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Boston Marathon Survivor: 'I'm Not a Person Who Gives Up Easily'
For the White family of Bolton, Massachusetts, it's a bittersweet morning.
Bill and Mary Jo White will be at the finish line cheering on their son Kevin where all three nearly lost their lives one year ago.
Kevin, then 34, had shrapnel all through his legs. Mary Jo, then 67, caught shrapnel in her arm and it broke her wrist, and Bill White, at 71, lost his leg.
The father says: "When I woke up after the surgery the first thing that dawned on me was I have only one leg. And that's a shattering moment for you. You lay there and say how am I going to live the rest of my life?"
White tells CNN's John Berman he learned to get over those types of questions to continue living his life.
"I'm not a person who gives up easily," he says.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE TO SEE MORE OF THE FAMILY'S STORY
Parents of Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev reveal details of their first conversation with son since his arrest – Phil Black reports
The parents of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects are revealing details of their only conversation with their son Dzhokhar Tsarnaev since he was placed under arrest. The Tsarnaevs played audio recordings of the conversation during an interview that aired on British television.
CNN’s Phil Black reports that the conversation took place one week ago and that the family was unable to discuss specific details relating to the bombing case itself.
Black says the conversation was “brief but very emotional, as the parents asked lots of questions about their son’s welfare.” Black reports that when Tsarnaev was asked if he was in pain, he reassured his parents he’s doing OK, telling them “he’s been eating for some time, being fed rice and chicken, and he insists that everything’s fine.”
Both parents are maintaining their sons’ innocence, telling British television, “It is terrible what happened you know, but I know that my kids did not do it,” Black reports.
Seagal with U.S. Congressional Delegation in Russia – Phil Black reports
American film star Steven Seagal joined a congressional delegation in a press conference aimed at counter-terrorism and intelligence cooperation in Moscow Sunday night. CNN's Phil Black reports that the delegation has been meeting with Russian officials to try and determine what lessons can be learned about cooperation between the two countries in the aftermath of the Boston bombings.
The head of the delegation said that it was actually Seagal who was instrumental in setting up some of their meetings. Black says Seagal received “overwhelming praise about the role that he played” and was credited with “setting up very high level meetings within the Russian establishment, particularly with one of Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister’s.”
Seagal himself credited the U.S. Embassy with playing a large role in making the meetings possible. But the actor, who shares an interest in martial arts with Russian President Valdimir Putin, has said in his own words that he is “friends with many presidents in many countries.”
Rep. Thompson: FBI bombing investigation still a 'work in progress'
Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi and a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, was briefed by the FBI yesterday on the Boston Marathon bombings.
Rep. Thompson tells John Berman on Early Start this morning that the agency's investigation into a potential international connection to the alleged bombers is still a "work in progress," although it doesn't look like the Tsarnaev brothers worked with any foreign organization.
The Congressman also says that the individuals criticizing the FBI for not preventing the attacks despite warnings from Russia about Tamerlan Tsarnaev are "wrong," saying that "they've done a thorough investigation [...] under tremendous pressure."
"What we’re going to do as members of Congress from an oversight standpoint is to see whether or not there’s tweaking we can do [...] to tighten the system up," Thompson explains. "But its going to require resources. If this Congress is committed to providing resources, then whatever misstep occurred, I’m certain we can fix it."
VIDEO: Man witnesses both Boston bombings and Texas explosion
Texas marathoner Joe Berti was just feet away from one of the bombs that exploded in Boston last week. Two days later, he witnessed the catastrophic fertilizer fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.
CNN's Gary Tuchman sits down Berti and his wife to to discuss this unbelievable story.
FBI interested in speaking with Tamerlan Tsarnaev's widow
In a statement issued through her lawyers, Katherine Russell, the widow of bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, says she's doing "everything she can" to assist with the terror investigation.
The FBI wants to talk with Russell about her husband, although it appears that they've only been talking with her lawyers so far.
CNN's Chris Lawrence reports from Russell's family home in Kingston, Rhode Island.
Boylston Street reopens to the public – Miguel Marquez reports
Boston police began reopening Boylston Street to the public this morning, as the condition of the suspected terrorist who wreaked havoc on the street a little over a week ago has been upgraded from serious to fair.
There are reports that Dzhokhar Tsararnev could be transferred out of Beth Israel Deaconess Medial Center soon.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the U.S. embassy in Moscow has traveled to Dagestan with the cooperation of the Russian government to attempt to interview the parents of the alleged Boston bombers.
CNN's Miguel Marquez reports the latest live from Boylston Street.
Criminal complaint details Tsarnaev bros. plan, while Boston tries to heal – Miguel Marquez reports
(CNN) - Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has told investigators his older brother Tamerlan was the driving force behind last week's attack and that no international terrorist groups were behind them, a U.S. government source said Monday.
Preliminary interviews with Tsarnaev indicate the two brothers fit the classification of self-radicalized jihadists, the source said. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, wounded and held in a Boston hospital, has said his brother - who was killed early Friday - wanted to defend Islam from attack, according to the source. The government source cautioned that the interviews were preliminary, and that Tsarnaev's account needs to be checked out and followed up on by investigators.
The 19-year-old has been charged with using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death, and one count of malicious destruction of property by means of an explosive device resulting in death. He was heavily sedated and on a ventilator at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, but was "alert, mentally competent and lucid" during the brief initial court appearance at his bedside on Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Marianne Bowler found.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Miguel Marquez details the criminal complaint against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and looks at how Boston is working to heal after bombings.
READ MORE: Source: Boston bomb suspect says brother was brains behind attack
Boston Marathon merchandise in high demand, but which ones donate proceeds to bombing victims? Christine Romans explains
In the wake of the horrific bombings, Boston Marathon merchandise is flying off the shelves. But are all the sales going to help victims of the bombings?
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Christine Romans looks at the most popular Boston Marathon items online, and which ones donate proceeds to bombing victims.
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