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QB Steve McNair Shot to Death; Sharpton Takes Media to Task on Jackson Coverage; Military Prevents Deposed President's Landing in Honduras; Clerics Part of Growing Dissent in Iran

Aired July 05, 2009 - 19:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening, everyone. I'm Don Lemon in Los Angeles.

We begin with developing news in Honduras. Take a look at live pictures tonight from the airport there. It is high drama.

The deposed president, Jose Manuel Zelaya, ousted one week ago in a coup. He took off from Dulles airport outside of Washington this afternoon. He is trying to land at this airport. He is onboard a jet for the capital of Honduras. Will he land? We don't know.

Well, the announcement that Zelaya was returning home sent cheering supporters into the streets. But it is not clear -- not all clear if Zelaya will actually arrive or what will happen if he does.

Our Karl Penhaul is working on this story for us. He will join us in just moments.

But there is chaos at this airport in the capital city there of Honduras, and you can hear Telesur reporters there talking about what's going on. You see military -- the military on the ground.

Just moments ago from the airplane, Telesur spoke with Zelaya and he said this, "He pleaded with the military to let him land there. He faces arrest by the interim Honduran government if he does land there."

Here is what he said. He said he asks that the soldiers now occupying the airport instead return their allegiance to him in the name of God, in the name of the people, and in the name of justice.

Chaos at the airport; we have seen fires burning, motorcycles on fire, people rushing the cameras and running around the airport. It is a chaotic situation that we are following in Honduras tonight.

Our Karl Penhaul will join us. Just moments ago, he is right in the middle of it all.

Meantime, we turn to news happening right here in the United States. The sense of utter disbelief surrounding the death of a former pro football star Steve McNair. His bullet-ridden body and that of his 20-year-old apparent girlfriend were found yesterday at a downtown Nashville condo. Police have already ruled McNair's death as a homicide. But they say classifying Sahel Kazemi's death will take longer than that, fuelling speculation of a possible murder/suicide.

We're going to go live now toward Nashville and our reporter there -- his name Brent Frazier, he is with CNN affiliate WTVF.

Tell us what -- why are they not classifying this as a murder/suicide? It seems to be all of what the policeperson yesterday, the spokesperson, insinuated in this press conference.

BRENT FRAZIER, WTVF-TV CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Don, you're absolutely right, and it's pretty much a case of "draw your own conclusion."

Let me say that Nashville police are being extraordinarily tight- lipped about this whole scenario, understandably, given Mr. McNair's high-profile status in the community and the sports world.

Two things they did reveal to us, though, two of the more poignant revelations perhaps from a press conference just this afternoon, first being time frame. Autopsy results show the pair was shot hours before they were discovered during the wee hours of Saturday morning. In fact, they were found, you might recall, at about 1:35 local time, the afternoon of the 4th.

Secondarily, Steve McNair was actually shot four times, according to police. Twice in the head, twice in the chest, as he sat on the couch.

And as you said, police are finally admitting McNair and 20-year- old Sahel Kazemi were romantically involved. Kazemi had moved here to Nashville from Florida and was by all accounts an exotic dancer who had been dating McNair the last several months now. Police say she actually died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

Police say the murder weapon, a semiautomatic pistol, was not immediately visible at the Nashville condo McNair was leasing, the reason being...

LEMON: Hey Brent, I want to ask you this, Brent.

FRAZIER: ... Kazemi's body.

LEMON: Brent Frazier I want to ask you this.

FRAZIER: Yes, go ahead.

LEMON: Because there have been -- last night in the press conference, the police talked about Kazemi being arrested on a DUI charge and that McNair took a taxi cab home and that she had been troubled in some sense. Is anyone talking to you about her mental state leading up to this?

FRAZIER: We're learning bits and pieces, Don, about this young lady's biography. She was a Florida native or had at least lived in Florida.

I can't speak to her mental state per se. But you're absolutely right. She had been arrested just last Thursday morning by Metro Nashville Police here in downtown. She was arrested for DUI. She claimed she wasn't drinking, but was, rather, using marijuana.

McNair was a passenger in a Cadillac Escalade, an SUV, registered to both Kazemi and McNair, which tells us they were making no bones about this apparent love affair.

LEMON: And in the latest press conference, the police said that they weren't looking at anyone, any suspect; they weren't trying to arrest anyone. Are they still sticking with that right now, Brent?

FRAZIER: They're being very ambiguous about that, Don. They make it apparent that there isn't a dangerous gunman on the loose in the streets of Nashville; that no neighbors have any need to worry. At the same time, they're saying we can't yet call this a murder/suicide until we get ballistics and toxicology and interview some witnesses.

LEMON: Brent Frazier with our affiliate WTVF. Thank you. Good reporting there Brent.

I want to bring in now CNN's law enforcement analyst, Mike Brooks. He has been working his sources since the news of McNair's untimely death broke.

We were on the air last night when it happened and Mike you were on. Tell us what police are saying and not saying about this really read-between-the-lines investigation. I guess it's fair to call it that.

MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Yes, you know, it's very fair to call it that, Don. Because yesterday in the early hours right after the bodies were discovered, my law-enforcement source close to the investigation was telling me that they thought that it was a double homicide.

But now they're saying they're going to -- they're taking a look at all the forensics. They are also taking a look at all of her e- mails, they are taking a look at his e-mails, text messages, to see if there was any issues between the two before this happened.

And they're also looking -- they're going to be looking at forensics, for her to see whether or not it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Because as Brent said, they did not see the gun immediately until they...

LEMON: Hey, Mike...

BROOKS: Yes?

LEMON: Yes, that's what I was going to say, maybe that's why your source told you it was a homicide. Because in the press conference that we heard, they said they didn't find a gun until much later on...

BROOKS: Exactly.

LEMON: ... because it wasn't visible when police walked in.

BROOKS: That's exactly right. And you know as you and I were talking, as this was developing yesterday, that they were saying it looked right on, to them and to homicide investigators, that it was a double homicide...

LEMON: And no forced entry?

BROOKS: And -- exactly. As you work a scene, Don, I can tell you, I've worked on this -- as you work a scene, you come in, you take a look, you take pictures. And then you start moving the body.

Well, one of the things they can do, Don, is they can see whether or not if she was one -- if she was the one that fired the gun because there'll be gunshot residue on her hand. And they'll also take a look at the wounds on both McNair and on her to see exactly how far away the person who fired the shots were. And if it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound on her, they will be able to tell that.

LEMON: All right, Mike Brooks, whatever it is, it's a very sad story. We appreciate you being on top of this for us, Mike.

BROOKS: It really is and it's really shaking the community in Nashville, because he was a rock star there, Don.

LEMON: Yes, and really the entire country.

BROOKS: Absolutely.

LEMON: "Air McNair," everybody knew him. Thank you, sir. We appreciate it.

And Sahel Kazemi's family is already speaking out about this tragedy, talking to CNN affiliate WSMV television. Here is what her sister says. She says she can't believe the deadly turn of events or what could have led up to them.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

SEPIDE SALMANI, SISTER OF SHOOTING VICTIM: She was very young, very pretty, very loving. She would never hurt a person; outgoing, really very independent, very strong.

We were supposed to be celebrating Fourth of July, and 5:00 I got a phone call from my brother. He said, go see Washington news. So, I went to, you know, Washington news, and I saw it, and we both (INAUDIBLE) that that's her, because they did not release the name until like 11:00, 10:00. So, we were hoping that is not her.

We had the feeling that it was her. Because she would be the only young woman with him at that time as far as we knew.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

LEMON: We'll talk to anyone who knew Steve McNair from his formative days, growing up in Mt. Olive, Mississippi, to his glory days in the NFL. Each and everyone will tell you he was a class act in every sense of the word.

Our sports analyst, Rick Harrow, joins us a little bit later on this hour to talk about McNair's impact.

Meantime, let's go to Cherokee County, South Carolina; another place where death trumps any Fourth of July holiday celebrations this weekend. In fact, authorities there say they're hunting for a serial killer who they say has killed five people in just last week.

Funeral services were held today for 50-year-old Gena Linder Parker and her mother, 83-year-old Hazel Linder. Here is a police sketch of that suspect.

Police say they have evidence linking all five killings. If you have any information on this case, you are asked to contact your local police department.

Let's turn now to the latest on the Michael Jackson investigation, the death investigation. An assistant L.A. police chief says Forest Lawn Cemetery officials are working with the Jackson family on plans for a private funeral service.

Meantime, the fiery sermon from the pulpit takes the news media to task. I want to join our Susan Roesgen now. She's outside the church where the Reverend Al Sharpton spoke out earlier today.

Hello, Susan. Thanks for joining us again. It certainly was a fiery sermon.

SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It certainly was here at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, a longtime proud African- American church here in Los Angeles. And Reverend Sharpton got them going, Don. Even with a lot of reporters in the audience, the congregation was on their feet, cheering him, when he said the media has not treated Michael Jackson fairly.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: I'm not even here for that. I'm really here early because of the disgraceful and despicable way that some elements of the media has tried to destroy the legacy and image of a man that stood and broke every record in the history of the music business.

We come to L.A. for Michael Jackson because there's a double standard. Because when you had had other entertainers that had questions in their life, you did not degrade and denigrate them before their funeral like you've done Michael Jackson.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ROESGEN: Now, the Reverend Sharpton did say that he is as interested as anybody in what the investigation will show about Michael Jackson's death. But he said, "Let's not talk about that until Wednesday." And that, Don, was implying that the funeral would probably be Tuesday, and we know that the public memorial will be Tuesday.

Reverend Sharpton is also calling for that day to be a national day of mourning and he wants what he calls "love vigils" around the United States and around the world to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, who as you know here, Don, on CNN we have paid great tribute to him and his terrific history in American music.

LEMON: All right. Susan, thank you very much for that.

Organizers of Tuesday's memorial service plan to send out e-mails today notifying the people who have been selected to receive tickets; more than 1.5 million people registered for those tickets. And after a random drawing 8,750 people will each receive a pair of tickets. Everyone who is awarded a ticket will also be given wrist bands which must be worn for the entire time and entry into the Staples Center for the simulcast at the Nokia Center or Theater as well.

Please stay with us. In about a half hour, we're going to speak with the Reverend Jesse Jackson. He's going to join me to talk about Tuesday's service and also give us more details about the family, a possible personal service, and if their religion is playing a role in this as well. Make sure you join us and Reverend Jesse Jackson a little bit later on in the broadcast.

And Tuesday, make sure you join us for round-the-clock coverage of the memorial celebrating the life of this worldwide pop icon as family, friends, fans they all say good-bye: "MICHAEL JACKSON, THE MEMORIAL" CNN, all day Tuesday, starting on "AMERICAN MORNING" at 6:00 a.m. Eastern.

When the clerics in Iran speak, the world listens. Now they're raising questions about the recent election. We hear from a Mideast expert on this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MADONNA, SINGER: All right, people, let's give it up to one of the greatest artists the world has ever known. Michael Jackson. Long live the king.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And pop diva Madonna pays tribute to a legend. We'll show you more.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, let's get back to our developing story -- it's really our top story today here on CNN. It's out of Central America. The deposed Honduran President Jose Manuel Zelaya is on a jet bound for the Honduran capital to reclaim his office. Zelaya was run out of the country last weekend in a coup.

You can see the crowd is gathered outside of the airport as the violence broke out there. The Honduran troops fired tear gas and shots in the air to hold back protesters. Protest organizers say at least one person is hurt.

CNN's Karl Penhaul is at the airport where the drama is unfolding.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Don, the situation may, in fact, at this stage, be much worse than that.

We are hearing from supporters of Mr. Zelaya who were there at that shooting incident. They say that three of their comrades have been killed in that shooting incident. They say that at least one other was wounded and has been taken to hospital.

Now, the taxi driver, who took one of the wounded people to hospital, has pulled out, and it's a little bit gruesome for you, but has pulled out the rear cover of his taxi seat and you can clearly see this, marked with blood. This blood, when he passed it to me about 20 minutes ago was still wet.

What other people who were on the other side of the airport when that shooting incident took place have also brought to me -- the cartridges that they say were fired during that shooting incident. Now, these are cartridges of 556 rounds. What that means is that these are the same caliber as used by the Honduran military and Honduran police.

Now, of course, I can't tell you whether these are the cartridges fired from those bullets but a CNN team that was on that side of the airport when the shooting broke out did clearly see the military forces opening fire.

Eyewitnesses from the march, the supporters of Mr. Zelaya, say that at this stage three people were killed in that shooting, at least one other was wounded and has been taken to hospital.

And, of course, what a lot of people on the ground here are predicting is that over the next few moments, things may turn even uglier. Why? Because we understand that Mr. Zelaya's aircraft is in the air and may be only a few moments from landing now.

The interim government, the government that was installed by that military coup exactly one week ago, has said that they will not permit the plane to land. They say if the plane does defy that order and lands, then they will arrest Mr. Zelaya when he sets foot here.

But what thousands of protesters who have gathered around me and have gathered here at the entrance to the airport have said is that if there's a danger that Mr. Zelaya will be arrested, they have said that they will take the airport, they will take the terminal, and they will put up a human corridor around Mr. Zelaya to try and protect him from arrest. Talking to some of these protesters they say that they are prepared to fight the military, even though these people say they are not armed. They say -- some of them -- that they are even prepared to die for a president who they say was introducing a series of social reforms aimed at reducing poverty here.

The tensions are very high; the polarization in this society currently is very high. And of course, the coup leaders, the interim government, have the military on their side. We've already heard from the military today. And we've heard from them in the form of shots and teargas -- Don.

LEMON: All right, thank you very much, Karl Penhaul reporting. We'll keep -- continue to go back to Karl there as he gets more information.

We're getting new details this evening on the public and private memorial service for Michael Jackson. A friend of the family, Reverend Jesse Jackson, joins us live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: The fate of an Iranian employee of the British embassy in Tehran is still up in the air tonight. Of the nine employees taken into custody after last month's post-election protest, eight have been or are expected to be released without charges. But the ninth is still in question. It's a question mark. And the British embassy issued a warning told to free that employee as well.

Also in Iran, signs of growing discontent among the religious elite. CNN's Tim Lister has the very latest for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The city of Qom is one of the holiest in Shia Islam. And its ayatollahs have a moral authority that's highly influential in Iran.

This is where demonstrations against the Shah's rule broke out in 1978 and Ayatollah Khomeini's movement was based that ultimately toppled the Shah.

Now senior clerics in the Qom seminary are speaking out against the conduct of last month's elections and questioning the judgment of Iran's current spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

The statement asks, "How can one accept the legitimacy of the election just because the Guardian Council says so? Can one say that the government born out of the infringements is a legitimate one?"

One scholar briefly jailed during the Shah's rule says the statement follows criticism by several Grand Ayatollahs.

ABBAS MILANI, DIRECTOR, IRANIAN STUDIES, STANFORD UNIVERSITY: It is, I think, historic, because it come also on the heel of several other equally important announcements by other Grand Ayatollahs. These are the equivalent of cardinals in Catholicism who have also doubted the veracity of this election, also considered a sin to beat on people inviting the revolutionary guards to cease their brutalities.

LISTER: One of them, Grand Ayatollah Sanei, posted this message on his Web site: "A large portion of the people have not been convinced over the ambiguities in the election. Due to the lack of public support, the government may face legal and civil problems and a lack of competency."

But conservatives are keeping up the attack on opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi. A top aide to Ayatollah Khamenei, writing in a conservative daily, claims, "It has to be asked whether the actions of Mousavi and his supporters are in response to the instructions of American authorities."

Pro-reform commentators say Mousavi's plan to form his own political movement has alarmed conservatives.

EHSAN TAHERI, COLUMNIST: They were extremely worried, and this anxiety caused by Mir Hossein's announcement of launching a new political movement has further worried them and made them take action to somehow stop the formation of such a movement.

LISTER: A former Iranian president, Hashemi Rafsanjani, has also criticized the treatment of opposition protesters, saying that events after the election and the difficulties created for some have left a bitter taste. The election may have been three weeks ago, but the turmoil it generated and the splits in Iran's clerical establishment show no sign of easing.

Tim Lister, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: All right, I want to get you back now live to Honduras. We have some breaking news to tell you about. Telesur is reporting that the plane of the ousted Honduran president has now landed, is now trying to land, and as we follow these picture, we want to see if it is anywhere near the plane. But I don't see the plane anywhere at the airport there. But they're saying that the plane is trying to land, that it is circling, that the military is on the runway there.

Can we drop that banner please, because I see military vehicles there, and I believe the military - those vehicles are on the runway there. I'm not sure if they're trying to stop it from landing -- you can put it back up now - or if they're there just to, once he does land, to try to arrest him. Because he faces possible arrest if he does land.

This is all playing out again live. This is from Telesur in Honduras, in the capital city, Tegucigalpa. And the ousted Honduran president we're talking about is Manuel Zelaya. He has pleaded with the military to let him land. He made a phone call from the airplane asking them to please respect him and to side with him because he is the person who hold power. I want to bring in Karl Penhaul now, who is our reporter on the ground. He is covering the story. Karl, what are you hearing from there?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN VIDEO CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Just in the last couple of minutes, Don, we have seen a (INAUDIBLE) certainly around Tegucigalpa Airport. At that stage, screams went up from the crowd. They believe that that is the jet that is bringing out the president, Mr. Zelaya, back to Honduras, and to help him fulfill his pledge to reclaim the presidency exactly a week after he was ousted in a military coup.

Now, even though they can see this jet that they believe that it is the president's jet, things from here are getting very tense. About half an hour ago, protesters on the other side of the airport tried to break through the fencing to get access to the airstrip. And at that point, the military opened fire with bullets and also with tear gas. Now, what protesters and eyewitnesses to that incident are saying is that a number of people were wounded. They also say that three of their comrades were killed. But we don't have any independent confirmation of that yet from either the Red Cross or from Honduran officials of the interim government which was set up by the coup. But certainly what protesters have shown me is evidence of blood stains on a vehicle that was used to take one of the injured away, and they're also showing me cellphone photos and videos of blood on the ground and the number of bullets that look to be of the caliber used by the Honduran military (INAUDIBLE).

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And Karl, I know it is very loud around you, and so far in this, we have heard -- the Associated Press is reporting that there was at least one death. Can you talk to us about the chaos around you, and have you seen any violence yourself?

PENHAUL: Yes, I'd say, Don, it is very very, very noisy here as expectation (INAUDIBLE) Zelaya (INAUDIBLE). But what the interim government has said is that if Mr. Zelaya's plane attempts to land here, first of all, they have denied it permission to land. They say that if it defies that order and lands anyway, then they will try and arrest Mr. Zelaya as soon as he steps on Honduran soil.

And that really is going to set two scenarios. The military will be able to do that if they have control of the airstrip. But what Mr. Zelaya's supporters, who are now gathered in the thousands outside the airport, say is that they will try to stop the military arresting their president, even if it means that they have to break into the airport and take control of the airstrip itself and throw up a human cordon around it.

But certainly, the lines, the battle lines are firmly drawn here. It is quite clear that the riot police and the military are under orders to stop the protesters coming through, even if that means opening fire and using tear gas -- Don.

LEMON: CNN'S Karl Penhaul. Karl, stand by, because we are hearing from Telesur. This is what they're reporting. They're reporting that the airplane, those aboard the airplane asked for permission to land. They were denied. And now they're seeking to land this plane in an undisclosed location. If you're just tuning in to CNN, we are watching pictures coming from the capital city of Honduras, at the airport there. The ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, is trying to return to his country. He took off from Dulles Airport this morning after being ousted last week. And he sought refuge here in the United States. But he took off from Dulles Airport this morning.

And here's what he did. He asked - called aboard the plane. And this is Telesur reporting as well, saying that those soldiers who were occupying the airport, instead returned their allegiance to him. OK. In the name of God, he says, in the name of the people, and in the name of justice. He's asking to land.

My producer's just relaying some information. Can you say again, Jen? The ousted president tells Telesur that they cannot land. Telesur is - has been speaking to him as he's in the air. They cannot land because of the obstacles on the ground.

And we were correct when we were reporting about the military vehicles on the runway. I would imagine they are doing this on purpose. They're doing this on purpose, as not to let that plane land. So, Zelaya is telling Honduran TV, Telesur, that they cannot land because of the obstacles on the ground. They're also reporting that they ask permission to land. They denied and they are seeking to land in an undisclosed location.

Our Karl Penhaul is on this story as well. He is out really in the middle of all this chaos, really, madness, as you can - is the only way of putting it, broke out. If we have some of that video. Can we put it up next to see how people were, shall we say, rioting earlier. There were motorcycles on fire, there were people who were screaming and chanting and raising their fists in the air.

And Zelaya says he will keep trying. There's that video. He will keep trying to get there. He says if he could parachute to the ground, he would. He is telling all of this to Honduran television, Telesur. And you can see there, on the left, live pictures of the airport, in the capital city where the ousted president is trying to land. And on the right, you see the protests that took place there as well.

Let's get back to CNN's Karl Penhaul. What do you have for us, Karl?

PENHAUL: The last few moments, I spoke to you that a few moments ago, a wide executive-type jet circled and overflew Tegucigalpa airport. That raised expectations among Mr. Zelaya's supporters if that is in fact the jet that he is traveling on, that is the jet that he is trying to land here. But no sooner did that executive jet overfly the airport, now overhead we have at least one military aircraft circling. We also have a military helicopter coming in to overfly the air strip as well. The interim government has said they will try and stop Mr. Zelaya from landing and quite clearly what is going on now is that the military are putting aircraft overhead in the airspace above the airport to try and physically prevent or physically make it too dangerous for Mr. Zelaya's jet to land.

The interim government and the military has, however, said if he does manage to land, if he defies the danger and manages, to put his aircraft down on the tarmac here at the Tegucigalpa Airport, then we already know that dozens of soldiers are out there the on the air strip, ready to arrest him. The interim government has said that they will put him on trial if they can for a range of charges, including treason and corruption. What Mr. Zelaya's supporters have said is they believe there's danger their president will be arrested and they will confront the military. They will confront the police and to try to take control of the airport themselves, to drop a human corridor around Mr. Zelaya and protect him.

Now, as we speak, the military aircraft continues to circle around and to make patterns in the airspace above the capital's airport and that seems to be a clear attempt to stop that wide executive jet as we saw in the last few moments from making any further attempts to land. For the moment, we see no other sign of that wide executive jet. Unclear right now where that might be. But certainly when it made its first pass, it was flying at a pretty low altitude, Don.

LEMON: CNN's Karl Penhaul joining us live from the Honduran capital there at the airport and reporting on this breaking news that is unfolding here live as we speak. We're looking at the video just as you are seeing it and getting the information as well from Honduran TV, Telesur. They are reporting that Manuel Zelaya was trying to land and was not allowed to land and now they're trying to land at an undisclosed location. Telesur also reporting - they're speaking to him on the plane, saying he's going to keep trying. And if he could parachute in, that he would. We're going to continue to follow this developing news this breaking news happening out of Honduras here on CNN. You won't miss a moment of it.

We're getting new details also this evening on the public and private memorial service for Michael Jackson. A friend of the family, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Jackson attorney Tom Mesereau, they both join us live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: We're following breaking news out of Honduras. The ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, is trying to land his airplane and the military will not allow him to do it. He has been speaking to Telesur, Honduran television, saying that he cannot land because of obstacles on the ground. And you can see there, just above that breaking news banner we had there, military vehicles blocking that runway. He is trying to land that plane at an undisclosed location. They would not allow him to land at the airport in the capital city there. So we'll continue to follow this developing story. Also, we want to tell you that our Karl Penhaul is on the ground and he reporting for us. So, details as they become available here on CNN.

Joining me now are two people who knew Michael Jackson in unique but very different ways. Attorney Thomas Mesereau was Michael Jackson's defense attorney during his child molestation trial. And of course, you know civil rights activist and longtime Jackson family friend, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Thank you both for joining us today. A lot going on.

REV. JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER: ... revolution on television.

LEMON: We're watching the revolution live on television. Isn't it amazing what's happening in the news now.

Mr. Mesereau, I'm not going to forget about you. No worries. I have Reverend Jackson here. I want to ask him - you have been with the family in these days and hours after Michael Jackson's death. How are they holding up?

JACKSON: First, they are family. And they are sharing their grief. And they've not had time to mourn. And that was just the pain that - Joe and Katherine were going through on Friday morning, speaking through her tears. But they're a very religious family. They have strong religious roots. So, their family and faith playing a big role.

LEMON: How is that playing a big role in this?

JACKSON: Well, because it gives you the sense to put destiny in its perspective. I said to her, you lost your son at age 50. Mrs. King lost her son at age 39. Mrs. (INAUDIBLE) at 14, and she understands life and death and she believes that she will see Michael again. This is a faith journey. But also the global response to his music just seems to have been redeeming. Given all the attacks that he's gone through. The redeeming has been that. But the mystery of what happened when and these investigations are now weighing heavily on the family.

LEMON: Yes, I would imagine they are. And then hang on, I want to talk to you much more about their faith, but I want to bring in Tom Mesereau now. Mr. Mesereau, I interviewed you for the special that we did, the hourlong special we did on Michael Jackson. And you spoke of Katherine Jackson as well. What a strong woman. And you said every single day she was there for Michael's trial and she was his inspiration.

THOMAS MESEREAU, FORMER MICHAEL JACKSON DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It was a five-month trial. She didn't miss a single day. And I would see the two of them during breaks would be in a private room upstairs. And it was obvious what emotional strength and just what caring she gave Michael Jackson. He clearly depended on her throughout that five-month trial to get him through probably the ordeal of his life.

LEMON: And you know, we talked about during that special. We talked about Michael's life. I mean, it was very nuance, very nuance life. You said you never met a nicer person?

MESEREAU: I never met a kinder, nicer, more considerate person in my life. He never complained about himself. He always talked about his children. There was one point late in the trial where I was having a couple of health problems. He called me up. He was so concerned about me and not concerned about himself at all. He was just a generous, kind and just decent person who wanted to heal the world through music, art and kindness and I believe he did.

JACKSON: At this house, his mom talked about how they used to shop together, go to the junk shops together, finding stuff together. It explains why he would want her to be the executor of his will and the guardian of his children because of his confidence in her, has taken care of his interests and covering his back.

LEMON: Either of you, I mean, you jump in here, why when he was alive -- and then even there have been - there has been criticism after his death, why this demonization of Michael Jackson? Maybe that's not the right word. But people only focusing on the circus- like quality around his life.

JACKSON: Maybe it's a lot of salacious stuff that makes for good 20-second sound bites. I'm concerned that we don't cover how they came out of Gary. Eleven people living in four rooms. And from there to the top of the heap.

LEMON: The quintessential American story, from the bottom to the top.

JACKSON: Joe was working as a crane operator and as a welder. Mrs. Jackson cooking for the 11 of them. She made Michael - she made all of their uniforms...

LEMON: Seamstress...

JACKSON: Came out of there - without a child going to jail and great discipline. Everything we said in American family be. Gary is where it all starts, and it must be put into real perspective as the great American story.

LEMON: And Thomas Mesereau, as you watch all of this unfold, what do you want people to know about Michael Jackson? Because, you know we're hearing a lot about, he did this, he was that. I have to remind people that he was acquitted, for one, and he settled out of court. And who knows why he did that? Maybe he just wanted to get it out of the way.

MESEREAU: Well, that's absolutely why he did it. He told me that was the reason. His business advisers told him, pay money, get rid of this, you want it behind you, let's move forward. And he didn't want to bother with an OJ-type proceeding. He said that himself. As far as the case that I defended him in, the media was salivating over a conviction.

During the week the jury deliberated, they showed jail cells every day. They were hoping that's where he would end up because that would make the great story for them. That would give them revenue and ratings. Well, a very conservative jury in Santa Maria, California acquitted him 14 times, 10 felonies and four misdemeanors. It was total vindication.

And I think the long-lasting memory of Michael Jackson will be as one of the greatest living musical artists in history. It will be as one of the great humanitarians in history. As somebody who really tried to bring all people together, people of all races, who tried to reach out to people who were disadvantaged, disabled. It's going to be a very positive, loving memory.

JACKSON: You know, while we're chasing rumors, there's family, there's music, there's a mega business visionary. There's a culture- transforming force and so when we ask, at least let us mourn to get to Wednesday, it's not too much to ask.

LEMON: I think -- both of you, thank you so much. I really appreciate both of you coming in. You guys, with your time, you have just been very gracious, both of you. And we want to say the Reverend Jesse Jackson reminded me of something. Michael Jackson, the person he modeled himself after was...

JACKSON: Sammy Davis, Jr.

LEMON: Sammy Davis, Jr.

JACKSON: Of course, the guy who had the title Rolls Royce (ph) entertainer was Sammy. Because he could sing and dance and tap and (INAUDIBLE). He was the guy.

LEMON: Yes, even in his dancing and everything, the way he -- Sammy Davis, Jr. was the guy he modeled himself after. Thank you.

JACKSON: On Sammy's 60th anniversary, Michael was a special guest.

LEMON: Ah, thank you, sir. We really appreciate it. Make sure you join us on Tuesday for our round-the-clock coverage of the memorial celebrating the life of the worldwide pop icon as family, friends, fans all say goodbye. "MICHAEL JACKSON, THE MEMORIAL," CNN all day Tuesday, starting on "AMERICAN MORNING" at 6:00 a.m. Eastern. We're back with our breaking news in moments.

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LEMON: We're following breaks news here on CNN. The ousted Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya, is trying to land at the airport in the capital city there. He is being denied. The military is blocking his entrance. He has been warned that if he does land, he will be arrested. We're following the breaking news here on CNN. We'll keep you on top of all of the developments in this particular story.

You can't talk about Motown's legacy without bringing up Michael Jackson. The CEO of the Motown Museum next, and he is bringing some very special items.

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LEMON: The Motown Historical Museum is literally a treasure- trove of musical artifacts including some iconic items once owned by Michael Jackson. Audley Smith is a CEO of Motown Museum. He joins us now live now from Detroit. This is part of our continuing series here called "African-American Firsts, Up from a Past." Thank you very much for joining us, sir.

AUDLEY SMITH, CEO, MOTOWN MUSEUM: My pleasure.

LEMON: What items do you have of Michael Jackson in the museum?

SMITH: Well, actually, we have the glove and hat that he wore during Motown 25 and performed "Billie Jean" in.

LEMON: Do you have it with you? Can we see it?

SMITH: I do. How's that?

LEMON: I can't see it. You got to hold it up near your face.

SMITH: All right.

LEMON: Oh, wow. That is the glove, right? That's the one that he wore?

SMITH: Exactly, during Motown 25.

LEMON: Is there only one glove?

SMITH: And we also have the hat that he wore. He donated both items to the museum in 1988 as well as a six-figure contribution to the museum.

LEMON: Does that draw people in, having this Michael Jackson stuff?

SMITH: It actually does. We've had an outpouring of humanity over the last week. Many people coming in to see the artifacts that we have from Michael Jackson as well as this -- just to pay their homage and pay their tribute to Michael Jackson.

LEMON: It's interesting. You met Michael Jackson in Africa?

SMITH: I did. I met him in Namibia in 1998. He was a guest of Don Barredon's. They were there to explore investment opportunities in the southern African country. And he was there for 10 days. He brought his children. We found him to be an incredibly warm and intelligent and generous individual. He supported a couple of orphanages while he was there. So, having Michael Jackson in Africa was an incredibly rewarding experience for all of us.

LEMON: And I'm sure Motown will be remembering Michael Jackson on Tuesday. You'll be remembering him for as long as the museum is around.

SMITH: Actually, we're going to be developing an exhibit that we hope to launch before the end of the year. But on Tuesday, we're going to be partnering with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African- American History which will be broadcasting from the museum the memorial services out in L.A..

LEMON: Audley Smith, thank you, CEO of the Motown Historical Museum. Motown. I love saying Motown. Thank you, sir.

SMITH: Thank you.

LEMON: We appreciate you joining us. Thanks for sharing that glove with us. Very interesting to see that. You don't have the hat with you, do you?

SMITH: We do.

LEMON: Well, show it.

SMITH: All right. I have my chief curator here, Lionel (ph) Stevens. And he's making me wear these gloves and et cetera. But this is the hat along with the glove that Michael Jackson performed in at Motown 25 when he performed "Billie Jean." They're now at the museum.

LEMON: Very nice. when you raise that, I can hear the "Billie Jean" theme in my head. So, we appreciate it. Thank you, sir.

SMITH: Thanks, Don.

LEMON: And Tuesday, make sure you join us around-the-clock coverage of the memorial celebrating the life of this worldwide pop icon as family, friends, and fans say goodbye. "Michael Jackson: The Memorial," CNN, all day Tuesday, starting on AMERICAN MORNING at 6:00 a.m. Eastern.

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LEMON: We're learning new details about the situation in Nicaragua. The ousted president is trying to land his plane there and has been denied. Telesur is reporting, this is Honduran television is reporting that he is now going to land the plane in Nicaragua. Details to come here on CNN.

I'm Don Lemon, reporting from Los Angeles tonight. I'll see back here at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. A CNN special report, "MAN IN THE MIRROR," begins right now.