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CNN Live At Daybreak

Spann Blames All Taliban Fighters, Tensions Mount with Lindh Family

Aired February 14, 2002 - 05:17   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Attorneys for the government and John Walker Lindh, the American who sided with Afghanistan's Taliban, returned to court Friday. They'll try to set a date for his trial on terrorism and conspiracy charges. During a hearing yesterday, the 21- year-old American pleaded not guilty. But an incident outside the courthouse is reflecting the tensions in these proceedings.

Our Deborah Feyerick reports on what happened when Walker Lindh's father tried to talk with the father of dead CIA agent Mike Spann.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The encounter took place outside the a federal courtroom immediately after the arraignment. The Spann family waiting for an elevator when John Walker Lindh's father Frank came up to them.

Trying to shake Johnny Spann's hand, he said, "I'm sorry about your son. My son had nothing to do with it. I'm sure you understand."

Johnny Spann refused the handshake, turning his back as a court official tried to block Lindh from speaking to the family. Prosecutors have not charged Walker Lindh with Spann's death. But Spann's father blamed all Taliban fighters for what's happened since September 11.

JOHNNY SPANN, MIKE SPANN'S FATHER: All of this is because of a group of terrorists, a group of terrorist thugs and their leaders and their followers and their supporters.

FEYERICK: Mike Spann and John Walker Lindh came face to face more than two months ago at a prison outside Mazar e-Sharif, Afghanistan, the CIA agent questioning the jihad fighter. Hours later Spann was dead, killed during a prison uprising.

Two American families, two different pains. Frank Lindh flashing his son a bright smile as the 21-year-old was led back to jail. The Spanns, still grieving.

GAIL SPANN, MIKE SPANN'S MOTHER: Mike was a hero not because of the way he died, but because of the way he lived. And I would also like to say that John Walker is a traitor. FEYERICK: Walker Lindh pleaded not guilty to terrorism and conspiracy charges. Defense lawyers asked for a November trial, saying they needed to travel to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. Prosecutors said it was okay with them. But the judge said no, suggesting the trial begin late summer. Both sides will meet Friday afternoon to pick the date.

(on camera): And the reason Shannon Spann came to court, she told CNN, Mike's life was about taking responsibility, explaining it will be interesting to see if Walker Lindh takes responsibility for what he has done. Attorneys are expected to be in court Friday afternoon to set a trial date, which will be late August or early September.

Deborah Feyerick, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And we'll keep you informed of that date, of course.

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