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Massacre at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston; Update on Search for Escaped Killers. Aired 11:00-11:30a ET.

Aired June 19, 2015 - 11:00   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, HOST: Thank you so much for joining me today, I'm Carol Costello At this Hour with Berman and Bolduan starts now.

[11:00:15] KATE BOLDUAN, HOST: Good morning, everyone, I'm Kate Bolduan.

DON LEMON, HOST: And I'm Don Lemon in for John Berman today in Charleston, South Carolina, right here in front of the church where all these horrific shootings happened Kate.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely Don and we're going to keep our focus right there. Don's going to be with us throughout the hour. Thank you so much Don, our focus today in Charleston as we're expecting a news conference at any minute now from the Mayor of Charleston, Joe Riley, we're going to bring that to you live as of course the nation grieves with that city for the nine people massacred in their house of worship the Emanuel AME Church.

We're also getting new details at this hour about the man who carried out that cowardly attack. Charleston Police say that Dylann Roof is charged now with nine counts of murder and possession of a firearm. His first court appearance is set for today at 2:00 p.m. Law enforcement officials also say that Roof confessed to the shootings during interviews with the Charleston Police and FBI. As to his motive, a law enforcement official says Roof told investigators that he wanted to start a race war. Investigators have determined that Roof used a 45 caliber handgun to commit his horrific crimes, a gun that he purchased from a Charleston gun store in April.

Meanwhile we're also waiting to hear new developments in upstate New York from New York State Police in the search for the two escaped prisoners there. The search now entering its 13th day, investigators are set to hold a press conference at any moment we're going to bringing that to you live as well. A lot that we're looking out for, a lot of live events that we're going to be tracking for you throughout the hour. But let's first get back to Don who's in Charleston.

Don, as I look at the picture of you standing there it's another - looks like another beautiful day in Charleston but the mood in no way matches that image.

LEMON: It doesn't reflect the sunshine here. I mean the only thing I can say is the heat reflects the anger here and the outrage that people feel. And Kate all over, and you know everything that we're covering today really pretty much about law, and order, and justice, and people being murdered. South Carolina's Governor I should tell you, Nikki Haley is calling for the confessed shooter, Dylann Roof to face the death penalty. Will that happen?

This is a tweet from the Charleston Police Department. It says Roof is charged with nine counts of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. That is certainly an offense that can carry the death penalty in this state.

So let's talk about this, I want to bring in now CNN's Nick Valencia. He's at the Charleston courthouse with the very latest.

Nick, there's an appearance this morning, tell us what's going on.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there Don, this is the site where suspect gunman I should say Dylann Roof will appear via video link part of that because of the media attention this case is given right now. You see behind me a lot of people standing outside as this courthouse is clear. They're doing a bomb sweep, that's standard operating procedure. I just spoke to the Magistrate who will be presiding over this hearing and he tells me Don that this will be sort of more so of a procedural hearing. He will read the rights to Dylann Roof, he will also formalize those nine murder charges, those nine lives that were taken in cold blood by Dylann Roof all because they were African American.

Also we hear today that some of the victims' families will be present in this court. All ready we're seeing some of the community members who aren't really necessarily tied to this shooting other than being residents of this area. They wanted to show up here to show their respect to the victims' family. Also there's a lot of curiosity surrounding the case you can imagine. But today we expect this to happen in a couple of hours from now at about 2pm eastern, Don.

LEMON: Nick, what is interesting is because this involved the church community and many of the members here of the community are believers, and there - there may be a disconnect between whether or not he should get the death penalty here. Have you spoken to people about what their feelings on the death penalty and whether this suspect should get the death penalty?

VALENCIA: You know it's mixed reaction here. Some people want this ruthless murderer to be convicted of the death penalty, they want to see his execution, not literally but they want to see that happen.

Of course there are others who have already begun to pray for him, who have already said that they've forgiven him for what he's done. Even - you know even still days after what's happened this community is just now grieving. If you remember there was an intensive manhunt. A lot of people very tense, the situation here as he was on the loose. Now that tension has given way to grief and so many people here still with tears in their eyes after what happened, Don.

LEMON: Yes, Nick, thank you very much Nick. We've got to get back to some breaking news. I'm going to throw it back to Kate in New York. Kate, go ahead take it away.

[11:05:06] BOLDUAN: All right, Don, thanks so much. We're going to get right back down to Charleston but as we mentioned we were waiting for a news conference in upstate New York for an update on the manhunt of those two escaped killers. Let's take it right now.

MAJOR CHARLES GUESS, NEW YORK STATE POLICE: Let me begin by saying that the department is committed to assisting and supporting in the apprehension of these two escaped inmates. That has been our primary objective since June 6th and we will continue to support the New York State Police, our federal state and local law enforcement partners.

As announced yesterday the Clinton Correctional facility (inaudible) locked down on June 6th and began returning to normal day to day operations. Resumption of normal operations followed the completion of necessary physical repairs to ensure that the facility can operate in a safe and secure manner.

The repairs included fixing the two breached cells in A Block, steam tunnels, the steam pipe, the concrete in the perimeter wall and the manhole cover. These repairs were completed and inspected with a satisfactory approval of staff from the Office of General Services and Representatives of the State Commission of Correction.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you repeat that sir (inaudible) helicopter (inaudible).

GUESS: OK. Resumption of normal operations followed the completion of the necessary repairs to ensure that the facility can operate in a safe and secure manner. The repairs included fixing the two breached cells in A Block, the steam tunnels, the steam pipe, the concrete at the perimeter wall and the manhole cover. These repairs were completed and inspected with the satisfaction of staff from the Office of General Services and Representatives of the State Commission of Correction.

Although it was necessary to keep the facility in lockdown status as the repairs were being commenced the department took steps to ensure that the 2,600 inmates here at Clinton were provided with safe and appropriate living conditions. The efforts included regular rounds by medical and mental health staff, counselors, chaplains, Representatives of the State Commission of Corrections, as well as executive team members of the Clinton Correctional Facility and DOC Central Office.

Yesterday inmates were allowed to attend the lunch meal in the mess hall followed by a modified recreation schedule that was offered to the inmate population. The visiting program resumed operation today. It is our expectation that education and vocational programs will commence beginning next week.

Let me conclude by thanking all of our law enforcement - all our law enforcement partners in their ongoing efforts to apprehend the two escaped inmates. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the surrounding community in their unwavering support of this effort.

I would now like to introduce Sheriff David Favro.

DAVID FAVRO, SHERIFF CLINTON COUNTY: Thank you, the message needs to continue to prevail. Patience and perseverance will result in our success. You've heard a lot about the partnership to the law enforcement efforts. It's immeasurable, our partnership includes the people within this community, within this residence of the State of New York and all the residents in the United States. And just to give you a sample of how that works, I received several phone calls one in particular from a friend of mine who lives in Alabama and he'd seen a message that everybody has put out with the appeal to anyone.

We don't have concrete evidence that they're here. We may not have concrete evidence that they're somewhere else, they definitely are someplace. We will find them, it will be a conjunctive effort with law enforcement and with our community partners and with the assistance of all you people here today.

I want to thank the men and the women not just from the community but that are behind the scenes doing investigations, it's an awful lot of work, a measurable amount of time away from their families but the dedication level is 100% from every agency that you've seen represented on this ground as a result of this effort.

Again, thank you for your continued support in getting that message out to everybody.

I'd like to turn it back over to Major Guess.

GUESS: Thank you Sheriff. Before we open it up for questions I'd like to thank the citizens and community here in Dannemora for their courage, their patience and their hospitality especially over the last two weeks it's been trying and certainly the remainder of the bulk of the community in North Country.

At this time we'll open up for questions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Major without revealing details of the investigation can you tell us what you were looking for on those 600 miles (inaudible) and whether you found any evidence if they had used any of them.

GUESS: Well we're looking for, without getting into the specifics, is any sign that the inmates may have taken a particular root of egress or travel from Dannemora to any of the cardinal directions, north, south, east or west. We did find an indication along the way that has been process by ...

[11:10:29] BOLDUAN: We've been listening in to an update in upstate New York on the massive manhunt for those two escaped killers from the Clinton Correctional facility. They gave an update and said that patience and perseverance will result in our success and we will find them. Though they did not say they have found any evidence of where they are or where the search is shifting at this point and they are in the 13th day on the run. We're going to keep our eye there, but let's get back down to Charleston, South Carolina, right now, where the Mayor, Joe Riley, is giving an update as well. Let's listen. JOE RILEY, MAYOR OF CHARLESTON: We got the word out and the news media was so helpful and we were very grateful that he is behind bars and will never be free again. This - the wonderful community of Charleston when we have challenges and nothing in the last century or more have been equal to this, but this community wants to come together and in prayer and unity and help each other. That's the way it is in Charleston and in the (low country). So tonight, we are holding a community vigil and press service at 6:00 o'clock, almost right around the corner, we wanted it in a venue that was near the church for all the obvious reasons.

This will be a prayer service and a vigil to allow us to talk and to think about the tragic events. To allow the families to be there within the bosom of this community and to feel the love and support and encouragement. I will say tonight but we can't say it too often the (inaudible) person came to this community with some crazy idea that he would be able to divide and all he did was make us more united and love each other even more.

So I want to welcome the citizens of Charleston and those who are here to come to the community prayer service and vigil at 6:00 o'clock at the College of Charleston TD Arena.

Secondly we have announced the wonderful fund the Mother Emanuel Hope fund and you can make donations by taking a check to any Wells Fargo branch or mail it to Box 304, or now or very soon you will be able to make donations on line. And this fund will be used to help the families of the victims handle the great expenses that they will be facing as well as this church. I have the honor of working with Senator Reverend Pinckney to raise money to build an elevator for the church. You can see the steep climb that it would be to get into the sanctuary and we're about finished raising money for that.

And years ago I worked with the church to repair the damaged steeple where Mother Emanuel, our historic African American church in our country is and has been an extremely important place of worship for the citizens of our city. So - and we will be - there'll be another fund later on that will be announced that will allow us to address some of Reverend Pinckney's goals for the Low Country projects and initiatives. But I want you to know that the (inaudible) has been - well it is driving up here, I'm less than a mile away from City Hall, I got a call telling me of a $25,000 donation that an organization was making. We've had calls and letters coming in and outpouring from the citizens of our community and from our country. As a result of this great tragedy has been a remarkable and so far warming. We are in a period of loving and healing for all those who have been so terribly injured in our hearts by this tragic event and certainly for the nine dear families that are suffering the terrible loss of losing a loved one in such a tragic manner.

So with that, I will answer four or five questions then I'll have to go on.

[11:15:31] CRAIG MELVIN, NBC NEWS: Craig Melvin from NBC News a few hours ago Governor Haley said that the death penalty should most certainly be sought in this case. Do you agree with that assessment? RILEY: Well, I - that's the law in South Carolina, so it no doubt will be. I personally am not a proponent of the death penalty.

MELVIN: Not even in a case like this?

RILEY: Well I don't - I think that if you're going to have a death penalty then certainly this case with merit it. I'm of the belief that the death penalty is (inaudible) in terms of I think it collectively over time adds to violence. I think people who commit serious crimes should lose their freedom forever. But that's the law in South Carolina so no doubt it will be sought and I have no control over that.

THOMAS ROBERTS, MSNBC: Mayor Rile, Thomas Roberts from MSNBC. How grateful are you for Debbie Dills, the florist that gave the tip to track down Roof?

RILEY: Well, it's a wonderful American story. You know as mayor my experiences are less what government does and more what citizens do to enrich their community. And that wonderful community action that and that the rest of this heinous person who's so important for the healing of this community. When we got that guy in custody an audible gasp of relief was heard in our community and in people's homes. And that's an amazing story. Yes?

(INAUDIBLE)

RILEY: Well, the question was how do you address basically what was in this awful person's heart. And so - and obviously he - that was completely irrational what he did and the level - and the hate that he had. But I think that (inaudible) our country a continued dialogue about race and you know we're working very hard to build almost down the street here Charleston harbor the International African American Museum. And this museum which we have been working on for quite some time will be a place of assisting with that appealing, but also we in America were never taught African American history. It wasn't in the history books. We don't know the story and where the slaved Africans were brought from and the work during periods of miss-labor and our (inaudible) period and so we're planning to build a beautiful museum on the site where the walk was where the enslaved Africans were brought. So that's - there are lots of things we can do in our country to enhance the dialogue about race to get out of the minds of very evil people hateful thoughts is very difficult.

One more.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been reported that (inaudible) have you been told that and if so what was your reaction?

RILEY: Well all of that should come from our police department.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The City has really a history in someways of racism and people told me who they were in the deep south of Charleston and that murder still is kind of (inaudible) but the residents here are saying that racism in some ways is a tradition of Charleston. What do you say to people like that? Describe Charleston for people who are wondering what this place is like (inaudible) those comments?

RILEY: Charleston is a loving community and one where our citizens of all races and backgrounds and all neighborhoods work very closely together. Our workforce, our city council, our governments are all representative of the great mixture of our community. And what has happened in Charleston in the last 50 years in that regard is remarkable. And remember this person, Mr. Roof did not live in Charleston. He didn't grow up here, he lived in a 100 mile away town and came here. So his actions are not in any way representative of this city or this community. They're representative of somebody that lived away and mind and heart was (inaudible) that caused him to act as horrible as he did.

Thank you all very much.

(CROSS-TALK)

[11:20:42] BOLDUAN: All right, you're listening right there to the Mayor of Charleston, Joe Riley giving a brief update speaking to reporters. Importantly I think one of the most impactful things that he said is when he said when we got this guy in custody there was an audible gasp of relief in this community. He also made sure to mention there is a prayer service as we've noted which will be held in the community later this evening. And also there is the - has been the creation of the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund to help all the victims, everyone that's been impacted by this. That was the mayor speaking out right there.

And we should also note, you can go to CNN.com/impact there you're going to find resources where you can also help offer your assistance to all of those who has been affected by this horrific tragedy. We stay close to South Carolina right as we are also waiting for the Charleston shooter to make his first court appearance a little later today.

Next we're going to look at the legal options in the case against him as a South Carolina governor says that he should face the death penalty.

Also the hero who spotted the gunman. She saw Dylann Roof, in his car and then followed him for 35 miles just to make sure. Why she said divine intervention helped her spot him.

And throughout the hour we want to honor and remember the victims of this tragedy ranging from 26 to 87 years old, from a track coach to a librarian, the six women, three men, whose lives were stolen. Myra Thompson was one of those whose life was cut far too short. She was teaching bible study there when the gunman opened fire. She was 59 years old. Friends describe her as feisty and energetic. She was also very excited about coming a new pastor.

And reverend Clementa Pinckney, we've talked a lot about him. He was called to preach at the age of 13. He became the youngest African American to ever be elected to South Carolina's legislature aged 27. A man with a passion for helping the poor and voiceless. His own deep baritone voice is one thing his friends remember and will miss about this much loved pastor of the historic Emanuel AME Church.

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Senator Pinckney was a giant of a man who took his job seriously not only as a state senator but as a pastor.

(BEGIN AUDIO BREAK)

(END AUDIO BREAK)

[11:26:19] BOLDUAN: The City of Charleston is just beginning its very long road of grief and recovery this morning. This as family and friends honor the lives of the loved ones lost in an instant.

First Lady Michelle Obama while travelling in Italy she just talked about the slow healing process that's ahead for this community. Listen here.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: We've seen too many tragedies like this and there is something particularly horrifying about something that happens so senseless in a house of worship. I pray for a community that I know is in pain and with the hope that tragedies like these will one day come to an end.

BOLDUAN: Yes. Joining me now is Bakari Sellers, a former South Carolina state representative. He also worked very closely with Reverend Clementa Pinckney the state senator who was killed in that shooting on Wednesday evening.

Bakari, thank you very much, thank you for being kind and coming back on the show, we really appreciate your perspective.

Since we spoke to you yesterday I've just been wondering have you had the opportunity to speak with the wife of Reverend Pinckney. I know he's left behind two young, young children. How's she doing?

BAKARI SELLERS, FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA STATE REPRESENTATIVE: I have not had the opportunity to speak with her. I've had many colleagues who have but as you can probably imagine she's been overwhelmed with visitors and kind words from not just here in Charleston, not just the United States, but throughout the world. I just want to make sure that I give her some space and give the family some space but I'm going to be there. I'm not just - I'll be there after the cameras leave, many of us will. Mr. Pinckney's family from the state house will be there after the cameras leave and we'll be with them forever.

BOLDUAN: And that's often when they need you most when the cameras go away and they find themselves in those horrible moments of feeling alone. We all know how that goes, Bakari. So as we look now to the grieving process and the recovery process for the community we also look at why this happened. Do you - have you heard anything about why this man targeted this church, targeted this prayer service? Because the reverend's cousin has suggested - has said that when Roof arrived he asked for the reverend. Have you heard that? SELLERS: Yes, we've heard that throughout the community and we kind of feel that to be true and I'm not trying to evade your question Kate but I will tell you that we are asking the question why but many of us still haven't slept, many of us are still finding ourselves in moments of disbelief, many of us are still crying. In fact myself and Mr. Lemon we stand here today at this spot by this church and behind us are still the cars of the individuals who were murdered. So we're not quite at that point yet. I think the answer may be easy, I think that this gentleman was just filled with hate. For me it's difficult to understand how someone who was 21 years old, who was born in the 90s, is comparable to (Bull) Connor and has the same perspective of those of the 50s and 60s and it's just so troublesome and we need to figure out the answers to why but right now we're just we're hugging, we're loving, we're caring, and we're praying.

BOLDUAN: It really hits you when you put it - when you put it that way Bakari that some of those who were killed their cars still sit in that parking lot just behind you. You know the governor was asked and she spoke out earlier today saying that she would like to see him face the death penalty. The Mayor of Charleston says that he personally doesn't support the death penalty, that's his personal belief but he says if there is a death penalty this is a case that would merit it. Do you think he should be put to death?

[11:30:00] SELLERS: Well you put a politician on the spot Kate so I guess I'll be honest with you and I guess the new (bad) term is evolving. I have a problem with the death penalty because I know that it disproportionately affects African Americans. And practicing law I understand that sometimes witnesses lie and sometimes DNA evidence is found later on and things happen that shouldn't. But if there is an individual who earned that right to be put to death it is this gentleman who came in full of evil and callousness and took the lives of so many who we loved.

Again I have to stress just so people know this community, (inaudible) is amazing but this community is going to have to bury nine people, nine people will be put to rest over the next few weeks.

BOLDUAN: With that very thought in mind I do wonder as you noted he is 21 years old, he has confessed to the shooting, he also said that he wanted to start a race war according to law enforcement officials. How does the community move forward in the face of that? What do you say to that?

SELLERS: Well he's a domestic terrorist who was filled with racism and hate, let's call it what it is, we have to be clear with our verbiage. And the purpose of a domestic terrorist or any terrorist throughout the world is to reap fear and havoc, and terror in the hearts of many. This gentleman wanted to reap fear and havoc in the hearts of African Americans throughout this community and throughout this country. And I stand here before you today Kate and tell you that he failed. We are not afraid, we have no reason to be afraid. In fact we're not going to fall victim to anything that he wanted us to do. So to Mr. Roof in his cell, and he's down the hall from officer Slager now in his prison we tell you that we're not afraid. There will be no war in Charleston. In fact if anything we're going to make sure that our hearts find some peace.

BOLDUAN: That was a strong message and a message that needs to be repeated and heard and your voice and perspective is important in this conversation because it's a long one that needs to - has already been happening but needs to definitely continue from this very difficult point. Bakari Sellers, thank you.

SELLERS: Thank you so much Kate for having me.