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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Verdict in Police Abuse Case in California About to Be Announced; Darnell Williams' Execution Stayed; Bob Hope Dies
Aired July 28, 2003 - 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we have two developing stories this hour, first waiting for a verdict in the police abuse case in California, why is the jury back in the courtroom?
Also, the man on the left is on death row scheduled to die this Friday but should his life be spared? The governor of Indiana is going to weigh in right now.
And, tears in Texas, twins attached at the heart, today doctors announced the best course of action.
WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN (voice-over): The hunt for Saddam, are U.S. forces close enough to smoke him out? Witness a raid of Hussein's hometown.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But I think it's going to be sooner than later.
KAGAN: But who's hunting U.S. troops, a bloody attack in Baghdad.
Their unit specializes in handling prisoners of war but they're accused of handling them too roughly.
From stage to screen, radio to television.
BOB HOPE, COMEDIAN: The Beatles have arrived by plane from England. They were 40 pounds overweight and that was just their hair.
KAGAN: He kept us laughing.
HOPE: Here I am in Da Nang, better known as Dodge City.
KAGAN: But Bob Hope put service to his country first.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I will mourn the loss of a good man.
KAGAN: I'll speak with Ed McMahon and CNN's Larry King.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: It is Monday, July 28, 2003. Hello from CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan reporting. Wolf Blitzer is off today.
From Vaudeville to movies, radio to television, at the White House, and in your house, he may have been America's most beloved entertainer. He was a best friend and a hero to American forces far from home. Bob Hope's amazing life has ended at age 100. We have full coverage for you today; however, we begin with some other news.
American forces far from home under fire in Iraq. We'll take you on the hunt for Saddam who has managed to stay at least a step of his pursuers perhaps by mere hours. And, even as U.S. troops try to take the initiative against insurgents another soldier died today when a convoy was attacked in the middle of Baghdad.
The attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq are becoming more brazen. Let's go live now to our CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson who is in Baghdad -- Nic, hello.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.
Well, we do know of one other U.S. fatality today that a soldier driving his vehicle that a non-hostile act but just an indication that soldiers here are dying in what is known as non-hostile acts but that attack on soldiers today in Baghdad killing one of them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Carefully removed from a Baghdad roadside, one of the latest U.S. casualties of ongoing guerrilla-style attacks, three soldiers injured and one killed according to coalition officials.
"I was driving behind them in my own car" he says. "A grenade was thrown from the bridge. The driver's head was blown off and the man behind had his brains blown out."
In the shifting tactics of this urban war possibly the third such assault in as many days where attackers rain explosives on troops.
LT. BRIAN RAYN, U.S. ARMY: It's not clear right now. It's not clear. There was a personnel up on top of the bridge that ran from the vehicle. That's all we know at this time.
ROBERTSON: Nearby, U.S. soldiers diffuse what could have been another hostile situation, students angry, the troops moving them out of their dormitory.
"We stood in front of the building" says this student. "The soldiers seized me, ripped my shirt and hit me."
A misunderstanding say the soldiers now at ease with the students, the result of an intelligence tip off alleging the U.S. base, overlooked by the dorm, would be attacked.
MAJ. PAUL KREIS, U.S. ARMY: They thought we were making them leave and weren't going to take their tests, which is not our intent at all. We want them to be safe. We want them to take their tests. We want them to pass their tests and do well.
ROBERTSON: The move according to the troops designed to head off danger for the students. If their base was attacked from the dorm, the soldiers say, they'd return fire possibly causing unintended casualties.
Not so fortunate the three Iraqi citizens shot and killed by U.S. troops as they hunted Saddam Hussein Sunday, the trial leader whose house was raided in that search voicing concerns of many.
RABIA MOHAMMED AL-HABIB, TRIBAL LEADER: I don't know why the Americans are acting (unintelligible) to get hated or incur the hatred of the Iraqi people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: Now, as coalition officials say they're closing in on Saddam Hussein, many Iraqis worry that the goodwill that would be generated by his capture could be squandered if the Iraqis get caught up, become collateral damage if you will, in the crossfire -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Nic Robertson in Baghdad, Nic thank you for that.
Two hundred and forty-seven American troops have now died in Iraq since the war began, 164 of them have been killed by hostile fire.
In what may have been the first such attack by Iraqi insurgents, a bridge over the Tigris River was blown up today. The sabotage north of Baghdad cut off traffic around Tikrit.
The U.S. military says the attackers used an improvised explosive device floating it down river attached to a log. The pontoon bridge had been built by a U.S. engineering unit which was repairing an adjacent Iraqi bridge.
Turning now to the hunt for the ace of spades, the former Iraqi leader is on the run and U.S. forces say they are hot on his trail. They have launched raids on the Hussein family's ancestral.
Our Harris Whitbeck reports from Tikrit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The predawn hours in dangerous Tikrit, the homeland of Saddam Hussein. Two platoons from the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division race up Route 2, one of the principal and deadliest highways in the region, their mission to raid homes believed to house Saddam's loyalists.
Waking a sleeping family, they hustle them all into a walled courtyard. An old man tries to escape.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let him go. There are people back here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you going to go? You're 80 years old. WHITBECK: A young woman bound and gagged after she screamed pro- Saddam chants. This family belongs to Saddam's tribe and their loyalty runs deep, deep enough that the soldiers find a large cache of hidden weapons in their house, stacks of pictures showing Saddam sewing medals on a uniformed family member.
As dawn becomes morning, the soldiers fan out into the house's orchard finding more hidden guns and ammunition. Raids like this one are sources of valuable information in the effort to find Iraq's deposed leader and to cut off his network of support.
CAPT. DESMOND BAILEY, U.S. ARMY: It just gives us a common picture, you know. We put it on a big map and look at everything we found. Then usually if you're finding significant caches, certain types of weapons, you know, we can use that to track movement maybe.
WHITBECK: The regional U.S. commander says this type of operation will eventually lead to the most wanted man in Iraq.
COL. JAMES HICKEY, U.S. ARMY: We've been given estimates about the location of Saddam Hussein. We have targeted certain areas in the past as a part of our raiding regime. How long will it take? Time will tell but I think it's going to be sooner than later.
WHITBECK: More raids, more weapons, more information.
(on camera): Raids like this one take place any day at any time. Soldiers say each one means progress, one step closer to the man they're looking for.
Harris Whitbeck, CNN, on the outskirts of Tikrit in Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: At the peak of the war, U.S. troops captured thousands of Iraqis. Now four U.S. soldiers have been charged with abusing some of those POWs.
Let's go live now to CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr with the latest on that -- Barbara, hello.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Daryn.
Well, yes, four U.S. soldiers have now been charged with mistreating Iraqi POWs and these soldiers could possibly now face court martial proceedings. The soldiers are military policemen who were guarding Iraqi prisoners at a camp in southern Iraq earlier this year.
They are now charged with assault, mistreatment of prisoners, and dereliction of duty, all of this stemming from an incident in which there was allegedly kicking and punching of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers. There are also charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements. Now, the men are reportedly contending it was an incident of self defense, that the Iraqi prisoners became violent, but a U.S. Army spokesman told CNN that there is a reason that all of this is proceeding to an Article 32 Grand Jury type proceeding.
This Army military spokesman told CNN, quoting him: "The investigation was initiated on the night the alleged assaults occurred after soldiers from another unit reported observing what they believed to be inappropriate treatment of Iraqi prisoners."
And, as we said, these four soldiers charged with this mistreatment are now going to face what is called an Article 32 proceeding. This is the military equivalent of a Grand Jury proceeding. The charges will be more fully investigated and, at the end, it will be decided whether or not they proceed to court martial and, if so, that would be a first time in this Iraq conflict -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Barbara, a slightly different topic here. I understand there has been a very strange discovery in the house in Mosul where Saddam Hussein's two sons were killed. What did they find?
STARR: Indeed. There have been a couple of very unique things found. A briefcase was found which sources say was owned by Uday Hussein and in this briefcase there was, quoting sources, Viagra, a condom, underwear, shirts, and what was reported to be a "tacky tie" but there were also found in the house hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars, about $400,000, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi dinar -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Very interesting, Barbara Starr at the Pentagon, Barbara thank you for that.
Well, the Kobe Bryant case has turned into a media circus. Does the public have the right to know information about his accuser? We're going to go live to Colorado where judging is deciding -- where a judge is deciding that very issue.
Also, conjoined twins attached at the heart, find out why doctors are refusing to separate them.
And, a century of Hope, Ed McMahon and Larry King will be our special guests on the life and times of a legendary entertainer, but first here's today's news quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN (voice-over): What was Bob Hope's birth name, Robert Hope Chamberlain, Brice Hope Griffiths, Leslie Townes Hope, or B. Hope Robertson? The answer coming up.
HOPE: If this audience sees steak they'll come right up here after it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, I don't know. They've seen ham all evening and you're still here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The judge in the Kobe Bryant case is deciding whether to release some documents, including the arrest warrant and tapes of a 911 call. Our Deborah Feyerick is covering the case in Eagle, Colorado -- Deb, hello.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Daryn.
Well, the people who did go to the district attorney's office today were met by a sign saying that the office was closed. The only people who were allowed in were those who had business or those who work there.
The reason for that is because the FBI right now investigating threats that were made against the chief prosecutor. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation also looking into these threats against the prosecutor.
Now, the information that you were talking about, all of this as Kobe Bryant's defense team really holds its breath, a judge deciding whether to unseal critical documents in this case. I spoke to one defense lawyer who is not related to the case but he says this is the material, the juicy stuff that the public wants to know.
It would include the search warrant, for example, what did sheriff's deputies, what did they want to find? It would include the arrest warrant and also a police report, anything that Kobe Bryant may have told police at the time of his arrest.
Kobe's team has joined with the district attorney to try to keep all of this material sealed. A former prosecutor says this move is highly unusual but oral arguments will be heard on Thursday as to whether to unseal all of these files.
The 911 tapes, those the district wanted more time to try to make his case but a judge just ruled that, no. He's got all the information he's going to need as to whether to release 911 calls that were made on behalf of the victim earlier this year, apparently in relation to some sort of drug overdose -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Deborah Feyerick in Eagle, Colorado, Deborah thank you so much for that.
Now, it's your turn to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day: "Is Kobe Bryant's accuser being unfairly attacked in the media?" We'll have the results later in the broadcast. Vote at cnn.com/wolf.
The president of Baylor University is asking for prayers for the family of basketball player Patrick Dennehy whose remains were identified over the weekend.
And, for Carlton Dotson, that is Dennehy's former teammate who is now charged with his murder, our Miguel Marquez is following the story. He is in Waco, Texas -- Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and it's not only the president of the university expressing grief, it's also the basketball coach. He held a long press conference today and addressed many things.
Among them he talked about the grief he feels about the murder of Mr. Dennehy, a kid he said that was a rising star in the basketball program, had a bright future. That grief was compounded by the fact that another basketball player, a friend of Mr. Dennehy, Mr. Dotson, Carlton Dotson has been charged with murder.
This murder has now had the effect of casting a shadow over Coach Bliss' basketball program here at Baylor and today during his press conference something else he did is point-by-point defended his program.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE BLISS, BAYLOR BASKETBALL COACH: I never, and I've done this for 30 years, I never once suspected that we had any type of problem with this area. Had I suspected that I guarantee you with the experience that we've had we would have nipped it in the bud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Now, Coach Bliss did say shortly after that that he had, in fact, received a letter from Carlton Dotson's mother-in-law. That letter raised concerns about Dotson's -- his character and the things that he was going through, his psychological state, and said that -- the coach said at the time he got the letter Carlton Dotson, though, had already left the university.
Dotson is being held in Maryland for the murder of Patrick Dennehy. Dennehy's body was positively ID'd last night after it was found badly decomposed about four miles south of town here.
On the investigation, I can tell you they are still processing that scene where Mr. Dennehy's body was found and on the autopsy they expect it to take weeks before they can get a report -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Miguel Marquez in Waco, Texas, Miguel thank you for that.
California is bracing for a firestorm over a police beating caught on tape. Find out why officials fear a town could erupt in violence.
Also, live from death row, find out how DNA could save a man slated for execution.
And, turn off all electronic devices. You've been warned before your plane takes off but does your cell phone really affect the way a plane flies? We're going to take a closer look at that one.
But first, just in case you were out enjoying the days off, here is a Weekend Snapshot. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN (voice-over): Veterans of the Korean War gathered on the border where the war came to an end 50 years ago. Twelve hundred were on hand for the ceremony in the truce village where the armistice was signed in 1953.
A helicopter ferrying firefighters to a possible wildfire in Arizona's White Mountains crashed killing the pilot and one firefighter. Two other firefighters were injured.
Severe thunderstorms triggered flooding and knocked out power for thousands of people in northern Illinois. High winds knocked down numerous trees. There were no reports of injuries.
Former top aide to President Nixon says that Nixon ordered the Watergate break-in. Three decades after the scandal that led to Nixon's resignation, Jeb Stuart Magruder says in the PBS documentary airing Wednesday that in March of 1972 he heard Nixon tell Attorney General John Mitchell over the phone to go ahead with the break-in plans.
Lance Armstrong has done it again winning his fifth straight Tour de France title, becoming only the second person to accomplish that feat. Unlike his previous victory, this one was close. Armstrong edged out his rival, Jan Ullrich by just 61 seconds. The cancer survivor says he'll be back next year to defend his title.
And, momma knows best, a black bear cub was separated from its family in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The mom heard the little one's (unintelligible) and came running to the rescue along with two other cubs. As police stopped traffic, the bears reunited and were last seen moving into a wooded area, and that's our Weekend Snapshot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We have a developing story out of Indiana where death row inmate Darnell Williams is running out of time in his fight for his life. Williams is scheduled to be executed on Friday. His fate now rests in the hands of Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon and a possible DNA test.
Our Jeff Flock is in Indianapolis. He is covering the story where, as I mentioned, there has been a major development -- Jeff, what do you have?
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn, breaking news.
He just got a little bit more time. I've just obtained this statement here from the Office of the Governor in Indiana, Governor Frank O'Bannon saying: "I hereby grant a 60-day stay of execution to Darnell Williams in order that he may obtain DNA testing of certain blood evidence." This just released from the governor's office now so he gets another couple of months. As you know, the execution was set for Friday. I want to show you a picture of Darnell Williams.
We've got his last week testifying before the Parole Board. The Parole Board in Indiana completed their hearings today on his case and were prepared to make a recommendation to the governor but the governor said, I don't need your recommendation. I'm going to go ahead and grant this test.
Now, the particulars of the case -- Mr. Williams, Darnell Williams was convicted in a double murder of a Gary couple, Gary, Indiana couple in 1986. He got the death penalty largely as the result, some say and the prosecution says, of blood evidence that tied him to the crime scene, blood that purportedly came from the victims.
Well, now the prosecutor came forward who prosecuted the case and said, I'm not so sure that blood was an actual match because there wasn't DNA testing back then, so he's calling for DNA tests to be done.
He testified today before the Parole Board hearing. Jurors in the case also testified before the Parole Board hearing saying if that was not a match, that blood is not a match, we would never have given him the death penalty.
So, now DNA testing goes forward. One final note though, Daryn, the governor makes it clear that just because he's granting the DNA, even if it comes back negative that is not tying Mr. Williams to the crime scene there is other evidence against him, so his execution could go forward even if he wins the DNA test and it goes his way. So, this is one we're going to have to continue to watch. That's the latest from the capital, back to you.
KAGAN: Absolutely for the next 60 days, if nothing else, Jeff Flock in Indianapolis thank you for that.
It is a century of Hope and the loss of a legend, the nation says thanks for the memories. Ed McMahon and Larry King join us to talk about the life and times of Bob Hope.
Also, inseparable twins, doctors refuse to separate newborn baby girls in Texas. You'll find out why just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Earlier we asked: "What was Bob Hope's birth name," the answer Leslie Townes Hope his birthplace, London, England.
Welcome back to CNN, a century of Hope. Ed McMahon and Larry King will be our guests this afternoon, but first though the latest headlines.
(NEWSBREAK)
KAGAN: Now onto Bob Hope whose amazing career spanned the entertainment spectrum from Vaudeville to film and television. He has now died. He died late yesterday of pneumonia at his home in Toluca Lake, California, just two months after turning 100.
Our Eric Horng looks at some of his more memorable moments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Through most of the 20th century, Bob Hope did it all, a shining star on stage and television, in radio and movies. He could sing. He could dance and he could certainly make us laugh.
Hope began his career on the Vaudeville stage earning just a few dollars a night. After landing roles on Broadway he became a hit radio personality, a Tuesday night fixture in millions of homes.
HOPE: If this audience sees steak they'll come up here after it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, I don't know. They've seen ham all evening and you're still here.
HORNG: Hollywood soon took notice and in 1938, Hope appeared in his first feature film. He would go on to star in more than 50 movies, including a series of road pictures with Bing Crosby.
HOPE: What are you going to do with two girls?
BING CROSBY, ACTOR: That's my problem.
HOPE: Hey.
HORNG: But, perhaps, it was Hope's commitment to the morale of U.S. servicemen and women that defined him entertaining GI's around the world for nearly six decades during times of peace and war.
HOPE: Nam Phong (ph) that's a Thai expressing meaning you only have one so keep it close to the ground.
HORNG: On his 100th birthday, officials in Hollywood designated the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine, Bob Hope Square, a fitting tribute to a man the Guinness Book of Records cites as the most honored entertainer ever.
In Hollywood, I'm Eric Horng.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Plans have already been set for funeral services for Bob Hope. Frank Buckley knows more about that. He is outside the Hope estate in Toluca Lake, California -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Daryn.
Words of respect coming in for Bob Hope from all over. Secretary of State Colin Powell among those weighing in today. He said that Bob Hope was a friend to every American GI for over 50 years. From entertainment, "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno among those talking about Bob Hope. He talked about his impeccable comic timing, his encyclopedic memory of jokes that he had an effortless ability with quips.
Hope was a hit on stage, on radio and television. He starred in 50 films. He played golf on 2,000 courses and entertained countless troops in war zones. In the end, though, he died surrounded by his closest family. Here's what his daughter Linda Hope had to say today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDA HOPE, BOB HOPE'S DAUGHTER: Dad would be thrilled. I mean, there's nothing he loved more than an audience and the cameras and to have you all here is really wonderful.
And I just wanted to express our appreciation -- I speak on behalf of my family -- for all the outpouring of love and affection that not only the media has shown, but also all of his many fans and friends. And it is, you know, so heartwarming to all of us at this stage.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And Delores Hope, Bob Hope's wife, asked friends and fans to -- quote -- "celebrate his life, a life that Bob loved and lived to the fullest."
Daryn, as you say, a private burial is planned. A public tribute, though, is also planned for August 27 for Bob Hope. That is going to be taking place at the Television Academy here in North Hollywood -- Bob.
KAGAN: And Frank, we're just getting word out of the White House that President Bush has ordered that on that day, August 27, all flags at government buildings across the country and around the world will fly at half staff in honor of the service that Bob Hope gave to this country.
Thank you so much. Frank Buckley returning -- returning -- actually reporting from Toluca Lake, California.
Well, from the -- from World War II to the Gulf War, Bob Hope was a good humor man for American forces. He took his show on the road to bases, field hospitals, jungles and aircraft carriers all around the world, and the men and women in uniform loved him for it.
Here's what a few veterans had to say about the man who at least sometimes risked his life to make them laugh.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had outdoor theaters. And it would be full, and he'd perform, tell jokes and ladies -- I think he had several ladies that would sing for us. Funny guy. He was fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was in a hospital in Winchester, England and bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Billy Cohn (ph), an ex-boxer that fought against Joe Louis, and then they had their entourage with them. Unfortunately I couldn't get out of bed to see them. But I saw them through the window in the hospital. And they put on quite a show for us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When Bob Hope did come to Camp Casey in Korea, they shipped everyone in from the territories. They came in in half trucks and flatbed trucks -- anything and everything. It was very, very cold. And the show was just so memorable. It just warmed everybody's hearts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Well, earlier I had a chance to talk about Bob Hope's remarkable career with Ed McMahon, who for almost 30 years was a sidekick to Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN:: I would imagine today is a day of great memories, reflection and a lot of smiles for you as well today.
ED MACMAHON, TV PERSONALITY: Well, when you think of Hope, you have to think of smiles and laughter. I mean, he was always fun, and I was at his home one time, and he took me out back and there was another house that he had bought and the house was just for holding his memorabilia. But it had a special room. We went in there and it was loaded with filing cabinets of jokes.
Now he would have a joke on weddings. You'd come to a drawer, there would be 1,000 jokes on weddings. Come over here, 2,000 jokes on golf; 1,000 jokes on hospitals. Whatever it was, he had jokes, catalogued joke, even better than Milton Berle had, and he would go wherever he was going -- if it was a golf gig, he took out, you know, 30 jokes from the golf file, whatever he was doing. So it was quite wonderful.
They asked me a moment ago, what they should do to remember Hope. Since he was so associated with the Academy Award and the Oscars and since he was so much associated with entertainment, they ought to put a statue of him outside the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, right where they do the Oscars. Because he was a great emcee. Show him in his tails in a statue. It would be a wonderful tribute.
KAGAN: You know how Hollywood works. Do you think that that's that possible that would ever happen? MCMAHON: I really do. I think it's good. If we start, like, a little groundswell, they'll have to do it. They've got the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They got a star for Bob Hope. That's not quite enough. He was more important to the entertainment community.
So he deserves a statue. They have a statue of John Wayne out in front of the Great Western building because he did commercials for that bank.
KAGAN: Right there at La Cienaga and Wilshire.
MCMAHON: That would be enough excuse to put one in there for Bob Hope. So I hope they do.
And I'd like to take a minute -- I don't think enough people are saying this -- to send our messages of condolences to Delores, his wife, and Linda Hope. I don't know the other children, but Linda Hope I know. And, you know, they should be remembered as well. Delores toward the end of his life, was like a seeing eye dog for him. You'd come up to him and she'd whisper in his ear, "It's Ed McMahon" and Bob would say, "Ed, how are you? You're looking great." You know, and it was wonderful.
KAGAN: She was the other half.
Let's talk about the other half of his career. We've acknowledged Bob Hope the great entertainer. But of course, he's also being remembered of the great service he did to this country, going around the world and entertaining so many troops through so many different wars.
MCMAHON: That's exactly right, and I remember, you know, being an aviation cadet on my way to become a Marine fighter pilot, and I waited two hours in the rain down in Athens, Georgia, at preflight school -- that was like boot camp at the University of Georgia. And we waited outside, never knowing he would do a second show. He wasn't supposed to.
But they talked him into it. So many guys were waiting. There were 8,000 guys soaking wet in an auditorium enjoying Bob Hope. Let me tell you, we didn't care we were soaking wet. We were happy.
I think it's very fitting that he died on the 50th anniversary, commemorating the end, or rather conclusion -- you can't call it the end because we're still at war with North Korea -- but the conclusion of the Korean hostilities, and I was there yesterday to lay a wreath at the Korean Memorial, and how fitting that he said good-bye to us on that particular day. It's kind of special.
KAGAN: He's saying good-bye, but looks like he's going to be with us for a very, very long time through the memories.
MCMAHON: I think so, yes.
KAGAN: Ed McMahon, thanks for sharing your memories with us today. MCMAHON: Thank you very much. Bye Bye.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And now joining us on the phone with his memories of Bob Hope, our own Larry King.
Larry, hello.
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Daryn, hello. How are you?
KAGAN: I'm doing fine. How many times did you interview Bob Hope over your career?
KING: I'm going to guess about 10. About six on television, four on radio over 40 years.
KAGAN: I've had the chance over the day to watch a lot of clips from those interviews that you've done with Bob Hope right here on CNN. I've got to think -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- Bob Hope gets booked on the show, you're guaranteed you're going to have a good show.
KING: Guaranteed. But one -- he was a great interview subject about things, about show business. He didn't get into himself much. He wasn't -- he wasn't a feeling person. He liked to talk about what was happening. He was a great entrepreneur of show business trivia. He knew people well. He loved the business itself. As for getting into himself, his feelings about family and life, that's wasn't his strong suit. Bob was a personal person on that end.
KAGAN: Was he a funny man, when you took the jokes away?
KING: Yes, he was funny. He was quipster. He was a one-liner. He liked little jokes and he always had a lot of self-confidence. You know, Bob, had a little arrogance. When he walked on a stage, like, you knew he was funny. Gleason told me once there were only two guys in American comedic history who never asked for your sympathy. And that was Groucho Marx and Bob Hope.
KAGAN: Ha.
KING: They didn't need you to love them. They just wanted you to appreciate them.
And another thing about Hope -- and I agree with Ed McMahon about the statue at the Kodak Theater. I think that's a great idea. Another thing is that Woody Allen told me once that he thought Bob Hope was the best film comedian ever to have lived.
KAGAN: Really?
KING: Yes.
KAGAN: And what did he base it on? KING: The way he performed in 50 movies. He just thought he was a brilliant comedic actor. You watch Bob's takes in those movies with -- not just the movies with Crosby, but "Son of Pale Face" and all the others that he did and the masterful way he would look frightened and chase the girl.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE). Bob hope was a great physical comic. He was a terrific dancer. A lot of aspects to Bob Hope, and a Britisher who understood America.
KAGAN: And not just -- I think another thing that's fascinating -- not just the talent himself, but the era that he represents and how he weaves in and out with the other greats and these are other people, of course, you've interviewed over the years like George Burns.
KING: Sadly, Daryn, that's gone. That's an era that there are very few left from that era now. Buddy Hackett's gone, Hope is gone, Burns is gone, Berle is gone. The other greats of that, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar who -- Sid will be our show tonight, are getting up there. It's going to be sad because these people are irreplaceable. I mean, great young comics come along. Take nothing away from them. But there is only one Bob Hope.
KAGAN: I want to talk about who else you have on your show in just a moment. But I think one thing that's been really enjoyable about watching the clips from your show over today -- Bob Hope could crack you up, Larry.
KING: Yes, he could. He made me...
KAGAN: What would he do that you -- I mean, he might be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
KING: He made me laugh. He was just -- he was funny. He made me laugh. He was funny. He made me laugh. I remember once asking him if it's a rumor that he was the richest man in Hollywood, the richest performer in Hollywood. No performer was worth more money and I asked him if he owned Toluca Lake. And he said, No, just the south side.
KAGAN: He actually built -- or bought -- another house right next door just to have all his mementos and to categorize all the jokes over the years.
KING: Yes.
KAGAN: This man was a joke historian as well.
KING: He was a joke historian. He had a (UNINTELLIGIBLE). He wrote many books. People forget that. He was a best-selling author. Not just a collection -- I mean, he would do golf -- book of golf jokes, a book of wife jokes.
He was -- he was -- he was special, and I -- McMahon, I couldn't agree with him more. And the Academy Award -- he put the stamp on emceeing the Academy Awards. Everyone else was in his shadow. KAGAN: So tell me who you are going to have on tonight.
KING: Oh, we got a whole bunch of people. They tell me they got a quite a lineup. I know Sid Caesar and Art Linkletter and Phyllis Diller and Connie Stevens and people who worked with him on tour and we're also going to do a show the night of his memorial with more guests. Nancy Reagan will be calling in. It should be quite a night.
KAGAN: It should be quite a night, and as Delores Hope, his widow, was saying, she wants people to celebrate the life and have some laughs and I imagine there will be quite a few of those tonight.
KING: Hey listen, you make it to 100, you celebrate it.
KAGAN: Yes. Absolutely. That's a big celebration. Larry king, we'll see you tonight, 9:00 eastern.
KING: Thanks, Daryn. Thanks.
KAGAN: Good to have you with us.
KING: Bye.
KAGAN: Thanks so much.
More on Bob Hope throughout the afternoon and the evening right here on CNN. Of course, Larry's show is going to be fantastic tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Do cell phones and video games really pose a risk to planes during flight? A closer look at why you're asked to turn off those electronic devices.
And the twins not separated. Find out why these girls joined at the heart will stay together for the rest of their lives.
But first, a quick look at other news making headlines "Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN (voice-over): All eyes in the Philippines on President Gloria Arroyo as she gave her State of the Nation address today. She ordered an investigation into a failed weekend mutiny by 300 army troops. They seized a Manila shopping and apartment complex demanding the government resign. They later surrendered peacefully.
Protests in Montreal against a meeting of the World Trade Organization. There was some violence, as a small groups smashed store windows on a main shopping street.
Euro bashing by Cuba;s Fidel Castro at an event marking the 50th anniversary of his revolution. He called the European Union a Trojan horse for the United States, unable to deal independently with Havana. The EU members have been increasingly critical of Cuba's human rights record. Flooding in southern Pakistan, suffering the heaviest Summer rains in 7 years. Western India also hard hit. Monsoonal floods have killed more than 700 people in Asia.
A different kind of grand prix in Japan. This one for solar cars. The winner of the so-called Alternative Energies Cup averaged 44 miles an hour during the eight-hour race.
And from Finland, what's billed as the world's first international karaoke competition. Seventy people competed, with the top prize of $4,000. The winners definitely had something to sing about.
And that's our look "Around the World."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Day three of deliberations interrupted in the trial of a former Southern California police officer caught on tape roughing up a subject. Jeremy Morse is charged with assault under the color of authority for this incident captured on home video. A full-court hearing is under way right now. Jurors are asking the judge to clarify some instructions pertaining to the use of excessive force. We are told the judge is asking them to clarify their questions. The man who shot the video is watching the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITCHELL CROOKS, AMATEUR VIDEOGRAPHER: I just think that the prosecution should have had me called as a witness if they were serious about this case and serious about prosecuting Jeremy Morse. They would have had 20 other witnesses on scene that were there watching the whole thing. They would have had them testifying. They would have had the 20 other people that Jeremy Morse beat up on the stand, and they didn't have any of those people on the stand.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NAJEE ALI, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: This was not a black or white issue. This is a right and wrong issue. And I stand with my friend, Mitchell Crooks, and my brother in the social justice movement to say that no matter what happens, we want peace. So we're standing side by side., black and white. But we also want justice. We want to make ourselves clears that no matter what happens we'll work to maintain peace in the community. But we also want to make sure that Morse gets what he deserves. That man needs to go to jail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Morse was fired from the Englewood Police Department. He could get three years in prison if convicted. Well, we turn right now to travel news. And if you fly, you have heard the warning. But what effect do those cell phones, those personal computers and other electronic devices really have on a plane's equipment? And what about the next generation of electronics?
Here now, CNN's Patty Davis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You hear it every time you get on a plane.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The use of some portable electronic devices are prohibited while onboard the aircraft.
DAVIS: Cell phones and other electronic equipment are prohibited on most airplanes from the moment the door closes.
Cindy Music (ph), whose husband flies frequently, and others say it's inconvenient.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being able to talk to him in the air, we'd be able to make arrangements and it makes things a lot easier.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you are not going to land or you're sitting on a runway for a couple of hours, I think you should be able allowed use your cell phones.
DAVIS (on camera): Cell phones and other electronic devices are banned because they could interfere with the plane's navigation and communication. While there's little scientific evidence they do, one recent British study found cell phones close to the cockpit froze a compass and threw off navigation.
(voice-over): Add to those concerns the growing popularity of new portable electronic devices. The FAA has commissioned a panel of airline safety experts to take a closer look.
DAVID WATROUS, RTCA, INC.: Some of the newer laptop computers come with a little card in them that would permit the computers to talk between each other via a radio signal. Another transmitter, another source, potential source of interference.
DAVIS: Meanwhile, Continental and American are trying to accommodate passengers without compromising safety, allowing cell phone use once a plane has landed.
DAVID MESSING, CONTINENTAL AIRLINES: Usually it's about five minutes of taxi time from the runway to the gate when we're now allowing folks to use the phone.
DAVIS: But with cell phones now banned in flight, some passengers say they want to keep it that way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many people talk very loudly when they talk in the cell phones. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are disturbing, intruding in my privacy.
DAVIS: The panel looking into the safety of portable electronic devices is expected to make recommendations by early next year.
Patty Davis, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Conjoined twins who may not have a chance at separate lives. a difficult decision for doctors and parents. That story is just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: It's a heart wrenching decision for doctors and parents. Newborn sisters Brinley and Victoria Smith share a heart, believed to be malformed, and a liver. They were delivered in San Antonio, Texas on Friday five weeks early, which further complicates their condition. Doctors have determined that their shared anatomies do not allow for separation, and a decision has been made not to operate on the girls. Experts suggest that together the twins may have a chance of surviving. The family is hoping for the best.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEBBIE GILSON, GRANDMOTHER: Brinley and Victoria have overcome many obstacles to bring them -- to bring them this far. And we realize that there are many more to come. Their future is still unknown, but we will accept every moment with them as a gift and be grateful that we could be part of this miracle.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Colonel Dr. William Barth delivered the twins. He joins me now from Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force base in Texas. Doctor, thank you for being with us.
COL. DR. WILLIAM BARTH, WILFORD HALL MED. CENTER: Sure.
KAGAN: Can you tell us the latest condition of the twins?
BARTH: Well, to my knowledge, they are doing well this afternoon. They are still in the neonatal intensive care unit (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and neonatalogists are getting them through each day, day by day, but doing well this afternoon.
KAGAN: Take us back to Friday to the delivery. Did you know at the time, did you have the information ahead of time that you'd be delivering conjoined twins?
BARTH: Yes, we did. We had the Smiths, Dawn and Matt, in the hospital for a couple of days, and then they had been staying at the Fisher house facility just outside of our hospital, and actually had a conference that morning on Friday morning wherein we decided that it might be best to try to fly the family to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, but Dawn said that she wasn't feeling very well, and we checked her cervix and it became apparent that she was in advanced labor, and it would have really been unsafe to try to transport her to Houston, so we ended up actually doing the delivery at Wilford Hall.
KAGAN: And so those babies made the decision to come when they did. It wasn't like somebody decided because of their situation they had to come out early.
BARTH: I think that they definitely made the decision.
KAGAN: And how complicated was that delivery?
BARTH: It was pretty much like a normal cesarean section. We took some precautions and made sure that we were safe and had enough room to deliver the babies safely, but everything went fairly well and uncomplicated.
KAGAN: Dr. Barth, I realize you are not a neonatologist, but clearly you'd understand a lot about what's happening here. It's a big challenge that these little girls face, between having one heart that's not correctly formed.
BARTH: Yes, that's really the biggest problem.
KAGAN: If you could extrapolate a little more about what is wrong with the heart and why you couldn't separate them.
BARTH: Well, basically they share parts of the large muscular pumping chambers, the ventricles. And it's really not possible to separate the little girls when they share such important major pumping chambers of the heart.
KAGAN: But can that one heart service two little girls?
BARTH: It's possible. Our pediatric cardiologist, Kirk Mulhollin (ph), believes that they have a chance for surviving a number of years, potentially into their teenage years, provided the heart can keep up with the demands of the little girls.
KAGAN: But would there be a potential -- if the parents wanted to make this decision, to keep the heart and choose one baby?
BARTH: No, that's really -- that's not been done to my knowledge, anywhere. This really is an inseparable set of little girls.
KAGAN: Well, they are two little beautiful girls that you helped bring into the world. I know a lot of thoughts and prayers from across the country and the world heading to Texas. Thank you, Dr. Barth, for answering some of those questions.
BARTH: Sure. Any time.
KAGAN: Appreciate that so much. Our hot Web question of the day is this -- is Kobe Bryant's accuser being unfairly attacked in the media? Vote now, cnn.com/wolf. The results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Now here's a look at how you are weighing in on the Web question of the day. Is Kobe Bryant's accuser being unfairly attacked in the media? Here's what you had to say -- 50 percent said yes, 50 percent said no. As we always tell you, of course, not a scientific pole. Just a place to click and express an opinion.
Time to hear from you, and read some of your e-mail. We are getting flooded with e-mail on the death of Bob Hope. Here are just a few. First from Steve: "In 1951, Bob Hope came to our little town in Ohio to premier one of his movies. They placed a concrete slab in the park, and Bob placed his footprints there. After he left town, I would stand in Bob's footprints and dream. I still go to the park now and then. The concrete slab is wearing away, the footprints don't fit anymore, but the memories are still there. Bless you, Bob Hope."
This one from Bill, who writes: "I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Hope in Da Nang, Vietnam, in 1967. Bob Hope gave us many things, but mostly a respite from the horrors of death. He could remove you from the battlefield and bring you laughter and hope for another day."
And this one from Willie: "Not to worry; Bob is on the back nine with Bing right now, just about now!"
A very nice thought, a slice of heaven fro him. A reminder, you can always watch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 Eastern. Until then, thanks for joining us. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Announced; Darnell Williams' Execution Stayed; Bob Hope Dies>
Aired July 28, 2003 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we have two developing stories this hour, first waiting for a verdict in the police abuse case in California, why is the jury back in the courtroom?
Also, the man on the left is on death row scheduled to die this Friday but should his life be spared? The governor of Indiana is going to weigh in right now.
And, tears in Texas, twins attached at the heart, today doctors announced the best course of action.
WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN (voice-over): The hunt for Saddam, are U.S. forces close enough to smoke him out? Witness a raid of Hussein's hometown.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But I think it's going to be sooner than later.
KAGAN: But who's hunting U.S. troops, a bloody attack in Baghdad.
Their unit specializes in handling prisoners of war but they're accused of handling them too roughly.
From stage to screen, radio to television.
BOB HOPE, COMEDIAN: The Beatles have arrived by plane from England. They were 40 pounds overweight and that was just their hair.
KAGAN: He kept us laughing.
HOPE: Here I am in Da Nang, better known as Dodge City.
KAGAN: But Bob Hope put service to his country first.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I will mourn the loss of a good man.
KAGAN: I'll speak with Ed McMahon and CNN's Larry King.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: It is Monday, July 28, 2003. Hello from CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan reporting. Wolf Blitzer is off today.
From Vaudeville to movies, radio to television, at the White House, and in your house, he may have been America's most beloved entertainer. He was a best friend and a hero to American forces far from home. Bob Hope's amazing life has ended at age 100. We have full coverage for you today; however, we begin with some other news.
American forces far from home under fire in Iraq. We'll take you on the hunt for Saddam who has managed to stay at least a step of his pursuers perhaps by mere hours. And, even as U.S. troops try to take the initiative against insurgents another soldier died today when a convoy was attacked in the middle of Baghdad.
The attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq are becoming more brazen. Let's go live now to our CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson who is in Baghdad -- Nic, hello.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.
Well, we do know of one other U.S. fatality today that a soldier driving his vehicle that a non-hostile act but just an indication that soldiers here are dying in what is known as non-hostile acts but that attack on soldiers today in Baghdad killing one of them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Carefully removed from a Baghdad roadside, one of the latest U.S. casualties of ongoing guerrilla-style attacks, three soldiers injured and one killed according to coalition officials.
"I was driving behind them in my own car" he says. "A grenade was thrown from the bridge. The driver's head was blown off and the man behind had his brains blown out."
In the shifting tactics of this urban war possibly the third such assault in as many days where attackers rain explosives on troops.
LT. BRIAN RAYN, U.S. ARMY: It's not clear right now. It's not clear. There was a personnel up on top of the bridge that ran from the vehicle. That's all we know at this time.
ROBERTSON: Nearby, U.S. soldiers diffuse what could have been another hostile situation, students angry, the troops moving them out of their dormitory.
"We stood in front of the building" says this student. "The soldiers seized me, ripped my shirt and hit me."
A misunderstanding say the soldiers now at ease with the students, the result of an intelligence tip off alleging the U.S. base, overlooked by the dorm, would be attacked.
MAJ. PAUL KREIS, U.S. ARMY: They thought we were making them leave and weren't going to take their tests, which is not our intent at all. We want them to be safe. We want them to take their tests. We want them to pass their tests and do well.
ROBERTSON: The move according to the troops designed to head off danger for the students. If their base was attacked from the dorm, the soldiers say, they'd return fire possibly causing unintended casualties.
Not so fortunate the three Iraqi citizens shot and killed by U.S. troops as they hunted Saddam Hussein Sunday, the trial leader whose house was raided in that search voicing concerns of many.
RABIA MOHAMMED AL-HABIB, TRIBAL LEADER: I don't know why the Americans are acting (unintelligible) to get hated or incur the hatred of the Iraqi people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: Now, as coalition officials say they're closing in on Saddam Hussein, many Iraqis worry that the goodwill that would be generated by his capture could be squandered if the Iraqis get caught up, become collateral damage if you will, in the crossfire -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Nic Robertson in Baghdad, Nic thank you for that.
Two hundred and forty-seven American troops have now died in Iraq since the war began, 164 of them have been killed by hostile fire.
In what may have been the first such attack by Iraqi insurgents, a bridge over the Tigris River was blown up today. The sabotage north of Baghdad cut off traffic around Tikrit.
The U.S. military says the attackers used an improvised explosive device floating it down river attached to a log. The pontoon bridge had been built by a U.S. engineering unit which was repairing an adjacent Iraqi bridge.
Turning now to the hunt for the ace of spades, the former Iraqi leader is on the run and U.S. forces say they are hot on his trail. They have launched raids on the Hussein family's ancestral.
Our Harris Whitbeck reports from Tikrit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The predawn hours in dangerous Tikrit, the homeland of Saddam Hussein. Two platoons from the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division race up Route 2, one of the principal and deadliest highways in the region, their mission to raid homes believed to house Saddam's loyalists.
Waking a sleeping family, they hustle them all into a walled courtyard. An old man tries to escape.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let him go. There are people back here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you going to go? You're 80 years old. WHITBECK: A young woman bound and gagged after she screamed pro- Saddam chants. This family belongs to Saddam's tribe and their loyalty runs deep, deep enough that the soldiers find a large cache of hidden weapons in their house, stacks of pictures showing Saddam sewing medals on a uniformed family member.
As dawn becomes morning, the soldiers fan out into the house's orchard finding more hidden guns and ammunition. Raids like this one are sources of valuable information in the effort to find Iraq's deposed leader and to cut off his network of support.
CAPT. DESMOND BAILEY, U.S. ARMY: It just gives us a common picture, you know. We put it on a big map and look at everything we found. Then usually if you're finding significant caches, certain types of weapons, you know, we can use that to track movement maybe.
WHITBECK: The regional U.S. commander says this type of operation will eventually lead to the most wanted man in Iraq.
COL. JAMES HICKEY, U.S. ARMY: We've been given estimates about the location of Saddam Hussein. We have targeted certain areas in the past as a part of our raiding regime. How long will it take? Time will tell but I think it's going to be sooner than later.
WHITBECK: More raids, more weapons, more information.
(on camera): Raids like this one take place any day at any time. Soldiers say each one means progress, one step closer to the man they're looking for.
Harris Whitbeck, CNN, on the outskirts of Tikrit in Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: At the peak of the war, U.S. troops captured thousands of Iraqis. Now four U.S. soldiers have been charged with abusing some of those POWs.
Let's go live now to CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr with the latest on that -- Barbara, hello.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Daryn.
Well, yes, four U.S. soldiers have now been charged with mistreating Iraqi POWs and these soldiers could possibly now face court martial proceedings. The soldiers are military policemen who were guarding Iraqi prisoners at a camp in southern Iraq earlier this year.
They are now charged with assault, mistreatment of prisoners, and dereliction of duty, all of this stemming from an incident in which there was allegedly kicking and punching of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers. There are also charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements. Now, the men are reportedly contending it was an incident of self defense, that the Iraqi prisoners became violent, but a U.S. Army spokesman told CNN that there is a reason that all of this is proceeding to an Article 32 Grand Jury type proceeding.
This Army military spokesman told CNN, quoting him: "The investigation was initiated on the night the alleged assaults occurred after soldiers from another unit reported observing what they believed to be inappropriate treatment of Iraqi prisoners."
And, as we said, these four soldiers charged with this mistreatment are now going to face what is called an Article 32 proceeding. This is the military equivalent of a Grand Jury proceeding. The charges will be more fully investigated and, at the end, it will be decided whether or not they proceed to court martial and, if so, that would be a first time in this Iraq conflict -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Barbara, a slightly different topic here. I understand there has been a very strange discovery in the house in Mosul where Saddam Hussein's two sons were killed. What did they find?
STARR: Indeed. There have been a couple of very unique things found. A briefcase was found which sources say was owned by Uday Hussein and in this briefcase there was, quoting sources, Viagra, a condom, underwear, shirts, and what was reported to be a "tacky tie" but there were also found in the house hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars, about $400,000, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi dinar -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Very interesting, Barbara Starr at the Pentagon, Barbara thank you for that.
Well, the Kobe Bryant case has turned into a media circus. Does the public have the right to know information about his accuser? We're going to go live to Colorado where judging is deciding -- where a judge is deciding that very issue.
Also, conjoined twins attached at the heart, find out why doctors are refusing to separate them.
And, a century of Hope, Ed McMahon and Larry King will be our special guests on the life and times of a legendary entertainer, but first here's today's news quiz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN (voice-over): What was Bob Hope's birth name, Robert Hope Chamberlain, Brice Hope Griffiths, Leslie Townes Hope, or B. Hope Robertson? The answer coming up.
HOPE: If this audience sees steak they'll come right up here after it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, I don't know. They've seen ham all evening and you're still here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The judge in the Kobe Bryant case is deciding whether to release some documents, including the arrest warrant and tapes of a 911 call. Our Deborah Feyerick is covering the case in Eagle, Colorado -- Deb, hello.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Daryn.
Well, the people who did go to the district attorney's office today were met by a sign saying that the office was closed. The only people who were allowed in were those who had business or those who work there.
The reason for that is because the FBI right now investigating threats that were made against the chief prosecutor. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation also looking into these threats against the prosecutor.
Now, the information that you were talking about, all of this as Kobe Bryant's defense team really holds its breath, a judge deciding whether to unseal critical documents in this case. I spoke to one defense lawyer who is not related to the case but he says this is the material, the juicy stuff that the public wants to know.
It would include the search warrant, for example, what did sheriff's deputies, what did they want to find? It would include the arrest warrant and also a police report, anything that Kobe Bryant may have told police at the time of his arrest.
Kobe's team has joined with the district attorney to try to keep all of this material sealed. A former prosecutor says this move is highly unusual but oral arguments will be heard on Thursday as to whether to unseal all of these files.
The 911 tapes, those the district wanted more time to try to make his case but a judge just ruled that, no. He's got all the information he's going to need as to whether to release 911 calls that were made on behalf of the victim earlier this year, apparently in relation to some sort of drug overdose -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Deborah Feyerick in Eagle, Colorado, Deborah thank you so much for that.
Now, it's your turn to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day: "Is Kobe Bryant's accuser being unfairly attacked in the media?" We'll have the results later in the broadcast. Vote at cnn.com/wolf.
The president of Baylor University is asking for prayers for the family of basketball player Patrick Dennehy whose remains were identified over the weekend.
And, for Carlton Dotson, that is Dennehy's former teammate who is now charged with his murder, our Miguel Marquez is following the story. He is in Waco, Texas -- Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and it's not only the president of the university expressing grief, it's also the basketball coach. He held a long press conference today and addressed many things.
Among them he talked about the grief he feels about the murder of Mr. Dennehy, a kid he said that was a rising star in the basketball program, had a bright future. That grief was compounded by the fact that another basketball player, a friend of Mr. Dennehy, Mr. Dotson, Carlton Dotson has been charged with murder.
This murder has now had the effect of casting a shadow over Coach Bliss' basketball program here at Baylor and today during his press conference something else he did is point-by-point defended his program.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE BLISS, BAYLOR BASKETBALL COACH: I never, and I've done this for 30 years, I never once suspected that we had any type of problem with this area. Had I suspected that I guarantee you with the experience that we've had we would have nipped it in the bud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Now, Coach Bliss did say shortly after that that he had, in fact, received a letter from Carlton Dotson's mother-in-law. That letter raised concerns about Dotson's -- his character and the things that he was going through, his psychological state, and said that -- the coach said at the time he got the letter Carlton Dotson, though, had already left the university.
Dotson is being held in Maryland for the murder of Patrick Dennehy. Dennehy's body was positively ID'd last night after it was found badly decomposed about four miles south of town here.
On the investigation, I can tell you they are still processing that scene where Mr. Dennehy's body was found and on the autopsy they expect it to take weeks before they can get a report -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Miguel Marquez in Waco, Texas, Miguel thank you for that.
California is bracing for a firestorm over a police beating caught on tape. Find out why officials fear a town could erupt in violence.
Also, live from death row, find out how DNA could save a man slated for execution.
And, turn off all electronic devices. You've been warned before your plane takes off but does your cell phone really affect the way a plane flies? We're going to take a closer look at that one.
But first, just in case you were out enjoying the days off, here is a Weekend Snapshot. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN (voice-over): Veterans of the Korean War gathered on the border where the war came to an end 50 years ago. Twelve hundred were on hand for the ceremony in the truce village where the armistice was signed in 1953.
A helicopter ferrying firefighters to a possible wildfire in Arizona's White Mountains crashed killing the pilot and one firefighter. Two other firefighters were injured.
Severe thunderstorms triggered flooding and knocked out power for thousands of people in northern Illinois. High winds knocked down numerous trees. There were no reports of injuries.
Former top aide to President Nixon says that Nixon ordered the Watergate break-in. Three decades after the scandal that led to Nixon's resignation, Jeb Stuart Magruder says in the PBS documentary airing Wednesday that in March of 1972 he heard Nixon tell Attorney General John Mitchell over the phone to go ahead with the break-in plans.
Lance Armstrong has done it again winning his fifth straight Tour de France title, becoming only the second person to accomplish that feat. Unlike his previous victory, this one was close. Armstrong edged out his rival, Jan Ullrich by just 61 seconds. The cancer survivor says he'll be back next year to defend his title.
And, momma knows best, a black bear cub was separated from its family in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The mom heard the little one's (unintelligible) and came running to the rescue along with two other cubs. As police stopped traffic, the bears reunited and were last seen moving into a wooded area, and that's our Weekend Snapshot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We have a developing story out of Indiana where death row inmate Darnell Williams is running out of time in his fight for his life. Williams is scheduled to be executed on Friday. His fate now rests in the hands of Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon and a possible DNA test.
Our Jeff Flock is in Indianapolis. He is covering the story where, as I mentioned, there has been a major development -- Jeff, what do you have?
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn, breaking news.
He just got a little bit more time. I've just obtained this statement here from the Office of the Governor in Indiana, Governor Frank O'Bannon saying: "I hereby grant a 60-day stay of execution to Darnell Williams in order that he may obtain DNA testing of certain blood evidence." This just released from the governor's office now so he gets another couple of months. As you know, the execution was set for Friday. I want to show you a picture of Darnell Williams.
We've got his last week testifying before the Parole Board. The Parole Board in Indiana completed their hearings today on his case and were prepared to make a recommendation to the governor but the governor said, I don't need your recommendation. I'm going to go ahead and grant this test.
Now, the particulars of the case -- Mr. Williams, Darnell Williams was convicted in a double murder of a Gary couple, Gary, Indiana couple in 1986. He got the death penalty largely as the result, some say and the prosecution says, of blood evidence that tied him to the crime scene, blood that purportedly came from the victims.
Well, now the prosecutor came forward who prosecuted the case and said, I'm not so sure that blood was an actual match because there wasn't DNA testing back then, so he's calling for DNA tests to be done.
He testified today before the Parole Board hearing. Jurors in the case also testified before the Parole Board hearing saying if that was not a match, that blood is not a match, we would never have given him the death penalty.
So, now DNA testing goes forward. One final note though, Daryn, the governor makes it clear that just because he's granting the DNA, even if it comes back negative that is not tying Mr. Williams to the crime scene there is other evidence against him, so his execution could go forward even if he wins the DNA test and it goes his way. So, this is one we're going to have to continue to watch. That's the latest from the capital, back to you.
KAGAN: Absolutely for the next 60 days, if nothing else, Jeff Flock in Indianapolis thank you for that.
It is a century of Hope and the loss of a legend, the nation says thanks for the memories. Ed McMahon and Larry King join us to talk about the life and times of Bob Hope.
Also, inseparable twins, doctors refuse to separate newborn baby girls in Texas. You'll find out why just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Earlier we asked: "What was Bob Hope's birth name," the answer Leslie Townes Hope his birthplace, London, England.
Welcome back to CNN, a century of Hope. Ed McMahon and Larry King will be our guests this afternoon, but first though the latest headlines.
(NEWSBREAK)
KAGAN: Now onto Bob Hope whose amazing career spanned the entertainment spectrum from Vaudeville to film and television. He has now died. He died late yesterday of pneumonia at his home in Toluca Lake, California, just two months after turning 100.
Our Eric Horng looks at some of his more memorable moments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Through most of the 20th century, Bob Hope did it all, a shining star on stage and television, in radio and movies. He could sing. He could dance and he could certainly make us laugh.
Hope began his career on the Vaudeville stage earning just a few dollars a night. After landing roles on Broadway he became a hit radio personality, a Tuesday night fixture in millions of homes.
HOPE: If this audience sees steak they'll come up here after it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, I don't know. They've seen ham all evening and you're still here.
HORNG: Hollywood soon took notice and in 1938, Hope appeared in his first feature film. He would go on to star in more than 50 movies, including a series of road pictures with Bing Crosby.
HOPE: What are you going to do with two girls?
BING CROSBY, ACTOR: That's my problem.
HOPE: Hey.
HORNG: But, perhaps, it was Hope's commitment to the morale of U.S. servicemen and women that defined him entertaining GI's around the world for nearly six decades during times of peace and war.
HOPE: Nam Phong (ph) that's a Thai expressing meaning you only have one so keep it close to the ground.
HORNG: On his 100th birthday, officials in Hollywood designated the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine, Bob Hope Square, a fitting tribute to a man the Guinness Book of Records cites as the most honored entertainer ever.
In Hollywood, I'm Eric Horng.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Plans have already been set for funeral services for Bob Hope. Frank Buckley knows more about that. He is outside the Hope estate in Toluca Lake, California -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Daryn.
Words of respect coming in for Bob Hope from all over. Secretary of State Colin Powell among those weighing in today. He said that Bob Hope was a friend to every American GI for over 50 years. From entertainment, "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno among those talking about Bob Hope. He talked about his impeccable comic timing, his encyclopedic memory of jokes that he had an effortless ability with quips.
Hope was a hit on stage, on radio and television. He starred in 50 films. He played golf on 2,000 courses and entertained countless troops in war zones. In the end, though, he died surrounded by his closest family. Here's what his daughter Linda Hope had to say today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDA HOPE, BOB HOPE'S DAUGHTER: Dad would be thrilled. I mean, there's nothing he loved more than an audience and the cameras and to have you all here is really wonderful.
And I just wanted to express our appreciation -- I speak on behalf of my family -- for all the outpouring of love and affection that not only the media has shown, but also all of his many fans and friends. And it is, you know, so heartwarming to all of us at this stage.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And Delores Hope, Bob Hope's wife, asked friends and fans to -- quote -- "celebrate his life, a life that Bob loved and lived to the fullest."
Daryn, as you say, a private burial is planned. A public tribute, though, is also planned for August 27 for Bob Hope. That is going to be taking place at the Television Academy here in North Hollywood -- Bob.
KAGAN: And Frank, we're just getting word out of the White House that President Bush has ordered that on that day, August 27, all flags at government buildings across the country and around the world will fly at half staff in honor of the service that Bob Hope gave to this country.
Thank you so much. Frank Buckley returning -- returning -- actually reporting from Toluca Lake, California.
Well, from the -- from World War II to the Gulf War, Bob Hope was a good humor man for American forces. He took his show on the road to bases, field hospitals, jungles and aircraft carriers all around the world, and the men and women in uniform loved him for it.
Here's what a few veterans had to say about the man who at least sometimes risked his life to make them laugh.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had outdoor theaters. And it would be full, and he'd perform, tell jokes and ladies -- I think he had several ladies that would sing for us. Funny guy. He was fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was in a hospital in Winchester, England and bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Billy Cohn (ph), an ex-boxer that fought against Joe Louis, and then they had their entourage with them. Unfortunately I couldn't get out of bed to see them. But I saw them through the window in the hospital. And they put on quite a show for us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When Bob Hope did come to Camp Casey in Korea, they shipped everyone in from the territories. They came in in half trucks and flatbed trucks -- anything and everything. It was very, very cold. And the show was just so memorable. It just warmed everybody's hearts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Well, earlier I had a chance to talk about Bob Hope's remarkable career with Ed McMahon, who for almost 30 years was a sidekick to Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN:: I would imagine today is a day of great memories, reflection and a lot of smiles for you as well today.
ED MACMAHON, TV PERSONALITY: Well, when you think of Hope, you have to think of smiles and laughter. I mean, he was always fun, and I was at his home one time, and he took me out back and there was another house that he had bought and the house was just for holding his memorabilia. But it had a special room. We went in there and it was loaded with filing cabinets of jokes.
Now he would have a joke on weddings. You'd come to a drawer, there would be 1,000 jokes on weddings. Come over here, 2,000 jokes on golf; 1,000 jokes on hospitals. Whatever it was, he had jokes, catalogued joke, even better than Milton Berle had, and he would go wherever he was going -- if it was a golf gig, he took out, you know, 30 jokes from the golf file, whatever he was doing. So it was quite wonderful.
They asked me a moment ago, what they should do to remember Hope. Since he was so associated with the Academy Award and the Oscars and since he was so much associated with entertainment, they ought to put a statue of him outside the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, right where they do the Oscars. Because he was a great emcee. Show him in his tails in a statue. It would be a wonderful tribute.
KAGAN: You know how Hollywood works. Do you think that that's that possible that would ever happen? MCMAHON: I really do. I think it's good. If we start, like, a little groundswell, they'll have to do it. They've got the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They got a star for Bob Hope. That's not quite enough. He was more important to the entertainment community.
So he deserves a statue. They have a statue of John Wayne out in front of the Great Western building because he did commercials for that bank.
KAGAN: Right there at La Cienaga and Wilshire.
MCMAHON: That would be enough excuse to put one in there for Bob Hope. So I hope they do.
And I'd like to take a minute -- I don't think enough people are saying this -- to send our messages of condolences to Delores, his wife, and Linda Hope. I don't know the other children, but Linda Hope I know. And, you know, they should be remembered as well. Delores toward the end of his life, was like a seeing eye dog for him. You'd come up to him and she'd whisper in his ear, "It's Ed McMahon" and Bob would say, "Ed, how are you? You're looking great." You know, and it was wonderful.
KAGAN: She was the other half.
Let's talk about the other half of his career. We've acknowledged Bob Hope the great entertainer. But of course, he's also being remembered of the great service he did to this country, going around the world and entertaining so many troops through so many different wars.
MCMAHON: That's exactly right, and I remember, you know, being an aviation cadet on my way to become a Marine fighter pilot, and I waited two hours in the rain down in Athens, Georgia, at preflight school -- that was like boot camp at the University of Georgia. And we waited outside, never knowing he would do a second show. He wasn't supposed to.
But they talked him into it. So many guys were waiting. There were 8,000 guys soaking wet in an auditorium enjoying Bob Hope. Let me tell you, we didn't care we were soaking wet. We were happy.
I think it's very fitting that he died on the 50th anniversary, commemorating the end, or rather conclusion -- you can't call it the end because we're still at war with North Korea -- but the conclusion of the Korean hostilities, and I was there yesterday to lay a wreath at the Korean Memorial, and how fitting that he said good-bye to us on that particular day. It's kind of special.
KAGAN: He's saying good-bye, but looks like he's going to be with us for a very, very long time through the memories.
MCMAHON: I think so, yes.
KAGAN: Ed McMahon, thanks for sharing your memories with us today. MCMAHON: Thank you very much. Bye Bye.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And now joining us on the phone with his memories of Bob Hope, our own Larry King.
Larry, hello.
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Daryn, hello. How are you?
KAGAN: I'm doing fine. How many times did you interview Bob Hope over your career?
KING: I'm going to guess about 10. About six on television, four on radio over 40 years.
KAGAN: I've had the chance over the day to watch a lot of clips from those interviews that you've done with Bob Hope right here on CNN. I've got to think -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- Bob Hope gets booked on the show, you're guaranteed you're going to have a good show.
KING: Guaranteed. But one -- he was a great interview subject about things, about show business. He didn't get into himself much. He wasn't -- he wasn't a feeling person. He liked to talk about what was happening. He was a great entrepreneur of show business trivia. He knew people well. He loved the business itself. As for getting into himself, his feelings about family and life, that's wasn't his strong suit. Bob was a personal person on that end.
KAGAN: Was he a funny man, when you took the jokes away?
KING: Yes, he was funny. He was quipster. He was a one-liner. He liked little jokes and he always had a lot of self-confidence. You know, Bob, had a little arrogance. When he walked on a stage, like, you knew he was funny. Gleason told me once there were only two guys in American comedic history who never asked for your sympathy. And that was Groucho Marx and Bob Hope.
KAGAN: Ha.
KING: They didn't need you to love them. They just wanted you to appreciate them.
And another thing about Hope -- and I agree with Ed McMahon about the statue at the Kodak Theater. I think that's a great idea. Another thing is that Woody Allen told me once that he thought Bob Hope was the best film comedian ever to have lived.
KAGAN: Really?
KING: Yes.
KAGAN: And what did he base it on? KING: The way he performed in 50 movies. He just thought he was a brilliant comedic actor. You watch Bob's takes in those movies with -- not just the movies with Crosby, but "Son of Pale Face" and all the others that he did and the masterful way he would look frightened and chase the girl.
(UNINTELLIGIBLE). Bob hope was a great physical comic. He was a terrific dancer. A lot of aspects to Bob Hope, and a Britisher who understood America.
KAGAN: And not just -- I think another thing that's fascinating -- not just the talent himself, but the era that he represents and how he weaves in and out with the other greats and these are other people, of course, you've interviewed over the years like George Burns.
KING: Sadly, Daryn, that's gone. That's an era that there are very few left from that era now. Buddy Hackett's gone, Hope is gone, Burns is gone, Berle is gone. The other greats of that, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar who -- Sid will be our show tonight, are getting up there. It's going to be sad because these people are irreplaceable. I mean, great young comics come along. Take nothing away from them. But there is only one Bob Hope.
KAGAN: I want to talk about who else you have on your show in just a moment. But I think one thing that's been really enjoyable about watching the clips from your show over today -- Bob Hope could crack you up, Larry.
KING: Yes, he could. He made me...
KAGAN: What would he do that you -- I mean, he might be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
KING: He made me laugh. He was just -- he was funny. He made me laugh. He was funny. He made me laugh. I remember once asking him if it's a rumor that he was the richest man in Hollywood, the richest performer in Hollywood. No performer was worth more money and I asked him if he owned Toluca Lake. And he said, No, just the south side.
KAGAN: He actually built -- or bought -- another house right next door just to have all his mementos and to categorize all the jokes over the years.
KING: Yes.
KAGAN: This man was a joke historian as well.
KING: He was a joke historian. He had a (UNINTELLIGIBLE). He wrote many books. People forget that. He was a best-selling author. Not just a collection -- I mean, he would do golf -- book of golf jokes, a book of wife jokes.
He was -- he was -- he was special, and I -- McMahon, I couldn't agree with him more. And the Academy Award -- he put the stamp on emceeing the Academy Awards. Everyone else was in his shadow. KAGAN: So tell me who you are going to have on tonight.
KING: Oh, we got a whole bunch of people. They tell me they got a quite a lineup. I know Sid Caesar and Art Linkletter and Phyllis Diller and Connie Stevens and people who worked with him on tour and we're also going to do a show the night of his memorial with more guests. Nancy Reagan will be calling in. It should be quite a night.
KAGAN: It should be quite a night, and as Delores Hope, his widow, was saying, she wants people to celebrate the life and have some laughs and I imagine there will be quite a few of those tonight.
KING: Hey listen, you make it to 100, you celebrate it.
KAGAN: Yes. Absolutely. That's a big celebration. Larry king, we'll see you tonight, 9:00 eastern.
KING: Thanks, Daryn. Thanks.
KAGAN: Good to have you with us.
KING: Bye.
KAGAN: Thanks so much.
More on Bob Hope throughout the afternoon and the evening right here on CNN. Of course, Larry's show is going to be fantastic tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Do cell phones and video games really pose a risk to planes during flight? A closer look at why you're asked to turn off those electronic devices.
And the twins not separated. Find out why these girls joined at the heart will stay together for the rest of their lives.
But first, a quick look at other news making headlines "Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN (voice-over): All eyes in the Philippines on President Gloria Arroyo as she gave her State of the Nation address today. She ordered an investigation into a failed weekend mutiny by 300 army troops. They seized a Manila shopping and apartment complex demanding the government resign. They later surrendered peacefully.
Protests in Montreal against a meeting of the World Trade Organization. There was some violence, as a small groups smashed store windows on a main shopping street.
Euro bashing by Cuba;s Fidel Castro at an event marking the 50th anniversary of his revolution. He called the European Union a Trojan horse for the United States, unable to deal independently with Havana. The EU members have been increasingly critical of Cuba's human rights record. Flooding in southern Pakistan, suffering the heaviest Summer rains in 7 years. Western India also hard hit. Monsoonal floods have killed more than 700 people in Asia.
A different kind of grand prix in Japan. This one for solar cars. The winner of the so-called Alternative Energies Cup averaged 44 miles an hour during the eight-hour race.
And from Finland, what's billed as the world's first international karaoke competition. Seventy people competed, with the top prize of $4,000. The winners definitely had something to sing about.
And that's our look "Around the World."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Day three of deliberations interrupted in the trial of a former Southern California police officer caught on tape roughing up a subject. Jeremy Morse is charged with assault under the color of authority for this incident captured on home video. A full-court hearing is under way right now. Jurors are asking the judge to clarify some instructions pertaining to the use of excessive force. We are told the judge is asking them to clarify their questions. The man who shot the video is watching the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITCHELL CROOKS, AMATEUR VIDEOGRAPHER: I just think that the prosecution should have had me called as a witness if they were serious about this case and serious about prosecuting Jeremy Morse. They would have had 20 other witnesses on scene that were there watching the whole thing. They would have had them testifying. They would have had the 20 other people that Jeremy Morse beat up on the stand, and they didn't have any of those people on the stand.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NAJEE ALI, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: This was not a black or white issue. This is a right and wrong issue. And I stand with my friend, Mitchell Crooks, and my brother in the social justice movement to say that no matter what happens, we want peace. So we're standing side by side., black and white. But we also want justice. We want to make ourselves clears that no matter what happens we'll work to maintain peace in the community. But we also want to make sure that Morse gets what he deserves. That man needs to go to jail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Morse was fired from the Englewood Police Department. He could get three years in prison if convicted. Well, we turn right now to travel news. And if you fly, you have heard the warning. But what effect do those cell phones, those personal computers and other electronic devices really have on a plane's equipment? And what about the next generation of electronics?
Here now, CNN's Patty Davis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You hear it every time you get on a plane.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The use of some portable electronic devices are prohibited while onboard the aircraft.
DAVIS: Cell phones and other electronic equipment are prohibited on most airplanes from the moment the door closes.
Cindy Music (ph), whose husband flies frequently, and others say it's inconvenient.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being able to talk to him in the air, we'd be able to make arrangements and it makes things a lot easier.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you are not going to land or you're sitting on a runway for a couple of hours, I think you should be able allowed use your cell phones.
DAVIS (on camera): Cell phones and other electronic devices are banned because they could interfere with the plane's navigation and communication. While there's little scientific evidence they do, one recent British study found cell phones close to the cockpit froze a compass and threw off navigation.
(voice-over): Add to those concerns the growing popularity of new portable electronic devices. The FAA has commissioned a panel of airline safety experts to take a closer look.
DAVID WATROUS, RTCA, INC.: Some of the newer laptop computers come with a little card in them that would permit the computers to talk between each other via a radio signal. Another transmitter, another source, potential source of interference.
DAVIS: Meanwhile, Continental and American are trying to accommodate passengers without compromising safety, allowing cell phone use once a plane has landed.
DAVID MESSING, CONTINENTAL AIRLINES: Usually it's about five minutes of taxi time from the runway to the gate when we're now allowing folks to use the phone.
DAVIS: But with cell phones now banned in flight, some passengers say they want to keep it that way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many people talk very loudly when they talk in the cell phones. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are disturbing, intruding in my privacy.
DAVIS: The panel looking into the safety of portable electronic devices is expected to make recommendations by early next year.
Patty Davis, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Conjoined twins who may not have a chance at separate lives. a difficult decision for doctors and parents. That story is just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: It's a heart wrenching decision for doctors and parents. Newborn sisters Brinley and Victoria Smith share a heart, believed to be malformed, and a liver. They were delivered in San Antonio, Texas on Friday five weeks early, which further complicates their condition. Doctors have determined that their shared anatomies do not allow for separation, and a decision has been made not to operate on the girls. Experts suggest that together the twins may have a chance of surviving. The family is hoping for the best.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEBBIE GILSON, GRANDMOTHER: Brinley and Victoria have overcome many obstacles to bring them -- to bring them this far. And we realize that there are many more to come. Their future is still unknown, but we will accept every moment with them as a gift and be grateful that we could be part of this miracle.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Colonel Dr. William Barth delivered the twins. He joins me now from Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force base in Texas. Doctor, thank you for being with us.
COL. DR. WILLIAM BARTH, WILFORD HALL MED. CENTER: Sure.
KAGAN: Can you tell us the latest condition of the twins?
BARTH: Well, to my knowledge, they are doing well this afternoon. They are still in the neonatal intensive care unit (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and neonatalogists are getting them through each day, day by day, but doing well this afternoon.
KAGAN: Take us back to Friday to the delivery. Did you know at the time, did you have the information ahead of time that you'd be delivering conjoined twins?
BARTH: Yes, we did. We had the Smiths, Dawn and Matt, in the hospital for a couple of days, and then they had been staying at the Fisher house facility just outside of our hospital, and actually had a conference that morning on Friday morning wherein we decided that it might be best to try to fly the family to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, but Dawn said that she wasn't feeling very well, and we checked her cervix and it became apparent that she was in advanced labor, and it would have really been unsafe to try to transport her to Houston, so we ended up actually doing the delivery at Wilford Hall.
KAGAN: And so those babies made the decision to come when they did. It wasn't like somebody decided because of their situation they had to come out early.
BARTH: I think that they definitely made the decision.
KAGAN: And how complicated was that delivery?
BARTH: It was pretty much like a normal cesarean section. We took some precautions and made sure that we were safe and had enough room to deliver the babies safely, but everything went fairly well and uncomplicated.
KAGAN: Dr. Barth, I realize you are not a neonatologist, but clearly you'd understand a lot about what's happening here. It's a big challenge that these little girls face, between having one heart that's not correctly formed.
BARTH: Yes, that's really the biggest problem.
KAGAN: If you could extrapolate a little more about what is wrong with the heart and why you couldn't separate them.
BARTH: Well, basically they share parts of the large muscular pumping chambers, the ventricles. And it's really not possible to separate the little girls when they share such important major pumping chambers of the heart.
KAGAN: But can that one heart service two little girls?
BARTH: It's possible. Our pediatric cardiologist, Kirk Mulhollin (ph), believes that they have a chance for surviving a number of years, potentially into their teenage years, provided the heart can keep up with the demands of the little girls.
KAGAN: But would there be a potential -- if the parents wanted to make this decision, to keep the heart and choose one baby?
BARTH: No, that's really -- that's not been done to my knowledge, anywhere. This really is an inseparable set of little girls.
KAGAN: Well, they are two little beautiful girls that you helped bring into the world. I know a lot of thoughts and prayers from across the country and the world heading to Texas. Thank you, Dr. Barth, for answering some of those questions.
BARTH: Sure. Any time.
KAGAN: Appreciate that so much. Our hot Web question of the day is this -- is Kobe Bryant's accuser being unfairly attacked in the media? Vote now, cnn.com/wolf. The results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Now here's a look at how you are weighing in on the Web question of the day. Is Kobe Bryant's accuser being unfairly attacked in the media? Here's what you had to say -- 50 percent said yes, 50 percent said no. As we always tell you, of course, not a scientific pole. Just a place to click and express an opinion.
Time to hear from you, and read some of your e-mail. We are getting flooded with e-mail on the death of Bob Hope. Here are just a few. First from Steve: "In 1951, Bob Hope came to our little town in Ohio to premier one of his movies. They placed a concrete slab in the park, and Bob placed his footprints there. After he left town, I would stand in Bob's footprints and dream. I still go to the park now and then. The concrete slab is wearing away, the footprints don't fit anymore, but the memories are still there. Bless you, Bob Hope."
This one from Bill, who writes: "I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Hope in Da Nang, Vietnam, in 1967. Bob Hope gave us many things, but mostly a respite from the horrors of death. He could remove you from the battlefield and bring you laughter and hope for another day."
And this one from Willie: "Not to worry; Bob is on the back nine with Bing right now, just about now!"
A very nice thought, a slice of heaven fro him. A reminder, you can always watch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 Eastern. Until then, thanks for joining us. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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Announced; Darnell Williams' Execution Stayed; Bob Hope Dies>
