WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:10.000 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:10.000 --> 00:13.000 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:13.000 --> 00:20.000 Fatima cigarettes, king size, extra mild and soothing, brings you drag mess on both radio and television. 00:20.000 --> 00:33.000 You're an investigating sergeant. You're assigned a traffic division, AID. 00:33.000 --> 00:36.000 Death and tragedy is forecast for the people of your city. 00:36.000 --> 00:40.000 You don't know who the victims will be. You don't know how many there will be. 00:40.000 --> 00:43.000 Your job? Try and stop it. 00:43.000 --> 00:50.000 Compare Fatima with any other king size cigarette. 00:50.000 --> 00:54.000 Yes, compare Fatima with any other king size cigarette. 00:54.000 --> 00:58.000 One, Fatima's length filters the smoke 85 millimeters for your protection. 00:58.000 --> 01:02.000 Two, Fatima's length cools the smoke for your protection. 01:02.000 --> 01:08.000 Three, Fatima's length gives you those extra puffs, 21 percent longer than standard cigarette size. 01:08.000 --> 01:11.000 Fatima gives you more for your money. 01:11.000 --> 01:15.000 And in king size Fatima, you get an extra mild and soothing smoke. 01:15.000 --> 01:19.000 Plus the added protection of Fatima quality. 01:19.000 --> 01:28.000 Buy Fatima in the bright, sunny yellow pack. 01:28.000 --> 01:32.000 Drag Mess, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:32.000 --> 01:36.000 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, 01:36.000 --> 01:42.000 you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police violence. 01:42.000 --> 01:52.000 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Drag Mess is the story of your police force in action. 01:52.000 --> 01:55.000 It was Thursday, July 3rd. It was warm in Los Angeles. 01:55.000 --> 01:59.000 We were working the night watch out of traffic division, accident investigation. 01:59.000 --> 02:03.000 My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Deputy Chief Caldwell. My name's Friday. 02:03.000 --> 02:11.000 I was on the way back from the scene of the accident and it was 9.42 p.m. when I got to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital, second floor, treatment room five. 02:11.000 --> 02:13.000 Hi, how's it going? 02:13.000 --> 02:14.000 Not too good. 02:14.000 --> 02:15.000 How are they? 02:15.000 --> 02:18.000 Bad, all four of them. Girl was riding in the front seat, both legs crushed. 02:18.000 --> 02:21.000 Talking to Doc Hall, nothing they can do, gonna have to amputate. 02:21.000 --> 02:23.000 That's a shame. All the parents been notified? 02:23.000 --> 02:25.000 Yeah, they're on their way down now. 02:25.000 --> 02:26.000 Cigarette? 02:26.000 --> 02:27.000 Yeah, thanks. 02:27.000 --> 02:28.000 I got a match. 02:28.000 --> 02:29.000 All right, thank you. 02:29.000 --> 02:33.000 Still touch and go with the kid who was driving, the wheeler boy. Doc doesn't give him much of a chance. 02:33.000 --> 02:34.000 Possible to get a statement from them? 02:34.000 --> 02:37.000 No, still unconscious. They get pictures of the wreck, all right? 02:37.000 --> 02:41.000 Yeah, they did. The car the kids were in laid down 207 feet of skid marks. 02:41.000 --> 02:44.000 From the condition of the car, it's a wonder any of them are alive. 02:44.000 --> 02:46.000 Not a straight piece of metal in the wreck frame. 02:46.000 --> 02:48.000 How about that couple in the sedan they sideswiped? 02:48.000 --> 02:55.000 Doctors and sure both have internal injuries. Woman's right leg is fractured, man has a possible concussion. Bouncy thing. 02:55.000 --> 02:58.000 Every one of them's old enough to know better. What made them think they could get away with it? 02:58.000 --> 02:59.000 Oh, hi, doctor. 02:59.000 --> 03:00.000 Friday. 03:00.000 --> 03:01.000 Any change, doc? 03:01.000 --> 03:02.000 Which one you mean? 03:02.000 --> 03:03.000 The wheeler boy. 03:03.000 --> 03:09.000 No, still the same. The other three kids are doing a little better. It's a shame none of them are more than 14, 15 years old, aren't they? 03:09.000 --> 03:13.000 Both the girls are 13, the wheeler boy's 16, the other boy's 12. 03:13.000 --> 03:16.000 Pretty young to be out alone burning up the streets. How'd that happen? 03:16.000 --> 03:19.000 Well, one of the girls told us that the wheeler boy picked up the three of them about 8 o'clock tonight. 03:19.000 --> 03:22.000 Asked them if they wanted to go for a ride in his father's new car. 03:22.000 --> 03:25.000 Well, they thought they were going down to the neighborhood driving for a coke. 03:25.000 --> 03:26.000 Yeah. 03:26.000 --> 03:28.000 Well, the girl said they drove around the neighborhood for a while. 03:28.000 --> 03:32.000 The wheeler boy was bragging about what a good driver he was, how fast the car would go. 03:32.000 --> 03:34.000 Kept telling the kids that he could drive as fast as his father did. 03:34.000 --> 03:37.000 Yeah, well, I hear it's too bad you can't hold a fire. 03:37.000 --> 03:39.000 Yeah, it's pretty obvious he didn't set much of an example. 03:39.000 --> 03:42.000 Well, the girl told us that the wheeler boy drove down the highway. 03:42.000 --> 03:45.000 She spotted a police car behind him and told the wheeler kid to slow up. 03:45.000 --> 03:50.000 He said something like, my father outran a cop the other day, if he can do it, I know I can. 03:50.000 --> 03:53.000 Well, the kids pleaded with him to pull over and stop and he wouldn't listen. 03:53.000 --> 03:55.000 Told him to shut up and hang on and he'd show him some real fancy driving. 03:55.000 --> 03:57.000 He had to chase him more than 19 miles, Doc. 03:57.000 --> 03:59.000 Car in pursuit, radioed in for help. 03:59.000 --> 04:01.000 We tried to block off the intersections ahead of him. 04:01.000 --> 04:02.000 They were just going too fast. 04:02.000 --> 04:04.000 How'd the boy crack up? 04:04.000 --> 04:06.000 Side swiped the sedan with that old couple in it. 04:06.000 --> 04:08.000 Lost control of the car, went into a skid. 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 The car hit the curb, blew a tire. 04:10.000 --> 04:12.000 Piled head on into a parked truck. 04:12.000 --> 04:14.000 The impact drove the engine of the truck right back into the cab. 04:14.000 --> 04:15.000 I never saw anything like it. 04:15.000 --> 04:17.000 The car the kids were in was almost broken in half. 04:17.000 --> 04:19.000 Well, I've done everything I can for him. 04:19.000 --> 04:22.000 I'll keep the wheeler boy in the critical room, nurses in there with him now. 04:22.000 --> 04:24.000 I'll move the other three back into the ward. 04:24.000 --> 04:25.000 We want to make our report, Doc. 04:25.000 --> 04:26.000 You got an M.T. slip on up? 04:26.000 --> 04:27.000 Yeah, I just finished it. 04:27.000 --> 04:28.000 It's right in here. 04:28.000 --> 04:29.000 Thank you. 04:29.000 --> 04:31.000 You know, I got a 16-year-old boyfriend. 04:31.000 --> 04:33.000 Every time I make one of these things up, I say a prayer. 04:33.000 --> 04:34.000 Yeah. 04:34.000 --> 04:36.000 Hope they never have to make one up for my boy. 04:36.000 --> 04:38.000 Well, excuse me. 04:38.000 --> 04:39.000 I'd better go back in there and check on that youngster. 04:39.000 --> 04:41.000 All right, Doc. Thanks. 04:44.000 --> 04:45.000 Look at this M.T., Frank. 04:45.000 --> 04:46.000 Everything in the book. 04:46.000 --> 04:47.000 What's that? 04:47.000 --> 04:48.000 Listen. 04:48.000 --> 04:51.000 Grace Andrews, 13 years, occupation student. 04:51.000 --> 04:56.000 Fractured jaw, teeth knocked out, facial cuts, internal injuries, crushed pelvis and shock. 04:56.000 --> 04:58.000 Here's the next one. 04:58.000 --> 05:01.000 Nancy Haynes, 13 years, occupation student. 05:01.000 --> 05:07.000 Deep facial cuts, compound fractures of the right and left legs, crushed chest, possible concussion and shock. 05:07.000 --> 05:11.000 Waterboy, Walter Stewart, 12 years, occupation student. 05:11.000 --> 05:15.000 Deep facial cuts and contusions, shock and possible concussion. 05:15.000 --> 05:20.000 Fractured ribs, possible puncture of the left lung, left hand severed above the knuckles. 05:20.000 --> 05:22.000 Here's the slip on the Wheeler boy. 05:22.000 --> 05:25.000 Charles Wheeler, 16 years, occupation student. 05:25.000 --> 05:33.000 Crushed forehead, possible spinal fracture, both legs broken, fractured ribs, broken pelvis, deep facial cuts, severe internal injuries and shock. 05:33.000 --> 05:35.000 My name is Wheeler. Where's my boy? 05:35.000 --> 05:36.000 What have you done with him? 05:36.000 --> 05:38.000 Take it easy, Mr. Wheeler. Doctor will be out in a minute. 05:38.000 --> 05:41.000 I don't want the doctor. I want to see my boy. Where is he? What happened anyway? 05:41.000 --> 05:44.000 Would you keep your voice down, please? The doctor will see you in a minute. He's with your son now. 05:44.000 --> 05:45.000 Who are you? What do you know about it? 05:45.000 --> 05:48.000 Police officers. Your boy had an accident. We're investigating it. 05:48.000 --> 05:51.000 I know he had an accident. They already told me that. Whose fault was it? Who ran into him? 05:51.000 --> 05:54.000 Nobody ran into him, Mr. Wheeler. The accident was his fault. 05:54.000 --> 05:57.000 What do you mean, it couldn't have been? That boy's a good driver. I taught him myself. 05:57.000 --> 05:58.000 Would you keep your voice down, please? 05:58.000 --> 06:01.000 I want to get to the bottom of this thing. I want to see my boy. What are you stalling me for? 06:01.000 --> 06:04.000 Nobody's stalling you, sir. You can see your boy as soon as the doctor okays it. 06:04.000 --> 06:08.000 I'm going to take him to my own doctor. I wouldn't trust my boy in a place like this. Who ordered him here anyway? 06:08.000 --> 06:11.000 We did. It was an emergency. The ambulance took him here from the scene of the accident. 06:11.000 --> 06:15.000 Well, you still haven't told me how it happened. Now why do you say it was his fault? Why are you accusing him? 06:15.000 --> 06:19.000 It was his fault, Mr. Wheeler. There's no doubt about it. He was speeding and a police car tried to catch him. 06:19.000 --> 06:22.000 He tried to outrun him. In the process, he ran into a parked truck. 06:22.000 --> 06:24.000 I knew it wasn't his fault. Sir? 06:24.000 --> 06:27.000 Sir, he was going a little too fast. Charlie's a good driver. Why'd you have to chase him? 06:27.000 --> 06:29.000 Probably the cause of the whole thing. You're the ones to blame. 06:29.000 --> 06:34.000 Take it easy, Mr. Wheeler. Take it easy? Nothing. Why couldn't you let the kid alone? He could drive as well as I can. 06:34.000 --> 06:36.000 Think I'd let the kid have my new car if he couldn't handle it? 06:36.000 --> 06:38.000 What about a driver's license, sir? You'd still have one? 06:38.000 --> 06:42.000 Well, no. I didn't have a chance to get him one. Too busy to take him down there for the test. 06:42.000 --> 06:46.000 It's a stupid thing anyway. Any more on can pass it. The point is, you didn't have to chase him. 06:46.000 --> 06:50.000 He wasn't hurting anybody, was he? I taught him how to drive. He drives just like I do. 06:50.000 --> 06:52.000 He's a fast driver, but he's a good one. I ought to know. 06:52.000 --> 06:56.000 All radio cars had to chase your boy 19 miles, Mr. Wheeler. 11 cars chased him. 06:56.000 --> 06:59.000 Your boy was endangering the life of everybody on that highway. 06:59.000 --> 07:02.000 In the 25-mile-an-hour zone, he was clocked at better than 70 miles an hour. 07:02.000 --> 07:04.000 At one time, we figured he must have been doing better than 90. 07:04.000 --> 07:09.000 He went through a dozen boulevard stops. He barely missed a woman pedestrian. The woman had a baby in her arms. 07:09.000 --> 07:12.000 Just before he cracked up, he sideswiped another car, an old couple in it. 07:12.000 --> 07:15.000 They're in this hospital, too, and they're hurt. They're hurt bad. 07:15.000 --> 07:18.000 Now, you go ahead inside and make those two old people believe your son's a good driver, 07:18.000 --> 07:20.000 that he's just having some innocent fun, will you? 07:20.000 --> 07:23.000 It's not all his fault. He probably wouldn't have done it if you didn't chase him. 07:23.000 --> 07:27.000 I know my boy can handle a car. I've raced cops myself once in a while. 07:27.000 --> 07:29.000 Charlie was with me. He's cool. He knows what he's doing behind the wheel. 07:29.000 --> 07:32.000 Just because you drive fast doesn't make you a bad driver. 07:32.000 --> 07:33.000 It helps. 07:33.000 --> 07:35.000 Frank. Yeah, Doc. Can you spare a minute? 07:35.000 --> 07:36.000 Sure. 07:36.000 --> 07:40.000 This is Mr. Wheeler, father of the boy who was driving the car. This is Dr. Hall. 07:40.000 --> 07:41.000 Where's Charlie? I want to see him. 07:41.000 --> 07:45.000 I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to wait a few minutes. He's lost a lot of blood. They're giving him another transfusion. 07:45.000 --> 07:47.000 What's the matter with him? How bad is he hurt? 07:47.000 --> 07:48.000 There's a report, but it's yourself. 07:48.000 --> 07:51.000 What kind of treatment are you giving him? You sure you know what you're doing? 07:51.000 --> 07:55.000 I think so. I've been on this job for 11 years. That's how long I've been dealing with fools like you. 07:55.000 --> 07:56.000 What? 07:56.000 --> 07:59.000 I heard you running and raving out here at these offices. Well, let me tell you this, mister. 07:59.000 --> 08:04.000 All three of you were wrong. That boy of yours lying in there isn't a bling. You are his own father. 08:04.000 --> 08:08.000 You were driving that car tonight. I heard you ranting out here. You taught him how to drive. 08:08.000 --> 08:12.000 He can drive as well as you can. He's cool. He knows how to handle a car. You taught him how to race cops. 08:12.000 --> 08:14.000 Well, the results are inside, Mr. Wheeler. 08:14.000 --> 08:17.000 Look here. I don't want any sermons from you. I want to see my boy. I want to see him right now. 08:17.000 --> 08:19.000 You're not going to get any sermons from me. They wouldn't help you. 08:19.000 --> 08:24.000 But I'm going to tell you what's on my mind. I've seen your kind for years. I've sewed them up. I've patched them up. 08:24.000 --> 08:28.000 And I've pulled a sheet over their face. So far you're lucky it hasn't happened to you. You're on borrowed time. 08:28.000 --> 08:32.000 It must be true what they say. The good Lord takes care of the fools and the drunks. 08:32.000 --> 08:37.000 Well, I can tell you now I wouldn't feel half as bad if it was you inside there on that bed instead of your son. 08:37.000 --> 08:40.000 Oh, when are people like you going to learn? When are you going to learn? 08:40.000 --> 08:43.000 I came down here to see my son. You're not impressing me a bit. 08:43.000 --> 08:46.000 Well, then maybe you ought to come down here some weekend, some holiday. Maybe that'll impress you. 08:46.000 --> 08:49.000 You stand inside that treatment room with me and watch them come over that table. 08:49.000 --> 08:52.000 A lot of them come in married and go out widowed, all kinds, all ages. 08:52.000 --> 08:55.000 They pull them out of the wrecks and they drag them in here and they expect miracles from us. 08:55.000 --> 08:59.000 They're battered and broken and some of them you have to look twice because it's hard to tell they're human beings. 08:59.000 --> 09:02.000 You know who's responsible, Mr. Wheeler? You know who? 09:02.000 --> 09:06.000 Arrogant, egotistical, good, fast drivers like you. 09:06.000 --> 09:11.000 Well, I'm sick of you, Mr. Wheeler. I'm sick of the whole rotten, stupid mess. I'm sick of fools like you. 09:11.000 --> 09:12.000 Dr. Hall? 09:12.000 --> 09:13.000 Yeah. 09:13.000 --> 09:14.000 Be a moment, please. 09:14.000 --> 09:16.000 Yeah, all right. 09:20.000 --> 09:22.000 Sure makes himself out of an expert, doesn't he? 09:22.000 --> 09:24.000 Is it preached to everybody who comes in here? 09:24.000 --> 09:26.000 No, matter of fact, he's usually pretty quiet. 09:26.000 --> 09:29.000 What's the matter with him? You know the wrong side of bed? 09:29.000 --> 09:32.000 Maybe this will explain it. He's got a 16-year-old boy of his own. 09:32.000 --> 09:35.000 What's he beefing about? It's my kid that's hurt, not his. 09:35.000 --> 09:37.000 Every kid he treats is hit. 09:37.000 --> 09:38.000 Mr. Wheeler? 09:38.000 --> 09:39.000 Is it all right? Can I see Charlie now? 09:39.000 --> 09:40.000 Yeah. 09:40.000 --> 09:41.000 Thanks. 09:43.000 --> 09:47.000 I'm sorry about everything, doctor. I really am. I'm sorry. 09:47.000 --> 09:49.000 It's all right, Mr. Wheeler. The boy's dead. 09:49.000 --> 09:53.000 When George Wheeler recovered from the initial shock of his son's death, 09:53.000 --> 09:56.000 we told him it was necessary that the body be removed to the county morgue 09:56.000 --> 09:59.000 where an autopsy would be performed the following day. 09:59.000 --> 10:04.000 After that, his son's remains would be available to a mortuary of the family's choosing. 10:04.000 --> 10:10.000 Frank and I drove back to the office where we filed a 311 dead body report on 16-year-old Charles Wheeler. 10:10.000 --> 10:16.000 After that, we called the coroner's office and notified them to pick up the body at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. 10:16.000 --> 10:20.000 10.35 p.m. We left the traffic division garage and went back on the air. 10:20.000 --> 10:22.000 We were cruising the central area. 10:22.000 --> 10:26.000 10.53 p.m. We got the call. Aliso in spring. Ambulance follow-up. 10:26.000 --> 10:30.000 Victim of a hit-and-run driver. We were within a block of the call. 10:30.000 --> 10:32.000 Must be it up ahead, Joe, on the corner. 10:32.000 --> 10:36.000 Oh, yeah. Pull up any place right here, I guess. 10:36.000 --> 10:39.000 All right, come on. Slide out my side, huh? 10:39.000 --> 10:40.000 Yeah. 10:42.000 --> 10:43.000 Let it through, Chris. 10:43.000 --> 10:46.000 Police officers, excuse me. 10:46.000 --> 10:49.000 Pardon me. I wonder if I can get through here, please. Excuse us. 10:49.000 --> 10:51.000 Doctor? You fellas doctors? 10:51.000 --> 10:52.000 No, we're police officers. 10:52.000 --> 10:53.000 Oh, yeah, I see. Where's the ambulance? 10:53.000 --> 10:54.000 Be here in a minute. How did it happen? 10:54.000 --> 10:56.000 The old man was trying to cross the street. A bus hit him. 10:56.000 --> 10:59.000 Look at him. Terrible, cruel guy. 10:59.000 --> 11:00.000 You work around here? 11:00.000 --> 11:02.000 Yeah, I sell papers right over in that corner over there. 11:02.000 --> 11:04.000 My name's Harry Joe Hanson. You want me for a witness? 11:04.000 --> 11:06.000 Frank, get his name and address. Will you all check the old man? 11:06.000 --> 11:07.000 Yeah, right. 11:08.000 --> 11:10.000 All right, now, don't move around, Dad. Don't move around. 11:10.000 --> 11:13.000 The ambulance will be here in a minute. 11:13.000 --> 11:16.000 I'm hurt, Dad. Terrible pain in my back. 11:16.000 --> 11:18.000 Your legs hurt you, Dad? 11:18.000 --> 11:24.000 No, I don't feel the pain in my legs. It's just my back. I got a terrible pain. 11:24.000 --> 11:25.000 What's your name? 11:25.000 --> 11:28.000 Clyde, Clyde Logan. 11:28.000 --> 11:29.000 Where do you live, Dad? 11:29.000 --> 11:34.000 Over there. It's up in the corner, apartment 37. 11:34.000 --> 11:40.000 Could you go over and see your owner? See if she's all right. She's gonna be awful worried. 11:40.000 --> 11:42.000 Yeah, we'll take care of it. 11:42.000 --> 11:44.000 You been drinking, Dad? 11:44.000 --> 11:49.000 Well, it was the nightcap. The doctor said I ought to have it and glass support every night. 11:49.000 --> 11:54.000 I was just on my way home when it happened. Oh, oh, my God. 11:54.000 --> 11:56.000 You sure it was just a glass support, Dad? 11:56.000 --> 11:59.000 Yeah, that's right. I never touch anything but that. 11:59.000 --> 12:05.000 Glass support before I go to bed. See, would you please send somebody to see about Rill, apartment 37? 12:05.000 --> 12:07.000 She's gonna be awful worried. 12:07.000 --> 12:09.000 Yeah, sir. We'll take care of it. 12:09.000 --> 12:14.000 Oh, this feels terrible. I gotta get up. Help me out, will you, Officer? 12:14.000 --> 12:16.000 All right. You sure you feel up to it, Dad? 12:16.000 --> 12:20.000 I don't know. It's an awful pain in my back. 12:20.000 --> 12:25.000 I know I'm not supposed to move till the ambulance gets here, but... 12:25.000 --> 12:29.000 Maybe it'll go away if I stand up. All right, sir. 12:29.000 --> 12:31.000 Here you go. 12:31.000 --> 12:33.000 Easy now. All right. 12:33.000 --> 12:35.000 Frank, see you in a minute. Yeah. 12:35.000 --> 12:37.000 Cancel the ambulance, will you? We don't mean it. 12:37.000 --> 12:39.000 Cancel it. Call the wagon. 12:39.000 --> 12:41.000 Yeah, all right. 12:41.000 --> 12:43.000 You ever gonna get help, Sergeant? Are they coming for me? 12:43.000 --> 12:45.000 Yeah, you're gonna get help, Dad. It's on the way. 12:45.000 --> 12:48.000 I come to the corner here and I start to cross over. 12:48.000 --> 12:51.000 What do you think right out of the door? 12:51.000 --> 12:56.000 This big red bus come up the street and must have been going 60. 12:56.000 --> 12:59.000 It kept right on going. 12:59.000 --> 13:02.000 I thought for a minute there I was gone for sure. 13:02.000 --> 13:04.000 Did you say it was a big red bus? 13:04.000 --> 13:07.000 Red or blue, what's the difference? They run me down. 13:07.000 --> 13:11.000 Oh, look at that. Get the ambulance quick. Look at that. 13:11.000 --> 13:13.000 What's that? 13:13.000 --> 13:16.000 My shirt's right here. Look, it's all red. It's black. 13:16.000 --> 12:55.840 It's some kind of 12:55.840 --> 13:00.840 I don't know what it is. 13:05.840 --> 13:09.840 Hey, so you got a patient today? 13:09.840 --> 13:12.840 Then I know. 13:12.840 --> 13:15.840 Do you always seem to be in the thick of things? 13:15.840 --> 13:19.840 How many people does it hold? 13:19.840 --> 13:22.840 Get some help. I'm bleeding to death. Get some help. 13:22.840 --> 13:25.840 Oh, there's a sharp pain in my ribs. 13:25.840 --> 13:27.840 Let's take your coat off here. 13:27.840 --> 13:29.840 That's the eye drop. 13:31.840 --> 13:33.840 That's better. 13:33.840 --> 13:35.840 The pain's gone now. 13:35.840 --> 13:38.840 Well, I don't know what your blood type is, Dad, but you're bleeding port wine. 13:38.840 --> 13:39.840 Oh, no. 13:39.840 --> 13:42.840 Worse than I thought it was, Dad. You broke your bottle of port. 13:43.840 --> 13:46.840 It's all wrapped up in papers, too. So wonder how it happened. 13:46.840 --> 13:49.840 Just look at my brand new shirt, all that good wine. 13:49.840 --> 13:54.840 Joe, now I canceled the ambulance, called Communications for the wagon. What's the story? 13:54.840 --> 13:57.840 Say, would you please send somebody up to my place to see Leona? 13:57.840 --> 14:01.840 It's Apartment 37, building right up in the corner. Please look after Leona. 14:01.840 --> 14:03.840 Yeah, we'll tell her, Dad. 14:03.840 --> 14:07.840 Oh, say, when you see her, would you please give her this? 14:07.840 --> 14:08.840 What's this? 14:08.840 --> 14:10.840 A piece of liver. Leona just loves liver. 14:10.840 --> 14:12.840 I didn't know you were married, Clyde, when that happened. 14:12.840 --> 14:13.840 I'm not married. 14:13.840 --> 14:14.840 Well, then who's Leona? 14:14.840 --> 14:18.840 That's my cat, the best friend we've got in the world. Where's the ambulance? 14:18.840 --> 14:20.840 No, there's not going to be any ambulance, Dad. We've got a car coming instead. 14:20.840 --> 14:23.840 Listen, I'm a sick man, Sergeant. I need an ambulance. 14:23.840 --> 14:26.840 You're a hit-and-run victim every time you get in a port wine, Dad. 14:27.840 --> 14:31.840 I don't know what you mean. It's a class of port every night. That's all we ever take. 14:31.840 --> 14:32.840 What time do you think it is now? 14:32.840 --> 14:38.840 I don't know. I went over with the jacket. It's about 8 o'clock. Must be 8.15, 8.30. Why? 14:38.840 --> 14:40.840 It's 10 minutes past 11, Dad. You're overdue. 14:40.840 --> 14:42.840 You got it, Joe. It's a pitch. 14:42.840 --> 14:44.840 Don't you know him? 14:44.840 --> 14:45.840 No, I don't think so. 14:45.840 --> 14:47.840 Clyde Logan. Got an arrest sheet as long as your arm. 14:47.840 --> 14:51.840 Somebody down at Central tagged him with the name Hit-and-Run Logan, town character. 14:51.840 --> 14:52.840 What's the idea of the hit-and-run story? 14:52.840 --> 14:56.840 Oh, he likes attention. Every time he gets loaded, he likes to ride in an ambulance with a siren wide open, 14:56.840 --> 14:58.840 so he lays down on the street pretending he's been hit. 14:58.840 --> 14:59.840 I see. 14:59.840 --> 15:01.840 Every city's got at least one of them, I guess. 15:01.840 --> 15:05.840 Some of them turn in fire alarms, some of them confess to murder, some of them just beat their wives. 15:05.840 --> 15:06.840 Clyde likes to be a hit-and-run victim. 15:06.840 --> 15:08.840 Say, what are you going to do? You're going to lock me up? 15:08.840 --> 15:09.840 No choice, Dad. 15:09.840 --> 15:16.840 Well, I suppose not. Say, would you talk to the jailer and see if I could get my old job back? 15:16.840 --> 15:20.840 I mean, you know, anything in the kitchen. I like to work in the kitchen. 15:20.840 --> 15:21.840 All right, we'll talk to him. 15:21.840 --> 15:22.840 Now, just one more thing. 15:22.840 --> 15:23.840 Yeah? 15:23.840 --> 15:29.840 Would you go see Jackie Martin for me? Place right up the street there, you know, you see the sign there? 15:29.840 --> 15:30.840 Yeah, uh-huh. 15:30.840 --> 15:33.840 Jackie's Old Time Wine Shop. That's the place. 15:33.840 --> 15:36.840 Well, you go in there and you ask for Jackie to tell him that I sent you, you see, 15:36.840 --> 15:39.840 and you can say that he's not going to get any more of my business. 15:39.840 --> 15:41.840 You tell him I won't even pay him what I owe him. 15:41.840 --> 15:43.840 What's the matter, Dad? Why are you mad at him? 15:43.840 --> 15:48.840 Well, I've got good enough reason. All the trade that I've given him and all the money I spent there had doubled costs. 15:48.840 --> 15:51.840 You can't keep customers that way and he'll find that out. 15:51.840 --> 15:52.840 What do you mean, Dad? 15:52.840 --> 15:54.840 Well, look, right here on the sidewalk. 15:54.840 --> 15:55.840 Yeah? 15:55.840 --> 16:08.840 Jackie Martin, him and his cheap bottles. 16:08.840 --> 16:13.840 You are listening to Dragnet, authentic stories of your police force in action. 16:13.840 --> 16:19.840 Friends, because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, 16:19.840 --> 16:25.840 more smokers coast to coast are switching to king-size Fatimas every day. 16:25.840 --> 16:31.840 Yes, more smokers coast to coast are finding that in Fatima, the difference is quality. 16:31.840 --> 16:34.840 Now here's the practical way to prove Fatima quality yourself. 16:34.840 --> 16:38.840 Compare Fatima with any other king-size cigarette. 16:38.840 --> 16:42.840 One, Fatima's length filters the smoke 85 millimeters for your protection. 16:42.840 --> 16:46.840 Two, Fatima's length cools the smoke for your protection. 16:46.840 --> 16:53.840 Three, Fatima's length gives you those extra puffs, 21% longer than standard cigarette size. 16:53.840 --> 16:55.840 Fatima gives you more for your money. 16:55.840 --> 17:03.840 And in king-size Fatima, you get an extra mild and soothing smoke, plus the added protection of Fatima quality. 17:03.840 --> 17:08.840 Remember, more and more of your friends are switching to king-size Fatimas. 17:08.840 --> 17:17.840 Compare them yourself, king-size Fatima, extra mild and soothing, plus the added protection of Fatima quality. 17:17.840 --> 17:23.840 Look for the bright, sunny yellow pack. Buy king-size Fatima. 17:23.840 --> 17:38.840 Thursday, July 3rd, 1130 p.m. It was still half an hour ago before the July 4th weekend even started. 17:38.840 --> 17:43.840 But in the last seven and a half hours, central traffic had answered 13 major accident calls. 17:43.840 --> 17:52.840 Four of them were fatalities. If it was any indication of the next 72 hours, the 4th of July weekend was due to spell death and tragedy for more people than we figured. 17:52.840 --> 17:57.840 At 1220 a.m., we received another ambulance follow-up call, this time at 11th and Georgia. 17:57.840 --> 18:03.840 A young couple on a motorcycle trying to beat the stop signal had crashed headlong into the side of an eastbound bus. 18:03.840 --> 18:06.840 One was taken to the hospital, one was taken to the county morgue. 18:06.840 --> 18:11.840 1220 a.m., after taking care of the necessary reports, we impounded the motorcycle. 18:11.840 --> 18:14.840 The next half hour was fairly quiet. 18:14.840 --> 18:18.840 1255 a.m., we went off the air and stopped to have a cup of coffee. 18:18.840 --> 18:24.840 At 1100 a.m., we called back in service. We continued cruising the central area. 18:24.840 --> 18:33.840 At 148 a.m., 12 minutes before quitting time, we got a call for Wilshire and Toberman Street, an ambulance follow-up, city property damaged, motor officer. 18:33.840 --> 18:40.840 At 115 a.m., we arrived at the scene. Approximately 20 feet from the southwest corner, a police motorcycle was sprawled on the street. 18:40.840 --> 18:42.840 The front of it was demolished. 18:42.840 --> 18:48.840 The motorcycle, lying face down on the street, was the figure of a man in a police uniform. 18:48.840 --> 18:50.840 All right, would you step back, please? Up on the sidewalk. 18:50.840 --> 18:54.840 Please, everybody, back up there on the sidewalk, please. 18:54.840 --> 18:55.840 Help me. 18:55.840 --> 18:56.840 Please. 18:56.840 --> 18:58.840 All right, don't try to move, fella. 18:58.840 --> 18:59.840 It's in Brian's. 18:59.840 --> 19:00.840 Yeah. 19:00.840 --> 19:01.840 Hey, Mike. 19:01.840 --> 19:02.840 Mike? 19:02.840 --> 19:04.840 Tried to miss it. Couldn't help it. 19:04.840 --> 19:06.840 Take it easy. Now, don't try to talk. 19:06.840 --> 19:08.840 Ambulance is on the way, Mike. 19:08.840 --> 19:10.840 Don't kid me, Joe. 19:10.840 --> 19:13.840 Chest? My chest hurts. 19:13.840 --> 19:16.840 Hey, but my collar can't breathe. 19:16.840 --> 19:19.840 All right, sure, Mike. Come on, take it easy. Now, don't move. 19:19.840 --> 19:22.840 Chasing this car, cream convertible. 19:22.840 --> 19:26.840 Man, woman, think he was a 502. 19:26.840 --> 19:30.840 Big chase, red light, siren. Siren. 19:30.840 --> 19:31.840 All right, now take it easy, Mike. Relax. 19:31.840 --> 19:36.840 Other car turned. Other car turned right in front of me. 19:36.840 --> 19:40.840 I saw it. Nothing I could do. Couldn't stop. 19:40.840 --> 19:44.840 Turned right in front of me. 19:44.840 --> 19:48.840 Evelyn. Gonna go see her. 19:48.840 --> 19:51.840 Evelyn. She's waiting. 19:51.840 --> 19:52.840 All right, will you take it easy, Mike? 19:52.840 --> 19:53.840 Don't talk and don't move. 19:53.840 --> 19:54.840 Joe. 19:54.840 --> 19:55.840 This will work out all right. Take it easy. 19:55.840 --> 19:59.840 Joe. Evelyn. 19:59.840 --> 20:04.840 Evelyn. Joe. 20:04.840 --> 20:07.840 Mike. Mike. 20:07.840 --> 20:10.840 Joe, got a coat here. Slip it under his head and be more comfortable. 20:10.840 --> 20:13.840 No, he doesn't need it, Frank. He's comfortable. 20:18.840 --> 20:23.840 1 57 a.m. The ambulance arrived and O'Brien's body was removed to the county morgue. 20:23.840 --> 20:28.840 Photographs were taken, diagrams were drawn and statements taken from the witnesses. 20:28.840 --> 20:33.840 A truck from Central Garage arrived and started removing a dead officer's motorcycle. 20:33.840 --> 20:37.840 Mike and I went over and started interviewing the driver of the car which O'Brien had collided with. 20:37.840 --> 20:42.840 She identified herself as Corrine Norton, a bookkeeper at a South Los Angeles defense plant. 20:42.840 --> 20:46.840 I was making a left turn, that's all. Next thing I knew he hit my car. 20:46.840 --> 20:48.840 You can see what he did to it. Who's gonna pay for the damages? 20:48.840 --> 20:52.840 We can talk about that later, Miss Norton. Our first concern is we'd like to find out what happened. 20:52.840 --> 20:56.840 Well, there's nothing to it. I already told you. This cop ran into me. There wasn't anything I could do. 20:56.840 --> 20:58.840 Would you start from the beginning, please, and tell us exactly what happened here? 20:58.840 --> 21:02.840 From the beginning of what? I told you. He ran into my car. What more do you want to know? 21:02.840 --> 21:06.840 Sorry it happened, but I couldn't help it. Look at my car. How am I gonna get to work in the morning? 21:06.840 --> 21:09.840 Will you please tell us what happened here, Miss? Just as near as you can remember. 21:09.840 --> 21:12.840 Well, I was going down this way on Wilshire on my way home. 21:12.840 --> 21:16.840 I started to make a left turn onto Toberman and this cop on the motorcycle drove right into me. 21:16.840 --> 21:19.840 Wasn't anything I could do. His fault. I couldn't help it. 21:19.840 --> 21:21.840 Could we see your operator's license, please? 21:21.840 --> 21:25.840 Certainly. Let's see it. It's someplace. Yeah, here it is. 21:25.840 --> 21:26.840 Do you want to read about, Frank? 21:26.840 --> 21:31.840 Yeah. California operator's license number, V208-927. 21:31.840 --> 21:32.840 Got it. 21:32.840 --> 21:36.840 Corrine N-N-E-M Norton. 21:36.840 --> 21:39.840 10,033 Ruth Allen, Los Angeles. 21:39.840 --> 21:41.840 10,033. Right. 21:41.840 --> 21:46.840 Female, 5 foot 3 and a half, 123 pounds. 21:46.840 --> 21:50.840 Born February 18th, 1909. 21:50.840 --> 21:54.840 Blue eyes, brown hair. Must wear adequate glasses. 21:54.840 --> 21:56.840 Just a minute. 21:56.840 --> 21:58.840 Do you have your glasses with you, Miss Norton? 21:58.840 --> 22:02.840 Oh, yes. Right here in my purse. I really don't have to wear them. I can see just as well without them. 22:02.840 --> 22:04.840 Were you wearing your glasses at the time of the accident? 22:04.840 --> 22:11.840 Yes, I was. I took them off right after the accident. Here they are. Right here in my purse. See? 22:11.840 --> 22:17.840 Miss Norton, we understand the motorcycle officer had his red light and siren in operation at the time of this accident. Did you see it or hear it? 22:17.840 --> 22:20.840 No, I didn't hear any siren and I certainly didn't see any red light. 22:20.840 --> 22:22.840 Then when's the first time you saw the officer, ma'am? 22:22.840 --> 22:25.840 When he hit me. Seemed to come out of nowhere. He was going very fast. 22:25.840 --> 22:30.840 I see you were in the process of making a left turn. Is that right, Miss Norton? Did you give a hand signal indicating that you were going to turn? 22:30.840 --> 22:32.840 Of course I did. I always do. 22:32.840 --> 22:34.840 You touched your car since the accident. 22:34.840 --> 22:35.840 What do you mean, if I touched it? 22:35.840 --> 22:38.840 Was your car just like it was when you were driving it prior to the accident? 22:38.840 --> 22:41.840 Yes, I suppose it is. I mean, with the exception of the damage he did. 22:41.840 --> 22:43.840 You're sure you gave a hand signal, Miss Norton? 22:43.840 --> 22:46.840 Of course I am. What's this all about anyway? 22:46.840 --> 22:53.840 Well, if your car is exactly the way it was before the accident and you're telling us the truth here, how do you account for the fact that the left-hand window of your car is still rolled up here? 22:53.840 --> 22:54.840 What? 22:54.840 --> 22:59.840 The window on the driver's side of your car there. It's closed tight. You couldn't have made a left-hand signal, could you? 22:59.840 --> 23:03.840 Well, I don't understand it. I'm sure I made a signal. I think so anyway. 23:03.840 --> 23:06.840 Are you trying to say I'm to blame for that cop's death? 23:06.840 --> 23:08.840 We're not trying to say anything, ma'am. We're trying to get the facts here. 23:08.840 --> 23:13.840 Well, you certainly have a funny way of doing it. What do you call facts anyway? Trying to incriminate me in this thing? 23:13.840 --> 23:18.840 I was making a left turn and he ran into me. It's as simple as that. I don't know what you're so excited about. 23:18.840 --> 23:21.840 The man just died, Miss Norton. We're trying to find out why. 23:21.840 --> 23:26.840 Why ask me? I didn't kill him speeding along on a motorcycle like that. He shouldn't have been going that fast anyway. 23:26.840 --> 23:29.840 That's his job, ma'am. That's what they pay him for. He was chasing a drunk driver. 23:29.840 --> 23:31.840 All right, that's his job. He knew it was dangerous when he took it. 23:31.840 --> 23:32.840 Yes, ma'am. 23:32.840 --> 23:34.840 Part of his job, that's what we pay him for. 23:34.840 --> 23:36.840 Well, he's dead, Miss Norton. Who's going to pay him for that? 23:40.840 --> 23:48.840 2.15 a.m. A traffic car took Kareem Norton downtown to the station where her statement was to be taken and a further investigation made. 23:48.840 --> 23:53.840 Frank and I contacted Sergeant Joe Whitehead of the medical detail and informed him of Mike O'Brien's death. 23:53.840 --> 23:57.840 He told us he'd notify the business office and the parents of the dead officer. 23:57.840 --> 24:04.840 Because of our close association with O'Brien, we happened to know that he planned to get married July 15th, the first day of his vacation. 24:04.840 --> 24:09.840 The girl he was going to marry was an Evelyn Monroe. She lived in the Silver Lake district. 24:09.840 --> 24:11.840 We told Whitehead that we'd notify her. 24:11.840 --> 24:16.840 2.30 p.m. Frank and I drove out Sunset Boulevard to the girl's house. 24:16.840 --> 24:18.840 Oh, hi, Frank. Joe. 24:18.840 --> 24:19.840 How are you? 24:19.840 --> 24:20.840 Is Mike with you? 24:20.840 --> 24:21.840 Well, no, he isn't, Evelyn. 24:21.840 --> 24:24.840 Well, come on in. Have some coffee. I'm just waiting for Mike. 24:24.840 --> 24:25.840 All right. Thank you. 24:25.840 --> 24:29.840 I guess Mike's a little late tonight. Come on in. How do you like your coffee, cream and sugar? 24:29.840 --> 24:31.840 Black will be all right, thanks. Both of us. 24:31.840 --> 24:33.840 Look at the dining room table. Pretty nice, isn't it? 24:33.840 --> 24:35.840 Yeah, well, it's very nice. 24:35.840 --> 24:39.840 Nicest wedding present I think I've ever seen. Didn't know we had so many friends. 24:39.840 --> 24:43.840 You see what the boys in the motor squad center? Electric mixer, all the attachments, too. 24:43.840 --> 24:45.840 Yeah, we see them. Very nice. 24:45.840 --> 24:47.840 What's the matter, Joe? Hard day? 24:47.840 --> 24:48.840 Yeah, it was. It was a tough one. 24:48.840 --> 24:51.840 Oh, you're just like Mike. When he gets off work, he's grumpy as a bear. 24:51.840 --> 24:56.840 I don't know why. Nothing tough about your job. You ought to work for the man I work for. 24:56.840 --> 24:58.840 Coffee's coming right up. 24:58.840 --> 25:04.840 Joe, you're going to have to tell her I can't. Give me a favor and I'll try. 25:07.840 --> 25:10.840 Here you are. I think you ought to like these donuts. 25:10.840 --> 25:13.840 I got them at the bakery down the street. Mike's crazy about them. 25:13.840 --> 25:17.840 Would you sit down, Evelyn, please? Mike'd talk to you. 25:17.840 --> 25:20.840 Oh, sure, Joe. You sound serious. What's the matter? 25:20.840 --> 25:22.840 It's about Mike, Evelyn. 25:22.840 --> 25:24.840 Mike? What about him? 25:24.840 --> 25:27.840 He wanted us to come by and see you. He was hurt tonight. 25:27.840 --> 25:30.840 Oh, no. Was it bad? 25:30.840 --> 25:31.840 Yeah, I'm afraid so. 25:31.840 --> 25:34.840 What happened? Where is he? Can I see him? 25:34.840 --> 25:36.840 No, no, no. A little later. 25:36.840 --> 25:38.840 What happened? They told his mother and dad? 25:38.840 --> 25:40.840 Yeah, Evelyn, Joe Whitehead's out there now. 25:40.840 --> 25:42.840 Joe Whitehead? Medical detail? 25:42.840 --> 25:43.840 Yeah, that's right. 25:43.840 --> 25:46.840 He usually doesn't go out right away unless they're dead. 25:46.840 --> 25:51.840 Joe? Joe, tell me the truth. What happened to Mike? 25:51.840 --> 25:53.840 What happened? 25:53.840 --> 25:55.840 Well, he's dead, Evelyn. 25:55.840 --> 25:59.840 No. It isn't the truth. He can't be dead. 25:59.840 --> 26:02.840 He was chasing a drunk driver over on Wilshire. 26:02.840 --> 26:05.840 A woman turned in front of him. Couldn't get out of the way. 26:05.840 --> 26:08.840 Didn't have a chance to lay his bike down. Sorry. 26:08.840 --> 26:13.840 It's not true. It can't be it's not true. He called me at 11. 26:13.840 --> 26:17.840 He'll be here any minute. He'll be here any minute. 26:17.840 --> 26:21.840 Mike. Mike. 26:21.840 --> 26:24.840 Evelyn, please. There's nothing you can do. 26:24.840 --> 26:28.840 Nothing anyone can do. Crying would help. I'd cry with you. 26:28.840 --> 26:31.840 But it's not right. It isn't right. 26:31.840 --> 26:35.840 Why should he die? Why should he? 26:35.840 --> 26:38.840 I'm sorry. Went fast. He didn't suffer. 26:38.840 --> 26:41.840 Talked about you. The last thing was about you. 26:41.840 --> 26:45.840 It's hard to realize. I can't understand it. I can't. 26:45.840 --> 26:46.840 No reason for it. 26:46.840 --> 26:48.840 No reason for a lot of it. 26:48.840 --> 26:52.840 Why, Joe? Why did he have to die? Why did he? 26:52.840 --> 26:54.840 I don't know. I've got an idea, maybe, Evelyn. 26:54.840 --> 26:56.840 What? 26:56.840 --> 26:58.840 Somebody forgot to put out their arms. 26:58.840 --> 27:03.840 The story you have just heard was true. 27:03.840 --> 27:06.840 The names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:06.840 --> 27:09.840 On October 2nd, an inquest was held at the County morgue, 27:09.840 --> 27:11.840 city and county of Los Angeles, state of California. 27:11.840 --> 27:14.840 The coroner's jury returned a verdict of excusable homicide 27:14.840 --> 27:17.840 and the death of motorcycle officer Michael O'Brien. 27:17.840 --> 27:19.840 In a moment, a word about another trial. 27:19.840 --> 27:21.840 Now, here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:21.840 --> 27:23.840 Thank you, George Fenomen. 27:23.840 --> 27:25.840 Friends, I know a lot of you listeners are going to be 27:25.840 --> 27:28.840 taking my advice and switch to Fatima. 27:28.840 --> 27:30.840 Now, if you haven't, how about comparing Fatima 27:30.840 --> 27:32.840 this weekend for sure? 27:32.840 --> 27:35.840 You see, Fatima quality stands out by comparison. 27:35.840 --> 27:37.840 That's why I ask you to try Fatima. 27:37.840 --> 27:40.840 Compare them with the king-size cigarettes you've been smoking. 27:40.840 --> 27:42.840 You'll find Fatima's give you more for your money. 27:42.840 --> 27:44.840 An extra mild and soothing smoke, 27:44.840 --> 27:46.840 plus the added protection of Fatima quality. 27:46.840 --> 27:55.840 Remember, king-size Fatimas in the bright, sunny yellow pack. 27:55.840 --> 27:58.840 Normally, at this time, we give you the result or outcome 27:58.840 --> 28:00.840 of legal proceedings against a person or persons 28:00.840 --> 28:02.840 for criminal action. 28:02.840 --> 28:04.840 You've already heard the results of the documentary cases 28:04.840 --> 28:06.840 portrayed on Dragnet tonight. 28:06.840 --> 28:09.840 Fourth of July weekend is at hand. 28:09.840 --> 28:11.840 40 million automobiles are being sold 28:11.840 --> 28:14.840 and more than 1,000 cars are being sold. 28:14.840 --> 28:16.840 The whole thing is at hand. 28:16.840 --> 28:19.840 40 million automobiles will drive 5 billion miles. 28:19.840 --> 28:21.840 Please make every mile a safe mile. 28:21.840 --> 28:23.840 Be considerate of the other driver on the road 28:23.840 --> 28:25.840 and have a happy weekend. 28:25.840 --> 28:28.840 We don't want to read your name on Dragnet's trial page. 28:28.840 --> 28:56.840 Music 28:56.840 --> 29:03.840 Ladies and gentlemen, Hal Gibney speaking. 29:03.840 --> 29:06.840 Ladies and gentlemen, you may now read Dragnet every day 29:06.840 --> 29:08.840 on the comic page of your favorite newspaper. 29:08.840 --> 29:13.840 Please consult your local daily paper. 29:13.840 --> 29:15.840 King-size Fatima has brought you Dragnet, 29:15.840 --> 29:20.840 transcribed from Los Angeles. 29:20.840 --> 29:26.840 Yes, adventure is yours tonight with Counter Spy on NBC. 29:26.840 --> 29:55.840 Music