Dragnet: The Big Kid 11/10/1953

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Summary: Dragnet – "The Big Kid" (11/10/1953)

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Dragnet, host Sergeant Joe Friday delves into a tense investigation surrounding a juvenile gang war in Los Angeles. Set against the backdrop of the early 1950s, the story meticulously unfolds, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing youth delinquency and gang violence.

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Case Overview

At the outset, Sergeant Joe Friday introduces his assignment to the juvenile detail, tasked with investigating rumors of a teenage gang conflict brewing in the city. The uncertainty surrounding the war's onset—its time and location—sets the stage for a complex case.

Sergeant Joe Friday [02:14]: "For the past two weeks, there have been rumors of a teenage gang war taking place in your city. You don't know when it's going to start. You don't know where."

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Initial Investigation: The Burglary Connection

Friday's first lead involves Angelo Marcal, known as "Angie," who is apprehended for burglary. Despite thorough questioning, Angie remains evasive, claiming he already informed his peers about the incident.

Sergeant Joe Friday [02:35]: "Why'd you tell the officers who arrested you that you were 18?"

Angelo Marcal [02:39]: "I don't make any difference. Some of them say 16, some say 17. They're all different."

Angie admits to belonging to the Little Wall Street Gang but denies involvement in any larger gang wars, hinting at minor street fights.

Sergeant Joe Friday [05:38]: "You belong to a gang, Angie?"

Angelo Marcal [05:39]: "Little Wall Street Gang. We don't get mixed up in no wars."

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Unraveling the Gang War

As Friday delves deeper, connections emerge between two rival gangs: the Pink Rats and the Orchids. Tensions escalate when a member of the Orchids steals firearms, arming them for potential conflict.

Sergeant Joe Friday [05:52]: "If it wasn't, the Orchid Gang was armed with three guns and 225 rounds of ammunition. Enough to start and sustain a small war."

Efforts to reach Pinky Eggers, leader of the Pink Rats, are met with hostility. Eggers dismisses the impending conflict, refusing to cooperate with the police.

Pinky Eggers [12:56]: "I’m telling you, you ain't laying a hand on Pink. You try it and I'll haul you in every court in the country."

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The Tragic Climax: Tony Herman's Death

Despite preventive measures, the gang war erupts unexpectedly. During a party at Tony Herman's house, a confrontation leads to the tragic death of the 11-year-old boy.

Sergeant Joe Friday [18:26]: "The first victim of the juvenile gang War was 11-year-old Tony Herman... a 12 gauge shotgun had been fired."

Tony, witnessing the disturbance, intervenes and is fatally shot. The community reels from the senseless loss, underscoring the severe consequences of youth gang activities.

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Confrontation and Confession: Gene Graff's Arrest

The investigation zeroes in on Gene Graff, identified as the shooter. Captured with stolen firearms and incriminating evidence, Graff remains defiant during interrogation, embodying the strained relations between youth and law enforcement.

Sergeant Joe Friday [23:35]: "Yeah, while you read me off, make a big speech... But you'd be treated like a rotten little killer."

Gene Graff [23:49]: "I was born that way... Any kid that does belong to it, it's a bum in my book."

Despite his resistance, Graff's involvement is undeniable, leading to his eventual conviction.

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Emotional Resolution: Confronting the Victim’s Family

In a poignant scene, Friday meets Mrs. Herman, Tony's mother, delivering the heartbreaking news of her son's death. Her anguish and quest for answers highlight the personal toll of gang violence.

Mrs. Herman [20:07]: "My boy's dead. Tony. What? Thought he'd fallen off the bicycle."

Sergeant Joe Friday [20:46]: "We’re sorry about it, Ms. Herman."

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Conclusion and Aftermath

The episode culminates with Gene Graff being tried and convicted of second-degree murder, highlighting the legal system's role in addressing juvenile delinquency. The narrative serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within youth communities and the pressing need for effective law enforcement strategies.

Commercial Announcer [28:10]: "Gene Norton Graff was tried and convicted of murder in the second degree... You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files."

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Key Takeaways

• Youth Gangs and Violence: The episode underscores the perilous path of youth involvement in gangs, illustrating how minor disputes can escalate into tragic outcomes.

• Law Enforcement Challenges: Sergeant Friday's relentless pursuit of the truth amidst evasive and defiant youths highlights the complexities faced by police in juvenile cases.

• Community Impact: Tony Herman's death serves as a catalyst for reflecting on the broader societal issues contributing to youth delinquency and the importance of community intervention.

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This episode of Dragnet masterfully blends dramatic storytelling with social commentary, offering listeners a compelling exploration of juvenile justice and the far-reaching effects of gang violence.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for donating at choice classicradio.com.

[Commercial Announcer]

Ladies and.

[Narrator]

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

[Commercial Announcer]

Dragnet is brought to you by Chesterfield. Made by Liggett & Myers, first major tobacco company to give you a complete line of quality cigarettes.

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a juvenile detail. For the past two weeks, there have been rumors of a teenage gang war taking place in your city. You don't know when it's going to start. You don't know where your job. Stop it. Friends. Stage and screen star Paul Douglas is featured on the Chesterfield poster of the month. That's up all over town. Here's what Paul Douglas says about Chesterfield's quote. I've been smoking Chesterfield for 22 years. They're best for me. If you try them, you'll find they're best for you. Unquote. You know why Chesterfields are best for you? Because they're low in nicotine, highest in quality, and of course, Chesterfields are really mild, really satisfying. Try them yourself today. Regular or king size? Chesterfield.

[Commercial Announcer]

Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department 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, September 8th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of juvenile detail. My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is captain Powers. My name's Friday. We just transported a prisoner from the main jail and it was 10:39pm when we got to Georgia Street Juvenile, the interview room.

[Narrator]

Sit down, Angelo.

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where they call you Angie?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah. Angie.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why'd you tell the officers who arrested you that you were 18?

[Angelo Marcal]

How'd they find out different?

[Narrator]

All they had to do was check your record.

[Angelo Marcal]

I don't make any difference. Some of them say 16, some say 17. They're all different.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're 17, though, aren't you?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah, 17.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. You want to tell us about this burglary?

[Angelo Marcal]

I told the other guys. Ain't that enough?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We want to hear it.

[Angelo Marcal]

Well, figure if you tell her once, that's enough. The copped out. I told them all about it. Why don't you ask them?

[Narrator]

All right, boy, give us a story.

[Angelo Marcal]

You got A match.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Be better if you don't smoke, don't you think?

[Angelo Marcal]

Well, my folks don't care. They let me smoke.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The law doesn't until you're 18.

[Angelo Marcal]

Oh, yeah?

[Narrator]

Come on, Angie, tell us about it.

[Angelo Marcal]

Nothing to tell. Me and a couple other kids broke into a house. That's all there is to it. We just broke into the place.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about the stuff you took?

[Angelo Marcal]

I told the other two guys all about that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The officers and burglary?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah, they said it was from Central. I told them all about it. Everything.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You show them where the plant was?

[Angelo Marcal]

I told them. I didn't go there, though. I just told them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd you steal?

[Angelo Marcal]

Huh?

[Narrator]

The things you stole. Name them for us.

[Angelo Marcal]

Just different stuff, you know, like you find in a house. All kinds of stuff.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was there an electric mixer?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah. Good one. You know, with orange juice attachment. Good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What else?

[Angelo Marcal]

Electric razor, some silverware.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What kind of silverware?

[Angelo Marcal]

You know, like you eat with.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was there a silver tea service?

[Angelo Marcal]

A what?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A tea service. You know what I mean.

[Angelo Marcal]

If I knew, I wouldn't ask you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like a coffee pot with legs. A lot of scroll work on it. Silver, you know?

[Angelo Marcal]

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, was there one of those?

[Angelo Marcal]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about a German Luger?

[Angelo Marcal]

You mean a pistol?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Angelo Marcal]

No, there wasn't one of them. Hey, you guys gonna let me out tonight?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, you'll be held here.

[Angelo Marcal]

Well, I thought you was gonna let me go tonight. How about my folks? They know I'm here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We haven't had a chance to notify them yet.

[Narrator]

Where they live.

[Angelo Marcal]

Down on Wall.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They have a phone.

[Angelo Marcal]

Uh. I thought you always told them when you picked up a kid you were.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Booked as an adult.

[Angelo Marcal]

Oh, yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You fenced any of this stolen merchandise yet?

[Angelo Marcal]

No, we just got it last night. We just broke into the house and haven't had a chance to fence it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The other officers say they're gonna pick it up.

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You got a job?

[Angelo Marcal]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I said, are you working?

[Angelo Marcal]

I told you I did.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where?

[Angelo Marcal]

Place down on East 5th.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you do?

[Angelo Marcal]

I'm a messenger. Ride a bike. Delivery things.

[Narrator]

You working there now?

[Angelo Marcal]

I'm here now.

[Narrator]

You know what I mean?

[Angelo Marcal]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're not working, then?

[Angelo Marcal]

Boss and me had a beef. He's moody one too. Real moody.

[Narrator]

Your parole officer know you lost the job?

[Angelo Marcal]

I never told him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, maybe he found out. Maybe that's why he was sore at you.

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

You been reporting regular?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah, pretty much.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that mean?

[Angelo Marcal]

Once in a while. A couple of times. I miss Just a couple Gonna have to make a federal case out of it. My parole officer know about this arrest?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I think he's been notified. How many times have you been arrested?

[Angelo Marcal]

I don't know. Maybe six, seven.

[Narrator]

You ever been to camp?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah, I was there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What for?

[Angelo Marcal]

Truancy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How long were you there?

[Angelo Marcal]

A couple of weeks. And I broke out and they sent me to Preston. I'm on parole now. You can't let me out tonight, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll book you and notify your officer. What's his name?

[Angelo Marcal]

Lockridge. A moody old guy. Hope he ain't in a mood when he sees me. Rough if he's in a mood.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah, like he came down to see me one day and asked me how I was doing. I told him, fine. I had a job, I was doing fine. He says, that's good, Angie. Like that. That's good. Tells me how fine I'm doing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Angelo Marcal]

Next day, he comes to my house and reads me off. Says I'm a bum. I'm no good, all like that. Moody.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why did he read you off?

[Angelo Marcal]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

Didn't he tell you?

[Angelo Marcal]

No, he just came in and yelled at me. I wasn't doing anything. He's moody.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You belong to a gang, Angie?

[Angelo Marcal]

Huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I said, do you belong to a gang?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah. We got a club. I belong to that.

[Narrator]

What's the name of the club?

[Angelo Marcal]

Little Wall Street Gang. You heard of it?

[Narrator]

No.

[Angelo Marcal]

Good club. You sure you ain't heard of us?

[Narrator]

No.

[Angelo Marcal]

How about you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No. Your gang fight much?

[Angelo Marcal]

What do you mean, fight?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You ever get mixed up in gang wars, anything like that?

[Angelo Marcal]

No. No, not us. We've been in a couple of street fights. Maybe you know, some kids come over to where we are and start trouble. But we never been in no gang wars. We got a good gang.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know anybody that belongs to Pink Rats?

[Angelo Marcal]

A couple of guys. I don't know him real well.

[Narrator]

Who are they?

[Angelo Marcal]

I told you, I don't know him real well. Just to know him when I see him, you know, like that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You don't know any of the names, huh?

[Angelo Marcal]

I think one of them is called Pinky. That's all I know. Look, why are you asking me about them?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we got a rumble up there cooking up a gang war. Wondered if you knew anything about it.

[Angelo Marcal]

Where'd you hear it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We did. You know anything on it?

[Angelo Marcal]

No.

[Narrator]

You sure?

[Angelo Marcal]

I told you I wouldn't tell you if it wasn't right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, look, Angie, if this thing breaks loose, there's gonna be a lot of kids hurt. If you Got no part in it. Why don't you give us a story?

[Angelo Marcal]

I'm giving it to you. Ain't nothing more I can tell you. I didn't hear nothing about no war. I told you, I belong to the little Wall street gang. We don't get mixed up in no wars. Couple of street fights maybe, but no wars.

[Narrator]

You gonna stand on that?

[Angelo Marcal]

I haven't got any other way. What did you hear?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What?

[Angelo Marcal]

What did you hear? About the Rats? About the war, I mean. Who are they gonna fight?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Only when it comes to us, they're gonna cut into the Orchids.

[Angelo Marcal]

You mean from the south side?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Angelo Marcal]

They're rough guys.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's what we hear.

[Angelo Marcal]

How did it start?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Angelo Marcal]

What's a beef? The Orchids won't go that far away from home to stage something. Gotta be a reason. You guys know what it is?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, the way we got it, a girlfriend of one of the Orchid gang moved over into the pink Rat territory. You started to go with one of the Rats. The Orchids didn't like it. So they drove over one night and beat up on one of the rats.

[Narrator]

The next night, the Rats went over to the south side and kicked around one of the orchids. That's the way it started. A couple of nights ago, one of the rat kids was riding down the street on the motorbike. A car full of orchids came up alongside the boy and before he could do anything about it, they wrapped a piece of bicycle chain around his head.

[Angelo Marcal]

Kill him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, he's still in the county hospital. He's not doing too well.

[Narrator]

We got word there's gonna be a party this Saturday night at one of the Rats house. We figure maybe that's where the trouble's gonna be.

[Angelo Marcal]

You're not throwing any coconuts at me. This is for real.

[Narrator]

It's the way we get it. Those kids get started and somebody's gonna get hurt real bad.

[Angelo Marcal]

Maybe a lot worse than you got it figured.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Angelo Marcal]

I heard about the job the Orchids did last week. Yeah, they broke into a place and cleaned it out. Must have been for Saturday night.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Angelo Marcal]

They stole a couple of rifles. Something worse.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Angelo Marcal]

12 gauge shotgun.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

10:45Pm Angelo Marcal was rebooked at Georgia Street Juvenile on a charge of burglary. His shoes and his belt were taken from him and he was held in detention. We put in a call to his parole officer and told him what had happened. After that, we drove by Marcal's home to inform his parents of the Arrest. But we found nobody there. We left our card with a notation asking them to call us when they returned. Before the Markal boy had been placed in the cell, we'd gotten a description of the boy he knew as Pinky. After trying to contact Markow's parents, we went up to the second floor of the Juvenile Division and had the Record Bureau check the nickname and description. We came up with three possibles. We pulled the mug shots of the boys and showed them to Angelo Marcal, but he was unable to give us an identification. It was difficult to tell if the boy was lying or telling us the truth to try to cover up for the members of the Pink Rat gang. The following afternoon, Wednesday, September 9th, Frank and I checked into the office and then we drove out to see the parents of the Markal boy. They still hadn't returned and the neighbors told us that they had seen the couple drive away early Monday morning without giving any indication as to when they might return. We asked the woman who lived next door to call us when they did come back. 4:40pm we drove over to the east side of town to check on the three possibles named Pinky that we turned up the previous night. All of the boys were able to prove to our satisfaction that they were not the Pinky we were after. We talked to the youngsters in the neighborhood, asking them if they knew anything about an expected gang or. Either they didn't know anything about it or they wouldn't tell us. 6:15pm we went back to the office and put in a call to Central Burglary.

[Narrator]

Yeah, we haven't got the exact date the way we got it. There are a couple of rifles taken. And a 12 gauge shotgun? No, and a 12 gauge shotgun. Yeah, sure, I'll wait. They're checking the reports now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This is one tip I'd like to have turned bad. Wouldn't you?

[Narrator]

Yeah, I'm with you.

Yeah.

Rex.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Narrator]

That'll be the.30, huh? Yeah. What's that? Yeah, I guess it might be. Won't help if it is. Right. Let us know, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Right.

[Narrator]

They got the reports. Guns were stolen on Tuesday, August 30th. I still haven't been able to get anything on it. Rifles were.30.06s.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Deer rifles, huh?

[Narrator]

Yeah. Olson says he got another report last night. Might mean something. Yeah, Hardware store broken into.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd they take?

[Narrator]

Four boxes of.30 06ammo, three boxes of 12 gauge cartridges.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It might have been a coincidence, but if it wasn't, the Orchid Gang was armed with three guns and 225 rounds of ammunition. Enough to start and sustain a small war. 6:35pm we contacted Lt. Hartgrove, the night watch commander, and he assigned two other teams of officers to work with us. In addition to the juvenile officers, radio units out of Metro Division reserves joined us in the search for members of the Orchid Gang. The streets in the area were combed. Citizens in the area were questioned, but they failed to supply any information on the boys who belonged to the gang. The satin embroidered jackets the members of the Orchid Gang wore had disappeared from the streets. At 12:01am the search was called off and a broadcast was put out to the regular units in the area to be on the watch for any gang activities. 12:47am we got in touch with Rex Olson in Central Burglary. He told us that the crime lab had failed to come up with any physical evidence on the theft of ammunition from the hardware store. 1:20am Frank and I checked out of the office and we went home. The following morning at 8:30am we got in touch with a juvenile informant and he was able to give us more information on the expected gang war. He told us that the fight was set for Saturday night. He was unable to give us the exact address of the party that was to be crashed, but he did give us a general idea of the location. He was also able to give us the name Pinky Eggers and his address. He told us that the Eggers boy was the leader of the Pink Rats and might be able to give us information on the membership of the Orchid Gang. 12:40pm Frank and I drove out to talk to the Eggers boy. We checked his school, but he wasn't there. We went to his home. It was a small one story frame building with a weathered picket fence surrounding it. A 1947 hopped up Ford was in the driveway. Frank and I went up on the porch and rang the bell.

[Narrator]

Yard could sure stand to cleaning up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Wonder who the car belongs to.

[Narrator]

I don't know. Sure looks fast. Yeah, yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like see Pinky Eggers.

[Gene Graff]

Who are you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officers.

[Mr. Eggers]

Can't you lay off the kid? Why don't you quit rousting him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is he here?

[Mr. Eggers]

No, he ain't here. And if he was, I don't think I'd let you see him.

[Narrator]

That his car?

[Mr. Eggers]

Yeah, it's his.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Registered in his name.

[Gene Graff]

No one mine now.

[Mr. Eggers]

What he after the kid for?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Want to talk to him?

[Mr. Eggers]

Well, talk to me. I'm his father. Anything you have to say to him, you can tell me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your boy belonged to a club called the Pink Rat gang. Why does he?

[Mr. Eggers]

I answer no question until you tell me why you're asking.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now look, mister, we're not out here to pass the time of day. Your boy's mixed up in something that can turn out to be pretty serious.

[Gene Graff]

That right?

[Narrator]

That's the way it is.

[Mr. Eggers]

Who says it's serious? And what are you talking about?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We got word that your boy's mixed up in a gang war that's gonna break out this weekend.

[Mr. Eggers]

And you two big cops are out here leaning on a kid because he's mixed up in a beef. Listen, there's a five year old kid down the street skating on the sidewalk. Why don't you go put the arm on her?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This war breaks out and somebody's gonna get hurt. Maybe you're a boy. We're trying to stop it.

[Mr. Eggers]

Well, don't bother. Pinky can take care of himself. Any of the gangs cause trouble, the Rats can swing their end. You want to stop the beef? Go talk to the other kids. Tell them to lay off. My boy's gang is now looking for trouble. Any fighting going on, you can talk to the other kids. You check them. Leave my boy alone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We want to talk to him, Mr. Egger.

[Mr. Eggers]

You gonna make a pinch?

[Narrator]

No, we just want to talk to him.

[Mr. Eggers]

Should have known you were gonna take him today.

[Gene Graff]

Only two of you.

[Mr. Eggers]

Well, I'm telling you, you ain't laying a hand on Pink. You try it and I'll haul you in every court in the country. Now get out of here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where's your boy? Now?

[Mr. Eggers]

That's none of your business. I told you to get out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Maybe you don't understand Aggers. This is a gang war. Your boy's helping to build it.

[Mr. Eggers]

All right, so a couple of kids get together in a vacant lot and mix it up. A couple of bloody noses, black eyes, nothing wrong.

[Narrator]

Makes men out of them lot more serious than that. We understand there's gonna be guns used in it.

[Mr. Eggers]

You get out of here.

[Angelo Marcal]

Now.

[Mr. Eggers]

I got some rights. You went off the property in two minutes flat. I'm gonna get a gun and start shooting. You come around here telling me my son's getting mixed up with a bunch of hoodlums using guns? You guys are section Eights. Maybe Pinky will belt a couple of kids, but there ain't gonna be no guns. Only reason they'd use them is that they're around all the time with you cops hounding them. You just can't see a bunch of kids have a little fun, can you? Unless they belong to the stinking clubs you build, you can't stand on that. Daps or whatever you call it. Kid don't belong to that ain't no good in your book. Well, I'm telling you something. Any kid that does belong to, it's a bum in my book. Now you get off my property and don't come back. You hear me? Anything happens, Pinky can take care of himself. He'll be okay. Now you guys leave him alone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I hope he's right. 3:15pm Frank and I drove over to Pinky Ager's school again. We spent the next two hours talking to the youngsters in the neighborhood. Those that would cooperate with us didn't have the information that we needed. The others refused to tell us anything. In the meantime, officers from 77th Street Division were checking on the activities of the Orchid gang. They ran into the same evasive answers that we had. If the information we'd gotten was true, we had a little more than 48 hours to find the principles in the war before the shooting could start. Thursday night, 8:40pm Frank and I met with Captain John Powers, Lieutenant Hartgrove and the heads of the juvenile details throughout the city. From them we learned that word of the impending war had spread through the gangs in the separate districts and that the other gangs were taking sides in the argument and were ready to start their own battles with factions who opposed them. Captain Powers, along with the heads of the divisions, mapped a plan of action to be put into effect at the first sign of an outbreak. Additional cars from Metropolitan division reserves were to be ready if they were needed. Days off for all juvenile officers were canceled. A three way radio contact would be kept open between all divisions. On Saturday night, the area where the main activity was expected would be heavily patrolled both by beat men and by radio car officers. Once the operating plan was set up, there was little to do but wait. In the meantime, the search went on for members of the Orchid gang and for Pinky Eggers, the leader of the Pink Rats. A watch had been placed on his home, but he'd failed to return. Friday, September 6, 9:42pm Frank and I checked with the Burglary division on the stolen guns. Then we went over to the New Yorker restaurant to get something to eat.

[Narrator]

Hi, Sol.

[Angelo Marcal]

Hey, Joe. Call your office, huh? I just called you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, thanks. Order him the fish and chips, will you Frank?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's it going, Sol?

[Angelo Marcal]

Not bad with you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Kind of rough. Where's Rosie?

[Angelo Marcal]

Her and the kids went to movies.

[Doctor]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

2568, please. Yeah, George. Juvenile, right? We'll tell you this Friday. But when did happen? Well, wait till I get a pencil. Sol, hand me that menu, will you?

[Angelo Marcal]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, go ahead. Yeah, I got it. Yeah. Well, what do you want us to do? Yeah. They know yet? Yeah. All right. Now we'll get right over there. Bye. Never mind the food. Salt.

[Narrator]

What's the matter?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Kids didn't wait until Saturday. They just shot up Highland Park.

[Narrator]

What's the score?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Still coming in a good start.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

11 year old boy killed.

[Commercial Announcer]

You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action. It's taking place at your dealers, cigarette dealers coast to coast.

[Narrator]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The first victim of the juvenile gang War was 11 year old Tony Herman. The teenagers next door to the Herman house were having a party at 9:36pm Friday night. A group of youngsters had arrived at the house and tried to crash the party. A fistfight had ensued and Tony, who was doing his homework next door, had gone out to see what was causing the disturbance. As he stood on the porch watching the fighting, a 12 gauge shotgun had been fired. The pellets from the cartridge had caught the youngster in the stomach and the abdomen and he'd gone down. At the sound of the shot, the fighting had stopped and the party crashers had left the scene. The police had been called and Tony was removed to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. He was dead on arrival. From the neighbors, descriptions of the party crashers had been obtained. All of the boys wore satin jackets with a large white orchid embroidered on the back. One of the people who saw the shooting said that the boy who'd fired the gun wore a jacket with the name Gene under the Orchid design. A broadcast was gotten out immediately, along with a description of the car that the juveniles had used to escape. The parents of the Herman boy were not at home when the shooting occurred. From the neighbors we found that they usually went to a movie on Friday night. And they didn't return until after midnight. An officer was stationed at the house to bring them to the hospital. When he returned at 1:34am Mrs. Herman arrived at the hospital. She was a small, dark woman with graying hair. She didn't know what had happened. Frank and I met her in the hall.

[Mrs. Herman]

I want to see Sergeant Friday. Is he here?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm Sergeant Friday, ma'am.

[Mrs. Herman]

Well, I'm Mrs. Herman. They say something's happened to Tony.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am. You want to step in here? Might be a little better to talk.

[Mrs. Herman]

All right. Can I see him? He isn't hurt bad, is he? Sad bicycle. I told his father. I knew it was too soon for it. He's so little. And to buy him a big bike like that. He couldn't hardly reach the pedals. Well, that's it, isn't it? He fell off the bicycle.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'am.

[Mrs. Herman]

What is it then? What is it? Something more. He's hurt. I want to see him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just a minute, Ms. Herman.

[Mrs. Herman]

Why won't you tell me what happened to him? My husband will be here in a few minutes and he's going to want to know. Why won't you tell me? How bad's he hurt?

[Narrator]

Pretty bad.

[Mrs. Herman]

Man, that's not an answer. How bad's he hurt?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's dead.

[Mrs. Herman]

Dead?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can we get you anything?

[Mrs. Herman]

My boy's dead. Tony. What? Thought he'd fallen off the bicycle. He got it for his birthday. A new bicycle, 28 inch wheels. I thought he'd fallen. I didn't know it was like this. Can I see him? My boy? Can I?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Mrs. Herman]

How'd it happen? How?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We're Sorry about it, Ms. Herman.

[Mrs. Herman]

My Tony had an accident and he's dead. We went to a movie and come home to find our son's dead.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Better get the doctor, Frank.

[Narrator]

Right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Doctor will be here in a minute, Ms. Herman. Just to movie.

[Mrs. Herman]

He's doing his homework. Now he's dead. How did it happen, Mr. Freud?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The gun went off. He was standing on the porch. He was hit.

[Mrs. Herman]

But who was shooting? Who shot my boy? Who killed him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We don't know, Ms. Herman.

[Mrs. Herman]

I want to know who it was. Who killed him? I want to know. His father's going to want to know. My boy's dead. My boy My son.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to handle this, Doc? We'll wait outside.

[Narrator]

Surely.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Kind of hard to do.

[Narrator]

You're going to make up for it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What?

[Narrator]

The kid that fired the gun?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

They got him downstairs.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A few minutes after the broadcast had gone out on the boy wearing the jacket with the name Gene on it. Two officers on York Boulevard had picked up the speeding car. In shaking down the occupants and the car itself, they'd found the jacket hidden under the rear seat. In the trunk of the automobile, they'd found the stolen rifles and the shotgun with one discharged cartridge in it. The three boys in the car had been taken into custody and brought immediately to Georgia Street. Two of the youngsters had been taken to the detention cells and the third, who identified himself as Gene Graffiti, was brought to the office of the night watch commander. From the identification found in his pockets, we learned his name, address and his age. 16 years old. His parents were notified that he was being held and they were asked to come to the office immediately. All the time the boy had been in the room and the calls had been made, he refused to say anything. When Frank hung up the phone after calling his parents, he made the first statement.

[Gene Graff]

What's that going to prove?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Gene Graff]

Having them come down here. What are you going to prove with that?

[Narrator]

You want to tell us about him?

[Gene Graff]

That's a kid. You gonna be all right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, he's not.

[Gene Graff]

How bad's he hurt?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's dead.

[Gene Graff]

Rough?

[Narrator]

That's all you got to say?

[Gene Graff]

What do you want me to say?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You gunned down an 11 year old boy and that's all you got to say about it?

[Gene Graff]

Look, cop, I know the routine. You read me off, make a big speech and I'm supposed to feel real bad. But I'd like to go along with you. But it won't work. Look, save the effort. Use the words in somebody else. Do what you're gonna do and let's get it over with.

[Narrator]

How old are you?

[Gene Graff]

You already saw it.

[Narrator]

How old?

[Gene Graff]

16.

[Narrator]

Pretty heavy, aren't you?

[Gene Graff]

I've been around, yeah.

[Narrator]

Don't get smart, kid.

[Gene Graff]

Not my fault. I was born that way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How many times you been arrested?

[Gene Graff]

Couple.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How many times?

[Narrator]

Four.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

For what?

[Gene Graff]

Suspicion 211. Suspicion, 245.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're 16. You've been picked up for robbery and assault.

[Gene Graff]

I didn't stand any of them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You ever been in camp?

[Gene Graff]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You ever served any time?

[Gene Graff]

Look, the taxpayers pay you a lot of money to keep records. Why don't you look all this up? It's there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd you get the shotgun you used tonight?

[Gene Graff]

I won it in the raffle. I got a lot of luck.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, well, it just ran out. Kid, I'm gonna give you a piece of advice. If you're as smart as I think you are, you're gonna take it. You start answering these questions, you start answering them right, you bought yourself a pile of trouble that you and that smart mouth of yours aren't gonna talk your way out of. You killed somebody. An 11 year old boy. You walked up that house with a gun, A gun you were ready to use. And you just answered the questions. And never mind the sarcasm.

[Gene Graff]

Put the muscle away. You lean on me and I'll have every sister in this state on your neck. I'm a juvenile. Don't you forget it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You just got out of that league.

[Gene Graff]

That's the way you see it. That's the way it is from where you sit. But I'm telling you, you give me any muscle and I'll scream my head off to every sob sister club in the country.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I want to ask you once more, young fella. Where'd you get that gun?

[Gene Graff]

I bought a lucky ticket.

[Narrator]

Stick with it, kid. We're checking the numbers now. Those guns were taken on the burglary last week. You're dead on it. We got you going in.

[Gene Graff]

You try to make it stick.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Don't worry, we will.

[Narrator]

Use narcotics.

[Gene Graff]

Do I look like a hype?

[Narrator]

I asked a question.

[Gene Graff]

And I gave you an answer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you drink?

[Gene Graff]

Sure. I'm a real lush.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm going to tell you something. We're running out of patience with you.

[Gene Graff]

Well then you better go get pumped up. You're going to need a lot more.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What were you doing out there tonight?

[Gene Graff]

Where?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come off it. You know what I mean.

[Gene Graff]

Gently, gently.

[Narrator]

What were you doing at that party?

[Gene Graff]

What do you usually do at a party? I was having a good time.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why'd you take that gun with you?

[Gene Graff]

It was in the car. I didn't take it. I went along for the ride.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, who put it there?

[Gene Graff]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

Other boys say it was yours.

[Gene Graff]

That's a lie.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Prove it.

[Gene Graff]

I don't have to. You gotta prove I did know about it.

[Narrator]

We don't have to prove a thing. There are a couple of people who saw you shoot the kid. Guys you were with that copped out. You're nailed it and you know it.

[Gene Graff]

We'll see what the judge has to say about it. I've gotten off before. I'll swing it this time. I'm a juvenile. I'm not responsible for what I do.

[Narrator]

You really believe that, don't you?

[Gene Graff]

I said it.

[Narrator]

You know, I got two kids.

[Gene Graff]

What do you want, a medal?

[Narrator]

I got two kids. They're pretty good youngsters, too. They go to school, they study hard. And they're trying hard to grow up to be decent human beings. They'll get married and raise ordinary families. They'll never do much of anything special to get their names in the papers. Nobody's going to give them much notice. Maybe that's the way they want it. But all of a sudden, somebody like you comes along, mean and rotten. And people hear about you. They figure all the kids sat down and wrote your name on a ballot. And now you represent all of them. That you're the shining example of American youth. They sit there and shake their heads and talk about what's happening to the younger generation. They got the wrong picture. It isn't true, none of it. You framed it. You act like a big man and every decent, honest kid comes on looking like a bum. You sit there and blow off about being a juvenile. You like it because you think it'll buy you special privileges. Well, you're wrong, fella. Not in my book. As far as I'm concerned, you're a rotten little killer and you're going to be treated like one.

[Gene Graff]

Now, you bring out the rubber hose.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, come on, let's go.

[Narrator]

Take your coat, boy. You're not coming back this way.

[Gene Graff]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come in.

[Mrs. Herman]

Mr. Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, Ms. Herman.

[Mrs. Herman]

They told me I'd find you here. Is this the boy who did it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Mrs. Herman]

What's your name?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Answer.

[Gene Graff]

Gene Graff.

[Mrs. Herman]

Why'd you do it? Why'd you kill my boy? Did he do something to you? Is that it? Did Tony do something to you? Answer me. Say something. Just tell me one thing. What right do you have? What right does a young hoodlum like you have to stand there alive and breathing and my boy dead? What right? Do you hear me? What right, Ms. Herman, make him tell me. What right. What right? What right does he have to do a horrible thing like this?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What right? I don't know, but we're going to take it away from him.

[Narrator]

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

[Commercial Announcer]

On October 4, a petition was filed in juvenile court. And the subject was declared unfit to be tried as a juvenile. He was ordered to be tried in superior court under the general law. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. George Feniman. Friends We've been getting letters from people all over the country telling us that they've switched to Chesterfield. Now, just as I've been telling you, thousands of smokers are changing to Chesterfield because only Chesterfield gives proof of low nicotine, highest quality. That's why I recommend you try them today. Regular or king size Chesterfields are really mild, really satisfying. Best for you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Gene Norton Graff was tried and convicted of murder in the second degree. He was referred to the Youth Authority for punishment. Murder in the second degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of from five years to life. 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, Bert Holland, June Whitley, Gil Stratton. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator]

Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station. Please check your newspaper for the day and time Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles have you tried new cork tip Fatima? It's the smooth smoke with Fatima tips of perfect cork. King size for longer filtering and Fatima quality for a much better flavor and aroma. Fatima is made and guaranteed by Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company. Try Fatima today. Hear John Cameron Swayze and the news tonight on the NBC Radio Network.