WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:12.760 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 00:12.760 --> 00:23.120 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:23.120 --> 00:27.160 Your detective sergeant, you're assigned to homicide detail. 00:27.160 --> 00:30.360 An elderly woman in your city has disappeared. 00:30.360 --> 00:33.800 There's no lead to where she's gone or why she left. 00:33.800 --> 00:40.320 Your job, find her. 00:40.320 --> 00:41.320 It was Wednesday, July 14th. 00:41.320 --> 00:42.320 It was hot in Los Angeles. 00:42.320 --> 00:43.320 We were working the day. 00:43.320 --> 00:44.320 Watch out for homicide detail. 00:44.320 --> 00:45.320 My partner is Frank Smith. 00:45.320 --> 00:46.320 The boss is Captain Warman. 00:46.320 --> 00:47.320 My name is Friday. 00:47.320 --> 00:52.920 We were on our way out from the office and it was 9.47 a.m. when we got to 654 Kenmore 00:52.920 --> 00:53.920 Avenue. 00:53.920 --> 00:54.920 Yes? 00:54.920 --> 00:55.920 Miss Crocker? 00:55.920 --> 00:56.920 It's Miss Crocker, but I'm her. 00:56.920 --> 00:57.920 Police officer. 00:57.920 --> 00:58.920 Oh, yes, come in. 00:58.920 --> 00:59.920 Thank you. 00:59.920 --> 01:00.920 This is my partner, Frank Smith. 01:00.920 --> 01:01.920 My name's Friday. 01:01.920 --> 01:02.920 How you doing, ma'am? 01:02.920 --> 01:03.920 Oh, just sit down there on the couch. 01:03.920 --> 01:04.920 Move that ass in. 01:04.920 --> 01:05.920 I was laying down when you got here. 01:05.920 --> 01:06.920 Terrible thing. 01:06.920 --> 01:07.920 I just know it. 01:07.920 --> 01:08.920 Yes, ma'am. 01:08.920 --> 01:09.920 If you tell us about it, please. 01:09.920 --> 01:10.920 You bet I will. 01:10.920 --> 01:11.920 First off, can I get you something? 01:11.920 --> 01:12.920 Maybe a cup of coffee, a little piece of cinnamon toast. 01:12.920 --> 01:13.920 No, thank you, ma'am. 01:13.920 --> 01:14.920 Okay. 01:14.920 --> 01:15.920 You change your mind. 01:15.920 --> 01:16.920 You just let me know. 01:16.920 --> 01:17.920 Yes, we will. 01:17.920 --> 01:18.920 Now, if you just tell us about Ms. Gillespie, please. 01:18.920 --> 01:19.920 Yes, ma'am. 01:19.920 --> 01:26.920 Are you a friend of Mrs. Gillespie? 01:26.920 --> 01:27.920 Her best. 01:27.920 --> 01:28.920 That's why I know something's happened to her. 01:28.920 --> 01:29.920 Uh-huh. 01:29.920 --> 01:30.920 She wouldn't just take off like this without telling me. 01:30.920 --> 01:31.920 Matter of fact, she didn't tell nobody. 01:31.920 --> 01:32.920 Just all of a sudden she was gone. 01:32.920 --> 01:33.920 All right. 01:33.920 --> 01:34.920 If you'd start right at the beginning and just tell us the whole story, please. 01:34.920 --> 01:35.920 Well, Bertha Gillespie and me have been friends for years. 01:35.920 --> 01:36.920 I see. 01:36.920 --> 01:37.920 Her and me have been friends for years. 01:37.920 --> 01:38.920 I'm afraid I'll have to go. 01:38.920 --> 01:39.920 I'll have to go. 01:39.920 --> 01:40.920 I'll have to go. 01:40.920 --> 01:41.920 I'm afraid I'll have to go. 01:41.920 --> 01:42.920 I'll have to go. 01:42.920 --> 01:43.920 I'll have to go. 01:43.920 --> 01:44.920 I'll have to go. 01:44.920 --> 01:45.920 I'll have to go. 01:45.920 --> 01:46.920 I'll have to go. 01:46.920 --> 01:47.920 I'll have to go. 01:47.920 --> 01:52.460 Her and me have been friends for years, ever since her husband died and she opened up the 01:52.460 --> 01:53.460 tea-coffee. 01:53.460 --> 01:54.460 That's the little tea shop she has. 01:54.460 --> 01:55.460 Well, nice place. 01:55.460 --> 01:57.040 She's done real good with it. 01:57.040 --> 02:00.120 All the ladies in the neighborhood were down there for afternoon teas, served those little 02:00.120 --> 02:02.880 tiny cake rolls with a pot of tea. 02:02.880 --> 02:04.000 Ladies fingers, you know? 02:04.000 --> 02:05.000 Yes, ma'am. 02:05.000 --> 02:08.440 Well, a couple of days ago I went down there to see Bertha. 02:08.440 --> 02:09.440 You know what day that was? 02:09.440 --> 02:10.440 Hmm? 02:10.440 --> 02:11.920 I say do you know the exact date? 02:11.920 --> 02:13.640 Oh, well now let's see. 02:13.640 --> 02:14.640 This is Wednesday. 02:14.640 --> 02:17.840 I guess it must have been Saturday. 02:17.840 --> 02:19.840 Yes, that's it, Saturday. 02:19.840 --> 02:21.840 All right, would you like to go ahead, please? 02:21.840 --> 02:23.840 Well, I went down to the tea coasters, 02:23.840 --> 02:26.840 and there was a sign right on the door telling how Bertha was sick 02:26.840 --> 02:28.840 and she'd gone away for a couple of days. 02:28.840 --> 02:30.340 Was she in poor health? 02:30.340 --> 02:31.340 Bertha? 02:31.340 --> 02:32.340 Yes, ma'am. 02:32.340 --> 02:34.340 Bertha was as strong as an ox. 02:34.340 --> 02:35.840 Nothing wrong with her. 02:35.840 --> 02:37.840 Besides, that's our only Friday night. 02:37.840 --> 02:39.840 She didn't say nothing to me about being sick. 02:39.840 --> 02:40.840 Not a word. 02:40.840 --> 02:41.840 I see. 02:41.840 --> 02:44.340 That's what made me figure that there was something wrong. 02:44.340 --> 02:47.840 For the past ten years, if there was anything on Bertha's mind, 02:47.840 --> 02:49.840 she told me about it, you'd suspect she did. 02:49.840 --> 02:53.340 Well, isn't it possible that she just used the pretended illness as an excuse? 02:53.340 --> 02:55.340 That she just went away on a trip, maybe? 02:55.340 --> 02:56.840 Oh, Bertha wouldn't do that. 02:56.840 --> 02:57.840 Why do you say that? 02:57.840 --> 02:59.840 Well, because she just wouldn't do it. 02:59.840 --> 03:01.340 Not with Saturday coming up. 03:01.340 --> 03:03.840 There isn't anything in the world that could make Bertha leave. 03:03.840 --> 03:05.340 Well, what's happening Saturday? 03:05.340 --> 03:06.340 Scrabble. 03:06.340 --> 03:07.840 The big party? 03:07.840 --> 03:08.840 Scrabble. 03:08.840 --> 03:10.340 You know, the word game. 03:10.340 --> 03:12.840 Oh, yeah. Yeah, I know what you mean. 03:12.840 --> 03:15.840 Well, the ladies in the neighborhood have a sort of club. 03:15.840 --> 03:18.340 We meet down at the cozy and play our tournaments. 03:18.340 --> 03:19.840 Bertha's the champion. 03:19.840 --> 03:22.340 Hasn't been anybody that can beat her real good. 03:22.340 --> 03:23.840 You know, not regular. 03:23.840 --> 03:24.840 Yes, ma'am. 03:24.840 --> 03:26.340 That's why she wouldn't leave. 03:26.340 --> 03:29.340 This Saturday was her first big match outside the club. 03:29.340 --> 03:33.340 A woman from West Los Angeles was coming out here to challenge her. 03:33.340 --> 03:35.340 Bertha's been in training all week. 03:35.340 --> 03:38.340 She wouldn't just walk out on the match. 03:38.340 --> 03:40.840 I'm telling you, something's wrong. 03:40.840 --> 03:43.340 Was Mrs. Gillespie and your relatives here in Los Angeles? 03:43.340 --> 03:44.340 No. 03:44.340 --> 03:47.340 No, she's got some people back east. 03:47.340 --> 03:48.840 Mississippi, I think. 03:48.840 --> 03:50.840 Possible she might have left to go see them. 03:50.840 --> 03:51.840 I told you. 03:51.840 --> 03:53.840 Not with the big match coming on. 03:53.840 --> 03:57.840 Ain't nothing in the world that could keep Bertha from playing in that. 03:57.840 --> 03:59.340 Nothing, and you believe it. 03:59.340 --> 04:00.340 Yes, ma'am. 04:00.340 --> 04:01.840 Does she have any men, friends? 04:01.840 --> 04:02.840 Well, you mean romantic? 04:02.840 --> 04:04.340 Yes. 04:04.340 --> 04:06.840 Well, there's Chester. 04:06.840 --> 04:09.340 But that's not what I'd call a real romance. 04:09.340 --> 04:11.840 I'd go out to the movies with him once in a while. 04:11.840 --> 04:13.840 Maybe he'd come over to the T.Cose even evening, 04:13.840 --> 04:15.840 and they'd sit there and watch the television. 04:15.840 --> 04:19.340 But there'd always be somebody else there, mostly me. 04:19.340 --> 04:23.340 No, no, you couldn't say that it was any kind of a romance with Chester. 04:23.340 --> 04:24.840 Do you have his address? 04:24.840 --> 04:25.840 Are you going to talk to him? 04:25.840 --> 04:26.840 Yes, we'll have to. 04:26.840 --> 04:28.340 It won't be any good. I already did. 04:28.340 --> 04:29.840 He don't know where Bertha is. 04:29.840 --> 04:31.840 If you'll just give us the phone number of this Chester, 04:31.840 --> 04:32.840 we'll check on your friend. 04:32.840 --> 04:33.840 Yeah, you check. 04:33.840 --> 04:35.840 You'll find out what I said is true. 04:35.840 --> 04:36.840 Yes, ma'am. 04:36.840 --> 04:39.340 I think somebody done Bertha in. 04:39.340 --> 04:42.340 She wouldn't just take off like this without telling me. 04:42.340 --> 04:44.340 Well, ma'am, did she have any enemies in the neighborhood? 04:44.340 --> 04:46.340 Anybody that you think might want to do her harm? 04:46.340 --> 04:49.840 No, not a soul, not a single one. 04:49.840 --> 04:52.340 Isn't anyone who didn't like her. 04:52.340 --> 04:55.340 Well, maybe Mrs. Ruhman didn't care much for her, 04:55.340 --> 04:58.840 but I think that was kind of a jealous thing. 04:58.840 --> 04:59.840 What do you mean? 04:59.840 --> 05:00.840 Scrabble. 05:00.840 --> 05:01.840 What was that? 05:01.840 --> 05:03.840 Mrs. Ruhman. Helen. 05:03.840 --> 05:05.840 She thought she could play the game. 05:05.840 --> 05:07.840 But then when she challenged Bertha to a match, 05:07.840 --> 05:10.840 well, it was pretty terrible. 05:10.840 --> 05:13.840 From 457 to 214. 05:13.840 --> 05:15.340 Helen was pretty upset. 05:15.340 --> 05:17.340 She tried to make out like she was a good loser, 05:17.340 --> 05:19.840 you know, kind of smiles, laughs. 05:19.840 --> 05:21.340 I could tell. 05:21.340 --> 05:23.340 She didn't like being skunked. 05:23.340 --> 05:24.340 Yes, ma'am. 05:24.340 --> 05:25.840 Can you think of any reason why anyone would want to harm 05:25.840 --> 05:27.340 Miss Gillespie? 05:27.340 --> 05:29.840 Not right off unless it was for money. 05:29.840 --> 05:32.840 Last time I saw her, she was carrying a lot of cash money 05:32.840 --> 05:33.840 around with her. 05:33.840 --> 05:34.840 Yeah. 05:34.840 --> 05:35.840 $1,500. 05:35.840 --> 05:36.840 $1,500. 05:40.840 --> 05:41.840 1033 A.M. 05:41.840 --> 05:43.840 We put in a call to missing persons detail 05:43.840 --> 05:45.840 and checked the name Bertha Gillespie through the file. 05:45.840 --> 05:47.840 There had been no report filed on her, 05:47.840 --> 05:49.840 and her name did not appear in the Gaga file. 05:49.840 --> 05:51.340 We checked the name through RNI, 05:51.340 --> 05:53.840 but she had no criminal record in Los Angeles. 05:53.840 --> 05:55.340 1047 A.M. 05:55.340 --> 05:57.340 We drove by the T. Cozy Restaurant. 05:57.340 --> 05:59.840 On the front door, attached with cellophane tape, 05:59.840 --> 06:01.340 was a hand-lettered note reading, 06:01.340 --> 06:04.840 Taking a short vacation, watch for reopening. 06:04.840 --> 06:07.840 Through the glass pane, we could see the interior of the shop. 06:07.840 --> 06:09.840 Everything appeared to be in order. 06:09.840 --> 06:11.340 Frank and I checked the rear of the building, 06:11.340 --> 06:14.340 but from what we could see, there was nothing out of line. 06:14.340 --> 06:15.840 1128 A.M. 06:15.840 --> 06:18.840 We put in a call to the missing woman's boyfriend, Chester Avin. 06:18.840 --> 06:20.340 He told us that he'd talked to the Gillespie woman 06:20.340 --> 06:21.840 on the previous Friday night, 06:21.840 --> 06:23.340 and she'd appeared in good spirits 06:23.340 --> 06:25.340 and had said nothing about leaving. 06:25.340 --> 06:26.840 We checked at her bank. 06:26.840 --> 06:28.840 We found that she'd made a withdrawal from her savings account 06:28.840 --> 06:31.340 to the amount of $2,500. 06:31.340 --> 06:34.340 This left a balance of over $12,000 in the savings account, 06:34.340 --> 06:37.340 $6,000 in the checking account. 06:37.340 --> 06:39.840 The manager of the branch told us that he'd spoken with Mrs. Gillespie 06:39.840 --> 06:41.340 when she'd taken the money, 06:41.340 --> 06:44.340 and that she told him that she was thinking of taking a short vacation. 06:44.340 --> 06:47.340 We got in touch with Miss Crocker and told her what we'd found. 06:47.340 --> 06:50.340 We asked her if she wanted to file a missing persons report. 06:50.340 --> 06:51.840 She said that she'd wait until the end of the week, 06:51.840 --> 06:53.340 and if her friend hadn't returned by then, 06:53.340 --> 06:56.840 that she'd come into the office. 06:56.840 --> 06:59.340 A month passed before we heard from her again. 06:59.340 --> 07:01.340 On the morning of Friday, August 20th, 07:01.340 --> 07:04.340 she called to tell us that she still hadn't heard from Mrs. Gillespie 07:04.340 --> 07:06.840 and asked that we conduct a formal investigation. 07:06.840 --> 07:09.840 She came down to the office and filled out a form 316. 07:09.840 --> 07:12.340 Frank and I drove out to the restaurant to check it again. 07:12.340 --> 07:15.340 It was exactly as it had been when we'd last seen it. 07:15.340 --> 07:17.840 We tried the doors and found that they were still locked. 07:17.840 --> 07:21.340 1.43 p.m. We went back to the office. 07:21.340 --> 07:23.340 Yes, sir. 07:23.340 --> 07:25.340 Well, that's kind of high, isn't it? 07:25.340 --> 07:26.840 Yes. 07:26.840 --> 07:28.840 Well, did your people check into it? 07:28.840 --> 07:30.840 I see. 07:30.840 --> 07:32.340 Well, thank you, Mr. Jones. 07:32.340 --> 07:35.840 If you find out anything, we'd appreciate it if you'd give us a call. 07:35.840 --> 07:40.840 Right. That's Michigan 5211, extension 2521. 07:40.840 --> 07:42.340 Yes, sir. 07:42.340 --> 07:44.840 Either Officer Frank Smith or Sergeant Joe Friday. 07:44.840 --> 07:46.840 That's right. Thanks for your help. 07:46.840 --> 07:49.340 Yes, indeed. Thank you. Goodbye. 07:49.340 --> 07:51.840 Well, that finishes up the utility calls. 07:51.840 --> 07:53.340 What do you got? 07:53.340 --> 07:56.840 The phone bill for the past 30 days is just the service charge, no toll calls. 07:56.840 --> 07:58.840 Same with the electric lights. 07:58.840 --> 08:00.840 Did they receive payment in the last month today? 08:00.840 --> 08:03.840 No. Telephone company says they haven't been paid in over 60 days. 08:03.840 --> 08:05.840 Says they've sent a couple of reminders. 08:05.840 --> 08:09.840 The only reason they haven't cut off the service is the bills have always been paid promptly in the past. 08:09.840 --> 08:11.340 I see. 08:11.340 --> 08:12.840 I checked with their business office. 08:12.840 --> 08:15.840 The girl tells me the bill usually runs around 10 bucks. 08:15.840 --> 08:17.840 Possible, isn't it? The phone hasn't been used at all, huh? 08:17.840 --> 08:20.340 Well, it shapes up that way. Same with the lights. 08:20.340 --> 08:21.840 The one thing doesn't match. 08:21.840 --> 08:22.840 Yeah, what's that? 08:22.840 --> 08:25.840 I checked with them. Normal bills, about four bucks for the place. 08:25.840 --> 08:26.840 Yeah. 08:26.840 --> 08:28.840 The last 60 days, it's been $79. 08:28.840 --> 08:30.340 A lot of water in it. 08:30.340 --> 08:33.840 Yeah. I talked to one of the engineers at the company, a fellow named Jones. 08:33.840 --> 08:34.840 Yeah, what'd he tell you? 08:34.840 --> 08:37.840 Well, he told me there was only one thing that could cause a water jump like that. 08:37.840 --> 08:38.840 Yeah. A water tap. 08:38.840 --> 08:39.840 Yeah. 08:39.840 --> 08:40.840 Running for about a month. 08:40.840 --> 08:43.840 The Money 08:49.840 --> 08:52.840 2.06 p.m. We called the bank where Mrs. Gillespie had her accounts. 08:52.840 --> 08:58.840 The head cashier told us that since the date she'd withdrawn the $2,500, there's been no deposits or withdrawals made. 08:58.840 --> 09:02.840 We telephoned the missing woman's friend, Mrs. Winifred Crocker. 09:02.840 --> 09:07.840 From her, we got the name and address of the owner of the building where the T. Cozy Restaurant was located. 09:07.840 --> 09:10.840 Frank and I signed out of the office and drove out to see him. 09:10.840 --> 09:14.840 The address we'd been given was a large house in the Silver Lake District. 09:14.840 --> 09:17.840 We rang the bell to the front door, but we got no answer. 09:17.840 --> 09:20.840 We walked around to the back of the property to a large garage. 09:21.840 --> 09:25.840 Now, Joe, if we find this guy, we can find out if she gave him some indication she was gonna leave. 09:25.840 --> 09:26.840 Yeah. 09:27.840 --> 09:29.840 Sounds like there's somebody there. 09:29.840 --> 09:30.840 Yeah. 09:31.840 --> 09:32.840 In here, I guess. 09:32.840 --> 09:37.840 Uh-huh. Yeah? 09:37.840 --> 09:39.840 We'd like to see Virgil Medina. 09:39.840 --> 09:40.840 I'm him. What do you want? 09:40.840 --> 09:43.840 Police officers. Would like to check out a few things with you if we can? 09:43.840 --> 09:44.840 What about? 09:44.840 --> 09:46.840 Oh, it might be easier if we talked inside. 09:46.840 --> 09:48.840 I got no truck with the cops. I got none that I want. 09:48.840 --> 09:51.840 Now you can just ask your questions from out there. 09:51.840 --> 09:52.840 All right, sir. That's the way you want it. 09:52.840 --> 09:56.840 Well, that's the way it's gonna be. Now, get your questions asked and go about your business. 09:56.840 --> 09:59.840 You own a building located at 687 Kenmore Avenue. 09:59.840 --> 10:00.840 Why? 10:00.840 --> 10:04.840 Look, Mr. Medina, we're trying to conduct an investigation. We'd like to have your cooperation. 10:04.840 --> 10:06.840 If you don't want to talk here, we can go downtown. 10:06.840 --> 10:07.840 I own the building. Why? 10:07.840 --> 10:09.840 You have a tenant named Bertha Gillespie? 10:09.840 --> 10:10.840 Yes. Why? 10:10.840 --> 10:11.840 When did you see her last? 10:11.840 --> 10:14.840 Well, about a month ago, at least that. 10:14.840 --> 10:15.840 Do you remember the exact date? 10:15.840 --> 10:17.840 I don't know. It's a long time ago. 10:17.840 --> 10:21.840 What's all this about Bertha anyway? What are all these questions? 10:21.840 --> 10:24.840 You got something you want to know about her? Go ask her yourself. 10:24.840 --> 10:26.840 Anything I can tell you that she can't? 10:26.840 --> 10:27.840 Go talk to her. 10:27.840 --> 10:28.840 Leave me alone. 10:28.840 --> 10:29.840 Where did you see her last? 10:29.840 --> 10:31.840 Down at the restaurant. 10:31.840 --> 10:32.840 What time of day? 10:32.840 --> 10:34.840 Night. Night time. 10:34.840 --> 10:37.840 Would you try to remember what date it was? It's pretty important. 10:37.840 --> 10:39.840 Wait a minute. I'll try to figure. 10:39.840 --> 10:42.840 See, I guess it must have been on a Saturday night. 10:42.840 --> 10:46.840 Yes, I'd say it was Saturday, the 10th of July. 10:46.840 --> 10:48.840 Do you have any way of being sure that that's the date? 10:48.840 --> 10:51.840 Now, look, you come around here asking questions and I've given you an answer. 10:51.840 --> 10:55.840 It can take you to leave it. I got no way of being sure. 10:55.840 --> 10:57.840 That's the day I think I saw her last. 10:57.840 --> 10:59.840 She seem in good spirits? 10:59.840 --> 11:00.840 What do you mean by that? 11:00.840 --> 11:02.840 Well, sir, was she happy or was there something worrying her? 11:02.840 --> 11:05.840 Well, she seemed happy to me. I didn't pay a lot of attention. 11:05.840 --> 11:07.840 What are you cops trying to find out? 11:07.840 --> 11:10.840 You come right out and tell me what you want. Maybe I'll have the answer. 11:10.840 --> 11:13.840 But I haven't got time to stand around and waste time with you. 11:13.840 --> 11:17.840 Now, you tell me why you're asking these questions or you can leave. 11:17.840 --> 11:20.840 Mrs. Gillespie's been reported missing. We're trying to trace it. 11:20.840 --> 11:23.840 Well, who done that? Who says she's missing? 11:23.840 --> 11:26.840 Well, that's not the important point here. We got the report. We've got to check it out. 11:26.840 --> 11:28.840 Well, whoever told you that's crazy? 11:28.840 --> 11:30.840 If Bertha's gone, there's a good reason for it. 11:30.840 --> 11:32.840 I guess she just finally got fed up and left town. 11:32.840 --> 11:33.840 What do you mean? 11:33.840 --> 11:37.840 She made a mint of money from that place. Regular mint. 11:37.840 --> 11:41.840 She used to tell me that when she had enough, she was going to just take off and see the world. 11:41.840 --> 11:43.840 Go around the whole world on a cramped steamer. 11:43.840 --> 11:48.840 She told me when she signed the last lease that she thought this would be the last one. 11:48.840 --> 11:50.840 Aye, she ain't missing. She's just gone. 11:50.840 --> 11:53.840 Did she say anything to you about the fixtures in the place? 11:53.840 --> 11:54.840 What do you mean? 11:54.840 --> 11:57.840 You know, the furniture, all the fixtures, they belong to her, don't they? 11:57.840 --> 11:59.840 Yes, I guess so. 11:59.840 --> 12:01.840 Would she make any arrangements to dispose of them? 12:01.840 --> 12:02.840 Not to me, she didn't. 12:02.840 --> 12:04.840 What if you have a key to the place? 12:04.840 --> 12:05.840 The T. Cozy? 12:05.840 --> 12:06.840 Yes, sir. 12:06.840 --> 12:07.840 No, I don't. 12:07.840 --> 12:09.840 You own the building and you don't have a key to the restaurant? 12:09.840 --> 12:13.840 Well, no, I had one, but I lost it. Never had another one made. Why? 12:13.840 --> 12:14.840 What do you want with the key? 12:14.840 --> 12:15.840 We want to check the premises. 12:15.840 --> 12:18.840 Well, as far as I'm concerned, you've got no right to do that. 12:18.840 --> 12:22.840 This belongs to Mrs. Gillespie. You've got no right to go tromping around in there. 12:22.840 --> 12:23.840 I thought we were going to have to. 12:23.840 --> 12:25.840 Then you're going to do it without my say-so. 12:25.840 --> 12:27.840 All right, sir, if that's the way it's going to be. 12:27.840 --> 12:29.840 I'm telling you, she ain't going to like it. 12:29.840 --> 12:32.840 She ain't going to like you going in the place when she isn't there. 12:32.840 --> 12:33.840 Well, we take that up with her. 12:33.840 --> 12:36.840 Well, you better, because I'm not going to take any responsibility for it. 12:36.840 --> 12:38.840 We're not asking you to, Mr. Medina. 12:38.840 --> 12:39.840 I'll give you this, though. 12:39.840 --> 12:40.840 Yes, sir, what's that? 12:40.840 --> 12:44.840 You go nosing around, you'll probably come up with something that you ain't looking for. 12:44.840 --> 12:46.840 Well, thanks for your help, Mr. Medina. 12:46.840 --> 12:48.840 Don't mention it. 12:48.840 --> 12:51.840 Just remember what I told you about finding trouble when you ain't looking for it. 12:51.840 --> 12:52.840 Well, that doesn't happen often. 12:52.840 --> 12:53.840 Huh? 12:53.840 --> 12:54.840 We're looking for it. 12:58.840 --> 13:02.840 314 p.m., Frank and I drove back to the T. Cozy Restaurant on Kenmore Avenue. 13:02.840 --> 13:04.840 We checked the front door of the place. 13:04.840 --> 13:05.840 It was locked. 13:05.840 --> 13:09.840 While Frank covered one side of the building, I took the other side, looking for open windows. 13:11.840 --> 13:12.840 How about it? 13:12.840 --> 13:13.840 No, no luck. 13:13.840 --> 13:14.840 Me neither. 13:14.840 --> 13:15.840 What do we do now? 13:15.840 --> 13:17.840 Well, we're going to have to try to force one of the windows in the back. 13:17.840 --> 13:22.840 All right, come on. 13:22.840 --> 13:24.840 I think maybe we can get in here. 13:24.840 --> 13:25.840 You're going to break it? 13:25.840 --> 13:26.840 Well, we're going to have to. 13:26.840 --> 13:27.840 Wait a minute, Joe. 13:27.840 --> 13:28.840 Huh? 13:28.840 --> 13:29.840 You hear water running? 13:29.840 --> 13:32.840 Sounds like it's coming from inside. 13:32.840 --> 13:33.840 Yeah, it might be. 13:33.840 --> 13:34.840 Now, let's get in there. 13:34.840 --> 13:35.840 All right. 13:35.840 --> 13:36.840 You want my gun? 13:36.840 --> 13:38.840 No, I'll use the handcuffs to see if I can knock a hole in the top half of the window here. 13:38.840 --> 13:40.840 Well, why don't you better use your handkerchief? 13:40.840 --> 13:41.840 Let me borrow yours. 13:41.840 --> 13:42.840 Here. 13:42.840 --> 13:44.840 All right. 13:44.840 --> 13:48.840 I'll look. 13:48.840 --> 13:54.840 There, that does it. 13:54.840 --> 13:56.840 I'll go on in and open the door. 13:56.840 --> 13:57.840 Yeah, let me see you out in front. 13:57.840 --> 14:04.840 All right. 14:04.840 --> 14:05.840 Frank? 14:05.840 --> 14:06.840 Yeah, I hear it. 14:06.840 --> 14:09.840 Come on in. 14:09.840 --> 14:10.840 See anything? 14:10.840 --> 14:13.840 No, I haven't looked yet. 14:13.840 --> 14:15.840 Well, this must be the living room. 14:15.840 --> 14:16.840 Yeah. 14:16.840 --> 14:17.840 Everything looks okay here, a little dusty. 14:17.840 --> 14:18.840 Yeah, water's running someplace. 14:18.840 --> 14:19.840 Wait a minute. 14:19.840 --> 14:20.840 Yeah. 14:20.840 --> 14:21.840 Sounds like it's coming from over there. 14:21.840 --> 14:22.840 Yeah, better turn it off. 14:22.840 --> 14:23.840 Yeah. 14:23.840 --> 14:24.840 Better call a crime lab, huh? 14:24.840 --> 14:25.840 Yeah, kind of a rough one, isn't it? 14:25.840 --> 14:26.840 Yeah, looks like she put up quite a fight. 14:26.840 --> 14:27.840 Blood stains all over the place. 14:27.840 --> 14:28.840 Yeah, look here. 14:28.840 --> 14:29.840 Huh? 14:29.840 --> 14:44.840 I guess this is what killed her. 14:44.840 --> 14:45.840 Yeah. 14:45.840 --> 14:46.840 Butcher knife. 14:46.840 --> 14:47.840 Beep. 14:47.840 --> 14:59.340 From a picture in the description that we'd gotten from Winifred Crocker, we identified 14:59.340 --> 15:01.840 the victim as the missing woman Bertha Gillespie. 15:01.840 --> 15:04.640 We put in a call for the crime lab. 15:04.640 --> 15:07.840 Lee Jones and his crew came out and went over the place. 15:07.840 --> 15:09.840 The rest of the restaurant seemed to be in order. 15:09.840 --> 15:13.840 There was no sign of a struggle of any kind except in the bathroom where the body had 15:13.840 --> 15:14.840 been found. 15:14.840 --> 15:19.240 The murder weapon, the butcher knife, was dusted for prints as was the rest of the restaurant, 15:19.240 --> 15:23.840 but the parcels that the crime lab came up with were worthless for classification. 15:23.840 --> 15:27.840 They would be sufficient, however, for comparison if we caught the killer. 15:27.840 --> 15:30.960 The search of the personal effects of the dead woman revealed no further information 15:30.960 --> 15:33.240 to Aides in apprehending her killer. 15:33.240 --> 15:36.840 The $2,500 that she was known to have had when she was last seen was missing. 15:36.840 --> 15:42.120 621, the men from the crime lab finished their investigation on the scene and the coroner's 15:42.120 --> 15:43.640 office was called. 15:43.640 --> 15:45.400 They came out and removed the body. 15:45.400 --> 15:48.520 They also locked the door and affixed the coroner's seal. 15:48.520 --> 15:50.160 645 p.m. 15:50.160 --> 15:52.160 Frank and I got back to our car to go down to the office. 15:52.160 --> 15:53.160 Now let's go, Frank. 15:53.160 --> 15:54.160 Yeah. 15:54.160 --> 15:55.160 Hey, wait a minute! 15:55.160 --> 15:56.160 Hold it, Frank. 15:56.160 --> 15:57.160 Huh? 15:57.160 --> 15:58.160 What's the little kid? 15:58.160 --> 15:59.160 You guys the cops? 15:59.160 --> 16:00.160 Yeah, son, what's the matter? 16:00.160 --> 16:01.160 A lot of excitement around here, huh? 16:01.160 --> 16:02.160 Yeah, that's right. 16:02.160 --> 16:03.160 Something we can do for you? 16:03.160 --> 16:04.160 No, I figured maybe there's something I can do for you. 16:04.160 --> 16:05.160 What do you mean? 16:05.160 --> 16:06.160 You know who did the murder yet? 16:06.160 --> 16:07.160 Why do you say it was a murder, son? 16:07.160 --> 16:08.160 I know who did it. 16:08.160 --> 16:36.640 The working detective has learned by experience that approximately 60 percent of all homicides 16:36.640 --> 16:40.320 are solved within 20 minutes after the arrival of the authorities. 16:40.320 --> 16:44.000 Two things are necessary in establishing the identity of a killer. 16:44.000 --> 16:45.000 Motive and opportunity. 16:45.000 --> 16:47.480 In the present instance, we had the motive. 16:47.480 --> 16:51.080 $2,500 that the dead woman had withdrawn from her account was missing. 16:51.080 --> 16:55.400 However, a month had passed between the time the actual murder had taken place and it had 16:55.400 --> 16:56.400 been discovered. 16:56.400 --> 16:59.360 Ample time for the killer to cover his track. 16:59.360 --> 17:02.600 Now before we could leave the scene, we had a witness who stated that he could name the 17:02.600 --> 17:03.600 killer for us. 17:03.600 --> 17:07.240 We asked the boy to get into the back seat of the police car while Frank and I questioned 17:07.240 --> 17:08.240 him. 17:08.240 --> 17:09.240 What's your name, son? 17:09.240 --> 17:10.240 Gordon Eric. 17:10.240 --> 17:11.240 Kids always call me Gordy. 17:11.240 --> 17:12.240 Uh-huh. 17:12.240 --> 17:13.240 How old are you? 17:13.240 --> 17:14.240 Seven. 17:14.240 --> 17:17.360 Now what's all this about you being able to tell us who killed Mrs. Gillespie? 17:17.360 --> 17:18.360 I can. 17:18.360 --> 17:19.360 Well, who was it? 17:19.360 --> 17:20.360 Mr. Medina. 17:20.360 --> 17:21.360 You mean the man who owns the building? 17:21.360 --> 17:22.360 Yeah, that's who I mean. 17:22.360 --> 17:23.360 Well, that's a pretty serious charge, Gordon. 17:23.360 --> 17:24.360 Do you have any way to prove that? 17:24.360 --> 17:25.360 I guess I really can't prove it, but I know it's true. 17:25.360 --> 17:26.360 Well, how do you know? 17:26.360 --> 17:27.360 I just know that's all. 17:27.360 --> 17:28.360 I seen him there. 17:28.360 --> 17:29.360 I saw him. 17:29.360 --> 17:30.360 I saw him. 17:30.360 --> 17:31.360 I saw him. 17:31.360 --> 17:32.360 I saw him. 17:32.360 --> 17:34.020 I saw him there. 17:34.020 --> 17:35.720 I just seen him going in and out. 17:35.720 --> 17:37.400 Well, when was this? 17:37.400 --> 17:38.400 Three weeks ago. 17:38.400 --> 17:39.400 Maybe a month. 17:39.400 --> 17:44.920 But he used to go in and out all the time, argue with Mrs. Gillespie. 17:44.920 --> 17:45.920 What do you mean by argument? 17:45.920 --> 17:49.240 Well, Mr. Medina screamed at Mrs. Gillespie. 17:49.240 --> 17:52.280 Will you ever hear any of these arguments, son? 17:52.280 --> 17:53.280 Sure. 17:53.280 --> 17:55.280 I'm mother's friend of Mrs. Gillespie. 17:55.280 --> 17:58.360 We just live a couple of blocks away on Dewy Street. 17:58.360 --> 18:00.520 I play over here all the time. 18:00.520 --> 18:03.280 I heard Mr. Medina yell at her and yell at her. 18:03.280 --> 18:04.280 What they argue about, son? 18:04.280 --> 18:05.280 Mostly about least or something. 18:05.280 --> 18:06.280 Seems like Mr. Medina wants Mrs. Gillespie to move out. 18:06.280 --> 18:07.280 She hit him wrong. 18:07.280 --> 18:08.280 Made him pretty sore. 18:08.280 --> 18:09.280 You've got to talk to him. 18:09.280 --> 18:17.280 He'll tell you the same thing of how he used to fight with her. 18:17.280 --> 18:18.280 All right, son. 18:18.280 --> 18:19.280 Your mother ever hear any of these fights? 18:19.280 --> 18:20.280 Sure. 18:20.280 --> 18:21.280 You ask her. 18:21.280 --> 18:23.280 She'll tell you the same way just like I did. 18:23.280 --> 18:24.280 Okay. 18:24.280 --> 18:25.280 Is she home now? 18:25.280 --> 18:26.280 Should be. 18:26.280 --> 18:27.280 Maybe she went out to the store or something. 18:27.280 --> 18:28.280 She should be home. 18:28.280 --> 18:29.280 Okay, son. 18:29.280 --> 18:30.280 Let's go. 18:30.280 --> 18:31.280 Yeah. 18:31.280 --> 18:36.020 Guess this is about the most exciting we've had for a long time. 18:36.020 --> 18:37.020 Yeah? 18:37.020 --> 18:38.020 Her old Mrs. Gillespie. 18:38.020 --> 18:39.020 True nice old lady. 18:39.020 --> 18:40.020 Real nice. 18:40.020 --> 18:41.020 Wouldn't hardly eat anybody I didn't like or hardly anybody. 18:41.020 --> 18:42.020 How about Mr. Medina? 18:42.020 --> 18:43.020 7.04 p.m. 18:43.020 --> 18:45.560 We drove young Gordon Eric to his home and talked with his mother. 18:45.560 --> 18:48.560 He verified his story about the fight. 18:48.560 --> 18:50.340 He said the fight was over. 18:50.340 --> 18:53.760 He didn't want to talk about the fight. 18:53.760 --> 18:57.760 He said he was going to be a good friend. 18:57.760 --> 19:00.760 He said he wanted to talk to his mother. 19:00.760 --> 19:03.760 He verified his story about the arguments between the victim and Medina. 19:03.760 --> 19:06.760 She went on to say that Medina had threatened Mrs. Gillespie, saying that if she wouldn't 19:06.760 --> 19:09.760 vacate the premises, he'd take care of her. 19:09.760 --> 19:10.760 We had their statements taken. 19:10.760 --> 19:14.760 And at 8.40 p.m. we went by Medina's house and asked him to accompany us downtown. 19:14.760 --> 19:17.760 Finally agreed, although he was sullen and uncooperative. 19:17.760 --> 19:21.760 When we got him down to the office, we checked his name to the record bureau, but we found 19:21.760 --> 19:23.760 that he had no criminal record in Los Angeles. 19:23.760 --> 19:26.760 His prints were rolled and sent to Holland's stall for comparison with those found on the 19:26.760 --> 19:27.760 murder weapon. 19:27.760 --> 19:30.760 While we waited for the results, we talked to him in the squad room. 19:30.760 --> 19:32.760 You're going to regret this, you know that? 19:32.760 --> 19:33.760 Yeah. 19:33.760 --> 19:36.760 I'm telling you, you dragged me down here with all these questions. 19:36.760 --> 19:38.760 You just wait till my lawyers get here. 19:38.760 --> 19:40.760 You put a stop to all this foolishness. 19:40.760 --> 19:42.760 You want to tell us what it's all about, Medina? 19:42.760 --> 19:43.760 Tell you about what? 19:43.760 --> 19:45.760 How one of my tenants got herself killed. 19:45.760 --> 19:48.760 Now listen, I got property all over town, a lot of tenants. 19:48.760 --> 19:50.760 I'm worried about each one of them. 19:50.760 --> 19:52.760 I wouldn't have no time to do nothing else. 19:52.760 --> 19:55.760 We understand you had some pretty big arguments with Mrs. Gillespie. 19:55.760 --> 19:57.760 Who said that? Who told you that? 19:57.760 --> 19:58.760 Is it true? 19:58.760 --> 19:59.760 Why, it's a lie. 19:59.760 --> 20:02.760 You bring the person in here who said it, and I'll tell them it's a lie right to their face. 20:02.760 --> 20:03.760 You just bring them in here. 20:03.760 --> 20:05.760 We can't do that, and you know it. 20:05.760 --> 20:06.760 Yeah, of course you can. 20:06.760 --> 20:08.760 You know why? You want me to tell you? 20:08.760 --> 20:09.760 Go ahead, you tell me. 20:09.760 --> 20:12.760 You can't show the person who said that because there ain't no such person. 20:12.760 --> 20:15.760 Is there anybody in the world who says, I'll get with Bertha? 20:15.760 --> 20:16.760 Uh-huh. 20:16.760 --> 20:17.760 You try to get her to break her leaf with you? 20:17.760 --> 20:18.760 That's none of your business. 20:18.760 --> 20:22.760 I told you before, I'm not about to answer a lot of questions that aren't none of your concern. 20:22.760 --> 20:24.760 Couple things we better set you straight on, mister. 20:24.760 --> 20:26.760 You're a suspect in a murder. 20:26.760 --> 20:30.760 Now, if you're smart, you're gonna realize that and give us some straight answers. 20:30.760 --> 20:32.760 You just wait till my lawyer gets here. 20:32.760 --> 20:35.760 He'll take care of all this, and he's gonna fix you for taking my fingerprints. 20:35.760 --> 20:38.760 I still don't think he had any right to do that. No right at all. 20:38.760 --> 20:39.760 Oh, yeah. 20:42.760 --> 20:43.760 Commicide, Spidey. 20:43.760 --> 20:44.760 Yeah, Harlow. 20:46.760 --> 20:47.760 I'm in. 20:48.760 --> 20:50.760 All right. Thank you. 20:50.760 --> 20:52.760 You want to tell us why you killed her, Medina? 20:52.760 --> 20:53.760 What are you talking about? 20:53.760 --> 20:54.760 That was our fingerprint, ma'am. 20:54.760 --> 20:57.760 They checked your prints against the ones we found on the murder night. 20:57.760 --> 20:58.760 They matched perfectly. 21:00.760 --> 21:02.760 Hmm. You sure, Harvey? 21:02.760 --> 21:03.760 Yeah, sure. 21:04.760 --> 21:05.760 All right. 21:06.760 --> 21:07.760 I didn't mean to do it. 21:08.760 --> 21:10.760 I really didn't mean to, Arthur. 21:10.760 --> 21:12.760 Just all of a sudden, I got so mad. 21:12.760 --> 21:14.760 I was standing there smiling. 21:14.760 --> 21:15.760 You should have known this. 21:15.760 --> 21:18.760 You had a way of smiling at you, and you knew that you were gonna get killed. 21:18.760 --> 21:21.760 You had a way of smiling at you, and you knew that there wasn't anything that you could do. 21:21.760 --> 21:23.760 You just stand there smiling. 21:23.760 --> 21:24.760 I didn't mean to kill her, though. 21:24.760 --> 21:27.760 You've got to believe that I didn't mean to kill her. 21:27.760 --> 21:29.760 Want to tell us how it happened? 21:30.760 --> 21:32.760 Have you got a cigarette? 21:32.760 --> 21:33.760 Yeah. 21:34.760 --> 21:35.760 Here you go. 21:35.760 --> 21:36.760 Thanks. 21:37.760 --> 21:38.760 Here's the match. 21:43.760 --> 21:46.760 I had a chance to lease the place to some other people. 21:46.760 --> 21:48.760 More money. I tried to get her out. 21:48.760 --> 21:49.760 Go ahead. 21:49.760 --> 21:52.760 I tried to talk to her. I tried to get her to retire. 21:52.760 --> 21:55.760 She had enough money. She didn't ever have to worry. 21:55.760 --> 21:57.760 All I wanted her to do was to get out. 21:57.760 --> 21:58.760 But she wouldn't. 21:58.760 --> 22:01.760 He said I'd signed a lease with her, and he was gonna keep it. 22:01.760 --> 22:06.760 How much difference was there between what she was paying and what the new people were gonna give you? 22:07.760 --> 22:08.760 Fifty dollars a month. 22:09.760 --> 22:10.760 Who killed her for that? 22:10.760 --> 22:12.760 Oh, yeah, you don't understand. You've got to try. 22:12.760 --> 22:16.760 This is important. If you knew better, you'd know why I did it. 22:16.760 --> 22:21.760 You see, I went to her. I told her that I'd give her a lease on another piece of property. 22:21.760 --> 22:23.760 I'd give it to her at less money. 22:23.760 --> 22:25.760 I was trying to be fair. You can see that. 22:25.760 --> 22:27.760 I wanted to be fair. 22:28.760 --> 22:31.760 Well, that Saturday night, I decided to have it out with her. 22:32.760 --> 22:34.760 I went over to talk. I tried to convince her. 22:35.760 --> 22:36.760 But she wouldn't listen. 22:37.760 --> 22:41.760 She just wouldn't listen. I tried everything to make her listen, but she wouldn't. 22:41.760 --> 22:45.760 She just stood there and told me that she had the lease and that she was gonna keep it. 22:45.760 --> 22:49.760 She just stood there with that superior smile of hers, like she knew it all. 22:49.760 --> 22:51.760 Makes you want to kid her as hard as you could. 22:52.760 --> 22:54.760 If you knew her, you'd see what I mean. 22:54.760 --> 22:56.760 You'd see, you'd see. 22:56.760 --> 22:57.760 You'd take the money? 22:58.760 --> 22:59.760 Yes. 23:00.760 --> 23:01.760 I don't know why I did that. 23:01.760 --> 23:09.760 Just all of a sudden, I got so mad at her, I picked up the knife and I killed her. 23:10.760 --> 23:12.760 I didn't mean to be honest. I didn't. 23:12.760 --> 23:16.760 As soon as I saw her, I was sorry. I was real sorry. 23:17.760 --> 23:19.760 Yeah. Did you turn that water on? 23:19.760 --> 23:22.760 Well, I guess so. I don't remember too good. 23:23.760 --> 23:26.760 I washed my hands after I killed her. I remember that. 23:26.760 --> 23:31.760 I guess I did leave the water on. I guess I did, yeah. 23:31.760 --> 23:33.760 All right. Do you want to get the stenographer, Frank? 23:33.760 --> 23:34.760 Sure. 23:41.760 --> 23:45.760 You'd seen the way she thought she was so much better than anybody else, you'd know. 23:45.760 --> 23:46.760 Is that right? 23:46.760 --> 23:56.760 Sure. All those old hands clucking around all the time, building her up, making her feel superior, real superior. 23:56.760 --> 24:03.760 If she'd just moved out, if she'd just let me have the place, it all would have been all right. 24:03.760 --> 24:08.760 If she'd just done that. That's a lot of money, you know. 24:09.760 --> 24:14.760 Fifty dollars a month. That's what I stood to make on the deal. 24:14.760 --> 24:16.760 Yeah. 24:16.760 --> 24:22.760 It was worth it, don't you think? Fifty dollars a month without turning a hand? 24:23.760 --> 24:26.760 Everybody'd see you that way, wouldn't they? 24:26.760 --> 24:30.760 Well, everybody'd think so. 24:30.760 --> 24:33.760 Now, when you get where you're going, you're going to ask them. 24:33.760 --> 24:46.760 The story you have just heard is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. 24:46.760 --> 24:53.760 On November 10th, trial was held in Department 97, Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the County of Los Angeles. 24:53.760 --> 24:55.760 The story you have just heard is true. 25:02.760 --> 25:08.760 Virgil Amal Medina was tried and convicted of murder in the second degree and received sentence as prescribed by law. 25:08.760 --> 25:23.760 Murder in the second degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of from five years to life.