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EARLY START

George Executes Female Inmate; Kentucky Marriage Clerk: I Met Pope; U.S. Withdrawing Spies From China; Heavy Rain And Flooding Along East Coast; Taliban Repels Afghan Forces; Stocks Up To End Dismal Quarter. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired September 30, 2015 - 05:30   ET

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


CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: -- prisoner in 70 years, a punishment even the pope couldn't stop.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: More breaking news this morning, Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk once jailed for refusing marriage licenses to gay couples says she met the pope.

ROMANS: Breaking overnight, the U.S. told it spies from China, their identities compromised in a hack attack. We are live. Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

KOSIK: And I'm Alison Kosik. It's 30 minutes past the hour. We begin this morning with breaking news. Just a few hours ago, the state of Georgia executed female death row inmate, Kelly Gissendaner, for orchestrating the 1997 murder of her husband.

Her death by lethal injection followed three unsuccessful appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court and also pleas for mercy from Gissendaner's children and from Pope Francis. CNN's Martin Savidge has more from Atlanta.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The effort to spare Kelly Gissendaner's death went long before she should have been dead. Prison officials put the 47-year-old convicted murderer's execution on hold to let the legal process run its course.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCUS EASLE, A RETIRED CHATTANOOGA POLICE OFFICER: She was very strong and she was very assured in whatever the process was going to be and she handled herself with poise that was beyond belief.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: But when the last court turned her down, time and hope ran out. Her attorneys weren't the only ones fighting on her behalf. Her own children begged a parole board to commute her sentence to life in prison.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAYLA GISSENDANER, DAUGHTER: She is so supportive of me. I can talk to her about anything, any troubles I have or anything that I want to celebrate. I know she's my biggest cheerleader. My brothers and I really want my mom to live. She is all that we have left.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Even the Vatican weighed in with a letter from an emissary of the pope. Quote, "Please be assured of my prayers as you consider this request by Pope Francis for what I believe would be a just act of clemency," it read.

But others felt that her sentence for the 1997 murder of her husband was just. Doug Gissendaner's parents said in a statement, quote, as the murderer, she has been given more rights and opportunity over the last 18 years than she ever afforded Doug, who again is the victim here. She had no mercy, gave him no rights, no choices, nor the opportunity to live his life."

Kelly Gissendaner planned her husband's murder but did not do it. The beating and stabbing death was committed by her boyfriend, Gregory Owen. In a separate trial, Owen got a lesser sentence life without the possibility of parole.

The disparity between his and hers, is evidence of a flawed judicial system. There was also life at her conviction in which she turned to her faith, studied theology and counseled fellow prisoners.

In a strange twist, two previous execution dates were postponed, once by a winter storm and another when the experts said that the chemicals that made up her lethal injection looked cloudy.

With her execution, Gissendaner earns two very different distinctions, the first woman executed in Georgia in 70 years and the last woman on Georgia's death row. Martin Savidge, CNN Center, Atlanta.

ROMANS: Thank you, Martin, for that. More breaking news this morning, the Kentucky county clerk jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples says she met privately with the pope last week during his U.S. visit. That's a word from her lawyers. Lawyers for Kim Davis, who say she hand her husband spent 10 minutes with Pope Francis at the Vatican Embassy in Washington.

Liberty Counsel Attorney Matt Staver says pictures were taken of the meeting. They will be released at some point. For the latest, let's turn to CNN's Delia Gallagher live for us from Rome. Good morning, Delia.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine. I can tell you that this morning the Vatican is saying that they will neither confirm nor deny that a meeting took place between the pope and Kim Davis.

As you mentioned, Kim Davis' lawyer confirms that a meeting did take place and said it lasted ten minutes and present were Kim and her husband. He says that Kim Davis said I was humbled to meet Pope Francis. He even asked me to pray for him.

Pope Francis thanked me for my courage, she says, and told me to stay strong. Christine, we know Pope Francis on the way back from his U.S. trip on the papal plane was asked about his support for conscientious objection in general.

He said it is a human right and a right allowed for by law. He was asked if that included government officials. He said government officials are human people and, therefore, they are also included in these rights.

We know the pope met with the Little Sisters of the Poor. This is a religious group of nuns that run health care in the United States and are currently involved in litigation with the Obama administration over the contraception mandate.

[05:35:06] At that time on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. when he met with them the Vatican spokesman said it was obviously a sign of the pope's support for the sister's cause.

So we can say in general, although the Vatican is saying they are not confirming or denying the meeting that Pope Francis does support the question of conscientious objection.

We know he spoke about religious freedom in the United States and for the pope and the Vatican, conscientious objection falls under that larger theme of religious freedom -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right, thank you so much, Delia Gallagher this morning.

KOSIK: The U.S. is pulling spies out of China worried this morning that their cover has been blown by that huge hack of government employee record. The U.S. believes Chinese hackers were behind the cyber-attack on the Office of Personnel Management that exposed the personnel data of 21.5 million federal workers.

For the latest on this, let's bring in Saima Mohsin live from Beijing. Saima, a question on this, why do you think did the Obama administration not react more firmly against China when it learned about this massive hack?

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Alison, that's a really interesting question. That is because these are murky territories when we talk about cyber espionage. Look, problem has been ramping up the rhetoric over the years.

It's not more so over the weeks leading up to President Xi's visit, but the problem is that the United States also indulges in cyber espionage. The leaks exposed how extensive it was.

What President Obama wanted to do is draw a line in the sand so to speak to say, OK, cyber espionage, traditional espionage for national security purposes, which the United States does carry out is OK.

But cyber-attack, when you are targeting our companies and stealing our trade secrets and intellectual property not OK. That's as far as the agreement got on Friday.

That's why it's so hard when we hear people talking about rules of the road with cyber espionage to see where they will draw the line on. That that's where China comes in and says, look, we are not guilty of hacking.

Although U.S. cyber companies have traced back a lot of the hacks to Chinese military units. Not this particular one. It's been very hard to trace this massive hack attack. But what the Chinese say the U.S. is being hypocritical.

If they're doing it, why can't we? Now, as far as this hack is concerned, it is far reaching and deeper than we first thought. It is 21.5 million employees as you say and the concern is that these are employees working in China right now that needs to be taken out because they could potentially be exposed to Chinese intelligence officials.

These are members of the NSA, the CIA, and Defense Intelligence Agency that could be at risk of exposure -- Alison.

KOSIK: The ramifications of this hack, really extraordinary when you think about it affecting U.S. intelligence gathering right in China. Saima Mohsin, thanks for that.

ROMANS: All right, time for an EARLY START to your money. A big rebound for stock around the world on the last day of this terrible quarter, news this morning that deflation is back in Europe, boosting hopes of more stimulus from the European Central Bank.

Stocks in the U.S. will rise today to close out September. It was the worst quarter in four years. Investors wonder if now is the time to get back in for the end of the year perhaps. This is the narrative for today at least.

Perhaps the worst have been factored into commodities and stocks, but still plenty of reasons for caution. When will the fed raise interest rates? Will there be a soft landing in China's economy or something more bumpy? Will commodity prices find a floor and will a looming debt ceiling deadline assuring a political fight in Washington?

The big corporate story this morning, Ralph Lauren stepping down as CEO, former Old Navy head, Stefan Larsson, will take over his fashion empire in November. Lauren will stay on as executive chairman and chief creative officer.

The brand has been slowing growth, falling revenue, and shares up before the bell. It's so interesting, Alison, because when you look at Old Navy, what a very different kind of sort of fast fashion lower end retail behemoth it is. How will those two match?

KOSIK: It will be interesting to see if the Old Navy fashion seeps into the Lauren fashion. I personally hope it does not. That's my opinion.

A massive storm threatening 20 million people on the east coast, flooding in some states has already begun. What you can expect today next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:43:22]

KOSIK: Welcome back. The U.S. east coast deluged by record rain and there is more on the way. The downpours triggering flash floods like this one, turning a tunnel on the campus of James Madison University in Virginia into a raging river.

The rising water was waist deep in the West Virginia town of Petersburg and the Carolinas have been inundated, storms causing street, and highway flooding stranding scores of vehicle.

ROMANS: All right, let's get more on the rain, rain, that won't go away. Here's meteorologist, Pedram Javaheri.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Alison, Christine, good morning, guys. You know, it's incredible to think that we have a 7-inch deficit in the rainfall department for both New York and Boston. That's all about to change quickly.

Tropical moisture associated with it from the gulf that has soaked the Southern U.S., works across the northeast later this afternoon on the order of 2 inches to 4 inches for a lot of areas north of New York City.

But work your way into Southern Maine, a possibility of 6-plus inches of rainfall in the next 24 hour to 36 hours. Of course, the concern is that we have a tropical storm in the way of Joaquin that's sitting out there near the Bahamas at this hour.

Forecast to take this up to a Category 1 hurricane inside the next couple of days, potentially a Category 2. The official track of the National Hurricane Center, I notice in meanders with the eastern seaboard there sometimes Sunday night.

Heavy rainfall is a possibility. Look at the vast variety of the model now indicating a discrepancy where it will make landfall, but certainly plenty of supports for it to come in somewhere around the eastern seaboard.

If this is the case, what we do know is we have another storm system off the southern United States sometimes Friday night. Here's what would be Hurricane Joaquin in place.

Notice what happens as they merge from Saturday into Sunday bringing that tropical moisture with a pretty potent low by itself into this region.

[05:45:06] If this verified, we are talking some areas getting an extra 10 inches of rainfall inside the next week. It's certainly a story worth following. We will keep you up to date.

ROMANS: All right, thanks for that, Pedram. Let's take a look at what's coming up on "NEW DAY." Alisyn Camerota joins us this morning. Good morning, Alisyn.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, ladies, great to see you. We will follow that breaking news, a woman on death row executed overnight in Georgia. This was the first time in 70 years that a woman was put to death.

The execution happening after several failed appeals, including one by Pope Francis. Why did so many people want her to get a second chance?

And a fiery confrontation on Capitol Hill between Planned Parenthood and lawmakers who want to defund the organization, we'll hear from both sides including Planned Parenthood and the congresswoman leading the charge to stop their funding.

As well as the man behind the controversial videos that started this whole fight. It will be a busy morning when we see you in 15 minutes.

KOSIK: We will be watching. Happening now, Afghan forces fighting to take back the town seized by the Taliban. We are live next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KOSIK: The crisis in Afghanistan getting worse by the hour. Afghan forces failing in their attempt to take back the city of Kunduz. Taliban fighters not only repelling the offensive, but also

advancing on the local airport. Thousands of civilians now fleeing the city.

[05:50:05] CNN international diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson joins us with more on this sudden resurgence of the Taliban. I'm thinking that this new escalation that we are seeing really could change the plans for the Obama administration to get the majority of U.S. forces out of Afghanistan next year.

ROMANS: New this morning --

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Sure, it certainly raises the question, how can you pull out of Afghanistan when you are still feed there? What we've seen in evidence here is the Taliban in a smaller number than the Afghan forces take over a significant and important town.

It's U.S. airstrikes that have caused the most casualties to the Taliban in this particular situation, striking them outside Kunduz. The reports now are more than 100 Taliban killed. The Afghan government is saying the Taliban leader is killed.

The Taliban is saying that's not true, but the picture that is emerging, and this is a very, very worrying picture. The U.N. is saying 6,000 people fleeing their homes, more than 100 civilians so far dead and injured.

That number is expected to grow because the fighting continues. The government says the Taliban are hiding behind human shields in this very populated area. So on, therefore, when the U.S. makes an analysis of how quickly can we step back and leave the Afghan government on its own and not be threatened by the Taliban.

You can look at it and say they're holed up ostensibly around the airport surrounded by the Taliban. Taliban have cut the highway that would allow more Afghan troops to come into the city. The picture at the moment is one that is concerning in the immediacy of what's happening there. But of course, the longer term implications -- Alison.

KOSIK: All right, a picture that definitely is concerning. Nic Robertson, thanks for that.

ROMANS: Tesla's new all electric SUV is here and you will not believe some of the futuristic features. The inside look is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:56:06]

ROMANS: Hi, there. I'm Christine Romans. Let's get an EARLY START on your money this Wednesday morning. Big rebounds for stocks around the world on the last day of a terrible quarter, if sentiment holds stocks in the U.S. will rise today to close out September. It was the worst quarter in four years.

Investors say good riddance and wonder if now might be the time to get back if for the end of the year. Perhaps the worst has been factored into commodity and stocks. That's the narrative this morning, but still plenty of reasons for caution.

When will the feds raise interest rates? Will there be a soft landing in China or something more bumpy? Will commodities prices find the floor and will looming debt ceiling deadline usher in a political fight in Washington?

More oil jobs slashed as a result of cheap energy. Chesapeake Energy plans to cut 15 percent of its work force, that's 740 employees. Most will be in Oklahoma City. That's where Chesapeake is based. Their stock has plunged nearly 70 percent over the past year. During that time, U.S. companies have slashed more than 86,000 jobs because of falling oil prices.

The Tesla Model X SUV is finally here. The CEO Elon Musk handed over keys to the first six owners of this new all-electric SUV. Musk said the company got carried away, Alison, with adding features that delayed its release.

It has falcon wing doors that hinge at the top and open upwards and open for the approaching driver. Can you walk to your car and the door is opened. The air-conditioning system has a bioweapon defense that prevents bacteria and viruses from entering. Musk expects it will get a five star NHTSA crash safety rating in all categories.

KOSIK: I'm wondering when it will actually make dinner for you. "NEW DAY" starts now. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The first women executed in Georgia in 70 years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The notion of Clemency, why do we have it if someone like this doesn't qualify?

BERMAN: The president of Planned Parenthood on Capitol Hill.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you defend the sale of baby body parts?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For years you have been saying Assad should go.

JOHN KERRY, U.S STATE SECRETARY: As long as Assad is there, you simply can't make peace.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Putin is really kind of child checkmate on the United States.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Really attacked me quite viciously and I fought back.

FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: You shouldn't be able to insult your way to the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome to NEW DAY. It's Wednesday, September 30th, 6:00 in the east. The state of Georgia has killed the only woman on death row overnight after her final appeals failed. Kelly Gissendaner was put to death by legal injection early this morning. Her crime, murder, 18 years ago, she convinced her lover to kill her husband.

CAMEROTA: Gissendaner becomes the first woman executed in that state in 70 years. Even a plea from Pope Francis was not enough to save her life. She spent her final moments singing "Amazing Grace." CNN's Martin Savidge is live at the CNN Center in Atlanta with all of the breaking details. Good morning, Martin.

SAVIDGE: Good morning, Alisyn. This was Kelly Gissendaner's third execution date. Two other previous ones had been postponed and if her supporters had hoped for one more answered prayer. It was not to be.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Breaking overnight, 47-year-old Kelly Gissendaner, the only woman on Georgia's death row and the state's first female prisoner to be executed in 70 years put to death by lethal injection.

Gissendaner who was convicted of murder for convincing her murder to kill her husband, Douglas, almost 20 years ago was pronounced dead at 12:21 a.m.

MARCUS EASLEY, RETIRED OFFICER, FRIEND OF GISSENDANER: Kelly is a woman who made a drastic mistake and a tragic decision --