WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:11.400 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 00:11.400 --> 00:14.040 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:14.040 --> 00:20.260 Fatima cigarettes, king size, extra mild and soothing, brings you dragnet on both radio 00:20.260 --> 00:29.940 and television. 00:29.940 --> 00:33.600 You're a detective sergeant, you're assigned to homicide detail. 00:33.600 --> 00:37.840 You get a call that a man has had a heart attack, fallen and fractured his skull. 00:37.840 --> 00:39.960 It looks like an accidental death. 00:39.960 --> 00:43.960 Your job, investigate. 00:43.960 --> 00:49.680 Friends, the name Fatima has always stood for quality. 00:49.680 --> 00:54.480 Fatimas are distinctive with a truly different flavor and aroma. 00:54.480 --> 00:58.880 And in king size Fatima, you get an extra mild and soothing smoke. 00:58.880 --> 01:01.960 Plus, the added protection of Fatima quality. 01:01.960 --> 01:06.120 Remember, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 01:06.120 --> 01:11.860 Because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, Fatima continues 01:11.860 --> 01:15.400 to grow in favor among king size cigarette smokers everywhere. 01:15.400 --> 01:18.040 Switch to Fatima yourself today. 01:18.040 --> 01:22.340 Ask your dealer for Fatima in the bright sunny yellow pack. 01:22.340 --> 01:24.440 King size Fatima. 01:24.440 --> 01:29.200 The difference is quality. 01:29.200 --> 01:35.960 DRAGNET, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:35.960 --> 01:40.880 For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 01:40.880 --> 01:45.480 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official 01:45.480 --> 01:47.200 police files. 01:47.200 --> 01:52.400 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, DRAGNET is the story of your police force 01:52.400 --> 01:54.640 in action. 01:54.640 --> 01:59.400 It was Wednesday, September 4th. 01:59.400 --> 02:00.760 It was warm in Los Angeles. 02:00.760 --> 02:03.240 We were working the night watch out of homicide detail. 02:03.240 --> 02:04.600 My partner is Frank Smith. 02:04.600 --> 02:06.680 The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. 02:06.680 --> 02:07.680 My name is Friday. 02:07.680 --> 02:12.080 It was 1046 p.m. when we got to 2102 West Francis Avenue. 02:12.080 --> 02:13.080 The front door. 02:13.080 --> 02:14.080 Yes? 02:14.080 --> 02:15.080 Mrs. Prater? 02:15.080 --> 02:16.080 Yes, that's right. 02:16.080 --> 02:17.080 Police officers, ma'am. 02:17.080 --> 02:18.080 Oh yes, of course. 02:18.080 --> 02:19.080 Come in. 02:19.080 --> 02:20.080 Thank you. 02:20.080 --> 02:21.560 I'm Sergeant Friday. 02:21.560 --> 02:22.560 This is my partner, Frank Smith. 02:22.560 --> 02:23.560 How do you do? 02:23.560 --> 02:24.560 How do you do, ma'am? 02:24.560 --> 02:25.560 Will you sit down? 02:25.560 --> 02:26.560 Yes, thank you very much. 02:26.560 --> 02:29.080 The doctor said you'd be here, because he told you about the accident. 02:29.080 --> 02:30.080 Yes, ma'am. 02:30.080 --> 02:32.480 If there's something you want to know, I guess I can tell you about it. 02:32.480 --> 02:35.680 Your husband's full name was Alfred Kenneth Prater, is that right? 02:35.680 --> 02:36.680 Yes, Alfred Kenneth. 02:36.680 --> 02:37.680 I wonder if we could go in, Miss Prater. 02:37.680 --> 02:38.680 Yes, in the dining room. 02:38.680 --> 02:39.680 Yes, ma'am. 02:39.680 --> 02:44.080 We just finished dinner, and Alfred got up from the table, said he wanted to see the 02:44.080 --> 02:45.080 ball game on television. 02:45.080 --> 02:49.880 He excused himself and got up, and all of a sudden he put his hand on his chest and started 02:49.880 --> 02:50.880 to stagger. 02:50.880 --> 02:53.880 He said something about his heart, asked me to help him. 02:53.880 --> 02:54.880 Yes, ma'am, go ahead. 02:54.880 --> 02:57.880 Well, I jumped up to go to him, and he just crumpled and fell. 02:57.880 --> 03:00.880 His head on the table, the thing there didn't move. 03:00.880 --> 03:03.880 The doctor said his skull might be fractured. 03:03.880 --> 03:05.880 That's what might have killed him. 03:05.880 --> 03:06.880 Did you call the doctor right away? 03:06.880 --> 03:08.880 No, I stayed with Alfred. 03:08.880 --> 03:09.880 My mother called Dr. Adams. 03:09.880 --> 03:10.880 He's her own doctor. 03:10.880 --> 03:11.880 When we got here, poor Alfred was gone. 03:11.880 --> 03:12.880 I'm not trying to say anything. 03:12.880 --> 03:13.880 Dr. Adams, he's the one that called us. 03:13.880 --> 03:14.880 Yes, he said he would. 03:14.880 --> 03:15.880 He said he would. 03:15.880 --> 03:16.880 He said he would. 03:16.880 --> 03:21.880 Something about a death certificate, and I didn't understand it. 03:21.880 --> 03:26.880 Well, Miss Prater, maybe you'd like to go into the living room. 03:26.880 --> 03:27.880 Yes, please. 03:27.880 --> 03:30.880 Can we get you anything, a glass of water, anything? 03:30.880 --> 03:31.880 No, I'll be all right. 03:31.880 --> 03:32.880 It'll just take a minute. 03:32.880 --> 03:33.880 All right. 03:33.880 --> 03:34.880 I'm sorry. 03:34.880 --> 03:35.880 Yes, ma'am, just a few more questions. 03:35.880 --> 03:36.880 Did your husband have a history of a bad heart? 03:36.880 --> 03:37.880 Any trouble like this before? 03:37.880 --> 03:38.880 Not that I have. 03:38.880 --> 03:39.880 I'm sorry. 03:39.880 --> 03:40.880 I'm sorry. 03:40.880 --> 03:41.880 I'm sorry. 03:41.880 --> 03:42.880 I'm sorry. 03:42.880 --> 03:43.880 I'm sorry. 03:43.880 --> 03:44.880 I'm sorry. 03:44.880 --> 03:45.880 I'm sorry. 03:45.880 --> 03:46.880 You've got to be kidding me. 03:46.880 --> 03:47.880 He was a good man. 03:47.880 --> 03:48.880 He was a good man. 03:48.880 --> 03:49.880 He was a good man. 03:49.880 --> 03:50.880 He was a good man. 03:50.880 --> 03:51.880 He was a good man. 03:51.880 --> 03:52.880 He was a good man. 03:52.880 --> 03:53.880 He was a good man. 03:53.880 --> 03:54.880 He was a good man. 03:54.880 --> 03:55.880 Your husband was a good man? 03:55.880 --> 03:56.880 Yes, I guess. 03:56.880 --> 03:57.880 That's a good guess. 03:57.880 --> 03:58.880 He was a good man. 03:58.880 --> 03:59.880 He was a good man. 03:59.880 --> 04:00.880 You never said anything about it. 04:00.880 --> 04:01.880 Not that I know of. 04:01.880 --> 04:02.880 Never said anything about it. 04:02.880 --> 04:03.880 He used to work off his heart long hours. 04:03.880 --> 04:04.880 Has your husband been out of the care of a physician? 04:04.880 --> 04:05.880 No, never was sick. 04:05.880 --> 04:06.880 Had a doctor where we used to live. 04:06.880 --> 04:07.880 Since we've been here, we haven't had any need for one. 04:07.880 --> 04:08.880 Did your husband ever give you any indication there was something wrong with his heart? 04:08.880 --> 04:10.880 And we couldn't ask for anything more. 04:10.880 --> 04:11.880 Good provider. 04:11.880 --> 04:14.880 Who was here when your husband had the accident, ma'am? 04:14.880 --> 04:16.880 My mother. She lives with us. 04:16.880 --> 04:17.880 She here now? 04:17.880 --> 04:19.880 Yes, she's in the next room lying down. 04:19.880 --> 04:21.880 In the drying time, officer. 04:21.880 --> 04:22.880 Yes, ma'am. 04:22.880 --> 04:24.880 All those years Alfred and me. 04:24.880 --> 04:26.880 Ray was born, he's nine now. 04:26.880 --> 04:27.880 Happy family. 04:27.880 --> 04:29.880 All the neighbors used to tell me how lucky I was, but I knew it. 04:29.880 --> 04:30.880 I knew it. 04:30.880 --> 04:32.880 Now it's all gone. 04:32.880 --> 04:34.880 I wonder if we could speak to your mother in this prayer. 04:34.880 --> 04:38.880 Yes, of course, I'll get it. 04:38.880 --> 04:39.880 Sergeant. 04:39.880 --> 04:40.880 Yes, ma'am. 04:40.880 --> 04:42.880 She's 55, and even too well late in the call. 04:42.880 --> 04:44.880 Things could be quite a shock for her. 04:44.880 --> 04:46.880 I'd appreciate it if you'd be as brief as possible. 04:46.880 --> 04:50.880 Yes, ma'am, we understand. 04:50.880 --> 04:52.880 Mother? Mother, are you awake? 04:52.880 --> 04:53.880 Yes, dear, what is it? 04:53.880 --> 04:55.880 Well, there's two officers out in the living room. 04:55.880 --> 04:56.880 They'd like to talk to you. 04:56.880 --> 04:57.880 What about? 04:57.880 --> 04:58.880 About Alfred. 04:58.880 --> 05:00.880 Alfred? What about him? 05:00.880 --> 05:01.880 I think they asked you to break in. 05:01.880 --> 05:02.880 Nothing wrong. 05:02.880 --> 05:04.880 Tell them I'll be right there. 05:04.880 --> 05:06.880 All right, good evening. 05:06.880 --> 05:07.880 Be right out, Alfred. 05:07.880 --> 05:09.880 All right, thank you, Miss, later. 05:09.880 --> 05:11.880 Can I get you something? A cup of coffee or something? 05:11.880 --> 05:12.880 No, not a thing, thank you. 05:12.880 --> 05:13.880 Oh, ma'am, thank you very much. 05:13.880 --> 05:16.880 If you don't mind, I'd like to make a pot of tea for Mother and myself. 05:16.880 --> 05:17.880 Yes, go right ahead. 05:17.880 --> 05:18.880 Do I come out in the kitchen? 05:18.880 --> 05:20.880 We can talk while I put the water on. 05:20.880 --> 05:22.880 All right, ma'am. 05:22.880 --> 05:23.880 Did you call the coroner, Frank? 05:23.880 --> 05:26.880 Yeah, Joe, before we left the office, should be here any minute now. 05:26.880 --> 05:28.880 Have to get a sketch of the room before he removes the body. 05:28.880 --> 05:30.880 Yeah. 05:30.880 --> 05:32.880 Ray's the one who's gonna suffer for it. 05:32.880 --> 05:34.880 How's that, ma'am? 05:34.880 --> 05:35.880 Poor little kid. 05:35.880 --> 05:37.880 I mean, his father was a great friend. 05:37.880 --> 05:40.880 I don't know what he's gonna do when he really knows what's happened. 05:40.880 --> 05:41.880 Well, doesn't the boy know about it yet? 05:41.880 --> 05:43.880 Well, yes, he was here when it happened, 05:43.880 --> 05:46.880 but I don't think he realizes yet what it means. 05:48.880 --> 05:49.880 How old did you say he was, ma'am? 05:49.880 --> 05:51.880 Nine. Nine last month. 05:53.880 --> 05:55.880 Where is he now, Miss Prater? 05:55.880 --> 05:57.880 In his room, asleep. 05:57.880 --> 05:59.880 Here's Mother now, Officer. 05:59.880 --> 06:00.880 Mother? 06:00.880 --> 06:01.880 Yes, dear? 06:01.880 --> 06:05.880 Mother, this is Mr. Friday and Mr. Smith from the police. 06:05.880 --> 06:06.880 My mother and Mrs. Atkins. 06:06.880 --> 06:07.880 Hello. 06:07.880 --> 06:08.880 Hi, Mrs. Prater. 06:08.880 --> 06:09.880 Ellen says there's something about Alfred? 06:09.880 --> 06:10.880 Yes, ma'am, that's right. 06:10.880 --> 06:12.880 I don't see any need to call the police. 06:12.880 --> 06:14.880 Accident, that's what the doctor said. 06:14.880 --> 06:15.880 Well, there's no death certificate, ma'am. 06:15.880 --> 06:17.880 We have to look into it. It's just routine. 06:17.880 --> 06:19.880 Mrs. Prater told us pretty much what we want to know. 06:19.880 --> 06:20.880 We'd just like to get your side of it. 06:20.880 --> 06:23.880 Sure, I was there, you know. I saw it all. 06:23.880 --> 06:25.880 He got up from the table, said he had a heart attack. 06:25.880 --> 06:27.880 Well, he wasn't fooling me. 06:27.880 --> 06:28.880 Well, thank you, partner. 06:28.880 --> 06:31.880 He wasn't fooling me. I knew. Heart attack. Fooey. 06:31.880 --> 06:32.880 I don't understand. 06:32.880 --> 06:33.880 He was drunk. 06:33.880 --> 06:34.880 Mother. 06:34.880 --> 06:37.880 Well, I still think he was, and you ain't going to change my mind. 06:37.880 --> 06:38.880 Had Mr. Prater been drinking? 06:38.880 --> 06:43.880 No. Well, he maybe had a drink on the way home from work, you know, to relax him a little. 06:43.880 --> 06:44.880 Relax him. 06:44.880 --> 06:46.880 There was no trouble relaxing him. 06:46.880 --> 06:48.880 The big thing was to get him off the dime. 06:48.880 --> 06:51.880 Laziest man I ever knew. I told her not to marry him. 06:51.880 --> 06:53.880 I was against it all the time. I knew his time. 06:53.880 --> 06:57.880 Out, carousing around, hanging around in bars. 06:57.880 --> 07:00.880 And he'd come home and take it out on poor Ellen and little Ray. 07:00.880 --> 07:03.880 Mother, please, Alfred was my husband. He's Ray's father. 07:03.880 --> 07:05.880 You're dead. Find a little forgiveness in your heart. 07:05.880 --> 07:07.880 That's all I'll find. A little. 07:07.880 --> 07:10.880 Officer, I'm not afraid to say what I think. I didn't like him. I never did. 07:10.880 --> 07:13.880 Well, as I'm concerned, he was no good. Drunken bum. That's all he was. 07:13.880 --> 07:15.880 He hated me. He never did like me. 07:15.880 --> 07:17.880 Regretted every mouthful of food I ate. 07:17.880 --> 07:19.880 Never was too quiet about it either. 07:19.880 --> 07:20.880 Mother, that's not true. 07:20.880 --> 07:23.880 Alfred never regretted having you here with us. 07:23.880 --> 07:25.880 Well, that's what you say and I know different. 07:25.880 --> 07:27.880 He might have died from a heart attack, all right. 07:27.880 --> 07:30.880 But if he did, it was that cheap liquor that brought it on. 07:30.880 --> 07:32.880 Got up from the table, staggered around and fell. 07:32.880 --> 07:36.880 Well, you say it was his heart and I say he was drunk. Just plain drunk. 07:36.880 --> 07:38.880 Well, how about it, Miss Prater? 07:38.880 --> 07:40.880 Had Mr. Prater been drinking enough to make him fall, do you think? 07:40.880 --> 07:42.880 Certainly not, Officer. You'll have to excuse Mother. 07:42.880 --> 07:44.880 She doesn't mean what she's saying. 07:44.880 --> 07:45.880 I do, too. 07:45.880 --> 07:47.880 If you're going to call me a liar, I'm going to my room. 07:47.880 --> 07:50.880 When you're sorry about what you said, you can call me. 07:52.880 --> 07:54.880 You'll have to forgive her. She doesn't know what she's saying. 07:54.880 --> 07:55.880 Yes, ma'am. 07:55.880 --> 07:57.880 My father died when I was very young, Sergeant. 07:57.880 --> 07:58.880 I was old mother head. 07:58.880 --> 08:01.880 Guess she never did think any man was good enough for me. 08:01.880 --> 08:03.880 I hate to do this, Mrs. Prater, but there are some questions 08:03.880 --> 08:05.880 we have to ask for our report if you'll bear with us. 08:05.880 --> 08:07.880 Of course, I understand. 08:07.880 --> 08:09.880 You said his full name was Alfred Kath Prater, is that right? 08:09.880 --> 08:10.880 Yes. 08:10.880 --> 08:11.880 What was his age? 08:11.880 --> 08:13.880 36, birthday's November 22nd. 08:13.880 --> 08:14.880 How about his physical description? 08:14.880 --> 08:17.880 5'11", 167 pounds. 08:18.880 --> 08:20.880 Front door. Mind answering? 08:20.880 --> 08:22.880 Not at all, ma'am. My imagination's for us anyway. 08:22.880 --> 08:23.880 I'll get it, Jill. 08:25.880 --> 08:27.880 Mrs. Prater, we'd like to get this straight. 08:28.880 --> 08:30.880 Just your mother, your son and yourself were present 08:30.880 --> 08:32.880 when this accident occurred, is that right? 08:32.880 --> 08:34.880 Yes, just the three of us. 08:35.880 --> 08:36.880 The water's ready. 08:39.880 --> 08:40.880 You sure you don't want a cup of tea? 08:40.880 --> 08:42.880 No, ma'am. Thanks, just the same. 08:42.880 --> 08:43.880 How about the other officers? 08:43.880 --> 08:45.880 No, I don't think you'll want them either. 08:45.880 --> 08:47.880 How about your boy Ray, Mrs. Prater? 08:47.880 --> 08:48.880 What about him? 08:48.880 --> 08:49.880 You said he was asleep? 08:49.880 --> 08:51.880 That's right. We put him to bed right after the accident. 08:51.880 --> 08:54.880 He was so close to Alfred. They were great friends. 08:54.880 --> 08:56.880 I thought it might be best if he went back to sleep. 08:56.880 --> 08:57.880 You want to see him? 08:57.880 --> 08:59.880 Well, it's probably better if he sleeps right now. 08:59.880 --> 09:01.880 We can talk to him in the morning if we have to. 09:01.880 --> 09:03.880 I'd appreciate it if you could, Mr. Fryder. 09:03.880 --> 09:05.880 He's just a boy and all this, you know. 09:05.880 --> 09:06.880 Surely, ma'am, we understand. 09:06.880 --> 09:08.880 Deputy Coroner Joe, he's taking care of the body. 09:08.880 --> 09:10.880 Well, what about that, ma'am? 09:10.880 --> 09:11.880 You're going to take Alfred now? 09:11.880 --> 09:12.880 Yes, ma'am. 09:12.880 --> 09:15.880 Where will he be? Can I go along? 09:15.880 --> 09:17.880 Poor Alfred. 09:17.880 --> 09:18.880 There's no need for it, ma'am. 09:18.880 --> 09:20.880 There'll be an inquest after the autopsy. 09:20.880 --> 09:21.880 We'll give you a call about that. 09:21.880 --> 09:22.880 We know how you feel, ma'am. 09:22.880 --> 09:24.880 We don't like to intrude at a time like this, 09:24.880 --> 09:27.880 but it's one of our duties there being no doctor in attendance at the time of death. 09:27.880 --> 09:29.880 Meantime, if there's anything we can do for you, 09:29.880 --> 09:31.880 here's our card and you let us know anything at all. 09:31.880 --> 09:34.880 Thank you very much. Michigan 5211. 09:34.880 --> 09:37.880 That's right, that's right. Station 2521. 09:37.880 --> 09:39.880 All right, Mr. Fryder. 09:39.880 --> 09:41.880 Terrible thing. 09:41.880 --> 09:44.880 Can't hardly believe it. Alfred dead. 09:44.880 --> 09:46.880 Terrible. 09:48.880 --> 09:49.880 Officers. 09:49.880 --> 09:50.880 Yes, ma'am? 09:50.880 --> 09:52.880 I hope you didn't take Mother seriously about Alfred drinking. 09:52.880 --> 09:54.880 I know she didn't really mean it. 09:54.880 --> 09:55.880 Don't worry about it, Miss Prater. We understand. 09:55.880 --> 09:57.880 Don't forget to call us if there's anything you need. 09:57.880 --> 09:59.880 I won't. Good night, Mr. Fryder. Mr. Smith. 09:59.880 --> 10:01.880 Good night, ma'am. 10:04.880 --> 10:05.880 That's one for you, huh, Joe? 10:05.880 --> 10:06.880 Yeah. 10:06.880 --> 10:08.880 Even when he's dead, his mother-in-law won't leave him alone. 10:08.880 --> 10:10.880 Must have been a real pleasant life. 10:10.880 --> 10:12.880 It's been rough on his wife, too. 10:14.880 --> 10:16.880 Hey, you. 10:16.880 --> 10:17.880 Joe, you hear that? 10:17.880 --> 10:19.880 I think I did over there by the window. 10:19.880 --> 10:21.880 Yeah, there's somebody there. 10:24.880 --> 10:25.880 Well, did you call us, son? 10:25.880 --> 10:26.880 Yeah, you the cops? 10:26.880 --> 10:28.880 That's right. Is there something you wanted? 10:28.880 --> 10:30.880 Yeah, I'm my Prater. 10:30.880 --> 10:31.880 There's something I wanted to tell you. 10:31.880 --> 10:33.880 Why? What is it, son? 10:33.880 --> 10:34.880 About my father. 10:34.880 --> 10:35.880 I don't want Mom to hear me. 10:35.880 --> 10:38.880 She'd be sorry if she knew I told you. 10:38.880 --> 10:39.880 I'm supposed to be asleep. 10:39.880 --> 10:40.880 What's that, Ray? 10:40.880 --> 10:42.880 I've been sitting here listening to you talk to Mom. 10:42.880 --> 10:44.880 She told me she'd tell you, and she didn't. 10:44.880 --> 10:45.880 Tell us what, Ray? 10:45.880 --> 10:47.880 Maybe I shouldn't tell you. 10:47.880 --> 10:49.880 Mom said she'd take care of it. 10:49.880 --> 10:51.880 I just don't know what to do. 10:51.880 --> 10:53.880 I tried to think of what Dad did. 10:53.880 --> 10:55.880 He always said if there was something wrong, 10:55.880 --> 10:57.880 to find a policeman to tell him. 10:57.880 --> 10:59.880 All right, son. What is it you want to tell us? 10:59.880 --> 11:01.880 About Dad. 11:01.880 --> 11:04.880 Just before he fell on Hitty's head, he was finishing dinner. 11:04.880 --> 11:07.880 He drank a glass of milk, and he put the glass down on the table, 11:07.880 --> 11:09.880 and he said to Mom, this milk tastes bitter. 11:09.880 --> 11:11.880 It's not bad. This milk tastes bitter. 11:11.880 --> 11:14.880 I tried mine, but it tastes all right. 11:14.880 --> 11:15.880 Now, go ahead. 11:15.880 --> 11:17.880 Well, a little bit after, he got it from the table, 11:17.880 --> 11:19.880 and he fell on Hitty's head. 11:19.880 --> 11:21.880 Did your mother hear him say that about the milk? 11:21.880 --> 11:23.880 Yes, sir. She was right there. 11:23.880 --> 11:25.880 Well, why did you say that you didn't want your mother 11:25.880 --> 11:26.880 to know that you talked to her, Ray? 11:26.880 --> 11:28.880 Because when I asked her about it, 11:28.880 --> 11:30.880 she said for me not to tell anybody. 11:30.880 --> 11:32.880 Mom said that if I told anybody, they wouldn't believe me. 11:32.880 --> 11:34.880 They'd be mad at me. 11:34.880 --> 11:36.880 I said it, and I thought about it, 11:36.880 --> 11:39.880 and if she didn't tell you, I thought maybe I should. 11:39.880 --> 11:40.880 Is that wrong, mister? 11:40.880 --> 11:42.880 No, son, that's not wrong. 11:42.880 --> 11:44.880 I hope it's all right. 11:44.880 --> 11:45.880 Is it, mister? 11:45.880 --> 11:46.880 What's happened? 11:46.880 --> 11:48.880 Are you mad at me? 11:52.880 --> 11:54.880 Before we left the house, the incident looked just like 11:54.880 --> 11:56.880 another natural or accidental death. 11:56.880 --> 11:58.880 However, with the boy's story, it seemed possible 11:58.880 --> 12:00.880 that it might be something more. 12:00.880 --> 12:02.880 11 56 p.m. 12:02.880 --> 12:04.880 Under the pretext of getting additional information 12:04.880 --> 12:06.880 for our report, Frank and I went back into the house. 12:06.880 --> 12:08.880 We talked to Mrs. Prater for another hour. 12:08.880 --> 12:11.880 It was possible that the boy's story about the glass of milk 12:11.880 --> 12:14.880 was his imagination, but it had to be checked out. 12:14.880 --> 12:17.880 While we talked to her, we had to be careful not to let her know 12:17.880 --> 12:19.880 that we'd seen or talked to little Ray. 12:19.880 --> 12:21.880 We noticed that the dishes from the evening meal 12:21.880 --> 12:23.880 had been washed and put away. 12:23.880 --> 12:25.880 We commented about this, and Mrs. Prater said that she'd done 12:25.880 --> 12:28.880 the dishes to keep her mind occupied while she waited for us. 12:28.880 --> 12:31.880 Frank and I asked her about her husband's insurance policy, 12:31.880 --> 12:34.880 and she gave us the name of the company that had written them. 12:34.880 --> 12:36.880 We asked if she and her husband had quarreled much, 12:36.880 --> 12:38.880 and she told us that in 14 years of marriage, 12:38.880 --> 12:40.880 they hadn't had one serious argument. 12:40.880 --> 12:43.880 During the conversation, we gave her every opportunity 12:43.880 --> 12:46.880 to tell us about Mr. Prater's remark concerning the glass of milk. 12:46.880 --> 12:48.880 She didn't mention it. 12:48.880 --> 12:50.880 Until we received the results of the autopsy, 12:50.880 --> 12:53.880 Frank and I figured we'd better wait before questioning her further. 12:53.880 --> 12:55.880 12 34 a.m. 12:55.880 --> 12:57.880 We got back to the office and signed out. 12:57.880 --> 12:59.880 The next morning, we put in a call to the insurance company 12:59.880 --> 13:01.880 to check on the husband's policy. 13:01.880 --> 13:04.880 The deputy coroner said we'd have the results of the autopsy by noon. 13:04.880 --> 13:06.880 Thursday, 11 20 a.m. 13:06.880 --> 13:08.880 Yes, sir. 13:08.880 --> 13:10.880 All right, sir, thank you. 13:10.880 --> 13:12.880 Yeah, that's right, Smith, 2521. 13:12.880 --> 13:14.880 Thanks again, bye. 13:14.880 --> 13:15.880 Anything? 13:15.880 --> 13:17.880 Insurance company says when they wrote the policy on Prater, 13:17.880 --> 13:19.880 there was nothing wrong with his heart. 13:19.880 --> 13:21.880 Good size policy, Joe. 13:21.880 --> 13:23.880 25,000 double indemnity in case of accidental death. 13:23.880 --> 13:25.880 Who's the beneficiary? His wife. 13:25.880 --> 13:27.880 Guy at the company told me that Mrs. Prater called last week 13:27.880 --> 13:29.880 wanting to know the premium on the larger amount. 13:29.880 --> 13:31.880 He gave it to her and said they'd like to send a salesman 13:31.880 --> 13:33.880 over to the house to talk to her and her husband. 13:33.880 --> 13:35.880 He said it wouldn't be necessary. She'd bring him down to the office. 13:35.880 --> 13:37.880 They haven't heard from her since. 13:37.880 --> 13:39.880 $50,000. Sure is in a good motive, isn't it? 13:39.880 --> 13:41.880 Yeah. Funny about the kid, isn't it? 13:41.880 --> 13:42.880 What do you mean? 13:42.880 --> 13:44.880 Figuring what his father said about the milk might have meant something. 13:44.880 --> 13:46.880 Must have been a tough decision for the little guy to make 13:46.880 --> 13:48.880 whether to tell us or keep quiet. 13:48.880 --> 13:50.880 I'll get it. 13:50.880 --> 13:52.880 Commicide Friday. 13:52.880 --> 13:55.880 Yeah, just a second. 13:55.880 --> 13:57.880 All right, go ahead. 13:58.880 --> 14:00.880 Well... 14:00.880 --> 14:02.880 Okay, thank you. 14:03.880 --> 14:06.880 Abernathy at the coroner's office just finished the autopsy. 14:06.880 --> 14:07.880 Anything? 14:07.880 --> 14:08.880 Yeah. 14:08.880 --> 14:10.880 Considerable amount of poison in the victim's stomach. 14:10.880 --> 14:12.880 You are listening to Dragnet, 14:12.880 --> 14:14.880 authentic stories of your police force in action. 14:14.880 --> 14:18.880 Friends, the name Fatima has always stood for quality. 14:18.880 --> 14:20.880 Fatimas are distinctive, 14:20.880 --> 14:23.880 with a truly different flavor and aroma. 14:23.880 --> 14:25.880 And in king-size Fatima, 14:25.880 --> 14:27.880 you get an extra mild and soothing smoke, 14:27.880 --> 14:38.900 plus the extra strong flavor of the 14:38.900 --> 14:40.900 fatima. 14:40.900 --> 14:44.900 Yes, there's a good reason why Fatima continues to grow in favor 14:44.900 --> 14:46.900 among king-size cigarette smokers everywhere. 14:46.900 --> 14:49.900 In Fatima, the difference is quality. 14:49.900 --> 14:51.900 Quality of tobaccos, 14:51.900 --> 14:53.900 the finest Turkish and domestic varieties, 14:53.900 --> 14:55.900 extra mild and superbly blended, 14:55.900 --> 14:57.900 to give you a much different, 14:57.900 --> 14:59.900 much better flavor and aroma. 14:59.900 --> 15:01.900 Quality of manufacture, 15:01.900 --> 15:03.900 smooth, round, perfect cigarettes, 15:03.900 --> 15:05.900 rolled in the finest paper, 15:05.900 --> 15:08.900 money can buy. 15:08.900 --> 15:10.900 Quality, even to the appearance of the bright, 15:10.900 --> 15:12.900 sunny yellow pack, 15:12.900 --> 15:15.900 carefully wrapped and sealed to bring you Fatima's 15:15.900 --> 15:18.900 rich, fresh, extra mild flavor. 15:18.900 --> 15:21.900 So next time, insist on Fatima quality. 15:21.900 --> 15:23.900 Look for the bright, sunny yellow pack. 15:23.900 --> 15:25.900 Smoke Fatima, 15:25.900 --> 15:28.900 the extra mild and soothing king-size cigarette, 15:28.900 --> 15:39.900 with the added protection of Fatima quality. 15:39.900 --> 15:41.900 The finding of the poison in the stomach of Alfred Prater 15:41.900 --> 15:44.900 had definitely ruled out natural or accidental death. 15:44.900 --> 15:46.900 There was still the possibility, however, 15:46.900 --> 15:48.900 that he'd taken his own life. 15:48.900 --> 15:50.900 The story given us by the sun made this unlikely, 15:50.900 --> 15:53.900 but still was in the realm of possibility. 15:53.900 --> 15:57.900 1.15 p.m., Frank and I arrived at the Prater residence. 15:57.900 --> 15:59.900 Yes? 15:59.900 --> 16:01.900 Oh, you're the officers who were here last night. 16:01.900 --> 16:02.900 Won't you come in? 16:02.900 --> 16:04.900 Thank you, ma'am. 16:04.900 --> 16:06.900 Something more that you wanted to know? 16:06.900 --> 16:08.900 I think I told you everything last night. 16:08.900 --> 16:09.900 Well, something's come up, ma'am, 16:09.900 --> 16:10.900 and it kind of changes things a little. 16:10.900 --> 16:11.900 What's that? 16:11.900 --> 16:12.900 Originally, ma'am, we thought your husband's death 16:12.900 --> 16:14.900 was natural or accidental. 16:14.900 --> 16:15.900 You mean now you don't think so? 16:15.900 --> 16:17.900 No, ma'am, he died of poison. 16:17.900 --> 16:18.900 No, it can't be. 16:18.900 --> 16:19.900 There's a mistake somewhere. 16:19.900 --> 16:20.900 I'm afraid not, ma'am. 16:20.900 --> 16:21.900 I wonder if we could sit down 16:21.900 --> 16:22.900 and a few questions we're going to have to ask him. 16:22.900 --> 16:24.900 Yes, of course, this is quite a shock, officers. 16:24.900 --> 16:25.900 I don't know what to think. 16:25.900 --> 16:27.900 Yes, ma'am. 16:27.900 --> 16:28.900 Could you tell us what you had for dinner last night, 16:28.900 --> 16:29.900 what your husband ate? 16:29.900 --> 16:31.900 He ate the same things all of us did, nothing different. 16:31.900 --> 16:32.900 What was that, ma'am? 16:32.900 --> 16:34.900 Green salad, macaroni and cheese, bread and butter, 16:34.900 --> 16:35.900 and a pudding for dessert. 16:35.900 --> 16:37.900 You all ate the same food, is that right? 16:37.900 --> 16:38.900 Yes, what are you trying to say? 16:38.900 --> 16:39.900 Do you think that I poisoned Alfred? 16:39.900 --> 16:41.900 We're not trying to say anything, Mrs. Prater. 16:41.900 --> 16:42.900 Your husband died of poison. 16:42.900 --> 16:43.900 We're trying to find out why. 16:43.900 --> 16:44.900 Just a minute. 16:44.900 --> 16:45.900 Mother? 16:45.900 --> 16:47.900 Mother, can you come out here a minute? 16:47.900 --> 16:49.900 Most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. 16:49.900 --> 16:51.900 Your husband having anything to drink for this dinner, ma'am? 16:51.900 --> 16:53.900 Of course, water, then coffee after dinner. 16:53.900 --> 16:55.900 He always has a couple of cups of coffee after dinner. 16:55.900 --> 16:57.900 All he had for this dinner was water, is that right? 16:57.900 --> 16:58.900 Yes, just water. 16:58.900 --> 16:59.900 Did he ever drink anything else for this dinner? 16:59.900 --> 17:01.900 Milk, tea, maybe a glass of beer? 17:01.900 --> 17:02.900 Milk, once in a while. 17:02.900 --> 17:04.900 Last night we only had enough for Ray, though. 17:04.900 --> 17:05.900 Just one glass. 17:05.900 --> 17:06.900 That's for beer, Mother. 17:06.900 --> 17:07.900 Ray's such a fuss. 17:07.900 --> 17:08.900 I don't think Alfred would want to go through it. 17:08.900 --> 17:09.900 I don't know if he wanted beer. 17:09.900 --> 17:10.900 He drank it at the bar down the street. 17:10.900 --> 17:12.900 Are you sure, though, that last night your husband 17:12.900 --> 17:14.900 only drank water with his meal, is that right? 17:14.900 --> 17:15.900 Yes, I told you, just water. 17:15.900 --> 17:17.900 Why all this harping on milk? 17:17.900 --> 17:18.900 What are you trying to say? 17:18.900 --> 17:19.900 What are you getting at? 17:19.900 --> 17:21.900 Mother, are you coming out? 17:21.900 --> 17:23.900 What's all the ruckus about? 17:23.900 --> 17:25.900 Can I even take a nap and pee? 17:25.900 --> 17:27.900 These officers just told me that Alfred's death 17:27.900 --> 17:28.900 wasn't accidental, Mother. 17:28.900 --> 17:30.900 Not accidental? Nonsense. 17:30.900 --> 17:31.900 The doctor said it was an accident. 17:31.900 --> 17:32.900 What more do you need? 17:32.900 --> 17:34.900 Got drunk and fell down, broke his head. 17:34.900 --> 17:35.900 Of course it was an accident. 17:35.900 --> 17:36.900 I'm afraid not, Ms. Atkins. 17:36.900 --> 17:37.900 Your son-in-law was poisoned. 17:37.900 --> 17:38.900 Poisoned? How? 17:38.900 --> 17:40.900 That's what we're trying to find out. 17:40.900 --> 17:42.900 I seem to think that maybe I did it, Mother. 17:42.900 --> 17:43.900 You? 17:43.900 --> 17:44.900 Why, that's ridiculous. 17:44.900 --> 17:45.900 Why would she do it? 17:45.900 --> 17:47.900 Well, it was quite a bit of insurance, for one thing. 17:47.900 --> 17:49.900 You've been nosing around, haven't you? 17:49.900 --> 17:51.900 So there was a little insurance. What does that prove? 17:51.900 --> 17:52.900 It was more than a little, ma'am. 17:52.900 --> 17:53.900 $25,000 worth. 17:53.900 --> 17:55.900 Double indemnity clause makes it $50,000. 17:55.900 --> 17:57.900 That brings up another thing, Ms. Prater. 17:57.900 --> 17:58.900 Yes? 17:58.900 --> 17:59.900 The insurance company says that you called them 17:59.900 --> 18:01.900 and wanted to raise the amount of the policy. 18:01.900 --> 18:02.900 Is that right? 18:02.900 --> 18:04.900 Well, yes, I did call them, but Alfred told me to. 18:04.900 --> 18:06.900 Said he wanted to provide more for me and Ray. 18:06.900 --> 18:08.900 Anyone hear your husband say that he wanted more insurance? 18:08.900 --> 18:10.900 No, we're not in the habit of discussing our private business 18:10.900 --> 18:11.900 around other people. 18:11.900 --> 18:13.900 Other people learn to keep their noses where they belong. 18:13.900 --> 18:15.900 The world would be a better place. 18:15.900 --> 18:16.900 Ms. Atkins, I'm sorry. 18:16.900 --> 18:17.900 I'm sorry. 18:17.900 --> 18:19.900 I'm sorry, but I don't think we can be a better place. 18:19.900 --> 18:21.900 Ms. Atkins, I wonder if you could tell us 18:21.900 --> 18:23.900 what you had for dinner last night. 18:23.900 --> 18:24.900 Well, that is the limit. 18:24.900 --> 18:25.900 I just told you what we had. 18:25.900 --> 18:26.900 Isn't that enough? 18:26.900 --> 18:28.900 Come in here and you ask a lot of questions. 18:28.900 --> 18:29.900 Poor Alfred's not even buried 18:29.900 --> 18:31.900 and you come in here and upset him. 18:31.900 --> 18:32.900 We're awfully sorry, Mrs. Prater, 18:32.900 --> 18:34.900 but we have to find out that's what we're paid for. 18:34.900 --> 18:35.900 It's all right, Ellen. 18:35.900 --> 18:36.900 We've got nothing to hide. 18:36.900 --> 18:37.900 Answer their questions, 18:37.900 --> 18:39.900 and then maybe they'll leave us alone. 18:39.900 --> 18:41.900 But I told them that we don't know anything about it. 18:41.900 --> 18:42.900 I told them. 18:42.900 --> 18:44.900 All right, honey, now calm down. 18:44.900 --> 18:48.900 Now, dinner last night, what you wanted to know about? 18:48.900 --> 18:49.900 Yes, ma'am, just what you had to eat. 18:49.900 --> 18:51.900 Macaroni and cheese, little salad, 18:51.900 --> 18:52.900 and some pudding Ellen made. 18:52.900 --> 18:53.900 Nothing else? 18:53.900 --> 18:54.900 Bread and butter. 18:54.900 --> 18:55.900 How about something to drink? 18:55.900 --> 18:57.900 Water, good, clean water. 18:57.900 --> 18:58.900 Ray drink water too? 18:58.900 --> 18:59.900 No, he had milk. 18:59.900 --> 19:00.900 Mr. Prater drink milk? 19:00.900 --> 19:01.900 I told you. 19:01.900 --> 19:02.900 We'd like for your mother to tell us too, ma'am, 19:02.900 --> 19:04.900 just to keep the record straight. 19:04.900 --> 19:06.900 I think he might have had some milk to drink. 19:06.900 --> 19:07.900 I don't remember, special. 19:07.900 --> 19:08.900 No, he didn't, mother. 19:08.900 --> 19:10.900 Remember when I poured the milk for Ray? 19:10.900 --> 19:11.900 I said there wasn't enough for anyone else. 19:11.900 --> 19:13.900 Just one glass for Ray, that's all there was. 19:13.900 --> 19:14.900 Don't you remember? 19:14.900 --> 19:16.900 No, I don't, but if you say it was that way, 19:16.900 --> 19:17.900 then I guess it was. 19:17.900 --> 19:19.900 You've got no reason to lie. 19:19.900 --> 19:20.900 Ever occurred to you officers 19:20.900 --> 19:22.900 that maybe Alfred took the poison himself? 19:22.900 --> 19:23.900 Ever think of that? 19:23.900 --> 19:24.900 How's that, ma'am? 19:24.900 --> 19:26.900 Well, didn't you tell him, Ellen, 19:26.900 --> 19:27.900 about how he used to moan around the house 19:27.900 --> 19:29.900 saying he couldn't stand it anymore? 19:29.900 --> 19:30.900 Now, what's this, ma'am? 19:30.900 --> 19:32.900 Your husband ever talk about taking his own life? 19:32.900 --> 19:33.900 Yes, I didn't want to bring it up, 19:33.900 --> 19:34.900 but now I suppose I'll have to. 19:34.900 --> 19:35.900 Yes. 19:35.900 --> 19:36.900 Alfred was pretty depressed. 19:36.900 --> 19:38.900 He felt that he wasn't getting it in place in his job. 19:38.900 --> 19:41.900 He felt that at his age, he should be farther along. 19:41.900 --> 19:44.900 At times, he'd get real low, say he wasn't going any place. 19:44.900 --> 19:46.900 I did my best to make him feel better. 19:46.900 --> 19:47.900 I guess it didn't do any good. 19:47.900 --> 19:49.900 Well, did he ever say he was thinking of taking his own life? 19:49.900 --> 19:50.900 Yes, several times. 19:50.900 --> 19:51.900 I laughed him out of it, 19:51.900 --> 19:53.900 and things would go on quiet for a while, 19:53.900 --> 19:55.900 and then something would happen that would set him off again. 19:55.900 --> 19:58.900 Well, how is it that you didn't tell us about this before, ma'am? 19:58.900 --> 19:59.900 Well, I didn't think it would prove anything. 19:59.900 --> 20:01.900 No reason to drag skeletons out of the closet. 20:01.900 --> 20:02.900 You satisfied now? 20:02.900 --> 20:03.900 You happy? 20:03.900 --> 20:06.900 Now you know about Alfred, maybe he'll leave us alone. 20:06.900 --> 20:07.900 Is your son here, ma'am? 20:07.900 --> 20:09.900 Yes, he's out in the yard playing. 20:09.900 --> 20:11.900 I'll call him if you have to talk to him. 20:11.900 --> 20:12.900 I'd like to very much, ma'am. 20:12.900 --> 20:13.900 All right, I'll get him. 20:13.900 --> 20:14.900 Before you go, Miss Freider. 20:14.900 --> 20:15.900 Yes? 20:15.900 --> 20:17.900 Do you keep any poison around the house? 20:17.900 --> 20:19.900 Of course not. I'd be afraid that Ray might find it. 20:19.900 --> 20:22.900 Nothing at all? Nothing for rats, gophers, anything like that? 20:22.900 --> 20:24.900 No, never been bothered with rats and mice. 20:24.900 --> 20:27.900 There aren't any gophers around. No, Sergeant, there's no poison in the house. 20:27.900 --> 20:29.900 Well, you wouldn't mind if we looked around, would you? 20:29.900 --> 20:31.900 Maybe your husband bought some and he didn't tell you about it. 20:31.900 --> 20:33.900 No, go ahead and look. I know you won't find anything. 20:33.900 --> 20:36.900 Alfred and I had talked about keeping anything around that Ray might get into. 20:36.900 --> 20:39.900 I don't recall ever having bought any poison. I'm pretty sure Alfred didn't. 20:39.900 --> 20:41.900 Well, we'll take a look later, ma'am. It's all right. 20:41.900 --> 20:42.900 Now, if we could just talk to your son? 20:42.900 --> 20:44.900 I'll get him. 20:46.900 --> 20:49.900 Ray? Ray, come in here. 20:49.900 --> 20:51.900 No, right now. 20:52.900 --> 20:56.900 You'll be right in, Mr. Freider. I hope you won't say anything to upset him. 20:57.900 --> 20:59.900 Yeah, Mom? What do you want? 20:59.900 --> 21:02.900 These men here would like to talk to you, son. They're policemen. 21:02.900 --> 21:05.900 What do they want to talk to me about? I haven't done anything. 21:05.900 --> 21:07.900 We know that, Ray. Just have a couple of questions for you. 21:07.900 --> 21:10.900 This is Mr. Freider and Mr. Smith, my son Ray. 21:10.900 --> 21:12.900 Hi. Pleased to meet you. 21:12.900 --> 21:15.900 You bet. I wonder if you could tell us what you had for dinner last night, Ray? 21:15.900 --> 21:16.900 Dinner? 21:16.900 --> 21:17.900 Yes, son. 21:17.900 --> 21:20.900 Well, Mom fixed macaroni and cheese. We had that. 21:20.900 --> 21:21.900 Anything else, son? 21:21.900 --> 21:23.900 A salad. I didn't like it. 21:23.900 --> 21:25.900 Then we had some pudding for dessert. 21:25.900 --> 21:27.900 What did you have to drink, Ray? 21:27.900 --> 21:28.900 Milk. 21:28.900 --> 21:30.900 What did your father have? Ray? 21:30.900 --> 21:33.900 I don't remember too well. You better ask Mom. She'll tell you. 21:33.900 --> 21:36.900 I told you, Mr. Freider, only Ray had milk. His father drank water. 21:36.900 --> 21:38.900 Ray? 21:38.900 --> 21:42.900 That's right, Mr. Freider. Dad drank water. Nothing else. 21:46.900 --> 21:50.900 It was apparent that Mrs. Prater didn't know Ray had talked to us the night before, 21:50.900 --> 21:53.900 and we were reluctant to involve the boy any more than was necessary. 21:53.900 --> 21:58.900 We searched the house and the garage, but we found nothing that could have been used to poison the husband. 21:58.900 --> 22:02.900 We obtained samples of Ellen Prater's and Mrs. Atkins' handwriting. 22:02.900 --> 22:05.900 We canvassed the drug stores in the immediate area. 22:05.900 --> 22:10.900 None of the druggists we talked to could remember selling poison to a woman answering either description. 22:10.900 --> 22:17.900 We contacted the office, and Sergeants Gill and Senus and Danny Galindo were dispatched to the neighborhood where the Praters had lived previously. 22:17.900 --> 22:21.900 They were to canvass the drug stores and at the same time talk to the neighbors. 22:21.900 --> 22:26.900 In talking to the people in the area around the house, we found that the Praters were the subject of constant gossip. 22:26.900 --> 22:30.900 We heard tales of violent arguments between the victim and his wife. 22:30.900 --> 22:34.900 Several of the quarrels had resulted in the neighbors calling the police to quiet them. 22:34.900 --> 22:38.900 Around the neighborhood, we found out that Mrs. Prater had a violent temper 22:38.900 --> 22:41.900 and had had several arguments with her husband in the corner bar. 22:41.900 --> 22:44.900 According to the bartender, she accused him of running around. 22:44.900 --> 22:47.900 He went on to tell us that as far as he knew, nothing was further from the truth, 22:47.900 --> 22:54.900 that Alfred Prater loved his home and his son, and that he took to drinking as an excuse to get away from his wife's nagging. 22:54.900 --> 22:57.900 Five twenty p.m. Frank and I checked into the office. 22:57.900 --> 22:59.900 Rough day? 22:59.900 --> 23:00.900 Yeah, a lot of leg work. 23:00.900 --> 23:03.900 Not that so much, just hoping Senus and Galindo did better than us. 23:03.900 --> 23:07.900 Well, we didn't do too bad. We pretty much proved what you said about the happy home life wasn't true. 23:07.900 --> 23:08.900 I suppose. 23:08.900 --> 23:11.900 Without being able to show they were in possession of the poison, we aren't going to be able to prove much. 23:11.900 --> 23:12.900 I got it, Joe. 23:12.900 --> 23:16.900 Uh, homicide, Smith. Yeah, Gil. 23:16.900 --> 23:19.900 Mm-hmm. How about that? 23:19.900 --> 23:21.900 Yeah, ask him to, huh? 23:21.900 --> 23:22.900 Okay. 23:22.900 --> 23:24.900 Said what? 23:24.900 --> 23:25.900 Yeah, I got it. 23:25.900 --> 23:27.900 Right. See you then. 23:27.900 --> 23:28.900 And Senus? 23:28.900 --> 23:30.900 Yeah, they found the place she bought the poison. 23:30.900 --> 23:35.900 Druggist out there remembered her from the description, checked the book, used the name Eileen Peters. Funny thing, though. 23:35.900 --> 23:36.900 Yeah. 23:36.900 --> 23:39.900 When the Druggist asked her the address, she gave him the real one. You know, the house they lived in previously? 23:39.900 --> 23:40.900 Did she say what she wanted the poison for? 23:40.900 --> 23:43.900 Yeah, Gil said the book read, to destroy pests. 23:46.900 --> 23:50.900 On the way out to pick up Mrs. Prater, Frank and I outlined the plan for identification. 23:50.900 --> 23:57.900 In the event the Druggist was unable to give a positive identification, we thought it better if the suspect didn't know she was being observed. 23:57.900 --> 24:00.900 This would forestall any embarrassment to the Druggist. 24:00.900 --> 24:03.900 We arrived at the Prater home and took the suspect into custody. 24:03.900 --> 24:09.900 She said that she couldn't understand why we were arresting her, but that she'd be more than happy to go with us to get the thing straightened out. 24:09.900 --> 24:10.900 Six forty p.m. 24:10.900 --> 24:13.900 Frank and I talked with Mrs. Prater in the interrogation room. 24:13.900 --> 24:16.900 Alfred and I got along perfectly, never a misunderstanding. 24:16.900 --> 24:18.900 Well, your neighbors don't bear that out, Mrs. Prater. 24:18.900 --> 24:19.900 What? 24:19.900 --> 24:22.900 You two used to fight all the time, had to call the police a couple of times. 24:22.900 --> 24:24.900 They're busybodies, Mr. Friday, busybodies. 24:24.900 --> 24:26.900 They were jealous because Alfred and I were so happy. 24:26.900 --> 24:29.900 Once in a while we had a little fuss, but nothing worth mentioning. 24:29.900 --> 24:31.900 How about the police being called, ma'am? 24:31.900 --> 24:35.900 Well, they might have come by when we were playing the radio a little loud, having a party, something like that, but never an argument. 24:35.900 --> 24:38.900 You said your husband didn't drink any milk the night he died, is that right? 24:38.900 --> 24:39.900 That's right, I did. 24:39.900 --> 24:41.900 Your boy Ray seems to disagree with that. 24:41.900 --> 24:45.900 He said that his father did drink some milk, commented on the fact that it tasted bitter. 24:45.900 --> 24:48.900 The little sneak, he's lying, of course, you know that. 24:48.900 --> 24:50.900 Wait a minute, you talked to him. 24:50.900 --> 24:52.900 You said that his father drank water, like I said. 24:52.900 --> 24:54.900 What are you trying to do, cause trouble between me and my son? 24:54.900 --> 24:55.900 No, ma'am. 24:55.900 --> 24:56.900 I should hope not. 24:56.900 --> 24:59.900 Poor little kid, father dead, and you're trying to say that I did it, that I killed Ray's father. 24:59.900 --> 25:01.900 You ought to be ashamed of yourself. 25:01.900 --> 25:02.900 Frank. 25:02.900 --> 25:03.900 Yeah, Joe. 25:03.900 --> 25:04.900 It's a little warm in here. 25:04.900 --> 25:05.900 You want to open the door for a minute? 25:05.900 --> 25:06.900 Yeah, sure. 25:06.900 --> 25:07.900 Thank you. 25:07.900 --> 25:09.900 That's better. 25:09.900 --> 25:11.900 It's not too cold on you as a Mrs. Prater. 25:11.900 --> 25:12.900 No. 25:12.900 --> 25:14.900 Mrs. Prater, did you ever buy any poison for any purpose? 25:14.900 --> 25:17.900 You asked me that before, I told you no then, the answer's the same now. 25:17.900 --> 25:19.900 You sure that you never bought any poison of any type? 25:19.900 --> 25:21.900 Absolutely. 25:21.900 --> 25:24.900 You ever do any business with a Mr. McClain in your old neighborhood? 25:24.900 --> 25:25.900 McClain? 25:25.900 --> 25:26.900 Don't we call him names? 25:26.900 --> 25:27.900 He's a drugger. 25:27.900 --> 25:31.900 No, no, I always bought from Mr. Swenson, a little drug store in the corner near the house. 25:31.900 --> 25:33.900 Excuse me, ma'am, will you please, I want to check something down the hall. 25:33.900 --> 25:35.900 Yeah, all right, fine. 25:35.900 --> 25:38.900 Listen, maybe you haven't got anything else to do, but I have. 25:38.900 --> 25:40.900 If you'll get this foolishness over with, I'd like to go home. 25:40.900 --> 25:41.900 We're almost finished, Mrs. Prater. 25:41.900 --> 25:42.900 Just a couple more things. 25:42.900 --> 25:45.900 Well, get him over with. 25:45.900 --> 25:46.900 Same one, Joe. 25:46.900 --> 25:47.900 He's positive. 25:47.900 --> 25:48.900 Mrs. Prater? 25:48.900 --> 25:49.900 Yes? 25:49.900 --> 25:52.900 Maybe if we lay this thing out for you, it'd be a little better. 25:52.900 --> 25:53.900 Anything to get it over with. 25:53.900 --> 25:55.900 I want to go home, I've got to get dinner for Ray and Mother. 25:55.900 --> 25:56.900 All right. 25:56.900 --> 25:58.900 In the first place, you told us that you and your husband were happy. 25:58.900 --> 26:00.900 The neighbors tell us that you fought all the time. 26:00.900 --> 26:03.900 The bartender says you used to come in and raise the roof with your husband. 26:03.900 --> 26:05.900 You claim he was going out with other women. 26:05.900 --> 26:08.900 So the part about you and your husband being happy is a lie, isn't it? 26:08.900 --> 26:09.900 I don't know what you're talking about. 26:09.900 --> 26:12.900 Well, you said your husband didn't drink any milk for dinner the night he died. 26:12.900 --> 26:13.900 Your son says he did. 26:13.900 --> 26:14.900 What's all this about milk anyway? 26:14.900 --> 26:16.900 What's that got to do with it? 26:16.900 --> 26:19.900 According to what your son said, it looks like that's what your husband got the poison in, doesn't it? 26:19.900 --> 26:20.900 Where would I get poison? 26:20.900 --> 26:21.900 I didn't buy any. 26:21.900 --> 26:22.900 I told you that. 26:22.900 --> 26:24.900 You searched the house in the garage, you didn't find any. 26:24.900 --> 26:25.900 We've got the man to solve it to you, Mrs. Prater. 26:25.900 --> 26:27.900 He just gave a positive identification. 26:27.900 --> 26:32.900 And Don Meyer, our handwriting man, checked the samples of your handwriting with a signature in the druggist buy book. 26:32.900 --> 26:33.900 They're the same. 26:33.900 --> 26:35.900 He might have wanted to collect on that insurance policy. 26:35.900 --> 26:38.900 Any way you look at him, Mrs. Prater, the facts point out that you killed your husband. 26:38.900 --> 26:41.900 Now why not admit it? 26:41.900 --> 26:43.900 I didn't want to kill him. 26:43.900 --> 26:45.900 I only wanted to make him sick. 26:45.900 --> 26:46.900 Just sick, that's all. 26:46.900 --> 26:48.900 Stop drinking, stay home a little bit. 26:48.900 --> 26:49.900 I didn't want to kill him. 26:49.900 --> 26:51.900 I didn't mean it. 26:51.900 --> 26:52.900 I didn't want the money. 26:52.900 --> 26:54.900 I just wanted him home with me. 26:54.900 --> 26:55.900 Yes, ma'am. 26:55.900 --> 26:56.900 Frank, you want to call the stenographer? 26:56.900 --> 26:57.900 Yeah, Joe. 27:03.900 --> 27:05.900 You can understand a canch, Mr. Friday? 27:05.900 --> 27:06.900 Ma'am? 27:06.900 --> 27:07.900 You can understand it? 27:07.900 --> 27:08.900 I thought he was running around. 27:08.900 --> 27:10.900 I wanted him home with me and Ray and Mother. 27:10.900 --> 27:12.900 A nice little home for Ray. 27:12.900 --> 27:13.900 That's all I wanted. 27:13.900 --> 27:14.900 Is that wrong? 27:14.900 --> 27:15.900 Something nice for Ray. 27:15.900 --> 27:16.900 Is that wrong? 27:16.900 --> 27:17.900 Well, I don't know. 27:17.900 --> 27:18.900 What? 27:18.900 --> 27:20.900 What's he got now? 27:27.900 --> 27:29.900 The story you have just heard was true. 27:29.900 --> 27:32.900 The names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:32.900 --> 27:38.900 On January 13th, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. 27:38.900 --> 27:40.900 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:40.900 --> 27:42.900 And now here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:42.900 --> 27:44.900 Thank you, George Fenomen. 27:44.900 --> 27:48.900 Friends, you know best of anyone what you're looking for in a king-size cigarette. 27:48.900 --> 27:49.900 So here's all I ask you to do. 27:49.900 --> 27:52.900 Try Fatima's and then make up your own mind. 27:52.900 --> 27:57.900 If you're looking for an extra mild and soothing smoke and a really different flavor and aroma, 27:57.900 --> 27:59.900 then Fatima is the king-size cigarette for you. 27:59.900 --> 28:02.900 Ask for Fatima in the bright, sunny yellow pack. 28:02.900 --> 28:04.900 King-size Fatima. 28:04.900 --> 28:14.900 The difference is quality. 28:14.900 --> 28:18.900 Ellen Adelaide Prater was tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree. 28:18.900 --> 28:23.900 She was sentenced to life imprisonment and is now serving her term in the state penitentiary for women. 28:23.900 --> 28:30.900 Further investigation proved that the mother-in-law, Mrs. Ruth Atkins, was unaware of the intention of her daughter to kill her husband. 28:30.900 --> 28:42.900 She was not connected in any way with the death of Alfred Prater. 28:42.900 --> 28:46.900 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:46.900 --> 28:51.900 Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 28:51.900 --> 28:56.900 Technical advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. 28:56.900 --> 29:00.900 Heard tonight were Herb Ellis, June Whitley, Sammy Og, Virginia Gregg. 29:00.900 --> 29:07.900 Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schuman. Hal Gibney speaking. 29:07.900 --> 29:19.900 King-size Fatima has brought you Dragnet, transcribed from Los Angeles. 29:19.900 --> 29:31.900 This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.