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Duke Rape Allegations; Price at the Pump; New Orleans Voting

Aired April 11, 2006 - 10:58   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go live to Durham, North Carolina, right now. This is the event at North Carolina Central University. Officials answering questions about the investigation into rape allegations on the Duke campus.
MICHAEL DIFONG, DURHAM COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Ms. Evans (ph) actually made a lot more sense than all those attorneys. Her comment is about the absence of the DNA. It doesn't mean nothing happened. It just means nothing was left behind, which is the case in 75 to 80 percent of all sexual assaults.

(APPLAUSE)

DIFONG: DNA results can often be helpful. But, you know, I've been doing this a long time, and for most of the years I've been doing this we didn't have DNA. We had to deal with sexual assault cases the good old-fashioned way: witnesses got on the stand and told what happened to them. And the thing about DNA is not only it's -- that it can point the finger to who the guilty people are, but it can also tell us who the guilty people are not.

And it's important to remember that there are 46 members of the Duke University lacrosse team who were asked to submit to giving samples for DNA testing, and only three of those people are alleged to have been involved in the assault. So, until we identify all three of those people, that means that some of these young men are going to be walking around under a cloud where innocent people are being thought that perhaps they're guilty just because of their association.

And, you know, part of the job of being the district attorney is not just convicting the guilty. Part of the job is freeing the innocent. And we always need to be aware of the fact that being associated with a particular group does not acquaint to guilt.

I have been criticized by both sides of this case. There have been people who said that I should have given this case up a long time ago, and there are people who said that I should have already indicted, moved to get somebody with some charges. The fact is that this case is proceeding the way a case should proceed.

I am trying to determine exactly what the evidence is that we have to proceed on and to assemble that evidence before anyone is charged. But as I said earlier, I assure you by my presence here this case is not over.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you so much, Dr. Hammond (ph), for inviting me to this gathering today.

As he suggested, North Carolina Central University falls within the jurisdiction of the second ward. It is my privilege to serve as the ward representative on the city council, and I want to use this opportunity to echo the remarks of our mayor to commend the students here at North Carolina Central University and also at Duke University.

KAGAN: We've been listening to an event being held at North Carolina Central University. Officials, including the district attorney there in Durham, talking about the latest development in this -- these allegations of rape on the Duke campus.

Earlier yesterday, actually, defense attorneys for lacrosse players came out and said there were no DNA matches, but as we just heard the district attorney say, his investigation goes on. As he said, just because there was nothing left behind, doesn't mean that nothing happened. And he said in the majority of rape cases that is the situation.

So he will continue to go on and continue to investigate, as he said, the old-fashioned, as they used to do before they had DNA results. These results are raising new questions, though, in the Duke rape case.

And to get more on what's happening on the Duke campus, we want to welcome on the phone Seyward Darby. She is the editor of the Duke's campus newspaper, "The Chronicle."

Seyward, good to talk with you again.

SEYWARD DARBY, EDITOR, "THE CHRONICLE": Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: So this came out yesterday, these -- this information from the defense attorneys, saying, hey, DNA tests from all these players not a match.

What was the reaction on campus?

DARBY: Right. Well, it was in the middle of our daily budget meeting at the newspaper. So we had to basically scrap everything that we had planned at that moment and went into overdrive, sending people out to talk to as many people on campus as we possibly could. And there are mixed reactions.

A lot of students say that they're pretty relieved, that they kind of figured that this was going to be the outcome because they didn't think that the lacrosse players had done it. And, of course, no student wants to see any fellow student charged for such a heinous crime. So people said, you know, they were relieved to finally hear the tangible proof about the DNA.

Other students are saying -- in agreement with what the district attorney has been saying, that this doesn't mean that this is the end of the case, that he has asserted that he has evidence that he's going to be forward with and that this is just a setback but that this will continue.

Other students are saying they still have no idea whether they think the players are innocent or guilty and are just still kind of waiting it out to see what the district attorney is going to say next.

KAGAN: Seyward, no matter what happens with this case, does this just shine a light on bigger issues taking place on the Duke campus and there in Durham as well?

DARBY: That's what a lot of people have been saying when we've talked to them for the paper. Even yesterday, when we were asking people about the results from the DNA tests, some people said, you know, well, even if these tests are back and even there's a quick resolution legally to this entire situation, it's just opened different wounds in terms of racial issues, class issues, the relationship between Duke and Durham, and that these are broader issues that are have to be addressed over time. And that's something that the university has said it's taken note of.

President Richard Brodhead has formed several committees to examine the culture not only of sports, but also just a personal responsibility and student life on campus. And, of course, students have mixed feelings about that, because a lot of people say, you know, how much can a committee or an initiative actually do, how tangible is that going to be? But I guess, you know, that will remain to be seen at this point.

KAGAN: But what about the lacrosse team, the team's status right now?

DARBY: Well, yesterday, when the results came out, we sent a reporter over to where several of them live, and we also tried to get someone on the phone with them. And at the section on campus in a dormitory where several of them live they asked the reporter to leave and said, "No comment."

We did get one player on the phone, Matt Dinowski (ph). He's one of the standout players on the team. He's a junior. And essentially, all he said was, "We knew that this was going to happen. We've been claiming our innocence all along."

And so no surprise there for them.

KAGAN: It is busy times there on the Duke campus. Are you able to fit in your classes and your studying, Seyward?

DARBY: You know, I've been going to class. But in terms of the studying and the getting done of work, it's going to be a fun last week of this semester making sure I get everything done.

KAGAN: All right. We'll explain that to -- we'll write a note to your parents if the grades don't turn out to be what you had hoped.

DARBY: You know, my parents are understanding. It's the professors you have to worry about. My parents are standing by me. So...

KAGAN: Ah, OK. All right, Seyward. Well, thanks for making time for us. I know you do have this busy schedule.

DARBY: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: Seyward Darby, editor of "The Chronicle" on the Duke campus.

Thank you.

Now we have breaking news out of Pakistan. Tony Harris has that for us -- Tony.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, I just want to get this to you as quickly as we could, Daryn.

A developing story, breaking news, as you mentioned, out of Karachi, Pakistan. Hundreds of people were praying in a park when a bomb went off killing at least 32. That -- that figure has actually gone up in the last couple of minutes. It was initially 20, now 32 confirmed dead. Dozens more injured.

The people were praying during a celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birth. Obviously, an act of terrorism. No group has taken responsibility as of yet.

We'll continue to follow this story. Once again, at least 32 dead as a result of bombing in Karachi, Pakistan -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Tony. Thank you for that.

HARRIS: Certainly.

KAGAN: Well, spring break is over here in the U.S. Now the time to put a few final touches on your summer travel plans.

You definitely will want to save more money just to pay for the gasoline. For whatever you had last summer, add at least a quarter, a quarter, 25 cents for each gallon of gasoline.

The national average for regular unleaded is predicted to be $2.62 this summer. The exact price hike will depend on where you live. Some of us could easily see $3 a gallon. A bad summer storm season could send prices even higher than that.

Let's check out some of the pump prices right now. The Lundberg Survey found that the lowest average price in Salt Lake City was 2.28 a gallon. In Chicago, it's almost 50 cents more per gallon. The national average is hovering at $2.67.

So we want to know and you want to know what's going on here.

Let's bring in Brad Proctor, founder of gaspricewatch.com.

Brad, good morning. BRAD PROCTOR, GASPRICEWATCH.COM: Good morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: So, I went to fill up the other day, suddenly gas prices were up, like, 17 cents a gallon here in Atlanta. I think it hit like $2.68 or $2.69.

What's going on right now?

PROCTOR: It's happening all across the country. And we're about a month early than we normally would for the summer changeover for fuels.

We're seeing a big rise nationally because of some of the fear and uncertainty that's occurring in countries like Nigeria and Iran. You know, yesterday with talk of nuclear options and -- this market is really reacting to that with the futures prices.

We also see the EPA is starting to step in. On May 5th, we're going to have to take all the NTBE out of our gasoline. And that's requiring all the ethanol that will be brought in to replace it be brought in by railcars and barges, which is really an inefficient way to get this down to the refineries.

So, there's a lot of things that are starting to pull together at the wrong time of the year when we start to consume more gasoline.

KAGAN: What are you thinking this summer, like how bad?

PROCTOR: Oh, I think we'll easily see -- we're -- you know, they're predicting $2.62. Well, we're above that already for the summer.

KAGAN: Right.

PROCTOR: We'll see at least another 25 cents between now and the summer months. We'll probably go very close to $3 over the Memorial Day Weekend and same with the Labor Day Weekend, which we saw last year.

KAGAN: Your Web site is not just about information. It's about solutions. So what are some tips you can give folks?

PROCTOR: Well, a couple of things we can do is, one, is use our Web site, gaspricewatch.com. We have 140,000 volunteers who are out there putting in prices across the country when they pass them. So maybe you can make a little better informed decision whether to buy by work or at home, on your way to work or on the way home.

Other things are, you know, try to really consolidate your trips. If we can reduce how much gasoline we consume, that will put an excess gasoline into the inventory, which means price gets lower because competition falls in. So, really, try to go only once to the store a week, try to go only once to the -- you know, to shopping.

Really consolidate these things. Carpool with your friends when they're -- if you're in the soccer leagues. Really try to save even 10 percent. If this nation was able to save 10 percent, it would drive the cost down immediately of what we pay at the pumps.

KAGAN: Bring down the demand and it will bring down the price. Kind of Econ -- Econ 101.

PROCTOR: Absolutely.

KAGAN: Brad, thank you.

Brad Proctor from gaspricewatch.com.

PROCTOR: Thank you.

KAGAN: Want to take another look at just what you're paying for gas and how the prices compare to last year. A fact check now from Tony Harris.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS (voice over): A poll released in the first week of April 2005 found gas prices were causing financial hardship for a majority of Americans. At that time, gas prices had soared about 19 cents in three weeks, with the average price for a gallon at $2.32.

The highest average price in the nation one year ago was in Bakersfield, California, at $2.62 a gallon. Still lower than our current average. That hike was blamed on lingering high crude oil prices, growing demand and higher refining cost. Two weeks later, the Lundberg Survey found gas prices had declined by nearly 4.5 cents thanks to a drop in crude oil prices and slightly lower demand.

By the end of April 2005, the average had fallen to $2.27 per gallon. Many motorists are likely hoping history repeats itself at the pumps.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: There's a new reality show. It stars junk food as the boogie man.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're killing your kids.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Ahead, a look into the future, and it's not a pretty picture.

And they're on the road again. Hurricane Katrina evacuees spent hours on a bus just to cast a ballot. An update on early voting for the New Orleans mayor.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We were listening in to this event at North Central -- North Carolina Central University. Officials in Durham, North Carolina, answering questions about the investigation into allegations of rape between the Duke lacrosse players and a student at this university.

Just a few minutes ago, this exchange took place with a student. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm angry at two groups. And unfortunately, the Duke lacrosse team isn't one of them. I feel sorrow and pity for them. Who I'm angry with, first of all, are those who choose to blame the victim.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been asked repeatedly as a student leader why I haven't spoken on this subject. Because like the district attorney, I've been waiting for facts to come out. I've been waiting to understand what the investigation is. But as I talked to my mentor, we discovered that there is a climate across campus that too many people are blaming the victim.

No one, male or female, heterosexual or homosexual, deserves to be assaulted, sodomized...

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... raped, abused or beaten. And anyone that would take the position that this is her fault, shame on you.

The second group that I'm most upset with are all these people with cameras and all these people with notepads, because the press has disrespected this young lady. You have...

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have minimalized my sister to a stripper and an exotic dancer. She walks this campus every day going to class trying to provide for her family. You don't identify her as a mother. You don't identify her as a student. You don't identify her as a woman.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Let's go live back to the event taking place right now on the campus of North Carolina Central University.

NIFONG: This is about doing justice for the victim in this case, and this is about doing justice for people who might have the finger pointed at them when they did not do anything themselves to cause this. And I'm talking about the Duke lacrosse team here.

What I would say to my constituents is, I'm proud that I live in Durham. I'm proud, as is Mayor Bell and Councilman Clement, to have seen the response of this campus and the Duke University campus, and everybody saying living in Durham, this is not Durham, and we are not going to let these things happen here. But other than being proud to be in Durham, and other than seeing the need for justice to be done in this, as in every case, it really doesn't have anything at all to do with the election.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And as for what the Duke student government is doing, our approach has been twofold to this point. First of all, it's important for us to step back and allow, again, the justice system to work out and find the truth. So we can't really act on specifics, because we don't know what the facts are.

So, initially, we came out -- it was almost ironic that the events over the last three weeks were concurrent with the Duke Sexual Assault Prevention Week. So we came out with a statement against any and all sexual assault supporting both the victims and trying to educate as to who could possibly be future victims of potential assaults.

Secondly, we've tried to foster a relationship with the NCCU students. I met with Renee Clark (ph), and we're trying to identify ways in which we can continue, again, to have the meaningful dialogue surrounding the event so we can make progress. Obviously, as more facts come out in the future and the justice system does its work, we will have a third approach.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Thank you.

KAGAN: A number of officials on the dais there as they address the student body at North Carolina Central University.

Earlier, we heard from the district attorney, Mike Nifong, where he addressed the defense attorneys who have come out and said that there is no DNA match. He said just because there's nothing left behind does not mean necessarily that there was no sexual assault that took place. And he says his investigation does continue.

More live from Durham in just a moment.

Now on to Hurricane Katrina evacuees. They are arriving by the busload. The election is 11 days off, but some New Orleans residents are already standing in line to vote for the city's next mayor.

That story from Ed Reams with our affiliate WDSU.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED REAMS, REPORTER, WDSU (voice over): It was a long 8-hour bus ride from Atlanta to New Orleans, but for these folks it only cost $10. It was just one of the shuttles Acorn provided to allow people to cast their ballot on the first day of early voting.

Elaine Peters says it's ant important first step in getting back home.

ELAINE PETERS, KATRINA EVACUEE: We miss New Orleans. And the terrain is different. The food is different. The people aren't as friendly as the people are here. We miss everything about New Orleans.

DEBRA JOSEPH, KATRINA EVACUEE: And so I didn't know anything about they were coming to New Orleans.

REAMS: Debra Joseph drove in from Houston unaware of the shuttles being offered. She didn't know what to expect when she got to city hall, but wasn't really surprised to see long lines. She says it's important to be part of the process.

JOSEPH: If the right person gets elected that will be able to heal the city and provide quality leadership for the city, that's very important to me. And so I have to vote so I can put that person in office, at least have a part in putting that person in office.

REAMS: Roxanne Smith is already back home. She's prepared for long lines and has a portable stool with her at all times. She knows who she's voting for, so she's getting it out of the way and says she's tired of all the negativity about this election.

ROXANNE SMITH, NEW ORLEANS RESIDENT: I think that, you know, people can talk and gossip, but don't open your mouth if you don't come do it. Don't open your mouth. Don't argue. You know, keep it to yourself. I don't want to hear nothing you have to say if you don't go and vote.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: That report was from Ed Reams from our affiliate WDSU.

Katrina evacuees can vote by mail, but many say they want to cast their ballots in person.

Well, did you hear the one about the older woman crossing the street? It took so long she got a ticket. It's true. We'll have that story for you just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: More on this developing story out of Pakistan. Tony Harris has details for us -- Tony.

HARRIS: That's right, Daryn.

First pictures coming in of that bombing in Karachi, Pakistan, we want to show you. Hundreds of people, mostly Sunni Muslims, were praying in a park when a bomb went off killing at least 32 -- 32 is the number now. Dozens more were injured.

And take a look at this scene. Worshippers running for cover, running to help victims. The people were praying during a celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birth. And obviously, an act of terrorism, but so far no group has taken responsibility.

And yes, as we speak, the death toll is expected to rise. It is at 32 now. And something to keep in mind, sectarian violence is as much an issue in Pakistan as it is in Iraq. And obviously, Daryn, we will keep an eye on this developing story out of Karachi, Pakistan.

KAGAN: All right. Tony, thank you for that.

Now a story you might believe or not. It happened in Los Angeles.

An 82-year-old woman received a traffic ticket. This woman. Now, why? Because she took too long to cross the street.

It happened in L.A. We've all been frustrated at one time or another with those pedestrian crossing signs. Don't walk, it lasts forever, while walk flashes just by a few seconds. Well, that is exactly what happened to Mayvis Coyle. That's what she -- how she explains it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYVIS COYLE, FINED FOR OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC: I can't make it across in the amount of time that the light is set for. I understand it's seven seconds.

SGT. MIKE ZABOSKI, LOS ANGELES POLICE: The violation had nothing to do with the time it took to cross the street. The ticket is strictly for stepping off the curb illegally against a traffic control -- pedestrian control saying not to.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Coyle's ticket, $114. Her story is raising questions. L.A. traffic officials have been asked to study the issue of elderly pedestrians.

Susan Lisovicz, what do you think of the older woman, she's there in L.A., it takes her too long to cross the street.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, the people's vote is definitely with Mayvis. I mean, she's on a fixed income, probably -- $114 for walking probably prudently across the street. Usually you hear the motorists are the ones who are acting up.

KAGAN: Yes.

LISOVICZ: They're the ones who are impatient.

KAGAN: We're sending love out to Mayvis Coyle this morning.

LISOVICZ: That's right. Our lights, by the way, are much more pedestrian friendly on this coast, Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, we'll pass that information on to Mayvis if she calls in.

Hey, let's talk some business news.

(BUSINESS REPORT)

LISOVICZ: And that's it from Wall Street, Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Susan. Thank you.

On to a very messy scene. A wall of mud destroying one Utah home and forcing at least 15 families to evacuate. A 4-year-old girl suffered a broken leg when the mud burst into her home and knocked her against the wall.

More evidence of the mudslide's power. The family's vehicles were pushed out the garage, breaking the doors. Officials believe a swollen retention pond became saturated, sending water over the top.

Plenty of soggy scenes like that in the West -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Crazy video there.

KAGAN: Yes.

MYERS: I mean, it was just one little chute that went straight down that mountain. But as soon as you get that land that's completely saturated, and then it rains on top of it, Daryn, it almost becomes -- it almost becomes like a Slip N' Slide. You know, the kids use it on the grass.

KAGAN: Yes, I know Slip N' Slide.

MYERS: Slip N' Slide, and that's what happened to the dirt. It actually ends up slipping and sliding on itself. And so you have to be very careful.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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