five years to the day that natalee holloway vanished in aruba. joran van der sloot's lawyers claim he was suffering from post-traumatic stress because of that milestone. tell that to the holloway family because just yesterday a judge declared natalee holloway dead even though nobody has ever found her remains. joran van der sloot is still the prime suspect in the 18-year-old's disappearance. he is also facing extortion charges here in the united states. prosecutors here say he promised to tell holloway's mother where natalie's remains are in exchange for $25,000. instead, he took the money and ran off to peru where he met stephany flores. today, her father's lawyer says he respects the court's decision but he was hoping for a much longer sentence. steve harrigan is live in our south florida newsroom tonight. it was a brutal day in court, steve, for the flores family. >> shepard, hard to imagine what that was like for more than two hours, the 21-year-old's father and two brothers just had to watch and endure a step-by-step forensic recreation of wh

flores was killed five years to the day after natalee holloway.very closely. finally, jane, finally, we see this guy and he's admitting he's a killer. satisfying. >> we can say he is a convicted murderer. i mean, this guy is a murderer. we know that now. and he is going to be sentenced on friday the 13th, which given the fact that he is a gambler, is not such a good turn of events for him because he probably attaches a lot of significance to random numbers. but here's what's outrageous about what happened today. first of all, i think it was a bit of a charade. i think there was some behind the scenes dealing going on -- >> what do you mean? >> sources close to the defense said, before the hearing even started, we expect a reduction in the sentence in return for this confession. so, essentially, they must have had some indication of what kind of reduction. we don't know, it's a big question mark as to what kind of reduction he's going to get, but the general consensus is in return for uttering those few words where he seemed to be trying to suppres

have to find natalee holloway. they have to find our daughter. >> shepard: investigators had a suspect, but they never found her body. now, a judge making a big call in the case. but first from fox this thursday night, the mississippi governor haley barbour is defending his decision to grant clemency to hundreds of prisoners. some of them rapists and quicked murders. governor barbour's term ended on tuesday. just before he left office he gave pardons and suspended sentences to more than 200 convicts. but a judge there temporarily blocked the release of 21 inmaghts after the state's attorney general said the governor might have violated mississippi's constitution. and the attorney general was far from the only critic. >> the governor himself going to have to look me and the family in the eye and say hey, i'm going to let this guy go. there wasn't any of that that's the coward's way out if you ask me. this, again, has given mississippi a black eye. >> shepard: in a statement, former governor barbour indicated that pe

moments ago a judge in alabama declared natalee holloway legally dead. she is the 18-year-old high school senior who van iraned on -- who vanished on a trip. her father asked the judge to making the ruling and her mother says she will not contest it. they divorces after she disappeared. the fair said he needs her college fund to pay for her brother's education. he cannot access that money. today's decision is a day after the prime suspect, joran van der sloot pleaded guilty to killing another woman to purr free five years to the day after natalee holloway disappeared. trace is live in the west coast. why is the mom, here, no longer contesting this? >> because she says that she is ready to put an end to the chapter and to move on and she says she understands the reasons her ex-husband is doing this. you mentioned one, he wants to use her college fund to pay for the younger brother, and he wants to stop paying her hospital insurance and he needs this to do so. back in september the judge ruled that it is not about proving she is dead. it is now about provi

>>shepard: a much stronger case this murder case than the case of natalee holloway?ter: no body was found seven years ago and in this case there was a body, a 21-year-old murdered in the hotel room and videotape evidence and two people entering the hotel room and absolute lute and the murdered woman, just one, leading the hotel room and the police in peru have a taped confession, two times they asked joran van der sloot, did you murder her, and two times he answers in spanish "yes," and the tones are fighting that intelligence saying he needed an interpreter and there was not one provided so on wednesday we will see what the three female judges will think about joran van der sloot's sincere apology. >>shepard: thank you, steve, from south florida and now to the legal panel, former prosecutor and fox news legal analyst arthur aidala and randy zelin on the right. what are they trying to do? >>arthur: trying to avoid life in prison. >>shepard: he could get only eight years it sounds to me. >>arthur: what steve reported is 30 years or less. his attitude in court cannot b

federal extorsion charges against him in the united states because he accepted $25,000 from natalee holloway's mother saying he would tell her where natalee was buried and he would get $250,000 total. he took the attorney to a location and lied about where the body was because the building he said she was under wasn't even built when natalee disappeared. there are federal charges. once he finishes his years in peru, most likely he will be extradited to the united states. >> you have to do that in the united states? >> yes. here's the concern. he could potentially serve his time in the netherlands instead of peru. is the netherlands going to want to extra diet him to the united states. they may not want to. >> if he's convict in peru, he could serve time in the netherlands? >> potentially. >> they would be a lot better than peru. >> i would think so. potentially that could happen. yes. >>> coming up, a crash in new zealand kills everyone aboard a hot air balloon. >>> also new information about the dead body that was found on the queen's estate. efforts to i.d. the body were successful. >>> tige

federal extorsion charges against him in the united states because he accepted $25,000 from natalee holloway'sand he would get $250,000 total. he took the attorney to a location and lied about where the body was because the building he said she was under wasn't even built when natalee disappeared. there are federal charges. once he finishes his years in peru, most likely he will be extradited to the united states. >> you have to do that in the united states? >> yes. here's the concern. he could potentially serve his time in the netherlands instead of peru. is the netherlands going to want to extra diet him to the united states. they may not want to. >> if he's convict in peru, he could serve time in the netherlands? >> potentially. >> they would be a lot better than peru. >> i would think so. potentially that could happen. yes. >>> coming up, a crash in new zealand kills everyone aboard a hot air balloon. >>> also new information about the dead body that was found on the queen's estate. efforts to i.d. the body were successful. >>> tiger woods' ex-wife has torn down the mansion she bought a ye

nat heat holloway disappeared in 2005 on -- natalee holloway disappeared in 2005. she was on a high school trip in aruba, where joran van der sloot grew up. >>> the 10th and verse -- in 29 president obama signed an executive order to close guantanamo bay within a year congressional road s have stalled efforts to make that happen. last july, 171 were still detained there at its height the prison held more than 750. >>> this morning two good samaritans who saved an elderly union city couple from their burning home were honored as heroes. i was an emotional first reunion between the -- it was an emotional first reunion between between them. >> you don't see people like that much any more. >> reporter: he's talking about acts tan by complete strangers last week after -- about actions taken by complete strangers last week. kevin and jonathan both of fremont were working nearby. they were not closest to the scene they were a mile and a half away. when they saw the smoke they went there to see if they could help out. >> they found them inhuczv/$ the yard trying to exit th

he was suffering from post traumatic stress stemming from the constant questioning from the natalee holloway case. holloway's parents hope this will move their quest for justice forward. >> the holloways continue to cooperate with all the law enforcement agencies and remain hopeful that someday, someone will be held accountable and brought to justice. here in alabama. >> reporter: today, an alabama judge is scheduled to decide whether to declare natalee holloway dead. here in peru, van der sloot will be sentenced tomorrow morning for the murder of stephany flores. natalie? >> lilia luciano in peru, thank you. >>> no more surprises when it comes to the extra fees you pay when you fly. according to transportation department will now require that airlines advertise prices, including those hefty taxes and fees, that can add more than 20% to the original fare. airlines are fighting the new rules, though, saying that other industries are not required to include taxes in their advertised prices. >>> new york state health officials have dismissed complaints that some new parents were mistreated at l

nat heat holloway disappeared in 2005 on -- natalee holloway disappeared in 2005.he was on a high school trip in aruba, where joran van der sloot grew up. >>> the 10th and verse -- in 29 president obama signed an executive order to close guantanamo bay within a year congressional road s have stalled efforts to make that happen. last july, 171 were still detained there at its height the prison held more than 750. >>> this morning two good samaritans who saved an elderly union city couple from their burning home were honored as heroes. i was an emotional first reunion between the -- it was an emotional first reunion between between them. >> you don't see people like that much any more. >> reporter: he's talking about acts tan by complete strangers last week after -- about actions taken by complete strangers last week. kevin and jonathan both of fremont were working nearby. they were not closest to the scene they were a mile and a half away. when they saw the smoke they went there to see if they could help out. >> they found them inhuczv/$ the yard trying to exit the

investigators say he killed flores five years to the day that natalee holloway disappeared. stephanie flores was kill ed after finding information about natalee holloway's disappearance on his laptop. >>> charged with a misdemeanor, his wife reportedly told neighbors her husband grabbed her on new year's eve and did it with enough force to leave a bruise. he and his wife both deny the charges. >>> months s after a 6-year-ol girl was killed in a dangerous intersection, no permanent procedures are put in place. flashing lights should be tested before installing a stop sign. neighbors insist a stop sign is the only way to make that intersection safe. the 6-year-old sioreli torres was walking to school last fall when she was hit and killed by a teacher. >>> students may have to get past drug-sniffing dogs before they're actually allowed in classes. christie smith is live in pleasanton where dog koss soon patrol lockers and parking lots. good morning, christie. >> reporter: good morning, jon. part of the problem is that drug and alcohol suspensions are on the rise. i spoke with t

how much jail time he could face, but it's not for natalee holloway. for a peruvian woman, he's accused of killing her. that's when we go around the world in just a few moments. reporter: take a look at this house. if you like this house, get up and vote. how your vote could make one howard county school $100,000 richer. . >>> in news around the world this morning, the murder trial for the suspect in the natalee holloway disappearance begins today but in a different crime. joran van der sloot is in peru ready to admit to killing a 21- year-old woman. he's accused in the robbery and beating death of 21-year-old stefani flores. the killing happened on may 30th, 2010 exactly five years after alabama teenager natalee holloway disappeared in aruba after spending time with van der sloot. he's never been charged in that murder due to a lack of evidence. >>> four people in sydney, australia are home safe this morning thanks to a cooler and an emergency beacon. the engine of their boat caught fire, forcing them to jump into the water. the men and their two 11-y

a judge in alabama could declare natalee holloway officially dead.ut there are some reasons for it. our sunny hostin cnn legal analyst and "in session." i get chills when i talk about this because what the holloway family has gone through, the holloway family for seven years has no answers. >> he's the prime suspect and has always been. he was the last person seen with her. he claims he left her drunk on a beach and body never found and that is probably every parents' nightmare. >> i actually sort of thought a p profunthry thing but you have to fight for this and dave holloway kind of did. he put in the application to have natalee declared dead in alabama. >> her mother fought that and she has now come to peace with it and comes to terms with it and contesting this hearing that will happen today, on thursday. one of the reasons is they have this sort of scholarship money that they want to used that was earmarked for natalee and they want to use it for one of their other children and health insurance issues, as well. of course, we're talking about alm

he confessed to murdering natalee holloway and then recanting several times. >> in theory, the nataleecase shouldn't matter. but in reality. judges are human. these are three judges who have pretty broad discretion in terms of what the sentence should be. >> reporter: in a court of peruvian law, pre-trial time spent in jail is computed doubly. meaning that if he gets the minimum, three to five years for manslaughter, he could walk free again. for "good morning america," matt gutman, abc news, miami. >> and our thanks to matt for that. >>> now here's ron claiborne with a look at today's other headlines. >> hi, again. good morning to you, bianna, dan. good morning, everyone. in the news, "your voice, your vote." dan is looking at me askance. tonight is the night that the republican candidates square off in new hampshire at a debate you can watch right here on abc. don't touch that dial. the latest polls show that mitt romney has a 24% lead over his opponents in the granite state. this, the 14th gop debate, airs tonight at 9:00 eastern time right here on abc. >>> and congresswoman gabriel

but >>> the prime suspect in natalee holloway's disappearance goes on trial for murder in peru. he's charged with killing 21- year-old stephanie floras in may of 2010. he stole money and bank cards, a woman and then beat her to death after playing poker with the woman at a casino. >>> in cumberland it is 30 degrees. >> still ahead, and other metro mess. and more track work. what that competition could mean for passengers this weekend. >> hollywood's take on the

he admitted to killing natalee holloway and recanted several times. >> in theory, the natalee hollowaye shouldn't matter. but judges have discretion. >> reporter: in a court of peruvian law, pre-trial time spent in jail is computed doubly. he could walk free again. for "good morning america," matt gutman, abc news, miami. >> and our thanks to matt for that. >>> now here's ron claiborne with a look at today's other headlines. >> good morning, everyone. in the news, your voice, your vote. dan is looking at me askance. tonight is the night that the republican candidates square off in new hampshire at a debate you can watch right here on abc. don't touch that dial. mitt romney has a 24% lead over his opponents. this, the 14th gop debate, airs tonight at 9:00 eastern time right leer here on abc. >>> and congresswoman gabrielle giffords returned to arizona to be there for the anniversary of the deadly shooting there last year. >>> and a 50-year-old man shot and killed his wife and mother-in-law inside a hospital in georgia. the victims were visiting a relative in intensive care. the alleged

the prime suspect in the disappearance of natalee holloway has pleaded guilty to murder in peru. der sloot told the court he feels, quote, very bad for strangling a 21-year-old woman whom he met at a casino back in 2010. the dutch native gave a confession in spanish. [speaking spanish] >> yes, i want to accept anticipated conclusion and as i was thinking from the first moment always to give my sincere confession. i am truly very sorry for what i have done. >> shepard: prosecutors say joran van der sloot beat, strangled, robbed the woman inside the hotel room. today his attorney said it was the fallout the holloway case that made his client snap. the murder happened five years to the day after the 18-year-old natalee holloway vanished in aruba. she was last seen leaving a nightclub with joran van der sloot and he is the main suspect in that case. the court will sentence him on friday in this peru case. prosecutors have said they will not go after life in prison. and we're told today's confession could knock years off any prison time. steve harrigan with the news. he is in our sout

i knew that already. >> now more on natalee holloway.after she vanished an aruba judge declared her legally dead. teen's parents attending hearing. they asked for the declaration back in september. it frees the parents to give her college fund to her brother. dave holloway is able to stop payments on the health insurance. dave holloway's lawyer says there is no evidence that natalie is alive. as you recall, her she was last seen in may, leaving anaruban bar with joran van der sloot. he pleaded guilty to murdering another woman in peru. >> laura bush wants to add a name to the gop ballot. find out who she wants in the white house. and the world's famous mother gets a new gig. and grandma scores big. a footbal what makes the sleep number store different? you walk into a conventional mattress store, it's really not about you. they say, "well, if you want a firm bed you can lie on one of those, if you want a soft bed you can lie on one of those." we provide the exact individualization that your body needs. welcome to the sleep number year-en

that is not her, that was natalee holloway. joran van der sloot remain the prime suspect in the death in 2005 of natalee holloway on the island of aruba. >>> a celebrity chef widely criticized for her hearty high calorie southern meals could be suffering from type-two diabetes. paula dean has been silent about rumors that she's been diagnosed with diabetes. according to published reports, she's kept that health condition a secret but is reportedly going public about the diagnosis soon. she will speak exclusively with al roker tuesday on nbc's "today" show. >>> coming up tonight, part two of wendy's look back at the air florida crash 30 years ago. hear about the hero that dove into the freezing potomac river to pull the last survivor to safety. >>> a job fair held for men and women that many consider the backbone of america's military. >>> and we're going to show you something that's happening up in the word is swapportunity. can i have the definition? swapportunity: the opportunity to swap a higher calorie snack for a yoplait l

i still believe in him. >> greta: joran van der sloot remains the only suspect in natalee holloway'sody has never been found, six and a half years after she vanished she was declared dead. we spoke with joran van der sloot back in march of 2006 and here is what he said then. >> what is like for you in aruba? >> i mean, aruba. it's great. i grew up. i love it. it's a wonderful island. >> greta: have people been treating you well here? what has been the impact of your release? >> everyone here has treated me well. everybody knows what is going on probably more than the people in the states do. everybody has treated me with respect. >> greta: so when you walk down the streets, people say things to you? >> of course, it's not fun that everyone down the street notices you. you want to be able to go up and no one notice you. i can't change anything about that now. so i try to to adapt it and do the best i can. >> greta: why did you agree to talk to us? >> i agreed to talk to you, i thought it was important to hear another side of the story, as well. i look at it one way, one side of the st

the murder in peru he extorted $25,000 to natalee holloway's murder saying he would lead the mother for her body in aruba. that never happened. why is joran van der sloot apology seen as "sincere." >>reporter: he used those words. it is hard to say how much sincerity was behind it. it could seven a couple of effects. it means they will not have to go to trial. both hoped to avoid and trial and could cut some years off the possible 30-year sentence but the apology was very brief without emotion and after a year and a half in jail he was able to deliver it in spanish. (speaking spanish). >> i am truly very sorry for what i have done, i feel very bad. >> the family hope he got life in prison and the prosecution says he is a danger psychopath and should never be allowed out. friday morning before a panel of three women judges we will find out what they think. that is the sentencing. >>shepard: he confessed, apologiesed and pleaded guilty. did he put on any defense at all? >>reporter: a very weak start for the defense today. his attorney showed up half an hour late for the murder time se

the prime suspect in the disappearance of natalee holloway. a switch yesterday. after fighting the charges, he confessed just before sentencing. his lawyer is not saying -- the murder, they blame it on the stress caused by the holloway case. we'll find out if it gets him a lighter sentence. >> still very bizarre. people hoping he will not get a lighter sentence. >>> let's get to the wild weather first in the south. that unexpected tornado touching down in at least two places. sam has the latest. >>> let's get to the wild weather in the west. unexpected tornado. sam has been tracking it. >> robin, this is so bizarre. few if any tornadoes happen in the country, none in this part of western north carolina before january. so imagine, things like this, when you wake up and see things like this. imagine the surprise and shock that you went through. they were thunderstorms were forecasted. but not anything near severe as this. as robin said, at least 50 structures in one county. they haven't counted the other county yet. they were waiting until daylight to go back in. a

now let's go to the case of aru aruba, the death of the american girl, as we know, natalee holloway. is still open and he was arrested twice as a suspect in her murder. because of lack of evidence, he was released. is it possible that if there's new evidence that's discovered or even the body of natalee holloway emerges, that van der sloot could be brought back to aruba to face murder charges in her death? >> yes, that remains a possibility, although i add a cautionary note. in the united states, there's no statute of limitations on murder. my understanding is that in aruba, there is a limitation. so they will have to develop a case before that statute of limitations expires. and which one it is depend on what they're going to charge him with. it could be as long as 10 or 15 years. ironically, suzanne, the reason he got pick up in peru was he extorted allegedly $260,000 from the holloway family and he used that money to travel to peru and of course he's under charges in alabama as well. >> so could he be extradited to the united states and face those charges in alabama or does he hav

the prime suspect in the disappearance of natalee hollow holloway. a switch yesterday. after fighting the charges, he confessed to being responsible for the death of a peruvian woman. he blamed it on the stress of the natalee holloway case. >>> let's get to the wild weather first in the south. that unexpected tornado touching down in at least two places. sam has the latest. >> few, if any, tornadoes happen in the country in january. none in this part of western north carolina. you wake up and see things like this. imagine the surprise and shock that you went through. they were thunderstorms were forecasted. nothing near as severe as this. at least 50 structures in one coun county. they haven't tallied in the other county. in this part of werth mcmc, never before has this happened. if this is a confirmed tornado, it will be the first time it ever happened. all of that happened. we'll have blizzard conditions on the backside of this. who gets the biggest snowfall of this season? we'll get to that in a moment in the weather. >>> now, josh elliott with the other top stories

casino, who was killed five years to the day of the unsolved disappearance of american teen natalee holloway. he remains the prime suspect. this morning holloway's father is speaking out about joran van der sloot's plea. >> the we'll see what kind of sentence he gets. i don't think he's sincere to be honest. >> a judge will sentence him tomorrow. holloway, an alabama teen disappeared during a high school graduation trip to the caribbean island of aruba. where van der sloot grew up. >>> two years ago today, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck haiti, sending an already struggling nation into a tailspin. organizations estimate more than 3,000 people were injured, nearly 5,000 schools damaged or destroyed and 1.5 million people left homeless, according to u.s. aid the quake affected 1/3 of the country's population. >>> the housing crisis remains one of the largest issues this morning for the still plagued haiti. several thousand people marched through the capital port-au-prince wednesday protesting against what they say is a lack of new housing. the marchers chanted and waved signs for faster buildi

he was a suspect in the natalee holloway disappearance in aruba. >>> a teenager from texas begins a journey home today after she was accidentally deported to south america. the 15-year-old ran away in late 2010 and was arrested for shoplifting in texas. she lied to police and told them she was a 21-year-old from columbia. the u.s. government deported her to columbia and she will be handed over to u.s. officials today but it is not clear when she will go back to houston. >>> adam caskey is here to tell us about this great leap -- breezy weather. i know you like the cold and the snow. >>> yes, if we don't have snow on the ground, we might as well take it warm. i would prefer the snow. >> we will get it soon i'm sure. >> what will it take to get people to come to the white side? i'm talking about snow. ice fishing anyone? on our home page, we have some great pictures of wonderful sun rises early this morning. this one is from my facebook page but on wjla.com we have a great photo gallery of the beautiful sunrise this morning in several places. this is from a facebook friend from warrenton. dow

you know the guy ali loan i all suspected of natalee holloway's murder, he's in a jail in peru awaitingl. trial starts today. nothing to do with natalee. instead, everything to do with another young lady who died. charged with murder. that gets underway later. >>> you're watching "early start." goals? you can with green giant frozen vegetables. over twenty delicious varieties have sixty calories or less per serving and are now weight watchers-endorsed. try green giant frozen vegetables with sauce. we're getting back in shape. oh! try these. i sprinted here... wow! from your house?! from the car. unh! ooh. [ male announcer ] get back on track with low prices on everything you need. backed by our ad match guarantee. walmart. and more. if you replace 3 tablespoons of sugar a day with splenda®, you'll save 100 calories a day. that could help you lose up to 10 pounds in a year. and now get even more with splenda® essentials, the only line of sweeteners with a small boost of fiber, or antioxidants, or b vitamins in every packet. just another reason why you get more... when you sweeten with sp

right before he officially declared natalee holloway dead.r father asked for the declarati declaration. >> we've been dealing with her death for the last six and a half years. hopefully this meeting today will kind of put some closure on it. >> dave hol we, her father needs a death certificate for a $2,000 college fund can be used to send her younger proer to school. natalee's mother reluctantly agreed to the ruling. >> of course, it makes me very sad. >> she's ready to move on from this and hopefully justice eventually will be served. >> this declaration comes one day after the main suspect in her disappearance pleaded guilty to murdering a woman in peru. joran van der sloot was arrested twice for the disappearance and presumed death of natalee but never charged with the crimes. natalee was on the last day of her high school graduation trip. she was last seen in a car with several people, including van der sloot. the judgment will be handed to a county office so a death certificate can be issued. in los angeles, edward lawrence for cbs news.

the prime suspect in natalee holloway's disappearance pleads guilty to murdering another young woman.sippi tradition, that's what's governor haley barbour's supporters call his move to mardan nearly 200 convicted criminals on his final day in office. the at least one of them a murderer, another a rapist. first lady responds. mrs. obama fires back at allegations in a new book that says there was friction between her and the president's closest aides. plus, today's news nation gut check. do you agree with the supreme court's decision that for bids a woman to sue the lutheran school that fired her? >>> well, the prime suspect in the disappearance of natalee holloway has now confessed to hurding a peruvian student in 2010. in court today, the dutch citizen apologized for killing 21-year-old stephany flores. van der sloot told the court he wanted to plead guilt from the first moment to confess sincerely. we're joined live from lima pur ru. what's next for joran van der sloot? >> tamron, the victim's family ste stefhany's family was not in court today. protesters were shouting outside holdi

. >> plus the prime suspect in the natalee holloway disappearance is back in court. the request to delay his murder trial down in peru. >>> plus, the tech problems causing headaches for sports fans who are just trying to score tickets to the london olympics. >>> hi, i'm meteorologist lawrence karnow in the cbs 5 weather center. time to finalize those weekend plans! will we see sunshine or clouds? or maybe some rain? we'll talk about that coming up. new hampshire... four days before state's primar >>> most of the republican candidates for president are running hard in new hampshire four days before that state's primary next tuesday. but mitt romney is enjoying a 20 point lead there. he is so comfortable he hopped on a many down in south carolina today. other candidates say romney is too moderate and cannot hold his own against president obama. but romney is focusing his attacks now on obama. >> this president doesn't understand how this economy works. it's time to get a president who does. >> as new hampshire voters weigh their options, some are taking a fresh look at