WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:12.800 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 00:12.800 --> 00:15.680 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:15.680 --> 00:20.600 Dragnet is brought to you by Chesterfield, made by Liggett and Myers. 00:20.600 --> 00:33.560 We have a great major tobacco company to bring you a complete line of quality cigarettes. 00:33.560 --> 00:35.280 You're a detective sergeant. 00:35.280 --> 00:37.680 You're assigned to homicide detail. 00:37.680 --> 00:41.960 The body of an attractive woman has been found in a downtown office building, beaten to death 00:41.960 --> 00:43.880 with a piece of lead pipe. 00:43.880 --> 00:46.120 The killer has escaped into the city. 00:46.120 --> 00:49.440 Your job, find him. 00:49.440 --> 00:56.080 Today, friends, you hear these three words everywhere. 00:56.080 --> 00:58.640 Chesterfield's for me. 00:58.640 --> 01:04.140 The Chesterfield you smoke today is the best cigarette ever made. 01:04.140 --> 01:10.800 Best for you because Chesterfield gives you proof of highest quality, low nicotine. 01:10.800 --> 01:12.520 The taste you want. 01:12.520 --> 01:14.640 The mildness you want. 01:14.640 --> 01:20.360 Chesterfield is best for you because it is tested and approved by 30 years of scientific 01:20.360 --> 01:22.520 tobacco research. 01:22.520 --> 01:28.400 Chesterfield is best for you because it has an established good record with smokers, proven 01:28.400 --> 01:31.080 by test after test. 01:31.080 --> 01:37.440 Yes, friends, the Chesterfield you smoke today is the best cigarette ever made. 01:37.440 --> 01:40.920 For the taste you want, the mildness you want. 01:40.920 --> 01:46.960 Join the thousands now changing to Chesterfield. 01:46.960 --> 01:54.200 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:54.200 --> 01:59.160 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 01:59.160 --> 02:03.840 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official 02:03.840 --> 02:05.560 police files. 02:05.560 --> 02:10.800 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 02:10.800 --> 02:12.520 in action. 02:12.520 --> 02:16.600 It was Thursday, April 15th. 02:16.600 --> 02:18.080 It was warm in Los Angeles. 02:18.080 --> 02:19.840 We were working the day watch out of homicide detail. 02:19.840 --> 02:21.200 My partner is Frank Smith. 02:21.200 --> 02:22.200 The boss is Captain Lorman. 02:22.200 --> 02:23.680 My name is Friday. 02:23.680 --> 02:28.260 We just left the murder room and it was 7.40 a.m. when we got to suite 718, the building 02:28.260 --> 02:31.260 manager's office. 02:31.260 --> 02:34.280 Miss Joyce? 02:34.280 --> 02:37.400 Yes, you men cops? 02:37.400 --> 02:38.400 Yes, ma'am. 02:38.400 --> 02:42.360 We understand you're the one who found the bodies, isn't that right? 02:42.360 --> 02:43.360 That's right. 02:43.360 --> 02:44.360 I found her. 02:44.360 --> 02:46.800 It was an awful scene. 02:46.800 --> 02:48.120 This is my partner, Frank Smith. 02:48.120 --> 02:49.120 My name's Friday. 02:49.120 --> 02:51.560 I wonder if you feel up to telling us exactly what happened. 02:51.560 --> 02:52.560 Oh, sure. 02:52.560 --> 02:55.240 It's just about the most terrible thing ever happened to me. 02:55.240 --> 02:56.560 There's something we can get you, ma'am. 02:56.560 --> 02:57.560 Oh, no thanks. 02:57.560 --> 02:59.200 Janie brought me some hot coffee. 02:59.200 --> 03:00.200 Who's Janie? 03:00.200 --> 03:01.200 Janie Alquist. 03:01.200 --> 03:02.800 She works the first three floors. 03:02.800 --> 03:03.800 She brought me some hot coffee. 03:03.800 --> 03:04.800 I see. 03:04.800 --> 03:06.600 She was up here and they let her bring it. 03:06.600 --> 03:07.960 All right, Miss Joyce. 03:07.960 --> 03:10.200 Would you just tell us about it, please? 03:10.200 --> 03:11.200 Right from the beginning. 03:11.200 --> 03:12.760 You want to hear all about the whole thing? 03:12.760 --> 03:14.400 If you would, please. 03:14.400 --> 03:18.320 Well, I came on at four, just like always. 03:18.320 --> 03:21.960 I punched in and came up to the 10th floor and started in. 03:21.960 --> 03:24.960 Got the things out of the closet on the 10th. 03:24.960 --> 03:27.640 Usually, I start on the 7th. 03:27.640 --> 03:31.360 But now and then, I like to do it a little different and I start on 10 and work down. 03:31.360 --> 03:32.360 Yes, ma'am. 03:32.360 --> 03:33.360 What time was it when you found the body? 03:33.360 --> 03:34.360 Oh, just a few minutes ago. 03:34.360 --> 03:37.360 I guess about seven, right around in there. 03:37.360 --> 03:41.040 I only had two more offices to do and I'd be finished. 03:41.040 --> 03:43.080 I just had two more when I got there. 03:43.080 --> 03:44.080 Yes, ma'am. 03:44.080 --> 03:47.200 If you'd go ahead and tell us about finding the body. 03:47.200 --> 03:53.920 Oh, well, I unlocked the door and I saw the light inside. 03:53.920 --> 03:56.280 I thought it was kind of funny because usually it's dark. 03:56.280 --> 03:57.280 You mean on the office? 03:57.280 --> 04:00.680 Yes, and where Mrs. Fitzgerald's desk is, it's usually dark. 04:00.680 --> 04:01.680 Yes, ma'am. 04:01.680 --> 04:03.920 I thought it was kind of funny, like I said. 04:03.920 --> 04:07.520 But then I thought that maybe she was working. 04:07.520 --> 04:11.400 She does accounting, though, woman accountant, and I thought she was working. 04:11.400 --> 04:13.000 So I knocked. 04:13.000 --> 04:17.200 I didn't just want to go right in if she was working, you know, disturbers. 04:17.200 --> 04:20.160 So I knocked, but she didn't answer. 04:20.160 --> 04:23.040 Go ahead, please. 04:23.040 --> 04:26.680 Well, I opened the door and went in. 04:26.680 --> 04:28.360 Right off, I was kind of sore about it. 04:28.360 --> 04:30.760 No excuse for a thing like that. 04:30.760 --> 04:31.760 No excuse at all. 04:31.760 --> 04:32.760 What do you mean? 04:32.760 --> 04:34.440 Well, didn't you see the place? 04:34.440 --> 04:35.440 Didn't you look? 04:35.440 --> 04:36.440 Yeah. 04:36.440 --> 04:37.440 Well, then you know what a mess it was. 04:37.440 --> 04:41.840 Papers all over the floor and ashtrays spilled, all that mess. 04:41.840 --> 04:43.600 And I'm supposed to be through at 730. 04:43.600 --> 04:48.640 I had never made it, never got through on time. 04:48.640 --> 04:50.640 And that's when I saw her behind the desk. 04:50.640 --> 04:53.640 Oh, it was an awful thing. 04:53.640 --> 04:56.240 There she was on the floor, dead. 04:56.240 --> 04:57.240 Yes, ma'am. 04:57.240 --> 04:58.840 There was no one else in the office? 04:58.840 --> 04:59.840 No. 04:59.840 --> 05:04.120 Just Mrs. Fitzgerald, she was on the floor behind the desk. 05:04.120 --> 05:05.120 And why'd you do that? 05:05.120 --> 05:06.120 Oh, I screamed. 05:06.120 --> 05:07.960 Loud, as loud as I could. 05:07.960 --> 05:09.960 I wanted somebody to come up there right away. 05:09.960 --> 05:13.480 And that was the first time I ever saw anybody dead. 05:13.480 --> 05:17.800 Then I ran out of the office and went downstairs to get somebody to help. 05:17.800 --> 05:19.800 Just an awful thing. 05:19.800 --> 05:22.800 Oh, poor Mrs. Fitzgerald. 05:22.800 --> 05:25.800 Oh, she was so nice. 05:25.800 --> 05:29.800 All the time saying hello when she'd come in early and I'd still be working. 05:29.800 --> 05:34.800 Oh, I think about it and I just can't believe that it's true. 05:34.800 --> 05:37.800 I just can't hardly believe it. 05:37.800 --> 05:40.800 Did you see anyone on the floor while you were working? 05:40.800 --> 05:41.800 Yes, Mrs. Fitzgerald. 05:41.800 --> 05:44.800 No, ma'am, I mean, was there anybody in the halls of the building? 05:44.800 --> 05:45.800 Oh, no. 05:45.800 --> 05:46.800 No, not that I saw. 05:46.800 --> 05:47.800 There wasn't anybody. 05:47.800 --> 05:49.800 I'd have seen them if they were there, but they weren't. 05:49.800 --> 05:50.800 All right, Miss Joyce. 05:50.800 --> 05:52.800 We'll contact you tomorrow about a statement. 05:52.800 --> 05:54.800 Meantime, I'll leave you one of our cards here. 05:54.800 --> 05:57.800 If you think of anything we should know, we'd appreciate it if you'd give us a call. 05:57.800 --> 05:58.800 Oh, I sure will. 05:58.800 --> 06:01.800 Anything at all I think of, I'll call you. 06:01.800 --> 06:02.800 Can I go now? 06:02.800 --> 06:03.800 Yes, ma'am, certainly. 06:03.800 --> 06:06.800 I'm going to go home and take a hot bath and calm my nerves. 06:06.800 --> 06:07.800 Surely. 06:07.800 --> 06:10.800 Oh, sure, it's going to be a shock to her husband. 06:10.800 --> 06:13.800 Of course, not that he'll mind too much. 06:13.800 --> 06:14.800 I beg your pardon? 06:14.800 --> 06:16.800 Her husband, you know, Mr. Fitzgerald. 06:16.800 --> 06:18.800 Yes, ma'am, what about him? 06:18.800 --> 06:20.800 Well, just that it isn't going to bother that one too much. 06:20.800 --> 06:21.800 Why do you say that? 06:21.800 --> 06:23.800 Oh, I shouldn't have said anything. 06:23.800 --> 06:27.800 Not a word, I shouldn't have told you I'd get fired, sure. 06:27.800 --> 06:31.800 Well, if it's got anything to do with Ms. Fitzgerald's death, maybe you'd better tell us, don't you think? 06:31.800 --> 06:35.800 Well, if you'll promise not to tell the supervisor. 06:35.800 --> 06:37.800 All right, go ahead. 06:37.800 --> 06:43.800 It gets dull just being in a big building by yourself, all alone at night when there isn't anybody around. 06:43.800 --> 06:45.800 It's pretty dull. 06:45.800 --> 06:56.800 Once in a while, not real often, but just once in a while I kind of read some of the letters that people throw away, you know, in the wastebasket. 06:56.800 --> 07:00.800 They don't want them anymore, so when it gets real dull, I read of them. 07:00.800 --> 07:05.800 I've read some in Mrs. Fitzgerald's office from her husband, Mr. Fitzgerald. 07:05.800 --> 07:06.800 Yeah. 07:06.800 --> 07:11.800 Seems like they've been having some kind of a big fight, going to court and all. 07:11.800 --> 07:13.800 I don't know what it's all about, but they've been fighting. 07:13.800 --> 07:17.800 And in the letters he tells how she ought to leave him alone. 07:17.800 --> 07:22.800 I guess she's asking for a lot of alimony or something, that's what it sounded like to me. 07:22.800 --> 07:27.800 Some of the letters, the way he wrote to her, mean, used to threaten her all the time. 07:27.800 --> 07:29.800 You saw these letters where he threatened her, did you? 07:29.800 --> 07:42.800 Yes. One, I guess it was about a week ago, he said in that if she tried to railroad the thing through, now that's what he said, railroad the thing through, he'd come up here and... 07:42.800 --> 07:43.800 Yes, go ahead. 07:43.800 --> 07:45.800 Well, that's all there is. 07:45.800 --> 07:49.800 I couldn't find the other piece of the letter where he said what he was going to do. 07:49.800 --> 07:52.800 See, she tore up the letters after she read them. 07:52.800 --> 07:54.800 All right, Miss Joyce, thank you very much. 07:54.800 --> 07:55.800 No, I hope I helped. 07:55.800 --> 07:57.800 Yes, ma'am, you certainly have. 07:57.800 --> 07:59.800 I sure wish I could have found that other piece of the letter. 07:59.800 --> 08:01.800 No way of knowing what it said. 08:01.800 --> 08:03.800 Yes, ma'am. 08:03.800 --> 08:05.800 You suppose he really meant it? 08:05.800 --> 08:07.800 I don't know, we'll ask him. 08:12.800 --> 08:16.800 By the time Frank and I had arrived at the scene, the crew from the crime lab was there. 08:16.800 --> 08:23.800 Photographs of the entire room were taken and fingerprints were lifted from the edges of the desk, from the top of a lamp, and from the molding around the door. 08:23.800 --> 08:28.800 The murder weapon, a 15 inch section of heavy lead pipe, was booked for evidence. 08:28.800 --> 08:32.800 There was nothing we could tell from the pipe itself other than the fact that it was the murder instrument. 08:32.800 --> 08:35.800 It was a plain piece of three quarter inch pipe. 08:35.800 --> 08:38.800 One end was wrapped in a heavy brown paper, the other was blood stained. 08:38.800 --> 08:42.800 Because of the appearance of the office, it looked as if robbery was the motive for the crime. 08:42.800 --> 08:48.800 However, on examination of the victim's personal effects, we found that two large diamond rings were still on her fingers. 08:48.800 --> 08:52.800 In her purse, we found cash in the amount of $226. 08:52.800 --> 08:56.800 On the desk itself, we found a woman's wrist watch set with 12 diamonds. 08:56.800 --> 09:00.800 The fact that none of this had been removed apparently ruled out robbery as the motive. 09:00.800 --> 09:05.800 The other employees of the building were questioned, but they were unable to shed any light on a possible suspect. 09:05.800 --> 09:09.800 None of them had seen any unauthorized persons in the place after closing hours. 09:09.800 --> 09:12.800 People on the street in the immediate vicinity were questioned. 09:12.800 --> 09:16.800 The only lead we were able to come up with was that at approximately 7.02 a.m., 09:16.800 --> 09:20.800 a newsboy had seen a short, stocky man walk from the office building entrance. 09:20.800 --> 09:24.800 Other than the brief description of the man's build, the witness was unable to tell us anything. 09:24.800 --> 09:28.800 An immediate broadcast was gotten out on what information we had. 09:28.800 --> 09:32.800 From a telephone book in the victim's desk, we got an address for her husband, Oscar Fitzgerald. 09:32.800 --> 09:35.800 It was a men's club located in downtown Los Angeles. 09:35.800 --> 09:37.800 Frank and I drove over to talk to him. 09:37.800 --> 09:39.800 Come in. Thank you. Thank you very much. 09:39.800 --> 09:42.800 Sit down. I'll coffee some coffee. You fellas want some? No, no thanks. 09:42.800 --> 09:46.800 No, sir. You don't mind if I have some? No, you go right ahead. 09:46.800 --> 09:48.800 Room service, please. 09:48.800 --> 09:51.800 Kind of early for the cops to come calling in. Yes, sir, I guess it is. 09:51.800 --> 09:55.800 This is Mr. Fitzgerald, room 417. Would you please send up a pot of coffee? 09:55.800 --> 09:59.800 That's right. Oh, and send a large glass of orange juice, too, huh? 09:59.800 --> 10:03.800 Yeah, make sure it's cold. 417. Right. 10:03.800 --> 10:06.800 One thing I can't go is warm orange juice. Like a cigarette? 10:06.800 --> 10:08.800 Yeah, thank you. 10:08.800 --> 10:10.800 Now, what's this all about? What do you want to see me for? 10:10.800 --> 10:12.800 Well, when's the last time you saw your wife? 10:12.800 --> 10:14.800 Ada? Thank you. 10:14.800 --> 10:16.800 I guess a couple of weeks ago, why? 10:16.800 --> 10:18.800 Well, can you narrow that down to a day? 10:18.800 --> 10:20.800 Why? Any special reason for me to? 10:20.800 --> 10:22.800 Well, we'd like to hear it. 10:22.800 --> 10:25.800 Let's see. I guess it was around March 30th. I can check it if it's important. 10:25.800 --> 10:26.800 Where'd you see her? 10:26.800 --> 10:29.800 With my lawyers. We had a conference to try and work out the divorce and settlement. 10:29.800 --> 10:32.800 What line of work are you in, Fitzgerald? 10:32.800 --> 10:36.800 I think you'd better tell me what this is all about before I answer any more questions. 10:36.800 --> 10:40.800 If this is some sort of trick Ada's trying, you tell her it won't work and she can get off my back. 10:40.800 --> 10:44.800 No, it's no trick. I think it might be better if you'd cooperate with us and answer the question. 10:44.800 --> 10:47.800 All right, but I'm going to tell you going in that if you try to pull a fast one, 10:47.800 --> 10:49.800 I'm going to deny everything I tell you now. 10:49.800 --> 10:52.800 You tell us the truth, you won't have any trouble. Now, where do you work? 10:52.800 --> 10:54.800 Right now, I'm between. 10:54.800 --> 10:55.800 What's that mean exactly? 10:55.800 --> 10:57.800 I'm an actor right now. I haven't got an assignment. 10:57.800 --> 10:58.800 What'd you work last? 10:58.800 --> 11:00.800 Picture studio. 11:00.800 --> 11:03.800 Look, until you tell me what this is for, I'm not going to give you any names. 11:03.800 --> 11:05.800 Can you give us your movements for the past few days? 11:05.800 --> 11:06.800 Starting when? 11:06.800 --> 11:09.800 Well, let's try the day before yesterday. 11:09.800 --> 11:13.800 Okay, I got up and went out to see my agent. Of course, that was a waste of time. 11:13.800 --> 11:16.800 Hung around the office for a couple hours and then had lunch on the strip. 11:16.800 --> 11:20.800 After that, I came downtown, saw a movie, I came home, took a shower and then got to dinner again. 11:20.800 --> 11:21.800 You proved that? 11:21.800 --> 11:25.800 If I have to, yeah. But you're getting no names until I know what's going on. 11:25.800 --> 11:27.800 All right, how about yesterday? What'd you do then? 11:27.800 --> 11:32.800 I got up and went out to my agents. He told me he had a part on the fire. We went out on an interview. 11:32.800 --> 11:37.800 I was at the studio until about 4.30 and then we went back to my agents' office and had a couple of drinks. 11:37.800 --> 11:40.800 After that, I came back here. Didn't feel too good and I went to bed. 11:40.800 --> 11:43.800 Well, a man at the desk could be able to verify all that, would he? 11:43.800 --> 11:44.800 Yeah, just ask him. 11:44.800 --> 11:46.800 Fitzgerald, how'd you get along with your wife? 11:46.800 --> 11:50.800 Well, it's not any of your business, but I'll tell you. It isn't any secret. I hated everything about her. 11:50.800 --> 11:52.800 You ever have any fights with her? 11:52.800 --> 11:54.800 Not more than five a week for the past four years. 11:54.800 --> 11:55.800 You ever hit her? 11:55.800 --> 11:59.800 You know, people win money for answering questions on quiz shows. What happens if I answer the big ones? 11:59.800 --> 12:01.800 Well, that depends on how you're going to answer it. 12:01.800 --> 12:04.800 Well, I understand you wrote your wife some threatening letters now, is that right? 12:04.800 --> 12:08.800 I guess you could call them that, yeah. I told her to get off my back and leave me alone. 12:08.800 --> 12:11.800 Told her if she didn't, she was building more trouble than she could handle. 12:11.800 --> 12:12.800 You ever threaten her life? 12:12.800 --> 12:16.800 No. I'm not going to try to tell you that there weren't times when I could have killed Ada. 12:16.800 --> 12:19.800 There were a lot of them, but it wasn't worth it, not for her. 12:19.800 --> 12:20.800 What did you argue about mostly? 12:20.800 --> 12:21.800 The divorce. 12:21.800 --> 12:25.800 I've been trying to get one for the last four years. Ada wouldn't see it. 12:25.800 --> 12:28.800 Finally, when I did talk her into it, the settlement she wanted was way out of line. 12:28.800 --> 12:30.800 I wouldn't go for it and told her so. 12:30.800 --> 12:34.800 What's all this about the fights and the threatening anyway? Something happened to Ada, is that it? 12:34.800 --> 12:35.800 Yes, sir. 12:35.800 --> 12:36.800 Has she been hurt? 12:36.800 --> 12:38.800 Fred is more serious than that. 12:38.800 --> 12:39.800 She dead? 12:39.800 --> 12:40.800 Yes, sir. 12:40.800 --> 12:41.800 You think I did? 12:41.800 --> 12:44.800 No, we're checking everybody that knew her. 12:44.800 --> 12:50.800 Okay, I told you there were times when I could have, when I maybe wanted to, but I wouldn't go to jail for it. 12:50.800 --> 12:53.800 Not ever. You got to find another boy and when you do, I'll go as lawyer's fee. 12:53.800 --> 12:54.800 Yeah. 12:54.800 --> 12:55.800 How'd they do it? 12:55.800 --> 12:56.800 Piece of lead pipe. 12:56.800 --> 12:57.800 Bad? 12:57.800 --> 12:58.800 Yeah. 12:58.800 --> 12:59.800 Rough way to go. 12:59.800 --> 13:01.800 Is there an easy way? 13:06.800 --> 13:12.800 We made a preliminary search of the room, but we found nothing that would tie in the victim's husband, Oscar Fitzgerald, with the crime. 13:12.800 --> 13:17.800 We talked to the desk clerk and he verified the man's story that he'd been in his apartment the evening of the killing. 13:17.800 --> 13:22.800 Fitzgerald made arrangements with us to attend the coroner's inquest and Frank and I went back to the city hall. 13:22.800 --> 13:25.800 We checked with the crime lab on their investigation. 13:25.800 --> 13:31.800 Lieutenant Lee Jones told us that they'd been able to lift several partial fingerprints from the murder weapon, but that they were impossible to classify. 13:31.800 --> 13:38.800 He went on to say that the other prints that had been found at the scene were unusable as evidence, since it would be difficult to get enough points for identification. 13:38.800 --> 13:41.800 The other physical evidence taken from the office was of little use. 13:41.800 --> 13:46.800 A check had been made of a piece of pipe, but it was found to be of a common type and impossible to trace. 13:46.800 --> 13:51.800 Micro photographs had been made of the serrated edges and these had been booked as evidence. 13:51.800 --> 13:57.800 We asked the stats office to make a run on the MO of the crime and they told us that they would start through their files immediately. 13:57.800 --> 14:03.800 For the next two days, Frank and I talked to all of the friends and relatives of the victim, attempting to find a motive for the crime. 14:03.800 --> 14:07.800 From what we had to work on, the only plausible reason for the killing was either revenge or jealousy. 14:07.800 --> 14:13.800 None of Mrs. Fitzgerald's friends or business acquaintances were able to point out anyone with a strong enough reason to kill the woman. 14:13.800 --> 14:19.800 Monday, April 19, Frank and I got back to the office after interviewing one of the victim's business competitors. 14:19.800 --> 14:21.800 Well, that's another one that didn't go anyplace. 14:21.800 --> 14:24.800 It seems like that's all we've been drawing on this one, doesn't it? 14:24.800 --> 14:25.800 Yeah. I'll check the book. 14:25.800 --> 14:28.800 All right. Anything come in from the stats office yet? 14:28.800 --> 14:31.800 No. Said they'd have the rest to run for us this afternoon. 14:31.800 --> 14:34.800 First punch didn't turn anything. I got it. 14:36.800 --> 14:37.800 Homicide Friday. 14:37.800 --> 14:38.800 Yeah, Jack. 14:39.800 --> 14:40.800 Anything on him? 14:40.800 --> 14:42.800 Anything on him? Sure. 14:43.800 --> 14:44.800 We're no place now. 14:46.800 --> 14:47.800 Well, no. Anything's gotta be... 14:48.800 --> 14:50.800 You want to give me that address? All right. 14:51.800 --> 14:53.800 All right. We'll check it. Good. 14:53.800 --> 14:55.800 All right, Jack. Thanks again. Bye. 14:56.800 --> 15:00.800 Jack McCready says he talked to one of his informants this morning. Guy came up with a couple of good things, maybe. 15:00.800 --> 15:01.800 Yeah? 15:01.800 --> 15:05.800 One of them's about a guy in the Olympia bar at Fourth and Kohler. A fellow's pretty drunk. Been doing a lot of talking down there. 15:05.800 --> 15:06.800 Something for us? 15:06.800 --> 15:10.800 Maybe. He's bragging about beating a woman to death with a piece of pipe. 15:15.800 --> 15:19.800 4.40 p.m. We left the office and drove over to the corner of Fourth and Kohler, the Olympia bar. 15:19.800 --> 15:22.800 When we walked in, there were only a few customers in the place. 15:22.800 --> 15:25.800 At the far end of the bar, a short, stocky man was sitting alone. 15:25.800 --> 15:28.800 In front of him was an empty shot glass and a bottle of beer. 15:28.800 --> 15:32.800 He appeared to be pretty drunk, and as we entered, he was talking to the other people seated at the bar. 15:32.800 --> 15:36.800 Any of you guys that don't believe it, just come outside with me, I'll show you. 15:36.800 --> 15:38.800 I'll show you all, every one of you. 15:39.800 --> 15:43.800 Bartender, I got an empty glass. Now let's do something about it, huh? 15:44.800 --> 15:45.800 I need a drink. 15:45.800 --> 15:47.800 I think you had about enough of that, don't you? 15:47.800 --> 15:48.800 What? 15:47.800 --> 15:49.800 I said you had enough to drink. 15:49.800 --> 15:51.800 Who are you to tell me that, huh? 15:52.800 --> 15:55.800 Who are you to come in here and tell me what to do? What's the matter? 15:55.800 --> 15:58.800 You think you're cops or something, huh? Is that what you think? 15:58.800 --> 16:00.800 You called it. Come on, we want to talk to you. 16:00.800 --> 16:02.800 You mean you are cops? 16:02.800 --> 16:03.800 That's right. 16:03.800 --> 16:06.800 Well, listen, you better get out of here and do it fast. 16:06.800 --> 16:09.800 If you know what's good for you, you just better. 16:09.800 --> 16:10.800 Frank. 16:10.800 --> 16:11.800 Yeah? 16:11.800 --> 16:14.800 Stick your hands off me. You guys don't hear good, do you? 16:14.800 --> 16:15.800 Stand still. 16:15.800 --> 16:18.800 You're not messing around with me. You're gonna find out. You'll find out good. 16:18.800 --> 16:21.800 I'll give you the same thing I gave her, the same thing. 16:21.800 --> 16:23.800 Hold it, Frank. All right, come on, mister. 16:23.800 --> 16:24.800 What are you talking about? 16:24.800 --> 16:27.800 I'll tell you. I'll tell you good. 16:27.800 --> 16:30.800 And you'll know, leave me alone if you know what's good for you. 16:30.800 --> 16:34.800 I'm talking about that Ada Fitzgerald, that's who. 16:34.800 --> 16:35.800 Ada. 16:35.800 --> 16:38.800 You're gonna mess with me and you'll forget what she got. 16:38.800 --> 16:41.800 I'm a pretty rough fella, you know. Pretty rough. 16:41.800 --> 16:42.800 That right. 16:42.800 --> 16:45.800 You betcha. You're not dealing with a kid, you know. 16:45.800 --> 16:47.800 Well, that makes it even then, doesn't it? 16:47.800 --> 16:49.800 You're not dealing with a woman. 16:49.800 --> 16:52.800 We took the suspect down to the homicide squad room. 16:52.800 --> 16:54.800 He identified himself as Carl Neely. 16:54.800 --> 16:57.800 He was handcuffed to a chair and we ran his name through the record bureau. 16:57.800 --> 17:00.800 He had a long string of arrests for various charges, 17:00.800 --> 17:04.800 including attempted robbery, assault, and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. 17:04.800 --> 17:06.800 He'd never been convicted on a felony, 17:06.800 --> 17:09.800 but his record showed that he'd served two terms in the county jail for drunk charges 17:09.800 --> 17:11.800 and creating a public nuisance. 17:11.800 --> 17:13.800 While we were checking his record, 17:13.800 --> 17:16.800 the suspect passed out and announced that he had been convicted of a crime. 17:16.800 --> 17:21.800 While we were checking his record, the suspect passed out in an alcoholic stupor in the squad room. 17:21.800 --> 17:24.800 We contacted Sergeant Jack McCready and Officer Danny Galindo 17:24.800 --> 17:27.800 and asked them to make a search of the suspect's residence. 17:27.800 --> 17:30.800 In going over the place, they'd found a bloodstained shirt and a coat. 17:30.800 --> 17:34.800 The garments were packed in a cardboard box that had been hidden under the kitchen sink. 17:34.800 --> 17:38.800 They were brought downtown to us along with an empty envelope found in the apartment. 17:38.800 --> 17:40.800 It had been sent to the suspect, Neely, 17:40.800 --> 17:43.800 and the return address on the back indicated that the letter had been sent 17:43.800 --> 17:45.800 by the victim's husband, Oscar Fitzgerald. 17:45.800 --> 17:48.800 We waited for the suspect to come to, enough for us to question him. 17:48.800 --> 17:50.800 Frank went out and brought back some hot coffee. 17:50.800 --> 17:53.800 We tried to get Neely to drink some of it. 8.40 p.m. 17:56.800 --> 17:58.800 It's hot. 17:58.800 --> 18:00.800 All right, come on, try some more. 18:06.800 --> 18:07.800 You're cops, huh? 18:07.800 --> 18:09.800 You've been there out before. 18:09.800 --> 18:11.800 Yeah. What am I here for? 18:11.800 --> 18:13.800 I want to talk to you about the Fitzgerald woman. 18:13.800 --> 18:16.800 Ada? Spouting off again. 18:16.800 --> 18:17.800 You said you killed her. 18:17.800 --> 18:19.800 Figures. 18:22.800 --> 18:25.800 Every time I get tanked up, I always kill somebody. 18:25.800 --> 18:27.800 I always fail. 18:27.800 --> 18:29.800 All right, tell us about the Fitzgerald woman. 18:29.800 --> 18:30.800 Nothing to tell. 18:30.800 --> 18:32.800 I read about it in the papers. 18:32.800 --> 18:34.800 This morning I started drinking. 18:34.800 --> 18:36.800 It always happens when I've been belting the booze. 18:36.800 --> 18:38.800 I right away tell people I killed somebody. 18:38.800 --> 18:40.800 These clothes here belong to you. 18:40.800 --> 18:42.800 Let me see. 18:42.800 --> 18:44.800 I don't know. Where'd you get them? 18:44.800 --> 18:45.800 Are they yours? 18:45.800 --> 18:46.800 I don't know. 18:46.800 --> 18:48.800 You got that many clothes? 18:48.800 --> 18:50.800 I know all the clothes I got. No trouble at all. 18:50.800 --> 18:52.800 Maybe you don't dress as good as me. 18:52.800 --> 18:54.800 All right, come off it, Neely. You're in trouble. Big trouble here. 18:54.800 --> 18:57.800 You sat in a bar this morning, told everybody about how you'd beaten a woman to death. 18:57.800 --> 18:59.800 We find these clothes in your apartment, blood stains all over them. 18:59.800 --> 19:02.800 Here's another thing, this envelope. Where'd you get this? 19:02.800 --> 19:05.800 Through the mail, like it says. You see the stamp? 19:05.800 --> 19:06.800 You know Oscar Fitzgerald? 19:06.800 --> 19:09.800 I don't get mail from strangers. Sure I know him. 19:09.800 --> 19:11.800 It's a crime to get a letter now. 19:11.800 --> 19:12.800 What was in that envelope? 19:12.800 --> 19:14.800 I don't think that's none of your business. 19:14.800 --> 19:17.800 Well, we do. What kind of dealings have you got with Oscar Fitzgerald? 19:17.800 --> 19:18.800 I used to work for him. 19:18.800 --> 19:19.800 Doing what? 19:19.800 --> 19:22.800 I took care of the place when him and he were married. 19:22.800 --> 19:23.800 Sort of a general handyman. 19:23.800 --> 19:25.800 When did you see him last? 19:25.800 --> 19:28.800 I don't know. Maybe a couple of months ago, around there. 19:28.800 --> 19:29.800 A couple of three months. 19:29.800 --> 19:32.800 What did he find so important that he wrote you about it? 19:32.800 --> 19:34.800 He loaned me some money. He sent me a check. 19:34.800 --> 19:36.800 It was a loan, huh? Yeah. 19:36.800 --> 19:38.800 Signed any sort of note for the money? 19:38.800 --> 19:41.800 I endorsed the check. It said on it I was a loan. 19:41.800 --> 19:43.800 What are you guys trying to prove anyway? 19:43.800 --> 19:45.800 You trying to tie me in with Ada's killing? 19:45.800 --> 19:46.800 You look good for it. 19:46.800 --> 19:49.800 You're off your rocker. I had nothing to do with it. 19:49.800 --> 19:52.800 Sure, you got me for drunk, but that's all. 19:52.800 --> 19:53.800 Your record makes you look good for it. 19:53.800 --> 19:55.800 The clothes we found in your apartment don't help you. 19:55.800 --> 19:57.800 You sure Oscar Fitzgerald didn't pay you to kill his wife? 19:57.800 --> 19:59.800 It'd be a lot better if you told us the truth here in the unit. 19:59.800 --> 20:02.800 I'm telling you the truth. It's right in front of you. 20:02.800 --> 20:04.800 All you gotta do is open your eyes. It's there. 20:04.800 --> 20:05.800 Where'd the blood stains come from? 20:05.800 --> 20:06.800 They're mine. 20:06.800 --> 20:07.800 Well, tell us about it. 20:07.800 --> 20:09.800 I got in a fight with another fella. 20:09.800 --> 20:10.800 Where? 20:10.800 --> 20:11.800 A bar down on 7th. 20:11.800 --> 20:12.800 When? 20:12.800 --> 20:13.800 Wednesday. 20:13.800 --> 20:14.800 Last week? 20:14.800 --> 20:15.800 Yeah, last Wednesday. 20:15.800 --> 20:16.800 What time did you have this fight? 20:16.800 --> 20:17.800 Closing time. 20:17.800 --> 20:19.800 That'd make it about 2 o'clock, huh? 20:19.800 --> 20:20.800 That's when the bar is closed. 20:20.800 --> 20:22.800 Where'd you go after you had the fight? 20:22.800 --> 20:25.800 Went up to a friend's house and had a couple more drinks. 20:25.800 --> 20:26.800 Who's a friend? 20:26.800 --> 20:28.800 You don't know him. He's got no record. 20:28.800 --> 20:29.800 What's his name? 20:29.800 --> 20:30.800 I don't want him dragged into anything. 20:30.800 --> 20:32.800 What's his name? 20:32.800 --> 20:33.800 Jackie Meadows. 20:33.800 --> 20:35.800 Let me see your hands, Nailing. 20:35.800 --> 20:37.800 Sure. 20:37.800 --> 20:39.800 You got some pretty bad bruises there. 20:39.800 --> 20:41.800 You must've hit something pretty hard. 20:41.800 --> 20:44.800 The fight I told you about, that's where those came from. 20:44.800 --> 20:46.800 Tell us what you did after you left the bar. 20:46.800 --> 20:48.800 I told you I went up to Jackie's. 20:48.800 --> 20:49.800 I had a couple of drinks. 20:49.800 --> 20:50.800 What time did you get there? 20:50.800 --> 20:53.800 Around 3, maybe 3.10. 20:53.800 --> 20:54.800 What time did you leave? 20:54.800 --> 20:55.800 About 5. 20:55.800 --> 20:56.800 Where'd you go? 20:56.800 --> 20:58.800 I don't remember too good. I was pretty boozed up. 20:58.800 --> 21:00.800 Where do you think you went? 21:00.800 --> 21:03.800 Well, Jackie was worried about me being cut up from the fight. 21:03.800 --> 21:05.800 He wanted me to see a doctor. 21:05.800 --> 21:09.800 He drove me down to a Georgia Street receiving hospital. 21:09.800 --> 21:12.800 I was there until 9.30 Thursday morning. 21:22.800 --> 21:24.800 You are listening to Dragnet, 21:24.800 --> 21:27.800 the authentic story of your police force in action. 21:27.800 --> 21:29.800 World altitude records. 21:29.800 --> 21:32.800 World speed records. 21:32.800 --> 21:37.800 All part of Bill Bridgman's job as a supersonic test pilot for Douglas Aircraft. 21:37.800 --> 21:40.800 You read about Bill in Time magazine. 21:40.800 --> 21:44.800 Now let's meet one of the world's fastest humans. 21:44.800 --> 21:49.800 And Jack Willen Hazard, who is collaborating with Bill on his new book, Test Pilot. 21:49.800 --> 21:55.800 They smoke America's most popular two-way cigarette, Chesterfield. 21:55.800 --> 21:57.800 I smoke the king size. 21:57.800 --> 22:00.800 After hearing what the Chesterfield people have been saying about them, 22:00.800 --> 22:04.800 I thought I should try them. I'm convinced they're best for me. 22:04.800 --> 22:08.800 It's Chesterfield's for me too, but I like the regular size. 22:08.800 --> 22:12.800 Either way, they're everything Bill says, and they're really mild. 22:12.800 --> 22:16.800 You try Chesterfield. I think you'll find they're best for you. 22:16.800 --> 22:20.800 Yes, for the taste you want, the mildness you want. 22:20.800 --> 22:33.800 Join the thousands now changing to Chesterfield. 22:33.800 --> 22:36.800 A call was put through to Dr. Hall at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital 22:36.800 --> 22:41.800 asking if a patient was given emergency treatment on the morning of Thursday, April 15. 22:41.800 --> 22:46.800 A search of the hospital records verified the story told to us by the suspect, Carl Neely. 22:46.800 --> 22:51.800 We checked through our crime reports and we found that a miscellaneous injury report had been made. 22:51.800 --> 22:53.800 From the coroner's report, we knew that the victim had been murdered 22:53.800 --> 22:56.800 between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. on that morning. 22:56.800 --> 23:01.800 We got in touch with Neely's friend, Jackie Meadows, and he also verified the suspect's story. 23:01.800 --> 23:04.800 He was booked in at the main jail on a charge of being drunk in a public place, 23:04.800 --> 23:09.800 and Frank and I started checking out the remainder of the list that the stats office had given us. 23:09.800 --> 23:13.800 Originally, there had been 12 names on the list. We talked to 10 of them. 23:13.800 --> 23:18.800 The 11th, a Norman Sitkin, had a record of burglary, attempted robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon. 23:18.800 --> 23:23.800 He'd been arrested and brought to trial on a charge of murder three years previously, but he'd been acquitted. 23:23.800 --> 23:27.800 The circumstances surrounding his arrest were the same as those in the Fitzgerald case. 23:27.800 --> 23:31.800 The main reason he'd been released, a free man, was the testimony of his mother 23:31.800 --> 23:34.800 who had sworn that Sitkin had been home with her on the night of the killing. 23:34.800 --> 23:37.800 When we went out to his home, we found that he wasn't there. 23:37.800 --> 23:41.800 We talked to his mother and she told us that he'd been in San Diego for the past three days. 23:41.800 --> 23:45.800 Under interrogation, we established the fact that on the night of the Fitzgerald killing, 23:45.800 --> 23:48.800 Sitkin hadn't been at home, but that he had been in Los Angeles. 23:48.800 --> 23:53.800 We put in a call to the San Diego authorities and talked to Lieutenant Mort Geer in the homicide detail. 23:53.800 --> 23:58.800 We contacted the hotel where he was staying in Los Angeles, and a 24-hour stakeout was placed on the location. 23:58.800 --> 24:01.800 Wednesday, April 21st, Frank and I got back from lunch. 24:01.800 --> 24:04.800 Better put in a call to Mort, huh? See if they got anything on Sitkin? 24:04.800 --> 24:05.800 Yeah, you want to do it? 24:05.800 --> 24:06.800 Right. 24:06.800 --> 24:11.800 Okay. 24:16.800 --> 24:18.800 Hi, this is Frank Smith, robbery. 24:18.800 --> 24:21.800 Yeah, I'd like to put in a call to San Diego PD Homicide Bureau. 24:21.800 --> 24:23.800 Lieutenant Mort Geer. 24:23.800 --> 24:27.800 No, it's a homicide. 24:27.800 --> 24:32.800 Yeah, DR 132549. 24:32.800 --> 24:35.800 Yeah, that's the one. 24:35.800 --> 24:38.800 That's 3268. Huh? 24:38.800 --> 24:39.800 Well, 58. 24:39.800 --> 24:42.800 Right. Okay, Sam, thanks. 24:46.800 --> 24:47.800 I'm on this one, Joe. 24:47.800 --> 24:50.800 Oh, sorry. Homicide Friday. 24:50.800 --> 24:51.800 Yes, sir? 24:51.800 --> 24:54.800 No, that's right. When was that? 24:54.800 --> 24:56.800 Yes, sir, right away. 24:56.800 --> 24:57.800 Cancel that call, Frank. 24:57.800 --> 24:58.800 What do you got? 24:58.800 --> 25:05.800 I just walked into his hotel. 25:05.800 --> 25:09.800 Frank and I left the office immediately and drove out to Sitkin's hotel. 25:09.800 --> 25:13.800 We talked to the officers on stakeout and they told us that the suspect had just returned. 25:13.800 --> 25:17.800 They went on to explain that they'd given Sitkin no reason to suspect that anything was wrong 25:17.800 --> 25:19.800 and that he'd gone directly to his room. 25:19.800 --> 25:23.800 Frank and I got in the elevator and we went up to the fourth floor. 25:23.800 --> 25:26.800 Yeah? 25:26.800 --> 25:31.800 All right, just a minute. 25:31.800 --> 25:32.800 Yeah? What do you want? 25:32.800 --> 25:33.800 You Norman Sitkin? 25:33.800 --> 25:34.800 Yeah, what do you want? 25:34.800 --> 25:35.800 Police officer. 25:35.800 --> 25:37.800 Come on. 25:37.800 --> 25:39.800 You got no right to do this. Let me see your warrant. 25:39.800 --> 25:41.800 Get your coat, Sitkin. We want to talk to you. 25:41.800 --> 25:43.800 What for? What do you got to talk to me about? I got nothing to say. 25:43.800 --> 25:44.800 Get your coat. 25:44.800 --> 25:46.800 Why? What's the charge? What are you taking me in for? 25:46.800 --> 25:47.800 Suspicion of murder? 25:47.800 --> 25:48.800 You're kidding. 25:48.800 --> 25:49.800 Well, you just keep thinking that. 25:49.800 --> 25:50.800 You mean this is for real? 25:50.800 --> 25:51.800 Come on, let's go. 25:51.800 --> 25:54.800 No, wait a minute. I want to know what this is all about. 25:54.800 --> 25:55.800 Is that so? 25:55.800 --> 25:56.800 Sure. 25:56.800 --> 25:59.800 I figure I had something to do with that woman who was beaten to death downtown. 25:59.800 --> 26:02.800 Fitzgerald, I think that's the name, huh? Isn't that what you think? 26:02.800 --> 26:04.800 Well, you seem to know all about it. 26:04.800 --> 26:07.800 Well, you're way off on this one. I got an alibi that you can't break. 26:07.800 --> 26:09.800 I can see you guys figuring because I stood this kind of beef once before, 26:09.800 --> 26:11.800 you can make a stick this time. 26:11.800 --> 26:13.800 Well, it won't work, cop. None of it fits together. 26:13.800 --> 26:15.800 I can prove where I was that night every minute. 26:15.800 --> 26:16.800 All right. 26:16.800 --> 26:17.800 That's right. Every minute. 26:17.800 --> 26:19.800 You checking my house, happens I was with my mother, 26:19.800 --> 26:21.800 just like the other time. All night I was home. 26:21.800 --> 26:22.800 You gonna stand on that? 26:22.800 --> 26:23.800 Well, there isn't any other way. 26:23.800 --> 26:25.800 Well, that's gonna make it a lot easier then. 26:25.800 --> 26:26.800 What's that supposed to mean? 26:26.800 --> 26:28.800 We've talked to your mother. She says you weren't home that night. 26:28.800 --> 26:30.800 Well, she's wrong. You let me talk to her. 26:30.800 --> 26:32.800 She'll tell you. You just let me talk to her. 26:32.800 --> 26:35.800 She's sure you weren't there. She's willing to testify to that. 26:35.800 --> 26:37.800 Get out of my way! 26:39.800 --> 26:41.800 All right, come on. 26:41.800 --> 26:42.800 Let me get the cuffs. 26:42.800 --> 26:44.800 Yeah. Hold still. 26:46.800 --> 26:47.800 Funny, isn't it? 26:47.800 --> 26:48.800 What's that? 26:48.800 --> 26:50.800 Looks like he might have been good on that first killing, 26:50.800 --> 26:51.800 the one he was acquitted on. 26:51.800 --> 26:53.800 His mother might have lied on the stand. 26:53.800 --> 26:55.800 That's not gonna make a lot of difference, is it? 26:55.800 --> 26:57.800 He's gonna make up for it on this one. 27:04.800 --> 27:07.800 The story you have just heard is true. 27:07.800 --> 27:10.800 The names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:10.800 --> 27:13.800 On August 17th, trial was held in Department 97, 27:13.800 --> 27:15.800 Superior Court of the State of California, 27:15.800 --> 27:17.800 in and for the County of Los Angeles. 27:17.800 --> 27:19.800 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:19.800 --> 27:21.800 Now, here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:21.800 --> 27:22.800 Thank you. 27:22.800 --> 27:24.800 Earlier, George Fenomen told you exactly why 27:24.800 --> 27:27.800 the Chesterfield you smoked today is the best cigarette ever made. 27:27.800 --> 27:29.800 And best for you. 27:29.800 --> 27:30.800 Now, the rest is up to you. 27:30.800 --> 27:32.800 Get a carton or two for yourself. 27:32.800 --> 27:34.800 Smoke them and you'll say, as we do, 27:34.800 --> 27:36.800 it's Chesterfield's for me. 27:44.800 --> 27:48.800 Norman Edward Sitkin was tried and convicted for murder in the first degree. 27:48.800 --> 27:51.800 On recommendation of the jury, he received the maximum penalty. 27:51.800 --> 27:55.800 And on July 19th, he was executed in the lethal gas chamber 27:55.800 --> 27:58.800 at the State Penitentiary, San Quentin, California. 28:09.800 --> 28:11.800 You have just heard Dragnet, 28:11.800 --> 28:14.800 a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:14.800 --> 28:18.800 Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, 28:18.800 --> 28:20.800 Los Angeles Police Department. 28:20.800 --> 28:23.800 Technical advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, 28:23.800 --> 28:25.800 Sergeant Vance Frasier. 28:25.800 --> 28:29.800 Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Virginia Gregg, Herb Ellis. 28:29.800 --> 28:31.800 Script by John Robinson. 28:31.800 --> 28:33.800 Music by Walter Shuman. 28:33.800 --> 28:35.800 Hal Gibney speaking. 28:36.800 --> 28:39.800 Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week 28:39.800 --> 28:42.800 on your local NBC television station. 28:42.800 --> 28:45.800 Please check your newspapers for the day and time. 28:46.800 --> 28:50.800 Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet, transcribed from Los Angeles. 28:51.800 --> 28:54.800 Filter tip smokers, this is it. 28:54.800 --> 28:56.800 L and M filters. 28:56.800 --> 28:59.800 The one filter tip cigarette with plenty of good taste. 28:59.800 --> 29:02.800 Much more flavor. Much less nicotine. 29:02.800 --> 29:05.800 And effective filtration. 29:05.800 --> 29:10.800 Only the L and M filter contains the miracle product, alpha cellulose. 29:10.800 --> 29:14.800 Absolutely pure. Non-mineral. Harmless to health. 29:14.800 --> 29:16.800 Yes, this is it. 29:16.800 --> 29:22.800 As Helen Hayes puts it, L and M filters are just what the doctor ordered. 29:22.800 --> 29:27.800 Buy L and M filters. The light and mild smoke. 29:29.800 --> 29:32.800 ["Royal March of the Red Cross"] 29:32.800 --> 29:35.800 ["Royal March of the Red Cross"] 29:35.800 --> 30:00.800 ["Royal March of the Red Cross"]