1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Bragment. 2 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:11,000 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 3 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,000 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 4 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:26,000 You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned the homicide detail. 5 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,000 You've just completed an investigation on an East Los Angeles murder case. 6 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:33,000 You get a hot shot call. A shooting at a liquor store on Pico Boulevard. 7 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,000 Your job? Check it out. 8 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:45,000 Bragment. The documented drama of an actual crime. 9 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:49,000 For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, 10 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:53,000 you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case 11 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:56,000 transcribed from official police files. 12 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:59,000 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, 13 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:03,000 Bragment is the story of your police force in action. 14 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:10,000 It was Wednesday, February 16th. It was cool in Los Angeles. 15 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,000 We were working the day watch out of Homicide Division. 16 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,000 My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Norman. 17 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:17,000 My name is Friday. We were on our way back from the interrogation room 18 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,000 and it was 8.46 p.m. when we got to room 42. 19 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:23,000 Homicide. 20 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,000 You think he'll cop, huh? I don't know. Probably won't make much difference anyway. 21 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:30,000 Yeah. Mel keeping the gun, that was his big mistake. 22 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,000 Yeah. I wonder why she gave him the chance. 23 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,000 What do you mean? Well, he'd beaten her a couple of times before. 24 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,000 And neighbors all said so. Yeah. 25 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:38,000 You'd think she'd have walked out on him. 26 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,000 Maybe that's what she was trying to do. 27 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,000 Well, she should have tried sooner. 28 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,000 You got any plans for dinner? No, not especially. Why? 29 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:47,000 Well, I guess I'll grab a bite with you. 30 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,000 If they said she's not gonna want any dinner, she'll fix something for the kids 31 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,000 and tell me to eat downtown. 32 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,000 That's a switch, isn't it? Sure is. 33 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,000 To tell you the truth, Joe, she's kind of sore at me. 34 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:58,000 This is her way of getting even. Is that so? 35 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,000 Yeah. A woman expects a man to remember everything. 36 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:03,000 Let him slip up just once, it's the end of the world. 37 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,000 Is that right? Birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, 38 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:08,000 Christmas, Lincoln's birth, everything. 39 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,000 What'd you forget this time? Valentine's Day. 40 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:15,000 Oh, yeah. Well, I knew there was something eating her when I got home that night. 41 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:18,000 She didn't say a word until the next morning. 42 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:23,000 Then she hands me a tie, stripes like that brown and red one from last Christmas, 43 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,000 only this one is maroon and gray. Yeah. 44 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,000 Said she didn't want to give it to me on Valentine's Day 45 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,000 because she knew how embarrassed I'd be. 46 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,000 You know, on account of not having a present for her. 47 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,000 Well, why don't you get her some flowers or some candy to make up for it? 48 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,000 She told me not to, Joe. 49 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:41,000 Said she didn't want anything unless I thought of it myself and on the right day. 50 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:43,000 See, you don't understand women, Joe. 51 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,000 You can't make up for a mistake. They won't let you. 52 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,000 Watch out, I got it. 53 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,000 For us? Liquor store out in Pico. Yeah. 54 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:54,000 Dead body. 55 00:02:54,000 --> 00:03:01,000 We drove out to the Evendale Liquor Store on West Pico Boulevard. 56 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,000 The owner, Cecil Evendale, was lying on the floor behind the counter. 57 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,000 He'd been shot to the chest and was already dead when the body was discovered. 58 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:11,000 A team from robbery detail and Sergeant J. Allen and a crew from the crime lab 59 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,000 arrived a few minutes after we did. 60 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:17,000 They began their investigation and we talked to the patrol car officers who found Evendale's body. 61 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:23,000 We were just cruising by and we saw the front door standing wide open. 62 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,000 No sign of Evendale, so we thought maybe we ought to look around. Yeah. 63 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:30,000 Came inside, gave the place a once-over, spotted him just like he is now. 64 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,000 You're sure he's the man who owned the store, huh? 65 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:33,000 Oh, yeah, that's Evendale, all right. 66 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,000 He's had trouble before. How's that? 67 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,000 Couple of boys held him up, must be about a month ago now. 68 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,000 We answered the call. I see. 69 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:42,000 They picked up the same night. Evendale had their license number. 70 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,000 You got a conviction? First degree robbery. 71 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,000 Well, it can't be them if they're in the joint. 72 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,000 I'll check on it, John. Right. 73 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,000 There was another holdup that didn't get away with much. Oh? 74 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:53,000 Cash register was open when we came in. 75 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,000 Still full, $50, $75. That's my guess. 76 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,000 Well, maybe something scared them off. 77 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,000 The street was empty, no cars, nobody. 78 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,000 Funny they left all that money just lying there in the drawer. 79 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,000 That's not the only funny thing around here. 80 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:07,000 Who you got, Jay? Found the casing. Take a look. 81 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:08,000 It's 38, huh? Yeah. 82 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:12,000 Slug went right through him in his chest out the back, right through, clean as a whistle. 83 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:14,000 Sure got me, Buffalo. What do you mean? 84 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:16,000 The slug. Yeah. 85 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:17,000 Can't find a trace of it. 86 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,000 Frank came back from the telephone with the information that the two men 87 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:27,000 who had previously robbed the Evendale Liquor Store 88 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,000 were now serving their sentences in San Quentin. 89 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,000 While Sergeant Jay Allen and the crew from the crime lab 90 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:35,000 continued to search for the missing slug and any other physical evidence, 91 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,000 we canvassed the area for somebody who might have heard the shooting. 92 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:42,000 9.53 p.m. We found a drug store in the next block that was still open for business. 93 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,000 Fountain's closed. That's what you're after. 94 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:47,000 No, sir, we'd like to talk to you for a minute. 95 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:48,000 Talk? What about? 96 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:50,000 We're police officers. It's Frank Smith. My name's Friday. 97 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,000 Police, huh? That's right. 98 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:56,000 Thought I heard sirens a while back. What's been going on around here? 99 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,000 Well, there was some trouble at the liquor store down the street. 100 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:00,000 C-7, Dale's Place? Yeah. 101 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,000 You shouldn't have let it happen. Thank you, partner. 102 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,000 You're police officers, ain't you? Yes, sir, we are. 103 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,000 He was robbed just a few weeks ago. 104 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,000 You should have figured somebody had tried again. 105 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,000 You should have been watching him, making sure he was all right. 106 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,000 Well, it's a pretty big town, sir. There's a lot to watch. 107 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:16,000 Too big, if you ask me. Why don't they go home? 108 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:17,000 What's that? 109 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,000 All them folks who keep moving to L.A. 110 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:23,000 25 years ago, I come here. Things were a lot different then. 111 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:26,000 Man could drive down the streets, find a place to park his car. 112 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,000 There was room to move around in. Elbow room. 113 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,000 Mm-hmm. More people coming all the time. 114 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:32,000 Getting so crowded, a man can't breathe. 115 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:33,000 Yes, sir. 116 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,000 You see anybody who might have done a shooting? 117 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:37,000 Tonight, you mean? Yes, sir. Anybody suspicious? 118 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,000 Nobody suspicious come in here. 119 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,000 Not since I got back from supper at least ways. 120 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,000 What was that? 730. Right around in there. 121 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:44,000 Uh-huh. 122 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:47,000 Don't think I've had more than a half a dozen customers since suppertime. 123 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:51,000 Miss Jacobs, her youngsters got the crooks, sold her some cough syrup. 124 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,000 I ought to relieve it some. 125 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,000 Then there was a couple of boys, bought Coke, spread the magazine. 126 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 How old were they? 10, 12, dust-shabers. 127 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:00,000 Uh-huh. 128 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,000 A fellow come in for a carton of cigarettes. 129 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,000 Don't know his name, but he lives around here somewhere. 130 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,000 Been in a half a dozen times before. 131 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,000 Don't recall anybody else. 132 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:10,000 Well, how about out on the street? 133 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,000 Did anybody walk by or hang around who doesn't belong in the neighborhood? 134 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,000 How the heck would I know? 135 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:17,000 You can't even see the street from in here when it gets dark. 136 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,000 Yes, sir. Black as pitch out there. 137 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:22,000 Been after them for the last five years to put up a street lamp. 138 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,000 Been begging them. What did they do? 139 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:27,000 Just raise my taxes and spend the money on freeways and gadgets 140 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,000 so as more strangers will come flooding in on us. 141 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,000 Whole darn shooting could have took place right there on my sidewalk. 142 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:34,000 I wouldn't have been able to see it. 143 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,000 Yes, sir. Well, thanks anyway. 144 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,000 I say, wait a minute. 145 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:42,000 Come to think of it, I did spot a couple of fellas. 146 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:45,000 Acted kind of funny, too, like they didn't want me to see them. 147 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,000 You know what I mean? I think so. 148 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,000 It was then when I was walking home to supper. 149 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,000 No, no, it was when I was on my way back. 150 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,000 That'll be about 7.30? 151 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,000 Give or take a couple of minutes. 152 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,000 Well, they were just standing there in the doorway, kind of. 153 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,000 Turned their backs toward me as I walked past them. 154 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,000 Could you describe them for us? 155 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,000 I said they turned their backs. Yes, sir. 156 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,000 Not that it made no never mind. 157 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,000 It's darn dark out there. I couldn't describe them 158 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,000 if they'd been coming at me head on. 159 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,000 You got any idea how tall they were? 160 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,000 Medium height, I guess. How were they dressed? 161 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:16,000 Didn't notice. Except for one of them. 162 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,000 Yes, sir. Jacket he was wearing. Notice that. 163 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,000 Remember thinking it was so loud you could see it in the dark. 164 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:23,000 Kind of plaid. You know, big crisscrosses? 165 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,000 What color was it? Must have been light. 166 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:29,000 Some kind of light color. Tan, maybe with green in it. Not sure. 167 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,000 Now, is there anything else you can tell us about these two men? 168 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:33,000 I think I've done pretty good to give you that much. 169 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,000 Yes, sir, you have. Thank you. 170 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,000 I'm not saying they had anything to do with shooting C. Sevensdale. 171 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:39,000 You understand? Yeah, we understand. 172 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,000 It's up to you to find out who did it and bring them to justice. 173 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:43,000 Yes, sir. 174 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:45,000 Don't know what's getting into this town. 175 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,000 Man ain't safe in his own store. 176 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:50,000 More crime all the time. More criminals. 177 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:53,000 Wasn't like this 25 years ago. Maybe not. 178 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,000 Why should there be more now? 179 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,000 Well, you gave us the reason. 180 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,000 More people. 181 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,000 11.36 p.m. We went back to the liquor store. 182 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:09,000 The body had been moved to the county morgue. 183 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:13,000 J. Allen told us that he and his crew had searched the walls, the floor, the furniture. 184 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:18,000 There was no physical evidence and still no trace of the slug that had killed C. Sevensdale. 185 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,000 The next morning, February 17th, we again returned to the neighborhood 186 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,000 and questioned shopkeepers in the vicinity. 187 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,000 None of them had any leads. 188 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,000 12.05 p.m. We went back to the office. 189 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:33,000 Well, I guess you were right, Joe. 190 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,000 What about? 191 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:38,000 Faye, when I got home last night, she was expecting candy or flowers or something. 192 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,000 I thought she told you not to buy her anything. 193 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:43,000 Yeah, but that didn't keep her from being disappointed when she didn't get anything. 194 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,000 Oh, what'd she say? 195 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,000 She didn't say. She just looked. 196 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:51,000 I got it. 197 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:53,000 Homicide, Faye. 198 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000 Is this right? 199 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,000 No, we're on that. 200 00:08:57,000 --> 00:09:00,000 When? 201 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,000 Let me see. 202 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,000 My tie in? Yeah. 203 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,000 Give me the address. 204 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:12,000 Okay, right. Thank you. 205 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,000 The office just got a report from a clinic out on Wilshire. 206 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,000 A man came in to see him this morning. 207 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,000 Had a.38 slug in his chest. 208 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,000 We drove out to a small medical center a few blocks west of Vermont Avenue 209 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:28,000 and we went into the offices of Dr. J.Y. Springer. 210 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,000 Good afternoon, gentlemen. 211 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:33,000 Afternoon. Dr. Springer in? 212 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:34,000 Do you have an appointment? 213 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:35,000 With police officers. 214 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:36,000 Oh. 215 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,000 Is the doctor busy? 216 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,000 Well, he does have a patient with him right now. 217 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:41,000 I see. We'll wait. 218 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,000 I'll tell him you're here. I'm sure it won't be long. 219 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:46,000 Thank you. 220 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:47,000 Might as well sit down. 221 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,000 Yeah. 222 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,000 You think we're on the right track, Joe? 223 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,000 I don't know. 224 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:56,000 That slug isn't in the liquor store, that's for sure. 225 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,000 J. says there isn't a mark on the walls. 226 00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,000 Yeah. 227 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:00,000 Sure had to hit something. 228 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,000 Or somebody. 229 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:03,000 Yeah. 230 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:04,000 You want a magazine? 231 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:06,000 No, no thanks. 232 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:10,000 That's funny. 233 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:11,000 What? 234 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:12,000 There's a brand new issue. 235 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:13,000 See right here? 236 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,000 February. 237 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,000 New magazine in the doctor's office. 238 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,000 Mm-hmm. 239 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:19,000 Oh. 240 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,000 What's the matter? 241 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,000 There's a medical journal. 242 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:24,000 The doctor will see you now. 243 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,000 Thank you. 244 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,000 In here. 245 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:30,000 Thank you. 246 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:31,000 Dr. Springer? 247 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:32,000 That's right. 248 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:33,000 Police officers. 249 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:34,000 This is Frank Smith. My name's Friday. 250 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:35,000 How do you do? 251 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:36,000 How do you do, sir? 252 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,000 What can I do for you, gentlemen? 253 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,000 Well, I understand you took a bullet out of a man's chest this morning. 254 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,000 Oh, that. 255 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:42,000 Mind telling us about it? 256 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,000 No, no, not a bit. 257 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:44,000 Young man came into the office. 258 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,000 Must have been around 10 o'clock. 259 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:46,000 Yes, sir. 260 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,000 He told me that he and a friend had been looking at some guns last night. 261 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,000 One of them went off accidentally. 262 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,000 I examined the wound. It was quite superficial. 263 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,000 The bullet had barely penetrated the skin. 264 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:56,000 Mm-hmm. 265 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,000 I removed it, put on a bandage. 266 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:58,000 That's all there was to it. 267 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,000 I see. 268 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,000 Very superficial. 269 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,000 Didn't even need instruments. 270 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,000 He could have squeezed it out himself if he tried. 271 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:05,000 Was he a regular patient of yours, doctor? 272 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:06,000 No. 273 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:07,000 No, I'd never seen him before. 274 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,000 He said he was just passing through L.A. 275 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,000 Were you describing him for us? 276 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:14,000 Well, he was in his late teens or early 20s. 277 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:17,000 Dark hair, stocky, weighed about 170, I'd judge. 278 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:18,000 How tall? 279 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,000 5'7", 5'8". 280 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,000 Any distinguishing marks or scars that you recall? 281 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,000 No, nothing like that. 282 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,000 How was he dressed? 283 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,000 Slacks, sports shirt, loud jacket. 284 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,000 Loud? 285 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:31,000 Yes, a plaid of some sort, green and brown. 286 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,000 The shirt was open at the collar, no tag. 287 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:37,000 When you called in, you reported that his name was Clyde Beaton? 288 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:38,000 That's right. 289 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,000 You think it might be his real name, doctor? 290 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,000 I'm sure of it. 291 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:41,000 Oh? 292 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,000 You have to be very careful whenever you treat a bullet wound. 293 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,000 I always ask for identification. 294 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:45,000 Yes, that's a good idea. 295 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,000 The young fellow was a little embarrassed at first. 296 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:48,000 He didn't have any. 297 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,000 No driver's license? 298 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:51,000 He was in his other suit. 299 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:53,000 I told him he'd have to stay here until I could contact the police. 300 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:54,000 What did he do then? 301 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:57,000 He fished through his pockets, found a letter he'd recently received. 302 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,000 I took the name from the envelope, Clyde Beaton. 303 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,000 Seems sufficient identification under the circumstances. 304 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:03,000 Did you get Beaton's address? 305 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,000 He said he was staying at the Crown Prince Hotel on Sunset. 306 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,000 That what the letter said? 307 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,000 I'm afraid I don't remember. 308 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:11,000 It was the name I was chiefly interested in. 309 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:12,000 I understand. 310 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:13,000 Did you keep the slug, doctor? 311 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:14,000 Hmm? 312 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,000 The bullet that took out of his chest? 313 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:16,000 No, I'm afraid not. 314 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:17,000 He wanted it for a souvenir. 315 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,000 The report said it was a.38. 316 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:20,000 That's right,.38 caliber. 317 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:21,000 You're sure of that? 318 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,000 I've handled guns all my life. 319 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:23,000 It's a hobby. 320 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:24,000 I see. 321 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,000 Is this a serious matter, Sergeant? 322 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:26,000 I'm afraid we don't know yet. 323 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,000 The wound was very superficial. 324 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:29,000 Yes, sir. 325 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:32,000 I remember telling him how lucky he was if the bullet hadn't gone in deeper. 326 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,000 Now he could have been luckier. 327 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:35,000 How's that? 328 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:36,000 It hadn't hit him at all. 329 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:46,000 We drove over to the Crown Prince Hotel. 330 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:50,000 They told us that no one by the name of Clyde Beaton had been registered during the past month. 331 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:53,000 They also told us that they had no guests who answered the suspect's description. 332 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,000 We checked the name through R&I. 333 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:56,000 They had nothing on them. 334 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,000 We also checked the telephone books, city directors. 335 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,000 We came up with two Clyde Beatons. 336 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:03,000 The first one was an elderly man who lived on Highland Avenue. 337 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:07,000 We interviewed him and learned that he suffered from arthritis and had been bedridden for the past two years. 338 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:11,000 He had no living relatives except for a daughter who kept house for him. 339 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,000 The second Clyde Beaton lived on Washington Boulevard. 340 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,000 We drove out to the address. 341 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:25,000 It was a two-story brick and stucco apartment house. 342 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:26,000 Yes? 343 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:27,000 Is Mr. Beaton in? 344 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:28,000 No, he isn't. 345 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,000 You know where we can find him? 346 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,000 What for? 347 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,000 With police officers. 348 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:32,000 What? 349 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,000 Miss Frank Smith, my name's Friday. 350 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,000 Are you Mrs. Beaton? 351 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:35,000 Yes. 352 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,000 Mrs. Clyde Beaton? 353 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:37,000 That's right. 354 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,000 Could you tell us where your husband is, please? 355 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,000 Well, he's not here. 356 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,000 Yes, ma'am, where is he? 357 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,000 Chicago. 358 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:42,000 Oh. 359 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,000 He's been there since last Friday. 360 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:44,000 You sure of that? 361 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,000 What's this all about? 362 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:46,000 Police business. 363 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:47,000 Do you mind if we come in for a minute? 364 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,000 No, I guess not. 365 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:49,000 We can't talk very loud. 366 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:50,000 The baby's asleep. 367 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,000 Yes, ma'am. 368 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,000 You say your husband's in Chicago. 369 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:53,000 Since last Friday. 370 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:54,000 Business trip? 371 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:55,000 Well, in a way. 372 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:56,000 He's a plastic salesman. 373 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:03,000 Company's having a convention. 374 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:04,000 I see. 375 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:08,000 He did a bigger gross last year than any other West Coast representative, and that's why 376 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,000 they picked him to go. 377 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,000 It's quite an honor. 378 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,000 It's only been with him a couple of years, practically the youngest man in the force. 379 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:14,000 Yes, ma'am. 380 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,000 He even had a dinner last night. 381 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,000 Gave him a plaque. 382 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:17,000 Last night? 383 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:18,000 He called me afterwards. 384 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,000 Long distance. 385 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:20,000 From Chicago. 386 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,000 Don't you believe me? 387 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:22,000 Yes, ma'am. 388 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:23,000 Does your husband have a gun, Miss Beaton? 389 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:24,000 Why? 390 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,000 A pistol or a revolver. 391 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:28,000 Well, I... 392 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,000 Does he, Miss Beaton? 393 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,000 Yes, he has a gun. 394 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:31,000 Do you take it with him? 395 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,000 No, of course not. 396 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:33,000 Why would he take a gun to Chicago? 397 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:34,000 Would you get it for us, please? 398 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:35,000 It's in the bedroom. 399 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:36,000 Bureau drawer, the baby's there. 400 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:37,000 We'd like to see it, Miss Beaton. 401 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:38,000 All right. 402 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:39,000 Well, the convention in Chicago should be easy to check. 403 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:40,000 Yeah, too easy. 404 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:41,000 Mm-hmm. 405 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:42,000 I'm sorry. 406 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:43,000 I'm sorry. 407 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:44,000 I'm sorry. 408 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:45,000 I'm sorry. 409 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,000 I'm sorry. 410 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:47,000 I'm sorry. 411 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:48,000 I'm sorry. 412 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,000 I'm sorry. 413 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,000 I'm sorry. 414 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:51,000 I'm sorry. 415 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,000 I'm sorry. 416 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,000 I'm sorry. 417 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:54,000 I'm sorry. 418 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:55,000 I'm sorry. 419 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:56,000 Yeah, too easy. 420 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:57,000 Mm-hmm. 421 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:58,000 I don't think that was setting up an alibi. 422 00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:59,000 He'd pick something tougher to crack, wouldn't he? 423 00:14:59,000 --> 00:14:59,980 You think we've struck out? 424 00:14:59,980 --> 00:15:03,380 Could be. 425 00:15:03,380 --> 00:15:04,720 Ah... 426 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:06,320 I'm sorry. 427 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:08,160 Well, the gun isn't there. 428 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:09,160 No. 429 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:10,360 I looked all through the bureau. 430 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,160 I don't know what could have happened to it. 431 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,160 Well, maybe your husband did take it with him. 432 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:16,440 I packed all his things he couldn't have. 433 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:19,800 Well, we've always kept it in the top drawer where it'd be handy. 434 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:20,800 Mm-hmm. 435 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:22,460 You know where your husband's staying, Miss Beaton? 436 00:15:22,460 --> 00:15:25,900 Waterfield Hotel I've never been in Chicago but it's right downtown some place 437 00:15:26,340 --> 00:15:30,880 what's the name of the company works for Federated Plastics can't you tell me why 438 00:15:30,900 --> 00:15:34,140 you're asking all these questions we just like to get in touch with them what about 439 00:15:34,620 --> 00:15:34,820 you have 440 00:15:34,820 --> 00:15:40,340 a picture we can take with us of Clyde yes but I suppose so but I'd like to know why 441 00:15:41,540 --> 00:15:45,020 if he had any trouble not if he's been in Chicago for the last few days of course 442 00:15:45,020 --> 00:15:50,380 that's where he's been I talked to him just last night we have the picture now see 443 00:15:50,380 --> 00:15:55,100 right and find a couple of snapshots in the desk with that beer I guess ma'am be 444 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:59,860 fine when your husband do back day after tomorrow he's fine. 445 00:16:01,620 --> 00:16:03,940 I don't know which flight to the city so many programs. 446 00:16:07,260 --> 00:16:11,540 Took it last summer and have the occasion of Yellowstone my brother Tim's in it to 447 00:16:11,540 --> 00:16:23,100 let me get. That's right sitting on the rock. We took 448 00:16:23,100 --> 00:16:26,860 a picture with us and we stopped by Dr Springer's clinic his nurse told us he was 449 00:16:26,860 --> 00:16:32,580 operating at St Thomas hospital said she'd call as soon as he was free. We went back 450 00:16:32,580 --> 00:16:36,260 to the office we sent a teletype to the Chicago PD requesting information about 451 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:40,980 Clyde Beaton supposedly registered at the Waterfield Hotel. Two hours later at 452 00:16:40,980 --> 00:16:44,800 five forty three PM Chicago reported that a man answering Beaton's description and 453 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:48,800 using his name was staying at the Waterfield they also confirmed the fact that 454 00:16:48,820 --> 00:16:52,400 he'd attended a convention dinner the previous evening sure comes up looking good 455 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:56,360 sure that we take him out well I better talk to him when he gets back in town. 456 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:05,080 I'm a side Friday. How long we be there. 457 00:17:05,080 --> 00:17:11,840 I see what you have to know a place. Right away. Thank you. 458 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:17,040 Doctors back in his office you still want to show him this picture so far it looks 459 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,760 like we're on a percent wrong man can't get me worse. 460 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:27,360 We drove out to Dr Springer's office and we showed him the snapshot of Clyde 461 00:17:27,360 --> 00:17:32,640 Beaton. That's him you sure don't no doubt about it that's a young man I treated 462 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:37,600 this morning his wife says he's in Chicago. That's ridiculous absolutely ridiculous 463 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:42,960 he does put your description even the coat coat. Well yes there is not the one you 464 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:48,080 told us he was wearing see there plan but he isn't where. Oh I see what you mean 465 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,160 what the other chap in the picture yes I believe that is the same code but it'll 466 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:56,240 follow you Dr this is the young man who had the bullet in his chest the one standing 467 00:17:56,240 --> 00:18:00,120 up wearing the leather jacket but when he came to see me this morning yes he had on 468 00:18:00,120 --> 00:18:08,720 this other man's coat. Dr Springer was positive in his identification of Mrs 469 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:14,920 Beaton's brother seven twenty eight p.m. We again interview Mrs Beaton. Oh you 470 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:21,000 again. What do you want now just a couple more questions you got me so nervous 471 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:25,160 before I just didn't know what to do I had to telephone Clyde all the way to 472 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:29,480 Chicago make sure he was all right we're sorry about that man it cost us a 473 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:33,600 fortunate phone bill he said the police back they had been bothering him to we 474 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:37,000 couldn't imagine why we don't want to cause you any trouble that doesn't help 475 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:43,440 any you take another look at this picture Miss Beaton. Yes ma'am. You said that the 476 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:49,280 other man was your brother is that right what about him what's his name. His last 477 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:54,280 name like him to mark him or not as the coat that your husband's wearing in the 478 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:59,440 picture belong to him or to your brother. Of course he's wearing it is 479 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:03,700 it in the house now no I don't know where it is cleaners I guess I was in here when 480 00:19:03,700 --> 00:19:08,880 I packed my bag last week your brother live in L.A. Yeah well he lived with us 481 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:12,880 until a few weeks ago and then he and a friend of his took an apartment over on 482 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:17,360 Bellwood Avenue you know the number two sixty one where what's his friend's name 483 00:19:18,120 --> 00:19:23,640 with the dressing him with the cards together. Why Tim came to California to 484 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:28,340 go to school our folks live back in South Dakota I see did right the first 485 00:19:28,340 --> 00:19:32,420 couple of years but something happened last semester he just sort of lost interest 486 00:19:32,420 --> 00:19:37,660 and quit school both him and Bill got jobs and ran at this apartment I guess 487 00:19:37,660 --> 00:19:42,420 you're making good money it's a very nice place you know. It isn't him is it 488 00:19:42,860 --> 00:19:46,700 now for the reason you've been coming back and forth here all day we don't know 489 00:19:46,700 --> 00:19:51,700 yet anything happened it'll be my fault I'm supposed to be responsible for Tim 490 00:19:51,700 --> 00:19:54,420 while he's in California but the folks don't know he isn't going to school 491 00:19:54,420 --> 00:20:00,060 anymore they think he's still in with us baby the family just turned twenty one 492 00:20:00,660 --> 00:20:04,940 but I'd wait until mom and dad realized he's a grown man then I tell me on his 493 00:20:04,940 --> 00:20:08,460 own but I'd wait till then maybe you waited too long. 494 00:20:14,780 --> 00:20:18,300 Nine fifteen PM we went over to the Bellwood address Mrs Beaton had given us 495 00:20:18,300 --> 00:20:24,300 we found a card in one of the doors with the names beaten and dressing him on it. 496 00:20:28,300 --> 00:20:35,300 Open up. I'd get chance to get the wall police officers move. 497 00:20:39,300 --> 00:20:44,300 All right he's not happy to I want to name him like I'm but in your shirt for 498 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:53,140 a floor your shirt on but yes. But you get the bandage I fell down come on where 499 00:20:53,140 --> 00:20:58,340 you get it all down I said see it I know I know it isn't serious it's getting 500 00:20:58,340 --> 00:21:02,500 better didn't see a doctor no we've got one we'd like you to see what are you 501 00:21:02,500 --> 00:21:11,340 talking about Dr Springer. I guess so well we were just horsing around 502 00:21:11,340 --> 00:21:16,900 a bill and make fun with the gun was bill so I live with going in gun went off well 503 00:21:16,900 --> 00:21:21,060 it caught me in the chest that's all where's the gun what difference does it 504 00:21:21,060 --> 00:21:24,020 make where is it closet are you stay put I'll say. 505 00:21:27,460 --> 00:21:33,500 Where were you last night with time all of it here all evening yes I don't know. 506 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:42,220 38 on this to. This your coat locker no whose is it rather than once who's the 507 00:21:42,220 --> 00:21:48,420 gun belong to him they give it to you far the code to did yeah but where you last 508 00:21:48,420 --> 00:21:56,060 night I said before right here. And over on Pico lately no sure I'm sure this coat 509 00:21:56,060 --> 00:22:02,140 was on what you mean I come on so you might as well tell us and you want we got 510 00:22:02,140 --> 00:22:08,180 a shell casing yeah from a 38 we found it in the liquor store last night so you 511 00:22:08,180 --> 00:22:15,380 know when it was killed. Lots of thirty eights around be really easy to check 512 00:22:15,380 --> 00:22:21,540 your gun against the case you may find. Well. 513 00:22:24,540 --> 00:22:30,100 Come on like. You'll find out anyway I tell us I was there 514 00:22:30,100 --> 00:22:33,940 Devondale liquor store yeah me and Bill we was going to hold up the joint that's 515 00:22:33,940 --> 00:22:38,460 all just hold them up. Bill had the gun I didn't have nothing to do with that part 516 00:22:38,860 --> 00:22:41,740 he was holding the gun in the old geezer and I went around behind to get at the 517 00:22:41,740 --> 00:22:48,340 cash register. Something happened I don't know why maybe Bill was squeezing too 518 00:22:48,340 --> 00:22:53,740 hard in the trigger maybe got scared I don't know you know. Gun went off guy 519 00:22:53,740 --> 00:22:59,340 fell down same time I knew I felt a little pain here in my chest well it must 520 00:22:59,340 --> 00:23:04,860 have gone through him and hit me yeah Bill got all panicky turned around and 521 00:23:04,860 --> 00:23:10,660 started running I stuck right on his heels where's Bill down far down the street 522 00:23:11,420 --> 00:23:17,740 went out for a beer carrying a gun no sir this is the only one we got all right 523 00:23:18,100 --> 00:23:24,060 let's go. You understand that I didn't have nothing to do with the shoot you 524 00:23:24,060 --> 00:23:29,140 understand that don't you it was Bill to pull the trigger I didn't have nothing to 525 00:23:29,140 --> 00:23:35,820 do with I wasn't even involved. Now we don't see it that way huh you ended up 526 00:23:35,820 --> 00:23:36,420 with a slug. 527 00:23:44,420 --> 00:23:49,020 The story you just heard is true the names were changed to protect the innocent 528 00:23:49,420 --> 00:23:54,220 on June 14th trial was held in Department 93 Superior Court of the state of 529 00:23:54,220 --> 00:24:07,140 California in and for the county of Los Angeles. William Seton dressing ham and 530 00:24:07,140 --> 00:24:10,940 Timothy Wilkes Larkin were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree 531 00:24:11,420 --> 00:24:15,340 the jury returned a recommendation of leniency and the suspects are now 532 00:24:15,340 --> 00:24:19,140 serving life terms at the state penitentiary San Quentin California 533 00:24:19,140 --> 00:24:24,300 dragnet the story of your police force in action is a presentation of the United 534 00:24:24,300 --> 00:24:51,700 States Armed Forces radio service.