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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Should the Atlanta Runaway Bride Face Charges?

Aired May 02, 2005 - 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.


ANDERSON COOPER, HOST "ANDERSON COOPER 360": Lou, thanks very much. Good evening everyone. The runaway bride -- will she wed the jilted groom? Another day -- 360 starts now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): The run away bride, back at home. But what happens to her now? Will the Georgian jilter face charges? And should she have to repay police for all the trouble she's caused?

Who is Jennifer Wilbanks, really? The woman behind those eyes and that frozen smile. Tonight, the trail of men in Jennifer's past, and the trail of clues that might have tipped her fiance his bride was about to bolt.

Jennifer's groom stands by his woman, but should the man who suffered a national humiliation be so quick to forgive and forget?

A remarkable rescue at sea, caught on tape. Hundreds capsize and struggle to stay afloat before help arrives.

And, who knew First Lady Laura Bush was a comedian?

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: I was a librarian, who spent 12 hours a day in the library, yet somehow, I met George.

COOPER: Tonight CNN's exclusive access, behind the scenes with Laura Bush.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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

COOPER (on camera) And good evening to you.

Jennifer Wilbanks was supposed to be on her honeymoon right now -- the big wedding over, her husband John by her side, her last name changed to Mason. Instead, tonight, the woman now known around the world as the runaway bride is hiding in her parents' home and may soon face criminal charges.

Right now, we're waiting for a press conference in Duluth, Georgia, from the district attorney, to find out whether or not Wilbanks will be charged. We, of course, are going to bring that to you live. It could happen any moment now. Now, tonight, we are focusing on this story. We are trying to understand what was going on inside this woman's head. Tuesday, she went missing. We now know she'd hopped a bus, ended up in Albuquerque, and did something there not only foolish but illegal. She picked up a phone, dialed 911 and made up a story about being kidnapped. Now, listen to part of that call and remember that the fear in her voice, the story she's telling, all of it is a lie.

(BEGIN AUDIO TAPE)

911 OPERATOR: Albuquerque 911 operator. What is your emergency?

JENNIFER WILBANKS: I'm at the, um, I don't know where I am. I'm right here beside Salono Street at the 7-Eleven.

OPERATOR: OK, what's going on?

WILBANKS: I've got my family and the police on the phone. I was kidnapped earlier this week and I'm here now and...

OPERATOR: What's your name, ma'am?

WILBANKS: Jennifer.

OPERATOR: Where you hurt, Jennifer? Do you need any medical attention?

WILBANKS: No, I don't need any medical attention at this time. I told them my name.

OPERATOR: Do you know who did this to you?

WILBANKS: No.

OPERATOR: And did they just drop you off at that location?

WILBANKS: No, at some street -- way down some street. I mean, I don't even know where I am. And I just walked here.

OPERATOR: Did they hurt you in any way, Jennifer? Do you need medical attention?

WILBANKS: No, they didn't hurt me.

OPERATOR: OK, well, what happened?

WILBANKS: Yeah, I'm talking to them right now.

OPERATOR: What happened?

WILBANKS: I was -- I was kidnapped from Atlanta, Georgia. I don't know. My parents said it's been on the news. I don't know. (INAUDIBLE)

OPERATOR: OK. And who did this to you?

WILBANKS: I don't know.

OPERATOR: Did they just drop you off right now?

WILBANKS: No. I don't even know how long ago it was. They didn't drop me off here. It was away from here, back on some dead-end street. I mean, I could show them but I don't know -- I don't know where I am.

OPERATOR: OK. And this person who did this to you, was it a he or a she?

WILBANKS: It was a Hispanic man and a Caucasian woman. It happened in Duluth.

(END AUDIO TAPE)

COOPER: Well, all of that was a lie. That call, those words, might lead Jennifer Wilbanks into a courtroom to face criminal charges, and as I said at the top of the program, we are awaiting a press conference at any moment from the district attorney in Gwinnett County, Danny Porter, who may say whether or not they're going to file charges.

Everyone, it seems, has an opinion on this story. Should she go to jail? Should she have to pay a fine? Should her fiance take her back? Tonight we're covering all the angles.

We begin, however, with the woman at the center of the storm. Here's CNN's Randi Kaye.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She tried to hide her face but we know what she looks like.

WILBANKS: It was a blue van, like a dark van.

KAYE: And we have heard her voice. But, how much do we really know about Jennifer Wilbanks?

Can you go anywhere here without people talking about Jennifer Wilbanks?

CAROLYN LANEY, GAINESVILLE RESIDENT: No.

KAYE: The Wilbanks' family was well-known in Gainesville, Georgia, about an hour north of Atlanta, where Jennifer grew up. Her uncle was the fire chief. Her mother started a successful outdoor sporting goods business, called Satterfield Sports. She sold the business, but Jerry Clark still works at the store. He remembers Jennifer well.

JERRY CLARK, GAINESVILLE RESIDENT: She would come in to see her mother a lot, and I remember her as a very perky, happy, outgoing person.

KAYE: Jennifer was 17 when Clark first met her. He remembers her being very athletic.

CLARK: I know she was into jogging, running, softball.

KAYE: And boys. Clark says Jennifer had a lot of boyfriends.

Did she ever seem to have any issues?

CLARK: Not that I'm aware of. She got along good with everybody.

KAYE: Jennifer liked being around people. Those who know her describe her as very social. She is part of a large Baptist family, all members of Gainesville's Riverbend Baptist Church.

Jennifer grew up in the North Hall area of Gainesville where much of life revolves around Lake Linear. Her parents divorced, and when her mom remarried, she gained a step-brother and two step-sisters, but it was always her twin brother Matthew she was closest to.

The two attended North Hall High School together. Jim Lofton taught Jennifer's English class.

JIM LOFTON, GAINESVILLE RESIDENT: She was a very popular girl, as was her mother -- as was her brother, Matthew. And they were part of the community and a part of the school. She was a good girl and certainly one that contributed to the school.

KAYE: Jennifer was active in school. She was a cheerleader and a member of the cross-country team. She went on to become a marathon runner -- the Chicago Marathon, her one and only.

Jennifer, now 32, works as a medical assistant here at the Heritage OB/GYN clinic in Gainesville. Co-workers haven't seen her since the day she disappeared. Jennifer used to work in the maternity ward at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Carolyn Laney worked with her.

LANEY: All I remember really is that she was always very happy and jovial, just, always upbeat.

KAYE: So, why did a woman with such a zest for life cause such grief with a cross-country disappearing act? Folks from Gainesville want answers and an apology.

CLARK: There was a lot of people from Gainesville, went down and helped search for her, and I really think now, looking back, a lot of them are pretty angry.

LANEY: I thought that was very inconsiderate of her family and all of the friends that were going to the trouble of searching and worrying, and just some of them just weren't even able to eat or sleep. They were so worried.

KAYE: The search may be over, and Jennifer, safe, but heads will be shaking for some time to come.

Randi Kaye, CNN, Gainesville, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Heads shaking, people trying to figure out, what was she thinking? That, of course, the question millions of Americans have been asking all weekend and today, especially after Jennifer appeared with that towel over her head in the Albuquerque Airport. There's the video, and, as you see, she was escorted by two police officers who'd spent a good deal of time with her, developed something of a relationship with her. On the left of your screen is Trish Ahrensfield, of the Albuquerque Police Department. On the right is Marshall Katz with the Albuquerque aviation police.

Both of them join us tonight. We appreciate you being with us.

Officer Ahrensfield, let me start off with you. You met Jennifer when she was first brought into the station. Describe her demeanor at the time. I mean, we've heard her on the 911 tape. Obviously, she sounded distressed.

OFFICER TRISH AHRENSFIELD, ALBUQUERQUE POLICE: Yes, actually when she was transported to the Southeast Substation she was there with the sergeant. And you know, she was sitting there at a table, and a chair. And at the time I walked up to her, I shook her hand, introduced myself. It appeared that she had cut her hair. She didn't have any makeup on. She looked extremely tired, very overwhelmed. It looked that way, it looked like she didn't even have -- might have been crying.

COOPER: And when -- when was it that you or some of the detectives around her started to sort of raise the eyebrows and first realize that, you know this story just doesn't hold together?

AHRENSFIELD: Well, there's always the question -- I mean, to question if, in fact, there's any merit to the story, so, right away when the detectives started interviewing her -- basically, these guys are expertise in talking to people, and so I think they saw some inconsistencies in her story, her body language, and the things just weren't adding up. And as detectives, they are trained and they know what to look for and what kind of questions -- they were kind of thinking there was more to the story than what she was leading up to.

COOPER: And Marshall Katz, you walked Jennifer through the airport to meet her uncle and stepdad. We've seen her. We've seen those images, we've seen her with -- I don't know, I thought it was an Afghan rug over her head at first -- I guess it was a sort of swimming towel. What was her mood like then? What were you saying to her?

CHIEF MARSHALL KATZ, ALBUQUERQUE AVIATION POLICE: She was frail. She was obviously emotionally upset. I held her right hand -- actually I held her left hand with my right hand. We engaged in a conversation. I told her where we were and how long it would take to get to the plane to see her stepdad and uncle. Her hand was shaking a little bit, but once inside the plane, it was hugs, kisses, alligator tears. It was a very emotional reunion. COOPER: Did she realize -- I mean obviously she could see the cameras, or she sensed that they were there. Or did she know they were going to be there? I mean, did she have a sense that this was a story that lots of people were following?

KATZ: In my opinion, it would be hard to believe she wouldn't think cameras would be there.

COOPER: Officer Ahrensfield, did she say anything to you about the cameras?

AHRENSFIELD: You know, at one point, when she issued kind of a statement through a third party to the Victims Assistance Unit, she had stated that she appreciated all the outpouring of support and prayers that she had recently been made aware of. So I questioned -- I think when she -- I think she realized when she got to the airport, because of the overwhelming people there, and she stated "oh, my gosh," and I just basically told her just to keep walking, and that, you know, at some point it looks like we're kind of in conversation when we're going up the escalator, and really all I was telling her was, watch her step, because she had the blanket over her head. She -- I didn't want her to fall.

So I really was just saying, you know, watch your step, and you know, we'll get you through...

COOPER: Was it her idea to put the blanket over her head, by the way? I'm always fascinated by what people decide to do when there are cameras around.

AHRENSFIELD: You know, when I made contact with her, when she got to the airport, that was already over her head. I'm assuming that is the case. She was clear and adamant about not wanting to talk to anybody until she spoke with her family and her fiance first.

COOPER: Well, again, it's a fascinating story. We appreciate both of you joining us with that tonight. Officer Trish Ahrensfield and Chief Marshall Katz, thank you very much.

AHRENSFIELD: Thank you.

COOPER: Thank you very much.

Another note on this strange -- this strange case, and as I mentioned before, we're waiting for a news conference really any moment now, where the district attorney could say whether charges are going to be filed against Wilbanks in Georgia. Earlier today, he said he had not decided whether or not he's going to bring criminal charges. But importantly, he did say he does feel he has grounds to do so if he chooses. So again, we're going to bring this to you live as soon as it happens.

And here's a quick fast fact for you on what it cost the city of Duluth, Georgia to search for Jennifer Wilbanks. Duluth Mayor Shirley Lasseter originally put the bill to her town about $100,000 -- maybe you heard of that. She's now reduced that to $60,000. She said that's what was paid to 78 police officers and other city employees involved in the search. That also doesn't include the amount that -- whatever may have been spent by Gwinnett County, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, the FBI and several other agencies that were involved. If there are not criminal charges, some people are saying, well, she should at least refund authorities some of that money. Again, we'll see at this press conference.

Coming up next tonight on 360, the guy was jilted on national television, left standing at the altar. Jennifer Wilbanks' fiance speaks out. Find out why he still wants to marry her, says he's still standing by her. Find out why ahead.

Also, brides under pressure -- the stress of a big wedding. Hundreds of guests, thousands of dollars -- is it really enough to make a person lose their mind? Well, we'll talk about that ahead.

Also ahead, on a far lighter note, First Lady Laura Bush, comedian, who knew? Jay Leno, watch your back. Tonight, it is Laura Bush unplugged.

All that ahead. First, your picks. The most popular stories right now on CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN MASON, JENNIFER'S FIANCE: I was crying, I was laughing. I was trying to stay calm, to talk to her to keep her calm. And it's just so much, and you kind of have to keep yourself composed, because she didn't know where she was and she was scared to death. And I had to try to keep her on the phone until we got somebody to her. And when I finally put the phone down, I was just -- I don't know, it was like the burden of the world, you know, off my shoulders.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, the burden was not over. Not too long after we heard John Mason speak there on Saturday, we found out that his fiancee had jilted him, but as the saying goes, love knows no bounds. Apparently, Mason is not ready to give up his runaway bride-to-be. In an interview on another network, he says -- quote, "Just because we haven't walked down the aisle" -- this is him just today -- "Just because we haven't walked down the aisle, just because we haven't stood in front of 500 people and said our 'I do's,' my commitment before God to her was the day I bought that ring and put it on her finger, and I'm not backing down from that."

Well, our next guest knows all about the ups and downs after being jilted. Her fiance called off their wedding a week or six days before it was supposed to happen. Instead of canceling all her plans, she went ahead, had a party without him.

Joining me from St. Louis, Missouri, is Marilyn Chivetta.

Thank you so much for being with us, Marilyn, and good to see you.

MARILYN CHIVETTA, JILTED BRIDE IN 2003: Thank you for having me, Anderson. It's nice to talk to you.

COOPER: Well, let me ask you, you met this guy, Peter DeLuca, September 2002. Four months later, the night before Valentine's Day, he slips into your home, covers the floor in rose petals, goes down on one knee, asks you to marry him. How do you remember that night?

CHIVETTA: Amazing, isn't it?

COOPER: Yeah, it sounds great.

CHIVETTA: Yes, it is. I mean, it was like a fairy tale. I had met Prince Charming. I had kissed at least 40 or 50 frogs before then. I thought it was the American dream. It was all coming into place for me, and my whole future was planned. I was so excited and so in love. It was such a phenomenal time in my life.

COOPER: So six days before your wedding date, he suddenly calls it off.

CHIVETTA: Right.

COOPER: Take us back to that day. I mean, did he do it in person? Did he -- how -- what did he say?

CHIVETTA: He walked in the middle of all the presents and my custom gown that was hanging there, and all the phone calls, everything. He just walked into the middle of it and said, "I can't do this right now," for no reason.

COOPER: He just said, "I can't do this right now?"

CHIVETTA: I can't do this right now. And then he cried with me for four hours. We sat on the sofa crying and shaking. And it was very surreal. Our engagement -- we had a very formal engagement ceremony in the church. Those pictures were delivered to my house during that four-hour period. It was actually like the most horrific four hours of my life in the last part of my early 30s.

COOPER: So he says, "I can't really do this right now." Were you like, do what? I mean, did you get what he was saying right away?

CHIVETTA: No, no, of course not. We had been making out the night before, we went to a family dinner, him and I...

COOPER: Wait, I'm sorry, I don't want to go into the gory details, but you had been making out the night before?

CHIVETTA: We were making out the night before, and I said to him, "We got to stop. I am exhausted. Everybody's flying in this weekend, and next week we're going to be married and we'll be on our honeymoon alone for 10 days. And that's all we'll do it as Mr. and Mrs." And so he said OK, and he went home, and he came back seven hours later, I think it was, and called off my whole life. He didn't just call off a wedding. And this girl didn't run away from a wedding. She called off from her whole future.

COOPER: What's the lesson you draw from this experience? I mean, what do you -- you spent $70,000 on a wedding, you went ahead and you had the party anyway. What is the message to people out there?

CHIVETTA: The message to people out there is exactly what I have on my shirt. I just finished writing a book that I want to publish and speaking that you've got to claim your cleavage, and live every day like it's a celebration of yourself! Find someone who cherishes you. And not only if your wedding's been called off, which people come out of the woodwork now, telling me like it's a big secret that their wedding was called off -- it's not. One out of five are called off. It's not a big deal, and really, anything in life that happens, if you turn it around, try to find something new, own who you are, you can get through it.

It was like a death. It was a nightmare to my family, to my son, to myself. But I've learned how to claim my cleavage and go on. Look at Trump, he claims his cleavage all the time. Bad things happen.

COOPER: All right. I was -- yes.

CHIVETTA: Sorry, maybe that's a bad subject.

COOPER: I was unfamiliar with Trump's cleavage, but I'm glad he claims it as well. Marilyn, I'm glad you're doing well. And I'm glad, clearly, you've rebounded from this, and you've claimed a lot of things, as you said.

CHIVETTA: Claimed my cleavage. Thank you very much. And if you know any princes out there, send them my way. I'm sick of the frogs. Thank you so much.

COOPER: All right. Marilyn Chivetta, appreciate it. Good luck to you.

CHIVETTA: Thank you.

COOPER: Obviously the big -- I should just point out, we are waiting for the press conference really any moment now from the district attorney down there in Georgia, who may be pressing criminal charges. We don't know. Earlier in the day he said that he had not decided whether or not he was going to do that, but he reserved the right to. He said that he believes he has the right to do it under Georgia law. So, again, we're going to wait for that press conference, and bring it to you live.

The big day for Jennifer Wilbanks was just a little too big for her to deal with. Now, psychologists are quick to point out the stress got to her and faced with the fight or flight response she chose to leave. There are different levels of stress, of course. That affects the body and mind in a lot of different ways.

360 M.D. Sanjay Gupta joins us live from Atlanta, to take a look at all this -- take a look at how stress affects us. Lets, listen to this clip, Sanjay, from the 911 call that Jennifer Wilbanks made.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

OPERATOR: Did they have any weapons on them?

WILBANKS: Yes. They had (INAUDIBLE) and a small handgun.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

COOPER: You know, Wilbanks, and I guess others are saying stress played a large role in her behavior. Is that possible? I mean how does stress affect the body?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, it is possible. It's hard to say for sure what was happening, what was going through her mind at that time. But a couple of important things here: psychologists will also say that marriage itself is one of the most stressful life events somebody can go through. Divorce is also up there, death of a spouse. You sort of get the idea. All of these things can be very stressful.

What's more interesting though, Anderson, the second part of your question, the links between just stress and much more common sort of medical problems. For example, depression, anxiety, asthma, arthritis flare-ups, not intuitive but those things can get worse with stress, as well. Heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, it can be harder to get pregnant as well for women.

What happens, Anderson in this sort of situation, the body decides, not just -- not just intuitively, not just consciously, but the body decides either you're going to fight or flight, you're going to take off. And some people obviously in this sort of situation will actually opt more for the flight phenomenon here, Anderson.

COOPER: Obviously, there are going to be a lot of people out there listening who are kind of raising their eyebrows and saying, look, I'm stressED, I don't suddenly freak out and make up lies to police and destroy my family in this way. Are there warning signs of -- we're talking about extreme stress if that is, in fact, what the case was here. Are there warning signs of extreme stress that people can be on the lookout for?

GUPTA: Yes, there are warning signs of extreme stress. The problem, and you're sort of alluding to, is they're not much different than signs of ordinary stress. When you're having extreme stress, things to look for specifically, headaches for example, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, a short temper, upset stomach, low morale. All those things can also be signs of depression as well, Anderson, and that's where it gets a little bit tricky. Again, we don't know specifically what was going through her mind at the time, but stress can play a role in this sort of thing. COOPER: Yes, I think, you got like three out of seven of those. Are there medical conditions that can cause this kind of erratic behavior in otherwise normal people?

GUPTA: You know, it's interesting that you ask that. A lot of people looking at that picture that was on television for so long of Jennifer Wilbanks, sort of noticed something about her. A lot of doctors made the comment as well, her eyes look a little interesting. And the reason I point that out, and this can be associated with a thyroid problem known as Grave's Disease. Nobody is saying that she has this for sure. About half the people who have Grave's Disease have eyes like this. But of all the people who have eyes like this, only about 10 percent of them actually have Grave's Disease.

What I'm talking about specifically, Anderson, sort of at the top of the eyes here, you may get the sense that that sort of being able to see the white. Anybody can see the white there, if you open your eyes wide enough. But just in someone who's opening their eyes normally, you shouldn't be able to see that.

And I actually wanted to show you as well, Anderson, some pictures of people that actually have Graves Disease, give you more of a sense of what I'm talking about here. This is, obviously, much more pronounced. But again it is the top part of the eye, seeing that white here, that is not normal. That can suggest that the muscles around the eye are somewhat swollen, these muscles in here, and that is associated with Grave's Disease.

People who have Grave's Disease can have pretty significant problems with psychosis even sometimes. They can have difficulty making good judgments. So that could be part of it. I'm not -- that's all speculation obviously, but it was sort of interesting as well.

COOPER: All right, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks very much.

GUPTA: Thank you.

COOPER: We are awaiting this press conference. Is the press conference going? No, we are still waiting for the press conference in Georgia. We will bring that to you as soon as it happens live and we will be right back. Our coverage continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: We take you to a press conference happening live in Georgia -- lets listen.

CHIEF RANDY BELCHER, DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT: I've had two GBI agents, and one of my investigators out getting that...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BELCHER: ...important in this investigation. Their people spent uncounted hours doing investigations for this agency. I just want to give you a time line on what has taken place over the last week. As you all know right now, Miss Jennifer Wilbanks went for a jog last Tuesday, at approximately 8:30 p.m. She did not come back home after she went for that jog.

Her husband, approximately midnight advised us, he called the Duluth Police Department, stated his fiance went for a jog and had not returned. He was concerned for her safety. At that point, my department began doing an investigation, searching the area in which we thought that she had run. As everyone knows from watching the press, we then the next day started a manhunt with over 150 law enforcement officers, and several hundred volunteers.

We set up a command center. We searched approximately five square miles of the city. We recovered what we believe to be several pieces of evidence. One piece of evidence that we did locate was a clump of hair that was located by the library, near the library off of Park Bluff Lane in Duluth, sorry, not Park Bluff, but Postal Lane in Duluth. We had no luck at that point in time, locating Miss Wilbanks. The following day, we continued to search. Again, we had no luck locating Miss Wilbanks. Up to this point, we really had no crime. We did not have a body, we didn't not have any reports of anything that had taken place.

Friday night, or actually Saturday morning, approximately 2:00 a.m., I received a phone call from my office, stating that Jennifer was on the telephone with her fiance. I was just minutes away from their home. When I arrived, I got onto the telephone and began talking to Ms. Wilbanks.

Up to this point, Ms. Wilbanks had not violated any Georgia law. There was nothing at this point that she could be arrested for.

During my conversation with her, I asked her several direct questions. One of them is, "where are you at?" She was unable to answer that at that time. One other question I asked, "Were you injured?" She stated she was not injured.

I asked her then what had happened. She stated to me that she was jogging. She had her headphones on. She wasn't exactly sure where she was at, but an Hispanic male and a white female jumped her from behind and placed her in a van, and drove off. And she was not sure where she was at.

At this point, she did violate Georgia law by advising me of this situation, that she was kidnapped.

Based on that information, I will defer all criminal investigations and prosecution to Danny Porter.

Now, to give you an idea of what we have determined, based on our investigation, and based on information from Albuquerque, the FBI and Atlanta -- or I'm sorry, the Albuquerque Police Department -- and the interview that the agents conducted this afternoon, Ms. Wilbanks, on April the 19th, purchased a ticket at the Greyhound bus station in Gainesville. The destination of that ticket was going to be Austin, Texas, with departure on the 26th of April. That is the day that she disappeared. She got on the bus -- or let me back up. She called a taxi here in the city. The taxi met her at the Duluth Library. She took the taxi to Atlanta. At the Greyhound bus station near the airport, she got onto the bus. She rode the bus to Dallas, Texas, changed buses, went to Las Vegas, Nevada. Spent a little time in Las Vegas. Got another bus ticket to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Spent several hours in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at which time she then contacted her fiance's home by collect phone call.

That is the timeline based on the information that we have collected in this investigation, and also by her own statements.

As I said, I will defer the prosecution of this case to Mr. Danny Porter, the district attorney of Gwinnett County. And the City of Duluth is looking at its options to take civil matters against Ms. Wilbanks to recoup approximately $40,000 to $60,000 worth of taxpayers' money that we spent to search for her.

That's all I have.

QUESTION: Was she cooperative today when you spoke with her?

BELCHER: Yes, she was.

QUESTION: Did she make an apology? Did she make a -- did she apologize to you?

CARTER BRANK, GBI: She was somewhat remorseful for what she had done. She didn't come right out and apologize. She didn't feel like she had really done anything wrong. But she did in her way make a -- somewhat of an apology.

QUESTION: Can you say your name, sir?

BRANK: Carter Brank, assistant special agent in charge, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

QUESTION: Can you spell that for us?

BRANK: First name is c-a-r-t-e-r, last name b-r-a-n-k.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: First name is Carter, c-a-r-t-e-r, last name b-r-a-n-k.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: She was, you know, she cried a little bit, showed some emotion. She didn't come right out and apologize. She appreciated the fact that a lot of people were working and trying to find her, and you know, understood that people had worked hard. But you know, she didn't come to a full apology, but she was, as I said, somewhat remorseful.

QUESTION: Does she still maintain that she knew nothing about this search effort while she was gone? BRANK: She told us that she had not seen anything on television, that there were no television sets in any of the bus stations, nor has she seen it in any newspapers.

QUESTION: How did she respond when she was informed that she faces charges and may face a bill of $40,000 to $60,000?

BRANK: No, we did not inform her of any of the civil consequences, and how much -- at that time, we didn't know any of the costs associated with it, so we did not inform her of that. We did advise her of the decision as far as prosecution would be made by the district attorney.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) was her lawyer present?

BRANK: Yes, sir, her attorney was present.

And she cut her hair in order to, well, to try to disguise her identity.

QUESTION: Why did she do that?

BRANK: Well, just so that she could not be found. She felt that that would help keep people from identifying her.

QUESTION: If she didn't think she did anything wrong, why did she make up the story about the abduction (ph)?

BRANK: I don't think that she really could answer that. You know, she was under a great amount of stress, and due to that stress, she, you know, just felt it necessary at that time to use that story.

QUESTION: Did she buy a return ticket or did she plan on coming back?

BRANK: She did plan on returning at some point in time. She couldn't identify when that time would be.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) she had her bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Could this have anything to do with her going back, and did she say -- what did she say about her journey, where she went and why?

BRANK: No, I'm unaware that she's ever been to Las Vegas. She may have, but I was unaware of that. And she really made no statements concerning as to why she went to Las Vegas.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: She had passed through Albuquerque on her way to Las Vegas the first time, and liked the way that Albuquerque looked and wanted to return to that city.

QUESTION: Did she know anybody in any of these towns?

BRANK: No, sir. No, sir. Not that we know, and she stated that she didn't know anybody.

QUESTION: Does buying a bus ticket ahead of time, cutting your hair, does that indicate this is a premeditated act?

BRANK: Oh, I would defer all questions such as that to the district attorney.

QUESTION: What did she say she did while she was in Las Vegas?

BRANK: She stated to us that she stayed in the bus station and she did look at motel rooms that were very close to the bus station, but that they were too expensive, so she returned to the bus station.

QUESTION: Did she tell you what she intends to do now? Is she going to go to work tomorrow?

BRANK: No, sir.

QUESTION: What's she going to do tonight? Where is she staying?

BRANK: We had no conversations with her concerning that.

QUESTION: What is the attorney's name for her?

BRANK: I don't have that information with me at this time. One of the other agents has that. And I just don't remember his name.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: We just went to where she was staying and asked if we could speak with her.

QUESTION: How did you find out (INAUDIBLE)?

BRANK: I'm not going to make a comment on that.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: She was just trying to -- she was under a great deal of stress and just trying to get away from the situation.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: I'm not going to comment on that at this time.

QUESTION: Did you conduct any other interviews with other people about this disappearance?

BRANK: We've conducted a full investigation, which you could assume we've talked to a lot of people.

QUESTION: Was there any...

QUESTION: Anybody's help...

QUESTION: ... anybody else? QUESTION: ... involved?

BRANK: No, sir.

QUESTION: Does she seem coherent now?

BRANK: Yes. She, you know, she was able to answer all the questions, and seems coherent to me.

QUESTION: Can you tell us what she had in her possession when she left? Was she, in fact, just dressed in jogging clothes and had a small bit of money with her?

BRANK: She was dressed just as described in the lookouts for her.

QUESTION: Did she have any luggage? Or did she have anything else...

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: That's all the questions I'm going to answer at this time.

Thank you.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

DANNY PORTER, GWINNETT COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The only decision today that's been made is that, based on our research, we believe that -- well, we don't believe, we know that Georgia law will permit a prosecution in this case if the evidence justifies it. To answer Mr. Hannity's question about what discretion is going to be exercised, that discretion will be, first of all, on the police level after their efforts. They've exercised the discretion to refer the case to me for prosecution, and my discretion will be whether or not the case will be prosecuted.

QUESTION: Do you have discretion as it relates to specifically you, to determine she was in a disoriented state of mind? Does that go a long way in not prosecuting her?

PORTER: Under Georgia law, I have the complete discretion to decide whether or not the case is going to be prosecuted for whatever reason.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

PORTER: I can't answer that without seeing all the facts.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

PORTER: Huh?

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) public response? PORTER: There's been a great deal of public response, both to me and Chief Belcher. As a matter of fact, I don't know how many work e- mails I got compared to the number of opinion e-mails. In general, the e-mails are overall in favor of prosecution. There's a minority that believe that there should be no prosecution, and then there's the same number that believe that I'm a relentless publicity hound.

QUESTION: You had said one of the key things for you was whether or not this was premeditated. Given what we just heard, what's your opinion about it now?

PORTER: Well, I think the evidence will have to speak for itself and you can draw your own conclusions. But those are factors that we're going to consider.

QUESTION: Do you know if those clothes and that hairnet -- those clothes that you found in...

PORTER: To the extent that we need to know, the DNA testing has been called off based on the totality of the evidence, based on the statements that were given, and the preliminary analysis at the crime lab. It's no longer necessary to do mitochondrial DNA on it. We've canceled those tests.

QUESTION: Wouldn't that go to the premeditation, though?

PORTER: Well, again, again -- I would have that -- I would let that speak for itself. That's an issue that we're going to have to look at in the context of all the evidence.

QUESTION: What's your timeline, now?

PORTER: I've asked -- we've got to prepare reports from Duluth, from the FBI and from GBI, and I think the phrase I used earlier today was, I've asked that we do this in weeks rather than months, and so...

QUESTION: Have I got this right, irregardless of your decision whether to prosecute or not, the city has made a decision to try and recoup $40,000 to $60,000?

PORTER: I can't speak to that. That's a civil matter that the chief would have to speak to.

QUESTION: Has the city made the decision --

QUESTION: If you were to charge her, what sentence would that carry?

PORTER: At this point, it appears that the only applicable statutes would be either false report of a crime, which is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of 12 months in confinement, or the felony charge of giving a false statement in a matter, giving a false statement in a matter within the political subdivision of the -- the jurisdiction of the political subdivision of the state which we call false statements and that's a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years. QUESTION: What's going to make the difference if this is a felony or misdemeanor?

PORTER: It has to do with the elements of the crime and nature of the crime. They're two distinct offenses and that's what we'll have to look at, which one the facts fit under.

QUESTION: And your office can also pursue compensation, is that not true?

PORTER: The only way that my office can pursue compensation if there is a judicial determination of guilt and an order of restitution. That's independent of any civil action for restitution.

QUESTION: Will you seek it?

PORTER: Well, I think, certainly if we got that far, that would be something that we'd have to consider, as part of the restitution in the case.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) Jennifer Wilbanks knew she was talking to you, a police officer, when she was on the phone?

BELCHER: Yes, I clearly identified myself on the telephone that I was the chief of police of the City of Duluth.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)

BELCHER: She called the taxi prior to going for the jog and had the taxi meet her at the library at 9:00.

QUESTION: Was that from John's house?

BELCHER: Yes...

QUESTION: Has she...

BELCHER: ...no, she did not call from John's house. She called from a gas station.

QUESTION: Has she confirmed that the location where you found the hair is where she cut her hair?

BELCHER: Yes, pair of scissors.

QUESTION: Did she cut her own hair?

QUESTION: My question is, if he doesn't prosecute -- are you still going to go -- is the city going to go ahead and try to seek the $40 to $60,000?

BELCHER: The city is going to explore all options that are available to us, civilly, to recoup the money. Yes.

QUESTION: So, even if he doesn't prosecute you still may go after her for the money? BELCHER: Correct.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)

BELCHER: She was wearing the clothing that she left in.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)

BELCHER: That's not hers. She wore the clothing all through her trip and that's what she was picked up in, was, the same clothing.

QUESTION: Could we ask a question of the FBI representative in...

BELCHER: Yes.

QUESTION: I'm curious, with the effort the FBI was involved with what sort of discretion to your office and what are your thoughts about this whole proceeding?

UNIDENTIFIED FBI OFFICER: Well, you know, we continue to investigate violent crimes, even with other commitments, terrorism being our number one priority, and this was simply a case of us assisting the Duluth Police Department in trying to solve and resolve this investigation, and determine what had happened.

QUESTION: Did it draw you away from...

UNIDENTIFIED FBI OFFICER: Well, the group that I'm responsible for investigates violent crimes, of a variety of natures, and so this was just one of many similar cases.

QUESTION: How much did she actually succeed in changing her appearance by cutting her hair? What's she looks like now?

BELCHER: She looks the same. You couldn't tell any difference.

QUESTION: Did she seem ashamed now? Does she know that the world is aware of what she did? Does she get it?

BELCHER: I did not speak to her. That's all. Thank you.

COOPER: You've been listening to a fascinating press conference given by officials in Duluth, Georgia. Just a couple of things to go over. You heard from Danny Porter, the Gwinnett County District Attorney who said he has not decided whether or not to file charges, criminal charges, against Jennifer Wilbanks. He has said that there are two basic options to go for: false report, which is a misdemeanor, maximum of 12 months, or giving a false statement, which is a felony, maximum of five years. What will determine if charges are brought and what charges would be brought would be both the elements of the crime and the nature of the crime.

Also, we heard from Carter Brank, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations officials, who said that he talked to Ms. Wilbanks today, that he described her as cooperative, as somewhat remorseful, quote, "didn't say" -- "didn't feel she'd done anything wrong," according to him, that she had cut her hair to distinguish her identity, and importantly, that she had purchased a bus ticket from Georgia to Austin, Texas, on the 19th. It was on the 26th that she actually disappeared -- that obviously showing some amount of planning several days in advance.

She claimed that, according to Carter Brank, that she had not seen any televisions or newspapers while she was away. Her attorney was present during this meeting. She did say that she had planned to return at some point. She didn't say when or under what circumstances and that she claimed she didn't know anybody in Las Vegas or Albuquerque where she eventually ended up.

Also, the city of Duluth says that, regardless of what the district attorney does, they are going to try to do -- however they can, they're going to "explore all options," in their words, to recoup the money they have spent trying to find Jennifer, which was somewhere in the area of $40,000 to $60,000, according to the chief of police, Randy Belcher.

Fascinating news conference -- our coverage continues with the fiance of the runaway bride. He says he still plans to marry her, but should he or shouldn't he? We're going to hear from all sides on this one. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: You just heard the Duluth police chief say that Jennifer Wilbanks did in fact break the law when she claimed she was kidnapped. The chief also stated that the county may consider civil actions to recoup an estimated $40,000 to $60,000 of taxpayer money that was use to help search for her.

Now, as far as criminal charges, that decision now rests with the district attorney. He says he still has yet to make up his mind. That's, of course the legal side of things. But what about the personal side? John Mason, the fiance, says he still wants to marry Jennifer, an opinion that is drawing plenty of others across the country with their opinion.

Joining us now from New York, radio talk show host and clinical psychologist Judy Kuriansky, and from Atlanta, Martha Zoller, host of "The Martha Zoller Show" on WDUN Radio. Appreciate both of you being with us.

Judy, I want to start off with you. I want to read what Wilbanks' fiance, John, has said. Today he said -- quote, "Just because we haven't walked down the aisle, just because we haven't stood in front of 500 people and said our 'I do's,' my commitment before God to her was the day I bought that ring and put it on her finger, and I'm not backing down from that." Should they still get married?

JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: I don't think so. And I've seen plenty of couples over many years who are having these troubles before the wedding, and this was a really big one. I mean....

COOPER: Yeah, you could say that.

KURIANSKY: There are jilted brides and grooms, and this guy, John Mason, you know, bless his heart, the operative word there is he made a pledge before God, he is a man of faith and I think that's why he'll stick to it.

The best thing that could happen to him is that she wouldn't want to go through with it, because she obviously ended up buying a ticket a week before the wedding anyway. So she had no -- she really didn't even want to get married.

COOPER: Clearly got some issues. Martha, what about you? Should he still marry her?

MARTHA ZOLLER, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, if he wants to marry her and she wants to marry him, then certainly they should get married. But her running off, as the doctor said, it is a big obstacle right at the beginning, and it will be a real test of their marriage. I mean, I think the operative word here is there was never any question whether John wanted to marry her. It's some question whether she wanted to marry him.

COOPER: But Judy...

KURIANSKY: This guy is really in for a lot of trouble. Because obviously, she (INAUDIBLE) an unstable personality. She's really not in touch with what's going on. She doesn't even realize that she's hurt all these people, to come out -- the natural thing to do would be to apologize. And she would really have to apologize to him. But he's in for a lot of trouble. At every stress point in a relationship, when she has a baby, there are women who go through postpartum depression. It's one of the most panicked times in life. Then he would have a lot of trouble. Any crisis that came up.

COOPER: But I mean, love is love. I mean, if he loves her, why not still marry her?

KURIANSKY: Yeah, well, I agree. He certainly can. But you're asking my opinion. If I was going to give him an opinion, I'd say you're in for a lot of trouble. And if you want to go ahead and do it...

COOPER: It's going to be a bumpy ride.

KURIANSKY: It's going to be very bumpy. And a lot of the men who responded to my column in "The Daily News" when I said, there's going to be trouble with men -- men have said, oh my goodness, you know, I'm getting married in June -- it's a big wedding time in June. Is my -- I thought I knew this girl. What if she leaves me? What if she -- I don't really know her, what if she leaves me at the altar?

COOPER: Martha, I understand Jennifer Wilbanks is actually an acquaintance of yours. What is your impression of her? ZOLLER: Well, she was a very nice girl. We were in the Junior League together. We went to social events, and that kind of thing, the kind of person that would do kind of spontaneous, very kind things.

But you know, I think the thing that bothers me since we did the pre-interview is her saying, "I don't feel I did anything wrong," because clearly, reporting a crime or saying that something happened that didn't, is a serious problem. And the sooner she gets out and says that she's sorry in public, the sooner she can get on with her life.

COOPER: Yeah, I was shocked to hear that from the Georgia Department of Investigations.

KURIANSKY: Yeah, I was too.

COOPER: We're going to have to leave it there, because we're running short. That press conference lasted very long. Judy Kuriansky, appreciate you joining us for your perspectives, and Martha Zoller, always good to have you.

ZOLLER: Thank you.

COOPER: Thanks.

Coming up next on 360, freeway shootings. Drivers scared for their lives. We'll tell you where and what police are doing about it.

Plus, a dramatic rescue at sea, all thanks to the U.S. Navy. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time for now for a look at the other news making headlines, and there is a lot of it. Erica Hill from HEADLINE NEWS joins us with the latest. Hey, Erica.

ERICA HILL, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Hey, Anderson. We start off actually with a violent day in Iraq. Eight car bombs exploded; at least 13 Iraqis are dead, dozens more hurt. Baghdad was hardest hit. Four bombs went off within hours of each other. Another blast late in the day near Abu Ghraib prison. The military says a U.S. convoy was the target. The explosion went off prematurely, killing only the bomber.

Violence has stepped up since Iraq's transitional government named a new cabinet on Thursday.

In Southern California, freeway shootings. Police have now confirmed two shootings on separate interstates just in the past weekend. No known fatalities in those incidents. The freeway shootings have killed four people in recent weeks.

Off the coast of Somalia, a dramatic rescue caught on tape. This pat weekend, U.S. Navy ships saved the lives of 89 people, plucking them out of the water after their boat capsized. Five other people died. Dozens remain unaccounted for.

In Tahiti, talk about a close call. Check this out. A jet ski caught in a wave, comes within just inches of hitting and possibly killing a Tahitian surfer. But fortunately, the surfer ducked in time and managed to escape without serious injury. Many of the world's top surfers were in town for a surfing show. Chances are, though, no act will compare to that. Thankfully, everyone is all right.

And how about this? Cher insists this is it, really. Her three- year, 325-stop farewell tour finally came to an end Saturday night at the Hollywood Bowl. Now, it certainly was a grand finale -- video clips, fireworks, a few skimpy costumes, belly dancers, even a dancing elephant.

And Anderson, that's the latest from HEADLINE NEWS. I would like to say, though, that in celebration, we at HEADLINE NEWS have some confetti for Cher, because she's claiming her cleavage.

COOPER: Chastity! You know who commented, who was stunned by this announcement, that this is Cher's final performance? You know who it was? You know?

HILL: Anderson Cooper? No, no.

COOPER: No, Paula Abdul. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAULA ABDUL, "AMERICAN IDOL": I -- this happens, seems to happen every single season. I can't even speak. I'm shocked. I really am.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: I don't think it happens every season. I think it happens every, what is it, Wednesday or Thursday night?

COOPER: It does. Paula -- I was almost going to call you Paula Abdul. Erica Hill, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

That's it for 360...

HILL: Anytime, Simon.

COOPER: ... tonight. CNN's prime-time coverage continues now with Paula Zahn. Hey, Paula.

PAULA ZAHN, HOST, "PAULA ZAHN NOW": Oh, the perils of Paula, huh? Thanks, Anderson.

END

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 May 2, 2005 - 19:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST "ANDERSON COOPER 360": Lou, thanks very much. Good evening everyone. The runaway bride -- will she wed the jilted groom? Another day -- 360 starts now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): The run away bride, back at home. But what happens to her now? Will the Georgian jilter face charges? And should she have to repay police for all the trouble she's caused?

Who is Jennifer Wilbanks, really? The woman behind those eyes and that frozen smile. Tonight, the trail of men in Jennifer's past, and the trail of clues that might have tipped her fiance his bride was about to bolt.

Jennifer's groom stands by his woman, but should the man who suffered a national humiliation be so quick to forgive and forget?

A remarkable rescue at sea, caught on tape. Hundreds capsize and struggle to stay afloat before help arrives.

And, who knew First Lady Laura Bush was a comedian?

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: I was a librarian, who spent 12 hours a day in the library, yet somehow, I met George.

COOPER: Tonight CNN's exclusive access, behind the scenes with Laura Bush.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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

COOPER (on camera) And good evening to you.

Jennifer Wilbanks was supposed to be on her honeymoon right now -- the big wedding over, her husband John by her side, her last name changed to Mason. Instead, tonight, the woman now known around the world as the runaway bride is hiding in her parents' home and may soon face criminal charges.

Right now, we're waiting for a press conference in Duluth, Georgia, from the district attorney, to find out whether or not Wilbanks will be charged. We, of course, are going to bring that to you live. It could happen any moment now. Now, tonight, we are focusing on this story. We are trying to understand what was going on inside this woman's head. Tuesday, she went missing. We now know she'd hopped a bus, ended up in Albuquerque, and did something there not only foolish but illegal. She picked up a phone, dialed 911 and made up a story about being kidnapped. Now, listen to part of that call and remember that the fear in her voice, the story she's telling, all of it is a lie.

(BEGIN AUDIO TAPE)

911 OPERATOR: Albuquerque 911 operator. What is your emergency?

JENNIFER WILBANKS: I'm at the, um, I don't know where I am. I'm right here beside Salono Street at the 7-Eleven.

OPERATOR: OK, what's going on?

WILBANKS: I've got my family and the police on the phone. I was kidnapped earlier this week and I'm here now and...

OPERATOR: What's your name, ma'am?

WILBANKS: Jennifer.

OPERATOR: Where you hurt, Jennifer? Do you need any medical attention?

WILBANKS: No, I don't need any medical attention at this time. I told them my name.

OPERATOR: Do you know who did this to you?

WILBANKS: No.

OPERATOR: And did they just drop you off at that location?

WILBANKS: No, at some street -- way down some street. I mean, I don't even know where I am. And I just walked here.

OPERATOR: Did they hurt you in any way, Jennifer? Do you need medical attention?

WILBANKS: No, they didn't hurt me.

OPERATOR: OK, well, what happened?

WILBANKS: Yeah, I'm talking to them right now.

OPERATOR: What happened?

WILBANKS: I was -- I was kidnapped from Atlanta, Georgia. I don't know. My parents said it's been on the news. I don't know. (INAUDIBLE)

OPERATOR: OK. And who did this to you?

WILBANKS: I don't know.

OPERATOR: Did they just drop you off right now?

WILBANKS: No. I don't even know how long ago it was. They didn't drop me off here. It was away from here, back on some dead-end street. I mean, I could show them but I don't know -- I don't know where I am.

OPERATOR: OK. And this person who did this to you, was it a he or a she?

WILBANKS: It was a Hispanic man and a Caucasian woman. It happened in Duluth.

(END AUDIO TAPE)

COOPER: Well, all of that was a lie. That call, those words, might lead Jennifer Wilbanks into a courtroom to face criminal charges, and as I said at the top of the program, we are awaiting a press conference at any moment from the district attorney in Gwinnett County, Danny Porter, who may say whether or not they're going to file charges.

Everyone, it seems, has an opinion on this story. Should she go to jail? Should she have to pay a fine? Should her fiance take her back? Tonight we're covering all the angles.

We begin, however, with the woman at the center of the storm. Here's CNN's Randi Kaye.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She tried to hide her face but we know what she looks like.

WILBANKS: It was a blue van, like a dark van.

KAYE: And we have heard her voice. But, how much do we really know about Jennifer Wilbanks?

Can you go anywhere here without people talking about Jennifer Wilbanks?

CAROLYN LANEY, GAINESVILLE RESIDENT: No.

KAYE: The Wilbanks' family was well-known in Gainesville, Georgia, about an hour north of Atlanta, where Jennifer grew up. Her uncle was the fire chief. Her mother started a successful outdoor sporting goods business, called Satterfield Sports. She sold the business, but Jerry Clark still works at the store. He remembers Jennifer well.

JERRY CLARK, GAINESVILLE RESIDENT: She would come in to see her mother a lot, and I remember her as a very perky, happy, outgoing person.

KAYE: Jennifer was 17 when Clark first met her. He remembers her being very athletic.

CLARK: I know she was into jogging, running, softball.

KAYE: And boys. Clark says Jennifer had a lot of boyfriends.

Did she ever seem to have any issues?

CLARK: Not that I'm aware of. She got along good with everybody.

KAYE: Jennifer liked being around people. Those who know her describe her as very social. She is part of a large Baptist family, all members of Gainesville's Riverbend Baptist Church.

Jennifer grew up in the North Hall area of Gainesville where much of life revolves around Lake Linear. Her parents divorced, and when her mom remarried, she gained a step-brother and two step-sisters, but it was always her twin brother Matthew she was closest to.

The two attended North Hall High School together. Jim Lofton taught Jennifer's English class.

JIM LOFTON, GAINESVILLE RESIDENT: She was a very popular girl, as was her mother -- as was her brother, Matthew. And they were part of the community and a part of the school. She was a good girl and certainly one that contributed to the school.

KAYE: Jennifer was active in school. She was a cheerleader and a member of the cross-country team. She went on to become a marathon runner -- the Chicago Marathon, her one and only.

Jennifer, now 32, works as a medical assistant here at the Heritage OB/GYN clinic in Gainesville. Co-workers haven't seen her since the day she disappeared. Jennifer used to work in the maternity ward at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Carolyn Laney worked with her.

LANEY: All I remember really is that she was always very happy and jovial, just, always upbeat.

KAYE: So, why did a woman with such a zest for life cause such grief with a cross-country disappearing act? Folks from Gainesville want answers and an apology.

CLARK: There was a lot of people from Gainesville, went down and helped search for her, and I really think now, looking back, a lot of them are pretty angry.

LANEY: I thought that was very inconsiderate of her family and all of the friends that were going to the trouble of searching and worrying, and just some of them just weren't even able to eat or sleep. They were so worried.

KAYE: The search may be over, and Jennifer, safe, but heads will be shaking for some time to come.

Randi Kaye, CNN, Gainesville, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Heads shaking, people trying to figure out, what was she thinking? That, of course, the question millions of Americans have been asking all weekend and today, especially after Jennifer appeared with that towel over her head in the Albuquerque Airport. There's the video, and, as you see, she was escorted by two police officers who'd spent a good deal of time with her, developed something of a relationship with her. On the left of your screen is Trish Ahrensfield, of the Albuquerque Police Department. On the right is Marshall Katz with the Albuquerque aviation police.

Both of them join us tonight. We appreciate you being with us.

Officer Ahrensfield, let me start off with you. You met Jennifer when she was first brought into the station. Describe her demeanor at the time. I mean, we've heard her on the 911 tape. Obviously, she sounded distressed.

OFFICER TRISH AHRENSFIELD, ALBUQUERQUE POLICE: Yes, actually when she was transported to the Southeast Substation she was there with the sergeant. And you know, she was sitting there at a table, and a chair. And at the time I walked up to her, I shook her hand, introduced myself. It appeared that she had cut her hair. She didn't have any makeup on. She looked extremely tired, very overwhelmed. It looked that way, it looked like she didn't even have -- might have been crying.

COOPER: And when -- when was it that you or some of the detectives around her started to sort of raise the eyebrows and first realize that, you know this story just doesn't hold together?

AHRENSFIELD: Well, there's always the question -- I mean, to question if, in fact, there's any merit to the story, so, right away when the detectives started interviewing her -- basically, these guys are expertise in talking to people, and so I think they saw some inconsistencies in her story, her body language, and the things just weren't adding up. And as detectives, they are trained and they know what to look for and what kind of questions -- they were kind of thinking there was more to the story than what she was leading up to.

COOPER: And Marshall Katz, you walked Jennifer through the airport to meet her uncle and stepdad. We've seen her. We've seen those images, we've seen her with -- I don't know, I thought it was an Afghan rug over her head at first -- I guess it was a sort of swimming towel. What was her mood like then? What were you saying to her?

CHIEF MARSHALL KATZ, ALBUQUERQUE AVIATION POLICE: She was frail. She was obviously emotionally upset. I held her right hand -- actually I held her left hand with my right hand. We engaged in a conversation. I told her where we were and how long it would take to get to the plane to see her stepdad and uncle. Her hand was shaking a little bit, but once inside the plane, it was hugs, kisses, alligator tears. It was a very emotional reunion. COOPER: Did she realize -- I mean obviously she could see the cameras, or she sensed that they were there. Or did she know they were going to be there? I mean, did she have a sense that this was a story that lots of people were following?

KATZ: In my opinion, it would be hard to believe she wouldn't think cameras would be there.

COOPER: Officer Ahrensfield, did she say anything to you about the cameras?

AHRENSFIELD: You know, at one point, when she issued kind of a statement through a third party to the Victims Assistance Unit, she had stated that she appreciated all the outpouring of support and prayers that she had recently been made aware of. So I questioned -- I think when she -- I think she realized when she got to the airport, because of the overwhelming people there, and she stated "oh, my gosh," and I just basically told her just to keep walking, and that, you know, at some point it looks like we're kind of in conversation when we're going up the escalator, and really all I was telling her was, watch her step, because she had the blanket over her head. She -- I didn't want her to fall.

So I really was just saying, you know, watch your step, and you know, we'll get you through...

COOPER: Was it her idea to put the blanket over her head, by the way? I'm always fascinated by what people decide to do when there are cameras around.

AHRENSFIELD: You know, when I made contact with her, when she got to the airport, that was already over her head. I'm assuming that is the case. She was clear and adamant about not wanting to talk to anybody until she spoke with her family and her fiance first.

COOPER: Well, again, it's a fascinating story. We appreciate both of you joining us with that tonight. Officer Trish Ahrensfield and Chief Marshall Katz, thank you very much.

AHRENSFIELD: Thank you.

COOPER: Thank you very much.

Another note on this strange -- this strange case, and as I mentioned before, we're waiting for a news conference really any moment now, where the district attorney could say whether charges are going to be filed against Wilbanks in Georgia. Earlier today, he said he had not decided whether or not he's going to bring criminal charges. But importantly, he did say he does feel he has grounds to do so if he chooses. So again, we're going to bring this to you live as soon as it happens.

And here's a quick fast fact for you on what it cost the city of Duluth, Georgia to search for Jennifer Wilbanks. Duluth Mayor Shirley Lasseter originally put the bill to her town about $100,000 -- maybe you heard of that. She's now reduced that to $60,000. She said that's what was paid to 78 police officers and other city employees involved in the search. That also doesn't include the amount that -- whatever may have been spent by Gwinnett County, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, the FBI and several other agencies that were involved. If there are not criminal charges, some people are saying, well, she should at least refund authorities some of that money. Again, we'll see at this press conference.

Coming up next tonight on 360, the guy was jilted on national television, left standing at the altar. Jennifer Wilbanks' fiance speaks out. Find out why he still wants to marry her, says he's still standing by her. Find out why ahead.

Also, brides under pressure -- the stress of a big wedding. Hundreds of guests, thousands of dollars -- is it really enough to make a person lose their mind? Well, we'll talk about that ahead.

Also ahead, on a far lighter note, First Lady Laura Bush, comedian, who knew? Jay Leno, watch your back. Tonight, it is Laura Bush unplugged.

All that ahead. First, your picks. The most popular stories right now on CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN MASON, JENNIFER'S FIANCE: I was crying, I was laughing. I was trying to stay calm, to talk to her to keep her calm. And it's just so much, and you kind of have to keep yourself composed, because she didn't know where she was and she was scared to death. And I had to try to keep her on the phone until we got somebody to her. And when I finally put the phone down, I was just -- I don't know, it was like the burden of the world, you know, off my shoulders.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, the burden was not over. Not too long after we heard John Mason speak there on Saturday, we found out that his fiancee had jilted him, but as the saying goes, love knows no bounds. Apparently, Mason is not ready to give up his runaway bride-to-be. In an interview on another network, he says -- quote, "Just because we haven't walked down the aisle" -- this is him just today -- "Just because we haven't walked down the aisle, just because we haven't stood in front of 500 people and said our 'I do's,' my commitment before God to her was the day I bought that ring and put it on her finger, and I'm not backing down from that."

Well, our next guest knows all about the ups and downs after being jilted. Her fiance called off their wedding a week or six days before it was supposed to happen. Instead of canceling all her plans, she went ahead, had a party without him.

Joining me from St. Louis, Missouri, is Marilyn Chivetta.

Thank you so much for being with us, Marilyn, and good to see you.

MARILYN CHIVETTA, JILTED BRIDE IN 2003: Thank you for having me, Anderson. It's nice to talk to you.

COOPER: Well, let me ask you, you met this guy, Peter DeLuca, September 2002. Four months later, the night before Valentine's Day, he slips into your home, covers the floor in rose petals, goes down on one knee, asks you to marry him. How do you remember that night?

CHIVETTA: Amazing, isn't it?

COOPER: Yeah, it sounds great.

CHIVETTA: Yes, it is. I mean, it was like a fairy tale. I had met Prince Charming. I had kissed at least 40 or 50 frogs before then. I thought it was the American dream. It was all coming into place for me, and my whole future was planned. I was so excited and so in love. It was such a phenomenal time in my life.

COOPER: So six days before your wedding date, he suddenly calls it off.

CHIVETTA: Right.

COOPER: Take us back to that day. I mean, did he do it in person? Did he -- how -- what did he say?

CHIVETTA: He walked in the middle of all the presents and my custom gown that was hanging there, and all the phone calls, everything. He just walked into the middle of it and said, "I can't do this right now," for no reason.

COOPER: He just said, "I can't do this right now?"

CHIVETTA: I can't do this right now. And then he cried with me for four hours. We sat on the sofa crying and shaking. And it was very surreal. Our engagement -- we had a very formal engagement ceremony in the church. Those pictures were delivered to my house during that four-hour period. It was actually like the most horrific four hours of my life in the last part of my early 30s.

COOPER: So he says, "I can't really do this right now." Were you like, do what? I mean, did you get what he was saying right away?

CHIVETTA: No, no, of course not. We had been making out the night before, we went to a family dinner, him and I...

COOPER: Wait, I'm sorry, I don't want to go into the gory details, but you had been making out the night before?

CHIVETTA: We were making out the night before, and I said to him, "We got to stop. I am exhausted. Everybody's flying in this weekend, and next week we're going to be married and we'll be on our honeymoon alone for 10 days. And that's all we'll do it as Mr. and Mrs." And so he said OK, and he went home, and he came back seven hours later, I think it was, and called off my whole life. He didn't just call off a wedding. And this girl didn't run away from a wedding. She called off from her whole future.

COOPER: What's the lesson you draw from this experience? I mean, what do you -- you spent $70,000 on a wedding, you went ahead and you had the party anyway. What is the message to people out there?

CHIVETTA: The message to people out there is exactly what I have on my shirt. I just finished writing a book that I want to publish and speaking that you've got to claim your cleavage, and live every day like it's a celebration of yourself! Find someone who cherishes you. And not only if your wedding's been called off, which people come out of the woodwork now, telling me like it's a big secret that their wedding was called off -- it's not. One out of five are called off. It's not a big deal, and really, anything in life that happens, if you turn it around, try to find something new, own who you are, you can get through it.

It was like a death. It was a nightmare to my family, to my son, to myself. But I've learned how to claim my cleavage and go on. Look at Trump, he claims his cleavage all the time. Bad things happen.

COOPER: All right. I was -- yes.

CHIVETTA: Sorry, maybe that's a bad subject.

COOPER: I was unfamiliar with Trump's cleavage, but I'm glad he claims it as well. Marilyn, I'm glad you're doing well. And I'm glad, clearly, you've rebounded from this, and you've claimed a lot of things, as you said.

CHIVETTA: Claimed my cleavage. Thank you very much. And if you know any princes out there, send them my way. I'm sick of the frogs. Thank you so much.

COOPER: All right. Marilyn Chivetta, appreciate it. Good luck to you.

CHIVETTA: Thank you.

COOPER: Obviously the big -- I should just point out, we are waiting for the press conference really any moment now from the district attorney down there in Georgia, who may be pressing criminal charges. We don't know. Earlier in the day he said that he had not decided whether or not he was going to do that, but he reserved the right to. He said that he believes he has the right to do it under Georgia law. So, again, we're going to wait for that press conference, and bring it to you live.

The big day for Jennifer Wilbanks was just a little too big for her to deal with. Now, psychologists are quick to point out the stress got to her and faced with the fight or flight response she chose to leave. There are different levels of stress, of course. That affects the body and mind in a lot of different ways.

360 M.D. Sanjay Gupta joins us live from Atlanta, to take a look at all this -- take a look at how stress affects us. Lets, listen to this clip, Sanjay, from the 911 call that Jennifer Wilbanks made.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

OPERATOR: Did they have any weapons on them?

WILBANKS: Yes. They had (INAUDIBLE) and a small handgun.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

COOPER: You know, Wilbanks, and I guess others are saying stress played a large role in her behavior. Is that possible? I mean how does stress affect the body?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, it is possible. It's hard to say for sure what was happening, what was going through her mind at that time. But a couple of important things here: psychologists will also say that marriage itself is one of the most stressful life events somebody can go through. Divorce is also up there, death of a spouse. You sort of get the idea. All of these things can be very stressful.

What's more interesting though, Anderson, the second part of your question, the links between just stress and much more common sort of medical problems. For example, depression, anxiety, asthma, arthritis flare-ups, not intuitive but those things can get worse with stress, as well. Heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, it can be harder to get pregnant as well for women.

What happens, Anderson in this sort of situation, the body decides, not just -- not just intuitively, not just consciously, but the body decides either you're going to fight or flight, you're going to take off. And some people obviously in this sort of situation will actually opt more for the flight phenomenon here, Anderson.

COOPER: Obviously, there are going to be a lot of people out there listening who are kind of raising their eyebrows and saying, look, I'm stressED, I don't suddenly freak out and make up lies to police and destroy my family in this way. Are there warning signs of -- we're talking about extreme stress if that is, in fact, what the case was here. Are there warning signs of extreme stress that people can be on the lookout for?

GUPTA: Yes, there are warning signs of extreme stress. The problem, and you're sort of alluding to, is they're not much different than signs of ordinary stress. When you're having extreme stress, things to look for specifically, headaches for example, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, a short temper, upset stomach, low morale. All those things can also be signs of depression as well, Anderson, and that's where it gets a little bit tricky. Again, we don't know specifically what was going through her mind at the time, but stress can play a role in this sort of thing. COOPER: Yes, I think, you got like three out of seven of those. Are there medical conditions that can cause this kind of erratic behavior in otherwise normal people?

GUPTA: You know, it's interesting that you ask that. A lot of people looking at that picture that was on television for so long of Jennifer Wilbanks, sort of noticed something about her. A lot of doctors made the comment as well, her eyes look a little interesting. And the reason I point that out, and this can be associated with a thyroid problem known as Grave's Disease. Nobody is saying that she has this for sure. About half the people who have Grave's Disease have eyes like this. But of all the people who have eyes like this, only about 10 percent of them actually have Grave's Disease.

What I'm talking about specifically, Anderson, sort of at the top of the eyes here, you may get the sense that that sort of being able to see the white. Anybody can see the white there, if you open your eyes wide enough. But just in someone who's opening their eyes normally, you shouldn't be able to see that.

And I actually wanted to show you as well, Anderson, some pictures of people that actually have Graves Disease, give you more of a sense of what I'm talking about here. This is, obviously, much more pronounced. But again it is the top part of the eye, seeing that white here, that is not normal. That can suggest that the muscles around the eye are somewhat swollen, these muscles in here, and that is associated with Grave's Disease.

People who have Grave's Disease can have pretty significant problems with psychosis even sometimes. They can have difficulty making good judgments. So that could be part of it. I'm not -- that's all speculation obviously, but it was sort of interesting as well.

COOPER: All right, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks very much.

GUPTA: Thank you.

COOPER: We are awaiting this press conference. Is the press conference going? No, we are still waiting for the press conference in Georgia. We will bring that to you as soon as it happens live and we will be right back. Our coverage continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: We take you to a press conference happening live in Georgia -- lets listen.

CHIEF RANDY BELCHER, DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT: I've had two GBI agents, and one of my investigators out getting that...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BELCHER: ...important in this investigation. Their people spent uncounted hours doing investigations for this agency. I just want to give you a time line on what has taken place over the last week. As you all know right now, Miss Jennifer Wilbanks went for a jog last Tuesday, at approximately 8:30 p.m. She did not come back home after she went for that jog.

Her husband, approximately midnight advised us, he called the Duluth Police Department, stated his fiance went for a jog and had not returned. He was concerned for her safety. At that point, my department began doing an investigation, searching the area in which we thought that she had run. As everyone knows from watching the press, we then the next day started a manhunt with over 150 law enforcement officers, and several hundred volunteers.

We set up a command center. We searched approximately five square miles of the city. We recovered what we believe to be several pieces of evidence. One piece of evidence that we did locate was a clump of hair that was located by the library, near the library off of Park Bluff Lane in Duluth, sorry, not Park Bluff, but Postal Lane in Duluth. We had no luck at that point in time, locating Miss Wilbanks. The following day, we continued to search. Again, we had no luck locating Miss Wilbanks. Up to this point, we really had no crime. We did not have a body, we didn't not have any reports of anything that had taken place.

Friday night, or actually Saturday morning, approximately 2:00 a.m., I received a phone call from my office, stating that Jennifer was on the telephone with her fiance. I was just minutes away from their home. When I arrived, I got onto the telephone and began talking to Ms. Wilbanks.

Up to this point, Ms. Wilbanks had not violated any Georgia law. There was nothing at this point that she could be arrested for.

During my conversation with her, I asked her several direct questions. One of them is, "where are you at?" She was unable to answer that at that time. One other question I asked, "Were you injured?" She stated she was not injured.

I asked her then what had happened. She stated to me that she was jogging. She had her headphones on. She wasn't exactly sure where she was at, but an Hispanic male and a white female jumped her from behind and placed her in a van, and drove off. And she was not sure where she was at.

At this point, she did violate Georgia law by advising me of this situation, that she was kidnapped.

Based on that information, I will defer all criminal investigations and prosecution to Danny Porter.

Now, to give you an idea of what we have determined, based on our investigation, and based on information from Albuquerque, the FBI and Atlanta -- or I'm sorry, the Albuquerque Police Department -- and the interview that the agents conducted this afternoon, Ms. Wilbanks, on April the 19th, purchased a ticket at the Greyhound bus station in Gainesville. The destination of that ticket was going to be Austin, Texas, with departure on the 26th of April. That is the day that she disappeared. She got on the bus -- or let me back up. She called a taxi here in the city. The taxi met her at the Duluth Library. She took the taxi to Atlanta. At the Greyhound bus station near the airport, she got onto the bus. She rode the bus to Dallas, Texas, changed buses, went to Las Vegas, Nevada. Spent a little time in Las Vegas. Got another bus ticket to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Spent several hours in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at which time she then contacted her fiance's home by collect phone call.

That is the timeline based on the information that we have collected in this investigation, and also by her own statements.

As I said, I will defer the prosecution of this case to Mr. Danny Porter, the district attorney of Gwinnett County. And the City of Duluth is looking at its options to take civil matters against Ms. Wilbanks to recoup approximately $40,000 to $60,000 worth of taxpayers' money that we spent to search for her.

That's all I have.

QUESTION: Was she cooperative today when you spoke with her?

BELCHER: Yes, she was.

QUESTION: Did she make an apology? Did she make a -- did she apologize to you?

CARTER BRANK, GBI: She was somewhat remorseful for what she had done. She didn't come right out and apologize. She didn't feel like she had really done anything wrong. But she did in her way make a -- somewhat of an apology.

QUESTION: Can you say your name, sir?

BRANK: Carter Brank, assistant special agent in charge, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

QUESTION: Can you spell that for us?

BRANK: First name is c-a-r-t-e-r, last name b-r-a-n-k.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: First name is Carter, c-a-r-t-e-r, last name b-r-a-n-k.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: She was, you know, she cried a little bit, showed some emotion. She didn't come right out and apologize. She appreciated the fact that a lot of people were working and trying to find her, and you know, understood that people had worked hard. But you know, she didn't come to a full apology, but she was, as I said, somewhat remorseful.

QUESTION: Does she still maintain that she knew nothing about this search effort while she was gone? BRANK: She told us that she had not seen anything on television, that there were no television sets in any of the bus stations, nor has she seen it in any newspapers.

QUESTION: How did she respond when she was informed that she faces charges and may face a bill of $40,000 to $60,000?

BRANK: No, we did not inform her of any of the civil consequences, and how much -- at that time, we didn't know any of the costs associated with it, so we did not inform her of that. We did advise her of the decision as far as prosecution would be made by the district attorney.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) was her lawyer present?

BRANK: Yes, sir, her attorney was present.

And she cut her hair in order to, well, to try to disguise her identity.

QUESTION: Why did she do that?

BRANK: Well, just so that she could not be found. She felt that that would help keep people from identifying her.

QUESTION: If she didn't think she did anything wrong, why did she make up the story about the abduction (ph)?

BRANK: I don't think that she really could answer that. You know, she was under a great amount of stress, and due to that stress, she, you know, just felt it necessary at that time to use that story.

QUESTION: Did she buy a return ticket or did she plan on coming back?

BRANK: She did plan on returning at some point in time. She couldn't identify when that time would be.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) she had her bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Could this have anything to do with her going back, and did she say -- what did she say about her journey, where she went and why?

BRANK: No, I'm unaware that she's ever been to Las Vegas. She may have, but I was unaware of that. And she really made no statements concerning as to why she went to Las Vegas.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: She had passed through Albuquerque on her way to Las Vegas the first time, and liked the way that Albuquerque looked and wanted to return to that city.

QUESTION: Did she know anybody in any of these towns?

BRANK: No, sir. No, sir. Not that we know, and she stated that she didn't know anybody.

QUESTION: Does buying a bus ticket ahead of time, cutting your hair, does that indicate this is a premeditated act?

BRANK: Oh, I would defer all questions such as that to the district attorney.

QUESTION: What did she say she did while she was in Las Vegas?

BRANK: She stated to us that she stayed in the bus station and she did look at motel rooms that were very close to the bus station, but that they were too expensive, so she returned to the bus station.

QUESTION: Did she tell you what she intends to do now? Is she going to go to work tomorrow?

BRANK: No, sir.

QUESTION: What's she going to do tonight? Where is she staying?

BRANK: We had no conversations with her concerning that.

QUESTION: What is the attorney's name for her?

BRANK: I don't have that information with me at this time. One of the other agents has that. And I just don't remember his name.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: We just went to where she was staying and asked if we could speak with her.

QUESTION: How did you find out (INAUDIBLE)?

BRANK: I'm not going to make a comment on that.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: She was just trying to -- she was under a great deal of stress and just trying to get away from the situation.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: I'm not going to comment on that at this time.

QUESTION: Did you conduct any other interviews with other people about this disappearance?

BRANK: We've conducted a full investigation, which you could assume we've talked to a lot of people.

QUESTION: Was there any...

QUESTION: Anybody's help...

QUESTION: ... anybody else? QUESTION: ... involved?

BRANK: No, sir.

QUESTION: Does she seem coherent now?

BRANK: Yes. She, you know, she was able to answer all the questions, and seems coherent to me.

QUESTION: Can you tell us what she had in her possession when she left? Was she, in fact, just dressed in jogging clothes and had a small bit of money with her?

BRANK: She was dressed just as described in the lookouts for her.

QUESTION: Did she have any luggage? Or did she have anything else...

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BRANK: That's all the questions I'm going to answer at this time.

Thank you.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

DANNY PORTER, GWINNETT COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The only decision today that's been made is that, based on our research, we believe that -- well, we don't believe, we know that Georgia law will permit a prosecution in this case if the evidence justifies it. To answer Mr. Hannity's question about what discretion is going to be exercised, that discretion will be, first of all, on the police level after their efforts. They've exercised the discretion to refer the case to me for prosecution, and my discretion will be whether or not the case will be prosecuted.

QUESTION: Do you have discretion as it relates to specifically you, to determine she was in a disoriented state of mind? Does that go a long way in not prosecuting her?

PORTER: Under Georgia law, I have the complete discretion to decide whether or not the case is going to be prosecuted for whatever reason.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

PORTER: I can't answer that without seeing all the facts.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

PORTER: Huh?

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) public response? PORTER: There's been a great deal of public response, both to me and Chief Belcher. As a matter of fact, I don't know how many work e- mails I got compared to the number of opinion e-mails. In general, the e-mails are overall in favor of prosecution. There's a minority that believe that there should be no prosecution, and then there's the same number that believe that I'm a relentless publicity hound.

QUESTION: You had said one of the key things for you was whether or not this was premeditated. Given what we just heard, what's your opinion about it now?

PORTER: Well, I think the evidence will have to speak for itself and you can draw your own conclusions. But those are factors that we're going to consider.

QUESTION: Do you know if those clothes and that hairnet -- those clothes that you found in...

PORTER: To the extent that we need to know, the DNA testing has been called off based on the totality of the evidence, based on the statements that were given, and the preliminary analysis at the crime lab. It's no longer necessary to do mitochondrial DNA on it. We've canceled those tests.

QUESTION: Wouldn't that go to the premeditation, though?

PORTER: Well, again, again -- I would have that -- I would let that speak for itself. That's an issue that we're going to have to look at in the context of all the evidence.

QUESTION: What's your timeline, now?

PORTER: I've asked -- we've got to prepare reports from Duluth, from the FBI and from GBI, and I think the phrase I used earlier today was, I've asked that we do this in weeks rather than months, and so...

QUESTION: Have I got this right, irregardless of your decision whether to prosecute or not, the city has made a decision to try and recoup $40,000 to $60,000?

PORTER: I can't speak to that. That's a civil matter that the chief would have to speak to.

QUESTION: Has the city made the decision --

QUESTION: If you were to charge her, what sentence would that carry?

PORTER: At this point, it appears that the only applicable statutes would be either false report of a crime, which is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of 12 months in confinement, or the felony charge of giving a false statement in a matter, giving a false statement in a matter within the political subdivision of the -- the jurisdiction of the political subdivision of the state which we call false statements and that's a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years. QUESTION: What's going to make the difference if this is a felony or misdemeanor?

PORTER: It has to do with the elements of the crime and nature of the crime. They're two distinct offenses and that's what we'll have to look at, which one the facts fit under.

QUESTION: And your office can also pursue compensation, is that not true?

PORTER: The only way that my office can pursue compensation if there is a judicial determination of guilt and an order of restitution. That's independent of any civil action for restitution.

QUESTION: Will you seek it?

PORTER: Well, I think, certainly if we got that far, that would be something that we'd have to consider, as part of the restitution in the case.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) Jennifer Wilbanks knew she was talking to you, a police officer, when she was on the phone?

BELCHER: Yes, I clearly identified myself on the telephone that I was the chief of police of the City of Duluth.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)

BELCHER: She called the taxi prior to going for the jog and had the taxi meet her at the library at 9:00.

QUESTION: Was that from John's house?

BELCHER: Yes...

QUESTION: Has she...

BELCHER: ...no, she did not call from John's house. She called from a gas station.

QUESTION: Has she confirmed that the location where you found the hair is where she cut her hair?

BELCHER: Yes, pair of scissors.

QUESTION: Did she cut her own hair?

QUESTION: My question is, if he doesn't prosecute -- are you still going to go -- is the city going to go ahead and try to seek the $40 to $60,000?

BELCHER: The city is going to explore all options that are available to us, civilly, to recoup the money. Yes.

QUESTION: So, even if he doesn't prosecute you still may go after her for the money? BELCHER: Correct.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)

BELCHER: She was wearing the clothing that she left in.

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)

BELCHER: That's not hers. She wore the clothing all through her trip and that's what she was picked up in, was, the same clothing.

QUESTION: Could we ask a question of the FBI representative in...

BELCHER: Yes.

QUESTION: I'm curious, with the effort the FBI was involved with what sort of discretion to your office and what are your thoughts about this whole proceeding?

UNIDENTIFIED FBI OFFICER: Well, you know, we continue to investigate violent crimes, even with other commitments, terrorism being our number one priority, and this was simply a case of us assisting the Duluth Police Department in trying to solve and resolve this investigation, and determine what had happened.

QUESTION: Did it draw you away from...

UNIDENTIFIED FBI OFFICER: Well, the group that I'm responsible for investigates violent crimes, of a variety of natures, and so this was just one of many similar cases.

QUESTION: How much did she actually succeed in changing her appearance by cutting her hair? What's she looks like now?

BELCHER: She looks the same. You couldn't tell any difference.

QUESTION: Did she seem ashamed now? Does she know that the world is aware of what she did? Does she get it?

BELCHER: I did not speak to her. That's all. Thank you.

COOPER: You've been listening to a fascinating press conference given by officials in Duluth, Georgia. Just a couple of things to go over. You heard from Danny Porter, the Gwinnett County District Attorney who said he has not decided whether or not to file charges, criminal charges, against Jennifer Wilbanks. He has said that there are two basic options to go for: false report, which is a misdemeanor, maximum of 12 months, or giving a false statement, which is a felony, maximum of five years. What will determine if charges are brought and what charges would be brought would be both the elements of the crime and the nature of the crime.

Also, we heard from Carter Brank, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations officials, who said that he talked to Ms. Wilbanks today, that he described her as cooperative, as somewhat remorseful, quote, "didn't say" -- "didn't feel she'd done anything wrong," according to him, that she had cut her hair to distinguish her identity, and importantly, that she had purchased a bus ticket from Georgia to Austin, Texas, on the 19th. It was on the 26th that she actually disappeared -- that obviously showing some amount of planning several days in advance.

She claimed that, according to Carter Brank, that she had not seen any televisions or newspapers while she was away. Her attorney was present during this meeting. She did say that she had planned to return at some point. She didn't say when or under what circumstances and that she claimed she didn't know anybody in Las Vegas or Albuquerque where she eventually ended up.

Also, the city of Duluth says that, regardless of what the district attorney does, they are going to try to do -- however they can, they're going to "explore all options," in their words, to recoup the money they have spent trying to find Jennifer, which was somewhere in the area of $40,000 to $60,000, according to the chief of police, Randy Belcher.

Fascinating news conference -- our coverage continues with the fiance of the runaway bride. He says he still plans to marry her, but should he or shouldn't he? We're going to hear from all sides on this one. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: You just heard the Duluth police chief say that Jennifer Wilbanks did in fact break the law when she claimed she was kidnapped. The chief also stated that the county may consider civil actions to recoup an estimated $40,000 to $60,000 of taxpayer money that was use to help search for her.

Now, as far as criminal charges, that decision now rests with the district attorney. He says he still has yet to make up his mind. That's, of course the legal side of things. But what about the personal side? John Mason, the fiance, says he still wants to marry Jennifer, an opinion that is drawing plenty of others across the country with their opinion.

Joining us now from New York, radio talk show host and clinical psychologist Judy Kuriansky, and from Atlanta, Martha Zoller, host of "The Martha Zoller Show" on WDUN Radio. Appreciate both of you being with us.

Judy, I want to start off with you. I want to read what Wilbanks' fiance, John, has said. Today he said -- quote, "Just because we haven't walked down the aisle, just because we haven't stood in front of 500 people and said our 'I do's,' my commitment before God to her was the day I bought that ring and put it on her finger, and I'm not backing down from that." Should they still get married?

JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: I don't think so. And I've seen plenty of couples over many years who are having these troubles before the wedding, and this was a really big one. I mean....

COOPER: Yeah, you could say that.

KURIANSKY: There are jilted brides and grooms, and this guy, John Mason, you know, bless his heart, the operative word there is he made a pledge before God, he is a man of faith and I think that's why he'll stick to it.

The best thing that could happen to him is that she wouldn't want to go through with it, because she obviously ended up buying a ticket a week before the wedding anyway. So she had no -- she really didn't even want to get married.

COOPER: Clearly got some issues. Martha, what about you? Should he still marry her?

MARTHA ZOLLER, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, if he wants to marry her and she wants to marry him, then certainly they should get married. But her running off, as the doctor said, it is a big obstacle right at the beginning, and it will be a real test of their marriage. I mean, I think the operative word here is there was never any question whether John wanted to marry her. It's some question whether she wanted to marry him.

COOPER: But Judy...

KURIANSKY: This guy is really in for a lot of trouble. Because obviously, she (INAUDIBLE) an unstable personality. She's really not in touch with what's going on. She doesn't even realize that she's hurt all these people, to come out -- the natural thing to do would be to apologize. And she would really have to apologize to him. But he's in for a lot of trouble. At every stress point in a relationship, when she has a baby, there are women who go through postpartum depression. It's one of the most panicked times in life. Then he would have a lot of trouble. Any crisis that came up.

COOPER: But I mean, love is love. I mean, if he loves her, why not still marry her?

KURIANSKY: Yeah, well, I agree. He certainly can. But you're asking my opinion. If I was going to give him an opinion, I'd say you're in for a lot of trouble. And if you want to go ahead and do it...

COOPER: It's going to be a bumpy ride.

KURIANSKY: It's going to be very bumpy. And a lot of the men who responded to my column in "The Daily News" when I said, there's going to be trouble with men -- men have said, oh my goodness, you know, I'm getting married in June -- it's a big wedding time in June. Is my -- I thought I knew this girl. What if she leaves me? What if she -- I don't really know her, what if she leaves me at the altar?

COOPER: Martha, I understand Jennifer Wilbanks is actually an acquaintance of yours. What is your impression of her? ZOLLER: Well, she was a very nice girl. We were in the Junior League together. We went to social events, and that kind of thing, the kind of person that would do kind of spontaneous, very kind things.

But you know, I think the thing that bothers me since we did the pre-interview is her saying, "I don't feel I did anything wrong," because clearly, reporting a crime or saying that something happened that didn't, is a serious problem. And the sooner she gets out and says that she's sorry in public, the sooner she can get on with her life.

COOPER: Yeah, I was shocked to hear that from the Georgia Department of Investigations.

KURIANSKY: Yeah, I was too.

COOPER: We're going to have to leave it there, because we're running short. That press conference lasted very long. Judy Kuriansky, appreciate you joining us for your perspectives, and Martha Zoller, always good to have you.

ZOLLER: Thank you.

COOPER: Thanks.

Coming up next on 360, freeway shootings. Drivers scared for their lives. We'll tell you where and what police are doing about it.

Plus, a dramatic rescue at sea, all thanks to the U.S. Navy. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time for now for a look at the other news making headlines, and there is a lot of it. Erica Hill from HEADLINE NEWS joins us with the latest. Hey, Erica.

ERICA HILL, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Hey, Anderson. We start off actually with a violent day in Iraq. Eight car bombs exploded; at least 13 Iraqis are dead, dozens more hurt. Baghdad was hardest hit. Four bombs went off within hours of each other. Another blast late in the day near Abu Ghraib prison. The military says a U.S. convoy was the target. The explosion went off prematurely, killing only the bomber.

Violence has stepped up since Iraq's transitional government named a new cabinet on Thursday.

In Southern California, freeway shootings. Police have now confirmed two shootings on separate interstates just in the past weekend. No known fatalities in those incidents. The freeway shootings have killed four people in recent weeks.

Off the coast of Somalia, a dramatic rescue caught on tape. This pat weekend, U.S. Navy ships saved the lives of 89 people, plucking them out of the water after their boat capsized. Five other people died. Dozens remain unaccounted for.

In Tahiti, talk about a close call. Check this out. A jet ski caught in a wave, comes within just inches of hitting and possibly killing a Tahitian surfer. But fortunately, the surfer ducked in time and managed to escape without serious injury. Many of the world's top surfers were in town for a surfing show. Chances are, though, no act will compare to that. Thankfully, everyone is all right.

And how about this? Cher insists this is it, really. Her three- year, 325-stop farewell tour finally came to an end Saturday night at the Hollywood Bowl. Now, it certainly was a grand finale -- video clips, fireworks, a few skimpy costumes, belly dancers, even a dancing elephant.

And Anderson, that's the latest from HEADLINE NEWS. I would like to say, though, that in celebration, we at HEADLINE NEWS have some confetti for Cher, because she's claiming her cleavage.

COOPER: Chastity! You know who commented, who was stunned by this announcement, that this is Cher's final performance? You know who it was? You know?

HILL: Anderson Cooper? No, no.

COOPER: No, Paula Abdul. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAULA ABDUL, "AMERICAN IDOL": I -- this happens, seems to happen every single season. I can't even speak. I'm shocked. I really am.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: I don't think it happens every season. I think it happens every, what is it, Wednesday or Thursday night?

COOPER: It does. Paula -- I was almost going to call you Paula Abdul. Erica Hill, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

That's it for 360...

HILL: Anytime, Simon.

COOPER: ... tonight. CNN's prime-time coverage continues now with Paula Zahn. Hey, Paula.

PAULA ZAHN, HOST, "PAULA ZAHN NOW": Oh, the perils of Paula, huh? Thanks, Anderson.

END

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