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CNN Saturday Morning News

Jerry Sandusky Guilty; Health Care Ruling is Close; Interview with Jerry Sandusky's Attorney; Filmmaker Makes Documentary About Deadly Violence in Northern Mexico; Obamacare Explained

Aired June 23, 2012 - 11:00   ET

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

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is Saturday, June 23rd. Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye.

The verdict is in for Jerry Sandusky, he is guilty of child sex abuse. We'll have reaction and analysis.

A tropical storm is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. We are tracking it.

And we'll tell you how the Supreme Court ruling on the health care law could affect what you see at the pizza parlor.

Jerry Sandusky is getting acquainted with the place he will likely spend the rest of his life -- jail. The long-time Penn State football coach was found guilty late last night of sexually abusing ten boys over a 15-year period. The verdict came after 21 hours of deliberations and horrific testimony from eight men who described their nightmare encounters with a man seen as a role model. But in reality, a pedophile who preyed on young boys. Here is reaction from both sides of the verdict.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LINDA KELLY, PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: There are many important lessons that can be learned from this case. One of them is that we can't let the national focus that this case has brought upon child sexual abuse fade after these cameras are turned off and the media has shifted their attention to the next important story.

We have to continue to focus on child sexual abuse and to shine a bright light in those dark, dark places where the Jerry Sanduskys of the world lurk.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE AMENDOLA, JERRY SANDUSKY'S ATTORNEY: We always felt that Jerry's fairer shake would come from the center county jury and we still believe that. The jury obviously believed the Commonwealth's evidence, believed the Commonwealth witnesses. That's clear from their verdict.

I've been asked already inside, is that a surprise? No, actually it was the expected outcome because of the overwhelming amount of evidence against Jerry Sandusky.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: And let's get more on the reaction to the verdict. National correspondent Susan Candiotti is live in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

Susan good morning to you. So let's talk about the reaction there. Have you had a chance to speak to people? And give us an idea of what -- what it was like there, the scene last night as this verdict was read?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Randi, good morning. The scene was electric. The very courthouse lawn where I'm standing filled with spectators from all over this community, some bringing their children, because they said they wanted to see part of history.

I have not found anyone who has told me they were surprised by this verdict. And here is the front page of the local paper here, "Jerry Sandusky being led away in handcuffs" with the headline emblazoned "Guilty." You heard Joe Amendola his defense lawyer say even he was not surprised given all the evidence.

And inside the courtroom, Randi, a lot of emotion. Jurors were crying. Jerry Sandusky's eyes were tearing up. And there was victim, victim number 6, he's the young man, that was the first one to come forward through his mother. And it led his story led investigators to find nine other victims whose cases were eventually prosecuted over -- and they spread over 15 years.

So this is a sigh of relief to many people in this community.

KAYE: It will be some time, though right a couple of months or so before the sentencing actually takes place?

CANDIOTTI: That's right. And his defense lawyers are already starting work on an appeal. And what's also interesting about this sentencing phase is that believe it or not, the victims in this case will be able to play a role if they want to. They will have a chance to face Jerry Sandusky again, face-to-face and tell the court the damage he has done to their lives or a statement might be read on this -- on their behalf.

So there's a lot to be done in the next few months and Jerry Sandusky at this hour remains under a suicide watch. That order was placed by the trial judge in this case.

KAYE: And he's 68 years old, he's facing a maximum of 440 years, correct?

CANDIOTTI: That's right. He is 68 years old it seems pretty obvious, pretty clear that he will be spending the rest of his life in jail, Randi.

KAYE: All right, Susan Candiotti there, reporting for us. Susan, thank you. The testimony in the case was difficult to hear. Eight men describing in detail what happened years ago when they were alone as young boys with Sandusky.

Earlier I asked defense attorney Holly Hughes how their stories likely impacted the jury.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOLLY HUGHES, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Forty-eight charges, 21 hours, what is that less than half an hour a charge, it tells me that from day one they believed these victims. There wasn't a whole lot to talk about when they got back there.

(CROSSTALK)

KAYE: Right, right, it would have taken them a lot longer.

HUGHES: That's exactly right. They weren't talking about DNA evidence, they we're fighting about the science or contamination, we didn't have any of that. We had these victims who a lot of -- remember Randi didn't come forward on their own. I mean, the police knocked on these young men's doors ten years after the fact and said, hey, you know did this happen to you?

KAYE: Yes.

HUGHES: Did this embarrassing, horrible, traumatic, physically and emotionally thing happen? And by the way, will you come into a public courtroom and tell the world about it.

I mean the bravery of those young men. And let me tell you something, the jury saw it and they saw it instantly. Because they didn't need to take a whole lot of time for each charge.

KAYE: Yes, yes they believed it. So now we have Sandusky who is facing I think a maximum of 440 years in prison.

HUGHES: Yes.

KAYE: But his attorney is saying he'll appeal. Is that -- is it worth it?

HUGHES: Yes well, of course it's worth it at this point in time because why not shoot for the moon. It's kind of like -- Sandusky is one of those predators, he is one of the defendants -- I used to say this when I was prosecuting -- he knows you got him dead to rights, but he's going to make you walk him into that jailhouse. He's not walking in on his own, he's not taking a plea, he's not rolling over and saying you convicted me, you got me. He's saying, oh, no, government, you jump through the hoops, you do the work.

So they'll definitely appeal, but number one, I don't think it's going to be successful. And number two, it doesn't matter what's happening, because no judge in the world is going to give him what we call a supersidious bond (ph). KAYE: Right.

HUGHES: Which means while the appeal is pending you get to be back out in the streets.

KAYE: And there could still be civil cases, right? These -- these survivors that are being called now can still bring cases against the university, Sandusky --

HUGHES: Oh I -- absolutely, and I -- right. I anticipate we will see a lot -- if they fall within the statute of limitations. So again it's -- was there an immediate outcry, is there the statute is still -- the statute is still open and still good, yes, I think we're going to see some civil cases.

And I think we're also going to see a lot of policy change. It's one of the things not everybody is discussing yet.

KAYE: Right.

HUGHES: But universities and institutions, and employers across the country now --

(CROSSTALK)

KAYE: Right.

HUGHES: -- have got to take a step back and say, wow, you know what maybe we need to change what we're doing here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Penn State University said it has tremendous respect for the men who came forward and that no verdict can undo the pain and suffering caused by Jerry Sandusky.

And just about 25 minute from now, I will be speaking with one of Jerry Sandusky's defense attorneys. I'll be asking him about the suicide watch that he's on and also a possible plea agreement -- was it ever considered.

To Kenya now where Americans are being urged to leave port city of Mombasa. Officials have warned of an imminent threat to that city which is Kenya's second largest and a major tourist attraction. No details were issued with a warning, but Kenya has recently been hid hit by grenade attacks blamed on a Somalian terror group.

In Egypt, thousands have gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square to await the results of a presidential runoff election. These are live pictures, but it will be tomorrow before there is official word from Egypt's Election Commission. Right now, both candidates claiming victory. The gathering is as stark reminder of the demonstrations last year that brought down the regime of Hosni Mubarak.

Jerry Sandusky's attorney promised jurors they would hear from his client but they never did. When we come back, Joe Amendola explains what convinced him to keep Sandusky off the stand.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: A jury half with ties to Penn State University has delivered a guilty verdict for Jerry Sandusky. The former football coach was convicted late last night on 45 of 48 counts related to the sexual abuse of young boys.

CNN's Anderson Cooper got reaction from Sandusky's attorney moments after the court adjourned.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, "AC360": Did Jerry Sandusky say anything to you after the -- after the verdict was read?

JOE AMENDOLA, JERRY SANDUSKY'S ATTORNEY: No, he really didn't. He look to me and -- and obviously he was distraught and disappointed but he didn't say anything verbally.

COOPER: What happens to him now? I mean, we say him being led out in handcuffs, has put in the police car, he goes off to, I guess a -- a jail. We're told that the sentencing will be anytime within 90 days. What is -- what -- what do you do tomorrow? What is the next process?

AMENDOLA: Well, tomorrow I gather -- gather my -- my wits and we start thinking about sentencing. Because that's the next step and start planning our appeal issues. We will have to get a transcript for the trial and then we'll decide how we're going to proceed after sentencing -- the sentencing probably Anderson will take place in September.

COOPER: You said and I -- I talked to one of your -- your co-counsels that -- that you believe there are a number of issues that on appeal you may be able to have some sort of case for.

But -- but no matter what you use to appeal, I mean, do you really believe you have enough that could actually overturn 45 counts against Jerry Sandusky?

AMENDOLA: Well, yes because if you win -- one of the appeal issues everything probably falls. So all we have to do is convince an appellate court that one of the issues that we will raise is worthy of a reversal and if there's a reversal everything comes back Anderson. It doesn't matter, it could be 100 counts and it would still off back if an appeal -- an appeal is granted. And a higher court determines that we had a valid issue.

COOPER: Did you want your client to -- to try to go for some sort of plea agreement?

AMENDOLA: No, as a matter of Jerry Sandusky never -- never considered a plea agreement. He always -- he always maintained his innocence. And that's something that's important -- that's something that's important for everyone to understand. For better or for worse, none of us were there when any of these -- these things happened, but he always -- always maintained that he was innocent.

COOPER: The discussion about whether or not he was going to testify. Where did you stand on that, I assume you did not want him to testify?

AMENDOLA: Well, what happened he intended to testify. Ye always wanted to testify and tell his side of the story. And what happened was late last week on a Thursday afternoon, the Commonwealth indicated it might have additional information that wanted to present before a close. We didn't know what it was.

Later that evening we received a call, dragged the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth attorney indicated that Matt Sandusky had talked to them and indicated that Jerry had abused him.

At that point I objected to the surprise and explained to the judge, the judge was involved in the conference said, that we had always intended Jerry to testify. This tremendously undercut our defense, placed us in a really bad situation since I had promised the jury that Jerry would testify.

So the next day the Commonwealth alerted me to the fact that it had thought about its issue with Matt Sandusky, it would not call Matt in its case in chief, meaning it would rest without calling him. But it reserved the right to call him in rebuttal. That put us in a position of trying to decide if there was some way we could call Jerry Sandusky as a witness and Jerry could testify without triggering Matt's testimony in rebuttal.

We decided we couldn't. It was too risky. And we also decided that if Jerry testified and then Matt testified, regardless of the fact that not only Jerry, but Dottie and the other five siblings of Matt's, all indicated Matt would be lying, that it would be absolutely catastrophic with this jury to hear Matt come in following Jerry's testimony and say Jerry abused him too.

At the last moment, it really literally was the last moment, last Wednesday -- this Wednesday morning, a couple days ago, that Jerry finally decided he would not testify and take his attorney's advice. But that's allowed to go, but he always wanted to testify, Anderson.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: The judge, not the jury, will sentence Jerry Sandusky most likely in September.

A tropical storm is brewing out in the Gulf of Mexico, we're keeping an eye on it and we'll let you know where it could be headed.

And if you're leaving the house right now, just a reminder, you can continue watching CNN from your mobile phone. You can also watch CNN live from your laptop. Just go to CNN.com/TV.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: We are keeping an eye on the Gulf Coast right now. A tropical storm is brewing there, and Bonnie Schneider is keeping her eyes on it as well. Bonnie, what's going on?

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, Randi, we are watching for development of a very broad area of low pressure that could impact anywhere along the Gulf Coast, because we don't really have too much agreement in where it will go, in terms of computer models.

Let's take look at this area of low pressure. When I say it's broad, it doesn't look very organized. We see a lot of convection, possibly a little further to the east of the circulation. As we go through the day today, we're expecting hurricane hunter aircraft to give us more information later this afternoon as they fly into this system.

But there have been buoys in the area that note the winds are strong enough to be called a tropical storm, although it's not classified as a tropical storm just yet. We're expecting that to occur later on today or possibly into the early evening hours. The next name on the list is "Debby", so we'll be monitoring that.

Let's take a look at those computer models I mentioned that there's quite a divergence in where the system would go. And look at this. Some are taking it to Texas; some are taking it to northern parts of the Gulf and to Louisiana or Alabama. Others are taking it straight towards Florida.

So with this divergence, it really means we have to monitor the system very carefully because as we continue to watch the waters of the gulf of Mexico, it's important to note the water temperatures are one or two degrees above normal. This is this red here, this indicates water temperatures 80 degrees or warmer. And most of the Gulf of Mexico right now is about 81, 82 degrees, so it's very warm, meaning if we had relaxed enough winds and we get enough energy kind of brewing in this area we could likely see a tropical storm.

And it's early in the hurricane season, but we're already up to letter "D". As you know we got a very early start this year, Randi, so far with several storms before the season even started.

KAYE: All right. Bonnie, thank you very much.

SCHNEIDER: Sure.

KAYE: We're tracking that one. So what will happen to President Obama's signature legislation? The health care law. We should hear from the Supreme Court this coming week.

In the meantime funnyman Bill Santiago finds out how you're feeling about health care.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Welcome back.

The Supreme Court is very close to ruling on President Obama's signature piece of legislation; that is, the health care reform law often referred to as Obama care. He signed the bill into law two years ago and it mandates that everyone must have insurance, but some states are challenging its constitutionality.

While the Justices haven't made up their minds yet, what about you? Who better to get the pulse of the people than our funny man Bill Santiago.

Bill, good morning to you. So you hit the streets in New York City, and you were looking to find out what some people thought. What did they tell you.

BILL SANTIAGO, CNN: That's right. The people who can't wait to find out how this Obama care slayer movie ends. Streets of New York famous for its opinions; let's check it out, see what they had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANTIAGO: It's a big Supreme Court decision. We have to get the folks out in the streets. Take a picture, (inaudible) -- from another country.

How do you think the Supreme Court will decide?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I hope that the Supreme Court will decided that it is indeed constitution.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is it equal for everybody?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Especially like old people.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Having not been on the Supreme Court, I do not know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He should kill it.

SANTIAGO: He should kill his own health care bill?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no easy answer with health care. How do you pay for it?

SANTIAGO: Can you guys do a song about Obamacare.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obamacare used to be Romneycare

SANTIAGO: What do you know about Obama care?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That you're just covered until 26; that's all I know.

SANTIAGO: Do you think they should raise the age to like 36 or 56.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think 26 is fine.

SANTIAGO: 27 would be pushing it?

Now you don't think we have to encourage these young kids to just stay at home and be slackers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not at all.

SANTIAGO: What do you think a co-pay should be on a vodka martini?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think they should be free.

SANTIAGO: Do you have a second? I want to talk you a little bit about the Supreme Court decision on Obamacare, it would take two seconds. All right. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: I think you should stick to comedy, Bill. No more singing.

SANTIAGO: I couldn't help it. I couldn't help it. I was surprised that I didn't know my key. Don't blame it on me.

That was very funny though, the Obama care used to be Romney care. Very good.

And the vodka martini, what was that? A co-pay on a vodka martini actually you asked that guy?

SANTIAGO: Yes, yes, yes. People had a lot of opinions on that. I'm surprised that more people didn't agree with the tea party that the only thing you need to stay healthy is tea. There was a lot of gut reactions, and I can't wait to get out there and do it again.

KAYE: What was the biggest surprise, I mean besides the Tea Party?

SANTIAGO: Well, I was actually surprised how informed some people were. They blew me away. I wasn't expecting that. Of course, none of that made it into the video.

KAYE: You want to make it even look good.

No, but they did. They knew they were covered until they were 26. There were a lot of things there that they --

SANTIAGO: A lot of people they had -- very specific things about the bill they were familiar with that they like. And hey, everybody is waiting with bated breath to find out what the Supreme Court does next week, if they want to put out their own response video to my little songs.

Scalia, bring it on, we'll be here waiting for you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Yes, if laughter is the best medicine, maybe Bill Santiago should be in charge of health care reform.

Jerry Sandusky is on suicide watch, we have learned, awaiting sentencing in the sex abuse case that riveted the nation. We'll hear how he reacted to the verdicts from someone who was inside the courtroom, when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: A dark chapter has closed for the men who sustained years of sexual abuse by a football coach, role model, and now convicted child molester. Jerry Sandusky now sits in jail awaiting sentencing. Ines Ferre has reaction to the late-night verdict.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

INES FERRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the end, jurors found Jerry Sandusky guilty of 45 counts of 48 counts against him, and not guilty of three. The attorney general thanked the young men who came forward and testified against him.

LINDA KELLY, PA ATTORNEY GENERAL: They've shown great strength and courage during this investigation, candidly and sometimes chillingly telling their stories not only to the jury and a packed courtroom audience here in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, but also to the entire world.

FERRE: Sandusky's defense attorney was conciliatory.

JOE AMENDOLA, ATTORNEY: The Sandusky family is very disappointed, obviously, by the verdict of the jury, but we respect their verdict.

FERRE: Throughout the trial, alleged victims graphically described involuntary sexual encounters with the former football coach. The defense called numerous character witnesses to the stand, including Sandusky's wife Dottie. She testified she never noticed any signs of inappropriate behavior. The defense argued investigators pushed the accusers to make claims against Sandusky, and the alleged victims were out to make a profit. Sandusky never took the stand in his own defense. For the local community, the trial will have a long-lasting impact.

LAUREL ALBERTSON, PENN STATE STUDENT: The whole Penn State and State College name is just completely tarnished now. Just the reputation is -- it's going to take a while to come back.

FERRE: In Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, I'm Ines Ferre.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Jerry Sandusky is now under lock and key awaiting sentencing. So how is he reacting to the guilty verdict? And does his defense team have any regrets? I posed though questions a short time ago to Karl Rominger, one of Jerry Sandusky's defense attorneys.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Joining me now is Karl Rominger, one of Jerry Sandusky's defense attorneys. Thank you, Karl, for joining us this morning. First of all, what is the latest on his condition this morning? Is he indeed on suicide watch? KARL ROMINGER, JERRY SANDUSKY'S ATTORNEY: He is in what they call one- on-one administrative custody, which I think most people would call suicide watch. It was done with the purpose of placing him in that kind of restrictive environment, not for any particular reason, but as a prophylactic or safety measure by the court and the warden. So I think it's important that people understand there's no reason to believe he needs to be on suicide watch, but it was done in an abundance of caution, given the nature of the charges.

KAYE: We've been getting a lot of reaction, obviously, overnight and into this morning. But I'm curious, did Jerry Sandusky make any comment after that verdict was read? Has he said anything to his defense team since?

ROMINGER: The short answer is we didn't have much time with him. We had to excuse him from the courtroom. And as you know, he walked out of the courtroom not in handcuffs. He was eventually put in cuffs to be transported in the car to the prison. But out of a sign of respect, the court allowed him to walk out on his own volition.

That said, when I looked at him during the verdict, I could see tears running down his eyes. So to the extent that anybody said he was emotionless, that is simply not true.

KAYE: Joe Amendola, also a member of the defense team, said he was not surprised by the verdict. Is that the way the entire defense team felt before those verdicts were read?

ROMINGER: The short answer is Joe knew and I knew we had a huge uphill battle. And every not guilty that we got, we eked out with very little time to prepare, with no continuances. You can get five continuances for a speeding ticket, but you can't get one continuance for Jerry Sandusky. We were given thousands of pages days before trial started, so we were simply behind the eight ball from the beginning. We think with more time, we could have developed a better defense. But that said, it was like climbing Mt. Everett to quote lead counsel Amendola.

KAYE: Are you at all rethinking your decision to put Jerry Sandusky's wife Dottie on the stand?

ROMINGER: No, I don't think so at all. I think Dottie was very helpful in many respects. Remember, that jury was out over 20-some hours. People will say whether it was 48 counts, they had a lot of deliberation to do. The short answer is they had a lot of deliberation to do, but the charges kind of roll into one, so for instance, for any one accuser, most of the charges, if you're guilty on one, you're guilty of the following four.

So with that in mind, that was an awful lot of time for what most people thought was a pretty simple case. I think Dottie was one of the keys to raising some doubt.

KAYE: What was behind the decision to keep Jerry Sandusky off the stand?

ROMINGER: Well, that's complex. There was a lot of issues going on. We were able to show that the police went off of recording, coached a witness what they thought was secretly, but didn't realize they forgot to turn the tape recorder off. They went back into the interview without knowing that we would see it, what specifics they gave that witness to say and how they encouraged him to be (inaudible) about those specifics. We thought that was powerful and led against taking him -- putting him on the stand. We also felt, quite frankly, that the Matt Sandusky issue was a problem. And once the government chose not to call Matt in their case in chief, we then felt they might be able to call him in rebuttal if Jerry took the stand.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Some of my conversation there with one of his defense attorneys. And Sandusky's attorneys clearly hoping the verdicts will be overturned.

In Mexico, where the drug cartels operate a multibillion dollar business, they'll do anything to protect their cash flow. I'll talk with the filmmaker about what he's uncovered.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Welcome back, everyone. The Mexican drug cartels run a big business. Take a look at these numbers. The U.S. government estimates they can sell up to $29 billion worth of drugs in one year. Yes, that's a billion with a B, and kingpins will do anything to make sure that money keeps rolling in. The Mexican government says the cartels have killed nearly 48,000 people since 2006. So you might wonder why you don't hear more about the slaughter going on south of the border? For one, the Mexican government estimates cartels spend more than $1 billion a year paying off police officers, and if they can't buy them off, well, they kill them.

That brings me to my next guest, Bernardo Ruiz. He filmed a documentary about reporters who cover narcotrafficking in Mexico. Bernardo, thank you for joining us this morning. Great to have you on the program. For "Reportero," the name of the documentary, you followed a veteran reporter for two years, with him day in and day out as he uncovered these stories about the cartels. Tell me what you learned from him?

BERNARDO RUIZ, FILMMAKER: One of the things I learned is how dedicated this specific group of journalists have been. Sergio Haro, who is the journalist that I profile in the film, writes for a legendary weekly called "Semanario Zeta," based out of Tijuana. And although they're not the only aggressive investigative reporting unit in northern Mexico, they're certainly one of the few. They're a very outspoken news organization and they have paid a heavy price for what they do.

KAYE: Why do you think they continue to do it? Did you ask them this? Because it's so -- it is deadly.

RUIZ: It certainly is deadly. In the case of "Semanario Zeta," in Tijuana, they've lost -- Sergio Haro, who I profile in the film, has lost three of his colleagues, including a very close friend who was a 29-year-old journalist, gunned down just in front of the steps of his newspaper.

I think it goes to a larger commitment and a hope that by getting information out there and getting the information out to the international community, that it will force a change within Mexico.

Obviously, since December of 2006, there's been a level of violence that's horrific. I saw the number that you posted. That's close to 50,000, which is the official number. Just a few week ago, a very well regarded news weekly, "Processo," put that number closer to 88,000. So somewhere between 50,000 and 88,000. We're talking about those are recorded homicides.

KAYE: And you show in the documentary that cartels really have police in their pockets. That regular people really have nowhere to turn. So have journalists basically become their only source for justice, is that partly why you made the documentary, to show that?

RUIZ: I think that's a very good question. And unfortunately that is the case in many regions where police departments, state police departments, municipal police departments, have been corrupted.

We know that in the last six years, at least 48 journalists or media workers have been murdered or disappeared. When I finished my film in January of 2012, that number was at 40. So that means in the last six months, we've seen the murders of at least eight journalists. Unfortunately, the worst of that violence has happened in the state of Veracruz, which is a port state. We know that six journalists have been murdered in the most gruesome way, their bodies found in garbage bags in the last two months.

KAYE: And why, I mean, as a journalist myself, it's hard for me to imagine going to work and wondering if I'm going to come home. But why are the cartels actually targeting the journalists?

RUIZ: So we are talking about organized crime figures that are used to operating with impunity and anonymity. Anything that threatens their profits is going to be a reason to attack a journalist. So typically what I saw and what you see in the film, in the history of the film, anytime you publish the names and the faces of organized crime figures, anytime you show the links between organized crime and local politicians or corrupt politicians, that's when organized crime bites back, and that's when journalists are attacked or killed.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: That was my interview with Bernardo Ruiz, director and producer of the documentary "Reportero."

So what do you know about the Affordable Care Act, that is the health care law the Supreme Court is considering right now? We'll debunk some of the common misconceptions.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: The Supreme Court is on the verge of a landmark decision on health care in America. Within the next week, the justices are expected to rule on Obamacare -- that's the health care reform law also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The court will either let the law stand, or let parts of it stand, or maybe even strike it down altogether. We are focusing on health care and this decision this morning. Joining me now to talk about some of the myths and the misconceptions of the law is professor Lawrence Jacobs, author of the book, "Health Care Reforms and Politics, What Everyone Needs to Know."

Larry, so nice to see you. Good morning. I want you to listen to some of the things that we've heard first, and then talk to you about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe that you won't have to buy it, but if you can't afford it, then it's automatically given to you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe that you do have a couple of years that you do need to shop around within your state markets to get insurance, but there are exemptions, though. For instance, for religious organizations, so not everybody has to buy insurance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: All right. So a lot of folks, Larry, talking about this individual mandate. That gets all the attention. Tell us exactly just a little more about what it is. And will it truly force everyone to get insurance?

PROF. LAWRENCE JACOBS, UNIV. OF MINNESOTA: The whole idea of the individual mandate is very simple, which is to encourage as many people in our communities to sign up for health insurance so they don't wait until they get sick. We have got a lot of people who are free riding, thinking I'm healthy, I don't need insurance, but then something awful happens. They'll be in a car accident, they will get very ill, and then they will want care. And what that's doing is it's driving up everybody's premiums. So the mandate is meant to get everybody in so they are paying their fair share, but here is the kicker. It's only going to affect about 1 out of 20 Americans. And when you look at the actual requirement to get the insurance, because of the subsidies and other things, it probably is only going to affect about 2 in 100 Americans, so a very small number of people are actually going to be affected by the mandate, despite all the political brouhaha over it.

KAYE: Yes, that is what is getting most of the attention, but in terms of enforcement, I mean, if somebody doesn't buy insurance, if the mandate does in fact go through and isn't overturned, is there any kind of enforcement, like perhaps the IRS? Can they do anything?

JACOBS: This is one of the real myths about the mandate. The law actually says that the IRS cannot collect what is a pretty small penalty, a few hundred dollars. It tells the IRS you can't put a lien on people's houses, you can't force them to pay that. So it's really meant to be kind of a little bit of an effort to encourage people to get insurance, but it is not truly enforceable.

KAYE: So then how does the mandate really stack up? Is it even an important part of the overall law?

JACOBS: A lot of people have said this. In fact, the insurance companies, which at the end of the day came out against passing the health reform -- they were for it for most of the 2009-2010 bloodbath, because they like the mandate. Get everybody in, then we can offer a quality insurance package and make money.

The insurance companies came out against health insurance reform once the mandate penalty got smaller and smaller and it was not enforceable.

But look, if people are getting subsidies, and they are giving access to health insurance, we expect the vast number of Americans to say, hey, that's a good deal. We'll sign up.

KAYE: So let's talk about Medicare now, because a lot of people are certainly worried about cuts and perhaps loss of benefits. They think if there are cuts, it could cost them more. So what is the real issue here?

JACOBS: Well, for about a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries who are on a program called Medicare Advantage, which allows private insurance companies to offer coverage to Medicare folks, there has been a cut in their reimbursement. We were paying the private insurance companies a bit more than 10 percent more to get them to play in the game. And that was costing a lot of money, so that part has been scaled back. And some of the folks at Medicare Advantage are feeling the crunch there.

But, look, there's a lot in here for seniors. To begin with, the prescription drug benefit is now being expanded already. Seniors can get a $250 rebate. But this is the so-called donut hole that seniors know about. That's going to be gradually filled in over the next seven years. That's a great benefit.

And one of the really unspoken benefits in the health reform are the first national steps to try to get a handle on the awful abuse of seniors in nursing homes and by family members. There is real steps being taken here to get a handle on that abuse of seniors.

KAYE: A lot to chew on. A lot to make sense of there. Larry Jacobs, thank you so much. Nice to see you.

Again, the Supreme Court is expected to have a decision sometime next week. And we'll bring it you to live, of course, when it happens.

"CNN NEWSROOM" starts at the top of the hour. Fredricka is here with a little bit of a preview.

(CROSSTALK)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A lot straight ahead, beginning at noon Eastern time. Our legal guys, we always love to showcase because they are always so smart and fantastic. We're going to talk about a new law in Louisiana. If you're on Facebook, new restrictions, especially if you're a convicted sex offender, registered sex offender. We're going to talk about the new restrictions in place. You must reveal yourself, and whether other states may soon follow.

And then, you're a tennis player. Ever have a sore elbow or knee and you're like what do I do? Should it be the patch? Should it be a cream? Something more extreme?

KAYE: Do you have the answer?

WHITFIELD: Dr. Sujatha Reddy has the answer.

KAYE: All right, good.

WHITFIELD: At least a few answers to help you kind of figure out what is the best thing to do. We're going to talk about these new kind of patches that are on the market, that really are very enticing. But it's not for everybody. She's going to kind of break it down, you know, what you need. The questions you need to ask yourself first. And then if you're the kind of traveler who travels by stomach like I am --

KAYE: Really?

WHITFIELD: Yes. Perhaps we have some options that might please your tummy as well as your visual appeal. A lot of people like to plan their vacations because they want to wake up the next morning and have a view like this. They want to look out the window and it's all right there. They don't want to work too hard or traverse too far. So in our travel segment, we'll have some ideas on places to go. You want to guess where this might be?

KAYE: Greece, it looks like.

WHITFIELD: Of course. That's Santorini (ph), and we got some ideas on where you may want to book yourself in Santorini. Or maybe you want to stay stateside. We have some interesting options for you right in Wyoming.

KAYE: Can you book a ticket for me there, now?

WHITFIELD: I can help you out.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

KAYE: It's making me think about travel as well. I'm so ready.

WHITFIELD: I know. All that straight ahead. Noon, 2:00 Eastern. And the list goes on throughout the day.

KAYE: All right, Fred, see you in a couple of minutes again.

WHITFIELD: All right.

KAYE: So do you want to know how many calories are in your pizza every time you order? Do you really want to know? Well, if one part of the health care law goes through, you will know. But one pizza executive says it would be useless, and she's going to fight it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: The hunt is on for a bear that is attacking people in Arizona.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JASON AMPERSE, BEAR ATTACK VICTIM: We kind of scared him off. We had an opportunity to take him out, but you just don't -- you're in the minute of a moment. You know, it's so scary. It's like you don't know what's going on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Yes, who wants to mess with a bear? Well, Jason Amperse is showing where he was attacked. Authorities believe it's the same animal that attacked a woman three weeks ago. And based on the bite mark measurements, game officers believe the bear is a large adult male. It happened just east of Payson, Arizona. That's about 90 minutes north of Phoenix, and they have set traps all around town.

Obesity rates are skyrocketing in America, so the government wants restaurant chains to post calorie counts. As Brian Todd reports, pizza executives are fighting back.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Lunch time and I'm ordering pizza for my colleagues and me. Let's see, it's 100 degrees outside, and I don't want nap-inducing caloric intake. Luckily here, at a Domino's in Montgomery County, Maryland, I can get a sense of how many calories I'll be slamming. It's on the menu board.

I'd like a medium pepperoni, please.

That's about 215 calories for a slice. And if one part of the health care laws goes through, I'll be able to see that on the menu at every Domino's in America. The legislation would force restaurant chains with 20 or more locations to clearly post on menus or menu boards the calorie count for each item.

You're telling me how many different ways can you order a pizza?

LYNN LIDDLE, DOMINO'S PIZZA: We've calculated that you can 34 million different iterations of a pizza.

TODD: Lynn Liddle of Domino's is working the halls of Capitol Hill trying to fight off the proposed rule. Pizza execs say with all those ways to order a pizza, a menu board calculation of calories is useless. Liddle and execs from chains like Pizza Hut and Papa John's -- usually oven-hot rivals -- are joining forces against it.

LIDDLE: Most of our customers in pizza stores order online or over the phone. They don't look at a menu board and make their decision that way. So we're not only doing it in a way that's expensive for the small business person, we're doing it in a way that would be too confusing.

TODD: Liddle says they don't want to spend money on menu boards that most customers won't see when ordering. She says it's enough that customers can go online for the information.

I chose a hand-tossed crust medium size and add pepperoni. On Domino's calo-meter online, I get the readout. 215 calories, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 3.5 grams of saturated fat for a slice.

I'm ready to chow down on my medium pepperoni pizza. But before I do, I want to get the guilt trip from Margo Wootan from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. She is a nutrition expert. Margo, why is it so important for me to get the bad news about calories from a menu board in there rather than some other way or ignoring it?

MARGO WOOTAN, CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: Well, people are eating out a lot more than in the past. Now we're getting a third of our calories from eating at restaurants and other kinds of retail food establishments. So it's a big part of our diet. And it's a problematic part of our diet. Studies show that eating out is linked to obesity.

TODD: Wootan says there are mixed results from studies in places where there are already calorie labels on menus. She says in those places, like New York City, it's been found that people have used the information to make informed choices to cut calories when they order.

Brian Todd, CNN, Bethesda, Maryland.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: That made me hungry.

WHITFIELD: Me, too. I still have an appetite for pizza, even with all that rough news.

KAYE: You know, but some people eat just the top, and then there are those who will eat just the bottom.

WHITFIELD: That's true.

KAYE: So everybody has their own way of thinking.

WHITFIELD: Or they will eat just the crust, because maybe that makes you feel a little less guilty.

KAYE: But you can eat the crust and then you -- then you do what -- you do without the fat and the cheese? Then you can eat the top and you can do it without the carbs.

WHITFIELD: But then it's not pizza!

KAYE: Yes, that's true.