welcome back. terrifying new video here. a mom takes her eyes off her baby for a split second and then the most horrifying thing. mom is at a train station. the 6-month-old is strapped in a stroller. the stroller rolls toward the edge and goes over in front of the oncoming train. hard to watch what happened next. here's dean from seven network in australia. >> reporter: a young mother arrives at ashburden station. in the windy weather she fusses over her child and even pulls the pram away from the edge of the platform but doesn't apply the brake. and in a split second, her 6-month-old boy rolls off the platform and into the path of a train. >> it's a miracle this baby wasn't killed and the baby somehow managed to escape with just a cut to the forehead we've been told. it is an absolute miracle. >> reporter: the city-bound train comes to a stop 30 meters further along the tracks the

baby underneath shielded only by the pram. >> it played a great role in making sure the baby survived yesterday's incident. >> reporter: mother and child are taken to hospital but released soon afterwards, shaken but unhurt. police say the mother did nothing wrong. connex workers find the pram in pieces and belongings scattered as far along as the second carriage. transit police say signage and supervision on railway platforms are already adequate but the incidents like yesterday's are a startling reminder of how easily tragedies can happen. >> parents especially need to be vigilant especially with toddlers. they tend to wander off. especially with multiple kids as well. >> reporter: the incident came just a day after the launch of a public awareness campaign warning of the dangers of prams on platforms. >> the potential for disaster is huge and the very next day this happens. >> dean felton, 7 news. >> wow. thankfully the little one is okay. all right. this tragedy did not end so well. two people dead at a sweat lodge in arizona. this case now treated as a homicide investigation.

more than 50 people packed into a cramped, sauna-like structure last week. sauna doesn't even begin to tell how hot it gets in there. they spent hours in there trying to get spiritual cleansing led by the self-help guru james arthur ray, helped write "the secret." these people paid $9,000, $10,000 to attend. not cheap. 19 had to go to the hospital and one person is still in critical condition. two people died. we know that. james shore and kirby brown as well, an avid surfer and hiker she was in top shape. let's get more on this. joining me to talk about this, tom mcfeely, kirby brown's cousin. and also gary kasmir a former prosecutor. oh, gary is not with us. we'll hope to get to him in a moment. first, tom, as this is moving forward and you're now hearing homicide investigation, what are authorities telling you as to why they're labeling it as such? >> well, authorities have been in touch for sure and thank you for having me, mike. we're in good touch with the authorities.

we've heard a lot from other victims and every day with every detail comes another person who gets the courage to give us a call and tell us what really happened in that lodge. furthermore, what happened the entire week that led up to the lodge because we believe that's as important. we know there was a criminal act in there. we know our kirby was murdered. anyone who knew kirby the second they heard knew this had to be an act beyond her control. >> let's listen to the sheriff. this is steve just basically talking about those who ran this who organized this sweat lodge, should have known it could be dangerous. let's listen. >> i don't know if they knew people would be killed but based upon some information that we have, people have become very sick in these activities before and as a result they should have had some preinformation about preparing for certain kinds of

human responses to being in a building with no ventilation and heat. >> former prosecutor gary kasimir is with us. gary, as you listen to that, that people have been sick before at a james ray sweat lodge, is that the key opening as to why we're calling it now or labeling it a homicide investigation? >> well, it's part of the investigation is to find out if in fact mr. ray and his company were what they call criminally negligent in the deaths of these two individuals. what they'll have to do is look at how much did they know and the other issue is what they could have done to prevent this. clearly, did they ignore the dangers here? you know, tom was mentioning they're going to be looking into everything they did before. were these people already exhausted and dehydrated before they went into the sweat lodge? what kinds of things were set up to make sure these people were healthy enough to endure 50 people in a room of high heat? what kind of setup was made for an emergency situation? how were people being monitored?

a lot of this will be looked into. and under arizona law, the issue will be whether or not they so disregarded the dangers here if it is considered a criminally negligent homicide. >> how important is it that they had some sort of a release form signed? and that people knew going in that things can get dangerous? >> yes, absolutely. i mean, of course. the feds here, mr. ray is going to say everyone was aware no different than going to a gym when you sign and you're getting on a treadmill this may be unhealthy for you. you have to be healthy enough to endure it. the question is whether this was far more extreme. you have a sweat lodge where i understand there were 50 people in a small area unventilated. the question will become under those conditions is the release enough? >> that is an excellent point. i know investigators will look at how was this built? did they -- because a lot of people have had experience with this say a 415 square foot lodge for 55 to 65 people is just not the way you do it. you have one nurse monitoring these people? a lot of questions still. but right now being ruled a

homicide investigation. gary kasimir, thanks for being with us. you as well, tom. we appreciate it. our thoughts and prayers are with your family through this difficult time. >> thank you. latinos, a minority population in america but one that is expected to nearly triple by the year 2050. next week our sister network cnn takes an in-depth look at how latinos will likely change this country and how the country has changed them. part of the special, soledad o'brien's compelling story of a puerto rican man pursuing the american dream and facing significant challenges along the way. >> repeat after me. logs used as wheels. >> logs used as wheels. >> carlos robles seems like the typical american until he opens his mouth. >> a horse-drawn carriage. >> chariot. >> chariot. >> this 29-year-old is taking english pronunciation classes at valencia community college in orlando. he's hoping to reduce his

spanish accent. when you came to orlando, how did you think your english was? >> worse, really worse. >> reporter: did you know you couldn't speak english well? >> yeah, yeah. i also cried in my bed because i can't have a conversation with the people so it was really bad. >> reporter: carlos was born in puerto rico, an american territory, whose residents are u.s. citizens. spanish is the main language. >> it is hard to understand english. >> reporter: in puerto rico he was a decorated police officer. now he dreams of a job in florida law enforcement but first he has to pass the sheriff's exam. >> i failed the first one, but i don't think it's so hard, the test. i can do it, really i can. >> reporter: would knowing english better help you on the exam? >> yes. >> reporter: requirements, criminal justice chain of command, officer safety and response, community relations. intervention services. >> yes.

>> reporter: this looks hard. how many questions is it? over how long? >> 250. in four hours. i go in more comfortable to the test now. >> reporter: this time. >> a little nervous but i think i'm ready. >> reporter: when's the test? >> next week. >> reporter: you got a lot of pressure on you. and basically a week to go. >> that's right. but i have to look forward. >> reporter: adding to that pressure? fatherhood. carlos met kayla a year ago. now they're engaged and expecting a baby. carlos is unemployed, uninsured, and still struggling with his english. his future and now his family's future is in his hands. >> cnn's two night special takes place wednesday and thursday at

9:00 p.m. eastern and will be simulcast in spanish on cnn in espanol.

welcome back. we now have our first glimpse of the horrific last days of anna nicole smith's life. the one-time super model reportedly so weak, couldn't get out of bed, reduced to drinking pedialyte out of a baby bottle, lying in her own feces.

hearing that from a detective who had been investigating the case for years gave that disgusting account. howard k. stern her lawyer/boyfriend, partner, and two doctors charged with conspiracy in her death. we want to know how could people so close to her let this happen? let's bring in an entertainment reporter and legal expert and also an attorney. russell, we're getting this account here. sad, the sad account of her final days. how indicting is that against stern and the two doctors and how could it impact the case? >> it is definitely a sad account and it will have an impact. this judge is hearing evidence that will determine whether this case goes to trial. that's what the preliminary hearing is for. so the more gruesome evidence he hears and the more evidence he hears of the doctors and howard k. stern contributing to anna nicole smith's drug use, it's going to be damaging and could lead to this going forward in the criminal process. >> okay. i hear this as a human being and i'm thinking all right, stern. you were at least a boyfriend at

one time we thought and the doctors are supposed friends as well. how could you let that happen? is that the way you go with this? we still have to prove, the state has to prove the illegality of these drugs that were in her system and near her that they got for her, right? >> right. there's a couple things going on here. remember, there are two sets of defendants. you have howard k. stern and then the two doctors. >> right. >> so in some respects howard k. stern wants to pit himself against those doctors by playing dumb. he wants to say, listen. i'm a lawyer. i'm not a doctor. and so what these doctors were prescribing i was just following instructions, but then a judge hears evidence of howard k. stern allegedly lighting up valium and injecting it into anna nicole smith's body via her blood stream, that doesn't sound like something doctors were recommending. >> no exactly. this is the video that always sets the table for us when we go after howard k. stern for lack of a better term, the clown video. let's show that once again. this is as anna nicole smith is

pregnant. she seems out of it. let's cue the video up. there she is in clown face and howard k. stern is filming this. let's listen just for five seconds to this. >> why? what footage? >> this thing you are looking into. >> it's a camera. >> exactly. >> there it is again. is this something that will be introduced? is this something that is at the state's disposal or not? >> even if it's not introduced i find it hard to believe the judge hasn't seen this. this is a video that attorney general jerry brown has referenced before as evidence. that this is a woman who clearly was on drugs in front of the public eye. so this video could be very powerful but even if they don't have this video there's lots of other powerful evidence that the judge is hearing. >> what's the most powerful, russell? >> well, these details about anna nicole smith. there are some unfortunate details about having bowel movements in the pool, about howard k. stern, like i said

before, injecting valium after lighting it up with a cigarette lighter into her body and then there is also evidence of her having infections. i mean, this -- and the testimony also about her just being in a depressed state for many months following her son's death. a lot of it paints a picture of a very tragic figure and then the people around her, what were they doing? and that's what this case is all about. >> okay. russell, we'll talk again in a couple minutes about this. tlc going to war with jon gosselin. they're going to file a breach of contract lawsuit against him. he wants out. doesn't want any more filming on the show. you better believe tlc is going to fight. who's standing on stronger legal ground? we'll take your calls. 1-877-tell-hln.

don't judge a book by its

cover. things aren't always what they seem. those are sayings we've all heard growing up. but sometimes we have to see to believe. goal maout gairs we're introduced to a young man teaching us all of those lessons by defying the odds. >> reporter: at 17, you could say kenneth chauncey lives a double life. >> i mean, there are times when it's difficult but i can't let those difficult times bring me down. >> reporter: he's on a journey many of his friends know nothing about. kenneth is a starting running back on the varsity team at helen bernstein high school. >> so today you'll be taking notes. >> reporter: he is a straight a honor student named best overall academic student. and he's popular. he's student body president, a big man on campus with dreams of a college education at harvard. >> he is an a student.

he's definitely into leadership. he's also an athlete. >> reporter: but at the end of the day when all of his classmates go home, kenneth and his 14-year-old sister, stephanie, start their journey home. ♪ hallelujah ♪ >> reporter: to skid row in downtown los angeles. where there's no escape from reality. kenneth and stephanie live here at the union rescue mission. what would you want people to understand about the struggles of their children? well, there are struggles especially obviously financially. like i would kill to have a house and my own room. this is my storage area where i keep most of my track and school stuff. >> reporter: kenneth, stephanie, and their father gordon live in a tiny, 250 square foot room at the shelter in a special area designated for families with children. they ended up here after gordon, who works as a day hire in the entertainment industry, lost his entertainment industry lost his

apartment about the same time he won custody of his kids. even though kenneth lives in a shelter, he says it's so much better than what life was like before. >> in the sixth grade i lived in a van. let's see, my mom used drugs. my stepdad used to hit me. kenneth says that is the past and now he's focused on his future. he will live skid row and he wants to go to harvard university. >> i do have big dreams but i have to make them come true. >> reporter: he says he has the grades to get in now the hard part. he has to find the money. grants or scholarship to get in there. thelma gutierrez, cnn, los angeles. >> i bet you believe it will happen, too. for more what matters check out the november issue of "essence" magazine or logon to cnn.com/whatmatters. how about a show of hands? who wants to see "jon & kate

plus eight" end? the drama continues to play out. jon gosselin putting a road block on the show and tlc the company that does the show they're fighting him. they're going to go lawsuit against him, they don't want him to call that shot. how do you want this to end? we'll take your calls.

seismic developments in the emerging saga of the so-called balloon boy. the little boy who was found alive after an intense search, it all started when a giant

homemade balloon took flight thousands of feet in the air. with falcon heene supposedly attached. since coming out of hiding, his family has been on an all-out media blitz, but is this 6-year-old ready for the national spotlight? is he too sick to be on camera? you are not going to believe what happened during a live interview. and what about falcon's parents? why do cops want to talk to falcon's parents again? and then murder charges against accused child killer, casey anthony, dropped. that's what her team of lawyers asked a florida judge today. but do they have a case? for months, "issues" has sorted through thousands of court documents, evidence seemingly pointing the finger at casey. tonight for the first time, an inside look at her defense strategy. can it work? could she actually walk away a free woman? plus, uproar over teen violence. a 15-year-old boy doused in alcohol and set on fire, allegedly by his own classmates.

they say they did it because he was a snitch, because they wanted revenge. tonight, his mom shares her heartache and outrage with us. a horrifically tragic story that exposes the brutal reality of children at risk. "issues" starts now. a roller coaster of emotions as the nation breathes a collective sigh of relief in the wake of yesterday's balloon boy drama. tonight, new details about the family of 6-year-old falcon and the controversial circumstances surrounding the backyard launch of the heene family's experimental helium balloon. the drama began the moment the so-called low altitude vehicle accidentally became untethered. >> a flying saucer in the backyard. >> yes. >> okay. obviously it has electronics. can he know how to work it and get it up off the ground? >> no. he doesn't know how to operate it. >> he does not know how to

operate. that's gone, though, too, right? we are sure he's in that? >> yeah. we looked everywhere. >> that was frantic father richard heene calling for help. apparently fearing the worst, that his youngest son had been carried away in that balloon, traveling miles in the sky over colorado. when the craft landed, there would be no boy inside. instead, we would learn that little falcon had been hiding in a ceiling crawl space in the family's garage. what's more, we find out that the heene family, including the kids, are all storm chasers. the parents have appeared on abc's reality show "wife swap" not once, but twice, and this just in. the family pitched a reality show to tlc, you know, the home of "jon and kate plus eight." that network tells cnn they passed. meantime, as soon as the drama came to an end, the scandal began brewing. >> falcon, did you hear us

calling your name at any time? >> um-hum. >> you did? >> you did? >> why didn't you come out? >> you guys said that we did this for the show. >> no. >> a show? what show? was the child confused or was this whole thing some kind of hoax? somehow staged by the parents to promote their experiment? at this point, the sheriff of larimer county, colorado, does not think so but many people remain skeptical. tonight's big issue, is this a family of publicity seekers addicted to media exposure? straight out to my fantastic expert panel. mark eiglarsh, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor. brenda wade, clinical psychologist. michelle goland, clinical psychologist and contributor to momlogic.com. steve kardian, former criminal

investigator and director of defend university and joining me on the phone, sherri silver, who was cast on "wife swap" with the heene family. sherri, stand by. i want to go right out to my colleague here at hln, the on and only richelle carey. you have been on top of this story since it launched, so to speak, and it went from gut-wrenching, terrifying to now a lot of people wondering what was really going on behind this. there was just a news conference this afternoon. give us the latest. >> this news conference was a little unusual, jane. the sheriff of larimer county was almost like a defendant. he made his case for why he continues to believe the heene family. he was peppered with questions and these are some of the highlights. he says first of all, they didn't just take -- he and his department didn't just take the heene family's word for it. they brought in other experts who said that to them, the family's affect seemed appropriate for a family that was truly worried about where

their child was. he also says that they talked to experts who say that this particular type of experimental aircraft could carry the weight of a child. they had reason to believe it was plausible that this child could have been in this aircraft. he also said that the -- it was plausible that a child who had let his father's experimental aircraft, a passionate scientist as he described himself, that if he had in fact been responsible for letting his father's aircraft fly away and he thought he was in trouble, he would in fact go hide. he said that all the elements of this story seemed plausible to him. so for now, he says his department believes this family is telling the story but even so, they do plan to at some point in the future question the family again. but for now -- >> richelle, i have never heard a news conference where the same question was asked in a variety of different ways with reporter after reporter saying but what if this is a hoax, and what was the response of the sheriff?

>> he said -- he won't even entertainment, quite frankly. he just would not entertain the fact that this is a hoax. let me mention something else i forgot to mention. there's a tape that's been airing on hln all day, the videotape of the family in the backyard watching this contraption, maybe i shouldn't say that, i'm sorry, experimental aircraft, take off. >> it's a contraption. >> whatever. go off into the air. it seems to contradict the initial story we got, because the first story was that there were only the children in the backyard when this thing took off and one brother ran inside and said i think falcon took off in this aircraft. that contradicts this video we're seeing when the entire family was outside and the sheriff says i'm aware of this video but i haven't seen this video. so there's a lot of questions. >> why hasn't he seen it? we've all seen it. it's been on the air all day. maybe he should stop giving news conferences and turn on the television and watch hln because we're looking at the video right

now. what strikes me, mark eiglarsh, is that there's a moment right here where the balloon is level with the dad. it's level with the dad and he doesn't seem to be making any attempt to grab it and pull it back down. mark eiglarsh? >> i'm with you, jane velez-mitchell but i don't think it's a big conspiracy. for what it's worth, just my opinion, i have watched all the interviews, i've watched the tape, i don't think this was a big conspiracy. i don't think it's a hoax. i think that the only real problem that i have with this father as it relates to his children is the fact that he -- >> he's kicking, kicking the dirt there. >> falcon. that's my problem. falcon. >> there's something that doesn't add up here. tonight's big issue, are the heenes a family of attention addicted publicity seekers? they made the rounds of the morning shows today, cnn, abc, nbc, cbs. listen to what they had to say as they really hit the media big.

>> he's here and i shouldn't be talking like this, but they said he wasn't in there and you know, i just kind of lost it at that point. >> what did you think? >> i thought maybe he had fallen out. >> we were holding on to every second, you know, every second just hoping that he was going to come out okay. >> i just pictured little falcon inside, you know, being frightened and cold, you know. what if he fell out. and at worst, the high voltage supply that we have on board, if he had touched that, he could have been electrocuted. >> what have i got to gain? i'm not selling anything. i'm not advertising anything. my family and i do this all the time. >> when i first saw him, i couldn't even believe.

i couldn't comprehend right away and next moment, i just jumped and called his name, screamed and cried. >> steve kardian, you're the criminal investigator. he says i'm not selling anything but then we find out he pitched a reality show to tlc, which passed. so he has pitched things to the media. on top of that, there is this discrepancy with the story we originally got that the family wasn't there, it was the two kids, then you see the video clearly, he's actually having a fit when that balloon takes off, but there's a moment where it seems like he could have grabbed it and he didn't. >> yeah. jane, when we look at this, we see that -- we see that he does have this background with publicity seeking. when i listened to that 911 call and i have heard thousands of 911 calls, it's convincing. however, there are elements that the sheriff has to look into, has to put them aside and eliminate them in effect that this is some sort of concocted story.

>> what he needs to do is interview them all separately, and that's the key. mark eiglarsh, should this family lawyer up at this point? >> not lawyer up. just like enough, already. they didn't have to go on the national tour. they opened up to everybody, answered all the questions. they convinced me, okay, yeah, he's got a history of trying to get publicity but in this instance, it didn't look like he was selling anything. he's absolutely right. so i don't know, i would probably say enough is enough. let's move on. >> i got to disagree with you, sweetheart. he's got a book deal. he's got a potential made for tv movie that he can sell out of all this. >> yeah, but that's all possible but it looks like that's something that you guys are coming up with. it doesn't look like it was something that he came up with. if he was smart, he wouldn't have gone and given all the interviews like he did. he would have been selective, he would have given out one that he could probably capitalize on. he didn't do that. he gave it away for free. that was too half-cocked. it wasn't too smart. >> everybody doesn't plan these things out perfectly.

i'm not saying he did anything. when we come back, we will talk to a woman who was his teeny wife on "wife swap" and ask her why she believes that he is totally innocent of concocting anything. she's on his side. her amazing story when we come right back.

certainly from the e-mails and phone calls we've been getting, there's a lot of pressure to do something, to charge these people with committing a crime, a false reporting and to recover restitution. but that said, let me say again, as a law enforcement officer, public safety official, we have to operate on what we can prove

as a fact and not what people want to be done or what people speculate should be done. >> that was the sheriff of larimer county, colorado, talking about the misadventure of balloon boy, falcon heene. should the family be asked to reimburse the taxpayers for money spent on the search? according to that sheriff, colorado does not charge for searches. however, if they find out that this is a hoax, which would have to be proved, in a court of law, then they could seek reimbursement. brenda wade, you're the psychologist. what do you make of this family's behavior? >> you know, jane, they would have to be not just mad scientists but professional actors to pull off those 911 calls, to pull off the way that they handled this entire thing. i don't believe this is a hoax. i believe it was real. i believe something happened and they thought their son was inside that balloon. are they perhaps media seekers, quite possibly. is he a parent -- >> you think? you think they might be media seekers? pitching a reality show to tlc,

appearing on "wife swap," videotaping themselves at play, putting it all up on youtube? >> all of that may be true -- >> think they might be publicity seekers, brenda? >> they could well be publicity seekers. we have some evidence but there's no evidence that i can see -- look, this guy has emotional problems. he's got an anger problem. he's got a boundary problem as a parent. he's not protecting his children enough, in my opinion, but is this a hoax? i don't see it as a hoax. i really don't. the way those calls sounded was convincing to me. >> let's add another layer to all of this. we are going to get your analysis on this. 6-year-old balloon boy falcon got sick. he actually vomited on national television this morning. live on nbc's "today" at 7:08 eastern and again on abc's "good morning america." check this out. >> mom -- >> one of the guys told me it

was for some tv show so that's what he was referring to. should we take you to the bathroom or something? >> yeah. >> okay. >> okay. >> is he okay? is somebody going to go with him? you may want to run with him. that's okay. we understand. >> now, michelle, richard told one tv anchor falcon gets sick when he has asthma. but why continue to display this child on tv after the first time? >> that's what's disturbing to me, the mother didn't get up, wasn't concerned, didn't react in the way that you would think a mother would, and truthfully, then they keep going. they keep going and doing the interviews. it's very disturbing. to me, it's clear that these parents seem to be neglectful in the sense that they're not concerned about how much danger they put their children in. for them to be doing storm

chasing and all of that, i mean, if one of their children were to be killed during a storm, they could be charged with negligent homicide. that's the truth. >> there's a fine line, it's really a fine line, i don't want to demonize these parents and by the way, if they ever want to come on our show and give their side of the story, we'll certainly devote an entire hour to hearing why they do the things that they do, but there is a fine line between encouraging your kids to be curious about life, to be adventurous, and putting them in harm's way. cnn's john roberts took richard heene, the dad, to task this morning over allowing his kids to curse. listen to this exchange. >> our rule is that the kids can cuss in the house. they're not allowed to cuss outside. i don't want to be a hypocrite. i'm not going to tell my kid you can't cuss and yet they hear me do it. i'm not going to do that. >> but when it's on youtube, as

it is now, it has received thousands of hits, it's out there in public. >> yeah. you know, we were looking at it like a beastie boys thing and we figured that you know, funny comments would come in, the kids would go hey, that's cool. >> but mark eiglarsh, you're the attorney. all of this stuff may be questionable parenting. there's nothing illegal about that. the question we have to stay focused on is was this a staged event that put law enforcement and others at risk when they tried to save what they thought was a child in a balloon? >> there's no evidence of that. but i do cringe when i hear some of his parenting skills or techniques. someone needs to step in and you know, it's this whole climate of putting everything out there before the public. someone like this should probably lawyer up in the sense not that he's protecting his criminal rights but he should be protecting his image from the public because now we are going to pick it apart. his kids shouldn't be cussing. his kids shouldn't be seeing his anger and his hatred and things that we've seen on the video. not a strong choice. >> all right.

we all have our issues. we all have our demons. i'm certainly no exception. my new book "i want" is an open book. in fact, it's a tell-all about my own battles with addictions, especially my struggle to become sober which i did 14 1/2 years ago. my story could help you or a loved one struggling with addiction. it's available in bookstores now or you can order it online at cnn.com/jane. check it out. it can help you with any addiction. up next, teen violence spiraling out of control across the country. we're going to talk to the mother of a boy set on fire allegedly by his classmates. you do not want to miss her heartwrenching story. first, what's in store for balloon boy and his family?

d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d

d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d

d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d

d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d

d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d

d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d

ped? that's what her team of lawyers asked a florida judge today. but do they have good reason? for months, "issues" has sorted through thousands upon thousands of court documents, evidence seemingly pointing the finger at casey. tonight, for the very first time, an inside look at her defense strategy. can it work? could she actually walk out a free woman? and then, uproar and i mean uproar, over hideous teen violence. a 15-year-old boy, look at that handsome young man, allegedly

doused in alcohol and set on fire by his own classmates. they say they did it because he was a snitch, because they wanted revenge. tonight, his mom shares her heartache and outrage with us. that's right, she is talking to us. a tragic story that exposes the brutal reality of children in today's america. brand new developments in the caylee murder trial. casey anthony appeared in court today fighting the murder charges against her. the judge wasn't hearing any of it. he said no way, jose. the murder charges stay put. casey faces the death penalty. she is accused of brutally killing her adorable 2-year-old daughter, caylee marie. her attorneys pushed the judge to drop the murder charges and the aggravated child abuse charges. this is our very first glimpse into what will likely be the defense strategy. they say there is absolutely no physical evidence at all connecting casey to the crime scene. we'll analyze that. they presented their defense on

abc's "the today show." >> what they're lacking in this situation with all that's coming out is any forensic evidence, and that's the problem with the case is there's not enough to substantiate these charges which are first degree murder and aggravated child abuse. >> you need something that connects her to the crime scene. all the evidence that they have, nothing, the fibers that were found on the duct tape did not connect her to the crime scene. nothing. there was no fingerprint evidence. >> they are doing the rounds. they also argue they have proof, proof, casey was in jail when little caylee's body was dumped. the judge challenged casey's lawyers if they have evidence their client is innocent, they have to turn it in. he set a february deadline. prosecutors maintain evidence exists that will convict casey. how about the fact that this woman didn't report her own daughter missing for a month? instead, you see it right there,

she was out partying. look at these wild photos. is this the picture of a terrified mother who's lost a child? or is it the picture of an alleged murderer? straight out to my fantastic expert panel. also joining us, "in session" correspondent beth karas. beth, you're on top of this story. what is the very latest? >> well, the murder charges stay, as you just reported. the judge issued a ruling this afternoon not long after the hearing ended, basically granting the state's motion to strike the defense motion to dismiss. they wanted to dismiss the murder charges and aggravated child abuse. the judge said you just haven't laid out enough undisputed facts to meet that burden. the charges remain, seven counts at this point will be going to trial. the judge also gave the february 1st deadline to the defense to turn over any witnesses they intend to call at another pretrial hearing sometime next year before the trial which is supposed to be next summer. at that hearing, they're going to, if they have it, they're going to put witnesses on that

will say they should have been at the crime scene. it shouldn't have been turned over to them when it was just a barren, raked plot. they wanted to at least observe the police officers as they were culling and sifting and cutting down the bushes. she had a lawyer by then. she brought experts in and they didn't get a look at it for a week. the prosecution says we took hundreds of photos. the photos are good enough. we'll see if the witnesses agree. the judge today granted a defense motion that the defense experts can have an expanded access to these photos. they're very graphic photos. there was a fear they could get leaked out to the public domain, to the media. that's not going to happen. assured the defense team and the judge is going to let the defense download these photos on to discs and send them around the country to their various experts. that's basically what happened today. >> one of the headlines is casey's attorneys are arguing there's no physical evidence at all tying casey to caylee's murder. we have to ask, what about the cadaver dogs who hit on casey's

car? what about the hair that belonged to some member of the anthony family found in casey's car that investigators said showed signs of decomposition, ie, a death band came from a dead body and what about the testing on the trunk that showed decomposition in the air and let's not forget the chilling 911 call made by casey's own mother, cindy. let's listen to that one. >> mark eiglarsh, then there's the endless circumstantial evidence. she didn't report her daughter missing for a month. she allegedly lied to investigators. she got a tattoo, some kind of tattoo that said something about

the beautiful life. >> the good life. >> after her daughter, the good life, after her daughter went missing. so what is the defense talking about when they say there's no evidence connecting her to this crime? >> listen, just saying it's so don't make it so. as a defense lawyer, winning is defined by doing everything that you possibly can to help get the outcome that you want. it doesn't mean that you're going to get the outcome that you want. the state here in florida is looking to kill their client. they shouldn't sit back. they should file every possible motion that they can. i assure you they had no intentions upon really believing that this judge would grant it. he's not going to take this away from a jury. he's going to let them decide. >> beth karas, i talked to sources who tell me that every single piece of evidence that the prosecution has, the defense has an explanation for, that they challenge the scientific validity, for example, of the so-called death band on a hair that had to belong to the anthonys, that they challenged the scientific validity of the so-called air samples that

showed decomposition. essentially, it seems that they could very well argue that this is mumbo-jumbo pseudoscience. >> yes, they certainly could with respect to the air samples. i have never seen that before and i do think that is going to be a battle. this is a circumstantial case. what hurts the defense, and they know this, are the numerous, the mountains of lies that casey anthony has told and it's a very, very tall task for them to explain away that she didn't report this for 31 days. so her conduct, even absent forensic evidence, her conduct and her statements hurt her. michael skaekle is in prison for 20 some years. there wasn't any forensic evidence tying him to martha moxley's death. >> the prosecutors will remind jurors in opening statements casey didn't report her child missing after 31 days. it was her mother who, after she realized something was up, she called the police. so apparently, casey did never

plan on actually calling the police. she was going to conduct her own search to find out where the nanny had allegedly taken her child. it doesn't make sense. it will be tough for the defense. >> steve kardian, i'm reminded of another trial, the o.j. simpson trial, and he was acquitted of murder in the criminal trial, and the prosecution got so bogged down in the explanation of the dna evidence and it became so confusing and i remember sitting there day after day, watching on a monitor, where it really was a simple case that got so complicated because of the forensics that where i believe not handled in a simple, clear manner by the prosecution. could the same thing happen here, where the common sense case that she didn't report her daughter missing, that's suspicious, gets lost in an argument over whether science is real or mumbo-jumbo? >> we're seeing that here, jane. look at the simple fact, the connection that they're trying

to make with not being allowed to be at the crime scene. law enforcement would never on their worst day allow a defense attorney to be present while they were investigating a crime scene. so it borders on the ridiculous, some of their requests. >> they're also doing their job. in their defense, if any one of us was ever accused of a crime, you wouldn't want them to go at it half. as much as it offends us because many of us think she's guilty beyond all doubt, that's their job. don't hate the defense attorneys. let them do their job. if the prosecution does have the evidence, it appears they do, justice will prevail. >> but will they do their job thoroughly? >> i defended jose baez. i think he's doing an excellent job. don't confuse him with his client. well, now, you're the one attacking the defense attorney, mark, not me. >> i like the supporting cast. jose has done a lot of things that i take exception to. these impromptu press conferences, the nature of some of his arguments. i think he looks best when he just works, keeps his mouth shut

and focuses on his client. that's just my opinion. >> beth, we got 20 seconds. what about the new dates for casey's check fraud? >> there's a trial date now, a date certain of january 25th. december 18th, everyone will be in court, a couple of months, for a status conference just to make sure there are no outstanding matters. it will be tried the first month of next year. >> that's big. that's big. >> it is big, because if she gets convicted in that -- >> yes, they will be able to use it against her if she does take the stand which i don't think she ever will. she can't explain away all those lies. >> thank you, excellent panel. we will tell you how this is such a sad story, the 5-year-old sole survivor in the wrong way crash is doing. and another hideous act of teen violence. the latest on the little boy, look at this handsome young man, who was set on fire all over a bicycle?

let's meet today's winner, scott f. between the ages of 3 and 13, scott was sexually abused by his adoptive father and brother. as an adult, scott began a series of sexually addictive relationships. the overdose death of a sibling in 2005 made him realize sex and love are not the same. scott describes himself as clean now of the demons of sexual

addiction. scott, for bravely sharing your story, you will be getting an autographed copy of my new book "i want" plus a chance to win a trip to new york city and visit me on the set of "issues." i am so proud of your recovery. coming up, the latest on the teen boy who was tragically burned and is now fighting for his life but first, "top of the block" tonight. the sole survivor of the horrific wrong-way crash is reportedly doing well. that's such good news. three months ago, 5-year-old brian schuler was in the back of a van as his mom drove the wrong way down the parkway. moments later, the car crashed, killing eight people, including his mom, his sister and three cousins. toxicology tests showed brian's mom, diane, was drunk and high on pot at the time. daniel schuler, the woman's husband, the dad, has maintained

his wife never drank. brian suffered two broken arms, a broken leg and he is trying to rebuild his eyesight but the good news, he is healing very nicely. a family investigator said this to nbc's "today" show. >> brian doesn't remember anything about that accident. he remembers noises around him. he remembers fire engines, apparently, and he remembers emergency workers. first responders have told us that brian appeared to be conscious through the whole thing. >> little brian says he misses his mom and sister and asks for them often. that's so sad. thankfully, though, this child's life was spared. unfortunately, he's going to have to grow up without his loved ones, without his mom, without his sister, all because of drugs and alcohol. that is the lesson for tonight's "top of the block."

turning now to another unthinkable case. gruesome attack on a teenager allegedly by a gang of his own classmates. police say five boys cornered michael brewer, drenched him in alcohol, flicked a lighter on him and then set him on fire. in just a moment, we will be joined by michael's mom, valerie brewer. she has spent the last few torturous days by her son's hospital bed. with severe burns over two-thirds of his body, the 15-year-old is not able to talk. he is not able to tell his mom about his pain or the memory of this hideous attack. it just took moments but the consequences of that action are going to last the rest of this young man's life. >> i think we're looking at many, many months of stay in the burn center, in the acute care hospital. we're looking at several months in the icu. we're looking at at least a year before we can say that we're well on the road to rehabilitation and in terms of

ever really getting completely over this, it's a lifelong thing. this is a life-changing event. >> one of the boys who used a lighter to set michael on fire is now charged with attempted murder. all five young suspects are charged with aggravated battery. we're blurring their faces because these are juveniles. prosecutors are still deciding whether to charge them as adults or not. here's my big issue. we live in a society awash in horrific violence. it's no wonder the brutality and frequency of teen violence has reached a crisis level. the big question, how are we going to reverse it? how are we going to take this hideous, hideous, hideous thing and turn it into something that might make this world a better place? that might do something positive? we're going to talk about that tonight with my fantastic panel and also, joining me on the phone, the victim's mom,

michael's mom, valerie brewer. valerie, there are no words, of course, to describe what you are going through, what your son is going through. it's got to be hellish. it's got to be surreal in its nightmarish qualities. what are you doing with your son? i understand you are there by his bedside day in and day out. >> i am. i won't leave his side unless a doctor has to talk to me or if they have to change michael's bandages, which takes anywhere from two and a half to three and a half hours, because he has so many burns. they have to heavily sedate him so he does not feel any of the pain while they're doing that. it's an incredible journey that we're on. i really don't know what to say. >> i understand you rub his feet. >> i'm just so, so raw right

now, so numb from lack of sleep and having to sit there and look at my son every day with all his burns all over him. >> i can't even imagine. i can't even imagine. i understand you rub his feet because you can't really communicate with him so you rub his feet and that you communicate in a nonverbal way michael is able to shake his head yes or no. he is intubated so he cannot speak. however, he's not awake very often. maybe five minutes in the morning and then five minutes in the afternoon and five minutes at night. when the medication starts to ware down and he wakes up a little bit he's tried to sit up and get out of bed because he wants to get up. he doesn't -- i don't think he is really understanding what ice going on with him. all he knows is he's in a lot of pain. he does respond to questions. i'll ask him if he wants me to

rub his feet and he'll shake his head yes or no. he actually reaches up when he hears his father's voice and reaches up for his father's hand. >> valerie hang in there. we'll be right back with you in a moment. your son, so courageous. this is such an obscenity.