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Sentencing Phase of Scott Peterson Trial Delayed; Iraqi Prime Minister: Elections Will be Successful; Pacers Management Backing Suspended Players

Aired November 22, 2004 - 15:00   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The Indiana Pacers holding a news conference this hour on that basketball brawl at the Pacers/Pistons game in Detroit Friday night. The NBA has meted out tough penalties, suspending several players including Pacers' Ron Artest. The Pacers' coach called it a tough pill to swallow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK CARLISLE, PACERS HEAD COACH: But I think first it's important to say that we are disappointed with -- with the announcements yesterday. You know, when something like this happens you really feel for your players, the guys that were involved, their families, and their friends.

Right now, one thing that I think is really important to stress is that the excessive negative portrayals of the last few days of our players are not consistent with what we know of them as a team and what so many of you know of them as people, players, and as fathers.

And, you know, having become a dad for the first time myself 6 1/2 months ago today, I can tell you that has a much more profound meaning for me. These guys have families at home. They have, you know, a lot of people that are very important to them. That's one of the reasons this is such a difficult situation.

And this incident is not representative as to who the guys are as people. And I'll give you an example.

A guy like Jermaine O'Neal, who has no history of any activity like this, never. I know over the last the three or four years when he has not been injured, he's been representing his country on various, you know, Olympic and qualifying teams. You know, he's got a record that's, you know, really spotless in so many ways.

And it's our hope, in accordance with Mr. Simon's statement last night, that, you know, a lot of this will go into consideration.

And, you know, Jermaine's obviously a guy that does a lot of work in the community. So do Ron and so do Stephen. And Anthony Johnson is a guy that also has a great representation in this league as a person, as a player. So...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Also happening at this hour, President Bush and Colombia's president, Alvaro Uribe, have wrapped up their news conference in the city of Cartagena. It's the final stop of President Bush's three-day trip to Latin America. Mr. Bush is promising the United States will continue to aid Colombia in its war on drugs.

President Bush again pledging support for legislation to revamp intelligence agencies post-9/11. A group of Republicans in the House blocked passage of that bill over the weekend, provoking the anger of the 9/11 Commission. Supporters are pressuring the House to pass the bill by next month.

Sentencing Scott Peterson. That phase of the lengthy murder trial was set to begin today, but the judge has ordered a delay. CNN's Rusty Dornin is at the courthouse in Redwood City, California.

One more week, Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. One more week.

It was after defense attorney Mark Geragos argued for a new panel and a new place. Geragos claimed there were problems with the jury, both during deliberations and also after the verdict.

Of course, during deliberations two jurors were dismissed. Geragos is claiming that at least one of them was fearful for his own safety because he was not going along with what he called the popular verdict.

And of course, after the verdict came down, nearly 1,000 people outside the courthouse cheering. Geragos claims the jury was then released into the community and could see these cheering crowds. He said that could definitely cause problems in terms of their deliberations about Scott Peterson's fate.

The judge denied both of these motions. They now go to an appeals court, where Geragos is appealing with an emergency writ. Now, legal observers here say regardless of what that appeals court does, it may -- the delay may be welcomed by the defense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM HAMMER, LEGAL ANALYST: At this point, any delay is a victory for the defense. And I've said now for two weeks that this is a very dangerous time for the prosecution.

Every day that goes by is another chance the defense has to find some error, to find some juror who's potentially done something wrong. And that could not just endanger that juror's presence on the next phase, the penalty phase, but if it came out that they did something improper in the last phase, could even undo the conviction in this case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Now, if the appeals court turns down Geragos' writ, then the penalty phase would go forward next Tuesday. In the courtroom this morning was Laci Peterson's father, Dennis Rocha. He is expected to testify. Of course, very emotional testimony expected from him.

And also, two of Laci Peterson's friends were also there. They will likely be some of the first witnesses in this penalty phase, if and when it resumes -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Rusty Dornin, thank you so much.

Just a short time ago the sheriff of Sawyer County, Wisconsin, announced the names of the five dead members of a hunting party who were gunned down yesterday.

Sheriff James Meier says the FBI and the Justice Department have joined the investigation into a territorial flap that escalated into a chilling mass killing.

Here's how the sheriff described part of what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF JAMES MEIER, SAWYER COUNTY, WISCONSIN: A hunter from a hunting camp had a walkie-talkie, and he'd seen him in the deer stand. He radioed back and asked who would be in the deer stand.

The answer is, "No one should be in that deer stand."

He stated over the radio that he was going to go and ask the person to leave. He approached the person and asked him to leave, at which time the landowners and occupants of the cabin that he was staying at also came on the scene.

The suspect got down from the deer stand, walked approximately 40 yards, fiddled with his rifle in some sort, which appeared he took the scope off the rifle. He turned and he opened fire on the group.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Suspect now in custody is Chai Vang of Minnesota. Officials say that Vang has shown signs of cooperation but has not confessed. They say they're seeking people that Vang may have traveled with. Three people wounded in the shootings remain hospitalized, and one is in critical condition.

Other news across America now.

Former President George Bush says he's deeply saddened over a deadly plane crash today in Texas. That plane that crashed on approach to Houston, where it was supposed to pick up the former president and take him on a trip to Ecuador. All three people on board were killed.

Despicable. That's how a spokesperson for Senator Ted Kennedy is describing a new video game based on the assassination of JFK. British makers of "JFK Reloaded" say that the game allows players to recreate Kennedy's assassination and debunk conspiracy theory. The game was released today, the 41st anniversary of JFK's death.

In New York an investigation presses forward into an apparent hate crime. Two interracial couples woke up yesterday to find a wooden cross burning in their front lawn in Long Island. There's still no word of any arrests.

In the past hour, Homeland Security Security -- or Homeland Security Secretary, rather, Tom Ridge unveiled a new campaign to help citizens be ready to deal with potential terror attacks in other emergencies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mom, shouldn't we pick a place to meet?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're not home, should we go to the neighbors?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Should I pick up Sophia at the baby- sitter's house?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: The ready campaign comes in the form of new public service announcements. The emphasis is on developing a family emergency plan and making sure children know exactly what to do if things go wrong. Ridge spoke about the ads on "AMERICAN MORNING" and why children play a key role.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: We were hoping that by using the children, the parents would take the time -- doesn't take much time, and it could make a difference -- to stand and say, who do you call in case something happens? It could be an emergency. Doesn't have to necessarily be a terrorist attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Secretary Ridge unveiled the new PSA's at an event at a National Press Club event this afternoon.

And once again there's talk about sending more troops to Iraq. A senior Pentagon official tells CNN that commanders are reviewing that possibility, but no official request has been made.

Right now, about 138,000 U.S. forces are on duty in Iraq, but with Iraq's elections coming up in two months and militant attacks on the rise, officials say security is priority No. 1.

U.S. and Iraqi forces are in almost complete control of Falluja now. The world's leading industrial nations have agreed to write off much of Iraq's debt. And the date for elections has been set for January 30.

Our Karl Penhaul spoke today in Baghdad with interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi about the issues facing Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Over the weekend the Iraqi Electoral Commission fixing that January 30 dateline for nationwide elections here.

And talking to Mr. Allawi today, he certainly sees the offensive on Falluja, if not necessarily a turning point in the fortunes of the insurgency, certainly as a milestone on the road towards greater democracy in Iraq.

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: The process of Falluja was overdue. I think it's broke the back of the insurgency, as well as terrorists. We have found evidence of a lot of murders that have been happening, sites, lots of caches of arms, explosives.

So really this was a very necessary step. I think this would pave the way significantly as we are proceeding in our political process to the -- to the elections.

PENHAUL: Now we know more than 200 political parties are now registered to vote for the January 30 elections, to take part in those elections. We've even seen the first few election posters begin to pop up around Baghdad.

And what in my conversations with Mr. Allawi, he made it clear that just as the Falluja offensive will have dented the military might of the insurgency, he believes the elections will go a long way to taking away the political oxygen from the insurgency.

ALLAWI: Makes me very happy to see that Iraq is, for the first time, probably, in their recent history are engaged in healthy dialogue and looking forward to an election where the Iraqi people could have what they have been denied for many years, to exercise their very basic rights.

And this is going to succeed, and it is going to succeed. I assure you that it will spill over to the whole region and beyond. So building this and developing this in Iraq is going to be so important.

And ultimately, it's not going to spill over and create peace, but it will also be a very useful tool against terrorism and against terrorists. This is -- in democracies, usually, terrorists are defeated.

PENHAUL: Now Mr. Allawi told me that he would be standing in the upcoming elections, that he would be running for office, but at the same time he really didn't seem to be bothered if he didn't retain his position as prime minister.

What he did say, though, was that what Iraq really needed from these elections was a strong leadership to emerge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Next, the Peterson murder trial gets delayed again. We're going to talk about the toll that it's taking on the families living through that long public trial.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LARRY BIRD, PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS: ... cups thrown at me. But as far as somebody throwing something in my face, it's never happened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Donny, with the franchise, over the extent of litigation if you feel it's necessary to, in this appeal process.

DONNIE WALSH, CEO/PRESIDENT, INDIANA PACERS: I'm not going to make any statement on what we might do until I hear from our owner. As I said, we are looking at the options that would be available. But we have no clear idea of what we're going to do.

As I said before, we got this statement last night. While it's very clear on the punishments that are involved, there are a lot of questions. There isn't a decision by the Supreme Court. It's just a statement of what is going happen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry, given all that's happened, what was the atmosphere like at practice today?

BIRD: I didn't see all the practice because of the other things we had to deal with. But if you don't know this group of guys in here, they will come to work. And they will give their full attention to their coach.

We had a lot of guys that sit on the bench for a lot of years here and never had an opportunity to play. They're getting their opportunity now. And they know help's on the way. Jeff Foster will come back. A.J. will be back soon. So they got help on the way.

But they get an opportunity to improve their game now. And I think they'll take full advantage of that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sort of a procedural question. Is there any precedent for a reduction of a suspension and is the appeal something that the team gets involved in or is that strictly involved with the players and players association?

WALSH: Good question. Commissioner Stern has wide power in this situation, on the court situation, if that's what it's determined to be. And there are very limited avenues of appeal that are available to a team or to the players association. So that has to be factored in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Both as executives and as an organization with players who are suspended as long as they are, how do you deal with them? And how do you, you know, make sure that they stay within the team and just kind of, you know, keep them with the team while they're not able to play and travel and do whatever?

BIRD: I think right now they need to get away and regroup and do the things that they have to do.

But, you're right. We've got to start integrating them back into the team. And we've got to have them be around us so that our players are in that locker room know that they're supporting them 100 percent.

I think it's very important for these guys to -- to try to stay together, which I know they will. And -- but we will be supporting our three that's out. And we expect them to support us in return.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If the appeal process does not hold up for Ron Artest, what's the next move? Can he go overseas and play basketball in such a situation?

BIRD: It's hard to speculate. But right now we're behind Ronnie 100 percent. And we will look at everything we possibly can to get him back in uniform as quick as possible.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you feel is the level of Detroit's culpability organizationally for what happened?

WALSH: We don't want to make a statement on that. I told you before that we don't want to make a statement on the incident or the penalties involved right now.

When we fully flush this out among ourselves, there will be a statement which -- or a press conference held by our owner. And at that point, we'll give our thoughts on that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) ... could that be interpreted as a beach of contract? And if that's the case, could that contract be voided to allow the organization to then free up that money or that contractual status of that player to fill gaps as needed?

WALSH: There are 150 questions that are exactly like that one that are not answered in this, basically this memo that we received. And so it isn't that particular question. But it's very difficult to sit here and say what could happen, because we're not quite sure what could happen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's basically where my question was going. From the suspended players, does their money go off the salary cap? Where does that money go? Does it go to charity? Do you keep it? And might you be able to avoid a luxury tax to sign it in place (ph)?

WALSH: Well, no. There is no relief from the -- from the salary cap. The money normally is paid by the team that normally goes to the player. It goes to the league. And my understanding is that the league then donates it to charity.

But I don't know that there has been a situation in which this kind of money would be going to the league. So I'm not sure of the answer to that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry, I think a lot of fans are just, in general, wondering about Ron's status, regardless of how this appeal is heard and what happens. He's been in controversies in the past. I'm curious to your opinion what his status is with this organization right now?

BIRD: Right now we're backing Ronnie 100 percent. Who knows about the future of any of our players?

But we will support Ronnie, and we're behind him. And you know, when we get down the road, we can answer that a little bit further.

But Ronnie Artest is a unique player. Ronnie Artest, to me, is one of the top 10 or 12 players in the league. He's a -- he's a phenomenal athlete, phenomenal basketball player. So, you know, we'll just have to look down the road and see what we're going to do. And we're behind him 100 percent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry, Austin told us Saturday night that Reggie came forward and said, "Hey, I want to play." From your experience as a veteran player with young players, having Austin and Reggie right now with this young group, can you talk about how important that is?

BIRD: It's very important. Any time you have two guys that have to step in a situation and lead.

Reggie's been there before. And it's relatively new to Austin. But you can't have two better guys. We've had great leadership around the Indiana Pacers for a long time. And they'll do fine.

These guys are getting an opportunity to show us that they can play. And I expect nothing less than 100 percent in practice and on the court. And they will give it to us.

But we also need our fans to support us in a difficult time. And I think they will.

PHILLIPS: Larry Bird, along with Pacers sports entertainment CEO and president Donnie Walsh. Larry Bird, as you know, is the president and basketball -- president of basketball operations for the Pacers.

Right now, when talking about Ron Artest, Larry Bird saying they're behind him 100 percent, that he's a phenomenal player. Still, though, the suspension right now for Ron Artest is the remainder of the season. We'll continue to follow this story as it develops.

We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Rhonda, thank you very much. We'll see you tomorrow.

That wraps up LIVE FROM for today. "INSIDE POLITICS" starts right after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) 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 November 22, 2004 - 15:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The Indiana Pacers holding a news conference this hour on that basketball brawl at the Pacers/Pistons game in Detroit Friday night. The NBA has meted out tough penalties, suspending several players including Pacers' Ron Artest. The Pacers' coach called it a tough pill to swallow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK CARLISLE, PACERS HEAD COACH: But I think first it's important to say that we are disappointed with -- with the announcements yesterday. You know, when something like this happens you really feel for your players, the guys that were involved, their families, and their friends.

Right now, one thing that I think is really important to stress is that the excessive negative portrayals of the last few days of our players are not consistent with what we know of them as a team and what so many of you know of them as people, players, and as fathers.

And, you know, having become a dad for the first time myself 6 1/2 months ago today, I can tell you that has a much more profound meaning for me. These guys have families at home. They have, you know, a lot of people that are very important to them. That's one of the reasons this is such a difficult situation.

And this incident is not representative as to who the guys are as people. And I'll give you an example.

A guy like Jermaine O'Neal, who has no history of any activity like this, never. I know over the last the three or four years when he has not been injured, he's been representing his country on various, you know, Olympic and qualifying teams. You know, he's got a record that's, you know, really spotless in so many ways.

And it's our hope, in accordance with Mr. Simon's statement last night, that, you know, a lot of this will go into consideration.

And, you know, Jermaine's obviously a guy that does a lot of work in the community. So do Ron and so do Stephen. And Anthony Johnson is a guy that also has a great representation in this league as a person, as a player. So...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Also happening at this hour, President Bush and Colombia's president, Alvaro Uribe, have wrapped up their news conference in the city of Cartagena. It's the final stop of President Bush's three-day trip to Latin America. Mr. Bush is promising the United States will continue to aid Colombia in its war on drugs.

President Bush again pledging support for legislation to revamp intelligence agencies post-9/11. A group of Republicans in the House blocked passage of that bill over the weekend, provoking the anger of the 9/11 Commission. Supporters are pressuring the House to pass the bill by next month.

Sentencing Scott Peterson. That phase of the lengthy murder trial was set to begin today, but the judge has ordered a delay. CNN's Rusty Dornin is at the courthouse in Redwood City, California.

One more week, Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. One more week.

It was after defense attorney Mark Geragos argued for a new panel and a new place. Geragos claimed there were problems with the jury, both during deliberations and also after the verdict.

Of course, during deliberations two jurors were dismissed. Geragos is claiming that at least one of them was fearful for his own safety because he was not going along with what he called the popular verdict.

And of course, after the verdict came down, nearly 1,000 people outside the courthouse cheering. Geragos claims the jury was then released into the community and could see these cheering crowds. He said that could definitely cause problems in terms of their deliberations about Scott Peterson's fate.

The judge denied both of these motions. They now go to an appeals court, where Geragos is appealing with an emergency writ. Now, legal observers here say regardless of what that appeals court does, it may -- the delay may be welcomed by the defense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM HAMMER, LEGAL ANALYST: At this point, any delay is a victory for the defense. And I've said now for two weeks that this is a very dangerous time for the prosecution.

Every day that goes by is another chance the defense has to find some error, to find some juror who's potentially done something wrong. And that could not just endanger that juror's presence on the next phase, the penalty phase, but if it came out that they did something improper in the last phase, could even undo the conviction in this case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Now, if the appeals court turns down Geragos' writ, then the penalty phase would go forward next Tuesday. In the courtroom this morning was Laci Peterson's father, Dennis Rocha. He is expected to testify. Of course, very emotional testimony expected from him.

And also, two of Laci Peterson's friends were also there. They will likely be some of the first witnesses in this penalty phase, if and when it resumes -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Rusty Dornin, thank you so much.

Just a short time ago the sheriff of Sawyer County, Wisconsin, announced the names of the five dead members of a hunting party who were gunned down yesterday.

Sheriff James Meier says the FBI and the Justice Department have joined the investigation into a territorial flap that escalated into a chilling mass killing.

Here's how the sheriff described part of what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF JAMES MEIER, SAWYER COUNTY, WISCONSIN: A hunter from a hunting camp had a walkie-talkie, and he'd seen him in the deer stand. He radioed back and asked who would be in the deer stand.

The answer is, "No one should be in that deer stand."

He stated over the radio that he was going to go and ask the person to leave. He approached the person and asked him to leave, at which time the landowners and occupants of the cabin that he was staying at also came on the scene.

The suspect got down from the deer stand, walked approximately 40 yards, fiddled with his rifle in some sort, which appeared he took the scope off the rifle. He turned and he opened fire on the group.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Suspect now in custody is Chai Vang of Minnesota. Officials say that Vang has shown signs of cooperation but has not confessed. They say they're seeking people that Vang may have traveled with. Three people wounded in the shootings remain hospitalized, and one is in critical condition.

Other news across America now.

Former President George Bush says he's deeply saddened over a deadly plane crash today in Texas. That plane that crashed on approach to Houston, where it was supposed to pick up the former president and take him on a trip to Ecuador. All three people on board were killed.

Despicable. That's how a spokesperson for Senator Ted Kennedy is describing a new video game based on the assassination of JFK. British makers of "JFK Reloaded" say that the game allows players to recreate Kennedy's assassination and debunk conspiracy theory. The game was released today, the 41st anniversary of JFK's death.

In New York an investigation presses forward into an apparent hate crime. Two interracial couples woke up yesterday to find a wooden cross burning in their front lawn in Long Island. There's still no word of any arrests.

In the past hour, Homeland Security Security -- or Homeland Security Secretary, rather, Tom Ridge unveiled a new campaign to help citizens be ready to deal with potential terror attacks in other emergencies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mom, shouldn't we pick a place to meet?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're not home, should we go to the neighbors?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Should I pick up Sophia at the baby- sitter's house?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: The ready campaign comes in the form of new public service announcements. The emphasis is on developing a family emergency plan and making sure children know exactly what to do if things go wrong. Ridge spoke about the ads on "AMERICAN MORNING" and why children play a key role.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: We were hoping that by using the children, the parents would take the time -- doesn't take much time, and it could make a difference -- to stand and say, who do you call in case something happens? It could be an emergency. Doesn't have to necessarily be a terrorist attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Secretary Ridge unveiled the new PSA's at an event at a National Press Club event this afternoon.

And once again there's talk about sending more troops to Iraq. A senior Pentagon official tells CNN that commanders are reviewing that possibility, but no official request has been made.

Right now, about 138,000 U.S. forces are on duty in Iraq, but with Iraq's elections coming up in two months and militant attacks on the rise, officials say security is priority No. 1.

U.S. and Iraqi forces are in almost complete control of Falluja now. The world's leading industrial nations have agreed to write off much of Iraq's debt. And the date for elections has been set for January 30.

Our Karl Penhaul spoke today in Baghdad with interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi about the issues facing Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Over the weekend the Iraqi Electoral Commission fixing that January 30 dateline for nationwide elections here.

And talking to Mr. Allawi today, he certainly sees the offensive on Falluja, if not necessarily a turning point in the fortunes of the insurgency, certainly as a milestone on the road towards greater democracy in Iraq.

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: The process of Falluja was overdue. I think it's broke the back of the insurgency, as well as terrorists. We have found evidence of a lot of murders that have been happening, sites, lots of caches of arms, explosives.

So really this was a very necessary step. I think this would pave the way significantly as we are proceeding in our political process to the -- to the elections.

PENHAUL: Now we know more than 200 political parties are now registered to vote for the January 30 elections, to take part in those elections. We've even seen the first few election posters begin to pop up around Baghdad.

And what in my conversations with Mr. Allawi, he made it clear that just as the Falluja offensive will have dented the military might of the insurgency, he believes the elections will go a long way to taking away the political oxygen from the insurgency.

ALLAWI: Makes me very happy to see that Iraq is, for the first time, probably, in their recent history are engaged in healthy dialogue and looking forward to an election where the Iraqi people could have what they have been denied for many years, to exercise their very basic rights.

And this is going to succeed, and it is going to succeed. I assure you that it will spill over to the whole region and beyond. So building this and developing this in Iraq is going to be so important.

And ultimately, it's not going to spill over and create peace, but it will also be a very useful tool against terrorism and against terrorists. This is -- in democracies, usually, terrorists are defeated.

PENHAUL: Now Mr. Allawi told me that he would be standing in the upcoming elections, that he would be running for office, but at the same time he really didn't seem to be bothered if he didn't retain his position as prime minister.

What he did say, though, was that what Iraq really needed from these elections was a strong leadership to emerge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Next, the Peterson murder trial gets delayed again. We're going to talk about the toll that it's taking on the families living through that long public trial.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LARRY BIRD, PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS: ... cups thrown at me. But as far as somebody throwing something in my face, it's never happened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Donny, with the franchise, over the extent of litigation if you feel it's necessary to, in this appeal process.

DONNIE WALSH, CEO/PRESIDENT, INDIANA PACERS: I'm not going to make any statement on what we might do until I hear from our owner. As I said, we are looking at the options that would be available. But we have no clear idea of what we're going to do.

As I said before, we got this statement last night. While it's very clear on the punishments that are involved, there are a lot of questions. There isn't a decision by the Supreme Court. It's just a statement of what is going happen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry, given all that's happened, what was the atmosphere like at practice today?

BIRD: I didn't see all the practice because of the other things we had to deal with. But if you don't know this group of guys in here, they will come to work. And they will give their full attention to their coach.

We had a lot of guys that sit on the bench for a lot of years here and never had an opportunity to play. They're getting their opportunity now. And they know help's on the way. Jeff Foster will come back. A.J. will be back soon. So they got help on the way.

But they get an opportunity to improve their game now. And I think they'll take full advantage of that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sort of a procedural question. Is there any precedent for a reduction of a suspension and is the appeal something that the team gets involved in or is that strictly involved with the players and players association?

WALSH: Good question. Commissioner Stern has wide power in this situation, on the court situation, if that's what it's determined to be. And there are very limited avenues of appeal that are available to a team or to the players association. So that has to be factored in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Both as executives and as an organization with players who are suspended as long as they are, how do you deal with them? And how do you, you know, make sure that they stay within the team and just kind of, you know, keep them with the team while they're not able to play and travel and do whatever?

BIRD: I think right now they need to get away and regroup and do the things that they have to do.

But, you're right. We've got to start integrating them back into the team. And we've got to have them be around us so that our players are in that locker room know that they're supporting them 100 percent.

I think it's very important for these guys to -- to try to stay together, which I know they will. And -- but we will be supporting our three that's out. And we expect them to support us in return.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If the appeal process does not hold up for Ron Artest, what's the next move? Can he go overseas and play basketball in such a situation?

BIRD: It's hard to speculate. But right now we're behind Ronnie 100 percent. And we will look at everything we possibly can to get him back in uniform as quick as possible.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you feel is the level of Detroit's culpability organizationally for what happened?

WALSH: We don't want to make a statement on that. I told you before that we don't want to make a statement on the incident or the penalties involved right now.

When we fully flush this out among ourselves, there will be a statement which -- or a press conference held by our owner. And at that point, we'll give our thoughts on that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) ... could that be interpreted as a beach of contract? And if that's the case, could that contract be voided to allow the organization to then free up that money or that contractual status of that player to fill gaps as needed?

WALSH: There are 150 questions that are exactly like that one that are not answered in this, basically this memo that we received. And so it isn't that particular question. But it's very difficult to sit here and say what could happen, because we're not quite sure what could happen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's basically where my question was going. From the suspended players, does their money go off the salary cap? Where does that money go? Does it go to charity? Do you keep it? And might you be able to avoid a luxury tax to sign it in place (ph)?

WALSH: Well, no. There is no relief from the -- from the salary cap. The money normally is paid by the team that normally goes to the player. It goes to the league. And my understanding is that the league then donates it to charity.

But I don't know that there has been a situation in which this kind of money would be going to the league. So I'm not sure of the answer to that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry, I think a lot of fans are just, in general, wondering about Ron's status, regardless of how this appeal is heard and what happens. He's been in controversies in the past. I'm curious to your opinion what his status is with this organization right now?

BIRD: Right now we're backing Ronnie 100 percent. Who knows about the future of any of our players?

But we will support Ronnie, and we're behind him. And you know, when we get down the road, we can answer that a little bit further.

But Ronnie Artest is a unique player. Ronnie Artest, to me, is one of the top 10 or 12 players in the league. He's a -- he's a phenomenal athlete, phenomenal basketball player. So, you know, we'll just have to look down the road and see what we're going to do. And we're behind him 100 percent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Larry, Austin told us Saturday night that Reggie came forward and said, "Hey, I want to play." From your experience as a veteran player with young players, having Austin and Reggie right now with this young group, can you talk about how important that is?

BIRD: It's very important. Any time you have two guys that have to step in a situation and lead.

Reggie's been there before. And it's relatively new to Austin. But you can't have two better guys. We've had great leadership around the Indiana Pacers for a long time. And they'll do fine.

These guys are getting an opportunity to show us that they can play. And I expect nothing less than 100 percent in practice and on the court. And they will give it to us.

But we also need our fans to support us in a difficult time. And I think they will.

PHILLIPS: Larry Bird, along with Pacers sports entertainment CEO and president Donnie Walsh. Larry Bird, as you know, is the president and basketball -- president of basketball operations for the Pacers.

Right now, when talking about Ron Artest, Larry Bird saying they're behind him 100 percent, that he's a phenomenal player. Still, though, the suspension right now for Ron Artest is the remainder of the season. We'll continue to follow this story as it develops.

We'll take a quick break. We'll be right back.

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PHILLIPS: Rhonda, thank you very much. We'll see you tomorrow.

That wraps up LIVE FROM for today. "INSIDE POLITICS" starts right after a break.

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