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CNN Live Today
Judge Upholds Death Sentence for Sniper John Muhammad; One of a Kind Desert Rally
Aired March 09, 2004 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Direct Television, DirecTV, is suing O.J. Simpson, saying he pirated its satellite signal and owes $20,000. Simpson's attorney denies the former NFL star owns any pirating equipment and calls The Juice a loyal, paying DirecTV customer.
A judge will sniper Washington-area sniper John Allen Muhammad today. Death, or life without parole.
Our Bill Prasad it at the courthouse in Manassas, Virginia with the latest.
Bill, hello.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the sentencing hearing has now been going on for about an hour and a half. In this building behind me, on the fourth floor, there is a courtroom that is filled with distraught family members, who are demanding that Muhammad get the death penalty. It could be the final chapter in one of the most infamous murder sprees in the nation's history.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): Hundreds of thousands of residents in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia held hostage in October of 2002 while 10 people were gunned down like targets in a shooting gallery by snipers.
WILLIAM CHAMBLISS, SOCIOLOGIST: There was sort of a gleeful, fun atmosphere surrounding this whole series of killings. And that's pretty extraordinary. I mean even serial killers rarely have that kind of an image projected about them.
PRASAD: Last year, juries convicted 43-year-old John Muhammad and 19-year-old Lee Malvo. The jury recommended death for Muhammad and life in prison for Malvo. Muhammad's attorneys asked a judge to spare his life, saying his execution will harm his children. But the families who lost loved ones want Muhammad to pay with his life. But will the death penalty bring closure?
Psychologist Wendy Berger.
DR. WENDY BERGER, ARGOSY UNIVERSITY: It may provide some relief that the publicity for the case will subside and that they may feel a sense of empowerment from having been part of the judicial process.
PRASAD: For three weeks, schools closed, people ducked behind gas station pumps, many shoppers zigzagged through parking lots. A 21 day terror spree, a saga that could come to a close this week with the sentencings of both Muhammad and teen accomplice, Lee Malvo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD: Defense attorneys are pleading for their clients' life. A short time ago, defense attorney John Shapiro told a judge, quote, "We ask the judge not to shut the door on his life." Prosecutors will have the opportunity to present their case, then the judge will make a final decision.
We're live in Manassas, Virginia. I'm Bill Prasad.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: Bill, thank you for the latest on that. Of course you'll monitor it and bring us the latest as the judge makes the decision.
PRASAD: In other news this morning, a mother and her daughter who was allegedly kidnapped six years ago are back together today. Juseda Cuevas (ph) and daughter were officially reunited yesterday. And while mother and daughter celebrated their reunion, the child's father says he was left out.
And here's what he and his lawyer told CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL LUBER, PEDREO VERA'S ATTORNEY: The court in New Jersey ordered joint legal custody with both parents, my client and the mother. However, last night, when we attempted to call Mrs. Cuevas, and I attempted to call her attorney, in order that he might be present at this reunion, we were unable to reach either Mrs. Cuevas or her attorney. As a result, at this very important time last night, the young child was deprived of being with her father and mother, only her mother.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Up until recently, the child was thought to have died in a father when she was just 10 days old, but a woman who was accused of kidnapping her and setting a fire as a ruse has been arrested.
A group of racers prepare for a one-of-a-kind desert rally from L.A. to Las Vegas. The contest kick off this week. And when it does, you won't hear drivers, start your engines. That's because there are no engines. Our high-tech guru, Daniel Sieberg, driving this story.
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: That's right. There are no drivers involved here. These are going to be strictly autonomous robots, which is probably the most interesting parts of this whole story. It's a race that is sponsored by DARPA, which is known as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. It's also known for fostering things like the Internet. It's sort of a low-key Pentagon -- branch of the Pentagon. KAGAN: Daniel, hold on one second. We do want to hear more about the robots. We have secretary of State Colin Powell answering some questions. We'll get back to you in a moment. Let's listen to Secretary of State Powell.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
COLIN POWELL, SECY. OF STATE: ... in some belief that as we move forward, some member of the Governing Council or other leaders might propose revisions and changes. That's all part of a Democratic process. Remember, there is yet a constitution, final constitution, to be written. But this was such a breakthrough in terms of the region, in terms of Iraq. Just imagine, an administrative law that enshrines for the Iraqi people a bill of rights, freedom, openness, all men, women and children in the country equal, an independent judiciary. The military, firmly under civilian control, putting in place the conditions which an interim government will be created, and then a transitional government. All of this, I think, is historic.
And as we move forward, certainly, there will be new issues raised and difficulties to be overcome. But this was such an historic step that I'm confident we'll be able to deal with these other challenges as they come along.
To put it another way, the Iraqis will be able to deal with these other challenges as they come along, because this is now an Iraqi process. We will help them, assist them. The U.N. will help them and assist. Other nations will helps and assist. But what we have launched now is an Iraqi process that will be driven by the Iraqis as they move forward, and they will have to reconcile the differences that might still exist within Iraq, and we will provide our assistance, guidance, but it is for them to determine how they will be governed, what kind of constitution they will have, and what kind of political system they will have within the guideline of this administration administrative law and the constitution that will follow.
Young lady?
QUESTION: How can you explain this new venture between Jordan and Israel, setting up this scientific research center in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with American help, considering that the whole region is suffering from a stalemate in the peace process?
POWELL: I may...
MARWAN MUASHER, JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, this is not a political issue. This is an issue having to do with scientific cooperation. The fact that...
KAGAN: We are listening in, just a little bit, to Secretary of State Colin Powell. He was answering questions. In case you're wondering, the Jordanian foreign minister by his side. And Mr. Powell answering questions about the interim constitution they're trying to pull together in Iraq, snagged last week, as member of the Shiite community expressing some problems with that. So that one has not been signed yet, but we'll continue to track what's happening with Iraq, as well as with the Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Meanwhile, as we did that, we interrupted Daniel Sieberg.
You were talking about a whole different kind of stress. Forget about constitution, these robots get going in the desert.
SIEBERG: We're talking about stress from engineers, and car lovers and enthusiasts, who are all out in the desert right now, trying to get their robots to work, some of them struggling a little bit more than others. We're talking about the DARPA Grand Challenge. We've got some footage up on the screen right now of some of the qualifying that is going on yesterday.
I mentioned just briefly, before secretary of state came on, about what Darpa is -- it's the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. A branch of the Pentagon, known for fostering the Internet. They're whole idea is they're trying to create more autonomous vehicles for the military. There's a congressional mandate to have a third of the military vehicles autonomous by 2015. Autonomous meaning no real control -- now, this is part of the qualifying. This is the Cal Tech -- this is Autonomous Bob. It ran into a little bit of a problem. It's called a wall. That's going to need a robotic tow truck to come up.
KAGAN: Technical term?
SIEBERG: Yes, little technical term there, a little of a crash.
Basically, the whole idea of the qualifying, though, is to get to the race on Saturday. Once they pass all these inspections and qualifying, then they can actually get to the race.
This is actually some footage of another one. There's a high school from Palace Verdes (ph) out in California. They've got this vehicle. They come in all different shapes and sizes, Daryn. Some of them look like a small SUV. Some of them are a little bit smaller than even.
There's one called Cajun Bot from the university of Louisiana, which looks a little bit smaller.
But all of them have some very high-tech sensors on them, everything from lasers, sonar, GPS, some very complex computer programs, as you might imagine, and no driver, because these are meant to be totally autonomous. There's no remote control involved here. And once they pass all of these different tests, assuming that they can. Not all of them may pass all of these tests during the week, then they enter the big race on Saturday. And this is where the money, this is the payoff. It's a million dollars to the winner.
And we've got some animation, where we can show you where the race is actually taking place out in California, actually going from Barstow, California, in the Mojave Desert, starting in Barstow, very early in the morning on Saturday, and again, these are totally autonomous robots, no human intervention whatsoever. Once they start the race in Barstow, they just let them go. They don't know the exact route until two hours before the race. Then they can program it in. It's going to go about 210 miles across the desert, and again, they won't know exactly how far.
KAGAN: So no roads? It's in the desert?
SIEBERG: They may go over some very small back roads, but pretty much in the desert. It's Prim (ph), Nevada, which is just outside Las Vegas. The first one to do it in under 10 hours, a million bucks. There we go. So that's where all the stress and the pressure is right now.
KAGAN: Meanwhile, some of them can't even go.
SIEBERG: Right. Back to the robotic drawing board for some of the teams that are trying to work out some of the kinks. A couple of weeks ago we were actually at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, looking at one called Cajun Bot. And the scientists and the engineers there have been working on this for weeks and months. In fact, they got into this a little bit late. They started about November, December. Some of these teams have been working for months, Carnegie Mellon, Cal Tech, all of these universities, and even some guys working out of their garage long, overnight. As you can see the sun going down there in the footage that we had. They work on these for hours, days weeks, trying to tweak them and get them to work, everything they can to win this race.
Part of it is the money. But a lot of these guys say it's the pride, it's the challenge, especially for Little Cajun Bot there, because University of Louisiana didn't have an official robotics program. But again it's DARPA, it's the military trying to find new idea, fresh ideas, from people who may not be used to creating these types of robots.
KAGAN: Even high school kids.
(CROSSTALK)
SIEBERG: You can call it "Robot Survivor." We'll cover it on Saturday.
KAGAN: We'll look for that. Daniel Sieberg, our tech guru, thank you so much for that.
More and more doctors are providing it and more and more patients are asking for it. But what questions should you be asking before you go for surgery in your doctor's office? The answer's next in your "Daily Dose" of health news.
And later, it's the deal of a lifetime. Celebrities and poker going hand-in-hand on television. We're going to show you the world poker tour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Having a surgical procedure in the doctor's office may sound a lot less serious than going to the hospital. But the risk may actually be greater. So what questions do you need to ask before you go?
Amy O'Connor is deputy editor of "Prevention" magazine. She is in our Washington bureau with some advice. Amy, good morning.
AMY O'CONNOR, DEPUTY EDITOR, "PREVENTION": Good morning.
KAGAN: Surgical mistakes ten times more likely when the procedure is done in the doctor's office. That is why we have these questions to ask this morning.
O'CONNOR: Right. The first question you need to ask is is this office accredited or certified by the state board of medicine? If the answer is no, you should probably consider going elsewhere.
KAGAN: And why is that important?
O'CONNOR: It's important because that means the state board of medicine is overseeing the technique and the doctors and personnel who are in the office doing the surgery.
KAGAN: Big question, who is giving out the anesthesia?
O'CONNOR: Right, very important that the anesthesiologist has training in a hospital or surgical setting. You don't want someone who was just trained by the doctor to work in that office.
KAGAN: I mean, that seems obvious in terms of the kind of things that can go wrong with that.
O'CONNOR: Right. We also recommend you have a conversation with the anesthesiologist before you go under. Your sensitivity to pain and your sensitivity to medications...
(CROSSTALK)
KAGAN: ... ask, how about we just take this to a hospital or outpatient surgery center instead?
O'CONNOR: Especially if your surgery is more than 30 minutes. You want that option. If the doctor says, there's no way we can do that you should probably consider getting another doctor.
KAGAN: Shop around. Also consider checking out "Prevention" magazine with other tips you need to know before having a procedure done.
Amy O'Connor, thank you.
To get your health news online, log on to our Web site. The address is cnn.com/health.
Up next, get ready to ante up. What do you get when you mix celebrities, television, and poker? The World Poker Tour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: We're just getting word in here to CNN from Manassas, Virginia. The judge in the case of John Allen Muhammad has upheld and has honored the request from the jury in that case and will grant the death penalty to John Allen Muhammad.
He was convicted in November for the murder of Dean Harold Myers at a gas station in Manassas. That of course was one of 13 shootings during the killings of a three-week span in October of 2002.
So John Allen Muhammad has been sentenced to death. His co- defendant in the case, Lee Boyd Malvo, will be sentenced tomorrow. The most he can get is life in prison.
Much more on the sentencing of John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo at the top of the hour with Wolf.
Right now, get ready to show your cards. The World Poker Tour is a sensation on the Travel Channel. The second season is under way with tournaments at world class casinos and a $3 million pot.
To talk about a pair of aces here, actor Lou Diamond Phillips, celebrity poker player, and Steve Lipsomb is the founder of the World Poker Tour. They join us from L.A. this morning. Already a couple hands dealt this morning, gentlemen.
STEVE LIPSOMB, FOUNDER, WORLD POKER TOUR: Yes, what can I tell you? I'm just trying to keep up with the guy who is the player over here to my right.
KAGAN: Is he spanking you, Lou?
LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS, CELEBRITY POKER PLAYER: Pretty much. That's the danger of playing on the World Poker Tour is that I embarrass myself nationally.
(LAUGHTER)
LIPSOMB: Got that going for us.
KAGAN: You do have the passion for the game?
PHILLIPS: I love the game. And like a lot of people who are out there, poker is such, you know, an American game. It's part of the American fabric. And Steve has done an amazing job by bringing poker into the living room for many people and making it an exciting sport on television.
KAGAN: Well, it is interesting, Steve, what you've done here. First, bringing the celebrities in. Seems like you've had no trouble in this age of reality television to getting big names to come in.
LIPSOMB: Wednesday night has become poker night on the Travel Channel. For the last year, it's been that way. The celebrities, unlike most shows have found us. We have a really remarkable following across the country. The 50 million to 80 million people who have been playing this game and had a passion for it finally have a place to go watch the great American card game every Wednesday night.
KAGAN: As you say, it is most watched show on the Travel Channel. I wish we had more time to talk. But as you heard we do have the breaking news. We're just going to say you can watch the tour on the Travel Channel. Thank you to Steve Lipscomb and Lou Diamond Phillips. Thank you so much.
We need to get back to our breaking news out of Manassas, Virginia. Once again, John Allen Muhammad has been sentenced to death. The judge in the case, Judge LeRoy Millette Jr. has upheld the recommendation from the jury to sentence him to death.
He was on trial for the capital murder -- this was coming from the death of Harold Myers -- Dean Harold Myers at a gas station in Manassas back in October of 2002, one of 13 shootings that both John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo were accused of.
Malvo will be sentenced tomorrow. Because of his age, the jury in his case recommended that he receive life in prison. We'll hear more about that and more about John Allen Muhammad at the top of the hour with Wolf.
Right now, quick break. We're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
KAGAN: And of course, getting back to our breaking news coming out of Manassas, Virginia, the judge in the case of John Allen Muhammad has decided he will, indeed, get the death sentence. That is coming from the trial that -- he was on trial for the murder of Harold Dean Myers, for shooting him at a gas station near Manassas, one of 13 shootings during the killings in a three-week span in October 2002. The judge in the case under Virginia law did have the option of having a lesser sentence, just as the case will be tomorrow with Lee Boyd Malvo. The judge there -- the jury recommendation will be life in prison. The death penalty not an option in that case. In Virginia law, you can't go more severe than what the jury recommends, but you can go less than what the jury recommends.
John Allen Muhammad getting the death sentence today, and Lee Boyd Malvo being sentenced tomorrow. That will do it for me. I'm Daryn Kagan.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
of a Kind Desert Rally>
Aired March 9, 2004 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Direct Television, DirecTV, is suing O.J. Simpson, saying he pirated its satellite signal and owes $20,000. Simpson's attorney denies the former NFL star owns any pirating equipment and calls The Juice a loyal, paying DirecTV customer.
A judge will sniper Washington-area sniper John Allen Muhammad today. Death, or life without parole.
Our Bill Prasad it at the courthouse in Manassas, Virginia with the latest.
Bill, hello.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the sentencing hearing has now been going on for about an hour and a half. In this building behind me, on the fourth floor, there is a courtroom that is filled with distraught family members, who are demanding that Muhammad get the death penalty. It could be the final chapter in one of the most infamous murder sprees in the nation's history.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): Hundreds of thousands of residents in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia held hostage in October of 2002 while 10 people were gunned down like targets in a shooting gallery by snipers.
WILLIAM CHAMBLISS, SOCIOLOGIST: There was sort of a gleeful, fun atmosphere surrounding this whole series of killings. And that's pretty extraordinary. I mean even serial killers rarely have that kind of an image projected about them.
PRASAD: Last year, juries convicted 43-year-old John Muhammad and 19-year-old Lee Malvo. The jury recommended death for Muhammad and life in prison for Malvo. Muhammad's attorneys asked a judge to spare his life, saying his execution will harm his children. But the families who lost loved ones want Muhammad to pay with his life. But will the death penalty bring closure?
Psychologist Wendy Berger.
DR. WENDY BERGER, ARGOSY UNIVERSITY: It may provide some relief that the publicity for the case will subside and that they may feel a sense of empowerment from having been part of the judicial process.
PRASAD: For three weeks, schools closed, people ducked behind gas station pumps, many shoppers zigzagged through parking lots. A 21 day terror spree, a saga that could come to a close this week with the sentencings of both Muhammad and teen accomplice, Lee Malvo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD: Defense attorneys are pleading for their clients' life. A short time ago, defense attorney John Shapiro told a judge, quote, "We ask the judge not to shut the door on his life." Prosecutors will have the opportunity to present their case, then the judge will make a final decision.
We're live in Manassas, Virginia. I'm Bill Prasad.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: Bill, thank you for the latest on that. Of course you'll monitor it and bring us the latest as the judge makes the decision.
PRASAD: In other news this morning, a mother and her daughter who was allegedly kidnapped six years ago are back together today. Juseda Cuevas (ph) and daughter were officially reunited yesterday. And while mother and daughter celebrated their reunion, the child's father says he was left out.
And here's what he and his lawyer told CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL LUBER, PEDREO VERA'S ATTORNEY: The court in New Jersey ordered joint legal custody with both parents, my client and the mother. However, last night, when we attempted to call Mrs. Cuevas, and I attempted to call her attorney, in order that he might be present at this reunion, we were unable to reach either Mrs. Cuevas or her attorney. As a result, at this very important time last night, the young child was deprived of being with her father and mother, only her mother.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Up until recently, the child was thought to have died in a father when she was just 10 days old, but a woman who was accused of kidnapping her and setting a fire as a ruse has been arrested.
A group of racers prepare for a one-of-a-kind desert rally from L.A. to Las Vegas. The contest kick off this week. And when it does, you won't hear drivers, start your engines. That's because there are no engines. Our high-tech guru, Daniel Sieberg, driving this story.
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: That's right. There are no drivers involved here. These are going to be strictly autonomous robots, which is probably the most interesting parts of this whole story. It's a race that is sponsored by DARPA, which is known as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. It's also known for fostering things like the Internet. It's sort of a low-key Pentagon -- branch of the Pentagon. KAGAN: Daniel, hold on one second. We do want to hear more about the robots. We have secretary of State Colin Powell answering some questions. We'll get back to you in a moment. Let's listen to Secretary of State Powell.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
COLIN POWELL, SECY. OF STATE: ... in some belief that as we move forward, some member of the Governing Council or other leaders might propose revisions and changes. That's all part of a Democratic process. Remember, there is yet a constitution, final constitution, to be written. But this was such a breakthrough in terms of the region, in terms of Iraq. Just imagine, an administrative law that enshrines for the Iraqi people a bill of rights, freedom, openness, all men, women and children in the country equal, an independent judiciary. The military, firmly under civilian control, putting in place the conditions which an interim government will be created, and then a transitional government. All of this, I think, is historic.
And as we move forward, certainly, there will be new issues raised and difficulties to be overcome. But this was such an historic step that I'm confident we'll be able to deal with these other challenges as they come along.
To put it another way, the Iraqis will be able to deal with these other challenges as they come along, because this is now an Iraqi process. We will help them, assist them. The U.N. will help them and assist. Other nations will helps and assist. But what we have launched now is an Iraqi process that will be driven by the Iraqis as they move forward, and they will have to reconcile the differences that might still exist within Iraq, and we will provide our assistance, guidance, but it is for them to determine how they will be governed, what kind of constitution they will have, and what kind of political system they will have within the guideline of this administration administrative law and the constitution that will follow.
Young lady?
QUESTION: How can you explain this new venture between Jordan and Israel, setting up this scientific research center in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with American help, considering that the whole region is suffering from a stalemate in the peace process?
POWELL: I may...
MARWAN MUASHER, JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, this is not a political issue. This is an issue having to do with scientific cooperation. The fact that...
KAGAN: We are listening in, just a little bit, to Secretary of State Colin Powell. He was answering questions. In case you're wondering, the Jordanian foreign minister by his side. And Mr. Powell answering questions about the interim constitution they're trying to pull together in Iraq, snagged last week, as member of the Shiite community expressing some problems with that. So that one has not been signed yet, but we'll continue to track what's happening with Iraq, as well as with the Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Meanwhile, as we did that, we interrupted Daniel Sieberg.
You were talking about a whole different kind of stress. Forget about constitution, these robots get going in the desert.
SIEBERG: We're talking about stress from engineers, and car lovers and enthusiasts, who are all out in the desert right now, trying to get their robots to work, some of them struggling a little bit more than others. We're talking about the DARPA Grand Challenge. We've got some footage up on the screen right now of some of the qualifying that is going on yesterday.
I mentioned just briefly, before secretary of state came on, about what Darpa is -- it's the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. A branch of the Pentagon, known for fostering the Internet. They're whole idea is they're trying to create more autonomous vehicles for the military. There's a congressional mandate to have a third of the military vehicles autonomous by 2015. Autonomous meaning no real control -- now, this is part of the qualifying. This is the Cal Tech -- this is Autonomous Bob. It ran into a little bit of a problem. It's called a wall. That's going to need a robotic tow truck to come up.
KAGAN: Technical term?
SIEBERG: Yes, little technical term there, a little of a crash.
Basically, the whole idea of the qualifying, though, is to get to the race on Saturday. Once they pass all these inspections and qualifying, then they can actually get to the race.
This is actually some footage of another one. There's a high school from Palace Verdes (ph) out in California. They've got this vehicle. They come in all different shapes and sizes, Daryn. Some of them look like a small SUV. Some of them are a little bit smaller than even.
There's one called Cajun Bot from the university of Louisiana, which looks a little bit smaller.
But all of them have some very high-tech sensors on them, everything from lasers, sonar, GPS, some very complex computer programs, as you might imagine, and no driver, because these are meant to be totally autonomous. There's no remote control involved here. And once they pass all of these different tests, assuming that they can. Not all of them may pass all of these tests during the week, then they enter the big race on Saturday. And this is where the money, this is the payoff. It's a million dollars to the winner.
And we've got some animation, where we can show you where the race is actually taking place out in California, actually going from Barstow, California, in the Mojave Desert, starting in Barstow, very early in the morning on Saturday, and again, these are totally autonomous robots, no human intervention whatsoever. Once they start the race in Barstow, they just let them go. They don't know the exact route until two hours before the race. Then they can program it in. It's going to go about 210 miles across the desert, and again, they won't know exactly how far.
KAGAN: So no roads? It's in the desert?
SIEBERG: They may go over some very small back roads, but pretty much in the desert. It's Prim (ph), Nevada, which is just outside Las Vegas. The first one to do it in under 10 hours, a million bucks. There we go. So that's where all the stress and the pressure is right now.
KAGAN: Meanwhile, some of them can't even go.
SIEBERG: Right. Back to the robotic drawing board for some of the teams that are trying to work out some of the kinks. A couple of weeks ago we were actually at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, looking at one called Cajun Bot. And the scientists and the engineers there have been working on this for weeks and months. In fact, they got into this a little bit late. They started about November, December. Some of these teams have been working for months, Carnegie Mellon, Cal Tech, all of these universities, and even some guys working out of their garage long, overnight. As you can see the sun going down there in the footage that we had. They work on these for hours, days weeks, trying to tweak them and get them to work, everything they can to win this race.
Part of it is the money. But a lot of these guys say it's the pride, it's the challenge, especially for Little Cajun Bot there, because University of Louisiana didn't have an official robotics program. But again it's DARPA, it's the military trying to find new idea, fresh ideas, from people who may not be used to creating these types of robots.
KAGAN: Even high school kids.
(CROSSTALK)
SIEBERG: You can call it "Robot Survivor." We'll cover it on Saturday.
KAGAN: We'll look for that. Daniel Sieberg, our tech guru, thank you so much for that.
More and more doctors are providing it and more and more patients are asking for it. But what questions should you be asking before you go for surgery in your doctor's office? The answer's next in your "Daily Dose" of health news.
And later, it's the deal of a lifetime. Celebrities and poker going hand-in-hand on television. We're going to show you the world poker tour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Having a surgical procedure in the doctor's office may sound a lot less serious than going to the hospital. But the risk may actually be greater. So what questions do you need to ask before you go?
Amy O'Connor is deputy editor of "Prevention" magazine. She is in our Washington bureau with some advice. Amy, good morning.
AMY O'CONNOR, DEPUTY EDITOR, "PREVENTION": Good morning.
KAGAN: Surgical mistakes ten times more likely when the procedure is done in the doctor's office. That is why we have these questions to ask this morning.
O'CONNOR: Right. The first question you need to ask is is this office accredited or certified by the state board of medicine? If the answer is no, you should probably consider going elsewhere.
KAGAN: And why is that important?
O'CONNOR: It's important because that means the state board of medicine is overseeing the technique and the doctors and personnel who are in the office doing the surgery.
KAGAN: Big question, who is giving out the anesthesia?
O'CONNOR: Right, very important that the anesthesiologist has training in a hospital or surgical setting. You don't want someone who was just trained by the doctor to work in that office.
KAGAN: I mean, that seems obvious in terms of the kind of things that can go wrong with that.
O'CONNOR: Right. We also recommend you have a conversation with the anesthesiologist before you go under. Your sensitivity to pain and your sensitivity to medications...
(CROSSTALK)
KAGAN: ... ask, how about we just take this to a hospital or outpatient surgery center instead?
O'CONNOR: Especially if your surgery is more than 30 minutes. You want that option. If the doctor says, there's no way we can do that you should probably consider getting another doctor.
KAGAN: Shop around. Also consider checking out "Prevention" magazine with other tips you need to know before having a procedure done.
Amy O'Connor, thank you.
To get your health news online, log on to our Web site. The address is cnn.com/health.
Up next, get ready to ante up. What do you get when you mix celebrities, television, and poker? The World Poker Tour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: We're just getting word in here to CNN from Manassas, Virginia. The judge in the case of John Allen Muhammad has upheld and has honored the request from the jury in that case and will grant the death penalty to John Allen Muhammad.
He was convicted in November for the murder of Dean Harold Myers at a gas station in Manassas. That of course was one of 13 shootings during the killings of a three-week span in October of 2002.
So John Allen Muhammad has been sentenced to death. His co- defendant in the case, Lee Boyd Malvo, will be sentenced tomorrow. The most he can get is life in prison.
Much more on the sentencing of John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo at the top of the hour with Wolf.
Right now, get ready to show your cards. The World Poker Tour is a sensation on the Travel Channel. The second season is under way with tournaments at world class casinos and a $3 million pot.
To talk about a pair of aces here, actor Lou Diamond Phillips, celebrity poker player, and Steve Lipsomb is the founder of the World Poker Tour. They join us from L.A. this morning. Already a couple hands dealt this morning, gentlemen.
STEVE LIPSOMB, FOUNDER, WORLD POKER TOUR: Yes, what can I tell you? I'm just trying to keep up with the guy who is the player over here to my right.
KAGAN: Is he spanking you, Lou?
LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS, CELEBRITY POKER PLAYER: Pretty much. That's the danger of playing on the World Poker Tour is that I embarrass myself nationally.
(LAUGHTER)
LIPSOMB: Got that going for us.
KAGAN: You do have the passion for the game?
PHILLIPS: I love the game. And like a lot of people who are out there, poker is such, you know, an American game. It's part of the American fabric. And Steve has done an amazing job by bringing poker into the living room for many people and making it an exciting sport on television.
KAGAN: Well, it is interesting, Steve, what you've done here. First, bringing the celebrities in. Seems like you've had no trouble in this age of reality television to getting big names to come in.
LIPSOMB: Wednesday night has become poker night on the Travel Channel. For the last year, it's been that way. The celebrities, unlike most shows have found us. We have a really remarkable following across the country. The 50 million to 80 million people who have been playing this game and had a passion for it finally have a place to go watch the great American card game every Wednesday night.
KAGAN: As you say, it is most watched show on the Travel Channel. I wish we had more time to talk. But as you heard we do have the breaking news. We're just going to say you can watch the tour on the Travel Channel. Thank you to Steve Lipscomb and Lou Diamond Phillips. Thank you so much.
We need to get back to our breaking news out of Manassas, Virginia. Once again, John Allen Muhammad has been sentenced to death. The judge in the case, Judge LeRoy Millette Jr. has upheld the recommendation from the jury to sentence him to death.
He was on trial for the capital murder -- this was coming from the death of Harold Myers -- Dean Harold Myers at a gas station in Manassas back in October of 2002, one of 13 shootings that both John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo were accused of.
Malvo will be sentenced tomorrow. Because of his age, the jury in his case recommended that he receive life in prison. We'll hear more about that and more about John Allen Muhammad at the top of the hour with Wolf.
Right now, quick break. We're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
KAGAN: And of course, getting back to our breaking news coming out of Manassas, Virginia, the judge in the case of John Allen Muhammad has decided he will, indeed, get the death sentence. That is coming from the trial that -- he was on trial for the murder of Harold Dean Myers, for shooting him at a gas station near Manassas, one of 13 shootings during the killings in a three-week span in October 2002. The judge in the case under Virginia law did have the option of having a lesser sentence, just as the case will be tomorrow with Lee Boyd Malvo. The judge there -- the jury recommendation will be life in prison. The death penalty not an option in that case. In Virginia law, you can't go more severe than what the jury recommends, but you can go less than what the jury recommends.
John Allen Muhammad getting the death sentence today, and Lee Boyd Malvo being sentenced tomorrow. That will do it for me. I'm Daryn Kagan.
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