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George Martin Apologized to Martin's Family; NASCAR Goes Green; Why Judge Decided to Give Zimmerman Bail; Georgia Police Handcuff Unruly Kindergartener; Etan Patz' Case Reopened; Dick Clark Cremated
Aired April 21, 2012 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Randi. Good to be here.
We'll start you off with George Zimmerman. He may be released from jail any time now. A judge set a $150,000 bond during a hearing that took an unexpected turn when Zimmerman took the stand and apologized to Trayvon Martin's family.
CNN's Martin Savidge is following developments from Florida.
Martin, when is he expected to be released and where is he likely to go?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, two very good questions right now we're trying to find answers to. We're standing outside the corrections facility where George Zimmerman is being held. This is the receiving point. That's the way he went in 10 days ago. We are believing this is the way he will come out. Security is in the minds of the security conscious. It may not be he comes out this door. We'll have to wait and see.
As to when, his attorney said it would take a couple of days to organize both the finances, paying the bond, and the way of monitoring George Zimmerman while he's out and about. He's going to require electronic monitoring and other means by which the state of Florida will remain in contact with him. That's going to take a while.
Where he will go, that's another big question mark. His attorney has said and requested he be able to leave the state of Florida. The judge that granted bond said that's a possibility if you can work out the monitoring aspect. So we're back to that first question, when and how will it be handled. We'll have to wait and see.
MARCIANO: That's all you'll be looking for today. Certainly, back to yesterday, Zimmerman took the stand. By taking the witness stand, it was the first time he's spoken out publicly. What's been the reaction to that?
SAVIDGE: You know, what a dramatic moment that was, too. I don't think anybody anticipated George Zimmerman was going to be up on the stand and giving testimony under oath, we should point out. That's when he issued the apology. The family of Trayvon Martin did not like that one bit. They felt it was sort of an emotional ambush for them. The attorney said they were, well, devastated as a result of hearing the words of George Zimmerman. Let's listen ourselves to that moment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, ON TRIAL FOR SHOOTING: I felt sorry they lost their child, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED PROSECUTOR: And so you told detectives you wanted them to convey that to the parents?
ZIMMERMAN: I don't know if they were detectives or not.
UNIDENTIFIED PROSECUTOR: Officers. I apologize.
ZIMMERMAN: I didn't know if they were going to convey it or not. I just made the statement.
UNIDENTIFIED PROSECUTOR: OK. Then you said you called them up and left a message to tell them that?
ZIMMERMAN: No, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED PROSECUTOR: Why did you wait 50 days to tell them, that is the parents?
ZIMMERMAN: I don't understand the question, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED PROSECUTOR: Why did you wait so long to tell Mr. Martin and the victim's mother -- the father and mother -- why did you wait so long to tell them.
ZIMMERMAN: I was told not to communicate with them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: That was the prosecutor doing the grilling of George Zimmerman there. There were a lot of people afterwards that felt that really didn't make the state look too good.
George Zimmerman seemed to come across a little more human because of the apology and it and it appeared the state was jumping all over him for trying to apologize.
MARCIANO: You know, Marty, watching this yesterday, it looked like the actual trial to me. During the bond hearing, the defense questioned the state investigator. What was their strategy there?
SAVIDGE: You know, a lot of people have made that comment. It did sound like a trial. There were objections, cross-examinations. That's what it was. It was the defense having an opportunity to go after the prosecution's case, the state's case here.
They were specifically questioning the affidavit that was used to bring the charges against George Zimmerman. So the defense attorney here was very quickly trying to punch holes into the state's case. Quite frankly, many people believe Mark O'Mara succeeded in doing that, that the state did not look very good in that hearing yesterday.
MARCIANO: All right. Martin Savidge, watching developments in the Trayvon Martin case.
Martin, we'll check back with you. Thanks.
Our legal guys are going have a say on this, on the Trayvon Martin case. They have some definite opinions on how it will all turn out. They will join me live, just ahead.
For a third straight day New York police are excavating a Manhattan basement hoping to find clues to a 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz. The basement once belonged to a carpenter who had contacts with Patz before he vanished. The 75-year-old Miller says he had nothing to do with the boy's disappearance. We'll have a live report from the search site at the bottom of the hour.
And the U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved a measure to expand an observer mission in Syria. The vote will increase the number of unarmed observers to 300. Cease-fire monitors began arriving in the besieged Syrian capital of Homs yesterday. They reportedly met with the town's government and activists. The opposition accuses security forces of shelling Homs for weeks.
In a tense situation in Bahrain, opposition protesters are accusing the government of cracking down on demonstrators just before the Grand Prix race. They say an activist died in the clash with security forces. The interior ministry says an investigation is under way. The Grand Prix car race is scheduled tomorrow. The crown prince insists everything is under control and security measures are in place.
Three more Secret Service employees have stepped down over the prosecution scandal that has rocked the agency. So far, six Secret Service members have lost their jobs and the agency says a total of 12 members are under investigation. Secret Service Chief Mark Sullivan is under fire for the controversy. But Homeland Security chairman, Peter King, told Wolf Blitzer he's satisfied with Sullivan's work so far.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PETER KING, (R-NY), CHAIRMAN, HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: I mean, I've seen he's doing the right thing. He moved effectively, quickly right at the start and he's continued to do that. From all I know and have heard and seen, this is a very tough and thorough investigation. They are following every lead, pursuing every lead. So yes, he's -- the only way to judge him is, how did he react when he first learned about it. From the moment he learned about it, he has moved swiftly and quickly and effectively.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: The Secret Service workers are facing allegations of partying with prostitutes in Colombia before the president arrived for a summit. Just ahead we'll take a closer look at the culture of the 150-year-old Secret Service agency.
Mitt Romney is pushing forward to November. He took a sort of victory lap while speaking at the Republican National Committee gathering in Arizona yesterday. Romney split his message between a call for party unity and attacks on President Obama, and a word for his past and present Republican rivals.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY, (R), FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me also commend the people who had the courage to run for president on our side of the aisle, some still running, some have gotten out of the race. Each contributed to the process. Each campaigned in an aggressive and dynamic way to spread our message of conservatism. And each is going to play a vital role in making sure we win in November.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARCIANO: On Monday, Romney will be campaigning in Philadelphia with Florida Senator Marco Rubio. He's been mentioned as a possible running mate. Before Rubio makes that stop you can catch him on "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley tomorrow, 9:00 a.m. eastern.
Presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich, doesn't have much of a chance of becoming he nominee but he doesn't want to give up the perks of the race. That includes the Secret Service following him everywhere. It could cost taxpayers more than $40,000 a day. His campaign has come under attack for wasteful spending. In spite of his struggling campaign, his chief donor, Sheldon Adelson's family, gave his super PAC another $5 million last month. That brings their contribution to more than $20 million so far.
A need for speed. What a big appetite. Fuel -- NASCAR may not be known as the most environmentally friendly sport but it is taking steps to go green this Earth Day weekend. I talk to NASCAR's CEO next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: As people around the world observe Earth Day this weekend, NASCAR is revving up its efforts to go green. That's right. You heard me. The sport that has race cars that get about five miles to the gallon and goes through about 130 sets of tire per race is trying to lessen the sport's impact on the environment. Here is an example. At tomorrow's Sprint Cup race in Kansas, every time you see a green flag drop, NASCAR will donate 10 trees for those lost during the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri.
Earlier, I caught up with the CEO and chairman of NASCAR, Brian France, and asked about the ongoing effort to be more green.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN FRANCE, CEO & CHAIRMAN, NASCAR: We're in our fourth year, headed into the fifth year of doing a number of things we're quite proud of. We have a long way to go. Switching to biofuel with ethanol was a big step for us. We've run $2 million with Sunoco E15 and our partners. We're disproving that particular biofuel. We're now the largest recycler in sports. We're the only ones that have got an entire facility powered by solar. And not just that, it powers much of the region in Pennsylvania.
MARCIANO: You mentioned solar powers. That's just odd. We have cool video. Powers not only the Pocono track but part of the surrounding community. I suppose each track seems to be wanting to do something different. The E15 fuel -- it took a while for you to go from leaded just to unleaded, now we're blending a little bit. What kind of advantages does the ethanol blend have?
FRANCE: It burns less carbon emissions. Start with that. It's homegrown. I believe over time as standards come up or released from the government, it can be a much more potent fuel in terms of the mix of ethanol. 15 today. It can go way up. It will disapprove a lot of things and validate its effectiveness.
MARCIANO: What happens to the used oil, tires, wrecked cars? Do they go into a landfill?
FRANCE: No. That's part of what we've done, whether it's aluminum with Coca-cola or cell phones and batteries with our partners at Sprint. Safety Clean has added a big effort.
MARCIANO: Either way, you burn a lot of gas. What kind of things are you doing to offset that? I read somewhere you're planting trees. And what are you doing differently in regards to that program this weekend?
FRANCE: I think we've planted more trees than anybody else in sports in that area. We'll have the first battery powered car. Ford is going to pace the field in the pace car in Richmond, coming up in a month or so.
MARCIANO: I assume the electronic pace car is somewhat symbolic. Unless you see somewhere in our lifetime a NASCAR powered by electric cars. Do you see that or do we need to hear the hum of the engines themselves.
FRANCE: We're an unbelievable validater (ph) of things, particularly in technology and energy. We run all kinds of different cars in different divisions. It's not inconceivable we'll have a big position in that. We'll see how that plays out. It's symbolic today but it may be more impactful in the future.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARCIANO: Last year, NASCAR said more than 12 million beverage containers were recycled. I'm still trying to imagine an electric car racing around at a NASCAR race. I'm all for the environment, a big environmentalist, but you've got to feel the roar of those engines. Maybe they can do better on gas mileage.
Still to come, women are outpacing men as business owners. But growing those businesses can be tricky. Coming up, tips on how to be more successful.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Top stories are just ahead, including the Trayvon Martin case and possible release on bond of shooter, George Zimmerman. Our legal guys have been watching all the developments and have definite opinions on how it will turn out. They will join us live in just a few minutes.
(SMART IS THE NEW RICH)
MARCIANO: Women are making big strides in their own businesses but making the businesses grow can be a mine field. Christine Romans spoke to Nell Merlino, an expert who fosters women entrepreneurs.
MARCIANO: George Zimmerman could be released on bail soon. Our legal guys weigh in on the surprising developments at yesterday's bond hearing. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: A Florida judge set bond for George Zimmerman at $150,000 during Friday's hearing. During the hearing Zimmerman apologized to the family of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed teenager he shot on February 26th. What factors went into that judge's decision?
Let's bring in our legal guys. Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor is in Cleveland. And Richard Herman, New York criminal defense attorney and law professor joins us from Las Vegas.
Richard, we'll begin with you. How unusual was this bond or was it?
RICHARD HERMAN, NEW YORK CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY & LAW PROFESSOR: Well, it's very unusual, Rob, when a defendant gets up on the witness stand in a bail or bond hearing. However, in this instance, with the carefully crafted questions, which were very limited, Mr. Zimmerman did himself extremely well yesterday. He was humanized.
We learned -- we saw, from the picture earlier that day, the blood on the back of his head. We learned that he mentored two young black children for the past two years. Doesn't look like racism to me.
He really came across as credible. The judge found he was not a flight risk. He was not a harm to society. When the judge took a peek at the prosecution's case, it was kind of putting bullet holes in it yesterday by the defense cross-examination of the lead investigator.
MARCIANO: Wow. Yes.
HERMAN: Rob, the lead investigator made some extremely damaging statements under oath, which will come back and haunt them when they sum up their case.
MARCIANO: Richard, let's have Avery remark. How big of a blow was that for Zimmerman to take the stand, Avery? And did the prosecution not do a good job?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY & CLEVELAND LAW PROFESSOR: It was a very dangerous thing to do. The fact is Mark O'Mara was going to get George Zimmerman out of jail, it was necessary to put him on the stand. You know what, I'm in agreement in this part of it. I think Zimmerman came across -- he was humanized. He did say some things that made him look as if he's a good guy.
The fact is, it's a one-way proceeding. I'm not impressed on what we've seen up to this point from the state's attorney's office. They could have done more.
The question really was your question, what were the factors. The bottom line is flight risk, Rob. Flight risk. The fact is the judge -- I was thinking about 400, $500,000. $150,000 is quite a reasonable bond. There are obviously going to be important conditions in this thing.
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: They are monitoring with ankle bracelets on him?
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: They have to. Take a close look at Zimmerman. Take a look at that suit. They had that guy with a bullet-proof vest on. It's very likely he's going to be outside the jurisdiction. So the GPS, the monitor is an absolutely critical part of the condition of release.
MARCIANO: We'll --
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: Hey, Rob. Rob?
MARCIANO: Yes, Richard?
HERMAN: Listen to this, Rob. The government was asking for a million dollars or no release. That's what the government, the prosecution asked for. $150,000 was granted by the court and that was deemed heavy in Florida because even people charged with first degree get $75,000 bond. The $150 is $15,000 in cash only and the rest collateral. The lead investigator, Rob, he did not know who began the physical altercation.
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: There's no way he could know.
HERMAN: -- concerning -- well, he did not. He was cross examined specifically on that. Who initiated the physical confrontation? He did not know. He did not that Zimmerman --
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: -- was treated after the 911 call.
MARCIANO: We're going to have to --
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: The lead investigator. He's not some --
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: He's the lead investigator.
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: Guys, I want to get to the second topic. We're going to have months to go over this when the trial actually happens.
(LAUGHTER)
I'll admit, yesterday felt like a trial. I couldn't believe I was watching a bond hearing.
Let's talk about this handcuffed teenager (ph). A Georgia police officer's decision to handcuff an unruly kindergartener. They claimed unruly at school. They claimed assaulted on the principal. They handcuffed a 6-year-old.
Avery, were the police out of line here?
FRIEDMAN: This is what happens when you down too many Krispy Kremes, Rob. This is way out of line. A 6-year-old has no more capacity to formulate an intent to commit a crime. Cops know that and school officials know that. This is stunning.
What strikes me is that the school couldn't figure out this is a social services issue. It's not law enforcement. They bring the cops in. They don't know any better. They take her to the station. You know what they give her? They give her some soda.
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: Maybe she was dehydrated.
FRIEDMAN: Just stunning.
MARCIANO: Richard --
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: Dehydrated, OK.
MARCIANO: Richard, we don't know how -- what kind of tantrum the 6- year-old was throwing. Richard, what's the protocol for handcuffing a juvenile or, in this case, a small child.
HERMAN: There you go. Good.
Rob, I heard she was yelling, "Don't tase me, Bro." I heard that.
(LAUGHER)
I don't know. Listen, she threw a fit. She was going crazy. They had to try to subdue her and control her. It was for her protection that they put the handcuffs on her.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, for goodness sakes.
HERMAN: They called her family several times. No one was home. What could they do? They took her, put her in a safe place to protect herself and others.
FRIEDMAN: Isolate here.
HERMAN: She went crazy. Come on. They had to control this young girl. I don't know what's going on there. I don't know what kind of mental issues exist but obviously some do.
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: Handcuffs, Richard? Handcuffs?
HERMAN: Fortunately, all the criminal charges were dropped. And -- hey, look, had to subdue her for her own protection. All criminal charges were dropped and it was resolved. Look, the school did what was best to protect her and the other children's best interest and the teachers.
MARCIANO: All right, guys. We have to leave it there. We'll be checking back with you.
We've got two more interesting legal issues later in the hour that we'll talk to you about.
A woman is suing Johnny Depp. We'll explore why. She's not too happy about the bodyguards -- and how they treated her at the concert.
A renewed search, meanwhile, 33 years later, for a sign of a missing toddler. The focus of the latest search of a 6-year-old in a Manhattan basement. Investigators are on the scene right now and we'll take you there live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Checking today's top stories, George Zimmerman could get out of jail as early as today. Yesterday, a Florida judge granted his release on $150,000 bond. That means his family needs to post $15,000 to get him out while he awaits trial for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman called it self-defense. And in a surprise move at yesterday's bond hearing, Zimmerman took the stand and apologized to Martin's family.
The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a measure to expand an observer mission in Syria. The vote will increase the number of unarmed observers to 300. Cease-fire monitors began arriving in the besieged city of Homs today. They reportedly met with the town's governor and activists. The opposition accuses security forces of shelling Homs for weeks.
In Bahrain, the opposition is accusing the government of clamping down on demonstrators just before the Grand Prix. The car race is scheduled to start tomorrow but the crown prince insists everything is under control and security measures are in place.
And now to the 33-year-old mystery that's capturing headlines around the world. The 1979 disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz. For a third straight day police in New York are digging up a basement hoping to find clues to the boy's disappearance.
CNN's national correspondent Susan Candiotti is there now. Susan, a carpenter who used to work in that basement saw Etan the day before he disappeared. He's speaking out now to his attorney and the family. What's the reaction?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, through his attorney, Othniel Miller, who the family of Etan Patz said was a good boy - a good friend, rather, of little Etan. He is saying through his lawyer that he had nothing to do with the boy's disappearance and that he is terribly torn up about it. He issued through his attorney strong denials he had anything to do with the boy's disappearance, and so did Mr. Miller's daughter. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL C. FARKAS, OTHNIEL MILLER'S ATTORNEY: Mr. Miller has been cooperating with this investigation for over 30 years. He's continued to cooperate on multiple occasions. I'm going to assist him in capitaling to the fullest extent possible.
STEPHANIE MILLER, DAUGHTER OF OTHNIEL MILLER: The FBI has been here to investigate the case. He cooperated with them, he went to the site. He doesn't have anything to do with it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: In fact, Mr. Miller is not being called a suspect by the FBI, nor has he been charged with any crime but they have been questioning him. Law enforcement sources tell me that he did say something odd during the course of that questioning, which was, what if they moved the body. Rob.
MARCIANO: Susan, I mean it's been so long, 1979. Why are they searching again 33 years later?
CANDIOTTI: Well, in part it's because of what some of the information they had from Mr. Miller, went back and questioned him. We're told that this initially began because they revised the case in 2010, the district attorney's office. And they based this search on some old information and new information. Mr. Miller we're told is not the only person they have been talking with. And there may have been others that led to them getting enough information to successfully get a search warrant to look inside this basement. They had to prove to a judge that they had enough information.
And now the search has been going on for a few days now. They are down sifting through the dirt in there, looking for possible signs whether the earth has been moved in any way as far as six feet below the bottom of that building. The FBI insists that if there is some key evidence down there, any sign of the little boys' remains or personal effects, they will find it. Rob.
MARCIANO: OK. Susan Candiotti live for us in Manhattan. We'll be back with you. Thanks, Susan.
Well, a little bit of a cold front is heading towards the east coast. My friend and colleague meteorologist, Reynolds Wolf, is in the CNN severe weather center with more.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: What's happening, tough guy? Hey, let me show you something, Rob, that's pretty interesting. Any other time of the year - say, well, not any other time of the year but if this were August or September we might be down on the beach watching something very interesting in the Gulf of Mexico. Take a look at this.
It's a little bit of rotation you have just south of New Orleans. That low, if the water were warmer, (INAUDIBLE) this might be a named system. Possibly at least maybe a depression that would bring some heavy rainfall to parts of the Gulf Coast. Sure enough that's what we can expect today, not that it's a named tropical system, but yes heavy rain in the i-10 corridor, even into parts of South Florida including Miami.
Right now we have a live image for you of Miami. And voila, the magic of modern technology shows the wind blowing right now. You see a few birds going by. Breezy conditions down there and you can expect more of the same farther south, to (INAUDIBLE) even into the Florida Keys, like Key West, the rain is going to be there for a good part of the day. In parts of the northeast, rain can also be expected from Montreal through Toronto back into Buffalo, even Cincinnati. And it's not going to stay anchored to the ground. All this is going to be driving eastward.
So before you know it by later in the afternoon Boston, New York, Philadelphia, even Washington and Richmond, you might be dealing with scattered showers. But if you look at this scattered showers all but a certainty in parts of the twin cities. But up towards Thunder Bay, we have that cold air (INAUDIBLE) moisture, you got it. Snow is going to be in the picture there. Nothing too heavy but a touch of snowfall in April. What do you know?
Here is that area of low pressure we're going to follow. We're going to go from noontime today, and watch it swing its way right up the coast. Again, this can also be like a Nor'easter, any other time of the year. And we can expect some heavy rainfall from New York, southward to Philadelphia. The nation's capital might see some heavy rainfall in the northern suburbs, any place where you have poor drainage might see that water pile up, same deal in the everglades but hey, it's the everglades, they are used to heavy water.
Plenty of sunshine for Texas, nice and warm out to the west and now west, we wrap things up take a look at say San Francisco going to 79 degrees, up by Pier 39, 74 in Denver, 67 in Memphis by Beale Street, 76 in Atlanta, in Boston 72 degrees. How about Bo Sox, 100 years at Fenway Park. Let's send it back to you, Rob.
MARCIANO: You know, Reynolds beside the Red Sox, just yesterday you were telling me what a big fan you are of Johnny Depp, what a strikingly handsome talented man he is.
WOLF: You know, I can't make it, is it Johnny Depp or Justin Bieber. I love them both.
MARCIANO: It's a toss up. Yes, Johnny Depp has been around a little bit while. Well he's is some trouble, Reynolds. You know, he's known for making Reynolds and women swoon. But a security team has alleged rough treatment is making one woman sue. That story is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Tomorrow is earth day. Let's talk environment. From the incandescent light bulb to the new LED technology. Updating your homes lighting can be one of the easiest ways to make you more green. But is it worth it? CNN photojournalist Jeremy Moorehead finds some answers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're at Frager's Hardware, established in 1920, 11 blocks from the U.S. capital.
I would call this energy efficient land. We have your traditional incandescents.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm looking for one of these light bulbs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Light bulbs are a big factor in the store's success.
Put up to 100 or you can use a compact fluorescent in there, too. It's using gases to illuminate the gas. You're only using roughly 20 or 21 percent of the wattage on a compact fluorescent than you are in a 60-watt soft white incandescent bulb. My house converted to all compact fluorescents. I have seen, you know, energy savings.
RICKY SILVERSTEIN, FRAGER'S HARDWARE: It lowers your air conditioning bill because you're emitting less heat. An LED bulb where you get two and a half to three times longer life than you do with CFL. Bulb like this is in the $50 range. That's the Cadillac. This should last 46 years. That's longer than I'm going to be around. $1.81 to operate this light bulb. 65 watts is going to cost you five to six times more.
So we're trying to reduce the consumption in the entire country. It's going to benefit us, you know, in the long run.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARCIANO: All right. There you go. Change your light bulbs. For more green solutions that are in reach for you and your family, tune into "Green Solutions in Focus" today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: A 52-year-old disabled woman claims Johnny Depp's bodyguard injured her at a concert. According to her lawsuit she had three separate altercations with the bodyguard all of which she says Depp witnessed. The woman said she suffered severe injuries and hasn't been able to return to work.
So our legal guys are back at it. Avery Friedman in Cleveland and Richard Herman in Las Vegas. Avery, we'll start with you. She was injured but security and the police are also saying she was very, very drunk. What kind of rights does she have?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, I mean, that's a fact question. That's going to wind up if the case goes to trial (INAUDIBLE) look it, the plaintiff is a they will sort it out. The plaintiff is a doctor. She is a professor of clinical medicine at UC Irvine. I mean, she's not screwing around. She's on a cane, she's got a busted elbow. And she has witnesses.
So the bottom line on this case is I think the bodyguard was upset that she was snapping pictures with her cell phone of Johnny and got a little rambunctious. Now, of course, they are denying it. But this the kind of case number one that could go to trial, and number two, will settle very quietly.
MARCIANO: Richard, do you think she is looking for some celebrity money and is Johnny Depp in trouble just because he was looking her way.
RICHARD HERMAN: Well, Rob, first of all, Johnny Depp has nothing on you in the looks department.
MARCIANO: (INAUDIBLE).
HERMAN: What a sweet thing to say.
MARCIANO: He's currying my favorite here.
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: As part of this, apparently she was scaring his children in addition to her rant and raves because they said she was either drunk or high. So his security detail escorted her out. Now they did a little more than escort her because apparently as they were taking her out of the hallowed Palladium, her clothes became undone and her pants came down and her little tush was up in the air for everyone to see.
So she - an intentional affliction of emotional distress, assault, battery, false imprisonment and a disabilities claim against the Palladium because she had a disability and claimed the Palladium was not favorable to people with disabilities. So as Avery said, this case will settle, Rob. Not going to trial. It will settle but Johnny is going to have to pay a few dollars on this.
MARCIANO: A few dollars. Avery, you got any guesses on how much (INAUDIBLE).
FRIEDMAN: How much? God only knows. Look it's going to be the insurance company. Hollywood Palladium is going to pay out through their insurer, Johnny will pay. It's going to evaporate. It's way too dangerous.
HERMAN: Absolutely. It's gone.
FRIEDMAN: But she was yelling "Don't tase me, bro," as they were taking her out.
MARCIANO: That's a popular theme this hour. All right.
All right. Guys, switching gears. All right. Do you believe in ghosts? Com eon. A home rented out. These folks are paying $2,200, I assume that's the same as their security deposit. And they say guys that there's paranormal activity in their rented home.
FRIEDMAN: Love this case.
MARCIANO: Yes, come one. The couple said they heard strange voices, felt sheets tugged. And landlord Richard Lopez has counter-sued claims the couple wants to break the lease just because they can't afford the rent. The landlord says he's been renting this house for 10 years now, and there's never been a problem, no ghosts, no nothing. Avery, what do you think?
FRIEDMAN: Well, they needed some evidence. So who are you going to call? There's an organization called the New Jersey Paranormal Investigators. They're afraid of no ghosts. So what's going to happen is they're going to try to testify except the problem is the court would never let that evidence in.
The plaintiff is Jose (INAUDIBLE) and Mr. (INAUDIBLE) is going to try to prove that ghosts forced him out. And I think bottom line this case is in the shadow of the valley death or the valley of the shadow of death. It's finished and he's going to get legally slimed. The case is over.
MARCIANO: Richard, what do you think? They have a case?
HERMAN: Who are you going to call, ghost busters? No. They are going to call their banker to pay. Because they are going to get hammered here for legal fees and the rent and the breach of lease and every thing else. This claim and the costs, everything. They are going to get hammered here, Rob. This is not a viable claim. It's not a viable reason to vacate the premises. I understand they are having financial issues. And you know, therefore that's what's motivating them but you know, if they can s substantiate paranormal - FRIEDMAN: They should write a book.
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: One of the issues, (INAUDIBLE) said that somebody was holding his arm, he said it was a ghost. It was the landlord looking for the rent. That's what's going on here.
MARCIANO: So neither of you believe in ghosts? Is that what I'm taking from this? What if they set up cameras -
FRIEDMAN: Call New Jersey paranormal, or paralegal, or whatever the heck they are. They are going to jump on the scene. Apparently Mr. (INAUDIBLE) is counting on them to prove his case.
MARCIANO: What if they set up a bunch of cameras, is the judge going to say "Well, you can monkey with that video. There's no way that's going to be (INAUDIBLE)."
FRIEDMAN: What?
MARCIANO: Yes, set up cameras and see if there's a ghost there. I'm sorry, I want to believe. I love those movies, I want to believe.
All right.
FRIEDMAN: You do? Call Dan Aykroyd.
MARCIANO: Avery Friedman and Richard Herman, our legal guys. Thank you for your insight once again this weekend, guys. I enjoyed it
FRIEDMAN: Good to see you.
HERMAN: Great job.
MARCIANO: All right. Come November President Obama may have some trouble winning over a senator in his own party? Find out which democratic lawmaker might not cast his ballot for the president. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: Three American Airlines' unions are supporting a potential merger with US Airways, according to a document filed Friday with the SEC. The US Airways say still needs the support of management, creditors, and the board of directors at American's parent company, AMR. American Airlines went into bankruptcy last year.
Richard Ross, chairman of Walt Disney is stepping down after the epic failure of epic adventure film "John Carter." The film costs $250 million but the box office sales was abysmal. Ross' resignation came soon after low figures were announced. No successor has been named.
Hot off the CNN political ticker, democratic Senator Joe Manchin may buck his own party in the presidential election. The "National Journal" quotes the West Virginia lawmaker saying he may not vote for President Obama in the fall. Manchin says he'll base his decision on how West Virginians are faring come November.
And Jeb Bush has a message for Mitt Romney. Avoid running a negative campaign. The former Florida governor says the likely Republican presidential nominee should offer a hopeful message that lifts people's spirits.
And Republican Senator Orrin Hatch is hoping to clinch his party's nomination at a state GOP convention happening right now in Salt Lake City. The six-term incumbent needs to win 60 percent of the 4,000 convention delegates to go directly to November's general election and avoid a primary battle in June.
Well, the last thing you want when you go on vacation is to have your wallet stolen. An expert pick pocket gives you tips on how to stop those thieves, next.
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MARCIANO: Checking other news - TV icon Dick Clark has been cremated. His publicist says plans for a memorial service have not been finalized. Clark suffered a heart attack while at a Santa Monica hospital on Wednesday. He was there for an outpatient procedure. He couldn't be revived.
The L.A. county coroner said heart failure led to the death of conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart. Breitbart who was connected to controversies surrounding former Congressman Anthony Wiener and agricultural department employee Shirley Sherrod had an enlarged heart as well as some heart disease. He died last month. He was 43.
And rocker Ted Nugent has agreed to a plea deal for killing and transporting a black bear in Alaska. Nugent agreed to pay a $10,000 fine, serve two years probation and take part in public service. On Thursday Nugent was questioned by Secret Service over comments he made about President Obama.
And the best way to protect your wallet and credit card - well, when you go on vacation, think like a thief. An expert in pick pocketing gives us some tips on the go.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pickpockets are everywhere tourists are. And Bob Arno should know. He calls himself a pick pocket artist. Arno travels the world watching pick pockets and studying their techniques.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The least thing in my mind he was going to grab my purse.
BOB ARNO, PICK POCKET ARTIST: Never leave sight of your bag.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a stage pick pocket artist, Arno the principle is simple.
ARNO: Pickpocketing is about distraction, get the victim to be having their guard down one way or the other. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Women's handbags are an easy target.
ARNO: Have it as high up into the armpit as possible. If you have a strap, it should go across the body.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are also travel wallets you can wear under your clothing and out of reach.
ARNO: They are not interested in the cash any longer. They simply want the credit cards.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Be aware in crowds like on trains.
ARNO: It's not an issue of being paranoid, it's simply reduce the options for the thief.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't let the pick pocket steal the fun when you're on the go.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARCIANO: Well, George Zimmerman's bail is set at $150,000 but he only needs a fraction of that to get out of jail. We'll tell you what could happen next.
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MARCIANO: Checking today's top stories, George Zimmerman could get out of jail as early as today. Yesterday, a Florida judge granted his release on $150,000 bond. That means his family needs to post $15,000 to get him out while he awaits trial for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman has called it self defense. And in a surprise move at yesterday's bond hearing, Zimmerman took the stand and apologized to Martin's family.
And the U.N. security council was unanimously approved a measure to expand observer missions in Syria. The vote will increase the number of unarmed observers to 300. Ceasefire monitors began arriving in the besieged Syrian city of Homs yesterday. They reportedly met with the town's governor and activist. The opposition accused security forces of shelling Homs for weeks now.
A New York carpenter said he had no involvement in the 1979 disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz. Authorities are searching the former Manhattan basement of 75-year-old Othniel Miller. They say Miller met Patz the day before he disappeared. Sources say a cadaver dog picked up a scent of human remains in the basement. Miller has not been charged with any crime.
Coming up later this afternoon, millions of Americans filed their taxes this week. Some discovered their identities were stolen. Advice for victims of tax fraud in the two o'clock hour.
Also in medical news, fighting off Alzheimer's, it's all about keeping busy. That's at three o'clock.
And stay tuned for the latest news from around the world. "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.
