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CNN Live Saturday
MLB Reverses Decision To Advertise "Spider-Man 2" On Bases; Kansas Man Catches Record Breaking Fish
Aired May 08, 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Here are the headlines at this hour. President Bush pledged again to get to the bottom of the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. But Democrats suggest that may not be enough. In his weekly radio address the president called the abuse a stain on U.S. honor and it's reputation. In the Democratic response Wesley Clarke said the prison itself may need to be dismantled.
In southern Iraq, two supporters of a renegade cleric are killed in a clash with British troops shooting broke out in Basra when Moqtada al-Sadr's followers protested at an oil company building. At least five protesters and two British troops were wounded in that exchange.
Here at home, rescuers are searching Tonton (ph) river on the Massachusetts, Rhode Island border for a woman missing in a boating accident. Three others were killed when the 17-foot boat capsized overnight. A 14-year-old boy swam to shore to get help. One of those rescued is in critical condition.
The shock and surprise over the now infamous images have many Americans questioning how servicemen and women could be involved in what happened. Brian Todd says those questions have the families of the suspected abusers confused, concerned and defensive.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Forever attached to images of cruelty and abuse, the soldiers in these pictures are now themselves essentially locked up. Most of them sequestered by the military. Their public defense now left to their families. This photo obtained by the "Washington Post" shows Private First Class Lynndie England in her hometown of Fort Aspy, West Virginia. England's family first closed themselves off. But when they address the media they were defensive.
JESSICA KLINESTIVER, LYNNDIE ENGLAND'S SISTER: I don't believe my sister did what she did in those photos. I believe they are posed. Just for --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She is smiling.
KLINESTIVER: She is smiling at whoever is behind the camera.
TODD: England is one of several U.S. soldiers that are part of the investigation of abuses at Abu Graib prison. Many of them from the 372nd Military Police Company. Another is Sergeant Javas (ph) Davis, who has been charged. Speaking to CNN affiliates, Davis' father and grandfather were supportive and angry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is hanging in there. His family loves him. God is with him. We are with him. And I am very -- my family and I are very concerned about my son's safety.
NATHANIEL CARPENTER, GRANDFATHER OF JAVAS DAVIS: You know, he's just a peon, if you will. He's not in a position to be getting involved in nothing like this he takes orders.
TODD: We made contact with the wife of a translator who worked at Abu Graib Prison. He's listed as a suspect in the military's report. His wife says he hasn't told her anything about what happened at Abu Graib and she didn't want to say anything more to us. But a colleague at her workplace told us she is overwhelmed by the story. A common problem among these families. Staff Sergeant Chip Frederick faces criminal charges from a military court in connection with this case. His wife spoke to CNN.
MARTHA FREDERICK, WIFE OF ACCUSED SOLDIER: You know, sometimes it's easier to deal with; sometimes it's harder to deal with. There were times when he felt like he didn't know how much more he could take of this.
TODD: Others are portrayed as heroes; Specialist Joseph Darby of southern Pennsylvania is credited with alerting his superiors to the abuses. CNN affiliate WTAE caught up to Darby's sister-in-law.
MAXINE CARROLL, JOSEPH DARBY SISTER IN LAW: But I wasn't surprised that he found the courage to do what he did.
TODD: Some may be heroes. Others may be criminals. Some may have just been following orders. All of them caught up in a story they will likely never shake. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: For now, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld retains his cabinet position but Rumsfeld says he would resign in a minute if he felt he were no longer effective as a secretary. More on the Pentagon and the prisoner scandal now from Elaine Quijano.
Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good after noon Fredricka. Well, as the military's investigation into the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal continues, we heard yesterday and we heard just a moment ago charges against a seventh soldier, Private First Class Lynndie England we saw in the piece a short time ago. She was charged by the military, a number of charges against her, including committing an indecent act, assaulting Iraqi detainees on multiple occasions and conspiring with another soldier to mistreat Iraqi detainee.
Now England's face appears in those now infamous photos. The latest one there you see showing her with a leash attacked to a prisoner's neck. But England's family and friends in West Virginia insists that the images don't give a complete picture of what happened. And they say the publicity surrounding them is unfairly portraying England. They describe her as a caring person who did not act on her own. They say unnamed superiors in the army were also involved.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KLINESTIVER: Certain people in the army have told her to do what she did. She follows orders that are what her job in the military is to do. To follow orders of her superior offices.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now if England's case is referred to court martial and she is convicted she could face a variety of penalties including an official reprimand, forfeiture of pay or confinement. We understand that England is now a soldier at Fort Bragg, North Carolina -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano at the Pentagon. Thanks very much.
Banned from the base paths. Major league baseball says thanks but no thanks to Spider-man and friends. But what does the future hold for sports and advertising. We will find out.
And a big week ahead as Kobe Bryant as he finally prepares for trial on rape charges. Details straight ahead in our "Legal Roundtable."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Now other stories from across America. Police in Maryland are questioning a man in connection with a shooting at a school. Yesterday's drive-by shooting wounded four teenagers. They were leaving a charity basketball game at Randal's Town high school near Baltimore. Two of the victims are still in critical or serious condition. The other two were treated and released.
Police in Jasper, Texas, are looking for suspects that desecrated the grave of James Byrd. He was the man that was dragged to he death behind a pick up truck by three white men back in 1998. The culprits etched profanity and racial slurs onto the steel plate that covers part of the grave. They also toppled Bryd's headstone.
In Toledo, Ohio the priest accused of killing a nun over two decades ago. Has entered a not guilty plea. The Rev. Gerald Robinson is charged with aggravated murder. He's accused of stabbing and strangling the victim in 1980.
And in Houston former Enron Chief Jeffrey Skilling is now prohibited from consuming alcohol. That order issued yesterday by a federal magistrate it's one of the conditions of Skilling's $5 million bail. Skilling is awaiting trial on insider trading and fraud charges. The order stems from an April incident on a New York street corner when police accused Skilling of being drunk and acting erratically.
The national past time is taking a step back from tying itself to the national interruption of advertising. Baseball's planned commercial tie-in to a new movie launched a new controversy for the sport and led to a debate on the purity of sport and baseball's efforts to make money. Steve Overmyer reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE OVERMYER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Few sports embrace their history and tradition like baseball. Spring training, retro ballparks classic uniforms. But that could be changing. For $3.6 million baseball agreed to promote the movie "Spider-Man II" during one weekend in June. The promotion included putting the Spider Man logo on to the bases.
CHIPPER JONES, ALTLANTA BRAVE'S OUTFIELDER: I doubt, you know, Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron or Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle would have liked running over an ad for Spider-Man around second base.
BOBBY COX, ALTANTA'S BRAVES MANAGER: It's not going to affect the game that is for sure. I mean you're not going to miss the base because there's something written on it. But, you know, we don't want to sell the game out either.
TREVOR HOFFMAN, SAN DIEGO PADRES PITCHER: There's not a place for it. We have enough stuff on the walls and around the stadium. I don't think we need intrude on the playing surface.
OVERMYER: In an effort to passive concerns the league decided to scrap the logos from the bases but is that just postponing the inedible?
BUD SELIG, MLB COMMISSIONER: Nobody loves the history and tradition more than I do. I had a writer say to me yesterday, you turned the clock back to Abbott's Field in the polo grounds wouldn't you? And I said, yes, I would. But we don't live in that era, anymore.
DAVID CARTER, MARKETING EXECUTIVE: The ability of technology, Tivo, others ability to avoid ads, where are you going to be able to make money from sports if you are Corporate America. You have got to put it on the product the only product that is not going to get zapped if you will is going to be the players.
OVERMYER: Nascar is the leader in displaying corporate sponsors. Logos appear on every inch of a driver's clothes and car. But that's a road that baseball traditionalist don't want to travel. For CNN sports I'm Steve Overmyer.
WHITFIELD: Martha Stewart strikes out again in court. Up next in our "Legal Roundtable" the rest of the legal road ahead as her sentencing date approaches.
And what a catch. That one right there, it's not exactly a whale a of tale but it's a story that is making this fisherman a local hero.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The series of hearings in the rape case against NBA player Kobe Bryant will continue next week even as he continues his commute between the court house and the playoffs. Gary Tuchman says the process may be finally getting closer to a trial date.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): He has divided the last ten months of his life between the basketball court and Eagle County, Colorado's judicial court, a multitude of hearings have taken place, with the question continuing to be asked, when will Kobe Bryant's rape trial be held?
KAREN SALAZ, COURT SPOKESMAN: Not until we get all the scientific evidence back can they possibly begin looking at a trial date.
TUCHMAN: But last week attorneys on both sides announced evidence testing is virtually complete. So next week a trial date will be announced after the Laker guard is arraigned and issues a not guilty plea.
CRAIG SILVERMAN, COLORADO ATTORNEY: It appears at if both sides are starting to cooperate in getting rid of some disputes that can be resolved without court intervention.
TUCHMAN: But there is still major court intervention that needs to be done. Arguments will continue next week about whether portions of the alleged victim's sexual history will be allowed to be included in a trial. Friends and peers of the accuser have testified in closed- door hearings and not all have been supportive of her.
SILVERMAN: If it is shown they are testifying against a friend, that's impact ful, after all, you don't expect friends to say bad things about friends.
TUCHMAN: Some victim's rights advocates say all the discussions about the 19-year-old woman's sexual past is dissuading victims from coming forward.
KATIE KRAMER, RAPE ASSISTANCE AND AWARENESS PROGRAM: But then there are some clients who feel empowered, who feel that this has gone too far and I feel like I do have to come forward.
TUCHMAN: Lawyers on both sides tell the judge they will be ready for a trial late this summer. Which might mean Kobe Bryant's anticipated participation on the U.S. Olympic basketball team won't happen. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Eagle, Colorado.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Well Kobe Bryant is just one of the high profile faces and cases in the news this week. We'll discuss them all in our "Legal Roundtable." With us, civil rights attorney and law professor Avery Friedman. Also Richard Herman, criminal defense attorney. Good to see both of you gentlemen.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: How are you Fredricka?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Nice to be back. We missed you.
WHITFIELD: OK, well I missed you guys, too.
All right Avery, let me begin with you. Let's talk a little bit about this Kobe Bryant case. Apparently the defense wants to try and change the language that is being described of the alleged victim. They don't want her called the alleged victim but instead a person who is a part of this case. What kind of argument is that?
FRIEDMAN: That's a terrible argument. It is like the alleged question, the alleged judge, the alleged jury. Listen it's up to the jury to make that decision. I appreciate that there's a question of burden of proof and presumption of innocence, but Fredricka, this is a case where the prosecution has to convince the jury that indeed she is the victim. If the defense lawyers want to make the argument, fine, but the Judge Terry Ruckregal who has been terrific in this case is not going to buy the argument.
WHITFIELD: In fact Richard, is there any precedent on that?
HERMAN: It's just another advantage for the prosecution to be able to condition the jury to refer to her as a victim. We don't know if she's a victim yet. The trial and the jury will determine that .At this stage, we just don't know. At best she's an alleged victim or complainant.
WHITFIELD: Isn't everyone always labeled an alleged victim?
FRIEDMAN: Everything is alleged.
HERMAN: Yes, and that's the terminology that they will accept, alleged victim but what is happening here the prosecution is referring to her as the victim and that the defense is objecting to.
WHITFIELD: And we heard --
FRIEDMAN: They better be referring to her as that.
WHITFIELD: And we heard in Gary Tuchman's piece that apparently they will argue once again about what kind of history they can go into involving this alleged victim. I thought they had already ruled that it wouldn't be mental history but perhaps they could go into her sexual history, right?
FRIEDMAN: I think that's outrageous. I mean there's no problem with introducing evidence immediately before or after. But we're bringing up the old outrageous chestnut of dealing with the sexual history of a female and that's what is very, very wrong here. I'm actually surprised that this matter has not been set to rest. Now Richard may not agree. But I think that issue is over, it should be in this case.
WHITFIELD: Richard, you are already shaking your head, no you don't agree.
HERMAN: No, I don't agree, for a change. What is happening is that the defense wants to put in right before her alleged encounter with Kobe and directly after. And before her examination --
FRIEDMAN: That's not history. That's not history Richard.
HERMAN: That's the history they are referring to.
WHITFIELD: All right, let's move on to Martha Stewart. Her attorneys tried to get another trial on the basis that one of the jurors was not completely honest about his background. And that perhaps the defense wanted to make the case that this juror was out to get rich people. And that's why this kind of verdict was rendered. So, Richard, the judge said no. Forget it. It's not going to happen. What kind of recourse does Martha Stewart have? Any?
HERMAN: The recourse she has is to start packing her bags right now because she is not going to get a retrial here. She is not going to win on appeal. She ought to prepare herself for what is projected to be about a one-year term that she is going to receive. If she is a good girl. She will do 85 percent and she will get out and try to put this behind her. Her stock is doing well now and she will put her life together again. But these maginations (ph) that she is going through in the courthouse are going to get her nowhere right now.
WHITFIELD: In fact, Avery, do you think this attempt to get a new trial will in some way damage or harm her opportunity of getting a rather lenient sentence comes June?
FRIEDMAN: Not at all. In fact, Bob Morvillo who represents Martha Stewart has done the right thing to preserve the question the Court of Appeals whether her right to a fair trial guaranteed under the American constitution has been preserved. One thing I will agree with Richard about, is that I think the argument is going nowhere at least it's an argument. I think come around July Martha may be packed up and on her way to the prison.
WHITFIELD: And what is your guess Avery if the guidelines are ten to 16 months for a sentence. What is your guess?
FRIEDMAN: My guess is about one year. And I agree except that will be a brief window from the time the U.S. Bureau of Prisons says where she goes. So we're looking at again about July. That's when she is gone.
WHITFIELD: All right, Avery Friedman, Richard Herman thank you very much gentleman.
HERMAN: Thank you Fredricka.
FRIEDMAN: Nice to see you again. Take care.
WHITFIELD: See you next weekend.
Our Web site is there your legal link to the high profile cases making headlines. Log on the CNN.com/law for the latest developments as well as legal opinions and analysis.
Bragging rights on the big one. A Kansas man is the pride of his community after reeling in one amazing catch. A big fish story coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well you heard the big fish story, right? Probably more than once. You know the one about the one that got away? Well not this time. Our Susan Highland of affiliate WDAS takes us to Rile, Kansas for a whopper of a fish tale.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLINTON BOLDRIDGE, FISHERMAN: I don't know. Just right place at the right time, I guess.
SUSAN HIGHLAND, WDAS: Clinton Boldridge was supposed to be working Wednesday afternoon but when his job fell through, he decided to come here. Dam number 7 in Atchison, Kansas.
CLINTON BOLDRIDGE, FISHERMAN: It is amazing because I was using a little light pole like 8 or 10 pounds test line on it. And it made two runs on me, the first time I look down at the reel it had six or eight wraps of string left on it. Why he stopped when he did I don't know. He made one more run and took all my line out just about the same way. About 20 minutes he basically turned around and just kind of swam towards me, when he got in close enough to where I could grab him, I didn't waste no time.
HIGHLAND: And this is what came up out of the water, a 6'3" 144 pound paddlefish. Also called a spoonbill.
BOLDRIDGE: I just thought it was a 30 or 40 pounder or something like that, which I have caught it before. So it was no big deal to me. When I seen it coming up out of the water, I knew it was pretty good.
HIGHLAND: It was good already enough to break the Kansas State record which was 90.75 pounds and could be a potential world record, as well.
BOLDRIDGE: Never dreamed it possible. Knew they were out there. But I sure am not going to stop fishing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Well Clinton the fisherman says he is calling around asking if anyone is interested in mounting that fish for him.
So much more ahead this Saturday. At the top of the hour "Next @ CNN" with Daniel Sieberg. At 4:00 Eastern "CNN Live Saturday" and "Dollar Signs" how to make more money at your job. Experts answer your calls and emails. Then "People in the News" profiling singing sensations Carly Simmon and Rod Stewart. But first a preview of "Next @ CNN." DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN ANCHOR, NEXT@CNN: Today on "Next @ CNN" we will report on new concerns about electronic voting machines. One expert calls them terrible. Can we trust them to give accurate results in November? Also scientists are trying to save some endangered species by cloning. We will look at why it is controversial. Those stories and a lot more coming up after the latest headlines from the CNN Newsroom.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 8, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Here are the headlines at this hour. President Bush pledged again to get to the bottom of the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. But Democrats suggest that may not be enough. In his weekly radio address the president called the abuse a stain on U.S. honor and it's reputation. In the Democratic response Wesley Clarke said the prison itself may need to be dismantled.
In southern Iraq, two supporters of a renegade cleric are killed in a clash with British troops shooting broke out in Basra when Moqtada al-Sadr's followers protested at an oil company building. At least five protesters and two British troops were wounded in that exchange.
Here at home, rescuers are searching Tonton (ph) river on the Massachusetts, Rhode Island border for a woman missing in a boating accident. Three others were killed when the 17-foot boat capsized overnight. A 14-year-old boy swam to shore to get help. One of those rescued is in critical condition.
The shock and surprise over the now infamous images have many Americans questioning how servicemen and women could be involved in what happened. Brian Todd says those questions have the families of the suspected abusers confused, concerned and defensive.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Forever attached to images of cruelty and abuse, the soldiers in these pictures are now themselves essentially locked up. Most of them sequestered by the military. Their public defense now left to their families. This photo obtained by the "Washington Post" shows Private First Class Lynndie England in her hometown of Fort Aspy, West Virginia. England's family first closed themselves off. But when they address the media they were defensive.
JESSICA KLINESTIVER, LYNNDIE ENGLAND'S SISTER: I don't believe my sister did what she did in those photos. I believe they are posed. Just for --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She is smiling.
KLINESTIVER: She is smiling at whoever is behind the camera.
TODD: England is one of several U.S. soldiers that are part of the investigation of abuses at Abu Graib prison. Many of them from the 372nd Military Police Company. Another is Sergeant Javas (ph) Davis, who has been charged. Speaking to CNN affiliates, Davis' father and grandfather were supportive and angry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is hanging in there. His family loves him. God is with him. We are with him. And I am very -- my family and I are very concerned about my son's safety.
NATHANIEL CARPENTER, GRANDFATHER OF JAVAS DAVIS: You know, he's just a peon, if you will. He's not in a position to be getting involved in nothing like this he takes orders.
TODD: We made contact with the wife of a translator who worked at Abu Graib Prison. He's listed as a suspect in the military's report. His wife says he hasn't told her anything about what happened at Abu Graib and she didn't want to say anything more to us. But a colleague at her workplace told us she is overwhelmed by the story. A common problem among these families. Staff Sergeant Chip Frederick faces criminal charges from a military court in connection with this case. His wife spoke to CNN.
MARTHA FREDERICK, WIFE OF ACCUSED SOLDIER: You know, sometimes it's easier to deal with; sometimes it's harder to deal with. There were times when he felt like he didn't know how much more he could take of this.
TODD: Others are portrayed as heroes; Specialist Joseph Darby of southern Pennsylvania is credited with alerting his superiors to the abuses. CNN affiliate WTAE caught up to Darby's sister-in-law.
MAXINE CARROLL, JOSEPH DARBY SISTER IN LAW: But I wasn't surprised that he found the courage to do what he did.
TODD: Some may be heroes. Others may be criminals. Some may have just been following orders. All of them caught up in a story they will likely never shake. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: For now, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld retains his cabinet position but Rumsfeld says he would resign in a minute if he felt he were no longer effective as a secretary. More on the Pentagon and the prisoner scandal now from Elaine Quijano.
Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good after noon Fredricka. Well, as the military's investigation into the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal continues, we heard yesterday and we heard just a moment ago charges against a seventh soldier, Private First Class Lynndie England we saw in the piece a short time ago. She was charged by the military, a number of charges against her, including committing an indecent act, assaulting Iraqi detainees on multiple occasions and conspiring with another soldier to mistreat Iraqi detainee.
Now England's face appears in those now infamous photos. The latest one there you see showing her with a leash attacked to a prisoner's neck. But England's family and friends in West Virginia insists that the images don't give a complete picture of what happened. And they say the publicity surrounding them is unfairly portraying England. They describe her as a caring person who did not act on her own. They say unnamed superiors in the army were also involved.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KLINESTIVER: Certain people in the army have told her to do what she did. She follows orders that are what her job in the military is to do. To follow orders of her superior offices.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now if England's case is referred to court martial and she is convicted she could face a variety of penalties including an official reprimand, forfeiture of pay or confinement. We understand that England is now a soldier at Fort Bragg, North Carolina -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano at the Pentagon. Thanks very much.
Banned from the base paths. Major league baseball says thanks but no thanks to Spider-man and friends. But what does the future hold for sports and advertising. We will find out.
And a big week ahead as Kobe Bryant as he finally prepares for trial on rape charges. Details straight ahead in our "Legal Roundtable."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Now other stories from across America. Police in Maryland are questioning a man in connection with a shooting at a school. Yesterday's drive-by shooting wounded four teenagers. They were leaving a charity basketball game at Randal's Town high school near Baltimore. Two of the victims are still in critical or serious condition. The other two were treated and released.
Police in Jasper, Texas, are looking for suspects that desecrated the grave of James Byrd. He was the man that was dragged to he death behind a pick up truck by three white men back in 1998. The culprits etched profanity and racial slurs onto the steel plate that covers part of the grave. They also toppled Bryd's headstone.
In Toledo, Ohio the priest accused of killing a nun over two decades ago. Has entered a not guilty plea. The Rev. Gerald Robinson is charged with aggravated murder. He's accused of stabbing and strangling the victim in 1980.
And in Houston former Enron Chief Jeffrey Skilling is now prohibited from consuming alcohol. That order issued yesterday by a federal magistrate it's one of the conditions of Skilling's $5 million bail. Skilling is awaiting trial on insider trading and fraud charges. The order stems from an April incident on a New York street corner when police accused Skilling of being drunk and acting erratically.
The national past time is taking a step back from tying itself to the national interruption of advertising. Baseball's planned commercial tie-in to a new movie launched a new controversy for the sport and led to a debate on the purity of sport and baseball's efforts to make money. Steve Overmyer reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE OVERMYER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Few sports embrace their history and tradition like baseball. Spring training, retro ballparks classic uniforms. But that could be changing. For $3.6 million baseball agreed to promote the movie "Spider-Man II" during one weekend in June. The promotion included putting the Spider Man logo on to the bases.
CHIPPER JONES, ALTLANTA BRAVE'S OUTFIELDER: I doubt, you know, Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron or Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle would have liked running over an ad for Spider-Man around second base.
BOBBY COX, ALTANTA'S BRAVES MANAGER: It's not going to affect the game that is for sure. I mean you're not going to miss the base because there's something written on it. But, you know, we don't want to sell the game out either.
TREVOR HOFFMAN, SAN DIEGO PADRES PITCHER: There's not a place for it. We have enough stuff on the walls and around the stadium. I don't think we need intrude on the playing surface.
OVERMYER: In an effort to passive concerns the league decided to scrap the logos from the bases but is that just postponing the inedible?
BUD SELIG, MLB COMMISSIONER: Nobody loves the history and tradition more than I do. I had a writer say to me yesterday, you turned the clock back to Abbott's Field in the polo grounds wouldn't you? And I said, yes, I would. But we don't live in that era, anymore.
DAVID CARTER, MARKETING EXECUTIVE: The ability of technology, Tivo, others ability to avoid ads, where are you going to be able to make money from sports if you are Corporate America. You have got to put it on the product the only product that is not going to get zapped if you will is going to be the players.
OVERMYER: Nascar is the leader in displaying corporate sponsors. Logos appear on every inch of a driver's clothes and car. But that's a road that baseball traditionalist don't want to travel. For CNN sports I'm Steve Overmyer.
WHITFIELD: Martha Stewart strikes out again in court. Up next in our "Legal Roundtable" the rest of the legal road ahead as her sentencing date approaches.
And what a catch. That one right there, it's not exactly a whale a of tale but it's a story that is making this fisherman a local hero.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The series of hearings in the rape case against NBA player Kobe Bryant will continue next week even as he continues his commute between the court house and the playoffs. Gary Tuchman says the process may be finally getting closer to a trial date.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): He has divided the last ten months of his life between the basketball court and Eagle County, Colorado's judicial court, a multitude of hearings have taken place, with the question continuing to be asked, when will Kobe Bryant's rape trial be held?
KAREN SALAZ, COURT SPOKESMAN: Not until we get all the scientific evidence back can they possibly begin looking at a trial date.
TUCHMAN: But last week attorneys on both sides announced evidence testing is virtually complete. So next week a trial date will be announced after the Laker guard is arraigned and issues a not guilty plea.
CRAIG SILVERMAN, COLORADO ATTORNEY: It appears at if both sides are starting to cooperate in getting rid of some disputes that can be resolved without court intervention.
TUCHMAN: But there is still major court intervention that needs to be done. Arguments will continue next week about whether portions of the alleged victim's sexual history will be allowed to be included in a trial. Friends and peers of the accuser have testified in closed- door hearings and not all have been supportive of her.
SILVERMAN: If it is shown they are testifying against a friend, that's impact ful, after all, you don't expect friends to say bad things about friends.
TUCHMAN: Some victim's rights advocates say all the discussions about the 19-year-old woman's sexual past is dissuading victims from coming forward.
KATIE KRAMER, RAPE ASSISTANCE AND AWARENESS PROGRAM: But then there are some clients who feel empowered, who feel that this has gone too far and I feel like I do have to come forward.
TUCHMAN: Lawyers on both sides tell the judge they will be ready for a trial late this summer. Which might mean Kobe Bryant's anticipated participation on the U.S. Olympic basketball team won't happen. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Eagle, Colorado.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Well Kobe Bryant is just one of the high profile faces and cases in the news this week. We'll discuss them all in our "Legal Roundtable." With us, civil rights attorney and law professor Avery Friedman. Also Richard Herman, criminal defense attorney. Good to see both of you gentlemen.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: How are you Fredricka?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Nice to be back. We missed you.
WHITFIELD: OK, well I missed you guys, too.
All right Avery, let me begin with you. Let's talk a little bit about this Kobe Bryant case. Apparently the defense wants to try and change the language that is being described of the alleged victim. They don't want her called the alleged victim but instead a person who is a part of this case. What kind of argument is that?
FRIEDMAN: That's a terrible argument. It is like the alleged question, the alleged judge, the alleged jury. Listen it's up to the jury to make that decision. I appreciate that there's a question of burden of proof and presumption of innocence, but Fredricka, this is a case where the prosecution has to convince the jury that indeed she is the victim. If the defense lawyers want to make the argument, fine, but the Judge Terry Ruckregal who has been terrific in this case is not going to buy the argument.
WHITFIELD: In fact Richard, is there any precedent on that?
HERMAN: It's just another advantage for the prosecution to be able to condition the jury to refer to her as a victim. We don't know if she's a victim yet. The trial and the jury will determine that .At this stage, we just don't know. At best she's an alleged victim or complainant.
WHITFIELD: Isn't everyone always labeled an alleged victim?
FRIEDMAN: Everything is alleged.
HERMAN: Yes, and that's the terminology that they will accept, alleged victim but what is happening here the prosecution is referring to her as the victim and that the defense is objecting to.
WHITFIELD: And we heard --
FRIEDMAN: They better be referring to her as that.
WHITFIELD: And we heard in Gary Tuchman's piece that apparently they will argue once again about what kind of history they can go into involving this alleged victim. I thought they had already ruled that it wouldn't be mental history but perhaps they could go into her sexual history, right?
FRIEDMAN: I think that's outrageous. I mean there's no problem with introducing evidence immediately before or after. But we're bringing up the old outrageous chestnut of dealing with the sexual history of a female and that's what is very, very wrong here. I'm actually surprised that this matter has not been set to rest. Now Richard may not agree. But I think that issue is over, it should be in this case.
WHITFIELD: Richard, you are already shaking your head, no you don't agree.
HERMAN: No, I don't agree, for a change. What is happening is that the defense wants to put in right before her alleged encounter with Kobe and directly after. And before her examination --
FRIEDMAN: That's not history. That's not history Richard.
HERMAN: That's the history they are referring to.
WHITFIELD: All right, let's move on to Martha Stewart. Her attorneys tried to get another trial on the basis that one of the jurors was not completely honest about his background. And that perhaps the defense wanted to make the case that this juror was out to get rich people. And that's why this kind of verdict was rendered. So, Richard, the judge said no. Forget it. It's not going to happen. What kind of recourse does Martha Stewart have? Any?
HERMAN: The recourse she has is to start packing her bags right now because she is not going to get a retrial here. She is not going to win on appeal. She ought to prepare herself for what is projected to be about a one-year term that she is going to receive. If she is a good girl. She will do 85 percent and she will get out and try to put this behind her. Her stock is doing well now and she will put her life together again. But these maginations (ph) that she is going through in the courthouse are going to get her nowhere right now.
WHITFIELD: In fact, Avery, do you think this attempt to get a new trial will in some way damage or harm her opportunity of getting a rather lenient sentence comes June?
FRIEDMAN: Not at all. In fact, Bob Morvillo who represents Martha Stewart has done the right thing to preserve the question the Court of Appeals whether her right to a fair trial guaranteed under the American constitution has been preserved. One thing I will agree with Richard about, is that I think the argument is going nowhere at least it's an argument. I think come around July Martha may be packed up and on her way to the prison.
WHITFIELD: And what is your guess Avery if the guidelines are ten to 16 months for a sentence. What is your guess?
FRIEDMAN: My guess is about one year. And I agree except that will be a brief window from the time the U.S. Bureau of Prisons says where she goes. So we're looking at again about July. That's when she is gone.
WHITFIELD: All right, Avery Friedman, Richard Herman thank you very much gentleman.
HERMAN: Thank you Fredricka.
FRIEDMAN: Nice to see you again. Take care.
WHITFIELD: See you next weekend.
Our Web site is there your legal link to the high profile cases making headlines. Log on the CNN.com/law for the latest developments as well as legal opinions and analysis.
Bragging rights on the big one. A Kansas man is the pride of his community after reeling in one amazing catch. A big fish story coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well you heard the big fish story, right? Probably more than once. You know the one about the one that got away? Well not this time. Our Susan Highland of affiliate WDAS takes us to Rile, Kansas for a whopper of a fish tale.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLINTON BOLDRIDGE, FISHERMAN: I don't know. Just right place at the right time, I guess.
SUSAN HIGHLAND, WDAS: Clinton Boldridge was supposed to be working Wednesday afternoon but when his job fell through, he decided to come here. Dam number 7 in Atchison, Kansas.
CLINTON BOLDRIDGE, FISHERMAN: It is amazing because I was using a little light pole like 8 or 10 pounds test line on it. And it made two runs on me, the first time I look down at the reel it had six or eight wraps of string left on it. Why he stopped when he did I don't know. He made one more run and took all my line out just about the same way. About 20 minutes he basically turned around and just kind of swam towards me, when he got in close enough to where I could grab him, I didn't waste no time.
HIGHLAND: And this is what came up out of the water, a 6'3" 144 pound paddlefish. Also called a spoonbill.
BOLDRIDGE: I just thought it was a 30 or 40 pounder or something like that, which I have caught it before. So it was no big deal to me. When I seen it coming up out of the water, I knew it was pretty good.
HIGHLAND: It was good already enough to break the Kansas State record which was 90.75 pounds and could be a potential world record, as well.
BOLDRIDGE: Never dreamed it possible. Knew they were out there. But I sure am not going to stop fishing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Well Clinton the fisherman says he is calling around asking if anyone is interested in mounting that fish for him.
So much more ahead this Saturday. At the top of the hour "Next @ CNN" with Daniel Sieberg. At 4:00 Eastern "CNN Live Saturday" and "Dollar Signs" how to make more money at your job. Experts answer your calls and emails. Then "People in the News" profiling singing sensations Carly Simmon and Rod Stewart. But first a preview of "Next @ CNN." DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN ANCHOR, NEXT@CNN: Today on "Next @ CNN" we will report on new concerns about electronic voting machines. One expert calls them terrible. Can we trust them to give accurate results in November? Also scientists are trying to save some endangered species by cloning. We will look at why it is controversial. Those stories and a lot more coming up after the latest headlines from the CNN Newsroom.
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