WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:09.000 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:09.000 --> 00:12.840 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:12.840 --> 00:28.000 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you dragnet. 00:28.000 --> 00:34.000 If you are a detective sergeant, you are assigned to accident investigation, felony detail. 00:34.000 --> 00:40.000 In the early hours of the morning, a woman pedestrian is struck down by a hit and run driver. 00:40.000 --> 00:46.000 Your job, find him. 00:46.000 --> 00:51.000 If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. 00:51.000 --> 00:59.000 Long size Fatima is the long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos, 00:59.000 --> 01:03.000 superbly blended to make Fatima extra mild. 01:03.000 --> 01:10.000 And that's why Fatima has a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 01:10.000 --> 01:14.000 That's why Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. 01:14.000 --> 01:19.000 So enjoy Fatima, the best of all long cigarettes. 01:19.000 --> 01:23.000 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 01:23.000 --> 01:33.000 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 01:33.000 --> 01:37.000 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:37.000 --> 01:40.000 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Travels, 01:40.000 --> 01:45.000 step by step on the side of the law through an actual case from official police files. 01:45.000 --> 01:54.000 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. 01:54.000 --> 01:57.000 It was Monday, September 4th, it was hot in Los Angeles. 01:57.000 --> 01:59.000 We were working the night watch out of traffic division. 01:59.000 --> 02:03.000 My partner is Ben Romero, the boss is Captain Sullivan, Commander AID. 02:03.000 --> 02:05.000 My name is Friday. 02:05.000 --> 02:11.000 It was 12.45 a.m. when I got to the second floor at 123 South Figure Ous Street, accident investigation. 02:11.000 --> 02:15.000 The record bureau. 02:15.000 --> 02:16.000 Hi, Iwanda. 02:16.000 --> 02:17.000 Hi. 02:17.000 --> 02:19.000 Sergeant Romero, come back with me, I got a phone message for him. 02:19.000 --> 02:21.000 Oh, he's over at Georgia Street, he'll be back in a couple of minutes. 02:21.000 --> 02:22.000 You got time to take a 15-7? 02:22.000 --> 02:23.000 Sure. 02:23.000 --> 02:26.000 I got some additional information on the hit and run felony. 02:26.000 --> 02:28.000 All right. 02:28.000 --> 02:29.000 Whew. 02:29.000 --> 02:30.000 Pretty warm up here, isn't it? 02:30.000 --> 02:31.000 Mm-hmm. 02:31.000 --> 02:33.000 Coffee over there if you want it. 02:33.000 --> 02:38.000 No, no thanks. 02:38.000 --> 02:40.000 All right, officer's memo. 02:40.000 --> 02:41.000 Subject? 02:41.000 --> 02:45.000 Investigation of hit run felony. 02:45.000 --> 02:51.000 BR number 467-923. 02:51.000 --> 02:54.000 Location 7th and Carondelet Streets. 02:54.000 --> 02:58.000 C-A-R-O-N-D-E-L-E-T. 02:58.000 --> 03:03.000 September 3rd, 11.15 p.m. 03:03.000 --> 03:09.000 Division reporting AID. 03:09.000 --> 03:10.000 Occurrence? 03:10.000 --> 03:11.000 Central. 03:11.000 --> 03:14.000 Central. 03:14.000 --> 03:15.000 Date and time occurred. 03:15.000 --> 03:17.000 September 3rd, 11.15 p.m. 03:17.000 --> 03:19.000 Location of occurrence 7th and Carondelet. 03:19.000 --> 03:21.000 Is this going to run long, Sergeant? 03:21.000 --> 03:22.000 Oh, page, page and a half. 03:22.000 --> 03:24.000 Go faster and shorthand. 03:24.000 --> 03:25.000 I can transcribe it later. 03:25.000 --> 03:30.000 All right. 03:30.000 --> 03:32.000 Excuse me. 03:32.000 --> 03:35.000 This is for Captain H.W. Sullivan, commanding AID. 03:35.000 --> 03:36.000 Mm-hmm. 03:36.000 --> 03:40.000 Sir, on the above date at 11.20 p.m., 03:40.000 --> 03:45.000 the undersigned officers went to the corner of 7th and Carondelet Streets 03:45.000 --> 03:48.000 in response to an ambulance follow-up traffic. 03:48.000 --> 03:50.000 Mm-hmm. 03:50.000 --> 03:54.000 On our arrival there, you got any matches, Wanda? 03:54.000 --> 03:56.000 Yeah, here you are. 03:56.000 --> 03:58.000 Okay, thanks. 03:58.000 --> 04:02.000 On our arrival there, we were met by 11T. 04:02.000 --> 04:08.000 We witnessed ambulance attendants placing an unconscious woman in an ambulance. 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 She appeared to be critically injured. 04:10.000 --> 04:13.000 The victim was removed to George Street Receiving Hospital. 04:13.000 --> 04:15.000 All right. 04:15.000 --> 04:20.000 We then interviewed a man who identified himself as Chester J. Crawford, 04:20.000 --> 04:22.000 540 Green Oak Drive. 04:22.000 --> 04:25.000 He stated that he was acquainted with the injured woman 04:25.000 --> 04:28.000 and that her name was Sheila Gordon, G-O-R-D-O-N. 04:28.000 --> 04:29.000 Mm-hmm. 04:29.000 --> 04:32.000 7832½ 7th Street. 04:32.000 --> 04:34.000 Mm-hmm. 04:34.000 --> 04:38.000 Crawford told us that he was taking her home from a dance 04:38.000 --> 04:41.000 when they arrived at the intersection of 7th and Carondelet Streets 04:41.000 --> 04:43.000 at approximately 11.15 p.m. 04:43.000 --> 04:45.000 11.15 p.m. 04:45.000 --> 04:47.000 Yeah, yeah. 04:47.000 --> 04:53.000 Crawford further stated that while he and Sheila Gordon 04:53.000 --> 04:55.000 attempted to cross the intersection, 04:55.000 --> 05:00.000 an automobile headed west on 7th Street went through the red traffic light. 05:00.000 --> 05:03.000 Right. 05:03.000 --> 05:05.000 Would you read that last part back? 05:05.000 --> 05:09.000 Attempted to cross the intersection, an automobile headed west on 7th Street 05:09.000 --> 05:11.000 went through the red traffic light. 05:11.000 --> 05:13.000 Crawford told us that he jumped out of the path of the car 05:13.000 --> 05:15.000 and tried to pull Ms. Gordon with him. 05:15.000 --> 05:17.000 He said that the car struck her down without slowing down, 05:17.000 --> 05:19.000 continued out 7th Street and disappeared. 05:19.000 --> 05:20.000 Wait a minute. 05:20.000 --> 05:21.000 Oh, I'm sorry. 05:21.000 --> 05:24.000 And disappeared. Okay. 05:24.000 --> 05:28.000 Crawford stated the hit-and-run car was either a Dodge or a Plymouth, 05:28.000 --> 05:32.000 but it could have been either last year's model or this year's. 05:32.000 --> 05:34.000 He described the car... 05:34.000 --> 05:35.000 That's too fast, boy. 05:35.000 --> 05:36.000 That's all right. 05:36.000 --> 05:39.000 He described the car as either light blue in color or bluish green. 05:39.000 --> 05:42.000 He said that he failed to get the entire license number, 05:42.000 --> 05:48.000 but that the last three numbers on the rear plate were either 804 or 304. 05:48.000 --> 05:50.000 804 or 304. 05:50.000 --> 05:52.000 That's all right. 05:52.000 --> 05:55.000 Crawford said he made an attempt to follow the hit-and-run car, 05:55.000 --> 05:58.000 but that he was unable to obtain transportation. 05:58.000 --> 06:01.000 He stated he then ran to a phone at the Corsev bar and... 06:01.000 --> 06:02.000 How do you spell that? 06:02.000 --> 06:03.000 What? 06:03.000 --> 06:04.000 Corsev. 06:04.000 --> 06:06.000 C-O-R-S-E-V. 06:06.000 --> 06:10.000 That's at 7th and Carondelet and called the police. 06:10.000 --> 06:12.000 We undersigned officers, then obtained Crawford's full name, address, 06:12.000 --> 06:15.000 phone number and proceeded to question residents in the neighborhood 06:15.000 --> 06:18.000 and weren't able to locate any other witnesses besides Crawford. 06:18.000 --> 06:20.000 Hi. How'd you do? 06:20.000 --> 06:22.000 I saw her. That's about all. 06:22.000 --> 06:24.000 The doctor says we won't be able to talk to her for at least a couple of days, 06:24.000 --> 06:25.000 maybe not at all. 06:25.000 --> 06:26.000 What's her chances? 06:26.000 --> 06:28.000 50-50 if she's heavy on luck. 06:28.000 --> 06:30.000 Three broken ribs, brain concussion, internal injury. 06:30.000 --> 06:32.000 What did Lee Jones have to say? 06:32.000 --> 06:33.000 Is that all the report, Sergeant? 06:33.000 --> 06:35.000 Oh, yeah, Wanda. We'll have the rest for you a little later. 06:35.000 --> 06:37.000 Okay. I'll type as much up as I can. 06:37.000 --> 06:38.000 Thanks. 06:38.000 --> 06:39.000 Sure. 06:39.000 --> 06:40.000 What did Lee Jones have to say? 06:40.000 --> 06:42.000 Nothing. He thinks we went over the area for an hour. 06:42.000 --> 06:44.000 No broken glass from headlights at the P.I. 06:44.000 --> 06:46.000 No tire impressions worth anything. 06:46.000 --> 06:48.000 No physical evidence. 06:48.000 --> 06:49.000 Where does it live? 06:49.000 --> 06:51.000 A half-dead girl and no suspects. 06:51.000 --> 06:53.000 What do you think, Jim? 06:53.000 --> 06:55.000 I don't know. It's a sour one. 06:55.000 --> 06:56.000 Any kickback on the teletype yet? 06:56.000 --> 06:57.000 No. 06:57.000 --> 06:59.000 That guy she was with, Crawford, 06:59.000 --> 07:01.000 not too much help. Looked a little nearsighted to me. 07:01.000 --> 07:03.000 We saw well enough to get out of the way of that car. 07:03.000 --> 07:05.000 You got the notes. How much did he give us? 07:05.000 --> 07:07.000 Let me see. I got it here in the book. 07:09.000 --> 07:12.000 The car was either a Dodge or a Plymouth, late model. 07:12.000 --> 07:15.000 Color, either light blue or blue-green. 07:15.000 --> 07:19.000 And the last three numbers on the license plate were 804 or 304. 07:19.000 --> 07:21.000 It was a big field to pick from. 07:21.000 --> 07:22.000 It's the only lead we own. 07:22.000 --> 07:24.000 You can call it that, yeah. 07:24.000 --> 07:26.000 Well, I guess we better talk to DMV, 07:26.000 --> 07:29.000 get the dope on all cars fitting that description that Crawford gave us. 07:29.000 --> 07:32.000 It's gonna be a hard trip. At least 3,000 cars to track down. 07:32.000 --> 07:33.000 Probably closer to four. 07:33.000 --> 07:34.000 What do we do for help? 07:34.000 --> 07:36.000 We can ask the captain in the morning. 07:36.000 --> 07:37.000 I'll get him. 07:39.000 --> 07:40.000 Bracket Bureau, Romero. 07:41.000 --> 07:42.000 Yeah, Lee. 07:42.000 --> 07:44.000 Yeah, we'll bring him right over. 07:44.000 --> 07:45.000 Yeah, bye. 07:46.000 --> 07:47.000 It's Lee Jones again. 07:47.000 --> 07:48.000 Yeah. 07:48.000 --> 07:51.000 Says he wants the clothes Sheila Gordon was wearing at the time of the accident. 07:51.000 --> 07:55.000 He figures when she got hit, her clothes must have left fabric marks on the front of the car. 07:55.000 --> 07:57.000 It might work. There's only one trouble. 07:57.000 --> 07:58.000 What's that? 07:58.000 --> 08:00.000 You can paint off fabric marks. 08:01.000 --> 08:03.000 Well, it's a long list. Let's take it from the top. 08:03.000 --> 08:04.000 Yeah. 08:04.000 --> 08:05.000 Find the car. 08:09.000 --> 08:11.000 Tuesday, September the 5th. 08:11.000 --> 08:17.000 We called Mark Benson at DMV and asked for full information on all vehicles fitting the general description of the hit-and-run car. 08:17.000 --> 08:22.000 We went back and talked to the only witness to the hit-and-run, the victim's boyfriend, Chester Crawford. 08:22.000 --> 08:24.000 He could add nothing to what he had already told us. 08:24.000 --> 08:29.000 There was no response to the local teletype and the all points that were sent out the night before. 08:29.000 --> 08:33.000 Garages, auto repair and paint shops throughout the city were also alerted. 08:33.000 --> 08:38.000 Meantime, at General Hospital, the victim, Sheila Gordon, was still close to death. 08:38.000 --> 08:41.000 The search for the hit-and-run car went on. Two days passed. 08:41.000 --> 08:43.000 Thursday, September 7th. 08:43.000 --> 08:46.000 The information we requested from DMV was being checked out and compiled. 08:46.000 --> 08:48.000 Ben and I met with Captain Sullivan. 08:50.000 --> 08:54.000 What's the last of them, Skipper? All the cars in this area that fit the general description of the one we're after. 08:54.000 --> 08:55.000 You just get it? 08:55.000 --> 08:56.000 Yeah. 08:56.000 --> 08:57.000 How many cars did it list? 08:57.000 --> 08:59.000 4,620. 08:59.000 --> 09:01.000 Even more than you expected, eh? 09:01.000 --> 09:02.000 Yeah. 09:02.000 --> 09:03.000 No chance at all of narrowing it down? 09:03.000 --> 09:05.000 Well, we can see now. 09:05.000 --> 09:06.000 Terrific order. 09:06.000 --> 09:09.000 Well, we tried to figure it from every angle. Now we can do it two ways. 09:09.000 --> 09:10.000 Yeah. 09:10.000 --> 09:14.000 We keep the alert on for the hit-and-run car around the divisions, all the garages in town, the auto repair shops. 09:14.000 --> 09:17.000 In other words, we can wait it out. Maybe we'll get the guy, maybe not. 09:17.000 --> 09:18.000 Yeah. 09:18.000 --> 09:21.000 Or we can check out every one of the cars on this list and the registered owners. 09:21.000 --> 09:23.000 Well, the first way isn't gonna do the job. We know that. 09:23.000 --> 09:25.000 4,600 cars. 09:25.000 --> 09:26.000 How much help would it need? 09:26.000 --> 09:27.000 About 30, 40, man. 09:27.000 --> 09:28.000 How long? 09:28.000 --> 09:29.000 Couple of weeks, maybe more. 09:29.000 --> 09:32.000 All right. I think I can get them from Metro Division. When do you want to start? 09:32.000 --> 09:33.000 First thing tomorrow. 09:33.000 --> 09:34.000 Okay, I'll set it up. 09:34.000 --> 09:36.000 All right, Skipper. Thank you. 09:36.000 --> 09:38.000 Excuse me, Joe. There's a lady out here to see you. 09:38.000 --> 09:40.000 Okay, thanks. We'll check you in the morning, Skipper. 09:40.000 --> 09:41.000 All right. 09:43.000 --> 09:44.000 That's her over there. 09:44.000 --> 09:45.000 Thank you. 09:48.000 --> 09:50.000 My name's Friday, ma'am. This is Sergeant Romero. 09:50.000 --> 09:54.000 How do you do? I'm Dora Lytel, Sergeant. I'm Sheila Gordon's landlady, the girl in the accident. 09:54.000 --> 09:55.000 Yes, ma'am. 09:55.000 --> 09:59.000 Mr. Crawford, he was with Sheila that night. He told me about you and he said he thought you might be able to help. 09:59.000 --> 10:00.000 How do you mean? 10:00.000 --> 10:06.000 Well, it's a long story. See, when Sheila Gordon first came to live at my rooming house, she was a good girl like the rest. 10:06.000 --> 10:09.000 Lately, well, I've been sick now and all. I don't like to say it. 10:09.000 --> 10:10.000 Yeah? 10:10.000 --> 10:14.000 Well, frankly, last few months before the accident, Sheila just went bad. Went bad completely. 10:14.000 --> 10:16.000 I don't think I follow you, ma'am. 10:16.000 --> 10:21.000 Oh, you know, carousing all kinds of men. Visitors had a different man in her apartment every night. 10:21.000 --> 10:23.000 Well, we're investigating a hit-run case, ma'am. 10:23.000 --> 10:28.000 Sheila gets out of the hospital. We could talk about her when she's sick like this, but when she's all right, I don't want her back in my rooming house. 10:28.000 --> 10:30.000 I'm afraid that's none of our business either, ma'am. 10:30.000 --> 10:36.000 But if you could talk to Sheila, persuaded her to move from my house, I don't want any wrangle with the rental board again. Couldn't you talk to her? 10:36.000 --> 10:39.000 I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do, ma'am. You better talk to her yourself. 10:39.000 --> 10:42.000 You'll just be another row like the last time, shameless woman. 10:42.000 --> 10:46.000 I don't want Sheila Gordon back in my house. I'll go to that hospital myself and tell her. 10:46.000 --> 10:47.000 She's a pretty sick girl. 10:47.000 --> 10:51.000 It's not my fault. Go right over to that hospital and tell her what I think of her. 10:51.000 --> 10:52.000 She's hurt pretty bad. 10:52.000 --> 10:54.000 So am I. She's hurt me. What's the difference? 10:54.000 --> 10:58.000 You haven't been run over by a car. 11:00.000 --> 11:08.000 Next morning, Sergeant Reed and McLennan, Ben and myself, joined the 40 men from Metropolitan Division who had started checking out the first of the 4,620 suspected cars. 11:08.000 --> 11:14.000 The detail was broken down into teams and each team was handed a list containing the names of 100 registered car owners. 11:14.000 --> 11:19.000 It was a long job and a dull one. Dozens of people weren't at home when we called. 11:19.000 --> 11:22.000 We had to rig up a system of checkbacks for each one of these. 11:22.000 --> 11:26.000 Some cars had changed hands two and three times. That meant more checking. 11:26.000 --> 11:30.000 By the end of the second week, we'd gone through more than half of the 4,600 names on the list. 11:30.000 --> 11:34.000 By the end of the fourth week, we had less than a thousand to go. 11:34.000 --> 11:38.000 At the general hospital, the victim, Sheila Gordon, was pronounced out of danger and recovering. 11:38.000 --> 11:43.000 We questioned her, but all she could tell us was that she thought the hit-and-run car was a dark color. 11:43.000 --> 11:50.000 The search went on. Monday, October 6th, Ben and I spent a 10-hour day checking a list of car owners south of town. 11:50.000 --> 11:53.000 It was 6.35 p.m. when we got back to the office. 11:57.000 --> 11:58.000 Hi. 11:58.000 --> 12:00.000 Hi, Reed. How'd you do today? 12:00.000 --> 12:02.000 Fair. Looks like we got one. 12:02.000 --> 12:03.000 What do you mean? 12:03.000 --> 12:06.000 Guy's name is Ralph Angelo. Yeah, let's see. 12:06.000 --> 12:09.000 8690 Backely Road. Checked him out early this morning. First call. 12:09.000 --> 12:10.000 What'd you get? 12:10.000 --> 12:17.000 One's a late model Plymouth, light blue. License number, there it is, 17 Arthur 2804. 12:17.000 --> 12:18.000 Wasn't home. Talked to his wife. 12:18.000 --> 12:19.000 Yeah? 12:19.000 --> 12:22.000 She said the car's been sitting home in the garage for the past month. Husband won't drive it. 12:22.000 --> 12:23.000 What's the story? 12:23.000 --> 12:26.000 Told her there was something wrong with it. He was gonna trade it in. 12:26.000 --> 12:28.000 Ben and I tried it. Car's in first class shape. 12:28.000 --> 12:29.000 What about the front end of the car? 12:29.000 --> 12:33.000 Pretty clean. One of the bars in the radiator grill slightly bent. 12:33.000 --> 12:35.000 Soft crease on the hood. Another one in the right fender. 12:35.000 --> 12:36.000 You running the car in? 12:36.000 --> 12:39.000 Yeah. Crown has been working on it since lunch down in the garage. 12:39.000 --> 12:40.000 Anything else? 12:40.000 --> 12:44.000 Found a gas receipt in the glove compartment dated September 3rd, night of the accident. 12:44.000 --> 12:46.000 Where's Angelo now? 12:46.000 --> 12:50.000 Santa Barbara, business trip. Do home tonight, about 10. McClendon and I'll pick him up then. 12:50.000 --> 12:51.000 See what he's got to say. 12:51.000 --> 12:53.000 Sounds good. How many possibilities does that make, Joe? 12:53.000 --> 12:57.000 Well, let me see. About a 3,700 we've checked. About four, goodness. 12:57.000 --> 12:59.000 I'll get that. 12:59.000 --> 13:01.000 Accident investigation, Friday. 13:01.000 --> 13:02.000 Hi, Joe. This is Lee Jones. 13:02.000 --> 13:03.000 Yeah, Lee. 13:03.000 --> 13:05.000 Just finished checking the Plymouth Reed McClendon brought in. 13:05.000 --> 13:06.000 You find anything? 13:06.000 --> 13:08.000 Fabric prints on the front bumper on the hood. 13:08.000 --> 13:09.000 No. 13:09.000 --> 13:12.000 Indentation of soft object on hood and right front fender. Something else on that fender. 13:12.000 --> 13:13.000 What's that? 13:13.000 --> 13:14.000 Set of lip impressions. 13:14.000 --> 13:15.000 What's it mean? 13:15.000 --> 13:17.000 We found a car, only one job left. 13:17.000 --> 13:18.000 Yeah? 13:18.000 --> 13:19.000 Find a driver. 13:29.000 --> 13:36.000 You are listening to Dragnet, the case history of a police investigation presented in the public interest by Fatima Cigarettes. 13:36.000 --> 13:43.000 If you smoke a long cigarette, it will be in your interest to listen to a typical case history of a Fatima smoker. 13:43.000 --> 13:50.000 It's the case of attorney R. Michael Charters, member of the New York Bar. And this is his actual signed statement. 13:50.000 --> 13:58.000 Lawyers are always working against time. Long hours means smoking more and that's why I prefer extra mild Fatimas. 13:58.000 --> 14:06.000 I recommend them to anyone who likes a king size cigarette. In my opinion, it's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 14:06.000 --> 14:10.000 And more and more smokers are discovering this every day. 14:10.000 --> 14:14.000 Actual figures show Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. 14:14.000 --> 14:16.000 So enjoy Fatima yourself. 14:16.000 --> 14:24.000 The long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos, superbly blended to make it extra mild. 14:24.000 --> 14:28.000 You will prefer Fatima's much different, much better flavor. 14:28.000 --> 14:33.000 You will agree. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 14:33.000 --> 14:36.000 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 14:36.000 --> 14:40.000 The best of all long cigarettes. 14:46.000 --> 14:54.000 Monday, October 6th, 10 p.m. Suspect Ralph Angelo was picked up at his home by investigating officers and brought downtown to the interrogation room. 14:54.000 --> 14:58.000 Sargeants Reed and McLennan, Ben and myself questioned him for three hours. 14:58.000 --> 15:04.000 At 1.30 a.m. we took Angelo to the county jail where he was booked on suspicion of 501 vehicle code. 15:04.000 --> 15:06.000 Hit and run felony. 15:06.000 --> 15:13.000 The next morning we obtained a warrant from the district attorney's office and later that day, Ralph Angelo was arraigned in municipal court division seven. 15:13.000 --> 15:16.000 The date was set for his preliminary hearing in municipal court. 15:16.000 --> 15:20.000 Sheila Gordon recovered from her injuries and was released from the general hospital. 15:20.000 --> 15:23.000 On October 10th, the preliminary hearing was held. 15:23.000 --> 15:26.000 Sheila Gordon was on the stand most of the morning. 15:26.000 --> 15:29.000 After the noon recess, I was called to testify. 15:29.000 --> 15:32.000 Raise your right hand. 15:32.000 --> 15:37.000 Some men swear that testimony about defending this case with a truth hold truth, nothing but the truth. 15:37.000 --> 15:38.000 So how could you? 15:38.000 --> 15:39.000 I do. 15:39.000 --> 15:40.000 State your name. 15:40.000 --> 15:41.000 Joe Friday. 15:41.000 --> 15:42.000 Proceed it. 15:46.000 --> 15:47.000 State your name, please. 15:47.000 --> 15:48.000 Joe Friday. 15:48.000 --> 15:49.000 Your address? 15:49.000 --> 15:52.000 4656 Collis Avenue. 15:52.000 --> 15:53.000 Your occupation? 15:53.000 --> 15:56.000 I'm a police officer in and for the city of Los Angeles. 15:56.000 --> 16:00.000 Are you one of the investigating officers assigned to this case? 16:00.000 --> 16:01.000 I am. 16:01.000 --> 16:05.000 Did you have a conversation with the defendant regarding this case? 16:05.000 --> 16:06.000 I did. 16:06.000 --> 16:07.000 Where? 16:07.000 --> 16:10.000 In the traffic division at 123 South of your own street. 16:10.000 --> 16:11.000 Who's present? 16:11.000 --> 16:16.000 The defendant, Sergeant McLennan, Reed, Romero, myself. 16:16.000 --> 16:21.000 Were the statements made by the defendant free and voluntary? 16:21.000 --> 16:22.000 They were. 16:22.000 --> 16:27.000 Was there any promise of immunity or reward for the use of force of violence to induce him to make the statement? 16:27.000 --> 16:29.000 No, there was not. 16:29.000 --> 16:33.000 Can you tell the court the extent of the conversation at that time? 16:33.000 --> 16:46.000 Well, first of all, I asked him if he was the registered owner of a 1948 Plymouth automobile, California license number 17 Arthur 2804. 16:46.000 --> 16:48.000 He admitted that he was. 16:48.000 --> 16:52.000 And then I asked him if he was driving that car on the night of September 3rd. 16:52.000 --> 17:01.000 He said he was, but that he did not drive anywhere near the location of the hit-and-run felony that night at 7th and Carondelet Street. 17:01.000 --> 17:04.000 Did the defendant tell you where he drove his car that night? 17:04.000 --> 17:05.000 No, sir. 17:05.000 --> 17:08.000 You asked the defendant where he drove his car that night of September 3rd. 17:08.000 --> 17:09.000 Yes, I did. 17:09.000 --> 17:10.000 And what did he answer? 17:10.000 --> 17:13.000 Well, he said, it's none of your business. 17:13.000 --> 17:14.000 Did you persist in this line of questioning? 17:14.000 --> 17:15.000 Yes, I did. 17:15.000 --> 17:18.000 The defendant continued to refuse to give you the information? 17:18.000 --> 17:19.000 That's right. 17:19.000 --> 17:25.000 Did the defendant state where he was on the night of September 3rd, between 10 p.m. and midnight? 17:25.000 --> 17:26.000 He refused to tell us. 17:26.000 --> 17:31.000 You advised the defendant at that time that his car had been impounded for investigation? 17:31.000 --> 17:32.000 That's right. 17:32.000 --> 17:36.000 You advised him that several points of incriminating evidence had been found in the car? 17:36.000 --> 17:37.000 Yes, we did. 17:37.000 --> 17:39.000 And what did he say in answer? 17:39.000 --> 17:45.000 He said, you can't prove a thing. I wasn't near the place. You can't prove a thing. 17:45.000 --> 17:49.000 Was that the extent of the conversation between you and the defendant? 17:49.000 --> 17:50.000 It was. 17:50.000 --> 17:51.000 Thank you. That's all. 17:51.000 --> 17:52.000 Confer for the con? 17:52.000 --> 17:54.000 No questions, your honor. 17:57.000 --> 18:00.000 Leland Jones, come to stand. 18:00.000 --> 18:03.000 I use your right hand. 18:03.000 --> 18:06.000 I solemnly swear the testimony about the defendant in this case be the truth, 18:06.000 --> 18:08.000 or truth, nothing but truth, so I'll be glad. 18:08.000 --> 18:09.000 I do. 18:09.000 --> 18:10.000 State your name. 18:10.000 --> 18:11.000 Lee Jones. 18:11.000 --> 18:12.000 Please be seated. 18:14.000 --> 18:15.000 Your occupation? 18:15.000 --> 18:18.000 I'm a police officer in and for the city of Los Angeles. 18:18.000 --> 18:20.000 In particular detail, are you assigned to? 18:20.000 --> 18:23.000 I'm a lieutenant in charge of the police crime laboratory. 18:23.000 --> 18:27.000 Well, uh, counsel for defense stipulates that you are a police officer. 18:27.000 --> 18:32.000 Well, uh, counsel for defense stipulates that you are a qualified forensic chemist. 18:32.000 --> 18:33.000 So stipulated. 18:33.000 --> 18:38.000 Mr. Jones, you are the commander in charge of the police department's scientific investigation division. 18:38.000 --> 18:39.000 Is that correct? 18:39.000 --> 18:40.000 Yes, yes. 18:40.000 --> 18:46.000 Jones, I will show you a photograph of an automobile. 18:46.000 --> 18:53.000 California license number 1782804 to be marked people's exhibit C. 18:53.000 --> 18:56.000 Have you ever seen this car before? 18:56.000 --> 18:57.000 I have. 18:57.000 --> 18:58.000 Where and when did you see it, please? 18:58.000 --> 19:04.000 I saw it at the traffic division garage 123 South Figure Ours Street Monday, October 6th this year. 19:04.000 --> 19:06.000 Did you make an examination of this car at that time? 19:06.000 --> 19:07.000 I did. 19:07.000 --> 19:09.000 What did the examination consist of? 19:09.000 --> 19:11.000 And, uh, what were you finding? 19:11.000 --> 19:19.000 I made a systematic examination of the car using oblique lighting from a 500 watt photo flood lamp and a bell type reflector. 19:19.000 --> 19:23.000 I found the following...evidence, excuse me. 19:23.000 --> 19:30.000 On the front bumper of the car, I found fabric marks consisting of 51 threads to the edge. 19:30.000 --> 19:34.000 I then took a perpendicular photograph of those marks with a copy camera. 19:34.000 --> 19:40.000 Here is a photograph of that portion of the bumper containing those marks. 19:40.000 --> 19:44.000 Well, I wish this photograph would mark people's exhibit D for identification. 19:44.000 --> 19:46.000 You can proceed, please, Mr. Jones. 19:46.000 --> 19:49.000 What else did you find in your examination of the defendant's car? 19:49.000 --> 19:54.000 I found fabric marks on the cowling of the car standing back under the hood. 19:54.000 --> 19:59.000 These marks were made by fabric having a weave of 38 ribs to the edge. 19:59.000 --> 20:03.000 I have here a photograph of those marks. 20:03.000 --> 20:04.000 Thank you. 20:04.000 --> 20:07.000 I'm going to ask this photograph to mark people's exhibits E. 20:07.000 --> 20:11.000 So, Mark, what else did you find in your examination of the car, Mr. Jones? 20:11.000 --> 20:15.000 I also noted an indentation in the right portion of the car's hood. 20:15.000 --> 20:20.000 It had the appearance of having been made by a soft object enclosed in fabric striking the car. 20:20.000 --> 20:23.000 A human body struck by a car would make such an indentation? 20:23.000 --> 20:24.000 Yes, it would. 20:24.000 --> 20:31.000 Here is a photograph I took of that indentation on the defendant's car. 20:31.000 --> 20:35.000 I'm going to ask this photograph to mark the people's exhibits M. 20:35.000 --> 20:39.000 So, Mark, all right, continue, Mr. Jones. 20:39.000 --> 20:45.000 On the top of the right-hand fender of the car, I found a lip imprint in red lipstick. 20:45.000 --> 20:48.000 I lifted that print with a piece of cellophane tape, 20:48.000 --> 20:53.000 then placed the tape on a plain white card, which I have right here with me. 20:53.000 --> 20:54.000 Thank you. 20:54.000 --> 20:57.000 I ask that this car be marked with the exhibit G. 20:57.000 --> 20:58.000 So, Mark. 20:58.000 --> 21:05.000 Now, Mr. Jones, these pieces of evidence which you found on the defendant's car, 21:05.000 --> 21:08.000 did you compare them with other objects? 21:08.000 --> 21:09.000 I did. 21:09.000 --> 21:13.000 Will you please state what comparisons you made and your findings? 21:13.000 --> 21:18.000 Well, in the first place, I find that the fabric marks in people's exhibit C, 21:18.000 --> 21:20.000 taken from the bumper of the car, 21:20.000 --> 21:27.000 has the same count per inch as the stockings won by the victim, Sheila Gordon. 21:27.000 --> 21:30.000 Secondly, I found the fabric marks shown in people's exhibit D 21:30.000 --> 21:37.000 from the cowling hood of the car to be the same count per inch as the coat won by the defendant. 21:37.000 --> 21:41.000 I further made a comparison between the lip imprint found on the right fender, 21:41.000 --> 21:43.000 as shown in people's exhibit G, 21:43.000 --> 21:46.000 and various exemplars of the victim's lips. 21:46.000 --> 21:51.000 She made the exemplars by placing her lips against heavy, stiff white paper. 21:51.000 --> 21:54.000 I have those exemplars with me. 21:54.000 --> 21:57.000 I ask that it be marked for people's exhibit C. 21:57.000 --> 21:58.000 So, Mark. 21:58.000 --> 22:04.000 Now, I ask, how did the lip imprint taken from the defendant's car 22:04.000 --> 22:08.000 compare with these sample imprints made by the victim's lips? 22:08.000 --> 22:13.000 I found that there were 17 points of similarity between the two. 22:13.000 --> 22:18.000 These points of similarity consist of various small lines or wrinkles 22:18.000 --> 22:23.000 which match identically, as is maybe seen in the photographs. 22:23.000 --> 22:30.000 Jones, do you have an opinion as to the origin of the lip imprint on the defendant's car, 22:30.000 --> 22:32.000 as shown in people's exhibit G? 22:32.000 --> 22:33.000 I do. 22:33.000 --> 22:34.000 What is that opinion? 22:34.000 --> 22:38.000 It is my opinion that the lip imprint on the defendant's car, 22:38.000 --> 22:43.000 as shown in exhibit G, was made by the lips of the victim, Sheila Gordon. 22:43.000 --> 22:45.000 You're welcome. 22:48.000 --> 22:54.000 Now, Mr. Jones, we recognize, of course, that you're a qualified forensic chemist. 22:54.000 --> 22:58.000 But are you going to set yourself up as an expert on women's lips, too? 22:58.000 --> 23:02.000 Well, I've done some research in that department, so... 23:04.000 --> 23:09.000 Mr. Jones, isn't it possible that any number of lip imprints made by different people 23:09.000 --> 23:10.000 would look exactly alike? 23:10.000 --> 23:11.000 No, it is not possible. 23:11.000 --> 23:15.000 There are no two things in the world exactly alike. 23:15.000 --> 23:19.000 There are no two sets of lip imprints alike. 23:19.000 --> 23:22.000 Well, anyone who's been around at all would know that. 23:22.000 --> 23:28.000 That's all, Mr. Jones. Thank you. 23:28.000 --> 23:29.000 This is a case, Your Honor. 23:29.000 --> 23:30.000 Counsel for the defense? 23:30.000 --> 23:32.000 We will not offer any defense at this time, Your Honor. 23:32.000 --> 23:34.000 It appears to me that a felony has been committed 23:34.000 --> 23:37.000 and reasonable cause to believe that the defendant committed it. 23:37.000 --> 23:40.000 The defendant will be held to answer in Superior Court. 23:42.000 --> 23:48.000 Tuesday, November 4th, suspect Ralph Angelo was arraigned in Superior Court, Department 88, 23:48.000 --> 23:51.000 and the date of his trial was set for December 1st. 23:51.000 --> 23:54.000 During the weeks preceding this set of the trial, 23:54.000 --> 23:59.000 we worked with Lee Jones and the District Attorney's Office preparing the case against Ralph Angelo. 23:59.000 --> 24:04.000 Two days before the trial opened, we had a visit from one of the men from the DA's office, a process server. 24:04.000 --> 24:05.000 Hi, boy. 24:05.000 --> 24:06.000 Hi. 24:06.000 --> 24:07.000 We got trouble. 24:07.000 --> 24:08.000 Yeah? 24:08.000 --> 24:10.000 Sheila Gordon's disappeared. 24:14.000 --> 24:19.000 Wednesday, December 1st, Ralph Angelo's trial opened and Sheila Gordon was called to the stand. 24:19.000 --> 24:21.000 She failed to appear. 24:21.000 --> 24:23.000 We checked her few known friends in the city. 24:23.000 --> 24:24.000 They couldn't help. 24:24.000 --> 24:27.000 She had disappeared from her new address and taken everything with her. 24:27.000 --> 24:31.000 A bench warrant was issued by Superior Court for Sheila Gordon. 24:31.000 --> 24:34.000 The Deputy District Attorney succeeded in having the court grant a delay 24:34.000 --> 24:38.000 in order to find the missing girl, in this case, the complaining witness. 24:38.000 --> 24:41.000 Meantime, we got out a local broadcast and an APB. 24:41.000 --> 24:43.000 We got missing persons detail to help out in the search. 24:43.000 --> 24:45.000 Still, no sign. 24:45.000 --> 24:49.000 Ralph Angelo's lawyer asked the court for dismissal of the hit-and-run felony case 24:49.000 --> 24:51.000 because of Sheila Gordon's failure to appear. 24:51.000 --> 24:53.000 On December the 8th, the court ruled on the motion. 24:55.000 --> 25:01.000 Regarding the motion by the defense for dismissal of hit-and-run felony charges against Ralph C. Angelo, 25:01.000 --> 25:07.000 because of the prosecution's failure to produce the complaining witness, to which Sheila R. Gordon, 25:07.000 --> 25:11.000 the court feels it would not serve the interests of justice to continue the case. 25:11.000 --> 25:15.000 The case is dismissed. 25:15.000 --> 25:17.000 The search for Sheila Gordon went on. 25:17.000 --> 25:20.000 Behind us, we had logged three solid months of police work, 25:20.000 --> 25:25.000 checking and running down more than 4,000 cars, hours of labor in the crime lab, 25:25.000 --> 25:30.000 more hours pounding the pavement, questioning people, checking, rechecking. 25:30.000 --> 25:33.000 Without a trial and a conviction, it didn't mean a thing. 25:33.000 --> 25:39.000 Three days before Christmas, we received information that the missing girl was living in a small town south of Los Angeles. 25:39.000 --> 25:41.000 Ben and I checked the address. 25:44.000 --> 25:46.000 What was the apartment number? 25:46.000 --> 25:47.000 7-A, Wyndon. 25:47.000 --> 25:48.000 Oh, yeah. 25:51.000 --> 25:52.000 Again. 25:59.000 --> 26:02.000 Yeah? Oh, you two, come in, come in. 26:03.000 --> 26:06.000 Sit down, make yourself at home. I'm sorry the place is such a mess. 26:06.000 --> 26:08.000 A little party earlier tonight. It's messed up. 26:08.000 --> 26:10.000 What about the trial? Why didn't you show? 26:10.000 --> 26:11.000 Come on, sit down. 26:11.000 --> 26:14.000 See, I'll tell you what, I'll freshen up a little, put on some makeup. 26:14.000 --> 26:15.000 What about the trial? 26:15.000 --> 26:18.000 I didn't have anything against the guy. I didn't mean to run me down. 26:18.000 --> 26:22.000 You, uh, you wouldn't happen to have a drink on you, would you? 26:22.000 --> 26:23.000 You know better than that. 26:23.000 --> 26:25.000 Why didn't you show up at the trial? 26:25.000 --> 26:27.000 I told you, I didn't have anything against the guy. 26:27.000 --> 26:28.000 What was it, a payoff? 26:28.000 --> 26:32.000 Look, why don't we go out and get something, then we can go back and have a party? 26:32.000 --> 26:33.000 How much did he give you? 26:33.000 --> 26:36.000 $50. He was awful nice. 26:36.000 --> 26:38.000 You agreed not to show in court. 26:38.000 --> 26:41.000 I didn't have anything against the guy, that's all. 26:41.000 --> 26:42.000 Better get your coat. 26:42.000 --> 26:43.000 Why? 26:43.000 --> 26:45.000 That's what the court wants to know. 26:47.000 --> 26:50.000 You're taking me in. Why? 26:50.000 --> 26:52.000 Is there any law against forgiving? 26:52.000 --> 26:54.000 Yeah, when you get paid for it. 27:02.000 --> 27:05.000 The story you have just heard was true. 27:05.000 --> 27:08.000 Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:08.000 --> 27:15.000 On February 3rd, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 88, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. 27:15.000 --> 27:17.000 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:17.000 --> 27:21.000 It's amazing how many long cigarette smokers are changing to Fatima. 27:21.000 --> 27:23.000 Here's the actual report. 27:23.000 --> 27:28.000 From coast to coast, king-sized Fatima has more than doubled its smokers. 27:28.000 --> 27:34.000 Yes, more and more smokers every day are discovering that Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. 27:34.000 --> 27:40.000 Long cigarette smokers find Fatima has a much different, much better flavor and aroma. 27:40.000 --> 27:52.000 Long cigarette smokers find that Fatima is extra mild because it's the long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos, superbly blended to make it extra mild. 27:52.000 --> 27:57.000 So enjoy extra mild Fatima. Best of all long cigarettes. 27:57.000 --> 28:00.000 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 28:00.000 --> 28:04.000 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 28:14.000 --> 28:20.000 Sheila Gordon was returned to Los Angeles and a new date was set for the trial of Ralph Angelo. 28:20.000 --> 28:23.000 Subsequently, he was tried and found guilty as charged. 28:23.000 --> 28:28.000 Angelo was also tried along with Sheila Gordon for compounding a felony. 28:28.000 --> 28:32.000 They were both convicted and received the sentence as prescribed by law. 28:32.000 --> 28:36.000 They are now serving their terms in the state penitentiary. 28:40.000 --> 28:44.000 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:44.000 --> 28:51.000 Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Chief of Police W.A. Wharton, Los Angeles Police Department. 28:51.000 --> 29:01.000 Fatima cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet from Los Angeles. 29:01.000 --> 29:21.000 The halls of Ivy is especially pleasant listening tomorrow on NBC.