Dragnet: The Big Canaries (EP4924)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet: The Big Canaries (EP4924)
Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date: March 5, 2026
Featured Drama Air Date: December 6, 1951

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Episode Overview

In this emotionally understated and chilling episode of "Dragnet"—titled “The Big Canaries”—Sergeant Joe Friday and Sergeant Ben Romero investigate a brutal murder of a divorced mother, Florence Dixon. As the story unfolds, suspicion falls upon her teenage daughter, Roberta, whose detached demeanor and disturbing confessions slowly bring the grim truth to the surface. The case delves into themes of alienation, familial dysfunction, and the bleak aftermath of violence in a broken home.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime and Initial Investigation

• Timeframe: The murder is discovered on a cold Tuesday morning in Los Angeles.
• Victim: Florence Eleanor Dixon, a 40-year-old divorced mother.
• Crime Scene: Found savagely stabbed in her bedroom; no signs of robbery or break-in.
• Police Approach:
  • The detectives first break the news to Roberta at her school with assistance of her vice principal, Ms. Harmon.
  • Roberta’s initial composure turns to visible distress but quickly reverts to detachment, raising subtle alarms.

“Has she been taken ill, is that it?” — Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal) [04:46]
“No, ma’am. She’s been murdered.” — Sgt. Joe Friday [04:47]

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2. Interviewing the Daughter: A Disturbing Composure

• Roberta’s Demeanor: Shows little sadness, even claims, “I’m not sorry. I’m glad she’s dead.” [10:28]
• Background: Roberta describes a loveless home—her father left, her mother isolated, and bitter.
• Possible Suspects: The investigation turns up little—neighbors barely knew the Dixons, and there’s no sign of a prowler.
• Brutality: The violence of the crime stands out; even the reporters are shaken.

“The morgue say when they’re gonna post the body?” — Sgt. Joe Friday [07:35]
“Sometime today. We ought to have the results first thing tomorrow morning.” — Sgt. Ben Romero [07:37]

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3. The Clue in the Backyard: The Canary Burial

• Discovery: Friday, Romero, and reporter George De Koven discover two freshly buried canaries, both killed with a knife, echoing the mother’s wounds.
• Symbolism: The violent killing of the canaries foreshadows Roberta’s eventual confession and serves as a chilling practice for the greater crime.

"Bird. Little canary. How about that? Hasn't been buried long. Look here. Look at the breast." — Sgt. Joe Friday [14:19]
"Same thing. Look at the breast." — Sgt. Ben Romero [14:37]

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4. Forensic Evidence & Interrogation

• Evidence: Roberta’s clothing contains stains confirmed to be her mother’s blood.
• Conflict in Stories: Timeline inconsistencies (the coroner’s time of death, Roberta’s version of events) further corner her.
• Psychological Unraveling: In a second interview, Roberta becomes more detached, talking to her dolls and sewing calmly, then finally admits the truth.
• Motivation: Explains she killed the canaries to practice, and later murdered her mother after years of conflict and perceived strangulation by her strict parent.

"It took a long time. I thought about it a lot. Week ago I made up my mind. It’s time to kill her." — Roberta Dixon [23:59]

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5. The Confession

• Admission: Roberta confesses in a chillingly matter-of-fact tone, expressing regret only for the canaries.
• Final Moments: Requests to bring a doll with her to the station—a deeply humanizing but disturbing detail.

“You probably think I don’t care for anything but my dolls. There’s one thing, though, I want to tell you... I’m sorry. Now. I really am. I shouldn’t have done it. I know it was wrong.” — Roberta Dixon [27:26]
“You do?” — Sgt. Joe Friday [27:32]
“Yes. I’m sorry. I killed the canaries.” — Roberta Dixon [27:34]

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6. Resolution

• Legal Outcome: Roberta is found unfit to be handled as a juvenile and is committed as criminally insane to a state institution.
• Epilogue: The narration emphasizes the real-life roots and tragic consequences, underscoring Dragnet’s reported authenticity.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Evidence and Reality:
  • “The last time we talked to you, you said you left the house at 8:30 yesterday morning. Is that right?...The coroner says she died at 7:30, no later.” — Sgt. Joe Friday [21:54–22:06]
• Roberta’s Detachment:
  • “I’m not sorry. I’m glad she’s dead.” — Roberta Dixon [10:28]
  • “I didn’t buy them because I wanted them...Felt bad about killing them.” — Roberta Dixon [25:00]
• On Family Dysfunction:
  • “We were in the same house, that’s all. Nobody cared for anybody else. Anything but fighting...I’m glad she’s dead.” — Roberta Dixon [23:13]

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Critical Commentary from Host Adam Graham [29:45]

• Adam Graham remarks on the power of Dragnet’s emotional understatement, noting how Roberta's “calm way” of speaking about violence drives the realism and subtle horror of the episode.
• He highlights the realism arising from the mistakes of a young perpetrator, making the investigation and ultimate confession feel inevitable and tragic.

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:46] Start of drama; murder introduction
• [04:46] Police break the news to Roberta
• [10:28] Roberta’s chilling indifference to her mother’s death
• [14:19–14:46] Discovery of the canary graves
• [16:15] Roberta admits killing her own canaries
• [21:54–22:06] Confrontation over timeline and evidence
• [23:59–25:37] Roberta’s full confession
• [27:34] Roberta expresses regret for the canaries, not her mother
• [28:00] Case resolution and legal outcome

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode’s tone is haunting and restrained, letting the sparse details and understated confession deliver maximum impact. Listeners are left unsettled by Roberta’s cool recounting of both the canaries’ and her mother’s killings, and by the broader implications of neglect and emotional isolation on a young mind. The case closes with both legal resolution and lingering sadness, making "The Big Canaries" a standout example of Dragnet’s ability to blend suspense, procedural detail, and thought-provoking social commentary.

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Transcript

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[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Sam.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first I do want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software on our listener support and appreciation campaign continues. You can support the show by becoming one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net now from December 6, 1951, here is the Big Canaries.

[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. A 40 year old mother is found murdered in the bedroom of her home. The body bears the marks of a savage attack with a knife. The killer showed no mercy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your job.

[Narrator]

Get him. Dragnet. 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 transcribed from official police files from beginning to end From Crime to Punishment Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, February 18th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of homicide detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detective. My name's Friday. It was 10:43am when we got to Woodview High School. The vice principal's office.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Good morning, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, I'd like to see the Vice principal, please. Believe her name is Harmon. Ms. Harmon?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I'm Ms. Harmon. What is it you wanted?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officers, ma', am. Is our identification. Oh, yes, this is my partner, Sergeant Romero. My name's Friday.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I see. How do you do?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we'd like to talk to one of your girl students, Ms. Harmon. Roberta Dixon. Understand she's registered here.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Roberta Dixon. Oh, yes, I believe I know her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Would you mind calling her out of class, please? We'd like to talk to her.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Well, we generally don't like to do that, Officer. Not unless it's absolutely necessary.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Pretty important, ma'.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We've got a message for the girl.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I see. Couldn't it wait until after school hours?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm afraid not, Ms. Harmon. It's about the girl's mother. It's pretty serious.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Has she been taken ill, is that it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am. She's been murdered. 16 year old Roberta Dixon, the daughter of the murdered woman, was called out of her classroom and brought downstairs to the office of Ms. Harmon, the girl's vice principal. She was a thin, dark haired girl in sweater and skirt. With the help of Ms. Harmon, whom the girl seemed to know fairly well, Ben and I broke the news of her mother's death as gently as we could. At first the 16 year old girl seemed to take the shock with some composure. But suddenly she broke down weeping and became hysterical. When she recovered sufficiently, the girl agreed to come downtown with us to answer a few routine questions. Ms. Harmon agreed to accompany her. A 1105am we checked back in at the office. Ben and I completed the 311 dead body report while Ms. Harmon and the daughter of the murdered woman waited in the adjoining room.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What was that time discovered, Joe, you got a note on it there?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, Let me look.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

8:55am oh, thanks.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Hi, Joe, how are you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, hi, George. How you doing?

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

I can't complain. Got some checking out to do. I wonder if you'd help me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I'll give it a try. Ben, you know George De Koven, don't you? Reporter from the Daily News.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah, sure. Sam around?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hi.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Say, I Understand you two are working on that knife murder out on Pico. The dead woman I found this morning?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

A few things I'd like to check with you before I do the story. The victim's name was Florence Eleanor Dixon.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That right? That's right, George. Yeah.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

A couple more things here. Stop me if I got it wrong. The victim was 40 years old, divorced, one child, daughter 16. Body was discovered 9 o' clock this morning by a next door neighbor. Neighbor's name is Esther Fenwick.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, I think the name's Fenmore.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

George.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Oh, thanks. V N M O R E I understand you haven't got much to go on. No murder weapons, no other leads?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, not much of anything so far. We just started on this thing.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

How about the husband of the dead woman? You get anything there?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, he divorced Mrs. Dixon two years ago. There's no line on him yet. We're still checking him out. We might have some word later on the day for him.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Any other possible suspects in mine, or do you want to say No, I don't think so.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

It's still wide open.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

How about a motif that been established yet?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Could have been one of a dozen things. We're gonna have to do some digging before we can say.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Definitely doesn't look like it was a robbery. Motive. That's about all we can tell you for sure, George.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

See, I was over at the morgue when they brought the body in. It's the worst I've seen in a long time.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Brutal. It's pretty bad.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

I suppose there's nothing from the crime lab yet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I think they just got back from the house a few minutes ago. If you want to drop by later on this afternoon, we might have something new for you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Okay, thanks.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Oh, say, I saw you bringing the girl in a few minutes ago. Victim's daughter. I'd like to get a couple of pictures of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how about making a little later, huh, George? Kid's still upset. Pretty much of a shock for you. You can understand.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Okay.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

I'll be waiting out in the hall with a photographer. You gimme a call. Just a couple of shots and we'll take a minute.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You betcha, George. We'll call you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You about finished with that report, Ben?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, all done. I guess we better talk to the girl, huh? Yeah, all right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The morgue say when they're gonna post the body?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Sometime today. We ought to have the results first thing tomorrow morning. Miss Harmon.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I think she's a lot better now, Sergeant. Roberta, the officers would like to talk to You A few minutes, if you feel up to it. All right. Who killed my mother? Have you found out?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Not yet, Roberta. And we think you might be able to help us.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

So hard to believe. I just saw her this morning. She was all right then.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, you try to take it easy, Roberta. We'll make it as brief as possible. Are you and your mother the only people living at your house? No one else?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No, me and my mother, that's all. My father used to live with us. He doesn't anymore.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How long has it been since your father left?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I'm not sure. About five years, I think. He and Mama didn't get along. They got divorced.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Do you see your father at all anymore? I mean, does he ever come to your house to visit?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

He did once. It was about a year ago, I think. Wasn't much good. And my mother argued all the time he was there. And he left. He hasn't been back since.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Has he been in contact at all with your mother, do you know? Does he write her letters, Call her on the phone?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No. The last time was when he came to our house. I haven't heard anything about him since. I don't even know where he is. I don't care. I guess I hardly even knew him like you have.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You think about this carefully now, Roberta. Did your mother have any close friends who used to come to the house? Quite a bit, yes.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Two or three women friends of hers at work.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Any men friends?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No, Mama didn't have any men friends. She didn't like men. She said they were all no good. She used to tell me that all the time.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Do you have any relatives we can contact?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I don't know about my father's side. My mother has a brother and sister in West Virginia. Dresses at home. What am I gonna do? Why would anybody kill my mother?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You try to take it easy, Roberta. Everything's gonna work out all right. Look, now, do you think you can give us a list of most of the people your mother knew? Friends around the neighborhood? The people she knew at her work?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Yes, I think so. Most of them are in her address book. I think I know where it is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, fine.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Just before you left for school this morning, Roberta. Was there anyone in the house besides you and your mother?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No, just the two of us.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Was your mother expecting anyone?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Not that I know of.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your mother was all right, Was she? There didn't seem to be anything bothering her.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No, she acted all right to me. Just like any other morning. We got up at quarter to seven. I got dressed. Mama took a shower. I fixed breakfast, we ate and then I left for school.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

About what time was that, Roberta?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

A little before 8:30. Usual time. I have my first class at 9:00'. Clock. When I left Mama, she was just finishing her breakfast. I said goodbye. When was the last time I saw her? Can we talk after a while, please? Maybe I'll feel better. Can't talk now.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Would you like to rest here?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I don't know why I'm crying. Stupid. I don't care anyway. No reason to cry.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You better get some rest, youngster.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No reason. It doesn't make sense. Crying about Mama.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How's that?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I'm not sorry. I'm glad she's dead.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Early that afternoon, after she'd rested sufficiently and recovered herself, we had another interview with Roberta Dixon, the teenage daughter of the murdered woman. Ms. Harmon, the vice principal, went back to the school and a policewoman was called in to be present. During the interrogation again, she insisted that she wasn't at all sorry that her mother was dead. She said that privately she didn't have any love for either one of her parents, least of all her mother. She told the usual story of a broken home, a father who showed little interest in his daughter, or providing a good home for a strict, overbearing mother who apparently made no effort to understand the girl. We continued to interview Roberta Dixon, but outside of what she'd already told us, she showed no further knowledge of the murder. Pending action by the court, we had the girl placed in the custody of the juvenile authorities. 3:10pm Ben and I drove back to the murder house on South Pico Boulevard, where we met police reporter George De Koven. Together with Brian and Ortiz, we continued our preliminary investigation. We rechecked the immediate area of the Dixon home and talked again with the neighbors. We failed to come up with anything new. 4:25pm along with the reporter George De Koven, Ben and I went back to the murder house.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Well, I don't know. It doesn't seem to jive that time of morning. It's possible, though.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What's that, Joy?

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Prowler might have been it. You think so?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, we've already run that down. Yeah, we checked communications. There's no recent complaints about anybody prowling the neighborhood. We talked to the neighbors too. No indication of it. No sign anybody tried to break in here either.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Got me.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

I can't figure.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

And Dick's mom and sure kept to herself. Lived here 11 years. And we can't dig up more than half a dozen neighbors who really knew

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

it had business with her daughter too. It sure stacks up pretty strange. Didn't the crime lab crew find anything this morning, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, nothing. Great. A jacket, a pair of shoes with a few stains on them. Took them in to run a benzidine test. That's about the size of it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Sure. A slow start.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I expected a little more from the neighbors so died. You know, it'd be different if the thing happened in the middle of the night. According to the daughter, it must have happened at least after 8:30 this morning. Now, if the killer got in the house after that, you'd think somebody on the block would have noticed it. Neighbors close by on either side.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How about checking out in the yard? I didn't get too good a look around this morning.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, there's nothing more to cover in here. Crime lab's been all over.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

And how about where this Mrs. Dixon worked, Joe? Anybody tag base there?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, Tommy Bryan did. Hotel down on South Grand. She worked in the linen room. Couple people she knew there, they couldn't tell him anything.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

How about some of her other friends?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, nothing yet. We're still checking.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Go ahead, Joe. That's a big backyard. Kept it nice, didn't they?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to check alongside here, Ben, with the house? I'll give the back of the yard a look.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, okay.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Good sized garage, huh? Pretty hard to find him like that anymore.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Pretty good sized lot too. He sure must have worked at keeping it up. There's not a weed on the place, is there?

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Yeah, more you can say for the neighbors.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Have a look, George. Down here, huh? Flower bed here. Two little mounds of dirt. You see them?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The ground looks like it's been recently turned, wouldn't you say? Fairly recent.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Wonder what that's supposed to mean.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Small wooden crosses pressed down on each one of the mounds.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Queer one, huh? Looks like a couple of small graves, doesn't it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to reach me that stick over there, George? Oh, here.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Big O.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Have a look here.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Nice. Nothing on my end. How are you do? What's this?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, we're not sure ourselves. Wait a minute.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Uh huh. What is it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wait a minute.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

There you are. Bird. Little canary. How about that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hasn't been buried long. Look here. Look at the breast.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

What do you think, a knife?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Could be sharp instrument of some kind. Just a minute. I'm gonna try this other monitor.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Wait a minute, Joe. Yeah, it's another one. Yellow canary. Same thing. Look at the breath.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Neither one's been buried for more than a few days. Funny one.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

The Dixon's raised canaries, you know.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't think so.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Sure doesn't make any sense to me. They didn't want the birds. You'd think they'd give them away. Why go slaughter them like this?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, well, it works both ways. Deep wounds in the chest. Some kind of sharp weapon. Yeah, the Dixon woman. She died the same way. 4:35pm we took the two canaries, wrapped them in paper and brought them downtown to Lt. Lee Jones at the crime lab to be processed. He was still running tests on the stained jacket and pair of shoes which had been found in the house among the dead woman's personal effects. 5:15pm we checked by the office and then we drove over to juvenile hall to see Roberta Dixon. Apparently she was in a much better frame of mind.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I talked to Ms. Harmon this afternoon, our vice principal. She wants me to come and stay with her for a while. Hope she can arrange it. Should be nice.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We were back at your house this afternoon, Roberta. We found something we'd like to ask you about.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

What's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you keep any pets in your house? I mean, either you or your mother?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Well, no, not usually. Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean not usually?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Well, we didn't up until a week ago. Mama didn't like animals. She didn't want them around. Then I got these two canaries. I bought them with my own money. I work after school, you know.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I see.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I bought a cage for him too. My mother was mad when I brought him home. She didn't like any kind of animals. She kept preaching at me. She finally made me get rid of them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can I do that, Roberta?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I got a knife and I killed him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

February 18th, the Dixon girl was released to the custody of Ms. Harmon pending action by the juvenile court. 9:00pm Ben and I double checked with Lt. Lee Jones at the crime lab. He showed us the school jacket and a pair of shoes which had been found in a closet in the home of the murdered woman, Mrs. Florence Dixon. Apparently the clothing belonged to the daughter, Roberta. There were several dark stains on each of the articles. They'd been checked thoroughly. First, a benzidine test to determine if they were blood stains. Then a biological precipitant test to classify them further. There wasn't any doubt in Lee's mind that the stains were recent. But they were made by human blood. The same blood type as that of the murdered woman was a little hard to believe. But the evidence on hand pointed only one prime suspect. 16 year old Roberta Dixon. Early the following morning, we Checked back in at the office. Ben went across the street to see if the coroner's autopsy report was ready. 8:05am I checked by communications. They had a report on the tracer we'd gotten out on the murder victim's husband to Charles Dixon. I picked it up and headed back for the office.

[Narrator]

Morning, Joe.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, hi, George.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You get the message I left for you? I put it on your desk over in the press room.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Yeah, I got it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thanks.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

How's it look this morning?

[Narrator]

Anything new?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, this here an answer on that tracer we got out on Mrs. Dixon's husband. He's been living up north for the past year. San Francisco.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

That's so. Still up there?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, not according to this. He died six months ago. Heart attack.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Hmm. What do you figure?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, there's not much choice.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Joy. Oh, hi, Joy.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

Hi.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Autopsy report. Coroner just got it out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's the word?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

It doesn't jibe with the story. We got that coroner places a time of death close to 7:30am yesterday. Cause of death's what we figured. Chest wound, some kind of a sharp weapon. There's something else. According to the girl, she had breakfast with her mother before she left for school. Coroner says Ms. Dixon hadn't eaten for at least 12 hours before she died.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

What was that time of death, Ben?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

7:30am no later.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I guess we better move on now.

[George De Koven (Reporter)]

What's the angle?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, the daughter. She says she didn't leave the house until 8:30. Along with the policewoman, Ben and I drove out to the home of the high school vice principal, Ms. Harmon, where the suspect, Roberta Dixon, was staying. There was no one there. We checked at the high school. Ms. Harmon told us that she'd brought Roberta to school that morning. She thought that if the girl attended classes, it had helped keep her mind off her troubles. Ms. Harmon checked the classroom the Dixon girl was supposed to be in, but she wasn't there. Her teachers were contacted. None of them had seen her. That morning, 9:40am we drove over to the Dixon home. We found Roberta in the back bedroom. She was sitting calmly at a sewing machine, stitching ruffles on a dress. In one corner of the room, there was an empty birdcage.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I'm pretty busy right now. I've got this sewing to do. What you want to talk to me about?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We got a few more questions for you, Roberta. It's about your mother.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

She's dead, isn't she? Do we have to talk about it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I'm afraid we do.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Why do we? Just told me she was Dead. There's no sense in talking about dead people. Anyway, I've got this sewing to do. I have to get it finished. There. Isn't that pretty? These ruffles go all the way around the bottom of the skirt here. Like this. Beautiful color. Brown. You like it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to tell us what happened, Roberta, yesterday morning?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Yesterday? I already told you, didn't I?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We don't think you were telling the truth. You want to go over it again for us?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I've got this sewing to do. You can see that, can't you? Three more rows of ruffles. Go on. Right here. I have to get it finished. Takes time, you know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I think you better let the sewing go, Roberta.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Oh, no, I couldn't do that. I have to get it finished.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm afraid this is a little more important. I think you realize that I went

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

over the whole thing for you already. I told you everything wasn't the truth.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You know that, Roberta.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Why do you say that?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Was it the truth?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

What do you expect me to say?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's up to you.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

You think I lied, don't you? That's stupid. I haven't got any reason to lie.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you kill her, Roberta?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you kill your mother?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I told you everything already. That's just the way it was. Mom and I got up and had breakfast and I went to school. That's all. I don't have any reason to lie. Oh, excuse me. Hello? Oh, hi, Fran. Yeah, I'm working on it now. It's gonna be beautiful. What? Oh, no, that's all right. Sure. Well, thanks. Yeah, I'm all right. Mm. Mm. Look, can you call me back later? Yeah, I'll be here. Okay, Hong. Bye. I'm sorry, officer. It's my girlfriend, Fran.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mm.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

She's a good friend of mine. She can vouch for me. She'll tell you I'm not a liar.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you own a pair of brown and white saddle oxfords, Roberta?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No. Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about a school jacket? Green plaid.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

No, I don't like green. Brown's my favorite color.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The green plaid jacket was found in the house. Here. It was stuffed back in the hall closet. It had your name stenciled on it.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Oh, yeah, that old thing. I don't even wear it anymore. Look at that. Won't it be pretty when I get it finished?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That jacket of yours, Roberta, they found blood stains on it. On the shoes, too.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Roberta, I already told you. The shoes aren't mine.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

The jacket is.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Why do you keep calling me a liar? Can't you believe me for once? Isn't it bad enough the way things are now?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The last time we talked to you, you said you left the house at 8:30 yesterday morning. Is that right?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Yes, it was around 8:30.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We got the report on your mother this morning, Roberta. The coroner says she died at 7:30, no later.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

That's stupid. How could he tell anyway?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He can tell.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

He's a liar.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Something else, Roberta. You told us you and your mother got up and you had breakfast together.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Yeah, we had breakfast together. Why are you picking on me?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You couldn't have had breakfast together the time she died. Your mother hadn't eaten anything for 12 hours.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I guess you're gonna say they can tell that too.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's right. You want to tell us what really happened now?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now tell us the truth, Roberta. It's going to work out a lot easier.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

These are some of the toys I had when I was little. I saved almost all of them. My best doll. I had a lot of dolls. I loved them. Guess I still do. I love him more than her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You mean your mother?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I wasn't fooling. I don't care if she's dead. She didn't mean anything to me. She never did mean anything. These are more of my dolls. Here. I dressed them all myself. Every one of them.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What was the matter, Roberta? Between you and your mother, I mean.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I don't know. I guess she just didn't mean anything. Not like anybody else's mother. She didn't mean anything at all. Same as my father. We were in the same house, that's all. Nobody cared for anybody else. Anything but fighting. Fighting or just not saying anything at all. I'm glad she's dead.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You killed her. Is that what you want to say?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Here's a little piano I had. I got it one Christmas, I think. Look. Still plays.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to tell us from the beginning?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

It took a long time. I thought about it a lot. Week ago I made up my mind. It's time to kill her. She was getting worse. I couldn't do anything. I was always wrong. Couldn't go out. Couldn't do this. I couldn't do that. She started the same way yesterday morning. I got the knife from the kitchen. I went in and she was sitting on the bed, putting her stockings on. I don't think she knew what happened. Didn't take long.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Were you having an argument with her? Is that what started it?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

We argued every morning. I got so tired of it. She had an awful voice. Finally made up my mind. Planned it all out. I even practiced it. You know, the Two canaries I had.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I didn't buy them because I wanted them. Got to be cute, though. Felt bad about killing them.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Why'd you kill him, Roberta?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Practiced. Decided to use a knife. I wasn't sure I knew how to do it, though. So I got the canaries one day after school. I killed them. It gave me more confidence. I knew I could do it after that. Poor little things. I guess I shouldn't have killed them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That knife you killed your mother with. Roberta, you want to show us where it is?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

All right, I'll show you. I don't think you ever could have found it. It's up in the attic. Special place I hide things. Say, would you like some coffee or Coke or something?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, thanks.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just one more thing. Why'd you leave school this morning? I mean, going off without telling anybody?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I wanted to come back here. I felt like it. I wanted to come back to my room. It's the only place I really like to be. I've lived in this house all my life. And this has always been my room. Toys I had. My dolls. Everything's here. Everything I have. My books. All my dolls.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. I think we better be going, Roberta. We'll have to take you downtown.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Yes. All right. I'll get my coat. Then I'll show you where the knife is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Officers, could I ask you one favor?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What's that?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

It probably sounds silly. It'll help a lot, though. This doll here.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Could I take it with me? Just this one? Make me feel a lot better. Please. Do you think I could.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure. Bring it along if you like.

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Thank you. You probably think I don't care for anything but my dolls. There's one thing, though, I want to tell you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What's that?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

I'm sorry. Now. I really am. I shouldn't have done it. I know it was wrong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You do?

[Ms. Harmon (Vice Principal)]

Yes. I'm sorry. I killed the canaries.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On May 6, the hearing was held in Juvenile Court. Department 38, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that hearing. At the hearing in juvenile court. Roberta Evelyn Dixon was found unfit to be handled as a juvenile. And was certified to superior Court as an adult. There she was found to be criminally insane. By three psychiatrists appointed by the state. She is now confined to a state mental institution. Where she is undergoing treatment. You have just heard, Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Barton Yarborough is Sergeant Ben Romero. Also heard was Joyce McCluskey. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Foreign. Spy fights international intrigue next on NBC.

[Host/Advertiser]

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[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

Welcome back. A great episode and I think it illustrates how dragnets often emotional understatement can be quite powerful. Now obviously we hear a lot of shows on this podcast that dial it up to 11, but when Roberta was talking honestly before the midpoint where she stated she killed the canaries, that was chilling. And of course, if there was any doubt as to what happened, you know, they had to do the whole investigation. But I pretty much knew who did it at that point. And again, the sort of calm way she talks about it is really, I think, part of the strength of the episode and what makes it so realistic and subtly disturbing. And I think the facts of the case reflect a situation where you had an angry teenage girl who didn't know what she was doing or have a really strong insight into what the police figure out which led to her making mistakes that she got caught in. All right, well, listener comments and feedback and we're going over to Spotify where we have a comment from Vicki who writes the police only knew about the wife's disappearance because the husband called them, but yet the husband was the guilty party. Perhaps he wanted to be caught. Great episode. Well, Becky, I didn't think he wanted to be caught. I think in that case, the fact is that his wife was not around and if he had at no point reported it, somebody was going to notice that she was missing. And the question would be, okay, doctor, why did you never report your wife was missing? Oh, he couldn't remove the mystery, but he could relocate the mystery to the other side of the city. Yeah, she went to New York and I don't know what happened to her. And he thought he'd been very clever, but of course he was amateur and made some mistakes along the way. Alright, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you to Joe, patreon Supporter since April 2019, currently supporting the podcast at the master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Joe. That will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it for free from. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Where?

[Johnny Dollar]

You're here to see Mrs. Ballin? That's right. I'm Johnny Dollar. I'm Hal Winters, her nephew. Hi. Say, tell me something. Yes? About this little statue that's missing. You mean that little chunk of pot metal that's disappeared? Oh, is that what it is? Oh, yes, just a piece of junk. But a couple of months ago, Aunt Dora decided it looked like her grandfather when he was a general back in the Civil War. Oh, why does she value it so highly? I expect the general was the only Balan who had guts enough to do anything on his own. What do you mean? I mean, instead of just living off the family shipping fortune. So when she suddenly decided the statue looked like the general. Johnny Dollar, did you say? That's right. The insurance investigator, yes. Well, now, why should she bother you with it? I don't know. Truly, Mr. Dollar, it's not worth it. If I were you, I'd forget it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd better see if the morning mail has arrived. Hal, just when did the statue disappear and from where? Tana discovered it missing from the reception room yesterday morning. Now, if you'll pardon me. Was the house broken into? Possibly, but there was no sign of it. How about guests? No, we haven't had guests for a week or more. How many servants are there? Uh, Mr. Dollar, perhaps there's something I'd better tell you about that statue. The statue of the general. I tell you, Mr. Dollar. You are Mr. Dollar, aren't you? Yes, ma'. Am. I tell you that if you don't find out who stole it and get it back, I'll cancel every bit of my insurance.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great. Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.