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Investigating Benghazi; Florida Officer Kills Drummer; VA Prison Connects Fathers in Prison with Their Daughters; "Back to the Future" Predicts a Cubs World Series Win. Aired 9:30-10a ET
Aired October 21, 2015 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:30:03] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We'll continue to ferret out information and, of course, we'll pass it along.
And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.
We are just about 24 hours away from what could be one of the biggest tests for Hillary Clinton's presidential candidacy, testimony in front of the House investigative committee digging into a 2012 terror attack in Libya that claimed the lives of an American diplomat and three others. Clinton says the panel is nothing more than a partisan witch hunt, while top Republicans say there are still questions that need to be answered. John McCain spoke earlier on "New Day."
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SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I was in Tripoli with Chris Stevens. He told me at that time of his concerns about security. It's very obvious that Susan Rice absolutely told -- gave false information to the American people saying that it was a spontaneous demonstration. Secretary Clinton told the families when the bodies came back that she would get the people who made the, quote, "hateful video." There's a lot of questions that are still unanswered.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: As Clinton prepares to go before the panel for as long as eight hours of testimony, Elise Labott has more into how we got to this point.
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ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): September 11, a date that forever changed America, would once again turn deadly. The year, 2012. Extremists overrun the U.S. diplomatic mission, setting it ablaze, before moving to a nearby CIA annex to continue their assault, taking the lives of Ambassador Chris Stevens, Information Officer Sean Smith, and two CIA operatives, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Four patriots. They loved this country. And they chose to serve it and served it well. They didn't simply embrace the American ideal, they lived it.
LABOTT: An independent investigation, commissioned by then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, found "grossly inadequate" security at the U.S. facility. Four employees lost their jobs, but the report said Clinton was not responsible. Seven congressional committees arrived at similar conclusions. Among the most scathing, a Senate intelligence report blasting State for failing to connect the dots and increase security after numerous intelligence reports warned of a potential attack.
Like the State Department Accountability Review Board, the Senate report gives Clinton a pass. But an annex written solely by committee Republicans placed the blame squarely at her feet saying, quote, "final responsibility for security at diplomatic facilities lies with the former secretary of state."
The Pentagon was faulted for not having military assets in the region to respond at night. And the intelligence community took heat for talking points used on Sunday talk shows by then ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, which created the false impression the attack was prompted by an anti-Muslim video that sparked violent American protests at U.S. embassies across the Middle East.
SUSAN RICE, FORMER U.N. AMBASSADOR: What our assessment is, as of the present, is in fact what it began, spontaneously in Benghazi, as a reaction to what had transpired some hours earlier in Cairo where, of course, as you know, there was a violent protest outside of our embassy sparked by this hateful video.
LABOTT: The GOP charged the Obama administration was trying to cover up a terrorist threat and predicted Clinton's own legacy on Benghazi would stop her presidential ambitions.
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The fact is, we had four dead Americans.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I understand.
CLINTON: Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they'd go kill some Americans? What difference, at this point, does it make?
LABOTT: House Speaker John Boehner created the select committee on Benghazi last year. It has seized on Clinton's use of a private e-mail server, which has dogged her on the presidential campaign. Democrats have accused the GOP of turning a tragedy into a political side show to take Clinton down.
REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY (R), CALIFORNIA: Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping.
REP. RICHARD HANNA (R), NEW YORK (voice-over): This may not be politically correct but I -- I think that there is a big part of this investigation that was designed to go after people and get -- an individual, Hillary Clinton.
LABOTT: After a string of Republicans labeled the committee a political vendetta, Clinton pounced.
CLINTON: This committee is basically an arm of the Republican National Committee. It is a partisan vehicle, as admitted by the house Republican majority leader, Mr. McCarthy, to drive down by poll numbers. Big surprise.
[09:35:10] LABOTT: The committee chair, Congressman Trey Gowdy, strongly denies he's playing politics.
REP. TREY GOWDY (R), HOUSE BENGHAZI COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: I have told my own Republican colleagues and friends, shut up talking about things that you don't know anything about. The seven members of my committee are much more focused on the four dead Americans than we are anyone's presidential aspirations.
LABOTT: On Thursday, both sides will face off in what could be a defining moment, for Clinton's presidential campaign and for the future of the GOP-led probe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And CNN will carry that hearing live. Thanks to Elise Labott. Stick around for our next hour. I'm going to be talking with Patricia Smith. Her son, Sean Smith, was one of the three men killed along with Ambassador Chris Stevens in the attack on the consulate.
Still to come in the NEWSROOM, a church musician shot to death by a plain clothed police officer. What really happened?
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[09:40:27] COSTELLO: New York City is mourning the loss of an officer killed in the line of duty. Officer Randolph Holder was responding to a shooting last night when he was shot in the head. The five-year veteran was 33 years old. The gunman's expected to be taken into police custody later today once he's released from the hospital. Police are also questioning three other men in connection with the shooting.
To Florida now. This morning, a popular church drummer is dead and his family is demanding answers. Thirty-one year old Corey Jones shot and killed by a police officer. But that officer was not wearing a body cam and there is no dash cam video. Social media lighting up with cries for justice. Family members remembering the drummer today as talented and God-fearing.
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DALE BANKS, VICTIM'S AUNT: Anything you need, Corey would be right there. If you needed a shirt, he would give you his shirt. He would be cold just to keep you warm.
(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Alina Machado is in Palm Beach Gardens with more.
Good morning.
ALINA MACHADO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
The officer involved in this shooting is on paid administrative leave while the sheriff's office investigates and the family tries to make sense of what happened.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My nephew was broken down on the side of the road. It --
MACHADO: Corey Jones's uncle struggles to tell the story of how his 31-year-old nephew ended up shot and killed by a police officer after his car broke down on a Florida highway.
CHIEF STEPHEN STEPP, PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA, POLICE: I'd like to offer our condolences.
MACHADO: On Tuesday, the Palm Beach Gardens police chief attempted to explain what happened, saying around 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, Officer Nouman Raja, who was wearing plain clothes and driving an unmarked car, stops to investigate what he thought was an abandoned vehicle on an exit ramp.
STEPP: As the officer exited his vehicle, he was suddenly confronted by an armed subject. As a result of the confrontation, the officer discharged his firearm resulting in the death of Mr. Corey Jones.
MACHADO: Police say they found this handgun near Jones' car, its serial number matching the gun they say Jones bought just three days before the deadly encounter. A purchase his family was surprised to find out about. In fact, family and friends describe the popular drummer, who played with a local band and at his church, as peaceful and laid back.
DOROTHY ELLINGTON, COREY JONES' BOSS: In a state of disbelief because of all people, Corey -- Corey is not someone that we would think would be shot by a police officer.
MACHADO: Now supporters are calling for a peaceful rally Thursday at the police department.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He don't deserve this. He don't. And it's just -- we just need justice.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACHADO: Officer Raja spent some seven years with a much smaller police department before joining the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department earlier this year. The police chief here says there are no records of any complaints or disciplinary actions taken against the officer. Carol.
COSTELLO: Alina Machado reporting. Thank you.
Still to come in the NEWSROOM, fathers and daughters forced to spend months apart because the dads are behind bars. But one person is trying to keep the connection alive. Lisa Ling tells us how, next.
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[09:48:06] COSTELLO: More than 100 leading law enforcement officials are campaigning to reduce the national incarceration rate. They're set to ask the president tomorrow to reevaluate sentences on non- violent crimes and push for alternatives to arrest.
In the meantime, one prison in Virginia is testing out a new program, one that connects fathers in prison with their daughters by hosting a father/daughter dance behind bars.
Lisa Ling takes a look in this week's "THIS IS LIFE".
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LISA LING, CNN HOST, "THIS IS LIFE" (voice-over): The students at the Fatherhood Program are getting ready for something special.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Make me look good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got you.
LING: The opportunity to reconnect with their daughters at the jail's father/daughter dance.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Make sure that y'all hold your seat for your ladies and have them to sit down.
LING: The big day is tomorrow. So the jail has invited the butlers from Richmon'ds governor's mansion for a lesson on etiquette.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And napkin always say in your lap.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you don't put the napkin up here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who's here that does not know how to tie a tie? All right. You take the tie, stick it over your head like this. Under.
LING: Classes like this aren't simply a rehearsal for the upcoming dance; they're meant to develop life skills and the confidence of the jails' residents.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's how you all want it to look, a triangle. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is how you want it to look like.
LING: These moments allow men like Terrence to imagine a better future.
(on camera): I'm sure you have tried to do the right thing before. What makes this time different?
TERRENCE (ph): Me being in the program, I started to see things in a different light, right? The only thing that come out of getting high and selling drugs is jails, institutions, or death. And I've been in jails, institution. The only thing left for me is death.
I feel like, man, this is my life. My life depends on this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[09:50:05] COSTELLO: Lisa Ling, the host of CNN's "THIS IS LIFE" joins me now. So what was it like to have access to this prison to talk to these men?
LING: Well, it was actually very impressive. This jail in particular, the Richmond City Justice Center, has this programming floor with classrooms and these incredible programs. Inmates will attend from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. And this particular group are part of a fatherhood class.
And it's important to note that we have more than 2.5 million people locked up behind bars, and more than half of those people have kids. And many of them have never had fathers in their own lives. So the idea of being a father is almost unfathomable. So this facility is taking the initiative to try and teach these guys how to be fathers. I mean, as you saw, they're giving these men, for one night, the opportunity to feel good about themselves, to wear a suit. They've learned how to tie ties.
And it was just a -- it was such a moving experience. And for the daughters to be able to spend that time with the most important man in their lives sober was just so powerful and meaningful.
COSTELLO: You know, a lot of Americans are hardcore about people behind bars.
LING: You know, when it comes to these low-level offenders, most of whom have had substance issues, the idea, of course, is to punish the offender. But when you think about how many of these guys have kids, who are we really punishing? And is jail, is prison, the right place for these people who have substance abuse issues? Couldn't a treatment facility be preferable and that way the man can still maintain contact with the family? These are all things that, fortunately, we're discussing now and trying to figure out.
COSTELLO: And in a bipartisan way, too.
LING: Absolutely. So there's a silver lining in all this.
COSTELLO: Lisa Ling, thanks for stopping by.
LING: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: And just another reminder to watch "THIS IS LIFE WITH LISA LING" tonight 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
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[09:56:20] COSTELLO: Checking some top stories at 56 minutes past. Ole Miss wants to get rid of the state flag on campus. University of Mississippi student senators voted to push administrators to take that flag down because it has the Confederate battle emblem included in the design. The move comes amid nationwide calls to remove the flag for what some call an offensive reminder of slavery and segregation.
The Mets now one game away from heading to the World Series! New York outscoring the Cubs 5-2 in last night's NLCS matchup. Chicago now down in the series, 0-3. It is an understatement to say the Cubs are a long shot for winning the World Series, but there is a chance, perhaps a miracle, that only a flux capacitator could make happen. Paul Vercammen explains.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How far are you going?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About 30 years.
PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Of all the wacky visions in the "Back to the Future trilogy", perhaps none was more silly than the Chicago Cubs winning a World Series.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait a minute. Cubs win World Series.
VERCAMMEN: Co-screen riter Bob Gale came up with this absurd idea for the 1989 film and the lead character.
BOB GALE, CO-SCREENWRITER, "BACK TO THE FUTURE" TRILOGY: I'm thinking Marty McFly needs to be inspired as to how he could make a fortune by being in the future. He's a 17-year-old kid. What's he going to be thinking about? Well, he's not going to be thinking about the stock market. He's going to be thinking about sports.
VERCAMMEN: And the Cubs still haven't won a championship since 1908.
But jump in the Delorean. Time travel to now. The Chicago Cubs could advance to the World Series by beating the Mets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did you just say?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I said I wish I could go back to the beginning of the season, put some money on the Cubbies.
VERCAMMEN: Back to the present and the Puente Hills mall, Twin Pines in the movie. James Rate places multiple bets on this season's Cubs winning the World Series, and he drove here from Arizona to take selfies with two movie props just put on display.
JAMES RATE, CUBS FAN/"BACK TO THE FUTURE" FAN: When I got an opportunity to see this and then go back and put a little money on the Cubbies like they do in the movie, it felt like a great chance to not only root for my team but root for my movie.
VERCAMMEN (on camera): You hang out in this mall long enough and more and more strange things happen. You are --
MARTIN RHODEN, "BACK TO THE FUTURE FAN": My name is Martin.
VERCAMMEN: And you're from?
RHODEN: I'm from Sweden.
VERCAMMEN: And for some reason, you had to come all the way here to see this.
RHODEN: Absolutely.
VERCAMMEN: What is it about this movie that gets you so excited?
RHODEN: First, I like film. And second, I really like the Delorean car.
VERCAMMEN (voice-over): So while Martin cares about cars, not Cubs, the screenwriter is definitely thinking about how the Cubs ousted his favorite team, the Cardinals, from the playoffs.
GALE: Quoting someone who wisely defined mixed emotions as watching your mother-in-law drive off the cliff in your brand-new Mercedes, it's been fun, the idea that we made this absurd prediction 26 years ago and it might actually come true.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Paul Vercammen joins me now. I don't think so, but at least the Cubs are in the game.
VERCAMMEN (on camera): They are. And that Cubs fan who was at the mall, he told me he placed multiple bets on the Cubs. I mean, a lot of bets. Like he stands to win four figures if the Cubs win, but of course he didn't reveal that the Mets are not cooperating.
And as for that guy that was dressed as Marty McFly, no idea. He said he doesn't really follow baseball.
COSTELLO: I'm a little concerned about Martin, but he was certainly fun. Paul Vercammen, thanks so much.
The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM starts now.
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[10:00:02] COSTELLO: Happening now in the NEWSROOM --
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REP. PAUL RYAN (R), WISCONSIN: If I can truly be a unifying figure, then I will gladly serve.
