Return to Transcripts main page
Rick's List
Dow Plummets; New Video Released of Times Square Suspect; Lawrence Taylor Arrested on Rape Charges
Aired May 06, 2010 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: The market's been almost boring lately. It has not necessarily done anything exciting.
Christine, do you remember the last time the market ended up down over 300 points, as it seems to be? We're, what, a minute away? It seems like that's pretty much where we're going to end up, doesn't it?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes.
I think -- I think you've got -- you know, you don't have much time left here. You're going to have a 3 percent -- a 3 percent decline, which is still pretty ugly, especially since you've got 6 percent loss in the Dow in the past five days before we got here.
So, it's been a pretty -- you're almost on the territory of a -- of a -- of a pretty significant pullback over the past five or six different trading days.
SANCHEZ: Hmm.
ROMANS: We have seen much worse. I mean, in the -- in the -- a couple years ago, in the heat of the crisis, I mean, we were seeing days like this routinely, but a 3 percent decline in the Dow is tough -- 10500, I mean, put that in perspective. We were talking -- we were above 11000, and people were remarking about that...
SANCHEZ: Send -- send that...
ROMANS: ... very, very recently.
SANCHEZ: Send that statement. We just got the -- we just got the statement from P&G.
(BELL RINGING)
SANCHEZ: Here's the bell going off at the same time.
Andreas (ph), Andreas, other side of the room -- could you have Andreas sent me that, the -- the script on that or the paper on that?
ROMANS: We have the Nasdaq -- we have something from Nasdaq, Rick, if you...
SANCHEZ: What are they saying?
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: ... let me jump in here.
SANCHEZ: Please.
ROMANS: The Nasdaq is saying there was a faulty Procter & Gamble stock quote that was a major factor in the market's huge afternoon drop.
This is from a Nasdaq spokesperson. So, again, the Nasdaq is now confirming. And that is, the Nasdaq stock -- stock exchange is confirming that there was a faulty P&G stock quote that was a major factor...
SANCHEZ: There was a -- say that again.
ROMANS: ... in the drop.
SANCHEZ: There was a faulty -- faulty...
ROMANS: A faulty -- a faulty Procter & Gamble stock quote was a major factor in the market's huge afternoon drop.
That's according to the Nasdaq. Now, remember, it was...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: Well, Christine, just a moment.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: And then, suddenly, at 2:45, boom.
SANCHEZ: Andreas, if you could, get me the -- get me the press release from Procter & Gamble. It's been sent over. Get me the hard copy on that, so I can read it on the air.
I'm sorry, Christine. Go on.
ROMANS: OK.
So, what I want to say is that, when you saw that stock drop, what, a little more than 40 percent in three or four minutes, what happens is, the Dow gets hit, because that stock is a big factor in the Dow. It's also in the S&P 500. It's a big contributor to the S&P 500. The S&P 500 gets hit.
Not to get too technical for you, but there's -- there's trading between what's called the cash market, the -- the stocks in that, in the S -- in the S&P, and then the futures market, and those two things got out of whack. It triggered all these computer programs that pushed the market to its lows.
Traders are saying that, at the lows, there wasn't any selling.
SANCHEZ: Yes. ROMANS: There was no action. When the market was down 977 points, no one -- the -- nobody was doing anything.
SANCHEZ: Thanks.
ROMANS: And it came -- and it came right back. So, we are investigating...
SANCHEZ: Here...
ROMANS: ... the Procter & Gamble stock movement, and that's a big contributor here...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: All right. Here's a statement from Procter & Gamble. Financial communications manager at P&G is Jennifer Chelune.
She has just sent me this one. I will read it over the air. "P&G stock trades on multiple exchanges. On our primary exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, today's low trade was 56. Any trade reported below that would have been on the Nasdaq, and we're looking into whether those were errors." "We're looking into whether those were errors."
Now, if you would, Christine, what I just -- reconcile what I just said with what you just received from the Nasdaq...
ROMANS: Sure.
SANCHEZ: ... for us, if you would.
And I know Richard Quest is standing by to get in on this as well.
ROMANS: Sure.
SANCHEZ: But, Christine Romans, give us your take on this first.
ROMANS: Well, we just said the same thing, which is, basically, the stock trades on different exchanges.
And it's what Teddy Weisberg from Seaport Securities told you a little bit earlier, too. He said, on a regional exchange, on one exchange, you had the stock that was trading at a certain level, at a certain speed, and, somewhere else, it was trading at a different level.
And he -- what he called a technical or a mechanical glitch, that's what he was talking about. The stock was trading.
SANCHEZ: Hmm.
ROMANS: And, basically, there was some sort of a faulty trade somewhere in the country, and that -- and that screwed things up.
So, what you're hearing from Nasdaq is a faulty trade price is what helped contribute to this. What you're hearing from Procter & Gamble is that their primary exchange is the New York Stock Exchange, and their primary -- what did they say the low was for Procter & Gamble?
SANCHEZ: Fifty-six.
ROMANS: Any trade below that level...
SANCHEZ: Fifty-six.
ROMANS: Fifty-six. Any trade below 56 on Procter & Gamble shares at the New -- anywhere else, they say, was -- was just an incorrect trade.
SANCHEZ: Correct.
SANCHEZ: Richard Quest, following this for us, he's been watching the drama unfold for the last hour and 20 minutes or so -- his take now, as he brings us up to date, not only on what is going on in the United States, but what the reaction has been in Europe.
Richard, come on in.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well -- well, what we have there, Rick, is a perfect understanding now of why the market dropped so far and so fast.
You had this discrepancy, this technical glitch, whatever you want to call it, on the Nasdaq price of P&G. It led to cash and futures discrepancies, and, literally, like a snowball going down the mountainside, it just picked up speed until somebody was able to say, whoa, stop it.
But let's put this into the bigger picture, Rick. The market was already unhappy. The Dow was off the best part of 220 points before the P&G thing hit because of the problems in Greece, in Athens.
We know the budget. We know the deficit problems. And, Rick, tonight, we saw some minor rioting on the streets. Put all those ingredients into the cake of the market today, and you see you end up with a very volatile mixture.
SANCHEZ: Hey, Richard, let me just stop. I'm going to come back to you in just a moment.
I have just been told that Susan Candiotti is standing by now. We have breaking news related to the accused terrorist in "The New York Times" square plot -- Susan Candiotti standing by.
Susan, what do you have?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rick, we have been efforting this for a time, and now we have, exclusively, our hands on some video that we're going to show you for the very first time.
This man is identified -- in this video, you are going to see -- this is from Phantom Fireworks in Pennsylvania. This is video of the accused terror suspect, identified by the FBI to the owners of the store, Faisal Shahzad. He's coming into this store in Northeastern Pennsylvania to buy fireworks.
We believe it was about eight weeks ago, but there apparently might be some change in that date, and it might have been more recently than that. But, in any case, you see a dark-colored SUV pull into the parking lot. The man is now out of that vehicle.
And you're going to see him go into the store to purchase some fireworks. You will see a man -- two men walking in. The one behind and closest to the door is unrelated to this matter. And he's going to turn around and leave in just a moment or two.
But the man who is now at the counter talking to a clerk behind there is identified as Faisal Shahzad. At this point, the description from the owners of the company is that he has stepped up to the counter, and he is required by law to fill out a purchaser's verification. That means that he must prove via driver's license that he's from out of state, because, in Pennsylvania, you are not permitted to buy fireworks if you're a resident of Pennsylvania, only if you're out of state.
Now, this is an edited version, so these time-lapsed images next show Mr. Shahzad walking up to a counter, the cashier. You can see he has got a basket in his hand.
SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.
CANDIOTTI: And he's made a selection of fireworks in there. They have been described at a news conference yesterday by the owner of the store as purchasing around $100 -- it's just under $100 worth of fireworks.
They included a couple of tubes and what are described as fountains. And these have very limited firepower, as it were, that shoot out sparks, colored sparks through the air. The owner of the store says that he also brought -- bought some, what do you call it, fuse material as well.
SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.
CANDIOTTI: Now, evidently, he also, as we have all heard, used M88s, which are called Silver Salutes, I believe, from that particular store. And these...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: Yes. Any -- anyone of us -- anyone of us...
(CROSSTALK)
CANDIOTTI: ... put together the contraption. That's right. And he a bunch of them that he strung up and put -- attached to the gas cans, as well as to the propane tanks and elsewhere in that SUV, the Pathfinder SUV.
And, so, they were -- the FBI was very interested to get their hands on this video. And the owner of the store, Phantom Fireworks, contacted the FBI to offer their help when they heard about what happened in Times Square, because it's a very small community that sells fireworks in Pennsylvania. And they all kind of know each other. And they offered their help, they said, to the FBI.
The FBI came over to the store, took a look at the surveillance tape, and that's probably the closest shot you will see of him, as he's standing there at the counter. He's described by the clerk who waited on him that day as being very calm, relaxed, came in there wearing blue jeans and a khaki shirt, as I said, spent a good 45 minutes to an hour in the store, and he was the only customer in there at the time, and took his time looking around.
At one point the clerks asked him, do you need any help? And he told them no, that he would keep looking and looking by himself. And, eventually, he did. And then he walks up. And we have actually been provided with a -- a receipt from that sale that we have as well.
You saw the purchases being put into the paper bag. And now he's back out into the parking lot. And the final shot that you're going to see is that -- again, the dark-colored SUV. Now, I can't tell you for sure whether that is the Pathfinder because the dates just don't, at this point, match up.
But there might be a discrepancy in the date that this video was made, still trying to sort that out. What we do know is that the FBI got its hands on this tape. And in the opinion of the company that owns this fireworks store, he said to me this morning -- quote -- "I believe it will be a slam-dunk for a conviction."
Now, this man is not a lawyer. This was simply his opinion that he was giving about the import, the importance of this tape for the case that the authorities are trying to make this particular matter. But, again, this is a CNN exclusive. We're getting it to you first, before anyone else has had an opportunity to see it in the public.
But the owners of the company felt it was important to share it to the public, because we have seen a number of photographs already of this man out in the public domain.
SANCHEZ: One quick question: his demeanor. How did they find him to be when he was walking around the store? Was he acting nervous in any way?
CANDIOTTI: Not at all. Not at all.
The clerk describes him as being very cool, calm, and collected, very relaxes. As I said, he took his time, they said, spending about an hour or so in the store, walking around, looking at things, and then carefully made his purchases.
There is a chilling detail to add here. You know, he purchased these M88s.
SANCHEZ: Right.
CANDIOTTI: And the owners of the company want to make it perfectly clear that there's very little firepower, thank goodness, in those M88s. They don't pack much punch.
And the fuses that are in them, they explained time and again, if you lit one fuse and you stacked a bunch of them next to each other, side by side by side, if you tried to -- if you expected one lit fuse, M88 to spark another one to light -- to prompt another one to light up...
SANCHEZ: Right.
CANDIOTTI: ... it just wouldn't happen. They're not made that way. They don't spark that way. They don't set something else on fire.
On the other hand -- and these are the only -- these are all legally sold fireworks. Ones that have much more power, called M80s, they're not -- they're illegal. If that had been involved, might have been a different story.
SANCHEZ: Right.
CANDIOTTI: But those are illegal. They're not sold in this store. These are the ones he had, and thank goodness.
SANCHEZ: That's -- that's -- yes, that's good. I was just going to say, now we know why they have some of the limits on what you can buy at some of these stores.
Great reporting as usual, Susan Candiotti, making us -- allowing our viewers to see this video for the very first time of what exactly Faisal Shahzad was doing, as he seemed to be or alleged to have been preparing for this plot to blow a car up in Times Square.
So many stories are taking place right now. We have the Dow that shot down like a rocket. We have got pictures coming out of Greece. By the way, Brooke Baldwin is standing by for us. Some of the very first pictures of oil coming ashore happened just about an hour before we went on the air at 3:00.
Oh, and did you hear about Lawrence Taylor? Lawrence Taylor has been arrested, accusations of rape. It's serious. We will be right back. This is RICK'S LIST.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: CNN has confirmed the newest detail of Lawrence Taylor's arrest. L.T., as he's often been called, has been referred by some as arguably one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the NFL.
He's been somewhat troubled since leaving the NFL on several occasions. By the way, he was also seen not long ago on "Dancing With the Stars," for those of you who may not know his football career.
But here's the -- here's the really important and somewhat sad news to report. Police in Ramapo, New York, are saying that he was arrested early this morning after doing some kind of deal with a prostitute. She's described as a teen prostitute, perhaps as young as 15 or 16 years old. And he has been charged with her rape, as we understand. This story has been developing, just as the other story has been developing that we have telling you both in Greece and what's been going on, on the Dow.
So, let -- let me bring somebody in who can maybe help us out.
Drew Sharp from "The Detroit Free Press" is joining me now.
Drew, help us figure this story out. I know you have been drilling down on it. Where -- where does this thing stand now from what we first started hearing several hours ago that occurred in Ramapo, New York, this morning?
DREW SHARP, SPORTS COLUMNIST, "THE DETROIT FREE PRESS": Well, again, the -- the -- the prosecutor there, they're -- they're contemplating charges on L.T.
But, you know, when we first heard the story come out, Rick, a lot of us, I think, were absolutely shocked to hear this. And, again, he's innocent until proven guilty. But this was a guy who seemed to have gotten his life back in order. He had a drug problem. We understand all that, and that, you know, he became more of a mainstream star, if you will, "Dancing With the Stars." And he did commercials for weight-loss groups.
And it seemed like people in this country had -- had gotten past the fact that he had drug problems and he had certain issues with his personal life.
SANCHEZ: But -- but, Drew...
SHARP: But, when this story came out, it's -- it's -- it certainly is disturbing.
SANCHEZ: Back to what happened this morning, can you -- can you take us through what happened this morning?
SHARP: Well, from what we understand, what happened is that the police had understood that this was a place where prostitutes were hanging out, and that they raided the place, and -- and Lawrence Taylor wound up being involved in that. And, so, you know...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: Was she underage? Was -- was...
SHARP: We don't know.
SANCHEZ: From what you understand, was she, as reported...
SHARP: We don't know.
SANCHEZ: She...
SHARP: As reported, we don't know. And I think it's important that we just, you know, let the -- the police and the prosecutors there go through the investigation of this.
But Lawrence Taylor's attorneys are saying that he's going to be proven innocent. They are confident he will be proven innocent, but -- and they will have that opportunity, as he should.
SANCHEZ: How...
SHARP: But, right now, I think it's important that people just look at this and say, you know what? If this story is true, if it's true, this is a guy who has some serious, serious issues. But we need to just look at this and say...
SANCHEZ: Well, not just serious issues, but -- but -- not just serious issues, suffice it to say, if this story is true, and certainly if proven true, he's looking at serious time.
SHARP: He should. And he absolutely should. But I do think it's important, because...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: Well, here we got some pictures of him in court right...
(CROSSTALK)
SHARP: ... in the media -- yes.
SANCHEZ: Here we got the very first pictures of him. Apparently -- was this -- do you know, Drew, was this his arraignment today?
SHARP: This was his arraignment today.
SANCHEZ: Let's -- let's listen to some of this. Let's see what is going on here.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... referring to Mr. Taylor. I'm also advised that (INAUDIBLE) the detective (INAUDIBLE) $300. So, I assume there's some kind of admission here. Is that correct?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, Judge.
SANCHEZ: These are live pictures.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obviously, we will be litigating that matter.
SANCHEZ: Lawrence Taylor arrested this morning for raping what is reportedly, allegedly, a teen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) of which appears to be a hit-and-run, and leaving the scene of an accident in Florida on 11/8 of '09. Leaving the scene of an accident (INAUDIBLE)
SANCHEZ: This is a bond hearing. So, they're trying to decide what -- where bond will be set. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I'm reading the report correctly -- it's important to know the facts. Do you want to make any comment on that, or the police (INAUDIBLE) the district attorney knows anything about this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your Honor, may have one moment to address that issue with my client?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Judge, may we take a seat? (INAUDIBLE)
SANCHEZ: Here we have the lawyer with L.T., Lawrence Taylor, as he's been referred to in football circles, discussing with his client what appears to be some options or some questions that have been raised by the judge about his criminal history.
We're live with Drew Sharp from "The Detroit Free Press."
Quite an extensive criminal history, right, Drew?
SHARP: Absolutely. He's had a lot of issues, criminal issues, throughout his career, drug use, crimes that he's been charged with, and, you know, they plead down to a conviction with.
So, when you look at this case, Rick, and it's -- it's important. I think a lot of people need to just look at this and say, you know what? We are obviously bothered by what these charges are, but I think it is important that we -- we let the justice system play itself out here...
SANCHEZ: Well, of course. Of course, in any situation, we want...
SHARP: ... without question here, because -- yes.
SANCHEZ: You give him the...
SHARP: Without question, we have to do that.
SANCHEZ: We all -- we all deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Unfortunately, his standard is a little higher than most, because he's certainly a huge celebrity.
SHARP: Without question. Rick, without question, it is. Without question, it is.
SANCHEZ: All right. Let's -- let's -- let's listen back in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically, what happened, Your Honor, is, there was an accident on the highway. And, in that car accident, Mr. Taylor lost his front right tire and his braking -- his braking ability.
So, he pulled off at the very next exit off the highway. When the police showed up, they said he was supposed to stop immediately at the site. The case is still pending, according to Mr. Taylor, and he expects it's going to fully -- it's going to be absolutely dismissed. He got off at the very next exit and stopped. His car was immobile. So, for the safety of himself and the safety of his others, when you have a car with no tire and no brakes, number one, it's impossible to stop. Number two, he didn't...
SANCHEZ: All right. It sounds like they're talking about a case that the judge is considering taking into account...
SHARP: Yes.
SANCHEZ: ... when he decides where he will set bond.
SHARP: Right.
SANCHEZ: Let me read from you details that we have learned about this situation that happened early this morning in Ramapo, New York.
Arrested early this morning. They received a called from the New York Police Department detectives, acting on a called from a runaway girl's uncle, right? Apparently, Lawrence says that a pimp -- haven't reported that word in a while -- from New York City brought a teen prostitute to the Holiday Inn in Ramapo, where, in a specific room -- I won't read the room number -- she was allegedly...
SHARP: Right.
SANCHEZ: ... raped by Taylor, a teen prostitute.
When the pimp and the girl returned to New York City, she texted an uncle, who called police. The New York Police Department arrested the pimp, called Ramapo to alert them of the crime. And Taylor was arrested in his room in the hotel.
SHARP: Right.
SANCHEZ: That is the account that's been reported throughout the -- the course of the day.
SHARP: Yes.
And, again, you know, we need to just let this thing play itself out. I think we in the media, my -- myself included, we have -- prone ourselves to having a rush to judgment on cases like this.
SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.
SHARP: And I do think it is imperative that we let this thing play itself out.
But all we can say is, if this -- if the accounts are true, if it is proven true, Lawrence Taylor should be thrown in jail...
SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.
SHARP: ... and just for the rest of his life. I really do believe that...
SANCHEZ: Well...
(CROSSTALK)
SHARP: ... because I don't care -- I don't care about all the other stuff. "Well, he didn't know she was 15." I don't care about that.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
SHARP: But let's -- let's let this thing play itself right out now.
SANCHEZ: We are only -- right. No, you're right.
SHARP: I'm going to go on the side that -- that he...
SANCHEZ: You're right.
SHARP: You know, he's innocent until proven guilty. Let him give his opportunity to say what happened. Let this thing play itself out. And then, once it's all -- all determined in a court of law, he's had -- he's had an opportunity to state his case. If he is proven guilty, then, you know, I don't think we will hear from Lawrence Taylor again.
SANCHEZ: Well, you know that there are -- you know that -- you know that there are viewers who are watching us right now who are shaking their heads and are wondering what's going on with past and present NFL football players, in light of what has been recently reported about Ben Roethlisberger.
So, these are -- these are...
SHARP: Well, yes. It's a different situation, though.
SANCHEZ: It's...
(CROSSTALK)
SHARP: Roethlisberger -- Roethlisberger was involved with a 20-, 21- year -- 20-year-old, an underage drinker...
SANCHEZ: Right.
SHARP: ... in that episode in Georgia.
SANCHEZ: Well...
SHARP: If it's true, this is a 15-year-old. Whether or not he knew she was 15 years old or not, it doesn't matter.
SANCHEZ: It brings it to a whole -- it brings it to a different level. You're right.
No, you're right.
SHARP: Yes, exactly. SANCHEZ: It brings it to a different level.
And -- and I wasn't trying to equate both cases.
SHARP: Right.
SANCHEZ: I'm just saying it just so happens that they're happening at the same time.
Anginette (ph), tell me again. Bail has been set at $75,000. Let -- let's dip in for just a moment. And then we're going to try and get a -- sneak a break in. Let's see.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) in favor of the victim, who's been identified by initials. Second, Judge, I would like to serve counsel grand -- with grand jury notice, pursuant to 1-950. And I would ask counsel...
SANCHEZ: All right. This thing...
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: There's going to be some more comments exchanged between the attorney and the -- let's -- let's get -- let's sneak a break in here, if we possibly can.
Just to check to make sure I heard you right, what did you say the bond was, Anginette (ph)? Seventy-five thousand dollars bail for arguably one of the greatest linebackers in the history of the NFL.
My thanks to Drew Sharp for joining us and taking us through this conversation -- difficult time for Mr. Taylor.
You're watching RICK'S LIST. I'm Rick Sanchez. And we're going to be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: Welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez.
Let me bring you up to date on a story that we told you about moments ago. And that is that Lawrence Taylor, Lawrence Taylor has just been arraigned. His bail was set at $75,000 -- Taylor was charged in the alleged rape of a teenage girl said to be perhaps 15, 16 years old in Ramapo, New York.
We're going to be all over that story.
But, of course, one of the other big stories that we're following for you right now having to do with what is going on off the Gulf Coast. As you saw here on our newscast yesterday, there there's containment dome which is making its way out to one of the leaks.
Now, this is significant for two reasons. A, we're going to take you through that in a moment, because Chad Myers has this animation that will show you exactly what this thing will hopefully do -- hopefully. And I understand it's been put in place.
The second part of this story is, the leak itself seems to be having an effect on the shoreline. In fact, CNN today got some of the very first pictures of the oil washing up on one of the shores of one of the islands not far from the Louisiana coast, the Louisiana mainland.
Our Brooke Baldwin was there, and has put this exclusive story together for you to see exactly what the effect of this oil is on the beach.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Take a look at what we found in the water. This is the oil. This massive orange sheen is the oil over 25 miles south of the Gulf Coast.
Let's take a closer look and see what it looks like. It is all over this side of the Chandeleur Islands, this kind of orange almost goo.
Captain George Pelaez good enough to drive us out here to check out the oil. And we just came upon this.
When you see this, what do you think?
GEORGE PELAEZ, CHARTER BOAT CAPTAIN: It's a little discouraging now, because right -- right now, we're at a very popular fishing location. We fish the Chandeleur chain, and we're already in the (INAUDIBLE). So, it's -- it's on this side of the island right now. And we're going to keep on going south.
BALDWIN: As you take a look at some of the oil here in the water, we have noticed that it's at least about 18 inches deep. I have seen some fish already swimming through it.
So, to get a better glimpse as to what it really looks like under there, let's take a look with our underwater camera.
And one of the biggest concerns here with this oil spill, of course, is the wildlife. And now we have a front-row seat to what these experts are talking about.
This is New Harbor Island. There are hundreds of pelicans here. This is nesting season -- the pelicans, their babies. And you can see here, just about 10 feet from that shore, the authorities have put out this protective booming to do precisely that, try to protect this habitat.
Today we have perfect conditions, but here's one of the criticisms. This is a close look at the booms. The booms are supposed to keep all this oil from going anywhere closer to these eco-habitats on the islands.
This massive criticism is that the wind on any other day is worse. It can easily go over the boom. Another worry is because some of this oil is so broken up -- underneath these booms are only about this thick -- it could go right on under. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And what I see from these booms, anything above a 15-knot wind, it's over. I mean, it's not going to serve its purpose. When do you go back to work?
BALDWIN: You don't know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's it, we don't know. And right now, what I've seen out there, it's going to be later than sooner.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: All right. So what Brooke just did for us there is she provided us the micro-perspective on this story, to actually see, touch, feel that oil.
Here's Chad Myers now. He's going to take us through two things. A, he's going to give us the position of where Brooke was as she was reporting that story. And B, he's going to take us through these really cool animations that actually show what this containment dome will do.
Take it away, sir.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is truly awesome.
OK. So here's Mobile Bay. And then we'll talk about Dauphin Island.
And this is our Rob Marciano. He's in a boat. He's going out to Horn Island, because there's confirmed oil on the beach there.
Here's where Brooke is -- or where she was when she was in that boat -- and so -- and then these are the Chandeleur Islands. So, actually, Brooke is on the other side, where you wouldn't expect the oil to be. You'd expect the oil to be in the Gulf of Mexico.
In fact, she's in the bay, on this side. So it's already made its way around and around here by both sides of where those guys are. So they are going to be seeing oil all day long, I think, tomorrow, because this isn't going anywhere at all.
And now, Rick, back to your favorite thing, this animation. I know you love it.
You want to come in here? You want to talk about it?
SANCHEZ: Yes. No, I'm really curious the way this thing works.
MYERS: Yes, you don't have to stand over there. This is my world. You can have it.
They're taking it out on a big old ship. They're going to take this box -- and there it is. They call it like a milk carton. And they're going to -- but it's almost 100 tons.
They're dropping it all the way down to the sea floor, and they're going to cover the hole. The oil is still going to come out the top. Then they're going to bring down a pipe connected to the top.
SANCHEZ: It's almost like a siphoning device.
MYERS: How cool is that?
SANCHEZ: Yes.
MYERS: And then they're going to take it up to the top.
Now, they're going to do a couple of things. They're going to do near the leak. Here's the latest, greatest satellite picture of this thing. This is the thick oil.
More thick oil up through here. And then all the way up even into Mobile Bay. You start seeing the streaks on up here, and this is where the islands are. This is Dauphin Island, over Pascagoula, and then over here toward Orange Beach this way.
This would be the mouth of the Mississippi River all the way down here. New Orleans is way up there, so we're not close to New Orleans. I don't think it ever gets to New Orleans.
One more thing that I can show you, and I think this is going to work, because my producer Angie got it to work a little bit ago. This is a high-res version of what I just showed you.
You have high-def, low-def. Now we're in the high-def studio. OK?
SANCHEZ: Yes, I like that.
MYERS: We're moving on up. There's the box. It's going all the way down --
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: Now, what percentage of the oil is this thing going to be potentially able to cap?
MYERS: I believe it's going to get all of it.
SANCHEZ: Really? I read something like 80 percent.
MYERS: I know, but I think they're being pessimistic. I think this is going to work.
The oil is going to get into this box, it's going to lift itself up because oil floats. It's up on the top there. And they're going to suck it out of top of that box. And it's going to be up into another ship up on the top of the ocean.
SANCHEZ: Has this ever been used before?
MYERS: It has, but not to this depth.
SANCHEZ: Never to 5,000 feet.
MYERS: Never to 5,000 feed. You have to think about this. We talked about -- joked about this earlier.
Remember, if you go to a carnival, you get these plastic rings, five for $1, and you've got to throw them on these two-liter jugs -- you know, the Coke bottles. And that's what they're doing. They've got a ring that they're trying to put around a Coke bottle on the bottom of the ocean.
SANCHEZ: But they have submersibles, like little submarines down there, right?
MYERS: And those things are going to guide it because there's an east-west, north-south that makes a difference how it goes on the well head. And it also has to slide right on top of that well -- the blowout preventer down there.
SANCHEZ: Just got to watch out for those marlin and the octopus.
MYERS: It's going to work.
(LAUGHTER)
SANCHEZ: Great explanation.
MYERS: Thanks.
SANCHEZ: By the way, the Lawrence Taylor hearing just ended. And we're taking you back there live to bring you an update on that.
Thanks again, Chad.
MYERS: You bet. Any time.
SANCHEZ: We'll be back right after the break. Stay there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: We look at some of the relevant tweets that come in on the news that we're following for you, and there's one that's just coming in right now. It's from a present football player who's been on "Dancing With the Stars," tweeting about a former football player who's been on "Dancing With the Stars."
"Damn, I just saw the news. What happened when Lawrence Taylor -- did this happen or just allegations that he did? Either way, damn, not cool." Sad face, Chad OchoCinco.
Moments ago, that hearing in New York was held for Lawrence Taylor, and I should bring you up to date on the fact that -- I should try and explain this as best I can before we go to our correspondent who's there, because there's been a lot of commentary about this.
The latest is police say pro-football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor has been charged with third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute in an assault on a 16 -- that's the first time we've seen the age nailed down -- on a 16-year-old runaway who was brought to his suburban New York City hotel against her will Charged with third- degree rape and patronizing a prostitute.
All right. Here we go.
As we look at some of the video, there you see the handcuffs on Lawrence Taylor.
Allan Chernoff is our correspondent who's been following the story. He was in the courtroom, as a matter of fact, and can bring us up to date now on this story.
Allan, what was it like? What did he seem like? What were the arguments that we weren't able to quite grasp that were taking place in the courtroom?
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SR. CORRESPONDENT: Lawrence Taylor looked very concerned, paying very close attention. The judge did set bail of $75,000, and Mr. Taylor's defense attorney said this is a caring and loving family man, married, father of three. He said to the judge, hey, where is he going? He is a spokesman for international corporations. His name, his face plastered all over the place.
Look at the media circus -- and we've got more than two dozen TV cameras here. He said, where is the man going? He argued that there should not be any dollar figure, that he should simply be released on his own recognizance. But $75,000 is the amount -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Hey, I've got a couple of questions. First, a comment -- a programming note.
Lawrence Taylor's wife, Lynette Taylor, is going to be on "LARRY KING LIVE" tonight. That should certainly be interesting, that she's doing an interview so soon after this hearing that we just saw.
And my question is, do you know why third-degree rape? Why is this a third-degree rape case? What's the difference between first and second and third? Do you happen to know?
CHERNOFF: Well, in this case, allegedly, right, a prostitute was brought to his hotel room --
SANCHEZ: Turn around. Turn around. Turn around. Allan, turn around.
CHERNOFF: Heads up?
SANCHEZ: Yes.
CHERNOFF: Here we go.
SANCHEZ: What's going on there? Take us into it.
They're about to which an impromptu news conference.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody ready?
SANCHEZ: Yes. Let's do it. QUESTION: And your name and title one more time for all of us?
ARTHUR AIDALA, LAWRENCE TAYLOR'S ATTORNEY: My name is Arthur Aidala, and I am Lawrence Taylor's attorney.
QUESTION: Can you say that again, please?
AIDALA: My name is Arthur Aidala, and I am Lawrence Taylor's attorney.
Today, obviously, was a very difficult, difficult day for Lawrence. Anyone who could see the pained look on his face when he was in that courtroom could verify that.
Mr. Taylor is denying and preparing to fight each and every one of these charges. It's very interesting how the story started off this morning, that he physically assaulted somebody, and the record has been cleared, that Lawrence Taylor didn't assault anybody. And the record should be very clear as to what the charges are.
The charges are that there was a consensual sexual act that took place here. There's no violence, there's no force, there's no threats, there's no weapons.
You heard previously that Mr. Taylor was very cooperative. He's been cooperative throughout this whole process. That does not mean he's not devastated.
I know a question that's been asked often has to do with his drug use. Lawrence has told me to say from the highest mountains that we have here in Rockland County, he has not touched any drugs in over a dozen years. He is clean, clean, clean. That life is over.
That's the old Lawrence Taylor. This is the new Lawrence Taylor. All he wants to do is get back to Florida, be with his wife, have myself and his legal team fight this, put this episode behind him as well.
QUESTION: Can you address the police claim that he confessed to paying $300?
AIDALA: I've handled so many cases where, at the arraignment, the district attorney's office or the police department talk about these claims that my clients have made, and then through the course of their investigation, or the course of a trial, it turns out that those statements are absolutely blatantly false. And I suspect that's what we're going to find here.
QUESTION: You mentioned consent, but she's 16.
AIDALA: And the reason why I mention consent is there are many charges of rape. Many of them have to do with force and threats and violence and weapons.
That is not the charge of rape we're talking about here. It is merely an age. And I'm not minimizing it. These are very serious charges, but everybody should know, unlike this morning, the reports that we were hearing were blatantly, blatantly false, and that has been cleared.
QUESTION: Did he know her age?
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
AIDALA: My client was in town to work. He was good to play some golf with some friends and was going to work. And then this nightmare unfolded before him.
QUESTION: Did he know her age?
AIDALA: I'm not even admitting that he even knew her. We don't even know who she was. Her name wasn't even on the document that was submitted today.
We have some initials. So at this point, you can presume that each and every aspect of this case and each and every aspect of these charges will be litigated to the fullest extent of the law.
QUESTION: Did your client have sex with somebody?
AIDALA: My client did not have sex with anybody, period. Amen. Is that enough?
QUESTION: What is his connection to Rasheed Davis (ph)?
AIDALA: I have no idea. I don't even know who Rasheed Davis (ph) is.
QUESTION: Why did you say it was consensual. Did he have sex?
AIDALA: I did not say it was consensual. I said that the district attorney's office is charging him with a consensual act. He did not have consensual sex with anyone. Lawrence Taylor did not have consensual sex with anybody last night.
QUESTION: What about a sexual act?
AIDALA: He is charged with rape. Lawrence Taylor did not rape anybody. Am I clear?
QUESTION: What was the admission of $300?
AIDALA: I have no idea what that admission was. I don't know what that money was. I don't know who that admission was to, when it was, under what circumstances it was gotten under. So we will litigate every aspect of that statement that the prosecutor is putting forth.
QUESTION: Counselor, do you know how Ms. Davis (ph) ultimately wound up in a hotel?
AIDALA: I have no idea. I don't even know if they were in a hotel.
QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)
AIDALA: The truth is, as far as I know, I don't if any woman ever entered any room. QUESTION: So you're saying he's a target because of his celebrity?
AIDALA: It would be no shock to anybody that somebody who has really resurrected his career and has been in the public light more recently than ever to be a target of people who, at least according to the earlier press conference, have some questionable background.
QUESTION: You've spent some time with now this afternoon.
AIDALA: Yes. He's devastated. He's absolutely devastated.
QUESTION: Describe it a little bit more. What's he saying to you as far as his feelings?
AIDALA: I'm going to defer to his longtime business partner and friend, Mark Lepselter.
QUESTION: Can you spell your last name, sir?
MARK LEPSELTER, LAWRENCE TAYLOR'S BUSINESS PARTNER: L-E-P-S-E-L-T-E- R.
QUESTION: First name?
LEPSELTER: Mark.
QUESTION: With a "K " or --
LEPSELTER: K.
What was the question?
QUESTION: Would you just -- I assume you've spent some time with him this afternoon, talked with him. Describe his state of mind, if you will, please.
LEPSELTER: I've known Lawrence for 20 years, and I've represented him for the better part of the last 15. And I've never seen him this distraught.
QUESTION: You've never seen him what? I'm sorry.
LEPSELTER: I've never seen him this distraught.
QUESTION: Could you share a little bit of how he conveyed that to you?
LEPSELTER: No, that's personal.
QUESTION: Do you know who --
(CROSSTALK)
LEPSELTER: I have absolutely no idea.
QUESTION: Can you describe what Mr. Taylor's activities were last night and early this morning?
LEPSELTER: I can't do that because I wasn't there. Can't do that, because I was not there. I have absolutely no idea.
QUESTION: His attorney said he (INAUDIBLE).
QUESTION: Can you perhaps describe what Mr. Taylor has said he was doing late last night and early this morning?
LEPSELTER: Arthur can jump back in, in a minute if need be.
QUESTION: I mean, other than the court activity, what do you think he wants to do right now? To live with this and to cope with this, I guess is the most important thing.
LEPSELTER: I'm not sure.
QUESTION: What do you expect him -- I mean, will he go back home?
LEPSELTER: Yes. I mean, absolutely. He'll go back home to Pembroke Pines. And I think the court date is June 10th, or whatever it is, but he'll be present and accounted for in a legal sense whenever he's asked to be.
QUESTION: And emotionally, how do you expect him to deal with this?
LEPSELTER: I think Lawrence is very upset. You know, he's worked very hard over the last 12 years to change perceptions about him. We all know what I'm alluding to. And the guy that I deal with on a day in/day out basis now is someone that a lot of people are very fond of.
He's good to a lot of people, very charismatic. And I think that this situation is upsetting to him because it obviously brings back things from the past, or perceptions, and I think as much as anything, that may be why he's in the state of mind he is right now.
SANCHEZ: Boy, I'll tell you, what a story unfolding before our eyes here. And you noticed a couple of things that I should bring to your attention.
One of them was the confusion amongst reporters when his lawyer, Lawrence Taylor's lawyer, seemed to intimate for just a moment that the sex, or whatever act had occurred, may have been consensual. In fact, that was the language that he used.
But then he came back and said, no, there was no consensual sex, there was no rape, there was no act. So a bit of a change there.
He also mentioned something -- this is interesting. He blasted the prosecution in this case by saying we don't even know what the facts are, we don't even known what the girl's name is, they didn't put the girl's name, they just put some initials.
Well, actually that's standard. Whenever you have a case where you don't want the victim to be identified by the media or by anyone else, you don't show her name, you don't describe her, and you don't ever use her full name. You just use initials, in case you were wondering why the documents were written that way.
What a story.
We're all over it. We're going to bring you more information. We'll be getting back to our correspondents following that.
I'll be talking to Wolf Blitzer. And, of course, there's also the news out of the Gulf. And the market seemingly to go down like a lead balloon for a little while.
I'm Rick Sanchez. This is "RICK'S LIST." And we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: So much story on this day -- so many stories, I should say, on this day.
Welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez.
There's a situation in the Gulf of Mexico. There's the situation with Lawrence Taylor.
And then there's this -- did you see what happened in Greece today? These are pictures from Athens. We brought them to you as they were taking place.
Suddenly, police moved in on the protesters. It was literally pandemonium there on the streets. Some were describing it as a riot. Certainly, it was civil unrest.
And then we saw what may have been the reaction to this. The market, the Dow went plummeting down. At first it was thought just a direct reaction to this, ended up down 347. At one point, it was under 990. And then we learned that it may have been a combination of things, not only the Greek situation, the fact that they're in a debt crisis, and people are being asked to pay more taxes and work harder, but also the fact that there may have been something with Proctor & Gamble. Whether Procter & Gamble stock-shoot that, fellows, over there. Look at that Proctor & Gamble stock around that same time. Look what it did. You see that little peak right there? Yes, that is it. Go in on it, go tighter, go tighter. Look at that peak. Right there, see that? That's what happened to the stock. Bang, it went straight down and then went back up.
I want to talk immigration. This is a story you know that I've been talking about all week. And I've raised some very serious questions. And many of you have been e-mailing and Tweeting about this. Many of you disagreeing, many of you agreeing, either way. When we found out that Faisal Shahzad was a suspect in the Times Square bomb we started wondering how someone who seemed to hate America, was able to become an American citizen, or even wanted to. I look at the naturalization forms that he had filled out.
And I noticed, as I went through them, there were so many questions on communism, totalitarianism, and Nazism, tons of questions on Nazism, but there was only one question about terrorism. Shouldn't the form reflect the threats of today as opposed to the threats of 60 or 70 years ago. This is not about blame, were are just trying to make the point that maybe the naturalization forms should be updated.
I ask the present Naturalization & Citizenship office to come in and join us, they didn't want to, so we sought the fellow who used to be in charge of this office in the past. During George W. Bush's administration, who has been on this newscast several times.
And I do believe we have Alfonso Aguilar with us now.
Mr. Aguilar, thanks for being with us, sir.
ALFONSO AGUILAR, FMR. CHIEF, OFFICE OF CITIZENSHIP: Hey, Rick, how are you doing?
SANCHEZ: Am I crazy when I look at this form and I see all these questions about Nazism and Communism and totalitarianism, and only one question about -- look, let me ask you the question this way. What do you think is a bigger threat to the United States today? An 80-year- old Nazi or 20-some year old potential terrorist from the Middle East?
AGUILAR: There are a couple questions that are shall we say, antiquated. That sound a little bit weird. But there is one question there about terrorism, if the person is involved with a terrorist organization.
SANCHEZ: Correct.
AGUILAR: But frankly, look, that's only a small section of the form. The N400, the naturalization application, it's a 10-page document, it's pretty straightforward. The Immigration Services actually gets the information that it needs to conduct a background check. Now through the naturalization process the candidate undergoes a background check, which is conducted by the FBI. And it is a very thorough-
SANCHEZ: But hold on a minute. If a background check is all you need, then why are you asking them any questions to begin with? Why are you even asking them anything? He could lie about anything.
AGUILAR: Because if he provides any information in that form that is false, he can be denaturalized. For example, in this case, if he was involved with a terrorist organization before he was naturalized-
SANCHEZ: Which he's saying he was, by the way.
AGUILAR: Well, if that's the case, then he provided false information to the federal government in his naturalization form and he could be denaturalized.
SANCHEZ: In other words, you would strip him of his citizenship?
AGUILAR: Because he lied to the government, yes.
SANCHEZ: That is interesting. Why not ask questions about, have you been to Yemen recently? Have been to Pakistan recently? Have you had any conversations with--
AGUILAR: But that is in the form.
SANCHEZ: I'm sorry?
AGUILAR: That is asked, Rick, in the form. The person has to list all the travels that he or she has made during the past five years.
SANCHEZ: I know they are, but if you're going to specifically ask them if you were ever living or associated with a Nazi organization back in 1930-something that may have been a part of Germany, et cetera, et cetera, if you get so specific on the World War II things, isn't it time we also get specific on the current war on terror issues? It just seems obvious to me.
AGUILAR: But frankly no one is going to say who is involved in terrorist activity and filling out the form that they're involved in terrorist activity. We're just asking some very basic questions. We're asking about their travels, if they have taken any trips outside of the United States, for more than 24 hours, during the five years previous to the application of citizenship. And we get enough information, so a go, thorough background check can be conducted by the FBI.
SANCHEZ: At what point do we see some of those others-we're down to 30 seconds, by the way. Do you think this thing should be revised in any way? When was the last time it was revised, by the way?
AGUILAR: The form, it is periodically revised, questions are added, but the general consensus is that for purposes of the naturalization process, the form is OK. It is already pretty straightforward, and we get information that we need to conduct a thorough background check.
SANCHEZ: I'm just here to ask the questions, sir, and I thank you for taking the time to come in and give us some of those answers. We'll see what the folks on Twitter are saying.
Alfonso Aguilar, thank you for coming in.
Wolf Blitzer standing by now, he's in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Wolf, it's all-
