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Pastor Killed in Church Massacre Honored; Confederate Flags Come Down; Search for Escaped Inmates; Citadel Vote to Move Confederate Navy Jack from Chapel; Confederate Flag Debate; Search for Escaped Inmates. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired June 24, 2015 - 13:00   ET

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


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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, 6:00 p.m. in London, 9:30 p.m. in Tehran. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BLITZER: And let's begin with the breaking news from South Carolina. The pastor and the state lawmaker killed in the church massacre in Charleston is being honored. The body of Clementa Pinckney arrived at the state house and the capitol of Columbia just a little while ago on this horse-drawn carriage. It will lie in repose throughout the day. Senator Pinckney was pastor of the Emanuel AME church. He was shot and killed along with eight church members during bible study a week ago.

CNN's Victor Blackwell is joining us from Columbia with more. Victor, a somber day. Walk us through what has happened first so far.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and just at this moment, schedule told begin at 1:00 Eastern, some of the hundreds of people who have lined up in triple-digit heat, nearly, to see the body of Clementa Pinckney. They will start to do that, to pay their respects. Somber is the right word for what we saw this morning or at least this afternoon as this horse-drawn caisson came down Main Street about a mile from the funeral home here to the state house grounds and there was silence. I've said it before that all I could hear was the hooves of these horses and the helicopter above. No one was speaking.

As it passed, it passed by the Civil War Memorial, below the confederate flag. And when you put that in the context, Wolf, of Senator Pinckney's views and the national conversation over the past several days, there are many who with are questioning if that flag should have been taken down for at least the passage of Senator Pinckney's body, if not for the entire four hours that he will lie in repose at the state capital -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And the governor, though, just issued a statement, Nikki Haley, saying that she really doesn't have the legislative authority, the legal authority to bring that flag down without action by the legislature in South Carolina. Tell us what she said in her statement.

BLACKWELL: Well, there is, of course, to her statement, she said that she believes that the flag should come down and that is unequivocal, according to her statement. But she says that she doesn't have the legal authority to do it today or any day, that it has to go through the legislative process.

But there is a section of the South Carolina code, section 110.10 in which it says that that flag has to fly above the Civil War Memorial at all times except for when it is brought down to be replaced and that is, let's say, a loophole that she could have used, according to some, to take it down today and then possibly put it back after Senator Pinckney's body is taken on to the funeral in Charleston.

Representative James Clyburn has said this is not unprecedented, that back in the 1960s then Governor Robert McNair did it to just test how it would be received by the South Carolinian general public. And, according to Clyburn in his 2014 book, the furor was so great that he put it back up by midday and then told all the people who were calling in that it had just been taken down to be cleaned.

Now, again, the governor says she doesn't have that authority, at least some here believe that she did.

BLITZER: Victor, I want you to stand by because, obviously, everyone wants to remember Senator Pinckney, minister Pinckney, on this important day. His body lying in repose, the casket there. But I also want to remember the others. As hundreds gather to honor these people, we want to remember the eight others also killed in that brutal church shooting.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The youngest victim, 26-year-old Tywanza Sanders, he tried to negotiate with the gunman and shield his great aunt, Susie Jackson, from the volley of bullets. Both were killed. Then, there was Cynthia Hurd, a 54-year-old Charleston native. She worked for 31 years as a librarian dedicating her life to improving educational opportunities in the community. 59-year-old Myra Thompson was studying to become a minister and was teaching bible study that fateful night. And 70-year-old Ethel Lance, a retired city worker who served as custodian to the church. The group included three reverends, 49-year-old DePayne Middleton-Doctor, a mother of four and admission coordinator at southern Wesleyan University; 74-year-old Daniel Simmons who attended Sunday service and bible study classes every week; and Sharonda Coleman Singleton, a 45-year-old mother of three who also served as the speech and track coach at a local high school. Her son posting on social media, you were a better mother than I could have ever asked for. This has truly broken my part in every way possible.

[13:05:20]

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BLITZER: And, once again, our deepest, deepest condolences to the families and the friends of those wonderful, wonderful people. He was a minister. He was a politician. He was also a husband, father, and friend. Those who remember Clementa Pinckney say his faith shaped his life and guided his actions. On the floor of the state house in South Carolina, friends and colleagues remembered Senator Pinckney for his compassion and calm demeanor.

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JOSEPH NEAL (D), SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE: No matter how much he was provoked, he always maintained that cool, balanced response, that thoughtful dignified response to whatever was brought to him. An individual like that lives his faith out loud and that's what he did.

DAVID J. MACK III (D), SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE: He cared about whether people had health care. He cared about whether people were paid a decent wage. He cared about whether people had a decent place to live. He loved people.

WILLIAM BOWERS (D), SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE: Senator Pinckney was a man who lived life to the fullest, honored life to the fullest, lived life to the greatest. He brought hope and inspiration like few people I have observed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: South Carolina state representative, Joseph Neal, was one of those colleagues you just saw paying tribute to Clementa Pinckney. Representative Neal is joining us now. Representative, once again, my deepest condolences. What will you remember most about your friend?

NEAL (live): I think the thing I remember most about Clementa is his passion, his compassion, his dedication both to his faith and to his constituents.

BLITZER: You know that the Governor, Nikki Haley, she wants that flag removed from the state capitol grounds. But she says she doesn't have the authority to remove it on their own. It's got go through the legislative process. She says, based on the 2000 law, a spokesperson for her says she does not have the authority to remove the flag herself today or any day. And rather than violate that law, she will continue to work to change it. Do you agree with that, she did not have the authority to even remove it today, tomorrow, Friday during these very difficult times?

NEAL: Well, I think that there are provisions in the law that will allow the flag to be removed for cleaning and repair. And, frankly, I think it really needs that very badly right now. It needs to be repaired. So, I think they have a reason to take it down, especially on tomorrow. I think cleaning services are really good on tomorrow.

BLITZER: You'd like to see her use that option which has, of course, been used in the past. At least for now, her spokesperson saying she's not going to do that, although she does want to remove it permanently down the road. Here's the question, will that pass both houses in South Carolina? Do you think the votes are there to get rid of that flag from the state grounds? NEAL: I certainly hope we do. The votes that we held on yesterday to

allow debate on the flag was overwhelmingly positive. I think there's a really good chance that we will be able to bring it down. I think this incident in Charleston has changed a lot of thinking in the state, in terms of how that flag has been used by groups who have claimed it as an icon of racism and discrimination. I think those who revered that flag and who are not subscribing to the racist groups who are embracing it would rather see it honored in another way. And I hope that proves to be true.

BLITZER: The president of the United States, the first lady, the vice president, they're all going to be there Friday. The president will deliver the eulogy for the Reverend Pinckney. Is there one specific thing, Representative, you'd like to hear the president say?

NEAL: I don't think there's any specific thing that I expect him to say. I think that he's going to give us a response from his office, in terms of how he see this is in the larger sense. I think that this draws some attention to issues of race in the country that we really haven't had an opportunity to have dialogue with around the country that we really need to. I think that's an issue of gun education and the prevalence and access to guns in this society that may be a part of that discussion as well.

[13:10:12] BLITZER: Representative Neal, thanks very much for joining us.

NEAL: My pleasure.

BLITZER: Thank you. Representative Joseph Neal, South Carolina.

Coming up, the governor of Alabama is ordering the removal of the confederate flags that stand on state capitol grounds. The citadel also taking down its flags. We're going to talk about the significance of these moves.

Also, new details on how Joyce Mitchell smuggled tools into a maximum security prison and the latest on the search for those two escaped inmates. They are both convicted killers. Stay with us.

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BLITZER: Alabama's governor has moved quickly to resolve the confederate flag issue in his state. Governor Robert Bentley ordered the removal of four confederate flags from the memorial at the state capital this morning. The governor spokeswoman said he worried the flags would become a distraction from legislative issues. The move comes two days after South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley, asked her legislature to do the same thing. The statement from the governor's office says, by state law, she cannot order it done herself.

South Carolina's iconic military college is weighing in at the same time. The citadel, whose cadets fired some of the first shots in the American civil war, voted to remove the Confederate Navy Jack from its chapel to another college location. The Navy Jack is very similar to the Confederate Battle Flag. One of the victims at Emanuel AME church went to citadel's graduate school and six employees lost family members in the shooting.

[13:15:01] The citadel's president released a statement saying, in part, "we pride ourselves on our core values of honor, duty, and respect. Moving the Naval Jack to another location is consistent with these values." The move must be approved by the South Carolina legislature. We'll follow that development.

Sales of Confederate battle flag merchandise have exploded at some specialty stores, even as more chain retailers have announced they will remove all such items. Walmart, Sears, Kmart, eBay, Amazon, Etsy, they've all pledged to stop selling Confederate flag merchandise. Amazon's website alone had featured more than 29,000 item. But the move has only sparked a rush on item at independent sellers. "The New York Times" spoke to one San Antonio company that averages selling three Confederate battle flags a month, but has now sold 25 flags in a 24-hour period.

As retailers decide whether or not to - Confederate items should be sold, the ongoing debate over the confederate battle flag here in the United States is heating up. Our Ed Lavandera takes a closer look.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are we on your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) agenda today? Get the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of Somerville.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what happened when we tried to shoot video of a store in Somerville, South Carolina, selling confederate battle flag memorabilia. This man, who refused to identify himself, wanted to make sure we couldn't show you the sign announcing three shirts for $25. He threw in an obscenity-based tirade for free.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your stirring (EXPLETIVE DELETED) people come together in peace. Why don't you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) worry about that. This is (EXPLETIVE DELETED) peaceful. You guys are here stirring (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up.

LAVANDERA: And it didn't end there. The man followed us and tried to get in the way of us shooting other pictures around town.

With so much focus on the confederate battle flag, tempers and passions are heated once again over this divisive symbol since the murders of nine African-Americans at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, the calls to bring down the confederate flag have largely focused on the one flying on the state capital grounds. But confederate imagery is big business, found in countless stores, shops and front yards across the south. Confederate flag symbols are emblazoned on everything you can imagine, bumper stickers, bikinis, cigarette lighters, belt buckles. But buying these items might be getting a little tougher. Amazon, eBay, Walmart and Sears are banning the sales of confederate flag merchandise.

RANDY BURBAGE (ph): This is really a different type of battle (ph).

LAVANDERA: Randy Burbage keep this confederate flag cross-stitch framed in his office.

BURBAGE: Then the national flag was changed.

LAVANDERA: Burbage is a spokesman for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He says 57 of his ancestors fought for the confederacy in the Civil War. Sixteen of them died in battle. To him, the confederate battle flag is a family symbol of honor and sacrifice.

BURBAGE: Once this flag is removed, it will start down the slippery slope. And then it will be the monument will be called for to be removed from statehouse grounds. And then the next thing will be street names and building names, which has already begun. Complete eradication to eliminate all confederate history.

LAVANDERA: Despite the calls for confederate symbols to come down, this is the reminder that the issue won't go away without a fight.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED). You're all part of the problem.

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BLITZER: That report from CNN's Ed Lavandera.

Still ahead, bribed with baked goods. The stunning new revelations about how New York prison guards unwittingly helped two convicted murders escape.

Plus, where the search for killers now stands. We're going to get a live report right after a break.

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[13:22:25] BLITZER: Baked goods, hacksaw blades and frozen beef, they're all mentioned in the new bombshell revelations about how a woman allegedly helped two killers escape from a maximum security prison in upstate New York. A source now telling CNN prison tailor Joyce Mitchell, there you see her picture, actually bribed guards with baked goods in order to win favors for the two convict, both of whom are killers. Favorites that included allowing - included adjoining cells for the two men and, as you first heard here on CNN, unknowingly passing them a hunk of hamburger meat laced with hacksaw blades and drill bits. CNN's Boris Sanchez is joining us from Cadyville in upstate New York. It's right near where the police are continuing their hunt for these two killers.

Boris, what, it's now day 19 in this hunt. What's the latest? What are you hearing?

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, about a thousand law enforcement officers are on the hunt for these two escaped inmates. At a press briefing this afternoon, investigators tell us that they believe they are still likely in the area of that cabin that was broken into over the weekend where their DNA was discovered. Forest rangers tell us that area is extremely remote and mountainous. It's very difficult to move around in there. And with the weather over the past few days, a lot of rain. They imagine these escaped convicts have not gotten very far.

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MAJOR CHARLES GUESS, NEW YORK STATE POLICE: We have every reason to believe that they were at the point last seen where that cabin is. Their distance from that cabin could be extensive if their travel was unimpeded. But as you heard Captain Streiff (ph) say, it's a very remote, difficult terrain to work in. We had units in the area almost immediately and we're doing everything we can to keep them hunkered down and secure until we can capture them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: One other note. At that press brief, officials mentioned that most of the cabins in the area are seasonal hunting cabins, meaning most of them have weapons inside. So they're operating under the impression that these men are armed. They're asking the public to be careful, to be vigilant and to give them a call if they notice anything out of place.

Wolf.

BLITZER: Boris, as you know, we have this report that this prison tailor, Joyce Mitchell, she's now under arrest, that she was smuggling in meat with hacksaw blades. How did she get it past security?

SANCHEZ: Wolf, sources tell CNN that she took the meat into the tailor shop and she held it there in a freezer. At that point she asked a guard at the prison, Gene Palmer (ph), to sneak that meat - or rather to pass that meat along to Richard Matt, I should say. He did not pass it through a metal detector. That is a violation of prison policy. That's why he's on administrative leave right now.

Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Boris, thanks very much. We'll say in close touch with you. It's day 19 now in the hunt for these two escaped killers.

[13:25:11] Up next, President Obama sets new policy on Americans being held captive overseas. We're going to talk to the family of the longest-held American hostage who was kidnapped in Iran. Stay with us.

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BLITZER: Welcome back to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting from Washington.

It's an excruciating dilemma, your family member is being held hostage, you want them freed but if you pay a ransom you could face criminal prosecution here in the United States. It's a decision no one wants to make and now President Obama says families won't have to. Just a little while ago, the president announced the shift, a major shift in U.S. hostage policy as part of a broader overhaul to try to fix what the administration has acknowledged is a broken policy on U.S. captives.

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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These families have already suffered enough and they should never feel ignored or victimized by their own government. Diane Foley, whose son Jim was kill by ISIL last year said, as Americans, we can do better. I totally agree. We must do better. And that's why I ordered a comprehensive review of our hostage policy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: All right, let's discuss what's going on. Let's bring in a special guest. David Levinson is joining us. His father Robert Levinson was detained in March of 2007 while traveling on Kish Island in Iran. Although his family has not been able to communicate with Levinson, they did receive a video and pictures of him a few years ago.