Transcripts For KNTV NBC 20240704

Help now and officials working to identify the victims. Among the dead, a 68yearold man, who died shielding a Golden Retriever. Our team in the fire zone north koreas new claims about detained u. S. Soldier travis king. What he supposedly said about his reason for crossing into the country. Severe thunderstorm watches on the east coast, on the heels of Flash Flooding in the midatlantic were tracking it all. The mother of a 6yearold virginia student who shot his teacher. What she pleaded guilty to today. And the Superstar Surfer who jumped onto his jet ski to help after the fires that devastated his native maui announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with lester holt. Good evening, and welcome. Already facing a Dizzying Crossroads of nearly unprecedented legal and political challenges, Donald Trumps trail of criminal indictments has grown longer the newest handed up late last evening by a Fulton County, georgia, grand jury. Mr. Trump hit with 13 charges, accusing him of being part of a conspiracy to unlawfully overturn the georgia 2020 president ial Election Results after his loss mr. Trump is not facing the music alone. The sweeping indictment names 18 alleged coconspirators, including trump lawyer and former new york mayor Rudy Giuliani The Georgia Case marking the fourth indictment of the expresident since the end of march. Two federal cases and two State Prosecutions mr. Trump denying the latest accusations and blasting District Attorney fani willis, who has given trump and the other defendants ten days to surrender to authorities. Blayne alexander leads as off tonight from atlanta. Reporter with his status as a Georgia Defendant sealed, tonight, former President Trump is on defense, slamming what he calls another partisan prosecution against him. He is now facing his fourth criminal indictment in nearly five months. A sweeping set of charges announced in a latenight News Conference by Fulton County District Attorney fani willis the indictment brings Felony Charges against donald john trump. Reporter he alleges mr. Trump and 18 others unlawfully conspired in a criminal enterprise to try and overturn President Bidens narrow win in georgia. Rather than abide by georgias Legal Process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a Criminal Racketeering Enterprise to overturn georgias president ial Election Results reporter cameras tracked nearly every step, as the indictment was brought to a judge and unsealed inside, 13 charges for mr. Trump, including pressuring Public Officials to violate their oath, conspiracy to commit forgery, and Making False Statements the indictment references this phone call with georgias republican secretary of state, brad raffensperger, where trump pressured the official to change the election outcome i just want to find 11,780 votes which is one more than we have. Because we won the state. Reporter in a statement today, raffensperger did not mention trump by name, but wrote, the most basic principles of a strong democracy are accountability and respect for the constitution, and rule of law you either have it, or you dont. The indictment also alleges trump allies recruited individuals to convene and cast fake Electoral College votes to disrupt and delay the biden win. The d. A. Is using the states antiracketeering law, which is models on rico statutes, to charge all 19 defendants, including trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, who helped pioneer the use of rico laws to prosecute the mafia in new york. Giuliani is also charged with repeating false statements about the election to georgia lawmakers. Tonight, hes calling the indictment the next chapter in a book of lies targeting mr. Trump and his allies. Another highprofile defendant, former white house Chief Of Staff, mark meadows, also charged with trying to pressure officials. Tonight, hes filing to move the case to Federal Court. The Trump Campaign is blasting the indictment, calling it, the latest coordinated strike by a biased prosecutor in an overwhelmingly democrat jurisdiction, something willis strongly denies. I make decisions in this office based on the facts and the law. The law is completely nonpartisan. And blayne, as i mentioned at the top of the broadcast, the d. A. Now calling on mr. Trump and the other defendants to surrender for an arraignment by the end of next week what is that going to look like . Reporter well, thats right, lester friday, august 25th at noon is the deadline and because of georgia law that allows cameras in the courtroom, its very likely that we would see an Arraignment Play out on live tv. Lester blayne, thank you. This fourth indictment puts mr. Trumps legal troubles on even more of a Collision Course with his campaign so far, it appears to have boosted the republican frontrunner Garrett Haake now on whether these charges could prove different. Reporter the historic fourth indictment of donald trump tonight shaking up the 2024 campaign the republican frontrunner slamming the charges as another witch hunt by a democratic d. A. , and vowing to release what he calls a conclusive report on monday, proving his disproven claims of Election Fraud in georgia trump allies blasting the growing set of charges hes facing this should be decided at the ballot box, not a bunch of liberal jurisdictions trying to put the man in jail. Reporter The Georgia Case also criticized by trump rivals we see the legal system being weaponized against political opponents. That is unamerican and unacceptable reporter even a fierce trump critic im uncomfortable with what i read last night. I think that this conduct is essentially covered by the federal indictment reporter but while previous indictments have been a boost for the republican frontrunner, The Georgia Case could be more politically damaging, with televised Court Proceedings likely to drag on through all of 2024 in a critical battleground state, where the popular republican governor and trump critic, brian kemp, is a potential witness against him. Kemp posting today, the 2020 election in georgia was not stolen our elections in georgia are secure, accessible, and fair. The georgia indictment adding to a legal minefield during the heat of the campaign trumps arraignment likely happening near the first gop debate then, theres that looming federal election interference case prosecutors want to start just before the iowa caucus in january. Plus, a March 25th Trial Over Hush Money payments in manhattan, and a May 20th Trial in florida on the classified documents case tonight, voters in georgia reacting to the new charges. I firmly believe from my standpoint that hes guilty the democrats are scared to death and theyll do anything they can to keep a republican, much less donald trump, get into office and jar let, jar let, as you noted, his calendar is getting complicated, and could have an impact on the first Republican Debate next week reporter it could, lester and mr. Trump is still undecided on whether hell attend, according to two sources ive spoken to. The Senior Campaign Leadership Team is opposed. The rnc wants him on that stage if he does show up, it would be the first opportunity for his rivals to confront him facetoface about these indictments. Lester all right, Garrett Haake, thank you. Senior Legal Correspondent Laura Jarrett joins me laura, this is a complicated case for both the prosecution and the defense. Explain how so reporter yes, lester, both sides face some risks here with such a spraufling conspiracy case like this one for the Fulton County District Attorney, the charges are complex. They involve a series of different events across state lines over a period of several months, and because this is mostly about actions mr. Trump took while he was president , the state will also likely have to deal with a move by his legal team to try to take this case to Federal Court, as we saw his former Chief Of Staff do that this evening as for the defense side obstacles, the prosecutor here has thrown a lot of darts at the wall, and legally, she only needs a couple of them to stick to win this case and based on this indictment, it looks like there are at least a couple cooperating witnesses, and the d. A. Is likely hoping others are going to come around, as well. And she got a lot of attention during that News Conference last night, she suggested this trial could happen within six months what are the odds of that reporter just doesnt seem realistic. Given all the defendants, there will be delays likely well beyond six months, so this trial is unlikely to happen before the 2024 election. All right, Laura Jarrett, thank you one week now since those devastating wildfires swept through parts of maui, and the death toll, now at almost 100, is expected to rise substantially, amid growing concerns about whether more people could have been saved. Tom llamas is there for us again tonight. Reporter tonight, one week into the maui disaster, and cadaver dogs are still searching for victims, as they sift through the ashes. Officials expecting up to 20 new victims per day. Like a bomb went off. Its its the e end of all of f it its gone. Reporter locals who lost everything still in a daze, trying to connect with loved ones, and scrambling to find a place to live. I just didnt want to leave, like, where we had built the nursery, where we, like, were going to bring our baby home to reporter lahaina residents Tasha Anderson and Kevin Campbell are expecting their first child any day now. The fire took the fishing boat they worked on, and their home, including the handpainted nursery their neighbors crafted for them sometimes it seems, like, unbearable it seems like like i wont be able to do it, but just trying to stay strong. Reporter shane tru says he watched a downed power line ignite dry brush just outside of his home in the area where the fire was first reported tuesday morning. You see the spark, and you see flames sparking. Flames start almost immediately after from the dry grass. Reporter the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but tonight, at least three lawsuits have been filed against hawaiian electric, alleging turning off the power lines would have saved lives why didnt you shut off the power when the winds started to pick up . Were still looking at all the information, and we havent actually had a chance to do all of that at this time reporter with all due respect, its been six days, though, so almost six days and weve been putting everything weve got to helping our communities right now. Reporter also, maui firefighters stretched thin fighting multiple blazes that deadly day say they had little Water Pressure to fight the fire and were quickly overmatched by the flames hydrants arent working. Thats no different than cops being in a gunfight without bullets. Reporter today, President Biden announcing 700 payments to every displaced household for immediate needs. Every asset they need will be there for them reporter and besides the grief and misery, locals now reporting a new threat outsiders trying to cash in on their land realtors, people in the real estate industry, are calling your family and your friends who have lost everything to buy their plots of land . It is disgusting. Its a land grab and i know that our lahaina community, we are resilient, and we will do whatever it takes to protect lahaina. Reporter Tiana Lawrence is one of the lucky ones. Her home is Still Standing with true ohana spirit, shes hosting families displaced, including her aunt, whose lahaina home of four generations was reduced to ash is there still hope for the missing, or is that is that fadinger single day . I personally dont have any hope left that the missing that any of them are going to be found alive. I dont. Failure. Complete and utter failure. Reporter amid so much heartbreak, were learning more on the victims. Like franklin trejos, who tried driving to safety his remains were found draped protectively over sam, the Golden Retriever he loved alabama native Carole Hartley was last seen in the backyard of her lahaina home her family says a search party found her remains over the weekend. The wildfires may now be contained, but as more of the dead are eidentif identified, they are still finding a way to torment this community. Tom llamas, nbc news, maui also tonight, the threat of severe storms 22 Million People at risk from Southern New Jersey to north carolina, after heavy rain swept through the midatlantic late yesterday. It caused Flash Flooding in washington that trapped people in cars and flooded an Animal Daycare Facility Officials said several dogs died up to three inches of rain fell in some areas. For the first time tonight, theres word from north korea about that u. S. Soldier who bolted last month. North korea state media says private travis king confessed to crossing into the north because of, quote, inhuman maltreatment and Racial Discrimination against the u. S. Army or within the u. S. Army. The pentagon says it cant verify the alleged comments and remains focused on kings safe return. In 60 seconds, the stunning case of a 6yearold boy shooting his teacher in class were there as his mother is in court the alarming details about the shooting what her son said moments after firing the gun, next. Its the case that left so many stunned the 6yearold virginia student who shot his teacher today, the boys mother pleading guilty to child neglect. Kathy park has new details about what happened that day. Reporter tonight, the legal fallout deepening for the mother of a Virginia Boy Who shot and seriously injured his first grade teacher. Deja taylor pleaded guilty to felony child neglect, whic could carry a Prison Sentence of up to five years. Does she still feel responsible for whats happened oh, yes, she feels very responsible feels very bad reporter taylor already pleaded guilty in Federal Court in june to using marijuana while possessing a firearm in the courtroom today, prosecutors shared new details about the moments after the 6yearold shot abby zwerner at richneck elementary, saying he shouted, eff you, i shot my teacher, before breaking free and punching a staff member in the face and later saying he stole the gun from his mom, because, i needed to shoot my teacher. His teacher is still recovering from injuries to her hand and chest. I have the scar up here, and i still have some Bullet Fragments up here. Reporter she spoke to Savannah Guthrie earlier this year. Rem i remember him pointing the gun at me i remember the look on his face i remember the gun going off. Reporter zwerner has filed a 40 million lawsuit against the school district. Her Attorney Writing in part, our focus remains on justice for abby, and holding the School System accountable for failing to act on warnings the boy had a gun. Newport news Public Schools said in a statement that it cannot comment on legal action according to the family attorney, the boy still has regular contact with his mother, but is currently in the custody of his greatgrandfather. Weve also learned that hes in therapy, and improving every day. Lester all right, kathy, thank you. Up next, could the home of the future be the office of the past how developers are filling empty buildings with work from home on t the rise. Were back now with two big problems facing americas cities the housing crunch, and Office Buildings sitting empty due to Work From Home Trends. But could both issues have a single solution heres brian cheung. Reporter from these floors in downtown kansas city, amc leaders used to call shots in their battle for Movie Theater dominance. But the company moved out of the Historic Building in 2013 and now, the meeting rooms and executive suites are becoming living rooms and en suites this could be the kitchen. Reporter i could be making dinner right here. Yeah. Reporter there are 21 floors in this Building Seven have already been converted into over 100 apartment units. Developer price brothers plans on converting the remaining floors into another 280. What has been the big challenge for converting a building like this, thats historic . I think needing to preserve the integrity of the building, finding floor plans that fit within the space reporter residents say they like the novelty of living in an Old Office Space you walk into these buildings and its beautiful, because they were for executives and executive suites reporter its one answer to the rising problem of empty offices, fueled in part by Work From Home Trends Real Estate Firm cbre says 18 of office space now sits empty, a 30year high cities like san francisco, denver, and atlanta dealing with Vacancy Rates well above that developers are getting creative to fill the space. Old offices turned into classrooms and biotech labs nobody wants to have a City Backdrop that has unoccupied buildings that are decrepit and generally not attractive to their city and so, this is somewhat of a Wa Watershed Moment to make sure that our cities can reinvent themselves reporter reinventing isnt easy zoning laws and the cost of conversion are already obstacles. One study estimates only 15 of Office Buildings are convertible. Back in kansas city, at sky on main, the uniform shape of the building allows for a copy and paste approach every one of the floors that were doing here is just exact same layout, All The Way Up reporter the finished units, an example of what could be when the conditions are just right do you expect to see more buildings downtown make conversions like this one . I do expect that. Reporter why well, once theyve seen that weve been successful. Reporter even though this office isnt a house, proof that it can become a home brian cheung, nbc news, kansas city, missouri up next for us tonight, hes a Champion Searcher from maui, now on a mission to help those who have lost so much finally, we want to tell you about the Maui Community coming together to solve problems they say local officials simply arent and the surfer star leading the Call To Action heres steve patterson. Reporter in the hours after the nations deadliest fire ripped through the heart of maui, residents from across the island were already finding ways to heal. Neighbors helping neighbors, by land and by sea maui superstar pro surfer kai lenny is known for shredding some of the worlds biggest waves. Kai lenny, spindrifting down a Drop Reporter now, in a crisis thats consumed his home state, hes laying down his board for a megaphone. Whats your mission right now . I mean, my mission right now is to serve the people however i can. Reporter with roads jammed, kai jumped on his jet ski to reach the people of lah lahaina. Many still cut off from fuel, food, and precious medication. Theres no electricity. People need propane, diapers, bottles. Reporter kai telling us he was contacted to help when friends and family who lost homes told him they were still waiting on government aid. The frustration amongst all the locals is, like, where is everybody . Reporter something we heard from residents if people cant get their insulin, theyre going to die we still have loved ones thats trapped, for example, my dad. Reporter the government says its doing all it can to care for a remote area with limited resources. I think the real problem has been the communication, and i just dont believe that our state officials, county, know what to do there are certain things that need to happen immediately, and im proud of the community for doing that reporter the hawaiian word is kokua it means to pitch in with kindness, no matter what. Steve patterson, nbc news, maw uimaui. And thats nightly news for this tuesday thank you for watching, everyone, im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night