Did Justice Triumph 1947-02-12 Anniversary of Death

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Did Justice Triumph 1947-02-12 Anniversary of Death"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: January 20, 2026
Original Broadcast: February 12, 1947 (Golden Age of Radio reenactment)

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Overview

This episode presents a thrilling dramatization of a real-life-inspired crime case from the Golden Age of Radio, based on famous "true justice" stories popularized by the New York Sunday News. Titled "Anniversary of Death," it tells the suspenseful tale of Lucille Waters' mysterious poisoning, the dogged police investigation, and the eventual unraveling of dark secrets lurking in her seemingly ordinary life. The episode explores the dual forces of justice and evil, emphasizing the relentless pursuit of truth by law enforcement even amidst deception and tragedy.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction & The Crime (00:40–01:07)

• The episode opens by setting the scene at police headquarters, revealing the tragic death of the young Lucille Waters, age 24, by poison. The central question: "Did justice triumph in this case?"
• Lucille is painted as a well-liked, positive figure: "Gay, sincere, fun to talk to and go places with. Easy on the eyes too..." (01:20)
• The drama begins on the evening of May 20th, setting a foreboding tone as Lucille's estranged husband, Charles Waters, reaches out to her.

2. Charles's Suspicious Behavior (02:43–05:07)

• Charles calls Lucille, requesting an in-person meeting to discuss a financial settlement amidst their impending divorce. She initially refuses, citing illness, but reluctantly relents when Charles arrives at her home with violets and suggests they go to a movie.
• Charles references May 20th as an emotionally heavy date—the anniversary of his first wife’s death and his mother's passing, hinting at his complex inner life.

3. Lucille's Mysterious Collapse (05:25–07:42)

• En route to the movie theater, Lucille’s headache worsens. Despite taking her prescription tablets, she collapses inside the theater lobby (06:10).
• Medical personnel suspect poisoning. Lucille denies any intent to harm herself, while Charles insists it must be food poisoning (07:38–07:42).

4. Desperate Search for Answers (08:01–10:36)

• Doctors administer antidotes for every known poison, but nothing works. Police and medical staff question Lucille on her deathbed about possible suicide or accidental ingestion, but she maintains she took only her prescribed pills and wants to live.
• Emotional deathbed scene:
  • Mrs. Waters: "I didn't take. I want to live." (09:00)
  • She repeats, "I didn't do it. I don't want to die." (10:22)

5. Police Investigation Intensifies (11:46–17:48)

• Captain Burns interviews Charles, probing his relationship with the victim and his knowledge about Lucille’s medication. Charles admits their marital strife but denies the possibility of suicide.
• A deeper file check reveals Charles’s troubling past: a previous armed robbery on May 20th, prior deaths of his first wife and mother—both on May 20th, both with causes “unknown,” and both leaving Charles as the beneficiary (16:09–16:41).

6. The Forensic Breakthrough (16:58–18:08)

• The coroner’s report reveals Lucille died from strychnine poisoning, a fast-acting substance, yet her symptoms were unusually delayed, perhaps due to the antidotes and the preparation of the pills (17:32–17:51).
• Autopsy and toxicology highlight that Lucille could not have been poisoned by any food or conventional means.

7. Revelation & Confession (18:37–27:22)

• When confronted by Captain Burns, Charles remains calm and taunting:
  • Waters: "Prove it… You'll have to prove something, copper." (19:37–20:17)
• Police attempt but fail to find eyewitnesses or sellers who could place the strychnine in his hands.
• Captain Burns employs psychological tactics, taking Charles to the morgue to view Lucille’s body, and reveals autopsy findings on his first wife—also strychnine poisoning (23:02–24:56).
• Cornered and shaken, Charles confesses to both murders:
  • Waters: "Yes, Waters. I did it. I killed them both. Lucille and Bertie." (25:26–25:34)
• He chillingly explains his method:
  • “I switched pills on her. She thought she was taking her head at tablets. I switched them for strychnine pills while she was in the kitchen... They had an extra heavy coating on. Took hours for that coating to dissolve...” (25:34–25:55)
• Motive remains ambiguous, with Charles claiming, “Every year on May 20. I have to kill. I have to. I can’t help it.” (26:12)

8. Denouement: Justice Served (27:42–28:33)

• Despite a plea of insanity, expert testimony confirms Charles' awareness and guilt. He is sentenced to life in prison, removing the final "death card" with Lucille's name from the active file—justice is served.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Did justice triumph in this case? You will learn the answer tonight as you hear another thrilling reenactment of a famous true justice case…” (01:07 - Narrator)
• “She doesn’t look much like herself, does she? Face all twisted in agony. Not much like the pretty girl she was before you killed her.” (24:36 - Captain Burns)
• “I switched pills on her. She thought she was taking her head at tablets. I switched them for strychnine pills…” (25:34)
• “Every year on May 20. I have to kill. I have to. I can’t help it.” (26:12 - Waters, disturbing confession of compulsion)
• “It just means that the evidence is piling up against you. Your wife, Bertha died of strychnine. And your wife, Lucille died of strychnine, too.” (24:21 - Captain Burns)
• “Justice has science.” (28:33 - Narrator, closing the case)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40 – Case introduction and Lucille Waters’ profile
• 02:43 – Initial phone call and Charles’ manipulation
• 05:25 – Lucille’s collapse at the movie theater
• 07:38 – Police notified, doctor suspects poison
• 10:36 – Lucille’s dying words and questioning
• 11:46 – Police interrogate Charles, reveal his past
• 16:58 – Coroner’s revelation: strychnine poisoning
• 18:37 – Police build the case, examine motives
• 19:35 – Confrontation in interrogation, Charles taunts police
• 23:02 – Psychological ploy at the morgue
• 25:26 – Charles confesses in full
• 27:42–28:33 – Conclusion: Justice prevails, sentencing, case closed

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Tone and Style

• The episode maintains a dark, suspenseful, dramatic tone typical of 1940s radio crime stories.
• Dialogue is terse, emotionally charged, and laced with period-appropriate formality and police jargon.
• The moral message is clear: crime does not pay, and justice triumphs, though it sometimes takes cunning and persistence.

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Conclusion

"Anniversary of Death" is a masterful radio reenactment that captures the era’s fascination with true crime, the dogged pursuit of justice, and the psychological complexity of criminal minds. Through compelling dramatization, sharp dialogue, and a twisty investigation, the episode provides both entertainment and insight into early police procedure storytelling, ultimately closing with satisfaction as justice is served.

Transcript

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[Captain Burns]

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[Narrator]

In the best pile at police headquarters in an east coast city there was.

[Captain Burns]

An identification card which read, name Lucille Waters. Age 24 years. Cause of death, Poison Classification, homicide investigation proceedings.

[Narrator]

Did justice triumph in this case? You will learn the answer tonight as you hear another thrilling reenactment of a famous true justice case. These real stories of the law pitted against evil and corruption are brought to you every week so that you may comprehend more fully the vast mechanism of justice in the pursuit of its duty toward the public. Though the names and places mentioned in these broadcasts are fictitious, these are real people and real crime. Based on the famous true justice cases followed by millions of readers each week in the New York Sunday News and its syndicate. Tonight's case, Anniversary of Death. Waters. The victim in tonight's True justice case was the type of woman most people like for a friend. Gay, sincere, fun to talk to and go places with. Easy on the eyes too. Not rich, but not poor either. Yes, life was good to Lucia Waters until in the mind of a killer, murder was born. Anniversary of death begins on the evening of May 20th when Charles Waters, a tall, husky, middle aged man, enters the telephone booth of a suburban drugstore.

[Lucille Waters]

Hello?

[Captain Burns]

Hello, dear.

[Narrator]

How are you?

[Lucille Waters]

Charles, I don't care to talk to you in that final.

[Captain Burns]

Oh, I know. But after all, I am your husband and I've arrived.

[Lucille Waters]

You're not going to be my husband much longer. I've seen my lawyer and I'm getting the divorce. You know that.

[Captain Burns]

Yes, I do. But. Lucille, dear, listen to me. Before we can go our separate ways, there are a few things we have to talk about.

[Lucille Waters]

I think we've both said everything there is to say, Charles.

[Captain Burns]

Lucille, dear, I want to make some sort of financial settlement on you. That's why I'd like to see you and talk about it tonight.

[Lucille Waters]

I can get along perfectly well with.

[Captain Burns]

What I have, of course, but you're entitled to some sort of settlement from me. Can't we discuss it tonight?

[Lucille Waters]

I'm afraid not, Charles. I have another one of my beastly headaches coming on. I don't care to see anybody.

[Captain Burns]

Listen to me, Lucille, please.

[Lucille Waters]

There's nothing more to talk about. Goodbye, Charles. Charles.

[Captain Burns]

Good evening, pretty lady.

[Lucille Waters]

Charles, what in the world are you doing on my doorstep? I've already told you that I don't want to see you.

[Captain Burns]

Look, dear, I've brought you something.

[Lucille Waters]

Oh.

[Captain Burns]

Flowers, Violets for you to wear tonight. We're going to the movie.

[Lucille Waters]

You are persistent. But really, Charles, there's no use. I won't give in about the divorce.

[Captain Burns]

I'm not asking you to. I just want to talk to you about the settlement and then take you to the movies.

[Lucille Waters]

But I still have such a terrible headache.

[Captain Burns]

Oh, I'm sorry. I know your headaches are no picnic. Shall I go over to the drugstore and get you some Aspen?

[Lucille Waters]

No, I have some prescription tablets in my purse. I'll take some more of them.

[Captain Burns]

Oh, yes, I remember those. Always made you feel better. You know, I don't feel so hot tonight myself. Today's May 20th, you know.

[Lucille Waters]

What does the date have to do with the way you feel?

[Captain Burns]

Oh, it's a combination of things, Lucille. Losing you, for one thing, and then. Today's the anniversary of my first wife's death two years ago. Then my mother went in May, too. I just got thinking about then today and.

[Lucille Waters]

Oh, I'm sorry, child. I guess you do need some devotion tonight. Well, give me the violet. Come on in. I'll fix you a little snap of supper.

[Captain Burns]

And then the movies. Lucille.

[Lucille Waters]

Very well, Charles. And then the movies.

[Captain Burns]

You shouldn't have walked to the movies. It's too far for you.

[Lucille Waters]

Sorry I insisted. You probably missed the first part of the picture. Oh, sorry. I didn't feel.

[Captain Burns]

Oh, your head's still aching.

[Lucille Waters]

Yes. Feels funny, too. Maybe the headache tablets haven't taken effect yet.

[Captain Burns]

Well, it's only a few more steps. When we get inside, the picture will take your mind off your troubles.

[Lucille Waters]

Yes, all right. I'll be all right.

[Captain Burns]

Look, Lucille, you go on in. I'll get the tickets at the box office and meet you in the lobby.

[Lucille Waters]

Oh, all right.

[Captain Burns]

Tom, Two in the orchestra, please.

[Lucille Waters]

Oh, I've been catching twenties all evening. Have you got something smaller?

[Captain Burns]

I'm sorry, that's all I have.

[Lucille Waters]

Okay. Here you are.

[Captain Burns]

Hey, Mr. Hughes? Yes? Come in here, quick. Oh. What's the matter?

[Narrator]

Just stepped inside here.

[Captain Burns]

And Van. Oh, she tended. Lucille. Lucille, dear, that's no faint.

[Narrator]

He's got convulsions.

[Captain Burns]

I know I've seen him before. Good heavens. Get a doctor. Call an ambulance. We'll have to get her to a hospital, quick.

[Lucille Waters]

Help me. Oh, help me. I don't want to die. I don't want.

[Captain Burns]

Mr.

[Narrator]

Waters.

[Captain Burns]

Yes, doctor. How is she? Waters. Hope you can take this. I don't think your wife is going to pull through. Oh. Oh, no. That is, unless she talks. Talk? What do you mean? She had a lethal dose of poison. I've tried every antidote I can think of. She's not responding. She'd only tell me what she's taken. Doctor, you're wrong. My wife wouldn't try to do away with herself. It. It must have been something she ate. She probably got ptomaine. Rubbish. I know ptomaine when I see it, and that's not what's wrong with Mrs. Waters. I could just get her to tell me what kind of poison she took. Doctor, she couldn't have taken anything. I've been with her all evening. It's something she ate. I'm sure it is. Perhaps. Nevertheless, I'm calling the police. The police? Naturally, we always call the police on the suicide.

[Narrator]

Even when there's an element of doubt.

[Captain Burns]

If there is, in this case, we.

[Narrator]

Always call the police. The hours tick by in this real case of a real crime, and still the victim lingers with each return of consciousness. Lucia Waters tells the police and doctor.

[Captain Burns]

At a bedside that she did not take anything.

[Narrator]

Yet they are almost certain she is dying of a deadly poison. Every known antidote for every known poison is administered without effect.

[Captain Burns]

She rallies and sinks, rallies and sinks.

[Narrator]

Her baffling symptoms defying medical precedence. It is a hopeless battle against an unknown foe. But the doctor struggles tirelessly to keep her life from ebbing away, for the law seeks certain information from her. They must know if she is taking.

[Captain Burns]

Her own life or if this is murder.

[Narrator]

They must know that justice may be done. It is now 5 o' clock in the morning. Lucille Waters is rallying for the last time. The doctor and nurse watch anxiously as Captain Burns from Homicide once more draws.

[Captain Burns]

His chair close to the hospital bed. Mrs. Waters. Mrs. Waters.

[Lucille Waters]

I didn't take. I want to live.

[Captain Burns]

Mrs. Waters, can you tell me what you did earlier tonight?

[Lucille Waters]

Maybe.

[Captain Burns]

Charles, where did you eat tonight?

[Lucille Waters]

At home.

[Captain Burns]

Did your husband help you in the kitchen?

[Lucille Waters]

No. Oh.

[Captain Burns]

What was he doing while you got supper?

[Lucille Waters]

I went. No eating paper, I guess.

[Captain Burns]

Mrs. Waters, you've been poisoned. Now, we're trying to help you. You must think. Remember everything you ate or drank tonight. Are you sure you didn't put anything in your mouth after you ate supper?

[Lucille Waters]

Oh.

[Captain Burns]

Who gave them to you? Who gave them to you?

[Lucille Waters]

Nobody. I mean, had them.

[Captain Burns]

Doctor. The Pulse is only 48. Better hurry it up, Captain. Right. Mrs. Waters, where are those pills now?

[Lucille Waters]

No more. I took them all. I'm glad you guys did it. Description.

[Captain Burns]

Is there anyone who would want to kill you?

[Lucille Waters]

No. No, I don't want die. I. I want a God.

[Captain Burns]

Doctor. He's gone, Captain. I guess that's all the questioning you're going to do is. Far as she's concerned, yes. You're sure she didn't die from natural causes, aren't you? I am, but I could be wrong. Natural causes, suicide or homicide. I want to know which one beyond the shadow of the doubt. Maybe the coroner can tell me why an apparently healthy young lady, after eating a supper she prepared herself in taking her own headache tablets by her own hand. She'll die. Or maybe her husband can. It sure is nice, said the captain. Burns, bring me in Probite to eat. Well, Mr. Waters, I thought it might buck you up. I've got a pretty good idea how you must be feeling. Have another cup of coffee? Not right now, thanks.

[Narrator]

Ms. Water.

[Captain Burns]

Sir, was your wife subject to repeated headaches? Yes. Poor girl. She suffered terribly from them. Well, how about those headache pills she was taking? You know what was in them? No, I don't. They were a prescription the doctor gave her. Well, outside of the food she ate for supper and those headache tablets, she didn't take anything else in her stomach all evening. At least that's what she told us just before she died. That's true. I was with her all evening. That's all she had. Well, I'm getting a report on that prescription. In the meantime, I'd like your help, Mr. Waters. Now, you must know why your wife committed suicide, don't you? It wasn't suicide. That's what the doctor at the hospital kept saying. But I'm sure Lucille died of Dolman. I'm sure of it.

[Lucille Waters]

She.

[Captain Burns]

She wouldn't take her own life. Pretty fond of your wife, huh? Yes, she's a wonderful girl. But, Captain, I might as well make a clean breast of this. You'll find it out for yourselves, and then it'll look bad for me. What are you diving at, Wallace? Well, Lucille and I were separated. We were going to get a divorce. Oh, well, thanks for telling me. That information could support my suicide theory. Maybe your wife was depressed over marital affairs. I still say you're wrong. Well, I can't dig very deep into the causes for possible suicide until the autopsy report comes in odyssey on your. That's routine in a case like this. I don't like to think of that happening to her. I'm sorry, Mr.

[Narrator]

Waters.

[Captain Burns]

Your face looks vaguely familiar to me. Have you ever been down at headquarters? You ever been under arrest? Yes, I have been. When? Nine years ago now? She was.

[Lucille Waters]

Captain Burns, there's a telephone call for you.

[Captain Burns]

Oh, thank you. I'll be right backwater. Hey, waitress, you can bring me some more coffee.

[Lucille Waters]

Oh, yes, sir.

[Captain Burns]

Captain Burns, this is Johnson.

[Narrator]

Captain.

[Captain Burns]

Oh, yes, Sergeant. What have you found out? Well, I did just what you told me.

[Narrator]

Got samples of the food and drugs.

[Captain Burns]

In the water towers and took them all to the lab. They're working on them now.

[Narrator]

Ah, good.

[Captain Burns]

Did you check Lucille Water's headache tablet prescription?

[Narrator]

Yes, I talked to the pharmacist who's been filling.

[Captain Burns]

It was nothing but an aspirin compound. Well, that's no help, Johnson. I'm going to keep working on this guy Waters. In the meantime, I want you to look him up in the file. Charles Waters? He admits he has a record. Find out what we hauled him in for. I'll see you later at headquarters. Oh, one thing more. Build a fire under those guys in the lab and tell the coroner to speed up his report. I want to know immediately what killed Lucille Waters. Hey, Captain, you back so soon?

[Narrator]

I thought you'd be tied up with Waters a couple of hours.

[Captain Burns]

No, I couldn't get any more information out of him, so I let him go home. Now, what's been happening in the office here? Well, the lad completed the analysis of.

[Narrator]

The food and drugs that I got.

[Captain Burns]

From the Waters house. They report there's not a trace of poison in anything. Clean, huh? Yeah, well, that lets out the possibility of ptomaine. Now, how about the coroner's report? He hasn't called in yet, but I have the record card you wanted on Charles Waters. Good. Let's see it. Charles Waters. Arrested May 20, 1925. Held up trolley car, shot and wounded. Mortarman confessed. Sentenced to nine years in state penitentiary. Yeah, looks bad for the guy. Anyone who could shoot could poison. But that isn't what's so peculiar, Captain. Well, what do you mean? Look at the date. The crime was committed May 20, and yesterday was May 20. And what happens? His wife gets a dose of poison and dies. Coincidence, Johnson. Besides, we're not sure about the poison part yet. Yeah, but listen to this one. Died Mrs. Bertha Waters, May 20, 1936. Cause of death, unknown.

[Narrator]

Beneficiary, Charles Waters.

[Captain Burns]

What was the relationship? She was his wife. That's so. Married before? Well, he didn't tell me about that. He seemed on the level about everything else, though. Here's another Card from his mother, Mrs. Mary Waters. Died May 20, 1934. Cause of death unknown. Beneficiary, Charles Waters. You see what I mean about the dates?

[Narrator]

They all happened on May 20th.

[Captain Burns]

Yeah. Four times is an awful lot of coincidence, if you ask me. The deaths of three of Waters kin and a violent crime for which he was sent up, all taking place in the same date over a period of year. Captain Burns? Oh, yes, Connor, come in. I have the autopsy report on Lucille Waters.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Captain Burns]

Let's have it. She died of strychnine poisoning. Oh. I found enough of it in her stomach to have killed six people. What? But sure. Does instructment poisoning usually show up within 15 minutes or so? As a rule, yes. The victim reacts with convulsions very shortly after the poison is taken into the system. Oh, there's a discrepancy here somewhere. Connor, we know Lucille Waters took nothing into her stomach for nearly three hours.

[Narrator]

Before she was stricken.

[Captain Burns]

Yeah, and she lived about 12 hours after the first convulsion. Well, that's peculiar. Strychnine usually kills within two, three hours. Well, then why didn't it kill her.

[Narrator]

Sooner than it did?

[Captain Burns]

It probably would have if it hadn't been for the antidotes given her. Well, why didn't the antidote save her? Well, probably because she wasn't treated soon enough. And there wasn't enough antidote for the amount of treatment. I can see that.

[Narrator]

But how could you account for the length of time it took the poison.

[Captain Burns]

To react in this case? I can't answer that, Burns. Let me see what we've got. Now, we know Lucille Waters didn't die of natural causes. And I don't believe she committed suicide.

[Narrator]

That leaves only murder.

[Captain Burns]

Captain, it leaves only murder. And it means we've run into a very clever killer. Well, since Charles Waters is our number one suspect, let's get to work and see what motives Charles Waters might have for killing her.

[Narrator]

The wheels of justice are turning faster now, and the police doggedly accumulate every shred of available evidence against Charles Waters. His wife's will reveals Charles's beneficiary and a possible motive for the crime is established. An autopsy is ordered performed on the remains of the first wife, a procedure that will take some time. Meanwhile concealing all knowledge from this suspect, the police bring Charles Waters to headquarters. Under the cross questioning. He changes from the smooth spoken, grief stricken husband and reveals his true self.

[Captain Burns]

Vicious, taunting, cruel. What is it? The evidence is against him. You may as well come clean with us. Come clean about what? Admit you murdered Your wife, Lucille. Prove it.

[Narrator]

You murder, have her money.

[Captain Burns]

You knew she was going to divorce you and then you'd be out of the picture, so you killed her. Prove it. You switched bills on her, gave her poison instead of headache tablets, didn't you? Didn't you? Prove it. Did you kill your first wife the same way? Did you kill your mother that way, too? They all died on the same date over a period of years. May 20th seems to have been the anniversary of death. So what? What if they did all die on May 20th? That doesn't mean a thing. You'll have to prove something, copper.

[Lucille Waters]

Get the proof.

[Captain Burns]

Ah, he's got us, Johnson. We know he's guilty and he knows we know he's guilty. We can't let that killer get away with it.

[Narrator]

Well, I've got every seller of Strickman.

[Captain Burns]

In the county lined up, Captain. Maybe we'll be able to hook him this way. Now, one of these men may have been the one who sold him the Strickman. Right. Send the man in, one at a time.

[Narrator]

Okay, gentlemen, if you'll come this way.

[Captain Burns]

File in one at a time. Now, I'd like each of you to take a good look at this man sitting in here. Tell me if you've ever seen him before. All right, you. How about it, sir? I don't know him very well. Did you ever see this man before? No, sir. Captain. Ever see his fellow? No.

[Narrator]

Ever see him? Nope.

[Captain Burns]

Ever see.

[Narrator]

No.

[Captain Burns]

No. You're licked, Captain. If there's one thing I learned up at the Big House, it's this. You have to have proof to send a guy up. I've got a plan, Johnson. I'm going to take Waters over to the morgue to view the body. The chief isn't going to like that. I'm not going to get rough with him. I'm just going to use a little psychology on him. Now, he doesn't know about our recent findings. And if I tell him about it in the office here, it may lose its impact. How do you mean, Captain? Well, if I hold that information until we get down in the morgue, and if I can establish the right mood, he may break. Yeah, a little psychology might work. Well, I want you and one of the boys to hide yourselves in the morgue before we get there. If he talks, take down every word he says. Why did you bring me here to the morgue? I don't like it. Now, just relax, Waters. Relax? In a morgue? Yeah, I suppose it might be difficult for you. We members of the police force get kind of hard into it, you see so much of suicide and homicide. What. What's this under the sheet?

[Narrator]

On.

[Captain Burns]

On the slab? A body. Of course. I'm moving farther away. I. I don't like to be so close to a corpse. Ah, stay where you are. You aren't afraid of a corpse. Tough guy like you. What did you bring me down here for anyway? Wally, I have something interesting to tell you. Something I thought you might like to hear. You're still trying to pin Lucille's death on me, aren't you, copper? Who said anything about Lucille?

[Narrator]

You're jumping to conclusions, man. Well, you've been at me for so long about it.

[Captain Burns]

What I have to tell you has nothing to do with Lucille at all. No? No. It has to do with your first wife, Bertha. Bertha? What about Bertha? We performed an autopsy on her remains. Oh, you couldn't have. She's been dead too long. Oh, no. And the coroner's report was very interesting. She died of Strickland poisoning. Strychnine? Yes. So what? It just means that the evidence is piling up against you. Your wife, Bertha died of strychnine. And your wife, Lucille died of strychnine, too. Now, I'm going to show you.

[Narrator]

Don't let that see.

[Captain Burns]

It's only your wife, Lucille. Come on, Waters. Take a look at her. You're on terror.

[Lucille Waters]

Look.

[Captain Burns]

Yes.

[Lucille Waters]

Yes, I see her.

[Captain Burns]

She doesn't look much like herself, does she? Face all twisted in agony. Not much like the pretty girl she was before you killed her.

[Narrator]

I didn't kill her.

[Captain Burns]

That sure did, Waters. No. All right. Now, on the table right next to Lucille, we have the remains of your former wife, Bertie.

[Lucille Waters]

No.

[Narrator]

No. Don't let that see.

[Lucille Waters]

I. I can't look at her.

[Captain Burns]

You killed her.

[Narrator]

You killed them both, Waters. Lucille and Bertha. And your mother.

[Captain Burns]

Own up to it. No, I didn't. Very well, then.

[Narrator]

I'll just remove this other sheet. But don't lift that sheet. Own up, Waters. You killed your mother, your first wife, Bertha, and your second wife, Lucille.

[Captain Burns]

Why don't you tell the truth? What do you say, Waters? No, I didn't.

[Narrator]

I didn't do it.

[Captain Burns]

All right, then you're going to have to.

[Lucille Waters]

I.

[Captain Burns]

Yes, Waters. I did it.

[Narrator]

I killed them both. Lucille and Bertie.

[Lucille Waters]

Yes.

[Captain Burns]

Yes. All right. That's it. From the beginning. How did you kill Lucille? I switched pills on her. She thought she was taking her head at tablets. I switched them for the strychnine pills while she was in the kitchen. Where did you get Strickland pills? I'd had them a long time. Stolen from a doctor's office years ago. Why did they take so long to act? They had an extra heavy coating on. Took hours for that coating to dissolve. That's why nobody ever guesses. Stricken doesn't act like strickening usually does. I experimented with them. Tried them on dogs, horses. When I was sure how they worked, I used them on people. You kill for money? Or learned it. No, it wasn't the money. Well, you were the sole beneficiary in each case. But you don't know what happens to me. Every year on May 20. I have to kill. I have to. I can't help it. You wouldn't be fixing yourself an insanity plea, would you? You'll find out. I think so. Oh, by the way, it's not Bertha under this sheet. It's only a wax dummy. You. You tricked me.

[Narrator]

I deny everything I said. I deny it.

[Captain Burns]

It's too late, Waters. From now on, what happens to you is up to the courts.

[Narrator]

Justice moves swiftly. In the case of the People vs. Charles Waters, a tentative plea of insanity is entered and shattered by the law. For doctors and state criminologists alike testified that Charles Waters was well aware of the consequences of his act. No one but Charles Waters himself knows why he always killed. May 20 as the anniversary of death. But whatever his reason, justice decreed that he pay for his crime. Right now he's behind the bars of a state penitentiary where he will spend the rest of his days never again to walk as a free man. And so it is that the death card bearing the name Lucille Waters has been removed to the inactive file at police headquarters and marked case closed.

[Captain Burns]

Justice has science.

[Narrator]

Plan to be with us again next Wednesday night at the same time for another famous true murder story entitled Murder under the Hat. Another dramatization of one of the digs up to Triumph cases published each week in the New York Sunday News in its syndicate. The names of all persons, characters and places on this program are entirely fictitious and any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. These programs are produced and directed by John McGregor and are dramatized by Bart Conway. The narrator was George Carson Putnam. The orchestra, under the direction of Emerson Buckley, played music especially written for this program by Richard dupage. This is Carl Caruso speaking. This is the mutual broadcasting system.