Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, September 20, 2024

Episode Date: September 21, 2024

Tonight's Top Story has the latest breaking news, political headlines, news from overseas and the best NBC News reporting from across the country and around the world.

Breaking tonight, a South Carolina man executed just 48 hours after a key witness in the murder case confessed to lying on the stand. 46-year-old Freddie Owens put to death for the killing of a convenience store clerk back in 1997. The U.S. Supreme Court denying his plea to weigh in and the state's governor rejecting his request to grant him clemency after a co-defendant said he lied when Owens, when he told police that Owens was there. The outrage over the capital punishment, which would mark the first execution in the state in more than a decade. Also breaking tonight, bombing Beirut. Israel striking Lebanon's capital taking out top Hezbollah officials, including a commander wanted by the U.S. The blast ripping a building apart, leaving dozens injured. Ambulance is seen rushing through the streets. The attack signaling the latest escalation following cross-border rocket attacks and the explosions from communication devices. Sheriff shooting mystery motive, a Kentucky community reeling after a sheriff allegedly shot and killed a judge in his own chambers.

What were learning about an argument between the two moments before, shots rang out. Herod's billionaire abuse. The disturbing allegations against Muhammad al-Faed, the former owner of London's iconic department store, whose son died in a car crash with Princess Diana. Dozens of former employees coming forward alleging decades of sexual abuse, calling him a monster. and a predator. What we know about the accusations just coming to light. Early voting starts, the sprint to election day kicking into high gear, three states beginning in person and mail-in voting, the new decision over ballots in Georgia that could delay their results, and the unexpected moment from Vice President Kamala Harris, what she said about being a gun owner that's catching a lot

of attention. Fake pandas, a China zoo trying to pull a fast one painting dogs black and white to look like pandas, how the zoo was caught red-handed, leaving visitors outraged. And solar energy suitcase, Minnesota middle schoolers packing up a new project to bring electricity to students in East Africa. Their classroom exercise generating a life lesson, lighting up the lives of kids just like them. And if you forget your driver's license at home, your phone might be able to save you the hassle. The new Apple Wallet feature being tested out. Top story starts right now. Good evening. I'm Ellison Barber in for Tom Yamis. Breaking tonight, the South Carolina man who was set to be executed at 6 p.m., according to the Associated Press, has now been executed.

His execution about 48 hours after a key witness in the murder case confessed to lying on the stand. 46-year-old Freddie Owen sentenced to death for the killing of a convenience store clerk back in 19, 1997. South Carolina's governor announced late this evening that he will not, he would not rather grant clemency, the U.S. Supreme Court. They denied a last-ditch effort asking justices to weigh in and to issue and approve, rather, in application for stay of the execution. They did not do that. Justice Sotomayor said she would have granted it, but the court itself did not. We are now learning just within the last five minutes here that according to the Associated Press, Freddie Owens has now been executed. The clerk in this case who was killed back in the 90s, Irene Graves,

she was fatally shot in the head when she couldn't get a safe open during a robbery at a speedway. You're seeing some of the video there. There was video at the time, but it was grainy. Ultimately, a co-defendant who had testified in the case made a bombshell announcement just this week saying that back then he struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid capital punishment and actually lied in his testimony, adding that Owens did not shoot the clerk. and that despite what he'd said at the time, Owens wasn't even there, a state Supreme Court just yesterday rejecting the defense's emergency motion to postpone, saying it wasn't compelling enough information. This execution tonight, it marks South Carolina's first one in more than a

decade. Protesters who have been outraged over the decision to move ahead with the execution, despite that new evidence, that claim from the co-defendant, they've been lining up outside of the facility where the execution was expected to take place throughout the day. When we reached out to the victim's son earlier, he told NBC News this, quote, I'm just ready to close this chapter on this part of our lives and hopefully start getting our lives back together and moving on. He was a freshman in college when his mother was taken from him. So for more on the legal process that brought us here, let's bring an NBC News legal analyst Danny Savalos. Danny, let's just start with what we know right now. Really in the last 30, 40 minutes, it feels like just a flurry of information.

You had the Supreme Court saying, okay, we're not going to essentially weigh in here. We're denying the application, the request for a stay. Though it appears, Justice Sotomayor didn't agree with that decision, wasn't in the majority. That's off the table. Then you have the governor of this state, Governor McMaster, saying, I won't grant clemency. I've reviewed this. I've made this decision. And then minutes later, the state moving ahead with it. Does it surprise you that there wasn't a pause here? No. You see a lot of these last-minute reprieves in movies and TV shows, but they don't really happen all that often in real life. And even the defendant's appeal to the Supreme Court, it's not technically an appeal, but his request to the Supreme Court wasn't even based on the affidavit executed by his co-defendant Golden. In fact, for procedural reasons, he couldn't really raise that before the Supreme Court. Instead, his argument was, hey, I don't, there's an issue with disclosure of information about the means and method of execution. So he had a lot of, lot of irons in the fire trying to challenge this last minute his execution. But unfortunately for these defendants, it's often a long shot at best. Very rarely granted these requests.

We saw all of these local courts as well, obviously, in the lead up to it being at the Supreme Court, rejecting those requests. As I understand back when this story happened and Irene Graves was killed on Halloween night in this, what appeared to be a robbery gone bad, police at the time had released that surveillance video we were showing earlier where you see two men going into the store and robbing her, but you can't really see their faces. It was grainy. As I understand it, the only reason why they looked at Freddie Owens at the time was because that co-defendant, Stephen Golden, I believe was his name, said, I didn't do it alone. This is who the other guy was with me. And at the time, Freddie Owen said, I wasn't there. I was at home in bed. Would they go back

and look at all of those statements as they're considering this in the lower courts? Or is everything just predicated on the latest, newest piece of evidence being that co-defendant now saying, oh, sorry, actually, I lied. Well, there are a number of things here that are actually pretty common. In this case, there was no real forensic evidence. This was essentially a co-defendant implicating the other defendant, Owens. And you're absolutely right. He did so, apparently, for beneficial treatment. That also happens all the time. Co-defendants get benefits, get deals with prosecutors to say that their co-defendant committed the crime. THAT happens all the time.

Here's something that happens more often than you think. Affidavits, years later, recanting by those witnesses, it actually does happen. Sometimes they're in prison, and they sell it, they say, hey, I'll come in and testify, give me $500 or send it to my mother. This kind of stuff happens more often than you think. So when this news emerged that there's this affidavit from one of the code event and saying, he didn't do it, he's innocent,

I realize that that sounds so compelling, but in reality, But in reality, the courts have seen that kind of evidence before. And they don't always say that that warrants vacating a conviction or even staying in execution. It is surprising to me in some ways that court systems in the United States are still willing to not only convict and send someone to death for a crime, but also uphold it years later based on what appears to be from an outside perspective hearsay. I mean, when we're talking about Freddie Owens, later he, I don't not believe he was convicted of this, but according to police in that state, he did kill a cellmate later on. So there are other issues here. But in terms of the one case at hand, it seems surprising to me that they were able to go death penalty just because one guy said, oh, I did it and he did too. Frequently, it is the case that there isn't forensic evidence tying someone to a crime. Now in modern times, we do often have video in a way that we just didn't even 10 years ago. I was actually astounded. There was even video from a killing this far back from a crime back then.

Usually you don't get video. And they called it grainy, but for the era, that wasn't actually all that bad. So, yes, frequently a conviction is sustained based on the testimony of a co-defendant or an eyewitness. That's why prosecutors love cooperating witnesses. That's why they love approaching people they think are guilty of a crime and saying, hey, if you testify against the other guy, we'll give you leniency. And yes, juries like that kind of evidence. They will accept that a co-defendant has his own flaws, and they will find him credible in spite of the fact that he, too, is a criminal who is usually pleaded guilty. So, yes, we have many convictions and many people sitting in prison because of maybe just what one person said that they did. When you look at the death penalty in its use in the state of South Carolina, this is the first time an execution has been carried out in about 13 years. There were some back-and-forth disputes with the government and concerns or questions about identifying who was going to supply the medications used for lethal injection.

That obviously got sorted out. But now there are other people who are still on death row, given that this has happened, and it's the first one in 13 years, the governor choosing not to grant clemency. What does that likely tell you about what we should expect for the other people on death row in that state? Is it back in South Carolina? Yes. Last minute request for clemency. no one should expect those realistic chances. It's a one-in-a-million shot. And on appeal in general, even if it's on the means and method of execution, long shots. Once you're convicted,

the burden is so steep, very few defendants can ever meet it. All right. Danny Savalos, thank you so much. We appreciate you being with us for that breaking news. We're going to turn overseas now and go to the Middle East. Our other major headline, Israel bombing Beirut, saying it killed a top Hezbollah official in a targeted strike on the Lebanese capital. This after Hezbollah launched rockets across the border following attacks on their communication devices. NBC News, Chief International correspondent Kierce Simmons, is there. The bomb that hit Beirut today, assassinating high-ranking Hezbollah command, as Israel says, blew the walls from the front of a building, killing at least 14 and injuring 66, according to state media.

This is the impact of a single Israeli strike, as Lebanon lives with the threat of all. out war. President Biden insisting today, peace is still possible. A lot of things don't look realistic until we get them done. We have to keep at it. Israel says its air raid killed a shadowy Hezbollah commander, Ibrahim Akeel, this picture of him from decades ago. The U.S. accused him of involvement in two 1983 deadly bombings in Beirut, the U.S. Embassy and the Marine Corps barracks. His life ended today by an Israeli jet over the same city. Our goals are clear.

Our actions speak for themselves, Prime Minister Netanyahu posted. After a week that saw pages and walkie-talkies explode in the hands of Hezbollah operatives, the dead and injured, including children. It's a nightmare. We met this eye surgeon rushing between hospitals. It kills me. I mean, if you're going to go down and talk to the parents and tell them, well, sorry, you couldn't save any of your, of your kids.

kids' eyes. Hezbollah returning fire today, launching Katusha rockets over the border, after an Israeli bombardment overnight. Israel's defense minister tonight vowing, we will continue operating against Hezbollah until we achieve our mission, ensuring the safe return of Israel's northern communities to their homes. Tonight, more war seems inevitable. And Keir Simmons joined us now from Beir, you were actually there today when the strike happened, right? Walk us through what you saw, what you heard. That's right, Alison. Well, we heard the jet overhead here in Beirut, that Israeli jet, and then just minutes later, the pictures of destruction, honestly, on the screen, on the TV screens, the bombing happened just across Beirut there in Hezbollah, strong

the place where Hezbollah has a lot of support and in a very residential area, Ellison. And this, as you can see from those pictures, was a substantial munition. This is not what de-escalation looks like. Is there any sort of glimmer of where there could maybe be a ramp for some sort of de-escalation, even though, as you're reporting, we're clearly not seeing it right now. Is there any will, either from the Hezbollah or the Israelis, to say, okay, let's not further this, let's not escalate more? Yeah, not from what they're saying. I mean, what the Israelis are saying, you heard at the end of my piece there, is that they will not back down until tens of thousands of Israeli citizens can go back to their homes along the border.

There are also Lebanese who can't go to their homes along the border. Hezbollah is saying, well, we are not going to back down until there is a change in the situation in Gaza. So the simple question is no. And what the Israelis clearly appear to be attempting to achieve is to put enough pressure on Hezbollah that they do concede. Now, whether or not Hezbollah will do that, I mean, I think that really depends on the leadership, but also on Iran. But when you think about it, tactically, they can just maintain this position, if you like, take the blows. And there have been serious blows against Hezbollah this week and wait to see what the Israelis do. And just practically, if you're trying to get your citizens back into homes in a particular area, it's hard to know how you do that without ground forces.

That's what worries the international community that you're going to see a ground engagement far more substantial than our time. artillery and air power at some point. Here Simmons in Beirut. Thank you. Moving to politics now in the 2024 presidential race. Vice President Kamala Harris attacking former President Donald Trump on abortion rights. This as election officials in Georgia make a controversial change. NBC News senior White House correspondent Gabe Gutierrez has this report. Tonight, in-person early voting is already underway in three states, Virginia, South Dakota,

Minnesota. This is the most consequential vote in my lifetime. And now a new controversy over how ballots will be counted in Battleground Georgia. The state's GOP-led election board voted to require counties to hand count all ballots cast on Election Day. A move critics say could delay the reporting of results. So what are we trying to do here? We're trying to sew chaos. Even though Georgia's Republican Attorney General says the election board may be overstepping its authority, Republican supporters say hand-counting is important for election integrity. Allowing our election officials to have as much data as possible to make their decisions should ensure that they will certifies.

Vice President Harris traveling to Battleground, Georgia, highlighting abortion rights. This is a health care crisis, and Donald Trump is the architect of this crisis. Last night at a star-studded virtual rally hosted by Oprah Winfrey, relatives of a 28-year-old pregnant woman, Amber Thurman, blamed her. death two years ago on delays in her care because of Georgia's restrictive abortion laws. I want you all to know Amber was not a statistic. Meanwhile, former President Trump arguing he should be getting more of the Jewish vote. If Kamala Harris wins instead of the most pro-Israel president ever, you will have the most anti-Israel

president by far. Saying the Jewish community would be partly to blame if he's defeated. If I don't win this election and the Jewish Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens. Both presidential campaigns now ramping up outreach to younger voters. Here in Battleground, Wisconsin, first-time voter Bradley Galvin tells us he thinks Trump will improve the economy. I feel like he was one of the first politicians that kind of just says what he wants and doesn't try to pretend someone he's not.

While Harris supporter, fourth-year med student Caitlin Landry, who wants to be an OBGYN, says abortion rights are critical. I am super excited about having someone who has a female perspective, a perspective of someone who is a minority. I think that's something that we need. And Gabe joins us now from the Harris rally in Madison, Wisconsin. Gabe, what's the significance of Harris campaigning in Wisconsin this evening? Hi there, Allison. Well, it's obviously a very critical state. The new polls show that it is a dead heat in Wisconsin, part of Kamala.

Harris is so-called blue wall. Look, Democrats really want to make a push to get younger voters out here, like we mentioned in the piece. And for Kamala Harris, rallying supporters here, this could be made or break for her in this race, Ellis. And Dave, while we have you, I know that you're getting some new reporting information related to the assassination attempt on former President Trump back in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. What can you tell us about that? and the Secret Service released a report today looking at some of what the acting Secret Service director called the failures of that assassination attempt back in July. And the Secret Service now saying that it did not communicate with local police, and that local police was responsible for securing that roof where the gunman was eventually taken down. But the problem, there were many problems among them, that local police didn't communicate with the Secret Service.

one of the local agencies, which was not identified in the report, they actually asked for help from a different police agency. But the acting Secret Service director did say that while there has been an increased tempo in the requirements of Secret Service over the past a couple of months that at no time did the Secret Service deny any security requests from the Trump campaign. Allison? Gabe Gutierrez, thank you. Next tonight, to the fallout from that bombshell report about the Republican gubernatorial candidate from North Carolina. Carolina. Mark Robinson and disturbing comments posted on a porn forum, allegedly. Robinson denying those claims and remaining in the race after the deadline to drop out past last night.

NBC News correspondent Antonia Hilton joins us now from Raleigh, North Carolina with more. Antonio, bring us up to speed here. This deadline, it came and went last night for Robinson to drop out of the race. Presumably, he is staying on the ballot, can't change it even if he wanted to down the road. what realistically happens next here? Well, Ellison, that deadline was 11.59 p.m. last night. So the window has really closed here for any Republican in the state of North Carolina who is hoping that they could replace Robinson with someone else. That's really not an option.

He is staying in this race. His own team has consistently said so over the last 24 or so hours. So the question really now on the minds of a lot of the political operatives on both sides of the aisle here is, well, what impact does this have on the Republican ticket? For Democrats who are celebrating this, frankly, and are looking forward to really tying Robinson to every Republican up and down the ballot, you know, they see this as a win for them.

But for the Republicans, it is going to be more complicated. They have released statements technically standing behind Robinson, but often in these statements, including one from the Trump campaign, they don't even use Robinson's name at all. And so you're seeing this sort of effort to sort of stay in, but also try to keep him away from the rest as they look at the fallout and a state that has a lot of independent voters who may be turned off by this kind of scandal. You can tell there's some concern, Alison. Yeah, talk to us more about that, Antonio, because you have such a long

history of reporting in that state and speaking with voters. I mean, dating back to well before this election cycle, what are you hearing from voters, be they Democrats, Republicans, or independence? Well, I can tell you, Democrats say that, well, this is what we expected. We've been trying to tell our friends, our neighbors, that this is who Mark Robinson is all along. And that's because he has a history of inflammatory remarks before this CNN report ever came out. For example, at one point referencing the Holocaust as hogwash, kind of casting doubt on some of the facts of that tragedy. And then other really incendiary remarks about women and their reproductive rights or LGBTQ people for

moderates and independence. And this is a state that has always had a very, very, you know, large population of independence. People who are pretty proud about, you know, split-ticket voting or changing their party and really paying attention to policy, this is not what those kinds of voters want to hear or have thrown at them in the midst of an election. And so I think that's the major concern here. But if you are a Democrat or a strategist working with the Harris campaign, those are the people you're going after right now because you're going to try to bring them into the fold as they try to turn this state blue and do something that over the last several cycles, Democrats have, frankly, failed to do, Ellison.

Antonio Hilton, reporting in North Carolina. Thank you. Now to the Kentucky sheriff behind bars for allegedly shooting a judge in his own chambers after an argument. The motive still unclear. NBC's Adrian brought us as the latest. A sheriff who vowed to protect and serve now on the other side of the law. Police say Sheriff Sean Mickey Steins shot in case. killed Judge Kevin Mullins in his chamber Thursday.

Investigators are searching for a motive. We know that it was an argument between the two that led up, but what exactly transpired prior to the shots been fired. Still things that we're trying to get answers to. The 54-year-old judge served for over a decade on the bench. In a word, patient is what he was, and compassionate. Attorney Seth Combs is a longtime colleague of the judge. Big loss in a lot of ways.

Honestly, just trying to accept that it's real. According to court documents, Sheriff Steins is listed as a defendant and a 22 lawsuit where one of his deputies is accused of sexually abusing a woman in Judge Mullins' chambers. The lawsuit alleges Steins failed to, quote, adequately train and supervise the deputy. Meanwhile, the sheriff turned suspect is behind bars tonight, leaving the tight-knit community stunned. My heart goes out to the family, both of them. But this is shocking, really. And Adrian brought us, joins us now from Kentucky. Adrian, when do we expect to see the sheriff in court?

And in terms of charges, what exactly is he facing? Alison, Sheriff Stein is facing first-degree murder charges. As of right now, he has not retained an attorney. A special prosecutor will handle this case. Commonwealth's attorney here in Letcher County told us over the phone today, he has recused himself from the case, citing that he and Judge Mullins married sisters. Ellison? Adrian brought us.

Thank you. Still ahead tonight, the disturbing allegations against the former owner of the iconic London department store, Herods. Dozens of women accusing Mohamed Al-Fayad of abuse saying he used his power and his wealth to torment young female employees. You'll hear directly from one of those women. Plus, if you are afraid of needles, the new flu vaccine just approved for home use that could help you avoid getting the shot. And the state that just approved adding your driver's license to your Apple Wallet.

Stay with us. Now to the unsettling new allegations against Muhammad Alfaya, the former owner of the iconic London Department store, He's also the father of Dodi Al-Fayyad, who was killed in a car crash with Princess Diana. At least 37 women, many of them former employees, accusing the late billionaire of sexual abuse. NBC's Danielle Hammamjan sat down with one of those former staffers, and we do want to warn viewers. Many of these details are disturbing. The Egyptian billionaire businessman Mohamed El-Fayyad is known around the world. as the man who tried to play matchmaker for Princess Diana.

May I present my son, Dolly? Your Honest. The ill-fated courtship fictionalized in the last season of the Crown. But who the public saw as a mogul, many of his female staff at the iconic Herod store in London, saw as a monster. Alfayat, who died last year, is accused by his alleged victims of being a serial predator

who abused his power to torment young women. Among them was Sophia Stone, who was hired at age 19, hoping to become a buyer, only to suddenly be promoted to his personal assistant. I was sitting on the sofa and he came across the room. This is what happened the first of many times, Sophia says, Alphiad tried to rape her. You know, and he forced me back and it was trying to kiss me and put his hands up my skirt and feel my boobs. pushed me down and I was, I went crazy and was like kicking him off, get off, get off, get off, kicked him and and yeah, and he sort of fell back and just was like ha ha ha laughing, like making a joke out of it like it was a bit of fun for him and I was just terrified.

Sophia is one of 37 women whose lawyers say are planning to bring a case against Harrods now under different ownership. In a statement, the company said in person, part, we are utterly appalled by the allegations of abuse perpetrated by Mohammed Elfayyad. These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power wherever he operated, and we condemn them in the strongest terms. We also acknowledge that during this time his victims were failed, and for this we sincerely apologize. It has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal

proceedings for the women involved. The process is still available for any current or former Harrod's employees. This is one of the worst cases of corporate sexual exploitation that certainly I and perhaps the world has ever seen. Acting as a consultant for the UK lawyers. Mohammed Al-Fayed sex trafficked some of these victims from place to place. Famed American attorney Gloria Allred. I just felt that I should say yes to supporting the victims. There's so many of them, and they've been damaged so deeply and held the secret within them for years.

Among the allegations, lawyers say the women were forced to undergo invasive medical tests and were checked for sexually transmitted diseases. The women would arrive for their medical examination, none the wiser. expecting this to be an examination to perhaps check their weight, their blood pressure or their height. They would then be told, but actually, the examination would involve a full internal screening, including a full cervical smear, sometimes having their ovaries checked, and a full sexual health screening. The lawyers also say the women were followed by Al-Fayed's security team and their phones bugged, With her husband by her side, Sophia explains why it was so hard to leave during her three years at Herod's.

He had so much control. He had so much power. I thought that, I don't know, I'd be followed. I didn't know. I was scared. I also had, you know, I had to live. I had to pay rent. I had to survive. I was on my own. I didn't feel like I could talk to anyone about this. I was going through this as a sort of hell. Plus I feel like some part of me, he's like he kind of brainwashed me to start with. I felt like I had this, I hated him, but I also thought he was like. It's okay. I hated him. But I sort of cared for it. So mixed up.

He betrayed you, Don't. I was scared. And you weren't allowed to talk to. any other female, did you know at the time other women were going through this? I guessed, I guessed. And we couldn't talk, no one could talk, no one spoke to each other. That secrecy wasn't just among colleagues. It was also among American sisters, twins, working at Harrods over the holiday period decades ago.

One of the sisters speaking to NBC News on condition of anonymity. He basically like, like, kind of grabbed over to kiss me. And at this point, my sister and I have not spoken to each other about anything that had been happening to us leading up to this. May I ask why? I think I was embarrassed. And it sounds crazy, but I didn't want to ruin this opportunity for my sister. Al-Fayed, the women say, would ask them to call him Papa. He showered them with gifts and offered to look after them, only to become the one they ultimately needed protection from.

I no longer feel afraid, so I speak for my daughters, my nieces, for my good friend, Catherine, and all the survivors of sexual abuse in this room today that were silenced for so many years, who suffered at the hand of the predator, Muhammad Al-Fayette. Danielle Hamamjian, NBC News, London. When we come back, a major update on the army soldier who fled to North Korea, Travis King appearing in a military court facing desertion charges after he ran into North Korea last July, how he pled and the late details now coming in. Back now with Top Stories news feeds, starting with an update on the U.S. soldier who ran across

the North Korean border last year. U.S. Army private Travis King pleading guilty to a sluously of charges, including desertion. King ran off from a tour of the DMZ last year, crossing into North Korea. He was released back to the U.S. where he was charged by the U.S. military, and court King said that he was dissatisfied with the work and wanted to leave the army. And a routine traffic stop leading to a police chase with a limo in Wisconsin. Police in Kenosha County attempting to pull over a limo driving under the speed limit when the driver took off. The suspect then crashing into a ditch and fleeing into a wooded area. Police and K-9 units eventually catching up to the suspect. Police say he bit an officer while being arrested. He is now facing several

charges. And the FDA has authorized at-home use of a nasal flu vaccine. AstraZeneca's flu mist is a nasal spray that can be used in adults and children. It will still require a prescription and it is expected to be widely available for at-home use by next fall. Right now, it will remain available as an in-office treatment. The current out-of-pocket cost for a dose is about $40. And starting today, California residents can add their driver's license and state IDs to their Apple wallet. The move is part of the state's mobile driver's license pilot program, allowing people

to access their IDs on their devices. Apple users can scan their IDs into their iPhone, then provide a scan of their face. The state will verify the information before the ID is put in the wallet. Right now, the mobile IDs can be used at select TSA, check. points in California as well as participating businesses. Six other states have similar programs. Now to the latest in the arrest of rap mogul, Sean Diddy Combs, who is being held without bail in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center while he awaits trial. According to NBC News as Chloe Malas, Diddy has been placed under a suicide watch, and she joins us now in studio with more

details. Chloe, walk us through your latest reporting. What do we know right now? So we know from a source close to the situation that, yes, he is under suicide watch, Ellison, but this is a precautionary measure because he is a high profile inmate. But just moments ago, we just received a statement from Combs' team, and they say that he is strong, healthy, and he's focused on his defense. He is committed to fighting this case and his full confidence in both his legal team and the truth. And look, he could be behind bars for up to a year. That's how long it could take for this to finally get to trial. And this center, Metropolitan Detention Center, where Diddy is being held, it has been

notorious in a lot of circles for high rates of violence. There have been murders there, at least two suicides that took place there last summer. In light of what happened within the prison system in this state with Jeffrey Epstein, do we know what, if anything, prison officials, jail officials are doing to try and make sure Diddy is staying safe here? So NBC News has reached out to the Federal Bureau of Press. prisons out of D.C., and they just say, look, we don't want to talk about Epstein in this situation. We are confident that the Metropolitan Detention Center is fit for him to be in pretrial.

But Combs' legal team is saying that is not the case. I mean, you point out a lot of interesting things here. I mean, this precautionary measure of him being under suicide watch could also be a way to keep him safe from this notorious jail that's known for its violence. I mean, you talk about the fact that there have been murders there, there have been stabbings. One inmate stabbed 44 times. He survived, but it was caught on camera. Two stabbings, like you said, suicides. Also overcrowding, food contamination.

His team wants to move him to a jail in New Jersey, but we don't know if that's actually going to happen or be granted. We do know that he is planning to appeal this again to the second district court. But as you saw with Galane Maxwell, who tried to appeal her bail more than once, she was not successful. In the meantime, his team really wants to make sure that he can prepare. for trial according to them. They want to make sure he has access to the library, access to the computer system, and they're going to be going there a lot because they have to

lay out this case. And like I said, between motions and hearings and all the pretrial discovery that's going to take place. Again, this can take up to a year, but he will be back in court very soon on October 9th, and that's when we'll learn more. And other people could be arrested Ellison, like you heard from the U.S. Attorney's Office. They're not taking other arrests in terms of other people in his circle off the table. Chloe Malas, thank you. Up next tonight, sparking a new solution to East Africa's energy problem.

Minnesota middle schoolers donating a solar energy suitcase to help students get electricity in their classrooms. We'll tell you all about the heartwarming project. Next. Back now with Top Stories Global Watch, starting with a major prison break in northeast Nigeria. Officials say more than 270 inmates have escaped from a prison in Borno State after heavy flooding

decimated prison walls. So far, only about seven people have been recaptured. The West African nation has been struck by weeks of severe rainfall in flooding. About 270 people have died and more than 640,000 have been displaced. The EU pledging a $39 billion loan to Ukraine to help the country rebuild. The money will go directly to the country. country's economy and war-shattered power grid. Interest earned on profits from Russia's frozen central bank assets will be used as collateral in the loan. The EU has provided Ukraine

with more than $132 billion in military and economic assistance since the full-scale war began back in 2022. And an update tonight, a zoo in China finally admitting that two panda pups that went viral earlier this year are in fact dogs. The zoo admitted the two are just painted chow-chows after visitors complained. The so-called pandas were panting and barking. Some visitors have since asked for their money back, claiming false advertising. Now to the class project, making a difference.

It's something we take for granted, right? But over one billion people live without reliable, constant access to electricity around the world. But students in Minnesota, they're working to change that. They are building solar equipment that will be used by other students in sub-Saharan Africa. One, two, three. At Stewartville Middle School in southern Minnesota, students are working on a bright idea.

When I first saw that light bulb turn on, I was not expecting that. I was expecting something to explode, like the battery. A portable source of energy, small enough to be carried by hand but with enough power to last for a week. The bigger solar panel allows the five or six lights to be powered about 50 to 60 hours a week. These solar suitcase kits, part science and part service. But when they know that they're building something that matters and that's going to change lives, they suddenly become excited about what they're doing. Gigi Deco Goldman is the co-founder of We Share Solar, a nonprofit that sends these assembled kits to energy-scarce regions.

And over 65,000 students and teachers have participated in the We Share Solar program here in the United States. and solar suitcases that they have built have provided 14 million hours of light and charging capacity to over half a million students in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in refugee camps. This kit likely headed to a school in rural Kenya or Uganda. After charging during the day with just a solar panel, it can be used to keep the lights on in places without reliable electricity. so students can feel safer after dark. In Minnesota, about 160 kids participated in this year's program, split up into five teams. Reporters, engineers, artists, community relations, quality control.

And their suitcase will now join more than 1,100 solar suitcases deployed around the world. We have a lot of things most people don't have in the world, and you've got to feel that gratitude about that and you also have to feel happy that you're helping them out. A group of students learning not just about the flow of electricity, but how to power positive change for others. And a big thanks to our Rochester, Minnesota affiliate KTTC for helping us with that story. When we come back, what to binge watch and listen to this weekend, the new Netflix series from Ryan Murphy about the Menendez brothers, plus the critically acclaimed new Batman series, The Penguin and new music from Bon Iver. Stay with us.

We are back now with binge-worthy. Our look at the best things to watch and listen to this weekend. We're joined now by NBC News Entertainment contributor, Chris Witherspoon. All right, Chris, good to have you. As always, let's jump in because a lot of TV to get to this weekend. First up, Netflix series, this is called Monsters, the Lyle and Eric Menendez story. Apparently, it is a Ryan Murphy, right? Am I right on that?

It's Ryan Murphy. It's like Dahmer. It's that same vibe. It's monsters, but this one's about Lawn Air. It's based on the Menendez brother, that murder story, but it is scripted. Take a look. We were going to be like the Kennedys. That's why it was so hard on us.

But I suddenly saw how cruel it was. What was going on in that house? And it's never going to end. You know how I was mentioning the Dahmer series that came out a couple of years ago? This is basically the same type of, like, you know, blueprint, but it's about Lowe and Eric Menendez. As you mentioned, it can make that a murder in 96. I remember being in high school. It's all people talked about, but now there are stories coming to life, and it kind of humanizes them.

But it's also lots of great 90s nostalgia. So like the music, the score, blame it on the rain, a bunch of songs. Girl, I'm going to miss you, Ice, Ice Baby. But brilliant acting, Javier Bardem, Pardim, plays the five. his first time doing a scripted series, the two actors who play Lawn Eric are phenomenal. Are they new actors? Yeah, new actors. They haven't been in much. One's been in general hospital, other ones in a small scripted series. This is kind of their big breakthrough moment. And people watch these types of shows right now. Yeah. Domner was huge just a thought of a huge as well.

Okay, that's really interesting. This next one, it's sticking in that true crime lane, true crime in descriptive space. Yeah, it is Hulu. And this one is American Sports Story, Aaron Hernandez. It is about the rise and the fall of the former NFL player who played for the New England Patriots. Look. You have so many secrets. There must be a lot of pressure. The drugs, the sex, the anger. Nobody's questioning your athletic ability, Aaron. They're questioning your character. Just got to get back out on that field. Everything's okay when I'm playing ball.

So there was an Aaron Hernandez documentary that I watched a while ago. A crazy story of him committing a murder, but then at some point he was like appealing it and then he committed suicide. So he maybe isn't officially convicted as it, but walk us through this. It's so awful, but this one's really like a scripted series. Ryan Murphy, I need to borrow money from him because he's making all the money. This is Ryan Murphy too? Yes, he's also behind this foot. I'm like, how does this guy get all these deals and checks?

Another story will cover that one day. But this one stars Josh Garcia as Aaron Hernandez. He's getting a lot of awards buzz. He was in West Side Story. He played Chino, the Stevens-Pilbert reform recently. But he transformed his body. He balked up, incredible. But it really just kind of tells the story, the ups and downs,

and what got him to that place where he committed murder in 2013. Again, the true crime genre, it's really hot right now. And Ryan is owning it. I mean, Ryan Murphy is amazing. Can I get alone? Yes. I'm already at the time, Ryan Murphy. I don't get it.

Something for other people. Okay, this next one is a Macs series. I did start this last night, and I have to say I was just mesmerized seeing the primary actor in it. I'm not going to tell you who it is. I'll just let you take a look. This is a new series on Max. It's called The Penguin about the DC Comics character. Penguin, you waltzed in here like you mean something.

We're in the middle of a gang war. Carmine Philkeling's dead. If we don't protect what to ours, we just look weak. The streets are talking again. They know there's only one man big enough around this city. Oh, do you remember the combine's door? Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt. Tell him who that guy is.

Like, it's so nuts. It's wild. That's Colin Farrell. It looks nothing like Colin Farrell. He sat in makeup for three hours every single day. He called it his magic time. Prostatic nose, like this beak nose, all kinds of stuff. I'm receiving hairlines, scarred face.

But again, Colin Farrell's an Oscar winner. He knows how to play. But it is not, when you watch it, do you even think it's him? No. I mean, it's like a whole different actor. I'm like, who is that? Someone, I need to see the receipts. Is that what they call a barrel?

Yes. I'm not sure. Yeah, I mean, it's really interesting so far. The character seems dynamic and it's the follow-up series to the Batman. It came on a couple of years ago with Robert Pattinson. So this is kind of like the follow-up sequel as a series. Right, I like. People are watching.

All right. More comics. Disney plus this one. It's called Agatha All Around. It stars Aubrey Plaza. And it's sort of not a spinoff, but a and plus to Wanda Vision, I suppose. Take a look. I'm going to walk the road. Join me.

Darkest hour, wake thy power, earthly and divine. The witch's road will give you the thing you want most. If you make it to the end. The road is a death wish. I heard you guys were having a party. There she is. Okay, so there's Aubrey Plaza. Yes.

Former Angie Page. Kristen Hahn. Yes, yes. Who is the main star. Yes. Catherine Hahn is the main star. This is called Agatha all along. And she was a character in Wanda Vision.

And my son and I watched this show a couple of years ago. And to us, it's always been Agatha all along. She was the breakout star. We loved her. So this series is stacked. Catherine Hahn, Aubrey Plaza. Patty Lupone, the icon, the Huawei icon. And there's lots of musical numbers in this, which is kind of wild.

Oh, that's fun. But it's just like how Agatha is trying to get her powers back. I'm so here for this. Two episodes are out right now, but Catherine Hahn, give her all the awards. Ooh, okay. So good. I love that for her. Okay, this next one, documentary, Hulu.

It is called Child Stars, about well-known Child Stars and some of the highs and lows of growing up in the spotlight. It's on Hulu. Let's take a look. How old were you when you were first given substances? Ten. I immediately went right to drugs and alcohol. When we first got on the phone, you were like, I was on your show. I don't even remember something that I was on.

There was a sense of walking on eggshells. I'm genuinely so social. So sorry. There definitely is not a manual on how to navigate this industry at such a young age. And it's a whole new world. Ooh, that's heavy, huh? This is called Child Stars. It's a documentary film on Hulu, but I love this for Demi Lovato.

So the rectorial debut for Demi, but it's really her kind of like telling the story of what it was like to be a young Disney star. The highs, the lows, she struggled with body issues, but instead of her just telling her story, she's interviewing all the other child stars. she knows. Raven Simone, Drew Barrymore, who grew up in front of our eyes, just so many other great stars. Keenan Thompson, she does a great job. She's a great interviewer, but also is a great subject at the same time. Really interesting stuff. Okay, let's turn to music so people know what they can listen to. We have two on this list. We'll steamroll through it. Bonnie Vair has a new song out. Spaceide, I think is what it's called, Spyside. Maybe we'll be able to tell. Watch. Nothing's really happened like I thought it would.

I mean, I will just say what I said. I did love Bonnie Bear in high school, and then I was like, oh, you have depression, and then I got on Zoloft, and I haven't listened to him in a while. But has he been, I mean, is this? For the transparency over why. Yes. So this is from the song, Space Side, or Spy Side, as you said it, from their new EP coming out. next month. But it's really Justin Verdon. He got drunk one night and wrote an apology to a bunch of his

friends that he just was not being good to. And this is based on the apology letter. So it's just very vulnerable. It's kind of depressing though. You were so right. It always was. That was the first one where it was like I'm in the woods and it's like he's drunk and sad and just like laying on all his feelings. But people must love it. They won like two Grammy Awards. Maybe a lot of us who are like we love it, maybe we should also all consider antidepressing. Come on. Just a bit. Wherever are in your life. You do you. But he had hasn't had anything in a while, right? No, it's been five years, five years.

Work with a few other artists like Taylor Swift and others, but now this is like the first time Bonnie Bear is back. The band is back again. All right, this last one that we have. This is Tate McRae. She's super hot on TikTok. This song she has that is out today. It is called It's Okay, I'm Okay.

Let's listen. Hey. Wait, like her first... I kind of love to dance right now. I do it. Her first song that was so viral was basically like a very sad I'm walking through the streets, devastated. This is kind of a new realm for her, right?

First off, she's an incredible dancer, and she's bringing dance back. That was a thing back in early 2000s with Christina and Britney Spears. She's doing that, and this is kind of a nod to that. She's out in these New York City streets, dancing, dropping it, and popping it, doing all the things. But people are loving this song already 20 million streams on Spotify in just one week, which is crazy. The young kids love her. 21 years old. She got her start on So You Think You Can Dance at 13.

So she's a dancer. Good for her. All right. Chris Witherspoon, thank you so much for being here. As always, we love having you. And thank you at home so very much for watching Top Story. I'm Ellison Barber in New York for Tom Yamis. Stay right there.

More news now is on the way.