[Burke:] That's a local reporter here in the Vail Valley exaggerating just a little bit about how many members of the media descended upon Eagle County here. Welcome back to ON THE STORY. I'm Josie Burke here in Vail. And it was really an unprecedented week covering this story, because mainly all of the things that came out about the alleged victim. Information about her background and not just that, specifics. She was named by name by Los angels talk show host. So her name was out there. On the Internet, they put pictures out there, unfortunately for one woman here who lives in this part of the country, her picture was put out there instead of the alleged victim. That woman hired an attorney. And just yesterday a tabloid newspaper went ahead and published a picture of the alleged victim. They blacked out just her eyes. But really, this is something that is a test case for rape cases all across the country. Now, we're seeing because of Kobe Bryant's involvement, he's such a huge star, the rise of the Internet, all sorts of things really changing in the way that this case is being covered. And putting lots of pressure on more mainstream media to keep up.
[Quijano:] Josie, I wanted to ask you, that so many comparisons have been made between this case and the OJ Simpson case. Just in terms of the publicity, what kind of affect is that having on the judge, on the people there? Explain to us what are some of the things that you've seen.
[Burke:] Well, one big difference with the OJ case actually, there are a couple big differences. It took place in a major market. So there were a little better equipped to handle all the attention. Another change is the rise of the Internet. The OJ Simpson case was almost a decade ago. Then, what changed in that case was how the tabloids covered it. They actually got in and had legitimate stories. Here in Eagle County, they've will to change their lives so much. Not just the alleged victim, not just the town people, but the people who are directly involved in this case. The judge who's going to be hearing the August 6 hearing, when basically Kobe Bryant will be arraigned had to come out and issue he didn't call it a gag order. But in effect it was a gag order. He called it an order regarding pretrial publicity, because he was seeing all of the things coming out, and not really from the lawyers but from all of the people in town who knew or said they knew the alleged victim. There was so much information, he went out and put out that order that says, don't talk about this case in public. There was no threat of repercussion, but the idea was trying to get all of the rumor and the innuendo and any facts that could come out to really put a clampdown on that.
[Malveaux:] But Josie, why is it, then, they decided for these hearings, these initial hearings, that they would allow a camera inside the courtroom? You would think it would just make it worse?
[Burke:] Well, it looks like because of the attention, their idea could be that if they make it available, there's going to be one still camera in the courtroom. There's going to be one video camera in the courtroom, and a live audio feed will be available. Probably the thinking behind that is, maybe some of the people who would otherwise feel like they had to be down in the courtroom will now think they can listen to it on the radio or in some other way get the information. And it's also interesting that they to have a meeting yesterday. The judge with people in the county, to try to figure out what to do about this courtroom that only seats 68 people, where they're supposed to hold this hearing on August 6. Clearly, there could be 10 times that many people looking to get in. So they're having to struggle with things that really has nothing to do with the facts of the case. Just in terms of how they're going to allow people to cover it, because there is so much interest.
[Starr:] Josie, we know you're also keeping your eye on another huge sports story emerging this weekend, I think, and that's Lance Armstrong.
[Burke:] Yes. That's actually happening now as we speak. Obviously, Lance Armstrong, 31 years old, the best cyclist in the world right now, is looking to win his fifth consecutive Tour de France. But this has been a lot different than his previous four victories. And in those victories, he's gone into the final weekend, and that's what this is, with at least a lead of five minutes. Well, his lead right now is 65 seconds. And today is very likely the day that will decide who wins the Tour de France, whether it is Lance Armstrong or his chief rival Jan Ullrich. They're having this 30-mile time trial. Lance Armstrong is scheduled to start any moment now. And if he can pick up some time, maybe he'll be able to coast down the Champs-Elysees tomorrow. But if he loses time to Jan Ullrich, in the last time trial, he lost more than a minute and a half to Jan Ullrich. If that were happen again, his chances of winning are over. If it's neck-and-neck, we're going to see something unprecedented tomorrow in Paris because normally it's a ceremonial ride. The guy in the yellow jersey just comes down the Champs-Elysees to great cheers because he's already wrapped it up. Well, tomorrow that might not be the case. It could be the most exciting finish in the 100 years of this great race. Just so you know, the closest finish ever was back in 1989 when Greg Lamon won by a mere eight seconds. He, of course, another American.
[Malveaux:] So what are the odds he's going to pull it through?
[Burke:] I think people are saying that he has a good chance. But the big difference is, he's not as strong as he was in the past. He's gotten a little older. That time trial I referred to earlier, he was beaten and beaten badly. And he didn't do the one thing that he's always done in the Tour de France, and that's pull away in the Alps. He's such a great climber. A lot people attributed that also to the weather. Weather conditions supposedly today in France are supposed to be more conducive to Lance Armstrong riding well, and that it's going to be cool and a little bit wet.
[Quijano:] Josie, talk to us on a different story; but also, a very interesting story that is surfacing about golfer Suzy Whaley. I mean, the situation there. So many comparisons to Annika Sorenstam, but at the same time, a different situation for her. She's sort of doing this for others, to be a role model for others, not just for herself.
[Burke:] Naturally, you have to draw the comparison between Suzy Whaley, who just played the first two rounds at the Greater Hartford Open and did not make the cut and Annika Sorenstam who back be in May played at the PGA's Colonial Tournament. But again, there, Annika said this was something he was trying to do for herself. She really endeared herself to people. Suzy Whaley came out and said she wanted to do this, take this step so she could be a role model for her two daughters and for women everywhere. But in the same way Annika Sorenstam did, she really presented herself well; she really endeared herself to people. And even though she didn't make the cut, people are saying that she really took a step forward with her great smile and also the fact that her job is she's a teaching coach. She said her job is to grow the game of golf. She said on Friday it was the experience of a lifetime, and she felt like she really did her job.
[Quijano:] All right, Josie. Thanks. From winners and losers in the sports world, to a victory lap this week for Jessica Lynch, the former prisoner of war in Iraq, finally home from the hospital. I'm back ON THE STORY in two minutes: But first, a check on the headlines this hour with Heidi Collins.
[Pfc. Jessica Lynch, U.s. Army:] Those were my works. I am an American soldier, too. Thank you for this welcome, and it's great to be home.
[Quijano:] Former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch, an injured soldier coming home, but also a huge celebrity. And you know, I was out there in West Virginia, and it was unbelievable. It was like the Fourth of July. You would see the people lining up along this motorcade route, and anticipating her arrival for hours and hours. I mean you can only imagine what affect this had on a small, small community that kind of plays where certainly everybody knows everybody, everybody knows each other's business. And you know, just as an indication of how small this is, I asked one of the governor's representatives, well, how many people live in Elizabeth, which is just down the road from Palestine, Jessica's hometown. And he says, well, let me give you the whole population of county. The county is 5900-some people. It's a small place; and they certainly look at Jessica Lynch as as nothing less than a hero.
[Malveaux:] What was it like for you, and and to be there in that moment? It seemed like it was, I mean, such a special time for that young woman. And at the same time I wondered, what kind of pressure was she under to go before the cameras and to make a statement because clearly, that must have been pretty difficult for her to do...
[Quijano:] Oh yes, absolutely. And you keep in mind this is person who is 20 years old. I mean, let's not forget, I mean, she is a young, young woman. And to show the poise that she did under the circumstances that she had gone through, where she certainly was in a lot of pain. According to family spokesperson, she still doesn't have enough feeling left in her feet to be able to walk. So, she needs a walker to get around in. She was actually wheeled out onto the stage. She wanted to get up on her own power and walk herself, but she's not able to do that. So and actually, her family has made some adjustments to their home to make it wheelchair accessible for her. And it's just a tremendous amount of pressure on this young woman. And then, of course, the questions about the controversy surrounding the details, what exactly happened to her. You know, she through it all, showed a tremendous amount of poise, I thought. Yes.
[Burke:] Elaine, I want to ask you about that controversy. You talk about how it affects her. She doesn't seem to notice it, but the townspeople who are hailing her as a hero. What's been their reaction to all the questions about what actually happened over there? And how she should really be characterized?
[Quijano:] Yes, you know, I asked people about that. And they absolutely are adamant that no matter what, the fact is, she was held captive. The fact is she suffered some very devastating, debilitating injuries. And the fact is, she's got months and months of hard, grueling, painful work ahead of her. So, they look at her and they, you know, they basically told me, it's not important to us. It really, truly doesn't matter to them, because this is their hero coming home. This is a woman who's been through so much, and they are just simply glad that she is back in their town, and back safe.
[Starr:] Well of course, the Army acknowledging constantly that this woman went through a terrible situation. Was grievously injured, very, very difficult. But the Pentagon reminding people that there were a number of other people in this ambush incident, and many people lost their lives. It was really a terrible tragedy that touched so many military families across the country. So, they want to acknowledge Jessica Lynch, but they don't want people to forget that there were other soldiers there that day.
[Malveaux:] And is that important to the Pentagon, just how it was that she was rescued or her story? I mean is that something that they are sensitive about? How that came about?
[Starr:] What they mostly have said is, they believe the news media has gone a little off the deep end in; you know, por in portraying this situation as some sort of Hollywood commando rescue. This was done by Special Forces in the cover of night, very covert. It turned out they didn't, of course, go into a hostile situation; that there were many Iraqis that had been involved in caring for her. We still don't know, however, the really full story. How this young woman completely got all of these injuries. How it all happened. She has had some memory issues that have made it difficult. So, it may be some time before we still really know what happened to Jessica Lynch.
[Malveaux:] From Jessica Lynch, to her Commander in Chief. A week where President Bush could celebrate her homecoming, applaud the killing of Saddam Hussein's sons, but continue to weather questions about the war and the 911 911 terror attacks. I'm back ON THE STORY in 90 seconds.
[Announcer:] Suzanne Malveaux is a CNN White House correspondent. Earlier she reported for NBC for six years, covering the Pentagon and the Clinton administration. She has degrees from Harvard and Columbia.