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Time Running Out for Terri Schiavo; Still Searching for Bobby Fischer

Aired March 24, 2005 - 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: Now in the news, one by one, courts, including the nation's highest, refused to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo, the latest, a judge in Florida who has considered the case several times already. We're live in Florida in just a moment with more.
Still a mystery, what sparked a deadly explosion at an oil refinery near Houston. Plant officials do not think it was sabotage or terrorism. Fifteen people were killed, dozens more injured in at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas.

Celebrating Holy Thursday. For the first time in his papacy, though, Pope John Paul II was not able to take part in the services in Saint Peter's Basilica. Still ailing, he watched on television as one of his closest advisers stood in for him.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Here is where we stand with the Schiavo case.

Within the past hour, a Florida judge barred the request of Governor Jeb Bush to take custody of Terri Schiavo for the purpose of reinserting her feeding tube. As you probably know by now, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene this morning. If there is a legal option left, it is not apparent right now.

And those who have seen her said Terri Schiavo, severely brain- damaged 15 years ago now, is in the process of slipping away.

Our Ed Henry is standing by live at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, but first, let's go to Bob Franken in Pinellas Park -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is discussion, Miles, in the family members in going back to fellow court. Follow the bouncing courts here.

They may try and introduce the same evidence which has now been rejected by the state judge, George Greer. That is an affidavit from a neurologist who says -- that's William Cheshire, by the way, who says that it is his expert opinion that Terri Schiavo is not in a state that is described as persistent vegetative. That, of course, is what we've been hearing described all along. He says that is something less that can be treated.

Now, the state judge, George Greer, said that he was not convinced that there was any difference. And so he was rejecting that evidence. It could not become the basis for still another effort by the state to take custody of Terri Schiavo. Dr. Cheshire is somebody who is very closely associated with the so-called right to life movement and, in the testimony itself, acknowledged that he had not really done a thorough examination of Terri Schiavo.

The federal courts, of course, have just about wiped out any possibilities of any consideration, although there is going to be another effort to introduce that same evidence, not given very much of a chance. Now, as for Terri Schiavo, family members who have seen her say that she's really following the pattern that experts say occurs under a circumstance like this. At this stage, after six days, there is lethargy and just a general dulling of the skin, a dulling of the eyes, which is what people expect in a trajectory that takes about two weeks before the person passes away -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Bob, do you know, if they go the federal court route, will they go to the federal courthouse in Tampa or right to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals here in Atlanta?

FRANKEN: Almost certainly go to the federal court in Tampa. There would be no inherent to go to the one -- the 11th Circuit in Atlanta. But they're bringing -- they're bringing evidence -- evidence in their mind and opinion in the minds of others -- that has already been rejected at the state court level.

And everybody involves says that it is almost an impossible long shot to get reconsideration.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Bob Franken, there in Pinellas Park, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Florida Governor Jeb Bush tried and failed in his attempt to take custody of Terri Schiavo.

CNN's Ed Henry is following the developments in Tallahassee -- Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Kyra.

That's right. I just came back from the governor's office just across the street behind me here. It's quite a scene over there. The calls are just flooding in from all around the country, the receptionist taking calls from California, Texas, all around the country, people urging the governor to step in now, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has said they will not reinsert the feeding tube.

As just you heard Bob Franken reporting as well, Judge Greer in Florida saying he will not move forward. He has actually dismissed the motion from Governor Bush to let the state take custody, a lot of pressure now on the governor, all eyes turning to him. I spoke to another family that drove 10 hours from Louisiana just to speak to the governor. They only got to speak to his staff, because the governor has actually been closeted behind closed doors.

This particular family has a daughter who is in a vegetative state. They said that they wanted to get a message to the governor about the fact that, even when you're in a vegetative state, there is a still a person inside there. You still have life. They want to send that message to him. And the governor has been hearing that all day.

In fact, he has also been hearing a lot of legal advice, of course, and we have been talking to various legal analysts, some conservative activists, all turning out here outside the governor's office. And they say that they believe that the Adult Protective Services Act here in Florida, in the state of Florida, as well as the state Constitution, gives the governor the power to step in and take custody without a federal judge or a state judge, but to take custody on his own through a state agency, take custody of somebody who has been neglected.

And, of course, the governor yesterday said that he believes there is evidence that perhaps that Terri Schiavo has been neglected. And, in fact, there are conservative activists and advisers to Terri Schiavo's parents today, including the Reverent Patrick Mahoney, who are saying it's time for the governor to step in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICK MAHONEY, SCHINDLER FAMILY SPIRITUAL ADVISER: We are also challenging Governor Bush. Governor Bush, intervene to save the life of Terri Schiavo. We believe he has the authority. Think for a moment.

If this were an African-American person being denied the right to eat at a lunch counter or vote, would there be any person out there who would say the governor should not act? Judge Greer should not be the final authority here. We are pleading. We respect Governor Bush. We admire him, but we are pleading, intervene to save the life. This woman is on day seven. She is starving to death. Intervene on her behalf.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: You hear the pressure being ratcheted up on the governor because Terri Schiavo, of course, tomorrow, it will be one week since the feeding tube was removed. But I can tell you, there has been absolutely no comment from the governor or his staff about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling or any of Judge Greer's rulings today either -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Ed Henry, standing by there live at the Florida State Capitol.

And Bob Franken had mentioned this could happen. And now we have just got word that it will. An amended motion hearing will take place tonight in the federal courts in Tampa, Florida. So, once again, as we talked about all options legally possibly being exhausted by the parents of Terri Schiavo, now we are getting word an amended motion hearing, another hearing will take place in federal court now at 6:00 p.m. tonight in Tampa, Florida. We'll follow it -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: A good deed rewarded, Ashley Smith $72,000 richer. A little less than two weeks ago, she convinced a murder suspect to end his rampage and surrender peacefully.

CNN's Randi Kaye was there as she accepted the check and said a few words.

Hello, Randi.

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She was all smiles, too.

O'BRIEN: I should say.

KAYE: Absolutely all smiles. She was dressed in a pink blazer. She took a few deep breaths. She was greeted by cheers.

And it appears that Ashley Smith has become somewhat of a star, I guess we should say. There was a gentleman in the crowd there today with a "People" magazine with Ashley Smith on the cover and he was asking for her autograph. Now, there you see her collecting some of the cash that she got today. The event was at the Georgia State Capitol, one check after another, a total of $70,000 received today. She already received $2,500 -- that was earlier last week -- from the Atlanta Police Department, the Sheriff's Association, the governor's office. U.S. Marshals gave her $25,000.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue had a few nice things to say. He said Ashley showed calmness, courage, decency and faith. He said she was not alone. Someone else was with her that night because of her faith. Ashley Smith was asked to say a few words there today. And this is what she had to say after receiving some of the reward money.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHLEY SMITH, FORMER HOSTAGE: My life has changed, but that is a small fraction compared to all of the families that lost loved ones during this tragic event earlier in this month. My heart goes out to all the families of those that are still mourning. My life is a testimony that God can use us, even in the midst of tragedy, and that miracles do happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Now, Ashley had told reporters earlier that Brian Nichols, she believed, had shown up on her doorstep that night for a reason. That night that she was held hostage, she was held there for about seven hours at her Gwinnett County apartment, about 20 minutes north of Atlanta. She got through it with faith, she says. She talked to Brian Nichols about the Bible and the popular book "The Purpose Driven Life."

She made him pancakes. She talked about her daughter. She talked about her husband's death. Somehow, she managed to stay calm and talked him down that night, talked him into surrendering, and all of that while knowing that he was a wanted man accused of killing four people.

Now, she didn't take any questions today at the press conference. We have learned that she has and will be hiring a financial adviser to help her deal with this money. And the governor did suggest to her, Miles, that she put some of it toward education.

O'BRIEN: Yes, because she didn't finish her education.

KAYE: That's right.

O'BRIEN: That's a big thing. Did she indicate that she might do that?

KAYE: She hasn't said that yet. She quickly rushed into the governor's office once again right after the press conference. We spoke with some family members and they just said she will hire a financial adviser and see what happens.

O'BRIEN: All right. I guess we'll have to hear the rest in the book.

(LAUGHTER)

KAYE: I think so.

O'BRIEN: All right. Randi Kaye, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, one of the survivors of Monday's high school shooting in Minnesota says, at first, he thought the shooter was messing around with a paintball gun.

But Cody Thunder also says Jeff Weise had a mean look on his face as he began firing on classmates on Monday at Red Lake High School. When it was all over, 10 people lay dead, including the teenage gunmen. Seven others wounded. Today, Cody was well enough to talk to reporters at a hospital news conference.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CODY THUNDER, VICTIM: I just remember shots going off. And I looked at the clock and it was just a little bit before 3:00. And I turned around and there is Jeff Weise. He is pointing a gun at me and he started shooting.

QUESTION: What did you do?

THUNDER: I just -- the glass shattered. And, I don't know, I was just in shock. And then as soon as he shot a couple of times I got up and ran. I didn't know I was hit until I looked. I didn't feel anything.

QUESTION: Did you know Jeff before this?

THUNDER: Yes. I talked to him a few times.

QUESTION: Were you friends or what did you think of him going up until Monday?

THUNDER: I don't know. He was just -- he didn't really have any buddies. That's why I wanted to talk to him, because he seemed like a loner. And I just felt like it would be good to talk to him. QUESTION: Did he say anything as he was shooting?

THUNDER: He had nothing but Nazis, Adolf Hitler and Nazi, like the picture of the army on his notebook, like a picture, yes, a big picture.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, school superintendent says that Red Lake High School is likely to reopen during the week of April 12.

O'BRIEN: Well, it looks like we're talking about another revolution in a country some of us can't pronounce. We're not mentioning any names,, of course. It's kind of like Kyrgyzstan, but it really isn't. We are calling it the tulip revolution, people power in the stands coming up.

PHILLIPS: I love tulips. Hey, Miles, was that a new portable PlayStation?

O'BRIEN: It's pretty cool, huh?

PHILLIPS: Get a good look at that latest small wonder next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: He was always great at chess and, lately, pretty good for a wild sound bit as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOBBY FISCHER, CHESS PLAYER: This was not an arrest. This was a kidnapping. It was all cooked up between Bush and Koizumi. They are war criminals. They should both be hung.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Oh, boy. Bobby Fischer is not angry, he says, but, hey, it's a long flight from Japan to his new home. Details next on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN QUICKCAST: Do you remember the capitals of al 50 states? How about the name of your second-grade teacher? Do you remember where you put your keys?

Whether you knows those answers the or not, learn more about how memory work at CNN.com. Details, impressions and opinions constantly bombard our brains, giving us fodder for memories. But how are memories made and later recalled? Well, when you have an experience, it's stored throughout the cerebral cortex. As CNN.com, this interactive guide explains specific brain structures and their role in this complex process. But even as scientists make strides in understanding memory, millions of Americans struggle with memory loss. According to the Alzheimer's Foundation, as many as 16 million could suffer from a mind-eroding disease by 2050, up from 4.5 million today.

And even though it's difficult to predict Alzheimer's, some say you can do your best to prevent it. To keep your noggin nimble as you age, a few steps suggested by the Mayo Clinic. First of all, exercise your mind with brain teasers. Start by reading a book or learning a new language. Also, mind and body work together, so it's important to stay physically active.

In addition to the resources available at CNN.com, Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts a prime-time special on memory. That's at 10:00 Eastern this Sunday night on CNN. Hopefully, you'll remember.

From the dot-com desk in Atlanta, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Oh, yes, absolute pandemonium in the former Soviet Union, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Five days of growing anti- government protests boiled over today in the capital of Bishkek. And it gets worse. After protesters stormed the seat of the country, the president of the country fled the city, reportedly left the country and may have resigned. None of this officially confirmed, though. We just got the video.

O'BRIEN: Well, Bobby Fischer is a free man again, sort of. The one-time world chess champion departed Japan this morning for his new home country. He managed to avoid being deported to the U.S. on federal charges. True to form, he's not being very quiet about it.

Our Atika Shubert is in Tokyo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More than eight months in Japanese detention, Bobby Fischer, former chess champion and fugitive from U.S. justice, is now free to go. In typical Fischer form, he had plenty to say before leaving.

FISCHER: This was not an arrest. This was a kidnapping. It was all cooked up between Bush and Koizumi. They are war criminals. They should both be hung.

SHUBERT: Fischer was originally due to be deported to the U.S. following his arrest in July, when U.S. officials say he tried to leave Japan using an invalid U.S. passport.

Months of legal tussles ensued, including a bid for refugee status, a sudden engagement to a Japanese chess master, and a stint in solitary confinement after a brawl with security guards. But earlier this week, the country of Iceland unexpectedly came to his rescue, offering him Icelandic citizenship and a passport, prompting his release.

Fischer waved his newly minted passport to the mobs of press that trailed after him around the airport, giving him plenty of time to deliver the bombastic rants he has become famous for.

FISCHER: I'm very happy to be leaving. I have nothing against Japan. You just have a criminal government here. Koizumi is a gangster. He takes orders from President Bush. That's it.

SHUBERT: But, even as Japan says sayonara to Bobby Fischer, the United States says it will continue to pursue him.

FISCHER (on camera): New citizenship may have bought Bobby Fischer some time, but it's not over just yet. Iceland, like Japan, also has an extradition treaty with the United States.

Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right, that's quite a saga. We'll see what the next move is.

PHILLIPS: Oh.

O'BRIEN: All right, LIVE FROM is done for today. We're glad you dropped by. 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 March 24, 2005 - 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: Now in the news, one by one, courts, including the nation's highest, refused to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo, the latest, a judge in Florida who has considered the case several times already. We're live in Florida in just a moment with more.
Still a mystery, what sparked a deadly explosion at an oil refinery near Houston. Plant officials do not think it was sabotage or terrorism. Fifteen people were killed, dozens more injured in at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas.

Celebrating Holy Thursday. For the first time in his papacy, though, Pope John Paul II was not able to take part in the services in Saint Peter's Basilica. Still ailing, he watched on television as one of his closest advisers stood in for him.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Here is where we stand with the Schiavo case.

Within the past hour, a Florida judge barred the request of Governor Jeb Bush to take custody of Terri Schiavo for the purpose of reinserting her feeding tube. As you probably know by now, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene this morning. If there is a legal option left, it is not apparent right now.

And those who have seen her said Terri Schiavo, severely brain- damaged 15 years ago now, is in the process of slipping away.

Our Ed Henry is standing by live at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, but first, let's go to Bob Franken in Pinellas Park -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is discussion, Miles, in the family members in going back to fellow court. Follow the bouncing courts here.

They may try and introduce the same evidence which has now been rejected by the state judge, George Greer. That is an affidavit from a neurologist who says -- that's William Cheshire, by the way, who says that it is his expert opinion that Terri Schiavo is not in a state that is described as persistent vegetative. That, of course, is what we've been hearing described all along. He says that is something less that can be treated.

Now, the state judge, George Greer, said that he was not convinced that there was any difference. And so he was rejecting that evidence. It could not become the basis for still another effort by the state to take custody of Terri Schiavo. Dr. Cheshire is somebody who is very closely associated with the so-called right to life movement and, in the testimony itself, acknowledged that he had not really done a thorough examination of Terri Schiavo.

The federal courts, of course, have just about wiped out any possibilities of any consideration, although there is going to be another effort to introduce that same evidence, not given very much of a chance. Now, as for Terri Schiavo, family members who have seen her say that she's really following the pattern that experts say occurs under a circumstance like this. At this stage, after six days, there is lethargy and just a general dulling of the skin, a dulling of the eyes, which is what people expect in a trajectory that takes about two weeks before the person passes away -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Bob, do you know, if they go the federal court route, will they go to the federal courthouse in Tampa or right to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals here in Atlanta?

FRANKEN: Almost certainly go to the federal court in Tampa. There would be no inherent to go to the one -- the 11th Circuit in Atlanta. But they're bringing -- they're bringing evidence -- evidence in their mind and opinion in the minds of others -- that has already been rejected at the state court level.

And everybody involves says that it is almost an impossible long shot to get reconsideration.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Bob Franken, there in Pinellas Park, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Florida Governor Jeb Bush tried and failed in his attempt to take custody of Terri Schiavo.

CNN's Ed Henry is following the developments in Tallahassee -- Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Kyra.

That's right. I just came back from the governor's office just across the street behind me here. It's quite a scene over there. The calls are just flooding in from all around the country, the receptionist taking calls from California, Texas, all around the country, people urging the governor to step in now, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has said they will not reinsert the feeding tube.

As just you heard Bob Franken reporting as well, Judge Greer in Florida saying he will not move forward. He has actually dismissed the motion from Governor Bush to let the state take custody, a lot of pressure now on the governor, all eyes turning to him. I spoke to another family that drove 10 hours from Louisiana just to speak to the governor. They only got to speak to his staff, because the governor has actually been closeted behind closed doors.

This particular family has a daughter who is in a vegetative state. They said that they wanted to get a message to the governor about the fact that, even when you're in a vegetative state, there is a still a person inside there. You still have life. They want to send that message to him. And the governor has been hearing that all day.

In fact, he has also been hearing a lot of legal advice, of course, and we have been talking to various legal analysts, some conservative activists, all turning out here outside the governor's office. And they say that they believe that the Adult Protective Services Act here in Florida, in the state of Florida, as well as the state Constitution, gives the governor the power to step in and take custody without a federal judge or a state judge, but to take custody on his own through a state agency, take custody of somebody who has been neglected.

And, of course, the governor yesterday said that he believes there is evidence that perhaps that Terri Schiavo has been neglected. And, in fact, there are conservative activists and advisers to Terri Schiavo's parents today, including the Reverent Patrick Mahoney, who are saying it's time for the governor to step in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICK MAHONEY, SCHINDLER FAMILY SPIRITUAL ADVISER: We are also challenging Governor Bush. Governor Bush, intervene to save the life of Terri Schiavo. We believe he has the authority. Think for a moment.

If this were an African-American person being denied the right to eat at a lunch counter or vote, would there be any person out there who would say the governor should not act? Judge Greer should not be the final authority here. We are pleading. We respect Governor Bush. We admire him, but we are pleading, intervene to save the life. This woman is on day seven. She is starving to death. Intervene on her behalf.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: You hear the pressure being ratcheted up on the governor because Terri Schiavo, of course, tomorrow, it will be one week since the feeding tube was removed. But I can tell you, there has been absolutely no comment from the governor or his staff about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling or any of Judge Greer's rulings today either -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Ed Henry, standing by there live at the Florida State Capitol.

And Bob Franken had mentioned this could happen. And now we have just got word that it will. An amended motion hearing will take place tonight in the federal courts in Tampa, Florida. So, once again, as we talked about all options legally possibly being exhausted by the parents of Terri Schiavo, now we are getting word an amended motion hearing, another hearing will take place in federal court now at 6:00 p.m. tonight in Tampa, Florida. We'll follow it -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: A good deed rewarded, Ashley Smith $72,000 richer. A little less than two weeks ago, she convinced a murder suspect to end his rampage and surrender peacefully.

CNN's Randi Kaye was there as she accepted the check and said a few words.

Hello, Randi.

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She was all smiles, too.

O'BRIEN: I should say.

KAYE: Absolutely all smiles. She was dressed in a pink blazer. She took a few deep breaths. She was greeted by cheers.

And it appears that Ashley Smith has become somewhat of a star, I guess we should say. There was a gentleman in the crowd there today with a "People" magazine with Ashley Smith on the cover and he was asking for her autograph. Now, there you see her collecting some of the cash that she got today. The event was at the Georgia State Capitol, one check after another, a total of $70,000 received today. She already received $2,500 -- that was earlier last week -- from the Atlanta Police Department, the Sheriff's Association, the governor's office. U.S. Marshals gave her $25,000.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue had a few nice things to say. He said Ashley showed calmness, courage, decency and faith. He said she was not alone. Someone else was with her that night because of her faith. Ashley Smith was asked to say a few words there today. And this is what she had to say after receiving some of the reward money.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHLEY SMITH, FORMER HOSTAGE: My life has changed, but that is a small fraction compared to all of the families that lost loved ones during this tragic event earlier in this month. My heart goes out to all the families of those that are still mourning. My life is a testimony that God can use us, even in the midst of tragedy, and that miracles do happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Now, Ashley had told reporters earlier that Brian Nichols, she believed, had shown up on her doorstep that night for a reason. That night that she was held hostage, she was held there for about seven hours at her Gwinnett County apartment, about 20 minutes north of Atlanta. She got through it with faith, she says. She talked to Brian Nichols about the Bible and the popular book "The Purpose Driven Life."

She made him pancakes. She talked about her daughter. She talked about her husband's death. Somehow, she managed to stay calm and talked him down that night, talked him into surrendering, and all of that while knowing that he was a wanted man accused of killing four people.

Now, she didn't take any questions today at the press conference. We have learned that she has and will be hiring a financial adviser to help her deal with this money. And the governor did suggest to her, Miles, that she put some of it toward education.

O'BRIEN: Yes, because she didn't finish her education.

KAYE: That's right.

O'BRIEN: That's a big thing. Did she indicate that she might do that?

KAYE: She hasn't said that yet. She quickly rushed into the governor's office once again right after the press conference. We spoke with some family members and they just said she will hire a financial adviser and see what happens.

O'BRIEN: All right. I guess we'll have to hear the rest in the book.

(LAUGHTER)

KAYE: I think so.

O'BRIEN: All right. Randi Kaye, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, one of the survivors of Monday's high school shooting in Minnesota says, at first, he thought the shooter was messing around with a paintball gun.

But Cody Thunder also says Jeff Weise had a mean look on his face as he began firing on classmates on Monday at Red Lake High School. When it was all over, 10 people lay dead, including the teenage gunmen. Seven others wounded. Today, Cody was well enough to talk to reporters at a hospital news conference.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CODY THUNDER, VICTIM: I just remember shots going off. And I looked at the clock and it was just a little bit before 3:00. And I turned around and there is Jeff Weise. He is pointing a gun at me and he started shooting.

QUESTION: What did you do?

THUNDER: I just -- the glass shattered. And, I don't know, I was just in shock. And then as soon as he shot a couple of times I got up and ran. I didn't know I was hit until I looked. I didn't feel anything.

QUESTION: Did you know Jeff before this?

THUNDER: Yes. I talked to him a few times.

QUESTION: Were you friends or what did you think of him going up until Monday?

THUNDER: I don't know. He was just -- he didn't really have any buddies. That's why I wanted to talk to him, because he seemed like a loner. And I just felt like it would be good to talk to him. QUESTION: Did he say anything as he was shooting?

THUNDER: He had nothing but Nazis, Adolf Hitler and Nazi, like the picture of the army on his notebook, like a picture, yes, a big picture.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, school superintendent says that Red Lake High School is likely to reopen during the week of April 12.

O'BRIEN: Well, it looks like we're talking about another revolution in a country some of us can't pronounce. We're not mentioning any names,, of course. It's kind of like Kyrgyzstan, but it really isn't. We are calling it the tulip revolution, people power in the stands coming up.

PHILLIPS: I love tulips. Hey, Miles, was that a new portable PlayStation?

O'BRIEN: It's pretty cool, huh?

PHILLIPS: Get a good look at that latest small wonder next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: He was always great at chess and, lately, pretty good for a wild sound bit as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOBBY FISCHER, CHESS PLAYER: This was not an arrest. This was a kidnapping. It was all cooked up between Bush and Koizumi. They are war criminals. They should both be hung.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Oh, boy. Bobby Fischer is not angry, he says, but, hey, it's a long flight from Japan to his new home. Details next on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN QUICKCAST: Do you remember the capitals of al 50 states? How about the name of your second-grade teacher? Do you remember where you put your keys?

Whether you knows those answers the or not, learn more about how memory work at CNN.com. Details, impressions and opinions constantly bombard our brains, giving us fodder for memories. But how are memories made and later recalled? Well, when you have an experience, it's stored throughout the cerebral cortex. As CNN.com, this interactive guide explains specific brain structures and their role in this complex process. But even as scientists make strides in understanding memory, millions of Americans struggle with memory loss. According to the Alzheimer's Foundation, as many as 16 million could suffer from a mind-eroding disease by 2050, up from 4.5 million today.

And even though it's difficult to predict Alzheimer's, some say you can do your best to prevent it. To keep your noggin nimble as you age, a few steps suggested by the Mayo Clinic. First of all, exercise your mind with brain teasers. Start by reading a book or learning a new language. Also, mind and body work together, so it's important to stay physically active.

In addition to the resources available at CNN.com, Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts a prime-time special on memory. That's at 10:00 Eastern this Sunday night on CNN. Hopefully, you'll remember.

From the dot-com desk in Atlanta, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

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PHILLIPS: Oh, yes, absolute pandemonium in the former Soviet Union, the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Five days of growing anti- government protests boiled over today in the capital of Bishkek. And it gets worse. After protesters stormed the seat of the country, the president of the country fled the city, reportedly left the country and may have resigned. None of this officially confirmed, though. We just got the video.

O'BRIEN: Well, Bobby Fischer is a free man again, sort of. The one-time world chess champion departed Japan this morning for his new home country. He managed to avoid being deported to the U.S. on federal charges. True to form, he's not being very quiet about it.

Our Atika Shubert is in Tokyo.

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ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More than eight months in Japanese detention, Bobby Fischer, former chess champion and fugitive from U.S. justice, is now free to go. In typical Fischer form, he had plenty to say before leaving.

FISCHER: This was not an arrest. This was a kidnapping. It was all cooked up between Bush and Koizumi. They are war criminals. They should both be hung.

SHUBERT: Fischer was originally due to be deported to the U.S. following his arrest in July, when U.S. officials say he tried to leave Japan using an invalid U.S. passport.

Months of legal tussles ensued, including a bid for refugee status, a sudden engagement to a Japanese chess master, and a stint in solitary confinement after a brawl with security guards. But earlier this week, the country of Iceland unexpectedly came to his rescue, offering him Icelandic citizenship and a passport, prompting his release.

Fischer waved his newly minted passport to the mobs of press that trailed after him around the airport, giving him plenty of time to deliver the bombastic rants he has become famous for.

FISCHER: I'm very happy to be leaving. I have nothing against Japan. You just have a criminal government here. Koizumi is a gangster. He takes orders from President Bush. That's it.

SHUBERT: But, even as Japan says sayonara to Bobby Fischer, the United States says it will continue to pursue him.

FISCHER (on camera): New citizenship may have bought Bobby Fischer some time, but it's not over just yet. Iceland, like Japan, also has an extradition treaty with the United States.

Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.

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O'BRIEN: All right, that's quite a saga. We'll see what the next move is.

PHILLIPS: Oh.

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