Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Search on for Doctor Accused of Killing Wife; Police Arrest Girlfriend

Aired July 19, 2001 - 09:07   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A woman beaten to death, her ex-husband accused and on the run, and their two little boys caught in a custody struggle -- those are the elements of another high-profile case that started here in the Atlanta area. Investigators say Dr. Eric Wooten killed his ex-wife last week and took off with their two boys. On Saturday, Wooten's parents, in Washington, turned the boys over to authorities, and now relatives on both sides want custody. Meanwhile, police are still looking for Dr. Wooten, and they have arrested a woman who claims to be his girlfriend.

Keith Whitney of our Atlanta affiliate WXIA has those details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEITH WHITNEY, WXIA REPORTER (voice-over): Tonight, Althea Renee Caesar is in the Clayton County Jail for allegedly lying to detectives looking for Dr. Eric Wooten. Police say Caesar is Eric's girlfriend.

CAPT. JIM CROCKERT, FOREST PARK, GEORGIA, POLICE: Mrs. Caesar made false statements during the course of the interview which hindered the investigation of the murder of Phyllis Wooten and the apprehension of Dr. Eric Wooten. Members of the Clayton County Sheriff's Fugitive Task Force arrested Mrs. Caesar at 3386 Mount Zion Road.

WHITNEY: Caesar's apartment is not far from apartment complex where Wooten's car was found. Police want to know if Wooten stayed here with her and if she helped him. If so, she could be facing felonies.

CROCKERT: Those charges could be considered very shortly depending on her ability to cooperate and her ability to participate with the investigators and provide them all the information. But she did identify herself as Dr. Wooten's girlfriend. She may that very clear.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: That report from Keith Whitney of our affiliate WXIA.

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