Episode 659 - Statues for the Sleuths: Mercedes McCambridge (Defense Attorney)

Summary

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Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Episode 659 – Statues for the Sleuths: Mercedes McCambridge (Defense Attorney)
Date: March 8, 2026
Host: Mean Streets Podcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights Mercedes McCambridge—the only Oscar-winning actress to headline a hard-boiled radio legal drama, Defense Attorney. Mean Streets salutes both her storied career and the rare genre of female-led detective shows from Old Time Radio. The centerpiece of the episode is a curated selection of four broadcast stories, all starring McCambridge as attorney Martha Ellis Bryant, who “zealously defends the defenseless.” Each segment examines the narrative, performance, and significance of Defense Attorney, celebrating both McCambridge’s Oscar legacy (All the King’s Men) and her prowess on the radio microphone—described by Orson Welles as “the world’s greatest living radio actress.”

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Episode Structure and Key Points

1. Introduction to Mercedes McCambridge and Defense Attorney

• [00:00–07:32]
  • The host introduces the show’s theme: a month-long tribute to radio detective stars who won Oscars.
  • Spotlights McCambridge, lauded for both her Hollywood and radio work – including collaborations with Orson Welles.
  • Emphasis on the uniqueness of Defense Attorney as a rare female-led legal/detective program.
  • Notes the scarcity but high quality of surviving episodes.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “It’s a rare old time radio detective series with a woman as the protagonist. I’d say it’s the best example of that too rare subgenre." [~04:00, Host]

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2. Episode 1: "The Defense Rests" (Audition Recording, April 1951)

Case: The Twelve-Year-Old Conviction of Joseph Moriano

• [07:32–36:48]
• Case Summary:
  • Bryant is approached by Tony Moriano, an elderly man with $5,000, desperate to clear his son Joe’s murder conviction from 12 years prior.
  • She investigates trial irregularities, including a flawed eyewitness (Bella Groton), lack of solid evidence, political motives, and possible police misconduct.
  • Bryant uncovers a crucial photograph showing Joe with the state's star witness on a date different from her sworn testimony.
  • The case climaxes with Bryant using forensic evidence (the date on a clock in the background of the photo) to exonerate her client before the pardon board.
• Key Themes:
  • Perseverance against a corrupt system.
  • The role of circumstantial evidence and tenacity in justice.
  • Gender dynamics: Bryant must overcome skepticism from male colleagues and the system.
• Notable Exchanges:
  • Bryant, on the burden of evidence:
    “Sometimes the weight of evidence, just because it's on the record, is heavy enough to crush the truth.” [34:36]
  • On fathers’ faith:
    “An old man’s dogged faith in the innocence of his son is a poor substitute for concrete facts. Still, it was that faith…and that alone that drove Martha Ellis Bryant to state penitentiary.” [20:20, Narrator]

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3. Episode 2: "Saving a Man from the Electric Chair" (August 31, 1951)

Case: Mike Pelly—Wrongly Condemned to Die

• [38:14–66:43]
• Case Summary:
  • Mike Pelly, a shopkeeper, sits on death row for the murder of a rival, convicted mainly on the testimony of Mrs. Latham, a respected local woman.
  • Bryant uncovers Mrs. Latham’s troubled nerves and inconsistencies, eventually deducing that she’s colorblind—meaning her identification of Pelly’s “red car” can’t be trusted.
  • Further digging reveals blackmail by a crook (Roy Nichols) from Mrs. Latham’s past, who coerced her into lying.
  • In a powerful scene, Mrs. Latham admits the truth and exonerates Mike before his execution.
• Key Themes:
  • The fragility of eyewitness testimony.
  • Guilt, conscience, and the moral toll of false testimony.
  • The social cost of reputational pressure (Mrs. Latham’s marriage, status, and secret fears).
• Notable Quotes:
  • Bryant to Latham:
    “There are two men in every woman's life. The man she marries and the one she's glad she didn’t marry. Every woman has a big mistake someplace in her past.” [66:00]
• Memorable Moment:
  • “She couldn’t have seen Mike Kelly get into a red car she described because all colors looked gray to her. She described a red car because somebody told her to describe a red car.” — Bryant, revealing the turning point [62:32]
• Timestamps for Climax:
  • Colorblind revelation: [62:19]
  • Mrs. Latham’s confession and exoneration: [63:15–64:16]
• Emotional Resolution:
  • The episode’s end poignantly explores themes of regret, courage, and starting over:
    “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” — Bryant [122:55]

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4. Episode 3: "Clearing a Young Man of Manslaughter" (September 14, 1951)

Case: Jimmy Leonard—Hit and Run Accusation

• [68:42–97:10]
• Case Summary:
  • Bryant defends 16-year-old Jimmy Leonard, accused of a hit-and-run killing.
  • Investigates garage records, rival newsboys, and Jimmy’s difficult family background.
  • Discovers his alibi—a secret monthly meeting with his estranged mother, concealed to protect his mother’s current marriage.
  • Employs forensic thinking to uncover a frame-up: another boy’s car was involved, and the evidence was illicitly swapped.
  • The true villain, gangster Joe Boston, used a switched car in the crime.
• Key Themes:
  • Adolescence and justice.
  • Class, poverty, and systemic neglect.
  • Broken families and inter-generational wounds.
  • Forensic sleuthing (matching sand and oil from a road spill to the true guilty car).
• Notable Exchange:
  • Bryant to Jimmy’s father (on parental neglect):
    “You took him so that you could do just what you've done. Not because you wanted him, but so that you could punish him. So that you could get revenge for whatever you think your wife did to you." [81:20]
• Climax:
  • Forensic trap and confrontation with Joe Boston: [88:36–93:03]
• Resolution:
  • The episode ends with Jimmy reunited with his mother, and Bryant vowing to reverse the custody decision [94:18–95:08].

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5. Episode 4: "Which Son Did It?" (April 10, 1952)

Case: Joshua Masters—Deadly Family Inheritance

• [97:27–123:35]
• Case Summary:
  • Wealthy Joshua Masters consults Bryant, suspecting that one of his three sons is trying to kill him for inheritance.
  • When Masters and one son, David, turn up dead, the case at first looks like a murder-suicide.
  • Bryant investigates and demonstrates it's a double homicide, with planted evidence (fingerprints on a gun manipulated after death).
  • She uses forensic deduction (showing how placing a dead man’s fingerprints leaves telltale marks) and confronts the surviving sons.
  • The true killer (Ralph) is exposed and dies in a final confrontation—leaving the last brother alone with a “million dollars and an empty house.”
• Key Themes:
  • Motive, means, opportunity—classic whodunit structure.
  • Inheritance, greed, and moral decay.
  • Bryant’s adherence to promises, even to the dead.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Bryant:
    “The fact that he's dead doesn't cancel my promise to defend him. I just wish I knew how to begin.” [117:29]
  • Judd Burke:
    “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” [122:55]
• Climactic Sequence:
  • Bryant’s courtroom-like confrontation with the killers: [120:10–122:18]
  • Tense standoff and resolution: [122:18–122:50]

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6. Reflections on Mercedes McCambridge and the Series

• [123:35–126:41]
• Tribute:
  • Radio TV Mirror award presentation to Mercedes McCambridge as radio’s favorite dramatic actress, highlighting the impact and popularity of her performance as Martha Ellis Bryant.
• Self-Reflection:
  • McCambridge’s gracious speech credits cast, crew, and fans, emphasizing teamwork and her love of the role.
    • "I'm afraid it's the work of many people, Betty. It's Dwight Howser and Howard Culver and Tony Barrett and all the ABC crowd..." [125:38]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00] — Episode intro, scene-setting, McCambridge career overview.
• [07:32] — The Defense Rests (Moriano case begins)
• [38:14] — Defense Attorney: Mike Pelly and Mrs. Latham case
• [68:42] — Jimmy Leonard hit-and-run case
• [97:27] — Joshua Masters inheritance case
• [123:35] — Radio TV Mirror tribute to McCambridge

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Tone and Style

• 1950s radio drama: earnest, sharp, sometimes witty, sometimes emotionally direct. Bryant is persistent, compassionate, but tough.
• Episodes frequently balance hard-boiled realism (crime, corruption) with moral idealism and empathy—a signature of McCambridge’s performance.
• The banter between Martha and her reporter-friend/journalistic sidekick Judd Barnes brings warmth and occasional romantic tension.

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Notable & Memorable Quotes by Mercedes McCambridge (as Martha Ellis Bryant)

• “To depend upon your judgment and to fulfill my own obligation, I submit the facts fully aware of my responsibility to my client and to you as defense attorney.” [68:24, repeated at major dramatic junctures]
• “For your sake, Joe, you better be telling the truth.” [22:26]
• “Only Bella Groton. What about her? Well, the first two times she saw me, she said I wasn’t the man. Then all of a sudden, she said I was.” [21:45]
• “Life can be a long, long time.” [18:50]
• “You know something, Marty? I can’t get Mrs. Latham out of my mind. How could she have ever been mixed up with a torpedo like Roy Nichols?” [65:47]
• “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” [122:55]

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Episode Takeaways

• Defense Attorney offered a rare showcase for a strong, capable woman at the center of hard-boiled justice stories.
• Mercedes McCambridge’s performance brings emotional weight as well as deductive acumen to the stories—her Oscar-winning skill evident in every audio moment.
• The cases, though era-specific, feel surprisingly modern in exploring social justice, flaws in eyewitness testimony, the dangers of corrupt power, and the voice of women in justice.
• The rare survival of these episodes, and McCambridge’s own accolades, remind us how much talent and thematic depth thrived in the Golden Age of Radio—often overlooked in favor of male detective leads.

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Summary by Down These Mean Streets Podcast, compiled for listeners who want the full flavor, significance, and drama of Mercedes McCambridge’s defense attorney tales—even if you haven't heard a single second.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective the Adventures of the Saint starring Vincent Price. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Hello and welcome to down the Mean Streets with more old time radio detectives and crime solvers. All this month we're saluting the Academy Awards with old time radio detective stars who won Oscars for their big screen performances. Our award winning star this week is Mercedes McCambridge, a performer hailed by Orson Welles as the world's greatest living radio actress. She appeared with Welles in his Mercury Theater broadcast and and she logged hundreds of episodes of shows ranging from Inner Sanctum to Gangbusters, from Bulldog Drummond to the whistler. Ms. McCambridge took home her Oscar for her supporting performance in all the King's Men and among her many radio credits was the starring role in Defense Attorney. She played Martha Ellis Bryant, a lawyer who worked in and out of the courtroom to to zealously defend her clients. It's a rare old time radio detective series with a woman as the protagonist. I'd say it's the best example of that too rare subgenre. Unfortunately, despite the series running for almost a year and a half, we only have a handful of episodes that survive today. Fortunately, those shows are all excellent radio dramas and they boast a terrific lead performance from Mercedes McCambridge. Today we'll hear four of those episodes, beginning with the April 1951 audition recording of the series when its title was the Defense Rests. Then we'll hear Martha Ellis Bryant fight to save a man from the electric chair in an episode from August 31, 1951 to clear a young man of a hit and run charge in an episode from September 14, 1951 and to find out which of a wealthy man's sons bought bumped him off in an episode from April 10, 1952. Court is in session with Academy Award winner Mercedes McCambridge as defense attorney and we'll get started right after these messages. Looking for a good food buy? Then get Velveeta, Kraft's famous pasteurized processed cheese food. Velveeta is one of the best food buys you can make because Velveeta is not only delicious, but it's nourishing too. And you can use Velveeta so many ways in snacks, sandwiches and for a variety of economical hot main dishes. Melt Velveeta for a smooth golden cheese sauce to extend leftovers or to use a new made dishes. Make it your handy helper for all kinds of money saving hot meals. Get it tomorrow. 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[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I petition, I attest, I insist, that Joseph Moriano was wrongly and unjustly convicted of murder. No matter how long it takes, I'm going to prove will be then and only then, that the defense rests.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The National Broadcasting Company is proud to present Ms. Mercedes McCambridge in. The defense rests, the first in a new and exciting series of cases from the files of an outstanding woman attorney, Martha Ellis Bryant. When young, attractive Martha Ellis Bryant chose law as a career, she was expected to take advantage of her prominent family background and attend to the minor legal needs of the rich. Instead, she accepted the challenge of defending the defenseless. Joseph Moriano was one of the defenseless. So as the elderly, poorly dressed, grimly determined man who came to her office on the night of May 6, 1950, he opened the door without knocking.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Who's there?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Excuse me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I. I'm looking for Martha ellis Bryant.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm Ms. Bryant, but the office is closed. I thought that door was locked.

[Narrator/Announcer]

My friends tell me you are the one I should see.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, well, it's very late and I was just leaving. I have a dinner engagement.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, please. I take only a minute. I forgot about Joe.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Joe?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Joseph Moriano. They say he killed a man named Freddy Cellini. You know about this? No.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, I don't think I do. When did it happen?

[Narrator/Announcer]

In December. December 10, 1939.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

1939? Well, that was almost 12 years ago.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, it happened in a restaurant run by Bella Grote, he said, down on State Street. You remember now?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No. No, I'm afraid I don't.

[Narrator/Announcer]

In the back of a Bella's restaurant, there was a gambling room. But the police were after Bella. So on the night of Freddy Cellini was murdered, the back room. It Was a closed up tile. Hi, Bella. I. I come in and get warm.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. Freddie. Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, honest. That wind out there really cuts you up. Boys call us December 10th on record. You know that.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. Ready to close up? It's late.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, sure, sure. No customers tonight.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Not the kind of customers you mean.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, sure, sure, I know. Gotta be careful, Bella.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. Come on out to the kitchen, Freddy. I'll give you something to warm you up.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay. All right.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What makes you so nervous?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Nervous? I'm not nervous. What's that?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Someone who is.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Who?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

There's a man coming in the restroom.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Look, Bella, some of the boys have been saying I went to the cops about places like that. Shut up.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He's coming back here. Yeah, but it ain't true. But they're after me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

See?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He's got his face cover up. It's got a gun. It's a stick up.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, no guns for me. I was warned about it. Look, it's a telepath. Tell him I didn't do it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Freddy. Freddy. So that was the end of Freddy Cellini.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, Ms. O'. Brien. Nobody really know why he was killed. Nobody much care. He was not a good man. But then one day the police come for Joe Moriano. And they say he killed Freddie. Joe is not at home. Only his wife and the two bambinos. You police look for Joe, but they don't find him. And then Joe, he's here. The police look for him. He goes to a police station to say he did not do it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes. And then what happened?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Joe is sent to prison for the rest of his life. He's there 12 years now. But he shall not do it. I tell you. He shall not do it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Do you have proof?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I am Tony Mariano. Joe is my son. My son not kill Freddy Cellini. My boy is not a murderer. I know.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, I see. That's your proof?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, you not believe me?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mr. Moriano, I'm very sorry. I know it's hard for a father to believe. But if he was convicted and sentenced for life, there must have been good reason.

[Narrator/Announcer]

My boy don't do it. Someday somehow he get out. I see to that. I live for nothing else.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why did you wait for 12 years before taking any action?

[Narrator/Announcer]

My friends tell me it take big money to find a man who really killed Freddie Cellini. Now I got the big money. $5,000.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

$5,000? That is a lot of money.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Not if it buy freedom for my boy.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Suppose it doesn't?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, then somehow I get more. Someday, somehow. Joy said. Sitting ass Crane speaking.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hello, Judd. Oh, I'm glad you answered the phone.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, wait, don't tell me. Let me guess. It's Martha Ellis Bryant.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I hate to mention this, old friend, but you stood me up tonight. We had a date for dinner.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes. I'm terribly sorry, Judd. I'm still at the office. I was detained and I couldn't call H. Another man? Yes, a man with $5,000.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, that's the breaks. But how could I hold your interest forever in a mere reporter's salary?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Judd, listen to me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I don't think I'm bitter. If I can ever be of help.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You can be of help. You can meet me at Bishop Steakhouse in an hour with some information.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Information about What?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

About a 12 year old murder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Anyway, after this, Freddy Cellini was killed. The police moved in fast. This all had something to do with an official war on small rackets. I guess the cops were afraid his death would cause an outbreak of gang killings. They got a tip on this Moriano.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Where did it come from?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, it was never brought out. At least there's nothing on it in the files of the Dispatch. They just got the tip on him. And at first they couldn't find him. Later he surrendered.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's right. Voluntarily?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, protesting his innocence every inch of the way. How did you know?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'll tell you in a minute. The point I'm trying to make, Judd, is this. If a man is innocent, he surrenders to clear himself. Otherwise, he lets the cops find him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Maybe, but Moriana was brought to trial.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But on what basis? I think I'll have some coffee now.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay. Eddie, some hot coffee for Ms. Bryant. Coming right up. The basis was confused testimony about what he was doing on the night of the murder. He told one story, the wife another. Until he had a record, he was on probation. Oh, it was enough to get him life in the state penitentiary.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Life? On such flimsy evidence? No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Bella Groton cinched the conviction. She identified him as the killer.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She'd have identified anybody as the killer. To save her own skin. She was tied up with every petty racket in town. Didn't the court question her testimony?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, Bella was nobody's fool. The minute the police put the heat on, she slapped a padlock on her back room and became respectable citizen number one.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, but even so.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, but it all boils down to this, Marty. The state wanted to make an example of Moriano. Like I told you, they didn't want a repeat of the bloody gang wars of 1932.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I still think the sentence.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Coffee, Miss Brian? That's nice and hot.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Thanks, Eddie.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You like a little music, too? Sure. Sure. So how about a nickel? Okay. Here.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

John, it was Joe Moriano's father who came to my office tonight.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A guy with 5,000 bucks.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He said he had 5,000 bucks. He wanted me to use it to get Joe out of the penitentiary. He says the kid didn't do it, that he was framed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come now, you don't.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He was so sincere, so on the level.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why did the old man wait 12 years?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

It took him that long to get the money?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Where'd he get it?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

The money? Yeah. Well, he didn't say.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, you'd make a fine reporter. That might be a good story. Do you have old Moriano's address?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes. He gave it to me. He wrote it out on a slip of paper and I put it in my purse. Let's try here. Something here. Here it is. Oh, this can't be it. This just says Tony, box 32.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Box 32. Oh, baby. Did you get taken?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Taken?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure. So sincere, so on the level. If anyone was framed, it was you. Almost.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What are you talking about?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Just this. The old man's probably a front for young Moriano's mom. They've obviously decided the kid's cooled his heels long enough so they've cooked up some phony idea to spring him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I still don't see what they.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Box 32 is the post office address of a little village out on the flats near the river. You know the place? It's made up of packing crates, burlap and busted hopes.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh. Pauper's Paradise.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mm. Now, how would a guy who lives in ploppers paradise get 5,000 bucks?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Come on, Judd, let's find out. We just want to know one thing, Mr. Moriano. Where did you get the money? The 5,000?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Here. There. It's not important. No, but it is important. Did Joe have it hidden away somewhere, or is it from some mob who's trying to spring him? A mob? No, no, the money is mine. For 12 years I work for it. Day, night. Finally, I even sell my home. Why do you think I live here in this place now? Joe has no home when he get out. But he get out someday. Somehow I get him out if it take the rest of my life.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Life. That can be a long, long time.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, that's what my boy think when he got a sentence for killing. He don't do. Life can be a long,

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Long. Hello, John.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, I've been looking through the paper for your yarn on Moriano. What's the matter? Isn't a father's faith in his son even good for a human interest story?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, lay off, Marty. I told you how I feel. I don't believe a word the old man said. I still think he's a tool for young Moriano's mob. The setup just isn't on the level. And I'm not gonna write a sob story just to glorify a killer.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Have you got proof that he is a killer?

[Narrator/Announcer]

They didn't give him life for shooting Poole. Besides, he had a record. He was on probation.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Sure, I just read the transcript of the trial. He was public enemy number one. He robbed a grocery store. He got two bucks and a record.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Look, Marty, can you prove he isn't a killer?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't know, but I'm going to try.

[Narrator/Announcer]

NBC is bringing you. The defense rests, starring Ms. Mercedes McCambridge as the outstanding woman attorney, Martha Ellis Bryant. An old man's dogged faith in the innocence of his son is a poor substitute for concrete facts. Still, it was that faith and that alone that drove Martha Ellis Bryant to state penitentiary where she is talking to Joseph Moriano.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You say you're not guilty, Joe, but I read the transcript of your trial. And you couldn't prove your innocence then.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, ma'. Am. My. My lawyer wasn't much good. He didn't even let me understand. He was afraid. I don't know why, but Judge Clinton knew I wasn't guilty. He said so.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

The judge who gave you life?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, in his chambers, after the trial.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, he said it after the trial.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You can check on that, Ms. Bryant. He'll tell you that it's so.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm afraid not, Joe. Judge Clinton died several years ago. Are there any other facts that didn't come out in the trial?

[Narrator/Announcer]

They took me from one police station to another every few hours, taking me around the Horn, they call it. So my lawyer couldn't get me out.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Anything else?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. Only Bella Groton. What about her? Well, the first two times she saw me, she said I wasn't the man. Then all of a sudden, she said I was.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Joe, what about your wife? I'd like to talk to her. Do you ever see her?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, ma'.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Am.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Rosie's dead, too. She died having a baby about four months after I got sent up.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm sorry. Where are the children?

[Narrator/Announcer]

In a home. I try not to think about them.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Home.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ms. Bryan, do you think you can help me? Do you believe that I'm telling the truth?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

For your sake, Joe, you better be telling the truth. John.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, hi.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hi. I'm sorry to bother you here at the peeper, but I want to talk to you for a minute.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure. Sit down.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, isn't there somewhere more private?

[Narrator/Announcer]

In a newspaper office. Is this about Moriano?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I haven't changed my mind, Marty. I still.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, Jud, listen. He's innocent. I'd swear it would. Yesterday he passed a lie detector test.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What kind of proof is that?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I know it doesn't count legally, but it counts with me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, were you able to get any other evidence that was innocent?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, nothing. Not concrete evidence that is. But the judge who sent him up told him that he wasn't guilty.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, is that Moriano's word or did you check with the judge?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I couldn't check with the judge. The judge is dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

How handy for Moriano. So it's just his word.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes. And it was just his word that the examining officer tried to get him mixed up on his testimony prior to the trial. They hammered questions at him for hours. Then they forced him to say one thing when he meant another. And they dragged him from station to station so that his lawyer couldn't spring him. And then there was Bella Groton. On two tries she couldn't identify Joe. But the third time she did.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What do you mean that was all just his word? Didn't you examine the police records?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, that's why I came to see you. I was stopped today from examining those records. Does that mean anything to you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, no, no. Wait much. This conviction was legitimate. It was upheld by the Supreme Court.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't care if it was. That boy was put behind bars by an administration that had to get a conviction and couldn't admit it was wrong.

[Narrator/Announcer]

For what reason, I don't know.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That doesn't interest me. But what does interest me is this. Joe Moriano is doing life for a crime he did not commit. He was a victim of the worst mess of political corruption I have ever seen.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You don't have to write it out for me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, I want you to write it out for me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Martha ellis bryant against corruption in moriano case the state's attorney's office today endeavored to stop prominent attorney martha ellis bryant from examining records behind the conviction of joseph moriano in 1939. Ms. Bryant says that she. Police still withholding vital information says Martha Ellis Bryant. Today, in another exclusive interview with this paper, the well known woman lawyer who was attempting to reopen the Moriano case stated that.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hello?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ch Money.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, I've been waiting for you to call. Gee, how can I ever thank you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

For what?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

For helping Me speak my piece through your paper.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, you're always good copy.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, it's nice of you to say so, but the copy has come to an end.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What, you're pulling out?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

On the contrary. I just got to look at those records. I found what I was looking for.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What? Oh, it's a Lulu Judd. Stan Ellenson from the State's Attorney's office just walked in the outer door. I'll call you now. Let's get together at the steakhouse about seven.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's a date.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All right. I'll tell you about it then.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Miss Bryant.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hello, Mr. Ellenson. Won't you sit down?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I won't take much of your time, Ms. Bryant. I think you know why I've come.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Certainly. It's about the Moriano case.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You've been doing a lot of talking.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I know. And I gather the State's attorney doesn't care care much for the things I've said, which doesn't surprise me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's not only Hendricks, it's the commissioner and the governor.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I've only told the truth.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You've been smearing the police force and discrediting the present regime for what happened in another regime.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

If I have, it's because I want action, Mr. Ellenson.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're going to get it, Ms. Bryant. That's why I came here today.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

So that's it, Judd. The governor wants to settle this thing once and for all. He'll set up a special hearing of the Pardon Board next week. And if I can prove that Moriano is innocent, he'll get a pardon. And if not, I'm to drop the whole matter at once.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, but will you?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No. Mariano is innocent. I know it beyond any doubt.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Do you folks want to order?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What? Oh, yeah, a hamburger, Eddie. Well done with everything. And coffee, black.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, yeah, I'll have the same. No onions on the burger.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Cancel the onions on mine too.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You sly vixen, you.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, that be all.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Well, that's all. No music.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No music.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, please, no music. Now, just what evidence do you have that Moriano is innocent?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, after I got at those records, I found the bailiff of the court where Joe was tried and he gave me a signed affidavit that Judge Clinton had promised Moriano a new trial. Of course, that evidence is inconclusive. Judge Clinton is dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, and the lie detector test is inadmissible.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I know that was just for my own morale. But I do have the picture I lifted from the police record files.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What picture?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

John Bella Groton testified that she didn't see Moriano from the time of the murder until she identified him on the 31st.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, this picture shows a cop taking Moriano into a precinct station. And with them is Bella Groton.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Bella Groton? When was the picture taken?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

On the 30th. Obviously, that's when he surrendered. That's when they were taking him from station to station.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, Marty, you can't say obviously it was taken in. You have to prove it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But he's right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It could easily have been taken after she identified him. Admit it. You have no evidence. You got no case.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, then I've got to find Bella Groton.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Where, after all the stuff that's been printed she would have come out to defend if she were around.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She lied. She knows she lied. She's kept hidden so that she wouldn't have to admit it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Then what makes you think you can change your testimony?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'll meet that problem when I get to it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, how are you going to get to it? That's what I want to know. Where are you going to find Bella Groton?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I got an idea she used to run around with a fellow who ran a carnival. That's a good place to hide. Those people take care of their own.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, those outfits float all over the country.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

This one floated, but it was a local affair.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Fair. But you can't.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'll find it if I got to cover every carnival in the state. And, Judd, I'd like you to cover me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Talk to your city editor about it. See if you'll give this search a big buildup in the paper.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Build? It might drive her farther into hiding,

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

but it might smoke her out. Anyhow, I got to risk it. I've only got a week. Never heard of Bella Groton, huh? Thanks anyway, mister. You were my last hope. Hey, sister, you calling me? Come on over and try the game. Just look at them beautiful prizes. There's a prize with every toss in the ring. Oh, no, thanks. I don't like to. Step right up, ladies and gentlemen. Play the game. Hey, you that flying tame, ain't you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why? I've been reading about you. Step right up, folks. A prize with every toss of the ring. You want to know about Bella Groton? Can you tell me? Come on, folks, don't be bashful. Don't be afraid to take a chance. Come on. What's in it for me? That depends. What do you want for me? I want to marry Sam. She should not have took him for me. I told her she'd pay. Where is she? With Sam. They quit The Carney business months ago. She never thought I'd find her. Here you are, Sister. The address is on this card. Thanks. Here's something for you. Okay. I am much obliged. Okay, folks, let's go. Now, see the beautiful tiger. Step up and talk.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come in. Come in. Who are you, Sister?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

My name is Martha Ellis Brown.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Get out. You're wasting your time.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I want to talk to Bella Groton.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Get out. She ain't here.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I only want to know if she could have been mistaken when she identified Joe Moriano.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I said she ain't here.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Any good to hide her. I intend to find her.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You know, that's a good story. Get out. Now, look, you caused me enough trouble.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't see why. It's Bella I want. And she's caused a little trouble herself. I want her to change her testimony about Joe Moriano. I want her to tell the truth.

[Narrator/Announcer]

She'll never change her testimony. You get that? Never.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, why not? Surely.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay, sister. Okay. I'll tell you why not. Last week, Bella took poison.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She's dead?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, she's dead out in the graveyard. Now get out of here.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All right, I'm going. I didn't want you to read about it in the paper, Mr. Moriano. That's. That's why I came out here to tell you. But I'll have to call off the hearing. And you better take that money. Get yourself another house.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I still don't understand, Mr. Moriano.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

There's not a chance in the world to get Joe a pardon.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No chance?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No chance. Without Bella Groton, there's nothing I can do. I'm going before the Pardon Board in an hour and request that the petition be withdrawn.

[Narrator/Announcer]

My joy is to not get out, not ever.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm sorry, Mr. Mariano. Sorrier than I can say.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Where to now, Ms. Bryant?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What? Oh, the state board of appeals. Al 1911 Venoa Street.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay. Hey, I just been reading the afternoon paper. You seen it?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A good article in About a forgery.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. The cops broke a forgery case by enlarging some writing on a check. A thousand times they prove.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Wait a minute. Enlarging a thousand times?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. What chance a guy got this picture

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I've got of Bella and Joe together. Al, take me to the police lab, fast as you can.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The special hearing of the Board of Pardons is now in session. Where's Ms. Bryant? Well, is anyone here to speak for Ms. Bryant?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I. Gentlemen, I'm very sorry to be late. I apologize. Mr. Chairman.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, Ms. Bryant?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

May I address the board? You may thank you. As you know, I've been assembling evidence in the Moriano case. Such debatable items as a lie detector test. A signed affidavit from the bailiff of the court where Moriano was tried. An affidavit saying that Judge Clinton had promised the boy a new trial. I know you're unable to accept these things. You want only evidence. But sometimes the weight of evidence just because it's on the record is heavy enough to crush the truth.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We'll discuss the shortcomings of our judicial system some other time.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, I know all you want are facts. And gentlemen, I have them. About an hour ago, I uncovered conclusive evidence in support of Moriano's petition.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You may produce the evidence.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, gentlemen, Bella Groton is dead. A suicide. But she was the one responsible for Moriano's conviction. And I know that she lied.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Can you prove that?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Moriano was arrested on December 30 at 5am he was not booked until 6pm of the 31st. A day and a half later.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That often happens.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I know, but I ask you to look at this picture. It shows Joe Moriano and Bella Groton entering a precinct police station together. Well, if I prove that this picture was taken on December 30, the day before Bella Groton identified Moriano at the police lineup, what then?

[Narrator/Announcer]

In that event, we might be obliged to render a favorable decision.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's all I wanted to know. The police lab has enlarged a section of this picture for me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, a close up of Bella Groton?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, it's a close up of a clock on the building across the street from Bella Groton. Will you all look at it? Gentlemen, it proves that Bella Groton did see Joe Moriano on the 30th. It proves that Joe Moriano was convicted on perjured testimony. Gentlemen, look at the face of that clock. There's a mechanical date line right across the middle. The sign above it says this date is always correct. And the date, gentlemen, is December 30, 1939. Members of the Pardon Board. The defense rests.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You have been listening to the defense rests starring Ms. Mercedes McCambridge. The first in a new and exciting series of cases from the files of an outstanding woman attorney, Martha Ellis Bryant. Mercedes McCambridge may currently be seen in Metro Goldwyn Mayer's Inside Straight, Warner Brothers, Lightning Strikes Twice and the United Artists production, the Scarf, currently having its premiere at the Park Avenue Theater in New York. The Defense Rest was written by Cameron Blake, produced and directed by Warren Lewis. Your announcer is Don Stanley. Listen to Mercedes McCambridge as defense attorney. Following this important reminder on this long Labor Day weekend just ahead, there'll be an estimated 37 million drivers on the road. They are not all careful drivers, but we hope you are. Watch your own driving. And watch out for the other fellow, too. Be careful. The life you save may be your own. Perhaps in order to get to your destination a bit sooner, you'll be tempted to step on the gas. Speed too great for safety under prevailing conditions is the violation most frequently reported as contributing to motor accidents. So slow down. Don't let death take your holiday.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Ladies and gentlemen, to depend upon your judgment and to fulfill my own obligation, I submit the facts fully aware of my responsibility to my client and to you as defense attorney.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The American broadcasting company presents Ms. Mercedes McCambridge as defense attorney. When Martha Ellis Bryant chose law as a career, she accepted the challenge of defending the defenseless. Mike Pelle was one of the defenseless. Already convicted of murder in the first degree, he sits staring at the floor of his death cell, listening to the approaching steps of his final visitor.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hello, Mike.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello, Ms. Bryant.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hi, Mike. I've just come from the court of appeals and they.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's all right, mister. You don't have to say it. As soon as I saw your face, I knew the answer.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mike, I'm sorry. Of course, there's still the governor. I'll try for a stay of execution.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, no, no, no, no. Don't. Don't do it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, there's always a chance, Mike.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes. Yes, always a chance for what? Another 48 hours? Another week? Or another month?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Another month of life?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, no, it isn't. It's another month of waiting for death.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't want to wait anymore.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I give up.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Not yet. My pleasure.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Don't give up. That's easy for you to say. What am I supposed to do, die with a smile on my face? I suppose to say what a great joke on the state, they're executing the wrong man.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I didn't say that.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, no, you didn't say it. But it's easy for everybody else to be calm and logic.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm sorry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm sorry, Ms. Brown. I apologize.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All right, Mike.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, it isn't. I've given you a rough time right from the start, and you don't deserve it, not the way you've been pitching.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

It's my job.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I don't know what gets in him. I just can't explain it. Well, if I was guilty, if I was dying for a reason, maybe then I could die like a Man, but I'm gonna die for something I didn't do, and I. Well, he is. I had a fight with Davidson, sure, I admitted that, but that's all. He was alive when I left. I didn't kill him. I'm just a storekeeper. I'm not a murderer.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mike, have you told the truth? All the way. Are you sure you didn't go back to Davidson's store after the fight? Oh, no, no.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I told you a hundred times. I closed my shop for the night and I went home. I saw Davidson through the window of his store. He was counting cash. He was getting ready to close clothes up, too.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

And in court, you said that you lowered the awning on your store before you went home.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure was the last thing I did. Every night before closing, the morning sun hits the store front. It fade the fabrics and the show window if I didn't do something to keep it out.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, I know all that, Mike. But you've never explained why you left that iron crank handle outside the store after you crank the awning down.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, I. I just forgot it. That's all. I forgotten at other times, it was always there in the morning.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

It wasn't when they found Davidson's body. It was on the floor of his store beside his body. And it had been used to kill him. Well, it wasn't used by me. Is that why I'm here?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Can they kill me because something I own was used to kill somebody else?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

It didn't set well with the jury, Mike. You were convicted because of that crank handle and the testimony of Mrs. Robert Latham.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mrs. Latham was lying.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She saw you run out of Davidson's store and jump into your car. She gave the license number of the car. She described it perfectly. A red Nash Rambler. Said she'd just driven up to park in the space right behind your car.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why wouldn't she look at me while she was testifying? Why'd she keep turning her head away?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I can understand that. It isn't easy to help send the man to an electric chair.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, I left the store. It was my own store. And I walked to my car, I got in and I drove home. David Davidson was in his place, and he was alive. And nobody else was around. And nobody drove up to park behind me. That woman lied.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She had no reason.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Then she did it without a reason.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mike, there's always a motive in lying as well as in murder, and Mrs. Latham is absolutely without motive. She'd never seen you before. She had nothing against you. She didn't know Davidson or anybody Close to him. I checked.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, then she was mistaken.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She saw somebody else. The license number she gave was yours, Mike, and you do have a. It's not true.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I don't care if she have a thousand license numbers, and they were all mine.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She didn't see me run out of Davison's door.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, it doesn't make any difference now anyhow. I couldn't convince a jury, and I can't even convince my own lawyer.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mike, I tried to believe you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I know you have. You tried. It's not your fault. Like you said, there's a motive for everything. And everybody thinks I had a motive for killing Davidson.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, you fought with him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, yeah, I fought. You ever see a fight between two shopkeepers, Ms. Bryant? Two men who spend their lives indoors, never getting any sun, any exercise? Oh, yeah, that's some fight. A lot of yelling and pushing. A lot of punches that didn't hit anything. Wouldn't have hurt if they did. Oh, yeah, that was some fight.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

If only you hadn't gone looking for trouble.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, I know that now. But he broke his promise. When he rented me the store, I told him I might set up a haberdashery. You know, shirts, ties, robes and shoes. And he was selling suits in his own place. And two businesses like that, they could work in together. They'd help each other. Then he started to put a haberdashery line in his own place, trying to cut me out. Well, I just wanted to get out of my lease so I could move. That's just all there was to it. We argued, yes, But I didn't kill him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mike, can you think of anything, anything at all that you haven't told me before?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Because if there is anything, this is your last chance to tell me now.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There's nothing else. All I want to say is, no matter how I've acted or what I've said to you, I am grateful for your help.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, why don't you prove that to me? Mike signed this appeal to the governor. Give me a little bit more time to help you, Mike. How about it? No, but I might be able to do. Please.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Please, Ms. Bryan. I've resigned myself to what they're going to do tomorrow night. I'm not a brave man, but I mustered whatever courage I have to take me from this life into the next. And if there's another delay, I'll lose that courage. And there's no hope for me. You know there's no hope for me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Is there anything you want? Is there anything that I. I Could have sent in here for you. Yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You go to church, Ms. Brad? Well, then there's something you can do. You can say a prayer for me. Yeah, while you're there, you say a prayer for Mrs. Robert Latham too. Because I swear by all that's sacred, that woman lied. Marty, sometimes I wish you weren't an attorney. I hate to see you going into places like that.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, thank you for driving me up, John.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'll have to come up here again tomorrow.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You? Tomorrow? Why?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Steady. Death Cuz assigned me to cover the execution. Ah, Judge, it's a rotten assignment. But you just have to remember that the man in the chair is dying because he killed some.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Suppose the man in the chair is innocent?

[Narrator/Announcer]

You mean you're not convinced Mike Pelly killed Davidson?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I was convinced until just a few minutes ago.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty, don't let your sympathy get the best of your gentleman.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, this isn't sympathy. No. Mike Pelly's given up all hope of living, but he hasn't changed his story. And if he were guilty, I think he'd admit it now. Instead, he asked me to say a prayer for Mrs. Latham. Because she lied, Marty.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why should she lie? She's a prominent and respected woman. She's Robert Latham's wife.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You're pretty sold on Robert Latham, aren't you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I respect him. He left a big business to go to Europe and help with a rehabilitation program. He's. He's going to wind up as an ambassador, Marty, and he'll deserve it. How can you doubt the wife of a man like that?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Just the same, I'd like to hear his story once more. Because if Mike me tells he is innocent, we've only got till midnight tomorrow to find out. Are you sure that you won't join me in another cocktail, Miss Bile? Oh, no, thank you, mister. It's no trouble. Just ring for one of the servants. No, really, no. I. I just want to talk about Mike Pelly.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Drop my glass.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm getting so clumsy lately. Look, it's after four o'. Clock. Ms. Bryant, I think. Yes, coming. I should be preparing for them. Couldn't you. Could you come back another day? I'm afraid not, Mrs. Latham. Mike Kelly's execution is scheduled for tomorrow night, you know. But he'll get a reprieve. The Governor will surely give him a reprieve. He will get one, won't he? No, Mrs. Latham, there will be no reprieve tomorrow night. So soon? Why are you so surprised, Mrs. Latham? It's been in all the newspapers. Well, I don't. I Don't read that sort of news. Besides, I avoid anything connected with murder and that sort of thing. Even when you have been the principal state witness against the man who's to be executed? What can I do? Why do you want the scene? I don't like to see a man die without reason, that's all. Are you sure you didn't make a mistake in your testimony? Yes, I. You're certain that the man who ran from Davidson's store was Mike Pelly? Ms. Bryant, you asked me all this at the time. I'm asking you again. Are you certain?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, I'm certain. You're certain it was Pelly's car you saw, too? I told you it was a red car. I took the lights out of the car. Did you see him inside the store? Did you see him kill Davidson? No. No, I told you, I'd just given up the park when he came running out. Well, then you didn't know he'd committed a murder in that store? No, how could I? You didn't know that a crime of any nature had been. No. Then why did you take the license number of Telly's car? Mrs. Latham, I don't. Do you make a practice of taking license numbers of all the cars you happen to park? No, but I saw him running. All the stores seemed to be closed for the night, and I thought that he'd been robbing one of them. That's why I took the number. But you didn't call the police? After I thought about it, I decided that nothing was wrong. There was no burglar on me. But you called the police two days later, though, after I'd read about the murder. I thought you avoided reading that sort of news. Ms. Bryant, I don't have to discuss this with you. I have guests coming and I must ask you to leave. All right, Mrs. Latham. I hope you have a very pleasant evening. I haven't intended to be rude, but I do want to forget all this. And I'm not feeling well. Neither is Mike Pelly. I don't know what your evening is going to be like, but I know what his is going to be like. Sometime tonight, they'll shave out a round spot on his head. They'll slit the leg of his trousers, and they'll ask him what he wants for his last meal tomorrow. Why are you telling me? Just in the hope that you might be interested. Why should I be? What is it to me? He killed a man, didn't he? It's what he deserves, isn't it? Goodbye, Mrs. Leath. No, wait, wait, wait just a minute, Ms. Bryan. Why don't you do something for him? Why don't you help him? Why don't you? Mrs. I will. I will. I'll do anything. I have money. I'll pay you for every car. You could get yourself commuted to life in prison. But there are ways of doing that. You really do want to help him, don't you? Yes. Yes, I'll do anything. Well, then you've got a deal. Mrs. Latham. There's only one thing I want you to do.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Tell the truth.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Get out. Get out of here. Get out. And that just about sums up my little interview with Patricia Latham.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Judd, that sounds like it was quite a session. But after all, Marty, she repeated the same answers that she gave you in court.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, but not in the same way in court. She was just nervous. Now she seems pretty close to being hysterical.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, that's strange, Aaron.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, it isn't really strange. A death sentence is just words. You see, the condemned man, he sentenced, but he's still alive. That woman's just realizing that Pelly is really going to die and that the words are about to become fact. Patricia Latham's going to pieces. Only one thing could cause that Judd. Tremendous struggle with her own conscience.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, wait a minute, Marty. You're not thinking that Patricia Latham murdered Davidson, are you?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't know. I'm just convinced that Mike Pelly didn't.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty, get back to the roots. The motive. For days I helped you check on her. She never knew Davidson or Mike.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, maybe not. But there's a connection someplace. There's a link we've got to find.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Job, take me to Davidson store again. Marty, we've been there a hundred times.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Not since the trial ended four months ago.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Somebody else probably has the store by now. Pelly's place, too?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, Davidson owned the property. And both places are padlocked till probate. Nothing will be changed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, what do you want to see this time?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Same things as before. The windows, the awning, the place where Mrs. Latham said she parked. And the line of vision between there and the entrance to Davidson.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty, I don't want to be vulgar, but. Well, whatever happened to the evenings we used to spend necking?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Ah, Judge, you know how I feel about you. I don't think I could ever feel free for an evening again if it came at the expense of Mike Pilly's life.

[Narrator/Announcer]

With a few well chosen words, Counselor, you've just made me feel like a heel.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I didn't mean it that way.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I know, honey, but you're right. Well, I'm ready for duty every night for the next month.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

We don't have a month. It's 10pm We've got exactly 26 hours.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, that's it, honey. She could see everything all right. Her story still holds up.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yep.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The shopping district gets pretty deserted at night, doesn't it?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All the shops are closed by 8 o'. Clock. Hey. What?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Everything is closed by 8. So what was Mrs. Latham doing here that night? Pelly said he'd closed up stores here. Aren't the kind she'd shop in anyhow. Menswear.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You should have paid closer attention at the trial judge.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Huh?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mrs. Latham said she'd just been driving through on the way to a theater party. She dropped a lighted cigarette on the

[Narrator/Announcer]

floor of a car.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She pulled over to the curb to pick it up.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, there goes my claim to fame as a shamus. But don't I rate a kiss for trying?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No. Jud. Somebody's coming.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Huh? Oh, it's just a special cop. He's trying the doors to the shops, making sure they're locked. Evening. What do you. Evening.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He didn't try the doors to Davidson's or Pelly's.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No need to with those padlocks on the door.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But Chad, the door to Davidson's store wasn't locked the morning his body was found. How come that special policeman didn't discover the open door the night of the murder?

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's a thought. Hey. Hey, fella. Me?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. We'd like to talk to you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What trouble, ma'? Am?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, there's no trouble, Officer. Do you work in this district here every night?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Merchants Police and Protection Service. Why? How long have you had this section? A little over two years, I guess.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Were you on patrol around here the night that Mr. Davidson was killed?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Guy who owned the suit store? Yeah, but I wasn't around just when it happened.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What time do you make your rounds? I mean, do you have a fixed schedule?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Uh huh. I checked this block like now around 11pm I come through again about 2am Then about 5am the coroner's report showed that Davidson was killed at about 8:15. Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I know, Officer. How come you didn't discover that the door to Davidson's door had been left unlocked that night?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I had no reason to do that. Discovered Lady Dibson didn't take our service. That answers that. Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Thank you very much.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're welcome. Night. Good night.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, just a second. I saw you drop something in the doorway of that last store that you tried.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Just a card showing the door had been checked. I drop one on each call.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I see. Well, you tried practically every door on this street. Do all the merchants subscribe to your service?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Just about.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Was Mike Kelly a subscriber?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. He was pretty new around here, though. Maybe the salesman hadn't got to him yet. Guess him and Davidson was the only ones on this block who didn't take the service.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Thank you again.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You bet. So long,

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Judd. What do you think of him?

[Narrator/Announcer]

He's just a working guy, Marty. Lot of ex service men on jobs like this. Some of them study for the regular police force. This watchman stuff is sort of a fill in and helps him get experience.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Then you think he's all right?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I imagine so. I can't say as much for the outfit he works for, though.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What do you mean?

[Narrator/Announcer]

The Merchants Police and Protection Service, as they call it, is a racket. It's run by Chuck Duffy, a graduate of the Federal PEN in Atlanta. His salesmen are torpedoes from the same school.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Wow. Pretty hard to say no to salvation salesman like that.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Many people do say no. As you can see from the cards in the doorways.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

The only ones who didn't subscribe were Davidson and Mike Pelle. Now one is dead and the other is about to be executed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, and that could add up to something.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

And we gotta find out. Let's go.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There's only one joker in the deck, though, Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, I know Patricia Latham. Only I could find some way to discredit her testimony. Some way to convince the state that she might be lying.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You've checked her a hundred times, Marty. She's a reputable woman. How could you discredit Robert Latham's wife?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She wasn't always Latham's wife. We don't know anything about her before she came to this part of the country. There might be something in her past that we haven't uncovered.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You mean she might have been in jail at some time or involved in some crime?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's possible.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We'd have found out about it, Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why? A crime committed in some other place, Some conviction under a false name.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, even if such a thing existed, we'd never find it. Not without fingerprints or some form of identification that could be checked reliably. Without a state police and there are 48 states. We don't even know where she came from.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

We could find out from a hall of records. Her marriage license.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marriage license? Hey, there's a better way than that. A way we can get fingerprints, too. Forget our marriage license. Her driver's license is the thing we want. The application will not only tell us where she came from originally, but her thumbprints will be on it as well.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, not necessarily. That fingerprinting is optional, not mandatory. She might not have given her prints.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why would a reputable woman refuse? Marty, if she did refuse it, it means she had something to hide. With Mike's life at stake, the police might be interested in just a little fact like that.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Judd, I think you're wonderful.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, that's what I keep telling you. Look, I've got friends at the Motor Vehicle Bureau. You keep your eyes open for an all night diner or a drugstore. I'll phone and have them start digging.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, you better go yourself because there isn't much time.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What'll you do?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Go to police headquarters.

[Narrator/Announcer]

For what? We haven't actually got anything on Mrs. Latham yet.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Don't forget Chuck Duffy and his possible motive. I want to check the reports on

[Narrator/Announcer]

his gang past crimes. Don't connect them with this one.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, but you know strong armed men, Judd. Some of them use guns, some use knives. They all have favorite weapons. I want to see if any one of Duffy's Hoover had a habit of committing assault with makeshift weapons. Common things like a piece of pipe

[Narrator/Announcer]

or an awning crank.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's the idea.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That might give us a lead at that.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

So you check Mrs. Latham. I'll check Duffy. Drop me at a cab stand and meet me at police headquarters. When? In if you get anything. In a hurry, Judd. Hurry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Morning, honey.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hi.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Quite a stack of police reports you got there.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, and they're all on the duffing. Bob, what did you find?

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're gonna be disappointed, Marty. I found nothing. Absolutely nothing.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, Judd, what do you mean?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I mean that Patricia Latham not only didn't leave her fingerprints on her application for a driver's license. She hasn't even got a driver's license.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She hasn't got a license? Are you sure of that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

My sure, Marty, it's daylight outside. I've been going over those files all night.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But Chub, that proves she gave false testimony. She said she drove up and she parked behind Mike's car on the night of the killing.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And she can still say the same thing. Marty, the only thing would prove is that she was driving without a license. And that won't save Pelly from the electric chair.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, could her license records be lost?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. The only possibility is that an old license expired. She forgot to renew it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Can't you check on that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Check it easily. If we knew the year she made her first application. But we don't. The boys at The Bureau are still digging for me. If they come up with anything, they'll call me here.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, what time is it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Almost 8am and what have you found in the Duffy gang?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

A stack of assault charges against a man named Roy Nichols. Usually assault with a dangerous weapon. And his choice of weapons has always been made on the spur of the moment. Things like flat irons, jack handle rock.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ah, just the sort of boy to work somebody over with an awning crack if he saw one at hand. Yeah, he looked anything like Mike Pelly. I mean, could he be mistaken for Pelly on Quicksight?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No. Here's his photograph.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, no. Well, I hope the boys at the Motor Vehicle Bureau find something.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, we can't wait for them. You call them and tell them you're not going to be here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Where can I tell them to reach me?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

At Mrs. Latham's. We failed at everything else. Why would I laugh? Why would I do such a horrible thing to a man I'd never seen before? I don't know your motive, Mrs. Le.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You'll never get another chance to tell the truth. Tomorrow will be too late.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Think about it, Mrs. Latham. Mike Pelly has only 12 hours to live. You're the only one who can save him. Offered you Mother, I offered to do anything.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, I think that's for me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, no, no. It's the call that I've been waiting for. It's my husband. I placed a transit behind a call last night and they've been trying to locate him in Germany. I've got to talk to him. Please, please go into the other room.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on, Marty. Must be a phone extension in here someplace. Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't see one.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There in the cor.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I see you've located the extension. It's all right. It is your call, not mine. I'll be in here when you finish.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello? Yeah, George. Shoot. Applied five years ago, huh? And comes from where? Yeah, I got it. Oh, what's that? Spell it. A, C, H, R, O. I got it. A chromatopsia. Yeah, it may help. Thanks. Bye. That was the Motor Bureau, Marty. They located an old application, but no license. She was rejected. Physical disability, chromatopsia, whatever that is. You ever hear of it?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't know. I might have. Is that all they could tell you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's all, except for her place of birth. Came from Brookville, West Virginia.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Brookville, West Virginia. Job. That's where that fellow that Roy Nichols came from.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The hoodlum you had the file on.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty, what's the matter?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

There's Something else to that word, that Akuma. Tatsi. Akuma. Oh, Judd. If that means what I think it means, it. Come on.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Right.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mrs. Latham. I can't. You leave me alone. Yes, we will in just a minute. When did you see Roy Nichols last? I. I don't know anybody by that name. Don't lie, Mrs. Latham. Not again. You came from the same town. Well, I don't remember. All right, Mrs. Latham. It's my mistake. I guess I only have one more question for you. It's a very simple question. You can see Mr. Barnes quite clearly, can't you? Yes. Tell me, Mrs. Latham, the necktie he's wearing. What color is it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty? What?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What color is it? Go ahead if you can't answer me, can you? Because you're colorblind, aren't you? Sure.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A chromatopsia. That's what it means. She is colorblind.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She couldn't have seen Mike Kelly get into a red car she described because all colors looked gray to her. She described a red car because somebody told her to describe a red car. Now, who was that, Mrs. Latham? Roy. Nicholas. I was in love with Roy once, years ago, back home. I didn't know what it was. I was only 17. He came here after Davidson was killed and he told me what to say. He had pictures of us together, old letters of mine. He said. He said he'd ruin Robert's career if I didn't say and do what he told me. I wasn't thinking of myself. I was thinking of my husband.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You think your husband is the kind of a man who'd want an innocent man to die to protect his career? No.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's why I was calling Robert. I wanted to tell him everything, say goodbye. I wasn't going to let Pelly die. In the desk there, there's a telegram I was getting ready to send to the governor as soon as I spoke to Robert. Pelag is here. All right, Jud. A box of sleeping casters. I should take them out and throw them away, Mrs. Latham. But I'm not going to. Because I want you to think. Think of the man that you marry. Not only who he is, but what he is. He must love you very much. Yes, I can see that you love him. I do not. Well, then prove it to him. Have enough faith in him to let him see you through this. You're probably the most important thing in his life. Don't take yourself away from him. I won't. I promise. I'll take this telegram to the police. There are a few People they'll want to see. They can arrange to stop Kelly's execution. You better come down to headquarters yourself after a while.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I. I know.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Will you help me? Yes. That must be Robert's call. We'll leave you then. Come on, Jeff.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Right.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't know what to say. You know what to say. Remember, you're talking to the man who loves you. Hello? Yes, this is she. Frank. Yes, I'm ready. Robert. Robert, please don't hate me. I've got something to tell you. Come on, Judge. Chad, will you stop admiring your silly old newspaper and pay a little bit of attention to me, huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, I was just looking over the story like I wrote it. Very well.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All I care about is that headline, Mike Kelly Release.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I think it's great. Hey, listen to that tune on the jukebox. You know who's doing the vocal? Mercedes McCambridge.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You were expecting maybe Mario Landa?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I never knew she was a singer.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She is. She'll need more than that record to

[Narrator/Announcer]

prove it to me. Oh, you attorneys always want proof, proof, proof.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You know something, Marty?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I can't get Mrs. Latham out of my mind. How could she have ever been mixed up with a torpedo like Roy Nichols?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You don't know very much about women,

[Narrator/Announcer]

do you, Jeff, huh?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

There are two men in every woman's life. The man she marries and the one she's glad she didn't marry. Every woman has a big mistake someplace in her past.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, wait a minute. I don't like the sound of that. Marty. Were you ever in love with somebody else?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Makes you think I've ever been in love with anybody.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, now stop kidding, Marty. I want to know.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'll tell my husband about my big mistake someday. I'll say to him, once I was in love with a no good heel, a newspaper man named Judd Barnes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Young lady, I shall drive you home. And this romance is ended.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Ah, it's too bad, because I was just going to ask you, whatever happened to the evenings we used to spend necking?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, well, since you put it that way. I'll drive you home by way of the park. You have just heard Mercedes McCambridge as defense attorney with Howard Culver as Judd. Music was composed and conducted by Rex Corey, Defense attorney, was written by Joel Murcott. The program is directed by Dwight Hauser. Next week, another exciting adventure with Mercedes McCambridge, defense attorney. Be sure to listen. This is your FBI. The official broadcast from the files of the FBI follows immediately. Stay tuned. This program came to you from Hollywood. America is sold on ABC the American Broadcasting Company. Listen to Mercedes McCambridge as defense attorney. Following this important announcement. The United States is engaged in an immense program of defense mobilization. Its success depends upon the maintenance of a strong, healthy economy. Increased sales of United States Defense bonds will ensure that success. Here's a job for America in which everybody can share. In addition to helping your country, you also help yourself. Because a bond bought is money saved. You can buy bonds on the payroll savings plan or the bond A month plan. Whichever method you may use, make tomorrow your D day. Buy an extra bond for defense.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Ladies and gentlemen, to depend upon your judgment and to fulfill my own obligation, I submit the facts fully aware of my responsibility to my client and to you. Defense attorney.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The American broadcasting company presents Ms. Mercedes McCambridge as defense attorney. When Martha Ellis Bryant chose law as a career, she accepted the challenge of defending the defenseless. Jimmy Leonard was one of the defenseless. A 16 year old newsboy charged with hit and run manslaughter. He is being held at the Midtown precinct where Martha Ellis Bryant is summoned by Judd Barnes. I want you to see him, Marty. I want you to talk to him. Lieutenant Levis will be back any minute. He'll okay the visit.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You're pretty upset about this boy, Judd.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I've known him since he was two feet high and I don't think he's guilty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, the police must have had some reason for bringing him in.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He owns a hot rod. Keeps it in a public garage near the paper. When he went in this morning, the fender and a headlight were smashed up. He took it to a body shop to have it straightened. The police picked him up and nothing flat.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Because of that man who was run down on river street last night. Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A couple of people who were waiting near the ferry slip said they saw a hot rod come zooming along and kill him. Jimmy's hot rod isn't the only one in town. Half the kids who peddler papers have ones just like it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But not with a smashed fender. Is that it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Somebody might have backed into the car in the garage. Jimmy says he didn't drive it last night and I believe him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why, Judd? Usually you're the doubting Thomas, Marty.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It takes somebody pretty cold blooded to run a man down and then beat it without stopping to help. And this kid isn't cold blooded, Judd.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He's just a boy. He might have been frightened.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Not that frightened, Marty. Oh, hi, Ed.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hello, Lieutenant.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hi, Judd. Ms. Bryant. Ed, Marty wants to see Jimmy Leonard. How about it? I guess somebody better see he's gonna need help? What do you mean by that, Ed? I mean he killed a man on river street last night. You wanna make book on that? Save your money. I've just come from the lab. His car was in the garage all night. Not according to the lab report. There's a blood trace on that smash fender that matches the blood of the man who was killed. Not only that, but glass fragments at the scene of the wreck fit perfectly into the broken headlight.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Can there be any doubt about that, lieutenant?

[Narrator/Announcer]

You've seen enough lab reports, Mr. Brian. Take a look at this one. The car could have been stolen. Use your head, Judd. Anybody did steal it and kill the man. They ditched it in some side street. They wouldn't bring it back to the garage.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Lieutenant, has the dead man been identified?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Yeah. Name is Fred Rimling, longshoreman. He just finished a job on the docks and was crossing river street in his way home when that young punk come barreling along. That kid isn't a punk yet. Look, Judd, we've been friends for a long time, but I got a job to do this morning. Gotta go over to Tenement Row and tell Fred Rimling's wife and two kids he isn't gonna come home. It's one of the lousiest things a cop has to do. How'd he expect me to feel about that hot rod jockey you're so fond of?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Lieutenant, maybe you have proof that Jimmy Leonard's hot rod killed Fred Rimling. But you haven't proved that Jimmy Leonard was driving the car.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Maybe not, but I can prove that he lied. He claims he was home all last night. I spoke to his old man a half hour ago. The kid hasn't been home since he left the peddler's papers yesterday. Now, if you still want to see him, go ahead. Better yielding his old man. What do you mean by that? I mean his father doesn't think as much of him as you do. I let the old man in to see him, he'd beat his brains out. And believe me, I'm tempted. I'm sorry. I blew Judd. Thinking about myself, I guess. Got a bad hour ahead of me. It's my fault as much as yours, Ed. I didn't know about rimming family. I better go. I'll clear your visit with the desk sergeant. Ms. Bryant, we'll take you back to the cell whenever you're ready. Look, Jimmy, Ms. Bryant can help you, but she can't do it if you won't talk.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I've told you everything you haven't told us where you were last night? I was home. Your father says you weren't. Maybe he didn't hear me come in. He was sleeping. I got up this morning before he did. I see. Jimmy. How big is the place you live in? Not big. Kind of small. How many bedrooms?

[Narrator/Announcer]

One.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Where do you sleep? How can I share the room? We got twin beds. How about your mother, Jimmy? She's dead. I'm sorry. I didn't know that. It's all right, Jimmy. Where were you last night,

[Narrator/Announcer]

Jimmy? I've always been a friend of yours, haven't I?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Sure, Mr. Barnes. You've been swabbing.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Then why should you lie to me? Where were you last night, son?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I was. No, no, I can't tell you. Jimmy. Are you refusing to protect yourself or are you trying to protect somebody else? No, I can't tell you. That's all. I just can't tell you. So why don't you go away? Why don't you leave me alone?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on, Marty. I guess Ed was right.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Just a minute, Jimmy. Did you ever lend your car to anybody? Was there anybody who might have had a duplicate of the ignition key? No, I was the only one who ever drove it. I only made it a month ago. A bunch of us made him. We chipped in and bought parts if we could get them wholesale. Did any of the other fellas keep their cars in the same garage? Yeah, a kid by the name of Rembrandt. I don't know his real name. We call him Rembrandt because he goes to an art school at night. And Frankie Cutter? Yeah, yeah. They're the only ones. Say, lookit, lady, what can they do to me? Well, Jimmy, you're just 16, and if they find you guilty, you'll be sent to the state reformatory until you're 21. That's five years, Jimmy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Five years. Think, son.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Look, now, I didn't kill that man. I didn't drive last night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The car was never out of the garage. All right, so the car wasn't. So the police lab is crazy. But where were you, John?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Leave him alone, darling. It's no use. Come on. I want to see those other news boys. Jimmy's in kind of a jam, huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

A bad jam, Frankie.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah? I understand you have a car just like his, Frankie. Sure. A bunch of us got him. We all made them together. Uh huh. Do you keep yours in the same garage?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Gotta keep it someplace.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What a racket. Eight bucks a month garage rent. I could leave it in the street and save the dough, but the cops keep Slapping tickets on it. Hey, you gotta butt Mr. Barnes. I'm out.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, Frankie.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Here. Thanks. Guess I ain't got no matches either.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Here, I've got a letter.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's a good letter. Look, if my old lady sticks her head in here, grab the weed fast, will you? She screams like an eagle if I smoke in the bedroom. Frankie, did you happen to see Jimmy Leonard any place last night? Oh, why do you say I did?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

To your knowledge has Jimmy ever gone around with a girl? A girl? Jimmy?

[Narrator/Announcer]

He's too square.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Uh huh. Is your car in good working order, Frankie? A dream on wheels. I got a carburetor on that baby. You ought to see it go. I knock off work in the mornings about 4:30 and head for the speedway. Lot of hot rod guys there in the morning, you know. So there's no traffic and we can race. Ain't nothing can touch that heap of mine. Do you do that every morning?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, it's kicks.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Did you do that this morning? No, no, not this morning. I was too tired, you know, beat. Where was your car last night while you were working? Was it in the garage? Where else? Is it there now? Of course it's there now.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Rembrandt's too. Yeah, we know. We've already spoken to Rembrandt.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, thank you very much, Frankie Judd. We better go.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Stick around a few minutes. The old lady went out to get some cake. She'll fix you up some coffee or something.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No thanks, Frankie. Thank your mother for us.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't want to get up and see it to the door in my pajamas. I ain't got no bathroom. It's all right. Frankie will find our way. Goodbye and thank you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Some classy damie got there, Mr. Barnes. Keep her covered so she shouldn't get cold.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I will. So long, Frankie. How do we get out?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I think we came in through that door. This other one must be the kitchen or a closet or something.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Right you are, princess. Marty, what do you think of Frankie?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Feel sorry for him?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Tenement Row isn't the ideal setting to grow up in. My folks used to live in a place just like this.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You grew up all right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I was lucky, Marty. I learned how to put words together until they made sentences. Street level. There's the. The door.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Like the end of a dark tunnel. Judson, I know you have to get to work so I can take a cab to Jimmy Leonard's house, huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I'm afraid you'll have to, Marty. I'll drop you At a cab stand.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Still want to see Jimmy's father?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, I do. And when you get to the paper, will you check around a little? Ask some of the other boys if they saw Jimmy last night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, sure. Maybe one of the. Hey, what is it, Lieutenant? Levis just coming out of that building across the street. There's his car.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hey, Ed. Ed. Now he sees you, Judge. Coming across.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ah. That must have been where Rimling lived. Leus said Tenement Row.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, I know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hi.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hi.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hope you didn't come down here to see Mrs. Rimling. No, Marty had to stop in the neighborhood.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

How is she, Lieutenant?

[Narrator/Announcer]

A couple of neighbors with her now and the minister in the church. She'll be all right, I guess, if she isn't left alone. Two cute kids. Look, Judd, I. I want to ask a favor. Sure, Ed. Your paper makes a pitch for somebody every once in a while to get help for them. Fred Remling's family can use some help. I get right on it, Ed. No insurance, no nothing. Killed coming from work last night. The first work he'd had in three months.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

In three months? Longshoremen should be busier than that. There's a lot of shipping.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, well, for some reason he'd been on layoff till yesterday. Longshoremen's Union had a meeting yesterday afternoon. He was elected delegate. I guess that helped to get him working again. I better get back to headquarters. Where are you going? I'm going to the paper. Marty's gonna see Jimmy's father.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Dan, would you mind doing something for

[Narrator/Announcer]

me to help that kid up? Well, what do you want?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I want you to check the license plates on Jimmy's car. Then check the registration. Make sure the motor number on the car is right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What's the reason for that, Marty?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

It's just a possibility. Rembrandt and Frankie Cutter have cars exactly like Jimmy's. One of them might have switched parking stalls and license plates. I just want to make sure that Jimmy's car is Jimmy's car.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Look, Ms. Bryant, his key fit the damaged car. He drove it out to a repair shop. A fellow can always tell his own car, even from others. Just like.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, Lieutenant, but just the same. Check it for me, will you? I'll come down to see what you find after I see Jimmy's father.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I told him, I told him a hundred times, if I told him once that that card get him in trouble. Now look at him. But behind bars.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, tomorrow morning he'll be arraigned and transferred to the county jail. And then you'll be able to see him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I don't want to see him unless I can get my hands on him. I'd like to break his neck.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mr. Leonard, what kind of father are you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

The kind he should have listened to. I've been too easy with him. He's just like his mother was. Blood will tell, that's why. What'd she do too? Kill a man and run? She never had the guts to face anything.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But he's a 16 year old boy. He's alone, he's frightened and he may go to a reformatory if he's found guilty. Does that mean anything to you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I never should have kept him. She wanted him. I should have let her have him. They're two of a kind.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Who are you talking about?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Some girls talking about his mother.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, isn't your wife dead?

[Narrator/Announcer]

How do I know? I haven't seen her in 10 years. She wanted him, but she couldn't get him. But when I got finished with that divorce court, I showed him what she was.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You mean you divorced your wife and you got the custody of the boy?

[Narrator/Announcer]

The court found she wasn't a fit mother.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

The court find that you were a fit father.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I did everything for him. Tried to make something out of him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Almost unbelievable how far justice can miscarry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What do you mean by that?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You never wanted that boy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I took him and made a home for him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You took him so that you could do just what you've done. Not because you wanted him, but so that you could punish him. So that you could get revenge for whatever you think your wife did to you. Hey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Who do you think you are to come in and talk to me like this in my own house? Now get out of here. When you see that son of mine, tell him I hope they keep him in jail forever.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I will, Mr. Leonard. I will. Because compared to the home you've given him, his life there will be paradise.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There's the check on the serial number of the mortar, Ms. Bryant. It tallies with the number on a register.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, then I'm sorry I bothered you, Lieutenant. It was just an off chance.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, Judd called a few minutes ago. He's on his way over to meet you.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Thank you. Is Jimmy Leonard said anything since I left?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, no, he's still clammed up. You know that fool kid? If he hadn't run away, the charge wouldn't be so bad. A year maybe, but that hit and run. What happens to a kid's brain, Ms. Bryant?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

It's an accident.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Not Murdy was speeding. Sure, but why didn't he stay to face it?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes. He was afraid to face something else. His father? Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You think he hated the kid? You know the kid's guilty, don't you, mister?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Don't ask me that, lieutenant. My job is to defend him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm sorry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I got some work to do. But you can wait here for Judd, okay?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You're fine.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, sorry, Ed. Speak of the devil. Here's your bow now, Ms. Bryant. Got time to grab a bite with us, Ed? Cops never eat or asleep. Any luck, Marty?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, all bad.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I've got some bad news too. Jimmy was definitely lying about where he spent the night.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why? Do you know where he was?

[Narrator/Announcer]

At the Hotel Severin Plaza.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

The Savarin Plaza?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. There's a newsstand in the lobby. One of the men on a delivery route was making a drop there, and he saw him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

We might have been just walking through. That hotel opens on two streets.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Uh, delivery men. So he said. Jimmy at the. The desk registering said he called to him, but Jimmy turned his face away. He said he thought maybe he'd made a mistake.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Do you check with the desk?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Jimmy was registered, all right. Not only that, but he'd been there before. For some reason or other, he stayed at that hotel about one night a month.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

See, it's strange. A boy like him in a hotel like that.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. There's something even stranger. He'd always call in advance and make a reservation. Marty, you think he was meeting somebody or something?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. Yeah, I do. And I think I know who. His mother.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Judd, his mother's dead. You heard him tell us that.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

If she's dead, Jimmy's father doesn't know about it. They were divorced 10 years ago. Oh, Judd. That boy's not guilty. He's hiding something.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, he won't talk, Marty. You saw that.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Maybe we can find something to make him talk. You go back to that hotel and go through that register. See if a woman has also registered there on the same days that Jimmy did. Get all the information you can on it. Because if we find her, I think we'll find Jimmy's mother.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You may have something, Marty. Why don't you come with me? No.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Got another stop to make.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah? Where?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Down at the docks. I'd like to know why Fred Rimling only got one day's work in three months. Hey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hey. You sister?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Down these docks ain't no place for a lady. Hoists and everything. You might get hurt.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Thank you very much. I'll be careful.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hey, wait a minute. Don't go. I ain't finished talking yet.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You let go of my arm.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You've been nosing around the docks all afternoon, asking the longshoreman questions. You shouldn't do that. These guys gotta work.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't think what I do is any of your business.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's all my business. I'm Joe Boston. You're wasting their time and they all work for me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, I see. You're Joe Boston.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Heard of me, eh?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, this afternoon. I've heard quite a lot about you. Fred Rimling worked for you too, didn't he?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Yeah, poor Fred. I just sent some flowers. Bad thing, poor guy. Getting killed like that, leaving a family. I bleed for him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Bleed What? Ice water.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Look, you're a pretty fresh dame.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

What do you want around here? I want to find out why Fred Rimling worked only one day in three months.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Docs are slow, that's why.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

They're loaded with shipping. I've been talking to the men and I know why he didn't work.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right, sister, tell me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He didn't work because you have the contracts for all the unloading done here and you make the men kick back part of their pay.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Get one of them to say that in front of me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, you. You know, they're frightened of you. But Rimling wasn't, was he? He was ready to fight you. That's why the men elected him delegate yesterday.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He was a communist. Always making twice.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He was not a communist. He went to church regularly and all the men around here respected him. One day's work in three months. And a late job, too. One that brought him out on river street at 3 o' clock in the morning to be killed under the wheels of a car.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A hot rod driven by a crazy kid. You blaming me for that?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, I'm not blaming you. Yet you let go of my arm.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, sure, sure, I'll let go of it. But let me tell you something. Stay away from these docs. Stay out of my business or I'm. Or what, Buster? What's the matter, Marty?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

John, he's.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're fine, ain't you? Newspaper guy, eh? That's right. And Ms. Bryant happens to be the girl I'm gonna marry. And I don't like to see her having trouble. Come on, Marty. I'll take you home.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm pretty happy you came along.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I looked for you all over the docks. Lucky I found you.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. Rimling was breaking up a racket on him. Judd Boston looks like a man who wouldn't stop at any murder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Are you sure?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He shakes the Men down a pay kickback. Couple of them hinted at it, but they're afraid.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ed Leave has suspected Boston of strong arm stuff before, up to and including murder, but he's never been able to hang it on him. But, Marty, what's the connection between Joe Boston and Jimmy's hot rod?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't know. I keep thinking Jimmy's car was switched with another one just like it, but Levis has proven that's wrong.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Over there is where Rimling was killed, Marty, coming out of Pier 37. Witnesses who saw the hot rod were in that ferry shed there. The car came speeding along from that direction.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hey, Jude. What? What did you find out at the hotel?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, oh, yeah, yeah. The kid's mother was at the hotel on those nights, all right. Her name's Mrs. Helen Goodrich now. Remarried. Comes from Pleasanton, 100 miles upstate. I called her, told her what's happened. She broke up, Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

She's.

[Narrator/Announcer]

She's on her way here now.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Good. That boy sure needs it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

She loves him, Marty. I could tell by her reaction.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Look out. Watch.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wow. Oh, that crazy cab driver. He almost skidded for it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Wasn't his fault. It's this road. It's like glass.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oil truck overturned here a few days ago. They tried to sand it down, but it's still slippery. Hear the sand and gravel kicking up under the fenders?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. Yeah, I do hear it, John. I want to see Lieutenant Levis. I want to see him right away. Why?

[Narrator/Announcer]

What are you so excited about?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

The car that killed Rimling must have driven through that oil slick.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I got an idea. An idea that may prove Jimmy didn't kill Fred Rimling.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, wait a minute, Ms. Bryant. Wait a minute. Give me that again slow.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Lieutenant, the car that killed Rimling must have passed that oily spot on river street, right?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. So?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Suppose it was not Jimmy's car.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I got a short answer for you, Ms. Bryan. If it wasn't Jimmy's car, Jimmy's car wouldn't have a smash fender and headlight.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

There are two other cars like it in the same garage. The night man admitted he was asleep. Any one of those cars could have gone in and out without his ever seeing them.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay, what's your point? Her point is that Rimling might have been killed by one of the other hot rods. How did you happen to pick Jimmy up, Ed? You know how. Judly put out a bullet into all repair shops to report a damaged hot rod, and you got a call on a car with a smashed fender and headlight. Yeah, and it's good solid evidence.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But would it still be solid if you could prove that an undamaged fender and headlight were removed from Jimmy's car right in that garage and the damaged ones put on in their place?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ed, it could. Could happen. Yeah, I never thought of it, but you're right, it could. But how can we prove it?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Your lab can. By that oil slick. The death car came through it. And that oily sand hits up under the fenders and some of it sticks.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It did on my car, Ed. I checked to see that's proof.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Lieutenant, you have the lab go over Jimmy's car again. If he did drive through there, there'll be traces of oily sand under all four fenders. But if you only find it under the damaged fender, then that fender does not belong on Jimmy's car.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ms. Bryant, if I ever kill anybody, you've got a client. Hello, Levis? Call a lab. Tell him I want a crew at the police garage right away. Ed. Better send somebody to look at those other cars too. The ones belonging to Rembrandt and Frankie Cutter. If one of them made the switch, he'll have oil and sand under three fenders. Yeah, that's a good idea.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'll bet on Frankie Cutter's car. Frankie told us he used to go racing every morning. But he admitted that he didn't the morning after Rimling was killed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure. He missed the races because changing that fender and headlight took time. Where's he lived yet? Let's see. It's almost 9pm he should be at the newsstand by now. 5th and Madison. Hello. Give me a radio division radio. Lieutenant Levis put out a pickup for a kid named Frankie Cutter. He's a nosy fifth in Madison. Haven't brought in here and hell did I get back.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I didn't kill him, I tell you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I was working the news, David. Frankie, you cook. The lab crew can prove that you switch fenders on Jimmy's car.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Might as well tell the truth.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on, Frankie, give me a butt, will ya?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm out. You can smoke later. Okay, okay. I changed the fenders and the light. But I didn't kill nobody. I was at the stand. Somebody else had the car. Oh, If I tell you, he'll kill me. He's a big shot. The stuff, real big. Got connections. Maybe we can tell you. Frankie. It was Joe Boston, wasn't it? Huh? How'd you know?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Was it Boston? Frankie? Come on, talk.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, he came by the stand that night. I had my car in the alley by the movie. You Know every time he picked up a paper, Boston, I mean, he slipped me a buck. A big guy, you know. So it's about 2am when he comes by. He wants to know can he borrow my car? To a guy like him, you don't say no.

[Narrator/Announcer]

So I give him the keys.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

And when did he come back? About 3:30. Tells me he had an accident. The thing is smashed up the fender and the headlight. Give me a butt, will you, somebody?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Give me a C note to keep my trap shut. I didn't know what happened when I took the car into the garage. The night guy was asleep, so I glommed onto a fender and a light from Jimmy's car. Next morning, when I found out a guy would get killed, I was scared stiff. I couldn't say nothing. Boston had laid me out enough. Lieutenant?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Plenty. Radio Division. Radio libus again. Another pickup. Joe Boston on a 22 4. No, I'm not kidding. This time he rides. Come on, Frankie.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Where you taking me? I didn't do nothing.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're a material witness. I want to keep you alive until Joe Boston isn't. You're lucky we picked you up. He's right, Frankie. Boston knew we were asking questions about him when he picked up his paper tonight. Your tip might have been more than a dollar. He'd shut you up for good when

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

they bring him in. You ain't gonna put him in the same cell with me, are you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, but I order just for kicks. Come on, move. While I'm putting this one in, I'll let Jimmy lend it out.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

We'll wait,

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty. Thanks. You saved a good kid.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Jimmy'd have to be good if he weren't. He'd have gotten into trouble a long time ago with that father of his. That man is a real. Is Lt. Levis here? Or Mr. Barnes? I've got to see one of them right away, please.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm Mr. Barnes. You must be Jimmy Leonard's mother.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes. Yes. Where is he? Let me see him, please. It's all right. Mrs. Goodrich. Mrs. Goodrich. Jimmy will be here now in just a minute. He's. He's being released. Released?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Released?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You mean he's all right? They know he didn't do anything. Yes. Yes, they know. Oh, thank heaven. Thank heaven. Mrs. Goodrich, he wouldn't tell them where he'd been that night. Do you know why? Because of me. My husband. Not Jimmy's father. Mr. Goodrich. He doesn't know I've been married before. I. I never expected to see Jimmy again after his father Divorced me, so I. I never told Mr. Goodrich. I see. Since the divorce. I didn't see Jimmy again until last year. I came to do some shopping. So I'm selling papers and recognized it. A mother knows. I had to see him after that. We met once a month.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Take it easy, Mrs. Goodrich.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I was afraid to tell my new husband. Afraid I might lose him if I told him now, so late. I guess that's why Jimmy wouldn't say where he was. He knew I was happy. He didn't want to bring me into it. Yes, but you'll have to tell your husband now. I did. Right after Mr. Barnes called. I don't know now why I was afraid to tell him before. I got a good man this time. He's out there in the car. He wants me to bring my boy home with us. But I can't. He's still a minor. The courts gave his father custody. Mrs. Goodrich, you take the boy along with you. You leave the rest to me. I'll get that decision reversed if I have to spend my life in a courtroom. Thank you. I don't. Jimmy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mom.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mom. Come on, Jeff.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You know, Marty, you worry me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, there's nothing a man dreads more than the prospect of being married to a woman smarter than he is.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Don't worry about it, Doc.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No? Why not?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Because if I'm really smarter than you are, I'll be smart enough to never let you know it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh. All right. That's a deal. Now give me a kiss.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't wanna.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on. You have just heard Defense attorney, starring Mercedes McCambridge with Howard Culver as Judd. Tonight you heard Tony Barrett as Lieutenant Libus. Tom McKee as Boston. Joel Nestler as Jimmy. George Peroni as Frankie and Irene Tedro as the mother. Music was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Defense Attorney was written by Joel Murcott. The program is directed by Dwight Hauser. Next week, another exciting adventure with Mercedes McCambridge, defense attorney. Be sure to listen. This is your FBI. The official broadcast from the files of the FBI follows immediately. Stay tuned. This program came to you from Hollywood. America is sold on abc, the American Broadcasting Company, the makers of Kicks Tasty Crispy Corn Puffs, Food for Action. And the makers of Clorets, the new chlorophyll chewing gum that makes your breath kissing sweet. Present defense attorney.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Ladies and gentlemen, to depend upon your judgment and to fulfill my known obligation, I submit the facts. Fully aware of my responsibility to my client and to you as defense attorney.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And now we proudly present Ms. Mercedes McCambridge as defense attorney. When Martha Ellis Bryant chose law as a career, she accepted the challenge of defending the defenseless. Joshua Masters was one of the defenseless suspected of murder. He couldn't defend himself.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Your father told me his will left his estate to his three sons. But there won't be three sons to share it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's all right. We can divide it between the two of us.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't think so.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Because I talked to your father yesterday. He was afraid he'd be accused of killing David. And I told him if he was charged with murder, I would defend him. And I'm going to.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, Joshua Masters was one of the defenseless. And we'll bring you his story right after this important message. But first, let's listen to a man who sings the blues because he doesn't take time to eat breakfast It's a shame to be a Nixie like me I suffer from a lack of energy Won't somebody tell me why I fail in everything I try It's a shame to be a Nixie like me People who are always weary Always dreary Are Nixies so different from active, cheery Kixies Kixies are men of action who eat kicks Food for action Lively boys, girls and grownups who always eat breakfast Built around a bowl of kicks how fine everyone feels because kicks is an 83% energy food are kicks good? You bet. Crispy corn puffs so tender and tasty Eat kix Food for action oh, it's grand to be a Kixie like me Always feeling full Full of pep and energy Every morning I eat kicks so I'm never in a fix Always grand to be a Kixie like me and now the curtain rises on Act 1 of tonight's defense attorney story. Wealthy Joshua Masters is in the law office of Martha Ellis Bryant.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Conducting an investigation is decidedly out of my line. Mr. Masters, I'm an attorney, not a private. I understand that, Ms. Bryant, but this is something I believe you could handle better than a private detective. Well, I'm very flattered, but I'm afraid I don't quite understand. Your reputation for integrity is common knowledge,

[Narrator/Announcer]

so I know I can trust you. You're always famous for proving people innocent.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

One of my three sons is trying to kill me, and you want me to find out which one is guilty?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, in a manner of speaking, yes.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

But what's more important, I want to know which two are innocent. You see, there's a lot of money involved. How old are you, Mr. Masters? 68. And your sons?

[Narrator/Announcer]

The oldest 38, youngest 33.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Are they married? No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All three like to consider themselves eligible bachelors.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, I believe I've read about them in the newspapers. I'm not proud of my sons, Ms. Bryant.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The parasites.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Waiting for my money, waiting for me to die.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And one's trying to hurry it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

And you are a widower, aren't you, Mr. Vastes? Yes. My wife died in 1939. Will your sons inherit your money?

[Narrator/Announcer]

As my will is now, the estate

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

is to be divided equally among the three boys. Well, specifically, what is it that makes you think that one of the boys is trying to murder you? Well, I. I've got a weakness for speed. I like to go fast in a car, boat, anything. I've got a foreign car.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's very fast.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Are you interested in foreign cars, Ms. Bryant? Oh, well, not right now, Mr. Matthew. Yes, well, I like to get out on the freeway and open my car up once in a while. I started out the other day and

[Narrator/Announcer]

got a flat tire. I drove into a service station to

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

get it from fixed. One lug bolt was holding the wheel on, the other four had been unscrewed, holding by one thread. Well, of course that is dangerous, but it could have been accidental. Maybe. But I've got a speedboat down at the bay. I started to take it out one day when I noticed that the bilge was full of gasoline and one spark plug wire was disconnected and hanging about a quarter of an inch above the bilge.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now, if I'd touched the starter, it

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

would have all blown up over the harbor. Yes, of course it would. And you believe that these potential accidents were planned? Yes, I do. There are other things, little things, but they all add up. Well, you know my sons. And you think that one of your sons is responsible for these occurrences?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

There isn't anyone else? No, that isn't what I mean. I mean, has it ever entered your mind that maybe more than one of your sons is involved?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, I see.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, no, I never thought of that. Well, I hope it isn't true. Oh, maybe it isn't true about any of them, Mr. Masters. It's true, Ms. Bryant, David, Ralph or Gordon, any one of them is capable of killing me for my money. Tell me, do you support them?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, but I don't give them as

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

much money as they think I should. I believe that wealth carries a responsibility, Ms. Bryant.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A responsibility to use it wisely.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

They just want to use it. Mr. Masters, there may be cause for your suspicions. All right, but I'm not going to hazard an opinion, nor Am I going to attempt an investigation? However, there is a private detective I can hardly recommend to you. His name is Ted Ruby, and he's in the Hartley Building. I've used him on several occasions myself. And I know that he's very reliable and that he's well qualified for this sort of thing. And I advise you to go to see him. You can tell him that Martha Ellis Bryant sent you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

When did all this happen, Marty?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Just yesterday. So I sent him to Ted Ruby.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, Ruby will know how to handle him. At least he'll make some money on the deal. I'm glad you didn't take it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, it wasn't in my line, darling. But I was sorry I couldn't help him. He's. He's kind of sweet.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He's kind of a screwball.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why, do you know him?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. No. But I know quite a bit about him and his family. The boys are always mixed up in some scandal. Always expensive to get out of, and the old man pays the fare.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, then the boys are worthless.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You bet they are. But the story got out about how every time one of the boys had been in trouble, someone would give an anonymous contribution to some charity. A big contribution I chased down. The story for the Dispatch was old man Masters. Whatever the current scandal payoff cost, he'd give an equal amount to charity. Some screwy idea of dollar for dollar, good for evil.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

We could use more screwy ideas like that, Judd.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. He gets tickets for speeding and goes through the same routine. He's just a screwball.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, but you haven't talked to him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I have.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I like him. I'm sorry I couldn't help. Oh, excuse. Sweeney.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

My fellow's Bryant's office. Oh, yes, he is. Just a minute, please. For you, Judson, the Dispatch.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, okay. Hello? Yeah, Steve. All right. Yeah. 1802 Sandalwood Drive. I got it. Well, whose place is.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Is.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. All right. I'll. I'll get right over there.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Get right over there. There goes our luncheon date. I bet you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Marty, there's been a killing at 1802 Sandalwood Drive. Got to get over there. Do you want to go along?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, not particularly. Anyhow, I got a lot of work to do here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, maybe you ought to go, Counselor. You know who lives at 1802 Sandalwood Drive?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No. Should I?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, you should. That's the home of Joshua Masters.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

This is a real beautiful home, huh, Judd?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, it is. I wonder if Josh Masters donated to charity an amount equal to the cost of maintaining this place.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why should he?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, I just think it's a sin to live in a house this big.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, such a sickness.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's all right, Sergeant Press. Okay. All right. Get over there. Little pictures. Yeah, right.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Ah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello, Judd. Hi. Well, well, well, Ms. Bryant. This is a surprise. Was Masters a client of yours?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, he was sort of a near client.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, I'm. I'm just here with Judd. Lieutenant Leaders.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, I see. What's the story, Ed? One of those messy family affairs inside, Judge. You got any leads? Oh, you know, jud rest within 24 hours. One of the boys, huh? Yeah. Which one? You know yet? Sure, we know. Was David. Can I print that?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, sure.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why not? Well, then you're going to arrest him right away. Arrest who? David. Arrest him? How can we arrest him? He's dead. Dead? I thought. Wait a minute, dad. You. You mean that Josh Masters wasn't killed? The old man?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, no.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's David.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Then Josh Masters isn't dead?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, no. Should he be?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, according to percentage. Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, nothing. You take it, Judd. It's your story.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, what happened, dad? Well, about all I'm sure right now is that when Gordon Masters came into the library this morning, he found his brother David lying on the floor dead. Been shot sometime last night with a.44 caliber gun. You've found the weapon? No, no. Medical examiner says it was a.44. And the old man's gun, a.44, is missing from the desk drawer. He says he can't account for it. What do you think about it, Ed? Well, like I said, we expect an arrest within 24 hours. You know who it'll be. Oh, come on. You know I can't answer that, Judd. All right. Unofficially, Ed, not for publication. Well, I think that Josh Masters knows where that gun is. Has he got a motive? He had a quarrel with David Masters yesterday. That could be a motive. The only fly in that ointment is the fact that he was always quarreling with one or the other of the boys. Yeah, so I've heard. Where's Josh Masters now? He's in the library. At least he was just a minute or so before you come in. Wonder if he'd care to make a statement to the press? I don't know. You can ask him. He's a free citizen so far. Thanks, Ed. I think I will. Yeah. Look around if you want to, Judd. I got work to do. See you later. Bye, Martha. See ya, Ed. Well, what do you think of this development?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Marty, darling, Joshua Masters isn't the kind of person who kills Anybody? He's just. Hello, Ms. Bryant. I'm surprised to see you here. I was going to come down to your office. Good morning, Mr. Masters. I came with Mr. Barnes. He's a friend. Judd, this is Mr. Masters. I'm so very sorry about your son, Mr. Masters. Thank you. I'm sorry I can't feel more grief than I do. My sons have been a great disappointment

[Narrator/Announcer]

to me, Ms. Bryant.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, do you have any idea who may be responsible for this thing? No, I haven't. I wish I knew.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That Detective Ritas, he suspects me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Did he say that to you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He didn't need to. I know. Ms. Bryant, if he should charge me with this, I'd like to have you as my attorney. Oh, well, it's a little early, Mr. Masters. However, if you are charged with the murder and if I believe that you are innocent, I'll defend you. Lieutenant, leaders 24 hours are just about up. I wonder if he's made his arrest yet.

[Narrator/Announcer]

If he has, Josh Masters is here in the jail. And you've got a client.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hello, Lieutenant.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, good morning, Martha. Judd. Hello, Ed. Anything new in the Master's case? Yep. We found the gun.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Hey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

When? About 10 minutes ago. Well, who had it? Josh Masters had it.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Are you sure, Lieutenant?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. It was lying beside him.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

It was what?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, Josh Masters committed suicide with it at 8 o'clock this morning. In just a moment, we'll continue with act two of tonight's defense attorney story. Don't breathe. Don't breathe a word until you chew clorets. Because chlorettes makes your breath kissing sweet. That's right. Kissing sweet. Chlorettes is the delicious new chewing gum that contains chlorophyll. Aha. That magical green chlorophyll you've read so much about. Chlorettes with chlorophyll banishes most odors that make breath unpleasing. Clorets makes breath sweet and wholesome in seconds. Chew clorets and your breath becomes kissing sweet. Even after eating onions or garlicky salads. Even after heavy smoking or telltale beverages. It's the chlorophyll in clorets that does the trick. And Clorets is such a delicious gum you'll chew it for pure enjoyment. Everyone who breathes should chew clorets to keep breath always kissing sweet. So carry a package in pocket or purse. Get clorettes today. C L O R e t s only 15 cents a box. Wherever chewing gum is sold, chew cl the gum delicious. It makes your breath kissing sweet. And now we Continue with act two of tonight's defense attorney story.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Mr. Masters didn't think they were accidents, Lieutenant. He was afraid one of the boys was trying to murder him. He wanted me to help him find out which one it was.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, things sound more like accidents than plans as far as I'm concerned. Yeah, me too, Marty. Old people are always figuring that someone is trying to get him out of the way.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Joshua Masters was not suffering from a persecution complex, if that's what you mean.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's what I mean. Not only that, I couldn't get one direct answer from him yesterday.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You didn't catch him in a lie?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, no, but I didn't catch him in a truth either.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Lieutenant, please remember he didn't know where his gun was. He might have thought one of the boys had it. Maybe he was unwilling to incriminate any of them.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He said he didn't know where the gun was. Look, Martha, I like it this way. Joshua Masters thought one of his sons was trying to get him out of the way. For some reason he figured it was David and he jumps him apart. They argue and Josh shoots him. Then in remorse over having killed his son, he takes the gun and kills himself. Now, is that logic?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Makes sense to me if you didn't know Joshua Masters.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, come on. You didn't know him till two days ago.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's right. I talked to him for 15 minutes and I got to know him real well, Lieutenant.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, Martha, how could you?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All right, you grant that I am at least a fair judge of character.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, you always have been. So far.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Joshua Masters might have committed committed suicide, but he never would have committed murder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, look, Martha. Was his gun. We couldn't find it yesterday. This morning it's lying beside him. His fingerprints on the handle, the presence of powder burns on his head and the angle of the bullet's path all point to a suicide with the same gun to kill David. That's strong evidence.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I know all that, darling, but it's too perfect.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And now your story about those so called attempts on his life gives a motive for murder and suicide.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Wait a minute, Lieutenant. Have you found out anything about his will, about his insurance policies and things like that? What about who inherits the money?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, no, no, not yet, but that's standard procedure. Martha, I'm going to question the two boys about it. Now, Ed, that isn't going to make any difference in the story, is it? I want to call the Dispatch. I don't think we'll find out anything new. Chances are the boys will inherit everything and they should. There isn't any doubt about what will happen to the money now. Those two will know how to spend it. They always have.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Are you going to question them, Ralph and Gordon? Separately, Lieutenant?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. No. Call them in here together. You want to hear?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, I'd like to. May I?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, Ed. What about the noise of the gunshots? Didn't anybody hear it? No. Both shots were in the library, and Josh Masters had it soundproof. He liked music and he liked it loud. Collected records, you know. Nobody else could stand it. So Josh had his library soundproof and played his records in there. That's the motive for killing him right there. Not if the place was soundproof. Oh, Sergeant, you sent Gordon and Ralph Masters in here, please. Right.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Believe me, Lieutenant, the last thing Joshua Masters had on his mind when he was in my office was committing suicide.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You want me, Lieutenant? Yeah. Yeah. I got a few questions I want to ask as soon as your brother gets here. Sit down. Look, let's get one thing straight. Just because my father killed David and then shot himself is no reason for you to start tossing off. You're in my home. And when I'm ready, I'll ask you to sit down. Little touchy, huh? Why shouldn't I be? Just lost one brother and my father. Take it easy, Ralph. Sensitivity isn't a characteristic of the police department, you know. What do you want now, Lieutenant? This isn't a suicide until the coroner says so. And he won't say so until I finish my investigation. And I won't finish my investigation until you answer few more questions. That's all we've done for the past few days. Now, we can wind this up today. Right now, I want to know who stands to inherit the most from the estate. Why do you ask that? Because I want to know. Now, look, don't get out of line, Lieutenant. You might. I can answer that, Lieutenant. The money was to be divided equally among the family. The three of us. How do you know that? Dad told me a long time ago. The will hasn't been changed? Not that I know of. Did your father ever feel he was being picked on, Abused? He certainly did. When'd you notice it? Every time we asked for a dime. That's right. He's pretty tight with his dough.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

From what I hear, you were pretty loose with it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What have you got to do with it?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm Martha Ellis Bryant. I'm an attorney. Your father was a client of mine. Did you know that? He had thought of changing his will.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Any change he made wouldn't hold up after Killing David and committing suicide. Not capable of handling his affairs. We can break any kind of a will now if we need to.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, come on, Judd. They'll be dividing his clothes next.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I could use some fresh air. See you later, Ed. Yeah. So long, Judd. Ms. Bryant.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Bye, Lieutenant.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Any court will overrule a will made by a man that killed his son. And

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Gordon Masters is really plugging that murder and suicide, isn't he?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, but I think he's right, Marty.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't know. He sounds to me like a man with something to sell.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Or a man that's convinced of something.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, well, maybe. Can you take me back to my office, sweetie?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I wish to ponder about this case.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Look, Marty, the police say it's suicide. Why don't you let it go at that? They've got powder burns, bullet angle. You just gave them a motive. And you've got fingerprints on the gun to back up a suicide theory. Anyway, what are you doing in this case? You're a lawyer, not a detective.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

You're right, darling. I am a lawyer. And yesterday I told Joshua Masters that I. If he was charged with murder and if I thought he was innocent, I'd defend him. And that was a promise.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, but he's dead.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, but he's still charged with murder. The murder of his son. And he can hardly defend himself.

[Narrator/Announcer]

How far can you go with noblesse

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

oblige, my darling Judson? There are people whose goodness is apparent even in a short conversation. And I think Joshua Masters was one of those people. And I don't think he killed his son. And I don't think he committed suicide.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's what I gathered anyway.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

The fact that he's dead doesn't cancel my promise to defend him. I just wish I knew how to begin. And neither one of those fine, upstanding boys was concerned beyond the question of who inherited the money. Their father lying in the next room dead. And they're planning on how to break his will.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, Marty, but that's still doesn't make either one of them a murderer.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Either one of them could have killed David to get a bigger share of the estate and then killed Joshua to get the money sooner.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It's a good theory, Marty, but the police have a better one with evidence to back it up. Joshua Masters. Fingerprints on the handle of that gun.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Somebody could have put his hand around that gun after he was dead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All you've got to do is prove that and the rest of your theory will hold up.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, there must be some way to prove it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I never Heard of a way short of a confession? Little late for that. Marty. Don't start wringing your hands over this case. It isn't that important.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm not wringing my hands, darling. I'm just trying to think of a way. Hey John, there is a way. Pull over to the curb.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Marty. Marty, for Pete's sake, let go of the wheel.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I'm sorry, darling, but listen. If I were going to put your fingerprints on this steering wheel. Now give me your hand here. Okay. I'd put your fingers around the wheel and I'd press like that.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, right.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Now see what happens. Look. There.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hey, do you suppose it'd show?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I don't know. But I'll never be able to sleep if we don't find out. Let's go back fast.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Let's do Burn em up Barns they call me. Well, this is sure gonna start something new in the checking of suicides, Martha. I just wouldn't have thought of it, but there they are and they match.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Pretty obvious that Joshua Masters did not commit suicide, isn't it, Lieutenant?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, no doubt about it. You know, we came pretty close to making a bad mistake. If you and Judd had been two minutes later getting here, it would have been too late.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Why was it that close?

[Narrator/Announcer]

The coroner and I were agreed on murder and suicide. We were ready to turn the body over to an undertaker. Well, I'll get the sergeant and bring Masters in here.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Just a minute, Lieutenant. Suppose they were born in this thing together.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, that's something to think about, Ed. It could be. Yeah. Yeah, I guess it could. You got any suggestions, Martha?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Uh huh. Why don't we get them both in? Then we can watch their reaction. Maybe find out more than we know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's the way to do it, Ed. And the star reporter of the Dispatch will be in on the arrest. Yeah, I think you're right. Martha. The sergeant. Bring him in, Sergeant. Yes sir. Have Gordon and Ralph Masters come in here with you. Right. Look Martha, you. You want to handle this, it's your play. You know. I can be watching the trouble. There could be trouble too. Sure, he's killed twice.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

All right, I'll talk to him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Say, how much more of this pointless questioning do we have to put up with? Maybe they've decided it was suicide. Have you, lieutenant? Not yet. Ms. Bryant here has something to say. What's an attorney got to do with this? Is this something to do with the old man's will?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, in a way that is. It will certainly affect the terms of the will.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What do you mean?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, your Father's will left everything to his three sons. But there was. There won't be three sons to Sherry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's all right. We can divide it between Ralph and me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, I don't think so.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I talked to your father two days ago, and he told me that he suspected one of his sons of trying to kill him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

He did?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That was probably why he killed David. He found out that he was the one.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Is that what you think, Ralph?

[Narrator/Announcer]

What else is there to think?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Well, there are other things. I talked to your father again yesterday. He was afraid he'd be accused of killing David. And I told him that if he was charged with the murder, I would defend him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What's this got to do with us?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

He has been charged with the murder. He has been charged with killing David and committing suicide. And I am defending him because he didn't kill David and he didn't commit suicide. Your father was murdered.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Who says he was murdered?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I say he was murdered.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You can't prove that he was. His fingerprints are on that gun handle.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, they are. And you, Ralph Masters, put them there.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You can't prove that either.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh, yes, I can. When you pressed your father's hand around that gun to leave his fingerprints on it, you left your own.

[Narrator/Announcer]

My fingerprints aren't on that gun.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

That's right, Ralph. They're not on the gun. But they are on your father's hands.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

On his fingernails.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You lie. No, no, Ralph. She isn't lying. We checked him. Is that true, Lieutenant? Yeah, real true, Ralph. You killed David and Dad. Yeah. Yeah, I killed him. And you would have, too, if you'd had enough nerve. Now, don't move, anybody. I got him. Huh? He's got a gun, right? I said don't anybody move. I'm leaving. I'm getting out of here. I'll kill anybody that tries to stop me. I think I'll kill you anyway, Martha Bryant. If it hadn't been for you. What about the sergeant? Behind you. Masters. What? Got him, Jim. Good shooting, Ed. Oh, thanks for turning him, Jet. Lieutenant. Is he. Is he dead? Yeah. Yeah, he's dead. First David and then dad. Now Ralph. I the only one left.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Oh. All alone in the world with a million dollars.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right, let's get him out of here. Have a couple of patrolmen come in here with you. When Judd Barnes chose a lawyer as a girlfriend, he accepted the challenge of defending the defenseless girlfriend.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah. Look kind of grim there for a minute. You probably saved my life, Judd.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thanks, Marty. You shouldn't put yourself in a Position where you're exposed to danger like that, likely to get killed.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Chad, your business is defending, not apprehending.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yeah, I guess it isn't very nice to put your friends in a position where they have to rescue.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, it isn't that. I. I was glad to do it. And I know leaders was too.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

No, I was kind of foolish. I shouldn't have done it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, it wasn't foolish.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Yes, it was. I didn't owe Joshua Masters anything.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, you did. A promise made is. Is a debt unpaid.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

I know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But after all, I didn't do things like that. You wouldn't be my Marty now.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Which side are you on?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Darling, I've been trapped again. So help me.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Judson. Don't you know you can't win an argument with a woman? And when the woman is a defense attorney. Foreign.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You have just heard Defense attorney starring Mercedes McCambridge with Howard Culver as Judd. Tonight you heard Tony Barrett as ed Lidus, Dallas McKinnon as Josh and Gordon Masters and Harry Bartel as Ralph Masters. Music was composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Defense Attorney was written by Jack Spears. The program is directed by Dwight Hauser. Ladies and gentlemen, we are happy to turn over the last few minutes of this program to Ms. Betty Mills of the Radio TV Mirror magazine. Each year Radio TV Mirror conducts a poll of readers asking them to vote for their favorite actors and actresses. It is truly the choice of the people, you fans who listen to and enjoy the radio performances of the many distinguished artists who come into your homes each week. Any award is an important honor, but we feel that the awards of Radio TV Mirror, determined by the votes of the listeners themselves, is a very special honor. Here now to make the presentation of this year's award, Ms. Betty Mills.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

Betty thank you, Orville. We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to tell you on this program that in the annual awards poll conducted by Radio TV Mirror magazine, American radio listeners have chosen as their favorite dramatic actress Ms. Mercedes McCambridge. Thank you, Betty Mills. Thank you very much indeed, Mercedes. Has most of your recent radio work been as Martha Bryant, defense attorney? Yes, Betty, it has. And I love doing the show. Then I suppose we could assume that the decision of the radio listeners naming you their favorite dramatic actress this year would be due to your work on Defense Attorney. I'm afraid it's the work of many people, Betty. It's Dwight Howser and Howard Culver and Tony Barrett and all the ABC crowd. And I want to thank them and through you, the editors of Radio TV Mirror, and particularly all of the people

[Narrator/Announcer]

who voted for me, thank you the management of abc. The cast and crew of Defense Attorney would like to join Radio TV Mirror in congratulations to a fine actress for a fine job. Congratulations, Mercy. And incidentally, it certainly is a lot of fun as all the cast will say to work with Ms. McCambridge. Incidentally, there's a delightful story on Mercedes McCambridge in the current issue of Radio TV Mirror. I suggest that you get it and read it next week. Another exciting adventure with Mercedes McCambridge, defense attorney. Be sure to listen. Defense Attorney is presented by the makers of Kicks Tasty crispy Corn Puffs, Food for Action and by Clorets, the new chlorophyll chewing gum that makes breath kissing sweet.

[Martha Ellis Bryant]

This is Mercedes McCambridge reminding you to stay tuned to your ABC station for that entertaining program, the original amateur hour emceed by that great showman and grand person Ted Mack.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This program came to you from Hollywood. America is sold on the American Broadcasting Company. We just heard Mercedes McCambridge as Martha Ellis Bryant, defense attorney that will do it for this week's show. Thanks so much for joining me. I hope you'll be back next week as we hear from another Oscar winning radio detective star. In the meantime, you can check out Stars on Suspense, my other Old Time Radio podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Thursdays. If you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can visit buymeacoffee.com Meansts OTR I'll be back next week with more Old Time Radio Detectives. But until then, good night and happy listening. Now here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen. In a prejudice filled America, no one would be secure in his job, his business, his church or his heart home. Yet racial and religious antagonisms are exploited daily by quacks and adventurers whose followers make up the irresponsible lunatic fringe of American life. Refuse to listen to or spread rumors against any race or religion. Help to stamp out prejudice in our country. Let's judge our neighbors by the character of their lives alone and not on the basis of their religion or origin.