. >> abc news president arer marcy gonzalez -- reporter marcy gonzalez is in ferguson. >> the smoldering ashes in ferguson surrounded by unexpected peace. here at the initial epicenter of the unrest they gathered outside of police headquarters, but otherwise there is relative quiet. a glaring contrast to last night's rioting. the worst this community has seen since officer darren wilson killed michael brown in august. tonight for the first time wilson is publicly sharing what he claims lead to the shooting. >> he is going to get this gun away from me. something will happen and i will be dead. i pulled it a third time and it finally goes off. >> telling say -- saying in an interview that he is sorry, but wouldn't have done anything differently. >> the reason i have a screen conscience is because i know i did my job right. >> michael brown's family furious they did not indict wilson and say it should have gone to trial. >> this process is broken. the process should be indicted. >> and police an@ 2,000 national guard troops are on the streets making sure what started as a peaceful night sta

. >> abc news president arer marcy gonzalez -- reporter marcy gonzalez is in ferguson. >> the smoldering ashes in ferguson surrounded by unexpected peace. here at the initial epicenter of the unrest they gathered outside of police headquarters, but otherwise there is relative quiet. a glaring contrast to last night's rioting. the worst this community has seen since officer darren wilson killed michael brown in august. tonight for the first time wilson is publicly sharing what he claims lead to the shooting. >> he is going to get this gun away from me. something will happen and i will be dead. i pulled it a third time and it finally goes off. >> telling say -- saying in an interview that he is sorry, but wouldn't have done anything differently. >> the reason i have a screen conscience is because i know i did my job right. >> michael brown's family furious they did not indict wilson and say it should have gone to trial. >> this process is broken. the process should be indicted. >> and police an@ 2,000 national guard troops are on the streets making sure what started as a peaceful night sta

. >> abc news president arer marcy gonzalez -- reporter marcy gonzalez is in ferguson. >> the smolderingn ferguson surrounded by unexpected peace. here at the initial epicenter of the unrest they gathered outside of police headquarters, but otherwise there is relative quiet. a glaring contrast to last night's rioting. the worst this community has seen since officer darren wilson killed michael brown in august. tonight for the first time wilson i publicly sharing what he claims lead to the shooting. >> he is going to get this gun away from me. something will happen and i will be dead. i pulled it a third time and it finally goes off. >> telling say -- saying in an interview that he is sorry, but wouldn't have done anything differently. >> the reason i have a screen conscience is because i know i did my job right. >> michael brown's family furious they did not indict wilson and say it should have gone to trial. >> this process is broken. the process should be indicted. >> and police an@ 2,000 national guard troops are on the streets making sure what started as a peaceful night stays that w

abc's marci gonzalez live in clayton, missouri, where the grand jury has been weighing charges for three months. >> reporter: we're told those demonstrations last night were peaceful. but the size of the crowd that blocked traffic gave police another preview of what is expected here in the coming days. rallies and protests. the tension building as people in ferguson, missouri, wait to learn if officer darren wilson will be charged in the shooting death of michael brown. the grand jury made up of nine white and three black jurors has been going over evidence and testimony in the racially explosive case since august. their decision could come any day and police have been busy preparing for the reaction,

abc news reporter marci gonzalez has more from missouri. >> tonight, rallies, and the tension building as people in ferguson, missouri wait to learn if officer darren wilson will be charged in the shooting death of unarmed teen, michael brown. the grand jury made up of nine white and three black jurors has been going over evidence and testimony in the racially explosive case since august. their decision could come ni any day. the police are blocking off streets. national guard is also here ready to respond. >> i think we recognize there will be an increase to the unrest or to the protest. >> the problems are already heating up. demonstrators arrestedout side of ferguson police headquarters. a scene where repeated over the last several times. despite ongoing calls for calm -- >> keep protest peaceful. >> local businesses say they are preparing for the worst. schools in the area closing this woke. concerned about what could happen here. >> the grand jury took the night off but will be back tomorrow. we still don't know if they will continue going over evidence or continue deliberating. m

marci gonzalez, abc news, new york. >> well, there in utah, and also in virginia, a pair of tragediesn tracks recover the weekend. in utah, a 5-year-old boy was hit and killed. in virginia, it was a21-year-old student. the instagram photo shows him on that same bridge a week ago. >>> a car lodged in the second floor of a house. the driver lost control in a sharp curve, hit a truck, and went air borne. the driver only suffered minor injuries. the family inside was not hurt. the car was removed. >>> a brown university student has tested positive for a date rape drug she says was in the punch at a fraternity party. test results from a second student are still pending. one of the students also reported being sexually assaulted. the university has suspended the fraternity. the fraternity says they're confident that the fraternity is innocent. >>> look at this. the team's mascot got lost. flew up into the stands. usually, the handler lets this hawk go. it flies around the stadium. it's supposed to go back to the handler. it landed on the guy as you pointed out, who had real hair. the team w

abc's marci gonzalez is live in clayton, missouri.been doing to control the protesters? >> reporter: well, they had a plan in place and more than a thousand extra officers out tonight, the national guard, the fbi here to offer backup. as far as what they were able to do, you know, they were out there in force, we know that they did fire smoke canisters to try to disperse the crowd. that's when they fired tear gas to get the crowd under control. as you see from the images it didn't work in all instances. >> of course, marci, what was the logic in announcing the decision this evening? >> reporter: as with a lot of people asking, why did they wait until tonight, nightfall to make this announcement when they knew for most of the day that a decision was reached. we still have not heard a response or explanation to that. >> marci gonzalez there live for us in clayton, missouri. we appreciate you being with us this evening. we're going to check back in with you in a little bit. thanks so much. we'll check in with another reporter talking abo

"abc news" reporter marcy gonzalez has the story.y's decision not to file charges in michael brown's death ending after demonstrateers laid on the floor four and a half minute. smaller demonstrations popping up throughout the day in and around furgeson. the community continues to cleanup from the bias and they announced today state and federal government will offer financial help for businesses damaged or destroyed. >> we depend on variety of businesses here and there. i want everybody to come back. >> we need -- it's heartbreaking to see what is left of her clothing boutique after 28 years in business. she's determined to bounce back. >> i will rebuild in this area. this area has has been a lessing to me. >> ike other business owners she said she saw an outpouring of support from strangeers across the country. she raised 10,000 in donations on-line. marcy gonzalez, "abc news," furgeson, missouri. >> still ahead on "action news" at 10 on phl17, it's a male that keeps on giving. that thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings, pies, s

marcie gonzalez, abc news, new york. >>> whether you want to see a show or eat some food for a good causethere's a lot to do this weekend. leyla gulen has what you can explore where you live. >> reporter: the blue and yellow big top is up at at&t park in san francisco. cirque du soleil is back. watch as an inventor reinvents time, space, and dimension. and the san mateo harvest festival is back. known as the largest indoor show of its kind on the west coast, artisans will sell nor than 24,000 hand made art and more. and check out the best of the east bay's culinary scene. more than ho top chefs, wineries and breweries are brought together under one roof. and three bay area favorites are joining forces this year to the tree lighting ceremony. join santa claus and others for a holiday treat that includes music, dance and more. and this movie written and directed, check out "my interview." find out more by going to our website, abc7news.com. >>> coming up, the first of its kind between the meeting of two world record holders. >> and the trick shot that sent one harlem globe trotter into the

marci gonzalez, abc 7 news. >> once the grand jury's decision is announced, we will bring it on air and online at wjla.com. behindteacher remains bars on accusations of child sex abuse. 34-year-old charles young appeared in court today for a bond review. the police say he molested two teenaged boys while teaching and coaching track at dunbar high school in northwest. the defense attorney would not discuss the allegations against the client, but suggest that young was being set up. >> can you articulate what you said inside the courtroom? >> i don't even remember what i said inside the courtroom. his wife left d.c. superior court alone after a judge kept him without bond. she refused to talk on camera. their preliminary hearing is set for tuesday. a local family pleading for help in solving the murder of a loved one. victoria smith was shot to death then set on fire inside of a vacant townhome in southeast d.c. richard reeve shows how smith's family is trying to find leads. >> yes, yes, yes. >> and emotional day for the family of latroia smith. >> we are not going anywhere. we need answe

marcy gonzalez has more on how they are per pairing for the early winter blast. a harsh, record breaking taste of winter. it could be the worst storm in five years, as much as four feet of lake effect snow falling today in upstate new york. >> this is mother nature at its best, doing something some people never see. >> more than half the country is blanketed in white today, icy conditions causing problems on .he road in kentucky, this ambulance flipped, sending two people to the hospital. stormnsylvania, the first of the season triggered 80 accidents yesterday alone. >> i hate the snow. if it came the last day of winter it would be too early for me. >> not everyone feels the same. this giant panda at the toronto zoo cannot get enough. but with freeze warnings in effect from california to florida, everyone is feeling the blast. it is below freezing for much of the northeast, about 20 degrees colder than normal and it is expected to stay this way through the end of the week. luckily, no snow here. when it does come, people in d.c. will have to get right to work cle

marci gonzalez, abc news, new york. >> incredibly scary. lot of people, even if you have an alarm system you tend not to turn it on at night. you just don't think this will happen while you're at home. >> i was reading about this over the weekend. to think you wake up and somebody physically has your child and walking out the door. some of those basic tips we don't think about. motion sensors outside, the land line, the phone -- many people just have the cell phones. >> and people tend not to sleep with the cell phone next to the bed. they don't want to be interrupted. >> a lesson for everyone. good this one turned out the way it did. >>> coming up, tell you about this 90-year-old chef taking on city hall. arnold abbott. he's been handing out free meals to the homeless for decades. why is the city's mayor threatening to put him in jail. >>> another dramatic sky show. this time over central texas triggering hundreds of calls to 911. so what was it? you're watching "world news now." >> announcer: "world news now" continues after this from our

abc 7 news reporter marcy gonzalez tells us what she said when rescuers tracked her down. >> reporter: what a story behind that smile. this fphoto snapped of 2-year-od brooklyn lily after she spent 22 hours alone in the woods. >> i'm glad she's back and still alive. i was worried someone kidnapped her. >> reporter: her family fearing the wost after the toddler disappeared wearing little more than this pink coat. somehow making her way into the wilderness, surviving overnight through the cold and storms that slowed certificasearch efforts. >> our aviation unit is unable to fly because of the adverse weather. >> reporter: but search teams continued on foot until this police k-9 named jack picked up her scent leading her handler straight to the little girl laying on the ground. >> she had lifted her head up off the ground and looked back to me and my dog and began smiling. >> reporter: that smile staying on brooklyn's face as she posed for one of her rescuers. >> i asked her, brooklyn, can i take your picture? she looked up with this big picture. i said thank you. she said, i love the wo

abc's marci gonzalez live in clayton, missouri, where the grand jury has been weighing charges for threeonths. >> reporter: we're told those demonstrations last night were peaceful. but the size of the crowd that blocked traffic gave police another preview of what is expected here in the coming days. rallies and protests. the tension building as people in ferguson, missouri, wait to learn if officer darren wilson will be charged in the shooting death of michael brown. the grand jury made up of nine white and three black jurors has been going over evidence and testimony in the racially explosive case since august. their decision could come any day and police have been busy preparing for the reaction, putting up barricades, blocking off streets. the national guard and fbi also here ready to respond. >> i think we recognize there's going to be a -- an increase to the unrest or to the protests. >> reporter: the problems are already heating up. demonstrators arrested outside of ferguson police headquarters. a scene repeated over the past several nights. despite ongoing calls for calm -- >> i

marcy gonzalez, abc news, ferguson, missouri. >> you got a look at officer wilson in the story there. for the first time, we are actually hearing from ferguson police officer darren wilson in an exclusive interview with abc news. wilson said he was sorry for the loss of life but he would not do anything different that day. he says brown reached into his car and grabbed his gun. wilson says brown ran away, then charged toward him. >> at that time i gave myself a mental check, can i shoot this guy, legally can i, and the question i answered myself was i have to. if i don't, he will kill me if he gets to me. >> you are absolutely convinced that if michael brown were white, this would have gone down in exactly the same way? >> no question. no question. >> wilson said there is no way brown had his hands up when he fatally shot him. more of his interview is coming up on abc 7 on "world news tonight with david muir" with david muir at 5:30. >>> in oakland, police are gearing up for another night of protests. this is a live look outside of oakland police headquarters. demonstrators tell abc 7

marci gonzalez has the very latest. >> despite tensions and fears of more violence in jerusalem, today, worshippers returned to this sin goling, the scene of yesterday's deadly attack. five people were killed when two palestinian stormed in interrupting morning prayers, armed with meat cleavers and a gun. three of the victims were american born. vigils were held from massachusetts to pennsylvania to florida to reflect on the lives lost and to pray. >> it's a very critical and ugly incident but it's one more incident than a series. >> violence has been escalating in jerusalem over the past few weeks in a bitter dispute over polling places. owner, more clashes between plane and israeli police have some palestinians even celebrating yesterday's grew-some murder. today, pope francis pleaded for the violence to stop as leaders of all face gathered. a sign of solidarity, a plea for peace. the two palestinian cousins cuse ased in the attack were killed by police. they were not members of any terrorist groups. >> lawmakers are blasting the obama administration for not making iso a top -- isil

. >> abc news reporter marcy gonzalez with more from ferguson, missouri. >> reporter: today, more protests. demonstrators trying to charge into st. louis city hall. police arresting at least three people. >> this crowd is a little edgy. that's fine. they are right to be. but it's also the police officers, it's our police department's responsibility to keep everybody safe. >> reporter: across the country the anger over a grand jury's decision not to indict officer darren wilson for killing michael brown is loud and clear. in an exclusive interview with abc's george stephanopoulos, wilson defended his actions. >> i just did my job. i followed my training. >> reporter: and shared his message for michael brown's parents. >> i'm sorry that their son lost his life. it wasn't the intention of that day. so yes, there is remorse. >> reporter: brown's mother called wilson's explanation of the shooting insulting and disrespectful. >> they were taken back looking at the interview because they felt that he had no regard for their child and that was hurtful to them. >> reporter: still, they are pleading

abc 7 news reporter marcy gonzalez is in ferguson with the latest on preparations for this grand jury decision. >> reporter: a decision finally reached by the grand jury on whether or not to charge officer darren wilson for killing unarmed teenager michael brown. people here in ferguson, missouri now anxiously awaiting the announcement after days of buildup and anticipation. last night, about 150 protesters closed down streets in st. louis. >> any time you have a mass movement of people of color like myself and you have law enforcement, it usually doesn't turn out too good. >> reporter: last night, it did. the demonstration was peaceful. over the weekend, though, there were several arrests outside of ferguson police headquarters. and some law enforcement officials worry this was just a preview of the unrest yet to come. police have been preparing, putting up barricades, planning to put 1,000 officers on the ground once the decision is announced. the national guard and fbi are also here, ready to respond ahead of the highway patrol here says he's optimistic about the reaction. >> the c

marcy gonzalez, abc 7 news. >> thank you, marcy. you can catch the cmas at 8:00 right here on abc 7. then join us for abc 7 news at 11:00. >>> just ahead here on abc 7 news at 4:00, reaction to the arrest of a 72-year-old alameda man who has been charged for what he says was the mercy killing of his wife. >>> also, a big challenge for ray rice. he squares off with the nfl today trying to win the right to play again. >>> the former baltimore ravens cheerleader charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. >>> we do go back to the breaking news we first told you about at the top of the hour. the 22-year-old nurse abducted off the street in philadelphia has been found. carlesha freeland-gaither was found alive and well in maryland. this is surveillance video of her when she was taken sunday night and just minutes ago, police spoke about the case and how that surveillance video and tips from the public led to the capture of the suspect tonight in jessup, maryland. >> a task force from our baltimore fbi office consisting of u.s. ma

our coverage begins with abc's marci gonzalez. >> reporter: a waist high early welcome to winter.ing snow blasting upstate new york. you can see this wall of clouds moving into buffalo bringing with it what could be the area's worst snowstorm ever for this early in the season. more than four feet of snow already on the ground, and it's not letting up. at least another foot of snow still in the forecast. people in grand rapids, michigan, dealing with much of the same. shoveling out, along with more than half of the country blanketed in white. the frozen mess wreaking havoc on the roads. from this car caught on a dash cam slipping and slamming into a wisconsin state trooper's squad car, to kentucky where this ambulance flipped sending two people to the hospital. in pennsylvania, the first snow of the season triggered nearly 80 accidents. >> i hate the snow. it if it came the last day of winter, it would be too soon for me. >> reporter: not everyone feelss that way, though. this panda at the toronto zoo cannot get enough. even where there's no snow to play in, they are feeling this p

marcy gonzalez, abc news, new york. >> very scary. >> must seem like a long 90 minutes. >> absolutelytime to check on the weather. >> spencer christian. not that high up, only a couple of stories. and silent for the moment. i see his microphone. this is going to work out. >> hold on. >> there we go. we got you. >> you're good. >> hold on. you got me? okay. okay. good. i was just looking to see if the mic was on my lapel. apparently it is. here's a look at live doppler 7 hd. let's take a look at the approaching frontal system which may have more promise than punch. we see clouds thickening offshore right now and we do expect rain to develop tonight. before that, let me tell you about this beach hazard statement, still in effect through tomorrow afternoon for our west and northwest facing beaches. there's an increased risk of sneaker waves and rip current so hazardous conditions along the coastline. here's a view of dramatic looking western sky from the east bay hills camera. pretty sunset sky with clouds thickening, producing lots of color. 62 degrees in san francisco. oakland, 63. 64

marcy gonzalez, abc news, new york. >>> tensions running very high today as protesters gathered against a 5% tuition increase at university of california schools that was approved by a committee of uc regents. students blocked the entrance to the regents meeting at uc mission bay and actually shattered a glass door as well. governor brown is on the committee and voted against the increase. >> i don't think you considered alternatives to the structure over time that can actually lower your cost while increasing access and improving quality. >> that proposal would raise tuition by 5% in each of the next five years. the full board is set to consider this proposal tomorrow. uc president janet napolitano says the increases are needed to protect the quality of education in the face of insufficient state funding. >>> there is still no word if santa cruz high school will reopen after a threatening e-mail forced classes to be canceled today. police want to find the person that e-mailed the principal detailing plans for a mass shooting. the e-mail mentioned where and when the attack would take pl

marci gonzalez in ferguson where the unrest continues.morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, t.j. and reena. things are calming down. police are starting to clear the streets after makeing a few arrests and using teargas to clear the crowds. tensions again flaring in ferguson. demonstrators setting a squad car on fire. police quickly moving in. with the destruction of riots still smoldering, police are dealing with a second straight night of problems. the violence began after a grand jury decided not to indict officer darren wilson for killing unarmed teen michael brown back in august. for the first time, wilson is publicly sharing what he claims led to the shooting. >> he's going to get this gun away from me. something is going to happen and i'm going to be dead. i pulled a third time and it finally goes off. >> reporter: telling george stephanopoulos that while he is sorry, he would not have done anything differently. >> the reason i have a clean conscience is because i know i did my job right. >> reporter: michael brown's family ou

live in ferguson, missouri, marcy gonzalez, abc news. >> thank you. police across the country say they are getting ready for more protests in the wake of the grand jury decision. were focused in five different areas in the district today. outside muriel bowser's transition office in northwest, one protest will start about an hour and a half. >> we are at freedom plaza in front of the wilson building. we still have a police presence here because of the demonstration which was held a short while ago. if you look across freedom plaza , you still see a number of demonstrators lingering. mostly young people. these demonstrations began earlier today, this morning actually, in front of the justice department and metropolitan police headquarters. they held "die-ins," lying down on the sidewalk to try to draw attention to what they say are abuses by the police system against young black men. they are calling for demilitarization, for police officers to be required to wear body cameras, and also for better oversight of law enforcement across the country. they d

. >> live in new york, marcy gonzalez, channel 6 "action news." >> thank you marcy. still to come on "action news" at noon, a man is trapped in a department store for three days, the bizarre place he got stuck and the way he was rescued coming up. >>> a panhandler is being -- for the way she drives. and david murphy has your accuweather forecast. ♪ with the card accepted by 90% of doctors and specialists in the philadelphia region, you have the compassion and security of blue cross. giving you the freedom to relish right now. independence blue cross. live fearless. >>> a large explosion destroyed part of a long standing family bakery near chicago. the garage at the toronto bakery company blew up yesterday after workers were changing out a propane tank. they thought it was empty and it leaked into the air and it triggered the blast. they turned off power to 2,000 homes as a precaution. >>> abc news obtained an autopsy that showed that robin williams may have suffered from an early form of alzheimer's williams had been having a hard time sleeping and was restless and t

marcy gonzalez takes us there. >> a nearly empty parking lot what should have -- along what should have been allowed, exciting parade route, leaving organizers to postpone the parade. but while today's biggest event made its way through new york there led atrators march of their own as they made their way toward the parade. police made several arrests. is an historical event and it would be callous to interrupt on this special day. >> the initial unrest is quiet, except for the scenes like this. bright colors painted over the plywood reminders of this city's darkest days. on this day of gratitude, these kids have a different focus, leaving their mark with the words they think ferguson needs the most. a message of it's hope. >> and many here are hopeful, in part because of how peaceful last night protests were. but even on a holiday, the national guard is outstanding by -- out standing by in case there are problems tonight. renowned crime novelist pd james has died at the age of 94. james was the best known for creator of scotland yard. children of men, which was made into a movie. she d

marci gonzalez picks up the story from there. >> today more protests. demonstrators tried to charge into st. louis city hall. police arresting at least three people. >> this crowd is a little edgy. that's fine. but it's also the police officer postures month ago to do keep everybody safe. >> across the country, the anger over the grand jury decision not to indict officer darren wilson for killing michael brown is loud and clear. in an exclusive interview with abc 7's george stephanopoulos, wilson defended his actions. >> i just did my job. i followed my training. >> and shared his message for michael brown plus parents. son lost histheir life. it was not the intention of that day. >> brown's mother called wilson paz explanation insulting and disrespectful -- wilson's explanation insulting and disrespectful. >> they felt he had no regards for their child. that was hurtful to them. >> still, they're pleading for peace after two straight nights of violence in ferguson. although last night's demonstrations were not nearly as distracted as the night before,

little girl is back home safe in michigan following a terrifying 22 hours in the woods, abc's marcy gonzalez as more on the search for the toddler and what happened when rescuers finally tracked her down. >> what a story behind the smile, this photo snapped of 2-year-old brooklyn lily, she spent 22 hours alone in the woods. >> i am glad she is back and still alive. i was worried that someone kidnapped her. >> her family fearing the worst when she disappeared last week wearing little more than this pink coat. somehow making her way into the wilderness and surviving overnight in the cold and storms that slowed search efforts. >> we are unable to fly because of the weather. >> but efforts continued on foot after this k-9 named jax picked up her scent. >> she looked towards me and my dog and began smiling, the smile stayed on brooklyn's face as she posed for one of her rescuers. i said can i take your picture and she smiled and said i love the woods. >> she was taken to the hospital to be treat ford hyperthermia and dehydration and cuts, but other wise she is okay. >>> president obama sits down

marcie gonzalez joins us now. >> reporter: it is not just the cold, but temperatures following making it look and feel like january. still 6 weeks left before winter and already some areas of the country look like. bismarck north dakota blanketed in white same in soda springs, california and two feet expected for the western plains and the northern great lakes, but it seems some drivers were not ready. snow-covered streets causing crashes in wisconsin the big shift in where caused by this, the remnants of nuri, the 800-mile storm that battered alaska heading south bringing an arctic blast of cold and snow. temperatures plunging 30 degrees below average. the windchill in seattle, 20, chicago, feel like 13, minneapolis 6 below. this is not pretty. a taste of winter coming uncomfortably early. >> polar vortex of 2014, am i prepared for the winter? not mentally. >> reporter: the impact will be felt down to the gulf coast. the only parts of the countries that that will avoid the drop in temperature is the as well as, hawaii and -- the southwest and hawaii and alaska and southern florida. >

marcy gonzalez is live there tonight with more on this story. what are you seeing there tonight? >> it is still pretty quiet here right now. this grand jury has been going over evidence and hearing testimony for the past three months and as we mentioned, we will learn if there is an indictment when the officials told a news conference later this evening. >> the decision finally reached by the grand jury on whether or not to charge officer darren wilson for killing michael brown. the people in ferguson, missouri, anxiously awaiting the announcement after days of buildup and anticipation. last night 150 protesters closed down streets in st. louis. you have a mass movement of people coming here like myself, and you have law , it does not bring good. >> but last night it did. the demonstration was peaceful. however over the weekend there were several arrests outside police headquarters. law enforcement officials worry that this is a preview of the unrest yet to come. police have been preparing, putting up barricades, planning to put 1000 officers on the ground once the decision is an

there's been an arrest, and abc's marci gonzalez is on the story. >> reporter: investigators say there is no tip or big break, but this is the result of years of police work. the man who was the last to speak to them before they went missing is charged with four counts of murder. >> they have no idea -- >> reporter: the feeling, overwhelming. finally learning who police so viciously murdered this family of four. >> i need justice from the law. and the courts. and most of all justice upstairs for my lovely family. >> reporter: charles chase merritt now behind bars, accused of killing joseph mcstay, his wife, summer, and their two young sons. they disappeared in february, 2010, but follow until 2013 that their remains were found buried in shallow graves in the mojave desert. the cause of death, blunt force trauma. >> this is a cold and callous murder of a family. >> reporter: after hundreds of interviews and dozens of search warrants, it pointed to merritt, his business associate. someone he had known for years. >> he tried to help him. provide work for this guy. and this was how he was,

abc's marci gonzalez in nashville for us. ng vince gill to loretta lynn taking the stage, such an incredible night celebrating country music. but at times, with a twist. ♪ i'm all about the bass >> shaking things up on country music's biggest night. ♪ >> reporter: from the legendary performances -- ♪ you're looking at country >> reporter: -- to the timely laughs. ♪ quarantine quarantine quarantine quarantine ♪ >> reporter: the 48th annual cma awards rocked nashville, and the first award of the night, single of the year, went to the most nominated artist, miranda lambert. and it wasn't her only win. >> album of the year goes to -- "platinum," miranda lambert. >> this is really, really special to me. >> reporter: a night filled with meaningful moments. >> i want to dedicate this award tonight to my hero, earl thomas conley. this one right here is for you, brother. >> reporter: repeat victories. >> we don't take it for granted for a second. thank you so very much. >> reporter: and some firsts. >> oh, my lord! >> reporter: for cou

marci gonzalez, abc 7 news. >> thank you, marci. prosecutors in new zealand have dropped a murder for hire charge against ac/dc drummer phil rudd. the 60-year-old was charged earlier this week with trying to arrange two killings. this comes with a maximum 10-year prison sentence there. a prosecutor decided there wasn't enough evidence to justify the charge. three lesser charges against rudd remain though including threatening to kill and drug possession. coming up on abc 7 news at 4:00, how much would you pay for luxury in we'll take you to the most expensive house in the country. >> this lincoln town car had all four tires slashed overnight in alexandria. coming up, why the owner called it a hate crime. >> but first, the family traumatized after getting home in the midst of a burglary. find out how they want to help in the midst of a burglary. find out how they want to help their atta >> trending now a texas family becomes the victim of a forced entry robbery. >> this is going to sound unbelievable but it's the same family now that

abc's marci gonzalez is on the story. good morning, marci. >> reporter: so many parents talk to their kids about what to do if a stranger approaches them on the street but experts say it's also a good idea to discuss what to do if it happens at home. explaining this little girl escaped unhurt because of a few really smart actions. new details this morning about this 5-year-old girl's close call. >> did he take you from the bedroom? did the man come in and take you? >> reporter: surviving an attempted kidnapping in her utah home this week in part because of a few things safety experts claim she and her parents did right. >> we heard the front door open and i heard her talking. she's just the sweetest little thing, and i heard her voice and we ran out. >> reporter: the girl taken from her basement bedroom making sure her parents heard her and like kidnapping survivor elizabeth smart, police say she stayed calm. >> in an abduction case, particularly if you're dealing with children is to direct them to be compliant but aware.

abc's marcie gonzalez is in ferguson with more. >> reporter: they marched through the streets of st. their chants -- >> this is what democracy looks like. >> reporter: echoed across the country. a third night of protests against police profiling and a grand jury's decision not to indict officer darren wilson for killing michael brown. wilson's claim in this exclusive interview with george that he is remorseful doing nothing to ease the anger. >> you know, i'm sorry there's loss of life, it wasn't the intention of that day. it's what occurred that day. and there's no, nothing you can say that's going to make a parent feel better. >> it sounds like you don't think you were responsible. >> i did my job that day. >> reporter: brown's parents call the words insulting. >> they were taken back looking at interview because they felt that he had no regards for their child. and that was hurtful to them. >> reporter: this community is still hurting. still recovering from monday night's riots, trying in the smallest ways to heal. it has been a calm night so far here in ferguson, and police and t

abc 7 news, marci gonzalez. >> we just put the snow shovels away. that system will bring the coldest air of the season to our area this week. >> you know what else it'll bring? some sleep. >> hey, we'll have more mild weather before the cold weather arrives. when it comes, it is going to be cold but not the kind of cold they're having in montana and the dakotas. let's get you off to a good start on a monday afternoon, the time lapse from river bend golf and country club in great falls. a chilly morning but a beautiful day into the lower 60's. tomorrow, highs in the upper 60's. 64 in washington now. 67 in fredericksburg. frederick 66 degrees. 63 now in winchester. it'll be clear and chilly overnight. 38 to 46 degrees by morning. light winds. so bundle up and dress the children accordingly. we'll spend a lot of time this week looking at this cold air out west. these are the current temperatures. 17 in billings and rapid city. 21 minot. these are the air temperatures. that's about 35, 38 degrees below average for them right now. and it's only going to

marcie gonzalez is in missouri and tells us this has everyone apprehensive. >> ramping up and getting ready. ferguson, missouri bracing for a grand jury decision on whether or not the officer who shot and killed michael brown will face charges. it could come any day and many fear it could reignite the problems that plagued this community this summer. >> the city is really in a panic at this point in anticipation of this decision. >> protests have already started. three people were arrested. some worry the protests could get much worse. the fbi is calling in 100 more agents. the national guard is here. and st. louis county police have stocked up, buying 650 teargas grenades, 2,000 plastic handcuffs, 6,000 opinioner balls, and 1500 bean bags filled with chemicals that sting the eyes and nose. the mayor is saying they are simply being cautious. >> we need to be prepared for whatever happens, and we will be. >> president obama urged peace. >> this is a country that allows everybody to express their views, but using that for an excuse for violence is contrary to rule of law, contrary to wh

marcie gonzalez is in missouri and tells us this has everyone apprehensive. >> ramping up and getting ready. ferguson, missouri bracing for a grand jury decision on whether or not the officer who shot and killed michael brown will face charges. it could come any day and many fear it could reignite the problems that plagued this community this summer. >> the city is really in a panic at this point in anticipation of this decision. >> protests have already started. three people were arrested. some worry the protests could get much worse. the fbi is calling in 100 more agents. the national guard is here. and st. louis county police have stocked up, buying 650 teargas grenades, 6,000 pepper balls and 1600 bean bags filled with chemicals that sting the eyes and nose. mayor is saying they are simply being cautious. >> we need to be prepared for whatever happens, and we will be. >> president obama urged peace. >> this is a country that allows everybody to express their views, but using that for an excuse for violence is contrary to the rules of law, contrary to who we are. >> a decision coul