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BP Replacing Leaky Cap; Gulf Residents' Reaction to Oil Crisis; "Barefoot Bandit" Arrested; Spain Wins the World Cup; Immigration Debate Heats Up; Keeping A Dream Alive; Helping Kids Play Soccer; Helping Kids Play Soccer; New DNA Technology Cracked Case; "Foxy Brown" Star Opens Up

Aired July 11, 2010 - 17:00   ET

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


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, let's take a look at the headlines right now. It is down to the wire in South Africa, the World Cup in the finale and it's 1-0 right now, Spain over the Netherlands. They're in overtime, so anything can happen.

And they call him the Barefoot Bandit, but he's not on the run any more. Police finally catch up with him in the Bahamas.

What BP is trying to do right now is a very complicated and very difficult procedure, happening a mile underwater.

CNN's Jacqui Jeras and producer Vivian Kuo have been watching it closely, and earlier I spoke with them about exactly what's under way right now and what it potentially will mean.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VIVIAN KUO, CNN PRODUCER: It is a very crucial juncture, so maybe more immediately we're going to see a large recovery vessel try and begin to process some of the oil today. This is called the helix producer. This is a larger vessel than some of the others - other ones that we've seen, and BP has been working all week to get it hooked up. That could be on line today.

The second big development that we're seeing is the first part of the brand new permanent cap is being lowered sub-sea for placement early or mid-week.

WHITFIELD: 5,000 feet below surface. A mile down.

KUO: Exactly.

WHITFIELD: So the images that we're about to see here - let's just look at that one more time. The old containment cap was removed yesterday, and to put - you know, to replace it, it's going to take a little bit of time today as they put this new cap in place. They've got to bolt it down.

We're kind of seeing some images right here from the robotic cameras. Can you help us kind of make out what we're seeing? Those holes right there, that's where those bolts would come down, correct? KUO: That's exactly it. So what BP is calling it is the flange transition spool. We'll just call it a spool. It's a - it's a - it's a huge structure. It's 12 feet tall. It weighs more than 15,000 to 16,000. They're going to try and put it in place, and, like you said, they're going to have to, after that bolt, it down.

WHITFIELD: And what's fascinating, you'd mentioned earlier, each bolt - there are six bolts, right? Each bolt weighs over 50 pounds?

KUO: Yes.

WHITFIELD: That's extraordinary.

KUO: Yes. And try to go to Home Depot for that.

WHITFIELD: Right. Right. And it's an incredible undertaking, Jacqui. Everything has to be in place. Obviously, the weather has to cooperate.

JERAS: Yes.

WHITFIELD: But these are incredible dynamics at play because, you know, you're - you're performing surgery, you know, a mile, you know, down below the surface and relying on the visibility of the cameras, the - the ability of these robotics to do their job.

JERAS: Right. Yes, nobody can go down there because the pressure is so - so strong there, so it's dark out, it's hard to see, the oil is gushing and that also limits the visibility. But weather has been really, really critical in this.

You know, a week and two weeks ago, we had terrible conditions. We had Alex, we had another tropical depression, and that really churned up the seas and prevented them from doing this process at that time and it also start - stopped some of the containment efforts.

Now, the weather has turned on a dime. This weekend, it literally couldn't be better. The seas are very, very calm. The skimming operations are going on, and that's what's allowing them to do these procedures.

WHITFIELD: So, Vivian, the elements are in place. It seems picture perfect. What's the timeline here?

KUO: Well, you say picture perfect, but just be aware, we've seen a lot of bumps and snags along the way.

WHITFIELD: Oh, yes.

KUO: So, if all things remain equal, so this - this replacement progress began yesterday, and BP has said it could take as little as four days. So by Wednesday, possibly, and again, as Jacqui said, if the weather stays - stays the way it has been, calm seas, less wind, we could see it in place as early as Wednesday.

(END VIDEOTAPE) WHITFIELD: All right, CNN producer Vivian Kuo there and meteorologist Jacqui Jeras.

And now, yes, we'll get back to more gulf talk in a minute, but this breaking news, Spain, as you see right there, wins the World Cup against Netherlands. This game went into overtime. Spain got one goal. Final tally, 1-0, Spain over Netherlands.

You see right now live pictures of Madrid. Folks are going absolutely bonkers there. And of course, we'll join our reporters across the world, those who are celebrating Spain winning and those who are in mourning because the Netherlands lost even in their third attempt to win the World Cup.

We'll have much more from the NEWSROOM right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Some critical maneuvering taking place in the Gulf of Mexico right now as workers try to place a new containment cap over that broken well. All eyes are on what's taking place there. Timeline, it could happen any time this week where they feel they have it finalized and into place, and then BP workers will continue trying to get that relief well going as well.

CNN's Ines Ferre is in Gulfport, Mississippi where people along the Gulf Coast, and particularly in that town, are watching very closely, hoping that there is some substantial progress to try and contain or at least stop this leak.

INES FERRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, definitely, because so many people around this area depend on the businesses around this area and tourism in this area, Fred. And BP is saying that this procedure is going as planned. As you said it yesterday, they removed the previous containment cap, and this new one, it will take three to six days for them to place that one on and - and for this procedure to be complete.

And it's a very complicated procedure. It's a multi-step procedure. It involves robots, remotely-operated vehicles, under water, under 5,000 feet underwater.

And, as you said, for the people here, this is really critical, and here we've got Karen Morgan, who is a local resident. She's from Long Beach. She's got her whole family here. And Karen, now, when you heard about this replacement cap, what did you think about this?

KAREN MORGAN, GULFPORT RESIDENT: Very excited. We're all hoping and praying that this works. We want it to work.

FERRE: How has this affected your family, this oil spill and - and what it's done to the gulf area?

MORGAN: It's affected us personally. We're - we love to fish. We have a boat. We love to go out fish, we love to go crabbing. Have we been out this year? No. Well, my husband went out once and caught some great speckled trout, fried it up. It's awesome. FERRE: And now, this beach is - there's not that many people here. There's maybe like eight or 10 families. But are you - are you surprised what it's done to tourism in this area?

MORGAN: Generally, the beaches have been like normal. I don't think it's hurt that much because most people here locally, they understand that it's not here and it's not devastating like it's been reported.

FERRE: But you're thinking this is - this is OK?

MORGAN: It has hurt the economy. I work for a company here in outside sales. It has been tough. People are very - the restaurants, just very concerned about what's going to happen. And we're waiting and it just - you - you're here and you say, God, it's gorgeous out here. There's no real oil crisis.

So people need to come. They need to shop. They need to eat out and enjoy it.

FERRE: OK. Thanks so much, Karen. And that's one of the things that I've heard from people, the people that have come here today is that, look, we're out here and we wish that more people would also come out here - Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, but - but I guess I'm a little confused on that because there are restrictions all along the Gulf Coast and doesn't it also include Gulfport where people are not being encouraged to get into the water? Yes, they're being encouraged to come to the beach, but to get into the water, there have already been those who surmise that it's not safe to get in the water.

FERRE: Yes, and, you know, it's real - that's really interesting, because I actually spoke to Mayor - the mayor of Long Beach just about this issue. He said, look, the beaches aren't officially closed, but people are acting like it is closed, and you see workers on that beach that have been picking up little tar balls and tar pieces. But there definitely are people who are coming to the beach.

But as I was speaking to a lot of the locals and people from little businesses around here, it's definitely not like in other years, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Ines Ferre, thanks so much, from Gulfport, Mississippi. Appreciate that.

All right, the FBI is calling him a teen fugitive, but to others, he's an internet folk hero. Today, the 19-year-old known as the Barefoot Bandit is in police custody in the Bahamas.

Our Susan Candiotti is in New York, digging into the details of Colton Harris-Moore's capture.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

Well, after being on the run for nearly two years, after being linked to several break-ins and burglaries in a number of states and after allegedly stealing two planes and winding up at the Bahamas, well, his escape is over. Finally, this young man by the name of, let's see, Colton Harris-Moore, age 19, is finally in custody in the Bahamas.

He went to a very small island in the Bahamas where he was caught, some place where a lot of celebrities hang out and those who are very well-heeled, instead of trying to perhaps lose himself in Nassau, in one of the larger islands. But he was finally caught.

And we'd like to show you some video taken for us by a man who owns the boat on which he was - this young man was eventually caught. This boat, actually, they - the police shot out the engine on it so that they could capture him.

We're not seeing it just yet. That's file tape of him. But we did speak with the man, and here comes some pictures of his right now. He's pointing out how the engine was shot up.

Now, at the time, the young man, according to police, was - had a gun on him, was holding it up to his head at one point and threatening to kill himself, but they talked him out of it. Now, this gentleman by the name of William Sport, is the one who owns this 32-foot boat that this young man allegedly stole to try to make his escape, and here is what he said about that night, just last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM SPORT, BOAT OWNER: During the evening, we had a dinner party on the boat and after the dinner party, we walked out on the dock and a young man ran by us with a blue backpack. We didn't think much of it. And this is about 12:00.

And we came back to the boat, went to bed, and about 4:00 in the morning I was awakened to find that my dinghy, which is a 32-foot intrepid motor yacht, had been stolen and the police had chased this person that had stolen it in order to stop him had shot the engines out on the boat. And it turns out that this fellow was the Barefoot Bandit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Now, the FBI had put out a wanted poster on him. He was wanted for -- and they offered a $10,000 reward. But, as you know, he is now in custody and it is expected that he will be arraigned sometime later this week in the Bahamas and, at some point, he is likely to be extradited to the United States.

Back to you, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Susan Candiotti in New York. Thanks so much.

And now to World Cup soccer and, yes, there is a winner. Spain overtakes the Netherlands, but just by one point. The final score, 1- 0, and that's after going into overtime.

Our Don Ridell is in Madrid, where, as you can see right there, folks are going haywire. They're so excited, Don.

DON RIDELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there. I'm going to stay out of shot here just so that you can enjoy these fantastic pictures. It's very late on Sunday night here in Madrid, and these fans are not going to bed any time soon.

They have just witnessed their team making history. They've become the eighth team ever to win the World Cup. The Spanish team is playing in the World Cup for the first time. They played pretty much the best football in the world at the moment, but it was by no means a straightforward final against Holland, as you've just acknowledged. It went into extra time.

It took a goal from Andres Iniesta, one of their best players, to clinch the World Cup for them. And as you've - as you're watching these pictures now, these fans are just watching a huge screen. They are about to see their team presented with the World Cup.

And this means so much to these fans. Spain is a divided country, both regionally and politically. They're suffering a really desperate economic crisis at the moment. They've got the highest unemployment rate anywhere in Europe. It's running at some 20 percent. So that's even one in five people in this crowd that you're looking at don't have a job at the moment.

But this success, even before the final, have given the country such a huge boost. Prime Minister Zapatero acknowledging that it was a boost to (INAUDIBLE) confidence and a massive boost to national self-esteem. So this really is an absolutely huge win for the Spanish soccer team and the Spanish sport, the Spanish people and the whole country of Spain. Absolutely huge.

The party has only just started.

WHITFIELD: Wow. The party is just getting started there in Madrid, where that country is celebrating a huge victory, a World Cup victory in Johannesburg, South Africa. These live images right here out of Madrid. Thousands of people have descended upon this area right here, all partying in the streets, enjoying and watching the final stages of that World Cup soccer.

Spain wins over the Netherlands, 1-0. It was an incredible game, going into overtime. more than two hours long, this entire match, and there we go. Now, world champions, World Cup champions, Spain. Congrats to them.

And that's Don Ridell who is joining us. You couldn't see him, but you could hear him, just barely, over that huge crowd there in Madrid, Spain.

All right, well, she is proof that you are never too old to try to make a dream come true. Marathon swimmer Diana Nyad is getting ready to set out on a trip that she gave up years ago. She's trying it again.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A look at our top stories right now. Celebrations across Spain as the country celebrates its World Cup championship. Spain beat the Netherlands, one to nothing in today's World Cup final in South Africa. The game ended just a minute ago in overtime.

And the man known as the voice of Yankee Stadium has died at his home in New York at the age of 99. Bob Sheppard was the public address announcer for the team from 1951 to 2007. His career spanned 4,500 baseball games.

And BP says the process to replace the containment cap on the ruptured oil well in the Gulf of Mexico is going as planned. While robots replace the old cap, the oil is flowing freely again. BP says it could take three to six days to secure the new, better-fitting cap. It is expected to contain most, if not all, of that gushing oil.

And Arizona's controversial immigration law has Republicans and Democrats locking horns. In a matter of weeks, the new law is set to take effect and the finger-pointing continues as to who is to blame for the failure to get immigration reform done in Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: What is the president doing to promote an immigration bill this year?

DAVID AXELROD, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISER: This is something we all agree on, the people of Arizona are saying, hey, we want the federal government to live up to its responsibilities, and - and we are calling on those folks on the other side of the aisle who said in the past that they thought this was an important issue to solve, to - to join us. And when they're willing, then we'll be able to move forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So for more on this divisive debate, let's go to our Sandra Endo who is in the nation's capital - Sandra.

SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, there you have it, ramping up the rhetoric. What you heard there is a challenge to Republicans from White House Senior Adviser, David Axelrod, on "STATE OF THE UNION" this morning with Candy Crowley. He's saying the only way to get immigration reform done is if Republicans step up to the table, but the reality is, Fred, that that is so unlikely this year. The topic is far too politically risky, given the mid-term elections this fall.

Now, just take a look at what's going on in Arizona for a snapshot of how polarizing this issue is. This past week, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to stop the controversial Arizona immigration law from taking effect, which is set for July 29. But Arizona Republican Congressman Trent Franks is coming down on the administration, saying the state was forced to take immigration matters into its own hands.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. TRENT FRANKS (R), ARIZONA: What they're saying here is that, yes, they're saying it's racial profiling, but what they're actually suing on is that somehow that Arizona is preempting the federal government's responsibility. And the irony of that is that that's - that was the whole predicate. Arizona had to do this simply because the federal government wasn't doing it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENDO: Now, Attorney General Eric Holder argues immigration policy should not be made up of a patchwork of state laws.

An Arizona judge will hear the Justice Department's case on July 22 and then decide whether or not the law will take effect - Fred.

WHITFIELD: And you were just in Arizona, so is this issue as polarizing in there as it is in Washington?

ENDO: It absolutely is on the top of a lot of people's mind. Everyone has an opinion, it seems, on the law. But what will be really interesting, Fred, is to see if the law does take effect July 29th, how it exactly it will affect people there and what their opinion will be after the fact.

WHITFIELD: All right, Sandra Endo in Washington. Thanks so much.

All right, time now to check in with our Jacqui Jeras as we been - begin a new work week, and there's been some crazy, very violent and unpredictable weather all over.

JERAS: Yes, flash flooding has been a big problem this weekend. We had it in Massachusetts yesterday. Today we've got it in Missouri.

Take a look at these pictures, the Kansas City area from earlier this afternoon where heavy rain flooded roadways and many adjacent fields. Winds were very strong, 60 to 70 miles per hour. There you can see them blowing down trees. Seventeen thousand people were without power at one point this afternoon. Those storms continue to move across central and southern parts of the state right now.

Take a look at the radar picture. We've got a severe thunderstorm watch in effect here, and we have been tracking one storm that did produce a tornado in Camdenton, Missouri, law enforcement there reporting touchdown. Phelps County still under the warning. This is the same storm, still showing strong rotation. There are no confirmation that the storm is still on the ground. It's right across I-44, moving in an easterly direction, so you need to be taking shelter immediately. And, keep in mind, sometimes when we have severe thunderstorm watches, we do get isolated rotation is some of these thunderstorms that can happen from time to time.

Now, we also have severe thunderstorm watch across parts of Georgia and South Carolina, including you in Charleston, so you beachgoers, be aware of that, and that's where it's going to continue on through tomorrow. Maybe your vacation plans continue into tomorrow as well.

All right, the northeast, we talked about the deluge in Massachusetts yesterday, our storm front moving out now. Some spotty showers, but, really, nothing to worry about. The rainfall totals there were really, really impressive, about two to three inches overall, and normally that wouldn't be a big deal by the way in Massachusetts, but when you have the record heat and very dry conditions, all that rain in a short period of time, that's when you start seeing some of those problems.

Let's talk about some of that heat, over within the northeast, but still ongoing across parts of the south. Heat advisory from you in effect from New Orleans, also up towards the Biloxi area. Temperatures tomorrow going to continue to stay hot across parts of the south, but we will see some 80s and 90s into the northeast, and as you head back to work, there's that big picture for you tomorrow. Things look pretty good up and down the eastern seaboard, but threat of severe weather from the Great Lakes down through the Ohio and Tennessee River Valley, high pressure building into the upper Midwest and gorgeous weather across the west.

One last thing we're tracking, of course, this time of the year, Fredricka, the tropics, and the good news is that there's a whole lot of nothing going on anywhere in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, this is also great news for the oil containment efforts and what they're trying to do is get that new cap on there. Really, really calm seas. It looks good.

WHITFIELD: Oh, good. We're happy to hear that.

JERAS: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Some ray of sunshine there, so to speak.

All right, thanks so much, Jacqui Jeras.

JERAS: Sure.

WHITFIELD: All right, legendary open water swimmer, Diana Nyad, is not giving up on her dream. She is trying once again to swim from Florida to Cuba without a shark cage. The 60-year-old has been practicing for that swim in Key West and she actually spoke with our Fit Nation crew after wrapping up a long practice run.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA NYAD, FORMER WORLD RECORD-HOLDING SWIMMER: I'm very proud either way, because it's not just that I did it, I really pushed. I really pushed. There wasn't one hour that I just kind of glided through and took it easy, because I was thinking to myself, if Cuba's going to be twice this, I'm going to really work this and then know in my mind psychologically that I can back it down just a little bit.

But I'm surprised, like I felt fine. Left shoulder bothering me a little bit, but, other than that, I felt strong, energy. Stomach was upset a couple of times.

All the way through to the 24 hours, even climbing out of the boat, but then, I was racked. I mean, I was, you know, had four IVs in this arm, passed out, was nauseous, really felt sick at the end. So I think I was dehydrated and depleted much, much more than I knew I was when I was in there. And there was just never a doubt, there was never a moment of doubt. From the very beginning, I knew. I had sort of two - two - separated in two pieces because we started at 8:20. I knew that night would fall exactly at 12 hours. So first I thought, just swim the day. Just swim the day, break that into hours.

And I was so lucid, too. I never went anywhere else. It was just I was right there, just either looking at the boat or feeling the kayak next to me, and then, you know, it's like all mountain climbers and, you know, long-distance people. It was sort of silly systems of counting and songs, and, you know. So each - each little break before feeding, I would say to myself, OK, you know, let's go through this one with Bob Dylan's, you know, "The Times They Are A-Changin'".

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, Diana Nyad there with CNN's Fit Nation crew. We'll be keeping a close watch on this very fascinating quest. Again, she's trying to - she's setting out to swim more than 100 miles between Cuba and Florida's Key West. And, of course, our Fit Nation crew will be talking to her again next month when she sets out to really try to nail down this dream swim.

All right, growing the global game. A pro soccer team right here in Atlanta is working hard off the field. Their goal is to gather equipment for kids in Africa. Just take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEN PLANTE, DIRECTOR, ATLANTA BEAT SOCCER FOUNDATION: They want to be (INAUDIBLE) team of the WPS, Women's Pro Soccer. We've got 22 players on our roster, and it's a mix from international to national team players and former college players.

We started this program. It's called "Donate Your Gear". We partnered with the schools of Niger and Africa, and so what we're doing is we actually have collecting sites on out of state and every single game.

TINA ELLERTSON, DEFENDER, ATLANTA BEAT: I'm super-excited that, you know, our team, Atlanta Beat, is - is in support of this cause. And just to - to think that, you know, a kid is going to be getting a pair of shoes or some cleats and - and a ball makes me smile.

MANYA MAKOSKI, MIDFIELDER, ATLANTA BEAT: When you have the gear and you could play the game that you love, you know, you - you just play it with more heart and more passion.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the opportunity to give back, especially to the Niger, when you see a child that doesn't know the difference between a soccer ball made out of yarn versus a real ball, it also then gives us - it's like gold to them, and I think that's what excites the players.

EMMA SPERRY, DONATED GEAR: I have had a lot of opportunities in my life with soccer, and I just want to give back. So I give the kids stuff that I don't need any more.

PLANTE: Chick-Fil-A just came on board a few months ago and they are giving out free sandwiches if you donate. FedEx has been fantastic. They are taking on all the U.S. transportation of the gear from all the sites across the country.

The U.S. Army, they have been fantastic. They're actually taking the gear from Denver, Colorado, into Djibouti, Africa where we'll meet it and head to Niger to give the gear up.

TINA ELLERTSON, DEFENDER, ATLANTA BEAT: We play the sport and we get this opportunity, but how great is it to give another kid an opportunity? That kid miles and miles away. So I'm pretty proud to be able to say that (inaudible). I'm just excited.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Fantastic. We're excited, too. You may remember this woman as "Foxy Brown." We're excited about the soccer and we're excited about this. Actress Pam Grier talking about finding balance and she's talking about her friendship with a new generation of music artists like rapper, Snoop Dogg.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAM GRIER, ACTRESS/AUTHOR: So they come out, coming up with this great, you know, music and they have us on their videos and they said, Pam, I apologize about all the horrible things I said about women, you're not like that at all. I said, OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Face to face with actress Pam Grier.

All right, but first, what is topping the charts on the billboard?

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: It was the coldest of cold cases. For more than 20 years, a killer dubbed the grim sleeper walked the streets freely, believed that all came to an end with the arrest this week of Lonnie Franklin.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez was given an exclusive look at the new DNA technology used to crack the case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIEREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Behind these doors at the Department of Justice Crime Lab in Richmond, California, forensic investigators solved a landmark cold case that could change the way police investigations are conducted.

We went inside for an exclusive look at the new DNA technology that led detectives to an elusive killer dubbed the "Grim Sleeper." It was the 1980s, a serial killer was terrorizing South Los Angeles. Most of his victims were young African-American women.

Some had been shot with the same 25-caliber firearm. Some had been strangled, some sexually assaulted. Their bodies dumped in alleys. Over the years, Los Angeles police would follow numerous leads that went nowhere.

In 1988, after eight murders and an attack on a potential night victim who got away, the killings stopped. Then nearly 15 years later, the "Grim Sleeper" would strike again. Who was he? Where was he hiding? Police would have to wait another two decades to find the answers.

KEN KONZAK, CRIMINALIST: We have about one and a half million samples stored in the laboratory.

GUTIEREZ: A critical piece of the puzzle would be found here in the third-largest DNA repository in the world. California has been collecting DNA from convicted felons since 2004. Police had the serial killer's DNA for the crime scenes, was it possible it was here as well?

JILL SPRIGGS, CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF FORENSIC SERVICES: We are on the cutting edge of this technology.

GUTIEREZ: Jill Spriggs who heads the lab says forensic scientists recently developed a powerful investigative weapon called the familial DNA search program. A computer software that can find similarities between crime scene DNA and the DNA of a convicted felon. If the killer's DNA is not in the database maybe a relative's is.

STEVE MYERS, CRIMINALIST: It is only convicted offenders that we're comparing not arrestees in California.

GUTIEREZ: Two years ago, detectives ran the killer's DNA searching for a link, but no match. Then a major break, last year criminalists entered the DNA of a man recently convicted of a felony weapons charge, his name was Christopher Franklin.

Months later detectives ran the "Grim Sleeper" killer's DNA again, for the second time, hoping for a match to a family member. They got it. Detectives zeroed in on Christopher Franklin's father, 57-year-old, Lonnie David Franklin who lived in South Los Angeles, within walking distance to one of the victims, 18-year-old Alisha Monique Alexander.

At one time, the man described as a polite neighbor, even worked as a garage attendant for the Los Angeles police. Detectives were confident they found their man. But before they could close in, they would need a sample of his DNA.

With Franklin under surveillance, they picked up a piece of uneaten pizza crust, along with some eating utensils. Police sent it all to the lab. Soon after, they say they had a match, between Franklin and the DNA found on victims. JERRY BROWN, CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: I think going forward this will be a very important investigative tool for police everywhere where we have a serious crime, where we have no further leads.

GUTIEREZ: As city leaders and the Los Angeles police announced what they believe will be the end of the "Grim Sleeper's" reign of terror, the victims' families cheered.

But it was a bittersweet moment for the brothers of 18-year-old Alisha Monique Alexander who carried her frayed picture for 22 years. Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Finally, a new world champion at the World Cup, Spain. Spain overcame the Netherlands by just one point. Final score, 1-0, and our Ali Velshi was lucky enough to have a seat there in Johannesburg at the World Cup final and he is joining us live on the telephone right now. I'm going to hope that we can hear him.

Ali, you're in the stadium. It's been super, super loud. The fireworks just went off, what's it been like?

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): What an incredible, incredible night. We're leaving the stadium in Johannesburg now, heading back to our hotel. Spain scored the only goal in the game, more than 110 minutes into the game, Spain scored a goal against the Netherlands.

This was in the second overtime or extra time as they call it in football. Spain scored the goal giving Spain its first-ever World Cup victory. Now both Spain and the Netherlands had never seen a World Cup victory before. This was a hard-fought match between the two of them. Ninety minutes of regulation time and no goal. A crowd of almost 85,000 people here at the stadium.

While it's a victory for Spain, this World Cup is really a victory for South Africa where so many people had said there would be too many security problems to overcome, too many dangers with the stadiums that were built after having faced difficulties in the construction.

The boil line is this World Cup has ended a victory for Spain for the first time and a massive, massive victory for South Africa, which until 50 years ago was largely excluded from world competition and international competition. So Fred, all in all, this World Cup ends well. There are a lot of Dutch fans here tonight very, very upset, trying to get out of Soccer City and go home and drown their sorrows or go to sleep one way or the other.

WHITFIELD: Wow, that's right. Also, Ali, I wonder, as Johannesburg or as South Africa celebrates its victory so to speak, just as you put it, because this is a major undertaking for them to be able to host the World Cup games, I wonder if this then paces South Africa to host yet other world-class events. That perhaps they have not been able to grasp before the World Cup? VELSHI: I have to tell you, Fred, coming here this evening, and several hours before the match, security was as heavy as I had ever seen security at a sporting event, ever, helicopters all over, police everywhere. There have been a lot of fears about how South Africa, a country that still struggles with remarkable crime years after the end of apartheid.

The bottom line is this country has handled it very well and I think it does equip South Africa to compete, not only in sports, but as hosts in major events. But there are still problems with infrastructure, transportation, enough hotel rooms and things like that.

But the bottom line is this largely went off without a hitch. The only thing that was a problem here, Fred, is so many of the teams that were expected to make it through to the final round, didn't and a lot of tickets from those fans ended up leaving.

So the stadiums weren't as full as they were supposed to be or we expected them to be. But generally speaking this thing has gone off without a hitch. South Africa is going to have a lot to brag about when they have to put their foot forward in other major international events, they'll be in a good position to do so.

WHITFIELD: Extraordinary stuff as we look at the images and see various plays during the course of almost four weeks of World Cup soccer. Ali Velshi, thanks so much for joining us from Johannesburg, South Africa. So, once again, if you're just now joining us, just now coming out from under the rock, Spain wins over the Netherlands 1-0 in overtime.

And we'll be right back with face-to-face interview with Pam Grier.

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WHITFIELD: Iconic actress, Pam Grier, has been called the first female action hero probably best known for her role as "Foxy Brown" back in 1974. In our final installment of our face-to-face interview, she talks about finding balance in her life and finding friendship with the next generation of some music artists, including rapper Snoop Dog.

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WHITFIELD: You know, you have to wonder what's the next chapter, but before the next chapter, where are you with the cervical cancer? How are you doing in that? How is that battle?

PAM GRIER, ACTRESS: All I've been in remission for 22 years. Tomorrow is not a given. I constantly seek the balance of my pH and I take I practice yoga and pilates, and herbs and teas, and I learned about the thermo dynamics of hot water and teas when you eat greasy food to keep that going through your system and don't drink cold drinks when you have a lot of greasy foods that can stay in your systems and coagulate and cause problems and illnesses. I am very healthy. I love being around my animals in Colorado and having my friends out. They call it my little old brick house. They thought it was the caretaker's house and I do invite them.

When I know they're coming to town for a concert, I invite them out for breakfast and I send them lunch. They kept my image alive and a lot of the artists of the '70s. They're the children of it. They heard it in the womb. They come out with this great music and have us in the videos and they say, Pam, I apologize for the horrible thing I said about women, you're not like that at all.

And I said, OK, and I talk to them about the dynamic of the posturing of anger and the superiority and oppression of women in music and their videos and I say, is that because you saw me do it?

WHITFIELD: What did they say?

GRIER: They go -- but, is it in the community, is that what you really want to do? That was your daughter. I was your daughter.

WHITFIELD: Are they listening to you?

GRIER: Probably not.

WHITFIELD: They're asking you.

GRIER: They don't hear me until they have a daughter and then all of a sudden -- then they, they have this -- epiphany or maturity happens when it's now their daughter.

WHITFIELD: What's your recommendation to young women and men today, of finding balance without having to go through the exact same journey because every journey is different.

GRIER: Thank God. You know, I was learning. People outside of me were teaching me, be open, ask, learn, be curious. That's all we have.

WHITFIELD: Well, Pam Grier, you're an inspiration, thanks so much. Pleasure meeting you, too.

GRIER: Thank you. I lost a kidney on this one. What ovary I had left, you took it.

WHITFIELD: You gave, we take.

GRIER: You have an extra one. But yes, thank you for the invitation.

WHITFIELD: It's a fantastic book.

GRIER: Thank you. Pam Grier, Foxy, My life in Three Acts. Pretty extraordinary.

GRIER: Yes, and the next one, I'll be under the witness protection program. There won't be a next one. There will not be a next one.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: She's so forth right and at the same time, so, so funny as you can tell right there. Pam Grier, actress, icon, now author, author of the book, "Foxy: My Life in Three Acts."

If you missed the first two parts of my face-to-face with Pam Grier, logon to my blog and there you can see all three of the face- to-face interviews with actress Pam Grier.

All right, Spain, they won the World Cup, but it's the nation of South Africa that actually won rave reviews. Next, a look back at the man who led the country out of apartheid and helped bring the first World Cup to Africa. I'm Fredricka Whitfield and Don Lemon, I think it's coming up next about 10 minutes from now.

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WHITFIELD: In Los Angeles, they are celebrating the artistic eye of Dennis Hopper. The late actor, director, was an avid art collector. Some of his favorite works are on display starting today at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Hopper actually helped coordinate this show before his death in late May. He also loved to take photographs of just regular people as well as some of his famous friends and many of his pictures are actually part of that show.

The World Cup has been a remarkable celebration of sport and history. Spain beat the Netherlands in a thrilling final game. By all accounts, South Africa did a superb job of actually hosting the games. A remarkable feat for a nation that was once condemned around the world as a symbol of apartheid. South Africa's transformation was centered on the efforts of one man, Nelson Mandela. He made a brief appearance before today's final game and CNN's Nadia has this story.

NADIA BILCHIK: South African's have a special spirit. They call it "ubuntu" in the African language. Of course, it means humanity towards others. We've seen that spirit in full display over the last few weeks of World Cup soccer.

A (inaudible) age and a family tragedy have kept Nelson Mandela away from the games, but without a doubt. It is Mandela's "ubuntu" that contributed to bringing one of the world's premiere sporting events to Africa for the first time. It is his leadership that steers South Africa away from the depravity and violence of apartheid to a democratic country strong and stable enough to rise to the challenge.

Nabiba as he is fondly known grew up herding cattle for his father, the chief of a rural village. He ran away to Johannesburg as a young man allegedly to escape an arranged marriage. He fulfilled his dream of studying law and in 1943 joined the ANC, the African National Congress, as one of the anti-Apartheid organization leader. Mandela spearheaded boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience campaigns to bring about freedom for black a people.

When the ANC was banned in 1960, Mandela went underground and helped formed the arming of the ANC. Though an advocate of non- violence, Mandela believed the apartheid government left the African people no choice. He was arrested in 1962 and two years later sentenced to life in prison.

During the long years of his incarceration, the country hovered many times on the brink of violent revolution. The apartheid government clamped down with an ire fist, arresting, detaining and killing those who fought for freedom. All the time, his commitment never faulted.

Mandela was eventually released and walked out of prison on February 11th, 1990. He became president of South Africa's fledgling democracy in 1994. Today, 16 years since its first democratic elections, South Africa still faces serious challenges.

Amongst them, crime and poverty, but South Africans also have that special spirit of ubuntu and anyone watching the World Cup over the last few weeks can testify that Nelson Mandela's dream of a rainbow nation has largely come through.

WHITFIELD: That was Nadia Bilchik. I'm Fredricka Whitfield, I'll see you back here again next weekend. Don Lemon is coming up next with more of the "Newsroom" after this. There he is waving. Hey, Don.

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