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CNN Sunday Morning
Casey Anthony Freed; Gunning for Glory in Germany; Justin & Mila's Dates with Marines
Aired July 17, 2011 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Casey Anthony is a free woman. After all the secrecy about the details of her release, to the surprise of many, as you see, she just simply walked out the front door of a Florida jail hours ago. But where is she now?
Also this morning, the U.S. women may be the odds on favorites to win the World Cup Final today, but they're not the sentimental favorites.
And as always, we'd like to say good morning to the men and women watching us right now on the American Forces Network, our service members. Thank you for being here. Thank you for what you do.
But would you know that some of your fellow service members have figured out a trick to get a date with their favorite celebrity. Just ask. Justin Timberlake, now, is the latest to accept a date to a Marine Corps ball. The details coming up for you.
But let's start with this. It's been three years of this case going on. But now, Casey Anthony is a free woman this morning. There she is, just hours ago, walking out of a Florida jail. This was just after midnight and 12 days after being found not guilty of killing her 2-year-old daughter.
As you can see here, she did, just walk out the front door with her attorney. She was found guilty as you know of lying to police, that got her that four-year sentence, but you factor in time served, good behavior and she's out after being in jail less than three years total.
CNN's David Mattingly joins me now from Orlando, Florida. David, let's start with what may have been a surprise to many after all the secrecy about the details of how she would be released, she just walked out the front door.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, T.J.
It happened about 12:09 this morning, not a much - not much time elapsed from midnight before this all transpired. It seemed like it would be the least likely scenario that she would walk out the front door the way she did, because there were hundreds, possibly up to 1,000 people outside to witness her departure, many of them shouting things, protesting her release, holding signs, but - and yet she walked right out the lobby and straight into a waiting SUV.
She was accompanied by her attorney, Jose Baez. And she was also guarded by sheriff's deputies and Orlando Police on horseback there. But it all took place in less than 10 seconds from the time she walked out of the secured door and into the SUV.
Afterward, journalists who were embedded inside the jail to witness her departure had these things to say. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TONY ZUMBADO, NBC NEWS VIDEO JOURNALIST: She walked out and when she walked out, she had a sign of relief on her face. She walked by one of the SRT Sergeants, she thanked him and continued very rapidly outside.
RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINEL: She didn't have any emotional. It was - she wasn't smiling. She wasn't frowning. She didn't look like she was joyful.
MATT SEDENSKY, ASSOCIATED PRESS: Two SRT officers were behind her with green bulletproof vests and semi-automatic weapons strapped on them. It was fairly quiet until she walked out and then there was a burst of just this cacophonic scream.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: As the SUV that she got into sped away from the parking lot and onto the expressway, police officers blocked traffic there. Some of the crowd actually surged into the road, seemingly trying to follow after the SUV. But the vehicle was allowed to leave the area. It went into downtown Orlando, to a parking deck at an office building where the office of one of her defense attorneys is.
At that point, it's believed she may have gotten into another vehicle, because that's where the helicopters that were chasing lost track of her. And at this point, she is in part - at parts unknown, possibly in the State of Florida, possibly not.
But for tonight, Casey Anthony is for the first time in almost three years, a free woman - T.J.
HOLMES: David, can you tell us, we have seen crowds gather outside the courthouse during this trial. You remember some of the scenes, people fighting over tickets and things to get inside. What was the scene like outside? We're showing some of the video here, people had sounds - had signs up, but how big of a crowd, how rowdy of a crowd?
MATTINGLY: Well, there were hundreds of people out there. The emotions seemed to be just the same as what we had seen outside the courthouse, particularly after the verdict was read. But this time, there was a sense of a - a moment. There was a crescendo of emotion right there at the moment of release. People gathered there just for anticipating just that event, they were prepared to shout the things that they had been thinking about for the past couple of weeks. But it was that moment, everything did transpire peacefully. Again, there was a heavy police presence. There were a lot of officers there on horseback to make sure the crowd stayed where they were supposed to stay and that the SUV that Casey Anthony was in was able to leave without any problems whatsoever. And it did.
I mean, this all transpired just in a matter of seconds. She walked out, she got into a vehicle, the vehicle sped away on to the expressway. And minutes after that, the hundreds of people that were there dispersed and presumably went home.
HOLMES: All right. David Mattingly for us. We appreciate you this morning. Thanks so much.
I want to turn to our Holly Hughes, an attorney who has been with us through - pretty much all of this Casey Anthony trial. What is it like for you to see that video knowing now this is it as far as justice for Caylee? The case of Caylee is closed.
Because unlike maybe the O.J. case, he's found not guilty, but the civil suit came. But that was the family that could sue in civil court. She is the family. There is nobody to sue now -
HOLLY HUGHES, ATTORNEY: Right.
HOLMES: -- civilly on behalf of Caylee. This case is done.
HUGHES: It's done. It's over with and it's a sad ending. Because what we had was a gorgeous, little 2-1/2-year-old girl. Let's not forget that, T.J.
HOLMES: Right.
HUGHES: She was the focus. She should still be the focus. And the only thing I can say about this whole, entire tragedy is, we are seeing some good legislation proposed coming out of this. We now have - we are hearing about Caylee's Law, which is, you know, if you do not report your child missing, which is what stunned us all, T.J., let's face it, that's why we were all so perplexed by this behavior. How do you lose a 2-1/2-year-old child and not report it? And even if you believe the accidental drowning, how are you not grieving, how are you not crying? How can you behave like this?
And now we're seeing propositions for new legislation. And that's the only way I've kind of live with this, you know? Because I think it was a miscarriage. Everybody - it's pretty clear. I don't agree with the juries' verdict. Now, I respect their, you know, right to make their decision.
And at the end of the day, the 12 people in the box are the only 12 that count. But it is heartbreaking when you see someone that you believe, as the prosecutors did, I still believe that she killed this baby and it's just so, so sad to watch.
HOLMES: You know, I'm looking here and you forget some of these videos - HUGHES: These pictures - yes.
HOLMES: -- we see some of the pictures of her. But here's one of the home videos.
HUGHES: Yes.
HOLMES: And, again, this is all about Caylee, unfortunately.
HUGHES: Absolutely.
HOLMES: It seems like it hasn't been the focus sometimes.
But what now? With Casey Anthony, when can she show her face in public again? What kind of life is - is she going to be leading here?
HUGHES: She - she's in for a hard road because she's not famous. She's infamous and it's for none of the right reasons, let's face it. She, right now, is probably safe to say, the most hated woman in America. And she inspires the kind of rage because it was a child victim, you know?
I mean, people can sometimes, you know, if you get away with murder, but it was a shooting, it was a drug deal gone bad, they're not happy about it, but they say, hey, that's the way the system works. When you are accused of murdering a precious little 2-1/2- year-old who couldn't fight back, who couldn't defend herself, people are not happy about that.
And so what's going to happen with Casey is she's going to have to go into hiding for a period of time. I think she's probably going to get publishing deal. Because let's face it, everybody still wants to know. We went into this trial and a trial was a search for the truth. We searched an awful lot. We searched for six weeks, T.J. And we didn't find any answers. We haven't gotten any answers.
And so we still want to know. So she'll get a publishing deal. Once it dies down, the publisher will bring her back out into the public to do this book, you know and she'll be all pitiful and crying just like she put on a show for the jury, you know, this schoolmarm with the hair back and a prominent ears -
HOLMES: Do you think she's going to try to put on a show for the public as well? Would she really try to?
HUGHES: Well, of course, she is. Are you kidding me? What is her only skill? What did we learn to this entire trial?
HUGHES: Lying.
HUGHES: She never had a job. Her greatest and only skill so far as we can tell is weaving a tale, telling stories, making up a big fish tale, and we all swallowed it.
Yuri Melich, lead detective in this case, T.J., what did he say? She had me going. HOLMES: Wow.
HUGHES: I mean, this guy is a professional. He recognizes liars for a living. And he said until she turned around at universal and said, huh, I don't really work here, she had me going. So, yes, she can tell a tale. And she might as well make money off of it because there's enough people lining up to sue her, she's going to have to settle some judgments.
HOLMES: All right. Holly Hughes is with us throughout this morning.
Again, Casey Anthony, three years and a day after she was arrested for the disappearance and death of her daughter, now out of jail a free woman, found not guilty of killing her daughter.
Holly, thank you. We'll talk to you again here shortly.
Ten minutes past the hour now. Something else that people will be turning to and cheering about today - the USA Women's Team. They are in the World Cup Final today against Japan. Now, the U.S. favored in this game, but certainly not the sentimental favorites.
Our Zain Verjee is in Frankfurt, Germany, showing us that both teams, really, had a tough road here.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team has not won the World Cup title since last century, since 1999. And, T.J., they could do it today. It's only a few hours away. The team is sounding pretty confident when I spoke to them. Listen to what they had to tell me.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOPE SOLO, TEAM USA GOALIE: America likes championships. They like winners. They like comebacks. And I think we are the epitome of the American spirit. This team who are full of fighters, where we play with passion. And, you know, we feel all of the support back home. We feel the support around the world. And we feel powerful with that support and I think we can take it into the final.
ABBY WAMBACH, TEAM USA FORWARD: Obviously, we're on the eve of one of the biggest games of our lives. But it's the game of soccer. We've done it thousands of times before. I know that the Japanese team is excited and they're going to come to play. We have to play good soccer. We have to play gutsy soccer and we have to go for it.
It's no time to hold back. This is the time - this is the time to take risks. This is the time to go forward. And hopefully we can get the win.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: The team has had an incredible run. They played an amazing game against Brazil. In the 122nd minute, the very last minute of the game, they managed to score a goal and then ultimately won on penalty shootouts. They beat France, 3-1, to get them to this day.
But they're going to have to get through Japan, though. The U.S. has never lost a match to Japan in any World Cup. It could be different this time because the Japanese team here has some pretty amazing footwork. They are really skilled at passing that ball and keeping possession.
So this U.S. team is going to have to work pretty hard, but they have the talent, the skill to do that. They have the hustle. The never say die attitude and they've got the stamina and the strength in the way that none of the teams here have had. So let's see what happens today. We're going to keep our fingers crossed.
The Japanese, though, are determined. They're looking for a good news story, a feel-good story after the devastation of the tsunami. The coach has been even showing them pictures of the tsunami just to motivate them, right before they get out of the locker room and into the field. Let's see how Team USA does in just a few hours - T.J.
HOLMES: Thanks with our Zain Verjee. We'll be checking in again with Team USA.
Well, some are calling it now the biggest non-event since Y2K. Yes, that whole traffic disaster that never happened in Los Angeles. They were calling it Carmageddon, Carpocalypse. Now you can call it Car-ma-dud. This is what we've been talking about. Yes. They've been building this thing up.
But, you know, maybe it's a good thing. They got the message out and people heeded those warnings and stayed off the road. But this live picture happening right now, the 405 shut down in both directions. The 405, one of the busiest highways in the country, half a million drivers take to that stretch every single weekend, not this weekend, of course.
People were predicting the worse. They expected that, hey, if you can't use the 405, people are going to be trying to find other routes around and it's going to just to cause a nightmare. But so far that has not happened. People listened to all of those warnings and maybe they just stayed home. We'll still keep a close eye on this for you.
Also, we'll stay in Southern California where history was made at the San Diego Gay Pride Parade. For the first time, some U.S. service members marched as an organized group. About 200 active duty troops and veterans took part. They were not in uniform but they did wear t- shirts representing every branch of service.
Well, most of those rescued Chilean miners, you remember these guys, right? Well, they have now filed a lawsuit against their government. Of course, these guys were trapped 69 days underground after that mine caved in - caved in last August. They're asking for more than $500,000 each in damages, but they say this suit is not about money. They said it's meant to pressure the government agency that oversees mining to tighten safety procedures. It's 14 past the hour. Now, let's say good morning to our guy, Reynolds Wolf. We were talking about this dangerous weather yesterday, this dangerous heat. Did it all pan out kind of how we thought it would?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Exactly what - what we have expected. And today, well, you know what? Well, yesterday, let's back up a little bit, we talked about the heat. We talked about the possibility of severe weather in the Upper Midwest today. The heat back and we're expecting again the same possibility of severe weather. Where the camera is bound (ph) that's all with the camera.
Same story, same deal as yesterday. The only difference is we're going to see the heat begin to expand a bit more. Some 16 states are going to deal with a watch advisory or warning in terms of the heat. Probably it will last until the middle of next week. So we're going to talk about that coming up in just a few moments.
HOLMES: All right. We will see you again in here just a second.
But answer this question for me.
WOLF: Sure.
HOLMES: And to our viewers, you answer it as well. For you, would you rather be president of the United States or would you rather be a pop star?
WOLF: I'd rather be a pop star president.
HOLMES: A pop star president.
WOLF: Yes, a combination of both.
HOLMES: You know what, that's pretty good.
WOLF: Yes.
HOLMES: Look at this. According to this poll, though, most men would rather be the president. They'd rather run the country than be adored by millions of fans. You see here they were asked whose job would you want to have? Thirty-three percent said they'd want Barack Obama's. This kind of surprised me. Will Ferrell, 20 percent. He came in number two on that list. Prince William, now that would be high on my list, quite frankly, and after that, Tom Brady. That'll be on my list as well. Justin Bieber, hey? We'll see. But still, there's the list.
But how about women, do you think they rather live in the White House or would they rather be - I don't know - Lady Gaga or something like that? That answer when I come back.
It's quarter past the hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. Sixteen minutes past the hour.
Before the break, I was showing that list to show that men, if they had a chance to switch jobs with someone, most would rather be the president than a movie star, than Prince William, than an MVP quarterback or a big pop star, Justin Bieber, as you see.
But what about the women? Well, check it out, yes, they would actually rather live in the White House than be Lady Gaga. This is the list here. Thirty-seven percent responded by saying, yes, they would prefer to switch jobs with Michelle Obama than Lady Gaga, Kate Middleton, Tina Fey or Lea - do I have it right? Lea Michele? That's one from "Glee," right? Lea - excuse me, Lea. Forgive me. I'm late to the "Glee" party.
But those are the numbers for you there. Let me bring Reynolds Wolf back in now, talking about the heat that is going to continue for a little while.
WOLF: Yes. It's - we can say it's through midweek. We don't see too many changes in the atmosphere. We still have that big rage in the center of the country, which will allow - going to allow some 16 states to - to deal with some extreme heat, at least I will say Wednesday before things begin to change.
HOLMES: I feel silly sometimes to say the heat is going to continue. It's summertime, yes, we know it's usually hot. But this, we're talking about something a little extraordinary.
WOLF: Extreme heat in places where we normally don't see it.
Now, let's make sure we got it again, T.J. This is going to be a very big deal we're talking about. Some places where we're going to see the heat especially going to be prevalent in parts of the Upper Midwest. But we not only have a chance of getting the hazy, hot, humid weather, but also chances of some storms which may pop up by late in the afternoon. If should that occur, this will help you cool down immensely.
But, again, top billing is going to be your heat. Take a look at the temperatures at least in terms of highs in places like Minneapolis, St. Paul, about 94 degrees; 96 in Kansas City; 93 in Chicago, some 80s and 90s along the Eastern Seaboard; Boston very warm up by Fenway Park with a high of 90 degrees; 89 New Orleans; 100 in Dallas; 97 in Salt Lake City and 66 in San Francisco.
But we really are going to see later into the afternoon again is the heat really begin to pick up. When you combine the high temperatures with the humidity, it's going to feel anywhere from 110 degrees to 120 for much of the Upper Midwest. We're talking about parts of, let's say, Wisconsin also. But right here along parts of the Mississippi River for the Twin Cities, we're going to see some places where I know we showed you the high of 94. Wouldn't be surprised of downtown, because the heat is on, and the fact you've got temperatures that are going to go to about 98 degrees by Monday.
Tuesday, Wednesday, even into Thursday, we're going to see that heat really being developed. Still strong, still prevalent in places like the Twin Cities. Other places might cool down. So, although, most - most of it when you look at the big picture, much of it should begin to fizzle out by Wednesday or so. So it's still going to be sticking around until at least Thursday, I would think, for parts of the Upper Midwest.
T.J., let's pitch it back to you.
HOLMES: All right. Reynolds, we appreciate you as always.
WOLF: You bet.
HOLMES: We will be checking in with Reynolds plenty throughout the morning.
Republican presidential candidates are on board for what's being billed as a first of its kind Twitter Debate. We'll tell you about in our CNN Political Update. That's next.
It's 20 past the hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, welcome back at this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's 21 minutes past the hour.
And it's all out in Iowa for some of the Republican presidential hopefuls.
Our CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser taking a look at what's ahead this week in politics.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Hey. Good morning, T.J.
It's called the Battle of Iowa. Tomorrow, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty begins a five-day swing through the state to host the first contest in the race for the White House. All this comes just a month before a crucial straw poll in Iowa in mid-August. Only need a strong showing there. And more importantly, in February's Iowa caucuses if he hopes to win the presidential nomination for the Republican Party.
Possibly standing in his way is fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann. Iowa is just as crucial for her. The congresswoman was born in Iowa and is spending this weekend stumping in the state. She's on top of most of the recent polls and may likely Iowa caucus goes.
Now, Wednesday, what's being billed as the first ever Twitter Presidential Debate, six candidates say they'll take part in the event being put on by an online Tea Party group - T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Thanks as always to our Paul Steinhauser.
Now, check out this video of one of the Republican presidential hopefuls. Out on the campaign trail, you can't make him out necessarily. But on the right of your screen, that is John Huntsman. He's a Republican candidate. He led about 50 bikers through the streets of Salt Lake City. It was a campaign rally at the end of their ride.
Before jumping on that bike, Huntsman met with several influential Republican governors who are in town for the National Governors Association meeting.
Well, 22 minutes past the hour now. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake, they got offers that you simply cannot refuse. Yes. We'll tell you how they are now about to serve their country.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Something a little odd about playing that music over the White House, right? No. The president likes hip hop. He likes pop music. But good morning, Washington, D.C.
See what gets done there this week. As you know, debate talks took place all week in Washington last week. None this weekend. We'll see what happens this week.
Now, that song, many of you may recognize is from Justin Timberlake. And we're playing that for a reason, because he is co- star of the new movie "Friends with Benefits." His co-star is Mila Kunis. And now both of them have agreed to serve their country by going on dates with Marines.
YouTube played matchmaker. If you haven't seen this yet, here's how it kind of went down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SGT. SCOTT MOORE, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Hi, Mila, Sergeant Moore. You can call me Scott. I just want to take a moment out of my day to invite you to the Marine Corps Ball on November 18th in Greenville, North Carolina, with yours truly. So take a second, think about it and get back to me. All right. Bye now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That's my guy. He was cool about it. He was asking somebody out. He wasn't begging, pleading, he was just cool. Hey, let's go.
Now, that's Sergeant Scott Moore. He was pretty brave there in asking for that date, very cool about it. Justin Timberlake was impressed and he encouraged his co-star to go on that date.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, SINGER/ACTOR: This needs to go down. This needs to happen.
MILA KUNIS, ACTRESS: OK. TIMBERLAKE: Do it for your country.
KUNIS: I'll do - I'll do it for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: So there you go. She accepts. He got her on the spot. She said she'll go.
Now, what happens next is that another Marine turns the tables on Justin Timberlake and asks him out. Hers was pretty impressive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CPL. KELSEY DESANTIS, U.S. MARINE CORPS: So, Justin, you want to call out my girl, Mila? Well, I'm going to call you out and ask you to come to the Marine Corps Ball with me on November 12th in Washington, D.C. And if you can't go, all I have to say is cry me a river.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: All right. So, Timberlake has now said yes as well. He wants to confirm his schedule but, yes, he says he will go. He says it's such an honor to even be asked.
Now, the woman you saw there was Sergeant Kelsey Desantis. She's actually a black belt karate instructor, so he better show up. She even also does cage fights. I don't know if you seen these things. But even the baddest of men wouldn't get in there to do cage fights.
Now, their date as you heard there is set for November 12th in Washington. Mila Kunis is attending the Marine Corps ball in North Carolina, that's a different one, on November 18th.
We're coming up on the bottom of the hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
Enjoying her first few hours of freedom, Casey Anthony released from the Orange County, Florida Detention Center just about six hours ago. We'll take you to the moment that the midnight spectacle hit high gear.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Just past the bottom of the hour. Good morning, Orlando, Florida. A lot happening in Orlando in the past six hours.
And some say it's not the sight they wanted to see. But yes, this morning, in Florida, in the Orlando area, Anthony walked out of jail. Most of us were sleeping when this did happen but the 25-year- old, of course, was found not guilty of murdering her daughter. And she walked out of the Orange County detention center, just after midnight this morning.
There it is. This release coming three years and a day after she was first arrested. Our cameras were there and rolling as she was taking those first steps to freedom.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Quite a crowd gathered here outside the orange county jail. You see signs, justice for Caylee. Some of the signs are somewhat disturbing. Take a look at this one. In blood, murderer for hire, executives want to pay $1 million to step on Caylee's grave.
I have to show you this. This is really extraordinary. People have set up camps and tents here.
You guys are actually camping here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 24 hours. We want everyone to know that we will not go quietly in the night.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You can see they're putting up the do not cross police tape which to me says we're just moments away from midnight that this is about to happen any second.
The doors are opening. The doors are opening. Take a look.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jose was in front of her and blocking the shot. We were able to get a shot of her but at first it was him and, then thank God, she moved to the side and we were able to get a nice shot of her.
A lot of media surrounding her right now, being kept back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Look at these cars. They're taking off and they are following down the road, taking off and following down the road that caravan of unmarked cars that left. And, of course, the crowd here, very calm. They are calm but they are obviously reacting to this scene. I mean, this is just a pretty wild scene here to see all these police --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bad parenting! Bad parenting!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get on the sidewalk! Get out of the street!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Like they honestly let her walk out and let everyone see it, I thought it was unjust. I think they should have hidden it, let her go on her way without anybody seeing her. There's no justice done.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is say big spectacle for somebody that everybody hates. This is our justice system and that's the way it is.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Right now, Casey Anthony is at an undisclosed location. Her immediate plans, where she's going to live and how she is going to proceed with life, right now, unknown. I'm sure we'll get the details later. Some other stories we're keeping an eye on this morning. It is day 10 of the Space Shuttle Atlantis mission. It begins with a celebration.
(MUSIC): Celebrate good time, come on. Let's celebrate.
HOLMES: That's Cool & The Gang. That was the wakeup song this morning. They have Beyonce yesterday. I don't know how this balances out. Cool &The Gang is great, but come on. There's something else for the crew to celebrate this morning. Mission control says the shuttle's main computer that had an issue Thursday is now back up and working normally again. That's a good sign.
Former South African president, Nobel Peace prize winner and civil rights trailblazer, Nelson Mandela turning 93 years old tomorrow. But the celebrations have already started in his native South Africa. Mandela spent nearly three decades in prison and fighting against apartheid. Tomorrow, the United Nations honors his life, his accomplishments, declaring it Mandela Day.
The Chinese government not too pleased with President Obama's 45- minute closed door meeting with the Dalai Lama yesterday. China says the meeting will hurt relations between them and the U.S. But the White House says President Obama stressed to the Tibetan spiritual leader that the U.S. does not support independence from the Beijing government.
It's 36 minutes past the hour. Let's say good morning once again, to our Reynolds Wolf who is - any reports? We talked about this dangerous heat, so far, so good. We've had many reports of people being dehydrated or even death, God forbid. But still, any reports of that?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: As of right now, no. But you can have a situation say in Minneapolis, or wherever and someone is walking, have heart issues and they have to go to the hospital. You never know, is that a direct cause from the heat? It's possible.
We haven't had anything like kind of like what you referred to yesterday. The video in Chicago, a few years ago when you had the widespread people falling from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, that kind of thing. That hasn't happened yet, but it could happen. We are talking about 16 states that have some kind of watch, warning or advisory in terms of the heat.
That's only one of the weather stories we've been covering this morning. The second has to do with the possibility of strong storms.
(WEATHER FORECAST)
HOLMES: To our viewers, we were telling you yesterday, this was certainly a first for me. I went into it a little skeptical, didn't know what to expect. An interview with real-life superheroes. I don't know their identities. When they came on they didn't reveal their identities. We still don't know exactly who they are. And they don't have real super powers. What exactly makes them super? Actually you'll agree that they had when you hear their stories. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 40 minutes past the hour now.
Real superheroes, cleaning up the streets of Pennsylvania. They say they're not vigilantes. They don't have super powers, but the work they're doing is pretty amazing and you'll agree. I asked the Keystone Crusaders why they do what they do.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COMMONWEALTH, KEYSTONE CRUSADERS: Well, the point of the Keystone Crusaders is pretty much to inspire goodness out of others by going around and doing good things, like picking up garbage and giving food and water to homeless. Random acts of kindness. Helping anybody out in any way they need it.
HOLMES: Armistice, helping people out? You talk about picking up garbage and handing out food and water. And doing these acts, but also this includes sometimes, maybe just dropping money into a parking meter of somebody whose parking meter has expired?
ARMISTICE, KEYSTONE CRUSADERS: Yes, of course. Commonwealth always carries around a roll a big roll of quarters. If we can save someone a $15 ticket with a quarter, then that is a very good thing we can do. That could have been their rent money or their food money for that week.
HOLMES: Now, Commonwealth, you all could have done this by just walking around the streets and doing it in plain clothes. What is with the superhero get up? Why go that route?
COMMONWEALTH: Well, you know, the superhero idea really comes about when a person sees a superhero, they see more than a person. They see an idea. They see something that may inspire them, that in the future, go out and do something good themselves. Not necessarily in a superhero costume, but just to be good people. Children see Spiderman and they know that is initially good. The idea of being a superhero is we can inspire goodness in others.
HOLMES: Now, Armistice, I have to say, and tell our viewers, you all take this quite seriously, at least the part about keeping your identity hidden. There is no way I can get you to lift up that mask this morning, is there?
ARMISTICE: No way.
(LAUGHTER)
ARMISTICE: It is not that we feel any real need to, it is more on principle. If you see someone that you don't know who they are doing this, it could be anyone. If it could be anyone, there is no reason why it couldn't be you.
COMMONWEALTH: Believe me, one day I would love to retire the helmet and the cape. But as long as the city needs us; as long as the people feel like they need somebody out there to help them. That is how long we want to keep going. As I say, until our legs give out. This is something we feel our City of Harrisburg needs, and-just the people, itself, they need it. You can see it in their faces. Since from when we began to now, their attitudes have completely changed.
HOLMES: Are you recruiting?
COMMONWEALTH: Uh, anyone.
ARMISTICE: Anyone who really wants to help out. Vigil, here, has only been out with us twice now. She is the latest person to join. There are some more people are getting ready. Anyone who wants to join us, why not?
COMMONWEALTH: I had my own personal superheroes; people in my life that just gave very generously without asking anything in return. While they did not wear costumes, they were just genuinely good people. They are part of the inspiration for this. Their amount of generosity for no reason at all, they gained no benefit from helping me. You know, through their help, I was able to get out of what I was in, and find myself-you know, now I'm a superhero.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. We're about quarter till the top of the hour.
It's a big day for the U.S. team and the World Cup. The final is today. You may be cheering pretty hard for this team, but we in the U.S. may be the only ones in the world cheering for them. We'll explain why. Stay with us on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We're about a quarter till the top of the hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. We're just hours away from the U.S. women's team taking on Japan for the World Cup championship soccer. However, it doesn't get a whole lot of attention in the United States. Not until the World Cup comes around usually but this World Cup team had two dramatic wins to get to this final. And it's made them the favorite to win. The international favorite, the odds on favorite, you know, the Vegas-betting favorite.
One of the team's biggest stars is the goalie, Hope Solo. A lot of people taking to calling her Hans Solo. She talks about what you can expect from the Americans today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOPE SOLO, GOALKEEPER, U.S. WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM: This team will fight until the bitter end to win. It' not always pretty. But everybody on the field is trying to find a way to win. It's the American way, the American spirit. I think America is so behind us because you can feel that spirit and you can feel the fight in our team. We came into this tournament with one goal. It wasn't to beat Brazil in the quarter final it wasn't to make it to make it to the final. Our only goal of this tournament was to win the whole thing. When you get this close, you'd have a lot of guts if you walked away and didn't win it all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: All right. The U.S. playing Japan this afternoon at 2:45 Eastern Time. Turning to Nadia Bilchik here with me for this "Morning Passport".
And we have talked about this team. They're have been ranked No. 1 in the world. They are a good team.
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: They're a great team.
HOLMES: They are the odds on team, but the sentimental favorite has to be Japan in this match.
BILCHIK: Well, look what the Japanese have been through. I mean look at the Japanese team. They can't even practice at night because of the nuclear crisis and the energy shortage. They can't light up the fields at night. They haven't been able to practice. And Japan has also been experiencing a huge heat wave, which has resulted in all kinds of interesting things happening, including the wearing of cooling foam.
HOLMES: Yes, we talked about that.
BILCHIK: Very fascinating cooling foam We have to take a look at it. I hope we have it up there to show you. Also, people are wearing suits that have pockets under the arms and in other strategic places where they can put cooling packs. They say necessity is the mother of invention. But with all this, the Japanese have not used the weather as an excuse.
The North Koreans, however, when they played the U.S. at the end of June used the reason as, they said, that a lightning strike during practice had struck five of the players and they had to be hospitalized, is what they said, which is the reason they didn't win.
HOLMES: That's a legitimate excuse. Our players got hit by lightning.
BILCHIK: Exactly. I thought I'd find our Reynolds Wolf, if he's around.
HOLMES: OK.
BILCHIK: And say, Reynolds?
WOLF: Magically, I'm here. Hey!
BILCHIK: What are the chances of five players being simultaneously hit by lightning? WOLF: It's probably a little bit higher than a Jedi mind trick being employed by someone else. It can happen. Actually back in June in Camp Shelby, Mississippi they had a lightning strike that actually injured 77 cadets.
HOLMES: Wow.
WOLF: At one time. It can happen. Is it likely, did it actually happen? We'll never know.
HOLMES: How does that happen? The lightning hits the ground or something that they are all standing on?
WOLF: Absolutely. One bolt can take out.
BILCHIK: But it gets better than this, do I have to tell you this part.
WOLF: Bring it on.
BILCHIK: Is that the North Korean team have been accused of taking steroids. And they say that it was the Chinese medicine that they had to use, the gland of a deer that they had to use because of the lightning strike.
WOLF: You know, I've had many side effects from deer glands, we all have. But to actually cause lightning strikes that would take out five people, I don't know.
BILCHIK: Interesting. This is a team also that in June of last year, the men's World Cup soccer team, apparently the coach had an invisible phone we could speak to Kim Jong-Il.
HOLMES: OK, stop.
BILCHIK: This was a phone Kim Jong-il invented.
HOLMES: Nadia.
(LAUGHTER)
BILCHIK: With the power of Kim Jong-il himself.
HOLMES: I stayed with you on the lightning strike and the Chinese medicine. You lost me on the invisible phone.
BILCHIK: No, this is. The coach said I am speaking to the leader, Kim Jong-il and he has invented this invisible phone. The point was the force of Kim Jong-il was not with them.
WOLF: I have to answer my invisible phone. It's a collect. I'm not accepting the charges. I'm just going to go.
HOLMES: Reynolds, Nadia, appreciate it.
BILCHIK: It will be interesting to see who the force will be with in the game between Japan and the U.S.
HOLMES: 2:45 Eastern Time. Nadia, appreciate your expertise. Reynolds, we're appreciate your expertise.
Getting close to the top of the hour.
The unemployment rate went up last month. One option may no longer be there for some job seekers. That is the military. We'll explain why, next, stay with us on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We're seven minutes from the top of the hour here on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
Veterans facing an uncertain future now. The unemployment rate for troops who have served since 9/11 is more than 13 percent. The national average is at 9.2 percent. But as CNN Pentagon Correspondent Chris Lawrence reports those former troops may not be able to count on re-enlisting as an option. It's also tough for anyone looking to join up for the first time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Yes, T.J., the job market is horrible right now. Anyone who thought that just enlisting in the military was going to be their quick fix to get out of that, they've got another thing coming.
(Voice over): Remember when it wasn't so hard to get a job? Or join the Army?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It didn't used to be. I really didn't think I'd have to search as hard. I'm glad did.
LAWRENCE: These recruits trained all winter just to stay in shape for boot camp they may not get to for a year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two minutes to stretch on your own.
LAWRENCE: So if any of the unemployed think the military is a path to a quick paycheck-
DR. CURTIS GILROY, DEFENSE DEPT. PERSONNEL OFFICIAL: Unfortunately they may be a little bit disappointed.
LAWRENCE: Dr. Curtis Gilroy is a personnel director at the Pentagon. He describes a perfect storm that is quadrupled the time it takes to join the military. Sky high civilian unemployment makes the military look more attractive. It also makes troops more likely to stay in. Now factor in the services reducing their numbers to meet tighter budgets. It means some enlistees are forced to wait up to a year before they are allowed to leave for boot camp.
(On camera): How long does it take between the time someone says I want to join and they actually start making money? GILROY: Well, Chris, for the typical recruit today the waiting time is between nine and 11 months. It could be longer in some instances.
LAWRENCE: That's a far cry from four years ago. When the average Army recruit shipped off to boot camp 50 days after enlisting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you doing?
LAWRENCE: Today only one out of every four recruits gets an enlistment bonus and it's a fraction of what it used to be.
(On camera): Right now, the average bonus is only $8,600?
GILROY: That's correct. Compare that with several years ago, when we paid about half of our new enlistees a bonus, on average, of over $14,000
LAWRENCE: The military is still recruiting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's more than a uniform.
LAWRENCE: But it's more select selective than ever.
GILROY: We have the highest quality military we've had in about 20 years.
LAWRENCE (On camera): So, it's very tough on folks who got out of the military and now want to get back in. But some people are still getting those big bonuses and don't have to wait long. Special Forces, intel analysts, electronic maintenance technicians, those kinds of jobs are still in very high demand, T.J.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. Thanks as always to our Chris Lawrence. Thank you so much.
Coming up next, a flight attendant attacked by a passenger. And his weapon of choice? Pretzels and peanuts. We'll tell you what happened to set him off. That's after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: As we get close to the top of the hour, some stories we are following from "Across The Country".
We start in Kentucky where a woman in court, on domestic violence charges, attacks the judge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ms. Hardwick (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You will be held in contempt of this court if you continue to disrupt it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't care. I haven't done anything to this court. I haven't done anything to him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She'll be arrested for contempt of court.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Maybe not the best way to prove your case that you're not a violent person, going after the judge. That's Melissa Hardwick (ph) trying to jump over the bench to get to that judge. This started after the judge asked Hardwick's husband to explain what happened. Hardwick received 120 days in jail for contempt of court.
Also in Utah a man is accused of interference with a flight crew after an incident with aboard a Southwest Airlines flight. According to court papers, the man began smoking one of those electronic cigarettes on a flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City even after the flight attendant told him it wasn't allowed. When the man was asked to put the device out, he began to throw peanuts and pretzels and headed towards the flight deck door.
Of course when this flight landed, he wasn't greeted by his family. He was greeted by FBI agents and he was arrested.
Also take a look at this. Welcome home Sergeant Adam Kaslitski (ph). The wounded Marine was escorted to his new wheel chair accessible home in Frederick, Maryland, by the Patriot Guard Riders. He lost his left leg and arm in an explosion near Fallujah back in 2005.
His new home features an open layout, special cubbies for his prosthetic limbs. The home was built by hundreds of volunteers and thousands of dollars in donated supplies and furniture.
(MUSIC)
HOLMES: And good morning to you all as we cross the top of the hour. I'm T.J. Holmes.
And Casey Anthony is a free woman. That's her. You are seeing just hours ago walking right out the front door of a Florida jail. But where is she headed now?
Also, a woman gets carted off to jail for recording a traffic stop with her cell phone. So, before you whip out your phone and hit the record button, maybe you should think twice.
Also, the U.S. women may be the odds on favorites to win the World Cup final today but they are maybe not the sentimental favorites in this match.
Details on all that this morning.
But let's start with the case everyone has been intrigued by for some time. Well, this is how it's wrapping up with the woman accused, Casey Anthony, free, walking out of jail this morning, walked out just after midnight and after 12 days -- and 12 days after, she was found not guilty of killing her 2-year-old daughter.
You can see here, she walked out the front door with her attorney. That was kind of surprise to some. Some of the details of how she would be released were kept secret by the sheriff's department there. They opted in the end to just let her walk out the front door.
She was found guilty of lying to police, that got her a four-year sentence. But factor in time served, you factor in good behavior, and she's out already, three years and a day after she was first arrested in connection with the disappearance of her daughter.
Let's bring in David Mattingly. He joins me now. He has been on this case.
David, you and I were talking about yesterday. We didn't know the details. We talked about how many exits they had and the possibility of sneaking her out thereof. They just opened up the front door.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. They had a number of contingency plans. It seemed like the least likely scenario would to be let her walk out the front door and confront all the people that were gathered outside. But that's exactly what she did.
There were several hundred protesters outside. They were very vocal, some of them holding signs. But when it all played out, Casey Anthony walked right out the front door with her attorney, Jose Baez, immediately into an awaiting SUV and they sped off into the night.
There were numerous officers there on horse back to prevent anyone from following. The vehicle went on to the local expressway. It was followed by news helicopters. They followed it to a parking deck in downtown Orlando which belongs to the office building where one of her defense attorneys has an office.
But after that, everyone seemed to lose track of her. There were people watching the airports. No one saw her departing specifically on any particular flight.
So, at this point, she departed to parts unknown. And for now, Casey Anthony is a free woman. And the entire event last night took just a few seconds.
But there were a few journalists allowed to be inside the jail to record the event and watch her coming out and here's what they had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY ZUMBADO, NBC NEWS VIDEO JOURNALIST: She walked out. And when she walked out, she had a sign of relief on her face. She walked by one of the SRT sergeants. She thanked him and continued very rapidly outside. RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINEL: She didn't have any emotional. It was -- she wasn't smiling. She wasn't frowning. She didn't look like she was joyful.
MATT SEDENSKY, ASSOCIATED PRESS: Two SRT officers were behind her with green bullet proof vests and semiautomatic weapons strapped on them. It was fairly quiet until she walked out, and there was a burst of cacophonic scream.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: And Casey Anthony walked out of jail last night with a little over $500 in her pocket. That's money people from all over the country have been sending her to put into her inmate account. This is money that she used to spend on incidentals, cosmetics, candy, things like that while she's been behind bars.
But she's been getting money orders from places like Iowa, Canada, Pennsylvania, while she's been there. She walked out actually with about $500 in her pocket -- T.J.
HOLMES: David, one last thing here. Describe the scene outside. We have seen chaotic scenes during this trial, even fights breaking out, people trying to get some of the coveted seats to get in and watch the trial.
But how was the scene outside last night?
MATTINGLY: It was all very orderly, very controlled. Of course, people were very vocal, the same kind of emotions that we saw after the verdict outside the courthouse in Orange County, probably some of the same people were in the crowd again last night, all making it very clear they still want justice for little Caylee. Very upset with the fact that Casey Anthony is a free woman.
But there were several hundred there. They were all kept away by barricades. Police officers on horse back.
And as soon as that SUV was out of sight, most of those people immediately began to go home.
HOLMES: All right. David Mattingly in Orlando for us -- David, we appreciate you as always.
It's six minutes past the hour.
Let's turn now to something the country is going to look at and try to celebrate today. The women's World Cup final happening today. The U.S. women, after a couple dramatic victories, taking on Japan.
No doubt, Japan, the sentimental favorite after what that country has gone through the past few months after that tsunami and earthquake there. Surprise Japan is even in the final. But the U.S. is favored -- but again, not the sentimental favorite.
Japan had to beat the tournament favorite, Germany, to even get to the final. Germany, of course, the host country as well.
The U.S. is going for their first World Cup title since 1999.
We'll be checking in live with the team in Germany. Our Zain Verjee is there. We'll check in with her next hour.
Also, let's turn now to Los Angeles where it's being called the biggest nonevent since Y2K. You've been hearing this carmageddon, carpocalypse. Well, how about carma-dud?
People have stayed off the roads it seems out in Los Angeles right now. This was the 405 being shut down for the weekend, one of the busiest freeways in the entire country is being shutdown for the weekend for construction. It's supposed to be up and running again on Monday. That work is going on.
We'll be able to bring you more pictures. The picture continues to change, some of the live pictures, some video -- but no cars on that strip.
They thought if people, Reynolds, can't use the 405 that's so busy, takes half a million vehicles on it every weekend. If people will have to find other routes to go around L.A., and that would cause a nightmare.
But it has been empty on some of the streets that were expected to be busy.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. I mean, everyone got the word. They must have. It's the only thing that really explains. They have found other ways to get around.
Have you ever taken the 405?
HOLMES: Yes, no matter what time day or night it is not pleasant.
WOLF: Just delightful. Delightful. You know? I mean, it's the very best that southern California has to offer.
HOLMES: Oh, wow!
WOLF: I do love me some L.A. I do. But the 405 is just -- it is atrocious. It's a nightmare.
HOLMES: All right. But how -- weather-wise in southern California, it's usually pretty nice. They got a nice weekend there?
WOLF: It should be very nice. From the San Gabriel, all the way down to the coastline. In Palos Verdes estates, it should be just wonderful.
What we expect, though, for much of California. Farther north you go, a better chance of rain. You could see some in rain in Pacific Northwest. You could see some strong storms developing across parts of the Northern Plains. But speaking of rough weather, I already talked about the heat, I got something else to show. Let's hop over here for a few moments. We've been talking about -- again, just through the couple of weeks now, the tropics have kind been quiet for the time being. That may be about to change.
The reason why is we see some development at this point, where this has the potential, according to the National Hurricane Center, a 20 percent possibility of becoming maybe a larger system -- maybe a bigger disturbance, maybe a depression. Is it going to be a hurricane? Way too early to say so. But I can tell you water temperatures there are quite warm out here, easily into the 80s.
So, there's a slim possibility this may form into maybe a named storm. We'll watch it for you very carefully -- only a 20 percent possibility for the time being.
There's definitely a good chance of getting some strong storms off the northern plains. All the components are there. We got the unstable air mass, all the moisture. With the daytime heating, we may see the eruption of some strong thunderstorms, maybe some hail, damaging winds. We'll watch it very carefully.
But something else you're going to be dealing with is the extreme heat and that heat also is going to be one of the catalysts that's going to help the storms pop up.
The severe weather area, basically from the front range of the Rockies, all the way from big sky country, all the way into parts of the Northern Plains and into the east -- rather the central and western Great Lakes.
But one of the big components, of course, warm temperatures that we're going to have today, as we wrap thing up, 96 your high in Kansas City, 94 in Minneapolis, 93 in Chicago. But with the high humidity, it's going to feel much warmer.
Take a look at this, you heat index, to range anywhere from 110 to 120 for much of the Upper Midwest and, of course, into the north Central Plains.
T.J., that's a quick snap shot of your forecast. Let's toss it back to you.
HOLMES: Reynolds, appreciate you as always. Talk to you again here shortly.
Well, the Casey Anthony case, it started, of course, with the search for a missing little girl. The story of Caylee Anthony's disappearance and death is one of a long string of media stories that have focused on missing girls, white girls.
I'm going to talk to a woman next who is trying to raise awareness about the large number of minority children who go missing in this country and get no media attention. That's next.
It's 10 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Thirteen minutes past the hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
The Casey Anthony case started with a story of a missing little girl. 2008, thousands of people joined in the search for missing 2- year-old Caylee Anthony. The media got hold of the story and didn't let go. People just couldn't seem to get enough of this drama surrounding the discovery of Caylee's body and the trial of her mother, Casey.
But there are other cases that got tons of attention on TV and in newspapers. You remember some of these stories, Polly Klaas, Elizabeth Smart, Natalee Holloway?
Well, what do some of these have in common? Well, the victims, a lot of people will tell you, are all attracted. They are all from white, middle class families.
Critics have given the trend a name. They call it "missing white woman syndrome." And according to the group Peas in their Pods, a child is reported missing every 40 seconds in the United States and 42 percent of those children are African-American.
But how about this? Can you name one of them?
Gaetane Borders is president of Peas in their Pods joins me now.
You focus on minority children. Are we in a day and age where an organization like yours is necessary and is that a shame?
GAETANE BORDERS, PRESIDENT, PEAS IN THEIR PODS: Sadly, it is necessary. And it is a shame. But it is definitely necessary, as you said, every 40 seconds a child is reported missing, 42 percent are African-American.
But this morning, as people wake up, I promise you they know more about Casey Anthony. They know more about Lindsay Lohan and J. Lo's marital status than they do the names or faces of the kids you're scrolling.
HOLMES: How do you all go about? And we are -- we are show something of the names and faces of the kids from your Web site. But, I guess, how do you go about getting the message out?
I mean, I'll admit, I wasn't familiar with the organization until it was brought to me by my team. You said yourself before you joined up, you weren't familiar with the organization.
How do you get the message out?
BORDERS: Right. And we rely on a network of people to help us get the message out. We rely on every day people second out e-mails, letting other people know children go missing. And we do a lot of advocacy ourselves in getting the word out. HOLMES: OK. This is a tough question here. Then, why is it -- who is failing? Is it us in the media, because we pick and choose which stories and which kids we want to focus on?
BORDERS: You know what? I would not blame the media solely for the fact that we do have this white woman syndrome as you called it -- white missing woman syndrome. I think the media puts out what they believe the public wants to see.
HOLMES: OK.
BORDERS: And if the public isn't making you all aware that they want to see a more diverse look at the kids that are missing, then, of course, you're not going to put it on. You don't think anyone is going to watch.
So, it's going to It will take everybody in our communities to the stand up and let you know that, listen, kids like Shaniya Davis (ph), Tyler Thomas, all these kids are important, too.
HOLMES: Something else here -- this was a quote I think I read from you, that the media -- excuse me, the media one thing, but also the public. There's something out there where they just don't seem to value minority children or African-American children as much. What do you mean by that?
BORDERS: I say that to say, because the community has not demonstrated an interest in it. Then the media doesn't value these children. The magazines aren't going to put them on the covers because they're not going to sell, so they think. And so, they're just not as valued because of that reason.
Can they be valued? Absolutely.
HOLMES: All right. I got two examples we wanted to use here. A couple of the kids we wanted to focus on -- two names that people probably never heard. Joshua Davis.
BORDERS: Joshua Davis.
HOLMES: Tell me about Josh.
BORDERS: He is a toddler missing out of Texas who went missing from his family's home. There were a number of people in the house. He is barely 2 years old, can't reach the door knob.
But somehow they're alleging that he got out and walked the streets. He hasn't been seen since. The police say there are a number of pedophiles listed in the area.
I mean, it's just a convoluted case. Where's Joshua?
HOLMES: Another here -- Tyler Thomas, a name people have never heard. Now, this was one, once I started reading the details here, sounded kind of similar to some other stories I have even covered in the press. Tell me about Tyler.
BORDERS: Tyler missing out of Peru, Nebraska, 19-year-old college student. She was out partying with her friends. We, in fact, spoke with her friends that she was with that night. Typical college party, you know, a little bit of drinking going on. She left to go home by herself.
Somehow she got into a car with a 29-year-old gentleman who was attending the college as well. He's been arrested. He's saying they had consensual sex and then she later said that she was going to tell everybody she was raped by him. She's never been seen since.
HOLMES: All right. One last thing -- and the was something I was talking to you about in the break and something a police officer told me in Oakland and it stayed with me.
He said, another thing about these missing minority kids cases is that minority families often times are a little more skeptical of the police officers, of the media and are reluctant to step forward and demand that media attention to say, hey, I'll do an interview. Hey, let me get this flyer out. Hey, let me make these phone calls when often times those middle class white families are more media savvy?
You think that could be the case as well?
BORDERS: That could be the case as well. But, also, a lot of kids of color that go missing are listed as runaways. When they're listed as runaways, the media really won't touch them as much. So, those doors don't open for them. That's another problem when we talk about missing kids of color.
But, yes, there is a little bit of an ambivalence towards the police in certain communities, given the history.
HOLMES: All right. Gaetane Borders, we appreciate you being here. Again, a lot of people might be shaking their heads. It's unfortunate that an organization like that is even necessary. But it absolutely is.
We thank you so much for bringing this to our attention and being here with us this morning.
BORDERS: Thank you, T.J.
HOLMES: Thanks so much.
Well, we are at about 19 minutes past the hour right now.
Watching the watchers and getting arrested in the process. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MILY GOOD, ARRESTED AFTER VIDEOTAPING OFFICERS: I'm observing what they're doing and they're arresting me. I don't understand what's going on. I did nothing. I did nothing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Yes. This is not the first time an incident like this has happened in one upstate city in New York. It's got people talking and police internal affairs looking into it. So are we, after the break.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: A woman in Rochester, New York, videotapes a police traffic stop. And moments later, she's the one that ends up in handcuffs. Look and listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMILY GOOD, ARRESTED AFTER VIDEOTAPING OFFICERS: I'm observing what they're doing and they're arresting me. I don't understand what's going on. I did nothing. I did nothing.
What in the world! I'm sorry. I was standing in my front yard, concerned about what was going on in my neighborhood and you're arresting me. What the hell is going on right now!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, Emily Good's arrest and similar incidents of citizens confronted shortly after videotaping Rochester police now ignited a debate about whether the officers are retaliating against those they're sworn to protect and serve.
Well, the president of Rochester's police union takes issue with Ms. Good's interpretation of what happened and why.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Emily Good was unwinding at home in her pajamas late one night in may when she and a friend noticed police stop a car --
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HOLMES: All right. Sorry, I didn't have that sound for you.
But the police union, let me -- as I bring in Holly Hughes here, our attorney sticking around to help us through this particular story. They're saying in that particular case that we just saw, the woman arrested, she was on her front yard, just videotaping. The officer actually said, you know, I feel uncomfortable with you there.
Is that good enough? Are you always supposed to follow the police officer's instructions?
HOLLY HUGHES, PRACTICING ATTORNEY: No. Not necessarily. Here's the thing: most of -- when an officer tells you to back away, most of the concern is officer safety.
Now, this is a lady standing in her own front yard. She doesn't have a weapon, T.J. It's not like she's holding a rake where she can lash out and hit the officer, not holding a gun and a knife. She's got a cell phone. She's videotaping what happened.
If an officer gives you an unreasonable instruction, people have rights. They have constitutional rights. They have civil rights.
She's standing in her yard. If she didn't say, I'm feeling uncomfortable with you standing there, why? Because you're videotaping? Is that what caused you the discomfort?
HOLMES: Can he argue, it's late at night, I'm in a neighborhood I don't know, it's dark over there, I don't exactly know what you're doing, just go up on your porch -- can he make that argument?
HUGHES: You better believe he's going to make that argument, T.J. What other argument does he have? It's not like they can say she had a weapon. It's not as if they can, you know, blame her and say she was impeding or obstructing a law enforcement officer. Now, he's going to have to make that argument.
And, certainly, if he said to her, ma'am, can you back up 10 feet, that would have been one thing. But what he wanted her to do, I think we can infer based on behavior, is stop videotaping him, which raises the question why?
HOLMES: OK. My last 90 seconds here. And this is key for everybody watching. We're talking about a particular town here in New York, a particular incident. But we all have phones with cameras now.
HUGHES: Yes.
HOLMES: What are our rights with if we're standing on a public sidewalk, on a street, we see an incident taking place. Of course, we just hit that record button.
HUGHES: Right.
HOLMES: But if an officer tells you to stop, what are your rights when you're out there?
HUGHES: Well, you actually have the right if it's a public place to continue to videotape that encounter. There is nothing that prevents you from doing so.
But I will say -- you know, I'm a huge fan of law enforcement. I was a prosecutor forever. I don't want in any way to encourage anybody to do something that's going to jeopardize anyone's life because if you're threatening an arrest, if law enforcement is feeling threatened, you know, innocent citizens can get hurt as well as the officers.
So, what I would say is, be respectful. If the officer says, back away, or I'm feeling threatened, or something like that, go ahead and comply.
But you do have the right to videotape what is out in public. It's called the right to privacy. There have been tons of Supreme Court cases on it. You don't have it out in public.
If you put something on a public street, anybody can videotape it. If an officer says to you, back up, think about their safety, think about the concern of others, perhaps back up 10 feet.
HOLMES: And it's important to note, that lady that was arrested. She was charged. But they later came to senses, some would say, and they dropped charges against her.
Holly, good to have you again on this story and, of course, on the Casey Anthony coverage. Thank you so much.
And to our viewers, quick break. And when we come back, the good doctor takes over.
