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CNN Live Today
Suicide Car Bomber Kills at Least 125 in Hillah, Iraq; Opening Statements Today in Michael Jackson Trial; Serial Killer Caught?
Aired February 28, 2005 - 11:00 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.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get you started now on the second hour with what's happening right "Now in the News."
Insurgents today unleash their deadliest single attack on Iraqis since the start of the U.S.-led invasion. Police say a suicide attacker set off a car bomb in a crowd of police recruits. At least 125 people are dead, more than 150 people are wounded. A live report from Iraq is just ahead.
The Northeast is bracing for a wintry blast. The winter storm is expected to dump as much as a foot of snow in many areas. Winter storm and heavy snow warnings are posted all the way from Washington, D.C., through parts of North Carolina, into New England, all the way up to Maine. The nasty weather could stretch as far south, as mentioned, as the Carolinas.
Now, the Vatican says Pope John Paul II has started therapy to improve his breathing and help him begin speaking again. The pope had a tracheotomy last week to relieve his respiratory problems. The medical update this morning followed a surprise appearance by the pontiff at the window of his Rome hospital room just yesterday.
And "Million Dollar Baby" was the big winner at the 77th annual Academy Awards. The movie won four awards, including best picture and best direct for Clint Eastwood. The most went to "Aviator," though, which won five.
Our Sibila Vargas is going to have a complete Oscar wrap-up. That's coming up in about 20 minutes.
Also, Israeli forces say that they've discovered a car packed with explosives in the West Bank near the city of Jenin. According to sources, authorities think that it may be linked to the Islamic Jihad cell that claimed responsibility for Friday night's club bombing, as well. The attack in Tel Aviv killed five people.
Here we go. Just one minute past 11:00 on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. on the West. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Rick Sanchez.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Let's go first to Iraq, where a horrific suicide blast killed well over 100 people today. This is the deadliest single attack since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The bomb was in the town of Hilla. It was so powerful it practically vaporized the car that was carrying it. We get details now from CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson in Baghdad.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the blast couldn't have come at a worst time according to police in Hilla. They say the detonation occurred at 9:30 in the morning when the busy market area -- when the market area around the medical center where the police recruits were lining up to go in to get their medical checks was packed.
They say that the suicide bomber drove his vehicle right into their line of police recruits waiting outside the medical center, detonating the explosives. An eyewitness on the scene said he saw this happen, said right afterwards he could see at least 50 people were killed, many, many more he said than he would have expected.
The force of the blast, the size of the explosion not yet known. Police haven't released results of any analyses they may have made on the car bomb. The car completely obliterated.
But what we have been told by police, that at least 125 people dead. And according to the Iraqi Red Crescent medical organization here, over 200 people were wounded in the blast.
The market area would have been very, very busy at that time. Police are not yet saying how many of the dead and injured were the police recruits, how many were people who were in the market -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Nic Robertson live from Baghdad.
A very different story half a world away. We go live now to Santa Maria, California.
The car has just pulled up in front of the courthouse carrying Michael Jackson. Today will begin the opening statements in this child molestation case.
The charges from the district attorney there, that he, back in 2003, molested a 13-year-old leukemia patient at his secluded Neverland Ranch. Also, there are additional charges in the case that he also -- he and his employees held the boy and his family there against their will.
He's also expected to bring up a previous case from back in 1993, a different 13-year-old boy. That case settled with a multimillion- dollar settlement by the singer.
Our Miguel Marquez is standing by at the courthouse as Michael Jackson gets out of the car on what appears to be a rainy Monday morning in Santa Maria -- Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is indeed a rainy Monday morning. I'm not on camera because our camera position is now trained on Jermaine Jackson, who is helping probably himself and other members out of the -- out of the cars there. There is Mr. Jackson himself and his mother Katherine Jackson. So just a few members of the Jackson family not wearing their trademark white. Jackson stopping to acknowledge his fans, the few fans who are left here, because most of them have gone inside now to see the opening statements, opening statements that are expected to last about two hours for the prosecution and two hours for the defense.
And then we're expected to get to witnesses, or possibly get to witnesses today. The first witness out of the box we expect for the prosecution will be Martin Bashir, the British documentary filmmaker who made the "Living With Michael Jackson" special that really started all of this. Mr. Jackson now in court for the first day of a very long trial -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Yes. Miguel, I don't know if you got a good look at Michael Jackson as he got out of the car, the umbrella might have blocked your view. You pointed out that he and the family not wearing the white, the symbolic white that they've been wearing as a sign of support of Michael Jackson. And yet, it does appear that he showed up with white makeup covering his face.
MARQUEZ: Well, he always does appear to have fairly heavy makeup on his face. Mr. Jackson often when he comes to court is in sunglasses when he's outside, and then once he's inside, it's very clear just how much makeup he has on. He has a very white sort of complexion when he is in court.
So that's -- that's typical. But the difference obviously today is that the family wasn't wearing white, and there are certainly not as many family members that we certainly would have expected here today, as well.
Usually almost the entire Jackson family comes. This is the first time that for such a big event that only a couple of members are here. And maybe others will show up here shortly, but so far, we haven't seen them -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Very serious charges that Michael Jackson faces. Could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all 10 felony counts.
MARQUEZ: That's correct. And very serious charges. And, I mean, the most tricky of all of those charges, though, is conspiracy charge.
There are several counts of child molestation and giving a child an intoxicating agent in order to assist in those molestations, but there is a conspiracy count, a single charge of conspiracy that says that there were 28 overt acts within that single charge.
We have not seen that -- that document unsealed yet. The judge said that once the jurors were sworn, which is now, that that document would be unsealed. So we expect to see those 28 overt acts and exactly what they claim Mr. Jackson did that furthered that conspiracy. And that may be in the end what they get him on -- Daryn. KAGAN: And as we look at live pictures from Santa Maria, we have heard about the many fans that have been turning out over the months to support Michael Jackson. Apparently, though, there are also many people who would appear to support the prosecution, supporting victims of child abuse.
MARQUEZ: Yes. You can hear some of these -- the chanting.
The chant is, "Those are my private parts." It's a group that is for victims' rights and favors victims' rights. They obviously have concluded that Mr. Jackson is already guilty.
Mr. Jackson has pled he is innocent to all the charges so far. But they have been out here many times. They haven't been here out for about a month, but today they are back with their bull horns and back in full force, and making their opinion known. This case certainly attracts a lot of attention and a lot of very strong opinion on both sides -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Obviously. Miguel Marquez, live from Santa Maria, California. Opening statements beginning very soon in the Michael Jackson case. Thank you -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Now to the story of a man accused of terrorizing a Kansas community for decades. He could appear in court as early as today or perhaps sometime tomorrow.
Authorities say this man, this man named Dennis Rader, that they're confident he is the notorious BTK serial killer responsible for at least 10 killings dating back to 1974. His arrest was front- page news in the Wichita area, where the victims lived.
Rader is a 59-year-old municipal employee in nearby Park City and a church council president. Members of his congregation are stunned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL CARLSTEDT, CHURCH MEMBER: I don't know if we'll ever come to terms with this, but we are learning to cope. This is not the Dennis that we as a congregation or myself personally know, you're right.
Wednesday evening I spoke with him. He stopped at the church and said he was not going to be able to be there for the meal that night, but he had signed up for something, so he brought it. And that's the Dennis that I know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Let's do this now. Let's bring in our law enforcement analyst, Mike Brooks.
Thanks for being with us, Mike.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Good to be with you, Rick. SANCHEZ: Did you think it would be someone who would fit the profile? Look, he works at his church, has a job with the government, steady job, he's married. Average guy.
BROOKS: Seems to be an average guy. We heard all along with little clues that he was leaving over the years he was supposed to be somewhere between 64 and 65 years old. We find out he's 59.
He lived with his -- raised by his grandmother while his mother worked. He was in the military, went to a military academy. He dated a Latino woman. I'd be anxious to find out whether or not all these were true or whether he was just giving some of these clues out there, just throwing these out there, to throw investigators off.
SANCHEZ: Let's talk about DNA, because there seem to be a lot of questions as to whether police were able to get that DNA perhaps from his daughter or somewhere else. Do you think the DNA was the lynchpin in this thing?
BROOKS: It could have been. But, again, there's a lot of other evidence apparently that was left over the years. And he also had taken some things from the victims.
We saw back in October, last October, he left a package with a driver's license of one of the victims. There was also some jewelry apparently left from one of the victims. But there was also -- we thought there as a gap between 1977 and 1986, that apparently there are now two other charges that we found out Saturday are also added to the eight that we knew about.
If we go back to 1974, when apparently -- when he had allegedly started, we had the Otero family, the husband and wife and their two kids that were killed. Then again in 1974 there was one other killing. Then they jump to 1977, where there were two in '77. Then all the way to '86.
But now we hear there's one of 1985 and one in 1991. Both of them, though, in Park City.
SANCHEZ: You know what I'm struck by as you take us through the chronology of this thing? This guy probably was in the clear.
I mean, the last time he corresponded with the media or the police or anybody else was back in the 1970s. Suddenly comes 2004, he starts writing letters. It seems, Mike, almost as if this person wanted to get the attention that would lead to his apprehension.
BROOKS: That's what a lot of people are saying. You know, he wanted to get caught. But serial killers historically, Rick, they love the thrill of the hunt, if you will.
SANCHEZ: Right.
BROOKS: You know, they think they're smarter than the police. But every time that he goes to a crime scene, that -- you know, whether it was Rader -- allegedly Rader. You know, he's innocent until proven guilty, we've got to remember that.
SANCHEZ: Right.
BROOKS: But the BTK killer, every time that he was at a crime scene, he left something. We're hearing from our affiliates in KAKE in an interview earlier today that his law enforcement -- one of the anchors there -- that his law enforcement sources were saying that there was DNA left from some of the other crime scenes.
We have yet to independently confirm that. But if that is the case, then, you know, it could be was it a hat? Because on the sweat band of the hat -- was it something on the letters that he sent? You can get DNA off the back of the stamps before they had the self- adhering stamps. Often it's...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: It's almost like the technology caught up with him.
BROOKS: Yes, it really did.
SANCHEZ: Let me ask you one final question. The charges, do you believe they will grow, that we will see many more cases attributed to him? It started at seven, then eight. Now it's up to 10.
BROOKS: We've got eight, then they added two more on Saturday we never even heard about. And I guarantee you -- and I've heard this -- that they are going back, looking at other cold cases that they have there in Wichita, Park City. And if I'm an investigator in Oklahoma or another surrounding state, I'm looking at also my cold cases that have the same methodology, the same MO, if you will...
SANCHEZ: Right.
BROOKS: ... that these cases had. And I'm going to hook up with the task force and say, hey, guys, let's take a look at this case to see if there's any evidence that could link those to also the BTK killer.
SANCHEZ: Good stuff. Mike Brooks, as usual, thanks. We'll follow this thing along with you.
BROOKS: Good to be with you, Rick.
SANCHEZ: Join us tonight. We're going to have a special edition of CNN's "NEWSNIGHT." Aaron Brown is going to host "Catching BTK" beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 Pacific, right here on CNN.
KAGAN: The arrest of a suspect in the case of BTK has made headlines all around the world. At CNN.com, it was the most clicked- on story all weekend long. Christina Park from the dot-com desk has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR: From Jack the Ripper to the current BTK killer in Kansas, serial killings have both horrified and fascinated the public. CNN.com analyzes the BTK suspect on our Web site, where experts profile other serial killers and explain how many resort to violence to achieve power, power that has eluded them in their professional or personal lives.
One criminologist calls murderers like BTK, for Bind, Torture, Kill, losers who never distinguish themselves except through brutality. Read the MO on serial killers and what they have in common, such as dysfunctional backgrounds, feelings of rejection, as well as a hunger for recognition.
Also on CNN.com, an expert analyzes some of the letters and poems from the self-titled BTK killer from the earliest notes known for their rambling and cold-blooded details, to the latest correspondence described as polite, even cordial. Our site investigates the background of the man police arrested Friday on suspicion that he is the BTK killer. To read the latest on Dennis Rader and others, log on to cnn.com/law.
I'm Christina Park.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: We have more ahead on missing Florida girl Jessica Lunsford. She is still missing. We're going to hear from her father and what police are doing next in the investigation.
SANCHEZ: Also, what did you think of the Oscars last night? What did you think of the host? What did you think of the dresses? What did you think of the whole glitzy night? A live report from L.A. coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Live picture from the White House of President Bush meeting with the National Governors' Association at the White House this morning. A series of topics on the agenda, including Social Security reform. We'll come back and check in when and if there's any developing news.
SANCHEZ: Also, searchers are scouring the woods around Homasassa Springs, Florida, once again. They're looking for any sign at all of that missing 9-year-old girl that we have been telling you about here since last week.
Jessica Lunsford is her name. She hasn't been seen since Wednesday night, when her grandmother tucked her into bed.
Authorities say today will probably end the volunteer searches that they've been having. So far, they've provided absolutely no clues to Jessica's whereabouts.
This morning, Jessica's grandmother and her father were on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING." He, the father, explained that it's not usual -- or, pardon me, it's not usual that the front door of their home would be unlocked. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK LUNSFORD, MISSING GIRL'S FATHER: I mean, we don't use that door a whole lot. I think it was used the night before, you know, when Jessie had come home from church. But, you know, you just -- this kind of neighborhood, it's not something you really worry about, leaving your door unlocked.
RUTH LUNSFORD, MISSING GIRL'S GRANDMOTHER: What we always say to each other, "I love you, Jessie." Come home, Jessie. We miss you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Authorities do say that they plan to bring in specialists to try and determine whether Jessica was abducted. They have not yet ruled out the possibility that she may have run away, as well.
KAGAN: We are looking at the strong possibility of snow. The Northeast bracing for another big winter storm. And while they honker down, residents in the South are...
SANCHEZ: Trying to clean up. Exactly, yes.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: We're going to have some details on the tornado that blew through some parts of Florida.
KAGAN: And then looking back on Hollywood's biggest night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS ROCK, HOST, OSCARS: Now just imagine you worked at the Gap. You're $70 trillion behind on your register, and then you start a war with Banana Republic because you say they have toxic tank tops over there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: How did Chris Rock do? We'll have all the Oscar news in a live report from Los Angeles just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: Here's a story we were just telling you about. In Palm Bay, Florida, residents there and work crews are trying to clean up this morning after a tornado blew through the area. The twister touched down yesterday afternoon with winds as high as 112 miles an hour.
At least five people were hurt and about 14 homes suffered major damage. In fact, some of those homes had been damaged then repaired already before after hurricanes hit Florida just last summer.
KAGAN: Meanwhile, the weather moves north, D.C. It's already snowing, and it's moving toward the Northeast. Here's Orelon Sidney.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: It was a million-dollar affair in Hollywood last night, and we don't just mean the clothes and the jewels. The Academy Awards were handed out in Tinsel Town.
For a look at the big winners, we head to Los Angeles and CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas.
Sibila, good morning.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
It was Hollywood's biggest night. The 77th annual Academy Awards were handed out last night, with the biggest surprise of the evening being that there were really no surprises at all.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS: And the Oscar goes to...
PIERCE BROSNAN, ACTOR: Sandy Powell for "The Aviator."
KIRSTEN DUNST, ACTRESS: Thelma Schoonmaker for "The Aviator."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dante Ferretti for "The Aviator."
VARGAS (voice-over): In the early rounds at the Oscars, "The Aviator" racked up points. But in the final rounds, the film went down for the count. The boxing drama "Million Dollar Baby" claimed the title of best picture.
BARBRA STREISAND: I'm so happy to give you this again, Clint.
VARGAS: And producer Clint Eastwood shared the best picture prize. But the trophy for best director was his alone.
CLINT EASTWOOD, BEST DIRECTOR: I'd like to thank my wife, who's my best pal, down here.
VARGAS: At age 74, he's almost as old as Oscar himself.
EASTWOOD: I watched Sidney Lumet out there, who is 80, and I figure I'm just a kid.
VARGAS: "Million Dollar Baby" also earned two acting trophies, one for Morgan Freeman for his supporting role and another for Hilary Swank, the second best actress win of her career.
HILARY SWANK, BEST ACTRESS WINNER: It's really one of the most surreal things. And even standing here right now talking, I feel like I may be dreaming.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the Oscar goes to Cate Blanchett in "The Aviator."
VARGAS: "The Aviator's" Cate Blanchett won best supporting actress. No surprise there. No surprise, either, when it came to best actor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jamie Foxx in "Ray."
JAMIE FOXX, BEST ACTOR WINNER: And I can't wait to go to sleep tonight, because we've got a lot to talk about. I love you.
VARGAS (on camera): Going into the show, everyone was wondering what would Chris Rock say. Well, he didn't play it safe. He even reserved some barbs for the stars, which later drew a response from Sean Penn.
CHRIS ROCK, HOST: Who is Jude Law? Why is he in every movie I have seen the last four years?
SEAN PENN, ACTOR: I did want to answer our host's question about who Jude Law is. He's one of our finest actors.
VARGAS: A little punch-counterpunch on a night that belonged to "Million Dollar Baby."
(END VIDEO TAPE)
VARGAS: So there you have it. A big night indeed for "Million Dollar Baby." And, of course, Jamie Foxx is probably just getting into bed right now from a night of celebrating.
Kudos to you, Mr. Foxx.
And you know what, Daryn, though? I will take it back. You know, I think the biggest surprise was that Chris Rock did not curse or swear during the entire telecast.
KAGAN: He didn't, but there were a couple of times, like the second word out of his mouth, sit your you know what down. So there was -- you were on your edge of your seat watching this.
VARGAS: OK, there was that one time. All right.
KAGAN: That's right.
VARGAS: But you know what? The controversy probably helped the show. I mean, I hear that the early indications are that the ratings were pretty good.
A little slightly higher than last year, but last year the had the "Lord of the Rings." And this year was a year where a lot of the movies weren't seen by many, many people. So I think overall the Oscars were -- was a success -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Sibila Vargas live from L.A. Thank you.
VARGAS: Thanks, Daryn. SANCHEZ: Who is Jude Law anyway?
KAGAN: He is an actor hottie who a lot of people like to watch on the big screen.
SANCHEZ: Is he famous because he's a hottie or because he's a good actor?
KAGAN: Well, he's a hottie good actor.
SANCHEZ: OK.
KAGAN: Yes, both.
SANCHEZ: Give him a little bit of both.
KAGAN: Show him love in both departments.
SANCHEZ: Sean Penn likes him.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: He's a bud.
Defying a ban on protesters. Well, thousands are taking to the streets of Beirut. We're going to have the story and the pictures and the sounds of this one coming up, folks.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired February 28, 2005 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get you started now on the second hour with what's happening right "Now in the News."
Insurgents today unleash their deadliest single attack on Iraqis since the start of the U.S.-led invasion. Police say a suicide attacker set off a car bomb in a crowd of police recruits. At least 125 people are dead, more than 150 people are wounded. A live report from Iraq is just ahead.
The Northeast is bracing for a wintry blast. The winter storm is expected to dump as much as a foot of snow in many areas. Winter storm and heavy snow warnings are posted all the way from Washington, D.C., through parts of North Carolina, into New England, all the way up to Maine. The nasty weather could stretch as far south, as mentioned, as the Carolinas.
Now, the Vatican says Pope John Paul II has started therapy to improve his breathing and help him begin speaking again. The pope had a tracheotomy last week to relieve his respiratory problems. The medical update this morning followed a surprise appearance by the pontiff at the window of his Rome hospital room just yesterday.
And "Million Dollar Baby" was the big winner at the 77th annual Academy Awards. The movie won four awards, including best picture and best direct for Clint Eastwood. The most went to "Aviator," though, which won five.
Our Sibila Vargas is going to have a complete Oscar wrap-up. That's coming up in about 20 minutes.
Also, Israeli forces say that they've discovered a car packed with explosives in the West Bank near the city of Jenin. According to sources, authorities think that it may be linked to the Islamic Jihad cell that claimed responsibility for Friday night's club bombing, as well. The attack in Tel Aviv killed five people.
Here we go. Just one minute past 11:00 on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. on the West. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Rick Sanchez.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Let's go first to Iraq, where a horrific suicide blast killed well over 100 people today. This is the deadliest single attack since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The bomb was in the town of Hilla. It was so powerful it practically vaporized the car that was carrying it. We get details now from CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson in Baghdad.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the blast couldn't have come at a worst time according to police in Hilla. They say the detonation occurred at 9:30 in the morning when the busy market area -- when the market area around the medical center where the police recruits were lining up to go in to get their medical checks was packed.
They say that the suicide bomber drove his vehicle right into their line of police recruits waiting outside the medical center, detonating the explosives. An eyewitness on the scene said he saw this happen, said right afterwards he could see at least 50 people were killed, many, many more he said than he would have expected.
The force of the blast, the size of the explosion not yet known. Police haven't released results of any analyses they may have made on the car bomb. The car completely obliterated.
But what we have been told by police, that at least 125 people dead. And according to the Iraqi Red Crescent medical organization here, over 200 people were wounded in the blast.
The market area would have been very, very busy at that time. Police are not yet saying how many of the dead and injured were the police recruits, how many were people who were in the market -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Nic Robertson live from Baghdad.
A very different story half a world away. We go live now to Santa Maria, California.
The car has just pulled up in front of the courthouse carrying Michael Jackson. Today will begin the opening statements in this child molestation case.
The charges from the district attorney there, that he, back in 2003, molested a 13-year-old leukemia patient at his secluded Neverland Ranch. Also, there are additional charges in the case that he also -- he and his employees held the boy and his family there against their will.
He's also expected to bring up a previous case from back in 1993, a different 13-year-old boy. That case settled with a multimillion- dollar settlement by the singer.
Our Miguel Marquez is standing by at the courthouse as Michael Jackson gets out of the car on what appears to be a rainy Monday morning in Santa Maria -- Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is indeed a rainy Monday morning. I'm not on camera because our camera position is now trained on Jermaine Jackson, who is helping probably himself and other members out of the -- out of the cars there. There is Mr. Jackson himself and his mother Katherine Jackson. So just a few members of the Jackson family not wearing their trademark white. Jackson stopping to acknowledge his fans, the few fans who are left here, because most of them have gone inside now to see the opening statements, opening statements that are expected to last about two hours for the prosecution and two hours for the defense.
And then we're expected to get to witnesses, or possibly get to witnesses today. The first witness out of the box we expect for the prosecution will be Martin Bashir, the British documentary filmmaker who made the "Living With Michael Jackson" special that really started all of this. Mr. Jackson now in court for the first day of a very long trial -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Yes. Miguel, I don't know if you got a good look at Michael Jackson as he got out of the car, the umbrella might have blocked your view. You pointed out that he and the family not wearing the white, the symbolic white that they've been wearing as a sign of support of Michael Jackson. And yet, it does appear that he showed up with white makeup covering his face.
MARQUEZ: Well, he always does appear to have fairly heavy makeup on his face. Mr. Jackson often when he comes to court is in sunglasses when he's outside, and then once he's inside, it's very clear just how much makeup he has on. He has a very white sort of complexion when he is in court.
So that's -- that's typical. But the difference obviously today is that the family wasn't wearing white, and there are certainly not as many family members that we certainly would have expected here today, as well.
Usually almost the entire Jackson family comes. This is the first time that for such a big event that only a couple of members are here. And maybe others will show up here shortly, but so far, we haven't seen them -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Very serious charges that Michael Jackson faces. Could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all 10 felony counts.
MARQUEZ: That's correct. And very serious charges. And, I mean, the most tricky of all of those charges, though, is conspiracy charge.
There are several counts of child molestation and giving a child an intoxicating agent in order to assist in those molestations, but there is a conspiracy count, a single charge of conspiracy that says that there were 28 overt acts within that single charge.
We have not seen that -- that document unsealed yet. The judge said that once the jurors were sworn, which is now, that that document would be unsealed. So we expect to see those 28 overt acts and exactly what they claim Mr. Jackson did that furthered that conspiracy. And that may be in the end what they get him on -- Daryn. KAGAN: And as we look at live pictures from Santa Maria, we have heard about the many fans that have been turning out over the months to support Michael Jackson. Apparently, though, there are also many people who would appear to support the prosecution, supporting victims of child abuse.
MARQUEZ: Yes. You can hear some of these -- the chanting.
The chant is, "Those are my private parts." It's a group that is for victims' rights and favors victims' rights. They obviously have concluded that Mr. Jackson is already guilty.
Mr. Jackson has pled he is innocent to all the charges so far. But they have been out here many times. They haven't been here out for about a month, but today they are back with their bull horns and back in full force, and making their opinion known. This case certainly attracts a lot of attention and a lot of very strong opinion on both sides -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Obviously. Miguel Marquez, live from Santa Maria, California. Opening statements beginning very soon in the Michael Jackson case. Thank you -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Now to the story of a man accused of terrorizing a Kansas community for decades. He could appear in court as early as today or perhaps sometime tomorrow.
Authorities say this man, this man named Dennis Rader, that they're confident he is the notorious BTK serial killer responsible for at least 10 killings dating back to 1974. His arrest was front- page news in the Wichita area, where the victims lived.
Rader is a 59-year-old municipal employee in nearby Park City and a church council president. Members of his congregation are stunned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL CARLSTEDT, CHURCH MEMBER: I don't know if we'll ever come to terms with this, but we are learning to cope. This is not the Dennis that we as a congregation or myself personally know, you're right.
Wednesday evening I spoke with him. He stopped at the church and said he was not going to be able to be there for the meal that night, but he had signed up for something, so he brought it. And that's the Dennis that I know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Let's do this now. Let's bring in our law enforcement analyst, Mike Brooks.
Thanks for being with us, Mike.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Good to be with you, Rick. SANCHEZ: Did you think it would be someone who would fit the profile? Look, he works at his church, has a job with the government, steady job, he's married. Average guy.
BROOKS: Seems to be an average guy. We heard all along with little clues that he was leaving over the years he was supposed to be somewhere between 64 and 65 years old. We find out he's 59.
He lived with his -- raised by his grandmother while his mother worked. He was in the military, went to a military academy. He dated a Latino woman. I'd be anxious to find out whether or not all these were true or whether he was just giving some of these clues out there, just throwing these out there, to throw investigators off.
SANCHEZ: Let's talk about DNA, because there seem to be a lot of questions as to whether police were able to get that DNA perhaps from his daughter or somewhere else. Do you think the DNA was the lynchpin in this thing?
BROOKS: It could have been. But, again, there's a lot of other evidence apparently that was left over the years. And he also had taken some things from the victims.
We saw back in October, last October, he left a package with a driver's license of one of the victims. There was also some jewelry apparently left from one of the victims. But there was also -- we thought there as a gap between 1977 and 1986, that apparently there are now two other charges that we found out Saturday are also added to the eight that we knew about.
If we go back to 1974, when apparently -- when he had allegedly started, we had the Otero family, the husband and wife and their two kids that were killed. Then again in 1974 there was one other killing. Then they jump to 1977, where there were two in '77. Then all the way to '86.
But now we hear there's one of 1985 and one in 1991. Both of them, though, in Park City.
SANCHEZ: You know what I'm struck by as you take us through the chronology of this thing? This guy probably was in the clear.
I mean, the last time he corresponded with the media or the police or anybody else was back in the 1970s. Suddenly comes 2004, he starts writing letters. It seems, Mike, almost as if this person wanted to get the attention that would lead to his apprehension.
BROOKS: That's what a lot of people are saying. You know, he wanted to get caught. But serial killers historically, Rick, they love the thrill of the hunt, if you will.
SANCHEZ: Right.
BROOKS: You know, they think they're smarter than the police. But every time that he goes to a crime scene, that -- you know, whether it was Rader -- allegedly Rader. You know, he's innocent until proven guilty, we've got to remember that.
SANCHEZ: Right.
BROOKS: But the BTK killer, every time that he was at a crime scene, he left something. We're hearing from our affiliates in KAKE in an interview earlier today that his law enforcement -- one of the anchors there -- that his law enforcement sources were saying that there was DNA left from some of the other crime scenes.
We have yet to independently confirm that. But if that is the case, then, you know, it could be was it a hat? Because on the sweat band of the hat -- was it something on the letters that he sent? You can get DNA off the back of the stamps before they had the self- adhering stamps. Often it's...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: It's almost like the technology caught up with him.
BROOKS: Yes, it really did.
SANCHEZ: Let me ask you one final question. The charges, do you believe they will grow, that we will see many more cases attributed to him? It started at seven, then eight. Now it's up to 10.
BROOKS: We've got eight, then they added two more on Saturday we never even heard about. And I guarantee you -- and I've heard this -- that they are going back, looking at other cold cases that they have there in Wichita, Park City. And if I'm an investigator in Oklahoma or another surrounding state, I'm looking at also my cold cases that have the same methodology, the same MO, if you will...
SANCHEZ: Right.
BROOKS: ... that these cases had. And I'm going to hook up with the task force and say, hey, guys, let's take a look at this case to see if there's any evidence that could link those to also the BTK killer.
SANCHEZ: Good stuff. Mike Brooks, as usual, thanks. We'll follow this thing along with you.
BROOKS: Good to be with you, Rick.
SANCHEZ: Join us tonight. We're going to have a special edition of CNN's "NEWSNIGHT." Aaron Brown is going to host "Catching BTK" beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 Pacific, right here on CNN.
KAGAN: The arrest of a suspect in the case of BTK has made headlines all around the world. At CNN.com, it was the most clicked- on story all weekend long. Christina Park from the dot-com desk has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR: From Jack the Ripper to the current BTK killer in Kansas, serial killings have both horrified and fascinated the public. CNN.com analyzes the BTK suspect on our Web site, where experts profile other serial killers and explain how many resort to violence to achieve power, power that has eluded them in their professional or personal lives.
One criminologist calls murderers like BTK, for Bind, Torture, Kill, losers who never distinguish themselves except through brutality. Read the MO on serial killers and what they have in common, such as dysfunctional backgrounds, feelings of rejection, as well as a hunger for recognition.
Also on CNN.com, an expert analyzes some of the letters and poems from the self-titled BTK killer from the earliest notes known for their rambling and cold-blooded details, to the latest correspondence described as polite, even cordial. Our site investigates the background of the man police arrested Friday on suspicion that he is the BTK killer. To read the latest on Dennis Rader and others, log on to cnn.com/law.
I'm Christina Park.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: We have more ahead on missing Florida girl Jessica Lunsford. She is still missing. We're going to hear from her father and what police are doing next in the investigation.
SANCHEZ: Also, what did you think of the Oscars last night? What did you think of the host? What did you think of the dresses? What did you think of the whole glitzy night? A live report from L.A. coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Live picture from the White House of President Bush meeting with the National Governors' Association at the White House this morning. A series of topics on the agenda, including Social Security reform. We'll come back and check in when and if there's any developing news.
SANCHEZ: Also, searchers are scouring the woods around Homasassa Springs, Florida, once again. They're looking for any sign at all of that missing 9-year-old girl that we have been telling you about here since last week.
Jessica Lunsford is her name. She hasn't been seen since Wednesday night, when her grandmother tucked her into bed.
Authorities say today will probably end the volunteer searches that they've been having. So far, they've provided absolutely no clues to Jessica's whereabouts.
This morning, Jessica's grandmother and her father were on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING." He, the father, explained that it's not usual -- or, pardon me, it's not usual that the front door of their home would be unlocked. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK LUNSFORD, MISSING GIRL'S FATHER: I mean, we don't use that door a whole lot. I think it was used the night before, you know, when Jessie had come home from church. But, you know, you just -- this kind of neighborhood, it's not something you really worry about, leaving your door unlocked.
RUTH LUNSFORD, MISSING GIRL'S GRANDMOTHER: What we always say to each other, "I love you, Jessie." Come home, Jessie. We miss you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Authorities do say that they plan to bring in specialists to try and determine whether Jessica was abducted. They have not yet ruled out the possibility that she may have run away, as well.
KAGAN: We are looking at the strong possibility of snow. The Northeast bracing for another big winter storm. And while they honker down, residents in the South are...
SANCHEZ: Trying to clean up. Exactly, yes.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: We're going to have some details on the tornado that blew through some parts of Florida.
KAGAN: And then looking back on Hollywood's biggest night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS ROCK, HOST, OSCARS: Now just imagine you worked at the Gap. You're $70 trillion behind on your register, and then you start a war with Banana Republic because you say they have toxic tank tops over there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: How did Chris Rock do? We'll have all the Oscar news in a live report from Los Angeles just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: Here's a story we were just telling you about. In Palm Bay, Florida, residents there and work crews are trying to clean up this morning after a tornado blew through the area. The twister touched down yesterday afternoon with winds as high as 112 miles an hour.
At least five people were hurt and about 14 homes suffered major damage. In fact, some of those homes had been damaged then repaired already before after hurricanes hit Florida just last summer.
KAGAN: Meanwhile, the weather moves north, D.C. It's already snowing, and it's moving toward the Northeast. Here's Orelon Sidney.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: It was a million-dollar affair in Hollywood last night, and we don't just mean the clothes and the jewels. The Academy Awards were handed out in Tinsel Town.
For a look at the big winners, we head to Los Angeles and CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas.
Sibila, good morning.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
It was Hollywood's biggest night. The 77th annual Academy Awards were handed out last night, with the biggest surprise of the evening being that there were really no surprises at all.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS: And the Oscar goes to...
PIERCE BROSNAN, ACTOR: Sandy Powell for "The Aviator."
KIRSTEN DUNST, ACTRESS: Thelma Schoonmaker for "The Aviator."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dante Ferretti for "The Aviator."
VARGAS (voice-over): In the early rounds at the Oscars, "The Aviator" racked up points. But in the final rounds, the film went down for the count. The boxing drama "Million Dollar Baby" claimed the title of best picture.
BARBRA STREISAND: I'm so happy to give you this again, Clint.
VARGAS: And producer Clint Eastwood shared the best picture prize. But the trophy for best director was his alone.
CLINT EASTWOOD, BEST DIRECTOR: I'd like to thank my wife, who's my best pal, down here.
VARGAS: At age 74, he's almost as old as Oscar himself.
EASTWOOD: I watched Sidney Lumet out there, who is 80, and I figure I'm just a kid.
VARGAS: "Million Dollar Baby" also earned two acting trophies, one for Morgan Freeman for his supporting role and another for Hilary Swank, the second best actress win of her career.
HILARY SWANK, BEST ACTRESS WINNER: It's really one of the most surreal things. And even standing here right now talking, I feel like I may be dreaming.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the Oscar goes to Cate Blanchett in "The Aviator."
VARGAS: "The Aviator's" Cate Blanchett won best supporting actress. No surprise there. No surprise, either, when it came to best actor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jamie Foxx in "Ray."
JAMIE FOXX, BEST ACTOR WINNER: And I can't wait to go to sleep tonight, because we've got a lot to talk about. I love you.
VARGAS (on camera): Going into the show, everyone was wondering what would Chris Rock say. Well, he didn't play it safe. He even reserved some barbs for the stars, which later drew a response from Sean Penn.
CHRIS ROCK, HOST: Who is Jude Law? Why is he in every movie I have seen the last four years?
SEAN PENN, ACTOR: I did want to answer our host's question about who Jude Law is. He's one of our finest actors.
VARGAS: A little punch-counterpunch on a night that belonged to "Million Dollar Baby."
(END VIDEO TAPE)
VARGAS: So there you have it. A big night indeed for "Million Dollar Baby." And, of course, Jamie Foxx is probably just getting into bed right now from a night of celebrating.
Kudos to you, Mr. Foxx.
And you know what, Daryn, though? I will take it back. You know, I think the biggest surprise was that Chris Rock did not curse or swear during the entire telecast.
KAGAN: He didn't, but there were a couple of times, like the second word out of his mouth, sit your you know what down. So there was -- you were on your edge of your seat watching this.
VARGAS: OK, there was that one time. All right.
KAGAN: That's right.
VARGAS: But you know what? The controversy probably helped the show. I mean, I hear that the early indications are that the ratings were pretty good.
A little slightly higher than last year, but last year the had the "Lord of the Rings." And this year was a year where a lot of the movies weren't seen by many, many people. So I think overall the Oscars were -- was a success -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Sibila Vargas live from L.A. Thank you.
VARGAS: Thanks, Daryn. SANCHEZ: Who is Jude Law anyway?
KAGAN: He is an actor hottie who a lot of people like to watch on the big screen.
SANCHEZ: Is he famous because he's a hottie or because he's a good actor?
KAGAN: Well, he's a hottie good actor.
SANCHEZ: OK.
KAGAN: Yes, both.
SANCHEZ: Give him a little bit of both.
KAGAN: Show him love in both departments.
SANCHEZ: Sean Penn likes him.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: He's a bud.
Defying a ban on protesters. Well, thousands are taking to the streets of Beirut. We're going to have the story and the pictures and the sounds of this one coming up, folks.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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