Bragment.
Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true.
The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned the homicide detail.
You've just completed an investigation on an East Los Angeles murder case.
You get a hot shot call. A shooting at a liquor store on Pico Boulevard.
Your job? Check it out.
Bragment. The documented drama of an actual crime.
For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department,
you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case
transcribed from official police files.
From beginning to end, from crime to punishment,
Bragment is the story of your police force in action.
It was Wednesday, February 16th. It was cool in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out of Homicide Division.
My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Norman.
My name is Friday. We were on our way back from the interrogation room
and it was 8.46 p.m. when we got to room 42.
Homicide.
You think he'll cop, huh? I don't know. Probably won't make much difference anyway.
Yeah. Mel keeping the gun, that was his big mistake.
Yeah. I wonder why she gave him the chance.
What do you mean? Well, he'd beaten her a couple of times before.
And neighbors all said so. Yeah.
You'd think she'd have walked out on him.
Maybe that's what she was trying to do.
Well, she should have tried sooner.
You got any plans for dinner? No, not especially. Why?
Well, I guess I'll grab a bite with you.
If they said she's not gonna want any dinner, she'll fix something for the kids
and tell me to eat downtown.
That's a switch, isn't it? Sure is.
To tell you the truth, Joe, she's kind of sore at me.
This is her way of getting even. Is that so?
Yeah. A woman expects a man to remember everything.
Let him slip up just once, it's the end of the world.
Is that right? Birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day,
Christmas, Lincoln's birth, everything.
What'd you forget this time? Valentine's Day.
Oh, yeah. Well, I knew there was something eating her when I got home that night.
She didn't say a word until the next morning.
Then she hands me a tie, stripes like that brown and red one from last Christmas,
only this one is maroon and gray. Yeah.
Said she didn't want to give it to me on Valentine's Day
because she knew how embarrassed I'd be.
You know, on account of not having a present for her.
Well, why don't you get her some flowers or some candy to make up for it?
She told me not to, Joe.
Said she didn't want anything unless I thought of it myself and on the right day.
See, you don't understand women, Joe.
You can't make up for a mistake. They won't let you.
Watch out, I got it.
For us? Liquor store out in Pico. Yeah.
Dead body.
We drove out to the Evendale Liquor Store on West Pico Boulevard.
The owner, Cecil Evendale, was lying on the floor behind the counter.
He'd been shot to the chest and was already dead when the body was discovered.
A team from robbery detail and Sergeant J. Allen and a crew from the crime lab
arrived a few minutes after we did.
They began their investigation and we talked to the patrol car officers who found Evendale's body.
We were just cruising by and we saw the front door standing wide open.
No sign of Evendale, so we thought maybe we ought to look around. Yeah.
Came inside, gave the place a once-over, spotted him just like he is now.
You're sure he's the man who owned the store, huh?
Oh, yeah, that's Evendale, all right.
He's had trouble before. How's that?
Couple of boys held him up, must be about a month ago now.
We answered the call. I see.
They picked up the same night. Evendale had their license number.
You got a conviction? First degree robbery.
Well, it can't be them if they're in the joint.
I'll check on it, John. Right.
There was another holdup that didn't get away with much. Oh?
Cash register was open when we came in.
Still full, $50, $75. That's my guess.
Well, maybe something scared them off.
The street was empty, no cars, nobody.
Funny they left all that money just lying there in the drawer.
That's not the only funny thing around here.
Who you got, Jay? Found the casing. Take a look.
It's 38, huh? Yeah.
Slug went right through him in his chest out the back, right through, clean as a whistle.
Sure got me, Buffalo. What do you mean?
The slug. Yeah.
Can't find a trace of it.
Frank came back from the telephone with the information that the two men
who had previously robbed the Evendale Liquor Store
were now serving their sentences in San Quentin.
While Sergeant Jay Allen and the crew from the crime lab
continued to search for the missing slug and any other physical evidence,
we canvassed the area for somebody who might have heard the shooting.
9.53 p.m. We found a drug store in the next block that was still open for business.
Fountain's closed. That's what you're after.
No, sir, we'd like to talk to you for a minute.
Talk? What about?
We're police officers. It's Frank Smith. My name's Friday.
Police, huh? That's right.
Thought I heard sirens a while back. What's been going on around here?
Well, there was some trouble at the liquor store down the street.
C-7, Dale's Place? Yeah.
You shouldn't have let it happen. Thank you, partner.
You're police officers, ain't you? Yes, sir, we are.
He was robbed just a few weeks ago.
You should have figured somebody had tried again.
You should have been watching him, making sure he was all right.
Well, it's a pretty big town, sir. There's a lot to watch.
Too big, if you ask me. Why don't they go home?
What's that?
All them folks who keep moving to L.A.
25 years ago, I come here. Things were a lot different then.
Man could drive down the streets, find a place to park his car.
There was room to move around in. Elbow room.
Mm-hmm. More people coming all the time.
Getting so crowded, a man can't breathe.
Yes, sir.
You see anybody who might have done a shooting?
Tonight, you mean? Yes, sir. Anybody suspicious?
Nobody suspicious come in here.
Not since I got back from supper at least ways.
What was that? 730. Right around in there.
Uh-huh.
Don't think I've had more than a half a dozen customers since suppertime.
Miss Jacobs, her youngsters got the crooks, sold her some cough syrup.
I ought to relieve it some.
Then there was a couple of boys, bought Coke, spread the magazine.
How old were they? 10, 12, dust-shabers.
Uh-huh.
A fellow come in for a carton of cigarettes.
Don't know his name, but he lives around here somewhere.
Been in a half a dozen times before.
Don't recall anybody else.
Well, how about out on the street?
Did anybody walk by or hang around who doesn't belong in the neighborhood?
How the heck would I know?
You can't even see the street from in here when it gets dark.
Yes, sir. Black as pitch out there.
Been after them for the last five years to put up a street lamp.
Been begging them. What did they do?
Just raise my taxes and spend the money on freeways and gadgets
so as more strangers will come flooding in on us.
Whole darn shooting could have took place right there on my sidewalk.
I wouldn't have been able to see it.
Yes, sir. Well, thanks anyway.
I say, wait a minute.
Come to think of it, I did spot a couple of fellas.
Acted kind of funny, too, like they didn't want me to see them.
You know what I mean? I think so.
It was then when I was walking home to supper.
No, no, it was when I was on my way back.
That'll be about 7.30?
Give or take a couple of minutes.
Well, they were just standing there in the doorway, kind of.
Turned their backs toward me as I walked past them.
Could you describe them for us?
I said they turned their backs. Yes, sir.
Not that it made no never mind.
It's darn dark out there. I couldn't describe them
if they'd been coming at me head on.
You got any idea how tall they were?
Medium height, I guess. How were they dressed?
Didn't notice. Except for one of them.
Yes, sir. Jacket he was wearing. Notice that.
Remember thinking it was so loud you could see it in the dark.
Kind of plaid. You know, big crisscrosses?
What color was it? Must have been light.
Some kind of light color. Tan, maybe with green in it. Not sure.
Now, is there anything else you can tell us about these two men?
I think I've done pretty good to give you that much.
Yes, sir, you have. Thank you.
I'm not saying they had anything to do with shooting C. Sevensdale.
You understand? Yeah, we understand.
It's up to you to find out who did it and bring them to justice.
Yes, sir.
Don't know what's getting into this town.
Man ain't safe in his own store.
More crime all the time. More criminals.
Wasn't like this 25 years ago. Maybe not.
Why should there be more now?
Well, you gave us the reason.
More people.
11.36 p.m. We went back to the liquor store.
The body had been moved to the county morgue.
J. Allen told us that he and his crew had searched the walls, the floor, the furniture.
There was no physical evidence and still no trace of the slug that had killed C. Sevensdale.
The next morning, February 17th, we again returned to the neighborhood
and questioned shopkeepers in the vicinity.
None of them had any leads.
12.05 p.m. We went back to the office.
Well, I guess you were right, Joe.
What about?
Faye, when I got home last night, she was expecting candy or flowers or something.
I thought she told you not to buy her anything.
Yeah, but that didn't keep her from being disappointed when she didn't get anything.
Oh, what'd she say?
She didn't say. She just looked.
I got it.
Homicide, Faye.
Is this right?
No, we're on that.
When?
Let me see.
My tie in? Yeah.
Give me the address.
Okay, right. Thank you.
The office just got a report from a clinic out on Wilshire.
A man came in to see him this morning.
Had a.38 slug in his chest.
We drove out to a small medical center a few blocks west of Vermont Avenue
and we went into the offices of Dr. J.Y. Springer.
Good afternoon, gentlemen.
Afternoon. Dr. Springer in?
Do you have an appointment?
With police officers.
Oh.
Is the doctor busy?
Well, he does have a patient with him right now.
I see. We'll wait.
I'll tell him you're here. I'm sure it won't be long.
Thank you.
Might as well sit down.
Yeah.
You think we're on the right track, Joe?
I don't know.
That slug isn't in the liquor store, that's for sure.
J. says there isn't a mark on the walls.
Yeah.
Sure had to hit something.
Or somebody.
Yeah.
You want a magazine?
No, no thanks.
That's funny.
What?
There's a brand new issue.
See right here?
February.
New magazine in the doctor's office.
Mm-hmm.
Oh.
What's the matter?
There's a medical journal.
The doctor will see you now.
Thank you.
In here.
Thank you.
Dr. Springer?
That's right.
Police officers.
This is Frank Smith. My name's Friday.
How do you do?
How do you do, sir?
What can I do for you, gentlemen?
Well, I understand you took a bullet out of a man's chest this morning.
Oh, that.
Mind telling us about it?
No, no, not a bit.
Young man came into the office.
Must have been around 10 o'clock.
Yes, sir.
He told me that he and a friend had been looking at some guns last night.
One of them went off accidentally.
I examined the wound. It was quite superficial.
The bullet had barely penetrated the skin.
Mm-hmm.
I removed it, put on a bandage.
That's all there was to it.
I see.
Very superficial.
Didn't even need instruments.
He could have squeezed it out himself if he tried.
Was he a regular patient of yours, doctor?
No.
No, I'd never seen him before.
He said he was just passing through L.A.
Were you describing him for us?
Well, he was in his late teens or early 20s.
Dark hair, stocky, weighed about 170, I'd judge.
How tall?
5'7", 5'8".
Any distinguishing marks or scars that you recall?
No, nothing like that.
How was he dressed?
Slacks, sports shirt, loud jacket.
Loud?
Yes, a plaid of some sort, green and brown.
The shirt was open at the collar, no tag.
When you called in, you reported that his name was Clyde Beaton?
That's right.
You think it might be his real name, doctor?
I'm sure of it.
Oh?
You have to be very careful whenever you treat a bullet wound.
I always ask for identification.
Yes, that's a good idea.
The young fellow was a little embarrassed at first.
He didn't have any.
No driver's license?
He was in his other suit.
I told him he'd have to stay here until I could contact the police.
What did he do then?
He fished through his pockets, found a letter he'd recently received.
I took the name from the envelope, Clyde Beaton.
Seems sufficient identification under the circumstances.
Did you get Beaton's address?
He said he was staying at the Crown Prince Hotel on Sunset.
That what the letter said?
I'm afraid I don't remember.
It was the name I was chiefly interested in.
I understand.
Did you keep the slug, doctor?
Hmm?
The bullet that took out of his chest?
No, I'm afraid not.
He wanted it for a souvenir.
The report said it was a.38.
That's right,.38 caliber.
You're sure of that?
I've handled guns all my life.
It's a hobby.
I see.
Is this a serious matter, Sergeant?
I'm afraid we don't know yet.
The wound was very superficial.
Yes, sir.
I remember telling him how lucky he was if the bullet hadn't gone in deeper.
Now he could have been luckier.
How's that?
It hadn't hit him at all.
We drove over to the Crown Prince Hotel.
They told us that no one by the name of Clyde Beaton had been registered during the past month.
They also told us that they had no guests who answered the suspect's description.
We checked the name through R&I.
They had nothing on them.
We also checked the telephone books, city directors.
We came up with two Clyde Beatons.
The first one was an elderly man who lived on Highland Avenue.
We interviewed him and learned that he suffered from arthritis and had been bedridden for the past two years.
He had no living relatives except for a daughter who kept house for him.
The second Clyde Beaton lived on Washington Boulevard.
We drove out to the address.
It was a two-story brick and stucco apartment house.
Yes?
Is Mr. Beaton in?
No, he isn't.
You know where we can find him?
What for?
With police officers.
What?
Miss Frank Smith, my name's Friday.
Are you Mrs. Beaton?
Yes.
Mrs. Clyde Beaton?
That's right.
Could you tell us where your husband is, please?
Well, he's not here.
Yes, ma'am, where is he?
Chicago.
Oh.
He's been there since last Friday.
You sure of that?
What's this all about?
Police business.
Do you mind if we come in for a minute?
No, I guess not.
We can't talk very loud.
The baby's asleep.
Yes, ma'am.
You say your husband's in Chicago.
Since last Friday.
Business trip?
Well, in a way.
He's a plastic salesman.
Company's having a convention.
I see.
He did a bigger gross last year than any other West Coast representative, and that's why
they picked him to go.
It's quite an honor.
It's only been with him a couple of years, practically the youngest man in the force.
Yes, ma'am.
He even had a dinner last night.
Gave him a plaque.
Last night?
He called me afterwards.
Long distance.
From Chicago.
Don't you believe me?
Yes, ma'am.
Does your husband have a gun, Miss Beaton?
Why?
A pistol or a revolver.
Well, I...
Does he, Miss Beaton?
Yes, he has a gun.
Do you take it with him?
No, of course not.
Why would he take a gun to Chicago?
Would you get it for us, please?
It's in the bedroom.
Bureau drawer, the baby's there.
We'd like to see it, Miss Beaton.
All right.
Well, the convention in Chicago should be easy to check.
Yeah, too easy.
Mm-hmm.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, too easy.
Mm-hmm.
I don't think that was setting up an alibi.
He'd pick something tougher to crack, wouldn't he?
You think we've struck out?
Could be.
Ah...
I'm sorry.
Well, the gun isn't there.
No.
I looked all through the bureau.
I don't know what could have happened to it.
Well, maybe your husband did take it with him.
I packed all his things he couldn't have.
Well, we've always kept it in the top drawer where it'd be handy.
Mm-hmm.
You know where your husband's staying, Miss Beaton?
Waterfield Hotel I've never been in Chicago but it's right downtown some place
what's the name of the company works for Federated Plastics can't you tell me why
you're asking all these questions we just like to get in touch with them what about
you have
a picture we can take with us of Clyde yes but I suppose so but I'd like to know why
if he had any trouble not if he's been in Chicago for the last few days of course
that's where he's been I talked to him just last night we have the picture now see
right and find a couple of snapshots in the desk with that beer I guess ma'am be
fine when your husband do back day after tomorrow he's fine.
I don't know which flight to the city so many programs.
Took it last summer and have the occasion of Yellowstone my brother Tim's in it to
let me get. That's right sitting on the rock. We took
a picture with us and we stopped by Dr Springer's clinic his nurse told us he was
operating at St Thomas hospital said she'd call as soon as he was free. We went back
to the office we sent a teletype to the Chicago PD requesting information about
Clyde Beaton supposedly registered at the Waterfield Hotel. Two hours later at
five forty three PM Chicago reported that a man answering Beaton's description and
using his name was staying at the Waterfield they also confirmed the fact that
he'd attended a convention dinner the previous evening sure comes up looking good
sure that we take him out well I better talk to him when he gets back in town.
I'm a side Friday. How long we be there.
I see what you have to know a place. Right away. Thank you.
Doctors back in his office you still want to show him this picture so far it looks
like we're on a percent wrong man can't get me worse.
We drove out to Dr Springer's office and we showed him the snapshot of Clyde
Beaton. That's him you sure don't no doubt about it that's a young man I treated
this morning his wife says he's in Chicago. That's ridiculous absolutely ridiculous
he does put your description even the coat coat. Well yes there is not the one you
told us he was wearing see there plan but he isn't where. Oh I see what you mean
what the other chap in the picture yes I believe that is the same code but it'll
follow you Dr this is the young man who had the bullet in his chest the one standing
up wearing the leather jacket but when he came to see me this morning yes he had on
this other man's coat. Dr Springer was positive in his identification of Mrs
Beaton's brother seven twenty eight p.m. We again interview Mrs Beaton. Oh you
again. What do you want now just a couple more questions you got me so nervous
before I just didn't know what to do I had to telephone Clyde all the way to
Chicago make sure he was all right we're sorry about that man it cost us a
fortunate phone bill he said the police back they had been bothering him to we
couldn't imagine why we don't want to cause you any trouble that doesn't help
any you take another look at this picture Miss Beaton. Yes ma'am. You said that the
other man was your brother is that right what about him what's his name. His last
name like him to mark him or not as the coat that your husband's wearing in the
picture belong to him or to your brother. Of course he's wearing it is
it in the house now no I don't know where it is cleaners I guess I was in here when
I packed my bag last week your brother live in L.A. Yeah well he lived with us
until a few weeks ago and then he and a friend of his took an apartment over on
Bellwood Avenue you know the number two sixty one where what's his friend's name
with the dressing him with the cards together. Why Tim came to California to
go to school our folks live back in South Dakota I see did right the first
couple of years but something happened last semester he just sort of lost interest
and quit school both him and Bill got jobs and ran at this apartment I guess
you're making good money it's a very nice place you know. It isn't him is it
now for the reason you've been coming back and forth here all day we don't know
yet anything happened it'll be my fault I'm supposed to be responsible for Tim
while he's in California but the folks don't know he isn't going to school
anymore they think he's still in with us baby the family just turned twenty one
but I'd wait until mom and dad realized he's a grown man then I tell me on his
own but I'd wait till then maybe you waited too long.
Nine fifteen PM we went over to the Bellwood address Mrs Beaton had given us
we found a card in one of the doors with the names beaten and dressing him on it.
Open up. I'd get chance to get the wall police officers move.
All right he's not happy to I want to name him like I'm but in your shirt for
a floor your shirt on but yes. But you get the bandage I fell down come on where
you get it all down I said see it I know I know it isn't serious it's getting
better didn't see a doctor no we've got one we'd like you to see what are you
talking about Dr Springer. I guess so well we were just horsing around
a bill and make fun with the gun was bill so I live with going in gun went off well
it caught me in the chest that's all where's the gun what difference does it
make where is it closet are you stay put I'll say.
Where were you last night with time all of it here all evening yes I don't know.
38 on this to. This your coat locker no whose is it rather than once who's the
gun belong to him they give it to you far the code to did yeah but where you last
night I said before right here. And over on Pico lately no sure I'm sure this coat
was on what you mean I come on so you might as well tell us and you want we got
a shell casing yeah from a 38 we found it in the liquor store last night so you
know when it was killed. Lots of thirty eights around be really easy to check
your gun against the case you may find. Well.
Come on like. You'll find out anyway I tell us I was there
Devondale liquor store yeah me and Bill we was going to hold up the joint that's
all just hold them up. Bill had the gun I didn't have nothing to do with that part
he was holding the gun in the old geezer and I went around behind to get at the
cash register. Something happened I don't know why maybe Bill was squeezing too
hard in the trigger maybe got scared I don't know you know. Gun went off guy
fell down same time I knew I felt a little pain here in my chest well it must
have gone through him and hit me yeah Bill got all panicky turned around and
started running I stuck right on his heels where's Bill down far down the street
went out for a beer carrying a gun no sir this is the only one we got all right
let's go. You understand that I didn't have nothing to do with the shoot you
understand that don't you it was Bill to pull the trigger I didn't have nothing to
do with I wasn't even involved. Now we don't see it that way huh you ended up
with a slug.
The story you just heard is true the names were changed to protect the innocent
on June 14th trial was held in Department 93 Superior Court of the state of
California in and for the county of Los Angeles. William Seton dressing ham and
Timothy Wilkes Larkin were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree
the jury returned a recommendation of leniency and the suspects are now
serving life terms at the state penitentiary San Quentin California
dragnet the story of your police force in action is a presentation of the United
States Armed Forces radio service.