this morning on "world news now," tension in baltimore. the mistrial in the case of a police officer accused in freddie gray's controversial death. today's legal decisions. and who is telling protesters to stay calm? donald trump live, a different side of the presidential candidate, seen just hours ago on "jimmy kimmel live." what he says we should have done instead of spending billions in the middle east. a health alert to anyone who sleeps with a pet. >> is it helpful or harmful to share your bed? what researchers are saying. important news, especially at this hour. >> yes. that is a good point. later in "the skinny," michael jackson is outperforming everyone in the music business, years now after his death. it's a "thriller" of a headline on this thursday, december the 17th.

♪ no one wants to be defeated oh, yeah. i think you're right. >> that's the classic one. >> i'm reena ninan. >> i'm richard bacon. it's thursday morning, right? >> we're arguing over what is the best michael jackson song. >> argue is a strong word. the song i like the most that everyone's forgot about, is "they don't really care about us." >> you're right. that's an oldie and a goody. >> here's a bit of advice to you. you download and listen to that, instead of watching us. >> hey. >> i don't mean it. we're going to play some michael jackson a bit later. we start with serious news. we begin in baltimore, and the mistrial in the police officer accused in the death of freddie gray. protesters on the street after a jury could not decide the guilt or innocence of officer william porter. >> at least two people were

arrested after that announcement. a meet willing be announced to discuss porter's possible retrial. jim avila is in baltimore. >> reporter: the reaction to the hung jury and mistrial after officer william porter was swift. sheriff's deputies marched in quickly, clearing the street surrounding the baltimore courthouse. prepared for trouble. >> no peace. no justice. >> immediately, disperse. >> reporter: porter was charged with five other police officers in connection with the 25-year-old gray's death, after a fatal ride in a police van last spring. gray's family urging calm, after the jury of seven blacks and five whites, telling the judge they could not reach a unanimous verdict on any of the charges. >> we ask the public to remain calm. patient because we have confident there will be another trial with a different jury. >> reporter: 26-year-old officer porter did not make freddie gray's arrest, or drive the police van where he suffered fatal injuries. but prosecutors charged him with

manslaughter, claiming he could have put a seat belt on him or called a medic when freddie asked for one. every cop in the city of baltimore is on duty, hoping to avoid a repeat of the kind of unrest that erupted in the days after gray's death. the looting and fires, doing an estimated $9 million damage. >> we are prepared to respond. we will protect our residents. >> reporter: officer porter remains suspended without pay, awaiting a likely new trial with a new jury. five fellow officers face charges of second-degree murder to official misconduct in gray's death. their trials, still to come. jim avila, abc news, baltimore. new details of the san bernadino terror couple that killed 14 people 2 weeks ago. fbi director james comey said before they met in person, and they communicated online, using private messages to express their commitment to violent jihad. he said investigators found no

evidence that the couple was part of a larger terror cell or were being directed by terrorists overseas. in the meantime, president obama is planning to visit san bernadino on friday for a private meeting with shooting victims and the families of those killed. he will then continue on to his family holiday vacation in hawaii. some late night politics now. donald trump sitting down last night with jimmy kimmel right here on abc. the republican front-runner admitting that his attacks on his rivals during the campaign have been divisive. and trump said, he would like to see the gop come together. trump also repeated that his ban on muslims entering the u.s. would be temporary. and he refused to back away from his criticism of u.s./middle east policy. >> and we've spent probably $5 trillion. what do we have? we have nothing. it's a mess. worse than ever before. we have spent a tremendous -- if we would have done nothing, let

the dictators stay where the hell where they were, we wouldn't have migrations or all of the problems. we could have spent $5 trillion on rebuilding our roads, our school, our hospitals, our infrastructures, our airports. >> trump also did not backtrack of his plan to build a wall on the u.s./mexico border. it will have a, quote, big, beautiful door for legal entry. i've seen trump tower. i'll not sure his judgment on beauty, you know -- >> oh. >> you know, i feel what's interesting for me because -- you follow this whole thing. i'm obsessed with the u.s. election. >> you really are obsessed, which is wonderful to see. you're very excited about this. >> it's the greatest show on earth. and that point he made there, which was opposition to invading iraq and how he would rather have spent the money on fixing roads, that's interesting because no other republican candidate could say that. that's one of the most interesting things about him, really. and as jimmy kimmel said to him

in that interview, why is it unrepublican? i think carly fiorina attacked him the other night. why is it unrepublican to take that money and want to spend it on building roads? the implication being that it shouldn't be. the sensationally funny bit, which i know you've seen, where they do a parody of a children's book. and jimmy kimmel and his team imagine donald trump has written a children's book. and we will play you. >> we'll have more of that later. a cabinet secondary used a personal e-mail account for business. defense secretary ash carter realizes it was a mistake. it happened during his first months in office earlier this year. and "the new york times" reports it ended after white house intervention. carter was in baghdad yesterday, offering greater u.s. support if iraq will increase its participation in the fight against isis. the iraqi prime minister said no thanks. his country doesn't want a greater u.s. presence to help take back ramadi from the militants. but carter says that doesn't mean iraq won't change its mind

in the future. the interest rate on your credit card may be going up soon. that's likely to be one of the effects of the federal reserve's decision to raise interest rates. mortgages and other consumer loans are probably going up, too. but the fed's move is good for investors. the u.s. stock market was up. and overnight, so are asian shares. the ceo of chipotle is banking on safety measures he hopes will regain the trust of its consumers. close to 200 people have been sickened in recent weeks by norovirus and e. coli outbreaks at chipotle restaurants. now, steve ellis has announced new safety guidelines that includes high-tech food tracking and new washing and sanitary rules inside his restaurants. >> the share prices went through the floor last week. >> i recently ate at a chipotle. i was just fine. >> i did quite like it. i think i called it slop on a tray the other day. >> you did call it slop on a tray. a new sleep study is reopening the debate whether it's healthy to sleep with your pets.

animal lovers have been warned for years that having a pet in the bedroom can negatively impact their sleep with the animal's nocturnal movement. pet owners say having their pets made them feel safe and secure, thus giving them a better night's sleep. >> you buy this? >> yeah, i kind of do. i think if you have something with you, you associate with comfort and security. >> uh-huh. >> you get sleep easier. >> your security blanket. your pet could be your security blanket. >> pet could be your security blanket. that's how i use podcasts. they are my security blanket to get me to sleep. i use podcasts. some people use dogs. you use the premiere of "star wars." >> oh. he is never going to let me forget that. >> reena fell asleep. >> last time i go anywhere with you. >> biggest premiere. the hottest new toy this holliday season, comes from

"star wars: the force awakens." no surprise there. >> the colorado start-up, s.p. hero," was making remote-controlled balls. and the movie has ball droid called bb-8. >> the toymaker came to the attention at a tech entrepreneur's conference. and the bb-8 toy took off from there. >> it's a cute droid. >> i'm obsessed with it. i think he or she is the cutest thing. >> the mannerisms -- that's so hot on the trigger in the sound department. it's the mannerisms when the robot is sad, he puts his head on the side of his little round body. i'm giving away a tiny bit here. and han solo gives him a thumb up, and a little light comes out of his body. >> yes. that was a funny moment. really funny. coming up in "the skinny," donald trump's life story as a children's book. fun moments on kimmel. and also ahead, blockbuster

against blockbuster. speculation about the new "star wars" out today. will it be bigger than "avatar"? and a wealthy young man, a victim of affluenza disappears after social media posts. where is ethan couch? that's after a look at the forecast map. where is it? it's 59 in dallas. 68 in las vegas. >> going to read them all out? >> 57 in new york. >> how about washington? washington? how is that doing? >> washington, 55. >> there you go, reena. >> i'm alex trebek. if you're age 50 to 85, this is an important message. so please, write down the number on your screen. the lock i want to talk to you about isn't the one on your door. it's a rate lock for your life insurance that guarantees your rate can never go up at any time, for any reason.

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dramatic dash cam footage out of nebraska. watch as a sheriff's deputy zooms ahead of this trailer-tractor, pulls over in the left-hand lane, and dashes across two lanes of traffic, on to that track, because the driver was suffering a seizure. paramedics arrived a short time later. police say the driver is okay. it's like something out of a tom cruise -- "mission impossible" moment. isn't it? we're going to head to texas. and the search for a wealthy teenager who made national headlines, missing a probation appointment, killing four people in a drunk driving class. >> his lawyer claiming a new defense at trial, affluenza, that he was too spoiled to know right from wrong. abc's ryan owens has the latest. >> reporter: he's the young man who got probation for killing four in a drunk driving crash two years ago. the teen infamous for his affluenza defense -- >> affluenza. >> affluenza. >> affluenza. >> reporter: is having a tough time following the rules again. 18-year-old ethan couch is missing.

he didn't check in with his probation officer in texas earlier this month. his disappearance comes weeks after watching couch playing beer pong was posted online. the 18-year-old is not allowed to drink during his ten-year probation. and the d.a. is investigating the video. his probation officer would have tested him for drugs and alcohol at the appointment he missed. authorities say they also can't find his mother. couch's parents who are millionaires, allowed him to stay alone in their 4,000-square-foot mansion, when he was 16. that's when he drove his friends drunk and killed four people. he never spent a day in jail. >> my fear is, he's gone. we know what kind of resources and money this family has to get out of town, maybe get out of the country. who knows? >> reporter: if authorities do find him, he may just end up behind bars after all. ryan owens, abc news, los angeles. >> thanks so much, ryan. coming up, the donald trump

gives "the cat in the hat" a run for its money. >> and trump speaks out about his controversial doctor's note. that's coming up next in "the skinny."

♪ skinny so skinny ♪ welcome back to "the skinny." and topping "the skinny" headlines this morning, donald

trump on jimmy kimmel, here on abc. >> and as we mentioned earlier in the broadcast, this was kimmel's only guest last night. that means that lots of topics were discussed. and kimmel wasn't afraid to call trump out on his more controversial policies and statements, including that strange doctor's note. trump's long-time physician released a statement to the press a couple days ago. >> we talked about it this week, haven't we? the first time we heard trump talk about the doctor's note. and kimmel threw him a bit of a curve ball. >> his physical strength and stamina are extraordinary. if you elect mr. trump, unequivocally will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency. >> love that. >> how do you get a doctor to write you that note? >> in all fairness, i said, doc, i want to tell you, i'll be the healthiest president ever. and he said, i think i afree. and he probably took my words. >> this is his picture on

facebook. this is your doctor. >> oh, wow. >> what kind of a doctor is he? [ laughter ] >> oh, that's pretty funny. there was a political article, that said before he released the doctor's note, he made unhealthy food choices. and that he didn't exercise. and then, he released this. >> it's a bit like a jedi mind trick, to reference "star wars" again. doctor, i will be the healthiest president of all-time. you will be the healthiest president of all-time. >> give it to you to find the "star wars" metaphor in all this. >> you wouldn't have noticed it the "star wars" metaphor because you fell asleep during the biggest premiere in the last ten years. donald trump doesn't drink. did you know that? >> i thought he had vodka, didn't he? maybe i'm making that up. trump would be 70 years old, when sworn in, which would make him the oldest in office. >> i didn't know that. kimmel brought out something that would appeal to a younger audience. we like this in the office here. revealing that he is, ironically

revealing, donald trump is a ghost writer for a book called "winners aren't losers." let's have a listen. >> here are some frauds i do not like at all. we must kick these frauds out and then build a wall. oh, the places you'll go, on your yacht, on your plane. with your suits from milan, the wives from ukraine. [ laughter ] oh, the buildings you'll build. the wealth you'll amass. the people around you, all kissing your ass. [ laughter ] there are two kinds of people, which one will you be? a loser like them? would you like to finish? or a winner -- >> like me. [ cheers and applause ] >> donald trump, everybody. >> well done. the folks at kimmel -- we want a copy of this book. i tweeted to kimmel earlier asking for a copy. >> did you really? >> yes. i think it's remarkable. >> i'd love a copy of that book so much. >> don't you want a copy?

>> how do i get one? >> i don't know, kimmel. >> we're on abc. there must be a way. >> there has to be an interoffice mail. >> great writing by the team at kimmel. >> funniest bit of the year. >> all of us gathers around a tv. >> i loved it. > next, arguably, the biggest obal superstar of our time. we're talking about michael jackson. >> and big news about his iconic album "thriller." it's gone platinum now. at 30-times over, the only album ever to do that. 30-times over. you know he's earned more than $1 billion since he died? >> wow. that's remarkable. >> "the skinny" is full of good facts today. >> it really is. we were talking about which was our favorite? "thriller", "billie jean," "beat it." they all revolutionized the medium, the way they told their stories, the music video. and really cemented his status. >> yeah. look at that.

just to recap for you tonight in the "skinny." donald trump doesn't drink. he would be the oldest president ever elected. and michael jackson has earned a billion since his death. >> that's pretty good. that's a good "skinny." billion since his death. >> good "skinny." we've been changing things up with k-y love.

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it's about keeping the food particles out. try super poligrip free. i'm looking for a great warrior. >> oh. great warrior. wars not make one great. >> wise words yoda has. very good, your yoda voice, better than mine. wars might not make one great. but there is a battle shaping up with the "star wars" movie. >> there's one good bit. "the force awakens," is predicted to be a top-selling movie. it has competition in the not-too-distant future. here's abc's nick watt. >> reporter: positive premiere and $100 million in advanced ticket sales are prompting some pretty prodigious predictions. "star wars" has the potential to surpass "avatar."

what we saw with "avatar" and "titanic," people kept going back to the theater multiple times after they saw it. >> nothing will stand in our way. >> reporter: avatar" is still the highest grossing movie of all-time, raking in $2.7 billion. "the force awakens" some say, might be the first to top the $3 billion benchmark. jedis versus the blue guys. >> this is our land. >> reporter: "avatar," released december 18th, 2009. "the force awakens," also december 18th, six years later. both take place not on our planet. both have rapid fans. some people actually speak na'vi. jedi is now quasi-religion. did you really think the first "star wars" film was going to be a flop? >> yeah. everybody did. >> reporter: why? >> the studio hated.

it i had no idea that it worked. >> reporter: now, here we are, "episode 7." >> chewy, we're home. >> the wall street analysts are saying if this film doesn't gross $1.5 billion, it will be considered a disappointment. the question is, is it going to leapfrog $2 billion and even approach $3 billion, which would make it the highest grossing film of all-time. >> reporter: just wait for 2017. "avatar 2" is slated for release. and "star wars: episode 8." a hollywood head-to-head. nick watt, abc news, los angeles. >> is that good? >> you're trying to do chewy. no, no, no. chewy sustained some horrible injury. the death throes of chewy, on abc.

making news in america this morning, mistrial tore one of the officers charged in freddie gray's death. the jury deadlocked. protesters taking to the streets. what's next in the case? late night appearance. donald trump on "jimmy kimmel live" getting called out. >> isn't it wrong to discriminate on people based on their religion? >> grilling him about controversial comments on muslims and the stellar health report from ace doctor. caught on camera, a deputy making a daring move jumping into a moving truck to save the driver. and a mom taking a half-court shot to win her daughter something special. the result you have to see.