Dragnet: The Big Parrot (EP4610)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives Present Dragnet (Old Time Radio)

Title: Dragnet: The Big Parrot (EP4610)
Host: Adam Graham
Release Date: January 25, 2025

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Introduction

In episode EP4610 of "The Great Detectives Present Dragnet," host Adam Graham delves into the classic Old Time Radio series "Dragnet," specifically focusing on the episode titled "The Big Parrot." This episode offers listeners a gripping portrayal of police procedures and detective work in the mid-20th century, highlighting the meticulous nature of criminal investigations.

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Crime Scene Investigation

Timestamp: [03:28 - 07:44]

The episode opens with Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero responding to a homicide call at a rooming house on 7th Street. Upon arrival at 04:28, they discover the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Guthrie, both deceased in their bed, with signs pointing towards arson. Chief of Detectives Thad Brown briefs them:

Chief Brown [06:38]: "We think it's Guthrie. Mr. And Mrs. Charles Guthrie. Old couple lived here for some time, I understand."

The detectives observe significant fire damage, indicating the arson was likely an attempt to obscure the murders. Notably, a dead parrot is found beside the bodies, which becomes a pivotal clue in the investigation.

Detective Friday [07:30]: "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."

Gathering Evidence

Timestamp: [07:44 - 14:15]

As Friday and Romero examine the scene, they uncover evidence of a sophisticated arson setup involving kerosene-soaked rags and an automatic timer connected to an electric heater. This suggests premeditation and technical knowledge.

Jim (Arson Squad) [08:30]: "The man who touched it off knew something about timing devices."

They also find bloodstains and a blood-soaked hammer, indicating the use of a blunt instrument in the murders. Fingerprints are collected for further analysis.

Interview with the Victim’s Landlady

Timestamp: [11:11 - 13:03]

The detectives interview Clara Stedman, the landlady, who last saw the Guthries alive. Her statements provide a timeline of the victims' activities but reveal no immediate suspects.

Clara Stedman [12:01]: "I saw her just before dinner last night. A little before six. I went in to borrow an egg and a cup of flour."

Suspect Identification

Timestamp: [14:00 - 20:26]

Investigations lead the detectives to Jack Marshman, an employee of the Guthries, who exhibits suspicious behavior. Marshman's inconsistent alibi and the discovery of his fingerprints at the scene make him a prime suspect.

Detective Friday [14:18]: "I think the Guthrie's used it as a sitting room."

Upon questioning, Marshman remains evasive and emotionally unstable, further raising red flags.

Interrogation and Confession

Timestamp: [22:07 - 27:44]

During interrogation, Marshman initially denies involvement but eventually confesses to the murders and the subsequent arson to cover his tracks. His detailed confession outlines the motive rooted in financial disputes and his intricate plan to disguise the crime as an accident.

Jack Marshman [23:38]: "Mrs. Guthrie went in the next room and I went over to 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."

Jack Marshman [24:36]: "I set the fire to make it look like an accident, like they'd burned to death."

Trial and Conclusion

Timestamp: [28:09 - 29:26]

The episode concludes with Marshman's trial, where he is convicted of first-degree murder and arson. He receives a life term without the possibility of parole, underscoring the gravity of his crimes and the effectiveness of the police investigation.

Narrator [28:25]: "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."

Insights and Procedural Notes

Throughout "The Big Parrot," the episode meticulously showcases the procedural aspects of a homicide investigation, from the initial response and evidence collection to suspect interrogation and trial. Notable procedural elements include:

• Collaboration with Arson Squad: Demonstrates the importance of specialized units in solving complex crimes.

• Fingerprint Analysis: Highlights the role of forensic evidence in linking suspects to crimes.

• Interrogation Techniques: Illustrates how detectives handle confessions and the psychological aspects of questioning suspects.

Detective Friday [21:17]: "The materials from the workbench are the same that went into that automatic timer."

• Attention to Detail: Every piece of evidence, from the parrot to the hammer, plays a crucial role in unraveling the case.

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Conclusion

"Dragnet: The Big Parrot" serves as an exemplary episode that not only entertains but also educates listeners on the intricacies of police work. Through Detective Friday and Detective Romero's relentless pursuit of the truth, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the methodical nature of criminal investigations. Adam Graham's narration ensures that the suspense and procedural drama remain engaging, making it a standout episode in the "Dragnet" series.

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Notable Quotes:

• Detective Friday [08:31, 07:44]: "The man who touched it off knew something about timing devices."

• Jack Marshman [23:38, 22:31]: "I grabbed all of it." / "I set the fire to make it look like an accident."

• Chief Brown [06:38]: "We think it's Guthrie. Mr. And Mrs. Charles Guthrie."

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of "Dragnet: The Big Parrot," capturing the key elements of the storyline, character interactions, and procedural insights, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for a deeper understanding.

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.

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[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

It was Wednesday. April 2nd. 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.

[Detective]

It. Hello?

[Advertiser 2]

Is this Ms. Jones?

[Detective]

Yes, who is it?

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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?

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

What's the trouble?

[Advertiser 2]

Got a call from fire headquarters a couple of minutes ago.

[Detective]

Yeah?

[Advertiser 2]

They had a fire in a rooming house over on 7th Street. They found two dead bodies in one of the rooms.

[Detective]

Yeah, they said okay.

[Advertiser 2]

Well, the battalion chief doesn't think so. They found both bodies on the bed. There was evidence of arson in the room.

[Detective]

What kind of proof?

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

What you got?

[Advertiser 2]

Fire department thinks they were dead before the fire started. 5:30am Romero and I drove out to the rooming house on 7th Street. It 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.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

You have the names of the victims?

[Detective]

Chief, 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.

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah, this is where most of the damage was done, chief.

[Detective]

No rooms on both sides. Got it too. Not as bad as this, though. Guthrie's had two rooms. This is the one adjoining.

[Advertiser 2]

Through the door there when the fire starts. Got any idea?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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, then tried to cover with arson, huh?

[Detective]

Oh, gee. Yeah, on the floor there. Oh, yeah, a parrot. Somebody rung 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. Yeah. Wyatt Schubert's 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?

[Advertiser 2]

How are you?

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

Let me see.

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

Couldn't miss, huh?

[Detective]

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, Clyde. See you a Minute. Yeah. Mac. Excuse me. I'll be back in a minute.

[Advertiser 2]

You bet. Thanks very much.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Right.

[Detective]

This carpet here with a door. Dark stains.

[Advertiser 2]

Let me see.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Are that desk there, some on the wall too.

[Detective]

Desk drawers open here.

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah, I see that.

[Detective]

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 didn't kill those two people in there.

[Advertiser 2]

The boys from Larson Squad talking to the other rumors in the building right now.

[Detective]

You can check with them.

[Advertiser 2]

Okay. Well, thank you very much, Chief.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

5:53Am Lt. Lee Jones and the crew from the crime lab arrive. 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.

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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?

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

When did Marshman visit the Guthrie, do you know?

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

Near the Guthrie's rooms after that?

[Detective]

No. I had my dinner and listened to a radio play, and then I went off to bed.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Goodbye.

[Advertiser 2]

What time you got?

[Detective]

6:15.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Same Friday.

[Advertiser 2]

Oh, yes.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah, what's that?

[Detective]

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. A lot of them all over everything.

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah.

[Detective]

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 drawer of the desk. How do they look at good prints from each room? They match. They're in the next room. Something else?

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah.

[Detective]

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, phala stains. All leading through the door into the murder room.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Possible burglary.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Right, Lee. Thanks very much. Well, looks like we're in fair shape. A hammer, couple of fingerprints.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Did you talk to him?

[Detective]

Why didn't I have him? One of the empty rooms down the hall. Thanks.

[Advertiser 2]

Which way?

[Detective]

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 it pretty hard.

[Advertiser 2]

Which one?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Sure. Maud. Mrs. Guthrie about 4:15 yesterday afternoon. Me and Mrs. Stedman, she's a landlady, we had tea with her. Then I went back to help Mr. Guthrie at the parking lot.

[Advertiser 2]

When's the last time you saw him?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Oh, thanks. Mr. Marshman, right? Yeah.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

That's right. I met him at the door downstairs.

[Advertiser 2]

Well, the only thing you told him was that the Guthries were dead.

[Detective]

That's all he got from us.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Not a chance.

[Advertiser 2]

Then how do you know somebody killed him?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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. The deputy coroner arrived and removed the bodies of Mr. And Mrs. Guthrie to the county mall together with Clyde Wyatt and Ray Schubert 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. Marksman was calm and self assured.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah.

[Detective]

Okay. Mm, it's very nice.

[Advertiser 2]

What's your hobby?

[Detective]

Watchmaking. Used to be a watchmaker. I haven't worked at it lately, though. Job's pretty hard to find. Yeah.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

That's what they say, yeah.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

See? Jack, do you usually keep this stuff around?

[Detective]

Huh?

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

I'm glad you reminded me. I gotta get a cap for that. I use it to wash up. My hands get dirty working around the bench. This shirt, these trousers are yours, Jack. I wish you wouldn't drag that stuff out. It gets my stuff all mixed up. Yeah, they're mine. That's what I figured. These stains. Here's quite a few of them. Some kind of paint I was using. I'm pretty sloppy with paint.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

What difference does it make? The working clothes? Thanks to 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 there. I didn't give you the place. This is my apartment and this is my shop. Now, you can get out. You hear me? Both of you. You can get out.

[Advertiser 2]

What's the matter, Jack?

[Detective]

I said you can get out.

[Advertiser 2]

All right. You want to tell us before we go?

[Detective]

I'll tell you. What?

[Advertiser 2]

Why you killed the Guthries.

[Detective]

What do you mean?

[Advertiser 2]

Why did you kill Mr. And Ms. Guthrie?

[Detective]

No reason. I just did.

[Advertiser 2]

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.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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 got on the phone. We called Latent Fingerprints.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

10:03Am I call the county morgue.

[Detective]

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 brain stem.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

The materials 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.

[Advertiser 2]

How about the stains on his clothes?

[Detective]

Human blood.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Sorry.

[Advertiser 2]

Yeah.

[Detective]

I want to talk about it.

[Advertiser 2]

11:25Am Shubert and Wyatt from the Arson squad joined us. We called in one of the stenographers to Take Mark. Eleanor Eastlack. She automatically took down the time, the place and those present.

[Detective]

Jack, this is Ms. Eastlack. 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 wanna handle the question. All right.

[Advertiser 2]

Jack, we've got a few preliminaries here for you.

[Detective]

Okay.

[Advertiser 2]

John Everett Marshman. Is that your true name?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Advertiser 2]

Where do you live?

[Detective]

122 and a half. Morgan Place, apartment B.

[Advertiser 2]

What's your age?

[Detective]

37.

[Advertiser 2]

Occupation?

[Detective]

Watchmaker, when I'm working.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

That's right. I'll tell you.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Yeah, that's right. I was.

[Advertiser 2]

What time did you get there first time?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Was anybody else present while you were there?

[Detective]

No, it's just the three of us.

[Advertiser 2]

How long did you stay there?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Where'd you go when you left?

[Detective]

Oh, 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.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Why'd you go back there?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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?

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

Elmer.

[Detective]

I'm leaving it, Sergeant.

[Advertiser 2]

All right, go ahead, please.

[Detective]

Mrs. Guthrie went in the next room and I went over to 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. And 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.

[Advertiser 2]

Where'd you go?

[Detective]

I don't know. I walked around, tried to think of something. It was cold. I got a bottle of wine. I 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.

[Advertiser 2]

What'd you intend doing with the hammer?

[Detective]

Killed Charlie. If she had it coming, so did he. You can't blame me. If they forced me into it, anybody would have done the same.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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. There was a 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. 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. He fell down. I hit him some more. You couldn't blame me. Anybody would have done the same. Anybody would have the week. Kick me around. How many times did you hit him, Marshman? I don't know. Was it twice? Three times. Hit him till he quit moving. That's all I took 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 it. It's the only thing I could do.

[Advertiser 2]

Where'd you go then?

[Detective]

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. Marshman? Oh, I said they were still on the bed to 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.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Oh, sorry. How did you rig the timer to set off the heater, Marshman? Can you tell us? 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. 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 to death.

[Advertiser 2]

What'd you do after you set the timer?

[Detective]

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.

[Advertiser 2]

When did you get home?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

Did you go right to bed?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Advertiser 2]

Did you go to sleep?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

What time did you get up?

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

No. I told you everything.

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

Yeah, that's right.

[Advertiser 2]

Was any force, violence or duress used to induce you to make this statement? No. 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.

[Detective]

Sure, I'll sign it.

[Advertiser 2]

All right. Eleanor, will you get that out as soon as possible?

[Detective]

All right, Sergeant.

[Advertiser 2]

Thank you.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

That's it.

[Detective]

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

[Advertiser 2]

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

[Detective]

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. Coming up, we the People then screen Director's Playhouse on NBC.

[Advertiser 1]

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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 Wright's 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 computer 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 treat. 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 review 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. 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 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 2020, currently supporting the podcast at this Shamas 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 Fall Can Wear.

[Detective]

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 the. How are you Mike wearing? Well, it all depends. Depends on 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. No, won't. 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. 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. Now go on. That's all there is to it. I want you to see nothing happens to us. 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 Thirteenreatdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives From Orlando, Florida, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.

[Advertiser 1]

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