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Cheney Shooting Report; Close Guantanamo Prison?; Abu Ghraib Photos; Money Talks

Aired February 16, 2006 - 14:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Earlier today, the White House said President Bush is satisfied with Cheney's account of the mishap, which happened Saturday but wasn't made public until Sunday. The spokesmen wouldn't say whether the president thinks it should have been revealed any time sooner.
It also took a while for the sheriff's office to get on site and begin an investigation. CNN's Ed Lavandera has gotten a hold of the incident report. He joins me now live from Corpus Christi, Texas.

You told us a little bit about it, Ed, early on. Now you've got it in your hand.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, you know, the incident report really doesn't shed that much more light on the actual circumstances that happened -- that the shootings happened under. But it does raise some question as to exactly how this investigation was handled in the initial hours. In reading through the report, which includes statements from the chief deputy of Kennedy County and the sheriff of Kennedy County, it seems like in the initial hours they depended heavily on phone calls and information gathered from a constable in Kennedy County who says they had spoken with eye witnesses and people on the ranch to determine that it was an accident. And from the initial reading of this report, it sounds like no one from the sheriff's office actually made it physically onto the Armstrong ranch until 8:00 Sunday morning, about 14 hours after the shooting.

You can read, this some statements from the report from the sheriff of Kennedy County who says he had made a call to Constable Medellin who returned his call and said this is, in fact, an accident. "He stated that he had spoken with some of the people in the hunting party who were eyewitnesses and that they all said it was definitely a hunting accident. I also spoke with another eyewitness and he said the same thing, that it was an accident. After hearing the same information from eyewitnesses and Constable Medellin, it was at this time that I decided to send my chief deputy first thing Sunday morning to interview the vice president and other witnesses." That interview was conducted in the Armstrong home Sunday morning, 8:00. The chief deputy said that Mr. Cheney was cordial and was willing to answer and be cooperative in any way that he could. The report also states the chief deputy interviewed Harry Whittington Monday morning here at the hospital in Corpus Christi, but Mr. Whittington wouldn't allow that conversation to be recorded.

Kyra. PHILLIPS: Ed Lavandera live from Corpus Christi, thank you so much. We'll stay in touch with you with regard to that accident report. Also the condition of Harry Whittington, looking good right now. Maybe home in a couple of days.

Meanwhile, we want to take you over to a courtroom. Live pictures now at a Framingham District Court where Neil Entwistle will be arraigned this afternoon on charges that he murdered his wife and baby daughter. We are told that he should be arriving in the courtroom any minute now. You just saw the judge come into the courtroom.

Entwistle left the Hopkinton Police Station in the back of a police cruiser shortly before noon and arrived about 15 minutes later here at the courtroom. And we're talking, of course, noon Eastern Time. He was handcuffed. He was shackled. He was wearing a bullet proof vest. As you can imagine, this case has shocked two countries, here in the United States and also oversea where he had fled to before coming back here to the United States to decide to stand up in a courtroom here in the states. He's scheduled to be arraigned any second now.

Now we're getting our first picture of him coming into the courtroom. His lawyer, Elliott Weinstein, is there. He says that a plea of not guilty will be entered possibly. Let's listen in.

ELLIOTT WEINSTEIN, NEIL ENTWISTLE'S ATTORNEY: Elliott Weinstein. I have filed (INAUDIBLE) provisionally appointed by the chief council of the committee for public council services.

JUDGE ROBERT GRECO, FRAMINGHAM DISTRICT COURT: All right. In that regard, has probation interviewed him?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, your honor.

GRECO: It appears that he qualifies for the appointment of a lawyer. So, Mr. Weinstein, you will be appointed formally by the court.

WEINSTEIN: OK. That's (INAUDIBLE), you honor, Michael Standish (ph), council (ph) for commonwealth, for the record.

GRECO: And I take it you waive the reading of the . . .

WEINSTEIN: Abstract (ph), yes.

GRECO: Complaint.

WEINSTEIN: We have a full reading. I ask the court to enter a plea of not guilty to the charges.

GRECO: And, OK, did you have apprised your client of the nature of the charge?

WEINSTEIN: Yes, I have and he understands.

GRECO: And is there any issue of bail?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your honor, the commonwealth would be requesting that the defendant be held under 276.58, without bail. I believe there's no objective at this time (INAUDIBLE) prejudice.

GRECO: (INAUDIBLE).

WEINSTEIN: I (INAUDIBLE) I will come back before the court and I think it's appropriate and with a full (INAUDIBLE) presentation. But at this moment, we do not oppose the commonwealth's request.

GRECO: I say the defendant will be held without bail. We'll be setting a date for (INAUDIBLE) in this court. Does the commonwealth wish to be heard any further?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Unless your honor feels that we need additional facts, the council and I have discussed March 15th as a next date. We would request that as a status date if that's OK with the court.

GRECO: For the record, let me note that I've reviewed the complaint and the accompanying documents with respect to any factual basis for the complaint.

Anything else, Mr. Weinstein?

WEINSTEIN: Nothing else.

GRECO: All right. The matter will be on for March 15th for probable cause hearing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, will be held without bail until such time.

PHILLIPS: Well, I apologize because I had a really hard time hearing the audio there. It sounds like they said public cause hearing. If anybody heard the same thing, let me know.

OK. That's what we did hear. March 15th, we are being told, a public cause hearing. Neil Entwistle there entering the courtroom. It's the first time we've seen him since he was arrested in London last week. He arrived in the U.S. yesterday in shackles and handcuffs. Having waived what could have been a pretty lengthy extradition fight.

We saw him just now in court with his attorney. It sounds like the next time we'll be talking about this in detail will be March 15th at the public cause hearing.

Well, the U.S. calls them dangerous terrorists. The U.N. suggest that they're victims of U.S. tactics. A just released report claims the almost 500 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are being tortured and some U.S. allies in Europe agree. We get the reaction now from CNN European Political Editor Robin Oakley.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Interrogation techniques that amount to torture, excessive violence against prisoners, denial of legal rights. The findings of the U.N. report don't come as any surprise to human rights campaigners across the world. They were quick to echo the U.N.'s call for Guantanamo Bay to be shut down and the detainees either put on trial or released.

CLIVE STAFFORD SMITH, DIRECTOR, REPRIEVE: For the good America, as well as for the good of everything that we hold dear, Guantanamo should be shut down. It's an iconic symbol of hatred around the world, where the world looks at us and says, you preach about democracy and the world of law and yet you're behaving as hypocrites and ignoring that in Guantanamo.

OAKLEY: Campaigners don't expect much change from the Pentagon, but the report will intensify international pressure on the U.S. Nothing maybes European leaders more uncomfortable with President Bush than the use of Guantanamo in their shared efforts to defeat terrorism. And that applies to good friends, too. Before Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, met Mr. Bush last month, she told an interviewer of the views she would repeat to him, "an institution like Guantanamo cannot and should not exist in the longer term."

U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair is President Bush's staunchest ally, but he pressed for years to win the release from Guantanamo of British detainees who were not charged with anything on their return home. And he, too, says it's time for Guantanamo to be shut down.

TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Well, in respect to Guantanamo, I've made my view on that clear for a very long time. And while I think it's an anomaly that has to end.

OAKLEY: Not much sign, though, he'll be heed, which could, say some, brings dire effects, especially if a detainee dies in custody.

SMITH: When a Muslim dies in Guantanamo Bay, the Titanic will have hit the iceberg. And if you think we've had problems with these terrible cartoons, if you think we've had problems with Abu Ghraib, it's going to pale into insignificance compared to a Muslim dying in Guantanamo Bay.

OAKLEY: With the Muslim world already enraged by the Danish cartoons, by new video of British troops beating rioters in Iraq, and by fresh disclosures about torture at Abu Ghraib, the U.N. report has cemented a pretty terrible week for the west in the battle for hearts and minds.

Robin Oakley, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And we are being told now that we might hear from the families of Neil Entwistle possibly here outside the courtroom. And I told you, I had trouble hearing what the judge was saying and what Entwistle and his lawyer were saying there in the courtroom. It's a probable cause hearing. Forgive me, I didn't know what -- public cause hearing didn't sound right and, of course, it's doesn't make any sense. It's a probable cause hearing that's going to take place on March 15th.

You'll see there, just moments ago, that's the live picture of when Entwistle came into the courtroom. And outside we are waiting for possibly his attorney, family members on either side may come to the mics. If indeed that happens, we will take that live.

As you know, Neil Entwistle is being accused of killing his American wife and his baby daughter in their Massachusetts home almost a month ago. He was arrested in London last week. He arrived in the U.S. yesterday. It could have been a pretty lengthy extradition fight but he decided it come back to the United States. You can obviously see by his face and his eye movement, he seems to be extremely uncomfortable in that courtroom.

Outrage, maybe, but a little public outcry in Baghdad despite new and graphic images of apparent abuse at Abu Ghraib prison. CNN's Aneesh Raman has the latest now on those photos we've been talking about.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A muted response so far by Iraqis after the release of new photos and videos of abuse committed at Abu Ghraib Prison back in 2003. These photos are incredibly graphic, as are the videos, incredibly disturbing. More so perhaps than what was released in 2004.

But Iraqis that we spoke to said that they really are calling upon their government to come out and condemn these acts more than they are on American officials here. Iraqis have seen clips of the video and the photos on Arab networks.

Interestingly, in the papers here, none of the government backed or party backed papers really talked about this story at all. It only appeared in the independent papers that put it on the front page and described in detail what these photos and videos contained. Iraqis were spoke to said that the real issue here is for their government to come forward and condemn the acts.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, (through translator): The American forces, when there was this story about Dadria (ph), and three insurgents were hit, the American ambassador were calling the ministers of interior in defense about human rights. Why aren't human rights applied to the Americans?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, (through translator): It's not the first time or the second. These things are happening and no reaction. So we want the Iraqi government to hold them accountable.

RAMAN: Now Iraqi's Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari issued a statement early this morning saying he denounces any abuse that was committed at Abu Ghraib Prison. Iraq's President Jalal Talabani, at a press conference, speaking strongly. Saying that these were not the acts of a civilized country. But overall really a muted response as well from the government keen (ph) not to spark new fury, new protest in a country that already has high tensions between Iraqis and western nations. The U.S. military, for its part, last night issued a statement saying that the timing, in terms of the release of these photos and videos was provocative and irresponsible. Today a U.S. military spokesman said that while the fear had been a further release of photos of abuses at Abu Ghraib would incite further violence, that seems to not have been the case in Iraq.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're not seeing any increased hostility as a result of those picture being released. We're not seeing that. Remember, those pictures were pictures of criminal acts that took place many years ago. Rogue soldiers doing activity that wasn't supported by their chain of command and those rogue soldiers have been punished.

RAMAN: But Iraq's human rights minister is using this opportunity to call upon Abu Ghraib Prison to come fully under Iraqi control. Something that Iraqis are also saying that it's time for the Iraqi government to have complete control over that facility.

Aneesh Raman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, he's been on the job just a couple of weeks already. Live pictures now, today the Supreme Court held what's called an investiture ceremony for new Justice Samuel Alito. After the ceremony, held during a special sitting of the high court, Justice Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts walked down the front steps of the Supreme Court building. Alito's family joined him on the plaza. Justice Alito was actually sworn in back on January 31st so he could begin work immediately.

Once again, this is sort of the traditional steps, shall we say, no pun intended, taken as a new member of the Supreme Court joins the team. We're told that along with Chief Justice John Roberts, that his wife, Martha-Ann, also his son Philip, his daughter Laura, mother Rose and sister Rosemary Alito, all of them there present as he, for the first time, did this historical and traditional ceremony.

We're going to take a quick break. More LIVE FROM right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: That was just about within the past 15 minutes or so, we brought you these live pictures inside the courtroom of Neil Entwistle, the man accused of killing his American wife and baby daughter in their Massachusetts home almost a month ago. There inside the courtroom is where we saw Neil Entwistle for the first time.

As you know, he was arrested in London last wee. He arrived yesterday in the U.S. in shackles and handcuffs, having waived what could have been a very lengthy extradition fight. And slowly but surely members of his legal team have been stepping up to the mic.

Also we are waiting to hear from possible family members either from his wife's side or from his side. We'll bring that to you live when it happens. But we just heard moments ago from Elliott Weinstein, his attorney. Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELLIOT WEINSTEIN, ENTWISTLE'S ATTORNEY: I told you folks before that I would not answer any of your questions before the arraignment. I'm not sure that I'm going to answer any of your questions now either. It's clear now that Mr. Entwistle has been formally charged in this court with two crimes of murder. By his plea of not guilty, the process that we think is important in this country of justice and fairness is underway. I don't know that Mr. Entwistle will ever be able to get a fair trial on these charges. And my concern that he can't get a fair trial is because of what has occurred in the publicity surrounding this event. I am certain that anybody watching this telecast or reading the reporting of today's arraignment, has already . . .

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH FLAHERTY, VICTIMS' FAMILY SPOKESMAN: brother, Jerome Suza (ph). And behind us also are many of Rachel's extended family and friends.

On behalf of the family, I'd like it make this brief statement. We will not be taking any questions, nor will the family members be taking any questions after I read this. I'm sure you can understand this is a very difficult time for the family here.

Seeing Neil Entwistle standing accused of this awful crime, it gives us little comfort and, in fact, only adds to our enormous pain and suffering. To think that someone we love, trusted, opened our home to could do this to our daughter and granddaughter is beyond belief. The betrayal to this family, to Neil's family, to our family, to our friends here and in the U.K. is unbearable.

From what we have learned through the course of the investigation, we are now only coming to realize the level of his deceit. We are astonished and devastated to learn of the hidden life of Neil Entwistle. We never suspected that Neil was anything other than a loving father, a trusted son-in-law and a husband. Neil betrayed our trust in so many different ways that it is almost impossible to describe it.

What is most outrageous in our eyes is that he entered our home twice during the course of these crimes, once to take the murder weapon and arm himself, and a second time after the murders in an attempt to hide the weapon and perpetrate his crime.

We'd like to thank Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley, her staff, the Massachusetts State Police, Hopkinton Police, Scotland Yard, and certainly the assistant district attorney, Mike Fabri (ph), who's handling this case, for their unwavering efforts to solve this and to bring Neil Entwistle to justice.

We also want to thank all the people from the United States and England who have sent hundreds of cards with their support, their love and their prayers. Our faith and the support of our family and friends are a great comfort to us during this time. We would also like to thank the media for respecting our privacy and we hope that they continue to do so.

On behalf of the Matterazzo family and their extended family and friends, I would like to thank you very much.

PHILLIPS: You heard from Neil Entwistle's attorney just a few minutes ago. Now you're hearing from Joseph Flaherty. He's a family friend there of the Entwistles. Right behind him you can see Rachel Entwistle's mother, father, grandparents, other family friends. Obviously not wanting to talk to the media. Letting their friend be the spokesman for them.

As you know, Neil Entwistle just entered the courtroom within the past 20 minutes or so, formally charged with murder of his wife and baby daughter in their Massachusetts home almost a month ago. As his lawyer said, he entered a plea of not guilty.

The next time that we will see him in court will be March 15th for a probable cause hearing. It's the preliminary hearing that typically takes place after an arraignment, which you saw today, and before a serious crime goes to trial. The judge is presented with the basis of the prosecution's case and the defendant is afforded full right of cross examination. That will take place March 15th in a probable cause hearing. And, of course, we'll be covering that.

Well, take calcium for stronger bones. How many times have you heard that before? Is it true? Well, a groundbreaking study is out and we're going to have the findings next on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Thousands of women take them every day, but do they work? A new study of calcium supplements, the largest of its kind, finds calcium and vitamin D may provide only limited protection against broken bones. Researchers did find the supplements, taken regularly, can lower one's risk of hip fracture by as much as 29 percent. So most experts agree, keep taking your pills.

Well, if you're looking for a job right now, your timing could be just right. Some analysts think that this is a job seekers market. Susan Lisovicz has the story and takes a look at where the jobs are, live from the New York Stock Exchange.

Hey, Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Basically, if you want a job, you can get a job of one kind or another. The unemployment rate is currently at its lowest level since 2001, just 4.7 percent, and that could mean job seekers are finally in the drivers seat. According to the outplacement firm Challenger Gray and Christmas, employers are scrambling to attract and retain the best people.

So where are these jobs? Well, Challenger says IT, medical, biotech and defense industries are all looking for talented workers. And demand is so hot right now that some companies are even offering big signing bonuses and relocation package, the kind we haven't seen much of since the late '90s. In fact, the firm says that there's a war for talent right now going on.

And even the entry level job market is getting better, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. More than half of employers are planning to actively recruit new hires on college campuses this very spring. Kyra, a big relief to the parents who have been paying all those tuition bills.

PHILLIPS: Well, speak of paying tuition, paying housing, news on the housing front?

LISOVICZ: Yes. You know, Kyra, yesterday Ben Bernanke even said that the housing market was a little bit of a concern. Not so with what we got out this morning from the Commerce Department. Construction of homes last month soared to the highest level in nearly 33 years. This largely because of the unusually mild weather in January. It was, after all, the warmest weather on record for the month. Building permits, considered a sign of builder confidence, also rose, even though most analysts still expect the housing market to slow this year.

Turning to the markets. Stocks are on the slow side today, but you have to remember we're coming off of two days of gains. The Dow still on the plus side, up 6 points, 11,065. It closed yesterday at four and a half years highs. The Nasdaq up 5.5 points or a quarter of a percent.

And that is the latest from Wall Street. LIVE FROM is coming right back.

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