Dragnet: The Big Cliff (EP4799)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet – “The Big Cliff” (EP4799)
Air Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights a classic Dragnet radio drama, “The Big Cliff,” originally aired June 28, 1951. Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate the mysterious death of Gertrude Agnes Turner, whose husband discovers her lifeless body at home. The case is filled with ambiguity: was it natural death, suicide, or murder? The episode explores the strain on those left behind, the burden of suspicion, and the painstaking search for truth by the police—emphasizing that real detective work isn’t about assumptions but about evidence and exoneration.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Discovery of the Body & Initial Investigation ([04:33–12:17])

• Detectives arrive: Joe Friday and Ben Romero meet an elderly Mr. Turner at the scene (the Blackwell Hotel), who reports finding his wife dead beside their bed.
• Interview with Mr. Turner: He appears devastated and confused, with little information to offer. He insists they had no enemies and lived quietly, recently moved from Indiana.
• Contextual clues: There is a slight bruise on Gertrude’s forehead, but the detectives and coroner rule it out as cause of death.
• Friday reassures:

  "We'll let you know just as soon as we get the coroner's report, sir." – Joe Friday (06:03)

2. Suspicion and Red Flags Emerge ([12:58–16:09])

• Autopsy results: The coroner cannot sign a straightforward death certificate—cause listed as suffocation with unexplained bruises on the neck.
• Rumors from neighbors: Friends report the Turners fought violently at times, and Mr. Turner had previously struck his wife—a detail he initially omits but later admits:

  "I kind of slapped her. I felt like a no good bum. Never once happened again." – Mr. Turner (17:16)

• Motive explored: Police discover Mrs. Turner had multiple life insurance policies, the latest taken out just three weeks before her death, making Turner the beneficiary.

3. Building and Challenging the Case ([19:00–25:35])

• Turner’s interrogation: He’s confronted with evidence—the insurance, the bruises, and inconsistencies in his statements about arguments and friendships.
• Turner’s defense: He maintains innocence, expressing hurt at the insinuation:

  "I didn't kill her. Somebody has to believe that. Somebody." – Mr. Turner (25:00)

• Potential breakthrough: Turner’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Raymond, adamantly advocates for his innocence from Indiana, offering “proof” she will bring.

4. Resolution: The Truth Comes Out ([25:35–28:47])

• Crucial evidence: A neighbor’s son, studying to be a chiropractor, admits to having given Mrs. Turner neck and shoulder manipulations days before her death, which resulted in bruising similar to those noted by the coroner.

• Family revelations: Upon arrival, Mrs. Raymond and Dr. Grant (family doctor from Indiana) disclose that Gertrude Turner suffered from epilepsy, a lifelong secret she hid from her husband. Dr. Grant shows letters and confirms medication had been mailed to her.

  "Your wife was afraid to let you know. She told her sister she was afraid it might break up her marriage." – Joe Friday (27:10)

• Medical explanation: Gertrude likely suffered a fatal seizure alone at night, resulting in suffocation—explaining the observed convulsions and bruises.

5. Exoneration and Emotional Closure ([28:47–29:32])

• Turner released:

  "You're not gonna have a trial, Mr. Turner. We're releasing you." – Joe Friday (26:46)

• Despite an emotional question about the police’s belief in his innocence:

  "In your own heart, you knew that, didn’t you, officer?" – Mr. Turner (28:39) "Yes, sir, I know it." – Joe Friday (28:47)

• Official outcome: The LAPD classifies Gertrude’s death as natural causes; Mr. Turner is fully exonerated.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mr. Turner’s grief:

  "She was ice cold. There was a little bruise up here on her forehead. I thought I was dreaming she was dead." (09:09)

• On insurance as a motive:

  "Mrs. Turner had three different policies... total of $5,000. Mr. Turner’s a beneficiary on all three... the newest policy for $1,000, taken out three weeks ago." (20:04–20:16)

• Joe Friday’s objectivity:

  "They don’t pay us for what we believe, Turner. They pay us to get the facts, to run down evidence." (24:13)

• The reveal on epilepsy:

  "If you die of epilepsy, there’s just no way of telling. Not even by autopsy. Convulsion and suffocation. That’s the only way they can list it." (27:54)

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Host Commentary: Adam Graham ([31:16–34:00])

• Graham emphasizes police diligence: The case highlights how proper procedure—investigating exhaustively—can both identify guilt and protect the innocent.
• Insurance comment: Small insurance policies sometimes reflect efforts to avoid medical exams—these were not large sums in today’s money, further diffusing suspicion.
• Purpose:

  "The purpose of the investigation is ultimately to get at the truth, not jump at first conclusions or impressions." – Adam Graham (31:44)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Time | |-------------------------------------|----------| | Discovery & initial interview | 04:33–12:17 | | Suspicion mounts, autopsy results | 12:58–16:09 | | Interrogation—insurance & motives | 19:00–25:35 | | Revelations—epilepsy & exoneration | 25:35–29:32 | | Host commentary | 31:16–34:00 |

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Conclusion

"The Big Cliff" is a classic Dragnet procedural highlighting the importance of thorough investigation in seeking justice. Despite initial suspicion, even upon the closest familial relationships, sometimes the truth is buried in overlooked medical history, not malicious intent. The episode concludes with heartfelt empathy for those affected and a reminder of the importance of due process over snap judgments.

For listeners: This episode is a masterclass in detective work, compassion, and the thin line between suspicion and truth. It’s not about quick answers but patient, respectful pursuit of facts—a lesson as relevant to policing as to storytelling.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

This is the story of the one.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

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[Mr. Turner]

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[Joe Friday]

Have everything in place and running like clockwork.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

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[Adam Graham]

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 want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Our listener support and appreciation campaign continues. You can support the show as one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month patreon.greatdetectives.net and receive special updates from me. You will also, if you support the program at the Showmas level of $4 or more per month, receive access to extra podcasts. We do generally a total of about an hour and a half in time might be two half hour, you know, an hour and a half hour program or three half hour programs. But regardless, we will do Some extra stuff that you're able to listen to. Check it out at patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from June 28, 1951, here is the big clef.

[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. An elderly man reports the sudden death of his wife. He claims he awoke in the morning to find her dead on the floor of their bedroom. The cause of death is not apparent. Your job, investigate 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.

[Joe Friday]

It was Friday, November 12th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of detectives. My name's Friday. It was 9:38am when I got back to the first floor of the Blackwell Hotel, room seven.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, hi, Joe. Come on. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

How's the old fella doing? He tell you anything?

[Ben Romero]

Hasn't talked at all. He's pretty broken up. Woman's dead. That's about it. How about the bruise on her forehead? You think that could have been it?

[Joe Friday]

No, it was just a slight bruise. I don't think that could have killed her.

[Ben Romero]

They moved the body out of the room yet?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, they just did. Taking it downtown for the autopsy. Well, I guess we can take the old man back to his own room now, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I think so. He's back here in the kitchen now. Fixed him a cup of coffee. Still feeling pretty bad. Mm. Mr. Turner, would you like to go back to your room now? Everything's been fixed up. Mr. Turner.

[Mr. Turner]

What happened? You can tell me. What happened to Gertrude?

[Ben Romero]

I'm afraid we don't know, Mr. Turner. Not yet.

[Mr. Turner]

I told you about it, didn't I? Woke up this morning about 8 o'.

[Ben Romero]

Clock.

[Mr. Turner]

Put my arm over on the pillow and she wasn't there. Then I got up and I saw her laying on the floor. My wife, Gertrude. I felt her arms. She was cold. Ice cold. Somebody ought to know what happened.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we'll let you know just as soon as we get the coroner's report. Sir, would you like to go back to your own room now?

[Mr. Turner]

What's coroner have to do with it?

[Joe Friday]

Well, he's gonna have to perform an autopsy. We'll have the report for you tomorrow morning.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't want him to do that to Gertrude. I don't want him to.

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, sir. I'm afraid it's necessary deaths of this kind. There was no doctor in attendance, Nobody to sign the death certificate.

[Mr. Turner]

There's nothing I can do, nothing to help her.

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, Mr. Turner.

[Ben Romero]

Can we help you back to your room, sir?

[Mr. Turner]

Is she still there?

[Ben Romero]

No, sir. They've taken her body downtown. Can I give you a hand there? Thank you.

[Mr. Turner]

All right.

[Ben Romero]

I'll get the door.

[Mr. Turner]

Where'd Mr. Parkson go?

[Joe Friday]

Who's that, sir?

[Mr. Turner]

The hotel manager, Mr. Parker.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Mr. Turner]

These are his rooms here. I wanted to tell him thank you for letting me stay down here a while.

[Joe Friday]

Well, I think he'll be back in a few minutes. He was busy outside.

[Mr. Turner]

Nice of him. Let me use his place. I couldn't stay in our room. Not the way it was. Gertrude lying there.

[Ben Romero]

It's all right now, Mr. Turner. Can you make the stairs all right?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, sir. Thank you. Just a little tired, that's all. Guess the whole thing's been too much for me.

[Ben Romero]

Maybe you'd like to have us call your family doctor.

[Mr. Turner]

No, we don't have a family doctor. I'll be all right after a spell. Just hard to understand, that's all. I have to think about it a while. Sit down and think about it.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Here we are.

[Ben Romero]

I'll get the door.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead, ma'.

[Ben Romero]

Am. Yeah.

[Mr. Turner]

Right there on the floor, Officer. It's where I found her when I woke up. Right there by the bed. Where have they taken her?

[Joe Friday]

Downtown, Mr. Turner, to the county morgue.

[Mr. Turner]

Oh, they'll let me see her, won't they?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, they will. Do you feel up to answering a few questions for us now?

[Mr. Turner]

All right. I'll tell you everything I know about it. I don't see how it's gonna help anything.

[Ben Romero]

We'll try to make it as brief as possible, sir. Now, your wife's full name is Gertrude Agnes Turner, is that right?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, that's right.

[Ben Romero]

Her age, but she.

[Mr. Turner]

Gertrude, 63. That's it. I'm four years older than her. That's how I always tell.

[Joe Friday]

Was your wife in good health, Mr. Turner, under a doctor's care or anything like that?

[Mr. Turner]

No, nothing wrong with her I knew of.

[Joe Friday]

Heart trouble, anything like that?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. She used to have headaches every now and then. Doctor friend of ours back home used to send pills for her to take.

[Ben Romero]

That's about all how was your wife feeling last night? Was she all right then?

[Mr. Turner]

Just fine. When I woke up, I put my arm over on her pillow. She wasn't there. Then I got up and saw her laying on the floor right by the bed. Gertrude. She was ice cold. There was a little bruise up here on her forehead. I thought I was dreaming she was dead. When were you married? A year.

[Ben Romero]

You want to go on, sir? You think you feel all right?

[Mr. Turner]

It's all right, officer. I got a little bit of brandy in that cupboard over there. Think I could use some if you two officers don't mind.

[Joe Friday]

That's perfectly all right, sir.

[Ben Romero]

I'll get it. Mr. Turner.

[Mr. Turner]

We had it all figured out. Tuesday, November 16th. That's her names day.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Mr. Turner]

November 16th. It's my wife's names day. You see, Gertrude's German girl. A lot of German people don't celebrate their birthday. They celebrate their names day instead. Next Tuesday's St. Gertrude's Day.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, I see.

[Ben Romero]

There you are, Mr. Turner.

[Mr. Turner]

Thank you. Either one of you officers caressing brandy?

[Ben Romero]

You're certainly welcome to very much.

[Joe Friday]

Do you or your wife have many friends in town, Mr. Turner?

[Mr. Turner]

No, no, just a few around the hotel here. Gertrude and I have only been in California a few months. Come out from Indiana, you know Fort Wayne?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. No relatives here?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. Wife only had one relative living. Sister, she's back in Indiana.

[Ben Romero]

Well, how did you and your wife get along? All right?

[Mr. Turner]

Oh, fine. We never had any trouble. I loved her, Officer.

[Joe Friday]

Did your wife have any enemies that you know of, sir? People she didn't get along with? Somebody who might have wanted to hurt her?

[Mr. Turner]

Well, I can't think of anyone.

[Ben Romero]

Well, how about some of the men your wife knew before she married you, Mr. Turner? Any bad feelings one of them might have had towards your wife?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir, not that I know of. Besides, all her old friends are still back there in Indiana.

[Ben Romero]

You say your marriage was working out pretty well. Your wife didn't have any gentlemen friends that she might have been interested in?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. I know that for the truth. Gertrude spent her time at home. She didn't run around. She was a good wife.

[Joe Friday]

Would you know if your wife had any reason at all to take her own life?

[Mr. Turner]

Maybe that's the last thing in the world, Gertrude to do. No reason for it. We had too many things to look forward to. Lots of things. You don't stop living just because you passed 65.

[Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Mr. Turner]

Tell me the truth, officer. Don't you really know what happened to her?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir. No more Than you do. Afraid we'll have to wait for that coroner's report.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't understand it, officer. How am I supposed to understand it, sir? I went to bed last night and I had a wife.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

Today's my day off. We're gonna take a car ride down the beach. That's the dress she was gonna wear hanging up there. Gertrude made it herself. She was nowhere today.

[Joe Friday]

I'll try to take it easy, Mr. Turner.

[Mr. Turner]

I beg your pardon. She's all I had. Why should she have to die? She didn't have to die, did she?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know, sir. Maybe she didn't have a choice. The body of the dead woman, Mrs. Gertrude Agnes Turner, was removed to the county morgue for autopsy. Ben and I filled out the 311 form, the dead body report and filed it pending the outcome of the autopsy. A couple of Mr. Turner's friends who lived upstairs from him at the Blackwell Hotel agreed to look after the old man until he got over the shock of his wife's sudden death. 7:45 the next morning, I checked in for work as usual.

[Ben Romero]

Morning, Joe. Morning.

[Joe Friday]

What do you know?

[Ben Romero]

Not much. Pretty slow.

[Joe Friday]

How about the Turner woman? No word in the autopsy, huh?

[Ben Romero]

No. Coroner hasn't called yet. If you got any smokes. I left the house in a hurry this morning and forgot everything. Yeah, right here. Thanks. Thanks. Lousy morning. Another row with the wife.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter?

[Ben Romero]

Oh, another one of those church bazaars she got herself mixed up in. She's calling on me for help again. Oh, yeah?

[Joe Friday]

What she wants you to do now.

[Ben Romero]

Remember the last time, don't you? That spring bazaar? Had me working on decorations down to the church. Seven nights a week. 18 women running around telling you what to do like a madhouse. Joe. This time it's even worse. What do you mean, this time? The ladies figure they ought to have a little more production. They want me to dress up in some kind of a funny costume auction. Off pies and cake. You know, stovepipe hat, false mustache will work. No?

[Joe Friday]

You turn them down, huh? You won't do it, will you?

[Ben Romero]

Well, not exactly. Wife kicked up such a rug as I'll end up doing it. Got an idea, though. Wouldn't be so bad if I had somebody to work with me. You wouldn't like to help me out, would you, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I'll tell you, I'm gonna be a little busy, Ben, but if I get a chance, I'll drop out. See you, though. I get it.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Homicide Friday. Oh, yeah?

[Ben Romero]

How's that Mm.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Ben Romero]

We'll be right over.

[Joe Friday]

Was Doc Sefalu over at the morgue about Ms. Turner?

[Ben Romero]

Got the autopsy report for us?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. They won't sign the death certificate.

[Ben Romero]

What's the trouble?

[Joe Friday]

Couple things. Looks too suspicious for them, they said.

[Ben Romero]

How'd they list the cause of death?

[Joe Friday]

She suffocated. 8:15am we went across the street and talked with Dr. Cephalu. All he could tell us was that Gertrude Turner had suffered severe convulsions and that she had died of suffocation. There was a small bruise in her forehead and numerous other small bruises around the base of the throat. Not enough to say that the woman had been murdered, and yet too much to dismiss the case as an accidental death. Together with Lorman and Barrett from Homicide, Ben and I looked up some of the friends of Mr. And Mrs. Turner. We found two points which didn't check out with the story that Mr. Turner had told us. According to the friends, Turner had had some violent arguments with his wife. On at least one occasion, he'd struck her. And secondly, the dead woman did have a gentleman friend in the neighborhood, but his conduct with her had been above question. Was strictly friendship. We decided to take it from there. We went back to the Blackwell hotel and found Mr. Turner in his room. He was wrapping up some of his wife's personal effects and packing them in corrugated boxes. We told him about the coroner's report.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't think I believe that, Sergeant. People just don't suffocate. There's got to be a reason for it.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, sir. That's what we're looking for.

[Mr. Turner]

Well, don't they know? Can't they tell you how it happened to the doctors?

[Joe Friday]

Well, she had severe convulsions. She suffocated it. That's just all they could tell us.

[Mr. Turner]

With a bruise on her head. Gertrude's forehead. What'd they say about that?

[Ben Romero]

Well, that wasn't the cause of death, Mr. Turner. She could have gotten a bump when she fell out of bed. It might have been that, it might not.

[Mr. Turner]

I just don't understand. You'd think there'd be some way of telling.

[Joe Friday]

We were around talking to some of your friends in the neighborhood this morning. Friends of you and your wife?

[Mr. Turner]

Yeah. Well, they've been real friends, officers. Every one of them went up to see me, brought me meals and things. Say, isn't that a pretty thing? Just look at that.

[Ben Romero]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

Real born china. A cup and a sausage. Richard used to collect them. Had all kinds. Pretty.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. When we were Talking to you yesterday, sir. You told us that you and your wife got along pretty well.

[Ben Romero]

No arguments.

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

Well, now, some of your friends tell us that you used to argue with your wife quite a bit.

[Mr. Turner]

Who told you that?

[Joe Friday]

Some of your friends here in the neighborhood.

[Ben Romero]

Is that true?

[Mr. Turner]

When we first got married, Gertrude and I. I guess we had a few spats. No different than other people getting used to each other. Things like that, you know.

[Ben Romero]

Mm. Did you ever strike your wife, Mr. Turner?

[Mr. Turner]

Why do you ask that?

[Ben Romero]

Routine question. Did you ever strike your wife, Mr. Turner?

[Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Mr. Turner]

One of the first arguments we had. I don't even remember what it was about. That's how important it was. I. Well, I lost my temper, I guess. I kind of slapped her. I felt like a no good bum. Never once happened again. Slapping Gertrude. It's hard to remember right now.

[Joe Friday]

We asked you the same question yesterday, sir. Couldn't you told us that then?

[Mr. Turner]

Oh, I'm sorry, officer. I guess I missed it. Well, I wasn't feeling too good. I think you know what I mean.

[Ben Romero]

But you remember us asking if your wife had any gentleman friends?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, I remember that.

[Joe Friday]

Well, now, is it true?

[Mr. Turner]

Well, there's one fellow, name's Clyde Warren, Runs a drug store down the street. I guess Gertrude knew him better than anybody, but he was my friend too.

[Ben Romero]

Well, did you ever complain to this Clyde Warren that he was spending too much time around your wife? That he ought to see less of it?

[Mr. Turner]

I think I did. Maybe once or twice. It was kinda in a foolin way. Certainly didn't mean it. Clyde Warren's one of my best friends.

[Ben Romero]

Did you ever complain to your wife that she was seeing too much war?

[Mr. Turner]

No, sir. Never even mentioned it. Why ask me all these things?

[Joe Friday]

Well, Your wife's dead, Mr. Turner, and we still haven't found out why.

[Mr. Turner]

But she asked me questions like I had something to do with it.

[Joe Friday]

You were the last one to see her alive, sir. You were alone with her in this room the night she died.

[Mr. Turner]

You think I killed Gertrude, is that it? You think I killed my own wife?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir. We didn't say anyone killed her.

[Mr. Turner]

You think I killed my own wife? You think I killed her?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, did you kill her, Mr. Turner?

[Mr. Turner]

You know I didn't kill Gertrude. You know I didn't do that.

[Ben Romero]

Sorry, sir. There's not much else we can do now.

[Mr. Turner]

What do you mean?

[Ben Romero]

Coroner found a series of bruises on the body right around here. Base of the neck. We know she died of suffocation. The two things seem to fit Pretty well.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't know what you mean. I didn't see any bruises. Not on her neck. I don't know what you mean.

[Joe Friday]

Well, I'll take you downtown. Sir. You call your lawyer now if you like.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't have a lawyer. Why are you taking me downtown?

[Joe Friday]

No alternative. We're gonna have to book you.

[Mr. Turner]

How's that?

[Joe Friday]

Suspicion of murder. 10:25am before we booked him at the main jail, Mr. Turner asked us if we'd get off a telegram to his sister in law, Mrs. Helen Raymond in Fort Wayne, Indiana, informing her what had happened. We told him we would and we did. We booked him in on suspicion of 187pc. And then we checked back in at the office. We put in a call to the insurance company that held a policy on Mrs. Turner. Yes, sir.

[Ben Romero]

Gertrude Agnes Turner. Mm.

[Joe Friday]

What was that?

[Ben Romero]

All right. Right. Thank you, sir. Goodbye.

[Joe Friday]

What'd they have to say?

[Ben Romero]

Mrs. Turner had three different policies on her life. Total of $5,000. Mr. Turner's a beneficiary on all three.

[Joe Friday]

Well, that'll do for a motive.

[Ben Romero]

There's something else here.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Ben Romero]

Newest policies for $1,000. Industrial policy.

[Joe Friday]

When was it taken out?

[Ben Romero]

Three weeks ago.

[Narrator]

You are in the Scientific Investigation division of a metropolitan police department. The ballistics room. You have just heard a test bullet fired from a.38 caliber revolver found in the possession of a suspect. The test slug is removed from the ballistics box and compared with the slug found at the scene of the crime. There they are. Side by side. They look alike, but examination will prove.

[Ben Romero]

A world of difference.

[Joe Friday]

Monday, November 15, 10:00am the investigation went on. We failed to uncover any additional evidence against the suspect, Mr. Turner. We had three main points against the man. The recently issued insurance policy on his wife for a thousand dollars. The fact that he had fought with his wife and struck her on several occasions. And the series of bruises which had been discovered at the base of the dead woman's neck. As it stood, we weren't too sure that the case had hold up in court. Ben was less sure that the old man was actually responsible for the death of his wife. We figured if Turner was guilty, we might try to impress him with the evidence against us him and attempt to get a confession. Monday, 1pm we went over to the main jail to interrogate the suspect. You want to step aside there? They want to lock that door.

[Mr. Turner]

Oh, yes.

[Ben Romero]

This way, Mr. Turner. I'll get the lights away.

[Joe Friday]

Right in here, Mr. Turner.

[Ben Romero]

Mr. Turner? You'd like to sit down?

[Mr. Turner]

All right. Thank you. Why'd you come to see me? Have you found out something?

[Joe Friday]

We've been checking a little bit further into the case, Mr. Turner. We got a few more questions for you, if you don't mind.

[Mr. Turner]

Did you send the message to my sister in law, Mrs. Raymond? The one I asked you to send?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, we took care of it.

[Mr. Turner]

You got the address right, didn't you? Fort Wayne, Indiana?

[Ben Romero]

That's right. She sent a telegram, told her all about it.

[Mr. Turner]

That was two days ago. She should have gotten it, but now I haven't heard a word from her. Are you sure she got the telegram all right?

[Ben Romero]

Pretty sure. We'll check on it when we get back to the office.

[Joe Friday]

Few things we got here that you might like to know about, sir. Maybe you can help clear them up for us.

[Mr. Turner]

What's that, officer?

[Joe Friday]

We understand that your wife Gertrude had some insurance on herself. $5,000 worth.

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, that's right. Something you want to know about?

[Joe Friday]

Well, she named you as the beneficiary in each of her policies. Is that correct?

[Mr. Turner]

Yes, sir. Gertrude was a great believer in insurance. Don't hold with it too much myself. She used to tell me all the time.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

In case she died first. She wanted me to have a little something for old age. Something to retire on and get a little ranch out in the valley.

[Ben Romero]

I understand she took out a policy just lately. $1,000 about three. Three weeks ago.

[Mr. Turner]

I know about it. I didn't want her to do it. Clean waste of money. I told her payments are pretty steep.

[Joe Friday]

Well, sir, is there anybody who can back that up? That you told your wife you didn't want her to take out that policy?

[Mr. Turner]

No, I don't think so. We didn't talk about our business with other people.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Friday. Tomorrow. Yeah, what is it? Phone call. Says it's important. Either one of them.

[Joe Friday]

You want to get it, Ben?

[Ben Romero]

You know you can take it off the desk here. All right. Thanks.

[Mr. Turner]

I think I know what you mean. The insurance. You think that's why I killed Gertrude. Isn't that right?

[Joe Friday]

Well, sir. Put yourself in our place, Mr. Turner. What would you think?

[Mr. Turner]

You know in your heart. I didn't kill my wife. You know that. In your heart.

[Joe Friday]

Well, they don't pay us for what we believe, Turner. They pay us to get the facts, to run down evidence. Doesn't make any difference what I believe.

[Mr. Turner]

But you know I didn't kill her. You know that, don't you?

[Joe Friday]

Well, sir, I know we asked you if you ever argued with your wife. And you told us no. We found out you Beat her up a couple of times. We asked you if she was friendly with any of the men in the neighborhood. You told us no. We found one. We asked you about the bruises the coroner found on her neck. You don't know. You can't explain them. We asked if your wife had been ill, if she had any sickness to explain her dying the way she did, and you said no. We ask you about the insurance. You can't explain that either. Three weeks before she dies, she takes out a thousand dollars on her life. She dies in the same room with you, and you don't know how or why. Now you tell me, mister, what are we supposed to believe?

[Mr. Turner]

I didn't kill her. Somebody has to believe that. Somebody. I didn't kill her.

[Ben Romero]

Joe, See you a minute?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

That phone call, it was long distance. Turner's sister in law, Mrs. Raymond.

[Joe Friday]

What she want?

[Ben Romero]

Calling from Fort Wayne. She's flying out here tonight. Seemed pretty wrought up about her sister, huh? Mostly about Mr. Turner. She claims he's innocent. Seems pretty sure of it.

[Joe Friday]

She can prove that Turner didn't kill his wife?

[Ben Romero]

That's what she said. She's bringing the proof with her.

[Joe Friday]

Tuesday, November 16th. Turner's sister in law, Mrs. Raymond, was scheduled to arrive at 6pm by plane from Indiana. At 2pm one of the main points in the case against the suspect was proven false. A woman friend of Mrs. Turner, after reading of the husband's arrest in the paper, informed us that while Mrs. Turner was visiting her home a few days before she died, she complained of a severe headache. The woman's son, who was studying to be a chiropractor, attempted to treat Mrs. Turner's headache by manipulating the muscles in her neck and shoulders. The woman said that Mrs. Turner called the next day and complained about receiving bruises on her neck as a result of her son's experimental treatment. The son came down to the office and signed a full statement to this effect. At 7:00pm, Mr. Turner's sister in law arrived. With her was a Dr. John Grant of Fort Wayne. Physician. The two of them told us their story and gave us all the information they had concerning the case. Ben and I went immediately to the main jail, picked up Mr. Turner and brought him back to the office. His sister in law and Dr. Grant waited in the adjoining room.

[Mr. Turner]

Why'd you bring me here? You gonna ask me more questions? I told you everything.

[Ben Romero]

No, sir. No more questions.

[Mr. Turner]

You can't take me off to prison. I haven't had a trial yet.

[Joe Friday]

No, sir, you're not gonna have a trial. Mr. Turner, we're releasing you.

[Mr. Turner]

How's that?

[Joe Friday]

Your sister in law, Ms. Raymond, she's in the next room with her doctor. They're gonna take you home, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

I don't think I understand, officer. How do you mean?

[Ben Romero]

Your sister in law just got in from Fort Wayne tonight and she has her family doctor with her. They told us about your wife, Gertrude. Everything we had to know about Gertrude.

[Mr. Turner]

My wife? What do you mean, officer?

[Joe Friday]

Well, maybe you can understand, sir. Your wife was afraid to let you know. She told her sister she was afraid it might break up her marriage.

[Mr. Turner]

Afraid to tell me what?

[Joe Friday]

Well, your wife suffered from epilepsy. She had it most of her life.

[Mr. Turner]

She had epilepsy?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, she did, miss. Dr. Grant showed us that. He's been sending your wife medicine ever since you moved out here to California. He treated her many times for the same thing before you met her. She figured it might ruin her chances of marrying you. So she kept it a secret.

[Mr. Turner]

The medicine I remember that used to come through the mail.

[Ben Romero]

That's it counts for the headache she had the night before she died. She probably had an attack during the night. Suffocated. That's how you found her in the morning.

[Mr. Turner]

Why didn't they know? The coroner? They examined her.

[Joe Friday]

Well, sir, that's just the point. If you die of epilepsy, there's just no way of telling. Not even by autopsy. Convulsion and suffocation. That's the only way they can list it.

[Mr. Turner]

And she was ashamed. Gertrude? She was afraid to tell me.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. That's what she wrote to your sister in law. We saw the letters and I can.

[Mr. Turner]

Leave now if I want to. Is it all right?

[Ben Romero]

We'll get you things from the property clerk first and then you can go.

[Mr. Turner]

Can I see Helen now? My sister in law. I'd like to say hello.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, it's right through that door.

[Mr. Turner]

Well, thank you kindly.

[Joe Friday]

It's all right.

[Mr. Turner]

Officer.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Turner]

Just one thing I'd like to ask.

[Ben Romero]

Yes?

[Mr. Turner]

You knew all the time, didn't you? I mean, in your own heart.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Mr. Turner]

I couldn't have killed Gertrude. In your own heart, you knew that, didn't you, officer?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, I know it.

[Mr. Turner]

I thought you did. I'll be right back.

[Ben Romero]

Joe. I wouldn't worry about him. We'll call it a white lie.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were were changed to protect the innocent. On November 16, a meeting was held in the office of Blaine Steed, Captain of Homicide. In a moment, the results of that.

[Joe Friday]

Meeting.

[Narrator]

The death of Gertrude Agnes Turner was proved beyond a doubt to be due to natural causes. A 9.10 report was made which completely exonerated the husband of the dead woman. 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. Stay tuned for counterspy next over most NBC stations.

[Ben Romero]

Foreign.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

Naturopathy. Dr. Dennis Black here, founder of Rough Greens. And if only dogs could talk. I think a lot of them would say, hey, thanks for the love, but this food, it's not working for me. The truth is they'd be right. Because most dog food, wet or dry, is cooked at such high temperatures that every live nutrient in it is destroyed.

[Mr. Turner]

And.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

And what you're left with is dead food bulked up with fillers and sprayed with artificial flavors. That's not what dogs need. But when you add back in the live vitamins, omega oils and antioxidants are in Rough Greens. Your dog would say something different. Like they'd say, wow, this is delicious. Or sluggish dogs might say, hey, let's go for a walk. Older dogs might say, I feel like a puppy again. It's not magic, it's biology. Don't just imagine it, see it in your dog. I'll send you a free Jumpstart trial bag for your dog. You just cover the shipping. Go to roughgreens.com use discount code talk. That's ruff greens discount code talk. If your dog could only talk, they'd say, thank you.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. He wanted some help, but no doubt the best he's going to get. Is Joe Friday coming down to the church. Yvette to chuckle quietly at Ben in his outfit. This is an interesting episode and features a case where the police had reason to be suspicious and acted appropriately. But nevertheless, the suspect was innocent. The purpose of the investigation is ultimately to get at the truth, not jump at first conclusions or impressions. The only thing that may have given a clue to what was actually going on on were the small insurance policies. Carrying a bunch of little insurance policies is a bit annoying. And one reason to do that is if you've got health problems and you want to avoid a big medical exam. Even back in 1951, these weren't particularly large policies in today's money be $62,000. It'd be kind of weird today for someone to have $62,000,000 in insurance spread across four policies. Well, listener comments and feedback and there is some comments regarding the big impossible. And I received A note from Blaine, from Jim and also from David, highlighting the fact that the events were most likely taken from a 191928 case where a boy named Walter Collins was missing and a boy in Illinois showed up claiming to be him, but was later proven to be an imposter in real life. The mother knew from the start, Christine Collins, that this was not her son. The LAPD captain, J.J. jones, thought she was a bad mother and she was embarrassing the police department and so had her committed until the imposter admitted that he was not her son. And Mrs. Collins subsequently sued the LAPD and won a judgment which was never paid. A farmer was found and convicted of the crime, but even though he admitted to other murders, he denied murdering Walter Collins, who admitted to being an accessory, recanted her confession, and Mrs. Collins spent the rest of her life trying to find her son. This story was also the basis of the movie the Changeling. And while I think it would be really odd if there were another case like this, this, it would be very weird for the LAPD to support Webb making an episode on the basis of that case because it was a huge news story. It had been two decades, but there were still plenty of people alive from the incident, including Mrs. Collins. So it seems to me like the rest of bringing all that back up would be very, very high, which at a time when they were trying to improve the force's image, it just seems like such a weird decision. But I do appreciate the information and everybody taking time to reach out. Well, now it is time to go ahead and thank our Patreon Supporter of the day. And I want to thank Candace, Patreon supporter since October. October 2021. Currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Candice. And 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 from. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dol.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, what is it? I. I said greatest fishing in this man's world is right down there below us. Oh, watch your language, brother. I'm able to strap on a chute and leave you to make the rest of the trip alone.

[Mr. Turner]

A fisherman, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

You aren't kidding. Yeah, one of my favorite spots. Right? Hey, what's the matter?

[Mr. Turner]

Nothing.

[Ben Romero]

Just little twitch in my side. My belly. Doc said it was appendicitis. Last time but I think didn't want.

[Joe Friday]

To operate in this.

[Mr. Turner]

Holy baby.

[Ben Romero]

That was a shock. What if anything I can do?

[Joe Friday]

No, it's.

[Ben Romero]

It's going now. Sure hope so.

[Joe Friday]

Sure, sure.

[Ben Romero]

Just came on kind of sudden is all. Hey, it's time to call up lads at the mine to be ready for us. How big is the airport up there? 11,000 foot Runway. Really? Sure. It's the only way to get stuff in for mines a hundred miles around. Speedcraft 231 calling Consolidated. Go ahead please. Somebody on duty there at all times 24 hours.

[Mr. Turner]

Roger.

[Joe Friday]

2, 3, 1.

[Mr. Turner]

Go ahead.

[Ben Romero]

We're over Fairbanks on the hour, Charlie.

[Mr. Turner]

Roger Cliff over Fairbanks at 1400 hours.

[Ben Romero]

And roll out the carpet. We'll set down between 1445 and 50. Roger.

[Mr. Turner]

Cliff will be ready for you and that's that.

[Ben Romero]

Unless an hour.

[Mr. Turner]

Johnny, we're.

[Joe Friday]

Johnny.

[Mr. Turner]

Johnny, take over.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box 13@Great Detectives.net 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.

[Dr. Dennis Black]

Greetings naturopathy. Dr. Dennis Black here, founder of Rough greens and if only dogs could talk. I think a lot of them would say, hey, thanks for the love, but this food, it's not working for me. The truth is they'd be right. Because most dog food, wet or dry, is cooked at such high temperatures that every live nutrient in it is destroyed. And what you're left with is dead food bulked up with fillers and sprayed with artificial flavors. That's not what dogs need. But when you add back in the live vitamins, omega oils and antioxidants are in rough Greens. Your dog would say something different. Like they'd say, wow, this is delicious. Or sluggish dogs might say, hey, let's go for a walk. Older dogs might say, I feel like a puppy again. It's not magic, it's biology. Don't just imagine it, see it in your dog. I'll send you a free Jumpstart trial bag for your dog. You just cover the shipping. Go to ruffgreens.com use discount code talk. That's R U F F greens and discount code talk. If your dog could only talk, they'd say thank you.