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NEW DAY

Israel's Defense Minister Resigns; Trial Underway for El Chapo; Lawsuit Filed by Roberson Family; Storm to Hit Eastern U.S. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired November 14, 2018 - 06:30   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:32:02] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: We're following some breaking news for you right now.

The Air Force is investigating the crash landing of a military training plane Tuesday night at Laughlin Air Base in Texas. Officials say one pilot was killed and another injured in this crash. Laughlin is home base for the 85th Flying Training Squadron and that trains about 150 students each year.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: We have more breaking news.

Israel's defense minister has resigned over a cease-fire deal, which brought an end to the most intense round of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since 2014.

Our Arwa Damon is live in Gaza City with the breaking details.

Arwa, what have you learned?

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it would seem that the Israeli defense minister was saying that the agreement to the cease-fire deal was amounting to a surrender to terrorism and that he felt that Israel's response to the launching of some 400 rockets from Gaza, where we are right now, into Israeli territory, that Israel's response to that was insufficient.

Now, in response to that, we did see over 100 strikes from Israel on specific locations the Israelis would tell you here in Gaza. Whether they are military installations, strategic buildings, or even Hamas' TV station, which is actually right behind us, pretty much reduced to rubble. Although earlier this morning we did see their morning broadcast moving forward.

As for residents here in Gaza, that cease-fire deal was really met with such relief. They didn't know up until the point that it was actually announced, both by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, whether or not it would be going through. They didn't know if they would have to suffer through another night of this constant barrage of air strikes.

We spoke to some parents earlier this morning who were describing just how terrified their children were, but also saying that before launching these various different strikes, the Israelis were actually warning residents to leave these various locations.

But there is this sense that perhaps this cease-fire deal is really just temporary. It's just a pause in what has been this ongoing cycle of escalations of violence in these temporary ceasefires. And what people here really want to see is a lifting of the siege on Gaza, an improvement in basic services and a move towards something that is perhaps more sustainable, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Arwa, thank you so much for bringing us that report from Gaza City with that incredible backdrop behind you. We'll check back with you.

So, in just hours, opening statements resume in one of the biggest criminal trials in decades. On Tuesday, prosecutors began laying out their case against the alleged Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzman. Security for the trial has been unprecedented.

So let's go to CNN's Athena Jones. She's outside the U.S. district court in Brooklyn.

What you have been seeing, Athena?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Alisyn.

That's right, day two kicking off in just a few hours with the defense set to complete their opening statement.

Now, yesterday Guzman's lawyers claim -- said that the claim that he is a biggest drug dealer in the world is false. They say the real mastermind behind the Sinaloa Cartel is a man named Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who they said -- who they claimed had been bribing Mexican presidents, past and present. Something that Mexican -- two Mexican presidents, Felipe Calderon and Enrique Pena Nieto, have denied.

[06:35:17] We're now learning in a new filing that the prosecution has submitted a motion to strike that opening statement by the defense, saying it's an example of professional misconduct because they made argument, they did not make -- keep their statements to the evidence and they made statements that are not going to be supported by proof at trial. So it will be interesting to see what happens when things kick off here today.

I should mention, federal prosecutors yesterday, in laying out their case, said that Guzman was a hands-on, involved boss in this criminal operation which they called the largest such operation in the world. They said that Guzman had his own private army and that sometimes he himself pulled the trigger, citing a diamond-incrusted handgun, a gold-plated assault rifle.

So a lot of details happening in this trial, which, as you said, is taking place under very, very heavy security with bomb-sniffing dogs, federal marshals and metal detectors to enter the courtroom and the courthouse. And we know that two jurors were dismissed yesterday. So a lot going on already just as this trial begins its second day. John.

BERMAN: All right, Athena Jones for us in Brooklyn. High drama just beginning there at that trial. Thanks for watching it for us.

A security guard who had detained a suspected gunman was fatally shot by police when they arrived on the scene. So what went wrong here? How the victim's family is responding, next.

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[06:40:28] BERMAN: Illinois State Police are investigating the police- involved shooting death of a black security guard. Jemel Roberson was working at a bar on Sunday when someone opened fire. Police responded to the scene. While Roberson was subduing a suspect, that's when an officer shot and killed Roberson.

Joining us now is the attorney for Jemel Roberson's family, Gregory Kulis. He filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family.

Sir, thank you very much for being with us.

I gave a brief synopsis of what happened at the bar. Why don't you lay out your view of the case. You say Jemel, he was just trying to save people lives.

GREGORY KULIS, ATTORNEY FOR JEMEL ROBERSON'S FAMILY: Good morning, John.

Yes, in the early morning hours, Jemel was working security at the club. He had worked there previously. There came a point in time when an instance occurred within the bar. There were some patrons that I believe came back in the bar, at least that is what was reported. One of them had a handgun. Some things occurred. A bartender was shot. Another security was shot -- another security officer was shot. People started to exit the bar. I believe that there was a call of a shooting inside a club. Several police departments responded. One of the police departments, Roberson (ph) was on the scene already.

Jemel, as I understand it, exited the side entrance of the club and apprehended one of the suspects. He had one of the suspects at bay on the ground when an officer came in the front door, which I was told was with an AR-15 or something of that sort, jumped on the bar and started flashing the gun at patrons in the bar. In fact, pointed the gun at one of the security officers who promptly told him, look, look, I'm security, I'm security. He jumped off the bar, exited the bar, saw Jemel having somebody apprehended. At that point I think he raised his rifle and yelled, at least that's some of the reports. Before anything else occurred, several people, including one of the witnesses, who told me he was standing within an arm's length of the officer, started screaming, he's security, he's security, he's security. The officer raised his rifle and -- or automatic weapon and fired, ultimately killing Jemel.

BERMAN: Was Jemel Roberson wearing anything that identified him as security? KULIS: It was my understanding, and there's been some different

reports that even I have not seen -- you know, I have not had a chance to obtain anything from the Cook County Morgue or what he was wearing, but I was informed that he was wearing all black with some type of markings indicating he was security, including a -- kind of a ski winter hat, which had security blazoned across it.

BERMAN: Has the family been told anything about the investigation at this point? You have heard whether there was dash cam or body cam or any audio evidence from the scene?

KULIS: That's one of the issues. No one has told Mrs. Roberson, the family, or really the public anything. We filed a lawsuit directly to get some answers. I don't know if there was body cam. I'm -- today -- last night actually we filed a motion, which we'll hopefully be presenting this week, to have other departments preserve any and all evidence that they have. I don't know if a squad car might have been rolling in right when this occurred and there might be some dash cam. We don't know. No one has reported whether there's dash -- whether there is any dash cam or body cam.

BERMAN: Let me read you a statement from the Midlothian Police chief after the shooting. He said Jemel Roberson was a brave man who was doing his best to end an active shooter situation at Manny's Blue Room. The Midlothian Police Department is complexly saddened by this tragic incident and we give our heartfelt condolences to Jemel, his family and friends. There are no words that can be expressed as to the sorrow his family is dealing with.

What's the family's reaction to that statement?

KULIS: They appreciate that. They appreciate that. But here was -- here was actually a man who was a hero. He more than likely saved some other peoples' lives. He went to work that evening to provide for he and his family and himself. He did what he was supposed to do. He saved people's lives. He's a hero. And, unfortunately, we have an officer who made truly a bad choice in firing and killing.

BERMAN: Do you think race -- do you think race was a factor here?

KULIS: I don't -- I don't know. I don't want to necessarily infuse race into this situation. Some people have attempted to do that. At this point, we're looking at whether the police officer had a right to shoot and use deadly and lethal force.

[06:45:09] BERMAN: Let me just ask you, because we don't know you. You've had a chance to get to know his family. What does his family say, what kind of man was Jemel Roberson?

KULIS: Well, not only speaking for his family, I've spoken to some of his co-workers, some people that have known him. I've spoken to two of his pastors. He's a man who loved -- loved music. He had aspirations of being a law enforcement officer. There was talk that he was thinking about trying to apply to the Chicago Police Department. So he -- he had aspirations in life. He enjoyed doing some security work. He played the organ. He loved music. He loved to play the organ. He played, as I know, in several churches. In fact, the morning of the incident I believe he was supposed to show up that morning to play at church services but did not show up because he was killed.

BERMAN: All right, Gregory Kulis, attorney for the family, thank you very much for being with us. Please send our condolences to his family.

KULIS: I will. Thank you, John.

BERMAN: All right, we'll be right back

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:50:16] CAMEROTA: OK, now to a weather alert.

A storm packing snow, ice and rain is about to hit the eastern half of the country, and that could mean big delays if you're traveling anywhere this week.

So let's get to meteorologist Chad Myers for a look at the forecast.

When is this happening, Chad?

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: For you it will start about 11:00 a.m. tomorrow as some snow. A very heavy, wet snow.

And this is a very tricky forecast, actually, This is going to be that rain/snow mix if the storm moves one way or the other. So you may have to turn in tomorrow morning to get the new forecast. We'll have to see.

This weather is brought to you by Shark Ion Robot cleaning system. Now, you're going to get one dock and you get two Sharks.

Here is the story, though. We do see the snow back out to the west and we certainly will see snow in Virginia, West Virginia and all the way through the Poconos and into the Catskills and Adirondacks and certainly into New England.

Here's the storm right now, though. It's over Georgia. It has a long way to travel before the snow starts in D.C. somewhere around 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. A heavy, wet snow. Sticking more in Vienna and Reston than, let's say, Annapolis. You've got to get to the middle here in D.C. But then it moves on up toward New York City and it's still going to be cold enough at the beginning to make the snow.

But as the low gets closer and closer, more of that ocean influence is going to blow into New York City and change the snow back over to rain. So you may wake up tomorrow in Newark or Morristown (ph) and go, whoa, look at that, and then by tomorrow afternoon it's just completely washed away.

Now, if you're farther to the west than that, it doesn't get washed away. There will be a lot of snow coming down on the ground. We do have flood warnings available here across parts of the south, but that's the first big snow of the season for some spots up here in the Northeast. And skiers in Vermont and New Hampshire are thrilled.

John.

BERMAN: Yes, well, they can be thrilled on their own time. All right, Chad, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

In Florida, a redo of the recount. Officials in Palm Beach County say they will have to start their restart of early voting ballots from undecided state-wide races all over again because the machines overheated.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh.

BERMAN: Yes. And they --

CAMEROTA: They're working overtime.

BERMAN: They have to -- overtime, overheated, it's all over the top here. The numbers didn't add up properly. The election supervisor says 179,000 ballots will need to be counted again. The deadline to finish the job is tomorrow afternoon.

CAMEROTA: OK, John, just for you, a royal update. Britain's Prince Charles turns 70 today, and the occasion is being marked with the release of new royal family photos. And you can see Prince Charles, flanked by his children and grandchildren. And then, look at this, this is the -- well, hold on. Let's go to the candid image. That's the formal one right there. They all look quite handsome. Now, here is the candid one and the royals, especially Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan appear to be cracking up.

BERMAN: Is this what qualifies for cracking up in England.

CAMEROTA: Yes, that's royal cracking up.

BERMAN: That is a raucous.

CAMEROTA: Look at that.

BERMAN: That is a raucous time.

CAMEROTA: Look at how hard they are laughing right there.

BERMAN: That seems like a good time.

CAMEROTA: And we're even getting a rare look at baby Prince Louie, OK. The portraits were taken in the gardens of Clarence House in September.

BERMAN: How did the royal family do in the midterms? How did they do?

CAMEROTA: See, John, they have a different system in Britain.

BERMAN: They do.

CAMEROTA: They don't have one. BERMAN: Oh, they don't have to get re-elected.

CAMEROTA: They don't have to get re-elected.

BERMAN: Oh, that's my point.

CAMEROTA: They have to procreate.

BERMAN: That's -- that's a good job.

CAMEROTA: They are doing a very good job with that.

BERMAN: That's a good job. I've gotten in the wrong line of work.

All right, late night comics taking on the possible West Wing shake- ups. Your late night laughs are next.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST, "THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT": First Lady Melania Trump is calling for the firing of Deputy National Security Adviser Mira Ricardel. I assume Melania is doing it with her traditional good-bye gift, a jacket that says, you don't really work here anymore, do you?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:57:56] BERMAN: So, thanks to the White House shake-up, the late night comics arrived to work yesterday with their scripts already written. Here are your late night laughs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST, "THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT": Here we are once again Trump wants to fire somebody, but in a refreshing change of pace it's not Donald because today we found out that in a stunning move, First Lady Melania Trump is calling for the firing of Deputy National Security Adviser Mira Ricardel. I assume Melania is doing it with her traditional good-bye gift, a jacket that says, you don't really work here anymore, do you?

JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": The president is reportedly planning to give the axe to Kirstjen Nielsen, his secretary of Homeland Security. And Nielson has done her best to please the president. She strongly supported his policy of taking children away from their parents at the border. But I guess, in the end, she just wasn't quite evil enough and now Thanos will take charge.

JAMES CORDEN, HOST, "THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN": So John Kelly might soon be out. And in keeping with White House tradition, John Kelly plans to secretly record himself firing himself. But if John Kelly does end up getting fired, he could always go back to his own job, playing the overbearing father in every movie about high school football. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Funny.

BERMAN: Like I said, it must be nice to come to work every day and be like, OK, we're done.

CAMEROTA: Have it written. Yes.

BERMAN: We're done.

CAMEROTA: Yes, well, we sort of have some of that experience.

BERMAN: We have some material.

CAMEROTA: The news writes itself.

BERMAN: We have some material.

CAMEROTA: Thanks to our international viewers for watching. For you CNN "TALK" is next. For our U.S. viewers, you might see some new faces in key posts at the White House soon. NEW DAY continues right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a hot White House. We are a White House that people want to work with.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WHITEHOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen could be the next to go.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In a rare rebuke, the first lady demanded Ricardel be fired.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Most staffers understand, don't get the first lady angry.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: It just seems like a soap opera over there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With 50 lives already lost to the California wildfires, the threat may be widening.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mayor here in Paradise estimates that 90 percent of the town is gone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are thousands of firefighters on the front lines trying to stop this fire from spreading.

[07:00:02] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody I know lost everything.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Alisyn Camerota