THE BIG RUN and THE BIG CLIFF

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Episode: THE BIG RUN and THE BIG CLIFF

Date: August 2, 2026
Podcast Host: Jon Hagadorn
Stories: Classic "Dragnet" radio dramas

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Episode Overview

This episode features two "Dragnet" radio stories from the golden age of radio crime drama, masterfully showcasing the procedures, pressures, and moral complexities faced by mid-20th-century Los Angeles detectives. Both stories—“The Big Run” and “The Big Cliff”—unfold as methodical investigations where detail, patience, and community cooperation are crucial.

The first story, “The Big Run,” centers on the investigation and pursuit of a fatal hit-and-run driver. The second, “The Big Cliff,” tracks the mysterious sudden death of a woman, delving into the intricacies of determining natural cause or foul play. Both cases balance gritty realism, deep empathy for the innocent, and a commitment to justice.

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Story 1: THE BIG RUN

Main Plot

Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero respond to the case of two elderly women critically injured by a hit-and-run driver. The investigation evolves into manslaughter when both victims die, launching a citywide search for the responsible party.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Setting the Scene

• Opening (02:14): The case begins on a mild Saturday night. Friday is at home until a phone call draws him and Romero to a dangerous intersection, site of the accident.

Eyewitness Testimony (06:32–09:35)

• Richard Mordigan, a local nursery owner, is the main witness:
  • Describes the speeding car: "They were just stepping off the curb... I yelled, honked my horn... Guess I wasn't quick enough. Just awful." (08:09)
  • Identifies the car as a black Ford sedan, likely 1934, and driven by a young blond man.

Gathering Evidence (10:42–12:15)

• Crime Lab Analysis
  • Confirms the car is a black 1934 Ford, recently repainted, and finds unique evidence: paint scrapings, headlight glass, and damage to the front end.
  • “When you find the car, I can tie it indefinitely for you.” – Lee Jones, Crime Lab (11:43)

Community Involvement & Publicity (13:19–14:45)

• Bulletins, APBs, and press coverage are used to mobilize citizens—a reflection of Dragnet’s era and message: "The quickest and surest way to a successful prosecution... is with the full cooperation of the average citizen." (12:15)

Investigation Stalls (14:46–15:47)

• The case drags for weeks. Leads prove fruitless; dozens of similar vehicles are checked without luck. Frustration mounts.

Breakthrough Tip (15:53–18:10)

• Dan Provost, a used car dealer, calls about a suspicious young blond man seeking repairs on a black '34 Ford with front-end damage (16:03–16:20).
• The suspect, Wilfred E. “Curly” Watson, flees but leaves a trail: name and license number. Officers set a stakeout.

False Lead and Real Suspect (19:43–22:47)

• Watson, an ex-con wanted in Fresno, is cleared: his car’s accident predates the crime.
• A second lead emerges from Agnes Hastings, who overhears a redheaded boy joke about having dyed his hair—“They’re looking for a blonde, aren’t they?” (21:29)—and captures his license plate.

Case Resolution (23:49–27:40)

• Joe Friday and Ben Romero track the redheaded suspect (natural blonde), Lewis Martin, to his home.
• Cornered, Martin confesses with remorse:
  • “I didn’t mean to hit those two women... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do it.” (26:40)
  • On remorse: “I’ll tell everybody I’m sorry… That’ll make a difference, won’t it?” (27:20)
  • Friday’s response: “You kill two people, you figure it.” (27:30)

Justice Delivered (28:35)

• Sentence: Martin gets one year in county jail, five years probation.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Richard Mordigan: “Those two old women, they didn’t have a chance the minute they stepped off the curb. Crazy kid didn’t even stop to see if he could help them.” (09:29)
• Friday on community: “The quickest and surest way to a successful prosecution... is with the full cooperation of the average citizen.” (12:15)
• Martin's Confession: “I was afraid. I just couldn’t face it. I thought I could get away with it, I guess.” (26:53)
• Friday to Martin: “You kill two people, you figure it.” (27:30)

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Key Timestamps

• 02:14: Friday called to the case
• 06:32–09:35: Eyewitness account
• 10:42–12:15: Crime lab findings
• 13:19–14:45: Citizen alert and bulletin
• 15:53–18:10: Provost tip and new suspect
• 23:49–27:40: Confrontation and confession
• 28:35: Verdict and sentencing

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Story 2: THE BIG CLIFF

Main Plot

Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate the sudden, unexplained death of Gertrude Agnes Turner in a small Los Angeles hotel. Her husband, grief-stricken, becomes the primary suspect as accumulated circumstantial evidence points to a possible crime.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Unfolding the Mystery (31:46–39:36)

• Mr. Turner, the husband, is distressed; he claims to have awoken to find his wife dead on the floor (32:47).
• Gertrude Turner was apparently in good health, with only occasional headaches (35:54), and the couple had no known enemies.

Emerging Doubts (40:14–41:38)

• Coroner’s Report: Suggests suffocation after convulsions. Bruises on the forehead and neck add suspicion (41:42).
• Investigation finds Turner previously struck his wife and she had a male friend. Motive suggested by a new $1,000 insurance policy (47:10–47:23).

Pressures and Interrogation (49:09–53:32)

• Under grilling, Turner admits to arguments and a single slap (“I felt like a no good bum. Never once happened again.” 44:22).
• Friday details evidence: insurance, bruises, contradictions in Turner’s story.
• Turner insists on his innocence: “Somebody has to believe that. Somebody. I didn’t kill her.” (53:02)

New Evidence and Twist (53:32–55:42)

• Sister-in-law and a family doctor arrive from Indiana, bringing proof Turner’s wife suffered from epilepsy—a fact kept secret from her husband.
• Bruises explained as the result of amateur chiropractic treatment to relieve headaches. Death ruled as a natural epileptic seizure.

Exoneration and Closure (55:42–58:14)

• Turner is released. Joe Friday, in a moment of compassion, reassures the old man:

  • “In your own heart, you knew that, didn’t you, officer?” — Turner
  • “Yes, sir, I knew it.” — Friday (56:43)

• Case officially closed: Death due to natural causes, Turner completely exonerated.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mr. Turner (grieving): “I went to bed last night and I had a wife… Today’s my day off. We were gonna take a car ride down the beach. That’s the dress she was gonna wear.” (39:11)
• Friday to Turner (on the facts): “Three weeks before she dies, she takes out a thousand dollars on her life. She dies in the same room with you, and you don’t know how or why. Now you tell me, mister. What are we supposed to believe?” (52:26)
• Closing compassion:
  • Turner: “In your own heart, you knew that, didn’t you, officer?”
  • Friday: “Yes, sir, I knew it.” (56:43)

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Key Timestamps

• 31:46: Case introduced, body found
• 40:14–41:38: Suspicious autopsy findings
• 47:03–47:23: Insurance provides motive
• 49:09–53:32: Turner pressed, maintains innocence
• 53:38–55:42: Exonerating evidence from family
• 56:43: Closing exchange between Friday and Turner
• 58:14: Official exoneration and close of the case

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Episode Tone and Style

True to classic "Dragnet," the tone is earnest, matter-of-fact, and focused on the everyday heroism and challenges of police work. The language of Joe Friday, Ben Romero, and witnesses is authentic and understated, often punctuated by moments of subdued emotion and empathy, especially in their dealings with victims and the wrongly accused.

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Summary

This episode showcases two masterfully constructed mysteries from "Dragnet," illustrating not only meticulous police procedure but also compassion and the complexity of justice. In both stories, the mundane details of city life—witnesses, family squabbles, medical secrets—become clues leading to truth. The detectives’ refusal to jump to conclusions, and their persistence despite setbacks, highlight the ethos of fair, thorough investigation—a timeless message in detective fiction.

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For those who love classic radio dramas and nuanced, realistic portrayals of crime-solving, this episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers is a prime example of the genre at its best.

Transcript

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[Announcer]

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.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Saturday, September 5th. It was mild in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of accident investigation, hit and run detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Benny Caldwell, chief of traffic. My name's Friday. It was 7:35pm When I got to 4656 Collis Avenue, my front door.

[Mrs. Turner]

Is that your chair, sir?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Ma

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

got both Sunday papers.

[Mrs. Turner]

Oh, good. It's nice music on the radio, isn't it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, it's pretty. It's your favorite song, isn't it?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes.

[Mrs. Turner]

See you in my dreams. Every Saturday night, we used to get together down at the old Cromwell house on West Adams Boulevard. Weekly dance, you know.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah, I know.

[Mrs. Turner]

It was a lovely old home down there. That beautiful ballroom upstairs. Always had a good time at the Cromwell house.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was that before you were married?

[Mrs. Turner]

Oh, my, yes. Met your father through Mildred Cromwell. You know. She was quite fond of him, too.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was that so?

[Mrs. Turner]

Yes. She was nothing serious, but she used to think quite a lot of Sam.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You broke him up, huh?

[Mrs. Turner]

Now, Joseph, you know I wouldn't do a thing like that. Millie was only mildly interested in Sam. I wouldn't come between Two people that were happy.

[Mr. Turner]

You know that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, that isn't the way he used to tell it. Said you just broke him up, that's all.

[Mrs. Turner]

Yes. Well, he ever tell you about the time all the girls invited some of the fellows from the Royal Order of the Western Wildlife Protective Brotherhood Southern Charter over to the basket raffle?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

To a what?

[Mrs. Turner]

Basket raffle. All the girls packed tasty lunches and the boys bid for them at auction.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Mrs. Turner]

It was a warm summer evening, just like tonight. It was a grand affair. Annie Shelman was there with Jim Donohoe. And your father came with Lorenzo Fisher, the grand facier of the Wildlifers.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, sounds like quite an evening.

[Mrs. Turner]

Oh, it was, Joseph. It really was. Samuel bid the highest for my basket. $10.15. I'll always think to this day that's the reason Millie Cromwell's been so cool toward me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, could be. You want part of the examiner, Ma?

[Mrs. Turner]

Thank you, son. I want to finish turning this collar and your shirt.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Mrs. Turner]

You wouldn't think a basket lunch could come between two good friends, would you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A big pardon. What's that?

[Mrs. Turner]

Who'd ever think a basket lunch would break up a friendship like Millie Cromwell's mine?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma', am, you wouldn't. I'll get it.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Mark.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Friday talking, this McDeerman.

[Dan Provost]

Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah, Mac.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Got a bad one.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Two elderly women who were struck by a hit and run. Well, just a minute, Mac. I can't. Hey, Ma, would you turn down the radio, please?

[Mr. Turner]

Come on.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, Mac, go ahead.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Three blocks west of Riverside on Las Feliz. We have two traffic cars out there now for the preliminary investigation.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You, Romero, better roll on it. Right, Mac, Right away.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

I've already notified Romero. He's on his way over to pick you up now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, I'll be ready. Keep me informed. Right, Mac.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Bye.

[Mrs. Turner]

Do you have to go back to work? Juice?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Where'd you put my flashlight? Do you remember?

[Mrs. Turner]

It's right here in the desk.

[Mr. Turner]

Okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Turner]

What is it, son? An accident?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, bad one. It sounds like hit and run.

[Mrs. Turner]

Who was it, did they say?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A couple of elderly women struck down up on Las Vegas.

[Mrs. Turner]

Isn't that terrible?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, Ma, they're all terrible. 10 minutes after I hung up the phone, Ben arrived. And at 8, we got to the intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue. The bodies of the two victims had been removed and taken to the Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. One of the uniformed officers was taking photographs of the scene. His partner was picking up particles of glass and all physical evidence left by the hit and run driver. He identified himself as Officer E.W. hyde, Unit 61. T.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Few pieces of the headlight lens and the chrome ring about all.

[Officer Ben Romero]

And this is the point of impact?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Yeah, that's right. It's 24ft south of the northerly pavement. And about 12ft east of the westerly curb line.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Right in the crosswalk up there, huh? Yeah, and freshly painted. The driver couldn't miss seeing it. Couldn't.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah, it's well illuminated. Good street lighting up here. Hide.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Were the signals in operation?

[Officer Ben Romero]

No, they weren't.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Boulevards stopped here, though. Blinkers are all in operation.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How far were the bodies of the victims thrown?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Body number one was thrown 70ft. Body number two was knocked 38ft in the Southwest direction. Both came to rest approximately at the center line of the street.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Whoever did it was going at a high rate of speed.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

That's what we figured. I told you there were no skid marks, didn't I?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, you did.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Any witnesses?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Yeah, there's three, but only one I think will be helpful.

[Officer Ben Romero]

What's the name and address?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

He's right over there on the curb now. Name's Richard Mordigan. Runs the nursery there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, thanks. Hyde, you're gonna make the reports and book the evidence, are you?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Yeah, I'll take care of it. That's more to get over there in the tan overall.

[Officer Ben Romero]

All right. Thanks a lot, Hyde.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. Your name Richard Mordigan? Is that right, sir?

[Richard Mordigan]

Yeah, that's Right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officers. Mr. Mordigan, this is Sergeant Romero.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

How are you?

[Officer Ben Romero]

How are you, sir?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

My name's Friday. We're out of accident investigation. Like to talk to you about the accident that just happened here.

[Richard Mordigan]

Sure was a bad one. Hope you catch those kids. Didn't even slow down.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Understand you witnessed the accident. Wonder if you'd be kind enough to tell us what you saw.

[Richard Mordigan]

I was just closing up my nursery here. Just unlocked my car and was about to get in when I saw this car come shooting up Los Feliz there. Fast clip.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Where were the two women?

[Richard Mordigan]

They were just stepping off the curb under the crosswalk over there. I could tell they didn't see the car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yelled, honked my horn.

[Richard Mordigan]

Guess I wasn't quick enough. Just awful.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Go on, Mr. Morgan.

[Richard Mordigan]

Oh, the way that car hit those women, looked to me like he knocked them 50ft at least. Then, just like nothing at all, the car raced right on through the intersection on Don Los Villas. That way.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Did you get a look at the driver?

[Richard Mordigan]

No, sir. Not too good. But I believe he had blonde hair. Looked to me like he was alone in the car.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Anything more about him?

[Richard Mordigan]

Looked like a young kid to me. I'll bet on that. He was young. Blond kid, about 18, 19.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Around in there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, how about the car he was driving? Can you help us out there, sir?

[Richard Mordigan]

I believe it was a Ford. I don't know what year. Ford sedan, two door.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What color was it?

[Dan Provost]

Black.

[Richard Mordigan]

Dark blue, I'd say black.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm. Did you happen to get the license number, sir?

[Richard Mordigan]

No, sir. Everything happens so fast. I guess I was kind of stunned for a minute. You know how you'd be sorry?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wish I did.

[Officer Ben Romero]

You're pretty sure about the car, Mr. Mortigan. Are you familiar enough with cars to be positive it was a Ford?

[Richard Mordigan]

Yeah, I think I am.

[Officer Ben Romero]

And you don't know what year the car was?

[Richard Mordigan]

No, sir. I'm sorry. I don't just know it was a Ford sedan.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Mortigan. We may have to check back with you later.

[Richard Mordigan]

Anytime. I'm glad to do whatever I can to help you get that driver.

[Officer Ben Romero]

How can we get a hold of you, Mr. Mordig?

[Richard Mordigan]

Well, I'm right here at all times. Four thousand, 402 Los Feliz. Phone number? Normandy 32257.

[Officer Ben Romero]

All right. Soon. Thank you very much.

[Richard Mordigan]

Those two old women, they didn't have a chance the minute they stepped off the curb. Crazy kid didn't even stop to see if he could help him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, we know.

[Richard Mordigan]

Then again, maybe he didn't see him. Maybe it wasn't his fault.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Whose fault was it he didn't stop before we left the scene of the accident. We interviewed the other two witnesses, but they could add nothing to Richard Mordigan's statement. Investigation disclosed that victim number one was a Marcel R. Norton, age 58. Victim number two was identified as Elizabeth Ann Carey, age 65. Ben and I drove over to the Hollywood station where we met Officer Hyde, who was just completing his reports and was booking the physical evidence found at the scene of the accident. Included in the evidence were the top coats worn by the victims at the time they were struck down. All this was turned over to Lt. Lee Jones in the crime labor. Ben and I compiled the small amount of information that we had. The physical evidence found at the scene and the scanned information that the witnesses were able to give us. Not enough for us to attempt to identify the driver of the hit and run car. Well, it wasn't much to go on. 9:54pm we got a call from Lee Jones, who said that he'd completed his Investigation and wanted to see us right away. We went over to the crime lab.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I think maybe I got what you need here. Well, we haven't got much now, so almost anything will help Lee. Now, let's go back here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Officer Ben Romero]

First off, you're putting this out there. What was his name?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mordigan.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah, well, Mortigan was right. The car was black. Ran a microscopic analysis on scrapings found on the victim's coats.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I'd say a black car previously

[Officer Ben Romero]

painted tan or sand color under the black. That was one of the things he's positive of. How about the make and the models? Anything there? Is that too much to add? I think maybe I can help you there, too.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's a break in?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Let's see.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Just got back from the lighthouse. Ran a lens meter test and those pieces of broken headlight lens. And the diopter reading shows that that particular type lens was made in 1934.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the make of the car, Lee?

[Officer Ben Romero]

The only company that used this type of lens was the Ford Motor Company. Pretty positive by. Ran a spectrographic test on the chemical

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

composition of the glass in the lens. Checks out.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, we got a car to work on.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

That's it.

[Officer Ben Romero]

1934 Ford black.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, thanks a lot, Lee.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

It's all right.

[Officer Ben Romero]

When you find the car, I can tie it indefinitely for you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, that's fine.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Excuse me.

[Mr. Turner]

Crime lab.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Jones.

[Officer Ben Romero]

They're right here, Mac. Just a minute to either one of you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's McDermott.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I'll take it, Jim.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah. Mac Romero. Oh, when? Yeah, me too. Yeah, right. Mac, just got word from Georgia Street. Yeah, Both victims, they just died.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

With the death of the two victims, what had only been a hit and run felony had now become a case of manslaughter, two counts. Ben and I went back to the office and met with Lieutenant McDeerman. Past experience has proven to the traffic officer that the quickest and surest way to a successful prosecution of a hit and run case is with the full cooperation of the average citizen. A hit and run felony differs from the ordinary police case in that the investigating officers are not dealing with a criminal. In a case of this nature, the guilty party could well be the outstanding citizen of his community. In all probability, he had no motive for a crime, only motive in running from the scene of the accident. Well, the one way to gain citizen cooperation was to acquaint him with all the details of the accident. Any and all information that we had or would obtain as the case worked towards solution. 10:15pm Saturday, September 5th in addition to the emergency broadcast put out at the time of the accident. Supplemental broadcasts and APBs were sent out. Ben and I then started to make up a special police bulletin.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Wanted for manslaughter and hit and run felony.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. Information regarding identity of occupant of following hit and run vehicle. Regarding identity of occupant.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah, vehicle.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, got it.

[Mr. Turner]

Mm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Involved in accident resulting in death of two female pedestrians.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Accident. Accident occurred September 5th, approximately what time, Joe? 7:30pm Right on Los Feliz Boulevard

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

at

[Officer Ben Romero]

intersection of Commonwealth Avenue. Okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now can I see what we got?

[Lewis Martin]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Occupant, young male, Caucasian, approximately 18 to 19 years of age. Vehicle 1934 Ford sedan, black with tan undercoat. Driven by male occupant. This car will have extensive damage to front end. Facsimile photographs of type of car wanted appear on this bulletin.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Got the photos right here. Side, front and back view.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, this ought to do it. Let's get it down to the printing bureau right away, huh?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah. Auto, paint shops, wrecking yards, garages, repair stations, used car lots. Insurance company.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The daily papers are running a spread on it in the next edition.

[Officer Ben Romero]

That ought to cover it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, it's all there. If it gets to the right person. Wednesday, September 9, 10:45am the inquest of the two hit and run victims was held and the jury returned a quick verdict of manslaughter, two counts naming a John Doe as guilty. For the next three weeks, we received numerous phone calls concerning the black Ford sedan. All leads were checked out and failed to materialize. Cars fitting the description of the wanted vehicle were constantly being stopped and the occupants questioned. We got nowhere. Ben and I followed up on our bulletins. We checked various garages and paint shops. Used car lots were checked and rechecked. No luck. Monday, October 3, 2:30pm we were on our way back to the office after having canvassed several wrecking yards and repair stations.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I never knew they made so many black. 34 Ford here. I don't see how we could have overlooked anything, do you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I don't. Something ought to break on this thing soon.

[Officer Ben Romero]

We just had a little more to go on that license number. If somebody could have seen in.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, that'd help, wouldn't it? I'll get it. Traffic Friday.

[Dan Provost]

Hello. My name is Dan Provost. I run a used car lot in Dan's Corner at 5473 Sixth Avenue.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Dan Provost]

I'd like to talk to somebody regarding that last bulletin you sent out, September 7th this year.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I think maybe I can help you, sir.

[Dan Provost]

That 34 Ford you're looking for on that hit and run thing.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Yeah, that's right.

[Dan Provost]

Young kid, blond. Says he's got some repair work for us. Yeah, I got one of my mechanics stalling him now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's the car look like, Mr. Provost?

[Dan Provost]

Like the one you're looking for. The reason I called is because he says he banged up the front end right away. I remembered the bulletin.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, sir. See if you can hold him there, will you? We'll be right over.

[Dan Provost]

I'll do my best.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll be right there, sir.

[Dan Provost]

I think I've got your man for you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It took us 15 minutes to get to 5473 6th Avenue, Dan's Corner. We crossed over the gravel covered lot to the rear where we found a small wooden shack marked Office. Dan Provost met us at the door.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

I'm Provost. Are you the police?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

I'm sorry. I did my best, but I couldn't hold him here without making him suspicious. But I'm sure he'll be back.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you know?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

We see he bought this car from us. Says he had a little accident and wanted us to fix it up for him. I told him we would if he'd bring it in.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Why do you think he left? It's only been about 15 minutes since you called us downtown.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Well, he might have heard me talking to you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, if he did and he's our man, I doubt very much if he'll be back.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

I bet he will. Blonde kid, about 19 years old, driving a black 34 4, just like the one you're after.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, can you give us his name and the license number of the car?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Sure. It's Curly Watson. License number? I got it right here. 9R9707. I looked it up on his contract.

[Officer Ben Romero]

And this name? Curly. You have his full name?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Sorry, I guess I'm a little excited. It's Wilfred E. Watson. Everybody around here calls him Curly. I'm pretty sure he's the one you want. I know that car bought it from us about five months ago.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, it's just too bad you couldn't have detained him just a little longer, Mr. Provost.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Well, like I say, you don't have to worry. He'll be back.

[Officer Ben Romero]

What makes you so sure?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

From the way he described the damage to us, I'd say He's got about 75 to $100 worth of work on that front end. Yeah, I know he's a man you want. I'm gonna be in trouble if he's

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

not what do you mean?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

What was the only thing I could do on the spur of the moment like that? Yeah, that's how I know for sure he'll be back here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how's that?

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

I told him I'd fix his car free.

[Announcer]

You are in the forgery division of a metropolitan police department. Handwriting analysis.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

All right, now write the Alphabet in lowercase, please.

[Announcer]

You are listening to a handwriting expert taking an exemplar of a suspect's handwriting.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Now write the numerals from 1 to 10, please.

[Narrator]

This handwriting sample will be compared with a forged signature side by side. Two signatures may often look alike, but closer examination will prove a world of difference. You'll find the same is true when you compare king size cigarettes.

[Announcer]

Fatimas are the same length as any other king size cigarette. 85 millimeters. Fatima has the same circumference, 1 and 164 inches around.

[Narrator]

And Fatima filters the smoke exactly the same long distance as other king size cigarettes.

[Announcer]

But in Fatima, the difference is quality.

[Narrator]

Fatima gives you extra mildness, a much different, much better flavor and aroma. You get all the advantages of extra length plus Fatima quality, which no other king size cigarette has.

[Announcer]

So compare Fatima yourself. Your first puff will tell you, ah, that's different.

[Narrator]

Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Best of all, long cigarettes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We call Lieutenant McDearmid and filled him in. He sent Sergeants Kilpatrick and McClendon out to relieve Ben and me and to maintain a stakeout on Dan's Corner, the used car lot, in the event the suspect should return. We went back downtown. R and I. Wilfred E. Watson had a record and was wanted by the Fresno Police Department where he had jumped bail. The charge was grand theft. We took Watson's mug shot back to the used car lot where he was positively identified by Dan Provost. Ben and I went to his last known address. The landlady told us that Watson had moved approximately a month ago and had not left a forwarding address. From his mama sheet we obtained a list of his friends and associates. All efforts to locate him failed. The stakeout continued. We showed the mug shot to Richard Mordigan, the one good witness to the accident. He said he could not identify Watson as he did not get too good a look at him. But he stated that there was a possibility that he could be the man. A week went by. The whereabouts of the suspect was still unknown. Tuesday, October 10th. Ben and I were out running down a lead on Watson when we received a call to return to the office. Lieutenant McDeerman met us as we got There.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

I put that call in for you.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Anything doing, man?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

I got a lead. I don't know how good it'll be, but we ought to check it out right away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, what do you got?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

We just received a call from the Santa Monica PD. Mrs. Agnes Hastings called in and gave him a little something. As I say, maybe there's nothing in it, but see what you think.

[Mr. Turner]

All right.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

The Hastings woman stopped in at a local soda fountain down there. Place is patronized by the hot rod crowd. Said she overheard part of a conversation between a couple of the kids. This one dark haired boy was sitting at the counter when another kid walked in the front door. The kid that came in had red hair. The dark haired kid said, hi, Red. And the redhead sat down by him.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah, and one of the kids made

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

some remark about the boy's red hair. Asked him why he dyed it. The redhead said, well, they're looking for a blonde, aren't they?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, could be a little something, huh?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Yeah, I thought so. Then the Hastings woman followed the redheaded boy outside and took the license number of his car.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Anything there?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

I don't know yet. Ran it through dmv, but it's not in the file. Mark Benson's got a call into Sacramento now.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Anything new on Watson?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

No, nothing yet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where can we find this Agnes Hastings, Mac?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Oh, here's the address right here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, thank you.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

That's all she had. Said she'd been following the hit and run story in the papers. Thought this might be worth forwarding anyway. Yeah, just a minute. Traffic.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

McDeerman. Oh, hi, Art.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Yeah.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Oh, you did, huh?

[Lewis Martin]

Mm.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Yeah, I see.

[Mrs. Turner]

Aha.

[Lewis Martin]

Yeah. Yeah, right.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Bye.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

That was Art Kilpatrick. He and McLendon picked up Watson. Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

They're bringing him in now. They say this Watson denies the hit and run. Jones will check his car over, then we'll know a little more.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, there's not much we can do till we hear from Benson on the Santa Monica thing.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Well, maybe there is.

[Officer Ben Romero]

What's that?

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

We got two leads. We can hope one of them's right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

While waiting for the call from Mark Benson at chp, Ben and I drove over to the police garage on South Figueroa. Wilfred Watson's car had been impounded and Lee Jones had made his investigation. His findings eliminated Watson's 34 Ford as being the hit and run car. Investigations showed that Watson's car was involved in an accident. But this was five days prior to the killing of the two women pedestrians. Wilfred E. Watson was booked for the Fresno authorities for Prosecution on their warrant. This left only the one leading. The red headed boy who had dyed his hair. If Agnes Hastings observations had been correct, the fact that the boy originally had blonde hair made him a possible suspect. 11:00am the information from DMV came through from Sacramento. The car was registered to a Calvin L. Martin, 16 Boardwalk Lane, Santa Monica. The car was a 1939 Dodge sedan, legal. The same. 16 Boardwalk Lane was a small beach house facing out on the Pacific Ocean in the town of Santa Monica. 11:26am we arrive in front of the house.

[Officer Ben Romero]

This is it. Number 16?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. All right. Let's go up to the porch.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I don't see anybody around. Looks like nobody's home.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, let's try the bell. I guess you're right. Nobody home.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah. Let's check the garage, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's around the side, isn't it?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah. Yeah, it's right there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Padlock. Maybe there's a window on the side. Yeah. Come here, Joe.

[Dan Provost]

All right.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Wind is kind of dirty. Wipe it off a little.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's better, huh? Can you see anything?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Take a look, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Looks like a 34 Ford to me.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Notice the left front fender?

[Mrs. Turner]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Pretty badly dented, isn't it?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Looks like we're home maybe, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I'd like to get a closer look.

[Lewis Martin]

Thanks a lot, Sid.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

See you back at work, huh?

[Mrs. Turner]

Sure.

[Lewis Martin]

Anytime.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

About 1:30, okay.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Young kid got out of a car out front. Looks like a redhead. From here to.

[Lewis Martin]

Hi. You men want something?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officers.

[Mrs. Turner]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you live here?

[Lewis Martin]

Yes, I do. What's wrong?

[Officer Ben Romero]

What's your name?

[Lewis Martin]

Lewis Martin.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Who is Calvin Elmart?

[Lewis Martin]

My father. Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Does he own a 1939 Dodge?

[Lewis Martin]

Yeah, that's right. Anything wrong?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Whose car is that down in the garage there?

[Lewis Martin]

Belongs to a friend of mine. I just let him keep it in there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's his name?

[Lewis Martin]

Jesse.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, well, Jesse what?

[Lewis Martin]

Jesse Armstrong.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Where does he live?

[Lewis Martin]

Over on Venice Boulevard.

[Officer Ben Romero]

What's the number?

[Lewis Martin]

I don't know offhand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You let him park his car here in your garage and you don't know where he lives?

[Lewis Martin]

Well, I know, but I just can't think of it. I don't understand what's wrong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You got a key to the garage?

[Lewis Martin]

No. Jesse's got it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You don't keep a key to your own garage?

[Lewis Martin]

No. I'll let Jesse keep it.

[Officer Ben Romero]

You always had red hair.

[Lewis Martin]

Sure. Why?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Red on top and blonde at the roots, is that it?

[Lewis Martin]

I wish you'd tell me what's going on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, Armstrong, you tell us.

[Lewis Martin]

Well, watch it. Joe.

[Dan Provost]

All right.

[Announcer]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's hold it right here.

[Lewis Martin]

I didn't do anything. Let me draw.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how about it, son? That's the second time you tried to run now, isn't it?

[Lewis Martin]

How'd you find me? Who told you?

[Officer Ben Romero]

You want to tell us about it?

[Lewis Martin]

I didn't mean to hit those two women. I was coming home from up in la. I was late and I was trying to hurry to get home. I didn't see him until it was too late.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why didn't you stop? Why'd you run?

[Lewis Martin]

I was afraid. I just couldn't face it. I thought I could get away with it, I guess. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you know those two old women died as a result of you running them down?

[Lewis Martin]

No, I didn't know they'd d.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Come on, son. Let's go.

[Lewis Martin]

I didn't really mean to do it. I'll tell everybody I'm sorry. I am sorry. That'll make a difference, won't it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You kill two people, you figure it.

[Narrator]

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

[Announcer]

On December 17, trial was held in Superior Court Department 81, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator]

And now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you, friends. I can give you over a dozen good reasons why Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. But I'd rather let Fatima speak for itself. That's why I suggest that you buy a pack tomorrow and then compare Fatima with any other long cigarette you'll find. Just as I have. Fatima's extra mildness gives you a much better flavor and aroma. You get all the advantages of extra length plus Fatima quality which no other king size cigarette has. Ask your dealer for Fatima best of all long cigarettes.

[Announcer]

The suspect, Lewis T. Martin, was found guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to one year in the county jail and was placed on probation for five years. 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.

[Narrator]

Fatima cigarettes. Best of all long cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles. Stay tuned for Counter Spy next over most NBC stations. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Announcer]

Fatima cigarettes. Best of all long cigarettes brings you. Dragnet.

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. An elderly man reports the sudden death of his wife. He claims he awoke in the morning to find her dead on the floor of their bedroom. The cause of death is not apparent. Your job, Investigate. In Fatima, the difference is quality.

[Announcer]

Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality.

[Narrator]

Quality of tobaccos. The finest domestic and Turkish varieties. Extra mild, superbly blended. To give you Fatima's much different, much better flavor and aroma.

[Announcer]

Quality of manufacture, Smooth, round, perfect Fatima cigarettes rolled in the finest paper money can buy. Manufactured in the newest and most modern of all cigarette factories.

[Narrator]

Quality even to the appearance of the bright, clean, golden yellow Fatima package.

[Announcer]

So compare Fatima yourself today.

[Narrator]

You'll find Fatima gives you all the advantages of extra length plus Fatima quality, which no other king size cigarette has.

[Announcer]

Yes, light up a Fatima. Your first puff will tell you, ah, that's different.

[Narrator]

Because in Fatima, the difference is quality.

[Announcer]

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.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Friday, November 12th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of homicide detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. It was 9:38am when I got back to the first floor of the Blackwell Hotel, room seven.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Oh, hi, Joe. Come on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's the old fella doing? He tell you anything?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Hasn't talked at all. He's pretty broken up. Woman's dead. That's about it. How about the bruise on her forehead? You think that could have been it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, it was just a slight bruise. I don't think that could have killed her.

[Officer Ben Romero]

They moved the body out of the room yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, they just did. Taking it downtown for the autopsy. Well, I guess we can take the old man back to his own room now, huh?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah, I think so. He's back here in the kitchen now. Fixed him a cup of coffee. Still feeling pretty bad.

[Mr. Turner]

Mm.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Mr. Turner, would you like to go back to your room now? Everything's been fixed up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mr. Turner.

[Mr. Turner]

What happened? You can tell me. What happened to Gertrude.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I'm afraid we don't know, Mr. Turner. Not yet.

[Mr. Turner]

I told you about it, didn't I? Woke up this morning about 8 o'. Clock. Put my arm over on the pillow and she wasn't there. And I got up and I saw her laying on the floor. My wife, Gertrude. I felt her arms. She was cold. Ice cold. Somebody Ought to know what happened.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we'll let you know just as soon as we get the coroner's report. Sir, would you like to go back to your own room now?

[Mr. Turner]

What's coroner have to do with it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, he's gonna have to perform an autopsy. We'll have the report for you tomorrow morning.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't want him to do that to Gertrude. I don't want him to.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, sir. I'm afraid it's necessary, deaths of this kind. There was no doctor in attendance. Nobody to sign the death certificate.

[Mr. Turner]

There's nothing I can do, Nothing to help her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, Mr. Turner.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Can we help you back to your room, sir?

[Mr. Turner]

Is she still there?

[Officer Ben Romero]

No, sir. They've taken her body downtown. Can I give you a hand there?

[Lewis Martin]

Thank you.

[Mr. Turner]

All right,

[Officer Ben Romero]

I'll get the door.

[Mr. Turner]

Where'd Mr. Parkson go?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who's that, sir?

[Mr. Turner]

The hotel manager, Mr.

[Dan Provost]

Parks.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Mr. Turner]

These are his rooms here. I wanted to tell him thank you for letting me stay down here a while.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I think he'll be back in a few minutes. He was busy outside.

[Mr. Turner]

Nice of him. Let me use his place. I couldn't stay in our room, not the way it was. Gertrude, I am there.

[Officer Ben Romero]

It's all right now. Mr. Turner, can you make the stairs all right?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, sir. Thank you. I'm just a little tired, that's all. Guess the whole thing's been too much for me.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Maybe you'd like to have us call your family doctor.

[Mr. Turner]

No, we don't have a family doctor. I'll be all right. After a spell, it's just hard to understand, that's all. Have to think about it a while. Sit down and think about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Here we are. I'll get the door. Go ahead, Ben.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Mr. Turner]

Right there on the floor, officer. It's where I found her when I woke up. Right there by the bed. Mm. Where have they taken her?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Downtown, Mr. Turner, to the county morgue.

[Mr. Turner]

Oh, they'll let me see her, won't they?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, they will. Do you feel up to answering a few questions for us now?

[Mr. Turner]

All right, I'll tell you everything I know about it. I don't see how it's gonna help anything.

[Officer Ben Romero]

We'll try to make it as brief as possible, sir. Now, your wife's full name is Gertrude Agnes Turner, is that right?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, that's right.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Her age?

[Mr. Turner]

Let's see, Gertrude. 63. Yeah, that's it. I'm four years older than her. That's how I always tell.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was your wife in good health, Mr. Turner? Under a doctor's care, anything like that?

[Mr. Turner]

No, nothing wrong with her I knew of.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Heart trouble, anything like that?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. She used to have headaches every now and then. Doctor friend of ours back home used to send pills for her to take. That's about all.

[Officer Ben Romero]

How was your wife feeling last night? Was she all right then?

[Mr. Turner]

Just fine. When I woke up, I put my arm over on her pillow. She wasn't there. Then I got up and saw her layin on the floor right by the bed. Gertrude. She was ice cold. There was a little bruise up here on her forehead. I thought I was dreaming she was dead. When were you married? A year.

[Officer Ben Romero]

You want to go on, sir? You think you feel all right?

[Mr. Turner]

It's all right, Officer. I got a little bit of brandy in that cupboard over there. Think I could use some if you two officers don't mind.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's perfectly all right, sir.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I'll get it. Mr. Turner,

[Mr. Turner]

we had it all figured out. Tuesday, November 16th. That's her names day.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's that, sir?

[Mr. Turner]

November 16th. It's my wife's names day. You see, Gertrude's a German girl. A lot of German people don't celebrate their birthday. They celebrate their names day instead. Next Tuesday's St. Gertrude's Day.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, I see.

[Officer Ben Romero]

There you are, Mr. Turner.

[Mr. Turner]

Thank you. Either one of you officers care for some brandy? You're certainly welcome to.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Oh, thank you very much.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you or your wife have many friends in town, Mr. Turner?

[Mr. Turner]

No, no, just a few around the hotel here. Gertrude and I have only been in California a few months. Come out from Indiana, you know Fort Wayne?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. No relatives here?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. Wife only had one relative living.

[Lewis Martin]

Sister.

[Mr. Turner]

She's back in Indiana.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, how did you and your wife get along? All right?

[Mr. Turner]

Oh, fine. We never had any trouble. I loved her, Officer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did your wife have any enemies that you know of, sir? People she didn't get along with? Somebody who might have wanted to hurt her?

[Mr. Turner]

Well, I can't think of anyone.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, how about some of the men your wife knew before she married you, Mr. Turner? Any bad feelings one of them might have had towards your wife?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir, not that I know of. Besides, all her old friends are still back there in Indiana.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Mm. You say your marriage was working out pretty well. Your wife didn't have any gentlemen friends that she might have been interested in?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. I know that for the truth. Gertrude spent her time at home. She didn't run around. She was a good wife.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Would you know, if your wife had any reason at all to Take her own life.

[Mr. Turner]

Maybe that's the last thing in the world Gertrude to do. No reason for it. We had too many things to look forward to. Lots of things. You don't stop living just because you pass 65.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

Tell me the truth, officer. Don't you really know what happened to her?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir. No more than you do. Afraid we'll have to wait for that coroner's report.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't understand it, officer. How am I supposed to understand it, sir? I went to bed last night and I had a wife.

[Dan Provost]

Yes.

[Mr. Turner]

Today's my day off. We're gonna take a car ride down the beach. That's the dress she was gonna wear hanging up there. Gertrude made it herself. She didn't know where it today.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll try to take it easy, Mr. Turner.

[Mr. Turner]

I beg your pardon. She's all I had. Why should she have to die? She didn't have to die, did she?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know, sir. Maybe she didn't have a choice. The body of the dead woman, Mrs. Gertrude Agnes Turner, was removed to the county morgue for autopsy. Ben and I filled out the 311 form, the dead body report and filed it pending the outcome of the autopsy. A couple of Mr. Turner's friends who lived upstairs from him at the Blackwell Hotel agreed to look after the old man until he got over the shock of his wife's sudden death. 7:45 the next morning. Morning. I checked in for work as usual.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Morning, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Morning. What do you know?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Not much. Pretty slow.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the Turner woman? No word in the autopsy, huh?

[Officer Ben Romero]

No. Coroner hasn't called yet. If you've got any smokes. I left the house in a hurry this morning and forgot everything.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, right here.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Oh, thanks. Yeah, thanks. Lousy morning. Another row with the wife.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's the matter?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Oh, another one of those church bazaars she got herself mixed up in. She's calling on me for help again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah? What she wants you to do now.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Remember the last time, don't you? That spring bazaar had me working on decorations down to church. Seven nights a week, 18 women running around telling you what to do. It's like a madhouse, Joe. This time it's even worse.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Officer Ben Romero]

This time the ladies figure they ought to have a little more production. They want me to dress up in some kind of funny costume auction off pies and cake. You know, stovepipe hat, false mustache. Will work.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, you turn them down.

[Dan Provost]

Huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You won't do it, will you?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, not exactly. Wife kicked up such a row, I guess I'LL end up doing it. Got an idea, though. Wouldn't be so bad if I had somebody to work with me. You wouldn't like to help me out, would you, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I'll tell you, I'm gonna be a little busy, Ben, but if I get a chance, I'll drop out. See you, though. I'll get it.

[Officer E.W. Hyde]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Homicide. Friday. Oh, yeah. How's that?

[Mr. Turner]

Mm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Lewis Martin]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. We'll be right over. Was Doxephalu over at the morgue about Ms. Turner?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Got the autopsy report, boys?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. They won't sign the death certificate.

[Officer Ben Romero]

What's the trouble?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Couple of things. Looks too suspicious for him.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I said, how'd they list the cause of death?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

She suffocated. 8:15am we went across the street and talked with Duck. All he could tell us was that Gertrude Turner had suffered severe convulsions and that she died of suffocation. There was a small bruise in her forehead and numerous other small bruises around the base of the throat. Not enough to say that the woman had been murdered. And yet too much to dismiss the case as an accidental death. Together with Lorman and Barrett from Homicide, Ben and I looked up some of the friends of Mr. And Mrs. Turner. We found two points which didn't check out with the story that Mr. Turner had told us. According to the friends, Turner had had some violent arguments with his wife. On at least one occasion, he'd struck her. And secondly, the dead woman did have a gentleman friend in the neighborhood, but his conduct with her had been above question. Was strictly friendship. We decided to take it from there. We went back to the Blackwell hotel and found Mr. Turner in his room. He was wrapping up some of his wife's personal effects and packing them in corrugated boxes. We told him about the coroner's report.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't think I believe that, Sergeant. People just don't suffocate. There's gotta be a reason for it.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yes, sir. That's what we're looking for.

[Mr. Turner]

Well, don't they know? Can't they tell you how it happened to the doctors?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, she had severe convulsions. She suffocated. That's just all they could tell us.

[Mr. Turner]

With a bruise on her head, Gertrude's forehead. What did they say about that?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, that wasn't the cause of death, Mr. Turner. She could have gotten a bump when she fell out of bed. It might have been that, it might not.

[Mr. Turner]

I just don't understand. You'd think there'd be some way of telling.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We were around talking to some of your friends in the neighborhood this morning. Friends of you and your wife?

[Mr. Turner]

Yeah. Oh, they've been real friends, officers. Every one of them been up to see me, Brought me meals and things. Say, isn't that a pretty thing? Just look at that. Yes, real born china. A cup and a saucer. Gertrude used to collect them. Had all kinds. Pretty.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. When we were talking to you yesterday, sir, you told us that you and your wife got along pretty well. No arguments.

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, now, some of your friends tell us that you used to argue with your wife quite a bit.

[Mr. Turner]

Who told you that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Some of your friends here in the neighborhood. Is that true?

[Mr. Turner]

When we first got married, Gertrude and I. I guess we had a few spats. No different than other people getting used to each other. Things like that, you know. Mm.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, did you ever strike your wife, Mr. Turner?

[Mr. Turner]

Why do you ask that?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Routine question. Did you ever strike your wife, Mr. Turner?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes. One of the first arguments we had. I don't even remember what it was about. That's how important it was. I. Well, I lost my temper, I guess. I kind of slapped her. I felt like a no good bum. Never once happened again. Slapping Gertrude. It's hard to remember right now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we asked you the same question yesterday, sir. Couldn't you have told us that then?

[Mr. Turner]

Well, I'm sorry, officer. I guess I missed it. Well, I wasn't feeling too good. I think you know what I mean.

[Officer Ben Romero]

You remember us asking if your wife had any gentleman friends?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, I remember that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, now, is it true?

[Mr. Turner]

Well, there's one fella, name's Clyde Warren, Runs a drugstore down the street. I guess Gertrude knew him better than anybody, but he was my friend too.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Well, did you ever complain to this Clyde Warren that he was spending too much time around your wife that he ought to see less of it?

[Mr. Turner]

I think I did. Maybe once or twice. It was kinda in a foolin way. Certainly didn't mean it. Clyde Warren's one of my best friends.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Did you ever complain to your wife that she was seeing too much? Warren?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. Never even mentioned it. Why ask me all these things?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, Your wife's dead, Mr. Turner, and we still haven't found out why.

[Mr. Turner]

But you asked me questions like I had something to do with it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You were the last one to see her alive, sir. You were alone with her in this room the night she died.

[Mr. Turner]

You think I killed Gertrude, is that it? You think I killed my own wife?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir, we didn't say anyone killed her.

[Mr. Turner]

You think I killed my Own wife? You think I killed her?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you kill her?

[Mr. Turner]

Mr. Turner, you know I didn't kill Gertrude. You know I didn't do that.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I'm sorry, sir. There's not much else we can do now.

[Mr. Turner]

What do you mean?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Coroner found a series of bruises on the body. Right around here, base of the neck. We know she died of suffocation. The two things seem to fit pretty well.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't know what you mean. I didn't see any bruises. Not on her neck. I don't know what you mean.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll have to take you downtown, sir. You can call your lawyer now if you like.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't have a lawyer. Why are you taking me downtown?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No alternative. We're gonna have to book you.

[Mr. Turner]

How is that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Suspicion of murder. 10:25am before we booked him at the main jail, Mr. Turner asked if we'd get off a telegram to his sister in law, Mrs. Helen Raymond, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, informing her of what had happened. We told him we would and we did. We booked him in on suspicion of 187pc. And then we checked back in at the office. We put in a call to the insurance company that held a policy on Mrs. Turner.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yes, sir. Gertrude Agnes Turner. Mm. What was that?

[Mr. Turner]

All right.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Right. Thank you, sir. Goodbye.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd they have to say?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Mrs. Turner had three different policies on her life. Total of $5,000. Mr. Turner's a beneficiary on all three.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, that'll do for a motive.

[Officer Ben Romero]

There's something else here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Newest policies for $1,000. Industrial policy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When was it taken out?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Three weeks ago.

[Announcer]

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[Narrator]

You have just heard a test bullet fired from a.38 caliber revolver found in the possession of a suspect.

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[Mr. Turner]

Ah, that's different.

[Narrator]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Monday, November 15, 10am the investigation went on. We failed to uncover any additional evidence against the suspect, Mr. Turner. We had three main points against the man. The recently issued insurance policy on his wife for a thousand dollars. The fact that he had fought with his wife and struck her on several occasions. And the series of bruises which had been discovered at the base of the dead woman's neck. Well, as it stood, we weren't too sure that the case had hold up in court. Ben was less sure that the old man was actually responsible for the death of his wife. We figured if Turner was guilty, we might try to impress him with the evidence against him and attempt to get a confession. Monday, 1pm we went over to the main jail to interrogate the suspect. You want to step aside there? They want to lock that door.

[Mr. Turner]

Oh, yes.

[Officer Ben Romero]

This way, Mr. Turner. I'll get the lights with you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Right in here, Mr. Turner.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Mr. Turner, you like to sit down?

[Mr. Turner]

All right. Thank you. Why'd you come to see me? Have you found out something?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We've been checking a little bit further into the case, Mr. Turner. We got a few more questions for you, if you don't mind.

[Mr. Turner]

Did you send the message to my sister in law, Mrs. Raymond? The one I asked you to send?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, we took care of it.

[Mr. Turner]

You got the address right, didn't you? Fort Wayne, Indiana.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

That's right.

[Officer Ben Romero]

She sent a telegram, told her all about it.

[Mr. Turner]

That was two days ago. She should have gotten it, but now I haven't heard a word from her. Are you sure she got the telegram all right?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Pretty sure. We'll check on it when we get back to the office.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A few things we got here that you might like to know about, sir. Maybe you can help clear them up for us.

[Mr. Turner]

What's that, officer?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We understand that your wife Gertrude had some insurance on herself. $5,000 worth.

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, that's right. Something you want to know about it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, she named you as the beneficiary in each of her policies. Is that correct?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, sir. Gertrude was a great believer in insurance. Don't hold with her too much myself. She used to tell me all the time.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

In case she died first. She wanted me to have a little something for old age. Something to retire on and get a little ranch out in the valley.

[Officer Ben Romero]

I understand she took out a policy just lately. $1,000 about three weeks ago.

[Mr. Turner]

I know about it. I didn't want her to do it. Clean waste of money. I told her payments are pretty steep.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, sir, is there anybody who can back that up that you told your wife you didn't want her to take out that policy?

[Mr. Turner]

No, I don't think so. We didn't talk about our business with other people.

[Lieutenant McDeerman]

Yeah.

[Dan Provost]

Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Tomorrow.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah. What is it? Phone call. Says it's important.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Either one of you. Do you want to get it?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Ben? You okay?

[Narrator]

You can take it out the desk here.

[Officer Ben Romero]

All right.

[Mr. Turner]

Thanks. I think I know what you mean. The insurance. You think that's why I killed Gertrude. Isn't that right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, sir, Put yourself in our place. Mr. Turner. What would you think?

[Mr. Turner]

You know in your heart? I didn't kill my wife. You know that in your heart.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, they don't pay us for what we believe, Turner. They pay us to get the facts, to run down evidence. Doesn't make any difference what I believe.

[Mr. Turner]

But you know I didn't kill her. You know that, don't you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, sir, I know we asked you if you ever argued with your wife and you told us no. We found out you beat her up a couple of times. We asked you if she was friendly with any of the men in the neighborhood. You told us no. We found one. We asked you about the bruises the coroner found on her neck. You don't know. You can't explain them. We asked you if your wife had been ill, if she had any sickness, to explain her dying the way she did, and you said no. We asked you about the insurance. You can't explain that either. Three weeks before she dies, she takes out a thousand dollars on her life. She dies in the same room with you, and you don't know how or why. Now you tell me, mister. What are we supposed to believe?

[Mr. Turner]

I. I didn't kill her. Somebody has to believe that. Somebody. I didn't kill her.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Joe, See you a minute?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Ben Romero]

Yeah. That phone call, it was long distance. Turner's sister in law, Mrs. Raymond.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd she want?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Calling from Fort Wayne. She's flying out here tonight.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Seem pretty wrought up about her sister, huh?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Mostly about Mr. Turner. She claims he's innocent. Seem pretty sure of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

She can prove that Turner didn't kill his wife?

[Officer Ben Romero]

That's what she said. She's bringing the proof with her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Tuesday, November 16th. Turner's sister in law, Mrs. Raymond, was scheduled to arrive at 6pm by plane from Indiana at 2pm One of the main points in the case against the suspect was proven false. A woman friend of Mrs. Turner, after reading of the husband's arrest in the paper, informed us that while Mrs. Turner was visiting her Home. A few days before she died, she complained of a severe headache. The woman's son, who was studying to be a chiropractor. Attempted to treat Mrs. Turner's headache by manipulating the muscles in her neck and shoulders. The woman said that Mrs. Turner called the next day. And complained about receiving bruises on her neck as a result of her son's experimental treatment. The son came down to the office and signed a full statement to this effect. At 7pm, Mr. Turner's sister in law arrived. With her was a Dr. John Grant, a Fort Wayne physician. The two of them told us their story and gave us all the information they had concerning the case. Ben and I went immediately to the main jail. Picked up Mr. Turner and brought him back to the office. His sister in law and Dr. Grant waited in the adjoining room.

[Mr. Turner]

Why'd you bring me here? You gonna ask me more questions? I told you everything.

[Officer Ben Romero]

No, sir. No more questions.

[Mr. Turner]

You can't take me off to prison. I haven't had a trial yet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir. You're not gonna have a trial, mister. Mr. Turner, we're releasing you.

[Mr. Turner]

How's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your sister in law, Ms. Raymond. She's in the next room with her doctor. They're gonna take you home, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't think I understand, Officer. How do you mean?

[Officer Ben Romero]

Your sister in law just got in from Fort Wayne tonight. And she has her family doctor with her. They told us about your wife, Gertrude. Everything we had to know about Gertrude.

[Mr. Turner]

My wife? What do you mean, officer?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, maybe you can understand, sir. Your wife was afraid to let you know. She told her sister. She was afraid it might break up her marriage.

[Mr. Turner]

Afraid to tell me what?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, your wife suffered from epilepsy. She had it most of her life.

[Mr. Turner]

She had epilepsy?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. She did this. Dr. Grant showed us that he's been sending your wife medicine ever since you moved out here to California. He treated her many times for the same thing before you met her. She figured it might ruin her chances of marrying you. So she kept it a secret.

[Mr. Turner]

The medicine. I remember that used to come through the mail.

[Officer Ben Romero]

And that's it counts for the headache she had the night before she died. She probably had an attack during the night. Suffocated. That's how you found her in the morning.

[Mr. Turner]

Why didn't they know? The coroner? They examined her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, sir, that's just the point. If you die of epilepsy, there's just no way of telling. Not even by autopsy. Convulsions and suffocation, that's the only way they can list it.

[Mr. Turner]

And she was ashamed. Gertrude? She was afraid to tell me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. That's what she wrote to your sister in law. We saw the letters and I can

[Mr. Turner]

leave now if I want to. Is it all right?

[Officer Ben Romero]

We'll get you things from the property clerk first and then you can go.

[Mr. Turner]

Can I see Helen now, my sister in law? I'd like to say hello.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, you can. It's right through that door.

[Mr. Turner]

Well, thank you kindly.

[Officer Ben Romero]

It's all right.

[Mr. Turner]

Officer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes?

[Mr. Turner]

Just one thing I'd like to ask.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes?

[Mr. Turner]

You knew all the time, didn't you? I mean, in your own heart.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Mr. Turner]

I couldn't have killed Gertrude. In your own heart, you knew that, didn't you, officer?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. I knew it.

[Mr. Turner]

I thought you did. I'll be right back.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Joe, huh?

[Officer Ben Romero]

I wouldn't worry about him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Officer Ben Romero]

We'll call it a white lie.

[Narrator]

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

[Announcer]

On November 16, a meeting was held in the office of Blaine Steed, Captain of Homicide. In a moment, the results of that meeting.

[Narrator]

And now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Friends, the makers of Fatima do everything possible to produce the king size cigarette that you want. Just as we on Dragnet try to bring you the kind of entertainment that you want. Well, in our honest opinion, Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. And I know from reading our Dragnet mail that more and more of you back me up on that. If you haven't tried Fatima's yet, may I suggest you buy a pack? You'll find Fatima gives you all the advantages of extra length plus Fatima quality which no other king size cigarette has. Remember tomorrow, first chance you get, buy Fatima.

[Announcer]

The death of Gertrude Agnes Turner was proved beyond a doubt to be due to natural causes. A 9.10 report was made which completely exonerated the husband of the dead woman. 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.