NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Friday, March 15, 2024

Episode Date: March 16, 2024

Special prosecutor resigns in Trump Georgia election case; at least 3 deaths as tornadoes hit 9 states; relief ship finally arrives in Gaza; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the lead prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump resigning after the judge's ultimatum. The judge saying either Fulton County DA Fonny Willis or lead prosecutor Nathan Wade had to step aside over their past romantic relationship. Hours later, Wade resigning. The judge saying Willis made a tremendous lapse in judgment. What it means for the case, and now word another of Mr. Trump's trials, is delayed. And just in, Mr. Trump's former vice president refusing to endorse him, what Mike Pence said today about his former boss.

Also tonight, the deadly tornado outbreak across eight states. At least three are dead. Major damage to homes and businesses. We're in the storm zone. A terrifying shooting on a New York subway. The fight that led to it and why the DA says the shooter won't face charges. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu defying the U.S. and approving plans for a Rafah invasion as the first Gaza aid ship arrives.

That mid-air plunge in a South American airliner, was it caused by a mishap in the cockpit? The landmark settlement with the nation's realtors, how it could drive down the cost of buying or selling a home. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome, everyone. There are major developments in two of Donald Trump's criminal cases tonight, including one that had been scheduled to go to trial this month. But late today, the judge in Mr. Trump's Manhattan hush money case, granting a month long delay just 10 days before the start of jury selection.

The defense being provided the additional time to review newly provided documents. And from Atlanta tonight, the special prosecutor leading the Georgia election interference case against Mr. Trump is out. Nathan Wade, who had been in a romantic relationship with Fulton County D.A., Fonny Willis, submitted his resignation this afternoon, just hours after a judge gave Willis an ultimatum while denying a defense motion to disqualify her office from the case. We'll go to Georgia in a few moments. But first, Laura Jarrett has more on this latest delay in the Trump prosecutions. What did the judge say? Lester, the judge has significant questions about a massive trove of documents. The former president's legal team only just received and has decided to push the trial date back. Instead of the trial date beginning in just 10 days, the judge now says it won't happen before mid-April at the earliest,

and he will hold a hearing first. The documents are related to Michael Cohen, who prosecutors say made the hush money payment before the 2016 election that is at the center of this case, Lester. All right, Laura, let me ask you to stand by while we turn to Georgia again. It was a high profile shakeup in a high stakes case against Donald Trump over election interference. Blaine Alexander is there. And Blaine, this is another case that has been slow to move forward. Absolutely, Lester. These were bombshell allegations that delayed this case here in Georgia for more than two months. Now, tonight, a judge has ruled that D.A. Fannie Willis can remain on the case, but without her lead prosecutor. He was front and center when Fannie Willis announced her criminal indictment of Donald

Trump. But tonight, Nathan Wade, the man leading the prosecution against the former president for allegedly trying to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results, has resigned. The culmination of a months-long spectacle after one of Trump's co-defendants, Michael Roman, exposed a romantic relationship between Wade and Fulton County D.A. Fannie Willis, who hired Wade on the case. Roman accused Willis of financially benefiting from her relationship with Wade after the two went on vacations together while working the case. In a ruling today, Judge Scott McAfee said while he did not find an actual conflict of interest in the case, he did find a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team and gave Willis an ultimatum. Either she

and her office leave the case or Wade. In a letter, Wade writes today he's resigning to move this case forward as quickly as possible. For Willis, today's ruling is a legal victory but a professional blow following this stunning two-hour testimony. It is a lie. It is a lie. Judge Scott McAfee scolding what he called her unprofessional manner on the stand. And while not dismissing the case outright, as the defense had asked, McAfee takes Willis to task over, quote, this tremendous lapse in judgment. Tonight, Trump's attorney, Steve Sado, says he will use all legal options available as we continue to fight to end this case.

Also tonight, Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence tells Fox News he will not endorse Trump, in part because of his actions on January 6th. Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. And that's why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign. Yet another political headwind for a candidate already facing several legal ones. Blaine Alexander, NBC News, Atlanta. And Laura Jarrett back with me. Laura, we know the Manhattan case is delayed. We talked about that. But what's the story in Georgia? Where does that move forward

from here? Well, Lester, this case was already unlikely to happen before the election. And after this two month detour over the prosecution team, the chance is now even more remote. The D.A. now has to figure out a new lead prosecutor. Plus, the judge still hasn't resolved Mr. Trump's claims of presidential immunity. And that's also a key issue that could wipe out the federal charges. Yes, exactly. Especially the special counsel's election interference case. That will be before the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve. A decision could come as late as June, putting any trial before the November election again in jeopardy. And the case in Florida over classified documents, the judge there still hasn't set a trial date, Lester. All right, Laura Jarrett, thank you. Scenes of destruction today after tornadoes ripped through

parts of at least nine states, killing at least three people. The severe weather coming early and the worst of the year so far. Shaquille Brewster now with late details. Tonight, a violent start to tornado season, toppling buildings while tearing others apart. Tornadoes ripping through nine states, flipping boats and smashing brick walls, including in Ohio, where the Logan County Sheriff says at least three people were killed. The damage is very, very significant and it's quite extensive.

Search crews spent the day scouring collapsed buildings, traversing down power lines and bringing in cadaver dogs to search for victims. Many places back there that are collapsed, we need to go back with heavy equipment to move those to make sure that there's anybody injured back there or possibly deceased. Susan Young was trapped inside this home in Lakeview, Ohio, yelling for help as the storm barreled through. It just took a roof and then just blew me down the hall. You saw your roof fly off. Yeah. What did you think when you saw that? Help. I didn't know if I'd make it. Her entire block

devastated, the result of the most active severe weather day of the year so far. More than 300 storms reported nationwide Thursday. We have houses leveled to the ground here. In neighboring Indiana, search and rescue teams are on the ground. Jesse Kirsch is there. Here in Winchester, Indiana, one hospital says it's treated more than two dozen people for injuries, including broken bones. Some businesses and homes here, devastated. In Missouri, hail smashed through windshields and battered homes.

Experts say the warming climate is leading to more frequent tornadoes happening earlier in the year and further north than usual. On a day many lost everything, Susan tells me it could have been worse. Really glad to be alive. It was scary. Shaquille, do authorities feel like they've accounted for all the missing? Lester, the county sheriff tells us tonight that the search and rescue mission is complete and everyone in the path of this tornado has now been accounted for.

And while the governor said that this will be a long recovery road ahead, he says that despite the displaced homes and the businesses that have been destroyed, he vows this community will be back. Lester. All right, Shaquille Brewster tonight. Thank you. In New York, scary moments when a man opened fire on a subway during the Thursday evening rush hour commute. Another man gravely wounded, but the D.A. saying the shooter will not face charges because he was acting in self-defense. Here's Erin McLaughlin. Let me out. Let melin. Terrified commuters run for safety as shots are fired on the subway in Brooklyn. In the video filmed by a passenger, you see two men

in a fistfight, one dressed in black, the other wearing a yellow shirt. The confrontation escalates. A woman rushes in, repeatedly stabbing the man in black, who eventually pulls a gun. The man in yellow somehow gets a hold of the weapon. Police say they believe he was acting in self-defense. The man in black is now in critical condition. FBI data shows that nationwide violent crime has been dropping since the spike in 2020. But here in New York City, transit crime is up 13 percent year to date. The real victim is the people on that train

because they have their ability to live their lives in New York depends on feeling safe going into public space, including subways. Just a week ago, the governor deployed the National Guard to secure the city's subway system. You have to have patrols out there randomly. You got to be on the platforms. You have to be on the trains. You have to have a presence in that system. That's why multiple cities are taking steps to crack down. Philadelphia, which just saw a rash of violence on city buses, is focusing on making public transportation safer, while Washington, D.C. will target fare evasion starting Monday, hoping to prevent nightmare scenarios like this.

Erin McLaughlin, NBC News, New York. Let's turn now to the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approving plans for a ground defensive against Hamas in Rafah, and it comes as a long-awaited aid ship has just arrived in Gaza. Richard Engel has been following it for us. Crews in Gaza tonight are finally unloading this desperately needed food and humanitarian aid off a barge that took three days to be towed from Cyprus. Earlier, Palestinians waited as the most difficult moment approached, docking in the rough seas.

The shipment was not sent by a government, but Chef Jose Andres' charity, World Central Kitchen, which refused to wait for a ceasefire or take no for an answer. The group arranged for local truck drivers to gather pieces of destroyed buildings and rubble to create a jetty for the barge. But the relief may be short-lived. Today, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu approved plans for an invasion of the city of Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians are taking shelter. Israel says Hamas is hiding among the civilians. President Biden has called a military operation against Rafa a red line.

And today, in another sign of growing tensions with the prime minister, the president praised a speech on Thursday by the Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, calling Netanyahu an obstacle for peace. He made a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans. Israel is downplaying tonight hopes of a breakthrough after Hamas presented a new proposal to free some of its hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. But Israel is nonetheless sending negotiators. Lester. Richard Engel, thank you. Also tonight, what could be a game changer in the way we buy and sell homes, a landmark settlement that will lower realtor commissions and could potentially lower home prices.

CNBC's senior real estate correspondent Diana Olick explains. DC area real estate agent Dana Rice. They can keep the contract in play. Could be about to see her entire business change, but she says she welcomes it. I think it's a benefit to both buyers and sellers. The change is coming because today, the National Association of Realtors, the largest trade group in the nation, agreed to pay $418 million to settle class action lawsuits over broker commissions. As part of the settlement, they admit to no wrongdoing.

This is hitting the reset button on the housing market, and this is great for Americans, and this is great for homeowners. The lawsuit argued that the NAR violated antitrust laws in the way commissions for home sales were set and split between the selling and buying agents. The settlement means buyers and sellers could soon be able to negotiate the fees to agents up front. The norm had been 5 to 6 percent commissions. The NAR says commissions have always been negotiable and that it has always been our goal to preserve consumer choice and protect our members to the greatest extent possible. This settlement achieves both of those goals. But without the standard 6% commission, competition among agents will likely increase and buyers may choose not to use agents at all. That's a concern for Rice. My fear is that in looking at the fee structure and what it costs, people will think, well,

how hard could this be? I don't need representation. You're walking in, you've never purchased a house before and the seller has sold 10. Housing prices were pushed to a record high during the pandemic. But if commissions start to drop from competition, that could drive down the cost of a home. Lester. Diana Olick, thank you. In 60 seconds, was it a mishap on a seat in the cockpit that led a passenger plane to make a terrifying midair plunge? The new reporting on this story right after this. We're back now with a terrifying midair plunge aboard a South American airliner on Sunday that injured dozens of passengers and crew members. Tom Costello is with us. Thomas, this may have been a mishap in the cockpit. Yeah, that's one theory. Tonight, Boeing is telling airlines to

fly the 787 to check the switches that control the pilot's seats because they could get stuck. The Wall Street Journal reports investigators believe a flight attendant delivering a meal to the pilot may have accidentally hit a switch that moves the pilot's seat forward. That could have pushed the pilot into his controls, forcing the nose of a plane down and sending passengers flying. More than 50 injured, some with broken bones. In a statement, Boeing says, We are recommending operators, airlines, perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity. This could contradict what one passenger told us, that the pilot complained his flight computer screens went suddenly dark.

Importantly, investigators have not reached a final conclusion about what caused this plane to do a nosedive over the ocean, Lester. And Tom, there was another incident today where a plane landed with a missing panel beneath the aircraft. What can you tell us? Yeah, this is late breaking. It was a United flight from San Francisco to Medford, Oregon. A 25-year-old Boeing 737 landed, apparently missing a piece of panel on the bottom of the plane. No injuries.

The United tells us it and the FAA are investigating. stranded apparently missing a piece of panel on the bottom of the plane no injuries the united tells us it and the faa are investigating all right tom thanks very much we'll take a break up next a new class of weight loss drugs are showing promise if you can get them the rising american divide next we've all heard about the effectiveness of those new weight loss drugs, but it turns out that some who need them most are finding them most hard to get. Here's Stephanie Gosk. One seventy point six.

There are plenty of testimonials touting the new class of weight loss medications. It works. What is less common, the stories of people who can't get it. Are there people out there who desperately need this medication and don't have access to it? Absolutely. Our Medicare and Medicaid populations are some of the most at risk, and they do not have access. Dr. Lori DiMatteo works at a weight loss clinic outside of Oklahoma City. So we've talked about healthy living. Are you back

there? I have been. One of her patients is 67-year-old grandmother Susan Beam. I have hypertension, which is, I think, directly related to the extra weight. I've had to have hip replacements and rheumatoid arthritis and sleep apnea. If you could, if you could snap your fingers right now and lose the weight, how many pounds would you like to lose? Would you hope to lose? I would hope to lose about 120 to 130 pounds, which is basically like another person. Beam's Medicare coverage will not cover the new class of drugs that the FDA has approved for weight loss. She hopes Congress will pass legislation to change that.

Well, I think it's extremely urgent. I don't know at what point it will impact my health, even to the point of death. Oklahoma has the third highest obesity rate in the country. But according to healthcare analytics company Purple Lab, the state ranks 27th in rate of prescriptions written for Ozempic and Wegovy. And the price of those drugs is high, roughly $1,000 a month. Many health plans don't cover the cost. Getting insurance coverage is a constant headache for Dr. D'Amatia. So difficult that we hired someone who specifically deals with just prior authorizations for the medications. That's their only job? That is their only job. Purple Lab's data also shows that while

Black people in the U.S. account for 32 percent of obesity cases, they are only getting 12.5 percent of Ozempic and Wagovi prescriptions. I hope that people have enough grace to, you know, understand that this is bigger than just willpower. Liz Shoemate is another of Dr. Damadia's patients. I don't think the goal for me is perfection, but it's to be in good health. She's hoping to get the newly FDA-approved ZepBound at a discount. But even discounted, that's $550 a month and still a stretch out of pocket. Obesity is a disease. These patients that have this disease are humans and they need treatment. And there's treatment out there that works.

There's a very effective treatment that works and we're really struggling to get it to the people who need it the most. Being part of what doctors call a weight loss revolution, often comes at too high a price. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Norman, Oklahoma. And that is nightly news for this Friday. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.