[Banfield:] We've just learned the names of the four people who were arrested overnight in connection with the slew of drugs that were found in Philip Seymour Hoffman's apartment. According to investigators they are Juliana Luchkiw 22-years-old, Max Rosenblum 22- years-old, Robert Vineberg 57-years-old, and Thomas Cushman 48 years- old. 11:20:00 It is without a doubt their arrests are not going to bring back this talented actor, this long-time partner, this father to three children. But it could bring justice, and it could also lock up these people who may have, just may have, provided envelope upon envelope of the killer heroin that took his life. It is clear Hoffmann was truly battling some inner demons. Now, his secrets may actually be contained inside his personal journal. We've also learned that investigators found that journal in the search of his apartment. That journal and whatever is inside it could be a huge break in this case. CNN entertainment correspondent, Nichelle Turner, joins me now. First off, what do we know about these people who have been arrested in connection with this case, Nischelle?
[Nischelle Turner, Cnn Entertainment Correspondent:] Okay, Ashleigh, there are a lot of things at play here right now. First of all, the people that were arrested overnight. Three men and a woman, they are going to be charged with various drug offenses. I do think it is really interesting that authorities have made it very clear and been very specific that they will charge them in connection with the drugs that were found in Hoffmann's apartment, not necessarily with his death at this point. I think that they are trying to make a clear distinction because there were some indications that maybe the drugs they found in the apartment. They found 350 glassine bags which they think have heroin in them at the apartment of these four. They didn't have that same stamp on the bags that they found in Philip Seymour Hoffman's apartment. So, they've got some things to connect here. They do believe these people were connected to the drugs found in Philip Seymour Hoffman's apartment.
[Banfield:] I was at the screening last night of "The Monument Men" when George Clooney spoke to this huge theater, and the very first thing he said was just how tragic it is to be in New York among all these entertainers and the entertainment community at a time when they have lost one of the most powerful voices. It was very sad, and very profound. Nischelle, thank you. Good to see you.
[Turner:] Sure.
[Banfield:] So, CNN's legal analyst and defense attorney, Mark O'Mara has something pretty profound to say about this as well. The LEGAL VIEW on this, and this is where I really need to drill down to the bottom of what these four people could be facing. Is it charges in relation to the death or sentencing in relation to the death? As Nischelle was saying, charges may be in relation to the heroin, but charges in relation to the death or sentencing, potentially, if there's a guilty verdict in relation to the death. Clear that up.
[Mark O'mara, Cnn Legal Analyst:] Sure. Under New York state law and many state laws, there is no direct connection between the death of the person using the drugs and the drug dealer. Although some legislatures are trying to do that, they are trying to expand what we call the felony murder rule, which is to say if in fact you give the drug and it causes a death, you should be responsible. Morally, that sounds really right and proper for us. However, a state law doesn't exist yet in New York. Under federal law, however, for drug traffickers or drug dealers, if a death occurs as in this case it obviously did, if they can connect the drugs that Hoffman had to the drugs that were given to him by these people, then it is a sentencing enhancement so you can get a much higher sentence in the federal court because your drug dealing resulted in a death.
[Banfield:] What does that mean, much higher? Because when I think felony murder, you commit a felony, you drive the getaway car and someone dies in the bank, you didn't pull the trigger but you could still go away for life. What about this? What how high could an enhancement take that sentence?
[O'mara:] The enhancement is not significant in cases like this, or at least not with the current law. So, it may a couple to a few years to a sentence, maybe a touch more than that based upon prior record. There is civil liability as well. At least the Feds acknowledge that the death occurring from a drug dealing event should increase the sentencing. Felony murder rule is a little bit more difficult to address.
[Banfield:] It makes my blood boil. To me, it looks simple. You are the expert and I am not. Maybe there will be some laws that change, when it's this high profile. Stay with me, Mark, if you will; we've got another story that you are a perfect voice on. A shooting at a gas station, all of it over loud music. There is a death and there is an arrest. A Florida man is on trial for this, and he says he shot in self-defense. Now, will his attorneys push stand your ground.