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CNN Live Saturday

A look at Anarchy in Haiti; Break in Mississippi Missing Family Case

Aired February 28, 2004 - 14:00   ET

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

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


KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 p.m. Cap Haitian, Haiti, 9:00 p.m. in Gaza.
Hello, I'm Kelli Arena in Washington.

Ahead this hour, violence and looting in Haiti as rebel forces threaten to overthrow President Aristide.

And writing a new law for the land. Coalition forces move closer to drafting a new constitution for war-torn Iraq.

And George Costanza in Jerusalem? Well, we've got the story of the worlds most selfish character making a unique trip to the holy land.

But first these headlines.

A family missing in Mississippi. Now investigators say they're a step closer to solving the two-week disappearance of the Hargon family. Authorities are searching a vet office and home near Taylorsville. A relative of the family is being questioned in the case.

In Pakistan a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Rawalpindi, that's near the capital, Islamabad. Authorities say the bomber was killed, four others are hurt. Police say the bomb went off as people were praying.

A meeting on North Korea's nuclear program ends without major progress. Six nations attended three days of negotiations in China, but they cited minor progress. Washington rejected an offer to end the WMD program because North Korea would not admit to having a uranium program.

Let's begin the hour in Gaza where Israeli jets or possibly helicopters targeted a car carrying suspected Islamic Jihad militants.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is following this story from Jerusalem -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That attack took place about two hours and 15 minutes when an Israeli Apache helicopter apparently fired three missiles, according to Palestinian security sources, that hit a vehicle outside of Gaza City. This attack resulted in the death of the occupants of that vehicle, three men, all of whom have been identified as members of the military wing of Islamic Jihad. In addition to those three, one young boy was killed, apparently a bystander, in addition, 15 other people were wounded in the attack.

Several of them, according to Palestinian hospital sources are still in critical condition. Now, according to an Israeli spokesman, he described the militants, these people who were killed in the attack as ticking bombs. And he said that Israel will continue to target militants in Gaza at the same time as it prepares to withdraw sometime from Gaza later this year. Now, a senior Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erakat condemned this attack saying that it only adds fuel to the fire. And he called on the United States and other members of the so- called quartet, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations, to push forward, reaccelerate the peace process to avoid this kind of attack in the future -- Kelli.

ARENA: All right. CNN's Ben Wedeman, thanks for that report.

Haiti's president is calling for peace, even as looting and lawlessness rack the Caribbean nation. Rebels seeking to overthrow Jean-Bertrand Aristide are converging on the capital. A tense situation gets more tense.

CNN's Lucia Newman has the latest from there, via video phone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice-over): The streets of the capital are somewhat more calm today. The roadblocks and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) troughs rooming the streets terrorizing people are gone for the moment. A high-ranking police officer conceded that there was nothing they could do to stop it. That they are completely outnumbered. Looting at the port here continues at this moment, unabated. No one is there to try to stop that. And at the same time helicopters, military helicopters continue to land at the embassy of the Dominican Republic to try to evacuate more and more people from the country. There are two C-130 military aircraft also at the airport sent by France and the United States to evacuate other foreigners because all commercial flights to and from Haiti have been canceled until further notice.

In the meantime Jean-Bertrand Aristide reiterated this morning that he would not step down. But he did however issue an appeal to followers for calm. This following a very stern message sent by Washington for the president to control the armed gangs that support him otherwise says Washington, he will loose his prestige, his honor and his reputation. Rebels meanwhile are vowing to come to the city to take the capital perhaps as soon as tomorrow or the day after.

Lucia Newman, CNN, Port-au-Prince.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA: Here in the u.s., some members of Congress are voicing their concerns about Haiti. The Congressional Black Caucus is asking President Bush to intervene in the crisis before it becomes a blood bath.

Congressman Maxine Waters has just returned from Haiti and she joins us now from Los Angeles. Congressman, thank you for joining us.

REP. MAXINE WATERS (D), CALIFORNIA: You're welcome.

ARENA: What is it that you would like to see the president do at this point?

WATERS: I would like the international community form an international response to the violence going on. Go in, support the Haitian police, help to stabilize Haiti, get the old paramilitary guys out. You know, these old paramilitary guys were tied to the Duvalier regime. They are back. They are the ones that are armed. They are the ones that's holding the people of Gonaives and Cap Haitian hostage. They need to be driven out of the country. Everybody needs to disarm. And with the help of an international police force, or soldiers or somebody who can organize to give assistance to Haiti we could stabilize Haiti. So, it doesn't have to be the United States alone.

ARENA: What would -- what would the exit strategy be?

WATERS: Well, the exit strategy could be that they're there, and there in order to calm Haiti and make sure that those old soldiers, some of them who have been convicted in absentia (ph) because of the killings they did before when they tried to have -- when they drove Aristide out of the office when he was first elected. They should be arrested. They should be driven out of the country and put in jail.

ARENA: Now you do not agree with the Bush administration's request that Aristide step aside.

WATERS: They have not made that request.

ARENA: Bush -- we heard that from Colin Powell.

WATERS: No what Colin Powell said, he felt that it may be in the best interest of everybody for him to resign, but he did not request that.

ARENA: When you hear that, though, when you hear that from Mr. Powell, who was very instrumental in establishing Aristide in the first place, does that not lend some credibility to the difficulty that Haiti faces, and perhaps his assumption that this cannot be solved?

WATERS: No. As a matter of fact this government has said that they will not insist on the ouster of a Democratically elected president. They wish to have a political solution. The problem is the opposition that is led by Mr. Andy Apaid Jr. in Haiti, in Port-au- Prince will not come to the peace table. I was in Haiti when the president signed off on the proposal that was brought by the international community headed by Mr. Noriega, the top assistant to Colin Powell. And the rest of the representatives from France and Canada. So, it is the opposition that we need to be putting the pressure on. If we put pressure on Mr. Apaid and the committee of 184 to come to the table, get rid of the thugs that came in, that's holding those cities hostage, we can stabilize Haiti and be in and out in a short period of time.

ARENA: All right. Obviously at this stage of the game, still being in Iraq, election year, politics involved very fine line, though, that this administration has to walk in committing any more troops, any more money to any other international situation, don't you agree?

WATERS: Well, as a matter of fact there are three ships off the shores of Haiti now. And those ships are there basically to stop people who would like to flee and take to the sea and we are more concerned about stopping people from showing up on the shores of Florida and other places than we are about saving lives in Haiti. If we go in and stabilize Haiti, those people will not want to take to the sea and try and flee and get out. So, those ships and the soldiers who are there should be used for stabilization rather than just trying to stop Haitians from coming to Florida.

ARENA: All right. Congressman Maxine Waters, thanks for joining us.

WATERS: You're welcome.

ARENA: The state department is suggesting that president Aristide resign to end the violence. But Mr. Aristide said his departure is out of the question. Meanwhile the White House is said to be making contingency plans.

Suzanne Malveaux is live at the white house with the latest -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelli, we just got some new news this is from senior State Department officials who have been speaking with CNN. First of all, they say Secretary Powell has spoken with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan today as well as his French counterpart about the latest situation in Haiti. That the message has been delivered and we are not sure how to Aristide, that it is best that he step down. That he consider his future and his responsibilities to the Haitian people. We are also told there is no formal plan to evacuate U.S. citizens, but the State Department warning that it is not safe for Americans to travel to the airport and there are no regularly scheduled commercial airlines that are leaving Haiti at this time.

So, they say the best things for Americans to do is stay put in their homes, that is the safest way to deal with this at this time. Now, the other part of this, of course, is that President Bush has not yet signed off on a possible contingency plan that would involve three ships, these ships would be dispatched to the coast of Haiti. It would involve some 2,200 marines. That would be there, perhaps as early as sometime next week. What would be their mission, some possible suggestions here would be reinforcing or evacuating U.S. personnel, the embassy there. Assisting the coast guard in actually intercepting and bringing Haitians back to the shores from the sea or providing a safe transport for Aristide if he decides that he will leave the country. But so far the Bush administration is saying they still want to find a political solution.

ARENA: All right.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are interesting in achieving a political settlement and we working toward that effect. We're also at the same time planning for a multinational force that would go in and make sure if aide needed to be delivered or there needs to be stability that it could go in depending upon a political settlement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The administration is taking two routes here. On the one hand encouraging a power sharing deal, a settlement here. Then they would be a part of a multinational force that they would send to Haiti following that. The other, of course, is the back channel to the State Department to encourage Aristide to step down -- Kelli.

ARENA: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks for that report.

The latest developments from Haiti are a merely mouse click away. Logon to cnn.com for the full story of the unrest in the Caribbean nation. Get video and pictures when you logon to cnn.com.

Investigators may have the break they need in the case of a missing Mississippi family. Up next, the investigation shifts to a relative who may have answers in the case.

Also, another busy day for the Democrats running for president, we'll check out the latest from the campaign trail.

And rolling out the red carpet in Hollywood, we have a live report from Tinseltown on the 73rd annual Academy Awards.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: In the deep south today, police say they're close to breaking the case of a missing Mississippi family. Michael Hargon his wife Rebecca and 4-year-old son disappeared two weeks ago on Valentines Day. A family friend found the front door to the Hargon home open and blood and gun casings were found inside the house. Today police searched a vet's office in Mississippi. Warren Strain of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety joins us by telephone.

Mr. Strain, can you hear me?

WARREN STRAIN, MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY: Yes, I can.

ARENA: Bring us up to date. What do you have up to this point?

STRAIN: Basically of course for the past two weeks, we have been involved in an intense and all-encompassing investigation, which generated 400 leads in the case. During the course of the day yesterday we developed a significant lead that we considered to be a break through in information as we go through. We came to Smith County, Mississippi, we came on to the property here, it's 160 acres here in a remote area of Mississippi. We effected search warrants at about 10:30 Central time this morning. And the crime laboratory with two crime scene units are processing the scene. It's 160 acres. If I'm not mistaken, five buildings and so we are going through those and...

ARENA: Sir, what are you hoping to find there?

STRAIN: Anything that would lend itself to the whereabouts of the Hargon family.

ARENA: And we understand there are individuals being questioned. Can you shed light on that?

STRAIN: We do have one subject who is being questioned in relation to this case.

ARENA: Could this person be identified as a suspect at this point?

STRAIN: At this point, Kelli suspect may be a bit too strong. We are working through the case trying to make sure that we find the Hargon family, which is first and foremost in our mind at this point.

ARENA: Was the information that you had yesterday enough to lead to you believe the family may be there on those 160 acres?

STRAIN: We are confident enough that it could lead to their whereabouts. Exactly where they are, that is unknown at this point.

ARENA: Do you have any information suggesting whether the family is still alive?

STRAIN: Well, neither way. To speculate would be just unproductive and something that we clearly don't want to get into at this point.

ARENA: OK.

Would you describe the witness that you are talking to as helpful?

STRAIN: So far, to a degree. But of course, we have to take time and work through this as we go, Kelly. And it's taking time both here at the scene where we are processing and also through the interview process.

ARENA: OK. And this is not a relative, is that correct?

STRAIN: I won't confirm nor deny that.

ARENA: All right. OK. Warren Strain, thank you for joining us. We will keep up to date on that story as it develops.

And we have some other stories that are making news across American now.

California police are checking into several shootings along a stretch of I-580, Castro Valley. At least five vehicles have been targeted since Monday, no one has been injured.

And today marks 11 years since federal agents stormed the Branch Davidian Compound outside Waco, Texas. A 51-day standoff followed. David Koresh and dozens of followers died in the conclusion on April 19, 1993.

And the 9/11 commission gets a 60-day extension to complete its report on the terrorist attack. Dennis Hastert agreed to the extension after intense pressure from other lawmakers and 9/11 family members. Commissioners say they need more time for hearings.

Writing the new law in a war-torn nation, straight ahead a live report from Baghdad as the U.S. appointed governing counsel faces a deadline for a new constitution.

And a major legal victory for Martha Stewart, but is the domestic diva out of hot water yet? Details coming up in our legal round table.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: The participants may miss today's deadline but observers believe Iraq's governing council will complete a constitution to pave the way for a new government. Jane Arraf brings us up to date from Iraq's capital -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: U.S. Officials say it's not a crisis just a delay. And the delay they say is understandable given the scope of what they're talking about here. Now, the sticking points on what essentially will be a draft constitution, and that means setting up democratic institutions enshrining peoples rights are the role of Islam and as well as things like what role the Kurd will have and what autonomy they will be able to keep. These are all weighty issues. One member of the governing council, the Kurdish independent Mahmoud Othman tells us even if it slips a bit past the deadline of midnight tonight, it is not a tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. MAHMOUD OTHMAN, COUNCIL MEMBER: If it's delayed a bit, nothing will affect very much really because this is a deadline we put at ourselves. I mean, coalition and the G.C. (ph), and the two of us we're in these meetings so nobody else is involved to say well, all this, you know, international. So I think if we could -- if we see that, we cannot finish it, give it a few more days, that will be very logical. It's no problem as far as we're concerned.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ARRAF: What we have got now are about 24 council members locked into a room along with government officials, coalition officials and others trying to get them to come to some sort of an agreement. They are expecting to talk into the night, possibly an agreement tomorrow, but in any case it does look like one is coming along. It won't be done in the next few hours -- Kelli.

ARENA: Jane, obviously when you have a deadline, everyone knows where the target point is, and there's a lot of room for compromise. When you let something slide, differences can get bigger.

Do you have any sense at all that that is happening or all sides still at the table talking and an agreement well within reach?

ARRAF: Well, they're talking in general terms about an agreement being in reach, but one coalition official said privately that it seemed as if the factions were dividing and mutating. Now, essentially the problem is they are talking about big picture issues. Basically the future of this country, what it's going to look like who's going to have power who's not going to have as much power. On top of that they are talking about those little details like the wording of things like presidency. So, there's a lot of things to work out. A lot of disagreements, big and small. But they do all say they are committed to getting an agreement together in the next day or so -- Kelli.

ARENA: All right. Thanks as always Jane Arraf in Baghdad.

Moving on to the nasty winter weather that slammed the Carolinas, it's finally moving out of the region. Meteorologist Rob Marciano has a look at the national weather forecast for the rest of the weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: The storm that brought the snow to the south, especially the Carolinas moving off shore, and high pressure into control, the weather. And milder temperatures and a lot of melting especially across the Carolinas, western part where they saw in excess of a foot of snow. Milder air making its way up to the northern tier in advance of this storm system which will bring snows heavy of which across Utah and into the southern mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. 35 degrees in Salt Lake today, 59 in Phoenix. Drying out across the west coast, 63 in Los Angeles. It will be 59 in Atlanta, 57 in D.C.. Look at those mild temperatures across the northern northeastern, really two thirds of the country. Tomorrow they get warmer, 63 expected in Washington, D.C., 40 degrees, maybe some snows tomorrow in Denver, as this storm pulls out into the plains and we could see stronger severe weather across parts of Texas tomorrow. But the west coast looking dry, California and the eastern third also looking marvelous tomorrow, enjoy.

I'm Rob Marciano, that's a quick weather check. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

(END VIDEOTAPE) ARENA: There's a big week ahead for the Democratic candidates hoping to unseat President Bush. Coming up, the latest from the campaign trail as the candidates get ready for super Tuesday.

And the stars are lining up in Hollywood getting ready for the big night. We've got a live report on the Oscars straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: Headlines at the half hour. Haitian rebels have a choke hold on the Capital Port-au-Prince. They say they are surrounding the city. The country is said to be in chaos with eluding and executions in the street. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is refusing to step down even under intense international pressure.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams may soon join San Francisco in allowing same-sex marriages. He is asking district lawyers to look into the possibility. Williams has supported same-sex marriage since his 1998 campaign for mayor. The city already has its domestic partnership law. And President Bush is calling for more vigorous drug testing in the nation's school systems. And he wants to double the current spending on faith-based addiction treatment programs. The president made the request in his Saturday radio address.

T-minus 65 hours until the first votes in the biggest day in the presidential season. Super Tuesday, when nine states have primaries, and Minnesota holds a caucus, and 1100 delegates are up for grabs. Here is what is going on with the Democratic candidates this weekend. Democratic front-runner John Kerry is traveling across country from California to New York as he builds support in two of the most delegate-rich states. John Edwards is speaking at a rally in Augusta, Georgia, and then rally the faithful in Atlanta. Later he goes to Cleveland, Ohio. Dennis Kucinich is campaigning in California also trying to raise money at a rally in Long Beach. And Al Sharpton spends the day in the south he is at a rally in Georgia today.

So what will Super Tuesday actually tell us and what happens after the ten-state showdown? For the shape of things to come on the campaign trail, Republican strategist Chris Wilson and Democratic strategist Margie Omero is here. Both here in Washington with me. Thank you very much for joining us.

MARGIE OMERO, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Thanks.

CHRIS WILSON, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Thank you.

ARENA: Well OK. Let's start with you Margie.

Does Kerry truly have this wrapped up or could we be in for some surprise?

OMERO: Well we could be in for some surprises. Minnesota is a caucus state, it makes polls a little harder and a little bit more difficult to use as a predictor on what is going to happen. But I think either way the point is we have two strong candidates, the Democrats like each of the candidates, and if you look at the general election both candidates are even or beating Bush. So this, you know both of them are very strong among Democrats and in the general, which is what is important as Democrats.

ARENA: Chris, what do those polls mean at this point that both candidates are beating Bush at this point?

WILSON: Absolutely nothing. The fact is that every incumbent president has trailed at some point since 1972. It really, as the campaign starts to move on and the Democrats are more defined, I think you are going to find that John Kerry is going to prove to be Al Gore without the charm.

It is not going to be the same sort of campaign as we had four years ago. And you look at John Kerry gives a speech on Tuesday where he calls for 40,000 more troops, then when he's pinned down on it by Dennis Kucinich in a debate on Thursday, he then said he did not call for those troops. We are seeing a lot of the same sort of missteps that Al Gore made a few years ago. And it is really; it's going to be a completely different type of election I think.

ARENA: Margie, John Edwards had a curious comment earlier today that it really seems like he's not running for president but vice president what are your observations?

OMERO: I think what we see is Bush is clearly weak. And the Democratic candidates are united, and really don't have the two front- runners don't have a lot of strong differences in their issues. There are a few issues where they differ. But for the most part they are united on that Bush is doing a bad job. I mean he is doing a bad job on jobs and on the economy, and on the war, and he is now turning even -- he can't get his own government to sing the same tune.

You have people in the government being more optimistic than even Bush wants to be about the economy and you have the congressional budget office saying that Bush's budget numbers are incorrect. So you have Democratic candidates really strong and united and pointing out these clear flaws that even Bush's own administration can't point out.

ARENA: Let's talk about the issues, the economy for one; obviously you have a different take on that.

WILSON: Well, you look at the economy, and we are looking at a complete turnaround. I mean since September 11 the economy has set records that it hasn't seen in 20 years in terms of growth. You look at non-manufacturing jobs, you look at technology jobs, and all of those over the last six to nine to 12 months have experienced more growth than at any time since they have been measured.

Unemployment is down at its lowest level since September 11. I think to say that the economy is anything but robust and moving back is really to misrepresent what is actually happening. I do think to your original point though it is a situation where Edwards does seem to be running for vice president. But if you if look at the debates from Thursday night, it seems as if Kerry is getting a little bit frustrated with that strategy. And kind of went after Edwards a little bit harder than I expected. So, it will be interesting to see how they end up. Are they going to be friends when this is all said and done, or do you see another 1988 where you had a little bit of a problem or 1984 I'm sorry where Ted Kennedy almost seems to not want to endorse Walter Mondale up on the platform at the convention.

ARENA: Margie what issues are going to stick come November? I mean the economy I think is one that everybody agrees on. Budget deficits, gay marriage, amendment, talk to me about what you think are going to be the major issues when it comes time to actually vote?

OMERO: Well I think the Bush administration wants -- they would prefer to focus on gay marriage and on a divisive issue like that than on things that are actually important to Americans. I mean if you ask people, I mean even though some people do actually support a Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage, if you were to ask people and I have not seen numbers on this maybe Chris has some. That says which would you rather the government work on, regulating personal relationships and romance or bringing jobs back into the country, I think it would be pretty clear where most people would --

ARENA: Do you have numbers on that?

WILSON: Absolutely yes, a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) released a poll yesterday showing that gay marriage is likely to be the most intense issue as voters head into the November elections. It measured it against abortion, in measured against gun control. I think most Democrats credit gun control with helping Republicans take back the house in 1994. And this issue is testing out to be twice as intense as gun control was in 1994.

OMERO: It's really a very sensitive question. If you talk about the broad issue, you can see it's totally different than when you ask specifics. And that's actually true with gun control also. It's a good point to bring up. I mean if you look at gun control in terms of specifics, do you want people bringing guns to school, more than one hand gun a month. No.

Same thing with gay marriage when you ask, do you want to see gays kicked out of their apartment for no reason only sexual orientation, people oppose that, they want gays to be able to visit their partners in the hospital, and get health care benefits. People are in favor of that. So we are using the Republican and administration is using this really divisive language.

ARENA: OK.

WILSON: Well I don't think anyone would call the -

ARENA: OK, both of you, I know -- we have a lot more to talk about in the coming months. And so I'm sure we will talk again. Thanks for joining us.

OMERO: Thanks.

WILSON: Thank you Kelli.

ARENA: CNN is live across four time zones on Super Tuesday. Our coverage begins at 5:00 a.m. Eastern during CNN daybreak. Count on CNN to bring you the campaign updates as the results begin to roll in at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Kobe Bryant's accuser gets ready to face his defense team. Up next the latest on sexual misconduct charges against the Lakers star and more high profile cases in our legal round table.

And it was much more that an appearance about nothing, a former Seinfeld character visits the holy land.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: Jury selection is set for late next week in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. The judge has decided one jury will determine guilt or innocence. And if necessary whether Peterson is sentenced to death. The judge also ruled that jurors won't be sequestered as they hear evidence about the deaths of Laci Peterson and her unborn son.

The upcoming Peterson trial is among the courtroom cases in our legal round table this Saturday. Kent Alexander is a former federal prosecutor in Atlanta. And Richard Herman is a criminal defense attorney in New York. Gentlemen thank you both for joining us.

KENT ALEXANDER, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Pleasure.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Kelli.

ARENA: Why don't we start with Scott Peterson as we sort of laid out the blueprint for this trial going forward? How big a deal is it that the same jury will hear both sides of this?

ALEXANDER: Well it's actually a pretty big deal because the same jury will hear the evidence and then at the end of the case should Scott Peterson be convicted that jury will decide guilt. And guilt could be life in prison it could be death. So, that is a big deal. They are hearing everything at once.

ARENA: Kent. I'm sorry Richard.

HERMAN: Yes, I mean, it's very rare that they would bring in two separate juries on a case like this. And I think that it was a shot by Geragos. I don't think he had any chance of getting that relief he requested.

ARENA: What do you think is key for the prosecution at least in this jury make-up, Kent?

ALEXANDER: Well, you want to look for a jury that is going to obviously convict. Best-case scenario would be 12 pregnant women. I don't think that will happen statistically or otherwise, but I think key will be the jury that is empanelled. And if you can get -- unusually in this case, actually women who have had children, particularly young mothers, that would be an ideal panel, but beyond that it is the usual, conservative, right leaning, people who believe in the system. That's what I think the prosecution will look for.

HERMAN: For the defense obviously just the opposite. And during the course of the voidire (ph) process, the defense is going to do every effort that they can to try to desensitize this jury to the issue of infidelity because that's a major, major plus for the prosecution.

ARENA: All right. Gentleman let's move on to Martha Stewart. Big surprise, the most serious charge against her has been dropped. How do you think this -- obviously she is still not out of hot water but a great deal of pressure off of her defense team.

HERMAN: It's not over until it's over. And you know they won a battle here having that charge dismissed. Many criminal attorneys thought it would be dismissed. And rightfully it should have been. Judge Cedarbaum, I salute you, it was a courageous move by her. But the other four charges are -- the government did a tremendous job on those charges. And I believe Martha is going down next week on this.

ALEXANDER: I don't know -

ARENA: Go ahead.

ALEXANDER: I don't know if Martha is going down or not. The victory for the Martha Stewart team was a big one. That was the most serious charge. But there are four felonies remaining. A conviction on any one would mean jail time. So she is certainly not out of the woods, trees of finch can see the field, but this is as he said, it's a battle that Martha Stewart still has to fight.

HERMAN: Well the other charges carry a five year max each, but if she gets convicted on lying to the Feds or on the obstruction, I don't think she will get jail time, I think she will get a six month or a year house detention, that's all.

ARENA: What should we look for as we move towards the jury phase of this case? How will the dynamics change?

HERMAN: Well, I don't know how the dynamics are going to change here. The defense is going to get up and argue that the government failed to prove their case against Martha, and the witnesses that the government put on were not credible. And try to go with that.

However the government has a very, very strong argument. And I don't believe the defense was prepared properly for Martha. Thank god she didn't testify, because that would have been the worst thing she could have done. The one defense witness they put up there got totally destroyed on cross examination. I understand that when the defense rested for Martha, the jurors looked perplexed. They couldn't believe that the defensive rested at this point. So I think all signs are pointing the wrong way for Martha.

Even though they went out and celebrated for Chinese lunch yesterday. ARENA: OK Kent, we are going to squeeze one more in. Kobe Bryant, we are expecting a two-day hearing. We may hear from his accuser?

ALEXANDER: We might hear from the accuser, basically as former prosecutor though not Emery University is a former prosecutor I hated to see sexual histories come in, in any kind of case. But if it turns out there is an explanation for these bruises and it might not be Kobe Bryant, I think we will see the judge let that information in. We just have to see what that information is, what the evidence is.

HERMAN: Kelli, it's her right to privacy versus his right to defend himself. She might be embarrassed; he is facing 20 years in prison. They have to have this. This is a critical hearing; she is absolutely going to testify. And if she had physical contact with other men, shortly before or right after this alleged occurrence with Kobe and prior to her reporting this to the police, I believe this judge is going to let it in, it is relevant and it is huge for the defense. Kobe needs this bad.

ALEXANDER: That's true, I agree completely.

ARENA: All right, then we'll end on agreement. That's a good thing.

HERMAN: We can't agree, Kelli.

ARENA: Kent Alexander, Richard Herman, thank you both for joining us.

ALEXANDER: Thank you.

HERMAN: Thank you.

ARENA: Our Web site is your legal link to the high profile cases making headlines. Logon to CNN.com/law for the latest developments as well as legal opinions and analysis.

Computers, cell phones and other high-tech gadgets. How can you be sure you are getting the most for your money? Find out on "Dollar Signs" coming up at 4:30 on CNN. Our experts not only will tell you about some of the hottest new high-tech gadgets, they will also help you decide what is best for your needs and your budget. If you have questions, e-mail them to us the address is dollarsigns@cnn.com. Or you can call us toll-free at 1-800-807-2620. The phone lines open at 4:30 Eastern.

By George it was one amazing stop through the holy land. Coming up, the story of the former "Seinfeld" cast member making a stop through Israel pushing peace and politics.

And --

KENDIS GIBSON, LOS ANGELES: It is live on the red carpet in Hollywood at the Academy Awards. We are going to have a preview of the preps and also tell you why this year's Academy Awards, particularly for the best actor category really stands out. Details coming up when CNN LIVE SATURDAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: It's only a day until the Hollywood extravaganza known as the Oscars. "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" has the most nominations but will it be crowned king of the Oscars? With a preview of the nominees CNN's Kendis Gibson joins us from the red carpet at Hollywood's Kodak Theater -- Kendis.

GIBSON: Kelli, good day to you. And you can tell that we are now just about a little over 24 hours away from the start of it. Because things are pretty much set here on the red carpet. The flowers are in. You have the 24 huge statuettes that are already up. We have a picture from above. And you can get a better perspective of how the preparations are going underway.

Obviously there are workers all over the place trying to get things ready. Whatever bit of last-minute work they might have that they need to do. And the red carpet is all set. They had been under canopy for the last few days. But now they have cleared it up.

Let's talk about the awards. Bring it back down to the ground. And talk with Tom O'Neil from goldderby.com where a lot of experts go to that Web site and say like who is going to win, and who is not. I really want to talk about the best actress category first. Because you may know you have Kisha Castle Hughes, who is the youngest nominee ever in a best actress category, right Tom?

TOM O'NEIL, GOLDDERBY.COM: Thirteen years old.

GIBSON: Thirteen years old and hers is beyond that it's just a great story.

O'NEIL: It is. We have never seen a girl in the best actress category before. And among the shocks we must be prepared for it could actually happen tomorrow night. She could win. Oscar voters are suckers for kids. Especially the girls, Tato (ph) Maneil (ph), Patty Duke and I'm not saying it will happen but it could.

GIBSON: That makes it really interesting. But right now most people believe that Charlize Theron will win for movie that few have seen her "Monster" but a really gripping role for her.

O'NEIL: Yes, Charlize Theron seems to be ahead. She is the onjanova (ph) sacrificed her beauty for the sake of her art. But watch out for Diane Keaton too, she is the only veteran in that category. So there is some suspense.

GIBSON: OK, now you know, going into the break we were talking -- I was teasing about something in the best actor category that has never actually happened before, but -- that being that you have three bad boys.

O'NEIL: That is right, and bad boys don't win Oscars. Just two years ago, Russell Crowe threw an Oscar away when he threw a punch at a British TV producer. He probably would have won for "Beautiful Mind," but this year we have Johnny Depp, Bill Murray and Sean Penn who all have scurrilous (ph) reputations.

GIBSON: Sean Penn though has kind of gone through a metamorphosis lately hasn't he?

O'NEIL: Yes, he did a real about-face when he realized -- that Bill Murray stole his thunder when Sean snubbed the Golden Globes. He actually has been campaigning vigorously showed up at the Oscar nominee lunch recently with his mommy.

GIBSON: And Johnny Depp.

O'NEIL: He's going to some event but not to others. He actually snubbed the screen actor's guild awards. When he won, but he was there at Globes and he wasn't happy. Talk about a bad boy. The minute he lost, he was running out the door.

GIBSON: Most people would not think of Bill Murray as a bad boy, so here in Hollywood?

O'NEIL: Here in Hollywood, Bill Murray does not have a great reputation. He has a bad one; he often sits on film projects and stops them from being made. And then when they are made, he does not show up on the set when he is supposed to. That is the back-story to the best actor race. And remember, this is the industry voting on itself. It tells us a lot what they think of these people.

GIBSON: All right, Tom O'Neil from Globe derby.com, we appreciate it.

O'NEIL: And you know what, I should point out Kelli, that I'm really amused by the really simpler things in life. All day long I have been watching these guys going to like great heights here to get this -- I guess it's a giant screen up there. So, I don't know. It just looked interesting.

GIBSON: So that's the story from the red carpet. You know, if we had more stuff like that, we'll come back to you in a little bit -- Kelli.

ARENA: It does not take much to make you happy Kendis?

GIBSON: No not at all.

ARENA: All right, fun assignment, that's a good thing. Have fun. Join CNN for the Hollywood gold rush. Our Daryn Kagan will be live from the red carpet with celebrity interviews and more. That is tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Well former Seinfeld star is on a mission to the Middle East. Coming up, the man known the world over as George Castanza, tries to attract interest in the peace process. We will tell you about his trip.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: And finally this hour, the violence between Israel and the Palestinians is an every-day fact of life. We just reported about today's Israeli attack in Gaza. Efforts to find a true peace settlement have failed for decades. But that has not stopped many people from trying, even a Hollywood celebrity. CNN's John Vause reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, TEL AVIV: George Castanza, peace envoy? Sounds bizarre even for a Seinfeld script but there he was, Jason Alexander recruiting Israeli students to sign on.

JASON ALEXANDER, ACTOR: I can only tell you that spending nine years as the most supremely selfish man on the planet, it's a refreshing change to think about other people for a little while.

VAUSE: For three days he traveled Israel and the Palestinian territories meeting with students, actors and Arabs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is an operation going on here --

VAUSE: And when he tried to go to the West Bank city of Ramallah, he was stopped at a checkpoint for more than an hour while Israeli soldiers conducted a raid.

ALEXANDER: Obviously the road getting here today was not an easy one.

VAUSE: He is selling one voice in the coming weeks Israelis and Palestinians will be asked to vote online or by phone. There will be ballots in newspapers, an unofficial poll to find common ground on issues which in the past have derailed countless other peace initiatives, but mostly they asked about "Seinfeld."

ALEXANDER: I don't have a favorite episode.

VAUSE: Questions like who in the show is Jewish.

ALEXANDER: Seinfeld, Jew. Alexander, Jew. Julie Louie Dryfuss, not a Jew. Michael Richards, adopted, so we don't really know.

VAUSE: Will there be a reunion?

ALEXANDER: I promise you, there is nothing that we could think of that when you actually saw it would satisfy you.

VAUSE: And on it went.

ALEXANDER: I'm sure most of the students said let's go see George. Let's go meet George. I assume that's why most people want to meet me in the first place.

VAUSE: They came to George they met Jason and walked away talking about a new, perhaps unlikely push for peace. And it all ended with a quick reality check.

ALEXANDER: Firs of all, I don't want to shock anyone. I don't want to rock your world. George is not a real person. [ applause ]

VOSS: John Vause, CNN, Tel Aviv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA: There is much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY. At the top of the hour, Next@CNN today high-tech retina scans to search for terrorists.

At 4:00 Eastern, "CNN Live Saturday," in dollars signs, getting the most for your money when buying cellular phones and computers.

At 5:00 Eastern, "People in the News" profiling Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe.

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Family Case>


Aired February 28, 2004 - 14:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 p.m. Cap Haitian, Haiti, 9:00 p.m. in Gaza.
Hello, I'm Kelli Arena in Washington.

Ahead this hour, violence and looting in Haiti as rebel forces threaten to overthrow President Aristide.

And writing a new law for the land. Coalition forces move closer to drafting a new constitution for war-torn Iraq.

And George Costanza in Jerusalem? Well, we've got the story of the worlds most selfish character making a unique trip to the holy land.

But first these headlines.

A family missing in Mississippi. Now investigators say they're a step closer to solving the two-week disappearance of the Hargon family. Authorities are searching a vet office and home near Taylorsville. A relative of the family is being questioned in the case.

In Pakistan a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Rawalpindi, that's near the capital, Islamabad. Authorities say the bomber was killed, four others are hurt. Police say the bomb went off as people were praying.

A meeting on North Korea's nuclear program ends without major progress. Six nations attended three days of negotiations in China, but they cited minor progress. Washington rejected an offer to end the WMD program because North Korea would not admit to having a uranium program.

Let's begin the hour in Gaza where Israeli jets or possibly helicopters targeted a car carrying suspected Islamic Jihad militants.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is following this story from Jerusalem -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That attack took place about two hours and 15 minutes when an Israeli Apache helicopter apparently fired three missiles, according to Palestinian security sources, that hit a vehicle outside of Gaza City. This attack resulted in the death of the occupants of that vehicle, three men, all of whom have been identified as members of the military wing of Islamic Jihad. In addition to those three, one young boy was killed, apparently a bystander, in addition, 15 other people were wounded in the attack.

Several of them, according to Palestinian hospital sources are still in critical condition. Now, according to an Israeli spokesman, he described the militants, these people who were killed in the attack as ticking bombs. And he said that Israel will continue to target militants in Gaza at the same time as it prepares to withdraw sometime from Gaza later this year. Now, a senior Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erakat condemned this attack saying that it only adds fuel to the fire. And he called on the United States and other members of the so- called quartet, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations, to push forward, reaccelerate the peace process to avoid this kind of attack in the future -- Kelli.

ARENA: All right. CNN's Ben Wedeman, thanks for that report.

Haiti's president is calling for peace, even as looting and lawlessness rack the Caribbean nation. Rebels seeking to overthrow Jean-Bertrand Aristide are converging on the capital. A tense situation gets more tense.

CNN's Lucia Newman has the latest from there, via video phone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice-over): The streets of the capital are somewhat more calm today. The roadblocks and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) troughs rooming the streets terrorizing people are gone for the moment. A high-ranking police officer conceded that there was nothing they could do to stop it. That they are completely outnumbered. Looting at the port here continues at this moment, unabated. No one is there to try to stop that. And at the same time helicopters, military helicopters continue to land at the embassy of the Dominican Republic to try to evacuate more and more people from the country. There are two C-130 military aircraft also at the airport sent by France and the United States to evacuate other foreigners because all commercial flights to and from Haiti have been canceled until further notice.

In the meantime Jean-Bertrand Aristide reiterated this morning that he would not step down. But he did however issue an appeal to followers for calm. This following a very stern message sent by Washington for the president to control the armed gangs that support him otherwise says Washington, he will loose his prestige, his honor and his reputation. Rebels meanwhile are vowing to come to the city to take the capital perhaps as soon as tomorrow or the day after.

Lucia Newman, CNN, Port-au-Prince.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA: Here in the u.s., some members of Congress are voicing their concerns about Haiti. The Congressional Black Caucus is asking President Bush to intervene in the crisis before it becomes a blood bath.

Congressman Maxine Waters has just returned from Haiti and she joins us now from Los Angeles. Congressman, thank you for joining us.

REP. MAXINE WATERS (D), CALIFORNIA: You're welcome.

ARENA: What is it that you would like to see the president do at this point?

WATERS: I would like the international community form an international response to the violence going on. Go in, support the Haitian police, help to stabilize Haiti, get the old paramilitary guys out. You know, these old paramilitary guys were tied to the Duvalier regime. They are back. They are the ones that are armed. They are the ones that's holding the people of Gonaives and Cap Haitian hostage. They need to be driven out of the country. Everybody needs to disarm. And with the help of an international police force, or soldiers or somebody who can organize to give assistance to Haiti we could stabilize Haiti. So, it doesn't have to be the United States alone.

ARENA: What would -- what would the exit strategy be?

WATERS: Well, the exit strategy could be that they're there, and there in order to calm Haiti and make sure that those old soldiers, some of them who have been convicted in absentia (ph) because of the killings they did before when they tried to have -- when they drove Aristide out of the office when he was first elected. They should be arrested. They should be driven out of the country and put in jail.

ARENA: Now you do not agree with the Bush administration's request that Aristide step aside.

WATERS: They have not made that request.

ARENA: Bush -- we heard that from Colin Powell.

WATERS: No what Colin Powell said, he felt that it may be in the best interest of everybody for him to resign, but he did not request that.

ARENA: When you hear that, though, when you hear that from Mr. Powell, who was very instrumental in establishing Aristide in the first place, does that not lend some credibility to the difficulty that Haiti faces, and perhaps his assumption that this cannot be solved?

WATERS: No. As a matter of fact this government has said that they will not insist on the ouster of a Democratically elected president. They wish to have a political solution. The problem is the opposition that is led by Mr. Andy Apaid Jr. in Haiti, in Port-au- Prince will not come to the peace table. I was in Haiti when the president signed off on the proposal that was brought by the international community headed by Mr. Noriega, the top assistant to Colin Powell. And the rest of the representatives from France and Canada. So, it is the opposition that we need to be putting the pressure on. If we put pressure on Mr. Apaid and the committee of 184 to come to the table, get rid of the thugs that came in, that's holding those cities hostage, we can stabilize Haiti and be in and out in a short period of time.

ARENA: All right. Obviously at this stage of the game, still being in Iraq, election year, politics involved very fine line, though, that this administration has to walk in committing any more troops, any more money to any other international situation, don't you agree?

WATERS: Well, as a matter of fact there are three ships off the shores of Haiti now. And those ships are there basically to stop people who would like to flee and take to the sea and we are more concerned about stopping people from showing up on the shores of Florida and other places than we are about saving lives in Haiti. If we go in and stabilize Haiti, those people will not want to take to the sea and try and flee and get out. So, those ships and the soldiers who are there should be used for stabilization rather than just trying to stop Haitians from coming to Florida.

ARENA: All right. Congressman Maxine Waters, thanks for joining us.

WATERS: You're welcome.

ARENA: The state department is suggesting that president Aristide resign to end the violence. But Mr. Aristide said his departure is out of the question. Meanwhile the White House is said to be making contingency plans.

Suzanne Malveaux is live at the white house with the latest -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelli, we just got some new news this is from senior State Department officials who have been speaking with CNN. First of all, they say Secretary Powell has spoken with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan today as well as his French counterpart about the latest situation in Haiti. That the message has been delivered and we are not sure how to Aristide, that it is best that he step down. That he consider his future and his responsibilities to the Haitian people. We are also told there is no formal plan to evacuate U.S. citizens, but the State Department warning that it is not safe for Americans to travel to the airport and there are no regularly scheduled commercial airlines that are leaving Haiti at this time.

So, they say the best things for Americans to do is stay put in their homes, that is the safest way to deal with this at this time. Now, the other part of this, of course, is that President Bush has not yet signed off on a possible contingency plan that would involve three ships, these ships would be dispatched to the coast of Haiti. It would involve some 2,200 marines. That would be there, perhaps as early as sometime next week. What would be their mission, some possible suggestions here would be reinforcing or evacuating U.S. personnel, the embassy there. Assisting the coast guard in actually intercepting and bringing Haitians back to the shores from the sea or providing a safe transport for Aristide if he decides that he will leave the country. But so far the Bush administration is saying they still want to find a political solution.

ARENA: All right.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are interesting in achieving a political settlement and we working toward that effect. We're also at the same time planning for a multinational force that would go in and make sure if aide needed to be delivered or there needs to be stability that it could go in depending upon a political settlement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The administration is taking two routes here. On the one hand encouraging a power sharing deal, a settlement here. Then they would be a part of a multinational force that they would send to Haiti following that. The other, of course, is the back channel to the State Department to encourage Aristide to step down -- Kelli.

ARENA: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks for that report.

The latest developments from Haiti are a merely mouse click away. Logon to cnn.com for the full story of the unrest in the Caribbean nation. Get video and pictures when you logon to cnn.com.

Investigators may have the break they need in the case of a missing Mississippi family. Up next, the investigation shifts to a relative who may have answers in the case.

Also, another busy day for the Democrats running for president, we'll check out the latest from the campaign trail.

And rolling out the red carpet in Hollywood, we have a live report from Tinseltown on the 73rd annual Academy Awards.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: In the deep south today, police say they're close to breaking the case of a missing Mississippi family. Michael Hargon his wife Rebecca and 4-year-old son disappeared two weeks ago on Valentines Day. A family friend found the front door to the Hargon home open and blood and gun casings were found inside the house. Today police searched a vet's office in Mississippi. Warren Strain of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety joins us by telephone.

Mr. Strain, can you hear me?

WARREN STRAIN, MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY: Yes, I can.

ARENA: Bring us up to date. What do you have up to this point?

STRAIN: Basically of course for the past two weeks, we have been involved in an intense and all-encompassing investigation, which generated 400 leads in the case. During the course of the day yesterday we developed a significant lead that we considered to be a break through in information as we go through. We came to Smith County, Mississippi, we came on to the property here, it's 160 acres here in a remote area of Mississippi. We effected search warrants at about 10:30 Central time this morning. And the crime laboratory with two crime scene units are processing the scene. It's 160 acres. If I'm not mistaken, five buildings and so we are going through those and...

ARENA: Sir, what are you hoping to find there?

STRAIN: Anything that would lend itself to the whereabouts of the Hargon family.

ARENA: And we understand there are individuals being questioned. Can you shed light on that?

STRAIN: We do have one subject who is being questioned in relation to this case.

ARENA: Could this person be identified as a suspect at this point?

STRAIN: At this point, Kelli suspect may be a bit too strong. We are working through the case trying to make sure that we find the Hargon family, which is first and foremost in our mind at this point.

ARENA: Was the information that you had yesterday enough to lead to you believe the family may be there on those 160 acres?

STRAIN: We are confident enough that it could lead to their whereabouts. Exactly where they are, that is unknown at this point.

ARENA: Do you have any information suggesting whether the family is still alive?

STRAIN: Well, neither way. To speculate would be just unproductive and something that we clearly don't want to get into at this point.

ARENA: OK.

Would you describe the witness that you are talking to as helpful?

STRAIN: So far, to a degree. But of course, we have to take time and work through this as we go, Kelly. And it's taking time both here at the scene where we are processing and also through the interview process.

ARENA: OK. And this is not a relative, is that correct?

STRAIN: I won't confirm nor deny that.

ARENA: All right. OK. Warren Strain, thank you for joining us. We will keep up to date on that story as it develops.

And we have some other stories that are making news across American now.

California police are checking into several shootings along a stretch of I-580, Castro Valley. At least five vehicles have been targeted since Monday, no one has been injured.

And today marks 11 years since federal agents stormed the Branch Davidian Compound outside Waco, Texas. A 51-day standoff followed. David Koresh and dozens of followers died in the conclusion on April 19, 1993.

And the 9/11 commission gets a 60-day extension to complete its report on the terrorist attack. Dennis Hastert agreed to the extension after intense pressure from other lawmakers and 9/11 family members. Commissioners say they need more time for hearings.

Writing the new law in a war-torn nation, straight ahead a live report from Baghdad as the U.S. appointed governing counsel faces a deadline for a new constitution.

And a major legal victory for Martha Stewart, but is the domestic diva out of hot water yet? Details coming up in our legal round table.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: The participants may miss today's deadline but observers believe Iraq's governing council will complete a constitution to pave the way for a new government. Jane Arraf brings us up to date from Iraq's capital -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: U.S. Officials say it's not a crisis just a delay. And the delay they say is understandable given the scope of what they're talking about here. Now, the sticking points on what essentially will be a draft constitution, and that means setting up democratic institutions enshrining peoples rights are the role of Islam and as well as things like what role the Kurd will have and what autonomy they will be able to keep. These are all weighty issues. One member of the governing council, the Kurdish independent Mahmoud Othman tells us even if it slips a bit past the deadline of midnight tonight, it is not a tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. MAHMOUD OTHMAN, COUNCIL MEMBER: If it's delayed a bit, nothing will affect very much really because this is a deadline we put at ourselves. I mean, coalition and the G.C. (ph), and the two of us we're in these meetings so nobody else is involved to say well, all this, you know, international. So I think if we could -- if we see that, we cannot finish it, give it a few more days, that will be very logical. It's no problem as far as we're concerned.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ARRAF: What we have got now are about 24 council members locked into a room along with government officials, coalition officials and others trying to get them to come to some sort of an agreement. They are expecting to talk into the night, possibly an agreement tomorrow, but in any case it does look like one is coming along. It won't be done in the next few hours -- Kelli.

ARENA: Jane, obviously when you have a deadline, everyone knows where the target point is, and there's a lot of room for compromise. When you let something slide, differences can get bigger.

Do you have any sense at all that that is happening or all sides still at the table talking and an agreement well within reach?

ARRAF: Well, they're talking in general terms about an agreement being in reach, but one coalition official said privately that it seemed as if the factions were dividing and mutating. Now, essentially the problem is they are talking about big picture issues. Basically the future of this country, what it's going to look like who's going to have power who's not going to have as much power. On top of that they are talking about those little details like the wording of things like presidency. So, there's a lot of things to work out. A lot of disagreements, big and small. But they do all say they are committed to getting an agreement together in the next day or so -- Kelli.

ARENA: All right. Thanks as always Jane Arraf in Baghdad.

Moving on to the nasty winter weather that slammed the Carolinas, it's finally moving out of the region. Meteorologist Rob Marciano has a look at the national weather forecast for the rest of the weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: The storm that brought the snow to the south, especially the Carolinas moving off shore, and high pressure into control, the weather. And milder temperatures and a lot of melting especially across the Carolinas, western part where they saw in excess of a foot of snow. Milder air making its way up to the northern tier in advance of this storm system which will bring snows heavy of which across Utah and into the southern mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. 35 degrees in Salt Lake today, 59 in Phoenix. Drying out across the west coast, 63 in Los Angeles. It will be 59 in Atlanta, 57 in D.C.. Look at those mild temperatures across the northern northeastern, really two thirds of the country. Tomorrow they get warmer, 63 expected in Washington, D.C., 40 degrees, maybe some snows tomorrow in Denver, as this storm pulls out into the plains and we could see stronger severe weather across parts of Texas tomorrow. But the west coast looking dry, California and the eastern third also looking marvelous tomorrow, enjoy.

I'm Rob Marciano, that's a quick weather check. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

(END VIDEOTAPE) ARENA: There's a big week ahead for the Democratic candidates hoping to unseat President Bush. Coming up, the latest from the campaign trail as the candidates get ready for super Tuesday.

And the stars are lining up in Hollywood getting ready for the big night. We've got a live report on the Oscars straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: Headlines at the half hour. Haitian rebels have a choke hold on the Capital Port-au-Prince. They say they are surrounding the city. The country is said to be in chaos with eluding and executions in the street. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is refusing to step down even under intense international pressure.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams may soon join San Francisco in allowing same-sex marriages. He is asking district lawyers to look into the possibility. Williams has supported same-sex marriage since his 1998 campaign for mayor. The city already has its domestic partnership law. And President Bush is calling for more vigorous drug testing in the nation's school systems. And he wants to double the current spending on faith-based addiction treatment programs. The president made the request in his Saturday radio address.

T-minus 65 hours until the first votes in the biggest day in the presidential season. Super Tuesday, when nine states have primaries, and Minnesota holds a caucus, and 1100 delegates are up for grabs. Here is what is going on with the Democratic candidates this weekend. Democratic front-runner John Kerry is traveling across country from California to New York as he builds support in two of the most delegate-rich states. John Edwards is speaking at a rally in Augusta, Georgia, and then rally the faithful in Atlanta. Later he goes to Cleveland, Ohio. Dennis Kucinich is campaigning in California also trying to raise money at a rally in Long Beach. And Al Sharpton spends the day in the south he is at a rally in Georgia today.

So what will Super Tuesday actually tell us and what happens after the ten-state showdown? For the shape of things to come on the campaign trail, Republican strategist Chris Wilson and Democratic strategist Margie Omero is here. Both here in Washington with me. Thank you very much for joining us.

MARGIE OMERO, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Thanks.

CHRIS WILSON, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Thank you.

ARENA: Well OK. Let's start with you Margie.

Does Kerry truly have this wrapped up or could we be in for some surprise?

OMERO: Well we could be in for some surprises. Minnesota is a caucus state, it makes polls a little harder and a little bit more difficult to use as a predictor on what is going to happen. But I think either way the point is we have two strong candidates, the Democrats like each of the candidates, and if you look at the general election both candidates are even or beating Bush. So this, you know both of them are very strong among Democrats and in the general, which is what is important as Democrats.

ARENA: Chris, what do those polls mean at this point that both candidates are beating Bush at this point?

WILSON: Absolutely nothing. The fact is that every incumbent president has trailed at some point since 1972. It really, as the campaign starts to move on and the Democrats are more defined, I think you are going to find that John Kerry is going to prove to be Al Gore without the charm.

It is not going to be the same sort of campaign as we had four years ago. And you look at John Kerry gives a speech on Tuesday where he calls for 40,000 more troops, then when he's pinned down on it by Dennis Kucinich in a debate on Thursday, he then said he did not call for those troops. We are seeing a lot of the same sort of missteps that Al Gore made a few years ago. And it is really; it's going to be a completely different type of election I think.

ARENA: Margie, John Edwards had a curious comment earlier today that it really seems like he's not running for president but vice president what are your observations?

OMERO: I think what we see is Bush is clearly weak. And the Democratic candidates are united, and really don't have the two front- runners don't have a lot of strong differences in their issues. There are a few issues where they differ. But for the most part they are united on that Bush is doing a bad job. I mean he is doing a bad job on jobs and on the economy, and on the war, and he is now turning even -- he can't get his own government to sing the same tune.

You have people in the government being more optimistic than even Bush wants to be about the economy and you have the congressional budget office saying that Bush's budget numbers are incorrect. So you have Democratic candidates really strong and united and pointing out these clear flaws that even Bush's own administration can't point out.

ARENA: Let's talk about the issues, the economy for one; obviously you have a different take on that.

WILSON: Well, you look at the economy, and we are looking at a complete turnaround. I mean since September 11 the economy has set records that it hasn't seen in 20 years in terms of growth. You look at non-manufacturing jobs, you look at technology jobs, and all of those over the last six to nine to 12 months have experienced more growth than at any time since they have been measured.

Unemployment is down at its lowest level since September 11. I think to say that the economy is anything but robust and moving back is really to misrepresent what is actually happening. I do think to your original point though it is a situation where Edwards does seem to be running for vice president. But if you if look at the debates from Thursday night, it seems as if Kerry is getting a little bit frustrated with that strategy. And kind of went after Edwards a little bit harder than I expected. So, it will be interesting to see how they end up. Are they going to be friends when this is all said and done, or do you see another 1988 where you had a little bit of a problem or 1984 I'm sorry where Ted Kennedy almost seems to not want to endorse Walter Mondale up on the platform at the convention.

ARENA: Margie what issues are going to stick come November? I mean the economy I think is one that everybody agrees on. Budget deficits, gay marriage, amendment, talk to me about what you think are going to be the major issues when it comes time to actually vote?

OMERO: Well I think the Bush administration wants -- they would prefer to focus on gay marriage and on a divisive issue like that than on things that are actually important to Americans. I mean if you ask people, I mean even though some people do actually support a Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage, if you were to ask people and I have not seen numbers on this maybe Chris has some. That says which would you rather the government work on, regulating personal relationships and romance or bringing jobs back into the country, I think it would be pretty clear where most people would --

ARENA: Do you have numbers on that?

WILSON: Absolutely yes, a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) released a poll yesterday showing that gay marriage is likely to be the most intense issue as voters head into the November elections. It measured it against abortion, in measured against gun control. I think most Democrats credit gun control with helping Republicans take back the house in 1994. And this issue is testing out to be twice as intense as gun control was in 1994.

OMERO: It's really a very sensitive question. If you talk about the broad issue, you can see it's totally different than when you ask specifics. And that's actually true with gun control also. It's a good point to bring up. I mean if you look at gun control in terms of specifics, do you want people bringing guns to school, more than one hand gun a month. No.

Same thing with gay marriage when you ask, do you want to see gays kicked out of their apartment for no reason only sexual orientation, people oppose that, they want gays to be able to visit their partners in the hospital, and get health care benefits. People are in favor of that. So we are using the Republican and administration is using this really divisive language.

ARENA: OK.

WILSON: Well I don't think anyone would call the -

ARENA: OK, both of you, I know -- we have a lot more to talk about in the coming months. And so I'm sure we will talk again. Thanks for joining us.

OMERO: Thanks.

WILSON: Thank you Kelli.

ARENA: CNN is live across four time zones on Super Tuesday. Our coverage begins at 5:00 a.m. Eastern during CNN daybreak. Count on CNN to bring you the campaign updates as the results begin to roll in at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Kobe Bryant's accuser gets ready to face his defense team. Up next the latest on sexual misconduct charges against the Lakers star and more high profile cases in our legal round table.

And it was much more that an appearance about nothing, a former Seinfeld character visits the holy land.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: Jury selection is set for late next week in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. The judge has decided one jury will determine guilt or innocence. And if necessary whether Peterson is sentenced to death. The judge also ruled that jurors won't be sequestered as they hear evidence about the deaths of Laci Peterson and her unborn son.

The upcoming Peterson trial is among the courtroom cases in our legal round table this Saturday. Kent Alexander is a former federal prosecutor in Atlanta. And Richard Herman is a criminal defense attorney in New York. Gentlemen thank you both for joining us.

KENT ALEXANDER, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Pleasure.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Kelli.

ARENA: Why don't we start with Scott Peterson as we sort of laid out the blueprint for this trial going forward? How big a deal is it that the same jury will hear both sides of this?

ALEXANDER: Well it's actually a pretty big deal because the same jury will hear the evidence and then at the end of the case should Scott Peterson be convicted that jury will decide guilt. And guilt could be life in prison it could be death. So, that is a big deal. They are hearing everything at once.

ARENA: Kent. I'm sorry Richard.

HERMAN: Yes, I mean, it's very rare that they would bring in two separate juries on a case like this. And I think that it was a shot by Geragos. I don't think he had any chance of getting that relief he requested.

ARENA: What do you think is key for the prosecution at least in this jury make-up, Kent?

ALEXANDER: Well, you want to look for a jury that is going to obviously convict. Best-case scenario would be 12 pregnant women. I don't think that will happen statistically or otherwise, but I think key will be the jury that is empanelled. And if you can get -- unusually in this case, actually women who have had children, particularly young mothers, that would be an ideal panel, but beyond that it is the usual, conservative, right leaning, people who believe in the system. That's what I think the prosecution will look for.

HERMAN: For the defense obviously just the opposite. And during the course of the voidire (ph) process, the defense is going to do every effort that they can to try to desensitize this jury to the issue of infidelity because that's a major, major plus for the prosecution.

ARENA: All right. Gentleman let's move on to Martha Stewart. Big surprise, the most serious charge against her has been dropped. How do you think this -- obviously she is still not out of hot water but a great deal of pressure off of her defense team.

HERMAN: It's not over until it's over. And you know they won a battle here having that charge dismissed. Many criminal attorneys thought it would be dismissed. And rightfully it should have been. Judge Cedarbaum, I salute you, it was a courageous move by her. But the other four charges are -- the government did a tremendous job on those charges. And I believe Martha is going down next week on this.

ALEXANDER: I don't know -

ARENA: Go ahead.

ALEXANDER: I don't know if Martha is going down or not. The victory for the Martha Stewart team was a big one. That was the most serious charge. But there are four felonies remaining. A conviction on any one would mean jail time. So she is certainly not out of the woods, trees of finch can see the field, but this is as he said, it's a battle that Martha Stewart still has to fight.

HERMAN: Well the other charges carry a five year max each, but if she gets convicted on lying to the Feds or on the obstruction, I don't think she will get jail time, I think she will get a six month or a year house detention, that's all.

ARENA: What should we look for as we move towards the jury phase of this case? How will the dynamics change?

HERMAN: Well, I don't know how the dynamics are going to change here. The defense is going to get up and argue that the government failed to prove their case against Martha, and the witnesses that the government put on were not credible. And try to go with that.

However the government has a very, very strong argument. And I don't believe the defense was prepared properly for Martha. Thank god she didn't testify, because that would have been the worst thing she could have done. The one defense witness they put up there got totally destroyed on cross examination. I understand that when the defense rested for Martha, the jurors looked perplexed. They couldn't believe that the defensive rested at this point. So I think all signs are pointing the wrong way for Martha.

Even though they went out and celebrated for Chinese lunch yesterday. ARENA: OK Kent, we are going to squeeze one more in. Kobe Bryant, we are expecting a two-day hearing. We may hear from his accuser?

ALEXANDER: We might hear from the accuser, basically as former prosecutor though not Emery University is a former prosecutor I hated to see sexual histories come in, in any kind of case. But if it turns out there is an explanation for these bruises and it might not be Kobe Bryant, I think we will see the judge let that information in. We just have to see what that information is, what the evidence is.

HERMAN: Kelli, it's her right to privacy versus his right to defend himself. She might be embarrassed; he is facing 20 years in prison. They have to have this. This is a critical hearing; she is absolutely going to testify. And if she had physical contact with other men, shortly before or right after this alleged occurrence with Kobe and prior to her reporting this to the police, I believe this judge is going to let it in, it is relevant and it is huge for the defense. Kobe needs this bad.

ALEXANDER: That's true, I agree completely.

ARENA: All right, then we'll end on agreement. That's a good thing.

HERMAN: We can't agree, Kelli.

ARENA: Kent Alexander, Richard Herman, thank you both for joining us.

ALEXANDER: Thank you.

HERMAN: Thank you.

ARENA: Our Web site is your legal link to the high profile cases making headlines. Logon to CNN.com/law for the latest developments as well as legal opinions and analysis.

Computers, cell phones and other high-tech gadgets. How can you be sure you are getting the most for your money? Find out on "Dollar Signs" coming up at 4:30 on CNN. Our experts not only will tell you about some of the hottest new high-tech gadgets, they will also help you decide what is best for your needs and your budget. If you have questions, e-mail them to us the address is dollarsigns@cnn.com. Or you can call us toll-free at 1-800-807-2620. The phone lines open at 4:30 Eastern.

By George it was one amazing stop through the holy land. Coming up, the story of the former "Seinfeld" cast member making a stop through Israel pushing peace and politics.

And --

KENDIS GIBSON, LOS ANGELES: It is live on the red carpet in Hollywood at the Academy Awards. We are going to have a preview of the preps and also tell you why this year's Academy Awards, particularly for the best actor category really stands out. Details coming up when CNN LIVE SATURDAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: It's only a day until the Hollywood extravaganza known as the Oscars. "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" has the most nominations but will it be crowned king of the Oscars? With a preview of the nominees CNN's Kendis Gibson joins us from the red carpet at Hollywood's Kodak Theater -- Kendis.

GIBSON: Kelli, good day to you. And you can tell that we are now just about a little over 24 hours away from the start of it. Because things are pretty much set here on the red carpet. The flowers are in. You have the 24 huge statuettes that are already up. We have a picture from above. And you can get a better perspective of how the preparations are going underway.

Obviously there are workers all over the place trying to get things ready. Whatever bit of last-minute work they might have that they need to do. And the red carpet is all set. They had been under canopy for the last few days. But now they have cleared it up.

Let's talk about the awards. Bring it back down to the ground. And talk with Tom O'Neil from goldderby.com where a lot of experts go to that Web site and say like who is going to win, and who is not. I really want to talk about the best actress category first. Because you may know you have Kisha Castle Hughes, who is the youngest nominee ever in a best actress category, right Tom?

TOM O'NEIL, GOLDDERBY.COM: Thirteen years old.

GIBSON: Thirteen years old and hers is beyond that it's just a great story.

O'NEIL: It is. We have never seen a girl in the best actress category before. And among the shocks we must be prepared for it could actually happen tomorrow night. She could win. Oscar voters are suckers for kids. Especially the girls, Tato (ph) Maneil (ph), Patty Duke and I'm not saying it will happen but it could.

GIBSON: That makes it really interesting. But right now most people believe that Charlize Theron will win for movie that few have seen her "Monster" but a really gripping role for her.

O'NEIL: Yes, Charlize Theron seems to be ahead. She is the onjanova (ph) sacrificed her beauty for the sake of her art. But watch out for Diane Keaton too, she is the only veteran in that category. So there is some suspense.

GIBSON: OK, now you know, going into the break we were talking -- I was teasing about something in the best actor category that has never actually happened before, but -- that being that you have three bad boys.

O'NEIL: That is right, and bad boys don't win Oscars. Just two years ago, Russell Crowe threw an Oscar away when he threw a punch at a British TV producer. He probably would have won for "Beautiful Mind," but this year we have Johnny Depp, Bill Murray and Sean Penn who all have scurrilous (ph) reputations.

GIBSON: Sean Penn though has kind of gone through a metamorphosis lately hasn't he?

O'NEIL: Yes, he did a real about-face when he realized -- that Bill Murray stole his thunder when Sean snubbed the Golden Globes. He actually has been campaigning vigorously showed up at the Oscar nominee lunch recently with his mommy.

GIBSON: And Johnny Depp.

O'NEIL: He's going to some event but not to others. He actually snubbed the screen actor's guild awards. When he won, but he was there at Globes and he wasn't happy. Talk about a bad boy. The minute he lost, he was running out the door.

GIBSON: Most people would not think of Bill Murray as a bad boy, so here in Hollywood?

O'NEIL: Here in Hollywood, Bill Murray does not have a great reputation. He has a bad one; he often sits on film projects and stops them from being made. And then when they are made, he does not show up on the set when he is supposed to. That is the back-story to the best actor race. And remember, this is the industry voting on itself. It tells us a lot what they think of these people.

GIBSON: All right, Tom O'Neil from Globe derby.com, we appreciate it.

O'NEIL: And you know what, I should point out Kelli, that I'm really amused by the really simpler things in life. All day long I have been watching these guys going to like great heights here to get this -- I guess it's a giant screen up there. So, I don't know. It just looked interesting.

GIBSON: So that's the story from the red carpet. You know, if we had more stuff like that, we'll come back to you in a little bit -- Kelli.

ARENA: It does not take much to make you happy Kendis?

GIBSON: No not at all.

ARENA: All right, fun assignment, that's a good thing. Have fun. Join CNN for the Hollywood gold rush. Our Daryn Kagan will be live from the red carpet with celebrity interviews and more. That is tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Well former Seinfeld star is on a mission to the Middle East. Coming up, the man known the world over as George Castanza, tries to attract interest in the peace process. We will tell you about his trip.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: And finally this hour, the violence between Israel and the Palestinians is an every-day fact of life. We just reported about today's Israeli attack in Gaza. Efforts to find a true peace settlement have failed for decades. But that has not stopped many people from trying, even a Hollywood celebrity. CNN's John Vause reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, TEL AVIV: George Castanza, peace envoy? Sounds bizarre even for a Seinfeld script but there he was, Jason Alexander recruiting Israeli students to sign on.

JASON ALEXANDER, ACTOR: I can only tell you that spending nine years as the most supremely selfish man on the planet, it's a refreshing change to think about other people for a little while.

VAUSE: For three days he traveled Israel and the Palestinian territories meeting with students, actors and Arabs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is an operation going on here --

VAUSE: And when he tried to go to the West Bank city of Ramallah, he was stopped at a checkpoint for more than an hour while Israeli soldiers conducted a raid.

ALEXANDER: Obviously the road getting here today was not an easy one.

VAUSE: He is selling one voice in the coming weeks Israelis and Palestinians will be asked to vote online or by phone. There will be ballots in newspapers, an unofficial poll to find common ground on issues which in the past have derailed countless other peace initiatives, but mostly they asked about "Seinfeld."

ALEXANDER: I don't have a favorite episode.

VAUSE: Questions like who in the show is Jewish.

ALEXANDER: Seinfeld, Jew. Alexander, Jew. Julie Louie Dryfuss, not a Jew. Michael Richards, adopted, so we don't really know.

VAUSE: Will there be a reunion?

ALEXANDER: I promise you, there is nothing that we could think of that when you actually saw it would satisfy you.

VAUSE: And on it went.

ALEXANDER: I'm sure most of the students said let's go see George. Let's go meet George. I assume that's why most people want to meet me in the first place.

VAUSE: They came to George they met Jason and walked away talking about a new, perhaps unlikely push for peace. And it all ended with a quick reality check.

ALEXANDER: Firs of all, I don't want to shock anyone. I don't want to rock your world. George is not a real person. [ applause ]

VOSS: John Vause, CNN, Tel Aviv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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At 4:00 Eastern, "CNN Live Saturday," in dollars signs, getting the most for your money when buying cellular phones and computers.

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