Transcripts For KPIX CBS Evening News With Scott Pelley 20150320

Thats the spring equinox. Equinox, which is latin, by the way, for equal night, when night and day are the same length. Unfortunately, northeast, the first hour of spring is going to look a lot like winter. This is a picture of fort lee new jersey. A storm moving up the coast is bringing snow from washington to new england. Jericka duncan is in new york city with winters parting shot. Jericka. Reporter good evening. It has been a winter for the record books and the pocketbooks. Historic blizzards and low temperatures have put a chill on spending throughout the northeast. In boston, where a record 108 inches fell credit and debit card sales dipped more than 9 while nationwide spending was up nearly 3 . Economists estimate massachusetts alone suffered 1 billion in lost wages and profits. Small businesses and hourly workers took the biggest hit. Diane swonk is chief economist with mesirow financial. In the overall economy, really harsh Winter Weather tend to disrupt, defer, and displace economic testifies. This is new construction. Reporter Evan Metalios of remax has dozens of homes on the market in queens, new york. His office usually sells between 20 and 25 homes during the winter months. This year, he says, sales are down more than 50 . People need to walk into a home, see a home, and feel comfortable, feel cozy. They need to be upbeat. There is nothing cozy or warm or upbeat with freezing temperatures. Reporter home sales are down in this region. More than 20 in boston, nearly 12 in new york 8 in wilmington and nearly 5 in philadelphia. But a spring thaw is coming and economists say pentup demand will cause consumers to come out and spend. Well it wont look and feel like winter for long, scott. Some parts of this region could see temperatures in the 50s by tomorrow. Pelley jericka duncan, thank you very much. Today, the f. B. I. Said 30 investigators in mississippi are looking into the death of a black man who was found yesterday hanging from a tree. It might be suicide, but its the possibility of lynching that has the u. S. Justice deparment involved. Manuel bojorquez is there. Reporter police tape deepen the woods of port gibson, mississippi, marking the area where 54yearolds can bir was found hanging by a bed sheet from one of the trees yesterday. Don alway, the f. B. I. Special agent in charge says they still have no idea how he got there. Everybody wants the answers and they want those quickly. We understand that. Were going to hold off coming to any conclusions until really the facts take us to a definitive answer. Reporter police do know he was about 500 yards from his home. He was two feet off the ground a skullcap halfway over his head. There were no obvious signs of trauma. Marvin lucas is the Claiborne County sheriff. There wasnt no chair nothing he was standing on. Reporter he wasnt standing on anything . It didnt seem he had been standing on something . No. Reporter were there any signs he had been restrained at all . No. Reporter it was the lucas who called in the f. B. I. We all know the history of mississippi, and i dont want anyone to feel like i got anything to hide. Reporter as word spread so did concerns and pleas from byrds family. Please, for the closure of this family, just come and say something. Reporter byrd was reported missing by his family two weeks ago. He was an excon convicted of murder in 1980 and paroled in 2006. What specific questions are you looking to answer at this point . Were still trying to find out more about mr. Byrds life. Were really trying to paint a picture as to what was going on, both personally and professionally . Reporter evidence recovered from this area close to where the body was found is now at the state crime lab. Scott, investigators are hoping to learn more next week when an autopsy is complete. Pelley manuel, thanks very much. The Fatal Shooting of a black man by police in philadelphia led to a Community Meeting that was supposed to keep the peace. But protesters scuffled with officers when they learned there will be no charges in the death. One protester called Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey a pig and told him black lives matter. Black lives. Hell ive been black longer than most of the folks in the room here, you know. Its not like i just came from mars or something. Reporter commissioner ramsey called the crowd embarrassing. 10 people were arrested. Eccentric Millionaire Robert Durst is due back in a courtroom on monday. His lawyers want him released before hes try on charges of murdering a friend in california. This week, in a film about his life, durst appeared to confess to three killings. Dursts attorney has now given his first interview to Erin Moriarty of 48 hours, who is with us now. Erin. Reporter hey, scott. Every day there seems to be a new twist in this case. Robert dursts lead attorney dick deguerin, told us while his client was in custody in new orleans, Los Angeles County prosecutors went in to see him early sunday morning without his life present and taped a nearly threehour interview. Deguerin, who successfully defended him in a previous murder case, is outraged. L. A. Prosecutors declined to comment. Clearly, this is going to be a hardfought legal battle. Robert durst, not guilty. Reporter you were successful as the lead attorney in galveston and he was acquitted of murder. Its going to be a lot tougher in l. A. , isnt it . I dont know. I think the evidence here is a lot more troublesome for the prosecution. Not only is it a circumstantial evidence case. Its a weak circumstantial evidence case. Reporter and key to the case . Thissa anonymous letters which prosecutors believe was written by Susan Bermans killer. While l. A. P. D. Forensic analysts believed the letter was written by a friend of bermans now they concluded that it matches Robert Dursts handwriting. What kind of science is that . As burr rabbit would say, throw me in the patch. I think its junk science. Reporter doesnt that mean he could be the writer of the cadaver letter. Im not saying he is or isnt the writer. But theres no proof theres no fingerprints, theres no d. N. A. Theres no scientific stuff that they can rely on. Reporter robert durst was moved to a prison with a Hospital Unit because Authorities Say hes suicidal. His attorneys, who dispute that are bringing in his psychiatrists to evaluate him. Pelley erin, whats next in the case . Reporter well, as you know, the lawyers right now have filed a motion questioning the let of these Weapon Charges filed in new orleans, so hell be back in court on monday. Theyre asking for bail. I dont think hes going to get it. Pelley Erin Moriarty thanks very much. You can see erins report the bizarre sagav robert durst on 48 hours tomorrow night at 10 00, 9 00 central or immediately following n. C. A. A. Basketball right here on cbs. We learned today that republican congressman aaron shock of illinois is now under investigation by the f. B. I. Tuesday, shock announced his resignation after revelations about lavish spending on Office Decorations and luxury travel. Investigators want to know whether taxpayers were on the hook for that. It was a massacre today in a holy place. At least 137 worshipers were killed by suicide bombers in yemen. As usual the blood flowed from the battle between the two branches of islam. Sunni muslims said they were responsible for the blast at two shiite mosques. Yemen is a major concern. The Al Qaeda Branch in yemen has been behind recent attempts to bomb u. S. Airliners. Time is running on negotiations to stop iran from building an atomic bomb. A deadline is less than two weeks away. Last night, president obama took his case directly to the iranian people and Margaret Brennan has that. This year we had the best opportunity in decades. Reporter president obamas appeal on youtube urgethe iranian people, particularly young iranians, to seize a deal. And this moment may not come again soon. I believe that our nations have a historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully. An opportunity we should not miss. We made a lot of progress. Reporter under the emerging agreement, both sides have made major concessions. Iran would give up 40 of its centrifuges, hardware that could be used to make a bomb, cutting them from 10,000 to around 6,000. The u. S. And europe would lift some economic sanctions on iran much sooner than initially planned, and the length of a possible deal has also grown to at least 20 years. We had good meetings, very solid, very constructive very productive. Reporter but sticking points remain particularly the u. S. Demand that inspectors have access to all Iranian Nuclear sites. Scott, despite the progress theres no breakthrough yet. Negotiations have broken for the weekend, and secretary of state kerry will be back here in switzerland next week to resume those talks. Pelley state Department Correspondent Margaret Brennan at the scene of the talks in switzerland. Thanks margaret. No ones fought harder against lifting singleses on iran than israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu, and his reelection this week probably also dooms a peace plan that called for the gaza strip to be part of a new palestinian state. Netanyahu pummeled gaza last summer after the Palestinian Group hamas launched rockets into israel. 2,000 palestinians were killed. 72 israelis died. We sent Barry Petersen to see how gaza is reacting to the election. Reporter welcome to graduation held in a downtown gaza park last night complete with proud parents taking videos. But this . Aint high school event, despite how young some of the boys are. This is the latest class trained by hamas to kill israelis. Almost everyone lost friends or family in a war overseen by israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu. His reelection has convinced many here that another war is inevitable. So hamas Training Camps across gaza are busy. Hamas wont say how many thousands of men it has but some here estimate as many as half of gazas teenaged boys want in. Getting diplomas like proud graduates 18yearold mohammad and his 16yearold Twin Brothers hussein and awad. If there is war with israel tomorrow, do you think you have enough training to fight back . Yes . All three . Youre ready . They believe they are battle ready after all of a week of training. What you saw in the last war, did that make you decide to join hamas . Awad said, i had friends killed, so many savage things done by the israelis, i must share the coming fight. And if these eager boys are killed, it wont end there. As we discovered when we met baby adnan. His mother told us, if there is another conflict, she will raise adnan to attack israel. The cycle of war will go on. A top hamas official admitted to us that the israeli bloccade of gaza has slowed the resupply of everything from basic necessities to arms, and scott, that may explain that while the enthusiasm of the recruits is so high, their training is so short. Pelley Barry Petersen reporting for us tonight from gaza. Thank you, barry. Well show you what had millions today staring at the sky through special glasses. And cheating at school is taken to a whole new level when the cbs evening news continues. People with type 2 diabetes come from all walks of life. If you have high blood sugar ask your doctor about farxiga. Its a different kind of medicine that works by removing some sugar from your body. Along with diet and exercise farxiga helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. 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Our worldclass service earned usaa the top spot in a study of the most recommended Large Companies in america. If youre current or former military or their family, see if youre eligible to get an Auto Insurance quote. Ok pelley as we told you earlier, the sun just moved oaf the equator, which signifies the start of spring. But today Northern Europe was dazzled by a trick of the moon. Charlie dagata tells us about the solar eclipse. The host seat in the house was the icy norwegian island svlbard to watch the spectacular celestial ballet. In britain, police handed out special glass. School children gazed in wonder, to protect their eyesights from the suns harmful rays, some people used cardboard boxes and kitchen colders to project the image on to paper. Astronomer dr. Sheila kanani told us, clipses some sometimes affect animals. They think its night time and they go quiet and stuff. Reporter those devoted to following eclipses. Although sevenyearold theo parrott found his first eclipse a bit tough to explain. Its supposed to go all dark, and the planet goes over a planet. So if the sun goes in front of the moon, the shadow will the sun moves on the light to the moon. Reporter if the sun went in front of the moon we wouldnt be here to tell theistic but the moon next goes in front of the sun august 2017 right in the united states. Charlie dagata, cbs news, london. Pelley well, folks were also staring in this country at tvs. There were more close calls in march madness and well have them in just a minute. New customers can save an average of 500 just by switching to progressive. So youll be bringing home the bacon in no time. Sorry. Get a free quote at progressive. Com. Climaxfisher pelley amazons delivery drones have been cleared for takeoff, but not for commercial use just yet. C. E. O. Jeff bezos showed charlie rowes one of his test model octocopters on 60 minutes in 2013. The f. A. A. Said this week it will allow amazon to train crews and conduct outdoor test flights during the day below 400 feet. Today, the food and Drug Administration gave a green thumbs up to genetically engineered apples that dont brown and potatoes that dont bruise. The apples will not be available for at least two years. In india this week, cheating reached new heights, literally. Parents climbed up the side of School Buildings during exams to pass answer sheets to their children. Cheating got out of control in india since the country started offering cash rewards for high scores and high climbers. Close scores are becoming the rule in the n. C. A. A. Mens basketball tournament. Yesterday, five games were decided by one point including North Carolina states lastsecond win over l. S. U. The favorites had some close calls today, too. Louisville, a number four seed barely got by the ant eaters of u. C. Irvine, 5755. Theres more march madness here on cbs right after the evening news. But first, a second look at one of our favorite basketball games of the year from Steve Hartman on the road. Boost® original nutritional drink. Each delicious serving provides. 10 grams of protein to help maintain muscle, and 26 essential vitamins and Minerals Including calcium and vitamin d to support bone health. Plus, boost contains 3 grams of fiber which helps support digestive health. Try boost original nutritional drink today. My tempurpedic made me fall in love with mornings again. I love how it conforms to my body. With tempurpedic the whole bed is comfortable. Its the best thing we ever did for ourselves. Its helping to keep us young. vo visit your local retailer and feel the tempurpedic difference for yourself. When heartburn comes creeping up on you. Fight back with relief so smooth. Its fast. Tums smoothies starts dissolving the instant it touches your tongue. And neutralizes stomach acid at the source. Tum, tum tum tum. Smoothies only from tums. [chorus singings ] roundup im the protector of my patio. Killing weeds where they grow. A barrier forms so weeds cant appear serious weed prevention up to a year. [chorus singings ] roundup max control 365 so im fighting weeds on opening day and preventing weeds while i get away. Weeds stay dead as we carve this beast, and they still arent back when i cook this feast. [chorus singings ] roundup max control 365 one more time let me make it clear. With no more weeds its your year. Pelley former commissioner burt bell used to say on any given sunday any team in the nfl can beat any other team. We were reminded of that when Steve Hartman told us about a Basketball Team that couldnt seem to beat any other team on any day of the week. Heres steve on the road. Intensity intensity intensity. Reporter since 2011 the climaxfisher lady knights have been on a streak. Bobbling their way into the record books. This team from western minnesota somehow strung together 84 straight losses. Thats four straight years of ridicule. People always, like, make fun of you. Its honestly embarrassing to lose that many games. We lost a game 903. But those kids played like its 55. Reporter Jonathan Vonesh is their coach. Reporter youre impressed with them. Absolutely. Reporter jonathan said a few girls have quit but the ones who remain are more determined than ever to turn this team around. See if they can make an outside shot. Reporter which is why it was so heartening to see what happened earlier this season. In their game against bagley high school, the climaxfisher lady knights got off to their best starts in recent memory. By half time they were actually leading by a postpone. I just felt like, wow like, we are in this. This. And the crowd was getting into it which made it even better. Really in the zone. Reporter and then things went really wrong. Really wrong yeah. Reporter unfortunately, in the second half, they got major foul trouble. One by one, their seniors fouled out of the game all of them. Before it was over, the juniors would be gone, too. In fact, for the last three minutes, they only had three girls left two sophomores and a freshman, the most inexperienced players on the losingest team in the state. Are you telling them, we can win this . Well, you know. Reporter you didnt want to lie to them. I dont think i used that term. I said, you know requested you continue working till the end. Reporter and thats really all their coach was expecting, a valiant effort. You cant win three on five. In fact they doesnt dnt score once from the field but they did play stellar defense, and when they did get the ball, they were able to draw some fouls. And when they did draw those fouls, they made those freethrows, enough of them that when the buzzer sounded, the lady knights of climaxfisher were on a new streak. We were all hugging and crying and screaming our heads off. Its probably the best moment of my life. Reporter it gets better. After this story first aired in january, they won four more games. We kind of learned no matter what people say like about you, if you keep putting in time and effort, that it will pay off. Reporter and theres a lesson that will last a lot longer than a basketball season. Steve hartman, on the road in climax minnesota. Pelley and thats the cbs evening news for tonight. For all of us at cbs news all around the world im scott pelley and ill see you sunday on 60 minutes. Captioning sponsored by cbs captioned by Media Access Group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org cbs sports, your home for the nfl and thursday night football, s. E. C. Football and the masters. The pga championship and pga tour. March madness and the cbs sports family of networks. And your home for super bowl 50. Cbs sports, expect it here. March madness is fitting because its insane. Its like a roller coaster ride. You never know whats going to happen. Just when you think youve seen it all. There will be a buzzer beater. Oh thats going to count yes excitement. Joy. Highs lows. Passion. How