NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, January 29. 2024

Episode Date: January 30, 2024

Three U.S. soldiers killed in drone attack in Jordan identified; Israel says U.N. aid workers may have been involved in Hamas attack; Judge denies Alex Murdaugh's request for a new trial; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the three U.S. troops killed in a drone attack in Jordan now identify as the U.S. vows retaliation. The sergeant and two specialists, all from Georgia and reservists, killed at a base near the Syrian border. President Biden blaming Iran-backed militants, saying, quote, we shall respond. And now we're learning this was the third attack on that base in about six months. And was there a mix-up that confused the base's air defenses? Also tonight, Alec Murdoch back in court. The bombshell testimony from a former juror. Will it lead to a new trial?

What the judge just ruled. New details on those 12 U.N. workers accused of being part of the October 7th Hamas terror attack. One, a school counselor and what we're learning about a potential new hostage deal. The battle over the border. Republicans release articles of impeachment against the secretary of homeland security over the surge of migrants as President Biden and former President Trump clash over a possible bipartisan deal in the Senate. Caught on camera, a woman clinging to a moving car in Los Angeles, why she was so desperate to stop that vehicle and what it had to do with her dog. The surveillance video of a statue of Jackie Robinson

sawed and stolen from a Kansas park to hunt for the thieves. And after nearly 90 years, has one of the greatest aviation mysteries of all time been solved? What this image may show. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. And good evening. I'm Tom Yamas, in for Lester. Tonight, the U.S. is promising a strong response after that drone attack said to be from an Iranian-backed militia that killed three American soldiers and injured dozens more on a remote base in Jordan. Those three Americans, you see them right here, lost their lives and they have just been identified. All of them Army reservists from Georgia. The Secretary of State says the response could come in stages and be sustained over time.

Pentagon officials say it was the third drone attack on this base in recent months. But how did it happen? U.S. officials say an American drone was actually returning to the base at the same time, and it's possible air defense systems got confused and didn't recognize it as a threat. This latest attack is a clear escalation in the hostilities U.S. forces have been encountering for months in this region. And it's where we begin tonight with Pentagon correspondent Courtney Kuby. Today, President Biden meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room under pressure to respond after an attack the Pentagon says was launched by Iranian-backed militias in which U.S. soldiers were killed. We've now learned the names of the

three fallen troops. 46-year-old Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, 23-year-old Specialist Brianna Alexandria Moffitt, whose family described her as a very loving person, a very giving person. She loved life. And 24-year-old specialist Kennedy LaDawn Sanders, her mother talking to us tonight. She never expressed any fear. And Tower 22 is nothing that she ever mentioned to us. She was full of life. She enjoyed life to the fullest. You know, she was just a ray of sunshine for anyone that came in contact with her. The soldiers were killed Sunday night at a small outpost in northeastern Jordan known as Tower 22, where about 350 U.S. soldiers and airmen are deployed.

The Pentagon saying a drone packed with explosives hit near a housing area while many troops were asleep. At least 40 troops were injured, including eight who had to be medevaced for further treatment. Tonight, Pentagon officials saying the drone flew in at the same time that a U.S. drone was also landing, possibly confusing the air defense systems. They're also looking at whether its low altitude was a factor. And now U.S. officials are considering whether this could be a new tactic by the militias.

This weekend, President Biden vowing to respond. A major question tonight, will the U.S. strike inside Iran's borders? We will respond. We'll do that on our schedule, in our time. We are not looking for a war with Iran. Iran says it's not behind the deadly strike. The Pentagon says Iranian-backed militias have targeted bases with Americans more than 160 times in recent months. Previous U.S. responses have been limited and not deterred the attacks. Some Republicans calling for a tougher response from President Biden.

I think it's important to go after Iran. The Biden appeasement policy with regard to Iran has not worked. Courtney joins us live tonight from the Pentagon. Courtney, let's go back to your reporting about this possible confusion, right, that may have allowed this enemy drone to strike. Is this something we've seen before? Well, Tom, this is the first time we know of where air defense systems may have been confused by an American drone coming in at the same time as an enemy attack drone. The concern here tonight is this may be a new tactic by these Iranian-backed militias. Tom? Courtney Kuby leading us off tonight. Courtney, we thank you for that. This is also breaking tonight. A South Carolina judge won't give convicted murderer Alec Murdoch

a retrial in the death of his wife and son. It comes after a stunning day of testimony, and a clerk of court nearly jeopardized the case. Sam Brock has the details. After Alec Murdoch's double murder conviction of his wife and younger son less than a year ago, a new ruling tonight, he will not face another trial, though the judge taking issue with the clerk of court's behavior and comments. I find that the clerk of court is not completely credible as a witness. Ms. Hill was attracted by the siren call of celebrity. Did clerk of court Hill's comments have any impact on the verdict of the jury? I find that the answer to this question is no.

This was not going to be the final say-so on the law. That's going to be determined by the appellate courts. The decision coming amidst this split screen of clerk of court Becky Hill a year ago swearing in Murdoch and now defending whether she interfered with justice in this testimony from a juror known as Juror Z. Was your verdict influenced in any way by the communications of the clerk of court in this case? Yes, ma'am. And how was it influenced? To me, it felt like she made it seem like he was already guilty. All right.

And I understand that. That's the tenor of the remark she made. Did that affect your finding of guilty in this case? Yes, ma'am. Juror Z previously writing in an affidavit that Hill told the jury not to be fooled by the defense's case, but that she felt pressure from others on the jury to vote guilty, never mentioning Hill. Of the 11 other jurors, a second recalled Hill saying something before Murdoch's testimony. She made a comment about watch his body language. But all 11 said their

decision was not impacted by any communication from Hill, a point highlighted by the state in closing arguments. Evidence here is overwhelming, I would say, from the people that matter, and that's those juries. Still, some seemingly damning evidence came up about Hill, whose fundamental role is to handle backroom duties, jury logistics, and trial exhibits. Hill testified that she never spoke about Murdoch with any of the jurors and denied all claims made by the defense. At any time did you tell the jury not to be fooled by evidence presented by Mr. Murdoch's attorneys. I did not.

And a friend and fellow clerk of court who was asked about Hill's potential book in future sales and whether it was ever broached before trial. She said we might want to write a book because she needed a lake house and I needed to retire. And then further conversations and a guilty verdict would sell more books. In the end, the judge's decision came down to actual proven prejudice as this layered legal battle continues to take new turns. All right, Sam, after this verdict, what's next for Alec Murdoch? Yeah, Tom, Murdoch's attorneys made it clear they plan on appealing this decision to the state of South Carolina, but they say that they feel vindicated that the facts bear out that Becky Hill did try to influence the outcome.

Tom. OK, Sam, we thank you for that. We want to turn now to those disturbing new allegations about the Hamas terror attack on Israel and the new intelligence alleging U.N. staff were involved. This comes as details emerge of a possible deal to get Hamas hostages in Gaza released. Here's Andrea Mitchell. Tonight, stunning allegations that at least 12 U.N. employees helped carry out the October 7th Hamas terror attacks. Two Israeli intelligence dossiers reviewed by NBC News accusing some staff of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, including an elementary school teacher and a social worker, of kidnapping hostages and procuring weapons for Hamas. One dossier alleging 10 percent of the agency's staff belonged to

Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and linking half of its 12,000 employees to the terror groups. NBC News has not confirmed the allegations. The U.N. fired the accused employees, and the U.S. and others stopped sending money to the agency pending an investigation. Today, I asked Qatar's prime minister about Israel's allegations. It cannot be punished because of the act of some employees as long as they are complying with their... Including kidnapping a woman, according to the allegation? We don't know about the allegation yet, until the investigation comes out yet. Meanwhile, we've learned details about a proposed new hostage deal spy chiefs from the U.S.,

Egypt, Qatar and Israel agreed to this weekend. It calls for a halt in fighting for 60 days, the release of all civilian hostages, women first, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. After a month, Hamas would release women IDF soldiers, then male IDF soldiers, as Israel releases the rest of the Palestinian prisoners, thousands of them. Yesterday was good progress made to get things back in shape and at least to lay a foundation. We don't know and we cannot predict what Hamas' response will be. Also, there are parents of American hostages, including 19-year-old Itay Khan. The hostages cannot be collateral damage. They need to come out. Then you can do whatever you want.

Secretary of State Blinken called it a strong and compelling proposal. Prime Minister Netanyahu's spokesman says nothing's agreed to. Bottom line, Hamas now holds all the cards. Tom. Okay, Andrea. In Washington today, a former IRS contractor who leaked tax records of former President Trump and others was sentenced to five years in prison. When Charles Littlejohn pleaded guilty in October, federal prosecutors said he weaponized his access to taxpayer data to further his own political agenda, believing he was above the law. Now to the battle over the southern border with House Republicans revealing

articles of impeachment against the Homeland Security Secretary, all as a potential border security deal is in jeopardy. Ryan Noble is at the Capitol. Tonight, for the first time in 150 years, a cabinet official is staring down the possibility of impeachment. House Republicans accusing DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of willful and systemic refusal to comply with immigration laws and a breach of public trust. Since President Biden took office, there's been a record 8.6 million migrants crossing the border. Joe Biden has turned every community into a border community with his failed policies. But Democrats blasting the move. The House Republicans have

clearly turned their ever shrinking majority over to the extremists. And this sham impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas is just another sad example. Mayorkas, a key part of the negotiations around a border security package, which Republicans demanded before they'll pass any new funding for Ukraine. Bipartisan senators are working on the border legislation President Biden vowed would help him deal with the crisis, including granting him new emergency authority. If that bill were the law today, I'd shut down the border right now and fix it quickly. If Joe Biden truly wanted to secure the border, he doesn't really need a bill. I did it with the current laws.

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump urging Congress to torpedo the deal for not being tough enough. Please blame it on me, please, because they were getting ready to pass a very bad bill. Among the provisions, it could still allow up to 5,000 migrants per day to cross the border. But Democrats and some Republicans believe Trump wants to kill the bill to boost his presidential prospects. Ryan Nobles joins us live tonight from Capitol Hill. So, Ryan, where do things stand with that proposed border security deal tonight? Well, it could be introduced any day now, Tom. And even if it does pass the Senate, it faces an uncertain future in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson has said the package could be dead on arrival. Tom. All right, Ryan, thank you for that. In 60 seconds, the ban just announced

of a top Russian figure skater who tested positive for doping during the Beijing Olympics. How that news could mean gold for Team USA, we'll explain. And outrage over the theft of a statue of one of America's most beloved sports heroes. The surveillance video next. Welcome back. It's taken nearly two years, but a Russian figure skater has been disqualified from the 2022 Beijing Olympics for doping. Camila Valieva was also banned from competitions for four years. The ruling likely means Russia's gold medal in the team event will be stripped and given to the U.S.

the second place finishers in that Olympics. And in Wichita, Kansas, the hunt is on for vandals who cut down a bronze statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson and took it from the park where it stood as an inspiration. The question tonight, why? Here's Morgan Chesky. It's the crime scene reduced to nothing but a pair of bronze cleats, a brazen theft at a public park that for many in Wichita, Kansas, is personal. I was appalled. And then once I saw the photos, I was angry. Angry over how someone could steal a life-size statue of Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player to play in the major leagues. His tribute unveiled not even three years ago.

I can tell you that we will not stop in our pursuit of the people that stole this from our community. The crime caught on surveillance video early last Thursday. They just cut that beautiful statue off at the feet and loaded it into a pickup truck. Police have since found that very truck. But till NBC News, no sign of the suspects or known motive. The disappearance hitting Wichita's League 42, named in honor of Robinson, especially hard. This was much more than just a statue here. This park is in a place that's surrounded by

low-income community, historically redlined, and a place that is a point of pride for many of us who grew up in Wichita. Pride now pouring in through donations, hoping to replace the $75,000 statue if it's never recovered. I love that the community is behind this and wants to see some restoration to the statue. We're determined to bring that back. We won't allow the folks who committed this crime again, no matter their motivation, to take that away from us. A hero's legacy, standing tall no matter what. Morgan Chesky, NBC News. We hope they get it back. All right, coming up, a health update on Britain's King Charles and Princess Kate,

plus what one dog owner did after thieves stole her French bulldog, the rising rash of dog thefts. That's next. Good news for the royal family tonight. Both King Charles and Princess Kate have been released from the hospital after undergoing procedures. The king was treated last week for an enlarged prostate. Princess Kate, who had abdominal surgery for an undisclosed condition earlier this month, has canceled her public events through Easter. Back here at home to a wild scene caught on camera in Los Angeles,

a woman witnessing her beloved French bulldog being stolen. And that's when she literally leaped into action. Here's Liz Kreutz. It's a shocking video. A woman clinging to the hood of a car as thieves speed off with her one year old French bulldog. I said, this is it. This is how I'm going to die. Ali Zacharias miraculously survived, saying she fell off two blocks later as she watched the dog nappers drive away with little Onyx. We're eating right here. Outside the Whole Foods in downtown Los Angeles, with a terrifying incident unfolded, Zacharias described to us the moments a woman stole him and ran to a getaway car. My only recourse was to stop the car. So I stood in front of the car,

and I put my hands out and I said, stop. I said, do not go. And I didn't think that they'd drive into a human. The next thing I know, they like drove into me and like banged me until I fell on the hood. This all happened right here at this intersection and it's part of a disturbing trend.

These prized French bulldogs snatched from their owners, often then sold on the black market. In 2021, Lady Gaga's two Frenchies were taken after shooting her dog walker. The dogs found after she offered a $500,000 reward for their safe return. And just last November, thieves stole a dozen puppies worth $100,000 from an LA pet store. French Bulldogs, the number one dog breed in America, cost between $3,000 to $9,000, some even more. Were you aware that people often target these dogs when you've got them? Yes, but I never thought it would be me. I never thought that this would be my situation.

Onyx now a statistic, with Zacharias still praying he'll be returned. Liz Kreutz, NBC News, Los Angeles. All right, next up, it's one of the world's greatest enduring mysteries. Has Amelia Earhart's plane finally been found in the Pacific? Stay with us. It's an aviation mystery that's baffled the world for nearly 90 years. And we're about to show you what something could be a new clue that finally reveals what happened to Amelia Earhart. Here's Emily Akeda. She was a pioneering pilot, the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to the mainland U.S., and also the subject of one of the world's greatest mysteries. I hope to accomplish something really scientifically worthwhile for aviation.

Amelia Earhart disappeared trying to circumnavigate the globe in 1937. Earhart and her twin-engine aircraft never to be found, unless this sonar image is the key to changing that. Well, you'd be hard-pressed to convince me that it's anything but an aircraft, for one, and two, that it's not Amelia's aircraft. That's pilot and real estate investor Tony Romeo, who set out on a 100-day deep-sea expedition last year near Howland Island, where Earhart was heading to refuel. Romeo's company, Deep Sea Vision, used multi-million dollar sonar technology to capture this image 16,000 feet down, even deeper than the Titanic.

There's no other known crashes in the area and certainly not of that era and that kind of design with the tail that you see clearly in the image. Underwater archaeologist Dr. Andrew Pietruska isn't convinced yet. It's not the first time that somebody's come forward with some piece of evidence of possibly finding Amelia. But I would certainly want to put eyes on that target and take a closer look. And that's just what Romeo's team plans to do soon, do cameras in a remotely operated vehicle. Why can't a group of unknowns go out and solve aviation's greatest mystery? If there's something that inspires you, go do it.

Just as the barrier-breaking flyer did herself. Emily Ikeda, NBC News. The mystery continues for now. That's nightly news for this Monday. Thank you so much for watching. I'm Tom Yamas in New York. Have a great day.