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More Protests Expected in Border Fight; The Trial that Riveted America; Obama Honors Troops on July 4th
Aired July 04, 2014 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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ANA CABRERA, CNN ANCHOR: The fight over American citizenship reaching a fever pitch this Fourth of July. Ground zero in this battle: Murrieta, California where the government may be bringing in more buses of undocumented immigrants for processing. Protests are expected, and some people fear this could be uglier than what we saw earlier this week.
We're showing you video of that. Dozens of angry protestors were shouting "go home" as they met three buses of undocumented immigrants that were transferred from the overwhelmed Texas border facilities.
CNN's Kyung Lah is following this all.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Attention U.S. border patrol --
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A lone Internet radio host and a side kick continue to protest outside the border patrol station in Murrieta, California.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're bringing this in.
LAH: He and others promise they'll be out in force for an anticipated Fourth of July arrival of more undocumented immigrants to this facility -- a move dividing and polarizing this once quiet bedroom community in southern California.
After this, the blockade by protestors forcing three buses of 140 undocumented migrants from Central America, many of them women and child, to leave.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Use the word "illegal aliens".
LAH: Then a heated town hall pitting resident against resident along cultural lines. Murrieta is this week's ground zero for U.S. immigration policy.
ARIAS CABRERA, MURRIETA RESIDENT: I don't think the city is prepared for this. I don't think so.
LAH: What's driving these two sides? Murrieta resident Steve Hesson (ph) who runs a plumbing company and never took a political stand before has gone from the bus protest to verbal sparring at the town hall and promises to keep the heat on.
STEVE HESSON, MURRIETA RESIDENT: These people are probably so excited to be here. And all of a sudden then they look out the windows and go on "oh my gosh, what's happening".
LAH: You were blocking their way in.
HESSON: Not because of them. Because of standing firm letting the officials know this is not the right way to handle this.
LAH: On the other side, Murrieta resident Lupillo Rivera better known for his partying Mexican music has suddenly become for the migrant rights side a new hero. After this protestor spit in his face and others slung visual and verbal slurs at him.
LUPILLO RIVERA, MURRIETA RESIDENT: It was completely uncalled for. We are here on a protest. In a protest, we act like adults. We're not here to fight.
LAH: Mirroring the national fight -- both sides digging in and refusing to back down on this Independence Day.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAH: Live here now in Murrieta, California what you're looking at is the border patrol. They've blocked off the entrance that drive into the border patrol station. Just standing above them -- standing just to the left of the entranceway you can see that these are pro migrant group protestors. And on the other side of the street, this is the anti-immigration group. So both of the sides are here already -- it's only 7:30 in the morning.
We don't know, Ana, if any of these groups, these -- the 140 that arrived on Tuesday, if they're even going to be coming here because immigrations and customs enforcement now says that they will not be telling anyone citing safety concerns -- Ana.
CABRERA: Interesting. They're keeping it hush to try to calm some of the tension that's there.
Kyung stay with us.
I also want to bring in immigration attorney, David Leopold. David -- this all started in Texas. Yesterday, Governor Rick Perry asserted that letting undocumented immigrants stay here in the U.S. is actually worse for them. I want you to listen to this.
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GOV. RICK PERRY (R), TEXAS: Whether it's -- whether it's the right decision from my perspective to immediately deport them or the short- sided and tragic decision to essentially turn them loose in the United States, some may think, you know, allowing them to stay here it's a more humane option. I assure you it's not.
(END VIDEO CLIP) Ana: So David, what do you think about that?
DAVID LEOPOLD, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY: Well, look, I think that we need to take some surefooted approaches and we need to protect these children. Let's look at this in context -- Ana. These kids are coming through Mexico. They're coming because of criminal smugglers, drug cartel corridors. These kids arrive hungry. They arrive tired. They've been abused. Many of the young girls have been raped.
Our primary purpose as a country should be to protect these children. And how do we best protect them? By stopping that awful flow. Somebody's making a lot of money off that flow. And I think the President this week announced some surefooted tough measures to take care of it.
We have to protect those kids because Ana, listen, if we continue to standby and do nothing while these children are persuaded to come up here and many of them, by the way, die along the way, are raped, are killed. That poor boy from Guatemala found near Texas, all of that will be on us. All of it will be on us as Americans and we need to stop the flow.
Ana: Everybody, I think, can agree that this is a situation that is just a tough one on both sides.
Kyung -- how are authorities handling that there in California? Have you gotten any word of if today is the last day that they're bringing people there, or is this something that you anticipate is going to continue?
LAH: We've asked that directly to immigrations and customs enforcement and what they're telling us is that because of what has been happening out here in Murrieta, they don't want to publicize exactly where these migrants will be taking their movements because everywhere they're going, they're anticipating that this is what people are going to see.
And they are concerned about this conflict, this clash between the pro immigration and pro migrant group -- pro migrant groups and anti-immigration forces. They are concerned about what happens in these small towns because what's happening, in order for the federal government to cope with that overcrowding, these are the communities that they're going to. The communities are saying, frankly that they want to be involved in the conversation before they arrive here.
Ana: So it's in California now. Previously it was in Arizona. Again these immigrants are coming, being bussed, being and flown into different states now because Texas is so overwhelmed by the streams of these immigrants that are coming in from Honduras, Guatemala, other countries in Central America.
David, what do you think are the Obama administration's options? I know I've heard the idea floated that maybe an ankle tracking bracelet would be one idea instead of trying to take them to detention centers. LEOPOLD: Well, there are plenty of options, you know. But I'd like
to point out one thing. You know, Americans and especially today when we celebrate America's birthday and we celebrate the welcoming nation that we are, the fabric of our culture which comes from immigrants from all other the world. It's immigration and good immigrations that made this country.
But that said, you know, what's inflaming these people in Murrieta, Georgia (SIC), you know, when I see the chairman of the house judiciary committee, Bob Goodlatte and I see Darrel Issa, a representative from California going down to the border yesterday for a photo op -- a photo op at the border rather than staying in Washington and working with the President to solve this problem, they're inflaming, the GOP house of representatives by doing nothing on immigration.
Ana: But what would be the solution? As opposed to -- yes, we see the politics playing out. What do you think is the solution because this has to stop? It's a humanitarian crisis at this point.
LEOPOLD: Right. Absolutely. And you're right. The solution number one is to stop that flow. How do you stop that flow? Number one, you shut down those corridors in Mexico. Number two, you make sure that the information in places like El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras is correct that there is no permiso -- there is no easy stay in the United States when they get out there.
Now, we do have to deal with the tens of thousands of children that are here. How do we do that? Well, we have to protect them. So we have to make sure they are screened for asylum claims; that they're screened to make sure they're not going to be subject to severe trafficking.
And you know, we have people within the Department of Homeland Security. It's called the asylum corps -- that's what they do. And one suggestion I think would be to send them down there to make sure that these kids can be fairly and quickly screened.
Ana: All right.
LEOPOLD: But the lion's share are going to have to go back and be repatriated with their families -- family reunification.
Ana: David Leopold, we have to leave it at that. Thank you so much for joining us. Also thanks to Kyung Lah continuing to stay on top of this reporting.
Still to come, it's been three years since the death penalty trial of the century as some have called it. We'll bring you some exclusive details about Casey Anthony today.
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Ana: Hard to believe it's already been three years tomorrow. America riveted, waiting for the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial. Now we have exclusive new photos and details never revealed at the trial. Here's Jean Casarez.
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JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: July 2011, hundreds gather outside the courthouse in Orlando, Florida to wait for a verdict in what many say was the death-penalty trial of the century, the case against Casey Anthony.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As to the charge of first-degree murder, verdict as to count one, we, the jury, find the defendant not guilty.
CASAREZ: The case ended as dramatically as it started, with a call to 911 from a panicked grandmother.
CINDY ANTHONY, CAYLEE ANTHONY'S GRANDMOTHER (via telephone): There's something wrong. I found my daughter's car today, and it smells like there's been a dead body in the damn car.
CHENEY MASON, ATTORNEY FOR CASEY ANTHONY: We had a missing child who was absolutely adorable and a beautiful young woman, mother, 22 years of age, and had the grandmother screaming that on the phone.
CASAREZ: Suspicion fell on Casey Anthony. Police believed her stories weren't adding up, her little girl Caylee taken by the nanny that no one could find. And pictures like these suggesting that while her daughter was missing she was partying sparked public outrage.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you kill Caylee?
CASAREZ: Cheney Mason, an experienced death penalty lawyer, was watching from the sidelines while Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, was coming under scrutiny for his lack of experience. Baez asked for help, Mason decided to meet with Anthony.
MASON: They brought her into the room, and I'm sitting there looking at this child herself and saying this can't be.
CASAREZ: But it was. The state gave notice they were seeking the death penalty against Anthony for the premeditated murder of Caylee, whose skeletal remains were finally found close the family's home in Orlando, Florida, about five months after she went missing.
Could she look you in the eye?
MASON: Oh, yes.
CASAREZ: What was her demeanor?
MASON: She was afraid, unsure about really anything of what was going to happen, how it was going happen.
CASAREZ: Mason, in his new book, "Justice in America", describes for the first time calling Casey's parents, George and Cindy, to his office late on a Friday afternoon shortly before jury selection began. Mason had just received word that Casey's handwritten letters describing sexual abuse by her father were about to be released publicly.
MASON: We had them, one at a time, come into my personal office and made the announcement and told them, you know, "Monday is going to be a bad day for you, George. And I felt, man to man, I ought to tell you in advance."
CASAREZ: What was his reaction?
MASON: Basically none. He looked at me and kind of turned sideways a little bit and clapped his hands down on his thighs and let out a big sigh. Didn't say anything.
CASAREZ: George Anthony never admitted to Mason any inappropriate conduct with Casey.
MASON: Then called mom in, Cindy, and told her, and she immediately welled up with tears and emotion and cried and was very upset.
CASAREZ: Once a jury was selected, this death-penalty trial began, and Jose Baez turned the case on its head by announcing this bombshell in his opening statement.
JOSE BAEZ, CASEY ANTHONY'S ATTORNEY: And it all began when Casey was eight years old, and her father came into her room and began to touch her inappropriately.
MASON: I didn't know that he was going to say that. I was concerned about that, because I knew that we didn't have the ability to prove that unless George got on the stand and confessed.
CASAREZ: Prosecutors made George Anthony their first witness.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you ever sexually molested your daughter Casey Anthony?
GEORGE ANTHONY, CAYLEE ANTHONY'S GRANDFATHER: No, sir.
CASAREZ: Testimony in the case continued for weeks as witness after witness and forensic experts from around the country took the stand in this circumstantial case. While the trial was being hotly contested in and out of the courtroom, secret plea discussions that would have spared Anthony's life were beginning. It was Anthony who shut them down.
MASON: Casey wouldn't have any part of it. She got very angry about -- that she didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want to hear it.
CASAREZ: So the trial went on, and then that verdict heard around the world.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Juror number 12, were these your true and correct verdicts?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. CASAREZ: Anthony was free. But the hatred against her was stronger than ever.
The public's opinion of Casey Anthony hasn't changed much. Cheney and his wife Shirley have remained close to Anthony. They share these pictures exclusively with CNN.
MASON: She does not have any blood family anymore. She has no contact with them.
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CASAREZ: And Casey Anthony lives in an undisclosed location in Florida. Her former lawyers do what they can to help her. And Casey Anthony declined a request for an interview -- Ana.
Ana: It's amazing it's been three years already. What is a typical day like for Casey Anthony now?
CASAREZ: Well, she lives in a home with other people. She gets up, she does housework, clerical duties, secretarial duties -- so she makes her living inside this home. For whom, we don't know. But she does the housekeeping duties that sort of pays her way. She does not veer outside. Sometimes in the middle of the night, she'll go out to get some exercise, but nothing during the daytime.
Ana: Sounds like a lonely life. Jean Casarez, thanks so much.
CASAREZ: Thank you.
Ana: Still to come, President Obama set to ring in the Fourth of July next hour and a special honor for some of the nation's service members.
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Ana: A unique group of U.S. service members, that's how President Obama sums up some very special guests who will be at the White House today. Athena Jones is there now and is joining us. Athena, we know the President will honor about 25 people from 15 different countries today. So explain.
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning and happy Fourth of July -- Ana.
The President just a few minutes from now is going to be hosting a naturalization ceremony for 15 active duty service members from the Army, the Navy, the Marines and the Air Force. He's also going to be swearing in two veterans, one reservist and seven military spouses as you mentioned. All told, they hail from 15 countries.
Now earlier this week the President previewed today's events, let's play a little bit of what he had to say then.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Some of the service members coming this year are unique because they signed up to serve, to sacrifice, potentially to give their lives for the security of this country even though they weren't yet Americans. That's how much they love this country. They were prepared to fight and die for an America they did not yet fully belong to. I think they've earned their stripes in more ways than one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: So I believe right now you can see pictures of the East Room -- that event getting under way very soon. We expect to hear the President talk about the contributions made by foreign-born members of the military to the armed forces. He'll also talk about the contributions that immigrants from all walks of life have made to this country.
And I should mention this event comes just a few days after the President, frustrated with Republicans in congress who have refused to hold an up or down vote on a comprehensive immigration reform bill, said that he's going to do everything he can within his executive power, use executive action to make as much changes and improvements to the nation's immigration system as he can.
And I should also mention that today's event really speaks to the power of executive action. It was an executive order signed by President bush in 2002 that made it possible to expedite the naturalization of people who served honorably in the Armed Forces -- Ana.
Ana: All right. Athena Jones, thanks to you and thanks to all those service men and women today.
The Fourth of July is also a special day in the Obama household for another reason. It's their oldest daughter Malia's birthday. And today she turns the big 16 -- so happy birthday, Malia.
And we'll be right back.
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Ana: We want to share with you some great pictures coming out of the National Archives in D.C. for this Fourth of July. Let's listen in as re-enactors recite the Declaration of Independence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. And that whenever any form of government --
Ana: The Declaration of Independence.
Thanks so much for joining me today. I'm Ana Cabrera. Enjoy your Fourth of July.
And "@THIS HOUR WITH BERMAN AND MICHAELA" starts after a quick break.
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