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U.S. Airstrikes Kill 150 Terror Fighters; Jury Awards Erin Andrews $55 Million in Stalker Case; Celebrities Fight Back Against Privacy Violations. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired March 08, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

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[06:34:45] MICHAELA PERIERA, CNN ANCHOR: Sports reporter Erin Andrews is savoring what has to be a bittersweet victory for her. A jury has award her $55 million in the legal battle with a stalker and the hotel operator where she was secretly videotaped nude. Martin Savidge joins us now with much more -- really emotional, this whole thing.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was. Good morning, Michaela. It was a very emotional trial. And it is pretty clear not that the jury picked up on a lot of that emotion.

Let me just take you back real quick. In 2008, Erin Andrews was in Nashville covering a college football game. Michael Barrett, the stalker, was able to get the hotel to reveal she was a guest there, and also get a room right next to her. He altered the peep hole of her door. And that's how he secretly videotaped her in the nude. He then posted it on the internet.

The hotel tried to argue that, look we were a victim as well, we were duped by Michael Barret, but clearly the jury didn't buy any of that. You saw Erin Andrews crying openly in court. There were a number of times she left the courtroom. One, when Michael Barrett testified via video. The other time was when the video, all six minutes of it, was actually played to the jurist. She had demanded that. It has been viewed according to expert something like 16 to 17 million times. She's haunted and harmed she says to this day.

In a statement after the verdict she said, "I have been honored by all the support from the victims around the world. Their outreaches help me to able to stand up and hold accountable those whose job it is to protect everyone's safety, security, and privacy. She had asked for $75 million. She got $55 million. That is a remarkable sum. Whether she will actually ever get that money or if there's going to be an appeal, we don't know yet, Chris?

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Mark, and thank you very much. We want to turn back to what's going on in the world right now. While we have all of these politicians talking about what they would do in the war on terror, it is going on right now in real-time in a very big way.

One of the deadliest airstrikes in years is being report. One hundred and fifty al-Shabaab terrorists, we are told by the government, were killed in Somalia. We get the military perspective next.

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[06:38:51] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Pentagon confirms as many as 150 suspected al Shabaab fighters are dead after U.S airstrikes in Somalia. Pentagon said the terrorists posed an immediate threat against American troops and African peace-keeping forces in the region.

Here to discuss is CNN Miltiary analyst, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling. General, thank you so much for being here. A 150 al Shabaab fighters killed? I mean, that is quite an air strike? I believe it's the biggest in Somalia. What do you know about how this happened?

LT. GEN. MARK HERTLING, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Yeah. Pretty good air strike, Alisyn, and good morning to you. This is a very interesting group. They have been transforming about the last five years or so, somewhat dangerous and more clannish and tribal in nature. Early on in their beginning, al Shabaab stand -- the name means "The youth", a kind of the follower of Sharia law and those who want to take down the government.

But what happened in Saturday strike was this camp, about a 140-miles north of Mogadishu, it had been observed for several weeks by overhead platforms and special operators. They determined it was a training camp based on the intelligence gained from the African union forces that were also helping in the area. And they determined that there was a possibility of striking out.

[06:40:06] What I might suggest is, they got very lucky on Saturday because this group that had been there training, suddenly found themselves in a formation. Indicators are it was either a graduation or some type of instructional period. And an overhead platform caught that, a Reaper drone, unmanned aerial system. And then that aircraft was able to target other aircraft with its laser to drop to some bombs on that formation in a large strike killing a lot of these terrorists.

CAMEROTA: As you just said, the Pentagon, and then yesterday the White House as well, through the press secretary, said they believe this had to happen because there was an "imminent threat" against the United States. How so? What was that threat look like?

HERTLING: Well, against the United States and countries in the regions I think is what he said. But what's interesting is Al Shabaab, again, has been growing in capacity over the last several months. They were an organization back in the early 2010-2011 time frame that was really focused almost exclusively on Somalia.

But you are seeing them partnering early on in 2012 and 2013 with Boko Haram and then recently with al Qaeda in the Europe peninsula. And I think you're seeing there increasing capability to make the kind of bombs as we saw in the backpack or briefcase bombs on that Somalian airline just a few weeks ago and some other I.D.'s that are coming out of that area.

So, they have getting a more capacity to build weapons that might hurt civilians involved in Somalia and in other places.

CAMEROTA: The White House press secretary Josh Earnest talked about why they felt it was so important to go in when they did, and what they thought -- what else they thought the threat was. I believe we have that sound. Let's play it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The fighters who were scheduled to depart the camp posed an imminent threat to U.S and African Union Mission forces in Somalia. Their removal -- the removal of those terrorists' fighters degrades al Shabaab's ability to meet the group's objectives in Somalia, including recruiting members, establishing bases, and planning attacks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: That's interesting. So, he said it degrades everything that al Shabaab would be capable of. And let's face it, 150 fighters. That does put a dent in the organization.

HERTLING: Yeah, it teaches you never to stand in a formation or have a parade when there is aircraft overhead. But here's the thing I'd suggest, Alisyn, that they are becoming a multiethnic, multicultural organization. You're going to hear the term a lot, ungoverned spaces. Some people use that to claim this is a place where terrorist groups can come together and organize and train. This is really more an unsecured space because both African Union and Somali government are trying to decrease the capacity of al Shabaab.

But what you are seeing is some of these terrorist organizations, Al- Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, North Africa. Even some elements of ISIS trying to bind together and perhaps create training facilities where these folks cannot only continue to fight against the local government, but be exported other places, Europe and the United States. That's the intent of Al-Qaeda, and al Shabaab is under the thumb of al-Zawahiri. But it's also the intent to a degree of ISIS. And we are seeing more and more of that happening in North Africa and then taking their fighters to other places like Europe and the United States if possible.

CAMEROTA: OK. General Mark Hertling, thank you so much for all the information this morning. Great to see you.

HERTLING: Thank you, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Back to you Michaela.

PERIERA: All right. A shocking admission, Alisyn, from tennis star Maria Sharapova. There's also a new follow-up from her failed drug test. It is getting expensive. We'll give you the details ahead.

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[06:47:51] CUOMO: It is time for CNN Money now. And investors are bracing for a rough day on Wall Street. A one -two punch for DOW Futures, a drop in Oil prices and a drop in the rate of China's commercial activity, stock markets in Europe are already posting losses, shares in Asia finish lower over night.

Tennis star Maria Sharapova admitted she failed a drug test, and now, she's taking a back end to the bank account. Nike suspending it's major endorsement deal saying it is saddened and surprised by the news. Her current eight-year deal with the company, $70 million as was reported at. Now, also Swiss watch company TAG Heuer, automaker Porsche, halting deals with Sharapova over the incident. Definitely a price tag to be paid now, it is only a suspension. So, we will see what happens going forward.

CAMERTA: All right, meanwhile, Chris, Erin Andrews and Hulk Hogan in court claiming their privacy has been violated by the release of embarrassing videotapes. Are there different roles for celebrities? A discussion you don't want to miss next.

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[06:52:58] PERIERA: Welcome back. Two high profile legal cases are raising all sort of questions about the expectation of privacy from celebrities.

Sports reporter Erin Andrews awarded $55 million in a claim against a stalker and hotel chain in which she was secretly taped in the nude. Wrestler Hulk Hogan is seeking a $100 million from Gawker media which posted a sex video of him with his best friend's wife.

Joining is now is CNN Senior Media correspondent, host of Reliable Sources Brian Selters, CNN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney Danny Cevallos.

We're start with the Erin Andrews case. I think so many people have been following this case. And I think in, women in particular are horrified this would even go on. First, I want to get your reaction both. Brian, we'll start with you. Reaction to the verdict and the amount she was awarded.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Unsurprising verdict because her tearful testimony said it all. Describing what it was like to tell her father about this tape that was online. Saying that some people felt she was trying to get publicity, having to defend herself. It was heartbreaking to listen to.

PERIERA: And Danny, as for you, you watched it legally speaking. What did you think of the results?

DANNY CEVALLOS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I'm not surprised at the verdict against the defendant. I am a little surprised at the dollar amount, which will probably be challenged on appeal.

PERIERA: Do you think so?

CEVALLOS: Because in this case, as sort of disappointing as a defense argument as it was, there wasn't as strong of a damages argument. Because they couldn't point to a dollar amount she lost. Instead, I think we were dealing with a jury that looked at this case and said, my god, what if this happened to me?

PERIERA: I think that's what a lot of people thought about, and I'm sure that's what played into the jury's mind. It was really emotional listening to this young women and the effect. All of it have some of -- or what Brian saying about having to defend herself. Do you think emotion played into it, for sure with the jury?

CEVALLOS: Absolutely. I think the strongest part of the plaintiff's case in this situation was the idea that this could happen to anybody. And that any -- we all stay in hotels. We all trust nobody is drilling out peep hole. So, it's a scary though.

PERIERA: I mean, honestly. OK, now flip side, Hulk Hogan, I don't think many people are worried that this could happen to us, or your -- there goes the world.

[06:55:05] So, this is about his friend, so-called friend, secretly tapes him having sex with his friend's wife. And now he is claiming that, you know, this is horrifying. His privacy was invaded. He wants $100 million. Gawker got the tape post it online, says his -- the sex tape was newsworthy. News worthy, Brian?

STELTER: When you read the blog (ph) post they wrote about this tape back in 2012, they had a very fun time with it. They basically told a story what it is like to watch a celebrity having sex with their best friend's wife. They only showed a few seconds of the actual sex tape. They were judicious in what they chose. Now, Hulk Hogan said that was enough. That was a violation of his privacy. The question is, does he have privacy? Does Hulk Hogan have privacy or does the real life figure Terry Bollea have privacy. Is there a difference between the two of them?

PERIERA: Is there a difference between the two?

STELTER: That's why (inaudible)

(CROSSTALK)

PERIERA: What is the threshold for this case? Because he makes a good point, about that, he thought that the individual and then the entity, that is Hulk Hogan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.

PERIERA: You know, he plays an actor on stage.

CEVALLOS: Right, He make no mistake about it. The Hogan case is very serious first amendment and media implications that Erin Andrews case simply did not.

PERIERA: OK, (inaudible)

CEVALLOS: Well, number one, first of all. You have the expectation of privacy and the newsworthiness. Somebody changing in our hotel room is almost never newsworthy, right?

PERIERA: Right.

CEVALLOS: Gawker's position is this is somebody who talked on radio shows about his sex life. He had talked about whether or not he would ever sleep with a friend's wife on radio shows.

STELTER: And it was a running joke, right.

CEVALLOS: And that was a running -- yes. So, that is a stronger argument for newsworthiness. But if you take a step back, you can also say whereas ...

(CROSSTALK)

PERIERA: We have a different threshold for newsworthy here at CNN.

CEVALLOS: Well, here in also, yes. I mean, when you take a step back and look at it, what is becoming news worthy after all, I mean, is just somebody's sexual dalliances, a video of that? So has that become news worthy?

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PERIERA: So do you think that he has a strong case to be made, Hulk Hogan does. That his privacy was infringed upon?

CEVALLOS: I think he has a strong case. But no matter what, I think reasonable minds can differ. In this case, boils down to one word, and that word is newsworthiness. To what degree, if at all, is someone's affairs with another high profile celebrity's wife? To what degree is that newsworthy if at all? And if it's not, and if these was a private action, then Hulk Hogan has a very strong case.

PERIERA: And then Brian, and away from the legal aspect of it. I mean, both of these cases but particularly the Hulk Hogan one, how is this going to change the landscape of what celebrities expect. We know there has been battle between stars and paparazzi. But this is a different level of things.

STELTER: And, it certainly is. You know, this is being fought in Florida. This is where Hulk Hogan is from and where a lot of his fans are so. For that reason, he may have a stronger -- you know, a strong case, but a better chance of coming through here. Maybe on appeal Gawker will end up coming through.

Gawker said this is existential for their company, you know, $100 million is at stake here. They don't have $100 million. So, their whole web site is threatened by this, whether it's newsworthy for us or not. I do think it is newsworthy when a former heavyweight champion of the world is having an affair, is sleeping with his friend's wife.

PERIERA: But do we need to see the gory details?

STELTER: Well, Gawker would say, they said they only showed a few seconds, because they were actually showing a editorial restraint.

PERIERA: Do we need to see .... OK. So that's what then -- do we need to see that Morality is another

aspect of this. We could sit down and talk to an ethics professor all day about this. But I will stop here for now. We should point out have somebody from Gawker joining us in the next hour. We obviously have questions, but ...

STELTER: With this case, it's going to be fascinating.

PERIERA: Oh, no, it's going to be fascinating to see. Unsavory and fascinating.

STELTER: But sometimes, fourth amendment fights don't happen on investigative journalism ...

PERIERA: That's the point.

STELTER: They do happen on topics like this.

PERIERA: That's good point. Brian, thank you for that. Danny, thanks for joining us.

Well having a whole lot of news today. So, let's get to it. Today, obviously, Super Tuesday 2. But lots of races to watch. Let's do it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This guy is such a scoundrel.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald Trump the character and Donald Trump the person, they're not the same thing.

TRUMP: And I call him lying Ted Cruz.

SEN. TED CRUZ, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald Trump has been part of he establishment his whole life.

TRUMP: Little Marco Rubio, he's not very popular.

RUBIO: A turning point awaits in this election and for this country.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have made progress but we have a long way to go.

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Me, it matters what you say when you run for president.

SANDERS: We will defeat Mr. Trump.

CLINTON: We will not let a person like that ever become president.

CUOMO: One of the deadliest U.S airstrikes in years.

PERIERA: 150 members of the Somali terror group al Shabaab were killed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is concerning. They do have an eye toward the U.S.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Alisyn Camerota and Michaela Pereira.

CAMEROTA: Make sure you're ready.

Good morning. Welcome back to NEW DAY. Super Tuesday part two. It could be a make more break day in 2016 race. The Republicans competing in four states today, the polls now open in delegate-rich Michigan, along with primaries in Mississipi, Idaho, and caucuses in Hawaii. A 150 delegates were up for grass. Donald Trump is looking to reassert his dominance in the GOP race.