5/31/02

LC020531

VAL ZAVALA>> ON LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT --

JESS MARLOW>> PROTECTING CALIFORNIA AGAINST THREATS FROM THE SEA. IT'S A MAJOR PART OF HOMELAND SECURITY, BUT CAN WE REALLY KEEP TERRORISTS OUT?

SCOTT TRUVER>> PRACTICALLY ANYBODY CAN GET INTO THE UNITED STATES AND IT'S ONLY THE ODD CHANCE THAT WE HAVE GOOD INTEL THAT ALLOWS US TO INTERCEPT THE THREAT COMING, WHETHER IT'S A BOAT FULL OF ALIEN MIGRANTS OR WHETHER IT'S DRUG RUNNERS IN A "GO FAST".

VAL>> MEXICO SAYS IT WILL NO LONGER TURN OVER FUGITIVES WHO FACE LIFE SENTENCES IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT DOES THAT MEAN CRIMINALS HAVE A NEW WAY TO BEAT THE RAP SOUTH OF THE BORDER? TONIGHT WE'LL LOOK AT THE LEGAL STANDOFF BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MEXICO AND WE'LL FIND OUT WHY SOME SAY IT'S LETTING CROOKS GET AWAY WITH MURDER.

JESS>> L.A. COUNTY'S FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAYS HE IS FINISHED WITH POLITICS, BUT GIL GARCETTI HAS A NEW PASSION NOW. HE'S BEEN CLIMBING THE BEAMS OF THE NEW DISNEY CONCERT HALL AND CAPTURING THE IRONWORKERS IN ACTION. TONIGHT THE PROSECUTOR TURNED PHOTOGRAPHER SHARES SOME OF HIS WORK.

VAL>> THESE STORIES COMING UP NEXT ON LIFE AND TIMES.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

AND THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT
THE STATE'S LARGEST HEALTH FOUNDATION SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CALIFORNIA'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT, A PARTNER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

VAL>> GOOD EVENING, I'M VAL ZAVALA.

JESS>> AND I'M JESS MARLOW.

THOSE OF US OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WORLD WAR II RECALL A TIME WHEN CALIFORNIA WAS AN INVITING TARGET FOR AN ENEMY ATTACK. IN THE DAYS AFTER PEARL HARBOR, PATROLS KEPT A CONSTANT WATCH ON OUR SHORES JUST IN CASE. NOW, MORE THAN SIXTY YEARS LATER, SEA PATROLS ARE AT IT ONCE AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME IT ISN'T SO EASY TO IDENTIFY THE ENEMY.

VAL>> TONIGHT WITH THE HELP OF OUR COLLEAGUES FROM NEWSHOUR, WE'RE GOING OUT WITH THE COAST GUARD IN THE WATERS OFF CALIFORNIA. THE SEA PATROLS ARE A MAJOR PART OF AMERICA'S NEW HOMELAND SECURITY PLAN, BUT THE QUESTION IS, CAN EVEN THE COAST GUARD STOP A TERRORIST? THE CORRESPONDENT IS JEFFREY KAYE.

JEFFREY KAYE>> THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD. IT'S AMERICA'S MARITIME 911, A SERVICE WHOSE DUTIES RANGE FROM SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS TO THE HOT PURSUIT OF DRUG RUNNERS TO PROTECTING THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. AND THE COAST GUARD, ONE OF THE FIVE U.S. MILITARY SERVICES, HAS BEEN ORDERED TO DO EVEN MORE ON THE WAR ON TERRORISM. THE GUARD'S PRIMARY HOMELAND DEFENSE MISSION IS TO BEEF UP SECURITY ALONG AMERICA'S 95,000 MILES OF COASTLINE AND IN 360 PORTS AND HARBORS. ADMIRAL TIM JOSIAH IS THE COAST GUARD'S CHIEF OF STAFF.

ADMIRAL TIM JOSIAH>> IN COAST GUARD TERMS, WE MADE A BIG FORCE CHANGE ON THE 11TH OF SEPTEMBER. WE WERE CHALLENGED TO DO MISSIONS THAT WE HAD NOT SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON SINCE WORLD WAR II.

JEFFREY KAYE>> ONE OF THOSE MISSIONS CAN BE SEEN IN THE PREDAWN HOURS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. A COAST GUARD LAUNCH RENDEZVOUS WITH VESSELS APPROACHING THE PORTS OF LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH. ABOARD THE COAST GUARD'S BOAT ARE ARMED UNITS OF THE SERVICE'S NEWLY-CREATED SEA MARSHAL PROGRAM.

THE MARSHALS' JOB IS TO BOARD VESSELS ARRIVING IN U.S. HARBORS, SUCH AS THIS CRUISE LINER RETURNING FROM MEXICO, TO ENSURE THAT SHIPS, PASSENGERS AND CREWS ARRIVE IN PORT SAFELY. IT'S WORK SEA MARSHALS ARE DOING IN HARBORS ACROSS AMERICA. ONCE ABOARD, THE SEA MARSHALS FAN OUT ACROSS THE SHIP TO BEGIN A DECK-BY-DECK INSPECTION. THEIR ROUNDS TAKE THEM FROM OPERATIONAL AREAS IN THE BOWELS OF THE VESSEL TO PASSENGER LOUNGES.

JASON RAIDER>> WHEN WE'RE UP HERE, BASICALLY WE LOOK FOR ANYTHING THAT'S OUT OF THE ORDINARY. YOU KNOW, SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES THAT MIGHT BE LEFT UNATTENDED TO OR SUSPICIOUS LOOKING INDIVIDUALS. IT'S BASICALLY A SECURITY SWEEP.

JEFFREY KAYE>> SEA MARSHALS BOARD ALL CRUISE SHIPS ARRIVING IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF THEIR POTENTIAL ATTRACTION AS TERRORIST TARGETS.

BILL VEON>> I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT SOMEBODY COULD DO WITH 2,500 PASSENGERS ONBOARD SHIP AND TAKING THE HOSTAGES. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO PREVENT.

JEFFREY KAYE>> THE COAST GUARD'S MOTTO IS SEMPER PARATUS, "ALWAYS READY", BUT SOME ANALYSTS QUESTION WHETHER THE COAST GUARD IS FULLY PREPARED TO TAKE ON NEW HOMELAND SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES WHILE FULFILLING ITS NORMAL DUTIES.

SCOTT TRUVER>> BASICALLY, WHAT IT HAS DONE IS THAT THE NEW NORMALCY OF THE COAST GUARD IS THE WAR ON TERRORISM AND CERTAIN THINGS LIKE FISHERIES PATROL, LIKE DRUG PATROLS, HAVE BEEN DOWNGRADED.

ADMIRAL TIM JOSIAH>> AND THE DEMAND HAS BEEN, FRANKLY, MORE THAN WE CAN MEET. THERE ARE MORE FACILITIES OUT THERE THAN WE COULD PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION FOR.

JEFFREY KAYE>> THE COAST GUARD ADMITS THAT, EVEN WITH INCREASED VIGILANCE, SECURITY SHORTCOMINGS ABOUND IN AMERICA'S MAJOR PORTS. IN THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES, FOR INSTANCE, THE COAST GUARD AND OTHER HARBOR AUTHORITIES INSPECT ONLY A MINISCULE FRACTION OF CARGO CONTAINERS, PROMPTING FEARS THAT THE ONES THAT GO UN-INSPECTED COULD HIDE EVERYTHING FROM STOWAWAY TERRORISTS TO NUCLEAR DEVICES. AMERICA'S COASTLINE, AS WELL AS ITS PORTS, ARE STILL TOO VULNERABLE, SAYS SCOTT TRUVER.

SCOTT TRUVER>> PRACTICALLY ANYBODY CAN GET INTO THE UNITED STATES AND IT'S ONLY THE ODD CHANCE THAT WE HAVE GOOD INTEL THAT ALLOWS US TO INTERCEPT A THREAT COMING, WHETHER IT'S A BOAT FULL OF ALIEN MIGRANTS OR WHETHER IT'S DRUG RUNNERS IN A "GO FAST".

JEFFREY KAYE>> TO HELP WITH HARBOR PATROL DUTIES, THE GUARD HAS TURNED TO THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY WHOSE UNPAID VOLUNTEER MEMBERS USE THEIR OWN BOATS. THE AUXILIARY IS SERVING AS A KIND OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH IN MANY U.S. PORTS. KEN SMITH IS A REAR COMMODORE IN THE AUXILIARY. HE'S BEEN PATROLLING L.A.'S HARBOR NEARLY EVERY DAY SINCE SEPTEMBER 11.

KEN SMITH>> IF IT WASN'T FOR US, THE HARBOR WOULDN'T BE COVERED AND NEITHER WOULD ANY OF THE HARBORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FILLS IN ALL OF THOSE SPOTS THAT THE REGULARS AREN'T ABLE TO DO JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE OR VESSELS, SO WE VOLUNTEER OUR TIME. WE'RE THE EYES AND THE EARS.

SCOTT TRUVER>> WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE AUXILIARY, THEY DO A WONDERFUL JOB, BUT THEY DO A WONDERFUL JOB PRIMARILY IN PROMOTING RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY. THEY ARE BEING PRESSED INTO AREAS FOR WHICH THEY WERE NOT NECESSARILY ENVISIONED, SO THIS IS ANOTHER AREA OF MISSION CREEP.

JEFFREY KAYE>> WITH ONLY 35,000 ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL IN ITS RANKS, THE GUARD IS SMALLER THAN THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ITS ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET OF $5.5 BILLION DOLLARS WOULD BUY THE NAVY ONLY A SINGLE AIRCRAFT CARRIER. WHETHER THE COUNTRY IS AT WAR OR PEACE, ONE PARAMOUNT CHALLENGE FACING THE COAST GUARD IS AN INCREASINGLY OBSOLETE FLEET OF LONG-RANGE CUTTERS AND AIRCRAFT. OUT OF 41 COASTAL FLEETS IN THE WORLD, THE U.S. COAST GUARD IS THE 39TH OLDEST.

ADMIRAL TIM JOSIAH>> WE NEED FASTER SHIPS, WE NEED AIRCRAFT WITH BETTER COMMUNICATIONS SENSORS, RADARS TO DETECT WHO MIGHT BE APPROACHING THE U.S. COASTLINE.

SCOTT TRUVER>> SOMETHING ON THE ORDER OF 100 CUTTERS AND MORE THAN 200 AIRCRAFT MUST BE RETIRED BY THE END OF THE DECADE OR HAVE MAJOR SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION PROGRAMS, WHICH USUALLY ARE NOT THAT EFFECTIVE. THEY'RE A BAND-AID.

JEFFREY KAYE>> IN RECENT YEARS, THE COAST GUARD HAS BEEN ABLE TO UPGRADE ITS NEAR-SHORE FLEET WITH FAST, STATE OF THE ART VESSELS SUCH AS ITS 47-FOOT RESCUE BOATS, WATER-GOING HOTRODS BUILT TO HANDLE ROUGH WATER.

>> WE CAN TAKE IT UP TO A 20-FOOT SURF AND UP TO 30-KNOT WINDS.

JEFFREY KAYE>> NOW THE GUARD WANTS TO EMBARK ON A MASSIVE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE THAT WOULD REPLACE AND MODERNIZE HUNDREDS OF SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT THAT PATROL FIFTY MILES AND MORE OFF THE U.S. COAST. THE PROJECT, CALLED "DEEPWATER", IS CONSIDERED KEY TO COAST GUARD OPERATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY. THE PLAN IS GETTING A BOOST FROM THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. THE PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED A HALF BILLION DOLLAR FUNDING BOOST FOR THE GUARD'S OPERATIONS AND ACQUISITIONS, THE BIGGEST INCREASE FOR THE SERVICE IN U.S. HISTORY.

ADMIRAL TIM JOSIAH>> OVER THIS NEXT YEAR AND A HALF WITH THE RESOURCES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING FOR US, WE WILL BEGIN A RAPID BUILD-UP OF CAPABILITY THAT WILL BE FOR THE LONG-TERM.

JEFFREY KAYE>> AND IN A POST-9/11 WORLD, MANY IN THE COAST GUARD BELIEVE THE SERVICE COULD BE DOING FAR MORE BEYOND U.S. WATERS, LIKE TRAINING FOREIGN NAVIES IN A MARITIME VERSION OF NATION-BUILDING AND KEEPING AN AMERICAN PRESENCE IN PLACES WHERE THE U.S. NAVY ISN'T WELCOME. ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS ARE PLACING WHAT WAS ONCE A NEGLECTED BRANCH OF THE MILITARY SQUARELY ON THE RADAR SCREEN.

JESS>> AND AS YOU HEARD JEFFREY KAYE MENTION, ONE OF THE THINGS THE COAST GUARD WATCHES FOR IS EVIDENCE OF A NUCLEAR DEVICE HIDDEN INSIDE A SHIPPING CONTAINER. MANY EXPERTS VIEW THAT AS THE NUMBER ONE THREAT FACING AMERICA. BESIDES THE BEEFED-UP PATROLS AT SEA, THE PORTS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAVE NEW RADIATION DETECTORS ON THE DOCKS, BUT AUTHORITIES ADMIT IT'S STILL VERY POSSIBLE FOR A NUCLEAR WEAPON OF SOME KIND TO SLIP THROUGH SECURITY.

VAL>> MONDAY ON LIFE AND TIMES, A LOOK AT CALIFORNIA'S VANISHING FARMLAND. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOME OF THE STATE'S RICHEST SOIL IS PAVED OVER?

>> WHAT WE SEE RIGHT NOW IS REALLY THE DEATH OF A THOUSAND CUTS. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SMALL NICKS. SUBDIVISION BY SUBDIVISION, WE'RE PAVING OVER THE CENTRAL VALLEY, SO WE VERY LIKELY COULD LOSE HERE WITHIN THE NEXT GENERATION. IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL CHUNK OUT OF CALIFORNIA'S PRODUCTIVE AG BASE.

JESS>> MEXICO, ALONG WITH EUROPE, HAS A LONG TRADITION OF SAYING NO TO THE UNITED STATES WHEN IT COMES TO TURNING OVER FUGITIVES WHO MIGHT FACE THE DEATH PENALTY, BUT NOW THERE'S A NEW TWIST IN THAT OLD LEGAL STANDOFF. THE MEXICAN SUPREME COURT RECENTLY EXTENDED THE SAME PROTECTION TO FELONS WHO FACE LIFE SENTENCES. IT MEANS MORE THAN SIXTY SUSPECTED KILLERS FROM LOS ANGELES COUNTY MAY NEVER BE RETURNED, ALONG WITH SCORES OF SUSPECTED RAPISTS, KIDNAPPERS AND CHILD MOLESTERS.

VAL>> IS MEXICO CREATING A SAFE HAVEN FOR CRIMINALS? JOINING US TO DISCUSS THAT ARE JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS, THE REGIONAL LEGAL ATTACHÉ FOR THE MEXICAN COUNSEL IN LOS ANGELES, AND JANICE MAURIZI FROM THE L.A. COUNTY D.A.'S OFFICE. WELCOME TO LIFE AND TIMES.

JANICE MAURIZI>> THANK YOU.

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JESS>> WHAT'S THE PHILOSOPHY UPON WHICH MEXICO IS BASING ITS DECISION NOT TO EXTRADITE THOSE WHO FACE LIFE SENTENCES?

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> WELL, MEXICO IS NOT PROTECTING OR COVERING UP ANY CRIMINALS. MEXICO FIGHTS VERY AGGRESSIVELY AGAINST FUGITIVES. IT'S A MATTER OF A DIFFERENT JUDICIAL SYSTEM. IT'S A MATTER OF DIFFERENT CULTURE AND THE RULING BASED ON THAT CONSTITUTION THAT ESTABLISHED THAT MEXICO DOESN'T HAVE A DEATH PENALTY, FIRST. SECOND, WE DON'T HAVE LIFE TERM IN PRISON. WE HAVE A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF SIXTY YEARS. THAT MEANS TO OUR COURT THAT LIFE IN PRISON IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT AND DOESN'T HELP REHABILITATE CRIMINALS.

JESS>> REGARDLESS OF THE CRIME?

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> REGARDLESS OF THE CRIME.

VAL>> JANICE, WHAT KIND OF PROBLEM DOES THAT CREATE FOR LOS ANGELES IN PARTICULAR?

JANICE MAURIZI>> IT CREATES A VERY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, BECAUSE IN CALIFORNIA ALL MURDERS ARE LIFE TERM CRIMES. THERE'S NO OPPORTUNITY FOR A JUDGE OR A PROSECUTOR TO GIVE THE GUARANTEES THAT THE MEXICAN SUPREME COURT IS NOW REQUIRING.

VAL>> SO IN ORDER FOR MEXICO TO COOPERATE AND EXTRADITE SOMEONE BACK TO THE UNITED STATES, YOUR OFFICE WOULD HAVE TO GUARANTEE MEXICO THAT, NUMBER ONE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE PUT TO DEATH, SECONDLY, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE GIVEN A LIFE TERM, AND YOU'RE SAYING YOU JUST CAN'T DO THAT?

JANICE MAURIZI>> WELL, IT'S EVEN WORSE THAN THAT BECAUSE, IN ORDER TO GET TO THE ASSURANCES THAT THEY WANT OF A DETERMINATE SENTENCE, WE WOULD HAVE TO DROP ANY MURDER CHARGES. ANYBODY WHO COMMITTED A CRIME IN CALIFORNIA, FLED TO MEXICO AND WE WERE SEEKING EXTRADITION TO TRY THAT CRIMINAL HERE IN CALIFORNIA, IN ORDER TO GET TO THE NUMBER, A DETERMINATE NUMBER THAT MEXICO WOULD REQUIRE, WE WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE THEM WITH SOMETHING LESS THAN A MURDER, A MANSLAUGHTER, AN ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, WEAPONS ENHANCEMENT.

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> YES, BUT LET ME TELL YOU, MEXICO ALWAYS COOPERATES WITH THE UNITED STATES. LAST YEAR, WE EXTRADITED 27 U.S. FUGITIVES --

VAL>> -- BUT NOT DEATH PENALTY CASES.

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> THEY WERE NOT DEATH PENALTY CASES --

VAL>> -- OR LIFE SENTENCE CASES?

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> THEY WERE LIFE SENTENCES BECAUSE THIS RULING CAME OUT ON OCTOBER 2 OF THIS YEAR. THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS THAT WE HAVE TO COOPERATE AND TO LOOK FORWARD. THERE IS NOT ONLY EXTRADITION. WE HAVE A DOMESTIC PROSECUTION CALLED ARTICLE 4 AND WE ALSO HAVE DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS UNDER WHICH WE CAN GIVE OR DEPORT FUGITIVES THAT COME ACROSS MEXICO. MEXICO IS NOT A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN HIDE AND I WANT TO MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR. WE FIGHT VERY AGGRESSIVE AGAINST CRIMINALS AND WE WANT JUSTICE SUCH AS --

JESS>> -- ALTHOUGH THE FACTS OF LIFE ARE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL FUGITIVES APPARENTLY HIDING IN MEXICO AND THAT THIS WOULD BE AN INVITATION, AT LEAST IN THE MIND OF A MURDERER, TO FLEE.

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> WELL, THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION BECAUSE WE WILL DO OUR BEST EFFORT TO PROSECUTE THEM. WE HAVE FUGITIVES AS WELL HERE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT CANNOT BE RETURNED TO MEXICO BECAUSE WE DON'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. LAW. THE LEGAL SYSTEMS ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

VAL>> JANICE, BRING THIS DISCUSSION DOWN TO A PARTICULAR CASE. THERE IS A CASE OF A SHERIFF'S OFFICER WHO WAS MURDERED HERE?

JANICE MAURIZI>> WELL, I CAN GIVE YOU TWO EXAMPLES, YES. IN THE CASE OF THE MURDER OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF, DAVID MARCH, ON APRIL 29 OF THIS PAST YEAR, HE WAS EXECUTED BY A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN AT LEAST TENTATIVELY IDENTIFIED AS A MEXICAN NATIONAL AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT THAT SUSPECT MAY IN FACT BE IN MEXICO. IF THAT IS THE CASE AND WE SEEK EXTRADITION FOR THE MURDER OF DEPUTY MARCH, IN ORDER TO GIVE THE ASSURANCES THAT MEXICO IS REQUIRING, WE WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE CHARGE OF MURDER AND THAT KILLER WOULD HAVE TO BE CHARGED WITH SOMETHING LESSER, PERHAPS A VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.

WHAT IS EVEN WORSE NOW IS, AS OF THE LAST TWO WEEKS OR SO, THE MEXICAN COURTS HAVE ALSO ISSUED A DECISION REGARDING JESUS AMESCUA. NOW THAT'S THE SITUATION WHERE MR. AMESCUA WAS CHARGED WITH SOME SERIOUS NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING OFFENSES. OUR GOVERNMENT GAVE WHAT THEY THOUGHT WERE THE REQUIRED ASSURANCES, THAT IS, A DEFINITIVE NUMBER OF YEARS IN CUSTODY, IN ORDER TO SEEK EXTRADITION. IN RESPONSE TO THAT, WHAT THE MEXICAN COURTS HAVE SAID NOW IS THAT IT IS NO LONGER SUFFICIENT FOR A PROSECUTOR TO GIVE ASSURANCES, THAT A JUDGE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE THE ASSURANCES.

VAL>> OH, MY GOSH.

JANICE MAURIZI>> NOW THAT FLIES IN THE FACE OF OUR ENTIRE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. A JUDGE IN THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT PRE-JUDGE THE EVIDENCE, DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION, TO GIVE SUCH ASSURANCES. THE AMESCUA CASE MAY NOT BE BINDING ON OTHER COURTS. IT IS, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, LIMITED TO THE AMESCUA CASE, BUT CERTAINLY IT TELEGRAPHS --

VAL>> -- MR. VILLALOBOS?

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> WELL, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS NOT ACCURATE, THAT DECISION. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT WARRANT, IT WAS NOT PROPERLY WRITTEN. AND THIS IS, ONE, HOW AND WHEN MEXICO AND U.S. HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND, TWO, DEFINE THE MEANING OF THE WORDS BECAUSE --

VAL>> -- I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> THE MEANING OF THE WORDS --

VAL>> -- MEANING OF --

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> OF THE SENTENCES THAT WE PUT, THE ASSURANCES SET AT THAT MOMENT THAT MAYBE HE WAS NOT GOING TO BE PUT IN LIFE TERM SENTENCE. SO THAT MAY BE THE COURT --

VAL>> -- IT WASN'T A STRONG ENOUGH ASSURANCE?

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> IT WAS NOT A STRONG -- THAT'S RIGHT. BESIDES THAT, THIS WAS THE FIRST ASSURANCES GIVEN SINCE THE RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT. LET ME TELL YOU THAT, IN THE CASE OF DEPUTY MARCH, FIRST WE HAVE TO FIND OUT IF WE HAVE A MEXICAN FUGITIVE BEEN IN MEXICO, WE WILL PROSECUTE HIM FOR THE HOMICIDES. WE DON'T WANT U.S. TO DROP THE CHARGES ON HOMICIDES. WE DON'T WANT TO PARDON ANY PERSON WHO COMMIT A CRIME. WE SHARE A BORDER. WE HAVE TO RESPECT LAWS. CRIMINALS DOESN'T HAVE LAWS --

VAL>> -- BUT, AS YOU CAN UNDERSTAND, THERE'S NOT A HUGE AMOUNT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE MEXICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM. A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW, THERE'S CORRUPTION OR THEY GET OFF EASY.

JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS>> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU THAT THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ARREST 174 FUGITIVES. I CAN TELL YOU WE HAVE CORRUPTION, BUT WE FIGHT VERY AGGRESSIVE CORRUPTION AND WE HAVE OBTAINED SENTENCES OF SIXTY YEARS, THE HIGHEST, AND TWO YEARS, THE MINIMUM, OF COURSE, DEPENDING ON THE CRIME, AND THESE GUYS ARE REALLY DOING TIME. IF WE FIND OUT CORRUPTION, WE WILL PROSECUTE ANYONE, JUDGE, PROSECUTOR, POLICE, IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS --

JANICE MAURIZI>> THE PROCESS THAT --

VAL>> -- I'M SO SORRY. WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT AT THAT, BUT IT'S A FASCINATING TOPIC AND WE'LL HAVE TO RETURN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO JANICE MAURIZI FROM THE L.A. COUNTY D.A.'S OFFICE AND JORGE GARCIA VILLALOBOS FROM THE MEXICAN CONSULATE HERE IN L.A. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JANICE MAURIZI>> THANK YOU.

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JESS>> HE WAS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOR EIGHT YEARS AND OVERSAW MAJOR TRIALS INVOLVING SUCH AS RODNEY KING AND O.J. SIMPSON. THEN TWO YEARS AGO, GIL GARCETTI LOST HIS BID FOR RE-ELECTION. SO HOW DOES A FORMER D.A. PASS THE TIME?

VAL>> HE PICKS UP A CAMERA AND STARTS CRAWLING UP THE TREACHEROUS BEAMS OF DISNEY HALL. GIL GARCETTI HAS ALWAYS LOVED PHOTOGRAPHY AND NOW HE'S TURNED HIS LENS ON A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY, THE CHANCE TO RECORD THE BIRTH OF A LANDMARK. NOT LONG AGO, GARCETTI JOINED US TO SHARE SOME OF THOSE IMAGES AND THE STORIES BEHIND THEM.

JESS>> GIL, ALTHOUGH YOU'VE BEEN TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIRTY-SOME YEARS, WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS PROJECT?

GIL GARCETTI>> ONE DAY, COMING HOME FROM A MEETING DOWNTOWN, I WAS BETWEEN THE MUSIC CENTER AND DISNEY HALL AND I SAW THIS IRONWORKER LITERALLY CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS OVER A HIGH ARCHED BEAM. THAT STARTED THE WHOLE THING, JESS.

VAL>> AND YOU WERE SO IMPRESSED YOU SAID, "I'VE GOT TO DOCUMENT THIS ON FILM"?

GIL GARCETTI>> WELL, I WENT TO GRAB MY SMALL CAMERA. I ALWAYS CARRY A CAMERA WITH ME. IT WASN'T THERE. SO I CAME THE NEXT DAY WITH TWO CAMERAS, THREE LENSES, PARKED ACROSS THE STREET AND WAS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS. WHAT I SAW THESE GUYS DOING WAS SO INCREDIBLE. I MEAN, THEY'RE OUT THERE BALANCING THEMSELVES TRYING TO CONNECT THESE HUGE GEOMETRIC PIECES OF IRON. WHEN HE SWUNG WHAT THEY CALL HIS BEAMER, WHICH IS AN EIGHT-POUND SLEDGEHAMMER, AND HE WENT "WHACK" AND THE WHOLE THING REVERBERATED, I SAID I WOULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF IF I'D HAVE DONE THAT. (LAUGHTER)

VAL>> (LAUGHTER) WELL, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE PHOTOS, SINCE A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, AND YOU CAN TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT. NOW DISNEY HALL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, DOES NOT HAVE A RIGHT ANGLE IN IT ANYWHERE. WOW, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

JESS>> THAT MUST HAVE CAPTURED THE ARTIST'S EYE.

GIL GARCETTI>> OH, IT DID. I MEAN, HERE IT IS. THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN AROUND DECEMBER, BUT IT'S SHOWING MOST OF THE IRON. WHAT YOU SEE THERE -- EVEN THOUGH IT'S STEEL, WE REFER TO IT AS "IRON" -- THERE ARE OVER 12,000 PIECES OF IRON IN THERE AND NOT ONE PIECE IS THE SAME AS THE OTHER. THAT IS THE CHALLENGE FOR THE IRONWORKERS AND FOR THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, FOR EVERYONE, BECAUSE FRANK GEHRY CAME UP WITH THIS MARVELOUS DESIGN, BUT THEN THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS HAD TO SAY, "WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING." HERE IN THIS IMAGE -- AND YOU CAN SEE THE CITY HALL IN THE BACKGROUND -- BUT AGAIN, IT'S THAT IRON. THIS IS ALL GOING TO BE COVERED UP. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANY OF THIS WHEN WE'RE ATTENDING THE CONCERTS.

VAL>> SO THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO TAKE PICTURES OF IT NOW BECAUSE YOU'D NEVER HAVE ACCESS TO THESE PICTURES AGAIN.

GIL GARCETTI>> YES, AND I WANTED TO THANK -- AND HERE'S, YOU KNOW, A SIMILAR PIECE. YOU'LL NEVER SEE THIS BECAUSE IT WILL ALL BE COVERED UP. BUT SEE THOSE ANGLES THERE? I MEAN, INCREDIBLE ANGLES, INCREDIBLE LARGE PIECES OF IRON THAT THE --

JESS>> -- YOU'D THINK IT WOULD BE A CRAFTSMAN'S NIGHTMARE, BUT THESE MEN OBVIOUSLY ARE ENJOYING IT.

GIL GARCETTI>> THEY LOVE THE JOB. THERE WAS ONE WOMAN OUT THERE DOING IT TOO, OH YES. THEY SAID THIS IS A CHALLENGE LIKE WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE. FRANK GEHRY HAD THIS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY. YOU SEE THESE GUYS, YOU KNOW, JUST HANGING OUTSIDE AND THERE'S NOTHING BELOW THEM, JESS. I MEAN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS --

VAL>> -- WELL, THEY'RE STRAPPED IN. IN TERMS OF -- OH, THERE WE ARE. SO THEY ARE STRAPPED IN. I MEAN, IN TERMS OF SAFETY.

GIL GARCETTI>> THEY MUST HAVE A SAFETY STRAP. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY DON'T FALL. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY DON'T GET A HUGE BEAM KNOCKING THEIR JAW OUT. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

VAL>> HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OF THEM FALL?

GIL GARCETTI>> I HAVEN'T. THANK GOODNESS, NO. THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT HERE DOING IT. I MEAN, WHAT THEY ARE DOING --

JESS>> -- LOOKING AT THESE SHOTS, YOU WERE DOING SOME CLIMBING YOURSELF.

GIL GARCETTI>> I WAS, I WAS. THANK GOODNESS, I RESPECT HEIGHTS, BUT I'M NOT AFRAID OF HEIGHTS.

JESS>> HOW DID THESE MEN AND WOMAN ACCEPT YOU?

GIL GARCETTI>> AT FIRST, THEY WEREN'T QUITE SURE. I HAD ONE PERSON COME UP TO ME AND SAY, "TAKE OFF YOUR SUNGLASSES. OH, YOU ARE GIL GARCETTI." (LAUGHTER) HE SAID, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" THEN AFTER A WHILE, BECAUSE I WAS GIVING THEM COPIES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS THEY HAD TAKEN HOME AND THEIR WIVES OR BOYFRIENDS OR WHATEVER HAD NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE IN ACTION, SO TO SPEAK, AND THEY CAME BACK, "COULD I HAVE ANOTHER ONE?" (LAUGHTER)

VAL>> BECAUSE THEY'RE A VERY TIGHT UNION AND YOU COULDN'T JUST WALK ON AND START TAKING PICTURES.

GIL GARCETTI>> OH, NO. NO, YOU COULD NOT AT ALL. I MEAN, THIS IS A VERY TIGHT UNION. THE WHOLE SITE, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL. I MEAN, LOOK AT THIS SITE. HERE, THIS IS A 750,000-POUND CRANE THAT IS LIFTING THIS PIECE OF IRON. THIS IS NOT A PARTICULARLY LARGE PIECE OF IRON, BUT YOU HAVE THREE MEN WHO ARE WAITING FOR IT. THE PHONE MAN WHO IS COMMUNICATING WITH THE CRANE OPERATOR BECAUSE THE CRANE OPERATOR DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE IRON IS, AND TWO MEN WAITING FOR IT TO COME DOWN AND THEN THEY HAVE TO "WORK THE IRON", MEANING THEY HAVE TO GET IT IN PLACE, BOLT IT IN AND THEN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.

JESS>> IN TERMS OF HEIGHT, THIS IS NOT, YOU KNOW, A PARTICULARLY HIGH STRUCTURE THAT IRONWORKERS OFTEN WORK IN. BUT AT LEAST, IN THOSE SKYSCRAPERS, THEY ARE GENERALLY WORKING WITH SQUARED OBJECTS.

GIL GARCETTI>> RIGHT, AND THERE'S USUALLY SOMETHING UNDER THEM. HERE, THERE ISN'T. IT BENDS OUT TO 17 DEGREES. I MEAN, I'M BENDING OVER TAKING SOME OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, SO THERE'S LITERALLY NOTHING UNDER YOU. YOU'RE AS HIGH AS LIKE THIS MAN IS, ABOUT 120 FEET UP AT THIS POINT. I MEAN, YOU GO DOWN AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO COMING BACK FROM THIS.

VAL>> THOSE ARE WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHS.

GIL GARCETTI>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE MAIN THING I WANTED TO DO IS LET'S NOT FORGET THE TRADES PEOPLE, THE IRONWORKERS. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE. FRANK GEHRY'S DREAM IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND HE WILL DESERVE AND GET ALL THE CREDIT, BUT IT WAS THE IRONWORKER WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES EVERY DAY GOING OUT THERE AND DOING WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE IMPOSSIBLE. BUT THEY DID IT AND THEY DO THIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

JESS>> YOU SPECIFICALLY -- THIS IS ALL BLACK AND WHITE?

GIL GARCETTI>> ALL BLACK AND WHITE.

JESS>> WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT?

GIL GARCETTI>> IT IS WHAT I PREFER AND, FRANKLY WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I THINK IT'S JUST A STRONGER IMAGE OF WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. WE'RE DEALING WITH IRON. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LITTLE RUST ON IT, THERE'S A BEAUTY. THE PHOTOGRAPHS THEMSELVES SOMETIMES DON'T SHOW ANY WORKERS, BUT THEY SHOW THE BEAUTIFUL GEOMETRY THAT THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND FRANK GEHRY PUT TOGETHER. I MEAN, WE ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES OUT FOR, YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT MAKE US SMILE. CERTAINLY, THIS BUILDING IS GOING TO MAKE US ALL SMILE.

VAL>> AND THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE GOING TO BECOME A BOOK, YES?

GIL GARCETTI>> THE BOOK IS GOING TO COME OUT IN SEPTEMBER. IT'S CALLED "IRON: ERECTING THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL".

VAL>> SO THEY'LL BE GATHERED TOGETHER FOR EVERYONE TO REMEMBER.

GIL GARCETTI>> FOR EVERYONE, AND THE PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO GO TO A CHARITY. I'M NOT MAKING ANYTHING ON THIS. I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT. THE UNION AND I WILL WORK TOGETHER AND DECIDE WHICH CHARITY OR CHARITIES IT SHOULD GO TO. ORIGINALLY, IT WAS GOING TO GO TO NEW YORK. NEW YORK DOESN'T NEED ANY MORE MONEY, SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE MONEY HERE IN LOS ANGELES.

VAL>> OH, FANTASTIC.

JESS>> WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

VAL>> FANTASTIC. WONDERFUL CHOICE FOR A SECOND CAREER. (LAUGHTER)

GIL GARCETTI>> (LAUGHTER) IT'S BEEN GREAT THUS FAR. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. IT'S BEEN MARVELOUS. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TAKE THESE PHOTOGRAPHS -- PEOPLE SAID, "YOU TOOK THESE PHOTOGRAPHS? BUT YOU WERE THE D.A." I SAID, "I KNOW, BUT WE ALL CAN REINVENT OURSELVES AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES WE'RE FORCED TO AND THAT'S OKAY TOO."

VAL>> MR. GARCETTI, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

GIL GARCETTI>> THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I DO LOVE YOUR NEW SET, BY THE WAY.

VAL>> THANK YOU.

JESS>> THE BOOK IS "IRON: ERECTING THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL". IT WILL BE OUT LATER THIS SUMMER.

VAL>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

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