The story you are about to hear is true.
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For a detective sergeant, you're assigned to accident investigation, hit and run detail.
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Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime.
For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will
travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official
police files.
From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force
in action.
It was Saturday, September 5th.
It was mild in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out of accident investigation, hit and run detail.
My partner's Ben Romero.
The boss is Benny Caldwell, Chief of Traffic.
My name's Friday.
It was 7.35 p.m. when I got to 4656 Collis Avenue.
My front door.
Is that your chair, sir?
Yeah, ma.
Got both Sunday papers.
Oh, good.
It's nice music on the radio, isn't it?
Yeah, it's pretty.
It's your favorite song, isn't it?
Yes.
See you in my dreams.
Every Saturday night we used to get together down at the old Cromwell house on West Adams
Boulevard.
Weekly dance, you know.
Yeah, I know.
You have a lovely old home down there.
And a beautiful ballroom upstairs.
Always had a good time at the Cromwell house.
Was that before you were married?
Oh, my, yes.
Met your father through Mildred Cromwell, you know.
She was quite fond of him, too.
Is that so?
Yes, she was.
Nothing serious, but she used to think quite a lot of Sam.
You broke him up, huh?
Now, Joseph, you know I wouldn't do a thing like that.
Millie was only mildly interested in Sam.
I wouldn't come between two people that were happy.
You know that.
Well, that isn't the way he used to tell it.
Said you just broke him up, that's all.
Yes.
Well.
Did you ever tell you about the time all the girls invited some of the fellas from the
Royal Order of the Western Wildlife Protective Brotherhood, Southern Charter, over to the
Basket Raffle?
To what?
Basket Raffle.
All the girls packed tasty lunches and the boys bid for them at auction.
Oh, yeah.
It was a warm summer evening, just like tonight.
It was a grand affair.
Captain Sheldman was there with Jim Donahoe and your father came with Lorenzo Fisher,
the grand facer of the wild lifers.
Oh, yeah.
Sounds like quite an evening.
Oh, it was, Joseph.
It really was.
Samuel bid the highest for my basket.
Ten dollars and fifteen cents.
I'll always think to this day that's the reason Millie Cromwell's been so cool toward me.
Oh, yeah.
Could be.
You want part of the exam, Amara?
Thank you, son, I want to finish turning this collar on your shirt.
Okay.
You wouldn't think a basket lunch could come between two good friends, would you?
A big pardon?
What's that?
You would never think a basket lunch would break up a friendship like Millie Cromwell's,
would you?
No, ma'am, you wouldn't.
I'll get it, Amara.
All right, he's talking.
This McDearman, Joe?
Oh, yeah, Mac.
Got a bad one.
Two other League women who was struck by hit-and-run.
Well, just a minute, Mac.
I can't hear...
Hey, Ma, could you turn down the radio, please?
You're all right.
Thank you.
Yeah, Mac, go ahead.
Three blocks west of Riverside on Los Feliz.
We have two traffic cars out there now for the preliminary investigation.
You and Amaral better roll on it.
Right, Mac, right away.
You have to go back to work, Joseph?
Yeah, where'd you put my flashlight, do you remember?
It's right here in the desk.
Okay, thank you.
What is it, son, an accident?
Yeah, bad when it sounds like.
Hit and run.
Who was it, they said?
A couple of elderly women struck down up on Las Vegas.
Isn't that terrible?
Yeah, ma, they're all terrible.
Ten minutes after I hung up the phone, Ben arrived.
And at 8, 10 p.m. we got to the intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue.
The bodies of the two victims had been removed and taken to the Georgia Street Receiving Hospital.
One of the uniformed officers was taking photographs of the scene.
His partner was picking up particles of glass and all physical evidence left by the hit and run driver.
He identified himself as Officer E.W. Hyde, Unit 61-T.
A few pieces of the headlight lens and the chrome ring about all.
And this is the point of impact, huh?
Yeah, that's right.
It's 24 feet south of the northerly pavement and about 12 feet east of the westerly curb line.
Right in the crosswalk up there, huh?
Yeah.
Then freshly painted, the driver couldn't miss seeing it.
Yeah, it's well illuminated, good street lighting up here.
Hyde, were the signals in operation?
No, they weren't.
We couldn't stop here though, blinkers are all in operation.
How far were the bodies of the victims thrown?
Body number one was thrown 70 feet.
Body number two was knocked 38 feet in the southwest direction.
Both came to rest approximately at the center line of the street.
Whoever did it was going at a high rate of speed.
That's what we figured. I told you there were no skid marks, didn't I?
Yeah, you did. Any witnesses?
Yeah, there's three, but only one I think will be helpful.
What's the name and address?
He's right over there on the curb now. His name's Richard Morrigan. Runs the nursery there.
Well, thanks Hyde. You're going to make the reports and book the evidence, right?
Yeah, I'll take care of it. That's Morrigan over there in the tan overalls.
All right. Thanks a lot, Hyde.
Okay.
Your name, Richard Morrigan?
Is that right, sir?
Yeah, that's right.
Police officers, Mr. Morrigan. This is Sergeant Romero.
How are you?
Nice, huh?
My name's Friday. We're out of accident investigation.
I talked to you about the accident that just happened here.
Sure was a bad one. Hope you catch those kids. Didn't even slow down.
I understand you witnessed the accident. Wonder if you'd be kind enough to tell us what you saw.
I was just closing up my nursery here.
Just unlocked my car and was about to get in when I saw this car come shooting up Los Feliz there.
Fast clip.
Where were the two women?
They were just stepping off the curb under the crosswalk over there.
I could tell they didn't see the car. They yelled, honked my horn.
Guess I wasn't quick enough. It was just awful.
Go on, Mr. Morrigan.
Oh, the way that car hit those women looked to me like he knocked them 50 feet at least.
Then just like nothing at all, the car raced right on through the intersection on down Los Feliz. That way.
Did you get a look at the driver?
No, sir. Not too good, but I believe he had blonde hair.
Looked to me like he was alone in the car.
Anything more about him?
Looked like a young kid to me. I bet on that. He was young, blonde kid, about 18, 19, around in there.
Now how about the car he was driving? Can you help us out there, sir?
I believe it was a Ford. I don't know what year. A Ford sedan, two door.
What color was it?
Black, dark blue. I'd say black.
Did you happen to get the license number, sir?
No, sir. Everything happened so fast, I guess I was kind of stunned for a minute. You know how you'd be. Sorry, I wish I did.
You're pretty sure about the car, Mr. Morrigan. Are you familiar enough with cars to be positive it was a Ford?
Yeah, I think I am.
And you don't know what year the car was?
No, sir. Sorry I don't. Just know it was a Ford sedan.
Well, thank you very much, Mr. Morrigan. We may have to check back with you later.
Anytime. I'd rather do whatever I can to help you get that driver.
How can we get a hold of you, Mr. Morrigan?
Well, I'm right here all the time. Morrigan Nurseries. 44-02, Los Villas. Phone number, Normandy 3-2257.
Oh, all right, sir. Thank you very much.
Those two old women, they didn't have a chance the minute they stepped off the curb. Crazy kid. Didn't even stop to see if he could help them.
Yes, sir, we know.
Then again, maybe he didn't see them. Maybe it wasn't his fault.
Well, whose fault was it he didn't stop?
Before we left the scene of the accident, we interviewed the other two witnesses, but they could add nothing to Richard Morrigan's statement.
Investigation disclosed that victim number one was a Marcella R. Norton, age 58.
Victim number two was identified as Elizabeth Ann Carey, age 65.
Ben and I drove over to the Hollywood station where we met Officer Hyde, who was just completing his reports and was booking the physical evidence found at the scene of the accident.
Included in the evidence were the top coats worn by the victims at the time they were struck down.
All this was turned over to Lieutenant Lee Jones in the crime lab.
Ben and I compiled a small amount of information that we had, the physical evidence found at the scene, and the scanned information that the witnesses were able to give us.
Not enough for us to attempt to identify the driver of the hit-and-run car.
Well, there wasn't much to go on.
9.54 p.m., we got a call from Lee Jones, who said that he'd completed his investigation and wanted to see us right away.
We went over to the crime lab.
I think maybe I got what you need here.
Well, we haven't got much now, so almost anything will help, Lee.
Let's go back here.
All right, sir.
First off, your witness out there, what was his name?
Morrigan?
Yeah, well, Morrigan was right.
The car was black.
Then a microscopic analysis on scrapings found on the victim's coats.
I'd say a black car, previously painted tan, a sand color under the black.
That was one of the things he's positive about.
How about the make in the models?
Anything there?
Is that too much there?
I think maybe I can help you there, too.
What's the break-in?
Let's see.
Just got back from the lighthouse.
Ran a lens meter test on those pieces of broken headlight lens, and the diapter reading shows that that particular type lens was made for the victim.
How about the make of the car, Lee?
The only company that used this type of lens was the Ford Motor Company.
Pretty positive about it?
Ran a spectrographic test on the chemical composition of the glass in the lens, checks out.
Well, I've got a car to work on.
That's it, 1934 Ford Black.
Well, thanks a lot, Lee.
It's all right.
When you find the car, I can tie it in definitely for you.
Oh, that's fine.
Excuse me.
Crime Lab Jones.
They're right here, Mac.
Just a minute.
Three to one of you, it's McDiarmid.
I'll take it, Joe.
Okay.
You know, Mac's from Errol.
Oh, when?
Yeah, me too.
Yeah, right.
Mac just got word from Georgia Street.
Yeah.
Both victims.
They just died.
With the death of the two victims, what had only been a hit-and-run felony had now become a case of murder.
It had now become a case of manslaughter, two counts.
Ben and I went back to the office and met with Lieutenant McDiarmid.
Past experience has proven to the traffic officer that the quickest and surest way to a successful prosecution of a hit-and-run case is with the full cooperation of the average citizen.
A hit-and-run felony differs from the ordinary police case in that the investigating officers are not dealing with a criminal suspect.
In a case of this nature, the guilty party could well be the outstanding citizen of his community.
In all probability, he had no motive for a crime, only motive and running from the scene of the accident.
Well, the one way to gain citizen cooperation was to acquaint him with all the details of the accident, any and all information that we had or would obtain as the case worked towards solution.
Ten fifteen p.m., Saturday, September 5th.
In addition to the emergency broadcast put out at the time of the accident, supplemental broadcasts and APBs were sent out.
Ben and I then started to make up a special police bulletin.
Wanted for manslaughter and hit-and-run felony.
Okay. Information regarding identity of occupant of following hit-and-run vehicle.
Regarding identity of occupant.
Yeah. Vehicle, okay.
Got it? Involved in accident resulting in death of two female pedestrians.
Accident occurred September 5th, approximately. What time, Joe?
Seven thirty p.m.
Right. On Los Feliz Boulevard at intersection of Commonwealth Avenue.
Okay. Now, can I see what we got? Thank you.
Occupant, young male, Caucasian, approximately eighteen to nineteen years of age.
Vehicle, nineteen thirty-four, Ford sedan. Black with tan undercoat, driven by male occupant.
Miss Carr will have extensive damage to front end.
Facsimile photographs of type of car wanted appear on this bulletin.
I've got the photos right here. Side, front and back view.
Okay, this ought to do it. Let's get it down to the printing bureau right away, huh?
Yeah. Auto paint shops, wrecking yards, garages, repair stations, used car lots, insurance company.
The daily papers are running a spread on it in the next edition.
That ought to cover it?
Yeah, it's all there if it gets to the right person.
Wednesday, September 9th, 1045 a.m.
The inquest of the two hit-and-run victims was held and the jury returned a quick verdict of manslaughter, two counts, naming a John Doe as guilty.
For the next three weeks we received numerous phone calls concerning the black Ford sedan.
All leads were checked out and failed to materialize.
Cars fitting the description of the wanted vehicle were constantly being stopped and the occupants questioned.
We got nowhere. Ben and I followed up on our bulletins.
We checked various garages and paint shops. Used car lots were checked and rechecked. No luck.
Monday, October 3rd, 2.30 p.m.
We were on our way back to the office after having canvassed several wrecking yards and repair stations.
I never knew they made so many black 34 Fords.
I don't see how we could have overlooked anything, do you?
No, I don't. Something ought to break on this thing soon.
We just had a little more to go on. That license number, if somebody could have seen it.
Yeah, that would help, wouldn't it?
I'll get it.
Traffic Friday.
Hello, my name is Dan Provost. I run a used car lot in Dan's corner at 54736th Avenue.
Yes, sir?
I'd like to talk to somebody regarding that last bulletin you sent out, September 7th this year.
Why, I think maybe I can help you, sir.
That 34 Ford you're looking for on that hit and run thing?
Yeah, that's right.
Young kid, blond, says he's got some repair work for us.
Yeah?
I got one of my mechanics stalling him now.
What's the car look like, Mr. Provost?
Like the one you're looking for. The reason I called is because he says he banged up the front end.
Right away I remembered the bulletin.
All right, sir, see if you can hold him there, will you? We'll be right over.
I'll do my best.
We'll be right there, sir.
I think I've got your man for you.
It took us 15 minutes to get to 54736th Avenue, Dan's corner.
We crossed over the gravel covered lot to the rear where we found a small wooden shack marked office.
Dan Provost met us at the door.
I'm Provost. Are you the police?
Yes, sir, I try.
I'm sorry, I did my best, but I couldn't hold him here without making him suspicious, but I'm sure he'll be back.
How do you know?
We see he bought this car from us, says he had a little accident and wanted us to fix it up for him.
I tell you, I'm sure he'll be back.
I told him we would if he'd bring it in.
Why do you think he left? It's only been about 15 minutes since you called us downtown.
Well, he might have heard me talking to you.
Well, if he did and he's our man, I doubt very much if he'll be back.
I bet he will.
Blonde kid, about 19 years old, driving a black 344 just like the one you're after.
Well, can you give us his name and the license number of the car?
Sure, it's Curly Watson.
License number, I got it right here.
9R9707. I looked it up on his contract.
And this name, Curly, you have his full name?
Sorry, I guess I'm a little excited. It's Wilfred E. Watson.
Everybody around here calls him Curly. I'm pretty sure he's the one you want.
I know that car bought it from us about five months ago.
Well, it's just too bad you couldn't have detained him just a little longer, Mr. Provost.
Well, like I say, you don't have to worry. He'll be back.
What makes you so sure?
The way you described the damage to us, I'd say he's got about $75 to $100 worth of work on that front end.
Yeah.
I know he's the man you want. I'm going to be in trouble if he's not.
What do you mean?
What was the only thing I could do on the spur of the moment like that?
Yeah.
That's how I know for sure he'll be back here.
Well, how's that?
I told him I'd fix his car free.
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We called Lieutenant McDiarmid and filled him in.
He sent sergeants Kilpatrick and McClendon out to relieve Ben and me and to maintain a stakeout on Dan's corner, the used car lot, in the event the suspect should return.
We went back downtown to R&I.
Wilfred E. Watson had a record and was wanted by the Fresno Police Department where he had jumped bail.
The charge was grand theft.
We took Watson's mugshot back to the used car lot where he was positively identified by Dan Provost.
Ben and I went to his last known address.
The landlady told us that Watson had moved approximately a month ago and had not left a forwarding address.
From his mama's sheet, we obtained a list of his friends and associates.
All efforts to locate him failed. The stakeout continued.
We showed the mugshot to Richard Mortigan, the one good witness to the accident.
He said he could not identify Watson as he did not get too good a look at him, but he stated that there was a possibility that he could be the man.
A week went by. The whereabouts of the suspect was still unknown.
Tuesday, October 10th, Ben and I were out running down a lead on Watson when we received a call to return to the office.
Lieutenant McDiarmid met us as we got there.
I put that call in for you.
Anything doing there?
I've got a lead. I don't know how good it'll be, but we ought to check it out right away.
What do you got?
We just received a call from the Santa Monica PD. Mrs. Agnes Hastings called in and gave them a little something.
Yeah?
As I say, maybe there's nothing in it, but see what you think.
All right.
The Hastings woman stopped in at a local soda fountain down there, a place that's patronized by the Hot Rod crowd.
Said she overheard part of a conversation between a couple of the kids.
This one dark haired boy was sitting at the counter when another kid walked in the front door.
The kid that came in had red hair.
The dark haired kid said, high red, and the redhead sat down by him.
And one of the kids made some remark about the boy's red hair. Asked him why he dyed it.
The redhead said, well, they're looking for a blonde, aren't they?
Yeah. Could be a little something, huh?
Yeah, I thought so.
Then the Hastings woman followed the redheaded boy outside and took the license number of his car.
Anything there?
I don't know yet.
Ran it through DMV, but it's not in the file.
Mark Benson's got a call into Sacramento now.
Anything new on Watson?
No, nothing yet.
Where can we find this Agnes Hastings man?
Oh, here's the address right here.
Okay, thank you.
Well, that's all she had.
Said she'd been following the hit and run story in the papers.
Thought this might be worth forwarding anyway.
Yeah.
Just a minute.
Traffic, McEarman?
Oh, hi, Art.
Yeah?
Oh, you did, huh?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I see.
Uh-huh.
Yeah. Yeah, right. Bye.
That was Art Kilpatrick.
He and McLendon picked up Watson.
Yeah, anything?
They're bringing him in now.
They say this Watson denies the hit and run.
Jones will check his car over. They will know a little more.
Well, there's not much we can do until we hear from Benson on the Santa Monica thing.
Well, maybe there is.
What's that?
We got two leads. We can hope one of them's right.
While waiting for the call from Mark Benson at CHP, Ben and I drove over to the police garage on South Figaro.
Wilford Watson's car had been impounded and Lee Jones had made his investigation.
His findings eliminated Watson's 34 Ford as being the hit and run car.
Investigations showed that Watson's car was involved in an accident,
but this was five days prior to the killing of the two women pedestrians.
Wilford E. Watson was booked for the Fresno authorities for prosecution on their warrant.
This left only the one lead, the redheaded boy who had dyed his hair.
If Agnes Hastings' observations had been correct,
the fact that the boy originally had blonde hair made him a possible suspect.
11 a.m.
The information from DMV came through from Sacramento.
The car was registered to a Calvin L. Martin, 16 Boardwalk Lane, Santa Monica.
The car was a 1939 Dodge sedan, legal the same.
16 Boardwalk Lane was a small beach house facing out on the Pacific Ocean in the town of Santa Monica.
11 26 a.m.
We arrived in front of the house.
This is it, number 16.
Yeah, all right, let's go up in the porch.
I don't see anybody around, looks like nobody's home.
Well, let's try the bell.
I guess you're right, nobody home.
Yeah, let's check the garage.
It's around the side, isn't it?
Yeah, yeah, it's right there.
Oh, yeah.
Padlock.
Maybe there's a window around the side.
Yeah, come here, Joe.
The window's kind of dirty, wipe it off a little.
Yeah, that's better, huh?
Do you see anything?
Take a look, Joe.
I see, yeah.
Looks like a 34 Ford to me.
Notice the left front fender?
Yeah, pretty badly.
It's a little bit of a mess.
Yeah, it's a little bit of a mess.
Looks like we're home, maybe, huh?
Well, I'd like to get a closer look.
Thanks a lot, Sid. See you back at work, huh?
Sure.
Make sure we find one for you.
Okay.
Young kid got out of a car out front.
Looks like a redhead from here.
Come on.
Hi.
You men want something?
Police officers.
Yeah.
Do you live here?
Yes, I do.
What's wrong?
What's your name?
Lewis Martin.
Who is Calvin L. Martin?
My father, why?
Is he on a 1939 Dodge?
Yeah, that's right.
Anything wrong?
Whose car is that down in the garage there?
Belongs to a friend of mine. I just let him keep it in there.
What's his name?
Jesse.
Yeah, well, Jesse what?
Jesse Armstrong.
Where does he live?
Over on Venice Boulevard.
What's the number?
I don't know offhand.
You let him park his car here in your garage and you don't know where he lives?
Well, I know, but I just can't think of it.
I don't understand. What's wrong?
You got a key to the garage?
No, Jesse's got it.
You don't keep a key to your own garage?
No, I let Jesse keep it.
Have you always had red hair?
Sure, why?
Red on top and blonde at the roots. Is that it?
I wish you'd tell me what's going on.
No, Armstrong, you tell us.
Well...
Watch your joke!
All right, all right. Let's hold it right here.
I didn't do anything. Let me jog.
Well, how about it, son?
That's the second time you tried to run now, isn't it?
How'd you find me?
Who told you?
You want to tell us about it?
I didn't mean to hit those two women.
I was coming home from up in L.A.
I was late and I was trying to hurry to get home.
I didn't see them until it was too late.
Why didn't you stop? Why'd you run?
I was afraid.
I just couldn't face it. I thought I could get away with it, I guess.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it.
Do you know those two old women died as a result of you running them down?
No.
I didn't know they'd die.
All right, come on, son. Let's go.
I didn't really mean to do it.
I'll tell everybody I'm sorry.
I am sorry.
That'll make a difference, won't it?
You kill two people, you figure.
The story you have just heard was true.
Only the names were changed to protect the innocent.
On this day, the
tutorial black you don't seem to be a good guy.
Honestly, him telling legends is just amazing.
yeah
complaining
Ale as the
the
The 18th trial was held in Superior Court, Department 81, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California.
In a moment, the results of that trial.
And now here is our star, Jack Webb.
Thank you.
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The suspect, Louis T. Martin, was found guilty of manslaughter.
He was sentenced to one year in the county jail and was placed on probation for five years.
You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files.
Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.
Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet transcribed from Los Angeles.
Stay tuned for Counterspy next over most NBC stations.
for further details on Dragnet, the