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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Marine Accused of Killing Pregnant Marine Captured; Tough Questions for General David Petraeus; New Details on the Polygamist Ranch; McCain Courts the Female Vote

Aired April 10, 2008 - 23:00   ET

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

CAMPBELL BROWN: Good evening, again. I'm Campbell Brown in for Anderson Cooper.
We begin this hour with breaking news in the murder of pregnant Marine Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach. A mystery that became a tragedy and then an international manhunt, now exactly three months after the suspect, Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean, became a fugitive.

The FBI says they have him in custody in Mexico. CNN's Ed Lavendera has covered the story from the very beginning. He's joining us now with the latest. We've also got on the phone CNN's Susan Candiotti.

And Ed, let me start with you. Maria Lauterbach disappeared on December 14th, 2007. A warrant for Laurean's arrest was issued on January 12th, 2008. There were rumors he was in Mexico and now authorities have captured him there. What can you tell us now about his whereabouts?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we have been told that late this afternoon, perhaps around 6:00 or 7:00 Eastern Time, that Cesar Laurean was found in the town of Morella (ph) which is near Guadalajara which is interesting because all along we've known he had family in that area.

We've just been told by someone close to the investigation here this evening that he was by himself; that they had gotten some information in recent days about where he was. The surveillance was set up in a "commercial area" and that's how they found him.

He was by himself and one interesting thing was that his appearance had changed slightly, that he had lost some weight and his hair grew longer, kind of unkempt is the way we were described to it. But we knew early on after his disappearance that he had made his way into Mexico.

We started hearing the reports that he had been seen traveling by bus through parts of Louisiana and into Texas as well. So it was just a matter of time before he made it down to the border. And it was amazing at the time, considering that, you know, a lot of it was made in the beginning that he had a four-hour, six-hour head start after authorities had come out and announced that they wanted to arrest him. After that, the manhunt was on and he was still able to make it from North Carolina all the way south of the border. BROWN: And there was a new photo that was released of him recently. Was that kind of a signal that authorities were at least making progress or getting closer?

LAVANDERA: Right. And they say that a lot of that information was developed through sources in North Carolina. Authorities are planning a press conference for tomorrow afternoon where we expect that maybe some more of these details will be laid out.

But I think it was clear to them that the longer he was on the road that they knew he wasn't going to be looking like your clean-kept marine any longer. And that he would trying to change his appearance so he could either blend in and stay on the run a little bit longer.

BROWN: And who exactly made the arrest? Who are the authorities that we're talking about here?

LAVANDERA: From what we've been told tonight there was obviously Mexican authorities taking the lead; but the FBI was involved, the |Marshals Service, U.S. Customs, also the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as well, which is involved because Cesar Laurean is a marine and was also involved in a sexual case assault case involving Maria Lauterbach on Camp Lejeune.

So that was a separate case that was already in the process. They were in the process of investigating that, and that's why that agency was involved and instrumental we suspect at this point in developing contacts, not only within Cesar Laurean's community of friends there at Camp Lejeune, but throughout the North Carolina area and other people who might have been keeping in touch with him while he was gone.

BROWN: Let me bring Susan Candiotti in and again, as I mentioned earlier, she's on the phone with us from Miami. And Susan has been covering this for a very long time as well. Susan, was Laurean really the only suspect in this murder?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI: He has been the only suspect here. And let me point out they were looking for him from the start, reminding all of our viewers that it was Laurean who, according to his wife, told her that Maria Lauterbach had come over to his house. And that she had slit her own throat committing suicide and that he panicked and buried her beneath his fire pit and then Laurean took off running.

When authorities then dug up her remains, they found not only her, but they also found a bag of baby clothes also buried with her. An autopsy revealed that she had died not by committing suicide but according to the medical examiner, from a blunt force, being hit in the head with something. And they also found a slit across her throat, a superficial wound that they said appeared to may have been made after she was murdered.

And frankly, Campbell, it was also CNN, quite frankly, that was the first to confirm that Laurean was in the Guadalajara area of Mexico. CNN correspondent Harris Whitbeck interviewed relatives who confirmed a sighting. And authorities did know that he had crossed the border; they had evidence of that because he had purchased a bus ticket across the border to get there.

But it looks like Campbell that they tracked him down, in part anyway, through the Internet. He had made a big mistake by continuing to communicate with his wife. In his letters, when he took off running, he told her that he loved her, he missed her and he hoped they could be reunited again.

In fact, he was sending her messages on the computer. She was using her sister's computer to retrieve those messages and communicate with him. And she also kept a diary of letters to him as well.

BROWN: All right. Susan Candiotti again with Ed Lavandera.

We've also got on the phone right now Sheriff Ed Brown of Onslow County, North Carolina. And Sheriff, you were talking with us just a little bit ago. How involved is your office going to be, as I said, from here on out in terms of the investigation and what happens going forward and what are you going to do once he is extradited?

SHERIFF ED BROWN, ONSLOW COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA: We've never ceased being involved full force. In other words, this has been a joint effort by all law enforcement agencies. We initiated the charges and what will we do in the forthcoming?

The extradition process from Mexico, after that, Mr. Laurean will be brought back to Onslow County where he will be confined to the Onslow County Jail and receive the same treatment. That is fair and decent treatment that we would provide to any other inmate in that county jail.

Laurean has committed a horrible crime, but this is not the first murder we've had committed in Onslow County. We do not -- our treatment of people is humane regardless of what their crime is.

C. BROWN: Sheriff, what in your opinion is the strongest evidence against him right now?

E. BROWN: Susan, I'm not in position to discuss evidence or even the investigation. I hope you understand that.

C. BROWN: All right. Does Laurean's wife know that he has been apprehended, that he's now in custody?

E. BROWN: From what I understand, Susan, the key people knows, who she is in person. The District Attorney knows and we'll move on from the apprehension to the extradition and the judicial system will take its role and Laurean will get a fair and treatment like everyone else would get.

C. BROWN: There was some speculation about the wife's possible involvement. Is it even possible that she could be charged with anything, an accessory after the fact?

E. BROWN: Susan, it's like I mentioned earlier, I can't discuss anything relative to the case. I would not dare to even speculate in any forward movement in this case. I can just tell you that your media as well as other media have been involved in this, I think has a lot to do with putting this case in forward motion quick.

I think the agents of law enforcement both the federal and the Mexican authorities as well as the sheriff's office and NCIS has gone about a quick efforts because they have been committed and you all have got the news out.

C. BROWN: All right, Sheriff Ed Brown for us tonight. Sheriff, appreciate your time.

We want to bring in now CNN senior legal analysis Jeffrey Toobin and on the phone also Dewey Hudson, the district attorney in Onslow County.

Dewey, let me get your thoughts on the capture.

DEWEY HUDSON, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ONSLOW COUNTY: Well, thank you very much. I'm happy that he was apprehended today in Mexico. I wish that he had been caught in the United States so that I could seek the death penalty. But unfortunately that did not happen.

C. BROWN: And following up on that, let me bring Jeff in as well so that we can explain to people because he was captured in Mexico, sort of what's possible and what's not. I guess the first step is extradition. Do you think it's possible that he could successfully fight extradition, Jeff?

JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: I doubt he could successfully fight extradition but he could fight it. The Mexican legal system moves pretty slowly. You're entitled to an appeal in Mexico under extradition. And the only issue in an extradition proceeding is - are you the person named in the arrest warrant in the other country?

It is not are guilty of the crime. It is simply, are you that person?

It's often the fact that people waive extradition from Mexico. Mexican prisons tend to be something that people want to get out of as soon as possible. But if he wants to fight extradition, it could delay this case by a year or even more.

C. BROWN: And let me go to prosecutor -- the prosecutor here. How strong, and I know you're limited in what you can tell us in terms of detail, but how strong a case do you believe there is here?

HUDSON: Unfortunately, you're correct, I cannot discuss the evidence or how I feel the evidence is against the defendant. But what I can tell you is he will be treated as the sheriff said like any other defendant, although this case has received a lot of publicity.

C. BROWN: And there is much of the evidence, though, I'm not asking you to go into additional detail on new evidence gathering, but much of it is already out there. It's been publicly reported. Can you just remind our viewers of the basic evidence that you're working from? Dewey, sorry? Go ahead.

HUDSON: Oh, I'm sorry. I cannot -- it would be inappropriate for me to talk about the evidence. I cannot do so.

C. BROWN: Authorities released an updated photo of what they thought Laurean looked like last week with darker skin and a goatee. What information led to that updated photo that you can tell us?

HUDSON: That would be more, a better question to ask the FBI tomorrow. I understand they're the ones that issued that. My office had nothing to do with that whatsoever.

What I can talk about is the extradition process as we indicated; it could be about a week if he waived extradition. It could be a matter of a year or two if he fights extradition. I would hope he would do the right thing and waive extradition and come back to North Carolina and face these charges.

C. BROWN: All right. We appreciate your time tonight along with Jeff Toobin as well. Dewey Hudson, the prosecutor in this case. Thank you both for staying with us. We will, of course, be following the story.

First, though, America's top commander in Iraq. First he was grilled by Congress. Now on "360," General David Petraeus is grilled by Michael Ware.

Plus it's been a fast-moving day in the polygamist raid story. There are new and explosive details to report about what went on inside the compound and how authorities got their information. Did they wait too long to remove the children? That's coming up when "360" continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

C. BROWN: The top U.S. Commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, spent a grueling two days testifying before Congress this week. He told key members of the House and Senate that the progress made remains fragile and that further troop pullouts after the surge forces leave would have to wait.

Today, President Bush backed his general, saying new troop withdrawals be halted until further notice.

CNN's Michael Ware is standing by in Washington. He interviewed General Petraeus today and asked him how he thought the hearings went. Hi Michael.

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Campbell, I sat down with General Petraeus this morning after his two days and that's more than 12 hours of testimony before Congress on Capitol Hill. Both he and Ambassador Crocker presented their assessment of the situation on the ground and provided their recommendations for the way forward. And that recommendation is that basically America has to keep fight thing war. Let's listen to General Petraeus.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WARE: General Petraeus, after more than a dozen hours of testimony in Congress, what do you think has been accomplished? Do you think they get it?

GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, COMMANDER, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE - IRAQ: I think it was a good opportunity for a lot of back and forth. And, again, we think that that -- we hope that that was useful for them and I'll tell you, obviously we got certain messages from them as well as you would imagine. And I think that some of those messages will be heard in Baghdad as well and perhaps in some other capitals.

WARE: For example, issues like timetables. We heard that raised perhaps less than what I would have expected. Do you think that's a part of you getting your message across?

PETRAEUS: Well, one doesn't know obviously. Again, we do believe that, again, there have been gains as we described. They're fragile, they're reversible, and we simply don't want to unduly jeopardize those. We think therefore that having done the substantial reduction that will be complete by July, it does makes sense to let the dust settle, certainly continue in assessments during that time frame so that we can then make judgments about when we can make additional reductions or recommendations on additional reductions.

WARE: And being perfectly frank with the view that we both share from the ground this war is far from over, isn't it?

PETRAEUS: Well, it's tough and I think that Ambassador Crocker accurately used the word hard. He used it repeatedly and I think it's a correct description. It is very complex.

WARE: We're not coming home any time soon, are we?

PETRAEUS: I think we will be engaged in Iraq, and, again, that is the operative word, I think engagement rather than perhaps exit. But engagement will continue for some time. The question, of course, is at what level, at what cost, and in what form?

WARE: There's no real sign that those conditions are about to miraculously change, is there? There's no short-term fix to any of the conditions that you're obviously monitoring?

PETRAEUS: Well, it depends by area. I think you'd agree that, for example, the transformation of Anbar province over the course of the last 15, 18 months has really been quite substantial; really dramatic in fact. And in fact, that will allow a different footprint when the surge is drawn down than we had prior to the surge.

And more importantly, a different activity, a different focus for our forces where there will be two complete Iraqi divisions out there where there were the -- there was certainly the elements of one but a very beleaguered one back when at the height of the ethno-sectarian violence when the surge forces actually went in.

WARE: And that's the case, not really so much the presence of two Iraqi army divisions, it's the success of the awakening. This then is the result. The nationalist resistance and all this tribes coming --. PETRAEUS: It is all of that. Yes it is. It is all of that, because, again, when the population all of a sudden shifts from either tacitly accepting or maybe even actively supporting Al Qaeda and seeing them cloaked in the term resistance, and then seeing them for what they are, which is the purveyors of extremist ideology, indiscriminate violence and even oppressive practices.

Again, in the Sunni Arabs of the Euphrates River Valley, on reflection, as they looked at it, when they realized what they had let into their communities, as you well know, rejected it over time. And I think now they support the legitimate forces who come from them as well, at least in the local police.

Sons of Iraq out there, thousands of them have been incorporated into local police, into the army, into other governmental jobs. And now they are also sharing in the bounty that is Iraq.

WARE: This Shia-dominated Iraqi government is very cautious about the Sons of Iraq. And the Sons of Iraq are very cautious about this Iraqi government. In fact, they're formerly anti-government forces and you and I both know when you talk to them now, they see that the government remains the main threat. So their transition to government forces is really just locally.

PETRAEUS: Again, it varies on the location. I think -- and I think by the way that that's understandable. I think those are understandable emotions on both sides. You have to -- people have forgotten pretty quickly what Iraq was like in the fall of 2006 and early 2007 which you remember very well.

But when there are 55 dead bodies a night turning up on the streets of Baghdad, your nation's capital just from ethno-sectarian violence, not including Al Qaeda on Sunni who aren't supportive of Al Qaeda's activities or militia extremists on Shia who aren't supportive of what they're trying to do. When you have that going on, obviously it tears the fabric of society.

WARE: So with this sectarian legacy of the war, and all the competing interests, I mean, honestly, General, do you really believe that there's an interest in reconciliation in Iraq? Do you really believe it's going to happen or is it going to be some sort of forced accommodation?

PETRAEUS: Well, I do believe that there will be accommodation. It will be because of self-interest, but that's okay. That's why we all do it. That's why economies flourish. It's why capitalism succeeds. It's all about self-interest, but it is going to require leaders who are going to have to make some compromises and who will have to extend hands to each other.

WARE: Do you think those leaders are there?

PETRAEUS: Interestingly, in the last couple of weeks, along with all the other machinations and so forth connected with Basra, and regardless of questions about haste or suddenness or not setting the right conditions or a variety of other legitimate criticisms, concerns, you do see a coming together. Interestingly, one aspect of the situation that has brought them together is uniform concern -- unified concern about the role of Iran.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

C. BROWN: Michael Ware is with us now live. And Michael, is there any question, do you feel like you didn't have answered?

WARE: Well, no. As the interview unfolded and you've only seen the beginning of it, General Petraeus gets much more insightful, much more forthcoming as we progress through our discussion. And he just touched upon the key issue, which was Iran.

What you don't see here is how the General then outlines the true dynamic of the war in Iraq as it stands right now. Yes, he addresses the threat of Al Qaeda and that's a threat that cannot be ignored. But he then goes on to say that the existence of militias in Iraq is going to be a reality.

He also says that it's an undeniable reality that the Iraqi government is comprised of factions linked to Iran and that Iranian agents of influence have infiltrated the Iraqi government or are members of the Iraqi government at the highest levels from the Iraqi president down.

So really, as he goes on, there's no question he doesn't answer. He goes on to explain the real dynamic of the war and it gives great insight into why this war is not about to finish, Campbell.

C. BROWN: Michael, what about the view from Iraq, do you think the Iraqis are paying any attention to this testimony, do they feel like it matters to them at all?

WARE: Well, to the ordinary Iraqi, no. I mean, they're waiting for the presidential election. And like most Americans, they have simplified the election down to a bumper sticker; a vote for the Republicans is a vote for the continuation of the war. A vote for the Democrats means that it finishes next year, which of course is not true.

Even as we spoke to senior Democrat Senator John Kerry, he gave a more nuanced view of the Democrats' view of withdrawal. That doesn't necessarily mean disengagement.

But there very much is a public mood back here in America, they just -- people just want their sons and daughters to come home and who can blame them? But what people aren't really aware of is what the cost and consequences of that going to be.

And Iraq those people are living those costs and consequences. And they know that America, whether it stays or goes, is not really delivering for them. So it's one kind of hell or another. So the real question is what kind of hell is it that the American public wishes to choose -- Campbell.

C. BROWN: All right. Michael Ware live for us tonight. Michael, as always, thank you.

Coming up next, our other developing story tonight. New secrets revealed about Warren Jeffs' polygamist kingdom. New insights into how authorities gathered evidence at his compound in Texas.

Also ahead, hiding in plain sight, suspect number one in the polygamy raid. So why is he not under arrest? We've got all that just ahead on "360."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

C. BROWN: In Texas, there are explosive new details out of the polygamist compound. A story still unfolding tonight. For the first time, cameras went inside the FLDS compound which authorities raided days ago.

We'll show you up close the temple where authorities say they uncovered sex dens where marriages between adult men and teenage brides were allegedly consummated. There is also the stunning revelation that the local police had a confidential informant and that tips were being fed to the sheriff for years. Why then did it take so long to remove hundreds of children?

CNN's David Mattingly has the very latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They had an informer, knew the leaders, knew of the polygamy, and had their suspicions. But for four long years, when it came to investigate any physical or sexual abuse of children, Texas authorities say, their hands were tied.

DAVID DORAN, SCHLEICHER COUNTY, TEXAS, SHERIFF: We did not have evidence of that crime until we got this first outcry.

Now, we are aware that that is a problem amongst the community. We have heard about that in other states. We met with law enforcement in other jurisdictions. And, yes, we -- we're aware that this group is capable of it. But, there again, this is the United States. We are going to respect them. We're not going to violate their civil rights until we get an outcry, a complaint, and I have said that from day one.

MATTINGLY: Sheriff David Doran says he had an excellent dialogue with members of the polygamist sect, but, when authorities raided the temple, they found beds where adult males allegedly engage in sexual activity with female children under the age of 17. They found teenage wives and mothers married to middle-aged men.

They found records showing one man who was married to 20 women.

(on camera): Prior to the raid, the sheriff says he had been down this dusty road to the ranch visiting several times over the last four years, but never did he see a single teenage girl who appeared pregnant or one with children. He suggests that they were deliberately being kept out of sight. And it's a deception that continued as the raid was going on.

The children were being shuttled from house to house to hide them, as authorities conducted their searches of the buildings.

(voice-over): Authorities asked a compound leader how many people lived there. They were told only around 250 men, women and children, fewer than half the actual number. The state found 416 children. A dozen had chicken pox. A state doctor says it appears none of the children had been vaccinated. One hundred thirty-nine women left with the children.

Authorities say they found only 65 to 70 men. Many of those men tried to stand in the way and refused to unlock the temple doors.

CAPTAIN BARRY CAVER, TEXAS RANGERS: They opted not to do that. They felt like that, if they did that, that they would be aiding or assisting us in the desecration of their worship place.

MATTINGLY: Some of the men sobbed and prayed when the doors were smashed open.

After six days of searching, authorities have left the ranch and say only about 50 men and women are still there. Attorneys for the compound have no comment, saying they will do their talking in court. Residents are now free to come and go, wondering what will happen next.

David Mattingly, CNN, Eldorado, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

C. BROWN: As David reported, plenty of questions about the timing and then there's this. If polygamy and statutory rape are crimes, why have no charges been filed?

Joining us again, senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. And Jeffrey, the sheriff said he didn't want to violate the civil rights of the sect until they got a complaint. Could he have done anything earlier?

TOOBIN: It's very hard to know without knowing the specifics of what the informant had told them. These cases are very good to prosecute. These communities operate where everyone sort of knows in a general way what's going on, but it's hard to prosecute them. You need to know specifically which kid, which girl was molested and by whom.

Here you have situations where I'm sure the authorities who are kept at a distance don't know the names of everyone inside. Don't have birth certificates for the girls who are involved. The specificity that you need for a criminal case is hard to accumulate without cooperation and the girls are very scared and tend not to cooperate.

C. BROWN: Jeffrey, the 16-year-old girl who triggered the raid has only been identified as Sarah. It's unclear where she is. What happens it is they can't find her?

TOOBIN: Well, then they can't bring a case based on her accusations. They still obviously pulled out the 400 kids based in part on her accusations and that -- there's no undoing that. But presumably in talking to those 400 kids who they removed, they will learn more about what was going on inside and perhaps find out if there were other crimes committed.

C. BROWN: We've been hearing about this bed where these spiritual marriages with underage girls were consecrated. The sheets were disturbed and there was hair from what appears to be a female in it. Is this good evidence to build a case on?

TOOBIN: Boy, it seems pretty thin to me. How do you prove whose hair it was, what was going on in the bed, who else was in the bed? What you really need in a case like this is testimony from individuals. You need the girls to give up their so-called husbands.

Again, you talk about spiritual marriages. Spiritual marriages are not legal marriages, so the fact that several people had, you know, several men had several wives means they probably couldn't be prosecuted for bigamy because bigamy is only separate legal marriages. And these spiritual marriages have no legal effect any way. So the fact there's more than one of them is probably not a crime.

C. BROWN: All right, Jeffrey Toobin. Jeff, thank you.

Still ahead, he is suspect number one in the polygamy raid. So where is he tonight and why hasn't he been arrested?

Also ahead, inside the compound where the alleged abuse took place. All the shocking details about what was found inside the temple where the polygamist sect worshipped when "360" continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARLOW, FORMER MAYOR OF COLORADO CITY: We believe in Revelation. The fundamentalist belief is that -- that a man has more than one family and that those things are ordained of God, that marriage is ordained of God.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

C. BROWN: That is Dan Barlow, the father of suspect Dale Evans Barlow. Dan Barlow is the former mayor of Colorado City, Arizona, where his son is now believed to be.

There are a lot of Barlows in the FLDS community, leading some tonight to say that Dale Barlow isn't even the right man. But given that there's an arrest warrant in Texas with his name on it, others want to know why is he still free?

We sent 360's Gary Tuchman to Colorado City to find out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a house surrounded by a fortress-like wall, a security camera on the lookout for unwanted guests. Signs warning not to trespass.

This is the home of polygamy sect member Dale Barlow, the man accused of beating and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at the group's ranch in Texas, even as recently as this past Easter Sunday. But has he ever been to the ranch in Texas?

(on camera) Mr. Barlow? You have a "no trespassing" sign, so we're yelling from here to see if you'll talk to us. I'm Gary Tuchman of CNN. Mr. Barlow?

(voice-over) No answer. Barlow happens to be on probation after pleading no contest to conspiring to have sex with a minor. Probation officers tell us they just saw him in this house Tuesday and add, "Mr. Barlow continues to meet with his probation officer regularly."

To the best of their knowledge, they say, he hasn't left the area for the eight months he's been on probation. But Texas authorities insist he committed these crimes in Texas.

SHERIFF DAVE DORAN, SCHLEIGHTER COUNTY, TEXAS: Let's just say this: if he was on their property he would have been arrested right now.

TUCHMAN: But now that he apparently isn't, why isn't he being arrested in Arizona? The Mojave County, Arizona sheriff says he would arrest him but has not received a warrant.

(on camera) Probation officials here in Mojave County, Arizona, say Dale Barlow lives in this house with at least three women and at least 17 children. They say as far as they know, he has never violated any rules of his probation agreement, which include asking for permission to leave the state. They say he's never asked for such permission.

(voice-over) Richard Holm was a member of the polygamist sect for 51 years before being kicked out. He thinks it unlikely that Barlow has regularly visited the Texas ranch.

RICHARD HOLM, FORMER WARREN JEFFS FOLLOWER: To go and come from there, it's been portrayed as such a holy land that people don't just go and come at random.

TUCHMAN: Outside Barlow's Arizona home, we run into a neighbor on horseback.

(on camera) Do you know Dale Barlow, who lives here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He don't live there.

TUCHMAN: He doesn't live -- no, here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right here. TUCHMAN: Do you know Dale Barlow?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

TUCHMAN: What kind of guy is he?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know.

TUCHMAN: Good guy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is a regular guy. Pretty good, I guess.

TUCHMAN: Do you know that the authorities in the state of Texas want him for a crime? Have you heard about that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I have.

TUCHMAN: Yes. What do you think about that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If he did it, they'd better catch him.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Texas authorities have not made clear why they haven't asked Arizona officials to catch him. But Dale Barlow is still suspect No. 1.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

C. BROWN: And Gary's with us now.

So what's going on here? What is the theory as to why Texas is not asking Arizona for Dale Barlow's arrest?

TUCHMAN: Look Campbell, the officials in Arizona are very perplexed. They say if we get an official word from Texas, if we get the arrest warrant put on the national data base, which is what the standard operating procedure is, we can arrest him in an hour.

But what they think here is this. There are hundreds of Barlows in this community. It's a very common last name. So their feeling is that there's a possibility, they're not sure, but a strong possibility they feel that perhaps they got the wrong Barlow and perhaps why Texas is not giving them the official word to arrest this man.

For their part, authorities in Texas are saying we have more important priorities and we need to find the victim. We need to deal with the children. So they're not really saying why they're not giving the official word to folks here in Arizona. But that's the feeling among investigative sources we have here, that perhaps this Barlow, while he's not a wholesome fellow, he's been convicted of a crime last year, a sex related crime. He may not be the guy involved in this particular situation.

C. BROWN: All right. Gary Tuchman for us tonight. Gary thanks.

Coming up next, for the first time, a look inside the polygamist compound. And then later, John McCain courting the female vote; he's trailing in the polls when it comes to women. Can he close the gender gap? We have the "raw politics."

And Erica, here's tonight's "Beat 360." I know you've been waiting. A car hanging halfway out of a parking garage in Germany. Apparently a woman mixed up the gas and the brake. How did that happen? So here's the caption from our staff winner Kathleen. No, that's not far enough, honey.

No, I said it wrong. No, that's far enough, honey.

ERICA HILL, HEADLINE NEWS CORRESPONDENT: You had a long night, Campbell. You had a long night.

C. BROWN: That was my fault. Sorry, I ruined it. "That's far enough, honey." Get it, get it. Think you can do better? Anybody can do better. Go to cnn.com/360. Send us your submission and we'll announce the winner at the end of the program.

My bat, I'm sorry.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

C. BROWN: New pictures tonight along with the always creepy voice of Warren Jeffs singing about the compound in these shots. That song, Yearning for Zion; the compound called |YFZ, it's been off- limits since the raid.

Today, authorities let followers go back in, minus the women and children under state protection. With new pictures of the compound, once again here's CNN's Ed Lavandera.

LAVANDERA: It's the day after the week-long raid, and we approach the FLDS compound by air. We're wondering if life is returning to normal now that the swarm of law enforcement agents is gone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now we're about 150 feet above the compound. It's really the first chance that the members of this sect have had the freedom over the last week to come and go as they please.

LAVANDERA: The story today is what we don't see - People. We're told it's mostly men left inside.

That's why it seems eerily quiet down there, what was once a community of over 700 people is now well under 100. Only one or two people have acknowledged us looking up from their cars from what I've been able to tell.

Here we see a couple of guys working in the field here. Again, they don't really look up to bother to check out the helicopter. We notice one man looking up at us. I wave from above but it's hard to tell if he's waving back or covering his face.

This seems to be the busiest area of the compound. We see a lot of trucks there. You can see that one white truck pulling up to the front of the house there with boxes or at least what appears to be boxes loaded into the bed of the truck there.

A source who has been inside the ranch provided CNN these pictures. It's the first ground level perspective from inside. This is a picture of a building known as the Prophet's House. Then you get a sense how massive the temple is, a three-story lime structure built by the members themselves, surrounded by a ten-foot wall. An aerial photo reveals an inscription carved into the entrance. It reads "organize yourself and establish a house of prayer, a house of faith, a house of God."

The temple was the last building searched and the most difficult to get into. Law enforcement authorities say that some 60 men inside the compound made a human wall around the entrance to the temple grounds to keep the authorities from raiding the temple. But no one is visible there now. We can't tell if all the families taken out will return to the compound. So right now it sits like a ghost town.

Ed Lavendera, CNN, Eldorado, Texas.

C. BROWN: Up next, the softer side of John McCain. Will his couch time on "The View" help him win over women voters?

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C. BROWN: Senator John McCain made a crucial visit today to the set of ABC's "The View." It's not hard to guess which voters he was roping to reach. "The View" of course is aimed at women, a voting bloc the presumptive Republican nominee is struggling to win over.

CNN's Dana Bash has the "Raw Politics."

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DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He offered a business-like greeting. Hand shakes for the ladies of "The View."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Obama gave us a hug.

BASH: But he was coaxed into some hugs; a telling lesson for the Republican candidate to embrace a giant talent, the gender gap. A recent poll shows John McCain trailing Hillary Clinton among women by 14 points. Barack Obama is beating McCain with women by 13 points. McCain adviser, Carly Fiorina, says women do need a connection.

CARLY FIORINA, MCCAIN CAMPAIGN ADVISER: For us, the challenge really is to put John McCain out there where women can really get to know him.

BASH: So nestled on the couch of "The View," McCain softened his approach in explaining his position on Iraq.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If we did what many want, which is to set a date for withdrawal and pull out, I think we would pay a very heavy price. BASH: Republicans have been able to reach women before. George W. Bush lost the woman's vote in 2004 by just 3 percent, far lower than the 11 percent in his first election. He did it by warning women that Democrats would risk their security. McCain's campaign is hoping security will resonate with female voters again and playing up his military experience.

FIORINA: As a woman, I truly believe that it takes a soldier to bring us home with victory and honor in Iraq.

BASH: But since 2004, opposition to the war, especially among women, has spiked.

JOY BEHAR, "THE VIEW" CO-HOST: I don't like George Bush as a president. I want to know, since you are for his tax cuts for the wealthy, that you are for staying in Iraq, that you are against Roe v. Wade, how are you different from George Bush?

BASH: So has opposition to the president.

MCCAIN: We have a friendly relationship. There are issues that we have disagreed on; the conduct of the war for four years, spending, climate change. There's a list of issues that we have open and honest disagreements.

BASH: Despite casting himself as a different Republican, there is one issue that has some left-leaning women's groups already working to defeat him, McCain's opposition to abortion rights.

MCCAIN: I'm proud of my pro life record for 24 years in the United States Congress.

BASH: Planned Parenthood commissioned a study showing more than half of women in key states don't know McCain's position on abortion and they're starting a grassroots effort to tell them.

SAMANTHO SMOOT, PLANNED PARENTHOOD: When women voters find out that John McCain opposes Roe v. Wade and sex education and affordable birth control, then they stop supporting him.

BASH: 52 percent of women describe themselves as pro choice and McCain advisers say women don't just vote on that one issue. They're hoping McCain support for embryonic stem cell research and even climate change draw women in.

Dana Bash, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

C. BROWN: Still ahead, there is nothing friendly about the skies these days if you're flying American airlines for sure. More flights scrubbed tomorrow. We have the details ahead.

And then later it's gobbler against gobbler. The cops were there and caught it all on tape. It's the shot tonight on "360."

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C. BROWN: Just ahead, a pair of wild turkeys that stopped traffic cold. But what exactly were the rubber neckers watching? We're going to have more on that coming up.

But first Erica Hill joins us with a "360" bulletin. Hi Erica.

HILL: Hey, Campbell. The troubles continuing at American Airlines tonight. The carrier says it will be forced to cancel another 570 flights on Friday. That is though slightly better than the 900 flights scrubbed today. American is still checking the wiring on its MD-80 jets.

A 360 follow up for you on a videotaped beating we told you about earlier this week. Eight Florida teenagers, six girls will be tried as adults, in fact they could be sentenced to life; that coming from a prosecutor today. The teens were accused of beating a 16-year-old classmate for 30 minutes and taping it. Police say they planned to post that video on line.

At least four people were hurt when a tornado ripped through Central Arkansas today, devastating a mobile home park and sending weather service forecasters into a bunker. There was extensive damage but no deaths reported.

And the U.S. Senate passing a bipartisan package of tax breaks and other reliefs for businesses and homeowners caught in the housing crisis today. The House though is likely to reject key portions of that measure -- Campbell.

C. BROWN: Now our nightly showdown. I screwed it up earlier. I', going to get it right this time. "Beat 360," we post a picture on the "360" Web site and you try to come up with a caption better than our staff. Simple, quick, no one gets hurt.

Here's tonight's picture taken in Northern Germany where someone, it looks like might have gotten hurt. How did that car -- half of that car get in there? Its driver, a 49-year-old woman who wasn't hurt, was apparently trying to back into a parking space in the garage and allegedly confused the gas and the brake pedal.

HILL: That happens.

C. BROWN: It does happen.

HILL: That really happened there.

C. BROWN: There's a firefighter looking out of the parking garage. Bet he doesn't take calls like that everyday.

HILL: Probably not.

C. BROWN: Anyway, tonight's staff winner is "360" executive producer Kathleen Friery, and her caption is, "No, that's far enough, honey."

I did well.

HILL: Yes.

C. BROWN: Tonight's viewer winner is Dale. His entry, "But officer, the sign said drive through window."

HILL: Very clever, dale. I like it.

C. BROWN: Well done. So to get in on the action to check out the competition, go to our Web site at cnn.com/360 and play along tomorrow.

So forget why did the chicken cross the road. The real question is, what exactly are these turkeys doing in the middle of the highway? That's just ahead.

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HILL: All right, time now for "The Shot." Dramatic Animal Video -- and here it is. Is it road rage? Is it mating season. Is it an audition for "So You Think You Can Dance?" Whatever it was a Maine state trooped dash cam caught it. On Saturday, the officer watches a couple of wild turkeys went after each other.

Again, we really don't know what they're doing here. We can tell you the turkey tussle stopped traffic. The officer tried unsuccessfully to break it up. There you go.

C. BROWN: What was going on there?

HILL: I have no idea. It's really strange.

C. BROWN: We need to do a little more research.

HILL: Maybe we'll have to do that. Maybe for Friday; there you go we'll bring that on Friday; all the details on Friday.

Of course, if you see a turkey tussle or if you have any explanation for what they were doing, just log on to cnn.com/360 and let us know.

C. BROWN: Ok, that's it. That does it for this edition of 360.

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