Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Charley's Insurance Bill $11 Billion in Florida; Michael Jackson Supporters Rally at Santa Maria Pretrial Hearing

Aired August 16, 2004 - 14:59   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Live pictures now out of Santa Maria, California. A tour bus, a pop star and dozens of fans. Another pretrial hearing in the Michael Jackson child molestation case. The singer and his family are there. We're going to take you live outside of the courthouse. Right now live pictures from inside the courthouse as we await Michael Jackson and his family to leave the courtroom. We'll continue to roll on this live coverage.
Now, from the Cold War to the war on terror, the U.S. military adapts to changing times. President Bush formally announces today that tens of thousands of U.S. troops will be coming home from bases abroad. He says they'll be repositioned to better fight the modern enemy.

United States forces fighting again in Iraq against Shiite insurgents near a sacred shrine in Najaf. In Baghdad, the Iraqi National Conference agreed this afternoon to send a team to Najaf to seek a ceasefire agreement with militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr. We continue to keep you informed. CNN, the most trusted name in news.

In hurricane-ravaged Florida, some staggering numbers: $11 billion and climbing just in insured damage. At least 17 people now dead, countless of others are homeless. CNN's Ed Lavandera now in Port Charlotte, seeing first hand the challengers that survivors are facing.

Ed?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, this is one of those deals where, after the shock of what has happened over the weekend starts to wear off, you know, people start settling in with the reality that what they have left to clean is homes like this throughout all -- we're in Port Charlotte here. And this is a very typical scene as you walk some of the devastated neighborhoods.

Take a look at this home here where part of the roof is laying in the front lawn. We know that an insurance adjuster has been at this house throughout a little bit -- part of the morning here and afternoon, kind of surveying the damage. You know, you mentioned the figures of just how much total damage -- the early estimates that are coming in. Well, one of the things that folks around here are also having to deal with, too, is that because of this storm, hundreds of thousands of people, officials here say, will be left unemployed or temporarily unemployed. So not only are they dealing with the heat, the humidity, the cleanup process, but the prospect for what might be happening here in the weeks ahead is also very daunting. Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Ed Lavandera live there from the destruction that hurricane has caused. We continue to follow that story.

Now live pictures once again, Santa Maria, California. Let's listen just for a second here. I just wanted you to get a sense for the number of people that have been out there for a couple of hours, pressed up against the chain-link fence, in support of Michael Jackson -- you saw him coming through -- and his entourage in white.

His sisters, brother, you're seeing the tape turn around now. Just seconds ago, Michael Jackson leaving the courtroom you see here, with family members, Jermaine, his brother, sisters LaToya and Janet, also his sister Jackie coming out. Also his parents, Katherine and Joe, showing support, all of them wearing white, possibly in solidarity, showing their support for their brother.

You can once again hear the hundreds of supporters that are out there. We're told about 100 people came out holding up signs and shouting out comments to Michael Jackson, showing their support. As you know, what's been taking place today is there was a hearing on whether prosecutors could use evidence seized from the office of a private investigator that was working for Michael Jackson. This has sort of been an ongoing back-and-forth between Michael Jackson and the D.A. of Santa Barbara County, Tom Sneddon.

These are still live pictures here as we're seeing the attorneys come out of the courtroom right now. We don't know exactly what happened as the Santa Barbara County D.A. took to the stand today, not quite sure if indeed we heard from Michael Jackson. But we are -- Thelma Gutierrez is live on the scene. She'll be working that. We'll bring you information when we hear more of anything that was said and took place in court.

As we know, the hearing is recessed until about 4:30 eastern time. Right now, Michael Jackson, his family, they arrived in this camper earlier today, arriving to the courtroom, now spending their recess inside this camper, supporters on the outside. You can see Jackson's legal team here, out in front of the camper. Jackson had arrived with quite a security detail in addition to his lawyers, all dressed in white, as we were saying, quite a public relations flourish, I guess you could say, with Jackson attending this pretrial hearing.

Here's the tape turning around once again. You saw his brother there coming out of the courtroom. These are members of his security detail. Michael Jackson with his parents, also and his siblings, Jermaine, Janet, Jackie and LaToya, all there to show support for their brother as they were coming out of the courtroom.

As you know, Santa Barbara D.A., attorney Tom Sneddon and Michael Jackson have had -- sort of had this ongoing relationship I guess you could say for a number of years. Sneddon filing charges against the singer for child molestation years back. Almost a decade later, once again, that's what we're seeing in Santa Barbara -- or Santa Maria, rather, California.

Live pictures once again outside the courtroom. You can see right in front of the courthouse there in Santa Maria, the camper that pulled up, inside Michael Jackson's family, a number of his security detail and our Thelma Gutierrez. She's also there at the scene outside of the courthouse

Thelma, once again, it was just like when they arrived, going in. And then leaving the courtroom, you could hear a number of Michael Jackson's fans screaming and shouting out to him. Put it into perspective. How many people are there? And what do we know took about what took place in the courtroom so far during this pretrial hearing?

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, there are about 100 supporters who are out here today. And as you had mentioned, Jackson walked out accompanied by his brothers, and you could hear the crowd just break out chanting "Innocent, innocent," also, "Michael, Michael." Some of these people had gathered here before 6 o'clock Pacific time this morning, waiting for a chance to catch a glimpse of the pop star.

In terms of what happened this morning, the district attorney, Tom Sneddon, on the witness stand for about two hours. He was methodically grilled by criminal defense attorney Tom Mesereau as to whether or not there was any alleged misconduct on Sneddon's part.

Kyra, also, we can let you know that in today's preliminary hearing, which is expected to last about a week, the defense attorney wants to establish whether or not Sneddon knew of a connection between the private investigator and also Mark Geragos, who was Jackson's former attorney. They say that he should have known that there was correspondence between Mark Geragos and the private investigate, though Sneddon has said that he had absolutely no knowledge at all. Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Thelma, sort of put in perspective, you've been covering this story, you've been in Los Angeles for more than a decade. For our viewers, kind of establish here the relationship between Michael Jackson and Tom Sneddon, the D.A. This goes way back. This goes back, I believe, close to a decade, right? And so what happened in court today is sort of this ongoing kind of legal and personal battle between these two.

GUTIERREZ: Well, Kyra, before I go into that, let me mention who you're seeing right there is Joe Jackson, Michael's father, who is leaving the courthouse. Again, they did just break for lunch recently.

But you know there is quite a history, as you had mentioned, Kyra. It goes back quite a few years, back to 1993. And Mark or rather Michael Jackson had wanted to be in court today, although he had absolutely no requirement to be here today, to be able to face off with Tom Sneddon, again, the man who had been after him on molestation charges back in 1993. And so these two have a long history, a long personal history together. PHILLIPS: Thelma Gutierrez, outside the courtroom there in Santa Maria, California, as Michael Jackson left court with his family. Live pictures now, as they are in the middle of a recess in this pretrial hearing. Thelma, we'll continue to follow and check in with you. Thanks so much

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And that recess will last until 4:30 eastern time.

In other news, CNN's Rusty Dornin is following the drama in the Scott Peterson murder trial in Redwood City.

Rusty, what's the latest?

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, last week it was cooing words of love between Scott Peterson and Amber Frey, and of course, a lot of lies on the part of Scott Peterson, as he claimed he was in Europe during the time right after his wife disappeared.

Now the tone changed. A lot of tension, a lot of drama being played out as Amber Frey continues to grill Scott Peterson. Who, what, where, when, why? How did he get involved in this? What happened to his wife? She has him recount the night before and the morning of his wife disappears. He claims that he told his wife about his affair with Amber Frey after their first date on November 20th. He tells her that he is going to make an effort now to get involved and finding people who have disappeared. He also tells her if she feels that she has to go to police then she should indeed do that.

At times, it sounds like she is cross-examining him, although sometimes she is acknowledging she does have some fears about his alibis. And some legal observers say as far as Scott Peterson's part, the reason he's answering some questions and dodging others, there may be a very good reason.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMBER FREY, EX-GIRLFRIEND OF SCOTT PETERSON: And not have this fear inside my heart that you had something to do with this and they you may have possibly and potentially have killed your wife.

MICHAEL CARDOZA, LEGAL ANALYST: He knows he's being taped. It's just too self-serving. And wasn't he lawyered up by this time? Wasn't it as of January 6th, he had his public defender, Kirk McAllister? Any good defense attorney would warn about these type of tapes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Legal analysts are saying that's why Scott Peterson stays on the phone for so long and keeps trying to answer all these questions. And, of course, she, for her own part, is trying to keep him on the phone, keeps peppering him with questions. We're going to hear another two days of these tapes and Amber Frey will get back on the stand and finish up with prosecutors. And then it will be Defense Attorney Mark Geragos's turn. Back to you.

NGUYEN: All right. Rusty Dornin in California. Thank you.

News across America now. Another blow for prosecutors in the Kobe Bryant criminal trial. The Colorado Supreme Court is refusing to hear an appeal to bar testimony about the accuser's sex life. This adds to speculation that prosecutors could drop the criminal case against him all together.

Triple digit temperatures and steep terrain are working against firefighters battling a devastating fire in California. The 9,000- acre blaze west of Redding has destroyed at least 22 houses. Fire crews say it is only 10 percent contained.

And the Miller brewing company is sparking controversy with its new commemorative beer cans featuring 50 years of rock and roll. The cans feature Rolling Stone cover shots of eight rock artists, none of whom are black. In its defense, Miller says, its original list of artists included 16 African-Americans. Miller says all the artists were contacted, but for some reason or another could not or chose not to participate.

PHILLIPS: Well, a contest leaves competitors hanging 30 or so stories up. We reach the end of our rope ahead on LIVE FROM.

And a world record attempt goes to the dogs. We're going to find out what all the noise is all about just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Now to what could be a seismic shift in U.S. military power overseas. President Bush today proposed moving as many as 70,000 G.I.s now based in Western Europe and Asia. Many would come back to the states, including two army divisions in Germany. And it's a not sure when or where the others might go, but the goal, says Bush, is a stronger footing for a different threat. His audience was Veterans of Foreign Wars, rather. It was at a convention in Cincinnati.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The new plan will help us fight and win these wars of the 21st century. It will strengthen our alliances around the world while we build new partnerships to better preserve the peace. It will reduce the stress on our troops and our military families. Although we'll still have a significant presence overseas, under the plan I'm announcing today over the next ten years, we will bring home about 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel and about 100,000 members and civilian employees.

(END VIDEO CLIP) PHILLIPS: Well, a military adviser to Democratic challenger John Kerry says the move would take years to negotiate and execute and could weaken national security.

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 disagreement, many delegates unhappy with the selection process of just how that body will be elected.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(MARKET REPORT)

Well, on your mark, get set, don't look down. A race that would put Spider-Man to the test 38 stories up. That's ahead on LIVE FROM.

And later on INSIDE POLITICS, more fallout from the coming out of New Jersey's governor. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Their barks are worse than their bite. Can't you tell? About 200 dogs set a new world record for the loudest bark at this year's Bark in the Park in Wisconsin. Their barks measured 112 decibels louder than a power tool to shatter the old record. The event is a fund-raiser for the local Humane Society.

PHILLIPS: Well, if you think that was bit odd, wait until you see this. A group of gutsy athletes taking on a contest unlike no other. All you need is 40-story office building, good shoes and, above all, no fear of heights. CNN's Andrew Brown explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It looks like a track you'd find in any athletic stadium. But they athletes resemble rock climbers or ninjas from the side. Most spectators don't consider this a track event.

Are they climbing or are they running?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's climbing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Climbing.

BROWN: The organizers call it an impossible sprint.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm running. I'm running.

BROWN: They gave CNN a tour of the track, which in reality is the outside of a 40-story office building in downtown Hong Kong.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've got to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) racing up the building vertically, and we will see which one is the fast.

BROWN: Adidas, the organizer, looked all over Asia for suitable buildings. They needed a wall big enough to fit a 100 meter track.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, that's a long way, isn't it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not that long. It takes a couple minutes.

BROWN: In theory, your race could end a lot quicker than that.

Would anyone ever fall off?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fall off? What do you mean fall off?

BROWN: You feel like an accident waiting to happen up there, but the organizer say they put safety first and stress no competitors were even injured in these impossible sprint heats. Some spectators may have sore necks after watching the sprint. That's to be expected. When Batman and Robin climbed buildings, they turned a few heads as well. Best to go horizontal if you're taking pictures. Adidas said everyone's going to be sprinting vertically soon.

Is Nike going to copy the vertical sprint?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. Sure.

BROWN: If you can't go up, go down, although down is not easy, either.

What floor are we on?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What floor? I don't know. No idea. I don't care what floor.

BROWN: Andrew Brown, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: A floor that's simply too high for me. Would you too anything like that?

PHILLIPS: Of course, I'm all about the adrenaline high.

NGUYEN: Oh no. I'll just watch you from the ground.

PHILLIPS: Come on. You have to live everyday like your last.

Anyway, that wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.

NGUYEN: Yes, "INSIDE POLITICS" next. Candy Crowley is in for Judy today.

Hi, Candy?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. Thanks, you all.

President Bush's marching orders for U.S. troops come under attack by some Democrats. We'll take a look at the politics behind the plans.

Plus, forget about this year's election. We're already looking ahead to 2008. Stay with us. I go "INSIDE POLITICS" in three minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Repositioning G.I. Joe. President Bush announced a major realignment of U.S. forces today over the next decade. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops and their families posted on foreign soil will be brought home. A live report is coming up in just a couple minutes.

Digging out from Hurricane Charley, Florida residents slowly beginning to restore order to their lives after this weekend's deadly storm. At least 17 storm-related deaths are now being reported. State officials worry that post-hurricane stress could lead to heart attacks and more deaths. What role will politics play in the recovery? Details in just five minutes

Legal wrangling over seized evidence. It's the heart of the key -- in the hearing, in the Michael Jackson case, prosecutors want to use it, defense attorneys want to quash it. Who will win out, and what will it mean to the child molestation case against the pop star? A live report in 90 minutes from now on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS."

We're keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news. Now Candy Crowley in for Judy Woodruff on "INSIDE POLITICS."

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired August 16, 2004 - 14:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Live pictures now out of Santa Maria, California. A tour bus, a pop star and dozens of fans. Another pretrial hearing in the Michael Jackson child molestation case. The singer and his family are there. We're going to take you live outside of the courthouse. Right now live pictures from inside the courthouse as we await Michael Jackson and his family to leave the courtroom. We'll continue to roll on this live coverage.
Now, from the Cold War to the war on terror, the U.S. military adapts to changing times. President Bush formally announces today that tens of thousands of U.S. troops will be coming home from bases abroad. He says they'll be repositioned to better fight the modern enemy.

United States forces fighting again in Iraq against Shiite insurgents near a sacred shrine in Najaf. In Baghdad, the Iraqi National Conference agreed this afternoon to send a team to Najaf to seek a ceasefire agreement with militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr. We continue to keep you informed. CNN, the most trusted name in news.

In hurricane-ravaged Florida, some staggering numbers: $11 billion and climbing just in insured damage. At least 17 people now dead, countless of others are homeless. CNN's Ed Lavandera now in Port Charlotte, seeing first hand the challengers that survivors are facing.

Ed?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, this is one of those deals where, after the shock of what has happened over the weekend starts to wear off, you know, people start settling in with the reality that what they have left to clean is homes like this throughout all -- we're in Port Charlotte here. And this is a very typical scene as you walk some of the devastated neighborhoods.

Take a look at this home here where part of the roof is laying in the front lawn. We know that an insurance adjuster has been at this house throughout a little bit -- part of the morning here and afternoon, kind of surveying the damage. You know, you mentioned the figures of just how much total damage -- the early estimates that are coming in. Well, one of the things that folks around here are also having to deal with, too, is that because of this storm, hundreds of thousands of people, officials here say, will be left unemployed or temporarily unemployed. So not only are they dealing with the heat, the humidity, the cleanup process, but the prospect for what might be happening here in the weeks ahead is also very daunting. Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Ed Lavandera live there from the destruction that hurricane has caused. We continue to follow that story.

Now live pictures once again, Santa Maria, California. Let's listen just for a second here. I just wanted you to get a sense for the number of people that have been out there for a couple of hours, pressed up against the chain-link fence, in support of Michael Jackson -- you saw him coming through -- and his entourage in white.

His sisters, brother, you're seeing the tape turn around now. Just seconds ago, Michael Jackson leaving the courtroom you see here, with family members, Jermaine, his brother, sisters LaToya and Janet, also his sister Jackie coming out. Also his parents, Katherine and Joe, showing support, all of them wearing white, possibly in solidarity, showing their support for their brother.

You can once again hear the hundreds of supporters that are out there. We're told about 100 people came out holding up signs and shouting out comments to Michael Jackson, showing their support. As you know, what's been taking place today is there was a hearing on whether prosecutors could use evidence seized from the office of a private investigator that was working for Michael Jackson. This has sort of been an ongoing back-and-forth between Michael Jackson and the D.A. of Santa Barbara County, Tom Sneddon.

These are still live pictures here as we're seeing the attorneys come out of the courtroom right now. We don't know exactly what happened as the Santa Barbara County D.A. took to the stand today, not quite sure if indeed we heard from Michael Jackson. But we are -- Thelma Gutierrez is live on the scene. She'll be working that. We'll bring you information when we hear more of anything that was said and took place in court.

As we know, the hearing is recessed until about 4:30 eastern time. Right now, Michael Jackson, his family, they arrived in this camper earlier today, arriving to the courtroom, now spending their recess inside this camper, supporters on the outside. You can see Jackson's legal team here, out in front of the camper. Jackson had arrived with quite a security detail in addition to his lawyers, all dressed in white, as we were saying, quite a public relations flourish, I guess you could say, with Jackson attending this pretrial hearing.

Here's the tape turning around once again. You saw his brother there coming out of the courtroom. These are members of his security detail. Michael Jackson with his parents, also and his siblings, Jermaine, Janet, Jackie and LaToya, all there to show support for their brother as they were coming out of the courtroom.

As you know, Santa Barbara D.A., attorney Tom Sneddon and Michael Jackson have had -- sort of had this ongoing relationship I guess you could say for a number of years. Sneddon filing charges against the singer for child molestation years back. Almost a decade later, once again, that's what we're seeing in Santa Barbara -- or Santa Maria, rather, California.

Live pictures once again outside the courtroom. You can see right in front of the courthouse there in Santa Maria, the camper that pulled up, inside Michael Jackson's family, a number of his security detail and our Thelma Gutierrez. She's also there at the scene outside of the courthouse

Thelma, once again, it was just like when they arrived, going in. And then leaving the courtroom, you could hear a number of Michael Jackson's fans screaming and shouting out to him. Put it into perspective. How many people are there? And what do we know took about what took place in the courtroom so far during this pretrial hearing?

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, there are about 100 supporters who are out here today. And as you had mentioned, Jackson walked out accompanied by his brothers, and you could hear the crowd just break out chanting "Innocent, innocent," also, "Michael, Michael." Some of these people had gathered here before 6 o'clock Pacific time this morning, waiting for a chance to catch a glimpse of the pop star.

In terms of what happened this morning, the district attorney, Tom Sneddon, on the witness stand for about two hours. He was methodically grilled by criminal defense attorney Tom Mesereau as to whether or not there was any alleged misconduct on Sneddon's part.

Kyra, also, we can let you know that in today's preliminary hearing, which is expected to last about a week, the defense attorney wants to establish whether or not Sneddon knew of a connection between the private investigator and also Mark Geragos, who was Jackson's former attorney. They say that he should have known that there was correspondence between Mark Geragos and the private investigate, though Sneddon has said that he had absolutely no knowledge at all. Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Thelma, sort of put in perspective, you've been covering this story, you've been in Los Angeles for more than a decade. For our viewers, kind of establish here the relationship between Michael Jackson and Tom Sneddon, the D.A. This goes way back. This goes back, I believe, close to a decade, right? And so what happened in court today is sort of this ongoing kind of legal and personal battle between these two.

GUTIERREZ: Well, Kyra, before I go into that, let me mention who you're seeing right there is Joe Jackson, Michael's father, who is leaving the courthouse. Again, they did just break for lunch recently.

But you know there is quite a history, as you had mentioned, Kyra. It goes back quite a few years, back to 1993. And Mark or rather Michael Jackson had wanted to be in court today, although he had absolutely no requirement to be here today, to be able to face off with Tom Sneddon, again, the man who had been after him on molestation charges back in 1993. And so these two have a long history, a long personal history together. PHILLIPS: Thelma Gutierrez, outside the courtroom there in Santa Maria, California, as Michael Jackson left court with his family. Live pictures now, as they are in the middle of a recess in this pretrial hearing. Thelma, we'll continue to follow and check in with you. Thanks so much

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And that recess will last until 4:30 eastern time.

In other news, CNN's Rusty Dornin is following the drama in the Scott Peterson murder trial in Redwood City.

Rusty, what's the latest?

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, last week it was cooing words of love between Scott Peterson and Amber Frey, and of course, a lot of lies on the part of Scott Peterson, as he claimed he was in Europe during the time right after his wife disappeared.

Now the tone changed. A lot of tension, a lot of drama being played out as Amber Frey continues to grill Scott Peterson. Who, what, where, when, why? How did he get involved in this? What happened to his wife? She has him recount the night before and the morning of his wife disappears. He claims that he told his wife about his affair with Amber Frey after their first date on November 20th. He tells her that he is going to make an effort now to get involved and finding people who have disappeared. He also tells her if she feels that she has to go to police then she should indeed do that.

At times, it sounds like she is cross-examining him, although sometimes she is acknowledging she does have some fears about his alibis. And some legal observers say as far as Scott Peterson's part, the reason he's answering some questions and dodging others, there may be a very good reason.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMBER FREY, EX-GIRLFRIEND OF SCOTT PETERSON: And not have this fear inside my heart that you had something to do with this and they you may have possibly and potentially have killed your wife.

MICHAEL CARDOZA, LEGAL ANALYST: He knows he's being taped. It's just too self-serving. And wasn't he lawyered up by this time? Wasn't it as of January 6th, he had his public defender, Kirk McAllister? Any good defense attorney would warn about these type of tapes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Legal analysts are saying that's why Scott Peterson stays on the phone for so long and keeps trying to answer all these questions. And, of course, she, for her own part, is trying to keep him on the phone, keeps peppering him with questions. We're going to hear another two days of these tapes and Amber Frey will get back on the stand and finish up with prosecutors. And then it will be Defense Attorney Mark Geragos's turn. Back to you.

NGUYEN: All right. Rusty Dornin in California. Thank you.

News across America now. Another blow for prosecutors in the Kobe Bryant criminal trial. The Colorado Supreme Court is refusing to hear an appeal to bar testimony about the accuser's sex life. This adds to speculation that prosecutors could drop the criminal case against him all together.

Triple digit temperatures and steep terrain are working against firefighters battling a devastating fire in California. The 9,000- acre blaze west of Redding has destroyed at least 22 houses. Fire crews say it is only 10 percent contained.

And the Miller brewing company is sparking controversy with its new commemorative beer cans featuring 50 years of rock and roll. The cans feature Rolling Stone cover shots of eight rock artists, none of whom are black. In its defense, Miller says, its original list of artists included 16 African-Americans. Miller says all the artists were contacted, but for some reason or another could not or chose not to participate.

PHILLIPS: Well, a contest leaves competitors hanging 30 or so stories up. We reach the end of our rope ahead on LIVE FROM.

And a world record attempt goes to the dogs. We're going to find out what all the noise is all about just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Now to what could be a seismic shift in U.S. military power overseas. President Bush today proposed moving as many as 70,000 G.I.s now based in Western Europe and Asia. Many would come back to the states, including two army divisions in Germany. And it's a not sure when or where the others might go, but the goal, says Bush, is a stronger footing for a different threat. His audience was Veterans of Foreign Wars, rather. It was at a convention in Cincinnati.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The new plan will help us fight and win these wars of the 21st century. It will strengthen our alliances around the world while we build new partnerships to better preserve the peace. It will reduce the stress on our troops and our military families. Although we'll still have a significant presence overseas, under the plan I'm announcing today over the next ten years, we will bring home about 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel and about 100,000 members and civilian employees.

(END VIDEO CLIP) PHILLIPS: Well, a military adviser to Democratic challenger John Kerry says the move would take years to negotiate and execute and could weaken national security.

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 disagreement, many delegates unhappy with the selection process of just how that body will be elected.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(MARKET REPORT)

Well, on your mark, get set, don't look down. A race that would put Spider-Man to the test 38 stories up. That's ahead on LIVE FROM.

And later on INSIDE POLITICS, more fallout from the coming out of New Jersey's governor. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Their barks are worse than their bite. Can't you tell? About 200 dogs set a new world record for the loudest bark at this year's Bark in the Park in Wisconsin. Their barks measured 112 decibels louder than a power tool to shatter the old record. The event is a fund-raiser for the local Humane Society.

PHILLIPS: Well, if you think that was bit odd, wait until you see this. A group of gutsy athletes taking on a contest unlike no other. All you need is 40-story office building, good shoes and, above all, no fear of heights. CNN's Andrew Brown explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It looks like a track you'd find in any athletic stadium. But they athletes resemble rock climbers or ninjas from the side. Most spectators don't consider this a track event.

Are they climbing or are they running?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's climbing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Climbing.

BROWN: The organizers call it an impossible sprint.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm running. I'm running.

BROWN: They gave CNN a tour of the track, which in reality is the outside of a 40-story office building in downtown Hong Kong.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've got to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) racing up the building vertically, and we will see which one is the fast.

BROWN: Adidas, the organizer, looked all over Asia for suitable buildings. They needed a wall big enough to fit a 100 meter track.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, that's a long way, isn't it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not that long. It takes a couple minutes.

BROWN: In theory, your race could end a lot quicker than that.

Would anyone ever fall off?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fall off? What do you mean fall off?

BROWN: You feel like an accident waiting to happen up there, but the organizer say they put safety first and stress no competitors were even injured in these impossible sprint heats. Some spectators may have sore necks after watching the sprint. That's to be expected. When Batman and Robin climbed buildings, they turned a few heads as well. Best to go horizontal if you're taking pictures. Adidas said everyone's going to be sprinting vertically soon.

Is Nike going to copy the vertical sprint?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. Sure.

BROWN: If you can't go up, go down, although down is not easy, either.

What floor are we on?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What floor? I don't know. No idea. I don't care what floor.

BROWN: Andrew Brown, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: A floor that's simply too high for me. Would you too anything like that?

PHILLIPS: Of course, I'm all about the adrenaline high.

NGUYEN: Oh no. I'll just watch you from the ground.

PHILLIPS: Come on. You have to live everyday like your last.

Anyway, that wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.

NGUYEN: Yes, "INSIDE POLITICS" next. Candy Crowley is in for Judy today.

Hi, Candy?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. Thanks, you all.

President Bush's marching orders for U.S. troops come under attack by some Democrats. We'll take a look at the politics behind the plans.

Plus, forget about this year's election. We're already looking ahead to 2008. Stay with us. I go "INSIDE POLITICS" in three minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Repositioning G.I. Joe. President Bush announced a major realignment of U.S. forces today over the next decade. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops and their families posted on foreign soil will be brought home. A live report is coming up in just a couple minutes.

Digging out from Hurricane Charley, Florida residents slowly beginning to restore order to their lives after this weekend's deadly storm. At least 17 storm-related deaths are now being reported. State officials worry that post-hurricane stress could lead to heart attacks and more deaths. What role will politics play in the recovery? Details in just five minutes

Legal wrangling over seized evidence. It's the heart of the key -- in the hearing, in the Michael Jackson case, prosecutors want to use it, defense attorneys want to quash it. Who will win out, and what will it mean to the child molestation case against the pop star? A live report in 90 minutes from now on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS."

We're keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news. Now Candy Crowley in for Judy Woodruff on "INSIDE POLITICS."

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com