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Historic Floods Slam North Dakota; Race To Save Minot; Souris River Tops Record Set In 1881; House To Vote on Cutting Funding; Breaking The Debt Stalemate; New York Debates Same Sex Marriage; Casey Anthony's Mom and Brother Testify; Prescription Info For Sale; Casey Anthony's Trial; Tapping Emergency Oil Reserves; Obama Backs Gay Couples' Rights

Aired June 24, 2011 - 13:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And, hello, I am the aforementioned T. J. Holmes.

Going with us -- for this next couple of hours here, we're standing by for something because Whitey Bulger, as we speak, is supposed to be on his way back to Boston. Now, stay with me. This is the notorious gangster we're talking about here who was in Boston. He went from that to a reclusive retiree in Santa Monica, then back to Boston now as a captured mobster.

You've been hearing this story now for a while about James Whitey Bulger. He is in the hands of the FBI after 16 years on the run, en route to Boston at this moment, we're expecting to see him in court later this afternoon. He's going to be there, of course, to face numerous charges of murder, money laundering, several other crimes.

He appeared in federal district court in Los Angeles, yesterday, along with his long-time girlfriend, Catherine Greig. She's also facing criminal charges, the two are now on their way back expected to stand trial in Boston. Bulger had a $2 million bounty on his head. The FBI called him one of their most wanted. They also doubled the reward for his girlfriend capture to $100,000 in an effort to catch them after all these years.

And this -- a video, this maybe what's really taking credit for his capture - leading to his capture. This was a public service announcement that the FBI started broadcasting just this week. Now, the idea here was to target, to go after older women with this PSA, the thought was that the best way to get to Bulger was through his girlfriend. And it turns out, would you believe, her frequent trips to the beauty salon and regular teeth cleanings may -- may have lead police them to their doorstep.

So, like I mentioned, on his way back to Boston with his girlfriend, what's next, necessarily, Debra Feyerick in Boston for us. Deb, what do we know about when he might arrive and when we actually might see Bulger in court today?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, T.J., think about this, it is the first time that Whitey Bulger will be known to have come to Boston since he disappeared Christmas of 1994. He and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig. The FBI saying they did think outside the box on this one by going after the girlfriend thinking that she'd would be more identifiable, certainly during daytime TV, than (inaudible) who, by all accounts, became a refuse during his years on the run.

The arraignment is scheduled to take place at 4:00, so assuming that the plane can land, because it's a very foggy day here in Boston, then he should be on the ground within the next couple of hours and then he'll be brought to this court house where he will hear the charges against him. And we were told by the attorney that, in fact, he has the opportunity to plead to those charges if in fact he's had time to talk to his lawyer and to make sure that he understands everything against him.

You know, I raised the question, is there a possibility that there could be even more charges pending, as a superseding indictment, and perhaps talking about even more murders, that right now nobody is willing to say, nobody willing to speculate on that. But the U.S. Marshals service is transporting Bulger, they left Los Angeles, he's on route to Boston.

When we spoke with the special agent in charge of the FBI here in Boston, there really, as he said, that this ends a chapter for everybody here, especially because Whitey Bulger's reign was so brutal, people feared him. And he really had sort of a psychologically terrorizing grip on parts of south Boston, shaking down people, murdering people, even his girlfriends he is accused of killing some of them. So, he is coming to Boston again for the first time anyone knows of officially and he's coming under U.S. Marshal escort.

HOLMES: All right, there is Feyerick for us there in Boston. We are standing by for that again, as you mentioned, expecting that sometime a little later this afternoon. Deb, thank you.

I want to turn now. We have seen so much over the past few weeks and months, talking about the devastating historic flooding on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

We need to turn our attention now to another river in North Dakota, this one threatening to wipe out the fourth largest city in North Dakota. The river runs from Canada right through Minot, North Dakota. Now, the river is flooding much faster than expected there. The water is rising to levels they have never seen before. Twelve thousand people have already left their homes, many homes already flooded, workers and volunteers racing against the clock trying to save what they can of Minot.

Jim Spellman is there for us. Jim, hello to us and I want to make sure we are not overstating it here, but I have seen a number of places and people are saying this could essentially wipe out this town.

JIM SPELLMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely, T.J., this river runs right through the middle of downtown, so many businesses and homes, 12,000 people have already had to evacuate. You mentioned in the beginning how fast the water is coming up, when we started reporting from here three days ago, they were calling for the river to crest on Tuesday. Now today, the latest estimates is late tomorrow, on Saturday. They just run out of time to try to protect the whole town.

You can see how much the water is coming up here. This looks like we may be at a pond or something, this is an intersection right here in the heart of Minot. You can see, of course, these traffic signals here all the way up. And what those bars over there -- that's a railroad crossing and the river -- the road goes underneath it, it's just been coming up faster and faster.

And when we started reporting here earlier today, T.J., the water was about maybe 20 feet back down there. We're running out of our live shot area here, we'll have to go up to higher ground as well. Not overstating at all the impact of this, and those people that left, they know that when they come back they might not even have any kind of home with them, they've taken everything with them -- T.J.

HOLMES: Well, and I've said about 12,000, and you said as well, about 12,000 has left, I believe that's roughly or a little over a quarter of the population of that town, are we expecting more to head out of there?

SPELLMAN: Well actually, it's a little depressing, I think, because even if the river comes up another foot or two, they don't -- they can't really expand the evacuation area, because everybody that's in this valley and downtown has been evacuated. With that, yesterday the local officials here just sounded defeated, the mayor just sounded like there was nothing else they could do, they couldn't even really expand because they just got everyone out that's in this low-lying valley here. And it seems inevitable that this entire valley in downtown Minot will flood and cause major damage -- T.J.

HOLMES: Jim Spellman for us there. Jim, we appreciate you as always. Thanks so much.

I want to turn now to the house of representatives, officially opposed to the U.S. military operation in Libya. The House turned down a resolution today that would have expressed support for American involvement. Now, they are not done with their work there. This is a live picture you are seeing. You are seeing Texas Representative Ron Paul speaking on the floor right now. A live picture here, of course, Republican's presidential candidate as well. They're expected to vote here in the next few minutes on another measure that would severely restrict the funding for the military effort there in Libya. We will have live coverage of that for you when it does happen.

Meanwhile, President Obama is hoping to come to an agreement with Senate leaders about cutting the deficit. He will hold separate meetings Monday with senate majority leader Harry Reid and senate minority leader Mitch McConnell in hopes of ending the stalemate on the debt ceiling. The White House says they will discuss a ways to find a bipartisan solution for deficit reduction. Vice President Joe Biden expected to attend both of those meetings.

Also, President Obama weighing in on the same-sex marriage debate going on in New York, well, kind of, sort of. At a fund-raising event in New York last night he said out right that gay and lesbian couples should be awarded equal rights but he did not go as far as using the word marriage. New York state Senate is taking up right now a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. We could see a vote on that today. One house -- one chamber, I should say, of the assembly there has OKed it, the House has so if the Senate OKs it, New York could become the sixth state in the union to OK same-sex marriage.

Now, we've been keeping a close eye today on the Casey Anthony murder trial. Her mother and brother take the stand, and what they say about Caylee Anthony you need to hear. It brought some folks to tears in the courtroom. Stay with us, that's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. Well, we had drama, tears, a lot of emotion today at the Casey Anthony murder trial. Casey's mom took the stand again today after some shocking testimony yesterday. Really kind of shocked the prosecutors. Casey's brother, Lee, also testifying. Both breaking down in what a lot of people were saying was the most riveting, emotional testimony since this trial began. Testimony they gave centers around the family's pool, Caylee and Casey's car. The defense showed pictures of Caylee climbing into the family's pool. The one attorney, Anthony's attorneys, claimed Caylee drowned in that pool.

Let me bring in now criminal defense attorney, Richard Herman, a friend of our show on CNN Saturday and Sunday. Richard, good to see you here, help us put into perspective what they were going after, the defense today at least, when they talked so much about the pool, climbing in and out of it, they talked about little Caylee's clothes, they talked about the car, what were they trying to get at today?

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, T.J., I know you remember Baez's opening where he put forth the theory of defense that it was an accidental drowning and that Caylee opened the sliding door, walked up the ladder, and drowned in the pool, and that's where George found her. So here, they are trying to establish and give a visual to the jury of her walking up those steps.

Now, although Cindy was behind her, they got to see her on those steps. That's why those pictures for some jurors, they are going to embrace the pictures. Stains in the car? Lee testified there were stains in the car. The prosecution seems to intimate this were stains from a body being in the car.

So, the prosecution now is losing credibility, and when Cindy testified yesterday, consistent by the way, with her deposition testimony of two years ago -- two years ago, T.J., the prosecution knew this, that she was the one that did the chloroform searches. I mean, they almost fell out of their chairs. So Baez -- they are trying to make headway with the defense, very difficult -- very difficult case to defend. HOLMES: All right, I want our viewers now to listen to part of the testimony from Lee. And again, some of this was really some of the emotional stuff we have seen since the trial started. But Lee, the brother, this is him talking about how he felt about Casey's pregnancy in the first place. Let's listen to this, I'm going to ask you about it on the other side.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEE ANTHONY, CASEY ANTHONY'S BROTHER: I was very angry at my mom, and I was also angry at my sister. I mean, I was just angry at everybody in general that they didn't -- they didn't want to include me. And, uh, and they didn't find it important enough to tell me, especially after I had already asked. So, I was -- I was very hurt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: OK. Richard, what do you make of that? It sounds like - and we heard other testimony about possible infidelity in the -- in the family and relationships and then you have the brother here saying he was left out. It's almost painting a picture of a dysfunctional - I mean, a lot of families are dysfunctional, but it almost sounds like they are trying to paint some kind of picture here.

HERMAN: T.J., that was about the most bizarre testimony I have ever seen. I mean, I think everybody was riveted to their chairs waiting for him to say -- because I'm the father, you know, that's what we were waiting - are those words actually going to come out of his mouth? I mean, it just seems so bizarre and so unrealistic that he would be that emotional years after this event took place.

I just don't know, but you know, T.J., Baez went to the opening saying she was molested by the brother and father, and you know, one or two jurors are going to sit there, see his demeanor, see his testimony, watch him hesitate when Baez asked him any other reasons you were upset, and he paused and then said no. Some jurors are going to lock into that, T.J.

You know, they are fighting hard to get a hung jury on the first-degree murder, that's the most important thing they can do, get a hung on the -- on the first degree, then go to the other charges because that would save her life if they did that.

HOLMES: Well, Richard, how do you think they are doing so far in trying, because it only takes one juror they need to get through -- get through to. How are they doing?

HERMAN: You know, T.J., the smell -- the smell just keeps ringing. That testimony of the smell, the stench coming from the car. And her conduct for those 30 days after the child was either dead or missing, you know, you can't explain that away. They cannot put a shrink on the stand and give her a free pass for that conduct.

Everybody has problems in their life. Everybody has issues. But that doesn't give you the right to be a serial compulsive liar and perhaps kill your child. So her conduct was so bad, that's going to infuriate jurors. The fact that everybody -- five people testified to that smell of a dead body coming from that car. Very difficult, T. J. The best they can do is a hung jury on the first-degree murder. But she's going to get convicted, I think, on the other two charges.

HOLMES: Well, all right, our Richard Herman. Richard, always good to see you. And to our viewers, you can see Richard every weekend, every Saturday with our Fredricka Whitfield here in the CNN NEWSROOM. Richard, thanks so much. We'll see you soon.

HERMAN: Than, you.

HOLMES: All right, a whole lot more on the Casey Anthony trial in a CNN special Saturday night. It's going to be with our Don Lemon giving you some details of this trial that's tomorrow night, 10:00 Eastern. But, before that, next hour we're going to have our Nancy Grace, who has been following this case from the very beginning here with us to give us her thoughts.

Meanwhile, we are standing by still, as you see at the bottom of your screen, ready when that House vote on Libya funding. We're expecting that to start up at any moment. We'll certainly bring you the details of the vote as that continues.

Meanwhile, the president made a decision to release 30 million barrels of oil. Well, that's going to land him in some hot water. We'll tell you why after the break. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: So, 19 minutes past the hour now. Time to take a look at some of the stories making headlines.

Earlier today, President Obama's poll numbers have dipped in recent weeks amid a sluggish economic recovery. He's in Pittsburgh to promote U.S. manufacturing. He says a new partnership teaming industry, universities and the federal government will create new jobs and put America on the cutting edge of technology. And he told a crowd that the country's best production days may lie ahead.

Also today we're learning more about the support that may have kept Osama bin Laden hidden in plain sight. More than seven weeks after the Navy SEAL raid on bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, U.S. intelligence officials are prying secrets from the cell phone of his trusted courier. According to "The New York Times," he had spoken with a militant group long tied to Pakistan's spy agency. No smoking gun here, but it does raise more questions.

Also, out in Arizona, a hacker group out there is releasing hundreds of personal files about police officers, including e-mails, names, phone numbers and addresses. They're saying they're doing this in retaliation for the state's immigration law. The State Highway Patrol Association says this puts officers at risk.

Well, you may have heard this news by now, the Obama administration announced it will be releasing 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It's about 5 percent of the country's emergency supplies. The move may lower gas prices, at least some are hoping, helping everybody afford that summer travel a little bit. But was the White House justified in tapping the emergency supply? CNN's Christine Romans breaks this down.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, ANCHOR, "YOUR BOTTOM LINE": T. J., Washington's powerful business lobby has already slammed the president's move, saying that that reserve is intended to address true emergencies, not politically inconvenient high prices. But, the White House says since fighting in Libya began in March, 140 million barrels of oil have been lost in the world market supply and tapping America's emergency supplies is now necessary.

Let's look at oil prices, shall we? After the fighting in Libya, oil prices rose sharply to $109 a barrel. But, since then, prices have been slipping back, actually falling below $100 a barrel. Why? Well, because the economy is weak. And when the economy starts to weaken, it means you need to use less oil. But with prices already moving lower, now the president is tapping into this Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

This is about 30 million barrels of light sweet crude they're going to put into the market place. That's about 5 percent of the country's emergency supplies. Now, 30 countries are dipping into their emergency stockpiles in conjunction with the U.S., and Saudi Arabia and five other Middle Eastern countries say they will pump more crude oil as well.

Now, a reminder where all that oil is going, right. The U.S. is the single biggest consumer of oil. It accounts for about a quarter of all demand. China consumes less, 10 percent, T.J., but is growing fast and furious. Now only the president can tap America's emergency supplies. The last time was in 2005 by President Bush. That was after Hurricane Katrina. About 30 million barrels were tapped back then, too.

T. J.

HOLMES: All right, thanks to our Christine Romans.

And you can catch up on all your financial news. Christine Romans on "Your Bottom Line" every Saturday morning, 9:30 Eastern Time, right here on CNN.

And then a reminder to our viewers. We're standing by for a vote on Capitol Hill in the House right now on possibly cutting funding for the effort in Libya. You're seeing a live picture. They are still debating it. We're expecting a vote to take place at any moment. But again, this would severely restrict the funding for the U.S., at least a U.S. role in the Libya military effort. We're standing by for that.

Meanwhile, President Obama, he reiterated his support for the legal rights of gay couples. But it's what he did not say that is making the news today. We're explaining when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: President Obama attended three fund-raisers in New York City last night and told a gay advocacy group that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as any other couple.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I believe that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: You see there, maybe you can make that out, he got a standing ovation for those comments. But he did stop short in his comments throughout the evening, stopped short of using the word marriage. He did not go as far as saying he supported gay marriage. That is something that certainly a few people in the crowd noticed and let him know about during his speech. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: That's why we're going to keep fighting until the law no longer --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Marriage.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Marriage. Marriage.

OBAMA: I heard you guys. I -- you know, believe it or not, I anticipated that somebody might. Where was I?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now, some light heckling there from a few people in the crowd. The president was able to get a laugh out of the crowd at some point. The president was speaking at a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fund-raiser.

I do want to bring in now Brian Ellner, who's a senior strategist with the Human Rights Campaign and their effort for marriage equality in New York. He joins me now from Albany.

We appreciate you being here. Let me start with, is the president's issue -- or, excuse me, the president's stance on gay marriage clear to you?

BRIAN ELLNER, SENIOR STRATEGIST, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN: Look, of course all of us want to see the president say the words marriage equality and that he supports marriage. And obviously we're here in New York of the precipice of winning marriage equality. We're in a state where we have a governor who's strong and enormously popular and championing marriage equality. We have the people on our side with almost 60 percent of the state supporting it. We'd love to see the president say it as well.

HOLMES: But are you resigned to the idea, I guess, in your heart of hearts that you know this president cannot, some would say, and others will tell you, will not come out for gay marriage before Election Day 2012?

ELLNER: Well, the president has said that he's evolving. Obviously we'd like him to evolve very fast and say that he supports marriage equality now. That having been said, you have to look at the totality of this president's record and no president has ever done more for LGBT Americans than our president. From our hate crimes bill, to repealing "don't ask, don't tell" so that gay and lesbian service members can serve openly and proudly in the armed forces. In order to repeal that, he had to bring together a coalition of Republicans and Democrats to get it done. And, of course, recently saying he would stop defending the so-called Defense of Marriage Act because on its face it's unconstitutional. I mean no one has done more than the president. That having been said, we would like him to say he supports marriage equality. And I expect that he soon will.

HOLMES: And you expect he soon will. Do you have any -- I guess any -- any issue with him possibly coming out and -- let's say he does it next week. He says, I support gay marriage. Are you concerned that that would then fire up the other side, fire up the base, the conservatives, the Republican Party, and they would come out very strongly to try to defeat this president. Do you think possibility it could do more harm for your cause than good?

ELLNER: Look, I think the entire country is moving and that includes Democrats and Republicans on this issue. Look, all recent polls show that over 50 percent of Americans support marriage equality. In New York, it's a super majority, nearly 60 percent. So the country's evolving, the president's evolving and we're all evolving towards justices and fairness and equality.

I mean, what we are fighting for is the right for loving and committed couples to make a lifelong commitment to the person they love and protect their families. This is a moderate mainstream issue, it's a conservative value, frankly, that we're fighting for.

And you look at the coalition we are looking for in New York of business leaders, of professional athletes, of Republicans, of Democrats, of Independents, upstate, downstate, super majority support all over the state. And we're seeing that all throughout the country with support like Dick Cheney and Laura Bush and Cindy McCain and Barbara Bush in our campaign, whose a New Yorkers, the former first daughter.

So I don't think that this is going to remain a partisan issue. This is where the country is moving as a whole.

HOLMES: Mr. Ellner, we appreciate you taking the time out. Again, senior strategist for the Human Rights Campaign there in Albany where, of course, we are standing by for possibly the Senate to take some action on that bill that would approve same-sex marriage in the state of New York making it the sixth state to do so.

Mr. Ellner, we appreciate you. Might be talking to you again soon if there is action in New York, but thank you so much. And to the viewers, we have a lot of moving parts today happening during this newscast.

This is happening live as you see right now. Another sidebar it appears with the lawyers, the prosecutors and the defense attorneys in the Casey Anthony trial. We're expecting Casey Anthony's brother to step up and testify. We saw him on the stand a little earlier. He broke down earlier in tears at one point when the questioning turned to his sister and her pregnancy. So we're keeping an eye on that.

We are also keeping a close eye, another live picture you're seeing, on Capitol Hill. This is happening on the House floor right now, they are debating another bill, another Libya issue. This one would severely cut the funding to the U.S. military and its participation in that NATO-led effort in Libya. So a vote here to possibly pull the funding. Standing by for that as well.

We will bring both of those things to you as they happen.

Also, eight now, the alleged mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger, who is in custody now after 16 years on the run, he is on his way back or he is presumed to be on his way back right now to Boston where he has a court date in just a couple hours in Boston.

All that happening right here in the CNN NEWSROOM. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Alleged mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger headed back to Boston right now where he is due to appear before two federal judges today. The former leader of a the Winter Hill Gang managed to evade the FBI for 16 years. He vanished in '95 along with his longtime girlfriend. He was the inspiration for the 2006 Martin Scorsese film "The Departed."

Authorities captured the pair in California on Wednesday. Bulger is now 81 years old, faces 19 counts of murder, extortion and a list of other charges.

We have been seeing what may be some of the most emotional testimony in the Casey Anthony murder trial. We're standing by now for her brother to take the stand. You're seeing live pictures. That one camera that's fixed on Casey Anthony you see on the left. The other is showing another sidebar.

We've seen a lot of this during the day today, little side conversations that the judges has pulled the attorneys over. Had a lot of breaks in the action today, the testimony today to discuss a variety of things. But her brother expected to be back on the stand. We will take you back there when that testimony kicks up.

Also, coastal communities in Alaska are breathing a bit easier today. A tsunami warning issued after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake yesterday no longer in effect. The big earthquake struck near the Aleutian Islands and prompted 155-mile radius tsunami warning. There have been no reports of injuries or significant structural damage from the earthquake.

Also, the third annual Congressional women's softball game was a nail biter last night. Things got started when Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor threw out the first pitch. Members from both of the aisle came together to bow it out against the Capitol Hill press corps to benefit here for the Young Survivor Coalition, that's a support group from young women facing breast cancer. The game was close until the end, when Florida's own Debbie Wasserman Schultz planted a big hit that ended that game in a five to four decision.

Well, the drug company scoring a big win. Ahead, what your neighborhood pharmacy can now reveal about your drug-buying habits.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. This is happening right now. The vote is under way. A live look at the House floor. The House of Representatives taking up a bill that would severely restrict the funding for the military effort in its effort in Libya.

Vote just getting underway, we are expecting this to be open for voting for the next 15 minutes or so. When they do conclude, we will let you know how this worked out. Also, we'll check in with our Dana Bash up on Capitol Hill.

Also, we move right now to a live picture of the Casey Anthony murder trial that continues today. You are seeing the attorneys huddled there on the right side of your screen, another camera that is fixed on Casey Anthony there. A break in the action, but we are expecting Casey Anthony's brother, who has testified already, tearful testimony, but we're expecting him to get back on the stand. When he does, we will bring that to you live.

Meanwhile, you can score one for your local pharmacies. In a six to three decision yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that pharmacies can sell your prescription information to drug companies. They can't, however, reveal your name.

Our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, explains what this all means for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, T.J., I think it was surprising to a lot of people here. And a lot of people don't know this, but every time you get your prescription filled, there's a lot of information collected, such as your age, your gender, the exact medication, the dosage, and the doctor that prescribed it as well.

What you may not know, again, a lot of people don't, is that that information could be shared with pharmaceutical companies specifically for marketing purposes. Now this is what the Supreme Court was deciding on, and they decided that that could continue to happen.

Why is this important to pharmaceutical companies? Well, about 4 billion prescriptions are written, and pharma companies want to know which doctors are prescribing what and if they are prescribing a competitors drug, they want to make sure they are sending their sales reps, their drug reps out to that doctors, to the hospital to try and tout the benefits of their drug. This is part of competition, this is what's, again, been happening for some time and now will continue to happen.

There's a lot of data from the pharmaceutical companies on exactly what they get in exchange for the information. They note, for example, and this has been panned out in studies, that if the sales reps and drug reps go to doctor officers, it does make a difference. That's the first thing. Doctors prescribing habits will change as a result.

They also know roughly for about every dollar in this sort of targeted advertising, this sort of marketing, they get about $10.60 back. So it's a huge return and again, another reason they want to get this information.

There is also a cost issue. As you might guess, certain medications, much more expensive than others. For example, Benicar (ph) is a blood pressure medication that costs about $160 for a month's supply. Compare that to Lasix (ph) which costs about $12 for the same month's supply. They are both blood pressure medications, they are in different classes, but the question is could one work better even though it is a lot cheaper.

For the consumer, for you T.J., for me, I think it means asking a lot of questions of your doctor, at your pharmacy. Asking why you're getting a particular medication. Is there other alternatives? Could some of those alternatives be cheaper? And trying to figure out was there influence from drug reps or sales reps on your particular doctor. You're completely within your right to ask these questions.

But again, as things stand now, pharmacies able to share that information with pharmaceutical companies.

T.J., back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: All right, thanks, as always, to our Sanjay Gupta.

And again, a reminder to our viewers, we're standing by for two live events. One of them taking place right now, a vote happening on the House floor. This vote would severely restrict the funding for the U.S. military and its effort in Libya. That's going on right now. We're expecting voting to go on for the next 10 or 15 minutes. When we do is the final numbers, we will bring that to you and also check in with our Dana Bash on Capitol Hill.

The other thing we're standing by for, the Casey Anthony trial continues. As we speak, live pictures you're seeing here as well. One camera now showing the parents in the back row there, and then you see Casey Anthony. Now you're seeing a picture of the attorneys. But we are expecting the brother to take the stand. He is one who has given some very emotional testimony already. When he gets back on the stand, you will see it live right here.

Two big live events taking place right here. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right, we are watching the vote right now on Capitol Hill right now. The House of Representatives voting on a measure, a bill that would severely restrict the funding for the war effort in Libya. We're expecting this to be open maybe for the next 10 minutes or so. When we do get the results of that, we will let you know.

Also check in with our Dana Bash to let you know what this means, this vote means and if it has a chance of making it in the Senate. A lot of people will tell you no.

Also, another live event we're standing by for is in the Casey Anthony murder trial. This huddle has been going on for some time. As you're seeing on the right side of your screen, the attorneys, the prosecution and the defense attorneys, are huddled with the judge there. So we are standing by when the trial will actually resume with testimony at least of Casey Anthony's brother, Lee, is expected to take the stand. He is one who has already given some very emotional testimony.

It looks like they are breaking now. We will keep a close eye on this, and when her brother does step up, we will go back to this for you. Again, Casey Anthony's brother Lee expected to testify here shortly.

Meanwhile, let me get in some of the other stories that are making headlines.

Anti-government protesters taking to the streets across Syria today, and new demonstrations against the President Bashar Al Assad. An activist group says at least 11 people were killed. Other witnesses say snipers killed three people in the capital of Damascus. .

Meanwhile in the north, hundreds of Syrians continue to cross the border into Turkey, fleeing the military crackdown. The Turkish government says more than 11,000 Syrians are now in the country.

Also, anti-government demonstrations sweeping across Yemen today. As they have for weeks now. Protesters shouted demands that President Saleh there step down. Saleh is now in Saudi Arabia recovering from the wounds suffered in an attack on the presidential compound earlier this month. Despite reports that he would return home today, doctors recommend that he say where he is for the time being, at least.

Also, first lady Michelle Obama now in Botswana. Second leg of her trip to southern Africa. She spoke to CNN's Robyn Curnow about her first stop in South Africa and her meeting with the former South African president, Nelson Mandela.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: The one thing I told him, I wanted to make sure he understood how important his leadership and sacrifice has been to who I have become, to who my husband has become. In short, I just said thank you. It's really hard to know what to say to such an icon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Mrs. Obama was scheduled to meet with the president of Botswana today and visit a game park with her daughters before returning back home.

Let's get back to the Casey Anthony murder trial. We told you, we've been waiting for her brother to take the stand. There he is. They are just getting things into place. Quick break, and you will hear his testimony when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. We will take you now right to the Casey Anthony murder trial. Her brother, Lee, being cross examined right now. Let's listen in.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

LEE ANTHONY, CASEY ANTHONY'S BROTHER: There was a discussion -- or I was present during a discussion where information came out that I thought it was important for Jose specifically to be made aware of. So, I then took it upon myself a few days later, as I had no indication that he was going to be made aware of it, I took it upon myself to do that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And was this on the subjects that you have discussed under direct examination here today?

ANTHONY: No, sir. None of those items were discussed, no.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Now, in reference to your discovery of your sister's pregnancy, did I understand you to say on direct that you did have a conversation with Casey when you discovered what you referred to as "the bump"?

ANTHONY: If I said bump, I apologize. I don't recall saying that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. I didn't mean offense by that, just -- the evidence that you thought.

ANTHONY: I more or less made a remark. I don't know if I was even expecting a response because I didn't really get one. I just said something of "what the hell is that" in passing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you recall having your deposition taken on July 30th of 2009, almost two years ago, in reference to this case?

ANTHONY: Yes, sir, I do. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you were oath at the time, were you not?

ANTHONY: Yes, I was.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you were questioned by Mr. George, is that correct?

ANTHONY: Yes, I was.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And Mr. Baez was present along with other counsel, correct?

ANTHONY: Yes, sir, he was.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is from page 30 -- let me start at 30. Page 31, line 6. Can we show that to the witness? Let me publish to the witness.

All right. Can you show about line 6 to line 15? Do you recall that series of questions and answers about the event of your seeing the bump or the bulge?

ANTHONY: I recall this testimony, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And in that testimony, you were asked whether you -- I believe the word was called her out on it it, that being the bump?

ANTHONY: Correct.

UNIDENTIFIED: I'm going to object to proper impeachment. The witness has testified that it refreshed his recollection.

BAEZ: This is impeachment, judge --

JUDGE: Overruled.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And in that event, you said when asked if you called her out on it, you said "It wasn't really my place. I think if I did, not directly to her." Do you recall saying that?

ANTHONY: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, in July of 2009, you indicated that you did not say anything directly to her about it, but your testimony here today was that you did?

ANTHONY: Well, sir, I also did not call her out on it when she showed up at the airport to pick me up, and it was quite obvious at that point as well. I don't know exactly which scenario this one is referring to. Maybe if you'd refer to it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can we show the witness?

ANTHONY: Show the date or time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can we show the witness page 30? And we'll let you read the whole context.

ANTHONY: Thank you. I appreciate it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No problem.

BAEZ: would ask that counsel read his entire answer, not just half of it.

JUDGE: Read the entire answer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your Honor, if I may, the remainder of the answer does not deal with this subject matter. It deals with a separate subject matter.

BAEZ: Just the subject.

JUDGE: You can do it on redirect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you read the context?

ANTHONY: I didn't really have a starting point. I just kind of started in the middle, so would you like me to read that entire page?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just to yourself just to establish the context of whether this was the first occasion you saw the bulge -- or the airport occasion. This was a reference to the first occasion, wasn't it?

(END LIVE COVERAGE)

HOLMES: All right. T.J. Holmes here at the CNN NEWSROOM joined by attorney Holly Hughes watching it with me. We're keeping an ear on it. But for our viewers who may be catching up, an you help us catch up, quite frankly, what is the point, the purpose of trying to get at the bulge and when he found out she was pregnant? I guess, what is the prosecution trying to get at, and why has this become such a point of contention here?

HOLLY HUGHGES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Because this is the heart of the defense's case. That this family kept secrets, T.J. They didn't tell the truth. They didn't operate like "normal" people. He's trying to back door that abuse excuse. The defense got him on direct -- he being Lee, Casey Anthony's brother. You know, were there secrets in the family? You didn't talk about the fact when she was obviously pregnant? You all didn't discuss it.

What he's trying to do is get just enough evidence in that he can argue to the jury in closing. Because they are allowed to infer things from the evidence. That this was a family of secret keepers. They kept things quiet. So, therefore he can argue what else did they keep quiet? If he can do that, then he gets into some of the evidence he said he was going to present in his opening without having to put Casey on the stand.

Because we all know if she gets on that stand, T.J., it's going to be an evisceration. They'll bring up every lie she ever told. And so now what we see is on cross-examination, the prosecutor is trying to backtrack and say, OK, you're saying that now. Now that we're in trial, now that she's facing the death penalty. But back when you gave your deposition, you told us something completely different, didn't you?

HOLMES: All right. Let's listen back in quickly.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

ANTHONY: To be honest with yuo, I didn't really pay a lot of attention. It was something I was told to let go and not address, and I was frankly quite angry that I wasn't included in it. So, it's a little easier to block it out at that time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you said, Mr. Anthony. Can we have page 35 of the deposition, please? Could you just read that whole page, Mr. Anthony, for me?

ANTHONY: Yes, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To yourself.

(END LIVE COVERAGE)

HOLMES: All right. As he reads that page to himself, as the prosecutor just said, we will take a quick break. We're getting close to the top of the hour.

We will rejoin the testimony of Lee Anthony, the brother of Casey Anthony, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)