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Hurricane Charley's Aftermath; Jackson, Bryant, and Peterson Trial Updates; Bush Announces Plans To Reposition U.S. Troops; Delegation To Travel To Najaf

Aired August 16, 2004 - 13:00   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.


ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're looking at a live picture of destruction left behind by Hurricane Charley in Port Charlotte. I'm Ed Lavandera, reporting live from here. We'll be speaking with some of the residents who are in the process of cleaning up.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Ed. Also, courtroom confrontation. Pop star Michael Jackson takes on the D.A. in his child molestation case.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Rusty Dornin in Redwood City, California, where jurors hear more taped conversations. This time, Amber Frey is grilling Scott Peterson about his possible involvement in his wife's disappearance. Details coming up.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And moving out -- President Bush giving new marching orders to thousands of American troops to better fight the war on terror.

From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. It's Monday, August 16. CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now. We begin this hour with the "I" of the storm -- "I" as in immense, incredible, and in some cases, indescribable devastation from the storm that was Hurricane Charley. The damage is not incalculable.

Officials estimate that $11 billion in losses just to insured homes in Florida. Plus, still to be factored in are business losses, and especially Charley's impact on citrus growers. Florida's death toll stands at 17. And though it may well rise, officials say it's a miracle it's not already much higher.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has the latest now from Port Charlotte -- Ed.

LAVANDERA: Hi, Kyra. Well, we're here in Port Charlotte. And I want to show you this home here. This is the home of Wade Dedman, and he's here with us. He's just showed up a little while ago. Wade, you weren't here for this storm. Was it an easy decision to evacuate?

WADE DEDMAN, PORT CHARLOTTE HOMEOWNER: When the time came, you had to go, you know. It was time when the storm made a right turn, and we really didn't have a choice. We could see the winds picking up. It went up to a Category 4, and at that time, we knew we had to head inland, so we evacuated at that time. And about two hours after that, the storm hit, and that's what's left.

LAVANDERA: This might seem like a weird question, but when you come home and you see this, what do you tell yourself?

DEDMAN: Well, just thankful that my family's safe, you know. That's the most important thing in times like this, and everyone's been real supportive. We've been with our pastor, and he's given a lot of support during these times.

And you know, you've just got to look back and be thankful that everyone's safe, because you have no control over something like this. You just have to look at it and realize we've got to pick up and start over again, and we'll do that.

LAVANDERA: And does this kind of reaffirm just how powerful this storm was to you?

DEDMAN: I think some of the wind gusts -- I believe there was probably tornadoes involved -- just the devastation around town, not only to the house itself, but it was one storm I'll never forget for the rest of my life. I've lived through it. We were inland, but the wind gusts were probably up around 160 at times, easily.

LAVANDERA: All right, and one of his prized possessions just back there, a 1969 Ford Mustang that he refurbished himself with his father. So there are a lot of things lost here that mean a lot to a lot of people -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Identify with that car, that's for sure. All right, Ed Lavandera, we'll definitely check in with you a little later on. Thanks so much -- Betty.

NGUYEN: For every bashed roof or uprooted tree in Charley's wake, there is a story, and we've collected dozens today alone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have been experiencing winds in excess of 100 miles an hour. It is tearing off roofs...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I had never experienced a situation where we went from Category 1 hurricane force winds to Category 4 hurricane force winds in such a short period of time. And that's what really caught us off guard. So we were forced to take what we call a shelter of last resort. And in this case, it was someone's abandoned home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything was shaking. I felt myself lose my breath of air a couple times, the wind was so strong. I just saw parts of roof fly through my house and take my whole pool cage out, and things were flying by my head. I found my big ladder stuck on the side of the wall; it missed my head. I couldn't believe it -- unreal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When the dark falls, that's whenever you get a little bit worried. And I've talked to several residents that say in the daytime, it's not so bad because they're busy doing things. But at nighttime, they really feel kind of alone, and they have electricity, and people are trying to protect their own property.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just devastating, beyond belief. You see it in the movies and you never think you'll see it, and when you do, it hits home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the plan went well. Charley threw us a bit of a surprise when it made a jog to the northeast and headed directly down upon us. We got the word out very quickly, and the citizens responded very quickly, and that's why the death count is really as low as it is. We expected much worse than that. We're very pleased at the evacuation efforts that took place.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're seeing the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and other humanitarian efforts out on the streets. They're here, they're working.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, everybody, hi -- we survived.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, after the wind, after the rain, the heat. CNN meteorologist...

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS. ... thanks so much -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Shifting gears, the whirlwind in southern California this hour is centered on the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, the site of a pretrial hearing in the state versus Michael Jackson.

As you know from watching CNN, the superstar defendant is there along with his parents and several siblings, and so is our Thelma Gutierrez. And what an interest it was today for the Jackson family.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's exactly right, Betty. Well, that hearing began just a short time ago, and it's expected to last all day. We were told that District Attorney Tom Sneddon was just sworn in. He will take the stand.

Now, as you mentioned, there are about 50 to 60 fans who are standing out there. They were all here very early this morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of pop star Michael Jackson.

Less than an hour ago, the tour bus pulled up, and defense attorney Tom Mesereau walked up. Jackson's parents walked off the bus, then a security guard opened an umbrella and Michael Jackson emerged wearing a white suit, a gold armband, and supporters began chanting, "innocent." He waved quickly to them and then proceeded inside.

His sisters LaToya and Janet, brother Jermaine, all wore white suits as well, though not sure whether it was in solidarity or what exactly their motive was. Now, the Jacksons are expected to sit in the front row of the courtroom to face off as Tom Mesereau actually questions the district attorney, Tom Sneddon. Sneddon will be questioned.

He will argue, defense attorney Mesereau will argue that the prosecutor overstepped his bounds when he personally conducted surveillance of the private investigator's office, and when the Santa Barbara sheriff's officials actually went in with a sledge hammer, broke into the office and conference room of that private attorney, and then seized videotapes and documents in the Jackson case.

The private attorney, at the time, was working for Jackson's former attorney, Mark Geragos, and the prosecutor seized that information at the time. And defense attorney says that if it is seized that it should be ruled inadmissible because it was seized illegally.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARTHUR BARENS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If you eliminate the evidence, you eliminate the case, and we get back to a situation where they can't go forward. If major parts of their evidence are stricken or inadmissible by a ruling of the judge, there is no prosecution case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Now, the attorney general also concluded its investigation into Jackson's allegation that he had been manhandled when he was being held by Santa Barbara officials at the time of his arrest. And though the contents of that report have been sealed, sources tell CNN that the attorney general found that there was no mistreatment of Jackson.

Betty, back to you.

NGUYEN: Thelma, Michael Jackson didn't have to be in the courtroom today, but because Sneddon is on the stand, he decided to be there. This has made a personal turn, hasn't it?

GUTIERREZ: Well, you're right, he didn't have to be here. He hasn't had to attend any of the pretrial hearings. But this one is different, because he gets to face off with the district attorney, who has been after him since 1993. And so, you're right, this is quite personal.

NGUYEN: Thelma Gutierrez in California, thank you -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: The buzz in Eagle, Colorado is the possibility that Kobe Bryant's rape trial might just end before it begins. The parties are back in court today for what's supposed to be the last of the pretrial hearings less than two weeks before what's supposed to be the start of jury selection.

CNN's Chris Lawrence is covering it for us -- Chris.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the part of today's hearing that was open to the media and the public has been concluded, and they'll spend the rest of the morning behind closed doors. And already, it has not been a very good beginning for the prosecution. There were some minor rulings today, but let's take a look first at the most significant.

Earlier, the trial judge here had ruled that Kobe Bryant's defense team could introduce details of this young woman's sexual past. The prosecutor then appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court, asking them to rule in favor of the prosecution, saying that the woman's sexual activities should not be admitted as evidence.

Well, today, the Colorado Supreme Court decided not to consider that request. That is a huge setback for the prosecution and a real validation for both the judge and Kobe Bryant's defense team. Now, we know that the young woman's attorneys have told CNN in the past that they've at least entertained the possibility of her withdrawing her support from this case, in past because she didn't want her personal life dragged out before the public.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRAIG SILVERMAN, FMR. DENVER PROSECUTOR: I think the prosecutors are between a rock and a hard place. Really, they should go back to their ethical responsibility of only proceeding if they feel they have a case that can be proven to a jury of 12 beyond a reasonable doubt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE: Now, again, this ruling just came down this morning, so we expect that the young woman will hear about the supreme court ruling sometime today. And we'll just have to wait and see how that impacts her decision to stick with the case -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Chris Lawrence, live out of Eagle, Colorado, thanks so much. Now to the Peterson trial and day four of Amber Frey's phone tapes. CNN's Rusty Dornin is watching and listening from there -- Rusty.

DORNIN: Well, Kyra, you know, after hours of listening to their love-struck chit-chat all week long, talking about reciting poems and their future together, and that sort of thing, things took a turn at the end of the week when Peterson does reveal to her that his wife is indeed missing.

The tenor of their talks have definitely changed. There's more intensity, there's more tension, and at times, Frey seems to be interrogating Peterson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): As searchers beat the brush for signs of a missing Laci Peterson, her husband was spending hours on the phone.

SCOTT PETERSON: Amber?

AMBER FREY: Yes, I'm here.

DORNIN: Pillow talk with his mistress Amber Frey, and seemingly endless lies about a European trip. Finally, jurors heard the conversation tape two weeks following his wife's disappearance where Peterson reveals one of his biggest secrets.

PETERSON: The girl I'm married to -- her name is Laci.

She disappeared just before Christmas.

DORNIN: Then Frey began hours of her own interrogation of Peterson.

PETERSON: My God, Amber, I had nothing to do with her disappearance.

FREY: Then who did?

PETERSON: We don't have any ideas.

DORNIN: Repeatedly, Frey asks Peterson what happened.

PETERSON: Sweetie, I'm so sorry, but I can't -- tell you about those things right now.

FREY: Why? Why not right now?

PETERSON: They would -- it would hurt entirely too many people.

DORNIN: Peterson apologizes for his lies, but continues his deceit.

PETERSON: OK, I wasn't in Madrid. That was a lie. The second phone call was only the truth.

FREY: So, did you even go on that fishing trip in Alaska with your family?

PETERSON: Yes.

DORNIN: Peterson never went to Alaska.

The jury has followed the transcripts intently, even chuckling at times when Peterson says he hardly ever lied to Frey. First up Monday morning, the court will play the end of a conversation in which Amber Frey talks about her fears.

FREY: ... and not to have this -- this fear inside my heart that had something to do with this and that may possibly and potentially have killed your wife.

PETERSON: No, you don't need to have that fear. You know me well enough.

FREY: What was that?

PETERSON: I'm not an evil guy.

DORNIN: Two more days of tapes, then Frey will resume her testimony.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (on-camera): In the latest tape this morning the jury's been hearing, he says he's not an evil person. Amber Frey also keeps pushing, saying, "Why shouldn't I go to police?" He says, "Look, I have nothing to hide. I'm not going to ask you to stop if you decide to go to the police." So these are the tapes that are going to be finishing up in the next two days, then she'll be back on the stand for prosecutors.

And then, we expect, perhaps, Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, the cross-examination by defense attorney Mark Geragos will begin -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Rusty, how much coaching did Amber Frey receive from police when it came to a number of these phone calls? Was she told exactly what to ask and how to ask the questions?

DORNIN: We don't know exactly what they told her, but it certainly seems that they had coached her on some things, what to push at, what to keep asking. And of course, she keeps asking why, how were you involved, why can't you tell me anything, and she seems very good about following up on those things.

So, certainly, those are things that police may have told her to keep asking.

PHILLIPS: Rusty Dornin live from Redwood City. Thanks, Rusty.

NGUYEN: Showdown at a mosque: American and Iraqi forces clashing with insurgents. Will a new attempt to get a rebel cleric out peacefully work? That's straight ahead.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN, THE WHITE HOUSE: I'm Elaine Quijano, live at the White House. President Bush has announced plans to reposition tens of thousands of American troops, some of them coming back to U.S. soil. I'll have details coming up.

NGUYEN: And brewing controversy over a beer maker salute to rock and roll. Some fans are not drinking what they're pouring.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: You have fierce clashes, explosives, and a waiting game at a sacred shrine -- all are headlines from Iraq today.

Our John Vause is in Baghdad, where a delegation is forming to travel to Najaf in an attempt to diffuse a showdown at the Imam Ali Mosque.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With the ongoing violence in Najaf, delegates at a national conference here in Baghdad have called on Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mehdi militia to lay down their weapons and leave the Imam Ali Mosque and join the political process. To back that up, they're sending a delegation of 21 people to Najaf to negotiate directly with al-Sadr.

A spokesperson for the Shiite cleric says he will welcome that delegation when it does arrive. This is the second day of that national conference. They're there to elect a 100-person interim assembly to advise the Iraqi interim government in the lead-up to elections next year.

That vote was put off until tomorrow. There are expected to be arguments and disagreements -- many delegates unhappy with the selection process of just how their body will be elected.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Shaking up the ranks, President Bush announces a new plan for redeploying and repositioning tens of thousands of U.S. troops around the world. Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House with the details. Tell us about them, Elaine.

QUIJANO: Hi there, Kyra. Well, the president announced his plan during his speech. He was in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivering a speech to a convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and President Bush saying, essentially, that he believes that this move will result in a military force that is better poised to fight what his administration sees as new and emerging threats in the war on terror.

Now, today, a White House official said that there are some 230,000 U.S. troops who are stationed overseas around the world. And this proposed plan by the president would affect 60,000 to 70,000 of them, as well as 100,000 family members and civilians. Now, most of the troop reductions would come from Europe and Asia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today, I announced a new plan for deploying America's armed forces. Over the coming decade, we will deploy a more agile and more flexible force, which means that more of our troops will be stationed and deployed from here at home.

We will move some of our troops and capabilities to new locations so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, important to note, administration officials are saying that the troop reductions involved would not include troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. As for this event itself, interesting to note as well that although this was a major foreign policy announcement by the president, it happened within the context of a campaign appearance.

This appearance by the president before that convention of veterans was a speech that was paid for by the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign, and already, the political debate has begun. An advisor to the president's opponent, Senator John Kerry -- this advisor criticizing the president's plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD HOLBROOKE, FMR. U.S. AMB. TO UN: This is another example of the administration's unilateralism. It's going to weaken our national security. It is not going to save us money. It will cost billions of dollars to bring these troops home. Germany, South Korea, and Japan, which are going to see the biggest cuts, all spend billions of dollars to support the troops.

And I am very concerned about this, both as a former assistant secretary of state for Asia, working on Korean issues, and as a former ambassador to Germany.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, an administration official says that this is something that has been taking place with the consultation of international allies as well as members of Congress. In the words of this administration official, quote, "This is something we're doing with allies, not to allies" -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Elaine Quijano from the White House, thanks so much. And next hour, we're going to talk to General Don Shepard from the U.S. Air Force about this redeploying and repositioning of the troops.

Now, a debate over family values creates a family squabble in the Republican Party. Log Cabin Republicans, a group of some 12,000 gay conservatives, teamed up with other more liberal Republicans today to pitch their ideas for this month's GOP convention. They want the White House to embrace a more tolerant tone toward gays and voters who back abortion rights.

The message is simple: If the GOP tent is not big enough for them, they're likely to get cabin fever when it's time to issue an endorsement.

NGUYEN: On some R&R in Ketchum, Idaho, Senator John Kerry is taking a break from campaigning until tomorrow. But there's no break in the campaign rhetoric. Kerry and other Democrats are accusing President Bush of gutting regulations on U.S. companies. Democrats say the White House is putting corporate interests ahead of workers and the middle class.

We'll be right back with more LIVE FROM. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: General Tommy Franks -- the Paula Zahn interview begins tonight at 8:00 Eastern. We'll play a clip for you next hour. You don't want to miss it. It's riveting, it's intense -- did I sell it? NGUYEN: I think you sold it. News across America now. The politician and the polls -- last week's stunning announcement by New Jersey's governor has apparently not hurt his approval rating.

In fact, a new poll shows it's actually two points higher than before Governor Jim McGreevey announced he had a homosexual extramarital affair.

Quickie vows in Vegas -- and no, we're not talking about Britney Spears. Socialite Nicky Hilton is now the wife of a New York money manager. The little sister of the "Simple Life's" Paris Hilton walked down the aisle in a Las Vegas chapel before dawn yesterday.

Commemorative Miller Beer wanted to toast the 50th anniversary of rock and roll with a set of collectible beer cans. They put eight cover shots from Rolling Stone magazine on special cans. Elvis got a can, so did Blondie. But noticeably absent were pictures of any black rock and rollers.

Miller says it contacted a number of black artists who had conflicts or other commitments, or were not interested, or simply didn't respond -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, while officials in Florida are busy addressing the damage caused by Hurricane Charley, the state's citrus growers say the storm crushed this year's crop...

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

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Aired August 16, 2004 - 13:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're looking at a live picture of destruction left behind by Hurricane Charley in Port Charlotte. I'm Ed Lavandera, reporting live from here. We'll be speaking with some of the residents who are in the process of cleaning up.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Ed. Also, courtroom confrontation. Pop star Michael Jackson takes on the D.A. in his child molestation case.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Rusty Dornin in Redwood City, California, where jurors hear more taped conversations. This time, Amber Frey is grilling Scott Peterson about his possible involvement in his wife's disappearance. Details coming up.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And moving out -- President Bush giving new marching orders to thousands of American troops to better fight the war on terror.

From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. It's Monday, August 16. CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now. We begin this hour with the "I" of the storm -- "I" as in immense, incredible, and in some cases, indescribable devastation from the storm that was Hurricane Charley. The damage is not incalculable.

Officials estimate that $11 billion in losses just to insured homes in Florida. Plus, still to be factored in are business losses, and especially Charley's impact on citrus growers. Florida's death toll stands at 17. And though it may well rise, officials say it's a miracle it's not already much higher.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has the latest now from Port Charlotte -- Ed.

LAVANDERA: Hi, Kyra. Well, we're here in Port Charlotte. And I want to show you this home here. This is the home of Wade Dedman, and he's here with us. He's just showed up a little while ago. Wade, you weren't here for this storm. Was it an easy decision to evacuate?

WADE DEDMAN, PORT CHARLOTTE HOMEOWNER: When the time came, you had to go, you know. It was time when the storm made a right turn, and we really didn't have a choice. We could see the winds picking up. It went up to a Category 4, and at that time, we knew we had to head inland, so we evacuated at that time. And about two hours after that, the storm hit, and that's what's left.

LAVANDERA: This might seem like a weird question, but when you come home and you see this, what do you tell yourself?

DEDMAN: Well, just thankful that my family's safe, you know. That's the most important thing in times like this, and everyone's been real supportive. We've been with our pastor, and he's given a lot of support during these times.

And you know, you've just got to look back and be thankful that everyone's safe, because you have no control over something like this. You just have to look at it and realize we've got to pick up and start over again, and we'll do that.

LAVANDERA: And does this kind of reaffirm just how powerful this storm was to you?

DEDMAN: I think some of the wind gusts -- I believe there was probably tornadoes involved -- just the devastation around town, not only to the house itself, but it was one storm I'll never forget for the rest of my life. I've lived through it. We were inland, but the wind gusts were probably up around 160 at times, easily.

LAVANDERA: All right, and one of his prized possessions just back there, a 1969 Ford Mustang that he refurbished himself with his father. So there are a lot of things lost here that mean a lot to a lot of people -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Identify with that car, that's for sure. All right, Ed Lavandera, we'll definitely check in with you a little later on. Thanks so much -- Betty.

NGUYEN: For every bashed roof or uprooted tree in Charley's wake, there is a story, and we've collected dozens today alone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have been experiencing winds in excess of 100 miles an hour. It is tearing off roofs...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I had never experienced a situation where we went from Category 1 hurricane force winds to Category 4 hurricane force winds in such a short period of time. And that's what really caught us off guard. So we were forced to take what we call a shelter of last resort. And in this case, it was someone's abandoned home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything was shaking. I felt myself lose my breath of air a couple times, the wind was so strong. I just saw parts of roof fly through my house and take my whole pool cage out, and things were flying by my head. I found my big ladder stuck on the side of the wall; it missed my head. I couldn't believe it -- unreal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When the dark falls, that's whenever you get a little bit worried. And I've talked to several residents that say in the daytime, it's not so bad because they're busy doing things. But at nighttime, they really feel kind of alone, and they have electricity, and people are trying to protect their own property.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just devastating, beyond belief. You see it in the movies and you never think you'll see it, and when you do, it hits home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the plan went well. Charley threw us a bit of a surprise when it made a jog to the northeast and headed directly down upon us. We got the word out very quickly, and the citizens responded very quickly, and that's why the death count is really as low as it is. We expected much worse than that. We're very pleased at the evacuation efforts that took place.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're seeing the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and other humanitarian efforts out on the streets. They're here, they're working.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, everybody, hi -- we survived.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, after the wind, after the rain, the heat. CNN meteorologist...

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS. ... thanks so much -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Shifting gears, the whirlwind in southern California this hour is centered on the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, the site of a pretrial hearing in the state versus Michael Jackson.

As you know from watching CNN, the superstar defendant is there along with his parents and several siblings, and so is our Thelma Gutierrez. And what an interest it was today for the Jackson family.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's exactly right, Betty. Well, that hearing began just a short time ago, and it's expected to last all day. We were told that District Attorney Tom Sneddon was just sworn in. He will take the stand.

Now, as you mentioned, there are about 50 to 60 fans who are standing out there. They were all here very early this morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of pop star Michael Jackson.

Less than an hour ago, the tour bus pulled up, and defense attorney Tom Mesereau walked up. Jackson's parents walked off the bus, then a security guard opened an umbrella and Michael Jackson emerged wearing a white suit, a gold armband, and supporters began chanting, "innocent." He waved quickly to them and then proceeded inside.

His sisters LaToya and Janet, brother Jermaine, all wore white suits as well, though not sure whether it was in solidarity or what exactly their motive was. Now, the Jacksons are expected to sit in the front row of the courtroom to face off as Tom Mesereau actually questions the district attorney, Tom Sneddon. Sneddon will be questioned.

He will argue, defense attorney Mesereau will argue that the prosecutor overstepped his bounds when he personally conducted surveillance of the private investigator's office, and when the Santa Barbara sheriff's officials actually went in with a sledge hammer, broke into the office and conference room of that private attorney, and then seized videotapes and documents in the Jackson case.

The private attorney, at the time, was working for Jackson's former attorney, Mark Geragos, and the prosecutor seized that information at the time. And defense attorney says that if it is seized that it should be ruled inadmissible because it was seized illegally.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARTHUR BARENS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If you eliminate the evidence, you eliminate the case, and we get back to a situation where they can't go forward. If major parts of their evidence are stricken or inadmissible by a ruling of the judge, there is no prosecution case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Now, the attorney general also concluded its investigation into Jackson's allegation that he had been manhandled when he was being held by Santa Barbara officials at the time of his arrest. And though the contents of that report have been sealed, sources tell CNN that the attorney general found that there was no mistreatment of Jackson.

Betty, back to you.

NGUYEN: Thelma, Michael Jackson didn't have to be in the courtroom today, but because Sneddon is on the stand, he decided to be there. This has made a personal turn, hasn't it?

GUTIERREZ: Well, you're right, he didn't have to be here. He hasn't had to attend any of the pretrial hearings. But this one is different, because he gets to face off with the district attorney, who has been after him since 1993. And so, you're right, this is quite personal.

NGUYEN: Thelma Gutierrez in California, thank you -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: The buzz in Eagle, Colorado is the possibility that Kobe Bryant's rape trial might just end before it begins. The parties are back in court today for what's supposed to be the last of the pretrial hearings less than two weeks before what's supposed to be the start of jury selection.

CNN's Chris Lawrence is covering it for us -- Chris.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the part of today's hearing that was open to the media and the public has been concluded, and they'll spend the rest of the morning behind closed doors. And already, it has not been a very good beginning for the prosecution. There were some minor rulings today, but let's take a look first at the most significant.

Earlier, the trial judge here had ruled that Kobe Bryant's defense team could introduce details of this young woman's sexual past. The prosecutor then appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court, asking them to rule in favor of the prosecution, saying that the woman's sexual activities should not be admitted as evidence.

Well, today, the Colorado Supreme Court decided not to consider that request. That is a huge setback for the prosecution and a real validation for both the judge and Kobe Bryant's defense team. Now, we know that the young woman's attorneys have told CNN in the past that they've at least entertained the possibility of her withdrawing her support from this case, in past because she didn't want her personal life dragged out before the public.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CRAIG SILVERMAN, FMR. DENVER PROSECUTOR: I think the prosecutors are between a rock and a hard place. Really, they should go back to their ethical responsibility of only proceeding if they feel they have a case that can be proven to a jury of 12 beyond a reasonable doubt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE: Now, again, this ruling just came down this morning, so we expect that the young woman will hear about the supreme court ruling sometime today. And we'll just have to wait and see how that impacts her decision to stick with the case -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Chris Lawrence, live out of Eagle, Colorado, thanks so much. Now to the Peterson trial and day four of Amber Frey's phone tapes. CNN's Rusty Dornin is watching and listening from there -- Rusty.

DORNIN: Well, Kyra, you know, after hours of listening to their love-struck chit-chat all week long, talking about reciting poems and their future together, and that sort of thing, things took a turn at the end of the week when Peterson does reveal to her that his wife is indeed missing.

The tenor of their talks have definitely changed. There's more intensity, there's more tension, and at times, Frey seems to be interrogating Peterson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): As searchers beat the brush for signs of a missing Laci Peterson, her husband was spending hours on the phone.

SCOTT PETERSON: Amber?

AMBER FREY: Yes, I'm here.

DORNIN: Pillow talk with his mistress Amber Frey, and seemingly endless lies about a European trip. Finally, jurors heard the conversation tape two weeks following his wife's disappearance where Peterson reveals one of his biggest secrets.

PETERSON: The girl I'm married to -- her name is Laci.

She disappeared just before Christmas.

DORNIN: Then Frey began hours of her own interrogation of Peterson.

PETERSON: My God, Amber, I had nothing to do with her disappearance.

FREY: Then who did?

PETERSON: We don't have any ideas.

DORNIN: Repeatedly, Frey asks Peterson what happened.

PETERSON: Sweetie, I'm so sorry, but I can't -- tell you about those things right now.

FREY: Why? Why not right now?

PETERSON: They would -- it would hurt entirely too many people.

DORNIN: Peterson apologizes for his lies, but continues his deceit.

PETERSON: OK, I wasn't in Madrid. That was a lie. The second phone call was only the truth.

FREY: So, did you even go on that fishing trip in Alaska with your family?

PETERSON: Yes.

DORNIN: Peterson never went to Alaska.

The jury has followed the transcripts intently, even chuckling at times when Peterson says he hardly ever lied to Frey. First up Monday morning, the court will play the end of a conversation in which Amber Frey talks about her fears.

FREY: ... and not to have this -- this fear inside my heart that had something to do with this and that may possibly and potentially have killed your wife.

PETERSON: No, you don't need to have that fear. You know me well enough.

FREY: What was that?

PETERSON: I'm not an evil guy.

DORNIN: Two more days of tapes, then Frey will resume her testimony.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (on-camera): In the latest tape this morning the jury's been hearing, he says he's not an evil person. Amber Frey also keeps pushing, saying, "Why shouldn't I go to police?" He says, "Look, I have nothing to hide. I'm not going to ask you to stop if you decide to go to the police." So these are the tapes that are going to be finishing up in the next two days, then she'll be back on the stand for prosecutors.

And then, we expect, perhaps, Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, the cross-examination by defense attorney Mark Geragos will begin -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Rusty, how much coaching did Amber Frey receive from police when it came to a number of these phone calls? Was she told exactly what to ask and how to ask the questions?

DORNIN: We don't know exactly what they told her, but it certainly seems that they had coached her on some things, what to push at, what to keep asking. And of course, she keeps asking why, how were you involved, why can't you tell me anything, and she seems very good about following up on those things.

So, certainly, those are things that police may have told her to keep asking.

PHILLIPS: Rusty Dornin live from Redwood City. Thanks, Rusty.

NGUYEN: Showdown at a mosque: American and Iraqi forces clashing with insurgents. Will a new attempt to get a rebel cleric out peacefully work? That's straight ahead.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN, THE WHITE HOUSE: I'm Elaine Quijano, live at the White House. President Bush has announced plans to reposition tens of thousands of American troops, some of them coming back to U.S. soil. I'll have details coming up.

NGUYEN: And brewing controversy over a beer maker salute to rock and roll. Some fans are not drinking what they're pouring.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: You have fierce clashes, explosives, and a waiting game at a sacred shrine -- all are headlines from Iraq today.

Our John Vause is in Baghdad, where a delegation is forming to travel to Najaf in an attempt to diffuse a showdown at the Imam Ali Mosque.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With the ongoing violence in Najaf, delegates at a national conference here in Baghdad have called on Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mehdi militia to lay down their weapons and leave the Imam Ali Mosque and join the political process. To back that up, they're sending a delegation of 21 people to Najaf to negotiate directly with al-Sadr.

A spokesperson for the Shiite cleric says he will welcome that delegation when it does arrive. This is the second day of that national conference. They're there to elect a 100-person interim assembly to advise the Iraqi interim government in the lead-up to elections next year.

That vote was put off until tomorrow. There are expected to be arguments and disagreements -- many delegates unhappy with the selection process of just how their body will be elected.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Shaking up the ranks, President Bush announces a new plan for redeploying and repositioning tens of thousands of U.S. troops around the world. Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House with the details. Tell us about them, Elaine.

QUIJANO: Hi there, Kyra. Well, the president announced his plan during his speech. He was in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivering a speech to a convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and President Bush saying, essentially, that he believes that this move will result in a military force that is better poised to fight what his administration sees as new and emerging threats in the war on terror.

Now, today, a White House official said that there are some 230,000 U.S. troops who are stationed overseas around the world. And this proposed plan by the president would affect 60,000 to 70,000 of them, as well as 100,000 family members and civilians. Now, most of the troop reductions would come from Europe and Asia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today, I announced a new plan for deploying America's armed forces. Over the coming decade, we will deploy a more agile and more flexible force, which means that more of our troops will be stationed and deployed from here at home.

We will move some of our troops and capabilities to new locations so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, important to note, administration officials are saying that the troop reductions involved would not include troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. As for this event itself, interesting to note as well that although this was a major foreign policy announcement by the president, it happened within the context of a campaign appearance.

This appearance by the president before that convention of veterans was a speech that was paid for by the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign, and already, the political debate has begun. An advisor to the president's opponent, Senator John Kerry -- this advisor criticizing the president's plan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD HOLBROOKE, FMR. U.S. AMB. TO UN: This is another example of the administration's unilateralism. It's going to weaken our national security. It is not going to save us money. It will cost billions of dollars to bring these troops home. Germany, South Korea, and Japan, which are going to see the biggest cuts, all spend billions of dollars to support the troops.

And I am very concerned about this, both as a former assistant secretary of state for Asia, working on Korean issues, and as a former ambassador to Germany.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, an administration official says that this is something that has been taking place with the consultation of international allies as well as members of Congress. In the words of this administration official, quote, "This is something we're doing with allies, not to allies" -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Elaine Quijano from the White House, thanks so much. And next hour, we're going to talk to General Don Shepard from the U.S. Air Force about this redeploying and repositioning of the troops.

Now, a debate over family values creates a family squabble in the Republican Party. Log Cabin Republicans, a group of some 12,000 gay conservatives, teamed up with other more liberal Republicans today to pitch their ideas for this month's GOP convention. They want the White House to embrace a more tolerant tone toward gays and voters who back abortion rights.

The message is simple: If the GOP tent is not big enough for them, they're likely to get cabin fever when it's time to issue an endorsement.

NGUYEN: On some R&R in Ketchum, Idaho, Senator John Kerry is taking a break from campaigning until tomorrow. But there's no break in the campaign rhetoric. Kerry and other Democrats are accusing President Bush of gutting regulations on U.S. companies. Democrats say the White House is putting corporate interests ahead of workers and the middle class.

We'll be right back with more LIVE FROM. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: General Tommy Franks -- the Paula Zahn interview begins tonight at 8:00 Eastern. We'll play a clip for you next hour. You don't want to miss it. It's riveting, it's intense -- did I sell it? NGUYEN: I think you sold it. News across America now. The politician and the polls -- last week's stunning announcement by New Jersey's governor has apparently not hurt his approval rating.

In fact, a new poll shows it's actually two points higher than before Governor Jim McGreevey announced he had a homosexual extramarital affair.

Quickie vows in Vegas -- and no, we're not talking about Britney Spears. Socialite Nicky Hilton is now the wife of a New York money manager. The little sister of the "Simple Life's" Paris Hilton walked down the aisle in a Las Vegas chapel before dawn yesterday.

Commemorative Miller Beer wanted to toast the 50th anniversary of rock and roll with a set of collectible beer cans. They put eight cover shots from Rolling Stone magazine on special cans. Elvis got a can, so did Blondie. But noticeably absent were pictures of any black rock and rollers.

Miller says it contacted a number of black artists who had conflicts or other commitments, or were not interested, or simply didn't respond -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, while officials in Florida are busy addressing the damage caused by Hurricane Charley, the state's citrus growers say the storm crushed this year's crop...

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