THE BIG FRAME and THE BIG BOMB DRAGNET

Summary

Podcast Title: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers
Episode: THE BIG FRAME and THE BIG BOMB – DRAGNET
Release Date: January 29, 2025
Host: Jon Hagadorn

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Introduction

1001 Radio Crime Solvers presents an engaging episode titled "THE BIG FRAME and THE BIG BOMB," where host Jon Hagadorn narrates a gripping Dragnet-style detective story. This episode immerses listeners in a meticulously crafted investigation led by Sergeant Joe Friday and Detective Sergeant Ben Romero of the Los Angeles Police Department. The narrative captures the essence of classic radio detective tales, blending suspense, character development, and procedural accuracy.

Case Overview

The episode opens with Sergeant Joe Friday receiving a call about a hit-and-run incident resulting in the death of Edward Raymond Stokes. The only clue at the scene is a set of skid marks near the victim's body, prompting Friday and Romero to delve into the mystery.

Key Quote:
Joe Friday [02:57]: “From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.”

Initial Investigation

Friday and Romero arrive at the accident scene on 63rd and Vermont, where they examine the skid marks and the body. Their initial assessment suggests that the skid marks are older than the estimated time of death, raising suspicions about the nature of the incident.

Key Quote:
Joe Friday [06:00]: “The consistency of the rubber was weak and there were heavy dirt smudges over them, indicating more wear than they could have possibly had since the estimated time of the victim's death.”

Interviewing Marion Fuller

The detectives proceed to interview Marion Fuller, identified as the victim's common law wife. Fuller provides a limited account of the evening, mentioning that she and Stokes were drinking at the Brown Barrel Tavern until around 1:00 AM. Her fragmented memory due to heavy drinking adds complexity to the case.

Key Quote:
Marion Fuller [09:56]: “Nettie and I had dinner together at the Spanish Oven place... Then we drove out to the Brown Barrel in Vermont. We stayed too long. Drank a little too much. I started talking to this fella next to me and he got sore.”

Exploring Past Relationships

Further investigation leads Friday and Romero to Catherine Stokes, Edward's ex-wife, who reveals tensions stemming from unpaid child support. Catherine discloses that Edward was frequently seen at the same bar, hinting at possible motives for conflict and escalating the list of suspects.

Key Quote:
Catherine Stokes [12:45]: “Eddie hadn't sent any money for the kids support for three months. I hated to chase after him like that. There wasn't anything else I could do.”

Connecting with William Huddy

The detectives identify William Huddy, a regular at the Brown Barrel Tavern, as a person of interest. Huddy's alibi seems shaky, with his claim that he was at a shuffleboard tournament conflicting with other testimonies from the bar patrons.

Key Quote:
Joe Friday [21:46]: “Are you William Huddy? We’d like to talk to you a minute.”

Unraveling the Conspiracy

As the investigation progresses, Huddy's inconsistencies lead to the revelation of a deeper conspiracy involving the tavern's owner, Carl Jansen, and a merchant seaman named Henry Baxter. Baxter's involvement becomes critical as he is implicated in orchestrating the hit-and-run, driven by personal vendettas tied to Edward Stokes.

Key Quote:
Joe Friday [24:02]: “Hartley Baxter. That’s your guy.”

The Bomb Threat

The climax of the episode occurs when Vernon Carney, Baxter's accomplice, takes control of City Hall, threatening to detonate a bomb unless his brother Elwood is released from county jail by 9:00 AM. This high-stakes situation tests the detectives' resolve and strategic planning.

Key Quote:
Chief Lynn White [34:29]: “55 minutes ago, a man walked into this building with a homemade bomb under his arm. If we don't release his brother from the county jail by 9:00 this morning, he says he'll pull the trigger on the bomb and blow up the whole building.”

Strategizing the Rescue

Faced with the imminent threat, Friday and Romero devise a daring plan to disarm the bomb. The strategy involves using physical force to subdue Carney and remove the explosive device safely. The tension escalates as the detectives navigate the complexities of the time-sensitive situation.

Key Quote:
Joe Friday [42:35]: “What do you say to a man with a bomb?”

Climactic Confrontation

The plan unfolds with Joe Friday managing to retrieve the bomb by transporting it downstairs in an elevator, while Romero neutralizes Carney. Despite the perilous conditions, including strong winds and slippery ledges, the operation succeeds without triggering the explosive device.

Key Quote:
Joe Friday [57:00]: “The story you have just heard was true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.”

Resolution and Aftermath

In the aftermath, Vernon Carney is tried and found mentally incompetent, resulting in his confinement in a state mental institution. Elwood Carney receives the remainder of his sentence without any reductions, ensuring that justice is served fully.

Key Quote:
Narrator [59:56]: “Vernon Carney was examined by five different psychiatrists appointed by the Superior Court and found to be mentally incompetent. He is now confined in the state mental institution for the criminally insane.”

Conclusion

"The Big Frame and The Big Bomb" exemplifies the classic detective narrative, blending real-world police procedures with dramatic storytelling. Through the meticulous investigation by Joe Friday and Ben Romero, listeners experience the intensity and dedication inherent in solving complex crimes. This episode not only entertains but also pays homage to the golden age of radio detective stories, maintaining the legacy of iconic characters like Dragnet’s Joe Friday.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• Joe Friday [06:00]: Examining the skid marks revealed they were older than expected.
• Marion Fuller [09:56]: Recounting the evening's activities, albeit foggy from drinking.
• Catherine Stokes [12:45]: Highlighting financial disputes that may have fueled conflict.
• Joe Friday [21:46]: Directing Huddy for questioning.
• Chief Lynn White [34:29]: Informing about the bomb threat at City Hall.
• Joe Friday [42:35]: Confronting the man holding the bomb.
• Joe Friday [57:00]: Affirming the truthfulness of the narrative.
• Narrator [59:56]: Detailing the trial verdict and sentencing of Vernon Carney.

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This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting critical moments and dialogues that drive the narrative forward. By focusing on the investigative journey and the climactic resolution, listeners who haven't tuned in can fully grasp the story's intricacies and dramatic elements.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

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[Ben Romero]

The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator]

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[Ben Romero]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a hit and run felony detail. A dead body is found in the streets in the early hours of the morning. There's only one clue. A set of skid marks on the pavement. Your job. Find the killer. If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. Smoke extra mild Fatima. Yes, Fatima is the king size cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos. Superbly blended to make it extra mild. To give Fatima a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. That's why Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. Enjoy Extra mild Fatima yourself. Best of all, long cigarettes, it's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Narrator]

Dragnet the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Monday, April 19. It was windy in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of Traffic Division. My partner is Ben Romero. The boss is Lieutenant Calfrey. Commander Aid. My name's Friday. It was 7:55am When I got to the second floor at 123 S. Figueroa St. Accident Investigation Kit and run, Felony Detail.

[Ben Romero]

Morning, Joe. George.

[Chief Lynn White]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

How is it?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, it's not much better. Still aching.

[Ben Romero]

Rough.

[Joe Friday]

Lousy thing kept me up most of the night.

[Ben Romero]

Check with that dentist that told you about.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I did. Says it's a wisdom tooth.

[Ben Romero]

Huh? This one here. Oh, yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Says gotta come out. Supposed to go back and see him today.

[Ben Romero]

That's rough. Remember a friend of mine had his wisdom teeth out. Hurt like the devil. Terrible. Finally pulled him. Yeah. Acre 5, six days after Roger. Excuse me, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

McD. Better have a 157 on that follow up you handed yesterday, huh? Okay, I got most of it down. I'll finish it up Friday.

[Joe Friday]

Hi, Ben. Come in here.

[Ben Romero]

He's down the record burrow. Want to see that jaw of yours? Hasn't gone down much.

[Joe Friday]

It's a bad wisdom tooth. Dennis. Says he's going to have to yank it.

[Ben Romero]

Bum deal, eh?

[Joe Friday]

That's the first time I ever had any trouble with him.

[Ben Romero]

I remember a few years back, my sister Gertrude had trouble with her wisdom tooth and packed him. Yeah. Old side of her face was swollen. Poor kid was in terrible pain. Full week. Even after they pulled it, it still hurt. Hi, Joe. Hi. Picked up the overnight reports down at Records. Mac here. Oh, thanks, Ben. This one on top here, I'd like to have you two check it out. Dead body report? Yeah, he left me a note on it, that's about all. Hard to figure.

[Joe Friday]

What's the story?

[Ben Romero]

Just what you see in the report.

[Joe Friday]

The victim is Edward Raymond Stokes, 732 Delano Street, Apartment 2.

[Ben Romero]

His body was found in the gutter in there. 63rd and Vermont, 3 o'clock this morning. No witnesses, Only one piece of evidence.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, see, they got it listed here. Skid marks near the body. Is that all?

[Ben Romero]

That's it. Parent hit and run. Where's the body, man? Neighborhood mortuary out there. Emerald Hills Funeral Home. One of the deputy coroners handled the body. Fellow named Joe Larimore.

[Joe Friday]

Anybody claim it yet?

[Ben Romero]

No.

[Joe Friday]

Okay, Ben, you ready?

[Ben Romero]

Yes. Go.

[Joe Friday]

We'll check you later, man.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. If you need any help, I've got McLendon and Rogers on hand.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Ben Romero]

How do we manage to draw all the choice ones? I don't know. Skid marks and a dead body. Oh, say, I almost forgot. How's your Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Still hurts.

[Ben Romero]

It's tough. Still swollen. Mm. What did Dennis say?

[Joe Friday]

Wisdom tooth.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, it's miserable.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Wife had the same thing a couple of years back. Dennis tried to yank the tooth and it broke right in two. Finally got it out.

[Joe Friday]

That's good.

[Ben Romero]

Funny thing about wisdom teeth.

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Ben Romero]

After they pull him. Hurts for five, six days.

[Joe Friday]

8:33Am Ben and I drove out to 63rd in Vermont and rechecked the spot where the dead body of Edward Stokes had been found. According to the report, the body was found 2ft west of the easterly curb and 32 north of 63rd street on Vermont. We examined the skid marks. They showed definite signs of being a lot older than 24 hours. The consistency of the rubber was weak and there were heavy dirt smudges over them, indicating more wear than they could have possibly had since the estimated time of the victim's death. We got back in the car and drove to the Emerald Hills Funeral Home at Vernon and Denver Avenue.

[Ben Romero]

Sure is rotten weather for April, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Keith's Funeral Home. Did you ever notice it?

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Ben Romero]

Why do they always put awnings over the windows? They never opened right?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know.

[Ben Romero]

Come on.

[Joe Friday]

Funeral going on? Know where the office is?

[Ben Romero]

There's a brass plate on that door over there.

[Joe Friday]

Let's have a look.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, sir. Here's somebody. Gentlemen. Oh, gentlemen. May I be of service?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers like to talk to Mr. Larimore. I believe he's a deputy coroner.

[Ben Romero]

Hi. Mr. Larrimore. You came about the hit and run victim?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. This is Sergeant Romero. My name's Brady. We'd like to check the body if we could.

[Ben Romero]

Certainly. It's back this way. Understands you moved the body from the scene of the accident here to the mortuary? Yes, that's right. Early this morning. Unusual case. Careful. There's two steps down, just inside the door.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. Why do you say it's unusual, Mr. Larimer?

[Ben Romero]

Well, here, let me show you. There. Now, for one thing, the victim had a basal skull fracture. I don't know about you gentlemen, but in the hit and run cases I've handled, a basal fracture is a pretty rare thing. Well, it is possible, isn't it? Yes, it's possible. Anything's possible. As they say, it's not usual. A few other things here, too.

[Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Ben Romero]

Notice the victim's knee here. Single, clean cut. Also, these wounds on the head. I've never seen anything like it. In hit and run cases, I've been called. Huh? A wound on the knee doesn't jive, does it?

[Joe Friday]

If he was hit by a car, the knee should be skinned up quite a bit.

[Ben Romero]

Exactly. Well, you know how it usually is. The automobile hits the victim, there's always signs that the body was either dragged or thrown. Shredding of clothing, skin, knees, legs, elbows. No sign of that here. You don't think the victim could have been killed by hit and run cars, Eddie? No, I don't say that it's possible that it might have been a car, but. Well, let's say it's not very probable.

[Joe Friday]

Has anybody at all inquired about the body, Mr. Larmore?

[Ben Romero]

No one? No. It's funny. Oh, Mr. Larmore, may I see you? Anything? All right. Tom. Excuse me a moment. Yeah, sure. Well? Yeah. Where do we start?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. Maybe we won't have to. Another lead like this and we can turn it over to Homicide.

[Ben Romero]

Sergeant. Yeah? There's a young lady in the lobby. Yeah? She wants to claim the body.

[Joe Friday]

The girl was shown the body. She identified it as that of Edward Raymond Stokes. She gave her name as Marion Fuller, the victim's common law wife. After she recovered from her shock, she asked if she might sit down for a while and rest. We took her into one of the offices in the mortuary and Ben got her a glass of water. She told us that she had last seen Stokes alive at about 1am that morning. They'd been drinking together at a neighborhood bar on Vermont Avenue between 63rd and 64th streets, half a block from where the victim's body had been found sprawled in the gutter. Why don't you sit down over there, Ms. Fuller?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Thanks.

[Ben Romero]

How long did you know Edward Stokes, Ms. Fuller?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

About six years, on and off. Been together pretty much the last couple of years, though.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, my.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Dad.

[Joe Friday]

Do you mind telling us exactly what happened while you were with Stokes last night? Everything you can remember.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

I can't think. This headache's killing me.

[Joe Friday]

We should try, Ms. Fuller. It's important.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Well, Nettie and I had dinner together at the Spanish Oven place down in South Fig. That was about a quarter to eight. Then we drove out to the Brown Barrel in Vermont. The bar I told you about?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Eddie and I go there most of the. We stayed there and drank. Played a little shuffleboard.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Oh, we stayed too long. Drank a little too much. I started talking to this fella next to me and he got sore. Always got jealous when he was drunk. Poor Eddie.

[Joe Friday]

Did Eddie fight with this other man, Ms. Fuller?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

No. No, I stopped him. That made Eddie mad. He Never could drink rot. He always wanted to pick a fight.

[Ben Romero]

Who was the other man? You remember?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

No, I don't. I guess I had a lot to drink, too. Just some guy at the bar. His headache.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's not going to take much longer. Just a few more questions.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

That organ's getting on my nerves.

[Joe Friday]

What happened after you broke up the argument between Stokes and the other man?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Nothing. We stayed in the bar. Hetty played shuffleboard. Most of the time I was in one of the booths drinking. Yeah, around 1:00 I started feeling. So I went outside and sat in the car. I guess I passed out there in your car?

[Ben Romero]

No.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

I guess it belonged to one of the fellas in the bar. I passed out and that's all I can remember.

[Joe Friday]

Did you sleep in the car all night?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

No. I guess whoever owned it drove me home.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how did they know where you live?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Must have been one of her friends. I don't know. I don't remember anything till this morning. They phoned me up and said Eddie was dead.

[Ben Romero]

Who phoned you, Miss? Far.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

One of our friends. I don't remember. I had a rotten headache.

[Joe Friday]

Well, you can do better than that.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

I tell you, I don't remember. He phoned and told me Eddie was dead. Somebody ran Eddie down, all right. Where are we going?

[Joe Friday]

Downtown. We'll have a stenographer take your statement.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

I got a terrible hangover. I've never had one as bad as this.

[Joe Friday]

Neither has Eddie. Let's go. On the way back to the office, Ben stopped at a drugstore and I picked up a box of aspirin. The wisdom tooth was giving me trouble again. The clerk at the soda fountain fixed something for Marion Fuller's hangover. When we got her back to the office, we questioned her for more than an hour. But she gave us only one additional piece of information. The victim, Eddie Stokes, had been married before and divorced. His ex wife lived out in the Valley with their two children, and on several occasions she came to see Stokes at the Vermont Avenue bar when he failed to make the monthly payments for the support of the children. Each time they'd argued bitterly. We had a police stenographer take the floor woman's statement, and then she was released. 10:45am Sergeants Rogers and McLendon were assigned to check out the Vermont Avenue bar where Stokes had last been seen alive. Ben and I drove out to the Valley to the home of Catherine Stokes, the victim's former wife. She met us on the front porch. Inside, it sounded like one of the children was practicing the Piano. We told her what had happened.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Last week, I think it was. Yes, Thursday last week. Eddie hadn't sent any money for the kids support for three months. I hated to chase after him like that. There wasn't anything else I could do.

[Joe Friday]

Where did you meet him, Ms. Stokes?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

That bar he used to hang around. It's over on Vermont. Called the Brown Bell or something. Wouldn't you like to come inside?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, thank you. Do you happen to know anybody by the name of Marion Fuller?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Yes, Eddie mentioned her. There's a man seeing a woman like that.

[Ben Romero]

Do you know anything about her at all?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

No. Whenever I saw Eddie mentioned he was running around with her.

[Ben Romero]

Yes.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

He wanted to make me jealous.

[Ben Romero]

Was your husband a pretty heavy drinker?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Yes, he was. So I got the divorce. Eddie was such a fine boy when we got married. Good home.

[Joe Friday]

You didn't know any of the people he'd been running around with lately?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

No, just the Fuller woman, that's all.

[Joe Friday]

Can you think of anything at all that might possibly have a bearing on his death?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

No. Eddie was probably drinking, wandered in the street and a car hit him. I don't know. Oh, there's the bakery man. I gotta get some bread and a few things. Excuse me.

[Ben Romero]

I think that's about all, don't you, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. I'll tell you, I'll leave our card here, Ms. Stokes, in case you want to contact us for any reason.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

It was so wonderful when we were married, Eddie and I. My folks gave us this house as a wedding present. We got wonderful presents. Yeah, we had everything we wanted. Car, nice house, kids. Wonderful that we started drinking. Then everything went job. Everything started all of a sudden. I never knew why.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, ma'am.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

How do men get that way? How do they start?

[Ben Romero]

I don't know.

[Joe Friday]

We only see a part of it. Yeah, when they finish. 12 noon, Ben and I drove back into town to Vermont and 63rd street for a meet with Sergeants Rogers and McClendon. They told us that they checked out the bartender who'd been on duty the night before, and also seven of his customers. Their stories were almost identical. Each of them remembered seeing Eddie Stokes at the bar. Each of them remembered he was playing shuffleboard, that he was drinking heavily, and that he left the bar at about 1:45am all of us had the idea that for some reason, the bartender and the customers were lying. In most cases, it's hard to find two witnesses who tell identical stories, let alone seven. For the rest of that afternoon, Rogers, McLendon, Ben and I spent our time canvassing the neighborhood in the vicinity of the Brown Barrel Tavern. 4:45pm we talked to the proprietor of a small grocery store two blocks down the street from the tavern. He told us that he rarely visited the bar, but that he thought that the man who ran the butcher shop next to his place, Mr. Eugene Murray, was a regular patron of the brown Barrel. So we went next door.

[Ben Romero]

Would you make that two pounds of.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Ground out, Mr. Murray?

[Ben Romero]

We're having company tonight. Yes, ma'am. Two pounds. Nice looking meats, angel.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, those steaks look good, don't they?

[Ben Romero]

Mm. Two pounds. All right. Anything else? Now, Mrs. Gibney? Got some nice fresh kidneys today.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

No, George, you won't touch kidneys.

[Chief Lynn White]

That'll be off.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

You put it on the bill, won't you, Mr. Murray?

[Ben Romero]

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Yes, sir. Gentlemen, Can I help you? Police officers, Mr. Murray. I'd like to ask you a few questions. Oh, I'm sure glad to help out if I can.

[Joe Friday]

Have you ever been in the Brown Barrel tavern? Down the next block there.

[Ben Romero]

Brown Barrel? I go there all the time. Say, would you mind if I fix up an order while we're talking? Customer's gonna pick it up in a couple of minutes. I don't like to keep waiting.

[Joe Friday]

Sure, go ahead.

[Ben Romero]

I gotta go to the I spot. When's the last time you were in the brown barrel, Mr. Murray? Last night. Wife and I went to the movies. Closing picture. We dropped in at the barrel and went home for a beer.

[Joe Friday]

About what time was that?

[Ben Romero]

Pretty close to 2. What's the matter? Some kind of trouble?

[Joe Friday]

Did you notice anything unusual while you were in there? Anybody fighting or arguing?

[Ben Romero]

No. We were only in there a couple of minutes, but now that you mention it, there was something funny happened. What was that? Well, the bartender, Carl and a half dozen of the neighborhood gang were back in one of the booths talking together. They seemed kind of nervous and none of them seemed to be having a good time. Yeah, wife and I yelled hello at em, but they kind of gave us a go. By then this drunk came up to us. Say, officer, would you reach that knife for me?

[Joe Friday]

Which one?

[Ben Romero]

That one. Oh, yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Here you are.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, thanks.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, well, this drunk came up to us and whispers to me. Say, you better get out of here. There's been a fight. Isn't that a beautiful piece of meat? Well, I didn't pay much attention to him. He was pretty drunk and hardly understand him. I. I guess they have a lot of fights in there.

[Joe Friday]

Anyway.

[Ben Romero]

Is that all he told you? There'd been a fight. Yeah, that time. But he came back a couple of minutes later and whispered the same thing. You better get out. There's been a fight. He said. Wife and I just laughed at him. He said, I know all about it. A guy's been murdered.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Dragnet. The case history of a police investigation presented in the public interest by Fatima Cigarettes.

[Ben Romero]

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[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Ben Romero]

I agree, says Frank Fenton, author.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Narrator]

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[Ben Romero]

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[Narrator]

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[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Ben Romero]

Best of all, long cigarettes.

[Joe Friday]

6Pm Ben and I went back to Homicide to turn the case over to them. They asked us to handle the investigation for another day because they were short of men at the moment. And because there was still a big doubt as to whether or not Eddie Stokes had really been murdered. Actually, the only solid lead we had was the secondhand testimony of a drunken witness. That and the deputy coroner's doubts that Stokes was actually the victim of a hit and run. Mr. Murray, the butcher didn't know the name of the man who told him that there'd been a murder. And he could give us only a meager description. We brought Marion Fuller back in and requestioned her. She stuck to her story. She didn't remember anything. She was released again. Looked like we were in for a long night. We went across the street for a bowl of soup and a sandwich. When we got back, Ben called his wife and told her he'd be working late. I called my mother.

[Ben Romero]

Working late again?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Oh, Joseph.

[Ben Romero]

How's your tooth feeling?

[Joe Friday]

It's a little better, Ma. It's still pretty tender. I'm gonna go to the dentist tomorrow.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, you've gotta have that attended to right away. Bad teeth can poison your whole system.

[Joe Friday]

You be sure and see that dentist.

[Ben Romero]

Is he a good one?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, he's okay. One of the fellas down here told me about him. I'll see you a little later. Don't wait up.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

And you don't work too late, Joseph.

[Ben Romero]

You need your rez.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, okay, Ma. Goodbye.

[Ben Romero]

All right, Joseph.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Goodbye.

[Ben Romero]

Jill. Yeah, Just talk to that butcher's wife on the phone. Ms. Murray.

[Joe Friday]

What'd she have to say?

[Ben Romero]

Ask her the same questions we asked Murray. She couldn't add much. Same story. You got something for you. Yeah, man. Rogers and McLendon just called in. They're still out at that bar.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Finally got somebody to talk a little.

[Joe Friday]

What'd they get?

[Ben Romero]

The bar boy out there, he says there was a fight happened about 1:30. Doesn't remember who was fighting. Not much else. Barboy's name is Milner. He told Rogers he went outside about 20 minutes to 2 to put the garbage out. He saw the Fuller woman asleep in that car.

[Joe Friday]

You get the license number?

[Ben Romero]

No. Said there was a ticket on the windshield.

[Joe Friday]

Ben and I checked with the sergeant of the watch at 77th Street Division. He told us Unit 111 was assigned to the area where the Brown Barrel was located. In checking their worksheet, we found that Unit 111 had issued a hang on citation the night before to a car parked near 63, three thirty and one half Vermont Avenue. The address of the Brown Barrel Tavern. We checked the license number through DMV and found that the car was registered to a William R. Huddy, 14 Naylor St. We drove out to the Naylor street address and talked to Huddy's wife. She told us he was playing in a shuffleboard tournament that night at a bar down on South Olive Street. 8:55pm we checked in at the bar.

[Ben Romero]

Bartender. Oh, yes, sir. What'll it be?

[Joe Friday]

You know if there's a William Huddy in here? You supposed to be playing a shuffleboard game here tonight?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I know. He's with the Highland park team.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, Let me see.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's him up now. Out on the blue shirt.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. Come on, Ben.

[Ben Romero]

That's it, Bill. Good weight. Make it another three. Oh, that cleans him.

[Narrator]

Good one, Bill.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, it's pretty close. Beat that one, Max. Excuse me. Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Are you William Huddy?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

Police officers. We'd like to talk to you a minute.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, what about? I'd like to ask you a few questions. You step over here a minute? Yeah, all right.

[Joe Friday]

Were you at the Brown Barrel Tavern out in Vermont last night?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I was. Why? What's the matter? You know Marion Fuller?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

She hangs around the place. She goes with a guy named Eddie.

[Joe Friday]

Did you drive her home last night?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, as a matter of fact, I did. She passed out my car. She's a nice kid, but she drinks a lot. I drove her home.

[Joe Friday]

Do you mind telling us what happened at the bar last night when you were there?

[Ben Romero]

Well, I come in about 9:00 and I start playing shuffleboard with a couple of guys. This guy, Eddie Stokes, he's one of them. Yeah. We got in a beef with a guy at the bar over Marion. It's nothing big, though. Guy left after a while. Mm.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Ben Romero]

That's about all. I left the place around 1:30 and I said he was beefing with some merchant seamen about that time.

[Joe Friday]

Was the Fuller girl still at the.

[Ben Romero]

Bar at that time? No. When I went outside, I saw her sleeping in my car. So I drove her home. I left her off and then come back to the bar. That's when they told me. Told you what? Well, they said Eddie had a fight with this merchant seaman. They said it'd be better if we kept it quiet.

[Joe Friday]

Who told you that, Carl?

[Ben Romero]

A bartender. I got the real story from one of the fellas I was playing shuffleboard with. Leo McCartney.

[Joe Friday]

What'd he tell you?

[Ben Romero]

He said that when Eddie Stokes left, the merchant seamen followed him out. He said he chased Eddie McCarty. Went out about five minutes later. Yeah. While the merchant seamen was gone, as Stokes was lying in the gutter down.

[Joe Friday]

The street, did McCarty look at him?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. He said Stokes looked pretty bad. Said he looked like he was dead. But I. I wouldn't believe that.

[Joe Friday]

Why not?

[Ben Romero]

This McCarty always exaggerates.

[Joe Friday]

10:15Pm we had William Huddy come back to the office with us, where we questioned him further and took his statement. Then we had his friend Leo McCarty brought in, along with a bartender at the Brown Barrel Tavern and the customers that he'd framed his story with. McCarty was the first to give us the straight story. And then the others followed. The bartender, Carl Jansen, who also owned the bar, was the last to break.

[Ben Romero]

How about it, Jansen? Why didn't we get a straight story to begin with? What about the publicity? How would that look? A murderer on my place?

[Joe Friday]

Could work out worse than that, Mr. Jansen. You've been withholding evidence. You talked these people into the same deal.

[Ben Romero]

I'd protect myself. Newspapers, all the scandal recommends business. I had to keep it quiet. It's not my fault that Stokes is killed. I. I didn't do it. I'm not to blame.

[Joe Friday]

No. But you know who is to blame. Now, how about it? Who is he?

[Ben Romero]

He works on the ships. Comes in here most of the time. When he's important. What's his name? Henry Baxter. I've cashed some of his paychecks.

[Joe Friday]

Ben, you better get the captain, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Hit and run. Felony Freddy. Oh, yeah. No, just a minute. For you, Jansen.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah. Thank you. Yes? Yes, Frida. Just a minute. Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

It's my wife. She's at the bar now. She thought you ought to know.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Ben Romero]

Henry Baxter. Freda says he just came in.

[Joe Friday]

I talked to Jansen's wife and told her to delay Baxter as long as possible without arousing his suspicions. 11:25pm Ben and I and Mr. Jansen, along with Rogers and McClendon, drove out to the Brown Barrel Tavern on Vermont. When we got there, Baxter was gone. Mrs. Jansen told us he was pretty drunk by the time he left the bar. She'd watched him go down one block, cross the street, and then enter a small nightclub on the opposite side called the Pink Shamrock. She'd been keeping an eye on the place, and as far as she knew, Baxter was still inside. We went down the street to the NightClub. Rogers and McClendon covered the back entrance. We got inside in the middle of a floor show. A blonde was doing some kind of a dance.

[Ben Romero]

Can you spot him, Mr. Jensen? No. No, I don't see him yet.

[Joe Friday]

How about over on this side? Back in the corner there?

[Ben Romero]

No. No, he's not there. It's so dark in here, I can't see too well. There's the rear exit to the place. He could have slipped out that way.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Ben Romero]

No.

[Joe Friday]

No, thanks. Maybe we better check with the waiter. Ben.

[Ben Romero]

Sergeant, Just a minute. That man over there at that table. Where? Yeah, I'm almost positive.

[Joe Friday]

Where?

[Ben Romero]

Right there, next to that pillar. Just behind him. Do you see? Yeah. Yeah, that's him. That's him, all right.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, Ben. You stay right here, Mr. Jansen.

[Ben Romero]

You bet. Wait. Hey, waiter. You're the CO. Kyle. Mule. Waiters. Another coke hire.

[Joe Friday]

Your name Henry Baxter?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right. What? Police officers like to talk to you. Yeah? Nothing. Can I see a show?

[Joe Friday]

Let's go outside.

[Ben Romero]

Come on, Dexter. Hey, wait a minute. What's the beef, anyway?

[Joe Friday]

You know what the beef is?

[Ben Romero]

Sure I know what the beef is.

[Joe Friday]

Come on.

[Ben Romero]

A lousy punk out of Stokes trying to give me a bad time. Now he knows what a bad time is.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, Ozzy punk.

[Ben Romero]

Stokes. I showed him how it's done. I slugged him, pounded his head on the curb. He was drunk. He never knew what happened. Come on outside. Hey, everybody. I killed Eddie Stokes. I killed him. Nice guy. Let's get him out of here.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, okay.

[Ben Romero]

How's that tooth feel, Joe? Seems okay. Better have the dentist yank it out first thing tomorrow.

[Joe Friday]

I think I'll hold off a while.

[Ben Romero]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator]

On July 30, trial was held in Superior Court Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Ben Romero]

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[Ben Romero]

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[Narrator]

Enjoy Extra mild Fatima yourself. Best of all, long cigarettes.

[Ben Romero]

It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Narrator]

Henry John Baxter was tried and convicted in Superior Court of manslaughter. He received the sentence as prescribed by law and is now serving as term in the state penitentiary. You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Chief of Police W.A. wharton, Los Angeles Police Department. Fatima cigarettes.

[Ben Romero]

Best of all, long Cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles Sarah Burner stars.

[Narrator]

In Sarah's Private Caper.

[Ben Romero]

Next on NBC.

[Joe Friday]

AT T Mobile. We'll give you four free 5G phones and four lines for only $25 per line per month with eligible trade ins. And no, it's not a contest. It's every day for a limited time. Everyone's a winner on America's largest 5G network. Minimum of 4 lines for $25 per line per month with auto paid discount using debit or bank account. $5 more per line without autopay. Up to $830 off each phone via 24 monthly bill credits plus taxes, fees and $10 device connection charge for well qualified customers. Contact us before canceling entire account to continue bill credits or credit stop and balance on required finance agreement too. Bill credits end if you pay up devices early. Ctmobile.com hey there, Ryan Reynolds here. It's a new year and you know what that means. No, not the diet resolutions. A way for us all to try and do a little bit better than we did last year. And my resolution Unlike big wireless is to not be a raging and raise the price of wireless on you every chance I get. Give it a [e-mail] Switch $45 upfront payment required. Equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first 3 month plan only. Taxes and fees. Extra Speed slower above 40 gigabytes on Unlimited. See mintmobile.com for details.

[Ben Romero]

Ladies and gentlemen, this true story concerns the heart of a great city. It took 58 minutes to resolve the question of its safety or its total destruction. This is the story of those 58 minutes. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

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[Narrator]

Dragnet that document a drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, November 15th. Was raining in Los Angeles. We were off duty, reporting in on an emergency call. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Lynn White, Deputy Chief of Police. My name's Friday. It was 8:25am when I walked into the main street entrance of the city Hall.

[Ben Romero]

Friday?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right.

[Ben Romero]

You have to take this elevator, Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

It's the only one. It's served. Thank you.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. I'm gonna run you up to 16. Chief's waiting for you up there.

[Joe Friday]

Well, what's the pitch? Only one elevator here in service out of ten. The place looks deserted. What's going on?

[Ben Romero]

Nobody in the building, Sergeant. All the office people have been sent home. Lots of trouble.

[Joe Friday]

Somebody declare a holiday?

[Ben Romero]

No joke, Sergeant. Big trouble.

[Joe Friday]

You convinced me. What is it?

[Ben Romero]

Here we are. 16th floor.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Chief Lynn White]

Over here.

[Joe Friday]

Friday, right?

[Ben Romero]

Hi, Jim.

[Joe Friday]

Hello, Ben.

[Chief Lynn White]

You made a good time.

[Joe Friday]

I came as soon as I got the call. Lynn.

[Chief Lynn White]

Sorry to have to bring you back in. You worked last night, didn't you?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Midnight to 8 this morning.

[Chief Lynn White]

Sorry. Come on.

[Ben Romero]

What is it, Skipper? Wilder. Hush Us?

[Chief Lynn White]

Where do we get inside? In here. Okay, number one, let's keep our voices down, all right? I'll make it as brief as I can. Every night counts. What time you got?

[Joe Friday]

Friday, 8:33.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, here it is. 55 minutes ago, a man walked into this building with a homemade bomb under his arm. If we don't release his brother from the county jail by 9:00 this morning, he says he'll pull the trigger on the bomb and blow up the whole building.

[Ben Romero]

He's kidding, Skipper.

[Joe Friday]

Who is the guy?

[Chief Lynn White]

Name's Vernon Carney. Here's his package. He and his brother have been in and out of jail since 1937. Small town thieves.

[Joe Friday]

FBI. Kick back here. We had him once before. Both of them.

[Chief Lynn White]

Brother's name is Elwood. Serving a year for car stripping.

[Ben Romero]

And this two bit thief is sitting here in the city hall with a bomb on his lap?

[Chief Lynn White]

That's right. The next room.

[Joe Friday]

What kind of a bomb is it, Lynn? You think he's bluffing?

[Chief Lynn White]

Could be bluffing. The crime lab says no.

[Ben Romero]

Lee Jones from the lab. Get a look at it.

[Chief Lynn White]

He's been in here twice. One end of the box is glass. Says he can't see much without a closer look. But you can't get near the guy.

[Joe Friday]

All right. What do you want us to do?

[Chief Lynn White]

It's a volunteer job. You can take it or leave it. I won't order you to do it.

[Ben Romero]

How do you want to handle it?

[Chief Lynn White]

You sure you want a piece of this Romero?

[Joe Friday]

No. No, he doesn't. He's got a family. Can you get me another single, man? We'll give it a try.

[Ben Romero]

Wait a minute, Joe. What makes this job so different? Every time we kick in a door, we never know what's on the other side.

[Joe Friday]

That's what makes it different. This time we do.

[Ben Romero]

No, you're not going to cut me out. Not the only time. I know what I'm getting into.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right. Chandler's tried Hannon, Davis, Watson, they've all tried. This guy Carney knows what he's doing. He's no pushover. But somebody's got to get that bomb away from him. Joe, baby, now.

[Joe Friday]

I looked at my watch. It was 8:36. We left Chief White and started down the hall. If Kearney was gonna make good his threat to blow up the building by 9:00, we had exactly 24 minutes to talk him out of it. Ben and I figured we'd better look him over first and then work out some kind of a plan. Maybe just talking to him would do it. Vernon Carney was sitting in a straight back chair against the far wall facing the door. It was seated between two windows that looked out over the city. In the center of the right wall was a connecting door leading to the office where Chief White had briefed us. The door was locked on both sides. Just off the center and favoring the left of the room was a small filing table. There was a Dictaphone on it. In the near left corner, shielded by a white screen, was a small wash basin. Vernon Carney sat erect, holding a black box on his lap. He held his right hand inside one end of the box. Ben and I walked into the room. What do you say to a man with a bomb?

[Ben Romero]

That's close enough.

[Joe Friday]

Cigarette, Kearney?

[Ben Romero]

I'm not smoking right now. What are you trying to prove? You know what I want. We're not gonna let your brother out of jail. You've got until 9:00 to change your mind. According to that clock up there in the ward, you got 24 minutes.

[Joe Friday]

If we go, you're going with us, Kearney.

[Ben Romero]

Don't think much of a brain to figure that one out, copper. What made you think you could get away with this? I haven't yet. It ain't 9 o'clock unless that clock's slow. I haven't checked it against my pocket watch lately. That's the one that's running this show.

[Joe Friday]

Have you giving any thought to all the innocent people that are gonna go up with that thing of yours?

[Ben Romero]

My brother's innocent. I want him out of jail.

[Joe Friday]

The court says he's guilty. He'll get out when he serves his time.

[Ben Romero]

That's where you're wrong, copper. He gets out at 9:00 this morning.

[Joe Friday]

All right, come on, Connie. Get your hand out of that box. Put the box on the table.

[Ben Romero]

You think I bluff him, don't you? I'm gonna let you get within five feet of me before I make a liar out of you. All right, Carney.

[Joe Friday]

I guess you mean business.

[Ben Romero]

You can take three more steps and find out for sure. Suppose we did let your brother out. We'd just come out and pick him up again, you along with him. If you could find us. Let's get this straight. If we let your brother Elwood out, how do we know you'll keep your promise? What promise? I haven't made any promises. You just get Elwood down here first, then we'll talk about it.

[Joe Friday]

Look, there's just one thing I can't figure, Kearney.

[Ben Romero]

Now what's that?

[Joe Friday]

If we don't let your brother out, you say you'll pull the trigger on that bomb. What are you gonna prove by then?

[Ben Romero]

8:37. Now you got 23 minutes left.

[Joe Friday]

No, I wish you'd answer that one for me. Why do you want to kill a lot of innocent people?

[Ben Romero]

Don't try to con me, copper. I know they cleared everybody out of this building 45 minutes ago. I know they cleaned out the whole block. They got it roped off. Where'd you get your information? I got a couple of windows here to look out of. Don't you think it's about time you sent somebody over to get Elwood? What's to stop us from leaving the building along with the other few officers and let you sit here and touch off that bomb? Go ahead. Won't be a long wait without you. Who you trying to kid? You'd let me blow up $10 million worth of taxpayer's money? No, you're gonna let Elwood out. You'll wait till the last minute to do it, but you let him out.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's go. Lynn, listen, I'm still not convinced that Kearney can back up what he says.

[Chief Lynn White]

Why don't you take the box away from him? Yeah, now we're in a spot. Let's face it.

[Ben Romero]

How about us getting him first?

[Chief Lynn White]

How you gonna handle it?

[Ben Romero]

I'm not top man on the pistol range, but I could wing him.

[Chief Lynn White]

Then he hands the box to you, or maybe he falls and his reflex action pulls the trigger.

[Ben Romero]

Okay, I don't wang. You must stop him for keeping.

[Joe Friday]

You just can't walk in there and shoot him down.

[Ben Romero]

Why not? You do the same thing with any armed gremlin.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, but you warn him first.

[Ben Romero]

I'll warn him.

[Joe Friday]

And after you shoot him, you find out it's a harmless gadget. Couldn't have gone off in a million years.

[Chief Lynn White]

Gun's not the answer. We can't shoot him until we're positive.

[Ben Romero]

We'll be positive by 9:00. But then there might not be anybody around us using.

[Chief Lynn White]

We've located Connie's apartment. There's a detail out there checking it now. Bocelli and Morris.

[Joe Friday]

Have you got any ideas at all? Anything we could try?

[Chief Lynn White]

That's why I called you in. None of us have gotten any farther than you did just now.

[Joe Friday]

There's just one thing I want to know for sure.

[Chief Lynn White]

Yeah? Friday is it or isn't it?

[Ben Romero]

We all want to know either way. We gotta get that box away from him.

[Chief Lynn White]

I get it. White speaking. Yeah, did now stay out there. I'll call you. That was Pacelli. They just found 28 sticks of dynamite in Kearney's apart.

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[Ben Romero]

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[Joe Friday]

We knew now Carney wasn't kidding. We could see into the bomb through the glass window in one end, there was dynamite inside and there was dynamite in Carney's room. We didn't know if he had the nerve to pull the trigger. We didn't know if it'd go off when he did. But with only minutes remaining, nobody wanted to take the chance. From here on in, all of us agreed that Vernon Carney sat in the next, holding in his two hands a force powerful enough to destroy us all. I looked at my watch. It was 20 minutes till 9.

[Chief Lynn White]

How do we get it away from him?

[Joe Friday]

I got an idea. It might work.

[Chief Lynn White]

Let's have it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, Carney's sitting against the far wall between two windows. And they're both open.

[Ben Romero]

That's right.

[Joe Friday]

If we could get a man through one of those windows, we might get Carney from behind.

[Chief Lynn White]

How are you gonna get him?

[Joe Friday]

Well, whoever gets through the window could slug him.

[Ben Romero]

What do you do then?

[Joe Friday]

Somebody grabs the box. The crime lab can tell us what to do with it.

[Chief Lynn White]

How do we get a man through one of those windows. We're on the 16th floor.

[Joe Friday]

Well, there's some kind of a ledge that runs around the building on each story, isn't there?

[Ben Romero]

Wide enough for a man to walk on.

[Chief Lynn White]

Let's take a look.

[Ben Romero]

Let's see. Looks pretty narrow, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Good. 18 inches. Could be done.

[Chief Lynn White]

So risky. It's been raining out that legend. Slippery.

[Ben Romero]

Strong wind out there, Joe. Tear a man right off the building.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I guess you're right.

[Chief Lynn White]

There's still a way. How about a letter?

[Ben Romero]

16 floors.

[Chief Lynn White]

Skipper, there might be a way. The fire department didn't know that. I'll get Battalion Chief Erickson.

[Joe Friday]

There's Lee Jones in the building?

[Chief Lynn White]

No, he's over at the crime lab. I'll get him up here, too. I don't know. Friday, maybe. It'll work.

[Joe Friday]

It's got to, Lynn.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, now, look, it's gonna take a couple of minutes to set this up. We've got to know what Carney's doing every second of that time.

[Ben Romero]

How about the Dictaphone? On the table in there.

[Chief Lynn White]

Good. Get it on without him seeing you.

[Ben Romero]

We'll try.

[Chief Lynn White]

That Dictaphone in there is connected to this one in here. This room is 1614. You got that?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, push down key 1614 on that machine in there and leave it down. Get the receiver off the hook and leave it off.

[Ben Romero]

Leave the receiver off?

[Chief Lynn White]

That's right. You know, if it isn't off the hook, we won't be able to hear a thing in here.

[Joe Friday]

Right. Come on. Ben.

[Chief Lynn White]

Lyn White speaking.

[Joe Friday]

Give me Chief Erickson.

[Ben Romero]

Where's my brother?

[Joe Friday]

Still him. His cell.

[Ben Romero]

You coppers have long run talk short on time. Yeah, we know. I'm telling you for your own good. You better get Elwood over here.

[Joe Friday]

Kearney, I'll bet if we get your brother on the phone here, he'll tell you that he doesn't want any part of this.

[Ben Romero]

You mean Elwood doesn't want to get out? Since when? Sure, he wants out, but not your way.

[Joe Friday]

He's only got a year to serve. Why don't you leave him alone?

[Ben Romero]

I told Al. I told him I'd get him out. He didn't think I could do it, but I'm doing it.

[Joe Friday]

I'll make you a bet, Carney. You let us get your brother on the phone, he won't walk out of here with you.

[Ben Romero]

Get him on the phone.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Ben Romero]

Where are you going? Phone's over here.

[Joe Friday]

Have to use the Dictaphone. I got to get an okay from the chief. Felwood's still a prisoner.

[Ben Romero]

What's the matter with the phone? No operators. You know the building's been cleared. That's right. I almost forgot. Okay, you can use the Dictaphone this Friday, Chief.

[Joe Friday]

Connie wants to talk to his brother. I know. You'll have to send somebody over. Haven't put the call on extension. Wait a minute. What's that extension number, Ben?

[Ben Romero]

2351.

[Joe Friday]

2351. Lynn.

[Ben Romero]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

It'll take a minute.

[Ben Romero]

All right. I kind of like to talk to Al. Been a couple of months since I seen him. We've always been together, me and Al. Most of the time. Joe, let's go in and see if we can't hurry that call. That's a good idea. Boy, it's 16 minutes. Yeah. Hey, cop.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Ben Romero]

You got to hang up the Dictaphone, didn't you?

[Joe Friday]

I put the receiver back on the Dictaphone. Ben and I had failed to make good on the first step of the plan. When we got outside the door, we briefed Davis and Watson. They went in to sit with Carney. It would be their job to keep us posted on Carney's movements. The Dictaphone was out. Went back into the office next door. Chief Sam Erickson of the fire Department and Lt. Lee Jones from the crime lab were already there.

[Chief Lynn White]

Would have been a help. We haven't got time to cry over it.

[Ben Romero]

Carney's wide awake, Skipper. He doesn't miss a thing. White told us a plan Friday. We can't run a ladder up from the street.

[Joe Friday]

Too high, huh, Chief?

[Ben Romero]

Best we've got is a hundred foot aerial. You figure 12 foot to the story. That'll take you up 96ft. Eight floors. We got the latest equipment.

[Chief Lynn White]

What's that idea you had, Jones?

[Ben Romero]

Sam, can you get a hold of a pump here in a hurry? Sure. We got a lot of scaling ladders, but you got nothing up there to hook them on.

[Joe Friday]

You figure on dropping down from the floor above?

[Ben Romero]

That's right. And I figure a pump here would do it. Sure it would. You could make it past the windowsill up there. But you got a foot and a half ledge in the way. No, you wants a lifeline. You mean Nora. Man in a rope, Chief? Yeah, Romaro. That's the quickest and the quietest.

[Chief Lynn White]

Could you rig it so one of my boys could do it?

[Ben Romero]

Surely.

[Chief Lynn White]

What's the risk?

[Ben Romero]

None, if you work it right. We'll strap on a life belt. Give the man heavy leather gloves. Two of my men will lower him down. Pick your lightest man.

[Chief Lynn White]

What do you think, Lee?

[Ben Romero]

That's it.

[Joe Friday]

What do we do with the bomb when we get it?

[Ben Romero]

I figure that box Connie's holding is about a foot square. Here's what I'll do. I'll get you a bucket with a foot and a half mouth. And it'll be full of water.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

I'll have it right outside the door of that office. When you get that box, place it in the water. We'll get the bucket out of the building as fast as we can. Once we get the bomb underwater, we're in the clear. I can't promise you that. But it's the safest way to handle it under the circumstances.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, that's it. Sam, you take care of your end right away.

[Ben Romero]

I'll get a detail to give me a hand down the street. And we'll take the bomb to a safe area and decommission it.

[Chief Lynn White]

Let's move on it.

[Ben Romero]

Right, then. Which part do you want, the rope or the bomb?

[Joe Friday]

You call it.

[Chief Lynn White]

Fire Chief Erickson said the lightest man.

[Ben Romero]

On the rope, that's me, Joe. All right.

[Joe Friday]

I'll get the bomb out of the building.

[Chief Lynn White]

Okay, that's the routine. Carry this with you. The man that comes down that rope has one chance to make good. Slug him and make it count. There's no second try.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Chief Lynn White]

And, Joe, when you grab that box, you've got to get it away from Carney before he can squeeze the trigger. Then you got to get it down the street.

[Joe Friday]

The elevator.

[Chief Lynn White]

You know how to operate it?

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's pretty simple, but I'll double check with the operator.

[Chief Lynn White]

You better do it right now.

[Joe Friday]

Okay. Say, we better get Carney's brother on the phone for him. He seemed anxious.

[Ben Romero]

That might be a pretty good idea.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, Romero. That's the outside phone. Get the city jail.

[Ben Romero]

Right, Skipper.

[Chief Lynn White]

Get going, Friday.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks. Hey, you. Elevator man.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, R.

[Joe Friday]

I want to see if I know how to work this thing of yours.

[Ben Romero]

You taking over the elevator?

[Joe Friday]

In a couple of minutes. You want to check me out?

[Ben Romero]

Nothing to it, Sergeant. Here's the control. You push this lever right to go up, left to go down. See this little trigger on the underside of the handle? Yeah. That's a safety lock. Be sure you squeeze it or you can't move the lever.

[Joe Friday]

It's all right if I try it?

[Ben Romero]

Okay. Wait till I turn off the master switch. All right, that's it. Right to go up, left to go down.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Now, how do you operate the doors?

[Ben Romero]

Automatic. They work off the control lever. When the control lever is Locked in the up or down position, the doors will close.

[Joe Friday]

I got it.

[Ben Romero]

Now, in case they jam this red emergency button up here.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Push it. If that doesn't close, then we call the repairman.

[Joe Friday]

Okay, I think I got it. You want to turn that switch back on?

[Ben Romero]

All right. You're sure now? I have my orders to get out of the building. I'll just leave the elevator right here and take the stairs down.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Ben Romero]

Thanks a lot, Sergeant. Just curious. You're going to take the bomb down this car?

[Joe Friday]

We're going to try.

[Ben Romero]

You won't have any trouble. We haven't had an elevator failure in 18 months.

[Joe Friday]

The elevator man turned and went down the stairs. I started down the corridor and met Ben outside the office. He told me that Lee Jones and Chief Erickson were on their way up in the freight elevator at the rear of the building with the necessary equipment. The two fire department volunteers were with him. The phone call had been put through the city jail. And in a minute Elwood Carney would be ready at the other end of the line. We went in to tell Kearney.

[Ben Romero]

I told him over at the jail to put the call through on extension 2351.

[Joe Friday]

When's it coming through?

[Ben Romero]

Right now. You got Elwood with you? No.

[Joe Friday]

We told you we'd get him on the phone for you. Call will be through in a minute.

[Ben Romero]

A minute's a long time, cop. You only got 12 of them left.

[Joe Friday]

Elwood's gonna talk you out of this.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, sure, sure. Everybody's gonna talk me out of this. First it was him, other two cops, the little porky guy, another monkey. Then you and this Dixie dough head here. Now it's Elwood. Now, come off it, will you? Get my brother over here.

[Joe Friday]

That's him. Now.

[Ben Romero]

It's your brother. Cony. I guess they put you. Just gonna get the phone. You want to talk to your brother, don't you? I'll take care of the phone. We'll just disconnect it from them. Now get this straight, copper. I'm throwing this stinking, rotten lion. I want Elwood here, and I want him now. I'll bring him here before I blow you all to pieces.

[Chief Lynn White]

Who threw that phone out in the hall?

[Ben Romero]

I did. You want me to go out there and pick it up?

[Chief Lynn White]

Connie, that's not gonna get you any place.

[Ben Romero]

Are you the big boss around here?

[Chief Lynn White]

Maybe.

[Ben Romero]

Arya, aren't you?

[Chief Lynn White]

I answered.

[Ben Romero]

All right, big boy, I got a piece of advice for you. You take your rookie cops here and get it through their thick heads. I mean What I say I want my brother over here in this room. And you got just 11 minutes to get it done. Now, you tell him that, will you?

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, Kearney, it's your show. All right. We gotta work fast now. Jones, everything set for you?

[Ben Romero]

Got the bucket with the water? Right here. Cars waiting down the street? Right. Erickson, your boys ready upstairs waiting.

[Chief Lynn White]

We all know what to do.

[Joe Friday]

I'll need somebody to give me a hand with Kearney when he falls.

[Chief Lynn White]

I'll be in there with you, Friday.

[Ben Romero]

Ready to go upstairs, chief? Anytime. One thing you ought to know. What's that? Wind's getting stronger. About 20 mile an hour out there right now.

[Chief Lynn White]

That can allow suicide?

[Ben Romero]

No, but it's going to increase the sway. You got to allow for it. How do you mean? Wind's coming from the south. We'll lower you just to the right of the window. If I figure right, the wind will do the rest. Bigger risk, but we don't control the weather.

[Joe Friday]

How you gonna do it, Ben?

[Ben Romero]

As soon as I get in position, I'll reach in through the window on his right. And I'll use the billy. Try to catch him on the right side of the head. One good hit should put him away.

[Joe Friday]

Make it two and be sure, huh?

[Ben Romero]

All right. You ready, Gene? Let's go.

[Chief Lynn White]

What's the time? Friday?

[Joe Friday]

8:50.

[Ben Romero]

Shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes for a mare to get. Unless the wind gives him trouble.

[Chief Lynn White]

Jones, there's no use you sticking around.

[Ben Romero]

I'll give Friday a hand.

[Chief Lynn White]

That's my job. I gotta keep you alive to decommission the bomb.

[Ben Romero]

Bomb? Joke. See you downstairs.

[Joe Friday]

You ready, Lynn?

[Chief Lynn White]

Yeah. Scared? Fighting?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Chief Lynn White]

Makes us even. Come on.

[Joe Friday]

Lynn. White and I went into the next room with Vernon Carney. Ben was going to make a try from the window on Kearney's right. Somehow he had to keep his attention on us and away from that window. If anything went wrong and Kearny got out of position, the plan would fail. If Chief Erickson didn't estimate the force of the wind correctly, the plan would fail. I looked at my watch. It was eight minutes to nine.

[Chief Lynn White]

Carney, anything we can say that'll make you change your mind?

[Ben Romero]

I've asked you a hundred times. Now I'm ordering you. You're gonna get to a phone and have somebody send Elwood over here right now. I'm through waiting. Now move.

[Joe Friday]

You ripped the phone out.

[Ben Romero]

Well, then find another one. I told you, I'm sick of your two bit stolen.

[Chief Lynn White]

We've got until 9 o'clock to make up our mind about this.

[Ben Romero]

You had until nine you wouldn't do what I told you. Now I'm cutting you short. You guys got exactly one minute to get a phone in this room where I can hear you. Call a jail and have him send Elwood over here.

[Joe Friday]

You said nine, Carney.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, Joe. We'll give him what he wants.

[Ben Romero]

David. So lock your connecting door to this office.

[Joe Friday]

Forget the phone. Lynn.

[Ben Romero]

Record reach.

[Joe Friday]

Just a minute.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah?

[Chief Lynn White]

Your brother's a prisoner. He's in our custody and he's under our protection. We can't place his life in jeopardy.

[Ben Romero]

Leave that up to Al.

[Chief Lynn White]

Kenworthy. This is Lynn White. We want Elwood Carney over here at City Hall. His brother wants to see him. Explain the situation. If he wants to come, get him over here. Leave it up to him. Room 1614. You'll have to use the freight elevator.

[Ben Romero]

And tell him to hurry.

[Chief Lynn White]

Yeah, tell him to hurry.

[Ben Romero]

That's the only smart thing you've done today. Why don't you go next door and figure out another angle?

[Joe Friday]

We'll wait for Elwood too.

[Ben Romero]

You don't think I'd let you get out now, do you? We're all gonna wait right here for my brother. In case he don't show up, you're going to see me pull the plug. Now sit down. Not so close. Right where you are. Sit down. It's a loud clock, ain't it? It's windy. It's getting cold in here. Maybe I had to close the windows.

[Joe Friday]

Hey, turn on the heat.

[Ben Romero]

Stay put, cop. What's that? What's going on?

[Joe Friday]

Get the wind, John.

[Ben Romero]

There's somebody out there. I can see his feet. You stupid cunts. Pull him up. Get back there. You.

[Joe Friday]

Pull him up.

[Ben Romero]

Heidi, tell him to pull him out. Pull him out.

[Joe Friday]

Pull him out. All right, Connie, you win.

[Ben Romero]

You bet I win. You dumb coppers. You didn't think I'd miss a trick like that. Now, we'll just close the windows, boys. There's one and locked.

[Chief Lynn White]

Here's your brother, Connie.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. Hi, Al. Hi, Vern.

[Joe Friday]

I did it.

[Ben Romero]

I told you. I told you I'd do it, didn't I? That's far enough for the rest of you. Al, you come on over here. Crazy, Vernon.

[Joe Friday]

You're crazy.

[Ben Romero]

That's what they've been trying to tell me. We're going home now. How you gonna do it? There's a million cops outside. People all over town. Heard about this? They're holding the crowd back. Ain't gonna stop us now.

[Joe Friday]

You'll Never make it, either one of you.

[Ben Romero]

I got in this far, didn't I? Will make it, Vern.

[Joe Friday]

Do you think we could do it?

[Ben Romero]

You?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

They're gonna get a car ready for us. A fast one. Have it in front of the building. Move.

[Chief Lynn White]

All right, Friday, do what he tells you.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Ben Romero]

Holland? Yeah. If you ain't back by 9:00, the deal still holds. I told them I'd pull the pin at 9. Al, if they didn't let you out. You ain't fooling, Ivern. That gadget really blow four miles high. I won't let you pull it.

[Joe Friday]

We're getting out.

[Ben Romero]

All right, copper, get the car. You got four minutes.

[Joe Friday]

Hey, Ben.

[Ben Romero]

Ben, what happened? He spotting? Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

No time to explain now. Listen, we gotta work fast.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

We had to bring Carney's brother over from the jail.

[Ben Romero]

How much time we got?

[Joe Friday]

Less than four minutes.

[Ben Romero]

How about the ledge?

[Joe Friday]

Think you can do it? Strong winds. You'll have to hang on like a fly.

[Ben Romero]

I don't know. I can give it a try. Okay.

[Joe Friday]

Same plan. Every second counts. Now I can't brief Lynn. He's in the room with the guy. It's up to you and me.

[Ben Romero]

I'll get on the ledge from one of these offices. I hope I'll make it.

[Joe Friday]

If you don't, we'll know you'll try it in a hurry. Hey, Ben, Wait a minute.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

I forgot. The window is the one on his right. He locked it. You'll have to crawl around the one on the left. You got it?

[Ben Romero]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

Carl, be ready in two minutes out front.

[Ben Romero]

Fine. Elle and I just sit here and wait. It's gonna be good being back together, huh? We always were real good together, Vernon. Well, that's the way brothers ought to be. Together all the time. If Vern, I'd feel better with the gun. We don't need no gun. We got the bomb. We need a gun.

[Joe Friday]

When we get out, we get on the road.

[Ben Romero]

Okay. Take your pick. They all got him. You give him yours.

[Joe Friday]

I'm not carrying a gun. I left it in the other room.

[Ben Romero]

A cop without a gun. Who's kidding who?

[Joe Friday]

I left it in the other room.

[Ben Romero]

Risk the big boy, Al. He's got one. It's about time for that car, ain't it? It's two minutes to nine.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, this feels like it. Right on his hip.

[Ben Romero]

Grab him, Joe. I got him. Get the box. See that guy alone?

[Joe Friday]

I got him, Ben.

[Ben Romero]

I gotta get his hand out of it.

[Chief Lynn White]

Run, Joe.

[Ben Romero]

Get in the water. Run.

[Joe Friday]

In a fast elevator. 16 floors isn't very much. But I never shared an elevator with a live bomb. Seemed like hours between floors. I kept watching the bucket. The bomb was completely underwater. A small stream of bubbles was hissing to the surface. I waited. Main floor. Picked up the bucket and ran for the street. I missed the first step.

[Ben Romero]

I fell forward.

[Joe Friday]

The bucket spun out of my hand. I sprawled flat in the sidewalk. I waited for the explosion.

[Ben Romero]

It didn't go off Friday.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I gave it a good chance, Lee.

[Ben Romero]

It was all there. Look. At least a dozen sticks of dynamite. Snyder, bring that over here. Here you are, Lieutenant. Thanks. Here's why it didn't go off. Yeah. Had it rigged for a hard trigger pull. Would have taken a good yank to set this one off. All right, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Hi, Ben.

[Ben Romero]

Clumsy. The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator]

On February 15, trial was held in Superior Court Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Ben Romero]

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[Narrator]

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[Ben Romero]

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[Narrator]

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[Ben Romero]

To smoke extra mild Fatima it's wise.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Narrator]

Vernon Carney was examined by five different psychiatrists appointed by the Superior Court and found to be mentally incompetent. He is now confined in the state mental institution for the criminally insane. Elwood Carney is now serving the balance of his sentence with no time off for good behavior.

[Ben Romero]

Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Narrator]

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[Joe Friday]

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[Narrator]

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[Joe Friday]

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