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Former Jackson Employee Backs Accuser; New Iraqi President Hailed as Positive Step; Police Capture Suspected Shooter of High School Coach; Camilla Meets Resistance from Cornish Subjects; Texas High School Coach Shot; Bextra Pulled Off Shelves

Aired April 07, 2005 - 14:30   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.


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KYRA PHILLIPS, HOST: Explosive and sordid testimony in the Michael Jackson trial. Before we go to our correspondent in Santa Maria, we just want to warn you once again that this particular subject matter hasn't been heard before in this case, and you may not want to hear it.

It comes from a former security guard at Neverland. And we're going to get the details -- some are pretty graphic and disturbing -- from CNN's Miguel Marquez -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we'll try to make them as ungraphic and undisturbing, give you a picture of, certainly, of what this person says happened.

What sounded like really devastating testimony at the beginning, though seems less so now, now that we're well into cross examination. In fact, he's off the stand now.

Ralph Chacon, he was a security guard at Neverland Ranch from '91 to '94. He testified. He's also a former repo man, or a repossession guy, repossesses cars from Thousand Oaks, California, north of Los Angeles.

He said that on two occasions he saw Michael Jackson and the '93 accuser, not the current accuser, but Michael Jackson's '93 accuser, in compromising situations.

The first situation was certainly the most graphic, where he says he saw them outside the pool area, in a bathroom next to the pool area at Neverland Ranch, kissing passionately, Jackson kissing him passionately, Jackson putting his mouth on his nipples and then finally copulating him sexually, doing oral sex on the boy.

Says the second time several weeks later that he saw Mr. Jackson kissing this boy, as well, and groping him.

But then, on cross-examination, Mr. Mesereau, Tom Mesereau Jr., Mr. Jackson's attorney brought up that this man and others of former Neverland Ranch employees brought a lawsuit for wrongful termination against Michael Jackson. A lawsuit which they not only lost, but the jury found that they were rightfully terminated and stole from Mr. Jackson.

This mans was ordered to pay $25,000 to Mr. Jackson. The entire group was ordered to pay about $1.4 million to Mr. Jackson for his legal fees, as well. Also on cross examination, this man admitted that he was using money gained from tabloid interviews to fund that lawsuit.

So all around his testimony, he seemed to have very much a motive for coming in here and holding a grudge against Mr. Jackson. His testimony is now concluded. There is another former Neverland Ranch employee now on the stand, under direct examination, from the prosecution -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Miguel Marquez, thanks.

Iraq's new government will be as diverse as it is democratic. President Jalal Talabani, who took the oath of office today, is Kurdish. He's the first Kurd to hold such a post in the majority Arab nation. It's a major political step for Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein's rule.

Our guest today says Talabani's post is a healthy sign for Iraq. Nijyar Shemdin is the Kurdistan regional government's U.S. representative. He joins us live from Washington.

What a pleasure to have you, sir.

NIJYAR SHEMDIN, KURDISTAN REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S.: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, let's talk about the election of Jalal Talabani and what this means for a democratic Iraq.

SHEMDIN: It means a victory for democratic Iraq. It means that any Iraqi qualified can occupy that position, provided he can earn the trust and the votes of the -- of the majority, of the members, of the National Council -- National Assembly.

PHILLIPS: Well, let's definitely put into perspective for our viewers. We can never forget the video we've seen over and over again, the gassing of your people, the gassing of Kurds under Saddam Hussein's rule. Now Saddam Hussein will stand trial for genocide for this infamous moment in time.

Personally, do you think that Talabani will be the man that will finally hold Saddam Hussein accountable for what happened to the Kurds?

SHEMDIN: I am very hopeful that he will, because the -- the genocide was not only against the Kurdish people, but there were also mass graves that were discovered all over Iraq in the center and south. So in one way, Saddam Hussein did not discriminate against the Iraqi people.

And, therefore, the rule of law should -- should prevail and he should -- should get what he deserves. And I'm sure that our president, the new president of Iraq, Mr. Jalal Talabani, will see to it that he -- he gets what he deserves.

PHILLIPS: When you've talked with Kurds, when you've talked with Kurds back home, what are they saying to you? Was this just -- was everybody calling each other and e-mailing -- I can just imagine the excitement, because in many ways, this was unexpected.

SHEMDIN: The -- while it is an exciting moment, and it is a landmark in history that Iraqis all are now considered first class Iraqis and first class citizens and there's no discrimination.

PHILLIPS: So you have a Kurd now elected as president. You have two vice presidents, one Sunni, one Shiite. What does this say? Is this -- let's talk about just the perception of ethnic groups now in Iraq. And is this a victory for that perception of ethnic groups and what it means from a diverse perspective?

SHEMDIN: It means it's a national reconciliation and that all the groups, whether minority or majority, from various geographic parts of Iraq, can interact, can talk, although sometimes takes longer than anticipated, but they can give and take and coexist and live together and come to mutual decisions that's good for all of Iraq.

PHILLIPS: So what does this mean for Iraqi insurgents? Jalal Talabani already coming forward and saying he will allow a pardon if these individuals come forward. Could this help the resistance subside?

SHEMDIN: It will. The -- those who were under certain circumstances because of lack of security and others who couldn't vote now have the opportunity to go back and participate in the drafting of the new constitution. The others will have to either come and give up, or they will have to be -- to be accountable, according to the law.

PHILLIPS: Well, you know, I have to ask you this question, because we've seen so many political leaders in Iraq assassinated by the insurgency. Do you think that the new president now becomes a tremendous target? Knowing what you know about Jalal Talabani, do you think this is a concern? Or is he "Basically I'm going to do what I have to do, no matter what the price"?

SHEMDIN: Well, everybody's a target now. But the -- but the forces of good are going to prevail, and the forces of evil will have to face the law and will have to eventually give up. Because we have only one way to go and that is democracy and pluralism and federalism and multiple party Iraq, where everybody will have to share in it. And those who have no place in that will have either to leave or to -- or to face the law.

PHILLIPS: Nijyar Shemdin, Kurdistan regional government's U.S. representative, thanks for your time today, sir.

SHEMDIN: I thank you for asking me.

PHILLIPS: It's a pleasure. This afternoon, just in to CNN, concerning that suspected bomb attack in Cairo, the State Department now saying three Americans have been injured in that explosion. U.S. embassy officials are now headed to the site of that explosion in Khan al-Khalili district in Cairo.

Authorities say that two people were killed, including a French tourist. That area is an historic neighborhood often visited by tourists. We'll bring you more information as we get it.

Also, Texas authorities searching for a gunman right now in a high school shooting. These pictures, live pictures from our affiliate, KDFW. After -- well, police here believe they have the suspect's truck, and they are searching this area. That suspect wanted in the shooting of a high school football coach at Canton High School there in Canton, Texas. The black pickup truck has been found.

Now we are hearing reports that the suspect possibly has been taken into custody. We're looking at live pictures right now. It's possible that police officers might have the suspect underneath -- underneath their hands there, as we're trying to get a shot via our helicopter, from KDFW out of Dallas.

This was the exact area in Lindale, Texas, where that truck was found, the suspect's truck. Now we are being told possibly beneath the trees here, the police officers have that suspect in custody.

And the suspect that we're talking about is 37-year-old Jeffrey Doyle Robertson. Evidently, we were hearing through Ed Lavandera, our correspondent, that Robertson had a son, or has a son, rather, that plays on the football team at Canton High School, in Canton, Texas.

Not sure what transpired, but if, indeed, that is the case, this is his father, we believe, that is in custody now. Got into some type of altercation with the football coach at Canton High School.

We're going to listen now to KDFW's coverage and try to get more information.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... and a personal friend, and based on that information, they knew he was still alive and that he was still in the area, so they searched this area, just about 200 meters west of where the truck was found and that's where the crime scene tape is there on your screen. That is where the police officers are. That's where the suspect was taken into custody.

And I would not be surprised if an ambulance is not en route at this time to take him to an area hospital.

PHILLIPS: Apologize. We apologize there for the sketchy -- sketchy connection there, very typical with a helicopter camera.

But what I heard there from the reporter in the chopper, possibly the suspect might be injured. They were saying that he -- they were going to transport the suspect to a hospital.

Ed Lavandera now on the phone with us. He's our Dallas bureau chief.

Ed, I know you were getting closer to the scene. We're trying to find out if the suspect has been injured, because we were hearing reports he will be taken to a hospital once they get him out of this wooded area in Lindale.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we're waiting to see what kind of condition he's been in. The situation and the stories that have been floating around here at the Canton High School was that this suspect might have been trying to injure himself.

That's why authorities there are in that heavily wooded area, kind of northeast -- northwest of the Tyler area, where they found the truck. And we do suspect if there are any injuries, that they would take the suspect to a hospital. I imagine it might be the Tyler hospital, given the close proximity to where they are now.

But we're still waiting. There are reports that he has been taken into custody. But we're still waiting for the official confirmation from Tyler -- I'm sorry, Canton police on that.

PHILLIPS: All right. I'm being told that we have video of when he was taken into custody, Ed. We're going to take a look at that video right now. So you're saying it's possible that he might have tried to take his own life?

LAVANDERA: That's -- that's the situation and the stories that have been floating around here at the high school, where there have been officers coming in and out. And as you might imagine, dozens of parents who have shown up here at the high school to try to get the latest information as to what's going on.

PHILLIPS: All right. So correct me if I'm wrong, Ed, because you're closer to the scene than I am. But I was understanding that Gary Joe Kenny, 37-year-old football coach and athletic director there at Canton High School in Canton, Texas, got into some type of altercation with this gunman, with Jeffrey Doyle Robertson, the man they believe shot the football coach.

Was there some sort of connection? Was the gunman's son on the football team? Is that -- is that what you're finding out now, and there was some sort of altercation?

LAVANDERA: What we've been able to piece together is -- and what I can explain is from what we're hearing from parents who are here at the high school.

Many of parents we've spoken to say that this -- this conflict goes back to last summer, where there has been a lot of frustration as to playing time and who's playing what position and that sort of thing on the Canton High School football team.

And the police chief here in Canton described the suspect in this case as having a hot temper. We do understand that his son plays on the team, as do many of the parents' children who are here at the high school this morning. And they say that this frustration, this anger, stems back -- stems back to conflicts that have come up with playing time and players and which positions they're playing on this football team.

PHILLIPS: What's a shame is if the father -- if indeed, that's the case, and the father thought he was trying to bully this coach to help his son. I can just imagine what his son is going to be going through if, indeed, he goes back to that high school, Ed.

LAVANDERA: I imagine. There are a lot of parents -- you know, I spoke with one woman here who just kind of looked at me and said, "It's just football." And that seems to be kind of the prevailing feeling that the parents who have shown up here at the high school, dismayed by what is happening.

PHILLIPS: Ed Lavandera, by phone there, working that story for us.

And I'm now being told that suspect, Jeffrey Doyle Robertson, 37, is in custody. He has been arrested. Ed Lavandera, thank you so much.

We'll let you know the condition of the suspect as soon as we get it and follow up on this shooting that took place in Canton, Texas. We're going to take a quick break. More LIVE FROM after this.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish she'd go away. She's a bloody trollop, isn't she?

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PHILLIPS: Bloody trollop. I can't get enough of that word. But that's not so nice. Anarchy in the U.K. as royal subjects speak out about Camilla Parker Bowles. Or as that man thinks, she's a trollop. Your semi-royal wedding roundup and just a part of the fun, straight ahead.

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PHILLIPS: What's in a name? Well, according to Shakespeare, by any other word, a rose would smell as sweet. But when it comes to Prince Charles' soon to be bride, plenty of Britons are not only turning up their noses at her name but regarding the potential titles of Camilla.

CNN's Walt Rodgers takes the case to Cornwall.

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WALT RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The magic land of Cornwall. Legend holds King Arthur was born here, in these mists. And when Camilla marries Prince Charles, she becomes duchess of all this, the land and some eccentrics, including inn keepers pretending to be Long John Silver.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Camilla, huh? Well, Rotweiller is what Diana used to call her.

RODGERS: Even in the shadow of ancient churches, there is no gospel of forgiveness, and most Cornish refuse to accept the woman who will replace Princess Diana in their future king's bed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish she'd go away. She's a bloody trollop, isn't she, you know?

RODGERS: Rural Cornwall has not had a duchess since about 1904. Part of the unwillingness to embrace Camilla may be simple fatigue with all things royal.

(on camera) What does the Duchess of Cornwall do?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know.

RODGERS: Do you think she knows?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't.

RODGERS: She doesn't have a house down here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

RODGERS: She doesn't overnight down here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

RODGERS: She doesn't have any responsibilities.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

RODGERS: So what's this title Duchess of Cornwall worth?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not very much, I don't think.

RODGERS (voice-over): In The Globe pub in Lostwithal (ph), this hub of village life, the men lay down ancient rules for accepting Camilla as their duchess.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She buys a drink, of course. It's her round.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's her round.

RODGERS: But the barmaid says the bar is higher than that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's very simple. Diana was pretty and she isn't. And that's why people dislike her, and I think that's very shallow.

RODGERS: Here, where daffodils bow to dark brooks, Cornish hostility is not shallow but cold and deep. The villager pastry baker explains. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Diana is still remembered and well loved. And I think to -- I think Camilla, bless her, has a mountain to overcome.

RODGERS (on camera): Another aspect of this resentment may simply be tribal. Cornwall is remote, the people insular. It's the only part of England the Romans could not conquer. So like it or not, Camilla may just be perceived of as another outsider, even in her own duchy.

(voice-over) Ironically, it is in Cornwall's witch's covens we found the greatest charity. Self-declared witches who have known cruelty themselves seem less judgmental of Camilla.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think she's very misunderstood.

RODGERS (on camera): So you think Camilla's been persecuted like witches?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think she's been persecuted like witches, no, but I think she's had a hard time.

RODGERS (voice-over): A hard time in a hard land, beaten by storm and sea. Camilla's challenge as duchess will be to rise above it all.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Tintagel, in the royal duchy of Cornwall.

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PHILLIPS: And CNN will have extensive coverage of the wedding Saturday morning from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Join Anderson Cooper and Becky Anderson and our team of correspondents, starting at 6 a.m. Eastern.

We're going to update that Texas school shooting also when LIVE FROM continues. We'll be right back.

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PHILLIPS: Now in the news, St. Peter's Square, emptying out. Live pictures from Vatican City. The last mourners to view the pope are filing through the basilica. The doors close in one hour to prepare for tomorrow's funeral.

Meanwhile, look at this. Show some respect! This is what happens when millions of people converge in one place. Gets a little messy. Feel sorry for the folks that have to pick up all that trash.

Well, disturbing and potentially damaging testimony today against Michael Jackson. A former security guard at Neverland Ranch took the stand. He said he witnessed a sex act between the pop star and the young boy. Jackson is on trial for allegedly molesting another boy.

High school football coach is shot; a parent with a reported grudge is now in the hands of police. That's a brand-new development. It's all happening in and around Canton, Texas.

CNN's Ed Lavandera joins me now live with the very latest. Ed, what is the latest detail?

LAVANDERA: Hi, Kyra.

Well, I can tell you that suspect in this case has been found. Just a short moment ago, a few moments ago, he was out in northwest -- in a wooded area northwest of Tyler, which is about 40 miles or so away here at this Canton High School, where we're at this morning.

We can tell you dozens of parents have been showing up here throughout the morning, and now into the early afternoon, trying to get as much information as they can. And we can tell there you that are just dozens of stories swirling around as to what the motivation behind this morning's shooting, were the athletic director and the football coach here in Canton, Texas, was shot this morning. We understand that he has been taken to the hospital in Tyler.

We can also show you aerial pictures from that wooded area where the suspect in this case has been -- was found earlier today. You can see from the aerial pictures that he has been put on a gurney and has a neck brace, where there had been some indications that he had been trying to hurt himself.

He was also -- we've been told that yesterday was the suspect's -- excuse me. I'm sorry. Very windy here and notes are kind of flying all over the place.

But yesterday was the suspect's birthday, and that there are reports out that he had been at these parties kind of bragging about what might transpire. Police told us a little while ago that there was a hit list, a list of people that this man wanted to see here this afternoon. And the football coach was one of the people.

The other people on the list, we understand that SWAT teams and detective teams have been -- were immediately sent out to protect those people. And, of course, all of this a moot point at this point, where the suspect in custody, but throughout the morning hours, teams were sent out to protect the other people that were on this list, as you might imagine, a very compelling situation, a very scary situation for the dozens of parents and the students who still remain locked up in the high school behind me -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, the good news is, the suspect is in custody.

Ed Lavandera from Canton, Texas, thank you so much.

Also at this hour, the final pilgrims allowed to view the pope are streaming past his body at the Vatican. And among their ranks is a massive throng from the pope's native Poland. On the eve of the funeral, officials in Rome say the late arriving crush has driven the numbers of pilgrims past four million, with most displaying remarkable patience.

Joining us live in the midst of it all, one of our own Vatican analysts, Delia Gallagher, a very patient woman, indeed.

Delia, let's talk about the Poles that have started arriving. And we've seen the flags. We were talking earlier with Jennifer Eccleston about things that they had brought to show their respects.

How are they feeling about the fact that the pope is going to be buried there at the Vatican in Rome and not Poland?

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, I think that they would accept whatever the will of the pope is. And the pope, in his will released today, said that decision had to be left up to the Polish bishops in conjunction with the College of Cardinals.

So, clearly, the decision from both parties has been to bury him here. And I think the Poles accept that. That's not to rule out that some relic of the pope won't be sent to Poland. I'm sure they'll get something. But I think testament to the fact that they have great admiration and love for this pope is that they've all come here from Poland, many of them even by bus. That's why they've come so late.

So, we've seen them in the square. And they're in the last hour of being able to see their pope. And I think that tomorrow will be a very, very moving day for them, in particular -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: You mentioned the will. I want to talk about a couple things within the will, particularly his thoughts about the millennium and his pontificate.

What was your sense after reading some of that, some of those pages? Was he really thinking about resignation? Was he meditating on death? What do you think was going through his mind as you were reading these thoughts?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think, first of all, it's fascinating to be able to read this will, because you see, you get an insight into the pope's thinking. He's kind of having a conversation with God, as it were. He's not saying: I need to resign. I'm too tired. I don't feel well. I can't go on. He is saying: I have accomplished my mission.

He understood his mission to be to take the church into the third millennium. In the year 2000, he says: Now we're in the third millennium. I've done my work. I wonder what else God has in store for me. So, he is asking God: You will let me know when it is my time, when my service in the chair of Peter should finish.

Now, you can interpret that as sort of a resignation or you can interpret it as when God will literally take him from this life. And I think that the pope had in mind his mortality, because he refers to the 1981 assassination attempt and he says: I thought I was dying, but, instead, I've been given a life, almost another life.

So, I think in his mind was -- was the fact that maybe God would take him from this life. He literally felt that his mission had been accomplished -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: Delia, speaking of -- just talking about meditating on death and thinking about your own life, and his first entry is concerning his parents, I understand. He talked about his brother, his sister, all of whom died in his early life, I was reading, his infant sister before she was born, her brother when he was 9, mother. He lost his mom when he was 12 and finally his father when he was 21.

This is somebody, I mean, wow. We all know that death makes a powerful impact on you, but he lost his entire family.

GALLAGHER: Yes.

Well, in the will, it's very interesting that the first part of the will is dedicated to that. He says I'm thinking about the family, the brother and sister that really I never knew. And, at the end, the last paragraph, he goes back to Poland and he's thinking about Wadowice and the parish in which he grew up, and his thoughts are in Poland.

So, both the bookends of the will are very, very personal, this pope meditating on his family and on then his subsequent family, if we want to say, the parish and the people of Poland.

PHILLIPS: And what about his personal secretary and also the former chief rabbi of Rome? He mentions those two individuals. What type -- what does that reveal about maybe two individuals that might have been closer to him than others and how much he cared for them and trusted in them?

GALLAGHER: Well, he mentions his personal secretary, of course, and thanks him for all of the years of service that he gave to him. His personal secretary is also responsible for distributing any personal effects of the pope.

He also mentions Cardinal Wyszynski, who was really the pope's mentor in Poland. He's dead now. But the pope remembers him, because it was Cardinal Wyszynski in 1978 who told the pope, your job will be to take the church into the third millennium. So, this was a man who had great importance for the pope.

And then, as for the rabbi of Rome, that comes at the end, when he says: I embrace all of the people. I embrace Christians. I embrace non-Christians. I embrace the rabbi of Rome. And, of course, He had that very important visit. He was the first pope to visit a Jewish synagogue here in Rome in 1986. So, he remembers that moment as well.

And, we should add, Kyra, in that embrace, he does include politicians, scientists and even the media.

PHILLIPS: Boy, Delia, I also read that his personal records are going to be burned. I don't know what it is, but I just wish that those could be married with everyone to read. I bet they would be absolutely fascinating.

GALLAGHER: I think so, too. But I think we also can understand that the pope didn't have a chance to review all of those and he didn't want them published posthumously if they were incomplete.

PHILLIPS: Understandably.

Delia Gallagher, live from Rome, thank you so much.

GALLAGHER: You're welcome.

PHILLIPS: Well, important medical news to tell you about now. The drugmaker Pfizer is pulling its popular arthritis painkiller Bextra off the market.

The move comes at the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, which is also recommending the strongest possible safety warning for Pfizer's other arthritis drug, Celebrex.

CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen here to talk about what she knows about these drugs and the fact that Bextra is being pulled off the shelf.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right.

And this is sort of yet another painkiller that's gotten into trouble. Now, I'll read you what officially what the FDA said today. They said, the FDA has asked Pfizer to withdraw Bextra from the market because the overall risk-vs.-benefit profile for the drug is unfavorable. That is a fancy way of saying that it does more harm than good.

Specifically, the harm is the studies found that people taking Bextra were more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those who didn't, also more likely to contract a potentially deadly skin disease. And so the FDA decided to ask Pfizer. Pfizer said that they disagreed with the FDA's analysis, but that they agreed they would take it off the market.

Now, this is a very popular drug. In fact, last year, there were 12.8 prescriptions written for Bextra. And that meant $1.2 billion in sales. So, what do you do if you're taking Bextra? I'm sure you're asking yourself, what do I do? And Pfizer says stop taking it and talk to your doctor about alternatives.

But, remember, including over-the-counter painkillers, also carry risks. Now, it's important to note that some people, in consultation with their doctors, will decide that they want to continue taking drugs like Celebrex, which now has to carry a big warning about cardiovascular risks, and will want to continue to take over-the- counter drugs, despite the FDA's warning about heart and stroke risks.

And, Kyra, the reason for that is that some people are in so much pain that they have trouble going about their day. And they and their doctors may say, you know what? I'm not at a very particularly high risk of having a heart attack or stroke. So, if it elevates my risk a little bit, that's OK, because these drugs help me make it through the day. Other people are going to make different situations. It's very individual.

PHILLIPS: Well, we see that a lot of people take Bextra or took Bextra. But I bet even more take over-the-counter painkillers. So, is it still OK to take other -- how do you know what's OK to take now and what's not?

COHEN: It's so confusing.

PHILLIPS: Yes.

COHEN: It's so confusing. We're going to give people a little advice here. What the Food and Drug Administration has to say about over-the-counter painkillers like Advil, Motrin, Aleve, that class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories is, only take the dose that is recommended on the label. Take these drugs for no longer than two weeks.

And, after two weeks, see your doctor. When people really ran into trouble with these drugs, for the most part, it was when they were taking dosages that were too high and when they were taking them for month after month or even year after year after year.

PHILLIPS: All right, Bextra is getting pulled, but Celebrex is saying, but Celebrex having to have this massive warning label now. Why not just pull that one also?

PHILLIPS: Right. It's called a black box warning. And the reason why it's called that is that it's in a big black box at the top of the label. So, it's very clear, cardiovascular risk, so that you know the risk you're taking.

We asked the FDA, why are you letting Celebrex stay on the market? And they said because this deadly skin disease seems to be more likely when you take Bextra. And they said, in fact, as of December, that four people had died when they were taking Bextra from this skin disorder. So, it was really the skin disorder being associated with Bextra. That's what really tipped the scales for the FDA.

PHILLIPS: All right, Elizabeth Cohen, thanks so much.

COHEN: Thanks.

PHILLIPS: Well, the pope was treated like a rock star. And last night, a rock star paid tribute to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BONO, U2: I said, Holy Father, do you want a pair of fly shades?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BONO: I need your fly shades. I said, yes. Then he handed me these.

(END VIDEO CLIP) PHILLIPS: More of the tribute and the pope's impact on world culture straight ahead on LIVE FROM.

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(MUSIC)

PHILLIPS: Rock star Bono paying tribute to Pope John Paul II at a concert in Los Angeles yesterday. This pope may be remembered as the most popular in history, possibly because of his understanding of pop culture.

Here's CNN entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER (voice over): He was as comfortable on the world stage as any rock star.

REV. KEN DEASY: He could pack an audience. He could pack any coliseum.

REV. FRANK DESIDERIO: And I think he's the first pope that really understood the power of media events.

VARGAS: In fact, he was the first multimedia pope. He wrote eight books and several CDs. In 1982, he launched the Vatican TV Center to broadcast religious material worldwide. Media coverage of his global travels helped turn John Paul II into a pop icon.

And this pope seemed to have an affinity for other pop icons. He asked Bob Dillon to play for him, and he met with U2 front man, Bono, who was working to help reduce debt in poor countries.

BONO: He put my glasses on, made a very, very devilish face, and he was funny. I think this pope accomplished a lot in his going out to the world.

VARGAS: In 1987, he met with members of the Hollywood community and urged them to create positive and uplifting content. While at ease with entertainers, he sometimes found himself at odds with them.

Offended by Madonna's Like a Prayer video, the Vatican sought to ban her from performing in Italy.

Singer Sinead O'Connor infamously tore up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live.

Despite his occasional conflicts with the secular world, he was also someone who could take delight in break dances.

Once he filled cathedrals and was compelling enough to become the subject of a comic book.

DEASY: Talk about a story. Talk about a hero. Talk about a drama. I mean, talk about life without editing it, this man just captures a lot of attention in his life and even now in his death.

VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right, your LIVE FROM bonus story of the day.

It may be a sign of the times. Everything is America is getting bigger, right? So, why not toilet seats? The idea came to an inventor, Aitan Levy, as he watched portly customers browse his Beverly Hills showroom. Well, the aptly named Big John will set you back -- set you back, I'm being told, more than $100. But it boasts 5 extra inches of comfort over the standard models.

More exclusive breaking coverage of this coming up.

(LAUGHTER)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: That's Nancy Grace staring us down from the outside of the pavilion there.

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

PHILLIPS: That wraps up this edition of Thursday -- Thursday edition of LIVE FROM. Whew. Sorry about that.

Now here, Judy Woodruff, with a preview of what's ahead on "INSIDE POLITICS."

Judy, I was -- I was watching you get ready there. I was trying to stall. And I got all fumbled. But, hey, I stalled enough time. You're there. You're ready.

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: You gave me just enough time to sort of pull myself together. And I appreciate it.

PHILLIPS: Thank you, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Thank you, Kyra.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: All right.

WOODRUFF: All right.

WOODRUFF: Vatican officials just 30 minutes away from closing the doors of St. Peter's Basilica. We are live with those who hope to get in to pay their final respects to Pope John Paul II.

Plus, Senator Mel Martinez reacts to news that a member of his staff penned the GOP memo concerning possible political gain from the Terri Schiavo case. We'll look at the fallout and how it might affect the Republican Party when "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.

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 April 7, 2005 - 14:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(STOCK REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KYRA PHILLIPS, HOST: Explosive and sordid testimony in the Michael Jackson trial. Before we go to our correspondent in Santa Maria, we just want to warn you once again that this particular subject matter hasn't been heard before in this case, and you may not want to hear it.

It comes from a former security guard at Neverland. And we're going to get the details -- some are pretty graphic and disturbing -- from CNN's Miguel Marquez -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we'll try to make them as ungraphic and undisturbing, give you a picture of, certainly, of what this person says happened.

What sounded like really devastating testimony at the beginning, though seems less so now, now that we're well into cross examination. In fact, he's off the stand now.

Ralph Chacon, he was a security guard at Neverland Ranch from '91 to '94. He testified. He's also a former repo man, or a repossession guy, repossesses cars from Thousand Oaks, California, north of Los Angeles.

He said that on two occasions he saw Michael Jackson and the '93 accuser, not the current accuser, but Michael Jackson's '93 accuser, in compromising situations.

The first situation was certainly the most graphic, where he says he saw them outside the pool area, in a bathroom next to the pool area at Neverland Ranch, kissing passionately, Jackson kissing him passionately, Jackson putting his mouth on his nipples and then finally copulating him sexually, doing oral sex on the boy.

Says the second time several weeks later that he saw Mr. Jackson kissing this boy, as well, and groping him.

But then, on cross-examination, Mr. Mesereau, Tom Mesereau Jr., Mr. Jackson's attorney brought up that this man and others of former Neverland Ranch employees brought a lawsuit for wrongful termination against Michael Jackson. A lawsuit which they not only lost, but the jury found that they were rightfully terminated and stole from Mr. Jackson.

This mans was ordered to pay $25,000 to Mr. Jackson. The entire group was ordered to pay about $1.4 million to Mr. Jackson for his legal fees, as well. Also on cross examination, this man admitted that he was using money gained from tabloid interviews to fund that lawsuit.

So all around his testimony, he seemed to have very much a motive for coming in here and holding a grudge against Mr. Jackson. His testimony is now concluded. There is another former Neverland Ranch employee now on the stand, under direct examination, from the prosecution -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Miguel Marquez, thanks.

Iraq's new government will be as diverse as it is democratic. President Jalal Talabani, who took the oath of office today, is Kurdish. He's the first Kurd to hold such a post in the majority Arab nation. It's a major political step for Kurds, who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein's rule.

Our guest today says Talabani's post is a healthy sign for Iraq. Nijyar Shemdin is the Kurdistan regional government's U.S. representative. He joins us live from Washington.

What a pleasure to have you, sir.

NIJYAR SHEMDIN, KURDISTAN REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S.: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, let's talk about the election of Jalal Talabani and what this means for a democratic Iraq.

SHEMDIN: It means a victory for democratic Iraq. It means that any Iraqi qualified can occupy that position, provided he can earn the trust and the votes of the -- of the majority, of the members, of the National Council -- National Assembly.

PHILLIPS: Well, let's definitely put into perspective for our viewers. We can never forget the video we've seen over and over again, the gassing of your people, the gassing of Kurds under Saddam Hussein's rule. Now Saddam Hussein will stand trial for genocide for this infamous moment in time.

Personally, do you think that Talabani will be the man that will finally hold Saddam Hussein accountable for what happened to the Kurds?

SHEMDIN: I am very hopeful that he will, because the -- the genocide was not only against the Kurdish people, but there were also mass graves that were discovered all over Iraq in the center and south. So in one way, Saddam Hussein did not discriminate against the Iraqi people.

And, therefore, the rule of law should -- should prevail and he should -- should get what he deserves. And I'm sure that our president, the new president of Iraq, Mr. Jalal Talabani, will see to it that he -- he gets what he deserves.

PHILLIPS: When you've talked with Kurds, when you've talked with Kurds back home, what are they saying to you? Was this just -- was everybody calling each other and e-mailing -- I can just imagine the excitement, because in many ways, this was unexpected.

SHEMDIN: The -- while it is an exciting moment, and it is a landmark in history that Iraqis all are now considered first class Iraqis and first class citizens and there's no discrimination.

PHILLIPS: So you have a Kurd now elected as president. You have two vice presidents, one Sunni, one Shiite. What does this say? Is this -- let's talk about just the perception of ethnic groups now in Iraq. And is this a victory for that perception of ethnic groups and what it means from a diverse perspective?

SHEMDIN: It means it's a national reconciliation and that all the groups, whether minority or majority, from various geographic parts of Iraq, can interact, can talk, although sometimes takes longer than anticipated, but they can give and take and coexist and live together and come to mutual decisions that's good for all of Iraq.

PHILLIPS: So what does this mean for Iraqi insurgents? Jalal Talabani already coming forward and saying he will allow a pardon if these individuals come forward. Could this help the resistance subside?

SHEMDIN: It will. The -- those who were under certain circumstances because of lack of security and others who couldn't vote now have the opportunity to go back and participate in the drafting of the new constitution. The others will have to either come and give up, or they will have to be -- to be accountable, according to the law.

PHILLIPS: Well, you know, I have to ask you this question, because we've seen so many political leaders in Iraq assassinated by the insurgency. Do you think that the new president now becomes a tremendous target? Knowing what you know about Jalal Talabani, do you think this is a concern? Or is he "Basically I'm going to do what I have to do, no matter what the price"?

SHEMDIN: Well, everybody's a target now. But the -- but the forces of good are going to prevail, and the forces of evil will have to face the law and will have to eventually give up. Because we have only one way to go and that is democracy and pluralism and federalism and multiple party Iraq, where everybody will have to share in it. And those who have no place in that will have either to leave or to -- or to face the law.

PHILLIPS: Nijyar Shemdin, Kurdistan regional government's U.S. representative, thanks for your time today, sir.

SHEMDIN: I thank you for asking me.

PHILLIPS: It's a pleasure. This afternoon, just in to CNN, concerning that suspected bomb attack in Cairo, the State Department now saying three Americans have been injured in that explosion. U.S. embassy officials are now headed to the site of that explosion in Khan al-Khalili district in Cairo.

Authorities say that two people were killed, including a French tourist. That area is an historic neighborhood often visited by tourists. We'll bring you more information as we get it.

Also, Texas authorities searching for a gunman right now in a high school shooting. These pictures, live pictures from our affiliate, KDFW. After -- well, police here believe they have the suspect's truck, and they are searching this area. That suspect wanted in the shooting of a high school football coach at Canton High School there in Canton, Texas. The black pickup truck has been found.

Now we are hearing reports that the suspect possibly has been taken into custody. We're looking at live pictures right now. It's possible that police officers might have the suspect underneath -- underneath their hands there, as we're trying to get a shot via our helicopter, from KDFW out of Dallas.

This was the exact area in Lindale, Texas, where that truck was found, the suspect's truck. Now we are being told possibly beneath the trees here, the police officers have that suspect in custody.

And the suspect that we're talking about is 37-year-old Jeffrey Doyle Robertson. Evidently, we were hearing through Ed Lavandera, our correspondent, that Robertson had a son, or has a son, rather, that plays on the football team at Canton High School, in Canton, Texas.

Not sure what transpired, but if, indeed, that is the case, this is his father, we believe, that is in custody now. Got into some type of altercation with the football coach at Canton High School.

We're going to listen now to KDFW's coverage and try to get more information.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... and a personal friend, and based on that information, they knew he was still alive and that he was still in the area, so they searched this area, just about 200 meters west of where the truck was found and that's where the crime scene tape is there on your screen. That is where the police officers are. That's where the suspect was taken into custody.

And I would not be surprised if an ambulance is not en route at this time to take him to an area hospital.

PHILLIPS: Apologize. We apologize there for the sketchy -- sketchy connection there, very typical with a helicopter camera.

But what I heard there from the reporter in the chopper, possibly the suspect might be injured. They were saying that he -- they were going to transport the suspect to a hospital.

Ed Lavandera now on the phone with us. He's our Dallas bureau chief.

Ed, I know you were getting closer to the scene. We're trying to find out if the suspect has been injured, because we were hearing reports he will be taken to a hospital once they get him out of this wooded area in Lindale.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we're waiting to see what kind of condition he's been in. The situation and the stories that have been floating around here at the Canton High School was that this suspect might have been trying to injure himself.

That's why authorities there are in that heavily wooded area, kind of northeast -- northwest of the Tyler area, where they found the truck. And we do suspect if there are any injuries, that they would take the suspect to a hospital. I imagine it might be the Tyler hospital, given the close proximity to where they are now.

But we're still waiting. There are reports that he has been taken into custody. But we're still waiting for the official confirmation from Tyler -- I'm sorry, Canton police on that.

PHILLIPS: All right. I'm being told that we have video of when he was taken into custody, Ed. We're going to take a look at that video right now. So you're saying it's possible that he might have tried to take his own life?

LAVANDERA: That's -- that's the situation and the stories that have been floating around here at the high school, where there have been officers coming in and out. And as you might imagine, dozens of parents who have shown up here at the high school to try to get the latest information as to what's going on.

PHILLIPS: All right. So correct me if I'm wrong, Ed, because you're closer to the scene than I am. But I was understanding that Gary Joe Kenny, 37-year-old football coach and athletic director there at Canton High School in Canton, Texas, got into some type of altercation with this gunman, with Jeffrey Doyle Robertson, the man they believe shot the football coach.

Was there some sort of connection? Was the gunman's son on the football team? Is that -- is that what you're finding out now, and there was some sort of altercation?

LAVANDERA: What we've been able to piece together is -- and what I can explain is from what we're hearing from parents who are here at the high school.

Many of parents we've spoken to say that this -- this conflict goes back to last summer, where there has been a lot of frustration as to playing time and who's playing what position and that sort of thing on the Canton High School football team.

And the police chief here in Canton described the suspect in this case as having a hot temper. We do understand that his son plays on the team, as do many of the parents' children who are here at the high school this morning. And they say that this frustration, this anger, stems back -- stems back to conflicts that have come up with playing time and players and which positions they're playing on this football team.

PHILLIPS: What's a shame is if the father -- if indeed, that's the case, and the father thought he was trying to bully this coach to help his son. I can just imagine what his son is going to be going through if, indeed, he goes back to that high school, Ed.

LAVANDERA: I imagine. There are a lot of parents -- you know, I spoke with one woman here who just kind of looked at me and said, "It's just football." And that seems to be kind of the prevailing feeling that the parents who have shown up here at the high school, dismayed by what is happening.

PHILLIPS: Ed Lavandera, by phone there, working that story for us.

And I'm now being told that suspect, Jeffrey Doyle Robertson, 37, is in custody. He has been arrested. Ed Lavandera, thank you so much.

We'll let you know the condition of the suspect as soon as we get it and follow up on this shooting that took place in Canton, Texas. We're going to take a quick break. More LIVE FROM after this.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish she'd go away. She's a bloody trollop, isn't she?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Bloody trollop. I can't get enough of that word. But that's not so nice. Anarchy in the U.K. as royal subjects speak out about Camilla Parker Bowles. Or as that man thinks, she's a trollop. Your semi-royal wedding roundup and just a part of the fun, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: What's in a name? Well, according to Shakespeare, by any other word, a rose would smell as sweet. But when it comes to Prince Charles' soon to be bride, plenty of Britons are not only turning up their noses at her name but regarding the potential titles of Camilla.

CNN's Walt Rodgers takes the case to Cornwall.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALT RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The magic land of Cornwall. Legend holds King Arthur was born here, in these mists. And when Camilla marries Prince Charles, she becomes duchess of all this, the land and some eccentrics, including inn keepers pretending to be Long John Silver.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Camilla, huh? Well, Rotweiller is what Diana used to call her.

RODGERS: Even in the shadow of ancient churches, there is no gospel of forgiveness, and most Cornish refuse to accept the woman who will replace Princess Diana in their future king's bed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish she'd go away. She's a bloody trollop, isn't she, you know?

RODGERS: Rural Cornwall has not had a duchess since about 1904. Part of the unwillingness to embrace Camilla may be simple fatigue with all things royal.

(on camera) What does the Duchess of Cornwall do?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know.

RODGERS: Do you think she knows?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't.

RODGERS: She doesn't have a house down here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

RODGERS: She doesn't overnight down here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

RODGERS: She doesn't have any responsibilities.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

RODGERS: So what's this title Duchess of Cornwall worth?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not very much, I don't think.

RODGERS (voice-over): In The Globe pub in Lostwithal (ph), this hub of village life, the men lay down ancient rules for accepting Camilla as their duchess.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She buys a drink, of course. It's her round.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's her round.

RODGERS: But the barmaid says the bar is higher than that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's very simple. Diana was pretty and she isn't. And that's why people dislike her, and I think that's very shallow.

RODGERS: Here, where daffodils bow to dark brooks, Cornish hostility is not shallow but cold and deep. The villager pastry baker explains. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Diana is still remembered and well loved. And I think to -- I think Camilla, bless her, has a mountain to overcome.

RODGERS (on camera): Another aspect of this resentment may simply be tribal. Cornwall is remote, the people insular. It's the only part of England the Romans could not conquer. So like it or not, Camilla may just be perceived of as another outsider, even in her own duchy.

(voice-over) Ironically, it is in Cornwall's witch's covens we found the greatest charity. Self-declared witches who have known cruelty themselves seem less judgmental of Camilla.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think she's very misunderstood.

RODGERS (on camera): So you think Camilla's been persecuted like witches?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think she's been persecuted like witches, no, but I think she's had a hard time.

RODGERS (voice-over): A hard time in a hard land, beaten by storm and sea. Camilla's challenge as duchess will be to rise above it all.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Tintagel, in the royal duchy of Cornwall.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And CNN will have extensive coverage of the wedding Saturday morning from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Join Anderson Cooper and Becky Anderson and our team of correspondents, starting at 6 a.m. Eastern.

We're going to update that Texas school shooting also when LIVE FROM continues. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Now in the news, St. Peter's Square, emptying out. Live pictures from Vatican City. The last mourners to view the pope are filing through the basilica. The doors close in one hour to prepare for tomorrow's funeral.

Meanwhile, look at this. Show some respect! This is what happens when millions of people converge in one place. Gets a little messy. Feel sorry for the folks that have to pick up all that trash.

Well, disturbing and potentially damaging testimony today against Michael Jackson. A former security guard at Neverland Ranch took the stand. He said he witnessed a sex act between the pop star and the young boy. Jackson is on trial for allegedly molesting another boy.

High school football coach is shot; a parent with a reported grudge is now in the hands of police. That's a brand-new development. It's all happening in and around Canton, Texas.

CNN's Ed Lavandera joins me now live with the very latest. Ed, what is the latest detail?

LAVANDERA: Hi, Kyra.

Well, I can tell you that suspect in this case has been found. Just a short moment ago, a few moments ago, he was out in northwest -- in a wooded area northwest of Tyler, which is about 40 miles or so away here at this Canton High School, where we're at this morning.

We can tell you dozens of parents have been showing up here throughout the morning, and now into the early afternoon, trying to get as much information as they can. And we can tell there you that are just dozens of stories swirling around as to what the motivation behind this morning's shooting, were the athletic director and the football coach here in Canton, Texas, was shot this morning. We understand that he has been taken to the hospital in Tyler.

We can also show you aerial pictures from that wooded area where the suspect in this case has been -- was found earlier today. You can see from the aerial pictures that he has been put on a gurney and has a neck brace, where there had been some indications that he had been trying to hurt himself.

He was also -- we've been told that yesterday was the suspect's -- excuse me. I'm sorry. Very windy here and notes are kind of flying all over the place.

But yesterday was the suspect's birthday, and that there are reports out that he had been at these parties kind of bragging about what might transpire. Police told us a little while ago that there was a hit list, a list of people that this man wanted to see here this afternoon. And the football coach was one of the people.

The other people on the list, we understand that SWAT teams and detective teams have been -- were immediately sent out to protect those people. And, of course, all of this a moot point at this point, where the suspect in custody, but throughout the morning hours, teams were sent out to protect the other people that were on this list, as you might imagine, a very compelling situation, a very scary situation for the dozens of parents and the students who still remain locked up in the high school behind me -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, the good news is, the suspect is in custody.

Ed Lavandera from Canton, Texas, thank you so much.

Also at this hour, the final pilgrims allowed to view the pope are streaming past his body at the Vatican. And among their ranks is a massive throng from the pope's native Poland. On the eve of the funeral, officials in Rome say the late arriving crush has driven the numbers of pilgrims past four million, with most displaying remarkable patience.

Joining us live in the midst of it all, one of our own Vatican analysts, Delia Gallagher, a very patient woman, indeed.

Delia, let's talk about the Poles that have started arriving. And we've seen the flags. We were talking earlier with Jennifer Eccleston about things that they had brought to show their respects.

How are they feeling about the fact that the pope is going to be buried there at the Vatican in Rome and not Poland?

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, I think that they would accept whatever the will of the pope is. And the pope, in his will released today, said that decision had to be left up to the Polish bishops in conjunction with the College of Cardinals.

So, clearly, the decision from both parties has been to bury him here. And I think the Poles accept that. That's not to rule out that some relic of the pope won't be sent to Poland. I'm sure they'll get something. But I think testament to the fact that they have great admiration and love for this pope is that they've all come here from Poland, many of them even by bus. That's why they've come so late.

So, we've seen them in the square. And they're in the last hour of being able to see their pope. And I think that tomorrow will be a very, very moving day for them, in particular -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: You mentioned the will. I want to talk about a couple things within the will, particularly his thoughts about the millennium and his pontificate.

What was your sense after reading some of that, some of those pages? Was he really thinking about resignation? Was he meditating on death? What do you think was going through his mind as you were reading these thoughts?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think, first of all, it's fascinating to be able to read this will, because you see, you get an insight into the pope's thinking. He's kind of having a conversation with God, as it were. He's not saying: I need to resign. I'm too tired. I don't feel well. I can't go on. He is saying: I have accomplished my mission.

He understood his mission to be to take the church into the third millennium. In the year 2000, he says: Now we're in the third millennium. I've done my work. I wonder what else God has in store for me. So, he is asking God: You will let me know when it is my time, when my service in the chair of Peter should finish.

Now, you can interpret that as sort of a resignation or you can interpret it as when God will literally take him from this life. And I think that the pope had in mind his mortality, because he refers to the 1981 assassination attempt and he says: I thought I was dying, but, instead, I've been given a life, almost another life.

So, I think in his mind was -- was the fact that maybe God would take him from this life. He literally felt that his mission had been accomplished -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: Delia, speaking of -- just talking about meditating on death and thinking about your own life, and his first entry is concerning his parents, I understand. He talked about his brother, his sister, all of whom died in his early life, I was reading, his infant sister before she was born, her brother when he was 9, mother. He lost his mom when he was 12 and finally his father when he was 21.

This is somebody, I mean, wow. We all know that death makes a powerful impact on you, but he lost his entire family.

GALLAGHER: Yes.

Well, in the will, it's very interesting that the first part of the will is dedicated to that. He says I'm thinking about the family, the brother and sister that really I never knew. And, at the end, the last paragraph, he goes back to Poland and he's thinking about Wadowice and the parish in which he grew up, and his thoughts are in Poland.

So, both the bookends of the will are very, very personal, this pope meditating on his family and on then his subsequent family, if we want to say, the parish and the people of Poland.

PHILLIPS: And what about his personal secretary and also the former chief rabbi of Rome? He mentions those two individuals. What type -- what does that reveal about maybe two individuals that might have been closer to him than others and how much he cared for them and trusted in them?

GALLAGHER: Well, he mentions his personal secretary, of course, and thanks him for all of the years of service that he gave to him. His personal secretary is also responsible for distributing any personal effects of the pope.

He also mentions Cardinal Wyszynski, who was really the pope's mentor in Poland. He's dead now. But the pope remembers him, because it was Cardinal Wyszynski in 1978 who told the pope, your job will be to take the church into the third millennium. So, this was a man who had great importance for the pope.

And then, as for the rabbi of Rome, that comes at the end, when he says: I embrace all of the people. I embrace Christians. I embrace non-Christians. I embrace the rabbi of Rome. And, of course, He had that very important visit. He was the first pope to visit a Jewish synagogue here in Rome in 1986. So, he remembers that moment as well.

And, we should add, Kyra, in that embrace, he does include politicians, scientists and even the media.

PHILLIPS: Boy, Delia, I also read that his personal records are going to be burned. I don't know what it is, but I just wish that those could be married with everyone to read. I bet they would be absolutely fascinating.

GALLAGHER: I think so, too. But I think we also can understand that the pope didn't have a chance to review all of those and he didn't want them published posthumously if they were incomplete.

PHILLIPS: Understandably.

Delia Gallagher, live from Rome, thank you so much.

GALLAGHER: You're welcome.

PHILLIPS: Well, important medical news to tell you about now. The drugmaker Pfizer is pulling its popular arthritis painkiller Bextra off the market.

The move comes at the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, which is also recommending the strongest possible safety warning for Pfizer's other arthritis drug, Celebrex.

CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen here to talk about what she knows about these drugs and the fact that Bextra is being pulled off the shelf.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right.

And this is sort of yet another painkiller that's gotten into trouble. Now, I'll read you what officially what the FDA said today. They said, the FDA has asked Pfizer to withdraw Bextra from the market because the overall risk-vs.-benefit profile for the drug is unfavorable. That is a fancy way of saying that it does more harm than good.

Specifically, the harm is the studies found that people taking Bextra were more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those who didn't, also more likely to contract a potentially deadly skin disease. And so the FDA decided to ask Pfizer. Pfizer said that they disagreed with the FDA's analysis, but that they agreed they would take it off the market.

Now, this is a very popular drug. In fact, last year, there were 12.8 prescriptions written for Bextra. And that meant $1.2 billion in sales. So, what do you do if you're taking Bextra? I'm sure you're asking yourself, what do I do? And Pfizer says stop taking it and talk to your doctor about alternatives.

But, remember, including over-the-counter painkillers, also carry risks. Now, it's important to note that some people, in consultation with their doctors, will decide that they want to continue taking drugs like Celebrex, which now has to carry a big warning about cardiovascular risks, and will want to continue to take over-the- counter drugs, despite the FDA's warning about heart and stroke risks.

And, Kyra, the reason for that is that some people are in so much pain that they have trouble going about their day. And they and their doctors may say, you know what? I'm not at a very particularly high risk of having a heart attack or stroke. So, if it elevates my risk a little bit, that's OK, because these drugs help me make it through the day. Other people are going to make different situations. It's very individual.

PHILLIPS: Well, we see that a lot of people take Bextra or took Bextra. But I bet even more take over-the-counter painkillers. So, is it still OK to take other -- how do you know what's OK to take now and what's not?

COHEN: It's so confusing.

PHILLIPS: Yes.

COHEN: It's so confusing. We're going to give people a little advice here. What the Food and Drug Administration has to say about over-the-counter painkillers like Advil, Motrin, Aleve, that class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories is, only take the dose that is recommended on the label. Take these drugs for no longer than two weeks.

And, after two weeks, see your doctor. When people really ran into trouble with these drugs, for the most part, it was when they were taking dosages that were too high and when they were taking them for month after month or even year after year after year.

PHILLIPS: All right, Bextra is getting pulled, but Celebrex is saying, but Celebrex having to have this massive warning label now. Why not just pull that one also?

PHILLIPS: Right. It's called a black box warning. And the reason why it's called that is that it's in a big black box at the top of the label. So, it's very clear, cardiovascular risk, so that you know the risk you're taking.

We asked the FDA, why are you letting Celebrex stay on the market? And they said because this deadly skin disease seems to be more likely when you take Bextra. And they said, in fact, as of December, that four people had died when they were taking Bextra from this skin disorder. So, it was really the skin disorder being associated with Bextra. That's what really tipped the scales for the FDA.

PHILLIPS: All right, Elizabeth Cohen, thanks so much.

COHEN: Thanks.

PHILLIPS: Well, the pope was treated like a rock star. And last night, a rock star paid tribute to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BONO, U2: I said, Holy Father, do you want a pair of fly shades?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BONO: I need your fly shades. I said, yes. Then he handed me these.

(END VIDEO CLIP) PHILLIPS: More of the tribute and the pope's impact on world culture straight ahead on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

PHILLIPS: Rock star Bono paying tribute to Pope John Paul II at a concert in Los Angeles yesterday. This pope may be remembered as the most popular in history, possibly because of his understanding of pop culture.

Here's CNN entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER (voice over): He was as comfortable on the world stage as any rock star.

REV. KEN DEASY: He could pack an audience. He could pack any coliseum.

REV. FRANK DESIDERIO: And I think he's the first pope that really understood the power of media events.

VARGAS: In fact, he was the first multimedia pope. He wrote eight books and several CDs. In 1982, he launched the Vatican TV Center to broadcast religious material worldwide. Media coverage of his global travels helped turn John Paul II into a pop icon.

And this pope seemed to have an affinity for other pop icons. He asked Bob Dillon to play for him, and he met with U2 front man, Bono, who was working to help reduce debt in poor countries.

BONO: He put my glasses on, made a very, very devilish face, and he was funny. I think this pope accomplished a lot in his going out to the world.

VARGAS: In 1987, he met with members of the Hollywood community and urged them to create positive and uplifting content. While at ease with entertainers, he sometimes found himself at odds with them.

Offended by Madonna's Like a Prayer video, the Vatican sought to ban her from performing in Italy.

Singer Sinead O'Connor infamously tore up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live.

Despite his occasional conflicts with the secular world, he was also someone who could take delight in break dances.

Once he filled cathedrals and was compelling enough to become the subject of a comic book.

DEASY: Talk about a story. Talk about a hero. Talk about a drama. I mean, talk about life without editing it, this man just captures a lot of attention in his life and even now in his death.

VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right, your LIVE FROM bonus story of the day.

It may be a sign of the times. Everything is America is getting bigger, right? So, why not toilet seats? The idea came to an inventor, Aitan Levy, as he watched portly customers browse his Beverly Hills showroom. Well, the aptly named Big John will set you back -- set you back, I'm being told, more than $100. But it boasts 5 extra inches of comfort over the standard models.

More exclusive breaking coverage of this coming up.

(LAUGHTER)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: That's Nancy Grace staring us down from the outside of the pavilion there.

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

PHILLIPS: That wraps up this edition of Thursday -- Thursday edition of LIVE FROM. Whew. Sorry about that.

Now here, Judy Woodruff, with a preview of what's ahead on "INSIDE POLITICS."

Judy, I was -- I was watching you get ready there. I was trying to stall. And I got all fumbled. But, hey, I stalled enough time. You're there. You're ready.

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: You gave me just enough time to sort of pull myself together. And I appreciate it.

PHILLIPS: Thank you, Judy.

WOODRUFF: Thank you, Kyra.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: All right.

WOODRUFF: All right.

WOODRUFF: Vatican officials just 30 minutes away from closing the doors of St. Peter's Basilica. We are live with those who hope to get in to pay their final respects to Pope John Paul II.

Plus, Senator Mel Martinez reacts to news that a member of his staff penned the GOP memo concerning possible political gain from the Terri Schiavo case. We'll look at the fallout and how it might affect the Republican Party when "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.

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