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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Manhunt for Escaped Killers Expands to Vermont; The War on ISIS: Obama's New Strategy; Jeb Bush Across Europe; Will Flight MH370 Ever Be Found? Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired June 11, 2015 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:22] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Manhunt expands for two dangerous killers who broke out of prison. The search -- the search now moving in Vermont. The new clues in that case, ahead.

The President Obama reveals his strategy for ISIS. More U.S. troops now heading to Iraq. Will it enough? We have team coverage breaking down this new plan.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. It is Thursday, June 11th. It is 4:00 in the East. John Berman has the morning off.

Happening now: the manhunt for two convicted killers who escaped from a maximum security prison in upstate New York refocusing this morning. Now, where are they looking? Western Vermont.

The governors of New York and Vermont holding a joint news conference. New York's Andrew Cuomo saying they believe Richard Matt and David Sweat had discussed Vermont as a possible destination.

Meanwhile overnight, near the prison, police closing a state highway pursuing a tip there.

More information also coming to light on the connection between those fugitives and this woman, Joyce Mitchell, who worked as a training supervisor in the prison's tailor shop, where the two men worked. Mitchell's daughter-in-law suggesting she may have been duped into contacting people outside the prison for Richard Matt. Paige Mitchell says she believed Matt acted like he was interested in art and talked to Joyce Mitchell into contacting people who knew supposedly about art on Matt's behalf.

For the latest on the manhunt and investigation, let's bring in CNN's Jason Carroll.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Christine, New York state police say that they are going to be redoubling their efforts, retracing their steps, including right here in this neighborhood, in front of the prison and knocking on doors again, searching every building, not wanting to leave any stone unturned. They have some 500 leads that they are going to be following up on, including one lead that seems to suggest that these two fugitives may have a plan to visit Vermont. The reason why? Vermont's governor weighed on that.

GOV. PETER SHUMLIN, VERMONT: We have information that suggests that they thought that New York was going to be hot. Vermont would be cooler in terms of law enforcement and that a camp in Vermont might be a better place to be than New York.

REPORTER: Do you know where in Vermont?

SHUMLIN: We do not.

CARROLL: New York's governor says it's important to follow-up on all leads, including the lead involving Joyce Mitchell. You remember her, Christine. She is that prison employee that was brought in for questioning over the weekend. There had been allegations that she had befriended both of these inmates.

I spoke to her daughter-in-law at length. She said that 95 percent of what is being put on in the media is simply untrue. Paige Mitchell said this, quote, "I'm appalling to me. I'm totally disgusted that anyone would think she would knowingly help them. She would never want a criminal near her family."

There's also been talk about whether or not that Joyce Mitchell had some sort of a plan to help these inmates once they had escaped out through that manhole, allegations that she was going to provide some sort of a getaway car. I asked Paige Mitchell about that as well. She said that that is absolutely ridiculous. She said, her heart was in the right place, but, quote, "she was trying to do something nice and it back fired" -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. A lot more to come on that. Jason Carroll, thank you so much.

The Pentagon this morning moving forward to carry out President Obama's orders, sending 450 additional American troops to Iraq to aid the fight against ISIS. The new personnel will focus on training Sunni tribesmen and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters. The U.S. also moving to speed up delivery of weapons to the Sunnis, a response to Sunni complaints that weapons now are delayed as they pass through Iraq's Shiite-dominated central government.

The overall American aim here, sparking a stronger Sunni fight against the Islamic State.

CNN's Michelle Kosinski has more from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Christine. Right. So, these are 450 additional U.S. troops sent to a key area in Iraq, Anbar province, between Ramadi and Fallujah, two cities that have been since taken over by ISIS. They're going to be on a military base, but not the White House says not in a combat role. Again, their job is to advise, assist and train Iraqi forces, basically help the Iraqis help themselves.

The U.S. also wants to stream line the process of getting more equipment to the Iraqis, help them get the recruits that they need, especially from Sunni tribes.

But, you know, the question is there, that if these problems have existed for some time within the Iraqi army and this kind of assistance and more has been considered for some time, why wasn't this and more done before the fall of Ramadi?

[04:05:04] And sending now significantly more U.S. troops, doesn't that indicate that there were underestimations in what was needed in the first place? What we just got from the White House I think as much of an admission that there had been problems as we're going to get. U.S. officials said, yes, the fall of Ramadi was a setback. Yes, forces need to be more nimble in fighting ISIS, which has been nimble. And they need to react more quickly when there are shortfalls.

U.S. officials said that this is a problem they are trying to solve. Among the criticism out there coming from members of Congress, especially Republicans, is that more needs to be done, that the president needs to lay out a more detailed strategy and questions over how much good really these additional U.S. troops are going to be able to do -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Thank you for that, Michelle.

Now, the emphasis is on training Sunni and Peshmerga fighters. The push to get weapons into Sunni hands more quickly and the directly, and the timing following the fall of Ramadi to ISIS. The revised U.S. strategy against ISIS now seems to put less reliance on Iraq's central government and military to win this fight, at least in Anbar province.

Joining me now to help put all these pieces together, CNN's Ian Lee.

Ian, despite the additional trainers, the additional weapons, Iraqi officials are still saying this isn't enough. What do they want?

IAN LEE, CNN REPORTER: That's right, Christine. For the Sunnis, the tribal fighters there, they have been calling for the weapons trainings for a long time. And their participation is crucial when taking on ISIS. They're going to be important when ISIS is kicked out, when it's kicked out, if it's kicked out to control the area because these are predominantly Sunni areas.

But Iraq's foreign minister Ayad Allawi has said they still need more.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI VICE PRESIDENT: I don't think this is the frankly the only answer. This may be part of the answer and small part of the answer. I know we are in need of training and in need of equipment and in need of weapons. We are in need of intelligence, to get intelligence, provide intelligence, to know where are the strong points of ISIS, where are the weak points of ISIS, where territory, what to do. This is unfortunately not available yet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEE: And visiting the front lines, commanders have told CNN that what they need is more weapons. They say they know how to fight, but they want more weapons. And another Iraqi commander says he doesn't believe the United States is committed to defeating ISIS, saying that he has fought against the United States. He has been dealing with the United States on both sides. He says he knows the United States has the power, has the capabilities to defeat ISIS and he is saying he feels what's happening now is half-hearted.

ROMANS: You know, Ian, the big question: can more weapons and training ultimately defeat ISIS? Because we know that weapons and training is something the Americans have been providing for the Iraqi military for some time now, a lot of training, a lot of weapons. And in many cases, you have those weapons falling in the hands of ISIS to be used against the people we have trained.

LEE: Well, the answer really is that no mount of weapons or training is going to defeat ISIS or at least keep them at bay forever. What really needs to happen is a political deal between with Sunnis and Shiites, to build that gap -- to bridge over the gap of mistrusts between the two sides. The Sunnis need to feel that once ISIS is kicked out, that they're not going to be harassed or mistreated by the predominantly majority Sunni -- or Shiite government.

And, really, when you look back at the rise of ISIS, that has been one of the key tools for them to exploit that Sunni dissatisfaction with the central government. So, a political deal from day one, that is going to be the crucial key to keeping ISIS at bay and ultimately defeating them.

ROMANS: All right. Ian Lee for us in Cairo, putting all the pieces together for us, thanks, Ian.

An American citizen killed in Syria fighting against ISIS. The State Department confirming Keith Broomfield of Massachusetts died last week. He was fighting alongside Kurdish forces near Kobani. The State Department has been in contact with Broomfield's family. It's not clear how his remains will be repatriated since the U.S. has no diplomatic presence in Syria.

The rise of ISIS could spell the demise of al Qaeda. Two of al Qaeda's top spiritual leaders telling "The Guardian" the terror group is no longer a function organization because it's been ripped apart by ISIS. They say al Qaeda's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is now completely cut off from his commanders, with the ISIS propaganda machine dominating the recruiting war in the Middle East.

New evidence the Israelis may be spying on the Iran nuclear talks. [04:10:01] According to "The Wall Street Journal", a cyber security

firm based in Moscow has detected a computer virus frequently used by Israel's side, in three European hotels. And all three hotels have hosted the nuclear negotiations. The virus could allow hackers to infiltrate computers, phones and Wi-Fi networks. Israel is not commenting.

Ten minutes past the hour. Time for an early start on your money.

Asian and European shares higher right now following Wall Street's lead. What happened in Wall Street, well, the Dow jumped 236 points, above 18,000 again. Best day for American stocks in a month for the Dow once again higher for the year.

A hint of compromise -- a hint of compromise between Greece and its E.U. creditors was enough to push stop higher. No deal yet. Talks continue today. Investors continue dumping bonds. The yield on the ten-year treasury is almost 2.5 percent. That's the highest since September. When they dump bonds, yields go up.

And oil prices are hovering around 2015 high, high for the year. U.S. crude oil above 61 bucks a barrel right now, and a government report shows U.S. crude fell for the sixth week in a row, but higher prices might not last. There's still a supply glut, and U.S. production is ticking up.

Happening now, Jeb Bush polishing his foreign policy credentials in Europe just days before announcing that he is running for president. Is it working? Details next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Welcome back.

Jeb Bush plans to hit the ground running when he officially joins the Republican race for president on Monday. Before that, he is polishing his international credentials with a three-nation tour of Europe. He is in Warsaw, Poland, today. He's been stressing solidarity against Russia, calling Vladimir Putin a bully, and trying to jump start his campaign that isn't a campaign yet.

We get more from CNN's Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[04:15:01] DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Christine, it's not unusual for a candidate, or in this case, an almost presidential candidate, to make his way across the pond, here to Europe, in order to show that they're comfortable on the world stage. That's exactly what Jeb Bush is doing here in Europe right now. He started out in Germany. Now, he is where I am in Warsaw, Poland, and then, eventually, he's going to make his way to Estonia.

And the theme that you've already heard from him is that he believes that he and the United States should be much more aggressive, much more involved in helping particularly these countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union beat back on the aggression of Vladimir Putin. He even called him a bully on this trip. So, that is really a big part of the trip and reason why he is here.

But there is another reason, and that is to give him and his campaign a reset button, if you will. He has not been able to break-away from the pack. He has not been able to scare other competitors off of the field. That has hurt him maybe unfairly. But the fact of the matter is, his last name is Bush and the expectation was that he would be a little bit more ahead of the game at this point.

So, they are hoping this trip will kind of wipe the slate clean. He'll be able to go back, in just a few hours after he lands back in the United States, he's going to make his announcement official and he's going to hit the ground running. That is what we're going to see from Jeb Bush over the next several days. Not your typical pre- announcement trip, but this election is anything but typical.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Dana Bash, thank you so much for that, Dana.

Now, if Hillary Clinton is elected president, her husband, the former president, he stands to lose millions. Bill Clinton says if Hillary does win, he will likely step off the lecture circuit, which has earned him more than $100 million since he left office in 2001. That man is paid to talk.

Clinton also said he'd like to stay involved with the family's foundation for as long as possible during the campaign to ensure they raise enough money to fund its global charitable work.

McKinney police, Texas police officer Eric Casebolt, he let his emotions get the best of him while responding to a pool party disturbance where he is seen on video, throwing a teenage girl to the ground and drawing his gun on others. That is according to his lawyer. He let his emotions get the best of him. She says Casebolt handled two suicide calls before arriving at the pool party and it took an emotional toll on him. He has since resigned.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JANE BISHKIN, ATTORNEY FOR ERIC CASEBOLT: Eric regrets that his conduct portrayed him and his department in a negative light. He never intended to mistreat anyone, but was only reacting to a situation and the challenges that it presented. He apologizes to all who are offended. That day was not representative of the 10-year service to the community of McKinney and it is his hope that by his resignation, the community may start to heal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: His attorney says Casebolt is currently in seclusion after receiving death threats. Meantime, the girl seen being manhandled by the officer, 15-year-old Dajerria Becton, she's trying to recover from that incident.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HANNAH STROUD, ATTORNEY FOR DAJERRIA BECTON: She is having a hard time sleeping and a hard time eating. And, obviously, where she would rather be out having fun with her friends, she felt a little bit like she has to be stuck at home. And her aunt, who's her legal guardian, is keeping a tight watch on her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Civil rights groups are calling for police reforms and an independent investigation into possible criminal charges against Eric Casebolt.

Another claim of excessive force by police officers this morning, this time in Orlando. This cell phone video shows an officer repeatedly kicking 30-year-old Noel Carter as he lies on the sidewalk. Officials say Carter had been arguing with and grabbing a hold of a crying woman who turned out to be his ex-girlfriend. The chief says Carter repeatedly resisted arrest, couldn't be subdued with pepper spray or a taser. Carter's lawyer says the video speaks for itself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

NATALIE JACKSON, NOEL CARTER'S ATTORNEY: Events show what happened as our client was sitting passively on the ground. He was being kicked. He was being hit and he was tased while he was doing nothing.

CHIEF JOHN MINA, ORLANDO POLICE: Based on what I know now, I have no reason to take them off the streets based on the totality of the circumstances, and that includes the videos and witness statements and everything I have right now.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

ROMANS: Orlando's police chief has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate.

Police say a bloody baseball bat was recovered from the Washington, D.C., mansion where four people were murdered last month. Court records unsealed Wednesday show the bat was found in a bedroom with three of those victims. All three members of the Savopoulos family and their housekeeper, they have been beaten and stabbed. Thirty- four-year-old Daron Wint is charged with first-degree murder in those killings.

[04:20:01] Police say his DNA was found on discarded pizza in the house. Authorities do not believe Wint acted alone.

The NTSB says Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian was not using his cell phone for calls, text or the Internet while operating the train that derailed in Philadelphia last month. Amtrak records also show he didn't access the train's Wi-Fi system. But investigators still have not determined is why, why the train took a 50-mile an hour curve at 106 miles an hour. Eight people were killed, more than 200 injured in that crash. All right. A new theory this morning, a new theory in the search for

missing Malaysia Flight 370, along with new skepticism from a top airline executive that the missing plane may ever be found. We're live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: It has been 15 months since Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-370 vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Officials now confirming the search zone in the Indian Ocean will not be expanded beyond its current perimeter. And a top airline executive suggesting it's only a matter of time before the search is abandoned, calling the mission to find the jetliner a goose chase.

CNN's Anna Coren live from Hong Kong.

This is certainly not what the families of those who were onboard that flight want to hear.

ANNA COREN, CNN ITNERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Christine. And those comments were being described as insensitive. They were made by the president of Emirates, Tim Clark, who had a conference in Miami, said on the sidelines that MH-370, the search is a goose chase.

[04:25:08] Obviously, for the families, that is just so disheartening. They already heard from the Australian government a few months ago that yes, they will expand the search to 46,000 square miles from 23,000 square miles. But if nothing is found within that vicinity, within that search zone, then the search will be called off.

So, extremely disheartening for the 239 people that their families who obviously are holding on to hope. That is all they have. There is no wreckage. No information. No explanation as to what happened to MH- 370.

So, all these people have is hope. And to hear these comments from the head of Emirates, one of the major airlines in the world that has been a major blow.

ROMANS: You know, Anna, there is a theory that explains how the plane could disappear without a -- just disappear without a trace. What is the new theory?

COREN: Yes, we have to remember it's more than 15 months now since MH-370 was in scheduled from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Less than an hour in flight, it veered off course and disappeared from the radar.

So, this new theory is by a math professor at University in Qatar. He has said the plane nose dived at a 90 degree angle into the Southern Indian Ocean, hence the wing snapped off. The debris, the fuselage would have gone straight to the bottom of the ocean, hence no wreckage.

Remember, we saw something during the initial search of MH-370 weeks after they established that area. There was no debris. Also, no oil slick.

So, this is a theory by a math professor. But, Christine, there have been many theories over the past 15 months. And really until those black boxes are located, we will never know. There are three vessels scouring every single inch of the southern Indian Ocean in that search part zone. They have come into severe weather, which is obviously hampering the search. But they are determined to continue.

ROMANS: All right. Anna Coren, thank you for that this morning. Anna Coren in Hong Kong.

New tip moving the search for two killers who escaped from prison, a new tip why investigators believe these two dangerous men could now be in Vermont, ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)