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NEW DAY

Jimmy Fallon's First Tonight Show!; Severe Turbulence Shakes United Flight; More Wicked Winter Weather; Man Dies In Idaho Avalanche; Bus Crash Caught On Dash Cam Video; Dunn Verdict Sparks Self-Defense Debate; Ashley Wagner Tells All; Accidental Sochi Selfie Goes Viral

Aired February 18, 2014 - 07:30   ET

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


CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Last point, you were on Jimmy Fallon last night.

(LAUGHTER)

You gave him a 100 bucks. (inaudible) Do you think he's got what it takes?

RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: I think Jimmy has got what it takes. I was on because I'm an old friend of his. I was on -- CNL with him when I was -- when he used to play Joe Peshi. Tracy Morgan used to play Mayor Barry of Washington when Barry was going to jail for drugs and we did a great skit, which ends with Joe Peshi beating Barry with -- I love Fallon. I love him and he's a Yankee fan.

CUOMO: He is a Yankee. He seems like a good guy and so are you. Mayor Giuliani, thank you for being with us, always a pleasure -- Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, thanks, Chris.

Coming up next on NEW DAY, as was mentioned, the Michael Dunn verdict has sparked debate about self defense once again. Do laws need to change? The family attorney for Trayvon Martin joining us to discuss that.

Plus, newly released footage shows the moment a bus crashes into a power building in Idaho. We are going to show the jaw-dropping video as it was all caught on dash cam.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to NEW DAY. It is just past half past the hour. Let's take a look at your headlines. Three crew members and two passengers had to be hospitalized after their Denver to Billings, Montana flight encountered severe unexpected turbulence while landing Monday. Witnesses on the United flight say the turbulence came out of nowhere and shook the plane so violently, one woman's head hit an overhead panel.

As if this winter didn't already seem long enough, another quick- moving storm system has moved into the east and it's bringing more bad weather. That's a live look outside our studios right here in New York City right now. From the Midwest to Maine, there's not a lot of it, but the snow and ice are falling fast, and piling up just in time to make it really tough for folks to get around on their way to work and school.

New details this morning on a deadly avalanche in Idaho, two people were able to get themselves out of the snow and found another man about an hour later, but could not revive him. That man's wife was buried 90 minutes, but she survived. She is currently being treated for hypothermia. Avalanches in the west have already claimed a dozen lives in the last few weeks.

I want to show you this terrifying video from a bizarre bus crash in Idaho. The newly released dash cam footage shows the bus jumping a curb, slamming through several trees and crashing into a building.

A terrifying crash caught on tape, a city bus in Boise, Idaho smashing straight into a building. Police say the 59-year-old driver appeared to have his eyes closed right before the accident. Newly-released surveillance video shows of the January 6th crash shows the panicked seconds as the bus tears through a parking lot barrelling over trees and street signs.

The bus slammed through the wall of the Idaho power headquarters in downtown Boise and knocked out one of the building's pillars. At least nine passengers were on board for the wild ride. One was taken to the hospital for nonlife threatening injuries. The driver told police at the scene that the breaks failed.

That Idaho state police later found that the brakes were never even applied during the crash. Investigators say there is evidence that the driver was drowsy prior to the crash.

CUOMO: Wow. What video that was.

All right, we are going to back now to an important story that we're following this morning. We are going to keep following it. It's the fallout from the Michael Dunn verdict, a mistrial in the first degree murder charge over the death of Jordan Davis. The case has renewed debate over race, self defense laws, what we are as a cultures, it draws comparisons to the Trayvon Martin case and George Zimmerman's acquittal.

Joining us now is the family attorney for Trayvon Martin's family, Benjamin Crump. Mr. Crump, it is very good of you to join us this morning. Please send our regards over to the family. We know that every time there's a new situation, it remind them in a painful way.

I'm also happy to have you this morning because you are not just their representative. You understand the impact, the politics, and the law of this situation because you follow it so closely. So thank you for being with us.

I want to start with a bigger point. We'll talk about the specifics. We'll talk about the man involve, but Mayor Rudy Giuliani was just on and he said something about culture. Are we ignoring why you get a verdict like Dunn, why you get a verdict like Zimmerman by hanging it on the law or stand your ground or who these men were? Are we avoiding the real conversation about how we respect each other in this society? How we respect black life?

BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR TRAYVON MARTIN'S FAMILY: Chris, I think in a large way, we are. But I have to disagree with Mayor Giuliani to a certain point when he said that he went to jail, so that's the important thing. Well, the verdict is important too because that matters because even though he is off the streets. The criminal justice system allowed Michael Dunn to escape criminal liability for the death of Jordan Davis.

And the criminal justice system allowed George Zimmerman to escape criminal liability for the death of Trayvon Martin. So what is this message that we're sending to society when you shoot and kill a young unarmed black teen, you're not held accountable, but when you shoot and miss like with the attempted murder charges Dunn was convicted on, you were held accountable.

Marissa Alexander, black female in Jacksonville, Florida, shot a warning shot in the air and she was convicted for 20 years. The message is the stand your ground law is really the "don't miss law" because if you hit the young black person and killed him seemed like you exonerated.

CUOMO: That is an excellent point, Mr. Crump. It is important for people to remember that Michael Dunn got punished for missing, but they could not decide on a penalty for his actually killing the child. Yes, he was a teenager. To any parent, he's still a child as a teenager. But let me ask you this, Mr. Crump, why did it happen? Was it that the jury looked at a car full of black kids and said maybe they would have a gun, or is it because they believed the situation with Michael Dunn? What do you think is the motivator?

CRUMP: I certainly think if race is a fact, then we have to talk about it, Chris. Their play book seems to be when you use a stand your ground law, what you have to say is, it was black males and they look suspicious. I was in fear for my life and then attack the character of the young black person that the jury and America seem so willing to accept that all our children are criminals and thugs and you know, this whole thug music hip-hop music.

Those are really metaphors for black especially at that time. Little white boys listen to rock 'n' roll. When they listen to rap music like Jay-Z does why is it a criminal matter when we indulge our culture, but not the other way around? It's a double standard.

CUOMO: Now I want to ask you about something else. We interviewed George Zimmerman. As you know, the media always interviews people who are at the center of big criminal trials. There was pushback from a lot of members of the black community, but really people in general saying don't give them a platform. I want your take on this.

I decided to give him a platform because I believe that men like George Zimmerman are falsely empowered. That we look at him and say, he knew how to work the system. He know how to kill and get away with it. My concern is that by giving him that kind of power, you're distracting from why he got away with it.

When you interview and you show that he doesn't really doesn't know much about the law and that he really just benefited from a low standard, you take the man out of the equation and then you can focus on the law, you can focus on culture where the energy belongs. But what is your take?

CRUMP: Well, Chris, Trayvon Martin's parents and I and a lot of our supporters, we choose to focus on the big problem of stand your ground. We see George Zimmerman and Michael Dunn as symptoms of the problem. The problem is this law that says as long as you can articulate some imaginary fear that it's justified to kill our children. It is legalized murder and we have to talk about that.

I do believe that it is very troubling that a lot of black parents in Florida are worried whether their children are going to live to be 18 years old. Trayvon was 17. Jordan was 17. So we do have to go talk to these legislators and say is our children life more important than stand your ground.

If so, if you really think that our children's lives are valuable, you have to do something to amend this law. We can't keep having this repeat over and over, because people then lose faith in the system. That's the worst thing could even happen -- Chris.

CUOMO: Well, we see that quickly. I mean, people rejected the Zimmerman verdict. There is no question about that. But is the message, don't focus on George Zimmerman. Don't see him as being special because there's a lot of people that could be involved in that situation that is motivated by when you get to hear him and what he has to say. You know you got to focus on the law.

CRUMP: Absolutely. You got to focus on the law. As a lawyer, that's so important that the precedents that are being set is one of those situations where it's the precedents of the Zimmerman trial that has set. Now it's made easier when you kill a young minority. I think if the roles are reversed, you don't get that verdict.

If Trayvon Martin killed unarmed George Zimmerman, he's convicted of first degree murder. The same with Jordan Davis and so it's unequal and we have to make it right. It's bigger than George Zimmerman. It's bigger than Michael Dunn. It's about the lives of our children because we want our children to live and fulfill their dreams, just like you all want your children to live and fulfill their dreams.

CUOMO: You know, the amen to that, Mr. Crump, is that they're all our children. We're taking care of each other one way or another, whether they like it or not, and the sooner people realize that, the sooner we'll be able to move forward. Thank you for joining us today. Help us keep this conversation going and please send our best to the family.

CRUMP: Thank you, Chris.

CUOMO: All right, Kate, to you.

BOLDUAN: Coming up next on NEW DAY, she kicked up controversy before the Olympic Games even began. Once again, Ashley Wagner has people talking, this time about her not so subtle poker face. We'll hear from the skating super star just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Welcome back. U.S. figure skater, Ashley Wagner, became the sensation of the Olympics and the internet with this photo after she saw her score during a competition. CNN's Rachel Nichols spoke with Wagner about all the buzz.

RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, heading into this year, Ashley Wagner was the two-time U.S. figure skating champion and expected to be America's darling at this Olympics. But then she fell twice at last month's nationals. And suddenly America's sweetheart mantle, well that handed to U.S. champion, Gracie Gold.

Wagner had to be squeezed onto the team for Sochi through a controversial process that involved her replacing another skater. A skater some felt was more deserving. Wagner seemed to redeem herself by skating strong in the team competition held at the start of these Olympics.

But the judges didn't agree, scoring her low, just one of the many things we discussed when I caught up with her here in Sochi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICHOLS: Ashley, there was so much controversy over your appointment to this team. After the team competition in the Olympics and you skated so well, you tweeted, I belong here. What was that experience like for you and how did it change how you felt about being at this Olympics?

ASHLEY WAGNER, TEAM FIGURE SKATING BRONZE MEDALIST: You know, there's nothing more frustrating than having someone try and take away your Olympic accomplishment. And unfortunately in figure skating, there are band wagon bands that come along once every four years, and they kind of missed all the work that I've been up to for the past two years. In a way that was supposed to be read in a very aggressive tone and it was totally directed to anyone who says that I shouldn't be on this team because I'm here to stay and put out a performance on the ice and really deliver.

NICHOLS: You also had something interesting coming out of the team competition, which was an internet picture. They had your face after your performance, which was great and your face after you saw your scores, not so great. What did you think when you first saw that?

WAGNER: It was hilarious. I mean, I'm the type of person that I can make fun of myself. No problem. It was a silly face and at the same time, what you see is what you get with me. I wear my heart in my sleep and I was disappointed and I made a funny face and everyone else gets to make fun of it. NICHOLS: Well, you saw what happened with the gymnast. She is not impressed. What have you heard about Ashley Wagner with that photo?

WAGNER: That I'm not impressed.

NICHOLS: Can you do the face now?

WAGNER: Yes.

NICHOLS: Hopefully you'll have an Olympic medal to go with that face.

WAGNER: Absolutely.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NICHOLS: She's a good sport clearly and refreshingly honest. We'll find soon if she does in fact leave here with a medal or just an internet name, guys, the ladies figure skating competition, which many consider the premier event of this winter Olympics takes place over the next few nights.

BOLDUAN: Rachel, thanks so much. I love the fact that she wears her heart on her sleeve. You can see Ashley's reaction to everything. You know what she's thinking and feeling.

CUOMO: Makes it real.

BOLDUAN: Yes, exactly.

CUOMO: Now we are going to take a real break here on NEW DAY. A classic photo from the Olympics, but not one the spectator had in mind. It's a selfie that's gone viral. An amusing at others like it when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Perfect song. Here's why. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This accidental selfie from the Olympics has tens of thousands of re-tweets. It's not the only eye going viral at Sochi. Here's CNN's Jeannie Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNIE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What's wrong with this picture? It could happen to any of us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My mom, grandmother, aunt would pull something like that.

MOOS: She thought her point and click camera was pointed at the hockey rink where Slovenia and Russia were battling it out. But talk about an eye for photography, instead of shooting hockey, she's looking into lens and shooting her own eyeball.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That is sad. Not my generation. MOOS: The eye ball has now become the second most famous eye at the Sochi Olympics second only to Olympic host, Bob Costa's pink eye. He is now back at work, but he had to endure pirate jokes and comparisons to the terminator. His eye infection even inspired a flip book, eye candy.

Since it started in his left eye, that had to have its own Twitter account. Naturally with a Twitter handle, @costa's left eye. Tweets like these. Now the same goes for the eye ball shot captured by Russian TV at the hockey game. Who hasn't taken an accidental selfie?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was taking a video of my sister and it ended up being of me.

MOOS (on camera): How did it look?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good I think.

MOOS (voice-over): Not always the case says this Russian woman.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I get on the bus and take pictures, I'm like, did I just take picture of myself? That's ugly.

MOOS: You don't always end up at the right end. It's easy to miss the moment. This reports to be a photo of a dad attempting to capture his daughter being proposed to only to come face to face with his own face. The age of the selfie, it's all about me, me, me. In the case of the accidental selfie, I, I, I.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now you're going to have the reverse picture.

MOOS: Jeannie Moos, CNN --

(on camera): Cheese. That's Sochi with cheese.

MOOS: New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: How cute. Jeannie's got a new best friend.

CUOMO: So cheese is funny and cornea and cornea that was funny.

BOLDUAN: I would like to meet that elderly woman. It's all in love. It's not just elderly. Are you kidding me? We've all done it. I love you but your one of the technologically unadvanced people.

CUOMO: I'm not good with the camera thing. I struggle.

BOLDUAN: You're good at many other things.

We're going to break. Before we go, Michaela is going to take a selfie. One, two, three, take it quick.

Coming up next on NEW DAY, it is every passenger's nightmare. Extreme turbulence, it was so bad people ended up in the hospital. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)