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Chiefs Linebacker Kills Girlfriend and Himself; Software Tycoon John McAfee Wanted in Belize; Slain Teen Laid to Rest Today; Using Ecstasy to Cure PTSD; Marine Uses Film to Treat PTSD

Aired December 1, 2012 - 17:00   ET

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


DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone, it is the top of the hour. I'm Don Lemon here at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta.

We'll going to start with this. It looks like a murder-suicide in the NFL to report to you right now. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed himself in front of his coach and general manager today, just a few minutes after police believe he shot his girlfriend dead. I want you to stay right there because we'll live with full details on this story in just a moment.

John McAfee is going to talk to CNN, and nobody else about this. He is the computer security millionaire on the run in Central America. Police want to question him about a murder. Wait until you hear about the hoops he had to jump through to get the exclusive interview.

And Jordan Davis, 17-years-old. Today, he was buried. Shot dead after an argument about loud music. We're going to update you on the case facing the man who killed him.

In the meantime, personal tragedy in the world of sports. Police in Kansas City say, a linebacker for the NFL Chiefs, shot and killed his girlfriend this morning. It is a disturbing story. Then he drove to the team's training facility where he turned the gun on himself. Police have identified the man as 25-year-old Jovan Belcher, there's his picture there in front of the screen. He had been with the team for four years.

A police spokesman says, his name is Darin Snapp. He joins me now on the phone, officer Snapp, this is sad story, and it is horrible to have to report. But walk us through what happened.

DARIN SNAPP, KANSAS CITY POLICE: Yes, a little before 8:00 this morning, we received a call from a resident, a 911 call stating that there was a shooting inside the residence. When we arrived on scene, a lady came out later identified as Jovan's mother, stating that there was a lady inside that had been shot multiple times. Officers went in and she was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

About 20 minutes later, about ten minutes after 8:00, we received a call from Arrowhead Stadium security and they had stated that Jovan Belcher was standing out in the parking lot of the practice facility with a gun to his head. When the officers arrived there, when the officers were getting out of their car they started approaching, and that's when Jovan walked the opposite direction and shot and killed himself.

LEMON: Oh, my gosh. And the coach said that he did it in front of the coach, right?

SNAPP: That is correct, when the officers pulled up, Coach Crennel, and also Scott Pioli and another two some players were standing outside talking with him. And you know, after the shooting we spoke with the coaches, just a preliminary interview. They were stating that they never felt in any danger. They stated that Jovan was, you know, pretty much there thanking them for everything they have done for him since he has been a chief. And a short time later is when he walked away and shot himself.

LEMON: Mr. Snapp, any idea of a possible motive here?

SNAPP: You know, we do not -- the preliminary interviews with the witnesses involved, the mother at the house stated that they had been arguing. But nothing physical. Until this morning, when the shooting occurred. So, we're obviously interviewing everyone that was -- the mother is -- of course, she was at home with the two victims. And also, there was a three month-old child at home. So like I say, we're talking to mom, we're talking to witnesses at the practice facility. Because we're trying to figure out exactly what he said to them, if he explained exactly what happened at the house. And, like I say we're getting formal statements now from the coaches. And hopefully we can kind of get an idea of why this occurred.

LEMON: Well, thank you for joining us, Kansas City Police spokesperson Darrin Snapp, we appreciate you.

Well, in the meantime, the NFL and the Chiefs have issued statements offering their thoughts and prayers to everyone involved in this tragedy. We have learned the Chiefs will play tomorrow's game as scheduled. The game will go on as scheduled. And we'll have more on this story from Kansas City at the bottom of the hour here on CNN, so make sure you stay tune.

John McAfee made a fortune as a pioneer of anti-virus software, but he's spent past several weeks running from authorities in Belize. Police want to question him about the murder of his neighbor last month. But until last night, nobody had even seen him. Then he contacted CNN's Martin Savidge, and sat down with him for an exclusive interview.

Martin joins us now from Belize. Martin, it is interesting that he contacted you and what you had to go through in order to get this interview. What did you have to go through to do this?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, the setting itself was nearly as bizarre as the interview itself. And it began a couple of weeks ago. We have been talking on the telephone, John and I back and forth. But when I arrived in the country yesterday, three words tipped in me off, and those three words were, sorry, I'm late. That was the pre-arranged code words he had set-up and I would aware of that meant that I had meet the person that is going to take me to John McAfee. I get into a vehicle. I thought it would be a simple drive. But it was anything but twisting roads, back streets, constant turn arounds, and then get to a parking lot, thinking I'm there, oh, no, jump on, get into another vehicle. And starts all over again. And it was clearly designed to confuse all of us, as to where we were going. Also, I guess designed to throw up anybody who might be following. And it worked, we had no idea. But we ended up someplace and we found him.

LEMON: So McAfee is in disguise, he is in hiding somewhere in Belize, how long does he plan to keep this up?

SAVIDGE: You know, well, you know, the disguise part was pretty interesting, because we met him, there was this man, it was clearly John McAfee, but coming down the stairs, trying to give us the impression, holding a cane, looks like an injured arm, pretending like he was an old man, he put powder in his hair. We weren't going to say, hey John, how are you because we want to talk to him, we thought that might throw him off. That it was bizarre in the way he acted. I'll give you that, Don. As for how he's going to remain in hiding, well, that remains to be seen at this point. He clearly feels the walls are closing in on him? Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Are you afraid?

JOHN MCAFEE, INTERNET ANTIVIRUS PIONEER: Wouldn't you be, sir.

SAVIDGE: And what have these weeks been like? It has been three weeks now.

MCAFEE: It has not been a lot of fun. I miss my prior life, much of it has been deprivation, no bus, no for food at least. Here we in Belize, hot showers, a stove, so we're fairly happy right now.

SAVIDGE: How is this going to end? How do you see this coming to an end?

MCAFEE: I don't have a crystal ball, I'm going to continue to fight until something changes, sir.

SAVIDGE: You won't turn yourself in?

MCAFEE: I will not.

SAVIDGE: So, it will either be that somehow you get away or the authorities come and get you.

MCAFEE: One of those two. Or get away doesn't mean leave the country, it means that number one they will find the murderer of Mr. Faull. Number two, the people of this country who are by and large terrified to speak out will start to speaking out. And something will change. But I will certainly not turn myself in, and I will not quit hiding.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SAVIDGE: This would all be kind of funny, if there weren't for the fact that there is someone who died. Greg Faull, 52-years of age from Florida, an American, he was murdered. We don't know who did it. And that is why authorities want to question John McAfee, he was his neighbor, that family still grieves and justice needs to be done there -- Don.

LEMON: All right. Thank you, Martin Savidge. We appreciate it.

In other news now, 17-year-old Jordan Davis was buried today a week after he was shot and killed at a gas station in Florida. Davis was with friends when a man opened fire on their vehicle after allegedly feeling threatened by the teens. Davis' father says, it just doesn't add up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RON DAVIS, SLAIN TEEN'S FATHER: If you feel threatened, most people call 911, never did he do that for, I was told. He never did that. He sprayed the car with bullets, knowing that kids were in the car. Drove to his hotel, as I was told. Had a good night's sleep, came down the next day, found out that someone died, which was my son Jordan Davis, and still did not alert the authorities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Well, but does the killing fall under Florida stand your ground law? I'm going to talk with criminal defense authority Holly Hughes in 30 minutes from CNN. We'll talk about that.

Now, on the other stories we're following today, there were dueling protests in Cairo as Egypt's young democracy enters a dangerous phase.

Supporters of President Mohamed Morsi packed the streets near Cairo University as Morsi called for a referendum on a new constitution. Morsi's critics say, the constitution was rushed through. We'll go live to Cairo for a live report in just a few minutes.

North Korea is going to try again. They want to take another stab at sending a rocket into space. This time to place a satellite into orbit. This is all coming from North Korea's state-run media. The rocket will be similar to this one. The plan launched window is sometime between the tenth and 22nd of this month. North Korea tried to lunch a long range rocket a few months ago. But they've crashed into the sea. The U.S. State Department is not happy about it either, calling any launch by the North Korean's provocative.

Live pictures now from the White House which is marking World AIDS Day. A day to ponder the fight against HIV and AIDS. Nations around the globe observed the day in their own way. This is Sydney's famous Opera House there. This is lead up read, the color of AIDS awareness.

And in March, Bangladesh -- march I should say in Bangladesh, showing how activists have helped this movement go global. As of last year, an estimated 34 million people were living with HIV. David Beckham's final U.S. soccer match is under way in Houston. The soccer legend is playing his final match as a member of the LA Galaxy at the MLS championship game. But Beckham is not retiring from soccer. At the age of 37, he is hoping one more run in the European Champions League before hanging up his cleats. He played six seasons for the LA Galaxy.

Coming up here on CNN, could the smell of a department store a music, the music at play caused you to spend more money? The answer may surprise you.

Plus, new research finds that in a legal drug maybe the key to helping millions of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: And the movie, "The Manchurian Candidate," a soldier comes back from war, and he learns he has been programmed to respond to certain triggers. And in this case, the queen of diamonds to kill a presidential candidate. But can we be triggered like that really? Can sights and sounds and even smells make us do things we wouldn't normally do, like spend too much money, holiday shopping or buy something we had not planned to buy?

Human behavior expert Wendy Walsh is back with us, my lips are still in bed -- is back with me.

(LAUGHTER)

So, can we be more -- listen, I know the answer to this. The answer is going to say, can we be more programmed to sounds and sights and smells and -- that stores pump into us? Absolutely, that is why they do it.

WENDY WALSH, HUMAN BEHAVIOR EXPERT: Yes, I mean, and a lot of research has been done to sort of create an environment that will make you spend more money. Don, I always say that really psychology is just our biology meeting environmental forces. You only have to adjust the environment just a little bit to change your behavior. So, it can be used for positive or could be used certainly for corporations to get us to dig into our pocketbooks more.

LEMON: So, when you go into like when you go into car dealership, they always serve you coffee, because caffeine makes you a little lose, little more animated, a little more excited. And you're like, oh this is great, it gives you a rush. So, they do all these little things --

WALSH: They wish they could serve you wine.

LEMON: Yes.

WALSH: Well, listen about Christmas, if they have discovered that holiday music actually makes you buy more. But fast-paced upbeat holiday music doesn't. You need to put on slow to medium-paced music and will spend a lot more. Even since, one study in Switzerland showed that if they infuse the air of a store with just a light orange scent, shoppers spend 20 percent even more compared with if they put a complicated scent or no scent at all. So really, we are being highly manipulated when we walk into a mall.

LEMON: We're going a little bit off top of here. But do you remember, there was a survey done short time ago. Not that long ago, about a man who smells like cinnamon rolls or something like that. Women are attracted to them. Or maybe it was the other way around. The men are attracted to women that walks in your home and it smells like cinnamon rolls, your chances of getting married were improved. Whatever.

(CROSSTALK)

Yes. So, how do we buffer ourselves from all this stuff?

WALSH: Well, there are ways, to OK, to protect yourself, protect your budget and gift-giving in a healthy way. And number one is of course, plan ahead, make a list, check it twice. Number two, is when you go to the mall, do not veer from your list, that means, don't buy one for them, two for me, one for you, three for me. However, if you have stuck to your list and you have stuck to your budget, it is always good to reward good behavior, that's what I think. So you may buy yourself one small gift with a predetermined budget that you plan before you went in. Like in other words, if I buy my 20 gifts for friends and family, and I stayed inside my budget, then I will allow myself to buy for $15 for me.

LEMON: I am going out to look for that cinnamon roll cologne right now.

(LAUGHTER)

WALSH: And the last thing, Don, is remember, halt, any kind of impulsive behavior, I don't care if he's drinking, gambling all heavy duty shopping, never do it. If you're hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. It is an old one, but a goody.

LEMON: Most of us would never go anywhere, we'll have to stay at the house. It's going to, you know, we'll like that all the time, especially the news people.

WALSH: Many people shop like that just to feel better.

LEMON: All right. Thank you, Wendy, I appreciate it.

WALSH: All right. Take care.

LEMON: Egypt on the edge. Thousands of protesters takes to the streets in dueling rallies, both for and against President Mohamed Morsi. We'll hear from those protesters. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Egypt's fragile democracy is facing one of its toughest test, a new constitution could help Egypt move forward, but critics say it is a rush job, and could pave the way for government based on Islamic law. And rallied again today in Tahrir Square, cradle of the Arab Spring revolution.

Supporters of the president held their own demonstration near Cairo, University. CNN's Reza Sayah spoke to them in Cairo.

REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For more than a week now, we've seen hundreds of thousands of Egyptians protest against President Morsi in the Muslim Brotherhood. Now, it is the President supporters in the brotherhood saying, it is our turn.

AZZA ABDEL HAKIM, SUPPORTS PRESIDENT MORSI: We support President Morsi and his decisions.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: We all support President Morsi, because this decision, we all need it.

SAYAH: It is hard to say how many people are here. Some say more than 100,000, all of them say they support the president and just like the opposition faction, they can put on a mass demonstration, too.

EHAP MUSTAFA, SUPPORTS PRESIDENT MORSI: This is the real Egypt. This is the real citizens of Egypt.

SAYAH: Then what about Tahrir Square? What do you thought on Tahrir Square? The protesters there.

MUSTAFA: This is democracy, there are people who agree and disagree.

SAYAH: There are a few thousand women out here, but it is overwhelmingly men, they are energized, chanting slogans against some of the opposition leaders, chanting slogans in support of President Morsi.

It's big turnout shows that not everyone in Egypt is against President Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood. He has significant support. Of course, Egypt is an Islamic Country, there is a lot of conservative Muslims here who support the president, and they like that a draft in the constitution has been approved. And in 15 days, everyone can go vote on it. They say, that is what democracy is all about.

IBRAHIM HASSAN, SUPPORTS PRESIDENT MORSI: Democracy is the election, and they can choose, let the people pick -- let the people choose, earlier, we never been in politics like this. We would never, ever be able to tell our opinion freely and honestly like this.

SAYAH: This mass demonstration was remarkably peaceful. We didn't see any violence, only what has become the fight for Egypt's identity. The opposition factions in Tahrir Square have their vision, the supporters of Morsi have their vision. The big question moving forward, whose vision is going to win out?

Reza Sayah, CNN, Cairo.

LEMON: All right, Reza, thank you, a disastrous Thelma and Louise strategy. That's one republican senator is calling the President's plan to avoid the fiscal cliff, but are lawmakers any closer to making a deal? That is ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Want to get you up to speed on some of the headlines right now. A tragedy strikes the NFL today. The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher has apparently committed suicide after allegedly killing his girlfriend. Belcher allegedly shot his girlfriend multiple times at the couple's home. Belcher then apparently drove to a practice facility at the Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium, walked up to the team's coach, the head coach and the general manager. Thanked them for what they had done for him and then shot himself in the head. Last hour, I spoke to Mark McMillian, a former Chiefs player, and he says, he is trying to make sense of it all.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK MCMILLIAN, FORMER CHIEFS PLAYER: I am kind of loss for words. No one knows what was going on in that young man's mind at that particular time. First, you know, I would like to say my prayers and condolences to go out to his family and to his girlfriend's, as well. I want to send my prayers out for them. But I guess, it is a tough situation, and you know, to hear something like that, you know, for the young man to actually, you know, go to the facility of his work place and do that, you know, you kind of wonder, you know, what is going to his mind, on his way to the facility and what was his main goal or what was his purpose of, you know, taking his life in front of his coaches.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Well, the team released a statement just a short time ago, and it said in part, "The entire Chiefs family is very saddened by today's events. And our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy. We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and work to ensure that the appropriate counseling resources are available to all members of the organization."

Let's get you up to speed on some other stories as well. Mexico's new president took the oath of office today before that country's Congress. Enrique Pena Nieto took control of the armed forces in a symbolic ceremony earlier. His inauguration returned the institutional revolutionary party to power 12 years after being turned out of office. That doesn't sit well with those who believe the President's party bought the election, hundreds clashed with police outside Congress.

He made his fortune as a pioneer of anti-virus software. But for the last three weeks, John McAfee has been on the run. Authorities in Belize want to question him about the murder of his neighbor last month. McAfee came out of hiding yesterday, and spoke exclusively with CNN's Martin Savidge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: How do you see this coming to an end? MCAFEE: I don't have a crystal ball, I'm going to continue to fight until something changes, sir.

SAVIDGE: You won't turn yourself in?

MCAFEE: I will not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: So, McAfee tells CNN he did not kill his neighbor, nor did he hire somebody to do it.

Friends, family and fans of Hector Macho Camacho gathered in Spanish Harlem today paying final respects to the boxing champion who died last weekend. Camacho and a friend were shot last month while sitting in a car in Puerto Rico. The other man died at the scene, Camacho died in the hospital four days later. Hector Macho Camacho won several world boxing titles in the 1980s, he was just 50-years-old.

Investigators are on the scene and cleanup is underway at the site of a New Jersey train derailment. It is not clear if the train derailed before or after what is called a movable swing bridge collapse, causing seven cars to lead the tracks. Four of them fell into the water below. One of the cars spilled a chemical vinyl chloride, but the coast guard says, fumes in the area have stayed within acceptable levels. Fifty homes have been evacuated from the area.

Lawmakers and President Obama have exactly one month to cut a deal to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. A huge package of tax hikes and spending cuts will kick in on January 1st. Republicans and Democrats spent time this week blaming each other for not getting serious about the talk decisions that lie ahead. In his weekly address, President Obama said, he is ready to make a deal but he's not going to accept continued tax cuts for the wealthiest tax payers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. BARACK OBAMA (D), UNITED STATES: Both party say, we should keep middle class tax as well. The Senate has already passed a bill to keep income taxes from going up on middle class families. Democrats in the House are ready to do the same thing. And if we can just get a few House Republicans on board, I'll sign this bill as soon as Congress sends it my way. But, it is unacceptable for some Republicans in Congress to hold middle class tax cuts hostage simply because they refuse to let tax rates go up on the wealthiest Americans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Republicans say, tax hikes on the wealthy mean tax hikes for small businesses, something they insist they cannot accept. Here is long- time GOP Senator Orrin Hatch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ORRIN HATCH (R), UTAH: Unfortunately, some on the other side of the aisle are indicating a disastrous Thelma and Louise strategy that would take us over the cliff putting millions of middle class families, small business that our already weak economy and further jeopardy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Both sides agree though that Bush era tax cuts should be renewed for everyone making less than $250,000 a year. But Democrats want the tax cuts for the very wealthy to expire.

Teen's murder, reigniting the Trayvon Martin debate, and whether the infamous "Stand Your Ground Law" should be outlawed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Getting out of debt, sounds nice, doesn't it? The toughest part is getting started. Here is CNN's Christine Romans with one couple's story on how they broke the debt cycle.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Baileys are hard working, modest. Jerry is a minister. Sue, a registered nurse.

JERRY BAILEY, BROKE DEBT CYCLE: Just over a period of time, we amassed more credit cards.

ROMANS: 13 years later, the couple was overwhelmed by debt, $92,000 in the red, spread over 17 credit cards, with interest rates as high as 30 percent. They worked with a reputable nonprofit credit counseling agency and entered a managed debt plan.

JOE HERNDON, GREENPATH DEBT SOLUTIONS; We look at what their bills are as far as paying their rent or mortgage or utilities, and then we look at debts, who they owe money to, the type of debt it is.

ROMANS: The agency contacted creditors who waived late fees and lowered interest rates.

The Baileys had to cut up all their cards, use cash for essentials and make a weekly payment of $665 towards the debt.

Fast forward five and a half years and the couple is debt free and just months away from paying off their mortgage.

BAILEY: It's such a sense of freedom and exhilaration. It was a wonderful feeling to know tht we had accomplished that.

ROMANS: Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: A family buried their seventeen-year-old son today after he was shot and killed last week in a gas station parking lot. According to police in Jacksonville, Florida, Michael Dunn was sitting in his car, waiting for his girlfriend when an SUV full of teens, pulled up alongside. Dunn allegedly asked them to turn down their loud music. He later told police he felt threatened, believed he saw a gun in the teen's vehicle. He grabbed his own gun and fired at least eight shots. Now once it was all over, seventeen-year-old Jordan Davis was dead, leaving his family devastated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LUCIA MCBATH, MOTHER OF JORDAN DAVIS: My son is dead. And I'm just -- I just lost it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Right?

HOLLY HUGHES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY & FORMER PROSECUTOR: Heartbreaking. that is heartbreaking.

LEMON: Holly Hughes is here, a criminal defense attorney.

He has been charged with murder. He is sitting in jail right now. But police had to find him. He left the scene and didn't call police. What does that tell you?

HUGHES: Well, you know, I can understand he is panicking, and thinks there is a gun. But what really disturbs me, not only does he leave the scene, he leaves the state. He goes back to his hotel room and spends the night. He hears on the news, this young man has died. There is a fatality from what he did, the shots with the teens, and then he gets in the car and leaves the state. His whole thing, well, I need an attorney. Well, you can get an attorney on the phone. Trust me. my clients call me at all times of the day and night. So what is disturbing to me, he fled the state. I think he knows. He has a guilty conscience going on. This was over music, Don, music. He doesn't say the young men were harassing women, he doesn't say he saw them slinging dope. He says I thought the music was too loud. Simple answer, roll up the window or back your car three spots down. And this young man's family would not be going through Christmas without him.

LEMON: Had you ever been in Florida? There is a gas station on every corner.

HUGHES: Exactly.

LEMON: If you don't like the one there, go to the other.

HUGHES: This, to me, was excessive.

LEMON: We've heard a lot about the Stand Your Ground law, especially when it comes to the Trayvon Martin case in recent months.

HUGHES: Right.

LEMON: Should Dunn be able to use the Stand Your Ground law? He says he felt threatened.

HUGHES: He also alleges he saw a shot gun coming out of one of the windows of the SUV that the young men were in. But the police looked in the window, and didn't find any weapon. None of these young men, as far as we know. And it is early in the case. There will be a lot of investigation. But we don't know of the gang association. The parents say, our children didn't have guns. They were not this type.

LEMON: For lack of a gun, can this Stand Your Ground stand up?

HUGHES: I don't think so. They can certainly file. You can always file a motion with the court and have your motion and say, it was justified. That is basically what it is, is I was justified. I was defending myself. I had a legal right to be there and felt threatened. But if there was no gun found -- and the person who was arrested, this man, Dunn, he flat-out admits it started over loud music. So I don't see him prevailing in any type of Stand Your Ground motion, or if it goes to trial, a self-defense motion.

LEMON: It was also in a crowded place with a lot of witnesses. What part will that play in it?

HUGHES: Well, it will play a huge role. And let's face it, most convenience stores these days have very good security cameras. So what they do is pull the footage and say, hey, was there a gun protruding from that SUV, depending on the angle? You have all sorts of independent witnesses saying we didn't see that and we didn't hear the young men threatened, or we did see them threaten. That will bear out when we see a little more evidence, but it doesn't look good for Dunn. And, of course, is a tragedy for the family of the young man.

LEMON: It is. It's awful. And we'll talk more about it tonight at 19:00.

HUGHES: Yes.

LEMON: Our George Howell went out and spoke to the family. And, as you said, they're heartbroken. Looking at that mom and I think about my own mom.

HUGHES: Yes.

LEMON: And think about when I was a teenager.

HUGHES: That's right.

LEMON: I had a Jeep, and the music was blaring out of the Jeep. I listened to all sorts of music. It was not one specific type of music. Everybody plays loud music, especially young people.

HUGHES: That is exactly right. And his parents, I will join you again at 10:00 tonight to talk more about it. But so gracious. They automatically said, don't consider it a hate crime. Don't make it divisive. Our son was a unifier. He was a good young man. He was not one of these --

(CROSSTALK)

LEMON: But when you hear the story -- come on, we're all human. When you hear the story, he was up and he was like, turn the music down or whatever, is this somebody who is disturbed or somebody who has done this a lot? What does it's make you think about it?

HUGHES: OK, when I first heard it -- and I don't know Mr. Dunn, I've not met him. But what it sounds like to me is he has a certain mindset. So when he sees a particular vehicle with four young black men in it, listening to a particular type of music, it seems to me he has a predisposition. He automatically thinks they are a threat by the very nature of what they look like and what they're listening to. That is problematic. We've got tons of case law out there. Even the Supreme Court has said you can't profile people like that. That's called racial profiling. So if you felt threatened because they were young black men, they were listening to a certain type of music, you can't do that. Even the police officers are not allowed.

LEMON: I was not there. I don't know if it was race or what it was. I'm not saying it is.

HUGHES: That's right.

LEMON: But I see people who don't react by shooting people. But I see people react that way all the time, the people who have a sense of entitlement and who think that the world should be certain way, run a certain way.

HUGHES: Exactly.

LEMON: And when it is not run the way they think it should be, they get angry.

(CROSSTALK)

LEMON: I don't know what it is. For me, it is entitlement.

HUGHES: Absolutely. And we're seeing a lot of opposition to the Stand Your Ground law because it seems like it is a justified way to shoot somebody you don't agree with.

LEMON: That is what we'll talk about at 10:00.

HUGHES: Yes. I'll be back.

LEMON: Should that be outlawed?

Thank you, Holly Hughes.

HUGHES: Absolutely.

LEMON: Appreciate it.

Next, can an illegal and dangerous drug be the key to helping millions of people suffering from post-traumatic stress? One researcher says yes. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: More than seven million Americans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The nightmares, flashbacks and anxiety can stop them from leading normal lives. Experts say at least half are not helped by conventional treatment. But new research is pointing in a surprising direction

CNN's Sanjay Gupta reports now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RACHEL HOPE, SUFFERS FROM PTSD: Some part of you is on guard. It just wouldn't stop. I could not shut it down.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: For Rachel Hope, the mental agony began in childhood, when she says she was abused and raped at age four. As a grown-up, the smallest trigger, like a familiar smell, would bring it all back.

HOPE: I would get very extreme stabbing sensations in my body, and then like fixed visuals, like being, for instance, raped.

GUPTA: Mental breakdowns, four hospitalizations. And along the way, Rachel tried almost every treatment in the book.

HOPE: Tried NDR, rapid-eye movement therapy, hypnosis, fish therapy (ph), yell it out, scream it out. You know? Nothing worked.

LEMON: And then she discovered an experiment, run by Dr. Michael Mithoefer, a psychiatrist in Charleston, South Carolina.

MICHAEL MITHOEFER, PSYCHIATRIST: This is the study where we do the study. This is the place where we meet with people and this is where we do the MDMA sessions.

LEMON: The intense psychotherapy, including eight hour sessions after taking a capsule of MDMA, of ecstasy. Now listen closely. On this tape you can hear Rachel along with the Dr. Mithoefer.

HOPE: I could turn to you and say I really need -- keep guiding me, keep guiding me.

It felt as if my whole brain was powered up like a Christmas tree all at once.

MITHOEFER: Sometimes usually people did have some very positive or affirming experiences. But a lot of the times it was revisiting the trauma. It was painful, a difficult experience. But the MDMA seemed to make it possible for them to do it effectively.

LEMON: Within weeks, Rachel says about 90 percent of her symptoms were gone.

HOPE: I don't scream or have flashbacks anymore.

LEMON: And in the results just published, the doctor says 14 to 19 patients were better more than three years later.

MITHOEFER: The question is, is this just a flash in the pan? Did people feel good from just taking the drug? So the answer to that turned out to be, no, it was not just the flash in the pan for most people.

LEMON: Now, of course, just 19 people is still just a tiny study, but it is getting attention.

Loree Sutton was the Army's top psychiatrist until she retired in 2010.

BRIG. GEN. LOREE SUTTON, FORMER ARMY PSYCHIATRIST: I have certainly reviewed it and the results look promising. It is like with the rest of science, we'll apply the rigor, we'll follow where the data leads. We'll leave our politics at the door.

# (on camera): I'll point out that none of this means that street ecstasy is safe. Apart from being illegal, you don't know what you're getting. It's often contaminated. Pure MDMA can cause a higher body temper, dehydration. There's also cases where over compensate and actually die from drinking too much water. But in a controlled setting, which is what we're talking about here, the evidence does seem to suggest it can be safe.

(voice-over): Similar studies are under way in Europe and Canada. And Mithoefer is half way through a study offering the treatment to combat veterans, firefighters and police officers.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Very interesting, Dr. Gupta. Thank you.

And we're celebrating everyday people who are changing the word. Up next, you will hear from a Texas man who builds free homes for wounded veterans. "CNN Heroes, An All-Star Tribute" airs tomorrow night at 9:00 eastern.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Every day people changing the world. They'll be honored tomorrow night at our "CNN Heroes, An All-Star Tribute," our annual event saluting the top-10 CNN Heroes of the year. People like Dan Wallrath, who buildings free homes for wounded veterans. He was a 2010 CNN top-10 hero. He's always our hero. His group, Operation Finally Home, is creating beautiful homes for veterans returning with serious war injuries.

Nischelle Turner and Dan Wallrath joins us now, live, from Los Angeles.

Nischelle, we'll hear about Dan's amazing work.

But I want to tell Dan that I really appreciate what he does. I got to sit on an airplane for about 12 hours, next to a wounded warrior, and hear his entire story, and then got to spend time with him on vacation over the holiday. It's amazing. They're so amazing. I really appreciate his work. I really do.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's interesting, with the story that Don just said, because your encounter with a wounded veteran is the same thing that is what got you started. It was a chance encounter with a wounded veteran and it made you really sit and think and decide, I'm going to put this chance meeting to work and do the work.

We throw the word "amazing" out for the work that people do. But you really do amazing work.

Now, Operation Finally Home has been in existence for a while. You became one of our "CNN Heroes" in 2010. At that moment, you had built four houses, remodeled four houses. You had four in progress. Tell us where you are today since becoming one of our heroes.

DAN WALLRATH, TOP-10 CNN HERO: Since the "CNN Heroes" show back in 2010, it's been amazing. It's been incredible. We now have given away our 50th home. And we've done some $15 million worth of homes. And we've only raised $3 million to do it. That shows you the giving spirit of our Americans. We just -- I mean, it's been incredible.

TURNER: You talked about giving spirit. And here's what I like. I love these stories when it comes to heroes. Your celebrity presenter back in 2010 was Kid Rock.

WALLRATH: Right.

TURNER: You and Kid Rock formed this friendship. You are buddies and he helps you out with the foundation.

WALLRATH: He's an amazing individual. He is such a caring person. We met back in 2010. And we started talking about doing a home together. And just recently we did it, we -- the house is under construction. And we're just so excited about the couple that's receiving the home, the fantastic couple. He's going back to school. He's going to be a school teacher like his dad. Unfortunately, lost one of his legs. And -- but he's not -- he's like what you were saying earlier about amazing. Just an amazing young man. And all of our heroes, they're like that. It's just incredible.

TURNER: You are one of our heroes. Once a "CNN Hero," always a "CNN Hero." I don't know if you can see, Don, because of the cowboy hat, but Dan gets this twinkle in his eye when he starts talking about doing his homes.

(CROSSTALK)

TURNER: Yes, he is. He is.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: And let me tell you, these guys don't let anything get them down. A whole group of wounded warriors in Hawaii over the holiday went surfing. It was amazing. Congratulations to him.

And thank you very much, Nischelle.

Anderson Cooper hosts our "CNN Heroes, An All-Star Tribute" --

TURNER: Sure.

LEMON: -- tomorrow night at 9:00 eastern.

What's it like to be in a war zone? A U.S. Marine took home video of his battle on the lines in Afghanistan. And we're going to show it to you next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: When U.S. Marine Mike Scotti fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, he kept a video diary of the experiences he had on the battlefield. It's now an award-winning documentary, and a glimpse of what life is really like on the front lines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE SCOTTI, U.S. MARINE: My name is Mike Scotti. I'm a former Marine who fought as part of the initial invasion in Iraq in 2003. I just happened to have a video camera with me, and I videotaped what was going on.

The job of a war observer is to basically be the eyes for the heavy artillery. You're seeing, you know, the results of what artillery does. The explosion, and seeing people that have been killed and the remains of children lying on the side of the road.

(GUNFIRE)

SCOTTI: The car ran a roadblock, and the Marines had no choice but to light it up. It turned out to be a father and his baby girl.

When I first got home, I went down a hole. I started spiraling down and went almost all the way.

ANGELO SCOTTI, MIKE'S FATHER: The Mike that went to Iraq that was in the Marines was a fun-loving guy. The next thing I recall is Mike coming back from the war. He was just morose. He was a different person.

SCOTTI: The first couple of months was garden-variety depression, and then I started becoming angry. You're angry that your friends are getting killed or wounded over there. And angry that the country you sacrifice for sometimes seems to forget it's fighting a war.

You start having thoughts, what am I going to do, am I going to kill myself? Join up, go back to active duty, go back to the war and try to get myself killed?

KRISTIAN FRAGA, DIRECTOR: Mike Scotti and I met a year about a year after he returned from the war. The minute I saw his footage, I knew that this was a story that not only did I want to tell, but it was very important to tell.

SCOTTI: It was really sitting in an editing booth reliving it, rehashing it, talking about it, that was the first crack of light that I needed that was filling up the darkness that was inside of me.

FRAGA: When the film starts getting to festivals, you start seeing mike watch his journey on the big screen with 300 people. He doesn't know laughing and crying and cheering and going through the same cathartic experience.

SCOTTI: That's when it really started to click for me was that this wasn't just my story, this was every veteran's story. I knew I needed to write the book so others would have something to point to and say, the same thing happened to me.

ANGELO SCOTTI: The movie was painful but therapeutic for him. I think writing the book was the rest of his therapy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: I'm Don Lemon in at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. Thanks for watching. See you back here in one hour.

"THE SITUATION ROOM" begins right now.