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Opening Statements Underway In Kyle Rittenhouse Trial; Adrian Fontes, (D), Arizona Secretary Of State Candidate & Former Maricopa County Recorder, Discusses Another Probe Into Arizona's 2020 Election; CNN Witnesses Desperate Afghan Parents Selling Daughters. Aired 1:30- 2p ET

Aired November 02, 2021 - 13:30   ET

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

[13:30:00]

LAURA COATES, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: If you can recall, there was a bit of a flashpoint of protecting this defendant very early on. Remember, he was allowed to not only walk by police officers to turn himself in later on.

And a lot of support because it came at an infliction point in our society, the idea of the focus on supposed rioters and looters and arsonists and somebody with a gun and the discussion about the type of weapon.

So I suspect he'll try to capitalize on his previous popularity, so to speak, with respect to that issue.

However, he better be prepared to come, Ana, with a very strong defense about self-defense. You're not allowed, simply by trying to protect somebody else's property, to engage in lethal force. It's a notion of kill or be killed.

We learned a lot during the Derek Chauvin trial, for example, that, as an officer, the same semantics are true.

The idea of self-defense is able to be used, if you believe that the amount of force that you need to use will repel the force against you.

There's no indication at this point in time that that was a commensurate level of force, lethal force against two men and a third also wounded.

So if he's going to take the stand, he better be able to explain why lethal force was necessary to protect property. And there's no allegation he was the owner of property, that he was asked to protect the property or that property was damaged by any of the three victims.

ANA CABRERA, CNN HOST: The way this is all unfolding, it's a little surprising that the opening statements are happening already. The jury was seated in one day for such a high profile-trial. And the judge didn't allow a jury questionnaire.

How can they be sure that this is a fair and impartial jury, especially, as you mention, given the emotions around this situation? COATES: That's the million-dollar question here. And normally, in

cases, if it's not a high-profile case, not a high publicity case, you can pick jurors relatively quickly because you don't have to try to weed out those who may know so much about the case that they have no ability to be impartial.

Here is a very different story. But the goal is never to find the so- called ostrich in the sand. It's not to find somebody that knows nothing about the case. It's about being able to be impartial.

This judge, you're right, did not have a juror questionnaire, to a form letter to weed out people. He said it was a case-by-case, person- by-person question.

And the idea of whether you've efficiently done your job as a judge or attorney to access and to weed out any potential biases is a question still pending before the Supreme Court.

In a very famous high-profile case, that involving the Boston bomber. And in that case, his death penalty sentence was actually thrown out because it was found the judge did not do an adequate enough job of trying to make sure that biases did not come into the jury pool.

That's before the Supreme Court and it's yet to be resolved.

But it will be instructive here, Ana, because with high-profile cases in particular, people want to ensure there's a cross-section of the community, and there are impartial jurors.

And that the judge has essentially complied with the normal so-called court or industry standard, so to speak, about trying to make sure that someone is not just trying to throw out a reason to not be in jury -- not be a juror but they want to perform the civic duty but trying to figure out who truly can be impartial and who cannot.

And I would note, finally, there are people that were excused from the jury because they could not demonstrate even a hint of impartiality.

CABRERA: Well, it will be interesting to see where this goes.

Just to put a button on that whole conversation, and I think what makes that particularly noteworthy was the fact that we've been covering the Ahmaud Arbery trial in Georgia, in which there were 1,000-plus people who were summoned showing up for jury duty.

And it's now the third week of the selection process for the jury there. And here we have less than 24 hours, 179 jurors, who are present to begin with, potential jurors, and that was whittled down to 20 as part of this jury pool.

Thank you so much, Laura Coates. Appreciate your expertise and good to see you.

Arizona Republicans are hoping the fourth time is the charm because the state is launching yet another probe into the 2020 election.

[13:34:21]

Up next, I'll talk to a former election official who says that this is one big stunt. And he was just questioned by investigators with the A.G.'s office.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CABRERA: Not once, not twice, but three times vote tallies in Maricopa County Arizona confirmed President Biden won there in 2020. Despite all this, the Big Lie won't die.

A former Maricopa County election official now says the state's attorney general's office is launching a new probe that seeks to discredit the Republican-driven Cyber Ninja's audit, which found Biden, in fact, gained more votes while Trump lost votes.

To shed more light on this latest move, former Maricopa County recorder, Adrian Fontes, joining us now. He is also a 2022 candidate for Arizona's secretary of state.

[13:40:01]

Mr. Fontes, thank you so much for being here.

I understand two special agents with State A.G. Mark Brnovich's office recently interviewed you about the 2020 vote. What do you think they are up to?

ADRIAN FONTES, (D), ARIZONA CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE & FORMER MARICOPA COUNTY RECORDER: Well, first of all, thanks for having me, Ana.

And it's just a sad moment in our history when a prosecutor will send two badged officers to chase down and bolster a Big Lie. That's all this is.

Mark Brnovich is in a Republican primary for U.S. Senate. He is desperate to get Donald Trump's attention. This is the kind of bootlicking that needs to stop.

The 2020 election was probably one of the best elections in history, certainly in Maricopa County. Our election -- I was mostly in charge of had the most scrutinized results in American history.

This thing has to stop. And sending agents isn't going to stop or change anything.

The people who did their job did a great job across the political spectrum. And we're very proud of our work.

CABRERA: Again, Arizona Republicans were the ones who insisted on that sham audit in the first place that ultimately didn't produce the results that Republicans were presumably looking for.

So by just amplifying this longer, dragging this out, I don't understand. What is the point? FONTES: Well, the point specifically here is Mark Brnovich is

desperate. Not too long ago, one of his primary opponents launched a very vicious attack against him in advertisements.

He's abusing the offers of Arizona attorney general for his political gain. It won't be the first time he's done it and probably won't be the last time, unfortunately.

But at the end of the day, what this is about is about the Big Lie, disparaging the thousands of Americans who ran a great 2020 election in Maricopa County.

Again, one of the most highly scrutinized elections, if not the most scrutinized in American history and we passed every test with flying colors.

I was the county recorder here. I designed the system with my team. I worked with a four-to-one Republican board of supervisors to run that election.

And the Cyber Ninjas nor any other legitimate audit or exam of this have found anything substantively or anything wrong with our election.

We're very proud of our work. And that's one of the legacies that I take into this 2022 race for secretary of state.

Unfortunately, Mark Brnovich can't do the same for his 2022 run for U.S. Senate where I think he's just abusing his office to try to get points with Donald Trump.

CABRERA: And you're right. He's running for Senate. He's the current A.G. of Arizona.

CNN reached out to the A.G.'s office there about this probe and they said they won't comment on an ongoing investigation.

I guess the bigger question then is this, even if it is a stunt, is it having an impact on Arizona voters in terms of how they view the integrity of elections in Arizona?

FONTES: I don't think so. You know, the transcript will show how ill- informed and unprepared the agents were who came in to talk to me.

I mean, at one point during the interview, they complimented me on my knowledge of the system, which is kind of funny because, you know, we designed the system while I was in office. I was the architect of it for all intents and purposes.

And -- and their lack of understanding really betrays a general lack of understanding of the specifics and really why it is that some people still cling to this lie.

But the reality is, for the rest of Arizona's voters, they are sick and tired of this. They understand that Joe Biden won the election fair and square.

Maricopa County's voters know that they have a solid system built on a legacy of bipartisanship.

In fact, one of the biggest proponents of ballot-by-mail voting, which is a very, very popular way for folks to vote here, was my predecessor in office, a Republican, who held the office for a very long time.

We've done elections well in Arizona and Maricopa County for a long time. I hope the new recorder continues that legacy. I think he will. And reasonable-mined Arizonans know that this is a stunt.

This is going to hopefully go away soon. And the sooner the better.

CABRERA: Adrian Fontes, thank you very much for joining us.

FONTES: Thanks for having me.

[13:44:27]

CABRERA: Coming up, a CNN special report. Afghan parents say they are being forced to sell their daughters just to survive.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CABRERA: Now to Afghanistan and the harsh reality of the humanitarian crisis engulfing that country. Desperate families say they're being forced to sell their young daughters in order to survive.

In this exclusive report, CNN witnesses the tragic fate facing these helpless little girls.

Parents gave us full access and permission to talk to the children and to show their faces because they say they cannot change the practice themselves.

Anna Coren reports.

[13:50:03]

ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT This is a really difficult story to watch but we think it is important that the world knows what is happening in Afghanistan right now.

In our exclusive report, CNN witnesses the tragic fate facing these helpless little girls.

It is important to note that parents gave us full access and permission to speak to the children and show their faces because they say they cannot change the practice themselves.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COREN (voice-over): In this arid, desolate landscape, not a scrap of vegetation in sight, lies a makeshift camp for some of Afghanistan's internally displaced.

(LAUGHTER)

COREN: Among its residents, 9-year-old Parwana.

(LAUGHTER)

COREN: Her bright pink dress, squeals of laughter, and childhood games, a ruse to the horrors unfolding in this unhospitable environment.

(LAUGHTER)

COREN: Parwana's family moved to this camp in Badghis Province four years ago after her father lost his job. Humanitarian aid and menial work earning $3 a day providing the basic staples to survive.

But since the Taliban takeover, two and a half months ago, any money or assistance has dried up.

(SHOUTING)

COREN: And with eight mouths to feed, Parwana's father is now doing the unthinkable.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "I have no work, no money, no food, I have to sell my daughter," he says. "I have no other choice."

Parwana, who dreams of going to school and becoming a teacher, applies makeup. A favorite pastime for little girls, but Parwana knows she is preparing for what awaits her.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "My father has sold me because we don't have bread, rice and flour. He has sold me to an old man."

The white bearded man, who claims he's 55 years old, comes to collect her.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: He's bought Parwana for 200,000 Afghanis, just over 2,000 U.S. dollars.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: Covered up, Parwana whimpers as her mother holds her.

"This is your bride, please take care of her," says Parwana's farther.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "Of course, I will take care of her," replies the man.

His large hands grab her small frame.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE) COREN: Parwana tries to pull away.

As he carries her only bag of belongings, she again resists, digging her heels into the dirt, but it's futile. The fate of this small helpless child has been sealed.

Child marriage is nothing new in poor rural parts of Afghanistan. But human rights activists are reporting an increase in cases because of the economic and humanitarian crisis engulfing the country.

HEATHER BARR, INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: These are devastating decisions that no parent should ever have to make. And it really speaks to what an extraordinary breakdown is happening in Afghanistan right now.

COREN: For months, the U.N. has been warning of a catastrophe. As Afghanistan, a war-ravaged, aid-dependent country, descends into a brutal winter.

Billions of dollars in central bank assets were frozen after as the Taliban swept to power in August. Banks are running out of money, wages haven't been paid for months, while food prices soar.

According to the U.N., more than half the population doesn't know where their next meal is coming from. And more than three million children under the age of five face acute malnutrition in the coming months.

ANTONIO GUTERRES, SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS: People of Afghanistan need a lifeline.

COREN: And while a billion dollars has been pledged by U.N. donors to help the Afghan people, less than half those funds have been received, as the international community holds off recognizing the Taliban government.

ISABELLE MOUSSARD CARLSEN, HEAD OF OFFICE, UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS: People of Afghanistan will be dying of hunger in the next couple of months. And not just a few. This is just making people more and more vulnerable. And we cannot accept that.

COREN: Sentiment shared by the Taliban.

MAWLAWI ABDUL HAI MOBASHER, TALIBAN OFFICIAL FOR REFUGEES (through translator): We are asking aid agencies to come back to Afghanistan and help these poor people. Otherwise, the crisis will worsen.

COREN: To this family in neighboring Ghor Province, they are trying to sell two daughters, 9-year-old Leton (ph), and 4-year-old Zeton (ph) for 1,000 U.S. dollars each.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "Do you know why they're selling you?" The journalists ask Zeton (ph). UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "Because we are a poor family and don't have any food to eat," she says.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "Are you scared?" He asks.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "Yes, I am."

Another family in Ghor Province borrowed money from a 70-year-old neighbor. Now, he's demanding it back but they have nothing to give except their 10-year-old daughter Magol (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

[13:55:08]

COREN: "My daughter doesn't want to go and is crying all the time. I am so ashamed," he says.

Terrified, she threatens to take her life.

UNIDENTIFIED GIRL: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

COREN: "If they push me to marry the old man, I will kill myself. I don't want to leave my parents."

Days later, she discovers the sale has been finalized.

(CRYING)

COREN: Another Afghan child sold into a life of misery.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COREN: It is gut-wrenching knowing what the young girls will be subjected to.

Just an update on the 10-year-old, Magol (ph), the last girl in our story that threatened to take her life, she will be handed over to the 70-year-old man who bought her in the coming days.

Now, if lack of aid is not urgently addressed, the U.N. projects, by middle of next year, 97 percent of Afghans will be living below the poverty line, meaning there will be even more girls who will end up like Magol (ph) and Parwana.

CABRERA: My god. Just horrific.

Anna Coren, thank you.

The news continues right after this. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)