Return to Transcripts main page

NEW DAY

Latest on the New York Escapees Manhunt; Possible Charges in Death of Tamir Rice; A Look at the Battle over Trade Promotion Authority; Bill Clinton Interview Preview. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired June 12, 2015 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:08]

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Apparently, they may have been there looking for food or supplies, may have gone into a dumpster looking for food or supplies there as well. Security cameras there at the gas station are currently being reviewed to see if there any new leads that they can get from those cameras as well.

In the meantime, dogs, apparently, also may have traced the scent to the area here. That's where they found a spot where perhaps, they believe these two inmates may have been bedding down for a period of time. That period of time unknown. That's where they found those wrappers, found the boot print there as well, probably a fresh boot print. Dogs are still on the scent. A perimeter is still being set up. Searchers still out here looking. The concern, though, is the longer that these two inmates are out there, the more desperate they may become. That' why, authorities are asking the public to remain vigilant. Alison?

ALISYN CAMEROTA, ANCHOR OF "NEW DAY": Okay thanks so much for all that background. And there are new developments on the prison worker who allegedly helped the convicts escape. Investigators say she had been scrutinized for a prior relationship with one of those fugitives. CNN's Alexandra Field is live outside the prison in Denannemore with that part of the story. What do we know Alexandria?

ALEXANDRA FIELDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Alisyn. This is really a big development because it helps us to understand why investigators zeroed in on Joyce Mitchell after these two men escape from this prison. We're now learning that there was a previous investigation into reports of some kind of alleged relationship between Joyce Mitchell and one of the two men who escaped. The Clinton County District Attorney says there was no evidence that would necessarily support the existence of a relationship, but as a result of that investigation, David Sweat was in fact removed from the tailor shop where Joyce Mitchell worked.

We've also learned that Mitchell has told authorities that Richard Matt made her feel special. One law enforcement source says that Mitchell's phone was used to contact some of Matt's associates. Of course, authorities have said they believe that Mitchell has planned to drive the get away car and changed her mind at the last minute. We're told Mitchell has been working with authorities, answering their questions daily, continuing to provide new information. She has been charged, but the district attorney has said that she could face felony charges, including accessory to escape or promoting prison contraband. She hasn't retained an attorney. But, John, her family has come publicly to her defense. They're saying that 95 percent of what is being said about Joyce Mitchell is simply not true.

JOHN BERMAN, ANCHOR OF "NEW DAY": Alright, Alexandra Field for us up there and we have so many questions about Joyce Mitchell. Also, we want to get the very on this investigation, this man hunt. Joining us now, a man in the middle of it all. The District Attorney of Clinton County where the prison is located, Andrew Wiley. He is heading up the criminal investigation in connection with this escape.

Mr. District Attorney, thank you so much for being with us. 7:02 in the morning right now eastern time. Give us the latest on this manhunt.

ANDREW WHILEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF CLINTON COUNTY: Good morning. First off, as you can see, we have continued law enforcement involved and locally, we have all of our agencies, New York State police, the Sheriff's department, the (IAUDIBLE) City Police Department. We are all a tight knit law enforcement unit here and I work very closely with them. So, what we have developing right now is we're continuing with the bloodhound search. The perimeter is continuing to be closed in. And we hope that, as I said last night, that this would be effective and bring these two men back into custody and proceed from there.

BERMAN: And as it stands right now, the dogs still have the scent? Are you still following the trail, you believe?

WHILEY: They are. I have to be updated in about an hour on more information on that. But, it's my understanding, the dogs were still working the scent last night and we're going to continue to pursue that today.

BERMAN: Alright, Mr. District Attorney, let me ask you this. The "Times Union of Albany" has a report just out this morning that says Joyce Mitchell, the prison worker who has some connection to one or both of these escapees, the newspaper reports that it was she who gave them, she provided these tools that they used to break out of the prison, provided them with power tools. Can you confirm this report?

WHILEY: I cannot confirm that report. There is some information that she provided, some form of equipment or tools, but not power tools. I'm not privy to that information, so, I'm not sure where that information is coming from. But, there is -- there is information as far as contraband she did provide to Matt and Sweat.

BERMAN: Can you tell us what kind of contraband you believe she did provide?

[07:04:53] WHILEY: With the ongoing investigation, we're still collecting a lot of evidence. I'd rather not provide the specifics of that right now because there are other issues that we're dealing with relative to that and as part of our investigation, we just don't provide that information out. BERMAN: But she did give them something.

WHILEY: We should be able to get that to you later.

BERMAN: Okay, very good. We will follow up with that. Describe to me the level of cooperation that Joyce Mitchell is giving your office right now?

WHILEY: Well, she continues to cooperate. She continues to come in and speak to us and each day, we're learning a little bit more information as to her involvement in this case and how she developed a relationship with these two men and then eventually, you know, we came to last Saturday where it's the date they make their decision to escape and, of course, as we all know now, Joyce Mitchell ends up in the hospital and is not there to assist the two individuals.

BERMAN: You say keeps coming in providing information? Does she have a lawyer? She's not in any kind of custody. She just walks in to the police station and starts talking?

WHILEY: She has. I think - I can't speak for Ms. Mitchell, but she may feel, obviously, some responsibility and guilt for her involvement and she wants to help that situation or help her self out in her situation.

BERMAN: And no lawyer right now?

WHILEY: No lawyer right now.

BERMAN: And as of now, if you consider pressing charges against her, what charges could she face?

WHILEY: She could face conspiracy to -- for escape and she could also be dealing with promoting prison contraband.

BERMAN: And no matter what level of cooperation she does provides, so you anticipate still pressing charges? Look, is she provided contraband no matter what it is, will she still get in trouble for that no matter how much she cooperates?

WHILEY: Um, Yes. It's my intention at the conclusion of our proceedings, dealing with her. She's aware that there these charges that are obviously going to be filed or can be filed against her. She continues to cooperate. You know, we see this every day in multifaceted investigations. So, it's just another aspect of this case.

BERMAN: There's reporting also now over the last day that she had been investigated internally for having some kind of relationship or whatever her nature of that relationship was, but at least one of these prisoners before hand, but that she was cleared. They decided not to do any discipline on her. Is that surprising to you at this point, that she had been investigated, yet there was no job status change?

WHILEY: It's not surprising to me. I mean, if we look at this in the element of a criminal investigation, we will investigate a case. Charges will come forth and on the initial face of it, you know, want to look at it and say this person needs to be dealt with in an appropriate manner. But. once all the issues come in, it has to be looked at in a different light. And I can't speak for the Department of Corrections and their internal, you know, office as far as how they handled that, but they made a determination at that time and that it wasn't supported by sufficient evidence to, you know, connect further disciplinary action against her.

BERMAN: And back to -

WHILEY: I mean, we -

BERMAN: Go head.

WHILEY: I was just going to say, I think we need to really get into the aspect of - I mean, we're talking about Joyce Mitchell quite a bit here. My primary concern really is getting Sweat and Matt back in custody.

BERMAN: I couldn't agree with that more. So, let's talk about that and let's end of that point. How close do you think you are? Do you think this wraps up today?

WHILEY: Well, I hope that it's wrapped up today. I hope that the scent the dogs picked up two nights ago, you know, is what we're looking at. This could have been something that, you know, occurred earlier a lot in the week. But, we're hoping that it was two nights ago and that they're closing in on the two men right now.

BERMAN: Alright. Andrew Wiley, the District Attorney up there. We know your going to more information and a briefing next hour. We will check back in with you. Thanks so much for being with us. Really appreciate it, sir.

WILEY: Thank you.

BERMAN: So, if you have information on whereabouts of these escaped inmates, contact U.S. Marshal's. The tip line is 1-800-336-0102. You can also just call 911. They will connect you where you need to go. Be on the lookout, but of course be safe. Ana?

[07:09:35] ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Alright. We'll continue to follow those developments, but another story we're following this morning involves a Cleveland judge now ruling there is enough evidence to charge the police officers in the death of Tamir Rice, but that hasn't actually happened yet. And this all goes back to November when the 12-year-old was gunned down at a rec center where he was playing with a pellet gun. The very latest. Let's get right out to CNN's Martin Savidge live in Ohio this morning. Martin?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. A judge basically said there was enough probable cause to charge the two police officers in connection with the death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. This is though a nonbinding opinion. Now, the judge did recommended some charges. We can show you those. For instance, for Timothy Loehmann and that is the officer who fired the fatal shot, he said the charge should be murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, negligent homicide and (INAUDIBLE) For Garmback, that's his partner, negligent homicide and (INAUDIBLE) of duty.

However, now that may be construed as a victory, of course, for the backers of Tamir Rice's family. What these people really said they wanted when they filed under this rather obscure law, was the arrest of the officers and that has not happened, according to this judge, because he says he have the authority to do that. That power only rest in the hands of the prosecutors, which means all of this goes back to where it is always has been. The county prosecutors office here.

One of the attorneys who represents Timothy Loehmann, I spoke to him last night. He said, you know, all of this has really bee unfair to his client because in a way, it has made them look really bad and yet, no grand jury has even decided if they will be charged. Here is what he told me.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

HENRY HILOW, ATTORNEY FOR OFFICER LOEHMANN: I think his life will never be the same. He's a young man, wanted to be a police officer, is a police officer. And depending on who you talk to, everybody has a different version of facts, but the only facts I would rely on right now are on with the sheriff's department. And it's been assassination by innuendo and speculation. And any one of us would suffer under those conditions.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Attorney Henry Hilow also says that nobody here has, of course, suffered more than Tamir Rice and his family over the tragedy that has occurred, but, there still needs to be a legal process that is respected and that he says, rest with a grand jury. Alisyn?

CAMEROTA: Thanks so much Martin. Well another big legal win to tell you about for Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The former chief of the International Monetary Fund cleared by a French court of aggravated pimping charges. He's been accused of hiring prostitutes for sex parties in the U.S., France and Belgium. Strauss-Kahn dodged a different legal bullet in 2011 when sex assault charges were dropped in New York after questions about the accusers credibility.

BERMAN: Gruesome new details from the quadruple murder out of Washington, D.C. mansion where three family members and their maid were killed. A law enforcement official tells CNN that the father, Savvas Savapolous, was strangled, beaten, stabbed and burned and had trauma to the back of his head. The search warrant reveals that a baseball bat with what appeared to be blood on it was found in one of the rooms.

CABRERA: More tension between the U.S. and Russia. And this time, it happened in disguise over the Black Sea. U.S. officials say a Russian fighter jet came within just ten feet of a U.S. Air Force plane. This happened in international air space in late May, but we're just learning about it this morning. And we're told the American plane did not take any evasive measures. Several encounters have now been reported between the U.S. and Russia in the air and at sea in just the last few months.

CAMEROTA: Okay, back to the top story, the search for two escaped killers intensifying as investigators focus in on one specific area. There are growing fears that things could become violent the longer they stay out. We'll look at why.

[07:13:20] BERMAN: And President Obama's free trade deal hits a very divided House and a very divided party. The Democratic party, his own party skeptical. So, why that and why are some Republicans siding with the President this time?

(COMMERICAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: It is judgment day for President Obama's free trade deal and it is likely to be a nail biter. The House will vote this morning on whether to give the President fast track authority to negotiate the Pacific-Trade Agreement, but it will not be easy. Some major Republicans and Democrats are against this deal.

Joining us this morning is California Republican Congressman, Tom McClintock. He is in favor of the deal. Good morning, Congressman.

REP. TOM MCCLINTOCK, R-CALIFORNIA: Good morning.

CAMEROTA: So many of your colleagues in Congress say that they don't like this deal. They think it will cost American jobs. Why do you like it?

MCCLINTOCK: Well, the trade promotion authority is nothing new, it's nothing exotic. It's the way we negotiated deals since the 1930s. The problem is, that authority lapsed several years ago and since then, our country's been shut out of foreign markets. We haven't been able to get effective trade agreements because our trade partners know that anything that they send to - anything they agree will be unraveled by the Congress. So, that's why this is so important. Trade means prosperity. Opening up foreign markets means higher wages, more jobs for American workers, opening up our nation's markets means more consumer choices and lower prices.

CAMEROTA: Well, let me get specific in terms of some of the complaints because some of the critics of this deal say that actually it will hurt America by hurting its exports. Let me read to you what Senator Jeff Sessions had to say about this. "The legislation, like trade deals past, opens our markets to more lower cost imports while our trading partners keep their markets restricted to our exports. The legislation substantially ignores the enormous non-tariff barriers to U.S. goods restricting - I'm sorry resulting in loss of jobs to our competitors."

MCCLINTOCK: Well that's why you need trade agreements in order to lower barriers. The TPA makes that possible. Without it, we're not going to get those lower barriers. The face is that those nations that we have trading agreements with, we have a trade surplus with. Those industries in America that are open to foreign markets have 18 percent higher wages than those that are limited to domestic markets. Trade benefits everybody. Whether it's between two people or two nations, when there's a free exchange of goods, both benefit or the trade doesn't take place.

[07:19:46] CAMEROTA: One of the other complaint about this is that it has been sort of larded up or at least complicated with so many vote brokering deals, that there's lots of things that people want that might be stuff in it that has nothing to do with trade. For instance, there's things about climate change, there's things about immigration, there's things about expanding markets for fish, seafood and shellfish. Can you explain, because I know that you believe there should be a connection between this and illegal emigration.

MCCLINTOCK: Well, first of all, I think you're confusing the process of bringing these agreements to Congress, which is what is being voted upon today, with the individual trade agreements that will be negotiated over the next three to six years under the terms of this trade promotion authority. I think you are referring to the Trans- Pacific partnership, which is the first of what we hope will be many trade agreements being brought to Congress. Because of the TPA, when they are brought to Congress, first of all, they have to meet 150 separate conditions that are set by Congress in the TPA and if they have met all those conditions, then the agreements will be in print for 60 days, so that the nation can have a great big debate over whether they meet our nation's needs and then Congress will vote it up or down.

CAMEROTA: Okay. Thanks for explaining that. So, what's going to happen today? I mean, given the complexity of all of this and everyone says that this is going to be a nail biter. Is this going to pass?

MCCLINTOCK: Again, I can't predict the future, but I know this. Trade is absolutely essential to this nation's prosperity. The trade promotion authority is absolutely essential to trade and I think that there are enough members of Congress who are concerned about these issues to support restoring to the President the negotiating authorities we have extended to every President since the 1930s.

CAMEROTA: Alright. We will be watching closely to see what happens there in Congress. Congressman Tom McClintock, thanks so much for being on NEW DAY.

MCCLINTOCK: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.

CAMEROTA: Okay, let's get over to Ana.

[07:21:41]CABRERA: Back to that manhunt. The search area has narrowed for the two convicted killers on the run in upstate New York How far could they go? How desperate will they get? We'll discuss.

(COMERICAL BREAK)

[07:25:50] CAMEROTA: The manhunt for two escaped fugitives in upstate New York now focusing three miles from the prison they got out of after bloodhounds picked up a strong scent. Shoe imprints and food wrappers also found around that area. Meanwhile, the prison worker that police say may have aided in their escape, had been investigated for possible involvement with one of these inmates and told investigators that he made her feel special.

BERMAM: Virginia prosecutors expected to formally drop criminal charges against the 20-year-old Martese Johnson when he appears in court today. The University of Virginia student was bloodied during his arrest in March for public intoxication and obstruction of justice. The pictures and video you are seeing right now sparked national outrage. Prosecutors say there is not enough evidence to bring charges against the officers involved.

CABRERA: A frightening scene out of Houston where a pair of railroad cars plunged from this over pass when a fright train jumped the tracks. It happened just this morning. Officials say no injuries were reported. Thankfully, no hazardous material was spilled. Investigators are examining a pair of data recorders and video tape from inside that train to figure out what went wrong.

CAMEROTA: President Obama tweeting out a funny photo of him posing with the Washington Nationals racing President mascot -

BERMAN: He's a lot shorter than the other President.

CAMEROTA: He is. I didn't know that.

CABRERA: I know me either. He even challenged these guys to a race.

CAMEROTA: The President made a surprise last minute stop at the park Thursday to catch some of the annual Congressional baseball game and to turn up the charm ahead of today's critical trade vote.

BERMAM: There he is with Nancy - and he's taller than Nancy Pelosi, but feet shorter than at least five former Presidents.

CAMEROTA: (INAUDIBLE) smaller than those former Presidents too if you take those measurements to the accurate John.

BERMAN: Alright. Someone who would like to be in that lineup perhaps soon, Hillary Clinton. She will hold the first major rally of her 2016 campaign tomorrow here in New York. And this time we are told that voters can expect to see a more personal side to the Presidential Candidate. That's what her aids are telling us that we will see.

Want to bring in CNN Anchor, anchor of not one now, but two shows, Jake Tapper. He will host the all new "State of the Union" this Sunday right here on CNN and Jake. Hillary Clinton, big speech tomorrow. A lot of expectations and her aids have been working overtime to sort of set the parameters of what those expectations are. We're not going to hear policy. We're going to hear about her past, but a very specific time in her time that we haven't heard of before

JAKE TAPPER, ANCHOR OF "STATE OF THE UNION": That's right. We're going to hear about the hardships experienced by her mother, Dorothy Rodham, who had a very tough upbringing . This is all part of what the Clinton campaign regards as a problem that they can solve when it comes to the candidate. They view her as the most famous women that you know nothing about. Meaning, there are so many things about Hillary Clinton that the public is relatively unaware of, including her mom's very difficult upbringing, the struggles that she had growing up and much, much more. And this is going to be much more of the focus of some of the roll out of her campaign in terms of these biographical details.

CAMEROTA: Jake, we understand that you got a big interview with Former President, Bill Clinton. So, give us some headlines.

TAPPER: That's right. We'll be sitting down or we did sit down with him and the interview will air Sunday in its entirety on Sunday on "State of the Union". One of the things, of course, that I asked him about was the fact that during his wife's rollout of her campaign, there have been controversies, one of which about the Clinton Foundation.