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Terror Leader Killed in Yemen; Did Al-Awlaki's Killing Violate U.S. Law?; FBI Warning: Revenge Attacks; Florida Moves Primary Date to January 31; Tainted Cantaloupe Deaths Rise to 15; Five Amazing Free Apps; State Department Issues Travel Alert; Kodak Seeks Business Help; Troy Davis Funeral Today; Amanda Knox's Final Plea

Aired October 01, 2011 - 15:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: More details emerging today about the CIA drone strike that killed a top terrorist recruiter in Yemen. Three others died along with Anwar Al-Awlaki. Reports say one of them may be this man a suspected Saudi bomb-maker connected to two attempted attacks including the underwear bomb incident in 2009.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are warning Americans about possible revenge attacks they say the death of Anwar Al-Awlaki could motivate his followers to lash out in retaliation.

And a federal grand jury has indicted a 26-year-old physics graduate is in a terror plot involving model planes. Federal agents say he plotted to use remote controlled planes stuffed with explosives to attack the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol.

The Massachusetts native was arrested Wednesday after an undercover sting operation. He has a detention hearing on Monday.

And Florida has decided to buck GOP rules and move its primary date up. That's wreaking havoc with the Republican primary calendar.

Yesterday Florida Republicans announced they are moving the state's presidential primary to January 31st. Now Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina have vowed to move their nominating process ahead of Florida to protect their early voting status.

And Astronaut Mark Kelley's retirement from the Navy took effect today. He was a test and combat pilot before commanding NASA space shuttle flight. In June, Kelly said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

She was shot in January during a public appearance. The couple has written a book, which is scheduled to be released next month.

A total 15 people in eight states have now died after eating tainted cantaloupe cantaloupes. The fruit contaminated with Listeria was traced to a Colorado farm. The Listeria outbreak was first reported on September 12th and traced to Jenson Farm Rocky Ford cantaloupes. Officials with the CDC say it can take weeks before symptoms occur and the death toll could rise. And now back to our top story, more information emerged about the men who were with Anwar Al-Awlaki and they may have also died in that CIA drone strike. U.S. officials tell us today they believe a known bomb- maker was also there.

CNN's Athena Jones is following that for us today from Washington. Athena, what more do we know?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first thing, Fred, we just got from the State Department that they've issued a worldwide travel alert so that people are aware there could be some retaliation or groups could try to retaliate revenge for the attack the drone strike that killed Anwar Al-Awlaki and Samir Khan.

They say that that strike could provide motivation for anti-American attacks worldwide and so I just want to get that in there. As for Al- Asiri, we're told by U.S. official that there are indications that this bomb-maker was there, was on the scene, but they don't know for sure if he was killed.

I spoke with another official just a little while ago who said it's just not entirely clear yet. They are looking into it. This matches up with what we heard today from a Yemeni official who said that the other operatives who were killed have not yet been identified.

So at this point, the idea that Al-Asiri is dead is just a rumor. So we're waiting to hear more on that. The reason this is important is because of his technical skill. He was considered to be the top bomb- maker for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

He was behind the thwarted Christmas day bombing attempt in Detroit, you know, the underwear bomber, he was behind that. And also behind a planned plot to put explosives on cargo planes, put them in printer cartridges and on cargo planes to send into the U.S. at end of 2010 so if he is dead, it will be significant, but we just don't know that yet.

WHITFIELD: All right, Athena Jones in Washington, thanks so much for that.

Even though Anwar Al-Awlaki was an American citizen, the United States considered him a threat to homeland security. Civil liberty groups say his killing violated U.S. and international laws.

Our chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin takes a look at the legalities.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's President Obama's latest successful strike on a wanted al Qaeda terrorist.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The death of Al-Awlaki is a major blow to al Qaeda's most active operational affiliate. Al-Awlaki was the leader of external operations for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

YELLIN: But this time, it's different. Al-Awlaki was an American. This may be the first U.S. killing of an American target with no trial, no indictment.

VINCENT WARREN, CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: The problem here is that the U.S. has done something that I don't think it's ever done before. It's killed one of its citizens somewhere else around the world without any due process at all. This is about rule of law and this is about rules to keep us all safe.

YELLIN: Warren's organization sued to take Al-Awlaki off a terror kill list and lost. The White House wouldn't offer a legal justification for targeting an American.

JAY CARNEY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: This goes to the assumptions about the circumstances of his death and I'm not going address that.

YELLIN: An adviser to the U.S. State Department explained the government's logic for killing anyone on the terrorist capture or kill list regardless of nationality.

HAROLD KOH, LEGAL ADVISER, STATE DEPARTMENT: A state that is engaged in armed conflict or legitimate self-defense is not required to provide targets or legal process before the state may use lethal force.

YELLIN: There's no question this administration viewed Anwar Al- Awlaki as a threat for some time.

MICHAEL LEITER, NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER: I actually consider al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula with Anwar Al-Awlaki as a leader within that organization probably the most significant risk to the U.S. homeland.

YELLIN: Politically, the White House has support from both parties. Republican Congressman Peter King says, quote, "it was entirely legal" and from a top Democrat.

REP. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER (D), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: It's legal. It's legitimate and we're taking out someone who has attempted to attack us on numerous occasions.

YELLIN (on camera): So why won't the White House explain their legal justification for killing? Well, that's a tacit admission that the U.S. was involved in the killing and it would seem that the Obama administration wants to distance itself from an action that the Yemeni people could perceive as foreign intervention in their country.

Jessica Yellin, CNN, The White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Unusual trial is raising eyebrows in Italy. Italian scientists are being put on trial for failing to predict how deadly an earthquake would be. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In Afghanistan, NATO commanders say the senior leader of a deadly militant group has been captured. It's a network considered a bigger threat than the Taliban and al Qaeda. CNN's Tim Lister reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the wild frontier territories where Pakistan and Afghanistan meet militant groups plan and recruit.

Among these desolate mountains and ravines, the Haqqani network trains the fighters and suicide bombers it sends into Afghanistan with often devastating effect.

This attack in Kabul two years ago, just one of many blamed on the joint Taliban/Haqqani unit.

MAJOR GENERAL JOHN CAMPBELL, ISAF REGIONAL COMMAND EAST: I believe it's the biggest threat to Kabul because of the location, how close they are to Kabul.

LISTER: The group is now led by Siraj Haqqani, son of its founder who formed the group with Pakistani backing to wage Jihad against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

He's admitted planning to the 2008 attack against the hotel in Kabul and is also blamed for an assassination attempt against President Hamid Karzai. The United States offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.

The Haqqani's targets often have an Indian connection like the attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul in 2008. That hints at their long association with Pakistan's military intelligence, the ISI, an issue that rankles the U.S.

ADMIRAL MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN, U.S. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: The ISI has a long standing relationship with the Haqqani network. That doesn't mean everybody in the ISI, but it's there.

LISTER: In the last year, coalition forces have aggressively chased down Haqqani operatives in eastern Afghanistan.

COL. VIET LOUNG, U.S. ARMY: We have captured and killed many, many of their fighters and mid-level leaders. Senior leadership routinely hides in the tribal areas in Pakistan for fear of being captured and killed.

LISTER: But the Haqqanis are battle hardened. (Inaudible) in Pakistan for fresh recruit and still able to launch complex attacks on high-profile targets, most recently the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. As the draw down begins the Haqqani network may be the toughest of all groups to subdue. Tim Lister, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Checking international headlines now. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is focusing his efforts on peace talks with Pakistan. The Afghan leader and his aides have given up on any kinds of talks with Taliban militants. The move comes just weeks after Taliban militant killed Afghanistan's top peace negotiator.

And for the second time in as many weeks a typhoon is battering the Philippines. The storm is already being blamed for one death. One person was killed in a landslide.

And an unusual trial in Italy has been postponed for a couple of weeks. Seven scientists are accused of manslaughter for failing to adequately predict the danger from a killer earthquake back in 2009.

Authorities say the six seismologists and one government official were too reassuring about the rumblings that preceded the quake, which killed more than 300 people.

We know the uncertainty of the economy makes consumers hesitant about spending money and companies less likely to expand. What does this mean for the auto industry?

CNN's chief business correspondent, Ali Velshi sat down with Carlos Ghosn, the president and CEO of Nissan Motor Company and asked him about strongest influences in the American car market right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARLOS GHOSN, PRESIDENT, CEO, NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY: I think without any doubt one of the reasons for which the market is growing again is because there's a lot of innovation, new styles, new concepts. At the same time the cars are much more efficient. Competition is picking up.

So it's very exciting time to be in the car industry today in the United States and the choice, which is being offered to consumers is tremendous and this is going to only increase in the next year.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Let me take you back into your global CEO perspective for a second. When you look at what's going on in the world, tell me a little bit about your concerns for the United States.

GHOSN: Mainly uncertainty. That's all. There's no particular concern. The U.S. is growing not at the level we would love. We think one pre-occupation is the fact that there's not enough jobs created because we know at the end of day, it end up affecting consumers.

This is a situation we don't like. If you take the year 2011, 2011 for the car industry has been a year of growth compared to 2010. In any scenario, we're foreseeing a year 2012 in the U.S. higher for the car industry higher than the year 2011.

So we're doing fine. Now, we're far from the potential that this market has sold 16, 17 million cars a year. Obviously, we don't expect this to come back.

VELSHI: It's a mature market.

GHOSN: Exactly, but we are still very far from it. We're expecting this year to be around 12.8 to 13 million cars and next year, we'll see another growth. So, there's no particular serious concern for the U.S. market, but some pre-occupation that this uncertainty should not stay a long time.

VELSHI: All right, we've talked in the past about how sometimes it's uncertainty about individual jobs that stop people from buying a new car, but lately it's been just the lack of availability of credit.

What are you seeing? Are you seeing greater availability of credit for people who have the money and who are employed in the United States who want to --

GHOSN: I don't think credit is a problem in the U.S. I don't think there is (inaudible) about the functioning of the financial system like we seen it in 2008 and 2009. This may be a concern in Europe, as you know because of the latest scares that everybody, everybody had.

No. The U.S. -- the only major question is about, you know, when are we going to have a little bit more significant growth for the U.S. market? That's the main question.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: OK, we all like free stuff, right? Well, coming up next in gaming and gadgets, we have some apps for your Smartphone and tablet that will keep the money in your pocket.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Time for our gaming and gadget segment with our tech expert, Marc Saltzman, the syndicated technology columnist has five amazing and free apps to download for your smart phones and your tablets. So let's begin the tool you use every week to come to us. That's Skype. What's new with it?

MARC SALTZMAN, SYNDICATED TECHNOLOGY COLUMNIST: That's right. Well, Skype is, I think, one of the best free apps for iPhone and Android that gives you, of course, real-time video calling. So instead of spending money on a long distance call to friends and family around the world, you can chat as we are right now for free with video.

So it's a lot more meaningful, a lot more emotional when you're connecting with family overseas and it's completely free. Skype uses Wi-Fi so you can do it for free over your wireless network.

It will cost you a little bit if you do it over 3G or cellular connectivity, but definitely Skype is a great one. And the similar program, "Face Time" for iPhone is also a good one, but that only let you connect with other Apple devices.

WHITFIELD: That's cool stuff. All right, tell me about this "Dragon Dictation." Why is this a must have if you have an iPhone or an iPad?

SALTZMAN: Yes. So "Dragon Dictation" is another free app that lets you -- it basically transcribes everything you say into text. So let's say you're out on the go somewhere and you want to send a message to somebody instead of typing, talking is a lot more natural and usually faster.

So everything you say you'll see the words appear in real-time on your screen and then once you - yes, it's incredibly accurate. It blows people away when I show to it to them. Once it's on your screen you can text it, you can e-mail it, tweet it or upload to it Facebook. So it's a very handy tool. As a journalist, I use it when I do interviews. It transcribes everything you say or the person I'm interviewing is saying in real time.

WHITFIELD: That's amazing. OK, I'll be downloading that one ASAP. OK, so for Android users out there, you say use Google maps with navigation. Why?

SALTZMAN: That's right. So Google Maps is a free app for many different kinds of smart phones, but Google maps with navigation is exclusive to Android devices. This is a GPS based device that, you know, app rather that does a number of things.

You can see satellite views. This is where you live. You can see an overview. You can get directions with audio so turn by turn directions where you're going. Again, the other Google maps for other platform don't give the audio base directions, which renders it useless behind the wheel.

You can see local businesses. You can say I'm in the mood for coffee and insert store chain. It will find it for you. It's a powerful and accurate tool. That's Google maps with navigation.

WHITFIELD: OK, and then something for the Blackberry users, free app that is something that they are all going to love?

SALTZMAN: That's right and this is no surprise. The best app for Blackberry is Blackberry Messenger or BBM. This is a free tool that's exclusive to Blackberry users that lets you chat in real-time with other Blackberry users.

It's cheap. It's fast, it's accurate and reliable. You get a notification when that message has been sent and read. You can broadcast your message to your group in one fell slope. You can exchange files so even though a lot of people don't think it as an app. It is.

It is probably the killer app that rim is holding on to. It's not just for suits or the business community. It's also embraced by teens as well. It's very popular method of communication, BBM.

WHITFIELD: My goodness, OK, so now tell everybody about this Planetary, what is that all about?

SALTZMAN: Yes, this is probably one your viewers haven't heard of yet. This is for iPad. This is a great app for music lovers. It takes your music. It analyzes your music and puts it into space.

The way it does that is that artist is represented by the suns. The albums you like are planets and the songs that circulate around the planets are moons. It's kind of hard to explain, but if you could probably see here visually or what I'm holding in my hand it's breathtakingly beautiful.

It's considered a space age screen saver that really brings your music to life. If you connect your iPad to the TV as I do when we have friends over. It's just a beautiful thing to look at while you're listening to music if you're entertaining.

So that's definitely one you want to grab it. It's free called Planetary and it was just an experiment. It's a really cool way of displaying your music.

WHITFIELD: Wow, neat stuff, very cool stuff. All of it, I like it. Thanks so much. Marc Saltzman, appreciate that.

SALTZMAN: Thanks, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Of course, for more hi-tech ideas and reviews, just go to cmn.com/tech and look for the gaming and gadgets tabs.

For American student jailed overseas, could this be her last weekend in prison? We'll have a live report on what's next in the Amanda Knox appeals case.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A look at our top stories. This is just in to CNN. The U.S. State Department issued a global warning today for Americans travelling abroad.

The press release says an American drone attack this week could provide motivation for anti-American attacks worldwide from individuals or groups seeking to retaliate against the U.S. citizens.

The State Department says the death of al Qaeda figure Anwar Al-Awlaki could motivate his followers to attack.

Aid workers are still trying to get medical supplies into the Libyan City of Sirte. A spokesman for the International Red Cross says they were forced to turn back the first time. Revolutionary forces have surrounded the city and inside 5,000 fighters loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.

The once iconic American company known simply as Kodak is fighting to stay alive in a new business world. Kodak hired a lawyer to help the company restructure, but says bankruptcy is not on the table. Kodak has been struggling to transition from film to digital technology and has posted only one year in the black since 2005.

And take a look at this photo right here. A small plane crashed into a Ferris wheel at a fair in Australia. You can see the plane just tangled in the middle there. It took crews about an hour to rescue four people including two kids at the ride. The pilot tells an Australia television station he simply didn't see the Ferris wheel.

Funeral services for Troy Davis took place today in Savannah. The Georgia inmate was executed last week for the 1989 slaying of an off duty police officer. Amnesty International is urging supporters to observe today as a day of remembrance.

And now overseas to Italy, it's likely Amanda Knox is mentally rehearsing her words very carefully this weekend. She's appealing her 2009 conviction for the death of her former roommate in Italy.

And she is expected to make a personal plea for her freedom when she addresses the court on Monday. Paula Newton is covering the trial for us in Perugia, Italy. What more can you tell us about what's taking place this weekend leading up to Monday?

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, tense two days for Amanda Knox. She remains in prison. Speaking to her family, she said she's been working on this plea for three months. You know, a very emotional day in court yesterday.

Amanda Knox had to hear again the details of what the prosecutors believed she did to Meredith Kercher. You know, one thing that's been recurring in this. When I covered the verdict, Amanda Knox has always thought to herself why don't they believe me?

The defense team repeated this over and over again saying that they claimed there's no evidence. Yet she's unable to really connect with those people on the jury at least during the first trial to be able to say, look, I didn't do this. I didn't have anything to do this.

What she's doing is trying to figure out how in 15 minutes she can make that connection and have them believe that she is as innocent as she claims. Fred --

WHITFIELD: Paula, prosecutors want her to spend more time. They made that argument. What is the likelihood of another guilty verdict or an extension of her sentencing?

NEWTON: You know, Fred, there are a few people willing to put money on anything that's going on here. And the prosecutor has upped the ante by saying, look, we don't want her 26-year sentence upheld, we want her to go prison for life.

And more than that the prosecutor said in court look she's lucky there's no death penalty here in Italy. Having said that, I did -- I was in court quite a while and could see that the body language of the jurists, they really were even shaking their heads at times when the prosecutors were speaking. That had to give the family hope of what could go on.

But many people are believing that perhaps some kind of middle way might be more likely and that would be a reduced sentence. By how much, who knows? Is she just going to remain in prison a few more years, a few more months or will she be exonerated? Some people now (INAUDIBLE) it will be some type of reduced sentence and not necessarily exoneration -- the exoneration she and her family want. WHITFIELD: And, Paula, what do we know about the jury, the makeup of the jury and if they have in any way given any signs during this period about how they are absorbing all this information?

NEWTON: As I said, they were quite animated when the prosecutors were speaking. They certainly have been quite attentive. They seem to be more engaged with what the defense is saying. That's my impression. I have nothing to base that opinion on besides what I saw in court.

But when you have jurors actually shaking their heads at what prosecutors are saying, and it was so animated in court, not just with the jurors, but you had the prosecution practically leaping out of its chair when the defense was speaking.

You had the defense yelling out things while the prosecution was speaking, especially during arguments on Thursday and Friday. It was quite the scene in court and a scene that the jurors can't help be but be moved by.

At the same time, remember, they're -- this jury is a bit different. There's eight of them. Six lay people. Six people from the public, like you and I, and then two judges. And it doesn't have to be a unanimous verdict. So if you have got five out of eight pushing for one conclusion or the other, then they are going to will win over.

And remember that the two professional judges do hold huge moral suasion when it comes to these deliberations. At least that's what legal experts here in Italy tell us.

WHITFIELD: Paula Newton, fascinating, out of Perugia, Italy. Thanks so much.

So, how much sway might Knox's own words have with the jurors? Earlier CNN's T.J. Holmes talked to attorney Holly Hughes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOLLY HUGHES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It's going to be really important what she says, but more important than that is going to be her demeanor. How the jury perceives this young woman. She's four years older now. She has been sitting in prison.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Wow.

HUGHES: So I think gone is that sort of carefree young girl who came across as cold, indifferent, didn't really care. I think she has come to realize that her own affect and her own attitudes may have played a part in her conviction more so than any physical evidence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And of course we'll bring you the judge's decision when it happens.

All right. Now to another court drama here in the U.S., week one of testimony in Conrad Murray's trial in the death of Michael Jackson has been filled with startling revelations and red flags. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death. The paramedics who tried to save Jackson's life testified that Murray didn't tell them about all the drugs that were in the singer's system. They say there was no mention of propofol, the drug which played a major role in Jackson's death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you ask Dr. Murray whether or not the patient was taking any medications or had been given any medications?

RICHARD SENNEFF, PARAMEDIC: Yes, I did.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did Dr. Murray provide you with an answer?

SENNEFF: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did he provide you with an answer right off the bat when you first got in and asked that question?

SENNEFF: No. I asked a couple of different times.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Specifically regarding medications?

SENNEFF: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And he initially didn't provide you with any information regarding any medications?

SENNEFF: What I said initially, of course, was, what's his underlying condition? And then when I didn't get what I felt was a satisfactory answer, I explained to him the reason I'm asking is because I see an underweight patient, I see an IV here, and I see medication vials on the nightstand.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In response to your questioning, repeatedly, regarding medications, did Dr. Murray provide you with information concerning medications?

SENNEFF: At that point he said, no, he's not taking anything. And then he followed it up with, I just gave him a little bit of Lorazepam to sleep.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Next week the ER doctor who pronounced Jackson dead returns to the stand. Her testimony may reveal more details about the unsuccessful efforts to bring Jackson back to life.

All right. Getting kids of the streets and away from drugs and violence. One woman's effort has made her a "CNN Hero." Meet her next in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The list of CNN's top 10 "Heroes" are out. For the next 10 weeks we're going to introduce them to you again and talk to them about their passion for helping others.

Diane Latiker saw teens shooting and beating each other in her neighborhood of Chicago. She saw neighbors running inside, hiding, and not talking about the problem. So in 2003 she formed Kids Off the Block, and invited children and young people into her own living room.

Kids Off the Block is now in its own building and providing shelter for a lot of these children. Today Diane joins us now from Chicago.

Good to see you. Congratulations for being one of the top 10 "Heroes."

: Thank you so much. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: So, take us back to that moment when you said, you know what? It's time for me to invite some of these kids into my own living room. What was that breaking point?

DIANE LATIKER, CNN HERO: The breaking point was when I realized that they didn't want to be out there running up and down the street. When I realized that they wanted to do something with their lives, even at an early age, and they told me about it. It really touched my heart.

I just wanted to do whatever I could, so invited them into my living room.

WHITFIELD: Do you remember some of the stories that some of the kids shared with you that really sold you on the idea that, you know, they want to be in a safe place, they don't want to be on the streets, many of these kids don't want to be in trouble?

LATIKER: Yes. Definitely. I remember so many stories of young people telling me Ms. Diane, I just want to do something with my life. At 13, 14, 15 they were telling me about they wanted to do positive things. There was nothing for them to do.

They didn't know what to do. They needed guidance and leadership. So that's the part I came in at. And it was awesome when they found out that they had other people outside of their families to support them and lead them and guide them to do these things. It was awesome.

WHITFIELD: And then what happens when the kids walk into your living room? When they entered that door or those doors what would happen? What would you say or provide for them?

LATIKER: First I asked them how are they doing, how was school? How can I help? I sit down and I listened. I listened to what they went through and what they needed and how can I be of assistance to them.

And when I listened, I found out that they listened to me. After talking to them and realizing all the issues that they deal with every day, I said, oh, my God, I just want to listen and then see what I can do as an adult, as a parent. How can I help you? How can I help your parents?

And that's what really turned me because when they sit down and they talk to you and they tell you their stories, they really don't want to be in those situations. They really want to have hope and they want people to help them and support them. And I think that's what adults are there for.

WHITFIELD: And so it sounds like a lot of these kids really wanted to get that off their chest. And then at what point did you say, you know what, this very simple method of just listening is working?

LATIKER: It is working. And it continues to work after eight years. And I've listened to so many stories. And my heart just goes out to young people. And when you have young people dropping out of school, 26 a day in the United States, then there's an issue there.

When you have 140 students in Chicago shot in one school year, there's an issue there. So that's the turning point for me. What can I do to stop this cycle of destruction among our young people?

And that's all I wanted to do. One person. I just wanted to make a difference in their lives and show them that I'm there.

WHITFIELD: So you're clearly making a huge difference because Kids Off the Block has really made a significant turn. Give us an idea, what has happened to your organization, to your efforts since now the nation and the world for that matter knows about you and knows about your organization, you being a "CNN Hero"?

LATIKER: Wow. The outpouring is just phenomenal. I've heard from people all around the world who are grateful and who are doing things themselves to help our young people, and who want to know how to help our young people.

And that makes me feel very wonderful, you know, to hear from Canada, to hear from Africa, to hear from England that they want to do things. Even the United States, from different cities all over the United States, of people who want to help our young people.

And it has been phenomenal -- the support has been phenomenal. People who want to help financially, who want to support the organization and the young people by mentoring to them.

I'll tell you, I've never been through anything like this in my life and I'm just so excited that the issue of youth violence and what they're going through has been brought to the forefront. Thank you, CNN.

WHITFIELD: Thank you, Diane Latiker. Thanks so much. And all the best as we get close to the announcement...

LATIKER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: ... of the "CNN Hero of the Year." You're one of the 10. Congratulations on all of your efforts. So the "CNN Hero of the Year" will be awarded $250,000. So who will it be?

LATIKER: Wow. WHITFIELD: Yes, you are actually at home going to decide who will be this year's "CNN Hero." Go to cnnheroes.com now. You vote there for the most inspirational hero online and then on your mobile device. All 10 will be honored live at the "CNN Heroes," an all-star tribute hosted by our own Anderson Cooper, Sunday, December 11th, but only one will be named "CNN Hero of the Year."

Diane, best of luck to you. Thanks for your time.

LATIKER: Thank you so much.

WHITFIELD: A California grandfather is recovering after spending six days trapped in a ravine. David La Vau drove off the road in the Angeles National Forest and then landed about 200 feet below. His family had been searching for him for a very long time and thank goodness they did not give up because that's how eventually rescuers found him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LISA LA VAU, VICTIM'S DAUGHTER: We stopped at every ravine and looked over every hill and then my brother got out of the car and we kept screaming and the next thing we heard dad say, help, help. And there he was.

My dad would never not call his kids. There's four of us and it's just -- by the time the fourth day, the fifth day, and then the sixth day we knew something was wrong.

But supposedly just lost control. There was a bright car and if you saw where the accident happened several cars have gone off.

The car is just horrific. I don't know how he survived. And he got out and he has been living on water from the stream and leaves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: From one family's happy ending to a young woman's new beginning. You're about to see a 29-year-old woman hear her own voice for the very first time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Technically your device is on. Can you tell? It's exciting. Ready to cut it down for a second. Just get used to the sound. What does it sound like?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want to hear myself cry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That woman underwent surgery just a few months ago and received a hearing implant and what you just saw was that implant being activated for the very first time. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: OK. Balloon lovers from all over the world are right there. Is that not an incredible sight there in New Mexico? Today for the annual Balloon Fiesta. In a couple of hours the distance race for the gas balloons is about to begin. Oh, my gosh. Aren't those images just very exciting? Don't you wish you were in the little baskets down below?

JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: A little bit.

WHITFIELD: Yes, a little bit? OK, so pilot from five countries will see who can travel the furthest from Albuquerque. Trips of more than 1,000 miles are not that uncommon in such a race. Jacqui, what a beautiful sky too.

JERAS: It is so beautiful.

WHITFIELD: Wonderful weather for that.

JERAS: Yes. They have been doing this since the early '70s. It's an international balloon festival. The field for the balloons is so huge, it's like -- what is it, like 70 football fields or something like that back-to-back. So it's just huge.

WHITFIELD: People just bring their picnic baskets and their blankets and just lay out and watch, just look up, enjoy.

JERAS: It's so pretty to see. Have you ever been to one or in a balloon?

WHITFIELD: No.

JERAS: It's a lot of fun. I did the tethering thing where you stay -- you know, like a rope and you're in the balloon and it lifts up, you know, however many feet. But you don't go anywhere. That's kind of what -- you know, that works for me.

WHITFIELD: That's all right. I'll put that on my list. One of the things that I need to do.

JERAS: Put it on the bucket list.

WHITFIELD: Yes, absolutely.

JERAS: Good weather in Albuquerque. The festival goes on through next weekend, by the way. So if you don't see it today or you want to fine more information, you have got a whole 'nother week for it.

WHITFIELD: You have a chance.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Coming up, we are going to reveal something that made this one woman laugh, it made her cry. She felt the host of emotions. It made her actually say, "you're so cheesy" even. So a guy gets a flash mob to help him ask the question, will you marry me? And guess what? She did not say yes. JERAS: Oooh!

WHITFIELD: Yes. We're going to explain and show how she responded, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: You've seen public kind of wedding proposals. This one is a whole 'nother ball of wax. Take a look right here, so Trong (ph) and Nam (ph), well, they met at UCLA many, many moons ago. And he decided, you know what? I'm going to propose to her. I'm going to get this flash mob going. Everyone is going to be in on it. The song from Frankie Valli, "Can't Take My Eyes off of You," well, it's going to play, too.

And there they are. They're giggling and they're laughing. And then suddenly he decides, you know what? I'm going to join in. And everybody is in on it. Having a good time. Giggles. Laughter.

And then here it comes. It's coming. He's going to join in. There's going to be a proposal. He gets down on one knee. She's embarrassed. Are we going to be able to hear it?

WHITFIELD: He's asking, will you marry me? Does she look like she's going to say yes?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you marry me?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Duh.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK. So she doesn't say yes, but she says "duh," and everybody knows what that means. So they're all happy about it. Hugs and kisses. And now they're going to ride off into the sunset. And so will we.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Amanda Knox is the American exchange student convicted of killing her roommate in Italy four years ago. Her appeals trial is winding down and she's expected to speak Monday. Earlier today I asked our legal guys what Knox must say to the judge and jury.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Just attack the credibility of the witnesses, Fred, that stood up and basically tried to destroy Amanda Knox. I mean, the co-defendant who is serving prison time now was the key government witness to testify against her.

So is his credibility really worth it? I mean, he did it for a reduced prison sentence. The other people who testified on behalf of the government, attack their credibility, and like Avery said, she has to be pristine when she speaks to these people, and pray, basically plead with them to let her go. But I don't think it's going to be enough. I think there was enough evidence to keep the conviction.

WHITFIELD: Avery, how much time does she need to spend on that night of her recollection of what did or didn't happen?

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, she's the only one who really knows at least at this point. Rudy Guede is in the penitentiary. His term was reduced and he actually was convicted on substantial evidence. So that's going to be a focus.

But the other thing that these jurors and two judges have to see is the sobriety by which she is presenting herself. She's going to demonstrate to them that, look, I've done everything -- while I've always been a good student, I've always been a responsible person, these circumstances are being used by the prosecution, who basically called her names, Fredricka, instead of dealing with the evidence.

Bottom line, her natural presence I think will sell and it will work.

WHITFIELD: All right. Let's move onto Michael Jackson.

HERMAN: One quick thing, Fred. Fred, she's going to have to give them an alibi for that night. She has never provided an alibi. If she wants to get this conviction thrown out, she's going to have to give a credible alibi.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. You can catch our legal guys every Saturday at noon Eastern time.