WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:12.520 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:12.520 --> 00:15.400 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:15.400 --> 00:31.360 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you Dragnet. 00:31.360 --> 00:35.680 You're a detective sergeant, you're assigned to homicide detail. 00:35.680 --> 00:41.640 A woman has disappeared, taken from her home by a man posing as a police officer. 00:41.640 --> 00:47.240 Your job, find her. 00:47.240 --> 00:51.440 If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. 00:51.440 --> 00:53.360 Smoke extra mild Fatima. 00:53.360 --> 00:59.940 Yes, Fatima is the king size cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos 00:59.940 --> 01:03.240 superbly blended to make it extra mild. 01:03.240 --> 01:09.680 To give Fatima a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 01:09.680 --> 01:13.680 That's why Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. 01:13.680 --> 01:17.000 Enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. 01:17.000 --> 01:19.280 Best of all long cigarettes. 01:19.280 --> 01:22.920 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 01:22.920 --> 01:28.360 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 01:28.360 --> 01:35.480 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:35.480 --> 01:40.360 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 01:40.360 --> 01:45.120 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official 01:45.120 --> 01:46.840 police files. 01:46.840 --> 01:52.220 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 01:52.220 --> 01:57.140 in action. 01:57.140 --> 02:00.440 Was Tuesday April 4th, was warm in Los Angeles. 02:00.440 --> 02:02.760 We were working the night watch out of homicide detail. 02:02.760 --> 02:06.480 My partner is Ben Romero, the boss is Thad Brown, chief of detectives. 02:06.480 --> 02:07.480 My name is Friday. 02:07.480 --> 02:12.160 It was 10 minutes past 6 p.m. when I got to the basement of the city hall. 02:12.160 --> 02:13.160 Carpool. 02:13.160 --> 02:18.160 Over here, Joe. 02:18.160 --> 02:19.160 Hi. 02:19.160 --> 02:25.640 Thad Brown will be down in a minute. 02:25.640 --> 02:27.040 Captain will follow us out later. 02:27.040 --> 02:28.040 Okay. 02:28.040 --> 02:29.040 No contact yet? 02:29.040 --> 02:30.040 No, he's still waiting. 02:30.040 --> 02:31.040 You take care of the local broadcast. 02:31.040 --> 02:32.040 It's already gone out. 02:32.040 --> 02:34.000 I put the descriptions on the air every hour. 02:34.000 --> 02:36.000 How's it look to you now? 02:36.000 --> 02:37.000 I don't know. 02:37.000 --> 02:38.800 Nothing more we can do to make a contact. 02:38.800 --> 02:40.120 Oh, here's Thad Brown now. 02:40.120 --> 02:41.440 You want to squeeze over a little? 02:41.440 --> 02:42.440 Oh, yeah, sure. 02:42.440 --> 02:43.440 Hi, chief. 02:43.440 --> 02:44.440 Hi. 02:44.440 --> 02:45.440 Let's go. 02:45.440 --> 02:50.440 Might as well take Beverly Boulevard, huh, Ben? 02:50.440 --> 02:51.440 It's as fast as any. 02:51.440 --> 02:52.440 You got the address there Friday? 02:52.440 --> 02:53.440 Yeah, it's 617 Paris Avenue. 02:53.440 --> 02:54.440 It's out by Echo Park. 02:54.440 --> 02:55.440 Who's covering the house now? 02:55.440 --> 02:56.440 Ross and Pacelli are staked out in a private garage across the street from the house. 02:56.440 --> 02:57.440 Donahoe and Wiseman are on duty inside the Castle Park. 02:57.440 --> 03:02.440 You want a smoke? 03:02.440 --> 03:05.440 Thanks. 03:05.440 --> 03:10.440 I'd need one, would you, Joe? 03:10.440 --> 03:11.440 Yeah. 03:11.440 --> 03:14.440 You got the story from the maid at the Castle's house, is that right? 03:14.440 --> 03:15.440 Uh-huh. 03:15.440 --> 03:16.440 You check it out? 03:16.440 --> 03:17.440 I'm pretty sure she's telling it straight. 03:17.440 --> 03:18.440 If anything... 03:18.440 --> 03:21.440 If anything's wrong, I don't think she's got a hand in it. 03:21.440 --> 03:22.440 Here you are, Ben. 03:22.440 --> 03:23.440 Oh, fine. 03:23.440 --> 03:24.440 You got the call about three this afternoon? 03:24.440 --> 03:27.440 Uh-huh. 03:27.440 --> 03:31.440 A few minutes after, we went right out and talked to the maid. 03:31.440 --> 03:32.440 How'd she tell it? 03:32.440 --> 03:35.440 Well, she said she was fixing dinner about two this afternoon when the doorbell rang. 03:35.440 --> 03:39.440 She answered it, and a young man in a gray suit asked for Mrs. Kessel by name. 03:39.440 --> 03:41.440 He told the maid it was an emergency. 03:41.440 --> 03:42.440 How? 03:42.440 --> 03:45.440 Well, the maid said Mrs. Kessel came to the door, and the man identified himself as a police 03:45.440 --> 03:46.440 officer. 03:46.440 --> 03:49.440 Told Mrs. Kessel her husband had been hurt in an accident, and she was to come right away. 03:49.440 --> 03:50.440 The man show his identification? 03:50.440 --> 03:54.440 The maid said no, said Mrs. Kessel just took it for granted he was a cop. 03:54.440 --> 03:55.440 Yeah. 03:55.440 --> 03:56.440 Go ahead. 03:56.440 --> 03:58.440 Mrs. Kessel got her coat and left with the man. 03:58.440 --> 04:01.440 About an hour later, her husband, Professor Kessel, got home. 04:01.440 --> 04:02.440 He wasn't hurt. 04:02.440 --> 04:03.440 He hadn't been in an accident. 04:03.440 --> 04:04.440 He hadn't seen his wife. 04:04.440 --> 04:07.440 As soon as he heard from the maid what had happened, he got on the phone and called her. 04:07.440 --> 04:10.440 What's the background of the husband, this Professor Kessel? 04:10.440 --> 04:12.440 He's supposed to have quite a name. 04:12.440 --> 04:16.440 He's a professor of philosophy out at Simmons College at a small school out near Glendale. 04:16.440 --> 04:17.440 Oh, yeah, yeah. 04:17.440 --> 04:20.440 He's a devout man, president of one of the local synagogues. 04:20.440 --> 04:22.440 Sure about the maid's story, huh? 04:22.440 --> 04:23.440 Sure as we can be. 04:23.440 --> 04:26.440 She gave us a good description of the man who picked up Mrs. Kessel. 04:26.440 --> 04:27.440 I got it right here. 04:27.440 --> 04:28.440 Yeah. 04:28.440 --> 04:29.440 Here. 04:29.440 --> 04:35.440 A white male, American, 25 to 30 years old, 6 feet, 170 to 80 pounds, gray suit, gray 04:35.440 --> 04:36.440 head, brown shoes. 04:36.440 --> 04:38.440 How about the car he used? 04:38.440 --> 04:40.440 Late model Chevrolet, dark blue, white sidewalls. 04:40.440 --> 04:42.440 That's all the maid could tell us. 04:42.440 --> 04:43.440 She didn't know it was the last one. 04:43.440 --> 04:44.440 You better cut over on the west lake. 04:44.440 --> 04:46.440 That'll take us past the detour, won't it? 04:46.440 --> 04:47.440 Yes, Professor Kessel. 04:47.440 --> 04:48.440 See, you been told what to do? 04:48.440 --> 04:49.440 Yeah, he's been briefed. 04:49.440 --> 04:52.440 We've had a couple of men with him since this thing broke. 04:52.440 --> 04:53.440 He's taking it pretty hard. 04:53.440 --> 04:54.440 How old a man is he? 04:54.440 --> 04:55.440 Oh, he's late 30s. 04:55.440 --> 04:56.440 Wouldn't you say so, Ben? 04:56.440 --> 04:59.440 Pretty close to 40, nice, well, it's quiet. 04:59.440 --> 05:02.440 Two kids in the family, just about school age, boy and a girl. 05:02.440 --> 05:05.440 This next one ought to be Paris Avenue. 05:05.440 --> 05:06.440 Yeah. 05:06.440 --> 05:10.440 There's a big gray house down there, Skipper, a white trim. 05:10.440 --> 05:12.440 Don't park too close to the house. 05:12.440 --> 05:14.440 This ought to do it right here, don't you think? 05:14.440 --> 05:15.440 Yeah. 05:15.440 --> 05:17.440 What time you got? 05:17.440 --> 05:19.440 Man, 6.15. 05:19.440 --> 05:21.440 It's the most dark. 05:21.440 --> 05:23.440 Where's the garage our men are covering from? 05:23.440 --> 05:26.440 Can you see beyond that light pole there, the white stucco place? 05:26.440 --> 05:27.440 Oh, yeah. 05:27.440 --> 05:29.440 Next one here's a Kessel home. 05:29.440 --> 05:30.440 Doesn't look very rich. 05:30.440 --> 05:31.440 Neither do the Kessels. 05:31.440 --> 05:33.440 I don't think they got much money. 05:43.440 --> 05:44.440 Hi, Donahoe. 05:44.440 --> 05:45.440 Come in. 05:51.440 --> 05:52.440 Is that the husband? 05:52.440 --> 05:54.440 Yeah, I just got a phone call a couple of minutes ago. 05:54.440 --> 05:56.440 I listened on the extension. 05:56.440 --> 05:57.440 Who called? 05:57.440 --> 06:00.440 Tried to trace it, the guy wouldn't stay in the line long enough. 06:00.440 --> 06:01.440 What did you say? 06:01.440 --> 06:02.440 Tell the cops to stay away. 06:02.440 --> 06:05.440 Said it twice, tell the cops to stay away. 06:05.440 --> 06:07.440 Said if they don't, I'll kill her. 06:07.440 --> 06:10.440 The Kessel house had already been placed under strict surveillance, 06:10.440 --> 06:13.440 and the victim's husband instructed not to contact the abductors 06:13.440 --> 06:15.440 without knowledge of the police. 06:15.440 --> 06:18.440 To the working detective, there's only one rule to go by 06:18.440 --> 06:21.440 when the job of solving an abduction is put in his hands. 06:21.440 --> 06:24.440 Find the victim as fast as possible, get the victim to safety, 06:24.440 --> 06:26.440 then go after the criminal. 06:26.440 --> 06:28.440 It's not an easy job. 06:28.440 --> 06:31.440 The responsibility isn't light, and the outcome isn't always successful. 06:31.440 --> 06:33.440 The victim is not a suspect. 06:33.440 --> 06:37.440 If you press too hard, the abductor gets frightened and kills the victim. 06:37.440 --> 06:41.440 If you don't press hard enough, the criminal has more time to work for his payoff 06:41.440 --> 06:43.440 and then escape. 06:43.440 --> 06:45.440 Somewhere between the two was the right answer. 06:45.440 --> 06:47.440 We had to find it. 06:47.440 --> 06:48.440 6.30 p.m. 06:48.440 --> 06:51.440 Special details of men were ordered out to the bus depots, 06:51.440 --> 06:53.440 the railroad terminals, and the airports. 06:53.440 --> 06:56.440 Roadblocks were set up at all main arteries leading into and out of the city. 06:56.440 --> 07:00.440 Every branch post office in Los Angeles was covered to watch for possible suspects. 07:00.440 --> 07:03.440 Every branch post office in Los Angeles was covered to watch for possible 07:03.440 --> 07:06.440 ransom notes addressed to Professor Kessel. 07:06.440 --> 07:07.440 6.40 p.m. 07:07.440 --> 07:09.440 We met in the Kessel's living room. 07:09.440 --> 07:12.440 Gee, Wiseman, Professor Kessel will be down in a minute. 07:12.440 --> 07:13.440 He says he's sorry to keep you waiting. 07:13.440 --> 07:14.440 You feeling any better? 07:14.440 --> 07:15.440 A little. 07:15.440 --> 07:17.440 Phone call about his wife shook him up a bit. 07:17.440 --> 07:19.440 How about those people who came in a few minutes ago? 07:19.440 --> 07:20.440 Who were they? 07:20.440 --> 07:21.440 Relatives. Half a dozen of them. 07:21.440 --> 07:23.440 They're waiting back in the kitchen. 07:23.440 --> 07:24.440 How'd they know about Mrs. Kessel? 07:24.440 --> 07:26.440 They didn't. They'd been invited to dinner. 07:26.440 --> 07:29.440 They didn't know anything was wrong until they got here. 07:29.440 --> 07:30.440 He's lasting a stay for the meal. 07:30.440 --> 07:33.440 Wants to keep up appearances for the sake of his kids. 07:33.440 --> 07:35.440 Doesn't want them to worry about their mother. 07:35.440 --> 07:36.440 The dinner that important to him? 07:36.440 --> 07:40.440 Well, tonight's the start of the Pesach, the Jewish religion Passover. 07:40.440 --> 07:42.440 It's one of the big holidays. 07:42.440 --> 07:43.440 Oh, I see. 07:43.440 --> 07:45.440 They started off with this dinner tonight, is that the way? 07:45.440 --> 07:47.440 Yeah, big dinner. 07:47.440 --> 07:49.440 They call them seders. Tonight they have the first seder. 07:49.440 --> 07:50.440 Good evening. 07:50.440 --> 07:51.440 Sorry to keep you waiting. 07:51.440 --> 07:52.440 How are you? 07:52.440 --> 07:54.440 No, please, sit down. 07:54.440 --> 07:56.440 We don't like to intrude on your privacy, Professor Kessel, 07:56.440 --> 07:58.440 but I think you can see it's necessary. 07:58.440 --> 08:01.440 Oh, yes, of course. I'm very grateful. 08:01.440 --> 08:03.440 If there's anything at all I can do to help. 08:03.440 --> 08:07.440 Do you have any idea who might be responsible for abducting your wife? 08:07.440 --> 08:09.440 That's what has me so confused. 08:09.440 --> 08:10.440 How do you mean? 08:10.440 --> 08:14.440 Well, I'm sure I have people who don't like me, who don't like us, 08:14.440 --> 08:18.440 but someone who would take my wife, who says they'll kill her? 08:18.440 --> 08:20.440 No, I don't know who it could be. 08:20.440 --> 08:22.440 How about the voice on the telephone, Professor? 08:22.440 --> 08:24.440 Did you recognize it at all? 08:24.440 --> 08:27.440 No, didn't sound like anyone I knew. 08:27.440 --> 08:30.440 He talked so fast I could hardly understand the man. 08:30.440 --> 08:32.440 Do you think the person who took your wife has some other motive 08:32.440 --> 08:34.440 besides holding her for ransom? 08:34.440 --> 08:36.440 I can't understand that either. 08:36.440 --> 08:39.440 If it's money they want, why go after a teacher's wife? 08:39.440 --> 08:41.440 $1,500 in the bank, that's all I have. 08:41.440 --> 08:43.440 That and this house. 08:43.440 --> 08:45.440 How about your immediate family, Professor? 08:45.440 --> 08:49.440 Well, my wife Ruth, her people have quite a bit. 08:49.440 --> 08:51.440 I guess you would call them rich. 08:51.440 --> 08:54.440 But it's their money, not mine. 08:54.440 --> 08:59.440 I can't understand why anyone would do it. 08:59.440 --> 09:05.440 Poor Ruth, if anything happens to children. 09:05.440 --> 09:07.440 Albert? 09:07.440 --> 09:09.440 I'm sorry. 09:09.440 --> 09:11.440 It's all right, we understand. 09:11.440 --> 09:12.440 Albert? 09:12.440 --> 09:15.440 Yes, Bertha, come in, would you, please? 09:15.440 --> 09:17.440 Gentlemen, this is my sister Bertha. 09:17.440 --> 09:19.440 She's here with her husband for the sale. 09:19.440 --> 09:21.440 How are you? 09:21.440 --> 09:22.440 Albert, it's late. 09:22.440 --> 09:24.440 Sun down, it's time to start the kiddush. 09:24.440 --> 09:26.440 Oh, yes. 09:26.440 --> 09:28.440 All right, Bertha, you tell everyone to come to the table. 09:28.440 --> 09:29.440 I'll be right in. 09:29.440 --> 09:32.440 The officers will have the first sedative with them? 09:32.440 --> 09:34.440 Yes, Bertha, you please set them places. 09:34.440 --> 09:37.440 Yes, Albert. 09:37.440 --> 09:38.440 Say, we don't mean to intrude here. 09:38.440 --> 09:40.440 We can wait outside while you have your dinner. 09:40.440 --> 09:42.440 Oh, no, please. 09:42.440 --> 09:45.440 I'd be honored to have you sit at the table with us. 09:45.440 --> 09:47.440 Nowhere in the house should be without food tonight. 09:47.440 --> 09:50.440 First sedative for Passover, it's the law. 09:50.440 --> 09:52.440 How's that thing? 09:52.440 --> 09:55.440 Oh, excuse me, the Hebrew law. 09:55.440 --> 09:56.440 Would you come this way, please? 09:56.440 --> 09:59.440 Yes, Professor. 09:59.440 --> 10:02.440 He turned and led us down the hallway into the dining room. 10:02.440 --> 10:04.440 A long white cloth covered the table, 10:04.440 --> 10:06.440 and the center was a brightly polished brass candelabra 10:06.440 --> 10:09.440 holding four lighted tapers. 10:09.440 --> 10:11.440 There were a few platters of food already set out 10:11.440 --> 10:13.440 and at the head of the table where Professor Kessel 10:13.440 --> 10:15.440 stood an open prayer book. 10:15.440 --> 10:18.440 In order not to add to the alarm of his two small children 10:18.440 --> 10:20.440 at the absence of their mother, 10:20.440 --> 10:22.440 Professor Kessel introduced us as friends 10:22.440 --> 10:24.440 from Simmons College. 10:24.440 --> 10:29.440 This is Mr. Brown, Mr. Friday, Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Romero. 10:29.440 --> 10:31.440 You do, very well. 10:31.440 --> 10:34.440 Sit down, please, sit down. 10:36.440 --> 10:38.440 Yeah, it all smells good. 10:38.440 --> 10:41.440 Yeah, you got enough room there, Joe? 10:41.440 --> 10:42.440 Well, fine. 10:42.440 --> 10:44.440 Hey, how's it work, Wiseman? 10:44.440 --> 10:45.440 Should we join in the prayers? 10:45.440 --> 10:48.440 Not unless you speak Hebrew. 10:48.440 --> 11:16.440 Chanting in Hebrew 11:16.440 --> 11:20.440 Sorry, sir? 11:20.440 --> 11:21.440 Yeah, telephone call. 11:21.440 --> 11:22.440 Thanks, sir. 11:22.440 --> 11:23.440 Don't know. 11:23.440 --> 11:24.440 All right. 11:24.440 --> 11:29.440 Chanting in Hebrew 11:29.440 --> 11:31.440 Friday talking. 11:31.440 --> 11:32.440 This is Lacey, Joe. 11:32.440 --> 11:33.440 Joe's got a call from the morgue. 11:33.440 --> 11:34.440 Yeah? 11:34.440 --> 11:36.440 He brought in the body a few minutes ago. 11:36.440 --> 11:37.440 They checked the description. 11:37.440 --> 11:38.440 Yeah? 11:38.440 --> 11:40.440 They think it's Mrs. Kessel. 11:40.440 --> 11:43.440 I went back into the dining room 11:43.440 --> 11:45.440 and told Chief Brown about the call. 11:45.440 --> 11:47.440 He told Professor Kessel. 11:47.440 --> 11:49.440 He said he'd finish as quickly as possible 11:49.440 --> 11:51.440 so as not to alarm the children 11:51.440 --> 11:52.440 and then go with us to the morgue 11:52.440 --> 11:54.440 to check the identity of the body. 11:54.440 --> 11:56.440 The prayers continued along with the dinner. 11:56.440 --> 12:05.440 Chanting in Hebrew 12:05.440 --> 12:17.440 Chanting in Hebrew 12:17.440 --> 12:18.440 John? 12:18.440 --> 12:20.440 Yes, Papa? 12:20.440 --> 12:36.440 Chanting in Hebrew 12:36.440 --> 12:38.440 I'm sorry. 12:38.440 --> 12:40.440 Excuse me. 12:40.440 --> 12:41.440 Please. 12:41.440 --> 12:43.440 Excuse me. 12:43.440 --> 12:47.440 Papa? 12:47.440 --> 12:50.440 What was it, Wiseman? 12:50.440 --> 12:51.440 What was the boy saying? 12:51.440 --> 12:53.440 It's part of the ceremony during the meal. 12:53.440 --> 12:55.440 He's supposed to ask his father certain questions 12:55.440 --> 12:57.440 about the Passover, and then the father answers him. 12:57.440 --> 12:59.440 I guess it was too much for Kessel. 12:59.440 --> 13:01.440 He broke his mind. 13:01.440 --> 13:02.440 What did the boy ask him? 13:02.440 --> 13:05.440 Why is this night different from any other night? 13:13.440 --> 13:15.440 7.30 p.m. 13:15.440 --> 13:18.440 Sergeant Wiseman and Donoho stayed on duty at the house 13:18.440 --> 13:20.440 while Chief Brown, Ben, and I drove Professor Kessel 13:20.440 --> 13:22.440 to the county morgue. 13:22.440 --> 13:24.440 On the way, we called in and checked with Captain Steed 13:24.440 --> 13:25.440 of Homicide. 13:25.440 --> 13:28.440 He told us there'd been no reports on Mrs. Kessel. 13:28.440 --> 13:30.440 7.43 p.m. 13:30.440 --> 13:32.440 Ben and I took Kessel to the basement of the Hall of Justice, 13:32.440 --> 13:36.440 county morgue. 13:36.440 --> 13:38.440 This way, Professor. 13:38.440 --> 13:41.440 Oh, yes. 13:41.440 --> 13:43.440 You sure you feel up to it? 13:43.440 --> 13:45.440 Thank you. I'll be all right. 13:45.440 --> 13:47.440 Cold in here. 13:47.440 --> 13:48.440 Yes, sir. 13:48.440 --> 13:49.440 Hi, fellas. It's back here. 13:49.440 --> 13:52.440 Okay, Archie. 13:52.440 --> 13:54.440 This is Professor Kessel, Archie. 13:54.440 --> 13:55.440 How do you do? 13:55.440 --> 13:57.440 This way. 13:57.440 --> 13:58.440 Jane Doe, number five. 13:58.440 --> 14:00.440 I called over as soon as they brought it in. 14:00.440 --> 14:01.440 Yeah, thank you. 14:01.440 --> 14:03.440 Found the body near Avenue 19, the riverbed, 14:03.440 --> 14:04.440 crossing the auto camp. 14:04.440 --> 14:05.440 No identification? 14:05.440 --> 14:06.440 No. 14:06.440 --> 14:09.440 Here we are. 14:09.440 --> 14:14.440 All right. 14:14.440 --> 14:26.440 Professor. 14:26.440 --> 14:34.440 Thank God. Thank God. 14:34.440 --> 14:37.440 Professor. 14:37.440 --> 14:44.440 No, it's not my wife. 14:44.440 --> 14:46.440 It seemed as if both the victim and whoever had taken her 14:46.440 --> 14:48.440 had vanished completely. 14:48.440 --> 14:51.440 At 11.30, Captain Steed, Ben and I went across the street 14:51.440 --> 14:54.440 for a cup of coffee and a fried egg sandwich. 14:54.440 --> 14:56.440 We got back to the office at 10 minutes to midnight. 14:56.440 --> 14:58.440 Still no word. 14:58.440 --> 15:00.440 At 2 a.m., Ben and I drove back to the Kessel house 15:00.440 --> 15:03.440 to relieve Donahoe and Wiseman. 15:03.440 --> 15:05.440 We stood our watch in the living room. 15:05.440 --> 15:07.440 In the bedroom directly above, we could hear Professor Kessel 15:07.440 --> 15:10.440 pacing the floor most of the night. 15:10.440 --> 15:12.440 At 5 a.m., Captain Steed called. 15:12.440 --> 15:14.440 He told us a letter addressed to the professor 15:14.440 --> 15:17.440 had been reported at the Arcade Post Office. 15:17.440 --> 15:19.440 As soon as the outside of the envelope had been photographed 15:19.440 --> 15:21.440 and checked for prints, it would be brought out 15:21.440 --> 15:27.440 for Professor Kessel to open. 15:27.440 --> 15:28.440 Front door? 15:28.440 --> 15:33.440 Yeah, I'll get it. 15:33.440 --> 15:34.440 Chief. 15:34.440 --> 15:35.440 Morning. 15:35.440 --> 15:36.440 Hi, Lee. 15:36.440 --> 15:38.440 Hi, Joe. 15:38.440 --> 15:40.440 In here. 15:40.440 --> 15:42.440 Did you lift anything off the envelope, Lee? 15:42.440 --> 15:43.440 Nothing we can use, no. 15:43.440 --> 15:45.440 Might have more luck with the letter. 15:45.440 --> 15:46.440 Good morning. 15:46.440 --> 15:47.440 You brought the letter? 15:47.440 --> 15:49.440 It's right here, Professor Kessel. 15:49.440 --> 15:51.440 I'd like you to stand by while we open it. 15:51.440 --> 15:53.440 This is Lieutenant Jones from our crime lab. 15:53.440 --> 15:54.440 Lieutenant? 15:54.440 --> 15:55.440 You check the note for fingerprints. 15:55.440 --> 15:57.440 Oh, yes, I can get you a letter open. 15:57.440 --> 15:58.440 I think this one over here. 15:58.440 --> 15:59.440 Yeah, that's all right. 15:59.440 --> 16:02.440 I could use my pocket knife. 16:02.440 --> 16:05.440 You want to grab one corner of the paper band, 16:05.440 --> 16:06.440 just the tip of the corner. 16:06.440 --> 16:07.440 Use your fingernail. 16:07.440 --> 16:13.440 Okay. 16:13.440 --> 16:15.440 And that does it. 16:15.440 --> 16:19.440 Open it and pin down these corners here. 16:19.440 --> 16:21.440 What is it, Franny? 16:21.440 --> 16:25.440 The words are put together with small printed letters. 16:25.440 --> 16:27.440 They all seem to be the same kind of typeface. 16:27.440 --> 16:29.440 Letters were probably clipped from a book 16:29.440 --> 16:32.440 and pasted together to form these words. 16:32.440 --> 16:35.440 Who sent it? What does it say? 16:35.440 --> 16:37.440 Thanks, Lee. 16:37.440 --> 16:40.440 If you want to see your wife alive, 16:40.440 --> 16:43.440 have 30,000 small bills tonight. 16:43.440 --> 16:46.440 Tell police I kill her. 16:46.440 --> 16:48.440 Instructions follow in mail. 16:48.440 --> 16:49.440 No sign, Lieutenant. 16:49.440 --> 16:52.440 30,000? I haven't got the money. 16:52.440 --> 16:54.440 I can't get it. He'll kill her. 16:54.440 --> 16:57.440 Mr. Kessel, there's still a chance. 16:57.440 --> 16:58.440 But what can I do? 16:58.440 --> 17:01.440 I haven't got that much money. He says he'll kill her. 17:01.440 --> 17:03.440 What can we do? 17:03.440 --> 17:04.440 What we've been doing? 17:04.440 --> 17:05.440 Yes. 17:05.440 --> 17:17.440 Wait. 17:17.440 --> 17:19.440 You are listening to Dragnet, 17:19.440 --> 17:21.440 the case history of a police investigation 17:21.440 --> 17:25.440 presented in the public interest by Fatima Cigarettes. 17:25.440 --> 17:30.440 Fatima, the long cigarette that has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. 17:30.440 --> 17:33.440 And there's a very good reason for this amazing increase. 17:33.440 --> 17:35.440 Men and women everywhere are finding out 17:35.440 --> 17:39.440 it's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 17:39.440 --> 17:41.440 I agree, says Lee Silver, news reporter. 17:41.440 --> 17:44.440 I agree, says Gene Mattson, airline stewardess. 17:44.440 --> 17:46.440 I agree, says Mike Charter, attorney at law. 17:46.440 --> 17:49.440 I agree, says Bob Beckwith, fashion stylist. 17:49.440 --> 17:54.440 Yes, all agree. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 17:54.440 --> 17:57.440 So enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. 17:57.440 --> 18:00.440 The king size cigarette which contains the finest 18:00.440 --> 18:02.440 Turkish and domestic tobaccos, 18:02.440 --> 18:05.440 superbly blended to make it extra mild. 18:05.440 --> 18:10.440 You will prefer Fatima's much different, much better flavor and aroma. 18:10.440 --> 18:11.440 You will agree. 18:11.440 --> 18:14.440 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 18:14.440 --> 18:17.440 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 18:17.440 --> 18:20.440 Best of all, long cigarettes. 18:20.440 --> 18:28.440 Music 18:28.440 --> 18:30.440 Wednesday, 7 a.m. 18:30.440 --> 18:33.440 With the aid of an iodine fume gun, Lee Jones checked the extortion letter 18:33.440 --> 18:37.440 for Mrs. Kessel's abductor for fingerprints and other marks of identification. 18:37.440 --> 18:39.440 He found nothing. 18:39.440 --> 18:42.440 The piece of paper on which the cutout printed letters had been pasted 18:42.440 --> 18:46.440 was of a common variety, sold in most stationery and 5 and 10 cent stores. 18:46.440 --> 18:50.440 Jones photographed both sides of the envelope and the letter. 18:50.440 --> 18:53.440 11 a.m., still no word. 18:53.440 --> 18:56.440 None of the special details had anything to report. 18:56.440 --> 19:00.440 At 1.45 p.m. another letter was delivered to the house. 19:00.440 --> 19:04.440 The envelope was opened, the letter removed carefully and pinned down at the corners. 19:04.440 --> 19:07.440 It's put together the same as the last one. 19:07.440 --> 19:11.440 Tonight, 11 o'clock, come along your car. 19:11.440 --> 19:14.440 Tell the police I kill her. 19:14.440 --> 19:16.440 Is there more Friday? 19:16.440 --> 19:20.440 Yeah. Drive corner Lake Shore Charter Street. 19:20.440 --> 19:24.440 Wrap money brown paper, small bills. 19:24.440 --> 19:26.440 Come alone, your car. 19:26.440 --> 19:29.440 Put package by fire plug, then leave. 19:29.440 --> 19:32.440 Tell police and I kill her. No signature. 19:32.440 --> 19:35.440 I haven't got the money. 19:35.440 --> 19:38.440 Lake Shore and Charter, that shouldn't be too hard for us to catch. 19:38.440 --> 19:40.440 Sounds pretty much like an amateur. 19:40.440 --> 19:42.440 It makes it touchy. If he's green, he'll scare easy. 19:42.440 --> 19:45.440 He's scared he may kill her. Not if we reach him. 19:45.440 --> 19:48.440 How can I get the money? You won't need any. 19:48.440 --> 19:51.440 We have a dummy package made up. There'll be a single dollar bill inside. 19:51.440 --> 19:54.440 Must be newspapers cut to the size of currency. 19:54.440 --> 19:56.440 That's what you'll deliver. 19:56.440 --> 19:59.440 But when he gets the package, when he finds out it's not the money, what's he gonna think? 19:59.440 --> 20:01.440 We'll explain it to him. 20:05.440 --> 20:09.440 Starting at 10 o'clock that night, more than a dozen cars from the detective bureau 20:09.440 --> 20:13.440 circled the area around Lakeside Avenue and Charter Street, keeping a distance ranging from 20:13.440 --> 20:17.440 three quarters to a full mile away so as not to scare off the abductor. 20:17.440 --> 20:21.440 Some of the cars were parked in service stations, some in private driveways. 20:21.440 --> 20:25.440 The neighborhood was located in the heart of a new veterans housing project. 20:25.440 --> 20:29.440 For a full five blocks in either direction there were no buildings of any kind 20:29.440 --> 20:32.440 where we could keep an eye on the package of fake ransom money. 20:32.440 --> 20:36.440 The owner of one of the completed houses nearest the spot on Charter Street was contacted 20:36.440 --> 20:40.440 and he agreed to let us use his home as a lookout point for the stakeout that night. 20:40.440 --> 20:45.440 Nine p.m. Ben and I took up our positions on the roof of the lookout house. 20:45.440 --> 20:49.440 We were equipped with two pair of night binoculars and a walkie talkie. 20:51.440 --> 20:55.440 I could think of a few other places I'd rather spend the night. 20:55.440 --> 20:58.440 How well can you see that intersection from here? 20:58.440 --> 21:03.440 Hmm. Comes in fine with these binoculars. The guy shows we ought to see him. 21:03.440 --> 21:07.440 I better check with the captain again. What time you got? 21:07.440 --> 21:11.440 Nine twenty-five. Where's the skipper parked? 21:11.440 --> 21:14.440 Private driveway near Charter and Hayworth. 21:15.440 --> 21:20.440 Friday to 105K. Friday to 105K. Come in. 21:22.440 --> 21:24.440 Yeah Joe. Go ahead. 21:24.440 --> 21:28.440 Got a clear view of the intersection. Nothing yet outside of cramped legs. 21:28.440 --> 21:31.440 You reading me okay? 21:31.440 --> 21:35.440 Yeah Joe. Fine. Over. 21:35.440 --> 21:38.440 Roger. Standing by. 21:38.440 --> 21:41.440 If you're lucky my kid can't see me now. 21:41.440 --> 21:42.440 Why? 21:42.440 --> 21:47.440 He'd never understand. Why should his father be sitting on top of somebody's roof late at night? He'd never get it. 21:48.440 --> 21:51.440 We waited. Ten o'clock came. Ten thirty. 21:51.440 --> 21:55.440 At exactly eleven p.m. as we watched through our night binoculars, 21:55.440 --> 21:59.440 we saw Professor Kessel drive up to the designated location five blocks away, 21:59.440 --> 22:04.440 place the fake package of ransom money by the fire hydrant near the intersection, and then drive away. 22:04.440 --> 22:08.440 Eleven thirty. We waited. Midnight. 22:08.440 --> 22:14.440 Two a.m. Nothing happened. The package was still lying by the fire hydrant undisturbed. 22:14.440 --> 22:20.440 Captain Steed checked with us periodically on the walkie-talkie. At three thirty a.m. we were still waiting. 22:20.440 --> 22:24.440 At a few minutes past six a.m. Professor Kessel was directed to return to the intersection, 22:24.440 --> 22:27.440 pick up the package, and drive back to his home. 22:27.440 --> 22:31.440 His wife's abductor had failed to show. Maybe the suspect had sensed a trap. 22:31.440 --> 22:34.440 Maybe he had no idea of showing up in the first place. 22:34.440 --> 22:37.440 Maybe Mrs. Kessel was dead. We didn't know. 22:37.440 --> 22:41.440 Ten a.m. Thursday. No further contact from the abductor. 22:41.440 --> 22:48.440 A special detail from homicide, including Ben and I, were ordered on a door-to-door canvas of the general area around Lakeside Avenue and Charter Street. 22:48.440 --> 22:53.440 After seven hours of ringing doorbells and asking questions, we came across a Mr. Harold Olander, 22:53.440 --> 22:56.440 one of the longtime residents of the Silver Lake area. 22:56.440 --> 22:59.440 We showed him the general description of Mrs. Kessel's abductor. 22:59.440 --> 23:03.440 Yeah, that could be Thompson. I don't know for sure, though. 23:03.440 --> 23:05.440 Where did you see this Thompson, Mr. Olander? 23:05.440 --> 23:11.440 Oh, I saw him lots of times. He wrenched that cottage of mine down the street there. You see, the white one? 23:11.440 --> 23:13.440 Mm-hmm. Does this Thompson have a car? 23:13.440 --> 23:15.440 Thompson? Yeah, yeah. New one. 23:15.440 --> 23:17.440 I wonder if you could describe it. 23:17.440 --> 23:20.440 Chevrolet. Nice-looking. Blue color, I think. 23:20.440 --> 23:23.440 Could be, yeah. Is Thompson in the house now, Mr. Olander? 23:23.440 --> 23:26.440 Nope. Saw him drive away early this morning. 23:26.440 --> 23:30.440 I can show you the house if it's official police business. 23:30.440 --> 23:31.440 It is. 23:31.440 --> 23:33.440 Come on, then. I got the key right here. 23:33.440 --> 23:38.440 The cottage is just down the block there. See the one I mean? The white one? 23:38.440 --> 23:39.440 Yes, sir. 23:39.440 --> 23:41.440 How long has Thompson been in the house? 23:41.440 --> 23:42.440 Two weeks tomorrow. 23:42.440 --> 23:44.440 You noticed anything unusual about him? 23:44.440 --> 23:48.440 Mm-hmm. Nothing special. Comes and goes at odd hours. 23:48.440 --> 23:54.440 But then a lot of people do. I don't cry. It's this house right here. 23:54.440 --> 23:57.440 Does he usually keep all the blinds drawn? 23:57.440 --> 24:01.440 Yeah, now that you mention it. A lot of people do, I guess. 24:07.440 --> 24:09.440 Want to check back in the kitchen, baby? 24:09.440 --> 24:10.440 Yeah, all right. 24:13.440 --> 24:15.440 Look at the living room, Sergeant. 24:15.440 --> 24:16.440 Yeah. 24:16.440 --> 24:19.440 Looks like a furniture. That's funny. 24:19.440 --> 24:22.440 You sure you didn't see anybody else in this house besides Thompson? 24:22.440 --> 24:24.440 No, no. He's the only one. 24:24.440 --> 24:25.440 Looks like it, Joe. 24:25.440 --> 24:28.440 Found this woman's purse stuffed in one of the kitchen cabinets. 24:28.440 --> 24:30.440 This sales slip was in the purse. 24:30.440 --> 24:31.440 I see. 24:31.440 --> 24:34.440 This is Albert Kessel. Is there a phone here, Mr. Olander? 24:34.440 --> 24:36.440 Out in the hall. 24:36.440 --> 24:37.440 All right. 24:41.440 --> 24:42.440 Is it still connected? 24:42.440 --> 24:43.440 Yeah. 24:43.440 --> 24:46.440 Joe, I'll check back in the bedrooms while you're phoning. 24:46.440 --> 24:47.440 Right, Ben. 24:47.440 --> 24:49.440 No, you better stay with me, Mr. Olander, if you will. 24:49.440 --> 24:50.440 All right. 24:54.440 --> 24:55.440 City Hall. 24:55.440 --> 24:56.440 Homicide. 24:56.440 --> 24:57.440 Homicide? 24:57.440 --> 25:00.440 You any idea where this Thompson is now, Mr. Olander? 25:00.440 --> 25:04.440 No, he comes and goes. I don't like to pry. 25:05.440 --> 25:06.440 Homicide, Steve. 25:06.440 --> 25:08.440 This Friday, Skipper, we got one for you. 25:08.440 --> 25:10.440 I've got one for you. 25:10.440 --> 25:13.440 Mrs. Kessel, she's been found. 25:15.440 --> 25:17.440 Mrs. Kessel was unharmed. 25:17.440 --> 25:20.440 She had no idea where she had been or why she had been suddenly released. 25:20.440 --> 25:22.440 All additional information which she could furnish on the suspect 25:22.440 --> 25:25.440 was immediately relayed to the entire state in an APB. 25:25.440 --> 25:28.440 Two hours later, at a neighborhood garage Thompson patronized, 25:28.440 --> 25:30.440 we got his license number. 25:30.440 --> 25:32.440 We ran it through DMV and found the car was registered 25:32.440 --> 25:40.440 in the name of Charles Cottrell, 10115 Green Oak Drive, 7 p.m. 25:47.440 --> 25:48.440 Yes? 25:48.440 --> 25:51.440 Police officers, is Charles Cottrell here? 25:51.440 --> 25:54.440 Yes. Come in, please. 25:57.440 --> 25:59.440 I knew you'd find him. 25:59.440 --> 26:02.440 I kept hoping that I knew you'd find him. 26:02.440 --> 26:03.440 Where is he, ma'am? 26:03.440 --> 26:07.440 He'll give himself up. I'm his wife. 26:07.440 --> 26:11.440 I talked to him. There won't be any trouble. No trouble. 26:11.440 --> 26:12.440 Where is he? 26:12.440 --> 26:15.440 You've got to understand, he didn't know what he was doing. 26:15.440 --> 26:17.440 We needed money. He didn't know what he was doing. 26:17.440 --> 26:19.440 We'll have to search the house, ma'am. 26:19.440 --> 26:29.440 Charlie! Charlie, come downstairs! Come down! 26:33.440 --> 26:35.440 Get your hands behind your head. 26:35.440 --> 26:36.440 I don't have a gun. 26:36.440 --> 26:39.440 Charlie. Charlie. 26:39.440 --> 26:41.440 All right, Ben. Behind your back. 26:41.440 --> 26:45.440 Tell him, Charlie, you didn't know what you were doing. Tell him. 26:45.440 --> 26:48.440 We needed the money. I thought it'd work. 26:48.440 --> 26:50.440 What'd I do wrong? Come on. 26:50.440 --> 26:52.440 Should have worked. I planned it all out. 26:52.440 --> 26:54.440 Where'd I make a mistake? 26:54.440 --> 26:56.440 When you thought of it. 27:02.440 --> 27:05.440 The story you've just heard was true. 27:05.440 --> 27:08.440 Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:08.440 --> 27:12.440 On August 2nd, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 86, 27:12.440 --> 27:14.440 City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. 27:14.440 --> 27:16.440 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:16.440 --> 27:21.440 It's amazing how many long cigarette smokers are changing to extra mild Fatima. 27:21.440 --> 27:23.440 Here is the actual report. 27:23.440 --> 27:28.440 From coast to coast, extra mild Fatima has more than doubled its smokers. 27:28.440 --> 27:36.440 Yes, more and more smokers every day are discovering that Fatima is the king-size cigarette that is extra mild. 27:36.440 --> 27:43.440 Extra mild because it contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos superbly blended to make it extra mild, 27:43.440 --> 27:47.440 to give it a much different, much better flavor and aroma. 27:47.440 --> 27:52.440 Enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. Best of all long cigarettes. 27:52.440 --> 27:55.440 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 27:55.440 --> 27:59.440 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 27:59.440 --> 28:14.440 Charles Cottrell was tried and convicted of kidnapping and received the sentence as prescribed by law. 28:14.440 --> 28:17.440 He is now serving his term in the State Penitentiary. 28:21.440 --> 28:26.440 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:26.440 --> 28:33.440 Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.A. Wharton, Los Angeles Police Department. 28:37.440 --> 28:43.440 Fatima cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet, transcribed from Los Angeles. 28:43.440 --> 28:52.440 Next, here's Sarah Burner and Sarah's private caper on NBC.