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CNN Live Today

Fill Your Tank, Drain Your Wallet; Fugitives in Court

Aired August 12, 2005 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News."
A captured prison escapee and his wife are fighting extradition to Tennessee to face murder charges. George and Jennifer Hyatte appeared in court in Ohio last hour. She's accused of killing a corrections officer to help her husband escape. We'll have a live report from Ohio ahead this hour.

Britain today banned a radical Muslim cleric from returning to the U.K. Omar Bakri Mohammed came under fire for saying Britain was partly to blame for the deadly transit attacks last month. He was identified in Lebanon yesterday, but we're told that officials released him today after an investigation turned up nothing.

A difficult day for families of firefighters killed in the September 11 attacks. This hour, the fire department of New York is releasing hours of radio transmissions and thousands of pages of documents from that day. Three hundred and forty-three firefighters died in the attack on the World Trade Center.

A CIA report says it's not likely that Iran's president was involved in the taking of U.S. hostages in 1979. That's according to government officials, two different government officials.

After he appeared on TV following his election, several former hostages said that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was one of their captors. He and other Iranian officials have denied that allegation.

We are following a developing story of a search and rescue effort in suburban Atlanta. According to a local television affiliate, a man fell into the river at a park in Gwinnett County. Rescuers are on the scene searching for the man. We will keep you updated.

Good morning. Welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY.

Let's check the time around the world. Just after 4:00 p.m. in London; just after 6:00 p.m. in Gaza; and just after 7:00 p.m. in Baghdad.

From CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan.

First up, fill your tank, drain your wallet. The numbers on gas prices, let's take a look.

National average standing at a record $2.41 a gallon. That's about 60 cents more a gallon than last August. An incredible 25 percent surge.

Is this a sign of things to come? Prices are beyond $3 a gallon in some big cities on the east and west coasts. Those numbers right there from San Francisco. That means it takes close to $100 to fill up some large SUVs.

You might want to be sure to fill up today, because AAA is expecting another nickel jump by the time you go to work on Monday.

CNN's J.J. Ramberg is in New York this morning looking at those prices.

J.J., good morning.

J.J. RAMBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

I'm at a gas station here in downtown New York City. You can see the prices here. They're much higher than the national average: $2.87 for just a regular gallon of gas, over $3 for a gallon of super.

Now, I was just talking to one of the customers here who was filling up his tank. I said, "How do you feel about the high gas prices?" And made me stop. He pointed to the screen that shows how much money you owe as you put in your gas.

He said to me, "Look how fast those numbers are moving. I've never seen them move that fast." And he's right, it's really high right now.

But just to put in into perspective, you started talking a little bit about some historical numbers, but we're already up even 2 cents from just yesterday. We're up 10 cents in the past month. And over the past 10 years, we're up almost a dollar.

But then, to give you a perspective on the other side, think, it could be much worse, and actually, in many cases, it is much worse. Look at the prices in Europe that they're paying right now.

In the Netherlands, people pay $6.50 per gallon. It makes us look like we're paying candy bars here. We're really lucky with this $2.87 here in New York City.

In the U.K., it's $5.95. In Germany, it's $5.88.

And I think an even more significant number for people here at home is to look at the domestic high adjusted for inflation. And that was in 1980, and it was $3.12. and we're not quite there yet -- Daryn.

KAGAN: You sounds like you're suggesting we stop our whining, J.J. No, not going to happen. Thank you.

RAMBERG: Stop your whining or stop your driving.

KAGAN: Something. Yes, you're right, stop something. But we're going to keep going here. Pump prices fueled by record oil prices, $66 a barrel. Keep in mind, though, gas is still well below the record when adjusted for inflation, as J.J. was just pointing out.

Brad Proctor is the CEO of gaspricewatch.com. He joins me now from Dayton, Ohio.

Brad, good to see you again.

BRAD PROCTOR, GASPRICEWATCH.COM: Good to be back, Daryn.

KAGAN: Let's start with some good news. Cheapest gas in the country?

PROCTOR: That's going to be $2.12. It's out in Casper, Wyoming.

KAGAN: Ooh.

PROCTOR: Which is a big trucking center out there. So there's a lot of competition that occurs out there.

KAGAN: And we were looking at some numbers from San Francisco, well over $3. Is that the worst place?

PROCTOR: Yes, well, that's one of the worst places. California is always traditionally the highest in the country. We've got a high of $3.39 for regular unleaded in Bridgeport, California.

KAGAN: Whoa! That is just -- just something. Any tips there for how to get around it?

PROCTOR: Well, we would love to you use our Web site.

KAGAN: Right. Well, tell us how your Web site...

PROCTOR: I'm about to...

KAGAN: ... how it works.

PROCTOR: Sure. We've got the -- it's Gaspricewatch.com. What it is, is we've got over 100,000 volunteers out there that are plugging prices in at their local station as they go by, maybe they're on their way home or to work. And they're just trying to help people save a few pennies.

You go to the Web site. You don't have to register if you want to view. We ask if you can put some prices in. It's helpful.

But the idea is you go in, you search, you set the time frame that you want, and away you go. It can save you up to 20 to 25 cents in a given day, and not force you to go too far out of your way. And you can set those limits.

And, you know, the idea is that we're seeing just incredible growth in the prices of this...

KAGAN: Yes.

PROCTOR: ... but, Daryn, the real interesting thing is, the rest of the country is starting to come up to where California's average is. That's the little hidden secret. Where California's average has always been higher, the rest of the nation is starting to pull even with California as a statewide average. And that's been -- that's never happened before.

KAGAN: Well, and see, that's interesting, because I was just talking to some folks. We're here in Atlanta, Georgia. We've always historically been a lot lower.

PROCTOR: Right.

KAGAN: Like if the national average is $2.41, we'd probably be paying low $2. But when I filled up, it was right around $2.40 earlier this week.

How did we come up and join the rest of the gang?

PROCTOR: Well, this is something -- you know, gasoline is just so different than any other product. There are only a few people out there that actually are -- you know, sell the product. So the idea to be able to keep that price moving up, especially in light of world events and $66-a-barrel oil, the industry is basically bringing up across the nation the price to where we're going to be close.

You know, there are going to be those parts of town, like really downtown and New York, or something like that, that are going to be higher. But the national average, we're all going to get closer and closer.

We've passed out here in the Midwest the national average today, which is -- it just doesn't happen. And this is only something we're going to see get worse over the next couple weeks.

You know, our reports are daily. We're showing $2.47 today, which is -- you know, we're not looking at yesterday's data, we're looking at today's data. And we're going to see that climb up through Labor Day, and that's going to continue. So any chance you can do to save a few pennies here and there, try to do it.

KAGAN: All right. We'll do that by checking gaspricewatch.com.

Brad Proctor, thank you. Good to see you.

Well, we're always trying to provide some perspective for our viewers. So when it comes to gas prices, it would be wise to keep things in proportion. So, we want to look at some facts that you might want to consider before you decide to completely sell your car.

When you adjust for inflation -- and we were talking about this -- today's average national prices still have not broken any records. In today's dollars, the average price per gallon of gas in 1975 would be $2.05. Not so bad. But prices peaked in 1981. That's when gas averaged what would now be $2.90 a gallon. That is the record right now. That trend eventually reversed, though. In 1998, you might recall, gas prices dipped in today's dollars, costing only about $1.22 per gallon.

Another interesting comparison, U.S. prices against those overseas. And this is something J.J. was talking about.

If you were in the Netherlands, you'd be paying $6.48 per gallon. In Ireland, the price is $4.78. In Russia, it's actually a little bit cheaper, at $2.10 a gallon. Venezuela, apparently the place to be, for gas, at least. Not a typo. Twelve cents per gallon there.

Our final facts to put gas prices in perspective. The cost of what other popular consumers items would be per gallon, Evian water would be about $5.60 a gallon if based on the price of a bottle. Starbucks coffee, $32 per gallon. And real maple syrup, more than $57.

So if gas prices have you thinking about hitting the bottle, check out what Jack Daniels would be. Oh goodness. $57 -- oh, no, Jack Daniels more than $100 per gallon, $101.

And finally one you might not have thought of, nasal spray. A gallon of nasal spray, $2,615 per gallon.

A little bit of ways to go before gas is costing that much. Got to look at it differently.

Soaring oil prices are causing problems not just at the -- for drivers, but the jet fuel pump as well. Several U.S. airlines are tacking on a $10 to $20 fee on domestic fares. And carrier space, unprecedented fuel shortages.

Some airport fuel supplies have nearly dried up, but airline executives say carriers haven't had to cancel flights, make extra fill-up stops, or fly below minimum fuel requirements. They say passenger traffic is climbing above pre-9/11 levels.

So how high are -- how are these oil prices playing out on Wall Street? For that, let's check in with Chris Huntington for a look at the New York Stock Exchange -- Chris.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: They have been called the modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. The husband and wife, former fugitives, they both were in court today. We were watching these hearings live on CNN in the last hour. We'll have a live update for you on what happened.

A young teacher is sentenced for having sex with one of her 13- year-old students, but some are wondering, does her punishment fit the crime? We'll give you the facts and let you decide.

Plus, a drug that may have saved the life of a little girl, the manufacturer isn't making it anymore. We'll tell you why in today's "Daily Dose" of health news. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A captured prison escapee and his wife are fighting extradition to Tennessee to face first-degree murder charges. George and Jennifer Hyatte appeared in court in Columbus, Ohio, last hour. You saw the hearing live here on CNN.

Also live from Columbus, Ohio, our Alina Cho.

Alina, good morning again.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again to you, Daryn.

The lawyer for Jennifer Hyatte spoke to reporters a moment ago. And when asked, "Why bother fighting extradition in this case when it is a done deal?" John Sprote (ph) responded, "It is not a done deal. And nothing in this business is."

He says his client, Jennifer Hyatte, and George Hyatte, for that matter, have every right to exercise all of their legal options. And they will.

Now, essentially what this means is this: the state of Tennessee will now have to present a warrant for arrest and present that warrant to the governor of Ohio here. The lawyer, John Sprote (ph), also spoke on the matter of guilt or innocence. He said that that is for a court to decide in Tennessee.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE HYATTE, DEFENDANT: No. Just do whatever my wife did.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You do not want to waive extradition at this time?

HYATTE: Whatever my wife did, that's what I want to do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He does not wish to waive at this time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: Jennifer Hyatte was the first to appear in court today, looking, as you can tell, visibly different from those photos we have seen all throughout the week. Her hair much shorter and darker.

She -- here's the reason why she would fight extradition. Essentially, the state of Tennessee will now have to present evidence that the woman you saw in court today, Jennifer Hyatte, is the same Jennifer Hyatte that is being sought in the murder of a corrections officer in Tennessee. She remained silent in the court today. Quite a different story for her husband, George Hyatte.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, she is obviously concerned about the severity of these charges. She's innocent until proven guilty of every element of the offense. I know nothing about the underlying case.

I've been appointed to represent her in the extradition proceeding. The matter of guilt or innocence is for a jury eventually in Tennessee.

She was expecting today that -- that we would challenge the extradition, and that she understood that I was going to be asking for a bond on her behalf. But she was aware of the fact that, in all likelihood, there would either be no bond or a high bond.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: And that was the attorney for Jennifer Hyatte, John Sprote (ph).

Initially, we should mention, Daryn, as you know, George Hyatte was going to waive extradition. He was willing to go back in Ohio, but as you saw there in court, he was visibly agitated, breathing heavily, and ultimately decided that he would do what his wife wanted to do.

And so, ultimately, what that means is this couple will be here together, at least in Columbus. They are both being held at the Franklin County Jail. And the next hearing is scheduled for September 8 here at the federal courthouse at 9:00 a.m. -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Alina Cho, live from Columbus, Ohio. Thank you.

The funeral service, by the way, for the corrections officer who was shot and killed during the escape is today. That service for Officer Wayne Morgan will be held this afternoon in Wartburg, Tennessee. Family members describe Morgan as a deeply religious man who was a deacon and member of his church choir.

He was 56 years old. He was married with two children and two grandchildren.

So, what do we know about the woman accused of gunning down this corrections officer? Neighbors say that Jennifer Hyatte was obsessed with the prison inmate that she is accused of springing in that violent ambush.

CNN's Adaora Udoji delves into Mrs. Hyatte's history before she became a murder suspect.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This is the question about Jennifer Hyatte: how in the world did she go from a mother and nurse in Utah to the center of a murderous jail break in Tennessee?

ELI GOURDIN, HYATTE'S EX-HUSBAND: Obviously, something has happened to where she's changed, because she's not the person -- that's not the person that I was married to. UDOJI: That's Eli Gourdin, Hyatte's ex-husband, the father of her three children, and a long, long way from where she is now.

GOURDIN: She was a loving mother, she was a loving wife. She did -- she did everything for me.

UDOJI: Gourdin was her high school sweetheart. They married out of school and had two boys and a girl, the oldest now 12.

Five years ago, their marriage was crumbling and they divorced. Hyatte moved on to nursing and this school in Tennessee with her kids. She graduated last year, passed the state boards and earned a nursing license.

What came next is the strange turn that led to where she is today. A nursing agency sent her to work at a prison, the Northwest Correctional Complex, where she met and would eventually fall for George Hyatte, a violent and habitual criminal.

GOURDIN: I really think it's his influence.

UDOJI: In fact, she smuggled food into Hyatte and was caught and then fired last November. Then in May, just three months ago, they tied the knot in a prison visitor's room.

(on camera): Another strange twist, officials in Tennessee now say it appears Jennifer was still married to her second husband, a truck driver, the day she married the convict. It turns out the divorce did not come through until several days later. And that takes us to the next question: how could the couple plan the escape?

(voice over): Remember, prison officials thought the couple was married, but because of the food incident denied them visiting rights. Officially, they could only write letters or talk on the phone, all of it monitored.

But one of Jennifer's neighbors says somehow the two spent marathon sessions on cell phones every night. And like all prisoners, Hyatte was prohibited from having a cell phone.

Is that how they conceived the plan?

MICHAEL WINGERT, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR: This would be what, I think, what they would consider to be out of character. I mean, she has no criminal history, no prior indication that she was capable of an act such as this, you know, if, in fact, she committed it.

UDOJI: So that is the question, how in the world did Jennifer Hyatte get to center stage in the bloody breakout?

Adaora Udoji, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Perhaps you've seen the documentary "Super Size Me." In that case, one man gained a whole bunch of weight eating a lot of food from McDonald's. Well, some now trying to prove him wrong. We'll tell you that story just head.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A former P.E. teacher is spending her first day in prison for getting physical with a student. Twenty-eight-year-old Pamela Rogers pleaded no contest to sexual battery. She'll spend nine months behind bars in Tennessee.

Rogers was accused of having sex with a 13-year-old boy in the school gymnasium, as well as at his home. She could have served 16 years if convicted at trial. She is barred from working as a teacher again.

To New York. The rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral is out of a job today. Monsignor Eugene Clark resigned after he was accused of being the other man in a divorce case. The 79-year-old priest is accused of carrying on with his secretary. A private investigator allegedly taped the pair entering and leaving a hotel. Despite the resignation, Clark denies that affair.

On to weather news now. Tropical Storm Irene is expected to grow to a hurricane this weekend. Irene has 60-mile-an-hour winds, and it looks like it is making a beeline for the East Coast. Westerly winds are expected to pick up the storm and steer it back out to the Atlantic next week.

What other weather news is out there? Rob Marciano is checking on that for us.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: The story ahead of a woman whose son died fighting in Iraq. She wants the president to pull out U.S. troops. Cindy Sheehan is camped outside the president's Crawford ranch and wants to talk to Mr. Bush. So far, no luck.

Will a fund-raiser be her chance for a run-in with the president? We'll tell you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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