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Missing in Aruba; Terror Probe; Firefighter to Lose job Over Marriage?

Aired June 09, 2005 - 14:00   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.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The search for Natalee Holloway expands. New details on the disappearance of the missing American student.
A Wisconsin teenager's fight against sexual predators. Live hearings begin on Capitol Hill this hour on Amie Zyla effort to change national law.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT COOPER, FIREFIGHTER: The city says I'm going to lose my job if I marry her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Marriage penalty. A firefighter about to lose his job when he takes a wife.

And something to get your toes tapping. The telephone toad, the Crazy Frog, set to take over your cell phone.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM begins right now.

More arrests, but still no answers in Aruba. The last three men known to have seen a missing Alabama honor student are now among five being held by police. But no formal charges have been filed.

We get the latest now from CNN's Karl Penhaul in the Aruban community of Palm Beach.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, police and prosecutors have told us in a news conference that the three young men, one is 17 and is a minor, another is 18, the other 19, two of them are brothers, all three are friends, and all three were the young men that were last seen in Natalee Holloway's company outside the Carlos 'N Charlie's bar.

Police and prosecutors have declined to specify at that news conference whether there was any intimate physical contact between one of those detained this morning and Natalee Holloway on the night that she disappeared. Police and prosecutors all went -- also went on to say that they would ensure or try to ensure that the fact that one of the detainee's fathers is an influential member of the Aruba community would not impact on the state of this investigation. Also important, the prosecutor went on to say so far they have no evidence that Natalee Holloway is either dead or alive. Nothing to indicate either way what her fate has been. And the prosecutor also went on to say that police forces and investigative forces in South American countries have also been contacted. You will, of course, remember that Aruba lies just off the coast of Venezuela -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Karl, any explanation as to why the three persons of interest at first were first interviewed and then cleared and have now consequently have been arrested?

PENHAUL: We were pressing police and prosecutors very hard on that matter, and also the fact that today one of detainee's cars was seized to be examined but was not confiscated when they were first questioned by police. Police describe this move as a tactical move, a tactical investigation. Other people on this island have said that possibly the question of class, wealth and color has come into place, but police and prosecutors categorically denied that at this afternoon's press conference -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Karl Penhaul, thanks very much for this developing story update.

An Italian aid worker held hostage in Afghanistan has been released. Afghan officials say Clementina Cantoni, who works for CARE International, is safe. She was abducted by gunmen while driving in central Kabul more than three weeks ago.

To Lodi now in northern California, where the alleged plot thickens. The son of a local Muslim cleric is the latest to be arrested since the feds uncovered what they call an al Qaeda plot to kill Americans. So far, though, three of five known suspects are charged only with visa violations, while this man and his son are charged with lying to the FBI.

CNN's Peter Viles has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Federal agents searched houses in rural northern California after an alarming disclosure. A 22-year-old born in California allegedly admitted he was trained to kill Americans in an al Qaeda training camp in Pakistan. Twenty-two-year-old Hamid Hayat and his father Umer are being held in Sacramento County Jail on charges they lied about the son's activities.

KEITH SLOTTER, FBI SPECIAL AGENT: We believe through our investigation that various individuals connected to al Qaeda have been operating in the Lodi area in various capacities, including individuals who have received terrorist training abroad with the specific intent to initiate a terrorist attack in the United States and to harm Americans and our institutions.

VILES: In an affidavit, the government says the younger Hayat admitted the following: that he spent six months at an al Qaeda-run training camp in Pakistan, that during weapons training, photos of President Bush were used as targets, and that he specifically requested to come back to the United States to carry out his jihadi mission. Two other men, leaders at a mosque in Lodi, are being held on immigration violations. Hayat's lawyer warns against jumping to conclusions.

JOHNNY GRIFFIN III, FATHER'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I think it's important for everyone to push the pause button. He's only charged with making a false statement.

VILES: But already, attorney Johnny Griffin is receiving angry emails.

GRIFFIN: "Understand how appalled I am at the fact that you chose to represent al Qaeda operatives who confess taking training courses to kill Americans."

VILES: In the working class neighborhood of Lodi, where the elder Hayat lived and drove an ice-cream truck, neighbors were stunned.

KARINO MURILLO, NEIGHBOR: He was very friendly with the kids. He never did anything to led us to believe he would be planning something like this.

VILES: Federal officials say they have been tracking Hamid Hayat for sometime. He had been on a no-fly list, but after questioning by the FBI, was allowed to reenter the United States in late May. Days later, he was brought in for further questions and a lie detector test that led to his arrest.

Peter Viles for CNN, Lodi, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: CNN is committed to providing the most reliable coverage of news that affects your security. Stay tuned to CNN for the latest information day and night.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has announced a changed in policy on firing at moving vehicles. It stems from a shooting in the city of Compton that residents say went too far.

In all, 10 deputies fired 120 rounds at an unarmed man to end the late-night car chase. The new policy requires deputies to decide independently whether to shoot rather than all firing collectively at a single command. Thirteen deputies will be disciplined for their role in the Compton shooting.

And then further north, the Michael Jackson trial, there are 12 jurors that have been deliberating now for a little over three days. Well, they've recessed now for the day with their half-day of deliberations. And deliberations resume tomorrow now.

Elsewhere "Across America," hot, dry conditions spark wildfires out West. One has already scorched about 1,000 acres northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, forcing some evacuations. And starting today, no campfires at Zion National Park and almost all of Tonto National Park. Rangers say the fire risk is just too great.

A legal victory for Learjet. Jurors in Florida say the aircraft manufacturer is not responsible for the death of pro golfer Payne Stewart and four others. Their charter jet crashed five-and-a-half years ago in South Dakota after the crew and passengers apparently lost consciousness for lack of oxygen.

And surfers beware of the creatures of the sea. One young man in New Jersey found out the hard way when a shark took a small chunk out of his foot. Authorities say it may have been a young great white or a sandbar shark.

And fighting for love. Matt Cooper knows thats as soon as he says, "I do," his boss very likely will say, "You're fired."

Reporter Shawn Flynn with our affiliate News 14 has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHAWN FLYNN, NEWS 14 (voice-over): A Rock Hill firefighter is torn between the job he has always wanted to do and has done for the past two-and-a-half years and the woman he wants to marry.

COOPER: The city says I'm going to lose my job if I marry her.

FLYNN: Why? Because his future father-in-law is a captain with the same department, and that would violate the city's nepotism law that prohibits family members from working together. With the wedding just days away, Cooper is fighting for both of his loves.

COOPER: I love this job. It is my passion, a family tradition. And I'm asking the city of Rock Hill to preserve the tradition of family and the institution of marriage and allow me to marry the woman I love and keep the job I love.

FLYNN: With wedding bells around the corner, the couple is only hearing sirens.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And it's very stressful (INAUDIBLE) wedding and know that in 10 days that we're going to get married and 30 days after that my fiance is going to lose his job.

FLYNN: Fire chief Mike Blackman (ph) said it's his job to enforce the policy. Cooper signed the policy when he took the job and was warned several times when he started dating the captain's daughter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've had several conversations over the last nine months just to get him prepared for, you know, if this happened, you know, he'd have to abide by the policy.

FLYNN: The chief said he tried helping Cooper find another job within the city or other fire departments in surrounding communities. Cooper didn't want to hang up his hat in Rock Hill and now knows he'll soon be a married man and I fired fighter.

COOPER: I'm saying I do, but I'm not saying I quit. They're going to have to say I'm fired.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Our thanks to Shawn Flynn with affiliate News 14 in nearby Charlotte. One final note. The city of Rock Hill has decided to give Cooper a month after his wedding to find another job.

The Army, on the other hand, is trying to hire people, but without much success. Last month it fell about 25 percent short of its recruiting goal. That's the four months in a -- four months in a row, rather, that the Army has missed its target. Army officials are hoping to make up for it later in the summer when generally more young people are looking for work.

Hearings under way right now on Capitol Hill. Live pictures from the House Judiciary Subcommittee, where a hearing on the protection of children from sexual predators is under way. Seventeen-year-old Amie Zyla is expected to testify in front of that committee. She wants a law enacted in her home state to become federal law. Her compelling story straight ahead.

Also straight ahead, President Bush makes the case to renew the Patriot Act. We'll talk about that and efforts to expand the controversial measure straight ahead on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Protecting children, that's the aim of a hearing on Capitol Hill and the focus of a young girl named Amie. CNN's Kimberly Osias joins us from Washington with her story.

Hello, Kimberly.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.

Well, she is a very brave young woman, indeed. She is not expected to speak until about 4:00.

Now, she's brave because she was molested by a family friend when she was just eight years old. He was a minor, too. Now, almost a decade later, she still struggles with her memories. She's hoping to turn her nightmarish ordeal into a vehicle for change, preventing others from having to endure the same abuse that she did.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OSIAS (voice-over): She wears jeans and a trendy black top, looking very much like a typical teenage girl. Seventeen-year-old Amie Zyla is a bit in awe of Washington. It's her first trip here. But her reason for coming is anything but typical.

When Amie was just eight years old, she was sexually molested by this man, family friend Joshua Wade (ph). Today she's speaking out about her abuse, hoping for legislative change.

AMIE ZYLA, ABUSE VICTIM: Yes, it's hard for me. But the more I like -- it helps to talk about it because it gives me closure. And to know that I'm going to help so many other kids makes me feel better, too.

OSIAS: When Amie was eight, Joshua Wade (ph) was 14. He sexually abused Amie and threatened her life. Wade (ph) was prosecuted and convicted for that, but his abusing didn't stop.

Years later, he pled guilty again, this time for luring teens to his Wisconsin apartment, taping some of them in his shower. But all the while, his history a secret. That's because current law allows the records of juveniles to remain sealed and their identities kept private. The concept, rehabilitate and give kids a new beginning.

But the Zylas say the possibility to molest again should trump any right to privacy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For us it's just about protecting kids, you know, and not letting this happen to anybody else. You know, we know some of the new victims now, and it hurts. It hurts to see that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here's the moment.

OSIAS: Last month, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed a law named aptly named Amie's Law. It allows law enforcement officials to review records of juvenile sex offenders and inform the public. Critics say juvenile offenders have a better chance to be rehabilitated than adults and shouldn't be scarred by public exposure.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OSIAS: As for Joshua Wade (ph), he remains behind bars awaiting sentencing in August. When convicted, he could face up to 70 years behind bars.

Now, interestingly, I want to show you a little result, a recent CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll. When questioned about a thousand people, when they were asked, "Do you think child molesters have a mental illness?" more than half answered no.

Fredricka, rather shocking.

WHITFIELD: Sure is, indeed. All right. Thanks for that sobering report. Thanks so much, Kimberly.

Well, CNN will have more of Amie's story tonight after her testimony. Ed Henry has a one-on-one interview with her. And see it tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 Pacific on "PAULA ZAHN NOW."

Jurors in the Michael Jackson trial have wrapped up for the day. Still no indication how deliberations are going. Whenever there is a verdict, of course, you can be sure it will be delivered in any number of languages. CNN' Ted Rowlands looks at the international interest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Frederica Dupuis has been covering the Jackson trial for SRC Television in Canada. She says the day that Michael Jackson showed up in his pajamas was the day her bosses told her to stick around until end.

FREDERICA DUPUIS, SRC TELEVISION: Been a star for years so there is an interest, specifically, that he's become so weird over the years.

ROWLANDS: Dupuis is one of international journalists covering the trial.

According to the reporters from 32 countries covering this trial, Michael Jackson's fate is an international obsession.

SALVADOR DURAN, TELEMUNDO: With Spain, they have a huge fan base here for Michael Jackson. In Latin American, Mexico certainly has a lot -- you know, he gives them a lot of support. I see fans over here. El Salvador has a lot of support.

ROWLANDS: One thing they do seem interested in is the American legal system.

MAREK WALKUSKI, POLISH NATIONAL RADIO: There's no jury in Poland. You don't have 12 regular people who decide about the future of the star of anybody.

PETER SHAPLAN, JACKSON MEDIA POLL PRODUCER: There is a Canadian journalist who asked when getting up in order to leave, should they stand in the aisle and bow to the judge?

ROWLANDS: Dupuis is one the few internationalist journalists has covered the trial. She says, when the case is at its most bizarre, the interest back home is at its highest. She thinks the best is yet to come.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Santa Maria, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, news around the world now.

Murder in Mexico. No one wanted the job of police chief in Nuevo Laredo. It was considered a death sentence. Then Alejandro Dominguez (ph) took on the position. At the end of his first full day in office he was dead, the latest victim attack in a drug turf war in the border town.

Attack on the high seas. An American couple escapes after being attacked by modern day pirates off the Yemen coast. Jay Barry (ph) and Carol Martini (ph) came under fire, but they managed to fight off the raiders and found safety in the Israeli port of Ashkelon.

And time to overcome stupid poverty. That's what U2 front man Bono calls it. He wants European leaders to boost aid for Africa. Bono, a leading campaigner for debt relief, was at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

Democratic Chairman Howard Dean, under fire for controversial comments, goes to Washington. Will it fix his image problem?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Sometimes that thing gets you in a lot of trouble. When it comes to preventing accidents, are hands-free cell phones any better than regular cell phones? A new study says no.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired June 9, 2005 - 14:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The search for Natalee Holloway expands. New details on the disappearance of the missing American student.
A Wisconsin teenager's fight against sexual predators. Live hearings begin on Capitol Hill this hour on Amie Zyla effort to change national law.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT COOPER, FIREFIGHTER: The city says I'm going to lose my job if I marry her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Marriage penalty. A firefighter about to lose his job when he takes a wife.

And something to get your toes tapping. The telephone toad, the Crazy Frog, set to take over your cell phone.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM begins right now.

More arrests, but still no answers in Aruba. The last three men known to have seen a missing Alabama honor student are now among five being held by police. But no formal charges have been filed.

We get the latest now from CNN's Karl Penhaul in the Aruban community of Palm Beach.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, police and prosecutors have told us in a news conference that the three young men, one is 17 and is a minor, another is 18, the other 19, two of them are brothers, all three are friends, and all three were the young men that were last seen in Natalee Holloway's company outside the Carlos 'N Charlie's bar.

Police and prosecutors have declined to specify at that news conference whether there was any intimate physical contact between one of those detained this morning and Natalee Holloway on the night that she disappeared. Police and prosecutors all went -- also went on to say that they would ensure or try to ensure that the fact that one of the detainee's fathers is an influential member of the Aruba community would not impact on the state of this investigation. Also important, the prosecutor went on to say so far they have no evidence that Natalee Holloway is either dead or alive. Nothing to indicate either way what her fate has been. And the prosecutor also went on to say that police forces and investigative forces in South American countries have also been contacted. You will, of course, remember that Aruba lies just off the coast of Venezuela -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Karl, any explanation as to why the three persons of interest at first were first interviewed and then cleared and have now consequently have been arrested?

PENHAUL: We were pressing police and prosecutors very hard on that matter, and also the fact that today one of detainee's cars was seized to be examined but was not confiscated when they were first questioned by police. Police describe this move as a tactical move, a tactical investigation. Other people on this island have said that possibly the question of class, wealth and color has come into place, but police and prosecutors categorically denied that at this afternoon's press conference -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Karl Penhaul, thanks very much for this developing story update.

An Italian aid worker held hostage in Afghanistan has been released. Afghan officials say Clementina Cantoni, who works for CARE International, is safe. She was abducted by gunmen while driving in central Kabul more than three weeks ago.

To Lodi now in northern California, where the alleged plot thickens. The son of a local Muslim cleric is the latest to be arrested since the feds uncovered what they call an al Qaeda plot to kill Americans. So far, though, three of five known suspects are charged only with visa violations, while this man and his son are charged with lying to the FBI.

CNN's Peter Viles has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Federal agents searched houses in rural northern California after an alarming disclosure. A 22-year-old born in California allegedly admitted he was trained to kill Americans in an al Qaeda training camp in Pakistan. Twenty-two-year-old Hamid Hayat and his father Umer are being held in Sacramento County Jail on charges they lied about the son's activities.

KEITH SLOTTER, FBI SPECIAL AGENT: We believe through our investigation that various individuals connected to al Qaeda have been operating in the Lodi area in various capacities, including individuals who have received terrorist training abroad with the specific intent to initiate a terrorist attack in the United States and to harm Americans and our institutions.

VILES: In an affidavit, the government says the younger Hayat admitted the following: that he spent six months at an al Qaeda-run training camp in Pakistan, that during weapons training, photos of President Bush were used as targets, and that he specifically requested to come back to the United States to carry out his jihadi mission. Two other men, leaders at a mosque in Lodi, are being held on immigration violations. Hayat's lawyer warns against jumping to conclusions.

JOHNNY GRIFFIN III, FATHER'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I think it's important for everyone to push the pause button. He's only charged with making a false statement.

VILES: But already, attorney Johnny Griffin is receiving angry emails.

GRIFFIN: "Understand how appalled I am at the fact that you chose to represent al Qaeda operatives who confess taking training courses to kill Americans."

VILES: In the working class neighborhood of Lodi, where the elder Hayat lived and drove an ice-cream truck, neighbors were stunned.

KARINO MURILLO, NEIGHBOR: He was very friendly with the kids. He never did anything to led us to believe he would be planning something like this.

VILES: Federal officials say they have been tracking Hamid Hayat for sometime. He had been on a no-fly list, but after questioning by the FBI, was allowed to reenter the United States in late May. Days later, he was brought in for further questions and a lie detector test that led to his arrest.

Peter Viles for CNN, Lodi, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: CNN is committed to providing the most reliable coverage of news that affects your security. Stay tuned to CNN for the latest information day and night.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has announced a changed in policy on firing at moving vehicles. It stems from a shooting in the city of Compton that residents say went too far.

In all, 10 deputies fired 120 rounds at an unarmed man to end the late-night car chase. The new policy requires deputies to decide independently whether to shoot rather than all firing collectively at a single command. Thirteen deputies will be disciplined for their role in the Compton shooting.

And then further north, the Michael Jackson trial, there are 12 jurors that have been deliberating now for a little over three days. Well, they've recessed now for the day with their half-day of deliberations. And deliberations resume tomorrow now.

Elsewhere "Across America," hot, dry conditions spark wildfires out West. One has already scorched about 1,000 acres northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, forcing some evacuations. And starting today, no campfires at Zion National Park and almost all of Tonto National Park. Rangers say the fire risk is just too great.

A legal victory for Learjet. Jurors in Florida say the aircraft manufacturer is not responsible for the death of pro golfer Payne Stewart and four others. Their charter jet crashed five-and-a-half years ago in South Dakota after the crew and passengers apparently lost consciousness for lack of oxygen.

And surfers beware of the creatures of the sea. One young man in New Jersey found out the hard way when a shark took a small chunk out of his foot. Authorities say it may have been a young great white or a sandbar shark.

And fighting for love. Matt Cooper knows thats as soon as he says, "I do," his boss very likely will say, "You're fired."

Reporter Shawn Flynn with our affiliate News 14 has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHAWN FLYNN, NEWS 14 (voice-over): A Rock Hill firefighter is torn between the job he has always wanted to do and has done for the past two-and-a-half years and the woman he wants to marry.

COOPER: The city says I'm going to lose my job if I marry her.

FLYNN: Why? Because his future father-in-law is a captain with the same department, and that would violate the city's nepotism law that prohibits family members from working together. With the wedding just days away, Cooper is fighting for both of his loves.

COOPER: I love this job. It is my passion, a family tradition. And I'm asking the city of Rock Hill to preserve the tradition of family and the institution of marriage and allow me to marry the woman I love and keep the job I love.

FLYNN: With wedding bells around the corner, the couple is only hearing sirens.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And it's very stressful (INAUDIBLE) wedding and know that in 10 days that we're going to get married and 30 days after that my fiance is going to lose his job.

FLYNN: Fire chief Mike Blackman (ph) said it's his job to enforce the policy. Cooper signed the policy when he took the job and was warned several times when he started dating the captain's daughter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've had several conversations over the last nine months just to get him prepared for, you know, if this happened, you know, he'd have to abide by the policy.

FLYNN: The chief said he tried helping Cooper find another job within the city or other fire departments in surrounding communities. Cooper didn't want to hang up his hat in Rock Hill and now knows he'll soon be a married man and I fired fighter.

COOPER: I'm saying I do, but I'm not saying I quit. They're going to have to say I'm fired.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Our thanks to Shawn Flynn with affiliate News 14 in nearby Charlotte. One final note. The city of Rock Hill has decided to give Cooper a month after his wedding to find another job.

The Army, on the other hand, is trying to hire people, but without much success. Last month it fell about 25 percent short of its recruiting goal. That's the four months in a -- four months in a row, rather, that the Army has missed its target. Army officials are hoping to make up for it later in the summer when generally more young people are looking for work.

Hearings under way right now on Capitol Hill. Live pictures from the House Judiciary Subcommittee, where a hearing on the protection of children from sexual predators is under way. Seventeen-year-old Amie Zyla is expected to testify in front of that committee. She wants a law enacted in her home state to become federal law. Her compelling story straight ahead.

Also straight ahead, President Bush makes the case to renew the Patriot Act. We'll talk about that and efforts to expand the controversial measure straight ahead on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Protecting children, that's the aim of a hearing on Capitol Hill and the focus of a young girl named Amie. CNN's Kimberly Osias joins us from Washington with her story.

Hello, Kimberly.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.

Well, she is a very brave young woman, indeed. She is not expected to speak until about 4:00.

Now, she's brave because she was molested by a family friend when she was just eight years old. He was a minor, too. Now, almost a decade later, she still struggles with her memories. She's hoping to turn her nightmarish ordeal into a vehicle for change, preventing others from having to endure the same abuse that she did.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OSIAS (voice-over): She wears jeans and a trendy black top, looking very much like a typical teenage girl. Seventeen-year-old Amie Zyla is a bit in awe of Washington. It's her first trip here. But her reason for coming is anything but typical.

When Amie was just eight years old, she was sexually molested by this man, family friend Joshua Wade (ph). Today she's speaking out about her abuse, hoping for legislative change.

AMIE ZYLA, ABUSE VICTIM: Yes, it's hard for me. But the more I like -- it helps to talk about it because it gives me closure. And to know that I'm going to help so many other kids makes me feel better, too.

OSIAS: When Amie was eight, Joshua Wade (ph) was 14. He sexually abused Amie and threatened her life. Wade (ph) was prosecuted and convicted for that, but his abusing didn't stop.

Years later, he pled guilty again, this time for luring teens to his Wisconsin apartment, taping some of them in his shower. But all the while, his history a secret. That's because current law allows the records of juveniles to remain sealed and their identities kept private. The concept, rehabilitate and give kids a new beginning.

But the Zylas say the possibility to molest again should trump any right to privacy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For us it's just about protecting kids, you know, and not letting this happen to anybody else. You know, we know some of the new victims now, and it hurts. It hurts to see that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here's the moment.

OSIAS: Last month, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed a law named aptly named Amie's Law. It allows law enforcement officials to review records of juvenile sex offenders and inform the public. Critics say juvenile offenders have a better chance to be rehabilitated than adults and shouldn't be scarred by public exposure.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OSIAS: As for Joshua Wade (ph), he remains behind bars awaiting sentencing in August. When convicted, he could face up to 70 years behind bars.

Now, interestingly, I want to show you a little result, a recent CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll. When questioned about a thousand people, when they were asked, "Do you think child molesters have a mental illness?" more than half answered no.

Fredricka, rather shocking.

WHITFIELD: Sure is, indeed. All right. Thanks for that sobering report. Thanks so much, Kimberly.

Well, CNN will have more of Amie's story tonight after her testimony. Ed Henry has a one-on-one interview with her. And see it tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 Pacific on "PAULA ZAHN NOW."

Jurors in the Michael Jackson trial have wrapped up for the day. Still no indication how deliberations are going. Whenever there is a verdict, of course, you can be sure it will be delivered in any number of languages. CNN' Ted Rowlands looks at the international interest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Frederica Dupuis has been covering the Jackson trial for SRC Television in Canada. She says the day that Michael Jackson showed up in his pajamas was the day her bosses told her to stick around until end.

FREDERICA DUPUIS, SRC TELEVISION: Been a star for years so there is an interest, specifically, that he's become so weird over the years.

ROWLANDS: Dupuis is one of international journalists covering the trial.

According to the reporters from 32 countries covering this trial, Michael Jackson's fate is an international obsession.

SALVADOR DURAN, TELEMUNDO: With Spain, they have a huge fan base here for Michael Jackson. In Latin American, Mexico certainly has a lot -- you know, he gives them a lot of support. I see fans over here. El Salvador has a lot of support.

ROWLANDS: One thing they do seem interested in is the American legal system.

MAREK WALKUSKI, POLISH NATIONAL RADIO: There's no jury in Poland. You don't have 12 regular people who decide about the future of the star of anybody.

PETER SHAPLAN, JACKSON MEDIA POLL PRODUCER: There is a Canadian journalist who asked when getting up in order to leave, should they stand in the aisle and bow to the judge?

ROWLANDS: Dupuis is one the few internationalist journalists has covered the trial. She says, when the case is at its most bizarre, the interest back home is at its highest. She thinks the best is yet to come.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Santa Maria, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, news around the world now.

Murder in Mexico. No one wanted the job of police chief in Nuevo Laredo. It was considered a death sentence. Then Alejandro Dominguez (ph) took on the position. At the end of his first full day in office he was dead, the latest victim attack in a drug turf war in the border town.

Attack on the high seas. An American couple escapes after being attacked by modern day pirates off the Yemen coast. Jay Barry (ph) and Carol Martini (ph) came under fire, but they managed to fight off the raiders and found safety in the Israeli port of Ashkelon.

And time to overcome stupid poverty. That's what U2 front man Bono calls it. He wants European leaders to boost aid for Africa. Bono, a leading campaigner for debt relief, was at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

Democratic Chairman Howard Dean, under fire for controversial comments, goes to Washington. Will it fix his image problem?

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WHITFIELD: Sometimes that thing gets you in a lot of trouble. When it comes to preventing accidents, are hands-free cell phones any better than regular cell phones? A new study says no.

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