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The Situation Room

Black Teen in Mississippi Found Dead; Tyler Robinson in Court; Democrats Search For Maine Senate Candidate Replacement; U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran. Aired 10:30a-11a ET

Aired July 09, 2026 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:00]

ADM. JAMES STAVRIDIS (RET.), CNN SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST: So, when you have fewer missiles to expend, like the Iranians do, look for them to go after softer targets, places where they can create an element of surprise and have a dramatic outcome without effectively wasting missiles by simply showering them on Israel, which, believe me, can protect itself quite well.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Yes, Israel has that Iron Dome system, which is very, very effective against incoming missiles.

Some experts have suggested that skirmishes between the U.S. and Iran were to be expected, partly because the terms of that 14-point cease- fire deal were very vague, open to interpretation, and did not resolve the core issues. Do you agree with that view? Did you anticipate that the Iranians would try to create more leverage during the 60-day cease-fire window?

STAVRIDIS: I did.

And I think most analysts who've been watching Iran would tell you two huge pieces of unfinished business, one is the enriched uranium, and the second one is what's occurring in Lebanon just north of Israel with Hezbollah.

So, until those two issues reach some kind of closure, some kind of specific agreement, look for this tit for tat kind of warfare to go on and on.

Let me conclude on that thought, though, Wolf, by saying I'm still cautiously optimistic this thing can get back in the box and get back to negotiations. And the reason is, team Trump wants a deal. And, fundamentally, Iran wants a deal also.

And what they're being offered at this point in terms of unfrozen assets, oil sanctions coming off, potentially $300 billion growth fund, that's a pretty good deal for Tehran. So while I think this will go back and forth for a while, ultimately, both sides have incentives to get back to the bargaining table.

It may take weeks. I don't think it's going to take months and months until we get there.

BLITZER: We will see what happens.

All right, Admiral James Stavridis, as usual, thank you very much. We appreciate your expertise.

And we will continue, of course, our special coverage of the breaking news in this war with Iran, and indeed the Middle East, at the top of the hour.

But there's a lot going on this morning, some other news after the break: Democrats on the clock. The party has only days now to replace Graham Platner. Our Jeff Zeleny will be joining us. He's following the story.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it's a Democratic free-for-all in Maine. One candidate is out, at least six are in one of the most consequential Senate races of the year.

We will have more after the break.

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[10:37:08]

BLITZER: We will get back to our special coverage of the breaking news on the war with Iran in just a few moments.

But, first, here's what else is happening this morning.

Former Olympian David Hearn just pleaded not guilty to charges related to damaging the Reflecting Pool in Washington. He was previously indicted for allegedly ripping a piece of the blue sealant off the bottom of the Reflecting Pool. Three more people have also been criminally charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Officers say they saw the three individuals peeling, peeling and removing pieces of blue paint.

And, in Baltimore, meanwhile, dozens of people were treated for injuries after a bus crashed into a building. One person was in critical condition. The fire department says a medevac helicopter and trauma response team responded to the crash.

And this dramatic scene at a Tampa, Florida restaurant, all caught on camera. Look at this. Law enforcement authorities say they showed up to the establishment filled with smoke and fire. Inside, officials say they found a man holding two knives, leading to this confrontation.

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(SHOUTING)

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BLITZER: Deputies arrested the man and put out the fire.

Also happening now, Democratic upheaval in one of this year's most closely watched midterm contests. Days after a woman accused Graham Platner of rape, Democrats are racing to find a replacement candidate in Maine's all-important Senate race.

The scandal-plagued progressive ended his campaign last night in a defiant video to supporters. Platner maintained the allegations against him are, in his word, false, while also taking a parting shot at the Democratic Party establishment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GRAHAM PLATNER (D), MAINE SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: The things that have been claimed did not happen. It's not real. We live in a political system that is not built for normal people. It is a system that is built structurally to make sure that movements like ours cannot flourish. We believe that, for the movement to continue, it can't be me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: CNN chief national affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny is here in THE SITUATION ROOM. He's been following every development in this race. He's joining us now.

So what comes next now that Platner is out?

ZELENY: Wolf, that certainly was not an act of contrition, a contrite statement.

I mean, Graham Platner, in getting out of the race, has essentially poured fuel on the fire that's dividing this Democratic Party, but he now has stepped aside. But at least six candidates are in the race. And Maine Democrats now have this unprecedented situation of having 18 days to choose a nominee to run against Senator Susan Collins.

[10:40:01]

Of course, she's one of the most formidable Republicans in the U.S. Senate. But look at some of these candidates here. Troy Jackson is the former president of the Maine Senate. Nirav Shah, he just jumped in this morning. He is the former CDC director in Maine, and he grew a lot of name recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic with daily briefings.

Shenna Bellows is the secretary of state of Maine. Dan Kleban is the president of the Maine Beer Company. A couple other candidates as well, including Valli Geiger, a state lawmaker, and Jordan Wood also just jumping in. He ran for Congress and lost the primary.

There's a through line to all of these candidates. Some of them are familiar to voters. Three of them ran in the governor's primary last month and were unsuccessful. So some have already earned votes from Mainers.

But the reality is, this is starting from square one. There are going to be 600 Maine Democrats who are going to gather at a state party convention at some point over the next 18 days and decide who the nominee is. So you can just imagine there will be probably a lack of consensus

here, but this is what the Maine state party is trying to do to make it a Democratic and an open process. We will see if that happens. But all the while...

BLITZER: So there will be a majority vote among the 600 delegates? Is that it?

ZELENY: For sure. And we don't know if it'll be several rounds or not. We have not gotten the details on that. The Maine Democratic Party now has to figure all this out.

But Maine law allows for someone to get out of the race if they do so by July 13, which Graham Platner has, and they have to have a new nominee by July 27. All the while, we should point out Susan Collins running for a sixth term in Maine, was thought to be one of the most...

BLITZER: She's the Republican.

ZELENY: She's the Republican, was thought to be one of the most vulnerable candidates this year. She's been watching this and campaigning all along. So certainly it's good for her. We will see if Democrats find someone without this baggage that Platner had.

BLITZER: We will see what they can do. All right, thanks very much, Jeff Zeleny.

ZELENY: Sure.

BLITZER: Excellent analysis.

Also happening now, a major development in the preliminary hearing of the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the judge saying he will allow prosecutors to play a video interview of Tyler Robinson's former roommate.

This is after we heard for the first time in this hearing from the Kirk family attorney calling for the evidence to be made public.

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JEFFREY NEIMAN, ATTORNEY FOR KIRK FAMILY: The Kirk family believes strongly that, if the evidence is being admitted in this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to see, no redactions.

To not be transparent here, to not be open, to not let the world see what happened will create doubt and distrust in the judicial system. And that's not what anybody wants.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: All right, let's go live right now to CNN national correspondent Nick Watt.

Nick, so what are we expecting to see when court resumes later today? NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, we will probably

get to what many have said will be the highlight of this five-day hearing, after which a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to put Tyler Robinson on trial for the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Now, this key piece of evidence is a video. It is an interview, a deposition with Tyler Robinson's former roommate/romantic partner. Now, the interview, we're told, is about 35 minutes long. Yesterday, they argued back and forth over how much of that was admissible, whether it should be played, video and audio.

Anyway, what they have landed on, we believe is, of that 35 minutes, we will probably get about half of it. Unclear if it will just be audio that will be available to the public, or if we will also see the images. Court opens in about 15, 20 minutes, and we should find out then.

Now, why is this piece of evidence so key? Well, prosecutors claim that basically communication between Tyler Robinson and this roommate is essentially tantamount to a confession -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, we will stay on top of this story as well.

Nick Watt, thank you very, very much.

Also coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM: A black teen in Mississippi is found dead after a trip with a group of white friends. And now the family of Nolan Wells is calling for their own autopsy and investigation into how he died.

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[10:48:26]

BLITZER: Happening now: Authorities this morning are asking the public for any photos or videos taken on or near Mississippi's Horn Island on July 4.

And this comes as they investigate the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells. Specifically, authorities say they're interested in photos and videos that depict -- quote -- "alleged altercations" or any media that potentially show Wells on that day.

Wells' body was discovered Monday after an extensive search involving several agencies, local law enforcement, and volunteers.

CNN affiliate WLOX's reporter Noah Nobles -- Noble has the latest on this investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NOAH NOBLE, WLOX REPORTER (voice-over): How did Nolan Wells die? It's the burning question following the discovery of the missing teen's body on July 6.

CURLEY CLARK, PRESIDENT, JACKSON COUNTY NAACP: We do not want anyone to jump to conclusions. It's going to be very hurtful to the family if the wrong conclusions don't pan out.

NOBLE: Jackson county NAACP President Curley Clark says he wants to see less conjecture and more coming together.

CLARK: It's sad, but I have to admit that race is a part of the equation. So we want to make sure that we're going to be very deliberate in the findings and ensure that the facts come out and that justice is served.

NOBLE: Here's what we know.

On July 4, Wells got on a boat with friends launched from a private dock in Ocean Springs with a course set for Horn Island. Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole says her stepson was on that boat with Wells.

[10:50:00]

In this statement published on Facebook, Judge Cole says her stepson last saw Wells around 3:00. At 4:30 p.m., the boat that brought Wells to the island headed back to the coast because it was taking on water, according to Cole.

Sheriff John Ledbetter says Wells stayed behind on the island and planned to catch a ride back to shore later that afternoon. Family then reported the teen missing around midnight. Local, federal, and volunteer search crews then began working against the clock.

Monday, July 6, a park ranger found Wells' body washed up in the marsh at the edge of the island. Wells was brought back to the coast, then taken to the state medical examiner's office for an autopsy. While the results are pending, Jackson County investigators are digging through countless tips and sorting fact from fiction, as social media speculation grows by the day.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And thanks to our affiliate WLOX and reporter Noah Noble.

Joining us now, CNN senior law enforcement analyst the former D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey. He's also the former Philadelphia police commissioner.

Chief, thanks very much for joining us.

Let me start by getting your reaction to this latest statement from the sheriff's department. They are asking for photos and videos that potentially show Wells on that day, in addition to anything that depicts an alleged altercation. What does this tell you about where they are going in this investigation?

CHARLES RAMSEY, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, what it tells me is they don't have a real clear picture as to what took place.

I mean, photos and video are essential in any investigation. If you can come across a video especially, it will make a difference in this case. Apparently, the family wants a second autopsy, which is just fine. If a family, in any case, not just this one, wants to have an independent autopsy, they should have the right to do so.

But, apparently, the manner and cause of death has not yet been determined, and the medical examiner is looking for more information from the police as this thing moves on. And, of course, toxicology will also add to the investigation in terms of trying to determine manner and cause.

BLITZER: Chief Ramsey, what else about this investigation stands out to you right now?

RAMSEY: Well, I mean, there's a lot of conjecture. There's no question about that.

I mean, he goes to an island with friends. The friends leave without him. Supposedly, the boat is taking on water. It's got to be crucial that they interview all those individuals that were with him to make sure their stories are consistent and the boat, in fact, was experiencing a problem, which is why they left, and he decided he was going to stay on his own.

So there are a lot of loose ends that the sheriff is working with right now. And so it's far too soon to draw any kind of real conclusions. But once the autopsy is complete and the results are in, the toxicology, witness statements, and all that, we will have a clearer picture as to what actually happened to him.

BLITZER: The family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who says he and his legal team will be conducting an independent review of the circumstances surrounding Wells' death. How might an independent investigation look different potentially from one being conducted by law enforcement?

RAMSEY: Well, hopefully, it doesn't look that different, but they will be going over the same evidence. They will be interviewing people. They will be doing everything they possibly can.

And, hopefully, if -- unless there's something unusual that occurred, they should arrive at the same conclusion. It's just unfortunate, and my condolences to the family, to have something like this happen. But it's also understandable that there'd be a lot of concern in a case like this, and we need to get to the bottom of it.

BLITZER: What happens if an independent investigation comes to different conclusions than the official investigation?

RAMSEY: Well, the official investigation has to go back to the drawing board and they have to take a look at the evidence that may have been uncovered by that independent investigator.

It may or may not be evidence that's credible. And so you would go back and you would take a look at their investigation to see whether or not you did, in fact, miss anything. What you want is a thorough, complete investigation, regardless of who does it. And if it requires an independent investigator working along with the

sheriff's detectives, then so be it, as long as you get to the bottom of it, so that the family finally can understand and know what actually took place. That's really what's important, is the family right now.

BLITZER: Yes, so important.

His death has received a lot of attention on social media. How can that potentially play into an investigation?

RAMSEY: Well, sometimes, you get a tip from social media that can be useful. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of conjecture and a lot of rumors and things like that spread on social media.

Hopefully, the sheriff's office is also putting information out on social media so they become a source where people can go to get the most current information on this particular case, which at this point doesn't sound like it'll be a whole lot, but at least do what you can to try to reach as many people as possible.

[10:55:09]

But they're looking for tips and clues, and a lot of those tips will come over social media. I mean, you're talking about a young crowd. That's how they communicate is through social media. So, someone who may know something, may have heard something, may in fact have a video, you may learn that by monitoring social media chatter.

BLITZER: Yes, good point.

Chief Charles Ramsey, thanks, as usual, for joining us.

RAMSEY: Thank you.

BLITZER: And so here's what else is coming up all new right at the top of the hour in THE SITUATION ROOM.

We're live from Texas, where there's growing outrage right now after a deadly shooting involving ICE. Why the victim's family is already disputing the agency's account of what happened.

Plus, U.S. attacks on Iran have resumed big time. Does that mean a rise in gas and oil prices is back as well?

And high speed on the green. Someone's game of golf is interrupted by a police chase. How the wild pursuit across several counties came to an end.

That's all new in the next hour.

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