Transcripts For WCAU Today 20180125 : vimarsana.com

Girl killed in that mass shooting at a Kentucky High School speaking out to nbc news. She was just the best kid ever. As the young suspect prepares to face murder charges as an adult. Those stories, plus paris underwater. Historic flooding sends tourists scrambling. Coffee and cancer the controversial push thats causing a stir. And miracle in vegas, a brave survivor of the Las Vegas Massacre finally leaves the hospital nearly four months after being shot in the head. Im happy. Her family preparing a special homecoming for her. Today, thursday january 25th 2018. Announcer from nbc news this is today with Savannah Guthrie and hoda kotb. Live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. And welcome to today. Thank you for joining us on this thursday morning. Good morning, everybody. Our top story is one that everyone is talking about, the latest chapter in the u. S. Gymnastics sex abuse scandal. A judge sentencing the teams former disgraced doctor larry nassar up to 175 years in prison and telling him she just signed his death warrant. We will talk with one of his most prominent victims, aly raisman. First, kate snow is joining us. Hey, then called on the universitys president to resign and then she did. Overnight the president of Michigan State university stepping down amid the sex abuse scandal rocking the school and the u. S. Gymnastics organization. Writing in part to the survivors, i can never say enough that i am so sorry that a trusted, renowned physician was really such an evil evil person who inflicted such harm under the guys of medical treatment. Adding as tragedies are politicized, blame is inevitable. As president , it is only natural that i am the focus of this anger. President simon in some victims addressing simon directly during the sentenceing this week. How could you . Whats wrong with you . Have you now decency, maam . The university denies accusations it ignored complaints about nassar for years while he was a doctor at the school. The ncaa is investigating. Ive just signed your death warrant. A dramatic culmination wednesday of an emotional sevenday sentencing hearing. As much as it was my honor and privilege to hear the sister survivors, it is my honor and privilege to sentence you. Because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again. Judge Rose Marie Aquilina 17 ten 1710 1710 sentencing the doctor to between 40 and 175 years in prison. The judge incredulous read from a letter nassar had written to the court asking to be spared from having to listen to one gymnast after another. I was a good doctor. At 54 he is expected to die in prison his victims vindicated. I think 175 years is exactly what he deserves. Olympic champion simone biles tweeting he will no longer have the power to steal our happiness or joy. The monster is behind bars but he had tons of people who let this happen. Which is why usa gymnastics now says in a statement it supports an independent investigation that may shine light on how abuse of the proportion described so courageously by the survivors of larry nassar could have gone undetected for so long and embraces any necessary and appropriate changes. But that may not be enough for olympic champion aly raisman. Who accused usa gymnastics of complicity when she spoke out at nassars sentencing last week. I have represented the United States of america in two olympics and have done so successfully. Both usa gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee have been very quick to capitalize and success. But did they reach out when i came forward . No. Also Late Wednesday, a faculty athletic rep for Michigan State reportedly also resigning after saying she lost the heart and desire to support the universitys administration after speaking with president simon. Hoda. All right, kate thank you so much. Aly raisman is with us now exclusively. Aly, good morning. Good morning. You heard the sentencing up to 175 years. Do you think in your heart that justice was served yesterday . No. I mean its not something where you just instantly feel better. Yeah. You know we need to hold these organizations accountable. Usa gymnastics United States Olympic Committee, msu, they need an independent investigation. This is bigger than larry nassar. We have to get to the bottom of how this disaster happened. If we dont figure out how it did we cant lets talk about you. You walked in that courtroom and i was thinking about you standing there. Ive seen you on some of the biggest stages of the world with the eyes of the globe looking at you performing. On this day you stood in that courtroom. How does that experience compare to the pressure that you felt in the olympics . You know i was talking about this with my mom and i said in that moment i almost felt like i was going to compete because at the olympics you block out everything. In that moment i blocked out everything. I forgotching me i forgot the media was over there, i forgot that larry was right there, and i just i just spoke and i felt like i really had to be strong. I feel a responsibility. But after, i will be honest i was sick. I almost passed out. I had the worst headache for hours. Even since then i still dont feel good now. Its very its hard to put into words, but it makes me literally sick all the stress and the trauma of everything. But for that moment i had to be strong. But im very very exhausted from it. Was he what was he doing when you were speaking . He actually looked at me the whole entire time. Every time i made eye contact with him and even when i stared at him, he looked me in the eye the whole entire time. It was it was crazy. I did not expect that at all. When was the last time you saw him before that moment in court . The last time i saw him was at Training Camp in 2015. Ive seen him a lot on tv and online. Every time you see him, its just its crazy. But i did look at photos of him online before i went in there to mentally prepare myself. I didnt know how id feel. But when i walked in there being with this army of survivors, and even i didnt know most of these girls and these women, but i just felt an instant connection. We were hugging each other. We just we really are an army of survivors and this is just the beginning for us. Your words were so powerful. You say he deserves a life of suffering spent replaying the words delivered by this powerful army of survivors. And what struck me about your words, aly, was that they werent just said in that courtroom, those big womens marches, i was looking, there were signs they were quoting your words. One said i have both power and voice and im only just beginning to see them. We are a force. And i love the one that just said what aly raisman said. Were all here we have our voices were not going anywhere. You get emotional even thinking about that. I cant even put into words how much this means to me. I never, ever imagined this kind of support in my wildest dreams. I mean it just it is so incredible. I dont even have words. But i cant thank everyone enough for the support. It only motivates me to do even more. Speaking of words, dr. Nassar had some words after that and he said these were his words, no words to describe the depth and breadth of how sorry i am. I am shaken to the core. And then in a written statement, he said to the judge, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Do you think he even gets what happened what hes done . No. I dont think he understands. I mean the fact he wrote a letter to the judge a few days prior saying it was unfair and he shouldnt have to listen to all of us speak, and thats why in my statement i did call him out and say how dare you say this is hard for you. Imagine how all of us feel. I mean its just he deserves to suffer. Its disgusting what happened. Usa gymnastics has gotten rid of some people and announced some big internal investigation. Have they done enough . So i recently found out according to my knowledge, larry nassar did not have a medical license in texas, which is where we went to the ranch and trained. Its a National Team Training Center and the olympic Training Center. He wasnt licensed there . No according to my knowledge. So what does that say about usa gymnastics United States Olympic Committee. Whether they knew or didnt know thats a big problem. And we need to investigate how this happened. I mean how is that possible he doesnt have a medical license in texas . Why do you think usa gymnastics didnt hear you, didnt hear the others . What was the motivation not to do anything do you think . I have no idea. I think for so long well actually i think i do have an idea. For so long they put medals reputation and money over the safety of athletes. Even now you see the United States Olympic Committee, they just spoke out monday for the first time. They just released a statement for the first time. They have been quiet this whole time. So after you spoke in this courtroom and since then have you been been contacted by usa gymnastics . No i have not been contacted by anyone. No one reached out to say hey, what else happened . Nothing. They say they want an independent investigation right now but its easy to say that when theres so much pressure judgewith this leave your pain here and go dog . Ag i want to sure that never, ever happens again. You know i ended my statement that i hope everyone one day educated so that they will know how to see the warning signs of a predator so theyll never, ever have to see a predator. Im very passionate about making sure abuse never happens. Aly, you are strong and you are powerful. I love that you came to see us. Thank you. Lets go back over to savannah. Thank you, hoda and aly. And now we go to the breaking news. The president touching down in the swiss alps this morning where he is attending a key economic summit but its what he said about the russia investigation just before he left that has washington talking this morning. Nbcs keir simmons is in davos, switzerland, for us this morning. Keir good morning to you. Reporter savannah good morning. Even this far from home President Trump cannot escape the russia inquiry, but this trump does send an international message. I was here a year ago when the chinese president used this platform to claim international leadership. Now for the first time in almost two decades, a u. S. President has just arrived. President trump touching down in switzerland, here for an annual gathering of the worlds wealthiest. For the president , its a chance to put the focus back on the economy as Robert Muellers russia probe intensifies back in washington. At the white house wednesday, mr. Trump telling reporters he wants to cooperate with the p special counsel and will sit for an interview with mueller. Oh i will do it under oath. Reporter in the past the president calling an interview unlikely but his lawyers telling him it could happen within the next two or three weeks. Still, President Trump adamant neither he nor his campaign did anything wrong. Heres the story, just so you understand theres been no collusion whatsoever. Theres no obstruction whatsoever and im looking forward to it. Reporter Late Wednesday white house special counsel ty cobb clarifying the president s comments telling nbc news mr. Trump was speaking hurriedly before leaving for davos. Saying he expressed a willingness to testify subject to terms. For now the president heading high into the swiss alps taking part in the luxurious mountaintop summit many recent american president s have missed to avoid the optics back home of mingling with the global elite. The president will continue to promote fair economic competition and will make it clear that there cannot be free and open trade if countries are not held accountable to the rules. Reporter that America First pitch appearing to conflict with the message of bringing the world together. Speeches by indias Prime Minister frances president and germanys chancellor have all emphasized global trade. But after tax cuts and amid soaring markets, financial leaders will be listening intently when the president speaks friday. Ive been told its a pretty good speech thats been worked on you know a long time. Reporter others hoping this meeting will focus on social injustices celebrities like Cate Blanchett and elton john have flown in to advocate for refugees and against inequality. There are risks to this trip. President trump will come facetoface with the global elites hes often criticized and World Leaders hes appeared to insult but he will have a series of meetings including with the Prime Ministers of britain and of israel. Hoda and savannah the president who prides himself on doing deals is in a place where deals are done. Indeed. Keir simmons in davos, switzerland, thank you. We have new information this morning in that Deadly School shooting in kentucky. Prosecutors plan to charge the 15yearold suspect as an adult. We are also learning more about one of the victims who was killed. Her parents speaking out in an emotional interview with nbcs gabe gutierrez. Hey, gabe good morning. Reporter hoda good morning. The 15yearold juvenile suspect who has not been publicly identified yet is now charged with murder. In an emotional exclusive interview, the family members of that young girl who was killed are showing remarkable poise as they share their heartbreaking loss. This morning for the parents of bailey holt, the grief is overwhelming overwhelming. Im just missing her every morning before school. I would kiss her her i loved her every morning before iwork. Bailey andon cope both 15 years old, died tuesday when police say another student barged into kentuckys Marshall County high school and opened fire. Her parents say she loved music, art, and wanted to be a nurse. She loved everyone. She never had a harsh word to say about anything or anyone. I took her to school and gave her a kiss and told her i loved her and she got out of the car. Reporter these four students were inside the school when the bloodshed began. When youre sitting in that classroom and you after hearing those gunshots whats going through your head at that point. The honest truth, the only thing going through my head was disappointment. Why this would kid ruin his life and other peoples life. Ethan said bullets flew in his direction. I was worried about getting out alive. I just knew that i needed to run. If he didnt hit me he didnt hit me but im guessing it was just luck. The lord was on my side at that moment. Reporter it was the 11th campus shooting in the u. S. So far this year. Have we as a nation become numb to these School Shootings . I feel like we kind of have in a way. Reporter missy jenkinssmith would know she was shot and paralyzed during a School Shooting in west paducah in 1997 two years before columbine. Shes now a counselor at a nearby school. The students that i work with are looking at School Shootings as normal. To me that was not normal and its scary how normal it is. Reporter for the parents of bailey holt normal seems very far off. She was just the best kid ever. Just want to pray for all the other victims too. Hug your kids. Tell them you love them daily, because you just dont know if its going to be the last time you get to do it. Reporter bailey holt was standing next to a close friend who was shot in the chest. Hes now recovering in the hospital and is expected to survive. Here in Marshall County the elementary and middle schools will reopen today. This high School Remains closed. Hoda and savannah. Gabe gutierrez, thank you so much. Well turn to al now and get a first check of our weather. Whats going on . Well its been a wild kind of winter. Really our winter of discontent because it has just been a tough one. You look at winter temperatures since december 1st the eastern half of the country much below average. The coldest january start for baltimore, charlotte, cincinnati detroit, new orleans, philly pittsburgh and raleigh, and then you look at snowfall. Weve had snowfall recorded in all 50 states since october 1st. And the winter severity index based on temperature, snowfall conditions most of the Severe Weather has been in the east. Its been rough. While heres the february outlook. It looks like at least its going to be milder and warmer along the east coast, gulf coast and into the southwest. Cooler in the Pacific Northwest. Precipitation for february looking wetter around the great lakes, the mid and ohio Mississippi River valleys and wetter out west. We started designing popup cards in our basement. Whats cool is, today, we have 400 people working across the globe. With office 365, we can all stay connected, from vietnam to boston, to new york. Now with whiteboard, we can all Work Together at the same time. And 3d in powerpoint shows clients exactly what our cards look like. Yeah, having everyone working together on the new teams app is really awesome. Seeing all these people react to our cards . Thats what makes it all worth it. Good morning im onement bundle up if youre heading out. The clouds will break for sunshine. Warming to 39 this afternoon in philadelphia. 37 in the suburbs, and new jersey, 39 feeling like low 30s thanks to the cold winds. Theyll be blowing at the shore, as well. High of 38. Middle 30s for the Lehigh Valley. Skies becoming partly sunny. Up to 39 degrees with more and more sunshine this afternoon in delaware. And thats your latest weather, guys. Al thank you so much. Coming up a remarkable story of survival from the deadliest mass shooting in u. S. History. The miracle mom shot in the head in las vegas finally leaving the hospital. Well hear f