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NEW DAY

Tsarnaev Pleaded Not Guilty; Summer Swelter Almost Over; Fighting The Mountain Fire; Meeting With The Governor; Movie Theater Massacre Anniversary; Snowden "Did This Country A Service"; Dreamliner Emergency Landing; Detroit Files for Bankruptcy

Aired July 19, 2013 - 06:00   ET

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


CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Also, a lot of reaction from the exclusive report we had about that congressman caught tweeting the swimsuit model. He thought she was his daughter then turned out it wasn't. She is not his daughter. But, now there's another. You'll never believe. What he said to a female reporter, we'll tell you about it this morning.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Also ahead, she was one of scientology more high profile members, a long member in fact. The now TV star, Leah Remeny, has left the church. Her sister is now opening up about why? So what exactly went down at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes wedding that may have driven her to be able to discuss that coming up.

CUOMO: All right, but first this morning, the graphic photos of the Boston bombing suspect bloodied and bruised emerging from boat just moments before he was captured, sniper's lasers trained directly on his brain. The images stand in stark contrast to this "Rolling Stone" cover that many said made the suspect looked like a star including the police photographer who leaked the new pictures. He said these images show the real Boston bomber, but now he's in trouble for that.

Jason Carroll is here to explain it all. Good morning to you.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. That police officer is now under investigation, but apparently that sergeant felt conflicted about releasing the photos, but he felt very strongly the "Rolling Stone" cover was insult and hurtful to survivors. So this was his way of helping.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL (voice-over): These new photos showing a much different picture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev captured by police, a bloody face, his hands up, the lasers from a sniper's rifle trained on his forehead a vastly different image from the one depicted in the controversial "Rolling Stone" cover. Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Sean Murphy says he was so angry with "Rolling Stones" cover he released these new photographs to "Boston" magazine.

The police tactic photographer told the magazine quote, "What Rolling Stone did was wrong. The guy is evil. This is the real Boston bomber, not someone fluffed and buffed for the cover of Rolling Stone." UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that's the real face of terror. I agree with him 100 percent.

CARROLL: Boston magazine's editor told CNN, Murphy thought the cover sent the wrong message.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (via telephone): I think he was genuinely worried about the impact on the families of the victims and I think he was also worried that certain impressionable people might be lured to replicate that by the glamorous looking photo on the "Rolling Stone" cover.

CARROLL: Tsarnaev 's first public appearance since his arrest was in court last week. He pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges including four killings while images like these are already having an impact, some say the focus is all wrong.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think they should focus the attention on the brave people and the people who lost their lives, not the monster who caused it all.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: Well, apparently, Murphy did not want "Rolling Stone" to have the last say so he decided to release the police photos himself. A police spokesman said in a statement the release of the photo was not authorized by the Massachusetts State Police. Murphy was suspended for a day and faces a hearing next week to determine his status, all of this really disappointing to some of the families at least one of the families that I spoke to.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: It has some folks wondering is the "Rolling Stone" cover upsetting because the wound is still so raw and so fresh or is it, would people be outraged no matter when that would have been published.

CARROLL: That's a good question. We were all out there and you know, I can just speak for one family, J.P. Norton, I think you guys remember him. He lost a leg and his brother lost a leg in the bombing. All of this attention whether it's a photo from "Rolling Stone" or a photo from the police, all of it takes away from the real issue, which is the healing and the physical healing that has to take place as well as the emotional.

CUOMO: And the risk that you glamorize the person who did it and someone could look up to them and think look how they were celebrated and attention they got, dangerous.

BOLDUAN: All right, Jason, thanks so much. We'll talk to you again.

All right, we're still talking about the heat wave. It is day six of a punishing heat wave that blanketed the northeast and the Midwest, 130 million people will have to sweat through one more day of brutal temperatures but some good news, folks, relief from the heat is on the way, but of course, it comes with a little bit of a price, severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes in the forecast. Indra Petersons is outside this morning tracking it all for us. So what should people be expecting -- Indra.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Let me tell you. If you were out this morning, you guys probably felt it coming into work. It is a big difference from just yesterday. Today is expected to be hotter than yesterday. I mean, the humidity factor today is unbelievable. In fact today, New York's high is supposed to be 99 degrees with the heat indices it feels like 106. Currently it feels like 91 out here. I don't know if we can take much more of this heat.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETERSONS (voice-over): Today marks the sixth day of a dangerous heat wave across the country.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Miserable. Feels like I live inside a dog's mouth.

PETERSONS: It's one of the most widespread waves this season, 47 out of 50 states have seen temperatures topping 90 degrees.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unbearable.

PETERSONS: Three people have died in the sweltering heat. States with high humidity have had temps of what feels like triple digits.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Getting tired, exhausted.

PETERSONS: In Massachusetts, the relentless heat could force a nuclear power station to shut down. They are worried that the water will get too harm to cool the safety systems. The temperatures around New York City's JFK Airport have hit 100 degrees, a new record. Three New York City firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't work less. We don't work slower.

PETERSONS: In Pennsylvania, the heat has forced Amtrak to slap speed restrictions on trains. Officials worry the heat could actually expand the train tracks.

DARYL JONES, NEW YORK RESIDENT: Coconut water, you know, the towel, just trying to beat the heat.

PETERSONS: Out west, 157 airline passengers roasted under the Arizona sun. A mechanical delay left them stranded for two hours on the tarmac.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was probably around 100 degrees. It was like being in a hot car.

PETERSONS: The heat wave has forced many to find a new and creative way to cool off. Like this new ice bar in New York City that boasts bone chilling temperatures of 23 degrees.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is perfect in this room when it's 103 outside. (END VIDEOTAPE)

PETERSONS: That looks good right about now. It already feels like 91. Forecast today 99. Here's the problem, it will be warmer today than yesterday. Let's look at this. We're not talking about advisories as much as we are. We've stepped it up a notch. We have a lot of heat warnings today, temperatures anywhere from 105 to 110 degrees today. Even hurts just to say. We are talking about Boston, Philadelphia, D.C., New York, even Detroit feeling like 110.

There is relief on the way. The temperatures drop as we go through the weekend. It will start where the storms are today, Eastern Iowa through Michigan and as that cold front progresses, we'll see thunderstorms pop along that. That means rain we cool off 10, 15 degrees. You'll still have the hot and muggy feeling.

It's not really going anywhere. The bigger threat will be the severe weather along the cold front. You can see how that pans out, kind of making its way to the northeast with heavy rain by Saturday so much to look forward to, right?

BOLDUAN: It's at least the weekend. That's what we can look forward to.

CUOMO: We have a weekend one way or the other and the point Indra has been making all week long is it's not just about comfort, it's about potential danger. Now let's go out to California where land and air assaults are being used in hopes of stopping the mountain fire. It's raging out of control in the San Jacinto Mountains and it remains a threat to the resort town of Idyllwild. That's where Miguel Marquez is this morning. Miguel, what is the latest from there? Good morning.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Good morning to you. This is a make or break day, Chris. That fire is ranging in the mountains just over the top of us here. Today, they are going to fly hot shot crews up into that very rough territory to start laying line in and hopefully save this town.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUEZ (voice-over): Torching more than 35 square miles, this massive wildfire is nowhere near under control. It is fed by tinder dry and thick pine trees and brush. It is burning so hot, the trees so dry they literally explode into flames. Firefighters mounting an all-out air assault, helicopters dumping retardant, planes, too, even the heaviest weapon in the arsenal. A DC-10 capable of dropping 12,000 gallons of retardant in one go. On the ground, the fight is also in full swing. Woody Bouska has fought fires for 33 years.

(on camera): Are you feeling confident about this one at the moment?

WOODY BOUSKA, FIREFIGHTER: In our section, yes. Like I said, I don't know what's going on the other side. There's a lot of smoke coming up. They could be doing horrible things over there, I don't know.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): Changing afternoon wind conditions along with the widespread fire complicating the job.

(on camera): This is the time in the afternoon that firefighters worry about most, the wind is picking up and this is what they are fighting the fire in. That used to be a pine tree surrounded by years and years of growth of chaparral, this stuff completely dry.

(voice-over): More than 4,000 homes threatened by the blaze and evacuations for some 6,000 residents. Bonnie and Colonel McLyman were in Texas when they heard about the fire.

(on camera): You hassled back here to do what?

COLONEL MCLYMAN, LIVES IN IDYLLWILD: Get important things that you can remember, you know, family things.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Family things, pictures, whatever we can.

MARQUEZ (voice-over): A quick escape but leaving so much behind.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUEZ: Now there are more than 3,300 firefighters on this fire at the moment and they are hopeful that today they can get their hands on it. The wind conditions are going to change, they'll have some monsoonal winds in here, which means things will get much more erratic wind wise, but it will also bring in some humidity, which will help keep the fire down a bit -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: All right, Miguel, thanks so much. Miguel in California for us, thank you.

Now breaking news overnight about Florida's controversial stand your ground law. Governor Rick Scott met up with protesters outside his state house office, but those protesters not getting the ands they were looking for. Let's go live to John Zarrella in Miami for more on this. So what were they talking about, John?

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So Kate, you know, that's exactly right. They did not get what they had come for when they met with the governor and that was to have a re-examination of Florida's stand your ground law and that meeting coming as Trayvon Martin's parents opened up about the trial and their son.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZARELLA (voice-over): Protesters waiting for three days at Florida Governor Rick Scott's office finally got what they came for, a meeting late Thursday the governor spoke with them and releasing a statement after the meeting that says in part, quote, "tonight the protesters again asked that I call a special session of the legislature to repeal Florida's stand your ground law. I told them that I agree with the task force on citizen safety and protection, which concurred with the law."

Protesters are vowing to continue their sit-in now. Dream Defenders' Executive Director Phillip Agnew tells CNN that the sit-in at the Florida governor's office will continue because their demands have not been met.

PHILLIP AGNEW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DREAM DEFENDERS: We'll take this opportunity to call on all of you around Florida to join us here at the capitol as we take the next course.

ZARRELLA: Earlier Thursday night, Martin's parents spoke with CNN's Anderson Cooper. They talked about how they felt the jury would view their son.

SYBRINA FULTON, TRAYVON MARTIN'S MOTHER: I just look at people as people and I thought for sure that the jury looked at Trayvon as an average teenager that was minding his own business, that wasn't committing any crime that was coming home from the store and were feet away from where he was actually going, and I just believe that they realized that.

ZARRELLA: A second juror has also come forward. She was known as juror E54 an alternate in the Zimmerman trial, released before the deliberations began. Appearing on Orlando's WOLF TV, he offered his view on whether George Zimmerman should have followed Trayvon Martin on that rainy night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, I think at the time he was trying to keep an observation and communicate to the police and was not being confrontational. He had the right to be where he was.

ZARRELLA: Not the opinion of Juror B37 when she spoke exclusively with CNN's Anderson Cooper.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think he's guilty of not using good judgment. When he was in the car, he had called 911. He shouldn't have gotten out of that car.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA: Now those "Justice for Trayvon Martin" rallies and vigils that are going to take place this Saturday beginning to take shape in part they are to pressure the Justice Department to investigate whether George Zimmerman violated Trayvon Martin's civil rights. Organizers say it's going to be about 100 cities, if not more, where these rallies are going to take place, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, here in Miami. So Kate, it's going to be a very, very big day tomorrow for rallies and vigils across the country -- Kate?

BOLDUAN: Yes, and we'll be tracking it all. John, great to see you, thanks so much.

ZARRELLA: Sure.

BOLDUAN: And a reminder to you viewers coming up we're going to hear more from Trayvon Martin's parents, what they told Anderson Cooper about the verdict and their plans now, that's in our next half hour.

CUOMO: Still a lot of news to cover this half hour. Let's get over to Michaela and you're starting off with a troubling story about the anniversary of the shootings in Aurora. PEREIRA: Yes, the anniversary is tomorrow, Saturday, but there are duelling rallies planned today this afternoon in Colorado marking the one-year anniversary of the Aurora movie theatre massacre. A gun control group will read the names of the victims while gun right activists rally in the very same Denver park.

One year ago as you recall, James Holmes opened fire at a crowded theatre killing 12, wounding dozens more. A local lawmaker calls the pro gun rally, quote, "a slap in the face" for those suffering. Holmes for his part has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

The executive director of the ACUL praising NSA leaker Edward Snowden at a national security conference in Colorado saying he did this country a service by spurring debate about the reach of the U.S. government's electronic surveillance programs. He said the ACLU hasn't decided if it would help Snowden's legal defense if he were to return and face trial on espionage charges.

A Texas man under arrest after allegedly pulling out a pistol near the White House, Christopher Wade Briggs of San Antonio had a bullet in the chamber of his gun when he was arrested Tuesday at Washington's Lafayette Park. The search of his backpack turned up 171 rounds, two more ammo clips. He was also carrying a pair of hunting knives. He told police "I was only going to fire a couple of shots if no one confronted me."

New problems for Boeing's newest plane, the 787 Dreamliner, a Japan airlines flight from Boston to Tokyo returned to Logan Airport yesterday because of a possible fuel pump problem. That plane was never in any trouble, but did dump fuel as a precaution before landing this comes on the heels of a series of incidents involving the Dreamliner including several battery fires that grounded the 787s for three months.

And, finally, a little jam for you this morning. A granny rocking it out on the drum set. According to the local music store who posted the video in its YouTube, she showed up out of nowhere, picked up the sticks and worked it out. Oh, yes, she can even twirl the drumsticks around on her fingers like a pro.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Double, not even a single, a double.

PEREIRA: She showed up and bam, worked it out.

BOLDUAN: Chris can't even --

PEREIRA: You're speechless!

CUOMO: I didn't get a chance to check this video.

BOLDUAN: This is an authentic reaction.

CUOMO: This we have to double as the good stuff.

PEREIRA: It kind of does your heart a world of good, doesn't it?

BOLDUAN: Rock on, granny.

PEREIRA: Rock it out.

CUOMO: She's a real deal. I play the drums, not like that.

BOLDUAN: No. Can you --

CUOMO: No, I can't do any of that.

BOLDUAN: Exactly.

(CROSSTALK)

PEREIRA: -- the drums play you.

CUOMO: That was fantabulous.

BOLDUAN: That was fabulous.

Giggles, my goodness.

CUOMO: That was good.

PEREIRA: Happy Friday. I learn something new about him every day.

CUOMO: That was good.

BOLDUAN: All right. Coming up next on NEW DAY: Here is a big story we're following and it matters to a whole lot of people especially in the Midwest, Detroit asks for help -- going bankrupt to the tune of $18 billion. Can it be what the Motor City needs most to finally turn things around?

CUOMO: Plus, as we've been talking this morning -- Trayvon Martin's parents making their statement. They've lost their son. Now, they're speaking about what they want to happen to the killer and beyond. We'll bring you that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Welcome back to NEW DAY, everyone.

It's a sad day for the Motor City. Detroit has filed the largest municipal bankruptcy in American history, saying they simply cannot pay their bills. The once mighty center of the automotive industry now caving under decades of economic decline.

CNN's Poppy Harlow is in Detroit this morning with the latest.

Poppy, people are saying this has been -- this has been a long time coming but maybe the beginning of something new and good for Detroit, though.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: That is certainly the hope. Good morning to you, Kate. Good morning, everyone. The Motor City now the biggest city in American history to file for bankruptcy. It was a divisive decision. It came down late yesterday and the big question now is the fate of this city lies in the hands of a bankruptcy judge is, will this help the people of Detroit?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW (voice-over): Detroit's downfall has been decades in the making.

GOV. RICK SNYDER (R), MICHIGAN: This is not any recent development. This has been going on far too long and isn't it time to say, enough is enough?

HARLOW: A dwindling population, the decline of the automakers and political corruption are just some of Detroit's woes. Now, as it files for bankruptcy, Detroit's workers are bracing for what could happen to their pensions and health care.

REPORTER: Will this affect pensions?

MARK DIAZ, PRESIDENT OF DETROIT POLICE UNION: Based on what we know, anything's possible.

KEN PELTIER, FORMER DETROIT POLICE OFFICER: We paid a percentage of our wages every year into that, so it's not something that's being given to us. It's our money.

HARLOW: More than $18 billion in debt, Michigan's governor called bankruptcy the only choice.

SNYDER: Detroit is broke from a financial point of view. And more importantly, the citizens deserve better services.

HARLOW: Those services have taken a significant hit.

TRIESHA (ph) FLOWERS, DETROIT RESIDENT: You call the police now, you wonder if they're coming.

HARLOW: Detroit's emergency manager who took control of the city in March insists bankruptcy will not change the day-to-day here.

KEVYN ORR, DETROIT EMERGENCY MANAGER: Services will remain open. Paychecks will be made. Bills will be paid. Nothing changes from the standpoint of the ordinary citizen's perspective.

HARLOW: Detroit's mayor didn't have a say in the decision but urged understanding.

DAVE BING, MAYOR OF DETROIT: As tough as this is, I really didn't want to go in this direction. But now that we are here, we have to make the best of it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: And now, Kate, this is really going to affect most city workers -- current and retired because their pensions, their health care benefits are on the line. They could see dramatic cuts. I talked to a retired police officer here last night and he said to me this is just a mess. We are prepared to fight to keep what we have.

We are not asking for a penny more, but that is going to be a very tough fight. Just about a week before this decision came down, this bankruptcy filing, pension funds and retirees filed lawsuits trying to say that it was illegal for the state to cut those benefits now bankruptcy, that lawsuit is on hold -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: All right, it's going to be a slow slog and a tough fight from here on out. But everyone says we hope Detroit's coming back.

Poppy, great to see you and great for following this story for us all along the way, thank you.

CUOMO: All right. We're going to take a break now here on NEW DAY.

When we come back -- we are told terrorists are now going to school on secrets leaked by Edward Snowden, what they are doing and what it means to our safety. We have a former NSA chief, General Michael Hayden, will be here with details.

BOLDUAN: And then, a must-see moment. Did you ever think you could high-five a bee? I don't know if you ever pondered that even. Well, apparently, it is possible. That video is still ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Ooh, old school.

(CROSSTALK)

PEREIRA: I like that.

CUOMO: Mister, mister. John Griffin just told me. Very nice.

Welcome back, everybody. This is NEW DAY.

BOLDUAN: You should have known that.

CUOMO: I didn't. What are you going to do? Add it to the list.

It is Friday, July 19th, I'm Chris Cuomo.

BOLDUAN: Good morning, everyone. I'm Kate Bolduan.

We're clearly having a good morning here, of course, with news anchor Michaela Pereira.

PEREIRA: Good morning.

BOLDUAN: Coming up this morning: we're hearing much more from the parents of Trayvon Martin. They told our Anderson Cooper last night that the verdict in the George Zimmerman case literally broke them down. They said. They're revealing interview, coming up. CUOMO: We also have another twist the two story of a congressman who tweeted with a model during the State of the Union. He thought he was her father. But now that our exclusive story reported a DNA test that shows he's not the father, he's making some more comments that may have you scratching your head.

But, first, there is news to tell you about. So, let's go to Michaela.

PEREIRA: All right. Let's get a look at the stories right now.

New graphic photos of Boston marathon suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev show him bloodied and disheveled in the moment right before his capture and arrest. Those photos were taken by a Massachusetts state policeman who released them without permission to "Boston Magazine".

Sergeant Sean Murphy said he did it, because he was furious about this. The controversial "Rolling Stone" cover, which he called insulting to the survivors of the attacks. Sergeant Murphy has been suspended from his job for one day and is facing an internal police investigation.

Whoo, that stifling heat wave, gripping the Northeast and Midwest. It's now in its sixth day. Temperatures in the 90s and near 100 percent humidity will keep the heat index up around 100. It's going to feel even hotter, more like 105 degrees in the corridor between Washington and New York, and also near Detroit. There is relief in sight, a cold front out of Canada will bring cooler, thunderstorms this week.

Investigators are trying to find out what sparked that -- my goodness -- spectacular fire at a fireworks store in northern Indiana. Local media reports by the time fire crews actually got there Wednesday night. The 16,000 square foot warehouse was fully involved.

During the firefight, crew members reportedly had to dodge fireworks ignited by the fire. No one, thankfully, was in the building at the time, and there are reports of no injuries.

Katherine Jackson will take the stand in the wrongful death trial against her son's concert promoter. The multimillion dollar lawsuit claims they were negligent in hiring the doctor, later convicted in Michael Jackson's death. The 83-year-old matriarch could testify as early as today. She is expected to talk about her son's relationship with his three children and his plans for life after the tour.

And here we go, here's a viral video that is all abuzz. Take a look at this guy who appears to be high-fiving a bumblebee. Hear his reaction to it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do that again! High five, do it again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: It's like the rainbow guy!

PEREIRA: It's like the rainbow guy.

Experts say bees raise their legs when they feel threatened. So, likely, he wasn't actually high fiving. The guy is just telling him to, wait for it, buzz off.

CUOMO: Very nice.

PEREIRA: It's the reaction.

BOLDUAN: Did you get three?

(CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: I like it. They have six legs, it is called the leg, I thought there would be some fancy word for it, but there isn't. But they do have these things at the end of their legs that can clean -- they're called tarsi that can clean their antenna and do other functions.