Dragnet.
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 to juvenile detail.
You get a report that a teenage boy has been found in a downtown alley.
He's in critical condition.
Your job, check it out.
It was Wednesday, November 16th.
It was cool in Los Angeles.
We were working a day watch out of juvenile detail.
My partner's Frank Smith.
The boss is Captain Powers.
My name's Friday.
We're on our way into the office.
It was 9.17 p.m. when we got to the second floor of Georgia Street Juvenile Squadron.
I don't know, Joe.
What?
You see a kid like that, you start wondering.
Yeah.
He's 15 years old trying to hold up a liquor store.
Kind of worries the guy.
What do you mean?
About your own kids.
How are they going to turn out?
I don't know, most of them turn out okay.
You can't help worrying, though.
Well, you're a father.
Maybe you're better off, Joe, not having the worries.
You really believe that?
I guess so.
Well, why don't you stop down and marry me off?
Oh, say, that reminds me.
Yeah.
You know the Phillips, the down the street farmers?
I don't think I do.
They were over for dinner the same night you were.
Yeah.
Last summertime, they made fried chicken?
Oh, yeah.
Remember?
Yeah, I remember the chicken.
Go ahead.
You're going to spend Christmas with us, aren't you?
Christmas.
Well, you told me to be sure and remind you.
It's only a month or so off.
That's soon, huh?
Yeah.
Can we count on you?
Yeah, if we're not working.
Well, I'll let Faye know.
What's this got to do with the Phillips?
Nothing.
Mm-hmm.
It's got nothing to do with them, Joe.
Why are you so darn suspicious?
Which one of them has the sister?
Huh?
Come on, Mr. or Mrs. Which one?
Both of them, for all I know.
Well, which one has a sister who's coming out here for the holidays?
Which one?
Mrs. Phillips.
And they're all going to be at your place for Christmas dinner, is that it?
Well, Faye hasn't asked them yet.
She wanted to be sure that you...
Mm-hmm.
Okay to ask them?
They're your friends.
You won't regret it, Joe.
You know Mrs. Phillips is darn nice-looking.
Good talker to her.
For sisters, anything like she is...
Just do me one big favor, will you?
What's that?
Christmas is still five weeks away.
Don't start selling me now.
I wouldn't try to sell you on any girl.
You know that.
I never even met this one.
I was just thinking that sometimes you can kind of sort of judge a person by family and...
June of Friday.
Where's that?
I see.
Yeah.
I found a kid lying in an alley off Sheridan Street.
He's hurt pretty bad.
An accident?
Knife in his back.
Frank and I drove out to the address where the victim had been found.
It was a dark alley that opened under Sheridan Street in the block between 5th and 6th.
An ambulance had been called and the boy had already been moved to George Street Receiving
Hospital.
9.42 p.m.
We talked to one of the patrol car officers who had discovered the body.
We're only a couple blocks away.
We headed right over.
Where'd you find him?
Here, I'll show you.
Right here against that wall.
Mm-hmm.
He's lost a lot of blood.
Yeah.
Knife still in him?
Mm-hmm.
Small in the back.
Look like he'd been beat up too.
You seen anything about who did it?
Well, he mumbled something.
We couldn't understand him and then he passed out.
How old would you say he was?
Oh, 15, 16 maybe.
He's a good looking kid.
About 5'8", black hair, blue eyes, regular features.
What kind of clothes?
A jeans and a jacket, windbreaker type.
You seen anybody around who might have done it?
No, not a soul.
The street was deserted.
My partner's out looking now.
I'll give him a hand.
All right.
Who filed the complaint?
I don't know.
I will check the board.
Well, they don't know either.
While a patrol car officer searched the neighborhood for suspects, Frank and I canvassed the area
for the person who had reported the crime.
10.16 p.m.
We talked to the patrons in the nearby bar and grill.
They denied having any knowledge of the assault.
10.42 p.m.
We entered a small tobacco shop on the corner of Sheridan and 8th.
Evening, gents.
How are you, sir?
How are you doing?
All right.
What can I do for you?
We're police officers.
This is Frank Smith.
My name's Friday.
I'm the first here.
Mr. Crest.
Something troubling you fellas?
I'd like to talk to you for a minute.
That's all.
Done anything I shouldn't?
No, sir.
Not as far as we know.
Well, you never can tell, you know.
The way they keep making up new laws nowadays, a person can be a criminal without even half-trying.
Too many rules.
That's what's wrong with this country.
Too darn many rules.
Yes, sir.
Ought to be just one.
How's that?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Golden rule.
That ought to be more insufficient.
Yeah.
Don't work out that way, though.
Man could live up to it every day of his life and still wouldn't keep him out of jail.
Golden rule don't say nothing about paying income taxes or taking off licenses or filing
Social Security reports.
Well, does it?
No.
Doesn't seem to.
But you're in jail if you don't do them.
Yeah.
Man can live by the golden rule.
Don't make no difference.
It makes a difference.
Oh, some maybe, but not enough.
Have you been here all evening, Mr. Crest?
Since summertime.
When was that?
Six thirty.
Eat at the drug store over on Soto Street.
Stop serving food at seven.
I see, sir.
What time did you get back to the store, do you remember?
Five o'clock, maybe.
And you've been here ever since?
Sure.
You ain't doubt my word.
No, sir.
I tell the truth, you know.
Yes, sir.
I may not get all my government forms figured out right, but I'm a true fool man.
Anybody suspicious come in here tonight?
Suspicious?
I'm afraid you'll have to explain that.
You see, I ain't no policeman.
Folks don't look suspicious to me.
They just look like folks.
Well, any strangers then?
Sure, lots of strangers.
Eight or ten, maybe.
I see.
Strangers to me, at least, wait.
I don't get acquainted with folks easy.
Man comes, buys a pack of cigarettes or some tobacco.
Don't make him a friend.
I've not heard most of tonight's customers been in before.
Oh, well, some of them had, yeah.
Some of them hadn't.
I don't keep track.
I see.
Did you hear anything out on the street?
Tracking.
Folks walking by.
You fellas sure ain't very specific.
Well, anything like a fight?
In front of my place?
In the neighborhood.
Well, I didn't hear no fight.
Somebody get to mixing it up?
Looks that way.
Oh, yeah, that's the trouble with this world.
People always squabbling.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, it ends up in squabble.
Who was it?
We don't know yet.
Anybody hurt?
Yes, sir.
Well, probably brought it on himself.
Maybe.
Were there any youngsters hanging around your place tonight, Mr. Crest?
Teenagers.
Well, if there was, I didn't notice them.
Kids, huh?
Yes, sir.
Well, I just don't know what we're coming to.
Thank you very much, sir.
Sure.
Good night.
Good night, sir.
Say, there was one.
How that?
One young fella.
He didn't hang around, though.
He was in a big rush.
You know him?
No, I don't think I ever saw him before.
Could you describe him for us?
Oh, just an ordinary kid.
How big was he?
Oh, not big.
He come up to about here on me.
Probably don't have his full growth yet.
I see.
You recall how he was dressed?
Well, I didn't pay much attention, only in the shop a couple of minutes.
What color was his hair?
Light, reddish or bondish.
Nice looking boy?
Oh, no better or worse than most.
What time did you see him?
Must be nearly a couple of hours ago, about nine o'clock.
Come charging in all out of breath.
Asked if I had a phone.
I pointed out the booth over there in the corner.
Go ahead.
Well, there's nothing more to tell.
He run over the booth, made a call.
Wasn't on the phone more than a few seconds.
Then he come out and left the shop.
Anything else you can tell us about him?
I don't think so, no.
Except that when he was leaving, he wasn't in a hurry like when he come in.
He sort of peered out the door first.
Seems as though all the steam had gone out of him.
He looked back over his shoulder.
Yes, sir.
The old gaunt expression on his face.
What do you mean?
Like he was scared to death.
While we were in the tobacco shop, we telephoned Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and talked to Dr. Sebastian.
He told us that the victim was in a critical condition and had been moved to General Hospital.
He also told us that they had not been able to identify the boy.
We called General and asked to be notified when he was able to talk.
11.31 p.m., Frank and I went back to the office.
Homicide was notified.
Patrol car officers who had discovered the body reported that they had not found any suspects in the vicinity of the crime.
11.46 p.m., we checked with the crime lab.
An examination of the weapon had revealed no useful fingerprints.
It was a spring blade knife with an 8-inch blade.
12.02 a.m., Frank and I went off duty and another team of detectives continued the investigation.
Next morning, Thursday, November 17th, 8.12 a.m.
Morning, Joe.
Hi.
Anything new?
No, not so far.
How about missing persons?
Nobody's reported them.
It's funny.
You'd think somebody would be looking for him by now, his folks, or somebody.
Yeah, you would.
Any coffee and that thing?
Yeah, help yourself.
All right.
Probably cold by now.
Better than nothing.
Did you miss breakfast?
Yeah, I wasn't hungry.
Oh.
Oh, you're right.
Huh?
It's cold.
Yeah.
Say, Joe.
Mm-hmm?
Uh, about Christmas.
What about it?
Well, we won't invite Mrs. Phillips's sister if you don't want us to.
Mm-hmm.
No.
I got to thinking, last night, people shouldn't force a guy to get married and raise a family
if it's against his best judgment.
Well, who's getting married and raising a family?
It's just a Christmas dinner, huh?
Yeah, I bet you know, Faye.
Well, you know me.
I got it.
Juvenile Friday.
Yes, sir.
All right, sir.
Thank you very much.
General Hospital, the boy's coming, too.
Yeah?
Can we talk to him?
Yeah, for a minute or two.
We better get a move on.
Huh?
Doc said to hurry.
Frank and I drove out to General Hospital.
The doctor in charge of the case was waiting for us in the hall outside the patient's room.
Smith and Feinick?
Yes, sir.
Is it hard to go in?
Don't stay too long.
All right.
You gonna be all right, Doc?
It's too soon to tell.
If the wound was an inch higher, I could give you an answer.
Yeah?
He'd be dead.
We went on into the room.
The shades were drawn and the victim was in semi-darkness.
His eyes were open, but he closed them as soon as he saw us enter.
How are you feeling, son?
Son?
I'm okay.
I'd like to talk to you for a couple of minutes.
No way of stopping you, is there?
What's your name, son?
Which yours?
Smith, Frank Smith.
My partner is Joe Friday.
Cops?
That's right.
Well?
Well, what?
How about telling us who you are?
I forgot.
Oh.
You know, amnesia.
Yeah.
How'd you get hurt, kid?
Forgot that, too.
We're trying to help you, son.
Not my fault if I don't remember nothing.
You know, you're pretty sick.
Sure.
But it's not amnesia.
You're a doctor?
No.
Then you tell what's wrong with me.
Who knifed you?
Now, what happened?
Come on, what's your name?
Abraham Lincoln.
You guys can call me egg.
All right, we'll find out.
Go ahead.
What were you doing on Sheridan Street last night?
At where I was?
You want them to get away with it?
Who?
The fellow that stuck a shiv in your back?
No, who'd do a thing like that?
That's what we want you to tell us.
Hey, you know what?
Hmm?
It's all starting to come back to me.
Tell us about it.
There was this black guy in the back of the car.
Who?
The guy who was driving the car.
sure you listen to me so we're going to find out who you are and who stabbed you
sorry I'm position offer a reward you want your face in all the newspapers
with for I am important I said we're going to find out who you are. Well.
Okay you want to play detective. Tom Tom one mark cut where do you live
times what number. Apartment house corner of Diamond Olympic second floor in the
back must put you tell us what happened last night that jumped me that's all I
know was he I don't know I never saw him sure about that yeah what do you look
like. I don't know it's dark somebody your own age heck no I was.
3035 why do you pick you know I must have thought I had to go you never saw him
before that's what I said I told. You get
a look at his face. And tell us anything about him no but you know how old he was
and I feel and that's all you know where do you go school. I thought you're.
Any games in your school. You don't belong to one of the no you had any kind of
trouble lately what kind of trouble with the other kids at the school. You got to
get anything straight it was a kid who do you live with mark my old man where's
your mother. And the tombstone. We'll get in touch with your dad
what for you might be worried about. That.
We're unable to get any additional information from the victim went back to
the office and check the name Tom market through our and I had nothing on 9 47
AM Frank and I draw out the address he'd given us to story stuff apartment house
badly in need of repair we went up the second floor.
The second floor. Must be this.
All the time for market and police officers Frank Smith my name's Friday what
do you want to come in for a minute you don't I'm going to fall flat on my face.
My head's going to put the shreds. And I went on last night that's so I'm going to
ask me have you know sir right now can't be no no that's what I really need usually
keep a couple of refrigerator for an emergency like this. But that kid of mine
has been guzzling them again but I talk to you about your son Mr market yeah you
know I didn't come home last night didn't you know no way me no no I work nights
drive a hack don't get home before five he leaves for school for a wake up.
Would you pick him up for he's not under arrest. He's in the hospital I said that's
right he was stabbed last night. Yeah. It's going to be all right in they don't
know yet. You thought you might be able to help. Yeah I don't know who your son's
friends are nothing bottom we don't. We are very close. Even worried lately about
anything upset no more unusual how's he doing school lousy. Oh he's asked me to
come down talk to him principal teachers what they say about I don't go when a
couple of times when he first came to live with me didn't do any good that's
how I can't change him anything I tell Tom just rubbed him the wrong way so he's
on his own. How long is your son live with you three years how about before that
he was with his mom. Of course me a couple years after he was born took him with
it. When she died there was nobody else to look after me had to come back to me
now. I get to get me a glass of water only take a second. Yeah. Looks like the
kid was right but I was fine maybe it doesn't seem very upset. Just got his
stuff is drinking yeah I used to feel like this when I was younger right. We want
a bat for two three days come out of and feel OK I can't take it anymore. Also
we'll be leaving you'd like to see your son he's a general hospital. I'm asked to
see me. He's pretty sick market you talk to him didn't you that's right yes to
see me no he didn't. Think so. I guess I can't blame him for hating me because I
didn't want him after his mom died figured I had to take him yeah tried to
tell him different you can believe me. Just can't talk to me. Father and son
living in the same apartment like we speak a different language. They got to
go down same lots of you can ask for me. It's funny. Somebody who hates your
own son I may be around and see it in his face his eyes away talks every time I
look at him I can see. Tom's one who's wrong there's not his fault but he's
wrong you wouldn't believe it on the stack of Bible even you guys what's that
it's not love.
Frank and I drove out to the Taylor High School on Grand Avenue ten fifty seven
AM we interviewed the principal James Wing or he told us that Tom market was a
poor student but he was difficult to manage he also told us that the boy had
a good mind and was capable of much better work than he performed was unable
to throw any light on the night and suggested that we talk with the victims
homeroom teacher Miss Nora Rollins. Eleven sixteen AM we interviewed Miss
Rollins in a small room which had joined the principal's office I'm supposed to
be giving an English examination during this period Sergeant yes ma'am it's only
take a couple minutes you have a student named Tom Markha certainly he's my home
kind of a boy is he noisy lazy impossible to discipline similar to a number of the
others who he's absent today those men we know something happened Tom he's had an
accident an accident or a fight why do you say that. Be the first time he had any
fights lately in the school with a cut lip two or three weeks ago this time have
any particular enemies I really don't know there are over seventy five students in
my home room it's a little difficult to know very much about any of them yes ma'am
about friends who's he pal around with you know nobody in particular as far as I
can tell it no wait a minute there's one boy ma'am Arthur Jollet was he look like
a small head almost as troublesome as Tom see in school today I believe so ma'am
is there anything else you can tell us about Tom no. But I don't have much hope
for him how's that I've asked his father to come in and see me several times so
far he's always declined the invitation well Tom badly hurt yes ma'am pretty bad
what was it my phone. Seventeen years ago when I first started teaching that would
have shocked me I think it was a very naive young lady said that right I thought
all a person had to do to become a teacher was to take the right courses get
a degree in credential. Such a simple matter I wanted to teach English literature
so I studied English literature Shakespeare Chaucer Browning Keith Shelley
history I continue in the profession I discovered that I omitted one essential
course was that judo.
Yes Mr Wing or if we get interview student named Arthur Jollet he asked his
secretary to have the voice and it was like he's the one who called in the report
now must have been with Mark that when it happened. Man. Want to see me that's
right come in son. You're Arthur Jollet. That we asked for so that. We're police
officers Smith my name's Friday. You have a friend named Tom.
You have a friend named Tom Markup I know pretty good friend of yours is he
he's a friend you've been with him lately when yesterday day before sure where here
got some of the same subjects how about after school. You saw him after school
did you not for that. Last night to. Where were you last night movie.
Would you go with when along what movie double bill in Hollywood what you do
after it's to write on spending time around Sheridan Street where's that wants
to show you come on we'll take you over there for like to have a meet a man who
runs a tobacco shop in that part of town. Kidding us up young fellow came into his
place last night so we describe him it could be you must be blind to some well
let's find out. Come on. OK so maybe I was in his neck of the woods what's the
beef your friend market was around there to one incident yeah matter with Tom
anyhow why ain't been in school today in the hospital. Good thing you called us
when you did you might be dead by now who says I called you man who runs the
tobacco shop of equity tell it well I mean who I was called all right John give
us the whole story now what's going on let's get it over with it's about Tom ask
him we're asking you want us to take you of course not up to you. And much to
tell just walking around Tom and me you know fellow jumped out from an alley came
at us with a knife went to the swing of Tom ducked off you know called the cops
so I know who was it John guess is as good as my I don't think so sit yourself
about Tom was a friend of yours years we want to know who stabbed him expect me to
do a dream up a name how big was he medium size oh nineteen twenty Tom says he
was about thirty five Tom I know he's a lot closer to him all right let's go down
the juvenile bureau for I told you everything I know want to show you some
mug shots forget it I wouldn't recognize it but let's give it a try anyway I'll
take it easy with you what's the matter I don't want to be seen leaving with you
guys all right do my reputation any good what you're afraid of I ain't afraid.
Down after buddy that we're afraid. Look Tom why did you know he had told you
wouldn't he. Tell me that I'm on John let's go give me an answer is Tom OK or
not that make any difference to you sure it makes a difference doesn't look like
it to us I'm no squealer all right you've had your chance now you've got to go
and come on you can't arrest me a boy was stabbed last night you saw it as far as
we know you're the only other person who was there and you figure it out and have
nothing to do with it Tom I'll tell you so. Throw me in jail my own man kill me
that's tough. I'm going to take the rap stuff to you. OK it was Jerry Jerry who
longer he go to the school yeah what was it all about Tom tried to date Jerry's
girl Jerry heard about a father this last night I'll get a hold of long.
And wait a minute now Jerry finds out I squealed on him he'll do even worse to me
he's going to find out is he we won't tell. The tumble you can start sending
flowers Jerry's the big man around school you know what six foot lots of muscle
lots of show what does make a big man doesn't need to knife. The story you've
just heard is true the names were changed to protect the innocent on December
second a hearing was held in juvenile department Superior Court State of
California in and for the county of Los Angeles. Petitions were filed on both the
victim and the subject the victim Thomas Mark was placed under twenty four hour
supervision in a foster home the subject Jerome Longren due to a previous
juvenile record and the viciousness of the attack was sentenced to a juvenile
correctional establishment you have just heard drag the authentic story of your
police force in action and starring Jack Webb presentation of the United States
Armed Forces radio service.
I.