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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Police Officer Charged with Murder; Hackers Penetrate White House Computers; U.S. Speeds Involvement in Yemen. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired April 08, 2015 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:17] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: A police officer charged with murder, caught on camera, shooting an unarmed black man in the back. This morning, the community outrage and what the victim's family is now saying.
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Christine Romans.
Welcome back, John. It's nice to see you.
It's Wednesday, April 8th, it is 4:00 a.m. in the East.
Developing this morning: a South Carolina police officer remains behind bars, charged in the murder of an unarmed black man who was running away following a traffic stop. North Charleston Police Officer Michael Slager arrested after this turning video emerged of the shooting itself.
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ROMANS: I want to bring in CNN's Ed Lavandera for the latest.
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ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, this dramatic video has ended with Officer Michael Slager, a five-year veteran of the North Charleston Police Department, being charged with murder.
This comes incredibly quickly. The shooting took place Saturday afternoon, just four days ago. And the state law enforcement department there in the state of South Carolina has charged him with murder.
In this video, it's dramatic, you see in the initial moments of the video the victim in this case, 50-year-old Walter Scott, very close to the officer but starting to run away. You see some objects fall to the ground. Officer Slager apparently said that he feared for his life or he felt like he was in danger because the victim had reached for his taser.
But Walter Scott gets about 25 feet away, four seconds later and eight shots, Walter Scott drops to the ground. He is later pronounced dead at the scene.
And then, one interesting piece, if you look closely at the video, at one point you see Slager go back to where the initial confrontation had taken place and then dropped something next to Walter Scott's body. It's not clear if that's the body. Then, moments later, he goes back and picks up that very same object.
It is clear, John and Christine, that this video played a dramatic role in these murder charges being filed against Officer Michael Slager -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: All right. Thanks to Ed.
That video fascinating and disturbing at the same time.
Now, on top of the state murder charges, Officer Slager faces an FBI investigation for possibly violating Walter Scott's civil rights. He's also likely to be named in a civil lawsuit planned by Scott's family. They were outraged as they spoke to the media last night. Their lawyer called Slager, quote, "a cop who felt like he could get away with just shooting someone in the back."
Walter Scott's brother, Anthony, remembered him as a coast guard veteran and the father of four children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY SCOTT, SHOOTING VICTIM'S BROTHER: I have -- I had two brothers. I had two brothers. But now, I have one brother.
But out of my brothers, he was the most outgoing out of all of us. He had -- he knew everybody. He knew -- he knew family I didn't know. He knew he had friends I didn't know. He was well known in the community, everywhere. And he was just an outgoing type of person, and loving and kind. That was just his nature.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Again, this is a traffic stop stemming from a broken taillight.
City officials in North Charleston also stepped in front of the cameras following Officer Slager's arrest. The mayor saying he is grateful someone was there to capture the shooting on camera and stepped forward with that video.
And the police chief saying he's been devastated by the actions of his officer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR KEITH SUMMEY, NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: The video is very demonstrative of exactly what happened. Without the video, and that was the only witness there was, actually, was the gentleman that was making the video, it would be difficult to ascertain exactly what did occur. We want to thank the young person that came forward with the video.
EDDIE DRIGGERS, NORTH CHARLESTON POLICE CHIEF: You've been around me a long time. And you know I think that all of these police officers on this force, the men and women, are like my children. So, you tell me how a father would react to seeing his child act, do something. I'll let you answer that yourself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Remarkable to think of what would happen had this video not come forward.
South Carolina political figures, they are reacting to the police shooting and murder charges. In a released statement overnight, Governor Nikki Haley said, "What happened in this case is not acceptable in South Carolina."
[04:05:02] On Twitter, Senator Tim Scott said, "After watching the video, the senseless shooting and taking of Walter Scott's life was absolutely unnecessary and avoidable. My heart aches for the family and our North Charleston community. I will be watching this case closely."
ROMANS: New this morning, U.S. officials investigating a breach of White House computers by Russian hackers. U.S. officials briefed on the investigation say the White House hack goes back to that damaging intrusion into the State Department computers we've been telling you about since last year.
Justice reporter Evan Perez picks up the story from Washington.
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EVAN PEREZ, CNN JUSTICE REPORTER: John, Christine, Russian hackers in recent months broke into sensitive parts of the White House e-mail system. They even can see parts of the president's schedule not disclosed to the public in real time.
The hackers are believed to be working for the Russian government. And according to U.S. officials, they pulled off one of the most serious cyber breaches of U.S. government agencies.
This breach is one reason why U.S. intelligence officials recently increased warnings about the cyber threat from Russia. The White House disclosed suspicious activity in its unclassified e-mail systems in October. But officials say even unclassified e-mails contain sensitive information that's valuable to foreign spies.
The hackers got in first by breaking into the State Department's e- mail servers. Then they tricked someone into giving them access to the system serving the executive office of the president. Federal agencies are now warning employees to beware of so-called phishing e- mails. These appear to come from trustworthy e-mail accounts but actually contain malicious software which gives hackers the ability to take over their computers -- John, Christine.
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BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Evan Perez for that.
Happening now: the United States is deepening its involvement in the battle for Yemen. State Department officials say the U.S. is speeding up delivery of weapons and increasing intelligence sharing with Saudi Arabia. For two weeks, the Saudis have been launching airstrikes against Houthi rebels who they say are being trained and armed by Iran.
For the latest, let's bring in senior international correspondent Nic Robertson who is live on the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Good morning, Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, John. This announcement is perhaps the strongest indication we have so far that the Saudis intent to continue with this air campaign.
Just yesterday, perhaps a lack of intelligence, perhaps a slightly inaccurate weapons systems led to the killing of six children who were in a school that was very close to a military target that the Houthis had been using.
We also heard from a southern separatist commander who is essentially on the same side as the Saudis here fighting the Houthis that the Saudis had hit 20 of his tanks. That he said was because of a lack of coordination on the ground with the Saudi air force.
But we're also hearing of Saudi successes targeting the Houthis around the port city of Aden, targeting the Houthis around a key air base, the Al Anan Air Base, that was used until very recently by U.S. Special Forces, much quieter in Aden today.
That air base now in the hands of the sort of groups, if you will, who are supporting behind the Saudis at the moment. So you can see that the airstrikes are making a difference. But what we've heard now from the deputy secretary of state, Anthony Blinken, is that the United States is going to continue to support that effort. This is what he said.
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ANTHONY BLINKEN, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE: Saudi Arabia is sending a strong message to the Houthis and their allies that they cannot overrun Yemen by force. In support of that effort, we have expedited weapons deliveries, we've increased our intelligence sharing, and we've established a joint coordination and planning cell in the Saudi operations center.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: So, what we heard from the capital in Yemen overnight, a quieter night overnight there, but we've heard it from other sources elsewhere in the country, plenty of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on other Houthi positions as they try to gain ground in the country, John.
BERMAN: A statement in and of itself, having Antony Blinken there is a show of support, in their mission in Yemen.
Nic Robertson right in the border for us -- thanks so much, Nic.
Critics of the deal to curb Iran's nuclear program are being disingenuous -- those words straight from the head of the CIA. John Brennan told students at Harward's Kennedy School of Government that critics should not rip apart a solid deal. He says it is impossible to expect Iran to dismantle everything. Brennan did say he does understand why some could have reservations about this deal.
ROMANS: All right. Another breakthrough in the historic thaw between the U.S. and Cuba may happen as early as today. The State Department expected to recommend that Cuba be removed as a state sponsor of terrorism. Once a State Department recommendation is made, Secretary of State John Kerry will pass it along to President Obama who has said he would quickly accept that recommendation. Congress would then have 45 days to override the president's decision, but they would need a veto-proof majority to do so.
[04:10:05] BERMAN: One week before tax day and IRS budget cuts are taking their toll both on the agency and possibly you if you're close to filing your own taxes. The IRS commissioner is conceding that customer service is what he calls abysmal this year. Only four in 10 -- Romans is sitting here nodding as she's had some experience in this.
ROMANS: I hate to say I told you so, but we saw this coming. This is the biggest not secret in the world.
BERMAN: Just four in 10 people caller getting through to the help line to a real person. And when they do reach customer service agents, those people are only told to provide the basics like how to get tax forms and where to get their information online.
ROMANS: And a lot of people have questions. This is the first year you have to file these forms showing that you have health insurance -- a lot of new forms, a lot of new rules. There will be fewer audits. I'm not saying you should do anything that's going to get you caught. You know, you want to make sure you don't have any red flags, but fewer audits and they're not really answering your phone calls. So --
BERMAN: When we get audited, we're going to blame you. That's OK. Will you handle the audit for us?
ROMANS: No.
Big oil getting even bigger. The big story this morning, Shell is buying BG Group, a British firm with prized oil fields off the coast of Brazil. This is a $70 billion deal, 7-0 billion. And if completed, it would add 25 percent to Shell's oil and gas reserves. Energy prices have tumbled from above $100 last summer to about 50 bucks right now. That's put some producers in the crunch. Bigger firms swoop in to take over. Shell just the latest to add to its expansive portfolio.
Rock bottom oil prices also mean more layoffs in the oil patch. Since June, there have been more than 50,000 oil job cuts in the U.S. because of that crash in price of oil. That's according to analysis from CNN Money. Layoffs are up almost 4,000 percent in the first quarter in the energy patch.
BERMAN: Wow!
ROMANS: That's what happens. I mean, look, you had $100 oil and just this flood of investment, flood of job creation. And when it crashes so quickly, you see the companies pulling back quickly, too.
BERMAN: There's still some money in these companies. The size of that deal is enormous.
ROMANS: Absolutely.
All right. Twelve minutes past the hour. Dramatic closing arguments in the Aaron Hernandez trial, folks. The former NFL star accused of killing his friend. Now, the defense admits he was at the murder scene. New developments, next.
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[04:15:22] BERMAN: The jury in the Boston marathon bombing trial resumes deliberations this morning. On Tuesday, the panel sent the judge two notes after a long seven-hour day. Now, the judge did not share the contents of the notes publicly but told the jurors that he will answer their questions today.
CNN's Alexandra Field has more from inside the courtroom.
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ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, John, a jury made up of seven women and five men spent more than seven hours on the first day of deliberations trying to determine the fate of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. He faces 30 different counts, 17 of those charges coming with a possible death sentence.
If the jury finds him guilty of just one of those counts, this trial will go into a sentencing phase in which the jury will have to determine whether or not to spare Tsarnaev's life.
The defense has never denied Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's participation in the attacks, but it is still the responsibility of the jury to determine whether or not the government met the burden of proof in each of those 30 counts.
Deliberations will continue at 9:00 in the morning. The jury has already sent two notes with questions for the judge about this case -- Christine, John. (END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right, Alexandra, thanks for that.
Jurors convening again today in the murder trial of ex-football star Aaron Hernandez. During closing arguments Tuesday, Hernandez's lawyer acknowledging for the first time (AUDIO GAP) at the murder scene. This as prosecutors say evidence clearly shows Hernandez had a calculated plan to kill Odin Lloyd.
CNN's Susan Candiotti picks up the story.
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SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A day of passionate closing arguments by both prosecutors and defense in the case of Aaron Hernandez. Prosecutors for the very first time identifying Hernandez as the trigger man in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd.
And defense attorneys for the first time saying that Aaron Hernandez was, in fact, at the crime scene, saying this, calling him a 23-year- old kid who in their words witnesses something committed by somebody he knew, indicating that they are trying to shift the blame on the two other people who were in the car that night.
Now, the jury spent about an hour and a half deliberating and will have their first full day of deliberations beginning in the morning at 9:00 a.m. -- Christine and John.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Our thanks to Susan for that.
Rand Paul is hitting the ground running today, his first full day as a declared presidential candidate. The Kentucky senator will hold a rally in New Hampshire, of course, home of the nation's first primary following the nation's first caucuses in Iowa. The Republican senator came out swinging as he launched his campaign on Monday, taking direct aim as the NSA surveillance program.
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SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: Warrantless searches of Americans' phones and computer records are un-American and a threat to our civil liberties. I say that your phone records are yours. I say the phone records of law-abiding citizens are none of their damn business.
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BERMAN: Really interesting to see the verbal shots did not stop there. The senator aimed fire at both parties, saying it is time to take the country back from what he calls special interests using Washington as a piggy bank.
ROMANS: Rahm Emanuel has won a second term in office in Chicago's first mayoral runoff, beating rival Jesus "Joey" Garcia. During his victory speech, he thanked the crowd for putting him through the paces, made an oath to be a, quote, "better mayor because of it." Emanuel also promised to do things differently in his new term, including a pledge to unite that city.
That was close for him. He had to fight for a second term.
BERMAN: That was not an easy one.
A pivotal election in the embattled city of Ferguson, Missouri. Voters tripled the number of black members on the city council. They elected two black candidates. The move will change the political fabric of Ferguson after all the unrest that began last August. That, of course, when Officer Darren Wilson shot unarmed teen Michael Brown. Officer Wilson did not face any charges.
ROMANS: All right. ISIS cleared from its hometown, but Iraqis are afraid to return to Tikrit. We're learning -- we're live with what's stopping there and where Iraqi armies will go after the terrorists, next.
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ROMANS: Even a week after Iraqi forces reclaimed Tikrit from ISIS, many families forced from their homes are very hesitant about returning. They fear the jihadists who forced them out months ago may not be completely out of the area. Now countless civilians are left pondering their futures at makeshift camps in Baghdad.
CNN senior international correspondent Arwa Damon has more on their plight. She's live for us from Baghdad this morning -- Arwa.
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And they're not just concerned about these pockets of ISIS resistance that may exist in Tikrit and other parts of the province where Tikrit is located that have already been cleared.
They're also worried about this Shia volunteer force that has been fighting alongside the Iraqi army. These are mostly Sunni families that have been forced from their homes in these areas that then came under ISIS control. They've been living in very difficult conditions. In a Sunni neighborhood in Baghdad, a Sunni neighborhood that has taken them in, many of them living in makeshift housing, half- constructed buildings, trying to get by.
And what they really want at this stage is a guarantee from the Iraqi government that it is safe for them to go back. They're worried that because they happen to come from these areas, that some of the individuals who have been fighting against ISIS will blame them, the families from these areas, for the fact that ISIS was enable to take control. This goes to the sectarian dimensions and tensions that do exist in this country.
Add to all of that, of course, the reality that their homes, many of them, have been destroyed, damaged. And so, they're dealing on the one hand with a sense of insecurity, vulnerability, those who have children very worried about them as well, and, on the other hand, with the practicalities of being able to go back home.
[04:25:03] Some families we spoke to, their areas had been liberated from ISIS three, four months ago, and they have yet to return. Others from Tikrit.
Now, the Iraqi government at this stage not yet encouraging families to return to Tikrit because they're still dealing with pockets of ISIS resistance. Plus, ISIS has booby-trapped a number of roads and buildings in the city, and explosive ordnance disposal teams are still going through, trying to make sure that it is safe for those families when they do return.
ROMANS: Wow, so many concerns. Arwa Damon, thank you for that this morning.
When you think about there are concerns also about the Iraqi government, the Iraqi military, whether they're able to keep ISIS out of Tikrit.
BERMAN: Oh, yes, no doubt. The Iraqi military not showing that much aptitude for war fighting over the last several months.
All right. Twenty-five minutes after the hour.
A police officer charged with murder caught on camera, shooting an unarmed black man in the back, alarming video. You can see the victim running away. We have new developments in this, next.
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ROMANS: A police officer accused of murder, caught on camera shooting an unarmed black man in the back as he tried to run away. This morning, how that officer is defending himself and what the victim's distraught family is now saying.
Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BERMAN: Good to see you today. I'm John Berman. Twenty-nine minutes past the hour right now.
We have new developments this morning in an alarming case in South Carolina. A police officer is behind bars, charged in the murder of an unarmed black man who was running away following a traffic stop. North Charleston Police Officer Michael Slager was arrested.
