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Girls Killed; Kids & Violence; Jackson Trial

Aired May 11, 2005 - 10:59   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: A lot of Americans depending on their pension plans for retirement, but United Airlines employees may be losing out after a ruling in bankruptcy. Could this happen to you? That story is coming up.
And horrific stories of children killed in Illinois. What do you tell your kids? You're going to hear from an expert as the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

"Now in the News," a bill to provide more money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is headed for the president's desk. He is expected to sign it. The Senate unanimously approved the $82 billion measure yesterday. The bill also sets national standards for driver's licenses and prevents issuing licenses to illegal immigrants.

The FBI is looking into allegations against the mayor of Spokane, Washington. A newspaper investigation accused Mayor James West of offering city jobs to men in gay online chat rooms in exchange for sex. West denies any wrongdoing but admits visiting a gay chat room. The FBI has launched a preliminary investigation.

The future of health care in America is the topic of a news conference this hour in Washington. Senators Hillary Clinton, Mel Martinez and, yes, that is former House speaker, Newt Gingrich, among those attending. The lawmakers are all talking about bringing the health care system into the 21st century. One idea being discussed, creating health information networks.

A rare painting of actress Elizabeth Taylor by artist Andy Warhol has sold for $12.6 million. A London jeweler purchased the 1963 painting at a Sotheby's auction last night. It's one of a series that Warhol did of Taylor, but the only one with a red background.

It is just after 8:00 a.m. in Los Angeles, just after 11:00 a.m. in Washington, D.C., and just after 5:00 p.m. at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first, a father with a violent past. His daughter and her best friend stabbed to death. Now that father is charged with the killings.

Jerry Hobbs will face a judge in Waukegan, Illinois, in just a moment in a bond hearing. He had been released from a Texas prison just last month. The 34-year-old Hobbs had been convicted of terrorizing neighbors with a chainsaw. Other brushes with the law involved allegations of assault, drugs, and resisting arrest.

Police say Hobbs killed the two girls on Mother's Day in a city park. Laura Hobbs and Krystal Tobias were on what should have been a typical Sunday afternoon play date. Authorities say it's unclear whether Hobbs followed the girls or happened upon them in a park.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL WALLER, LAKE COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY: In a horrendous, horrific crime like this -- and I've been in this business a long time -- I've never actually been able to articulate a motive. I think what you had is a -- is a person who is unlike the rest of us, and he can't control his rage. And something set him off, and it was resulting on one of the most brutal vicious attacks on two little girls that I have ever seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Members of the girls' family in the Zion community gathered last night for a prayer vigil. They met outside one of the girl's homes. They walked a short distance to the other, crying and hugging along the way.

Zion, Illinois, is about 45 miles north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, but the town probably has more in common with the small dairy communities of southern Wisconsin.

Our Chris Lawrence paid a visit.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nine-year-old Cristela Florek used to play with her best friend on this hammock.

DORA FLOREK, CRISTELA'S MOTHER: Just think about Krystal next to you.

FREED: But Krystal Tobias is never coming over to play again. Cristela and her family are wrestling with their emotions.

FLOREK: I was so sick. It just hit me. I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed. Every time I tried to get out of bed I thought I was just going to faint.

FREED: The Floreks say losing Krystal is like a death in their own family.

(on camera): So, Krystal lived where, on the other side of this school?

FLOREK: Yes, on the other side of the school.

DAN FLOREK, CRISTELA'S FATHER: Yes, directly on the other side.

FREED (voice-over): They used to watch Krystal cross the field behind their house on her way home, to make sure she was safe. (on camera): Are you guys angry about what's happened, or are you too sad to even feel anything else right now?

DAN FLOREK: The anger is starting to build.

DORA FLOREK: Yes.

DAN FLOREK: I think, emotionally, the sadness is taking a huge toll on us, where we couldn't feel anger, but not like some people are -- right away were enraged. But I get more -- more mad every time we talk more and more about it.

FREED (voice-over): Dora is grappling with guilt because her family wasn't home on Sunday afternoon when neighbors say they saw Krystal and Laura playing on the hammock, waiting to see if Cristela would come outside.

DORA FLOREK: That's why I told him, if she would have been OK, she would have been alive. She would have had no reason to go anywhere.

FREED: Cristela has a reminder of Krystal, a scrapbook they were making in Girl Scouts, where Krystal pasted a picture of her best friend, Cristela. A simple scrapbook, now turned into something precious, something Cristela wants to finish for both of them.

(on camera): So what have you guys been telling your own kids? What have you been telling Cristela?

DORA FLOREK: She is not going nowhere. I mean, not even behind the backyard by herself. We are just going to watch her like a hawk.

FREED (voice-over): For now, the family knows it needs to grieve, but hopes the pain will pass quickly.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: That was Jonathan Freed reporting. Correspondent Chris Lawrence is in the courtroom in Waukegan, Illinois, at this hour. Once that bond hearing for Jerry Hobbs ends, Chris will have an update for us with a live report.

To California now. Authorities have not ruled out murder-suicide in the case of six people found dead in a Riverside County home. The sheriff holds a news conference next hour to discuss those killings.

The victims included three adults and three children. All apparently died from gunshot wounds to the head.

One of the victims was an investigator for the Riverside County district attorney's office. A handgun was found near his body. The other five victims were found in their beds.

The search for a man suspected of killing his wife and kidnapping their 16-month-old son has expanded now into Mexico. Police found the car they believe that Ivan Villa was driving in a border town 130 miles south of the couple's New Mexico home. An Amber Alert was issued for the toddler, Justin Black, after his mother's Kristi was found strangled to death on Sunday.

It is all over television, the movies, video games, not to mention in schools. How do you talk to your kids about our violent world, especially when their peers are the victims?

Dominic Cappello's book might help. It is called "Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Violence." The author joins me from New York this morning.

Dominic, good morning. Good to have you here on a morning like this.

DOMINIC CAPPELLO, AUTHOR: Good morning.

KAGAN: First of all, if you have kids, should you bring it up or should you wait for your kids to bring it up?

CAPPELLO: Well, that's a very good question. I think the old thinking was you wait for a child to bring up something. But I think we live in a world, as you've said, where, if they're watching TV, if they're -- if they're on the Internet, if they're on the playground, you know, issues come up.

And kids will be hearing things today like, "Oh, did you hear about those two little girls who were killed?" Or, you know, "The daddy did it." And these will be headlines.

You don't know what your child has heard or not. So today's a good day to check in with your child and say, "How did school go? Hour are things going?"

KAGAN: Right. Now, is it more important especially when there is a story in the news like this, two little girls 8 and 9 years old, it's going to be easier for the kids to identify with something like this happening?

CAPPELLO: Absolutely. And that's why, you know, we encourage parents. You don't have to go rushing in and go to specifics. You start with some very gentle probing.

"Did you hear anything at school today? Are your friends OK? Did you hear anything at school? Did you see anything?"

And then you can assess and see how -- how is the child feeling, what are they talking about. And that's a good way to start.

KAGAN: So two parts of the story as it develops. First, when the girls were missing, that could have been a place to -- a talking point to say, "See, this is why it's important for you to come home when I say it's time for you to come home, because I don't want you to run into trouble like this."

CAPPELLO: Absolutely. I mean, certainly -- certainly this is a teachable moment in many, many ways. It's time for parents to look at their own children and to see how safe are they, what are our family rules about being safe, but it's also an opportunity to look at the community and see how are the other kids in the neighborhood, and how are the other people in the neighborhood. It's time for America to kind of check out and see how are we doing as a community.

KAGAN: Right. OK, but here's the unthinkable -- and I think that would just be so hard to talk to your kid about -- "Daddy did this to his own little girl and to another little girl." How do you even begin to introduce that concept?

CAPPELLO: It's a very, very, very difficult topic to have.

KAGAN: I should say allegedly did it. That's being (ph) talked about still.

CAPPELLO: Well, right. Right. Right.

How do you begin? I mean, if the child has heard about this on the news, if it becomes clear -- and you know, a 10-year-old might say, "I heard a daddy killed the kids. Do daddies do that?" I mean, this is a time -- and this will be a number of evenings sitting down and having some very loving conversations about, "There are a few bad people in the world, you now, you're safe."

And really reassure the child. And let them know that they can come and talk with you about anything that's bothering them.

KAGAN: The title of the book is "Ten Talks a Parent Must Have." Why "must," not should?

CAPPELLO: Well, you know, nowadays it seems that, you know, a parent needs to know that the schools aren't going to all these issues about how to talk about being safe. I think 20 years ago it might have been "Ten Talks a Parent Might Have." But I think -- I think with the news, with the Internet, kids have lots of questions.

They are not always coming forward. You don't know what they know. We really need to make sure kids feel safe. And really, parents are the best educators here.

So, it's a job you've got to take on. Kids are waiting for you.

KAGAN: Yes. Today's the day.

CAPPELLO: You got it.

KAGAN: Dominic Cappello, thank you. Once again, this book is called "Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Violence."

Thank you, Dominic. Big help.

CAPPELLO: Thank you.

KAGAN: The property manager for Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch returns to the witness stand today. Jackson's child molestation trial set to resume at the bottom of the hour.

Rusty Dornin has the latest on the trial and the widely anticipated testimony from child star Macaulay Culkin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (INAUDIBLE) of his testimony this morning, Neverland ranch manager Joe Marcus. He has repeatedly told the court that he never tried to keep the accuser's family captive while they stayed at Jackson's ranch. He said he took them shopping, he said he met them at the orthodontist's office, and never at any time did any members of the family say that they were being held against their will at the ranch.

He did admit, however, that when police raided Jackson's ranch in November of 2003, that he did lie to the officers when he said he had absolutely no knowledge that any young boys had slept at Jackson's ranch.

Up on the stand this morning is expected to be the first of a parade of celebrity witnesses. Macaulay Culkin, who says that he spent several nights at Jackson's ranch in the early '90s when he was a child, there have been witnesses in the prosecution's case that have talked about that they say Jackson touch Culkin inappropriately.

He has again denied that. He is expected to do that again today. He is one of the first of what is expected to be 15 celebrity witnesses for the defense case.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Santa Maria, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We are going to check world news just ahead. It is another day of violence in Iraq. A series of attacks rips through several Iraqi cities.

Congress takes on gangs as well. We are going to look at the toll from gang activity in this country.

And it's time for the glitz and glam of the cinema world off the Riviera, Francais (ph).

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A judge's decision clears the way for what could be the largest corporate pension default in U.S. history. The federal judge approved plans by United Airlines to dump its employee pension plans.

Senior Correspondent Allan Chernoff is in New York with more on that, what it means for United employees and other workers.

Hello.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SR. FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. Well, this is definitely a big blow to United's workers and retirees, because it means they will have to sacrifice some of their pensions in order to save the airline. The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, which is a corporation created by the federal government, will assume responsibility for the four pension plans at United Airlines. But, the PBGC will pay only about two-thirds of what is owed to members of those pension plans. Employees at United say this is a devastating outcome.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIANNE TAMUK, FLIGHT ATTENDANT ASSOCIATION: It's terrible. I mean, I can't believe that they would allow this to happen to the employees, the front-line employees of this airline, and then expect us to go out on the line tomorrow and have -- make passengers want to come back and fly United again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHERNOFF: The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation right now would pay out a maximum of $45,600 a year to a 65-year-old retiree. This means that highly-compensated United employees and retirees would be the ones hurt the most. That means the pilots.

Flight attendants perhaps would be affected much less so, simply because they don't earn as much and accumulate as much as pilots into the the pension plan. But certainly, it is a tough blow to all United employees and retirees.

Now, United would save actually about $3 billion in contributions to the pension plan over the next five years. And the airline says this is absolutely necessary so that it can emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE BRACE, UNITED AIRLINES CFO: We are doing what we need to do to make United Airlines successful for the long term. That's what we have been focused on the entire case. That's what this is all about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHERNOFF: United has been in Chapter 11 for about two years. And keep in mind, this will also put more financial pressure on the Pension benefit Guarantee Corporation. It has a deficit now of more than $20 billion.

So, Daryn, certainly something that many retirees are concerned about across the nation, because more and more companies are turning to the corporation to protect their pensions -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Yes. Understandable for the worry and nervousness out there over this issue. What about on the consumer side? United Airlines in all this trouble. Is this an airline you should or should not buy an airline ticket on? CHERNOFF: This shouldn't affect United in terms of actual flights. They are continuing with regular schedules. And as a matter of fact, United is saying this is a very positive step to get the airline more financially stable. So, in terms of the consumer impact, it really should not have any impact at all on flights or what clients perceive.

KAGAN: Allan Chernoff live from New York City. Thank you.

A little science ahead for us. Protecting a massive glacier from the sun? It sounds like a really big job. It is. Why and how they are doing it.

Plus, we are going behind the scenes of "CSI Miami." You're going to meet the real investigator who inspired some of the hit show story lines. That's next on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We have heard people talk about global warming. Now one man wants to do something about it. So he's covering a Swiss glacier with what amounts to a blanket to keep it from melting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANK P. GOSS, TEXTILE MANUFACTURER: The objective, basically, is to provide shade for the glacier and to shield it from the sun, especially during summer, so that the volume of ice remains more or less constant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The blanket is made of artificial textiles. It's supposed to reflect the sun's rays during the summer. And it's evens aesthetically pleasing, matching the color of the snow and ice. Experts say this particular glacier has sunk about 20 yards in the past 15 years.

Jacqui Jeras is looking if there's any chilly spots still left in the U.S. late in spring.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's making news overseas this morning. Take a look.

Do you know this man? Scientists have created the first models of King Tut's face. They base the reconstruction on some 1,700 photos from CAT scans of his mummy. The models bear a striking resemblance to King Tut's famous gold mask.

Anti-American protests in Afghanistan. Students were angered over reports that Korans had been placed on toilets during interrogations at Guantanamo Bay. At least four protesters were killed when police opened fire. Twelve days, 53 films, that glamorous star-studded party at the Cannes Film Festival wraps (ph) up today on the French Riviera. The red carpet extravaganza opens with somewhat dark movies from German and Iraqi filmmakers.

Woody Allen shows off his new flick on Thursday. And the final "Star Wars" film had its world premier on Sunday -- it will have its world premier on Sunday.

They are violent and their numbers are growing, gangs in America. Can the government effectively stop them? Congress believes it can. That story just ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN ANCHOR: After 28 years, "Star Wars" fans will finally find out why Darth Vader is so evil. A master of the dark side of the force, he has also made people very rich.

CNNMoney.com shows you how this intergalactic story of love and war has made a cosmic killing. With more than $12 billion in movie ticket sales so far, the "Star Wars" epic is the most successful film franchise in history. The sixth and final installment kicks off the summer movie season on May 19.

This interactive gallery breaks down the Jedi jackpot from the movies to the merchandise. "Star Wars" was one of the first movies to recognize the profit potential of movie merchandising. Toy industry experts estimate director George Lucas has made more money from the film's products than the movies themselves. "Star Wars" merchandise has generated about $9 billion, with Darth Vader products topping the best-seller list.

The countdown until the opening night of the final episode is on. So don't forget the popcorn.

From the dot-com news desk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are coming up on the half-hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening "Now in the News."

Federal authorities are looking into the collision of two planes on the ground at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. A Northwest pilot says his hydraulics went out, causing him to lose steering control. No passengers were hurt, but six airline workers received medical attention.

North Korea announced today it has removed all 8,000 nuclear fuel rods at its main facility in Pyongyang. That would allow scientists to harvest weapons-grade plutonium for a nuclear bomb. U.S. officials point to signs the north may be preparing for its first nuclear weapons test.

Virginia will allow extradition of the Washington-area snipers to Maryland. John Allen Muhammad and Lee Malvo were convicted in separate trials in Virginia. Six of the 10 fatal sniper shootings took place in Maryland. Muhammad already faces a death sentence in Virginia. Malvo was given a life sentence in prison without parole.

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Aired May 11, 2005 - 10:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of Americans depending on their pension plans for retirement, but United Airlines employees may be losing out after a ruling in bankruptcy. Could this happen to you? That story is coming up.
And horrific stories of children killed in Illinois. What do you tell your kids? You're going to hear from an expert as the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

"Now in the News," a bill to provide more money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is headed for the president's desk. He is expected to sign it. The Senate unanimously approved the $82 billion measure yesterday. The bill also sets national standards for driver's licenses and prevents issuing licenses to illegal immigrants.

The FBI is looking into allegations against the mayor of Spokane, Washington. A newspaper investigation accused Mayor James West of offering city jobs to men in gay online chat rooms in exchange for sex. West denies any wrongdoing but admits visiting a gay chat room. The FBI has launched a preliminary investigation.

The future of health care in America is the topic of a news conference this hour in Washington. Senators Hillary Clinton, Mel Martinez and, yes, that is former House speaker, Newt Gingrich, among those attending. The lawmakers are all talking about bringing the health care system into the 21st century. One idea being discussed, creating health information networks.

A rare painting of actress Elizabeth Taylor by artist Andy Warhol has sold for $12.6 million. A London jeweler purchased the 1963 painting at a Sotheby's auction last night. It's one of a series that Warhol did of Taylor, but the only one with a red background.

It is just after 8:00 a.m. in Los Angeles, just after 11:00 a.m. in Washington, D.C., and just after 5:00 p.m. at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first, a father with a violent past. His daughter and her best friend stabbed to death. Now that father is charged with the killings.

Jerry Hobbs will face a judge in Waukegan, Illinois, in just a moment in a bond hearing. He had been released from a Texas prison just last month. The 34-year-old Hobbs had been convicted of terrorizing neighbors with a chainsaw. Other brushes with the law involved allegations of assault, drugs, and resisting arrest.

Police say Hobbs killed the two girls on Mother's Day in a city park. Laura Hobbs and Krystal Tobias were on what should have been a typical Sunday afternoon play date. Authorities say it's unclear whether Hobbs followed the girls or happened upon them in a park.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL WALLER, LAKE COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY: In a horrendous, horrific crime like this -- and I've been in this business a long time -- I've never actually been able to articulate a motive. I think what you had is a -- is a person who is unlike the rest of us, and he can't control his rage. And something set him off, and it was resulting on one of the most brutal vicious attacks on two little girls that I have ever seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Members of the girls' family in the Zion community gathered last night for a prayer vigil. They met outside one of the girl's homes. They walked a short distance to the other, crying and hugging along the way.

Zion, Illinois, is about 45 miles north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, but the town probably has more in common with the small dairy communities of southern Wisconsin.

Our Chris Lawrence paid a visit.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nine-year-old Cristela Florek used to play with her best friend on this hammock.

DORA FLOREK, CRISTELA'S MOTHER: Just think about Krystal next to you.

FREED: But Krystal Tobias is never coming over to play again. Cristela and her family are wrestling with their emotions.

FLOREK: I was so sick. It just hit me. I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed. Every time I tried to get out of bed I thought I was just going to faint.

FREED: The Floreks say losing Krystal is like a death in their own family.

(on camera): So, Krystal lived where, on the other side of this school?

FLOREK: Yes, on the other side of the school.

DAN FLOREK, CRISTELA'S FATHER: Yes, directly on the other side.

FREED (voice-over): They used to watch Krystal cross the field behind their house on her way home, to make sure she was safe. (on camera): Are you guys angry about what's happened, or are you too sad to even feel anything else right now?

DAN FLOREK: The anger is starting to build.

DORA FLOREK: Yes.

DAN FLOREK: I think, emotionally, the sadness is taking a huge toll on us, where we couldn't feel anger, but not like some people are -- right away were enraged. But I get more -- more mad every time we talk more and more about it.

FREED (voice-over): Dora is grappling with guilt because her family wasn't home on Sunday afternoon when neighbors say they saw Krystal and Laura playing on the hammock, waiting to see if Cristela would come outside.

DORA FLOREK: That's why I told him, if she would have been OK, she would have been alive. She would have had no reason to go anywhere.

FREED: Cristela has a reminder of Krystal, a scrapbook they were making in Girl Scouts, where Krystal pasted a picture of her best friend, Cristela. A simple scrapbook, now turned into something precious, something Cristela wants to finish for both of them.

(on camera): So what have you guys been telling your own kids? What have you been telling Cristela?

DORA FLOREK: She is not going nowhere. I mean, not even behind the backyard by herself. We are just going to watch her like a hawk.

FREED (voice-over): For now, the family knows it needs to grieve, but hopes the pain will pass quickly.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: That was Jonathan Freed reporting. Correspondent Chris Lawrence is in the courtroom in Waukegan, Illinois, at this hour. Once that bond hearing for Jerry Hobbs ends, Chris will have an update for us with a live report.

To California now. Authorities have not ruled out murder-suicide in the case of six people found dead in a Riverside County home. The sheriff holds a news conference next hour to discuss those killings.

The victims included three adults and three children. All apparently died from gunshot wounds to the head.

One of the victims was an investigator for the Riverside County district attorney's office. A handgun was found near his body. The other five victims were found in their beds.

The search for a man suspected of killing his wife and kidnapping their 16-month-old son has expanded now into Mexico. Police found the car they believe that Ivan Villa was driving in a border town 130 miles south of the couple's New Mexico home. An Amber Alert was issued for the toddler, Justin Black, after his mother's Kristi was found strangled to death on Sunday.

It is all over television, the movies, video games, not to mention in schools. How do you talk to your kids about our violent world, especially when their peers are the victims?

Dominic Cappello's book might help. It is called "Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Violence." The author joins me from New York this morning.

Dominic, good morning. Good to have you here on a morning like this.

DOMINIC CAPPELLO, AUTHOR: Good morning.

KAGAN: First of all, if you have kids, should you bring it up or should you wait for your kids to bring it up?

CAPPELLO: Well, that's a very good question. I think the old thinking was you wait for a child to bring up something. But I think we live in a world, as you've said, where, if they're watching TV, if they're -- if they're on the Internet, if they're on the playground, you know, issues come up.

And kids will be hearing things today like, "Oh, did you hear about those two little girls who were killed?" Or, you know, "The daddy did it." And these will be headlines.

You don't know what your child has heard or not. So today's a good day to check in with your child and say, "How did school go? Hour are things going?"

KAGAN: Right. Now, is it more important especially when there is a story in the news like this, two little girls 8 and 9 years old, it's going to be easier for the kids to identify with something like this happening?

CAPPELLO: Absolutely. And that's why, you know, we encourage parents. You don't have to go rushing in and go to specifics. You start with some very gentle probing.

"Did you hear anything at school today? Are your friends OK? Did you hear anything at school? Did you see anything?"

And then you can assess and see how -- how is the child feeling, what are they talking about. And that's a good way to start.

KAGAN: So two parts of the story as it develops. First, when the girls were missing, that could have been a place to -- a talking point to say, "See, this is why it's important for you to come home when I say it's time for you to come home, because I don't want you to run into trouble like this."

CAPPELLO: Absolutely. I mean, certainly -- certainly this is a teachable moment in many, many ways. It's time for parents to look at their own children and to see how safe are they, what are our family rules about being safe, but it's also an opportunity to look at the community and see how are the other kids in the neighborhood, and how are the other people in the neighborhood. It's time for America to kind of check out and see how are we doing as a community.

KAGAN: Right. OK, but here's the unthinkable -- and I think that would just be so hard to talk to your kid about -- "Daddy did this to his own little girl and to another little girl." How do you even begin to introduce that concept?

CAPPELLO: It's a very, very, very difficult topic to have.

KAGAN: I should say allegedly did it. That's being (ph) talked about still.

CAPPELLO: Well, right. Right. Right.

How do you begin? I mean, if the child has heard about this on the news, if it becomes clear -- and you know, a 10-year-old might say, "I heard a daddy killed the kids. Do daddies do that?" I mean, this is a time -- and this will be a number of evenings sitting down and having some very loving conversations about, "There are a few bad people in the world, you now, you're safe."

And really reassure the child. And let them know that they can come and talk with you about anything that's bothering them.

KAGAN: The title of the book is "Ten Talks a Parent Must Have." Why "must," not should?

CAPPELLO: Well, you know, nowadays it seems that, you know, a parent needs to know that the schools aren't going to all these issues about how to talk about being safe. I think 20 years ago it might have been "Ten Talks a Parent Might Have." But I think -- I think with the news, with the Internet, kids have lots of questions.

They are not always coming forward. You don't know what they know. We really need to make sure kids feel safe. And really, parents are the best educators here.

So, it's a job you've got to take on. Kids are waiting for you.

KAGAN: Yes. Today's the day.

CAPPELLO: You got it.

KAGAN: Dominic Cappello, thank you. Once again, this book is called "Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Violence."

Thank you, Dominic. Big help.

CAPPELLO: Thank you.

KAGAN: The property manager for Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch returns to the witness stand today. Jackson's child molestation trial set to resume at the bottom of the hour.

Rusty Dornin has the latest on the trial and the widely anticipated testimony from child star Macaulay Culkin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (INAUDIBLE) of his testimony this morning, Neverland ranch manager Joe Marcus. He has repeatedly told the court that he never tried to keep the accuser's family captive while they stayed at Jackson's ranch. He said he took them shopping, he said he met them at the orthodontist's office, and never at any time did any members of the family say that they were being held against their will at the ranch.

He did admit, however, that when police raided Jackson's ranch in November of 2003, that he did lie to the officers when he said he had absolutely no knowledge that any young boys had slept at Jackson's ranch.

Up on the stand this morning is expected to be the first of a parade of celebrity witnesses. Macaulay Culkin, who says that he spent several nights at Jackson's ranch in the early '90s when he was a child, there have been witnesses in the prosecution's case that have talked about that they say Jackson touch Culkin inappropriately.

He has again denied that. He is expected to do that again today. He is one of the first of what is expected to be 15 celebrity witnesses for the defense case.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Santa Maria, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We are going to check world news just ahead. It is another day of violence in Iraq. A series of attacks rips through several Iraqi cities.

Congress takes on gangs as well. We are going to look at the toll from gang activity in this country.

And it's time for the glitz and glam of the cinema world off the Riviera, Francais (ph).

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KAGAN: A judge's decision clears the way for what could be the largest corporate pension default in U.S. history. The federal judge approved plans by United Airlines to dump its employee pension plans.

Senior Correspondent Allan Chernoff is in New York with more on that, what it means for United employees and other workers.

Hello.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SR. FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. Well, this is definitely a big blow to United's workers and retirees, because it means they will have to sacrifice some of their pensions in order to save the airline. The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, which is a corporation created by the federal government, will assume responsibility for the four pension plans at United Airlines. But, the PBGC will pay only about two-thirds of what is owed to members of those pension plans. Employees at United say this is a devastating outcome.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIANNE TAMUK, FLIGHT ATTENDANT ASSOCIATION: It's terrible. I mean, I can't believe that they would allow this to happen to the employees, the front-line employees of this airline, and then expect us to go out on the line tomorrow and have -- make passengers want to come back and fly United again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHERNOFF: The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation right now would pay out a maximum of $45,600 a year to a 65-year-old retiree. This means that highly-compensated United employees and retirees would be the ones hurt the most. That means the pilots.

Flight attendants perhaps would be affected much less so, simply because they don't earn as much and accumulate as much as pilots into the the pension plan. But certainly, it is a tough blow to all United employees and retirees.

Now, United would save actually about $3 billion in contributions to the pension plan over the next five years. And the airline says this is absolutely necessary so that it can emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE BRACE, UNITED AIRLINES CFO: We are doing what we need to do to make United Airlines successful for the long term. That's what we have been focused on the entire case. That's what this is all about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHERNOFF: United has been in Chapter 11 for about two years. And keep in mind, this will also put more financial pressure on the Pension benefit Guarantee Corporation. It has a deficit now of more than $20 billion.

So, Daryn, certainly something that many retirees are concerned about across the nation, because more and more companies are turning to the corporation to protect their pensions -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Yes. Understandable for the worry and nervousness out there over this issue. What about on the consumer side? United Airlines in all this trouble. Is this an airline you should or should not buy an airline ticket on? CHERNOFF: This shouldn't affect United in terms of actual flights. They are continuing with regular schedules. And as a matter of fact, United is saying this is a very positive step to get the airline more financially stable. So, in terms of the consumer impact, it really should not have any impact at all on flights or what clients perceive.

KAGAN: Allan Chernoff live from New York City. Thank you.

A little science ahead for us. Protecting a massive glacier from the sun? It sounds like a really big job. It is. Why and how they are doing it.

Plus, we are going behind the scenes of "CSI Miami." You're going to meet the real investigator who inspired some of the hit show story lines. That's next on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We have heard people talk about global warming. Now one man wants to do something about it. So he's covering a Swiss glacier with what amounts to a blanket to keep it from melting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANK P. GOSS, TEXTILE MANUFACTURER: The objective, basically, is to provide shade for the glacier and to shield it from the sun, especially during summer, so that the volume of ice remains more or less constant.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The blanket is made of artificial textiles. It's supposed to reflect the sun's rays during the summer. And it's evens aesthetically pleasing, matching the color of the snow and ice. Experts say this particular glacier has sunk about 20 yards in the past 15 years.

Jacqui Jeras is looking if there's any chilly spots still left in the U.S. late in spring.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's making news overseas this morning. Take a look.

Do you know this man? Scientists have created the first models of King Tut's face. They base the reconstruction on some 1,700 photos from CAT scans of his mummy. The models bear a striking resemblance to King Tut's famous gold mask.

Anti-American protests in Afghanistan. Students were angered over reports that Korans had been placed on toilets during interrogations at Guantanamo Bay. At least four protesters were killed when police opened fire. Twelve days, 53 films, that glamorous star-studded party at the Cannes Film Festival wraps (ph) up today on the French Riviera. The red carpet extravaganza opens with somewhat dark movies from German and Iraqi filmmakers.

Woody Allen shows off his new flick on Thursday. And the final "Star Wars" film had its world premier on Sunday -- it will have its world premier on Sunday.

They are violent and their numbers are growing, gangs in America. Can the government effectively stop them? Congress believes it can. That story just ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN ANCHOR: After 28 years, "Star Wars" fans will finally find out why Darth Vader is so evil. A master of the dark side of the force, he has also made people very rich.

CNNMoney.com shows you how this intergalactic story of love and war has made a cosmic killing. With more than $12 billion in movie ticket sales so far, the "Star Wars" epic is the most successful film franchise in history. The sixth and final installment kicks off the summer movie season on May 19.

This interactive gallery breaks down the Jedi jackpot from the movies to the merchandise. "Star Wars" was one of the first movies to recognize the profit potential of movie merchandising. Toy industry experts estimate director George Lucas has made more money from the film's products than the movies themselves. "Star Wars" merchandise has generated about $9 billion, with Darth Vader products topping the best-seller list.

The countdown until the opening night of the final episode is on. So don't forget the popcorn.

From the dot-com news desk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We are coming up on the half-hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening "Now in the News."

Federal authorities are looking into the collision of two planes on the ground at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. A Northwest pilot says his hydraulics went out, causing him to lose steering control. No passengers were hurt, but six airline workers received medical attention.

North Korea announced today it has removed all 8,000 nuclear fuel rods at its main facility in Pyongyang. That would allow scientists to harvest weapons-grade plutonium for a nuclear bomb. U.S. officials point to signs the north may be preparing for its first nuclear weapons test.

Virginia will allow extradition of the Washington-area snipers to Maryland. John Allen Muhammad and Lee Malvo were convicted in separate trials in Virginia. Six of the 10 fatal sniper shootings took place in Maryland. Muhammad already faces a death sentence in Virginia. Malvo was given a life sentence in prison without parole.

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