21st Precinct 54-07-28 (055) The DOA

Summary

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Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct 54-07-28 (055) "The DOA"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: February 24, 2026 (original show aired July 28, 1954)
Theme: A tense and procedural look at an NYPD homicide investigation in mid-century New York

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Episode Overview

In this episode of 21st Precinct, listeners are immersed in the operations of a New York police station after the discovery of a dead body under a laundry loading dock. The story follows Captain Frank Kennelly and his detectives as they methodically unravel leads, question witnesses, and pursue the truth behind the homicide of Edward L. Burgess, a well-dressed elderly man from New Jersey. The case navigates the complexities of witness memory, family dynamics, and the practical realities of police work.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery and Initial Police Response

• [00:04–03:03] The episode opens with Patrolman Farrow alerting Sergeant Waters to the body of a man, apparently shot twice, discovered under the loading platform of the Sunningdale Laundry (672 East 80th Street).
  • Notable quote:
    • “At first I thought it was a drunk. Then I put my light on his face.” — Patrolman Farrow ([02:36])
• No weapon is found at the scene, and the victim appears well-dressed, contradicting initial suspicion that he might be a vagrant.
• The call triggers a well-rehearsed series of notifications and deployments, emphasizing the procedural precision of the NYPD at the time.

2. Building the Investigation

• [03:44–08:16] Detectives and the Captain respond:
  • Detectives start canvassing the neighborhood, searching for evidence, and processing the scene.
  • The body is soon identified as Edward L. Burgess from New Jersey, based on auto registration and address information.
  • The investigation quickly pivots to notification of next of kin and gathering background on the victim.

3. Witness Testimony: Mrs. Audley

• [08:16–13:14] Mrs. Audley, Burgess’s landlady, provides information:
  • Describes Burgess as a “nice gentleman” staying in her house for the last three weeks, in New York seeking sciatic treatment.
  • She last saw Burgess around 8:30 PM, noting that he was picked up by “his son” from outside the house—an important lead.
  • Memorable exchange:
    • “I’m absolutely positive, absolutely positive.” — Mrs. Audley, on recognizing Burgess's son ([13:05])

4. Notification of Next of Kin

• [09:12–10:23] Captain and Lt. King notify Carl, the victim’s son, about his father’s death.
  • Carl is asked to come to New York for identification.
  • Notable quote:
    • “You didn’t come to New York to have your good time by any chance?” — Lt. King pressuring Carl about his alibi ([17:32])
• Carl is evasive about his whereabouts, creating suspicion around his involvement.

5. Digging into the Victim’s Last Hours

• [13:14–20:28]
  • Police reconstruct the last couple of days of Burgess’s life, including where he stayed, frequented, and what finances or social ties he had.
  • At 7:30 AM, a breakthrough occurs: Burgess’s car is found in a First Avenue garage, with possible blood stains on the seat.

6. Interrogation of Carl Burgess

• [17:00–20:00]
  • Carl’s alibi falls apart; police reveal he lied about working the night shift—he actually called in sick.
  • Under pressure, Carl insists he was in Trenton with a woman, but can provide no corroboration.
  • Memorable exchange:
    • “A man’s wife doesn’t get away often. Neither does a man’s father get murdered often.” — Lt. King ([17:45])

7. Expansion of Witness Interviews

• [20:28–23:51]
  • Detectives interview Kitty Crow, a bar waitress, who describes Burgess’s last known actions at the bar. She struggles to recall the details, but finally remembers her boyfriend, Phil, was also present that night.
  • A garage attendant, Mr. McLeaf, provides a partial description of the person who parked Burgess’s car—not Carl Burgess.

8. The Break in the Case: Kitty’s Confession

• [25:44–26:35]
  • Kitty admits her boyfriend Phil was at the bar to “hit the old man up for a little money,” and that he returned later saying he was “in a jam.”
  • She gives detectives Phil’s address, leading the police to pursue this new suspect.
  • Key admission:
    • “I had no idea what it was until I heard about that old man. Then I put two and two together…” — Kitty Crow ([26:13])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “At first I thought it was a drunk. Then I put my light on his face.” — Patrolman Farrow ([02:36])
• “A man’s wife doesn’t get away often. Neither does a man’s father get murdered often.” — Lt. King ([17:45])
• “I’m absolutely positive, absolutely positive.” — Mrs. Audley ([13:05])
• “You didn’t come to New York to have your good time by any chance?” — Lt. King ([17:32])
• “I had no idea, honest. I mean, I wouldn’t stand for anything like that.” — Kitty Crow ([25:59])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:04] — Discovery of the body and initial police response
• [03:44] — Detectives mobilize at the crime scene
• [08:16] — Interview with Mrs. Audley, Burgess’s landlady
• [09:12] — Notification of next of kin (telephone conversation with Carl)
• [13:14] — Reconstructing victim’s last hours and finding the car
• [17:00] — Interrogation of Carl Burgess and unraveling his alibi
• [20:28] — Interview with Kitty Crow, bar waitress
• [23:51] — Garage attendant’s description of the man who parked the car
• [25:44] — Kitty Crow identifies her boyfriend Phil as the likely suspect
• [26:26] — Police organize to pursue the new lead

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Language and Tone

The episode captures the clipped, methodical dialogue of mid-century police work. The exchanges are civic, practical, and procedural, with occasional dry asides reflecting the weariness of law enforcement. Witness interviews are vivid with the distinct vernacular of the era and New York City. The drama unfolds through steady questioning, small revelations, and a sense of relentless but routine duty.

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Conclusion

This episode of 21st Precinct exemplifies the procedural genre of Golden Age radio. Through detailed, realistic investigation, it emphasizes the complexity and endurance required of detectives, the fragility of witness memory, and the humanity at the heart of police work. The case closes not with a dramatic shootout but with careful, persistent attention to detail—and the human stories that intersect violence and loss.

The episode is a captivating window into the culture and mechanics of 1950s policing, rendered with authenticity and a touch of noir.

Transcript

[A]

20 Police. Preaching. Sergeant Waters. Yeah. Where is this? What? Was he shot? Yeah. Yeah. He's dead. Huh. Well, I gotta send the ambulance anyway to pronounce the poa. You are in the muscle room at the 21st Precinct, the nerve 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. Yeah. All right. I'll make a notification. You just sit tight until the detectives get there, okay? Yeah. 21st Precinct. 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 homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I had been off duty since completing my night tour and I was not due back on the job until 8 the following morning. At midnight, the 12 to 8 platoon was turned out by Lt. Gorman, the desk officer. After the 55 men who had patrolled the streets of the precinct during the night marched out the front door of the station house, a quiet settled over the muster room for the next 15 or 20 minutes. The quiet was broken occasionally by the men of the 4 to 12 door coming into the station house singly and in pairs to go off duty. Each saluted the desk as he passed through en route to the locker room to change to civilian clothes. Then, as the men reached their posts and began to ring in on the 22 police call boxes scattered throughout the precinct the telephone switchboard, manned by Sergeant Waters, started to hum at intervals. 25 precinct. Sergeant Waters.

[B]

Patrolman Farrow, box 11.

[A]

Okay, Pharaoh.

[B]

There's a body of a man under the loading platform of a laundry over here. Yeah, it looks like he was shot, sergeant. Once right between the eyes and again in the chest.

[A]

Where is that?

[B]

Well, it's The Sunningdale Laundry, 672 East 80th Street.

[A]

Under the loading platform.

[B]

That's right, sir. It's open to the street. I went in there to try the freight door and I saw the feet sticking out from under the platform. At first I thought it was a drunk. Then I put my Light on his face.

[A]

Is the weapon there?

[B]

No, sir, I couldn't find any weapon.

[A]

What is he, a bump?

[B]

Oh, he looks pretty well dressed to me, Sergeant. He's a man of about 65, 70.

[A]

All right, get back on the job. I'll send someone right over there.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[A]

Yes? How was Farrow ringing in. He's found a body of a man under the loading dock of a laundry at 672 East Adia Street. He thought it was a drunk at first. Yeah, so? The man was apparently shot twice, Once between the eyes and again the chest. No sign of a weapon. All right, give me communications here on here. You notify the. Yes, sir. Okay, Lieutenant. Hello? CP, Lieutenant G. 21st. 672. HE Stadium. No gunshot, apparently. Huh.

[B]

21st Squad. Detective Vitale.

[A]

Okay, this Sergeant Warner's on P.S. vitali.

[B]

Yes, Sergeant.

[A]

The patrolman on post reports A homicide at 672 East A. Take care of that. M the loading docket alone e there.

[B]

All right, you say 672 or 622?

[A]

672.

[B]

Okay, sergeant. Thank you.

[A]

Yeah. Who's catching upstairs, Sergeant? Vitality, Lieutenant. Give me a line on here. I want to notify the skipper. Figures. Lieutenant. Been too quiet around here, Captain. Must be sleeping. Yeah. Hello? Captain Kelly?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Lieutenant Gorman. Captain.

[B]

Oh, what have you got?

[A]

A ranch out in care, Captain.

[B]

Yeah, where?

[A]

672 East 80th Street. The loading dock up the laundry there. The cop on the post saw the body. He thought it was a drunk. The man was dead, well dressed. Well, it looked like a bullet hole through his head and another one through the chest.

[B]

Any identification?

[A]

No, sir, not yet.

[B]

All right, send a car for me.

[A]

Yes, sir. Right away, Captain. Send a car over for the Captain. While the car was en route to pick me up at my home, detectives of the 21st Squad and the Manhattan East Homicide Squad were beginning to arrive at the scene of the homicide. In addition to Patrolman Farrell, who discovered the body, six more patrolmen and a sergeant were also on the job. An ambulance surgeon from Roosevelt Hospital pronounced the victim dead, pending arrival of a deputy medical examiner. Lt. Matt King, commander of the 21st Squad and the ranking officer of the Detective division on the scene dictated to a stenographer a detailed description of the body, its position and surrounding conditions. A police photographer took pictures from every possible angle. The deputy medical examiner on arrival, made a preliminary examination of the body. Then, following fingerprinting by a homicide detective and a search by Patrolman Farrell, the body was removed to the Bellevue morgue in the Meantime, detectives were sent to question neighbors who may have witnessed either the shooting or, as appeared more likely, the dumping of the body where it was found. By the time I arrived on the scene from my home, the body had already been removed to the morgue and Lt. King had returned to the station house. I talked to Sergeant Collins, who was still on the job with three patrolmen, while the detectives completed their search of the loading dock and the nearby area for physical evidence. I then instructed the operator of my car to take me to the station house where I signed the blotter and immediately went upstairs to the 21st detectives squad on the second floor. 21st squad. Where's Lieutenant King? Novak? Oh, he's in his office, Captain. Okay, thanks. We've got the Jersey State Police trying. All right, I see what we can do. Captain Canelli. Come in, Captain. Okay, thank you. Oh, hello, Matt. Well, I hear you've got a heavy one, man. That's what it looks like, Captain. Any identification? Yes, sir. We think his name is Edward L. Burgess. B U r g e s 71 years old. He had an auto registration showing address of 316 New Era Drive, Marble Hill, New Jersey. Uh huh. Vitali. Yes, sir. Any luck on that Jersey number? No, sir, not good. We're trying. All right, get a postcard. Address to him on 23rd Street. Two addresses on an automobile and we're standing still. Well, at least at 4:30 in the morning. Matt. The press and the brass aren't breathing down your neck wanting the answers to a lot of questions? Yes, sir. They don't have the answers to any. Money in his pocket. 83 cents and change. How does it look for robbery? I don't know how it looks for anything, Captain. There's a telephone listed in the name of Edward L. Burgess at that New Jersey address. I rang it for three quarters of an hour. There's no answer. We asked the New Jersey State Police to go around there and have a look. You heard back from him yet? No, sir, not yet. Where is this Marble Hill? Down close to Trenton. Uh huh. Yes? Novak, Lieutenant. Yes. Novak. Lieutenant King, this is Mrs. Oddly. Mr. Fergus has been rooming her house down on 23rd Street. How do you do, Mrs. Odley?

[C]

Frankly, not so good.

[A]

Won't you come in?

[C]

You gotta wait in the Bissau and be given such horrible news. Rest his soul, not so good.

[A]

This is Captain Kennelly. Ms. Audley.

[C]

Hello.

[A]

Shut the door in all back. Stick around. Yes, sir. Have a seat, Mrs. Audley.

[C]

Not so good at all.

[A]

I'm sorry to get you up here, Mrs. Audley. But I'm sure you understand.

[C]

Oh, yes, I understand.

[A]

I'm sure you want to help us get to the bottom of this thing. Excuse me.

[C]

Oh, yes, sure.

[A]

21st Squad, Lieutenant King.

[B]

Vitaly. Lieutenant.

[A]

Yes?

[B]

That party from Jersey is ringing in on the straight line.

[A]

All right, hold on to him. I'll be out there and take the call.

[B]

Yes, sir.

[A]

Captain, you want to come outside with me a second? Yeah, sure, man. I'll be right back, Mrs. Odd. William, I have a very important telephone call.

[C]

Oh, that's all right.

[A]

Detective Novak will stay in here with you.

[C]

He doesn't have to.

[A]

The telephone answered at the New Jersey address. Captain. Paul, I'm. This one more time. Who is it on the phone? The victim's son. He knows his father's dead. New Jersey state trooper was waiting for him when he came home. He gave him this number to call. All right, I'll take it. Hello, Aaron? This is Lieutenant King, commanding the 21st Detective Squad in New York.

[B]

Yes, I understand. There was this street policeman waiting here when I came home. He told me my father died.

[A]

Yes, that's right. We've been trying to reach you for some time.

[B]

No, there wasn't anybody here. My wife's visiting at 4 Philly, and I worked the night shift at the assembly plant here. Are you sure it's my father?

[A]

Is your father about 70 years old? Five foot five or six, wishy gray hair?

[B]

Yeah, that's him, all right.

[A]

We'd like to have you come to New York, Mr. Burgess. We'd like to have you identify him.

[B]

You want me to come near the 21st Precinct?

[A]

You know where it is?

[B]

Yes, that state trooper gave me the address.

[A]

Oh, good. We should get here as soon as possible. We're conducting an investigation.

[B]

What kind of investigation?

[A]

The man we're talking about was murdered. Oh, was he? Yes. So get here as fast as you can, Mr. Burgess.

[B]

Yes, as fast as I can.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Goodbye.

[A]

Goodbye. What a job. Well, somebody's got to do it, man. Yes, sir, I guess they do. I'll be in my office, Vitalik. Okay, Lieutenant. Why do you only know on the alarm? On that. All right, Captain. Thank you. Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mrs. Odley.

[C]

Well, that's all right. I was talking to this nice detective here, Ms. Audley.

[A]

I understand Mr. Burgess has been roaming at your house for the last three weeks.

[C]

More or less, yes. And all these years, I've never met a nicer gentleman. He was the last man in the world. You think tragedy would fall to the only tragedy We've had around there since my husband, the late Mr. Audrey.

[A]

Well, Mrs. Odley, I had a near tragedy once.

[C]

A chiropody student, he hung himself with a neck in his room one night, but we cut him down in time.

[A]

Well, I want to make sure we're talking about the same man, Mrs. Oddly.

[C]

The last I heard of him, the chiropody student, that is, he was back home delivering on a milk root and raising a big blue to kids. It shows you how good can come out of bad.

[A]

Do you know why Mr. Burgess had come to New York?

[C]

Oh, yes, to take treatment from a doctor. He was suffering from sciatics, poor man.

[A]

Did he have any particular friends that you know of?

[C]

Well, not in the house. But he liked his noggin of beer. When he wasn't in the house or to the doctors, you could find him down at the Bar and Grill on the corner.

[A]

When was the last time you saw him?

[C]

Oh, about 8:30 tonight. Last night, that is.

[A]

Is that when he left the house?

[C]

Oh, no. He left the house sometime previously to go to the Bar and Grill.

[A]

Took it up.

[C]

You don't mind my mentioning the fact that he liked his nip?

[A]

No, that's all right.

[C]

The reason I mention it is because of my late husband. Poor man, he liked to drink too. A pint of whiskey every day of his life. Except the last, that is. He got hit with the streetcar too early in the morning to finish it.

[A]

Well, if he had already left the house, Mrs. Otley, when was it you saw him last?

[C]

Well, as I said, about 8:30. I happened to be looking out the window and there came poor Mr. Burgess on his way home from the bar. And Grave just drugged him along on account of his ailment, not the bill.

[A]

He didn't return to the house?

[C]

Oh, no, he got into the car.

[A]

Whose car?

[C]

His car. Mr. Burgess's. He generally kept it parked at the curb there and drove away. Oh, no, he didn't drive. The other one did the driving.

[A]

What other one?

[C]

The one that was waiting at the car.

[A]

A man?

[C]

His son.

[A]

Mr. Burgesson?

[C]

Well, that's what it looked like to me. His son.

[A]

Carl, let me get this straight. Mr. Burgess walked down the sidewalk toward the house, and when he got to his car, his son was waiting there?

[C]

Well, it certainly looked like his son.

[A]

Have you seen Mr. Burgess son previously?

[C]

Oh, yes. On two or three occasions. He brought Mr. Burgess to move in. And once more, at least once more.

[A]

You're positive it was Mr. Burgess son? Absolutely positive.

[C]

Well, I couldn't swear to it. But I'm absolutely positive, absolutely positive.

[A]

You are listening. Turning to 21st policing, the factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. On September 24, 1951, newspapers carried a minor headline that read, Three UN Men Capture Heartbreak Ridge. And the item quote, after four unsuccessful assaults earlier in the day, a battalion that has suffered two thirds casualties sent a platoon with only 13 men left against enemy positions on the peak. Three men finally reached the objective and they were quickly reinforced. What connection does that news item have with you? Just this. Those men who reached the ridge and those men who fell trying were helping to write a code of conduct for all future United States fighting men. Specifically, Article one of that code. I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. Now back to 21st Precinct and Captain Pinelli. The first 24 hours in a homicide investigation are priceless to detectives. The memory of witnesses is short, and as each hour passes, the trail grows colder. Consequently, all off duty detectives of both the Manhattan east homicide squad and Lt. Matt King's 21st detective squad were summoned from their home. Paired off into teams of two, they sought out and spoke to every person known to have had contact with the homicide victim, Edward l. Burgess. By 7:30 in the morning, a good picture had been drawn of the last several days life of Mr. Burgess. His background, his financial condition, his family and his social life. I had gone downstairs to my office to change to my uniform preparatory to turning out the platoon. Lt. King sat behind his desk drinking a cup of coffee, waiting for his detectives to show up with still another witness in the case. Come in. They got the car, Lieutenant George's car and swear in the 15th Precinct. It was parked in the garage on First Avenue about midnight last night. An attendant was moving it to another floor this morning and noticed what he thought were blood stains on the front seat. He called the cop on the post. Cop remembered seeing the car and the alarms. Where have they got the garage attendant? At the 15th Squad, lieutenant. All right, get that attendant in here. Send Whitey. Well, he's going to pick up that waitress from the bar and grill. Oh, yeah. All right. Send Fitz. I'm supposed to see Lieutenant King. Hello. I'm Lieutenant King. Oh, my name's Carl Burgess. We were wondering what happened to you, Mr. Burgess. Come into my office. Yeah, thanks, Sally. Right with you, Lieutenant. Go ahead, mister. Thank you. Have a chair. I didn't think it'd take you this long. Well, I told you, my wife's in Philly. I had to get in touch with her and tell her the news. Also, I didn't trust my car to come up here. I had to wait for a train. This is Detective Vitali. Sorry about your father, Mr. Burgess. Yeah, so am I. You know who did it, Lieutenant? No, not yet. Do you know why it was done? Why would anyone want to kill my father? Well, he was in the habit of carrying quite a sum of money, wasn't he? Not too much. He always had a couple of hundred dollars in cash on him. Someone do it to rob him? His wallet was on his person, Mr. Burgess, but there wasn't any money in it. All he had in his pocket was 83 cents and change. Maybe. Do you have any idea? You know, we're working on a few angles. Oh, good. I'm glad to hear that. Where is he? Bellevue Morgue. We have to get down there to make identification. Aren't you sure it's him? Yes, but it's a formality we have to go through. I'm sorry. Oh, you were the closest living relative? Yeah. My mother died in 1939. No brothers or sisters. My father been living with me since. Except recently. But I came up to New York for trouble. Yes, we know. Suppose you want to claim his property, what was in his room at Mrs. Audley's? Yeah, but there's nothing about that. Isn't it? Oh, yeah, sure. It's all been taken into the station house here and inventoried. Did you know there were two $10,000 insurance policies naming you as beneficiary? Yeah. I knew it. Who recommended this New York doctor to your father, Mr. Bridges? Well, a friend of his that lives in New York. Man friend or woman? As a matter of fact, a woman. Did your father ever say anything to you about planning to remarry? No. Was he? That's what I'm trying to find out. You're positive now? Of course I'm positive. I just want the truth. So I've been telling you the truth. Have you? What do you mean? Burgess, when I finally reached you on the Paliflower, you told me you weren't home at that hour in the morning because you were working the night shift. Yeah, well, that's what I told you. I just wanted to make sure about that. So I had a detective call the personnel office at the plant. They said you didn't work at all last night. You rang in sick. Does that say. No, I. I didn't work. Why'd you tell me you did? Look, Lieutenant, you Got to be a good fella. My wife was in Philly. I was out having to go. Good time. Man's wife doesn't get away often. He doesn't have much chance. You know that. I know. A man's wife doesn't get away often. Neither does a man's father get murdered often. You didn't come to New York to have your good time by any chance? No. Where were you? In Trenton. By yourself? Yeah. Do you see anyone you knew? No. No one, Mr. Bridges? No one? No, sir. Where'd you go? Maybe someone would remember you. I was by myself. I just went from one bar to another and to a movie till 3 o' clock in the morning. Well, not in the movie until that time. I. I went to a few bars afterwards and I drove home. That took some time. I see. You're positive you weren't in New York? I swear. I swear I wasn't in New York. Now back. It's not possible, is it, Mr. Burgess, that you got a little mixed up with your were in Trenton the night before and last night you were in New York. I told you I wasn't in New York last night. Yes, sir, Lieutenant. Well, I want you and Goldman to take Mr. Burgess down to Bellevue. Yes, sir. Mr. Burgess? Yeah. This Detective Novak, he's going to see that you get down to Bellevue where you'll see if that's your father. All right. You coming to? No, I want to talk to Lieutenant. All right. All right. That way, mister. Okay. Well, he's hot. See, after that garage attendant gets a look at him. That Trenton story sure wasn't very convincing. No, he didn't have much faith in it himself, did he? The Manual of Procedures specifically states that commanding officers must keep in constant touch with developments in all homicide cases. Consequently, after I have turned out the platoon at 8am and discussed a few matters concerning patrol of the precinct with the the oncoming desk officer, Lieutenant Snyder, I went upstairs once more to the 21st Detective Squad where Lieutenant King filled me in on the latest developments. As I left the squadroom and started back down to my office, Detective Novak was headed up the stairs with an attractive but slightly overdressed girl in her middle 20s.

[C]

What I'm doing here, I really don't.

[A]

Hold it here, Kitty. Hello, Captain Novak.

[C]

You know the best people, don't you, Captain?

[A]

Yeah. All right, go on.

[C]

I really haven't any idea.

[A]

Nobody's gonna bite you. The lieutenant just wants to ask you a few questions.

[C]

Waking me up in the middle of the night like this.

[A]

It's 8:30 in the morning, when it's

[C]

the middle of the night.

[A]

Right over here, Detective Vitali. Shoot. Right down here, Kitty.

[C]

Right here?

[A]

That's right. Well, I won't be able to make it today. I'll go get the lieutenant up here last night, but there's nothing I can do about that. Yes. No, that Lieutenant. I'll call you tomorrow. Yes, all right. I've got the girl, Lieutenant. The waitress in the Barn Grill. How are you? That's her. Home to bring her in? No, I'll talk to her. Out here? Yes. What's her name? Kitty. What? Kitty Crow. Oh, Ms. Crow, I'm Lieutenant King.

[C]

How do you do?

[A]

You were working last night?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Did you see Mr. Edward Burgess in there during the evening?

[C]

What.

[A]

What time was that?

[C]

Oh, he came in early about 7:30, quarter day.

[A]

Did you serve him?

[C]

Yes, if I remember correctly, bought two bottles of beer.

[A]

Was he alone or with someone?

[C]

He.

[A]

Do you know Mr. Burgess very well?

[C]

What do you mean?

[A]

I mean, did you have frequent occasion to see him and talk to him? Oh, yeah.

[C]

He's been coming into the place every night almost. Yeah.

[A]

As far as you know, he spoke to no one in the place last night?

[C]

Not me. I served him. He said, hello, how are you so far?

[A]

You very busy when he was in there?

[C]

No, we went to zero.

[A]

Who else was in the place?

[C]

Ah, well, I was the boss behind the bar. There was a strange couple at the bar, people I never saw before.

[A]

And who else?

[C]

Mr. Burgess in his booth.

[A]

And that's all? Well, there were more people than there weren't the Kitty. Think about it.

[C]

I'm thinking. At what?

[A]

All right, bring him in here. Lieutenant, this is Mr. Frank. The police. How did they. The attendant at the garage where the car was parked. Oh, yes. Belike. You stay here with kitty. Yes, sir. Lieutenant. Come into my office, Mr. Mcle. Sure, sure, anything you want. Listen, those really turn out to be blood stains on, you know, in the car. The car is being examined now. Go on in, Mr. Mcle. Oh, thank you. I. Some deal I got myself and I. Mcle. Yeah? Do you think you could recognize the man who parked that car in your garage last night? Well, it's hard to say I remember him and I don't. I couldn't draw you a picture of him, but if I saw him again, I think I could identify him. You know what I mean? What time was it he parked the car? 11.55pm We've got a machine with a time stamp we put on the ticket so we know exactly what time to come in and what time to go out. Maybe you'll see that man before the morning is over. Oh, wait a minute. Just a second. I wouldn't identify anybody without making positive for us. You know what I mean? This could be serious. We know it could be. Mr. Mcle, what would you say he looked like? Could you give us a description? Well, he wasn't too tall a fella. Not too short a fella either. Would you say about as tall as me or shorter?

[C]

Taller?

[A]

A little bit taller. About how old? Oh, 35ish. You know what I mean. What color? Heavier, Dark. Kind of docker. You said before it might have been brown. Well, doc, Brown. Just a second. Oh, sure, sure. I haven't got a work done in the well. First squad, Lieutenant King, Senator Snowak.

[B]

I brought that young Burgess back. He identified the body of Belgium.

[A]

Okay, I'll be right out. Staying here with him, Vitali? Yes, sir. Sure is busy place around here, isn't it? Sure is. Well, tell me, Kitty, why did you say he was when he wasn't?

[C]

He's been there all the time. I didn't remember, that's all.

[A]

Well, Mr. Burgess, sir. Taylor. I understand you identified your father. Yeah, that's him all right. You mind coming into my office? I don't mind anything anymore.

[C]

I just didn't remember, that's all you had tell me for not remember.

[A]

All right. There was no reason for me to look at his eyes. I. And girls, I call this. You know what I mean. Mr. Mcle, I have someone I'd like you to meet. Oh, yeah? Mr. Frank Mcle. How do you do? Mr. Carl Burgess. How are you? You're the son of the man I got killed. Yeah, that's right. I'm sorry to hear the bad news. You never saw Mr. Burgess before? Where would I have seen him? I hear from the garage. That's right, Jeff. They think I killed my father and drove his car to your garage. Out of their minds. This is not the man, believe me. The tender. I'd swear it on a bag of bibles if they thought I was going to identify you. They're crazy. Yeah. No, thanks. Why did I see you out here all right? That's what they thought. Oh, that. That blue sky high. Nothing did it. What have you got? All right, Kitty, tell the lieutenant.

[C]

Well, I didn't know he was going to do anything like that. He just wanted to hit the old man up for a little money, that's all. I had no idea to be anything like that.

[A]

Anything like what? She forgot to mention that her boyfriend was in the bar when Burgess was last night. But her boss didn't forget that. He told Whitey Howard.

[C]

I had no idea, Honest. I mean, I wouldn't stand for anything like that.

[A]

You saw him after he killed the old man?

[C]

Well, he came back to the bar and grill later. After midnight. It's way after midnight. And he was. He said he was in a jam world. I mean, I had no idea what it was until I heard about that old man. Then I put two and two together and he told me not to tell anyone he was in the place, so I didn't. He just wanted to make a little money. That's what he said.

[A]

Where can we find this Phil?

[C]

In his place, I guess.

[A]

Where is that?

[C]

3342 Charles Street. He's got an apartment there.

[A]

Think he's there?

[C]

Well, he must be. He was very drunk when I saw him. Very drunk. Where else could he go?

[A]

All right. Novak, get the sixth squad on the phone. I want to tell him we're coming down. Take a look for this boy. Yes, sir.

[C]

You won't hurt him?

[A]

You'll try not to. All right, Mr. McLeaf, you get back to the garage. We'll call you when we need you. When will that. Maybe in a little while. He might have someone else for you to look at. Say, could I use the phone? I've got to call my boy. I'll ask one of the detectives out there. He'll you show you which one? Oh, sure. Thanks a lot. This other person you have for him to look at, Lieutenant, you think he's the right one? I don't know. I thought you were the right one. Were you really in Trenton last night? Yep. What are you so vague about? I was out with a woman. Eric, take my advice. It'd be better for your wife to find out that than for you to sit in the electric chair. Ch. Yeah, maybe. Maybe it would be. White face preaching. Sergeant Waters, how many hold up men were there? Where? No, that's not in this place. You give me the information, I'll see that the officers get there. Did they have guns? Yeah, yeah. What they get? Yeah, yeah. 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. 21st Precinct. A factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city 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 on the role of Captain Kennelly. Ken lynch is Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Joan Loring, Abby Lewis, Harold Stone, Santa Sotega, Bill Smith, John Larkin and Phil Sterling. Written and directed by Stanley Nist. Art Hannah Speaking.