Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
Rumsfeld Gets Earful From U.S. Troops; Charges Announced in NBA Brawl
Aired December 08, 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: Five Indiana Pacers charged with assault for the fracas last month at the Palace in Detroit. The charges unveiled just a short time ago by the Oakland County prosecutor. Five fans also charged, including one with a felony for hurling -- hurling a chair. Full details in a moment.
The 9/11 reforms are one step away from the desk of President Bush. Within the hour a vote in the Senate is expected to begin. It may take awhile, because quite a few senators are flying back to Washington to put their votes on record. The massive intelligence overhaul finally cleared the house last night.
Also at this hour, an arraignment is being announced between Martha Stewart's media group -- arrangement, rather, thank you very much, between Martha Stewart's media group and NBC. That announcement follows reports that Stewart will host a television series after she's released from prison.
WHITFIELD: When it comes to fielding questions from pesky reporters, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is hardly a shrinking violet, but today in the Persian Gulf, Rumsfeld was challenged by some U.S. troops. And those soldiers gave him an earful.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPC. THOMAS WILSON, U.S. ARMY: Our soldiers have been fighting in Iraq for coming up on three years. A lot of us are getting ready to move north relatively soon. Our vehicles are not armored. We're digging pieces of rusted scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass that's already been shot up, dropped, busted, picking the best out of this scrap to put on our vehicles to take into combat. We do not have proper armament vehicles to carry with us north.
DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I talked to the general coming out here about the pace at which the vehicles are being armored. They have been brought from all over the world, wherever they're not needed, to a place here where they are needed. I'm told that they're being, the Army is -- I think it's something like 400 a month are being done. And it's essentially a matter of physics. It isn't a matter of money. It isn't a matter on the part of the Army of desire. It's a matter of production and capability of doing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: CNN's Jamie McIntyre joins us now with a view on what the Pentagon might be doing next with these expressed sentiments -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, Fredricka, the Pentagon says that this is exactly what these town hall forums are designed for, for the secretary to get the unvarnished views of the soldiers in the field about what their concerns are.
The Pentagon also, however, quickly responded to the idea that U.S. troops don't have enough armored Humvees. They admit there is a shortage, but they say that that shortage has been known for some time and that they have doing everything possible to speed up the production and shipment of armored Humvees and armored kits to the theater.
In addition, the Pentagon said today that there was a policy that the Humvees that are armored will be used in a way that will ensure the safety of the troops.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAWRENCE DI RITA, PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The policy is that units that are going into Iraq, if they're going to drive their vehicles into Iraq, they drive in armored vehicles. If their vehicles aren't armored, the policy is that they are convoyed on other vehicles. They're put on the back of trucks. And they're used for operations around the base, in other words, not moving around the city, where there may be more of a danger to IEDs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: Now, the Pentagon said it was not aware of any situation in which soldiers had to go through scrap piles or places to look for scrap metal or bullet-proof glass to add to their Humvees.
But a statement with a general with the Tennessee National Guard, which was the home base of this unit, said he was aware that that had been a practice. Nevertheless, the Pentagon insists that it is doing everything possible to address the shortage and make sure that the safety of the troops is ensured as they move from Kuwait into Iraq.
In fact, they said that these particular troops will not be taking those Humvees with them. They'll be falling in on Humvees that are armored and already in Iraq -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Our Jamie McIntyre from the Pentagon, thanks so much -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, from the basketball court to the court of law, the NBA brawling case has led to charges against five players and five fans.
We get the details on today's developments from CNN's Eric Philips.
Now, boy, quite a presentation by the prosecutor. ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, this is a day that will go down in sports infamy because of this brawl that happened on November 19 during the Pacers-Pistons game.
During a press conference just a little while ago, as a matter of fact, authorities in Oakland County, Michigan, slowed down the videotape so that the media could take a blow-by-blow look at exactly what happened during this brawl. And during that press conference, he announced that Jermaine O'Neal has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery, while his teammates, Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson, and David Harrison, were all charged with one count each.
Also, five fans have been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery for their role in the mayhem. One of them is facing a felony assault charge for throwing a chair. Authorities say it all started when a spectator, John Green, threw a cup at Ron Artest, hitting him in the head.
Artest then charged the stands, going after the one whom he thought threw the cup. From there, several more players and fans got involved. Assault and battery charges carry a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. And the police chief says today that this message -- that these charges, rather, should send a message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOREEN OLKO, AUBURNS HILL POLICE CHIEF: For 16 years, the Palace has been a safe and positive environment. This incident was completely uncharacteristic of our community and of the Palace.
The acceptable level of violence at all level of sports competition is a matter of significant importance in this country today. We hope that this incident can serve as a turning point to mark the return of sportsmanship and civilized conduct of players and of their fans at all levels of sport competition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILIPS: Now, shortly after the brawl, the NBA took its own action against several players. Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season, 73 games. Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games, Jermaine O'Neal for 25, and Anthony Johnson for five game,s a combined loss of over $10 million in income.
Then, tomorrow, the Players Association is meeting with an arbiter to try and get those suspensions reduced or thrown out. It is interesting to note that Pacers center David Harrison was not punished by the NBA, but that he was criminally charged. The investigation will continue and others could still be charged.
PHILLIPS: The chief made a good point, get the sportsmanship back into the game. It's out of control.
PHILIPS: That's right. Sportsmanship is the first part. Or sports is the first part of sportsmanship.
PHILLIPS: Yes.
PHILIPS: And they're telling people, hey, look, this is sports. This is a message that we're sending to our children and the fans that have participated in these sports. We want to get this back under control.
PHILLIPS: It's like the players forgot they're role models.
PHILIPS: It really is.
And the sad part about it, too, is, when you think about it, all of the children who were in the arena -- they talked about Jermaine O'Neal, how he's been known as the gentle giant for all these years, how he had such a good reputation, and how he never really exhibited any type of forceful behavior until today -- or until that day. When you think about the children in the audience who look up to him, they're the ones really that are going to suffer from all this. And that's something that authorities and players realize.
PHILLIPS: Yes, point well made. Eric Philips, thanks so much.
PHILIPS: All right.
WHITFIELD: The power of persuasion.
Scott Peterson's defense team hopes a plea from Peterson's mother today will save him from the death penalty.
CNN's Rusty Dornin joins us live from Redwood City, California, now -- Rusty.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, Jackie Peterson was on the stand for a little less than hour today.
She is what is believed to be the last witness in the penalty phase for the defense in this trial, the 39th witness. She talked about her history, the hard life that she had, being in an orphanage much of her life. She talked about Scott Peterson, but she talked a lot about Laci Peterson, and she told the jury that she loved Laci Peterson as much as Sharon Rocha loved Scott.
She talked about the fact she knew her for eight years and that Laci Peterson called her mom, that they were very close, and that she felt that she had been ripped from her. Now, during this time, the jury members seemed unmoved by much of her testimony. She cried at times during the testimony. It wasn't until the very end when she began begging them to save Scott's life that one of the jurors wiped her eyes and, at the end of her testimony, also shook her head and gave a big sigh.
The other jurors did not seem like they were really moved by her testimony, but, at the end, she begged them to save Scott's life, that it would wipe her family off the face of the earth. It would be like Laci Peterson had never existed. And with that, she was done. And it looks like tomorrow, the attorneys will begin their summations, each side taking being two hours.
The judge says it won't probably until about 3:30 tomorrow afternoon until he gives instructions and the jury begins deliberations. One other thing, though. The other witnesses that testified earlier, there was a couple of friends, family members and one business associate. And he gave one comment that perhaps he did not realize how it came out, but he said Scott Peterson is somebody who knew what he wanted to do. He planned to do it, and he would execute it -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Rusty Dornin, thanks so much for that report.
And this just coming in now. CNN confirming that Dick Clark, longtime "American Bandstand" host, suffered from a minor stroke and he has been hospitalized in Los Angeles. The 75-year-old is saying in a written statement that's been released to us -- quote -- "The doctors tell me I should be back in the swing of things before too long, so I'm hopeful to be able to make it to Times Square to help lead the country in bringing in the new year once again."
For the past 32 years, Clark has been a familiar face in helping to ring in the new year on "New Year's Rockin' Eve," but the latest now is that he suffered a mild stroke. And the 75-year-old is being hospitalized in Los Angeles. And, of course, our thoughts go out to Dick Clark for a full recovery -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, Iraq's interim president goes within one on one with our Wolf Blitzer. Ahead, Wolf joins me with what the president had to say about his country's upcoming elections. Is it ready?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: As a second-term Bush administration tries to solidify its Cabinet, CNN is now confirming that President Bush has asked Treasury Secretary John Snow to stay on the job in the administration. And apparently Snow has agreed. So far, at least eight of 15 Cabinet members have stepped down from the Bush administration for various reasons -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: As January 30 approaches, some observers are concerned that continued insurgent violence may compromise Iraq's elections, but interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer insists that those elections must not be postponed.
CNN's Wolf Blitzer joins me now. He got the chance to sit down for a one on one with Mr. al-Yawer during his Washington visit.
How did it go, Wolf?
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: It went well.
The president of Iraq, the interim president of Iraq, made clear, by the way, he'd like some day to continue to be the president of Iraq after the elections, but that's another story. Right now, he says the most important thing is to make sure those elections take place on January 30, as scheduled, even though only a few months ago he was saying it would not necessarily be all that bad if they were delayed for security reasons.
Now he's had a change of heart. He says they must go forward. And there was no ominous note when he pointed out that, between now and January 30, the situation in Iraq could get even more violent.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GHAZI AL-YAWER, IRAQI INTERIM PRESIDENT: Right now in Iraq we see that unless we go to elections all these turbulence will keep increasing. We are expecting it to increase and reach climax in the next couple of months because their tactical target of whoever is doing these atrocities is to deter us from having our first fair elections and to deprive Iraqis from practicing their rights.
BLITZER: So the elections should go forward January 30th ...
AL-YAWER: That's right.
BLITZER: ... or is there some wiggle room there?
AL-YAWER: Definitely it has to go on January 30th, especially if we know that all Iraqis are really enthusiastic to and eager to participate in this election on one way or another, either as candidates or to cast their votes. Yes, some of them are scared and feel stopped by these criminal acts and atrocities from doing so. Therefore, we still have more than a month and a half to make sure that everybody can go and speak freely and choose freely.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: He went on to say that he was deeply concerned the Iranians might try to interfere in the Iraqi elections, flooding southern Iraq, in particular, with Iranian Shiites who might actually try to vote in those elections. He was hoping that the procedures put forward would prevent that from happening.
But there's clear concern on the part of the Iraqi leader, Kyra, that the Iranians will try to interfere. And he's also deeply concerned about insurgents continuing to flood into Iraq from Syria.
PHILLIPS: Well, playing off on that insurgency, then, Wolf, this is not the first time you've sat down with Mr. President. From the last interview and looking at this interview, how did you gauge his -- I guess how he's dealing with his role? Does he seem less stressed, more stressed? Is he concerned about his security, his family's security?
BLITZER: He seemed less stressed, actually. When I interviewed him a few months ago, back in June, here in Washington as well, he had just basically got on the political scene. Remember his background. He's a civil engineer. He studied here in Washington at George Washington University. He was a businessman in Saudi Arabia making lots of money. But he's an Iraqi patriot. He went back and he got involved in politics and gave up that personal life. He still is deeply concerned about the security situation, but he says he's got a job to do. He's going to go forward and he's not going to let the threats against him, his family and others stand in the way.
He seems pretty determined, and he seemed pretty much at ease. He was very pleased by his meeting with President Bush. One thing I will add, I asked him -- at the end of the interview, I said to him, what do you want President Bush to do? And he said the most important thing that President Bush can do now that he's not necessarily doing is give the Iraqis more responsibility. He said, let Iraqis get the job done, and that will be the surest way to make sure the situation becomes stable. The United States and U.S. military forces simply can't do the job for the Iraqi people themselves.
PHILLIPS: Wolf Blitzer, thanks so much.
And you can join Wolf for more of his interview with Iraq's president, al-Yawer and the implications of the ongoing insurgent unrest in the Sunni Triangle. That's on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS" today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
WHITFIELD: Martha Stewart apparently has some work waiting for her on the outside. Find out about her new made-for-TV offer straight ahead on LIVE FROM.
And, in a few minutes on "INSIDE POLITICS," Judy Woodruff has a one-on-one interview with Senator John McCain. He sounds off on Iraq and his differences with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: And this just in, live pictures from the Senate floor. The 9/11 reform is just one step away from the desk of the president now, because right now that vote in the Senate has begun. As you know, the massive intelligence overhaul finally cleared the House last night. The vote is now under way. We'll continue to monitor it.
WHITFIELD: Well, Martha Stewart's got some post-holiday plans, apparently, other than leaving prison.
Details on Stewart's brush with the bandwagon and a new face you insomniacs will soon see.
To Los Angeles now and the entertainment news du jour with Sibila Vargas -- hello, Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fredricka.
For weeks, we've heard reports of a merger between Martha Stewart, Mark Burnett and NBC. And now it's official. In a press conference just getting started in New York, Stewart's company and NBC are expected to announce that the domestic diva will have her own show on the network. According to reports, the show will be an hour-long daily syndicated show. The format will include a live audience that will be able to interact with guests.
Now, this finally puts to rest all the speculation that Stewart might replace Jane Pauley on her daily talk show, which hasn't done too well in the ratings. Other reports said that she would also possibly be taking over Donald Trump's job on "The Apprentice" or even have her own reality show. But we're just going to get details as they come along. And we'll of course provide them to you.
Moving on to other news, she doesn't have her own show on NBC, but Hollywood still thinks she's got a million dollar, or, rather, a $20 million dollar smile. Julia Roberts is on top of "Hollywood Reporter"'s list of highest paid actresses. According to the publication's special report on women in entertainment, the pretty wo- mom commands a whopping $20 million per picture. Cameron Diaz also fetches the same hefty price tag. Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore, which make $15 million per picture a piece, round out the top five.
Well, he may not be a household name making millions, but actor/comedian Craig Ferguson just struck the deal of a lifetime. The Scottish actor who played boss Nigel Wick on "The Drew Carey Show" is set to become the new host of CBS' "Late Late Show." Ferguson replaces Craig Kilborn, who just months ago announced that he was leaving the show after five years. The actor was one of four finalists that included fellow thespian Michael Ian Black, comedian D.L. Hughley and MTV "TRL" host Damien Fahey.
And that's the news from Hollywood, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Not bad at all. Thanks a lot, Sibila.
VARGAS: Thanks.
WHITFIELD: Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, lots of animals made the news this year, not all of them as cute as those we just told you about, though. A Canadian province is moving to be the first one to outlaw a particular breed of dog. It's a battle already taken up in this country with polarizing results.
Ali Velshi is in Toronto.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give it to the doggie. Yeah, what a good boy.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is kind of like taking candy from a baby.
Petie from "Our Gang" was a pit bull. So was Nipper, the dog from "His Master's Voice." For many though, the words pit bull evoke terror.
MICHAEL BRYANT, ONTARIO ATTORNEY GENERAL: We've seen enough evidence to say that this dog seems to be a breed apart. And if it is a breed apart, we have an obligation to do something about it.
VELSHI: Michael Bryant is behind legislation to ban pit bulls in Canada's largest province. He's Ontario's attorney generally, not a tyranny general.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What we need to understand is that in any breed there can be individual dogs that have a problem, that have issues. And it is up to the owners to understand and take responsibility for their pet, regardless of breed.
VELSHI: At a pro pit bull really in Toronto, a familiar refrain, pit bulls aren't the problem. Irresponsible dog owners are. They say if raised properly the dogs are harmless.
Bryant is unmoved.
BRYANT: For me it is not actually about the people who own the dogs. It is about the dogs themselves. It is a classic nature versus nurture debate.
VELSHI (on camera): Rocco is a two and a half year old dog, who would be affected by the legislation. Now, Rocco's owner says this dog has never hurt anyone and while she doesn't object to legislation that to control dangerous dogs, what she does object to is breed specific legislation.
(voice-over): She'd rather see laws that punish the deed, not the breed.
(on camera): There is something about this breed that makes them very strong, they're jaws are big, they are strong dogs. So, for whatever reason this dog decides to be aggressive, I might get more hurt than I would with other dogs?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As opposed to a poodle? Or opposed to a Rottweiler?
VELSHI (voice-over): Half the dogs waiting for adoption at the Toronto Human Society are pit bulls. If the ban goes through, and that could happen by spring 2005, they can't be adopted.
(on camera): Ten minutes ago this dog was acting like it was going to bite somebody's head off. And now, she's acting like a family pet. But the Toronto Human Society says dogs like Dusty have a bad reputation.
(voice-over): The contradiction is hard to explain, though, to 11-year-old Lindsey Grandy, who was attacked by her next door neighbor son's pit bull last summer.
LINDSEY GRANDY, ATTACKED BY PIT BULL: I think the whole pit bull breed is a bad breed, because it is bred to fight.
VELSHI: Good dogs or bad, for Lindsey's father, the question is much simpler.
STEVE GRANDY, FATHER: Why have them? Why do we need to have dogs that are bred to be vicious fighting animals in a populated area?
Ali Velshi, CNN, Toronto.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, "INSIDE POLITICS" is up next.
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 December 8, 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: Five Indiana Pacers charged with assault for the fracas last month at the Palace in Detroit. The charges unveiled just a short time ago by the Oakland County prosecutor. Five fans also charged, including one with a felony for hurling -- hurling a chair. Full details in a moment.
The 9/11 reforms are one step away from the desk of President Bush. Within the hour a vote in the Senate is expected to begin. It may take awhile, because quite a few senators are flying back to Washington to put their votes on record. The massive intelligence overhaul finally cleared the house last night.
Also at this hour, an arraignment is being announced between Martha Stewart's media group -- arrangement, rather, thank you very much, between Martha Stewart's media group and NBC. That announcement follows reports that Stewart will host a television series after she's released from prison.
WHITFIELD: When it comes to fielding questions from pesky reporters, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is hardly a shrinking violet, but today in the Persian Gulf, Rumsfeld was challenged by some U.S. troops. And those soldiers gave him an earful.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPC. THOMAS WILSON, U.S. ARMY: Our soldiers have been fighting in Iraq for coming up on three years. A lot of us are getting ready to move north relatively soon. Our vehicles are not armored. We're digging pieces of rusted scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass that's already been shot up, dropped, busted, picking the best out of this scrap to put on our vehicles to take into combat. We do not have proper armament vehicles to carry with us north.
DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I talked to the general coming out here about the pace at which the vehicles are being armored. They have been brought from all over the world, wherever they're not needed, to a place here where they are needed. I'm told that they're being, the Army is -- I think it's something like 400 a month are being done. And it's essentially a matter of physics. It isn't a matter of money. It isn't a matter on the part of the Army of desire. It's a matter of production and capability of doing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: CNN's Jamie McIntyre joins us now with a view on what the Pentagon might be doing next with these expressed sentiments -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, Fredricka, the Pentagon says that this is exactly what these town hall forums are designed for, for the secretary to get the unvarnished views of the soldiers in the field about what their concerns are.
The Pentagon also, however, quickly responded to the idea that U.S. troops don't have enough armored Humvees. They admit there is a shortage, but they say that that shortage has been known for some time and that they have doing everything possible to speed up the production and shipment of armored Humvees and armored kits to the theater.
In addition, the Pentagon said today that there was a policy that the Humvees that are armored will be used in a way that will ensure the safety of the troops.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAWRENCE DI RITA, PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The policy is that units that are going into Iraq, if they're going to drive their vehicles into Iraq, they drive in armored vehicles. If their vehicles aren't armored, the policy is that they are convoyed on other vehicles. They're put on the back of trucks. And they're used for operations around the base, in other words, not moving around the city, where there may be more of a danger to IEDs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: Now, the Pentagon said it was not aware of any situation in which soldiers had to go through scrap piles or places to look for scrap metal or bullet-proof glass to add to their Humvees.
But a statement with a general with the Tennessee National Guard, which was the home base of this unit, said he was aware that that had been a practice. Nevertheless, the Pentagon insists that it is doing everything possible to address the shortage and make sure that the safety of the troops is ensured as they move from Kuwait into Iraq.
In fact, they said that these particular troops will not be taking those Humvees with them. They'll be falling in on Humvees that are armored and already in Iraq -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Our Jamie McIntyre from the Pentagon, thanks so much -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, from the basketball court to the court of law, the NBA brawling case has led to charges against five players and five fans.
We get the details on today's developments from CNN's Eric Philips.
Now, boy, quite a presentation by the prosecutor. ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, this is a day that will go down in sports infamy because of this brawl that happened on November 19 during the Pacers-Pistons game.
During a press conference just a little while ago, as a matter of fact, authorities in Oakland County, Michigan, slowed down the videotape so that the media could take a blow-by-blow look at exactly what happened during this brawl. And during that press conference, he announced that Jermaine O'Neal has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery, while his teammates, Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson, and David Harrison, were all charged with one count each.
Also, five fans have been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery for their role in the mayhem. One of them is facing a felony assault charge for throwing a chair. Authorities say it all started when a spectator, John Green, threw a cup at Ron Artest, hitting him in the head.
Artest then charged the stands, going after the one whom he thought threw the cup. From there, several more players and fans got involved. Assault and battery charges carry a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. And the police chief says today that this message -- that these charges, rather, should send a message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOREEN OLKO, AUBURNS HILL POLICE CHIEF: For 16 years, the Palace has been a safe and positive environment. This incident was completely uncharacteristic of our community and of the Palace.
The acceptable level of violence at all level of sports competition is a matter of significant importance in this country today. We hope that this incident can serve as a turning point to mark the return of sportsmanship and civilized conduct of players and of their fans at all levels of sport competition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILIPS: Now, shortly after the brawl, the NBA took its own action against several players. Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season, 73 games. Stephen Jackson was suspended for 30 games, Jermaine O'Neal for 25, and Anthony Johnson for five game,s a combined loss of over $10 million in income.
Then, tomorrow, the Players Association is meeting with an arbiter to try and get those suspensions reduced or thrown out. It is interesting to note that Pacers center David Harrison was not punished by the NBA, but that he was criminally charged. The investigation will continue and others could still be charged.
PHILLIPS: The chief made a good point, get the sportsmanship back into the game. It's out of control.
PHILIPS: That's right. Sportsmanship is the first part. Or sports is the first part of sportsmanship.
PHILLIPS: Yes.
PHILIPS: And they're telling people, hey, look, this is sports. This is a message that we're sending to our children and the fans that have participated in these sports. We want to get this back under control.
PHILLIPS: It's like the players forgot they're role models.
PHILIPS: It really is.
And the sad part about it, too, is, when you think about it, all of the children who were in the arena -- they talked about Jermaine O'Neal, how he's been known as the gentle giant for all these years, how he had such a good reputation, and how he never really exhibited any type of forceful behavior until today -- or until that day. When you think about the children in the audience who look up to him, they're the ones really that are going to suffer from all this. And that's something that authorities and players realize.
PHILLIPS: Yes, point well made. Eric Philips, thanks so much.
PHILIPS: All right.
WHITFIELD: The power of persuasion.
Scott Peterson's defense team hopes a plea from Peterson's mother today will save him from the death penalty.
CNN's Rusty Dornin joins us live from Redwood City, California, now -- Rusty.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, Jackie Peterson was on the stand for a little less than hour today.
She is what is believed to be the last witness in the penalty phase for the defense in this trial, the 39th witness. She talked about her history, the hard life that she had, being in an orphanage much of her life. She talked about Scott Peterson, but she talked a lot about Laci Peterson, and she told the jury that she loved Laci Peterson as much as Sharon Rocha loved Scott.
She talked about the fact she knew her for eight years and that Laci Peterson called her mom, that they were very close, and that she felt that she had been ripped from her. Now, during this time, the jury members seemed unmoved by much of her testimony. She cried at times during the testimony. It wasn't until the very end when she began begging them to save Scott's life that one of the jurors wiped her eyes and, at the end of her testimony, also shook her head and gave a big sigh.
The other jurors did not seem like they were really moved by her testimony, but, at the end, she begged them to save Scott's life, that it would wipe her family off the face of the earth. It would be like Laci Peterson had never existed. And with that, she was done. And it looks like tomorrow, the attorneys will begin their summations, each side taking being two hours.
The judge says it won't probably until about 3:30 tomorrow afternoon until he gives instructions and the jury begins deliberations. One other thing, though. The other witnesses that testified earlier, there was a couple of friends, family members and one business associate. And he gave one comment that perhaps he did not realize how it came out, but he said Scott Peterson is somebody who knew what he wanted to do. He planned to do it, and he would execute it -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Rusty Dornin, thanks so much for that report.
And this just coming in now. CNN confirming that Dick Clark, longtime "American Bandstand" host, suffered from a minor stroke and he has been hospitalized in Los Angeles. The 75-year-old is saying in a written statement that's been released to us -- quote -- "The doctors tell me I should be back in the swing of things before too long, so I'm hopeful to be able to make it to Times Square to help lead the country in bringing in the new year once again."
For the past 32 years, Clark has been a familiar face in helping to ring in the new year on "New Year's Rockin' Eve," but the latest now is that he suffered a mild stroke. And the 75-year-old is being hospitalized in Los Angeles. And, of course, our thoughts go out to Dick Clark for a full recovery -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, Iraq's interim president goes within one on one with our Wolf Blitzer. Ahead, Wolf joins me with what the president had to say about his country's upcoming elections. Is it ready?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: As a second-term Bush administration tries to solidify its Cabinet, CNN is now confirming that President Bush has asked Treasury Secretary John Snow to stay on the job in the administration. And apparently Snow has agreed. So far, at least eight of 15 Cabinet members have stepped down from the Bush administration for various reasons -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: As January 30 approaches, some observers are concerned that continued insurgent violence may compromise Iraq's elections, but interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer insists that those elections must not be postponed.
CNN's Wolf Blitzer joins me now. He got the chance to sit down for a one on one with Mr. al-Yawer during his Washington visit.
How did it go, Wolf?
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: It went well.
The president of Iraq, the interim president of Iraq, made clear, by the way, he'd like some day to continue to be the president of Iraq after the elections, but that's another story. Right now, he says the most important thing is to make sure those elections take place on January 30, as scheduled, even though only a few months ago he was saying it would not necessarily be all that bad if they were delayed for security reasons.
Now he's had a change of heart. He says they must go forward. And there was no ominous note when he pointed out that, between now and January 30, the situation in Iraq could get even more violent.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GHAZI AL-YAWER, IRAQI INTERIM PRESIDENT: Right now in Iraq we see that unless we go to elections all these turbulence will keep increasing. We are expecting it to increase and reach climax in the next couple of months because their tactical target of whoever is doing these atrocities is to deter us from having our first fair elections and to deprive Iraqis from practicing their rights.
BLITZER: So the elections should go forward January 30th ...
AL-YAWER: That's right.
BLITZER: ... or is there some wiggle room there?
AL-YAWER: Definitely it has to go on January 30th, especially if we know that all Iraqis are really enthusiastic to and eager to participate in this election on one way or another, either as candidates or to cast their votes. Yes, some of them are scared and feel stopped by these criminal acts and atrocities from doing so. Therefore, we still have more than a month and a half to make sure that everybody can go and speak freely and choose freely.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: He went on to say that he was deeply concerned the Iranians might try to interfere in the Iraqi elections, flooding southern Iraq, in particular, with Iranian Shiites who might actually try to vote in those elections. He was hoping that the procedures put forward would prevent that from happening.
But there's clear concern on the part of the Iraqi leader, Kyra, that the Iranians will try to interfere. And he's also deeply concerned about insurgents continuing to flood into Iraq from Syria.
PHILLIPS: Well, playing off on that insurgency, then, Wolf, this is not the first time you've sat down with Mr. President. From the last interview and looking at this interview, how did you gauge his -- I guess how he's dealing with his role? Does he seem less stressed, more stressed? Is he concerned about his security, his family's security?
BLITZER: He seemed less stressed, actually. When I interviewed him a few months ago, back in June, here in Washington as well, he had just basically got on the political scene. Remember his background. He's a civil engineer. He studied here in Washington at George Washington University. He was a businessman in Saudi Arabia making lots of money. But he's an Iraqi patriot. He went back and he got involved in politics and gave up that personal life. He still is deeply concerned about the security situation, but he says he's got a job to do. He's going to go forward and he's not going to let the threats against him, his family and others stand in the way.
He seems pretty determined, and he seemed pretty much at ease. He was very pleased by his meeting with President Bush. One thing I will add, I asked him -- at the end of the interview, I said to him, what do you want President Bush to do? And he said the most important thing that President Bush can do now that he's not necessarily doing is give the Iraqis more responsibility. He said, let Iraqis get the job done, and that will be the surest way to make sure the situation becomes stable. The United States and U.S. military forces simply can't do the job for the Iraqi people themselves.
PHILLIPS: Wolf Blitzer, thanks so much.
And you can join Wolf for more of his interview with Iraq's president, al-Yawer and the implications of the ongoing insurgent unrest in the Sunni Triangle. That's on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS" today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
WHITFIELD: Martha Stewart apparently has some work waiting for her on the outside. Find out about her new made-for-TV offer straight ahead on LIVE FROM.
And, in a few minutes on "INSIDE POLITICS," Judy Woodruff has a one-on-one interview with Senator John McCain. He sounds off on Iraq and his differences with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: And this just in, live pictures from the Senate floor. The 9/11 reform is just one step away from the desk of the president now, because right now that vote in the Senate has begun. As you know, the massive intelligence overhaul finally cleared the House last night. The vote is now under way. We'll continue to monitor it.
WHITFIELD: Well, Martha Stewart's got some post-holiday plans, apparently, other than leaving prison.
Details on Stewart's brush with the bandwagon and a new face you insomniacs will soon see.
To Los Angeles now and the entertainment news du jour with Sibila Vargas -- hello, Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fredricka.
For weeks, we've heard reports of a merger between Martha Stewart, Mark Burnett and NBC. And now it's official. In a press conference just getting started in New York, Stewart's company and NBC are expected to announce that the domestic diva will have her own show on the network. According to reports, the show will be an hour-long daily syndicated show. The format will include a live audience that will be able to interact with guests.
Now, this finally puts to rest all the speculation that Stewart might replace Jane Pauley on her daily talk show, which hasn't done too well in the ratings. Other reports said that she would also possibly be taking over Donald Trump's job on "The Apprentice" or even have her own reality show. But we're just going to get details as they come along. And we'll of course provide them to you.
Moving on to other news, she doesn't have her own show on NBC, but Hollywood still thinks she's got a million dollar, or, rather, a $20 million dollar smile. Julia Roberts is on top of "Hollywood Reporter"'s list of highest paid actresses. According to the publication's special report on women in entertainment, the pretty wo- mom commands a whopping $20 million per picture. Cameron Diaz also fetches the same hefty price tag. Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore, which make $15 million per picture a piece, round out the top five.
Well, he may not be a household name making millions, but actor/comedian Craig Ferguson just struck the deal of a lifetime. The Scottish actor who played boss Nigel Wick on "The Drew Carey Show" is set to become the new host of CBS' "Late Late Show." Ferguson replaces Craig Kilborn, who just months ago announced that he was leaving the show after five years. The actor was one of four finalists that included fellow thespian Michael Ian Black, comedian D.L. Hughley and MTV "TRL" host Damien Fahey.
And that's the news from Hollywood, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Not bad at all. Thanks a lot, Sibila.
VARGAS: Thanks.
WHITFIELD: Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, lots of animals made the news this year, not all of them as cute as those we just told you about, though. A Canadian province is moving to be the first one to outlaw a particular breed of dog. It's a battle already taken up in this country with polarizing results.
Ali Velshi is in Toronto.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give it to the doggie. Yeah, what a good boy.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is kind of like taking candy from a baby.
Petie from "Our Gang" was a pit bull. So was Nipper, the dog from "His Master's Voice." For many though, the words pit bull evoke terror.
MICHAEL BRYANT, ONTARIO ATTORNEY GENERAL: We've seen enough evidence to say that this dog seems to be a breed apart. And if it is a breed apart, we have an obligation to do something about it.
VELSHI: Michael Bryant is behind legislation to ban pit bulls in Canada's largest province. He's Ontario's attorney generally, not a tyranny general.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What we need to understand is that in any breed there can be individual dogs that have a problem, that have issues. And it is up to the owners to understand and take responsibility for their pet, regardless of breed.
VELSHI: At a pro pit bull really in Toronto, a familiar refrain, pit bulls aren't the problem. Irresponsible dog owners are. They say if raised properly the dogs are harmless.
Bryant is unmoved.
BRYANT: For me it is not actually about the people who own the dogs. It is about the dogs themselves. It is a classic nature versus nurture debate.
VELSHI (on camera): Rocco is a two and a half year old dog, who would be affected by the legislation. Now, Rocco's owner says this dog has never hurt anyone and while she doesn't object to legislation that to control dangerous dogs, what she does object to is breed specific legislation.
(voice-over): She'd rather see laws that punish the deed, not the breed.
(on camera): There is something about this breed that makes them very strong, they're jaws are big, they are strong dogs. So, for whatever reason this dog decides to be aggressive, I might get more hurt than I would with other dogs?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As opposed to a poodle? Or opposed to a Rottweiler?
VELSHI (voice-over): Half the dogs waiting for adoption at the Toronto Human Society are pit bulls. If the ban goes through, and that could happen by spring 2005, they can't be adopted.
(on camera): Ten minutes ago this dog was acting like it was going to bite somebody's head off. And now, she's acting like a family pet. But the Toronto Human Society says dogs like Dusty have a bad reputation.
(voice-over): The contradiction is hard to explain, though, to 11-year-old Lindsey Grandy, who was attacked by her next door neighbor son's pit bull last summer.
LINDSEY GRANDY, ATTACKED BY PIT BULL: I think the whole pit bull breed is a bad breed, because it is bred to fight.
VELSHI: Good dogs or bad, for Lindsey's father, the question is much simpler.
STEVE GRANDY, FATHER: Why have them? Why do we need to have dogs that are bred to be vicious fighting animals in a populated area?
Ali Velshi, CNN, Toronto.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, "INSIDE POLITICS" is up next.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
