Transcripts For WUSA Wusa 9 News At Noon 20140818

Everyone to see, maureen and Robert Mcdonnell are beginning to present their defense. Peggy fox joins us with the latest details. Good afternoon, peggy. Reporter good afternoon, andrea. The defense has started. There are two defense teams for maureen and Bob Mcdonnell and it is Bob Mcdonnells team up first. Take a look at one of the first witnesses. Her name is janet kelly. She was the secretary of the commonwealth. And shes actually the second person on the job right now. She is a huge supporter of Bob Mcdonnell having worked for him as attorney general. The prosecution has alleged that the events and meetings the governor nnie williams was part of that quid pro quo they alleged and in exchange for all the money, 177,000 in gifts and loans from jonnie williams. Im not going to answer any questions this morning. I just need to get in the courtroom. Thank you. Reporter was it hard to be a part of this . Maybe we can talk afterwards. Im not going to answer any questions right now. I feel great. Im glad we get to saturday our case and be able to tell our story. Reporter are you ready to get up there . What do you want to say . Glil let you know when i take the stand. Reporter do you know if maureen or you are going first . I cant. Reporter inaudible question. Were looking forward to being able to present our case. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you. Reporter obviously Bob Mcdonnell was not first. We dont know if hes going to be up today or more toward the end of the defense case. We are still hearing from janet kelly, the former secretary of the commonwealth. She has huge support for Bob Mcdonnell. Said it was an honor to work for him, the best experience of her life to paraphrase what she was saying about him. She also said she was never asked to hire or appoint anyone by Bob Mcdonnell for jonnie williams. The first witness on the stand was a bookkeeper for that Real Estate Company that Bob Mcdonnell owns with his sister. She actually turned out to not help the defense very much talking about the loans two loans. A 50,000 loan and 20,000 loan from jonnie williams. She testified she did not se those loans until after that february 15 date. That is a very critical date. Its a date that Maureen Mcdonnell was interviewed by Law Enforcement. So janet kelly, the one on the stand right now, appears to be doing much more good for the defense. Well of course have a complete report on the days testimony coming up at 5 00 and 6 00 tonight. Im peggy fox reporting live in richmond. Before you go, janet kelly obviously is testifying on behalf Bob Mcdonnell. Since he is first nse, are we going to see more attacks on Maureen Mcdonnells character, her motives from his attorneys as well . Reporter it was very interesting. Janet kelly actually started sort of talking without being asked to, talking about her relationship with Maureen Mcdonnell and saying that it had deteriorated by the time she was appointed secretary of the commonwealth. She actually went to speak with the governor about that. And then sort of stopped herself. She said, well, i know, theres already been testimony about this. It was kind of odd how she just started talking about this but, yes, were certainly going to hear more about Maureen Mcdonnell and her behavior. Peggy fox reporting live from richmond. As peggy said, well have more on our news at 5 00 and at wusa9. Com. The National Guard is being called in to help keep the peace of suburban st. Louis. Governor jay nixon issued the order the day after that began with pledges of peace spiraled into some. The fiercest clashes some of the fiercest clashes yet in fergson. Susan mcginn any ferguson. Susan mick guiness has susan mcginnness has more. Reporter after another night of clashes between protesters and police, the governor called in the National Guard. A team of lawyers and medical exrs hired by the examinerred hired by the family of 18yearold Michael Brown spoke today about the private preliminary autopsy on brown. It revealed he had been shot six times, four times in his arm and twice his hip. Because of the two gunshot in his head. Because of the two gunshots to the head indicating that mr. Brown was bending over as they were coming down, those two shots were most likely the last two to occur to him. Reporter the state has conducted a separate autopsy but has not released its results and federal officials have ordered a third examination of browns body. People here in ferguson are frustrated with the investigation into browns death. Police are gearing up for the possibility of more violent protests the first day of school which was supposed to be today has been postponed again. There was more chaos in the streets of ferguson overnight as Police Officers in riot gear fired tear gas into crowds of monstrators through molotov cocktails, fired guns and looted stores. The violence increased over the weekend after Police Released Surveillance Video of brown allegedly stealing a box of cigars from a Convenience Store just minutes before he was gunned down. Susan mcginnness, cbs news, ferguson, missouri. President obama is expected to address the situation in ferguson today back here in washington. The president is taking a two day break from his Summer Vacation on Marthas Vineyard. He returned to washington last night. Before the briefing on ferguson, the president met with members of his National Security council this morning to receive an update on the situation in iraq. Mr. Obama is scheduled for resume his vacation and return to Marthas Vineyard tuesday night. Detectives are canvassing a neighborhood in hyattsville, maryland where a woman was found murdered this morning. Sky 9 with us over the scene in the 6800 was over the scene in the 6800 block of west forest road. The discovery was made by a relative of the victim just after 9 00 this morning. No word yet on the identity of the victim, a motive or any suspects. Police now believe a landover father fatally stabbed and shot his 3yearold daughter before he was killed by officers this weekend. Police say layla miller was a passengers in the car with her led authorities on a police chase. Hes identified as 38yearold Frederick Roy miller. He also shot laylas maternal great grandmother and grandfather before the chase. They remained hospitalized in critical condition. Faith leaders in Prince Georges County and Prince Georges County officials gather dad to call for family unity and an end to domestic violence. The rally was led by the states attorney general. A summit will focus on issues that can lead to Family Violence such as economics, infidelity, and mental health. The issue is not a Law Enforcement issue. This is a family and chiewnty issue. Community issue. We will Seek Solutions that address the weaknesses of our families and address some of the pain that exists in our families, and we will do so in collaboration with our community. Despite an almost 40 reduction in homicides over the last three years, domesticated related homicides have not declined. After experiencing nine last year, domestic related homicides currently stand at 13 this year in Prince Georges County. If youve been outside, you feel just a little more humidity. Were watching more clouds as well today. Theres a system coming into virginia but looks like its going to pass far enough south. A slim chance of a shower. You can see it from charleston south toward roanoke right now approaching charlottesville. I want to take you on doppler 9000 a little tighter here. Heres i64. Most of this is tracking east. We have a little bit of it to go north. Fredricksburg, quantico, Southern Maryland, the Northern Neck, i think you have a decent chance for a shower this afternoon. Even futurecast having a tough time following this. It does develop some of this activity toward the Northern Neck and st. Marys county as we get 5 00, 6 00. In the evening hours, a couple of showers from north of leesburg to Montgomery County, the district, and also stretched out across i66 there in Fauquier County toward manassas and la plata. We do have that threat later this afternoon and this evening. Its important because weve got a couple of things going on like a preseason game with the redskins and the browns. Theres going to be that threat for a passing shower. It certainly will be warm enough. Game time temp about 80 dropping into the mid70s there for the second half. And the nats also have a home game so were going to have to watch that as well. For the rest of the afternoon, look for a high around 85 or so. Well be back down to 82 by 6 00 and 7 0z this evening 70s this evening and muggy more than it has been. Wednesday i think will the stormiest when i see you in a few minutes. Thanks, howard. Still ahead on wusa9, a possible change for renters and summer life in ocean city, maryland. Details ahead. Reporter could Julian Assange be on the move after being held up in this Embassy Additional charges are expected to be filed against a new york couple accused of kidnapping two amish girls and sexually assaulted them. Theyre currently being held without bail. The girls were taken from a vegetable stand outside their home near the canadian border. The prosecutor said she is 100 percent sure it could come today, those extra charges could come today or at a Court Hearing thursday. Its back to school time here in our region. Yesterday was movein day at howard university. More than 1500 members of thof 2018 moved into their campus dorm rooms. More than 600 freshman were also welcomed sunday to american university. Down a level thousands of students in parts of virginia went back to class today. Students in clarke, culpeper, fauquier and frederick county, virginia are all getting used to new classes, classmates and teachers. Schools in the district and maryland get under way again next monday. There will be a new discipline policy in place when students return to classes in Montgomery County. The new emphasis will be on helping students learn from their mistakes and ensure that out of School Suspensions are a last resort. The policy is part of new regulations from the maryland state board of education. The new superintendent of the Montgomery County School System joshua starr is expected to join us on the noon newscast tomorrow to discuss the changes. Ocean citys Zoning Commission plans to meet tomorrow and discuss the crackdown on rowdy behavior. New regulations would ban short term rentals. City Officials Say the move is in response to complaint abouts rowdy parties and overcrowding. Critics say the measure huge losses in rental income during peak season. Well have more on this and well wikileaks founder Julian Assange is vowing to leave the embassy where he has been hold up for two years. British police say theyll arrest him if he steps one foot outside the compound. Alfonso van marsh has more. Reporter wikileaks founder Julian Assange proved he can still draw the worlds press by just hinting hed leave his diplomatic hideout. I am leaving the embassy soon. Reporter but he cant walk out of ecuadors London Embassy without British Police arresting him. Two years ago ecuador granted him asylum after britain ordered he be sent to sweden to face sex assault allegations. Assange believes if hes deported to sweden, he could be handed over to america to face spy charges. His wikileaks week site leaked thousands of classified government documents four years ago. Assange believes the u. S. Is building a case against him. Its purpose is to pursue prosecution. Reporter the embassy sits next to herods Department Stores but a Spokesman Says his Living Conditions are far from luxurious. Its not healthy to stay indoors for more than two years. Reporter the wikileaks Spokesman Says assange called mondays News Conference to talk about rumors that he was so sick, he had to leave the embassy for treatment but when pressed about his health, assange dodged the questions. The British Police are stationed outside the Ecuadorian Embassy 24 7. That presence is reportedly cost an estimated 10 million. Wusa9 wants to help you find the best and worst gas prices in your area. This morning were in temple hills where the most expensive gallon of regular unleaded is at the shell on naylor road. Gas is 3. 56 according to aaas midatlantic website but the cheapest gallon of gas is at the bp on allentown way. Gas there is just 3. 23 a gallon. Now youre talking. Now im talking. You have rain in your forecast t. May wash away some of this dirt thats giving us allergy sufferers in grief. Let me start with the allergy index. The weed is in the high category but when you look at the mold spores and the grass pollen, thats also moderate. Its just the tree pollen which is low. Trees, the season is the spring when theyre all doing their thing. Lets talk about this afternoon because there is a threat for a shower, but its not that great here in d. C. South of town slightly higher. Were talking mid s on. 85, 8 mid80s. 85, 86 for the high. Then we drop back to the 70s by 8 00, 9 00. Its going to be muggy. Theres a lot more humidity moving n. The dry stuff we had has now e diamondbacks are in town. Well show you the redskins forecast earlier. 81 for the first pitch with a slim shower chance through the game. Down into the upper 70s here by the latter innings. So should be a comfortable night for the most part even if its a little bit muggy either at fedex fielark. Still in the 50s here. Notice the mid50s in philly and atlantic city. But the dew points are pushing 70 in charleston and raleigh and up to richmond now at 69. Our dew point 63. Were just on the verge of the muggy sort of air that well be dealing with for tonight and the next few days. Temps in the 70s north. Were in the low 80s already. Looking at our temperature 77 in frederick. 74 baltimore. Its 80 in la plata. Fredricksburg, d. C. 81. A little cooler on the bay 73. Cumberland 82. So some hazy sun out there now, 81. The dew point at 63 and a light east wind at 5 miles an hour. Frontal boundaries nearby. That moisture, though, look at this. See this spinning . This is going to track to our south for the most part. Still Northern Neck, fredericksburg, Southern Maryland especially more st. Marys and southern charles, calvert, a chance for that shower popping up here this afternoon and this evening. Then tonight here we are at 3 30. A passing shower overnight. Tomorrow weve got a chance of showers, especially west of town and south of town as we head into the afternoon. I think it will be west of the blue ridge. Same story wednesday. By thursday, now im thinking thursday may be the wettest day of the week. Looking at the forecast, 85, 86, in that range today. A little more muggy with a couple of showers. Best chances south of washington. Tonight 73 but mid60s. Winds northeast, east at 5 miles an hour. Tomorrow mid80s with a chance of an afternoon storm mainly west. Same story wednesday 87. By thursday scattered storms 87. Friday a chance of storms 83 and drier and cooler, looks nice for the weekend, highs in the dont give up hope if youre a homeowner and are under were. You still might be able to refinance and save your house. Dan is senior mortgage consultant at monument bank. Hes here with us. Good to see you. Always good to be back. There is good news fewer americans are falling behind on their mortgage payments, those at least two months behind, but there are those you say who are under water. What retalking about under water . Under water means the value of your home exceeds im sorry, is less than the amount you owe. So your mortgage balance might be 150,000 but if you were to sell the house, you might only get 100,000 for it. The question we ask, is there still help for this underwater homeowner. Can they refinance and do it at the current rate . I dont know if theres hope but theres harp. Harp is a Government Program that was rolled out a few years back. A recent study says that there is still nationwide over 600,000 households that qualify for harp that have not taken advantage of it. Do they know about it . I dont know if they dont know about it. I dont know if theyre just lazy or passive with it. I dont know if they think its a trick, a gimmick, its not going to work for me but its definitely worth calling your local lender to see if you can qualify and if it can be of help. It can be significant savings because what are the current rates to refinance . Interest rates are great. Theyre in the mid to low 4s and have been pretty stable. There had been concern earlier in the year that rates would go up this year and that really hasnt happened. A lot of these loans that people have when they are under water are in the 5s, 6s, even 7 range. Does it help at all that the economy is doing better, the Housing Market is doing better and their homes probably are valued more than what they were five years ago . That will help some, but again, if you are under water, the two biggest criteria are that your existing mortgage must be owned by fannie mae or freddie mac. A lender can check that in about five minutes if you give them a call and thats the starting point to see if you really qualify. So maybe not hope but there is harp and call your lender and ask about it. Said another way, with harp there is hope. With harp there is hope. We like that dan, always good to have you here. Thank you very much. Thats it for wusa9 news. Well be back of course at 5 00. Were always on wusa9. Com. Have a great day. Howard and i will see you tomorrow morning starting bright and early at 4 25 a. M. Byebye. Abby there are some crazy methods out there. You would not believe it. Victoria wilderness birthing. Thats a thing . That sounds very. Wild. Abby its very popular in some parts of the world. Not that i would ever suggest it for you since you do have a highrisk pregnancy. Uh, unless its something that appeals to you. I mean, we could totally do that. Lots of women rave about that. Victoria im sure that they did in 1734. Abby so youre saying you want something with electricity and clean sheets. Good choice. Victoria as long as we dont forget the most important element. Abby a soothing musical playlist . Victoria you, birthing coach. Abby me . That is very sweet. Victoria there is nobody that i would rather have with me when t