Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Helder Makes First Court Appearance

Aired May 09, 2002 - 09:03   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: "Up Front" this morning, the pipe bomb suspect allegedly makes a confession, and some new details are beginning to emerge that show how investigators quickly nabbed their man. The suspect, now in custody, made his first court appearance yesterday.

And here is CNN's Martin Savidge with the very latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Three days after his 21st birthday, Luke John Helder was in custody and facing enough federal charges to put him in prison for the remainder of his adult life. But that didn't seem to phase Helder. Authorities say he was smiling and downright polite.

DENNIS BALAAM, WASHOE COUNTY SHERIFF: He didn't appear to be remorseful. But, again, you know, he wasn't despondent, very cooperative...

SAVIDGE: Helder is accused of a five-day, five-state mailbox bombing spree that wounded six people, while leaving behind anti- government notes. Less than 24 hours after his arrest, and dressed in orange from head to toe, Helder calmly faced a federal judge. His answers: equally casual. When asked if he understood if any statements he made could be used against him, Helder told the judge, "For sure."

A federal prosecutor said Helder has admitted he is the pipe bomber.

CRAIG DENNEY, ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY: He did acknowledge to the agents about him actually leaving the 18 explosive devices at the locations.

SAVIDGE: When the prosecution described to the judge how the bombs were made, Helder rolled his eyes. His public defender said Helder should be turned over to his parents while awaiting trial. But Judge Robert McQuaid turned it down, buying the government's argument Helder is a risk to the community and to himself.

The prosecution said Helder had a loaded shotgun in his car when arrested. DENNEY: The information that the defendant provided to agents after his arrest was that he had purchased the shotgun to possibly end his life.

SAVIDGE: In the end, the judge ordered Helder to remain behind bars and move to Cedar Rapids in Iowa, the first of a growing list of states to file charges against the birthday bomber.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: And during that hearing, the judge may have inadvertently outlined what could become the eventual defense of Helder, saying that the 21-year-old apparently had some mental health problems. Last night, in the middle of the night here in Reno, Nevada, the parents of Luke Helder arrived. You will remember that it was Cameron Helder, his father, who made that emotional plea asking for his son to get in contact with the authorities.

We now know through documents from the FBI that it was also Cameron who eventually fingered his son, believing that he was involved in the bombing spree. And, you could also imagine how painful it is for the family. Yesterday, Luke was so concerned how his family was feeling after his arrest, he wanted to talk to them on the phone to find out if they were still standing with him. They said that they were, and now apparently have turned those words into action -- Paula.

ZAHN: I guess here is what I don't understand this morning: this is a young guy that was stopped three times in three different states. Once for speeding, once for having an expired driver's license, once for not wearing a seat belt. And no one arrested him. Why?

SAVIDGE: Well, we don't know exactly why. He was stopped first in the state of Nebraska shortly after Saturday morning -- about 12:17 -- for speeding. Apparently the arresting officer, or the officer that stopped him, said that Luke said, "Well, you know, I didn't mean to hurt anybody." The officer had no idea what he was talking about. He said, "Look, I stopped you for speeding." He eventually let him go.

Then he stopped in Oklahoma, this time for not wearing his seat belt. He was let go even though his driver's license was expired. And then, 26 hours later, stopped in Colorado, again for speeding. The officer said his eyes were watery and he looked like he was about to cry. But, again, he let him go.

It should be pointed out the FBI, at that point, had not put out an APB, an all points bulletin, so no one really knew that he was a suspect in the case. But, if those officers had had any reason to search his vehicle, they would have found a lot of evidence inside, Paula.

ZAHN: Yeah, what exactly would they have found, Martin?

SAVIDGE: Well, we are being told by the FBI that when he was stopped eventually and caught, they found six bombs inside the vehicle. Two weapons, including that loaded shotgun -- Paula.

ZAHN: Wow. All right. Martin Savidge, thanks for the update. Appreciate it.

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