21st Precinct 53-07-21 (003) The Bartender

Summary

Podcast Summary: "21st Precinct 53-07-21 (003) The Bartender"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 21st Precinct 53-07-21 (003) The Bartender
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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1. Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Captain Frank Kennelly addressing an emergency call from the muster room at the 21st Precinct in New York City. A shooting has occurred at the Bar and Grill located at 3120 Lexington Avenue, and Kennelly is tasked with overseeing the investigation.

[00:04] Frank Kennelly: "You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct, the N Center... What’s his name? Where’s the man with the gun?"

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2. Initial Response and Arrival at the Scene

Captain Kennelly and Patrolman Johnny Farrell respond to the scene. Upon arrival, they encounter Charlie Burgess, the bartender, who informs them that his boss, Dutch, has been shot. The immediate response involves securing the area, collecting evidence, and ensuring the victim receives medical attention.

[02:15] Charlie Burgess: "They shot my boss. Why were you running to the police station?"

[05:40] Frank Kennelly: "I could use one of her. Squad shouldn't be confusing if you're giving us the facts."

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3. Crime Scene Investigation

The precinct conducts a thorough examination of the Bar and Grill. Detectives collect physical evidence, including the murder weapon, which is later sent for ballistics and fingerprint analysis. The victim, Dutch, is transported to Bellevue morgue for an autopsy.

[07:50] Narration: "Premises were completely examined for latent fingerprints and other physical evidence. The apparent murder gun was tagged for evidence."

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4. Interview with Charlie Burgess

At 10 minutes to 4 am, Lt. Matt King brings Charlie Burgess in for a detailed interview. Burgess provides his account of the incident, describing the two assailants as average height and mentioning that one was slightly taller. He expresses confusion and frustration during the questioning.

[15:30] Charlie Burgess: "What are you trying to do to me anyway? Getting a little confused, Charlie."

[17:25] Charlie Burgess: "It’s not so."

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5. Identification Process

Charlie is asked to identify the suspects from a vast lineup of photographs. Despite the overwhelming number of images, Charlie confidently selects the individual he believes to be the shooter. However, his certainty is met with skepticism from Captain Kennelly.

[12:10] Charlie Burgess: "That's him. That's one."

[13:45] Frank Kennelly: "Either Charlie lives right or he's the best liar I ever met."

Eventually, Detective Fox successfully identifies Al Hantz (Alfred Harrods) from another process, corroborating Charlie's earlier identification.

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6. Legal Proceedings and Doubts

Charlie is brought to the criminal courts but is released on the condition of being a material witness. Captain Kennelly begins to suspect Charlie’s involvement beyond mere witnessing, contemplating the possibility of theft ("dipping the till") leading to the altercation.

[20:52] Charlie Burgess: "All right, I’m coming."

[22:25] Charlie Burgess: "What do you do anyway?"

[24:10] Frank Kennelly: "But bring her in here. We’ll wrap it up, okay?"

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7. Confrontation and Realization

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes apparent that Charlie Burgess may have orchestrated the murder. Through persistent questioning and additional testimonies, including that of Wanda Rutley, inconsistencies in Charlie's story emerge. The evidence suggests that Charlie might have engaged in perjury or acted as an accessory to the murder.

[25:07] Charlie Burgess: "Oh, Hans, why don’t you stay out of trouble?"

[26:30] Charlie Burgess: "We can’t do that."

[27:05] Frank Kennelly: "Is he okay? He’ll come around in a minute."

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8. Conclusion of the Investigation

The episode concludes with Captain Kennelly reflecting on the relentless nature of police work in New York City. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the dedicated officers of the 21st Precinct demonstrate unwavering commitment to justice.

[27:10] Frank Kennelly: "21st Precinct is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association..."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Initial Dispatch:

  • Frank Kennelly [00:04]: "You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct, the N Center... What’s his name? Where’s the man with the gun?"

• Charlie’s Frustration:

  • Charlie Burgess [02:15]: "They shot my boss. Why were you running to the police station?"
  • Charlie Burgess [15:30]: "What are you trying to do to me anyway? Getting a little confused, Charlie."

• Identification Doubts:

  • Frank Kennelly [13:45]: "Either Charlie lives right or he's the best liar I ever met."

• Confrontation:

  • Frank Kennelly [26:30]: "Come here. If you lie on the witness stand, we will."
  • Charlie Burgess [26:44]: "Get away from that. I'll kill you."

• Final Reflection:

  • Frank Kennelly [27:10]: "21st Precinct is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association..."

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Insights and Themes

• Police Procedural Accuracy: The episode meticulously portrays the step-by-step procedures followed during a homicide investigation, emphasizing evidence collection, witness interviews, and inter-departmental coordination.

• Character Depth: Charlie Burgess is depicted as a complex character, oscillating between cooperative witness and potential suspect, highlighting the challenges officers face in discerning truth from deception.

• Moral Ambiguity: The narrative explores the grey areas within police work, where officers must navigate trust, suspicion, and the pursuit of justice amidst conflicting testimonies.

• Urban Crime Dynamics: Set against the backdrop of New York City’s bustling environment, the story underscores the constant vigilance required to maintain law and order in a densely populated area.

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Conclusion

"21st Precinct 53-07-21 (003) The Bartender" offers a compelling glimpse into the intricacies of police investigations during the Golden Age of Radio. Through engaging storytelling and realistic dialogues, the episode captures the tension, dedication, and moral complexities faced by law enforcement officers in their quest to solve crimes and uphold justice.

Transcript

[Frank Kennelly]

21St Precinct. Sergeant Klein? Yes. Where? 3120 in the bar and Grill. Now, who's shot? What's his name? Where's the man with the gun? You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct, the N Center. A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. I'll send the officers. What? Talk into the phone. It's on its way. The ambulance is already on its way. Just wait there for the officers. 21st Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their persons, their homes and their property is my job. My job and the job of the 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I was working my 6pm to 8am tour. It was a hot, muggy night. After I turned out the platoon for the late tour I went on patrol of the precinct with Patrolman Johnny Farrell as operator and myself as recorder. At 2:55. We were driving south on Lexington Avenue. In the 70s there were few cars on the street and fewer pedestrians. All right, cut across east on 72nd, Johnny. We'll take a turn up first. Yes, sir. KBA 38. What was the matter with your boy Johnny? I don't know, Captain. Analogy to doctor. A rack like that could be caused by anything. Nothing he ate or one of his toys or weed or something. Hide itself? Yeah. And to keep it from scratching. How are you going to keep a kid 5 years old from scratching in his sleep unless you're trying? Well, if there's somebody running, where? This side. Down on the next lot. Oh, yeah? Let's take a look. The man. Pull up ahead of him. Police officer. Watch your hurry. Now, hold up. I was running to the police station. Okay, Captain. Yeah, well, tell me, mister. Hold up, guys. They shot my boss. Where? Bar and Grill. He's dead. I think he's dead. Why were you running the police station? What was the matter with the phone? I don't know. I was so excited, I guess. What's your name? Charlie. Charlie Burgess. I'm the bartender. Okay, get in the car. Open it off, Al. Yes. He looked dead to me. All right, get in. Charlie, you go around. Johnny. Yes, sir. Where is it? The Bar and Grill, two blocks up. What's the seat of that? 3120. 3120, Johnny. Yes, sir. The two guys were there for an hour. Almost. Poor steps. All right, six two zero. Go ahead, six two zero. We picked up a man who reports a robbery and shooting at the Bar & Grill. 3120 Lexington. 3120. That's right. We've got the witness. We're on our way. Okay. You. You were running to the police station? Yeah, that's right. Police station's in the other direction. Car 6 31. 6 32. The address. 31 2. All right, come on, Charlie. Let's go. Come on. I didn't know where the police station was. How should I know? Inside, Johnny. He's over there behind the bar. How come the music. Hold up, guys. Put a couple of quarters in the jukebox. I don't know. There. Is he dead? Yeah, he's dead. Here's a gun, Captain. Over here. All right, let it lay, Sal, and pull the plug on that jukebox. That's it. Gas registers clean now. Why'd they shoot him, Charlie? I don't know. Happened so fast, I don't know. Where were you standing? Right here. Right? With a beer tap. You were the bartender? Yeah, that's right. Substitute the regulars on vacation. Why didn't they shoot you? I ducked. I ducked down behind the bar. If you were the bartender, what did you do, change into your street clothes after the shooting? No, Dutch said I could go home early. Business was slow. I could go home, so I chased. If you change, what were you doing behind the bar? It was my last night. I came back here so Dutch could give me my money. No other customers around when it happened? No, just the two hypers. Hey, what is this anyhow? That's what we want to know from you, Charlie. What it is. Two sector cars, the sergeant's car, detectives from the 21st Squad and an ambulance arrived on the scene almost immediately, as required in homicide cases. Lt. Matt King, commanding the 21st Squad, was called from his home. Also notified were the Manhattan East Homicide Squad, the medical examiner's office, the New York County District Attorney's office, the police laboratory for latent fingerprint experts and a police photographer and such superior officers of the department as were concerned. Premises were completely examined for latent fingerprints and other physical evidence. The Apparent murder. Gun carefully handled, was tagged for evidence by the laboratory men for ballistics and fingerprint examination. Body of the victim was taken to Bellevue morgue for autopsy. At 10 minutes to 4am Lt. King brought Charles Burgess to the station house for a detailed account. There in the 21st Squad, he was questioned by Lt. King in his office in the presence of Assistant District Attorney Lewis Curly, two detectives and myself. Now, you said the two bandits were average height. Yes, sir. Tell me what you mean, Charlie, by average height. Average height. They weren't too big, they weren't too small. Would you say they were as tall as I am? A little taller maybe. About as tall as Captain Kelly? About. Yeah. Yeah, I guess both of them. And they were about the same height? Well, one was a little taller than the other was. Only a little. Which one? The one that fired the shot? Yeah, the one that fired the shot. He was a little taller. You told Captain Kelly on the scene that the other one was a little taller. Isn't that right, Captain? That's what he said. Well, one of them was a little taller. What are you trying to do to me anyway? Getting a little confused, Charlie. Well, this whole thing is enough to confuse anybody here, Charlie, have a cigarette. I could use one of her. Squad shouldn't be confusing if you're giving us the facts. That's all I'm giving you is the facts. Facts. All right, I'm telling you what happened. What else do you want from me? Okay, fine. Nothing else, Charlie. Well, that was Emmy's office with the preliminary report. Lieutenant. Yeah. Two bullet wounds. One through the right shoulder. The other entered the left arm, went through the chest and pierced the heart. That was a baby. Stand up a minute, Charlie. Me? Yeah, you. Stand up. Waiting. Yeah. Lieutenant, come over here a minute. Yeah, yeah, sure, Lieutenant. Charlie, supposing Detective Howard was the holed up man with a gun. That's good, Whitey, right there. Supposing, Charlie, you were Dutch. Yeah, Dutch about. Where was Dutch standing from the holdup man when the shots were fired was about here, I'd say. Uh huh. Where were you standing, Charlie? About right over there. But the bar ran along this way. Captain, would you be Charlie? Yeah, sure. Right about here. Yeah, right about there. I could show you better if I was myself. I want you to be Dutch. Yeah, Dutch. All right. Now, the hold up man fired the first shot. Bang. It hit Dutch in the right shoulder. Yeah. The second shot. Bang. Through the left arm and into the chest. Dutch fell down? Yeah, that's right. He fell down. Charlie, are you sure that's about where the hold up man was standing. Yeah, that's where he was standing about. Are you positive, Tommy? Sure, I'm positive. Okay, I'll sit down. Listen, can't I go home? We've been at this an awful long time. I'll tell you something, Charlie Dutch will be dead a long time too. The questioning continued for some minutes more. Charlie Burgess stated he would be able to recognize either or both of the two killers if he saw them again. Finally, coffee and sandwiches were sent for. Charlie sat on a bench in the corner munching at his food. Two uniformed officers arrived with a pair of narcotic addicts they caught in the act of breaking into and stealing goods from parked cars on Madison Avenue. It was a good collar. There'd been 10 to 20 squeals a night in the precinct concerning such thieves. As detectives started to talk to them, Charlie watched with fascination from the bench. It was a question who was more in trouble. I went back downstairs to the muster room and checked with the desk officer and the man on the boxes. Other than the homicide, it had been a quiet tour. I went into my office to read and sign reports which had accumulated during the tour. It was getting light out, and with the dawn came the first breeze in 48 hours. It might be a cooler day. Shortly before 7:00, Lt. King came downstairs and crossed the muster room to my office. Captain. Come in. Matt, you got a minute? Yeah, sure. How you doing? I don't know. I think Charlie's telling us a pack of lies. You think he killed a man? Sure could have, Captain, but we'll need a lot. We'll need to know if it was his gun, where he got it and so forth. We'll need a straight story on what went on there. Yeah. Oh, could you use a cup of coffee, man? Yeah, there's some hut I think so. Hey, what about the three customers he keeps talking about? If Charlie didn't kill Dutch, somebody had to. Somebody right out of his head. Sergeant. Excuse me, Captain. Go ahead and take the phone. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Klein, 37. All right, listen, you're ringing in three minutes late. I don't care what the clock in the jewelry store says. According to this clock, you're three minutes late. All right. Yes, sir. Captain, is there any hot coffee? Yes, sir. It's on fire. Oh, thanks. The sugar's in the drawer there. Good. Thanks. What do you think happened, Matt? I think Charlie tried to dip the till and Dutch quartermatters. It was an argument. Charlie had a gun and bang. The cash Register was empty. Money had to go someplace. Charlie didn't have it on him. Wasn't any place in the store. I know, but he ran a block and a half before you nailed him. Could have been dropped in a trash can or hallway or even a mailbox. Sugar man? Yeah, please. Here, help yourself. Thanks. I've got two men out checking every trash can and doorway between the bar and grill and where you stopped them, Captain. Good. But he could have had a friend who carried it away. Yeah, that's a possibility. Problem right now is what we're gonna do with Charlie. We haven't got enough to book him in on homicide. The assistant DA thinks we ought to take him down to court and have him held as a material witness. Sounds like a good idea. Oh, how's the coffee, man? Hot enough? Yeah. We told Charlie what we're gonna do. He called his brother and I think they'll have a lawyer down there. The DA says if they put up a fight, he'll need your testimony at the hearing. Because you collared him on the street, huh? I told them you were due to go off at 8. Well, that's all right. I'll go down. He said he'd get it set down for soon after 10 as possible. Don't worry about it. Oh, thanks, Captain. That'll help us a lot. Coffee sure takes fine. Yeah, that was a good tower your men made, Hernan Ross. Or to clear most of those squeals we had breaking into cars. Better still, man, it ought to stop him. Yes, sir. He's got a big point. At 8am I turned out the platoon for the day tour. A few minutes later, with the two detectives and Charlie Burgess, I rode to Police Headquarters Annex, 400 Boome St. We parked the car and took the elevator to the fifth floor. Bureau of Criminal Identifications. It was approximately 8:30am Charlie was taken back to the combination ammo and general appearance. Here there are thousands of photographs of men with criminal records classified according to the type of crimes they had committed. Stick up men, burglars, forges, auto thieves, pickpockets and so forth. Within each classification, the photographs are broken down according to general physical description, that is according to height, weight, hair color, complexion and build. Charlie was seated on a stool in front of the file. Fox and Howard stood on either side of him. I leaned on another file behind them and watched. Well, take your coat off, Charlie. You got about 6,000 pictures to look at. It's hot. No, that's all right. Suit yourself. Relax, Charlie. Count on making a career out of it. I'm relaxed. Now, this is what's known as a visible record file. There are 12 slides to a cabinet, 71 pockets on each slide. In each pocket, there's two pictures, full face and profile, of the same man. I'll pull out a slide, start dropping the pocket in front of you. Say no, and I'll drop the next one. You all set? I'm set, I guess. Now, relax, Charlie. You'll be here a long time. All right, here goes. No, that's not him. Just say no. Save your voice. No, that's the guy. That's him. That's one. That's him, I tell you. That's the one that shot Dutch. That's him. Are you sure? I'm telling you. Okay. Study it a little longer. Make sure I don't have to study. That's him. Study it anyway. Whitey, come here. Now just sit there. Charlie, do you believe him? Yep. I asked you first, Captain. You said it like it mattered. It's like hitting the sweepstakes. 50,000 mugs to look at and he makes the third picture. Well, either Charlie lives right or he's the best liar I ever met. You are listening to 21st Precinct, a factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city. Charlie Burgess was put to work looking through the muds for the number two man. Meanwhile, Detective Fox had an identification man pull the complete jacket on the suspect. He identified Al Hantz, also known as Alfred Harrods. A man with a record of two arrests and one conviction, armed robbery. This information was telephoned to Lieutenant King. So was the report that the murder gun bore no readable fingerprints. By 9:45am Charlie had failed to identify a picture of the number two man. He was taken to the car and we drove farther downtown to the criminal courts building at A hundred center Stage. There, in felony court, he was met by his brother and an attorney. After considerable argument before the magistrate, Charles Burgess was ordered held as a material witness in $15,000 bail which could not be posted immediately. The two detectives signed a receipt for Charlie and drove him back uptown to the 21st. I went with him. In there, Charlie. In the lieutenant's. Come in. Go ahead, gentlemen. Hello, Captain. Thanks a lot. Oh, that's all right. Shut the door, will you, Fox? Cheers. Sit down, Charlie. Look. Sit down, Captain. You were in on this thing before any of us. Except Charlie, that is. Do you think you can get him to talk to. I'll try. Look, I don't feel like talking to anybody. I'm bushed. What do you think we are? I'm really bushed. Can't I get some sweet maybe? Maybe? What kind of an answer is maybe? It's as good as the answers you've been giving us, Charlie. You know I wouldn't do nothing like killing Dutch. I liked him. I loved him like a brother. I loved him. Charlie, there's more murders over love than hate. I'm telling you, everything stacks up against you, Charlie. You say there were three other fellows left the bar right before the holdup. We can't find a trace of them. They were in there. They were in there. You could have used the phone to call the cops. Instead you ran to the police station, only you ran the wrong way. I'm from Brooklyn. I only worked there three days. I got mixed up. That's natural. Is standing behind the bar in your street clothes natural? Why did it happen when there were no customers in the joint, Charlie? I don't know. What do you want from facts, Charlie? Just facts. I'm giving you facts. That's all I've been giving you, isn't it? The fact that you waited until all the customers were gone and you pulled a gun on Doug. No, it's not. Isn't it a fact that you shot him in cold blood with the intention of saying two hold up men walked in.

[Charlie Burgess]

No.

[Frank Kennelly]

And you were running away and ran right into my arm. No, it's not so. It's not so.

[Charlie Burgess]

It's not.

[Frank Kennelly]

Well, Charlie, I hope it isn't so for your sake. Because whoever did do it is going to wind up in the electric chair. That was as far as we could get with Charlie. I left him with Lt. King and went downstairs to the muster room. I signed the blotter and left the precinct, not due back on the job until late the next morning. In the meantime, Lt. King had detailed two men to trace Al Hantz, the former convict whose picture was identified by Charlie Burgess. From different sources they learned two facts. One, that Hance owned an automobile. A 1949 Plymouth coupe painted two tone green. That Al Hance now lives someplace in the neighborhood of St. Mary's park, the Bronx. That night and early the next morning, detectives cruised the streets within 10 blocks of each side of this park looking for such a car. At 4 o'clock in the morning, one was spotted parked near the Mott Haven Yards of the New Haven Railroad. The registration was checked with the Motor Vehicle Bureau. Car was registered in the name of Al Hans. Two men of the 21st Squad were assigned to a stakeout by 8am he had not shown up. Two detectives were sent in relief. They watched until 6pm still no luck. At that time, Detectives Fox and Howard were sent in relief. They watched the car for seven hours. That's him, Whitey. There he goes. Let's get him. Wait a minute. Al. Grab him. Wake up at this hotel. Al. Hey, what's the idea? He's cleans. Listen, what's the idea? What do you want? You want to talk to Al? All right, let's talk. What's the beef? What have you been doing for the past week? Week, I've been working. Working for a trucking company. Where? Here. Here in the Bronx. Days or nights? Well, been about. And what else have you been doing? Well, I've been dating a girl. Every night? Yeah, almost every night. What about working? They got their own party boys now. We'll see about that. Come on. Listen, why don't you save yourself a lot of trouble? Why don't you talk to her? She can account for my time. We'll talk to her. What were you doing there all the time? Well, we were drinking, et cetera. What's this girl's name? Her name's Wanda. Wanda Rutley. That's the honest goodness truth. Where does she live? Lives on east 150 seconds. Where on each 150 seconds? I don't know the number. I can show you the house. Okay, Al, you show us the house. Come on. There's our car. The detectives took Al Hans to their car. They drove to East 152nd street where Hans pointed out the house in which he said the girl, Wanda Rutland, lived. They drove in downtown to the 21st for questioning by Lt. King concerning his activities at Tuesday night. He denied all knowledge of the holdup and murder. At 4am Lt. King instructed detectives Fox and Howard to go back uptown to the girl's room.

[Charlie Burgess]

All right, all right, I'm coming.

[Frank Kennelly]

All right.

[Charlie Burgess]

I said, making a girl up in the middle of the night. Yeah, what do you want?

[Frank Kennelly]

The police officers wanted to open up.

[Charlie Burgess]

Ah, I don't care who you are. Girl's gotta have some self respect.

[Frank Kennelly]

You're a sound sleeper.

[Charlie Burgess]

I gotta take sleeping pills. Doctor's orders. Hey, don't any cops work the day shift? What are you always doing? Come around the middle of the night and disturbing somebody's self respect like this? Look at me. Lucky I wasn't too groggy to put on a kimono.

[Frank Kennelly]

Wanda, do you know Al Hans?

[Charlie Burgess]

Yes, sir. I know Al Hans. You know, I know Al Hantz.

[Frank Kennelly]

When'd you see him last?

[Charlie Burgess]

What day is it anyway?

[Frank Kennelly]

This is Friday morning, 4:00. Have you seen him this week?

[Charlie Burgess]

Yeah, I saw him a couple nights ago.

[Frank Kennelly]

Tuesday, Wednesday. When?

[Charlie Burgess]

Day before yesterday. Now, wait a minute. What was that? Tuesday, Day before yesterday.

[Frank Kennelly]

That's right.

[Charlie Burgess]

He was here. Yeah. Excuse me, I gotta sit down.

[Frank Kennelly]

Go ahead.

[Charlie Burgess]

Oh, thanks. You're very generous.

[Frank Kennelly]

What time to get here Tuesday night?

[Charlie Burgess]

Oh, I don't know. About 9, 10 o'clock, something like that.

[Frank Kennelly]

What time to leave?

[Charlie Burgess]

It's late. Very late.

[Frank Kennelly]

About midnight?

[Charlie Burgess]

No, much later. What do you do anyway?

[Frank Kennelly]

One o'clock.

[Charlie Burgess]

No, much later. Close to four. After four.

[Frank Kennelly]

Something like that. Close to four, huh?

[Charlie Burgess]

I don't know exactly where. Was around there sometime.

[Frank Kennelly]

What was he doing here all the time?

[Charlie Burgess]

Well, we were. Do I have to say? I'm not saying. Anyway, we were drinking and we were playing canasta.

[Frank Kennelly]

Canasta?

[Charlie Burgess]

Canasta. We were playing canasta.

[Frank Kennelly]

All right, Wanda, go in and get dressed.

[Charlie Burgess]

Why?

[Frank Kennelly]

Some people want to talk to you. Downtown.

[Charlie Burgess]

Middle of the night. Always in the middle of the night.

[Frank Kennelly]

It doesn't look good, Whitey. That depends whose side you're on. Looks great for Al. It looks terrible. I was on the job at 7:45 in the morning. After I turned out the platoon, I looked over the blotter and arrest records for a picture of what had occurred in the precinct during the night. Lt. King walked in the front door. With him were Detective Fox and Charlie Burgess. He told me that after a night of questioning, the girl had verified Al Hant's story in every particular. Now he was about to bring John Charlie face to face with Hans. With Lieutenant King. I followed Detective Fox and Charlie Burgess through the back room upstairs and into the detective squad. All right, Charlie, let's go inside. Captain? Yeah? When's it going to be over? That's what I want to know. Soon, Charlie. Okay. Uptown. Downtown. I'm. I'm getting sick of it. Who is it? Lieutenant? Oh, all set, Lieutenant. Come in. Go ahead, Collie. I try to help. Let Tim get. That's the guy. I'm the guy that. What? You're the guy that shot Dutch. You're out of your mind. Tim, I'm telling you, it's him. Hey, who is this jerk? He's crazy. Him. It's him. Get your hands off me, will you? Tell him to get his hands off me. Golly. Yeah. All right, listen. What kind of a frame is this? He's the guy, right? Folks be quiet. But bring her in here. We'll wrap it up, okay? You wouldn't take my word for it, huh? But you'll take Wanda, who's wonder? You'll see, Charlie. Everything. I'll see. Tell me something. Come on in. Inside, Wanda.

[Charlie Burgess]

All right. Don't have to rest.

[Frank Kennelly]

Sit down, Wanda. Hello, Wanda.

[Charlie Burgess]

Oh, Hans, why don't you stay out of trouble? I wouldn't have to lose my self respect and be waked up by policemen. Such an hour to make alibis for you.

[Frank Kennelly]

Sit down.

[Charlie Burgess]

All right.

[Frank Kennelly]

Could say please, Wanda, you're involved in a very serious matter here.

[Charlie Burgess]

Oh, I'm always involved in a very serious matter. But Al was at my house. He was there from around nine o'clock until after three in the morning. And nothing you can say will change that.

[Frank Kennelly]

Okay, Charlie. Wanda, did you know this was a murder case?

[Charlie Burgess]

Murder case? Is it?

[Frank Kennelly]

Well, now, was Al at your place between those times on Tuesday night?

[Charlie Burgess]

I told you was, didn't I?

[Frank Kennelly]

We want the truth, Wanda.

[Charlie Burgess]

I'm telling you the truth.

[Frank Kennelly]

Have you ever been in jail?

[Charlie Burgess]

Sure, I've been in jail. You know I've been in jail how long?

[Frank Kennelly]

Overnight?

[Charlie Burgess]

I was in two nights once.

[Frank Kennelly]

Were you ever in two years or three years or five years? You know what it's like, Wanda.

[Charlie Burgess]

I'm not scared. I'm not scared of anything.

[Frank Kennelly]

If you testify for Al and we prove it's a lie, we can send you away for perjury or worse, as accessory to murder. And we will too.

[Charlie Burgess]

We can't do that.

[Frank Kennelly]

Come here. If you lie on the witness stand, we will.

[Charlie Burgess]

Oh, fun is fun. But I can't shut up like that.

[Frank Kennelly]

Get away from that. I'll kill you. Watch him break that. I'll get him.

[Charlie Burgess]

I didn't mean any harm. Honestly, I didn't. He just said that he was in a little trouble and if I was to ask any questions to cover up for him.

[Frank Kennelly]

All right, Wanda, sit down.

[Charlie Burgess]

It didn't mean any harm. I didn't know it was a murder.

[Frank Kennelly]

Bee, sit down.

[Charlie Burgess]

Yeah.

[Frank Kennelly]

Is he okay? He'll come around in a minute. Thanks, Captain. For what? You see. You see. Yeah, we see. Charlie, we're sorry if we gave you a hard time. That's all right, Lieutenant. You guys were just doing your job. I know that I'll admit looked bad for me. Awful bad. Charlie, no matter how bad it looked for you, it's gonna look a lot worse for him. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Klein. How'd you know? It was burglar's man. And so it goes. Around the clock through the week, every day, every year. A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry go round. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone. Incidents portrayed on tonight's 21st Precinct occurred last year. Names were changed to protect the interests of persons involved. 21st Precinct is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. Everett Sloan in the role of Captain Kelly. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Elster Ferric, Wendell Holmes, Chuck Webster, Bill Quinn, Phil Sterling and Lawson Zerby. Written and directed by Stanley Ness. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Art Hannah Speaking.