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Michael Jackson Jury Deliberates for Second Day; Lawmakers Consider Toughening Penalties for Sex Offenders; U.S., Iraqis Launch Raid on Border Town; Father, Nurse Who Held Dying Son Meet by Chance
Aired June 07, 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.
TONY HARRIS, CO-HOST: Coming back to the table. After a meeting today in New York with North Korean officials, the State Department says the country is expressing a willingness to return to the six- party talks about its nuclear program, but State Department spokesman Sean McCormick says North Korea has not been specific about when it would agree to sit down.
General Motors says it will cut 25,000 jobs or 17 percent of its U.S. work force by 2008 to offset huge financial losses. The world's largest automaker says a number of plants will also be closed.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CO-HOST: The wait goes on for Michael Jackson. Jurors have spent a total of 11 and a half hours so far deliberating the child molestation charges against him. CNN's Ted Rowlands brings us the very latest now from the Santa Maria courthouse.
Ted, what do you think? Eleven hours, good, bad, normal?
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, this is starting to get to the point where most people think it could come at any minute. That said, it could be next week at this time.
But they've got 10 counts to mull over. They've got the basic premise, is he a child molester or is he a victim of this family? And I think that the prevailing wisdom is that this is the beginning of the opening of the window to be on alert. And we are.
There's about two and a half hours left today of deliberations, and as you say, they have gotten now to the point where they're acquainted and they've got their deliberations down.
They arrived today on time. And they have been at it without an update. Yesterday we got a small update from the judge that they had asked a question. We weren't given the question. But today nothing out of the jury room.
We do know that the foreman is a 63-year-old retired Latino high school counselor. His wife is an accountant. And he has two children in their 30s. He's an artist, a western artist that does some iron work.
Now Michael Jackson, according to his spokesperson, is at Neverland Ranch. Earlier today Jesse Jackson made another visit here to the courthouse and said that, all in all, Michael is in fairly good spirits, given what he is waiting for. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON SPIRITUAL ADVISOR: Michael is resting comfortably at the ranch. He anxiously awaits the outcome of the jury. He exudes a great sense of confidence in the jury as being fair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: Outside the courthouse at this hour, dozens of fans have camped out and remain camped out. The judge in this case has said that he will only allow one hour from the time that the jury comes to a verdict and the announcement of that verdict, so many fans are not taking any chances. They are staying here at the courthouse.
There's another gathering of fans outside of Neverland Ranch, as well. Security, as you might imagine, extremely tight here around the courthouse -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Ted Rowlands live from Santa Maria. We'll continue to wait. Thanks.
HARRIS: Protecting children from sexual predators. Live pictures of a hearing in Washington, D.C. Members of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on crime, terrorism, and homeland security are listening to some tough testimony today about crimes against children.
Our Kathleen Koch is live with more on this story -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, lawmakers are looking to toughen and standardize the punishment of those who commit crime against children. And they're very obviously motivated by some of the high profile cases that have occurred this year. Like the abduction of and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford and, also, the murder of 13-year-old Sarah Lundy.
Both girls are living in Florida. Each case, those charged with the murders, those who have confessed to the murders, are convicted sex offenders. So the House Judiciary subcommittee is today, as we speak, looking at laws to impose mandatory minimum penalties for the exploitation of children, as well as stiffer sentences for those who commit violent crimes against children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MARK GREEN (R-WI), JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The absence of a mandatory sentencing guideline scheme. Mandatory minimum penalties are the only way in which Congress can ensure that fair and consistent sentences to these dangerous sexual predators are handed out at the federal level. Congress must act now and must do so to protect our nation's youth from sexual predators in our communities and online on the Internet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: Lawmakers believe that the danger of violence against American children is widespread. Justice Department statistics show that one in five girls and one in 10 boys are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood.
And the Internet has given predators easy access to victims, with one in five children between the ages of 10 and 17 receiving unwanted sexual solicitations on line.
So, Tony, many in Congress believe that toughening penalties will discourage those who prey on the most vulnerable among us.
HARRIS: Kathleen Koch for us. Kathleen, we appreciate it. Thank you.
KOCH: You bet.
HARRIS: And turning now to the search for Natalee Holloway, the Alabama high school student missing for more than a week in the Caribbean island of Aruba.
Aruba's chief prosecutor must decide today whether two suspects arrested in connection with the case should be held for additional time. Police say the suspects were known to troll area hotels to pick up women and that one had a previous brush with the law.
CNN's Karl Penhaul just spoke with an attorney for the two men.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS LEJUEZ, SUSPECTS' ATTORNEY: They have not been near the hotel at that hour, at that time. So there is no reason for them to have to admit to something that they did not do or mentioning murder, accomplice to committing murder, homicide, accomplice to committing homicide and kidnapping.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Yesterday, government workers joined the search for Holloway who was last seen at a nightclub last Monday. Holloway's stepfather says family members are holding up as best they can under the circumstances. Holloway was in Aruba with classmates celebrating their high school graduation.
PHILLIPS: In Iraq, hundreds of American and Iraqi troops are locked in a fight against insurgents in the northern city of Tal Afar near the Syrian border. The operation got under way as troops backed by tanks and armored personnel carriers moved through the city's narrow streets.
Our Jane Arraf is there with a report you'll see only on CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At dawn, U.S. and Iraqi troops, tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, rolled into the troubled city of Tal Afar. That city is about 60 kilometers, 40 miles, from the Syrian border. And military officials say it has become an insurgent stronghold, the scene of frequent attacks against Iraqi police, against tribes there, against U.S. soldiers.
And this morning's operation, meant to show the presence of the Iraqi military, as well as U.S. forces in the region. They rolled into those streets, very narrow streets, the worst kind of urban warfare. And as they came in, gunfire rang around them.
Scattered gunfire as the hours went on, as well as a couple of mortar rounds that fell. One U.S. soldier killed. Three suspected insurgents killed, as well, when they returned fire.
The U.S. military says that they have detained 28 suspected insurgents, most of them on their target list. All of this in an effort to bolster the Iraqi Army in that neighborhood, in that city, and to disrupt the operations of insurgents.
Jane Arraf, CNN, reporting from near Tal Afar, Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: The American commanding the -- the American commanding the operation in Tal Afar is a Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Hickey of the 2nd Squadron, 3rd U.S. Armored Cavalry. We spoke to him earlier on LIVE FROM about the mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COL. CHRISTOPHER HICKEY, U.S. ARMY: Today we conducted precision raids in the Siria (ph) district in downtown Tal Afar. As you said in your report, we captured over 20 of our targets. And we did it in such a way that we didn't have -- we had very little collateral damage to the city. So overall we considered the operation a good success between the Iraqi Army and U.S. forces.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Was it a chance encounter or destiny? A war veteran and the Army nurse who tended to his dying son in Iraq meet in Washington on Memorial Day. Both join us live to talk about their chance meet and the stories they've shared since when LIVE FROM returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And this just in to CNN. We talked to a spokesperson at the Tulsa International Airport, where they're following a situation with a Southwest Airlines jet. You see it right there.
It appears that a white powder was found spilled from a container, likely a briefcase or backpack, on to the belly of that Southwest Airlines jet. That jet is now on the ground. We understand the passengers on board have been deplaned, and no other air traffic has been affected by what is going on here.
Now, standard operating procedure in a case like this is for hazmat to investigate and that we understand that in the last hour hazmat has suited up and is about to begin that job. We'll keep an eye on this situation and report any additional developments. PHILLIPS: Another story we're staying on top of is out of Los Angeles, California, the standoff continues right now. Around -- centered around this white mini van on the 10 freeway. That's near Santa Monica, not far from the Robertson exit there in sort of the mid city area of Los Angeles.
What we can tell you is the suspect driving this car is believed to be a kidnapping suspect. He's believed to be armed. You can see SWAT teams have moved in, surrounded that van.
Police had pretty much -- come pretty close to that car as it was in the middle of a chase coming down the freeway. Kind of clipped the car, got a flat. It spun around. Well, now the suspect is believed to be holed up inside. Not sure if anybody else is inside that van. They're trying to establish communication with that suspect.
These pictures coming us via our affiliate KCAL. We're going to continue to follow this and let you know what happens. We're going to take a quick break. More LIVE FROM right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Vietnam veteran Alan Hoe came to Washington on Memorial Day to speak at a wall built for his fallen comrades. Army nurse corps Major Polly Coughlin had just returned from duty in Iraq and was invited as a guest at the Vietnam nurses' memorial that same day.
Well, as Alan walked by that memorial, Major Coughlin noticed something that brought back some pretty chilling memories of a dying young soldier in Mosul. The connection is being called a miracle.
Major Polly Coughlin joins me live from Washington, and Alan Hoe is in Honolulu. Such a pleasure to have you both with us. And Alan, I want to talk with you. And as you were walking by this nurses' memorial, you had a button on, the same button that you have on right now. Tell us about that button.
ALAN HOE, VIETNAM WAR VETERAN: Correct, this is a little button that one of Minoa's (ph) uncles had made for the services that we had for Minoa (ph) in February. And we made over 2,000 of these buttons, and the outpouring of support was incredible. We've had to make more. And I have committed to wear this button for at least one year in honor of my son.
PHILLIPS: Of course, Minoa (ph) is your son. And tell us a little bit more about him, what his responsibilities were in Iraq, Alan.
HOE: Minoa (ph) is an incredible young man. He was the platoon leader for an infantry rifle platoon that was assigned to the first brigade, 25th Infantry, Tropic Lightning, their Stryker combat team. And he was, as we understand from this wonderful article written in the "Washington Post," he was out that morning on a mission to encourage the Iraqis to participate in the upcoming vote that following weekend. PHILLIPS: Now, Paula, you were at the same Memorial Day celebration and you were walking by the nurses' memorial because, of course, you're a nurse. You see this button on Alan's jacket. And what went through your mind? And what did you say to him?
PAULA COUGHLIN, ARMY NURSE: Well, actually both Alan and I were guest speakers at the Vietnam women's memorial. And so when I came to give my speech Alan presented myself and Captain Otto with a beautiful Hawaiian lei.
So I was honored to receive this beautiful lei. And when I saw the button I was amazed to see that it was somebody that I knew. And I automatically recognized him from one of our trauma victims. And when I talked to Mr. Hoe about it, he confirmed my realizations, and we got teary eyed and hugged. And about 20 minutes later I had to get up and speak.
So it was amazing encounter. I think that we were really lucky to meet. I wasn't supposed to be home from Iraq. So I think it was destiny that we met there that day.
PHILLIPS: Now, Paula, let's even be more specific. You mentioned that Alan's son was one of your trauma victims, but this is a young man that you held in your arms, right?
COUGHLIN: I didn't hold him in my arms. I actually tried to close his eyes. I was helping to prepare him as the troops came to view him, right before the troops came to view them. I noticed that his eyes were open. And I thought that the troops would be upset with this.
So I tried to close his eyes, and I couldn't. And I went back and told Alan that I couldn't close his eyes, and he said that Minoa (ph) slept with his eyes open. So it truly was meant to be.
PHILLIPS: Wow, so when Paula told you about this, Alan, that this, it was your son that she had held and tried to close his eyes after being shot and killed in Mosul, what was your reaction, to come face to face with the nurse that probably Paula, you were probably the last one to embrace him at that moment. What was your reaction, Alan?
HOE: I was stunned. When I went to put the lei on Major Couglin, as she bent down for me to put it on, she saw the button and she said, "Oh, my God, I know him."
And when she said that, it was just like -- being struck in the chest. And I said, "You know him? He's my son."
And she said, "I was with him at the moment he died." And in Hawaiian tradition when someone is with a loved one at the time of their passing, it is our custom to say that they are being embraced.
And I thought, after talking to Paula that there was something that bothered her. And later on she shared with me that she had attempted to close Minoa's (ph) eyes in preparation for Minoa's (ph) platoon to come in and pay their final respects. And I chuckled because Minoa (ph) had a very unique little personal characteristic that he would sleep with his eyes partially open. So when I told Paula, I laughed, I said, "You sharing that with me is incredible, because you don't know this, but no one would be able to close Minoa's (ph) eyes." So I really appreciated that story.
PHILLIPS: Oh, Paula, and as you held him and you looked in his eyes, you tried to close his eyes, what do you do with that point? I mean it's got to be, you have to be professional in that moment, but there's got to be a spiritual moment? Did you say anything? I mean, what -- my gosh, what do you do in that type of situation?
COUGHLIN: At the same time the chaplain was helping to prepare him, I just said my prayer and walked away. And let the troops come and pay their respects.
PHILLIPS: And Alan, you were a medic in Vietnam. You know how important it is to embrace the dying. So...
HOE: Absolutely.
PHILLIPS: So I'm curious: are the two of you going to get together again?
HOE: Absolutely. I -- Paula had, with her, her young son Matt. And so we -- our family has a standing invitation to Paula and her family.
This young lady is incredible. She has four young children, and she's a dedicated Army nurse, and the kinds of things that they do for our troops are truly incredible. So I said, "Matt, you need to work on Mom and Dad to get to you Hawaii, and Uncle Alan is going to teach you how to surf. And we'll have a great time. And he was just pleased."
PHILLIPS: Paula, final thoughts.
COUGHLIN: I'm sure they will love it. Final thoughts. There are so many. Alan and I shared a tremendous moment. But there are so many out there who give their heart and souls every day to help these troops, and my heart goes with them -- out to them. And I hope that they can find the peace that Alan and I share.
PHILLIPS: Wow, Major Paula Coughlin and Alan Hoe, you sure got us all choked up here. What an absolute honor to do this interview. Thank you so much for your time. And I think, Alan, you can be sure that we will all remember your son, Minoa (ph), and what did he for our country.
HOE: Thank you so much.
COUGHLIN: Thank you. Aloha.
PHILLIPS: Aloha.
HOE: Aloha. PHILLIPS: Quick break, we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And checking other news across America now.
The FBI gets involved in a suspicious beating in New Mexico. Tommy Hook, who works at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a whistleblower who planned to testify before congressional committee later this month.
Hook's wife tells authorities he received a phone call late Saturday from someone claiming to have information and wanted to meet at a bar. When Hook arrived he was pulled from his car, beaten. Well, he's now in a hospital with a fractured jaw.
PHILLIPS: When it comes to making money at the box office, Hollywood might want to start focusing on a much younger audience. Susan Lisovicz joins us live from the New York Stock Exchange to explain why -- Susan.
(STOCK REPORT)
HARRIS: Susan, thank you. And that wraps up this Tuesday edition of LIVE FROM. Get away time.
PHILLIPS: John King in the seat with the preview of what's happening on "INSIDE POLITICS."
Hi, John.
JOHN KING, HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Hello, Kyra. Thank you, Kyra and Tony.
One of President Bush's judicial nominees moves one step closer to confirmation. Just who is Janice Rogers Brown? I'll profile this controversial judge, just ahead.
And just moments ago the British prime minister, Tony Blair, arrived at the White House. In a little more than an hour, he will have a news conference with the president of the United States, George W. Bush. Are those leaders still strong partners across the pond?
Stay tuned; "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And following a situation in Tulsa International Airport with a Southwest Airlines plane.
As we told you earlier, a ramp agent found a powder leaking from a passenger's piece of luggage, either a backpack or another piece of luggage. We can also tell you that passengers who were deplaned were not quarantined or decontaminated.
We understand that a hazmat team is on the scene and is working the situation and that abundance of caution is being taken as they investigate the situation.
Once again, a ramp agent at the Tulsa International Airport reports finding a powder, a white powder leaking from a passenger's piece of luggage and that we can also tell you that none of the passengers who have been deplaned have been quarantined or decontaminated.
Also, hazmat crews are on the scene, and they are reasonably sure that a container of someone's baby powder actually opened. Once again, it may have been a container of baby powder that opened, producing that white powder.
I'll now send it to "INSIDE POLITICS" with John King.
END
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Aired June 7, 2005 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CO-HOST: Coming back to the table. After a meeting today in New York with North Korean officials, the State Department says the country is expressing a willingness to return to the six- party talks about its nuclear program, but State Department spokesman Sean McCormick says North Korea has not been specific about when it would agree to sit down.
General Motors says it will cut 25,000 jobs or 17 percent of its U.S. work force by 2008 to offset huge financial losses. The world's largest automaker says a number of plants will also be closed.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CO-HOST: The wait goes on for Michael Jackson. Jurors have spent a total of 11 and a half hours so far deliberating the child molestation charges against him. CNN's Ted Rowlands brings us the very latest now from the Santa Maria courthouse.
Ted, what do you think? Eleven hours, good, bad, normal?
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, this is starting to get to the point where most people think it could come at any minute. That said, it could be next week at this time.
But they've got 10 counts to mull over. They've got the basic premise, is he a child molester or is he a victim of this family? And I think that the prevailing wisdom is that this is the beginning of the opening of the window to be on alert. And we are.
There's about two and a half hours left today of deliberations, and as you say, they have gotten now to the point where they're acquainted and they've got their deliberations down.
They arrived today on time. And they have been at it without an update. Yesterday we got a small update from the judge that they had asked a question. We weren't given the question. But today nothing out of the jury room.
We do know that the foreman is a 63-year-old retired Latino high school counselor. His wife is an accountant. And he has two children in their 30s. He's an artist, a western artist that does some iron work.
Now Michael Jackson, according to his spokesperson, is at Neverland Ranch. Earlier today Jesse Jackson made another visit here to the courthouse and said that, all in all, Michael is in fairly good spirits, given what he is waiting for. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON SPIRITUAL ADVISOR: Michael is resting comfortably at the ranch. He anxiously awaits the outcome of the jury. He exudes a great sense of confidence in the jury as being fair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: Outside the courthouse at this hour, dozens of fans have camped out and remain camped out. The judge in this case has said that he will only allow one hour from the time that the jury comes to a verdict and the announcement of that verdict, so many fans are not taking any chances. They are staying here at the courthouse.
There's another gathering of fans outside of Neverland Ranch, as well. Security, as you might imagine, extremely tight here around the courthouse -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Ted Rowlands live from Santa Maria. We'll continue to wait. Thanks.
HARRIS: Protecting children from sexual predators. Live pictures of a hearing in Washington, D.C. Members of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on crime, terrorism, and homeland security are listening to some tough testimony today about crimes against children.
Our Kathleen Koch is live with more on this story -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, lawmakers are looking to toughen and standardize the punishment of those who commit crime against children. And they're very obviously motivated by some of the high profile cases that have occurred this year. Like the abduction of and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford and, also, the murder of 13-year-old Sarah Lundy.
Both girls are living in Florida. Each case, those charged with the murders, those who have confessed to the murders, are convicted sex offenders. So the House Judiciary subcommittee is today, as we speak, looking at laws to impose mandatory minimum penalties for the exploitation of children, as well as stiffer sentences for those who commit violent crimes against children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MARK GREEN (R-WI), JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The absence of a mandatory sentencing guideline scheme. Mandatory minimum penalties are the only way in which Congress can ensure that fair and consistent sentences to these dangerous sexual predators are handed out at the federal level. Congress must act now and must do so to protect our nation's youth from sexual predators in our communities and online on the Internet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: Lawmakers believe that the danger of violence against American children is widespread. Justice Department statistics show that one in five girls and one in 10 boys are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood.
And the Internet has given predators easy access to victims, with one in five children between the ages of 10 and 17 receiving unwanted sexual solicitations on line.
So, Tony, many in Congress believe that toughening penalties will discourage those who prey on the most vulnerable among us.
HARRIS: Kathleen Koch for us. Kathleen, we appreciate it. Thank you.
KOCH: You bet.
HARRIS: And turning now to the search for Natalee Holloway, the Alabama high school student missing for more than a week in the Caribbean island of Aruba.
Aruba's chief prosecutor must decide today whether two suspects arrested in connection with the case should be held for additional time. Police say the suspects were known to troll area hotels to pick up women and that one had a previous brush with the law.
CNN's Karl Penhaul just spoke with an attorney for the two men.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS LEJUEZ, SUSPECTS' ATTORNEY: They have not been near the hotel at that hour, at that time. So there is no reason for them to have to admit to something that they did not do or mentioning murder, accomplice to committing murder, homicide, accomplice to committing homicide and kidnapping.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Yesterday, government workers joined the search for Holloway who was last seen at a nightclub last Monday. Holloway's stepfather says family members are holding up as best they can under the circumstances. Holloway was in Aruba with classmates celebrating their high school graduation.
PHILLIPS: In Iraq, hundreds of American and Iraqi troops are locked in a fight against insurgents in the northern city of Tal Afar near the Syrian border. The operation got under way as troops backed by tanks and armored personnel carriers moved through the city's narrow streets.
Our Jane Arraf is there with a report you'll see only on CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At dawn, U.S. and Iraqi troops, tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, rolled into the troubled city of Tal Afar. That city is about 60 kilometers, 40 miles, from the Syrian border. And military officials say it has become an insurgent stronghold, the scene of frequent attacks against Iraqi police, against tribes there, against U.S. soldiers.
And this morning's operation, meant to show the presence of the Iraqi military, as well as U.S. forces in the region. They rolled into those streets, very narrow streets, the worst kind of urban warfare. And as they came in, gunfire rang around them.
Scattered gunfire as the hours went on, as well as a couple of mortar rounds that fell. One U.S. soldier killed. Three suspected insurgents killed, as well, when they returned fire.
The U.S. military says that they have detained 28 suspected insurgents, most of them on their target list. All of this in an effort to bolster the Iraqi Army in that neighborhood, in that city, and to disrupt the operations of insurgents.
Jane Arraf, CNN, reporting from near Tal Afar, Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: The American commanding the -- the American commanding the operation in Tal Afar is a Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Hickey of the 2nd Squadron, 3rd U.S. Armored Cavalry. We spoke to him earlier on LIVE FROM about the mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COL. CHRISTOPHER HICKEY, U.S. ARMY: Today we conducted precision raids in the Siria (ph) district in downtown Tal Afar. As you said in your report, we captured over 20 of our targets. And we did it in such a way that we didn't have -- we had very little collateral damage to the city. So overall we considered the operation a good success between the Iraqi Army and U.S. forces.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Was it a chance encounter or destiny? A war veteran and the Army nurse who tended to his dying son in Iraq meet in Washington on Memorial Day. Both join us live to talk about their chance meet and the stories they've shared since when LIVE FROM returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And this just in to CNN. We talked to a spokesperson at the Tulsa International Airport, where they're following a situation with a Southwest Airlines jet. You see it right there.
It appears that a white powder was found spilled from a container, likely a briefcase or backpack, on to the belly of that Southwest Airlines jet. That jet is now on the ground. We understand the passengers on board have been deplaned, and no other air traffic has been affected by what is going on here.
Now, standard operating procedure in a case like this is for hazmat to investigate and that we understand that in the last hour hazmat has suited up and is about to begin that job. We'll keep an eye on this situation and report any additional developments. PHILLIPS: Another story we're staying on top of is out of Los Angeles, California, the standoff continues right now. Around -- centered around this white mini van on the 10 freeway. That's near Santa Monica, not far from the Robertson exit there in sort of the mid city area of Los Angeles.
What we can tell you is the suspect driving this car is believed to be a kidnapping suspect. He's believed to be armed. You can see SWAT teams have moved in, surrounded that van.
Police had pretty much -- come pretty close to that car as it was in the middle of a chase coming down the freeway. Kind of clipped the car, got a flat. It spun around. Well, now the suspect is believed to be holed up inside. Not sure if anybody else is inside that van. They're trying to establish communication with that suspect.
These pictures coming us via our affiliate KCAL. We're going to continue to follow this and let you know what happens. We're going to take a quick break. More LIVE FROM right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Vietnam veteran Alan Hoe came to Washington on Memorial Day to speak at a wall built for his fallen comrades. Army nurse corps Major Polly Coughlin had just returned from duty in Iraq and was invited as a guest at the Vietnam nurses' memorial that same day.
Well, as Alan walked by that memorial, Major Coughlin noticed something that brought back some pretty chilling memories of a dying young soldier in Mosul. The connection is being called a miracle.
Major Polly Coughlin joins me live from Washington, and Alan Hoe is in Honolulu. Such a pleasure to have you both with us. And Alan, I want to talk with you. And as you were walking by this nurses' memorial, you had a button on, the same button that you have on right now. Tell us about that button.
ALAN HOE, VIETNAM WAR VETERAN: Correct, this is a little button that one of Minoa's (ph) uncles had made for the services that we had for Minoa (ph) in February. And we made over 2,000 of these buttons, and the outpouring of support was incredible. We've had to make more. And I have committed to wear this button for at least one year in honor of my son.
PHILLIPS: Of course, Minoa (ph) is your son. And tell us a little bit more about him, what his responsibilities were in Iraq, Alan.
HOE: Minoa (ph) is an incredible young man. He was the platoon leader for an infantry rifle platoon that was assigned to the first brigade, 25th Infantry, Tropic Lightning, their Stryker combat team. And he was, as we understand from this wonderful article written in the "Washington Post," he was out that morning on a mission to encourage the Iraqis to participate in the upcoming vote that following weekend. PHILLIPS: Now, Paula, you were at the same Memorial Day celebration and you were walking by the nurses' memorial because, of course, you're a nurse. You see this button on Alan's jacket. And what went through your mind? And what did you say to him?
PAULA COUGHLIN, ARMY NURSE: Well, actually both Alan and I were guest speakers at the Vietnam women's memorial. And so when I came to give my speech Alan presented myself and Captain Otto with a beautiful Hawaiian lei.
So I was honored to receive this beautiful lei. And when I saw the button I was amazed to see that it was somebody that I knew. And I automatically recognized him from one of our trauma victims. And when I talked to Mr. Hoe about it, he confirmed my realizations, and we got teary eyed and hugged. And about 20 minutes later I had to get up and speak.
So it was amazing encounter. I think that we were really lucky to meet. I wasn't supposed to be home from Iraq. So I think it was destiny that we met there that day.
PHILLIPS: Now, Paula, let's even be more specific. You mentioned that Alan's son was one of your trauma victims, but this is a young man that you held in your arms, right?
COUGHLIN: I didn't hold him in my arms. I actually tried to close his eyes. I was helping to prepare him as the troops came to view him, right before the troops came to view them. I noticed that his eyes were open. And I thought that the troops would be upset with this.
So I tried to close his eyes, and I couldn't. And I went back and told Alan that I couldn't close his eyes, and he said that Minoa (ph) slept with his eyes open. So it truly was meant to be.
PHILLIPS: Wow, so when Paula told you about this, Alan, that this, it was your son that she had held and tried to close his eyes after being shot and killed in Mosul, what was your reaction, to come face to face with the nurse that probably Paula, you were probably the last one to embrace him at that moment. What was your reaction, Alan?
HOE: I was stunned. When I went to put the lei on Major Couglin, as she bent down for me to put it on, she saw the button and she said, "Oh, my God, I know him."
And when she said that, it was just like -- being struck in the chest. And I said, "You know him? He's my son."
And she said, "I was with him at the moment he died." And in Hawaiian tradition when someone is with a loved one at the time of their passing, it is our custom to say that they are being embraced.
And I thought, after talking to Paula that there was something that bothered her. And later on she shared with me that she had attempted to close Minoa's (ph) eyes in preparation for Minoa's (ph) platoon to come in and pay their final respects. And I chuckled because Minoa (ph) had a very unique little personal characteristic that he would sleep with his eyes partially open. So when I told Paula, I laughed, I said, "You sharing that with me is incredible, because you don't know this, but no one would be able to close Minoa's (ph) eyes." So I really appreciated that story.
PHILLIPS: Oh, Paula, and as you held him and you looked in his eyes, you tried to close his eyes, what do you do with that point? I mean it's got to be, you have to be professional in that moment, but there's got to be a spiritual moment? Did you say anything? I mean, what -- my gosh, what do you do in that type of situation?
COUGHLIN: At the same time the chaplain was helping to prepare him, I just said my prayer and walked away. And let the troops come and pay their respects.
PHILLIPS: And Alan, you were a medic in Vietnam. You know how important it is to embrace the dying. So...
HOE: Absolutely.
PHILLIPS: So I'm curious: are the two of you going to get together again?
HOE: Absolutely. I -- Paula had, with her, her young son Matt. And so we -- our family has a standing invitation to Paula and her family.
This young lady is incredible. She has four young children, and she's a dedicated Army nurse, and the kinds of things that they do for our troops are truly incredible. So I said, "Matt, you need to work on Mom and Dad to get to you Hawaii, and Uncle Alan is going to teach you how to surf. And we'll have a great time. And he was just pleased."
PHILLIPS: Paula, final thoughts.
COUGHLIN: I'm sure they will love it. Final thoughts. There are so many. Alan and I shared a tremendous moment. But there are so many out there who give their heart and souls every day to help these troops, and my heart goes with them -- out to them. And I hope that they can find the peace that Alan and I share.
PHILLIPS: Wow, Major Paula Coughlin and Alan Hoe, you sure got us all choked up here. What an absolute honor to do this interview. Thank you so much for your time. And I think, Alan, you can be sure that we will all remember your son, Minoa (ph), and what did he for our country.
HOE: Thank you so much.
COUGHLIN: Thank you. Aloha.
PHILLIPS: Aloha.
HOE: Aloha. PHILLIPS: Quick break, we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And checking other news across America now.
The FBI gets involved in a suspicious beating in New Mexico. Tommy Hook, who works at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a whistleblower who planned to testify before congressional committee later this month.
Hook's wife tells authorities he received a phone call late Saturday from someone claiming to have information and wanted to meet at a bar. When Hook arrived he was pulled from his car, beaten. Well, he's now in a hospital with a fractured jaw.
PHILLIPS: When it comes to making money at the box office, Hollywood might want to start focusing on a much younger audience. Susan Lisovicz joins us live from the New York Stock Exchange to explain why -- Susan.
(STOCK REPORT)
HARRIS: Susan, thank you. And that wraps up this Tuesday edition of LIVE FROM. Get away time.
PHILLIPS: John King in the seat with the preview of what's happening on "INSIDE POLITICS."
Hi, John.
JOHN KING, HOST, "INSIDE POLITICS": Hello, Kyra. Thank you, Kyra and Tony.
One of President Bush's judicial nominees moves one step closer to confirmation. Just who is Janice Rogers Brown? I'll profile this controversial judge, just ahead.
And just moments ago the British prime minister, Tony Blair, arrived at the White House. In a little more than an hour, he will have a news conference with the president of the United States, George W. Bush. Are those leaders still strong partners across the pond?
Stay tuned; "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And following a situation in Tulsa International Airport with a Southwest Airlines plane.
As we told you earlier, a ramp agent found a powder leaking from a passenger's piece of luggage, either a backpack or another piece of luggage. We can also tell you that passengers who were deplaned were not quarantined or decontaminated.
We understand that a hazmat team is on the scene and is working the situation and that abundance of caution is being taken as they investigate the situation.
Once again, a ramp agent at the Tulsa International Airport reports finding a powder, a white powder leaking from a passenger's piece of luggage and that we can also tell you that none of the passengers who have been deplaned have been quarantined or decontaminated.
Also, hazmat crews are on the scene, and they are reasonably sure that a container of someone's baby powder actually opened. Once again, it may have been a container of baby powder that opened, producing that white powder.
I'll now send it to "INSIDE POLITICS" with John King.
END
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