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FAA Furlough Over Later Today; Keeping Events Safe After Boston; Bostonians Reclaim Their City; The Case Against Suspect Number Two; Boston Loves Its Sports; Nate Robinson Shows Toughness; Thunder's Westbrook Injured; Barkley Finally Drafted; NFL Draft Is Over

Aired April 28, 2013 - 14:00   ET

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


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN HOST: Hello, I'm Carol Costello with CNN special coverage. I'm live in Boston, standing in Copley Square in the midst of this spontaneous memorial. If you want to get a sense of community, of hope in America, you should come to Boston because take a look at all these people.

This is the makeshift memorial right here, but the line to get in snakes all around the corner. Take a look at all of those people waiting to get in to place flowers at this makeshift memorial, to write messages to those who were injured or who lost in the bombings. Just amazing.

Come on, follow me. You can see this young lady. Flowers. Where are you from?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, I'm from Alston (ph) in Boston.

COSTELLO: You brought flowers, why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just as a reminder to everyone out there that we're still remembering, we're still supporting, we're still (INAUDIBLE), and this is very fresh in our minds.

COSTELLO: And it is a beautiful day, and you're filled with hope, too?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course, yes. It's a testament to how strong Boston is, is the reactions we have gotten from everyone across.

COSTELLO: Thank you so much.

So, you can see it's just an amazing sight. And in fact, sometimes I'm speechless because I just can't believe the kindness of strangers coming together to honor a tragedy here and to bring the nation together.

Of course, as all of these people pay their respects, the investigation does go on, and there are new developments to tell you about. So let's head to Devans, Massachusetts and Susan Candiotti. Susan, bring us up to date.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol. Well, this wiretap we have been hearing about since yesterday, a wire tap done by the Russians back in 2011, raises so many questions.

A source tells us that this conversation took place between the mother and one of the bombing suspects, that appears to be the case. A communication of some kind. The questions that it raises include these: why were the Russians wire tapping the mother? What were the details of that conversation? For how long were they wire tapping the mother?

We know that back in 2011, our FBI sources have told us that in fact they were asked by the Russians for help in looking at Tamerlan, the older brother of the two bombing suspects. But they said that the Russians were very nonspecific about why they wanted them to look at him other than he might be involved in some kind of activities, but the FBI said we did look at him. We interviewed him. We talked to other individuals, relatives, family. And we went back to them and said, give us more, give us more, give us more on a couple occasions at least, and they said the Russians did not, and eventually the investigation was closed.

But, you know, we're hearing from a lot of people wondering, the obvious next question is, why didn't they share additional details that we're now learning within the last few days that the Russians turned over to the FBI, that there was jihad was discussed in this conversation?

So, you know, it raises the obvious notion of whether the FBI could have done more with that information if they had that amount of detail back in 2011. Carol.

COSTELLO: So many questions. And so many mysteries left to be solved. Susan Candiotti reporting live from Devans, Massachusetts, at the prison where the suspect is now being held.

Also, harsh words today for attorney general Eric Holder and his handling of the bombing suspect. Athena Jones is in Washington at the White House. The Republican Peter King had some harsh words for the attorney general. Tell us about it.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Good afternoon, Carol. This is all about the timing of the reading to the suspect of his Miranda rights. The right to remain silent, the right to an attorney. Since being read those rights on Monday, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the suspect, has pretty much clammed up. He hasn't been nearly as forthcoming with information to investigators. And Republicans on Capitol Hill, people like Peter King, have said that was a bad move reading his rights on Monday and putting potentially useful information out of reach.

Now, they've been asking, demanding answers, really, from the Justice Department. And our own Brianna Keilar had a chance to ask attorney general Eric Holder about this last night. He was making his first comments on this topic. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC HOLDER, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: The decision to Mirandize him was one that the magistrate made, and that was totally consistent with the laws that we have. We had a two-day period where we were able to question him under the public safety exception. So, I think everything was done appropriately, and we got good leads.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: That was attorney general holder making his first comments on this. Of course, the questions still remain. Here is what Republican congressman Peter King saying he completely disagrees with Eric Holder. Let's listen to more of what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: And Eric Holder now is saying he approves that interrogation being stopped is absolutely disgraceful because that interrogation could have ended up saving many American lives. We don't know what the full consequences are going to be. Who else is involved, who was involved then, who could be involved in the future, and we may not know because of Eric Holder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: And so, there you have the attorney general under fire, and I should mention, of course, that Peter King is not the only person who's been raising these questions. We also know from the House Intelligence Committee that chairman Mike Rogers had sent a letter demanding a whole series of answers to a series of questions on who made the decision and how this whole decision came about to read the suspect his rights on Monday. So this is going to continue, Carol.

COSTELLO: I think you're right about that. Athena Jones reporting live from the White House this afternoon.

Two weeks after the bomb blast, dozens of people are still in the hospital. Here's where we stand right now: 28 victims remain in Boston hospitals. That's three fewer than yesterday. One patient remains in critical condition. The largest number of patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Nine people being treated there.

As life here in Boston gradually returns to normal, we're meeting many different kinds of people here at the memorial site. One of them is right around me somewhere. Cathy? Cathy? I'm going to have to go get her. Cathy, come on over here. And bring your friend with you. Hi. Hi, I'm going to get a microphone for you. Actually I'm going to take mine off here --

CATHY HUBER, THE GOOD DOG FOUNDATION: Can I put my (INAUDIBLE) here?

COSTELLO; Yes, you can. This is live television at its very livest, I must say. Cathy, tell me your name?

HUBER: I'm Cathy Huber.

COSTELLO: Cathy Huber, and you're with what organization in.

HUBER: The Good Dog Foundation from New York. COSTELLO: Awesome, so you came to Boston with your friend.

HUBER: This is Kerry.

COSTELLO: You can't see Kerry. He's at my feet, but he's the cutest German Shepherd ever. She, oh, excuse me, she. Tell me what you have been doing this morning?

HUBER: There's seven teams. We're certified therapy dog teams. And seven of us came up this weekend to -- to help out people in Boston. So we have been visiting the fire stations. We've been visiting the people here at the memorial. And just helping people feel better.

COSTELLO: Awesome. So when people approach you and your dog, or do you approach them? Do you say, hey, do you want to hug Kerry?

HUBER: I have to say, it hasn't been necessary here to approach people myself. Everyone has been approaching us. Everyone has been amazing here. People have been coming up to her and saying, can I pet your dog? Everyone has been giving her a lot of love.

COSTELLO: What do they say to her? Do they say words or do they just give her a big old bear hug?

HUBER: A lot of bear hugs and a lot of words. A lot of questions about Kerry and why she only has one eye. And what we're doing here. What is a therapy dog? What else do we do besides come to disaster relief? She goes to hospitals, she goes to schools, to senior centers, she does hospice work, as do Tracy and Tug over there.

COSTELLO: OK, we can get a shot of that cute old dog. Okay, so I'm going to ask a silly question because I know in my heart what it is about a dog that gives you comfort, but you tell me what you think it is.

HUBER: I think that dogs can take a lot of love and give unconditional love back.

COSTELLO: And that's it in a nutshell.

HUBER: And that's it in a nutshell.

COSTELLO: Yeah! Will you be back tomorrow?

HUBER: No, we're going home this afternoon. But teams from Good Dogs will be back for the rest of the month. Best Friends Pet Care has given us a grant to cover us for another month.

COSTELLO: Oh, that's awesome. Thank you so much. And thank you for coming down and comforting so many people. It's very nice to meet you and Kerry, too.

HUBER: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thank you. We appreciate it. All right, coming up next, we're going to talk about the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The president was joking a lot, even in a time of tragedy. He also offered words of comfort. How did he do? We'll talk about that. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The president proves he can not only take a punch line, he can deliver one, too. The zingers were flying all over the place at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Nothing, absolutely nothing was off limits. Mr. Obama had great comedic timing, aiming his barbs at Republicans, celebrities, and of course, his media hosts. He took to the podium with the rap song, "All I Want To Do Is Win" blaring in the background. President Obama said, Rush Limbaugh warned you about this, second term, baby. That line got a big laugh, and that was only the beginning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I get it. These days if I look in the mirror, I have to admit I'm not the strapping young Muslim socialist I used to be.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: Time passes. Get a little gray. And yet, even after all this time, I still make rookie mistakes! Like I'm out in California where the fundraiser, having a nice time. I happen to mention that Pamela Harris is the best looking attorney general in the country. As you might imagine, I got in trouble when I got back home.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: Who knew Eric Holder was so sensitive?

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: And then there's the Easter egg roll which is supposed to be just a nice fun event with the kids. I go out on the basketball court. Took 22 shots, made two of them. That's right. Two hits, 20 misses. The executives at NBC asked, what's your secret?

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: So yes, maybe I have lost a step. But some things are beyond my control. For example, this whole controversy about Jay-Z going to Cuba. It's unbelievable. I've gotten 99 problems, and now Jay-Z's one.

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: That's another rap reference, Bill. Wanted to let you know.

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Of course, everybody's got plenty of advice. Maureen Dowd said I could solve all my problems if I were just more like Michael Douglas in "The American President." And I know Michael's here tonight. Michael, what's your secret, man? Could it be that you're an actor in an Aaron Sorkin liberal fantasy?

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: Might that have something to do with it? I don't know.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: I know Republicans are still sorting out what happened in 2012. But one thing they all agree on is they need to do a better job reaching out to minorities. And look, call me self-centered. But I can think of one minority they could start with, hello.

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I mean, think of me as a trial run, you know? See how it goes. If they won't come to me, I will come to them.

Recently I had dinner. It's been well-publicized I had dinner with a number of the Republican senators. And I'll admit it wasn't easy. I proposed to toast. It died in committee.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: Of course, even after I've done all this, some folks still don't think I spend enough time with Congress. Why don't you get a drink with Mitch McConnell, they asked. Really? Why don't you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: There is a showbiz maxim, you're only as good as your last review. So, after the president's performance at the White House Correspondents Dinner, how did he do? Let's bring in comedian Chuck Nice and host of RELIABLE SOURCES, Howie Kurtz. Good afternoon to both of you.

CHUCK NICE, COMEDIAN: Good afternoon.

HOWIE KURTZ, CNN'S RELIABLE SOURCES: Hi.

COSTELLO: Good afternoon. Okay, so Chuck, I don't even think this question is fair, but I'm going to ask it anyway because we expect a lot of our president. We expect them to be great comedians, so I'm going to ask you this question in the spirit of what I just said. Rate the president's performance as a comedian.

NICE: As a comedian, I hate him because he was great. So -- and I do this for a living. And this guy steps in and makes it look like it's just a walk in the park, that it's so easy.

And the truth of the matter is comedy is about timing. And Obama has impeccable timing. He knows how to milk a joke. He knows when to hit a punch line. And if you look at the reaction of the people in the audience, they're nodding their heads and kind of like, wow, this guy is good. Like even the people that don't want him to be good are like, well, what can we do? This guy is great.

Then you have people who say, well, he's got writers. And I'm like, really? Jon Stewart has 17 writers. Nobody ever says he's not funny because of that. So please.

COSTELLO: That is true. Howie, if you look on the Drudge Report, the headline is "Celebrity in Chief." Then it has a big picture of President Obama. Although I don't think the Drudge Report meant that as a compliment, do you?

KURTZ: Well, George W. Bush was funny at many of these dinners. And this gives Barack Obama -- I give him about a B-plus. And yes, I'm going to credit his writers in part. Gives him an opportunity, a rare opportunity to be self-deprecating as a former strapping Muslim socialist, which the president often doesn't get. And to take some shots which you didn't show at those of us in the (INAUDIBLE), and we just have to sit and take it.

COSTELLO: Okay. We're going to --

NICE: I'm going to see how a B-plus is rated to an A.

COSTELLO: Wait just a second. Oh, my goodness. We're going to talk more about grading the president and the political implications of what he said last night, and also whether the correspondents dinner should be as Hollywood as it is. We'll talk about all that after a break, but I have to get to a break. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I understand second term, we need a burst of new energy. Try some new things. And my team and I talked about it, we were willing to try anything. So we borrowed one of Michelle's tricks.

(LAUGHER AND APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I thought this was -

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: I think that was the hit of the night. Let's bring back comedian Chuck Nice and the host of RELIABLE SOURCES, Howard Kurtz. We're talking about the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The president's ability to deliver, at least in the minds of his supporters, I should say -- Howie, I thought it interesting that he chose to come into the room to a rap song. Would he have done that in his first term?

KURTZ: Probably not. And there was some talk he would be more sober in the wake of the Boston bombings, but he had the usual mix of pointed and barbed jokes. There has been a lot of criticism, Carol, as you know, about this whole spectacle with all the celebrities that news organizations invited, and it has grown into something that some of us are not that proud of.

But having been there last night, I will say that I don't think one night where journalists try to get together with administration officials and whatever Hollywood folks they can attract means they're not going to be tough on the administration. But I do think it doesn't present the most illuminating picture of the White House press corps to the public that may be watching at home.

COSTELLO: No, because to outsiders, it just looks like a bunch of insiders getting together with a bunch of insiders.

KURTZ: Exactly.

NICE: Eh! Not at all. Not at all. I'm an outsider. Okay, you guys are in the media. I'm an outsider, and it looks like the president is presenting himself as a human being, able to be self-deprecating but yet smart enough to take jabs at his detractors at the same time. I think it makes him more likable. People understand this is a once and every so often thing that happens. Every single president does it, and I'm shocked that this president is criticized for some reason. Somehow.

KURTZ: No, he's not so much the president being criticized, it's the press corps that being criticized. Sarah Palin had a tweet, I can't read it verbatim, but she said a bunch of blank clowns in D.C. having this dinner. Which is faintly amusing since the former Alaskan governor went to a lot of the parties surrounding this weekend a few years ago and her husband, Todd, has been at the dinner.

But it is true, people don't see the work side of this. I found some administration officials last night, and I was trying to use them as sources for possible story ideas. So, it's not like we're all getting drunk together.

NICE: I would like it more --

COSTELLO: Chuck, let me ask you this, because you're an outsider. You're watching this, just a normal person. So, when the media, a member of the media who you know covers the president brings a guest from, let's say, "Duck Dynasty," what does it tell you about that media person?

NICE: You know, here's the thing. I think that it's incumbent upon the press to bring us the information that we don't have. And if you're able to do that, and every once in a while, take the time to relax and have a drink and joke around, we're cool with that.

The problem comes when you allow that cozy relationship to affect what you cover, and what I expect you to bring to me as a person who relies on you for my information. That's when we have a problem with it. Not something like the Correspondents Dinner. We have a greater problem with it when it actually permeates what you do on a daily basis. KURTZ: And Chuck, you know, most White House reporters are not the gas bags who go on TV. They're hardworking beat reporters who are trying to bring that information. They don't do a perfect job, but they certainly work hard.

NICE: Yes, and you know, we respect that. And it's not a problem.

COSTELLO: I could talk about this forever, too, but I have to end it now. Thank you, gentleman. Howard Kurtz and Chuck Nice, thank you so much for an interesting conversation.

Much more from Boston and the latest on the investigation when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to the NEWSROOM. I'm Carol Costello live in Boston. A look at the headlines now. A 41-year-old Mississippi man will appear in federal court tomorrow, charged in connection with poisonous letters sent to President Obama and two others. James Everett Dutschke was arrested yesterday in Tupelo, Mississippi, charged with making and possessing the toxin ricin as a biological weapon.

A foggy day turned dangerous fast as floodwaters took over the roads in Texas. Fire officials in Houston had to rescue 150 drivers whose cars got stuck. "The Houston Chronicle" says some areas got as much as eight inches of rain.

And words - some words, I should say, for air travelers. Air traffic control staff will be back to work in full force by tonight, hopefully ending those long delays at some airports. The FAA calling off the employee furloughs after Congress approved a bill. The president has been unable to sign the document, though, because of misspellings. But the president does plan to do that as soon as the spelling error is fixed. Twenty four thousand runners hit the streets this morning for the Oklahoma City Marathon. The race started after a moment of silence for the victims of the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995 and as you might expect, security was really tight after the attacks here in Boston.

Many runners wore t-shirts and Red Sox to show support for the victims and some who didn't finish the race in Boston, they did cross the finish line in Oklahoma City. For some, a big event like that, like another marathon, is the way to heal after Boston, but for others, it could be terrifying.

How can we stay safe at special events when thousands of people pack into arenas, parks, and cities? Nick Valencia has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Almost two weeks since the Boston bombings, a new Gallup poll reports half of the Americans believe a terrorist attack in the United States could be imminent. Forty percent worry that a family member will be the victim of an attack.

With the anxiety of another attack still fresh in the minds of many Americans, exactly how security may change at major U.S. events is as relevant a question as ever, and while total security cannot be guaranteed, especially in large crowds, experts say the risk of an attack can certainly be reduced.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's all about risk management.

VALENCIA: As the director of the National Center for Spectators Sports Safety and Security since 2006, Lou Marciani has trained thousands of first responders and universities to increase sports security awareness. For him, the Boston marathon bombing was a lesson learned in preparedness.

LOU MARCIANI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPECTATOR SPORTS SAFETY AND SECURITY: We work so hard in this country, as I said, and to harden stadiums and arenas, so people look at maybe softer targets. And if you look at access to events like marathons, cycling, et cetera, it's hard to maintain a high level of security.

VALENCIA: And as tens of thousands prepare for this weekend's New Orleans Jazz Festival and next weekend's Kentucky Derby, that's exactly what officials will try to do, but even with the tightened security making the crowd feel totally safe post Boston may be the biggest challenge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Nick Valencia joins us live now. Nick, tell us some more of the precautions that officials are taking at sports arenas and other venues across the nation.

VALENCIA: Well, according to Marciani, who we featured there in that report, he says he expects there to be a tighter perimeter at the start and finish of these races and marathons across the United States.

He tells me, Carol, that the most difficult thing to secure are these outdoor events where there's no controlled access. For that reason, expect there to be a conversation very soon about how to better screen backpacks at these events -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Nick Valencia reporting live today. And as you know, I'm live here in Boston at this spontaneous memorial. That just popped up in Copley Square. And take a look at all of the people, thousands and thousands of people have flooded the area this weekend.

I think Boston officials are a little surprised by this. They didn't expect this to be an area of such great interest. One of the people who is visiting the memorial is my new friend. Tell me your name.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kim.

COSTELLO: Where are you from, Kim?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Waltham.

COSTELLO: And why did you come down today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just to pay tribute to all of the families who lost someone or had someone injured.

COSTELLO: And when you look around at people signing the wall that spontaneously sprung up or the flowers and the teddy bears and running shoes left here, what goes through your mind?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's really sad, really sad.

COSTELLO: Does Boston feel kind of normal to you now or will it take some more time?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's getting back to normal. You can see from the crowds here that everybody is making an effort to come out and walk down the streets, that all of the stores have been closed and they're trying to make them come back to live again.

COSTELLO: I know the mayor was urging Bostonians to come out to Boylston Street and frequent these stores that have been closed down for the past several days because of the bombings and spend some money and show a real -- I don't know, I guess consumer support, a good idea?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Very good idea, very good. You know, just to bring the money back into the stores that were closed. You know, for about a week, you know, bring the business back into Boston.

COSTELLO: Thank you very much, Kim. I'll let you get back to it. I appreciate that.

You know, some of the businesses that were closed, especially some of the larger restaurants lost $2.3 million because of the closures. So they appreciate any monetary support that people can give. I have walked around this area, and you would not believe the people. You're walking shoulder to shoulder. It's a beautiful sight, and it's a beautiful day in Boston.

When we come back, we're going to talk about all things legal including what is in store for the suspect who is now in a medical facility in a federal prison. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is a beautiful day here in Boston. And it is a beautiful day here in Boston, and as you can see, thousands of people are out and about around where these terrible events happened just a week ago. This is a makeshift memorial. I just can't describe how it feels here.

Of course, people are sad, and of course they're paying their respects to those who were injured, who were lost, but there's also such a feeling of hope, and there's a feeling of community. And there's a feeling of people drawing together. And that's what the mayor of Boston really wants. He wants people to come down here and shop and live like it is normal because that's the way he says we can show the terrorists they haven't won and we have.

I must say in looking out at the crowds, they listened to Mayor Menino and they're out and about. Let's turn our attention now to the investigation into the how and why of the Boston bombings.

The center of the investigation, of course, is the suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, his six-month trip to Russia last year, who he met, what he did, and building the case against the surviving suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Foreign affairs correspondent, Jill Dougherty has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Like many Chechens, the family of Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev lived a nomadic life, marred by repression and violence. During World War II, Soviet leader, Josef Stalin expelled an estimated half million Chechens from Russia's Northern Caucasus region calling them traitors.

The Tsarnaev family ended up in Kyrgyzstan Central Asia. That's where in 1986, the older brother Tamerlan was born. The family moved back to the Northern Caucasus just as the first Chechen war was brewing. Tamerlan's brother Dzhokhar was born in the region in 1993. In the mid-1990s, the boys' family fled back to Kyrgyzstan then to Dagestan.

CHRISTOPHER SWIFT, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: Dagestan is important to note, has turned into the epicentre of the radical Jihadi movement in the Caucasus because the Russians have been so effective in pushing the insurgency out of Chechnya itself.

DOUGHERTY: The family finally immigrated to the United States. Tamerlan's uncle says it's in the U.S. that his nephew fell under the influence of a new convert to Islam.

RUSLAN TSARNI, SUSPECTS' UNCLE: I said this person took his brain. He just brainwashed him completely.

DOUGHERTY: But much of the focus now is on his six-month stay last year in Dagestan and Chechnya. Once back in the U.S., tamerlan created a YouTube Channel, posting a video of Abu Dujana, a self- styled Jihadi leader from Dagestan.

It's not clear whether he actually met Dujana in the Caucasus emirate, which the U.S. designates a terrorist organization, this weekend denied any connection to the Boston bombings. What Tamerlan did in Dagestan and Chechnya still isn't known. But his aunt says he had undergone a transformation.

PATEIMAT SULEIMANOVA, SUSPECTS' AUNT: They hadn't prayed before they went to America. Nobody taught him. He learned everything himself.

(END VIDEOTAPE) DOUGHERTY: That raises some other questions. Was Tamerlan Tsarnaev radicalized? If he was, did he reach out to radical groups or did they reach out to him? Jill Dougherty, CNN, the State Department.

COSTELLO: All right, let's bring in HLN contributor and Criminal Attorney Joey Jackson, and Criminal Defense Attorney Jeff Brown. Welcome to both of you.

JOEY JACKSON, HLN CONTRIBUTOR: Thank you, Carol.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thank you for being with me. You know, I would like to talk a little bit about the mother of the suspects because we just got word that Russia intercepted this conversation that the mother and one of the suspects talked about Jihad.

And that's about all we know. If I were a criminal defense attorney representing the youngest suspect, the surviving suspect, I really want to question the mother. How difficult will that be, Joey?

JACKSON: I think it will be very difficult based upon the fact that she is where she is. I mean, if she was in the United States and thereby subject to our jurisdiction, it would be another matter. There has been a lot of discussion, Carol, about her coming over to visit her young son, in addition to bury her other son.

That would make it a different matter. I think that's been slowed by the fact it's alleged she has some warrant, which of course, would subject her to imprisonment immediately. So if we had jurisdiction, it would be a different matter. To the extent that we don't, it becomes problematic.

COSTELLO: The fact she supposedly mentioned the word Jihad in this intercepted conversation, I would suspect that U.S. authorities would want to question her. So how does that happen and do you know? And does this just highlight how difficult it would be to defend such a suspect, Jeff?

JEFF BROWN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, let's talk about the criminal trial. The criminal trial doesn't have any element of being a terrorist or terrorism. It's a weapon of mass destruction and an explosive device.

So in the criminal trial, none of this is going to come out, it's not relevant. The judge isn't going to let it come out and the jury doesn't have to hear about, although the public wants to know.

So the criminal case, it's not going to be a part of it. No defense lawyer is going to be able to question his mom. Now as far as we the public go, yes, we really want to know the questions.

And I think the FBI wants to know the answers to these questions and to be able to question her. They want to know, you know, are there other people involved that they might charge in other cases? COSTELLO: But Joey, brainwashing is going to enter into this proceeding, and I suspect it would from a criminal defense angle, the mother's testimony and what she has to say is important to the case, isn't it?

JACKSON: It's a very valid point. It certainly could be, but at the end of the day, it's about what he did and what involvement did anyone else have? Now to what we know now, Carol, no one else as we can determine, has assisted besides the brother. There's been no other group that it's pinned to.

That might change, of course, as the investigation continues, but as to the charges and proving those charges, whether he was radicalized, where he was radicalized will not precisely play a role in the charge.

It's important for us to know that, but in regards to sustaining the charges themselves, all that has to be proven is that he conspired with his brother and he was destroying public property. That in and of itself, I think, leads to a conviction.

COSTELLO: OK, stick around. When we come back, I'm going to ask you about the death penalty and how this kid might avoid the death penalty, and if this mother has any role in that. So those questions will be answered after a brick. We'll be right back.

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COSTELLO: I'm Carol Costello live in Boston this afternoon and we're back with more, of course, on the Boston bombing and suspects, and the possible defense strategies for the surviving suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Joey Jackson and Jeff Brown, both criminal defense attorneys, are both with us.

OK, Jeff, I'm going to start with you. Tsarnaev has been given this well respected public defender. Her name is Miriam Conrad. She also defended the shoe bomber, Richard Reid. First off, as a defense attorney, how do you wrap your mind around defending these kinds of suspects?

BROWN: Well, you know, I was appointed to represent a terrorist here in Florida. I'm also one of the few lawyers who also qualified to do death cases. I did a federal death case. And that's what this case is going to come down to.

When the Department of Justice comes out and says they're seeking the death penalty, this case is either going to be won or loss when they pick that jury and they qualify that jury for death. And there's not much that the defense attorney is going to have to work on.

I think the main focus would be on his age. He's only 19 years old and focus on the domination of others, especially his brother, in getting him to do these acts. But besides those two or the third one would probably be no criminal history.

Besides that, that's really all they're going to have to work on. It's going to be a very, very tough battle, and I don't think many defense attorneys could win this case because of what's going to be on video, what is going to be played, and how just atrocious this was, it's going to be hard to find any American jury that won't give this boy the death penalty.

COSTELLO: OK, Joey, let me ask you this. There's this shadowy figure that everyone is looking for, his name is Misha. Supposedly, he was involved in radicalizing these brothers. How important is it -- I mean, how much -- I should ask you this because of course taxpayers are paying for the defense of this young suspect.

So how much money will it take to find Misha or the people that need to be found so that the defense can put on a credible case to avoid the death penalty?

JACKSON: You know what, Carol, whatever it takes. Of course, in our system of justice, what happens is if you can't afford a lawyer, one is afforded and appointed to you. That's a basic premise of our system. It's unbelievable in our democracy that we do that, but it's a wonderful thing, and that's why people come here.

So I think that certainly the attorneys will have whatever resources they need in order to defend their client. With regard to finding anybody else who might be involved in this, that's very important, Carol. Why?

Not just because of this case, and establishing a case here, but because of other threats that might be posed throughout the country, and how it could affect us, right? So if you look to that issue, you want to know who was involved, when they were involved, how was he radicalized, who brain washed him if he was brain washed? Who might be working with him? All those questions are significant to keeping us safe moving forward.

COSTELLO: Joey Jackson and Jeff Brown, thank you so much for enlightening us this afternoon. We appreciate it. We'll be back with much more from Boston after this.

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COSTELLO: I'm Carol Costello live in Boston. In front of this makeshift memorial that popped up here in Copley Square. You can see hundreds and hundreds of people paying their respects. Those people are generous, too, not only in spirit but monetarily.

It's been a fund set up in Boston, and so far, according to one of the co-owners of the Boston Celtics, he told me yesterday, $25 million has been raised. All that money will go to help those injured in the Boston bombings. And of course, to the families of these who were killed.

In that spirit, we turn our attention to sports and the NBA playoffs. Here's Joe Carter with "Bleacher Report."

JOE CARTER, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Chicago's Nate Robinson is just 5'9", usually the smallest guy on the court, but he's scrappy. He is a tough guy. Early in the fourth quarter, Robinson showed how tough he was when he was knocked down on the ground by Brooklyn's Gerald Wallace.

This guy is almost a foot taller and almost 50 pounds heavier. What did Robinson do? He responded with an incredible fourth quarter performance. He scored 23 points in the fourth quarter alone.

Just one point shy of Michael Jordan's fourth quarter playoff record. This game went into three, yes, count them, three overtimes. It was just a few minutes shy of four hours. In the end, the Bulls win, and take a three-game to one series lead.

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NATE ROBINSON, CHICAGO BULLS PLAYER: I like to think I'm on fire, kind of like in the game, NBA jams, you make a couple balls. The rim is on fire. You shoot the ball, it's on fire. When I'm in the game, I play with confidence, and you have to feel like you can't miss.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARTER: All right, so, earlier this week, Oklahoma City, of course, lost Russell Westbrook for the rest of the playoffs. He tore up his knee in game two of the series, but he hasn't missed a game before last night since junior high.

But of course last night he was forced to watch the game from the couch. But he did have successful knee surgery yesterday. Now Kevin Durant had to make up for Westbrook's absence, and he sure did by going off. This guy in the third quarter threw down a nasty monster dunk.

Oklahoma City was up by as many as 26 points in this game. Houston did manage to rally back, but watch this shot by Durant. It's a lucky shot. Goes in right there, that gives them the one-point lead, which gives them the lead for the rest of the night, I should say, and they would go on to win. Oklahoma City goes up in the series three games to none over Houston.

Now, USC quarterback Matt Barkley finally came off the draft boards yesterday. He went in the fourth round to the Philadelphia Eagles. That fourth round pick is a far cry from where he was projected to go in last year' draft.

Some say he would have been a top ten pick if he had gone into the NFL, but instead, of course, he chose to stay at USC for his senior season, which was an average season at best. Factor in that shoulder injury and his draft stock plummeted. He went from a first-round pick to a fourth-round pick, which cost him at least $10 million.

After three days, seven rounds, and 254 picks, the NFL draft is over. And it ended where it has since 1976, with Mr. Irrelevant. The Colts went with Justice Cunningham. Yes, his name is Justice. He played for the South Carolina Gamecocks for the past four years as their tight end.

A little fun fact about him, his brother's name is Power and he has two sisters named Promise and Sincere. For the past 38 years, we have seen Mr. Irrelevant tradition carries into the summer. They have a nice week in California where they help raise money for many charities. This year, the money will go to the Special Olympics of Southern California, which is great. Back to you, Carol.

COSTELLO: That is great. Thanks a lot, Joe Carter. Just ahead in our 4:00 hour, going high-tech to track down a bomb. Researchers work on brand new technology for detecting explosives. Will it replace bomb-sniffing dogs?

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