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NYC Building Collapse; Sex Offender Law; Task Force Searching for Suspected Serial Criminal in Phoenix; Japan and North Korea

Aired July 10, 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: Well, a lot of New Yorkers are shaken up today. And this is why. You're seeing live pictures of what used to be a four-story building on the city's Upper East Side. A huge explosion reduced it to rubble this morning.
Our senior correspondent, Allan Chernoff, is there and has been reporting it's possible that the cause of that explosion was a man attempting suicide -- Allan.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SR. CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Kyra. And what's very interesting here is that the speculation -- and it is at this point still speculation, that suicide may have caused this explosion -- that speculation came from the fire commissioner of New York City. He mentioned it to us earlier today.

The person who owned the building, a doctor. And the doctor, by the name of Nicholas Bartha, apparently was involved in a messy divorce. We've looked at some of the information about the pending divorce from the lawyer representing Mr. Bartha and, apparently, it indicated that part of this townhouse would belong to his wife.

Now, we don't know whether or not, in fact, the cause of this explosion was a suicide attempt. We do know that the building itself had some problems previously with natural gas.

A month ago -- the meter reader told me this morning a month ago the gas actually was turned off in the building. Con Edison, the utility, came to check it out, the gas was turned back on. And only a week ago, once again, there was the smell of gas, as there was this morning. So, again, let's emphasize, we simply do not know what the cause of this explosion was.

Right now the firefighters are going through the rubble, and they told us that there is 20 feet of rubble there. They do not believe that there are any other people involved in there, that there are any other victims.

There are five civilians who were hurt this morning. One of them the doctor who was actually pulled out from the rubble. Two other individuals were walking at the wrong place at the wrong time right across the street.

Emergency technicians were there within minutes of the explosion. They tended to those individuals. One actually has already left the hospital, didn't want further treatment. Two other individuals were walking just west of the building. They have severe lacerations from head to toe. The emergency medical technician told me it was actually from glass, from plaster, from brick, all hitting those people.

So, serious injuries there.

We do know also the doctor suffered serious burns, as well. He now, and the other individuals, the civilians, are at New York Presbyterian Hospital, which happens to be the premier burn center here in the New York City metropolitan area. In addition, 10 firefighters were taken to local hospitals for minor injuries.

In all, at the height of this event, more than 200 firefighters were on the scene, more than 50 units. And by units I mean fire trucks, ambulances, et cetera. A six-alarm event at the height of this -- of this explosion.

So, Kyra, that is what we know about the situation right now. As I said, the firefighters believe they have everyone accounted for. But they are still going through that rubble now that it has cooled off somewhat since the fire and the explosion occurred at 8:40 a.m. local time this morning -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Allan Chernoff, we'll keep checking in with you.

Thank you so much.

Meanwhile, a resort community shattered by a string of explosions that happened early today at Ellison Bay in northeast Wisconsin. Just take a look at the damage done to several buildings.

Two people are still unaccounted for and seven others are hurt. Officials expect a gas leak may be to blame. I'm being told we'll be getting some fresh video in very soon. We're working that right now, and we'll bring it to you as soon as we get it.

These are actually -- this is -- it's getting fed in right now. This is coming from an affiliate, WBAY, out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, actually. That's a Green Bay affiliate, and this is the video we're getting in after these explosions shook Ellison Bay.

A very popular resort down not far from Green Bay. It's sort of -- if you know the state, it's sort of on the thumb close to -- along the water there along Green Bay, Ellison Bay. It's a popular place where a lot of people from Green Bay and Chicago come to visit during the summertime.

So, we're working the information on this. We'll bring it to you as soon as we find out more.

Well, a convicted sex offender, a shocking crime, and the prospect of the death penalty. Could you render an impartial judgment? John Evander Couey sits in a courtroom in Lake County, Florida, today as potential jurors are questioned for his trial. Couey, who's 47, is charged with first-degree murder, sexual battery, and kidnapping and the death of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford. Just last week a judge threw out Couey's confession to detectives because they ignored his repeated request for a lawyer. But prosecutors will be able to use the discovery of Jessica's body in Couey's yard as evidence against him.

Now, be sure to stay with CNN for more on the Couey case. Former prosecutor Nancy Grace of "CNN Headline News" joins me live to talk about the trial that's coming up this hour.

Well, tougher laws for sexual predators after what happened to Jessica Lunsford, who could argue with that? Civil rights groups and a federal judge, that's who.

CNN's Rusty Dornin reports on restrictions here in Georgia that may be too restrictive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Lori Collins has no idea where to live without breaking the law in Georgia. As of July 1st, when a new law came into effect, she couldn't live within a thousand feet of a church, a public swimming pool or community gym.

Lori Collins had sex with a 15-year-old boy. She was 39. She pled guilty and served her time. She was a model prisoner and has been in a live-in manager of a halfway house for women, but she had to move because it doubles as a church.

But this is what has Collins and more than 10,000 registered sex offenders in Georgia really worried: school bus stops. Another provision of that same law prohibits sex offenders from living within a thousand feet of them. Civil rights groups are fighting the law, and a federal judge temporarily blocked the school bus provision until a hearing later this week.

(on camera): This is one way to keep people like you away from children. What would you say to that?

LORI COLLINS, REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER: I understand where people are coming from. I understand the fear. I understand that there are predators, there are pedophiles, and there are violent people out there. And this law lumps everybody, unfortunately, into one category.

DORNIN (voice over): Collins is classified the same as a rapist. In Georgia, underage teens who were caught having consensual sex are also considered the same as sexual predators. If the bus stop provision stays intact, everything outlined in blue here in Richmond County, Georgia, will be off limits to sex offenders.

(on camera): This is about a thousand feet. With more than 150,000 bus stops in the state of Georgia, opponents say it would be nearly impossible for sex offenders to find a place to live.

SARAH GERAGHTY, SOUTHERN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: This law is essentially impossible to comply with. It forces pretty much everyone on the registry from their home.

DORNIN (voice over): This woman didn't want to be identified. She was sexually abused as a child and now has a close family member who was abused.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The intentions of the law is to protect the kids. And...

DORNIN (on camera): Even though these people wouldn't be able to find anywhere to live?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What people forget, they're looking -- everybody is looking at the offender. But that child who is attacked or raped or molested or touched or fondled, it's not just that child who is affected. It's that entire family.

DORNIN (voice over): Protecting families and children is what many legislators say is most important.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We would urge you in the next couple of weeks to try to find temporary housing.

DORNIN: Calls from sex offenders confused about the law have been pouring into legal advocates, but for some Georgians there is little empathy for their plight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do we really want to let sex offenders live that close to the children?

DORNIN: Lori Collins understands that, but she just wonders, where in the state of Georgia will she be able to live?

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Cedartown, in rural Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, two weekend shootings, a rash of violent crimes potentially, not one, not two, but three serial shooters. One with deadly aim.

We're in Phoenix, and reporter Kevin Kennedy of CNN Affiliate KPNX has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A 211 of a guy who was duct-taped (ph) at 16th Street and Yale.

KEVIN KENNEDY, REPORTER, KPNX (voice over): Somewhere out here roaming the streets of Phoenix is a serial killer.

LT. GREG CARNICLE, PHOENIX POLICE: This is a bad person that we need to get off the street.

KENNEDY: This is who they're looking for, and Lieutenant Greg Carnicle is part of the task force looking. His job, find a killer.

CARNICLE: Our sole purpose out here is to protect the citizens, and it's very difficult to do that right now. And, you know, we want to get this guy and we want to take him off.

KENNEDY: So far, the suspect has struck 19 times, raping, robbing and killing. Five murders, so far. The latest June 29th.

CARNICLE: It's one of those -- it's a crime series that we've got to get taken care of.

KENNEDY: So every hour of every day, at least 20 task force members are patrolling. This is the area, 63 square miles. The attacks first starting in May of 2005. Every dot is a victim.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did they match the description on the caller or did they match the description of our boy?

KENNEDY: Every tip is checked out.

SGT. ANDY HILL, PHOENIX POLICE: We are working every possible lead that we can get, and we've gotten a lot of leads. They continue to come in.

KENNEDY: Thousands so far, but none have panned out.

CARNICLE: I think it's personal for every officer out here. I mean, it's happening on our watch, and we don't want it happening in Phoenix.

KENNEDY: And until he's caught, Lieutenant Carnicle will be out here.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Now Phoenix Police are asking for your help now. The department's confidential tip line is area code 602-261-8600.

A rare look at North Korea through the lens of a very persistent photographer.

CNN's LIVE FROM on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, two days, two launches, two duds. No comment from India today on what went wrong when it tried to launch a telecommunications satellite weighing more than two tons. It would have been the heaviest satellite ever launched by India if the rocket carrying it hadn't gone into a tailspin and disintegrated.

Today's failure comes hot on the heels of another ill-fated test- firing yesterday. India's longest range nuclear-capable missile also fizzled. It plunged into the Bay of Bengal just after five minutes, far short of its target.

Tough sanctions or a firm statement? Deeds or words? China and Russia may be shying away from making North Korea pay for last week's missile launches, but U.S. diplomats don't have to wonder where Japan stands.

CNN's Atika Shubert has more from Tokyo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): U.S. envoy Christopher Hill ends his hastily arranged trip to Asia in Japan, a staunch U.S. ally. After meeting with Japan's foreign minister, Hill appealed once again for North Korea to return to six-party talks.

CHRISTOPHER HILL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: North Korea has a choice before it, a choice of whether to go for continued isolation or to join the international community. And I hope they'll make the right choice.

SHUBERT: Japan, with U.S. support, is pushing for tough sanctions on North Korea through a U.N. Security Council resolution that may be voted upon later today.

(on camera): The U.S. and Japan are appealing for a united front, but China and Russia, both with veto power, are opposed to Japan's resolution. South Korea, too, has criticized the plan, while North Korea has threatened to launch more missiles.

(voice over): That has prompted Japanese lawmakers to consider whether the country has the right to carry out a pre-emptive strike, despite Japan's pacifist constitution.

In a press conference, Japan's cabinet secretary said, "The government has said in the past, if there are no other means to prevent a guided missile attack, then it is legally possible to say that to attack the missile launch base is within our right to self- defense."

Over the weekend, the USS Mustin arrived at the Yokosuka naval base outside of Tokyo. The U.S. Navy destroyer is equipped with an Aegis tracking system, an integral part of the U.S.-Japan missile defense shield. But the ship's commander insists it is a routine deployment.

COMMANDER EDWARD B. CASHMAN, USS MUSTIN: We are aware of the situation in North Korea and the events of the past several weeks. We don't have any particular mission right now. We're tasked to come and turn over as part of the normal rotation of forces.

SHUBERT: A routine deployment that is timely, nonetheless.

Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE) PHILLIPS: Well, North Korea is a mystery because it keeps outsiders out and insiders in. Nicolas Righetti is an exception, but only after nine years spent trying to get permission for a visit. Righetti is a photographer from Switzerland whose long-sought photos from North Korea are compiled in his book, "The Last Paradise."

He joins me from Geneva.

You spent nine years trying to get in. How did it finally happen, Nicolas?

NICOLAS RIGHETTI, PHOTOGRAPHER, "THE LAST PARADISE": Yes. Well, it was a long time, you know, to get a visa. You know, exactly as you said, nine years.

The first I tried to Europe and Asia, and at the end I got my visa in Geneva. I mean, in Switzerland, as a filmmaker. And I show a couple film (INAUDIBLE) on the cinema in Pyongyang.

PHILLIPS: So, tell me, once you got in, was the propaganda overwhelming and did somebody have to stay with you every step of the way?

RIGHETTI: Yes, exactly. You have a guide, you know. The guide follows you everywhere.

When you arrive in the country and when you left the country, you have always a guide with you. And he' ruled (ph), you know? He has to show you the best place in North Korea because he wants to show that North Korea, it's a paradise.

PHILLIPS: Now, let's talk about the -- as you put it, the absurd juxtaposition of details. We have some pictures of a ballet performance, but you see this beautiful performance with images of missiles and military action in the background.

RIGHETTI: Yes, exactly. That's -- we are in Pyongyang. The biggest theater in Pyongyang is The Capital (ph), and it's amazing things because the army have to dance, you know, in front of the missile. And they are very proud of it.

PHILLIPS: So, they're proud of the military and proud of these missiles.

RIGHETTI: Exactly.

PHILLIPS: Now, do they -- do you think they're getting a clear picture of Kim Jong-il and what he wants to do with these weapons?

RIGHETTI: You know, I have no idea. I'm not a politician. I'm just a photographer.

But think that this leader, he wants to show that he's a very serious and powerful leader. You know? Both for inside and outside the country. And he wants to be strong as his father. You know? His father was the great leader before, and it's why the leader can soon -- could be also very dangerous, because he wants to be better than his father.

PHILLIPS: And we're seeing a mural of him right now, one that is there in North Korea.

Do people seem happy?

RIGHETTI: Well, it depends. You know? It depends.

People are -- well, you know, the difficult things for me, I've been four times to North Korea, but it's no way to have discussion with North Koreans. First, you couldn't speak to any North Korean people. You know, it's forbidden for them and for me.

The second thing, North Korean people doesn't speak any English at all. You know?

One time I tried to escape my guide, you know, and I was alone on the streets. And people were so scared. You know? And they just ignore me. You know?

And it was a strange feeling like an invisible man. You know? And yes, it was very strange.

PHILLIPS: Well, even those murals where you see the smiling woman that we just saw a second ago, the title was, "We are happy." It's like they're forced to say these things.

Did you get a chance to talk to anybody, or were you only able to see these -- these images and this propaganda?

RIGHETTI: Yes, it's really no way to talk to anybody. You know? It's really sad. I've been four times to North Korea and it's no way to talk to the people.

PHILLIPS: You've got a picture of this one mural. It's of this soldier and the flag, and it looks like he's holding some type of molotov cocktail.

Tell me about this mural. Why did you take a picture of it, and what do you think it means?

RIGHETTI: Yes, that's interesting, because he's a painter. You know? And it represents some young North Korean soldiers when there was fighting before the Japanese invasion.

PHILLIPS: What about the women in uniform? Why did you take pictures of these images?

RIGHETTI: Yes. That was interesting, too, because it was a military (INAUDIBLE). You know? And the interesting thing is even the North Korean women have to go to the army.

PHILLIPS: And you even look at their faces, and they're not smiling. Not one of those women in the picture is smiling.

RIGHETTI: The one, yes, that's -- it's a picture in the -- a children's school. She's a teacher, and she teaches children about all the life of the two great leaders every day.

PHILLIPS: Nicolas Righetti. The book is "The Last Paradise."

Pretty amazing photographs, and amazing that after nine years you finally got in there.

Nicolas, thank you for your time.

RIGHETTI: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, a crime that shocked the nation, a trial that's missing a shocking piece of evidence. The man accused of raping and murdering 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford in court today for jury selection. Former prosecutor Nancy Grace of "CNN Headline News" joins me to talk about it, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Wind or water. Thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina learn the hard way that their insurance covered damage due to one, but not the other. And generally, they ended up with nothing.

Such is the case with Paul and Julie Leonard (ph) of Gulfport, Mississippi. They're suing Nationwide Insurance, claiming it rejected their claim without thoroughly investigating the wreckage of their home. Nationwide blames the losses on water, which the Leonards' (ph) policy supposedly didn't cover, even though their agent supposedly told them it would cover hurricane damage.

Well, their case went to federal court this morning, and the whole industry is watching. Including us.

Many workers dream of retiring early, but more and more Americans who want to keep working are having retirement forced on them.

Susan Lisovicz live from the New York Stock Exchange with that story.

Hey, Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra.

It's great to retire early if you have the resources to support a nice lifestyle. It used to be that you worked until age 65, got your gold watch and your pension, and maybe if you were lucky you retired to Florida. Now many people who want or need to work into their 60s will have to find a new job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 60 percent of 60-year-olds and 32 percent of 65-year-olds were employed last year. While nearly half of baby boomers expect to work past age 65, only 13 percent of current retirees surveyed by McKinsey actually work that long.

Two out of every five current retirees were forced to stop working earlier than they had planned. The average age when retirees left the workforce, 59. That creates major financial difficulties for a whole lot of people because they're forced to wait several years before they start receiving full Social Security benefits -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: So, are these people all being laid off, or are there other reasons that they're forced to take early retirement?

LISOVICZ: Well, certainly job loss or downsizing is something we report all the time. But, you know, an even more common element here is illness. According to McKinsey, 47 percent of people who retire earlier than planned were forced to stop working because of health problems, not only perhaps genetic or lifestyle health problems, but because their jobs require a lot of physical labor.

And more bad news. It's far more difficult for an older worker to find a new job than a younger candidate. According to AARP, job seekers 55 and older spent an average 24 weeks looking for a new job, as opposed to less than 18 weeks for workers under age 55 -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Tell us what else is happening on Wall Street, Susan.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

LISOVICZ: And that is the latest from Wall Street.

Coming up next hour, why consumer groups are taking issue with the Federal Reserve report on credit cards.

Stay tuned. LIVE FROM will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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