Dragnet 1949-12-15 Garbage Chute Murder

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dragnet 1949-12-15 Garbage Chute Murder

Podcast Information

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Dragnet 1949-12-15 Garbage Chute Murder
• Release Date: January 7, 2025

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Introduction

"Dragnet" transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, offering a gripping police procedural that delves into real-life crimes reconstructed from official police records. In the episode titled "Garbage Chute Murder," Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are tasked with solving the mysterious murder of Laura Barclay, whose body is found behind locked doors. This summary provides a detailed walkthrough of the episode's key events, discussions, insights, and ultimate resolution.

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Crime Discovery

The episode opens with Narrator setting the stage:

Narrator [00:06]: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."

The central crime involves the murder of Laura Barclay, an occupant of an ornate Victorian-style home located at 16 Imperial Place. The circumstances are peculiar: Barclay was strangled with a lamp cord, and her body was discovered behind locked doors, indicating a locked-room mystery.

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Investigation Begins

Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are assigned to the homicide detail. Their initial briefing comes from Chief of Detectives Thad Brown.

Chief of Detectives Thad Brown [03:15]: "Laura Barclay, the dead body report. Nightclub entertainer Maddie found the body an hour ago."

Upon arriving at the crime scene, Friday and Romero assess the environment:

Joe Friday [04:11]: "This place has seen better, Dave."

They quickly realize the complexity of the case due to the locked doors and lack of obvious entry points. The detectives begin their methodical investigation, searching for clues and gathering initial impressions.

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Gathering Clues

As Friday and Romero delve deeper, they uncover several critical pieces of evidence:

1. Garbage Chute Entrance: The detectives discover a potential entryway through a garbage chute, previously unused for four years.

   Joe Friday [05:50]: "Take a look at this garbage chute here."

2. Photographs and Evidence: A stack of photos and the lamp cord used as the murder weapon are analyzed for fingerprints and other forensic evidence.

   Lee Jones [07:05]: "Unlimited prints. Unusually large. Big hands."

3. Interviews with Witnesses: They interview Mrs. Emma Smith, the landlady, who provides insights into Barclay's solitary lifestyle and rental details.

   Mrs. Emma Smith [08:14]: "I told the other officers everything I knew."

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Following Leads

The investigation leads Friday and Romero to several avenues:

1. Library Records: Discernment of library book checkouts reveals that specific cards could help identify the perpetrator through recorded fingerprints.

   Lee Jones [15:52]: "There are cards in one of the pockets inside. Checked out from the LA Public Library, main branch."

2. Theatrical Connections: Examination of theatrical photos points to Laura Barclay's association with various entertainers, notably Frankie Latour and his canine circus.

   Chief of Detectives Thad Brown [11:13]: "Most of them theatrical. Frank Latour and his canine circus."

3. Jewelry as a Motive: Interviews at the Blue Fox Cocktail Lounge uncover that Barclay was an avid collector of diamond rings, spending significant sums on jewelry.

   Burton [19:37]: "She was nuts for it. Good things. Diamonds. There were big stones."

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Climactic Arrest

Despite meticulous investigation, the case stalls until a breakthrough occurs five days into the investigation. An informant tips Friday and Romero about an individual trying to pawn the stolen diamond rings.

Ben Romero [23:08]: "Two days ago he heard about some guy who was making the runs. Trying to pedal a couple of diamond rings."

The detectives act swiftly, tracing the suspect to Harbor Pawn Shop. A pursuit ensues, culminating in a confrontation where the suspect attempts to escape with a gun.

Ben Romero [25:12]: "He's lying on a pile of garbage."

The suspect is apprehended, and upon searching him, the stolen diamond rings are recovered, leading to his identification as Martin Eric Swanson.

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with the resolution of the case. Martin Eric Swanson is tried, convicted, and ultimately executed for the murder of Laura Barclay. Detective Friday reflects on the importance of method and persistence in solving crimes, emphasizing the significance of following every lead to its logical conclusion.

Joe Friday [17:50]: "The solution of most crimes for the working detective is method and persistence."

The narrative underscores the procedural rigor and dedication of law enforcement in bringing justice to victims.

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Notable Quotes

• Joe Friday [15:07]: "I think I got your motive. And not the one listed on the report."

• Chief of Detectives Thad Brown [03:04]: "It's a great way to start off as your new chief. Call you back on a rotten morning like this."

• Burton [19:37]: "She was nuts for it. Good things. Diamonds. There were big stones."

• Mrs. Emma Smith [09:17]: "If I had, I would have called the police. And we'd have saved a girl's life."

• Joe Friday [22:03]: "It was 8am January 19th. Homicide Friday."

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Epilogue

The episode not only narrates a compelling murder investigation but also highlights the intricate process of detective work. From initial evidence gathering to the relentless pursuit of leads, "Garbage Chute Murder" exemplifies the essence of "Dragnet" — a tribute to the dedication and tenacity of police officers in solving crimes and ensuring justice.

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Conclusion

"Garbage Chute Murder" stands as a quintessential "Dragnet" episode, blending realistic police procedures with engaging storytelling. Through the diligent efforts of Detectives Friday and Romero, listeners gain an authentic glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of law enforcement during the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. A young woman has been murdered. The body was discovered behind locked doors. The assassin is at large. Your job, find him.

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Smoke Fatima Dragnets the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case. From official police files, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, January 9th. It was storming in Los Angeles. We were working a day watch out of homicide detail. My partner's Ben Romero. My name's Friday. I was on the way to work and it was 6:45am when I got to the steps of the city Hall, a Main street entrance.

[Ben Romero]

Hey, Joe, wait up.

[Joe Friday]

Morning, Ben.

[Ben Romero]

When did they call you?

[Joe Friday]

5:00Am Donahoe call you?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. Miserable out, isn't it?

[Joe Friday]

It's pretty wet. My feet are soaking wet.

[Ben Romero]

See the transfer there?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

New chief of Detective.

[Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. I want to get some gum. Pack of Spearman. Well, I heard about an issue.

[Thad Brown]

Thad Brown.

[Joe Friday]

Good man. He's dumb.

[Ben Romero]

Thanks. I wish I'd make up some minds about our ship. Work days will call you back. Night work nights will call you back days.

[Joe Friday]

Once you put in for a desk.

[Ben Romero]

Job, you'll never have to call you back. You're here all the time.

[Joe Friday]

You just hired the police. Nowhere. Keep. What you said was. Thanks, Egan. Gentlemen, good night.

[Chief of Detectives]

It's a great way to start off as your new chief. Call you back on a rotten morning like this.

[Joe Friday]

We're glad you got the job, Thad. Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Congratulations, Chief.

[Chief of Detectives]

It's hard to follow a man like Ed Backstran. Gonna need your help.

[Joe Friday]

You got it. Here's why I called you back.

[Chief of Detectives]

Laura Barclay, the dead body report. Nightclub entertainer Maddie found the body an hour ago.

[Joe Friday]

Who's covering?

[Chief of Detectives]

Burton and Anderson. They're out there now.

[Ben Romero]

Strangled, huh?

[Chief of Detectives]

Well, the Lamp cord. Still trying to figure out how the guy got in. The house. Doors and windows all locked.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Attacked. That the motive?

[Chief of Detectives]

For now, yeah. I just came from there. I think there's more.

[Ben Romero]

Any reason her room wasn't prowled?

[Chief of Detectives]

Yeah, just a hunch. Play it for me.

[Joe Friday]

Ben and I left Thad Brown's office, picked up Lt. Lee Jones at the crime lab and drove to the west adam District, Number 16 Imperial Place, where the body of Laura Barclay had been found. It was an ornate frame structure done in Victorian style, at least 30 to 40 years old. Number 16 was on the ground floor. We went in. A narrow hallway led to the bedroom in the rear of the house. Two gas jet fixtures, which had been converted to electricity, were the only illumination.

[Ben Romero]

This place has seen better, Dave.

[Joe Friday]

Anybody else coming out?

[Lee Jones]

Lee, I see flash bulbs down there. They must be here already.

[Commercial Announcer]

Lieutenant Briding?

[Burton]

Down this way.

[Joe Friday]

Hi, Burton.

[Ben Romero]

Hi.

[Burton]

Photographer's covering the body position. Peterson's dusting for prints.

[Lee Jones]

Fred, shoot a couple of overheads. Don't make them all angle shots. Get up high, then move in close.

[Ben Romero]

Chief was right. Room's in pretty good order.

[Joe Friday]

Did you talk to anybody?

[Burton]

Burton landlady lives upstairs. Only two people living in the building.

[Joe Friday]

Did she tell you anything?

[Burton]

Said the Barclay girl paid her rent on time. Good tenant plays the organ at the Blue Fox. Cocktail land.

[Joe Friday]

Any idea how the murderer got in here?

[Burton]

Not yet. Every door and window in the place is locked.

[Joe Friday]

Anything else?

[Burton]

That's it so far. We'll give you 15.7 of what we got.

[Joe Friday]

Okay. Lloyd, you and Anderson have another detail.

[Burton]

Yeah, Working on that Westwood thing. Two uniform men outside if you want anything.

[Joe Friday]

Right. Thanks.

[Burton]

Looks like a tough one, Joe. Whoever did it must have come in through the keyhole. I'll see you later.

[Joe Friday]

Slow, Lloyd.

[Lee Jones]

Andy Peterson's destined for Prince. Nothing yet. Only piece of physical evidence so far. The lamp cord she was strangled with. I'll run it through downtown.

[Ben Romero]

Not a sign of a struggle. Maybe she wanted to die.

[Joe Friday]

Check the bathroom, will you be. Yeah, I'll look around the kitchen.

[Lee Jones]

Hey, Pete, have you dusted the lamps yet?

[Joe Friday]

Ben, come here a minute, will you?

[Commercial Announcer]

Ben?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah? Come in the kitchen, will ya? You got a pencil?

[Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Here you are.

[Joe Friday]

Take a look at this garbage chute here.

[Ben Romero]

Let me see. About eight feet to the ground.

[Joe Friday]

Big enough for a man to get through.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah, yeah, no problem, Lee.

[Lee Jones]

I'll be right there.

[Ben Romero]

That could be the answer, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Well, he either got in this way or he was in the house when she came home. What do you got garbage chute here. What do you think?

[Lee Jones]

Could be. Let me grab a kit. Let's see. Aluminum powder added? No. Well, nothing on the outside of the lid looked pretty clean. Must have just been scrubbed. Abrasions here. Got a pencil?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, yeah, I'll get it.

[Lee Jones]

Hold it up there, will you?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Lee Jones]

Yeah. There we go. Large prints. Unusually large. Big hands.

[Joe Friday]

Can I look inside the chute a minute, Lee?

[Lee Jones]

Go ahead. Watch that lid.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I will. Looks like it's blocked off upstairs. This thing hasn't been used for garbage for some time.

[Lee Jones]

Most of them were condemned few years back. I'll get fed to shoot these. Let's go in the living room.

[Ben Romero]

That desk been dusted, Lee?

[Lee Jones]

Yeah, it's clean. Go ahead.

[Ben Romero]

Take the look. Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Photographs.

[Lee Jones]

Hmm.

[Ben Romero]

Hundreds of them. All men?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, all different. Lee Jones and the crime lab crew finished up and went back to Central Division. Two uniformed officers remained on duty at the scene of the crime. Thad Brown had men sent out to canvas the neighborhood. Ben and I went upstairs and talked with a landlady and Mrs. Emma Smith.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Yes?

[Ben Romero]

Police officers. You Ms. Smith?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Yes. You're not the same officers I talked with before?

[Joe Friday]

No, ma'am. I wonder if we could ask you a few questions.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

I told the other officers everything I knew.

[Ben Romero]

We have to double check. Ms. Mine, who was the girl who lived in the apartment below number 16?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Laura Barclay.

[Joe Friday]

Is that the name she used? The mail she received, was it addressed that way?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Yes, it was. She was a very good tenant, Laura. No trouble with her at all.

[Joe Friday]

When did she move here?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Oh, about four or five years ago. I have the rent receipts. I always save receipts.

[Ben Romero]

Did she always live by herself?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Oh, yes. That apartment rents to one person only.

[Joe Friday]

Did she have many visitors? Friends dropping in?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

None that I ever saw. Pretty much to herself. Laura, the men came yesterday and took away.

[Joe Friday]

What's that, ma'am?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

The organ Electric one. Laura rented it from a big downtown firm. Used to practice all the time. Night was beautiful. Yeah, in the gloaming. She used to play that for me.

[Joe Friday]

Mrs. Smith, when did the men come and take the organ away?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Yesterday in the afternoon, about 4:30.

[Joe Friday]

Was Ms. Barclay at home when they came?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

No, she wasn't. She left me a note to let them in, so I let them in. I never allow anyone in the apartment without a note.

[Ben Romero]

You know the name of the company where she rented the order?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Braziers. It was called down on South Spring.

[Ben Romero]

Well, didn't you think it was unusual that Ms. Bartley didn't have any friends?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Now, Officer I didn't say Laura didn't have any friends. What I said was that she didn't have any friends who came to see her here. She moved here from a hotel for women. That's the reference she gave me.

[Joe Friday]

I see. I wonder if you could give us the address of that hotel, please.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

I'll write it down for you.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. Ms. Smith, did you hear any unusual sounds in Ms. Barclay's flat last night? Anything out of the ordinary?

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

If I had, I would have called the police. And we'd have saved a girl's life.

[Ben Romero]

Well, thank you very much, Ms. Smith. Here's a curtain. If there's anything you think of after we've gone, don't hesitate to call us.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Thank you. I will. I hope you get the dirty men who killed Laura.

[Joe Friday]

We didn't say it was a man, Miss Smith.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Well, isn't it always a man?

[Joe Friday]

Before we left Mrs. Emmel Smith, we asked her about the garbage chute. She said it had not been in use for the last four years. We showed her the stack of photos. She could identify none of them. We drove back to Central Division. We checked Brazier's Music Store. The two men who moved the organ were checked out and cleared. We went to the Wynn Hotel for Young Ladies. They could tell us nothing. Laura Barclay's references were all good. We went back to the office and met with Chief of Detective Stad Brown.

[Chief of Detectives]

You think he got in through the garbage chute?

[Ben Romero]

It's the way it looks, Chief.

[Joe Friday]

Went all over the apartment. If there's another way, we haven't found it. All right.

[Chief of Detectives]

You know how he got in?

[Ben Romero]

Who is he?

[Joe Friday]

We got out on APB and his MO Latent fingerprints and making a run on those prints we found.

[Chief of Detectives]

I got an idea about these pictures here. Most of them theatrical. Still show people Frank Latour and his canine circus. To Laura, all my love, Frank. Tell you what you do. Here's a guy I checked with this morning.

[Joe Friday]

Bernard Caribbean Theatrical. Booking agent, huh?

[Chief of Detectives]

Yeah. Barney's office is down in the Orpheum Building, Haton Hill. He booked her into the Blue Fox. See what he can tell you.

[Ben Romero]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

I'll grab the picture.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah.

[Chief of Detectives]

Well, you got more than you started with those fingerprints.

[Ben Romero]

We get a make on him, we'll be close to the guy.

[Chief of Detectives]

So was the Barclay girl, but he got away.

[Joe Friday]

I wonder if we could see Mr. Carubin.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Who's calling, please?

[Joe Friday]

Sergeant Romero and Sergeant Friday. Police officers.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

One moment, please.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Two police officers to see you, Mr. Carubian. Sergeant Friday and Sergeant Romero, is that right?

[Ben Romero]

Yes, ma'am.

[Joe Friday]

Send him in.

[Mrs. Emma Smith]

Go right in.

[Ben Romero]

Thank you.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's go.

[Thad Brown]

When them rosy roses Bust through the snow I'll be coming home on fro again when them General Sherman tanks Are covered with ice I'll be home for good and won't that be nut? Oh, no, no. I stuff his corn. Sit down, fellas.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. Can I help you understand that you booked Laura Barclay?

[Thad Brown]

Yeah, that's right. I spoke with a. Got his name right here.

[Ben Romero]

Chief Spadnow.

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Thad Brown]

He asked me about Laura. Too bad about that. Any clues?

[Joe Friday]

We're working on it, Mr. Carubin.

[Thad Brown]

What makes a person pull a stunt like that? Laura didn't have no enemies.

[Joe Friday]

She had one.

[Thad Brown]

Well, I don't know much about her, except I've been booking her for about four years. Good organist. Pretty fair voice, too.

[Joe Friday]

Got some pictures here.

[Ben Romero]

I wonder if you'd take a look at them.

[Thad Brown]

Yeah, sure. Quite a stack. Yeah, old Frankie Latour and the dogs. Great act. I book him Ricky Rogan, king of the tap. Gus Soronoko and that singing seal of his. Yeah, yeah, I know all these people. I book them all.

[Ben Romero]

Did Laura Barkley work with all these.

[Thad Brown]

People one time or another? Yeah, during the war. USO camp shows, you know.

[Joe Friday]

Do you know whether she was close to any of them?

[Thad Brown]

Well, come to think of it, she was that Frankie Latour. Crazy about them dogs of his.

[Joe Friday]

No, I mean the men themselves. Anybody that you seem particularly interested in?

[Thad Brown]

Never heard her mention anybody. Pretty girl.

[Ben Romero]

Did you know her very well, Miss Groovy?

[Thad Brown]

Only when she came in and out of town on an engagement. I'm a married man.

[Ben Romero]

Well.

[Joe Friday]

And you don't think there's anything to these pictures here of hers, huh?

[Thad Brown]

Well, I wouldn't say so. When you're on the road, you always collect photos of the people you work with. Souvenirs.

[Chief of Detectives]

Mm.

[Joe Friday]

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Carubian. Here's our card.

[Thad Brown]

You betcha. I sure hope you catch the guy. Wonder why he picked on Laura.

[Joe Friday]

Sometimes they don't have a reason. When we left Bernard Carubian's office, we checked by the Blue Fox Cocktail Lounge. It was still early. The sign said open 5pm it was 3:15. We went to the morgue in the basement of the hall of justice and looked at the coroner's report. The autopsy report stated that the cause of death for Laura Barclay was strangulation. We went to the second floor of the old city jail building, the crime lab.

[Lee Jones]

Nothing on the lamp cord. Standard URL 110 line. Bad anywhere? No prints.

[Ben Romero]

How about the chute?

[Lee Jones]

Lee went back there and rechecked. You were right. The guy got in through the garbage chute. Found more of the same prints along with some cloth impressions in the dust.

[Joe Friday]

Tell you anything?

[Lee Jones]

The guy was wearing some kind of tweed. Done ago 15 to the inch.

[Joe Friday]

How about the size of a man, Lee?

[Ben Romero]

How big could he be?

[Lee Jones]

To clear that chute, it had a 20 inch diameter. Almost any man could squeeze through that. Check the ground level of the chute. Cement. No footprints.

[Ben Romero]

You don't have too much for it.

[Lee Jones]

I got one thing for you.

[Ben Romero]

What's that?

[Lee Jones]

I think I found your motive. And not the one listed on the report.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Lee Jones]

Here are the blowups of the body. It's 36 by 54.

[Joe Friday]

Here.

[Lee Jones]

Hold that in, will you?

[Ben Romero]

Then no, I haven't.

[Lee Jones]

Look through this magnifying glass here. The right hand.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Lee Jones]

See where I'm pointing?

[Joe Friday]

Ring finger. Yeah. Looked like ring marks.

[Lee Jones]

That's right. Pretty wide. Must have been good sized rings.

[Joe Friday]

Well, they might still be in that room.

[Lee Jones]

I called Thad Brown. He had the room rechecked. No sign.

[Ben Romero]

You think we got a burglary motive on our hand?

[Lee Jones]

That's my guess. Dad had the voice check with the landlady. She didn't know anything about any rings. The Barclay girl.

[Joe Friday]

That doesn't help.

[Lee Jones]

I think I got something else here.

[Ben Romero]

Library book.

[Lee Jones]

There are cards in one of the pockets inside. Checked out from the LA Public Library, main branch. I think these might be a lead on the missing rings. Librarian sees a person's hands every time they check out a book.

[Joe Friday]

That makes sense, Lee. We'll play it that way.

[Ben Romero]

What department were the books checked out of?

[Lee Jones]

The music room. Well, that's it. I think you've got your move now. And a good set of prints. You're close.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks a lot. L. Let's go to the library, Ben. I'll get it. Crime lab. No, this is Friday. Oh, thanks, Frank. Hello? We got some motive.

[Lee Jones]

How do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

No make on those fingerprints. Nothing.

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[Joe Friday]

4:30Pm Tuesday, January 9 heavy rain. Laura Barkley's murderer was still a free man. Ben and I were sure that whoever left their fingerprints on the inside of that garbage chute was the same man who murdered the Barclay girl. He had no previous record. His first crime, as far as we knew, was a killing. And the odds were all in his favor. The fingerprints gave us nothing. All we had left to lead us to the killer were three library books and a stack of old theatrical photos. The solution of most crimes for the working detective is method and persistence. When you have clues, you work with them. When you don't, you work your way to a logical conclusion as best you can. We went to the Los Angeles Public Library, the main branch. The librarians in the music room handle thousands of readers every week. None of them remembered Laura Barclay. We drove over to the Blue Fox cocktail lounge. We interviewed the manager and he knew nothing of her personal life. We talked to Harry Schumann, the organist who had taken Laura Barkley's place.

[Burton]

What would you like to hear, fellas?

[Ben Romero]

Police officers like to talk to you, man.

[Burton]

About Laura, huh?

[Ben Romero]

That's right.

[Burton]

All right if I keep on playing? Manager wants full 15 minute sets.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead. That's all right.

[Burton]

What can I tell you?

[Joe Friday]

How long have you known Ms. Barkley?

[Burton]

Oh, four or five years. Terrible thing. You gotta get to whoever did it.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, we're gonna try. Can you think of anybody that might have killed her?

[Burton]

I know you asked that question of everybody. I don't know. Does anybody ever know for sure?

[Ben Romero]

Sometimes.

[Burton]

Well, I don't know. When you think of a person, you never think who might murder him.

[Joe Friday]

Maybe you might know a few things about her that you could fill us in on.

[Burton]

I'll try.

[Joe Friday]

She go in for jewelry much? Rings, things like that?

[Burton]

Funny you should ask that. She was nuts for it. Good things.

[Joe Friday]

Rings had a couple of beauties.

[Burton]

Diamonds. There were big stones.

[Lee Jones]

Cost 4,000.

[Burton]

I know she used to put most of her money into those rings.

[Ben Romero]

She'd buy them on time.

[Burton]

Yeah. I remember one night she was overjoyed. The night she paid them off. Cost a lot of dough.

[Joe Friday]

Can you describe those rings for us?

[Ben Romero]

Not too good.

[Burton]

I can give you the name of the jeweler she bought them from.

[Joe Friday]

That'll do. Do you know anybody else that we might talk to?

[Burton]

Don't know any of her friends. She was an only child. No living relatives that I know of. How about her landlady?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I guess that's it. Harry, thank you.

[Burton]

For what? I wish I could help more.

[Joe Friday]

If everybody had your attitude, we'd be out of a job. Before we left the Blue Fox, Harry Schumann gave us the address of Laura Barclay's Jeweler. The next morning we checked with the manager of the store and he gave us a complete description of the two diamond rings which the dead girl had purchased. They were valued at $4,000. He gave us detailed drawings of the rings. We went back to the office, gave the information, the burglary detail. An all points bulletin was put out describing them. Pawn shops throughout the city and state were alerted to watch for the stolen rings. We had lunch with Chief Thad Brown at Costa's cafe.

[Chief of Detectives]

Never mind, O'Mara. I'll get her.

[Ben Romero]

Thank you, Chief. I'll get you to stew.

[Joe Friday]

Was good.

[Chief of Detectives]

There's some change with the cigarette and she was. Thanks. Need any cigarettes, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

No, no, thanks.

[Thad Brown]

Thank.

[Joe Friday]

Let's go. What do you think, Fan?

[Chief of Detectives]

Description of the rings and the emo. Should help. You haven't turned up. Good chance he's holding on to him. Could be his first job.

[Joe Friday]

Probably scared.

[Ben Romero]

Anybody check back over the neighborhood there.

[Chief of Detectives]

Yesterday afternoon and this morning. A lot of door salesman through that district. All been checked out.

[Joe Friday]

It's a dead end now. Where?

[Ben Romero]

Only those prints are checked out.

[Chief of Detectives]

Well, they didn't. Got a kickback from Brereton Sacramento and his M.O. no make. We'll have to get him with what we've got.

[Joe Friday]

Here's the car.

[Chief of Detectives]

Sure you picked up all the loose ends?

[Joe Friday]

We've been back over the course three times.

[Chief of Detectives]

Go over it again. Keep going over it until something breaks.

[Joe Friday]

For the next 10 days, we retraced our steps from the room where the crime was committed throughout the neighborhood to the place where she worked, back to the same dead end. Ben and I checked and double checked each other to make certain that neither of us had overlooked even the smallest detail of the investigation. We got no place. It was 8am January 19th. Homicide Friday.

[Burton]

Mr. Rubles and burglary. Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, Dick?

[Burton]

Got something for you. Job pulled last night. Couple of watches, strand of pearls.

[Joe Friday]

How do we figure in it?

[Burton]

His M.O.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Gotta get in through the garbage chute. Besides fingerprints and photographs, one other mark by which the unknown criminal is identified is by his method of operation. His M.O. once a thief finds a successful Means of operation. He seldom changes it. In our search for Laura Barkley's murderer. We had checked our files and found no criminals at large whose practice it was gain entrance through a garbage chute. It was reasonably safe to assume that this was the same man. It was 2pm Jan. 23. I was on my way back from the Record Bureau.

[Ben Romero]

Just had a call. Joe Helmer.

[Joe Friday]

Radcliffe informant?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. Says two days ago he heard about some guy who was making the runs. Trying to pedal a couple of diamond rings.

[Joe Friday]

Same ones.

[Ben Romero]

He's not sure. Doesn't know what the guy looked like.

[Joe Friday]

Any idea where the guy is now?

[Ben Romero]

Hasn't been around since. Told Elmer to keep his eyes open.

[Joe Friday]

That's good.

[Chief of Detectives]

Come in here, you two.

[Joe Friday]

What do you got, Thad?

[Chief of Detectives]

This report just came down from burglary. Pawn shop down in North Main took in a watch and strand of pearls last night.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Chief of Detectives]

Same stuff that Rubles called you about.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I remember.

[Ben Romero]

Where's it dying?

[Chief of Detectives]

Same guy tried to pedal a couple of diamond rings.

[Joe Friday]

10Am Jan. 25. Thad Brown arranged to have all pawn shop detail calls concerning the suspect. Put through to us on extension 2521. Homicide. Five days passed. No further word. Homicide, Friday.

[Burton]

This is George Rose. I run the Harbor Pawn Shop. Second in Maine.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. What's the matter?

[Burton]

Man in here trying to turn those diamond rings. The ones on the stolen property list. I can't talk now.

[Joe Friday]

Stall. Em will be right down. Come on, Ben, move it. Yeah, the next corner.

[Ben Romero]

There it is. Just up the block.

[Joe Friday]

Pull up. All right, let's go.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hell.

[Joe Friday]

There we are. Say hello.

[Burton]

Look out, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

He's got a gun.

[Lee Jones]

You all right, Joe?

[Ben Romero]

Yep.

[Joe Friday]

Out the back way. Let's get him.

[Ben Romero]

There he goes.

[Joe Friday]

Up alley. Can you hit him? He didn't stop him. Watch it.

[Ben Romero]

Come on, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

He's turning onto Spring.

[Burton]

He ran into that cafeteria.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, let's run.

[Ben Romero]

Where'd he go, Steve?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, there he goes. He's headed for the kitchen. Come on.

[Ben Romero]

Stop that man. Stop him.

[Joe Friday]

Out the back door, into the alley.

[Ben Romero]

There he goes.

[Joe Friday]

Duck, Ben.

[Commercial Announcer]

All right, you stop. He's not stopping.

[Joe Friday]

Stay clear.

[Ben Romero]

He's down.

[Joe Friday]

All right, come on. All right, get his guns.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, you got him in the leg. Joe hit his head when he fell.

[Joe Friday]

All right, snap him on.

[Ben Romero]

Look on the little finger of his right hand. Two diamond rings.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Doesn't make sense, does it?

[Ben Romero]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

$4,000 worth of diamonds. And he's lying on a pile of garbage.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed. To protect the innocent.

[Commercial Announcer]

On April 2, 1947, trial was held in Superior Court Department 81, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

Now here are authentic reports from all over the country that tell the story of Fatima's sensational increase in popularity. New Orleans division, Fatima sales up 300%. Detroit division, Fatima sales up 348%. Los Angeles division, Fatima sales up 545%. More and more smokers agree Fatima is the best of long cigarettes. So enjoy Fatima yourself and give extra mild Fatimas for Christmas in the attractive golden yellow carton. Everyone who smokes Fatima says that this great new long cigarette is the best of all long cigarettes.

Laura Barclay's murderer was identified as Martin Eric Swanson. He was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. His case was fought through the Supreme Court of California and in the United States Supreme Court. In both instances, his conviction was upheld. Last Friday morning, after a delay of five years, Martin Eric Swanson was executed in the lethal gas chamber at the state penitentiary. You have just heard Dragnet a new series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Acting Chief of Police W.A. wharton, Los Angeles Police Department.

[Narrator]

Dragnet honors the city of Youngstown, State of Ohio, and the men who make up the Youngstown Police Department, another of America's great law enforcement agencies. One of these men, Chief of Police Edward J. Allen, honored as Policeman of the Year, who dedicates his life so that yours might be more secure.

[Commercial Announcer]

Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, Long Cigarettes has brought you Dragnet from Los Angeles. This Christmas, give the gift that makes every pipe smoker happy. A Christmas humidor of mellow Granger. Granger is made just for pipes by the tried and true Wellman method. Rough cut to smoke mild and cool and humidor packed to stay ever fresh. Yes, make this Christmas a merry Christmas for all the pipe smokers on your list. Give them each a Christmas humidor of Mallow Granger.

[Narrator]

Listen to Dragnet next week and be sure to hear Morton Downey tonight on NBC.