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Defense Expert Disputes Autopsy Findings in Casey Anthony Trial; The 'Golf Summit'; N.Y. Same-Sex Marriage Battle; Life Lessons from Chris Gardner; New Tennessee Law Against Transmitting Emotionally Disturbing Images; GOP Candidates in New Orleans; Congress Sues President Obama Over War Powers Act; Anticipating Blagojevich Verdict; Dads Supporting Dads; Obama's Second Job: Basketball Coach
Aired June 18, 2011 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Of course we're going to start the hour with something you've been talking about all morning long. Trial's still underway today, on this Saturday, that trial that has been grabbing a whole lot of attention, that of Casey Anthony.
She's the young mother accused of killing her little girl three years ago and then dumping her body. Her attorneys are now putting up her defense.
Our David Mattingly is at the courthouse in Orlando. A bit of drama this morning, again, David?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's - that's right. We're hearing right now at this hour from one of the star defense witnesses, Werner Spitz, a world-renowned forensic pathologist, describing his opinion of how this autopsy was conducted on Caylee Anthony. He describes it now as a shoddy autopsy because the examiners did not open up the skull to examine the interior of the skull, which he said would have been very important in this case.
He also has some very different theories about that duct tape that was found on the skull, saying that he believes it was placed there after the body had decomposed. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. WERNER SPITZ, FORENSIC PATHOLOGY: The duct tape was a later - later event, not an early event.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: After decomposition?
SPITZ: After decomposition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: Dr. Spitz's now under cross-examination from the prosecution. Again, everyone trying to maintain control of this story before the jury. Because it's a circumstantial case, both the prosecution and the defense are challenged with presenting the most credible story behind the death of this young girl as possible and it's going to be up to the jury to decide which story is the most credible and the most compelling.
WHITFIELD: David, that's pretty extraordinary.
Now, talk to us about the first defense witness. The judge not exactly pleased and made it clear about that.
MATTINGLY: Yes, that was a very bad moment for the defense. The judge admonishing the defense attorneys because there was an agreement early on in this case that both sides, the prosecution and the defense, would submit reports about what their witnesses was going to say so there would be no surprises, no ambushes, as some people liked to call them.
But, in this case, they put a witness on the stand who started to testify about the duct tape while there was no prior indication he was going to do that so the judge stopped it. They had the witness step down. He admonished the defense and actually said at the end of this trial he would consider contempt proceedings against that attorney.
So very strong words today, a very strong reminder of what he says is the seriousness of this case and the fact that they need to stay with the agreement, that there should be no surprises because there's so much at stake in this case.
WHITFIELD: People of course still wondering whether Casey Anthony will herself take to the stand. Any indications that such would happen?
MATTINGLY: No indication at this point. Of course, when the defense took over a couple of days ago, there was a great deal of anticipation that Casey would take the stand in her own defense. No indication of that so far. The entire time, the defense has been concentrating on their own expert witnesses, trying to punch holes in the prosecution's case.
WHITFIELD: All right, David Mattingly, thanks so much, from Orlando. Appreciate that.
In about 10 minutes or so from now, our legal guys will be talking more about this case, and they'll also talk about the case of a kindergartener expelled for inappropriate behavior. You don't want to miss that discussion, right here in the NEWSROOM.
Another case we're watching, that of Amanda Knox. She is in prison in Italy for killing her housemate.
Today, during the appeal hearing, five inmates, including a child murderer and a mob boss, are coming to her defense. They are all expected to testify that a fellow prisoner, also convicted in connection with Meredith Kercher's murder, told them Knox had nothing to do with it. That prisoner, through his attorney, denies saying anything of the sort.
And a fix to a computer problem that grounded United Airlines flights across the U.S., but the airline says passengers could still experience delays throughout the weekend. The airline blames a network connection malfunction for freezing up the system that schedules departures, reservations and processes passengers.
The glitch left thousands of people stranded and very frustrated.
An American Eagle flight attendant is accused of stealing another man's identity to get a job that allowed him to fly all over the world. Police say Jophan Porter assumed the identity of a New York man and had several documents in that man's name, including a passport.
Porter, who's reportedly an illegal immigrant from Guyana, was arrested in Miami yesterday.
And there is talk of a diplomatic breakthrough in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai told a youth group today the United States is involved in peace talks with the Taliban. But U.S. officials could not be reached for comment.
CNN's Barbara Starr says the U.S. is looking for insurgent leaders that it can work with to try to start negotiations.
President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are holding their golf summit right now. Let's check in with Brianna Keilar, who is live from the White House, about this golf meeting and the symbolism behind it and what kind of business might actually get taken care of - Brianna.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You know, Fred, the timing on this could not be more intriguing. This was announced a few weeks ago, but it - it's so interesting.
We know that President Obama and Speaker John Boehner, at least when the pool caught a glimpse of them - and we have some of this on tape - that they were sharing a golf cart. So presumably they are playing together, kind of partnered off there. And this would certainly give them a lot of time to talk. A round of golf takes about five hours or so.
Right now, there are a couple of very pressing issues between - that the White House is discussing with Congress, and specifically Republicans in the House and Speaker Boehner. One of the big ones has to do with Libya.
A lot of news on Libya this week, and Speaker Boehner alerted the president in a letter a little earlier this, week saying that as of Sunday, tomorrow, that he would consider the president in violation of the War Powers Resolution if the president didn't seek Congressional authorization for having U.S. troops involved Libya.
Well, the White House came out and said that they weren't going to seek it. They felt that they were within - you know, within the law to not seek that Congressional authorization. So that's one big issue.
And then, also, we're in the middle of these debt ceiling negotiations that are going on. Vice President Biden has been up on the Hill, talking with Republicans and Democrats. He is, as you know, Fred, in this course and (ph) as well as Ohio Governor John Kasich, who has a little bit of expertise on this himself. He used to be a member of the House Budget Committee.
So the - the timing, I mean, is just intriguing.
WHITFIELD: You know, it certainly is, Brianna. And, of course, later, when we get more images, hopefully we - it'll just - see whether there are smiles there on the golf course, given this kind of potential friction you just spelled out for us.
Brianna Keilar -
KEILAR: And I was going to say, on a lighter note, we may be getting the scores as well -
WHITFIELD: Oh, yes.
KEILAR: -- and we'll bring those to you as soon as we know them.
WHITFIELD: Most important for those gold enthusiasts for sure.
Brianna Keilar, thanks so much, at the White House. Appreciate it.
And it's down to the wire for a same-sex marriage bill in New York. It is stalled in the state Senate. We'll fill you in on who's opposing the measure and why, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: In New York, a setback for gay rights supporters. A bill to legalize same-sex marriage has stalled in the state Senate. Republican opponents say they're concerned about possible lawsuits against religious institutions if the bill passes.
It needs just one more vote to clear the Senate before the legislative session ends Monday. Supporters have pushed for the measure for years.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALICIA SALZER, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SUPPORTER: They think we're sending a loud and clear message about whether our families and our life and our choice and who we are and our love is legitimate or not, and kids are watching.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Right now, same-sex marriages are legal in the district of Columbia and five states - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire.
The issue is unsettled in California. A federal appeals court is deciding whether the state's ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional. All right, some sage advice this Father's Day weekend from a man who has faced a whole lot of challenges. "Face to Face", I talked with entrepreneur Chris Gardner a few months ago about his struggles as a one-time homeless dad and his turnaround into a business mogul.
Well, today, our Christine Romans brings us more of Chris Gardner's life lessons.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL SMITH, ACTOR, "THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS": Don't ever let somebody tell you, you can't do something.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You'll recognize him perhaps as played by Will Smith in the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness."
SMITH: You got a dream, you got to protect it.
ROMANS: It was based on his best-selling book of the same name.
But even after the Hollywood ending, Chris Gardner did not rest on his laurels. Every day, he's hoping to pass on what he's learned.
CHRIS GARDNER, AUTHOR, "START WHERE YOU ARE": You know what? I learned so much about money from my mom, who often said, "Son, I have done so much with so little for so long, that I can do anything with nothing." And it wasn't just - it wasn't just something catchy that she said, I got to see her do it.
ROMANS: And that also means learning to manage expectations.
GARDNER: I think one of the most important things that I have taught both of my children about money is that more money, more problems. Just because you do acquire money does not mean that you're not going to have problems elsewhere in your life.
ROMANS: According to a recent survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 42 percent of people polled say they learned the most about personal finance from their parents.
GARDNER: I think right now, again, after the dinner table conversation of how was school today, a very good place to start is, let's talk about money. Let's talk about what we're going to do to try to save money. Let's talk about the stock market, how's that affecting our retirement plans?
ROMANS: Christine Romans, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Casey Anthony's defense team is presenting their case this morning. Will their expert witnesses be enough to keep her off the stand? Our legal guys are ready to sound off.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: All right, will she or wouldn't she take the stand? That's what everyone watching the Casey Anthony trial is wondering.
Let's bring in our legal guys, Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor in Cleveland; and Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor, joining us from Vegas. Good to see you guys. I missed you.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Fred, welcome back.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: We missed you.
FRIEDMAN: Wow.
WHITFIELD: Thank you. Thank you.
FRIEDMAN: Our queen is back. Yes.
WHITFIELD: You're so kind.
HERMAN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: OK, to my kings now.
So, Richard, you first. You know, if she does take the stand - now, of course there are other things that we can talk about in terms of who the defense has called and the prosecution resting its case. But let's talk about whether Casey Anthony should, would take the stand, or how could she avoid it at this point?
HERMAN: Well, she cannot take the stand. And I can't say that any louder. She cannot, she must not take the stand in this case.
WHITFIELD: Why not?
HERMAN: If she does - if she does, she will be convicted and sentenced to death.
She is a serial compulsive liar. She has no credibility. There is no upside for the defense to put her on the stand. The jury will not believe anything she says -
WHITFIELD: Not to explain the demeanor -
HERMAN: Forget about the -
WHITFIELD: -- the photographs that have been submitted by the prosecution showing her -
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: There you go. There it is.
WHITFIELD: -- you know, looking rather cavalier when her child is missing? Not to explain that?
FRIEDMAN: That's right.
HERMAN: She can't explain that, Fred. She's got to forget about that, forget about the claims of incest. It doesn't matter now.
The forensics are the key to this case and they're the key to at least a hung jury to prevent the death of this woman.
WHITFIELD: Interesting.
HERMAN: She's not believable.
FRIEDMAN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: So, Avery, how can the defense present this case and say that she is a victim of incest? She, you know, apparently made these allegations about her - both her father and her brother, and there are pictures. How can the defense not want to defend those allegations from the prosecution?
FRIEDMAN: Well, that's exactly right. If she doesn't take the stand, the - the promise that Jose Baez made to this jury goes up in smoke, and that's credibility.
The other thing, Fredricka, is this jury has been watching this woman for 21 days and we've heard gruesome, dramatic testimony. And with very, very few examples, she is absolutely unemotional.
The fact is that she needs to take the stand to make sure the jury understands why she is, and it's going to go to issue of intent, of mental capacity. I don't think she has a choice. I think we're going to see her on the stand.
WHITFIELD: And we're showing live pictures right now, court in session, pictures of her head down. You haven't seen a whole lot of emotion out of her, Richard, except for the day -
FRIEDMAN: Right.
WHITFIELD: -- that there was some photographs shown of the decomposing body of Caylee, and, you know, she had to take a break. She said she felt sick to her stomach. Did that in any way, whether it was theater or whether it was genuine, appeal to the jurors?
HERMAN: It may appeal to one or two.
Listen, Fred, three-quarters of this jury has already made their mind up, so get - be on that.
FRIEDMAN: That's right.
HERMAN: Imagine the cross-examination if she takes the stand, Fred. They're going to ask her 500 lies that she said and they're going to get her to acknowledge those were all lies.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
HERMAN: Then they go to summation and say you can't believe - she's lying to you now. There's no plus of putting her on the stand.
Forget about the incest. That's not a pass to be a pathological liar, because you had incest as a kid. That's not going to fly. He's got to abandon that, concentrate on the forensics, where they're making a great day today. Dr. Spitz was phenomenal today.
FRIEDMAN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: And - and speaking of which, the pictures that we're seeing of Casey Anthony, she's got her head turned away because apparently they are showing some of that forensic evidence. They are showing more photographs, and so she is appearing to be a little unsettled by that.
So Werner Sptiz, this pathologist, he's already said that - he describes this autopsy as shoddy. He said, in fact - he testified just moments ago that the duct tape was placed on that skull during decomposition.
Avery, does that sound like a legitimate call or will that be challenged in any way? Is he - is he credible?
FRIEDMAN: Yes. After - after decomposition - and, you know what? Let me tell you something, Fredricka, they got nobody better.
Werner Sptiz is world class. No one - he goes back to the Kennedy Assassination. Mary Jo Koepeckne. I mean, he is superb.
This is the first quality witness we have seen supporting the - the defense in this, challenging the - the forensics, the science here. I think this is the only thing that we've seen coming out of the defense team, and it is important.
Reasonable doubt, we - we will have to wait and see. The - the prosecution has not completed its - its cross-examination.
WHITFIELD: All right. This is all so fascinating indeed.
All right, let's move on to another case that -
FRIEDMAN: It sure is.
WHITFIELD: -- also is fascinating. Maybe not equally, but it is fascinating. This out of Tennessee. We're talking about a new law which is making it a crime and in fact promising some jail time for transmitting imagines which could cause emotional distress.
What kind of images are we talking about here, Richard, and how legitimate is this law? How stable is this new law?
HERMAN: The images are any images that are intended to upset someone or cause - cause some sort of humiliation or damage to someone.
The law, I'm sure - I know Avery, my friend, is going to agree with me. This is absolutely unconstitutional, Fred. You've got to tailor these laws, clear, concise. There's just too much grounds for subjective interpretation here. It's never going to uphold itself -
FRIEDMAN: Well - yes.
HERMAN: And - look.
FRIEDMAN: I think -
HERMAN: That's -
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: I think a lot of people think, well, this just came about because of Anthony Weiner. Interestingly enough, the legislature in Nashville passed this law in the middle of May. It's not the Weiner law.
But it is - it is unconstitutional because you can't simply say an image that annoys or bothers - I mean, without that -
WHITFIELD: Because that's arbitrary too?
FRIEDMAN: -- means nothing.
HERMAN: Exactly.
FRIEDMAN: It's absolutely arbitrary.
WHITFIELD: And the definition is very loose? Yes.
FRIEDMAN: Very loose. Unconstitutional.
WHITFIELD: Well then, what - what happened to it?
FRIEDMAN: -- temporary restraining order.
WHITFIELD: So what will happen to it?
FRIEDMAN: It's going to be held unconstitutional. A federal judge is going to shut it down.
Plus, there's a federal law, obviously, that deals with computers that will preempt it anyhow. That law is history. It's gone.
WHITFIELD: Oh, OK. All right, gentlemen, we're not - we're not done with you. Don't go anywhere. We're going to see you again later on this hour. We always like to have our part deux.
FRIEDMAN: Part deux. That's right.
WHITFIELD: All right. We're going to be -
HERMAN: We really missed you, Fred.
WHITFIELD: We're going to be talking - I missed you all too.
HERMAN: It's not - it's not the same without you. It's not the same without you. That's for sure.
WHITFIELD: Oh, well, I missed you all, too.
FRIEDMAN: That's exactly right.
WHITFIELD: Glad we're back together. Where's that (ph) Peaches & Herb.
We are going to in a couple of minutes to talk about another case involving a five-year-old who was permanently expelled because someone said this child touched the teacher inappropriately. We're going to talk about zero tolerance after this.
Also right after the break, a live report from a major Republican gathering where a relative newcomer to the presidential politics scene threatens to steal the show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MASTER SGT. MICHAEL HAMMOND, U.S. AIR FORCE: Hi. This is Master Sergeant Mike Hammond here in Southwest Asia. I want to say Happy Father's Day to my dad, Mike Hammond, out there in St. Louis.
Dad, I love you. Thanks for everything. I'll keep it going over here for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Now, to our top stories.
Clean-up at Japan's crippled nuclear plant has hit a snag. The power company that runs the Fukushima Daiichi plant has temperature rarely halted operation of a new clean-up system. The company execs found radioactive readings in the water too high.
This comes three months after a tsunami and earthquake caused one reactor to melt and damaged two other reactors.
Same-sex marriage supporters in New York are staring at a Monday deadline before a bill to legalize the practice dies for the year. Right now, it is stalled in the state Senate. Republican opponents are worried it might open up religious institutions to lawsuits.
The legislative session ends Monday.
And in a photo shown around the world, a couple embraces right there while rioters and police in Vancouver, British Columbia, surround them. Well, now they're explaining exactly what happened. It's not exactly as it appears on the surface.
Scott Jones and his girlfriend, Alex Thomas, say they were caught in the middle of the riot and were knocked down. Jones was comforting Thomas. The riot was sparked by a Canucks loss to Boston in the Stanley Cup finals, though he felt like (INAUDIBLE) her and soothing her at that moment.
Boston, take a look, live pictures right now, throwing a huge party this hour for its heroes on ice. The city is honoring the Bruins with a parade for winning hockey's biggest prize, the Stanley Cup.
The team brought the trophy back to Boston on Wednesday with their win over the Vancouver Canucks.
All right, onto politics now. GOP presidential candidates are descending upon New Orleans this weekend for a major event. It's the Republican Leadership Conference, and CNN's deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is at the conference and joining us live right now.
So Paul, what's the significance of this event, and who is taking to the stage today?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: You said there was a party going on in Boston? It seems like there's a party going on right here right now -
WHITFIELD: Why not?
STEINHAUSER: -- which is about to start. This is - yes. This is - it's New Orleans, right?
This is a major conference. You got about 2,000 delegates from 38 states, mostly in the south but across the country. These are hard-core GOP supporters, Republican strategists and activists here.
And the person in the spotlight today, no doubt, in about two, three hours, is going to be Rick Perry, the governor from neighboring Texas. Right around now, he's about to sign some books, and then later he's going to be on that podium right behind me.
Now, why is it such a big deal? Because he wowed the crowd here last year when he spoke here, but a lot's changed. We're right in the middle of a big battle right now for the Republican presidential nomination, and Perry, Fred, as you know, has said he's thinking about running. Maybe he would jump in and make a bid for the nomination.
And this last week he sure sounded add lot like a candidate and looked like a candidate. So we'll going to listen to every word he says right here today, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Wow. And so this three-day conference kicked off Thursday. Who seemed to really stand out? I know people are anticipating Perry today, but preceding his arrival, who has been in the spotlight?
STEINHAUSER: We've had five presidential candidates already in the race speak here. And, you know, all have gotten pretty good receptions. It's like preaching to the choir here, of course, everybody very excited about these candidates.
But I think one person may have stood out above the rest, and that is Michele Bachmann, the congresswoman from Minnesota. She got pretty good reviews, many pundits say, from our debate last Monday night.
Take a listen to what she said and some of the others yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R-MN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Get ready, 2012. The Tea Party will be bigger than ever. Because the Tea Party and all of America has one goal and it's this -- that Barack Obama will be a one-term president!
REP. RON PAUL (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: But it's up to us, it's up to the people, it's up to the congress, it's up to all of us and it's up to us to get a president that won't put up with this nonsense and won't go to war so carelessly.
HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You mess with Israel, you are messing with the United States of America. They're our friends.
RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm the only person who's announced for president who has said immediately supported the Ryan plan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: One last piece of business and an important one, that straw poll, the delegates are voting. We'll get the results later today. We'll be live from New Orleans. Last year, Mitt Romney beat Ron Paul by one vote. Stay tuned for those results, Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right, in between, get yourself an order of Benniers on me. Save me one too.
STEINHAUSER: You got it.
WHITFIELD: All right, Paul Steinhauser, thanks so much.
All right, U.S. troops are part of the NATO mission in Libya, but without congressional approval? Now some leaders in the House are going after the president in court. We'll ask our legal guys their thoughts next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: America's military involvement in Libya is pitting President Obama against some members of Congress and has even led to a lawsuit. Our legal guys are back, Avery Friedman in Cleveland and Richard Herman in Las Vegas.
All right, gentlemen, this is a very interesting situation and maybe a little awkward too because the president is playing golf today with House Speaker John Boehner and Boehner is among those who's saying that he wants to challenge the president. That the president should have gotten congressional approval before launching any military involvement into Libya so is he right? Are those who say that right, Avery, that the president should have gotten congressional approval?
FRIEDMAN: It's less than 2 percent of Congress that filed the lawsuit although most of the Republicans are saying that.
The bottom line on this thing is the definition of hostilities. Congress left it vague. It's a sign to Judge Reggie Walt, remember him. He did the Scooter Libby case.
In the history of American law, no federal judge has ever resolved this kind of dispute between Congress and the president. Bottom line, the case will be thrown out.
WHITFIELD: Really? It will be thrown out altogether and so Richard, do you see it this way? I mean, the president was a former constitutional law professor and he knows constitutionality.
At least that's the thinking, right? That he felt like he didn't even want to take on the advice of the Pentagon lawyers who said, you need to get congressional approval.
He and White House lawyers said, no, you don't need to do this because, A, this is not a war. Is that a solid argument?
HERMAN: I have to agree with Avery. He's right on the money of this one. The definition of hostilities is ongoing. Do we have boots on the ground? Are we sustaining casualties?
That does not apply in this particular case and Avery is right. This federal judge is going to dismiss it under the theory that Congress has the ability to correct this.
They have the ability to stop funding for this type of situation or they have the ability to seek impeachment of the president.
And the courts have historically and again now will not touch this. Clinton with Kosovo was the most recent case. It's absolutely going to get thrown out, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Interesting. All right, let's move on to another case and see if it really becomes one. This is so bizarre. This involves a kindergartener and a teacher and the allegation is this 5- year-old touched the teacher inappropriately.
Touching the teacher's thigh, this, Avery, after the teacher said that she had a thigh injury and saying this to a number of kids. And I guess instinctively this 5-year-old touched her leg, got expelled permanently.
FRIEDMAN: Instinctively. Yes.
WHITFIELD: Now what?
FRIEDMAN: I mean, this is --
WHITFIELD: And the kid's now in a private school. Is this right?
FRIEDMAN: It's still this wacky zero tolerance, which is really zany tolerance or zero intelligence. I mean, the fact is, it's a 5- year-old. She was complaining about her leg, he touches the leg.
Not only did they throw him out, but with a straight face, the lawyers for the First Philadelphia School for Literacy, not the First Philadelphia School for Common Sense, decided, yes, we have to expel this kid.
The judge, frankly, did the right thing saying, schools have broad discretion, but in this case, the school abused its discretion. The expulsion is thrown out sort of moot because he's now in a different school. But the judge has ordered it to mediation to try to get the case settled.
WHITFIELD: Interesting because now the kid is in a private school. You have to wonder, Richard, will parents say, this cost us a lot, not only just anguish, but now we're way paying for private school as a result of him being kicked out.
So when this mediation is involved, is there some restitution that will be demanded?
HERMAN: You know, Fred, your legal knowledge always comes up. I'll tell you.
FRIEDMAN: That's right. She's a professor.
HERMAN: That's a great argument and that's a great line. And I would definitely be pursuing that if I was advising the parents of this young boy, but this is the city of brotherly love.
Where's all the love? I don't know. The kid tried to help the teacher. He's 5 years old, 5 years old. But, you know, Fred, the problem here is the kid had a history of acting up in the class and apparently touched another student inappropriately one time. So this was an opportunity for the school board to get rid of this kid and that was really transparent.
WHITFIELD: Yes, they said there was precedence and that justified.
HERMAN: I think there will be monetary damages.
WHITFIELD: Interesting. OK, and then I know you've been watching this for a long time. We've been talking about it for years because there was one trial and now we're into another -- there you go with the head, Richard.
Rod Blagojevich, if it ends up going to the jury -- or if they have a decision next week, Richard, your call on this, acquittal or guilty on all account? HERMAN: Hung jury. Hung jury again, Fred. Someone on that jury likes him and they're not going to change.
WHITFIELD: Interesting. Avery?
FRIEDMAN: Theory, it's 11 out of 12 women. They're thinking acquittal or hung jury. I'm saying conviction. Let's see what happens next week.
WHITFIELD: Wow, let's see what happens. This was a very costly affair to have one trial and then yet pursue it for a second. I'm sure the prosecution wants -- I don't know. Wants some bang for their buck on all this. We'll see.
FRIEDMAN: We'll keep our eye on this Casey Anthony case.
WHITFIELD: And that, too. Of course, we're going to continue to watch that as the case continues today until about 1:00 or 2:00. Thanks so much, Avery, Richard.
FRIEDMAN: Good to have you back.
WHITFIELD: Thank you so much. Great to be back. Good to see you. All right, see you next weekend. Appreciate it.
All right, one group of fathers is taking a cue from generations of mothers. Find out what they learned and hear how it's helping them be better parents next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LCPL. ROBERT WIGGINTON, MARINES, AFGHANISTAN: I'm Robert Wigginton located in Afghanistan. I just want to give a happy Father's Day to my dad, Robby Wigginton. I love you, dad. Can't wait to see you. Happy Father's Day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: So who doesn't dream about being a race car driver? Well, I headed out to the Charlotte Motor Speedway with a couple of NASCAR's best who showed me the ropes face to face. This is what happens after 170 miles per hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: OK, I'm hooked. I want to be a race car driver.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was just a warm-up.
WHITFIELD: That is awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was just a warm-up.
WHITFIELD: That is so awesome. Wow. I thought maybe I was going to close my eyes. But then I didn't want to miss anything. That's so wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: I was kind of -- there was a dearth of words to describe it all because it was so invigorating and lovely and great. I loved it. Face to face with NASCAR's Jason Leffler and Joey Logano next weekend.
Our Reynolds Wolf, he had a chance to ride with some race car drivers --
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You really weren't scared?
WHITFIELD: No. I wasn't scared because I was with an expert. I mean, this guy, you know, Jason Leffler is among the best. He's among the best. What was I afraid of?
WOLF: Good point.
WHITFIELD: And you're in a cage. Even if you're in a crash, you know you're all right.
WOLF: Which might be useful to be in a car in a cage driving on 85 here in Atlanta during rush hour.
WHITFIELD: I loved it. I know you'll love it too when you got a chance to do it.
WOLF: Absolutely and I know that it can get very hot out there on the race track. It has been very hot across much of the U.S. In fact, take a look at the expected high temperatures that we have for today.
Fredricka, 103 in Dallas and El Paso, 104. That's the expected high. Houston, a little bit cooler, 98 degrees, but then you factor in the high humidity. Wow, it's going to feel like it's in the triple digits if not beyond.
One place where it's been very hot, of course, is in the desert southwest where we have fire threats. We got red flag warnings and watches in effect for seven different states.
The issue you have is not only the wildfires but you have very, very low humidity. In fact, the Dew points are in the single digits in some of these spots. Humidity levels are very, very low and with that going on, of course, the wind falling out of the southwest.
You can see the fires spread and of course, the smoke moving into parts of the central plains, even into Colorado. Many people have been able to smell the smoke from great distances, which of course, wreaks all kinds of havoc with respiratory problems.
Well, you can expect today also, chance of strong storms. We've already some have popped up across much of the southeast and into portions of the mid-Mississippi Valley. In fact, at this hour, we have a couple of severe thunderstorm watches that are now in effect for parts of Tennessee, into the Carolinas, even into Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas.
These would be in effect through the early evening hours, could have strong thunderstorms, some damaging winds, small hail and maybe even the possibility of flash flooding. That is a wrap on the forecast. Fred, let's pitch it back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much and happy Father's Day in advance for you.
WOLF: Thank you so much.
WHITFIELD: Appreciate that. All right, so as we celebrate our Fathers this is weekend, we wanted to tell you about a dad in New York who's not only a father of two, but also a Mr. Mom.
Jack Sullivan spent considerable time at home caring for his young sons to help boost his parenting skills. He joined a father's group. Well, that was 14 years ago and the group is still meeting today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JACK SULLIVAN, FATHER'S GROUP MEMBER FOR 14 YEARS: I've been having a lot of very chaotic feelings about being a father. My kids were only 4 years old, 5 years old at the time.
I was approached and was asked if I was interested in being in the group and so I just said, I'm there. If you want to start this group, you've got one guy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So what should I have done in this situation? I say, what happened?
SULLIVAN: Father's Group is a way for us to get feedback from each other, to talk about practical things, everything from changing diapers when our kids were little to now the college process.
STEVEN FIALKOFF, FATHER'S GROUP MEMBER FOR FIVE YEARS: The wives and children and parenting and jobs and -- meltdowns, kids coming home late at night, the internet. Movies and entertainment and what we don't talk about here are sickness and sexual things.
ROBIN BROMLEY, JACK SULLIVAN'S WIFE: Actually, I was a little jealous because I kept looking for mothers groups that were as good and I tried to, but they didn't hold.
SULLIVAN: I seem to always have something I either wanted to share that was wonderful or something to ask about because I was troubled.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He said he'd heard his son crying in his room and he walked in and said, what's the matter? Can I do something for you? And the kid said, yes, get mommy. Typical meeting is five or 10 minutes of aimless banter back and forth.
FIALKOFF: And then there's this pause and someone says, I've got something to say.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm still having difficulty with my daughter traveling by herself on --
RICHARD BARR, FATHER'S GROUP MEMBER FOR 14 YEARS: Fathers are often not taken as seriously as mothers in society and we all seem to want to take ourselves seriously as fathers.
CHRIS SCHUMACHER, FATHER'S GROUP MEMBER FOR 4 YEARS: I wanted to be an important part their upbringing. It was very important to me.
FIALKOFF: I was really tired of hearing my wife come back from her mommies groups getting advice about this and telling me how wrong I was about everything. And I wanted to come to like the guys group. I wanted to hear from them. They told me I was wrong about everything also.
SULLIVAN: The group has benefited me as a father mainly just by giving me an ongoing perspective. So it's just not a chaotic random bunch of events, some ecstatic, some deeply troubled that just happened and I don't know what to make of them.
BARR: You come away having bounced something off for people in the same kind of situation and maybe with a clearer idea of that you did handle it well or maybe you could have handled it a different way.
FIALKOFF: It's given me more confidence when I do say something to the kids. I feel like I have some back-up.
BARR: How are you when you're by yourself and do you pay more attention -- I try to say things that make sense and I'm always glad when I hear something that's useful that I can take back and do something with.
CHARLES BONERBO, FATHER'S GROUP MEMBER FOR 14 YEARS: I think at one level or another, people relate completely to everybody's experiences here. And I think that's what keeps the group going.
SULLIVAN: When I used to take my kids in the double stroller to the park and there would be -- if you're having difficulties being a father, if you just want to share the joys of being a father, a fathers group is a great thing.
It's a very natural, organic thing. It's not weird. It's something that can be not only valuable but something you really look forward to every week. I've been a better dad because of being in this group.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Washing your hands is routine for most of us, but what if you couldn't afford soap? This week's "CNN Hero" saw that need growing up as a refugee himself. Now he's trying to make sanitation a number one priority.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DERRECK KAYONGO, COMMUNITY CRUSADER (voice-over): A child of war can be simply described as a kid caught between a rock and a hard place. It's finding all your pieces and trying to put them back together. I do have something in common with these kids. You wake up every morning thinking, are you going to survive?
Sanitation is not a priority. We have about 2 million kids that die of sanitation issues mainly because they don't wash their hands. I am Derreck Kayongo. I'm a former refugee. Now I help people fight disease with basic sanitation.
You have some soap for me? This is great. The issue is not the availability of soap, but the issue is cost. Can they afford it? Eight hundred million bars of soap, the hotels throw away in the U.S. alone every year. We're able to get a lot of soap which we can process and make brand-new soap out of it. We clean it, melt it then cut it into bars. Box it and ship it.
Being here in Kenya at this orphanage is coming full circle but with good news. It's very important for them to have the soap and use it to fight off diseases. Those are clean. That's very good.
I've learned a sense of resilience from the kids. They have this sense of hope and joy that's remarkable. Do I feel like I'm having on impact on them? Yes, I think so.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: He's getting a big hug back. We always want to hear from you. Tell us about the heroes in your community. Send your nominations to cnn.com/heroes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF KATHERINE BIONDINI, ARMY, IRAQ: Hi, I'm Chief Katherine Biondini stationed at Joint Base, Iraq. I'd like to wish a happy Father's Day to my dad, Alfred Kelly in California and happy birthday, dad, 79. You're awesome. You're my hero and my example. I just love you. Wish all my friends there hello. Thanks for supporting me and God bless you all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Another look at our top stories. Casey Anthony's defense team puts its expert witness on the stand, Dr. Werner Spitz, a renowned forensic pathologist, testified about his examination of Caylee Anthony's remains. He says he believes the cause of death is unknown. The autopsy finding called the little girl's death a homicide. The trial resumes Monday morning.
And there is talk of a diplomatic breakthrough in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai told a youth group today the United States is involved in peace talks with the Taliban.
But U.S. officials could not be reached for comment. CNN's Barbara Starr says the U.S. is looking for insurgent leaders that it can work with to start negotiations.
And some other serious discussions are taking place today in an unlikely place. President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are holding their long-awaited golf summit.
The political rivals are expected to discuss several pressing issues including the debate over the U.S. debt ceiling and the NATO operation taking place in Libya.
And on a lighter note, President Barack Obama announced today that he has a second job now, assistant coach for his daughter Sasha's basketball team.
In his weekly address, the father-in-chief said kids want their fathers, quote, "to be a part of their lives." And he says he enjoys coaching even though Sasha rolls her eyes when he objects to the ref's calls.
Coming up later on in the CNN NEWSROOM, you may have a bucket list of things to do when you retire. But the real question is, can you afford it? That's at 2:00 Eastern Time. We'll have a financial expert along.
Also in honor of Father's Day, we're taking a medical look at the impact fathers have on their children.
Plus, is it worth your money to see the much talked about Ryan Reynolds flick the "Green Lantern"? We'll review that.
And "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.
