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CNN Live Today

Suspected al Qaeda Chief in Pakistan Arrested; Erbil Suicide Bomber Kills 47 People; Reservist Lynndie England's Ex-Boyfriend to Testify

Aired May 04, 2005 - 10:00   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: We have a lot to get started on. Let's do that, take a look at what's happening now in the news.
In Iraq, the deadliest insurgent attack in about two months. Forty-seven people were killed today when a suicide bomber struck outside a police recruitment center. The attack occurred in the Kurdish city of Erbil. More than 100 people injured, many of them are in grave condition. More coming up in a live report just minutes from now.

An alleged al Qaeda operative is one of almost a dozen terrorist suspects rounded up by Pakistan authorities last week. Abu Faraj al Libbi is accused of plotting two assassination attempts on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Intelligence officials in Pakistan believe al Libbi had been promoted to al Qaeda's No. 3 figure.

Federal agents have joined the campaign to stop freeway shootings in Southern California. Agents have started patrolling during the last week. In case of another shooting, mobile labs are available for forensic testing. Four people have been shot to death on the freeway in the last two months.

Congress is asking what is being done to protect your personal information? The House Financial Services Committee is meeting this hour. Among those testifying, officials with ChoicePoint, Lexus Nexus, two firms where consumer data has been compromised.

Good morning. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's get started.

New information now on what led to the capture of an alleged al Qaeda terrorist. Our national correspondent David Ensor is live in Washington with new developments.

David, good morning.

DAVID ENSOR, NAT'L. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. U.S. counter-terrorism officials are telling us that it was U.S. intelligence, human intelligence gathered by the United States that led to the capture of Abu Faraj al Libbi, who officials are calling the No. 3 man in al Qaeda. And there is quiet celebration throughout the U.S. government's national security agencies about the capture of this man.

They are saying that he took over for Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, who was the operations chief of al Qaeda, when Khalid Sheikh Mohammad was captured in March of 2003. They are saying that al Libbi was responsible for global operations for al Qaeda that including plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland. And as Pakistani officials have said he was also the mastermind behind two assassination attempts, unsuccessful fortunately, against the president of Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf.

So this they're saying is an extremely important capture of the third most important man. And interestingly, it occurred in the northwest frontier area of Pakistan, north of Peshawar. This was after a shootout with Pakistani police. This, of course, is the area that U.S. intelligence has consistently said is where they believe Osama bin Laden and his top deputy are probably hidden today -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Any other details about what led to the capture. Was it a lucky break or good work?

ENSOR: We are being told by U.S. counter-terrorism officials that this was an intelligence operation involving human intelligence. They're specific about that. Something they're not often so specific about, suggesting a U.S. agent, someone working for U.S. intelligence was providing information to the CIA presumably. And that that information helped the Pakistani police, who were very aggressively going after this man, partly probably because of his role in the assassination attempts against their president. But that was instrumental in helping them get al Libbi.

There's as I said a quiet celebration today here.

KAGAN: All right. David Ensor in Washington, thanks for the details on that.

We move on now to Iraq. A suicide bomber wading into a crowd. They're calling it one of the most gruesome attacks in months. The attack left dozens dead or wounded in the northern city of Erbil. Police say the suicide bomber somehow slipped into a recruiting center and detonated explosives and hundreds of recruits were injured or killed.

Let's get the latest now from our Ryan Chilcote in Baghdad -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, this was the deadliest attack in Iraq in more than two months. As you said, a suicide bomber targeted a police recruitment center in the Kurdish city of Erbil. That's up in the north of Iraq, a place that up until now had been relatively quiet.

A crowd of about 300; mostly young, most unemployed Iraqi men were standing out in front of this recruitment center. Many of them in line waiting for their opportunity to sign up for Iraq's police forces. There had been an ad campaign in the media there, offering these jobs. There's a lot of unemployment, so this was a popular place to be this morning. That's when this suicide bomber either walked right into the line, or at least got close enough to them and detonated the explosives. The governor of the Erbil Province is telling us at least 47 people were killed from that attack. Another 100 wounded, many of them quite severely -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Ryan, even though all of Iraq is a dangerous place to be right now, this northern part, in this Kurdish area, on a daily basis has not been as dangerous as, let's say some parts of Baghdad?

CHILCOTE: This particular city -- this particular city Erbil has been relatively quiet, as you say. And perhaps that was part of the calculations of the insurgents that were behind this attack. Perhaps they were looking to demonstrate that they are ready and capable of going after recruits for Iraqi security forces, and the security forces themselves wherever they want to in the country.

We've seen a pattern of targeting Iraq security forces and recruits. It's a long-standing tactic. The message of these insurgents is don't join Iraq's security forces. You won't be safe. The insurgents have been doing this for quite some time now -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ryan Chilcote, live from Baghdad. Ryan, thank you.

New report out today on the combat death of former NFL player Pat Tillman. "The Washington Post" reports that Army officials knew within days that Tillman was the victim of friendly fire in Afghanistan. But with held that information from his family. According to the paper, a new Army report will claim the official determination of gross negligence came four days before a nationally televised memorial service for Tillman. He had turned down a multi- million dollar contract to join the Army after the 9/11 attacks.

As civilian and military casualties mount in Iraq, some pollsters are again asking Americans about U.S. military involvement. The latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll said was it worth going to war in Iraq? Forty-one percent say yes, it's worth it. Compare that to three months ago though, nearly half of those polled at that polled said yes, it was.

The penalty phase for former Abu Ghraib guard Lynndie England resumes this hour. England's former boyfriend, already convicted for his role in the scandal, might testify today.

Our Susan Candiotti is covering the trial from Fort Hood, Texas.

Susan, good morning.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Remember, in Lynndie England's plea, she says that it was her ex- boyfriend, Charles Graner, who told her to pose in all those notorious photographs of naked detainees. He's also said to be the father of Lynndie England's baby, although Charles Graner is now married to another participant in this scandal, Megan Ambuhl.

Well, England's baby boy, Carter England born last October, arrived in court today carried by his grandmother, Lynndie England's mother, who removed the baby's hood as she walked past photographers. Lynndie England's role has caused a stir her hometown.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CANDIOTTI (voice over): The American flag dots porches and storefronts where Lynndie England grew up. In Port Ashby, West Virginia; a one-stop red light town in where friend do not forget their own.

DONALD DAYTON, FORT ASHBY RESIDENT: I think the girl was trained to do what she was doing. If she stepped over the traces a little bit, that could be expected sometimes.

CANDIOTTI: In early childhood, a psychology expert says Lynndie England was placed in a learning disabilities program. Her lawyer.

RICK HERNANDEZ, DEFENSE LAWYER: It shows she's clearly in a different mental capacity, and different learning disabilities, and neurological issues than any of the other accused.

CANDIOTTI: Even so, the expert testified, England rebounded to finish high school with a B-average.

Next on the defense witness list, guard Charles Graner, already sent to prison for 10 years. Lynndie England says Graner, her boyfriend at Abu Ghraib, asked her to pose in all those photos of naked detainees. Leaving for the day, Graner handed out a written statement saying he finds Lynndie's guilty plea, quote, "upsetting." But hopes it will bring her an easier sentence.

Lynndie England may be the last witness in her own defense, but offering only an un-sworn statement which means she cannot be cross- examined.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI: And Graner's ex-wife, as well as Lynndie England's mother, may also be called as defense witnesses. Then a rebuttal case may be presented. After that, the case could go to the jury as early as today.

Back to you.

KAGAN: And you'll be tracking it for us. Susan Candiotti in Fort Hood, Texas, thank you.

The latest on the runaway bride is ahead. She fooled a lot of people, also sparked lots of conversation. Now some Hispanic groups have a problem with the runaway bride. We will tell you why.

Plus, the next time you buy an airline ticket you may have to offer more than just your name. We're going to take a look at what else might be needed.

And later, he is a leader and entrepreneur, a spiritual shepherd. He's right here in studio with me. The Bishop T.D. Jakes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: West Coast means wet weather today, at least according to Jacqui Jeras.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: A Philadelphia police officer is on desk duty this morning amid accusations he beat a suspect while the suspect was restrained. Take look at this video from a TV news chopper that captured the arrest on tape. And as you can see, it is from station WCAU. An internal investigation in the police department is underway, as we heard earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM COLARULO, INSPECTOR, PHILADELPHIA P.D.: I would say there probably is not any reason to do that. But again, I've been a police officer for 24 years. And we have to look at all the circumstances before we can make any kind of judgment. The commissioner was forthcoming. He did say it was disturbing. Immediately after the commissioner viewed the tape, he ordered an Internal Affairs investigation. The officer is put on administrative duty pending the outcome of that investigation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The incident came at the end of a police chase. The suspect was later released with several traffic citations.

Here's today's legal docket and a look at our "Legal Briefs." Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from the woman who's prosecuting accused BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader. He's charged with 10 murders dating back to the 1970s. District Attorney Nola Faulston says she will not consider a plea bargain.

Less than two hours from now in Southern California, the sentencing phase gets under way for the killer of Samantha Runnion. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against 30-year-old Alejandro Avila. Last week he was convicted of snatching the 5 year old from her front yard, as she kicked and screamed for help. No, that's not a 5 year old. She was later sexually assaulted and strangled. Samantha's mother will address the jury. Here is what she had to say after last week's verdict.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIN RUNNION, SAMANTHA'S MOTHER: He is guilty, guilty, guilty! And that feels really good because nobody should get away with this. And in honor of Samantha, in honor of Jessica, and Molly Fish, and Polly Klaas, and Adam Walsh, how many children do we have to take away before we as Americans get organized. We outnumber you so many times over. There is no excuse and we're not going to let them get away with this anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Meanwhile, a Hispanic advocacy group is calling on Jennifer Wilbanks, the runaway bride, to apologize for her concocted kidnapping story. The president of Hispanics Across America says Wilbanks fueled racial bias by falsely telling police she was abducted by a Hispanic man. She later admitted that story was bogus and she simply got cold feet over her impending wedding.

Well, beware frequent flyers. The government says it needs to know more about you. A look at what airline screeners want to know. That's coming up.

Plus, we want to know what Gerri Willis has to say for us in her "Top 5 Tips."

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. Well, after our employer inadvertently let loose some private data on employees, I know both you and I are a little concerned. We'll tell you what you need to know about what your boss knows, and what thieves shouldn't when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, we've been talking about missing personal information. And now this one has hit home for us big time. Time Warner, that's the company that owns us here at CNN, announced this week that more than 600,000 current and former workers may be affected. What can you do in your own market place to protect yourself?

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here with the "Top 5 Tips."

Hi, Ger.

WILLIS: Daryn, good to see you. This one has us really going today. You know, your employers hold your key to your identity. They by law have to have your Social Security Number. And your Social Security Number is key to everything. If you have that you can get a credit card out in someone else's name. You can even take out a mortgage, Daryn. We had that happen to somebody here on our staff. So that's why this story is so important for other people, because you could be at risk as well.

KAGAN: I hope they bought a nice home, as long as they were doing that.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: So you need to do a little bit of detective work of your own around your workplace. Do some snooping.

WILLIS: Right. If you're curious whether your company has adequate protections in place, start by just going down to the H.R. department and looking around. It can be that simple. Do they have a clean desk policy? Or do you see papers out everywhere? Make sure your I.D. and health cards don't have Social Security Numbers plastered all over them. Make sure time sheets don't have Social Security Numbers. This is a really common thing. We just changed this at Time Warner; can be very difficult. Make sure file cabinets with personal data are locked.

KAGAN: Meanwhile, if you see things you don't like, you better speak up.

WILLIS: Have a fit. This time, squeaky wheel gets the grease, Daryn, always. Go to your H.R. if you suspect there's a problem and ask for special protections to be put in place. Make sure that your data files if they are in storage are encrypted, so that thieves can't break in, steal them and have the information at their fingertips.

KAGAN: And it's not just your workplace you need to be careful.

WILLIS: No. You know, you probably give out your Social Security Number to your doctor, to your dentist. It goes out all over the place. You don't have to do it. Only your employer really has to have it. So make sure who you put it out to. Put a fraud alert on that account. Make sure you have that. That will help you protect yourself. And of course, check those credit reports twice a year. That way you will know if someone's actually taking ought credit in your name -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Yes. On those credit reports, I mean you can't get around that anymore. It has got to be on your regular to do list.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: Very good. OK. Gerri Willis, "Top 5 Tips."

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: Thank you. And keep an eye on your credit there. The company is not doing it.

We are going to check in on President Bush. He is speaking to a group of Latino business -- small Latino business owners. We expect him to make comments about what they CIA is calling a huge capture, the man they believe was No. 3 in al Qaeda. So we will listen in for those comments when that comes up in just a bit.

Right now, though, quick break. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Getting kind of close to the half hour here. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Pakistani officials tell CNN that 11 al Qaeda suspects are in custody there, including a man that may have been the group's No. 3 leader. Abu Faraj al Libbi is suspected of plotting two assassination attempts on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan's information minister says the Libyan was the most wanted man in his country.

A gruesome suicide bombing has killed and wounded dozens in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil. At least 47 people are confirmed dead, 100 others wounded. Police say the bomber mingled among 300 police recruits before detonating his explosives. The Erbil attack caps a weeklong series of violence that has claimed more than 200 lives.

In the Michael Jackson child molestation trial, prosecutors will resume questioning the singer's former producer. They're hoping the producer can that an alleged conspiracy forced the accuser's family to tape a video in support of the singer. Yesterday, an accountant testified that Jackson's overspending had created a cash crisis.

TV talk show host Montel Williams seeks and audience on Capitol Hill this afternoon. He'll join members of Congress who are introducing legislation that would protect patients from being arrested for using medical marijuana. Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nearly six years ago.

In the sports world, Barry Bonds' challenge to the homerun record has suffered another setback. The San Francisco slugger is confirming that he underwent a third surgery on Monday on his right knee. Bond says an infection had developed. He's not sure on when he will return to baseball. He has 703 home runs; that's 11 short of Babe Ruth, 52 shy of Hank Aaron.

Let's go ahead and show you a live picture from Washington D.C. President Bush is making an appearance there before a Latino small business owner's group. We're going to listen in to the president when he begins to speak. We do expect him to talk about the arrest in Pakistan of the man believed to be No. 3 in al Qaeda. So we'll go back to D.C. when that begins.

Meanwhile, our "Security Watch." In news about your security today, a warning for Americans traveling in Egypt. The State Department is urging U.S. citizens to avoid crowded tourist sites in the Cairo area. Terrorist attacks in Cairo last Saturday injured nine people. The State Department's warning is in place until the current threat level subsides.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired May 4, 2005 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: We have a lot to get started on. Let's do that, take a look at what's happening now in the news.
In Iraq, the deadliest insurgent attack in about two months. Forty-seven people were killed today when a suicide bomber struck outside a police recruitment center. The attack occurred in the Kurdish city of Erbil. More than 100 people injured, many of them are in grave condition. More coming up in a live report just minutes from now.

An alleged al Qaeda operative is one of almost a dozen terrorist suspects rounded up by Pakistan authorities last week. Abu Faraj al Libbi is accused of plotting two assassination attempts on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Intelligence officials in Pakistan believe al Libbi had been promoted to al Qaeda's No. 3 figure.

Federal agents have joined the campaign to stop freeway shootings in Southern California. Agents have started patrolling during the last week. In case of another shooting, mobile labs are available for forensic testing. Four people have been shot to death on the freeway in the last two months.

Congress is asking what is being done to protect your personal information? The House Financial Services Committee is meeting this hour. Among those testifying, officials with ChoicePoint, Lexus Nexus, two firms where consumer data has been compromised.

Good morning. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's get started.

New information now on what led to the capture of an alleged al Qaeda terrorist. Our national correspondent David Ensor is live in Washington with new developments.

David, good morning.

DAVID ENSOR, NAT'L. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. U.S. counter-terrorism officials are telling us that it was U.S. intelligence, human intelligence gathered by the United States that led to the capture of Abu Faraj al Libbi, who officials are calling the No. 3 man in al Qaeda. And there is quiet celebration throughout the U.S. government's national security agencies about the capture of this man.

They are saying that he took over for Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, who was the operations chief of al Qaeda, when Khalid Sheikh Mohammad was captured in March of 2003. They are saying that al Libbi was responsible for global operations for al Qaeda that including plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland. And as Pakistani officials have said he was also the mastermind behind two assassination attempts, unsuccessful fortunately, against the president of Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf.

So this they're saying is an extremely important capture of the third most important man. And interestingly, it occurred in the northwest frontier area of Pakistan, north of Peshawar. This was after a shootout with Pakistani police. This, of course, is the area that U.S. intelligence has consistently said is where they believe Osama bin Laden and his top deputy are probably hidden today -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Any other details about what led to the capture. Was it a lucky break or good work?

ENSOR: We are being told by U.S. counter-terrorism officials that this was an intelligence operation involving human intelligence. They're specific about that. Something they're not often so specific about, suggesting a U.S. agent, someone working for U.S. intelligence was providing information to the CIA presumably. And that that information helped the Pakistani police, who were very aggressively going after this man, partly probably because of his role in the assassination attempts against their president. But that was instrumental in helping them get al Libbi.

There's as I said a quiet celebration today here.

KAGAN: All right. David Ensor in Washington, thanks for the details on that.

We move on now to Iraq. A suicide bomber wading into a crowd. They're calling it one of the most gruesome attacks in months. The attack left dozens dead or wounded in the northern city of Erbil. Police say the suicide bomber somehow slipped into a recruiting center and detonated explosives and hundreds of recruits were injured or killed.

Let's get the latest now from our Ryan Chilcote in Baghdad -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, this was the deadliest attack in Iraq in more than two months. As you said, a suicide bomber targeted a police recruitment center in the Kurdish city of Erbil. That's up in the north of Iraq, a place that up until now had been relatively quiet.

A crowd of about 300; mostly young, most unemployed Iraqi men were standing out in front of this recruitment center. Many of them in line waiting for their opportunity to sign up for Iraq's police forces. There had been an ad campaign in the media there, offering these jobs. There's a lot of unemployment, so this was a popular place to be this morning. That's when this suicide bomber either walked right into the line, or at least got close enough to them and detonated the explosives. The governor of the Erbil Province is telling us at least 47 people were killed from that attack. Another 100 wounded, many of them quite severely -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Ryan, even though all of Iraq is a dangerous place to be right now, this northern part, in this Kurdish area, on a daily basis has not been as dangerous as, let's say some parts of Baghdad?

CHILCOTE: This particular city -- this particular city Erbil has been relatively quiet, as you say. And perhaps that was part of the calculations of the insurgents that were behind this attack. Perhaps they were looking to demonstrate that they are ready and capable of going after recruits for Iraqi security forces, and the security forces themselves wherever they want to in the country.

We've seen a pattern of targeting Iraq security forces and recruits. It's a long-standing tactic. The message of these insurgents is don't join Iraq's security forces. You won't be safe. The insurgents have been doing this for quite some time now -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ryan Chilcote, live from Baghdad. Ryan, thank you.

New report out today on the combat death of former NFL player Pat Tillman. "The Washington Post" reports that Army officials knew within days that Tillman was the victim of friendly fire in Afghanistan. But with held that information from his family. According to the paper, a new Army report will claim the official determination of gross negligence came four days before a nationally televised memorial service for Tillman. He had turned down a multi- million dollar contract to join the Army after the 9/11 attacks.

As civilian and military casualties mount in Iraq, some pollsters are again asking Americans about U.S. military involvement. The latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll said was it worth going to war in Iraq? Forty-one percent say yes, it's worth it. Compare that to three months ago though, nearly half of those polled at that polled said yes, it was.

The penalty phase for former Abu Ghraib guard Lynndie England resumes this hour. England's former boyfriend, already convicted for his role in the scandal, might testify today.

Our Susan Candiotti is covering the trial from Fort Hood, Texas.

Susan, good morning.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Remember, in Lynndie England's plea, she says that it was her ex- boyfriend, Charles Graner, who told her to pose in all those notorious photographs of naked detainees. He's also said to be the father of Lynndie England's baby, although Charles Graner is now married to another participant in this scandal, Megan Ambuhl.

Well, England's baby boy, Carter England born last October, arrived in court today carried by his grandmother, Lynndie England's mother, who removed the baby's hood as she walked past photographers. Lynndie England's role has caused a stir her hometown.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CANDIOTTI (voice over): The American flag dots porches and storefronts where Lynndie England grew up. In Port Ashby, West Virginia; a one-stop red light town in where friend do not forget their own.

DONALD DAYTON, FORT ASHBY RESIDENT: I think the girl was trained to do what she was doing. If she stepped over the traces a little bit, that could be expected sometimes.

CANDIOTTI: In early childhood, a psychology expert says Lynndie England was placed in a learning disabilities program. Her lawyer.

RICK HERNANDEZ, DEFENSE LAWYER: It shows she's clearly in a different mental capacity, and different learning disabilities, and neurological issues than any of the other accused.

CANDIOTTI: Even so, the expert testified, England rebounded to finish high school with a B-average.

Next on the defense witness list, guard Charles Graner, already sent to prison for 10 years. Lynndie England says Graner, her boyfriend at Abu Ghraib, asked her to pose in all those photos of naked detainees. Leaving for the day, Graner handed out a written statement saying he finds Lynndie's guilty plea, quote, "upsetting." But hopes it will bring her an easier sentence.

Lynndie England may be the last witness in her own defense, but offering only an un-sworn statement which means she cannot be cross- examined.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI: And Graner's ex-wife, as well as Lynndie England's mother, may also be called as defense witnesses. Then a rebuttal case may be presented. After that, the case could go to the jury as early as today.

Back to you.

KAGAN: And you'll be tracking it for us. Susan Candiotti in Fort Hood, Texas, thank you.

The latest on the runaway bride is ahead. She fooled a lot of people, also sparked lots of conversation. Now some Hispanic groups have a problem with the runaway bride. We will tell you why.

Plus, the next time you buy an airline ticket you may have to offer more than just your name. We're going to take a look at what else might be needed.

And later, he is a leader and entrepreneur, a spiritual shepherd. He's right here in studio with me. The Bishop T.D. Jakes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: West Coast means wet weather today, at least according to Jacqui Jeras.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: A Philadelphia police officer is on desk duty this morning amid accusations he beat a suspect while the suspect was restrained. Take look at this video from a TV news chopper that captured the arrest on tape. And as you can see, it is from station WCAU. An internal investigation in the police department is underway, as we heard earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM COLARULO, INSPECTOR, PHILADELPHIA P.D.: I would say there probably is not any reason to do that. But again, I've been a police officer for 24 years. And we have to look at all the circumstances before we can make any kind of judgment. The commissioner was forthcoming. He did say it was disturbing. Immediately after the commissioner viewed the tape, he ordered an Internal Affairs investigation. The officer is put on administrative duty pending the outcome of that investigation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The incident came at the end of a police chase. The suspect was later released with several traffic citations.

Here's today's legal docket and a look at our "Legal Briefs." Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from the woman who's prosecuting accused BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader. He's charged with 10 murders dating back to the 1970s. District Attorney Nola Faulston says she will not consider a plea bargain.

Less than two hours from now in Southern California, the sentencing phase gets under way for the killer of Samantha Runnion. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against 30-year-old Alejandro Avila. Last week he was convicted of snatching the 5 year old from her front yard, as she kicked and screamed for help. No, that's not a 5 year old. She was later sexually assaulted and strangled. Samantha's mother will address the jury. Here is what she had to say after last week's verdict.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIN RUNNION, SAMANTHA'S MOTHER: He is guilty, guilty, guilty! And that feels really good because nobody should get away with this. And in honor of Samantha, in honor of Jessica, and Molly Fish, and Polly Klaas, and Adam Walsh, how many children do we have to take away before we as Americans get organized. We outnumber you so many times over. There is no excuse and we're not going to let them get away with this anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Meanwhile, a Hispanic advocacy group is calling on Jennifer Wilbanks, the runaway bride, to apologize for her concocted kidnapping story. The president of Hispanics Across America says Wilbanks fueled racial bias by falsely telling police she was abducted by a Hispanic man. She later admitted that story was bogus and she simply got cold feet over her impending wedding.

Well, beware frequent flyers. The government says it needs to know more about you. A look at what airline screeners want to know. That's coming up.

Plus, we want to know what Gerri Willis has to say for us in her "Top 5 Tips."

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. Well, after our employer inadvertently let loose some private data on employees, I know both you and I are a little concerned. We'll tell you what you need to know about what your boss knows, and what thieves shouldn't when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, we've been talking about missing personal information. And now this one has hit home for us big time. Time Warner, that's the company that owns us here at CNN, announced this week that more than 600,000 current and former workers may be affected. What can you do in your own market place to protect yourself?

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here with the "Top 5 Tips."

Hi, Ger.

WILLIS: Daryn, good to see you. This one has us really going today. You know, your employers hold your key to your identity. They by law have to have your Social Security Number. And your Social Security Number is key to everything. If you have that you can get a credit card out in someone else's name. You can even take out a mortgage, Daryn. We had that happen to somebody here on our staff. So that's why this story is so important for other people, because you could be at risk as well.

KAGAN: I hope they bought a nice home, as long as they were doing that.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: So you need to do a little bit of detective work of your own around your workplace. Do some snooping.

WILLIS: Right. If you're curious whether your company has adequate protections in place, start by just going down to the H.R. department and looking around. It can be that simple. Do they have a clean desk policy? Or do you see papers out everywhere? Make sure your I.D. and health cards don't have Social Security Numbers plastered all over them. Make sure time sheets don't have Social Security Numbers. This is a really common thing. We just changed this at Time Warner; can be very difficult. Make sure file cabinets with personal data are locked.

KAGAN: Meanwhile, if you see things you don't like, you better speak up.

WILLIS: Have a fit. This time, squeaky wheel gets the grease, Daryn, always. Go to your H.R. if you suspect there's a problem and ask for special protections to be put in place. Make sure that your data files if they are in storage are encrypted, so that thieves can't break in, steal them and have the information at their fingertips.

KAGAN: And it's not just your workplace you need to be careful.

WILLIS: No. You know, you probably give out your Social Security Number to your doctor, to your dentist. It goes out all over the place. You don't have to do it. Only your employer really has to have it. So make sure who you put it out to. Put a fraud alert on that account. Make sure you have that. That will help you protect yourself. And of course, check those credit reports twice a year. That way you will know if someone's actually taking ought credit in your name -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Yes. On those credit reports, I mean you can't get around that anymore. It has got to be on your regular to do list.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: Very good. OK. Gerri Willis, "Top 5 Tips."

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: Thank you. And keep an eye on your credit there. The company is not doing it.

We are going to check in on President Bush. He is speaking to a group of Latino business -- small Latino business owners. We expect him to make comments about what they CIA is calling a huge capture, the man they believe was No. 3 in al Qaeda. So we will listen in for those comments when that comes up in just a bit.

Right now, though, quick break. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Getting kind of close to the half hour here. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Pakistani officials tell CNN that 11 al Qaeda suspects are in custody there, including a man that may have been the group's No. 3 leader. Abu Faraj al Libbi is suspected of plotting two assassination attempts on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan's information minister says the Libyan was the most wanted man in his country.

A gruesome suicide bombing has killed and wounded dozens in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil. At least 47 people are confirmed dead, 100 others wounded. Police say the bomber mingled among 300 police recruits before detonating his explosives. The Erbil attack caps a weeklong series of violence that has claimed more than 200 lives.

In the Michael Jackson child molestation trial, prosecutors will resume questioning the singer's former producer. They're hoping the producer can that an alleged conspiracy forced the accuser's family to tape a video in support of the singer. Yesterday, an accountant testified that Jackson's overspending had created a cash crisis.

TV talk show host Montel Williams seeks and audience on Capitol Hill this afternoon. He'll join members of Congress who are introducing legislation that would protect patients from being arrested for using medical marijuana. Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nearly six years ago.

In the sports world, Barry Bonds' challenge to the homerun record has suffered another setback. The San Francisco slugger is confirming that he underwent a third surgery on Monday on his right knee. Bond says an infection had developed. He's not sure on when he will return to baseball. He has 703 home runs; that's 11 short of Babe Ruth, 52 shy of Hank Aaron.

Let's go ahead and show you a live picture from Washington D.C. President Bush is making an appearance there before a Latino small business owner's group. We're going to listen in to the president when he begins to speak. We do expect him to talk about the arrest in Pakistan of the man believed to be No. 3 in al Qaeda. So we'll go back to D.C. when that begins.

Meanwhile, our "Security Watch." In news about your security today, a warning for Americans traveling in Egypt. The State Department is urging U.S. citizens to avoid crowded tourist sites in the Cairo area. Terrorist attacks in Cairo last Saturday injured nine people. The State Department's warning is in place until the current threat level subsides.

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