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CNN Saturday Morning News

Accused Soldier Back In The U.S.; Weekend Weather; Missouri Caucuses Today; CNN Hero Pushpa Basnet

Aired March 17, 2012 - 06:00   ET

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

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Live from Studio 7, welcome to WEEKEND EARLY START. Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. It is 6:00 a.m. in the East, 3:00 a.m. in the West and 5:00 a.m. at Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas, where we have learned the alleged Afghanistan shooter has arrived. We also have stunning new details about his identity, his past and what his friends and neighbors are saying.

And later in the hour, we will do a gut check on which candidate stands to benefit most if Newt Gingrich drops out of the presidential race.

Plus, what is Hollywood hunk George Clooney doing in handcuffs? Hello. We'll tell you.

This morning, this soldier accused of killing 16 Afghanistan civilians in a house to house rampage is back in the U.S. A plane carrying Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales arrived last night in Kansas. He's now in custody at a prison in Ft. Leavenworth. Military officials say he's being held in a cell all by himself. His neighbors say the man accused of Sunday's heinous attack in Afghanistan is much different from the decorated combat veteran they know.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was completely blown away. Yes, I was devastated, heartbroken. I mean, completely shocked.

I would describe him -- he was super fun to hang around with. Kind of the life of the party kind of guy. Super loving. Friendly to everybody he met. Great with his kids. I just -- I don't -- I don't see how this has happened.

I never saw any signs of marital problems. I -- they always seemed pretty happy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: We have more now on Bales, the married father of two who was in his 30s.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE (voice-over): It all began last Sunday, a U.S. soldier left his base in the middle of the night, made his way to two nearby villages, and allegedly shot, stabbed and burned civilians, leaving 16 people dead, including nine children. The shooting sparked protests around the country.

In one, an effigy of a U.S. soldier was burned and the Taliban vowed to retaliate. In an e-mail to CNN, the Taliban said in part, "with the help of God we will take the revenge of every Afghan by killing and beheading Americans anywhere in the country."

Back in the U.S., President Obama has a strong message of his own.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The United States takes this as seriously as if it was our own citizens and our own children who were murdered. We're heartbroken over the loss of innocent life.

KAYE: But Mr. Obama's words in a previously scheduled visit with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta did little to ease the tension.

HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN: The Afghan investigation team did not receive the cooperation that they expected from the United States.

KAYE: The accused soldier, who has not been charged, has been identified as Robert Bales. He's a 38-year-old Army staff sergeant deployed out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington. His civilian lawyer describes him as highly decorated. And he was on his fourth combat deployment, three in Iraq and the latest, Afghanistan. In 2010, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, in a vehicle rollover caused by a roadside bomb.

JOHN HENRY BROWNE, ACCUSED SOLDIER'S ATTORNEY: We do know he had a concussive head injury. We also know he was injured in his leg severely. And I am somewhat confused as to why they would send him back to Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: And let's get to Sara Sidner. She's live in Kabul, Afghanistan, for us this morning.

Sara, we know Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has been highly critical of U.S. authorities account of these events. What's the latest you're hearing there?

SARA SIDNER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's still the same. That basically the Afghan government does not seems to believe the account that the U.S. is giving for how all of this went down. And certainly the villages in Kandahar who lost so many family members are very upset and they don't believe at all that this was only one soldier.

Although you'll hear the word, we don't believe this could have been pulled off by one soldier, we haven't had anyone really describe that they saw so many others there. And so some conflicting information there. But certainly there's a lot of skepticism as to how all this happened and whether this was part of a larger plan for something.

But as you know, the U.S. has been pretty adamant that this was one soldier acting on his own. He was not acting on any sort of mission. And they're looking at the charges. We're expecting to see those charges in the next few days -- Randi.

KAYE: And what about the Afghan lawmakers? Do you think -- are they planning to continue to demand that Robert Bales be tried in Afghanistan despite his return now to the United States?

SIDNER: Even more so. Yes. Absolutely. And we also heard that from President Karzai in a roundabout way saying that, you know, we don't want any compensation from the U.S. The government doesn't want compensation. The victims don't want compensation. We want justice.

And for Afghan lawmakers, they've been saying, we want that justice to be done right here on Afghan soil in a public trial. But as you know, there is an agreement in place between the United States and Afghanistan when it comes to military personnel. Normally they are supposed to go through military channels. That's what the agreement has been.

And you're hearing from his attorney as well, Mr. Bales attorney, that, you know, that is not going to happen. That's not on the table. So, unlikely that we'll see him back here.

Though there are some questions about how the investigation will happen and they'll obviously need to bring in some witnesses who speak Pashtu. That means they'll have to bringing in translators. So where and when that will happen, we will start getting those details as this case unfolds. But certainly a lot of anger here, Randi.

KAYE: Yes, I can only imagine. Sara Sidner, thank you very much. And we'll check back in with Sara next hour around 7:15 Eastern Time to talk about what the U.S. is doing to make restitution or payments to the victim's families.

Other stories now that we're following this morning.

A series of explosions has rocked Syria's capital of Damascus. There are reports that several civilians and military personnel were killed. Witnesses say one blast hit near the air force intelligence headquarters. Syrian state television blaming terrorists for those attacks.

A stunning twist to tell you about regarding the director of the "Kony 2012" film that went viral. You remember that one. Jayson Russell, the man seen here on the right, was stopped by police in San Diego Thursday after several people reported that he was running through the streets in his underwear screaming. A representative for the non- profit group Invisible Children says Russell has been hospitalized for exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition as a result of the stress of the past few weeks.

Nearly 250,000 Honda Civic Hybrid owners will get up to $200 in a class action settlement. A California judge approved a settlement yesterday between the Japanese automaker and drivers who said their cars didn't get promised gas mileage. Last month, a Civic Hybrid owner who didn't join the class action suit was awarded nearly $10,000 in small claims court. Honda plans to appeal that decision.

And it's time now to say good morning to meteorologist Reynolds Wolf.

Hello, Reynolds.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, good morning, Randi.

I've got to tell you, today in weather, if you happen to be hoping for the luck of the Irish in terms of skiing, ski country is going to be great today. Going to see more snow back in parts of the central Rockies, in parts of even the Sierra Nevada. But also there's a chance of flash flooding maybe in parts of California. And, of course, some heavy rain and some snow also in portions of Arizona.

We've got that to talk about. Plus, there's a chance of some severe weather that may be popping up across parts of the Midwest later this afternoon. We'll give you the full scoop on that coming up.

KAYE: All right. Sounds like you've got it all covered. We'll see you in just a few minutes.

WOLF: You bet.

KAYE: A rundown now of what's still to come on WEEKEND EARLY START, because news doesn't take the weekend off.

In about two minutes we'll break down the presidential contest shaping up in Missouri and Puerto Rico this weekend. Plus, supporters shelling out $38,000 a plate at a celebrity fundraiser for President Obama. See how much money his campaign raised.

And it is March 17th. You know what that means. It's St. Patrick's Day. We'll show you how people are celebrating.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Welcome back.

The focus in the race for the White House shifts to Missouri, where Republicans are holding caucuses today. But it has already been overshadowed by the battle shaping up in Puerto Rico. CNN political editor Paul Steinhauser has more -- Paul.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Good morning, Randi.

Missouri Republicans gather at caucuses today on the county level. But since they don't include a presidential preference straw poll, there won't be any results to report on tonight.

Now the real action this weekend is in Puerto Rico, which holds a Republican primary tomorrow. Twenty delegates are up for grabs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is, I think, my third trip to Puerto Rico.

(END VIDEO CLIP) STEINHAUSER: Former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania was there on Thursday and Friday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANTORUM: I think we can do really well here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEINHAUSER: But he ran into a controversy over whether the predominantly Spanish speaking island must adopt English as one of its official languages as a condition for statehood. Our national political correspondent Jim Acosta caught up with Santorum in Puerto Rico.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Should it be a requirement for this territory to become a state?

SANTORUM: I think English -- English and Spanish. Obviously Spanish is going to be spoken here on the island. But this needs to be a bilingual country, not just a Spanish speaking country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEINHAUSER: Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, this morning, wraps up two days of campaigning in Puerto Rico. Now, earlier this year, Romney said at a CNN debate that he supported English as the country's official language. Here's what he said Friday as he arrived in Puerto Rico.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Which is that I will support the people of Puerto Rico. If they make a decision that they would prefer to become a state, that's an effort I will support. I don't have preconditions that I would impose.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEINHAUSER: Both candidates, as well as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, are also making the rounds in Illinois. Sixty-six delegates are up for grabs on Tuesday when that state holds it primary. And following Santorum's victories Tuesday in Alabama and Mississippi, I think it's more than fair to say that Romney really needs to win Illinois -- Randi.

KAYE: Thank you, Paul.

President Obama's re-election campaign is $5 million richer today. He got a star-studded welcome here in Atlanta following fundraising stops in Chicago yesterday. Filmmaker Tyler Perry hosted a $38,000 a plate dinner at his house. Among the guests, Oprah Winfrey. Perry said Mr. Obama has made what once seemed impossible, possible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TYLER PERRY, FILMMAKER: In everything that I've imagined, I never thought there would be a day when the presidential motorcade would come through southwest Atlanta. Giving all of these little boys and little girls a glimpse of what destiny looks like.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Hollywood star George Clooney was arrested yesterday in Washington. Police took Clooney, his father and others, including members of Congress, into custody during a protest outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington. He was charged with a misdemeanor, fined and later released. Clooney, who testified before the Senate, met with President Obama about the issue earlier this week, had this to say about his involvement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: You never know if you're accomplishing anything. All we're trying to do is bring attention to a moment in time that is actually important. We hope that this brings attention to it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Clooney recently returned from a trip to the Sudan. He says the government has killed and injured civilians in a series of bombings and is asking that humanitarian aid be allowed into the country.

You've seen the images of the aftermath from the deadly outbreak of tornadoes just a couple of weeks ago, but now we're getting a sobering look inside the EF-4 tornado the moment it hit an Indiana school. What surveillance cameras reveal. The full picture in 80 seconds.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: We are getting a revealing look this morning into the EF-4 tornado that wiped out entire communities in Indiana. Surveillance cameras inside Henryville Junior High School were rolling on March 2nd as the tornado headed straight for the school. Students were already on their school buses. But just minutes after teachers get the students back inside the school, the tornado hits. Just look at this incredible video. This is destruction that takes place within seconds. The raw power of the EF-4 tornado is undeniably clear here. Keep in mind, about 80 staff, teachers and students were inside the school while this was happening. Incredibly, no one was injured.

And, Reynolds, I mean, you look at that video. It's amazing that those people escaped with their lives.

WOLF: Indeed. I mean we always say, you know how lucky -- how worse it could have been. I mean, is there a better example of that? My goodness. If everyone had been out on those buses.

And it's amazing to show you, I mean, just -- I don't know if any of you might have recalled some of the video of the damage across Henryville of even some of those school buses, I mean just shredded by the strong winds of those immense tornados.

And the thing you've got to remember, Randi, is a lot of times when you have the change of seasons, especially the transformation going from winter into spring, you'll see this imbalance in the atmosphere and a lot of times you'll have the tornado outbreaks. And there's certainly the possibility we could see more coming in the weeks -- in the weeks ahead.

And I'll tell you today, we're going to see the chance of some tornadoes across the Midwest. But the big story we have this morning is what's taking place way out towards the west, especially in Seattle. Places like Lake Samamich (ph), you're going to get the rain. But in the highest elevations, in the Cascades, we're talking about some snow. Certainly some tough times for drivers along parts of 90, especially as you head down towards the Willamette Valley outside of Portland, up near Mt. Hood. You could certainly see some snow there.

One place you want to keep in mind, though. Anyone making the drive on 80 going from Reno back over to Sacramento, up near Donner Summit, could see several feet of snow at the highest peaks. And at the same point, have wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour. It could be a mess, so just keep that in mind.

And already the National Weather Service has posted warnings, watches, advisories all over the four corners and into the west. So if you happen to be a skier trying to get out and just maybe a few last runs this long ski season, it is going to finish up fine for you. It should be just fine.

And I'll tell you one thing that won't be fine, though, the dry conditions and the strong winds over parts of Texas and the four corners. Very low humidity means for a pretty decent fire threat.

And we also have the threat of the storms into the afternoon to the mid Mississippi Valley. We've got very warm air. We expect for the eastern third of the country. A lot of moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. And that combination will give you very unstable conditions with a chance of strong storms in the afternoon. And, yes, Randi, certainly the possibility of a few tornadoes.

Tornados, big wind makers, big wind out towards the west. Some gusts topping 35, 45 miles per hour. And even taking a flight out to say Albuquerque, you might have a bumpy ride to say the very least.

The same deal in Denver with a high of 82. Eighty in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day. Out to the west, I mentioned, a dip in the jet stream. With it, cooler conditions. Much warmer out towards parts of the east. Sixty your high in New York. Eighty-three, almost balmy here in Atlanta. Eighty-seven in Tampa and 80 in Miami.

That is a quick sneak peek at your forecast. Let's send it right back to you, Randi.

KAYE: I can't believe -- did that say 82 in Minneapolis?

WOLF: It did indeed say 82 in Minneapolis. KAYE: Wow! How come it wasn't that warm when I lived there all those years?

WOLF: You know, I don't know. I don't know. We're going to have to turn -- flip whatever switch we can to make it come back.

KAYE: Yes.

WOLF: But, I'll tell you, if you happen to be in the twin cities, it's not going to last very long. We will see cooler temperatures in the days to come.

KAYE: Yes, I think it was like 20 below when I lived there.

WOLF: Oh, brutal stuff.

KAYE: It sure was.

All right, Reynolds, thank you very much.

WOLF: You bet.

KAYE: So a mother watches as a shark pulls her daughter under water.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was, to me, like a scene out of "Jaws," where the girl is getting sucked under. And I said, there is no way this thing is going to kill my daughter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: This is an incredible story. We'll tell you and show you what happened next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: It is about 22 minutes past the hour. Time to check out some top stories from around the nation.

First to Oregon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINA MARIE LOPEZ: It makes me sick because there are sex offenders out there. She's a little -- to me, she's still a little girl.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: That was Christina Marie Lopez in January sounding like a concerned parent, outraged that a local strip club would hire her underage daughter to dance. But since that time, surveillance video from inside that club has surfaced. Police say it shows the 47-year- old mother watching her 17-year-old daughter dance and allegedly giving her money. The club claims the teen lied about her age. Affiliate KOIN reports the mother now faces child abuse charges.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is my worst nightmare to see an animal that can kill my daughter, pulling her under water. It was, to me, like a scene out of "Jaws" where the girl is getting sucked under. And I said, there is no way this thing is going to kill my daughter. And I grabbed her shoulders and I pulled her up and I threw her on the nose of my board.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: In Florida, a mother in New Smyrna Beach is being credited with helping to save her daughter from a shark. The mother and daughter were longboarding when the shark clamped down on the girl's ankle and pulled her off the board. Here's a picture of the wound. Luckily, some surfers helped them to shore and a nearby ambulance.

In Arizona, moments of panic when nine passengers in a hot air balloon crashed into power lines. According to affiliate KOLD, four people suffered severe burns when parts of the balloon caught fire. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

Right now, in Nepal, about 80 children are growing up behind bars. Not because of anything they did, but because of their parent's crime. This week's CNN Hero is trying to give them a better life, sacrificing her future for theirs. Meet Pushpa Basnet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PUSHPA BASNET, CNN HERO: In Nepal, when parents have been arrested by the police, and the children don't have a local guardian, some children go to prison with the parents. The first time when I visited the jail, I was studying for my bachelors in social work. I saw a small girls who just grabbed my shawl and she just gave me a smile. It was really hard for me to forget that.

My name is Pushpa Basnet and my mission is to make sure no child grows up behind prison walls.

In 2005, I started a daycare where the children can come out from the jail at morning and they can go back to the jail in the afternoon. We have children who are from two to four, they have coloring, reading, studying five days a week.

We started the residential home in 2007. (INAUDIBLE) we have 40 (ph) children living out here (ph). Mostly over six years old. I don't get a day off, but I never get tired.

The children all call me mamu. It's a big family with lots and lots of love.

When I started this organization, I was 21 years old. People thought I was crazy. But this is what I wanted in my life. I'm giving them what a normal child should have. I want to fulfill all their dreams.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: And, remember, CNN Heroes are all chosen from people that you tell us about. So just go to cnnheroes.com to nominate someone that you think is making a difference in the community.

Newt Gingrich has won only two presidential contests, but he is vowing to stay in the race. Would a running mate help any of the candidates seal the deal? And who would be the best match, do you think? We'll find out just ahead.

Plus, new details about the U.S. soldier accused in an Afghanistan shooting spree. This is CNN WEEKEND EARLY START, where news doesn't take the weekend off.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: It is 30 minutes past the hour. Welcome back. I'm Randi Kaye. Thanks for starting your day with us.