>> it seems unlikely, fredricka.eys were trying to do was to get him a new trial under ineffective assistance of counsel grounds and that means basically that my lawyer messed up in common, plain english. the are problem is that this is a matter of trial strategy. briefly with regard to the trial, it was hotly contested testimony that was allowed in. hearsay testimony, right? there were his wife who went missing, was allowed to it testify from the grave saying, i fear him. he's going to kill me and, are guess what, she did die. his fourth wave, who he has not been charged for, as you noted, also statements were allowed in and harry smith, a divorce attorney from his fourth wife, was called by the defense, and the defense in eliciting testimony said on the stand could i -- this was his testimony as he testified. he testified that his fourth wave, stacy, called him and said, listen. i really believe drew killed his third wife, kathleen. if i say that, can i squeeze money out of him from a divorce proceeding? why would

fredricka? >> becky anderson, thanks so much from rome and we'll have more on how this report might influence a conclave later on today in the 4:00 p.m. eastern hour. >>> meantime back to the pistorius family. well it certainly has its hands fup. one famous son charged with premeditated murder. his older brother facing a homicide trial. straight ahead, we'll go to south africa for the latest. >>> and another athlete everyone wants to talk to, manti te'o has gotten grilled at the nfl combine. hear what he had to say about -- that humiliating internet hoax. r education is where it can take you. (subway announcer; "now arriving at city hospital") which is why we're proud to help connect our students with leading employers across the nation. (subway announcer: "next stop financial center") let's get to work. to get our adt security system. and one really big reason -- the house next door. our neighbor's house was broken into. luckily, her family wasn't there, but what if this happened here? what if

i'm fredricka whitfield in for brooke baldwin.nged the way we look up information and communicate with friends on line will join us. mark zuckerman and sergey brin will be joining us for a rare live interview. right now they're at an event launching a new foundation that rewards research aimed at certain diseases, curing certain diseaseses, and extending human life. our ali velshi. it's an exclusive and you only hear it and see it here on cnn. first here are some of the hottest stories of the day we're following for you. all right, just in to cnn, disgraced cyclist lance armstrong has once again decided not to cooperate with the u.s. anti-doping agency. usada. he faced a february 6 deadline to cooperate but received an extension until wednesday. today his lawyers issued this statement saying, quote, lance will not participate in usada's efforts to selectively conduct american prosecutions that only demonize selected individuals while failing to address the 95% of the sport over which usada has no jurisdiction, end quote. he had be

fredricka? there some reticence to really embrace it? >> reporter: well, that depends who you speak to. some of the vaticanisti, veteran cat vath can watchers, are somewhat skeptical about these reports, but many other people are taking them seriously. they've been picked up not only by these two publications but really they're appearing in all the italian media. we've had in the past just three years ago there were reports that were backed up by video and still pictures of rather gay priests wnl the vatican. and so there is a historical precedent to that. so many people, in fact, do take these reports very seriously despite the vigorous denials from the vatican. >> ben wedeman, thanks so much, from rome. keep us posted. >>> a cardinal who will vote for a new pope is tied up in a melszy legal deposition today here in the states. cardinal roger mahony, one of the most powerful catholic leaders in the u.s., must answer questions about pedophile priests in the los angeles diocese during his leaders

>> you know what, fredricka, i have to jump in.> go ahead. >> i feel sorry for the strippers. to have to strip for 16-year-old boys, i feel sorry for them. that's -- how bad is the economy that you've got to take a job like that? 16-year-old boys are the worst customers in the world. they're laughing. they're throwing quarters at them. they don't appreciate it. >> wendy, we're laughing. it sounds funny. do you see this as kind of a serious big no-no, too? >> there are two points i need to make right now. one is this mom is obviously doing as she once did because she's 33 years old and has a 16-year-old which means she was pregnant at 16. okay, first thing. enough said. and the second thing is because our culture has become so highly sexualized and we're using sexy bodies to sell these kids pretty much any product and half of them are naked on facebook, nobody polices that, she sort of lost sight about where the laws are in our culture. and i think facebook should get on and taking the six packs and eight packs of 12-year-old boys o

fredricka? movement or a proposal to try and change the parameters, the dates, the window in which a pope can be selected. is there any new development on that? >> well, what we're hearing from the vatican is that if there is any change to the timetable for the conclave, that meeting of 116 cardinals to elect the next pope, it will come after the pope steps down on the 28th. there had been talk that the vatican constitution might be modified to move it up, but at this point, i think the vatican's attention is now elsewhere. >> all right. ben wedeman, thanks so much in rome. >>> one of the men who will help elect the next pope is cardinal roger mahoney. he is giving a legal deposition today in this country about alleged sex crimes by priests when he was archbishop of los angeles. cnn's miguel marquez is in l.a. he's been deposed before. why is it different this time? >> different because this is the first time he's been deposed since a release of massive release of documents related to his time i

i'm miguel marquez in for fredricka whitfield. thanks for joining us. >>> we begin in alabama where we're expecting any moment now a news conference on the tense five-day standoff outside an underground bunker. holed up inside is a terrified 5-year-old boy and his armed captor. let's go straight to the scene with cnn's victor blackwell. victor, what are we expecting to hear from this presser? >> reporter: well, we have not been given the details of what this announcement will be, but i can tell you this prelsser is different from the ones of yesterday and all the ones canceled on thursday. we'll hear from dale county sheriff wally olson and trooper kevin cook from alabama state police. we've been told there will be new information. we know that this line of communication with jimmy lee dykes has been opened overnight. we know that the temperatures overnight have been below freezing for the first time so, that has been the greatest worry for the safety of this boy. but, again, a news conference is scheduled to start in just about f

fredricka? >> meantime, how is the stock market reacting?> looking overall, wal-mart is up more than 2%. the different story with the dow down, it seems like yesterday we were talking about that elusive record for the dow. doesn't look like we will hit that today or any time soon. they started yesterday when the federal reserve indicated minutes from last month. it may be looking to pull back the stimulus that propped up the market. a weak report weighing on stocks as well as unemployment. they are up. one piece of good nows, there was a rise in home resales, but not enough to keep stocks in the green today. >> a little encouragement. we will take that. thanks so much. >> david we're is a world record holder, but sanjay gupta introduces us to this remarkable athlete who exemplifies courage and determination while competing in a wheelchair. >> two olympics, six gold medals, beijing, london and a handful of world records and championship titles in six london marathon wins. david is one of the top pair limpic athletes in the world. he is also c

i'm miguel marquez in for fredricka whitfield. thanks for join us. >>> now to those allegations of free flights and hiring of prostitutes by new jersey senator robert menendez. the senate ethics committee is investigating the lawmaker. jim acosta has the details. juror the senate ethics rules are clear when it comes to free flights menendez accepted. the senator did not, as required, report them on his financial disclosure form. the question is what, if anything, the ethics committee will do about it. it was another day of a very public senator keeping a very low profile. outside a dinner thursday night featuring new jersey's top political leaders, bob menendez offered only a few words in response to the questions flooding his office. >> i have comments i've already put through my office. >> nameless, faceless, anonymous allegations. >> reporter: just as menendez is officially becoming chairman of the senate foreign relations committee, a key member of the senate ethics committee is indicating the panel is looking into a raid on t

on the west coast, i'm martin savidge in for fredricka witfield. thank you for joining us. these are the top stories we're following in the cnn news room. police are searching california's san bernardino mountains for ex-lapd cop, christopher dorner accused of killing three people. l.a. county supervisors will request a $100,000 reward on tuesday for information leading to dorner's arrest. the big blizzard that went through the northeast has left behind a lot of snow. folks in the area are busy clearing the roads and shoveling snow off of cars. trying to get back to normal after a day of being stuck inside. 370,000 people are still without heat or electricity. >>> joe paterno's family have released a report be a solving the late coach of blame in the jerry sandusky sex abuse scandal. it said penn state's prior report from the paterno's widow is speaking out now as well on how she felt when she first learned of the accusations. >> it is still hard to accept, but when i read the first presentment of charges, i actually got physically ill. and couldn't read any more for a coup

i'm fredricka witfield, stay with cnn, "the next list" starts right now. >>> they're innovators, game changers, people pushing themselves, moving us all forward. they're the next scientists musicians, poets. the next makers, dreamers, teachers, geniuses, these are "the next list." >>> welcome to the next list, i'm dr. sanjay gupta, diana eng is on a mission to bring science to the fashion world. diana blends cutting-edge technology with design concepts from nature and science to create clothing and accessories with a rich story. >> it's like technology, math and science and how to integrate that into a fashion design. >> she painstakingly researches her design, sometimes for years, counting inspiration if some very unlikely places. >> those are real lady bugs. >> cnn zoraida sambolin takes us on a surprising jour any into the mind and designs of diana ang. >> that is so clever. >> i like to work with electronics in fashion. and it's kind of what people stereotypically think of as adding technology into a garment. i integrate did in a way where the circuit can become part of the design

i'm miguel marquez in for fredricka whitfield. these are the top stories we're following roeth now "cnn newsroom." a highly decorated navy s.e.a.l., considered one of the military's best snipers. chris kyle was shot and killed along with a friend at a gun range near ft. worth, texas. susan candiotti is joining us live from new york. how exactly the shooting unfold. >> what a tragedy. the sheriff tells me chris kyle and chad were at a shooting. they all apparently knew each other. kyle is well known for helps vets transition into civilian life, some of them suffering from posttraumatic stress. they appear to be alone at the range yesterday afternoon when this happened and the sheriff says they don't yet know what was behind the shooting, what prompted it they rorved, listen to this, 25 to 30 weapons, including handguns and longons and ak 47s. they're still trying to sort out which one was the murder weapon. now, after the shooting police say the suspect took off in former s.e.a.l. chris kyle's pickup truck. the bodies were not disc

you see congresswoman fredricka wilson, greeting him with a kiss. left her lipstick on the leader of the free world's face. >> and the president also shared a bipartisan fist-bump with senator mark kirk. the illinois republican just returned to congress last month, a year after suffering a major stroke. >>> and surprising news out of hollywood. funnyman steve martin has reportedly taken on a new role. becoming a first-time dad at the age of 67. >> "the new york post" said martin and his wife were at their l.a. home with their new baby. they've been so secretive, we don't know if it's a boy or girl. the couple worked hard to have the baby. and they are absolutely thrilled. >> nice. >>> finally, as you all may know, tomorrow is valentine's day. and a chance to express your love to that special someone. >> in honor of the day, we present these classic lovebird photos. what could be more lovely, than a man, his chain saw and his gal? >> and then, who knows what they're thinking. the banana they're sharing. >> they're very popular. and finally, it happen

europe, major mergers in the -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >>> i'm deborah feyerick in for fredricka whitfield. thanks for joining us and spending part of your afternoon here. these are the top stories that we're following right now in the "cnn newsroom." at this hour thousands of people marching in washington. they want more action on climate change. among the demands, they're looking for president obama to kill the keystone xl pipeline. we've got a reporter right in the thick of it and we'll take you there, just moments away. >>> massachusetts is covered with a thick blanket of snow again, just a week after a monster blizzard slammed into it. boston is the hardest hit with strong winds and blowing snow, making it very difficult to see. as you can see that driver there. in detroit a snowstorm resulted in a massive pile-up on the highway, southbound 175, i-75 was shut down for hours after about 20 to 30 cars spun out of control, drivers said it was simply impossible to see in a snowstorm. >> it was just like somebody suddenly threw a white sheet across the -- >> we could see nothing

i'm miguel marquez in for fredricka whitfield.

i'm fredricka whitfield. much more continues at the top of the hour with don lemon in the "newsroom." first, how your health could be impacted if congress doesn't find a way to stop those forced spending cuts from kicking in. sanjay gupta, md starts now. >> thanks for joining us. a lot to discuss today, including the oscar nominated film "how to survive a plague" about a controversial time in our country's history, the early days of the aids epidemic. the film maker is going to stop by. >>> also, the secrets of happy families. how to improve your mornings, rethink family dinner. even how to fight smarter. >>> plus, haven't we all raised our kids to feel confident about their bodies. >>> but first, it's the biggest buzz in washington, these spending cuts less than a week from taking effect now. and today we'll share what we have investigated. some potential real consequences for your health. the cdc, first of all, expect to face projected cuts of just under $300 million. what does that mean? fewer people poten

i'm deborah feyerick in for fredricka whitfield. thanks for being with us this afternoon.he world, people in russia cleaning up the damage after a meteor fell over the ural mountain region. local officials have estimated the damage at over $33 million. the meteor blast left more than 1,000 people injured. divers are looking for pieces of the meteor in a frozen lake but have not found any traces. >>> a tank storing radioactive waste is leaking in washington state. it contains almost 450,000 gallons of sludge and about 150 to 300 gallons of it is seeping out each year. washington's governor says there's no immediate public health risk but did call on the federal government to address the problem quickly. >>> president obama's calling on congress to pass laws to reduce gun violence. during an appearance at a chicago high school, he said 65 out of 443 victims killed last year in gun violence in the city were under the age of 18. he also said children from violence-plagued communities need help and opportunities to get ahead. >>> these stories are trending on the web. facebook

i'm fredricka witfield. to work this week with a friday deadline to avoid $85 billion in forced spending cuts. if the congress and the white house don't reach a budget deal, you can expect everything from longer security lines at the airports to reduced food inspections. >>> and olympian oscar pistorius is not the only member of his family in trouble with the law. his brother carl is facing a culpable homicide charge for the death of a motorcyclist in 010. carl pistorius was supposed to go on trial last week, but that has been rescheduled for the end of march. in 30 minutes we'll have more on the pistorius cases and how it's tearing views in south africa and beyond. >>> getting ready for tonight's academy awards and hollywood. at 2:00 eastern we take you there. and fareed zakaria "gps" continues right now. >>> the meteor that exploded over the euro mountains nine days ago and the asteroid that flyby that quickly followed it, raised concerns around the world. why didn't we know the meteor was coming and what

i'm fredricka whitfield. "your money" starts right now. >>> an economy poised to soar is now under attack from its own government. i'm ali velshi. this is "your money." your political leaders are punishing themselves for gross inaction. and they're doing it the only way they know how, by targeting you. four government spending cuts take effect march 1st, what washington has been calling the sequester. it's a stupid name for a stupid thing. >> these cuts are not smart. they are not fair. they will hurt our economy. they will add hundreds of thousands of americans to the unemployment rolls. this is not an abstraction. people will lose their jobs. >> you've heard the big numbers. $1.2 trillion in cults over ten years. $85 billion this year. that's 13% cuts to defense, 9% to everything else. >> we're weeks away from the president's sequester, and the president laid out no plan to eliminate the sequester and the harmful cuts that will come as a result. >> the forced budget cuts were created during the 2011 debt ce

that will do it for me, i'm fredricka whitfield. see you throughout the weekend. now time for "the situation room" with wolf blitzer. >>> fred, thanks very much. happening now, the blade runner gets out of jail as the south african magistrate rips the prosecution's case against him. fasten your seat belts for longer lines, big delays it at the airports, all because of washington's gridlock. plus, a fascinating discovery in the war on terror. get this, terrorists have put together a list of ways to avoid becoming the target of a u.s. drone attack. i'm wolf blitzer. you're in "the situation room." . >>> we begin with yet another sensational turn of events in the oscar pistorius murder case. after a week of shocking and sometimes heartbreaking testimony, pistorius is now out of jail. the one-time olympic athlete who is known worldwide as the blade runner still faces charges of murdering his girlfriend on valentine's day. cnn's robyn curnow is joining us. update our viewers, robin. >> reporter: hi there. thanks for having me. can you believe it, it's only eight days a

i'm miguel marquez in for fredricka whitfield. new information about a horrifying hostage situation in al bam pla now in its fifth day. police are in constant communication with a man holding a 5-year-old in an underground bunker in midland city, alabama. george howell is there. police came out with new details what items the suspect jimmy lee dikes is giving the child. what are they? >> we just heard from the sheriff here, wally olson. he said a few interesting things. we learned that mr. dykes has electric heater and blankets. certainly it's cold in the bunker, about a constant 50 degrees in that bunker underground. they're still able to get the young boy medications he needs. he suffers from asperger's syndrome and dhd. also able to get him the crayons and coloring book. also toys. and there was another interesting thing that i noticed in this particular press conference. when the sheriff said that he wanted to thank mr. dykes, listen to this. >> he's told us that he has a lk heater and blankets inside that he's taking care of

i'm deb feyerick in for fredricka whitfield. here are the top stories in the newsroom now.are busy fixing what a visitor from space broke. broken windows, damaged buildings, more than 1,000 injuries. more images of the meteor explosion coming in. we're learning more about an event that we'll probably never see again. >>> we've seen another bright on the streaking across the california sky. was that another meteor moment? we're asking an astronomer from nasa about it later. >>> the mystery over how christopher dorner died. the former lapd officer died in a single gunshot wound to the head. he apparently shot himself during that fiery standoff at a cabin in the mountains just east of los angeles. >>> and in south africa, a reality show featuring the girlfriend of oscar pistorius premiered a short time ago. people say the tv show is exploiting the memory of reva steenkamp the model who police say was killed by pistorious. he is now in jail charged with murdering her. we'll have a preview of that show in just a moment. >>> and a surprising announcement from the vatican today. a

miguel marquez is in for fredric fredricka. you have a lot coming up. >> we do.s interrogated and held about six hours by the new york police department over a $5 bill. the legal guys will be here to talk about that. and it was another strange week in the case of jodi arias out in phoenix. he's accused of killing her boyfriend and her case has captivated the nation. we'll have the latest on that case. and from trades to frigid temperatures, wacky weather across the entire country last week. we'll look at what's going on and why it's going on. a news conference expected very soon, top of the hour in alabama where a man is holed up in an underground bunker with a 5-year-old boy. we'll take you there live. it's the party of the year, super bowl xlvii just hours away. football legend joe theismann will be with us live along with some other special guests all afternoon long. a pretty packed program this afternoon. >> a nice conversation with joe. >> yeah. >> i wonder who he's going to pick. do you have a pick? >> looking forward to that. i love the ravens. but i'm fro

>> hey, fredricka. the stocks hit a five-year high on tuesday. we have a minute to go before the "closing bell." the dow is down 52 points. bad news out of europe. the service sector is contracting every bit of bad news in europe. that lines up with u.s. companieses that does business there. mixed economic news here at home m weekly unemployment claims came in higher than expected but the housing market, yeah, that remains a bright spot. existing home sales we found out today, they rose and home prices have been going up. that was good news. stocks were lower but they have bounced back up. >> that's a nice way to end the hour and the day with the markets and good news. a couple bits of good news. thank you so much, alison kosik. that's going to do it for me. "the situation room" with wolf blitzer starts right now. >>> fred, thanks very much. happening now, a brazen shooting leads to a deadly chain reaction crash all within major sites of major casinos in las vegas. >>> the major investigator in the pistorius case has been thrown off the case. >>>