teaching evolution starting next month. Three board members are resigning over the decision, including Angie Yingling, who initially voted for it. She claims she was misled, and now says it's all wrong.

ANGIE YINGLING, DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT: I certainly hope they change their minds. I have an idea that every board member who's in favor should personally pay for the legal expenses that we're going to accrue, which will be millions, probably.

COLLINS: Eleven parents have already filed a federal lawsuit. Their representatives claim intelligent design amounts to teaching religion in science class.

REV. BARRY LYNN, AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE: Intelligent design has about as much to do with science as reality television has to do with reality.

COLLINS: The ACLU has a stake in the lawsuit. It says intelligent design is a Trojan horse for bringing religious creationism back into the classroom. But intelligent design supporters say the evolution theory currently taught in schools is not fact, and other theories should be explored.

ABIGAIL JARBOE, PROTESTER: The American Civil Liberties Union is trying to censor out evidence of the truth.

COLLINS: As for Angie Yingling, she plans to fight the curriculum decision when the board meets again next month.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Should alternatives to the theory of evolution be taught in public classrooms? As always, on 360 we cover all the angles.

So from Washington tonight, let's bring in Robert Boston of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. He's helping to bring the lawsuit against the Pennsylvania school system.

Hello to you, sir. Thanks for being with us.

ROBERT BOSTON, AMERICANS UNITED FOR THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE: Thanks for having me on.

COLLINS: Also in Washington, Peter Sprigg from the Family Research Council. He supports teaching alternatives to Darwin's evolution theory.

Thank you for joining us as well.

To the both of you, Peter, I'd like to begin with you, if I could. What do you say to critics who say intelligent design is just creationism in disguise? It's sort of a back doorway for bringing God into the classroom.

PETER SPRIGG, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: I say that's simply false. In fact, this proposal from the Dover, Pennsylvania, school district does not mention God. It does not mention the Bible. It will not permit the teaching of creation science in the classroom.

All it does is to require the teachers to mention the fact that there are people who disagree with the theory of evolution, and there is an alternative view known as intelligent design, and to offer them the chance to look up information (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in a book about that subject of intelligent design.

So the teachers are not being required to teach the theory of intelligent design. They are still going to teach the theory of evolution. The students will only be tested on the theory of evolution, not on intelligent design.

COLLINS: OK.

SPRIGG: Frankly, I don't understand what the fuss is about.

COLLINS: Yes, Robert, what's the fuss about? I mean, isn't that OK?

BOSTON: Well, this book, "Of Pandas and People," that you showed earlier is, in fact, published by a religious organization that says one of its goals is to bring people to Christ. One of the board members talked about his belief that we needed to bring students to Christ. This is a Christian nation.

This is very clear what they're doing here. They want to bring this religious perspective into the classroom. They've dressed it up, they've tried to remove some of the more overt religious things. But this is still creationism with a new name. And they're not going to get away with that. I think the courts are going to see right through that.

COLLINS: But aren't you kind of just trying to associate intelligent design with creationism in order to discredit it in the classroom?

BOSTON: Intelligent design is creationism. It's very obvious about that. Who is this designer we're told exists that made the world and all the things in it? Obviously, it's God.

COLLINS: Peter, who is, who is the designer?

SPRIGG: Well, intelligent design does not address the question of who the designer is. That's the whole point. And that's why it's not religious, because it leaves that question unanswered. That is a religious question in terms of the identity of the designer. All it does is point out the scientific evidence that might suggest intelligent design, namely the statistical improbability of the vast diversity of life having resulted merely from random chance.

COLLINS: OK, well, let's talk about that for just a moment, then, this science behind it. The Dover biology curriculum now says this, let's take a look at it. "Students will be made aware of gaps and problems in Darwin's theory and of other theories of evolution, including but not limited to intelligent design." So there are plenty of scientific papers on evolution that we know of. But what real evidence is there to improve -- or to prove intelligent design theory? You talk about statistics.

BOSTON: Well, yes. I think it's mostly a matter of probability. I mean, one intelligent book that deals with the subject intelligent design, for example, "Darwin's Black Box," points out to say, as the theory of evolution does, that all life on Earth is descended from a single-celled organism really doesn't help us to understand the origins of life, when you look at how tremendously complex even a single-celled organism is.

And so it's simply -- I've heard it compared to someone driving down the highway in South Dakota and looking at Mount Rushmore. You look at the complexity and the detail of that, the meaning that's communicated by these faces in the rock, and you would not assume that these resulted from a gradual process of erosion. You would assume, logically and scientifically, that, perhaps, there was an intelligent design behind that. COLLINS: Robert, is that the science you're looking for?

BOSTON: Look, here's the bottom line. There is not a university or a college in this country, outside of a few owned by television evangelists, that teach intelligent design. Why would we want to give our high school students instruction in a pseudoscientific idea that they are never going to encounter again in their college careers? That's not good science.

This is an increasingly scientific, technological age. We've got to be on the cutting edge. And dressing up Bible stories and trying to pass them off as science, it's not going to cut it in the 21st century, it just isn't.

COLLINS: Well...

SPRIGG: Let me answer that question. The reason you would want to do that with students is because they need to understand that the conflict of theories and testing of theories against alternative theories is a part of the scientific process.

BOSTON: There is no, there is no conflict...

SPRIGG: That is what scientific inquiry is about.

BOSTON: There is no conflict with science.

COLLINS: Last word here now...

SPRIGG: What, what we're hearing here...

COLLINS: ... Robert, last word.

SPRIGG: ... is a (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

BOSTON: No conflict in science.

COLLINS: Gentlemen, last word.

SPRIGG: This is a new dogmatism, and it's...

COLLINS: Last word, Robert.

SPRIGG: ... considered...

COLLINS: Gentlemen.

BOSTON: Just like the, just like the germ theory of disease is widely accepted, nobody disputes that, although they did in the Middle Ages, we know better now. Same with evolution. No serious scientist debates the fact of evolution. And I feel sorry for those kids in Dover who are going to be taught this bad science. It's only going to hurt them when they go on to college.

COLLINS: Unfortunately, that is all the time we have. We appreciate both of you... SPRIGG: This is the new dogmatism...

COLLINS: ... here tonight.

SPRIGG: ... that we're seeing.

COLLINS: Robert Boston and Peter Sprigg...

BOSTON: Thank you.

COLLINS: ... we appreciate it.

SPRIGG: Thanks.

COLLINS: Does executing a murderer ever make the victim's family feel better? Why one woman is trying to save the life of the man who murdered her daughter.

And our special series, Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax? Tonight, we explore the healing powers of water from the Dead Sea.

360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: 360 next, forgiving the ultimate sin. Meet a mother who is trying to free her daughter's killer from death row.

First, tonight's Reset. A new twist in the Maryland arson probe. When dozens of new homes in an affluent subdivision went up in flames last Sunday. Initially authorities suspected it was an act of ecoterrorism. But today sources said the investigation is leading toward people with direct access to the construction site.

Howard Stern can do what he wants on satellite radio. Today the FCC said the shock jock won't face indecency fines on Sirius because it's a subscription service. The decision should also apply to cable TV.

Track and field star sued over steroid allegations. Marion Jones has filed a $25 million defamation lawsuit against the owner of Balco Labs. She says he tarnished her image when he accused her of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

A lethal mix of drugs, that's what autopsy results on the death of rapper O.D.B. show. The musician whose real name is Russell Jones died last month from an accidental combination of cocaine and painkillers.

Single may be sexy, but being married could add years to your life. A new study says marriage keeps you healthy citing husbands and wives are less likely to drink or smoke.

It may be hard or even impossible for Laci Peterson's family to forgive Scott Peterson. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RON GRANTSKI, LACI PETERSON'S STEPFATHER: They had no reason to doubt that it was Scott who did what he did, and he got what he deserved.

COLLINS: Every day, Laci's mother and stepfather know that Laci's killer is sitting in prison awaiting execution. In February, after he's formally sentenced, Scott Peterson will be transferred to San Quentin State Prison, the same prison housing convicted murderer Douglas Mickey.

Mickey's on death row for killing Catherine Blount in 1980. Blount's mother Aba Gayle says her daughter was a talented, smart, young woman who radiated love and joy. What may be surprising is she now calls her daughter's killer a good friend. Aba Gayle joins me from Portland, Oregon. Thank you for being with us tonight. We're interested in your story. It is an amazing act of forgiveness. Tell us a little bit about how you feel this in your heart.

ABA GAYLE, FORGAVE DAUGHTER'S MURDERER: I want to, first of all, thank you for letting me explain this to you and all the people that are going to be watching this. How does it feel in my heart to forgive? It changed me from a woman who was full of anger and rage and ugliness to a woman who is in a state of grace. And the difference in those two ways of living your life is absolutely enormous, life changing, and it has set me on a whole new direction of how I live my life.

COLLINS: What do you miss most about your daughter Catherine?

GAYLE: I miss seeing her grow up to be a woman who could accomplish all of her goals. I miss seeing her be educated, graduate from college. I miss seeing her get married. I miss the grandchildren I would have had. But I know that Catherine is in a far better place than we can ever know here on earth. So I don't worry about her. I know that she is exactly where she's supposed to be.

COLLINS: Clearly just from looking at those pictures and hearing you speak, you were very, very close with Catherine. How did you feel at the time knowing that Douglas Mickey had stabbed and killed your daughter?

GAYLE: I was so full of anger and rage and when I look back on how I felt then, it's frightening to think how I felt. I came to understand years later that that's a very unhealthy way to live because it permeates every cell of your body, every member of your family, permeates your workplace. Everything you touch is touched by this anger and rage.

COLLINS: Yet, you've come so very far from there. I quote you to say that you now look at this man as a very good friend. How can that be?

GAYLE: It can be because I met him and saw the humanity in him. I learned that all of the men on death row are not monsters. They're just ordinary human beings. When I went through the process of forgiving, and it took 12 years. I don't want people to think it's something you can do in a snap, because it isn't. It might be for some people, but it certainly wasn't for me.

COLLINS: But the 12 years are not. We just saw a picture of your arm around this man who killed your daughter. Some people would say you're a saint. Others would say you're crazy. Which are you?

GAYLE: I'm neither. I'm a very ordinary woman and I want to make that very clear because it's important for people to know that anybody can offer forgiveness and live with forgiveness. It takes time and there are no time frames for forgiveness. It will take as long as it takes. What we do know is that an execution does absolutely nothing to heal. All it does is create a whole new set of victims, and it retraumatizes the families of the person who has been murdered every time there's a hearing and especially at the time of the execution. We see them coming away so disappointed because they didn't get what they expected.

COLLINS: We certainly appreciate your story. Thank you so much for sharing it.

GAYLE: Oh, you're so welcome. Thank you.

COLLINS: Another high-profile criminal Unabomber Ted Kaczynski is not on death row, but that's not because the government hasn't tried. Today Kaczynski's brother David attended the first of three New York state assembly hearings on the death penalty and he will testify at the final one. As CNN's Alina Cho reports, David Kaczynski is on a mission to fight capital punishment.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Ted Kaczynski was caught nearly nine years ago in a Montana cabin he called home, it brought an 18-year FBI manhunt to an end. The Unabomber finally had a face. Yet the search may never have ended had it not been for David Kaczynski, Ted's only sibling, the man who turned him in.

DAVID KACZYNSKI, UNABOMBER'S BROTHER: I realized it wasn't a nightmare I was having. I was literally considering the possibility that my brother was a serial killer.

CHO: For months prior to the arrest, David had worked closely with the FBI.

All of that changed the day Ted was arrested.

KACZYNSKI: We thought we had a very strong argument in the sense that if they execute David Kaczynski's brother, the next person in my position is going to be more reluctant to come forward.

CHO: Despite efforts by the government to seek the death penalty Ted Kaczynski is serving a life sentence.

KACZYNSKI: I look at the reasons why my brother's life was saved and I think my brother had attorneys far more gifted than any of the people sentenced to death in America.

CHO: Why David Kaczynski is now an ardent opponent to capital punishment. As head of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, he even travels the country to tell his story.

KACZYNSKI: It was a difficult decision in some sense because I knew it meant, you know, relinquishing my privacy.

CHO: This month New York state will begin hearings to consider reinstating the death penalty. David sees it as an opportunity to abolish capital punishment in the state altogether.

KACZYNSKI: I'm totally convinced that if my brother had been executed, he wouldn't have been the one that suffered most. The person that would have suffered the most would have been our mother.

CHO: Do you ever have any regrets anymore about turning in your brother?

KACZYNSKI: No, no. I tell you, I do have the regrets I feel are from earlier in my life. I look back now and I wish for Ted's sake and for his victims' sake and for their families' sake, that I had just maybe been a little bit better of a brother.

CHO: David still remembers the last time he saw Ted and how he tried to convince him to leave Montana.

KACZYNSKI: The night before he made his decision, he said, yes, Dave, I have too much to do around here. I think I'm going to stay. We hadn't done what we had to do, probably another person would have been killed.

CHO: He realizes now his personal and painful experience is unique.

KACZYNSKI: The issue, the question is how do you go forward and make the best of it? In some senses, it's an extraordinary privilege to do that.

CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, Albany, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: 360 next, the healing powers of the Dead Sea bath. At the doctor's office? Is it possible? We take a look as we continue our special series "Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax?

Also tonight, veterans out of uniform for years ordered to join the fight in Iraq. Are they ready? Our "Midweek Crisis."

And in a moment, 360's Challenge. How closely have you been following today's news. Find out next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Time now for today's 360 Challenge. Be the first to answer all three questions correctly and win a 360 t-shirt.

A fake bomb on a planted on a U.S. plane made its way from New Jersey to where?

And where was Unibomber Ted Kaczynski finally caught after his eighteen year crime spree?

Plus, according to a recent Gallup poll, what percentage of Americans believes in evolution? To take the challenge, log on to CNN.com/360 and clinic on the answer link. Answer first, you get the shirt. Find out last night's challenge winner and tonight's answers coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Many people take baths to get clean or to ease away the stresses of the day, others take baths to get cured of disease. In ancient times, those people traveled great distances for a healing bath. Today, that old medicine is available right here in the United States. But does it really work? Tonight, as we continue our series "Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax" senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at the curing power of the Dead Sea baths.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The gentle lapping water of the Dead Sea, witness to millions of years of history, millions of pilgrimages and healing properties acknowledged since the dawning of time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cleopatra of Egypt knew about this form of therapy, it was written in Egyptian scrolls. It was known of in Biblical times.

GUPTA: In the Bible, it was said that water flows to the valley of the Dead Sea, healing whatever it touches, including those seeking to cleanse, even lepers. They were drawn to the salts. The Dead Sea heals becuase it has the highest volume of minerals and salt. It has the highest saline content of any body of water known to man.

Thousands of years later, the same type of water flows in a much different type of environment, the Mavena Derma Center in Chicago.

DR. JEFFREY ALTMAN, MEDICAL DIR. MAVENA DERMA CTR: What we try to do is recreate the Dead Sea therapy to the greatest extent possible.

GUPTA: By using a combination of a bath using salt imported from the Dead Sea and UV light therapy to mimic Dead Sea rays. 38-year-old Richard Strasol floats in a Dead Sea bath several times a month to get relief from psoriasis, a cronic skin disease that causes his skin to scale and become inflammed. A Dead Sea bath seemed like a last resort. By the time he ad been through several treatments, he says his psoriasis was almost completely gone.

Dermatologist, Jeffrey Altman says Strasos results are pretty typical.

ALTMAN: About a 75 percent overall improvement. However, the response rates are not quite as durable as what we see in the Dead Sea.

GUPTA: And the results can last several months.

Doctors say Dead Sea therapy also works for eczema patients, but there is no cure for either exzema or psorisis so the therapy must be ongoing.

ALTMAN: It's probably almost the perfect situation created by nature for treating psoriasis and other skin diseases.

GUPTA: Ancient waters that after thousands of years remain a fountain of healing. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: The teams at "PAULA ZAHN NOW" and "NEWSNIGHT WITH AARON BROWN" are working hard to bring you more quality reporting tonight on CNN. Paula and Aaron join me now with a preview of what they're covering. Let's begin with Paula. Hi, Paula.

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Heidi. Thanks. Next week in Iraq, the first stage starts in the trials of Saddam Hussein and his top officials charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes: gassing their own people, going to war against Iran, invading Kuwait. So, how do you defend the indefensible. I will ask the American lawyer who will be defending Saddam -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Paula Thank you -- Aaron.

AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Heidi, Iraq at a slightly different level. The story tonight of a nurse back from Iraq, her story she tells of appreciation for the soldiers she saw and the sorrows of what she saw. It is honestly among the most compelling pieces of television I've ever seen about this war or any war. And it's tonight on NEWSNIGHT.

COLLINS: Well, we certainly won't miss it coming up at 10:00 Eastern. Thanks so much to the both of you.

360 next now, U.S. soldiers called back for duty in Iraq. Are they ready for combat? Our "Midweek Crisis."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: There's not much question that the war in Iraq has stretched the U.S. Army more than a little. Mostly it's a debate about numbers, are there enough troops to do the job? Today though a look behind the numbers as one unit headed off to war.

CNN's Jonathan Freed reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Six hundred men and women about to join the fight in Iraq, the 800 and 44th Engineers. It's officially an army reserve unit from Tennessee. But for this deployment, one-third of its ranks are from what's officially described as all over. Military resources are being stretched these days and commanders say it can be tricky to find enough troops. Specialist Tanya Stuart (ph) is among the thousands of Individual Ready Reservist, or IRRs just called up for duty, veterans that have been out of uniform for years. In Stuart's case, 12 years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do I want to go? no, I don't think anybody wants to go to war. But I'm going to do my duty and I'll pull my tour and then go back home.

FREED: Specialist Garen McGee (ph), another IRR, reenlisted before getting a letter in the male, eager to join the war on terror.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Making sure that I do what I can do to make sure my family and everybody else's family is safe by coming back. That keeps me going.

FREED: The unit's commander is concerned with his soldiers' safety and trying to eliminate the fear of unknown by assuring his troops they'll be well protected.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had some steal that was purchased to harden up our vehicles. We have the strut systems to add additional firepower to our Humvees and five tons.

FREED: Ron Jelube (ph) says, he appreciated having the right protection during his tour in Kuwait. He just got back and before heading home went looking for his son, about to ship out with the 844th.

(on camera): Is there still some part of you concerned to see him going there now?

I think you always feel that as a parent. You're always concerned about their welfare of your children and make sure you're OK.

FREED: Father finally finds son. An active duty status in the Jelube family is passed on, as the 844th gears up to go.

Jonathan Freed, CNN, Camp Atterbury (ph), Indiana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: 360 next, Zell Miller is retiring. From the Senate to the set, where many law makers are finding a second career. The "360 Challenge," have you been paying attention? Log on to cnn.com/360 and click on the answer link to play.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Actually get to dance on this show a little bit. In tonight's "Current," it makes sense why many Americans look forward to retirement. They can unwind, play golf and most importantly, never work again. Unless you're a politician, sports star or celebrity, that is. For them, the golden years means more shameless self promotion. And more often than not, they're finding it on TV.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: This is the man who wants to be the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces? U.S. forces armed with what, spitballs?

COLLINS: With wacky remarks like that, how could out going U.S. Senator Zell Miller not work in TV. The extremely conservative Democrat is joining Fox News as a contributor. Miller is not the first politician to retire to a television studio, and he won't be the last. Bob Barr went from Capital Hill to contributor for CNN. And Joe Scarborough found work hosting a show on MSNBC. Bob Dole was almost president. After he lost, his retirement years included a stint as a spokesman for Viagra. Al Sharpton's got a reality show. But law makers aren't the only ones who retreat to the airwaves. Long before Terry Bradshaw ever picked up a mike, he threw passes leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Superbowl titles.

John McEnroe has had mixed results in his golden years. His still a top notch tennis analyst, but his CNBC gig bit the dust. And Practically Every gymnast and skater is now a sports analyst. Then there's the TV people, Jane Pauley said her good-byes, then hello again with her new talk show. Tony Danza went off the air and back on. Then we have Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw. One has left and one is leaving. And then we have Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw, one left the other, the others leaving.

Where will they go?

Perhaps they'll follow this guy. remember Alf. He's going to retire in back in the space, but this arm puppet is back hosting his own program. It seems on TV, there's always a second career.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Time now for the answer to today's "360 Challenge."

A fake bomb planted on a U.S. plane made its way from New Jersey to where, Amsterdam.

Where was Unabomber Ted Kaczynski finally caught after his 18- year crime spree, Montana.

According to a recent Gallup poll, what percentage of Americans believe in evolution, 35 percent. The first person to answer all three questions correctly will be sent a 360 T-shirt. Tune in tomorrow to find out if you are the one.

And last night's winner, Rudy Stevens, of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Another "360 Challenge" another chance to win coming up tomorrow.

I'm Heidi Collins, in for Anderson Cooper, CNN's primetime line up continues right now with Paula Zahn -- Paula.

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 December 15, 2004 - 19:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, HOST: Good evening from New York. I'm Heidi Collins.
A serial killer on the loose in Wichita. Can police piece together a puzzle?

360 starts right now.

An eerie discovery, a package containing identification of one of BTK's victims. Tonight, the dangerous mind games of a serial killer that have police asking the FBI for help.

Holiday travel fears. A fake bomb planted at a U.S. airport makes it through security. Are federal screeners failing to do their job?

Intelligent design, critics charge it's creationism under a different name, and that it's coming to a school near you.

Does executing a murderer ever make the victim's family feel better? Why one woman is trying to save the life of the man who murdered her daughter.

And our special series, Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax? Tonight, we explore the healing powers of water from the Dead Sea.

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

COLLINS: Good evening once again. Anderson is off tonight.

Serial killers get a sick thrill in talking to the police. That certainly fits the profile of the infamous BTK killer. BTK stands for (AUDIO GAP) kill, bind, torture, kill. And for 30 years, he's left a trail of death in the Midwest. He's also left many clues. This week, he apparently surfaced again, giving more hints to consider. He probably thinks he'll never get caught. Maybe this time he's wrong.

CNN's Ed Lavandera reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wichita, Kansas, police believe the BTK killer left a small package of clues in this park. Investigators have asked the news media to hide the identity of the man who stumbled across the package. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't know what it was. It was wrapped in rubber bands, so I just held onto it, and I went on to the house, and I set there on the table and looked at it for a while.

LAVANDERA: He opened it, saw what was inside, and gave it to a local TV station that had recently received a letter from the BTK killer. Police say the package contained two new details, the driver's license of Nancy Fox -- police believe she was murdered by the BTK killer in 1977 -- and there was a wrapped metallic object.

But some of the items in the package police have seen before. One sheet was titled, "The BTK Story," listing 13 chapters. But this time, the last chapter, titled, "Will There Be More?" was revealed. Another sheet included a word puzzle with scrambled words like "old," "help," and "fake ID." There were also two photocopied IDs of a telephone company worker and a Wichita school district employee. The puzzle and the IDs were copies of papers police received earlier this year.

Authorities suspect the killer might have approached his victims by impersonating other people.

LT. KEN LANDWEHR, LEAD INVESTIGATOR, WICHITA POLICE: We truly feel that he is trying to communicate with us. This is one of the most challenging cases that I have ever been involved with.

LAVANDERA: To help track down this killer, we have recently learned that police and reporters are also being investigated. Some have agreed to provide DNA samples.

The BTK killer has been connected to eight murders between 1974 and 1986. But why he's coming out of the darkness now to send police clues is another chapter of this mysterious story.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: So will this new information lead police to the BTK killer?

Joining me from San Francisco is Candace DeLong, a retired FBI profiler and the author of "Special Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI."

Candace, thanks for being here tonight.

Want to begin with the question, why a package dropped in a public place? Why not just another letter? That's what we're used to from BTK.

CANDACE DELONG, AUTHOR, "SPECIAL AGENT": Well, if he places a package down for someone to pick up, then he could go to a vantage point where he can watch the activity, see who picks it up, what do they do with it, do they open it there, do they get in a car and drive off? And I would imagine he might get somewhat of a kick from this. COLLINS: Well, let's look at what is inside the package for just a moment. We know the driver's license from one of his victims, and also a chapter list from "The BTK Story." What does that tell you?

DELONG: Well, it was a couple of weeks ago where I think there was quite a bit of hoopla that made the media. Someone was arrested and was thought to be BTK, but it turned out not to be him. And here two weeks later, he sends what is probably proof positive that he's still out there, and that he is the one responsible for the murder of that young woman whose driver's license he sent.

Basically, he's sending back a trophy. He's done this before.

COLLINS: So what are the FBI people going to be looking at when the look at this package? Obviously for authenticication. Were they going to be looking at something in particular to make sure it's from him?

DELONG: They'll be looking at a lot of things, in addition to trying to authenticate that it was, in fact, sent by him, which probably would be done through handwriting analysis, or if he typed it, you know, comparing it to other things known to be from him.

They'll also be looking for trace evidence, anything that he might have left on the package, in the package, a fingerprint. He's pretty smart, and he hasn't left any prints yet. But some of the smartest criminals who have pulled off some phenomenal murders got caught by absent-mindedly leaving a fingerprint on the corner of an envelope.

COLLINS: Yes, but this time, now, there were some reporters in Wichita that were asked for DNA samples to rule them out as BTK. Is that unusual?

DELONG: Well, I've never heard -- it's certainly not unusual for the police to ask various individuals to give DNA samples to rule them out. That it happens to be a group of reporters, and I think your report also mentioned police, seems a little bit unusual. I would imagine a lot of people are doing some finger pointing in Wichita. That's what tends to happen in high-profile cases.

COLLINS: Well, this story continues to go on. Candace DeLong, we certainly appreciate your time here tonight.

DELONG: You're welcome.

COLLINS: This is good news-bad news homeland security story now. The good news is that the technology at an airport in New Jersey flawlessly did what it was supposed to do, spotted a bag that was deliberately made to look as if it had a bomb in it. The bad news is, the bag was then lost, loaded up, and shipped out.

CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An alarm on a machine like this indicated there was something suspicious in a bag at Newark Liberty International Airport. But then what turned out to be a fake bomb got lost during a training exercise.

Billy Vincent is the former head of security for the FAA.

BILLIE VINCENT, FORMER FAA SECURITY CHIEF: No system is perfect, people or the equipment that we have now, nor will it be in the immediate future.

TUCHMAN: A supervisor for the Transportation Security Administration planted the simulated bomb, complete with wires and a clock. It ended up on a Continental Airlines flight, making it all the way from New Jersey to Amsterdam.

Less than two weeks ago, national police in France planted a real bomb in a random suitcase to do a similar test. It did not have a detonator, so police said it could not explode. But it also made it on an international flight, and the bomb yet has not been found.

The TSA acknowledges the handling of the simulated bomb in Newark, an airport used by the 9/11 hijackers, was mishandled, but says, "It's arguable that this was even a breach of security, as there was absolutely no threat to passengers at any time."

But that doesn't mean passengers won't be worried about the simulated bomb that set off an alarm but still got on the plane.

VINCENT: Their failure then to follow up on that would be cause for concern, that's true. But if they knew it was a simulant, maybe they let their guard down.

TUCHMAN: There has been no comment if the screeners will be disciplined.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: The Internet age is climbing higher, and it's coming to commercial flight. That tops our look at stories cross-country.

In Washington, D.C., the FCC clears the way for high-speed wireless Internet access on domestic trips. You could be surfing the Web in the skies as soon as 2006, once airplanes have the equipment.

In Hawaii, on the north shore of Oahu Island, massive surf, with saves estimated to reach as high as 50 feet. Several beaches are shut down. Even a highway was closed due to damage by the powerful surf.

Houston, Texas, gas pump explosion caught on tape. The driver was filling her tank when the flames erupted. Firefighters say they found a lighter, but the woman denies having a lighter or a cigarette. Her hands are blistered and legs burned. As for the car, it's toast.

In Atlanta, Georgia, singer James Brown undergoes prostate cancer surgery. The Godfather of Soul is expected to make a full recovery.

And in Washington, D.C., first daughter Jenna Bush to teach at a public school. She had put her career on hold to help get her dad reelected after graduating from the University of Texas in May.

That's a look at stories cross-country tonight.

360 next, the Michael Jackson child molestation case. Will accusers from his past be allowed to take the stand against him? And should they?

Plus, forgiveness and the death penalty. Meet a mom who wants her daughter's killer spared from execution and set free.

Also tonight, challenging Darwin. A heated debate on evolution versus intelligent design in one school district. We're covering all the angles.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: In just over one month from now, the case against Michael Jackson is set to begin. While his lawyers ask for a delay, prosecutors are hoping to use the past to prove the singer's guilt. They want to introduce old evidence to show a pattern of sexual misconduct.

CNN's Ted Rowlands has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prosecutors think details of uncharged sexual offenses by Michael Jackson should be allowed as evidence at his upcoming trial. According to documents made public this week, prosecutors argue, quote, "As a matter of logic, the best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again."

In 1993, Jackson was investigated for child molestation, but charges were never filed. Jackson paid two alleged victims millions as part of a financial settlement.

THOMAS MESEREAU, JR., MICHAEL JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: Michael Jackson now regrets making these payments. Nevertheless, these efforts to settle are now being used against him, regardless of the merits or the truth behind them.

ROWLANDS: California law generally bars the use of evidence showing a defendant's propensity to commit a crime. But there's an exception for people accused of a sexual offense. The judge is scheduled to hear arguments on the issue next week. Legal analyst Arthur Barons says the fact that prosecutors are asking for this evidence to be allowed may say something about the case. ARTHUR BARONS, LEGAL ANALYST: I think it shows some weakness in the case that they're going to have to rely on alleged prior acts under 1108 of the evidence code, as opposed to current factual evidence that they have.

ROWLANDS: Meanwhile, Jackson's lawyers have asked for a delay in the start of the trial. They cite the December 3rd and 4th search of Jackson's home, Neverland Ranch, and evidence, they say, still hasn't been turned over by prosecutors.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROWLANDS: And Jackson's lawyers have also filed a motion to dismiss, citing what they call outrageous conduct by the prosecution, stemming from the latest search of the Neverland Ranch. All of these issues and more are expected to be heard when both sides are in court next week for four days' worth of hearings. Heidi, it is not expected that Michael Jackson will attend any of those hearings.

COLLINS: All right, Ted Rowlands, live from Los Angeles tonight. Thanks, Ted.

Heading overseas now, near Athens, Greece, an 18-hour bus hostage standoff ends peacefully. That tops our look at global stories in the uplink.

The two hijackers surrendered to police about two hours ago and released their six remaining hostages unhurt. They had threatened to blow up the bus if they didn't get $1.3 million plus safe passage to Russia. There's no word yet on the hijackers' identities.

Baghdad, Iraq, judgment day nearing for Chemical Ali, one of Saddam Hussein's most feared deputies. Iraqi officials say he'll be the first leader of the former government to be tried for war crimes, possibly starting as soon as next week.

Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, a report that that tennis bombshell Anna Kournikova and music star Enrique Yglesias tied the knot last month. "Us" weekly reports Kournikova was wearing a wedding band at a charity tennis event this past weekend. According to the magazine, she was also heard telling people she's married.

London, England, Queen to rock again. The rock band is planning a tour next year, likely across Europe. Guitarist and singer Paul Rogers will replace legendary frontman Freddy Mercury, who died of AIDS in 1991.

Beijing, China, if this billboard can get past the censors, a naked Pamela Anderson will ask people to give fur the cold shoulder. Anderson has been a longtime PETA and animal rights supporter.

And that's tonight's uplink.

360 next, a fight over teaching intelligent design, an alternative to evolution. Civil rights groups take on a school district. Also tonight, does the death penalty really bring closure to victims' families? Meet one mom who is fighting to stop the execution of her daughter's killer.

And a little later, the brother of the Unibomber. He turned on his own family to solve a crime. Find out why he now feels betrayed by justice.

And in a moment, today's 360 challenge. Do you know the news?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Ever since Charles Darwin published his "Origin of Species" 145 years ago, there have been those who thought he was basically full of it. And the controversy over evolution hasn't gone away.

Consider this. A recent Gallup poll found that while 35 percent of people surveyed believe in evolution, another 35 percent do not.

Well, evolution has been taught in schools for years. One Pennsylvania school district recently decided that other options should be presented as well, and that has stirred the pot all over again.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS (voice-over): It may look innocent enough, but a textbook called "Of Pandas and People" is fanning fury in Dover, Pennsylvania. The book is part of an intelligent design curriculum, which teaches the theory that all things were designed by an intelligent agent. The theory doesn't use the word "God" to describe the intelligent agent, but critics say it's creationism in disguise.

The Dover school board is allowing teachers the option to use this book as an alternative to teaching evolution starting next month. Three board members are resigning over the decision, including Angie Yingling, who initially voted for it. She claims she was misled, and now says it's all wrong.

ANGIE YINGLING, DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT: I certainly hope they change their minds. I have an idea that every board member who's in favor should personally pay for the legal expenses that we're going to accrue, which will be millions, probably.

COLLINS: Eleven parents have already filed a federal lawsuit. Their representatives claim intelligent design amounts to teaching religion in science class.

REV. BARRY LYNN, AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE: Intelligent design has about as much to do with science as reality television has to do with reality.

COLLINS: The ACLU has a stake in the lawsuit. It says intelligent design is a Trojan horse for bringing religious creationism back into the classroom. But intelligent design supporters say the evolution theory currently taught in schools is not fact, and other theories should be explored.

ABIGAIL JARBOE, PROTESTER: The American Civil Liberties Union is trying to censor out evidence of the truth.

COLLINS: As for Angie Yingling, she plans to fight the curriculum decision when the board meets again next month.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Should alternatives to the theory of evolution be taught in public classrooms? As always, on 360 we cover all the angles.

So from Washington tonight, let's bring in Robert Boston of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. He's helping to bring the lawsuit against the Pennsylvania school system.

Hello to you, sir. Thanks for being with us.

ROBERT BOSTON, AMERICANS UNITED FOR THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE: Thanks for having me on.

COLLINS: Also in Washington, Peter Sprigg from the Family Research Council. He supports teaching alternatives to Darwin's evolution theory.

Thank you for joining us as well.

To the both of you, Peter, I'd like to begin with you, if I could. What do you say to critics who say intelligent design is just creationism in disguise? It's sort of a back doorway for bringing God into the classroom.

PETER SPRIGG, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: I say that's simply false. In fact, this proposal from the Dover, Pennsylvania, school district does not mention God. It does not mention the Bible. It will not permit the teaching of creation science in the classroom.

All it does is to require the teachers to mention the fact that there are people who disagree with the theory of evolution, and there is an alternative view known as intelligent design, and to offer them the chance to look up information (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in a book about that subject of intelligent design.

So the teachers are not being required to teach the theory of intelligent design. They are still going to teach the theory of evolution. The students will only be tested on the theory of evolution, not on intelligent design.

COLLINS: OK.

SPRIGG: Frankly, I don't understand what the fuss is about.

COLLINS: Yes, Robert, what's the fuss about? I mean, isn't that OK?

BOSTON: Well, this book, "Of Pandas and People," that you showed earlier is, in fact, published by a religious organization that says one of its goals is to bring people to Christ. One of the board members talked about his belief that we needed to bring students to Christ. This is a Christian nation.

This is very clear what they're doing here. They want to bring this religious perspective into the classroom. They've dressed it up, they've tried to remove some of the more overt religious things. But this is still creationism with a new name. And they're not going to get away with that. I think the courts are going to see right through that.

COLLINS: But aren't you kind of just trying to associate intelligent design with creationism in order to discredit it in the classroom?

BOSTON: Intelligent design is creationism. It's very obvious about that. Who is this designer we're told exists that made the world and all the things in it? Obviously, it's God.

COLLINS: Peter, who is, who is the designer?

SPRIGG: Well, intelligent design does not address the question of who the designer is. That's the whole point. And that's why it's not religious, because it leaves that question unanswered. That is a religious question in terms of the identity of the designer. All it does is point out the scientific evidence that might suggest intelligent design, namely the statistical improbability of the vast diversity of life having resulted merely from random chance.

COLLINS: OK, well, let's talk about that for just a moment, then, this science behind it. The Dover biology curriculum now says this, let's take a look at it. "Students will be made aware of gaps and problems in Darwin's theory and of other theories of evolution, including but not limited to intelligent design." So there are plenty of scientific papers on evolution that we know of. But what real evidence is there to improve -- or to prove intelligent design theory? You talk about statistics.

BOSTON: Well, yes. I think it's mostly a matter of probability. I mean, one intelligent book that deals with the subject intelligent design, for example, "Darwin's Black Box," points out to say, as the theory of evolution does, that all life on Earth is descended from a single-celled organism really doesn't help us to understand the origins of life, when you look at how tremendously complex even a single-celled organism is.

And so it's simply -- I've heard it compared to someone driving down the highway in South Dakota and looking at Mount Rushmore. You look at the complexity and the detail of that, the meaning that's communicated by these faces in the rock, and you would not assume that these resulted from a gradual process of erosion. You would assume, logically and scientifically, that, perhaps, there was an intelligent design behind that. COLLINS: Robert, is that the science you're looking for?

BOSTON: Look, here's the bottom line. There is not a university or a college in this country, outside of a few owned by television evangelists, that teach intelligent design. Why would we want to give our high school students instruction in a pseudoscientific idea that they are never going to encounter again in their college careers? That's not good science.

This is an increasingly scientific, technological age. We've got to be on the cutting edge. And dressing up Bible stories and trying to pass them off as science, it's not going to cut it in the 21st century, it just isn't.

COLLINS: Well...

SPRIGG: Let me answer that question. The reason you would want to do that with students is because they need to understand that the conflict of theories and testing of theories against alternative theories is a part of the scientific process.

BOSTON: There is no, there is no conflict...

SPRIGG: That is what scientific inquiry is about.

BOSTON: There is no conflict with science.

COLLINS: Last word here now...

SPRIGG: What, what we're hearing here...

COLLINS: ... Robert, last word.

SPRIGG: ... is a (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

BOSTON: No conflict in science.

COLLINS: Gentlemen, last word.

SPRIGG: This is a new dogmatism, and it's...

COLLINS: Last word, Robert.

SPRIGG: ... considered...

COLLINS: Gentlemen.

BOSTON: Just like the, just like the germ theory of disease is widely accepted, nobody disputes that, although they did in the Middle Ages, we know better now. Same with evolution. No serious scientist debates the fact of evolution. And I feel sorry for those kids in Dover who are going to be taught this bad science. It's only going to hurt them when they go on to college.

COLLINS: Unfortunately, that is all the time we have. We appreciate both of you... SPRIGG: This is the new dogmatism...

COLLINS: ... here tonight.

SPRIGG: ... that we're seeing.

COLLINS: Robert Boston and Peter Sprigg...

BOSTON: Thank you.

COLLINS: ... we appreciate it.

SPRIGG: Thanks.

COLLINS: Does executing a murderer ever make the victim's family feel better? Why one woman is trying to save the life of the man who murdered her daughter.

And our special series, Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax? Tonight, we explore the healing powers of water from the Dead Sea.

360 continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: 360 next, forgiving the ultimate sin. Meet a mother who is trying to free her daughter's killer from death row.

First, tonight's Reset. A new twist in the Maryland arson probe. When dozens of new homes in an affluent subdivision went up in flames last Sunday. Initially authorities suspected it was an act of ecoterrorism. But today sources said the investigation is leading toward people with direct access to the construction site.

Howard Stern can do what he wants on satellite radio. Today the FCC said the shock jock won't face indecency fines on Sirius because it's a subscription service. The decision should also apply to cable TV.

Track and field star sued over steroid allegations. Marion Jones has filed a $25 million defamation lawsuit against the owner of Balco Labs. She says he tarnished her image when he accused her of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

A lethal mix of drugs, that's what autopsy results on the death of rapper O.D.B. show. The musician whose real name is Russell Jones died last month from an accidental combination of cocaine and painkillers.

Single may be sexy, but being married could add years to your life. A new study says marriage keeps you healthy citing husbands and wives are less likely to drink or smoke.

It may be hard or even impossible for Laci Peterson's family to forgive Scott Peterson. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RON GRANTSKI, LACI PETERSON'S STEPFATHER: They had no reason to doubt that it was Scott who did what he did, and he got what he deserved.

COLLINS: Every day, Laci's mother and stepfather know that Laci's killer is sitting in prison awaiting execution. In February, after he's formally sentenced, Scott Peterson will be transferred to San Quentin State Prison, the same prison housing convicted murderer Douglas Mickey.

Mickey's on death row for killing Catherine Blount in 1980. Blount's mother Aba Gayle says her daughter was a talented, smart, young woman who radiated love and joy. What may be surprising is she now calls her daughter's killer a good friend. Aba Gayle joins me from Portland, Oregon. Thank you for being with us tonight. We're interested in your story. It is an amazing act of forgiveness. Tell us a little bit about how you feel this in your heart.

ABA GAYLE, FORGAVE DAUGHTER'S MURDERER: I want to, first of all, thank you for letting me explain this to you and all the people that are going to be watching this. How does it feel in my heart to forgive? It changed me from a woman who was full of anger and rage and ugliness to a woman who is in a state of grace. And the difference in those two ways of living your life is absolutely enormous, life changing, and it has set me on a whole new direction of how I live my life.

COLLINS: What do you miss most about your daughter Catherine?

GAYLE: I miss seeing her grow up to be a woman who could accomplish all of her goals. I miss seeing her be educated, graduate from college. I miss seeing her get married. I miss the grandchildren I would have had. But I know that Catherine is in a far better place than we can ever know here on earth. So I don't worry about her. I know that she is exactly where she's supposed to be.

COLLINS: Clearly just from looking at those pictures and hearing you speak, you were very, very close with Catherine. How did you feel at the time knowing that Douglas Mickey had stabbed and killed your daughter?

GAYLE: I was so full of anger and rage and when I look back on how I felt then, it's frightening to think how I felt. I came to understand years later that that's a very unhealthy way to live because it permeates every cell of your body, every member of your family, permeates your workplace. Everything you touch is touched by this anger and rage.

COLLINS: Yet, you've come so very far from there. I quote you to say that you now look at this man as a very good friend. How can that be?

GAYLE: It can be because I met him and saw the humanity in him. I learned that all of the men on death row are not monsters. They're just ordinary human beings. When I went through the process of forgiving, and it took 12 years. I don't want people to think it's something you can do in a snap, because it isn't. It might be for some people, but it certainly wasn't for me.

COLLINS: But the 12 years are not. We just saw a picture of your arm around this man who killed your daughter. Some people would say you're a saint. Others would say you're crazy. Which are you?

GAYLE: I'm neither. I'm a very ordinary woman and I want to make that very clear because it's important for people to know that anybody can offer forgiveness and live with forgiveness. It takes time and there are no time frames for forgiveness. It will take as long as it takes. What we do know is that an execution does absolutely nothing to heal. All it does is create a whole new set of victims, and it retraumatizes the families of the person who has been murdered every time there's a hearing and especially at the time of the execution. We see them coming away so disappointed because they didn't get what they expected.

COLLINS: We certainly appreciate your story. Thank you so much for sharing it.

GAYLE: Oh, you're so welcome. Thank you.

COLLINS: Another high-profile criminal Unabomber Ted Kaczynski is not on death row, but that's not because the government hasn't tried. Today Kaczynski's brother David attended the first of three New York state assembly hearings on the death penalty and he will testify at the final one. As CNN's Alina Cho reports, David Kaczynski is on a mission to fight capital punishment.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Ted Kaczynski was caught nearly nine years ago in a Montana cabin he called home, it brought an 18-year FBI manhunt to an end. The Unabomber finally had a face. Yet the search may never have ended had it not been for David Kaczynski, Ted's only sibling, the man who turned him in.

DAVID KACZYNSKI, UNABOMBER'S BROTHER: I realized it wasn't a nightmare I was having. I was literally considering the possibility that my brother was a serial killer.

CHO: For months prior to the arrest, David had worked closely with the FBI.

All of that changed the day Ted was arrested.

KACZYNSKI: We thought we had a very strong argument in the sense that if they execute David Kaczynski's brother, the next person in my position is going to be more reluctant to come forward.

CHO: Despite efforts by the government to seek the death penalty Ted Kaczynski is serving a life sentence.

KACZYNSKI: I look at the reasons why my brother's life was saved and I think my brother had attorneys far more gifted than any of the people sentenced to death in America.

CHO: Why David Kaczynski is now an ardent opponent to capital punishment. As head of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, he even travels the country to tell his story.

KACZYNSKI: It was a difficult decision in some sense because I knew it meant, you know, relinquishing my privacy.

CHO: This month New York state will begin hearings to consider reinstating the death penalty. David sees it as an opportunity to abolish capital punishment in the state altogether.

KACZYNSKI: I'm totally convinced that if my brother had been executed, he wouldn't have been the one that suffered most. The person that would have suffered the most would have been our mother.

CHO: Do you ever have any regrets anymore about turning in your brother?

KACZYNSKI: No, no. I tell you, I do have the regrets I feel are from earlier in my life. I look back now and I wish for Ted's sake and for his victims' sake and for their families' sake, that I had just maybe been a little bit better of a brother.

CHO: David still remembers the last time he saw Ted and how he tried to convince him to leave Montana.

KACZYNSKI: The night before he made his decision, he said, yes, Dave, I have too much to do around here. I think I'm going to stay. We hadn't done what we had to do, probably another person would have been killed.

CHO: He realizes now his personal and painful experience is unique.

KACZYNSKI: The issue, the question is how do you go forward and make the best of it? In some senses, it's an extraordinary privilege to do that.

CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, Albany, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: 360 next, the healing powers of the Dead Sea bath. At the doctor's office? Is it possible? We take a look as we continue our special series "Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax?

Also tonight, veterans out of uniform for years ordered to join the fight in Iraq. Are they ready? Our "Midweek Crisis."

And in a moment, 360's Challenge. How closely have you been following today's news. Find out next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Time now for today's 360 Challenge. Be the first to answer all three questions correctly and win a 360 t-shirt.

A fake bomb on a planted on a U.S. plane made its way from New Jersey to where?

And where was Unibomber Ted Kaczynski finally caught after his eighteen year crime spree?

Plus, according to a recent Gallup poll, what percentage of Americans believes in evolution? To take the challenge, log on to CNN.com/360 and clinic on the answer link. Answer first, you get the shirt. Find out last night's challenge winner and tonight's answers coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Many people take baths to get clean or to ease away the stresses of the day, others take baths to get cured of disease. In ancient times, those people traveled great distances for a healing bath. Today, that old medicine is available right here in the United States. But does it really work? Tonight, as we continue our series "Ancient Cures: Modern Hope or Hoax" senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at the curing power of the Dead Sea baths.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The gentle lapping water of the Dead Sea, witness to millions of years of history, millions of pilgrimages and healing properties acknowledged since the dawning of time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cleopatra of Egypt knew about this form of therapy, it was written in Egyptian scrolls. It was known of in Biblical times.

GUPTA: In the Bible, it was said that water flows to the valley of the Dead Sea, healing whatever it touches, including those seeking to cleanse, even lepers. They were drawn to the salts. The Dead Sea heals becuase it has the highest volume of minerals and salt. It has the highest saline content of any body of water known to man.

Thousands of years later, the same type of water flows in a much different type of environment, the Mavena Derma Center in Chicago.

DR. JEFFREY ALTMAN, MEDICAL DIR. MAVENA DERMA CTR: What we try to do is recreate the Dead Sea therapy to the greatest extent possible.

GUPTA: By using a combination of a bath using salt imported from the Dead Sea and UV light therapy to mimic Dead Sea rays. 38-year-old Richard Strasol floats in a Dead Sea bath several times a month to get relief from psoriasis, a cronic skin disease that causes his skin to scale and become inflammed. A Dead Sea bath seemed like a last resort. By the time he ad been through several treatments, he says his psoriasis was almost completely gone.

Dermatologist, Jeffrey Altman says Strasos results are pretty typical.

ALTMAN: About a 75 percent overall improvement. However, the response rates are not quite as durable as what we see in the Dead Sea.

GUPTA: And the results can last several months.

Doctors say Dead Sea therapy also works for eczema patients, but there is no cure for either exzema or psorisis so the therapy must be ongoing.

ALTMAN: It's probably almost the perfect situation created by nature for treating psoriasis and other skin diseases.

GUPTA: Ancient waters that after thousands of years remain a fountain of healing. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: The teams at "PAULA ZAHN NOW" and "NEWSNIGHT WITH AARON BROWN" are working hard to bring you more quality reporting tonight on CNN. Paula and Aaron join me now with a preview of what they're covering. Let's begin with Paula. Hi, Paula.

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Heidi. Thanks. Next week in Iraq, the first stage starts in the trials of Saddam Hussein and his top officials charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes: gassing their own people, going to war against Iran, invading Kuwait. So, how do you defend the indefensible. I will ask the American lawyer who will be defending Saddam -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Paula Thank you -- Aaron.

AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Heidi, Iraq at a slightly different level. The story tonight of a nurse back from Iraq, her story she tells of appreciation for the soldiers she saw and the sorrows of what she saw. It is honestly among the most compelling pieces of television I've ever seen about this war or any war. And it's tonight on NEWSNIGHT.

COLLINS: Well, we certainly won't miss it coming up at 10:00 Eastern. Thanks so much to the both of you.

360 next now, U.S. soldiers called back for duty in Iraq. Are they ready for combat? Our "Midweek Crisis."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: There's not much question that the war in Iraq has stretched the U.S. Army more than a little. Mostly it's a debate about numbers, are there enough troops to do the job? Today though a look behind the numbers as one unit headed off to war.

CNN's Jonathan Freed reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Six hundred men and women about to join the fight in Iraq, the 800 and 44th Engineers. It's officially an army reserve unit from Tennessee. But for this deployment, one-third of its ranks are from what's officially described as all over. Military resources are being stretched these days and commanders say it can be tricky to find enough troops. Specialist Tanya Stuart (ph) is among the thousands of Individual Ready Reservist, or IRRs just called up for duty, veterans that have been out of uniform for years. In Stuart's case, 12 years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do I want to go? no, I don't think anybody wants to go to war. But I'm going to do my duty and I'll pull my tour and then go back home.

FREED: Specialist Garen McGee (ph), another IRR, reenlisted before getting a letter in the male, eager to join the war on terror.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Making sure that I do what I can do to make sure my family and everybody else's family is safe by coming back. That keeps me going.

FREED: The unit's commander is concerned with his soldiers' safety and trying to eliminate the fear of unknown by assuring his troops they'll be well protected.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had some steal that was purchased to harden up our vehicles. We have the strut systems to add additional firepower to our Humvees and five tons.

FREED: Ron Jelube (ph) says, he appreciated having the right protection during his tour in Kuwait. He just got back and before heading home went looking for his son, about to ship out with the 844th.

(on camera): Is there still some part of you concerned to see him going there now?

I think you always feel that as a parent. You're always concerned about their welfare of your children and make sure you're OK.

FREED: Father finally finds son. An active duty status in the Jelube family is passed on, as the 844th gears up to go.

Jonathan Freed, CNN, Camp Atterbury (ph), Indiana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: 360 next, Zell Miller is retiring. From the Senate to the set, where many law makers are finding a second career. The "360 Challenge," have you been paying attention? Log on to cnn.com/360 and click on the answer link to play.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Actually get to dance on this show a little bit. In tonight's "Current," it makes sense why many Americans look forward to retirement. They can unwind, play golf and most importantly, never work again. Unless you're a politician, sports star or celebrity, that is. For them, the golden years means more shameless self promotion. And more often than not, they're finding it on TV.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: This is the man who wants to be the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces? U.S. forces armed with what, spitballs?

COLLINS: With wacky remarks like that, how could out going U.S. Senator Zell Miller not work in TV. The extremely conservative Democrat is joining Fox News as a contributor. Miller is not the first politician to retire to a television studio, and he won't be the last. Bob Barr went from Capital Hill to contributor for CNN. And Joe Scarborough found work hosting a show on MSNBC. Bob Dole was almost president. After he lost, his retirement years included a stint as a spokesman for Viagra. Al Sharpton's got a reality show. But law makers aren't the only ones who retreat to the airwaves. Long before Terry Bradshaw ever picked up a mike, he threw passes leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Superbowl titles.

John McEnroe has had mixed results in his golden years. His still a top notch tennis analyst, but his CNBC gig bit the dust. And Practically Every gymnast and skater is now a sports analyst. Then there's the TV people, Jane Pauley said her good-byes, then hello again with her new talk show. Tony Danza went off the air and back on. Then we have Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw. One has left and one is leaving. And then we have Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw, one left the other, the others leaving.

Where will they go?

Perhaps they'll follow this guy. remember Alf. He's going to retire in back in the space, but this arm puppet is back hosting his own program. It seems on TV, there's always a second career.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Time now for the answer to today's "360 Challenge."

A fake bomb planted on a U.S. plane made its way from New Jersey to where, Amsterdam.

Where was Unabomber Ted Kaczynski finally caught after his 18- year crime spree, Montana.

According to a recent Gallup poll, what percentage of Americans believe in evolution, 35 percent. The first person to answer all three questions correctly will be sent a 360 T-shirt. Tune in tomorrow to find out if you are the one.

And last night's winner, Rudy Stevens, of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

Another "360 Challenge" another chance to win coming up tomorrow.

I'm Heidi Collins, in for Anderson Cooper, CNN's primetime line up continues right now with Paula Zahn -- Paula.

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