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Deadly Street Game Displays Disturbing, Fast-Growing Trend; "Hunger Games" Hits Movie Theaters; Prank Call Into LAX; America's Top Diplomat Negotiating In Geneva Over Iranian Nuclear Program; Alex Rodriguez Awaits Verdict On Suspension

Aired November 23, 2013 - 15:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It's 3:00 on the east coast, noon out west. For those just joining us, welcome to the CNN Newsroom. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Here are the top stories that we're following at this hour.

People on the street knocked unconscious by criminals who consider their attack a game. The disturbing trend coming up.

And two different scares at Los Angeles international airport. One prompted this response from police.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone, on the ground!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody get down!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: We'll tell you what triggered that show of force.

And Jackie Kennedy's iconic pink suit. Find out where it is now and why the whereabouts of her famous pill box hat remains a mystery.

Talks on Iran's nuclear program appear to be moving closer to a deal. U.S. secretary of state John Kerry met with Iran's foreign minister today after arriving in Switzerland early this morning. And it sounds like if there is going to be a deal, today just might be the day.

Jim Sciutto is live for us now in Geneva.

So Jim, what's happening now?

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, today are or the early morning hours since that key meeting between secretary of state John Kerry and the Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif, the western diplomats, the top of the diplomats from the T5 plus one have met twice. And what they're doing now, both sides, is going over the wording of this proposed agreement right down, according to Iranian official, individual words in that agreement that may seem small but they have great meaning to both sides. And that's really an indication of the level of detail they're at right now. Some of the remaining issues, one deals with how long will Iran be under restrictions on its nuclear program? Something of very great importance to Iranians. When will they be quote "a normal country" in the view of the west, in the view of the world? That's key.

They're working. It's almost 9:00 here. No sign they're going to break up. In fact, the only break secretary of state John Kerry took earlier in the evening was to go buy chocolates, he said, for his wife for thanksgiving. So, that's the level of work and how busy they are now.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, good place to buy it.

All right. Jim Sciutto, thanks so much. Keep us abreast of developments there.

All right. So everything is running smoothly for travelers now at Los Angeles international airport. But that definitely was not the case last night. There were two separate scares there. They took place right around the same time -one in terminal 4, the other in terminal 5.

At terminal 4, an apparent prank call to police caused this chaotic scene. See all the people evacuated from the terminal. Authorities say it all began when a caller reported a gunman at the airport and that prompted this response --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone, on the ground!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody, get down!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Police evacuated the terminal, as you saw in the images earlier but didn't find anything suspicious and then gauge the all- clear. Earlier at terminal 5, an SUV crashed triggering a panicked reaction from passengers inside to simply because of the loud sound of that accident and not knowing what had taken place. Many people fled the terminal there. Police say the driver of that vehicle was actually suffering from a medical condition. She is hospitalized in good condition.

All right. People signing up for Obamacare will have a little bit more time in which to do so. The Obama administration is extending its deadline by one week. That gives people until December 23rd to sign up in order to have health coverage start in January.

Meantime, there are new reports from the "Washington Post" and "New York Times" on what happened right before the rollout of healthcare.gov.

Our Tory Dunnan joins us now live from Washington with more on this.

Tory, what is being said?

TORY DUNNAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All right. So Fred, as you know, November 30th is the self-imposed deadline for the administration to have healthcare.gov working for most users. So, as the clock ticks towards that day, the blame game is continuing.

And today there are new details emerging in both the "New York Times" and "Washington Post." Stick with me. This is complicated.

"The Times" described tensions between the Obama administration and the lead contractor, CGI, this just, months before the failed launch. With Sources saying, CGI told the administration that it was making impossible demands and administration officials insisting the October 1st launch was non-negotiable. Accusing CGI of missing deadlines and making excuses.

And here's the kicker. According to that report, the government agency's chief operating officer, Michelle Snyder, was telling her colleagues quote "if we could fire them, we would." The "Washington Post" article goes into depth about what people thought would and wouldn't work just days before the launch. Saving then in the final pre-flight checklist, 41 of 91 separate functions that CGI was responsible for finishing by the launch were still not working.

So, Fred, it really seems like today, and probably for the next few days and up until that November 30th deadline, that finger pointing is just going to continue.

WHITFIELD: And has there been any kind of response coming from the White House or anything else in the administration?

DUNNAN: Yes, I mean, Fred, we have heard from CMS, that is the agency overseeing healthcare.gov. They issued a response saying that this was a complex project with a very short timeline. So they prioritize what they considered to be the most essential functions, with the idea that they would then roll out the others online over time.

CGI has also responded saying what we understand our silence leaves us exposed to others conclusions. Out of respect for CMS and all our clients, we strongly believe in honoring our contractual commitments.

So, there you have it, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, pretty complicated. It only gets messier, doesn't it?

All right, Troy Dunnan. Thanks so much in Washington.

All right, we are also keeping an eye on a potentially dangerous storm system. Again, this one a little different from what we saw last weekend. This one is dumping ice and snow on parts of Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. It is moving east and threatens to bring a nor'easter to the Boston and New York areas just in time for turkey day. Other parts of the northeast could also get substantial snowfall.

And a horrifying new crime with deadly consequences. It's called the knockout game. Unsuspecting people sucker punched as they walk down the street. What makes anyone want to do this? We'll ask a psychologist.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right.

Now to the deadly game being played in streets across the country. But before I tell you more, let me warn you, some of the video we are about to show you is very graphic, and may not be suitable for children.

All right. Having that been said now, the game as it is being called might seem like a prank, but it is real and it's dangerous. And it involves sucker punching on suspecting victims. An incident in New York has been repeated, and reported as recently as last night and then there are other cases across the country in which one victim has died.

Let's bring in Lou Palumbo, retired law enforcement agent, and forensic psychologist J.Von Ornsteiner.

All right, so J. Von, let me begin with you. I mean, there's no good explanation here, but as far as you can tell, what is the underlying reason why people are doing this, and we understand that most of those who are suspected of doing it are teenagers.

J. VON ORNSTEINER, PSYCHOLOGIST: Yes. We have to look at the teenager. We have to look at the individual. More than likely, as an individual, these teenagers would not be committing these crimes by themselves. But in a group dynamic, that is really the thing that is going on here. These teenagers may, in fact, want attention, want power, want control, and the group is allowing them to do that. It's swaying them into these actions. And unfortunately, a teenager who has not doing well within their school placement, comes from a conflicted home, and I'm speculating here.

WHITFIELD: Yes. So, do we know this?

ORNSTEINER: We don't know this. But if I was to speculate, a person who's not doing well in their life but is seeking power and control and attention is joining in to this group for these actions, and these actions are giving them a thrill, are giving them attention, and are making them feel empowered.

In addition to that, because of surveillance cameras, because of You Tube, because of the media, they are not only seen by a couple people, they're seen by hundreds of thousands of individuals.

WHITFIELD: And you think that's fueling the desire, by those carrying out, to do this? To get that kind of publicity?

ORNSTEINER: Of course. I understand what you're saying, Fredricka. Unfortunately, negative attention can still be positive attention if you're not getting any attention at all and you feel unsuccessful within your life. You are not doing well within your school placement, if your family is not supportive or you don't even have a family in reality, you have this underlying anger, and then you're acting out and attacking a population that can't fight back, that shocks society. And on top of that, hundreds and thousands and possibly even millions are seeing this on You Tube or on some television. If you know where I'm going?

WHITFIELD: Yes. And I'm wondering, Lou, if people are less fascinated with the, why does anyone do this? Because it doesn't seem like there's ever going to be a reasonable explanation. But instead, you know, how do you put an end to this behavior, because no matter what, people are getting hurt and at least in one case as we understand, someone got, you know, killed? I mean, we're talking about some pretty serious potential head injuries being hit and falling on this concrete.

LOU PALUMBO, RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY: Well, I think the thing we need to focus on immediately is how we're going to bring this practice to a halt.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

PALUMBO: And that is -- that's of utmost importance. We can intellectualize this later and try figure out what the dynamic is in the inner city, or with the minorities and indigent people.

WHITFIELD: Right, which is exactly my point, how do you end this behavior?

PALUMBO: Well, one way you do it is, you know, from the position of law enforcement agency is you assemble a team of law enforcement agents, undercover, plain clothes, form a task force, go out in the street, make arrests. The next part of this deterrence, deals with how this people are charge, how the crime is classified, and how we sentence them going forward from here.

WHITFIELD: And when you say classified, I heard some language earlier, we talked to some legal analysts who are talking about, you know, hate crime. Maybe you labeled it a hate crime simply because people are being targeted. But, isn't there much more to the targeting of these innocents, you know, pedestrians, and how difficult would it be to label this as a hate crime? And not just simply an assault or attempted murder or something?

PALUMBO: Well, in order to have a hate crime, there has to be some attachment to someone's ethnic background or religious denomination, for example. And that's one of the things that is being alleged at this point. They are trying to say that the victims are, for example -- I heard one individual, one gentleman say, they're all Jewish. They're clearly all Caucasians. It appears the perpetrators are all black. So all of these little components or elements start to spurn thought or consideration for, is this actually a hate crime?

But separate and apart from that is the significance of how we classify their acts and begin a prosecution. In other words, if you understand or read the penal law in the state of New York, under the murder statute, in paragraph two, it lends itself to depraved indifference towards human life, which clearly this is an example of.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

PALUMBO: Based and that statement, you then must go forward and charge them with a crime properly.

WHITFIELD: It is so disturbing, no matter what and disturbing to see the image is. Apologize for those who have to, you know, dealt -- make the point of how heinous this is by you having to see it over and over again. That is certainly, everyone agrees an end has to be brought to that behavior.

Thanks so much, gentlemen. Appreciate it, Lou Palumbo J. Von Ornsteiner.

PALUMBO: Thank you.

ORNSTEINER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, coming up, baseball star Alex Rodriguez storms out of a hearing on his massive suspension. A lawyer connected to his legal team, joining us to give new insight into A-Rod's case.

But first, Pope Francis is having a pretty good year. We'll look at what has made him so popular, and also, controversy.

And we're preparing our own holiday tradition with CNN "Heroes." It is an all-star tribute. It is a celebration of the top ten heroes of the year and their work helping others. The star-studded gala airs next Sunday, December 1st at 8:00.

CNN's entertainment correspondent Nischelle Turner gives us a behind- the-scenes peek of the preparations for the big event.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, everybody. I'm Michelle Turner.

And I'm going to give you a backstage look at what it takes to put this whole "CNN Heroes" award show together. Are you ready for this? This is going to be cool.

All right. Come with me.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER: This year, we're back in New York, baby, at the American museum of natural history where the very first "CNN heroes" took place seven years ago.

KELLY FLYNN, SENIOR EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, CNN HEROES: And I can't believe it's been that long and we're thrilled to be back here. It's iconic and it's beautiful.

TURNER (voice-over): And the first stop of the night for these everyday heroes and celebrities -- the red carpet.

(on camera): Look at it in here. Look at all of these lights. You know, work like this takes hundreds of people to set up, working around the clock. And then the centerpiece of the evening. This year CNN Heroes will be honored right here in the whale room where one of the museum's biggest treasures will be watching over us all night. I'm talking about this lady right here. But that's not all that has to be done to get ready for this special event, 51 tables to set up. nine cameras to put in place and one giant video monitor.

JEFF KEPNES, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, CNN SPECIAL EVENTS: You wouldn't believe just really what it takes to put something like this on, and, you know, we had of two days to bring it in and set it all up.

TURNER (voice-over): Transforming this beautiful room from this to this, all to honor ten everyday people who are changing the world.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, AC 360: It's just a nice thing to honor these people. These people, they don't get the limelight. They don't get honored. They don't have celebrities saying their names and praising their work. It's a nice thing for them. It's a nice pat on the back.

TURNER (voice-over): A pat on the back from CNN that becomes a very special night of inspiration.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: As Pope Francis gets ready to celebrate the holiday season, millions of people will be listening to what he says that includes more than just the devout. Only eight months into his papacy and he's already wildly popular and even a little controversial.

Here's CNN Chris Cuomo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The cheers are so loud you'd think it's a rock star. To many, he is. Pope Francis, the first pontiff from South America already beloved by the faithful for his humility and hands-on approach.

Just ten days on the job, he got down on bended flee to wash the feet of juvenile delinquents, one a Muslim. This month he made headlines for his compassionate embrace of these disabled men. He didn't mind when this little boy upstaged him during a homily simply smiling, patting the boy's head, even accepting a kiss on the cross hanging around his neck.

Pope Francis is also making waves with hot button social issue, chastising the church for being too consumed with gay marriage, contraception and abortion, a cause for concern among some conservatives.

When asked about his thoughts on homosexuality, the Pope answered simply, who am I to judge? This month he announced he's asking Catholics in a poll to share their thoughts on the new modern family. Pope Francis shunned the official papal apartments for more modest quarter, and gets around in a 1984 Renault. All to have more daily contact with ordinary people. He's a Pope that people can relate to, not just from the pews but on social media as well. A verified Vatican man with more than 10 million followers on twitter. He even appeared in a selfie.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And tomorrow, the pontiff asked that the bones of St. Peter be displayed. And later in the week, Russian president Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with the Pope. More on all that tomorrow.

All next, in the CNN NEWSROOM, the business of being successful for the eyes of Hollywood's hottest actress, Jennifer Lawrence.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: "Hunger Games" star Jennifer Lawrence is burning up the big screen. The second movie in the wildly popular series opened this weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENNIFER LAWRENCE, ACTRESS: We have to go, before they kill us. They will kill us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about the other families? The ones who stay? What happens to them? People are looking to you, Katniss.

LAWRENCE: I don't want anyone looking to me. I can't help them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Lawrence shot the film after the first movie came out and "Catching Fire" is on track to push her career even further.

Chief business correspondent Christine Romans has more.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

"Hunger Games: catching fire," out this weekend and that means big money for the girl on fire. Here's a look at the business of being Jennifer Lawrence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS (voice-over): One Oscar, two hit franchises and the highest grossing action heroine of all time is hungry for more. Jennifer Lawrence was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She started her acting career when she was just a teenager, but her true star turn came at the age of 20 in "Winter's Bone." The gritty role resulted in Lawrence becoming one of the youngest women ever nominated for best actress. Two years later she won taking home an Oscar for her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook," arise with only 12 bit small stumble. LAWRENCE: I'm sorry. I did a shot.

ROMANS (voice-over): Lawrence is also up for fun and games. She became mystique in the "X-Men" franchise and then went from comic book hero to superstardom as the lead in the wildly popular "Hunger Games."

LAWRENCE: I volunteer as tribute!

ROMANS (voice-over): Hardly a volunteer, Lawrence earned $500,000 and the first installment of the "Hunger Games" series made almost $700 million worldwide. Time to ask the boss for a raise. Lawrence will get $10 million to reprise her role at Katniss Everdean for the sequel "Catching Fire."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The girl on fire!

ROMANS (voice-over): Forbes named her second highest paid actress binging home $26 million in the last year.

LAWRENCE. It is really such a wonderful life.

ROMANS (voice-over): but even with all the cast, Lawrence is very careful with her spending. She might be the face of Dior, but she says she's still a bargain shopper.

LAWRENCE: End up staying at the Day's inn.

ROMANS (voice-over): The business of being Jennifer Lawrence, international superstar may seem like its all glitz and glamour these day, just don't tell her that.

LAWRENCE: It's so awkward.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: And on top of that $10 million, she could get even more in bonuses if "Catching Fire" is the blockbuster everyone expects -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Thanks, big stuff.

All right. Thanks so much, Christine.

All right, the winter Olympic games in Russia, just 75 days away. The torch is on its way to the host city of Sochi, Russia. And take a look at this. It actually went underwater, right there, this morning. Divers took it into a Russian lake. It is the deepest freshwater lake in the world. How did that do that? Well, the torch stayed lit during the swim because it was made using a special burner. Some like flares are used at sea. The games begin February 7th. Cool stuff.

All right. One of baseball's biggest stars is now waiting for a judge to decide if he will get the game's longest-ever suspension. We'll look at Alex Rodriguez's defense to allegations that he took performance enhancing drugs.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, perhaps you noticed, but Alex Rodriguez was full of fireworks this week at a contentious hearing on his appeal to his 211 game suspensions. The hearing ended Thursday without the baseball star after he stormed out earlier in the week. A-Rod is fighting the suspension, which was handed down with the accusation that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

Jason Carroll has more on his explosive response.

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, this is something that had been building for quite some time. Rodriguez is basically saying he was so upset, he just quote "lost his mind." He called the entire proceeding disgusting. This all happening behind closed doors in private. But then Rodriguez went public.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEX RODRIGUEZ, NEW YORK YANKEES THIRD BASEMAN: I banged the table and kicked. A briefcase and slammed out of the room.

CARROLL (voice-over): Alex Rodriguez crying foul. So angry with major league baseball's commissioner and the league's investigation into allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs he went to the airwaves to vent his frustration, and to deny he used PEDs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Did you do any PEDs?

RODRIGUEZ: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Did you obstruct just anybody, any witnesses? Did you do anything that they accused you of doing?

RODRIGUEZ: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Nothing?

RODRIGUEZ: No.

CARROLL (voice-over): Rodriguez appeared and Mike France's radio show on WFAN, just hours after he stormed out of an arbitration hearing about his 211-game suspensions. Furious that the arbitrator decided major league baseball commissioner Bud Selig would not have to testify.

RODRIGUEZ: I exploded. I was very upset. I probably overreacted, but, it just came from the heart, and this has been a very difficult process.

CARROLL (voice-over): Rodriguez attorneys wanted to question Selig on a number of points. They allege MLB investigators used unethical tactics including intimidating witnesses into making false accusations about Rodriguez.

RODRIGUEZ: My only message to the commissioner is I know you don't like New York, but come to New York and face the music. UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: What about you? Does he like you?

RODRIGUEZ: He hates my guts. There is no question about it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Have you ever gotten along with him? You think this is personal?

RODRIGUEZ: I don't think they like big salaries. One hundred percent is personal. And I think it's about his legacy and it is about my legacy and he's trying to destroy me. And by the way, he is retiring in 2014, and to put me on his big mantel on the way out, that's a hell of a trophy.

CARROLL (voice-over): MLB denies their investigators did anything unethical. And as for Rodriguez walking out, this statement.

Despite Mr. Rodriguez being upset with one of arbitration panel rulings today, major league baseball remains committed to this process and to a fair resolution of the pending dispute.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: The preceding is now over. Rodriguez did not attend the final day. It is now up to the arbitrator to make his decision and we are hearing, Fredricka, that should happen within the next several weeks -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Jason Carroll.

So, that hearing ended without A-Rod telling his side of the story to the arbitrator, who will make the decision on his suspension.

I'm joined now by Lanny Davis, the attorney for Rodriguez's legal and media team and Joe Carter with CNN sports.

All right, gentlemen. Lanny, begin with you. Just a little background for a lot of folks. You're author of a "Couple Crisis Tales," and you've also worked with big clients in crisis management from the Clinton administration even to Martha Stewart.

So Lanny, you first. Explain your role for the Rodriguez team.

LANNY DAVIS, ALEX RODRIGUEZ'S LEGAL AND MEDIA TEAM: Well, I focus on violations of fairness and due process, and rather than using the general expression ethical rules, let me state a fact, not denied by major league baseball. They paid $125,000 in cash for stolen property delivered in a satchel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More out of a scene from boardwalk empire than our national pastime.

Those investigative tactics and the fact Bud Selig doesn't have the guts, after announcing someone is guilty on national television, before the trial begins, he doesn't have the guts to show up in person to be cross-examined. My role is to point out the absence of fairness and the loss of perspective by Commissioner Selig on the legacy he owes to the national pastime. WHITFIELD: But, aren't there going to be some who say that A-Rod doesn't have the guts to go ahead and testify. Instead deciding to walk out and, you know, state his case on radio as opposed to saying it On the Record?

DAVIS: Well, that sounds like someone in Lewis Carroll's "Alice in wonderland," when the queen of hearts announced the verdict is guilty. Now let's hear the evidence. The person on trial is going to stand up and say, wait a minute. This is a kangaroo court. I'm out of here.

Everybody watches knows that Bud Selig should have faced the music and confronted the person that he accuses, rather than do it on Letterman, on national television, pronouncing the verdict and not telling everyone that 11 random tests during the time period where Alex Rodriguez is accused of using PEDs, 11 tests, negative. Selig doesn't say that. He doesn't show up to confront to answer that. And instead he allows $125,000 in cash as if he's a character in boardwalk empire. That's why he doesn't want to show up, because he doesn't want to answer those questions.

WHITFIELD: Well Joe, let me bring you in to this because you've been covering this for a long time. And the fact that he did storm out leaves a lot of questions, but how is that being interpreted, and is that superseding any or all of what Lanny Davis is saying?

JOE CARTER, CNN SPORTS: Well, I have to agree with Lanny in the sense that certainly Bud Selig and major league baseball, they have been no saints in this entire process. But you got a guy, Alex Rodriguez, to the last couple of years, is always proclaimed his innocence.

You know, we don't have a smoking gun here. It means, we don't have a positive drug test.

WHITFIELD: Yes, all negative.

CARTER: All negatives. So, here's a guy who said that he is fighting for his life, he is fighting for his baseball legacy and here he has the opportunity to testify in front of the one man, Fredric Horo Witz, the arbitrator, who basically holds his baseball fate in his hands, he has the opportunity to bring forward all the evidence that makes him innocent, to make his case in front of that guy. And two days before he's supposed to testify, he storms out and decides to create this scene, and then go on national radio and proclaim his case there.

So, my problem with this is, if you're innocent, then fight it until the end. I understand that he has definitely been tried out in the court of public opinion. No doubt. People already calling him guilty without a fair process. But here's your one opportunity to make your case. Your one opportunity to say this is what I have to prove my innocence and he took the road of basically abandoning ship.

WHITFIELD: Right.

CARTER: So, from our perspective, we're thinking, OK, you know, you have a drug program in place, this great program since 2002. There's been 12 arbitrations hearings since then. All 12 players have testified once they've been given their chance to testify. And most recent being Ryan Braun. Why are you not taking the opportunity to state your case to say, I believe that the legal team and the plan all along has been, they don't want to ever have him of it under oath. If you case to know what happens if get caught testifying lying under oath, you go to jail.

WHITFIELD: So Lanny, what is your respond to that? What is the logic? What's the psychology there?

DAVIS: Well, first of all, I appreciate Joe's perspective. But his statement of belief it's not a statement of fact. I'll tell you what the fact is. If you're in front of a kangaroo court and the queen of hearts says you're guilty, now I'll hear the evidence, there's a pretty tough judgment call to know how Joe would do it if he was personally involved. Duly legitimize that Selig refusing to testify then he is going to come in having already been accused on national television by the person that is assessed 211 games penalty. So I can understand Joe's viewpoint. But at least understand this. He would have testified had Selig had the courage of at least having the optics of a fair process rather than appearing in court.

WHITFIELD: But why is his testimony predicated on what Bud Selig does?

DAVIS: Because the cross-examination of Selig is very important to put in to the record that he has no evidence, other than Tony Bausch. Let's understand, there's no evidence, other than negative random testing, 11 of them, during the two-year time period that Selig has imposed a 211 penalty. No positive test for PEDs and Selig needs to be asked by Rodriguez' lawyer, then Rodriguez comes back and says, back to Mr. Selig, so what's your evidence besides Bausch who by the way is under federal investigation for distributing drugs to teenagers.

And Joe, you know that the major league baseball investigators did a deal with Bausch, the guy distributing drugs to teenagers, to help him in order to get --

CARTER: We know that. But Alex Rodriguez has a smart legal team including yourself, why wouldn't -- what you would know all along Bud Selig is never going to testify. He hasn't testified since 2010.

DAVIS: Time out. That's not true.

CARTER: He did before this was put in place. But recently in the last 10 years, he hasn't. The last 12 cases, he hasn't. So, would you grab six other people that are similar or close or can at least make the case that you would want with Selig, could you grab six other people, you know, other people close to him in major league baseball to help make the case on your side and couldn't you get the case in both the arbitration hearing and the court of public opinion?

DAVIS: Joe, you're a great reporter and deal in facts. You've been spun by baseball. Selig testified five out of seven times. And this is the first time --

CARTER: Before the new agreement was in place.

DAVIS: This is the first time under the new drug program, he's refused -- are you hiding behind -- not you. Selig is hiding behind the fact he hasn't testified when this is the first time under the new drug program he made the accusation that Alex Rodriguez was guilty on national television before trial. And if it were you, you wouldn't walk into a kangaroo court like that. This is about fundamental fairness. Alex Rodriguez said publicly, I have not done PEDs and that is his statement, and that is what was --

CARTER: And he said it on a radio program after he had the opportunity to say it under oath in front of the arbitrator. The only man who will made the decision on whether or not he's playing baseball again. This is the one guy that stands between him and his legacy on the baseball diamond. He has 211 games. That puts him back at baseball when he is close to 40. Well, in the 2015 if he have all the 211 games.

DAVIS: I agree with you. It's a terrible situation that he faces and a terrible dilemma. And I certainly agree with you, it's a close call. But as to what you didn't say that was true, because you've been misled by I think deliberately by baseball, Bud Selig was on the witness list until the day before his representative announce that he wasn't coming. The fact that he's hiding behind closed doors and isn't willing to confront you or Mr. Rodriguez or anyone to justify 211 games when there isn't a single positive test out of 11 times random testing, he's not willing to confront anyone, because he'd rather do it behind closed doors and give cash over-the-counter in a diner as a segment of boardwalk empire. That he seems comfortable doing.

WHITFIELD: We are going to have to leave it right there. We know it over until it's over, right?

All right, Lanny Davis, thank you so much. Joe Carter, appreciate it.

Thank you, gentlemen.

DAVIS: Thank you, Joe.

WHITFIELD: All right, many people are remembering president John F. Kennedy's assassination 50 years ago. That day started off on a happy note.

And one memorable image is of the first lady's pink suit. So, what happened to that outfit? The answer, next.

But first, three-time Olympic champion Gail Devers deservers became the fastest woman in the world. But she has to face a life- threatening hurdle along the way. Chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has her story in today's "Human Factor."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gail Devers has got away quickly. DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For 15 years, Gail Devers is one of the fastest women in the world. Known almost as well for her long fingernails as her Olympic and world championship.

GAIL DEVERS, THREE-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: Things were going very well. I have set an American record.

GUPTA: Devers was qualified for her first Olympics in 1988. But when it came time to compete, her body failed her.

DEVERS: I went slower than the first time I ever ran when I ever stepped on the track.

GUPTA: Her hair started falling out. Her once long nails broke and she started losing a lot of weight.

DEVERS: At my worst, I was under like 85 pounds.

GUPTA: Her symptoms continued for nearly three years without a diagnosis.

DEVERS: I actually had covered up the mirrors in my house because I didn't want to see myself.

GUPTA: Just when Devers was giving up --

DEVERS: It wasn't a good time.

GUPTA: Her specialist confirmed grave's disease. In auto-immune disease of the thyroid gland. Devers got radiation treatment but as a side effect, she developed painful blood blisters on her feet.

DEVERS: I stopped walking because it hurt so bad.

GUPTA: It was so bad, doctors nearly amputated her feet.

DEVERS: I just remember sitting there saying, oh, my God. Oh, my God.

GUPTA: Eventually, doctors found a way to treat them. And a year and a half later, Devers was back in her running shoes competing in the 1992 Olympics.

DEVERS: It was just seeing that flying and never losing sight of it, no matter what obstacles you have to go through.

GUPTA: Devers won gold.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ready, go!

GUPTA: Today she's married with two children and helping other kids achieve their goals.

DEVERS: What is in that happened to me in my life that I can share with somebody else. You know? Just to help them make it through. GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Fifty years ago this week, first lady Jackie Kennedy dressed up in a pink suit as she accompanied her husband on what would be a fateful trip to Dallas. Now that suit is an iconic image from the day president John F. Kennedy was assassinated. It is a symbol not only of what happened but also of her grace in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

Here's CNN's Randi Kaye.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the words of President John F. Kennedy, she looked smashing in it, which may be why the president asked Jackie Kennedy to wear her now famous watermelon pink suit to Dallas on November 22nd, 1963.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The usual welcoming committee presents Mrs. Kennedy with a bouquet of red roses.

KAYE (voice-over): It looked like Coco Chanel. But her suit was actually a knockoff, made in America. The first lady had worn it at least six times before that fateful day. Here she is in 1962 awaiting the arrival of prime minister of Algeria, that's John Jr. in her arms. In Dallas on November 22nd at this Ft. Worth chamber of commerce breakfast, the president even joked about his wife's fashion scents.

JOHN F. KENNEDY, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nobody wonders what Lyndon and I wear.

KAYE (voice-over): Later that day, President Kennedy would be dead. And the first lady's stunning pink suit stained forever with her husband's blood would begin a long and mysterious journey.

When aides suggested she change her clothes after the shooting, she refused. Phillip Shenon wrote a book about the Kennedy assassination.

PHILIP SHENON, AUTHOR, A CRUEL AND SHOCKING ACT: Her remark, and I think she made it once was, no, I'm going to leave these clothes on. I want them to see what they have done.

KAYE (voice-over): Hours later, Mrs. Kennedy continued to wear the suit during the emergency swearing in of Lyndon Johnson as president.

SHENON: That whole scene is obviously just surreal. She arrives in the cabin in Air Force One in this clothes covered with the president's blood and expected to stand there and witness the swearing in of her husband's successor.

KAYE (voice-over): Mrs. Kennedy was still in her suit when she arrived later that evening at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where she received her husband's body, the president's brother at her side in the middle of the night.

Once at the White House, her personal maid put the suit in a bag so Mrs. Kennedy wouldn't have to look at it. Then, sometime in 1964, the blood-stained suit arrived here at the national archives building in the nation's capitol. It came in a box along with a handwritten note from Jackie Kennedy's mother on her personal stationery. It read simply Jackie's suit and bag worn November 22nd, 1963.

(on camera): All this time, Mrs. Kennedy's pink suit has been forbidden from public view and will likely stay that way for a very long time. In 2003 after her mother's death, Caroline Kennedy gave the suit to the people of the United States with the understanding that it wouldn't be put on public display for 100 years until 2103. And even then the Kennedy family must be consulted before any attempt is made to display the suit. All in effort to avoid sensationalizing that horrible act.

(voice-over): And it's believed only a handful of people, maybe only as few as two, have seen the suit since. Along with the suit and also hidden from view in the new archives in Maryland, the blue blouse Mrs. Kennedy wore in Dallas. Her stockings, blue shoes and blue purse. What they don't have is the first lady's pink pillbox hat.

SHENON: The hat is a mystery. The hat apparently goes to the secret service initially and the secret service turns it over to Mrs. Kennedy's private secretary and then it disappears. It has not been seen since.

KAYE (voice-over): The archive is making every effort to preserve the suit. It's stored in a windowless vault in an acid-free container where the air is changed every 20 minutes or so to properly maintain the woolen cloth. It is kept at a temperature of 65 to 68 degrees which is best for the fabric. The suit's story, a perfect ending for a first lady who craved privacy after so much pain.

Randi Kaye, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. We've got much more straight ahead in the NEWSROOM. But first, let's talk about Sunday, tomorrow, this programming note Sunday means politics on CNN, Candy Crowley hosts "STATE OF THE UNION" at 9:00 in the morning. You can watch "FAREED ZAKARIA GPS" at 10:00 a.m. followed by "RELIABLE SOURCES" at 11:00 a.m. All right, that tomorrow morning, right here on CNN.

But first, I want to give big old shout-out happy birthday to this young woman right here, 21st birthday, Miley Cyrus. The megastar tweeted that she wanted nothing more than to spend time with her pooches, her dogs. Is that where the whole tongue hanging out stuff came from? You can see everything Miley tonight, that's where you're going to find out the answer to that whole tongue thing tonight on CNN, "The Life Of Miley" airs at 7:30 eastern time.

That's going to do it for me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Much more in the NEWSROOM straight ahead with my colleague, Martin Savidge.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Hi, how are you?

SAVIDGE: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: So, all those questions you had about Miley Cyrus and her shoot to stardom all tonight.

SAVIDGE: I know. I follow. I follow.

WHITFIELD: OK, very good. We'll learn more. More to be revealed.

SAVIDGE: All right, nice to see you.

WHITFIELD: Have a good one.