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New York Police Kill College Student; France on Brink of Chaos?; Former NFL Player Drives SUV Off Cliff; Intelligence Analysts Believe They Know Whereabouts of Osama bin Laden; Analysts Say Feuding Mexican Drug Cartels Murdered American in Case of Mistaken Identity; Justin Bieber Accused of Assault; Carl Paladino Trails in Polls for New York Governorship

Aired October 18, 2010 - 15:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, everyone.

I'm Brooke Baldwin. Here we go, getting going on a fresh hour at CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.

I want to begin this hour here with a community that is paralyzed by shock, grief and anger. This is a town that's not too far from New York City, where police shot and killed a 20-year-old college student. Happened in the wee hours yesterday morning.

Now, this is a story also for you, parents, and your young children and teenagers. This is a tragic example of what can happen at a bar after midnight in a college town. Take a look with me at the scene as it looks in the daylight.

In a moment, I want to show you some cell phone video from the chaos over the weekend. But you can see the car and those yellow markings. Those are markings for bullet holes in the windshield of the car that was driven that night by Danroy Henry -- or he goes by D.J. -- 20 years old, who is a junior at Pace University there.

He is dead. The best friend sitting next to him was also shot and hurt. Now, the shooting happened in front of a bar where an unruly crowd had just spilled out into the street right around 1:00 in the morning on Sunday.

Now, police say Danroy Henry was driving away from the bar in the fire lane. An officer tried to stop him. The officer was hit and thrown on top of the car. Then another police officer was also hit. And that is when the officers grabbed their guns, fired into the car.

I have on the phone line the mother of one of those young men who was shot, the young man who was in the passenger seat.

But, first, I want you to watch this video with me. These are the shocking moments that followed that shooting, all captured by a witness' cell phone camera. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SHOUTING) (SCREAMING)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get out of here! Get out of here!

(SCREAMING)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please get out of here!

(SCREAMING)

(SHOUTING)

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- right now! Back off!

(SHOUTING)

(SCREAMING)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)

(SHOUTING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: You see and you hear all the shouting. You see the police flashing lights, people being shoved, pushed, clearly chaotic. Police trying to control these people who just witnessed this 20-year- old, Danroy Henry, killed outside of the bar, killed by police. Obviously, chaos. It is horror and disbelief.

And today is -- it is sadness on the Pace University campus and in the homes of the young men who were shot. The chief of police -- this is Mount Pleasant, New York, where this all happened -- he talked to reporters this morning. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOUIS ALAGNO, MOUNT PLEASANT, NEW YORK, POLICE CHIEF: This is going to be a long, hard investigation. And we will be as thorough as possible. We want to identify exactly what happened and why it happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: What happened, why it happened. That's the police.

On the phone with me now is Donna Parks.

And it was her son Brandon in that passenger seat who was hurt early Sunday morning. He was shot at the time. His high school friend, Danroy Henry, was killed.

Donna, I -- I am sorry for your loss of your young son's friend. I appreciate you coming on and talking to me. And, first, before we walk through the scene and what exactly happened, I have got to ask, how is your son?

DONNA PARKS, MOTHER OF BRANDON COX: He's traumatized by this, really traumatized. He's doing OK physically, but he's very traumatized.

BALDWIN: Traumatized, obviously emotionally. Physically, is he out of the hospital?

PARKS: Yes, he is.

BALDWIN: All right, Donna, take me back here.

These were the wee hours of Sunday morning. Let's start with the bar itself. Do you know if your son and we will call him D.J., because that's what everyone else called him, were they in the bar and were they drinking?

PARKS: My son does not drink. He does not smoke or drink. He's -- he doesn't do any of those things.

I don't -- I don't know. I got the story from where they were sitting in the car waiting for a friend. They were sitting in the car waiting for a friend to come out, and the police officer banged -- tapped on the window, so D.J. felt like they wanted him to move the car.

So he started to move the car, because that's what he thought that the police officer wanted him to do.

BALDWIN: Let me -- let me -- let me interrupt you, because, to explain, according to police, this car was in the fire lane. And so you're saying that the police were -- they were tapping on the window, and D.J. and Brandon thought they just needed to move out of the way?

PARKS: Exactly, yes.

BALDWIN: And then--

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: And then what happened?

PARKS: So, they -- they were moving out of the way -- out of the way. Because he tapped on the window, he felt -- D.J. felt like they -- he says, oh, they want me to move. So he moved the car. And then a police -- another police officer with his guns drawn just ran out in front of D.J.'s car. He did not have time to assess what was happening.

All of a -- all of a sudden, Brandon says that they were just shooting. They had their guns drawn and just started shooting. They jumped out in front of the car. He didn't have time to stop.

BALDWIN: Now, to be clear, we have invited Mount Pleasant Police to come on. They didn't accept our request, but, again, we did hear the police chief in that news conference.

And from what I understand from the police, just to get this out there, you have this one officer who wound up on the hood of D.J.'s car. Another was hit by a side window. And then there was a third, and according to police documents, that car was heading toward that third officer, and it was at that point that the police opened fire.

PARKS: Absolutely not. They--

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: You say no?

PARKS: Absolutely not.

What happened was that the police officer with guns drawn jumped out in front of the car, and then D.J. did not have time to stop, and they -- and he hit the officer, and they started firing right there.

BALDWIN: Now, according -- so, according to police, they say they asked D.J., who was in the driver's seat, to stop.

PARKS: No, they did not.

BALDWIN: So, according to your son, not only did they not say, stop, they jumped in front of the car.

PARKS: They may have been saying -- I -- I don't know. I was not there, so I don't know what they were saying to him. But I know that, when D.J. felt like they wanted him to move when they tapped on the -- so he -- he was moving.

And then, all of a sudden, there appeared a police officer that jumped from behind the cruiser, jumped from behind the cruiser and jumped in front of D.J.'s path, and with guns already drawn, and then began shooting.

BALDWIN: How many times -- and police have yet to say how many times they started shooting. How many shots did your son report hearing?

PARKS: Well, he heard about at least eight shots. D.J. was shot several times. And my -- my son was shot once.

BALDWIN: And then what happened? They were shot. What did police do immediately after--

(CROSSTALK)

PARKS: Then they pulled D.J. out of the car, handcuffed him, put him face down on the ground and left him there for 15 to 20 minutes while they attended to the police officer.

BALDWIN: And your son--

PARKS: They just left him there, just left him there on the ground--

BALDWIN: Oh.

PARKS: -- for 15 to 20 minutes, just laying there, just laying there.

My son didn't -- my son is walking around the parking lot. If they were so in control, the police officers, they would have known my son -- my son went over to the police because he's not afraid of police. These are good children. He went over to police and told them that he was shot. And they handcuffed my son when he went to them to tell them he had been shot. And they handcuffed him.

BALDWIN: Unfortunately, in our attempts to reach out to police, we cannot independently confirm that from Mount Pleasant Police, so we will take your word for it, again, according to your son, that they handcuffed D.J., who eventually died at the hospital.

Donna, let me ask you this. Has your son Brandon shared his story with police?

(CROSSTALK)

PARKS: No, he has not.

BALDWIN: And why hasn't he?

PARKS: Because he was -- was told not to say anything until he gets counsel by myself and my husband.

BALDWIN: Wouldn't -- would he not, though, in cooperating with police, help this investigation--

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: -- and in a way honor his friend?

PARKS: He is going to cooperate, because he wants to know how good -- we all want them to know what a good person D.J. and Brandon is. He just has been -- they have done everything that we as parents have asked them to do. They would -- they worked hard in school. They're in college. They're athletes. They have never -- they have a squeaky-clean -- they have not -- not a record at all, no record.

These are--

BALDWIN: Never -- these aren't the kind of kids who--

PARKS: Never--

BALDWIN: -- get in trouble in class?

PARKS: -- ever have been arrested.

BALDWIN: No.

PARKS: Never, ever been arrested.

BALDWIN: Never been arrested.

PARKS: Never, ever been suspended from school. They are just good, upstanding citizens, good, good kids.

BALDWIN: Donna, what -- what have the police told you about the investigation?

PARKS: They have told me nothing. And when--

BALDWIN: Have they picked up -- picked up the phone and reached out to your son?

PARKS: No, they did not reach to Angela -- Angela Henry, when she went to go see her son in the hospital, they -- no one from the police force was there to speak with her. No one was there to tell her anything. She has not -- they have not called her. They have not called -- they have my phone number.

They have Brandon's phone number. They have my house number. They have my cell number. No one has -- has even called even for Brandon to -- to make a statement.

BALDWIN: Well--

PARKS: They have not asked for a statement from Brandon.

BALDWIN: Maybe, in the midst of this conversation, Mount Pleasant Police perhaps are listening. Perhaps they will call you. Certainly, again, we want to reiterate the fact that we would love to talk to them as well and get their side of the story and confirm some of what you have told me.

What about D.J.? You talk about how he's a -- he's a good kid.

PARKS: Mm-hmm.

BALDWIN: What more can you tell us about him? And how are his parents doing?

PARKS: Oh, his parents are so traumatized. They -- they -- they just -- they're not handling this well at all.

He was a good kid. He didn't -- he -- he -- he went to school. He -- he came home. He did what he was supposed to -- he -- he wasn't one to hang out and act out. He wasn't a -- he didn't do drugs. He was -- never been arrested. He's a good, good kid. They're just so totally, totally devastated by this whole thing. They're just totally devastated.

BALDWIN: Well, our heart -- my heart, Donna, goes out to you. It, of course, goes out to the Henrys. We invited both of the parents to -- to come on to CNN. And, for obvious reasons, they're not quite ready to talk.

PARKS: Oh, they can't talk. Oh, no.

BALDWIN: They can't talk.

But, Donna, I appreciate it.

And, look, if you hear from Mount Pleasant Police, do me a favor and let us know.

PARKS: OK.

BALDWIN: Thank you.

PARKS: All righty.

BALDWIN: Take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIFFANY HARTLEY, WIDOW: A boat came up, and they had a gun at -- towards me. And then they left, and I -- that's when I tried getting David up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Here's another tough one. Tiffany Hartley says pirates killed her husband on a border lake, but her -- his body still missing here. It's been weeks. But now get this. Hartley says she is worried she may be arrested in Mexico. Why would that happen? That is ahead.

Also gas stations in France, they're running out of fuel, airlines having to cancel flights -- at the center of it all, the country's retirement age. That is next.

We also have some breaking developments in the newsroom on Junior Seau. He is the former NFL player who drove his SUV off a cliff. We have video.

Stay here. That is ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM.

Here's a heads-up. If you're traveling to France any time soon, you need to pay close attention to this one. There's a new al Qaeda terror threat now aimed at France. This is according to Saudi Arabian intelligence. And French officials, they are taking this threat very, very seriously.

But, in addition to that piece of information, France is also having trouble tied to its work force. Take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(CHANTING) (END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Those are French workers on strike. You see them carrying signs. They're protesting the government, which wants to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, and change their pension benefits.

Now, labor union workers, they are out there. They're blocking access to oil refineries. And that has cut production, now gas stations in France just plain flat running out of fuel, between 30 percent and 50 percent of flights out of Paris also being canceled tomorrow.

The French government refuses, though, to back down. They say they cannot afford earlier retirement payments. The labor strike has been going on now for a week. A new round of protests are scheduled for Tuesday.

And who's on Facebook? I am. Is your personal information possibly safe or not? That is not -- not -- it's not according to a new -- brand-new investigation. And, this time, it's not only your information at stake. It's also your friends' information. That is ahead.

Also, two weeks here before the midterms, we're in the full-out sprint. Which issues are you thinking about? T.J. Holmes is in Charlotte asking voters what will drive them to get to the polls. The CNN Election Express is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Bank of America, they have halted foreclosures in each and every of the 50 states because of questions about how the paperwork was handled. You have heard about some of the robo-signing. It's certainly a headline, yes, but what does it mean for the thousands of people in the midst of foreclosure proceedings?

We're going to break that down a little bit today. And we're getting a little help from my colleague T.J. Holmes, who has hopped on the Election Express bus all this week, 15 days now until Election Day.

And right now T.J. is in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I know we always think, T.J., of New York as, you know, big banking business, but Charlotte number-two city really. And in terms of breaking down this whole foreclosure issue, I mean, there are thousands of people just in Mecklenburg County, alone, right, that are in the midst of this mess.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely.

Just like anywhere else in the country, you have these major metropolitan areas. People are getting hit, getting hit hard. You talked about, yes, everybody thinks about Wall Street. But there's a pretty important street right here in Charlotte, North Carolina, to you. It's called Tryon.

You may not have heard of it, but that is where Bank of America and so many other major banks are based right here in downtown. We're talk about $2 trillion-plus of assets floating around behind me. Your money is back there. Folks, trust me. Your mortgage might be as well.

And speaking of those mortgages, as you said, I want to bring in Steve Meckler here, who is a business litigator here in town--

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: -- does some foreclosures, has been seeing what's happening in this market for the past several years of course.

But a lot of people have questions about foreclosure. And I have been fascinated talking to you, really, the time I have spent with you today. But a foreclosure notice -- and I want to bring up what you have said earlier, because I got a lot of responses, and you got some responses even from your office the last we talked to you--

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: -- when you were saying, sometimes, folks, you just need to throw up the white flag. When you get the notice, go ahead and get the foreclosure over with as quickly as possible.

Now, why did you say that earlier?

STEVE MECKLER, REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY: I said that because a lot of the mortgages that people have, deeds of trust, contracts with the bank, also within them an attorneys' fees provision.

So, as the other -- as you're causing the other side to generate attorneys' fees, eventually, you are going to be held liable for that. The other thing is, you have got your credit to -- that you want to try to repair. Every delay in getting to the foreclosure, assuming it's a forgone conclusion -- now, there may be some defenses to it, but, for the most part, it's indicative of a debt problem that is going to end in foreclosure at some point.

You want to get that process done, so you can start to repair your credit. Now, the banks can get a judgment against you as part of the foreclosure. But one of the solutions sometimes is to get the bank to waive the deficiency judgment, take the home back, and let you go on your way, and continue with your life.

HOLMES: Now, Steve, a lot of people do have -- take issue -- take issue with that, in that I'm not going to give up my home willingly. You might say it might look better on credit down the road or might save myself some trouble.

But they're fighting tooth and nail to keep sometimes a family, a couple kids, a roof over their head.

MECKLER: They are. And I understand that. If it were my kids and I had to keep a roof over their head, I would delay, delay, delay. But the reality is, is, if you have borrowed money from the bank, and you can't pay it back, at the end of the day, the bank is going to be able to sell the house at a foreclosure.

And it's sad, and -- but it's a fact of reality that we're all having to deal with now, because it affects you, it affects me, it affects the whole economy. But you have got to get through the process. We have got to get these foreclosures completed and let the economy and people move on with their lives.

HOLMES: Have you found, though, some people are delaying the inevitable, yes, but it buys them some time to maybe try to find another job, get their ducks in a row in some way? Are you finding the people are doing that, too?

MECKLER: It does. I mean, if you have got a job on the horizon and you think, a few months down the road, you are going to be able to pay the loan off or get back on payments or work out a deal with the bank, you know, maybe at that point, delay helps you.

But the reality is, is with the robo-signing that everybody is talking about, I understand the issues. But the problem is, is what the banks are going to do is, they're going to get the right paperwork together, they're going to come back, and the foreclosure process is going to start all over again.

HOLMES: And, Brooke, as I hand it back to you here, that robo- signing, he -- he said--

BALDWIN: Yes?

HOLMES: -- as well, even though that Bank of America has stopped those home foreclosure sellings right now, a lot of people, that is giving them false hope. It's just maybe, at the end of the day, Brooke, going to be a very small percentage of people who are going to be affected by that. A lot of the foreclosures are still going to go forward.

BALDWIN: And, Mr. Meckler, I think you have an IFB in, something in your ear, so I can ask you a question. Nod if that's a yes.

MECKLER: Yes, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Yes.

OK. So, my question is this, though. And I hear you guys, you know, raising the red flag, get out, get out. But what about the option of a loan modification? If you can pay some of the mortgage, is that not an option for some folks?

MECKLER: Absolutely.

If you can do a loan modification, and you have the means to actually offer something to the bank, it's certainly worth pursuing. In North Carolina, we have got to give a 45-day notice to the homeowner before we foreclose, which also includes as part of is names of these loan home modification programs and groups that can assist them.

Absolutely explore it. But the reality is, is if, at the end of the day, you have make your analysis and you have to come to the conclusion that you're not going to be able to fulfill your obligations under this loan or even a loan modification, you probably need to make the decision to wrap it up and move on and get on with your life and let this part of your past become your past.

BALDWIN: I think we just got a little dose of reality.

Steven Meckler and T.J. Holmes, I thank both of you.

T.J., I know you're on the road, what, for the rest of the week with Election Express?

HOLMES: Yes. I will see you next weekend, Brooke.

BALDWIN: All right.

(LAUGHTER)

BALDWIN: Thanks.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Thanks, you two. I appreciate it.

HOLMES: All right.

BALDWIN: Still to come here, we're going to talk about this deadly typhoon. It is ripping across the Philippines, the storm. Look at the pictures. This is tearing off roofs, hitting fragile homes. And it is, folks, far from over. That is ahead.

Also, where in the world is Osama bin Laden? Well, one NATO official says he has a pretty good idea, and it is not -- I repeat -- not in a cave.

That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Plus or minus? Withdrawal or deposit? We all have to find a way to make our households run, right? So, why is it so tough for the government to figure out some kind of budget?

With 15 days to go here until Election Day, Eliot Spitzer and Kathleen Parker are focused on the issues you care about the most. And that means inviting people like Arianna Huffington and Stephen Moore to their political party each and every night at 8:00.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ELIOT SPITZER, CO-HOST, "PARKER SPITZER": Do you agree with Arianna's point that we are woefully behind in everything from rail, our sewage systems, our telecommunications systems, and that, in today's economic environment, only government can stimulate that?

(CROSSTALK)

STEPHEN MOORE, SENIOR ECONOMIC WRITER, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL": Certainly. We need to rebuild our infrastructure, but we can't do that if every -- if all the dollars go to pork barrel projects, if the money has to go to union projects, where the cost is 30 percent to 35 percent.

(CROSSTALK)

MOORE: I think he could get a deal between Republicans--

(CROSSTALK)

MOORE: Why is it everything you all want to do, it always benefits the unions?

(CROSSTALK)

MOORE: I mean, infrastructure -- why do you think the AFL-CIO wants to do infrastructure? So they can have more unions.

(CROSSTALK)

ARIANNA HUFFINGTON, CO-FOUNDER, HUFFINGTONPOST.COM: But you know what? Honestly, you're talking about competitiveness. How can we compete when you look at the infrastructure of China, when you look at what China is spending at the moment to -- to create the kind of 21st century infrastructure, what is your concern about competitiveness?

(CROSSTALK)

MOORE: What about the private infrastructure? What about businesses expanding?

(CROSSTALK)

MOORE: Businesses are sitting on a trillion dollars of cash right now. They're not spending it, because they're afraid of Washington.

(CROSSTALK)

SPITZER: Let me give you a choice.

(CROSSTALK)

SPITZER: Which would you rather have as an expenditure of tax dollars, the $12.9 billion that was given to Goldman Sachs, 100 cents dollars on the dollar for the AIG credit default swaps that they didn't deserve, or you build another tunnel between New York and New Jersey?

MOORE: Neither. Neither.

SPITZER: Neither. All right.

(CROSSTALK)

MOORE: Look, we have got to--

SPITZER: That wasn't an option.

MOORE: I mean, are you in favor of these trillion and a half dollar deficits every year?

SPITZER: No, of course not. Of course not.

MOORE: Well, we have to stop the spending.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: "PARKER SPITZER," a quick reminder: weeknights 8:00 Eastern right here on CNN.

OK, Bieber fever, do your little ones have it? Millions of teenage girls do. But now the object of their affection is at the center of a police investigation. What? That is ahead.

And why did a former NFL linebacker drive his SUV off of this cliff? The latest on Junior Seau's condition. It is a developing story. We're all over it. That is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Now let's take a look at some of the stories unfolding right now. First, though, I want to take you to Henning, Tennessee. This is where these two women, both postal workers, were shot and killed during an attempted robbery at the post office this morning.

WMC reports that police and the FBI are searching for two suspects seen leaving in a burgundy Chevy truck. They are considered armed and dangerous. Of course updates as soon as we get them in here at CNN.

Also, new word on Osama bin Laden. The Al Qaeda leader and his deputy Ayman al Zawahiri are still believed alive still in northwest Pakistan. That is from a senior NATO official. We are told the two men are told are living in relative comfort in two different houses protected by locals and some members of Pakistani intelligence.

But if bin Laden was ever captured or killed would it make a difference in the war in Afghanistan? That is a question we posed to our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Probably not. This war is very tough. The insurgency is very tough right now. And the U.S.-led coalition is really trying to go after it and get it to come to the peace table.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Pakistan repeatedly denies it is sheltering Al Qaeda leadership and Taliban militants.

And you can hear the power in this guy. This is already a typhoon already billed as the strongest of the year. Super typhoon Megi turned deadly today killing two people in the northern Philippines. A lot of people who live there say they're without power and facing up to 20 inch of rain. It's almost sideways. The typhoon could make a second landfall in China or northern Vietnam.

And breaking news out of California. Police say former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau drove his SUV off of this cliff. This is Carlsbad, California. This happened just hours after his arrest -- look at his car -- hours after his arrest for allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend.

Police say Seau in his SUV, which landed -- they found him in his SUV which landed on this beach near Carlsbad. The 41-year-old Pro- Bowler was transported to a hospital in La Jolla and is being treated for injuries.

We were just talking about foreclosures. Bank of America halting foreclosures in all 50 states. I just got a statement from the Bank of America, and here is just a portion of it. They say "We have reviewed process for resubmission for foreclosure affidavits in the 23 judicial states with key stakeholders, including our largest investors." According to Bank of America today "began the process of preparing foreclosure affidavits for submission." So they'll be reading the fine print and about half of those 23 states for submission of 102,000 foreclosure actions for which judgment is pending. That just in from Bank of America.

Still to come here, a mystery. We're talking about Falcon Lake. It is unraveling there. Is Tiffany Hartley telling the truth about this run-in with pirates and about her husband reportedly being shot? Coming up next, we'll be talking to a security analyst who has brand new information working some of his sources on the story and the escalating violence, cartel versus cartel, along the border. Don't miss it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: We have some new developments today in the search for David Hartley. It is believed that he was killed by these pirates on a lake that straddle the Texas-Mexican border.

Hartley's wife Tiffany is scheduled to meet with Mexican investigators again today after she spent eight hours Friday giving them a statement detailing how three boats of men basically opened fire on her husband and chased her while the couple was riding sea- doos on falcon lake. Here she is. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIFFANY HARTLEY, DAVID HARTLEY'S WIFE: They were asking just detailed information about the day and where we had stopped and who we talked to kind of thing. But I didn't feel like it was an interrogation, and I really hope that they do continue the search and continue their investigation.

Ultimately we just want David back. And as soon as we get him back, then everyone can kind of go back to their lives that they had before.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Now, just to back up here, Mexican authorities suspended their search for Hartley's body late last week. That was just days after the lead Mexican investigator -- we broke the news to you on this show -- in this case, he was murdered and decapitated.

The global intelligence think tank Stratford in Austin, Texas, believes David Hartley's killing was a case of mistaken identity in this bloody turf war between two rival drug cartels. And the murder of the investigator is part of a gruesome damage control campaign.

We'll talk about all that and more with Fred Burton, Stratford's vice president of intelligence. Before joining Strat-4 he took part in several high profile cases. He was a special agent for the state department. He's written about those experiences in the memoir called "Ghost -- Confessions of a Counterterrorism Agent."

And Fred, I thank you for coming on. We have a bunch of questions for you about giving me essentially the lay of the land and how you think this whole thing went down.

But first, if you will, explain to the viewers who Strat-4 is your group and who without giving away your sources who are you talking to get this information you're about to share?

FRED BURTON, AUTHOR, "GHOST CONFESSIONS": Well, first, thank you for having me on. We are a global intelligence company. We provide geopolitical analysis, economic intelligence, as well as intelligence on terrorism and just breaking intelligence-related news.

BALDWIN: So up certainly intelligence sources who are telling you or giving you one picture as to what you think, what you're hearing happened to David Hartley. And you say this is a case of mistaken identity. Explain.

BURTON: Well, we've been following the border for a good two, two and a half, years and writing about it extensively in a weekly report we put out.

And in looking at what unfolded here and our knowledge of how the cartels operate and literally control the geography on the border, it is very reasonable to assume that spotters -- these are lookouts that are posted by cartels specifically to look for intruders or anybody out of the ordinary. In this case, it appears that the Zetas, which is a cartel operating in that area, they control that geography, was the ones who spotted the Hartleys as they went out on their jet skis.

And we think that they probably were looking at them as either rivals for another cartel called or possibly undercover informants for one of the U.S. or Mexican police agencies.

BALDWIN: So just to back up for a moment, Fred, do you think that the Zeta cartel was surveiling the Hartleys even before they got to the lake? Do you think they saw that Mexican license plate?

BURTON: Very much so. We believe that just based on the complete control that the Zetas have of this geography -- you have to remember this area is notorious for drug smuggling. It's like a logistical hub for the shipment of dope across the lake into Texas.

BALDWIN: And specifically the old Guerrera region, which is where that historic church is which is where they wanted to take pictures. Talk to me about how this is the counter intelligence hub for both of these cartels.

BURTON: This is a complete fright for geography. Remember, whoever controls this very lucrative gateway into the United States controls a drug kingdom that is huge financially. And these gateways are critical for the cartels.

And this area is under dispute between these two cartels, the Goff and the Zetas. And, in essence, they're always doing battle with each other. And then the Mexican government are coming in and either trying to do battle with one or the other.

So there's always fire fights. The area is always under intensive surveillance by the cartels looking for all kinds of intrusions from the outside. And I think the Hartleys simply stumbled into an area and were victims of circumstances.

BALDWIN: And so you're saying you think it was programs the Zetas who have control or think they have control of part of this lake, and they thought that the Hartleys were rival Goff cartel informants, and so perhaps they're the ones who pulled the trigger.

And taking it a step further, because this is my notes from you, we have the number two with the Zetas, Miguel Trevino-Morales, looking at this from the Department of State, there is a reward up to $5 million for this guy. And so what are you hearing from -- your sources are telling you something about him in connection with the Hartleys now.

BURTON: Well, first off, Trevino is a warlord that controls this area completely. And it's our understanding that the individuals that shot Mr. Hartley had carried out this attack without authorization.

The Zetas are a paramilitary organization that are very, very rank structured. And, in essence, when Mr. Hartley was shot, this highly upset Mr. Trevino, the cartel boss, and now he's looking for the shooters. And what I understand he typically does is unless they produce themselves he'll pick up family members and hold them hostage until the shooters come forward.

BALDWIN: Just speaks to the violence here, the inter-cartel violence. Fred Burton, I thank you for coming on and also the issue of the Mexican investigator being beheaded, certainly a signal to the Mexican government stay out of here. Fred Burton, thank you. This is a complicated story and tough one to tell but I appreciate it, talking about the rival violence there.

BURTON: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Meantime, there are new concerns about privacy on Facebook. Even if you have the strictest privacy settings, are advertisers getting access to your personal information? That's a question you need to hear the answer to.

BURTON: Plus, reports of a -- say it with me -- a "Bieber brawl." Did the teen idol assault some kid? Did he really do this? Police trying to figure that one out. Sandra Endo is here. She's helping me out with trending. That is next.

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BALDWIN: Now it's time to talk about really what you're talking about on the Internet, on Twitter, and for that we go to Sandra Endo. Lovely to see you. I love that you're in Atlanta.

SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's great to be here, yes.

BALDWIN: So, number one, of course like so many of us are on Facebook. I'm thinking privacy settings, this is a huge concern if we use -- what is it applications?

ENDO: Apps. Absolutely, yes. It affects a lot of people, and it's really disturbing news, Brooke, because keep in mind this is a network that's been under fire for the occasional security brief for users' information.

So that's what we're talking about, Facebook applications, apps, are now leaking people's information to dozens of advertising and internet tracking companies. That means people's names and sometimes their friend lists are also being tapped into.

This is according to a "Wall Street Journal" investigation into Facebook privacy. It's such a big issue, Brooke. Let me take you over to the wall to show you exactly what I'm talking about because I will walk you through what you have to join these applications and also what you'll see when you join.

BALDWIN: This isn't just your privacy but could be your friends' privacy.

ENDO: Absolutely. It depends on your setting. This is the Farmville page, one of the top applications for Facebook that people want to play. This is a game that more than 24 million people have applied to. Now, this is what you'll see when you want to join.

Now, as it loads, you will be asked if you will be allowing this application to actually access some of your information. See right here. This is my Facebook page asking me to access my basic information, including my name, profile picture, gender. So it really depends on what your privacy settings are set at.

Obviously, another one, Texas hold 'em, another popular application. If you want to join go here. It will ask you for basic information that you're sharing with this application. So certainly a lot of issues to deal with, Brooke.

BALDWIN: So if you hit "allow," that is where you could be sharing information?

ENDO: Absolutely. And this is information that you've said that you would share with everyone. So it really depends on what your privacy settings are set at.

But according to this new investigation by "Wall Street Journal," it says that even if your privacy settings are set at the most strict standards, they are still tapping into your name at least. And then they can gather a lot of information from there.

Now, Facebook says it's going to try everything it can, obviously, to try to mitigate this problem because clearly security is a big issue and a big deal for millions of Facebook users out there.

BALDWIN: OK. Well, come on back my way because I know we want to talk about this young guy. I was at a wedding over the weekend and talking to my little cousins trying to appear hip.

(LAUGHTER)

Apparently talking about Justin Bieber with your 16-year-old cousins is not the cool thing to do. But for a lot of kids out there, they love this guy. What's the deal here? He was at this laser tag place in Canada?

ENDO: Yes. He got into a problem and this brawl. He was at this laser tag arcade and he apparently, allegedly punched this 12- year-old boy. According to police, the 12-year-old boy sustained minor injuries but didn't need medical attention.

And the boy supposedly was taunting the singer and called him a derogatory word for gay people. Now, Bieber's camp said he didn't punch the kid, that it was self defense. But the singer is reportedly going to take a stand against bullying later this week. So again, Canadian police are investigating what happened, but of course it seems dicey.

BALDWIN: So it's a little murky. We don't know if he punched or I was watching reports that he brushed past the guy. Bottom line at least the kid was hit or affected by the whole thing, he is OK and so Bieber will be out on the campaign.

ENDO: That's a trending.

BALDWIN: We will be watching. And we'll see you next hour when you've got some good stuff. I'm excited about the college campus story, but we won't give it away. Stand by for that. Sandra Endo, thank you.

Also, here is something you don't see every day. There are definitely easier ways to wash your car. You got to see this. That is next.

Also, just two weeks before the mid-term elections, members of the Tea Party movement trail across the country, and Sarah Palin is kicking things off. That is ahead as well.

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BALDWIN: If you are a car lover, I got a story I'm about to play for you that might break your heart. You've got to see this. In San Diego, you might get stuck in neutral, but once in a while get stuck in the surf. Police say someone drove this rental Corvette, at least it was a rental, in the ocean and just took off.

So why park there? That is the mystery they are working to solve. Police are looking for the suspected driver. Maybe he's wet.

This is my kind of competition. This is combining shopping with sleeping. I like this. The Spanish custom, a siesta, a midday nap, by the wayside with the global economic turn down. The siesta trying to make a comeback in Spain, competitors at the shopping mall strap on these monitors that verify they are indeed catching some Zs. They get extra points for snoring. A grand siesta champ will be chosen by the public.

And you may be glad you did not see this in San Diego yesterday. This is a man arrested for burglary by being medically checked out, bolted out of police hands and took off through the hospital stark naked. Police tasered him at least twice and they stayed a step ahead and grabbed a vintage nurse's uniform from a display case. And that is what he was wearing when police finally nabbed him. That's the picture.

OK, we all remember this name, Chandra Levy from nine years ago. The Washington intern disappear that long ago, and now the man accused of killing her is now standing trial. The latest on that as that gets going starting today.

Also, Wolf Blitzer, he is standing by with brand new information just in from the world of politics. Wolf and I will be right back.

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BALDWIN: Here we go. We are officially in the sprint until midterms. Are you counting with us? It's 15 days until Election Day. And there are some new poll numbers for the New York governor's race and CNN of course has those numbers and the latest political news from "The Best Political Team on TV." Wolf Blitzer is at the CNNpolitics.com desk, and, Wolf, what do those poll numbers look like?

WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Those polls numbers are not showing good numbers for Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor of New York. Right now according to this "New York Times" survey, 59 percent of likely voters support Andrew Cuomo while only 29 percent support Carl Paladino. That's a huge hurdle.

They are going into this big debate, but a lot of other third and fourth and fifth party candidates are participating in what's expected to be only debate as we get ready for two weeks before the election. These numbers are not very encouraging for Carl Paladino and are consistent with several other polls in recent days showing a 20 point or 30 point spread between these two candidates.

Another story we are following on CNNpolitics.com, Sarah Palin kicking off the new Tea Party bus tour, the "liberty at the ballot box" tour as it's called. She spoke in Reno, Nevada a little while ago. It's a 30-city tour over 15 days, the final 15 days before the election November 2nd.

At one point she said to GOP political leaders "Man up -- stop being afraid to support the controversial Tea Party candidates." Sarah Palin out there getting ready for this new Tea Party bus tour across the country.

Finally, we always say America votes on November 2nd when the elections are, of course. But guess what. Americans already voting, elections are under way in 23 states plus the District of Columbia. Today they got under way in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, North Dakota, Texas, and the District of Columbia in these final 15 days.

Already, as I said, 23 states plus D.C. voting already. People like this. They don't necessarily have to just wait for that one day, those few hours to vote. They can do absentee ballots. They can go and vote early or sometimes by mail. So, it's much more convenient, and hopefully, it brings more people brought into this process and let's get a bigger voter turn out that's always good.

BALDWIN: Quickly, Wolf. Back to Sarah Palin and you said she's saying man up. You can support some of these folks who starting this tea party tour. Is she looking and sounding at all to you, Wolf, like possible presidential candidate Sarah Palin here or she just stumping for support for her fellow politicians in politics?

BLITZER: I think both. She stumping fairly for support for her tea party friends and other Republicans, but certainly giving signs that she is at least very seriously thinking about running for the Republican nomination for president. She's already visited Iowa and New Hampshire. She's going through the motions. She's giving it serious thought. I don't know if she will, but if she does do it, a lot of people think she'll do very well in the Iowa caucuses especially if she's running just four or five Republican men.

New Hampshire, she might not necessarily do as well, but in South Carolina, she is very popular with that Republican conservative base. And historically, if the Republican candidate wins Iowa and South Carolina and two of those first three, that person is well-positioned to get the nomination. So, we'll see if she decides to run, but she's certainly giving hints that she seriously thinking about it.

BALDWIN: Sounding like hints, indeed. Wolf Blitzer, we know you're watching. Good to see you. Thank you. We'll see you in an hour. Meantime, I want to remind all viewers if you need another political update about half an hour, you can always get the latest political news. Go to CNNPolitics.com either on Twitter, so just go to @politicalticker.