The Inside Scoop

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"A love for tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril."
- Sir Winston Churchill

Here's a note from Correspondent Erin Moriarty on tonight's 48 Hours Mystery, "Dream Killer:"

"What would you do if a friend told you that he dreamt that the two of you had killed a man? Imagine, then, that you are arrested and charged with the murder based on that dream. Couldn't happen? Tell that to 21-year-old Ryan Ferguson of Columbia, Missouri. He was charged and tried for murder after a high school classmate began telling friends that he dreamed that he and Ryan had robbed and killed the sports editor of the Columbia Tribune on Halloween night, 2001.

After reading this, you are probably reacting a little like I did when I first heard about the case last fall. I wondered, "What am I missing here? There has to be more to the story: more evidence, an eyewitness, something else that ties Ferguson to the crime!" There isn't. The case against Ryan Ferguson really comes down to the credibility of Chuck Erickson, the young man who was once his friend and now his chief accuser. What makes this case even more troubling is that Erickson didn't have this "dream" until more than two years after the murder. Before then, Erickson says that he was able to completely block the memory, essentially forget it, until he read about the case on the second anniversary of the killing.

The district attorney says that it's a case of a guilty conscience that couldn't be silenced. The defense says it's a case of false memories. I say it's a case worth following on 48 Hours Mystery to decide for yourself: Was a case really solved? Did Ryan Ferguson really kill a man or was it all a bad dream?

-Erin Moriarty
Correspondent, 48 Hours Mystery
(48 Hours Mystery airs Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10pmET/9CT)

If you would like more information on any of these stories or the broadcast, please click on the following address and e-mail us at: 48hours@cbsnews.com

Here's a look at what's coming up tonight on the CBS Evening News from Anchor Bob Schieffer:

Good Afternoon.

We, once again turn our immediate attention to the crisis in the Middle East. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah enters its second week today as Secretary of State Rice continues her visit aimed at easing the crisis. But intense bombing continues. Over 424 people have been reported killed in Lebanon and Israel since fighting broke out July 12 between Israeli forces and Hezbollah guerrillas. Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan joins us tonight with a complete update.

While much of our focus has been on Beirut, the damage to South Lebanon, has been extensive. While there is talk of sending in troops to guard the peace, many think the devastation is far too vast to assume any normal daily life for quite a while. Lee Cowan joins us tonight from the ancient port of Tyre for a look at the toll of war in South Lebanon.

And, with so much of the world's attention over the past two weeks focused on the raging battle at the Lebanon border, the fighting in Gaza is still intensifying. Sharyn Alfonsi joins us tonight from Gaza with an update.

Moving state-side, BetOnSports, the on-line gambling company, has fired its chief executive, David Carruthers, following the executive's arrest on racketeering charges, along with ten others named in a 22-count fraud indictment by federal prosecutors. Anthony Mason joins us tonight with the details on this story.

And, about 20, 0000 extremely unhappy customers of the California Department of Water and Power are still without electricity. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has directed state agencies to reduce electricity use by 25 percent and turn off unnecessary equipment. Jerry Bowen joins us tonight with more on this 'hot" topic.

Fifty years ago, the Andrea Doria was the pride of the Italian fleet and the way to America for many families. One fateful day, when the ship sank off the shores of Nantucket, all but 46 passengers were rescued and brought to New York by a small Armada. There are many memories of that day. Richard Schlesinger joins us tonight with more on the story of the Andrea Doria as we mark the 50th anniversary of her sinking.

We hope you'll join us.

- Bob Scheiffer

For more information on these stories, please click on the following links:

Beirut And Haifa Still Under Attack
Click Here

Heat Tests California's Energy Supply
Click Here

And here's a look at one of the stories we're working on for tomorrow's broadcast: Millions of seniors may be getting an unwanted surprise under the Medicare drug benefit...a gap in coverage that can cost them plenty. We'll cover the story on Tonight's CBS Evening News.

If you would like more information on any of these stories or the broadcast, please click on the following address and e-mail us:
evening@cbsnews.com

Dave chats with actor Greg Kinnear and reptile expert Dr. Darrel Frost. Plus, a performance by Tapes 'n Tapes!

Harry Smith, Hannah Storm, Rene Syler and Julie Chen anchor THE EARLY SHOW from New York. Dave Price brings us the weather from Baton Rouge, LA.

Along with the top news of the day, we will also have the following stories:

CHIC ON A SHOESTRING - RETRO CLOTHE