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Don Lemon Tonight
Justice for the "American Sniper"; Who's to Blame for Jenner Crash; Interview with Johnny Gill; Unanswered Questions Around Bobbi Kristina Brown; Bruce Jenner's Accidnet Under Investigation; ISIS's Aggressive Recruiting
Aired February 09, 2015 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: We just saw the real-life drama of "American Sniper" Chris Kyle. But there's a lot more to the story.
Breaking news tonight the jury has been seated in a trial set to begin Wednesday.
This is CNN TONIGHT, I'm Don Lemon.
The hot topic in Hollywood is whether the movie "American Sniper" can take Oscar gold in two weeks. But in a Texas courtroom, 12 jurors will have to put all that out of their minds, if they can, as they consider the fate of the man charged with killing Chris Kyle.
Will there be justice for the "American Sniper"?
Plus, these stories making headlines all across the country tonight. Who's to blame for Bruce Jenner's fatal car crash? And is speculation about the former Olympian getting in the way of the truth?
Also Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown fighting for her life in an Atlanta hospital. I'm going to speak exclusively with Bobby Brown's best friend.
And imagine, a handbook for joining ISIS. The shocking shopping list for would-be jihadists.
We're going to get to all of that tonight but I want to begin with the life and death -- tragic death of an American sniper, Chris Kyle.
CNN's Ed Lavandera has that for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you live in Texas, chances are you've heard of Chris Kyle. In fact, the story of Chris Kyle has reached legendary status across the country.
The Navy SEAL is considered the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history, with at least 160 confirmed kills over four tours of duty in Iraq.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm ready. LAVANDERA: "American Sniper" is a huge hit at movie theaters across
the country. It's now the highest grossing war film ever, earning more than $300 million, and it's nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
But Chris Kyle's life from rodeo and ranches to war hero doesn't have a Hollywood ending. Kyle and his wife Taya made no secret of how their marriage almost fell apart after he returned home from war. It's what inspired Kyle to devote so much of his time and energy to helping other veterans transition back to everyday life.
In February of 2013, Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield brought a Marine suffering from PTSD named Eddie Ray Routh to the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort. Kyle and Littlefield take Ralph to this gun range so they can talk and bond. But instead police say Routh turned the guns on the two men who were trying to help him.
Police say Routh left the scene in Kyle's pickup truck and drove to his sister's house right after the killings.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Listen, my brother just came by here. He told me that he's committed a murder.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who did he say he -- he had killed?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He said that he killed two guys. They went to a shooting range. Like, he's all crazy. He's (EXPLETIVE DELETED) psychotic.
LAVANDERA: Routh is expected to plead not guilty by reason of insanity in the deaths of Kyle and Littlefield. Routh served four years in the Marines including a tour of duty in Iraq and a humanitarian mission to help the victims of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. He reportedly made several visits to the V.A. hospital in Dallas and spent the two years before the killings in and out of treatment for mental health issues.
Journalist Laura Biel wrote an in depth account of Eddie Ray Routh's struggles in a book called "The Enemy Within." She said shortly before the shooting, Ralph's mother turned to Kyle desperate for help.
LAURA BIEL, AUTHOR, "THE ENEMY WITHIN": Clearly they feel like he could have gotten better care. And had he gotten better care, she would not have approached Chris Kyle. I mean, that's one important thing to remember. She only did it as an act of desperation.
LAVANDERA: Routh's murder trial will unfold in Stephenville, Texas, a town of nearly 20,000. Chris Kyle went to college here in the early 1990s. He's such a legend in his home state that the second anniversary of his death was declared Chris Kyle Day by the Texas governor. But that popularity has Eddie Routh's attorney saying the trial should be moved out of this small Texas county. The judge in the case has denied that request.
And after three days of screening potential jurors, the jury is now set to hear the case. The panel will be made up of 10 women and two men. Opening statements will begin Wednesday morning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA: And -- and Don, the jury in this case will not be sequestered. They were instructed by the judge here in Stephenville not to watch any of the coverage, not to pay attention to anything that is being said about this. And if any of their friends here in this town ask them if they're the ones serving on this jury, the judge told them just to avoid those types of conversations with people. This trial is expected to last between two and three weeks -- Don.
LEMON: And, Ed, what about the people who will not serve as jurors? What are people in Stephenville saying to you about this trial?
LAVANDERA: You know, I think it's a lot like -- this kind of intensity for a town this size and this kind of intense publicity surrounding this case is obviously something that many people around here are talking about, but, you know, opinions mixed about what to make of the situation and what to make of the defendant in this case, Eddie Ray Routh, like many people, and they say -- they've watched this transpire over the last two years, you know, they're kind of waiting to see what's going to happen and what kind of testimony is going to -- is going to emerge throughout all of this process.
LEMON: Ed Lavandera, thank you very much.
Now I want to bring in Brandon Webb, a former Navy SEAL who trained Chris Kyle. He's also the author of "Red Circle." Also with me is Jim DeFelice, he is the co-author of the book "American Sniper," which the movie is based on.
So I want to ask you this, Jim. You heard Ed say, as you heard last hour in the special program with Chris and Alisyn, he is a legend in Stephenville. "American Sniper" is the most popular, best-selling war movie ever. You co-authored the book. The movie made $300 million. The book is a best seller.
What do you make of the judge saying -- the judge says, if you've read the book, if you've seen the movie, that doesn't automatically disqualify you as a juror? What do you make of that?
JIM DEFELICE, CO-AUTHOR, "AMERICAN SNIPER": Well, I don't think that's surprising because so many people have actually seen the movie or read the book. And you know, if we always cut it off that -- you know, if you know something about the person that you can't be a juror, then no famous person could ever have justice. So when you -- you know, I think the jurors, when they go into the jury room, they have to try to put that all -- you know, out of their mind and be objective.
LEMON: People are questioning -- critics are questioning Kyle's choice to go to a gun range, with someone who is suffering from PTSD? What do you think, Brandon?
BRANDON WEBB, FORMER NAVY SEAL: Well, I mean, my personal opinion is that this guy Routh wasn't suffering from post-traumatic stress. He was obviously mentally disturbed, with a history of him being hospitalized, but veterans often helping veterans is one of the best ways to cope with post-traumatic stress. So I think because the shooting range and shooting is a very familiar thing, you know, whether it's to basketball players going to shoot hoops at the -- on the basketball court.
It's a very similar situation, very comfortable area to kind of have a one-on-one conversation. And I think that was Chris' objective.
LEMON: Did he talk to you about that?
DEFELICE: Well, Chris didn't. But I happen to know that the selection of that range is also significant. Just about an hour and a half each way from where Chris lived. And I think it was -- Chris was actually hoping, as he often did, to talk to the young man on the way there and on the way back. And the episode at the -- you know, at the shooting range was actually almost insignificant. It's that ride where you build up the camaraderie.
LEMON: I wonder if it helped him, because he also talked to you about his troubles returning to civilian life, didn't he?
DEFELICE: Absolutely. I think that -- you know, it was a transition. And you know, PTS, or PTSD is a very specific condition, and you know, I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that that's going to be, you know, the diagnosis here.
LEMON: Do you think it should be taken into consideration here?
DEFELICE: I think that we're going to have to -- the mental state is pretty much going to be what the trial decides. So we're going to hear from the experts. I wouldn't jump to conclusions.
LEMON: Do you think it should be taken into consideration, Brandon?
WEBB: The post-traumatic stress?
LEMON: Yes.
WEBB: From what I know about Routh, this is a guy who served overseas, but from what I know hasn't served in a direct combat role. So, you know, the history and all the facts in the case that I've seen is the guy has been hospitalized for a mental condition. He was arrested for threatening to kill members of his family. So to me, clearly not post-traumatic stress, this is an individual has a severe mental --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Are you concerned, if PTSD is taken into consideration that it's going to affect people's impressions of soldiers?
WEBB: Absolutely. I think that's a big concern, is, you know, when you look at the bulk of the thousands of combat veterans that are transitioning out of service right now, the majority of these individuals are transitioning and doing very positive things in the community. And when I look at the tragedy of the situation with Chris, you know, what would Chris want us to -- what lesson would Chris want us to learn from this, is that we do need to take care of these veterans that are returning from, you know, horrible places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
LEMON: I want to ask you about some of the stories that have come under question about Chris Kyle supposedly had told. Right? It's not in your book. But I want to ask you about them. One was about an incident, a former Minnesota governor, Jesse Ventura, that he talks about. Another one is about New Orleans as a sniper. Supposedly he shot 30 or so looters.
Again it's not part of your book, but what do you think of these stories?
WEBB: You know what, I focus on the fact and I served with Chris Kyle, took him three layer and during the sniper course. And we became closer when we're both out of the military. And I look at Chris as a man. Here's a guy that served four tours in Iraq, was award two Silver Stars, with valor, four Bronze Stars, and by all means, an American hero.
And when I -- when I judge him by the facts and his actions, it's just -- I try not to speculate on these other stories because the fact is Chris is an American hero.
LEMON: Do the truthfulness of these stories change anything you think about Chris?
WEBB: No. Not at all.
LEMON: What about you?
DEFELICE: Absolutely not. Just following up on what Brandon said is not only was he a hero on the battlefield. He's also a hero to a lot of individuals who, you know, who he took on a truck ride, or whom he talked or who helped get some aid from -- you know, from the V.A. He also raised two kids.
(CROSSTALK)
WEBB: I mean, Chris and I had those conversations about transition.
LEMON: Do you think that this movie, which is so popular now, do you think it adequately, accurately depicts life as a sniper, Brandon?
WEBB: I think that Bradley Cooper did an amazing job depicting Chris in Iraq in that setting, and that's a very specific setting in that urban environment, but I think he nailed it, as far as what Chris went through in Iraq.
LEMON: Jim?
DEFELICE: Yes, absolutely. Bradley's performance there is superb. Obviously, you know, to get the whole story, you know, there's a lot more to it. There's a lot more. I mean, the book has more of it but there's even more, and you have to, you know, have a long different stories.
LEMON: I know you guys will be paying close attention to the trial set to begin on Wednesday, expected to last at least two weeks so make sure you tune in to CNN for coverage. We'll be covering it all.
Thank you, Brandon. Thank you, Jim.
Will "American Sniper" sweep the Oscars? A countdown has begun to Hollywood's biggest night. And we're going to bring you all the red carpet action live.
Make sure you join me along with CNN's "NEW DAY" Michaela Pereira. That's Sunday, February 22nd, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, and after the awards, we have got you covered, all access pass to the A- list parties, plus all the memorable moments.
Our especially "AND THE WINNER IS" starts right after the ceremonies. So make sure you tune in.
When we come right back here on CNN, Whitney Houston's daughter, fighting for her life. Bobby Kristina has been in a medically induced coma for more than week now and tonight I'm going to exclusively to her father's best friend, Bobby Brown's best friend.
Plus, Bruce Jenner, what really happened in the deadly car crash with the former Olympian behind the wheel over the weekend?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Bruce Jenner says he is cooperating with Los Angeles Police who are investigating a multivehicle accident that killed a 69-year- old woman.
CNN's Stephanie Elam joins us now.
Stephanie, he's involved in that fatal multi-car accident over the weekend. What's the very latest?
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we know about this accident now is that the woman that died, her name is Kim Howe. She's 69 years old. We know that she was driving that white Lexus.
We also understand from investigators is that there was already an accident between a black Prius that was in front of the white Lexus. The white Lexus rear into that car pretty much all happening simultaneously when then Bruce Jenner coming down in his black SUV, which was also trailing an all-terrain vehicle on the trailer behind it, came down and hit that white Lexus, causing it to veer off into oncoming traffic where it was hit by the Hummer H2.
Now what we have learned today is that five members of a family who were in that Hummer H2 were taken to a hospital. They were just examined and sent home after that.
We also know that when you take a look at this accident, that it was so devastating here. We understand that right after the accident, Bruce Jenner actually volunteered to be tested and was taken by deputies, straight from the scene to a local hospital where he donated blood.
He also put out a statement yesterday about this. And I just want to read a piece of it to you. He said, quote, "It is a devastating tragedy and I cannot pretend to imagine what this family is going through at this time. I am praying for them." Don?
LEMON: Many folks are wondering if texting, Stephanie, factored into this crash, or perhaps the paparazzi may have contributed in some way. Any truth to any of this?
ELAM: Right. Well, the sheriff's department is saying that, no, the texting was something that they're going to look into as far as the phones are concerned. But as far as the paparazzi is concerned, yes, they were there, that's a constant normal for someone like Bruce Jenner, who lives his life on TV as being the patriarch of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." So they're always around him but they were not chasing them. So that is not an issue.
They are looking at the phone records of all four people involved here, all four drivers. They are also saying that the three drivers who survived are cooperating, including Jenner, who's already turned over his phone records as well.
And just want to play a little bit of sound here from the sergeant from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department about how long this investigation can take. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SGT. PHILIP BROOKS, LOS ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: It's going to take quite a bit of time to analyze all the evidence, all the vehicles have been impounded for examination to look for mechanical defects and things of that nature. And it could take up to six months before a final determination of fault, if any, is made in this case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM: And that's the key part here, Don, is that -- it's not clear at all if there is going to be any sort of criminal charges here. It's going to take a long time to go through that, to look at the cars. But what we can say is that Bruce Jenner is cooperating, going ahead and doing that blood test, giving up his phone records and also putting out the statement.
So everyone playing their part, but still a big tragedy here when you see that there's a loss of life of this one 69-year-old woman.
LEMON: Stephanie, thanks.
Let's delve into the legal ramifications now. I'm joined now by Lisa Bloom, legal analyst for avvo.com and a civil rights lawyer at the Bloom Firm. The paperback version of her book "Suspicion Nation" was released just today. Also here with me Mark Geragos, defense attorney and CNN legal analyst. Good evening to both of you.
So first, Mark, when a celebrity is involved in a fatal wreck like this one, how does it impact the investigation going forward?
MARK GERAGOS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, obviously the police pay a little bit more attention. It gets heightened scrutiny any time you've got the media involved in a case. That means people are going to be looking at it, analyzing it, and you're going to have all kinds of extra added attention.
The fact that Mr. Jenner cooperated immediately, had the blood drawn and they're going to do a tox screen to make sure that there was no alcohol or drugs in the system is helpful to him. But at the same time, even though it may take up to six months, as the sheriff was saying, for them to determine who was at fault, I think it's probably a foregone conclusion, you will see civil lawsuits filed well before that six-month date.
LEMON: You have a source close to this case. What have they told you about this investigation?
GERAGOS: Well, they initially -- any time you've got a fatality, the sheriff's department or the CHP, whoever the investigating agency is, is always going to open up a manslaughter investigation. Their first and foremost focus is going to be on, is there alcohol or drugs involved? Because if there is, then you're going to -- you're looking at felonies, you're looking at whether or not they're going to charge it as a felony manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, or in some cases, in California what they call a Watson murder.
At least what's been reported so far, it does not appear that that's where this is headed. But that doesn't mean that whoever they ultimately determined is at fault is out of risk, because in California, at least, if you commit a infraction, so meaning, if you're speeding, if you're following too closely, if you're texting, that can be the predicate for a misdemeanor manslaughter, which all it takes is a violation of an infraction of vehicle code section, and a death, and then that gets you to a misdemeanor prosecution.
LEMON: But, Lisa, by every indication right now, it appears that this was an accident. But investigators, as we know, are looking at all angles of this. So what evidence would police need to bring, let's say, as Mark said, a vehicular manslaughter charge?
LISA BLOOM, LEGAL ANALYST, AVVO.COM: So we want to know, was Bruce Jenner under the influence of any medication, prescription or otherwise. Alcohol? Was there texting? Was there handheld cell phone being used which is illegal in California? Was he driving at an excessive rate of speed? And by the way, I'm only using the male pronoun because he hasn't officially announced that he's transgender. So all of that is going to be looked at very, very carefully.
LEMON: You know, Lisa, paparazzi cameras capture the moment that Bruce Jenner, before the accident, the moment he hit the Lexus in front of him, the L.A. Sheriff's Department says there is no indication that the paparazzi contributed to the crash, but if you were his attorney, would you rule out their involvement in this -- or possible involvement in this crash?
BLOOM: Right. I think Mark will agree with me that we should not take as conclusive something that law enforcement says at the scene. That one case of evidence. But we don't know for sure. What we do know is there's a heck of a lot of photos of this incident. Who took those photos? Paparazzi. Obviously they were there. The fact that they have been there on many other occasions with Bruce Jenner is really irrelevant to me.
They were there for many occasions with Princess Diana and unfortunately they contributed to her death. So I want to know, were they following at an excessive rate of speed, were they following closely, were they harassing him? We just don't know the answers to that yet. But if I'm representing Bruce Jenner, I want of course all of the facts and circumstances, because I want to apportion liability on the civil side, which means, I want to show that other people, in addition to or instead of Bruce Jenner, are the ones who are responsible here.
LEMON: Lisa Bloom, and Mark Geragos, thank you.
Up next, Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, is in a medically induced coma, ever since she was found face down in a bathtub at her home.
Tonight, I'm going to talk exclusively with her father's -- her father Bobby Brown's best friend.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Tonight a prayer vigil near Atlanta for Bobbi Kristina Brown. Whitney Houston's daughter has been hospitalized since being found face down in a bathtub full of water 10 days ago.
Joining me now in an exclusive interview is R&B singer Johnny Gill, he's member of New Edition who's also best friends with Bobby Brown, Bobbi Kristina's father.
I want you to listen, though, to what he told fans at a performance last night in Atlanta.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNNY GILL, BOBBY BROWN'S BEST FRIEND: Tonight I'm performing for you, but tonight I'm going to give this one to Bobbi Kristina.
(CHEERS)
So when I perform tonight, (INAUDIBLE) because we're going to get through this one and we're going to do this one for her tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Johnny Gill, we appreciate you joining us tonight. You're close friends with Bobby Brown. You collaborated with him on your new album. I know you're continually speaking with the family. Any update on or improvement to tell us about Bobbi Kristina's condition?
GILL: Well, you know, everybody is staying hopeful, obviously, and I speak with Bobby pretty regularly. So there has been some little improvements here and there so -- you know, ultimately, it's -- when you put it in perspective, it's really about -- she's fighting. And she's strong. That's the one thing that has been -- that Bobby has been talking about, and has -- if there was one thing that he's hanging his hopes on is the fact that she's a fighter, and she's fighting.
LEMON: Yes. Almost three years to the day of her mom's death in a very similar, you know, fashion. No parent should have to go through what Bobby Brown is facing right now. How is Bobby doing? How's the rest of the family doing?
GILL: You know, Bobby is doing about as good as I think any parent can do in this situation. I mean, you know, you just -- you know, I don't think no parent even -- can even imagine, you know, being in this position as a parent with your child. But, you know, he's hanging in there and being strong for the family and doing what he has to do as a father.
So we just -- and I think with the family, everybody's just asking everyone to continue to -- you know, to lift her up in prayer and understand that, you know, this is a family that's going through a crisis, and it's been so much stuff thrown all over the place and you hear so many different things. I've said before that it's important to understand that with the family, when the family's ready to speak and give out some information, they will. And until then, it's just important that this is not -- you know, for anybody's entertainment purposes. This is a young lady who is fighting for her life and I think that everyone has to be cognizant of that and understand that, you know, I know the family appreciate all the well-wishers and all the support that everyone has given. And that we that -- you know, people are -- everyone is rooting for her. But, you know, we just have to sit and this is a sit and wait --
LEMON: Right.
GILL: And waiting game right now, so --
LEMON: And many families have gone through this and it's horrible just to have sit and wait and not know. And you know -- you mentioned, you said there are so many things out there and I know this isn't an easy time to talk about it, but CNN has learned from a close family friend, that Bobbi Kristina has unexplained injuries, allegedly on her body. We are also learning that investigators are focusing on Bobbi Kristina's boyfriend or common law husband Nick Gordon, as they try to determine how she ended up face down in a bathtub. Can you shed some light on any of this for us?
GILL: Well, we're going to leave that to the authorities and allow them to do their jobs -- do the jobs and we got to sit, sit and see what comes out of that. But at the end of the day, right now, we're concerned about -- I know I am as well as the family and everyone is concerned about Bobbi Kris, continuing to fight for her life. That's what's most important right now --
LEMON: As it this --
GILL: For everyone.
LEMON: As it this could be -- yeah, I mean, it cannot be made worse, it's a terrible situation, but it is, as I mentioned earlier, almost three years to the day of the anniversary of Whitney's passing. How is the family handling that anniversary? It's already a solemn time for them and this compounds that.
GILL: Well, you know, there's nothing -- I think that anyone can do. This is out of beyond any of our control, when you put it in perspective. Life brings on these challenges that we all have to deal with. And no one's exempt from the challenges that life brings on. And what we have to do is we have to face them head on and deal with them and continue to try to -- to try to get through the challenges that life brings on. So, how they feeling, I think they feel like anybody else would feel when you're going through a situation that a loved one that's life is on the line. When you have lost a loved one, that's never -- it's a hard pill to swallow. And it's hard for anyone that loves someone to have to deal with and accept the fact that they're no longer here. So --
LEMON: Yeah.
GILL: You know, they're just a family that's going through what family's go through, and we have to allow them that time and space and the privacy to do so because, you know, they're grieving, like anyone else and you know, so.
LEMON: I want to put up this video. This is from a vigil held earlier tonight. A lot of people showing their love and support and we saw Cissy Houston at the hospital, who also gonna visit Bobbi Kristina. I know that Tyler Perry has gone as well, but who else?
GILL: I don't know, I mean but beyond -- beyond mostly it's just been the family and they've been trying to keep that just amongst the family and I think that's where it belongs. I mean, it's important that we understand that this is not a show and this is not a concert, this is not -- you know, an awards show. This is just about a young lady in the hospital who's fighting for her life. And I'm sure there are so many people that want to go and see her, but this is about the prayers. That's what we need and that's what the family wants...
LEMON: And the family yesterday -- I was gonna ask you, the family gave you permission to do this interview. Was there any particular message that they wanted to send?
GILL: No, and the family did not give me permission to -- to do this interview. It's -- you know Bobbi is the one that I've worked with, and that Bobbi is the one that I've, I'm obviously very -- you know very close to. And I just felt like, and feel like -- you know, that I know everyone is sitting and speculating and throwing rocks and stones at him based on his movements and what he's doing and what he didn't do, and how come he's this and it's like, hey, this is a father that's got a child that's fighting for her life, and at some point, we have to sit back and get back to the shenanigans a little later when it comes down to the entertainment about what you think about him, how you should do, how he should walk, how he should talk, what he should do, and the point --
LEMON: What and whether he should get back on stage, on what he should do because, as I said earlier, you collaborated with him on your album changer and he's a performer at heart --
GILL: Game changer, yeah.
LEMON: Game-changer. And he's a performer at heart. So is there anything in this -- in this hour where on the song that talks about dealing with the issues that Bobbi has had to deal with?
GILL: No. No, this is just -- this is -- the song game-changer is just a song that we did as new edition. And this has nothing personal to do with anything personal besides, we talk about and sing about life experiences, relationships. You know, some of it is part of our lives -- some of those are part of our friend's lives. We know, that's just being as writers and singers and producers and creators, we just -- we come with and tell stories -- you know, we're story-tellers.
LEMON: Right.
GILL: You know, some of it has to do with our lives and some of it is just has to do with the stuff that people can truly identify with.
LEMON: Well Johnny Gill, thank you very much, our best to the family, OK?
GILL: Thank you.
LEMON: Thank you. Coming up, our team of expert judges weighs in on Bobbi Kristina on that case. What they think of the investigation so far.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Welcome back, let's talk a little bit more because there are lots of unanswered questions about Bobbi Kristina Brown and how she ended up face down in a bathtub at her home. I want to get our judges to weigh in on this investigation. So joining me now is Judge Glenda Hatchett, the host of The Judge Hatchett show and Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder, a former New York state Supreme Court justice. Thank you judges for joining me this evening.
JUDGE LESLIE CROCKER SNYDER, FORMER NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: Nice to see you.
JUDGE GLANDA HATCHETT, THE JUDGE HATCHETT SHOW HOST: Absolutely.
LEMON: Judge Glenda, a source close to Bobbi Kristina's family told CNN that she has injuries that still need to be explained. A different source said investigators are focusing on her boyfriend Nick Gordon, as they investigate how she ended up face down in a tub full of water. The man who found her, Max Lomas is asking for immunity before speaking with officers. What are investigators looking for right now?
HATCHETT: Well, they're gonna see, one, if these bruises, any foul play, because that's really what they're looking for, Don. They're trying to determine was there foul play? How did she end up in this bathtub full of water? And did any of their actions contribute to her being in the horrible situation that she's in now? So I find it very interesting although, Don, that the guy who was with Nick is asking for immunity before he speaks. So that may tell us volumes about the situation...
LEMON: That's what I want to ask you, why would they even be considering granting him immunity?
SNYDER: If that's their only source of information...
HATCHETT: Right.
SNYDER: Then they really don't have a choice. Unfortunately, a lot of law enforcement is built upon turning witnesses and giving witnesses immunity or great deals. We even saw that in the Gotti case.
LEMON: Does that mean that he has some information that -- you know, would lead this foul play, or it's just, he's the only witness?
HATCHETT: He's the only witness, but it suggests to me that he knows something because, if there's nothing that's incriminating, why would he seek to get immunity before he speaks to the officials?
LEMON: OK.
HATCHETT: So I think we're gonna see some interesting things come out of this whole investigation.
LEMON: Alright judges, I want to turn now to that fatal car crash involving Bruce Jenner. The L.A. county sheriff's department says the accident on Saturday's being investigated as a traffic accident involving a fatality. It was a four-car accident. So what are investigators looking for? First, Judge Snyder.
SNYDER: Well, they're going to examine all the vehicles. They're going to get phone records, which they hadn't gotten initially, cell phone records, to see if people were texting while they're driving, which is sometimes difficult to tell, but certainly they'll get some information that way. And they're going to want to see if there are any issues about drinking or drugs. And in fact, apparently, Jenner's cooperated fully. He did the field sobriety exercises, which I'm very familiar within they really do show whether you have your equilibrium and balance and the cops will be looking to see if you smell of alcohol, or if you're high, if your eyes are blood shot. Apparently, he passed those, he agreed to a blood test, which I gather was given immediately, which is important. So also he's cooperating. So thus far, all signs seem to be that this was really an accident not of his causation. However, I'm sure they'll gonna look further into this and see if anyone was criminally responsible, because the first thing is, is there any kind of vehicular manslaughter issue involved?
HATCHETT: Right.
SNYDER: That sounds tougher. And the other aspect is the civil aspect, and of course the cops have no control over that.
LEMON: Does it matter though that the Los Angeles times - here's what they're reporting that the victim, Kim Howe, hadn't had a valid driver's license since 2007. How does that impact the rights of her family if at all, Judge Hatchett?
HATCHETT: I don't think so. If -- she didn't do anything to contribute to it, it's not a good situation, but if someone triggered this accident, which it appears happens, and she was forced into another lane and subsequently killed, I think that she still has -- her family still has a basis for a civil action in this matter...
LEMON: OK.
(CROSSTALK)
HATCHETT: Even if you have a criminal investigation.
LEMON: Go ahead Judge Snyder.
SNYDER: I think you can be absolutely sure that, that would be a major issue raised against her -- suit because of course the fact that she didn't have a license does rise to some level of suspicion. However, could be unfounded, that she may not have been able to drive properly. So I think it's an issue. It could be -- as the judge said, a contributory negligence issue. I don't know.
LEMON: OK. I want to get to Chris Kyle...
HATCHETT: How was he was involved anyway?
LEMON: The trial for the man accused of killing Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield as well, he's name Eddie Ray Routh. The jury has been see what seated today in that murder case. There are 10 women, 10 men -- or two men, excuse me. Are still any one of you surprised that the makeup of this jury, Judge Snyder?
SNYDER: I am totally shocked that the jury was selected so quickly, and I think there are going to be a lot of serious appellate issues. Issues on appeal, if this man is found guilty, which there seems to be a strong likelihood.
LEMON: Yeah.
SNYDER: So -- I'm shocked not at the makeup which, you know, could happen. And there doesn't appear to be a racial component in this case because he's white and the jury is white. But I really am surprised that the judge didn't give more time to consider a change of venue from this county -- I'm kind of shock.
LEMON: Because he's a hero. He's a legend in that county. SNYDER: No, he's --
HATCHETT: Right.
SNYDER: Look, he's a wonderful guy, I think he's an American hero, but --
LEMON: Judge Glenda, I got to get your response, quickly, I'm gonna --
SNYDER: Sure, I'm sorry.
LEMON: Go ahead judge.
HATCHETT: Yeah, just very, very quickly, I would say to you Don, I think the venue -- change of venue request, I agree, may be basis for appeal. But I think it's very interesting that 19 people were already struck from the jury pool by this judge, because they said, I cannot make a fair assessment, because I've either seen the movie or read the book. But he doesn't disqualify them...
LEMON: OK.
HATCHETT: Because they had read or seen the movie.
LEMON: Charles (ph) starts on Wednesday. It would follow here on CNN...
HATCHETT: Yes.
LEMON: Covered (ph) for you. Thank you, judges, appreciated. So coming up, wonder what a jihadist manual looks like? Not to worry. This is an ISIS hand book for new recruits. We're gonna show you what it looks like and tell you what's in it we're gonna look inside, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: ISIS has been shockingly successful in recruiting westerners and believe it or not, there's actually a manual for new recruits to help them prepare. So, what is a potential jihadist suppose to pack? Here's CNN Will Ripley with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On the same social media sites where the FBI says ISIS is actively recruiting western teenagers, a new terrorist training manual. This 50-page guide book for prospective ISIS recruits looking to travel to Syria -- who to call, where to go, even what to pack.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: $543.
RIPLEY: A 15-minute shopping trip.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Boots and jacket.
RIPLEY: A quick look through the closet. We find pretty much everything. The hand book says a wannabe jihadi needs for a pilgrimage to ISIS. But the looks of this pile, we could easily be going backpacking. The how-to guide also includes tips for slipping through airport security and sneaking across the Syrian border.
PAUL CRUICKSHANK, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: How do get there, how to get there without being intercepted by western intelligence services, by Turkish intelligence services. How to (inaudible) of travel, what to bring on your trip.
RIPLEY: CNN Terrorism Analyst Paul Cruickshank says there's no way to verify if this guide actually comes from ISIS or just a sympathizer.
RIPLEY: Who are they targeting here?
CRUICKSHANK: There is an English-speaking jihadi, so that's all you they're targeting an English-speaking audience.
RIPLEY: U.S. law enforcement knows ISIS is aggressively using social media to recruit American teens as young as 15, luring them with false promises of adventure and glory. Analysts say the most westerners who join ISIS, the bigger the threat at home. And now, this guide makes recruiting that much easier.
Will Ripley, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Let's talk about this now with Michael Weiss, he is the columnist for foreign policy and now Lebanon, also the co-author author of ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror. Also with us, CNN Terrorism Analyst Paul Cruickshank, he is the co-author of Agent Storm. Is this the real deal, gentlemen?
MICHAEL WEISS, CO-AUTHOR OF ISIS: INSIDE THE ARMY OF TERROR: I think so. I mean --
LEMON: Real deal or real deal (inaudible).
WEISS: When we say real deal look, does this mean that this comes from ISIS high command that the kale (ph) of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was leaning over someone's shoulder editing this thing? No. It seems to me the work of a fellow traveler or sympathizer of ISIS, or what they call online a fan boy. Somebody who wants to be helpful to those, the mujahedeen who are coming, facing new security strictures, they don't want to get caught. I mean, the worst thing for ISIS is as they turn to swell these recruits of foreign fighters. Somebody gets off the plane in Istanbul or in Ankara and they're snatched, deported back to their western country of origin and then locked up, right? So this is how to evade all that.
LEMON: Let's talk about some -- let's go through some of this stuff, because it tells you how far the airport is from where you need to go. Buy a ticket in indirect holiday country like Spain or Greece, so that their destination doesn't seem suspicious, on and on. How troubling is this for you? CRUICKSHANK: It's quite troubling, because it's practical information
for potential recruits. And it's interesting that it notes Spain, because Hayat Boumeddiene, the companion of Amedy Coulibaly, who carried out the attack in France. She went through Madrid to get across to Turkey so to cover her tracks in then get across to Syria. So they're looking for ways to mask their tracks, to get into Syria undetected.
LEMON: It's also -- a lot of it used to be getting around Turkish security, correct? Right? There is one thing I want to point out -- that you guys pointed out to me. On your visa application form, one of the pages it says that what you shouldn't do is there's a box that says commit jihad in Syria, this tell you, this manual tells you, don't check that box.
CRUICKSHANK: Yeah.
(CROSSTALK)
WEISSS: Wise choice, wise choice.
LEMON: Yeah.
WEISS: We actually gonna agree on before we coming on, we went to the Turkish Foreign Ministry website and looked at to this application, that box isn't there anymore. So I mean, it is sort of calls into question a little bit the origins of this thing, but I -- presume that's probably been changed.
LEMON: What does it tell you about the quality of people what they're recruiting, because little simple things that you would know about travel, most people would know about travel are in here, what does it tell you about the quality or the kind of person they're recruiting?
CRUICKSHANK: Well they want all sorts of people to travel, because they want people to bring those skills for this, this caliphate project. So the people that they're looking to recruit aren't necessarily the best travelers, the most experienced travelers. So there are all sorts of tips which are pretty obvious to most people. You know bring boots and clothes in case it's raining and things like that. But other things like, you know bring solar paneled electronics and stuff like that, because it's sometimes difficult to get electricity in Syria, all sorts of practical advice in this manual.
LEMON: When a person reaches Turkey, they will rent a hotel and make contact with someone in Syria. This is often done by a known Twitter account -- Twitter contact. A contact is important because once a person is in Turkey they will require protection in addition to not knowing where to go or who to trust. It's like -- an online social media account is part of this.
WEISS: Yeah, you need somebody to vouch for you when you get there. I mean, you have to send these guys that are coming over, they've made contact with ISIS using Skype or Facebook or some kind of secure encrypted chat software. On Tokyo, which is kind of the main garrison for the rebel forces, including ISIS in southern Turkey is awash with Turkish intelligence, western intelligence, including the CIA. So this is about, you know don't come in if somebody offers you deserve chance to immigrate to Syria unless you know who you're dealing with.
LEMON: Can we talk quickly about -- do you want to answer that or? --
CRUICKSHANK: I think what -- one interesting thing is that thing is harder to get in now...
WEISS: Yeah.
CRUICKSHANK: Before you could just go to an official border crossing point perhaps, pay a bribe. But now they're saying you have to get in undetected, perhaps even crawl under barbed wire or get ISIS operatives to smuggle you across, it's more difficult now ISIS acknowledging to get across.
LEMON: I want to talk about the family (inaudible) begging for information about her ISIS. About, they say that ISIS air strikes obviously, that's where ISIS killed her, but they haven't given proof of life...
CRUICKSHANK: Right.
LEMON: Yet, right? Their ISIS is saying airstrikes killed her, but they haven't been giving proof about it. How do you read this? What do you guys think?
WEISS: I think that's almost certainly a lie. There's a number of reasons. Number one, they're keeping the hostage in a weapons depot which are the only facilities that the Jordanian air force hit. They also said that this was -- that the plane that bombed this site and killed her was a Jordanian aircraft. How would ISIS known it was Jordanian aircraft, when there is mostly Americans warplanes flying in the sky.
LEMON: You got 10 seconds Paul, you want to respond?
CRUICKSHANK: There's no more information that they've put out. So there still has to be some hope for the family.
LEMON: Thank you, gentlemen.
WEISS: Thank you.
LEMON: Appreciate it. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Make sure you stay with CNN for the latest on Breaking News around the world. That's it for me tonight, I'm Don Lemon. Thank you for so much for watching. I'll see you back here tomorrow night on CNN.
"AC360" starts right now.
