Dragnet: The Big Parrot (EP4610)

Summary

Summary of "Dragnet: The Big Parrot (EP4610)"

Introduction

In the episode titled "Dragnet: The Big Parrot," listeners are immersed in a classic Old Time Radio detective drama that meticulously portrays the investigative procedures of the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1950s. Hosted by Adam Graham, this episode delivers an authentic recount of a homicide case, showcasing the methodical approach of Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Sergeant Ben Romero.

Case Overview

The story begins on a windy Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, April 2nd, when Detective Sergeant Joe Friday is alerted to a homicide at a rooming house on 7th Street. Upon arrival, Friday and his partner, Ben Romero, discover the lifeless bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Guthrie on a bed, alongside a writhing parrot. A subsequent fire in the room suggests an arson attempt to obscure the true nature of the deaths.

Notable Quote:

"We were working the early morning watch on a homicide. My partner's Ben Romero, the boss. Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday." — Joe Friday [04:22]

Initial Investigation

Chief of Detectives Sullivan provides essential details about the scene, noting that the victims likely perished before the fire ignited. The presence of the parrot and the meticulous setup of the arson indicate premeditation. The detectives examine the room, uncovering a hidden cache of kerosene-soaked rags and papers under the bed, connected to an automatic timer that triggered the fire.

Notable Quote:

"The man who touched it off knew something about timing devices." — Battalion Chief Sullivan [08:24]

Evidence Collection

The crime lab, led by Lt. Lee Jones and photographer Dean Bergman, processes fingerprints and other evidence from the scene. A crucial piece of evidence is a hammer with bloodstains, identified as the murder weapon. Fingerprints collected from various objects in the room—such as the hammer, timing device, and a metal box—are meticulously analyzed, revealing significant leads.

Notable Quote:

"The prints on the hammer, the timing device and the metal box on the desk, they all belong to Marshman." — Lt. Lee Jones [20:43]

Suspect Identification and Interrogation

The investigation points towards Jack Marshman, an employee who had visited the Guthrie’s residence the day before. Marshman's alibi initially appears solid, but inconsistencies emerge during his interrogation. Detective Friday employs strategic questioning to unravel Marshman's involvement, ultimately leading to his confession.

Notable Quote:

"Why did you kill Mr. And Ms. Guthrie?" — Joe Friday [19:32]

Confession and Trial

Under pressure and facing overwhelming evidence—including fingerprints and the murder weapon—Marshman admits to the murders. He details his motives of financial frustration and fear of being blamed by his employer, Mr. Guthrie. The episode concludes with Marshman's conviction and sentencing to life imprisonment without parole.

Notable Quote:

"I set the fire to make it look like an accident, like they'd burned it in." — John Everett Marshman [26:30]

Host Commentary and Listener Feedback

After the dramatization, host Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on the episode's resolution, emphasizing the efficiency and thoroughness of the police work depicted. He reflects on how straightforward cases still require diligent investigative techniques.

Notable Quotes:

"It's a reminder that the working detective doesn't have an assurance that an interesting setup will lead to some long drawn out case with a clever mastermind at the heart of it." — Adam Graham [30:15]

Listeners express their appreciation for the podcast, highlighting favorite series and the nostalgic value of Old Time Radio dramas. Comments include praise for the host's ability to introduce and curate classic detective stories effectively.

Selected Listener Comments:

• Joseph: "I love Barry Craig and Nero Wolf. If not for Adam, I would not have fallen in love. Thank you."
• Frank: "Just a fan of the great detectives of Old Time Radio. Best host and best audio quality of old radio shows."
• Timothy: "I love listening to Old Time Radio at night. It's like somebody is reading me a bedtime story. It's become a daily ritual with me."

Conclusion

"The Big Parrot" episode of Dragnet exemplifies the procedural precision of mid-20th-century detective work, offering listeners a compelling narrative that underscores the importance of evidence-based investigation. Through authentic storytelling and faithful rendition of police procedures, the episode not only entertains but also educates on the foundational aspects of criminal investigations.

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For more episodes and to subscribe, visit The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Orlando, Florida. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. Before we get started, I do want to encourage you if you enjoy the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. You can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetectives.net now from November 16, 1950, here is the Big Parrot.

[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. A man and his wife are found dead in a rooming house. A Dead parrot lies on the floor beside them. The killer set fire to the room to cover his tracks. Your job. 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.

[Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, April 2. It was windy in Los Angeles. We were working the early morning watch on a homicide. My partner's Ben Romero, the boss. Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from communications and it was 5:25am when I got to room 42, homicide.

[Narrator]

It. Hello?

[Joe Friday]

Is this Ms. Jones?

[Narrator]

Yes, who is it?

[Joe Friday]

This is Joe Friday. I'm sorry to bother you, Ms. Jones. Is Lee there?

[Narrator]

Oh, yes, Joe. Just a minute, I'll wake him. Lee? Lee, honey. Lee, it's Joe Friday. He wants to talk to you. Yeah, Joe, what is it?

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry to wake you. Can you come down right away?

[Narrator]

What's the trouble?

[Joe Friday]

Got a call from fire headquarters a couple minutes ago.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

They had a fire in a rooming house over on 7th Street. They found two dead bodies in one of the rooms. Yeah, well, the battalion chief doesn't think so. They found both bodies on the bed. There was evidence of arson in the room.

[Narrator]

What kind of proof?

[Joe Friday]

They got the victims. That's why we called you.

[Narrator]

What you got?

[Joe Friday]

Fire department thinks they were dead before the fire started. 5:30am Romero and I drove out to the rooming house. On 7th street was a two story building in the middle of the block between south grand and Toledo Avenue. On one side of it was a small transient hotel. On the other, a building which housed a bookbinding firm and studios for an acrobatic dancing school. When we got there, the salvage crew was still working. We were directed to the second floor where we met with a man in charge from the fire department. Battalion Chief Sullivan.

[Narrator]

It's right down the hall here. Watch your step there. Oh, yeah.

[Joe Friday]

You have the names of the victims, Chief?

[Narrator]

We think it's Guthrie. Mr. And Mrs. Charles Guthrie. Old couple lived here for some time, I understand. Here we are. We figure that's where it started. Right under the bed over there. Heat must have been terrific. Look at the walls, you know. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

This is where most of the damage was done, Chief.

[Narrator]

No rooms on both sides. Got it, too. Not as bad as this, though. Guthrie's had two rooms this and the one adjoining through the door there.

[Joe Friday]

When did the fire start? You got any idea?

[Narrator]

About quarter to five, I'd say. Landlady smelled the smoke about ten to five. Put in the alarm. The fire was out three minutes after five. Any other casualties? Besides the Guthrie's, I mean? No, just the two.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Narrator]

Over on the bed here. Yeah. Well, the worst I've seen.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, it's pretty bad, Ben. You can see from the position of the two bodies. Doesn't look to me like they suffocated. No evidence that they tried to get out of the room. Both relaxed. Looks like somebody did them in and tried to cover with arson, huh?

[Narrator]

Oh, gee. Yeah, on the floor there. Oh, yeah, a parrot. Somebody wrung its neck, looks like to me. And then threw it there on the floor. There's the empty cage there in the corner and doors open. Dave? Yeah? Wyatt Schubert. Still talking to the landlady. He hasn't come back. Clyde's likely to meet Friday in Rebelo. No, sorry. Friday and Romero, Homicide detail. This is Clyde Wyatt from the arson squad. Hi, how are you? How are you? You want to show them that setup, Clyde? How it was touched off? I'm glad to. You can take a look under the bed there. Tells most of the story. You see directly underneath there.

[Joe Friday]

Let me see.

[Narrator]

What is that, Wyatt? Pretty charred. Rags and papers had a good soaking in kerosene before they were touched off. Strung out all under the bed here.

[Joe Friday]

Couldn't miss, huh?

[Narrator]

Thorough guy. Whoever set it up. Most of the carpeting in the room was doused with kerosene, too. This much you can count on. The man who touched it off knew something about timing devices. Want to show him that rig client right here? Yeah. Ordinary electric heater. This automatic timer was connected to it, then plugged in. Heater was placed under the bed right next to the rags and papers. Timer was set, probably for about 4:45am Timer let go on schedule. Heater warmed up. Rags and papers caught fire. Then the mattress. You can see the rest for yourself that time in a pretty intricate way. The man who put it together was no amateur, as the chief said. Must have known something about clockwork. Fine. See you a minute? Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Mac.

[Narrator]

Excuse me and be back in a minute.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks very much.

[Narrator]

You find anything else that might tie in, Chief? Not in this room. No dead parrot there. Door of the cage open.

[Joe Friday]

Probably a pet. Might have been out of the cage at the time in the fire. Is it possible the parrot could have suffocated, Chief?

[Narrator]

Not from what I can see, no. As I say, it looks to me like somebody wrung the bird's neck. Few green feathers on the floor there. That's the adjoining room in there. Okay. I figure the Guthrie's used it as a sitting room.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

You can see the fire didn't wipe out everything in here. Hey, Joe, come here, man.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Narrator]

This carpet here with a door. Dark stains.

[Joe Friday]

Let me see.

[Narrator]

What do you think? Could be blood. Heavy stains. Sure enough of looks like more of them.

[Joe Friday]

Are that desk there some on the wall too.

[Narrator]

Desk drawers open here.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I see that.

[Narrator]

That's about it. You know as much as we do so far. Yeah, we know how the fire was touched off. We're satisfied it didn't kill those two people in there.

[Joe Friday]

The boys from Larson Squad. Talking to the other roomers in the building right now.

[Narrator]

You can check with them.

[Joe Friday]

Okay. Well, thank you very much, Chief.

[Narrator]

I certainly appreciate it. Not at all. Usual breaks, isn't it? How's that? This is fire prevention week.

[Joe Friday]

5:53Am Lt. Lee Jones and the crew from the crime lab arrived. Davis, the photographer. Dean Bergman from Layton Prince. Pictures were taken of both rooms which made up Mr. And Mrs. Guthrie's living quarters. Photographs of the bodies were taken. Bergman processed for fingerprints while Lee Jones continued his investigation. Ben and I went down the hall to the landlady's apartment where we met with Ray Shubert, one of the men from the Arson squad.

[Narrator]

These men are from Homicide Division. Sergeant Friday, Sergeant Romero. Mrs. Stedman, that right? Yes, Clara Stedman. How do you do? I manage the house here. Would either of you care for a cup of tea? No, thank you.

[Joe Friday]

I wouldn't care for anything. When did you last see Mr. And Ms. Guthrie, ma'am?

[Narrator]

Well, now, let me see Ms. Guthrie. I saw her just before dinner last night, a little before six. I went in to borrow an egg and a cup of flour. She was all right then. Was there anyone with her?

[Joe Friday]

No, she was alone. What about Mr. Guthrie? When did you last see him?

[Narrator]

About 7:30. I looked out my window and I saw him closing up the parking lot.

[Joe Friday]

Did the Guthrie's have any visitors at all yesterday? Do you remember them?

[Narrator]

Oh, just what I know of Jack Marshman. He's working for Mr. Guthrie about a year now.

[Joe Friday]

When did Marshman visit the Guthrie's, do you know?

[Narrator]

Round four yesterday afternoon. Yes, I was there too. Mrs. Guthrie and Jack and I had a cup of tea together. Then Jack left to go back to work and then I left. You didn't notice anyone else in or near the Guthrie's rooms after that?

[Joe Friday]

No.

[Narrator]

I Had my dinner and listened to a radio play, and then I went off to bed.

[Joe Friday]

I know you're upset, Mrs. Stedman, but can you think of anybody who might have wanted to do away with the Guthries? Anybody who had a reason to do them harm?

[Narrator]

Oh, as far as I know, Sergeant, they didn't have an enemy in the world. I guess I was wrong. It's terrible, terrible thing. Yes, ma'am. We'll leave our card here with you. All right. If you want to contact us, don't hesitate to call anytime. All right. Thank you.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, Miss Steadman. Goodbye, ma'am.

[Narrator]

Goodbye.

[Joe Friday]

What time again?

[Narrator]

6:15.

[Joe Friday]

It's pretty early. They ought to be able to post the bodies for us this morning.

[Narrator]

Same Friday.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yes.

[Narrator]

Chief Jones, your crime lab man's looking for you.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, Ben. You called the coroner, didn't you?

[Narrator]

Yeah, he's on his way over. Lee. Hi. Looking for you. Got a few things.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, what's that?

[Narrator]

This hammer mounted over in the corner under some of the rubble. These stains on the metal handle here on the head. Gave it the benzidine test. It's blood. You figure it's a murder weapon? I'm no more when I get the coroner's report. Bergman lifted a lot of nice prints. Bought them all over everything. Yeah, on the handle of this hammer, on that timing contraption over there. The one that touched off the fire. Even left some in the next room, on that metal box in the draw of the desk. How they look? Got good prints from each room. They match. Go on the next room. Something else. Look at this stuff.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Those stains on the carpet by the door. The stains on the carpet by the desk. Those on the wall. Blood stains. All of them. You can see here. All leading through the door into the murder room.

[Joe Friday]

You figured they were murdered in here and then the killer took the bodies in the next room and put them on that bed.

[Narrator]

Then he set fire to cover up. That's my guess. How about the prints on the box in that desk, Lee? Might have been money in the box.

[Joe Friday]

Possible burglary.

[Narrator]

That's an angle. I'll take scrapings from these stains. Run a biological precipitant. When I get back to the lab, I'll let you know how it comes out. Better start finishing up here. Right, Lee.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks very much. Looks like we're in fair shape. A hammer, a couple of fingerprints.

[Narrator]

Righty. Romero. Yes, Huber? That fellow that worked for Mr. Guthrie in the parking lot. Jack Marshman just got here.

[Joe Friday]

Did you talk to him?

[Narrator]

Wyatt and I have him one of the empty rooms down the hall. Thanks.

[Joe Friday]

Which way?

[Narrator]

Down here. Seems pretty well broken up. He talked to anyone besides you since he got here? No. I told him the Guthrie's were dead, that's all. He's taking a place pretty hard.

[Joe Friday]

Which one?

[Narrator]

Right here. As friends, I had Charlie and Mar. I knew I should have stayed with him. I knew I should have. These men are from Homicide. Mr. Marshman, Sergeant Friday, Sergeant Romero. Hello, Mr. Marshman. How are you? I. I don't know what I tell you. I can't understand Poor Charlie. What. What can I do to help? We'd like to have you answer a few questions, if you don't mind, sir. Certainly, certainly. Anything to help it please you. You gotta find out whoever did it. You gotta find out who killed him.

[Joe Friday]

We're gonna try, Mr. Marshman. Now, would you tell us the last time you saw that Guthrie's alive?

[Narrator]

Sure. Maude. Mrs. Guthrie about 4:15 yesterday afternoon. Me and Mrs. Steadman. She's a line lady. We had tea with her. Then I went back to help Mr. Guthrie at the parking lot.

[Joe Friday]

Mm. When's the last time you saw him?

[Narrator]

Oh, it was about 6:30. That's when I got off duty at the lotto. I said goodbye to Charlie. Never dawned on me it was the last time I'd see him alive. I just can't understand. It's such a vicious thing, Charlie Martin. It's really terrible.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. You want to just sit down there, Mr. Marshman?

[Narrator]

Oh, thanks very much, Ray.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure you're the only one who talked to Marshman since he died? That's right.

[Narrator]

I met him at the door downstairs.

[Joe Friday]

Well, the only thing you told him was that the Guthrie's were dead.

[Narrator]

That's all he got from us.

[Joe Friday]

Any chance he could have been in the room since the fire?

[Narrator]

Not a chance.

[Joe Friday]

And how do you know somebody killed him?

[Narrator]

You are listening to Dragnet authentic stories of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

Wednesday, April 2, 6:45am Lee Jones and his men completed their investigation and took their findings back to the crime lab for further examination. Examination? The deputy coroner arrived and removed the bodies of Mr. And Mrs. Guthrie to the county morgue. Together with Clyde Wyatt and Ray Shubert of the arson squad. Ben and I continued questioning the Guthrie's friend and employee, Jack Marshman. His answers got more confused and he kept contradicting himself. In some ways he seemed childlike. In others, a good deal more complex. We strung along in order to keep up the pretense that he was not a suspect. We asked him to come along with us while we checked his living quarters. A two room basement apartment near Olympic in South Flower. We explained it as a routine check. Marshman was calm and self assured.

[Narrator]

Well, here it is, officers. You see for yourself. Yeah. Mm. Nice comfortable place. I like it. I've been here for about three years. Well, this room is where I do my living. Pull down bed. It's a little gas plate over there. It's handy. Compact.

[Joe Friday]

I see. What do you use this next room for here, Jack?

[Narrator]

It's my shop I like to put around. You care to see it?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Okay. Mm. It's very nice. What's your hobby? Watchmaking. Used to be a watchmaker. I haven't worked at it lately though. Job's pretty hard to find. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

These parts here on the bench. You making something, Jack?

[Narrator]

Oh, just fooling around. Old alarm clock there. I'm fixing it up for a friend.

[Joe Friday]

All these wires and things, they all go into the works, huh?

[Narrator]

More or less, yeah. Just something I was fooling around with. It keeps me busy, you know. I like a hobby. They say it's good for you.

[Joe Friday]

That's what they say. Yeah.

[Narrator]

Where does this joke go, Marshman? It's my closet. Just some clothes and stuff in there. Just junk. Don't mind if I let. Babe, it's only a closet. They're just clothes and junk. There's nothing to see, see?

[Joe Friday]

Jack, do you usually keep this stuff around?

[Narrator]

Huh? Oh, it's.

[Joe Friday]

It's kerosene. And it's pretty dangerous, a store like this. There's no cap on it.

[Narrator]

I'm glad you reminded me. I gotta get a cap for that. I. I use it to wash up. My hands get dirty working around the bench. This shirt, these trousers.

[Joe Friday]

They yours?

[Narrator]

Jack, I wish you wouldn't drag that stuff out. It gets my stuff all mixed up. Yeah, they're mine. But I figured the stains here, there's quite a few of them. Some kind of paint I was using. I'm pretty sloppy with paint.

[Joe Friday]

That's not paint, is it, Jack? It looks like blood to me.

[Narrator]

What difference does it make? The working clothes. Thanks. Your reason? Within a day. Why don't you lay off? Who cares what kind of stain it is? You come in here snooping around, looking all around. I invited you in here. I didn't give you the place. This is my apartment and this is my shop. You can get out. You hear me? Both of you. You can get out.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter, Jack?

[Narrator]

I said you can get out.

[Joe Friday]

All right. You want to tell Us?

[Narrator]

Before we go, I'll tell you what.

[Joe Friday]

Why you killed the Guthrie's.

[Narrator]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Why did you kill Mr. And Ms. Guthrie?

[Narrator]

No reason. I just did.

[Joe Friday]

9:00Am we put the stained clothing and the materials from the workbench in the car together with the suspect. We headed back for the office. On the way, Marshman was quiet. He asked for some breakfast. We stopped and bought him some ham and eggs. We tried to get him to talk. He refused. After breakfast, we dropped the stained clothing and the other things at the crime lab and then we drove to the city hall. We parked the car in front of the Spring street entrance and started up the stairs.

[Narrator]

Hey, wait a minute. What's wrong? I've been thinking.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Narrator]

It's all a mistake. What is? I didn't know what I was talking about. I didn't kill him.

[Joe Friday]

9:47Am Ben and I took the suspect into the interrogation room. We checked him through R and I. He had a record of two petty thefts the year before. We went back to the interrogation room and on the phone we call Latent Fingerprints.

[Narrator]

We made them, Joe. The prints on the hammer, the timing device and the metal box on the desk, they all belong to Marshman.

[Joe Friday]

1003Am I called the county morgue.

[Narrator]

Bodies identified as Mr. And Mrs. Charles Guthrie. Cause of death, Mrs. Guthrie? Multiple depressed fractures of the skull. Subarachnoid hemorrhage. Blunt instrument. Cause of death, Mr. Guthrie? About the same. Compressions of the brain in the occipital area around the brainstem.

[Joe Friday]

10:25Am I put in a call to Lee Jones at the crime lab.

[Narrator]

The material from the workbench are the same that went into that automatic timer. Joe, piece together the cut ends of some of the wires. They match.

[Joe Friday]

How about the stains on his clothes?

[Narrator]

Human blood.

[Joe Friday]

10:45Am we laid it out for the suspect step by step.

[Narrator]

Let me rest a while. I feel better. Let me think.

[Joe Friday]

We stayed with him. We waited. 11:20am the suspect opened his eyes.

[Narrator]

So? Yeah, I want to talk about it.

[Joe Friday]

11:25Am Shubert and Wyatt from the Arson Squad joined us. We called in one of the stenographers to take Marshman's statement. Eleanor Eastlake. She automatically took down the time. The police and those present.

[Narrator]

Jack, this is me seastlack. She's gonna record your statement so there'll be no misunderstanding as to what you say at this time. How do you do, ma'am? No, Joe, you want to handle the question. All right.

[Joe Friday]

Jack. We've got a few preliminaries.

[Narrator]

Here for you. Okay.

[Joe Friday]

John Everett Marshman. Is that your true name?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Where do you live?

[Narrator]

122 and a half, Morgan Place, apartment B.

[Joe Friday]

What's your age?

[Narrator]

Very seven.

[Joe Friday]

Occupation?

[Narrator]

Watchmaker, when I'm working.

[Joe Friday]

Now, Jack, you've indicated to us in a previous conversation that you're willing to make a statement setting forth the true facts surrounding the deaths of Mr. And Ms. Charles Guthrie?

[Narrator]

That's right. I'll tell you.

[Joe Friday]

Were you in their home Tuesday, April 1st? That's yesterday.

[Narrator]

Yeah, that's right. I was.

[Joe Friday]

What time did you get there first time?

[Narrator]

About five minutes to four in the afternoon. Mrs. Guthrie was there and so was landlady, Mrs. Stedman. We had some tea.

[Joe Friday]

Was anybody else present while you were there?

[Narrator]

No, it's just the three of us.

[Joe Friday]

How long did you stay there?

[Narrator]

I left about 4:15, I guess. Guess I was there about 20 minutes.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you go when you left?

[Narrator]

Back to the parking lot as usual. Charlie Guthrie left and went home to dinner. He got back about 6:15. I left at 6:30, quitting town.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you go after you left the parking lot?

[Narrator]

Went around the block, then back to the Guthrie's place.

[Joe Friday]

Why'd you go back there?

[Narrator]

To get money. Charlie never paid me enough. Picked me up, expected me to work for nothing.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Now, in your own words, will you tell us just what happened starting when you entered the Guthrie's apartment the second time?

[Narrator]

Mrs. Guthrie opened the door and I went in. She gave me a cup of tea and I told her I wanted some money. She wouldn't give me any. I don't know why, but I was mad. I was sick and tired of both of them. They never gave me enough money.

[Joe Friday]

Elmer.

[Narrator]

I'm getting it, Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

All right, go ahead, please.

[Narrator]

Mrs. Guthrie went in the next room and I went over the desk and got the money from the box that they keep it in. I don't know how much. I grabbed all of it. And that parrot started squawking. Mrs. Guthrie came running in. She saw me with the money and she says, jack, I picked up something and hit her. It was the hammer and I kept hitting her. Can you remember how many times you hit her marshmallow? I don't know. She fell down. Parrot was still squawking, jumping around a cage. I went over, opened the door of the cage and pulled the parrot out. It stopped moving. Finally, I went in the bedroom and threw it on the floor. And then I dragged Mrs. Guthrie in the bedroom and put her on the bed and I left.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you go?

[Narrator]

I don't know. I walked around, tried to think of something. It was cold. I got a bottle of wine and drank it. And I got to thinking about what Charlie would do when he got home. I knew he'd be sure I did it. He always blamed me for everything. So I finally went back to the Guthrie's place and found the hammer that I used on her.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you intend doing with the hammer?

[Narrator]

Killed Charlie. She had it coming. So did he. You can't blame me if they forced me into it. Anybody would have done the same.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you do after you found the hammer again?

[Narrator]

I picked it up and waited for Charlie to come home. Remember that wine made me feel pretty good. I stood there in the dark, holding the hammer. Watched out the window for Charlie. It was cold out. I remember that. So radio on down the hall. And I held onto the hammer and waited for Charlie. Neon light across the street that came through the windows. Old lady was on the bed in there. I could see the parrot on the floor. It was quiet. I had a smoke. Traffic kept going by outside. I could hear that. Held onto the hammer. It's windy out. I kept thinking Mrs. Guthrie was looking at me from the bed. But she wasn't. Charlie came home at the usual time, a little after 7:30. And I stood by the door. He came in and closed the door after him. When he reached for the lights, I hit him. Fell down. I hit him some more. You couldn't blame me. Anybody would have done the same. Anybody would have, the way he kicked me around. How many times did you hit him? Wash me? I don't know. Was it twice? Three times. Hit him till he quit moving. So I took him and dragged him into the bedroom. Put him on the bed with his wife. I put him over, wiped the stains off of me and left her. It's the only thing I could do.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you go, then?

[Narrator]

To my place. I knew that timer. I had to do the trick. I put it in a shopping bag with some stuff and I went back to the Guthrie's. They were still there on the bed. Parrot was on the floor. Would you repeat that last part, Mr. Merschman? Oh, I said they were still on the bed, the Guthrie's. And a parrot was on the floor next to the bed. Put the kerosene on the carpet and the rags and paper under the bed and rigged up the electric heater and the automatic timer to set it off a little slower.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, we'll just speak up, Jack, and then slow it down just a little bit.

[Narrator]

Oh, sorry. How did you rig the timer to set off the heater? Marshman. Can you tell? Ought to take all morning to tell you. You got the timer? I'll take it apart and explain it to you if you want. All right. What was your purpose in setting fire to the room? You knew both Mr. And Mrs. Gusser were dead, didn't you? Oh, sure. Sure, they were. They forced me into it. I set the fire to make it look like an accident, like they'd burned it in.

[Joe Friday]

What would you do after you set the timer?

[Narrator]

Oh, I left. Went down the street and bought a couple of bottles of wine. Talked to the guy a minute. I walked around a while. It was too cold, so I went home.

[Joe Friday]

When did you get home?

[Narrator]

2:30, maybe. I don't remember too well.

[Joe Friday]

Did you go right to bed?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Did you go to sleep?

[Narrator]

No. No, I laid there and read a movie magazine. Drank the wine. Finally finished up the two bottles and dozed off.

[Joe Friday]

What time did you get up?

[Narrator]

A little before 6 this morning. Went down to the Guthrie to nose around. That's when I met you guys. Well, you know all the rest. Cause I've been with you ever since.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Jack. Anything else you'd like to add?

[Narrator]

No. I told you everything. All right.

[Joe Friday]

This statement was given free involuntarily. And there's been no promise of immunity or reward extended to you?

[Narrator]

Yeah, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

Was any force, violence or duress used to induce you to make this statement?

[Narrator]

No.

[Joe Friday]

Okay. These questions and answers have been recorded by the secretary here. After they've been transcribed, will you be willing to sign it as a true statement? Sure.

[Narrator]

Sure, I'll sign it.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Eleanor, you get that out.

[Narrator]

As soon as possible. All right, Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

You're welcome. Well, that's it, huh? All of it.

[Joe Friday]

That's it.

[Narrator]

That's good. That's good. I'm tired. It's been a long night. A long one.

[Joe Friday]

Get used to it, huh? They're gonna get longer.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On July 29, trial was held in Superior Court Department 86, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. John Everett Marshman was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree, two counts and arson, one count. He is now serving a life term in the state penitentiary without possibility of parole. 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 Foreign Director's Playhouse on NBC.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. A good setup that ends in a pretty simple solution. It's a reminder that the working detective doesn't have an assurance that an interesting setup will lead to some long drawn out case with a clever mastermind at the heart of it. And of course, it's a happy situation when they don't have to deal with that sort of thing. But as is the case with Dragnet, even though we don't get a very complex mystery, we do get a thorough look at the procedures of taking a suspect's confession back in 1950 and how that's professionally done. Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback and we are going to our listener survey. And Joseph writes, I love Barry Craig and Nero Wolf. If not for Adam, I would not have fallen in love. Thank you. Well, so glad to help you find those series. Frank writes, Just a fan of the great detectives of Old Time Radio. And then have another comment. Best host and best audio quality of old radio shows. And then this one from Timothy I love listening to Old Time Radio at night. It's like somebody is reading me a bedtime story. It's become a daily ritual with me. And then I'm scrolling up here through some spam comments. Of all the places to leave scam comments, I'm the only one who sees these. This Another listener writes, thanks for the podcast. Old Time Radio detectives are great. And then have this comment from Sonya who writes, I was thrilled to learn there's a video companion but couldn't find it under the stated Public Domain Video Theater. Turns out it shows up under Public Domain Detective Video Theater. I just want all to know because the video content is such a trick. Well, thank you so much. I did go ahead and check and if you put it into Google public domain video theater, it'll bring up my YouTube playlist of the videos first, and then the video podcast is under that. Of course, if you put videotheater.greatdetives.net that will bring up the feed for the podcast that you're able to subscribe to. But I will admit that there is kind of a naming discrepancy between YouTube and the website title, and I should give some thought as to the best way to resolve that. So I appreciate you taking the time to comment. And Sonia, I'm really glad that you enjoyed the video theater, and I hope others who are interested in older video content will check that out as well. Well, I've got some really exciting plans for this season on video theater, which I'll talk about as 2025 develops. But one thing that we do have planned for this weekend is we should have the very first episode of Dragnet on television up either on YouTube or at the video podcast length. Now it is time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Ben. Ben's been one of our Patreon supporters since September 20th, currently supporting the podcast at this Chalmus level of $4 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And please be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We will be back next Saturday with another episode of Dragnet. I mentioned our video theater that's coming up this week, but join us back here on Monday as the great detectives of Old Time Radio resumes with an episode of the Adventures of the Falcon, where.

[Narrator]

Sorry, baby. You might as well learn the facts of life. Now, information. I'd like the phone number of Al Romero. Oh, angel, you don't know what you. Oh, go away. Oh, for Pete's sake. Wait a minute. Where's my robe? I said wait a minute. What's your mic wearing? Well, it all depends. Depends. And the time of day before seven. I'm not myself. I know it's late, but I've got to see you. I'll come back in the morning. It's no good. Time is of the essence. I don't know what I'll do with you. Now, take it easy. But you don't understand. Well, I never will at this rate. Now sit down. Thank you. I suppose I should introduce myself. I suppose you should. My name is Joan Andrews. Joan Andrews. Yes. If you say so don't you believe me? I never question a lady's word at 4:00 in the morning. But I wouldn't advise you to come back at five with that story. Why? Well, if you're Joan Andrews, how come the initials on your purse are J.D. oh, this? This belongs to a friend. Mm. All right, angel, have it your way. I tell you, it's the truth. Well, let's hear the rest. Well, I'm engaged to a man named Vince Calvin. Vince Calvin? You? Do you know him? Yeah. So I won't offer my congratulations. Well, Vince has been threatened. How do you know? He told me. Go on. That's all there is to it. I want you to see nothing happens to him. Now, angel, enough is enough. You can't expect me to buy that. I swear it's true. Does Calvin know you're here? No. And he mustn't find out. He thinks he can take care of himself. From what I know of that gent, he can. But I can't afford to gamble. You've got to protect him. Why don't you go to the cops? Because I don't want any publicity. Vince would kill me if there was. And this is the man you're engaged to? I didn't mean it that way. How did you mean it? Look, Mr. Waring, it all comes down to this. Either you want the case or you don't.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives From Orlando, Florida, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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