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CNN Live At Daybreak
Michael Jackson's Pajama Drama; Meth in America
Aired March 11, 2005 - 06:00 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.
COSTELLO: One year after Spain's 3/11, a somber question -- is America's mass transportation any safer today?
Meth in America -- we'll profile one group fighting the battle against a drug that does not discriminate.
And Michael Jackson's pajama drama. What's a defense attorney to do now?
It is Friday, March 11.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, hundreds of church bells rang out across Madrid, Spain this morning, marking the moment terrorist bombs started exploding on the city's trains exactly one year ago. One hundred ninety-one people were killed in that attack and more than 1,500 others were wounded.
A 15-hour sit-in aboard a jetliner has ended peacefully in Brussels. Some 60 passengers said to be of Iranian origin said they were protesting the Islamic leadership in Tehran.
A United Nations envoy is heading to Syria tomorrow to deliver an ultimatum. The "Washington Post" says the envoy will tell Syria it must pull its troops out of Lebanon or face political and economic isolation.
President Bush is expected today to nominate Zalman Khalilzad as ambassador to Iraq. Khalilzad has been the ambassador to Afghanistan since November of 2003.
To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: We want to check back in live in Madrid, Spain. A moment of silence now being observed. We've been telling you about a sad anniversary, 3/11 -- 191 people killed aboard commuter trains when terrorists planted bombs on board. Bells rang out earlier across Spain.
Live pictures at a clock in Madrid, Spain, in the subway station there.
We're going to talk much more about security not only in Spain, but here in the United States. That's coming your way on DAYBREAK around 6:30.
Let's talk about Michael Jackson now. Jackson in jammies -- that was the sideshow in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial on day two of testimony from his accuser. Jackson arrived at court more than an hour late, and he looked quite disheveled. That's after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest and threatened to forfeit his bail. One inside the courtroom, jurors heard his accuser's account of drinking and sexual misconduct at Neverland.
After the testimony, one of Jackson's attorneys tried to explain his tardiness.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN OXMAN, JACKSON FAMILY ATTORNEY: He tripped this morning and he fell in the early morning hours while he was getting dressed. His back is in terrible pain. He was in terrible discomfort during the entire trial proceedings. He's going to go home, recuperate, rest and relax and he'll be back on Monday. And he's looking forward to being here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And he went to emergency room.
OXMAN: And he went to the emergency room this morning and he was given medications. So he'll be back on Monday. And we all thank you so very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: As you might expect, M.J.'s P.J.s has inspired a drawer full of headlines. The best? "Jack-O In Jam-A-Jam."
While it's easy to poke fun, it isn't funny.
Attorney Karen Russell joins us now from Seattle.
Good morning, Karen.
KAREN RUSSELL, ATTORNEY: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, Karen, I'd suspect you'd say you've never seen anything like this before.
RUSSELL: And you would be right. It is very, very unusual and something that a judge doesn't cotton to.
COSTELLO: Well, you know, we've been asking viewers what the judge should have done in this case, because the judge could have thrown Michael Jackson in jail, because he showed up late to court. He actually went over the deadline the judge had imposed.
Most people think that the judge should have thrown Michael Jackson in jail.
Why didn't he?
RUSSELL: Well, I think probably the main reason is that it could create an appellate issue for the judge and it would have been a reversible error. And, you know, what the viewers should know is that it's not that unusual for people to be sick or to show up late in that, you know, even though Michael Jackson is a celebrity, you can't sort of give him reverse...
COSTELLO: Oh, but come on, Karen. A lot of people think the back injury thing was faked. I mean it...
RUSSELL: Yes, but look...
COSTELLO: ... if your accuser is on the stand, Karen, making these horrible accusations against you, I would crawl my way into court to face him.
RUSSELL: It would have been in his own best interests, obviously, to be there on time. But, you know, he was at the hospital. They're, you know, he sort of has a doctor's note. And it's a worrisome thing. I mean I think the thing that's probably the biggest shame for Michael Jackson is that it had been a good week for his side. But now the headlines are, you know, Jack-O Mama Jama.
COSTELLO: Exactly. I mean it even made the cover -- it even made the front page of the "New York Times." Take a look. Come out to me for a second. Usually, the "New York Times" buries this story like on page 10. Today, the incident with Michael and his pajamas made the front page of the "New York Times."
So, as a defense attorney, how do you explain this to the jury and make it OK?
RUSSELL: Well, the judge actually takes care of that for you and said, you know, yesterday, we're not going to hold this against Michael Jackson. But the problem is for Mesereau, who's been a terrific lawyer, is the subliminal message. Here it is, D-Day, the day that he's facing his accuser and you have to explain to the jury, yes, he's late. He looks even weirder than usual. And what sort of seed does that plant moving forward?
And when you're talking about credibility issues, which this is central, and that's what the real issue was yesterday with his accuser, it erodes Jackson's credibility because it is more of a sideshow than focusing on the legal issues.
COSTELLO: Well, they're going to be talking about motions today, so I don't believe any witnesses are going to take the stand. But we'll see what happens and if Jackson actually shows up.
Karen Russell live for us from Seattle this morning. Thank you.
Authorities say the investigation into the killings of a federal judge's mother and husband remains open, even though the confessed killer is dead. Chicago authorities confirmed they have DNA evidence linking a man who committed suicide when stopped by police to a cigarette butt found at the judge's home.
Police say Bart Ross shot himself and then left a note confessing to the slayings.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OFC. RICKY ORLOWSKI, WEST ALLIS POLICE: I just started to bring my head forward to the window, because he hadn't rolled it down. Maybe I didn't -- I didn't think maybe he didn't see me behind him right away. All of a sudden the gunshot came out. I felt the concussion. Glass hit me in the face. I was like, that guy just shot at me. I took a couple of steps back, drew my weapon. I fully expected either to have more rounds come out or have him come out at me. He didn't.
I didn't return any fire at him. I retreated back to my squad car, got to the right rear part of it so I could see back into the rear window and noticed that he was slumped over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: As you probably guessed, Officer Orlowski was the one who checked out that suspicious car and found the suspect inside, shot to death. He will be a guest on AMERICAN MORNING. And, of course, that comes your way in just about an hour.
A $1 million offer on the table to keep a brain damaged Florida woman alive. It is the latest in the right to die battle over Terri Schiavo. Right now her husband has a court order to remove her feeding tubes one week from today.
A California businessman has just entered the fray. He wants to pay Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, $1 million if he transfers guardianship to her parents, who, of course, want to keep her alive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT HERRING, BUSINESSMAN: I believe very strongly that there are medical advances happening around the globe that very shortly could be a positive impact on Terri's condition. I have seen miraculous recoveries occur through the use of stem cells in patients suffering a variety of conditions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: An attorney for Michael Schiavo says his client will decline the offer.
If you're deep in debt and looking to bankruptcy as a way out, you may be in for some tough times. The Senate has overwhelmingly approved and sent to the House major changes in the nation's bankruptcy law.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The yeas are 74, the nays are 25. The bill, as amended, is passed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Here you go. The bill would make it harder for people to see bankruptcy protection and require many filers to repay at least some of what they owe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ORRIN HATCH (R-UT), JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: One of the key goals of this legislation is to make sure that the system is not abused by the unscrupulous who leave their creditors high and dry. At the same time, the concept of allowing those citizens who have become saddled by debt to use bankruptcy to get a fresh start is firmly entrenched in the American legal system. And this bill helps that, as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The House is expected to pass the bill.
President Bush says he will sign it.
The United States will offer Iran some modest economic incentives to drop its nuclear enrichment program. That's the word from two senior administration officials. They say European countries will agree to seek sanctions if Iran does not abandon its nuclear program. The carrot and stick approach would reverse U.S. policy against any rewards for Iran in that nuclear dispute.
And President Bush is doing a bit of a subtle two step with his Social Security reform plans. He remains on the road selling his initiative. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have been less than enthusiastic. So the prez is shifting away from his message of reform, reform, reform. He's not backing off, he's just saying let's fix it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We can say to our grandchildren, this system, the safety net will be there for you. The safety net has been great for a lot of folks. But it's got a whole in it. And now is the time for people who've run for office to serve our country to come together and fix that hole.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The president is in Memphis and in Shreveport, Louisiana today. He's telling crowds his plan will take care of both senior citizens and seniors in high school.
Police say a would be thief prowling a parking lot across from the president's hotel in Memphis last night was in the wrong place at the wrong time. With the chief executive in town, police were absolutely everywhere. They say when they chased the suspicious person, shots were exchanged, but no one got hurt. They did arrest the guy and you can bet he won't go wandering through parking lots the next time the president is in town.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, when it comes to addiction, meth is one drug that does not discriminate. So why is it taking a tough toll on one community?
And a symbol of America's youth about to say good-bye. No more fun, fun, fun.
And what are you doing this weekend? See if the new Bruce Willis flick is worth your money.
But first, we take you back to Madrid, one year after that deadly terrorist attack. The city just finishing observing a moment of silence.
DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Still to come, crystal meth in America. Does meth make some men more susceptible to other disease?
And Chicago police are not ready to close the book on the Judge Lefkow family killings. We'll tell you why in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:15 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Bells peal across Madrid to mark the moment when 191 people died. One year ago today, terrorists planted bombs on commuter trains. More than 70 suspects have been charged so far in the bombings.
Indonesia says international aid groups involved only in tsunami relief and not in reconstruction will be asked to leave Aceh Province by March 26. Aceh is the province hit hardest by last December's earthquake and tsunami.
In money news, Bill Gates tops "Forbes'" magazine's billionaires list for the 11th year in a row. The Microsoft founder's net worth is more than -- and this is mind boggling -- he's worth more than $46.5 billion, give or take a few hundred million. Warren Buffett is only worth $44 billion.
In culture, the Wilson brothers' latest film, "The Wendell Baker Story," kicks off this year's South By Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival. But Internet bloggers, indy filmmakers and bands from around the world are packing the event in Austin, Texas.
In sports, Bret Favre, he's coming back. The Green Bay Packers quarterback says he will play the 2005 season and maybe beyond that.
He's not ready for retirement yet -- Chad.
MYERS: You know, it seems like a silly story because he seems so young. But, in fact, Carol, he's going to be 36. He's been in the big leagues there for many years, 12 years of NFL experience. So, I'll tell you what, he's -- he probably has more money than he can spend and he's still coming back because he loves the game.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Robots and a rather robotic Bruce Willis and his daughter all grace our movie theaters this weekend. But are they worth your $7 or $8?
Tom O'Neil from "In-Touch Weekly" is here.
Let's start with the most fun flick first, "Robots."
We have a clip.
TOM O'NEIL, "IN-TOUCH WEEKLY": OK, let's Europe it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "ROBOTS," COURTESY TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: You know, you can see the robots in this flick, they're not sleek and 21st century. They look more like the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz."
O'NEIL: This movie is so well stylized, even the au curves of the Frigidaire refrigerators of the 1950s are borrowed here. The attention to detail is so impressive.
This is a future world populated only by robots. And the central story here is this evil, evil boss played by Greg Kinnear has decided that there will be no more replacement parts made for these robots. Only new robots will exist.
Well, the poor, you know, old robots, whose arms are falling off because they're rusting, band together, of course, to win the day.
COSTELLO: And do they have a little oil can like the Tin Man did?
O'NEIL: There's -- even the town water thing is an oil can. It's very clever.
COSTELLO: Very cute.
So it's emotional, too? Probably a tear jerker for your children?
O'NEIL: It is, and it's so clever in its dialogue. The story is obvious and simple, but it's so well made that this movie is expected to make at least $50 million this weekend. That's staggering. It's the first CGI movie that we've seen since "The Incredibles."
COSTELLO: Wow! And, oh, I loved "The Incredibles."
O'NEIL: Yes.
COSTELLO: That was a great movie.
Let's talk about the new Bruce Willis flick, "Hostage."
We have a clip, Tom.
O'NEIL: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "HOSTAGE," COURTESY MIRAMAX)
BRUCE WILLIS, ACTOR: What do you want?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want you to put your hands on the roof.
You heard me.
Would you mind putting your left hand through the steering wheel, please?
Now bring me the right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: All right, we get the drift here. He's going to be tied up in the car with his seat belt with an evil guy behind him. We've seen Bruce Willis in this role a million times before.
O'NEIL: Yes. This movie is only expected to make $8 million this weekend. By the way, the pacifier, the Rocks movie that's been out for two weeks, that is going to make more than double that.
Bruce is in trouble. The young kids today don't know who Bruce is and it's been so long since he's had a hit movie that he's desperate to make movies like this. And, Carol, we must hold Bruce Willis hostage until he promises not to make another hostage movie like this, which he has promised before. After 9/11, he said I'm not making any more "Die Hard" movies, I'm going to make any more of these thriller type terrorist films. Well, not only is this sin on the screens now, but "Die Hard 4" is in production.
COSTELLO: Oh, no.
Oh, no.
OK, just one word about Rumer Willis' acting, because she's in the movie, too, Bruce's daughter.
O'NEIL: Yes, OK. The whole movie is just so formula that, you know, what could she do?
COSTELLO: Sit there and look like Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and people go wow, she really looks like her parents.
O'NEIL: Exactly.
COSTELLO: Tom O'Neil, thank you.
O'NEIL: You bet.
COSTELLO: DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Stephanie Elam at the Nasdaq market site.
Ford is getting rid of the Thunderbird. The 2005 model year will be the last for the Thunderbird. The retro style convertible went on sale in August of 2001. Now, Ford had planned to discontinue the Thunderbird after the 2005 or 2006 model year.
Back in 1954, that's when Thunderbird hit the markets, and then hit peak sales in 1977. The car went through many design changes before going on hiatus in 1997. When it came back in 2002, it was off to a roaring start, but then the flurry died down. Ford had projected sales of 25,000 a year, but only sold 12,000 in 2004. Overall, though, since 1954, Ford says it has sold 4.2 million Thunderbirds.
Taking a look at the market today, we're looking for a higher open here on Wall Street, thanks, in part, to some positive comments out of Intel. Bond yields and oil prices will still probably pressure the markets, although the Dow did manage to break a three day losing streak yesterday.
One stock to watch is Kmart. Late yesterday, UBS said that they expect Kmart to hit $160 a share. That's up about $50 from where the stock is now. Kmart started gaining ground on that yesterday, up about $7 in late trading.
That's it for business news right now.
DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: And this morning we wrap-up our look at the problem of meth in America.
Last hour, we told you how Mississippi is one of the states trying to fight the problem at the local dust. A new law there limits over the counter sales of pseudoephedrine. That's one of the ingredients used to cook meth. It's found in Sudafed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. HALEY BARBOUR (R), MISSISSIPPI: To make a lot of crystal methamphetamine in a commercial size, it takes hundreds of doses of pseudoephedrine. And so that's what we're trying to stop people from buying. And this is not a silver bullet, a panacea. But it will help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So, you can only buy two packets of Sudafed at the dust in Mississippi and they keep it behind the counter. And if people try to buy a lot of Sudafed, then the pharmacist will notify the local police. And it seems to be working there. Mississippi just one state struggling with the meth problem.
But there is another area seeing an explosion of meth use. It's becoming very popular in urban gay communities, which is helping to spread the AIDS virus.
Joining me now is Ana Oliveira.
She's the executive director of the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
Good morning.
ANA OLIVEIRA, GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Thank you for coming in so early.
How serious is the crisis in the gay community?
OLIVEIRA: We are becoming to be very concerned here in New York City because over the last three or four years, we see a growing number of gay men in our community becoming addicted to crystal, experimenting with it and then becoming significantly addicted to crystal.
COSTELLO: Crystal meth is fairly easy to get and it's cheap to buy, too, right?
OLIVEIRA: Crystal meth is way too easy to get and way too cheap, so that it also has very appealing...
COSTELLO: Well, tell us how much it costs.
OLIVEIRA: You know, what we hear is that two persons can easily get high for a few days for $40. So it's very cheap.
COSTELLO: And the high itself lasts over a period of days. It doesn't just give you a 15 minute high and it goes away.
OLIVEIRA: Yes. It's a methamphetamine, which means that once a person gets high, it will last for a while. And what we find is that it's appealing when people feel depressed, when people are looking for endurance. It also enhances sexual pleasure initially so that it's really very appealing. The problem is that it really begins to erode a person's life and a person's control over their behaviors.
COSTELLO: And from what I understand in the gay community, some are taking crystal meth combined with Viagra. That has to do something vile to your body.
OLIVEIRA: Yes. What occurs is that initially the use of crystal helps with sexual pleasure and with sexual endurance. Over time, what we notice and what we hear is that actually it begins to not help with sexual endurance and so that men will then use Viagra to be able to perform sexually. And that's a problem.
COSTELLO: So I'm hearing some of our viewers saying well, what does this have to do with me? What does this particular problem have to do with me? But it has a lot to do with all of us, because part of the problem with the use of the drug is men having unprotected sex. And that does affect all of us eventually.
OLIVEIRA: Absolutely. And crystal is not a gay drug. Throughout the United States, as we have heard here, also, it's a drug that, you know, straight people are attracted to, gay people are attracted to. So it certainly affects all of us. And, also, young people can experiment with it and be very hooked without knowing the dangers that are there.
COSTELLO: Well, we've also heard that the use of crystal meth, you know, unprotected sex, and that has led to perhaps a new strain of HIV.
Tell us about that.
OLIVEIRA: What we know is that when a person is under the influence of crystal, it's very easy to lose sexual inhibitions. So feeling more disinhibited, a person will take risks and forget to use condoms, for instance, and practice safer sex.
There is no evidence right now that there is any new strain of HIV around. But even without a new strain of HIV, we know how important it is for all of us to be very mindful of safer sex practices.
COSTELLO: So, quickly, tell us what is being done to combat this problem here in the city, and elsewhere in the United States.
OLIVEIRA: A lot. And the most important thing is campaigns to alert individuals that crystal is a very addictive drug, that if one is using crystal, there is treatment, there is help. Call us. Come for help. And also if a person is a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a coworker, a partner of somebody who's using and you see that the person is getting into trouble, there's much you can do. COSTELLO: Ana Oliveira, thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
OLIVEIRA: Thank you very much.
COSTELLO: We appreciate it.
Here are some of the stories we're working on for you as DAYBREAK moves on. A year ago today, Madrid was a city under siege. Today, it is a city in mourning. We'll check in a year after the terrorist attacks.
Plus, did that attack on Spain's public transportation system teach us anything about our own vulnerabilities? We'll see, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired March 11, 2005 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COSTELLO: One year after Spain's 3/11, a somber question -- is America's mass transportation any safer today?
Meth in America -- we'll profile one group fighting the battle against a drug that does not discriminate.
And Michael Jackson's pajama drama. What's a defense attorney to do now?
It is Friday, March 11.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, hundreds of church bells rang out across Madrid, Spain this morning, marking the moment terrorist bombs started exploding on the city's trains exactly one year ago. One hundred ninety-one people were killed in that attack and more than 1,500 others were wounded.
A 15-hour sit-in aboard a jetliner has ended peacefully in Brussels. Some 60 passengers said to be of Iranian origin said they were protesting the Islamic leadership in Tehran.
A United Nations envoy is heading to Syria tomorrow to deliver an ultimatum. The "Washington Post" says the envoy will tell Syria it must pull its troops out of Lebanon or face political and economic isolation.
President Bush is expected today to nominate Zalman Khalilzad as ambassador to Iraq. Khalilzad has been the ambassador to Afghanistan since November of 2003.
To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: We want to check back in live in Madrid, Spain. A moment of silence now being observed. We've been telling you about a sad anniversary, 3/11 -- 191 people killed aboard commuter trains when terrorists planted bombs on board. Bells rang out earlier across Spain.
Live pictures at a clock in Madrid, Spain, in the subway station there.
We're going to talk much more about security not only in Spain, but here in the United States. That's coming your way on DAYBREAK around 6:30.
Let's talk about Michael Jackson now. Jackson in jammies -- that was the sideshow in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial on day two of testimony from his accuser. Jackson arrived at court more than an hour late, and he looked quite disheveled. That's after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest and threatened to forfeit his bail. One inside the courtroom, jurors heard his accuser's account of drinking and sexual misconduct at Neverland.
After the testimony, one of Jackson's attorneys tried to explain his tardiness.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN OXMAN, JACKSON FAMILY ATTORNEY: He tripped this morning and he fell in the early morning hours while he was getting dressed. His back is in terrible pain. He was in terrible discomfort during the entire trial proceedings. He's going to go home, recuperate, rest and relax and he'll be back on Monday. And he's looking forward to being here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And he went to emergency room.
OXMAN: And he went to the emergency room this morning and he was given medications. So he'll be back on Monday. And we all thank you so very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: As you might expect, M.J.'s P.J.s has inspired a drawer full of headlines. The best? "Jack-O In Jam-A-Jam."
While it's easy to poke fun, it isn't funny.
Attorney Karen Russell joins us now from Seattle.
Good morning, Karen.
KAREN RUSSELL, ATTORNEY: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, Karen, I'd suspect you'd say you've never seen anything like this before.
RUSSELL: And you would be right. It is very, very unusual and something that a judge doesn't cotton to.
COSTELLO: Well, you know, we've been asking viewers what the judge should have done in this case, because the judge could have thrown Michael Jackson in jail, because he showed up late to court. He actually went over the deadline the judge had imposed.
Most people think that the judge should have thrown Michael Jackson in jail.
Why didn't he?
RUSSELL: Well, I think probably the main reason is that it could create an appellate issue for the judge and it would have been a reversible error. And, you know, what the viewers should know is that it's not that unusual for people to be sick or to show up late in that, you know, even though Michael Jackson is a celebrity, you can't sort of give him reverse...
COSTELLO: Oh, but come on, Karen. A lot of people think the back injury thing was faked. I mean it...
RUSSELL: Yes, but look...
COSTELLO: ... if your accuser is on the stand, Karen, making these horrible accusations against you, I would crawl my way into court to face him.
RUSSELL: It would have been in his own best interests, obviously, to be there on time. But, you know, he was at the hospital. They're, you know, he sort of has a doctor's note. And it's a worrisome thing. I mean I think the thing that's probably the biggest shame for Michael Jackson is that it had been a good week for his side. But now the headlines are, you know, Jack-O Mama Jama.
COSTELLO: Exactly. I mean it even made the cover -- it even made the front page of the "New York Times." Take a look. Come out to me for a second. Usually, the "New York Times" buries this story like on page 10. Today, the incident with Michael and his pajamas made the front page of the "New York Times."
So, as a defense attorney, how do you explain this to the jury and make it OK?
RUSSELL: Well, the judge actually takes care of that for you and said, you know, yesterday, we're not going to hold this against Michael Jackson. But the problem is for Mesereau, who's been a terrific lawyer, is the subliminal message. Here it is, D-Day, the day that he's facing his accuser and you have to explain to the jury, yes, he's late. He looks even weirder than usual. And what sort of seed does that plant moving forward?
And when you're talking about credibility issues, which this is central, and that's what the real issue was yesterday with his accuser, it erodes Jackson's credibility because it is more of a sideshow than focusing on the legal issues.
COSTELLO: Well, they're going to be talking about motions today, so I don't believe any witnesses are going to take the stand. But we'll see what happens and if Jackson actually shows up.
Karen Russell live for us from Seattle this morning. Thank you.
Authorities say the investigation into the killings of a federal judge's mother and husband remains open, even though the confessed killer is dead. Chicago authorities confirmed they have DNA evidence linking a man who committed suicide when stopped by police to a cigarette butt found at the judge's home.
Police say Bart Ross shot himself and then left a note confessing to the slayings.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OFC. RICKY ORLOWSKI, WEST ALLIS POLICE: I just started to bring my head forward to the window, because he hadn't rolled it down. Maybe I didn't -- I didn't think maybe he didn't see me behind him right away. All of a sudden the gunshot came out. I felt the concussion. Glass hit me in the face. I was like, that guy just shot at me. I took a couple of steps back, drew my weapon. I fully expected either to have more rounds come out or have him come out at me. He didn't.
I didn't return any fire at him. I retreated back to my squad car, got to the right rear part of it so I could see back into the rear window and noticed that he was slumped over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: As you probably guessed, Officer Orlowski was the one who checked out that suspicious car and found the suspect inside, shot to death. He will be a guest on AMERICAN MORNING. And, of course, that comes your way in just about an hour.
A $1 million offer on the table to keep a brain damaged Florida woman alive. It is the latest in the right to die battle over Terri Schiavo. Right now her husband has a court order to remove her feeding tubes one week from today.
A California businessman has just entered the fray. He wants to pay Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, $1 million if he transfers guardianship to her parents, who, of course, want to keep her alive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT HERRING, BUSINESSMAN: I believe very strongly that there are medical advances happening around the globe that very shortly could be a positive impact on Terri's condition. I have seen miraculous recoveries occur through the use of stem cells in patients suffering a variety of conditions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: An attorney for Michael Schiavo says his client will decline the offer.
If you're deep in debt and looking to bankruptcy as a way out, you may be in for some tough times. The Senate has overwhelmingly approved and sent to the House major changes in the nation's bankruptcy law.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The yeas are 74, the nays are 25. The bill, as amended, is passed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Here you go. The bill would make it harder for people to see bankruptcy protection and require many filers to repay at least some of what they owe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ORRIN HATCH (R-UT), JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: One of the key goals of this legislation is to make sure that the system is not abused by the unscrupulous who leave their creditors high and dry. At the same time, the concept of allowing those citizens who have become saddled by debt to use bankruptcy to get a fresh start is firmly entrenched in the American legal system. And this bill helps that, as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The House is expected to pass the bill.
President Bush says he will sign it.
The United States will offer Iran some modest economic incentives to drop its nuclear enrichment program. That's the word from two senior administration officials. They say European countries will agree to seek sanctions if Iran does not abandon its nuclear program. The carrot and stick approach would reverse U.S. policy against any rewards for Iran in that nuclear dispute.
And President Bush is doing a bit of a subtle two step with his Social Security reform plans. He remains on the road selling his initiative. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have been less than enthusiastic. So the prez is shifting away from his message of reform, reform, reform. He's not backing off, he's just saying let's fix it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We can say to our grandchildren, this system, the safety net will be there for you. The safety net has been great for a lot of folks. But it's got a whole in it. And now is the time for people who've run for office to serve our country to come together and fix that hole.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The president is in Memphis and in Shreveport, Louisiana today. He's telling crowds his plan will take care of both senior citizens and seniors in high school.
Police say a would be thief prowling a parking lot across from the president's hotel in Memphis last night was in the wrong place at the wrong time. With the chief executive in town, police were absolutely everywhere. They say when they chased the suspicious person, shots were exchanged, but no one got hurt. They did arrest the guy and you can bet he won't go wandering through parking lots the next time the president is in town.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, when it comes to addiction, meth is one drug that does not discriminate. So why is it taking a tough toll on one community?
And a symbol of America's youth about to say good-bye. No more fun, fun, fun.
And what are you doing this weekend? See if the new Bruce Willis flick is worth your money.
But first, we take you back to Madrid, one year after that deadly terrorist attack. The city just finishing observing a moment of silence.
DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Still to come, crystal meth in America. Does meth make some men more susceptible to other disease?
And Chicago police are not ready to close the book on the Judge Lefkow family killings. We'll tell you why in a minute.
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(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:15 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Bells peal across Madrid to mark the moment when 191 people died. One year ago today, terrorists planted bombs on commuter trains. More than 70 suspects have been charged so far in the bombings.
Indonesia says international aid groups involved only in tsunami relief and not in reconstruction will be asked to leave Aceh Province by March 26. Aceh is the province hit hardest by last December's earthquake and tsunami.
In money news, Bill Gates tops "Forbes'" magazine's billionaires list for the 11th year in a row. The Microsoft founder's net worth is more than -- and this is mind boggling -- he's worth more than $46.5 billion, give or take a few hundred million. Warren Buffett is only worth $44 billion.
In culture, the Wilson brothers' latest film, "The Wendell Baker Story," kicks off this year's South By Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival. But Internet bloggers, indy filmmakers and bands from around the world are packing the event in Austin, Texas.
In sports, Bret Favre, he's coming back. The Green Bay Packers quarterback says he will play the 2005 season and maybe beyond that.
He's not ready for retirement yet -- Chad.
MYERS: You know, it seems like a silly story because he seems so young. But, in fact, Carol, he's going to be 36. He's been in the big leagues there for many years, 12 years of NFL experience. So, I'll tell you what, he's -- he probably has more money than he can spend and he's still coming back because he loves the game.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Robots and a rather robotic Bruce Willis and his daughter all grace our movie theaters this weekend. But are they worth your $7 or $8?
Tom O'Neil from "In-Touch Weekly" is here.
Let's start with the most fun flick first, "Robots."
We have a clip.
TOM O'NEIL, "IN-TOUCH WEEKLY": OK, let's Europe it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "ROBOTS," COURTESY TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: You know, you can see the robots in this flick, they're not sleek and 21st century. They look more like the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz."
O'NEIL: This movie is so well stylized, even the au curves of the Frigidaire refrigerators of the 1950s are borrowed here. The attention to detail is so impressive.
This is a future world populated only by robots. And the central story here is this evil, evil boss played by Greg Kinnear has decided that there will be no more replacement parts made for these robots. Only new robots will exist.
Well, the poor, you know, old robots, whose arms are falling off because they're rusting, band together, of course, to win the day.
COSTELLO: And do they have a little oil can like the Tin Man did?
O'NEIL: There's -- even the town water thing is an oil can. It's very clever.
COSTELLO: Very cute.
So it's emotional, too? Probably a tear jerker for your children?
O'NEIL: It is, and it's so clever in its dialogue. The story is obvious and simple, but it's so well made that this movie is expected to make at least $50 million this weekend. That's staggering. It's the first CGI movie that we've seen since "The Incredibles."
COSTELLO: Wow! And, oh, I loved "The Incredibles."
O'NEIL: Yes.
COSTELLO: That was a great movie.
Let's talk about the new Bruce Willis flick, "Hostage."
We have a clip, Tom.
O'NEIL: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "HOSTAGE," COURTESY MIRAMAX)
BRUCE WILLIS, ACTOR: What do you want?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want you to put your hands on the roof.
You heard me.
Would you mind putting your left hand through the steering wheel, please?
Now bring me the right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: All right, we get the drift here. He's going to be tied up in the car with his seat belt with an evil guy behind him. We've seen Bruce Willis in this role a million times before.
O'NEIL: Yes. This movie is only expected to make $8 million this weekend. By the way, the pacifier, the Rocks movie that's been out for two weeks, that is going to make more than double that.
Bruce is in trouble. The young kids today don't know who Bruce is and it's been so long since he's had a hit movie that he's desperate to make movies like this. And, Carol, we must hold Bruce Willis hostage until he promises not to make another hostage movie like this, which he has promised before. After 9/11, he said I'm not making any more "Die Hard" movies, I'm going to make any more of these thriller type terrorist films. Well, not only is this sin on the screens now, but "Die Hard 4" is in production.
COSTELLO: Oh, no.
Oh, no.
OK, just one word about Rumer Willis' acting, because she's in the movie, too, Bruce's daughter.
O'NEIL: Yes, OK. The whole movie is just so formula that, you know, what could she do?
COSTELLO: Sit there and look like Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and people go wow, she really looks like her parents.
O'NEIL: Exactly.
COSTELLO: Tom O'Neil, thank you.
O'NEIL: You bet.
COSTELLO: DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Stephanie Elam at the Nasdaq market site.
Ford is getting rid of the Thunderbird. The 2005 model year will be the last for the Thunderbird. The retro style convertible went on sale in August of 2001. Now, Ford had planned to discontinue the Thunderbird after the 2005 or 2006 model year.
Back in 1954, that's when Thunderbird hit the markets, and then hit peak sales in 1977. The car went through many design changes before going on hiatus in 1997. When it came back in 2002, it was off to a roaring start, but then the flurry died down. Ford had projected sales of 25,000 a year, but only sold 12,000 in 2004. Overall, though, since 1954, Ford says it has sold 4.2 million Thunderbirds.
Taking a look at the market today, we're looking for a higher open here on Wall Street, thanks, in part, to some positive comments out of Intel. Bond yields and oil prices will still probably pressure the markets, although the Dow did manage to break a three day losing streak yesterday.
One stock to watch is Kmart. Late yesterday, UBS said that they expect Kmart to hit $160 a share. That's up about $50 from where the stock is now. Kmart started gaining ground on that yesterday, up about $7 in late trading.
That's it for business news right now.
DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: And this morning we wrap-up our look at the problem of meth in America.
Last hour, we told you how Mississippi is one of the states trying to fight the problem at the local dust. A new law there limits over the counter sales of pseudoephedrine. That's one of the ingredients used to cook meth. It's found in Sudafed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. HALEY BARBOUR (R), MISSISSIPPI: To make a lot of crystal methamphetamine in a commercial size, it takes hundreds of doses of pseudoephedrine. And so that's what we're trying to stop people from buying. And this is not a silver bullet, a panacea. But it will help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So, you can only buy two packets of Sudafed at the dust in Mississippi and they keep it behind the counter. And if people try to buy a lot of Sudafed, then the pharmacist will notify the local police. And it seems to be working there. Mississippi just one state struggling with the meth problem.
But there is another area seeing an explosion of meth use. It's becoming very popular in urban gay communities, which is helping to spread the AIDS virus.
Joining me now is Ana Oliveira.
She's the executive director of the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
Good morning.
ANA OLIVEIRA, GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Thank you for coming in so early.
How serious is the crisis in the gay community?
OLIVEIRA: We are becoming to be very concerned here in New York City because over the last three or four years, we see a growing number of gay men in our community becoming addicted to crystal, experimenting with it and then becoming significantly addicted to crystal.
COSTELLO: Crystal meth is fairly easy to get and it's cheap to buy, too, right?
OLIVEIRA: Crystal meth is way too easy to get and way too cheap, so that it also has very appealing...
COSTELLO: Well, tell us how much it costs.
OLIVEIRA: You know, what we hear is that two persons can easily get high for a few days for $40. So it's very cheap.
COSTELLO: And the high itself lasts over a period of days. It doesn't just give you a 15 minute high and it goes away.
OLIVEIRA: Yes. It's a methamphetamine, which means that once a person gets high, it will last for a while. And what we find is that it's appealing when people feel depressed, when people are looking for endurance. It also enhances sexual pleasure initially so that it's really very appealing. The problem is that it really begins to erode a person's life and a person's control over their behaviors.
COSTELLO: And from what I understand in the gay community, some are taking crystal meth combined with Viagra. That has to do something vile to your body.
OLIVEIRA: Yes. What occurs is that initially the use of crystal helps with sexual pleasure and with sexual endurance. Over time, what we notice and what we hear is that actually it begins to not help with sexual endurance and so that men will then use Viagra to be able to perform sexually. And that's a problem.
COSTELLO: So I'm hearing some of our viewers saying well, what does this have to do with me? What does this particular problem have to do with me? But it has a lot to do with all of us, because part of the problem with the use of the drug is men having unprotected sex. And that does affect all of us eventually.
OLIVEIRA: Absolutely. And crystal is not a gay drug. Throughout the United States, as we have heard here, also, it's a drug that, you know, straight people are attracted to, gay people are attracted to. So it certainly affects all of us. And, also, young people can experiment with it and be very hooked without knowing the dangers that are there.
COSTELLO: Well, we've also heard that the use of crystal meth, you know, unprotected sex, and that has led to perhaps a new strain of HIV.
Tell us about that.
OLIVEIRA: What we know is that when a person is under the influence of crystal, it's very easy to lose sexual inhibitions. So feeling more disinhibited, a person will take risks and forget to use condoms, for instance, and practice safer sex.
There is no evidence right now that there is any new strain of HIV around. But even without a new strain of HIV, we know how important it is for all of us to be very mindful of safer sex practices.
COSTELLO: So, quickly, tell us what is being done to combat this problem here in the city, and elsewhere in the United States.
OLIVEIRA: A lot. And the most important thing is campaigns to alert individuals that crystal is a very addictive drug, that if one is using crystal, there is treatment, there is help. Call us. Come for help. And also if a person is a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a coworker, a partner of somebody who's using and you see that the person is getting into trouble, there's much you can do. COSTELLO: Ana Oliveira, thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
OLIVEIRA: Thank you very much.
COSTELLO: We appreciate it.
Here are some of the stories we're working on for you as DAYBREAK moves on. A year ago today, Madrid was a city under siege. Today, it is a city in mourning. We'll check in a year after the terrorist attacks.
Plus, did that attack on Spain's public transportation system teach us anything about our own vulnerabilities? We'll see, just ahead.
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