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American Morning
Ohio Sniper Arrest; Marcus Wesson Case; '90-Second Pop'
Aired March 18, 2004 - 07:30 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, 7:30 here in New York. Good morning, welcome back here to AMERICAN MORNING. Good to have you with us.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get started with our 'Top Stories' first thing this morning, more violence in Iraq. We just learned about 15 minutes ago about a car bombing in Basra. These pictures, take a look at them, just coming in to CNN. Wire reports now saying at least five people dead, four men, one boy.
We're going to provide more details on this story as soon as we get it. This, of course, follows a deadly suicide bombing at a central Baghdad hotel yesterday. The U.S. military is now revising the death toll downward in that attack to 17 people killed. Iraqi police, though, are saying that six people are dead in that attack.
President Bush meeting today with troops at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The president expected to send -- say thanks, rather, to some 20,000 troops that recently returned from Iraq. The visit comes just a day before the one-year anniversary of the war in Iraq.
A county in Tennessee is essentially asking state lawmakers to ban homosexuals from living there. County commissioners voted unanimously yesterday to ask Tennessee lawmakers to amend the state law so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes against nature. Gay marriages are already prohibited in Tennessee.
And singer Courtney Love's wild night has landed her in some more trouble this morning after baring herself during an appearance on "The Late Show With David Letterman." Take a look at this. That's nice. She was then later after that arrested. Did that a couple of times, actually. Nearly fell off the table several times as well.
She was arrested at a New York city nightclub. Police say she threw the mike and the stand, hit a clubgoer in the head. She has been charged now with reckless endangerment. And the victim has said he is interested in suing, and he has been treated for minor head injuries.
HEMMER: That list just keeps going on and on, doesn't it?
O'BRIEN: Well she has got the other court battle going on...
HEMMER: Right.
O'BRIEN: ... as well for drug charges that has been postponed because she has fired her attorney. Why do I know all this? I mean I don't follow this at all.
HEMMER: T stands for trouble and it follows that woman everywhere. She -- that wasn't an original idea, though, was it Drew Barrymore did that first, right, on Letterman?
O'BRIEN: Everyone bares their breasts to Dave. Like what's that about?
HEMMER: Go figure.
Here's Chad Myers at the CNN Center.
I think you could have a worse job.
Hey, Chad, good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I am just wondering if celebrities are acting worse than they ever have or are we just reporting it more, because there's just so much now in the news?
O'BRIEN: Why do I -- it's a good question, because why...
HEMMER: Sounds like an e-mail question?
O'BRIEN: ... do I know so much about Courtney Love? I don't have -- couldn't tell you what she sings.
MYERS: All right.
O'BRIEN: You're right -- Chad.
MYERS: Right. Yes, I know.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: Back to Vegas now, the suspect arrested in connection with two dozen Ohio highway shootings expected in court tomorrow for an extradition hearing back to Columbus. Charles McCoy Jr. surrendered to authorities without incident early Wednesday in Vegas.
Police Sergeant Ray Reyes who was part of the team that captured the fugitive. The sergeant is with us from Vegas to talk about this this morning.
Good morning to you, and we appreciate your time. I understand he's been questioned already. Is he cooperating -- sir?
SGT. RAY REYES, LAS VEGAS POLICE DEPT.: Right now, sir, I am not privy to that part of the investigation, because he went with the CAT Team, the joint task force with the FBI, and they have done all their questioning. And I assume with Ohio authorities as well. So right now that's -- I am not privy to -- with that information.
HEMMER: All right, I understand that's out of your jurisdiction. Totally respect that. Let's talk about the witness yesterday who turned him in. Conrad Malsom, a Las Vegas resident, said he called police repeatedly time after time before they believed his story. Why was he not believable in the beginning?
REYES: Well, to be quite honest with you, when I made contact with Mr. Malsom, I thought he was very believable. I don't know whom Mr. Malsom had made contact with prior to me, but when I met with him, he had a printout from the Internet with the name of the suspect, a description of his vehicle, a picture. And with that information, I, in turn, verified it. And upon verifying it, Mr. Malsom turned out to be absolutely correct.
This suspect, Mr. McCoy, was staying in an apartment complex adjacent to where I had met him. We determined he was in Building B1038 of the Budget Suites. At that point, officers from my squad, South Central 12 and South Central Area Command, we positioned our vehicles in the strategic locations whereby if the suspect were to return, he would not be able to see us.
And then we summoned the Criminal Apprehension Team and the detectives who then were able to set up close to the apartment in a plain clothes capacity. Their expertise is taking dangerous felons into custody in somewhat of a surprise mode. And that's exactly what they did. Now as soon as the suspect returned with his vehicle, he was taken into custody without incident. He offered no resistance.
HEMMER: Yes, sergeant, the witness apparently says there were notes left behind on these betting sheets inside the bar where they were talking beginning with you and you are. Do you now what he was writing?
REYES: Actually, I did take a look at that, but I was -- they were -- they were illegible. I wasn't able to determine exactly what was being written, but those documents were taken into custody by the FBI.
HEMMER: I understand he checked into that hotel under his own name. Does that strike you as a guy who is trying to run and hide?
REYES: You can look at it in many different ways, sir. He may have been on the mind set that he was going to go out in a blaze of glory, and that's what the assumption was for us as officers. Given his history and what he was alleged to have done, we had to treat this as an -- as an incident that had a potential for great danger.
So he could have -- it could have been a point where he wanted to get caught. He could have been suicide by a cop. It could have been a blaze of glory type situation. Or it could have been he wanted to get caught. There's really no way to -- I can't get into his mind.
But I would assume that the way it turned out is probably was best for everybody. Nobody got hurt, no officers hurt. And for that matter, the suspect, this is a person that probably -- I'm sure that the FBI and other investigative authorities are going to -- going to want to speak to him and develop some information as to why he did what he did, or alleged to have done what he has done.
HEMMER: Thank you, sergeant. Ray Reyes is there in Las Vegas. The hearing again tomorrow for extradition back to Columbus. Thank you. Appreciate your time.
REYES: Thanks.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: In Fresno, questions about whether police could have stopped the killing of nine children of Marcus Wesson. Fresno's police chief says his department is investigating whether the family members were shot while police were outside the home trying to negotiate. Meanwhile, Marcus Wesson is due to be arraigned this afternoon.
Kimberly Osias has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He appeared unsure at first, but then Marcus Wesson took charge, asking for another attorney in a move that postponed his arraignment until Thursday.
ELIZABETH EGAN, FRESNO COUNTY D.A.: The court revoked the defendant's bail. He is being held in custody without bail by the Fresno county sheriff.
OSIAS: An electric moment in the courtroom as his son, Marcus Wesson Jr., waved his hand to speak. I love you, dad. I love you, dad, he said. He then was escorted out by deputies.
Earlier this week, another son of Wesson's, Serafino, spoke out.
SERAFINO WESSON, MARCUS WESSON'S SON: I find it hard to believe because he's the best dad anybody could ever have.
OSIAS: Marcus Wesson is accused of shooting to death nine of his other children. Authorities say it's possible some of the younger victims were offspring of an incestuous relationship between Wesson and one or two of his own daughters. Police have not shed light on any motive in the case. Monday night, authorities removed 12 empty caskets from Wesson's home. Coffins Wesson had purchased from an antique store.
ERIC HICKEY, CRIMINOLOGIST, CALIF. STATE UNIV., FRESNO: I think that he had plans for a long time. Once he got those coffins, he knew that at some point they were all going to die. And he may well have been planning his own death as well.
OSIAS (on camera): Marcus Wesson says he wants to find his own legal counsel. As for the district attorney, no word yet as to whether they'll seek the death penalty in this case.
Kimberly Osias, CNN, Fresno, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: If no lawyer appears at Wesson's arraignment this afternoon, the judge will then appoint an attorney to represent him on the murder charges.
HEMMER: Back to our developing story out of Iraq, southern part of the country, the town of Basra, where a car bomb exploded just about 30 minutes ago. The reports continue to trickle in to us here at CNN working this story on the ground in Baghdad.
Also wire reports, Associated Press and Reuters, saying five dead as a result of that car bomb. It exploded, apparently, just as a British military convoy was passing him.
I remember going back a year ago to the war and after the wars, the British, who controls the southern part of Iraq, especially the town of Basra, several other injuries reported. At this point, five dead, four men, one boy, as a result of that car bomb. More when we get it here at CNN.
All this coming, obviously, a day after the big news in Baghdad yesterday when that hotel was blown up with a huge 1,000-pound bomb loaded with strapped ammunition. The death toll, fortunately, as a result of that from yesterday has been lowered. Originally it was 29 about an hour ago, now it's down to 17. This, however, a completely different incident on the day after. And bear in mind tomorrow, March 19, marks one day -- one year, rather, to the day when the war began in Iraq.
O'BRIEN: There are wire reports say -- that say that the owner of the car apparently was seen parking the car and walked away just moments before the car exploded. And apparently residents in the area took him into custody, and I believe he is in custody at this time.
HEMMER: Fresh pictures. The first time we have seen him ourselves. We'll watch it for you. That story out of Basra in southern Iraq.
O'BRIEN: Yes, we're just trying to see.
Still to come this morning on AMERICAN MORNING, the way that a city reacts to a terror attack, like the ones in Basra or Baghdad or Madrid, can be critical. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is going to join us in the next hour to talk about that.
HEMMER: Also in a much lighter note today, Jessica Simpson, apparently it runs in the family when it comes to Reality TV, and our '90-Second Pop Panel' takes a shot at that when we continue here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: It is Duran Duran. Flashback.
Good morning. Welcome to a Thursday morning edition of '90- Second Pop.' In today's episode, the little sister, Simpson, also Whitney Houston has a big problem and we talk about the weekend in movies. Here to discuss this morning is humorist Andy Borowitz. He is the author of "Governor Arnold." You like that, huh? All right, also this morning, our new employee, CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas joins us.
Welcome to you.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Not only to the '90-Second Pop,' but to the company as well. It's nice to have you.
VARGAS: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: And B.J. Sigesmund is a staff editor for "US Weekly."
Good morning to you -- B.J.
B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, "US WEEKLY": Morning.
O'BRIEN: Let's get right to it. Jessica Simpson, for one, who knew she had a younger sister. It's Ashlee, two Es at the end.
ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Right.
O'BRIEN: Who is she?
BOROWITZ: That's the preferred spelling of Ashlee...
O'BRIEN: Apparently so.
BOROWITZ: ... in the Simpson family.
O'BRIEN: Why do we care? What is she doing?
BOROWITZ: Well she's doing this new yet another reality show for MTV. And you know I did my homework and show business history is just littered with people who try to ride the coattails of more famous relatives. There is Joey Travolta, Frank Stallone, Scrappy Doo. I mean it goes on forever. And so we're just hoping -- Qusay Hussein -- it just goes on forever. So we're hoping...
SIGESMUND: You know she's differentiating herself from Jessica. She says...
O'BRIEN: How?
SIGESMUND: ... her personal life is not going to be part of this. Virgin or not a virgin, she's not going to talk about it. It's only going to be about...
O'BRIEN: Thank God!
SIGESMUND: ... getting a record deal. Although I think that you know while it's admirable, it could be really boring if she doesn't do any personal stuff.
O'BRIEN: It was like girl, you know two episodes in when she hasn't talked about virgin or not a virgin. People are going to...
BOROWITZ: I think I am going to stick with the other Simpson's. I think those are the ones I'm going to be watching.
VARGAS: And it's going to be really good for her career. I mean let's face it, reality television makes stars out of everyone. I mean look, Trista and Ryan. Look at Nick and Jessica.
O'BRIEN: Hate them.
VARGAS: But you know what, it doesn't matter if you are good, you are bad, people are endeared to you when you're -- when you are doing reality shows.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, and good to you.
O'BRIEN: Can she -- you know here's a question, can she sing? I mean just because that's what she is trying to...
BOROWITZ: I would rather not go into that.
VARGAS: It doesn't even matter.
BOROWITZ: I think that...
O'BRIEN: The panel has no comment.
BOROWITZ: It seems like -- it seems like such a tertiary issue at this point. I really...
SIGESMUND: Yes, and singing, you know.
O'BRIEN: Singing.
VARGAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: It's really all about her personality.
VARGAS: It's about the singing. It's going to be about her personality...
O'BRIEN: All right. But let's turn and talk a little bit about the weekend movies.
VARGAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." This is Jim Carrey.
VARGAS: A little complex, right?
O'BRIEN: You know what, I have to say it's one of the few movies where you watch the trailer and you are like what the heck is this movie about?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
VARGAS: I watched the movie, and I was like what the heck am I watching? It's from the mind of Charlie Kaufman, of course, who brought you "Being John Malkovich." And a city -- it's about a man played by Jim Carrey. His name is Joel Barish. And he is trying to erase the memory of his girlfriend. She's already done so, so he wants revenge. But midway through the process, he realizes he doesn't want to get rid of her, he loves her and he wants to -- he wants to remember her. So it's just crazy...
BOROWITZ: Yes, I am looking at this. I am thinking if I am Jim Carrey, wouldn't I want to erase the memory of "The Grinch." I mean that's just like a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SIGESMUND: What's interesting, this movie, I think its marketing is sort of deceptive. It's being marketed as a romantic comedy. But when you see it, it's really a Charlie Kaufman movie. It's a weird movie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's weird, dark.
SIGESMUND: He made adaptation. He made being sick -- "Being John Malkovich." He's -- you know he's a weird, it's a weird...
BOROWITZ: In fact...
SIGESMUND: ... dark movie.
O'BRIEN: Is it good?
VARGAS: It was very good, actually.
SIGESMUND: Yes, I thought it was good, too.
VARGAS: I mean if you can get through the first 20 minutes, for the first 20 minutes I really felt like I was in a nightmare or a dream. And I said you know what, I can go home and do this. But if you give me...
O'BRIEN: Then you said, wait a minute, I'm an entertainment reporter, no I can't. I've got to stay at this screening.
VARGAS: Exactly. Exactly. So but, but you know after the first 20 minutes, you become a participant and not just a spectator. So I recommend it.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about Whitney Houston. I think this is such a sad story because it has been a long time that her friends have been pleading for her to get some kind of help...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
O'BRIEN: ... with her drug problem.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Apparently she has now gone into rehab. What do you know about this -- B.J.?
SIGESMUND: Her friends are very happy she's finally dealing with it, you know.
O'BRIEN: Because her husband is actually serving time right now.
SIGESMUND: Her -- and that's why they say that she has chosen now to go into rehab. Bobby Brown is in prison for 60 days. This is his eighth time in prison. And people say that he has long been her enabler.
Remember in 2002 Whitney Houston copped to doing cocaine and marijuana over the years, but she said that she had dealt with her addictions by then. But Bobby Brown, in the same interview, said that he still was smoking pot every other day to deal with his bipolar disorder. Now how can Whitney Houston cure herself of her demons when her husband is getting high every other day?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Exactly.
SIGESMUND: So I think it's very good that's she taken care of...
BOROWITZ: Rehab is a really tough step. But you know on the other hand, look at what it's done for Courtney Love, so it's been a good (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Don't (ph) have to root for her (ph).
O'BRIEN: I don't even -- I don't even think we have enough time to talk -- start talking about Courtney Love.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Another day.
O'BRIEN: But you know what with dancing with Letterman...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very, very strange.
O'BRIEN: ... topless.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very, very strange.
VARGAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: And you know the truth is...
VARGAS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) needed a tanning salon or she needed to get to the gym because...
O'BRIEN: I have got to tell you it is...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Strange choice.
O'BRIEN: You know you do, you laugh about it, but the truth is it is -- I just think it is really sad. Whitney Houston, I mean she -- you know such a superstar and it really is. It's heartbreaking. And certainly has to be for the family...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
O'BRIEN: ... members who are watching. I mean she's a mother, she's got kids. VARGAS: It's like a train wreck, you know, and you're wondering when are you going to get out, you know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
VARGAS: There's a survivor. She's still a survivor.
SIGESMUND: This is the first time that she has actually admitted to going into rehab. And she's 40 years old. Her career has been on the downhill since the late '90s. It's really time to deal with this before it's too late.
VARGAS: Yes, I think it's a wake-up call.
O'BRIEN: Girl, we're rooting for you. Whitney, we're sending a shout out to you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are.
O'BRIEN: All right, you guys, as always, thanks so much. Sibila, again, welcome. It's nice to have you.
VARGAS: Thank you. Thanks so much.
O'BRIEN: Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, thanks.
Get a break here. Jack is back in a moment. Also, an elderly man with Alzheimer's goes missing in the world's busiest airport. His family blaming the airline. How this ended in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: There's a Texas family charging that Delta Airlines lost an 80-year-old man with Alzheimer's. They say Antonio Ayala was supposed to be escorted between flights Monday in the Atlanta airport, a huge airport, by the way. Ayala was found about 24 hours later several miles from the airport. They found him near a bus station downtown. He is now hospitalized in good condition.
A spokesperson for the airline says -- and quoting now -- "We are working very closely with the family and we are very pleased the family has been reunited."
Had a case about this three years ago, a woman who got lost. They never found her. I think that was in Dallas with American, so nonetheless.
O'BRIEN: Not good news for the family. That's got to be absolutely...
HEMMER: Indeed it is. Yes. O'BRIEN: ... scary, especially when he has Alzheimer's.
Jack Cafferty, 'Question of the Day.'
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Indeed. Talking today about radio shock jock Howard Stern and Mel Gibson, who are getting into the ring for the upcoming presidential election. Stern, who was yanked off six Clear Channel radio stations last month, now spends a good deal of his on-air time attacking the president. He is urging his eight million listeners, not a small number, to dump President Bush.
Mel Gibson, usually a Bush supporter, says he's having doubts about the president and about the war in Iraq.
So the question is, could Howard Stern or Mel Gibson, or someone of that ilk, influence your vote for president? Interesting.
Braham writes, "Howard Stern may have eight million listeners, but it's Mel Gibson's concerns that should get Bush thinking. Here is a religious, conservative man having doubts on a president who has spared no effort to appease conservative Christians. If people like Mel Gibson are backing away from the president, something is seriously wrong."
Paul in Allentown, Pennsylvania, "Why bother to form an opinion about the election by watching the news, reading newspapers or magazines articles when all one has to do is listen to the hallucinations of perpetually self-absorbed movie stars. Unfortunately, the great unwashed pay too much attention to the mindless wanderings of their silver screen idols."
Michael in Huron, South Dakota, "The thought that Howard Stern could be a factor in the election is a scary thing and somehow stomach turning."
Susan in Bridgewater, New Jersey, "Just because they are famous doesn't make them instantly knowledgeable in foreign policy and what is best for the U.S. domestically. There's a reason that they are actors and shock jocks, they know how to play pretend and how to say whatever will get them more publicity."
And Greggor in Houston, "Can a celebrity influence an election? I give you two, Schwarzenegger and Reagan."
O'BRIEN: Good point, Greggor.
Aired March 18, 2004 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, 7:30 here in New York. Good morning, welcome back here to AMERICAN MORNING. Good to have you with us.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get started with our 'Top Stories' first thing this morning, more violence in Iraq. We just learned about 15 minutes ago about a car bombing in Basra. These pictures, take a look at them, just coming in to CNN. Wire reports now saying at least five people dead, four men, one boy.
We're going to provide more details on this story as soon as we get it. This, of course, follows a deadly suicide bombing at a central Baghdad hotel yesterday. The U.S. military is now revising the death toll downward in that attack to 17 people killed. Iraqi police, though, are saying that six people are dead in that attack.
President Bush meeting today with troops at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The president expected to send -- say thanks, rather, to some 20,000 troops that recently returned from Iraq. The visit comes just a day before the one-year anniversary of the war in Iraq.
A county in Tennessee is essentially asking state lawmakers to ban homosexuals from living there. County commissioners voted unanimously yesterday to ask Tennessee lawmakers to amend the state law so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes against nature. Gay marriages are already prohibited in Tennessee.
And singer Courtney Love's wild night has landed her in some more trouble this morning after baring herself during an appearance on "The Late Show With David Letterman." Take a look at this. That's nice. She was then later after that arrested. Did that a couple of times, actually. Nearly fell off the table several times as well.
She was arrested at a New York city nightclub. Police say she threw the mike and the stand, hit a clubgoer in the head. She has been charged now with reckless endangerment. And the victim has said he is interested in suing, and he has been treated for minor head injuries.
HEMMER: That list just keeps going on and on, doesn't it?
O'BRIEN: Well she has got the other court battle going on...
HEMMER: Right.
O'BRIEN: ... as well for drug charges that has been postponed because she has fired her attorney. Why do I know all this? I mean I don't follow this at all.
HEMMER: T stands for trouble and it follows that woman everywhere. She -- that wasn't an original idea, though, was it Drew Barrymore did that first, right, on Letterman?
O'BRIEN: Everyone bares their breasts to Dave. Like what's that about?
HEMMER: Go figure.
Here's Chad Myers at the CNN Center.
I think you could have a worse job.
Hey, Chad, good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I am just wondering if celebrities are acting worse than they ever have or are we just reporting it more, because there's just so much now in the news?
O'BRIEN: Why do I -- it's a good question, because why...
HEMMER: Sounds like an e-mail question?
O'BRIEN: ... do I know so much about Courtney Love? I don't have -- couldn't tell you what she sings.
MYERS: All right.
O'BRIEN: You're right -- Chad.
MYERS: Right. Yes, I know.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: Back to Vegas now, the suspect arrested in connection with two dozen Ohio highway shootings expected in court tomorrow for an extradition hearing back to Columbus. Charles McCoy Jr. surrendered to authorities without incident early Wednesday in Vegas.
Police Sergeant Ray Reyes who was part of the team that captured the fugitive. The sergeant is with us from Vegas to talk about this this morning.
Good morning to you, and we appreciate your time. I understand he's been questioned already. Is he cooperating -- sir?
SGT. RAY REYES, LAS VEGAS POLICE DEPT.: Right now, sir, I am not privy to that part of the investigation, because he went with the CAT Team, the joint task force with the FBI, and they have done all their questioning. And I assume with Ohio authorities as well. So right now that's -- I am not privy to -- with that information.
HEMMER: All right, I understand that's out of your jurisdiction. Totally respect that. Let's talk about the witness yesterday who turned him in. Conrad Malsom, a Las Vegas resident, said he called police repeatedly time after time before they believed his story. Why was he not believable in the beginning?
REYES: Well, to be quite honest with you, when I made contact with Mr. Malsom, I thought he was very believable. I don't know whom Mr. Malsom had made contact with prior to me, but when I met with him, he had a printout from the Internet with the name of the suspect, a description of his vehicle, a picture. And with that information, I, in turn, verified it. And upon verifying it, Mr. Malsom turned out to be absolutely correct.
This suspect, Mr. McCoy, was staying in an apartment complex adjacent to where I had met him. We determined he was in Building B1038 of the Budget Suites. At that point, officers from my squad, South Central 12 and South Central Area Command, we positioned our vehicles in the strategic locations whereby if the suspect were to return, he would not be able to see us.
And then we summoned the Criminal Apprehension Team and the detectives who then were able to set up close to the apartment in a plain clothes capacity. Their expertise is taking dangerous felons into custody in somewhat of a surprise mode. And that's exactly what they did. Now as soon as the suspect returned with his vehicle, he was taken into custody without incident. He offered no resistance.
HEMMER: Yes, sergeant, the witness apparently says there were notes left behind on these betting sheets inside the bar where they were talking beginning with you and you are. Do you now what he was writing?
REYES: Actually, I did take a look at that, but I was -- they were -- they were illegible. I wasn't able to determine exactly what was being written, but those documents were taken into custody by the FBI.
HEMMER: I understand he checked into that hotel under his own name. Does that strike you as a guy who is trying to run and hide?
REYES: You can look at it in many different ways, sir. He may have been on the mind set that he was going to go out in a blaze of glory, and that's what the assumption was for us as officers. Given his history and what he was alleged to have done, we had to treat this as an -- as an incident that had a potential for great danger.
So he could have -- it could have been a point where he wanted to get caught. He could have been suicide by a cop. It could have been a blaze of glory type situation. Or it could have been he wanted to get caught. There's really no way to -- I can't get into his mind.
But I would assume that the way it turned out is probably was best for everybody. Nobody got hurt, no officers hurt. And for that matter, the suspect, this is a person that probably -- I'm sure that the FBI and other investigative authorities are going to -- going to want to speak to him and develop some information as to why he did what he did, or alleged to have done what he has done.
HEMMER: Thank you, sergeant. Ray Reyes is there in Las Vegas. The hearing again tomorrow for extradition back to Columbus. Thank you. Appreciate your time.
REYES: Thanks.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: In Fresno, questions about whether police could have stopped the killing of nine children of Marcus Wesson. Fresno's police chief says his department is investigating whether the family members were shot while police were outside the home trying to negotiate. Meanwhile, Marcus Wesson is due to be arraigned this afternoon.
Kimberly Osias has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He appeared unsure at first, but then Marcus Wesson took charge, asking for another attorney in a move that postponed his arraignment until Thursday.
ELIZABETH EGAN, FRESNO COUNTY D.A.: The court revoked the defendant's bail. He is being held in custody without bail by the Fresno county sheriff.
OSIAS: An electric moment in the courtroom as his son, Marcus Wesson Jr., waved his hand to speak. I love you, dad. I love you, dad, he said. He then was escorted out by deputies.
Earlier this week, another son of Wesson's, Serafino, spoke out.
SERAFINO WESSON, MARCUS WESSON'S SON: I find it hard to believe because he's the best dad anybody could ever have.
OSIAS: Marcus Wesson is accused of shooting to death nine of his other children. Authorities say it's possible some of the younger victims were offspring of an incestuous relationship between Wesson and one or two of his own daughters. Police have not shed light on any motive in the case. Monday night, authorities removed 12 empty caskets from Wesson's home. Coffins Wesson had purchased from an antique store.
ERIC HICKEY, CRIMINOLOGIST, CALIF. STATE UNIV., FRESNO: I think that he had plans for a long time. Once he got those coffins, he knew that at some point they were all going to die. And he may well have been planning his own death as well.
OSIAS (on camera): Marcus Wesson says he wants to find his own legal counsel. As for the district attorney, no word yet as to whether they'll seek the death penalty in this case.
Kimberly Osias, CNN, Fresno, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: If no lawyer appears at Wesson's arraignment this afternoon, the judge will then appoint an attorney to represent him on the murder charges.
HEMMER: Back to our developing story out of Iraq, southern part of the country, the town of Basra, where a car bomb exploded just about 30 minutes ago. The reports continue to trickle in to us here at CNN working this story on the ground in Baghdad.
Also wire reports, Associated Press and Reuters, saying five dead as a result of that car bomb. It exploded, apparently, just as a British military convoy was passing him.
I remember going back a year ago to the war and after the wars, the British, who controls the southern part of Iraq, especially the town of Basra, several other injuries reported. At this point, five dead, four men, one boy, as a result of that car bomb. More when we get it here at CNN.
All this coming, obviously, a day after the big news in Baghdad yesterday when that hotel was blown up with a huge 1,000-pound bomb loaded with strapped ammunition. The death toll, fortunately, as a result of that from yesterday has been lowered. Originally it was 29 about an hour ago, now it's down to 17. This, however, a completely different incident on the day after. And bear in mind tomorrow, March 19, marks one day -- one year, rather, to the day when the war began in Iraq.
O'BRIEN: There are wire reports say -- that say that the owner of the car apparently was seen parking the car and walked away just moments before the car exploded. And apparently residents in the area took him into custody, and I believe he is in custody at this time.
HEMMER: Fresh pictures. The first time we have seen him ourselves. We'll watch it for you. That story out of Basra in southern Iraq.
O'BRIEN: Yes, we're just trying to see.
Still to come this morning on AMERICAN MORNING, the way that a city reacts to a terror attack, like the ones in Basra or Baghdad or Madrid, can be critical. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is going to join us in the next hour to talk about that.
HEMMER: Also in a much lighter note today, Jessica Simpson, apparently it runs in the family when it comes to Reality TV, and our '90-Second Pop Panel' takes a shot at that when we continue here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: It is Duran Duran. Flashback.
Good morning. Welcome to a Thursday morning edition of '90- Second Pop.' In today's episode, the little sister, Simpson, also Whitney Houston has a big problem and we talk about the weekend in movies. Here to discuss this morning is humorist Andy Borowitz. He is the author of "Governor Arnold." You like that, huh? All right, also this morning, our new employee, CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas joins us.
Welcome to you.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Not only to the '90-Second Pop,' but to the company as well. It's nice to have you.
VARGAS: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: And B.J. Sigesmund is a staff editor for "US Weekly."
Good morning to you -- B.J.
B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, "US WEEKLY": Morning.
O'BRIEN: Let's get right to it. Jessica Simpson, for one, who knew she had a younger sister. It's Ashlee, two Es at the end.
ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Right.
O'BRIEN: Who is she?
BOROWITZ: That's the preferred spelling of Ashlee...
O'BRIEN: Apparently so.
BOROWITZ: ... in the Simpson family.
O'BRIEN: Why do we care? What is she doing?
BOROWITZ: Well she's doing this new yet another reality show for MTV. And you know I did my homework and show business history is just littered with people who try to ride the coattails of more famous relatives. There is Joey Travolta, Frank Stallone, Scrappy Doo. I mean it goes on forever. And so we're just hoping -- Qusay Hussein -- it just goes on forever. So we're hoping...
SIGESMUND: You know she's differentiating herself from Jessica. She says...
O'BRIEN: How?
SIGESMUND: ... her personal life is not going to be part of this. Virgin or not a virgin, she's not going to talk about it. It's only going to be about...
O'BRIEN: Thank God!
SIGESMUND: ... getting a record deal. Although I think that you know while it's admirable, it could be really boring if she doesn't do any personal stuff.
O'BRIEN: It was like girl, you know two episodes in when she hasn't talked about virgin or not a virgin. People are going to...
BOROWITZ: I think I am going to stick with the other Simpson's. I think those are the ones I'm going to be watching.
VARGAS: And it's going to be really good for her career. I mean let's face it, reality television makes stars out of everyone. I mean look, Trista and Ryan. Look at Nick and Jessica.
O'BRIEN: Hate them.
VARGAS: But you know what, it doesn't matter if you are good, you are bad, people are endeared to you when you're -- when you are doing reality shows.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, and good to you.
O'BRIEN: Can she -- you know here's a question, can she sing? I mean just because that's what she is trying to...
BOROWITZ: I would rather not go into that.
VARGAS: It doesn't even matter.
BOROWITZ: I think that...
O'BRIEN: The panel has no comment.
BOROWITZ: It seems like -- it seems like such a tertiary issue at this point. I really...
SIGESMUND: Yes, and singing, you know.
O'BRIEN: Singing.
VARGAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: It's really all about her personality.
VARGAS: It's about the singing. It's going to be about her personality...
O'BRIEN: All right. But let's turn and talk a little bit about the weekend movies.
VARGAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." This is Jim Carrey.
VARGAS: A little complex, right?
O'BRIEN: You know what, I have to say it's one of the few movies where you watch the trailer and you are like what the heck is this movie about?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
VARGAS: I watched the movie, and I was like what the heck am I watching? It's from the mind of Charlie Kaufman, of course, who brought you "Being John Malkovich." And a city -- it's about a man played by Jim Carrey. His name is Joel Barish. And he is trying to erase the memory of his girlfriend. She's already done so, so he wants revenge. But midway through the process, he realizes he doesn't want to get rid of her, he loves her and he wants to -- he wants to remember her. So it's just crazy...
BOROWITZ: Yes, I am looking at this. I am thinking if I am Jim Carrey, wouldn't I want to erase the memory of "The Grinch." I mean that's just like a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SIGESMUND: What's interesting, this movie, I think its marketing is sort of deceptive. It's being marketed as a romantic comedy. But when you see it, it's really a Charlie Kaufman movie. It's a weird movie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's weird, dark.
SIGESMUND: He made adaptation. He made being sick -- "Being John Malkovich." He's -- you know he's a weird, it's a weird...
BOROWITZ: In fact...
SIGESMUND: ... dark movie.
O'BRIEN: Is it good?
VARGAS: It was very good, actually.
SIGESMUND: Yes, I thought it was good, too.
VARGAS: I mean if you can get through the first 20 minutes, for the first 20 minutes I really felt like I was in a nightmare or a dream. And I said you know what, I can go home and do this. But if you give me...
O'BRIEN: Then you said, wait a minute, I'm an entertainment reporter, no I can't. I've got to stay at this screening.
VARGAS: Exactly. Exactly. So but, but you know after the first 20 minutes, you become a participant and not just a spectator. So I recommend it.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about Whitney Houston. I think this is such a sad story because it has been a long time that her friends have been pleading for her to get some kind of help...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
O'BRIEN: ... with her drug problem.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Apparently she has now gone into rehab. What do you know about this -- B.J.?
SIGESMUND: Her friends are very happy she's finally dealing with it, you know.
O'BRIEN: Because her husband is actually serving time right now.
SIGESMUND: Her -- and that's why they say that she has chosen now to go into rehab. Bobby Brown is in prison for 60 days. This is his eighth time in prison. And people say that he has long been her enabler.
Remember in 2002 Whitney Houston copped to doing cocaine and marijuana over the years, but she said that she had dealt with her addictions by then. But Bobby Brown, in the same interview, said that he still was smoking pot every other day to deal with his bipolar disorder. Now how can Whitney Houston cure herself of her demons when her husband is getting high every other day?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Exactly.
SIGESMUND: So I think it's very good that's she taken care of...
BOROWITZ: Rehab is a really tough step. But you know on the other hand, look at what it's done for Courtney Love, so it's been a good (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Don't (ph) have to root for her (ph).
O'BRIEN: I don't even -- I don't even think we have enough time to talk -- start talking about Courtney Love.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Another day.
O'BRIEN: But you know what with dancing with Letterman...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very, very strange.
O'BRIEN: ... topless.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very, very strange.
VARGAS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: And you know the truth is...
VARGAS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) needed a tanning salon or she needed to get to the gym because...
O'BRIEN: I have got to tell you it is...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Strange choice.
O'BRIEN: You know you do, you laugh about it, but the truth is it is -- I just think it is really sad. Whitney Houston, I mean she -- you know such a superstar and it really is. It's heartbreaking. And certainly has to be for the family...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
O'BRIEN: ... members who are watching. I mean she's a mother, she's got kids. VARGAS: It's like a train wreck, you know, and you're wondering when are you going to get out, you know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
VARGAS: There's a survivor. She's still a survivor.
SIGESMUND: This is the first time that she has actually admitted to going into rehab. And she's 40 years old. Her career has been on the downhill since the late '90s. It's really time to deal with this before it's too late.
VARGAS: Yes, I think it's a wake-up call.
O'BRIEN: Girl, we're rooting for you. Whitney, we're sending a shout out to you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are.
O'BRIEN: All right, you guys, as always, thanks so much. Sibila, again, welcome. It's nice to have you.
VARGAS: Thank you. Thanks so much.
O'BRIEN: Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, thanks.
Get a break here. Jack is back in a moment. Also, an elderly man with Alzheimer's goes missing in the world's busiest airport. His family blaming the airline. How this ended in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: There's a Texas family charging that Delta Airlines lost an 80-year-old man with Alzheimer's. They say Antonio Ayala was supposed to be escorted between flights Monday in the Atlanta airport, a huge airport, by the way. Ayala was found about 24 hours later several miles from the airport. They found him near a bus station downtown. He is now hospitalized in good condition.
A spokesperson for the airline says -- and quoting now -- "We are working very closely with the family and we are very pleased the family has been reunited."
Had a case about this three years ago, a woman who got lost. They never found her. I think that was in Dallas with American, so nonetheless.
O'BRIEN: Not good news for the family. That's got to be absolutely...
HEMMER: Indeed it is. Yes. O'BRIEN: ... scary, especially when he has Alzheimer's.
Jack Cafferty, 'Question of the Day.'
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Indeed. Talking today about radio shock jock Howard Stern and Mel Gibson, who are getting into the ring for the upcoming presidential election. Stern, who was yanked off six Clear Channel radio stations last month, now spends a good deal of his on-air time attacking the president. He is urging his eight million listeners, not a small number, to dump President Bush.
Mel Gibson, usually a Bush supporter, says he's having doubts about the president and about the war in Iraq.
So the question is, could Howard Stern or Mel Gibson, or someone of that ilk, influence your vote for president? Interesting.
Braham writes, "Howard Stern may have eight million listeners, but it's Mel Gibson's concerns that should get Bush thinking. Here is a religious, conservative man having doubts on a president who has spared no effort to appease conservative Christians. If people like Mel Gibson are backing away from the president, something is seriously wrong."
Paul in Allentown, Pennsylvania, "Why bother to form an opinion about the election by watching the news, reading newspapers or magazines articles when all one has to do is listen to the hallucinations of perpetually self-absorbed movie stars. Unfortunately, the great unwashed pay too much attention to the mindless wanderings of their silver screen idols."
Michael in Huron, South Dakota, "The thought that Howard Stern could be a factor in the election is a scary thing and somehow stomach turning."
Susan in Bridgewater, New Jersey, "Just because they are famous doesn't make them instantly knowledgeable in foreign policy and what is best for the U.S. domestically. There's a reason that they are actors and shock jocks, they know how to play pretend and how to say whatever will get them more publicity."
And Greggor in Houston, "Can a celebrity influence an election? I give you two, Schwarzenegger and Reagan."
O'BRIEN: Good point, Greggor.
