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35 Dead in Moscow Attack; Murder Over Religion?; NY Serial Killer; 'Tunisian Wind' Reaches Egypt; It's Good to Be King; State of the Union Address: Post-Game Plan; 'On the Case'
Aired January 25, 2011 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Police find four bodies on a beach in New York. We now know they were all murdered, but we also know they had something else in common.
I'm Brooke Baldwin. The news is now.
(voice-over): After weeks of mystery, we finally know three things. They are all women. They all had sex for money, and they all advertised on Craigslist.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Their deaths are a direct result of their business as prostitutes.
BALDWIN: And now new fears that a serial killer is on the loose.
Thousands taking to the streets to protest the government in Egypt. Police fired tear gas. The crowd fights back. The violence comes just days after the unrest in Tunisia. Is this the beginning of a trend? Plus, I will tell you why it all involves Facebook.
And a father is accused of killing his young daughter over religion, running her over with his jeep. So how is he defending himself? We're on the case of this alleged honor killing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Hello, everyone. I'm Brooke Baldwin. A lot of news happening right now as we're at the top of the hour. Rapid fire and I want to begin with this.
I want you to watch this moment. This is the precise moment. Watch screen right. That is when the suicide bomb went off inside the arrivals hall of Russia's busiest airport yesterday. At least 35 people are confirmed dead. And that number, in terms of those injured, may be close now to 200.
So far, no claim of responsibility here, although extremists from Russia's outlying republics have been blamed for similar attacks in the past. Russia's president is demanding airport security officials be the ones punished here.
Next, Rahm Emanuel back on the ballot for mayor of Chicago. The Illinois Supreme Court granted a stay just a short time ago after a lower court ruled yesterday that the former Obama aide was not eligible for office. At issue here, whether or not Rahm Emanuel meets Chicago residency requirements. The state Supreme Court will be hearing Emanuel's appeal, and they have granted to an expedited ruling. Keep in mind, that election next month.
Next, look at this fire, unbelievable pictures, obviously out of control. Firefighters could only stay safely back and try to keep it from spreading. It's a warehouse filled with chemicals between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.
Amazingly, no one was hurt, but people who live nearby were advised to stay inside because of all those burning chemicals. Emergency officials say the fire could smolder for days here. No word yet as to what caused this.
Next, the so-called underwear bomber will go on trial October 4. Here is Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, accused of attempting to detonate an explosive device in his underwear on that Christmas Day flight, 2009, headed to Detroit. He has pleaded not guilty, and he's acting as his own attorney, but he says he has a standby lawyer just in case.
Next, you're about to see a very lucky guy. Take a look at this, rescuers pulling this guy out of a very icy, very cold Detroit river. Police say he hopped the fence behind the arena, fell into the water. And get this. A former paramedic was the first on the scene, threw the guy his jacket. Look at him. Thankfully, he's out. Told him to hold on, and then called 911 for some backup. The man was rushed to the hospital. Whew.
Next, you have heard of snakes on a plane. Maybe you were fortunate not seeing that movie, but how about pigs on a road? Here they are hanging out on an interstate in Kansas City, Missouri. The highway patrol says a tractor trailer lost control of his rig. It overturned. The pigs, you guessed it, spilled on out. An exit ramp was closed for a couple of hours while the pigs, poor piggies, rounded up.
Next, to Indiana now, and a sudden about-face from a state lawmaker who wanted to require all students -- all schools, I should say, weigh every student. She hoped the numbers would help the state figure out which cities had the biggest problems with obesity. Some parents said, hang on a second, that goes way too far.
And one student understands both sides.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AIDEN CASPER, SEVENTH GRADER: I think it would be a good health idea like to weigh kids, but maybe some kids would like feel embarrassed about their weight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Well, guess what? Just the past couple of hours here, we have learned the lawmaker killed the bill, so controversy over. Next, the city of Philadelphia is out of the duck boat business. You ever been on one of these? Remember, last July, two tourists died when one of those contracted amphibious boats ran into a barge on the Schuylkill River? A statement from the mayor's office today says the city will not award a contract for a Ride the Ducks tour operator. The mayor's statement did not specifically reference last year's accident.
Next, three weeks ago, this woman had a crown, Miss Arkansas, Teen USA 2010. And now you're looking at her own mug shot. Police arrested Megan Burgess on the college campus for public intoxication. We are told they found the 19-year-old sitting in the snow. She couldn't stand up. Burgess expected in court next month.
Next, becoming a member of the royal family, you know, can be pretty stressful, right? So, Kate Middleton, she is giving up -- giving it her undivided attention, I should say. The bride-to-be quitting her job just months before she walks down the aisle with Prince William. In case you're wondering, she worked for her parents' party-planning business. So she will be wedding planning instead.
Next, look at this. A school bus slams into a home. This is St. Petersburg, Florida. Police say a driver collided with the bus, sending it slamming into this home. Look at that. The driver of the car has been arrested. Before the bus hit the home, it smashed into two road signs and a fire hydrant. Seven students on the bus did have minor injuries.
Next, if you have kids in the car, no more smoking. That is what lawmakers in Canada are proposing. They want to make it illegal to light up near passengers younger than the age of 16. Also worth mentioning here, bans on smoking in public are already in place all across Canada.
And, finally, there is a disturbing case unfolding right now. Several women are allegedly sexually assaulted, and the suspect, a police officer, and not only is he accused of the crimes while on duty, but there may be other victims here. That is next.
Also, investigators are confirming it. A serial killer could be on the loose, this after the bodies of four prostitutes were found, and at the center of the case here, Craigslist. Stay right here. Be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER UPDATE)
BALDWIN: And to Washington, a place you didn't mention, per se, but a lot going on there tonight, obviously, with the State of the Union address.
We want to get now to Gloria Borger, live for me in D.C.
And, Gloria, let's get a little preview here. What can we expect to hear from the president tonight? GLORIA BORGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, it's kind of interesting, Brooke.
I just came back from a briefing that some senior White House advisers did -- and they don't want to go on record about this -- about the State of the Union, and it was with some columnists, and we can't divulge the details, because they are embargoed for the speech.
BALDWIN: Sure.
BORGER: But what I can tell you generally, though, is that it's basically what we have been saying all along, which is that this is going to be a very thematic speech, that this is a president who is going to outline the way we have to spend our money wisely within the fiscal restraints that we now find ourselves.
And he's going to talk about investment in things like education and innovation, competitiveness, research, development. He's also obviously going to talk about the fiscal problems we face and try to set a tone, I think, for the civil nature of our debate that we have been talking about so much in the wake of the Gabrielle Giffords shootings.
So it should be an interesting speech for us to listen to tonight.
BALDWIN: I know so much of what the president is doing today is under wraps. We saw him for just a snapshot.
BORGER: Right.
BALDWIN: We heard him say, you know, I think it's going to be OK. I hope it's going to be OK, referencing his address.
(LAUGHTER)
BORGER: Right.
BALDWIN: But do we know how he is spending these hours before -- before the speech tonight?
BORGER: Well, it's -- you know, it's interesting. They're -- he's having meetings with all kinds of people, including news anchors.
He's getting ready to give this large speech. As you know, he's pretty good at the teleprompter. His staff is trying to brief journalists, get their spin on it, if you will, you know, before the speech. They are trying -- they understand that this is going to be the largest audience they get, and they get one shot at this, and everybody is going to be watching.
We're going to be carrying it live. The networks will be carrying it live, and this is truly a very large moment for Barack Obama. We have seen in our polls just out today that people are feeling better about the direction the economy is taking. The president's popularity has risen, to a certain degree. He had by all accounts a very productive lame-duck session. And what he's got to do now is pivot to what they intend to make the next two years of their presidency about. He understands he doesn't have control of the House of Representatives. It's a different political environment.
I bet we're going to hear a nod to that. So, you know, in a way, this is a truly, truly momentous speech for the president, as he tries to define himself, not only for the next two years, but for the election in 2012.
BALDWIN: Yes, and first speech -- first speech before a divided Congress, too.
Gloria Borger, we will be watching right along with you. Gloria, thank you.
(CROSSTALK)
BORGER: Yes.
BALDWIN: And in other news here, police are sworn to protect and serve, right? But listen to this. A Houston, Texas, police officer is accused of sexually assaulting women while on duty and wearing his uniform -- 27-year-old Abraham Joseph has been indicted on two charges of aggravated sexual assault, and prosecutors say there could be as many as five victims in this case.
"The Houston Chronicle" is reporting one of these alleged victims has filed a civil lawsuit accusing Joseph of kidnapping her outside of some cantina, taking her some place dark and attacking her on his patrol car's trunk.
Joseph is jailed on half a million dollars bond. Prosecutors want Joseph treated as a flight risk because he holds four passports, one of which reportedly is missing.
And now I want to take you back to a story we covered several times for you last month, the story you may have heard first right here. Do you remember this sheriff? Do you remember him speaking this frigid afternoon near a beach on Long Island, New York? Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD DORMER, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK, POLITICS COMMISSIONER: I don't think it's a coincidence that four bodies ended up in this area. That's a good -- you know, that's a good direction to go, that they were all dumped here by the same person or persons.
QUESTION: So, it appears you have a serial killer dumping bodies along this stretch --
(CROSSTALK)
DORMER: Well, you know, I'm not going to say that, but certainly we're looking at that. We're looking at that, that we could have a serial killer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: That was December 14. Fast-forward now five-and-a-half weeks later and authorities now say, yes, we are talking about a serial killer potentially preying on women in New York.
And if you remember, back on December 12, an officer searching for a missing call girl, found a woman's body with the help of his dog near a beach road. The very next day, investigators searching the scene found not one, not two, but three more sets of remains. And then yesterday, authorities finally announced the women's identities. Here they are, all prostitutes who used the Internet to help arrange hookups.
Here they are -- Megan Waterman, missing since June. We actually talked about her before. Her remains were ID'd last week. Then there's Amber Lynn Costello missing since early September. Melissa Barthelemy last seen in the Bronx July 12 and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, missing from Manhattan since all the way back July of 2007.
And those sadly are the victims, and now the chilling question obviously is who is the killer, maybe killers. Gil Alba, former NYPD detective joining me on the phone.
And Gil, is this a single serial killer or perhaps a team of killers working on this together?
GIL ALBA, FORMER NYPD INVESTIGATOR (via telephone): Yes. At this time you can't tell, really. It could be one person could actually do all this. And you know, it's definitely a pattern and it definitely seems like a serial killer because everything is a real good pattern.
And the fact that you have four murdered prostitutes and they were murdered in a similar style, they were wrapped up in burlap body bags, they were murdered in June, July and August. You know, they are white females, about 5 feet, 120 to 130 pounds, they're 20 years old, Craigslist and they're prostitutes and they were found all in the same area, so that's a pretty good indication that it is a serial killer. But how many, I don't know at this time, but one person could actually do this.
BALDWIN: One person could actually do this. Guys, let's show this map again, because four bodies were found within a quarter mile of each other, but they were dumped at different times.
So what would that say -- here's the map again. What would that say about the killer? Would this killer, let's say it's one person, would this person be taunting investigators? And if not, why dump the bodies all in pretty much the same place?
ALBA: I don't think he's taunting the investigators. I think it's we're all creatures of habit and we go some place where we're familiar with, where nobody is going to see us, nobody is going to bother us. And he can actually take that body out of the car and just go a few feet from the road and just dump them there, and that's -- that's a pretty good place because you can see cars coming in both directions and it only takes a few minutes to just dump the bodies there.
So like I said, we're creatures of habit and that's what we do, go to places that we're familiar with, and serial killers do that.
BALDWIN: So it could be from this area. If I remember correctly, it was a dimly lit road, a couple of feet from that road where these bodies were dumped.
But I want to talk a little bit more about the profile and I know you touched on this here, but perhaps this person was hooking up with these prostitutes, perhaps then killing them. How would the authorities, Gil, use that information and then try to find the killer?
ALBA: Well, they have to put all this information together. Now she was missing June, July and August, and in July, even though they were different years, in July was like a Saturday and a Sunday within that one week, so it could give an indication that he either worked, maybe he worked on the beach someplace and on weekends and maybe he only goes there for the summertime. So all that -- all that evidence and those patterns are building up.
But you know, one of the biggest things how to get somebody like this is another prostitute coming forward and she says, listen, I just got away from this guy and I don't know, you guys check him out. But a lot of times prostitutes are -- do not want to come forward, you know, they don't want to come forward, and that's the problem with this. And then, again, looking for DNA on these bodies, different DNAs, that could help also if there's other persons who were arrested.
BALDWIN: What about the thing they had this one thing in common, that is the internet and Craigslist? Would the fact that it all ties back to the Internet, does it help authorities find the killer, or does it help the killer cover his tracks?
ALBA: I think -- you know, of course, Craigslist is cooperating with the police so they are giving all kinds of information out. And this guy's pattern, again, which would be in an e-mail, address, or something that he would give out, there'd be similar statements looking for other people, could still be looking for other people.
But he doesn't necessarily have to stay on Craigslist, he can go on the Internet in different sites. So I'm not sure this guy is only -- these were with Craigslist, but I think this guy goes around different sites and looks for different women, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's done this, you know, before someplace else.
BALDWIN: Done this before, sure. Gil Alba, former NYPD detective, always great to have you on, lend your perspective. Thank you so much.
ALBA: Yes, thank you for having me.
BALDWIN: Thank you.
And you know, there's been all this talk recently about the competition between China and the U.S. Who is winning? Who is the world's biggest superpower? Well, guess what. An American is convicted and now sentenced for selling secrets to the Chinese, military secrets. That's ahead.
Also this, chaos in Egypt today. Thousands taken to the streets protesting their own government. Apparently the violence in Tunisia inspired them, so might this becoming a trend? Hala Gorani joins me next with "Globe Trekking."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Thirty-two years behind bars for an American convicted of selling military secrets to China. He's a former B-2 bomber engineer and a jury found him guilty of selling secret designs of weapons to the Chinese government for money. Prosecutors say he pocketed more than 100 grand. The information apparently helped China develop stealth cruise missiles.
And now it has been quite a busy day here in international news. Russia still reeling from yesterday's terror attack in that Moscow airport, and violent demonstrations erupting across north Africa. Let's go to Hala Gorani for one of my favorite segments each and every day, "Globe Trekking."
And I wanted to begin with Egypt. And you know, I just couldn't really take my eyes off all these protests sort of erupting throughout the course of the day. They are massive.
HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: They're massive by Egyptian standards. We're looking at thousands of people. Of course, we don't have an accurate final count of how many people were out in the streets, but they are unprecedented according to many observers on the ground.
Why? Because you're seeing tens -- possibly tens of thousands of people out in the streets of Cairo and Egypt's secretary largest city, Alexandria, protesting against the government of Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for 30 years saying we want jobs, we want a more democratic open society. We want more individual freedoms.
BALDWIN: And we also have other videos, and we'll stay on the Mubarak thing for just a moment. I want to show the water cannon because it really stole our attention. There's this video, and you're going to watch this guy in the middle of the screen, and this water -- imagine how the force of the water coming out of that just showing the degree to which the police are trying to quell the rioters.
GORANI: And it's an interesting, symbolic image. In the end, the question is will those protests -- that forced political change in Tunisia replicate themselves in other countries.
BALDWIN: You mentioned Mubarak has been in power for 30 years and a lot of these people had Tunisian flags shouting, "Down with Mubarak."
GORANI: Even saying Mubarak, there's a hotel room waiting for you in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that's where the Tunisian president is now in exile.
Look, Tunisia and Egypt are very different countries, not in the way that they are organized politically necessarily or not, and not in the way that they are autocratic and the way that they govern, everyone, but they are different because Egypt is 80 million people. The allegiance of the military to the leadership is much stronger. So the probability that the kind of change we saw in Tunisia will spread to a country like Egypt is much lower.
BALDWIN: OK.
GORANI: Yes, and interestingly Hillary Clinton reacted today --
BALDWIN: What did she say?
GORANI: -- in a way some people might say is just a bit tepid coming from the United States. Hillary Clinton said the Egyptian government, is quote, "stable," and it's looking for ways basically to respond to the demand of its people.
So, you know, it's not necessarily encouraging protests there.
BALDWIN: Sure.
Secondly, we've been watching also Lebanon.
GORANI: Yes.
BALDWIN: And then what is it Beirut and Tripoli?
GORANI: We've seen protests there from the supporters of Saad Hariri, the prime minister who was forced out of power by a Hezbollah pullout from his government. So these is -- what you are see there are tires being blown, roads being blocked by supporters of Saad Hari. Hezbollah's man of choice for the prime ministership was appointed prime minister Najib Mikati and the ousted prime minister is saying Hezbollah staged yet again, as we always discuss, Brooke.
It's a question of what -- will this turn into political paralysis? Will it become more difficult situation for Lebanon once again where we have on one side supporters of Saad Hari and on the other side supporters of Hezbollah clashing in the streets, as we saw in 2008?
BALDWIN: Greater Middle East very much so keeping a close eye on what's happening there.
GORANI: Absolutely.
BALDWIN: And finally King Abdullah.
GORANI: King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. BALDWIN: This is kind of fun.
GORANI: Well, you know, according to "The New York Post" -- kind of fun.
Well, you know he had back surgery in New York.
BALDWIN: Right.
GORANI: He's 87.
BALDWIN: Had the whole wing of the hospital to himself.
GORANI: He did.
BALDWIN: We get it. He's a king.
GORANI: He is a king with a lot of money and a lot of oil wealth.
BALDWIN: So he left.
GORANI: He is now recovering in Casablanca, Morocco, but according to "The New York Post" six private jets were used and the TSA had to essentially subcontract security screening at JFK for him and his entourage.
BALDWIN: He had tractor trailers full of suitcases and luggage and multiple jets.
GORANI: You've got to chuckle. I mean, let's be honest. An army of outside contractors, and one of the jokes, according to "The New York Post," airport workers jokes, that they must have been a mini-stimulus package for this city because of the number of subcontractors and extra employees they had to use to screen all of this luggage.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: So is this par for the course when you're a king? Is this kind of how King Abdullah rolls?
(LAUGHTER)
GORANI: You know, listen, he's not just a king, he's the king of one of the richest per capita countries in the world. So, yes, this is the kind of thing that, you know, King Abdullah would do. He travels with an entourage. He's now recovering.
Nut on a more serious note --
BALDWIN: Yes.
GORANI: -- you know, King Abdullah has been -- of Saudi Arabia, has been credited with some effort of reform in his country. He's 87, and there are many questions regarding his succession. He's not a young man, eventually he's going to -- you know, there's going to be a succession issue in Saudi Arabia. So there's kind of a little more serious aspect of this.
But I got to say, I did have a good laugh this morning.
BALDWIN: Real loud. I know, I read it this morning and said we've got to do this in "Globe Trekking."
Hala Gorani, as always, a pleasure.
GORANI: All right, thank you.
BALDWIN: Thank you.
And you better check your food labels, because they are about to look very, very different. Coming up, why nutrition facts are getting front and center attention.
And if you're getting an iPhone with Verizon, we finally have a price for you, and it looks like the company getting a little competitive with this. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: The wait is over. Verizon revealing nowhow much their new iPhone plans will cost you.
But first, how often do you check the nutrition labels on the back of food or drinks? Apparently we're about to get a big surprise. Alison Kosik live in New York. And Alison, I didn't realize there was something wrong with the nutrition labels to begin with. But tell me about the new labels.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Now I think the food industry wants to kind of put it in your face.
What they are doing is they are starting to put some of those nutrition facts right on the front of the box. Now this effort is voluntary, and the Grocery Manufacturers Association says many food companies have actually signed on to doing this. Now, they have to show the calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugar in the product, except if the package is too small, they only have to tell how many calories are in there.
But critics are saying, wait a minute. The companies can get kind of sneaky because the info can be kind of misleading. They can hide some of the things that we want to avoid, like companies can make a product appear more nutritious than it is, you know, by highlighting the positive nutrients like potassium, fiber and Vitamin A and kind of hide the fact that it's loaded with sugar. You know, kind of like your Frosted Flakes for breakfast. They can say, hey, look at all this potassium and fiber but you're not really looking at sugar. So still, read the back and the side of the box, not just the front. That's the lesson here, Brooke.
BALDWIN: Check the serving size. I know. I try to look as much as I can.
KOSIK: So much to think about.
BALDWIN: But from food to phone. Big announcement. We know the Verizon announcement happening. You had reported that Apple just revealed Verizon offered the iPhone. A lot of people very excited about that. Let's talk dollars and cents, Miss Kosik. What's it going to cost?
KOSIK: Here's the deal. The first competitive shot came from Verizon that you'll get unlimited data plan on the iPhone for $30 a month. Wait, this is a limited time offer, Verizon said. So, it kind of backtracked. It didn't say how long this limited-time offer will last but it will eventually move towards what's AT&T is doing, where you pay for the amount of data you use, so the $30 a month plan, just a limited time offer. Kind of eye-grabbing right now, eye-catching, but, you know, it's not going to last forever. It's going to go the way of AT&T, so, you know, just when we thought they were going to be really competitive, not the case.
BALDWIN: Do you have an iPhone? I think I'm the only person on the planet who does not have one.
KOSIK: No, I don't. I'm actually on the way to getting the iPad, so I don't know how much I need the iPhone. I'm actually kind of disappointed that Verizon is backtracking on the 30 bucks a month. I was all excited --
BALDWIN: Yes, it sounded too good to be true.
KOSIK: I know, I know.
BALDWIN: Alison, thank you as much as always for me New York.
Thousands of people none too thrilled with their government here. So, you hear them. They are yelling and screaming and getting hit with tear gas. The situation is still unfolding in Egypt.
Also, it is finally here. Republicans and Democrats getting ready to lock arms in the State of the Union. Who is going stag? They are lining up now. Reporter Roulette is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Date night in Congress and chaos on the streets of Egypt. It is time to play Reporter Roulette. I want to begin with CNN's Dana Bash there on Capitol Hill. And Dana, let's first talk about this resolution the House just passed within the last hour or two on spending.
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is a symbolic move, it is something that Republicans did knowing full well that they were passing a resolution on the floor of the House just hours before President Obama spoke there that says that they are going to keep their campaign promise on the Republican side, and that is to cut spending levels back before President Obama was in office. It is symbolic, and it is effectively the opening salvo of a very, very long spending fight that we expect Republicans to have with the president, Brooke.
BALDWIN: And timing-wise, hours before the State of the Union address. But it's also not just an address tonight. Apparently it's prom. Saying this sort of tongue-in-cheek, Dana Bash, but tell me about date night.
BASH: It's not so tongue in cheek. You should see what it's like here in the halls of Congress. It does feel like high school. I have to tell you, people going up to members, members going up to each other asking, who are you going to take? Who is your date? Doesn't feel much different from the prom.
I mean, in all seriousness, this was done by Democrats especially to push bipartisanship, especially in the wake of the shooting in Arizona. But we are definitely seeing a lot of talk about -- about who people are going to sit with. In fact, Lisa Murkowski, who's a Republican who early on signed this on, she says it reminds her of the eighth grade. So, she was making fun of the high school mentality and the kind of symbolism that is going on. But she went on to participate, Brooke. She said, well, it's not like there's cooties to be spread between Republicans and Democrats.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Oh, my gosh! Talk of cooties on Capitol Hill, I never would have thunk, Dana Bash. If we see corsages and beaus and boutonnieres, I think I may be laughing out loud. We'll all be watching for those details, Dana. Thank you.
And a much more serious note here on Reporter Roulette. I want to go to Ben Wedeman, our senior international correspondent there in Cairo. And Ben, I know you've been in the thick of things, this chaos all day long. What's the scene like right now?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, now we're jus in the area where more than 10,000 demonstrators collected, calling for the ouster of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. The scene is a bit calmer. There are fewer demonstrators, but basically it looks like they are going to camp out overnight.
We also saw as many truckloads full of riot police approach the area, so there could be confrontation there later on in the night because that area is really the heart of Cairo. If it's blocked, if traffic can't get through, the city could be paralyzed. So there could be more trouble there.
But last we saw, things had calmed down just a little bit. Just to update you, we do know from the ministry of the interior here that one demonstrator was killed by tear gas inhalation, and one of the policemen was killed by a stone to his head, so already we have fatalities. Brooke?
BALDWIN: Two fatalities so far. And I think part of the bigger picture here is the fact that Egypt, not too far from another Northern African country, Tunisia, similar riots overthrowing the government there. Will the situation in Tunisia become a model for change possibly in this region?
WEDEMAN: Well, certainly it's the real first popular Arab revolution. And it has sent shock waves throughout the region and, of course, Egypt has many similarities. It has an authoritarian government. It's been in power for decades. There are rising food prices, widespread corruption, so you have those things in common.
But Egypt is a much more liberal society. The press is freer. Egyptians are allowed to criticize the government in the press, on television. But what the government normally draws the line when people take to the streets and start to demand the ouster of the president. Brooke?
BALDWIN: Ben Wedeman in Cairo. Ben, thanks to you. And that is today's Reporter Roulette.
And back to Washington. It's a tradition for the rival political party to respond to the president's State of the Union address. But this year, there's bit of a new tradition, apparently. The Tea Party movement is responding as well, and even though it supposedly doesn't have a leader per se, the group has someone speaking on their behalf tonight.
Joe Johns has some of the behind-the-scenes scoop. "Political Pop" is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: You know, a lot of promises are made in these different State of the Union speeches, but how often are these promises actually kept? On the issue of immigration, did President Obama keep his word? Here now, Tom Foreman.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Illegal immigration is a big issue now, and it was during last year's State of the Union, too.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And we should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system, to secure our borders and enforce our laws and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOREMAN: Congress did not take up a comprehensive immigration reform bill, and the president did not exert any significant pressure to make them do so. He did make a push for the Dream Act, which would have provided a path to citizenship for people who were brought here illegally as children, but that effort failed.
President Obama says he remains committed to tackling this matter, but for now the issue is stalled.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Tom Foreman, thank you.
Time now for "Political Pop." We want to give you the skinny on what really goes down in the post-game after the president speaks. And for that we turn our Washington veteran, who is in New York today, Joe Johns.
And tonight, you know, I guess, Joe, in a move sort of unheard of -- heard the word unusual being thrown out there -- after the president's address there isn't just one Republican response but two.
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Paul Ryan, the budget chairman, who is a very telegenic budget chairman, Republican, is going to be giving the official, establishment Republican response. There's been a lot of controversy there. Some suggestion, for example, that governor Chris Christie was asked about it and said he didn't want to touch it because everybody knows that sometimes when you do this response and you have possible political aspirations to run for president, you get in trouble.
Anyway, it's Ryan giving the establishment Republican response. And then we're going to have Michele Bachmann. The congresswoman, very popular with the Tea Party movement, was actually asked by the Tea Party Express to come out and give their response.
So she's expected to hit some familiar themes. You know, government budget, government spending, the size of the government, probably talk about health care. And we're also expecting her, we're told, to at least compliment Ryan to try to smooth over any hard feelings that there might exist in the Republican Party, because there are two people going out, not one tonight, after the president's speech.
BALDWIN: Right. I know she had said earlier, "I'm not in competition with him." That's what she said.
But my question to you is this -- why Bachmann? Why is she the one giving this Tea Party address? And why from a party -- I shouldn't even use that word. It's not even technically a party.
JOHNS: I have to tell you, something has happened to my ear piece, so I can't hear you at the moment. But I did hear you ask, why Bachmann? And this is a person who has been very closely associated with the Tea Party movement, and a lot of Tea Partiers really like her.
They think she articulates what they want to hear. They think she sorts of expresses the right message. So that's the bottom line on her.
It also is important, I think, for Republicans to acknowledge the fact that, but for the Tea Party movement, they might very we will not have done as well as they did, at least on the House side, during the midterm election.
BALDWIN: Joe Johns in New York.
Joe, thank you.
And also today, Conrad Murray back in court. And this time he not only makes his plea, but he finds out when his trial may begin in Michael Jackson's death. And he has one very specific request. We are "On the Case."
Plus, what would you do -- what would you do here if your neighbor put up the sign you just saw, that sign in his back yard? And what is that for?
"You Gotta See This!"
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: You've heard the saying, maybe you've said it, "There goes the neighborhood." OK. But how do you actually tell?
"You Gotta See This!" Because here is one sign that the neighborhood really may be going. What is this, you ask? The blazing letters actually form an acronym.
"CRAP" stands for "Can't Resist Andy's Place." The owner helps it will attract customers to his secondhand appliance store. For neighbors, it spells frustration. You think?
Now to a daring rescue. Actually, this one should hold you for a couple of weeks.
Oh. Firefighters in Miramar, Florida, Monday rescued a kitten that somehow got inside a light pole. They had to saw off the bottom of the pole and pull out this foolish feline.
Curiosity not killing the cat in this case. Pretty close though.
And this one really just needs no explanation. Just watch.
Half court shot, plus backwards, equals awesome.
And you think you're a loyal fan? Then check this out.
This Chicago car salesman went to work Monday with this tie, a Green Bay Packers tie, and came home without a job. I'm not making this up. His manager admitted firing him for wearing a Packers tie.
But get this -- a competing dealer quickly offered the salesman a job. The two are expected to meet later this week.
And Ted Williams, he is back on top of our "Trending" list today. After spending 12 at the Origins Recovery Center in south Texas, Ted Williams has left the building.
After appearing on "The Dr. Phil Show" just a couple of weeks ago, Williams voluntarily checked himself into rehab to seek help for his dependency on drugs and alcohol. Dr. Phil had this to say about the golden voice's early departure -- he says this: "We certainly hope that he continues his commitment to sobriety, and we will continue to help and support him in any way we can."
Williams was unemployed and homeless for years and years, until he was thrust into the limelight last month after a reporter's video of Williams panhandling on the Columbus, Ohio, streets went viral. The publicity landed him several announcing jobs, including a contract with Kraft Foods.
Also trending today, "Avatar" director James Cameron revealing a timeline for the next not just one, two installments of this trilogy here. Cameron said the next two movies of "Avatar" will be released a year part. "Avatar 2" expected around Christmas, 2014, and the final movie right around Christmas of the next year.
The first "Avatar," released back in December of '09 -- and you remember this? It was branded as the most expensive movie ever to film, with a budget of a whopping $300 million. It is the number one grossing domestic blockbuster, earning already twice what it cost to film.
And a dad is accused of murdering his own daughter over religion. Prosecutors call it an honor killing, but can you guess what the defense is saying?
Sunny Hostin is "On the Case." She's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Now let's get a look at tomorrow's news today. I want to "Fast Forward" and begin with politicians. They're going to be all over this one.
The Congressional Budget Office, or CBO, is releasing its budget and economic outlook for the next decade. That happens tomorrow.
Also, four men charged in the killing of a woman on her honeymoon will appear in an Irish courtroom. They all worked at the hotel where her body was found.
Also in court tomorrow, the college student accused of stabbing a New York taxi driver after asking the cabby whether he was Muslim.
Dr. Conrad Murray pleading not guilty in Michael Jackson's death.
Sunny Hostin is "On the Case."
And Sunny, we know Dr. Conrad Murray was back in court in L.A. today. This was his arraignment. And let's listen to what he himself told the judge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To the charge of defense of involuntary manslaughter, a felony, Dr. Murray, how do you plead?
DR. CONRAD MURRAY, MICHAEL JACKSON'S PERSONAL DOCTOR: Your Honor, I am an innocent man. I, therefore, plead, not guilty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Well, then Murray surprised the judge by asking for a speedy trial.
So, Sunny Hostin, what does speedy trial mean in California?
SUNNY HOSTIN, HOST, TRUTV'S "IN SESSION": Wow, wow, wow, Brooke. It means that this case is going to trial in 60 days.
The trial date has been set. It's going to be March 28th. And I have to say, this rarely happens.
This sort of strikes fear in the hearts of prosecutors, when a defendant says I'm going to waive -- I'm not going to waive my right to a speedy trial, I want to go to trial. And now the prosecution has got to get ready.
This was very unusual. I would say it was jaw-dropper. I was shocked.
BALDWIN: Jaw-dropping, unusual, we get it, it doesn't happen often in California. But let me ask you this -- how long would this trial possibly last?
HOSTIN: Well, people are saying that there are going to be at least 30 witnesses, Brooke, called by the prosecution, so we're talking one to two months.
Is it going to be sort of another O.J. Simpson trial of the century? Is it going to take six, seven months? I don't think so, but one to two months is probably realistic.
BALDWIN: And then how in the world do you choose a jury in the case of the death of Michael Jackson?
HOSTIN: That's right, the death of the "King of Pop." I would say very, very difficult, but not impossible. I think there are certainly jurors that can sit, listen to the evidence, and decide whether or not he's guilty. But it's going to be a difficult task, no question about it.
BALDWIN: Will we be able to watch the trial unfold on TV?
HOSTIN: Well, I think it is possible. The judge indicated today that he was inclined to allow cameras in the courtroom. I mean, I for one, as a legal analyst, would be thrilled to have that happen, because I think many people just want to see the process here.
BALDWIN: Yes. Of course, we would as well. So that will be interesting for all of us to watch. And then case number two here, it's a trial we've actually been following for quite some time here. Prosecutors are calling this an honor killing. And perhaps a lot of people remember this.
It was an Iraqi immigrant accused of killing his 20-year-old daughter because he thought she was becoming too, to quote him, "westernized." He allegedly ran her over and her boyfriend's mother with his Jeep. The father is charged with murder and attempted murder.
So, Sunny, the defense laid out a very different scenario here as to what happened. What are they saying?
HOSTIN: A very different scenario. "The New York Post" today said it was called the "spit defense," and what the defense is saying --
BALDWIN: What does that mean?
HOSTIN: -- is that this was just a tragic accident. He didn't mean to run over his daughter and the woman that she was with. He meant to spit on the woman that she was with, spit in disgust, and he just accidentally swerved into them and ran them both over.
So this also was sort of jaw-dropping. I don't think anyone thought that that was going to be the defense here -- Brooke.
BALDWIN: OK. I'll reserve my comment. That's interesting.
What is at issue though, Sunny, with this trial, whether he killed his daughter and boyfriend's mother, or would it be then also proving intent?
HOSTIN: It really is about proving intent, because the prosecution is saying that this was a cold, calculated crime, that he premeditated the death of his daughter. However, the defense is saying that this is an accident.
So since the prosecution charged him with first-degree murder, attempted murder, those are intentional crimes. If the defense can prove that they weren't intentional, then this is going to be a very, very different case.
BALDWIN: But also though, what about the fact that the father fled the country after his daughter was hit? Wouldn't that hurt his case at all?
HOSTIN: It should. I mean, you know, if you flee from a country, fleeing from prosecution, that's evidence of consciousness of guilt, and that can be put forth in a trial.
And I think that certainly will be put forth in this trial. But what he is now saying is he panicked, this was an accident, and his family members told him to flee, and he followed that advice. So, again, very, very smart defense here.
BALDWIN: Ten seconds. Would this be a long trial?
HOSTIN: Well, they are saying, again, 30 witnesses likely to be called. I guess 30 is the magic number, and so they are saying possibly one to two months, several weeks.
BALDWIN: Sunny Hostin, "On the Case."
I love talking to you at the end of the show each and every day. Sunny, thank you so much.
HOSTIN: I love it, too.
BALDWIN: We'll see you tomorrow.
And for now, Wolf Blitzer is getting the A team together, "The Best Political Team on Television," to talk about a big event tonight. That being the president's State of the Union Address.
Here now, Wolf Blitzer in "THE SITUATION ROOM" -- Wolf.
