December 25, 2025 • 29 mins
Step into the world of classic crime with "The Dragnet Collection." Featuring iconic radio episodes from the golden age of detective drama, this collection brings you the methodical investigations, sharp dialogue, and thrilling cases of Sergeant Joe Friday and his team. If you love true crime, classic noir, or vintage radio, this is a must-listen!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (00:20):
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Speaker 3 (00:33):
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to Juvenile Bureau. You
receive a complaint about an eight year old boy and
his sister.
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Speaker 2 (01:54):
Men, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the
next thirty 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. Transcribe from official police
bios from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet
is the story of your police force and action.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
It was Tuesday, April twenty seventh. It was overcast in
Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of
Juvenile Bureau. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss's Captain Kinsling.
My name's Friday. I was on the way back in communications.
That was four point thirty eight PM when I got
to thirteen thirty five Georgia Street, second floor from fourteen.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
Hi, Joe, I've been waiting long. I'm just checked my
leg ago.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
I just got here.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
What's this thing all about?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, just what I told you on the phone. Seven
year old boy and his sister covering the neighborhood bagan food.
You ready to go, man, Let me put this liver.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
Kids supposed to be from a wealthy family.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Huh, wealthy enough to live in the best part of
bell Area.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
Doesn't make much sense. Let's be some kind of a gag.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
H No, not, according to the neighbor who called in. Yeah,
she says, the kids are half starved. Ben and I
got in the car and drove out Sunset Boulevard at
the bell Air district. Who pulled up in front of
a large, two story home near the corner of Brookline
Avenue and Knightsbridge Drive was a white frame colonial mansion
set back in the middle of well landscaped lawns and gardens.
(03:22):
The other homes in the neighborhood were just as large.
Fifty thousand dollars enough was the last place in the
city that you'd expect to find neighborhood children bagging food.
Five twenty pm. Who went around at the rear entrance
of the colonial mansion. As we've been instructed on the phone,
we located the woman who'd called in the complaint, a
miss Jeanette Beijon. She was employed as laundress and cooked
(03:42):
by the owners of the house. She was busy fixing dinner.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
They're from next door. Officer. The children. As I spent
on the phone, a boy about seven years. They were
all five years old.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
I guess which side do they live on this beasion?
On the house on the corner.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
Huh No, the other side up here, brown and white
house just up the street next door.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Mm mm other children there? Now do you know that?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
No?
Speaker 6 (04:12):
But they were here this afternoon again here was the
back door asking for something to eat.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
I do I understand it. Something must be wrong.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Well, have they been around off on this pasion?
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (04:21):
Two or three days?
Speaker 4 (04:22):
Maybe four days?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
First I thought they were fooling, but they were not.
I gave them some cookies side wishes.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
They were very hungry. They ate them like they were starving.
The little girl saved her cookies. She took them with her.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
How about their parents? Are they whom?
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Excuse me?
Speaker 8 (04:37):
The sash there, that's there.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
No, I haven't seen the mother the last few days.
I understand they are divorced. The mother she lives there.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
With the children.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
The father, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Well, what's their name? You know?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Kessler? Not I'm as a woman I work for. She
says they are three children in the Kessler family. But
I don't know. I've only seen the two, the boy
and the girl. I would go over and see what
he's wrong. But I do not know the kestler. It's
not my place.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
That's why I called your orchestra or in this stage.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I don't thank you very much, oh not at all.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
Orchestras you understand, I do not mind giving the children's food. Well,
I think only something is wrong if they don't get
it that home.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
We thank you very much for notifying us. We're gonna
check you into it.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Just a little curious, miss Page. Huh, what set you're
making this?
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Napoleon?
Speaker 5 (05:29):
Huh?
Speaker 4 (05:30):
How's that Napoleon? You know, Napoleon Piastreet.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Oh oh yeah, here's me. I'm good. Well, thanks again, certainly,
the officer.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
If there is anything I can do, you will let
me know.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
Yes, ma'am, we will. Goodbye, goodbye, Thank you very much.
That's a beautiful place.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Those Swedish women make pretty good cooks, don't they.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
I don't know. She sounded French to me.
Speaker 9 (05:58):
Uh huh, maybe so much good at cooking anyhow.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Or yeah, brought a little white house next door that must.
Speaker 9 (06:07):
Be at her that named Kessler. They fairly prominent around
town society.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
I don't know quite a few of 'em could be
any way, you look at item tige to figure.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
And the kid's been at it for four days. It's
on the level. They really must be in a bind.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Garage door is opened back there no sign of a.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
Car, kids bicycles off.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
M's try the front door, huts better try to get her. Yeah, yes, sir,
oh son, your name's Kessler.
Speaker 7 (06:48):
Alright, yes, I'm Richard. My mother's not at home right now.
Then you can come back tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Or police officers, Richard, if you're not busy, we like
talking for a minutes.
Speaker 7 (06:56):
Then alright, well, yes, sir, that'd be all right. Would
you come in please?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Than Richard Kessler was a blonde haired, wiry boy, polite,
well mannered. He told us that he was eight years
old and he attended the neighborhood grammar school. He showed
us back to the kitchen, where he was warming a
can of soup that he barred from a neighbor. It
was a large house, richly furnished, but it hadn't been
cleaned for weeks. Dust was piled up thick on the furniture,
(07:21):
and children's books and toys were scattered around the rooms,
along with scraps of dried bread half eaten. The house
was cold and musty. On a small bar in the
dining room there were three half filled cocktail glasses and
a plate full of cigarette but evidently they'd been standing
there for days. On the sink in the kitchen there
were a few pieces of stale bread and an open
bottle of milk that had turned sour. Next to it
(07:43):
were a half a dozen empty whiskey bottles. The Kessler
boy was well dressed, except for the shirt that he
had on, which as if he'd been wearing it for
a week.
Speaker 7 (07:51):
What did you want talking about off fifth? I haven't
done anything wrong.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
Oh we know that, son. We'd just like to find
out how you've been getting alone.
Speaker 7 (07:59):
I've been getting along a right to raise 'emfore DZ
on my report card last month.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
Where's your sister day Judy?
Speaker 7 (08:05):
Uh, she's down the street. She'll be back in a minute.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
How about your mother first?
Speaker 7 (08:10):
Uh, she's out too, she'll be back.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
When do you expect us? Huh?
Speaker 7 (08:14):
Pretty soon. He's coming back pretty soon.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
When your sister Judy, she's younger than you are, don't
you day?
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (08:20):
Yes, Judy's when he's six.
Speaker 5 (08:21):
I made any other grown ups live here with you
beside your mother.
Speaker 7 (08:25):
No, Mom takes care of us. She'll be back pretty soon.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
We'd like to have eachoss the truth now day. How
long she been going, I don't know.
Speaker 7 (08:33):
It's probably important taking you a long time. She can
come back tomorrow. She'll probably be here then.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
When means the last time you saw us? Huh son?
How about that a couple of days on? This is Tuesday?
You mean she left the house Sunday?
Speaker 7 (08:50):
No before that last Friday night she went out, said
she'd be back. I don't know her.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Does your mother say where she was going there?
Speaker 5 (08:58):
No?
Speaker 7 (08:58):
Her boyfriend was he then?
Speaker 4 (09:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (09:01):
He's last thing. Mom would always him. He was a party.
I think I don't know where she'll be back.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
All right, did you leave anyone to take care of No, we.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Can take care of ourselves. I thought he's six to cooking, though,
I don't know how yet. I'd better look at the
soup on the stone.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
I'll take care of her something. Go ahead and sit out.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
And your mother ever left you like this before, sir?
Speaker 7 (09:23):
And maybe once it twice? She never stay away this
long on.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Matter that well, Johnny Officer, my little brother, he doesn't
eat much for a while must be hungry by nothing.
I was fixing the soup for him.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Ever, where's Johnny?
Speaker 7 (09:42):
He's upstairs in the nursery. He's been sick with a
bad coal. Mom knew Johnny was sick. That's why I wanted.
She hadn't come back yet. I don't think Johnny's feeling good.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Do you wanna take step of stones?
Speaker 5 (09:54):
So?
Speaker 7 (09:55):
Yeah, all right?
Speaker 5 (09:56):
She want best? No's mighty? Yeah? Huh?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
How long has Johnny had this cold day?
Speaker 7 (10:02):
A couple of days before Friday? Before Mom left?
Speaker 5 (10:06):
How old is it?
Speaker 7 (10:07):
Oh, Johnny, just a little kid. You won't be two
years old until the lottery, didn't wonder anybody crossed the
lott at first, been giving a milk and cookies, it
said Judy, and I had a little noise.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
Has a doctor been to see Johnny? And no?
Speaker 7 (10:22):
I started calling it and I didn't know the doctor's name.
I was waiting til Mom got home. I had this
journey's in here and then in the crib off, see
that's my brother Johnny.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Is put he cold in here? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (10:37):
What's happened?
Speaker 5 (10:38):
Like then?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
M I ain't any young fella?
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Hi, Johnny been hungry now?
Speaker 5 (10:43):
Yeah? Other than eyes?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Yeah, I wanna get to a phone doctor and name,
but tell him to hurrybody.
Speaker 7 (10:49):
What's the matter, officer? What about Johnny's arce?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
And you'd be alright, there.
Speaker 7 (10:55):
Been acting off a quiet, so I'd be moving around
a tall most of the Chinese jumping up and down these
crib like anything.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
There's anyone had all been in here to see them
since Friday.
Speaker 7 (11:05):
Yes, there I fifty Judy and I he changed a
diaper and give him something to eat. I see she
sure wished mom to get home. I'd like to talk
to her.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Yeah, so would I. Five forty eight pm we put
in a call to the office for a policewoman, and
then we got in touch with Lieutenant Lee Jones at
the crime Lab and he sent out a man to
photograph the condition of the Chessler at home and the children.
The doctor and the ambulance arrived and little Johnny Kessler
was taken to the General Hospital in critical conditions. For
(11:36):
twenty two months. Old boy was in a coma. Richard
Keessler and his sister Judy were taken to Georgia Street
Juvenile Bureau and then transferred to Juvenile Hall and placed
under protective custody. Section seven hundred subd Welfare and Institution Code,
but two of them were given a bath and something
to Judy Keespler was interrogated separately by a policewoman. Ben
and I talked to the boy, Richard. After a few minutes,
(11:58):
he broke down and admitted that his mother gone off
and left the three children alone. On at least a
half a dozen occasions, he told us his parents were divorced.
He rarely saw his father, but his mother had had
two or three boyfriends at the house during the past year.
He also told us his mother drank quite a.
Speaker 7 (12:12):
Bit, but she's never been gone this long before. Sergeant.
Maybe she's out somewhere and has no way to get home.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
We'll find her, alright, So none't you worry about this
boyfriend of your mother's.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
Dick.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
His first name was Larry.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
Is that all you can tell us?
Speaker 7 (12:26):
Yes, h I don't know. He left me. Are you
gonna keep it here all night? Judy?
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Me just for a day or so. They'll take good
jare of his Huh where'd you take Judy?
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Well, she's just next door, Dick. You can see her
in just for a minute now.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
And uh, how about Johnny? I always take care of him.
Pretty fussy, runs Changer.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Well he's got him over to the hospital, Dick. They're gonna
take good care of him. Now, you can count on that.
Speaker 7 (12:46):
I don't mean off the I could assume him he
might get awful fussy.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Alright, we'll fix that up for you.
Speaker 5 (12:52):
Do you have any relatives in Los Angeles? Son, aunt's uncle,
anyone like that.
Speaker 7 (12:57):
No, just my father, but I don't know where he lives. Uh,
we had a nurse. We'd take care of us. Missus Mackintosh.
She was swelled when my mom fired though.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Oh how'd that happened?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Do you know?
Speaker 7 (13:09):
No, I'm not quite sure. Maybe my mom was drinking.
Is Mackintosh got mad at her? Is a big flight?
Mom fired her?
Speaker 5 (13:17):
Oh no, this maybe it's mac and us. You know
where we can find her?
Speaker 7 (13:20):
I said, I didn't.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
How about Uh, some of the other boyfriends that your
mother had to they do you remember.
Speaker 5 (13:26):
Any of their names?
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Nor?
Speaker 7 (13:27):
One of 'em were George something. I don't remember the
other one?
Speaker 5 (13:32):
Yoh s your mad?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Yeah, I Max? Do you wanna stay with the boy?
How they?
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I settle tall a louder things. What's that chessler boy?
Little Johnny?
Speaker 5 (13:44):
Yeah? He just died.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
John Albert Keffler, white male, American, age twenty two months.
All the pertinent facts and data would be listed on
the crime report, and this is when the case was closed.
The report had filed away. Wouldn't be any difference from
a thousand other dead body report, same size, same color,
same number up in the left hand corner. And of course,
(14:10):
of ten or twenty years on the job of police,
officer sees a lot of 'em, most of 'em. He
forgets a few of 'em. You never forget. The next morning,
the body was posted as the County Morgue. It was
found that the youngster had been suffering from malnutrition, but
the cause of death was listed as a basil skull fracture.
Homicide detailed was notified. The search for the mother, missus
(14:31):
Geen Kessler, went on. We talked to her neighbors, all
of her friends that we could locate. We checked out
an address book that was found in missus Kessler's effects
at her home. We got out of broadcast on an APV.
You know what, Thursday, April twenty ninth. How about the
youngster's brother and sister ben He think could have happened
that way? How do you mean you know they were
taking care of the little fella. They might've had an
(14:51):
accident with him. They're afraid, don't not to I don't
think so, Jill, No, that's not very likely.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
Max.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
We talked to him quite a bit last night. A
couple of pretty honest kids, pretty sure wouldn't lie about
something like that. Where As I leave it to Monny's
good protability, we normally just cast a drinks quite a bit,
speak it a little stations with a little boy, more
attentive and accident dance. I get it, do it old
Friday eh Burday, I say.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Woman answering this Casher's description, checked into the hotel down
on South Hope last night, still registered. Went he checked
out earlier this morning he found a woman's sport coating
the room, one of my bloodstains on it.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
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Speaker 7 (16:37):
Will tell you, Ah, that's different.
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best of all long cigarette. Friday, April thirtieth, we were
(17:04):
still without a lead at the whereabouts of a missing
mother and missus Jean Kessler. The bloodstained coat, which had
been found in the south Folk Street hotel was shown
to Missus Kessler's friends and to her children, Richard and Judy.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
They identified it as belonging to the missing woman's Routine
investigation of the hotel room failed to uncover any further lead.
We got out of supplementary APV, and then we started
rechecking with the Keffler woman's friends and acquaintances. Nothing. We
rechecked a dozen taverns and cocktail lounges if she'd been
known to frequent No sign of her, no sign of
her boyfriend. In rechecking her personal effects, we found a
(17:38):
canceled check payable to their former nurse uh Missus McIntire.
The endorsement carried her address. We checked it out, she'd move.
We traced it as a forwarding address. There we were
told that she had a new job as a nurse
maid with a wealthy family living in the Los Pelis district.
We called there and talked to missus mcintish and she
told us that she was just leaving the house with
the three children for an outing at the park and
(17:59):
the We made arrangements for meet where they're out there
one thirty pm then a night low kid there's ahead
of the path leading to the main part of the
Griffith Park Row.
Speaker 10 (18:10):
I read about it in the paper, charging about Johnny.
I didn't know you wanted to talk to me. I
would have called him if I did.
Speaker 5 (18:16):
We're still trying to locate the mother, Missus mac and dark.
Can you help us out there at all?
Speaker 10 (18:20):
No, I don't know If yes, the those places she
used to go to all the time, which she used
to drink.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Yes, family have they couldn't help her. Did you know
any of miss Kesher's boyfriends, the ones that had come
to the house.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
Yes, I knew all of them. Donald, don't you wander off? Now?
Same for you, Patty, you stay close?
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Uh? The boy Richards?
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Uh?
Speaker 3 (18:37):
He was telling us about one of the boyfriends, man
telling her and Larry.
Speaker 7 (18:40):
Oh, yeah, Donald, you heard what I said?
Speaker 8 (18:43):
You stay close?
Speaker 7 (18:45):
Yes, I knew Larry.
Speaker 5 (18:47):
Do you remember what his last name was? Now?
Speaker 7 (18:49):
Yes, Bartel, some kind of an actor in the movies.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
I think, yeah, watch Tell any Where It Live?
Speaker 10 (18:56):
No, I think he had an apartment in Hollywood. I
wouldn't knew that.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
I'd uh.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
What kind of a man was this?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Bark Tell? I mean these temperment and things like that?
Speaker 10 (19:04):
Well, I think he was kind of lazy.
Speaker 7 (19:07):
I hit missus Tessa was giving him money.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Did the two of 'em ever argue or have any
fights all the time?
Speaker 7 (19:13):
He had a terrible temper.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
Do you ever strike intesta?
Speaker 10 (19:17):
Yes, I'm saw it happened several times, not too close
to the cage.
Speaker 7 (19:21):
Donalds back a little.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
How did this boy tall that toward the children, missus
mc gary in different.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
I guess they annoyed him sometimes.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
And that was after that you had the argument with MISCESSA.
Speaker 10 (19:33):
Yes, it was about her drinking and the boyfriend and
all the rest.
Speaker 7 (19:36):
I just got sick of it and I told her
what I thought.
Speaker 10 (19:40):
He didn't want to admit she as getting old and
not caring for the children. At me, she was still
in the twenties.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Well, do you have any idea where might look set
the fire?
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Well they're divorced, you know.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
They had salesman for a lumber and turned downtown. He
inherited most of his money. I have the name of
the company at home.
Speaker 7 (20:00):
Can have it if you like.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Yes, family to appreciate that.
Speaker 7 (20:03):
Now it's the children.
Speaker 10 (20:04):
I feel sorry, sir, Yes, no, three beautiful children and
that poor little Johnny.
Speaker 7 (20:11):
I just can't understand.
Speaker 10 (20:12):
What's sir, How could anyone desire to help with baby
like that?
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Well? Ask his mother. Friday, five pm, Missus mcintie called
us at the office and gave us the business address
of the missing woman's ex husband, Richard Layne Keffler. We
called there, but they told us keffer was away on
a week's vacation. They had no idea where to contact him,
but he was expected back in a few days. We
called Central Casting and asked them to check their talent
(20:38):
lists or a bit player for the name of Larry Bartel.
They had no such name listed. Saturday eight am, the
Kessler children, Richard and Judy, remained in the custody of
juvenile authorities. The search for their mother's continued all day Saturday.
Then and I ran down with a few leads we had.
They went nowhere. Checks for the morgue, the city hospitals,
and the drunk tank at the main jail still failed
(20:59):
to turn up the missing woman. We checked again at
the different drinking places he used to patch and eye,
no one had seen it. Five thirty pm we went
back to the office.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
A lot of Miley day.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Man, there's not much to show for him.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
Not gonna be much fun for those kids. The kids
just Sonday quiet. What do you mean first son in May?
Uh mondays day?
Speaker 9 (21:20):
Oh yeah, I might I got a piece of Newsy Yes,
guess for a woman's boyfriend.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Larry Bartell. What about Aim Pison.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Located uh uh uh?
Speaker 3 (21:35):
When he'd seen his name mentioned the previous night in
the newspaper stories concerning the case. Larry Bartel had contacted
the office to let us know that he didn't consider
himself a fugitive, at least that was his story. He
called just a few minutes before we got back to
the office. He left word that he could be found
at a Wilchure address all day Sunday. In the meantime,
he'd be at the Spotlight sub the club's for theatrical people,
(21:55):
located in West Hollywood, six twenty five pm. Then and
I located him at the club back of the videos. Roop,
who was tall, dark haired, dressed expensively.
Speaker 9 (22:04):
Showed the coup and I saw, then you want supposed
contact me here? It was important that little guest. The
boy's dead, but all we think gets pretty important.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
I didn't know anything about that.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
You didn't have to interrupt me.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
That's an important man I was playing with.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
Now, what do you wanna know? Where's those cats? Like?
I wanna ask me? I don't know.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
You're a pretty good feastor you were the last person
to see with it.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
Oh, it was a week ago.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Went to a party last Friday night. I haven't seen
her since the following Monday.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Uh, yeah, last Monday. I'm through with her anyway.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
What do you mean, Well, you get sick of her?
That so pauling all over me asking you to marry.
He got sick of it wasn't worth it. You accepted
money for just the.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Time you're always you had plenty of it. Why not?
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Where'd you last see?
Speaker 5 (22:38):
If a teacher hoss?
Speaker 9 (22:40):
Then I would like to get around the club or
there's a hotel downtown on South A.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
I kend to be anges were you were a letther
hotel with Lizz Catler last week? M yuh yeah, I'm
South Hope around nine Street. I think, oh that's where
you Frona Cooda. You've got an explanation for that budd thing? Sure,
crazy thing, right? I ser then try to made a
bottle can herself. Well it didn't just work worse at
that to him. I guess you can prove everything you're
(23:05):
telling yourself.
Speaker 5 (23:06):
Course, I can prove it's truth. And you want about
the little boy?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
How that happened?
Speaker 5 (23:10):
I didn't have men to do with it, wasn't my boy?
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Well, how did it happened?
Speaker 5 (23:13):
Now? Was that Friday night just full?
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Little the house?
Speaker 5 (23:16):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (23:16):
Every now downstairs having a few drinks.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
She put the little kid to bed, but he wouldn't
stay there.
Speaker 9 (23:19):
You just getting up out of bed and running down
and stairs crying heat on. I actually finally took the kid,
get get spanking, throw him back and better. I think
he hit his head in one of the.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
First the crew. Why didn't you do something about it? Well,
I told her, but she said if it or nothing,
he didn't.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
Marry got a coach once. That's all the kids are
all riding with the us. You mean all the time,
you and make it scarce. They went out, you knews
old children were being left all alone.
Speaker 9 (23:40):
And then half, Oh what I've I cheese the'em mother,
and I've made how look, I gotta get back. I
get that game where you know it's a little it
just gonna wait a little longer.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Come up.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Larry Bartel was taking downtown and help the question on
the sticking at seven o two w I t contributing
to the negligence of miners, gave us the abject of
the hotel where he's last seen. Missus Kettler bet and
I checked it out. It was a typical Chief Downtown
hotel was a bar opening off the lobby. The desk
clerk told us a woman answering missus Kessler's description was
registered in the room on the second floor. They had
(24:14):
an old fashioned player piano going full volume in the bar.
The son followed us up the stairs.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
Then and jeer if you must like them music? Yeah,
spec that there? Then two fifteen? Yeah, a little better
try it? Yeah, and let's have a look. Who the ass?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Where is it.
Speaker 5 (24:50):
You? MSUs gene Kessley? What is it?
Speaker 10 (24:54):
Who are you?
Speaker 3 (24:55):
Police officers like to talk to you.
Speaker 8 (24:56):
I haven't done anything.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
What he alls need? Wanna tell to him about your
children and excusing me.
Speaker 8 (25:02):
But I didn't do anything. Johnny was checked, That's all.
I didn't do anything.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
That's not what bout els. Then Larry have you seen me?
Is he coming back to me?
Speaker 3 (25:12):
You better get up, lady, get your coat.
Speaker 7 (25:14):
I gotta have Larry back.
Speaker 5 (25:16):
Is everything to me?
Speaker 8 (25:18):
I love him?
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Is he coming back?
Speaker 3 (25:20):
You been going over a week? Aren't you a little
worried about your children?
Speaker 8 (25:23):
Oh right, I'm the youngest in my life on children.
I need Larry worries.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
You see, if you can find a coat?
Speaker 5 (25:31):
What you been Yeah, I've been drinking off this. I
felt terrible.
Speaker 7 (25:41):
Silf I need Larry's so bad. You young like me
love him.
Speaker 5 (25:47):
I gave him all my.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
Love, gave him his dinner for yeah, and you gave
him too much. Right, he didn't have any left for
your kids.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
The story you'll just heard is true, only the names
were charms to protect the innocace.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
On July, second trial was held in Superior Court Apartment
of eighty seven City in County of Los Angeles, State
of California.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
In a moment's results of that trial, n'h here is
our star, Jack Webb. Thanks friends. If you're with us
week to week, you've heard me say in Fatima, the
difference is quality. It's a difference that you can prove
just by buying a pack and smoking them. You'll find
Fatima's Extra miles with a rich, better flavor and aroma.
Stop in at the store in the corner and buy
(26:35):
a pack at the team as the first chance you get.
You'll find in Fatima's the difference is quality. Playdons and gentlemen.
I'd like to take a moment to thank all of
you for your very fine response to our program Dragnet.
Since the first show went on the air about a
year and a half or so your cards and letters
have been a constant source of encouragement and guidance in
(26:56):
the field of radio presentations. We felt that we were
attempting something a little different. We were not altogether sure
that it would meet with your approval. Possibly, we were
sure that our approach to this type of presentation was
a sound one, but the final approval had to rest
with you. If we may judge by your response, you've
placed Dragnet cry among the programs that you enjoy most.
(27:19):
For this, we're indeed grateful. We've tried to bring you,
first of all, an adult program worthy of the thirty
minutes that you spend with us each week. We've tried
to bring you an honest and authoritative reports on the
work of your police force. We've tried to bring before
your documented police cases that were informative as well as entertaining.
(27:39):
In forthcoming weeks, we sincerely hope that Dragnet remains one
of your favorite shows. Your letters have been read by
all members of the Dragnet production staff, So if you
like to listen to Dragnet, it's because you our listeners
have helped the guide us in presenting the kind of
entertainment that you want for this our thanks.
Speaker 5 (28:07):
Missus.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Geen Kessler was filed on and found guilty and superior
court charge of manslaughter. She was sentenced to one year
in the county jail and deprived of the custody of
her children. You have just their drag Met a series
(28:29):
of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from
the Office of Chief of Police W. H.
Speaker 7 (28:35):
Parker.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
Los Angeles Police supports.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Fatima Cigarettes best of all Lawn Cigarettes has brought your
drag met fortunes. Transcribed from Los Angeles.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
Now, Stay tuned for covers five and It's screen Director's
Playhouse on IT four.
Ladies and gentlemen. Fatima Cigarettes is proud to bring you
its prize winning radio program winner of the Motion Picture
Herald Fame Award. The story you're about to hear is true,
only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Fatima Cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you dragnet.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to Juvenile Bureau. You
receive a complaint about an eight year old boy and
his sister.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
A neighbor reports they've been going from door to door
begging for food. Supposedly, the children are from well to
do parents. Your job investigate. You'll be amazed when you
compare Fatima with other long cigarettes.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
You'll find they now cost the same. But in Fatima
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Speaker 1 (01:05):
You see, Fatima is the quality king size cigarette because
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Speaker 2 (01:22):
So compare Fatima yourself. Fatimas now cost the same as
other long cigarettes, but your first puff will tell.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
You, ah, that's different.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Ask your dealer
for Fatima, the quality king size cigarette, best of all
long cigarettes. Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Men, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the
next thirty 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. Transcribe from official police
bios from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet
is the story of your police force and action.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
It was Tuesday, April twenty seventh. It was overcast in
Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of
Juvenile Bureau. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss's Captain Kinsling.
My name's Friday. I was on the way back in communications.
That was four point thirty eight PM when I got
to thirteen thirty five Georgia Street, second floor from fourteen.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
Hi, Joe, I've been waiting long. I'm just checked my
leg ago.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
I just got here.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
What's this thing all about?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, just what I told you on the phone. Seven
year old boy and his sister covering the neighborhood bagan food.
You ready to go, man, Let me put this liver.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
Kids supposed to be from a wealthy family.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Huh, wealthy enough to live in the best part of
bell Area.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
Doesn't make much sense. Let's be some kind of a gag.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
H No, not, according to the neighbor who called in. Yeah,
she says, the kids are half starved. Ben and I
got in the car and drove out Sunset Boulevard at
the bell Air district. Who pulled up in front of
a large, two story home near the corner of Brookline
Avenue and Knightsbridge Drive was a white frame colonial mansion
set back in the middle of well landscaped lawns and gardens.
(03:22):
The other homes in the neighborhood were just as large.
Fifty thousand dollars enough was the last place in the
city that you'd expect to find neighborhood children bagging food.
Five twenty pm. Who went around at the rear entrance
of the colonial mansion. As we've been instructed on the phone,
we located the woman who'd called in the complaint, a
miss Jeanette Beijon. She was employed as laundress and cooked
(03:42):
by the owners of the house. She was busy fixing dinner.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
They're from next door. Officer. The children. As I spent
on the phone, a boy about seven years. They were
all five years old.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
I guess which side do they live on this beasion?
On the house on the corner.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
Huh No, the other side up here, brown and white
house just up the street next door.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Mm mm other children there? Now do you know that?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
No?
Speaker 6 (04:12):
But they were here this afternoon again here was the
back door asking for something to eat.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
I do I understand it. Something must be wrong.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Well, have they been around off on this pasion?
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (04:21):
Two or three days?
Speaker 4 (04:22):
Maybe four days?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
First I thought they were fooling, but they were not.
I gave them some cookies side wishes.
Speaker 4 (04:28):
They were very hungry. They ate them like they were starving.
The little girl saved her cookies. She took them with her.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
How about their parents? Are they whom?
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Excuse me?
Speaker 8 (04:37):
The sash there, that's there.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
No, I haven't seen the mother the last few days.
I understand they are divorced. The mother she lives there.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
With the children.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
The father, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Well, what's their name? You know?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Kessler? Not I'm as a woman I work for. She
says they are three children in the Kessler family. But
I don't know. I've only seen the two, the boy
and the girl. I would go over and see what
he's wrong. But I do not know the kestler. It's
not my place.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
That's why I called your orchestra or in this stage.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I don't thank you very much, oh not at all.
Speaker 6 (05:14):
Orchestras you understand, I do not mind giving the children's food. Well,
I think only something is wrong if they don't get
it that home.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
We thank you very much for notifying us. We're gonna
check you into it.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Just a little curious, miss Page. Huh, what set you're
making this?
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Napoleon?
Speaker 5 (05:29):
Huh?
Speaker 4 (05:30):
How's that Napoleon? You know, Napoleon Piastreet.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Oh oh yeah, here's me. I'm good. Well, thanks again, certainly,
the officer.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
If there is anything I can do, you will let
me know.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
Yes, ma'am, we will. Goodbye, goodbye, Thank you very much.
That's a beautiful place.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Those Swedish women make pretty good cooks, don't they.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
I don't know. She sounded French to me.
Speaker 9 (05:58):
Uh huh, maybe so much good at cooking anyhow.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Or yeah, brought a little white house next door that must.
Speaker 9 (06:07):
Be at her that named Kessler. They fairly prominent around
town society.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
I don't know quite a few of 'em could be
any way, you look at item tige to figure.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
And the kid's been at it for four days. It's
on the level. They really must be in a bind.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Garage door is opened back there no sign of a.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
Car, kids bicycles off.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
M's try the front door, huts better try to get her. Yeah, yes, sir,
oh son, your name's Kessler.
Speaker 7 (06:48):
Alright, yes, I'm Richard. My mother's not at home right now.
Then you can come back tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
Or police officers, Richard, if you're not busy, we like
talking for a minutes.
Speaker 7 (06:56):
Then alright, well, yes, sir, that'd be all right. Would
you come in please?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Than Richard Kessler was a blonde haired, wiry boy, polite,
well mannered. He told us that he was eight years
old and he attended the neighborhood grammar school. He showed
us back to the kitchen, where he was warming a
can of soup that he barred from a neighbor. It
was a large house, richly furnished, but it hadn't been
cleaned for weeks. Dust was piled up thick on the furniture,
(07:21):
and children's books and toys were scattered around the rooms,
along with scraps of dried bread half eaten. The house
was cold and musty. On a small bar in the
dining room there were three half filled cocktail glasses and
a plate full of cigarette but evidently they'd been standing
there for days. On the sink in the kitchen there
were a few pieces of stale bread and an open
bottle of milk that had turned sour. Next to it
(07:43):
were a half a dozen empty whiskey bottles. The Kessler
boy was well dressed, except for the shirt that he
had on, which as if he'd been wearing it for
a week.
Speaker 7 (07:51):
What did you want talking about off fifth? I haven't
done anything wrong.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
Oh we know that, son. We'd just like to find
out how you've been getting alone.
Speaker 7 (07:59):
I've been getting along a right to raise 'emfore DZ
on my report card last month.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
Where's your sister day Judy?
Speaker 7 (08:05):
Uh, she's down the street. She'll be back in a minute.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
How about your mother first?
Speaker 7 (08:10):
Uh, she's out too, she'll be back.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
When do you expect us? Huh?
Speaker 7 (08:14):
Pretty soon. He's coming back pretty soon.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
When your sister Judy, she's younger than you are, don't
you day?
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (08:20):
Yes, Judy's when he's six.
Speaker 5 (08:21):
I made any other grown ups live here with you
beside your mother.
Speaker 7 (08:25):
No, Mom takes care of us. She'll be back pretty soon.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
We'd like to have eachoss the truth now day. How
long she been going, I don't know.
Speaker 7 (08:33):
It's probably important taking you a long time. She can
come back tomorrow. She'll probably be here then.
Speaker 5 (08:41):
When means the last time you saw us? Huh son?
How about that a couple of days on? This is Tuesday?
You mean she left the house Sunday?
Speaker 7 (08:50):
No before that last Friday night she went out, said
she'd be back. I don't know her.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Does your mother say where she was going there?
Speaker 5 (08:58):
No?
Speaker 7 (08:58):
Her boyfriend was he then?
Speaker 4 (09:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (09:01):
He's last thing. Mom would always him. He was a party.
I think I don't know where she'll be back.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
All right, did you leave anyone to take care of No, we.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Can take care of ourselves. I thought he's six to cooking, though,
I don't know how yet. I'd better look at the
soup on the stone.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
I'll take care of her something. Go ahead and sit out.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
And your mother ever left you like this before, sir?
Speaker 7 (09:23):
And maybe once it twice? She never stay away this
long on.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Matter that well, Johnny Officer, my little brother, he doesn't
eat much for a while must be hungry by nothing.
I was fixing the soup for him.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Ever, where's Johnny?
Speaker 7 (09:42):
He's upstairs in the nursery. He's been sick with a
bad coal. Mom knew Johnny was sick. That's why I wanted.
She hadn't come back yet. I don't think Johnny's feeling good.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Do you wanna take step of stones?
Speaker 5 (09:54):
So?
Speaker 7 (09:55):
Yeah, all right?
Speaker 5 (09:56):
She want best? No's mighty? Yeah? Huh?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
How long has Johnny had this cold day?
Speaker 7 (10:02):
A couple of days before Friday? Before Mom left?
Speaker 5 (10:06):
How old is it?
Speaker 7 (10:07):
Oh, Johnny, just a little kid. You won't be two
years old until the lottery, didn't wonder anybody crossed the
lott at first, been giving a milk and cookies, it
said Judy, and I had a little noise.
Speaker 5 (10:20):
Has a doctor been to see Johnny? And no?
Speaker 7 (10:22):
I started calling it and I didn't know the doctor's name.
I was waiting til Mom got home. I had this
journey's in here and then in the crib off, see
that's my brother Johnny.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Is put he cold in here? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (10:37):
What's happened?
Speaker 5 (10:38):
Like then?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
M I ain't any young fella?
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Hi, Johnny been hungry now?
Speaker 5 (10:43):
Yeah? Other than eyes?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Yeah, I wanna get to a phone doctor and name,
but tell him to hurrybody.
Speaker 7 (10:49):
What's the matter, officer? What about Johnny's arce?
Speaker 3 (10:52):
And you'd be alright, there.
Speaker 7 (10:55):
Been acting off a quiet, so I'd be moving around
a tall most of the Chinese jumping up and down these
crib like anything.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
There's anyone had all been in here to see them
since Friday.
Speaker 7 (11:05):
Yes, there I fifty Judy and I he changed a
diaper and give him something to eat. I see she
sure wished mom to get home. I'd like to talk
to her.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Yeah, so would I. Five forty eight pm we put
in a call to the office for a policewoman, and
then we got in touch with Lieutenant Lee Jones at
the crime Lab and he sent out a man to
photograph the condition of the Chessler at home and the children.
The doctor and the ambulance arrived and little Johnny Kessler
was taken to the General Hospital in critical conditions. For
(11:36):
twenty two months. Old boy was in a coma. Richard
Keessler and his sister Judy were taken to Georgia Street
Juvenile Bureau and then transferred to Juvenile Hall and placed
under protective custody. Section seven hundred subd Welfare and Institution Code,
but two of them were given a bath and something
to Judy Keespler was interrogated separately by a policewoman. Ben
and I talked to the boy, Richard. After a few minutes,
(11:58):
he broke down and admitted that his mother gone off
and left the three children alone. On at least a
half a dozen occasions, he told us his parents were divorced.
He rarely saw his father, but his mother had had
two or three boyfriends at the house during the past year.
He also told us his mother drank quite a.
Speaker 7 (12:12):
Bit, but she's never been gone this long before. Sergeant.
Maybe she's out somewhere and has no way to get home.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
We'll find her, alright, So none't you worry about this
boyfriend of your mother's.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
Dick.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
His first name was Larry.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
Is that all you can tell us?
Speaker 7 (12:26):
Yes, h I don't know. He left me. Are you
gonna keep it here all night? Judy?
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Me just for a day or so. They'll take good
jare of his Huh where'd you take Judy?
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Well, she's just next door, Dick. You can see her
in just for a minute now.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
And uh, how about Johnny? I always take care of him.
Pretty fussy, runs Changer.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Well he's got him over to the hospital, Dick. They're gonna
take good care of him. Now, you can count on that.
Speaker 7 (12:46):
I don't mean off the I could assume him he
might get awful fussy.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Alright, we'll fix that up for you.
Speaker 5 (12:52):
Do you have any relatives in Los Angeles? Son, aunt's uncle,
anyone like that.
Speaker 7 (12:57):
No, just my father, but I don't know where he lives. Uh,
we had a nurse. We'd take care of us. Missus Mackintosh.
She was swelled when my mom fired though.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Oh how'd that happened?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Do you know?
Speaker 7 (13:09):
No, I'm not quite sure. Maybe my mom was drinking.
Is Mackintosh got mad at her? Is a big flight?
Mom fired her?
Speaker 5 (13:17):
Oh no, this maybe it's mac and us. You know
where we can find her?
Speaker 7 (13:20):
I said, I didn't.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
How about Uh, some of the other boyfriends that your
mother had to they do you remember.
Speaker 5 (13:26):
Any of their names?
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Nor?
Speaker 7 (13:27):
One of 'em were George something. I don't remember the
other one?
Speaker 5 (13:32):
Yoh s your mad?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Yeah, I Max? Do you wanna stay with the boy?
How they?
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I settle tall a louder things. What's that chessler boy?
Little Johnny?
Speaker 5 (13:44):
Yeah? He just died.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
John Albert Keffler, white male, American, age twenty two months.
All the pertinent facts and data would be listed on
the crime report, and this is when the case was closed.
The report had filed away. Wouldn't be any difference from
a thousand other dead body report, same size, same color,
same number up in the left hand corner. And of course,
(14:10):
of ten or twenty years on the job of police,
officer sees a lot of 'em, most of 'em. He
forgets a few of 'em. You never forget. The next morning,
the body was posted as the County Morgue. It was
found that the youngster had been suffering from malnutrition, but
the cause of death was listed as a basil skull fracture.
Homicide detailed was notified. The search for the mother, missus
(14:31):
Geen Kessler, went on. We talked to her neighbors, all
of her friends that we could locate. We checked out
an address book that was found in missus Kessler's effects
at her home. We got out of broadcast on an APV.
You know what, Thursday, April twenty ninth. How about the
youngster's brother and sister ben He think could have happened
that way? How do you mean you know they were
taking care of the little fella. They might've had an
(14:51):
accident with him. They're afraid, don't not to I don't
think so, Jill, No, that's not very likely.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
Max.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
We talked to him quite a bit last night. A
couple of pretty honest kids, pretty sure wouldn't lie about
something like that. Where As I leave it to Monny's
good protability, we normally just cast a drinks quite a bit,
speak it a little stations with a little boy, more
attentive and accident dance. I get it, do it old
Friday eh Burday, I say.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Woman answering this Casher's description, checked into the hotel down
on South Hope last night, still registered. Went he checked
out earlier this morning he found a woman's sport coating
the room, one of my bloodstains on it.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
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Speaker 7 (16:37):
Will tell you, Ah, that's different.
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quality yourself. Insist on Fatima the quality king size cigarette,
best of all long cigarette. Friday, April thirtieth, we were
(17:04):
still without a lead at the whereabouts of a missing
mother and missus Jean Kessler. The bloodstained coat, which had
been found in the south Folk Street hotel was shown
to Missus Kessler's friends and to her children, Richard and Judy.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
They identified it as belonging to the missing woman's Routine
investigation of the hotel room failed to uncover any further lead.
We got out of supplementary APV, and then we started
rechecking with the Keffler woman's friends and acquaintances. Nothing. We
rechecked a dozen taverns and cocktail lounges if she'd been
known to frequent No sign of her, no sign of
her boyfriend. In rechecking her personal effects, we found a
(17:38):
canceled check payable to their former nurse uh Missus McIntire.
The endorsement carried her address. We checked it out, she'd move.
We traced it as a forwarding address. There we were
told that she had a new job as a nurse
maid with a wealthy family living in the Los Pelis district.
We called there and talked to missus mcintish and she
told us that she was just leaving the house with
the three children for an outing at the park and
(17:59):
the We made arrangements for meet where they're out there
one thirty pm then a night low kid there's ahead
of the path leading to the main part of the
Griffith Park Row.
Speaker 10 (18:10):
I read about it in the paper, charging about Johnny.
I didn't know you wanted to talk to me. I
would have called him if I did.
Speaker 5 (18:16):
We're still trying to locate the mother, Missus mac and dark.
Can you help us out there at all?
Speaker 10 (18:20):
No, I don't know If yes, the those places she
used to go to all the time, which she used
to drink.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Yes, family have they couldn't help her. Did you know
any of miss Kesher's boyfriends, the ones that had come
to the house.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
Yes, I knew all of them. Donald, don't you wander off? Now?
Same for you, Patty, you stay close?
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Uh? The boy Richards?
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Uh?
Speaker 3 (18:37):
He was telling us about one of the boyfriends, man
telling her and Larry.
Speaker 7 (18:40):
Oh, yeah, Donald, you heard what I said?
Speaker 8 (18:43):
You stay close?
Speaker 7 (18:45):
Yes, I knew Larry.
Speaker 5 (18:47):
Do you remember what his last name was? Now?
Speaker 7 (18:49):
Yes, Bartel, some kind of an actor in the movies.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
I think, yeah, watch Tell any Where It Live?
Speaker 10 (18:56):
No, I think he had an apartment in Hollywood. I
wouldn't knew that.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
I'd uh.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
What kind of a man was this?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Bark Tell? I mean these temperment and things like that?
Speaker 10 (19:04):
Well, I think he was kind of lazy.
Speaker 7 (19:07):
I hit missus Tessa was giving him money.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Did the two of 'em ever argue or have any
fights all the time?
Speaker 7 (19:13):
He had a terrible temper.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
Do you ever strike intesta?
Speaker 10 (19:17):
Yes, I'm saw it happened several times, not too close
to the cage.
Speaker 7 (19:21):
Donalds back a little.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
How did this boy tall that toward the children, missus
mc gary in different.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
I guess they annoyed him sometimes.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
And that was after that you had the argument with MISCESSA.
Speaker 10 (19:33):
Yes, it was about her drinking and the boyfriend and
all the rest.
Speaker 7 (19:36):
I just got sick of it and I told her
what I thought.
Speaker 10 (19:40):
He didn't want to admit she as getting old and
not caring for the children. At me, she was still
in the twenties.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Well, do you have any idea where might look set
the fire?
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Well they're divorced, you know.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
They had salesman for a lumber and turned downtown. He
inherited most of his money. I have the name of
the company at home.
Speaker 7 (20:00):
Can have it if you like.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Yes, family to appreciate that.
Speaker 7 (20:03):
Now it's the children.
Speaker 10 (20:04):
I feel sorry, sir, Yes, no, three beautiful children and
that poor little Johnny.
Speaker 7 (20:11):
I just can't understand.
Speaker 10 (20:12):
What's sir, How could anyone desire to help with baby
like that?
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Well? Ask his mother. Friday, five pm, Missus mcintie called
us at the office and gave us the business address
of the missing woman's ex husband, Richard Layne Keffler. We
called there, but they told us keffer was away on
a week's vacation. They had no idea where to contact him,
but he was expected back in a few days. We
called Central Casting and asked them to check their talent
(20:38):
lists or a bit player for the name of Larry Bartel.
They had no such name listed. Saturday eight am, the
Kessler children, Richard and Judy, remained in the custody of
juvenile authorities. The search for their mother's continued all day Saturday.
Then and I ran down with a few leads we had.
They went nowhere. Checks for the morgue, the city hospitals,
and the drunk tank at the main jail still failed
(20:59):
to turn up the missing woman. We checked again at
the different drinking places he used to patch and eye,
no one had seen it. Five thirty pm we went
back to the office.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
A lot of Miley day.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Man, there's not much to show for him.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
Not gonna be much fun for those kids. The kids
just Sonday quiet. What do you mean first son in May?
Uh mondays day?
Speaker 9 (21:20):
Oh yeah, I might I got a piece of Newsy Yes,
guess for a woman's boyfriend.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Larry Bartell. What about Aim Pison.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Located uh uh uh?
Speaker 3 (21:35):
When he'd seen his name mentioned the previous night in
the newspaper stories concerning the case. Larry Bartel had contacted
the office to let us know that he didn't consider
himself a fugitive, at least that was his story. He
called just a few minutes before we got back to
the office. He left word that he could be found
at a Wilchure address all day Sunday. In the meantime,
he'd be at the Spotlight sub the club's for theatrical people,
(21:55):
located in West Hollywood, six twenty five pm. Then and
I located him at the club back of the videos. Roop,
who was tall, dark haired, dressed expensively.
Speaker 9 (22:04):
Showed the coup and I saw, then you want supposed
contact me here? It was important that little guest. The
boy's dead, but all we think gets pretty important.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
I didn't know anything about that.
Speaker 5 (22:12):
You didn't have to interrupt me.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
That's an important man I was playing with.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
Now, what do you wanna know? Where's those cats? Like?
I wanna ask me? I don't know.
Speaker 3 (22:18):
You're a pretty good feastor you were the last person
to see with it.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
Oh, it was a week ago.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Went to a party last Friday night. I haven't seen
her since the following Monday.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Uh, yeah, last Monday. I'm through with her anyway.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
What do you mean, Well, you get sick of her?
That so pauling all over me asking you to marry.
He got sick of it wasn't worth it. You accepted
money for just the.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Time you're always you had plenty of it. Why not?
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Where'd you last see?
Speaker 5 (22:38):
If a teacher hoss?
Speaker 9 (22:40):
Then I would like to get around the club or
there's a hotel downtown on South A.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
I kend to be anges were you were a letther
hotel with Lizz Catler last week? M yuh yeah, I'm
South Hope around nine Street. I think, oh that's where
you Frona Cooda. You've got an explanation for that budd thing? Sure,
crazy thing, right? I ser then try to made a
bottle can herself. Well it didn't just work worse at
that to him. I guess you can prove everything you're
(23:05):
telling yourself.
Speaker 5 (23:06):
Course, I can prove it's truth. And you want about
the little boy?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
How that happened?
Speaker 5 (23:10):
I didn't have men to do with it, wasn't my boy?
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Well, how did it happened?
Speaker 5 (23:13):
Now? Was that Friday night just full?
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Little the house?
Speaker 5 (23:16):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (23:16):
Every now downstairs having a few drinks.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
She put the little kid to bed, but he wouldn't
stay there.
Speaker 9 (23:19):
You just getting up out of bed and running down
and stairs crying heat on. I actually finally took the kid,
get get spanking, throw him back and better. I think
he hit his head in one of the.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
First the crew. Why didn't you do something about it? Well,
I told her, but she said if it or nothing,
he didn't.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
Marry got a coach once. That's all the kids are
all riding with the us. You mean all the time,
you and make it scarce. They went out, you knews
old children were being left all alone.
Speaker 9 (23:40):
And then half, Oh what I've I cheese the'em mother,
and I've made how look, I gotta get back. I
get that game where you know it's a little it
just gonna wait a little longer.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Come up.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Larry Bartel was taking downtown and help the question on
the sticking at seven o two w I t contributing
to the negligence of miners, gave us the abject of
the hotel where he's last seen. Missus Kettler bet and
I checked it out. It was a typical Chief Downtown
hotel was a bar opening off the lobby. The desk
clerk told us a woman answering missus Kessler's description was
registered in the room on the second floor. They had
(24:14):
an old fashioned player piano going full volume in the bar.
The son followed us up the stairs.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
Then and jeer if you must like them music? Yeah,
spec that there? Then two fifteen? Yeah, a little better
try it? Yeah, and let's have a look. Who the ass?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Where is it.
Speaker 5 (24:50):
You? MSUs gene Kessley? What is it?
Speaker 10 (24:54):
Who are you?
Speaker 3 (24:55):
Police officers like to talk to you.
Speaker 8 (24:56):
I haven't done anything.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
What he alls need? Wanna tell to him about your
children and excusing me.
Speaker 8 (25:02):
But I didn't do anything. Johnny was checked, That's all.
I didn't do anything.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
That's not what bout els. Then Larry have you seen me?
Is he coming back to me?
Speaker 3 (25:12):
You better get up, lady, get your coat.
Speaker 7 (25:14):
I gotta have Larry back.
Speaker 5 (25:16):
Is everything to me?
Speaker 8 (25:18):
I love him?
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Is he coming back?
Speaker 3 (25:20):
You been going over a week? Aren't you a little
worried about your children?
Speaker 8 (25:23):
Oh right, I'm the youngest in my life on children.
I need Larry worries.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
You see, if you can find a coat?
Speaker 5 (25:31):
What you been Yeah, I've been drinking off this. I
felt terrible.
Speaker 7 (25:41):
Silf I need Larry's so bad. You young like me
love him.
Speaker 5 (25:47):
I gave him all my.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
Love, gave him his dinner for yeah, and you gave
him too much. Right, he didn't have any left for
your kids.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
The story you'll just heard is true, only the names
were charms to protect the innocace.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
On July, second trial was held in Superior Court Apartment
of eighty seven City in County of Los Angeles, State
of California.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
In a moment's results of that trial, n'h here is
our star, Jack Webb. Thanks friends. If you're with us
week to week, you've heard me say in Fatima, the
difference is quality. It's a difference that you can prove
just by buying a pack and smoking them. You'll find
Fatima's Extra miles with a rich, better flavor and aroma.
Stop in at the store in the corner and buy
(26:35):
a pack at the team as the first chance you get.
You'll find in Fatima's the difference is quality. Playdons and gentlemen.
I'd like to take a moment to thank all of
you for your very fine response to our program Dragnet.
Since the first show went on the air about a
year and a half or so your cards and letters
have been a constant source of encouragement and guidance in
(26:56):
the field of radio presentations. We felt that we were
attempting something a little different. We were not altogether sure
that it would meet with your approval. Possibly, we were
sure that our approach to this type of presentation was
a sound one, but the final approval had to rest
with you. If we may judge by your response, you've
placed Dragnet cry among the programs that you enjoy most.
(27:19):
For this, we're indeed grateful. We've tried to bring you,
first of all, an adult program worthy of the thirty
minutes that you spend with us each week. We've tried
to bring you an honest and authoritative reports on the
work of your police force. We've tried to bring before
your documented police cases that were informative as well as entertaining.
(27:39):
In forthcoming weeks, we sincerely hope that Dragnet remains one
of your favorite shows. Your letters have been read by
all members of the Dragnet production staff, So if you
like to listen to Dragnet, it's because you our listeners
have helped the guide us in presenting the kind of
entertainment that you want for this our thanks.
Speaker 5 (28:07):
Missus.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Geen Kessler was filed on and found guilty and superior
court charge of manslaughter. She was sentenced to one year
in the county jail and deprived of the custody of
her children. You have just their drag Met a series
(28:29):
of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from
the Office of Chief of Police W. H.
Speaker 7 (28:35):
Parker.
Speaker 2 (28:36):
Los Angeles Police supports.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Fatima Cigarettes best of all Lawn Cigarettes has brought your
drag met fortunes. Transcribed from Los Angeles.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
Now, Stay tuned for covers five and It's screen Director's
Playhouse on IT four.
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