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Islamic Militia With Alleged al Qaeda Links Wreaks Havoc in Somalia; South Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Make Child Molesters Eligible for Death Penalty

Aired June 09, 2006 - 14:30   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Is any punishment too severe for child molesters? South Carolina doesn't think so. The governor there has just signed a bill making repeat molesters eligible for the death penalty.
CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman reports on one of the toughest new laws in the country.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Gale LeBlanc has experienced a parent's nightmare: her child was molested.

GALE LEBLANC, MOTHER: He told her that if she were to ever tell anybody, she'd be in a lot of trouble, and that he would kill her whole family.

TUCHMAN: After the suspect, David Wayne Johnson (ph), was arrested and released on bond, a South Carolina state senator took a rather unusual step. He gave his constituent, Gale LeBlanc, a gun.

JAKE KNOTTS (R), S.C. STATE SENATE: Ms. LeBlanc, if he comes around your house, you shoot first, ask questions later.

TUCHMAN: And then state Senator Jake Knotts took a rather unusual legislative step: he sponsored a bill to execute people who rape children.

KNOTTS: I want the death penalty. And I want it for people -- I want to rid them from society if they're messing with our children.

TUCHMAN: The new law will permit the death penalty for people convicted more than once of raping a child under 11. Louisiana is the only other state with a similar law, but nobody has yet been executed. Senator Knotts vows his state will be tougher.

KNOTTS: And if you're a sex offender, you better go elsewhere or you better quit doing it. Because if you do it in South Carolina and it's a second offense, you're not going to do it anymore.

TUCHMAN: Notably, the case that inspired the state senator would not qualify for the death penalty under the proposed law. David Wayne Johnson has not be convicted of raping two children under 11. He was found guilty of contributing to the delinquency of Gale LeBlanc's daughter. But the mother strongly supports the proposed law. LEBLANC: I think that's wonderful. It will save taxpayers' money. There's no help for him. There's no rehabilitation for a predator, none whatsoever. It's been proven.

TUCHMAN: That is a commonly held believe and a reason given for supporting this legislation. But some feel differently, like at this prison in Ananville (ph), New Jersey.

(on camera): This is the adult diagnostic and treatment center, a name that doesn't give a hint as to what type of inmate is inside. This facility is reserved for New Jersey's most compulsive rapists and molesters.

(voice-over): It is the only prison entirely devoted to sex offenders in the country.

BILL PLANTIER, N.J. DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS: New Jersey has the long-standing belief that we can't incarcerate sex offenders who are in need of treatment in a general prison population and be successful in doing so.

TUCHMAN: The feeling here is that although curing molesters is not realistic, restraining and rehabilitating some of them is. Special classes and therapy sessions are part of prison life here.

Grace Rogers is the prison administrator.

(on camera): Do you think the state of New Jersey is safer because of this facility?

GRACE ROGERS, PRISON ADMINISTRATOR: Absolutely. I mean, I think that without this, we wouldn't have as much of a handle on the sex offenders in this state as we do.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you unanimously find that the defendant committed the murder by his own conduct, yes or no?

TUCHMAN: But the prison has had failures, one of them well-known and tragic. One of the inmates here was Jesse Timmendequas, who, years after his release, raped and murdered little Megan Kanka.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was horrible. You know, I was here at the time that that had occurred.

TUCHMAN: Megan's Law was ultimately passed by New Jersey and other states. The law requires people to be warned when molesters get out of prison and move into their neighborhoods.

Since the death penalty was reinstated in the United States, nobody has executed for a crime other than murder. But this South Carolina state senator...

KNOTTS: We know one thing for sure. They won't do it again.

TUCHMAN: ... thinks that should change.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, Columbia, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: A war-torn corner of Africa, torn deeper and wider than we've seen in many years. It's Somalia, where it appears a militia with ties to al Qaeda has not only captured the capital, but may be moving into other areas.

CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh joins me now from his base in Nairobi, Kenya. Alphonso, we were even talking with Jeff Koinange about this same issue yesterday. He was saying he couldn't even get into Somalia. Have you been able to get in there? And I bet the U.S. is still very anxious about this being a hub for terrorists?

ALPHOSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. No, we have not been able to get into Somalia so far. And as you mentioned, this Islamist-based militia has taken over Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, and is working into other areas of the country.

Many here in neighboring Kenya and Nairobi are wondering if this last stand, as it were, between this militia, the Islamic union -- excuse me, this Islamic courts union -- will be able to drive warlords out of Somalia, which have kept that country in a state of anarchy for the last 15 or 16 years.

Now this is a particular attention to the Americans, as you mentioned, because Washington has stated that it's worried that Somalia could turn into a safe haven for terrorism. It's important to mention that the leader of this Islamic militia that's recently taken over Mogadishu says it has no connections to al Qaeda and that it wants to bring stability to the country.

PHILLIPS: Alphonso, about the aid agencies? Are there any in that area? Can they get into the area? You're talking about malnutrition. You're even talking about bad weather that's going to add to the droughts and the floods. Are they able to do anything?

VAN MARSH: You're 100 percent right. Nairobi is the regional hub for a lot of not only diplomatic activity, but also humanitarian activity in Somalia. Today I sat down with the head of UNICEF in Somalia. He took me to a warehouse just chock full of food and supplies and medicines that they want to bring into the country.

Now, it's important to mention that agencies like UNICEF have been operating in Somalia during this entire civil war. But at the same time, they said they had to move their staffers around for fear of their own lives, that they've had death threats, there's been extortion, there have been roadblocks. They say that they will continue bringing food and medicine and supplies into that country, but they say they're hoping that the rise of this Islamic group or anyone that can bring stability to Somalia will make their jobs easier.

PHILLIPS: Alphonso Van Marsh, reporting to us from Nairobi, Kenya, on the issue in Somalia. We'll stay in touch with you and Jeff Koinange on this issue. Thanks so much. Well, it's one thing to hear about it. It's another to see it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, they got him. That's him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Al-Zarqawi joins a photo hall of shame. Ahead on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Let's go straight to the newsroom. Fredricka Whitfield working details for us on a developing story. Hey, Fred.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In the Middle East, following up on that deadly Israeli strike that took place in northern Gaza in a beach there which led to the deaths of seven people, seven civilians. Well, apparently now the military wing of Hamas is now saying that it's breaking its truce with Israel, a truce that was declared between Israelis and Palestinians back in February of 2005.

What happened earlier is the Israeli Navy gunboats apparently fired shells onto northern Gaza, hitting that beach where many Palestinians were picnicking. The Israeli defense force is now saying that they have halted any more firing pending an investigation.

And now a mass demonstration in Gaza City is also underway for what people there are saying will be revenge over this and other events that have taken place within the last 48 hours -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Fred. We'll stay on it. Thanks so much.

Warrantless wiretaps are the issue, but the hard feelings go way beyond that. The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says that Vice President Cheney, a fellow Republican, violated one of those unwritten rules that keep wheels turning in Washington. Cheney, in public, disagrees. CNN's Brian Todd has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In choosing not to pick a fight with another powerful Republican over the administration's secret wiretapping program, Dick Cheney doesn't seem willing to give in much either.

Cheney responds to a blistering letter from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter with a letter of his own. Quote, "The administration will listen to the ideas of legislators about terrorist surveillance legislation and work with them in good faith." STUART ROTHENBERG, ROTHENBERG POLITICAL REPORT: I think clearly the vice president was trying to soothe the senator's concerns. He wasn't confrontational. At the same time, he wasn't willing to change the White House's position.

TODD: The exchanges over Specter's probe of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program. Specter furious with Cheney for going behind Specter's back to prevent the testimony before the Judiciary Committee of telecommunications executives from companies like BellSouth.

The senator fired off a letter to Cheney on Wednesday. Quote, "I was surprised, to say the least, that you sought to influence, really determine, the action of the committee without calling me first." Specter implied he might try to subpoena some White House officials.

He then spoke with Wolf Blitzer in "THE SITUATION ROOM."

SEN. ARLEN SPECTER (R-PA), CHAIRMAN, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: This is a matter of civil liberties, it's a matter of separation of power, and it's a matter of important congressional oversight. And so far, we're not getting there.

TODD: Cheney and other White House officials are concerned that if telecom executives testify, it might compromise sensitive information. To Specter's complaint that he was not told Cheney had gone through other Republican senators to block the telecom officials' testimony, Cheney wrote, "These communications are not unusual. They are the government at work."

(on camera): Reacting to Cheney's letter, Specter indicated to CNN he's willing to let this standoff play out for the moment, but Specter also likely doesn't have the votes in his own committee to force the telecom executives or White House officials to testify.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, some big money is on the way for the military and for hurricane cleanup along the Gulf Coast. The House and Senate cut a deal late yesterday to spend almost $70 billion more on the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lawmakers added more than 19 billion in new funding for post-Katrina cleanup and repairs.

Things are starting to heat up in the tropics. Our meteorologist Reynolds Wolf tracking all the action for us.

Hey, Reynolds.

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, entertainment news with A.J. Hammer with "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT."

Hey, A.J., what's on tap? A.J. HAMMER, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Hey, Kyra.

Roasted and toasted on tap. A tearful goodbye as "The View" says farewell to one of its own. I'll have the full report when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, "The Today Show" is her tomorrow. But first, Meredith Vieira had to put "The View" in her rear-view mirror. Her send-off today was on-air roast that tops our entertainment news.

A.J. Hammer joins us from "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." A.J., you know what I was thinking about when I saw rear-view mirror? Do you remember that Buddy -- or no, it was the Mac Davis song, "I thought happiness was love in Texas in my rear-view mirror."

HAMMER: Ah, yes.

PHILLIPS: That would have been the perfect one for them play, but you just insert different words.

HAMMER: Yes, instead they had Michael Feinstein singing -- what was the name of the song, "You Are What Rhode Island is Famous For." Because it's a song that Meredith Vieira feels is appropriate for her. She just felt like that sort of summed it all up.

Yes, nine years, Kyra, 2,000 shows on the air, more than 2,000 shows on the air, with "The View." And it was quite a day. You know, they had all these celebrity guests showing up, Kelsey Grammer among them. Meredith's family, her husband and her three kids, were there as well. Everybody was pitching in, had stuff to say.

But instead of doing like the sad, sappy goodbye, they did a roast, which was, I thought, a terrific and fitting way for them to go -- Kyra. You know, they decided on that format basically because they said that's what "The View" is all about. We're here to have fun. We're not here to shed tears. Although there were plenty of tears. But there were lots of cheers.

There's Mario Cantone. He had some cutting remarks. He said that Star Jones had lost 150 pounds and now the show is losing the rest of its dead weight. There was some advice from Joan Rivers. She showed up. Joan said, with some advice in mind, if she ever interviews Vice President Cheney on "The Today Show" that Meredith shouldn't wear any animal prints. But they were toasting and they were having a good time, and it was really -- you know, it was sort of a mixed emotion, bittersweet, kind of day.

PHILLIPS: Well, A.J., did Meredith say why she feels like now is a good time to be leaving the show?

HAMMER: She did talk to me about that. One of the things she said is that she actually started to have second thoughts after she had formally made the decision. But it really ultimately came down to sort of stepping outside herself and really challenging herself.

Here's what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MEREDITH VIEIRA, "THE VIEW": I thought it is the right time. It's great to take a challenge, and I hadn't done that in a while. And I love the people over there. I met each one, I thought they were great. And finally, it was the realization of how would I feel if I didn't try?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: And she said that she is already getting in the habit of waking up early and setting her alarm clock for early in the morning -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: I tell you, that's going to be brutal timing. All right, what about Barbara Walters? They're obviously very close. What does she have to say about Meredith leaving?

HAMMER: Well, you know, they started the show together, you know, nine years ago when Barbara put this team of women together. It was really just an experiment. They had no idea how it was going to go. But, of course, Barbara is very proud of her and really is looking forward to this change on Meredith's behalf. But she said there's one particular memento that she is going to keep behind that hopefully Meredith won't have a problem with.

Here's what Barbara said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARBARA WALTERS, "THE VIEW": Meredith wore this ratty bathrobe every day for nine years. I don't think she washed it in nine years. It was a faded pink robe, and I'm keeping it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Now, Kyra, did you happen to catch the moment a little earlier when Joy Behar probably gave the wettest send-off? She actually gave a full-on kiss to Meredith Vieira there?

PHILLIPS: No, we missed that. Once we saw Joan Rivers, we had enough.

HAMMER: Oh, do we have that, Charles? Can we show the Joy/Meredith...

PHILLIPS: The big smooch?

HAMMER: Their big moment? And it was actually more than just a kiss. I mean, there were hands grabbing going on. Yes, there we go.

PHILLIPS: Oh, my goodness gracious! HAMMER: And Meredith told me that after moment, she began to question her own sexuality. But, you know, I guess Joy was afraid that I was going to feel a little bit left out. Charles, can we roll this little piece of tape here from my interaction with -- we're just sitting there chatting and all of a sudden...

PHILLIPS: My goodness gracious!

HAMMER: I mean, what do you do? What do you when something like that happens?

PHILLIPS: How was it, A.J.?

HAMMER: Her lips were actually quite soft and supple.

PHILLIPS: You still have a little bit of that light pink there. You might want to rub your -- yes. What else is coming up tonight, my friend? More kisses?

HAMMER: We're going to be dealing with it. You'll get to see that in its full form tonight, as all the tears were shed. I'm going to have more from backstage at "The View," while I was hanging out there this morning. More of what her co-hosts had to say. So make sure you join us for television's most provocative entertainment news hour. It is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." We'll be on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, as we get into the weekend on CNN Headline Prime.

And yes, you know, I actually think I do still have a little lipstick.

PHILLIPS: You have a lot of jealous ladies in the newsroom right now, A.J.

HAMMER: Joy got her piece, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Yes, she did. All right. Thank you, my friend.

HAMMER: See you later.

PHILLIPS: See you next week.

Well, he was a killer many times over, a punk turned terror leader with an eight-figure price on his head. Still, in death, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was framed. You've seen the picture: grim yet semi- sanitized, proof that the bad guy really is dead.

It's been done before, as CNN's Jeanne Moos reported for "THE SIT ROOM." But before you watch, be aware you will see a few more pictures of corpses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is one thing to hear about it. It is another thing to see it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a picture of Zarqawi. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

MOOS (on camera): Yes, they got him. That's him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my God.

MOOS (voice-over): Over and over we saw it on every network. Death neatly framed.

CALDWELL: We had wiped off a lot of the blood and other debris because there was not a need to portray it in any kind of -- dehumanizing his body.

MOOS: The last time the U.S. military released body photos, they showed the sons of Saddam Hussein. Talk about dehumanizing. A dollmaker named Herobuilders wasted no time cranking out the before and after dual-headed Uday doll. Saddam's sons and al-Zarqawi join other fugitives put on display, like Che Guevara, the Latin American revolutionary who was finally gunned down in Bolivia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was laid out, and he sort of looked like Christ-like. It was a complete, utter and utter P.R. disaster.

MOOS: A martyr in the making, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was no martyr. He went from a fascist who swaggered to one who swung ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now the bodies are hung by their feet.

MOOS: ... executed and strung upside down with his mistress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They tied her skirt so it didn't show.

MOOS: Hitler avoided that kind of display by killing himself and having his body burned. Al-Zarqawi never saw the bombs coming.

CALDWELL: There are far worse graphic pictures that were inappropriately felt to share with anybody.

MOOS: Though they did share a bloodier one at the Operation Iraqi Freedom Web site, the modern way for the victor to share the human spoils. Ironic these photos came out the same day other highly anticipated images began surfacing.

(on camera): In our current pop culture, pictures like these of the Brangelina baby are the ones that are worth millions.

Which picture are you more interested in?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, of course this one.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have to say Brangelina baby. I'm not interested in seeing a photo of a dead man.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What a contrast. I mean, the beginning of life and the end. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: You can catch more of Jeanne's stories on "SIT ROOM." Join Wolf Blitzer at 4:00 Eastern and again, in primetime, at 7:00.

Ever since news of al-Zarqawi's death, a lot of people have been asking what about the search for Osama bin Laden? We'll delve into that question in the next hour of LIVE FROM. The news keeps coming. We'll keep bringing it you. More LIVE FROM coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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