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Casey Anthony May be Set Free; How Air Traffic Control Works; Cheating Scandal in Atlanta; Defaulting on Purpose

Aired July 06, 2011 - 11:00   ET

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

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Live from Studio 7, I'm Suzanne Malveaux.

I want to get you up to speed for Wednesday, July 6th.

Casey Anthony could be a free woman this time tomorrow morning. Anthony sobbed and hugged her lawyers when a Florida jury found her not guilty of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee.

But Anthony is on the hook for lying to police. The judge will sentence her tomorrow, and experts say it's likely that Anthony will get credit for two and a half years that she has been in jail.

None of the 12 jurors would discuss the case, but an alternate did. He said the evidence just wasn't there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUSSELL HUEKLER, ALTERNATE JUROR, CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL: The prosecution did not prove their case. The question that was not answered, how did Caylee die? I think there was probably a lot of discussion that it was probably a horrific accident that dad and Casey covered up. And unfortunately, it did snowball and got away from them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Prosecutor Jeff Ashton says he's bitterly disappointed with the jury's verdict, and that is clearly etched on his face. Ashton told NBC's "Today Show" he must have mouthed the word "wow" five times.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF ASHTON, PROSECUTOR: We felt that was one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we had in the case, that was her actions, we felt -- and obviously the jury didn't agree, and we respect their opinion -- was just so completely inconsistent with any kind of accidental explanation for the death.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Ashton will retire at the end of the week. His move apparently was in the works he says before the verdict. Well, attorneys for Dominique Strauss-Kahn are meeting with New York prosecutors. That's happening today. These same prosecutors announced last week that the woman who accused the former IMF chief of sexual assault has credibility problems. Now, prosecutors must decide whether to go forward, pursue a plea, or drop the case.

A U.S. security official tells CNN that terrorists may have explosives surgically implanted inside their bodies to conduct suicide attacks. Now, the source says that new intelligence points to this possibility, but nothing appears imminent. The source says that the threat is more likely to come from overseas than within the United States.

Well, Georgia prosecutors are considering criminal charges in a major cheating scandal that has rocked Atlanta's public schools. A state investigation says 140 teachers and 38 principals were directly or indirectly involved. They changed wrong answers on standardized tests for years to boost school performance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. NATHAN DEAL (R), GEORGIA: Many of those cases could lead to criminal prosecutions. When educators have failed to uphold the public trust and students are harmed in the process, there will be consequences.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The International Olympic Committee will announce the host of the 2018 winter games in just a few minutes. Now, representatives from the three cities in the running made their final pitches to the IOC at a meeting in South Africa. That was earlier today.

Now, cities in Germany, France and South Korea are the finalists to host those 2018 games. We're going to go live to the winning city once it is announced.

It is the monster dust storm that ate Phoenix. Take a look.

We are talking winds gusting at hurricane strength, driving the dust storm through the heart of Phoenix and its suburbs, happening late Tuesday. Phoenix Airport had to shut down for an hour, and several thousand homes lost power.

Democracy's growing pains. This picture from Afghanistan.

Two women in parliament -- yes, you see it -- getting physical. One throwing a shoe, the other hurling a bottle of water. The fight erupted during a discussion of rocket attacks from neighboring Pakistan. Apparently, a very passionate topic.

Now back to Casey Anthony. And the question now, is this her final day behind bars after being acquitted of murder? The 25-year- old has a sentencing hearing -- that's happening tomorrow morning -- for just misdemeanor convictions. CNN's David Mattingly is outside the courthouse in Orlando.

David, you have been watching this very closely. What is the expectation about whether or not she's actually going to go free tomorrow?

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, those four counts of lying to officers, they each carry one year maximum in jail. She's already been in jail almost three years. It's possible the judge could just say time served and let her go free tomorrow.

If that's the case -- and that's just one scenario. But if that's the case, the Orange County Corrections Department says she won't be released like your typical inmate is once they are let go here at the courthouse because of the emotional intense scrutiny on this case.

They put out this statement saying, "Appropriate measures will be taken to release the acquitted into the community in such a manner so as to preserve the safety of the acquitted individual and the public." In other words, they're not going to be releasing any details about when, where or how Casey Anthony is going to be getting out of this jail, if she is let go by the judge tomorrow.

Now, even though if she does get out and becomes a free woman tomorrow, her legal problems are not over. Last night, she was actually served in a civil suit. This coming from a woman named Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, who shares the name with the fictitious nanny that Casey made up, claiming that this nanny, "Zanny the nanny," they called her, had taken off and had kidnapped her daughter Caylee. Well, now the real life Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez is suing her for defamation.

So, again, her legal problems will be continuing, this time in a civil court.

MALVEAUX: And David, it was really quite a circus atmosphere outside the courtroom. And we saw people who, every day, about 50 or so were trying to get seats just to watch this.

What is the community's reaction? Are there still folks out there, outside, milling about? Are they protesting? Are things back to normal?

MATTINGLY: The is shock and the reaction was fairly intense immediately after what happened in court. We saw a lot of people milling about her at the courthouse. But today, very calm. There's only been two or three people here in protest holding up a couple of signs.

Very quiet today compared to what we have seen every day that that trial was going on. That may change tomorrow as Casey Anthony comes back into court with the possibility that she could become a free woman tomorrow. But at this point, today, everything seems to be calm, which is exactly what Orange County authorities had wanted to see. MALVEAUX: All right. David Mattingly, outside the courthouse.

Thank you so much.

Well, the jurors who acquitted Casey Anthony, they're not saying anything. But one of the five alternates who sat through the trial but didn't take part in deliberations agrees with the verdict. He says that the case raised many questions about how the Anthony family behaved. But the prosecution, he says, didn't prove murder.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HUEKLER: This is a very dysfunctional family. OK? And they did not handle things well at all. Yes, we all believe -- and I'm pretty sure I can say this for all 17 of us -- there was some type of horrific accident, but they didn't handle it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: You're going to hear more of his comments at the bottom of the hour. Plus, we're going to get reaction to those comments from two attorneys. They also discussed the performances of the state, as well as defense lawyers, and of course the stunning verdict.

Here is your chance to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day. I think everybody is talking act this. It was a bombshell verdict. And the question being, was justice served in the Anthony trial?

Carol Costello with us.

Carol, everybody has been talking about this nonstop.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It seems that way, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: It is.

COSTELLO: It's crazy. Even people who are talking about it deny it later because they are kind of embarrassed about it. But they are thinking about it. It's out there.

Casey Anthony might be a free woman as soon as tomorrow, found not guilty of murder. She could be sentenced to time served for lying to investigators. If that happens, Orlando cops already have a plan in place to sneak her out of the courtroom for her own protection.

Not accusing anyone, but the emotion surrounding this case is frenzied.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know if they are watching the same thing we were. It's just shocking. I don't know. I don't watch anything like this, but the little girl -- it's just wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: A jury found Casey Anthony not guilty. An alternate juror telling us the big question that was not answered, how did Caylee die? But in the proverbial court of public opinion, Anthony is guilty as sin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Most people she was guilty. Even the prosecution thought it was a slam-dunk.

You know what I think happened here? And this is -- apparently, what happened was, the O.J. jury retired and moved to Florida. This is their first time back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: One thing for sure, you have not heard the last of Casey Anthony. Some think she'll write a tell-all book or even star in a reality TV show, and she will make millions of dollars. If she does, it is her right. She was found not guilty by a jury of her peers.

It brings us to our "Talk Back Question of the Day." Was justice served in the Anthony trial?

Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read some of your comments later this hour.

MALVEAUX: I can't wait, Carol. I can't wait for some of those comments.

COSTELLO: They're already pouring in.

MALVEAUX: I can imagine. Thanks, Carol.

Here's a rundown of some of the stories that we're covering in the next two hours.

First, Olympic excitement, it is growing. The announcement to determine which city is going to host the 2018 Winter Games, that's expected any minute now.

And teachers and principals caught cheating. I ask Atlanta's mayor if he thinks the pressure of standardized testing is to blame.

Then, happy homecoming. What did an aide of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords say on his first day back to work after a bullet nearly took his life in Tucson?

And homeowner heartache, why people default on their loans on purpose.

And later, inside Air Traffic Control. See what happens behind the scenes when your flight is delayed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As the weather moves, we have to start then proactive long turn to get it in a position so we can get it into the airport and they're not delayed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: A dramatic cockpit conversation has been released between a pilot and air traffic controllers after a six-foot hole ripped open on a flight from Phoenix. Southwest Flight 812 was heading to Sacramento in April when, just a few minutes into the flight, the pilot declared an emergency. The roof of the Boeing 737 had ripped open, leaving a gaping hole in the fuselage.

Well, the plane quickly descended from 36,000 feet to 10,000 feet as the pilot tried to figure out where to land.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

PILOT: Apparently we have got a hole in the fuselage in the back of the airplane.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER 1: We need, like, 10,000 feet. Can you approve that? He's doing it anyway.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER 2: Yes, approved.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER 1: He's descending to 10,000.

PILOT: Probably going to turn around and go back to Phoenix.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The pilot landed the flight in Yuma a short time later with all the passengers on board safe.

Well, every day conversations not quite as dramatic as that one are going on between pilots and air traffic controllers. Weather has a huge effect on flight paths.

Our CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano went behind the scenes at an air traffic control center to see what goes on.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST (voice-over): Fifty thousand aircraft fly through our national airspace every day. Getting them around safely all starts with Air Traffic Control in towers like this one at Dulles.

Control towers get planes in and out of airports. Once out of sight, at higher altitudes, it's a whole other ball game.

(on camera): You think of Air Traffic Control, you think of an airport tower with lots of windows. But when your plane gets above 14,000 feet, the people talking to it are sitting right here. And it's pretty dark.

(voice-over): It's dark so controllers can focus on their radar screens --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Delta 11, descend and maintain flight level 240.

MARCIANO: -- and the radio that is link them to pilots.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Delta 11, descend and maintain flight level 240.

MARCIANO: This is one of 22 control centers that direct air traffic across the U.S. Each one covers a lot of territory.

TERRY BIGGIO, FAA AIR TRAFFIC MANAGER: Over eight states, 285 general -- or 285 airports within Atlanta center airspace.

MARCIANO: At any time, each controller handles 10 to 15 aircraft, guiding them away from other planes and often away from bad weather.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A cold front is approaching our airspace from the Northwest. Some scattered thunderstorms already out ahead of it over Alabama.

MARCIANO: Meteorologists brief controllers throughout the day. The goal here is to get the planes where they need to be safely and on time. Mother Nature makes it complicated.

JOSEPH A. HAMBRITE, FAA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR: As the weather moves, we have to start them in proactive long turn to get into positions that we can still get it into the airport and minimize the delays.

MARCIANO: During bad storms, traffic managers have to move entire lanes of air travel.

HAMBRITE: Good morning, Atlanta.

MARCIANO: That requires talking to the command center in Virginia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, listen. That route we've got that keeps them off of Memphis --

HAMBRITE: Right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- from the West --

HAMBRITE: Right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- somebody said you want to get rid of that.

HAMBRITE: Well, at some point, that weather is moving south.

MARCIANO: Which explains why your flight may be delayed, even when the weather at the airport you are flying out of is perfect.

Rob Marciano, CNN, Hampton, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: And we are now going to go to the announcement, potential announcement here, taking place just within minutes here. The head of the IOC to make the announcement, who will host the winter 2018 Olympic games.

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The International Olympic Committee has the honor of announcing that the 23rd Olympic winter games in 2018 are awarded to the city of Pyeongchang.

(APPLAUSE)

MALVEAUX: You have just been watching the announcement made. That is, Pyeongchang, South Korea, the winner of hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics, beating out Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France.

We are going to go to Pyeongchang, South Korea, after a quick break to get reaction from the folks there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: A cheating scandal has rocked Atlanta public schools. A state investigation has found that dozens of teachers and principals altered student test results.

Our CNN's Ed Lavandera, he's been looking into this.

And Ed, it's absolutely astounding when you take a look at these numbers. I had a chance last week to talk to Atlanta's mayor, Kasim Reed, and he said he's not going to be satisfied until really this is fully addressed.

Is this a really big problem here in Atlanta?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, absolutely. There's no question about that. And I think people are wondering just how far and how widespread this all is. And the mayor of Atlanta saying that the results of this yearlong investigation is the culmination of their worst fears coming true.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Two years ago, the head of Atlanta Public Schools, Beverly Hall, was named the country's top superintendent. Back then, she was credited for turning the Atlanta system into a model of urban school reform and accomplishing significant gains in student achievement. But Georgia's governor says the state's just completed investigation into the Atlanta school district's standardized testing process found widespread fraud dating back almost 10 years.

GOV. NATHAN DEAL (R), GEORGIA: Testing and results and targets being reached became more important than actual learning on the part of children. And when reaching targets became the goal, it was a goal that was pursued with no excuses.

LAVANDERA: According to the report, cheating was found in 44 of 56 schools investigated, involving almost 180 principals and teachers. Some of those educators could face criminal charges.

Superintendent Hall stepped down from her job in June. But in a farewell video message, she suggested the culprits acted alone.

BEVERLY HALL, FORMER ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: Segment of our staff chose to violate the trust that was placed in them. And let me be clear -- there is simply no excuse for unethical behavior and no room in this district for unethical conduct.

LAVANDERA: According to the investigative report, some teachers told investigators they felt pressured to cheat on the standardized test, and school district officials missed significant and clear warning signs of test score tampering.

Atlanta's interim superintendent says any educator who cheated should never teach in the city's schools again.

ERROLL DAVIS, INTERIM APS SUPERINTENDENT: We have cheated students. This angers us all. It is hard for us to quantify and often express that anger.

LAVANDERA: Across the city of Atlanta, parents of schoolchildren are dismayed by the investigation's findings.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They clearly did not do their job and they accused their power.

DR. MARK ELGART, SOUTHERN ASSOC. OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS: It's a sad comment about what happens when adults put their own individual interest ahead of the children they serve.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Ed, that's an extraordinary report that you did.

And I want to show you -- because I asked Mayor Reed about this, whether or not they believe that this pressure for meeting standardized tests, these tests that evaluate teachers in the schools, had any impact in moving these teachers towards doing something just as horrific as this. Take a listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Do you think Obama administration's approach, when they use standardized tests to measure education for students, does that help or hurt Atlanta teachers and students, maybe some teachers who feel they're under pressure to go ahead and cheat because they have got to meet those standardized tests for their kids?

MAYOR KASIM REED, ATLANTA: I don't think there's ever an excuse for an adult to cheat. So I just don't buy the notion that we can't perform.

I think the administration's objectives in the testing space are fair and have shown a clear roadmap, if you will, for progress. So, I don't think you ever use the excuse of pressure to cheat. Certainly, if you are in the education field, but really if you're in the arena. So I really don't buy that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Ed, those folks you talked to, I mean, is that what they are saying? Are they saying that's the reason why they did this?

LAVANDERA: Well, and I think this is more than just an Atlanta story. You know, this is something that resonates across the country.

When you see that, across the country, this push towards standardized testing and teachers' performance reviews, perhaps salaries tied in with this, and some people say look, you're opening the door for this kind of potential behavior. Obviously, there are 3,000 employees in the Atlanta school system. Just how widespread and how prolific all of this was, I mean, you probably get a pretty good sense of how bad it was in these 56 schools.

Not all of them were they found cheating. I think in 44 out of the 56. But it's something that I think wherever you live in the country, that's why you want to pay close attention to what's happening here.

MALVEAUX: And those teachers, could they face criminal charges?

LAVANDERA: They could face criminal charges. In fact, a lot of this information is being passed over to local district attorneys' offices. They will begin those investigations.

You've got issues of fraud and that sort of thing. So, really, from the top down, a lot of people facing -- also involving teachers who lied.

A lot of people confessed when they were confronted by these investigators, came out admitted to wrongdoing. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the legal system. But the potential for criminal charge, very real right here.

MALVEAUX: And you brought up a really good point. During the break, you were saying it's still unclear whether or not these teachers would be able to teach again in a different place. They've got to kind of sort all of that stuff out. LAVANDERA: Yes, they have to. And then they have to kind of figure out, you know, how does this become part of their permanent record so that if they move to Alaska or if they move to California, another place, make sure that those school districts know these teachers' background and these educators' background as well.

MALVEAUX: Sure. All right. Excellent reporting. Thanks, Ed.

LAVANDERA: You got it. Thanks.

MALVEAUX: Appreciate it.

Well, just seconds ago, we showed you it live. The International Olympic Committee picking Pyeongchang, South Korea, to host the 2018 Olympic winter games. Two other cities to bid were Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France.

Want to go to CNN's Paula Hancocks, who's in Pyeongchang.

Paula, what was the reaction there?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Suzanne, it was pure, unadulterated joy from the residents of Pyeongchang here. As soon as the word "Pyeongchang" was mentioned by the IOC chairman, everybody just erupted.

They jumped out of their seats and everybody cheered. It was sheer joy, and then two minutes of fireworks carried out just after the announcement as well.

This has been a long time coming for this city. It is the third time in a row that they have tried for the Winter Olympics.

They basically have been trying for the Winter Olympics for the past decade. And finally, they have succeeded.

Now, everybody I've spoken to this evening said that they believe they did have the best bid. They believe they do have the best venues, and they believe that their government is going to put the most amount of money into this Winter Olympics.

So everyone here is absolutely delighted. It's coming up to about 1:00 in the morning here. Some people heading home, but some look as though they're going to be here for a little while longer -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: I think that party is going to go on just a little bit longer there, Paula.

Now, they have been trying for at least a decade, but they were widely seen as a favorite this time around. How come?

HANCOCKS: Well, they have changed a lot over the past couple of bids. Certainly, they tried eight years ago.

They improved to go for the bid again years ago. And they've improved once again the infrastructure. And more money is being pumped into this region.

And this particular area has become quite famous around Asia for winter sports. A lot of people come from Asia to come skiing in South Korea.

Now, outside of Asia, that might sound a bit bizarre. But within Asia, it is very popular.

And, of course, Pyeongchang was never a household name. It is now, and certainly that name recognition is going to stick, and people will realize that this is a country that does take Winter Olympics very seriously.

There were four people involved in this bid, four people from South Korea who had won gold medals at the Vancouver Olympics. So, certainly, it is taken very seriously here.

MALVEAUX: All right. Well, I have a feeling you'll be at that party for a little bit longer.

Congratulations to those folks in South Korea.

We'll have much more after the break.

Thanks, Paula.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Right now, let's get back to the story everybody seems to be talking about today -- the stunning verdict in Casey Anthony's murder trial. She could be free tomorrow after being found not guilty of killing her two-year-old daughter.

Defense attorney and former prosecutor Holly Hughes, she's joining us here in Atlanta. And criminal defense attorney Richard Herman is with us from Las Vegas.

We want to focus on why the jurors acquitted Casey Anthony. Members of the jury, they're not talking. But one of the alternate jurors is.

Let's take a listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUSSELL HUEKLER, ALTERNATE JUROR: The prosecution did not prove their case. I big question was not answered. How did Caylee die? I think there was probably a lot of discussion. It was a horrific accident that dad and Casey covered up. Unfortunately, it did snowball and got away from them.

From what we understand from the testimony that there was -- well, it was such a horrific accident, they didn't know how to deal with it. The family appeared to be very dysfunctional and instead of admitting it, look, there was an accident, they chose to hide it for whatever reason. Very combative, you know, with the -- with Mr. Baez many times. You could tell -- I personally thought he was hiding something.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you believe Caylee Anthony's remains were in Casey's car? in the trunk?

HUEKLER: I had a hard time believing that especially with just one hair being found. I don't think there was evidence of the chloroform, you know. I meant to say I personally didn't buy it because I thought there was such low levels that could have been attributed to possibly cleaning products. And then with the one hair and when they were showing pictures of the stain, I didn't see a picture of a stain. It could have been decomposing material.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about --

HUEKLER: If George was, you know, with him being an ex-police officer, if he would have smelled the decomposing body when they picked up the car from the tow yard, you know, why didn't and why didn't the tow driver call law enforcement right away? Why did they take the vehicle home and try to clean it? A number of law enforcement officers that responded to the July the 15th and none of them smelled the odor.

(INAUDIBLE) the air sample, I don't think it was -- it was hard for me to accept that there had been a body in the car.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So that That was from an alternate juror who heard all the testimony, he saw all the evidence. He did not take part in the deliberations. But his statements shed some light on what the jury may have been thinking.

So I want to go through his statement point by point. Let's bring in our defense attorney and former prosecutor Holly Hughes and criminal defense attorney Richard Herman to kind of help dissect this.

The first point that he made, the prosecution did not prove their case. Richard?

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Yes, they did not prove their case, obviously. I mean, this jurisdiction has a 95 percent conviction rate. This jury came back with a flash verdict. They did not ask for read backs. They didn't want any evidence. They didn't ask the judge to explain any of the instructions. They made their mind up. No way, no how did they connect Casey Anthony to the duct tape, did they even believe in chloroform, did they believe she had anything to do with the killing.

And while the prosecution did not have to put up a motive, but they did. It was the bella vita, the good life. They basically said Casey had two choices, either be a mom or kill your child to be a party girl and the jury thought it was preposterous. They didn't buy it and they did not believe George Anthony, based on this juror, and I believe the other jurors will not -- will have major problems with the integrity of George Anthony.

MALVEAUX: OK. Holly, you were pretty confident they were essentially going to put her away and find her guilty.

HOLLY HUGHES, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Yes.

MALVEAUX: He says they didn't make their case. Do you agree or disagree?

HUGHES: No, I still disagree with the jury's verdict. You know, I stick by what I said in the first place. But Jose Baez, let's face it, the defense brought it and the jury bought it.

So no matter what you think of his style or how much stuff he kind of threw at the wall, you know, there's an old saying here in the south, that even a blind hawk can find an acorn in the forest from time to time.

So, you know, no matter how much those of on the outside said, wow, he's kind of like a blind hawk. Guess what? He found the acorns, he through them in front of the jury and they said, we agree with you, Mr. Baez. There's reasonable doubt here and we can't convict on the evidence.

MALVEAUX: Yes. There are some people saying they were throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what would stick, something similar to that.

I want to bring in the second point here, Richard. They say that George Anthony was combative, that he was hiding something.

Did you see anything like that?

HERMAN: Well, you know, did you believe George Anthony? I mean, was he believable? I can't believe they brought him up to the stand 15 times. Holly, I have never seen anything like that, any trials I have done. You'd be lucky to get a witness back maybe one more time for a very limited area, limited scope.

But by bringing them back and forth, back and forth, George got kind of exposed and blown up at the end of the trial with River, whatever her name is and the jury just didn't buy it. Cruz, excuse me, how could I forget that? And after that, I think his integrity was shot. But this juror thought there was some a horrific accident. There was no evidence of a horrific accident and there was no trauma to the skeletal remains.

But, look, Holly, we've seen it all. I mean, they focus on something and -- unbelievable.

MALVEAUX: Holly, how do you explain that, the George Anthony role in this?

HUGHES: OK. You know what? This is a runaway jury, is what we're looking at, because they're coming up with theories that there's just no evidence of. And Richard's right. Suzanne, I have never -- we counted, there was 19 times those three family members were called to the stand -- 19 times. That's insanity. Put them on the stand, get what you need and get him off the stand because otherwise you expose them and that's what happened.

Here you've got a defense attorney cross examining a man who he's accused of being a child rapist. Mr. Anthony, you raped your child when she was eight, didn't you, oh, but by the way, keep talking. So, yes, absolutely. And Richard, how could you forget River Cruz? I said we all need an alias. I actually gave one to Suzanne. She's car ride and I'm train trip. And River Cruz. So there you have it.

MALVEAUX: Richard, I've got another question for you.

On the third point there, the juror said that they didn't believe that Caylee's body was actually in the trunk of Casey's car and there was much made about the whole notion of this decomposing body and the smell and everything.

Why do you suppose that didn't stick? Why do you suppose they didn't believe that?

HERMAN: You know, Suzanne, it's junk science. We've been saying it from the beginning. The defense's position here was to rebut the forensic experts of the prosecution, give them an alternative explanation and confuse them. And that's exactly what the defense experts did.

Spitz was fantastic and they confused the jury so much to the point that they didn't believe the forensics. They didn't believe in the sniffer machine that was used for the first time in the history of courts anywhere in the world. They just didn't go with it and therefore they believe the body was there. And they have no explanation how the body got to the swamp. And they don't care. They don't believe it was Casey. There was some horrific accident, obviously, and someone disposed of the body.

MALVEAUX: I've got to ask both of you guys because we've been covering this for weeks now. And, both of you guys, how did you get this so wrong? I mean, this is exactly the opposite of what you had anticipated, Holly.

HUGHES: Absolutely. And you know why? Because the 12 people sitting in the box are human beings and human beings are funny animals. I mean, we can sit out here on the outside and guess all day long, but it depends on who you pick and put in that box. And no matter what you predict sometimes you're just not going to get it right.

I still think there's enough to -- had I been on the jury we'd still be in there duking it out, quite frankly, Suzanne, OK? We'd be hanging that jury because there's no way I'm saying you get to go free. You're the last person seen with your baby. She ends up dead in a swamp less than a quarter mile where you live in clothes that only you had access to. You know, I'm telling you. HERMAN: Holly, you to --

MALVEAUX: We cannot retry this.

HERMAN: Holly, you're too close to Nancy Grace. You're too close. You're too close to Nancy Grace.

Listen, there was -- Suzanne, it was a perfect storm. That's all I can say. Between the jury, between Baez, everything. And, look, the jury has spoken, but I don't think this judge is going to let her out tomorrow. I just don't see it.

MALVEAUX: OK. Well we're going to see what happens.

HERMAN: I'll be wrong again, but who knows.

MALVEAUX: All right. That could be very well true.

Richard, Holly, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

An emotional homecoming in Arizona. A staff member of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords returns to work to a standing ovation after a bullet nearly took his life.

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MALVEAUX: Time to head Cross Country for stories CNN affiliates are covering.

Our first stop is Boston. "Whitey" Bulger has a 2:00 court appearance today. He's going to be arraigned on 19 murder charges. Prosecutors say he was the boss of a south Boston Irish gang before disappearing in 1995. He was caught last month in California.

An aide to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has returned back to work in Tucson, Arizona. He was wounded along with Giffords in a January 8th shooting that left six people dead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was very emotional coming in. I was a little bit nervous. The staff has been through a lot, too, but there's a special relationship between those of us who were shot that day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We'll never be normal again, but it felt like it was beginning to close the healing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And Montana's governor declared a state of emergency in seven counties. It's because of the ruptured pipeline that caused tens of thousands of gallons of oil to gush into the Yellowstone River last Friday. Exxon Mobil says that oil has been found 25 miles from the leak site, but the state says it's found oil 90 miles away.

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MALVEAUX: The housing market is actually showing signs of life with home prices increasing now for the first time in eight months in April. Now that's according to the latest S&P Case-Schiller index.

But with many homeowners under water on their mortgage, there are some folks who just can't wait to sell and are simply walking away.

Alison Kosik is here with the "Top Tips" on those who are actually defaulting on their homes on purpose.

Alison, is that ever a good idea?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: You know what? It's not really the best option, but sometimes these homeowners have no choice, Suzanne. You know, lots of homeowners, they're strapped for cash. They may be thinking, you know what, I'm just going to walk away from my home because I'm thinking it's a good option.

And what it's really called is it's called a strategic default. It's basically when a homeowner chooses not to pay their mortgage and goes into foreclosure on purpose. And experience says, you know what? This is still pretty popular for people to do; it's accounting for 17 percent of all defaults in the second quarter of last year.

But as you mentioned, there are downsides, big downsides to walking away. So Carman Wong-Ulrich, she's the author of "The Real Cost of Living," she's got a few tips if you're planning to foreclose as part of a financial strategy.

First, she says take a look at all your mortgage modification options. Talk with your lender and ask about a loan modification. You can also talk to a non-profit housing counselor, and you can find one through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling at nfcc.org, and at the Department of Housing and Urban Development site, and you can find that at hud.gov.

Also, Ulrich says there's another option before you walk, if you have another place to live, consider renting out your home to cover costs while offering it for a short sale -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Now, Alison, wouldn't that impact your credit in some way? I mean, couldn't that really destroy your credit?

KOSIK: It really could. You know, and John Ulzheimer of SmartCredit.com, he gives the harsh realities of it. He says you really should remember that walking away from your home is reported as a foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure, depending on how you left it with your lender, and either one of those will stay on your credit report for seven years. He says you will most likely not be able to get a mortgage for at least seven years, and if it's considered a strategic default, it could be as much as 11 years.

So if you have to foreclose or you're planning to foreclose, Ulrich says make sure you secure another place to live, most likely a rental, before your credit takes that hit -- Suzanne. MALVEAUX: Wow, that is a heavy price to pay.

Alison, I want you to stay with us, because I want to ask you about the emotional toil that this must take if you actually are faced with foreclosing your home and you have to make that kind of decision.

We're going to have more on that just ahead.

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MALVEAUX: We're back with Alison Kosik.

And, Alison, foreclosures can obviously take an emotional toll on folks. Do you have any advice people who are forced to make that kind of decision?

KOSIK: Well, if foreclosure, Suzanne, is the only answer, just know that it's not the financial end of your financial life. It can be incredibly stressful, you know, personally and financially to maintain a home that's been devalued. And for some, you know what? There's little choice than to just let go of it.

So the advice is keep up on all of your other credit obligations. And after the foreclosure, Ulrich says your credit is going to hit rock bottom, but then you have the freedom and ability to start over and get finances under control.

So there still is hope, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: OK, thank you, Alison.

Well, you've have been sounding off on our "Talk Back" verdict. It was a bombshell verdict, but was justice served in the Casey Anthony case?

Carol Costello with your responses.

Hi, Carol.

COSTELLO: Got a lot of responses, Suzanne.

This one from Katie. She says, "Yes the prosecution's case wasn't strong enough to prove she killed her child and the defense was able to put some large holes in the case against Anthony. That's that as far as I'm concerned."

This from Joy, "The jury did the best they could based on what the D.A. gave them. There was not enough to prove murder, no time, place or method of death; no physical evidence linking the victim to the defendant. Bad behavior and lying do not equal murder."

This from Ronald, "No, something is terribly wrong and someone in the Anthony family knows what happened to that little one."

This from Christopher, "This is justice. The state had to prove 100 percent that she murdered her child. They could only prove she was not mother of the year and a compulsive liar. Liars do not equal murderers."

This from Virginia, "At the end of the day, she is a no-good 25- year-old that has shown no remorse when her daughter went missing. Her day will come and so will her family's, even if it's years for now. I feel bad for the next baby she has."

Keep the conversation going, Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I will be back your way in about 15 minutes.

MALVEAUX: All right. Very strong responses either way. Thank you, Carol. Appreciate it.

COSTELLO: Sure.

MALVEAUX: Former Governor Mike Huckabee might not be running for president, but it doesn't mean his daughter won't be out on the campaign trail. That story and more on our CNN Political Ticker.

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MALVEAUX: Of course, every presidential candidate is scrambling to stock their campaign war chest, but one Republican seems to be leading the pack.

Paul Steinhauser, part of the "The Best Political Team on Television," live from the Political Desk in Washington.

Hey, Paul, who is leading?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: That man is Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor. He announced this morning, $18.25 million, that's what his campaign has raised in the last three months, Suzanne.

And that was a lot more than any rivals have so far announced as they have been raising money as well for the GOP nomination. It's a little less bit than Romney raised four years ago when he was making his first bid for the White House, but again, a lot more than any of his rivals.

Now, Romney, what is he going to do now? He's going to London, England to raise more money. He's got some fundraisers today and tomorrow in London, England. So we'll keep our eyes on him.

Hey, one person who has not announced their money yet, that is Michele Bachmann, the congresswoman from Minnesota. All eyes will be on her to see how much she has raised, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: And even though Mike Huckabee is not running, it sounds like his daughter is still going to be out on the campaign trail. What is that about, Paul?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, Huckabee, you know, we were keeping our eyes on him, the former Arkansas governor, to see if he would run again for the Republican nomination. Earlier this year he said no, he would not. His daughter, though, she is a Republican operative in her own right. She worked on his campaign in '08 in Arkansas, in Iowa, remember, when he won the caucuses there. Well, the Tim Pawlenty announcing that she now will be his political director and she will emphasize Iowa. Of course, Iowa a crucial state for Tim Pawlenty as he tries to win the nomination -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right, Paul, thanks. Good to see you.

For all the latest political news, you know where to go, CNNPolitics.com.