Calling All Cars 34-01-24 ep009 Case of the Three Grooved Bullets

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Calling All Cars 34-01-24 ep009 - Case of the Three Grooved Bullets"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: October 12, 2025
Original Air Date of Program: January 24, 1934
Episode Theme:
A dramatization of a true crime case from the 1920s: the investigation and solving of the murder of Barbara Mauger, a young woman found dead in Stone Canyon, Los Angeles. The episode highlights classic detective work, early forensic methods, and police pride and perseverance.

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode uses Golden Age radio storytelling to recount the landmark murder investigation of Barbara Mauger. Through dramatized dialogue, narration, and period-accurate detective methods, listeners are taken through the progression of the case—from the initial disappearance to the conclusion of a high-profile trial. The episode exemplifies how classic radio shows blended entertainment with real-world crime stories, emphasizing the role of police tenacity and emerging forensic science.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Police Perspective and Pride

• [02:25] Chief James E. Davis (Los Angeles Police Chief) introduces the episode, underlining police pride and motivation, noting their personal attachment to solving difficult cases despite the lack of financial incentive:

  "There is an element of pride in the makeup of every member of your police force... their greatest reward is the satisfaction of writing 'solved' on the records of the case."
  (Chief Davis, 02:31)

2. The Setup: Barbara Mauger and Her Relationships

• The story opens on the home life of Barbara Mauger, her engagement to Russell Berholm, and a telling conversation with her neighbor Mrs. Roberts.
• Gun as a Key Detail:
  • Russell calls to get the serial number of a gun so he can buy bullets before a planned picnic:

    "Don't be frightened, Mrs. Roberts. It's just Russell's gun. It's loaded. Let's see... Jason, make out these numbers."
    (Barbara, 05:00)

  • Mrs. Roberts is unnerved:

    "Get that gun out of the place as soon as you can. I tell you, I'm frightened of them. No good ever come of having a gun around the place."
    (Mrs. Roberts, 06:45)

3. The Murder and Initial Investigation

• [09:00] The body is discovered by hikers Vernon Johnson and Edgy Hitchcock after they see buzzards circling in Stone Canyon.
• Detectives note the following at the scene:
  • Gunshot wound to the temple.
  • No clothing or identification present.
  • Only loose clue: a string of white beads.

4. Tracing the Victim: Diligence and Breakthroughs

• Detectives painstakingly comb Missing Persons files, nearly giving up until a connection is made via a friend's tip about a girl named Barbara being suddenly absent.
• The landlady and Mrs. Roberts (neighbor) fill in crucial details about Barbara, her romance with Russell, and the suspicious gun request.
• The beads found at the scene are identified as belonging to Barbara.

5. Suspect Identification and the Trail of Russell Berholm

• Interviewing acquaintances, police get a possible workplace (Metropolitan Theater), but staff deny knowing him.
• The detectives probe further, uncovering that the "Metropolitan 1525" phone number is not the theater, but an engine room. Ultimately, they trace Russell (who also uses the alias Russell Sinclair and Beitzel) to an engineering firm.

6. Interrogation of the Suspect

• During questioning, Russell claims he argued with Barbara on their picnic, she left him, and he never saw her again. He admits to being married and using a false name.
• Detectives note inconsistencies, especially Russell's knowledge of the crime scene and his efforts to dispose of Barbara’s belongings.

  "You must realize your story is pretty thin. Won't hold water at all."
  (Detective, 24:40)

• He refuses to speak further without an attorney.

7. Forensic and Circumstantial Evidence Build the Case

• Police trace a package of Barbara’s clothes sent by Russell to a false address; it is returned and matches the victim via forensic hair comparison.
• Philadelphia police reveal Russell is wanted for embezzlement. A taxi driver places him near the murder location.

8. Ballistics Breakthrough and the Trial

• At trial, expert Captain Crosby gives compelling testimony.
• Ballistics Evidence:
  • The murder weapon, a gun with a sawed-off barrel, leaves three unique grooves on bullets.
  • Bureau test bullets and the murder bullet match exactly.

    "The bullets you will notice are marked identically. The ones on the right and left were test shots made from this gun. The middle bullet was taken from the skull of Barbara Morgan."
    (Captain Crosby, 28:45)

• The jury convicts Russell St. Clair Beitzel (alias Berholm, Sinclair) of first-degree murder; he is sentenced to death.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On police motivation:

  "Every man is eager to be the one who clears up a mysterious case."
  (Chief Davis, 02:30)

• On the peril of guns:

  "No good ever come of having a gun around the place."
  (Mrs. Roberts, 06:45)

• Suspect’s indifference:

  "If you aren't guilty, you won't need an attorney."
  (Detective, 21:47)

• Science triumphs:

  "The barrel has been sawed off... the grooves were cut by the saw mark... The bullets you will notice are marked identically."
  (Captain Crosby, 28:30)

• Mrs. Roberts’s foreboding:

  "Oh, I just knew something terrible would happen that morning... I just had a cremation when I saw that gun."
  (Mrs. Roberts, 14:42)

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Important Timestamps

• [02:25] - Chief Davis’s introduction on police pride and case overview.
• [04:44] - Barbara and Mrs. Roberts discuss the gun and the pending marriage.
• [09:00] - Discovery of Barbara’s body and initial forensic observations.
• [13:48] - Detectives interview the landlady and Mrs. Roberts; key clues about Barbara and Russell.
• [18:01] - Detectives' search leads them to the Metropolitan Theater and then to Russell’s workplace.
• [21:35] - Initial confrontational questioning of Russell.
• [24:00] - Police confront Russell with evidence at the crime scene.
• [28:30] - Ballistics testimony at trial; crucial forensic connection made.
• [29:50-end] - Conviction, sentencing, and Russell’s ultimate execution.

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Episode Tone and Delivery

The episode maintains the brisk, clipped pace and melodramatic flair typical of 1930s radio crime dramas. Police and witnesses speak in vernacular, the detectives are methodic but compassionate, and moments of suspense are punctuated by factual narration. The significance of new forensic science (i.e., ballistics) is highlighted, demonstrating evolving crime-solving methods.

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Conclusion

This "Calling All Cars" episode expertly illustrates the dogged determination of 1920s police detectives, the value of witness accounts and tiny physical clues, and the early application of forensics in criminal justice. The dramatization is both a window into old-time radio storytelling and a showcase for the real-life triumph of diligent detective work and forensic science.

Transcript

[Sarah]

Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and, well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling, Even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell, Oatmeal. So long, you strange soggy.

[Narrator/Detective]

Break up with bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with K tree egg, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM PM Too much. Good stuff. Calling all cars. A copyrighted program created by the Rio Grande Oil Company. Young woman found murder. Stone cannon. That's all those. The greatest testing laboratory for gasoline is in the emergency cars operated by police and fire departments. Cities and counties keep accurate cost records of these cars. And it is easy to tell which gasoline gives greater mileage. Emergency cars test gasolines over the same streets and roads that you travel on. So when we prove conclusively that more police and emergency cars use Rio Grande cracks than any other gasoline, we have definite proof that this same gasoline will also improve the performance of your car. You'll get greater speed because Rio Grande crack has been chosen for the fastest cars on the highway. You'll get greater power for the most powerful motors made are in the fire engines that use Rio Grande cracked gasoline. And you'll get more economical operation because cost records of the many cities and counties using Rio Grande cracks prove that this gasoline gives more miles in every gallon. So Rio Grande backs up its fit for your business with cracks, not merely clean. The same gasoline that powers more police and emergency equipment than any other brand will actually improve the performance of your car. Rio Grande's independent dealers in every neighborhood offer you the same cracked gasoline that emergency cars use. It is now our pleasure to present Chief James E. Davis of the Los Angeles Police Department. Chief Davis. Good evening, friends. There is an element of pride in the makeup of every member of your police force. Pride in a job well done. Every man is eager to be the one who clears up a mysterious case. It is this element which is really responsible for the solutions to battling crime. For as you all know, the financial reward of a police officer is certainly not enough to compensate him for the long hours, the nights away from home. And the risks he run every day in his search for desperate lawbreakers. Your police officers are intensely personally anxious to trace down every evidence of a crime. And their greatest reward is the satisfaction of writing solved on the records of the case on which they have worked. Tonight, we are presenting the dramatization of a famous case in which the police had very slim and nebulous clues to work on. The case looked almost hopeless, but the men assigned to find the murderer of Barbara Mauger made it a matter of personal pride to bring the case to a successful conclusion. The story you will now hear reveals what is, to my mind, one of the finest examples of sincere detective work in the annals of the Los Angeles Police Department. The case of the three grooved bullets. Our story tonight opens in June of 1928, when pretty Barbara Mauger, a girl of 19, is chatting gaily in her apartment with Mrs. Roberts, her neighbor from across the hall.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Oh, my dear, I'm so glad for you. And when do you expect you'll be married? Well, pretty soon now. Well, Russell and I haven't set the date, but we're going to run off anytime, and when we come back, I'll be. Mrs. RUFFLE BURHOLME CALM KNIVES and aren't you excited? Oh, terribly. I just can't wait. Oh, and recoll. I have a new car and Cindy, we're going out in hills in a picnic. How nice. Oh, drive me a moment, Mrs. Roberts. Of course, my dear. Hello? Oh, hello, Russell. Yeah. Yeah, I have it in the bill. All right. Yeah, I'll look at it right now. Hold the wire. Oh, don't be frightened, Mrs. Roberts. It's just Russell's gun. It's loaded. Let's see. Why. Can Mr. Sell? Can you, Mrs. Roberts? Oh, don't point that at me. It's all right, really. Jason, make out these numbers. I'm. Don't be afraid of guns. What do you want with a number? Russell wants them so he can get bullets for us. Bullets? Yeah. Who wants to do some target practicing when we go on a picnic Sunday? Now, what do these numbers look like to you? Well, please. Oh, please keep it pointed the other way, sir. I'm sorry. Well, now, I'd say that looks like a three, doesn't it? Yes, that's right. And that's a two. Yeah. And a two and a zero. 3220. That sounds right, doesn't it? Well, I don't know. Well, I'll ask him. Hello, Russell, is 3220 the number you want? Yeah. Well, that's what it is, all right. Yes, darling, all right. I'll look for you later. Goodbye. And Russell, I love you, my dear. Get that gun out of the place as soon as you can. I tell you, I'm frightened of them. No good ever come of having a gun around the place.

[Narrator/Detective]

That weekend in the canyon off Mulholland Drive, Pretty Barbara Morga is enjoying the warmth of a June afternoon with her sweetheart, Russell Berholm. On the horizon, white clouds dilute the friendly sun. Overhead, the sky is deep blue. A bird sings nearby. Barbara is completely happy, but for one thin shadow across her heart.

[Mrs. Roberts]

But Russell, we. We can't wait much longer.

[Narrator/Detective]

Why not?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, I told everybody. Oh, my friends know we're going to be married.

[Narrator/Detective]

Now listen, Barbara. Been all over this before and I don't want to listen to it again.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Oh, but Russell, you promised me you'd marry me. And, well, every time I bring him up, you. You stop me. Aw, don't you think you've hurt me enough, Russell? Gee, I haven't any pride left.

[Narrator/Detective]

Ah, for pizza. Glitter.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Oh, but Russell, you want to know? I don't know why?

[Narrator/Detective]

Well, I'll tell you now. I won't marry you because I can. I've got a wife and kid back east, and I'm going back to them as soon as I can. You want the truth? I'm sick and tired of you, Barbara.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Oh, Russell Renan Were quit. Oh, Rosso, why didn't you tell me?

[Narrator/Detective]

You know what you're gonna do?

[Mrs. Roberts]

But I love you. Marco.

[Sarah]

Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and, well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling. Even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell. Oatmeal. So long, you strange soggy.

[Narrator/Detective]

Break up with bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with K tree egg, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. Am PM too much. Good stuff. That was in June. For more than two months. No one apparently missed Barbara Ma. At least her disappearance was not reported to the police. And then on the afternoon of August 2, 1928, as Detective Lieutenant Frank B. Condel of the Homicide Squad is standing watch at the headquarters. Homicide squad. Con. Dapper speaking. Hello, Condapper. This is Brigand over the fire department. Mountain patrol. Yeah, we just found a dead body in the underbrush near the bottom of Stone Castle up off Mulholland Drive. Yeah, dead long. Pretty long.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Young woman.

[Narrator/Detective]

Looks like murder to me. Okay, Burgendorf. I'll get Flanderson. My partner will be right. A half hour later, Detective Conda and Sanderson joined Burgundorf on Mulholland Drive. Hello, Bergendor. Hello, Conder. Where's the body? The body's down this gully. Come on, follow me. Well, boys, here we are. Yeah. Who found us? We did. My name is Vernon Johnson, and this is my pal, Edgy Hitchcock. How did you happen to find it? Well, we was driving up this way, and we noticed some big buzzards circling over the bottom of the canyon. We went down to investigate. When we. When we saw what it was, we run back and reported it. Been dead sometime. Frank, look here. What's that, Dennis? A bullet hole in the temple. Have any clothes been found around here? No, sir, not a shred. Well, then it can't be suicide. No. She could hardly have wandered all the way here unclothed. That's what I figured. Looks like her body's been dragged down the hill here. From the way that brush is flattened out, yes, but it's gonna be hard to make an identification. Nothing to go by accepting that she was a blonde. Uh. Oh, say, wait a minute. Uh, what's that you just picked up? May not be worth much, that. We'll take them in. Four white beads. Detective Sanderson and Kapper return to headquarters, and for hours they pour over the files of the Missing Persons Bureau. But their search seems doomed to failure. Well, this looks pretty hopeless. Yep. Not a description here that I've seen that'll fit the body we found there. You still got the beads? Yeah. A lot of good they'll do. You find they're not large enough to take fingerprints from. And if they were, these prints would probably only be those of a girl. It looks like this is just another unexplained murder. Sure does. Well, how are you two birds looking to groom me about, eh? Oh, nothing much. We're far ahead of when we started. We know that the body of a young blonde girl was found apparently murdered near Mulholland Drive, and that's all we know. A young blonde girl, is it? How old? Oh, I should say between 19 and 21. Wait a minute now, wait a minute. Seems to me I heard something about a young blonde girl being. You did? Where? Wait a minute, now, wait a minute. Let me think. Oh, yes, I remember. My wife was telling me a friend of hers lived in the same flat building with a blonde girl. The name of Mrs. Barber, as I remember. Yeah, but about a month ago, she went away suddenly and. That sounds hot. What address was that? Just a minute now, and I'll call the wife and find. A short while later, Convar and Sanderson visit the landlady of the flat building to which their friend directs them. So you see, lady, if you could give us a line on this Ms. Barber, we might be. Might help us a lot. Where? You're mistaken in the name. No one by the name of Ms. Barber ever lived here. But there was a girl by the name of Barbara. Barbara? Margaret. She was called. She suddenly went away and her boyfriend called for her things.

[Mrs. Roberts]

But his explanation didn't sound straight to me.

[Narrator/Detective]

Sounds like we're on the right track. Does it? That. Now tell us all you know about it, please.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, to be truthful, I don't know much, but if you talk to Mrs.

[Narrator/Detective]

Roberts, she may be able to help you. She was pretty close with the girl. Where is she?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, she lives across the hall from the apartment.

[Narrator/Detective]

The Margaret girl had.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Just go up the stairs and knock on the door on the left.

[Narrator/Detective]

Fine. Thank you very much. There we are. There's the name on the door. Mrs. Roberts.

[Mrs. Roberts]

How do you do?

[Narrator/Detective]

We understand that you were acquainted with a Barbara Mauger and Mrs. Roberts.

[Mrs. Roberts]

That's right. She lived across so far from me.

[Narrator/Detective]

We're police officers, ma'. Am. Barbara Mauger's been missing and we're trying to locate her. When did you see her last?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Why. Why, that Sunday when she went off on a picnic with her sweetheart.

[Narrator/Detective]

What is his name?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Why, Russell. Russell Berholme.

[Narrator/Detective]

Do you recognize these ladies?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Oh, well, those are her beads. What's happened? Is she dead? Oh, I just knew something terrible would happen that morning semester. Oh, that poor child. What's happened to her?

[Narrator/Detective]

Tell me now. Ms. Roberts, you can help us smoke by remaining quiet and answering our questions.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Yes, they're all right outside. Only tell me what happened to Barbara.

[Narrator/Detective]

We found a body yesterday, ma', am, out in Stone Canyon. She'd been shot. Oh.

[Mrs. Roberts]

I knew it. Oh, I just knew something awful would happen to us. I just had a cremation when I saw that gun.

[Narrator/Detective]

What gun?

[Mrs. Roberts]

The gun would belong to us, Ms. Hart. Russell. She had it here.

[Narrator/Detective]

What was she doing with the gun?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, she said that Russell had left it with her one day. The day before she went on the picnic, it was. I was in there with her when Russell called and asked her to read him the number on it so we could buy some bullets. I helped make out the number.

[Narrator/Detective]

Now, Mrs. Roberts, please, you must help us here.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Oh, Bob.

[Narrator/Detective]

How long did you know Barbara Morgan, Ms. Roberts?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Quite a while. I lived nearly every day since he lived across the hall.

[Narrator/Detective]

Did you know her, sweetheart?

[Mrs. Roberts]

I met him once when Barbara and I were down in town. He was in front of the Metropolitan Theater.

[Narrator/Detective]

Did he work there?

[Mrs. Roberts]

My impression.

[Narrator/Detective]

And what did you say his name was?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Boholm. Russell Boholm.

[Narrator/Detective]

How old was he?

[Mrs. Roberts]

About 28, I should say. Most certainly he was older than Barbara, anyway.

[Narrator/Detective]

Did Barbara seem to be happy?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, not always. Sometimes when I'd visit her, I thought she'd been crying, but she never admitted it. She was always excited about getting married.

[Narrator/Detective]

Oh, she was engaged to this Burholme then?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Oh, yes. Although I somehow had a suspicion he was bringing her along.

[Narrator/Detective]

I see. Now, Mrs. Roberts, if you you will tell us the circumstances the last time you saw Barbara?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, it was on a Saturday afternoon in the latter part of June. He was looking forward to a picnic he and Russell were going on. And that's what you found?

[Narrator/Detective]

Stone Canyon?

[Mrs. Roberts]

That's right.

[Narrator/Detective]

What else?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, as I told you, he called and asked for the number on the gun. She gave them to him. And then he explained that he had borrowed it from a friend of his and he wanted to try it out on a picnic. Now I know what that meant.

[Narrator/Detective]

Can you think of anything else?

[Mrs. Roberts]

I can understand it all now. Bertha came back at about 6 o' clock and I asked him where Barbara was. He said. You said Goodbye to Barbara, Mrs. Roberts? She left for the east this afternoon to visit her family. I asked him if that wasn't pretty sudden. And I was a little angry because she hadn't said goodbye to me.

[Narrator/Detective]

Well, didn't it occur to you to report your suspicions to the police?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, I never met. As another people to serve. His story seemed plausible enough. She said something about Barbara's having met an uncle of hers who took her back. After all, I didn't think it was my business to start an investigation. She could have gone away, as he said, you know.

[Narrator/Detective]

Yes, she could have. Now, Mrs. Roberts, have you any idea where this Burholm works?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, as I said, I was under the impression that he worked at the Metropolitan. Jesus. Barbara used to telephone.

[Narrator/Detective]

Where at the Metropolitan Theater?

[Mrs. Roberts]

I don't know. It was a Metropolitan number.

[Narrator/Detective]

Can you remember it?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Let's see now. It had some five in it. I think it was Metropolitan 1520. Yes, that's it. Metropolitan 1525.

[Narrator/Detective]

1525, that's fine, Mrs. Alice. You've been a big help to us. Now we'll see if we can trace down this Burholm fellow.

[Mrs. Roberts]

Well, please call me if I can be of any more assistance.

[Narrator/Detective]

We will indeed. Detectives Convar and Sanderson drive immediately to the Metropolitan Theater. At the stage door they asked for the stage manager. The stage shows on now. Yeah, Come on, let's get a look. I always get a kick out of being backstage. Wait a minute. I got an idea. What's that? You better not let this guy know where the Texas might show a hand. Yeah, that's a good idea. We'll just act like we're friends of our homes. Okay, but wait a minute. This must be the guy. Now, you want to say maybe? Yes. We're looking for a man by the name of Burholm. He works here. Burholm? Never heard of him. Well, you see, he works here. Not here, buddy. Oh, that's funny. Are you positive? Couldn't he be one of the motion picture operators? Hey, listen, don't you suppose I know my own employees? Yes, but there's nobody here by that name. Somebody's giving you a bunch here, that's all. Well, has anybody by that name worked here in the last couple of months? No. I tell you, I'm busy. I got a show to put on. I can't stand here all night answering dumb questions. Doesn't sort of a guy, isn't he? Yeah. Well, we're out of the limb again. Let's look at this number Ms. Roberts gave us. Okay. There's a phone over here by the wall. S, C. Now, J, K, L, M. Here we are. Metropolitan Theater. What was that number? Metropolitan 1525. That's not the number of the theater. It isn't? Let me see. No, but look, it is the number of the engine room of the Metropolitan Building. Well, now, that's getting closer. Let's go down there right now. Are you the boss here? I'm the engineer. We're looking for Burr Holmes. Oh, Gospel. Burholm. He's working here somewhere. Nobody for that name here. Let's take a look at the time book. Why? We're trying to locate Burholm. Where's your book? I can't let you look at them. We're police officers. Oh, well, that's different. Yeah. Hand over the book. Sure. Here it is. Finding the same plank? No, no bur home listed here in the past six months. Say, we had a cooling system put in here a while back. Maybe a man worked on that crew. Maybe. What company? It was the McIntosh Engineering Company. You might see the foreman of the installation gang. They're putting in a system in the bar room at the Biltmore now. Well, thanks. We'll go over there and talk to him. It looks more like a pipe yard than a ballroom. Yeah. Hey there. Yeah? Is Russell here? Russell? No, he's not Working on this job. Oh, that's too bad. We're friends of his. We're leaving for San Diego this afternoon. We wanted to see him before we left. Well, you can touch him at the office. I know he's there today. Okay. Thanks. We'll drop by the office. Someone to see you, Russell. Right this way, please. Huh? We're off to Berholm. Come along with us. I thought so. What do you mean? I read in the papers about her body being found. I suppose you'd be looking me up. Then you killed her. I didn't kill anybody. I had an argument with my girlfriend and she left me. Is that any reason for you to think you'd be accused of murder? Well, I. I noticed the body was found out on Mulholland Drive and was out there. I lost to her. Pretty peculiar coincidence, don't you think? I don't know. Even if it is her day farm, that doesn't prove I killed her. Somebody else must have done it. I'll warn you right now that anything you say may be used against you. At the same time you're at liberty to clear yourself if you can. I guess I won't do any talking until I've seen an attorney. If you aren't guilty, you won't need an attorney. A few hours later, accompanied by a police stenographer who makes surreptitious notes from the front seat of the police car, Kahnbacher and Sanderson drive Burholme to the scene of the crime. They question him en route. Now, you say you had an argument with Barbara and she got out of the car and you left her there. What was the argument about? She was always asking me to marry her. I told her I wouldn't. Why? I couldn't. Why not? Because I'm already married. Oh, I see. Then you had a motive. Now, what do you mean, motive? I told you, I didn't kill her. Where did you first meet her? Department store in Philadelphia. What name did you go by when you worked in Philadelphia? Burholmes? No, not my own name. Russell Sinclair, bachelor. Oh, your real name is Burholmes. Right. I got into a little trouble for sure. So I decided I'd use another name out here as I didn't want my wife to trace me then. And I'm sick of this place. I'm going back to my wife and kids. Maybe you are. Perhaps you won't mind telling us why you thought the body found in the canyon might be hers. Sure. Sure. I'll tell you Sunday. I. I think it was the 24th of June. We started towards Joan Canyon. For a pigeon, everything went swell until on the way out, she began to beg me to marry her. And I told her I wasn't ready to marry her. Anyway, we had a quar. Finally she started crying, got to a match and made me stop the car. She wouldn't ride with me any further. I kidded her a little bit, but I just made her mad. And she got up and walked off after last I talked. Why'd you leave her along here somewhere? I really couldn't say. She might be near here. Well, let's stop here anyhow. Get out. Burholm or Beitzel or whatever your name is. Now, you say you left Barbara Marlborough on the road along here? Yeah. She said he'd get home all right. She said someone would come along, give her a lift. You haven't seen her since and it's been over a month. That's right. Why didn't she report her disappearance to the police? I was afraid I'd get into a gym, just like I am now, see? Come on down this way. Bicycle drift is where we found her. What? Yeah. Surprises you, doesn't it? Not where you left her at all. That was further up the hill. But you hadn't figured on Carl dragging her body, had you? Oh, chop. I tell you, I didn't do it. Where's the gun you shot her with? You had one, and we're going to find it. Sure, I had a gun. Yeah, I brought her along for target shooting. Your aim must have been very good. What did you shoot at? Nothing in particular. A couple of birds. That's all. Yeah. What you really mean is you murdered her, stripped her body and left it up the hill there. I did not. Where's the gun you used for target practice? My desk. I borrowed it from a friend. I thought I might buy it, but I decided not to, naturally having no further use for it. What did you do with her clothes and things you removed from her apartment? Well, I bundled them up and shipped them away. Where to? I just sent them up to some town in Arizona. Phoenix, I believe. To what name? Can't remember. I put a Seattle return address in the pack. What was the idea of that? I thought I could get him back again if you ever came a route for it. Come on, now. Bikes. You must realize your story is pretty thin. Won't hold water at all. That's my story. Yes, and you're stuck with it. I haven't anything to worry about. You may have before you through, young Fellow Michael has much to worry about. As the case against him mount. Philadelphia police notified his of arrest. Inform Los Angeles that he is wanted in critical embezzlement. A taxi driver, recognizing his picture in the paper. Tells police to taking him to the lonely spot of the murder. Late one night, a check of a fictitious address. To which Bytebill admits sending barber's clothes. Results in the return of the package. Microscopic examination reveals some blonde hair on the clothing. To be the same as the hair on the murdered girl's head. In September of 1928, Biteville goes on trial for murder before superior judge Charles S. Burnell. As the trial drags through one hot September day after another, fightful maintains an elegant air of cool insutia. Then, after the defense has been wound up, the prosecution introduces a surprise witness. Yeah, this is going to be a stint. It doesn't look bad. Who's this guy, the Colonists? I don't know. Let's listen. And what is your profession, Captain Crosby? I'm an expert on ballistics. Will you explain to the jurors what that means? Ballistics is the science that projects food. Do you recognize this gun? Let me see. Yes, I examined that gun for Lieutenant Kondoffer of the police department. This is the gun. You examined the same gun which has been entered in testimony as belonging to the defendant? Yes. How do you know it is the same gun? Well, I recognize the serial number. Even if I didn't, I'd know it by the claw marks on the side. The barrel has been sawed off. Apparently to make possible the attachment of a Maxim. Silence. I object, your honor, on the grounds that this has no bearing on the case. It has a direct bearing, your honor. If the counsel for the defense will permit me to proceed. Objection over rules. Proceed. I would like to admit, as exhibits two, enlarged photographs. Turn them so the jury may see them daily. Thank you. Now, Captain Crosman, do you recognize these photographs?

[Mrs. Roberts]

Yes.

[Narrator/Detective]

They are enlargements of photographs I made myself. And will you tell the court what they depict? The one on the right shows the mouth of the barrel of this gun here. The saw marks I refer to may be seen clearly. Your honor, I object. The other photograph shows three fired bullets. You will notice the grooves clearly shown along the sides of the slug. These grooves were cut by the store mark on the barrel of the gun. Your honor, this is a waste of the court's valuable time. Witness may proceed. The bullets you will notice are marked identically. The ones on the right and left were test shots made from this gun. The middle bullet was taken from the skull of Barbara Morgan, nothing could save Beissel. After the unimpeachable testimony of the ballistics experts and the jury of five women and seven men found him guilty of murder in the first degree. On September 28, 1928, Judge Brunel sentenced Baitzel to hang by the neck until dead. And on August 2, 1929, Russell St. Clair Baisel paid his ultimate debt to society for his crime. Thank you, Chief. Police departments of the west are great boosters for real Brandy Crack gasoline. The officers and sheriffs who drive police cars know that it develops greater speed and power in their engines, especially in emergencies when so many ordinary gasoline fail. The recommendations of these police officers and sheriffs have caused thousands of motorists to try Rio Grande Crack gasoline with such satisfactory results that Rio Grande is leading all gasoline companies and percentage of sales increase. You'll try real Brandy Crack someday and you'll be thrilled by your car's improved performance. But when you're trying and you're enjoying the desert power and speed created by a real Brandy Crack, be sure that your engine is protected. High speeds in hot weather thin out many motor hours so that they rupture and break down. That's why we urge everyone who drives to use Sinclair Motor Oil. Sinclair, Pennsylvania. Nopalene motor Oil provide a guaranteed thermal protection that never breaks down at any speed. Because all impurities, wax and petroleum jelly are extracted from sinkhair motor oils, you can use a lighter grade, which makes your engine run smoother with less drag. You use less oil because the impurities that burn formed carbon are already extracted. Fill your time case with SIM Car motor Oil. Fill your crank case with SIM Car motor oil from refinery Field Tamper Proof sold by all real brandy dealers when you drive in tomorrow. Also ask for your free copy of the latest Calling All Cars news, which illustrates the complete junior detective outfit that real brandy is giving away free to all boys and girls.