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CNN Saturday Morning News

Legal Briefs with Lida Rodriguez-Tassef, Nelda Blair

Aired May 01, 2004 - 08:00   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.


LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: ...the standoff between coalition forces and insurgents in Najaf continues. We'll have the latest in a live report just ahead.
Also, intense images; they've sparked international outrage. We'll bring you the latest reactions to those pictures of apparent prisoner abuse at the hand of U.S. soldiers. Also, similar allegations now made against British soldiers. And...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL JACKSON, SINGER/SONGWRITER: I would like to thank the fans around the world for your love and your support from every corner of the Earth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUFFER: It was a very different kind of thank you speech from the King of Pop yesterday. Michael Jackson thanked fans for their support as he pleaded not guilty to child molestation charges. We'll tell you what's next for the embattled pop star.

SAN MIGUEL: First, here's a look at the headlines at this hour. An air and sea show was set to take off in Ft. Lauderdale this morning after a tragic practice show yesterday. A stunt plane crashed into the ocean, killing the pilot. Witnesses said the plane hit the water with such force that the wings were sheered off. We are planning to go live to the air show for a report in the next hour.

A special legislative committee in Connecticut has requested an article of impeachment be drafted against Governor John Rowland. The move comes after Rowland's lawyer refused to answer questions before a house subcommittee. They were requesting documents be turned over in connection with a bribery investigation. The three-term Republican governor earlier admitted to lying about who paid for renovate his summer home.

California's secretary of state has permanently banned electronic voting machines in four counties where they were going to be used in the November presidential election. Kevin Shelley has also banned machine to be used in other counties until security measures are met.

And it could be a muddy start in Louisville as the gates open on the 130th running of the Kentucky Derby. Experts call it wide open as 18 three-year-olds have been training for the call to the post. STOUFFER: By now, likely, you've seen the disturbing photos out of Iraq that are sparking outrage around the world. Alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of troops sent there to liberate them. Ben Wedeman is live with the latest on the fight for Iraq.

Ben?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Linda.

Those pictures were broadcast widely throughout Iraq and the Arab World, but they were notably absent from Iraqi newspapers this morning. I spoke with one editor of a prominent Baghdad newspaper who told me that they were not running them today because they are so highly offensive.

But the reaction of all of those who have seen them has been, by and large, one of anger and disgust. Now I spoke with one human rights activist who told me that these disturbing images do raise questions about the treatment by the coalition of all Iraqi prisoners throughout Iraq.

That, in particular, with the emergence of similar pictures coming out from the British forces in the southern part of the country. Now this human rights activist said that these pictures and their graphic display of humiliation of Iraqi detainees. Of course, we must add, their authenticity has not been independently verified.

He said that they undermine the faith of the silent majority of Iraqis who welcomed the coalition when it came in and were hoping that it would be able to achieve its stated goals.

Now moving on to the situation in Fallujah, Marine forces are handing some of their positions over to an Iraqi security force. Interestingly enough, led by former officers and generals from Saddam Hussein's army. We are told that residents of Fallujah have reacted generally favorably to this force, which promises to restore calm to their battered city. Now we have to remember, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands fled the city in the course of the last month.

The question is, how is this force going to deal with the insurgents, which controlled Fallujah effectively for a month. And we're told there is no deal at this point between the security force and the coalition, on the one hand, and the insurgents on the other.

Coalition spokesman cautioning, however, that this force, which was thrown together very quickly to try to calm the situation in Fallujah down, its officers have not been vetted by the coalition or the Iraqi ministry of Defense. And they say that if they are found to have blood on their hands, from the previous regime, they will be removed.

Now, moving on to the question of violence in the country elsewhere, just because the situation in Fallujah seems to be slowly heading towards resolution, at least temporarily, more violence throughout the country. In Mosul, one U.S. soldier died from wounds received yesterday in an attack. And, two, civilian security workers were killed there today in a separate attack. In the Fallujah area itself, two U.S. Marines were killed yesterday by a car bomb, and in another part of the same province of Anbar (ph), two U.S. soldiers were killed.

This brings to 140 U.S. personnel killed in the last month. But, according to the Associated Press, the number of Iraqis killed in that period is 1,361.

Linda?

STOUFFER: Important to point that out, too. Ben Wedeman live in Baghdad. Thank you.

It took more than 30 minutes for ABC's Ted Kopple to read the names of all 721 servicemen and women who have died in Iraq. And 16 others have also died, but their identities have not yet been made public. Some ABC outlets refused to air the controversial "Nightline" program, calling it a political move, prompting other stations to step in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STAN CRUMLEY, GENERAL MANAGER: This is not about a decision that is about politics. This transcends politics. It goes clearly to the point of supporting our troops and to people who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

And their families have made the ultimate sacrifice. And I don't see any reason why they can't be recognized for what kind of contribution that they've made to this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUFFER: As mentioned, April has been one of the bloodiest months to date for U.S. forces. The Associated Press estimates the toll on Iraqis is far higher. They estimate for every American killed in Iraq this month, about 10 Iraqis were also killed.

SAN MIGUEL: Those Iraqi prisoner photos and ongoing hostilities pose major political challenges for the White House. All this on the day when the president made his famous "Mission Accomplished" speech one year ago. Suzanne Malveaux has the view from Washington.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Clearly, the White House is losing the public relations war. Yesterday, President Bush, when answers questions briefly about Iraq, he talked about strategy using that word three times. That is because critics say he doesn't have one and that is dates back to a speech he made one year ago aboard an aircraft carrier.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice over): May 1, 2003, aboard the "U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln," President Bush declared major combat over in Iraq. One year and more than 600 American casualties later, he defended those remarks.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I did give the speech from the carrier saying that we had achieved an important objective, that we had accomplished a mission, which was the removal of Saddam Hussein.

MALVEAUX: But the banner behind the president "Mission Accomplished" signaled to some Americans and Bush critics, a swift win in Iraq. As the June 30 deadline to transfer power to the Iraqi people nears, insurgencies in Fallujah and Najaf threaten to undermine stability in the country. This April proved to be the bloodiest month ever in Iraq with 126 Americans killed.

BUSH: I also said, on that carrier that day, that there was still difficult work ahead.

MALVEAUX: For Mr. Bush's critics, though, his declarations that day have come to symbolize the administration's failures. Since Mr. Bush's speech his chief political strategist, Karl Rove, and other top advisers have acknowledged they regret the "Mission Accomplished" banner overhead.

But they say the president's message has been consistent, that bringing democracy to Iraq is tough work. Mr. Bush's opponent, John Kerry is using the carrier image in one of his campaign ads. But at a speech at Westminster College, he focused on the future.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This anniversary is not a time to shout. It's not a time for blame. It's a time for a new direction in Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now these past year's events have taken a toll on President Bush's approval rating. The latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll shows that last year this time 76 percent of Americans believed the president was handling the situation well inside of Iraq. That is down now to 48 percent. -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: Suzanne Malveaux live from Washington. Thank you.

STOUFFER: We have some breaking news out of Saudi Arabia now. Two Americans reportedly killed. To get the very latest on this, Caroline Faraj joins us live on the phone from Dubai.

Carolyn, what's the latest? What do you have?

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest is a confirmation from the U.S. embassy in Riyadh that two Americans were killed, and one injured, sent to hospital, in this attack that took place a few hours ago, in Dubai, which is on the Dead Sea.

This is the confirmation we got it right now from the U.S. Embassy.

Linda?

STOUFFER: Caroline, do we know who the attackers were and what's happened to them?

FARAJ: Well, the information coming from Saudi Arabia officials and the Syrian ministry, they are saying that they are also on the wanted list, which basically is one of the 26 names that were mentioned and listed in Saudi Arabia since late last year. But we cannot confirm yet who are they in specific.

However, the incident took place, the foreign minister said, earlier today in Saudi Arabia. They entered the compound in Liambar (ph) and they started shooting on several workers over there. And we know that this compound, a lot of Westerners, including Americans and British and Australian nationals are also working there in addition Saudis as well.

According to the statement we've got from the Interior ministry in Saudi Arabia, they are confirming that two of the militants that blew themselves up in the car and the third was killed by the security and the fourth was shot and injured and arrested immediately.

STOUFFER: OK, Caroline Faraj live in Dubai with the latest on that. Two Americans reportedly killed in that attack. Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: We have more news coming your way. Former NBA star Jayson Williams is found innocent of the most serious charges against him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Manslaughter, guilty or not guilty?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not guilty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAN MIGUEL: But the question remains, will he still go to prison? That's a question for our legal panel, our legal eagles and we'll get to them in just a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STOUFFER: Well, with millions of people posting information on the Internet, how do you know if what you read, what you see there is true? There are so many fake e-mail and Internet stories written to look as if they are real. Some people are being hurt by the deceptions.

Join us tomorrow morning when we show you how to sniff out the fakes. That's tomorrow morning on CNN SUNDAY MORNING at 9 o'clock Eastern.

He was found innocent of the most serious charges, so will former NBA star Jayson Williams still have to go to prison? That's a question for our legal panel, up next.

STOUFFER: Also, when CNN SATURDAY returns, a look at the day's top stories, including the standoff with Iraqi dissidents in Najaf.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Welcome back. Michael Jackson now faces 10 felony charges, including a new charge of conspiracy. The pop star was summoned yesterday to the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, to hear the indictment against him. Jackson denies any wrongdoing and predicted vindication at a trial.

And his family is standing by him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JERMAINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON'S BROTHER: That's all bull crap. That's bull crap and it's crazy. Because how can anyone be held against their will at Neverland? And why didn't all this stuff come out from the very beginning? This is someone's malicious acts. They're trying to ram-road Michael and the family.

And I'm very upset at the system because, like I said before, how can someone be indicted and you don't even have all the facts. And the fact that the defense didn't get a chance to present their side. And everything that the prosecution's side has put forth has been just lies.

And that's -- and now it is all over the world that Michael is indicted, and it's nothing but a circus. As you can see. I'll continue to say that it's a modern-day lynching and it's a circus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUFFER: Jackson is accused of child molestation. His next court hearing is set for the end of the month.

SAN MIGUEL: Joining us to talk about the week in legal activities and, of course, lately that's been about celebrities in court, are our own legal celebrities, civil liberties attorney Lida Rodriguez-Tassef in Miami and former prosecutor Nelda Blair in Houston.

Ladies, good morning. Thanks for being with us.

LIDA RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF, CIVIL LIBERTIES ATTORNEY: Good morning, Renay.

NELDA BLAIR, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Good morning.

SAN MIGUEL: I want to start off with Michael Jackson, obviously, and this new charge that something new came up with the conspiracy and the extortion, meaning here that there may be some other people involved that can possibly help out, shed some light on this case. And extortion meaning that someone got coerced or threatened or intimidated or whatever. Lida, I have a feeling I know what you are going to say, the prosecution is fishing on this or overreaching, but it does add another element. It does raise the stakes here.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Conspiracy charges obviously a boondoggle for the prosecution. What it does is allows the prosecution to throw everything but the kitchen sink into one charge. Mind you, they've alleged 28 underlying acts in furtherance of this conspiracy, and name a bunch of unnamed and named coconspirator.

We don't know who they are. We don't even know who the named ones are because the judge wouldn't let us know that. So this is much ado about nothing. What it shows, though, is that the prosecution is prepared to overreach.

BLAIR: Here's a surprise, I completely disagree.

This prosecution has done its homework. It's getting its ducks in a row in order to make a really serious case. These charges are serious. Any prosecutor worth his salt does not go out and make this kind of charge and present it to a grand jury --- successfully, I might add -- without all his evidence stacked and ready to go.

I suggest this prosecution is going to put on a very intensive case. It's going to be a very formal and a very well put together case.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Nelda, but you know very well that a jury, a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich. And you also know that Michael Jackson could be acquitted of all of the underlying charges and still be convicted of this conspiracy. That's really ridiculous.

BLAIR: It's not ridiculous, Lida. It's the way the law works.

SAN MIGUEL: Let me get in here because the co-conspirators, if they are brought before this case and get involved, they could be turned against Michael Jackson, they could drop the dime on him, Lida. How do you defend against that?

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: That's -- that's -- and Nelda knows because she's been a prosecutor, that's exactly why you do it. You hope by naming and not naming a bunch of people that the speculation will start simmering. And mind you, we will not know who these people are maybe until at least May 28th and maybe even later.

The so speculation will run rampant. People will start making up stories, especially in a celebrity case like this. You don't know that you're not just getting a bunch of people to lie. And Nelda, you know that.

BLAIR: I do not expect this prosecutor is doing that at all. As I said, this prosecutor has his case put together. He knows what he has and he's going to use every bit of it.

SAN MIGUEL: We've got to move on to Jayson Williams now, here. Not guilty on one manslaughter charge. No decision on the reckless manslaughter charge and guilty of the cover up.

Nelda, let's start with you here. To not be able to get the decision that they wanted on the more serious charges here. Bad prosecution?

BLAIR: It's not bad prosecution. It's just a matter of not being able to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. It's not so much the defense won. It's that the prosecution was not able to convince the jury that it had to say this was no accident.

The defense experts said that the gun that Jayson Williams used could have gone off accidentally. The prosecution experts said no, it couldn't have, and when you have dueling experts like that, it goes to the -- the tie goes to the defense, because the prosecution has the burden of proof.

SAN MIGUEL: Lida.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Well, the tie does not go to the defense. This is a beautiful example of the prosecution again overreaching. They knew it was an accident from the start. They knew what the real issue here was whether or not he tried to cover up for the accident. And that was the real issue.

And you know the jury saw through all of it. 36 witnesses presents by the prosecution. You were in trial 12 weeks. My goodness, what a waste of money. The real issue is whether or not they are going to bother to retry him on the reckless manslaughter, which was the one that the jury hung on.

Now I hope that they don't because, eight out of the 12 jurors said they would have voted for acquittal. So this isn't a case where there was one holdout. It was clear they couldn't even prove that one.

BLAIR: I don't think they'll retry him. But let's not forget, this prosecution was successful on four of six counts. And this man has been found guilty on four counts, not his most serious, but nonetheless, he's going to be sentenced.

SAN MIGUEL: I have 20 seconds left here. Does he go to prison? Does he do any time at all for those four counts that he was found guilty? Lida?

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: No, he's going to be put on probation.

SAN MIGUEL: Nelda?

BLAIR: I think he'll do some time, but not a lot.

SAN MIGUEL: All right, we have to leave it there. Nelda Blair, Lida Rodriguez-Tassef, as always we enjoyed it. We'll see you next week. Thank you so much for your time.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Thank you.

BLAIR: Thank you, Renay. SAN MIGUEL: Linda, back over to you.

STOUFFER: All right. Thanks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired May 1, 2004 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: ...the standoff between coalition forces and insurgents in Najaf continues. We'll have the latest in a live report just ahead.
Also, intense images; they've sparked international outrage. We'll bring you the latest reactions to those pictures of apparent prisoner abuse at the hand of U.S. soldiers. Also, similar allegations now made against British soldiers. And...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL JACKSON, SINGER/SONGWRITER: I would like to thank the fans around the world for your love and your support from every corner of the Earth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUFFER: It was a very different kind of thank you speech from the King of Pop yesterday. Michael Jackson thanked fans for their support as he pleaded not guilty to child molestation charges. We'll tell you what's next for the embattled pop star.

SAN MIGUEL: First, here's a look at the headlines at this hour. An air and sea show was set to take off in Ft. Lauderdale this morning after a tragic practice show yesterday. A stunt plane crashed into the ocean, killing the pilot. Witnesses said the plane hit the water with such force that the wings were sheered off. We are planning to go live to the air show for a report in the next hour.

A special legislative committee in Connecticut has requested an article of impeachment be drafted against Governor John Rowland. The move comes after Rowland's lawyer refused to answer questions before a house subcommittee. They were requesting documents be turned over in connection with a bribery investigation. The three-term Republican governor earlier admitted to lying about who paid for renovate his summer home.

California's secretary of state has permanently banned electronic voting machines in four counties where they were going to be used in the November presidential election. Kevin Shelley has also banned machine to be used in other counties until security measures are met.

And it could be a muddy start in Louisville as the gates open on the 130th running of the Kentucky Derby. Experts call it wide open as 18 three-year-olds have been training for the call to the post. STOUFFER: By now, likely, you've seen the disturbing photos out of Iraq that are sparking outrage around the world. Alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of troops sent there to liberate them. Ben Wedeman is live with the latest on the fight for Iraq.

Ben?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Linda.

Those pictures were broadcast widely throughout Iraq and the Arab World, but they were notably absent from Iraqi newspapers this morning. I spoke with one editor of a prominent Baghdad newspaper who told me that they were not running them today because they are so highly offensive.

But the reaction of all of those who have seen them has been, by and large, one of anger and disgust. Now I spoke with one human rights activist who told me that these disturbing images do raise questions about the treatment by the coalition of all Iraqi prisoners throughout Iraq.

That, in particular, with the emergence of similar pictures coming out from the British forces in the southern part of the country. Now this human rights activist said that these pictures and their graphic display of humiliation of Iraqi detainees. Of course, we must add, their authenticity has not been independently verified.

He said that they undermine the faith of the silent majority of Iraqis who welcomed the coalition when it came in and were hoping that it would be able to achieve its stated goals.

Now moving on to the situation in Fallujah, Marine forces are handing some of their positions over to an Iraqi security force. Interestingly enough, led by former officers and generals from Saddam Hussein's army. We are told that residents of Fallujah have reacted generally favorably to this force, which promises to restore calm to their battered city. Now we have to remember, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands fled the city in the course of the last month.

The question is, how is this force going to deal with the insurgents, which controlled Fallujah effectively for a month. And we're told there is no deal at this point between the security force and the coalition, on the one hand, and the insurgents on the other.

Coalition spokesman cautioning, however, that this force, which was thrown together very quickly to try to calm the situation in Fallujah down, its officers have not been vetted by the coalition or the Iraqi ministry of Defense. And they say that if they are found to have blood on their hands, from the previous regime, they will be removed.

Now, moving on to the question of violence in the country elsewhere, just because the situation in Fallujah seems to be slowly heading towards resolution, at least temporarily, more violence throughout the country. In Mosul, one U.S. soldier died from wounds received yesterday in an attack. And, two, civilian security workers were killed there today in a separate attack. In the Fallujah area itself, two U.S. Marines were killed yesterday by a car bomb, and in another part of the same province of Anbar (ph), two U.S. soldiers were killed.

This brings to 140 U.S. personnel killed in the last month. But, according to the Associated Press, the number of Iraqis killed in that period is 1,361.

Linda?

STOUFFER: Important to point that out, too. Ben Wedeman live in Baghdad. Thank you.

It took more than 30 minutes for ABC's Ted Kopple to read the names of all 721 servicemen and women who have died in Iraq. And 16 others have also died, but their identities have not yet been made public. Some ABC outlets refused to air the controversial "Nightline" program, calling it a political move, prompting other stations to step in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STAN CRUMLEY, GENERAL MANAGER: This is not about a decision that is about politics. This transcends politics. It goes clearly to the point of supporting our troops and to people who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

And their families have made the ultimate sacrifice. And I don't see any reason why they can't be recognized for what kind of contribution that they've made to this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUFFER: As mentioned, April has been one of the bloodiest months to date for U.S. forces. The Associated Press estimates the toll on Iraqis is far higher. They estimate for every American killed in Iraq this month, about 10 Iraqis were also killed.

SAN MIGUEL: Those Iraqi prisoner photos and ongoing hostilities pose major political challenges for the White House. All this on the day when the president made his famous "Mission Accomplished" speech one year ago. Suzanne Malveaux has the view from Washington.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Clearly, the White House is losing the public relations war. Yesterday, President Bush, when answers questions briefly about Iraq, he talked about strategy using that word three times. That is because critics say he doesn't have one and that is dates back to a speech he made one year ago aboard an aircraft carrier.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice over): May 1, 2003, aboard the "U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln," President Bush declared major combat over in Iraq. One year and more than 600 American casualties later, he defended those remarks.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I did give the speech from the carrier saying that we had achieved an important objective, that we had accomplished a mission, which was the removal of Saddam Hussein.

MALVEAUX: But the banner behind the president "Mission Accomplished" signaled to some Americans and Bush critics, a swift win in Iraq. As the June 30 deadline to transfer power to the Iraqi people nears, insurgencies in Fallujah and Najaf threaten to undermine stability in the country. This April proved to be the bloodiest month ever in Iraq with 126 Americans killed.

BUSH: I also said, on that carrier that day, that there was still difficult work ahead.

MALVEAUX: For Mr. Bush's critics, though, his declarations that day have come to symbolize the administration's failures. Since Mr. Bush's speech his chief political strategist, Karl Rove, and other top advisers have acknowledged they regret the "Mission Accomplished" banner overhead.

But they say the president's message has been consistent, that bringing democracy to Iraq is tough work. Mr. Bush's opponent, John Kerry is using the carrier image in one of his campaign ads. But at a speech at Westminster College, he focused on the future.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This anniversary is not a time to shout. It's not a time for blame. It's a time for a new direction in Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now these past year's events have taken a toll on President Bush's approval rating. The latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll shows that last year this time 76 percent of Americans believed the president was handling the situation well inside of Iraq. That is down now to 48 percent. -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: Suzanne Malveaux live from Washington. Thank you.

STOUFFER: We have some breaking news out of Saudi Arabia now. Two Americans reportedly killed. To get the very latest on this, Caroline Faraj joins us live on the phone from Dubai.

Carolyn, what's the latest? What do you have?

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest is a confirmation from the U.S. embassy in Riyadh that two Americans were killed, and one injured, sent to hospital, in this attack that took place a few hours ago, in Dubai, which is on the Dead Sea.

This is the confirmation we got it right now from the U.S. Embassy.

Linda?

STOUFFER: Caroline, do we know who the attackers were and what's happened to them?

FARAJ: Well, the information coming from Saudi Arabia officials and the Syrian ministry, they are saying that they are also on the wanted list, which basically is one of the 26 names that were mentioned and listed in Saudi Arabia since late last year. But we cannot confirm yet who are they in specific.

However, the incident took place, the foreign minister said, earlier today in Saudi Arabia. They entered the compound in Liambar (ph) and they started shooting on several workers over there. And we know that this compound, a lot of Westerners, including Americans and British and Australian nationals are also working there in addition Saudis as well.

According to the statement we've got from the Interior ministry in Saudi Arabia, they are confirming that two of the militants that blew themselves up in the car and the third was killed by the security and the fourth was shot and injured and arrested immediately.

STOUFFER: OK, Caroline Faraj live in Dubai with the latest on that. Two Americans reportedly killed in that attack. Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: We have more news coming your way. Former NBA star Jayson Williams is found innocent of the most serious charges against him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Manslaughter, guilty or not guilty?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not guilty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAN MIGUEL: But the question remains, will he still go to prison? That's a question for our legal panel, our legal eagles and we'll get to them in just a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STOUFFER: Well, with millions of people posting information on the Internet, how do you know if what you read, what you see there is true? There are so many fake e-mail and Internet stories written to look as if they are real. Some people are being hurt by the deceptions.

Join us tomorrow morning when we show you how to sniff out the fakes. That's tomorrow morning on CNN SUNDAY MORNING at 9 o'clock Eastern.

He was found innocent of the most serious charges, so will former NBA star Jayson Williams still have to go to prison? That's a question for our legal panel, up next.

STOUFFER: Also, when CNN SATURDAY returns, a look at the day's top stories, including the standoff with Iraqi dissidents in Najaf.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Welcome back. Michael Jackson now faces 10 felony charges, including a new charge of conspiracy. The pop star was summoned yesterday to the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, to hear the indictment against him. Jackson denies any wrongdoing and predicted vindication at a trial.

And his family is standing by him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JERMAINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON'S BROTHER: That's all bull crap. That's bull crap and it's crazy. Because how can anyone be held against their will at Neverland? And why didn't all this stuff come out from the very beginning? This is someone's malicious acts. They're trying to ram-road Michael and the family.

And I'm very upset at the system because, like I said before, how can someone be indicted and you don't even have all the facts. And the fact that the defense didn't get a chance to present their side. And everything that the prosecution's side has put forth has been just lies.

And that's -- and now it is all over the world that Michael is indicted, and it's nothing but a circus. As you can see. I'll continue to say that it's a modern-day lynching and it's a circus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUFFER: Jackson is accused of child molestation. His next court hearing is set for the end of the month.

SAN MIGUEL: Joining us to talk about the week in legal activities and, of course, lately that's been about celebrities in court, are our own legal celebrities, civil liberties attorney Lida Rodriguez-Tassef in Miami and former prosecutor Nelda Blair in Houston.

Ladies, good morning. Thanks for being with us.

LIDA RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF, CIVIL LIBERTIES ATTORNEY: Good morning, Renay.

NELDA BLAIR, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Good morning.

SAN MIGUEL: I want to start off with Michael Jackson, obviously, and this new charge that something new came up with the conspiracy and the extortion, meaning here that there may be some other people involved that can possibly help out, shed some light on this case. And extortion meaning that someone got coerced or threatened or intimidated or whatever. Lida, I have a feeling I know what you are going to say, the prosecution is fishing on this or overreaching, but it does add another element. It does raise the stakes here.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Conspiracy charges obviously a boondoggle for the prosecution. What it does is allows the prosecution to throw everything but the kitchen sink into one charge. Mind you, they've alleged 28 underlying acts in furtherance of this conspiracy, and name a bunch of unnamed and named coconspirator.

We don't know who they are. We don't even know who the named ones are because the judge wouldn't let us know that. So this is much ado about nothing. What it shows, though, is that the prosecution is prepared to overreach.

BLAIR: Here's a surprise, I completely disagree.

This prosecution has done its homework. It's getting its ducks in a row in order to make a really serious case. These charges are serious. Any prosecutor worth his salt does not go out and make this kind of charge and present it to a grand jury --- successfully, I might add -- without all his evidence stacked and ready to go.

I suggest this prosecution is going to put on a very intensive case. It's going to be a very formal and a very well put together case.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Nelda, but you know very well that a jury, a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich. And you also know that Michael Jackson could be acquitted of all of the underlying charges and still be convicted of this conspiracy. That's really ridiculous.

BLAIR: It's not ridiculous, Lida. It's the way the law works.

SAN MIGUEL: Let me get in here because the co-conspirators, if they are brought before this case and get involved, they could be turned against Michael Jackson, they could drop the dime on him, Lida. How do you defend against that?

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: That's -- that's -- and Nelda knows because she's been a prosecutor, that's exactly why you do it. You hope by naming and not naming a bunch of people that the speculation will start simmering. And mind you, we will not know who these people are maybe until at least May 28th and maybe even later.

The so speculation will run rampant. People will start making up stories, especially in a celebrity case like this. You don't know that you're not just getting a bunch of people to lie. And Nelda, you know that.

BLAIR: I do not expect this prosecutor is doing that at all. As I said, this prosecutor has his case put together. He knows what he has and he's going to use every bit of it.

SAN MIGUEL: We've got to move on to Jayson Williams now, here. Not guilty on one manslaughter charge. No decision on the reckless manslaughter charge and guilty of the cover up.

Nelda, let's start with you here. To not be able to get the decision that they wanted on the more serious charges here. Bad prosecution?

BLAIR: It's not bad prosecution. It's just a matter of not being able to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. It's not so much the defense won. It's that the prosecution was not able to convince the jury that it had to say this was no accident.

The defense experts said that the gun that Jayson Williams used could have gone off accidentally. The prosecution experts said no, it couldn't have, and when you have dueling experts like that, it goes to the -- the tie goes to the defense, because the prosecution has the burden of proof.

SAN MIGUEL: Lida.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Well, the tie does not go to the defense. This is a beautiful example of the prosecution again overreaching. They knew it was an accident from the start. They knew what the real issue here was whether or not he tried to cover up for the accident. And that was the real issue.

And you know the jury saw through all of it. 36 witnesses presents by the prosecution. You were in trial 12 weeks. My goodness, what a waste of money. The real issue is whether or not they are going to bother to retry him on the reckless manslaughter, which was the one that the jury hung on.

Now I hope that they don't because, eight out of the 12 jurors said they would have voted for acquittal. So this isn't a case where there was one holdout. It was clear they couldn't even prove that one.

BLAIR: I don't think they'll retry him. But let's not forget, this prosecution was successful on four of six counts. And this man has been found guilty on four counts, not his most serious, but nonetheless, he's going to be sentenced.

SAN MIGUEL: I have 20 seconds left here. Does he go to prison? Does he do any time at all for those four counts that he was found guilty? Lida?

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: No, he's going to be put on probation.

SAN MIGUEL: Nelda?

BLAIR: I think he'll do some time, but not a lot.

SAN MIGUEL: All right, we have to leave it there. Nelda Blair, Lida Rodriguez-Tassef, as always we enjoyed it. We'll see you next week. Thank you so much for your time.

RODRIGUEZ-TASSEF: Thank you.

BLAIR: Thank you, Renay. SAN MIGUEL: Linda, back over to you.

STOUFFER: All right. Thanks.

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