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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
U.N. Security Council Passes Iraq Resolution; Sniper Suspects Hear Charges Against Them; Interview With Johnnie Cochran
Aired November 08, 2002 - 17:00 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.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS" starts right now.
The clock starts ticking for Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will those in favor of the draft resolution contained in document S-2002-1198 (ph) please raise their hand.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The U.N. sets a deadline. The U.S. adds a warning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: His cooperation must be prompt and unconditional, or he will face the severest consequences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Photos we weren't supposed to see. Hooded and handcuffed on the way out of Afghanistan.
The sniper suspects hear the charges against them. And a former wife makes shocking allegations of her own.
Could he get them off? I'll ask famed defense attorney Johnnie Cochran.
And hero cops in action. We'll show you the dramatic pictures.
It's Friday, November 8, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
U.N. weapons inspectors are making plans right now to return to Iraq following a new Security Council vote earlier today demanding immediate access. In a major victory for the Bush administration, the Security Council passed a strongly worded resolution giving Iraq a final opportunity to disarm and threatening serious consequences if it does not.
The vote was unanimous, 15 to nothing. CNN correspondents are standing by at the United Nations, the White House and in Baghdad to tell us what happens next.
We'll start with the senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth. He's over at the U.N. -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Yes. In the end, Wolf, they all needed each other. The United States looking for political and legal cover for its planned action, whatever that may be, in Iraq, while the Europeans and the French were just glad that it's been arranged that the Security Council will meet once again should there be any trouble.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): A big score for the Americans. A unanimous 15-0 vote by the Security Council sends international weapons inspectors into Iraq and demands Saddam Hussein disarm, more than 11 years after the end of the Gulf War.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: We have a new ball game and Iraq has to comply.
ROTH: The resolution demands that Iraq must comply with the resolution within seven days. Baghdad must declare all weapons of mass destruction by December 8. Iraq denies possessing any.
And full inspections will begin no later than two days before Christmas. Despite the return of the inspectors, the U.S. said it reserves the right to strike Iraq.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: This resolution does not constrain any member state from acting to defend itself against the threat posed by Iraq.
ROTH: For the U.N., the next big step is a trip to Baghdad.
HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: We are chartering a plane and we are going to fly in from Cyprus to Baghdad.
ROTH: Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix will lead a nuts and bolts team there on November 18, setting up a headquarters for larger teams of weapons probers. The Security Council will now place a lot of responsibility on what Blix and his inspectors find. The U.S. agreed to another Council meeting before attacking Iraq.
JEREMY GREENSTOCK, BRITISH AMB. TO U.N.: But it is going to be a fact of life, a reality, that if the question of a breach arises, the Security Council will wish to hear a report on that from the inspectors. It's inevitable.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROTH: So it may turn out that the inspectors will be back on the ground, and trouble could erupt and they once again might be there with a military attack -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Richard Roth leading our coverage at the U.N., thank you very much.
President Bush, meanwhile, praised the United States for today's resolution. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is joining me now live with details -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it was eight weeks ago that President Bush went to the United Nations and asked them to hold Saddam Hussein to account to disclose and destroy his alleged weapons of mass destruction. It has been a high stakes and sometimes heavy handed game of diplomacy that has paid off for the Bush administration.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BUSH: The outcome of the current crisis is already determined. Full disarmament of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq will occur. The only question for the Iraqi regime is to decide how.
MALVEAUX (voice-over): September 12, President Bush addressing the United Nations, states that the U.N. must enforce past agreements made with Saddam Hussein, accounting for and destroying Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction. For seven weeks world leaders debate. The holdouts, Russia, China and France.
President Bush and Secretary Colin Powell call world leaders. Discussions include talks on Iraq's broken promises and material breach. Last weekend, a breakthrough: 20 minutes before Powell walks his daughter down the aisle to be wed, he's informed that members agreed to tougher inspections and broader Security Council authority.
November 7, Secretary Powell calls the foreign minister of France. The U.S. agrees to withdraw language of an automatic trigger authorizing military force. The United States will consult the Security Council if Saddam Hussein does not comply before any action is taken.
President Bush calls French President Jacques Chirac to seal the deal.
BUSH: I'm optimistic we'll get the resolution vote tomorrow.
MALVEAUX: But Russia is still not on board. The same day, President Bush makes another appeal to Russia's President Putin. Secretary Powell explains to the foreign minister of Russia about France's agreement.
November 8, 9:00 a.m. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov calls to say that Russia now agrees.
Syria requests more time to meet with other Arab leaders and threatens to abstain. All five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council call Syria's foreign minister, arguing that the only way to peacefully disarm Iraq is to get unanimous backing from the U.N. Security Council. Moments before the vote, Secretary Powell receives a cell phone call from the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., telling him now Syria will give the U.S. its support.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: So what about the U.S. policy of regime change, the ousting of Saddam Hussein? Senior administration officials insist it still stands, but right now the focus is on disarmament -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux from a very happy White House tonight, thank you very much, Suzanne.
The next big question on everyone's mind, will Saddam Hussein comply with today's resolution? Let's bring in our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf. She's joining me now live -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi, Wolf. Well, the answer is that Iraq probably will comply, but it certainly won't like it. The first official word from Iraq, a statement on the Iraqi news agency released just shortly. The first word to Iraqis themselves saying that a resolution at the Security Council had been passed. It goes on to say that "the issue of this unjustified resolution comes in the shadow of Iraq's permission for return of inspectors to make sure to certify that Iraq is free of weapons of mass destruction." It says: "The resolution comes after weeks of pressure and blackmail practiced by" what it calls "the evil American administration."
Now, the U.S. administration, the U.S. envoy to the U.N. was trying to make clear after the vote that this is not any military attack, would not be aimed at the Iraqi people or at Arabs in general, but certainly that's not a message that's getting through here. Indeed in Baghdad on this Friday, the first Friday of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, in the mosques, the government-sanctioned address was telling followers that indeed the United States is at war against Islam.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They think that these bombs, planes missiles and sophisticated technology intimidate us. No, by God. You are really the terrorists, but we terrorize you with the force of God. Who are you to threaten Mohammed whose master is God? Who are you, Bush, you little dwarf, to threaten Mohammed and his sons?
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MALVEAUX: Now, there's certainly a lot of ordinary Iraqis who don't believe this, but it is very indicative of the government line, which is that the United States cannot appeal to the Iraqi people and tell them that it's in their own interest what it's doing. The Iraqi government is trying to tell its people that it's in no one's interests but the U.S., this resolution being passed and anything that follows -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jane Arraf, she's going to be very busy in the coming days, weeks and months. Thanks very much for that report.
And we wanted to find out what some young people think about this showdown with Iraq. So based on the latest developments, we went coast to coast dispatching crews in Atlanta and Los Angeles to find out what some 20-somethings are saying.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the resolution is doing good by just letting him know that he should be disarming now. So I'm happy that they're proposing the resolution before going to war.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's going to be World War III. I think there's going to be a lot of killing, a lot of bad things.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any number of things can happen. That's part of the uncertainty. We could be embroiled in a long struggle, or it could end as quickly as the first Gulf War did, and George W. will get his little victory and everyone will be happy, so we really don't know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we should have dealt with them back in '91 when we went to war with them. And I think he needs to be dealt with. I think Saddam needs to be dealt with with a firm hand so he won't come back.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our Web question of the day is this -- "Will a new U.N. resolution prevent a U.S.-led war with Iraq?" We'll have results later in this program. Vote at cnn.com/wolf. Why you're there, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your comments, your questions, I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column. CNN.com/wolf.
Startling pictures from the war on terror. Detainees bound and gagged on their way out of Afghanistan. Inhumane or just treatment? A closer look when we return.
Also, the child custody battle that may have sparked the sniper's shooting spree. John Muhammad's former wife tells her story.
Plus, Johnnie Cochran will join us live to talk about a possible legal defense and more.
And tobacco laced with embalming fluid and PCP. A new street drug driving young people over the edge. Stay with us.
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BLITZER: Pictures not meant for the public. What they tell us of the detainees flown out of Afghanistan. That's coming up. I'm Wolf Blitzer reports.
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BLITZER: Welcome back. Bound, hooded and strapped to the floor of a military transport plane -- apparently authentic photos of terrorist suspects being flown out of Afghanistan are creating somewhat of a stir. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The unauthorized pictures of heavily shackled and restrained detainees were e-mailed to news organizations, including CNN. It is not known when the photos were taken or where exactly the C-130 aircraft was transporting the suspected Taliban and al Qaeda. The Pentagon has always said the men are dangerous and must be restrained. But their conditions while in the air have not been seen.
The Pentagon was not happy the photos came to light.
VICTORIA CLARKE, PENTAGON SPOKESWOMAN: Central Command and the Air Force are looking into the circumstances of the photos, so just don't have many details about that right now. As you all know, we have very, very tight restrictions on any images of the detainees, for security purposes and because we have no interest in potentially holding detainees up for any kind of public ridicule. So we have very tight restrictions on that.
STARR: The restraints onboard aircraft are just part of the process of transferring detainees. They are shackled as they get on and off airplanes, and other pictures have shown them upon arrival at Guantanamo Bay.
Recently, the first detainees have been released from Guantanamo back to Afghanistan. The Pentagon saying they are no longer a threat. Still, more than 600 suspected al Qaeda and Taliban are in custody.
(on camera): Some detainees may be about to take the next step, going to trial. CNN has learned that the Pentagon has asked the military services to earmark officers who may now serve as judges in the first military tribunals. Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A government source says officials are looking into a possible link between an alleged terror cell broken up recently near Buffalo, New York and an American who was among six al Qaeda suspects killed by a U.S. missile in Yemen. That missile fired by remote control found its target, but is that a legitimate weapon in the war against terror? Here's our national security correspondent, David Ensor.
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DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a highly successful CIA strike against known al Qaeda terrorists, quietly approved by the Yemeni authorities and conducted out in the desert. No innocents died, say officials. Still, it raises a host of new questions.
STEVEN AFTERGOOD, FED. OF AMER. SCIENTISTS: Who gave the order? Does the director of central intelligence now have a James Bond-style license to kill?
ENSOR: Did CIA Director George Tenet give the order to fire, or was it President Bush himself, or the White House which made that decision Monday? CIA and other U.S. officials won't say.
What about the fact confirmed by U.S. officials that one of the men killed was a U.S. citizen named Akmed Al-Hejazi (ph)? A former U.S. national security lawyer says legal protections do not apply in this case.
JEFFREY SMITH, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY LAWYER: I do not believe the presence of a dual national or a U.S. citizen, for that matter, makes any difference. If he is engaged in terrorist actions against the United States, we are justified in taking appropriate response, including the use of deadly force.
ENSOR: So, are covert Hellfire missile strikes from CIA-run pilotless drones the wave of the future? And should they be?
PAUL WOLFOWITZ, DEP. DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's a very successful tactical operation.
ENSOR: Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard, Ali Abu Harrifi (ph), and his associates were a legitimate target, agrees Smith. But he says this kind of attack should be extremely rare.
SMITH: This ought to be a matter of last resort. I am uncomfortable with the idea that the United States would casually engage in targeted killings of individuals. That's just, I think, repugnant to much of American values and I think is counterproductive as a policy.
ENSOR: When Israel killed Hamas leaders in a similar fashion, the State Department criticized the tactic. The spokesman says this U.S. attack is different. Different or not, might the U.S. and Israeli attacks backfire?
SMITH: They do, in fact, breed others stepping into the shoes of those who have been killed, and indeed perhaps producing additional terrorists.
ENSOR (on camera): Asked about the U.S. government killing, among others, an American citizen, one U.S. official was blunt. "Just because you're an American," he said, "doesn't mean you get a free pass to be a terrorist."
David Ensor, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A West Coast storm packs a powerful punch, wicked winds, airport delays. Thousands without power. Is El Nino at it again?
Also, was John Muhammad's former wife the real target of the sniper shooting spree? She speaks out for the first time.
Plus, Johnnie Cochran joins us live to talk defense strategy and more. And free at last. An innocent man walks from prison 20 years after serving time, with little more than an apology. His incredible story still to come.
But first, let's take a look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Last hurrah. China's 16th Communist Party conference began with an address by the outgoing president, Jiang Zemin, who argued against Western style democracy, but in favor of continuing economic reform. Jiang is expected to retire shortly, transferring power to a younger generation of Communist leaders.
Ecuador is renewing warnings about volcanic ash following another eruption yesterday. Since its first eruption Sunday, the volcano dumped as much as two inches of ash on Ecuador's capital, Quito.
Hospital violence. Angry townspeople invaded a hospital in Peru attacking workers to protest what they say was gross medical negligence. A 5-year-old boy died after surgery at the hospital, and his 70-year-old grandfather reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack after hearing the news.
The fix was in. Taiwan is recalling more than eight million scratch-off lottery tickets. It turns out some people have figured out how to identify winning tickets in advance by examining the bar code.
More butler mania in Britain, amid new installments of an exclusive newspaper interview with Princess Diana's former butler. In the latest except, Paul Burrell says Diana's brother, Earl Spencer was so angry with the royal family, he ripped the royal standard from Diana's coffin before she was buried. Spencer calls that claim a hurtful lie.
The whale that starred the "Free Willie" movies is getting back to nature. Keko, mobbed by tourists after he swam into a Norwegian fjord two months ago, has been moved to a more remote fjord, where he'll encounter more whales and fewer people. Experts hope that will help ease him into a more natural whale lifestyle.
And that's our look around the world.
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BLITZER: The first major storm of the season is battering the West Coast, bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy rain and lots of snow to the Sierras. Here's a look at the latest radar. You can see large parts of the region still getting soaked. San Francisco has already had almost three inches of rain. CNN's Rusty Dornin is there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The wind has really been the driving factor in this series of storms to hit the northern Pacific Coast. In fact, I had a tough time getting out of my driveway this morning because the wind had blown down so many huge branches of redwood trees.
Now, we're here just inside the Golden Gate on the San Francisco Bay. They've been crashing over all morning. We even had some surfers out earlier this morning. Some of the waves just under bridge are breaking at 20 feet.
Now, those high waves and surf advisories are in effect all along the coast up through Oregon and Washington. They're also having pounding surf up there. A lot of trees coming down this streams getting washed up on to the beaches.
Now, up in the Sierra Nevada, they're also getting a fair amount of snow. They got a lot of snow overnight. That has turned to rain because it's actually very warm. This is a very warm system. It's not what they call a pineapple express, but it's very similar. That's where one -- a series of storms keeps coming through, separated by eight or 10 hours in between. The second storm did hit last night. About 500,000 people have been out of power in California alone as a result of these storms. We're here at a lull right now, but later this evening, another storm should be hitting.
Also, it's bringing in with it storm surges, so they're expecting a lot of coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay area, and as a matter of fact, they're just about to close this area along here into Fort Point because they're expecting the high waves to come crashing over the road here.
So it looks like we're over the worst of it. They say that the winds are going to begin to die down. But still, the West Coast will continue to be pounded at least through Saturday morning.
Rusty Dornin, CNN, San Francisco.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The bad weather prevented Guns N' Roses singer AXL Rose from making a concert last night in Vancouver. The last-minute cancellation prompted rioting by some fans. There were several arrests, but no one was seriously hurt.
The sniper suspects back in court. But is it an open and shut case? Legal defense guru Johnnie Cochran joins me live.
And the Big Mac trims back. An American icon takes a bite out of it work force. More on that in just a moment.
But first, today's news quiz. "What's the only state capital without a McDonald's?" Juneau, Alaska; Montpelier, Vermont; Montgomery, Alabama; Honolulu, Hawaii? The answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, the sniper suspects back in court, but with so much evidence stacking up, how can they possibly defend themselves? Johnnie Cochran will join me live with some legal strategy.
But first, let's take a look at some other stories making news right now.
The United Nations Security Council passed a tough new resolution aimed at forcing Iraq to disarm. Minutes after the unanimous 15-0 vote, President Bush warned Saddam Hussein he must comply or face military action. Iraq says it will study the resolution and then decide whether or not to accept it.
The home of the happy meal is singing the blues. McDonald's says it's closing 175 restaurants and cutting up to 600 jobs worldwide. The fast food giant says the cost-cutting measures will cause it to miss this year's earnings forecast. Some analysts the move doesn't go far enough.
Another topsy-turvy turn in the race for House minority leader. Congressman Martin Frost of Texas dropped out today, one day after Minority Leader Dick Gephardt said he's stepping down. Frost said Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California has the support of most Democrats in Congress and she's favored to win. But that's not slowing down Congressman Harold Ford of Tennessee, who's very definitely still in the race.
The two sniper suspects were in court today in Virginia, one day after the attorney general, John Ashcroft, said they'd be tried first in that death penalty state. And in yet another new development, potentially damaging evidence against the juvenile suspect, John Malvo.
CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was the first open hearing for the 17-year-old sniper suspect. John Lee Malvo entered the Fairfax, Virginia courtroom in handcuffs. Calm and wide- eyed, he answered the judge politely, "Yes, sir," when asked if he understood his rights.
Prosecuting attorney Robert Horan then revealed critical evidence in arguing Malvo be held for trial. His fingerprints on the Bushmaster rifle.
ROBERT HORAN, VA. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY., FAIRFAX CO.: His were found on the rifle.
KOCH: And word of witnesses.
HORAN: I think there are witnesses who place him in the vicinity of both the Massaponax shooting, the Mannassas shooting. And we have a witness who places him in the vicinity of the Fairfax shooting. KOCH: Malvo's new attorney is upset that the teen was questioned by police Thursday night, for he says, seven or eight hours until 1:00 in the morning without a lawyer present.
MICHAEL AFIR, MALVO'S ATTORNEY: I am not at all comfortable with 17-year-old being in police custody, being interrogated for that long a period of time without any representation.
KOCH: Malvo was held without bond at the Fairfax County Jail. His attorney says he will plead innocent and described the teenager's current state of mind.
ARIF: Well, he's 17 years old. He's in jail. He's concerned. But other than that, he, as I said, he's an intelligent kid.
KOCH: Prosecutors are trying to reach Malvo's mother in Bellingham, Washington to tell her the trial is going forward.
Earlier in the day suspect John Allen Muhammad, sullen and in shackles, appeared at a hearing in nearby Prince William County, Virginia. Prosecutor Paul Ebert says their case will tie into other sniper shootings.
PAUL EBERT, VA. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY., PRINCE WILLIAM CO.: The tentacles go throughout the country and what happened elsewhere may be very material in this case.
KOCH: Law enforcement sources tell CNN that on the laptop computer found with the suspects, there is a, quote, "blue print for the shootings" that places them at the locations where the crimes occurred.
(on camera): Both prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty. Malvo's attorney says that in order for his client to get a fair trial, he may ask the proceedings be moved elsewhere.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, Fairfax County, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And this case has produced stunning twists and turns, and there's no end in sight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): In an interview with the "Washington Post," Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of sniper suspect John Muhammad, says she believes he came to the Washington, D.C. area to kill her.
She spoke to reporter Marcia Slacum Greene.
MARCIA SLACUM GREENE, "WASHINGTON POST": Yes, she believes that he was looking for her. That he was -- had said that he was going to kill her and she believed that he was a man of his word.
BLITZER: Mildred Muhammad says her husband of 12 years threatened to kill her after a child custody dispute which she won. She said she's been in hiding for more than a year. At first, according to the "Post," she didn't believe John Muhammad was involved in the sniper shootings, but then started seeing clues.
GREENE: Michaels was one of her favorite stores. And she indicated when she lived in Tacoma, Washington, that was one of the places that she shopped.
BLITZER: The former Mrs. Muhammad said one of the shootings linked to him was less than a mile from where she lived. She spoke of a man whose personality changed ominously after he returned from serving in the Gulf War, a man who became adept at what she called "psychological warfare."
GREENE: She said that, you know, John Malvo, who's only 17, that his life was over when he met John Muhammad because Muhammad would try to control him.
BLITZER: Greene also says Mildred Muhammad is thinking about changing her children's names so they won't be haunted by their father's alleged crimes.
And even with John Muhammad locked up and headed for a capital murder trial, Mildred Muhammad said he's still in control of her life.
GREENE: She thinks that from what she's seen and she's following the news closely, that the evidence does not say that he's absolutely guilty and she fears that one day she still may look around and see him with a gun pointed at her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And joining now us to talk a little bit more about the trials of the sniper suspects, the famed attorney Johnnie Cochran. He's the author of an important book, "A Lawyer's Life." We'll talk about that in a few moments.
Johnnie, thanks for joining us. Let's divide up these two suspects right now, talk about John Muhammad, the 41-year-old first. How possibly could any criminal defense attorney mount a defense given all the evidence that seemingly is out there against them?
JOHNNIE COCHRAN, ATTORNEY: It's going to be very difficult, Wolf, to start with. Perhaps they might move for change of venue. The effort to move this case to Virginia so they can, you know, try to ensure the death penalty may cause the defense lawyer to try to make a motion for change of venue. It would probably be denied but they certainly could try that.
Certainly in Maryland, might be a state you would have expected to go to because most of the offenses occurred there. We shouldn't prejudge the evidence. But certainly at this point it's certainly mounting.
And this latest thing about his ex-wife certainly is not going to help at all. BLITZER: Is it possible if he pleads guilty and says, All right, I did it, I'll cooperate, I'll plead guilty, give me life without the possibility of parole, any prosecutor in Virginia, whether Fairfax County or Prince William County, could accept that kind of plea agreement?
COCHRAN: I doubt it very seriously, no. They want to go all the way on this case. And I'd be very surprised if anybody would accept a plea for life in this case. I think they're going to have to -- this has to be tried. A jury is going to have to determine this. And it'll be very difficult.
BLITZER: What about the 17-year-old? Obviously he could argue if he had a good strong defense attorney he was brain washed by this older man.
COCHRAN: Absolutely. The mental states of both of them are going to be at issue, you can keep that in mind. But I think especially with regard to the minor -- in fact something in your earlier package was that his life was over when he met this man.
If his lawyer can show the older man was controlling and it would go to his mental states, that very possibly could save his life. After all, he is in fact a juvenile.
And you know, we should remember that in America, you are presumed innocent. Even in the most heinous of offenses which this appears to be, we have to keep an open mind until we hear all the evidence. We can't skip over guilt or innocence and immediately assume that they're going to get death.
BLITZER: The 17-year-old in Virginia does have is a strong death penalty as you well know. Even in recent years, I think four juveniles have been executed. There are no longer juveniles but they were juveniles at the time of the crime. So these Virginia juries, they're pretty tough.
COCHRAN: They can be very, very tough. You hope they'll be fair. And that's why I think both of these lawyers are going to be asking for a change of venue. That's almost a necessity in this case. Whether or not it'll be granted, now we'll have to see.
And they may want separate trials. The Lawyers may want separate trials. May not want to be tried together under these circumstances. And of course as I said the mental states of certainly Malvo will be very much an issue. And some of the statements of the wife, they'll want to keep those out because that will -- that's going to help it.
There is an overall question of whether or not these two individuals, given the heinous nature of the offenses, can get a fair trial anywhere.
BLITZER: Given the publicity, obviously, that's been out there.
I want to read to you a statement that one of the former court- appointed lawyers for John Muhammad made. This just from Jim Wyda. He said this. Quote, "The government's clumsy macabre forum-hopping for the cheapest and easiest venue to obtain the death penalty against my client diminishes our system of justice."
Clearly the Attorney General John Ashcroft wanted to go to Virginia because they have a strong death penalty, unlike, let's say, Maryland were they've only had three death sentences since the '70s.
COCHRAN: Well, you know, forum shopping is usually frowned upon. And this is of course of the highest levels. But you understand. I mean he -- I'm sure Mr. Ashcroft thinks he's carrying out the will of the people and of his job. But it is -- in a normal situation, that case would be tried in the forum where the most victims are, where there's the most convenience for everybody. But clearly they're skipping over that.
And you know, even if you tried it in Maryland, certainly Virginia is in the wings as is Alabama and other jurisdictions. So they want to make it just about death. I think that would be somewhat unseemly.
BLITZER: Do you think it's possible that the prosecution in Virginia could accept a plea agreement from the 17-year-old? He testifies against John Muhammad, he comes clean and in order to spare his life?
COCHRAN: Possibly. That would be the only way they would ever do it. And if they felt they needed it.
If they feel confident they can prevail anyway, they won't take that. Because -- but if they think life in prison to get the other defendant, that's a possibility although I would say in this case probably slim and it will be -- I think you would have to go all the way up the chain back to Mr. Ashcroft before that would be done and accepted.
BLITZER: You've got a hot book out, "A Lawyer's Life." You talk about your life. Your life changed somewhat obviously when you went on the O.J. Simpson defense team, didn't it?
COCHRAN: It was a sea change for everybody who was involved in that case, very much so. I'd probably be practicing law just quietly in Los Angeles at this point were it not for my involvement in that case.
BLITZER: When you started to defend him, did you think you'd get him off the hook?
COCHRAN: You know, he always maintained his innocence. And we're always cautiously optimistic. You don't really know. I think most people had convicted him before we started representing him. But as the evidence unfolded, there came a time when we thought we probably would prevail.
BLITZER: Did you look back on that episode in your life, any regrets? COCHRAN: No, not really. I mean, I think that, you know, it was about the right to counsel. We represented him to the best of our ability. We had these 12 citizens who spent one year of their lives, you know, paid like $5 a day, sequestered, and they basically made a decision at the end of it based upon the evidence. So it was another trial. I have no real regrets about it. I mean, I think that it's unfortunate when you try these cases that there are all these sides. And I always felt bad that certainly for the victims, clearly. Nobody's in favor of murder at all. So I felt bad for the victims, but we all got our jobs to do. And hopefully everybody understands that.
BLITZER: Would you like to jump back into that courtroom and get involved in some high profile cases?
COCHRAN: No. After my representation of Sean "Puffy" Combs last year in his case -- fortunately, he was acquitted -- that was my last criminal case.
BLITZER: So what are you going to do? The public wants to know what Johnnie Cochran is going to do.
COCHRAN: I'm still going to try cases. I have got big civil cases around the country, Wolf. I'm going to still be in the courtroom, but not in a criminal setting, doing cases where hopefully we can make a difference and do something. Like a case in Anderson, Alabama involving 14,000 residents who claim their whole community has been polluted, you know, by a major corporation. So we're going to be doing a lot of things like that, major cases in the civil arena, and I'm happy with it.
BLITZER: Any desire to go into politics?
COCHRAN: No, none at all. No. I'm going to stand on the sidelines, Wolf. You ask me a question, I want to be able to give you a frank and honest answer.
BLITZER: All right, that's a good answer. Johnnie Cochran, he is the author of an important book, "A Lawyer's Life." It's a good read. Thanks for joining us.
COCHRAN: My pleasure being with you, Wolf, always.
BLITZER: Thank you very much.
And a potent new street drug with lethal side effects.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How does it make you feel when you smoke it? How is it different from weed, like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your body is starting to get numb. It's a numbness in your body.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: From dark allies to the emergency rooms, PCP makes a comeback. A special report when we come back. But first, the answer to today's news quiz.
Earlier, we asked, "What's the only state capital without a McDonald's? The answer, Montpelier, Vermont. Residents have fought to keep the fast food chain out to maintain a local New England atmosphere.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: This weekend, an untold number of young people will try a new drug for the first time, one that most parents have never heard of. It's a blend of marijuana and PCP. It's known by several names, but no matter what you call it, police call it frightening and dangerous. CNN's Serena Altschul takes a look.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mother -- (EXPLETIVE DELETED), (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
SERENA ALTSCHUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): So do you mean you see people like this come in a lot?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, all the time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is very typical behavior.
ALTSCHUL: Did anybody ask him if he's been (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I did, but he's not -- he's not...
ALTSCHUL: Oh, he's really going. Just give him a shot.
(voice-over): This emergency room in New Haven, Connecticut sees an average of 10 (UNINTELLIGIBLE) patients a week.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are trying to come out with new, improved forms of products, no matter what they are, and the same is true in the drug trade. And so somebody came up with a new method of packaging PCP. They dissolved it in formaldehyde or embalming fluid. I'm not sure how they got the idea, but when you heat up the embalming fluid, it gives off a pretty pleasant odor. So when you're using it, there's a pleasant odor to it.
ALTSCHUL (on camera): How does it make you feel when you smoke it? How is it different from weed, like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your body starts to get numb. It's a numbness in your body. Starting to feel good now.
ALTSCHUL (voice-over): Kenny (ph) and Gene (ph) are roommates at a rehab program called New Choices just outside of New Haven. One of their drugs of choice was Ili (ph).
(on camera): When did you first try it? When was your first Ili (ph) experience?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beginning of ninth grade.
ALTSCHUL: How old?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 14.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kids younger than my age come up to me be buying it. Kids 10, 11, 12, kids my age doing it. And I'm like, whoa. This is getting out of control.
ALTSCHUL: You went to school while you were on it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was stupid. But school was terrible. I just got confused. Didn't know what to do. I like went to the bus stop and I wasn't sure if the bus came already. I wasn't sure if it was a school day. I wasn't sure if it was Saturday. Wasn't sure if it was noon. I didn't know anything. Scared me a little bit, so I didn't do that any more.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something like 5 percent of all users will develop a persistent state that's similar to schizophrenia, yeah, exactly.
ALTSCHUL: Just sort of a permanent state.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It becomes a permanent state. And that can happen after even just a couple of uses. So it's for a lot of reasons, it's a bad drug.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: You can see Serena Altschul's full report on "CNN PRESENTS" Sunday night 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
Witness testimony that ruined innocent man's life. Set free after 20 long years with the shirt on his back and an apology. His story when we return.
And did a Santa Claus kill his own daughter? An apparent fight over Christmas lights that turns deadly.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: A Maryland man who spent an entire generation in prison for a crime he did not commit has finally been freed, now that DNA testing has cleared him.
John Sherman of CNN affiliate WBAL has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN SHERMAN, WBAL REPORTER (voice-over): Twenty times the leaves have changed color out front of the Baltimore County courthouse since this man was convicted of a rape he did not commit. Twenty years hardly living, behind barbed wire. MICHELE NETHERCOTT, PUBLIC DEFENDER: What we have is a situation where we had a mistaken eyewitness identification. And we know from other cases in which people have been exonerated through DNA testing, that that is the most common cause of wrongful conviction.
SHERMAN: Bernard Webster leaves the courthouse where he was convicted 20 years ago without comment. Stunned that after 20 years of arguing his innocence, the fight is over.
Even Webster's lawyers see no recourse, no compensation for his 20 lost years under the law.
NETHERCOTT: I can't imagine there would be in this situation.
SHERMAN: And all Webster gets from the office that put him away is an apology.
STEVE BAILEY, DEPUTY STATE'S ATTORNEY: I am so sorry it took so long to correct this injustice.
SHERMAN: Twenty times summer has turned to fall since a 47-year- old school teacher was raped in this Towson apartment complex. She is now 67 and the 19-year-old she picked from a lineup is now this 40- year-old. For both, there is no justice.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: That report from John Sherman of CNN affiliate WBAL.
Webster, by the way, was sentenced in 1983 to 30 years but with credit for good behavior, he was due to be released in February. He had been denied parole several times, in part because he refused adamantly to admit his guilt.
Let's check some other this stories on this evening's "Newswire." Two Baytown, Texas police officers saved a man's life in a fiery rescue that was recorded by the dash cam in their cruiser. The man was trapped in his overturned burning truck with his clothes starting to catch fire. The officers freed him and dragged him to safety.
In Warren, Michigan, the man who plays Santa in the town's annual Thanksgiving parade has been charged with murder. The 65-year-old man is accused of stabbing his 31-year-old daughter to death during an argument about Christmas decorations. He's in jail waiting for a preliminary hearing.
And Duke University has agreed to remove two gargoyles from a dorm building. The statues are modeled after two alumni who donated millions of dollars to the school. A spokesman says Duke just wanted to honor the couple. They've asked that the gargoyles be removed.
Time's running out for your turn to weigh in on our "Web Question of the Day." Will a new U.N. resolution prevent a U.S.-led war with Iraq? Log on cnn.com/wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- Floyd Mason, Richard Moreno, Francis John Morocco, Ronald Wade...
BLITZER: You're listening to the reading of all 58,229 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, known as "The Wall." The four-day event marks the memorial's 20th anniversary. It culminates Monday, Veteran's Day, with special ceremonies including speeches, a color guard and a wreath laying ceremony.
Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day." Earlier we asked: Will a new U.N. resolution prevent a U.S.-led war with Iraq? Twelve percent of you say yes, 88 percent of you say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.
Let's get to your e-mail. John's writing us this: "The world looks to the U.S. to provide world leadership and to take decisive action. Some may ultimately object to U.S. actions in order to satisfy regional relations, but I believe the world expects the U.S. to deal with Saddam and take him out."
Brent writes: "I do not find it surprising that the U.N. resolution was unanimous. What is surprising is all the proclamations that it is a great victory for Bush. After all, doesn't the Security Council resolution say to Saddam, Permit inspections and disarm or we'll have another meeting?"
That's all the time we have today. Please join me Sunday at noon Eastern for "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk.
I'll have a special interview with the Secretary of State Colin Powell. And I'll also speak live with Senators Carl Levin and Fred Thompson.
Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Suspects Hear Charges Against Them; Interview With Johnnie Cochran>
Aired November 8, 2002 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS" starts right now.
The clock starts ticking for Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will those in favor of the draft resolution contained in document S-2002-1198 (ph) please raise their hand.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The U.N. sets a deadline. The U.S. adds a warning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: His cooperation must be prompt and unconditional, or he will face the severest consequences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Photos we weren't supposed to see. Hooded and handcuffed on the way out of Afghanistan.
The sniper suspects hear the charges against them. And a former wife makes shocking allegations of her own.
Could he get them off? I'll ask famed defense attorney Johnnie Cochran.
And hero cops in action. We'll show you the dramatic pictures.
It's Friday, November 8, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
U.N. weapons inspectors are making plans right now to return to Iraq following a new Security Council vote earlier today demanding immediate access. In a major victory for the Bush administration, the Security Council passed a strongly worded resolution giving Iraq a final opportunity to disarm and threatening serious consequences if it does not.
The vote was unanimous, 15 to nothing. CNN correspondents are standing by at the United Nations, the White House and in Baghdad to tell us what happens next.
We'll start with the senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth. He's over at the U.N. -- Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Yes. In the end, Wolf, they all needed each other. The United States looking for political and legal cover for its planned action, whatever that may be, in Iraq, while the Europeans and the French were just glad that it's been arranged that the Security Council will meet once again should there be any trouble.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): A big score for the Americans. A unanimous 15-0 vote by the Security Council sends international weapons inspectors into Iraq and demands Saddam Hussein disarm, more than 11 years after the end of the Gulf War.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: We have a new ball game and Iraq has to comply.
ROTH: The resolution demands that Iraq must comply with the resolution within seven days. Baghdad must declare all weapons of mass destruction by December 8. Iraq denies possessing any.
And full inspections will begin no later than two days before Christmas. Despite the return of the inspectors, the U.S. said it reserves the right to strike Iraq.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: This resolution does not constrain any member state from acting to defend itself against the threat posed by Iraq.
ROTH: For the U.N., the next big step is a trip to Baghdad.
HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: We are chartering a plane and we are going to fly in from Cyprus to Baghdad.
ROTH: Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix will lead a nuts and bolts team there on November 18, setting up a headquarters for larger teams of weapons probers. The Security Council will now place a lot of responsibility on what Blix and his inspectors find. The U.S. agreed to another Council meeting before attacking Iraq.
JEREMY GREENSTOCK, BRITISH AMB. TO U.N.: But it is going to be a fact of life, a reality, that if the question of a breach arises, the Security Council will wish to hear a report on that from the inspectors. It's inevitable.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROTH: So it may turn out that the inspectors will be back on the ground, and trouble could erupt and they once again might be there with a military attack -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Richard Roth leading our coverage at the U.N., thank you very much.
President Bush, meanwhile, praised the United States for today's resolution. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is joining me now live with details -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it was eight weeks ago that President Bush went to the United Nations and asked them to hold Saddam Hussein to account to disclose and destroy his alleged weapons of mass destruction. It has been a high stakes and sometimes heavy handed game of diplomacy that has paid off for the Bush administration.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BUSH: The outcome of the current crisis is already determined. Full disarmament of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq will occur. The only question for the Iraqi regime is to decide how.
MALVEAUX (voice-over): September 12, President Bush addressing the United Nations, states that the U.N. must enforce past agreements made with Saddam Hussein, accounting for and destroying Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction. For seven weeks world leaders debate. The holdouts, Russia, China and France.
President Bush and Secretary Colin Powell call world leaders. Discussions include talks on Iraq's broken promises and material breach. Last weekend, a breakthrough: 20 minutes before Powell walks his daughter down the aisle to be wed, he's informed that members agreed to tougher inspections and broader Security Council authority.
November 7, Secretary Powell calls the foreign minister of France. The U.S. agrees to withdraw language of an automatic trigger authorizing military force. The United States will consult the Security Council if Saddam Hussein does not comply before any action is taken.
President Bush calls French President Jacques Chirac to seal the deal.
BUSH: I'm optimistic we'll get the resolution vote tomorrow.
MALVEAUX: But Russia is still not on board. The same day, President Bush makes another appeal to Russia's President Putin. Secretary Powell explains to the foreign minister of Russia about France's agreement.
November 8, 9:00 a.m. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov calls to say that Russia now agrees.
Syria requests more time to meet with other Arab leaders and threatens to abstain. All five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council call Syria's foreign minister, arguing that the only way to peacefully disarm Iraq is to get unanimous backing from the U.N. Security Council. Moments before the vote, Secretary Powell receives a cell phone call from the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., telling him now Syria will give the U.S. its support.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: So what about the U.S. policy of regime change, the ousting of Saddam Hussein? Senior administration officials insist it still stands, but right now the focus is on disarmament -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux from a very happy White House tonight, thank you very much, Suzanne.
The next big question on everyone's mind, will Saddam Hussein comply with today's resolution? Let's bring in our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf. She's joining me now live -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi, Wolf. Well, the answer is that Iraq probably will comply, but it certainly won't like it. The first official word from Iraq, a statement on the Iraqi news agency released just shortly. The first word to Iraqis themselves saying that a resolution at the Security Council had been passed. It goes on to say that "the issue of this unjustified resolution comes in the shadow of Iraq's permission for return of inspectors to make sure to certify that Iraq is free of weapons of mass destruction." It says: "The resolution comes after weeks of pressure and blackmail practiced by" what it calls "the evil American administration."
Now, the U.S. administration, the U.S. envoy to the U.N. was trying to make clear after the vote that this is not any military attack, would not be aimed at the Iraqi people or at Arabs in general, but certainly that's not a message that's getting through here. Indeed in Baghdad on this Friday, the first Friday of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, in the mosques, the government-sanctioned address was telling followers that indeed the United States is at war against Islam.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They think that these bombs, planes missiles and sophisticated technology intimidate us. No, by God. You are really the terrorists, but we terrorize you with the force of God. Who are you to threaten Mohammed whose master is God? Who are you, Bush, you little dwarf, to threaten Mohammed and his sons?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, there's certainly a lot of ordinary Iraqis who don't believe this, but it is very indicative of the government line, which is that the United States cannot appeal to the Iraqi people and tell them that it's in their own interest what it's doing. The Iraqi government is trying to tell its people that it's in no one's interests but the U.S., this resolution being passed and anything that follows -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jane Arraf, she's going to be very busy in the coming days, weeks and months. Thanks very much for that report.
And we wanted to find out what some young people think about this showdown with Iraq. So based on the latest developments, we went coast to coast dispatching crews in Atlanta and Los Angeles to find out what some 20-somethings are saying.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the resolution is doing good by just letting him know that he should be disarming now. So I'm happy that they're proposing the resolution before going to war.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's going to be World War III. I think there's going to be a lot of killing, a lot of bad things.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any number of things can happen. That's part of the uncertainty. We could be embroiled in a long struggle, or it could end as quickly as the first Gulf War did, and George W. will get his little victory and everyone will be happy, so we really don't know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we should have dealt with them back in '91 when we went to war with them. And I think he needs to be dealt with. I think Saddam needs to be dealt with with a firm hand so he won't come back.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our Web question of the day is this -- "Will a new U.N. resolution prevent a U.S.-led war with Iraq?" We'll have results later in this program. Vote at cnn.com/wolf. Why you're there, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your comments, your questions, I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column. CNN.com/wolf.
Startling pictures from the war on terror. Detainees bound and gagged on their way out of Afghanistan. Inhumane or just treatment? A closer look when we return.
Also, the child custody battle that may have sparked the sniper's shooting spree. John Muhammad's former wife tells her story.
Plus, Johnnie Cochran will join us live to talk about a possible legal defense and more.
And tobacco laced with embalming fluid and PCP. A new street drug driving young people over the edge. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Pictures not meant for the public. What they tell us of the detainees flown out of Afghanistan. That's coming up. I'm Wolf Blitzer reports.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. Bound, hooded and strapped to the floor of a military transport plane -- apparently authentic photos of terrorist suspects being flown out of Afghanistan are creating somewhat of a stir. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The unauthorized pictures of heavily shackled and restrained detainees were e-mailed to news organizations, including CNN. It is not known when the photos were taken or where exactly the C-130 aircraft was transporting the suspected Taliban and al Qaeda. The Pentagon has always said the men are dangerous and must be restrained. But their conditions while in the air have not been seen.
The Pentagon was not happy the photos came to light.
VICTORIA CLARKE, PENTAGON SPOKESWOMAN: Central Command and the Air Force are looking into the circumstances of the photos, so just don't have many details about that right now. As you all know, we have very, very tight restrictions on any images of the detainees, for security purposes and because we have no interest in potentially holding detainees up for any kind of public ridicule. So we have very tight restrictions on that.
STARR: The restraints onboard aircraft are just part of the process of transferring detainees. They are shackled as they get on and off airplanes, and other pictures have shown them upon arrival at Guantanamo Bay.
Recently, the first detainees have been released from Guantanamo back to Afghanistan. The Pentagon saying they are no longer a threat. Still, more than 600 suspected al Qaeda and Taliban are in custody.
(on camera): Some detainees may be about to take the next step, going to trial. CNN has learned that the Pentagon has asked the military services to earmark officers who may now serve as judges in the first military tribunals. Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A government source says officials are looking into a possible link between an alleged terror cell broken up recently near Buffalo, New York and an American who was among six al Qaeda suspects killed by a U.S. missile in Yemen. That missile fired by remote control found its target, but is that a legitimate weapon in the war against terror? Here's our national security correspondent, David Ensor.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a highly successful CIA strike against known al Qaeda terrorists, quietly approved by the Yemeni authorities and conducted out in the desert. No innocents died, say officials. Still, it raises a host of new questions.
STEVEN AFTERGOOD, FED. OF AMER. SCIENTISTS: Who gave the order? Does the director of central intelligence now have a James Bond-style license to kill?
ENSOR: Did CIA Director George Tenet give the order to fire, or was it President Bush himself, or the White House which made that decision Monday? CIA and other U.S. officials won't say.
What about the fact confirmed by U.S. officials that one of the men killed was a U.S. citizen named Akmed Al-Hejazi (ph)? A former U.S. national security lawyer says legal protections do not apply in this case.
JEFFREY SMITH, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY LAWYER: I do not believe the presence of a dual national or a U.S. citizen, for that matter, makes any difference. If he is engaged in terrorist actions against the United States, we are justified in taking appropriate response, including the use of deadly force.
ENSOR: So, are covert Hellfire missile strikes from CIA-run pilotless drones the wave of the future? And should they be?
PAUL WOLFOWITZ, DEP. DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's a very successful tactical operation.
ENSOR: Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard, Ali Abu Harrifi (ph), and his associates were a legitimate target, agrees Smith. But he says this kind of attack should be extremely rare.
SMITH: This ought to be a matter of last resort. I am uncomfortable with the idea that the United States would casually engage in targeted killings of individuals. That's just, I think, repugnant to much of American values and I think is counterproductive as a policy.
ENSOR: When Israel killed Hamas leaders in a similar fashion, the State Department criticized the tactic. The spokesman says this U.S. attack is different. Different or not, might the U.S. and Israeli attacks backfire?
SMITH: They do, in fact, breed others stepping into the shoes of those who have been killed, and indeed perhaps producing additional terrorists.
ENSOR (on camera): Asked about the U.S. government killing, among others, an American citizen, one U.S. official was blunt. "Just because you're an American," he said, "doesn't mean you get a free pass to be a terrorist."
David Ensor, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A West Coast storm packs a powerful punch, wicked winds, airport delays. Thousands without power. Is El Nino at it again?
Also, was John Muhammad's former wife the real target of the sniper shooting spree? She speaks out for the first time.
Plus, Johnnie Cochran joins us live to talk defense strategy and more. And free at last. An innocent man walks from prison 20 years after serving time, with little more than an apology. His incredible story still to come.
But first, let's take a look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Last hurrah. China's 16th Communist Party conference began with an address by the outgoing president, Jiang Zemin, who argued against Western style democracy, but in favor of continuing economic reform. Jiang is expected to retire shortly, transferring power to a younger generation of Communist leaders.
Ecuador is renewing warnings about volcanic ash following another eruption yesterday. Since its first eruption Sunday, the volcano dumped as much as two inches of ash on Ecuador's capital, Quito.
Hospital violence. Angry townspeople invaded a hospital in Peru attacking workers to protest what they say was gross medical negligence. A 5-year-old boy died after surgery at the hospital, and his 70-year-old grandfather reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack after hearing the news.
The fix was in. Taiwan is recalling more than eight million scratch-off lottery tickets. It turns out some people have figured out how to identify winning tickets in advance by examining the bar code.
More butler mania in Britain, amid new installments of an exclusive newspaper interview with Princess Diana's former butler. In the latest except, Paul Burrell says Diana's brother, Earl Spencer was so angry with the royal family, he ripped the royal standard from Diana's coffin before she was buried. Spencer calls that claim a hurtful lie.
The whale that starred the "Free Willie" movies is getting back to nature. Keko, mobbed by tourists after he swam into a Norwegian fjord two months ago, has been moved to a more remote fjord, where he'll encounter more whales and fewer people. Experts hope that will help ease him into a more natural whale lifestyle.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The first major storm of the season is battering the West Coast, bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy rain and lots of snow to the Sierras. Here's a look at the latest radar. You can see large parts of the region still getting soaked. San Francisco has already had almost three inches of rain. CNN's Rusty Dornin is there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The wind has really been the driving factor in this series of storms to hit the northern Pacific Coast. In fact, I had a tough time getting out of my driveway this morning because the wind had blown down so many huge branches of redwood trees.
Now, we're here just inside the Golden Gate on the San Francisco Bay. They've been crashing over all morning. We even had some surfers out earlier this morning. Some of the waves just under bridge are breaking at 20 feet.
Now, those high waves and surf advisories are in effect all along the coast up through Oregon and Washington. They're also having pounding surf up there. A lot of trees coming down this streams getting washed up on to the beaches.
Now, up in the Sierra Nevada, they're also getting a fair amount of snow. They got a lot of snow overnight. That has turned to rain because it's actually very warm. This is a very warm system. It's not what they call a pineapple express, but it's very similar. That's where one -- a series of storms keeps coming through, separated by eight or 10 hours in between. The second storm did hit last night. About 500,000 people have been out of power in California alone as a result of these storms. We're here at a lull right now, but later this evening, another storm should be hitting.
Also, it's bringing in with it storm surges, so they're expecting a lot of coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay area, and as a matter of fact, they're just about to close this area along here into Fort Point because they're expecting the high waves to come crashing over the road here.
So it looks like we're over the worst of it. They say that the winds are going to begin to die down. But still, the West Coast will continue to be pounded at least through Saturday morning.
Rusty Dornin, CNN, San Francisco.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The bad weather prevented Guns N' Roses singer AXL Rose from making a concert last night in Vancouver. The last-minute cancellation prompted rioting by some fans. There were several arrests, but no one was seriously hurt.
The sniper suspects back in court. But is it an open and shut case? Legal defense guru Johnnie Cochran joins me live.
And the Big Mac trims back. An American icon takes a bite out of it work force. More on that in just a moment.
But first, today's news quiz. "What's the only state capital without a McDonald's?" Juneau, Alaska; Montpelier, Vermont; Montgomery, Alabama; Honolulu, Hawaii? The answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, the sniper suspects back in court, but with so much evidence stacking up, how can they possibly defend themselves? Johnnie Cochran will join me live with some legal strategy.
But first, let's take a look at some other stories making news right now.
The United Nations Security Council passed a tough new resolution aimed at forcing Iraq to disarm. Minutes after the unanimous 15-0 vote, President Bush warned Saddam Hussein he must comply or face military action. Iraq says it will study the resolution and then decide whether or not to accept it.
The home of the happy meal is singing the blues. McDonald's says it's closing 175 restaurants and cutting up to 600 jobs worldwide. The fast food giant says the cost-cutting measures will cause it to miss this year's earnings forecast. Some analysts the move doesn't go far enough.
Another topsy-turvy turn in the race for House minority leader. Congressman Martin Frost of Texas dropped out today, one day after Minority Leader Dick Gephardt said he's stepping down. Frost said Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California has the support of most Democrats in Congress and she's favored to win. But that's not slowing down Congressman Harold Ford of Tennessee, who's very definitely still in the race.
The two sniper suspects were in court today in Virginia, one day after the attorney general, John Ashcroft, said they'd be tried first in that death penalty state. And in yet another new development, potentially damaging evidence against the juvenile suspect, John Malvo.
CNN's Kathleen Koch reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was the first open hearing for the 17-year-old sniper suspect. John Lee Malvo entered the Fairfax, Virginia courtroom in handcuffs. Calm and wide- eyed, he answered the judge politely, "Yes, sir," when asked if he understood his rights.
Prosecuting attorney Robert Horan then revealed critical evidence in arguing Malvo be held for trial. His fingerprints on the Bushmaster rifle.
ROBERT HORAN, VA. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY., FAIRFAX CO.: His were found on the rifle.
KOCH: And word of witnesses.
HORAN: I think there are witnesses who place him in the vicinity of both the Massaponax shooting, the Mannassas shooting. And we have a witness who places him in the vicinity of the Fairfax shooting. KOCH: Malvo's new attorney is upset that the teen was questioned by police Thursday night, for he says, seven or eight hours until 1:00 in the morning without a lawyer present.
MICHAEL AFIR, MALVO'S ATTORNEY: I am not at all comfortable with 17-year-old being in police custody, being interrogated for that long a period of time without any representation.
KOCH: Malvo was held without bond at the Fairfax County Jail. His attorney says he will plead innocent and described the teenager's current state of mind.
ARIF: Well, he's 17 years old. He's in jail. He's concerned. But other than that, he, as I said, he's an intelligent kid.
KOCH: Prosecutors are trying to reach Malvo's mother in Bellingham, Washington to tell her the trial is going forward.
Earlier in the day suspect John Allen Muhammad, sullen and in shackles, appeared at a hearing in nearby Prince William County, Virginia. Prosecutor Paul Ebert says their case will tie into other sniper shootings.
PAUL EBERT, VA. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY., PRINCE WILLIAM CO.: The tentacles go throughout the country and what happened elsewhere may be very material in this case.
KOCH: Law enforcement sources tell CNN that on the laptop computer found with the suspects, there is a, quote, "blue print for the shootings" that places them at the locations where the crimes occurred.
(on camera): Both prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty. Malvo's attorney says that in order for his client to get a fair trial, he may ask the proceedings be moved elsewhere.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, Fairfax County, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And this case has produced stunning twists and turns, and there's no end in sight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): In an interview with the "Washington Post," Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of sniper suspect John Muhammad, says she believes he came to the Washington, D.C. area to kill her.
She spoke to reporter Marcia Slacum Greene.
MARCIA SLACUM GREENE, "WASHINGTON POST": Yes, she believes that he was looking for her. That he was -- had said that he was going to kill her and she believed that he was a man of his word.
BLITZER: Mildred Muhammad says her husband of 12 years threatened to kill her after a child custody dispute which she won. She said she's been in hiding for more than a year. At first, according to the "Post," she didn't believe John Muhammad was involved in the sniper shootings, but then started seeing clues.
GREENE: Michaels was one of her favorite stores. And she indicated when she lived in Tacoma, Washington, that was one of the places that she shopped.
BLITZER: The former Mrs. Muhammad said one of the shootings linked to him was less than a mile from where she lived. She spoke of a man whose personality changed ominously after he returned from serving in the Gulf War, a man who became adept at what she called "psychological warfare."
GREENE: She said that, you know, John Malvo, who's only 17, that his life was over when he met John Muhammad because Muhammad would try to control him.
BLITZER: Greene also says Mildred Muhammad is thinking about changing her children's names so they won't be haunted by their father's alleged crimes.
And even with John Muhammad locked up and headed for a capital murder trial, Mildred Muhammad said he's still in control of her life.
GREENE: She thinks that from what she's seen and she's following the news closely, that the evidence does not say that he's absolutely guilty and she fears that one day she still may look around and see him with a gun pointed at her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And joining now us to talk a little bit more about the trials of the sniper suspects, the famed attorney Johnnie Cochran. He's the author of an important book, "A Lawyer's Life." We'll talk about that in a few moments.
Johnnie, thanks for joining us. Let's divide up these two suspects right now, talk about John Muhammad, the 41-year-old first. How possibly could any criminal defense attorney mount a defense given all the evidence that seemingly is out there against them?
JOHNNIE COCHRAN, ATTORNEY: It's going to be very difficult, Wolf, to start with. Perhaps they might move for change of venue. The effort to move this case to Virginia so they can, you know, try to ensure the death penalty may cause the defense lawyer to try to make a motion for change of venue. It would probably be denied but they certainly could try that.
Certainly in Maryland, might be a state you would have expected to go to because most of the offenses occurred there. We shouldn't prejudge the evidence. But certainly at this point it's certainly mounting.
And this latest thing about his ex-wife certainly is not going to help at all. BLITZER: Is it possible if he pleads guilty and says, All right, I did it, I'll cooperate, I'll plead guilty, give me life without the possibility of parole, any prosecutor in Virginia, whether Fairfax County or Prince William County, could accept that kind of plea agreement?
COCHRAN: I doubt it very seriously, no. They want to go all the way on this case. And I'd be very surprised if anybody would accept a plea for life in this case. I think they're going to have to -- this has to be tried. A jury is going to have to determine this. And it'll be very difficult.
BLITZER: What about the 17-year-old? Obviously he could argue if he had a good strong defense attorney he was brain washed by this older man.
COCHRAN: Absolutely. The mental states of both of them are going to be at issue, you can keep that in mind. But I think especially with regard to the minor -- in fact something in your earlier package was that his life was over when he met this man.
If his lawyer can show the older man was controlling and it would go to his mental states, that very possibly could save his life. After all, he is in fact a juvenile.
And you know, we should remember that in America, you are presumed innocent. Even in the most heinous of offenses which this appears to be, we have to keep an open mind until we hear all the evidence. We can't skip over guilt or innocence and immediately assume that they're going to get death.
BLITZER: The 17-year-old in Virginia does have is a strong death penalty as you well know. Even in recent years, I think four juveniles have been executed. There are no longer juveniles but they were juveniles at the time of the crime. So these Virginia juries, they're pretty tough.
COCHRAN: They can be very, very tough. You hope they'll be fair. And that's why I think both of these lawyers are going to be asking for a change of venue. That's almost a necessity in this case. Whether or not it'll be granted, now we'll have to see.
And they may want separate trials. The Lawyers may want separate trials. May not want to be tried together under these circumstances. And of course as I said the mental states of certainly Malvo will be very much an issue. And some of the statements of the wife, they'll want to keep those out because that will -- that's going to help it.
There is an overall question of whether or not these two individuals, given the heinous nature of the offenses, can get a fair trial anywhere.
BLITZER: Given the publicity, obviously, that's been out there.
I want to read to you a statement that one of the former court- appointed lawyers for John Muhammad made. This just from Jim Wyda. He said this. Quote, "The government's clumsy macabre forum-hopping for the cheapest and easiest venue to obtain the death penalty against my client diminishes our system of justice."
Clearly the Attorney General John Ashcroft wanted to go to Virginia because they have a strong death penalty, unlike, let's say, Maryland were they've only had three death sentences since the '70s.
COCHRAN: Well, you know, forum shopping is usually frowned upon. And this is of course of the highest levels. But you understand. I mean he -- I'm sure Mr. Ashcroft thinks he's carrying out the will of the people and of his job. But it is -- in a normal situation, that case would be tried in the forum where the most victims are, where there's the most convenience for everybody. But clearly they're skipping over that.
And you know, even if you tried it in Maryland, certainly Virginia is in the wings as is Alabama and other jurisdictions. So they want to make it just about death. I think that would be somewhat unseemly.
BLITZER: Do you think it's possible that the prosecution in Virginia could accept a plea agreement from the 17-year-old? He testifies against John Muhammad, he comes clean and in order to spare his life?
COCHRAN: Possibly. That would be the only way they would ever do it. And if they felt they needed it.
If they feel confident they can prevail anyway, they won't take that. Because -- but if they think life in prison to get the other defendant, that's a possibility although I would say in this case probably slim and it will be -- I think you would have to go all the way up the chain back to Mr. Ashcroft before that would be done and accepted.
BLITZER: You've got a hot book out, "A Lawyer's Life." You talk about your life. Your life changed somewhat obviously when you went on the O.J. Simpson defense team, didn't it?
COCHRAN: It was a sea change for everybody who was involved in that case, very much so. I'd probably be practicing law just quietly in Los Angeles at this point were it not for my involvement in that case.
BLITZER: When you started to defend him, did you think you'd get him off the hook?
COCHRAN: You know, he always maintained his innocence. And we're always cautiously optimistic. You don't really know. I think most people had convicted him before we started representing him. But as the evidence unfolded, there came a time when we thought we probably would prevail.
BLITZER: Did you look back on that episode in your life, any regrets? COCHRAN: No, not really. I mean, I think that, you know, it was about the right to counsel. We represented him to the best of our ability. We had these 12 citizens who spent one year of their lives, you know, paid like $5 a day, sequestered, and they basically made a decision at the end of it based upon the evidence. So it was another trial. I have no real regrets about it. I mean, I think that it's unfortunate when you try these cases that there are all these sides. And I always felt bad that certainly for the victims, clearly. Nobody's in favor of murder at all. So I felt bad for the victims, but we all got our jobs to do. And hopefully everybody understands that.
BLITZER: Would you like to jump back into that courtroom and get involved in some high profile cases?
COCHRAN: No. After my representation of Sean "Puffy" Combs last year in his case -- fortunately, he was acquitted -- that was my last criminal case.
BLITZER: So what are you going to do? The public wants to know what Johnnie Cochran is going to do.
COCHRAN: I'm still going to try cases. I have got big civil cases around the country, Wolf. I'm going to still be in the courtroom, but not in a criminal setting, doing cases where hopefully we can make a difference and do something. Like a case in Anderson, Alabama involving 14,000 residents who claim their whole community has been polluted, you know, by a major corporation. So we're going to be doing a lot of things like that, major cases in the civil arena, and I'm happy with it.
BLITZER: Any desire to go into politics?
COCHRAN: No, none at all. No. I'm going to stand on the sidelines, Wolf. You ask me a question, I want to be able to give you a frank and honest answer.
BLITZER: All right, that's a good answer. Johnnie Cochran, he is the author of an important book, "A Lawyer's Life." It's a good read. Thanks for joining us.
COCHRAN: My pleasure being with you, Wolf, always.
BLITZER: Thank you very much.
And a potent new street drug with lethal side effects.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How does it make you feel when you smoke it? How is it different from weed, like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your body is starting to get numb. It's a numbness in your body.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: From dark allies to the emergency rooms, PCP makes a comeback. A special report when we come back. But first, the answer to today's news quiz.
Earlier, we asked, "What's the only state capital without a McDonald's? The answer, Montpelier, Vermont. Residents have fought to keep the fast food chain out to maintain a local New England atmosphere.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: This weekend, an untold number of young people will try a new drug for the first time, one that most parents have never heard of. It's a blend of marijuana and PCP. It's known by several names, but no matter what you call it, police call it frightening and dangerous. CNN's Serena Altschul takes a look.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mother -- (EXPLETIVE DELETED), (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
SERENA ALTSCHUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): So do you mean you see people like this come in a lot?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, all the time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is very typical behavior.
ALTSCHUL: Did anybody ask him if he's been (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I did, but he's not -- he's not...
ALTSCHUL: Oh, he's really going. Just give him a shot.
(voice-over): This emergency room in New Haven, Connecticut sees an average of 10 (UNINTELLIGIBLE) patients a week.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are trying to come out with new, improved forms of products, no matter what they are, and the same is true in the drug trade. And so somebody came up with a new method of packaging PCP. They dissolved it in formaldehyde or embalming fluid. I'm not sure how they got the idea, but when you heat up the embalming fluid, it gives off a pretty pleasant odor. So when you're using it, there's a pleasant odor to it.
ALTSCHUL (on camera): How does it make you feel when you smoke it? How is it different from weed, like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your body starts to get numb. It's a numbness in your body. Starting to feel good now.
ALTSCHUL (voice-over): Kenny (ph) and Gene (ph) are roommates at a rehab program called New Choices just outside of New Haven. One of their drugs of choice was Ili (ph).
(on camera): When did you first try it? When was your first Ili (ph) experience?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beginning of ninth grade.
ALTSCHUL: How old?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 14.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kids younger than my age come up to me be buying it. Kids 10, 11, 12, kids my age doing it. And I'm like, whoa. This is getting out of control.
ALTSCHUL: You went to school while you were on it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was stupid. But school was terrible. I just got confused. Didn't know what to do. I like went to the bus stop and I wasn't sure if the bus came already. I wasn't sure if it was a school day. I wasn't sure if it was Saturday. Wasn't sure if it was noon. I didn't know anything. Scared me a little bit, so I didn't do that any more.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something like 5 percent of all users will develop a persistent state that's similar to schizophrenia, yeah, exactly.
ALTSCHUL: Just sort of a permanent state.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It becomes a permanent state. And that can happen after even just a couple of uses. So it's for a lot of reasons, it's a bad drug.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: You can see Serena Altschul's full report on "CNN PRESENTS" Sunday night 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
Witness testimony that ruined innocent man's life. Set free after 20 long years with the shirt on his back and an apology. His story when we return.
And did a Santa Claus kill his own daughter? An apparent fight over Christmas lights that turns deadly.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: A Maryland man who spent an entire generation in prison for a crime he did not commit has finally been freed, now that DNA testing has cleared him.
John Sherman of CNN affiliate WBAL has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN SHERMAN, WBAL REPORTER (voice-over): Twenty times the leaves have changed color out front of the Baltimore County courthouse since this man was convicted of a rape he did not commit. Twenty years hardly living, behind barbed wire. MICHELE NETHERCOTT, PUBLIC DEFENDER: What we have is a situation where we had a mistaken eyewitness identification. And we know from other cases in which people have been exonerated through DNA testing, that that is the most common cause of wrongful conviction.
SHERMAN: Bernard Webster leaves the courthouse where he was convicted 20 years ago without comment. Stunned that after 20 years of arguing his innocence, the fight is over.
Even Webster's lawyers see no recourse, no compensation for his 20 lost years under the law.
NETHERCOTT: I can't imagine there would be in this situation.
SHERMAN: And all Webster gets from the office that put him away is an apology.
STEVE BAILEY, DEPUTY STATE'S ATTORNEY: I am so sorry it took so long to correct this injustice.
SHERMAN: Twenty times summer has turned to fall since a 47-year- old school teacher was raped in this Towson apartment complex. She is now 67 and the 19-year-old she picked from a lineup is now this 40- year-old. For both, there is no justice.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: That report from John Sherman of CNN affiliate WBAL.
Webster, by the way, was sentenced in 1983 to 30 years but with credit for good behavior, he was due to be released in February. He had been denied parole several times, in part because he refused adamantly to admit his guilt.
Let's check some other this stories on this evening's "Newswire." Two Baytown, Texas police officers saved a man's life in a fiery rescue that was recorded by the dash cam in their cruiser. The man was trapped in his overturned burning truck with his clothes starting to catch fire. The officers freed him and dragged him to safety.
In Warren, Michigan, the man who plays Santa in the town's annual Thanksgiving parade has been charged with murder. The 65-year-old man is accused of stabbing his 31-year-old daughter to death during an argument about Christmas decorations. He's in jail waiting for a preliminary hearing.
And Duke University has agreed to remove two gargoyles from a dorm building. The statues are modeled after two alumni who donated millions of dollars to the school. A spokesman says Duke just wanted to honor the couple. They've asked that the gargoyles be removed.
Time's running out for your turn to weigh in on our "Web Question of the Day." Will a new U.N. resolution prevent a U.S.-led war with Iraq? Log on cnn.com/wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- Floyd Mason, Richard Moreno, Francis John Morocco, Ronald Wade...
BLITZER: You're listening to the reading of all 58,229 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, known as "The Wall." The four-day event marks the memorial's 20th anniversary. It culminates Monday, Veteran's Day, with special ceremonies including speeches, a color guard and a wreath laying ceremony.
Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day." Earlier we asked: Will a new U.N. resolution prevent a U.S.-led war with Iraq? Twelve percent of you say yes, 88 percent of you say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.
Let's get to your e-mail. John's writing us this: "The world looks to the U.S. to provide world leadership and to take decisive action. Some may ultimately object to U.S. actions in order to satisfy regional relations, but I believe the world expects the U.S. to deal with Saddam and take him out."
Brent writes: "I do not find it surprising that the U.N. resolution was unanimous. What is surprising is all the proclamations that it is a great victory for Bush. After all, doesn't the Security Council resolution say to Saddam, Permit inspections and disarm or we'll have another meeting?"
That's all the time we have today. Please join me Sunday at noon Eastern for "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk.
I'll have a special interview with the Secretary of State Colin Powell. And I'll also speak live with Senators Carl Levin and Fred Thompson.
Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.
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Suspects Hear Charges Against Them; Interview With Johnnie Cochran>
