WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:10.880 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:10.880 --> 00:13.960 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:13.960 --> 00:15.520 Fatima cigarettes. 00:15.520 --> 00:27.680 Best of all, long cigarettes brings you dragnet. 00:27.680 --> 00:29.280 You're a detective sergeant. 00:29.280 --> 00:31.880 You're assigned a homicide detail. 00:31.880 --> 00:36.040 You go to an apartment house and answer to a shooting and dead body call. 00:36.040 --> 00:38.320 Her husband tells you it's suicide. 00:38.320 --> 00:40.640 The facts show it to be murder. 00:40.640 --> 00:42.160 Your job? 00:42.160 --> 00:46.920 Find out. 00:46.920 --> 00:51.160 You'll be amazed when you compare Fatima with other long cigarettes. 00:51.160 --> 00:53.840 You'll find they now cost the same. 00:53.840 --> 00:57.280 But in Fatima, the difference is quality. 00:57.280 --> 01:03.160 You see, Fatima is the quality king size cigarette because it contains the finest domestic and 01:03.160 --> 01:06.160 Turkish tobaccos superbly blended. 01:06.160 --> 01:11.840 And Fatima is extra mild with a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other 01:11.840 --> 01:13.220 long cigarette. 01:13.220 --> 01:15.960 So compare Fatima yourself. 01:15.960 --> 01:19.440 Fatima's now cost the same as other long cigarettes. 01:19.440 --> 01:21.760 But your first pop will tell you. 01:21.760 --> 01:23.880 Ah, that's different. 01:23.880 --> 01:28.320 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 01:28.320 --> 01:33.160 Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king size cigarette. 01:33.160 --> 01:35.780 Best of all, long cigarettes. 01:35.780 --> 01:40.440 Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. 01:40.440 --> 01:47.760 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:47.760 --> 01:52.080 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 01:52.080 --> 01:56.520 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official 01:56.520 --> 01:58.040 police files. 01:58.040 --> 02:03.100 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 02:03.100 --> 02:06.040 in action. 02:06.040 --> 02:10.760 It was Sunday, March 9th. 02:10.760 --> 02:12.280 It was windy in Los Angeles. 02:12.280 --> 02:15.400 We were working the day watch out of homicide detail. 02:15.400 --> 02:18.540 My partner's Ben Romero, the boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. 02:18.540 --> 02:19.540 My name's Friday. 02:19.540 --> 02:25.240 It was 4.35 p.m. when we got to the first floor of the Kelsey Apartment Hotel, Apartment 02:25.240 --> 02:26.240 112. 02:26.240 --> 02:27.240 Hi, Joe, Ben. 02:27.240 --> 02:28.240 Hi, Harry. 02:28.240 --> 02:29.240 How are you? 02:29.240 --> 02:30.240 What have you got here? 02:30.240 --> 02:33.600 A woman's dead, shot to the right tempo with a.45 automatic. 02:33.600 --> 02:35.160 Husband claims a suicide. 02:35.160 --> 02:36.160 What's the name? 02:36.160 --> 02:37.160 Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Robertson. 02:37.160 --> 02:39.440 Wife's name was Marie. 02:39.440 --> 02:40.760 That's Mr. Robertson right over here. 02:40.760 --> 02:42.000 Has the crime lab been called? 02:42.000 --> 02:44.000 About 10 minutes ago. 02:44.000 --> 02:47.760 Mr. Robertson, this is Sergeant Romero, Sergeant Friday. 02:47.760 --> 02:48.760 How do you do? 02:48.760 --> 02:49.760 Have you questioned Mr. Robertson? 02:49.760 --> 02:50.760 No, not yet. 02:50.760 --> 02:53.720 Mr. Robertson, do you want to tell us what happened here? 02:53.720 --> 02:56.640 I'd just gotten back from the corner grocery store. 02:56.640 --> 02:59.120 My wife and I had a little argument going. 02:59.120 --> 03:02.880 It started before I left for this door and it was still on when I got back. 03:02.880 --> 03:03.880 I see. 03:03.880 --> 03:07.720 She was fixing chicken fried steaks for dinner, putting a flower on them. 03:07.720 --> 03:13.160 We had a few more words and I went over and sat on the Davenport right where I am now. 03:13.160 --> 03:15.960 She was standing there on the doorway to the kitchen. 03:15.960 --> 03:20.480 She said something that set me off and I guess I got pretty mad and said a few things. 03:20.480 --> 03:23.900 Then she went back over to that little night stand there by the door to the kitchen. 03:23.900 --> 03:24.900 That one right there? 03:24.900 --> 03:25.900 Yeah, that's it. 03:25.900 --> 03:28.860 That's where I keep my army automatic. 03:28.860 --> 03:31.320 She pulled it out of the drawer and backed up into the kitchen. 03:31.320 --> 03:35.760 She put the gun to her head and said, this will put an end to the argument once and for 03:35.760 --> 03:36.760 all. 03:36.760 --> 03:40.120 I yelled at her and tried to stop her but I was too late. 03:40.120 --> 03:42.360 She pulled the trigger and fell right there where she is. 03:42.360 --> 03:44.040 What did you do then? 03:44.040 --> 03:46.160 I went upstairs to Ted Carlton's place. 03:46.160 --> 03:48.360 He lives in 212 right above us. 03:48.360 --> 03:50.280 We don't have a phone here. 03:50.280 --> 03:52.840 I asked him to call the police and send for an ambulance. 03:52.840 --> 03:55.320 Did you go over to see how badly your wife was shot? 03:55.320 --> 03:57.800 Yeah, I forgot to tell you. 03:57.800 --> 04:00.600 The minute she fired, I rushed right over to her but I was too late. 04:00.600 --> 04:01.600 She was dead. 04:01.600 --> 04:04.080 Now, did you touch anything in here, move anything at all? 04:04.080 --> 04:05.960 No, sir, not a thing. 04:05.960 --> 04:09.320 I've been sitting here ever since I got back down from Ted's room upstairs. 04:09.320 --> 04:10.320 I see. 04:10.320 --> 04:11.320 Yeah. 04:11.320 --> 04:12.320 Yeah. 04:12.320 --> 04:15.960 Empty cartridge casing here on the floor. 04:15.960 --> 04:16.960 Yeah. 04:16.960 --> 04:19.200 When Jones gets here, we'll measure the distance, huh? 04:19.200 --> 04:22.200 Just a minute. 04:22.200 --> 04:26.400 We can put this saucer over till the crime lab gets here. 04:26.400 --> 04:27.400 Right. 04:27.400 --> 04:28.400 Oh, highly. 04:28.400 --> 04:29.400 All right. 04:29.400 --> 04:30.400 Crime lab's here Friday. 04:30.400 --> 04:31.400 We need Jones. 04:31.400 --> 04:32.400 Oh, highly. 04:32.400 --> 04:33.400 Oh, Joe, Ben. 04:33.400 --> 04:34.400 Highly. 04:34.400 --> 04:36.400 Freeman, would you mind taking Mr. Robertson downtown? 04:36.400 --> 04:37.880 We'll be right down as soon as we finish up here. 04:37.880 --> 04:38.880 Right, Joe. 04:38.880 --> 04:39.880 See you later. 04:39.880 --> 04:40.880 Thanks a lot, Harry. 04:40.880 --> 04:45.480 What have we got here? 04:45.480 --> 04:46.480 Chopped through the right temple. 04:46.480 --> 04:47.480 Husband claimed suicide. 04:47.480 --> 04:48.480 Mm-hmm. 04:48.480 --> 04:51.360 What's under the saucer? 04:51.360 --> 04:55.920 Empty casing. 04:55.920 --> 04:57.640 Looks like she was flowering meat, huh? 04:57.640 --> 05:00.560 That's what the husband says, yeah. 05:00.560 --> 05:03.480 It's probably what that is in the barrel of the automatic there. 05:03.480 --> 05:07.400 Yeah, we noticed that. 05:07.400 --> 05:09.600 Wastebasket sure full, isn't it? 05:09.600 --> 05:10.600 Yeah. 05:10.600 --> 05:11.600 Right temple, huh? 05:11.600 --> 05:12.600 45 automatic. 05:12.600 --> 05:13.600 Yeah. 05:13.600 --> 05:21.280 If she shot herself in the kitchen, how do you figure the empty casing got out there in 05:21.280 --> 05:22.280 the living room? 05:22.280 --> 05:24.000 The position of the body doesn't warrant that. 05:24.000 --> 05:26.000 That'll be Ed McGill, the photographer. 05:26.000 --> 05:27.000 Coming. 05:27.000 --> 05:28.000 Friday. 05:28.000 --> 05:29.000 Now? 05:29.000 --> 05:30.000 Oh, then? 05:30.000 --> 05:31.000 All right, Ed. 05:31.000 --> 05:34.000 Well, what do you want to shoot? 05:34.000 --> 05:37.800 Why don't you get an overall of the room first and grab one in the kitchen there. 05:37.800 --> 05:38.800 All right. 05:38.800 --> 05:48.800 Wait till I get that saucer off the casing, Ed. 05:48.800 --> 05:50.800 Mm-hmm. 05:50.800 --> 05:52.800 Okay. 05:52.800 --> 05:54.800 All right. 05:54.800 --> 06:01.800 Mary, you want to move over there a little? 06:01.800 --> 06:04.800 Oh, yeah. 06:04.800 --> 06:06.800 Thanks. 06:06.800 --> 06:08.800 You want the kitchen. 06:08.800 --> 06:09.800 Right from where you are now is good. 06:09.800 --> 06:12.800 We can get out of your way here. 06:12.800 --> 06:16.800 Okay, this is fine. 06:16.800 --> 06:24.800 Now right over the body. 06:24.800 --> 06:26.800 Better get that chair to stand on. 06:26.800 --> 06:27.800 Oh, yeah. 06:27.800 --> 06:28.800 Here you are. 06:28.800 --> 06:38.800 Not much room to work in here. 06:38.800 --> 06:41.800 Can you get it all in there? 06:41.800 --> 06:44.800 Yeah, I think so. 06:44.800 --> 06:48.800 Use the wastebasket as your outside line here and kitchen sink on the other side. 06:48.800 --> 06:49.800 Can't get the sink in. 06:49.800 --> 06:51.800 Will you settle for the wastebasket only? 06:51.800 --> 06:52.800 Fine. 06:52.800 --> 06:59.800 Use that as your right-hand sideline, huh? 06:59.800 --> 07:02.800 Okay. 07:02.800 --> 07:04.800 So while you fellas finish up in here, we're going to run upstairs on the other way. 07:04.800 --> 07:05.800 Okay, John. 07:05.800 --> 07:10.800 Come on, Ben. 07:10.800 --> 07:12.800 Where do you want to go first, 212? 07:12.800 --> 07:15.800 Well, that's this Ted Carlton Robertson mentioned in it. 07:15.800 --> 07:17.800 Yeah, the fellas are supposed to have called in for him. 07:17.800 --> 07:18.800 All right, yeah. 07:18.800 --> 07:23.800 Here it is right at the head of the stairs. 07:23.800 --> 07:24.800 Yes? 07:24.800 --> 07:25.800 Police officers. 07:25.800 --> 07:26.800 You're Mr. Carlton? 07:26.800 --> 07:27.800 Yes, that's right. 07:27.800 --> 07:28.800 Come in. 07:28.800 --> 07:29.800 Thank you very much. 07:29.800 --> 07:31.800 This is an awful thing, isn't it? 07:31.800 --> 07:32.800 Yes, sir. 07:32.800 --> 07:34.800 We understand that you're a friend of the Robertsons. 07:34.800 --> 07:35.800 Yes, I am. 07:35.800 --> 07:36.800 Have you found out anything yet? 07:36.800 --> 07:37.800 You think Andy killed her? 07:37.800 --> 07:38.800 We don't know. 07:38.800 --> 07:39.800 We haven't completed our investigation. 07:39.800 --> 07:40.800 Oh, I see. 07:40.800 --> 07:42.800 I'll bet that's the way it was. 07:42.800 --> 07:45.800 I hate to say that, but from all indications, it certainly looks that way. 07:45.800 --> 07:46.800 How do you mean? 07:46.800 --> 07:49.800 The argument, the shouting, and then that single shot. 07:49.800 --> 07:51.800 I don't know, but it sure struck me that Andy did it. 07:51.800 --> 07:53.800 When did the argument start? 07:53.800 --> 07:54.800 Was it prolonged, you know? 07:54.800 --> 07:55.800 What do you mean? 07:55.800 --> 07:56.800 When did it start? 07:56.800 --> 07:57.800 What time, you know? 07:57.800 --> 08:00.800 This one today started about 3.30 when Andy got back from the store, 08:00.800 --> 08:02.800 but they've been arguing ever since I've known them. 08:02.800 --> 08:03.800 And how long have you known them? 08:03.800 --> 08:04.800 About two years. 08:04.800 --> 08:07.800 Those two never should have gotten married to begin with if I'm any judge. 08:07.800 --> 08:08.800 Are you married? 08:08.800 --> 08:10.800 No, sir, I'm not. 08:10.800 --> 08:13.800 I wonder if you could tell us, did Mrs. Robertson ever say anything 08:13.800 --> 08:16.800 that would lead you to believe that she was in fear of her life? 08:16.800 --> 08:17.800 Well, yes, she did. 08:17.800 --> 08:20.800 One time, Andy stalked out of the apartment down there, 08:20.800 --> 08:22.800 and Marie came up here to see me. 08:22.800 --> 08:26.800 She was in tears, all broken up about it as usual during these spats. 08:26.800 --> 08:27.800 Oh, I see. 08:27.800 --> 08:30.800 She said, I'll try to remember exactly how she put it. 08:30.800 --> 08:33.800 She said, Andy gets so mad sometimes, I think he's going to kill me. 08:33.800 --> 08:35.800 What did they usually argue about, you know? 08:35.800 --> 08:37.800 Oh, different things. 08:37.800 --> 08:39.800 This particular time that I was telling you about, 08:39.800 --> 08:41.800 I think it was over as being late for dinner. 08:41.800 --> 08:42.800 I see. 08:42.800 --> 08:45.800 Now, aside from this one instance, is there anything else that you can tell us? 08:45.800 --> 08:49.800 Well, Andy has a terrible temper, that I know. 08:49.800 --> 08:51.800 We used to go out and bowl once in a while, 08:51.800 --> 08:53.800 Marie, Andy and myself, we had to stop. 08:53.800 --> 08:55.800 Every time he'd miss a spare, you'd think it was the end of the world. 08:55.800 --> 08:57.800 Would he usually seem to take it out on his wife? 08:57.800 --> 08:59.800 Most of the time, yeah. 08:59.800 --> 09:02.800 Although I must say, I caught it a few times myself. 09:02.800 --> 09:03.800 Abusive language. 09:03.800 --> 09:06.800 She really carried on over nothing at all. 09:06.800 --> 09:08.800 Did Robertson leave his wife home alone much of the time? 09:08.800 --> 09:10.800 No, not any more than usual. 09:10.800 --> 09:13.800 It seems like he always wanted to get home just so they could argue. 09:13.800 --> 09:16.800 Everybody in the apartment house knows about him. 09:16.800 --> 09:19.800 You said that Mrs. Robertson came up here after that one particular argument, 09:19.800 --> 09:20.800 haven't you? 09:20.800 --> 09:21.800 Yes, sir, that's right. 09:21.800 --> 09:22.800 Well, does she come up here often? 09:22.800 --> 09:25.800 No, not very often, just when she was unusually upset 09:25.800 --> 09:27.800 and her nerves were on edge. 09:27.800 --> 09:29.800 But only then when Andy had a rush out of my head. 09:29.800 --> 09:31.800 Well, do you know whether or not Robertson owns a gun? 09:31.800 --> 09:32.800 Yes, I believe he does. 09:32.800 --> 09:34.800 As a matter of fact, I know he does. 09:34.800 --> 09:36.800 One night we were having trouble with Prowler's, 09:36.800 --> 09:37.800 and he came up here with his automatic. 09:37.800 --> 09:38.800 I see. 09:38.800 --> 09:41.800 And later on, I think I asked him where he got the gun, he said, from the Army. 09:41.800 --> 09:44.800 Is there anything else you can add, Mr. Cardin? 09:44.800 --> 09:46.800 I was the one who called the police into that. 09:46.800 --> 09:47.800 That's what we understand. 09:47.800 --> 09:48.800 Didn't Andy tell you? 09:48.800 --> 09:51.800 He came up here right after the shot and asked me to call the police for him. 09:51.800 --> 09:52.800 They don't have a phone. 09:52.800 --> 09:53.800 Well, exactly how did he tell you? 09:53.800 --> 09:54.800 What do you mean? 09:54.800 --> 09:55.800 Well, what were his exact words? 09:55.800 --> 09:56.800 Can you remember them? 09:56.800 --> 09:58.800 Well, he said, my wife's shot. 09:58.800 --> 10:00.800 Call the police and get an ambulance quick. 10:00.800 --> 10:02.800 And what was your reaction to this? 10:02.800 --> 10:04.800 I'd heard the shot, so I wasn't too surprised. 10:04.800 --> 10:07.800 But when Andy came running up here, I knew before he said a word, 10:07.800 --> 10:08.800 you could tell just to look at him. 10:08.800 --> 10:09.800 You could tell what? 10:09.800 --> 10:10.800 That something was wrong. 10:10.800 --> 10:13.800 I had a hunch all along that this might happen someday. 10:13.800 --> 10:14.800 What's that? 10:14.800 --> 10:15.800 That Andy would kill his wife. 10:15.800 --> 10:23.800 Ben and I continued questioning the various neighbors in the apartment building. 10:23.800 --> 10:25.800 Their stories all matched in every detail. 10:25.800 --> 10:29.800 The Robertsons had been known to argue, quite frequently and quite loud. 10:29.800 --> 10:33.800 None of the neighbors could definitely say that they had ever heard Andrew Robertson threaten his wife. 10:33.800 --> 10:34.800 All of them volunteered. 10:34.800 --> 10:36.800 It would be entirely possible. 10:36.800 --> 10:38.800 We put in a call to R&I. 10:38.800 --> 10:42.800 We found that there was no previous record on Andrew Robertson nor his wife, Marie. 10:42.800 --> 10:45.800 Before Lee Jones had finished his investigation, 10:45.800 --> 10:47.800 latent fingerprint men had arrived, 10:47.800 --> 10:50.800 and the men from the coroner's office were standing by for removal of the body. 10:50.800 --> 10:54.800 We canvassed the neighborhood and checked with the various merchants in the area. 10:54.800 --> 10:57.800 They could shed no further light on the death of Marie Robertson. 10:57.800 --> 11:00.800 The coroner removed the body from apartment 112, 11:00.800 --> 11:03.800 and Lee Jones continued with his investigation. 11:03.800 --> 11:07.800 Ben and I returned downtown for further interrogation of the suspect. 11:07.800 --> 11:09.800 Everything I've told you is the truth. 11:09.800 --> 11:11.800 Would you mind going over it just once more? 11:11.800 --> 11:13.800 All right. 11:13.800 --> 11:17.800 We had our quarrels and arguments, and I guess some of them were pretty bad, 11:17.800 --> 11:20.800 but I'd never do a thing like this to Marie. 11:20.800 --> 11:23.800 Well, you don't seem very upset about all this, Robertson. 11:23.800 --> 11:25.800 I'm not crying, if that's what you mean. 11:25.800 --> 11:27.800 I'm sorry she had to do it. 11:27.800 --> 11:29.800 I tried to stop her, but there was nothing I could do. 11:29.800 --> 11:33.800 You seem to be taking all this pretty well under the circumstances. 11:33.800 --> 11:36.800 I don't know if I can explain how I feel about it. 11:36.800 --> 11:40.800 You see, Marie and I weren't too happy the past couple of years. 11:40.800 --> 11:42.800 We've been married eight years, 11:42.800 --> 11:44.800 and I guess from the start we never could hit it off. 11:44.800 --> 11:46.800 Did you used to argue quite a bit? 11:46.800 --> 11:48.800 No, not at first we didn't. 11:48.800 --> 11:52.800 Just seemed that we've drifted apart the last couple of years. 11:52.800 --> 11:54.800 We seemed to fight all the time over nothing at all. 11:54.800 --> 11:57.800 I honestly believe we fell out of love. 11:57.800 --> 12:01.800 Would you mind telling us again exactly what happened this afternoon? 12:01.800 --> 12:03.800 First of all, I got up. 12:03.800 --> 12:06.800 I always liked to sleep on Sundays. 12:06.800 --> 12:08.800 She asked me to go to the store. 12:08.800 --> 12:10.800 That started the argument. 12:10.800 --> 12:12.800 She knows I don't like to go shopping, 12:12.800 --> 12:14.800 but it seemed like she was always forgetting something, 12:14.800 --> 12:16.800 and I'd have to go. 12:16.800 --> 12:18.800 When I got back from the store, 12:18.800 --> 12:21.800 she was making chicken fried steaks for dinner. 12:21.800 --> 12:23.800 She was putting flour on the meat. 12:23.800 --> 12:25.800 We argued back and forth for a minute, 12:25.800 --> 12:27.800 and then she stepped into the living room. 12:27.800 --> 12:30.800 I went over and sat on the Davenport. 12:30.800 --> 12:31.800 Where were you going? 12:31.800 --> 12:32.800 We had a few more words, 12:32.800 --> 12:35.800 and she went over to the small nightstand by the kitchen door 12:35.800 --> 12:38.800 and took out my army automatic that I kept in there. 12:38.800 --> 12:41.800 She backed up into the kitchen and pointed the gun at her head. 12:41.800 --> 12:42.800 Here. 12:42.800 --> 12:45.800 She said this will end the argument once and for all. 12:45.800 --> 12:48.800 As I said, I was on the Davenport about 12 feet away from her. 12:48.800 --> 12:49.800 I yelled at her. 12:49.800 --> 12:50.800 What did you say? 12:50.800 --> 12:54.800 I said, Marie, put that gun down. It's loaded. 12:54.800 --> 12:56.800 Before I could reach her, she pulled the trigger. 12:56.800 --> 12:57.800 Then what'd you do? 12:57.800 --> 13:00.800 I rushed over to her, but it was too late. She was dead. 13:00.800 --> 13:01.800 What happened then? 13:01.800 --> 13:03.800 We don't have a phone, 13:03.800 --> 13:06.800 so I rushed upstairs to the apartment right over us, Ted Carlton's. 13:06.800 --> 13:09.800 I asked him to phone for the police and the ambulance. 13:09.800 --> 13:11.800 Did you tell Carlton about your wife? 13:11.800 --> 13:12.800 Yes, I did. 13:12.800 --> 13:14.800 I told him she'd been shot. 13:14.800 --> 13:15.800 Then where'd you go? 13:15.800 --> 13:17.800 So, just like I told you, out of the apartment, 13:17.800 --> 13:20.800 I went back downstairs and waited in the living room 13:20.800 --> 13:21.800 for you people to get there. 13:21.800 --> 13:23.800 Did you go near your wife's body? 13:23.800 --> 13:25.800 No, I did not. 13:25.800 --> 13:27.800 Did you always keep that gun loaded? 13:27.800 --> 13:29.800 Yes, I did. 13:29.800 --> 13:31.800 I always kept it loaded and actuated. 13:31.800 --> 13:34.800 The shell in the chamber, but I kept the safety lock on. 13:34.800 --> 13:36.800 Marie knew how to operate the gun 13:36.800 --> 13:39.800 because I showed her before when I was out late. 13:39.800 --> 13:42.800 She wasn't strong enough to actuate it, but she could work the safety. 13:42.800 --> 13:45.800 Did your wife ever try to commit suicide before? 13:45.800 --> 13:47.800 Not to my knowledge. 13:47.800 --> 13:50.800 Mr. Robertson, are you sure that everything you've told us is the truth? 13:50.800 --> 13:53.800 It's the absolute truth, every word of it. 13:53.800 --> 13:55.800 Well, sir, here's the way it looks to us. 13:55.800 --> 13:57.800 We think you killed your wife. 13:57.800 --> 13:58.800 I didn't. 13:58.800 --> 14:00.800 Let us lay out a few things for you. 14:00.800 --> 14:03.800 We talked to your friends and neighbors in the apartment house. 14:03.800 --> 14:07.800 We have people who will testify to the fact that your wife was afraid that you might kill her. 14:07.800 --> 14:08.800 She told one man that. 14:08.800 --> 14:10.800 It isn't true. 14:10.800 --> 14:13.800 I don't know what she may have told somebody, but I didn't kill her. 14:13.800 --> 14:15.800 It's a known fact throughout the entire apartment building 14:15.800 --> 14:17.800 that you and your wife had violent quarrels. 14:17.800 --> 14:20.800 The kind of argument from all reports that could easily lead to something like this. 14:20.800 --> 14:23.800 I told you we argued, but I didn't kill Marie. 14:23.800 --> 14:25.800 I couldn't do a thing like that. 14:25.800 --> 14:29.800 Mr. Robertson, we've made a preliminary investigation of your apartment. 14:29.800 --> 14:31.800 You say your wife killed herself. 14:31.800 --> 14:33.800 Let me show you some of the flaws in your story here. 14:33.800 --> 14:36.800 All I can say is what I've told you is the truth. I didn't kill her. 14:36.800 --> 14:39.800 Well, you told us that your wife went to the nightstand and got the gun. 14:39.800 --> 14:41.800 That's right. 14:41.800 --> 14:42.800 How did she pick up the automatic? 14:42.800 --> 14:43.800 How do you mean? 14:43.800 --> 14:45.800 Well, how did she take it from the drawer? 14:45.800 --> 14:48.800 Like anyone who'd picked up a gun? By the butt? 14:48.800 --> 14:51.800 She picked it up like anybody would who was going to use it. 14:51.800 --> 14:53.800 You're sure about that? 14:53.800 --> 14:54.800 Positive. 14:54.800 --> 14:56.800 She didn't touch anything but the butt? 14:56.800 --> 14:58.800 Well, she had part of her hand on the trigger. 14:58.800 --> 15:01.800 Well, we know that, but she didn't touch any other part of the weapon. 15:01.800 --> 15:03.800 She did not. She didn't have time. 15:03.800 --> 15:06.800 Well, then how do you account for the fact that we found traces of flour on the barrel of the gun? 15:06.800 --> 15:08.800 Oh, sure. She was flouring meat. 15:08.800 --> 15:10.800 Well, how did the flour get on the barrel? 15:10.800 --> 15:11.800 I don't know. 15:11.800 --> 15:14.800 Well, isn't it true that when you approached her with the automatic pointed at her, 15:14.800 --> 15:17.800 she tried to ward off the shot with her hand? 15:17.800 --> 15:19.800 Isn't that how the flour got on that barrel? 15:19.800 --> 15:20.800 That isn't true. 15:20.800 --> 15:23.800 Now, you said your wife was putting flour on some steaks. 15:23.800 --> 15:24.800 That's right. 15:24.800 --> 15:28.800 How do you account for the fact that we didn't find any flour on the butt of the gun where it belonged? 15:28.800 --> 15:32.800 Or on the drawer of the nightstand where you say she first picked up the automatic? 15:32.800 --> 15:35.800 Well, I can't answer that. I don't know what all this means. 15:35.800 --> 15:38.800 Well, it means that unless you've got some kind of explanation, 15:38.800 --> 15:41.800 we have to assume that you're lying, that you killed your wife. 15:41.800 --> 15:44.800 I don't know how to explain all these things, but I didn't kill her. 15:44.800 --> 15:47.800 Mr. Robertson, you say you were an army man. 15:47.800 --> 15:49.800 Isn't that what you told us out of the apartment? 15:49.800 --> 15:52.800 Yes, I was a sergeant in the army during the last war. 15:52.800 --> 15:53.800 What outfit were you in? 15:53.800 --> 15:57.800 I was an instructor in sidearm weapons at Santa Ana Army Air Base. 15:57.800 --> 16:01.800 Then you'd be somewhat of an authority on the Colt.45 caliber automatic pistol, wouldn't you? 16:01.800 --> 16:05.800 I guess I would, yeah. That was one of the weapons I instructed in. 16:05.800 --> 16:09.800 You'd know all about the system of ejection employed by the Colt Company on their.45 automatic. 16:09.800 --> 16:11.800 Yes, I would. 16:11.800 --> 16:15.800 The empty casing ejects to the right, up and back. Is that correct? 16:15.800 --> 16:16.800 Yeah, that's right. 16:16.800 --> 16:19.800 In other words, if you were pointing a.45 at me and you pulled the trigger, 16:19.800 --> 16:24.800 the empty casing would eject to your right, up, and fall on the floor to the rear on your right side. 16:24.800 --> 16:26.800 Is that right? 16:26.800 --> 16:28.800 Yeah, that's where it would end up. 16:28.800 --> 16:31.800 You still maintain that your wife shot herself? 16:31.800 --> 16:32.800 Yes, I do. 16:32.800 --> 16:35.800 Where was she standing when she pulled the trigger? 16:35.800 --> 16:37.800 As I told you before, in the kitchen. 16:37.800 --> 16:38.800 How was she standing? 16:38.800 --> 16:39.800 What do you mean? 16:39.800 --> 16:41.800 Which way was she facing? 16:41.800 --> 16:43.800 Let's see, facing me? 16:43.800 --> 16:47.800 Yeah, that's right. In the kitchen with her back to the sink facing out toward me. 16:47.800 --> 16:48.800 And where were you? 16:48.800 --> 16:51.800 On the Davenport in the living room, facing her. 16:51.800 --> 16:57.800 Now, bearing in mind what we've already discussed and agreed upon concerning the ejection system of a.45, 16:57.800 --> 17:01.800 how do you account for the fact that the empty casing was found in the living room, 17:01.800 --> 17:04.800 six feet and four inches from the kitchen? 17:04.800 --> 17:05.800 Let's see. 17:05.800 --> 17:07.800 I'll figure it for you. 17:07.800 --> 17:09.800 The empty casing should have been found on the floor of the kitchen, 17:09.800 --> 17:12.800 somewhere to the right and rear of your wife. 17:12.800 --> 17:14.800 Isn't that about it? 17:14.800 --> 17:17.800 I don't understand. Why are you trying to prove me guilty? 17:17.800 --> 17:19.800 I've told you and I swear to you, I didn't kill my wife. 17:19.800 --> 17:23.800 Well, it would be a physical impossibility for that empty casing to have landed anywhere but in the kitchen 17:23.800 --> 17:26.800 if your wife had pulled the trigger that automatic. 17:26.800 --> 17:28.800 Now, how about that? 17:28.800 --> 17:30.800 What can I say? 17:30.800 --> 17:32.800 Please believe what I'm telling you. I didn't do it. 17:32.800 --> 17:34.800 Not according to the evidence. 17:34.800 --> 17:36.800 I don't understand any of this. 17:36.800 --> 17:39.800 Well, here's the way we've got it reconstructed. 17:39.800 --> 17:41.800 You had a quarrel. You got the gun. 17:41.800 --> 17:43.800 You met your wife at the doorway to the kitchen. 17:43.800 --> 17:45.800 You pointed the gun at her. 17:45.800 --> 17:49.800 She tried to ward it off with her left hand, leaving flour on the barrel of the gun. 17:49.800 --> 17:53.800 You fired and the casing was thrown up and back to the right, 17:53.800 --> 17:55.800 where it landed on the rug of the living room. 17:55.800 --> 17:58.800 The testimony of the neighbors, the flour on your wife's hand, 17:58.800 --> 18:00.800 the position of the empty casing. 18:00.800 --> 18:02.800 Robertson, you're it. 18:02.800 --> 18:04.800 I don't know why all these things are the way you say they are. 18:04.800 --> 18:07.800 We do. We don't believe your wife committed suicide. 18:07.800 --> 18:09.800 You think about it. Come on, Ben. 18:16.800 --> 18:18.800 Well, what do you think? 18:18.800 --> 18:21.800 The evidence we've got so far has got him tamed. 18:21.800 --> 18:25.800 Yeah. With all that proof, he still refuses to cop out. 18:25.800 --> 18:27.800 Something doesn't jive. 18:27.800 --> 18:38.800 We'll have to find out why. 18:38.800 --> 18:41.800 You are listening to Dragnet. 18:41.800 --> 18:46.800 From beginning to end, Dragnet is the authentic story of your police force in action. 18:46.800 --> 18:50.800 Now, from beginning to end, the Fatima story. 18:50.800 --> 18:55.800 Actual convincing proof that in Fatima, the difference is quality. 18:55.800 --> 19:00.800 Quality of tobaccos, the finest domestic and Turkish varieties, 19:00.800 --> 19:06.800 extra mild and superbly blended to give you a much different, much better flavor and aroma. 19:06.800 --> 19:11.800 Quality of manufacture, smooth, round, perfect cigarettes, 19:11.800 --> 19:14.800 rolled in the finest paper money can buy, 19:14.800 --> 19:18.800 manufactured in the newest and most modern of all cigarette factories. 19:18.800 --> 19:23.800 Quality, even to the appearance of the bright, clean, gold and yellow package, 19:23.800 --> 19:29.800 fully wrapped and sealed to bring you Fatima's rich, fresh, extra mild flavor. 19:29.800 --> 19:34.800 Because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, 19:34.800 --> 19:40.800 more long cigarette smokers are now insisting on Fatima than ever before. 19:40.800 --> 19:44.800 So if you smoke a long cigarette, compare Fatima. 19:44.800 --> 19:50.800 You'll find they now cost the same, but your first puff will tell you. 19:50.800 --> 19:52.800 Ah, that's different. 19:52.800 --> 19:56.800 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 19:56.800 --> 19:58.800 Insist on Fatima. 19:58.800 --> 20:03.800 Start enjoying the quality king-size cigarette, Fatima. 20:03.800 --> 20:06.800 Best of all, long cigarettes. 20:06.800 --> 20:16.800 We had Gene Bechdel take Andrew Robertson's statement. 20:16.800 --> 20:19.800 We had his testimony that his wife had committed suicide, 20:19.800 --> 20:22.800 the fact that he couldn't prove and that we could disprove. 20:22.800 --> 20:25.800 We had before us the final investigation. 20:25.800 --> 20:28.800 All evidence was taken to the crime lab for analysis. 20:28.800 --> 20:32.800 The photographs taken at the scene were developed and brought in for careful checking. 20:32.800 --> 20:34.800 In accordance with Robertson's story, 20:34.800 --> 20:39.800 both he and his deceased wife were given paraffin tests to determine the presence of nitrates. 20:39.800 --> 20:43.800 Both of them were fingerprinted and latent prints details started to check them out. 20:43.800 --> 20:47.800 Two teams of men were sent out to talk with the close relatives of the two people. 20:47.800 --> 20:50.800 Sunday, March 9th, 7 p.m. 20:50.800 --> 20:54.800 We got a call from Lieutenant Lee Jones that he had the final results of his investigation. 20:54.800 --> 20:59.800 We went over to the second floor of the central station, crime lab. 20:59.800 --> 21:01.800 We got a couple of things for you. 21:01.800 --> 21:02.800 Okay. 21:02.800 --> 21:03.800 How'd you make out with Robertson? 21:03.800 --> 21:05.800 Well, he insisted it was suicide. What's your idea on it? 21:05.800 --> 21:07.800 Let me show you what we got. 21:07.800 --> 21:09.800 All right. 21:09.800 --> 21:11.800 Here, look at this. 21:11.800 --> 21:13.800 A picture of the.45 casing. 21:13.800 --> 21:15.800 That's fine. Take a close look at it. 21:15.800 --> 21:17.800 Right here in particular. 21:17.800 --> 21:19.800 Yeah. 21:19.800 --> 21:22.800 You notice this one edge is a little crimped here? 21:22.800 --> 21:24.800 Yeah. Ejector marks. 21:24.800 --> 21:27.800 No, here are your ejector marks up here, see? 21:27.800 --> 21:29.800 This crimping is something entirely different. 21:29.800 --> 21:30.800 What is it? 21:30.800 --> 21:32.800 You remember where you found this casing? 21:32.800 --> 21:34.800 Six feet, four inches into the living room. 21:34.800 --> 21:35.800 That's right. 21:35.800 --> 21:39.800 We wondered how it could have been thrown that far by the ejector if the husband's story is true. 21:39.800 --> 21:42.800 The ejector didn't do that. I wanted to. 21:42.800 --> 21:45.800 On closer inspection, I noticed this crimping. 21:45.800 --> 21:49.800 Let me show you how this casing got out there in the living room. 21:49.800 --> 21:54.800 Here's an identical.45 caliber called empty casing. 21:54.800 --> 21:55.800 Yeah. 21:55.800 --> 21:59.800 We place it here on the floor on a piece of carpeting the same thickness that was in their kitchen. 21:59.800 --> 22:00.800 Linoleum. 22:00.800 --> 22:02.800 Now watch this. 22:02.800 --> 22:05.800 I'll step on it, hitting it from an angle. 22:07.800 --> 22:09.800 There's your answer to that. 22:09.800 --> 22:13.800 When the husband ran over to his wife's side, what did he say he did? 22:13.800 --> 22:14.800 Yeah, it's about the size of it. 22:14.800 --> 22:19.800 He stepped on the casing accidentally and certainly not caring about it at that moment, 22:19.800 --> 22:22.800 it bounced out in the living room just like a tiddlywink. 22:22.800 --> 22:24.800 Now here. 22:24.800 --> 22:30.800 Notice the casing now, the crimping. Check it against the photo. 22:30.800 --> 22:34.800 Yeah. Looks exactly the same way. It matches. 22:34.800 --> 22:40.800 And the flower on the barrel of the gun, it was flower by the way. Did it figure in for you fellas? 22:40.800 --> 22:44.800 Well yeah, we figured the wife was trying to ward off the gun when he pointed it at her. 22:44.800 --> 22:46.800 Certainly the logical deduction. 22:46.800 --> 22:49.800 Let me show you how it really got on there. 22:51.800 --> 22:53.800 Here's that shot of the kitchen out there. 22:53.800 --> 22:54.800 Uh-huh. 22:54.800 --> 22:57.800 Notice the wastebasket here? It's pretty full, isn't it? 22:57.800 --> 22:59.800 Yeah, we noticed that when we were out there. 22:59.800 --> 23:02.800 What you probably didn't notice is this. 23:02.800 --> 23:06.800 Here's a blow-up of just that section where the wastebasket was. 23:06.800 --> 23:10.800 Can you see what's on the top of the stuff in the basket there? 23:10.800 --> 23:13.800 Yeah, can you hold it over here and leave a little light in? 23:13.800 --> 23:15.800 Yeah, it looks like a flower sack, doesn't it? 23:15.800 --> 23:17.800 That's right, an empty flower sack. 23:17.800 --> 23:21.800 Now, figuring the position of the body in relation to that wastebasket, 23:21.800 --> 23:25.800 when she dropped the gun, it fell from her hand, striking the wastebasket, 23:25.800 --> 23:28.800 bouncing off and landing on the floor while you found it. 23:28.800 --> 23:31.800 You said when she dropped the gun, you figured it was suicide? 23:31.800 --> 23:33.800 It's beginning to shape up that way, isn't it? 23:33.800 --> 23:35.800 There was no flower found on the butt of the gun. 23:35.800 --> 23:39.800 That part of the automatic didn't come in contact with the flower sack. 23:39.800 --> 23:41.800 Yeah, but at least she was flowering meat. 23:41.800 --> 23:45.800 There were no traces of it on her right hand, on the palm, just on the back. 23:45.800 --> 23:50.800 In checking the clothing, we found streaks of flower where she could have 23:50.800 --> 23:53.800 wiped her hands clean before picking up the gun. 23:53.800 --> 23:55.800 Yeah, and out there we could only see the backs of her hand. 23:55.800 --> 23:58.800 The coroner checked that through, huh? Doesn't look like he killed her. 23:58.800 --> 24:01.800 There's more here. 24:01.800 --> 24:04.800 As you know, we ran paraffin tests on both the victim and Robinson. 24:04.800 --> 24:05.800 Yeah. 24:05.800 --> 24:07.800 Here's the results of the tests. 24:07.800 --> 24:08.800 See. 24:08.800 --> 24:11.800 Andrew Robertson, no nitrates negative. 24:11.800 --> 24:14.800 Marie Robertson, evidence of nitrates positive. 24:14.800 --> 24:16.800 She fired a gun, he didn't, huh? 24:16.800 --> 24:17.800 That's it. 24:17.800 --> 24:19.800 There's something else. 24:19.800 --> 24:23.800 Here's the report from latent prints, smudges, one good thumbprint, 24:23.800 --> 24:26.800 right hand, belonging to Marie Robertson, 24:26.800 --> 24:29.800 indicating she was the last one to handle the weapon. 24:29.800 --> 24:31.800 Well, that's about it, Lee. 24:31.800 --> 24:34.800 No, that's more for you. 24:34.800 --> 24:38.800 Now, this shot was taken facing the east wall of the kitchen. 24:38.800 --> 24:41.800 That's the wall that would be on anyone's left, sitting on the 24:41.800 --> 24:43.800 davenport in the front room. 24:43.800 --> 24:46.800 Wouldn't be possible to see that wall from the davenport. 24:46.800 --> 24:47.800 Wouldn't, that's right. 24:47.800 --> 24:50.800 You can see the white X where we located the slug. 24:50.800 --> 24:51.800 Yeah. 24:51.800 --> 24:55.800 Relative to the position of the body, if she was standing, 24:55.800 --> 24:58.800 holding the gun at approximately a right angle with the side of her 24:58.800 --> 25:03.800 head, the bullet would come to rest approximately four inches below 25:03.800 --> 25:04.800 the crown of her head. 25:04.800 --> 25:06.800 Did it check out? 25:06.800 --> 25:08.800 The coroner says she was 5'4". 25:08.800 --> 25:13.800 The bullet was found at a height of 5 1 8", proving that she shot 25:13.800 --> 25:16.800 herself rather than anyone else doing it, judging from the 25:16.800 --> 25:18.800 inclination of the bullet. 25:18.800 --> 25:20.800 As you know, this is critical. 25:20.800 --> 25:21.800 Yeah. 25:21.800 --> 25:24.800 From what it's worth, the condition of the wound indicates 25:24.800 --> 25:27.800 that it was inflicted from extreme close range. 25:27.800 --> 25:30.800 Fair point when you consider that most people wouldn't submit 25:30.800 --> 25:33.800 to being shot from close range without a struggle or unless 25:33.800 --> 25:35.800 taken by surprise. 25:35.800 --> 25:38.800 From all reports, we know she wasn't taken by surprise. 25:38.800 --> 25:40.800 Well, that's it, fellas. 25:40.800 --> 25:41.800 That's all I have. 25:41.800 --> 25:42.800 Thanks, Lee. 25:42.800 --> 25:43.800 Sure enough. 25:43.800 --> 25:47.800 Crime lab, Jones. 25:47.800 --> 25:48.800 Yeah, right here. 25:48.800 --> 25:49.800 Just a minute. 25:49.800 --> 25:50.800 Three to one of you. 25:50.800 --> 25:51.800 All right, Lee. 25:51.800 --> 25:52.800 I'll get it. 25:52.800 --> 25:53.800 Thank you. 25:53.800 --> 25:54.800 Oh, yeah. 25:54.800 --> 25:55.800 Righty. 25:55.800 --> 25:57.800 Well, hi, Harry. 25:57.800 --> 25:59.800 You did, huh? 25:59.800 --> 26:00.800 What's that? 26:00.800 --> 26:02.800 Mm-hmm. 26:02.800 --> 26:04.800 Yeah. 26:04.800 --> 26:06.800 Did you have the letter with you? 26:06.800 --> 26:09.800 It does, huh? 26:09.800 --> 26:10.800 Yeah. 26:10.800 --> 26:11.800 Yeah, right, Harry. 26:11.800 --> 26:12.800 Thank you very much. 26:12.800 --> 26:13.800 Bye. 26:13.800 --> 26:14.800 Harry Fremont. 26:14.800 --> 26:16.800 He just left Marie Robertson's mother. 26:16.800 --> 26:17.800 What'd she have to say? 26:17.800 --> 26:19.800 Well, Fremont says she gave him a letter. 26:19.800 --> 26:20.800 He's on his way in with it now. 26:20.800 --> 26:24.800 It was written by Marie Robertson, says something about taking her own life. 26:24.800 --> 26:26.800 Her mother says that the husband couldn't have done it, 26:26.800 --> 26:30.800 says the daughter's shown indication in the past of wanting to take her own life. 26:30.800 --> 26:32.800 Well, not about saying she's in. 26:32.800 --> 26:33.800 Makes you feel kind of good, doesn't it? 26:33.800 --> 26:34.800 Yeah. 26:34.800 --> 26:37.800 Finding a man clear on a charge instead of having to hang him up. 26:37.800 --> 26:38.800 Come on, Ben. 26:38.800 --> 26:39.800 Right. 26:39.800 --> 26:40.800 Where you headed? 26:40.800 --> 26:41.800 Back across the street. 26:41.800 --> 26:42.800 Where do I get my coat? 26:42.800 --> 26:43.800 I'll go with you. 26:43.800 --> 26:44.800 What for? 26:44.800 --> 26:54.800 The story you've just heard was true. 26:54.800 --> 26:57.800 Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 26:57.800 --> 27:00.800 On March 12th, the hearing was held in the office of the coroner, 27:00.800 --> 27:03.800 city and county of Los Angeles, state of California. 27:03.800 --> 27:05.800 In a moment, the results of that hearing. 27:05.800 --> 27:08.800 And now, here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:08.800 --> 27:09.800 Thank you. 27:09.800 --> 27:13.800 Friends, a great many listeners have written us saying that they first bought Fatimas 27:13.800 --> 27:15.800 because they liked our program. 27:15.800 --> 27:18.800 But they go on to say that after smoking their first pack, 27:18.800 --> 27:20.800 they agree with everything that we've said about them, 27:20.800 --> 27:25.800 that Fatimas are extra mild, that they do have a better flavor and aroma. 27:25.800 --> 27:28.800 Well, naturally, we're pleased when you get acquainted with Fatimas 27:28.800 --> 27:34.800 because all of us on Dragnet are convinced Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. 27:34.800 --> 27:36.800 When you buy your first pack, I'm sure you'll agree. 27:36.800 --> 27:47.800 In Fatima, the difference is quality. 27:47.800 --> 27:51.800 Andrew William Robertson was immediately released from custody. 27:51.800 --> 27:57.800 A 510 form was made out, exonerating him from any complicity in the death of his wife. 27:57.800 --> 28:00.800 Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. James M. Fox, 28:00.800 --> 28:05.800 president of the Southern California chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. 28:05.800 --> 28:08.800 The Edgar Allan Poe Awards of the Mystery Writers of America 28:08.800 --> 28:13.800 are made each year for outstanding contributions in the field of mystery. 28:13.800 --> 28:17.800 This year, by a nationwide vote of 300 professional mystery writers, 28:17.800 --> 28:21.800 the radio award goes to Dragnet for consistent excellence in the use of the medium 28:21.800 --> 28:24.800 and the best traditions of our craft. 28:24.800 --> 28:29.800 The Mystery Writers of America are happy to present their Edgars, statuettes of Poe, 28:29.800 --> 28:34.800 to Dragnet's Jim Moser, who writes the scripts, and a duplicate statuette to Dragnet. 28:34.800 --> 28:36.800 Congratulations, Mr. Moser. 28:36.800 --> 28:38.800 Thank you, Mr. Fox. 28:38.800 --> 28:47.800 Music 28:47.800 --> 28:52.800 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:52.800 --> 29:02.800 Technical advice comes from the office of chief of police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 29:02.800 --> 29:06.800 Prima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet, 29:06.800 --> 29:10.800 portions transcribed from Los Angeles. 29:10.800 --> 29:17.800 Stay tuned for Counterspy, next over many NBC stations. 29:17.800 --> 29:32.800 Music