WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:05.000 Sound off for Chesterfield. 00:05.000 --> 00:13.160 Chesterfield, first cigarette in America to give you premium quality in both regular and 00:13.160 --> 00:22.840 king size brings you drag men. 00:22.840 --> 00:26.720 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 00:26.720 --> 00:39.360 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:39.360 --> 00:41.000 You're a detective sergeant. 00:41.000 --> 00:43.240 You're assigned to homicide detail. 00:43.240 --> 00:45.560 You got a call that a man has been murdered. 00:45.560 --> 00:47.280 His killer is unknown. 00:47.280 --> 00:53.040 Your job, get him. 00:53.040 --> 00:56.760 Here's what the tobacco trade press has had to say about Chesterfield. 00:56.760 --> 01:01.040 U.S. Tobacco Journal, Boston, Massachusetts. 01:01.040 --> 01:05.280 Chesterfield cigarettes in the new king size is still maintaining large turnovers in this 01:05.280 --> 01:06.280 area. 01:06.280 --> 01:11.440 Dealers report that sales continue to climb on this size and it seems that volume on the 01:11.440 --> 01:15.360 regular size has climbed to new heights with its big brother. 01:15.360 --> 01:21.240 And Tobacco Leaf reports from Chicago, more calls for Chesterfield king size cigarettes 01:21.240 --> 01:23.160 than for most brands being marketed. 01:23.160 --> 01:29.120 Dealers all over the country tell us no product they ever handled has grown so fast in so 01:29.120 --> 01:32.520 short a time as king size Chesterfield. 01:32.520 --> 01:38.600 King size cigarettes give you quantity, but only Chesterfield king size gives you quantity 01:38.600 --> 01:41.920 plus quality, premium quality. 01:41.920 --> 01:47.160 Chesterfield king size contains tobaccos of better quality and higher price than any other 01:47.160 --> 01:48.840 king size cigarettes. 01:48.840 --> 01:54.000 In fact, the only difference between Chesterfield king size and Chesterfield regular is that 01:54.000 --> 01:59.560 the king size is larger, contains more of these same tobaccos, enough to give you more 01:59.560 --> 02:01.960 than a one-fifth longer smoke. 02:01.960 --> 02:09.120 So remember, Chesterfield is the only cigarette to give smokers premium quality in both regular 02:09.120 --> 02:10.560 and king size. 02:10.560 --> 02:14.800 Ask your dealer for Chesterfield, either way you like them. 02:14.800 --> 02:19.800 Premium quality Chesterfields and much milder. 02:19.800 --> 02:28.080 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 02:28.080 --> 02:33.000 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 02:33.000 --> 02:37.640 travel step by step on the side of the law to an actual case transcribed from official 02:37.640 --> 02:39.340 police files. 02:39.340 --> 02:44.540 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 02:44.540 --> 02:50.160 in action. 02:50.160 --> 02:51.160 Was Saturday, May 12th. 02:51.160 --> 02:52.160 It was warm in Los Angeles. 02:52.160 --> 02:54.600 We were working the day watch out of homicide detail. 02:54.600 --> 02:55.600 My partner's Frank Smith. 02:55.600 --> 02:56.600 The boss is Captain Warman. 02:56.600 --> 02:57.600 My name's Friday. 02:57.600 --> 03:00.600 It was 8.04 a.m. when I got to room 42. 03:00.600 --> 03:01.600 Homicide. 03:01.600 --> 03:02.600 After you, Joe? 03:02.600 --> 03:03.600 Yeah, I'm sorry I'm late, Frank. 03:03.600 --> 03:04.600 I got held up in traffic. 03:04.600 --> 03:05.600 Okay, no problem. 03:05.600 --> 03:06.600 I'll sure be dead when I get that freeway finished, won't you? 03:06.600 --> 03:11.600 Around the end of the pass this time of the morning, you can't go more than 10 miles an 03:11.600 --> 03:12.600 hour. 03:12.600 --> 03:13.600 Yeah, cars really climb up around Franklin. 03:13.600 --> 03:14.600 Oh boy, when we get through tonight, I'm gonna go straight to bed. 03:14.600 --> 03:15.600 I might not even stop to eat. 03:15.600 --> 03:16.600 Oh, what's the matter? 03:16.600 --> 03:17.600 Have trouble getting to sleep last night? 03:17.600 --> 03:18.600 Well, I wouldn't have had any trouble if I'd had the chance to do it. 03:18.600 --> 03:19.600 What do you mean, I'll get it? 03:19.600 --> 03:20.600 My brother-in-law. 03:20.600 --> 03:21.600 Oh, what'd he have to do with it? 03:21.600 --> 03:22.600 Well, a couple of weeks ago, he sent away for one of those courses in hypnotism at home. 03:22.600 --> 03:23.600 Book got to the house yesterday right away. 03:23.600 --> 03:24.600 He's got a new career. 03:24.600 --> 03:25.600 He's gonna go into the hypnotism business. 03:25.600 --> 03:26.600 All right. 03:26.600 --> 03:27.600 Yeah. 03:27.600 --> 03:28.600 Book tells how if you do it right, you can have full control over people and make them 03:28.600 --> 03:29.600 do things you want, all that stuff. 03:29.600 --> 03:30.600 Right away, he's got a new career. 03:30.600 --> 03:31.600 He's got a new job. 03:31.600 --> 03:43.600 He's got a new job. 03:43.600 --> 04:02.600 He's got a new job. 04:02.600 --> 04:17.600 He's got a new job. 04:17.600 --> 04:32.600 He's got a new job. 04:32.600 --> 04:47.600 He's got a new job. 04:47.600 --> 05:02.600 He's got a new job. 05:02.600 --> 05:17.600 He's got a new job. 05:17.600 --> 05:32.600 He's got a new job. 05:32.600 --> 05:47.600 He's got a new job. 05:47.600 --> 06:02.600 He's got a new job. 06:02.600 --> 06:17.600 He's got a new job. 06:17.600 --> 06:32.600 He's got a new job. 06:32.600 --> 06:47.600 He's got a new job. 06:47.600 --> 06:59.600 He's got a new job. 06:59.600 --> 07:16.600 He's got a new job. 07:16.600 --> 07:18.940 was going to have enough trouble as it was. 07:18.940 --> 07:20.940 I don't think I understand. 07:20.940 --> 07:22.940 Suicide Sergeant. 07:22.940 --> 07:24.940 The one unforgivable sin. 07:24.940 --> 07:26.940 Yes ma'am. 07:26.940 --> 07:28.940 Okay Joe, I called him. 07:28.940 --> 07:32.940 Checked with the fellas in the car there looking around the neighborhood. 07:32.940 --> 07:33.940 Miss Curtis. 07:33.940 --> 07:34.940 Yes. 07:34.940 --> 07:36.940 I wonder if you could give us a description of the man you saw. 07:36.940 --> 07:37.940 We'd like to get out a call on him. 07:37.940 --> 07:38.940 Of course. 07:38.940 --> 07:39.940 I saw him pretty good. 07:39.940 --> 07:40.940 Just standing there looking at me. 07:40.940 --> 07:42.940 Well how old a man would you say he was? 07:42.940 --> 07:44.940 Maybe 35 or 40. 07:44.940 --> 07:46.940 Maybe older than that I'm sure. 07:46.940 --> 07:48.940 How tall would you say he was? 07:48.940 --> 07:49.940 Taller than you. 07:49.940 --> 07:50.940 About how much taller? 07:50.940 --> 07:52.940 Oh, maybe a couple of inches. 07:52.940 --> 07:54.940 I think about six one or two, is that right? 07:54.940 --> 07:56.940 Yes, I think that's pretty close. 07:56.940 --> 07:58.940 About his weight, how heavy do you think he was? 07:58.940 --> 08:00.940 I'm not very good at that. 08:00.940 --> 08:02.940 I'd guess about 180 around there. 08:02.940 --> 08:04.940 What about his clothes? 08:04.940 --> 08:06.940 What was he wearing, could you remember? 08:06.940 --> 08:10.940 He had on one of those blue denim outfits, you know the trousers and the jacket, light blue. 08:10.940 --> 08:14.940 His coat had that dark blue trim knitted around the bottom and collar. 08:14.940 --> 08:16.940 Had on a white shirt, no tie. 08:16.940 --> 08:19.940 And a pair of those shoes with a real thick sole. 08:19.940 --> 08:20.940 That rubber. 08:20.940 --> 08:22.940 Anything unusual about him? 08:22.940 --> 08:23.940 I don't think I know what you mean. 08:23.940 --> 08:27.940 Well did he have any marks or scars, anything that might make it easier for us to identify him? 08:27.940 --> 08:29.940 No, not that I could see. 08:29.940 --> 08:32.940 But you won't have any trouble identifying him. 08:32.940 --> 08:34.940 I'll tell you if you have the right one or not. 08:34.940 --> 08:36.940 Did he have a car, would you know that? 08:36.940 --> 08:38.940 I don't think so, I didn't see one. 08:38.940 --> 08:40.940 Thank you ma'am. 08:40.940 --> 08:42.940 I'll call us in right away Joe, get out the local and APB. 08:42.940 --> 08:43.940 Yeah, Miss Curtis? 08:43.940 --> 08:44.940 Yes. 08:44.940 --> 08:47.940 Could you tell us exactly what time the shooting took place? 08:47.940 --> 08:50.940 Not exactly, but I'd say about a quarter to eight. 08:50.940 --> 08:52.940 Did this man say anything to you? 08:52.940 --> 08:54.940 No, not a word. 08:54.940 --> 08:57.940 You never saw him before, maybe around the neighborhood of the stars, in the street some place? 08:57.940 --> 08:59.940 No, I never saw him, I know that. 08:59.940 --> 09:01.940 But if I see him again, I'll know him. 09:01.940 --> 09:03.940 Alright ma'am, I'll be right back Joe. 09:03.940 --> 09:06.940 I hope you won't take offense ma'am. 09:06.940 --> 09:07.940 What's that sergeant? 09:07.940 --> 09:10.940 Well you don't seem too greatly concerned about your son's death here. 09:10.940 --> 09:12.940 I thought I'd explain that to you. 09:12.940 --> 09:15.940 I told you that I have to figure that it's the Lord's will. 09:15.940 --> 09:20.940 I might as well tell you sergeant, you'll probably find out anyway. 09:20.940 --> 09:21.940 What's that ma'am? 09:21.940 --> 09:24.940 Well, Jeff and I had a few arguments. 09:24.940 --> 09:27.940 Nothing serious, but we did have words. 09:27.940 --> 09:29.940 How may you pardon me? 09:29.940 --> 09:31.940 Well, I told you that my daughter took her own life. 09:31.940 --> 09:32.940 Oh yeah. 09:32.940 --> 09:34.940 She lived with us here in this house. 09:34.940 --> 09:37.940 I thought it was a happy home. 09:37.940 --> 09:39.940 I found out it wasn't. 09:39.940 --> 09:41.940 I found out too well. 09:41.940 --> 09:44.940 You see Alice, that's my daughter. 09:44.940 --> 09:45.940 Yes ma'am. 09:45.940 --> 09:47.940 Well she was going to marry. 09:47.940 --> 09:50.940 She'd met a young man who worked in an aircraft factory. 09:50.940 --> 09:52.940 She seemed to think he was very nice. 09:52.940 --> 09:54.940 I couldn't see much in him. 09:54.940 --> 09:56.940 I told her so. 09:56.940 --> 10:01.940 We had quite a few rows about it, once when he was here. 10:01.940 --> 10:04.940 On that night, the row, Alice's young man left, 10:04.940 --> 10:07.940 made quite a fuss about my trying to run the children's lives. 10:07.940 --> 10:10.940 Told Alice that he'd marry her right away that night. 10:10.940 --> 10:14.940 But when they were married, he didn't want to have anything to do with Jeff or me. 10:14.940 --> 10:16.940 Well did Jeff take any part in this quarrel? 10:16.940 --> 10:17.940 No my yes. 10:17.940 --> 10:19.940 Finally the young man stormed out of the house. 10:19.940 --> 10:22.940 Alice was in tears, just seemed to go to pieces. 10:22.940 --> 10:26.940 That night she took an overdose of sleeping pills. 10:26.940 --> 10:29.940 I'll never forget when I called her for breakfast. 10:29.940 --> 10:32.940 Terrible. 10:32.940 --> 10:35.940 That's not doing any good. 10:35.940 --> 10:37.940 I'm sorry sergeant. 10:37.940 --> 10:39.940 That's quite all right ma'am. 10:39.940 --> 10:41.940 Now you said you and your son had several arguments. 10:41.940 --> 10:43.940 Was it about this engagement thing? 10:43.940 --> 10:45.940 Yes, after Alice's funeral. 10:45.940 --> 10:47.940 Jeff seemed to sulk around the house. 10:47.940 --> 10:49.940 Then at night he'd go out and drink quite a bit. 10:49.940 --> 10:52.940 He seemed to think that I'd caused Alice to do away with herself. 10:52.940 --> 10:57.940 I tried to tell him that I didn't, that I was just as sorry as he was. 10:57.940 --> 11:01.940 I told him how badly I felt, but he didn't seem to do any good. 11:01.940 --> 11:03.940 Well have you heard from Alice's fiance since that night? 11:03.940 --> 11:05.940 He was at the funeral. 11:05.940 --> 11:07.940 What's his name Mrs. Criss? 11:07.940 --> 11:09.940 Dudley, Bruce Dudley. 11:09.940 --> 11:11.940 Do you know where we can get in touch with him? 11:11.940 --> 11:14.940 I think Jeff had his address. I can look for it. 11:14.940 --> 11:15.940 Thank you. 11:15.940 --> 11:18.940 But you don't think that Bruce had anything to do with this? 11:18.940 --> 11:20.940 I know it wasn't him. I know Bruce. 11:20.940 --> 11:23.940 I know what he looks like. It wasn't him in the living room. 11:23.940 --> 11:25.940 Well we just want to talk to him ma'am. 11:25.940 --> 11:28.940 Of course he might have hired someone else. 11:28.940 --> 11:32.940 No, I'm sure Bruce had nothing to do with it. 11:32.940 --> 11:34.940 Even with what he did say. 11:34.940 --> 11:35.940 Ma'am? 11:35.940 --> 11:37.940 That night when they had the fight, 11:37.940 --> 11:40.940 Jeff told him that if he didn't get out he'd throw him out. 11:40.940 --> 11:45.940 When he left Bruce said that someday our meddling in other people's lives was going to backfire. 11:45.940 --> 11:48.940 That it might take some time but that we'd be repaid. 11:48.940 --> 11:50.940 And that look in his eyes when he went through the door, 11:50.940 --> 11:53.940 Sergeant, maybe he did do it. 11:53.940 --> 11:55.940 He looked mad enough to kill us both. 11:55.940 --> 12:00.940 912 A.M. 12:00.940 --> 12:02.940 The coroner arrived and removed the body. 12:02.940 --> 12:05.940 The men from the crime lab crew went over the place. 12:05.940 --> 12:08.940 A complete set of pictures was taken before the body was removed. 12:08.940 --> 12:12.940 Latent prints went over the rifle on the table and the cleaning apparatus. 12:12.940 --> 12:17.940 Frank and I noticed that the tablecloth on the living room table had been on the floor when we got to the house. 12:17.940 --> 12:21.940 Mrs. Curtis had told us that her son had grabbed it as he fell to the floor. 12:21.940 --> 12:23.940 We talked with the neighbors. 12:23.940 --> 12:27.940 One of them, Mrs. Alvin Kemper, said that she had been watering the lawn between 7.30 and 8.00 A.M. 12:27.940 --> 12:30.940 But that she had seen no one enter or leave the Curtis house. 12:30.940 --> 12:35.940 She told us that she had heard frequent and loud arguments between Mrs. Curtis and her son. 12:35.940 --> 12:37.940 Frank and I drove out to the address of Bruce Dudley. 12:37.940 --> 12:41.940 It was a modern one-room apartment on Riverside Drive in the San Fernando Valley. 12:41.940 --> 12:44.940 We rang the buzzer a second time and waited. 12:44.940 --> 12:45.940 Looks like he's not in. 12:45.940 --> 12:46.940 What time have you got? 12:46.940 --> 12:47.940 About 17. 12:47.940 --> 12:50.940 He's probably gone out. Come on, we can check the manager. 12:50.940 --> 12:52.940 Yeah? Mr. Dudley? 12:52.940 --> 12:53.940 Yeah, what do you want? 12:53.940 --> 12:54.940 We're police officers. We'd like to talk to you. 12:54.940 --> 12:56.940 Okay, come on in. 12:56.940 --> 12:58.940 I just got up out late last night. 12:58.940 --> 13:00.940 I don't feel at all well. 13:00.940 --> 13:03.940 Now move those clothes and sit down. I'm going to put a pot of coffee on. 13:03.940 --> 13:06.940 Oh, I feel like a troop of midgets ran barefoot over my tongue. 13:06.940 --> 13:08.940 Yes, sir. Go right ahead. 13:08.940 --> 13:09.940 What do you want to see me about? 13:09.940 --> 13:10.940 You know a Jeff Curtis? 13:10.940 --> 13:11.940 Yeah, I know him. 13:11.940 --> 13:13.940 Hey, what did you say your name's were? 13:13.940 --> 13:15.940 Well, my name's Friday. It's my partner, Frank Smith. 13:15.940 --> 13:17.940 You got any badge, something to prove that you're cops? 13:17.940 --> 13:19.940 Yes, sir. Here's my ID. 13:19.940 --> 13:22.940 Sergeant Joseph Friday. 13:22.940 --> 13:24.940 Okay. Now what's this about Jeff? 13:24.940 --> 13:26.940 He's dead, Mr. Dudley. 13:26.940 --> 13:27.940 Dead? 13:26.940 --> 13:27.940 Yes, sir. 13:27.940 --> 13:28.940 How'd it happen? Accident? 13:28.940 --> 13:29.940 Well, we're not sure. 13:29.940 --> 13:30.940 He didn't kill himself, did he? 13:30.940 --> 13:31.940 Why do you ask that? 13:31.940 --> 13:33.940 I just thought he might have. 13:33.940 --> 13:36.940 Sister killed herself. Thought he might have done the same thing. 13:36.940 --> 13:38.940 Do you know of any reason that he'd do something like that? 13:38.940 --> 13:40.940 No, not that I could name. 13:40.940 --> 13:42.940 I understand you and Mr. Curtis didn't get along too well. 13:42.940 --> 13:44.940 We got along all right. 13:44.940 --> 13:47.940 Oh, when Alice and I split up, there were some worries and I think it's serious. 13:47.940 --> 13:49.940 Well, the way we get it, you were pretty sure of him. 13:49.940 --> 13:50.940 Yeah? 13:50.940 --> 13:52.940 Yeah. I understand you and he had quite an argument. 13:52.940 --> 13:53.940 He was ready to throw you out of the house. 13:53.940 --> 13:56.940 You've been talking to his mother. She's been throwing lies around again. 13:56.940 --> 13:58.940 Well, is it true? Did you and Curtis have an argument? 13:58.940 --> 13:59.940 Yeah, I got nothing to hide. 13:59.940 --> 14:01.940 You been out of the house this morning? 14:01.940 --> 14:02.940 No, why? 14:02.940 --> 14:04.940 Have any way of proving you were here all morning? 14:04.940 --> 14:06.940 Just got up. You know that. You guys got me out of bed. 14:06.940 --> 14:07.940 What are you trying to prove? 14:07.940 --> 14:09.940 Just want to know if you can account for your time, that's all. 14:09.940 --> 14:11.940 You think I had something to do with Jeff's death, is that it? 14:11.940 --> 14:12.940 We didn't say that. 14:12.940 --> 14:14.940 No, but you meant it. 14:14.940 --> 14:16.940 Oh, excuse me. I got to get the coffee. 14:16.940 --> 14:17.940 You want some coffee? 14:17.940 --> 14:18.940 No, no thanks. 14:18.940 --> 14:19.940 How about you? 14:19.940 --> 14:20.940 No. 14:20.940 --> 14:21.940 You don't mind if I have a cup, huh? 14:21.940 --> 14:22.940 No, sir. Go right ahead. 14:22.940 --> 14:23.940 Thanks. 14:31.940 --> 14:33.940 Ah, let's face it. 14:33.940 --> 14:35.940 You guys really think I had anything to do with what happened to Jeff? 14:35.940 --> 14:37.940 We're not paid to say what we think. We try to get the facts. 14:37.940 --> 14:38.940 Yeah. 14:38.940 --> 14:40.940 And if I was you, I'd concentrate on Mrs. Curtis. 14:40.940 --> 14:43.940 I wouldn't put it past the old bat to kill her own son. 14:43.940 --> 14:46.940 Check around the bar as a neighbor to talk to his friends, I'll tell you. 14:46.940 --> 14:50.940 His mother was scared to death that he'd marry one of these days, walk out on her. 14:50.940 --> 14:52.940 Used to be on his back all the time about the girls he went out with. 14:52.940 --> 14:53.940 I knew some of them. 14:53.940 --> 14:56.940 Alice and me used to double date with him once in a while. 14:56.940 --> 14:58.940 Did they ever have any arguments about this while you were around? 14:58.940 --> 15:00.940 A couple of times, yeah. 15:01.940 --> 15:03.940 If you don't believe me, why don't you check with Harry? 15:03.940 --> 15:04.940 He'll tell you the same story. 15:04.940 --> 15:06.940 Lord knows he went through enough of it. 15:06.940 --> 15:07.940 Harry? 15:07.940 --> 15:10.940 Yeah, Jeff's brother. He got married... 15:10.940 --> 15:12.940 Oh, let's see, about five years ago. 15:12.940 --> 15:14.940 Moved out of the house, locked, stocked in baggage. 15:14.940 --> 15:16.940 He went through a thrash with his mother about it. 15:16.940 --> 15:17.940 He'll tell you about it. 15:17.940 --> 15:19.940 Used to come over to see Jeff once in a while after he got married, 15:19.940 --> 15:22.940 but the old lady caused so much trouble that they started me at a bar. 15:22.940 --> 15:24.940 Got to the point where Harry wouldn't go in the house. 15:24.940 --> 15:25.940 Check with him, he'll tell you. 15:25.940 --> 15:27.940 You know where we can get in touch with him? 15:27.940 --> 15:28.940 No, I haven't got the address. 15:28.940 --> 15:29.940 Look it up in the book, Harry Curtis. 15:29.940 --> 15:31.940 I think it's out on Selma, someplace in Hollywood. 15:31.940 --> 15:32.940 All right, sir. 15:32.940 --> 15:33.940 Where do you work? 15:33.940 --> 15:34.940 Meier Aircraft. I'm a toolmaker. 15:34.940 --> 15:35.940 You work the day shift? 15:35.940 --> 15:36.940 Yeah, I'm off today. 15:36.940 --> 15:37.940 What's this for? 15:37.940 --> 15:39.940 Just wanted to know where we could meet you. 15:39.940 --> 15:42.940 You still think I had something to do with it, huh? 15:42.940 --> 15:43.940 No, we didn't say you did. 15:43.940 --> 15:45.940 Your name came up and we had to check it out. 15:45.940 --> 15:46.940 Yeah. 15:46.940 --> 15:48.940 Oh, there were a lot of times when Jeff and I didn't get along. 15:48.940 --> 15:50.940 I won't try to tell you that there weren't. 15:50.940 --> 15:51.940 I never do anything to hurt him. 15:51.940 --> 15:53.940 He got enough in his hands with that mother. 15:53.940 --> 15:56.940 Sure, one night when we came home from a date, Alice, me, Jeff and his date, 15:56.940 --> 15:59.940 we're sitting around the kitchen having something to eat. 15:59.940 --> 16:00.940 Mother came in madder than a wet hen. 16:00.940 --> 16:03.940 Ray's cane told Jeff to get the woman out of the house. 16:03.940 --> 16:05.940 Jeff told her he wouldn't have her talk to the girl like that. 16:05.940 --> 16:07.940 He thought quite a bit of her. 16:07.940 --> 16:09.940 He walked right over and slapped the girl across the face, 16:09.940 --> 16:11.940 told her to leave Jeff alone. 16:11.940 --> 16:14.940 That she'd rather see him dead than tied up with a girl like that. 16:18.940 --> 16:20.940 2.40 p.m. we drove back to the office. 16:20.940 --> 16:23.940 There had been no replies from the local or the APB. 16:23.940 --> 16:26.940 We checked the names of Jeffrey Curtis and Bruce Dudley through R&I. 16:26.940 --> 16:29.940 There was no record on Curtis, but Dudley had been arrested twice 16:29.940 --> 16:34.940 for LAMC 4127C, being drunk in a public place. 16:34.940 --> 16:37.940 He served sentences in the city jail on both charges. 16:37.940 --> 16:40.940 We checked with the coroner's office and they told us that Curtis had been killed 16:40.940 --> 16:42.940 by a.38 caliber bullet. 16:42.940 --> 16:45.940 It had been fired at close range into the back of his skull. 16:45.940 --> 16:48.940 The bullet was booked for evidence and we made out a dead body report. 16:48.940 --> 16:51.940 We put in a call to the brother's house, but we were told that he was out of the city 16:51.940 --> 16:54.940 and he wouldn't return until sometime that night. 16:54.940 --> 16:57.940 We left word for him to call our office as soon as he returned. 16:57.940 --> 17:00.940 We checked on the suicide story given us by Mrs. Curtis 17:00.940 --> 17:02.940 and found that an Alice Curtis had taken her own life 17:02.940 --> 17:05.940 with an overdose of sleeping pills two years before. 17:05.940 --> 17:09.940 5.20 p.m. Frank and I drove out to talk to Mrs. Curtis again. 17:09.940 --> 17:11.940 You want to look at Jeff's room, don't you? 17:11.940 --> 17:12.940 Yes, Mrs. Curtis. 17:12.940 --> 17:14.940 This way. 17:17.940 --> 17:20.940 When we were here this morning you didn't say anything about your other son. 17:20.940 --> 17:24.940 Harry? Well, you see, Officer, Harry doesn't care much for me. 17:24.940 --> 17:27.940 I know it's hard to believe that a boy would desert his own mother, 17:27.940 --> 17:29.940 but that's what Harry did. 17:29.940 --> 17:32.940 And right away his wife started to cause trouble between us. 17:32.940 --> 17:34.940 The rifle your son was cleaning this morning? 17:34.940 --> 17:37.940 Oh, yes. Those men from the crime lab, I think they said they took it. 17:37.940 --> 17:40.940 Yes, ma'am. Did your son do much hunting? 17:40.940 --> 17:44.940 Well, he used to. He used to do quite a bit before Harry got married. 17:44.940 --> 17:46.940 They used to be great pals. 17:46.940 --> 17:49.940 Mother couldn't ask for a better pair of sons. 17:49.940 --> 17:52.940 And when Harry left home, Jeff sort of gave it up. 17:52.940 --> 17:57.940 He cleaned the gun when he had to, but he didn't go after game anymore. 17:57.940 --> 18:00.940 Then, too, he was afraid to leave me alone at night. 18:00.940 --> 18:01.940 Ma'am? 18:01.940 --> 18:04.940 Well, we've had a lot of trouble with prowlers in the neighborhood. 18:04.940 --> 18:06.940 Had to call the police a couple of times. 18:06.940 --> 18:08.940 They didn't find anybody, though. 18:08.940 --> 18:10.940 Mm-hmm. 18:10.940 --> 18:12.940 These your son's clothes, ma'am? 18:12.940 --> 18:13.940 Yes. 18:13.940 --> 18:16.940 This man you saw this morning, did you notice that he had a gun? 18:16.940 --> 18:18.940 Yes, he did. It was a revolver. 18:18.940 --> 18:20.940 When I came into the room it was still smoking. 18:20.940 --> 18:23.940 Mm-hmm. Did your son keep any other firearms in the house? 18:23.940 --> 18:25.940 Oh, no. Just the rifle. 18:25.940 --> 18:28.940 I wouldn't have any other guns in the place. I don't like them. 18:28.940 --> 18:31.940 You had me call to go up in the attic, lady, Mrs. Curtis? 18:31.940 --> 18:32.940 What? 18:32.940 --> 18:33.940 The attic, ma'am. 18:33.940 --> 18:36.940 Have either you or your son had any reason to go up there? 18:36.940 --> 18:39.940 No, I don't think we've been up there since we moved. 18:39.940 --> 18:42.940 Could I get you officers a cup of coffee or anything? 18:42.940 --> 18:45.940 I've got some nice fresh cake, like a slice of that. 18:45.940 --> 18:47.940 No, ma'am. Thanks. Just the same. 18:47.940 --> 18:48.940 Oh. 18:47.940 --> 18:48.940 Now. 18:48.940 --> 18:50.940 Look at here. 18:50.940 --> 18:54.940 Ma'am. Look at here on the shoulders of these suits in the back. 18:54.940 --> 18:56.940 You see this dirt? 18:56.940 --> 18:58.940 Looks like it came down from that door to the attic. 18:58.940 --> 19:01.940 Now, let me get a chair and we'll have a look. 19:01.940 --> 19:02.940 What's this all about? 19:02.940 --> 19:05.940 I told you we haven't used that attic. Don't you believe me? 19:05.940 --> 19:08.940 I'd just like to take a look if you don't mind, ma'am. 19:08.940 --> 19:09.940 Well, maybe I do mind. 19:09.940 --> 19:11.940 It's just going to take a minute, ma'am. 19:14.940 --> 19:17.940 I think you officers have sure got your nerves. 19:17.940 --> 19:20.940 I tried to be nice to you, help you out. 19:20.940 --> 19:22.940 Isn't enough that my boy's dead. 19:22.940 --> 19:24.940 Now you have to come in here and tear my home apart. 19:24.940 --> 19:27.940 There's something up here for that attic. I can reach it. 19:29.940 --> 19:32.940 Yeah, here it is. Get my pencil. 19:36.940 --> 19:38.940 Have you ever seen this, Mrs. Curtis? 19:38.940 --> 19:42.940 No. I haven't got any idea how that gun got there. 19:42.940 --> 19:43.940 Doesn't belong to us. 19:43.940 --> 19:44.940 What do you think, Joe? 19:44.940 --> 19:47.940 I don't know. 38 caliber. 19:57.940 --> 20:01.940 You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action. 20:01.940 --> 20:04.940 And now a report every smoker should hear. 20:05.940 --> 20:12.940 Nose, throat, and accessory organs not adversely affected by smoking Chesterfields. 20:12.940 --> 20:15.940 First such report published about any cigarette. 20:15.940 --> 20:23.940 A responsible consulting organization reports a study by a competent medical specialist and staff on the effects of smoking Chesterfields. 20:23.940 --> 20:30.940 For six months, a group of men and women smoked only Chesterfields, 10 to 40 a day, their normal amount. 20:30.940 --> 20:36.940 Forty-five percent of the group of smoked Chesterfields from one to 30 years, for an average of 10 years each. 20:36.940 --> 20:46.940 At the beginning and end of the six months, each smoker was given a thorough examination, including x-rays and covering the sinuses, nose, ears, and throat. 20:46.940 --> 20:49.940 After these examinations, the medical specialist stated, 20:49.940 --> 21:02.940 It is my opinion that the ears, nose, throat, and accessory organs of all participating subjects examined by me were not adversely affected in the six-month period by smoking the cigarettes provided. 21:02.940 --> 21:12.940 Remember this report and buy Chesterfields, regular or king size, premium quality Chesterfields, and much milder. 21:12.940 --> 21:24.940 We took the gun back to the city hall. It was checked for fingerprints, but none were found. 21:24.940 --> 21:28.940 We checked with pawn shop records, but the gun had not been registered. 21:28.940 --> 21:31.940 By checking with the manufacturer, we got the retailer's name. 21:31.940 --> 21:33.940 It had been sold to the victim, Jeff Curtis. 21:33.940 --> 21:40.940 The gun was turned over to Russ Camp for the routine check through ballistics. 21:40.940 --> 21:42.940 Just a minute, and I'll take it out. 21:42.940 --> 21:44.940 Right. 21:44.940 --> 21:46.940 Okay. 21:46.940 --> 21:49.940 There's another comparison knife. 21:49.940 --> 21:51.940 There we are. 21:51.940 --> 21:53.940 What's the matter now? 21:53.940 --> 21:55.940 Viations here. 21:55.940 --> 21:56.940 Got a make, Russ? 21:56.940 --> 22:00.940 Yeah, a match. 22:00.940 --> 22:07.940 1146 p.m. Harry Curtis called the office. He was surprised to hear of his brother's death, but said that he would be down to see us in the morning. 22:07.940 --> 22:12.940 Frank and I checked out, and the next morning we drove out to the house on Burns Street and picked up Mrs. Curtis. 22:12.940 --> 22:14.940 We talked to her in the interrogation room. 22:14.940 --> 22:18.940 This is perfectly ridiculous. I don't understand what you're trying to get me to say. 22:18.940 --> 22:20.940 Well, maybe if we laid out for you, ma'am. 22:20.940 --> 22:23.940 Yes, that might do it. At least it would be something. 22:23.940 --> 22:29.940 All right, when we walked into your house yesterday morning, you said that nothing in the house had been touched, that everything was just as it was when your son was killed. Is that right? 22:29.940 --> 22:31.940 Yes, I guess I said that. 22:31.940 --> 22:34.940 I'd have you be sure one way or the other, ma'am. What did you say? 22:34.940 --> 22:38.940 I said that. I hadn't touched anything. Nobody did. 22:38.940 --> 22:41.940 Would you tell us what your son was doing when you left the room? 22:41.940 --> 22:43.940 I told you he was cleaning the rifle. 22:43.940 --> 22:44.940 On the living room table? 22:44.940 --> 22:45.940 Yes, that's right. 22:45.940 --> 22:47.940 What did you say he did after he was shot? 22:47.940 --> 22:48.940 I said he fell down. 22:48.940 --> 22:51.940 Did he touch anything as he fell? Brush up against anything? 22:51.940 --> 22:54.940 Well, when he fell, he grabbed the tablecloth, pulled it down with him. 22:54.940 --> 22:59.940 Yes, ma'am. Well, then maybe you can explain how it was that all the things he used to clean the rifle and the gun itself were still on the table. 22:59.940 --> 23:00.940 What? 23:00.940 --> 23:03.940 How is it those things didn't come off the table when he pulled the cloth off? 23:03.940 --> 23:06.940 I don't know what you're trying to get me to say. 23:06.940 --> 23:08.940 Well, we'd like for you to tell us the truth. 23:08.940 --> 23:10.940 I'm telling that. 23:10.940 --> 23:17.940 All right, ma'am. When the crime lab went over your house, they found two places in the kitchen floor that had been filled in with plastic wood. The job didn't look very old. 23:17.940 --> 23:24.940 Well, what's wrong with that? Jeff took good care of the house. He might have tried to plug up someplace where ants were getting in. 23:24.940 --> 23:32.940 When the men from the lab dug up the patches, they found two.38 caliber bullets underneath. They checked them with a bullet that killed your son. The bullets came from the same gun. 23:32.940 --> 23:35.940 I don't know what you're talking about. What does all this show? 23:35.940 --> 23:38.940 You talked about the prowlers. Have you had trouble with them in the neighborhood? 23:38.940 --> 23:39.940 That's right. 23:39.940 --> 23:40.940 What actions did you take to stop this? 23:40.940 --> 23:45.940 I called the police. Had them come out and try to find the person who was causing the trouble. 23:45.940 --> 23:47.940 When did you call the police last? 23:47.940 --> 23:48.940 Three weeks ago. 23:48.940 --> 23:54.940 We've checked the reports, ma'am. There's no record of anyone having called the police to check prowlers in that neighborhood for the past six months. 23:54.940 --> 23:58.940 Are you trying to make me out a liar? Is that what you're trying to do? 23:58.940 --> 23:59.940 We're trying to get the truth. 23:59.940 --> 24:00.940 Frank. 24:00.940 --> 24:01.940 Yeah, Joe. 24:01.940 --> 24:03.940 You want to check the office and see if Mr. Kurz is here yet? 24:03.940 --> 24:04.940 Yeah, sure. 24:04.940 --> 24:06.940 You brought my son here? 24:06.940 --> 24:08.940 Yes, ma'am. We've got to get the truth to this. 24:08.940 --> 24:10.940 Well, why did you have to get him involved in it? 24:10.940 --> 24:12.940 Well, as I said, ma'am, we're trying to find the facts. 24:12.940 --> 24:14.940 You don't believe what I've told you? 24:14.940 --> 24:16.940 Well, no, ma'am. You've made it a little difficult. 24:16.940 --> 24:18.940 How can you say that? 24:18.940 --> 24:22.940 Well, first you tell us that nothing was touched, yet the physical setup doesn't make that possible. 24:22.940 --> 24:28.940 You deny knowing anything about the gun when we find it, but we find two bullets that have been fired from the same gun embedded in the floor of the kitchen. 24:28.940 --> 24:32.940 You told us about prowlers in the neighborhood, but there's no police record of it. 24:32.940 --> 24:37.940 Your next door neighbor says she was out in front of her house all morning, but she didn't see anyone enter or leave your house. 24:37.940 --> 24:39.940 We find the murder gun up in the attic. 24:39.940 --> 24:42.940 You told us you saw the killer leave the house with a gun. 24:42.940 --> 24:46.940 Your son died instantly. Now, can you tell us who put the gun there? 24:46.940 --> 24:49.940 No, ma'am. There's too much here that doesn't tell. 24:51.940 --> 24:54.940 They got you into this, didn't they, Harry? 24:54.940 --> 24:55.940 Yes, mother. 24:55.940 --> 24:57.940 They're trying to tell you that I killed Jeff. 24:57.940 --> 25:00.940 They want me to tell them that I killed my own boy. 25:00.940 --> 25:03.940 Tell them. Tell them I wouldn't do a thing like that. 25:03.940 --> 25:05.940 Not my own boy. 25:05.940 --> 25:07.940 I'm afraid I can't, mother. 25:07.940 --> 25:09.940 What do you mean you can't? 25:09.940 --> 25:11.940 The officers just told me about it. 25:11.940 --> 25:15.940 Well, who are you going to believe, the policeman or me, your mother? 25:15.940 --> 25:17.940 You don't give me much choice. 25:17.940 --> 25:18.940 What? 25:18.940 --> 25:23.940 I love you, mother. You've got to believe that. I know that whatever you did, you thought was right. 25:23.940 --> 25:26.940 I know you didn't mean to hurt Jeff. I know that. 25:26.940 --> 25:28.940 Then you think I killed him, too? 25:30.940 --> 25:32.940 Don't you? 25:34.940 --> 25:36.940 Harry, give me an answer. 25:36.940 --> 25:39.940 You think I killed Jeff, don't you? 25:39.940 --> 25:41.940 Yes, mother. 25:42.940 --> 25:44.940 Well, I did. 25:44.940 --> 25:47.940 I didn't think I meant to do it. 25:47.940 --> 25:49.940 I think I just wanted to frighten him. 25:49.940 --> 25:52.940 He was running around so much. 25:52.940 --> 25:54.940 Those tramps, they were seeing terrible women. 25:54.940 --> 25:57.940 I had to keep him home. I had to keep him with me. 25:57.940 --> 25:59.940 It was all I had. 25:59.940 --> 26:01.940 I'm not young anymore, Harry. 26:01.940 --> 26:04.940 You went away, then Alice. 26:04.940 --> 26:06.940 Jeff was all I had. 26:06.940 --> 26:09.940 I didn't want him to leave, and he was going to. 26:09.940 --> 26:11.940 We had an argument. 26:11.940 --> 26:13.940 He was cleaning the gun. 26:13.940 --> 26:15.940 I got the revolver. 26:15.940 --> 26:20.940 That way I knew that I'd always have him with me, that he wouldn't leave. 26:20.940 --> 26:24.940 I pulled the trigger, then I knew what I'd done. 26:24.940 --> 26:27.940 That Jeff was gone, too. 26:28.940 --> 26:30.940 I didn't know what I was doing. 26:30.940 --> 26:32.940 I didn't know. 26:32.940 --> 26:35.940 You've got to believe that, officer. 26:35.940 --> 26:37.940 Yes, ma'am. 26:37.940 --> 26:39.940 Do you believe me? 26:39.940 --> 26:41.940 That I just wanted my boy? 26:41.940 --> 26:43.940 I wanted to keep him. 26:43.940 --> 26:45.940 That's all any mother wants. 26:45.940 --> 26:48.940 I tried to keep my boy. 26:49.940 --> 26:51.940 Maybe that's what was wrong. 26:51.940 --> 26:53.940 What do you mean? 26:53.940 --> 26:55.940 You tried too hard. 27:01.940 --> 27:04.940 The story you have just heard was true. 27:04.940 --> 27:07.940 The names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:07.940 --> 27:11.940 On September 4th, trial was held in Department 87, Superior Court of the State of California, 27:11.940 --> 27:13.940 in and for the County of Los Angeles. 27:13.940 --> 27:15.940 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:15.940 --> 27:17.940 Now, here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:17.940 --> 27:22.940 Each of our dragnet case histories is based entirely on facts taken from authentic police files, 27:22.940 --> 27:25.940 and everything we tell you about Chesterfield is based on facts, too. 27:25.940 --> 27:28.940 Chesterfield, for example, was the first to name its ingredients. 27:28.940 --> 27:33.940 Chesterfield tells you what it's made of, because you should know what gives you the best possible smoke. 27:33.940 --> 27:37.940 Now, that brings me to the report that George Fenomen and Hal Gibney read earlier. 27:37.940 --> 27:39.940 That, too, is based entirely on facts. 27:39.940 --> 27:44.940 Nose, throat, and accessory organs not adversely affected by smoking Chesterfield. 27:44.940 --> 27:47.940 First such report ever published about any cigarette. 27:47.940 --> 27:51.940 Remember this the next time you buy cigarettes and ask for Chesterfield. 27:51.940 --> 28:04.940 Regular or king size, premium quality Chesterfield gives you the best possible smoke. 28:04.940 --> 28:08.940 Edith A. Curtis was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree 28:08.940 --> 28:12.940 and was sentenced to the state penitentiary for women to Hatchipi, California. 28:12.940 --> 28:15.940 While serving her sentence there, she died from natural causes. 28:15.940 --> 28:21.940 Murder in the first degree is punishable by death or confinement in the state penitentiary for life. 28:21.940 --> 28:34.940 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:34.940 --> 28:39.940 Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 28:39.940 --> 28:44.940 Technical advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. 28:44.940 --> 28:48.940 Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Herb Ellis, Helen Klebe, and Whit Conner. 28:48.940 --> 28:54.940 Script by John Robinson, music by Walter Shuman, Hal Gibney speaking. 28:54.940 --> 28:57.940 Tomorrow, sound off for Chesterfield. 28:57.940 --> 29:03.940 Either way you like them, regular or king size, Chesterfield gives you the best possible smoke. 29:03.940 --> 29:06.940 Much milder Chesterfield. 29:06.940 --> 29:11.940 Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet, transcribed from Los Angeles. 29:11.940 --> 29:22.940 This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.