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Jackson's Doctor Administered Powerful Sedative; Congress Still Negotiating Health Care Reform; U.S. Rethinking Role in Iraq; Caller in Gates Arrest Did Not Name Race; Senate Judiciary Committee Recommends Sotomayor Confirmation
Aired July 28, 2009 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. It is Tuesday, July 28. Here are the top stories of the CNN NEWSROOM. The Michael Jackson investigation. Sources tell CNN that Dr. Conrad Murray did give the singer anesthesia in the hours before his heart stopped beating.
Washington's health care overhaul. A Senate compromise may gut key elements the president wants to see in a reform bill.
And here comes the judge. The Senate committee gets ready to vote shortly on Sonia Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court justice.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris and you're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
There are striking new developments this morning in the Michael Jackson death investigation. A source close to it tells CNN Jackson's personal doctor allegedly gave Jackson a dangerous anesthetic in the 24 hours before he died.
Our Ted Rowlands is chasing the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): A source close to the Jackson family with knowledge of the ongoing investigation into Michael Jackson's death, Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician that was with Michael Jackson at the time of his death, his personal doctor, administered Propofol or Diprivan to Michael Jackson within 24 hours of his death.
This is significant because it is the first clear connection between Dr. Murray, Jackson's doctor, and this drug, which has been bandied about over the past few weeks as the possible drug that Jackson had sought earlier and was a possible drug that investigators were looking at in terms of a possible cause of death.
This is the first time we've heard from a source who has knowledge of the investigation that Murray, apparently, gave Jackson this drug. This is a not a drug that is commonly used outside of a setting of a hospital or a clinic. It is a drug basically used for minor surgical procedures. Not something that, by any stretch of the imagination, would be used inside someone's home. But this is what the source is telling us. Meanwhile, still waiting for the L.A. coroner's report to come out. In that report we should have a final cause of death and that will be key. If, indeed, it comes out that Jackson had this drug in his system and that the cause of death was homicide, then Dr. Murray, of course, could potentially be facing charges.
From Murray's standpoint, there's no comment on this latest report. They simply said that they're not going to comment on sourced reports or any innuendos or any rumors. And they tell us that they're going to wait until that coroner's report comes out before they make any more reports to the media, any more comments to the media.
The significant development, however, today is that Dr. Murray, according to the source, has been linked to this powerful drug Diprivan and had, apparently, according to the source, administered it to Michael Jackson before he died.
Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: And on the phone with us now from New York is Jane Velez- Mitchell. She covers high-profile cases for HLN and is the host of "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell."
Jane, good to talk to you. First of all, you have followed this case, obviously, very closely. Were you surprised -- I watched a bit of your program yesterday -- by what feels like a real bombshell here that Jackson's personal doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, allegedly gave Jackson this anesthetic in the 24 hours before he died.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" (via telephone): Well, Tony, actually no, because when authorities obtained the search warrants to go to his Houston offices they were looking for evidence of manslaughter and now it seems that they have connected the dots.
And if this turns out to be the official stance, this doctor is in serious trouble. Primarily because Diprivan is never supposed to be administered in the home. It is for surgery. It is to knock people out for surgery. It is not supposed to be used to treat insomnia, period, end of story.
It can also interact in an extremely dangerous way with other drugs and if it comes back from the toxicology reports, which we haven't gotten back yet, that he had a drug cocktail.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: A some sources are suggesting, then that's another problem. On top of that, there's supposed to be an EKG machine in the room any time you have Diprivan administered. Authorities found no evidence of an EKG machine.
So, the list goes on and on.
HARRIS: Right.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And it's simply not supposed to be used in the home. And there it was and there he was.
HARRIS: OK, so, Jane, what has been Murray's position, or at least the position expressed by his attorneys on Jackson getting this medication. What medications does Murray, his attorneys, admit that the doctor was giving to Jackson.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, he said he's cooperated with the investigation and they're not going to comment on rumor and innuendo.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And that their official stance is that he gave nothing to Michael Jackson that would have killed him. But he was a cardiologist, not an anesthesiologist. So he is not supposed to administering something that anesthesiologist are supposed to administer a very, very fragile drug that has to be monitored very, very carefully.
And we know that this doctor has a history of problems. He had a medical suspension, we found that out...
HARRIS: Right.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: ... when we found out what authorities confiscated when they raided his office. A suspension notice from a Houston hospital. We also know that he has a history of financial problems, including a bankruptcy in the '90s and some liens and, again, he has not been charged with anything.
HARRIS: Absolutely.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I've always said I want to hear his side of the story, but it looks like the road is getting narrower for Dr. Murray.
HARRIS: OK. So, Jane, we've got this statement from Edward Chernoff, attorney for Dr. Conrad Murray. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and wait for these long-delayed toxicology results, which I guess are due later this week.
And the statement goes on to say that, "Things tend to shake out when all the facts are made known and I am sure this will happen here, as well."
Let me ask you this, is this a defense look? "My patient demanded this of me." Is that a defense?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Absolutely not.
HARRIS: OK.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It's up to doctors to tell their patients what is medically appropriate, not for patients to tell their doctors what they want and how to misuse drugs. One of the things that I think is fascinating is that this doctor said he was a friend of Michael's. And I always get nervous when I hear that doctors who are prescribing meds are friends with their patients.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: We saw that same pattern in the Anna Nicole Smith case. If this, and it's a big if, but it crosses the line into gross negligence and reckless conduct that could cross the line into criminality, certainly.
HARRIS: Wow. Jane Velez-Mitchell, she hosts "Issues with Jane Velez- Mitchell," every evening on our sister network, HLN. Jane, great to talk to you. Appreciate it. Thanks for your insights. We appreciate it.
Sonia Sotomayor's historic nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee is said to vote in the next hour or so. CNN's Brianna Keilar is keeping watch on Capitol Hill.
Brianna, I guess, the only real question here is whether any Republicans will back the judge today.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We are expecting there to be one Republican who will back the judge. Lindsay Graham has said he is going to vote for her. He is a Republican, of course, from South Carolina.
He said that elections have consequences so, in short, President Obama is going to get his pick. But, otherwise, Tony, we're expecting this to be a party line vote. Democrats on this committee have said they support her and every other Republican aside from Senator Graham has said that they're going to vote against her.
Listen to what the chairman of the committee, Democrat Patrick Leahy, said just a short time ago, as well as the top Republican Jeff Sessions from Alabama. Here's what they both said just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. PATRICK LEAHY (D), CHAIRMAN, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: As set forth by the Constitution. As a prosecutor and as a judge, she is a minister of justice without favoring one group of persons over another.
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), RANKING MEMBER, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.: Based on her record as a judge and her statements I am not able to support this nomination. I don't believe any one should be on any court of United States that does not deeply committed to the idea of American justice, and that is that they should set aside their personal opinions and biases when they rule from the court.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: So on the Judiciary Committee, pretty much Democrats and Republicans divided on this vote. Of course, there is a lot -- there are a lot more Democrats on this committee so she is expected to be voted out of this committee and on to the next step, which is a full vote by the Senate, Tony.
We're expecting that to take place next week. And we are expecting Sonia Sotomayor to be confirmed as the first Latina Supreme Court justice.
HARRIS: OK. And what we're watching now with Dick Durbin, is that what's going to play out throughout the morning until we get to the vote which is that every member of this committee will make some speech and -- then eventually when everyone's done we'll get the vote?
KEILAR: Yes. What we're watching right now is they're basically explaining...
HARRIS: Yes.
KEILAR: ... why they're going to vote the way they vote and then they should have a vote. It shouldn't be too long, Tony.
HARRIS: OK. Brianna Keilar on Capitol Hill for us. Brianna, appreciate it. Thank you.
Health care reform delayed in the House by so-called Blue Dog Democrats. Democratic leaders trying to strike a deal with the fiscal conservative. Meanwhile, a Senate panel makes progress towards a bipartisan alternative without, this the key here, without a government insurance option.
Senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash live from Capitol Hill with the latest.
Dana, hang on here. What's the state of play on the Senate's side?
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm here, once again, Tony...
HARRIS: Yes.
BASH: ... outside Senator Max Baucus's office and the difference between now and last week is that what's going on inside that room is that the group of negotiators, they have been talking for some time, but now it's just Democrats, just Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee, and they're getting updated on how the bipartisan talks with those six senators have been going.
And we are very interested to see how some of the Democrats continue to react to the fact that they don't have, they're probably not going to have an agreement that includes a public option.
HARRIS: Wow.
BASH: A so-called government-run insurance option. Now, we've known for some time that any Republican walking into that bipartisan meeting has said that that is no deal, no dice. That they would not go for that. But the only thing that they really have been focused on is this so-called nonprofit co-op. Meaning it's not run by the government, but run by health insurance options, run by a so-called co-op.
That's been the discussion for sometime in here. But you know, talking to Democrats who were on the committee who agree with the president that they want a government-run option to compete with private insurance companies, it's going to be interesting to see how this plays out in there. That's one of the things...
HARRIS: Yes.
BASH: ... we believe that they are being briefed on and talking about inside this office right here.
HARRIS: Hey, Dana, this is so interesting to me. Is the president aware of this work that's going on in the Senate Finance Committee and that, in essence -- you know, one of the main pillars of his reform calls for this government option and that, essentially, that is off the table for this all-important committee?
BASH: Absolutely he is aware.
HARRIS: OK.
BASH: The White House is well aware and that's why you have heard for weeks, really, the White House softening their language when it comes to the demand for a public option.
The president even in his press conference last week said, of course, that is still his preference but they know that what the Democrats in here are telling the White House is that if they have any chance at getting Republicans on board, it can't be anything that is called a government-run insurance option.
Now, a lot of this, frankly, Tony, is going to be marketing.
HARRIS: Wow.
BASH: I mean let's just face it.
HARRIS: Yes.
BASH: You know, when you talk about a so-called co-op I think that at the end of the day if that is what emerges, you're going to probably hear Democrats, a, demanding that there is some kind of federal role or at least a federal backstop with that kind of insurance option, and they're probably going to be trying to market it as something that is akin to a public option whereas if there are Republicans who agree to that, they're going to be saying just the opposite. They're going to be saying, we're going to agree to this, but it's because that there is no government control of this.
So, it's going to be interesting to see how they market what they have been talking about. HARRIS: I think this is fascinating. All right. Our senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash. Dana, when we talk again, we'll talk about what's going on on the House side. Dana, appreciate that.
President Obama is taking his push for health care reform directly to the people again today. He holds a town hall meeting with an influential group representing older Americans.
White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux following that part of the story for us.
And Suzanne, if you would talk to us about the president's call-in town hall later today?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and you know, Tony, Dana brings up a really good point, it is all about marketing.
HARRIS: Yes.
MALVEAUX: And so, certainly, the president is all about marketing his plan and what he feels is necessary and the main thing is just get something done, put pressure on members of Congress that the status quo is not acceptable.
So, what are we seeing here today in about an hour or so, he's going to go before the AARP, older Americans, senior citizens. They're going to have what's called a tell-a-town-hall where there'll be about 100,000 we're told. People who are on the telephone who are linked into this town hall to listen to what the president has to say.
Some of them will actually be able to ask some questions of the president through the moderator to get a sense of what their concerns are, what their demands are per se, and we expect the president is going to talk about a number of things. One of them a deal that was made with drug companies that would allow them to provide for prescription drugs and Medicare for certain senior citizens who were not covered in a specific income bracket.
HARRIS: Yes.
MALVEAUX: That that's going to happen. And that it's important that this is not seen as something that is a process story involving Washington, but that it involves plain speak language that everyone can relate to about how is this going to impact your health care insurance, how is it going to benefit you.
This, Tony, is one of three town halls. This is just the first one. Tomorrow he's going to be in Raleigh, as well as Bristol, Virginia, and he's going to be taking his message directly to the American people.
Tony, it's all about marketing.
HARRIS: OK. And have we learned any more about the plans for Professor Gates and Sergeant Crowley to get together at the White House, I believe...
MALVEAUX: We have...
HARRIS: We have, OK.
(LAUGHTER)
MALVEAUX: We have. We learned some details here. Obviously, a lot of people that are going to be watching this meeting.
HARRIS: Oh yes.
MALVEAUX: We're going to get some pictures of this meeting, too, we're told, 6:00 on Thursday evening at the White House. It's going to be very informal. It's going to be at the picnic table, we're told, behind the Oval Office. So that's near the swing set. You've got a chance to see that swing set where the girls play.
HARRIS: Oh yes, yes, yes. Right.
MALVEAUX: That's exactly where it's going to be and the families are invited. So we expect that Sergeant Crowley and his wife and kids are going to come. We're not sure who Gates is going to bring. But they are going to be there for this kind of White House visit.
The beer just for the adults, we were told. The kids will probably get some ice cream or something like that. And it's supposed to be very informal. A chance there them to sit down, talk about what happened and kind of step back, if you will, and take -- lower the temperature in all of this.
HARRIS: This might be the photo-op of all photo-ops. All right. At the White House, Suzanne Malveaux for us. Suzanne, appreciate it. A summertime picnic. All right.
MALVEAUX: Sure.
HARRIS: New finding blame 10 percent of health care costs on obesity. That is a hefty $147 billion a year. Americans can save simply by slimming down. We will look into new facts and figures on fat. There she is, CNN's Christine Romans, up next.
But, first, let's see the numbers. Big board. OK. As you can see the -- whoa, whoa, whoa. Boy, the Dow in negative territory. Big time so far. Down 65 points. We will be following the numbers with Susan Lisovicz throughout the morning right here in the CNN NEWSROOM but first a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: You know, Americans love their chips and dips and fries and pies. A new government finding show obesity add billions of dollars to America's health care bill every year. Critical information as Washington weighs health care reform.
Here's how health activist Michael Milken described the cost of overeating. He appeared last night on CNBC.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL MILKEN, CHAIRMAN, THE MILKEN INSTITUTE: If everyone in America lost weight and returned to the same weight levels of 1991, we would save $1 trillion. We would cover all the uninsured and we would be able to quadruple the money for medical research.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Wow. All right. Christine Romans, I don't know if those numbers are absolutely accurate, we're going to fact check that. But let me tell you something, you've got some numbers that you're going to share with us today that indicate that those numbers are pretty darn close, right?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Right. This is a study published in the journal "Health Affairs" and this study found that almost 10 percent of all health spending, Tony, is related to obesity.
HARRIS: Wow.
ROMANS: That the cost of being obese per year in your medical bills is $1,400 more a year per person than if you were at a normal, average weight.
HARRIS: Those are big numbers.
ROMANS: It's a big number. And $147 billion in overall obesity- related spending every year. And this has been going up from '98 -- 1998 until now, according to the findings of this "Health Affairs" study. The cost of treating obesity has doubled over these years.
Now that could be either because we're more obese. It also could be because there's more treatment of some of these related ailments...
HARRIS: Right.
ROMANS: ... for obese people and more expensive treatment of those people. But this is diabetes, it's heart ailments.
HARRIS: Yes. Yes.
ROMANS: It's other ailments. So, it's an issue here that the authors of this study say with calls for health reform, real cost savings are more likely to be achieved, they say, through reducing obesity and related risk factors.
They're saying that health costs, when you're talking about health costs, you have to be looking at obesity and prevention.
You know, it's interesting because yesterday the CDC had an obesity conference that had some really interesting studies as well.
HARRIS: Yes. ROMANS: Two-thirds of Americans are obese on average, about 23 pounds obese. And you know, Tony, the director of the CDC said that we're eating now, on average, 250 more calories a day today than we did 20 or 30 years ago.
HARRIS: So we've got to eat better, we've got to exercise more. You know, if I'm a safe driver, my record indicates I'm a safe driver, I get a bit of a discount on my auto insurance.
ROMANS: That's true.
HARRIS: Why can't I get that for health care?
ROMANS: That's interesting.
HARRIS: If I watch my weight, OK? If I'm out here running and sweating like, you know, and trying to stay in some kind of shape. If I watch my diet and I'm coming in at my numbers, why can't I get a discount on my -- that's an incentive.
ROMANS: That's an incentive. Another incentive or a disincentive, I guess. Some people are still talking about taxing soda, taxing junk food.
HARRIS: Yes.
ROMANS: Something that's not popular with the people who make these products.
HARRIS: Sure.
ROMANS: They say, look, you can't...
HARRIS: Well, everybody has got a vested interest, one way or another.
ROMANS: Well, you can't tax your way to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle, that's what they say. But I think you're going to continue to see this as we talk about health reform, finding ways to pay for the fact that obesity is eating up -- sorry for the pun, I didn't mean to say that.
HARRIS: No, no...
ROMANS: But eating up such a big chunk of the health care dollar. And look, health care cost -- I think 16 cents of every dollar of the American economy is health care costs. It is a big and rising part of the cost in this economy. They've got to get that under control.
HARRIS: So I called my mom this morning, and I said, mom, look, do me a favor, please. Let me -- just walk around the mall. Just a couple of times a week.
ROMANS: Tony, I keep saying all these fancy studies and what does your grandma say? An apple a day keeps the doctor away. You know sometimes it's easier to grab that thing that's quick and packaged and has -- you know, could probably survive a nuclear war, right?
HARRIS: Right.
ROMANS: The processed thing. The apple, the apple.
HARRIS: Exactly. Christine, appreciate. Thank you.
ROMANS: Bye.
HARRIS: Still to come to the NEWSROOM, boy, storm damage in the east and extreme heat in the pacific northwest. We will check in with CNN's Karen Maginnis, when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Iraq today checking the progress of the military's new mission. We are on patrol with the troops next in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Well, the economy, it is issue number one and today a new report says we could be seeing the tide changing a bit after years of declines. Home values are finally starting to bounce back.
Susan Lisovicz on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Hey, look, this is, for a lot of us, our principal investment here. We need the home to be our piggy bank again. Sorry, I shouldn't say that. Good to see you, Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly right, Tony Harris. So, listen up, home prices rose in May.
HARRIS: Come on.
LISOVICZ: Yes, home prices rose in May. And it bears repeating, Tony, because we had not seen a month-to-month increase since the summer of 2006. What's more, in this report, the S&P/Case-Shiller report. we saw 13 of the 20 metro areas examined showed increases.
Now, let's put it in perspective. Prices are still cheap. In fact, the economists in this survey say prices are still at 2003 levels. So, a good time to buy. We like the trend.
The pace of declines we've also seen, decline in this report. So, yet more evidence that the home -- the housing market, which is the root of this problem here, is bottoming out -- Tony.
HARRIS: Yes, OK, so you mentioned it, a good time to buy if you have a job. But here's the thing. The Federal Reserve just recently said, what, that unemployment could top 10 percent?
LISOVICZ: Oh, yes. And I mean, look, it's a good time to buy when you have a job, anything, whether it's a house, a purse, you know, a suit. And that's one of the problems for the overall economy, consumer spending, the engine. In terms of buying homes, yes, people aren't buying when they don't have jobs. They can't even hold on to their homes when they don't have a job. That's why we've seen these record foreclosures.
It's the second -- addressed in the second major report we got today. Consumer confidence slipping for the second consecutive month. We saw a nice rebound in spring. The summer seems to be ebbing a little. Why? Because consumers surveyed say they're worried about the labor market. We're also getting a lot of corporate earnings reports. Coach, for instance. Maybe, Tony Harris, you don't know this company so well, but I guarantee...
HARRIS: Oh, yes, I know them.
LISOVICZ: ... women in your life do.
HARRIS: Absolutely.
LISOVICZ: It says quarterly profit declined 32 percent. Coach last month unveiled a lower-priced line. The lower-priced line, Tony, priced between $200 and $300, which I'm sure is like $200 more than, well, you think is valid.
But in any case...
HARRIS: Yes.
LISOVICZ: ... Coach shares are down 6 percent. We're seeing the market give back a little bit. The Dow right now, it's almost accelerating, down 84 points. The Nasdaq is down 15. But remember, we have had a big run-up leading up to this week -- Tony.
HARRIS: Yes. Anything in a Coach store not even a value at half the price.
LISOVICZ: Just don't go in, Tony.
HARRIS: Exactly. Susan, appreciate it. See you next hour.
The new role of the U.S. military in Iraq under review right now by defense chief Robert Gates. He arrived today unannounced in the war-torn country. Let's go there live now to CNN's Arwa Damon in Baghdad. and Arwa, the defense secretary learning firsthand how the pullback from the major cities is going.
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Tony. In fact, his first stop was a base in southern Iraq where they're starting to put together something of a prototype on what these advisory and assist battalions are going to be look like. They're trying to shift the combat units into that role. In fact, we got a firsthand look ourselves at what the U.S. troops' new role looks like.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAMON (voice-over): The agreement hands full control of this war to the Iraqis and largely restricts U.S. troop movement. For example, the Americans now need the Iraqis' permission and help to execute this mission.
CAPT. JOHNNY ULSAMER, U.S. ARMY: You know, we've passed them intelligence products that they work on. It's a start for them, you know, that hopefully detains somebody.
DAMON: U.S. forces are now in a less offensive and more of a passive training role, sitting on the sidelines of the battle. On June 30th, the U.S. military completed the withdrawal of its combat troops from Iraqi cities and towns. This combat battalion is now classified as a, quote, "superadvisory unit." Setting aside the logistics of trying to implement a vague agreement has also been a significant change in mindset for the Americans. And the Iraqis don't have to take the Americans' advice.
LT. COL. FLINT PATTERSON, U.S. ARMY: That's right. And that's part of the difficult part of this because we like to think, you know, always have the right answer. And sometimes I do. But here's the difference in terms of changing mindset. At the end of the day, if they're happy with it and their systems are in place and sustainable, that's what important, and I consider it a home run.
DAMON: American forces still maintain the full right to protect themselves. This is a perimeter patrol they can execute on their own, but they notify the Iraqis ahead of time.
(on camera): What we've also been hearing from these American soldiers is that this has been a massive leap of faith because it's not just about transitioning security responsibilities. They have also had to place a significant amount of trust in the Iraqis' capabilities.
(voice-over): And both sides say tough as it is, it had to happen some time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAMON: And the logic is that that sometime might as be right now while we still have over 100,000 U.S. troops in country to step in, should the Iraqis show any sign of weakness. And Tony, Secretary Gates is also meeting with Iraq's senior political leadership, and this is just as important because as we know here, politics and security are very closely intertwined.
HARRIS: Absolutely. All right, Arwa Damon for us in Baghdad. Arwa, good to see you. Thank you.
In North Carolina today, seven men are looking at the possibility of life in prison. They're charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism and murder abroad. Prosecutors say the ringleader, a Raleigh drywall installer, trained in terror camps in Afghanistan and Pakisan. Adam Owens with CNN affiliate WRAL has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ADAM OWENS, WRAL-TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): People move to neighborhoods like this one to get away from the commotion. Big news here, according to Jeremy Johnson, is someone getting pulled over riding a dirt bike. This is bigger.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Looks like a war zone. There's like FBI.
OWENS: People from all around came to see investigators surrounding the house on Lakeside Circle.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're just going through the house and probably bringing things out.
OWENS: It's the home of Daniel Boyd (ph), the alleged ringleader of a terrorist plot. Neighbors say his two sons, Zacariah Boyd (ph) and Dylan Boyd (ph), are also accused. They say there were also two other children, ages 10 and 13, living in the home. Heather Regner (ph) lives two doors down and did not see this coming.
HEATHER REGNER (ph), NEIGHBOR: They were great neighbors. We've never had any trouble with them. Their kids play with our kids.
OWENS: Lori Seinquit (ph) said she talked with Boyd about religion, about his conversion from Christianity to Islam. And he was open to talking about his faith.
LORI SEINQUIT (ph), NEIGHBOR: Very, very nice couple. Everybody in the neighborhood is just shocked.
OWENS: Signs outside the neighborhood point people to a yard sale at Boyd's house. It says everything is on sale. Now, neighbors are questioning everything they thought they knew about their quiet neighborhood.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's scary as hell, man. It's scary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just don't know this day and age. You just don't know who your neighbors are.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Boy, prosecutors say there's no evidence linking the men to al Qaeda.
Intensifying a search at sea. Rescue teams racing to find dozens of Haitians missing after their boat capsized and sank. It happened off the Turks and Caicos Islands, 550 miles southeast of Miami. The U.S. Coast Guard says up to 200 people were onboard the vessel. One hundred thirteen have been rescued so far. Another six are confirmed dead. A survivor says the boat struck a reef as it tried to elude police.
Race quickly became the issue in debates over the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, but what do the recently released 911 tapes show? We'll have a listen.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Well, the man charged with killing a late-term abortion provider is expected to enter his plea in a Kansas court today. Scott Roeder is accused of gunning down Dr. George Tiller in the foyer of his Wichita church back in May. Although he has never admitted responsibility, Roeder did tell the Associated Press that he thought the killing was, quote, "justifiable." Roeder is charged with first- degree murder. If convicted, he faces life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Two years after pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges, Michael Vick is getting a second chance at pro football. NFL Commissioner Roger Godell has reinstated the former star quarterback on a conditional basis. That means Vick can participate in practices, workouts and the two final preseason games if -- there's a big if -- if he can find a team to sign him. He won't be eligible to play during the regular season until October, when a final decision is made on full reinstatement.
The date is set for that White House meeting between Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates and the police officer who arrested him. A senior administration official tells CNN Gates and Sergeant James Crowley will meet with President Obama on Thursday. Gates's arrest touched off a racially charged debate, but as CNN's Elaine Quijano reports, the initial 911 call made no reference to race.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The 911 call that eventually led to professor Henry Gates's arrest never mentioned two black men.
911 OPERATOR: Are they still in the house?
CALLER: They're still in the house, I believe, yes.
OPERATOR: Are they white, black or Hispanic?
CALLER: Well, there were two larger men. One looked kind of Hispanic, but I'm not really sure. And the other one entered, and I didn't see what he looked like at all.
QUIJANO: At one point, the caller herself raises the possibility the situation might not be an emergency.
CALLER: I don't know if they live there and they just had a hard time with their key, but I did notice that they kind of used their shoulder to try to barge in, and they got in.
QUIJANO: Cambridge police also released audio of the police radio transmissions from that day. The dispatcher can be heard repeating the 911 caller's description of two suspicious persons or S.P.s.
DISPATCHER: Both S.P.s are in the house, unknown on the race. One may be a Hispanic male. I'm not sure. QUIJANO: Later, after Sergeant James Crowley arrives, this.
SGT. JAMES CROWLEY, CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT: I'm up with the gentleman says he resides here, a little uncooperative. But keep the cars coming.
QUIJANO: Then an unidentified voice in the background can be heard as Sergeant Crowley calls in the identification.
CROWLEY: I've got ID of a Henry Louis Gates.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: OK. Cambridge police have set up a panel to advise the department on racial issues, but the committee will not investigate the Gates arrest.
The Senate Judiciary Committee vote is expected any time now for Sonia Sotomayor's nomination. We are taking a closer look at the apparent lack of Republican support. That's coming up.
And the Tour de France winner blasts Lance Armstrong. Now Armstrong is fighting back. The public war of words between two champions. Wow. We will show you, we will tell you, you will hear what they're saying when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: All right. Let's get started here. The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote in the coming minutes on Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court. When the dust settles, it appears Republican support will be scant. Let's talk about this with Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist and former adviser to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Maria, good to see you. Thanks for your time this morning.
MARIA CARDONA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Hey, Tony. Nice to be here.
HARRIS: And Ron Christie, a Republican strategist and former domestic policy adviser in the second Bush White House. Ron, good to see you, as always.
RON CHRISTIE, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Always a pleasure.
HARRIS: Hey, Ron, let's get started here with you. And be honest with me here. Why will -- it looks like just one Republican member of the judiciary committee voted to confirm Judge Sotomayor and move her nomination to the full Senate.
CHRISTIE: Well, Tony, looking at some of the statements from Senator Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and others, it appears that it's based on judicial philosophy. The justice has established a record as a jurist. She's written numerous opinions, she's given speeches. And then when she came before the Senate Judiciary Committee, I think a number of Senate Republicans said this is not the same woman we heard from from the past 20 years. She sounds like she had a so- called hearing room conversion. So, I think based on those concerns expressed by those members of the Republican side in the Senate, that's why a number of the Republicans aren't going to vote to confirm her.
HARRIS: So, it's about trust, you think, Ron?
CHRISTIE: I think it's about trust, and I think it's about what does she really believe on the issues that face us. Is she really going to interpret the Constitution, or is she going to inject a little bit of judicial activism.
HARRIS: Hey, Maria, what is all this about? What's the bottom line on this?
CARDONA: Well, I think the bottom line is that their votes are clearly not credible. And I think the problem that the Republicans have and in the statements that they've made as to why they're voting against her is that based on her record, the only thing that you can gather from her record is that she's going to be a justice who is fair, moderate and measured.
That is what her 30-year career shows. That is what her 17 years on the federal bench, which is, by the way, more experience than any other Supreme Court nominee in over 100 years, shows that she is strictly in the mainstream.
This is something that Lindsey Graham has said. He has said today and in the last week when he said he was going to vote for her that no one can credibly say that she's not prepared for this or that she is not clearly in the mainstream of American politics. It's a purely partisan vote, and Republicans are going to pay for it.
HARRIS: And Ron, I'm just sort of curious. You know, maybe it is what you suggest it is. It's all about judicial philosophy and folks not trusting that she is who she appears to be and the way she presented herself before the committee. But you know, I've also heard some analysis suggesting this is all about President Obama, the fact that -- a chance to get back at him, the fact that he voted against Alito and Roberts. What do you think about that?
CHRISTIE: I just don't think that's very credible. I think the men and women in the United States Senate take their responsibilities far too seriously of looking at a United States Supreme Court justice as, we're going to cast a vote just to get back at the president.
I think that they have a very solemn responsibility, and that is, of course, to advise and consent. That's what their role is in the Constitution. And they're looking at the justice's philosophy, their temperament, their ability to interpret the Constitution. I think far too much has been said of, you know, this is a race against Obama.
But what I would say is that unlike the situation with Miguel Estrada, who was nominated to the D.C. Circuit here in Washington, D.C., senators Biden, Clinton and Obama blocked that vote. I think Republicans you'll see have allowed her a vote in the Judiciary Committee, and they will vote up and down for her nomination on the floor, a stark contrast with the Democrats from just a few years ago.
HARRIS: Well, Maria, you're smiling. The eyebrow is raised. What do you want to say here?
CARDONA: Well, I would say first of all that Republicans love to compare this to Miguel Estrada, where the record with Miguel Estrada cannot even compare to that of Sonia Sotomayor, number one. The second thing is that when you are going to look at judicial philosophy, look at her 4,000 opinions, look at the 300 decisions that she has written, and what comes out clearly is that she is measured, moderate and fair and that she sticks to legal precedent.
The only thing that these Republicans who are voting against her have focused on is a couple of here speeches completely taken out of context. They're going to alienate not just the Latino community because she happens to be the first Latina on the Supreme Court, but women and independents as well who overwhelmingly support her, who know that she will be a fair justice for all Americans, whose story is a quintessentially American story that everyone can understand.
HARRIS: Hey, Ron, do Republicans pay a political price for not supporting this nominee?
CHRISTIE: No, I don't think so. I think it is simplistic to suggest that the American people are going to penalize one particular party for not voting for someone based on whether or not they're a woman or they're a certain ethnicity. I think that's insulting.
I think the important thing is that the American people expect their men and women in the United States Senate to look at people fairly, to give them an opportunity to express themselves. And unlike what my friend Maria said, at least Justice Sotomayor had the opportunity to be heard before the American people. The Democrats did not allow Miguel Estrada that same opportunity. It's about fundamental fairness and doing what's right.
CARDONA: But the thing is that the American people also understand that this is a jurist who is the best-prepared jurist in over 100 years. Top of her class at Princeton, top of her class at Yale. There is no reason why anybody could credibly vote against her and say that she is not prepared for this job. And that is where I think the Republicans get in trouble because they are clearly looking at their future in terms of listening to the extreme right wing of their party, who are clearly being very loud and wanting them to vote in opposition of Sotomayor. And that's who they're listening to.
HARRIS: And Ron, let me give you the last word on this.
CHRISTIE: I think the last word on this is I think that both sides, Republicans and Democrats, should give deference to the president in power when they put forth a nominee.
HARRIS: Well, OK.
CARDONA: Well, they should. That's exactly right.
CHRISTIE: I think that they should have the ability to -- excuse me. I think they should have the ability to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and have a full vote. That's what my concern is. I think we've seen in the past Republican nominees have been blocked, not had that opportunity. Judge Sotomayor has been given that opportunity. But both sides need to step away from the brink and allow the men and women put forth in the Senate to have their full day before the American people.
HARRIS: Maria Cardona, Ron Christie, thank you both. Appreciate your time.
CARDONA: Thank you, Tony.
CHRISTIE: Pleasure.
HARRIS: And still to come in the NEWSROOM, next hour, new revelations in the Michael Jackson case. A source tells CNN that police believe Jackson's doctor administered a powerful drug that may have killed him.
And newly released transcripts from the crash of a commercial plane near Buffalo, New York, suggest the co-pilot was feeling bad but decided to fly anyway.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: OK. Very quickly now, we want to get you to the Senate Judiciary Committee. We are moments away from the roll call vote on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. Let's listen to the committee chair, Patrick Leahy.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
SEN. PATRICK LEAHY (D-VT), CHAIRMAN, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: ... just a moment. Then after that, I'd please ask everybody to just stay for another couple of minutes. There will be a motion to take up the four other nominees en banc and then have a voice vote on the en banc. But the clerk will call the roll on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to be a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Kohl.
SEN. HERB KOHL (D), WISCONSIN: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mrs. Feinstein.
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Feingold.
SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D), WISCONSIN: Aye. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Schumer.
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Durbin.
SEN. RICHARD DURBAN (D), ILLINOIS: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Cardin.
SEN. BEN CARDIN (D), MARYLAND: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Whitehouse.
SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE (D), RHODE ISLAND: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ms. Klobuchar.
SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D), MINNESOTA: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Specter.
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER (D), PENNSYLVANIA: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Franken.
SEN. AL FRANKEN (D), MINNESOTA: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Grassley.
SEN. CHARLES GRASSLEY (R), IOWA: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Kyl.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No by proxy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Graham?
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Cornyn.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, by proxy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Coburn.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, by proxy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Chairman.
LEAHY: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Chairman, the votes are 13 yeas and six nays.
LEAHY: The nominee has been approved by the committee. The name will be sent to the full Senate for its action. I ask unanimous consent that Thomas McClellan (ph), Alejandro Majorcas (ph), Christopher Schroeder (ph), Cranston Mitchell (ph), those four nominees be considered en banc. Without objection, they will be considered en banc. Those in favor of those four nominees, signify by saying aye. Opposed? The ayes appear to have it.
And I would note that we have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, blah, blah, blah, 15 senators...
HARRIS: All right, let's do this. Let's -- boy, let's recap this moment. Certainly an historic moment. Boy, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, her nomination to become the next associate justice to the United States Supreme Court voted out of the committee in the affirmative.
Let's get to Capitol Hill right now, and Brianna Keilar is there for us. And as expected, there was one Republican member of the committee, Senator Lindsey Graham, who voted aye for Sonia Sotomayor.
KEILAR: That's right, Lindsey Graham had said -- he's been saying this now for some time, Tony. He said elections have consequences. He said basically, President Obama won the election.
Would I, Lindsey Graham, have chosen Sonia Sotomayor as the nominee? No, I wouldn't have. I have issues. I think we disagree on some issues. But President Obama won the election, essentially, and he gets his pick.
So, we only saw one Republican who voted for Sonia Sotomayor. All of the Democrats voted for her, of course, as we expected. So, 13 yea votes, 6 nay votes. And the next step is that this goes now to the full -- for a full vote on the Senate floor. We're expecting that to happen next week. And we are expecting that Sonia Sotomayor will be confirmed as the first Latina Supreme Court justice.
HARRIS: Boy, all right. On Capitol Hill, a historic moment. All right, Brianna Keilar for us. Brianna, appreciate it. Thank you.
A quick refresher now. May 1st, Justice David Souter announces he will retire from the U.S. Supreme Court. Twenty-five days later, President Obama reveals Sonia Sotomayor is his choice to replace Souter. She'd been a leading candidate for the seat even before Souter's surprise retirement. June 29th, the U.S. Supreme Court reverses a 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals panel which included Sotomayor in the New Haven firefighters reverse discrimination case. July 13th, the Senate Judiciary Committee opens four days of hearings on the Sotomayor nomination. No fireworks, really. And that brings us to today. The vote moments ago to send Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the floor of the Senate.
