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Colorado Man Charged with Murders; Survivors React to Pope's Response; University of Maryland Honors Teammate; MTV Music Awards. Aired 6:30-7:a ET

Aired August 21, 2018 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:31:35] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The Trump administration has deported the last known Nazi collaborator living in the United States. ICE agents arrested and removed 95-year-old Jakiw Palij from his Queens, New York, home on Monday and sent him to Germany. The Justice Department says he served as an armed guard at a death camp in Nazi occupied Poland, then lied about it to immigration officials when he came to the United States after the war.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: A Colorado man charged in the murders of his pregnant wife and two daughters will be back in court today. But in an unsealed affidavit, he says he is not the one who killed his children.

CNN's Kaylee Hartung is live in Greeley, Colorado, with more.

This is a twist, Kaylee.

KAYLEE HARTUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is, Alisyn.

This affidavit had been sealed since Chris Watts' arrest on Wednesday. But in it, some explosive details.

We learned that Chris Watts' story changed over the course of a two- day investigation. Initially he essentially feigned ignorance as to where his missing wife and daughter could be, only telling investigators that he'd initiated a conversation with his wife about a separation.

Well, over the course of that two-day investigation, authorities learned that he was having an affair with a co-worker. Something he initially denied and then admitted.

And then came his version of a confession in which he says that conversation about separation led to this family's tragic turn. He confessed to killing his wife. He says he strangled her in a fit of rage only after he found her strangling both of their daughters.

Now, he then identified for authorities where he had discarded the bodies, but, interesting enough, authorities had already located the bodies with the help of a drone survey of that petroleum company in the field where he worked. That drone spotted a bed sheet that it turns out was covering Shanann Watts' shallow grave. Bedding that matched bedding that was inside the Watts' house.

Now, despite this confession from Chris Watts, the district attorney here is still charging him with nine felonies, including the murders of his wife and two daughters. Alisyn, those charges will be formally read to him in court this morning, as well as the possible penalties. But the D.A. here saying it's too early to talk about the death penalty. Any consideration of that won't come until after he's arraigned.

CAMEROTA: Oh my gosh, it's obviously such a troubling and strange case. Kaylee, thank you very much for the reporting.

Up next, we have survivors of priest sexual abuse reacting to Pope Francis. What they want him to do.

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[06:38:02] CAMEROTA: Pope Francis breaking his silence after a grand jury report details the abuse of more than 1,000 children by hundreds of priests in Pennsylvania. The pope wrote, with shame and repentance we acknowledge an ecclesial community that we were not where we should have been, that we did not act in a timely manner, realizing the magnitude and the gravity of the damage done to so many lives. We showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them.

Two survivors of sexual abuse by Pennsylvania priests join us now. We have Shaun Dougherty and Patty McCormick.

Great to have both of you here.

SHAUN DOUGHERTY, SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY PA PRIEST: Thanks for having us.

CAMEROTA: Patty, what did you think of the pope's words there?

PATRICIA MCCORMICK, SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY PA PRIEST: Well, I think he is a man of incredible charisma and power. And if anybody can lead the church to these really fundamental reforms that it needs, it's he.

I can't say that I liked the idea of referring to the victims as the little ones. It sort of further infantilizes you as a victim. And these are grown men and women now who have long standing pain.

CAMEROTA: I mean I think that he was referring to them at the time and that's perhaps how he sees them at the time, that they deserved protection.

But on a larger note, Shaun, I mean what do you think of the pope using that? I mean coming out and being so vocal about it. I mean doing what no other pope has done.

DOUGHERTY: Well, that's one point there. I mean, in my opinion, it was nice to see the pope finally recognize that these are crimes. And I'll admit to that. It was -- it was nice to see that.

However, in my opinion, this is three or four popes short. I mean, we should have had this three or four popes ago.

CAMEROTA: What do you want the pope to do now, beyond, you know, issuing this statement?

DOUGHERTY: I would like the pope to rally his bishops in Pennsylvania and around the world to make sure that the recommendations of the grand jury are put in place. You know, for the longest time, you know, decades, the victims have been fighting in legislations all over, not just Pennsylvania, here in New York. I've been to Albany a number of time working on the Child Victims Act.

[06:40:20] However, there is a huge lobby effort against us in these legislations. And many of the lobbyists are paid for due in part by the Catholic Conference of Bishops. So I would like the pope, who is the head of all of the bishops, to change course immediately and reverse his actions on the lobbying efforts against us.

CAMEROTA: And I know that specifically you want the statute of limitations to be longer, to be removed.

DOUGHERTY: Removed. Absolutely. This is -- I have people calling me since I became public, I had a 96-year-old mother and her 76-year-old daughter call and speak to me for 45 minutes the other day at the restaurant that I own here in -- or in Long Island City. A 45 minute conversation on how my coming on television is their bonding together over an issue that has disturbed their family their entire lives.

CAMEROTA: Patty, you wrote this really powerful piece "The New York Times" on Sunday in which you talked about the abuse that you suffered at the hands of your parish priest and the entitlement and impunity with which he appeared to have done that.

What's been the response that you've gotten?

MCCORMICK: Oh, the response is overwhelmingly loving and positive. And it has allowed people to come forward and get comfort from an experience that's like their own. I mean I think we have suffered in secrecy and shame for so long. And something like this breaks that isolation, which I think can be as painful and as damaging as the abuse itself.

CAMEROTA: And did that surprise you how many people have reached out to you?

MCCORMICK: Totally, because I think, as a survivor, you still expect there's some very deep seeded piece of you that says, I'm going to be in big trouble. This was my fault.

CAMEROTA: I know that one of the things that you ended your piece with was, you don't know if you were the only victim of Father Bradel (ph) in your parish. Have you heard from anyone else connected to that priest?

MCCORMICK: Not specifically.

CAMEROTA: That is curious. MCCORMICK: Yes.

CAMEROTA: Because generally there isn't just one.

MCCORMICK: No.

CAMEROTA: So you're still hoping, I think, I mean not hoping that other people were victimized, but assuming that you'll hear from someone else.

MCCORMICK: Yes. I mean I've heard veiled references and I've heard old classmates and friends talk about the seven or eight other priests in our parish or the parish nearby that were named. I mean you couldn't throw a stone and not hit one of these guys.

CAMEROTA: It's just -- it's insane. I mean it's insane how prolific they were in this abuse.

Here's what the pope also said yesterday. He said, I'm conscious of the effort and work being carried out in various parts of the world to come up with the necessary means to ensure the safety and the protection of the integrity of children and of vulnerable adults, as well as implementing zero tolerance in ways of making all those who perpetrate or cover up these crimes accountable. We have delayed in applying these actions and sanctions that are so necessary, yet I am confident that they will help to guarantee a greater culture of care in the present and future.

Were those words comforting to you?

DOUGHERTY: Let's keep in mind there are 30 names that are still redacted from the grand jury report.

CAMEROTA: Why?

DOUGHERTY: Because they fought very hard and they were protected and they have to go to oral arguments next month before the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court. Those are words on a page until actions are done. I implore the people of Pennsylvania who have no idea what parishes these people, these 30 are in, whose kids that they're near right now, I implore you to call your state senate leadership, Jake Corman and Senator Scarnati, and get on these guys and tell them to put these recommendations in place.

We can't wait for another delay. We don't have time for another delay, you know?

CAMEROTA: Well, Shaun Dougherty, Patty McCormick, you two have taken action. You've spoken out. We appreciate you being here and sharing your personal stories with us.

DOUGHERTY: Thanks for having us.

MCCORMICK: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Thanks so much. John.

BERMAN: All right, thanks, Alisyn.

Maryland football getting set to take the field without a teammate who died. How that will honor him all season. That's next.

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[06:48:44] BERMAN: The University of Maryland football team making plans to honor their fallen teammate. Andy Scholes has more in the "Bleacher Report."

Good morning, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, John.

Jordan McNair died in June, 15 days after suffering a heatstroke at a practice. Head coach D.J. Durkin remains on leave while the school investigates the circumstances surrounding McNair's death. In the meantime, McNair's teammates want to focus on his memory.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELLIS MCKENNIE, MARYLAND GUARD: It's time to get back to what is important, and that is honoring our fallen friend, brother and teammate Jordan McNair. The moment that we stop saying his name, the moment that we begin to forget, his legacy will begin to fade. But we plan to have his legacy live on forever.

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SCHOLES: And Maryland's players say no one will wear the number 79 until 2021, which would have been the season after McNair would have graduated. McNair's locker will also be encased in glass. And the Terps will wear number 79 decals on the back of their helmets throughout this season.

All right, we had high drama last night at the Little League World Series. Georgia was down to their last strike against Texas. And that's when Jansen Kenty gets a hold of this one for a game-tying two- run home run. All the kiddos jump around going crazy, as does Jansen's dad in the stands. Check him out. He's so excited. He started running around.

The game would go to extra innings in the 9th. Georgia popped out to right, but the umpire's going to get in the way. The winning run comes in to score for Georgia. They win a thriller of 7-6 to stay alive in the Little League World Series.

[06:50:15] And, you know what, guys, there's two types of little legal parents, those that can sit there and cheer and then those that run around and go crazy when their kids do something good. And, full confession, I'm just like Jansen Kenty's dad, I run around and go crazy. And my son only plays t-ball right now.

BERMAN: Excellent. I can't believe the umpire got in the way of the play at the end of the game.

SCHOLES: I felt so bad for those Texas kids. You know, just at least let them make the play on their own. Just, you know, what could have been, you never know.

BERMAN: All right, Andy, next time we're going to ask to see some of that dancing here.

CAMEROTA: Yes, a demonstration.

SCHOLES: OK.

CAMEROTA: Thanks, Andy.

SCHOLES: All right.

CAMEROTA: All right, so MTV's music -- video music awards got political. Shocker. We have the highlights and low lights for you, next.

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[06:55:09] BERMAN: Pop culture and politics colliding at last night's MTV Video Music Awards. Rapper Logic wore an f the wall shirt. I think I understand what that means, inviting families displaced by immigration laws on stage, all wearing shirts that read, we are all human beings.

Now, during the opening monologue, Kevin Hart wasted no time slamming the president.

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KEVIN HART: Because at this game you guys are allowed to kneel. You can do whatever the hell you want.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who's your plus one?

HART: I'm at the VMA's. I mean (INAUDIBLE) bad language, people run to the bathroom and send out crazy tweets. It's basically like the typical day at the White House.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: All right, I think you heard enough of it there to get the idea of what Kevin Hart was doing.

Joining us now to discuss, CNN media correspondent, host of "Reliable Sources," Brian Stelter.

Confession, we go to sleep too early to watch the Video Music Awards.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: That's OK.

BERMAN: So the first thing I'm going to ask you to do is perform your favorite number. STELTER: I can sing "Havana" for you, but then all of our viewers are

going to abandon CNN.

I do think in some ways, you know, they kind of got rid of the Trump jokes. They got them out of the way early on. You know, Kevin Hart made some comments at Trump's expense. It was almost perfunctory.

CAMEROTA: But was it notable that it was Kevin Hart, because isn't he considered a-political?

STELTER: Well, that did stand out to me. Yes, I do think there are certain comedians, certain actors that try, for the most part, to avoid politics. Kevin Hart you would put in that category. So it was notable. He was -- he was there and sticking it to Trump. And also making a comment about you can go ahead and kneel if you want to during these performances. So that was notable.

But I think so much of our politics -- too much of our politics is about hating the other side. Oh, well, the other side said that about Trump or something. There wasn't much of that at this awards show compared to, let's say, the Tony's, where Robert de Niro became a subject for days for saying f Trump from stage. So sometimes when you're looking at millennials, what are you think about, what are they talking about, maybe the lack of Trump references is notable in that way. When you see an f the wall t-shirt, certainly that does reflect the sentiment of a lot of young voters and young people.

But I think what was most important about this, the political front, was MTV coming out for the first time ever saying, we're going to try to mobilize voters for the midterms. You know, we always hear about Rock the Vote for election years in the presidential cycles where young people might or may not turn out to the polls. MTV tries to enlist young people to vote. This time they're actually doing it for the midterms, which is another sign perhaps of Democratic strength.

BERMAN: Will it work? We have no idea.

STELTER: Right.

BERMAN: We just don't know what young people do at the polls.

STELTER: Right. Wait till November. They launched that last night at the end of the evening (ph).

BERMAN: So one sign that at least one person saw this as a political opportunity, Michael Avenatti was there at these awards.

STELTER: Yes.

BERMAN: By the way, I think there --

CAMEROTA: Was he performing?

BERMAN: I think there are six versions -- he was. He was performing. He's a crooner. No, I -- he was also at the Dodgers game. He was also at a restaurant in Chicago. CAMEROTA: In New Hampshire.

BERMAN: Yes, he's everywhere all at once. Let's listen to Michael Avenatti as he's walking in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL AVENATTI, ATTORNEY FOR STORMY DANIELS: It's a pretty cool event and I thought I'd show up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Were you surprised to be invited?

AVENATTI: A little bit. A little bit. But, you know, it's a pretty cool event. And I thought I'd show up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So are you really considering a run for president?

AVENATTI: I am. I'm serious about it. I'm seriously looking at it. I'm traveling around talking to people in the country and, you know, I've been really surprised at how much enthusiasm there is out there for the potential.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: He has cloned himself. You're right, he's everywhere.

STELTER: What other sort of television star would show up at awards shows and Hollywood events? And, I mean, there is -- there is a similarity. You can kind of think back five years before Donald Trump's brand became all politics and he would make appearances at sort of entertainment events and boost his brand that way. I do think it was notable that MTV invited Avenatti, though, because they see something there, even if it's just, you know, attention that they can get for the awards.

BERMAN: I'm sure Mike wanted to sneak in without the cameras noticing, but they forced him to make that public statement as he was walking in.

STELTER: Right.

BERMAN: OK, last seconds, why is everyone hating on Madonna?

STELTER: Because there was supposed to be a big tribute to Aretha Franklin. MTV did have several days to prepare in the wake of Franklin's passing. All instead all we got was this Madonna speech that was really a speech about Madonna and how Aretha Franklin had influence and affected her life. Now, I know a lot of people have stories like that, and they are beautiful stories, but I was surprised MTV didn't do more -- put more stars on stage to honor and to sing something in a tribute to Aretha Franklin.

CAMEROTA: Yes, even just old video of Aretha singing makes everybody happy.

STELTER: And it may speak to what a distance there is between that generation of performers and this generation of performers, all the face tattoos, all that sort of stuff that you see at the awards shows now. Thankfully there's going to be a real tribute to Aretha at MSG this fall.

BERMAN: I think every generation has got something to say about Aretha Franklin. But I understand what you're going with there.

Brian Stelter, great to have you here with us. Thanks so much for singing. That was the best part. Appreciate it.

STELTER: Thanks.

CAMEROTA: Thanks, Brian.

All right, and thanks to our international viewers for watching. For you, CNN "TALK" is next. For our U.S. viewers, NEW DAY continues right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

[07:00:01] CAMEROTA: And good morning, everyone. Welcome to your NEW DAY.

We do begin with breaking news for you because there is a new attempted Russian attack on the U.S. political system. This time on conservative think tanks that have been critical of President Trump and