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CNN Live Today

Jackson Reaction; Missing in Aruba; Insurgent Attacks; Men's Health

Aired June 14, 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 ANCHOR: Week. They were never charged. Three young men are still in custody.
President Bush is expected to arrive in Pennsylvania later this hour. The president will attend a campaign event for Senator Rick Santorum. Tonight, Mr. Bush will be raising funds for all congressional Republicans. Organizers expect to raise at least $23 million at the annual President's Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Florida's Disney World has shut down its popular ride, "Mission Space," after a four-year-old died on that ride. Local authorities say the Pennsylvania boy met the height requirements for the ride, which has been criticized for its intensity. His mother carried him off the ride after he passed out. He died about an hour later at the hospital.

And in Philadelphia, Mississippi, a new pool of potential jurors is in court today for 80-year-old Edgar Ray Killen's murder trial. The part-time preacher is charged in the 1964 killings of three civil rights workers. African-Americans made up about a quarter of the jury pool on Monday.

Well, good morning to you on this Tuesday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

It is 7:00 a.m., or just after 7:00 a.m. in Southern California. Michael Jackson waking up to the end of his nightmare this morning. Fans of Michael Jackson exploded in jubilation upon the words that the singer was cleared of all 10 counts in his child molestation trial. With each acquittal, Jackson supporters burst into tears. The singer, though, by contrast, showed little emotion as he left the courthouse. He gave a small wave but said nothing as he returned to his Neverland Ranch. And that's where we find our Chris Lawrence who beginning our coverage this morning.

Chris, good morning.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Defense Attorney Tom Mesereau says Michael Jackson hasn't been eating or sleeping very much lately, but he is waking up in his own home this morning, exhausted and more than a little bit relieved.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE, (voice over): After almost four months on trial, Michael Jackson leaves court physically and financially weaker, but he goes home a free man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because he's famous. We don't really convict famous people. He's Michael Jackson. He sang "Beat It." I mean, come on.

LAWRENCE: The jury's verdict left no doubt to the 10 counts against him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury, in the above entitled case, find the defendant not guilty of a lewd acts upon a minor child.

LAWRENCE: Conspiracy, not guilty. Molesting a child, not guilty. Giving alcohol to a minor, not guilty.

JUROR #10: We expected probably better evidence. You know, something that was a little more convincing. And it just wasn't there.

LAWRENCE: Jurors said they questioned the credibility of the accuser and his mother because she let her son spend so much time in Jackson's bedroom.

JUROR #10: What mother in her right mind would allow that to happen? Or, you know, just freely volunteer your child, you know, to sleep with someone.

LAWRENCE: Prosecutors say they're disappointed but won't apologize for bringing the case.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't select our victims and we don't select the families they come from.

RAYMOND HULTMAN, JUROR #1: I feel that Michael Jackson probably has molested boys.

LAWRENCE: One of the jurors told CNN he can't believe Jackson slept in the same bedroom with children for so many days without anything happening.

HULTMAN: But that doesn't make him guilty of the charges that were presented in this case.

LAWRENCE: And with that decision final, Defense Attorney Tom Mesereau left court quickly.

TOM MESEREAU, MICHAEL JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: Justice was done. The man's innocent. He always was.

LAWRENCE: Having convinced the jury that Jackson did nothing wrong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: Now the jury foreman did say, from now on Michael Jackson has to be more careful how he conducts himself around children. And just this morning, Tom Mesereau said, he'll never put himself in such a vulnerable position again.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Chris Lawrence live from Santa Ynez Valley at Neverland Ranch.

Thank you for that.

Well, speaking of Jackson's lead defense attorney, Tom Mesereau, as Chris was mentioning, he summed up his feelings on the case saying simply, justice was done. Earlier he appeared on CNN. He angrily denounced the prosecution's case as being built on nonsense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM MESEREAU, JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: I thought their whole case was bogus. And it was not just a question of cross-examining those particular witnesses, they put on a lot of other witness who had no credibility and we exposed them. He's very relieved. He's very grateful. He's back with his children and his family. He now has a future in front of him. But he's exhausted. It's been a terrible ordeal for him, emotionally and physically.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Mesereau says he believes Jackson will not sleep with boys in the future. All right.

Well, Michael Jackson may have been acquitted but one juror says he's not innocent. The man known at juror number one during the proceedings had some harsh words last night on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAYMOND HULTMAN, JUROR #1: I feel that Michael Jackson probably has molested boys. I cannot believe that after some of the testimony was offered, I can't believe that this man could sleep in the same bedroom for 365 straight days and not do something more than just watch television and eat popcorn. I mean, that doesn't make sense to me, but that doesn't make him guilt if of the charges that were presented in this case, and that's where we had to make our decision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: So how are the verdicts seen in the court of public opinion? According to the latest CNN/"USA Today" Gallup Poll, only about a third of Americans agree with the not guilty verdicts. Nearly half disagree. When asked if Jackson's celebrity status was a factor in the verdict, 62 percent said it was a major factor, 17 percent said they believe it was a minor factor and 18 percent say his celebrity status was not a factor at all.

Stay with us. At the bottom of the hour, we're going to view the case through the eyes of a former federal prosecutor. Kendal Coffey (ph) joins me less than a half hour from now.

Michael Jackson's family was on hand for the verdicts and last night on CNN's "Larry King Live" the singer's brother, Tito Jackson, described the family's euphoria as those verdicts were announced.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TITO JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON'S BROTHER: Everyone would be worried. But as they kept reading the counts, the pressure was lifting off of me and I was holding my mom tight. And we all cried through every count. We cried through every count, because justice has finally been served and Mike's a free man.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And we encourage you to tune in tonight. Michael Jackson's lawyer discusses the case from the inside. Tom Mesereau will be on "Larry King Live" 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific right here on CNN.

We move on to other news this morning. A development to report in the case of the Alabama teenager who's been missing in Aruba.

Late last night authorities released the two security guards. They were arrested nine days ago in the girl's disappearance and freed the day after Natalee Holloway's mother said she believes in their innocence. Let's get the latest now from Palm Beach, Aruba, and CNN's John Zarrella.

John, hello.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

Well, whether this brings us any closer to a resolution in this case is anyone's guess at this point. But the two security guards had maintained their innocence, that they had never seen the girl, since they were arrested on June 5th and there had been mounting evidence -- mounting tensions and moves to get these security guards released. In fact, we'd expected a hearing today on just that. But late last night, in somewhat of a surprise move, prosecutors released the two security guards. They are still holding three young men who may have been the last to see Natalee Holloway. And earlier this morning on "American Morning," Soledad O'Brien had a chance to speak with Natalee's mother. And Natalee's mother says that she is pleased with the course the investigation is now taking.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S MOTHER: This moment, right now, I feel like that we are working in a collaborative effort. And I feel like now I can say that from the family, to the FBI, to the local authorities, to the Arubian (ph) government, to the United States government, I feel like we are now all in this investigation, and I do feel like we are beginning to proceed forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ZARRELLA: It's important to note that no one has been charged in this case and that the investigation now appears to be centering on these three young men who are still in custody. Now, Natalee's family continued the search on their own out in the mountains yesterday and they are saying they will continue their own searches of the island as long as it takes until there is finally a resolution in this case.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Another story going on here, besides the desperate search for this young teenager, is what's happening in the tourism industry, or the potential for -- the main industry there on Aruba, because it's such a funnel coming from the U.S., Aruba can not really stand the bad publicity that they're getting over this Natalee Holloway disappearance.

ZARRELLA: You know it's interesting, some 60, 65 percent of the island's industry is tourism. They rely on it tremendously here. You know, when I was flying in here yesterday, when I got here, you can often gauge things from a taxi driver. And we were chatting about it. And he was saying how, in his neighborhood, they helped search, some 500 people last weekend, searching in his neighborhood, and how distraught many people here about -- of this development, what's happened here. But he said, you know, I don't think tourism is going to be hurt. We had a really big weekend, as he put it, last week. And, in fact, saying that, you know, it's terribly tragic, it's unfortunate, but we're an island that has always been without -- very free of crime. And that the belief among the people here is that it won't ultimately damage tourism.

Daryn.

KAGAN: John Zarrella, live from Palm Beach, Aruba.

Thank you.

Now on to "The Fight for Iraq." Insurgents have carried out two more attacks today leaving dozens dead and wounded. Let's get the latest from Baghdad and CNN's Jennifer Eccleston.

Jennifer.

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Since the new Shiite-led government was formed two months ago, there's been a surge of suicide car bombings in Iraq, with many targeting Iraq's security forces. And that was all too evident today with two attacks on Iraqi police and, as is often the case, on civilians.

A car bomb and a mortar attack on a police station in Kanan (ph), northeast of Baghdad, killed five people and wounded four others. Among the dead, members of the Iraqi police and army. Now, the attacks came only minutes apart. The station was first hit by mortars and then the car bomb exploded.

Further north now in the ethnically mixed and oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated his lethal package in a busy market in the city center. Nineteen people were killed and 89 were wounded. Now Iraqi police tell CNN, most of the dead and the wounded were people gathered outside of a bank to receive their monthly salary. Police and passersby were struggling to help the injured and to load the dead on to pickup trucks. Now the force of the explosion was so significant, according to Iraqi officials, and they expect that death toll to rise.

Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Baghdad.

KAGAN: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has announced a Pentagon briefing about three hours from now. It's scheduled for 1:15 Eastern, 10:15 Pacific. CNN will carry that live.

Right now we move on to the war on terror and the U.S.'s detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Vice President Dick Cheney is rejecting claims of systematic abuses against the terror suspects being held there and he's dismissing reports that Guantanamo may soon be closed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Whatever one's views might be with respect to Guantanamo, that, in fact, the track record there is, on the whole, pretty good, and that this is an essential part of our strategy of prevailing and winning in the ongoing war on terror.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: In fact, the vice president says the interrogation of detainees there has provided vital information to combating terrorism.

In just a few minutes we might learn more about the immediate future of President Bush's embattled nomination of John Bolton. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Republican Senator John McCain are scheduled to hold a news conference. That's about 15 minutes from now at the bottom of the hour. There are reports that Frist wants a final vote this week. Bolton has been in legislative limbo for weeks after Democrats blocked a vote on his nomination as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Critics say he's ill-tempered and ill-suited for the diplomatic position. His supporters say he has just what it takes to do a good job for the U.S. at the U.N.

In California, a battle over government reforms is now in high gear. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday announced a rare special election in November. It's for voters to decide on his proposed reform. He says the changes would put California's financial house in order. Democrats say few voters want the election. It's only the fifth special election ever to be held in California in nearly a century. Yet the historical significance was largely overshadowed by the breaking news of the Jackson verdict. One poll showed few TV stations in the states larger markets even carried his announcement live.

In our "Security Watch," North Korea's nuclear program is being talked about on Capitol Hill right now. A Senate panel, a live picture there for you, is holding a hearing on the stalled six-party talks. Last week, U.S. and North Korean officials met in New York. The U.S. says they North plan to return to the six-party talks but it won't say when. North Korea pulled out of the talks with the U.S., South Korea, China, Russia and Japan last year. We're following this morning's hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and, if any news breaks, we will bring it to you.

We're committed to bringing you the most reliable news about your security. Stay tuned to CNN day and night.

A check of your weather forecast is just ahead.

Plus, new numbers out detailing HIV infections in the U.S. There's both encouraging and discouraging news. We'll explain.

And later, the Michael Jackson media madness. Perhaps only he could create such a circus.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Summer doesn't officially begin until next week. Tell that to a New Yorker today and he'd likely say, forget about it. There's a heat advisory in affect for the city. Temperatures may push 100 degrees.

And, Jacqui Jeras, there's something that's just so special about 100 degrees in New York City. There's a smell that happens in New York when it gets to a temperature like that, that I don't think you smell anywhere else.

JACQUI JERAS, METEOROLOGIST: I don't know about that.

KAGAN: I'm telling you, it's all in the smell.

JERAS: Every time I've been to New York its been lovely actually. So I haven't experienced that. But I love your, get out of here, forget about it. Forget about it.

KAGAN: Forget about it.

JERAS: There you go.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: OK. I have one more slightly weather-related thing to show.

JERAS: OK.

KAGAN: Take a look at this picture -- live picture of the Capitol and the flag. Do you know what today is?

JERAS: Oh, it is Flag Day.

KAGAN: It is Flag Day! JERAS: Bob Mandillian (ph) was singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" all morning long in here.

KAGAN: And now you know why!

JERAS: Yes.

KAGAN: There you go, June 14th. It's a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag. And for its designers and its makers as well. So happy Flag Day, everybody! And a nice little breeze there. Probably more than they have in New York City.

Thank you, Jacqui. We'll see you later in the morning.

Well, if you're a man, chances are you don't go to the doctor as much as you should. Coming up, we'll tell you why that could be a dangerous choice.

Plus, the evidence wasn't there. Jackson jurors say that and one particular witness weighed heavily on their decision. We will tell you which one. That's coming up a little bit later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And let's go ahead and check out the markets. They've been open, well, getting close to an hour. The Dow is in positive territory. It's up 11 points. The Nasdaq, almost flat. Down about 0.7 of a point.

News about your health now. A report about Aids that's both encouraging and discouraging. The CDC says more people than ever before are able to live with the HIV virus. That's due to the success of current treatments. But doctors acknowledge a failure in prevention. Check out some of the numbers now from the CDC. There were more than a million Americans living with HIV in December 2003. That compares to fewer than a million in the previous year. The government estimates that there are 40,000 new infections each year but a CDC official suggests that could even be a conservative estimate.

This is National Men's Health Week. It's a good time to ask the question why do we women live longer than men? One reason may be, many men don't go in for annual checkups. CNN's Christy Feig (ph) reports on the test that men should have even if they feel fine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As head of urology at Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. John Lynch has always recommended his male patients get their prostates checked on a yearly basis to keep prostate cancer from sneaking up on them.

DR. JOHN LYNCH, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: It is clearly curable if caught early. And the biggest thing to convince men is that they have to go for these tests because early prostate cancer has no symptoms. FEIG: Luckily, Lynch follows his own advice because three years ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His treatment has been successful so far. But several studies show few men follow Lynch's example and get yearly physicals when they don't have symptoms.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't feel sick or anything.

FEIG: Dr. Jean Bonhomme of the Men's Health Network says that attitude stems from the way boys are raised, to ignore pain and work through injuries.

DR. JEAN BONHOMME, MEN'S HEALTH NETWORK: That may work in childhood with minor injuries, but it really fails in middle age where minor symptoms may be the first sign of something very serious and progressive is going on.

FEIG: Some of the top killer, like heart disease and cancer, don't have any symptoms in the earliest stages and catching them early is the key to survival. Doctors say every year men should get check for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, adding tests for cancers of the colon and prostate at age 50, earlier if there's a family history.

Christy Feig, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Was it trouble with the witnesses? Just a weak case? Up next, we'll talk about what happened to the prosecution's case against Michael Jackson with Legal Analyst Kendal Coffey (ph).

Plus, look a look at this. A vintage aircraft crashes in a residential area, just barely missing buildings and a busy intersection. Details on that story ahead.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're right at the half hour. Good morning, once again, I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening "Now in the News."

First to Iraq where two insurgent strikes north of Baghdad today killed at least 24


Aired June 14, 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 ANCHOR: Week. They were never charged. Three young men are still in custody.
President Bush is expected to arrive in Pennsylvania later this hour. The president will attend a campaign event for Senator Rick Santorum. Tonight, Mr. Bush will be raising funds for all congressional Republicans. Organizers expect to raise at least $23 million at the annual President's Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Florida's Disney World has shut down its popular ride, "Mission Space," after a four-year-old died on that ride. Local authorities say the Pennsylvania boy met the height requirements for the ride, which has been criticized for its intensity. His mother carried him off the ride after he passed out. He died about an hour later at the hospital.

And in Philadelphia, Mississippi, a new pool of potential jurors is in court today for 80-year-old Edgar Ray Killen's murder trial. The part-time preacher is charged in the 1964 killings of three civil rights workers. African-Americans made up about a quarter of the jury pool on Monday.

Well, good morning to you on this Tuesday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

It is 7:00 a.m., or just after 7:00 a.m. in Southern California. Michael Jackson waking up to the end of his nightmare this morning. Fans of Michael Jackson exploded in jubilation upon the words that the singer was cleared of all 10 counts in his child molestation trial. With each acquittal, Jackson supporters burst into tears. The singer, though, by contrast, showed little emotion as he left the courthouse. He gave a small wave but said nothing as he returned to his Neverland Ranch. And that's where we find our Chris Lawrence who beginning our coverage this morning.

Chris, good morning.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Defense Attorney Tom Mesereau says Michael Jackson hasn't been eating or sleeping very much lately, but he is waking up in his own home this morning, exhausted and more than a little bit relieved.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE, (voice over): After almost four months on trial, Michael Jackson leaves court physically and financially weaker, but he goes home a free man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because he's famous. We don't really convict famous people. He's Michael Jackson. He sang "Beat It." I mean, come on.

LAWRENCE: The jury's verdict left no doubt to the 10 counts against him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury, in the above entitled case, find the defendant not guilty of a lewd acts upon a minor child.

LAWRENCE: Conspiracy, not guilty. Molesting a child, not guilty. Giving alcohol to a minor, not guilty.

JUROR #10: We expected probably better evidence. You know, something that was a little more convincing. And it just wasn't there.

LAWRENCE: Jurors said they questioned the credibility of the accuser and his mother because she let her son spend so much time in Jackson's bedroom.

JUROR #10: What mother in her right mind would allow that to happen? Or, you know, just freely volunteer your child, you know, to sleep with someone.

LAWRENCE: Prosecutors say they're disappointed but won't apologize for bringing the case.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't select our victims and we don't select the families they come from.

RAYMOND HULTMAN, JUROR #1: I feel that Michael Jackson probably has molested boys.

LAWRENCE: One of the jurors told CNN he can't believe Jackson slept in the same bedroom with children for so many days without anything happening.

HULTMAN: But that doesn't make him guilty of the charges that were presented in this case.

LAWRENCE: And with that decision final, Defense Attorney Tom Mesereau left court quickly.

TOM MESEREAU, MICHAEL JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: Justice was done. The man's innocent. He always was.

LAWRENCE: Having convinced the jury that Jackson did nothing wrong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: Now the jury foreman did say, from now on Michael Jackson has to be more careful how he conducts himself around children. And just this morning, Tom Mesereau said, he'll never put himself in such a vulnerable position again.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Chris Lawrence live from Santa Ynez Valley at Neverland Ranch.

Thank you for that.

Well, speaking of Jackson's lead defense attorney, Tom Mesereau, as Chris was mentioning, he summed up his feelings on the case saying simply, justice was done. Earlier he appeared on CNN. He angrily denounced the prosecution's case as being built on nonsense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM MESEREAU, JACKSON'S ATTORNEY: I thought their whole case was bogus. And it was not just a question of cross-examining those particular witnesses, they put on a lot of other witness who had no credibility and we exposed them. He's very relieved. He's very grateful. He's back with his children and his family. He now has a future in front of him. But he's exhausted. It's been a terrible ordeal for him, emotionally and physically.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Mesereau says he believes Jackson will not sleep with boys in the future. All right.

Well, Michael Jackson may have been acquitted but one juror says he's not innocent. The man known at juror number one during the proceedings had some harsh words last night on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAYMOND HULTMAN, JUROR #1: I feel that Michael Jackson probably has molested boys. I cannot believe that after some of the testimony was offered, I can't believe that this man could sleep in the same bedroom for 365 straight days and not do something more than just watch television and eat popcorn. I mean, that doesn't make sense to me, but that doesn't make him guilt if of the charges that were presented in this case, and that's where we had to make our decision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: So how are the verdicts seen in the court of public opinion? According to the latest CNN/"USA Today" Gallup Poll, only about a third of Americans agree with the not guilty verdicts. Nearly half disagree. When asked if Jackson's celebrity status was a factor in the verdict, 62 percent said it was a major factor, 17 percent said they believe it was a minor factor and 18 percent say his celebrity status was not a factor at all.

Stay with us. At the bottom of the hour, we're going to view the case through the eyes of a former federal prosecutor. Kendal Coffey (ph) joins me less than a half hour from now.

Michael Jackson's family was on hand for the verdicts and last night on CNN's "Larry King Live" the singer's brother, Tito Jackson, described the family's euphoria as those verdicts were announced.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TITO JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON'S BROTHER: Everyone would be worried. But as they kept reading the counts, the pressure was lifting off of me and I was holding my mom tight. And we all cried through every count. We cried through every count, because justice has finally been served and Mike's a free man.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And we encourage you to tune in tonight. Michael Jackson's lawyer discusses the case from the inside. Tom Mesereau will be on "Larry King Live" 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific right here on CNN.

We move on to other news this morning. A development to report in the case of the Alabama teenager who's been missing in Aruba.

Late last night authorities released the two security guards. They were arrested nine days ago in the girl's disappearance and freed the day after Natalee Holloway's mother said she believes in their innocence. Let's get the latest now from Palm Beach, Aruba, and CNN's John Zarrella.

John, hello.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

Well, whether this brings us any closer to a resolution in this case is anyone's guess at this point. But the two security guards had maintained their innocence, that they had never seen the girl, since they were arrested on June 5th and there had been mounting evidence -- mounting tensions and moves to get these security guards released. In fact, we'd expected a hearing today on just that. But late last night, in somewhat of a surprise move, prosecutors released the two security guards. They are still holding three young men who may have been the last to see Natalee Holloway. And earlier this morning on "American Morning," Soledad O'Brien had a chance to speak with Natalee's mother. And Natalee's mother says that she is pleased with the course the investigation is now taking.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S MOTHER: This moment, right now, I feel like that we are working in a collaborative effort. And I feel like now I can say that from the family, to the FBI, to the local authorities, to the Arubian (ph) government, to the United States government, I feel like we are now all in this investigation, and I do feel like we are beginning to proceed forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ZARRELLA: It's important to note that no one has been charged in this case and that the investigation now appears to be centering on these three young men who are still in custody. Now, Natalee's family continued the search on their own out in the mountains yesterday and they are saying they will continue their own searches of the island as long as it takes until there is finally a resolution in this case.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Another story going on here, besides the desperate search for this young teenager, is what's happening in the tourism industry, or the potential for -- the main industry there on Aruba, because it's such a funnel coming from the U.S., Aruba can not really stand the bad publicity that they're getting over this Natalee Holloway disappearance.

ZARRELLA: You know it's interesting, some 60, 65 percent of the island's industry is tourism. They rely on it tremendously here. You know, when I was flying in here yesterday, when I got here, you can often gauge things from a taxi driver. And we were chatting about it. And he was saying how, in his neighborhood, they helped search, some 500 people last weekend, searching in his neighborhood, and how distraught many people here about -- of this development, what's happened here. But he said, you know, I don't think tourism is going to be hurt. We had a really big weekend, as he put it, last week. And, in fact, saying that, you know, it's terribly tragic, it's unfortunate, but we're an island that has always been without -- very free of crime. And that the belief among the people here is that it won't ultimately damage tourism.

Daryn.

KAGAN: John Zarrella, live from Palm Beach, Aruba.

Thank you.

Now on to "The Fight for Iraq." Insurgents have carried out two more attacks today leaving dozens dead and wounded. Let's get the latest from Baghdad and CNN's Jennifer Eccleston.

Jennifer.

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Since the new Shiite-led government was formed two months ago, there's been a surge of suicide car bombings in Iraq, with many targeting Iraq's security forces. And that was all too evident today with two attacks on Iraqi police and, as is often the case, on civilians.

A car bomb and a mortar attack on a police station in Kanan (ph), northeast of Baghdad, killed five people and wounded four others. Among the dead, members of the Iraqi police and army. Now, the attacks came only minutes apart. The station was first hit by mortars and then the car bomb exploded.

Further north now in the ethnically mixed and oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated his lethal package in a busy market in the city center. Nineteen people were killed and 89 were wounded. Now Iraqi police tell CNN, most of the dead and the wounded were people gathered outside of a bank to receive their monthly salary. Police and passersby were struggling to help the injured and to load the dead on to pickup trucks. Now the force of the explosion was so significant, according to Iraqi officials, and they expect that death toll to rise.

Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Baghdad.

KAGAN: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has announced a Pentagon briefing about three hours from now. It's scheduled for 1:15 Eastern, 10:15 Pacific. CNN will carry that live.

Right now we move on to the war on terror and the U.S.'s detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Vice President Dick Cheney is rejecting claims of systematic abuses against the terror suspects being held there and he's dismissing reports that Guantanamo may soon be closed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Whatever one's views might be with respect to Guantanamo, that, in fact, the track record there is, on the whole, pretty good, and that this is an essential part of our strategy of prevailing and winning in the ongoing war on terror.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: In fact, the vice president says the interrogation of detainees there has provided vital information to combating terrorism.

In just a few minutes we might learn more about the immediate future of President Bush's embattled nomination of John Bolton. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Republican Senator John McCain are scheduled to hold a news conference. That's about 15 minutes from now at the bottom of the hour. There are reports that Frist wants a final vote this week. Bolton has been in legislative limbo for weeks after Democrats blocked a vote on his nomination as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Critics say he's ill-tempered and ill-suited for the diplomatic position. His supporters say he has just what it takes to do a good job for the U.S. at the U.N.

In California, a battle over government reforms is now in high gear. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday announced a rare special election in November. It's for voters to decide on his proposed reform. He says the changes would put California's financial house in order. Democrats say few voters want the election. It's only the fifth special election ever to be held in California in nearly a century. Yet the historical significance was largely overshadowed by the breaking news of the Jackson verdict. One poll showed few TV stations in the states larger markets even carried his announcement live.

In our "Security Watch," North Korea's nuclear program is being talked about on Capitol Hill right now. A Senate panel, a live picture there for you, is holding a hearing on the stalled six-party talks. Last week, U.S. and North Korean officials met in New York. The U.S. says they North plan to return to the six-party talks but it won't say when. North Korea pulled out of the talks with the U.S., South Korea, China, Russia and Japan last year. We're following this morning's hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and, if any news breaks, we will bring it to you.

We're committed to bringing you the most reliable news about your security. Stay tuned to CNN day and night.

A check of your weather forecast is just ahead.

Plus, new numbers out detailing HIV infections in the U.S. There's both encouraging and discouraging news. We'll explain.

And later, the Michael Jackson media madness. Perhaps only he could create such a circus.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Summer doesn't officially begin until next week. Tell that to a New Yorker today and he'd likely say, forget about it. There's a heat advisory in affect for the city. Temperatures may push 100 degrees.

And, Jacqui Jeras, there's something that's just so special about 100 degrees in New York City. There's a smell that happens in New York when it gets to a temperature like that, that I don't think you smell anywhere else.

JACQUI JERAS, METEOROLOGIST: I don't know about that.

KAGAN: I'm telling you, it's all in the smell.

JERAS: Every time I've been to New York its been lovely actually. So I haven't experienced that. But I love your, get out of here, forget about it. Forget about it.

KAGAN: Forget about it.

JERAS: There you go.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: OK. I have one more slightly weather-related thing to show.

JERAS: OK.

KAGAN: Take a look at this picture -- live picture of the Capitol and the flag. Do you know what today is?

JERAS: Oh, it is Flag Day.

KAGAN: It is Flag Day! JERAS: Bob Mandillian (ph) was singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" all morning long in here.

KAGAN: And now you know why!

JERAS: Yes.

KAGAN: There you go, June 14th. It's a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag. And for its designers and its makers as well. So happy Flag Day, everybody! And a nice little breeze there. Probably more than they have in New York City.

Thank you, Jacqui. We'll see you later in the morning.

Well, if you're a man, chances are you don't go to the doctor as much as you should. Coming up, we'll tell you why that could be a dangerous choice.

Plus, the evidence wasn't there. Jackson jurors say that and one particular witness weighed heavily on their decision. We will tell you which one. That's coming up a little bit later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And let's go ahead and check out the markets. They've been open, well, getting close to an hour. The Dow is in positive territory. It's up 11 points. The Nasdaq, almost flat. Down about 0.7 of a point.

News about your health now. A report about Aids that's both encouraging and discouraging. The CDC says more people than ever before are able to live with the HIV virus. That's due to the success of current treatments. But doctors acknowledge a failure in prevention. Check out some of the numbers now from the CDC. There were more than a million Americans living with HIV in December 2003. That compares to fewer than a million in the previous year. The government estimates that there are 40,000 new infections each year but a CDC official suggests that could even be a conservative estimate.

This is National Men's Health Week. It's a good time to ask the question why do we women live longer than men? One reason may be, many men don't go in for annual checkups. CNN's Christy Feig (ph) reports on the test that men should have even if they feel fine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As head of urology at Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. John Lynch has always recommended his male patients get their prostates checked on a yearly basis to keep prostate cancer from sneaking up on them.

DR. JOHN LYNCH, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: It is clearly curable if caught early. And the biggest thing to convince men is that they have to go for these tests because early prostate cancer has no symptoms. FEIG: Luckily, Lynch follows his own advice because three years ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His treatment has been successful so far. But several studies show few men follow Lynch's example and get yearly physicals when they don't have symptoms.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't feel sick or anything.

FEIG: Dr. Jean Bonhomme of the Men's Health Network says that attitude stems from the way boys are raised, to ignore pain and work through injuries.

DR. JEAN BONHOMME, MEN'S HEALTH NETWORK: That may work in childhood with minor injuries, but it really fails in middle age where minor symptoms may be the first sign of something very serious and progressive is going on.

FEIG: Some of the top killer, like heart disease and cancer, don't have any symptoms in the earliest stages and catching them early is the key to survival. Doctors say every year men should get check for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, adding tests for cancers of the colon and prostate at age 50, earlier if there's a family history.

Christy Feig, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Was it trouble with the witnesses? Just a weak case? Up next, we'll talk about what happened to the prosecution's case against Michael Jackson with Legal Analyst Kendal Coffey (ph).

Plus, look a look at this. A vintage aircraft crashes in a residential area, just barely missing buildings and a busy intersection. Details on that story ahead.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're right at the half hour. Good morning, once again, I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's a look at what's happening "Now in the News."

First to Iraq where two insurgent strikes north of Baghdad today killed at least 24