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CNN Live Saturday
Super Bowl Sunday Approaches; A Look at the Michael Jackson Trial
Aired February 05, 2005 - 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.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 p.m. on the East Coast. And 11:00 a.m. in the West. Good afternoon, I'm Christine Romans, in for Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN's global headquarters in Atlanta.
Ahead this hour, protecting America's biggest sporting event of the year, the super security behind the "Super Bowl".
President Bush prepares to lay out his plan for the federal budget with an eye on reducing the deficit. Which government programs will end up on the chopping block? We'll have a live report from the White House.
Plus this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wish that people in the U.S. would relate a little more to the civilians that are over there, the Iraqi civilians who often have to suffer tremendously.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: One reporter's personal perspective of Iraq. Those stories in a moment, but first, a look at headlines "Now in the News".
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says European allies are ready to mend fences over the war in Iraq. In Warsaw, Rice met with Poland's foreign minister who said it is time to change the subject from Iraq. It's the first trip by Rice as secretary of State. We'll have live report on Secretary Rice's fast-moving travels in a moment.
Pope John Paul is to give a traditional blessing tomorrow from a new location, his hospital room in Rome. A visiting bishop says the pope is improving and is anxious to return to work at the Vatican. He's been battling the flu and breathing difficulties.
Bad weather, rough terrain and darkness are keeping rescue crews from the scene of a jet jetliner crash south of Kabul, Afghanistan. The Afghan airliner crashed two days ago with 104 on board, including as many as six Americans. Officials hold out little hope of finding survivors.
Up first this hour, a whirlwind tour of Europe and the Middle East. Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Turkey, the fourth stop on her first trip abroad as secretary of State. Rice flew to Ankara after a morning stop in Warsaw, Poland. CNN's Alfonso Van Marsh is now with us from the Turkish capitol.
ALFONSO VAN MARSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived here just a few hours ago. She's already met with Turkey's prime minister. And as you mentioned earlier on today, she was in Warsaw, Poland meeting with Polish leaders, specifically the foreign minister and prime minister, and thanking Poland for its support in the war in Iraq.
Now, there are some 2,500 Polish soldiers in Iraq, and Poland is considered one of the U.S.'s strongest allies in Europe. Now, the United States considers Turkey also one of its strongest allies. But the U.S. secretary of state is coming here at the tail end of escalating criticism over U.S. policy in northern Iraq, specifically coming from Turkey's prime minister. This is what he said earlier this week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY (through translator): Powers claiming that they came to bring democracy to the region prefer to remain insensitive to these anti-democratic ambitions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAN MARSH: Now, these ambitions that he's referring to are Turkish concerns over the mass migration of ethnic Kurds into the oil- rich city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq. Turkey says that this unfairly tipped the Iraqi elections to Kurdish political power and to Kurdish favor. Now Turkey is concerned that if this happens, the Kurds may be one step closer to declaring an independent state. And Turkey is worried if that happens on the Iraqi side of the border, ethnic Kurds here on this side of the border may have similar ambitions.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: "CNN Security Watch" this hour begins in Kuwait. Police raided several homes in and around Kuwait City today, arresting at least four suspected terrorists. It took a gun battle to get some of them into security. It allows them to enter houses as they continue to crack down on militants.
Next door, in Saudi Arabia, a 50-nation conference on terrorism. The Saudi Crown Prince called today for an international anti- terrorism center to track terrorists. It would also allow countries to exchange information instantly in order to head off a terror attack.
And a Spanish judge jailed two Moroccan brothers today. They are accused of working with a key suspect in last year's Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people. The brothers were arrested with their father and his wife. But the parents were freed today by the judge.
Our "CNN Security Watch" segment continues now with a look at the super size security operation in place for tomorrow's Super Bowl in Florida. CNN's Susan Candiotti has the latest on the intense preparations in Jacksonville. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): As fans enjoy pre-game activities, law enforcers are turning up security an extra notch.
(voice over): For example, pilots with a Customs and Border Protection Agency provided us an overview of Alltel Stadium located right on the waterfront. These are the same pilots that will be flying over that air space before, during, and after the game.
Inside the stadium, dozens of cameras are set up that allow authorities to zero in on a single seat. There's a no-fly zone encompassing a 30-mile radius around the stadium. Now, on the water, before, during and after the game, local state and federal law enforcement agencies are patrolling the St. John's River, a 14-mile stretch.
One tool used by the federal authorities is called a FLEER, standing for Forward Looking Infrared. It provides a reverse image in darkness and light and allows authorities a better look at what's going on, on the water, and on the ground as well. Here's a look at the technology.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trying to focus in on this guy. It's hard. The camera's having a hard time to do that, because it's a daytime camera. We switch over to FLEER. I can see I've got two POBs, two persons onboard. One with a flashlight, just closed a cooler and is putting the cooler down. Laid the flashlight down. And is now transiting right in front of us.
CANDIOTTI: Among law enforcement agencies here, the people in charge of security for next year's "Super Bowl", in Detroit, including the assistant police chief.
WALTER MARTIN, ASST. CHIEF, DETROIT POLICE DEPT.: Very involved. This is huge. This is huge. I didn't realize how huge it was until I got down here and seen all the pieces of Jacksonville, the key components they have to take care of. It's a lot. But we're ready for the challenge.
CANDIOTTI (on camera): Detroit, like Jacksonville, is on the waterfront, adding an extra layer of concern. Jacksonville's sheriff in charge of this year's "Super Bowl" security says if his team does his job right, the teams on the field and the fans watching the game will feel secure and not worry about it -- Susan Candiotti, CNN, Jacksonville, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: For an exclusive behind the scenes, all-access look at the security in place for the "Super Bowl" game, watch CNN's "American Morning" Monday morning at 7:00 Eastern. Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Coming up at the bottom of the hour, we'll go live to Jacksonville, Florida, for a preview of tomorrow's grid iron showdown.
Social Security reform and the 2006 budget are tops on President Bush's domestic agenda. The president sends his $2.5 trillion proposal to Congress Monday. We are getting word today about what did and did not make the cut. CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us now from the White House -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Christine. White House officials aren't coming out with specific numbers just yet, at least not on the record. We do know from President Bush himself this budget is going to be a tough one. He has said so in the past.
And after years of tax cuts, also this year the estimated federal deficit at $427 billion for this fiscal year, the president is under enormous pressure to cut the deficit in half. This is a pledge that he made to cut the deficit in half by the end of his second term. Well, today in his morning radio address, he outlined in broad terms how he hopes to do that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: On Monday, my administration will submit a budget that holds the growth of discretionary spending below inflation, makes tax relief permanent and stays on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. In the long run, the best way to reduce the deficit is to grow the economy, and we will take steps to make the American economy stronger, more innovative and more competitive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, earlier this week, both during his state of the union address, and also while stumping for Social Security changes while on a tour of five states, the president says he wants to eliminate or vastly cut back 150 federal programs, to curb spending and address the budget deficit. There's likely going to be intense push-back on that.
But on the issue of Social Security, you see the president there, part of an effort to convince the American people that Social Security is a looming problem that needs to be addressed soon. And now some evidence that those efforts may be working.
A new poll by "Newsweek" magazine found when Americans were asked if they agree with the Bush administration's contention, that Social Security faces a funding crisis, some 65 percent of Americans said they agreed, 26 percent said they disagreed. But when asked if they generally favored or opposed the president's ideas to change the system, only 26 percent favored the changes, the proposed changes, 36 percent were opposed, and 30 percent said they were not aware of the proposals.
Now, already the president is facing some strong opposition from Democrats and seniors who are against the idea of partially privatizing Social Security. And Christine, even some Republicans, people within the president's own party are concerned about how much and how the government will pay for any transition costs.
ROMANS: Indeed, Elaine, there's a reason why it's called the third rail of the American politics. Thanks, Elaine.
A horrific discovery is made in an Alabama home. Now, a mother is facing murder charges.
A Florida couple accused of torturing their children are no longer on the run from the law. We'll tell you how they were caught, next.
And still to come, when a medical tragedy hits home, I'll speak with one doctor whose medical mission was launched to save her son.
Plus, Michael Jackson on trial, is the court any closer to seating a jury for his child molestation case? We'll recap the week's developments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Checking some stories making headlines across America. A Huntsville, Alabama woman faces capital murder charges in the deaths of her three children. Police who discovered the bodies yesterday in the family's apartment say the children never returned to school after the holiday break. So far, authorities are not saying when the children died, or how they were killed.
The search is over for a Florida couple accused of torturing and starving five of their seven children. John and Linda Dollar were captured last night in Utah after police tracked their cell phone signals. The family lives in the Tampa area. Among other things, the dollars are accused of chaining of children, shocking them with a cattle prod or stun gun, and yanking their toenails out with pliers. Florida Governor Jeb Bush calls the case disgusting.
Could an anti-depression drug cause a 12-year-old to shoot and kill his grandparents while they slept and then burn their house to the ground? That's an issue confronting jurors in Charleston, South Carolina, as CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Freed on bail after three years in jail, Chris Pittman walked out with the same hang-dog look he wears in court. But after hugs and kisses from his family, he showed a smile.
His freedom may be temporary; 15-year-old Chris could face life in prison for shooting his grandparents as they slept. That's why his lawyer is trying to convince the jury that an anti-depressant, Zoloft, made Chris Pittman kill. His confession, read in court, was chilling.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I went to bed, I waited about 10 minutes. I got the shotgun out of the cabinet. I took it in my room and loaded it. I took a box of shells from the cabinet. I put three in it. Jacked one, and put another one in it. I went in their room. I just aimed at the bed. I shot four times.
COHEN: The boy, only 12 at the time, burned down the house in rural South Carolina and fled with the shotgun in the car.
DAVID BLACK, CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) This is the right thumbprint of the defendant.
COHEN: This was a troubled child from an unhappy home in Florida, sent to live with the two people he loved most.
MITCHELL SNELGROVE, BEST FRIEND: I don't know many people that would just get up on their grandparents' lap and say, I love you, Pop Pop, or something like that in front of one of their friends.
COHEN: Yet, police say there was no remorse.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not sorry. They deserved it. Everybody hates me. I'm useless.
COHEN: I'm useless, familiar words from someone diagnosed with depression, as Chris Pittman was by his family doctor who put him on Zoloft.
ANDY VICKERY, DEFENSE LAWYER: He was a 96-pound, 12-year-old a shy, decent boy, who was acting under the influence of a powerful mind-altering drug.
COHEN: Three years after the shootings, the Food and Drug Administration did warn drugs like this can cause suicidal behavior in some children. But the FDA has not linked the drugs to violence toward others. Still, the FDA has warned doctors to carefully monitor their young patients for agitation and aggression. A psychiatrist for the defense said this could lead to violence.
DR. DAVID HEALY, DEFENSE PSYCHIATRIST: The only reason I'm here is that I think there's a strong argument that can be made for the fact that the drug has caused a problem.
COHEN: The prosecution version, Chris was furious at his grandparents because they wanted to send him back to his father after a school fight. The prosecution's psychiatrist.
DR. JAME BALLENGER, PROSECUTION PSYCHIATRIST: I think he did it because he was very mad, very angry.
COHEN (on camera): The key question for the jury is, did Chris Pittman know right from wrong when he killed his grandparents? The defense says he didn't. Prosecutors say he's a smart, angry boy who knew exactly what he was doing. Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, Charleston, South Carolina.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: Scenes from the battlefield. Hear from one reporter what it's like to be embedded with troops in Iraq, and what message she has for the American public. Up next, a rare and fatal disease that causes children to age as if they were senior citizens. That disease has a new opponent. After the break I'll speak with one mother's mission to help her son and others afflicted with the disease.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Stressed out, are you? You may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers followed 1,000 people 65 or older. They found those who experienced chronic stress in their lives were twice as likely to get the memory-robbing illness. Doctors aren't positive, but they think stress hormones may damage the area of the brain that controls memory.
Here's an odd one. A preliminary study suggests that a drug derived from vampire bat saliva may help stroke patients. I'm not kidding. The chemical helps restore blood flow to the brain. It can be given to the patient up to nine hours after the stroke occurs and still be effective. Researchers will try to replicate their findings in a larger, multi-national scale.
It robs children of their youth. Progeria is a genetic disease that is often diagnosed after the appearance of accelerated aging in kids, and then leads to premature death.
Dr. Leslie Gordon has written an article on Progeria for this week's "New York Times Magazine". Dr. Gordon's son was diagnosed with Progeria six years ago. Dr. Gordon formed the Progeria Research Foundation and is the foundation's medical director. And she joins us now.
Welcome to the program.
DR. LESLIE GORDON, PROGERIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION: Thank you for having me.
ROMANS: It's an amazing story of your little boy, the path this disease has led you in. When he was diagnosed, you basically grieved for a couple of days. Quit your job and then decided you were going to raise this little boy and try to use your medical background to help him.
GORDON: We did. When Sam was diagnosed at almost the age of two years, there was nothing out there to help children with Progeria, their physicians. There was no research going on and no forward movement towards treatment and cure. And so we formed the Progeria Research Foundation to find the cause, treatment and cure for Progeria.
ROMANS: In part, because it's so rare that there wasn't a lot of concerted effort to figure out what's going on. But you've been able to really make some headway into finding out what causes this disease and really investigate it.
GORDON: Well, it is a rare disease. But what's very interesting about Progeria, is that these children who all die of premature heart disease at an average age of 13 years, help researchers to investigate heart disease and also premature cellular aging.
And so, by providing funding for research, by raising dollars to help researchers, to help these children, we're also providing researchers with the ability to find out more about heart disease and aging.
ROMANS: That's a very interesting point. And it just seems so cruel that a little seven-year-old would have to deal with the things that an 80-year-old man would have to go through, creaky knees and energy loss. Tell me a little bit about Sam and how he gets through his day. We're looking at great pictures of him flying a kite recently. It looks like he even got the mentality of a seven-year-old.
GORDON: Right. Children with Progeria, and Sam, all have age appropriate intellect and personality. So Sam's in second grade and he runs around and he has a great time. And these children have the minds that are age appropriate, but their bodies are laden with the genetic predisposition toward heart disease. The Progeria Research Foundation has created the programs necessary and raised money to help the researchers to go forward. We found the gene for Progeria and we are on our way to a lot more work, and a lot more research to find treatments and a cure.
ROMANS: In the meantime, I bet you savor every day that you have with this little boy. You cannot be parents who take your children for granted by any stretch of the imagination. Let me know a little bit about how he does in school, what his favorite things are, and how he copes, I guess. He probably knows an awful lot about this disease, too.
GORDON: Well, Sam does great. I mean, he told us, although it was two years ago now, at the age of six, hey, I'm a person. I'm not a disease. He goes in. He has lots of friends. It takes about a minute and a half before someone might look and say, hmm, there's something different, but then they go off and play and they're just friends.
I think that happens a lot with children with Progeria. Yes, they look different, but the minute you get to know them, that's it. You just go off and you see the insides, which are pretty amazing.
ROMANS: Tell us quickly about the Web site and how people can find out about this disease and foundation.
GORDON: The Progeria Research Foundation can be found at www.progeria.org. There is lots of information and all of our programs are funded by those $10 and $20 donations that are just essential to finding treatments and a cure for these children. And to helping us discover more about aging and heart disease that affects millions of people all over the world.
ROMANS: Dr. Gordon, a lot of parents who have children who are ill, they don't get a chance to use their education, what they know, how to really make some change. And I think that Sam and all kids with Progeria are very, very lucky to have someone like you who knows about all of this firsthand and has really moved forward on this research.
Thank you for joining us. And best of luck to you and your family.
GORDON: Thank you so much.
ROMANS: You're welcome. Dr. Leslie Gordon.
The football hall of fame just got a little more crowded. We'll tell you which legendary quarterbacks got the nod, next.
Plus, Tom Brady looks to make his mark in football history with a third "Super Bowl win. How will the Philadelphia Eagles stop him? A live preview from Jacksonville is next.
(COLD & FLU REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Welcome back. I'm Christine Romans, a live "Super Bowl" preview straight ahead. But first, a check of these headlines.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived about three hours ago in Ankara, Turkey, following a stop in Warsaw, Poland this morning. She met briefly with the Turkish prime minister.
While in Ankara, Rice is meeting with Russia's foreign minister to firm up plans for an upcoming meeting between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It's buried treasure, 3.5 million nickels turned up after police began digging in the backyard of a Miami home. The $180,000 treasure disappeared in December when a trucker failed to deliver it to the Federal Reserve bank in New Orleans. The trucker is still missing. His empty rig was found at a truck stop in Fort Pierce, Florida. Investigators haven't said how they knew where the coins were buried.
And in sports, quarterbacks Dan Marino and Steve Young have been elected to the pro football hall of fame. Marino retired in 1999 with 21 NFL records, but never won a Super Bowl. Young played second fiddle to Joe Montana before getting the starting job with the San Francisco 49ers in 1991. He took that team to the Super Bowl in 1995.
America's great mid-winter party takes place in sunny Florida tomorrow. Super Bowl XXXIX. Sports correspondent Mark Mckay is in Jacksonville for the Patriots and the Eagles. Hi there.
MARK MCKAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Christine. Yes, it is finally sunny Florida. It has been a pretty gloomy week but it turning out to be a brilliant weekend. You mentioned the pro football hall of fame there Christine. How appropriate on a day in which three quarterbacks, Marino Young, and Benny Friedman got the nod for the Canton Ohio Shrine, that two more talented signal callers will be squarely in the spotlight Sunday here in Jacksonville.
One of them being, of course, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. He will try to emblazon in his name in pro football lore by trying to lead the Pats to their third Super Bowl title in four years. Now, with a resume that includes a pair of Super Bowl MVP awards, Brady's greatest quality perhaps is his ability to be cool under pressure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM BRADY, PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK: In my fifth year now, it doesn't happen nearly as much as it used to. There are still times where it comes up where, you know, maybe you weren't preparing so much for a certain type of look or blitzes that you were getting.
JOE ANDRUIZZI, PATRIOTS GUARD: He understands that getting flustered is other people. He understands the fact that he's got to go out there and people are going to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect. You make a mistake, you know, you're a real person on how you come back on that and how you overcome that.
ROMAN PHIFER, PATRIOTS LINEBACKER: The only time I've ever seen Brady flustered probably is in practice. You know, there are days when, you know, we don't practice so well. But in the game, pressure situations, he's the guy you want to have.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCKAY: Now, no one's perfect. Well, Brady is perhaps pretty close. He is a perfect 8-0 in the playoffs. Now his counterpart, Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles, he's pretty good in his own right. Five-time pro ball player. He will be hailed nothing short of a hero if in fact if he brings the Lombardi Trophy with him back up I-95 to Philadelphia. Of course Christine Eagles fans and Patriots fans have really just flooded this town in northern Florida. And I'm seeing a whole lot more Eagles jerseys than I am Patriots jerseys. But it's been 24 years since they've been in the big game.
ROMANS: Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Is experience then going to be a factor for the Patriots?
MCKAY: I think experience really can count on the -- you know, you can count on the experience in this game. The Patriot players a good number of these players, especially their quarterback, their kicker Adam Benaterra (ph) , been there, done that. The Eagles have not. That could become a stumbling block for them. But they have something that the Patriots perhaps don't. They're pretty eager, this team never won this trophy.
ROMANS: All right. Mark McKay in Jacksonville. Have a good time. Talk to you soon.
MCKAY: OK.
ROMANS: But for thousands of problem gamblers, the Super Bowl represents the biggest temptation of all. CNN's Sean Callebs has the story of one man's successful struggle to overcome a gambling problem that nearly wiped out his family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Forget the playing field. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't like watching sports unless I had money on it.
CALLEBS: Gamblers will tell you the real Super Bowl action is right here in Las Vegas.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, when you make even a $10 wager, you feel like you're part of the game. You're the coach, the player.
CALLEBS: For Gibb and GM Rouse Sports Book director Robert Jackson, if he talks a mile a minute these days. For him, the Super Bowl is Christmas, New Year's Eve. All the big holidays rolled into one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's nothing better than this weekend, it's the biggest single event.
CALLEBS: You can bet on almost anything. Which team scores first, number of points in the second quarter, the third quarter. Vegas gamblers legally wagered more than $81 million on last year's game. This year, it could top $100 million. With another $500 million bet online. But people like Mike Heron of Denver know the dark side this electricity fuels.
MIKE HERON, FORMER GAMBLER: I would get so excited about Super Bowl Sunday, just because it was a big betting day.
CALLEBS: For a period of seven years, Mike lived for sports gambling. And he says it almost ruined his life.
HERNON: It got to the point, though, towards the end, I didn't feel a difference between winning and losing. It was that out of control.
CALLEBS: Without his wife Lara knowing, Mike says he received and maxed out three credit cards, burned through their home equity line of credit even drained a bank account set up for their infant son.
HERON: I had a lot of guilt towards that. And it's one of those things that, you know, I knew in my mind it was wrong to do.
CALLEBS: Yet he couldn't stop. Finally, out of options, out of cash, and $18,000 in debt to a bookie, Mike broke the news to Lara, and she in part blamed herself.
LARA HERON, WIFE: I had no idea. I mean, that's the hardest thing. Because through, you know, the constant lying, you start to question yourself like is, is there something wrong with me.
CALLEBS: Tom Brewster is the director of an addiction research and treatment center with the University of Colorado. He says between 2 and 4 percent of the people in the U.S. are compulsive gamblers. And new research, brain imaging, shows chronic gamblers can be driven to excess in much the same way as drug addicts or alcoholics. TOM BREWSTER, UNIV. OF COLORADO: We're looking at their brains to see if -- what's firing, what are the similarities of that disorder compared to cocaine use for example or heroin use.
L. HERON: That's the best one of our daughter.
CALLEBS: Brewster says Mike's story is typical. But the Heron's did the right thing.
M. HERON: Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and say, I can't do this alone. You know, I need help.
CALLEBS: It was that attitude that led Mike to Gamblers Anonymous. It wasn't easy. His family paid off the debts, restored their son's bank account money, and it's been two years since Mike Heron last made a bet. And while millions will be watching the game, and thousands of others will be watching betting boards, Mike is scheduled to be at his weekly 12-step meeting on Sunday. His life, under control, and no longer tormented by the desire to make a bet.
Sean Callebs, CNN, Denver.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: When CNN SATURDAY continues, we see Iraq through a different lens.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wish that people in the U.S. would really a little more look to the civilians that are over there, the Iraqi civilians who often have to suffer tremendously.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: She's been to Iraq five times since the U.S.-led invasion, and she shares her experience with CNN's Robert Novak when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: A quick update on the mission in Iraq. Four Iraqi soldiers were killed near Basra when a roadside bomb exploded near their patrol and two U.S. soldiers lost their lives. Five others were injured when their patrol was attacked outside Tikrit.
She has had her boots on the ground in Iraq five times. Now, "Washington Post" photographer Andrea Bruce Woodall s ready to head back. In this week's edition of the "Novak Zone," Woodall shared what she viewed to the camera's lens.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERT NOVACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome to the "Novak Zone". We're at the "Washington Post" newspaper in Washington, D.C. Talking to Andrea Bruce Woodall, award winning photo journalist for the "Washington Post. She has been to Iraq five times some of that time embedded with U.S. troops, including the U.S. First Cavalry Division.
As a photojournalist what were you looking for when you went to Iraq? You would get up in the morning, what is the thing you were looking for, for a good photo for the "Washington Post"?
ANDREA BRUCE WOODALL, PHOTOGRAPHER: Well, more than anything, I'm looking for something that will make our readers here care about what's going on over there, or to empathize with either the soldiers or the Iraqis. Because I think interest from the U.S. side of things is waning. And I think it's really important for people to really relate to others over there and to stay interested and informed. So anything that shows a human element.
NOVACK: In the article you did for the "Washington Post" magazine last fall, you indicated you had some kind of apprehension, disorder, paranoia. Did that make you feel closer to the emotions that the troops had?
WOODALL: Yes, whenever you get into a humvee, I think, over there, people are a little -- are very worried. I.d's, roadside bombs are so common, and unexpected, that you don't know what to expect when you get in. Whether it's for a team patrol or whether they're going for a raid, or whatever, you just don't know what to expect. So there's a little fear involved with that.
NOVACK: Journalists are supposed to be detached and step away from the people you're reporting on. Do you think the embedded system gets you too close to the troops showing their dangers and hardships?
WOODALL: I think that it can sometimes. I think that you're living with a group, and you're getting, you know, food and safety from those people. So you're going to become really close to them. And I think it's hard to stay completely objective when you're with them. That's why when we go, we try to have different experiences. I'll be embedded for one week, and then I'll stay in the Iraqi civilian side of things for the next week. And go back and forth as much as possible.
NOVACK: How did the troops react to you being with them? Were they friendly? Were they stand-offish? How was it?
WOODALL: That would really depend on the commanding officer of different units. I think some places they judged the media very harshly, and they didn't trust them very much. And other places they would welcome you with open arms. Overall, soldiers were very kind. And they enjoy having people from the states to talk to.
NOVACK: How does that contrast with your periods when you were with the civilian sector and how did the civilian Iraqis react to you as a western woman, a journalist, American?
WOODALL: Well, most civilians were so, so welcoming. They were incredibly sweet and curious and asked me lots of questions about what it's like to be a woman in the U.S., and to be working like I do. And I didn't have a very many negative experiences at all unless I was in a large group situation with lots of men. NOVACK: Do you think there is an untold story in Iraq, after all the reporters and photographers that have been there? Is there still an untold story out of Iraq?
WOODALL: I don't know if there's an untold story. But I do wish that the human aspect of everything could be pronounced a little more. I wish that people in the U.S. would relate a little more to the civilians that are over there, the Iraqi civilians who often have to suffer tremendously, and who can't ever leave. And how their lives on a day-to-day basis are affected.
NOVACK: And now, the big question for Andrea Bruce Woodall, photo journalist for the "Washington Post," what is your favorite photo you have taken in Iraq?
WOODALL: My favorite photo, that's always hard to judge, after a while, because you look at your pictures so often, and after a while you start to judge your pictures by what happened when you were taking it, not exactly what they look like. My favorite photo is of an Iraqi prostitute that I followed for awhile, and her husband, and older brother died during the initial war in Iraq. And there's a photo of her kind of catching the crest of her -- catching the caress of her son in a very understated moment, sitting on her kitchen floor. And she just looks like she's, you know, resigned, giving up everything just for them.
NOVACK: Andrea Bruce Woodall, thank you very much.
WOODALL: Thank you.
NOVACK: And thank you for being in the "Novak Zone."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: You can see more of Robert Novak on the "Capital Gang" at 7:00 p.m. tonight the gang reaction to President Bush's state of the union address.
It's a bedrock principle of American justice, a jury of one's peers. But when the defendant is Michael Jackson, is that possible? We'll talk that over on our "Legal Round Table" when CNN SATURDAY continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Rap star Snoop Dogg says he'll fight rape charges against him and go to court to clear his name. In an exclusive interview with CNN's Larry King, Dogg called the 2-year-old civil suit straight extortion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SNOOP DOGG, RAP STAR: My attorneys advised me to pay her this certain amount of money monthly because she was having problems with her medical bills, just all kind of excuses that they were making up to pay her because they felt it was a nuisance and it was going to all go away. So I agreed with them because I was doing so much work. But then after awhile, I said, you know what, I'm innocent. Why am I paying her, I need to be suing her like she's trying to sue me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: A Hollywood makeup artist is suing the rapper for $25 million. She claims Snoop Dogg and four other men assaulted her following the taping of an ABC talk show in 2003.
Jury questioning in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial won't happen Monday. A family illness is keeping Jackson's lead attorney out of the court. However, the judge will go ahead with a hearing on media issues. Court recessed Tuesday after a poll of 250 prospective jurors were selected. They had to agree to spend up to six months on the trial. Jackson has pleaded innocent to molesting a 13- year-old boy.
The Jackson trial is the focus of today's "Legal Round Table." With us are two of our favorite lawyers. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Richard Herman a New York criminal defense attorney. And in Cleveland, Ohio, Avery Friedman a law professor and civil rights attorney.
Counselors thank you for joining us.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi Christine. Nice to be with you.
ROMANS: Lets talk about this jury. These 250 folks have agreed that, you know, they could give up six months of their lives for this jury. And Michael Jackson, he is a unique defendant. The people who are doing jury modeling right now must be scratching their heads about trying to figure out what kind of jury they want to try him. Avery you start. What do you think about this potential jury?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, you know, with 250 people who have said, Christine, they're ready to be jurors, you have to be a little suspicious. You might have that juror in there wanting to write a book, wanting to tell the story. So the burden will be substantial on Judge Rodney Melville, and the attorneys, in making the selection. We've got a long way to go. You're right, we're not going to see anything this coming week, but show time actually starts the next week after when Tom Mesereau returns and there is going to be huge responsibility on him in getting the right kind of jury.
HERMAN: Christine, the conviction express has left the station. I mean to come up with a 250-member jury pool, Judge Rodney Melville did it in one day, and of the 250 people, not one African-American is in that pool.
ROMANS: Why are all these people so eager to be in this jury pool? Whenever I have been called up for jury duty, there's never anybody who says that they have a convenient six months to spend on something.
HERMAN: There could be book deals, there could be movie deals, there could be magazine deals. You've got to watch out for these stealth jurors here, because Michael Jackson is so weird and so unique, and people wanted him to go down, just because of that.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, Richard, that's not what's on trial here.
HERMAN: That's what's on trial here.
FRIEDMAN: You brought up the race issue. What does race have to do with it. Joe Jackson, Michael's father, said this case is a race trial. And look I do race prosecutions. I don't see this has anything to do with race. How do you say that?
ROMANS: He's also a pop star. There might be people out there who just want to be around someone famous too.
HERMAN: Right.
ROMANS: I mean there's also the pop star angle which puts a whole other spin on it.
HERMAN: Look, there's not one African-American in that jury pool. You cannot get a fair trial that way anywhere in the United States.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, come on.
HERMAN: Avery don't be naive please, this is going bad for Jackson.
FRIEDMAN: Listen this has nothing to do with race and I prosecute race cases. The fact is, Michael Jackson, you wonder if he even thinks of himself as black. Whether or not there are African- Americans in the jury pool will have nothing to do with whether or not justice prevails in this case.
HERMAN: Avery, I'm coming from a defense perspective here. And when there's an alleged white victim and Michael Jackson on that stand there, I want some black jurors in there. And there are none to be found.
ROMANS: Richard, let's talk about this...
HERMAN: Reality.
ROMANS: Gentlemen, let's talk a little bit about these reports of the 1993 settlement. We're going to be hearing more about Michael Jackson's past. If you were involved in this case, what would you be trying to do -- let's say you were defending Michael Jackson. What would you be trying to keep out of these proceedings?
FRIEDMAN: Well, you want -- obviously, everything that preceded the events in this case you would want to keep out. Which, by the way, creates a very interesting question. One of the questions put to this jury pool is, did you hear anything about what went on in 1993 and 1994. Well, the fact is, Judge Melville is likely to bar that evidence. And so I think that's a real plus for the prosecution. But I think the prosecution will still try to get that evidence in. I'll bet you Richard agrees, they'll try to get that stuff from ten years ago into evidence.
HERMAN: Christine, just the mere fact that they mention that, that they put that on the jury questionnaire, is going to lead these jurors to go on the Internet, take a look back at what happened, what were the allegations.
ROMANS: Jurors can't do that. Come on.
HERMAN: Oh, please.
ROMANS: They're supposed to keep an open mind and not read anything about it and do any of their investigation.
HERMAN: Don't be naive. Everyone's being too naive here.
FRIEDMAN: What a cynical response, Richard. The fact is, when jurors take that oath of office, that oath of being a juror, they swear to consider the evidence as it is presented. And if the lawyers are not doing a good job, or the judge is not doing a good job in making sure that oath is maintained, then you're going to have the problems that you're raising.
ROMANS: Gentleman let me ask you both quickly, six months, six months on this trial. What possibly could take so long? Your run of the mill child molestation cases don't typically take six months.
HERMAN: Well Christine it's going to depend on the evidence. It's going to depend on the judge's scheduling. In California, what do they have three trial days a week there for four or five hours a day, or three hours a day. I mean, a judge could streamline this case and get it done well within a couple of months. Again, we don't know the extent of the prosecution's evidence. I think it's very, very light in this case.
One thing that's going to come out, very important, is that this alleged victim, after that Martin Bashir interview, was interviewed by Los Angeles County Child Protective Services and he told them Michael Jackson did nothing inappropriate to him at any time.
FRIEDMAN: That's right.
HERMAN: It was only after his mother sought out the civil attorney who represented the alleged victim back in '93 that the version changed.
FRIEDMAN: It's a filibuster. That's exactly right.
HERMAN: If they lied to the authorities, Christine, they should be sharing a cell there with Martha Stewart.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, holy smokes! That's way off. The fact is there's going to be a lot of evidence that we don't know about. And the Bashir information that came out, including with the victim had to say in that interview, as well as what he said to children protective services, will all come in. There's some serious credibility issues. I'll tell you one thing for sure, Christine, we will not see Michael Jackson ever take the stand.
HERMAN: Christine, one more point here.
ROMANS: You have 15 seconds my friend.
HERMAN: One trap being set for Jackson, is this philanthropy aspect of it. The fact that he brought all these kids into Neverland and had them hang out with him. He was a good man. The point is in his bedroom were 12 and 13-year-old boys only. That's a big problem.
ROMANS: Richard Herman, Avery Friedman, gentlemen we could go on forever. We've run out of time. Thank you so much. We'll talk to you next week.
HERMAN: Thank you Christine.
FRIEDMAN: Nice to see you, take care.
ROMANS: Bye, guys. To some financial experts, real estate is probably the best investment you can make, but is the nation's booming housing market facing a bust. We'll take a look at the state of the industry at 4:00 Eastern on CNN.
Still to come, a check of the headlines.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired February 5, 2005 - 14:00 ET
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CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 p.m. on the East Coast. And 11:00 a.m. in the West. Good afternoon, I'm Christine Romans, in for Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN's global headquarters in Atlanta.
Ahead this hour, protecting America's biggest sporting event of the year, the super security behind the "Super Bowl".
President Bush prepares to lay out his plan for the federal budget with an eye on reducing the deficit. Which government programs will end up on the chopping block? We'll have a live report from the White House.
Plus this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wish that people in the U.S. would relate a little more to the civilians that are over there, the Iraqi civilians who often have to suffer tremendously.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: One reporter's personal perspective of Iraq. Those stories in a moment, but first, a look at headlines "Now in the News".
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says European allies are ready to mend fences over the war in Iraq. In Warsaw, Rice met with Poland's foreign minister who said it is time to change the subject from Iraq. It's the first trip by Rice as secretary of State. We'll have live report on Secretary Rice's fast-moving travels in a moment.
Pope John Paul is to give a traditional blessing tomorrow from a new location, his hospital room in Rome. A visiting bishop says the pope is improving and is anxious to return to work at the Vatican. He's been battling the flu and breathing difficulties.
Bad weather, rough terrain and darkness are keeping rescue crews from the scene of a jet jetliner crash south of Kabul, Afghanistan. The Afghan airliner crashed two days ago with 104 on board, including as many as six Americans. Officials hold out little hope of finding survivors.
Up first this hour, a whirlwind tour of Europe and the Middle East. Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Turkey, the fourth stop on her first trip abroad as secretary of State. Rice flew to Ankara after a morning stop in Warsaw, Poland. CNN's Alfonso Van Marsh is now with us from the Turkish capitol.
ALFONSO VAN MARSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived here just a few hours ago. She's already met with Turkey's prime minister. And as you mentioned earlier on today, she was in Warsaw, Poland meeting with Polish leaders, specifically the foreign minister and prime minister, and thanking Poland for its support in the war in Iraq.
Now, there are some 2,500 Polish soldiers in Iraq, and Poland is considered one of the U.S.'s strongest allies in Europe. Now, the United States considers Turkey also one of its strongest allies. But the U.S. secretary of state is coming here at the tail end of escalating criticism over U.S. policy in northern Iraq, specifically coming from Turkey's prime minister. This is what he said earlier this week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY (through translator): Powers claiming that they came to bring democracy to the region prefer to remain insensitive to these anti-democratic ambitions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAN MARSH: Now, these ambitions that he's referring to are Turkish concerns over the mass migration of ethnic Kurds into the oil- rich city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq. Turkey says that this unfairly tipped the Iraqi elections to Kurdish political power and to Kurdish favor. Now Turkey is concerned that if this happens, the Kurds may be one step closer to declaring an independent state. And Turkey is worried if that happens on the Iraqi side of the border, ethnic Kurds here on this side of the border may have similar ambitions.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: "CNN Security Watch" this hour begins in Kuwait. Police raided several homes in and around Kuwait City today, arresting at least four suspected terrorists. It took a gun battle to get some of them into security. It allows them to enter houses as they continue to crack down on militants.
Next door, in Saudi Arabia, a 50-nation conference on terrorism. The Saudi Crown Prince called today for an international anti- terrorism center to track terrorists. It would also allow countries to exchange information instantly in order to head off a terror attack.
And a Spanish judge jailed two Moroccan brothers today. They are accused of working with a key suspect in last year's Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people. The brothers were arrested with their father and his wife. But the parents were freed today by the judge.
Our "CNN Security Watch" segment continues now with a look at the super size security operation in place for tomorrow's Super Bowl in Florida. CNN's Susan Candiotti has the latest on the intense preparations in Jacksonville. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): As fans enjoy pre-game activities, law enforcers are turning up security an extra notch.
(voice over): For example, pilots with a Customs and Border Protection Agency provided us an overview of Alltel Stadium located right on the waterfront. These are the same pilots that will be flying over that air space before, during, and after the game.
Inside the stadium, dozens of cameras are set up that allow authorities to zero in on a single seat. There's a no-fly zone encompassing a 30-mile radius around the stadium. Now, on the water, before, during and after the game, local state and federal law enforcement agencies are patrolling the St. John's River, a 14-mile stretch.
One tool used by the federal authorities is called a FLEER, standing for Forward Looking Infrared. It provides a reverse image in darkness and light and allows authorities a better look at what's going on, on the water, and on the ground as well. Here's a look at the technology.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trying to focus in on this guy. It's hard. The camera's having a hard time to do that, because it's a daytime camera. We switch over to FLEER. I can see I've got two POBs, two persons onboard. One with a flashlight, just closed a cooler and is putting the cooler down. Laid the flashlight down. And is now transiting right in front of us.
CANDIOTTI: Among law enforcement agencies here, the people in charge of security for next year's "Super Bowl", in Detroit, including the assistant police chief.
WALTER MARTIN, ASST. CHIEF, DETROIT POLICE DEPT.: Very involved. This is huge. This is huge. I didn't realize how huge it was until I got down here and seen all the pieces of Jacksonville, the key components they have to take care of. It's a lot. But we're ready for the challenge.
CANDIOTTI (on camera): Detroit, like Jacksonville, is on the waterfront, adding an extra layer of concern. Jacksonville's sheriff in charge of this year's "Super Bowl" security says if his team does his job right, the teams on the field and the fans watching the game will feel secure and not worry about it -- Susan Candiotti, CNN, Jacksonville, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: For an exclusive behind the scenes, all-access look at the security in place for the "Super Bowl" game, watch CNN's "American Morning" Monday morning at 7:00 Eastern. Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Coming up at the bottom of the hour, we'll go live to Jacksonville, Florida, for a preview of tomorrow's grid iron showdown.
Social Security reform and the 2006 budget are tops on President Bush's domestic agenda. The president sends his $2.5 trillion proposal to Congress Monday. We are getting word today about what did and did not make the cut. CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us now from the White House -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Christine. White House officials aren't coming out with specific numbers just yet, at least not on the record. We do know from President Bush himself this budget is going to be a tough one. He has said so in the past.
And after years of tax cuts, also this year the estimated federal deficit at $427 billion for this fiscal year, the president is under enormous pressure to cut the deficit in half. This is a pledge that he made to cut the deficit in half by the end of his second term. Well, today in his morning radio address, he outlined in broad terms how he hopes to do that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: On Monday, my administration will submit a budget that holds the growth of discretionary spending below inflation, makes tax relief permanent and stays on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. In the long run, the best way to reduce the deficit is to grow the economy, and we will take steps to make the American economy stronger, more innovative and more competitive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, earlier this week, both during his state of the union address, and also while stumping for Social Security changes while on a tour of five states, the president says he wants to eliminate or vastly cut back 150 federal programs, to curb spending and address the budget deficit. There's likely going to be intense push-back on that.
But on the issue of Social Security, you see the president there, part of an effort to convince the American people that Social Security is a looming problem that needs to be addressed soon. And now some evidence that those efforts may be working.
A new poll by "Newsweek" magazine found when Americans were asked if they agree with the Bush administration's contention, that Social Security faces a funding crisis, some 65 percent of Americans said they agreed, 26 percent said they disagreed. But when asked if they generally favored or opposed the president's ideas to change the system, only 26 percent favored the changes, the proposed changes, 36 percent were opposed, and 30 percent said they were not aware of the proposals.
Now, already the president is facing some strong opposition from Democrats and seniors who are against the idea of partially privatizing Social Security. And Christine, even some Republicans, people within the president's own party are concerned about how much and how the government will pay for any transition costs.
ROMANS: Indeed, Elaine, there's a reason why it's called the third rail of the American politics. Thanks, Elaine.
A horrific discovery is made in an Alabama home. Now, a mother is facing murder charges.
A Florida couple accused of torturing their children are no longer on the run from the law. We'll tell you how they were caught, next.
And still to come, when a medical tragedy hits home, I'll speak with one doctor whose medical mission was launched to save her son.
Plus, Michael Jackson on trial, is the court any closer to seating a jury for his child molestation case? We'll recap the week's developments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Checking some stories making headlines across America. A Huntsville, Alabama woman faces capital murder charges in the deaths of her three children. Police who discovered the bodies yesterday in the family's apartment say the children never returned to school after the holiday break. So far, authorities are not saying when the children died, or how they were killed.
The search is over for a Florida couple accused of torturing and starving five of their seven children. John and Linda Dollar were captured last night in Utah after police tracked their cell phone signals. The family lives in the Tampa area. Among other things, the dollars are accused of chaining of children, shocking them with a cattle prod or stun gun, and yanking their toenails out with pliers. Florida Governor Jeb Bush calls the case disgusting.
Could an anti-depression drug cause a 12-year-old to shoot and kill his grandparents while they slept and then burn their house to the ground? That's an issue confronting jurors in Charleston, South Carolina, as CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Freed on bail after three years in jail, Chris Pittman walked out with the same hang-dog look he wears in court. But after hugs and kisses from his family, he showed a smile.
His freedom may be temporary; 15-year-old Chris could face life in prison for shooting his grandparents as they slept. That's why his lawyer is trying to convince the jury that an anti-depressant, Zoloft, made Chris Pittman kill. His confession, read in court, was chilling.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I went to bed, I waited about 10 minutes. I got the shotgun out of the cabinet. I took it in my room and loaded it. I took a box of shells from the cabinet. I put three in it. Jacked one, and put another one in it. I went in their room. I just aimed at the bed. I shot four times.
COHEN: The boy, only 12 at the time, burned down the house in rural South Carolina and fled with the shotgun in the car.
DAVID BLACK, CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) This is the right thumbprint of the defendant.
COHEN: This was a troubled child from an unhappy home in Florida, sent to live with the two people he loved most.
MITCHELL SNELGROVE, BEST FRIEND: I don't know many people that would just get up on their grandparents' lap and say, I love you, Pop Pop, or something like that in front of one of their friends.
COHEN: Yet, police say there was no remorse.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not sorry. They deserved it. Everybody hates me. I'm useless.
COHEN: I'm useless, familiar words from someone diagnosed with depression, as Chris Pittman was by his family doctor who put him on Zoloft.
ANDY VICKERY, DEFENSE LAWYER: He was a 96-pound, 12-year-old a shy, decent boy, who was acting under the influence of a powerful mind-altering drug.
COHEN: Three years after the shootings, the Food and Drug Administration did warn drugs like this can cause suicidal behavior in some children. But the FDA has not linked the drugs to violence toward others. Still, the FDA has warned doctors to carefully monitor their young patients for agitation and aggression. A psychiatrist for the defense said this could lead to violence.
DR. DAVID HEALY, DEFENSE PSYCHIATRIST: The only reason I'm here is that I think there's a strong argument that can be made for the fact that the drug has caused a problem.
COHEN: The prosecution version, Chris was furious at his grandparents because they wanted to send him back to his father after a school fight. The prosecution's psychiatrist.
DR. JAME BALLENGER, PROSECUTION PSYCHIATRIST: I think he did it because he was very mad, very angry.
COHEN (on camera): The key question for the jury is, did Chris Pittman know right from wrong when he killed his grandparents? The defense says he didn't. Prosecutors say he's a smart, angry boy who knew exactly what he was doing. Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, Charleston, South Carolina.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: Scenes from the battlefield. Hear from one reporter what it's like to be embedded with troops in Iraq, and what message she has for the American public. Up next, a rare and fatal disease that causes children to age as if they were senior citizens. That disease has a new opponent. After the break I'll speak with one mother's mission to help her son and others afflicted with the disease.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Stressed out, are you? You may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers followed 1,000 people 65 or older. They found those who experienced chronic stress in their lives were twice as likely to get the memory-robbing illness. Doctors aren't positive, but they think stress hormones may damage the area of the brain that controls memory.
Here's an odd one. A preliminary study suggests that a drug derived from vampire bat saliva may help stroke patients. I'm not kidding. The chemical helps restore blood flow to the brain. It can be given to the patient up to nine hours after the stroke occurs and still be effective. Researchers will try to replicate their findings in a larger, multi-national scale.
It robs children of their youth. Progeria is a genetic disease that is often diagnosed after the appearance of accelerated aging in kids, and then leads to premature death.
Dr. Leslie Gordon has written an article on Progeria for this week's "New York Times Magazine". Dr. Gordon's son was diagnosed with Progeria six years ago. Dr. Gordon formed the Progeria Research Foundation and is the foundation's medical director. And she joins us now.
Welcome to the program.
DR. LESLIE GORDON, PROGERIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION: Thank you for having me.
ROMANS: It's an amazing story of your little boy, the path this disease has led you in. When he was diagnosed, you basically grieved for a couple of days. Quit your job and then decided you were going to raise this little boy and try to use your medical background to help him.
GORDON: We did. When Sam was diagnosed at almost the age of two years, there was nothing out there to help children with Progeria, their physicians. There was no research going on and no forward movement towards treatment and cure. And so we formed the Progeria Research Foundation to find the cause, treatment and cure for Progeria.
ROMANS: In part, because it's so rare that there wasn't a lot of concerted effort to figure out what's going on. But you've been able to really make some headway into finding out what causes this disease and really investigate it.
GORDON: Well, it is a rare disease. But what's very interesting about Progeria, is that these children who all die of premature heart disease at an average age of 13 years, help researchers to investigate heart disease and also premature cellular aging.
And so, by providing funding for research, by raising dollars to help researchers, to help these children, we're also providing researchers with the ability to find out more about heart disease and aging.
ROMANS: That's a very interesting point. And it just seems so cruel that a little seven-year-old would have to deal with the things that an 80-year-old man would have to go through, creaky knees and energy loss. Tell me a little bit about Sam and how he gets through his day. We're looking at great pictures of him flying a kite recently. It looks like he even got the mentality of a seven-year-old.
GORDON: Right. Children with Progeria, and Sam, all have age appropriate intellect and personality. So Sam's in second grade and he runs around and he has a great time. And these children have the minds that are age appropriate, but their bodies are laden with the genetic predisposition toward heart disease. The Progeria Research Foundation has created the programs necessary and raised money to help the researchers to go forward. We found the gene for Progeria and we are on our way to a lot more work, and a lot more research to find treatments and a cure.
ROMANS: In the meantime, I bet you savor every day that you have with this little boy. You cannot be parents who take your children for granted by any stretch of the imagination. Let me know a little bit about how he does in school, what his favorite things are, and how he copes, I guess. He probably knows an awful lot about this disease, too.
GORDON: Well, Sam does great. I mean, he told us, although it was two years ago now, at the age of six, hey, I'm a person. I'm not a disease. He goes in. He has lots of friends. It takes about a minute and a half before someone might look and say, hmm, there's something different, but then they go off and play and they're just friends.
I think that happens a lot with children with Progeria. Yes, they look different, but the minute you get to know them, that's it. You just go off and you see the insides, which are pretty amazing.
ROMANS: Tell us quickly about the Web site and how people can find out about this disease and foundation.
GORDON: The Progeria Research Foundation can be found at www.progeria.org. There is lots of information and all of our programs are funded by those $10 and $20 donations that are just essential to finding treatments and a cure for these children. And to helping us discover more about aging and heart disease that affects millions of people all over the world.
ROMANS: Dr. Gordon, a lot of parents who have children who are ill, they don't get a chance to use their education, what they know, how to really make some change. And I think that Sam and all kids with Progeria are very, very lucky to have someone like you who knows about all of this firsthand and has really moved forward on this research.
Thank you for joining us. And best of luck to you and your family.
GORDON: Thank you so much.
ROMANS: You're welcome. Dr. Leslie Gordon.
The football hall of fame just got a little more crowded. We'll tell you which legendary quarterbacks got the nod, next.
Plus, Tom Brady looks to make his mark in football history with a third "Super Bowl win. How will the Philadelphia Eagles stop him? A live preview from Jacksonville is next.
(COLD & FLU REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Welcome back. I'm Christine Romans, a live "Super Bowl" preview straight ahead. But first, a check of these headlines.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived about three hours ago in Ankara, Turkey, following a stop in Warsaw, Poland this morning. She met briefly with the Turkish prime minister.
While in Ankara, Rice is meeting with Russia's foreign minister to firm up plans for an upcoming meeting between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It's buried treasure, 3.5 million nickels turned up after police began digging in the backyard of a Miami home. The $180,000 treasure disappeared in December when a trucker failed to deliver it to the Federal Reserve bank in New Orleans. The trucker is still missing. His empty rig was found at a truck stop in Fort Pierce, Florida. Investigators haven't said how they knew where the coins were buried.
And in sports, quarterbacks Dan Marino and Steve Young have been elected to the pro football hall of fame. Marino retired in 1999 with 21 NFL records, but never won a Super Bowl. Young played second fiddle to Joe Montana before getting the starting job with the San Francisco 49ers in 1991. He took that team to the Super Bowl in 1995.
America's great mid-winter party takes place in sunny Florida tomorrow. Super Bowl XXXIX. Sports correspondent Mark Mckay is in Jacksonville for the Patriots and the Eagles. Hi there.
MARK MCKAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Christine. Yes, it is finally sunny Florida. It has been a pretty gloomy week but it turning out to be a brilliant weekend. You mentioned the pro football hall of fame there Christine. How appropriate on a day in which three quarterbacks, Marino Young, and Benny Friedman got the nod for the Canton Ohio Shrine, that two more talented signal callers will be squarely in the spotlight Sunday here in Jacksonville.
One of them being, of course, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. He will try to emblazon in his name in pro football lore by trying to lead the Pats to their third Super Bowl title in four years. Now, with a resume that includes a pair of Super Bowl MVP awards, Brady's greatest quality perhaps is his ability to be cool under pressure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM BRADY, PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK: In my fifth year now, it doesn't happen nearly as much as it used to. There are still times where it comes up where, you know, maybe you weren't preparing so much for a certain type of look or blitzes that you were getting.
JOE ANDRUIZZI, PATRIOTS GUARD: He understands that getting flustered is other people. He understands the fact that he's got to go out there and people are going to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect. You make a mistake, you know, you're a real person on how you come back on that and how you overcome that.
ROMAN PHIFER, PATRIOTS LINEBACKER: The only time I've ever seen Brady flustered probably is in practice. You know, there are days when, you know, we don't practice so well. But in the game, pressure situations, he's the guy you want to have.
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MCKAY: Now, no one's perfect. Well, Brady is perhaps pretty close. He is a perfect 8-0 in the playoffs. Now his counterpart, Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles, he's pretty good in his own right. Five-time pro ball player. He will be hailed nothing short of a hero if in fact if he brings the Lombardi Trophy with him back up I-95 to Philadelphia. Of course Christine Eagles fans and Patriots fans have really just flooded this town in northern Florida. And I'm seeing a whole lot more Eagles jerseys than I am Patriots jerseys. But it's been 24 years since they've been in the big game.
ROMANS: Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Is experience then going to be a factor for the Patriots?
MCKAY: I think experience really can count on the -- you know, you can count on the experience in this game. The Patriot players a good number of these players, especially their quarterback, their kicker Adam Benaterra (ph) , been there, done that. The Eagles have not. That could become a stumbling block for them. But they have something that the Patriots perhaps don't. They're pretty eager, this team never won this trophy.
ROMANS: All right. Mark McKay in Jacksonville. Have a good time. Talk to you soon.
MCKAY: OK.
ROMANS: But for thousands of problem gamblers, the Super Bowl represents the biggest temptation of all. CNN's Sean Callebs has the story of one man's successful struggle to overcome a gambling problem that nearly wiped out his family.
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SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Forget the playing field. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't like watching sports unless I had money on it.
CALLEBS: Gamblers will tell you the real Super Bowl action is right here in Las Vegas.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, when you make even a $10 wager, you feel like you're part of the game. You're the coach, the player.
CALLEBS: For Gibb and GM Rouse Sports Book director Robert Jackson, if he talks a mile a minute these days. For him, the Super Bowl is Christmas, New Year's Eve. All the big holidays rolled into one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's nothing better than this weekend, it's the biggest single event.
CALLEBS: You can bet on almost anything. Which team scores first, number of points in the second quarter, the third quarter. Vegas gamblers legally wagered more than $81 million on last year's game. This year, it could top $100 million. With another $500 million bet online. But people like Mike Heron of Denver know the dark side this electricity fuels.
MIKE HERON, FORMER GAMBLER: I would get so excited about Super Bowl Sunday, just because it was a big betting day.
CALLEBS: For a period of seven years, Mike lived for sports gambling. And he says it almost ruined his life.
HERNON: It got to the point, though, towards the end, I didn't feel a difference between winning and losing. It was that out of control.
CALLEBS: Without his wife Lara knowing, Mike says he received and maxed out three credit cards, burned through their home equity line of credit even drained a bank account set up for their infant son.
HERON: I had a lot of guilt towards that. And it's one of those things that, you know, I knew in my mind it was wrong to do.
CALLEBS: Yet he couldn't stop. Finally, out of options, out of cash, and $18,000 in debt to a bookie, Mike broke the news to Lara, and she in part blamed herself.
LARA HERON, WIFE: I had no idea. I mean, that's the hardest thing. Because through, you know, the constant lying, you start to question yourself like is, is there something wrong with me.
CALLEBS: Tom Brewster is the director of an addiction research and treatment center with the University of Colorado. He says between 2 and 4 percent of the people in the U.S. are compulsive gamblers. And new research, brain imaging, shows chronic gamblers can be driven to excess in much the same way as drug addicts or alcoholics. TOM BREWSTER, UNIV. OF COLORADO: We're looking at their brains to see if -- what's firing, what are the similarities of that disorder compared to cocaine use for example or heroin use.
L. HERON: That's the best one of our daughter.
CALLEBS: Brewster says Mike's story is typical. But the Heron's did the right thing.
M. HERON: Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and say, I can't do this alone. You know, I need help.
CALLEBS: It was that attitude that led Mike to Gamblers Anonymous. It wasn't easy. His family paid off the debts, restored their son's bank account money, and it's been two years since Mike Heron last made a bet. And while millions will be watching the game, and thousands of others will be watching betting boards, Mike is scheduled to be at his weekly 12-step meeting on Sunday. His life, under control, and no longer tormented by the desire to make a bet.
Sean Callebs, CNN, Denver.
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ROMANS: When CNN SATURDAY continues, we see Iraq through a different lens.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wish that people in the U.S. would really a little more look to the civilians that are over there, the Iraqi civilians who often have to suffer tremendously.
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ROMANS: She's been to Iraq five times since the U.S.-led invasion, and she shares her experience with CNN's Robert Novak when we come back.
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ROMANS: A quick update on the mission in Iraq. Four Iraqi soldiers were killed near Basra when a roadside bomb exploded near their patrol and two U.S. soldiers lost their lives. Five others were injured when their patrol was attacked outside Tikrit.
She has had her boots on the ground in Iraq five times. Now, "Washington Post" photographer Andrea Bruce Woodall s ready to head back. In this week's edition of the "Novak Zone," Woodall shared what she viewed to the camera's lens.
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ROBERT NOVACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome to the "Novak Zone". We're at the "Washington Post" newspaper in Washington, D.C. Talking to Andrea Bruce Woodall, award winning photo journalist for the "Washington Post. She has been to Iraq five times some of that time embedded with U.S. troops, including the U.S. First Cavalry Division.
As a photojournalist what were you looking for when you went to Iraq? You would get up in the morning, what is the thing you were looking for, for a good photo for the "Washington Post"?
ANDREA BRUCE WOODALL, PHOTOGRAPHER: Well, more than anything, I'm looking for something that will make our readers here care about what's going on over there, or to empathize with either the soldiers or the Iraqis. Because I think interest from the U.S. side of things is waning. And I think it's really important for people to really relate to others over there and to stay interested and informed. So anything that shows a human element.
NOVACK: In the article you did for the "Washington Post" magazine last fall, you indicated you had some kind of apprehension, disorder, paranoia. Did that make you feel closer to the emotions that the troops had?
WOODALL: Yes, whenever you get into a humvee, I think, over there, people are a little -- are very worried. I.d's, roadside bombs are so common, and unexpected, that you don't know what to expect when you get in. Whether it's for a team patrol or whether they're going for a raid, or whatever, you just don't know what to expect. So there's a little fear involved with that.
NOVACK: Journalists are supposed to be detached and step away from the people you're reporting on. Do you think the embedded system gets you too close to the troops showing their dangers and hardships?
WOODALL: I think that it can sometimes. I think that you're living with a group, and you're getting, you know, food and safety from those people. So you're going to become really close to them. And I think it's hard to stay completely objective when you're with them. That's why when we go, we try to have different experiences. I'll be embedded for one week, and then I'll stay in the Iraqi civilian side of things for the next week. And go back and forth as much as possible.
NOVACK: How did the troops react to you being with them? Were they friendly? Were they stand-offish? How was it?
WOODALL: That would really depend on the commanding officer of different units. I think some places they judged the media very harshly, and they didn't trust them very much. And other places they would welcome you with open arms. Overall, soldiers were very kind. And they enjoy having people from the states to talk to.
NOVACK: How does that contrast with your periods when you were with the civilian sector and how did the civilian Iraqis react to you as a western woman, a journalist, American?
WOODALL: Well, most civilians were so, so welcoming. They were incredibly sweet and curious and asked me lots of questions about what it's like to be a woman in the U.S., and to be working like I do. And I didn't have a very many negative experiences at all unless I was in a large group situation with lots of men. NOVACK: Do you think there is an untold story in Iraq, after all the reporters and photographers that have been there? Is there still an untold story out of Iraq?
WOODALL: I don't know if there's an untold story. But I do wish that the human aspect of everything could be pronounced a little more. I wish that people in the U.S. would relate a little more to the civilians that are over there, the Iraqi civilians who often have to suffer tremendously, and who can't ever leave. And how their lives on a day-to-day basis are affected.
NOVACK: And now, the big question for Andrea Bruce Woodall, photo journalist for the "Washington Post," what is your favorite photo you have taken in Iraq?
WOODALL: My favorite photo, that's always hard to judge, after a while, because you look at your pictures so often, and after a while you start to judge your pictures by what happened when you were taking it, not exactly what they look like. My favorite photo is of an Iraqi prostitute that I followed for awhile, and her husband, and older brother died during the initial war in Iraq. And there's a photo of her kind of catching the crest of her -- catching the caress of her son in a very understated moment, sitting on her kitchen floor. And she just looks like she's, you know, resigned, giving up everything just for them.
NOVACK: Andrea Bruce Woodall, thank you very much.
WOODALL: Thank you.
NOVACK: And thank you for being in the "Novak Zone."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: You can see more of Robert Novak on the "Capital Gang" at 7:00 p.m. tonight the gang reaction to President Bush's state of the union address.
It's a bedrock principle of American justice, a jury of one's peers. But when the defendant is Michael Jackson, is that possible? We'll talk that over on our "Legal Round Table" when CNN SATURDAY continues.
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ROMANS: Rap star Snoop Dogg says he'll fight rape charges against him and go to court to clear his name. In an exclusive interview with CNN's Larry King, Dogg called the 2-year-old civil suit straight extortion.
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SNOOP DOGG, RAP STAR: My attorneys advised me to pay her this certain amount of money monthly because she was having problems with her medical bills, just all kind of excuses that they were making up to pay her because they felt it was a nuisance and it was going to all go away. So I agreed with them because I was doing so much work. But then after awhile, I said, you know what, I'm innocent. Why am I paying her, I need to be suing her like she's trying to sue me.
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ROMANS: A Hollywood makeup artist is suing the rapper for $25 million. She claims Snoop Dogg and four other men assaulted her following the taping of an ABC talk show in 2003.
Jury questioning in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial won't happen Monday. A family illness is keeping Jackson's lead attorney out of the court. However, the judge will go ahead with a hearing on media issues. Court recessed Tuesday after a poll of 250 prospective jurors were selected. They had to agree to spend up to six months on the trial. Jackson has pleaded innocent to molesting a 13- year-old boy.
The Jackson trial is the focus of today's "Legal Round Table." With us are two of our favorite lawyers. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Richard Herman a New York criminal defense attorney. And in Cleveland, Ohio, Avery Friedman a law professor and civil rights attorney.
Counselors thank you for joining us.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi Christine. Nice to be with you.
ROMANS: Lets talk about this jury. These 250 folks have agreed that, you know, they could give up six months of their lives for this jury. And Michael Jackson, he is a unique defendant. The people who are doing jury modeling right now must be scratching their heads about trying to figure out what kind of jury they want to try him. Avery you start. What do you think about this potential jury?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, you know, with 250 people who have said, Christine, they're ready to be jurors, you have to be a little suspicious. You might have that juror in there wanting to write a book, wanting to tell the story. So the burden will be substantial on Judge Rodney Melville, and the attorneys, in making the selection. We've got a long way to go. You're right, we're not going to see anything this coming week, but show time actually starts the next week after when Tom Mesereau returns and there is going to be huge responsibility on him in getting the right kind of jury.
HERMAN: Christine, the conviction express has left the station. I mean to come up with a 250-member jury pool, Judge Rodney Melville did it in one day, and of the 250 people, not one African-American is in that pool.
ROMANS: Why are all these people so eager to be in this jury pool? Whenever I have been called up for jury duty, there's never anybody who says that they have a convenient six months to spend on something.
HERMAN: There could be book deals, there could be movie deals, there could be magazine deals. You've got to watch out for these stealth jurors here, because Michael Jackson is so weird and so unique, and people wanted him to go down, just because of that.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, Richard, that's not what's on trial here.
HERMAN: That's what's on trial here.
FRIEDMAN: You brought up the race issue. What does race have to do with it. Joe Jackson, Michael's father, said this case is a race trial. And look I do race prosecutions. I don't see this has anything to do with race. How do you say that?
ROMANS: He's also a pop star. There might be people out there who just want to be around someone famous too.
HERMAN: Right.
ROMANS: I mean there's also the pop star angle which puts a whole other spin on it.
HERMAN: Look, there's not one African-American in that jury pool. You cannot get a fair trial that way anywhere in the United States.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, come on.
HERMAN: Avery don't be naive please, this is going bad for Jackson.
FRIEDMAN: Listen this has nothing to do with race and I prosecute race cases. The fact is, Michael Jackson, you wonder if he even thinks of himself as black. Whether or not there are African- Americans in the jury pool will have nothing to do with whether or not justice prevails in this case.
HERMAN: Avery, I'm coming from a defense perspective here. And when there's an alleged white victim and Michael Jackson on that stand there, I want some black jurors in there. And there are none to be found.
ROMANS: Richard, let's talk about this...
HERMAN: Reality.
ROMANS: Gentlemen, let's talk a little bit about these reports of the 1993 settlement. We're going to be hearing more about Michael Jackson's past. If you were involved in this case, what would you be trying to do -- let's say you were defending Michael Jackson. What would you be trying to keep out of these proceedings?
FRIEDMAN: Well, you want -- obviously, everything that preceded the events in this case you would want to keep out. Which, by the way, creates a very interesting question. One of the questions put to this jury pool is, did you hear anything about what went on in 1993 and 1994. Well, the fact is, Judge Melville is likely to bar that evidence. And so I think that's a real plus for the prosecution. But I think the prosecution will still try to get that evidence in. I'll bet you Richard agrees, they'll try to get that stuff from ten years ago into evidence.
HERMAN: Christine, just the mere fact that they mention that, that they put that on the jury questionnaire, is going to lead these jurors to go on the Internet, take a look back at what happened, what were the allegations.
ROMANS: Jurors can't do that. Come on.
HERMAN: Oh, please.
ROMANS: They're supposed to keep an open mind and not read anything about it and do any of their investigation.
HERMAN: Don't be naive. Everyone's being too naive here.
FRIEDMAN: What a cynical response, Richard. The fact is, when jurors take that oath of office, that oath of being a juror, they swear to consider the evidence as it is presented. And if the lawyers are not doing a good job, or the judge is not doing a good job in making sure that oath is maintained, then you're going to have the problems that you're raising.
ROMANS: Gentleman let me ask you both quickly, six months, six months on this trial. What possibly could take so long? Your run of the mill child molestation cases don't typically take six months.
HERMAN: Well Christine it's going to depend on the evidence. It's going to depend on the judge's scheduling. In California, what do they have three trial days a week there for four or five hours a day, or three hours a day. I mean, a judge could streamline this case and get it done well within a couple of months. Again, we don't know the extent of the prosecution's evidence. I think it's very, very light in this case.
One thing that's going to come out, very important, is that this alleged victim, after that Martin Bashir interview, was interviewed by Los Angeles County Child Protective Services and he told them Michael Jackson did nothing inappropriate to him at any time.
FRIEDMAN: That's right.
HERMAN: It was only after his mother sought out the civil attorney who represented the alleged victim back in '93 that the version changed.
FRIEDMAN: It's a filibuster. That's exactly right.
HERMAN: If they lied to the authorities, Christine, they should be sharing a cell there with Martha Stewart.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, holy smokes! That's way off. The fact is there's going to be a lot of evidence that we don't know about. And the Bashir information that came out, including with the victim had to say in that interview, as well as what he said to children protective services, will all come in. There's some serious credibility issues. I'll tell you one thing for sure, Christine, we will not see Michael Jackson ever take the stand.
HERMAN: Christine, one more point here.
ROMANS: You have 15 seconds my friend.
HERMAN: One trap being set for Jackson, is this philanthropy aspect of it. The fact that he brought all these kids into Neverland and had them hang out with him. He was a good man. The point is in his bedroom were 12 and 13-year-old boys only. That's a big problem.
ROMANS: Richard Herman, Avery Friedman, gentlemen we could go on forever. We've run out of time. Thank you so much. We'll talk to you next week.
HERMAN: Thank you Christine.
FRIEDMAN: Nice to see you, take care.
ROMANS: Bye, guys. To some financial experts, real estate is probably the best investment you can make, but is the nation's booming housing market facing a bust. We'll take a look at the state of the industry at 4:00 Eastern on CNN.
Still to come, a check of the headlines.
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