THE BIG PIPE and THE BIG TV DRAGNET

Summary

Podcast Summary: "THE BIG PIPE and THE BIG TV DRAGNET"

Podcast Information

• Title: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers
• Host/Author: Jon Hagadorn
• Episode: THE BIG PIPE and THE BIG TV DRAGNET
• Release Date: January 5, 2025
• Description: This episode delves into an intricate murder case reminiscent of the classic Dragnet series, blending authentic police procedural storytelling with dramatic flair.

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Introduction

In this episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers, host Jon Hagadorn presents a gripping narrative inspired by the golden age of radio detective stories. The story unfolds in Los Angeles, where Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Detective Frank Smith, are assigned to a perplexing homicide case.

The Crime

[01:20] Detective Joe Friday: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Dragnet, you're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. The body of an attractive woman has been found in a downtown office building, beaten to death with a piece of lead pipe. The killer has escaped into the city. Your job. Find him."

On a warm Thursday morning, April 15, in downtown Los Angeles, the tranquility is shattered by the discovery of Ada Fitzgerald's body. Found in suite 7:18 of an office building, Ada was brutally murdered with a lead pipe, and the perpetrator fled the scene, leaving investigators with scant evidence.

Initial Investigation

Upon arriving at the scene [02:14], Detectives Friday and Smith interview Ms. Joyce, the building manager, who recounts the harrowing moment she found Ada dead [04:24]. Despite the chaotic state of the office, with papers scattered and ashtrays spilled, Ms. Joyce confirms that Ada's valuable possessions, including diamond rings and cash, were untouched, effectively ruling out robbery as a motive.

[06:15] In her testimony, Ms. Joyce reveals that Ada and her husband, Oscar Fitzgerald, were embroiled in a contentious divorce, with threatening letters suggesting escalating tensions [06:46]. These letters become a critical lead, pointing suspicion toward Oscar Fitzgerald.

Oscar Fitzgerald: A Suspect Under Scrutiny

Detectives locate Oscar Fitzgerald at a men's club [09:14], where his demeanor is defensive and evasive. Through a series of interviews [10:19], Oscar admits to a tumultuous marriage but vehemently denies involvement in his wife's death. His alibi appears flimsy, further entangling him in the investigation.

[12:26] Despite Oscar's claims of innocence, fingerprint analysis on the lead pipe yields inconclusive results [13:52]. The investigation stalls until Sergeant Jack McCready provides a new lead from an informant—Carl Neely, a short, stocky man seen near the crime scene [14:32].

Carl Neely: The Intoxicated Confession

Detectives track down Carl Neely at the Olympia Bar [15:04], where he is visibly intoxicated and aggressive. During the confrontation [17:34], Neely appears to inadvertently confess to the murder under the influence of alcohol:

[17:56] Carl Neely: "Nothing to tell. I read about it in the papers this morning. I started drinking. Always happens when I'm in. Belting the booze. Right away tell people I killed somebody."

However, his rambling behavior and lack of concrete evidence make his confession dubious [19:22]. Forensic examination reveals blood-stained clothing and an envelope addressed from Oscar Fitzgerald [19:18], deepening the mystery.

Norman Sitkin: A Complicated Figure

Attention shifts to Norman Sitkin [28:44], a man with a troubled past, including prior arrests for burglary and assault. Sitkin becomes a person of interest due to his previous connections to similar crimes [24:29]. A stakeout leads to his arrest [23:34], but initial interrogations yield minimal information until his clothes and a blood-stained shirt are discovered.

Harriet Shipley and the Missing Child

Further investigation uncovers the tragic story of Harriet Shipley, a woman linked to the case through Norman Sitkin [34:07]. Harriet had a tumultuous relationship with her husband, Big Jerry, leading to a failed suicide attempt [31:32] and the subsequent death of her baby [39:08]. Norman Sitkin reveals that Harriet's instability and threats to take the baby away have left lasting scars on the community.

Cliff Bender: The Underlying Threat

Norman Sitkin introduces Detective Friday and Smith to Cliff Bender [36:37], Harriet's admirer whose obsessive behavior poses a significant threat [37:03]. Despite mounting evidence [40:32], authorities struggle to locate Bender, who remains elusive and dangerous [42:15]. The investigation highlights the complexities of human relationships and the unforeseen consequences of personal vendettas [48:38].

Resolution and Closure

After exhaustive efforts, including interviews with Pauline Lavin, Harriet's sister [46:53], and forensic analyses [44:36], the detectives piece together that the true perpetrator may not be fully accountable, leading to a disappointing closure [53:20]. Norman Sitkin's involvement unveils a cycle of pain and retribution, ultimately resulting in the case being marked closed by Captain Larman [53:56].

[25:10] Detective Joe Friday: "Norman Edward Sitkin was tried and convicted for murder in the first degree. On recommendation of the jury, he received the maximum penalty. And on July 19th he was executed in the lethal gas chamber at the state penitentiary, San Quentin, California."

Conclusion

"The Big Pipe and The Big TV Dragnet" masterfully encapsulates the essence of classic radio detective stories, blending procedural investigation with deep emotional narratives. The episode underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in unraveling complex human motives and the often-painful journey toward justice.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:20] Detective Joe Friday: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent."
• [17:34] Carl Neely: "Nothing to tell. I read about it in the papers this morning."
• [37:32] Ernest Lasnick: "You gotta promise me you won't tell him."
• [48:27] Norman Sitkin: "Harriet sat around for a week. Didn't say anything. Didn't do nothing. Just stare at the wall."
• [25:10] Detective Joe Friday: "Norman Edward Sitkin was tried and convicted for murder in the first degree."

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This detailed summary captures the key elements of the episode, providing listeners with an engaging overview of the intricate murder case, the investigative process, and the emotional depths explored throughout the narrative.

Transcript

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[Detective Joe Friday]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Dragnet, you're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. The body of an attractive woman has been found in a downtown office building, beaten to death with a piece of lead pipe. The killer has escaped into the city. Your job. Find him.

[Narrator]

It was Thursday, April 15. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of homicide detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Larman. My name's Friday. We just left the murder room and it was 7:40am when we got to suite 7:18. The building manager's office. Ms. Joyce? Yes.

[Ms. Joyce]

You men cops?

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am. We understand you're the one who found the body. Is that right?

[Ms. Joyce]

That's right. I found her. Oh, it was an awful thing.

[Narrator]

This is my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday. Wonder if you feel up to telling us exactly what happened.

[Ms. Joyce]

Oh, sure. It's just about the most Terrible thing ever happened to me.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Something we can get you, man?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Oh, no, thanks.

[Ms. Joyce]

Janie brought me some hot coffee.

[Narrator]

Who's Janie?

[Ms. Joyce]

Janie Alquist. She works the first three floors. She brought me some hot coffee.

[Narrator]

I see.

[Ms. Joyce]

She was up here and they let her bring it.

[Narrator]

All right, Ms. Joyce, you just tell us about it, please.

[Ms. Joyce]

Right from the beginning. You want to hear all about the.

[Narrator]

Whole thing, if you would, please.

[Ms. Joyce]

Well, I came on at four, just like always. I punched in and came up to the 10th floor and started in. Got the things out of the closet on the 10th?

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Ms. Joyce]

Usually I start on the 7th. But now and then I like to do it a little different. And I start on 10 and work down.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, ma'am. What time was it when you found the body?

[Ms. Joyce]

Oh, just a few minutes ago, I guess about seven. Right around in there. I only had two more offices to do and I'd be finished. I just had two more when I got there.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am. Go ahead and tell us about finding the body.

[Ms. Joyce]

Oh, well, I unlocked the door and I saw the light inside. I thought it was kind of funny. Cause usually it's dark.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You mean in the office?

[Ms. Joyce]

Yes. And where Mrs. Fitzgerald's desk is, it's usually dark.

[Narrator]

Man.

[Ms. Joyce]

I thought it was kind of funny, like I said. But then I thought that maybe she was working. She does accounting, you know.

[Carl Neely]

Woman accountant.

[Ms. Joyce]

And I thought she was working. So I knocked. I didn't just want to go right in if she was working. You know, disturbers. I knocked, but she didn't answer.

[Narrator]

Go ahead, please.

[Ms. Joyce]

Well, I opened the door and went in right off. I was kind of sore about it. No excuse for a thing like that. No excuse at all.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What do you mean?

[Ms. Joyce]

Well, didn't you see the place?

[Norman Sitkin]

Didn't you look?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Ms. Joyce]

Well, then you know what a mess it was. Papers all over the floor and ashtrays spilled. All that mess. And I'm supposed to be through at 7:30. Why, I'd never made it. Never got through on time. And that's when I saw her behind the desk. Oh, it was an awful thing. There she was on the floor.

[Narrator]

Dead. Yes, ma'am. There was no one else in the office?

[Ms. Joyce]

No, just Mrs. Fitzgerald. She was on the floor behind the desk.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Why'd you do that?

[Ms. Joyce]

I screamed loud. As loud as I could. I wanted somebody to come up there right away. And that was the first time I ever saw anybody dead. Then I ran out of the office and went downstairs to get somebody to help. Just an awful thing. Oh, poor Mrs. 52, Gerald. Oh, she was so nice all the time saying hello when she'd come in early and I'd still be working. Oh, I think about it and I just can't believe that it's true. I just can't hardly believe it.

[Narrator]

Did you see anyone on the floor while you were working?

[Ms. Joyce]

Just Mrs. Fitzgerald.

[Narrator]

No, ma'am. I mean, was there anybody in the halls of the building?

[Ms. Joyce]

Oh, no, no, not that I saw. There wasn't anybody. I'd have seen them if they was there, but they weren't.

[Narrator]

All right, Ms. Joyce. We'll contact you tomorrow about a statement. Meantime, leave you one of our cards here. If you think of anything we should know, we'd appreciate it if you give us a call.

[Ms. Joyce]

Oh, I sure will. Anything at all I think of, I'll call you. And I go now.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am. Sir?

[Ms. Joyce]

I'm gonna go home and take a hot bath and calm my nerves.

[Narrator]

Shirley.

[Ms. Joyce]

Oh, sure. He's gonna be a shock to her husband, of course. Not that he'll mind too much.

[Narrator]

Beg your pardon?

[Ms. Joyce]

Her husband, you know, Mr. Fitzgerald?

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am. What about it?

[Ms. Joyce]

Well, just that it isn't gonna bother that one too much.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Why'd he say that?

[Ms. Joyce]

I shouldn't have said anything. Not a word. I shouldn't have told you I'd get fired. Sure.

[Narrator]

Well, if it's got anything to do with Ms. Fitzgerald's death, maybe you better tell us, don't you think?

[Ms. Joyce]

Well, if you'll promise not to tell the supervisor.

[Narrator]

All right, go ahead.

[Ms. Joyce]

It gets dull just being in a big building by yourself all alone at night when there isn't anybody around. It's pretty dull once in a while. Not real often, Just once in a while. I kind of read some of the letters that people throw away, you know, in the wastebasket. They don't want them anymore. So when it gets real dull, I read them. And I've read some in Mrs. Fitzgerald's office from her husband. Mr. Fitzgerald?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Ms. Joyce]

Seems like they've been having some kind of a big fight.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Ms. Joyce]

Going to court and all. I don't know what it's all about, but they've been fighting. And in the letters, he tells how she ought to leave him alone. I guess she's asking for a lot of alimony or something. That's what it sounded like to me. Some of the letters, the way he wrote to her mean. Used to threaten her all the time.

[Narrator]

You saw these letters where he threatened her, did you?

[Ms. Joyce]

Yes, one. I guess it was about a week ago. He said in that if she tried to railroad the thing through. Now, that's what he said. Railroad the thing through. He'd come up here and.

[Narrator]

Yes, go ahead.

[Ms. Joyce]

Well, that's all there is. I couldn't find the other piece of the letter where he said what he was going to do. See, she tore up the letters after she read them.

[Narrator]

All right, Ms. Joyce. Thank you very much.

[Ms. Joyce]

I hope I helped.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, ma'am, certainly have.

[Ms. Joyce]

I sure wish I could have found that other piece of the letter. No way of knowing what it said.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am.

[Ms. Joyce]

You suppose he really meant it?

[Narrator]

I don't know. We'll ask him. By the time Frank and I had arrived at the scene, the crew from the crime lab was there. Photographs of the entire room were taken and fingerprints were lifted from the edges of the desk, from the top of a lamp and from the molding around the door. The murder weapon, a 15 inch section of heavy lead pipe, was booked for evidence. There was nothing we could tell from the pipe itself other than the fact that it was the murder instrument was a plain piece of three quarter inch pipe. One end was wrapped in a heavy brown paper, the other was blood stained. Because of the appearance of the office, it looked as if robbery was the motive for the crime. However, on examination of the victim's personal effects, we found that two large diamond rings were still in her fingers. In her purse we found cash in the amount of $226. On the desk itself we found a woman's WristWatch set with 1212 diamonds. The fact that none of this had been removed apparently ruled out robbery as the motive. The other employees of the building were questioned, but they were unable to shed any light on a possible suspect. None of them had seen any unauthorized persons in the place. After closing hours, people on the street in the immediate vicinity were questioned. The only lead we were able to come up with was that at approximately 7:02am a newsboy had seen a short, stocky man walk from the office building entrance. Other than the brief description of the man's build, the witness was unable to tell us anything. An immediate broadcast was gotten out on what information we had. From a telephone book in the victim's desk, we got an address for her husband, Oscar Fitzgerald. It was a men's club located in downtown Los Angeles. Frank and I drove over to talk to him. Come in. Thank you.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Thanks very much.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Sit down. I'll call for some coffee. You fellas want some?

[Narrator]

No, no thanks. No, sir.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You don't mind if I have some?

[Narrator]

No, you go right ahead.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Room service, please. Kind of early for the cops to come calling.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir, I guess it is.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

This is Mr. Fitzgerald, room 417. Would you please send up a pot of coffee? That's right. Oh, and send a large glass of orange juice too, huh? Yeah. Make sure it's cold. 4:17. Right. One thing I can't go is warm orange juice. Like cigarettes.

[Narrator]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Now, what's this all about? What do you want to see me for?

[Narrator]

Well, when's the last time you saw your wife?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Ada.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I guess a couple weeks ago, I.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Can you narrow that down to a day?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Why? Any special reason for me to?

[Narrator]

Well, we'd like to hear it. I see.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I guess it was around March 30th. I can check it if it's important.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Where'd you see her?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

At my lawyers. We had a conference to try and work out the divorce and settlement.

[Narrator]

What line of work are you in, Fitzgerald?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I think you better tell me what this is all about before I answer any more questions. If this is some sort of trick Ada's trying, you tell her it won't work and she can get off my back.

[Narrator]

No, it's no trick. I think it might be better if you cooperate with us and answer the question.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

All right. But I'm gonna tell you going in that if you try to pull a fast one I'm gonna deny everything I tell you.

[Narrator]

Now, if you tell us the truth, you won't have any trouble. Now, where do you work?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Right now, I'm between.

[Narrator]

What's that mean exactly? I'm an actor.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Right now, I haven't got an assignment.

[Narrator]

Where'd you work?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Last picture Studio. Look, until you tell me what this is for, I'm not gonna give you any names.

[Narrator]

Can you give us your movements for the past few days?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Starting when?

[Narrator]

Well, let's try the day before yesterday.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Okay. I got up and went out to see my agent. Of course, that was a waste of time. Hung around the office for a couple hours and then had lunch on the Strip. After that I came downtown, saw a movie. I came home, took a shower and I kept the dinner engaged.

[Narrator]

You prove that.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

If I have to, yeah. But you're getting no names until I know what's going on.

[Narrator]

All right. How about yesterday? What'd you do then?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I got up and went out to my agents. He told me he had a part on the fire. We went out on an interview. I was at the studio until about 4:30 and then we went back to my agent's office and had a couple of drinks. After that, I came back here, didn't feel too good and I went to bed.

[Narrator]

The man at the desk would be able to verify all that? Woody?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Yeah, just ask him.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Fitzgerald, how'd you get along with your wife?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Well, it's not any of your business. But I'll tell you, it isn't any secret. I hated everything about it.

[Narrator]

You ever have any fights with her?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Not more than five a week for the past four years.

[Narrator]

You ever hit her?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You know, people win money for answering questions on quiz shows. What happens if I answer the big?

[Narrator]

Well, that depends on how you're gonna answer it. We understand you wrote your wife some threatening letters. Now, is that right?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I guess you could call me. Yeah, I told her to get off my back and leave me alone. Told her if she didn't, she was building more trouble than she could handle.

[Narrator]

You ever threatened her life?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

No, I'm not gonna try to tell you that. There weren't times when I could have killed Ada. There were a lot of them, but it wasn't worth it. Not for her.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What'd you argue about?

[Narrator]

It mostly.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

The divorce. I've been trying to get one for the last four years. Ada wouldn't see it. Finally, when I did talk her into it, the settlement she wanted was way out of line. I wouldn't go for it and told her so. What's all this about the fights and the threatening, anyway? Something happened to Ada, is that it?

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Has she been hurt, Fred?

[Narrator]

It's more serious than that.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

She did?

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You think I did it now we're.

[Narrator]

Checking everybody that knew her.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Okay. I told her there were times when I could have. When I maybe wanted to. But I wouldn't go to jail for her. Not ever. You gotta find another boy. And when you do, I'll go his lawyer's fee.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

How'd they do it?

[Narrator]

Piece of lead pipe.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Bad?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Rough way to go.

[Narrator]

Is there an easy way? We made a preliminary search of the room, but we found nothing that would tie in the victim's husband, Oscar Fitzgerald, with the crime. We talked to the desk clerk and he verified the man's story that he'd been in his apartment the evening of the killing. Fitzgerald made arrangements with us to attend the coroner's inquest and Frank and I went back to the city hall. We checked with the crime lab on their investigation. Lt. Lee Jones told us that they'd been able to lift several partial fingerprints from the murder weapon, but that they were impossible to classify. He went on to say that the other Prints that had been found at the scene were unusable as evidence, since it would be difficult to get enough points for identification. The other physical evidence taken from the office was of little use. A check had been made of the piece of pipe, but it was found to be of a common type and impossible to trace. Micro photographs have been made of the serrated edges, and these had been booked as evidence. We asked the stats office to make a run on the MO of the crime, and they told us they would start through their files immediately. For the next two days, Frank and I talked to all of the friends and relatives of the victim, attempting to find a motive for the crime. From what we had to work on, the only plausible reason for the killing was either revenge or jealousy. None of Mrs. Fitzgerald's friends or business acquaintances were able to point out anyone with a strong enough reason to kill the woman. Monday, April 19th. Frank and I got back to the office after interviewing one of the victim's business competitors.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, that's another one that didn't go any place.

[Narrator]

Seems like that's all we've been drawing on this one, doesn't it?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah. I'll check the book.

[Narrator]

All right. Anything come in from the stats office yet?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No. Said they'd have the rest to run for us this afternoon.

[Narrator]

First bunch didn't turn anything. I got it. Homicide, Friday. Yeah, Jack. Anything on them? Sure. We're no place now. Well, no, anything's gotta be. Want to give me that address? All right. All right, we'll check it. Good. All right, Jack. Thanks again. Bye. Jack McCready says he talked to one of his informants this morning. Guy came up with a couple of good things, maybe.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

One of them's about a guy in the olympia bar at 4th and Kohler. Fella's pretty drunk. Been doing a lot of talking down there.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Something for us.

[Narrator]

Maybe he's bragging about beating a woman to death with a piece of pip. 4:40pm we left the office and drove over to the corner of 4th and Kohler, the Olympia Bar. When we walked in, there were only a few customers in the place. At the far end of the bar, a short, stocky man was sitting alone. In front of him was an empty shot glass and a bottle of beer. He appeared to be pretty drunk, and as we entered, he was talking to the other people seated at the bar.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Any of you guys that don't believe it, you just come outside with me. I'll show you. Show you all, every one of you. Bartender, I got an empty glass. Now, let's do something of it about it, huh?

[Narrator]

I think he had about enough of that, don't you, huh? I said he had enough to drink.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Who are you to tell me that, huh? Who are you to come in here and tell me what to do? What's the matter? You think you're cops or something, huh? Is that what you think you called it.

[Narrator]

Come on, we want to talk to you.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You mean you are cops?

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Well, listen, you better get out of here and do it fast if you know what's good for you. You just better.

[Narrator]

Frank.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Take your hands off me. You guys don't hear good, do you?

[Narrator]

Stand still.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You come messing around with me, you're gonna find out. You'll find out good. I'll give you the same thing I gave her the same thing.

[Narrator]

Hold it, Frank. All right, come on, mister. Who you talking about?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I'll tell you. I'll tell you good and you'll know. Leave me alone if you know what's good for you. I'm talking about that ADA Fitzgerald, that's who. ADA Go messing with me and you get what she got. I'm a pretty rough fella, you know? Pretty rough.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You bet you. You're not dealing with a kid, you know.

[Narrator]

Well, that makes it even then, doesn't it? You're not dealing with a woman. We took the suspect down to the homicide squadroom. He identified himself as Carl Neely. He was handcuffed to a chair and we ran his name through the record bureau. He had a long string of arrests for various charges, including attempted robbery, assault and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. He'd never been convicted on a felony, but his record showed that he'd served two terms in the county jail for drunk charges and creating a public nuisance. While we were checking his record, the suspect passed out in an alcoholic stupor. In the squadron, we contacted Sergeant Jack McCready and Officer Danny Galindo and asked them to make a search of the suspect's residence in going over the place, they'd found a blood stained shirt and a coat. The garments were packed in a cardboard box that had been hidden under the kitchen sink. They were brought downtown to us along with an empty envelope found in the apartment. It had been sent to the suspect, Neely, and the return address on the back indicated that the letter had been sent by the victim's husband, Oscar Fitzgerald. We waited for the suspect to come to enough for us to question him. Frank went out and brought back some hot coffee. We tried to get Neely to drink some of it. 8:40pm.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

That'S hot.

[Narrator]

All right, come on. Try some more.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You're cops, huh?

[Narrator]

You've been the rat before?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Yeah. What am I here for?

[Narrator]

Want to talk to you about the Fitzgerald woman, Ada.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I'm spouting off again.

[Narrator]

You said you killed her.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Figures. Every time I get tanked up, I always killed somebody. Never fails.

[Narrator]

All right, tell us about the Fitzgerald one.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Nothing to tell. I read about it in the papers this morning. I started drinking. Always happens when I'm in. Belting the booze. I right away tell people I killed somebody.

[Narrator]

These clothes here belong to you?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Let me see. I don't know. Where'd you get them?

[Narrator]

Are they yours?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I don't know.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You got that many clothes? I know all the clothes I got. No trouble at all.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Maybe you don't dress as good as me.

[Narrator]

All right. Come off it, Neil. You're in trouble. Big trouble here. You sat in the bar this morning, told everybody about how you'd beaten a woman to death. We find these clothes in your apartment. Blood stains all over them. Here's another thing. This envelope. Where'd you get this?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Through the mail, like it says. You see the stamp?

[Narrator]

You know Oscar Fitzgerald?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I don't get mail from strangers. Sure, I know him. Is it crime to get a letter now?

[Narrator]

What was in that envelope?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I don't think. That's none of your business.

[Narrator]

Well, we do. What kind of dealings have you got with Oscar Fitzgerald?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You used to work for him.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Doing what?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I took care of the place when him and Ada were married. Sort of a general handyman.

[Narrator]

When'd you see him last?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I don't know. Maybe a couple of months ago. Around there. A couple, three months now.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What? Do you find it so important that he wrote you about it?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Look, he loaned me some money. He sent me a check.

[Detective Frank Smith]

It was a loan, huh?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Yeah.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Sign any sort of note for the money?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I endorsed the check. It said on it I was a loan. What are you guys trying to prove, anyway? You're trying to tie me in with Ada's killing.

[Narrator]

You look good for it.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You're off your rocker. I had nothing to do with it. Sure, you got me for drunk, but that's all.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Your record makes you look good for it.

[Narrator]

Clothes we found in your apartment don't help you.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You sure Oscar Fitzgerald didn't pay you to kill his wife?

[Narrator]

Be a lot better if you told us the truth here, Neil.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I'm telling you the truth. It's right in front of you. All you gotta do is Open your eyes. It's there.

[Narrator]

Where'd the blood stains come from?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

They're mine.

[Narrator]

Tell us about it.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I got in a fight with another fella.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Where?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

A bar down on Seventh.

[Narrator]

When?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Wednesday.

[Narrator]

Last week?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Yeah, last Wednesday.

[Narrator]

What time did you have this fight?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Closing time.

[Detective Frank Smith]

That'd make it about 2:00, huh?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

That's when the bar is closed.

[Narrator]

Where'd you go after you had the fight?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Went up to a friend's house. Had a couple more drinks.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Who's a friend?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You don't know him. He's got no record.

[Narrator]

What's his name?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I don't want him dragged into anything.

[Narrator]

What's his name?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Jackie Meadows.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Let me see your hands, Neely.

[Narrator]

You got some pretty bad bruises there. You must hit something pretty hard.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Fight I told you about. That's where those came from.

[Narrator]

Tell us what you did after you left the bar.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I told you, I went up to Jackie's. I had a couple of drinks.

[Narrator]

What time did you get there?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Around three, maybe three ten.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What time did you leave?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

About five.

[Narrator]

Where'd you go?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

I don't remember too good. I was pretty boozed up.

[Narrator]

Where do you think you went?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Well, Jackie was worried about me being cut up from the fight. He wanted me to see a doctor. Drove me down to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. I was there until 9:30 Thursday morning.

[Narrator]

The call was put through to Dr. Hall at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital asking if a patient was given emergency treatment. On the morning of Thursday, April 15, a search of the hospital records verified the story told to us by the suspect, Carl Neely. We checked through our crime reports and we found that a miscellaneous injury report had been made. From the coroner's report. We knew that the victim had been murdered between the hours of 5am and 7am on that morning, we got in touch with Neely's friend, Jackie Meadows, and he also verified the suspect story. He was booked in at the main jail on a charge of being drunk in a public place. And Frank and I started checking out the remainder of the list that the stats office had given us. Originally, There had been 12 names on the list. We talked to 10 of them. The 11th, a Norman Sitkin, had a record of burglary, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. He'd been arrested and brought to trial on a charge of murder three years previously, but he'd been acquitted. The circumstances surrounding his arrest were the same as those in the Fitzgerald case. The main reason he'd been released a free man was the testimony of his mother, who had sworn that Sitkin had been home with her on the night of the killing. When we went out to his home, we found that he wasn't there. We talked to his mother and she told us that he been in San Diego for the past three days. Under interrogation, we established the fact that on the night of the Fitzgerald killing, Sitkin hadn't been at home, but that he had been in Los Angeles. We put in a call to the San Diego authorities and talked to Lt. Mark Gear in the homicide detail. We contacted the hotel where he was staying in Los angeles and a 24 hour stakeout was placed on the location. Wednesday, April 21st. Frank and I got back from lunch.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Better put in a call to Mort, huh? See if they got anything on second.

[Narrator]

Yeah. Want to do it?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Right.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Hi, this Frank Smith, Robbery. Yeah, I'd like to put in the call of San Diego PD Homicide Bureau. Lieutenant Morton Gear. No, it's a homicide. Yeah, Dr. 132549. Yeah, that's one, that's three, two, six, eight.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Huh?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, five, eight.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Right.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Okay, Sam, thanks. I'm on this one, Joe.

[Narrator]

Oh, sorry. Homicide, Friday. Yes, sir. No, that's right. When was that? Yes, sir, right away. Cancel that call, Frank.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What do you got?

[Narrator]

Sitkin just walked into his hotel. Frank and I left the office immediately and drove out to Sitcom's hotel. We talked to the officers on stakeout and they told us that the suspect had just returned. They went on to explain that they'd given Sitcom no reason to suspect that anything was wrong and that he'd gone directly to his room. Frank and I got in the elevator and we went up to the fourth floor. All right.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Just a minute. Yeah, what do you want?

[Narrator]

You Norman Sitkin?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah, what do you want?

[Narrator]

Police officer. Come on.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You got no right to do this. Let me see your warrant.

[Narrator]

Get your coat. Sitkin, Warren. Talk to you?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

What for? What do you got to talk to me about? I got nothing to say.

[Narrator]

Get your coat.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Why? What's the charge? What are you taking me in for?

[Narrator]

Suspicion of murder.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You're kidding.

[Narrator]

Well, you just keep thinking that.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You mean this is for real?

[Narrator]

Come on, let's go.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Now wait a minute. I want to know what this is all about.

[Narrator]

Is that so?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Well, sure. Figure I had something to do with that woman who was beaten to death downtown. Fitzgerald. I think that's the name.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Isn't that what you think?

[Narrator]

Well, you seem to know all about it.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Well, you're way off on this one. I got an alibi that you can't break. I can see you guys Figuring because I stood this kind of beef once before, you can make it stick this time. Well, it won't work, cop. None of it fits together. I can prove where I was that night every minute.

[Narrator]

All right?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

That's right. Every minute. You check in my house. Happens I was with my mother. Just like the other time.

[Narrator]

All night I was home. You gonna stand on that?

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

There isn't any other way.

[Narrator]

It's going to make it a lot easier then.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

What's that supposed to mean?

[Narrator]

We've talked to your mother. She says you weren't home that night. She's wrong.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

You let me talk to her. She'll tell you. You just let me talk to her.

[Narrator]

She's sure you weren't there. She's willing to testify to that.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Get out of my way.

[Narrator]

All right. Come on. Want to get the cuffs?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Hold still.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Funny, isn't it?

[Narrator]

What's that?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Looks like he might have been good.

[Narrator]

On that first killing.

[Detective Frank Smith]

When he was acquitted. On his mother might lied on the stand.

[Narrator]

That's not going to make a lot of difference, is it?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Huh?

[Narrator]

He's going to make up for it on this one.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Norman Edward Sitkin was tried and convicted for murder in the first degree. On recommendation of the jury, he received the maximum penalty. And on July 19th he was executed in the lethal gas chamber at the state penitentiary, San Quentin, California.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Dragnet is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.

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[Detective Joe Friday]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Dragnet is brought to you by Chesterfield. Made by Liggett and Myers. First major tobacco company to bring you a complete line of quality cigarettes. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a missing persons detail. You get a call that a young mother and a nine month old baby have disappeared. Routine investigation turns up the possibility of foul play. Your job find them today. Friends. You hear these Three words. Everywhere. Chesterfield's for me. The Chesterfield you smoke today is. Is the best cigarette ever made. Best for you because Chesterfield gives you proof of highest quality, low nicotine. The taste you want, the mildness you want. Chesterfield is best for you because it's tested and approved by 30 years of scientific tobacco research. Chesterfield is best for you because it has an established good record with smokers proven by test after test. Yes, friends, the Chesterfield you smoke today is the best cigarette ever made. For the taste you want, the mildness you want. Join the thousands. Now changing to Chesterfield. Always say, chesterfield's for me. 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.

[Narrator]

It was Tuesday, August 12th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A homicide division, missing persons detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Lorman. My name's Friday. We were on our way out from the office and it was 10:14am when we got to 1865 Malabar street manager's apartment.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Better try it again, huh?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Just a minute. I'm moving as fast as I can.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Sounds like she's got Trouble.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Ms. Fleischer?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Yeah, what do you want?

[Narrator]

Police officers, ma'am. We'd like to talk to you.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Come in. I gotta take care of that kid.

[Narrator]

Thank you very much.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Thanks, ma'am.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Sit down. I'll be right back.

[Narrator]

All right. Thank you.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Sounds like colic to me, all right. Yeah, sounds like colic. Wonder if she's got a hot water bottle.

[Narrator]

What?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Hot water bottle. Put it on the kid's stomach. Makes them feel better. Both of ours had the colic. Pour out three hot water bottles.

[Narrator]

Want two kids?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No, Joe. We lost the stopper on one of them.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Baby's teething. Having a rough time.

[Narrator]

Oh, this is my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday. We'd like to ask you some questions about one of your tenants.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Oh, which one?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Mrs. Shipley. We understand she had apartment 207.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Yeah, she did. What about her?

[Narrator]

You know where we can get in touch with her?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Ain't got any idea.

[Detective Frank Smith]

When did you see her last?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Guess it must have been a month ago.

[Narrator]

Possible you might be able to give us an exact date on that.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Well, if I could have done that. I told you right out, I got nothing to hide.

[Narrator]

Well, we didn't mean to say that you had, ma'am.

[Barbara Fleischer]

It sounded like. It sounded an awful lot like it. I'm gonna be honest with you.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am.

[Barbara Fleischer]

When Harriet first moved in here, we got along fine. She was all the time wanting me to tell her how to take care of the baby when it came.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Go ahead.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Got along just fine. Used to have our little cup of coffee in the afternoon. Chummy. Then all of a sudden, it all got different.

[Narrator]

How was that?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Just did. Her husband was overseas in the army. I guess Harriet missed him pretty much. Anyway. She was always saying how she did. Wished he could be here when the baby was born. Got terrible depressed, I see. Moody, you know?

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am.

[Barbara Fleischer]

I did what I could to cheer her up. Used to go up there and we'd sit and talk. Taught her how to knit. Gave her some needles and yarns. A little present, I thought maybe give her something to think about. Kind of take her mind off her and her husband. Didn't do no good.

[Narrator]

Well, how long had her husband been away, do you know?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Four months this time. He's over in Japan, I think. Army?

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Harriet used to go out once in a while, go down at the show. Seemed like just about every picture she saw made her sadder. I guess that's why she did it. Just got so sad. She couldn't take it anymore.

[Narrator]

Oh, what's that?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Tried to kill herself and Shepley. Yeah. I got the kids in bed one night and went up there. I hadn't heard nothing from her that day, so I went up to see how she was. Good thing I did, too. Found her right there in the living room. She cut her wrists right away. I called for the doctor, and all the ambulances and police came running around. Took her to the hospital. Big deal. Guess I found her in time, though. They pulled her through. I walk up there and find her dying that far from death's door. And when she comes home from the hospital, what thanks do you think I get?

[Narrator]

I wouldn't know. Go ahead.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Nothing. Not a single solitary word do I get. She's mad. Says I should have left her alone. Let her done it coming here when she got back and read me off in words that I ain't used to hearing. I got five kids, mister. They take a lot of time. And I ain't got enough to go running around after. Nobody who don't thank a person for saving their life like that. I called it quits right then. Right at that minute. We were no longer friends.

[Narrator]

Mm. When did she make the attempt on her life?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Last September. I don't remember the date. I think it was the second, maybe the third week. I'm not sure about what day it was. Anyway, after I saved her life, she's mad at me.

[Narrator]

She have any people here in Los Angeles? Would you know?

[Barbara Fleischer]

I never heard her talking? None. She's got a sister. I don't know, but I don't know where she is. Don't think Harriet ever said.

[Narrator]

Well, what did she say to you when she left? Did you give you any idea where she was going?

[Barbara Fleischer]

I didn't even see her. She didn't even come by and say, so long, goodbye. Take a jump. Nothing. She just left. One night she's here, next morning she's gone.

[Narrator]

She'd get any mail while she was here?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Yeah. Once in a while she'd get a letter from her husband. Then there was a couple of letters from San Francisco. I don't know who they was from.

[Narrator]

She'd take everything with her. All of her personal things.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Nothing. Left it all here. Of course, it's not much, but it's all here.

[Narrator]

I see. Where are the things, ma'am?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Downstairs in the basement. I got it all put away in case she ever comes back. Gonna cost her too, storage. And for me to pack it. I told you, it isn't much. Some dresses, few clothes for the baby. Phonograph, couple of records. That's about it. You can see em if you want em.

[Detective Frank Smith]

We'd like to take a look at em before we leave.

[Barbara Fleischer]

Yeah, sure thing. Can't let you take them, though. I gotta collect for the storage.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, ma'am.

[Narrator]

Ms. Shipley have any close friends that you know of?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Not that I know of. Of course, she might have had some done. Dream Palace.

[Narrator]

Where's that?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Where she worked. Dance hall downtown. She was kind of hostess there.

[Narrator]

That's the name of the place. Is it Dream Palace?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Yeah. She might have had some friends down there. None of them ever came here, though. At least if they did, I never saw them.

[Narrator]

Do you know of any reason that she might have left in such a hurry right off?

[Barbara Fleischer]

I can't think of one. There was something wrong with her, though. When she came back from the hospital, you know, when she had the baby, she was worried about something.

[Narrator]

Would you know what it was?

[Barbara Fleischer]

No. All I know is that when she'd been home a couple of days, she came down here and asked me to do some work on the apartment. I told her if she wanted anything done, she could do it herself. The way she talked to me.

[Narrator]

Well, what'd she want done?

[Barbara Fleischer]

Silliest thing I ever heard of. She didn't have anything to steal, ma'am. She wanted all the locks on the doors changed.

[Narrator]

10:46Am in the company of the apartment manager, Barbara Fleischer. Frank and I went down to the basement and looked through the missing woman's effects. Other than the phonograph, several cardboard boxes of used baby clothes and cheap woman's dresses, we found nothing. There were no snapshots or letters to aid us in ascertaining where she might have gone. We asked Mrs. Fleischer to notify us in the event that she heard from the Shipley woman. We put in a call to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and verified the story about the attempted suicide. 11:15am we checked the phone book for the address of the Dream Palace Dance Hall. It was on the second floor of a large building at the corner of 7th and Margo streets. On the front of the building were several faded photographs of contest winners with the cups that they'd won and the name of the proprietor, Ernest Lasnick. We went upstairs. It was a large barn like room with crepe paper birds hanging over the lights in the rear of the place. At one of the tables we found Lasnick. He was just eating his lunch.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Mr. Lasnick?

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah. What do you want?

[Detective Frank Smith]

I'd like to ask you some questions. We're police officers. My name's Smith. My partner, Sergeant Friday.

[Narrator]

Hi, how are you?

[Ernest Lasnick]

Don't shake your hands. Got butter all over them. Sit down.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Pepper sandwich?

[Narrator]

No, thank you.

[Ernest Lasnick]

You do go right ahead. Zola Makin's bread, butter, salami, pickles. Help yourself.

[Narrator]

No, thanks. Mr. Lasnick.

[Ernest Lasnick]

You don't mind if I go ahead, huh? Bunch of kids coming in at 3:30. Like to get the place cleaned up before they get here.

[Narrator]

No, see, you go right ahead.

[Ernest Lasnick]

What do you want to see me about?

[Narrator]

It's about one of your employees.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah?

[Carl Neely]

Which one?

[Narrator]

Girl named Harriet Shipley.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Oh, yeah, I remember. She doesn't work here anymore.

[Detective Frank Smith]

She doesn't work here anymore. Got any idea where she is?

[Ernest Lasnick]

No. Got the slightest? I ain't seen Nadine in about maybe six months.

[Detective Frank Smith]

No, sir, you don't understand. We're inquiring about a Harriet Shipley.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah, I know. I told you, I ain't seen her in six months.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What's this about Nadine?

[Ernest Lasnick]

It's her club name.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Oh.

[Ernest Lasnick]

See, lots of girls don't like to use their real names. In case a fella wants to get chummy away from Here. It's easier if we don't know the girl's real name. Harriet used Nadine.

[Narrator]

I understand.

[Ernest Lasnick]

We got a bunch of them. When one of the girls leaves, we put the name back in a hat. New girl picks. It had 14 Nadine since we opened 27. Althea.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir. Do you have any idea where the Shipley girl is?

[Ernest Lasnick]

No. I might check her husband. He might know.

[Narrator]

We understand he was in the army.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah, that's right. He is overseas. He should know where his wife is. Don't ask him.

[Narrator]

Well, we'll probably do that, sir. We thought maybe we could turn her up ourselves. There's been a missing report filed on her.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Missing, huh?

[Narrator]

Who told it, sir?

[Ernest Lasnick]

Who told her about her being missing?

[Detective Frank Smith]

The report was filed by her mother in law.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Well, I wish I could help you. Follow us out.

[Detective Frank Smith]

The last time you saw the Shipley girl, did she say anything about leaving town?

[Ernest Lasnick]

No. Wouldn't be surprised, though.

[Narrator]

Why'd he say that?

[Ernest Lasnick]

Poor kid was scared to death. Told me she wanted to get away.

[Narrator]

Do you know what she was frightened about?

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah. Cliff Bender. That's what she was afraid of. Cliff?

[Narrator]

Who's he?

[Ernest Lasnick]

Well, look, I'll tell you the whole thing. Be easier that way. One favor I gotta ask you.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Ernest Lasnick]

You won't tell Cliff? I told you he'd come up here? He could tear the place apart easy. You gotta promise me you won't tell him.

[Narrator]

All right, sir.

[Ernest Lasnick]

You go ahead. Well, Nadine? Harriet. Well, she came to work for me about a year and a half ago. Came in and told me she'd had some experience in a dance place in the Midwest. I don't remember the name right off. Probably come to me. Yeah, see, Well, I told her I'd try her. You know, sort of probation.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Well, worked out fine. End of the week, I put her on permanent. She did real well. A lot of guys got to come in just to dance with her. Wouldn't have nobody else. Just Nadine or Harriet.

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Ernest Lasnick]

That's how she met Cliff. He come in one night, fell for her, and they started to go together. I told him I didn't like the idea of girls going out with the customers. Not good business. Didn't make any difference to them, though. They kept right on seeing each other.

[Narrator]

That's this Bender fella.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah. Well, anyway, one night the soldier come in. He was took right away with Nadine. Asked her for a dance. Kept buying tickets all night so he could dance with her. Come back the next night, same thing. All night long. He danced With Nadine.

[Narrator]

That's Harriet.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah, that's right. Called her Nadine, you know. I told you about it. Made Cliff plenty sore. But there wasn't anything he could do about it. She wanted to be with a soldier. Wasn't too long before she told him he was going to get married. Well, word got around about that. Really made Cliff hacked. Real hacked.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Yeah, well, him and his soldier Shipley had a fight downstairs one night after we closed. Guess Cliff waited for him and Nadine to come down. Anyway, it was a real brawl, Cops and everything. Cliff really cleaned up on the soldier. Didn't do any good, though.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What do you mean?

[Ernest Lasnick]

Nadine told Cliff to stay away from her. Keep far away. Told him that her and the soldier was gonna get married and that they were through. She went Cliff on her. Well, the soldier and Nadine got married a couple days later and she quit her job right after that. I heard he went overseas and Cliff was around trying to break things up. Didn't do no good, though. Nadine loved the soldier and she planned to stay with him.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Ernest Lasnick]

Well, I tried to talk to Cliff, tell him to stay out of it. Leave the girl alone.

[Narrator]

What was that?

[Ernest Lasnick]

I told him, leave the girl alone. Didn't do any good. He was sure hot. He said that she was his girl. Might take some time, but he'd get her for running out on her. I figured he told her that too. That's what she was afraid of. Don't blame her. Cliff told me that I'd believe him.

[Narrator]

What's that, sir?

[Ernest Lasnick]

That he was gonna kill.

[Narrator]

12:26Pm after we'd gotten the names and addresses of the employees of the Dream palace who knew the missing girl, Frank and I went back to the office. We had the names checked through the Record Bureau. But we found that only one of the 14 people on the list had arrest records. That one was a Cliff Bender who had been picked up on a charge of suspicion of burglary. However, according to the information on the report, he'd been released because of lack of evidence. We checked the log about the fight Lasnick had mentioned. We found that an FI card had been filed, but that no arrest had been made. We went over to room 45 and we talked with Sergeant Eggenweiler and Sergeant Rubles, the officers who'd handled the burglary case. They told us that in their contacts with Bender, he was sullen and uncooperative. They told us that he had been seen in the company of known criminals. They also told us that in their opinion, they considered the man dangerous. We checked his last known address, but we found that he'd moved in July, leaving no forwarding address. While Frank and I checked out the rest of the missing girl's friends and acquaintances, Sergeant Graham and Cliff Bailey, tried to check on Bender. We talked to everybody on the list we'd gotten from Ernest Lasnick, but none of them could give us any idea where we might find the Shipley girl. Most of them, however, told us about the threat that Bender had made against her life and expressed the opinion that he was responsible for our disappearance. The next day, Wednesday, August 13th, Frank and I went by communications, then we checked back into the office.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I tell you, the mother in law of that missing girl called again this morning.

[Narrator]

No. No, you didn't.

[Detective Frank Smith]

She wanted to know how we were doing, what progress we've been able to make.

[Narrator]

What'd you tell her?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, I filled her in on what we found. I didn't tell her about Bender, though. Just said we thought we'd be able to find the girl. You talked to her when she made the original report, didn't you, Joe?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What'd you think?

[Narrator]

How do you mean?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, isn't there something there that's a little off base to you?

[Narrator]

I don't know what you're trying to get at.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, just seems to me that she doesn't care if we find her daughter in law or not. All she cares about is the kid.

[Narrator]

Well, yeah, I kind of got that idea myself. The way she talked, doesn't seem that she and the girl got along too well, does it?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No. Just seems like there's something she isn't telling us. I don't know what it is. I asked her this morning. She'd heard from her son if he knew anything about where his wife might be.

[Narrator]

What'd she say to that?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, she told me she didn't want to bother him, make him worry. Wouldn't even tell me his mailing address. Said she didn't want him alarmed unless there was a reason.

[Narrator]

The way I see it is the wife being gone is reason enough.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah, that's the way it seems to me. And I told her that. She said our job was just to find the girl and the baby, and that's all.

[Narrator]

Cooperation like that isn't gonna make it any easier, is it? We can only do so much if she isn't gonna help us.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, it doesn't make a lot of sense, her filing the report and then holding out information, huh?

[Narrator]

Yeah. I mean, we better get over and talk to her again, see if we can get the whole story. How about Graham and Bailey? You heard from them?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No. There's a note in the book. They got a lead on Bender. Graham said they were gonna run it down for us this morning.

[Narrator]

What time you got now?

[Detective Frank Smith]

9:43.

[Narrator]

I'm gonna talk to the skipper, make arrangements to put a picture of the Shipley girl on suspects. Wanted to afternoon. Might be able to turn something, huh? Sure. A lot of loose ends. Yeah, I get it. Missing person's Friday. Yeah. Graham. Where? What she say? Yeah, well, that's about the same. What? Yeah. Well, you want to call the crime line, right? No, we'll meet you out there right away. Right. Bye. Only found where Bender was living.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What do you mean? What?

[Narrator]

Checked out last June, about the same time the Shipley girl disappeared. Landlady hasn't seen him since. Guys came up with something else? Yeah, a couple of shirts for a baby. Blood stains all over him. 10:02am we got to the apartment where Bender had been living. The crew from the crime lab were there and they were photographing the room and the clothing that had been found. Sergeant J. Allen told us that he'd have to run a precipitate test on the stains before. Before he could tell whether or not they were of human origin. 10:45am they finished their investigation on the scene and they went back to Central Station to compile the results. Frank called the office and a local and an APB were put out on Cliff Bender, asking that he be picked up as a possible suspect. We also had his card flagged in the Record Bureau. We talked to the landlady of the apartment building and she told us that Bender had left his apartment hurriedly one night about the middle of June. She was unable to tell us the exact date, but she did go on to say that she'd been getting a check from the rent each month. We asked her if she could show us either one of the checks or an envelope that it had come in. She explained that she had thrown the envelopes away and had cashed the checks. She was unable to tell us where they'd been mailed from. She said that as far as she knew, she'd never seen the Shipley girl in Bender's apartment. We asked her to notify us immediately in the event that the suspect returned. We put in a call to the bank where the rent checks were cashed and we asked that they give us the information on them. 1:30pm Frank and I went over to the crime lab and we talked to Jay Allen. He told us that the Stains on the baby clothes were human blood. He showed us the photographs taken, but there was nothing in them that would give us any lead as to either the girls or Bender's whereabouts. That afternoon the picture of Harriet Shipley was telecast over the police program. We got several calls from citizens who said that they'd seen the girl. We checked them all out. One of the callers, a bus driver, told us that he'd seen the girl and the baby on his bus during the month of June and that she'd gotten off in San Diego. We alerted the police in that city to look for her. Thursday morning Frank and I checked into the office. You want to check the book, Frank? See if there's anything from San Diego.

[Mr. Fitzgerald]

Right.

[Narrator]

I got it. Missing person. It's Friday. Yes, that's right. Yes, we did. Uh huh. Where? You sure about that? Right away, Frank. Get your coat.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What do you got?

[Narrator]

Shipley girl. They found her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action. Meet the Tom Harmons. You know Tom is an all American and now a top sports announcer. Mrs. Harmon is the motion picture and television star, Elise Knox. They're typical of people everywhere who are saying Chesterfields for me.

[Barbara Fleischer]

I like regular sized Chesterfields. Half for years. They're best for me. At least I think so because of that Chesterfield quality.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's the way I feel about them too. I've always smoked Chesterfields.

[Narrator]

Now I go for the king size.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Guess I like a longer smoke. So whether you smoke regular size like Elise Knox, or king size like Tom Harmon, Enjoy. America's most popular two way cigarette. Chesterfield's for me. You hear it everywhere. The Chesterfield you smoke today is the best cigarette ever made. For the taste you want, the mildness you want join the thousands. Now changing to Chesterfield.

[Narrator]

The call had come from a nurse at the state mental hospital in Camarillo. She told me that they had a patient who resembled a photograph of the missing girl as televised on our police program. Frank and I left the office and drove out to the hospital. We talked to the nurse and to the doctor who was taking care of the sick girl. From personal effects and the scars on her wrists, we were reasonably sure of the identification. The doctor told us that the girl had been committed on July 17 by her sister under the name Harriet Lavin. He told us that the girl was undergoing treatment, but that there was little hope for a complete recovery and that it would be some time before she could be permitted to leave the violent ward. We tried to talk to her, but we were unable to get any coherent answers, we asked about the baby, but the authorities were unable to give us any information. We got the name and address of the sister who had committed the Shipley girl, and we drove down to San Diego to talk to her. It was a small place and a wartime housing development. The paint was peeling off the plyboard walls and the front yard was overgrown with weeds. The woman who answered the door identified herself as Pauline Lavin.

[Norman Sitkin]

Sure. What do you want to know? Don't make no difference now. You go back and tell her it's too late. Way too late.

[Narrator]

Tell who, ma'am?

[Norman Sitkin]

Mrs. Shipley, Harriet's mother in law. You go back and tell her she done it good. Ain't nothing left to do to Harriet. It's all been done. You can tell her that.

[Narrator]

We don't work for Ms. Shipley, ma'am. We're trying to find out what happened to your sister and the baby.

[Norman Sitkin]

Who asked you to find out in the first place? It was her, wasn't it? Wasn't she the one?

[Detective Frank Smith]

She filed a report.

[Norman Sitkin]

That's what I mean. Well, you go back and tell her there's nothing more she can do to Harriet or the baby or Big Jerry. Nothing at all she can do.

[Narrator]

Where is the baby, man?

[Norman Sitkin]

He's not here.

[Narrator]

Do you know where he is?

[Norman Sitkin]

Yes, but I'm not gonna tell you. I'm not gonna tell anybody. I promised Harriet I wouldn't tell him. I'm gonna keep the promise.

[Narrator]

Miss Lavender, we don't want to hurt your sister. We're just trying to get to the truth. Now, maybe you better tell us what you know.

[Norman Sitkin]

You ain't doing this for old Miss Shipley?

[Narrator]

No, ma'am.

[Norman Sitkin]

All right, then, I'll tell you. But not for her. I wouldn't give her the right time of day. She's the one that did it. The whole thing. You can lay it right at her feet.

[Narrator]

All right. Do you want to tell us about it?

[Norman Sitkin]

Since they got married, she's given the kids trouble. Right from the first she heard about it. Said that Harriet wasn't good enough for her son. Said Harriet was cheap. Didn't make any difference to the kids. They got married anyway. They were in love, so they got married. Soon as Big Jerry went overseas, she started on Harriet to get an annulment. All the time writing her letters, telling her how cheap she was, that if she really loved Harry, she'd get an annulment. And she found out about the baby, so she started saying how they should get a divorce.

[Narrator]

Does Harriet's husband know about this? Would you know?

[Norman Sitkin]

Sure. All along he knew it. He didn't like it. Told his mother to stay out of their lives. Kept telling her, but it didn't do any good. None. Then Harriet got the wire. One that told about Big Jerry being dead. Almost killed her. I thought it was going to. They was really in love. Isn't often you see something like them, too. Real love. The kind you live, not the kind you talk about.

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Norman Sitkin]

One night, right after she got the wire, she got a phone call from San Francisco, from Ole Miss Shipley. She told Harriet that she was going to the court to take the baby away from her. Said she could prove Harriet wasn't a good mother and she didn't deserve to have the baby.

[Narrator]

Was Harriet living here at the time?

[Norman Sitkin]

No. She'd come down every weekend, but she wasn't living here. There was a guy up in LA that was giving her trouble. Fellow named Bender. I think he was with her when she tried to kill herself. He ran out so he wouldn't get mixed up in it. He was always giving Harriet trouble, so she left one night to get away from him. And old Mrs. Shipley, she came down here and said that she just wanted to be left alone with her baby. That's not a lot to ask, is it? Just to be left alone?

[Narrator]

No, ma'am.

[Norman Sitkin]

It was for old Mrs. Shipley. She just wouldn't let Harriet alone. Kept after her, saying how she was gonna take away the baby, how Harriet was an unfit mother. Kind of got in her mind. Finally. There wasn't much else she was thinking about but how to keep her baby. She went out walking one night, took the baby with her. Rained. Rained real hard. I guess the baby took cold. Anyway, the next day he came down with a bad fever. Couple days later, he was dead. Not even a year old and he was dead.

[Narrator]

You want to go on?

[Norman Sitkin]

Harriet sat around for a week. Didn't say anything. Didn't do nothing. Just stare at the wall. Didn't even cry. Just sat and looked at the wall. And all of a sudden, she just fell apart. I called the doctor, said it was a breakdown and said I should have her committed. I signed the papers, and that's where she is. I went up to see her. She didn't even know me. I'm her sister and she didn't even know me. So you just tell Ms. Shipley how she did. Good. You just tell her what she did to my sister. Tell her how the baby's dead and she's finally got what she wanted. Because now Harriet hasn't got the baby. Nobody's got him. Nobody's got him.

[Narrator]

Nobody. Come on.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah. Where to now?

[Narrator]

We better get back to town.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Guess so.

[Narrator]

See, Ms. Shipley. We got back to Los Angeles at 9:30pm we went directly to the hotel where Mrs. Shipley was staying. The desk clerk told us that she left word that she was not to be disturbed. He called the room and she asked that we come up. We took the elevator to the seventh floor and we walked down the hall.

[Carl Neely]

Good evening, Sergeant Friday, Officer Smith. Come in.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Thank you, ma'am.

[Carl Neely]

We're just having a drink. May I fix you one?

[Narrator]

No, thank you.

[Carl Neely]

How about you, Mr. Smith?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No, thank you.

[Carl Neely]

You don't mind if I go ahead?

[Narrator]

No, ma'am, not at all.

[Carl Neely]

Just sit down and I'll be right with you.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Carl Neely]

This clerk said it was important.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am?

[Carl Neely]

You found my daughter in law?

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am.

[Carl Neely]

And the baby? Where is he? Is he still with her?

[Narrator]

No, ma'am, he's not.

[Carl Neely]

Where is he?

[Narrator]

Your daughter in law is pretty sick, Ms. Shipley. Oh, yes, ma'am. She's in the State hospital up at Camarillo.

[Carl Neely]

Camarillo?

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am.

[Carl Neely]

That's a mental hospital, isn't it?

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Carl Neely]

And I'm sorry to hear about Harriet, but I knew she wasn't very stable.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Why didn't you tell us your son was dead, Mrs. Shipley?

[Carl Neely]

I didn't think it had any bearing on the thing. What difference does it make?

[Narrator]

You don't seem to be very interested in his wife.

[Carl Neely]

I'm going to be honest with you, Sergeant. I'm not. Not in the least interested in what she does or where she is. I never did feel she was the right girl for my son. Never. When the baby was born, I tried to go along with it. I tried to be nice to her and she wouldn't have it. She wouldn't even be friendly. She poisoned my son. Turned him against me. She's a terrible woman. Just terrible. Whatever's happened to her is just terrible. Exactly what she's got coming. Naturally, I'm sorry it's the way it is, but there's nothing I can do. All I'm interested in right now is my grandchild. I want him. And if I have to go to court to get him, then I'll do it that way.

[Narrator]

That won't be necessary, ma'am.

[Carl Neely]

Where is he? I'd like to go and get him now that Jerry's wife can't take care of him.

[Narrator]

He's dead.

[Carl Neely]

Ma'am, if this is some kind of a joke that you're making up to help my daughter in law keep him, it won't work.

[Narrator]

It's no joke. It's the truth. He died in a hospital in San Diego.

[Carl Neely]

It's not right. It's not right that he's dead. She did this. Harriet. She did it to get even with me. I know she did.

[Narrator]

We're sorry, Mr. Blake.

[Carl Neely]

First my husband and Jerry. I haven't got anybody. I'm all by myself. Isn't anybody in the world who cares? Nobody.

[Narrator]

Now we're sorry, Ms. Shipley. I wish there was something we could do.

[Carl Neely]

No, you're not. You're like the rest of them. It's Harriet. She is the one. Nobody else to consider in this mess. Just her.

[Narrator]

What about the baby?

[Detective Joe Friday]

The story you've just heard is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On Thursday, August 14, a meeting was held in the office of the captain of Homicide, Los Angeles Police Department. In a moment, the results of that meeting. Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Narrator]

Thank you, George Feniman. You know, the Chesterfield you smoked today is the best cigarette ever made. And best for you. Now that's a fact. And to my way of thinking, it's the very reason for you to change to Chesterfield. Try them either way, regular or king size. If you try him, I think he'll say with all of us. Chesterfield's for me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

At the meeting held in Captain Larman's office, it was decided that no criminal act had taken place and the case was officially marked closed. You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police. W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors. Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Herb Vikran, Carolyn Jones. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking. Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station. Please check your newspapers for the day and time.

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