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Phoenix 'Serial Shooter' Suspects; Israeli Planes Bomb Beirut's Southern Suburbs; Wage Hike Defeat

Aired August 04, 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: Kudos to the community. That from police agencies in and around Phoenix, Arizona, after the arrest of two men, suspects both in the serial shooter case.
CNN's Chris Lawrence is in Phoenix.

Chris, it was interesting to watch the news conference. There are two men in custody. They named those two men for the first time, but, still, police saying a long road ahead trying to find this serial rapist.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Kyra.

As one officer told me, it is so-called, "One down and one to go." Two serial killers have been terrorizing the city of Phoenix. Police said unequivocally that they have identified the serial shooter and possibly another man who was working with him.

This man is responsible for six of the murders. And what was happening in this case was, they were targeting, police believe, targeting people who were walking or riding their bicycle alone.

What happened, they got a tip from someone. They had these men under constant surveillance since Monday, but the tactical team finally surrounded the apartment last night, and they had an opportunity, police believe, to take the men into custody without any harm coming to anybody else.

Here's what one officer told me, was that basically one of the men came outside the apartment, the tactical -- the tactical team arrested him, and then they went into the apartment and took in custody the other man. One man is Dale Hausner, the other man is Samuel Dietman.

We are beginning to learn a little bit more about Dale Hausner, for example. We've learned he is a photographer in the Phoenix area. We have found a Web site in which he advertises some of his photography skills. He's advertised that he has done weddings, birthday parties, he's photographed birthday parties, other events here in the Phoenix area.

Again, he is one of the two people arrested as part of this serial shooter investigation here in Phoenix -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: But, Chris, now there's this separate search for this serial rapist. They don't believe that there's any connection, right? That these are two totally different cases? And we're actually looking at the sketch of this man that they are looking for at this time.

LAWRENCE: Right, they're terming him the "Baseline Killer." And basically, what they say is this a totally separate case. They believe these are two serial killers operating independently at the same time.

And in some ways, this "Baseline Killer" is even more brazen and vicious than some of the serial shooting victims. In this case, with the "Baseline Killer," women have been snatched out of bus stops. A woman and her daughter carjacked. Her 12-year-old daughter carjacked and then sexually assaulted.

He is believed to be responsible for six murders in various other sexual assaults in the area over the past year. And police say that's the part of their investigation that they will really be focusing on now. They say, without a doubt, they feel that they have caught the serial shooter, but as people here in the community know, they all feel that there is still another killer out there.

PHILLIPS: Chris Lawrence, appreciate it.

Israel aircraft pound new targets in southern Lebanon. Here's what we know at this hour.

In a new effort to isolate the Lebanese capital, Israeli aircraft have destroyed four bridges just north of Beirut. Those attacks cut off Lebanon's last major connection to Syria.

In Iraq, thousands of people marched through Baghdad's Sadr City today in a show of support for Hezbollah. The U.S. military estimates the crowd at about 14,000 people, and there is word the U.S. military is working on a plan now to beef up the Lebanese army.

The Pentagon has now informed Congress that it wants to spend almost $11 million on ammunition and equipment. The goal is to help Lebanese troops gain control of areas now held by Hezbollah.

Israel steps up the pressure on Beirut. Warplanes dropped more bombs on the Lebanese capital's southern suburbs today. They also took out four bridges north of Beirut, threatening the city's supplies links to the rest of the world. There were Israeli attacks elsewhere, too.

CNN's Beirut bureau chief, Brent Sadler, standing by live.

Hey, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN BEIRUT BUREAU CHIEF: Thanks, Kyra.

First, details of a deadly airstrike conducted by Israeli warplanes at the northern tip of the Bekaa Valley, very close to the Syrian border. Reports of at least 20 people killed, most of them low-paid Syrian farm workers. Apparently, according to Lebanese security sources, they were loading fruit from a refrigerated building into a truck when the missiles, it's believed, struck their location. Now, Israel has made a practice of attacking trucks close to the Syrian border, suspecting that Hezbollah tries to smuggle rockets into Lebanon that way.

Now, in the other developments you talked about, Kyra, again, very heavy damage against Lebanese infrastructure. Government officials now assessing the rising costs of Israel's air war against this country.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SADLER (voice-over): Emergency crews race to the rescue after Israeli warplanes unleash a renewed blitz on Lebanon's roads and bridges, retaliation for Hezbollah's deadly rocket fire at Israel the previous day. The main coastal highway connecting Beirut to Lebanon's northern border with Syria targeted.

Lebanese motorists caught in the early morning attack in sight of the famed Casino du Liban. Vehicles entangled in the wreckage of concrete and steel.

This was the last high-speed link for people to enter and leave the country by road. Travel now severely restricted by slow-moving byways and detours. Some eyewitness report heavier than usual movements of trucks along this now battered route just hours before the attack.

"My brother let one of the trucks pass him," says Camille Fakiya (ph), "a split second before the road went up in a big explosion."

Under the flattened heap of a bridge that spanned this wide gully, a desperate search for more victims. A man is missing, and they think he's buried under the mountain of rubble.

Bystanders in this Christian heartland of Lebanon watch in resentful silence, reeling from shock. Camille Chamoun is a Maronite Catholic activist. "Now that Israel has broadened the air assault," he explains, "hitting more of their vital infrastructure, the politically divided Christians are now under pressure to unite and rally behind the defense of the country."

CAMILLE CHAMOUN, NATIONAL LIBERAL PARTY: Public opinion is today against Israel 100 percent from this area, although before people were, you know, divided, saying maybe it will come to a happy end. But this is absolutely -- it has no explanation. In my opinion, it's very stupid.

SADLER (on camera): The punishing airstrikes may have achieved an Israeli military objective of strangling main supply routes into Lebanon from Syria for Hezbollah. But for the Lebanese as a whole, say government officials here, it's another devastating blow against a country that's been slowly dragged to its knees...

(voice-over): ... day by agonizing day. (END VIDEOTAPE)

SADLER: Now, Lebanese government officials, Kyra, say that 71 bridges in all have now been damaged or heavily destroyed by Israel's airstrikes. The costs so far, more than $2 billion in damage to Lebanon's infrastructure, and it's rising day by day -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Brent Sadler in Beirut.

Appreciate it, Brent.

Fired on and firing back. Israel launched air attacks across Beirut earlier today as Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into Israeli territory.

Our Matthew Chance is standing by for us in northern Israel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, fierce fighting across southern Lebanon as Israeli forces continue to clash with Hezbollah fighters. There are some 10,000 Israeli soldiers on the ground right now moving village to village, again in fierce, close combat.

There's been a number of casualties on both sides. In the last few hours, it's been confirmed to us by the Israeli Defense Forces another three of their soldiers were killed, more injured. But when Hezbollah fighters fired an anti-tank rocket at their position, casualties on the Hezbollah side, as well.

But the strategy, it seems, is for Israel to expand its operations, to try and establish a buffer zone north of the Israeli border which it calls a Hezbollah-free zone, where it can stop cross- border raids by Hezbollah into Israel. It's still formulating that strategy right now and still hasn't achieved it yet. But that's why we're seeing these expanded operations across the area.

In the meantime, there's been video images come to us from the Israeli Defense Forces, approve by the censor, showing Hezbollah fighters captured -- being captured by Israeli forces and being brought back into Israel for interrogation. They're described as low level members of Hezbollah. It's believed there are about 10 of them, although the Israeli Defense Forces haven't confirmed to us the number of prisoners that they have taken.

In the meantime, Israeli defense officials saying that their intention at the moment is to establish that buffer zone and to keep it until such times as a multinational force is agreed and has -- is deployed on the ground. That could mean Israeli forces in southern Lebanon for some time to come.

Matthew Chance, CNN on the Israeli-Lebanese border.

(END VIDEOTAPE) PHILLIPS: Senate Democrats have long supported an increase in the minimum wage, and yesterday most of them voted against a wage hike.

So what's going on?

Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash joins me to explain.

Hey, Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra.

Well, what happened was Democrats voted against it because they said they didn't like what they called a cynical ploy by Republicans, because what Republicans did was they attached that minimum wage hike, the first one in nine years, to something that has been a top priority for them, that they think is very important, and that is slashing the estate tax. So, that failed late last night right before the Senate blew out of town. They did approval a measure that overhauls the pension system.

But, really, this morning what has been interesting is dueling press conferences. The Republican leader, the Democratic leader, before they go home for their month-long recess to campaign, trying to make the case, each of them, the Democrats -- these press releases really illustrate it, saying, well, this is a do-nothing Congress, that these Republicans in charge haven't done much while they've been here.

But Republicans say just the opposite. They call what they've done a flurry of congressional activity.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASH (voice-over): Before heading home for a month-long recess to campaign, this a clear sign Republicans are trying to shed a do- nothing label.

SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MAJORITY LEADER: The stem cell bill, the alternative stem cell technology bill passed, the field farming prohibition passed, the Adam Walsh child safety bill passed.

BASH: Rapid-fire lists from GOP leader while senators up for re- election tick off measures that play to key voter concerns, like security.

SEN. JON KYL (R), ARIZONA: The Republican leadership was able to build the consensus to get the Patriot Act re-authorized and to provide the tools to fight the terrorists.

BASH: Republicans only plan to be in session about 15 days this fall, and they're battling this...

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: Like the do-nothing Congress of 1948, it's very difficult to get anything out of this Republican Congress. BASH: In 1948, the year Harry Truman ran against what he called a "do-nothing Congress," the Senate was in session 114 days. This year, according to Republicans, the Senate is scheduled to meet 122 days.

Congress has approved billions to fund disasters like Katrina and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, despite deep discord over policy there. Yet, other GOP priorities have stalled in the Republican-run Congress.

One, the president's push to overhaul Social Security with private accounts. Another, the lobbying reforms promised in the wake of the Jake Abramoff scandal. And then there's immigration. House Republicans are standing firm against the Senate plan to create a guest worker program.

On that issue, they hope for plan B.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), KENTUCKY: You are correct that there are differences among members of our party on immigration. One thing we don't have any difference on is securing the border.

BASH: Republicans blame Democrats for obstruction, but some GOP strategists fear Republicans have handed Democrats a potent theme.

SCOTT REED, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: By not concluding their business, they give the Democrats an opportunity to position themselves as agents of change.

BASH: Some major legislation has passed with bipartisan support, like a bill making it harder to declare bankruptcy, a boon for business, critics say, but a potential nightmare for consumers, even some middle class Americans who filed for bankruptcy to pay high medical costs. And healthcare is another major voter concern Congress did not deal with.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: Republicans who are heading home right now are still banking on all politics still being local. Whether it's helping to save a military base in their state or their district, or helping to build roads or bridges, Kyra, lawmakers are going to do whatever they have always done, play up what they have done for the voters back home -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right.

Dana Bash on the Hill.

Thanks, Dana.

Well, how sick is Castro? And where's his brother? Questions about Cuba and comments from Castro's daughter.

More LIVE FROM next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: Well, all this week Dr. Sanjay Gupta has taken us inside the mysterious world of autism. And this morning, in the final part of his special series, small doses of success.

Sanjay joins us now live with the final piece.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and it's been really interesting, as well.

One thing that we've certainly learned for sure is that autism comes in all different sources along a spectrum. I mean, it's hard to say one thing is autism, one thing is not. There are different types of children with different types of autism. As a result, you measure the success differently, you measure failures differently.

Want to introduce you to one child who is trying to break outside his world inside autism.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (voice-over): There are many faces of autism. For each of these children, there's a family that hopes somehow, some way, their child will succeed in breaking the bonds so they can function in everyday life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've got the whole swing set going.

GUPTA: The Pike family is one of them. Their son Andrew was diagnosed when he was a toddler.

CINDY PIKE, ANDREW'S MOTHER: Andrew's initial diagnosis was severe. He had no language, no social skills.

GUPTA: Andrew's parents took him to Emory University for one of the best-known autism therapies called Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA, which uses rewards for language and social interactions as simple as smiling or making eye contact.

His parents had their own rewards.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But I was putting him in his car seat, and just told him how much I loved him, and just in a whisper I heard the first time, "I love you."

GUPTA: He was four and a half at the time. Andrew's progress continues with the help of a lot of people, including his speech therapist...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What can we do with a cookie? We...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We eat the cookie.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right. We eat the cookie.

GUPTA: ... a physical therapist to improve his muscle tone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready? One more. One more. Whoa!

GUPTA: ... and his ABA therapist.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A, B, C, D...

PIKE: It's not the story of this is a recovered child. Andrew is a story of a kid that's worked hard. Really hard.

GUPTA: Autism researchers like Yale University's Dr. Fred Volkmar say the key to success is early and proper intervention.

DR. FRED VOLKMAR, YALE CHILD STUDY CENTER: We are changing the prognosis of autism. With earlier intervention and with more effective treatments, kids are learning better and better. And they are doing better and better. So the outcome is improving over time.

GUPTA: Of course, levels of improvement vary. Andrew's very fortunate to have a good support team. He's able to go to school with typical kids and play with his friends from the neighborhood.

His mom knows he's far from cured. But she is happy he's come a long way.

PIKE: Andrew still needs constant supervision. Andrew still needs extreme support. But to go from the level that he was to the happy interactive kid that you have seen today is a success story.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA: And it is remarkable. Of course, this is just one story, Andrew's story, but a lot of children are continuing to have increased success when it comes to autism. Again, a theme that we've seen throughout as we've done a lot of research on this series is early intervention can make a difference and get people back to a place where Andrew is.

PHILLIPS: So you really can't cure someone from autism?

GUPTA: I think "cure" is probably not a word that people would use with regards to autism. They're still having a hard time even diagnosing exactly what autism is. But, the parameters by which you measure success -- for example, increased communication skills, increased social skills, to the point where someone does -- no longer meets the criteria for autism is starting to happen. And there have been some real -- real amazing success stories, people going to college, carrying on a fairly typical life.

So it is -- it is improving, for sure.

PHILLIPS: Tell me about this Combating Autism Act.

GUPTA: Yes. I mean, this is some good news.

You know, people talk a lot about autism. You saw the pressures that autism can place on a family, for example.

The Combating Autism Act was passed by the Senate last night. It will go to the House now, possibly signed into law.

If it passes, it will be nearly a billion dollars, $900 million towards autism research and towards state grant programs, Kyra. This is so important to help families offset the cost of these interventions. I mean, we're talking about thousands of dollars, maybe $10,000 to $12,000 a year for this sort of stuff that's not covered by insurance.

That might change if this act passes.

PHILLIPS: All right, Sanjay. Thanks.

GUPTA: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, if you missed any part of Sanjay's series, "Inside Autism," you can watch them online by going to CNN.com/health.

Well, General Motors may be the world's top automaker now, but it's one of the biggest rivals that could soon -- well, it could change.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

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