Colorado Wildfire Burns Out of Control; Supreme Court Hearings on Healthcare Enter Second Day
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks for joining us, everybody. I'm Kyra Phillips. It's 11:00 on the east coast, 8:00 on the west. We've got a really busy hour. Let's right to the news. After more than a year of violence, the Syrian government has accepted the peace plan offered by U.N./Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan. Shortly after we learned that, Syrian state TV aired this. That's right. That is President Bashar al-Assad walking the streets in Baba Amr. That's the neighborhood that activists say al- Assad's forces have relentlessly attacked and shelled. But even with the news of this peace plan, opposition activists say at least 53 people were killed today alone. Meanwhile, Annan is in China rallying support for the peace plan today. Both China and Russia have opposed previous attempts to take tough actions against the Syrian regime. Well, we are now in the second hour of the second day of historic Supreme Court arguments on the Affordable Care Act, health insurance for all. Four separate issues are taking up six hours of court time over three days. But today, the biggie, whether Americans could be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty. Critics say it's unconstitutional, but supporters say getting everybody in the pool is the only way to spread out the risk and manage costs. Besides, they say, everybody consumes health care. The only question is who pays. Today's session ends at noon, Eastern. We should hear audio recordings shortly after that. And never before seen details on the police report of Trayvon Martin's killing paint a very different picture of that deadly encounter. The "Orlando Sentinel" reports that the neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman, was bleeding from the face and head when police arrived. And they claim that Trayvon attacked him before shots were fired. Up until now, accounts from witnesses and Zimmerman's own phone calls to police strongly suggested Zimmerman was the aggressor. The fact that he hasn't been arrested has set off a nationwide outcry. A march in Washington is set to begin next hour and Trayvon Martin's parents are due on Capitol Hill. Well, act like a thug, die like a thug. A New Orleans police officer is suspended without pay for posting that quote online about Trayvon Martin. The police superintendent says he's furious and right now the city's NAACP is holding a news conference. We'll bring you the comments soon as we get them. Well, the self-proclaimed al Qaeda jihadist killed after a standoff in southern France has left behind gut-wrenching evidence of his alleged killing spree. We are talking about 25 minutes of video that actually document the shootings as they're happening. Al Jazeera received that tape in the mail. The suspect, Mohammed Merah, was wanted for killing seven people, including a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school. Al Jazeera says that the edited footage shows images of the seven victims along with music, religious singing, and readings from the Koran. The network says it will not broadcast the video, citing its code of ethics. A massive wildfire in Colorado has now turned deadly. It's killed one person and right now is threatening hundreds of others. The fire is in a mountainous area just southwest of Denver where flames have already scorched more than 3,000 acres. And dry, windy conditions right now are not helping firefighters. You're looking at live pictures via our affiliate, KMGH. Local fire crews called for backup and more than 450 firefighters are being ordered to the scene today. Air support was also called in. Emergency crews have contacted 900 households. Many have been evacuated already, but that wildfire is moving fast and it's torched up to 25 homes. And the Defense Department is denying reports that a controversial malaria drug may have played a role in the killing of 17 Afghan civilians by Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. The Defense Department says, quote, "The department-wide review of mefloquine prescription practices has no connection to the Staff Sergeant Robert Bales investigation. Assistant secretary of health affairs, Jonathan Woodson, requested this review in January to ensure each service conducts proper screening, patient education and medical documentation. Mefloquine, also called Lariam, can cause severe psychiatric side effects and has been implicated in numerous military suicides and homicides. And a new poll shows that America's support for the war in Afghanistan is at an all-time low. The CBS/"New York Times" survey show that a large majority believe we should not be involved. Less an quarter think we are doing the right thing. Numerous presidents have done it before. Now, it's President Obama's turn as the open mike and these remarks to the Russian president.</s>BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.</s>RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV: I understand you. I transmit this information to Vladimir and I stand with you.</s>PHILLIPS: Well, the two leaders were having a supposedly private chat during the nuclear security summit in South Korea. Here is what Mr. Obama had to say about it today.</s>OBAMA: Are the mikes on? Look, what I said yesterday is, Ben, I think something that everybody in this room understands. Arms control is extraordinarily complex, very technical and the only way it gets done if you can consult and build a strong basis of understanding both between countries as well as within countries.</s>PHILLIPS: Well, the president is now on his way back home, due back in D.C. tonight. A beauty contestant booted from Miss Universe Canada after organizers find out she was born a boy. Twenty-three-year-old Jenna Talackova, a transgender, was one of the 65 finalists, but got disqualified. The Miss Universe organization says she lied on her application and did not meet the requirements of being born female to compete. Talackova says that it's discrimination and plans to consult with a lawyer now. Well, listen up if you drive a "Beemer." BMW is recalling 367,000 cars because a battery cable cover in the trunk may have been incorrectly installed. BMW says it could lead to electrical problems and fire in extreme cases. Five- and 6-series from 2003 to 2010 model years are involved. If you're affected, you'll be notified by mail and BMW will fix it, no charge. Senseless killing or self-defense? That critical question still looming large over the Trayvon Martin tragedy. Now, new reports about what George Zimmerman says happened that day and why he says he was forced to pull the trigger. Plus, Trayvon's parents head to Washington. Stay with us. We've got more. But first, her courage is simply impossible to forget. Stephanie Decker is finally going home after three weeks in the hospital. You may remember Stephanie's the mom who lost her legs while saving her kids from not one, but two massive tornados by using her body as a shield. And, when she finally got home, she was overwhelmed by the kindness of others.</s>STEPHANIE DECKER, TORNADO SURVIVOR: They stocked my cabinets. They have done absolutely -- I'm getting choked up -- they have done absolutely everything for me. And I'm very, very appreciative for what everyone has done for me.</s>PHILLIPS: And nothing is slowing this mom down either. Stephanie is adamant she'll be walking soon. Stephanie, you're not just a hero to your kids and your family. You are our rock star.