Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Dow Drops 200 Points; Spain's Debt Crisis Worries U.S. Investors; Massacre Suspect In Court Next Hour; Colorado's Military Victims; Penn State's "Unprecedented Penalties"; Largest International AIDS Conference Under Way In D.C.; Drug Approved To Prevent HIV; Former Cop's Murder Trial Starts; Pulling Out of Afghanistan; Son of Usher's ex-Wife Dies; Katherine Jackson not Missing; U.S. Team Aims for Badminton Gold; Politics of Gun Control

Aired July 23, 2012 - 10:00   ET

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

ZORAIDA SAMBOLIN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I'm Zoraida Sambolin in for Carol Costello. Just ahead in NEWSROOM.

Day in court. Accused Colorado shooter, James Holmes, appearing in court next hour using a secret underground tunnel to go before the judge. This morning we're learning more about Holmes' past and what police found in his apartment.

Unprecedented penalties. The watch dog of college sports comes down hard on Penn State for failing to protect children from a former football coach. The punishment, just ahead.

And the world's biggest gathering of experts and activists fighting HIV and AIDS converge on Washington. The first time in more than 20 years.

Plus, there's a new drug that may help prevent people from getting the disease. We'll bring you all that.

Plus, pulling out of Afghanistan, only two months left on a troop withdrawal deadline. But are Afghan forces stable enough to run things on their own? We're going to go live to Afghanistan and talk to a marine colonel right on the front lines.

NEWSROOM begins right now.

We start with breaking news from the markets. The Dow tanking more than 200 points. Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange -- Alison.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Zoraida, the day is still young. Just 30 minutes into the trading day, you're seeing the Dow fall 216 points. The Nasdaq down more than 2 percent. The S&P 500, that's where your 401(k) most likely tracks that's down more than 1.5 percent.

Well, guess what, the global market mix is back and that is playing out in the markets on the green here. You know, if you notice, we had a few weeks of nothing really negative, too negative coming out of Europe.

And the focus wound up turning back here to the U.S. on our fiscal issues like the fiscal cliff when that series of spending cuts and taxes go up.

We had our focus on earnings and housing. Housing has actually become a bit of a bright spot. So the real good focus has been here on the U.S. economy for the past week or so, but then, you know what happened overnight?

Bam, we got new signs that the Spanish government itself is going to need a bailout. What's been happening in Spain is that its the banking system has been in trouble for a very long time and actually a bailout for the bank has been finalized and there had been renewed hopes that the bank bailout would be enough to sustain Spain.

But that may not end up being the case. Now, it looks like Spain is going to need what Greece needed, what Ireland needed and what Portugal needed and that is a full fledge government bailout and the markets are not reacting favorably to that -- Zoraida.

SAMBOLIN: What happens in Europe affects us. Alison Kosik, thank you.

We turn now to the horror and heartbreak of the Colorado shooting massacre. Next hour, the first court appearance is scheduled for the man accused of last week's rampage inside a theatre.

The 24-year-old James Holmes is likely to face first degree murder charges for the 12 people killed at that midnight showing of the new Batman movie. Of the 58 people wounded, eight victims remain in critical condition.

Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek the death penalty. We are covering all the angles of this story and all of the latest developments for you.

CNN's Don Lemon is right outside the courthouse for next hour's arraignment and Poppy Harlow looks at one segment of the Colorado community hit especially hard.

One fourth of those killed were young men in the military. Don, let's begin with you. What can we expect today?

DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And as you said, it's almost certain, Zoraida, that prosecutors will ask for the death penalty in this case. More on that in just a little bit.

But I want to show you here. This is where that suspect is being held at the Arapahoe County Detention Center right here and you see sort of the pink looking building just over my right shoulder.

And then if you pan over here to the right through an underground tunnel, they're going to bring him, they could have brought him already. We're not sure if he arrived here into the courthouse, the courtroom right here.

We should tell you some members of the media will be allowed in. They're picking certain members, one or two people from each network to go in. So they'll be able to watch this.

But this will be the first time that we see him in public, except for that picture since the shooting happened. Also, closed circuit television has been set up for the family members of the victims so that they can watch it, as well.

But, again, prosecutors almost certain to ask for the death penalty in this case and, of course, the defense we're hearing will probably, they're probably going to plead insanity as they will in this case saying that he is incompetent to stand trial.

And if that happens, this is a different story than this. But if do they find him competent today, this moves forward. Again, Zoraida, this will be the first time that we see him publicly.

SAMBOLIN: Don, we know that his dad had left California heading in that direction. Have you seen any of the family members there?

LEMON: We haven't seen the family members. We've heard that his family members will be here and we know that they will make a public statement today after he is seen in court in San Diego.

But as far as the family members of the victims, we know that 24-year-old Alex Teves' family is here. He is a 24-year-old graduate student. He graduated in June from the University of Denver.

His family members will be in the courtroom. They're not going into the closed circuit room. They are going to be in the courtroom. They want to see this man face-to-face -- Zoraida.

SAMBOLIN: All right, Don Lemon right outside the courthouse for us, thank you very much.

And 12 people dead and three of those victims shared a common bond. They served in the U.S. military and today that segment of the Aurora community is reeling from the reminder that perils can lurk far from the combat zone.

CNN's Poppy Harlow joins us from Aurora. What can you tell us, Poppy?

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Zoraida, as they began to release that list of names of the 12 people murdered early in the Friday morning hours, I started looking at the names and realized that three of them, a quarter of those who were killed were members of the military.

All these men, not even 30 years old, giving their life to serve this country and losing to their life in this horrible way. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: If you could talk to Jesse now, what would you say?

TECH. SGT. ALEX SANCHEZ, FRIEND OF CHILDRESS: I would try and we wanted to wait until Saturday to watch the movie. I would asked him to let him come into the Thursday night -- midnight premiere.

HARLOW: It's not your fault, OK. Not your fault. Your last text to him was --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please let me know you're OK.

HARLOW: Never heard back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Never heard back.

HARLOW (voice-over): Two friends who served with him in the Air Force, grieving the death of 29-year-old Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress.

AIRMAN KEVIN THAO, FRIEND OF CHILDRESS: When I think of Jesse, I think of big nerd, someone that was always humorous and someone who always made the office brighter.

SANCHEZ: Fun loving, caring and going out of his way just to help anybody inside and outside the unit.

HARLOW: Childress was a cyber systems operator on active duty at Buckley Air Force Base, just a few miles from the movie theatre where he was gunned down.

Alex Sanchez and Kevin Thao served with him and urged him to join them at the Batman midnight screening. They were in theatre eight, Childress was in theatre nine.

THAO: We walked around for about two hours looking Sgt. Childress and other people.

HARLOW (on camera): You never found him?

THAO: We never found him.

HARLOW (voice-over): Buckley Air Force Base lost two young men that night, Petty Officer Third Class John Larimer, 27 years old, in the Navy only a year.

COMMANDER JEFF JAKUBOSKI, LARIMER'S COMMANDING OFFICER: John had that calming personality that everyone seemed to gravitate to. He was one of those very extremely competent professionals that had, you know, an extra ordinary work ethic and was truly dedicated to the mission, the Navy and really all the sailors that he worked alongside.

HARLOW: His family in Crystal Lake, Illinois, said, "We love you, john, and we will miss you always."

LT. COMMANDER BLAKE JACOBSON, U.S. NAVY: He was a great sailor. I mean, he joined the Navy to serve his country and to defend the freedoms of this country. You can't say enough about someone who wants to join and serve and protect his country. HARLOW: Larimer followed the path of his father and grandfather, both Navy men. He will be buried with full military honors.

The 26-year-old John Blunk father of two young children who served in the Navy until 2009 and was planning to re-enlist. He threw himself on top of his girlfriend in the movie theatre, saving her life and losing his own.

JANSEN YOUNG, JOHN BLUNK'S GIRLFRIEND: He saved me and gave me the opportunity to live. I prayed to John last night. John, I love you. So grateful for what you've done for me.

HARLOW: Three men, not even 30, who served their country, lost in an instant.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: And, Zoraida, those are just three of the stories. There are so many stories here every day, every hour we hear more stories of heroism, of families, of communities coming together.

That's the extraordinary part of what I witnessed here in Aurora since we arrived here on Friday. And your heart just goes out for all of these young men that served this country and just the fact that they were not even 30 years old, all in their 20s, losing their life. They will be honored and remembered -- Zoraida.

SAMBOLIN: Yes, as well they should be. Thank you very much. Poppy Harlow reporting live for us.

This morning, Penn State is reeling from its latest staggering blow in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Just this last hour, the NCAA announced it punishment for the school's cover up of child sex abuse and the penalties are unprecedented.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED RAY, CHAIRMAN, NCAA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: There has also been much speculation on whether or not the NCAA has the authority to impose any type of penalty related to Penn State.

Not only does the NCAA have the authority to act in this case, we also have the responsibility to say that such egregious behavior is not only against our bylaws and constitution, but also against our value system and basic human decency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAMBOLIN: Those harsh words accompanied by bold action. CNN's Susan Candiotti is in State College, Pennsylvania. Let's begin with the sanctions. Can you walk us through them, Susan?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I sure can, Zoraida. You know, again, saying that what happened to Penn State the scandal so egregious that it should serve as a wake-up call to all universities. Let's get right to it. The fines, $60 million levied against Penn State University. There will be a four-year post-season ban on games that includes, of course, Bowl games, which are big money makers.

There will be a cut in scholarships down to 15 per year for four years, which will really make a hit on the ability to recruit good college football players. It will erase, wipe out all football wins from 1998 through 2011. Why 1998?

You will remember that is the year cited by the pre-report and in the criminal trial of Jerry Sandusky when the first incident involving a child was documented here on Penn State.

Also, that action strips a title from Joe Paterno as being the winningest coach in Penn State history. That title would now go to retired Florida state couch, Bobby Bowden.

By the way, Bowden was one of the first to call for the statue of Joe Paterno to be taken down. That statue used to stand right behind me here.

Now the NCAA sanctions according to the president of the NCAA meant to send a message that the culture at not only Penn State, but all universities must change.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK EMMERT, NCAA PRESIDENT: This case involved tragic and tragically unnecessary circumstances. One of the grave dangers stemming from our love of sports is that the sports themselves can become too big to fail, indeed, too big to even challenge. The result can be an erosion of academic values that are replaced by the value of hero worship and winning at all costs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Now, Zoraida, many people might be wondering if Penn State could appeal this. Well, they could have except we learned this morning that they have signed an agreement and they will accept these sanctions -- Zoraida.

SAMBOLIN: Susan, has there been any reaction there?

CANDIOTTI: Well, it's just happened, so, we're seeking that reaction and expect to be coming in. But we can already tell you that, of course, this is a highly controversial issue. People were expecting the worst to happen.

They just didn't know how bad it would be. Certainly, there are a lot of people here who are concerned about the economic impact on this community, which, of course, is built around Penn State University, especially its football program.

SAMBOLIN: Well, they said earlier in the press conference that they should be in the business of educating and nurturing young people in spite of those football programs. We appreciate that. Susan Candiotti live for us.

There are startling new information in the disappearance of two Iowa girls. Authorities now believe the two young cousins are alive.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAMBOLIN: The largest, the world's largest gathering of HIV and AIDS experts is happening in Washington. It is a first time in more than 20 years that this conference has been held in the United States.

And that's only because President Barack Obama lifted the travel ban that prevented anyone with the virus from entering into the country. And you are watching live pictures right now of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She is speaking at that conference.

She's part of a long list of high-profile people scheduled to speak this week. Joining me live from our World Headquarters in Atlanta, senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen.

Elizabeth, this conference has provided a major platform for worldwide discussion about this epidemic and ways to fight it. But it's hard to fathom that it is more than 20 years that it was last held in the United States.

That's been a major issue, of course, but what more can we expect from the health and treatment aspect here?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, Zoraida, what we are hearing a lot about at this conference is the cost.

You know, the drugs that changed the course of this epidemic have been out now for about 15 years and what we're going to be hearing is that it's not reaching everyone that it can because these drugs are expensive.

About $10,000 to $15,000 a year and Secretary Clinton, I would imagine, would be talking about how to get those drugs to more people and others will discuss that, as well.

SAMBOLIN: So what do you think the outcome will be? Do you think they'll be able to accomplish that?

COHEN: You know, I think that they will be able to get it to more people and one of the problems that's been happening is that it's been a bit of a piece meal approach.

So that this group is offering some kind of a grant or this group is offering some kind of financial relief. And it's been hard for people who need these -- this money to get at it.

So what they're going to try to start is something similar to the common application that you see for colleges these days. That is sort of one-stop shopping and one place to apply for money from different places.

SAMBOLIN: All right, Elizabeth Cohen live for us in Atlanta. Thank you very much.

And adults that do not have HVI, but are at risk of getting the disease, can now take a drug to reduce their chances of getting infected.

Dr. David Malebranche teaches medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. He is at the AIDS Conference in Washington. Doctor, the drug, Truvada, has been used before. What is significant about the FDA approving it for use by people who don't have the virus?

DR. DAVID MALEBRANCE, EMORY UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE: Hi, Zoraida. Thanks for having me on. It's very important because it's the first time that we've actually had a biomedical intervention.

Such as a medication that traditionally is used for treating people who already have the virus actually as a form of prevention so that people can take it, particularly high-risk individuals that maybe having unprotected sex in conjunction with both providing behavioral counseling and using condoms.

SAMBOLIN: And are you worried this could lead to people having unprotected sex thinking that they're going to be safe?

MALEBRANCE: Yes, I mean, I think that's always going to be a concern. But at the end of the day, I think a lot of the behavioral research that we're seeing right now shows that people are having unprotected sex anyway.

And so we're having an epidemic that still is going unabated with about 30,000 new infections at least every year. And so I think at the end of the day, this is one of those things where you add something to the arsenal of options and availabilities that we have to help prevent HIV in someone who is uninfected.

SAMBOLIN: All right, you are an African-American doctor and we know that Phil Wilson speaks to the conference today. He is the head of the Black AIDS Institute.

Your community has taken the brunt of most of the cases in the United States. What impact to that community will this conference have, as well as the new drug?

MALEBRANCE: Yes, I think it's hard to say. You know, the conference is so large. There's going to be a lot of issues both on the treatment front, the prevention front looking at biomedical interventions as well as behavioral and community interventions.

I think when you look at the African-American community in the United States right now. You have to look at some of these other larger social and structural factors that are involved, such as poverty, lack of insurance and so on and so forth.

So I think what we're trying to get at in this conference is actually having some information and having some availability of some newer options and trying to tackle some of these larger social issues that are driving the epidemic.

I think with this medication, Truvada, it adds a good option for people in addition to condom use and safer sex practices, monogamy and things of that sort.

But then also at the end of the day, it buys us a little time to deal with these larger, structural issues that are going to take a lot more time and a lot more consideration to alleviate.

SAMBOLIN: And hopefully there will be access to this new drug particularly for the African-American community. The minority community is at large. Dr. David Malebranche, thank you so much for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.

MALEBRANCE: Thank you.

SAMBOLIN: A former police sergeant accused of killing his third wife and suspected in the disappearance of his fourth wife goes on trial. We'll take you live to Chicago for Drew Peterson's murder trial.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAMBOLIN: Jury selection begins this morning in the murder trial of former suburban Chicago Police Sergeant Drew Peterson. He's accused of killing his third wife and is the main suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife.

His third wife, Kathleen Savio, there is a picture of her there. She was found dead in a bathtub in 2004. She had been divorced from Peterson about five months when she died and her death at the time was ruled an accident.

After Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy, went missing in October of 2007, authorities exhumed Kathleen Savio's body and did a second autopsy and ruled her death a homicide.

Ted Rowlands is in Chicago and he joins us live. So this case was made into a cable TV movie. What is the scene at the courthouse today?

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there are a lot of media, obviously. People have been waiting for this trial to start. Two years we've been waiting for appellate issues to be worked out.

Right now about 25 minutes ago, they began the process of picking a jury and, in this case, Zoraida, it's going to be tough to find jurors, 12 people that don't know this story.

And, specifically, don't know that Stacy Peterson, the fourth wife is missing because that's a key part of this. They're not supposed to factor that into their decision. That's not coming into this trial.

So, this is going to be a tough job ahead. We'll find out how they're doing with updates throughout the morning here. But it will be tough to find 12 jurors that don't know the story. SAMBOLIN: No, absolutely. Chicago is my hometown and I covered that story there and you couldn't exist without knowing who Drew Peterson was and he is also quite a character.

Now, there is a lot of hearsay testimony against Peterson. Normally that is not allowed in court, but an exception is being made. Can you walk us through that?

ROWLANDS: Well, again, because Illinois state law has changed and they call it "Drew's Law." They actually changed the law here in the state of Illinois to allow hearsay evidence in and if the person that should be on the stand is unavailable.

Now, each one of these statements that may come in, there are 16 total. Right now looks like six or seven are going to come in. The judge in this case is going to rule on the rest of them within the next few days.

Each one of them have been litigated and they will come in to give a bit of a picture to this jury and the prosecution would love to have all 16 of these statements in and basically what these are statements from.

Drew Peterson, Stacy Peterson about Drew Peterson through a pastor and through a lawyer and they're hoping that they'll get this in. We know that six or seven will come in at a least.

SAMBOLIN: All right, well, we'll continue to follow these developments. We know you will, as well. Ted Rowlands live for us in Chicago. Thank you very much.

And leaving Afghanistan, thousands more U.S. troops will be leaving soon, but are Afghan forces ready to take the leap? I'll talk live to a Marine colonel who is working side-by-side with them.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAMBOLIN: U.S. stocks spiraled this morning. The Dow losing more than 200 points and many world markets also fell overnight. The selloff is sparked by fears that Spain might need a bigger bailout.

CNN business correspondent Christine Romans joins me now. We talked about this, this morning on our show.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

SAMBOLIN: And did you expect it to be this dramatic?

ROMANS: Yes we said it would be messy and volatile and certainly starting the week this way. Look, Spain is a real player. Spain is the 14th largest economy in the world and Spain is a very important economy inside of Europe.

And here's why Europe is such an important, important factor for the health of the American economy and the American jobs. Because one-fifth of everything we make in this country goes to Europe. Let me say that, again. More than 20 percent of American exports go to Europe.

It is a huge trading partner and when you have European economies, especially big ones like Spain that are actually shrinking, that means they need fewer of our things and that means fewer American factories with fewer orders for these things and fewer American workers.

And we do know that Spain has seen its economy shrinking right now. There was a number out this morning that showed that the Spanish economy is shrinking by 0.4 percent.

So this is Europe's problems and the fiscal cliff, two things back and forth that vie for dominance for the most important thing to have to do with our money right now. And today it is once again, Spain that is the big concern here and there are concerns, also, about Greece and just how well this whole coalition is holding together in Europe. It is a very big deal what happens there to the United States.

SAMBOLIN: So is it another bailout in the works?

ROMANS: It looks like another bailout is in the works and you know one of the things about Spain that's so different than Greece is that, you know, Spain is an economy that has been hit by a housing bubble and the way the credit crisis has unraveled there. But Spain has industries that have been growing and it has lost of it -- the fundamentals of its economy that are strong. It wasn't doing some of those self-inflicted wounds that Greece has done.

So Spain is what they're really, really watching. Spiraling costs in Spain now 7.55 percent -- we were speaking about this earlier.

SAMBOLIN: Yes.

ROMANS: In this country, the American government can borrow money at 1.44 percent interest. You know unbelievable. But in Spain, 7.5 percent, those are dangerous signals when you, see borrowing (inaudible) rise that high so that's what's so concerning in the overall markets today.

SAMBOLIN: All right, I know you're going to continue to watch this for us.

ROMANS: I'm sure will. I'm sure will.

SAMBOLIN: We really appreciate it, Christine Romans, thank you.

Tonight, we turn our focus to Afghanistan, with just two months to go before the remaining so-called U.S. surge troops pull out. 33,000 additional troops were sent there in 2009 to help beef up security; 10,000 of them left last year. The rest are scheduled to leave by September 30th, a deadline set by President Obama. That will leave roughly 68,000 troops in the country.

So how will this change the U.S. footprint in Afghanistan? I'm joined now by Colonel Roger Turner who commands Regimental Combat Team Five in the Helmand province. He is live from Camp Leather Neck, Afghanistan. Colonel, we really appreciate you joining us this morning.

President Obama is sticking to a 2014 deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan. Do you think the Afghan forces will actually be ready to run things on their own by that deadline?

COLONEL ROGER TURNER, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Yes. In the southern part of Helmand where we worked in -- in Regional Command Southwest, we saw the Afghan forces really get increasing capable over the year that we've been here and seeing them grow, not only the army, but the police, as well. So -- so they're -- they're doing very well.

SAMBOLIN: Do you see any weaknesses that concern you?

TURNER: I'm sorry, could you say that, again, please.

SAMBOLIN: I said do you see any weaknesses that concern you?

TURNER: We have some -- some concerns I think at the -- at the small unit level up to like the battalion size. They're doing well. There still needs to be some work at kind of the institutional level to continue to work on their training processes and logistics and things like that. and I think that's why that we -- looked to extend our stay here in Afghanistan for some time here to kind of continue to work with their more institutional capabilities. But they're doing great at the tactical level.

SAMBOLIN: So how would you compare the differences that you've seen from the time you got there until right now?

TURNER: Yes. It's been -- it's been very significant. Early in our time, they were really operating in very small teams. The Afghan forces, we've now been able to consolidate them into larger formations. And then that's increased their -- their independence on logistics. They -- they have their own fuel. They deliver their own water, food, ammunition and things like that to their own forces.

So they're -- that's been one of the biggest changes. We've also worked a lot with a lot of their specialized forces. Their artillery, their engineers, their explosive ordnance attacks. And well be able to get them up and working here recently, as well. So you know not only the forces but some of their specialized troops, as well.

SAMBOLIN: We know that the Coalition Forces have been successful in driving insurgents away from populated areas, but what more needs to be done and what are the concerns once the U.S. troops actually leave?

TURNER: I think we're -- we're set for success here for the near future. What I would like to see is, you know, the situation, especially in Helmand is increasingly safe and that international aid organizations can start to come in here and really backfill the military forces. The area is really right for development and the people, you know, it's necessary. The people would appreciate it and the security situation is safe enough that could allow those organizations to exist here.

SAMBOLIN: Well, thank you Marine Colonel Roger Turner for your time this morning. And we wish you luck.

TURNER: Well, thank you very much for having me today.

SAMBOLIN: Conflicting reports on the death of Usher's stepson are making their way across the Internet. We'll find out what is next for the family mourning the loss of that 11-year-old.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAMBOLIN: Usher is dealing with the tragic loss of his 11-year- old stepson today. Conflicting reports say he was taken off life support while a source close to the family is saying Usher's stepson died of heart failure.

Showbiz correspondent, Nischelle Turner is live in Los Angeles with all of the details for us. What can you tell us Nischelle?

NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know what; Zoraida, sources close to Kyle Glover's family are telling CNN that 11-year-old Kyle Glover the former stepson of the singer Usher Raymond, died of heart failure on Saturday after more than two weeks in the hospital following a boating accident on a Georgia Lake.

The source disputes the report saying that Glover was taken off life support. According to an accident report, Kyle was riding with a 15-year-old girl on an inner tube being pulled by a pontoon boat when a personal watercraft crashed into the children. Kyle suffered a serious head injury. He never recovered.

The boy's mother Tameka Raymond was married to Usher for two years. They have two other children together, ages 3 and 4. They divorced in 2009 and basically in all of this, Zoraida, it just seems like a very tragic, sad accident.

SAMBOLIN: Absolutely. A tragedy, indeed.

So, let's switch gears here to the Jackson family. They seem to be fighting over whether Katherine Jackson is actually missing or if she is ok. What can you tell us about that?

TURNER: Well, basically, this is a really public display of family dysfunction, it seems like. CNN has learned that Katherine Jackson told an Arizona law enforcement officer that she was fine on Sunday. Now, this was after a nephew reported her as missing on Saturday. The entire Jackson clan has actually been going back and forth on Twitter about this. Michael Jackson's three children said they didn't hear from their grandmother for a week after she left their southern California home that they all share. Paris Jackson, Michael's daughter, was on Twitter saying, "Yes, my grandmother is missing. I haven't spoken with her in a week, I want her home now."

But her uncle, Jermaine, responded on Twitter saying that Michael's children weren't being blocked from speaking to her. He said she was safe in Arizona with her daughter Rebbie and that she's resting up on doctor's advice. But once again, kind of a messy situation. But Katherine Jackson has apparently said that she's fine and not missing.

SAMBOLIN: Nischelle, you think somebody would have picked up the phone. Just all seems so bizarre.

TURNER: You know -- exactly. That's what the kids were saying. They just want to talk to her. They said they made several phone calls and were told every time she can't talk, she's resting. And so that's what I think maybe alarmed them. But basically it seems like family strife and maybe, you know, one person not talking to another and then something snowballs and you have this, a missing person's report.

SAMBOLIN: All right. Thank you very much. Showbiz correspondent, Nischelle Turner, thank you for being with us.

So you want information on everything breaking in the entertainment world? Watch "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 11:00 p.m. on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAMBOLIN: Just love the official music.

The U.S. has never medalled in badminton -- no gold, no silver, no bronze, ever. But America's 2012 men's doubles team has a pretty good shot of changing that in London.

Rob Marciano caught up with them and got a few pointers. He joins me from Atlanta. Rob, it sounds like a lot of fun. I have to tell I had no idea that we competed in badminton. But this is very serious competition.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is. It's been highlighting some of these sports that are kind of off your Olympic radar. Last week we did ping-pong or table tennis, also another sport that we've never medalled in.

But this sport is hugely popular outside of this country. But you know, you and I play here in this country, as well. But these guys take it to a whole other level.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARCIANO: Outside of the United States, the second most played sport in the world is -- believe it or not -- badminton. But state side, it hasn't caught on yet. In fact, the U.S. has never medalled in Olympic badminton. Men's doubles team Howard Bach and Tony Gunawan hope to change that in their final Olympics.

HOWARD BACH, U.S. OLYMPICAN: We want to make history and to get our first medal. Obviously a gold color is the best one, but I'm not going to complain if we get a silver or bronze.

MARCIANO: Gunawan is no stranger to the medal podium. He actually won gold for his native Indonesia in 2000. Now a U.S. Citizen, he realizes the impact he could have on the future of the sport.

TONY GUNAWAN, U.S. OLYMPIAN: It's our last shot for doing something for the U.S. And, you know, for the young players, our next generation, you know, to look up for us.

MARCIANO: They have the chance to do it. After all, they won a world championship together in 2005.

What are some of his best qualities?

BACH: He's a big brother on the court. There are times when I need leadership and he is able to provide that. And then when he needs energy, I can provide that, too. So that's kind of how we mix well together, I think.

MARCIANO: Olympic badminton. More than a backyard beer sport for sure. This thing can go 200, 250 miles an hour?

BACH: Yes. This is just normal when you turn. The racket follows. Just like a baseball pitch.

MARCIANO: Ok. Now you're talking my language. Ok.

BACH: There you go.

Nice.

MARCIANO: Badminton, it's not what you think it is.

BACH: Do not try this at home. Trained professionals only.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARCIANO: He means that when the thing is going 250 miles an hour, you want to be a trained professional. My skills are not what they used to be -- or what I thought they used to be. The first round, Zoraida is this Saturday. I think 4:00 is when you can catch it on TV.

But if you want to compete, you know, so often we use volleyball nets, the same as badminton. No, you have to lower that net to five feet and you have to bring it inside. Competitive badminton Zoraida, only happens inside. Next match I guess will be in your living room.

SAMBOLIN: Look, I'm going to test your knowledge. You know that little thing that you were holding that you hit with the racket, what is it called?

MARCIANO: Well, we call it, you know, a birdie, but the technical term is a shuttlecock. And it's got I think --

SAMBOLIN: Excellent.

MARCIANO: -- yes, 16 feathers. Real feathers. It's a pretty big deal.

SAMBOLIN: Check that out. You really did do your homework. Thank you very much, Rob. I never knew. So now I do. Thank you.

MARCIANO: All right, Zoraida. See you.

SAMBOLIN: So renewing the debate over gun control after what happened in Aurora. Advocates say the rampage points to the need for more regulation, but critics, you know, they don't think so. I'll have more on that very heated debate.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. LISA MASTERSON, CO-HOST, "THE DOCTORS": One in four women will die of heart disease. That's not get some form of heart disease like a heart attack and stroke, that is die. That's because the symptoms are different for women than men. That's why we have to start educating people about heart disease.

Typically people think of that crushing chest pain and that's very typical for men and that is the number one symptom in women, but, women can have also slightly more subtle symptoms. Fatigue that you can't account for. You're going to have nausea, vomiting, sweating, tremors. All these things can be a lot more subtle in women. That's why it's so important that women listen to their bodies because this kills more women than any other disease.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAMBOLIN: In the wake of the last tragedy in Colorado, gun control is once again a hot issue for politicians and for public debate. A Pew Research Center Poll shows Americans are almost evenly split on whether it's more important to control guns versus protect gun ownership.

But the differences are really highlighted along party lines. With Republicans overwhelmingly saying it's more important to protect gun ownership.

Our chief political correspondent Candy Crowley takes a closer look at this debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shooting at Century Theaters.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is an awful familiarity to the nation's reaction to the Colorado killings -- shock, anger, sadness and the gun control debate. REP. ED PERLMUTTER (D), COLORADO: I think this is really a congressional issue that has to be dealt with. You know, should we reinstate the assault weapons ban? I think we should.

GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER (D), COLORADO: This person, if we had, if there were no assault weapons available, if there were no this or no that, this guy is going to find something. He's going to know how to create a bomb.

CROWLEY: Few expect much more than words.

CHARLES RAMSEY, PHILADELPHIA POLICE COMMISSION: We talk about this constantly and absolutely nothing happens because many of our legislators, unfortunately, at the federal level, lack the courage to do anything.

CROWLEY: As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama had a record of supporting gun control. He favors an assault weapons ban. He won election despite the opposition of the National Rifle Association that pro-gun lobby that sway and money to spend of like-minded candidates.

President Obama has talked very little about gun control. In 2010 the Brady campaign, the most prominent group advocating further gun restrictions gave the President an F for leadership on the issue.

Mitt Romney signed an assault weapons ban as governor, he opposes it now and as of last April, almost anything else in gun control.

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need a president who will enforce current law not create new ones that only serve to burden lawful gun owners.

CROWLEY: Now about the courage thing, Congress passed a ten-year ban on more than a dozen kinds of assault weapons in 1994. Months later, Democrats lost the house majority. In 1999 --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Being equally divided, the vice president votes in the affirmative and the amendment is agreed to.

CROWLEY: Then Vice President Al Gore broke a tie in the Senate to pass a bill restricting gun show sales. Gore lost his presidential bid for many reasons, but by 2000, Democrats had concluded that gun control was bad politics.

In the past decade, three things have happened, Democrats have recruited pro-gun candidates in rural areas, the south and the interior west. The assault weapons ban expired and gun control has faded from the agenda.

Senator Dianne Feinstein sponsored the original assault weapons ban in 1994.

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: And there has been no action because there's been no outrage out there. People haven't rallied forward. CROWLEY: Reporter: she's right. Even in the face of mass shootings 00 Virginia Tech in 2007; Fort Hood 2009; Tucson 2011 -- public support for gun control has dropped.

Sunday as the President flew to visit the grieving families in Colorado his spokesman told reporters, the President believes steps can be taken under existing law to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAMBOLIN: I'm Zoraida Sambolin, in for Carol Costello. We thank you for joining us today. "CNN NEWSROOM" continues right now with Kyra Phillips.