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Cops Hunt Courthouse Fugitives; Troops Trained Overseas in Terrorism Tactics

Aired August 10, 2005 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A couple things as we bottom line this -- Scottie (ph), throw the picture first of the vehicle back up on the screen for everybody to see. Because, where we stand right now is that George and Jennifer Hyatte are still very much at large. And this the vehicle that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations and the FBI -- everyone is looking for right now. This Chevrolet Venture minivan. And there's the license plate. It's GFU-155. It is a Tennessee tag, and it's gold with black trim.
Now, the investigators are still talking with the family members of George and Jennifer Hyatte. We learned during this briefing that Jennifer Hyatte has family in Utah and in Tennessee. And we also learned that there are leads that are coming out of the talks with the family.

You heard a question to Jim Washam, who is the Kingston police chief. He was asked about the planning for this escape. And what he said is that it was apparently very well-planned. You heard that Jennifer Hyatte was actually in the courtroom during the proceedings for her husband, and left just ahead of the sheriff's deputies. There was evidence of escape vehicles, obviously weapons, and also knowledge of the court time.

Now, investigators are also looking over items left at a local hotel where Jennifer Hyatte was staying. Bottom line, George and Jennifer Hyatte still very much at large.

Let's get more insight into this investigation now. Let's bring in former FBI investigator Don Clark, who joins us to talk about where things stand with the investigation. Don, as always, good to talk to you.

DON CLARK, FMR. FBI INVESTIGATOR: Good to be with you, Tony.

HARRIS: Well, Don, I guess we learned that one of the standard procedures when you get started on an investigation like this is that you go to what we've been calling the friends and family network. And it looks like that is bearing some fruit, that there is some information being developed out of those conversations.

CLARK: Well, I think that's the proper thing for them to do, Tony, not withstanding what has taken place. What law enforcement can't afford to do -- and I don't think they're doing that at this point -- is get mired down in all of the activities surrounding the escape. What they've got to do now is to try to develop leads. And where do you develop those leads? Well, first of all, you start right at the scene, because I guarantee you there might be something there that might be of lead value, as well. But in terms of information, you've got to connect yourself to those people that the escapeee and his accomplice had contact with and see what they can gain from the family and so forth.

HARRIS: Well, Don, let me pick up on that point. Because there were a couple of questions whether or not the authorities had taken a look at surveillance tape of the area. And what I hear you saying and what I certainly heard the authorities on the scene saying is that we are not going to get bogged down in that. We know, essentially, what happened here. We have to move forward with the investigation to stop something like this from happening a little farther down the road here.

CLARK: Well, I think taking a look at surveillance tapes, in my opinion, would be part of this investigative technique. Because there may be lead information or something of lead value that may come out of that surveillance. But what I would not like to see them do is to start -- at this point -- to really worry too much about procedures and processes that should have taken place. That's clearly important. But right now, what's most important is that information gets out to police departments, to joining states and to the nation here about these two very dangerous people that's already killed a police officer, I believe, and that's on the move someplace.

HARRIS: Don, the evidence of the planning. This is a little scary. Escape vehicles, weapons, knowledge of the court time. You wonder if Jennifer Hyatte had been sort of watching the proceedings and laying out this meticulous plan during various court appearances by her husband.

CLARK: Well, Tony, I think you said it. And I don't think we have don't think we have to wonder very much. When you look at just the amount that we know at this point, you can tell that there was some detailed planning that went into this. Now, hopefully, law enforcement is going to find that part in there, that weakest link in that chain of their planning process, and that's going to be the result in the apprehension. But clearly, they have made some very distinguished plans as to what they might do.

HARRIS: So, Don, what do you do? You send out a BOLO -- this is a be on the lookout for -- you're on the lookout for these two individuals, obviously, but you're also on the lookout for this minivan. You need the most recent pictures of these two people, don't you, to be able to send out to all of the law enforcement agencies in the neighboring communities.

CLARK: You're so right, Tony. I mean, one of the worst things law enforcement can do -- and sometimes they can't do any better -- but it's to send out a 10 or 12-year-old photograph of the person. Now, clearly, the inmate -- there should be some update photographs immediately available to the nation as to what this person looks like.

And now, the lady also was an employee there, so at least there should be reasonable pictures of her as to what she looks like. But also, one of the leads that they're going to looking for in talking to families and friends is that what does she look like now? Does she look today the same way she did, say, two years ago or did she dye her hair two nights ago?

HARRIS: Now, the authorities didn't want to talk about this, but I would imagine that the police are checking cell phone records, computer, e-mails, everything they can right now.

CLARK: Well, they ought to be, because that's where they're going to get their lead information from. And we're now in this technological society where e-mails and text messaging and all of that kind of stuff has to be checked. That has to now, Tony, rise up right to the level of being the number one things that you want to do to try to establish what contacts these people may have made, and that's where you want to try and go. Who knows? A contact could be out in Utah or someplace that may bring the lead to you.

HARRIS: All right, so Scottie, let's throw up the pictures and let's sort of recap this thing as we can. George and Jennifer Hyatte, still very much on the loose out there, as you heard from authorities in that press conference just a short time ago. There are descriptions of the two fugitives right now.

And what police are looking for right now is a minivan. This is a Chevy Venture minivan with Tennessee tag GFU-155. And this minivan has -- is gold with a black trim. And Don, right now, that's the best information that we can provide for people who might be watching and might be helpful in turning a lead or two that leads to these two.

CLARK: Well, I think that's a good point of looking for that minivan, because that's what they have. And you've got to go on what you have. But also, Tony, you've got to keep in mind, that minivan may not be on the roadway some place. You know, it may be parked or stashed some place, so people should be aware that it could not be -- it may not be a moving vehicle and look for parked vehicles, as well.

HARRIS: Well done. Don Clark, we appreciate it as always. Thank you.

CLARK: You bet, Tony, thank you.

HARRIS: Still ahead on LIVE FROM, the U.S. military set to spring into action on American soil. Ahead on LIVE FROM, what the Pentagon plans to do if and when terrorists strike here at home.

Moonshot. Your chance to take the ultimate road trip, with one stop-over. That's ahead on LIVE FROM.

An unexpected delivery. A woman gets the surprise of her life when she starts to give birth.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And this just in to CNN. Want to show you live pictures, now. Obviously, of an ambulance transporting one of the injured in this incident that we're about to describe to you. Our pictures coming from affiliate WKMG and this is the scene.

What we have is a school bus and a daycare van that have collided. This in Orlando, Florida. Police say the crash happened -- if you know the area, are familiar with it -- at Michigan Avenue and Dixie Bell Drive (ph). We understand at least six people are injured, one patient, we understand, is in serious condition. We don't know how many children were either on the bus or the minivan.

Once again, a school bus and a daycare van colliding in Orlando, Florida. Six people injured and one person, we understand, is serious -- in serious condition right now and this happened at Michigan Avenue and Dixie Bell Drive (ph).

And as you would imagine -- boy, there's another vehicle involved in that, as well, as you can see from those pictures. That actually looks like a tow truck there. So, at least three vehicles that we know of at this time.

Maybe we can get the bird's-eye view to widen out just a little bit and we can get a better view of the total area, but it looks like at least three vehicles are involved in this.

We're talking about a school bus and a daycare minivan and this accident -- as you see fire and rescue on the scene there. The school bus on its side -- not sure how many kids were on that bus -- about 2:41 in the afternoon.

We're hoping that it was at the very end of the school day and maybe just a few kids on that bus. But we understand that six are injured, one in serious condition. We'll continue to follow this story and see if we can get you some additional information on it.

President Bush hit the road today to sign the highway bill. He interrupted his vacation to travel to Illinois, where he said the bill will bring the nation's transportation system into the 21st century. At $286 billion, the bill funds six years worth of roads, bridges and other plans. It also contains more than six thousand special projects. Critics call the bill bloated and expensive, but President Bush says it's just what the country needs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In order to keep this economy growing, we've got to become less dependent on foreign sources of oil and that's why I'm proud to be here to sign this transportation bill, because our economy depends on us having the most efficient, reliable transportation system in the world.

If we want people working in America, we've got to make sure our highways and roads are modern. We've got to bring up this transportation system into the 21st century.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: The measure is $30 billion over what President Bush first proposed, but it's still cheaper than the amount the Senate approved just last year.

Our "Security Watch" today begins in California. That's where a judge has refused to set bail for a Muslim cleric arrested as part of a terror investigation.

Sabbir Ahmed is currently charged with overstaying his visa, but the FBI says he planned to set up a camp to train terrorists in Lodi, California. Four other men were arrested in June as part of the probe. Ahmed can challenge his detention and immigration charge during a hearing set for October.

The threat of terrorism is providing a new role for the U.S. military. Troops trained for overseas conflicts may be need much closer to home, but there is already concern they could go too far in their mission.

CNN Homeland Security correspondent Jeanne Meserve has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When the tsunami hit Southeast Asia last year, the U.S. military helped save lives and ease suffering. If terrorists used a weapons of mass destruction in the United States, the military might play a similar role.

MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: ... And obviously, the Department Of Defense has certain capabilities, including the ability to put a lot of hospitals and a lot of personnel in the field, which would be critical if we had a truly mass event.

MESERVE: Military sources have confirmed to CNN that they are drawing up specific plans for homeland defense: How to deal with scenarios involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons. The head of Northern Command, which coordinates military involvement in homeland security, says it's simply another part of the job.

ADM. TIMOTHY KEATING, U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND: We're concerned about getting appropriate response capability where it's needed, as quickly as possible.

MESERVE: Although the U.S. Air Force already patrols the nation's skies and the Navy assisted with security during the G-8 Summit in Georgia last year, this Department of Defense strategy document lays out an expanded role for the military inside the United States.

Former Virginia Governor James Gilmore, headed a commission that examined the issue, though he finds much to praise in the document, he is disturbed that it appears to give the military wide leeway; possibly even opening the door to martial law.

JAMES GILMORE, CHMN., THE GILMORE COMMISSION: There's an overarching, larger strategy here that is being articulated, which is one that says that the military has an appropriate role any time, anyplace, anywhere, including entirely through the homeland. I think that has to be very, very carefully examined.

MESERVE: Admiral Keating says such fears are unfounded.

KEATING: But we understand the Constitution. We understand the Fourth Amendment. We have lawyers in all of our planning processes who are vigilant about making sure that those rights are very well protected.

MESERVE: Other experts raise a different concern. It has been almost four years since the September 11th attacks and they wonder what has taken the Pentagon so long.

For CNN's America Bureau, Jeanne Meserve, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And 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.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And here's a look at stories making news across America.

In New Mexico, authorities now say gunfire brought down a sheriff's department's helicopter over the weekend. The chopper crashed into a backyard in Albuquerque on Saturday while assisting on a burglary call. The civilian pilot and a deputy on board suffered minor injuries.

In suburban Detroit, one man said it looked like a bomb went off. He was describing a series of explosions at a chemical plant in Romulus, Michigan. Twenty people were treated for respiratory problems. Hundreds of residents were evacuated to emergency shelters.

Today in entertainment news, you won't believe the latest group of people who are wild about Harry Potter. And the spotlight is on fame, fortune and dysfunction in a new film.

For the details of that hot premiere, let's go to entertainment expert Sibila Vargas, live in Los Angeles.

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Tony.

HARRIS: Sibila, hi.

VARGAS: Tony Harris. How you doing, Tony Harris?

HARRIS: Very good, very good.

VARGAS: Good.

That's right. The stars hit the red carpet last night for the premiere of "Pretty Persuasion." Evan Rachel Wood in this not-so- pretty tale about a Beverly Hills teenager who will stop at nothing to become famous. Actor James Woods -- no relationship in real life -- plays the role of father in a family that's full of dysfunction.

The young Wood told us why she thought audiences would be enthralled with the movie.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EVAN RACHEL WOOD, ACTRESS: Just something different and something cool and something that, yes, will stick with people, even if it's, you know, dramatic or funny or it's shocking, it's just something that's going to, you know, cause some kind of emotion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: And "Pretty Persuasion" rolls out in limited release on Friday.

Well, here's an interesting story. You know "Harry Potter" books are all the rage with kids. Well, it looks like there's a real fondness for the boy wizard in Guantanamo Bay. According to a prison librarian, "Harry Potter" tales are said to be at the top of the request list for the prison's detainees. The passion for Potter is only matched by their love of Agatha Christie murder mysteries. More than 500 suspects are currently being held at Guantanamo Bay Prison.

And finally, it's time to get your groove on with Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. And leading the pack is a soulstress that goes by one name.

(MUSIC)

Not only is Ciara ahead of the game with five nominations, but the sexy singer will co-host the awards show, along with Brian McKnight and Toni Braxton. Destiny's Child, Amerie, and Fantasia also made their mark with four nominations apiece. The Soul Train Lady Awards is the only annual show designed exclusively to honor the accomplishment of female recording artists. The event will be telecast in syndication later next month.

And Tony, there's a lot of ladies with, like, the one names -- Fantasia, Amerie. You know, it just goes on. My mom wanted to call me Cookie.

HARRIS: Cookie?

VARGAS: That's what she calls me.

HARRIS: You know what, here's the thing. They've got one name and they don't have much in the way of clothing, do they?

VARGAS: No, they don't. But could you just -- could you do me a favor, Tony?

HARRIS: Yes. VARGAS: Can you just tell my mom that Cookie will not work in broadcast journalism?

HARRIS: Calling Cookie's mom. All right. Will do. On the must-do list. All right, Sibila, thank you.

VARGAS: All right.

HARRIS: Cookie, did you know that?

Surprise delivery with a twist. The mother knew she was pregnant, never knew she was pregnant. It happened -- the story. Hear from the mom, the full story, next on LIVE FROM.

And selling trips to the moon. It's a giant step for space tourism, but can you afford to go? Details ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And now the story of a California woman and a lottery ticket surprise. No, she didn't win after she chose her numbers, but it turned out her pick was a sign of something in her future.

Christina Penza of CNN affiliate KCAL explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNICE ALLEN, MOTHER: Four, 22 and then the mega number I picked was five.

CHRISTINA PENZA, KCAL REPORTER (voice-over): Annice Allen does not know why she chose 4-22-05, but the numbers turned out to be -- the birthday of the baby she did not know she was carrying.

Two days after Annice played those lottery numbers, Jimice Allen was born.

ALLEN: That day, I went to work and worked all day, actually, and thought I was having pretty bad menstrual cramps.

PENZA: Annice learned she was six months pregnant at the E.R., a huge surprise for her and husband Jimmy. Married 12 years, they had had trouble having kids.

(on camera): How could you not know you were six months pregnant?

ALLEN: That's a good question but I did not know. I didn't get -- my stomach, I'm exactly the same size now that I was then.

PENZA (voice-over): Plus, at 37, Annice's menstrual cycles had been irregular. Her doctor, Steve Cho, tells me he's seen other women surprised to find themselves in the delivery room.

DR. STEVE CHO, MILLER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: They can discount some of the signs that, in retrospect, oh, yes, that's what it was. ALLEN: Born premature, Jimmice has spent her first three-and-a- half months in intensive care. Now she's breathing on her own and ready to go home. But what about those lotto numbers?

CHO: Oh, I think that just happens to be a coincidence and good story. If these numbers work well for her, maybe she could continue to play it.

ALLEN: No, I'm not playing the lottery anymore. I'm done with the lottery. She has all of my time right here.

PENZA (on camera): When the baby was worn, she was just 11 inches long. She's now five pounds, six ounces. Her doctor says she's doing exceptionally well.

In Long Beach, Christina Penza, KCAL-9 News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: All right.

While the shuttle Discovery is back on Earth, a private group is planning to take anyone with the right amount of cash to the moon. The Virginia company called Space Adventures plans to arrange for two passengers to ride the moon aboard a Russian rocket as soon as the year 2008. The trip can be yours, if you can meet the price. It's pretty hefty, $100 million for each passenger. Anyone?

That wraps up this Wednesday edition of LIVE FROM. I'm Tony Harris at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Now Wolf Blitzer is live in "THE SITUATION ROOM."

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