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NYT: 3 Substances Found in Russian Skater's Test Sample; 6- Year-Old Girl Missing for Two Years Found Alive Under Stairs; Prosecutors Present Evidence Detailing Racist Text Messages in Federal Trial of Men Convicted of Killing Ahmaud Arbery; Debbie Allen is Constantly Creating, Reinventing. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired February 16, 2022 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

ERIK KYNARD, ORIGINALLY LOST GOLD TO RUSSIAN WHO LATER TESTED POSITIVE FOR STEROIDS: It went to CAS arbitration like all of them do. And obviously the result yielded that I would be the gold medalist.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: So, what have they told you? Is this like -- I mean all I can think of is like the Milli Vanilli situation where they have come back, hand it back and then hand it back over to you. Do they need to get it from this Russian athlete before you can get it?

KYNARD: I'm not sure. There was actually no communication directly between me and, you know, the IOC as related to medal allocation. They go through your national governing body for that sport. In my case it has U.S. OBCA and USA track and field. I had to send the silver medal in and they request a host of other things pens and certificates. Most of which, you know, as an athlete you don't have. You keep what's most important obviously the medal. And you know, a lot of stuff gets lost in the shuffle or pass out to families.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: But I mean Erik, your case is a perfect microcosm of why this shouldn't be allowed. You've waited nine years for this to be adjudicated for you to be rightfully awarded your medal. And so, just tell us how do you think all of the other skaters around Valieva are dealing with this today. I mean the fact that now three substances, one of them banned have been found in her system. You know, what does this mean for the people who have worked so hard for years to get medals?

KYNARD: I mean, I think it shows the intent, the presence of three substances, obviously that there was an intent to, you know, be deceptive or seek some competitive advantage, from my perspective. And as far as the other athletes involved, I think it really diminishes, you know, their experience, obviously. And I think the Olympics and IOC owes a greater duty of care to the athletes. And I think that this is a trend that we've we have seen continuously as it relates to the humanity associated with the decision making involved in this.

BLACKWELL: So again, she is 15 years old. She's a minor. So, she's seen as a victim by many. I want you to listen to the head of the world anti-doping agency, his view of what is the latest developments here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRAVIS TYGART, HEAD OF THE UNITED STATES ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (USADA): So, it's pretty incredible a 15-year-old would have those three declared as one positive but the other two that she was apparently taking, she declared at time of the test. So, it raises alarm bells of who's behind her. What are the resource, the finance and the wherewithal to obtain these substances? Two drugs and one supplement all an effort clearly to enhance performance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Correction, that's the head of USADA, the U.S. anti-doping agency. But from that perspective, do you see her as a victim? Should she be allowed to even compete?

KYNARD: I don't believe she should have been allowed to compete to this point. No. As far as whether or not she's a victim in this, I mean -- believe she is a victim in this as it relates to her being -- she was obviously coerced and trained to believe that this standard was acceptable as it related to her participation in sport. I mean, I'm sure if there was, you know, sponsored doping, it didn't just begin before these games. It would be in what happened in something that's been going on in the Federation for a long time. As you know, that is something that we've seen in the past, obviously the sponsor program.

There's a great nationalism and a great pride that's, you know, around and encompasses the Olympic movement. Some countries find greater value in that nationalism or pride, you know, than others. I mean, I believe that Russia is one country who values that greatly and obviously has invested in their success of their athletes in the participation of their sports.

CAMEROTA: Erik Kynard thanks so much for sharing part of your personal story. It does help inform this one and will see what happens next. Great to talk to.

KYNARD: Thanks.

CAMEROTA: So, this just in, a Florida judge has just ruled in favor of Bob Saget's family one day after they sued the Florida sheriff's office to keep part of the comedian's autopsy private. According to court documents obtained by CNN affiliate WESH, the judge stated that, quote, the plaintiffs will suffer irreparable harm in the form of severe mental pain, anguish and emotional distress if the injunction was not granted. BLACKWELL: Saget was found dead last month in his Orlando hotel room.

An autopsy found he died from head trauma after a fall.

After going missing for two years, police find a girl arrive hidden underneath the staircase by her non-custodial parents.

[15:35:00]

They are in court this hour. More on that and what tipped off officers to search those stairs.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: There's a court appearance this hour for three people in upstate New York accused of hiding a 6-year-old girl who was abducted more than two years ago. Paislee Shultis was found by police in this dark, cramped, wet space hidden under a staircase.

[15:40:00]

CAMEROTA: She was found to be in good health and released to her legal guardian. CNN's Shimon Prokupecz has the latest. Shimon, this is just crazy story. These people who abducted her and kept her hidden were her biological parents but not custodial parents.

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Right, they basically lost custody of her. They were her biological parents. They lose custody. We don't know why. And that's the big mystery in all of this. We don't know why they lose custody and so for two years she's missing.

Police suspecting that her biological parents were behind her being missing were going to the home several times trying to find her. Trying to see if she was there. The parents would not let them in. They never had a search warrant so they couldn't fully search. Sometimes they would go in. They would look around but they couldn't get a full search until a tip came in on Monday night and they were able to get a search warrant. Here is the police chief describing how that went.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF JOSEPH SINAGRA, SAUGERTIES, NY POLICE DEPARTMENT: But the detective said there was something odd about the stairs just the way they were constructed. The way he felt when they were walking on them. And he said he took a closer look at the stairs and between two of the stair boards there's a crack. He used a flashlight and looked in there and he saw what he believed was a blanket at the bottom. So, they used a housing tool and they started removing the steps of the staircase. And sure, and behold they found a little pair of feet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PROKUPECZ: And it was that blanket. They looked through the crack in that stairwell there and they see that blanket. And then they find the little feet. She's hidden here with her biological mother. It took police over an hour and a half to search that home. And then this detective realizing that something was strange about the staircase and found her. They sort of ripped apart the staircase and then they got them out. And then the police, they took her home. Took her back to police station and on the way back, she saw McDonald's and she said, oh, I want something to eat and they bought her Happy Meal.

BLACKWELL: I mean, think goodness these officer, this police department didn't give up after the first visit or the second visit. That they kept going back.

PROKUPECZ: And that's the story here. They kept going. It's just never giving up. They knew -- they really strongly believed she was there and the fact the family was acting so suspicious and wouldn't let them inside. I think what them to keep chasing, keep pursuing and keep pursuing. And then luckily a tip came in and they were able to get her out.

CAMEROTA: It's just a story of great police work. Very quickly, what charges do they face?

PROKUPECZ: So, it's custodial interference because they are the parents of her, the biological parents. It's custodial interference. And the grandfather as well was arrested and charged. Hopefully we'll get some word here on what happens in court soon.

CAMEROTA: Yes, hopefully there's more obviously to this story. Thank you very much for that reporting.

BLACKWELL: Thanks, Shimon.

More testimony in the federal hate crimes trial for three Georgia men conducted of killing Ahmaud Arbery. A prosecutor presented new evidence today detailing how the suspects used racist and derogatory language to describe African-Americans. And they're trying to prove that the men attacked Arbery because of his race.

CAMEROTA: CNN's Nick Valencia is live from Brunswick, Georgia where the trial is taking place. So, Nick, Ahmaud Arbery's father had a strong reaction to today's testimony. Tells about it.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I sat directly behind Ahmaud Arbery's father and the rest of his family that was present in today's court proceedings. They were noticeably upset. Visibly disgusted by the evidence present by the U.S. government that laid out their case that Ahmaud Arbery was murdered because this was a hate crime. It was racially motivated.

At one point Marcus Arbery Sr. had to get out and leave the courtroom visibly upset as prosecutors presented this evidence. These text messages that Travis McMichael was exchanged with a friend.

Now we want to warn you before I read these that this language is offensive. But it is also an important part of the prosecution's case as to why they believe this was a hate crime.

On a message sent by Travis McMichael on January 21, 2019. The friend says to Travis, this cracker barrel up here is full of some other kinds of people. To which Travis replies: Need to change the name from cracker barrel to "N" word bucket.

Just a couple months later in a text message she sent on March 16, Travis McMichael in a conversation with a friend talking about black people. He says: They ruin everything. That's why I love what I do now. Not a an "N" word in sight.

Now I mention that Marcus Arbery Sr. had to lead the courtroom. Afterwards during the afternoon recess, he addressed what he heard and reacted to what he heard today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCUS ARBERY, AHMAUD ARBERY'S FATHER: It's just really a shame they got that much hate in them for African-American people. It's just really a shame. There are people running around our neighborhood and when they hit African-American people like that, that's just really bad. Don't mind if you're a kid, black, that kid ain't done nothing to you. You hate that baby too because he's black. Man, that's a sickness. That is a sickness. And that Travis McMichael he's a very racial hateful man.

[15:45:00]

But I didn't know where it come from. It comes from his parents, the mom and dad and all of them. It trickles down the bloodline.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: And much of the day was focused on Travis McMichael's messages and social media profile, their digital footprint. But also, that of Gregory McMichael, his father, who appeared to have an adoration for vigilantism.

You can see this prosecution, the U.S. government methodically lay out their case that this was hate crime. Court now is back in session -- Victor, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: I mean that was just such an important thing. He said that hate is a sickness.

BLACKWELL: Yes. Yes. And doesn't understand where it comes from. Most of us don't.

CAMEROTA: Nick Valencia, thank you very much.

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken says they're not seeing evidence of any Russian pull back. We have the latest from Ukraine.

[15:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: We continue celebrating Black History Month through a special series we're calling "Inspiring Voices." BLACKWELL: There are so many black artists and journalists and leaders who have inspired me and my colleagues. Today we feature a woman who has always been an inspiration to my colleague Frederika Whitfield, the great dancer, choreographer, producer. And our fellow HU alum, Debbie Allen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR, NEWSROOM: How are you?

DEBBIE ALLEN, ACTRESS, DANCER, CHOREOGRAPHER, SINGER-SONGWRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER: Great.

WHITFIELD: Is it OK if I take off my mask?

WHITFIELD: Miss Allen, I mean, she is graceful, she is talented, she's versatile, here she is a dancer, a choreographer, an actress, a director, a producer, and the list goes on and on.

ALLEN: It's interesting. At this point in my life, I feel as motivated as I was 30 years ago.

WHITFIELD: The first time I saw her, she just popped off the screen. That was "Fame." I just always felt like I wanted to be in her studio.

ALLEN: Everybody knows the lines. You want fame. Fame costs.

Right here is where you start paying in sweat.

WHITFIELD (voice over): She would win a Golden Globe for that role.

ALLEN: And when you think about the legacy of "Fame," how it inspired the whole world to have performing arts schools. A different world.

"Gray's Anatomy," they've learned about medicine on our show. Not just enjoying the story.

I remember being a young girl and always loving the Academy Awards, waiting to see this big production number but never seeing anybody that looked like me. Not one.

Time changed and I choreographed the show and I changed the whole complexion of the dance company. I changed it.

WHITFIELD (voice over): I mean, she has bragging rights. She has five Emmys.

WHITFIELD: I remember how inspirational you were to me and so many of my classmates before I became a Howard University student. And that's your alma mater as well.

So, when you look at all of these incredible accomplishments from Broadway, "Westside Story," "Pearly", "Sweet Charity", and television, "Good Times", "Fresh Prince", "Family Ties", you have the Governor's award, Kennedy Center Honors just last year.

ALLEN: That was grand, that was grand.

ALLEN: You know what, I love is when I put all the different levels, mix you up together.

WHITFIELD (voice over): She's really enthusiastic about DADA, the Debby Allen Dance Academy.

WHITFIELD: You are constantly creating what motivates to you keep doing?

ALLEN: The kids, the young people. It is has given a real purpose to my life.

WHITFIELD: What do you think you felt when you were a kid and you danced for the first time?

ALLEN: Oh my God are you kidding? I was in the backyard dancing to the birds and the trees. They were my audience.

But arts is a great way to come through and fight. Because it takes a lot of discipline. It takes a lot of stamina. It takes a lot of heart. Because you take a lot of criticism. You're working towards perfection all the time. You know, I grew up in Houston, Texas, at a time where there just wasn't that much opportunity.

WHITFIELD: At 12, you were denied an opportunity to be in a dance company. How did you endure that? And not let go of your dream to be a dancer?

ALLEN: It was mama who continuously make us believe. She found a teacher to come to the house, a retired ballet master. She found opportunity for her children. Every mother is not so resourceful, which is why I am here, to help. I am here for these kids.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: Debbie Allen began teaching dance moves live on Instagram early in the pandemic, free for the public to get people moving again. I want to take one of those classes.

BLACKWELL: Her work on "Different World" influenced so many people in my generation to go to an HBCU.

[15:55:00]

It's unbelievable how influential that show was on our choices for higher education. We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Two of the country's biggest music festivals return this spring after a two-year hiatus. And organizers of Coachella and Stagecoach say they will be no vaccination testing or masking requirements.

CAMEROTA: OK, Kanye West, Harry Underwood, Billie Eilish are all going to be there. It sounds great.

[16:00:00]

Here's my point.

BLACKWELL: What is your point?

CAMEROTA: I love live music. I've missed it. But Lollapalooza did this, this past summer in Chicago and they had vaccination requirements or a negative COVID test and 400,000 people showed up. So, I don't think it was a deterrent.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

CAMEROTA: You can do both.

BLACKWELL: Looking forward to it. "THE LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts now.