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CNN Sunday Morning
BTK Killer Suspect Arrested; Search Continues for Florida Girl; Saddam's Half Brother Captured
Aired February 27, 2005 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: After more than three decades, police say the serial killer known as BTK is captured, and the families of his victims speak out.
And good morning everyone. I'm Tony Harris. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is February 27.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Oscar day.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thank you very much for being with us today. It is 9 a.m. in the East, 8 a.m. in Wichita, Kansas. We want to get right to the top story.
A former high-ranking Iraqi official on the most wanted list is now in custody. That is according to Iraqi officials. No details were released on when or how Saddam Hussein's half brother was captured, but coalition forces say there was a $1 million bounty for him. Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan was believed to be helping finance the insurgency.
Now to Rome. Pope John Paul II appeared briefly at his hospital window today to bless a crowd of the faithful below. He was not able to speak because of a tracheotomy, but this morning's service at St. Peter's Square was read by an aide.
And in the Middle East, Israel blames militants based in Syria for a deadly suicide attack at the Tel Aviv nightclub there. This morning Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pointed the finger at the Islamic Jihad in Syria. Israel did not rule out military action but did urge other nations to pressure Syria to crack down on militants.
HARRIS: There's a lot to stay tuned for this hour. Just ahead, a live report from Wichita and what's next in the BTK serial killer case now that police have a prime suspect?
Also coming up, we'll speak to a U.S. Marine who only recently regained consciousness after his unit was attacked in January.
And later, a 911 to the fashion police. Glamour and fashion violations we might expect at tonight's Oscars.
NGUYEN: All right. Our top story right now: his neighbors in Kansas say he lived an ordinary life, but police say that ordinary life was cloak and dagger to some extraordinary crimes. They have arrested Dennis Rader, seen here, saying he spent years binding, torturing and killing at least 10 victims. He's suspected of being the BTK Killer.
For more, let's go to CNN's Jonathan Freed, live in Wichita with the latest on this story -- Jonathan.
JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
As the sun comes up here in Wichita this morning, this town is marked in large part by quiet reflection and relief.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHIEF NORMAN WILLIAMS, WICHITA POLICE: The bottom line, BTK is arrested.
FREED (voice-over): The suspect is 59-year-old Dennis Rader of Park City, just north of Wichita, arrested for first-degree murder on Friday.
Police aren't releasing many details and won't yet say what led them to him. CNN affiliate KAKE-TV is reporting that Rader's daughter told police she suspected her father was the killer. Police took a blood sample and her DNA was a 90 percent match to BTK. Police then moved in on Rader. CNN is working to confirm the KAKE report.
Local news media are also reporting that Rader works for the city enforcing local ordinances and as a dogcatcher.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph Otero, Julie Otero...
FREED: It took time for the lead investigator to read the victims' names out loud.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph Junior. Kathryn Bright.
FREED: It was painful for their families to hear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... Vian Relford.
FREED: But everyone here knew it was necessary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And Vicki Wegerle.
FREED: Police now allege the BTK strangler killed 10 people between 1974 and 1991.
The killer was notorious for toying with police by sending notes and packages to the media, enclosing things like trophy photos taken at crime scenes. KAKE reports the suspect has been the president of his local Lutheran church.
And in his Park City community, shock that police say the demon they feared has been living among them all this time. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have to be really sick to do things like he did. And then my baby is playing in the yard right here with him. It's just -- I don't know how to tell you how I feel. I'm just flabbergasted.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FREED: Now, Betty, the charges against Dennis Rader are expected to be -- to begin to be finalized with the district attorney's office here starting tomorrow -- Betty.
NGUYEN: OK, Jonathan. We're looking at 10 counts that police plan to file, at least eight of them for first-degree murder. Is Dennis Rader eligible for the death penalty?
FREED: That was a big question here. The district attorney went to great pains to explain why the answer is no. Death penalty cases are only eligible for crimes committed 1994 and beyond in Kansas right now. As of now, he is only accused of committing these homicide up until 1991. So they are saying that no, as it stands right now, not death penalty eligible.
NGUYEN: All right. Not eligible for death penalty but still, 10 counts plan to be filed by police against Dennis Rader, who is the presumed BTK Killer. All right. Thank you very much, Jonathan Freed in Wichita, Kansas.
Well, an overwhelming mix of grief and relief, that is what many victims' relatives say they are feeling about the arrest of BTK suspect Dennis Rader. Now many of the relatives, they are starting to speak out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE RELFORD, WITNESSED 1977 MURDER OF MOTHER: I would just like to thank everybody that helped catch him, you know. I waited 28 years for this day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Tomorrow night CNN's Aaron Brown anchors a special on the BTK arrest. "NEWSNIGHT's" special edition of "Catching BTK," that will be at 10:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
HARRIS: Another day and no sign of little Jessica Lunsford, who disappeared on Wednesday. A $25,000 reward has been issued for information leading to her whereabouts. And authorities hope that will entice someone to come forward.
Live now to CNN's Sara Dorsey in Homosassa Springs, Florida.
Sara, good morning.
SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Tony.
The search continues for Jessica Lunsford. It's day No. 4 and still no trace of this 9-year-old girl.
The third grader, wearing only a nightgown, disappeared from the home she shares with her grandparents and her father overnight Wednesday or into Thursday morning. Early Thursday morning was when her concerned grandmother made this call to 911 for help.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is her name?
RUTH LUNSFORD, MISSING GIRL'S GRANDMOTHER: Jessica Lunsford. L- U-N-S-F-O-R-D.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What's her date of birth, ma'am?
LUNSFORD: October the...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's OK, you're doing good. October what?
LUNSFORD: October 6, 1995.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In '95?
LUNSFORD: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, ma'am. We are getting you some help.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
DORSEY: And help has come in abundance to this area. More than 500 people have come out yesterday to help with the search, and despite bad weather today, searchers are back at it again.
The sheriff today asked for people with four-wheel drive vehicles to come out to help them. The day began early this morning. They started meeting at about 7:30.
Now, this is a town of only a few thousand people. Everywhere we have been, stores, restaurants, there are already missing posters hanging up. People really concerned about this right now. And you can tell that by 500 searchers in a town of only a couple thousand, Tony.
HARRIS: Sara, a quick question. The media world has descended on, as you mentioned, that small town. What are folks saying about this young girl and about this case?
DORSEY: I talked to one woman this morning that I think really sums it up. She says it's absolutely hard to believe that a little girl, a 9-year-old, could disappear from her home in only a nightgown. No shoes. No coat. No nothing and no one has any clue about it, you know.
And I think that's what police are saying. They just really don't know where to look anymore. They tried a computer. That turned up nothing. They're questioning her family. They're questioning this little girl's friends and still nothing.
But the town is very, very concerned. Everyone here making an effort to try to get this little girl back home.
HARRIS: Very good. Sarah Dorsey, we appreciate it. Sarah, thank you.
NGUYEN: Saddam Hussein's half brother has been captured in Iraq. Not only is he on the U.S. list of most wanted Iraqis; authorities also believe he bankrolled insurgents.
More now from CNN's Nic Robertson in Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, multinational force officials say that Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan al-Tikriti was detained in a joint multinational force and Iraqi raid.
He did have a million dollar bounty on his head. It's not clear if anyone has collected that money. He was 30 -- No. 36 on the most wanted list of 55 in Iraq, the so-called six of diamonds on the deck -- the so-called deck of cards of the 55 most wanted people.
Now, according to the Iraqi government, they say that he has not only been involved in planning some of the insurgency operations but has also been involved in some of those operations.
They also say that he, during Saddam Hussein's regime, is responsible for the killing and torture of Iraqis. During the Kuwaiti -- the Iraqi Kuwait invasion in 1990, he was ahead of Iraqi intelligence. He then became the head of Iraqi security in the 1990's before falling out of favor with Saddam Hussein.
During that time, he was placed under house arrest for several years. He then appeared to be rehabilitated to a degree, becoming a presidential adviser.
He is the last of Saddam Hussein's brothers to have been captured and the first person, in fact, on that most wanted list of 55, the first person in over a year to be picked up. Very few details yet of exactly how it happened, though.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Lance Corporal David Payton just recently woke up from life support after being injured in Iraq in January. His story is today's "Soldier Story," and he joins us live.
NGUYEN: Plus, it is Hollywood's big night. So we were asking you what movie should win best Picture and why. Send us your thoughts: WAM@CNN.com.
Hi, Rob. ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Betty. Take a look at what's going on out there in San Francisco. A little farther up the way there on I-5. KRON is our affiliate out there. Thanks, KRON. That's by the Bay Bridge. Still dark and it's raining. It's going to rain in San Francisco, but it should be dry farther south for the Academy Awards. Full forecast details coming up in just a few minutes.
ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING with Betty Nguyen and Tony Harris.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Time now for a check of our top stories this Sunday morning.
Behind bars: police in Wichita, Kansas, have arrested a suspect in the BTK serial killings, which date back to 1974. According to local TV station KAKE, a tip from Dennis Rader's daughter helped police capture her father.
In central Florida, the search goes on for a 9-year-old girl. Jessica Lunsford has been missing since Wednesday night. She vanished from her home. Police are hoping a $25,000 reward will bring in some leads.
In Iraq, there's word of a key arrest. Iraqi and coalition forces have captured Saddam Hussein's half brother. He served as a personal advisor during Saddam's reign. And it is believed he was helping to fund the postwar insurgency.
Barry Bonds caused a stir this past week when he talked about steroid use and baseball. So has steroids tainted America's pastime, and do fans even care? I'll ask "USA Today" sports writer Mel Antonen, still to come on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: In this morning's "Soldier's Story," he was badly wounded in Iraq and put on life support, but Lance Corporal David Payton has made an amazing comeback. And as you can see that for yourself right now, because Corporal Payton joins us today with his mother, Rhonda.
We thank you both for being here with us.
LT. CPL. DAVID PAYTON, U.S. ARMY: Thank you for having us.
NGUYEN: Corporal Payton, first of all, we're so happy that you are physically able to be here today to tell us your story. How are you doing?
D. PAYTON: I'm doing good. My vision is a little blurred, but other than that I'm doing real good.
NGUYEN: What do doctors say about that?
D. PAYTON: They said -- they said they've got to wait for the burns in my eyes to heal before they can check them out for that. They've got to go back.
NGUYEN: Well, tell us what happened on January 30. You had only been in Iraq for, what, two weeks.
D. PAYTON: Two weeks.
NGUYEN: What happened that day?
D. PAYTON: I just got off post and I was laying down to rest. And we got a RPG attack. And it hit a chemical tank and I inhaled the chemicals. And I couldn't breathe and I passed out. And I don't remember really anything after that.
NGUYEN: Now you passed out. But then you came to in a Humvee on the way to the hospital. Is that correct?
D. PAYTON: Yes.
NGUYEN: Tell me what you remember.
D. PAYTON: I remember waking up and having my hands over my eyes, just praying to get my vision back, because I couldn't see nothing. It was black.
NGUYEN: Were you aware of what had just happened?
D. PAYTON: I knew we'd just got attacked. I really didn't know why I couldn't -- you know, why I couldn't breathe and why I couldn't see. But you know, I knew we just got attacked.
NGUYEN: And you were on life support up until February 14, Valentine's Day.
D. PAYTON: Yes.
NGUYEN: I want to talk to your mom about this briefly, because how was he when you first saw him? As a mother walking into that room and seeing your son like that, how was he?
RHONDA PAYTON, MOTHER: That was the worst thing I've ever had to go through. Walk into that hospital room and see him laying in that bed in ICU with all those tubes hooked up to him and everything. That was really horrible.
NGUYEN: And what did doctors tell you about his condition at that time? Was there hope?
R. PAYTON: Yes. Yes. They said that -- that hopefully, he would get better, but they didn't know for sure right then, because he was on all the life support. And they had never experienced anything with a chemical inhalation, so not too much that they didn't know how to handle that.
NGUYEN: Do you remember the day that you woke up?
D. PAYTON: Yes, ma'am, I do. NGUYEN: Tell me about that day.
D. PAYTON: I remember waking up and -- and I was looking around. I was, like, "Where am I at," you know? What am I doing with all those tubes hanging out of me.
And the nurse came in and asked me if I wanted to -- if I wanted to sit up. And they put me in a chair. And I remember just sitting there waiting for Mom and Daddy to come in the room, because I wanted to see them.
NGUYEN: But even though you were in life support or under life support and then you were unconscious for a lot of this, you knew that you are parents were there, didn't you?
D. PAYTON: Yes, ma'am.
NGUYEN: Boy, that must make you feel good.
R. PAYTON: It does.
NGUYEN: Because you had to have been there every day, day after day.
R. PAYTON: Yes, I was.
NGUYEN: Talking -- what were you telling him?
R. PAYTON: I'd tell him -- I'd come in in the mornings and tell him what day it was and if it was sunny or rainy or -- and tell him where he was, just reassure him that he was safe and he was in the states and he was in the hospital and they were taking care of them and that we loved him.
NGUYEN: And Corporal Payton, when you woke up and you saw your parents, what was that like for you?
D. PAYTON: That was beautiful sight. I mean, it was great. I was just happy to see them. I think that's why I got better so quick, my parents were with me.
NGUYEN: And you have been really progressing amazingly, because every day I was reading that you're getting better at least 100 percent as compared to the day before. Tell me about that.
D. PAYTON: Well, I just -- I don't know. I just felt better every day. Every day I try to do something new, you know, trying to get on my feet, trying to walk. I can't just stand sitting there in a chair, you know, or laying in a bed. So every day I tried to do something new and tried to get my strength back.
NGUYEN: And when you get that strength back, do you want to go back to Iraq?
D. PAYTON: I would but I really don't have enough time in the Marine Corps, but I would love to, if I re-enlisted. But they probably won't let me in the Marines because of my eyes. I can't see.
NGUYEN: We wish you a speedy recovery. We wish you the best of luck.
D. PAYTON: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Thank you so much for being with us today, both of you.
R. PAYTON: Thank you for having us.
NGUYEN: And sharing your story.
D. PAYTON: Yes, ma'am.
NGUYEN: The 724 Transportation Company is back on U.S. soil after a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq. Some 130 soldiers were welcomed home to Volk Field in Wisconsin on Wednesday. They served 14 months in Iraq.
But three men did not make it back. Two were killed in action.
And 21-year-old Specialist Keith Maupin is the only U.S. Serviceman unaccounted for since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His convoy was ambushed in Baghdad last April. Shortly after that a video of the captured reservist surfaced on Al Jazeera television. With no clues as to Maupin's fate, the Army officially lists him as captured.
We'll have an update on another "Soldier Story" we told you about a little bit earlier. An -- Army officer is recommending a court- martial for Sergeant Keith Benderman. Remember him? He was charged with desertion for refusing to go on a second tour of duty in Iraq. Benderman served in the 2003 invasion but now wants to leave the Army as a conscientious objector -- Tony.
HARRIS: Well, in Los Angeles the concerns and the interest and all eyes are on Oscar. It's Hollywood's big night. But who is wearing who? Celebrity stylist Philip Blunt joins us with the latest scoop and even some last-minute surprises when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.
But first a "CNN Extra": congressional hearings start next week on identity theft and companies that warehouse your personal information. Essentially comes after thieves got their hands on Social Security numbers and addresses for possibly millions of people from ChoicePoint.
If you become a victim of identity theft, contact any of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your file. You'll also want to close accounts that you think may have been targeted and file both a police report and a criminal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Good morning, San Francisco. Look at the beautiful bridge. All of the lights today. Some think not so great. But hey, Tulipmania is on Pier 39 today there in San Francisco. The annual event features 39,000 tulips in full bloom.
HARRIS: Let me tell you something. You guys are going to miss me.
NGUYEN: Where are you going?
HARRIS: When Bill Hemmer on the big "AMERICAN MORNING" show calls me and says, "Hey, look, come on up here with us and you'll get the love and respect that you deserve, you'll miss me."
And now laughter from the set.
NGUYEN: Everyone is laughing because your singing isn't all that great, Tony.
HARRIS: You know...
MARCIANO: It's all about the style. It's all about the delivery.
HARRIS: Yes.
MARCIANO: It's like pop singers nowadays, you know?
HARRIS: Make my case for me, Rob. There you go.
MARCIANO: You haven't seen Tony's music video?
HARRIS: There you go.
NGUYEN: I think I'm afraid to see that music video.
MARCIANO: Well, yes. Well, you should be.
NGUYEN: For many reasons.
MARCIANO: We'll have drinks and share it one night.
NGUYEN: All right.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Appreciate it.
You know, one of the first places CNN viewers turn with when there's a big breaking story is the CNN.com web site. That's certainly born out today, as Christina Park on the dot com desk joins us now to explain.
Christina, good to see you.
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN.COM: Good to see you, Tony.
Well, there's an interesting mix at CNN.com of top stories, including a beauty pageant in South Africa which fights the stigma of HIV, the deadly bombing in Mosul, Iraq, as well as the Razzie Awards.
But the top story right now is the BTK Killer. We're tracking the most popular stories on CNN.com. Now these are the top stories that users are clicking on. And you can find them on the top right- hand side of our web site under "most popular."
And the No. 1 story of the hour involves the notorious BTK killer. Wichita TV station KAKE says a tip from Dennis Rader's 26- year-old daughter helped put her father behind bars.
The station also says she gave police a blood sample that helped authorities make a DNA match leading to Rader's arrest on Friday.
Now, CNN could not immediately confirm that information, but police plan to file 10 counts against Rader: eight counts of first- degree murder and two other homicide charges. The charges step from a series of killings between 1974 and 1991.
Also on CNN.com, our users are clicking over to read letters and poems said to be from the self-named BTK Killer. Earlier correspondence alternated between tortured rambling and cold-blooded almost glee. Well, the latest notes were cordial and even polite. A postcard attributed to the BTK Killer sent earlier this month thanked a TV station for its quick response and expressed concern over for two news anchors after one of them said they had the flu.
Now, those are just some of the top news stories online, following CNN TV this morning.
HARRIS: Yes. So if you can't watch, just log on...
PARK: Exactly.
HARRIS: ... and get the latest information on BTK, right there on the web site.
PARK: And it changes every 20 minutes. You have to keep checking.
HARRIS: OK, Christina, appreciate it. Thank you.
PARK: Thank you.
NGUYEN: All right. Baseball and steroids. Spring training, it's only just begun. But is the season already tarnished? When CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns, we'll answer that question.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Now in the news, in Kansas, Wichita police announce the arrest of a suspect in the BTK serial killings. Wichita city worker Dennis Rader is behind bars facing murder and homicide charges dating back more than 30 years.
CNN affiliate KAKE is reporting Rader's daughter tipped off police. In Florida a search for a missing girl is to resume this morning. Nine year old Jessica Marie Lunsford vanished from her bedroom Wednesday night. Rain and strong storms could hamper the search for police and about 500 volunteers are working the case.
And time now to check in on some of the other stories making news around the world.
NGUYEN: For that we go to Anand Naidoo at the international desk, of course. Good morning, Anand.
ANAND NAIDOO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, a very good morning from me. some big developments at the international desk to tell you about.
First an update on the pope. The ailing pontiff makes a surprising appearance at a window of the hospital in Rome. He appeared for about two minutes. That taking place while an aide presided over his weekly blessing at the Vatican. That's the first time in 26 years that the pope has missed the Sunday blessing.
Now we have more fallout on that bomb explosion in Tel Aviv last Friday outside a night club. The Syrians are now reacting to claims by the Israelis that they had something to do with that explosion.
The Syrian foreign minister telling CNN that the offices of Islamic Jihad, that's the organization that claimed responsibility for that explosion, was shut down in Damascus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because their office has been closed. But even when their offices were here they were only media offices and they're certainly incapable of mounting any operation inside Tel Aviv and it it is not their policy. The Syrian law prevents anybody mounting anything inside or outside Syria.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NAIDOO: For Israelis were killed in that bomb explosion, 65 were inured. Several Palestinians have been arrested.
Now to the war in Iraq. You remember that deck of cards with Iraq's most wanted? Well, a joint Iraqi coalition operation has resulted in the capture of number 36. He's none other than Saddam Hussein's half brother. Iraqi intelligence telling CNN Sabawi Ibrahim Hassan Al-Tikriti has been playing a key role in bankrolling the insurgency.
Saddam Hussein's half brother had a million dollar bounty on his head. But at this stage it's unclear whether any reward will be paid.
That is all from me. More developments as they happen through the day here at CNN. For now let's send it back to Tony and Betty.
NGUYEN: Thanks, Anand. HARRIS: The sports world is still talking about the tongue lashing baseball slugger Barry Bonds gave the media this week. Bonds talked about steroids, reporters and the fans. Overshadowed in his sometimes fiery news conference was talk about the game on the field.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARRY BONDS, SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: I don't know what cheating is. I don't think -- I don't know if cheating is going to -- steroids is going to help you in baseball. I just don't believe it.
I don't believe steroids can help you eye hand coordination technically hit a baseball. I just don't believe it. And that's just my opinion.
I probably have gotten the best relationship with fans through all of this than I ever have in my entire career. From all the places I've ever gone and I've traveled all over the place and gone places it's Barry keep your head up, we're behind you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: So is Bonds right. Have the fans moved on and do steroids really not help a player hit a baseball? Those are questions I asked U.S.A Today sports writer Mel Antonen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MEL ANTONEN, USA TODAY: It probably doesn't help with your hand eye coordination. He's right there. But I think if a player takes steroids it makes you stronger, it gives you the ability to have a stronger -- a faster bat speed and I think it does help. I think you can hit longer home runs, you can hit harder line drives. It doesn't give you the God given talent to hit a baseball, but man it can help in a lot of ways. It's what a lot of experts say.
HARRIS: Well Mel, what would Barry Bonds need with steroids? I mean my goodness he was a prolific home run hitter before this cloud and he was going to continue to hit home runs. He's going to hit another 40/45 hone runs this year.
ANTONEN: I agree. That's the big question. You know we haven't -- we don't know that Barry Bonds took steroids. Some people say he did. Some people say he didn't. It's open to speculation. But before all of this came up Barry Bonds was one of the best players. He was probably the best player in baseball and you could arguably say the best player in the history of the game.
He won six or seven-he won six MVPs before all this started so I don't know what he's doing. But we talk about the curse of the bambino, you know, the Red Sox ended it last year by winning the World Series, but maybe the curse of the Bambino is that everybody wants to be like Babe Ruth himself and hit long home runs. I don't know but baseball is in this home run craze that, you know, we can't hit home runs we're nothing.
HARRIS: OK.
ANTONEN: I think -- there you go.
HARRIS: Well Mel, here I go. Let me jump on the soap box a little bit.
ANTONEN: OK.
HARRIS: People don't care about the steroids scandal, what they care about are homeruns. We don't care about a one nothing ball game, a pitchers duel we care about the long balls. The only people who really care about this stuff are people like you, your brethren sports writers and columnists who write about this stuff and call yourselves purists.
ANTONEN: We're trying to keep the game honest. But you know something, people do like home runs and it does bring people to the park. But too much of a good thing is not good. And it's illegal, it's cheating, it's wrong.
HARRIS: Oh yes, they...
ANTONEN: I mean and all that. Baseball is about honesty and integrity of schedule and fairness and it's not about who can cheat the most to hit the longest home runs. Baseball is more than a freak show.
HARRIS: OK.
ANTONEN: It's more than a circus.
HARRIS: Well, Mel, explain to me then why fans are applauding Jason Giambi, who is under this cloud, just as Barry Bonds is, why are they applauding him when he shows up for spring training? These are Yankee fans.
ANTONEN: They're Yankees fans and the Yankee fans want to win. And pretty much we're in this, you know, fans will say let's do anything we can win -- to do to win. So -- but they're also pulling for Jason Giambi, because he's a genuine guy who loves baseball and they love comeback stories.
But I'm not so sure it's good for baseball as a sport if we win at all cost and say, Jason, go ahead and take steroids. Major league baseball players go ahead and take steroids we'll do anything we can to win. There's just so much of a downside.
HARRIS: Yes, it's good conversation. Mel, thanks. Thanks for the time this morning. We appreciate it.
ANTONEN: Good to see you, Tony. Thank you.
HARRIS: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Good debate there. The thing that caught my ear is baseball is more than a freak show.
HARRIS: Yes. My job is just to stir the pot.
NGUYEN: And you did it alright. You were stirring.
HARRIS; I don't have a horse in the race. My job is just to stir the pot.
NGUYEN: All right. So here's our question this morning. We want to stir a little pot here. Who will be looking their best on tonight's red carpet at the Academy Awards, Tony, we want your pick as well and who is still in manic mode about what to wear.
Look at this man. We have him live. You know who that is. That is celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch. He's going to join us with the inside scoop when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.
Good morning, Phillip.
PHILLIP BLOCH, STYLIST: Good morning. I've got all the tricks of the trade here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Top stories now. Rain could hinder the search for nine year old Jessica Lunsford in central Florida. She disappeared from her home Wednesday night. Police and volunteers spent scour the neighborhood again today.
Wichita, Kansas police say this man, Dennis Rader, is the BTK serial killer. He was arrested Friday wrapping up a 30 year old cold case. Authorities believe he's responsible for 10 deaths between 1974 and 1991.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Phillip Bloch, stylist to the stars, there he is, joins me now from Los Angeles and dare I say with some fashion secrets. Good morning to you, Phillip.
Good morning. Well before we get to those secrets, your tips, your tricks of the trade let's talk about -- people want to see the dress, they want to see the jewels. But when it comes to Kate Winslet we need to be looking at the handbag, right?
BLOCH: This is amazing, 40 carats of diamonds and white sapphires, amazing. In this $100,000 purse. Who'd have any money to put inside of it after.
NGUYEN: Oh, I think she has plenty of that, Philip. Don't you worry.
BLOCH: Lana Marks is the designer and she did Charlize Theron's purse year. So hopefully it will be a good luck charm for Kate Winslet. NGUYEN: That is beautiful. And sometimes, you know, you don't get to see the little things at the Oscars especially if they're wearing long dresses. But when it comes to Regina King you've got to check out the shoes.
BLOCH: Oh yes. She has this million dollar shoe from Stuart Weitzman and it's actually....
NGUYEN: Million dollars?
BLOCH: Well they're putting it -- they're saying it's priceless, but they'll probably sell it for a million.
NGUYEN: Oh, my. Why is it so special?
BLOCH: That's Marilyn Monroe's favorite earrings that are kind of put in the middle there.
NGUYEN: Oh there's the shot. We just lost it.
HARRIS: Did we loose the shot?
BLOCH: Yes just lost it, but...
NGUYEN: Bring that shot back up.
BLOCH: ...Marilyn Monroe's favorite crystal earrings are in the middle there.
NGUYEN: And they're just crystal. They're not diamonds, they're crystal.
BLOCH: Not even diamonds, but they were her favorite and she bought them herself.
NGUYEN: A million dollars for those. Hey now I heard that Cate Blanchett is going to be wearing a pear of Katharine Hepburn's gloves. You know, she played Katharine Hepburn in the movie "Aviator." Is that true? Can you confirm that?
BLOCH: Could be. I know she's wearing Valentino. That's all I've got confirmed for sure and that she worked on the dress specifically herself with Mr. Valentino. So that's going to be exciting.
NGUYEN: Well, I doubt they'll be too exhausted when it comes to partying tonight and you included. You're going to have a great time I'm sure.
BLOCH: Oh yes, we're going to be out there. We're going to root on Kate and Johnny and Leo and Jamie Fox, the man of the town this week.
NGUYEN: Of course...
BLOCH: Five parties I've been to for Johnny this week. NGUYEN: Only five? I'm a little disappointed, Philip.
BLOCH: Only five.
NGUYEN: All right, Philip Bloch, stylist to the stars, thank you.
BLOCH: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Tonight on CNN you can check out Hollywood's gold rush with host Sibila Vargas and Karyn Bryant. That's live from Los Angeles starting at 7 p.m. Eastern.
HARRIS: Who will take top honors at tonight's Academy Awards? Our picks plus your e-mails including an e-mail where I'm getting ridiculed. Ridiculed, Betty, when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: All right. Emails this morning. The question was, what movie do you believe should win the best picture Oscar? All right? And you sent in a bunch of emails. You want me to go first?
NGUYEN: Go ahead.
HARRIS: OK. This is from Fred. You know, OK, is Fred first, OK?
NGUYEN: Fred first.
HARRIS: "As with many Americans, the Oscars and Hollyweird have not held my interest for years. Basically, we don't care."
Thank you, Fred.
NGUYEN: Well, Walter says, "Casabalanca or Citizen Kane" should win one of these years. Two of the five greatest movies ever made still have not won an Oscar, which goes to show that the Oscar voters just don't get it."
HARRIS: OK, now, here's the point. I did a little whining to get the emails going this morning.
NGUYEN: Just a little.
HARRIS: I did a bit of whining, all right?
NGUYEN: Just a tiny bit.
HARRIS: And because basically, according to Fred, you guys don't care. But here's the point -- I was called on it by Jim who says "If only to get Tony" -- you're listening, Rob? -- "If only to keep Tony from whining for another hour about the lack of emails, my Oscar choice is "Million Dollar Baby."
But the point is, we got the emails. NGUYEN: No, you didn't read all of it. It says: "P.S.: Betty, put a sock in Tony."
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Can we bore folks a little bit more about the Oscars?
NGUYEN: Why not.
HARRIS: You want to do our picks.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Well, I have my picks. I don't know what yours area. My picks, OK, best picture I say -- "Million Dollar Baby." Oh, look, they even have a graphic. Look at this. This is a show, is it not?
Best actor, Jamie Foxx. Best actress, Hilary Swank. Best supporting actor, Morgan Freeman. And then best support actress, Cate Blanchett.
HARRIS: OK, and I think my picks are up here, too. I can't remember them, so...
NGUYEN: No, you don't even have a graphic.
HARRIS: I don't even have a graphic?
NGUYEN: No respect. Oh, no, there you go. Never mind.
HARRIS: OK, "The Aviator," Jamie Foxx, Annette Bening, because I love her. She's just fabulous. Morgan Freeman. And Virginia Madsen. OK, those are my picks.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I love that picture of you looking...
HARRIS: Where did we get that?
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: You are about to say something profound there.
HARRIS: It's like I'm non-committal to my picks there. All right.
MARCIANO: Story of your life.
No, I only saw one and a half films.
NGUYEN: Which one did you see?
MARCIANO: I saw "Aviator," and then "Sideways" I loved from the beginning, and then it just bored me to tears afterwards.
NGUYEN: Oh, the ending it so funny. (CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: So you left? You just walked out?
MARCIANO: I walked across the way and you know...
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Speaking of non-committal, he walked out.
HARRIS: But so...
MARCIANO: I never said I was committal. I should be committed, maybe, but...
HARRIS: So do you have picks?
MARCIANO: Sure, yes, sure.
HARRIS: Oh, you do?
MARCIANO: Yes, this is -- well, I think Tom Cruise in "Top Gun..."
HARRIS: Hold on, hold on...
NGUYEN: Stop playing, that's not even nominated.
HARRIS: What do you think? Best picture?
MARCIANO: I think it should be the best picture.
HARRIS: Best picture.
MARCIANO: I thought Russell Crowe's portrayal of Peter Pan was excellent, and then Sophia Loren, you know, she's a hot Italian...
NGUYEN: For that reason alone, yes.
MARCIANO: Speaking of Italians, Joe Pesci. I think he was in "Million Dollar Baby" beating somebody up.
NGUYEN: Hold on, Melissa Gilbert?
HARRIS: She's a fabulous actress.
MARCIANO: Listen...
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: ... she did grow up to be a hotty.
NGUYEN: And that's why she should win best supporting actress? For what movie?
MARCIANO: For all of her performances. You know, I think she was great as Fiona in "Shrek 2."
HARRIS: There you go.
MARCIANO: I think she still looks great.
HARRIS: Right.
NGUYEN: Fiona?
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: ... Cameron Diaz's voice?
MARCIANO: I don't know...
NGUYEN: You don't even know...
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: ... pretty good-looking.
NGUYEN: All right, we're told to quickly get you to weather.
MARCIANO: Oh, that's right.
NGUYEN: Good job.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: That's just too much fun this morning. We certainly hope the network is still on the air.
NGUYEN: I know.
HARRIS: Thanks for being with us this morning.
NGUYEN: We do appreciate it. We'll see you back here next weekend. Have a great morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 27, 2005 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: After more than three decades, police say the serial killer known as BTK is captured, and the families of his victims speak out.
And good morning everyone. I'm Tony Harris. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is February 27.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Oscar day.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thank you very much for being with us today. It is 9 a.m. in the East, 8 a.m. in Wichita, Kansas. We want to get right to the top story.
A former high-ranking Iraqi official on the most wanted list is now in custody. That is according to Iraqi officials. No details were released on when or how Saddam Hussein's half brother was captured, but coalition forces say there was a $1 million bounty for him. Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan was believed to be helping finance the insurgency.
Now to Rome. Pope John Paul II appeared briefly at his hospital window today to bless a crowd of the faithful below. He was not able to speak because of a tracheotomy, but this morning's service at St. Peter's Square was read by an aide.
And in the Middle East, Israel blames militants based in Syria for a deadly suicide attack at the Tel Aviv nightclub there. This morning Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pointed the finger at the Islamic Jihad in Syria. Israel did not rule out military action but did urge other nations to pressure Syria to crack down on militants.
HARRIS: There's a lot to stay tuned for this hour. Just ahead, a live report from Wichita and what's next in the BTK serial killer case now that police have a prime suspect?
Also coming up, we'll speak to a U.S. Marine who only recently regained consciousness after his unit was attacked in January.
And later, a 911 to the fashion police. Glamour and fashion violations we might expect at tonight's Oscars.
NGUYEN: All right. Our top story right now: his neighbors in Kansas say he lived an ordinary life, but police say that ordinary life was cloak and dagger to some extraordinary crimes. They have arrested Dennis Rader, seen here, saying he spent years binding, torturing and killing at least 10 victims. He's suspected of being the BTK Killer.
For more, let's go to CNN's Jonathan Freed, live in Wichita with the latest on this story -- Jonathan.
JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
As the sun comes up here in Wichita this morning, this town is marked in large part by quiet reflection and relief.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHIEF NORMAN WILLIAMS, WICHITA POLICE: The bottom line, BTK is arrested.
FREED (voice-over): The suspect is 59-year-old Dennis Rader of Park City, just north of Wichita, arrested for first-degree murder on Friday.
Police aren't releasing many details and won't yet say what led them to him. CNN affiliate KAKE-TV is reporting that Rader's daughter told police she suspected her father was the killer. Police took a blood sample and her DNA was a 90 percent match to BTK. Police then moved in on Rader. CNN is working to confirm the KAKE report.
Local news media are also reporting that Rader works for the city enforcing local ordinances and as a dogcatcher.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph Otero, Julie Otero...
FREED: It took time for the lead investigator to read the victims' names out loud.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joseph Junior. Kathryn Bright.
FREED: It was painful for their families to hear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... Vian Relford.
FREED: But everyone here knew it was necessary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And Vicki Wegerle.
FREED: Police now allege the BTK strangler killed 10 people between 1974 and 1991.
The killer was notorious for toying with police by sending notes and packages to the media, enclosing things like trophy photos taken at crime scenes. KAKE reports the suspect has been the president of his local Lutheran church.
And in his Park City community, shock that police say the demon they feared has been living among them all this time. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have to be really sick to do things like he did. And then my baby is playing in the yard right here with him. It's just -- I don't know how to tell you how I feel. I'm just flabbergasted.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FREED: Now, Betty, the charges against Dennis Rader are expected to be -- to begin to be finalized with the district attorney's office here starting tomorrow -- Betty.
NGUYEN: OK, Jonathan. We're looking at 10 counts that police plan to file, at least eight of them for first-degree murder. Is Dennis Rader eligible for the death penalty?
FREED: That was a big question here. The district attorney went to great pains to explain why the answer is no. Death penalty cases are only eligible for crimes committed 1994 and beyond in Kansas right now. As of now, he is only accused of committing these homicide up until 1991. So they are saying that no, as it stands right now, not death penalty eligible.
NGUYEN: All right. Not eligible for death penalty but still, 10 counts plan to be filed by police against Dennis Rader, who is the presumed BTK Killer. All right. Thank you very much, Jonathan Freed in Wichita, Kansas.
Well, an overwhelming mix of grief and relief, that is what many victims' relatives say they are feeling about the arrest of BTK suspect Dennis Rader. Now many of the relatives, they are starting to speak out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE RELFORD, WITNESSED 1977 MURDER OF MOTHER: I would just like to thank everybody that helped catch him, you know. I waited 28 years for this day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Tomorrow night CNN's Aaron Brown anchors a special on the BTK arrest. "NEWSNIGHT's" special edition of "Catching BTK," that will be at 10:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
HARRIS: Another day and no sign of little Jessica Lunsford, who disappeared on Wednesday. A $25,000 reward has been issued for information leading to her whereabouts. And authorities hope that will entice someone to come forward.
Live now to CNN's Sara Dorsey in Homosassa Springs, Florida.
Sara, good morning.
SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Tony.
The search continues for Jessica Lunsford. It's day No. 4 and still no trace of this 9-year-old girl.
The third grader, wearing only a nightgown, disappeared from the home she shares with her grandparents and her father overnight Wednesday or into Thursday morning. Early Thursday morning was when her concerned grandmother made this call to 911 for help.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is her name?
RUTH LUNSFORD, MISSING GIRL'S GRANDMOTHER: Jessica Lunsford. L- U-N-S-F-O-R-D.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What's her date of birth, ma'am?
LUNSFORD: October the...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's OK, you're doing good. October what?
LUNSFORD: October 6, 1995.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In '95?
LUNSFORD: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, ma'am. We are getting you some help.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
DORSEY: And help has come in abundance to this area. More than 500 people have come out yesterday to help with the search, and despite bad weather today, searchers are back at it again.
The sheriff today asked for people with four-wheel drive vehicles to come out to help them. The day began early this morning. They started meeting at about 7:30.
Now, this is a town of only a few thousand people. Everywhere we have been, stores, restaurants, there are already missing posters hanging up. People really concerned about this right now. And you can tell that by 500 searchers in a town of only a couple thousand, Tony.
HARRIS: Sara, a quick question. The media world has descended on, as you mentioned, that small town. What are folks saying about this young girl and about this case?
DORSEY: I talked to one woman this morning that I think really sums it up. She says it's absolutely hard to believe that a little girl, a 9-year-old, could disappear from her home in only a nightgown. No shoes. No coat. No nothing and no one has any clue about it, you know.
And I think that's what police are saying. They just really don't know where to look anymore. They tried a computer. That turned up nothing. They're questioning her family. They're questioning this little girl's friends and still nothing.
But the town is very, very concerned. Everyone here making an effort to try to get this little girl back home.
HARRIS: Very good. Sarah Dorsey, we appreciate it. Sarah, thank you.
NGUYEN: Saddam Hussein's half brother has been captured in Iraq. Not only is he on the U.S. list of most wanted Iraqis; authorities also believe he bankrolled insurgents.
More now from CNN's Nic Robertson in Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, multinational force officials say that Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan al-Tikriti was detained in a joint multinational force and Iraqi raid.
He did have a million dollar bounty on his head. It's not clear if anyone has collected that money. He was 30 -- No. 36 on the most wanted list of 55 in Iraq, the so-called six of diamonds on the deck -- the so-called deck of cards of the 55 most wanted people.
Now, according to the Iraqi government, they say that he has not only been involved in planning some of the insurgency operations but has also been involved in some of those operations.
They also say that he, during Saddam Hussein's regime, is responsible for the killing and torture of Iraqis. During the Kuwaiti -- the Iraqi Kuwait invasion in 1990, he was ahead of Iraqi intelligence. He then became the head of Iraqi security in the 1990's before falling out of favor with Saddam Hussein.
During that time, he was placed under house arrest for several years. He then appeared to be rehabilitated to a degree, becoming a presidential adviser.
He is the last of Saddam Hussein's brothers to have been captured and the first person, in fact, on that most wanted list of 55, the first person in over a year to be picked up. Very few details yet of exactly how it happened, though.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Lance Corporal David Payton just recently woke up from life support after being injured in Iraq in January. His story is today's "Soldier Story," and he joins us live.
NGUYEN: Plus, it is Hollywood's big night. So we were asking you what movie should win best Picture and why. Send us your thoughts: WAM@CNN.com.
Hi, Rob. ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Betty. Take a look at what's going on out there in San Francisco. A little farther up the way there on I-5. KRON is our affiliate out there. Thanks, KRON. That's by the Bay Bridge. Still dark and it's raining. It's going to rain in San Francisco, but it should be dry farther south for the Academy Awards. Full forecast details coming up in just a few minutes.
ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING with Betty Nguyen and Tony Harris.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Time now for a check of our top stories this Sunday morning.
Behind bars: police in Wichita, Kansas, have arrested a suspect in the BTK serial killings, which date back to 1974. According to local TV station KAKE, a tip from Dennis Rader's daughter helped police capture her father.
In central Florida, the search goes on for a 9-year-old girl. Jessica Lunsford has been missing since Wednesday night. She vanished from her home. Police are hoping a $25,000 reward will bring in some leads.
In Iraq, there's word of a key arrest. Iraqi and coalition forces have captured Saddam Hussein's half brother. He served as a personal advisor during Saddam's reign. And it is believed he was helping to fund the postwar insurgency.
Barry Bonds caused a stir this past week when he talked about steroid use and baseball. So has steroids tainted America's pastime, and do fans even care? I'll ask "USA Today" sports writer Mel Antonen, still to come on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: In this morning's "Soldier's Story," he was badly wounded in Iraq and put on life support, but Lance Corporal David Payton has made an amazing comeback. And as you can see that for yourself right now, because Corporal Payton joins us today with his mother, Rhonda.
We thank you both for being here with us.
LT. CPL. DAVID PAYTON, U.S. ARMY: Thank you for having us.
NGUYEN: Corporal Payton, first of all, we're so happy that you are physically able to be here today to tell us your story. How are you doing?
D. PAYTON: I'm doing good. My vision is a little blurred, but other than that I'm doing real good.
NGUYEN: What do doctors say about that?
D. PAYTON: They said -- they said they've got to wait for the burns in my eyes to heal before they can check them out for that. They've got to go back.
NGUYEN: Well, tell us what happened on January 30. You had only been in Iraq for, what, two weeks.
D. PAYTON: Two weeks.
NGUYEN: What happened that day?
D. PAYTON: I just got off post and I was laying down to rest. And we got a RPG attack. And it hit a chemical tank and I inhaled the chemicals. And I couldn't breathe and I passed out. And I don't remember really anything after that.
NGUYEN: Now you passed out. But then you came to in a Humvee on the way to the hospital. Is that correct?
D. PAYTON: Yes.
NGUYEN: Tell me what you remember.
D. PAYTON: I remember waking up and having my hands over my eyes, just praying to get my vision back, because I couldn't see nothing. It was black.
NGUYEN: Were you aware of what had just happened?
D. PAYTON: I knew we'd just got attacked. I really didn't know why I couldn't -- you know, why I couldn't breathe and why I couldn't see. But you know, I knew we just got attacked.
NGUYEN: And you were on life support up until February 14, Valentine's Day.
D. PAYTON: Yes.
NGUYEN: I want to talk to your mom about this briefly, because how was he when you first saw him? As a mother walking into that room and seeing your son like that, how was he?
RHONDA PAYTON, MOTHER: That was the worst thing I've ever had to go through. Walk into that hospital room and see him laying in that bed in ICU with all those tubes hooked up to him and everything. That was really horrible.
NGUYEN: And what did doctors tell you about his condition at that time? Was there hope?
R. PAYTON: Yes. Yes. They said that -- that hopefully, he would get better, but they didn't know for sure right then, because he was on all the life support. And they had never experienced anything with a chemical inhalation, so not too much that they didn't know how to handle that.
NGUYEN: Do you remember the day that you woke up?
D. PAYTON: Yes, ma'am, I do. NGUYEN: Tell me about that day.
D. PAYTON: I remember waking up and -- and I was looking around. I was, like, "Where am I at," you know? What am I doing with all those tubes hanging out of me.
And the nurse came in and asked me if I wanted to -- if I wanted to sit up. And they put me in a chair. And I remember just sitting there waiting for Mom and Daddy to come in the room, because I wanted to see them.
NGUYEN: But even though you were in life support or under life support and then you were unconscious for a lot of this, you knew that you are parents were there, didn't you?
D. PAYTON: Yes, ma'am.
NGUYEN: Boy, that must make you feel good.
R. PAYTON: It does.
NGUYEN: Because you had to have been there every day, day after day.
R. PAYTON: Yes, I was.
NGUYEN: Talking -- what were you telling him?
R. PAYTON: I'd tell him -- I'd come in in the mornings and tell him what day it was and if it was sunny or rainy or -- and tell him where he was, just reassure him that he was safe and he was in the states and he was in the hospital and they were taking care of them and that we loved him.
NGUYEN: And Corporal Payton, when you woke up and you saw your parents, what was that like for you?
D. PAYTON: That was beautiful sight. I mean, it was great. I was just happy to see them. I think that's why I got better so quick, my parents were with me.
NGUYEN: And you have been really progressing amazingly, because every day I was reading that you're getting better at least 100 percent as compared to the day before. Tell me about that.
D. PAYTON: Well, I just -- I don't know. I just felt better every day. Every day I try to do something new, you know, trying to get on my feet, trying to walk. I can't just stand sitting there in a chair, you know, or laying in a bed. So every day I tried to do something new and tried to get my strength back.
NGUYEN: And when you get that strength back, do you want to go back to Iraq?
D. PAYTON: I would but I really don't have enough time in the Marine Corps, but I would love to, if I re-enlisted. But they probably won't let me in the Marines because of my eyes. I can't see.
NGUYEN: We wish you a speedy recovery. We wish you the best of luck.
D. PAYTON: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Thank you so much for being with us today, both of you.
R. PAYTON: Thank you for having us.
NGUYEN: And sharing your story.
D. PAYTON: Yes, ma'am.
NGUYEN: The 724 Transportation Company is back on U.S. soil after a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq. Some 130 soldiers were welcomed home to Volk Field in Wisconsin on Wednesday. They served 14 months in Iraq.
But three men did not make it back. Two were killed in action.
And 21-year-old Specialist Keith Maupin is the only U.S. Serviceman unaccounted for since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His convoy was ambushed in Baghdad last April. Shortly after that a video of the captured reservist surfaced on Al Jazeera television. With no clues as to Maupin's fate, the Army officially lists him as captured.
We'll have an update on another "Soldier Story" we told you about a little bit earlier. An -- Army officer is recommending a court- martial for Sergeant Keith Benderman. Remember him? He was charged with desertion for refusing to go on a second tour of duty in Iraq. Benderman served in the 2003 invasion but now wants to leave the Army as a conscientious objector -- Tony.
HARRIS: Well, in Los Angeles the concerns and the interest and all eyes are on Oscar. It's Hollywood's big night. But who is wearing who? Celebrity stylist Philip Blunt joins us with the latest scoop and even some last-minute surprises when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.
But first a "CNN Extra": congressional hearings start next week on identity theft and companies that warehouse your personal information. Essentially comes after thieves got their hands on Social Security numbers and addresses for possibly millions of people from ChoicePoint.
If you become a victim of identity theft, contact any of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your file. You'll also want to close accounts that you think may have been targeted and file both a police report and a criminal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Good morning, San Francisco. Look at the beautiful bridge. All of the lights today. Some think not so great. But hey, Tulipmania is on Pier 39 today there in San Francisco. The annual event features 39,000 tulips in full bloom.
HARRIS: Let me tell you something. You guys are going to miss me.
NGUYEN: Where are you going?
HARRIS: When Bill Hemmer on the big "AMERICAN MORNING" show calls me and says, "Hey, look, come on up here with us and you'll get the love and respect that you deserve, you'll miss me."
And now laughter from the set.
NGUYEN: Everyone is laughing because your singing isn't all that great, Tony.
HARRIS: You know...
MARCIANO: It's all about the style. It's all about the delivery.
HARRIS: Yes.
MARCIANO: It's like pop singers nowadays, you know?
HARRIS: Make my case for me, Rob. There you go.
MARCIANO: You haven't seen Tony's music video?
HARRIS: There you go.
NGUYEN: I think I'm afraid to see that music video.
MARCIANO: Well, yes. Well, you should be.
NGUYEN: For many reasons.
MARCIANO: We'll have drinks and share it one night.
NGUYEN: All right.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Appreciate it.
You know, one of the first places CNN viewers turn with when there's a big breaking story is the CNN.com web site. That's certainly born out today, as Christina Park on the dot com desk joins us now to explain.
Christina, good to see you.
CHRISTINA PARK, CNN.COM: Good to see you, Tony.
Well, there's an interesting mix at CNN.com of top stories, including a beauty pageant in South Africa which fights the stigma of HIV, the deadly bombing in Mosul, Iraq, as well as the Razzie Awards.
But the top story right now is the BTK Killer. We're tracking the most popular stories on CNN.com. Now these are the top stories that users are clicking on. And you can find them on the top right- hand side of our web site under "most popular."
And the No. 1 story of the hour involves the notorious BTK killer. Wichita TV station KAKE says a tip from Dennis Rader's 26- year-old daughter helped put her father behind bars.
The station also says she gave police a blood sample that helped authorities make a DNA match leading to Rader's arrest on Friday.
Now, CNN could not immediately confirm that information, but police plan to file 10 counts against Rader: eight counts of first- degree murder and two other homicide charges. The charges step from a series of killings between 1974 and 1991.
Also on CNN.com, our users are clicking over to read letters and poems said to be from the self-named BTK Killer. Earlier correspondence alternated between tortured rambling and cold-blooded almost glee. Well, the latest notes were cordial and even polite. A postcard attributed to the BTK Killer sent earlier this month thanked a TV station for its quick response and expressed concern over for two news anchors after one of them said they had the flu.
Now, those are just some of the top news stories online, following CNN TV this morning.
HARRIS: Yes. So if you can't watch, just log on...
PARK: Exactly.
HARRIS: ... and get the latest information on BTK, right there on the web site.
PARK: And it changes every 20 minutes. You have to keep checking.
HARRIS: OK, Christina, appreciate it. Thank you.
PARK: Thank you.
NGUYEN: All right. Baseball and steroids. Spring training, it's only just begun. But is the season already tarnished? When CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns, we'll answer that question.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Now in the news, in Kansas, Wichita police announce the arrest of a suspect in the BTK serial killings. Wichita city worker Dennis Rader is behind bars facing murder and homicide charges dating back more than 30 years.
CNN affiliate KAKE is reporting Rader's daughter tipped off police. In Florida a search for a missing girl is to resume this morning. Nine year old Jessica Marie Lunsford vanished from her bedroom Wednesday night. Rain and strong storms could hamper the search for police and about 500 volunteers are working the case.
And time now to check in on some of the other stories making news around the world.
NGUYEN: For that we go to Anand Naidoo at the international desk, of course. Good morning, Anand.
ANAND NAIDOO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, a very good morning from me. some big developments at the international desk to tell you about.
First an update on the pope. The ailing pontiff makes a surprising appearance at a window of the hospital in Rome. He appeared for about two minutes. That taking place while an aide presided over his weekly blessing at the Vatican. That's the first time in 26 years that the pope has missed the Sunday blessing.
Now we have more fallout on that bomb explosion in Tel Aviv last Friday outside a night club. The Syrians are now reacting to claims by the Israelis that they had something to do with that explosion.
The Syrian foreign minister telling CNN that the offices of Islamic Jihad, that's the organization that claimed responsibility for that explosion, was shut down in Damascus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because their office has been closed. But even when their offices were here they were only media offices and they're certainly incapable of mounting any operation inside Tel Aviv and it it is not their policy. The Syrian law prevents anybody mounting anything inside or outside Syria.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NAIDOO: For Israelis were killed in that bomb explosion, 65 were inured. Several Palestinians have been arrested.
Now to the war in Iraq. You remember that deck of cards with Iraq's most wanted? Well, a joint Iraqi coalition operation has resulted in the capture of number 36. He's none other than Saddam Hussein's half brother. Iraqi intelligence telling CNN Sabawi Ibrahim Hassan Al-Tikriti has been playing a key role in bankrolling the insurgency.
Saddam Hussein's half brother had a million dollar bounty on his head. But at this stage it's unclear whether any reward will be paid.
That is all from me. More developments as they happen through the day here at CNN. For now let's send it back to Tony and Betty.
NGUYEN: Thanks, Anand. HARRIS: The sports world is still talking about the tongue lashing baseball slugger Barry Bonds gave the media this week. Bonds talked about steroids, reporters and the fans. Overshadowed in his sometimes fiery news conference was talk about the game on the field.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARRY BONDS, SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: I don't know what cheating is. I don't think -- I don't know if cheating is going to -- steroids is going to help you in baseball. I just don't believe it.
I don't believe steroids can help you eye hand coordination technically hit a baseball. I just don't believe it. And that's just my opinion.
I probably have gotten the best relationship with fans through all of this than I ever have in my entire career. From all the places I've ever gone and I've traveled all over the place and gone places it's Barry keep your head up, we're behind you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: So is Bonds right. Have the fans moved on and do steroids really not help a player hit a baseball? Those are questions I asked U.S.A Today sports writer Mel Antonen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MEL ANTONEN, USA TODAY: It probably doesn't help with your hand eye coordination. He's right there. But I think if a player takes steroids it makes you stronger, it gives you the ability to have a stronger -- a faster bat speed and I think it does help. I think you can hit longer home runs, you can hit harder line drives. It doesn't give you the God given talent to hit a baseball, but man it can help in a lot of ways. It's what a lot of experts say.
HARRIS: Well Mel, what would Barry Bonds need with steroids? I mean my goodness he was a prolific home run hitter before this cloud and he was going to continue to hit home runs. He's going to hit another 40/45 hone runs this year.
ANTONEN: I agree. That's the big question. You know we haven't -- we don't know that Barry Bonds took steroids. Some people say he did. Some people say he didn't. It's open to speculation. But before all of this came up Barry Bonds was one of the best players. He was probably the best player in baseball and you could arguably say the best player in the history of the game.
He won six or seven-he won six MVPs before all this started so I don't know what he's doing. But we talk about the curse of the bambino, you know, the Red Sox ended it last year by winning the World Series, but maybe the curse of the Bambino is that everybody wants to be like Babe Ruth himself and hit long home runs. I don't know but baseball is in this home run craze that, you know, we can't hit home runs we're nothing.
HARRIS: OK.
ANTONEN: I think -- there you go.
HARRIS: Well Mel, here I go. Let me jump on the soap box a little bit.
ANTONEN: OK.
HARRIS: People don't care about the steroids scandal, what they care about are homeruns. We don't care about a one nothing ball game, a pitchers duel we care about the long balls. The only people who really care about this stuff are people like you, your brethren sports writers and columnists who write about this stuff and call yourselves purists.
ANTONEN: We're trying to keep the game honest. But you know something, people do like home runs and it does bring people to the park. But too much of a good thing is not good. And it's illegal, it's cheating, it's wrong.
HARRIS: Oh yes, they...
ANTONEN: I mean and all that. Baseball is about honesty and integrity of schedule and fairness and it's not about who can cheat the most to hit the longest home runs. Baseball is more than a freak show.
HARRIS: OK.
ANTONEN: It's more than a circus.
HARRIS: Well, Mel, explain to me then why fans are applauding Jason Giambi, who is under this cloud, just as Barry Bonds is, why are they applauding him when he shows up for spring training? These are Yankee fans.
ANTONEN: They're Yankees fans and the Yankee fans want to win. And pretty much we're in this, you know, fans will say let's do anything we can win -- to do to win. So -- but they're also pulling for Jason Giambi, because he's a genuine guy who loves baseball and they love comeback stories.
But I'm not so sure it's good for baseball as a sport if we win at all cost and say, Jason, go ahead and take steroids. Major league baseball players go ahead and take steroids we'll do anything we can to win. There's just so much of a downside.
HARRIS: Yes, it's good conversation. Mel, thanks. Thanks for the time this morning. We appreciate it.
ANTONEN: Good to see you, Tony. Thank you.
HARRIS: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Good debate there. The thing that caught my ear is baseball is more than a freak show.
HARRIS: Yes. My job is just to stir the pot.
NGUYEN: And you did it alright. You were stirring.
HARRIS; I don't have a horse in the race. My job is just to stir the pot.
NGUYEN: All right. So here's our question this morning. We want to stir a little pot here. Who will be looking their best on tonight's red carpet at the Academy Awards, Tony, we want your pick as well and who is still in manic mode about what to wear.
Look at this man. We have him live. You know who that is. That is celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch. He's going to join us with the inside scoop when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.
Good morning, Phillip.
PHILLIP BLOCH, STYLIST: Good morning. I've got all the tricks of the trade here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Top stories now. Rain could hinder the search for nine year old Jessica Lunsford in central Florida. She disappeared from her home Wednesday night. Police and volunteers spent scour the neighborhood again today.
Wichita, Kansas police say this man, Dennis Rader, is the BTK serial killer. He was arrested Friday wrapping up a 30 year old cold case. Authorities believe he's responsible for 10 deaths between 1974 and 1991.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Phillip Bloch, stylist to the stars, there he is, joins me now from Los Angeles and dare I say with some fashion secrets. Good morning to you, Phillip.
Good morning. Well before we get to those secrets, your tips, your tricks of the trade let's talk about -- people want to see the dress, they want to see the jewels. But when it comes to Kate Winslet we need to be looking at the handbag, right?
BLOCH: This is amazing, 40 carats of diamonds and white sapphires, amazing. In this $100,000 purse. Who'd have any money to put inside of it after.
NGUYEN: Oh, I think she has plenty of that, Philip. Don't you worry.
BLOCH: Lana Marks is the designer and she did Charlize Theron's purse year. So hopefully it will be a good luck charm for Kate Winslet. NGUYEN: That is beautiful. And sometimes, you know, you don't get to see the little things at the Oscars especially if they're wearing long dresses. But when it comes to Regina King you've got to check out the shoes.
BLOCH: Oh yes. She has this million dollar shoe from Stuart Weitzman and it's actually....
NGUYEN: Million dollars?
BLOCH: Well they're putting it -- they're saying it's priceless, but they'll probably sell it for a million.
NGUYEN: Oh, my. Why is it so special?
BLOCH: That's Marilyn Monroe's favorite earrings that are kind of put in the middle there.
NGUYEN: Oh there's the shot. We just lost it.
HARRIS: Did we loose the shot?
BLOCH: Yes just lost it, but...
NGUYEN: Bring that shot back up.
BLOCH: ...Marilyn Monroe's favorite crystal earrings are in the middle there.
NGUYEN: And they're just crystal. They're not diamonds, they're crystal.
BLOCH: Not even diamonds, but they were her favorite and she bought them herself.
NGUYEN: A million dollars for those. Hey now I heard that Cate Blanchett is going to be wearing a pear of Katharine Hepburn's gloves. You know, she played Katharine Hepburn in the movie "Aviator." Is that true? Can you confirm that?
BLOCH: Could be. I know she's wearing Valentino. That's all I've got confirmed for sure and that she worked on the dress specifically herself with Mr. Valentino. So that's going to be exciting.
NGUYEN: Well, I doubt they'll be too exhausted when it comes to partying tonight and you included. You're going to have a great time I'm sure.
BLOCH: Oh yes, we're going to be out there. We're going to root on Kate and Johnny and Leo and Jamie Fox, the man of the town this week.
NGUYEN: Of course...
BLOCH: Five parties I've been to for Johnny this week. NGUYEN: Only five? I'm a little disappointed, Philip.
BLOCH: Only five.
NGUYEN: All right, Philip Bloch, stylist to the stars, thank you.
BLOCH: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Tonight on CNN you can check out Hollywood's gold rush with host Sibila Vargas and Karyn Bryant. That's live from Los Angeles starting at 7 p.m. Eastern.
HARRIS: Who will take top honors at tonight's Academy Awards? Our picks plus your e-mails including an e-mail where I'm getting ridiculed. Ridiculed, Betty, when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: All right. Emails this morning. The question was, what movie do you believe should win the best picture Oscar? All right? And you sent in a bunch of emails. You want me to go first?
NGUYEN: Go ahead.
HARRIS: OK. This is from Fred. You know, OK, is Fred first, OK?
NGUYEN: Fred first.
HARRIS: "As with many Americans, the Oscars and Hollyweird have not held my interest for years. Basically, we don't care."
Thank you, Fred.
NGUYEN: Well, Walter says, "Casabalanca or Citizen Kane" should win one of these years. Two of the five greatest movies ever made still have not won an Oscar, which goes to show that the Oscar voters just don't get it."
HARRIS: OK, now, here's the point. I did a little whining to get the emails going this morning.
NGUYEN: Just a little.
HARRIS: I did a bit of whining, all right?
NGUYEN: Just a tiny bit.
HARRIS: And because basically, according to Fred, you guys don't care. But here's the point -- I was called on it by Jim who says "If only to get Tony" -- you're listening, Rob? -- "If only to keep Tony from whining for another hour about the lack of emails, my Oscar choice is "Million Dollar Baby."
But the point is, we got the emails. NGUYEN: No, you didn't read all of it. It says: "P.S.: Betty, put a sock in Tony."
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Can we bore folks a little bit more about the Oscars?
NGUYEN: Why not.
HARRIS: You want to do our picks.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Well, I have my picks. I don't know what yours area. My picks, OK, best picture I say -- "Million Dollar Baby." Oh, look, they even have a graphic. Look at this. This is a show, is it not?
Best actor, Jamie Foxx. Best actress, Hilary Swank. Best supporting actor, Morgan Freeman. And then best support actress, Cate Blanchett.
HARRIS: OK, and I think my picks are up here, too. I can't remember them, so...
NGUYEN: No, you don't even have a graphic.
HARRIS: I don't even have a graphic?
NGUYEN: No respect. Oh, no, there you go. Never mind.
HARRIS: OK, "The Aviator," Jamie Foxx, Annette Bening, because I love her. She's just fabulous. Morgan Freeman. And Virginia Madsen. OK, those are my picks.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I love that picture of you looking...
HARRIS: Where did we get that?
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: You are about to say something profound there.
HARRIS: It's like I'm non-committal to my picks there. All right.
MARCIANO: Story of your life.
No, I only saw one and a half films.
NGUYEN: Which one did you see?
MARCIANO: I saw "Aviator," and then "Sideways" I loved from the beginning, and then it just bored me to tears afterwards.
NGUYEN: Oh, the ending it so funny. (CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: So you left? You just walked out?
MARCIANO: I walked across the way and you know...
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Speaking of non-committal, he walked out.
HARRIS: But so...
MARCIANO: I never said I was committal. I should be committed, maybe, but...
HARRIS: So do you have picks?
MARCIANO: Sure, yes, sure.
HARRIS: Oh, you do?
MARCIANO: Yes, this is -- well, I think Tom Cruise in "Top Gun..."
HARRIS: Hold on, hold on...
NGUYEN: Stop playing, that's not even nominated.
HARRIS: What do you think? Best picture?
MARCIANO: I think it should be the best picture.
HARRIS: Best picture.
MARCIANO: I thought Russell Crowe's portrayal of Peter Pan was excellent, and then Sophia Loren, you know, she's a hot Italian...
NGUYEN: For that reason alone, yes.
MARCIANO: Speaking of Italians, Joe Pesci. I think he was in "Million Dollar Baby" beating somebody up.
NGUYEN: Hold on, Melissa Gilbert?
HARRIS: She's a fabulous actress.
MARCIANO: Listen...
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: ... she did grow up to be a hotty.
NGUYEN: And that's why she should win best supporting actress? For what movie?
MARCIANO: For all of her performances. You know, I think she was great as Fiona in "Shrek 2."
HARRIS: There you go.
MARCIANO: I think she still looks great.
HARRIS: Right.
NGUYEN: Fiona?
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: ... Cameron Diaz's voice?
MARCIANO: I don't know...
NGUYEN: You don't even know...
(CROSSTALK)
MARCIANO: ... pretty good-looking.
NGUYEN: All right, we're told to quickly get you to weather.
MARCIANO: Oh, that's right.
NGUYEN: Good job.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: That's just too much fun this morning. We certainly hope the network is still on the air.
NGUYEN: I know.
HARRIS: Thanks for being with us this morning.
NGUYEN: We do appreciate it. We'll see you back here next weekend. Have a great morning.
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