Dragnet: The Big Bible 09/28/1954

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dragnet “The Big Bible”

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Bible (09/28/1954)
Release Date: September 30, 2025

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Overview

This episode of Dragnet explores a case that initially appears to be an open-and-shut suicide but gradually unravels into a complex murder investigation. Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith are called to the home of Nora Hamlin after the apparent suicide of her estranged, intoxicated husband, Carl Hamlin. As the investigation progresses, forensic evidence and witness interviews reveal deep-seated family tensions and a final, surprising confession that pivots the case in a new direction.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arrival at the Scene (03:01–07:10)

• Setting & Initial Actions:
  • Tuesday night, March 24, Los Angeles, 11:52pm. Detectives Friday and Smith arrive at Nora Hamlin’s residence in response to an attempted suicide.
  • Entry is gained through a window after finding the study door locked and Carl Hamlin motionless inside.
  • Hamlin is pronounced dead; conditions in the room suggest he wanted "real privacy."
    • Quote: “No wonder we couldn't force the door…He must have wanted real privacy. Looks like he's got it now.” — Sgt. Joe Friday [05:42]
• First Interviews:
  • Nora confirms separation from her husband and recounts his repeated, drunken calls for reconciliation.
  • Only Nora and her elderly mother, Mrs. Gaylor, were present during the incident.
  • Nora was asleep when Hamlin arrived and was awakened by the gunshot.

2. Eyewitness Account: Mrs. Gaylor (11:10–13:41)

• Critical Testimony:
  • Mrs. Gaylor, age 73, describes Hamlin as drunk and belligerent, blaming her for the marriage troubles before pulling out a gun.
  • He locks himself in the study where the single shot is heard.
  • Quote: “I'm 73, Mr. Friday. I've seen a lot of things, met a lot of people. 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.” — Mrs. Gaylor [11:43]

3. Forensic Twist: The Ballistics Discovery (14:18–15:32)

• Crime Lab Analysis:
  • Ray Pinker at the crime lab reveals a key discrepancy:
    • The gun Hamlin was holding was a .38 revolver (“130 grains”), but the fatal bullet is a .380 automatic (“95 grains”), a European caliber.
    • The bullet found in Hamlin doesn’t match the revolver, raising doubts about suicide.
    • Quote: “He killed himself with a bullet that couldn't possibly be fired from the gun he was holding.” — Ray Pinker [15:24]
• Implications:
  • Friday and Smith realize they’re dealing with a homicide staged as a suicide.

4. Reconstructing the Crime Scene (16:59–20:27)

• Return to Hamlin Residence:
  • Detectives, with Pinker, review the study’s locked-door dynamics and bullet trajectory.
    • The wound’s positioning makes suicide improbable for a right-handed man.
    • The door was locked from the inside, with a chair propped under the knob.
  • Question the plausibility of external entry or exit and examine the room for evidence.

5. Evidence from Housekeeping (20:49–22:15)

• The Missing Shell Casing:
  • Nora cleaned the room in the morning. Investigators examine the vacuum cleaner bag.
  • Pinker finds a .380 shell casing inside the vacuum bag, confirming two different guns at the scene.
  • Nora insists she didn't see another gun and only heard “one shot.”
  • Quote: “We're trying 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.” — Sgt. Joe Friday [22:29]

6. The Confrontation and Confession (23:00–25:58)

• Mrs. Gaylor’s Admission:
  • Under questioning and prompted by forensic evidence, Mrs. Gaylor admits she shot Hamlin:
    • He threatened and taunted her, then shot at and destroyed her Bible.
      • Quote: “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.” — Mrs. Gaylor [24:40]
  • Hamlin then fled into the study, locked the door, and collapsed.
  • The key detail: the book he shot (the Bible) still contains a .38 slug, further verifying the sequence.
• Emotional Fallout:
  • Nora is shocked to learn her mother’s role.
  • Mrs. Gaylor claims she planned to confess but needed time to “think about it.”

7. Aftermath and Legal Resolution (26:33–27:26)

• Trial Outcome:
  • Mrs. Gaylor is examined and found legally insane during the commission of the crime and is committed to the state hospital for treatment.
    • Quote: “Jesse Margaret Gaylor was examined by three psychiatrists...and found to be insane during the commission of the crime...She was placed in the state hospital at Mendocino for treatment.” — Frank Smith [27:26]

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “Looks like he's got it now.”
  Sgt. Joe Friday referencing the carefully barricaded room. [05:42]

• “He killed himself with a bullet that couldn't possibly be fired from the gun he was holding.”
  Ray Pinker’s revelation about the mismatched bullets, turning the case from suicide to murder. [15:24]

• “I'm 73, Mr. Friday...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.”
  Mrs. Gaylor’s dignified but firm description of events. [11:43]

• “He's been calling here, where I work. Most of the time he was drunk. Kept asking for reconciliation...I'm not blaming it all on him. I know some of it was my fault.”
  Nora’s honest reflection on her tumultuous marriage. [08:09]

• “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.”
  Mrs. Gaylor admitting to the crime and her emotional state. [24:40]

• “Might have made her mad enough to kill him...Holy Bible.”
  The detectives discover the ruined Bible, symbolizing provocation and motive. [26:30–26:35]

• Legal Resolution:
  “Jesse Margaret Gaylor was examined by three psychiatrists... and found to be insane during the commission of the crime...” — Officer Frank Smith [27:26]

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Structure & Flow

• The episode seamlessly transitions from what appears to be a simple suicide to a complicated murder inquiry.
• Detectives methodically piece together forensic and testimonial evidence, using classic Dragnet procedural style.
• The narrative is tense yet ultimately poignant as the tragic circumstances behind the shooting are revealed.

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Takeaways

• The Dragnet episode “The Big Bible” exemplifies methodical detective work, where careful attention to evidence—especially ballistics and witness statements—exposes the truth behind a facade.
• The human angle, particularly the emotional strain on Nora and her mother, adds depth beyond the procedural, making this a compelling story of desperation, provocation, and regrettable violence.
• The motif of the Bible, both as an object of violence and a catalyst, underscores the profound triggers that can drive ordinary people to extreme acts.

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Recommended for listeners who appreciate classic detective stories with methodical investigations, character depth, and suspenseful twists.

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Transcript

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your message amplified.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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[Officer Frank Smith]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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[Officer Frank Smith]

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[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I love it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I really do.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

To us on YouTube and thank you.

[Officer Frank Smith]

For [e-mail] Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Dragnet brought to you by Chesterfield, America's most popular two way cigarette. Chesterfield King size at the new low price and Chesterfield regular. 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. No, they have one thing in common. The giant Chesterfield scoreboard signs 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, Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Loss 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 of 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.

[Officer Frank Smith]

The place is surely that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Better try it again, huh? Yeah.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

You the police?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Come on in.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

He's in there. The study.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who is he?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Carl Hamlin.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Are you Mrs. Hamlin?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Door is locked. Hamlin. Hamlin. Come on. Open the door.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on. Give me a hand, Frank. And try to force it? Yeah. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Let's try it this way. Come on. Guess it isn't gonna give. No. There's another way into the room, ma'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No. This is the only door.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about windows?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Windows leading into it?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes. Off the front porch. Came in here drunk. Cause seatin' down this way. Yes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This the window here?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

String's locked. You got something to cut it with?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Just a minute.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Try these keys. Yeah, that's got it. Good. Okay. See if we can get the window open. Yeah. I can't. I'm gonna have to break this man.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. I'm gonna hold the light for him. Yeah. Better stand back.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Man the glasses.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Officer Frank Smith]

I'll give you a hand in.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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. Yeah. All right. Come on. I'll give you a hand.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thanks. As soon as the ambulance gets here, will you show the attendant how to get in?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma', am. Not yet. Want to get the door? I'll check the victim. Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

How about it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We better have the attendant look at him. Uh huh.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Take a look at this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

That's the room right there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Hi.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Dance.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Colonel Dance.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it? Just a minute, huh? No, nothing. He's dead. That his wife yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Go ahead.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Want to give me his full name?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Carl Hamlin.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

His age?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

43.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Does he live here?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No. We had a house over in Bronson, 947. Do you have to go through all this?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, that's all, Mr. Hamlin.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I get the rest of it later. Frank? Yeah? You want to finish up here? Sure.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

It's all so wrong. Carl said it. All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is she now?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. I can understand.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

When I talked to him, he said for me to give her one of the pills he prescribed. Supposed to make her sleep.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

You're gonna have to talk to her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, we probably will.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Ms. Hamlin, a few questions we've got to ask. If you feel up to answering them.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to tell us what happened?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your husband doesn't live here, then?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No, we're separated.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

My mother and myself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anybody else living here?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No, just the two of us.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I'm not sure. I was asleep.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I beg your pardon?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I was asleep. I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see. You weren't expecting him then.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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. 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?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I 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.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

My mother said she'd heard Carl fall down in the room. I called you right away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you got? DOA slip. I'll put in a call of photo lab in the corner. Okay. I checked the gun.

[Officer Frank Smith]

It's.38 revolver.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

One shot fired. And that fits with the story I just got from his wife. Mm. I'll make the call. Something. Wonder if I could use your phone, Mrs. Hamlin?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like to use your phone, please.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Oh, it's in the hall table there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Did your mother tell you what happened?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes, in a way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean that?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

You have to.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we do.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I'll go see.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Thank you. Crew's on the way. Joan.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Gonna be more policemen out here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I'd appreciate it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll do everything we can.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I'll go get my mother.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Podbean, your message amplified.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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[Officer Frank Smith]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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[Officer Frank Smith]

She gave you the story?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

As much as she knew. What do you mean? 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? As soon as we get a statement from her, mother in the corner gets here waiting to shove off. Yeah.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

You can sit over here. Mother. Yes, dear? These men want to ask you some questions. This is my mother, Mrs. Gaylor. Sergeant Friday. This is Officer Smith.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

How 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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Go right ahead. If you get tired, mother, you tell them and they'll stop. Yes, dear.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Had it right in his coat. Outside pocket.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Nora Hamlin / 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. 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 going to kill himself to show me. I thought it was some kind of dramatics. The Hamlet was that kind, you know. Always play acting around.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / 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 is when Nora came into the room.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Okay. If I go to bed then?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Go right ahead.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Good night, then. You want to help me, dear? Yes, Mother. I'll be right with you. I'll be waiting up for you, Mr. Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / 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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

If there is, I'll tell you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Thank you, Ms. Gaylor.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ms. Hamlin?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did your husband ever talk about suicide before?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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 got it wrong, haven't you?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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 Ray Pinker. He asked us to come right over to the crime lab.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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 you got, Ray? Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Now there, you can see it. Weighs 130 grains.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's all out of shape. Mm.

[Officer Frank Smith]

See anything else?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Officer Frank Smith]

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. Now take a look. Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Let me put this one on the scales. Now check it yourself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

95 grains.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Bullet that killed Hamlin's a.380. It's a European calibration gun. He had in his hands a.38 revolver. Yeah.380s automatic ammunition. Yeah, this fella Hamlin pulled a pretty neat trick.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, what do you mean, Ray?

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh. Something's sure out of place. Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Might as well tear up the forms you filled out on this one. No suicide. You gotta find a murder gu. You are listening to Dragnet. The authentic story of your police force in action today. One way cigarettes, one size that is, are almost obsolete because they just don't give smokers what they want. Either way, you'll like Chesterfield best. It's America's most popular two way cigarette because only Chesterfield gives you the right combination of the world's best tobaccos. Tobaccos that are highest in quality, low in nicotine. Best for you. You and I smoke for relaxation, for comfort, for satisfaction. And in the whole wide world, no cigarette satisfies like a Chesterfield. You smoke with the greatest possible pleasure when your cigarette is Chesterfield. Yes. These six words, highest in quality, low in nicotine, mean chesterfield is best for you. Get a carton of Chesterfields. Chesterfield, regular, Chesterfield, king size. Both at the same price in most places. This is the best Chesterfield. And the time to change.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Today, 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 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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

It's nice to know you, Mr. Pinker.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you do?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Are there some more questions you have to ask?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Well, you know where it is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's your mother feeling this morning?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. 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, right? Yeah. You got that sketch you made last night? Yeah. Yeah, here it is.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Wanna take a look, Ray?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. You can see my body was about here 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.

[Officer Frank Smith]

That's the way I got it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Just about on the perfect line between.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The floor lamp and the chair over there. Mm. What about the gun in his right hand?

[Officer Frank Smith]

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?

[Officer Frank Smith]

I talked to Doc Newbar when he sent the bullet over, where 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?

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

About here. Uh huh.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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? Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

What about the door, when you found it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll show you how it was locked. Give me that chair, Frank.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There you go. Now, the key was turned, bolt was thrown, and then this chair was propped up under the knob like this. How about the key?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Was it still in the lock?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Sure looks like he meant the door to stay shut.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we could figure that.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Place looks pretty solid.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Plaster walls.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Not much chance of anybody getting through them. He checked the bookcases.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Any of them pull away from the walls?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I looked at them last night. They all seem solid enough. No. Got any ideas, Ray?

[Officer Frank Smith]

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?

[Officer Frank Smith]

You had to break it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Find a butler. Built like an envelope.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mighty funny.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There wasn't Any reason to look for it?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Mm, there's no sign of one now. Looks like the room's been cleaned.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Well, I guess we better check with the Hamlin woman, huh? Let me get this stuff away from the door. Ms. Hamlin? Ms. Hamlin?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Officer Frank Smith]

Did you see an empty shell casing?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I don't know what you mean.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It looks like this, ma'. Am.

[Officer Frank Smith]

See the brass part on this bullet?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No, I didn't see anything like that.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Wonder if we could see it.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

It's no trouble. In the closet here in the hall.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

May I give you a hand with it?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Just the cleaner itself.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

All right. Here it is.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right if we use a piece of this newspaper?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Sure. Go ahead. I guess you know what you're doing.

[Officer Frank Smith]

This is the way you take the dust bag out?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yeah. Just flip that little catch on the. On the side there. If you'll tell me what you're looking for, I might be able to help.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it, Ray? Yeah, here it is. 380. Yeah.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What's all that mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

No.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Pretty sure about that?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

One.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You sure about that?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What difference does it make how many there were?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Pretty big difference.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we're trying 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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

You're not serious.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Afraid we are, ma'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

This whole thing is ridiculous.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The evidence makes it true.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like to know that too. Would you get your mother, please?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What do you want to talk to her about what?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

If you'd get her, please.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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. Don't worry about it. Nora. Mother. You shouldn't be out of bed. I heard the talking. I've been listening. Haven't seen you before. You a policeman too?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am. I'm Ray Pinker.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How are you?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right, Ms. Gaylor.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What makes you think it is?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is it?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

In the table there. Left hand drawer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll get it.

[Officer Frank Smith]

How about 380?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That gun belonged to you, Ms. Gaylor?

[Nora Hamlin / 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.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This is your gun? You're the only person who witnessed the shooting?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

That's right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, give us a try, huh?

[Nora Hamlin / 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.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

I didn't pay him no mind. Told him to go away. Nora was through with him. He wouldn't go.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / 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'. Am.

[Nora Hamlin / 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?

[Nora Hamlin / 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.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Must have been the chair.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yeah, I guess it was. Right after that I heard him fall down. Right after that, Nora came into the room. Why didn't you tell me, Mother? There 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.

[Nora Hamlin / 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?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Yes, I do. All of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to get a coat, Ms. Gaylor? Enough to take you downtown?

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Better go with the friend. Yeah.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

Is it gonna be all right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll put it down that way. You want to get that buck, Ray? We're going to need it. Yeah.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

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. Here's the book Hamlin shot.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Slug's still in it. Looks like a.38.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Might have made her mad enough to kill him. Yeah.

[Nora Hamlin / Mrs. Gaylor]

What is it, Mr. Friday?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Holy Bible.

[Officer Frank Smith]

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

[Officer Frank Smith]

Jesse. 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 award of the state. She was placed in the state hospital at Mendocino for treatment. 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. You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Lillian Powell, Olin Soule, Virginia Gregg. Script by John Robinson, Earl Schley. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking. Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station. Please check your newspapers for day and time. Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles Ladies and gentlemen, Gunsmoke, brought to you by L M filters will now be heard on Saturday night. Chesterfield's Perry Como show will 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 and 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.