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Tulsa Shooting Suspects Appear in Court; No Grand Jury In Travyon Martin Case; North Korea Readies Rocket Launch; Why People Resort To Guns; Frequently Challenged Books; Alec Baldwin Says He Was Stalked; Jennifer Hudson To Attend Murder Trial

Aired April 09, 2012 - 14:00   ET

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

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hey there. Thank you, Suzanne Malveaux. And I'm Ashleigh Banfield in for Brooke Baldwin today. Let's catch you up on everything making news this hour. "Rapid Fire." Let's go.

Here's where we start the big headline. The investigation into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The special prosecutor will not be using a grand jury. The state attorney, Angela Corey, says her investigation is continuing but it will be solely up to her as to whether she'll file charges or drop this case altogether. Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman says he shot the teenager in self- defense.

In the meantime, protesters are converging on Sanford, Florida, again today. Dozens of students calling themselves "The Dream Defenders" are rallying at the Sanford Police Station. They're calling for the immediate arrest of George Zimmerman in this case.

Also making news, the two men suspected in a string of weekend shootings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, are being held on more than $9 million bond each. Three African-American men were killed. The suspects, Jake England, 19 years old, and Alvin Watts, both white men, are now charged with three counts of murder and charged with shooting with intent to kill. Investigators aren't saying if they consider this a hate crime yet, but if they decide that it is, the D.A. explains why it would be so important to prosecute.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM HARRIS, TULSA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Because if the motivation is racial in this case, then that needs to be vetted in a court of law, just like any others. It's the law of the state of Oklahoma. And if the facts and the evidence support that, then we're going to go forward with it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: A massive blaze at an abandoned hosiery factory in Philadelphia spreads to six other buildings and kills two firefighters. The firemen died early today when a wall collapsed on them, trapping them inside a burning furniture store that was next door. Three other firefighters were also hurt trying to fight this blaze. Also in the news, North Korea is about to launch a long-range rocket. The North says that the rocket will launch a satellite into space, but Washington is very worried that it could be another step towards perfecting a nuclear weapon that could reach the U.S. mainland.

Also, compensation checks from the Pentagon could start arriving today in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where a fighter plane crashed into apartments on Friday. The Navy says it will make some initial payments of $2,300 per person to cover housing, clothing and food and immediate needs as well.

And do you remember that ex-teacher who's been in the news for moving in with one of his students? You can see the couple here. They were on "Good Morning America" together. Now James Hooker has been arrested for sexual abuse of a different student back in 1998. His current girlfriend says their relationship is over. Her mother fought hard against that relationship.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is she still with him at this point?

TAMMIE POWERS, DAUGHTER MOVED IN WITH TEACHER: No, she's no longer with James Hooker.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did that break up today when she -- when he got arrested or was that prior to that?

POWERS: That did break up today when he got arrested.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: Well, there's that. Hooker is asking the court to reduce his $50,000 bail and a hearing in that matter is scheduled for tomorrow.

Sony reportedly planning to cut $10,000 jobs, roughly 6 percent of its global work force. Japan's Nikkei newspaper said that most of the cuts are going to come from Sony's money losing TV business. The layoffs are part of a restructuring plan designed to help turn the ailing company around after four straight years of losses.

And alleged soccer mom madam Anna Gristina is in court today trying to get out of jail. Her lawyer is asking the judge to reduce Gristina's $2 million bail. That's the suburban mother of four who's accused of running a million dollar escort service in New York that allegedly catered to some of New York City's most powerful men. Gristina is jailed in solitary confinement on good old Rikers Island.

The woman accused of enhancing women's back sides by injecting them with fix a flat and caulking has pleaded not guilty. Oneal Ron Morris is charged with practicing medicine without a license. Some of the examples have been pretty unbelievable. Take a look at your screen. A batched face procedure here. Really unbelievable work. One of Morris' alleged victims died last week. Autism could be linked to a mother's weight. A new study by the University of California Davis finds that obese moms-to-be are 67 percent more likely to have a child with autism than healthy, normal weight moms. The researchers also say that mothers with diabetes are more than twice as likely to have children with developmental delays.

Also making news today, two white men accused of shooting five black people in Oklahoma. Police at this point not saying yet whether the shootings are race related, but some details in the case sure do look that way. That story coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: Two men suspected in a weekend shooting spree in Tulsa, Oklahoma, are being held on more than $9 million bond each. Those suspects, Jake England, on the left of your screen, and Alvin Watts, 32 years old on the right of your screen, both white men charged with three counts of murder and shooting with intent to kill. The victims, three African-American men. Those are the ones who died. Jason Carroll takes a closer look at the investigation, including the possibility of hate crimes charges.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jake England and Alvin Watts had their first court appearance. They were not physically in the courtroom. They appeared via video conference from jail. They are both being held on more that are $9 million bail each. They are charged with first degree murder, as well as shooting with the intent to kill.

The question among many here in the African-American community in Tulsa is whether or not they'll be charged with a hate crime. Police at this point will be looking very closely at England's FaceBook page as part of their evidence. And while they're building their case, England never got over the death of his father. His father was killed two years ago on April 5th, shot by an African-American man. And on his FaceBook page England made reference to this. He used a racial slur. He also said, get ready for -- to have more funerals.

So these are some of the things that police will be looking for as they put together their case and trying to determine whether or not these suspects will be charged with a hate crime. In the eyes of one local city councilman, it is very clear to him.

JACK HENDERSON, TULSA CITY COUNCIL: I think I know pretty much a hate crime when I see it. You have an individual who's a white male go into a black -- predominantly black community, shoot at five black people. And with the other evidence of the online stuff and some of the things that were said leads me to believe that that was totally a hate crime.

CARROLL: Ultimately it will be up to the district attorney to determine whether or not hate crime charges are indeed filed against these two suspects. Their next court appearance is set for April 16th. At that point they will be formally charged and they will enter a plea.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BANFIELD: All right, thank you, Jason Carroll, for that.

And a grand jury is not going to consider the shooting death of Trayvon Martin at this point. That case is not over yet. But what does this move mean? Is it possible George Zimmerman could still be charged? We'll have all of the facts, straighten it all out for you after a quick break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: We have just learned that there's no grand jury that's being planned at this point to determine whether there will be charges in the Trayvon Martin shooting investigation. And that means that special prosecutor Angela Corey is going to be the one who's either going to file charges or drop this case altogether.

It's been almost six week since that Florida teenager was shot and killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. And the emotions in this case have run very high on both sides. Angela Corey has asked for patience as she works to unravel the detail, those facts from the night that Martin was shot.

I'm joined by Phyllis Kotey, who is the former Florida state attorney as well, and has a wonderful pedigree in terms of law. Not only a state attorney, but also a professor.

And I'm really glad to be able to talk to you again about this, Phyllis, because there seems to be a lot of confusion about what this means. And some people were outraged when they heard this when, in fact, they shouldn't be. This still could end up as a murder case.

PHYLLIS KOTEY, FORMER FLORIDA JUDGE: Oh, it certainly could. It could end up as a first degree murder case with a dictate back to the grand jury to make a consideration. It could end up as a second degree murder case, a manslaughter case. And many other charges could be considered. So it's certainly -- there's no reason for people to overreact with the reaction of the special prosecutor in this case. In fact, it could just mean she needs more time to look at the facts before she makes a recommendation or has this case looked at by the grand jury.

BANFIELD: Yes, essentially what many of us are trying to suggest in explaining this is it's basically one down, two options to go. And that is that she could charge or not charge. But she's just not handing it off.

When you and I spoke hours and hours ago on a very, very early morning show, "Early Start" on CNN, and you and myself and another guest as well, Janie Wintrab, had really hashed out the idea that because this was so politically charged, that it would be likely that this state attorney would send it to the grand jury because that would be a politically easier thing to do. Are you surprised that she has decided not to?

KOTEY: You know, it's certainly brave. And surprised I guess would be part of that as well for her to do that. I mean she's certainly accepting her responsibility and the challenge that she's been given by the governor to make a decision in this case and to have it investigated. And I think this certainly indicates that she's not afraid of that charge and she's taking it very seriously.

BANFIELD: So now what are her options? If you look at this case, and I will state right off the bat here, we know very little. The police, the investigators, the state attorney's office, they know a lot more than the rest of us out here, people on the street, journalists and others who profess to think they know what went on that night. But based on what we know, and that is that very slim margin, what are her options at this point?

KOTEY: Well, she has at least three options. First of all, she can certainly not charge the case at all and decide that no cases -- no charges should be brought against George Zimmerman. She also --

BANFIELD: I'm actually talking about what kind of charges, Phyllis. Like what kind of charges could George Zimmerman be looking at here?

KOTEY: Oh, second degree murder, I think certainly would be an option where you're looking at a (INAUDIBLE) killing with disregard for the safety of others. Manslaughter would certainly be a charge that one would look at very, very seriously. Because with the manslaughter charge, the only thing you're looking at is not any sort of intent to kill, but an intent to do an act that was not excusable or justifiable. And I think even the faintest facts may suggest that there would be enough evidence to look at that type of charge. And then there's certainly, you know, culpable negligence charges without any sort of consideration of the death or gun charges in terms of how it was used. That could be looked at as well.

BANFIELD: So what's interesting in that in that option of manslaughter, which is far less serious clearly than the murder one and murder two, that's essentially in Florida an accidental culpable negligence issue. And given what apparently George Zimmerman has said to the police, that doesn't seem to really wash, except for the fact that we don't know what the circumstances were when he spoke to the police. We don't know if he invoked his right to an attorney. We don't know if that evidence would be suppressible if he gave a statement to a police, if he, you know, implicated himself in any way. Those are all really important factors here, aren't they?

KOTEY: Oh, they absolutely are, Ashleigh. But we also don't know his state of mind. If he kept acting when he's being told not to do something. So if you look at those actions and say, certainly you weren't excused or justified when you're committing those acts, then you certainly can see how it would be a lot easier to understand why this would be a manslaughter case, because it certainly was his intent, even after being told to stop, to keep going. Or his intent, even after being told, you're not needed, to do something. So without any evidence, if there's been some sort of overt act, you can very easily see how a case of manslaughter could certainly be made. And certainly one for second degree murder, for any sort of increased indifference for the safety of another person.

BANFIELD: Phyllis, I have five seconds left for a quick comment. Do you think, especially because of the politics in this case, that there will be some kind of a charge in this case?

KOTEY: It's just hard to say. I really couldn't say.

BANFIELD: That's fascinating. I think you and I are going to be talking again many times.

KOTEY: I look forward to it.

BANFIELD: All right, Phyllis Kotey joining us live from Florida, from Miami today.

North Korea planning a new nuclear test. And that's according to a report out of South Korea. And the Americans think it's pretty viable. So what does this mean for the security of us and the rest of the world? That's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: North Korea is about to break another promise made to Washington. It's preparing to launch this long-range rocket perhaps as early as this week. And now reports have surfaced that the North is also making plans for an underground nuclear test. You put those two together, rocket, nuke and that is troubling to say the very least. We are going to start our coverage on this story with Stan Grant, who is in North Korea.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what North Korea has been keeping hidden from the world. Not anymore. A long- range rocket, 30 meters long or nearly 100 feet, that much of the world suspects will launch the next phase of the reclusive country's missile program. North Korea insists there is nothing to fear. Not a missile test, but, in fact, a satellite launch for scientific research.

To prove it, they've taken an unprecedented step, opening up the launch site to the eyes of the international media. For Pyongyang, this also represents a propaganda coup in the year the country celebrates their 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Kim Il-Sung.

"This is a spiritual moment as the North Korean people struggle to open the gate to a prosperous and power future," this man says.

But the United States and its allies see it very differently. A country still technically at war, taking yet another step closer to perfecting a missile that experts say could reach American shores. "I am very disturbed."

GRANT (on camera): He can -- he can deny that? He can deny that it's a -- that it's a missile (INAUDIBLE)?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (trough translator): If you look for yourselves, with your own eyes, then you can judge whether it's a ballistic missile or whether it's a launch vehicle to put a satellite into orbit. To show that that's why we've invited you to this launch site.

GRANT (voice-over): We certainly get the grand tour. Today shown all around the site. The control center, even the actual satellite that will be launched into space on the rocket. One independent European analyst visiting the site says he sees nothing to be concerned about, but --

CHRISTIAN LARDIER, SPACE ANALYST: I don't know what they want to do in future, but today what we see is a space launcher.

GRANT: To travel to the site at Domchunle, is to get an all too rare glimpse through the window of what's been dubbed the hermit kingdom.

GRANT (on camera): We'll be getting on this train here. We'll be traveling for about five hours until we actually get to the satellite launch site itself.

GRANT (voice-over): From the carriage of our train, a barren landscape. People scattered, working the harsh fields of a country where many people struggle even to eat. Not an issue North Korean officials were keen for me to pursue.

GRANT (on camera): Is it more important than food?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sorry, what was the question again?

GRANT: Is space technology more important than feeding your people?

You don't want to answer that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll have a chance before the interview.

GRANT (voice-over): To a country obsessed with its self-defense and presenting a strong face to the world, this, they argue, is money well spent. And anyway, as we are constantly reminded, this is a satellite launch, not a missile test.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BANFIELD: CNN's Stan Grant with some unprecedented reporting for North Korea.

And we want to talk a little bit more about this and why Washington finds these recent reports pretty troubling. Over the years, the North has developed missiles of increasingly greater range. And the current generation could strike Hawaii and Alaska but not the U.S. mainland. So what about this latest version? That's a question for Barbara Starr, our Pentagon correspondent.

I'm not going to suggest for a minute that we know yet because the North Korean's haven't tested this rocket yet and I think it's premature for any of us to call it a missile yet, but what do we know about it? What intel does the Pentagon have?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Ashleigh, it was really incredible, wasn't it, to see Stan's pictures so close up because North Koreans have never let western journalists or pretty much anybody that close to one of their military sites. When you look at those pictures, what you basically see is what looks to be some type of multistage, multipart rocket. A rocket, because it's going to launch a satellite. But the problem here is, it's the same technology as North Korean missiles, essentially. And that's what has the Pentagon concerned.

Right now, no, they don't have a long range missile that could hit the United States mainland, that could hit Alaska even. But what if they get better at it? What if they improve their engineering, their reliability, their testing? What -- you know, how many years before they really do solve some of the technical problems they have. And it's this kind of test that you're seeing them getting ready for that has the U.S. and the west so concerned.

Just a few minutes ago at the White House, the spokesman, Jay Carney, said, you know, if they go ahead with this test, the U.S. cannot provide food aid to North Korea because they'll be in violation of U.N. resolutions. So, once again, it's the North Korean people that are probably going to suffer no matter what happens here.

BANFIELD: And so just to be very clear to our viewer, because it can get a little confusing. We have this rocket set for launch. The North Koreas say they want to send a satellite up, which is, you know, fair. But at the same time, we're getting this word from South Korea of intelligence suggesting that there are some underground nuclear tests. And there's precedent for this, Barbara. Back in '06 and '09, they did nuclear testing right before they tested their rockets and their missiles. So is that why there is such grave concern here?

STARR: Well, I think it's all coming together and, as always with North Korea, even though they're letting you see some stuff, they're not letting you see everything. There are intelligence reports now, our own Paula Newton first to report this, that they might be digging a tunnel that would be the preparation for an underground nuclear test. So when you put both pieces together, the possibility of an underground nuclear test, the third one that they've tried, this satellite launch, which essentially uses missile technology, long- range missile technology, that's why it's raising so much concern.

What improves have they made? What kind of reliability? Where will this thing go? And what will it mean in Asia? Countries, Japan, South Korea, the Philippians, increasingly concerned about what might be headed their way as soon as next weekend. Ashleigh.

BANFIELD: And just in the rhetoric that's been coming out of North Korea, this, of course, the year 2012, North Koreans have called it the year of strength and prosperity to mark the 100 anniversary, as Stan mentioned, of the birth of Kim Il-Sung, the founder of that country. So when I saw in Stan's report that along for the ride to witness this rocket on the launch pad was a European analyst named Christian Lardier, I know nothing about Christian Lardier, who suggested it looked very much like something that was headed for space, that nothing looked suspicious about it. Does anyone know anything about him? Did that give credence to the North Koreans' story that this is strictly for satellite purposes?

STARR: I'm going to be very candid and open here. I do not know the gentleman. I don't know his track record. A lot of people looking at the video, and especially the picture of that satellite say, OK. But here's the problem. OK, even if we take the North Koreans at their word, this is nothing more than a satellite launch. What's the big problem? It's scientific research. They're entitled to that. Nothing illegal about all of that.

The question becomes, are they using that long-range missile technology, is this the equivalent of a long-range missile test, which would be prohibited to them under U.N. Security Council resolutions and would trigger a halt to things like food assistance. Rhetoric aside, you know, North Korea still very much remains the hermit kingdom and I think it's pretty safe to bet they're letting you see exactly what they want you to see.

BANFIELD: And I can only imagine that you were watching glued to your set as these reports from Stan Grant came out. I just --

STARR: Fascinating. Fascinating to see it. Really to see it.

BANFIELD: I couldn't believe it.

STARR: Yes, we just don't get to see them show us this stuff.

BANFIELD: And the official who was taking him on the tour and answering questions as they walked, I -- you know, hats off to Stan, he did a great job and I know there's -- there's a lot more that you'll probably be hearing in the days to come.

Thanks, Barbara.

STARR: Sure.

BANFIELD: Always good to see you.

Coming up, Bill Cosby says that there is something getting lost in the telling of Trayvon Martin's death. And in a word he says "guns." But what fuels a person to pick up a gun and take a life? We've seen it happen over and over and over again just this weekend alone, the stats are staggering. You'll hear them. We'll talk about it next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: Want to take a look at some of the stories that we're covering, the Trayvon Martin investigation, the Tulsa shootings and the murders of Jennifer Hudson's family members.

We all want to know why these crimes happen whether it's revenge based, hatred based or race based, but until motive is crystal clear in each and every one of these killings, we know one thing for sure, guns were involved in each of the killings.

For comedian, Bill Cosby, gun issues hit very close to home. You'll remember that his son, Eneth Cosby, was shot and killed in a robbery attempt on a Bel-Air road side back in 1997. And this weekend, Bill Cosby talked about the Trayvon Martin case publicly for the very first time.

He told the "Washington Times," that we've got to get the gun out of the hands of people who are supposed to be on neighborhood watch. He went on to say, without a gun, I don't see Mr. Zimmerman approaching Trayvon Martin by himself.

The power of the gun mentality had him unafraid to confront someone. Even police called for backup in similar situations. When you carry a gun, you mean to harm someone, kill somebody. Chicago, especially, has been a hot bed of gun violence.

Just look at the stats. It's unbelievable. So far this year, through the end of March, there have been 480 shootings in Chicago, 480 shootings. It compares to 356 over the same period last year. Just let that digest for a moment.

So why do people turn to guns? When does shooting become an option? Psychologist, Wendy Walsh joins me to talk about from Los Angeles. All right, Dr. Walsh, I have a lot to ask you on this one.

It's always a concern when you hear about gun violence, but at the same time when people feel that they can't defend themselves and arm themselves against the violence that is out there and unquestionable, they get very upset by it and I don't know that anyone's ever going to come to an answer. But talk to me a little about the psychology of this kind of violence and the constant reporting of it.

WENDY WALSH, PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, I think it's hard to assume actually, Ashleigh, that this violence is all out there and it's unquestionable and it's in imminent danger.

Because the truth is what we do here in the media is we take the most extreme examples of violence and they become news because they're very newsworthy.

So there is a population of people that ingest the media message that violence must be around every corner. And they tend to be people who are most paranoid and most fear based and they're also most likely to purchase a gun. BANFIELD: And I want to do full disclosure here. I'm a member of the NRA and I got a perfect score on my shooting test, on my safety test, but at the same time, I'm always curious about the comparison between power and safety.

Because a lot of people arm themselves because they feel powerless against violence and a lot of other people arm themselves because they want power. How do we get out of that very ugly cycle?

WALSH: Well, you made the NRA, girl, but I happen to know that you like me are also Canadian so you grew up in a country where actually far more people own guns in Canada than they do here in America.

Yet gun shooting deaths are down because the difference is in the psychology of a Canadian, both in the laws about gun storage, for instance, that help prevent impulsive gun use.

In other words, the gun has to be locked up. The ammunition has to be locked up somewhere else. So this moment of passion comes, there are a lot of things you have to do to get that gun going.

But I think what you're talking about here is that people who feel weak, people who feel fearful take the gun as an object of power to help massage their sense of fear.

But I think the studies are pretty clear that for many people, especially women, there's more of a chance that gun will be used on them. So therefore, it's a false feeling of power, very much a false feeling of power against a perpetrator that may not exist.

Because it's been inflated by the media messages about how much violence is actually out there.

BANFIELD: Yes, listen fellow Canuck, I'm one of those proud Canadian Americans. I'm a citizen of America now and I'm fascinated by the gun policies here and I'm fascinated by our own homeland, too. So I grew up with a gun rack at the backdoor. I feel like, you know, Sarah Palin.

But at the same time, there was a really healthy respect I seem to remember as a kid that my family instilled in me. I can't speak for the rest of the 35 million or so Canadians, but what is it about Canadians that they have more guns per capita.

Is it their long arms so it's hard to conceal those at the 7-11 or is it more a part of the culture to have them, but not use them in that respect?

WALSH: Well, because they're using them for hunting predominantly and they're not using them for personal protection. That's the big difference. And as you know, the crime rate is generally lower in Canada than here.

And we don't have so much media sensationalism, about the violence that does exist. So you don't have this culture -- this fear-based culture where you're afraid of your neighbor.

And in Canada, you need your neighbor to help you shovel the driveway for half the year. So there's a little more sense of community.

BANFIELD: You know, Dr. Walsh, it's always good to talk to you. I never see you enough and happy Canada to you. It's nice to see you.

WALSH: Thanks, Ashleigh. You too, take care.

BANFIELD: It's always a fascinating debate and it will go on.

A woman arrested and charged with harassing and stalking actor, Alec Baldwin. And now we learned that she once worked as a publicist on one of his movies a decade ago. What on earth is going on there? Got the details for you after the break.

And also, before we go, did you know that it's National Library Week? What did you get me? And to coincide with that every year, we get to take a look a list of books that are most often challenged, censored and downright banned.

At number five for the past year, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian," which chronicles a native American boy's experience.

Number four, "My Mom's Having A Baby, A Kid's Guide To Pregnancy." Number three, you have seen this in theatres lately "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. And we're going to reveal the top two right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: What are the top two books most often challenged and banned from American libraries? Number two on the list is "The Color of Earth" by Kim Dong Hwa.

And number one, a series by Lauren Miracle. You have to be text message savvy to understand these youth section titles, but here they are "TTYL," talk to you later, TTFN, tata for now and later gator." Here you go. There's your list.

Actor, Alec Baldwin says he was stalked by a woman from Canada and it was so bad that the woman was arrested and charged with not only stalking, but also with aggravated harassment.

Entertainment reporter, Kareen Wynter, joins us live from our Los Angeles studios. I didn't hear about this one until real late. Were they keeping it under wraps for a while?

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, you never know in cases like this. This is not the type of publicity that stars want, right, Ashleigh?

And Baldwin, let me tell you. He is likely breathing a little easier now that a woman accused of stalking the "30 Rock" star was arrested by New York police. It happened over the weekend, Ashleigh.

The 40-year-old Genevieve Sabourin, she's in jail right now awaiting arraignment on aggravated harassment and stalking charges. This is according to a spokesperson, Ashleigh, with the NYPD, the New York Police Department.

She reportedly was arrested after showing up at Baldwin's downtown Manhattan residence while he was in the Hamptons. You know, when it comes to stars and stalkers, this is really nothing new, Ashleigh.

We could really run down the list here from Haley Berry to Sharon Stone to even Jennifer Aniston. This is a big concern for so many celebrities. Some incidents, you know, are more harmless than others.

So we'll have to see what develops in this case with Baldwin, but it's something you really have to take seriously, especially in an incident like this that involves someone's private property, right, their home and potentially their family.

Baldwin, by the way, he just got engage to a 27-year-old yoga instructor named Haleria Thomas.

BANFIELD: Yes, those are the headlines I was expecting to see more about this week, but not - so what do we know about Genevieve Sabourin, something about she did PR for him?

WYNTER: She apparently has been quite close to the actor in the past. We're learning a little bit more about her. She's a Canadian woman. She's had a handful of small movie roles, movie roles, the latest in 2007.

This is according to the movie web site, imtv.com. However, her online linked in profile list her current job as a film producer in Montreal.

Here's where there are maybe a little bit of a connection here to Baldwin. Sabourin, she once worked as a publicist on the 2002 Eddie Murphy film, "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" where Baldwin, he had a cameo role.

At this time, however, Ashleigh, it's not clear if Baldwin and Sabourin met at anytime during the production of that comedy. So we'll have to see if that's what prompted this alleged stalking.

BANFIELD: So I always wait to see what Alec Baldwin had to say about things. He's never short of words even when he is in trouble for doing things on a run way. But is he saying anything about this because this is serious?

WYNTER: I know and you know, we've been checking his Twitter account. While Baldwin's publicist tells CNN, quote, "As you know, stalking is a serious issue. So we've turned this matter over to the New York Police Department." When we last checked, Baldwin who's very active on Twitter, as you mentioned he's made no comment or no mention of this case or his alleged stalker.

But not surprising, Ashleigh, these stars, they want to keep this hush. This is not something they want out at the forefront, but again, it's a serious story so we'll have to see what develops on this end -- Ashleigh.

BANFIELD: And we don't know at this point whether he's got additional security or whether "30 Rocks" production has hired any additional security to just watch out for him or watch his back?

WYNTER: I wouldn't be surprised if he has. I would not be surprised at all perhaps.

BANFIELD: Well, wish him the best especially as he goes into this lovely phase of engagement. It's a bummer you have to watch your back like that. Thanks, Kareen, nice to see you.

WYNTER: Thanks, Ashleigh. You, too.

OK, moving on, Jennifer Hudson, her mother, her brother and her nephew shot and killed. Today, jury selection begins for the alleged killer who is charged, a man with ties to the family, very, very close ties. We're going to take you live to Chicago coming up next.

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BANFIELD: Actress, Jennifer Hudson, is about to play a part in a high profile murder trial. Jury selection should get underway today for William Balfour.

He's charged with killing Hudson's mother, her brother and her 7-year-old nephew three years ago. He's the estranged husband of her sister, Julia. He's denied the charges and his lawyers say there is no forensic evidence to link him to these killings. More now from CNN's Ted Rowlands.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In October, 2008, singer, actress, Jennifer Hudson, was told her mother, Darnele and brother, Jason, were murdered. And her 7-year-old nephew, Julian, was missing. Hudson returned to Chicago where a frantic search was underway for Julian and for the gunman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Neighbors in the neighborhood did report hearing gunshots sometime earlier this morning, about 8:00, 9:00 this morning.

ROWLANDS: Three days later, the little boy's body was found inside this abandoned SUV. He died of a gunshot wound and a police investigation led to the arrest of 27-year-old William Balfour. (on camera): The Hudson family knew William Balfour quite well. He grew up here in their neighborhood on the south side of Chicago and ended up marrying Jennifer Hudson's older sister, Julia.

(voice-over): Balfour, known as Flex on the street, has a long criminal history. And according to people who know the family, the Hudsons, including Jennifer, didn't want Julia to marry Balfour.

Prosecutors say Balfour killed his ex-wife's family members because he was jealous that she was seeing another man. The defense says there are no eyewitnesses and no fingerprints linking him to the murder scene, which has Hudson's neighbor, Michael Jones concerned that Balfour could walk.

MICHAEL JONES, NEIGHBOR: In a murder especially in the black community is so easy.

ROWLANDS: Three and a half years later, the Hudson home in Chicago is boarded up. Jennifer Hudson has said very little politically about the murders, but she recently talked to Piers Morgan about her mother.

JENNIFER HUDSON, SINGER/ACTRESS: My mother was a very wise and strong person and I feel like she raised us well and she prepared me well. So that's what I live by.

ROWLANDS: Opening statements are scheduled to begin, April 23rd. Jennifer Hudson who is on the witness list is expected to attend.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BANFIELD: Ted Rowlands joins me live now from Chicago. I've got so many questions for you. But first, Ted, the critical question, when the defendant's lawyers say that they don't have any forensics linking him to this crime, do we know what prosecutors do have on him going into this trial?

ROWLANDS: Well, they have some compelling evidence, Ashleigh, they do have some gunpowder residues on the steering wheel of a car of Balfour and they do have someone placing him in the area sort of in the times -- they don't have an eyewitness.

But then they also have threats, direct threats from William Balfour to Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia saying, I'm going to kill your family.

So there is a lot to the story which is compelling. However, it isn't a slam dunk. Normally when you have three dead bodies you're going to find a lot of forensic evidence linking it to your suspect. That isn't the case. So there is a hurdle here for prosecutors to get over.

BANFIELD: And we have three years of coverage on this very high profile case not just about William Balfour, but of course, about Jennifer Hudson who's such a celebrity.

This only happened a year after she won an Oscar. So what is the concern about this jury pool and about trying to pick a jury that can offer up an unbiased approach to this case?

ROWLANDS: Well, the defense is concerned. The prosecution wants Jennifer Hudson to be in court every day sitting in front of the jury stand. The defense is concerned because they're accurately worried that jurors will have a tough time being unbiased.

When you have a victim's family member in the courtroom, as you know, Ashleigh, no matter who that person is, there's sympathy. It's natural. Jurors are human beings.

There's going to be empathy for those family members. When it's a celebrity, you can multiply that. And that's the concern the defense has. The judge will warn jurors, but it's something you really can't get over.

BANFIELD: Well, that is tough to find fair and impartial. Not to suggest they won't find people who don't know. That's not the standard. It's just that fair impartiality. Ted Rowlands, thanks. Appreciate it.

Coming up next, we are getting a little gritty and a bit down and dirty with this week's "Music Monday." We're going to sit down with James McMurtry after this quick break. Stay tuned.

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BANFIELD: Got to be a little tough being well known as an artist, yet still being compared to your better known dad. Singer, songwriter, James McMurtry seems to take it all in stride, actually takes it pretty well.

He's the son of author, Larry McMurtry, you know, "Lonesome Dove," "Terms of Endearment," lots of other really great stories. Another author, Stephen King, heard of him?

He calls James McMurtry, the fiercest songwriter of his generation. We hope you enjoy "Music Monday" today. Here's James McMurtry.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your songs are not classically pretty. They're very gritty. I've read that when you were growing up, your dad listened to a lot of Dylan.

JAMES MCMURTRY, SINGER: Well, I didn't care for Dylan when I was a little kid. I thought he sang funny. I was a Johnny Cash fan tied in the wool. I don't mind if people are just a little bit uncomfortable at times.

You can't punish them too long or too hard, but just a little sting every now and then is good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "You Can't Make It Here," 2004, right?

MCMURTRY: Yes, I put that out right before the 2004 elections as a free download.

I think it just came along at the right time. A lot of people heard themselves in it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of people have a tough time expressing anger. That doesn't seem to be an issue for you.

MCMURTRY: I don't know. You got to get it out of you, for sure. It will eat you up if you don't.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is your dad a fan?

MCMURTRY: He seems to be. As far as I know, he doesn't write verse and I don't write prose. We stay away from each other's realms as best we can. Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BANFIELD: Nicely done. To check out Brooke Baldwin's other "Music Mondays", go to her blog cnn.com/brooke.