WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:11.320 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 00:11.320 --> 00:13.960 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:13.960 --> 00:14.960 Dragnet. 00:14.960 --> 00:24.840 You're a detective sergeant. 00:24.840 --> 00:26.400 You're assigned the homicide detail. 00:26.400 --> 00:30.880 A young man walks into your office and tells you he wants to give himself up. 00:30.880 --> 00:33.160 You don't know if you can believe his story. 00:33.160 --> 00:39.880 Your job, check it out. 00:39.880 --> 00:40.880 It was Monday, December 10th. 00:40.880 --> 00:41.880 It was cold in Los Angeles. 00:41.880 --> 00:45.080 We were working the day watch out of homicide detail. 00:45.080 --> 00:46.360 My partner is Frank Smith. 00:46.360 --> 00:47.360 The boss is Captain Warman. 00:47.360 --> 00:48.360 My name is Frydy. 00:48.360 --> 00:50.360 We're on our way back from records and identification. 00:50.360 --> 00:53.920 It was 1115 a.m. when we got to room 42. 00:53.920 --> 00:54.920 The squad room. 00:54.920 --> 00:55.920 Joe? 00:55.920 --> 00:56.920 Yeah Danny. 00:56.920 --> 00:57.920 Kid waiting to see you. 00:57.920 --> 00:58.920 Did he say what he wanted? 00:58.920 --> 01:01.920 No, he said he wanted to talk to you and nobody else. 01:01.920 --> 01:02.920 Did he give a name? 01:02.920 --> 01:03.920 No, nice looking kid. 01:03.920 --> 01:04.920 All right, we'll talk to him. 01:04.920 --> 01:07.920 Be right with it Joe, I'll check the books. 01:07.920 --> 01:08.920 All right. 01:08.920 --> 01:11.240 All right, do you want to see me? 01:11.240 --> 01:12.240 You Sergeant Frydy? 01:12.240 --> 01:13.240 That's right. 01:13.240 --> 01:14.240 What can I do for you? 01:14.240 --> 01:15.240 I want to talk to you. 01:15.240 --> 01:16.600 Nothing on the book, Joe. 01:16.600 --> 01:17.600 What's your name, son? 01:17.600 --> 01:18.600 Amos Salder. 01:18.600 --> 01:20.680 Amos is my partner, Frank Smith. 01:20.680 --> 01:21.680 Hello Mr. Smith. 01:21.680 --> 01:22.680 Hi son. 01:22.680 --> 01:23.680 Why'd you ask for me? 01:23.680 --> 01:24.680 Well they told me to. 01:24.680 --> 01:25.680 Who's that? 01:25.680 --> 01:27.840 The men in that room across the hall, the business office. 01:27.840 --> 01:28.840 I see. 01:28.840 --> 01:32.320 I sure hope you can help me Sergeant Frydy, I'm in trouble. 01:32.320 --> 01:33.320 Real bad. 01:33.320 --> 01:36.880 All right, so I'll sit down here and you can tell us about it. 01:36.880 --> 01:38.880 Go ahead. 01:38.880 --> 01:43.720 Well, one thing you should know, I came in to give myself up. 01:43.720 --> 01:44.720 You all right? 01:44.720 --> 01:46.080 I didn't mean to do wrong. 01:46.080 --> 01:48.400 Why, what'd you do? 01:48.400 --> 01:52.920 Killed a man. 01:52.920 --> 01:58.640 Amos Charles Salder was 18 years old, 5 feet 7 and a half, 137 pounds. 01:58.640 --> 02:00.280 He had light blonde hair and blue eyes. 02:00.280 --> 02:03.480 He was wearing a tan windbreaker and tan pants. 02:03.480 --> 02:06.160 He looked tired and he told us that he hadn't eaten in several hours. 02:06.160 --> 02:09.120 We sent out for some hot coffee and sandwiches. 02:09.120 --> 02:12.240 Frank checked his name and description through R&I, but he found that he had no record in 02:12.240 --> 02:13.440 our files. 02:13.440 --> 02:14.920 We asked him to tell us the story. 02:14.920 --> 02:16.600 Do you know the man you killed? 02:16.600 --> 02:18.200 No, I never saw him before. 02:18.200 --> 02:19.920 Well how'd you kill him? 02:19.920 --> 02:20.920 Ran him down. 02:20.920 --> 02:21.920 In a car? 02:21.920 --> 02:22.920 No, in a truck. 02:22.920 --> 02:23.920 Where'd this happen? 02:23.920 --> 02:27.440 A coast highway near Malibu, just this side. 02:27.440 --> 02:28.440 When? 02:28.440 --> 02:29.440 Last night. 02:29.440 --> 02:31.200 I guess it must have been around 10. 02:31.200 --> 02:34.080 It should have been around then because I left town at 8.30. 02:34.080 --> 02:36.720 It took about an hour and a half to drive up there. 02:36.720 --> 02:38.880 Now you sure the man was dead? 02:38.880 --> 02:40.560 Yeah, I looked at him. 02:40.560 --> 02:42.440 It wasn't hard to tell. 02:42.440 --> 02:43.920 Did you try to help him at all? 02:43.920 --> 02:44.920 No. 02:44.920 --> 02:47.960 As soon as I looked at him I knew there wasn't anything I could do. 02:47.960 --> 02:50.040 Just got back in the truck and took off. 02:50.040 --> 02:51.640 Where's the truck now? 02:51.640 --> 02:53.840 I left it just the other side of Malibu. 02:53.840 --> 02:56.480 It broke down so I left it. 02:56.480 --> 02:59.120 When it stopped I sat there for a while. 02:59.120 --> 03:02.080 Tried to think why I was hung up in something like this. 03:02.080 --> 03:04.240 Tried to figure why. 03:04.240 --> 03:08.240 Didn't come so I got out and started to walk. 03:08.240 --> 03:12.200 All the time I was thinking about the man, I could almost see him. 03:12.200 --> 03:17.960 I guess it got to me so I came back, caught a ride and came back. 03:17.960 --> 03:20.240 Hey Joe, here's the food. 03:20.240 --> 03:21.840 Thanks Danny. 03:21.840 --> 03:22.840 Where are we going? 03:22.840 --> 03:24.440 Coming to a buck sixty. 03:24.440 --> 03:26.840 Wait a minute. 03:26.840 --> 03:28.640 You got fifteen cents Frank? 03:28.640 --> 03:32.040 Yeah I guess so. 03:32.040 --> 03:33.640 Here Danny. 03:33.640 --> 03:35.040 Thanks. 03:35.040 --> 03:36.640 A couple cartons in there black. 03:36.640 --> 03:39.040 Right, thank you. 03:39.040 --> 03:41.040 Right here Amo, help yourself. 03:41.040 --> 03:42.840 Thank you. 03:42.840 --> 03:43.840 Sure hungry. 03:43.840 --> 03:49.440 Haven't had anything to eat since last night. 03:49.440 --> 03:51.840 You want to tell us about the truck? 03:51.840 --> 03:52.440 Yeah. 03:52.440 --> 03:54.240 Where'd you get it? 03:54.240 --> 03:55.840 I stole it. 03:55.840 --> 03:58.040 That's wrong too I know. 03:58.040 --> 03:59.840 Everything I do seems to be wrong. 03:59.840 --> 04:01.440 Where'd you take it from son? 04:01.440 --> 04:03.240 Parking lot near where I used to live. 04:03.240 --> 04:04.440 Where's that? 04:04.440 --> 04:07.040 A roaming house on 9th Street near Figueroa. 04:07.040 --> 04:09.040 Can you show us where the truck is now? 04:09.040 --> 04:10.040 I guess so. 04:10.040 --> 04:11.840 I don't think anybody could move it. 04:11.840 --> 04:14.040 It broke down like I said. 04:14.040 --> 04:15.440 Where you from Amo? 04:15.440 --> 04:17.040 Waukesha, Wisconsin. 04:17.040 --> 04:18.840 It's a small city near Milwaukee. 04:18.840 --> 04:20.240 Maybe you've heard of it. 04:20.240 --> 04:22.040 No I can't say I have. 04:22.040 --> 04:25.040 Got good water, springs and wells. 04:25.040 --> 04:26.440 Real fine. 04:26.440 --> 04:28.040 Manufactured things too. 04:28.040 --> 04:30.840 Motors, jacks, lots of things. 04:30.840 --> 04:32.440 Sure is a nice little place. 04:32.440 --> 04:34.640 How come you left there? 04:34.640 --> 04:36.040 Lots of reasons. 04:36.040 --> 04:37.440 In trouble? 04:37.440 --> 04:38.640 Yeah. 04:38.640 --> 04:41.440 In a way, nothing serious. 04:41.440 --> 04:43.040 It was lots of things. 04:43.040 --> 04:46.040 You know, at home. 04:46.040 --> 04:47.840 I don't know just how to say it. 04:47.840 --> 04:49.240 You ever been arrested? 04:49.240 --> 04:50.040 No. 04:50.040 --> 04:52.040 Well, not booked or anything. 04:52.040 --> 04:53.840 Cops took me in a couple of times. 04:53.840 --> 04:54.640 What for? 04:54.640 --> 04:55.640 Little things. 04:55.640 --> 04:57.440 Like one night we broke in a church. 04:57.440 --> 04:59.240 Didn't go in to steal anything. 04:59.240 --> 05:02.040 One of the guys just wanted to play the organ. 05:02.040 --> 05:03.440 Your parents alive? 05:03.440 --> 05:04.440 Yeah. 05:04.440 --> 05:05.640 When did you leave home? 05:05.640 --> 05:07.240 Last July. 05:07.240 --> 05:09.640 I thought about it for a long time. 05:09.640 --> 05:12.840 Figured I might have a better chance where nobody knew me. 05:12.840 --> 05:14.440 Looks like it didn't make any difference. 05:14.440 --> 05:15.840 When did you get here? 05:15.840 --> 05:17.440 Last part of July. 05:17.440 --> 05:19.440 Sure was different than Walker Show. 05:19.440 --> 05:20.640 What do you mean by that? 05:20.640 --> 05:22.040 It's so big. 05:22.040 --> 05:23.840 When I didn't know anyone. 05:23.840 --> 05:25.640 Pretty lonesome at first. 05:25.640 --> 05:26.640 Then I got lucky. 05:26.640 --> 05:27.240 Yeah? 05:27.240 --> 05:28.240 I got this job. 05:28.240 --> 05:29.240 Nothing important. 05:29.240 --> 05:31.440 Just washing dishes at this cafe. 05:31.440 --> 05:34.040 I get $25 a week in food. 05:34.040 --> 05:35.240 Got a little money ahead. 05:35.240 --> 05:36.640 Bought some clothes. 05:36.640 --> 05:39.240 Not real fancy, but they were new and they gave me a lift. 05:39.240 --> 05:39.840 You know. 05:39.840 --> 05:40.840 Sure. 05:40.840 --> 05:42.240 Had a nice room too. 05:42.240 --> 05:44.240 Clean, handy to work. 05:44.240 --> 05:46.440 Thought I had it made. 05:46.440 --> 05:47.640 Then the axe fell. 05:47.640 --> 05:48.640 What do you mean? 05:48.640 --> 05:50.040 I got sick. 05:50.040 --> 05:51.440 Couldn't get out of bed one morning. 05:51.440 --> 05:53.440 The landlord called the doctor. 05:53.440 --> 05:55.040 He said I had rheumatic fever. 05:55.040 --> 05:56.040 Yeah? 05:56.040 --> 05:59.040 The doctor called for an ambulance and they took me to General Hospital. 05:59.040 --> 06:00.240 Huh? 06:00.240 --> 06:02.440 Things are bad enough when you feel good. 06:02.440 --> 06:05.440 I was in the hospital and I didn't feel like nothing. 06:05.440 --> 06:07.040 Remember the doctor's name? 06:07.040 --> 06:08.040 No sir, I don't. 06:08.040 --> 06:09.840 How long were you in the hospital? 06:09.840 --> 06:10.840 Three days. 06:10.840 --> 06:13.040 They discharged you in three days, did they? 06:13.040 --> 06:14.440 No sir, I ran away. 06:14.440 --> 06:15.440 Why? 06:15.440 --> 06:19.240 Well, Travelers Aid Society said that they were going to send me back home. 06:19.240 --> 06:22.040 I didn't want that, so I ducked out. 06:22.040 --> 06:23.040 I went back to my room. 06:23.040 --> 06:26.040 I got a couple of bucks I had hidden left. 06:26.040 --> 06:30.440 Didn't have any idea what I was going to do, but I didn't want to be sent back to Wisconsin. 06:30.440 --> 06:31.840 That's when you stole the truck, huh? 06:31.840 --> 06:35.440 Yeah, looked like a way out of town. 06:35.440 --> 06:37.840 The whole thing doesn't seem like it really happened. 06:37.840 --> 06:40.640 You know how when you're half asleep and the radio's on, 06:40.640 --> 06:42.840 things come through but they're not real clear? 06:42.840 --> 06:43.840 Yeah. 06:43.840 --> 06:47.640 I don't like that, I remember riding in the truck after I hit the man, 06:47.640 --> 06:51.840 trying to think what I was going to do, how I was alone. 06:51.840 --> 06:54.840 Story of my life, seems like I was always alone. 06:54.840 --> 06:56.840 Sure was last night. 06:56.840 --> 07:00.840 I don't know, I guess I never do anything right, do I? 07:00.840 --> 07:02.840 I guess I just don't have the nerve. 07:02.840 --> 07:03.840 You did this time. 07:03.840 --> 07:04.840 Hm? 07:04.840 --> 07:06.840 You came here, didn't you? 07:06.840 --> 07:14.840 We put in a call to accident records and verified Amal Salter's story. 07:14.840 --> 07:17.840 The body of a man identified as Lloyd Holtman, a trenchant, 07:17.840 --> 07:19.840 had been found by officers of the Highway Patrol. 07:19.840 --> 07:24.840 Holtman had apparently been struck by a vehicle traveling at high speed as he walked along the road. 07:24.840 --> 07:29.840 We checked with Lieutenant Lee Jones at the crime lab and we found that his division had made an investigation. 07:29.840 --> 07:32.840 Frank and I left the office and went over to see him. 07:32.840 --> 07:34.840 He showed us pictures taken at the scene. 07:34.840 --> 07:38.840 On the victim's coat, the lab crew had been able to find traces of blue paint. 07:38.840 --> 07:41.840 Jones was not able to tell us what type of vehicle had hit the victim, 07:41.840 --> 07:44.840 but he did say that from the high rate of speed at the time of impact, 07:44.840 --> 07:47.840 there would be extensive damage to the front end of the vehicle. 07:47.840 --> 07:52.840 Amal Salter was booked on charges of violation of Section 480 V.C., a felony. 07:52.840 --> 07:55.840 Frank and I checked him out of the main jail and drove out to where he'd left the truck. 07:55.840 --> 07:58.840 He told us to drive up Highway 101. 07:58.840 --> 08:02.840 When we got past the Malibu Colony, he directed us to turn off onto a dirt road. 08:02.840 --> 08:05.840 We drove about 200 yards and then he asked us to stop. 08:07.840 --> 08:09.840 You sure this is where you left the truck? 08:09.840 --> 08:11.840 Yeah, just over there, behind those trees. 08:11.840 --> 08:14.840 When the engine started acting up, I looked for a place to park. 08:14.840 --> 08:17.840 I figured it'd be better if I got off the road. 08:18.840 --> 08:20.840 There it is. You can see it now. 08:20.840 --> 08:22.840 Uh-huh. 08:22.840 --> 08:24.840 This is the same one you stole last night, is it? 08:24.840 --> 08:27.840 Yes, sir. It's the one I was driving. I'll check the front end. 08:27.840 --> 08:29.840 Hmm. 08:29.840 --> 08:31.840 Did you have anything to drink last night? 08:31.840 --> 08:33.840 No, I had enough of that at home. 08:33.840 --> 08:37.840 Mm-hmm. You're sure this is the truck you had when you hit that fellow, huh? 08:37.840 --> 08:39.840 Yeah, I'm sure. 08:39.840 --> 08:43.840 I don't know what all the questions are about. I said I did it. I'm not trying to hide anything. 08:43.840 --> 08:45.840 There's nothing up there, Joe. Front end's clean. 08:45.840 --> 08:47.840 Well, it doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? 08:47.840 --> 08:48.840 No. 08:48.840 --> 08:51.840 I don't understand what the problem is. 08:51.840 --> 08:54.840 What you tell us doesn't add up with the evidence here. 08:54.840 --> 08:55.840 What do you mean? 08:55.840 --> 08:58.840 Well, the report we got says that the man was killed by a blue vehicle. 08:58.840 --> 08:59.840 Uh-huh. 08:59.840 --> 09:02.840 Now take a look at that truck, will you? 09:02.840 --> 09:03.840 Yeah? 09:03.840 --> 09:04.840 Black. 09:04.840 --> 09:12.840 We put in a call to the office and we asked them to send the tow truck out and impound the vehicle. 09:12.840 --> 09:15.840 We stood by until they arrived. 09:15.840 --> 09:19.840 Frank and I drove Amel Salter to the scene of the accident. He pointed it out for us. 09:19.840 --> 09:24.840 According to the information we'd gotten, the location he gave us was the place where Lloyd Holtman had been found. 09:24.840 --> 09:27.840 We checked the area, but we failed to come up with anything new. 09:27.840 --> 09:32.840 5.20 p.m. We returned the suspect to the main jail and we went back to the office. 09:32.840 --> 09:37.840 We sent a radiogram to the authorities in Walkie Shaw asking for all available information on Salter. 09:37.840 --> 09:40.840 At 6.47 p.m. we checked out of the office. 09:40.840 --> 09:44.840 The next morning, December 11th, Frank and I met in the squad room. 09:44.840 --> 09:45.840 Hi, Joe. 09:45.840 --> 09:46.840 Morning. 09:46.840 --> 09:47.840 Seen the morning papers? 09:47.840 --> 09:49.840 Yeah. I guess there isn't much news, huh? 09:49.840 --> 09:51.840 I'm sure he gave Salter a lot of space. 09:51.840 --> 09:52.840 Yeah. I guess we could find the answers. 09:52.840 --> 09:57.840 I called Lee when I got in. They went over the truck, found a lot of the kid's prints, but they didn't turn anything. 09:57.840 --> 09:59.840 They were to point to an accident. 09:59.840 --> 10:03.840 The way the body looked, there should be something on the car that ran him down, shouldn't there? 10:03.840 --> 10:04.840 Excuse me? 10:04.840 --> 10:05.840 Yes, sir? 10:05.840 --> 10:06.840 I wonder if you all could help me out? 10:06.840 --> 10:09.840 Well, we'll try, sir. Come on in. What is it you want? 10:09.840 --> 10:10.840 Well, out there, a kid in the paper? 10:10.840 --> 10:11.840 Sir? 10:11.840 --> 10:15.840 You know, a young kid that ran down the old bum, uh, emo something? 10:15.840 --> 10:16.840 Salter. 10:16.840 --> 10:17.840 Yeah, yeah, that's it. 10:17.840 --> 10:19.840 Well, what do you know about it? 10:19.840 --> 10:23.840 Well, just take it easy now. A couple things I gotta be sure of before I tell you anything. 10:23.840 --> 10:24.840 All right. What's that? 10:24.840 --> 10:26.840 Well, I ain't gonna get mixed up in nothing. 10:26.840 --> 10:29.840 Well, we can't promise you that till we've heard what you got to tell. 10:29.840 --> 10:30.840 Yeah, I'm wasting my time. Bye. 10:30.840 --> 10:31.840 All right. Just a minute. 10:31.840 --> 10:32.840 Huh? 10:32.840 --> 10:34.840 Maybe I better straighten you out, Mr. 10:34.840 --> 10:35.840 On what? 10:35.840 --> 10:39.840 Well, this kid's sitting in jail right now. He's got a pretty serious charge against him. 10:39.840 --> 10:40.840 I didn't make it. 10:40.840 --> 10:42.840 Yeah, sir, that might be true, but I better tell you this. 10:42.840 --> 10:48.840 If you know anything about a felony that's been committed and you withhold that information, you're liable for prosecution as an accessory. Do you know that? 10:48.840 --> 10:49.840 That's the law? 10:49.840 --> 10:51.840 Those are the words. 10:51.840 --> 10:56.840 Now, the only thing we're interested in is getting the case off the books. We're not gonna give your name to the papers. 10:56.840 --> 10:57.840 That's a promise? 10:57.840 --> 10:58.840 That's a promise. 10:58.840 --> 11:04.840 Okay. I told you it'd be pretty bad for me if any of what I tell you gets back to my family. 11:04.840 --> 11:05.840 All right. Now, what's your name? 11:05.840 --> 11:06.840 Lone States. 11:06.840 --> 11:07.840 That's L-O-R-E-M? 11:07.840 --> 11:09.840 Yeah. You want to sit down? 11:09.840 --> 11:11.840 Oh, yeah, thank you. 11:11.840 --> 11:14.840 Now, what do you know about this? 11:14.840 --> 11:16.840 That emo kid ain't guilty. 11:16.840 --> 11:18.840 How's that? 11:18.840 --> 11:19.840 He didn't do it. 11:19.840 --> 11:20.840 How do you know? 11:20.840 --> 11:22.840 Well, I seen the accident. I seen the whole thing. 11:22.840 --> 11:23.840 Well, it started at the beginning. 11:23.840 --> 11:25.840 Now, you're sure none of this is gonna get out? 11:25.840 --> 11:27.840 We told you, not from us. 11:27.840 --> 11:31.840 Okay. Well, I took a drive Saturday night up the coast. I had dinner. 11:31.840 --> 11:35.840 Now, on the way back, I stopped and parked awhile. You know, kind of looked out at the ocean. 11:35.840 --> 11:36.840 Yeah. 11:36.840 --> 11:44.840 Well, I was just leaving, and I saw this old guy walk along the road, bent all stiff, you know. Had a blanket roll on his back, just walking along. You know how to do. 11:44.840 --> 11:45.840 Yes, sir. 11:45.840 --> 11:49.840 And all of a sudden, his car come rolling down the road. I think he must have been doing at least 90. 11:49.840 --> 11:51.840 Come rolling around and turned right at this old guy. 11:51.840 --> 11:52.840 Mm-hmm. 11:52.840 --> 11:58.840 Well, sir, the old guy saw the car coming right at him, kind of turned and started to run. Wasn't any place for him to go. 11:58.840 --> 12:00.840 It's where the road's cut right out of the mountain, you know. 12:00.840 --> 12:02.840 Yeah. We were there. We know. 12:02.840 --> 12:07.840 Well, I guess he figured the driver swing around him or something, so he run over the side of the pavement, trying to get out the way. 12:07.840 --> 12:08.840 Mm-hmm. 12:08.840 --> 12:11.840 Didn't do no good. That car plowed right into him. Must have knocked him 150 feet. 12:11.840 --> 12:13.840 122. 12:13.840 --> 12:15.840 Well, it seemed like further than that. 12:15.840 --> 12:18.840 Did the driver make any attempt to stop after he hit the old man? 12:18.840 --> 12:20.840 Yeah. Pulled over the side of the road. Didn't get out of the car, though. 12:20.840 --> 12:21.840 Uh-huh. 12:21.840 --> 12:23.840 Just stayed there a minute, then he drove off. 12:23.840 --> 12:24.840 Yes, sir. 12:24.840 --> 12:28.840 Well, sir, I was going to go over and see what I could do for the old fellow. I really was. And then this truck drove up. 12:28.840 --> 12:33.840 Guy stopped and got out, walked over to the fellow. I figured he'd be able to take care of it, so I left. 12:33.840 --> 12:34.840 Did you see the driver of the truck? 12:34.840 --> 12:40.840 Yes, sir. So I'm good when he walk in front of the headlights. The same fellow in the paper, that, you know, what's his name? 12:40.840 --> 12:41.840 Soller. 12:41.840 --> 12:42.840 Yeah, Soller. 12:42.840 --> 12:43.840 You're pretty sure it's the same man? 12:43.840 --> 12:46.840 Yes, sir. Now, like I told you, I got a good look at him. 12:46.840 --> 12:48.840 How about the other man? What can you tell us about him? 12:48.840 --> 12:50.840 Not much, except he was driving too fast. 12:50.840 --> 12:52.840 Well, how about the car? You know what kind it was? 12:52.840 --> 12:54.840 I didn't get a good look at that. 12:54.840 --> 12:55.840 How about the color? You notice that? 12:55.840 --> 12:58.840 Yeah. It was a blue, kind of light color. 12:58.840 --> 13:00.840 Can you give us any description of the driver? 13:00.840 --> 13:01.840 No, sir. 13:01.840 --> 13:03.840 Could you tell us if it was a man or a woman? 13:03.840 --> 13:09.840 Oh, it was a man. I noticed that when he slowed down. He kind of leaned out the window and looked back down the road. It was a man, all right. 13:09.840 --> 13:12.840 Could you see the color of his hair? Anything at all about him? 13:12.840 --> 13:15.840 No, sir. There wasn't any lights up there. You know, it was dark. 13:15.840 --> 13:22.840 I couldn't see very good. The main reason I know the driver was a man was the lights in the truck kind of picked him up, and that's when he left. 13:22.840 --> 13:25.840 Well, all right, Mr. States. We appreciate what you've told us. 13:25.840 --> 13:29.840 Glad to help, as long as nobody's going to know. It'd be pretty embarrassing. 13:29.840 --> 13:31.840 Well, how's that? 13:31.840 --> 13:37.840 Well, you see, me and the wife, we ain't been getting along too good. Nothing worth talking about. 13:37.840 --> 13:40.840 But a fella don't like to be nagged at, you know. 13:40.840 --> 13:47.840 Well, there's just a little secretary in our office, and she and I talk once in a while. A couple times we got out for morning coffee together. 13:47.840 --> 13:52.840 This last beef with my wife, I figured I'd fix it good. So I asked the secretary for a date. 13:52.840 --> 13:59.840 She gave it to me. We got together Saturday night, had dinner at a place up near Malibu. On the way back, we just talked and talked. 13:59.840 --> 14:03.840 Nothing wrong, mind you, but I don't guess my wife would understand if she found out. 14:03.840 --> 14:04.840 I see. 14:04.840 --> 14:08.840 So you see why I don't want nobody to know about Saturday? It'd be kind of tough to explain. 14:08.840 --> 14:09.840 Yes, sir. 14:09.840 --> 14:13.840 Got to thinking about it, though, and what that kid, Emo... 14:13.840 --> 14:14.840 Solder. 14:14.840 --> 14:18.840 Yeah. Got to thinking what he must be going through and decided maybe I'd better tell about it. 14:18.840 --> 14:20.840 I'll say it's going to help him a lot. 14:20.840 --> 14:24.840 Yep, I guess so. Oh, something else you might be able to use. 14:24.840 --> 14:25.840 What's that? 14:25.840 --> 14:27.840 Might not be worth anything, out of state and all. 14:27.840 --> 14:28.840 What's that? 14:28.840 --> 14:29.840 The hit-and-run car? 14:29.840 --> 14:30.840 Yeah. 14:30.840 --> 14:34.840 I've got license number. 14:34.840 --> 14:54.840 You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action. 14:54.840 --> 14:59.840 We got the license number of the hit-and-run car. Also the fact that it carried an Illinois plate. 14:59.840 --> 15:01.840 We put out a local and an APB on it. 15:01.840 --> 15:05.840 We got in touch with the Department of Motor Vehicles back east and we obtained the owner's name. 15:05.840 --> 15:09.840 According to their records, he had notified them that he was moving to California. 15:09.840 --> 15:12.840 They were able to supply us with a North Hollywood address for him. 15:12.840 --> 15:15.840 We checked the name through our records section, but we found nothing. 15:15.840 --> 15:18.840 At 5.20 p.m., Frank and I drove out to see him. 15:18.840 --> 15:20.840 Here, Charles Bookman. 15:20.840 --> 15:21.840 That's right. 15:21.840 --> 15:23.840 Police officers, we'd like to talk to you. 15:23.840 --> 15:24.840 Come on in. 15:24.840 --> 15:26.840 Thank you. 15:26.840 --> 15:28.840 My partner, Frank Smith. My name's Frank. 15:28.840 --> 15:29.840 Hello. 15:29.840 --> 15:30.840 Hi there, sir. 15:30.840 --> 15:32.840 I was just having dinner. You mind if I tell my wife to go ahead? 15:32.840 --> 15:33.840 We can wait if you like. 15:33.840 --> 15:34.840 No, I'll be right back. 15:34.840 --> 15:35.840 All right. 15:35.840 --> 15:37.840 You want to wait just a minute? 15:37.840 --> 15:38.840 Mind if we go with you? 15:38.840 --> 15:40.840 I'm just going into the dining room. 15:40.840 --> 15:42.840 Yes, sir, but we'll still have to be with you. 15:42.840 --> 15:44.840 What's this about? 15:44.840 --> 15:46.840 The old 1954 Pontiac. 15:46.840 --> 15:47.840 Yeah. Light blue. 15:47.840 --> 15:49.840 That's right. Nothing happened to the car? 15:49.840 --> 15:51.840 Well, I want you to tell us, if you will. 15:51.840 --> 15:54.840 I don't know what this is all about. Seems you ought to be able to tell me. 15:54.840 --> 15:55.840 Where is the car? 15:55.840 --> 15:56.840 Well, I don't know. 15:56.840 --> 15:58.840 You own a car and you don't know where it is? 15:58.840 --> 15:59.840 That's right. 15:59.840 --> 16:00.840 Has it been stolen? 16:00.840 --> 16:02.840 Well, I don't know. For all I know, it could have been. 16:02.840 --> 16:04.840 I haven't seen it for a couple of days. 16:04.840 --> 16:05.840 Well, who has it, do you know? 16:05.840 --> 16:07.840 My brother-in-law. I let him drive it. 16:07.840 --> 16:08.840 You don't know where he is? 16:08.840 --> 16:10.840 No. If he smashed up the car, he's going to pay for it, though. 16:10.840 --> 16:12.840 I'm not going to be responsible. 16:12.840 --> 16:14.840 I'm afraid he's done more than that. 16:14.840 --> 16:16.840 I don't know. He's a real bum. 16:16.840 --> 16:19.840 My wife's kid brother can't hold a job for more than five minutes. 16:19.840 --> 16:21.840 All the time sponging off me. 16:21.840 --> 16:23.840 When did you let him take the car? 16:23.840 --> 16:25.840 Ah, let's see. It was Saturday morning. 16:25.840 --> 16:27.840 I told him I wouldn't be using it for a couple of days, 16:27.840 --> 16:28.840 so he could have it. 16:28.840 --> 16:30.840 Look, it's my car you're asking about. 16:30.840 --> 16:31.840 I got a right to know. 16:31.840 --> 16:33.840 If something's wrong, I ought to notify the insurance company. 16:33.840 --> 16:34.840 Yes, sir, we understand. 16:34.840 --> 16:37.840 But it'd be better if we talked to your brother-in-law about it first. 16:37.840 --> 16:38.840 You want to give us his full name? 16:38.840 --> 16:39.840 Casey Steadman. 16:39.840 --> 16:41.840 S-T-E-A-D-M-A-N, is that right? 16:41.840 --> 16:43.840 That's right. How about a description? 16:43.840 --> 16:46.840 No problem. I think I've got a picture around if you want that. 16:46.840 --> 16:47.840 Yes, sir, that'd help. 16:47.840 --> 16:49.840 I'll get it for you. 16:49.840 --> 16:51.840 What were you doing over the weekend? 16:51.840 --> 16:52.840 I was home. 16:52.840 --> 16:55.840 I'm branch manager for the company I work for. 16:55.840 --> 16:57.840 I got an annual report I have to get out. 16:57.840 --> 16:58.840 I worked on that. 16:58.840 --> 16:59.840 Every night? 16:59.840 --> 17:00.840 Yep. 17:00.840 --> 17:03.840 Started it Friday night, finished it up Monday afternoon. 17:03.840 --> 17:05.840 That's one reason I let Casey take the car. 17:05.840 --> 17:06.840 What? 17:06.840 --> 17:08.840 To get him out of the house so I could get some work done. 17:08.840 --> 17:09.840 Oh, I see. 17:09.840 --> 17:11.840 But all he does is sit around and look at the TV. 17:11.840 --> 17:14.840 Starts right with the programs for kids and goes straight through the day. 17:14.840 --> 17:16.840 I think there's something wrong with his ears, too. 17:16.840 --> 17:18.840 Always got set turned up real loud. 17:18.840 --> 17:20.840 And anybody can think when he's watching a show. 17:20.840 --> 17:21.840 Yes, sir. 17:21.840 --> 17:23.840 I had to get him out of the house. 17:23.840 --> 17:25.840 Wife won't even let me say anything to her. 17:25.840 --> 17:27.840 She knows how important that work is, too. 17:27.840 --> 17:28.840 Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. 17:28.840 --> 17:30.840 Well, I wouldn't know about that, sir. 17:30.840 --> 17:31.840 Just once. 17:31.840 --> 17:34.840 Just once, I'd like to be able to prove to my wife what a mummy is. 17:34.840 --> 17:36.840 Just once so she really believes it. 17:36.840 --> 17:38.840 Well, if he was driving your car Saturday night, we'll let you know. 17:38.840 --> 17:39.840 What'll that prove? 17:39.840 --> 17:41.840 She'll believe it then. 17:44.840 --> 17:47.840 We got a complete description of Casey Stedman along with a picture of the suspect. 17:47.840 --> 17:51.840 We went back to the office and got out a supplemental broadcast and an APB on him. 17:51.840 --> 17:54.840 A check on R&I failed to turn up any information. 17:54.840 --> 17:56.840 We talked with his friends and his known associates. 17:56.840 --> 17:58.840 None of them could tell us where he was. 17:58.840 --> 18:00.840 None of them had seen him since the accident. 18:00.840 --> 18:02.840 Wednesday, December 12th. 18:02.840 --> 18:04.840 We got a call from one of the larger garages in the city. 18:04.840 --> 18:06.840 Yes, sir, that's right. 18:06.840 --> 18:08.840 Wendy called you. 18:08.840 --> 18:10.840 I see. 18:10.840 --> 18:12.840 All right, we'll be right over. 18:12.840 --> 18:15.840 No, no, if he does, will you try to stall him till we get there? 18:15.840 --> 18:17.840 Right. Thank you. Bye. 18:17.840 --> 18:19.840 Garage over on sixth. 18:19.840 --> 18:21.840 Guy hauled a car in this morning. 18:21.840 --> 18:23.840 The front end all smashed up. 18:23.840 --> 18:25.840 Started to work on it and he thought he better call us. 18:25.840 --> 18:26.840 Blue Pontiac? 18:26.840 --> 18:27.840 That's right, stains on the fender. 18:27.840 --> 18:28.840 Yeah. 18:28.840 --> 18:30.840 The mechanic thinks they're blood. 18:32.840 --> 18:34.840 Frank and I left the office and we drove over to the garage. 18:34.840 --> 18:36.840 We talked to the owner. 18:36.840 --> 18:40.840 He told us that he'd gotten a call to bring a tow truck to the corner of Main and Crocker streets. 18:40.840 --> 18:43.840 When he got there, he met a man who asked him to tow a car to the garage 18:43.840 --> 18:45.840 and do some repair work on the right front fender. 18:45.840 --> 18:47.840 We showed him Stedman's picture. 18:47.840 --> 18:49.840 He gave us a positive identification. 18:49.840 --> 18:51.840 We checked the car over. 18:51.840 --> 18:53.840 It was a 1954 blue Pontiac sedan. 18:53.840 --> 18:56.840 The license number was the same one that we'd gotten previously. 18:56.840 --> 19:00.840 The garage owner went on to tell us that the suspect wanted the car on Thursday night 19:00.840 --> 19:03.840 and that it was important that the repairs be made by that time. 19:03.840 --> 19:07.840 We asked that we be notified in the event the suspect made an appearance before then. 19:07.840 --> 19:11.840 We called the crime lab and we asked them to come down and go over the car. 19:11.840 --> 19:14.840 Frank and I went back to the office and we met with Captain Lorman. 19:14.840 --> 19:16.840 We told him what we'd found. 19:16.840 --> 19:18.840 He told us to be at the garage the first thing Thursday morning 19:18.840 --> 19:20.840 in the event Stedman made an early appearance. 19:20.840 --> 19:23.840 Frank and I got there at 7.30 a.m. 19:23.840 --> 19:26.840 At 4.30 in the afternoon, the suspect still hadn't shown. 19:26.840 --> 19:28.840 4.45. 19:28.840 --> 19:29.840 4.50 p.m. 19:29.840 --> 19:31.840 Maybe he figured something's wrong. 19:31.840 --> 19:33.840 Doesn't seem likely. No way for him to find out. 19:33.840 --> 19:35.840 Think his sister tipped him? 19:35.840 --> 19:37.840 No. Bookman said he wouldn't say anything to her about it. 19:37.840 --> 19:38.840 Oh. 19:38.840 --> 19:41.840 Madam Frank. Yeah. We got a live one. 19:41.840 --> 19:43.840 Let's take him. 19:43.840 --> 19:45.840 Stedman? Yeah? 19:45.840 --> 19:47.840 I'd like to talk to you. Why? Do I know you? 19:47.840 --> 19:49.840 Police officers. You on that blue Pontiac over there? 19:49.840 --> 19:52.840 Mr. Stedman! All right, take it easy. 19:52.840 --> 19:55.840 I know nothing about it, nothing. I never saw the car before. 19:55.840 --> 19:57.840 The fellow that towed it in says you're the one who called him. 19:57.840 --> 19:59.840 He made a mistake. Must be a lot of men who look like me. 19:59.840 --> 20:00.840 Nothing special about me. 20:00.840 --> 20:01.840 Our crime lab's gone over the car. 20:01.840 --> 20:03.840 As soon as we roll your fingerprints, we'll be able to tell for sure. 20:03.840 --> 20:05.840 What's that gonna prove? Maybe I did drive the car. 20:05.840 --> 20:06.840 Nothing wrong with that. 20:06.840 --> 20:08.840 No law that says a man can't drive a car. 20:08.840 --> 20:10.840 We got one that says you can't use it to kill somebody. 20:10.840 --> 20:11.840 I didn't do that. Yeah, sure. 20:11.840 --> 20:13.840 Oh, you don't believe me, do you? Nope. 20:13.840 --> 20:15.840 That's kind of lousy, isn't it? How do you mean that? 20:15.840 --> 20:17.840 You walk in here, you already made up your mind I'm guilty. 20:17.840 --> 20:19.840 You call that fair? We just gotta go with the evidence, mister. 20:19.840 --> 20:21.840 Well, you got nothing to prove I was in that car. 20:21.840 --> 20:23.840 Not to show that I killed anybody. 20:23.840 --> 20:25.840 Just trying to make me say I did something I don't know nothing about. 20:25.840 --> 20:26.840 All right, come on, let's go. 20:26.840 --> 20:29.840 You just swear you take me to court, I'll tell the whole world about this lousy deal. 20:29.840 --> 20:31.840 Yeah, well, I don't know about the world. Yeah? 20:31.840 --> 20:33.840 But we'll be there to listen. 20:33.840 --> 20:35.840 We took the suspect back down to the city hall. 20:35.840 --> 20:39.840 As soon as we had his fingerprints taken and compared with the ones found in the car, 20:39.840 --> 20:41.840 we showed him the physical evidence that we had. 20:41.840 --> 20:44.840 When it was presented, he confessed to killing Lloyd Holman. 20:44.840 --> 20:46.840 He made a statement and we took him over to the main jail 20:46.840 --> 20:50.840 where he was booked in on a charge of violation of Section 480 B.C. of felony. 20:50.840 --> 20:55.840 Before we left the jail, we had Amel Salter brought from his cell to one of the interview rooms. 20:55.840 --> 20:57.840 He looked like he hadn't slept for several days. 20:57.840 --> 21:00.840 Sit down, Ian. Thanks. 21:01.840 --> 21:02.840 How do you feel? 21:02.840 --> 21:04.840 Not too good, Mr. Friday. 21:04.840 --> 21:06.840 Oh, we got some news for you. Yeah? 21:06.840 --> 21:07.840 You didn't kill that man. 21:07.840 --> 21:10.840 You're not lying to me. No, we've got the guy that did it. 21:10.840 --> 21:12.840 Oh, that's good. 21:12.840 --> 21:16.840 Since that night, all I've thought about was that man lying there. 21:16.840 --> 21:19.840 I'm glad it wasn't me. Yeah? 21:19.840 --> 21:21.840 You know, you still have to answer for AutoPep. 21:21.840 --> 21:22.840 Sure, I know. 21:22.840 --> 21:24.840 I'm sorry, I'm sorry. 21:24.840 --> 21:27.840 You know, you still have to answer for AutoPep. Sure, I know. 21:27.840 --> 21:28.840 Funny. 21:28.840 --> 21:31.840 The reason I left home was to build something new. 21:31.840 --> 21:33.840 Here I am in jail. 21:33.840 --> 21:35.840 Just me, I guess. 21:35.840 --> 21:38.840 I blame my parents, my brothers, everybody. 21:38.840 --> 21:40.840 All the time it's me. 21:40.840 --> 21:42.840 There's been nobody else to blame, really. 21:42.840 --> 21:44.840 Well, you can try it again, Amel. 21:44.840 --> 21:45.840 Yeah. 21:45.840 --> 21:47.840 But it'll probably be the same. 21:47.840 --> 21:49.840 Always on the outside looking in. 21:49.840 --> 21:51.840 What do you mean by that? 21:51.840 --> 21:52.840 Like back in high school. 21:52.840 --> 21:54.840 Maybe you'll think it's funny, but... 21:54.840 --> 21:57.840 Like one time I wanted to go to the junior prom. 21:57.840 --> 21:58.840 Real bad. 21:58.840 --> 22:00.840 Didn't have the right clothes. 22:00.840 --> 22:01.840 Didn't have a date. 22:01.840 --> 22:03.840 Who'd want to go out with a shrimp like me? 22:03.840 --> 22:05.840 Well, did you ask anybody to go with you? 22:05.840 --> 22:07.840 No, I knew better. 22:07.840 --> 22:08.840 But I went to the prom anyway. 22:08.840 --> 22:10.840 All by myself. 22:10.840 --> 22:12.840 No date, no nice clothes. 22:12.840 --> 22:14.840 Just old cords and a beat-up jacket. 22:14.840 --> 22:16.840 One and a half hours I went. 22:16.840 --> 22:18.840 I sat on the fire escape. 22:18.840 --> 22:21.840 Yeah, I watched the whole thing through the gym window, 22:21.840 --> 22:23.840 sitting on a fire escape. 22:23.840 --> 22:25.840 They had lanterns and stuff. 22:25.840 --> 22:27.840 Kids all dressed up real pretty. 22:27.840 --> 22:29.840 It was nice to watch. 22:29.840 --> 22:31.840 Saw the grand march, everything. 22:31.840 --> 22:33.840 Only one trouble. 22:33.840 --> 22:34.840 Yeah. 22:34.840 --> 22:37.840 Like I said, I was all alone, 22:37.840 --> 22:39.840 looking in from the outside. 22:39.840 --> 22:41.840 Well, we gotta shove off, Amel. 22:41.840 --> 22:43.840 Thanks for coming over. 22:43.840 --> 22:45.840 It's all right. See you, son. 22:45.840 --> 22:46.840 Sure. 22:46.840 --> 22:47.840 You want to wait here? 22:47.840 --> 22:49.840 We'll send an officer in for you. 22:49.840 --> 22:51.840 I'll be right back. 22:56.840 --> 22:58.840 Kind of nice kid, don't you think? 22:58.840 --> 23:00.840 Yeah, I guess he is. 23:00.840 --> 23:02.840 I guess a lot of things caught up with him. 23:02.840 --> 23:04.840 Kind of gives you a funny feeling talking to him. 23:04.840 --> 23:05.840 How do you mean that? 23:05.840 --> 23:07.840 Well, you know how when he worked all night 23:07.840 --> 23:09.840 and you get home early in the morning? 23:09.840 --> 23:11.840 You get too tired to sleep and you hear a train whistle 23:11.840 --> 23:13.840 from the other side of town. 23:13.840 --> 23:16.840 Listening to that kid, I got the same sort of feeling. 23:16.840 --> 23:18.840 I don't think he's a bad kid, not really. 23:18.840 --> 23:20.840 You think I'm wrong, Joe? 23:20.840 --> 23:22.840 Well, I guess if you are, it makes two of us. 23:22.840 --> 23:23.840 Yeah. 23:23.840 --> 23:25.840 That whistle you're talking about? 23:25.840 --> 23:26.840 Uh-huh. 23:26.840 --> 23:28.840 I hear it every once in a while myself. 23:36.840 --> 23:38.840 The story you have just heard is true. 23:38.840 --> 23:40.840 The names were changed to protect the innocent. 23:40.840 --> 23:44.840 On April 16th, trial was held in Department 97, 23:44.840 --> 23:46.840 Superior Court of the State of California 23:46.840 --> 23:48.840 in and for the County of Los Angeles. 23:48.840 --> 23:50.840 ["The Star-Spangled Banner"] 23:56.840 --> 23:58.840 Casey Harrison Steadman was tried and convicted 23:58.840 --> 24:01.840 of violation of Section 480 of the Vehicle Code. 24:01.840 --> 24:05.840 Or, violation of Section 480 B.C. is punishable by imprisonment 24:05.840 --> 24:09.840 on the state penitentiary for a period of from one to five years. 24:09.840 --> 24:13.840 Amel Donald Salter pled guilty to one count of grand theft auto. 24:13.840 --> 24:16.840 In the interests of justice, he was placed on probation 24:16.840 --> 24:18.840 for a period of three years. 24:24.840 --> 24:26.840 ["The Star-Spangled Banner"] 24:36.840 --> 24:38.840 You have just heard Drag Note, 24:38.840 --> 24:41.840 the authentic story of your police force in action 24:41.840 --> 24:43.840 and starring Jack Webb, 24:43.840 --> 24:47.840 a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service. 24:47.840 --> 25:11.840 ["The Star-Spangled Banner"] 25:17.840 --> 25:44.840 ["The Star-Spangled Banner"] 25:44.840 --> 26:05.840 ["The Star-Spangled Banner"]