THE BIG TRY and THE BIG BIBLE DRAGNET

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers: "THE BIG TRY" and "THE BIG BIBLE" (Dragnet)

Original Air Date: January 4, 2026
Host: Jon Hagadorn

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Episode Overview

This episode features two classic radio plays from "Dragnet", the quintessential police procedural of the Golden Age of Radio. Both stories are based on true cases, with the names changed to protect the innocent. "The Big Try" follows the investigation into a young man’s confession of vehicular homicide and the subsequent search for the truth. "The Big Bible" is a locked-room mystery that begins as a suicide but quickly turns into a murder investigation with unexpected psychological twists. Both showcase the methodical, unsentimental yet deeply human approach of detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith as they unravel tangled criminal cases in 1950s Los Angeles.

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"The Big Try"

Main Theme

An emotionally troubled young man confesses to a hit-and-run killing, but detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith must determine if his story adds up—or if the real culprit is still at large.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• [01:41] A Troubled Confession:

  • Emil Salter, 18, walks into the station and claims he "killed a man."
  • He details running down someone with a truck near Malibu after stealing the vehicle as a means to flee his sad circumstances in Wisconsin.
  • He shares honestly about his loneliness, failed efforts to "start over," and a brush with the law for petty infractions ("One night we broke in a church. Didn't go in to steal anything. One of the guys just wanted to play the organ." — Emil Salter, [05:24]).

• [07:32] A Flawed Narrative:

  • Salter leads officers to the scene, but physical evidence doesn’t match his story (the victim was hit by a vehicle with blue paint, not Salter’s black truck).
  • Joe and Frank sense inconsistencies but treat Salter humanely, probing deeper rather than making assumptions.

• [10:36] A Witness Appears:

  • A reluctant witness, Loren Staith, tells police:
    • "That Emo kid, he ain't guilty." ([11:46])
    • He saw the accident: the perpetrator drove a blue car, going at least 90 mph, and gave the license plate to detectives.
    • His motive for silence: shame over being with a female secretary during a marital spat—"Would be kind of tough to explain." ([14:34])

• [15:24] Procedure & Persistence:

  • Friday and Smith trace the blue Pontiac to Charles Bookman—who says he lent it to his brother-in-law, Casey Stedman, also a drifter and serial underachiever.
  • They wait for Stedman to retrieve the car from a repair garage, where evidence (blood stains, damaged fender) confirms its involvement.
  • Stedman’s bluff unravels under forensics and a solid timeline, leading to his confession.

• [21:34] Justice & Reflection:

  • Salter is exonerated from the homicide (though faces charges for auto theft).
  • The episode closes with Friday and Smith displaying empathy, pondering how circumstances trap people on the "outside looking in."
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Here I am in jail. I guess I blame my parents, my brothers, everybody. All the time, it's me. There's nobody else to blame really." — Emil Salter ([22:05])
    • "Like one time I wanted to go to the junior prom real bad. ... I sat on the fire escape. Watched the whole thing through the gym window. ... Like I said, I was all alone, looking in from the outside." — Emil Salter ([22:46])
    • "That whistle you're talking about? Uh huh. I hear it every once in a while myself." — Joe Friday ([24:06])

Outcome ([24:11]):

• Casey Harrison Stedman: Convicted of hit-and-run; sentenced to 1–5 years.
• Emil Donald Salter: Pled guilty to grand theft auto, placed on probation for 3 years.

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"The Big Bible"

Main Theme

A supposed suicide reveals itself to be an intricate murder mystery inside a locked room, involving complex family dynamics and unexpected forensic details.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• [29:22] The Scene:

  • Detectives respond to a report of attempted suicide (Carl Hamlin).
  • Entry is forced; Hamlin found dead in his study, door locked and barricaded from inside.
  • Initial circumstances suggest suicide (Hamlin was reportedly distraught over a recent separation from his wife, Nora).

• [33:34] Statements & Tensions:

  • Interviews with Nora and her elderly mother Mrs. Gaylor surface a troubled family dynamic:
    • Carl was "always play acting around" and often drunk ([37:12]).
    • He had allegedly threatened suicide before ([38:54]).

• [39:47] The Forensic Twist:

  • Crime lab expert Ray Pinker discovers that the bullet in Hamlin’s body came from a .380 automatic, not the .38 revolver found in his hand ([40:22]).
  • "This fella Hamlin pulled a pretty neat trick." — Ray Pinker ([40:52])

• [42:38] Re-Examining the Scene:

  • Physical evidence indicates the room was truly locked after the shooting—no easy exit or entry for a killer.
  • The detectives focus on the possibility of another weapon and search for spent shell casings.

• [46:18] The Breakthrough:

  • With help from Nora, detectives recover the vacuum cleaner used to tidy the room that morning.
  • In the dust bag they find a spent .380 shell, confirming the presence of a second weapon.

• [48:16] The Truth Emerges:

  • Under pressure, Mrs. Gaylor admits to shooting Hamlin after he fired his gun at her book (a Bible), then watched him run into the study and lock himself in, where he died shortly after from her shot ([50:09]).
  • Evidence (the Bible with the .38 slug) supports her account.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "Just all of a sudden last night when he shot my book. I never been so mad. I really wanted to kill him." — Mrs. Gaylor ([51:08])

• [52:03] Poignant Image:

  • The book Hamlin shot was the Holy Bible ([52:04]).

Outcome ([52:56]):

• Jessie Margaret Gaylor: Found insane at the time of the crime; made a ward of the state, committed for treatment.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "Like I said, I was all alone, looking in from the outside." — Emil Salter ([22:46])
• "That emo kid, he ain't guilty." — Loren Staith ([11:46])
• "He killed himself with a bullet that couldn't possibly be fired from the gun he was holding." — Ray Pinker ([40:53])
• "Just all of a sudden last night when he shot my book. I never been so mad. I really wanted to kill him." — Mrs. Gaylor ([51:08])
• "Holy Bible." — Joe Friday, examining the book shot by Hamlin ([52:04])
• "That whistle you're talking about? Uh huh. I hear it every once in a while myself." — Joe Friday on loneliness ([24:06])

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Important Timestamps

• [01:41] Emil Salter confesses to a hit-and-run
• [07:32] Evidence doesn’t match confession
• [11:46] Loren Staith provides eyewitness account
• [15:24] Detectives trace the blue Pontiac
• [21:34] Salter exonerated; poignant reflection
• [29:22] Detectives arrive at apparent suicide scene (The Big Bible)
• [39:47] Crime lab uncovers bullet discrepancy
• [46:18] Vital evidence recovered from vacuum cleaner
• [50:09] Mrs. Gaylor’s confession
• [52:04] Revelation: the shot Bible

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Summary Tone & Appeal

The episode captures the cool, relentless logic of Joe Friday and Frank Smith—and their understated empathy. The stories are a time capsule of classic radio drama, where pathos, suspense, and moral ambiguity simmer under a procedural surface. The cases probe how ordinary people can become tragically entangled in crime and the law, and the detectives’ dogged pursuit of the truth is as relevant today as it was in the 1950s.

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Transcript

[Erica Mandy]

If the news has felt like too much lately, too long, too loud, too overwhelming, this is your sign to do it differently this new year. I'm Erica Mandy, host of the Newsworthy Podcast. Each weekday, I break down the day's top stories in less than 15 minutes, giving you the facts, multiple perspectives, and even some lighter conversation starters so you're not bogged down by arguing pundits or alarmist clickbait. It's a simple, efficient way to stay informed, feel confident, and move on with your day. Search the Newsworthy wherever you're listening to.

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This podcast and follow or subscribe to the Newsworthy today.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Announcer]

Dragnet.

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned the homicide detail. A young man walks into your office and tells you he wants to give himself up. You don't know if you can believe his story. Your job.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Check it out. It was Monday, December 10th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Lorman. My name's Friday. We're on our way back from records and identification. It was 11:15am when we got to room 42, the squadron.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Joe?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Danny Kid waiting to see you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did he say what he wanted?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No. Said he wanted to talk to you. Nobody else to give a name?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Nice looking kid.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, we'll talk to him. Be right with it, Joe. I'll check the book. All right? All right. Do you want to see me?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

You Sergeant Friday?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right. What can I do for you?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I want to talk to you.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Nothing in the book, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's your name, son?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Emil Salter.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Amos is my partner, Frank Smith.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Hello, Mr. Smith.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hi, sir. Why'd you ask for me?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Well, they told me to.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who's that?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

The men in that room across the hall.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The business office. I see.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I sure hope you can help me, Sergeant Friday. I'm in trouble real bad.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, so I'll sit down here and you can tell us about it. Go ahead.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Well, one thing you should know. I came in to give myself up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I didn't mean to do wrong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. What'd you do?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Killed a man.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Emil Charles Salter was 18 years old, 5ft 7 and a half, 137 pounds. He had light blonde hair and blue eyes, was wearing a tan windbreaker and tan pants. He looked tired, and he told us that he hadn't eaten in several hours. We Sent out for some hot coffee and sandwiches. Frank checked his name and description through R and I but he found that he had no record in our files. We asked him to tell us the story. Do you know the man you killed?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

No, I never saw him before.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how'd you kill him?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Ran him down.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

In a car?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

No, a truck.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd this happen?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Coast highway, near Malibu. The justice side.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Last night. I guess it must have been around 10. It should have been around then because I left town at 8:30. Took about an hour and a half.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

To drive up there. Now, you're sure the man was dead? Yeah.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I looked at him. It wasn't hard to tell.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you try to help him at all? No.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

As soon as I looked at him, I knew there wasn't anything I could do. I just got back in the truck and took off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where's the truck now?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I left it. Just the other side of Malibu broke down, so I left it. When it stopped, I sat there for a while. Tried to think why I was hung up in something like this. Tried to figure why didn't come. So I got out and started to walk. All the time I was thinking about the man, I could almost see him. Guess it got to me. So I came back, caught a ride and came back.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Hey, Joe, here's your food.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thanks, Danny. What do we owe you?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Come to a buck 60.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. You got 15 cents, Frank? Oh, yeah, I guess so. Yeah.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Here, Dan.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thanks.

[Officer Frank Smith]

A couple cartons in there.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Black, right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. All right. Here, Emil, help yourself.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Hungry? I haven't had anything to eat since last night.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm. You wanna tell us about the truck?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd you get it?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I stole it. That's wrong too. I know. Everything I do seems to be wrong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd you take it from, son?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Parking lot near where I used to live.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where's that?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

A roaming house on 9th street near Figueroa.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you show us where the truck is now?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I guess so. I don't think anybody could move it. Broke down, like I said.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where you from, Amos?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Waukesha, Wisconsin. It's a small city near Milwaukee. Maybe you've heard of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I can't say I have.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Got good water, springs and wells. Real fine manufacture things too. Motors, jacks, lots of things. Sure is a nice little place.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How come you left there?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Lots of reasons.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

In trouble?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah, in a way. Nothing serious. There's lots of things, you know, at home. I don't know just how to say it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You ever been arrested? No.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Well, not booked or anything. Cops took me in a couple of times.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What for?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Little things. Like one night we broke in a church. Didn't go in to steal anything. One of the guys just wanted to play the organ.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your parents alive?

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When did you leave home?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Last July. I thought about it for a long time. Figured I might have a better chance where nobody knew me. Looks like it didn't make any difference.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When'd you get here?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Last part of July. Sure was different than Waukesha.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean by that?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

It's so big when I didn't know anyone. Pretty lonesome at first. Then I got lucky.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I got this job. Nothing important, just washing dishes at this cafe. I get $25 a week in food. Got a little money ahead. Bought some clothes. Not real fancy, but they were new. And they gave me a lift, you know. Had a nice room, too. Clean, handy to work. Thought I had it made. Then the axe fell.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I got sick. Couldn't get out of bed. One morning the landlord called the doctor. He said I had rheumatic fever.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

The doctor called for an ambulance and they took me to General Hospital.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Things are bad enough when you feel good. I was in the hospital and I didn't feel like nothing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You remember the doctor's name?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

No, sir, I don't.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How long were you in the hospital?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Three days.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They discharged you in three days, did they?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

No, sir. I ran away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Well, the Traveler's Aid Society said that they were gonna send me back home. I didn't want that, so I ducked out. I went back to my room. Got a couple of bucks I had hid and left. Didn't have any idea what I was gonna do. But I didn't wanna be sent back to Wisconsin.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's when you stole the trucker? Yeah.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Looked like a way out of town.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

The whole thing doesn't seem like it really happened. You know how when you're half asleep and the radio's on, things come through but they're not real clear?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Like that. I remember riding in the truck after I hit the man. Trying to think what I was gonna do. How I was alone. Story of my life. Seems like I was always alone. Sure was last night. I don't know. I guess I never do anything right, do I? Guess I just don't have the nerve.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You did this time. You came here, didn't you? We put in a call to Accident Records and verified Emil Salter's story. The body of a man identified as Lloyd Holtman Trenchant had been Found by officers of the Highway Patrol. Holtman had apparently been struck by a vehicle traveling at high speed as he walked along the road. We checked with Lt. Lee Jones at the crime lab and we found that his division had made an investigation. Frank and I left the office and went over to see him. He showed us pictures taken at the scene. On the victim's coat, the lab crew had been able to find traces of blue paint. Jones was not able to tell us what type of vehicle had hit the victim, but he did say that from the high rate of speed at the time of impact, there would be extensive damage to the front end of the vehicle. Emil Salter was booked on charges of violation of section 480bc, a felony. Frank and I checked him out of the main jail and drove out to where he'd left the truck. He told us to Drive up Highway 101. When we got past the Malibu Colony, he directed us to turn off onto a dirt road. We drove about 200 yards and then he asked us to stop. Sure this is where you left the truck?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah, just over there behind those trees. When the engine started acting up, I looked for a place to park. Figured it'd be better if I got off the road.

[Narrator]

There it is.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

You can see it now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm. This is the same one you stole last night, is it?

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

It's the one I was driving.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll check the front end. Did you have anything to drink last night?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

No, I had enough of that at home.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're sure this is the truck you had when you hit that fella?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah, I'm sure. I don't know what all the questions are about.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I said I did it.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I'm not trying to hide anything.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There's nothing up there, Joe. Front end's clean. Well, it doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? No.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I don't understand what the problem is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What you tell us doesn't add up with the evidence here.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, the report we got says that the man was killed by a blue vehicle.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Uh huh.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now take a look at that truck, will ya?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah, black.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We put in a call to the office and we asked them to send the tow truck out and impound the vehicle. We stood by until they arrived. Frank and I drove Emil Salter to the scene of the accident. He pointed it out for us. According to the information we'd gotten, the location he gave us was the place where Lloyd Holtman had been found. We checked the area, but we failed to come up with anything new. 5:20pm we returned the suspect to the main jail and we went back to the office. We sent a radiogram to the authorities in Waukesha asking for all available information on Salter. At 6:47pm we checked out of the office. The next morning, December 11th, Frank and I met in the squadroom.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Hi, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Good morning. Seen the morning papers? Yeah. Guess there isn't much news, huh? Sure gave Saller a lot of space. Yeah. Wish we could find the answers. I called Lee when I got in. They went over the truck, found a lot of the kids prints, but they didn't turn anything that'd point to an accident. The way the body looked, there should be something on the car that ran him down, shouldn't it?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Excuse me.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Wonder if y' all could help me out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we'll try, sir. Come on in. What did you want?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Want their kid in the paper, sir? You know, a young kid that ran down the old bum. Emo something.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Salter? Yeah.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah, that's it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, what do you know about it?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, just take it easy now. A couple things. I gotta be sure before I tell you anything.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right? What's that?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, I ain't gonna get mixed up or nothing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We can't promise you that till we heard what you got to tell.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I'm wasting my time. Bye.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, just a minute, huh? Maybe I better straighten you out, mister.

[Officer Frank Smith]

On what?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, this kid's sitting in jail right now. He's got a pretty serious charge against him.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I didn't make it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that might be true. But I better tell you this. If you know anything about a felony that's been committed and you withhold that information, you're liable for prosecution as an accessory. Did you know that?

[Officer Frank Smith]

That's the law.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Those are the words. Now, the only thing we're interested in is getting the case off the books. We're not gonna give your name to the papers.

[Officer Frank Smith]

That's a promise?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's a promise. Okay.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I told you it'd be pretty bad for me if any word I tell you gets back to my family.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, now, what's your name?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Lauren Staith.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's L O R E M. Yeah. You want us to down?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Oh, yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, what do you know about this?

[Officer Frank Smith]

That emo kid, he ain't guilty.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Officer Frank Smith]

He didn't do it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you know?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, I seen the accident. Seen the whole thing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, it started at the beginning.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Now, you're sure none of this is going to get out?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We told you. Not from us. Okay.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, I took a drive Saturday night up the coast to have dinner. Now, on the way back, I stopped and parked a while, you know. Kind of looked out at the ocean.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, I was just leaving and I saw this old guy walk along the road, bindle stiff, you know, Had a blanket rolled on his back. Just walking along, you know how to do?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All of a sudden, his car come roaring down the road. Thing must have been doing at least 90. Come rolling around and turn right at this old guy. Well, sir, the old guy saw the car coming right at him. Kind of turned and started to run. Wasn't any place for him to go. It's where the roads cut right out of the mountain, you know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we were there. Went out.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, I guess he figured the driver swing around him or something, so he run over the side of the pavement trying to get out the way. Didn't do no good. That car plowed right into him. Must have knocked him 150ft, 122. Seem a lot further than that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did the driver make any attempt to stop after he hit the old man? You?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah. Pulled over the side of the road. Didn't get out of the car, though. Just stayed there a minute, then he drove off. Well, sir, I was gonna go over and see what I could do for the old fella, I really was. And then this truck drove up. Guy stopped and got out, walked over to the fella. I figured he'd be able to take care of it, so I left.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you see the driver of the truck?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. So I'm good. When he walked in front of the headlights, the same fella in the paper, that emo, what's his name?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Salter.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah, Salter.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You pretty sure it's the same man? Yes, sir.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Now, like I told you, I got a good look at him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the other man? What can you tell us about him?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Not much, except he was driving too fast.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how about the car? You know what kind it was?

[Officer Frank Smith]

I didn't get a good look at that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the color? You notice that?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah, it was a blue kind of light color.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you give us any description of the driver?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Could you tell us if it was a man or a woman?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Oh, it was a man. I noticed that when he slowed down, he kind of leaned out the wind and looked back down the road. It was a man, all right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Could you see the color of his hair? Anything at all about him?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, sir. There wasn't any lights up there. You know, it was dark.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I couldn't see very Good.

[Officer Frank Smith]

The main reason I know the driver was a man was the lights from the truck kind of picked him up and that's when he left.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, all right, Mr. States, we appreciate what you've told us.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Glad to help. As long as nobody's going to know. Be pretty embarrassing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how's that?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, you see, me and the wife, we ain't been getting along too good. Nothing worth talking about. But a fellow don't like to be nagged at, you know. Well, there's this little secretary in our office.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And she and I talked once in a while.

[Officer Frank Smith]

A couple times we got out for morning coffee together. This last beef with my wife, I figured I'd fix her good. So I asked secretary for a date. She gave it to me. We got together Saturday night. Had dinner at a place up near Malibu. On the way back, we just parked and talked. Nothing wrong, mind you, but I don't guess my wife'd understand if she found out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Officer Frank Smith]

So you see why I don't want nobody to know about Saturday. It'd be kind of tough to explain.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Got to thinking about it, though. And What? That kid, Emo.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Salter. Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Got to thinking what he must be going through and decided maybe I better tell about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll say it's gonna help him a lot.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yep, I guess so. Oh, something else you might be able to use.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Might not be worth anything, out of state and all. What's that, the hit and run car?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I got license number.

[Announcer]

You are listening to Dragnet. The authentic story of your police force in action.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We got the license number of the hit and run car. Also the fact that it carried an Illinois plate. We put out a local and an APB on it. We got in touch with the Department of Motor Vehicles back east. And we obtained the owner's name. According to their records, he had notified them that he was moving to California. They were able to supply us with a North Hollywood address for him. We checked the name through our record section, but we found nothing. At 5:20pm Frank and I drove out to see him.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Charles Bookman? That's right. Police officers. We'd like to come on in. Thank you. My partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday. Hello.

[Ray Pinker]

How you do, sir?

[Officer Frank Smith]

I was just having dinner. You mind if I tell my wife to go ahead?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we can wait if you like. No, I'll be right back. All right. You want to wait just a minute? Mind if we go with you?

[Officer Frank Smith]

I'm just going into the dining room.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure. But we'll still have to be with you. What's this about? You own a 1954 Pontiac? Yeah. Light blue? That's right.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Something happened to the car?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We want you to tell us, if you will.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I don't know what this is all about.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Seems you ought to be able to tell me. Where is the car? Well, I don't know. You own a car and you don't know where it is? That's right. Has it been stolen? Well, I don't know.

[Officer Frank Smith]

For all I know, it could have been. I haven't seen it for a couple of days.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, who has it? You know my brother in law. I let him drive it. You don't know where he is?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No. If he smashed up the car, he's.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Gonna pay for it, though.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I'm not gonna be responsible.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm afraid he's done more than that. I don't know. He's a real bum.

[Officer Frank Smith]

My wife's kid brother. Can't hold a job for more than five minutes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All the time sponging off me. When'd you let him take the car?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Let's see, it was Saturday morning.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I told him I wouldn't be using it for a couple of days. Said he could have it.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Look, it's my car you're asking about. I got a right to know if something's wrong. I ought to notify the insurance company.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, we understand. But it'd be better if we talked to your brother in law about it first. You want to give us his full name? Casey Steadman. S, T, E, A, D, M, A, N. Is that right? That's right. How about a description?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No problem. I think I got a picture around if you want that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure, it'd help. I'll get it for you. What were you doing over the weekend?

[Officer Frank Smith]

I was home. I'm branch manager for the company I worked for. I got an annual report. I have to get out and work.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Done that every night?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah, started it Friday night, finished it up Monday afternoon. That's one reason I let Casey take the car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What?

[Officer Frank Smith]

To get him out of the house so I could get some work done. But all he does is sit around.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And look at the tv.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Starts right with the programs for kids and goes straight through the day. Think there's something wrong with his ears, too? Always got set, Turned up real loud. And anybody can think when he's watching a show. I had to get him out of the house. Wife won't even let me say anything. She knows how important that work is, too. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I wouldn't know about that. Just once.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Just once, I'd like to be able to prove to my wife what a mummy is.

[Announcer]

Just once.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

So she really believes it. Well, if he was driving your car Saturday night, we'll let you know. What'll that prove? She'll believe it then. We got a complete description of Casey Stedman, along with a picture of the suspect. We went back to the office and got out a supplemental broadcast and an APB on him. A check at R and I failed to turn up any information. We talked with his friends and his known associates. None of them could tell us where he was. None of them had seen him since the accident. Wednesday, December 12th, we got a call from one of the larger garages in the city. Yes, sir, that's right. Wendy called you. I see. All right, we'll be right over. No, no. If he does, will you try to stall him till we get there? Right. Thank you. Bye. Garage over on 6th.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Guy hauled a car in this morning. Front end all smashed up. Started to work on it and he thought he better call us. Blue Pontiac. That's right. Stains on the fender. Yeah. Mechanic thinks they're blood. Frank and I left the office and we drove over to the garage. We talked to the owner. He told us that he'd gotten a call to bring a tow truck to the corner of Main and Crocker streets. When he got there, he met a man who asked him to tow a car to the garage and to do some repair work on the right front fender. We showed him Stedman's picture. He gave us a positive identification. We checked the car over. It was a 1954 blue Pontiac sedan. The license number was the same one that we'd gotten previously. The garage owner went on to tell us that the suspect wanted the car on Thursday night and that it was important that the repairs be made by that time. We asked that we be notified in the event the suspect made an appearance before then. We called the crime lab and we asked them to come down and go over the car. Frank and I went back to the office and we met with Captain Lorman. We told him what we'd found. He told us to be at the garage the first thing Thursday morning. In the event Steadman made an early appearance. Frank and I got there at 7:30am At 4:30 in the afternoon, the suspect still hadn't shown. 4:45, 4:50pm Maybe he figured something's wrong. Doesn't seem likely. There's no way for him to Find out. Think his sister tipped him? No. Bookman said he wouldn't say anything to her about it. Met him and Frank? Yeah, we got a live with him. Very much taken. Steadman.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'd like to talk to you. Why do I know you police officers? You own that blue Pontiac over there. All right, mister, take it easy.

[Narrator]

Go.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I know nothing about it. Nothing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I never saw the car before. Fellow that toted in says you're the one who called him. Well, he made a mistake. Must be a lot of men who look like me. Nothing special about me. Our crime lab has gone over the car. As soon as we roll your fingerprints, we'll be able to tell for sure.

[Officer Frank Smith]

What's that gonna prove? Maybe I did drive the car. Nothing wrong with that. No law that says a man can't drive a car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We got one that says you can't use it to kill somebody.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I didn't do that.

[Narrator]

Yeah, sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, you don't believe me, do you? Nope.

[Officer Frank Smith]

That's kind of lousy, isn't it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean that? You walk in here, you already made.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Up your mind I'm guilty. You call that fair?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We just gotta go with the evidence, mister.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Well, you got nothing to prove I was in that car. Nothing to show that I killed anybody. Just trying to make me say I did something I don't know nothing about.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, come on, let's go.

[Narrator]

You just swear, you take me to.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Court, I'll tell the whole world about this lousy deal. Yeah, well, I don't know about the world. Yeah, but we'll be there to listen. We took the suspect back down to the city hall as soon as we had his fingerprints taken and compared with the ones found in the car. We showed him the physical evidence that we had. When it was presented, he confessed to killing Lloyd Holdman. He made a statement and we took him over to the main jail where he was booked in on a charge of violation of section 480 BC, a felony. Before we left the jail, we had Emil Salter brought from his cell to one of the interview rooms. He looked like he hadn't slept for several days. Sit down, Emil.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Thanks.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you feel?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Not too good, Mr. Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we got some news for you.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You didn't kill that man.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

You're not lying to me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No. We've got the guy that did it.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

That's good. Since that night, all I've thought about was that man lying there. I'm glad it wasn't me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. You know, you still have to answer for Auto theft.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Sure, I know. Funny reason I left home was to build something new. Here I am in jail.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just me.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I guess I blame my parents, my brothers, everybody. All the time, it's me. There's nobody else to blame really.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, you can try it again, Ema.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yeah, but it'll probably be the same. Always on the outside looking in.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean by that?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Well, like back in high school, maybe you'll think it's funny, but like one time I wanted to go to the junior prom real bad. Didn't have the right clothes, didn't have a date. Who'd want to go out with a shrimp like me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you ask anybody to go with you?

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

No, I knew better. But I went to the prom anyway. All by myself. No date, no nice clothes. Just old cords and a beat up jacket. Want to know how I went?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

I sat on the fire escape. Yeah, I watched the whole thing through the gym window. Sitting on a fire escape. They had lanterns and stuff. Kids all dressed up real pretty. It was nice to watch. Saw the Grand March, everything. Only one trouble.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Like I said, I was all alone, looking in from the outside.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we gotta shove off. Amy.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Thanks for coming over.

[Ray Pinker]

Sorry.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

See you, son.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You wanna wait here? We'll send an officer in for you.

[Emil Salter / Various Suspects]

Yes sir. Thanks again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Kind of a nice kid, don't you think? Yeah, guess he is. Guess a lot of things caught up with him. Kind of gives you a funny feeling, talking to him. How do you mean that? Well, you know how when he worked all night and you get home early in the morning. Mm. You're too tired to sleep and you hear a train whistle from the other side of town. Listen to that kid who got the same sort of feeling. I don't think he's a bad kid. Not really. You think I'm wrong, Joe? Well, I guess if you are, it makes two of us. Yeah. That whistle you're talking about? Uh huh. I hear it every once in a while myself.

[Narrator]

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

[Announcer]

On April 16, trial was held in Department 97, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. Casey Harrison Stedman was tried and convicted of violation of section 480 of the Vehicle Code Law. Violation of section 480 BC is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of from one to five years. Emil Donald Salter pled guilty to one count of grand theft auto. In the interests of justice, he was placed on probation For a period of three years.

[Officer Frank Smith]

You have just heard Dragnet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The authentic story of your police force in action. And starring Jack Webb.

[Announcer]

A presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sam.

[Erica Mandy]

Sa.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Announcer]

Dragnet Brought to you by Chesterfield, America's most popular two way cigarette. Chesterfield King size at the new low price and Chesterfield Regular.

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. On the way back to the office, you receive a call. It's about an attempted suicide. You're in the immediate vicinity. Your job. Check it out. Who do you like in the World Series? New York Giants? Cleveland Indians? I guess that question is on everybody's mind right now. Of course. The series starts Wednesday at New York's famous Polo Grounds. Then the action moves to Cleveland's great Municipal Stadium. You fans who have been to these great ballparks know they have one thing in common. The giant Chesterfield scoreboard sign which instantly flash the official scorer's decision. It's a hit. Yes, sir. As the big signs say, Chesterfield's a hit. With baseball fans everywhere, with millions of smokers around the country, it's America's most popular two way cigarette. Whether you enjoy the World Series at the ballpark, on TV or radio, there's one thing for sure. You'll enjoy it much more with Chesterfield. In the whole wide world, no cigarette satisfies like a Chesterfield. Buy Chesterfield King size or Chesterfield Regular, both at the same price in most places. Get a carton. Today.

[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 Tuesday, March 24. It was windy in Los Angeles. We were working the night. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Warman. My name's Friday. We were answering an ambulance. Follow up attempted suicide. It was 11:52pm when we got to 2296 Whitworth Drive. Front door.

[Narrator]

Them places.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Surely that better. Try it again, huh?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

You the police?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. This is Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Erica Mandy]

Come on in.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Erica Mandy]

He's in there. The study.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who is it?

[Erica Mandy]

Carl Hamlin.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Are you Mrs. Hamlin?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Door is locked. Now.

[Announcer]

Hamlin.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hamlin.

[Narrator]

Come on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Open the door.

[Erica Mandy]

He has a gun. Said he was gonna kill himself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Is there another key to this door?

[Erica Mandy]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Don't give me a hand, Frank, and try to force it.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Let's try it this way.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Come on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Guess it isn't gonna give. No. There's another way into the room, ma'. Am.

[Erica Mandy]

No, this is the only door.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about windows?

[Erica Mandy]

What?

[Narrator]

Windows leading into it?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes. Off the front porch. Came in here drunk because seaton down this way. Yes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This the window here?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes, it is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you see anything? No. Let me have your flashlight. Yeah. Here you go. Yeah, I can see him there on the floor.

[Erica Mandy]

Can't you do something? You might still be alive.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, the screen's locked. You got something to cut it with? Just a minute. Try these keys. Yeah, that's got it. Good.

[Ray Pinker]

Okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

See if we can get the window open. Yeah. I can't. I'm gonna have to break this, man.

[Erica Mandy]

Well, I don't care, as long as you get to him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. I'm gonna hold the light for you.

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Better stand back. Man the glasses.

[Erica Mandy]

Hurry.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you reach the latch from there? Wait a minute. Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I got it.

[Narrator]

I'll give you a hand in.

[Ray Pinker]

All right.

[Erica Mandy]

Can you see if he's still alive?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just a minute. We'll have to get into the room first, ma'. Am. Watch your step there, John.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, I'll give you a hand. All right. As soon as the ambulance gets here, Will you show the attendant how to get in?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes. Can you tell if he's alive yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma', am, not yet. You want to get the door? I'll check the victim.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it? We better have the attendant look at him. Uh huh. Take a look at this. No wonder we couldn't force the door. Yeah. The chair with a knob. Locked and bolted. He must have wanted real privacy. Looks like he's got it now.

[Erica Mandy]

That's the room right there.

[Ray Pinker]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am. Hi, Robert.

[Erica Mandy]

He's dead. Colonel's dead.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to wait in there, ma'? Am?

[Erica Mandy]

I didn't think he'd really do it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it? Just a minute. Huh? No, nothing.

[Ray Pinker]

He's dead.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That his wife?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm sorry to have to do this, ma', am, but there are a couple of things I've got to know. Go ahead.

[Ray Pinker]

Want to give me his full name?

[Erica Mandy]

Carl Hamlin.

[Ray Pinker]

His age?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

43.

[Ray Pinker]

Does he live here?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

No.

[Erica Mandy]

We had a house over in Bronson. 9:47. Do you have to go through all this?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, that's all Mrs. Hamlin. I get the rest of it later. Frank?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to finish up here?

[Ray Pinker]

Sure.

[Erica Mandy]

It's all so wrong. Girl did it all wrong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'? Am. Is there anything we can get for you?

[Erica Mandy]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you want to go in the other room and sit down? That's better. Like to call your doctor for you.

[Erica Mandy]

I've already called him from my mother. He's on the way over.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is she now?

[Erica Mandy]

In the back bedroom. She's laying down. This whole thing's been a shock for her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. I can understand.

[Erica Mandy]

When I talked to him, he said for me to give her one of the pills he prescribed. Supposed to make her sleep. You're gonna have to talk to her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, we probably will.

[Erica Mandy]

I hope you won't have to do it tonight. This whole thing's been a terrible shock to her. She's not too well, anyway.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we'll try to avoid upsetting her any further.

[Erica Mandy]

I'd appreciate it more than I could tell you.

[Ray Pinker]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ms. Hamlin. A few questions we've got to ask. If you feel up to answering them.

[Erica Mandy]

Might as well get it over with. What do you want to know?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to tell us what happened?

[Erica Mandy]

Well, Carl came over tonight, drunk. Caused a big scene.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your husband doesn't live here, then?

[Erica Mandy]

No, we're separated.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see. Who was here when the shooting took place?

[Erica Mandy]

My mother and myself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anybody else living here?

[Erica Mandy]

No, just the two of us.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. What time did Mr. Hamlin get here?

[Erica Mandy]

I'm not sure. I was asleep.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I beg your pardon?

[Erica Mandy]

I was asleep. I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see. You weren't expecting him, then?

[Erica Mandy]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No.

[Erica Mandy]

Last time I saw him, I told him to leave me alone, that I'd get a court order if I had to. We've been separated about a week this time.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This isn't the first time, Emma.

[Erica Mandy]

No, There've been other times. This was the worst. I told him I was finished, that I didn't want anything more to do with him. He's been calling here, where I work. Most of the time he was drunk. Kept asking for reconciliation, saying how sorry he was and asking me to take him back.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

I'm not blaming it all on him. I know some of it was my fault.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, you want to go on?

[Erica Mandy]

He called me this afternoon and he had to see me. Had it all worked out so we could get back together again. I told him I didn't want to see him. I said for him to stay away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

Came home and told my mother about it. Said Carl Might show up that if he did, I didn't want to see him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Go on.

[Erica Mandy]

Kind of half expected him to show up, but he didn't. I went to bed after the 10:30 news. Mother stayed up to read first. I knew there was anything wrong. When I heard the shots. I got up and came right downstairs. Mother was standing in front of the study door. She told me that Carl was inside, that he'd shot himself. I tried to call him first. I thought he was playing some kind of a joke. My mother said she'd heard Carl fall down in the room. I called you right away.

[Announcer]

Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. What do you got? DOA slip. I'll put on the call of photo lab in the corner. Okay. I checked the guns.38 revolver. One shot fired. And that fits with the story I just got from his wife. Mm. I'll make the calls. Wonder if I could use your phone, Mrs. Hamlin?

[Erica Mandy]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like to use your phone, please.

[Erica Mandy]

Oh, it's in the hall table there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Did your mother tell you what happened?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes, in a way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean that?

[Erica Mandy]

She's over 70, Sergeant Friday. Thing like this isn't easy to go through at that age.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Erica Mandy]

My mother and Carl didn't get along. He always said that she caused the trouble between us. Told me a couple of times that if she'd keep her nose out of our business, we might be able to get along.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh. Wonder if it'd be possible for us to talk to her.

[Erica Mandy]

You have to?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we do.

[Erica Mandy]

I'll go see.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Thank you. Crew's on the way, Joe.

[Erica Mandy]

Gonna be more policemen out here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. We'll try to make it as brief as possible.

[Erica Mandy]

I'd appreciate it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll do everything we can.

[Erica Mandy]

I'll go get my mother.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

She gave you the story?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

As much as she knew. What do you mean? Well, she said she wasn't in the room at the time. Her mother saw it happen. Oh. Did you turn anything in the other room? Mm.

[Ray Pinker]

Mm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

As soon as we get a statement from her mother in the corner, he gets here, we can shove off.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

You can sit over here. Mother.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes, dear?

[Erica Mandy]

These men want to ask you some questions. This is my mother, Mrs. Gaylor. Sergeant Friday. This is Officer Smith.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you do, ma'? Am? How are you, ma'? Am?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

How do you do?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll try to make this as brief as possible, Mrs. Gaylor. Just a couple of questions we've got to ask you.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Go right ahead.

[Erica Mandy]

If you get tired, Mother, you Tell them and they'll stop.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes, dear.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, what time did your son in law get here tonight?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I'm not sure. I think it was about 11:30.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Nora told me Mr. Hamlin might be coming over. At that time of night, you'd hardly expect anybody to come calling, would you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

He did. He always was doing something no one else did. I think he just sat around and tried to figure things to do that was different. Like tonight. Came in drunk. Yelled about how he wanted to have a showdown. I didn't know what he was talking about. Started to yell at me. Told me how the split up was my fault. Started to curse at me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I'm 73, Mr. Friday. I've seen a lot of things, met.

[Erica Mandy]

A lot of people.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Isn't anybody who can talk to me like that. I told Mr. Hamlin. Told him to get out of the house. That's when he pulled this gun out of his pocket?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Had it right in his coat. Outside pocket.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I told him, I said, Mr. Hamlin, you just stop this foolishness and get out of here. That's what I said to him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

He just looked at me and said, yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you? Those are the exact words. Then he told me how he's gonna kill himself to show me. I thought it was some kind of dramatics. Mr. Hamlin was that kind. You know, always play acting around.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Not this time. Next thing I know, he run into the study and lock the door. After that, there was a shot and I heard him fall down. Right then's when Nora came into the room.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, Mrs. Gaylor. I think we have all the information we need now.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Okay if I go to bed then?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Go right ahead.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Good night, then. You want to help me, dear?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes, Mother. I'll be right with you.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I'll be waiting up for you, Mr. Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Anything more you want to know about Mr. Hamlin? I'll tell you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I don't think there'll be anything else, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

If there is, I'll tell you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Thank you, Ms. Gaylor.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I'll be in my room, Nora.

[Erica Mandy]

All right, Mother. I'll be right there. She's taking this a lot better than I thought she would.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm. Ms. Hamlin?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did your husband ever talk about suicide before?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes, several times. Just this last week. I thought he was being dramatic again. I didn't pay much attention to him. It's so hard to tell if he was drunk or if he really meant something. All the years we were married, I don't think he was ever really serious.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You've got it wrong, haven't you?

[Erica Mandy]

Hmm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He was this time. 1:14am the photographer got to the house and took pictures of the room. The coroner removed the body to the county Morgue. And at 2:37am Frank and I left the house. We went back to the office and filled out the 3.11.1 form listing the death of Karl Martin Hamlin as a suicide. Frank called the coroner's office to find when we could get the results of the autopsy. They told us we'd have the necessary information. Late that afternoon. 3:18am we signed out of the office and went home. At 10:15 that morning, we got a call from. He. Asked us to come right over to the crime lab.

[Ray Pinker]

We were running a routine check this morning. Came up with a couple of things I think you'd like to know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. What do you got, Ray? Yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

Take a look. This is a bullet we fired from the gun found in the victim's hand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

Now there you can see it. Weighs 130 grains.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Ray Pinker]

Now this is the bullet that killed the man. Take a look.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's all out of shape. Mm.

[Ray Pinker]

See anything else?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No. Looks all right to me. Yeah? What are you building, Ray?

[Ray Pinker]

Well, I checked this one pretty carefully, made sure that all of it was here, you know, that none of the lead had been sheared off my bone. Tissue. None missing. It's complete.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

Now take a look Here. Let me put this one on the scales. Now check it yourself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

95 grains.

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah, 35 grains difference. Let me show you something else here. I figured the length of both bullets, they don't check out either.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's it mean, Ray?

[Ray Pinker]

Bullet that killed Hamlin's a.380. It's a European calibration gun. He had in his hands a.38 revolver. Yeah.380's automatic ammunition.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

This fella Hamlin pulled a pretty neat trick.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean, Ray?

[Ray Pinker]

He killed himself with a bullet that couldn't possibly be fired from the gun he was holding.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Something sure out of place.

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah. Might as well tear up the forms you filled out on this one. No suicide.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

You gotta find a murder gun.

[Announcer]

You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action today.

[Narrator]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

11:12Am Frank and I, along with Ray Pinker, left the crime lab and we drove out to see Nora Hamlin. From the physical evidence on hand, the way the door had been locked, and the fact that the wood windows had been bolted from the inside, it appeared unlikely that anybody could have left the room after Carl Hamlin had been shot. Yet from the information we'd gotten from Pinker, there had to be another gun involved in the killing. 11:24am we got to the house on Whitmore Drive.

[Erica Mandy]

Good morning. I didn't expect to see you back so soon. You want to come in?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Ms. Hamlin, this is Mr. Pinker from our crime labor. Ray. Ms. Hamlin.

[Erica Mandy]

It's nice to know you.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Mr. Pinker.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you do?

[Erica Mandy]

Are there some more questions you have to ask?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, that's right. Wonder if we could take another look at the study?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Sure.

[Erica Mandy]

Didn't the men who were here last night get what they needed?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we'd just like to check it again. With Mr. Pinker here.

[Erica Mandy]

Uh huh. Well, you know where it is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's your mother feeling this morning?

[Erica Mandy]

She had a good sleep. The doctor gave her a sedative. She's still in bed.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll try not to disturb her.

[Erica Mandy]

Well, you go ahead with what you have to do. I'm trying to get the house in order. There's anything you want. I'll be across the hall.

[Ray Pinker]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thanks. Right over here. Right. Mm. This is where we found him. You can see there where we had to break the window to get in. Mm. Right.

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You got that sketch you made last night?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, here it is. Wanna take a look, Ray?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There you can see the body was about here. Mm. Over here. And the feet were about here. That's about right, isn't it, Joe? Yeah. It was right next to the chair there. That's the way I got it. There. Just about on the perfect Line between the floor lamp and the chair over there. Mm. What about the gun in his right hand?

[Ray Pinker]

Was the gun in his hand when you found him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. Pictures from the photo lab will bear that out. Sure is. Out in left field. How do you mean?

[Ray Pinker]

I talked to Doc Newbar when he sent the bullet over. The way he described the wound, it's pretty tough to buy that a right handed man could shoot himself. So the slug would end up where it did.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Exactly how do you mean?

[Ray Pinker]

Well, the bullet entered just to the right of the center of his chest. About here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Ray Pinker]

Came to rest under the right arm here. Line of travel's way off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sure would have been an easier way to do it, huh?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah. What about the door when you found it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll show you how it was locked. Give me that chair, Frank. Yeah, There you go. The key was turned, bolt was thrown, and then this chair was propped up under the knob like this.

[Ray Pinker]

How about the key? Was it still in the lock? Yeah. Sure looks like he meant the door to stay shut.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we could figure that.

[Ray Pinker]

Place looks pretty solid. Plaster walls. Not much chance of anybody getting through them. He checked the bookcases.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Ray Pinker]

Any of them pull away from the wall?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I looked at them last night. They all seemed solid or not. Mm, no. You got any ideas, Ray?

[Ray Pinker]

I don't know where that door looks. Rest of the room doesn't seem likely. Anybody could have shot him, then gone outside and locked the door.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Think they could have come in through the window?

[Ray Pinker]

You had to break it?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

Way it's set up, you shouldn't have any trouble finding the suspect.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Ray Pinker]

Find a butler? Built like an envelope.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mighty funny.

[Ray Pinker]

You didn't see a shell casing round last night, did you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There wasn't any reason to look for. Mm.

[Ray Pinker]

There's no sign of one now. Looks like the room's been cleaned. Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I guess we better check with the Hamlin woman, huh? And get this stuff away from the door. Miss Hamlin? Miss Hamlin.

[Erica Mandy]

Oh, yes. Just a minute. Something you want?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Erica Mandy]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Has anybody been in the study since we left last night?

[Erica Mandy]

I didn't know. I wasn't supposed to. You didn't say anything about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, did you clean the room?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes, I told you I was straightening up the house. I ran the vacuum in here.

[Ray Pinker]

Did you see an empty shell casing?

[Erica Mandy]

I don't know what you mean.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It looks like this, ma'. Am. See the brass part on this bullet?

[Erica Mandy]

No, I didn't see anything like that.

[Ray Pinker]

Have you emptied your cleaner since you used it this morning?

[Erica Mandy]

No.

[Ray Pinker]

Wonder if we could see it.

[Erica Mandy]

Sure. I don't understand what this is all about, but if you want to see the vacuum, I'll get it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

If you want to tell me where it is, I'll get it for you.

[Erica Mandy]

Oh, it's no trouble. In the closet here in the hall.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

May I give you a hand with it?

[Erica Mandy]

It's not heavy. You want the attachments, too?

[Ray Pinker]

No, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Ray Pinker]

Just to clean it. So.

[Erica Mandy]

All right. Here it is.

[Ray Pinker]

All right if we use a piece of this newspaper?

[Erica Mandy]

Sure, go ahead. I guess you know what you're doing.

[Ray Pinker]

This is the way you take the dust bag out?

[Erica Mandy]

Yeah. Just flip that little catch on the side there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Erica Mandy]

If you'll tell me what you're looking for, I might be able to help.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it? Right.

[Narrator]

Yep.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here it is. 380.

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

What's all that mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you have another gun in the house, Ms. Hamlin?

[Erica Mandy]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You pretty sure about that?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes. What makes you think there might be another one?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How many shots did you hear last night, Ms. Hamlin?

[Erica Mandy]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, just that. How many shots did you hear?

[Erica Mandy]

One.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You sure about that?

[Erica Mandy]

Yes. Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We've got reason to believe that there were two shots fired.

[Erica Mandy]

What difference does it make how many there were?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Pretty big difference.

[Erica Mandy]

Why is it important? My husband killed himself. I can't be sure how many I heard. One, two, three, half a dozen. What difference does it make?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we'll try to explain it to you. Your husband was holding a.38 caliber revolver when we found him. But the bullet that killed him came from a.380 automatic.

[Erica Mandy]

I don't know what you're talking about. What are you trying to say?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I think you'll understand this. Your husband didn't kill himself.

[Erica Mandy]

You're not serious?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Afraid we are, ma'. Am.

[Erica Mandy]

This whole thing is ridiculous.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The evidence makes it true.

[Erica Mandy]

Who'd kill him? Who'd have a reason?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like to know that, too. When'd you get your mother? Please.

[Erica Mandy]

What do you want to talk to her about?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What if you'd get her for.

[Erica Mandy]

I'm not going to have her dragged into anything. She's had enough trouble. There's no reason for you to make any more.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Don't worry about it.

[Erica Mandy]

Nora. Mother. You shouldn't be out of bed.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I heard the talking. I've been listening. Haven't seen you before. You a policeman, too?

[Ray Pinker]

No, ma'.

[Erica Mandy]

Am.

[Ray Pinker]

I'm Ray Pinker.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

How do you do? Jesse Gaylor. Nora's mother.

[Ray Pinker]

How are you?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Now, what's all this about Mr. Hamlin not killing himself?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right, Ms. Gaylor.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

What makes you think it is?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A lot of things. Do you have a gun in the house?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

You mean a pistol? That's right, Mike. Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is it?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

In the table there. Left hand drawer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll get it.

[Narrator]

How about 380?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That gun belonged to you, Ms. Gaylor?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes, my husband had it. All this talk about Mr. Hamlin. If he didn't kill himself, who do you think did?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, that's what we're trying to find out.

[Erica Mandy]

Uh huh.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

But you got somebody you're looking at, haven't you? Somebody you figured did it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This is your gun?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Uh huh.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're the only person who witnessed the shooting?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

That's right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, why don't you tell us about it?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Because if I did, you'd never believe it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, give us a try, huh?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

All right. Mr. Hamlin came here last night. Like I said, he was drunk. Came in and started yelling. I was sitting in that chair reading. He started to curse at me. I didn't pay him no mind. Told him to go away. Nora was through with him. He wouldn't go.

[Announcer]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

All of a sudden he pulled out a gun and started waving it around. Said if I didn't get Nora, he'd kill himself. I thought it was just some more of his play acting.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I didn't pay any attention to him. Figured when he was through, he'd go away. I went back to the book. Made him madder. Never. He grabbed the book out of my hand and shot. Shot right at it. Then he threw it into the fireplace.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He threw your book into the fireplace, Is that right?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

That's right. Just all of a sudden something happened to me. Don't think I've ever been so mad. I took the gun out of the table there and shot him. Got real scared and ran into the study. Closed the door behind him. I heard him lock the door and move something up to the door.

[Ray Pinker]

Must have been the chair.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yeah, I guess it was. Right after that, I heard him fall down. Right after that, Nora came into the room.

[Erica Mandy]

Why didn't you tell me, Mother?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Wasn't any reason to. I had to think about it. But I'd done what I had to do. I was gonna call you men this morning. Tell you the truth, I really was. You believe that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I guess so.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

I really was. Just all of a sudden last night when he shot my book. I never been so mad. I really Wanted to kill him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You remember it all pretty well, don't you?

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes, I do. All of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to get a coat, Ms. Gaylor? I'll have to take you downtown.

[Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes, sir. I'll do it right away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Better go with a friend. Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

Is it gonna be all right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We don't decide that, ma'. Am.

[Erica Mandy]

But she told the truth. Isn't that going to make a difference?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll put it down that way. Want to get that book, Ray? We're gonna need it. Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

She didn't say a word about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I know. Story's still pretty hard to believe, isn't it? Here we are.

[Ray Pinker]

Here's the book Hamlin shot. Slug's still in it.

[Narrator]

Looks like a.38.

[Ray Pinker]

Might have made her mad enough to kill him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Erica Mandy]

What is it, Mr. Friday?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Holy Bible.

[Narrator]

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

[Announcer]

On July 14, trial was held in Department 96, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you, George Feniman. You notice how many king size smokers are changing to Chesterfield? Everywhere King size smokers are finding it out. No other king size cigarette has Chesterfield quality. Tastes so good or gives you such a refreshing smoke. What a pair. Chesterfield King size and Chesterfield regular. They satisfy.

[Announcer]

Jessie. Margaret Gaylor was examined by three psychiatrists appointed by the court and found to be insane. During the commission of the crime, a sanity hearing was held and she was made a ward of the state. She was placed in the state hospital at Mendocino for treatment.

[Narrator]

This week a group of men are meeting in New Orleans for the 61st Annual Conference of the International association of Chiefs of Police. Dragnet is pleased to extend its best wishes to our top law enforcement officers and to thank them for the protection they give our homes and families. May their convention be an outstanding success.

[Announcer]

You have just heard Dragnet, the 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, Lillian Powell, Olin Soule, Virginia Gregg. Script by John Robinson, Earl Schley. Music by Walter Schumann. Pal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator]

Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station. Please check your newspapers for day and time. Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles Ladies and gentlemen, Gunsmoke, brought to you by L and M Filters will now be heard on Saturday night. Chesterfield's Perry Como show be heard Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. Consult your radio listings for the time. That's Gunsmoke and the Como show, both on another network. L and M filters are sweeping the country. And the reason? Simple. No filter compares with L&M's exclusive Miracle Tip for quality or for effectiveness. And notice how easy it draws. You get much more flavor, much less nicotine. Yes, only L and M gives you effective filtration and no other cigarette has it. Our statement of quality goes unchallenged. L and M is America's highest quality and best filter tip. Cigarette buy L&M's now king size or regular? Both at the same low price. Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are.

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