October 28, 2025 • 28 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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Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
The story you're about to hear is true, only the
names have been changed to protect the innocence.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
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Speaker 2 (01:43):
Drag meant 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 transcribed from
official police files, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment,
drag Meth is the story of your police force in action.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
It was Thursday, December twenty second. It was cold in
Los Angeles. We were working a night watch out of homicide.
My partner's Ben Ramel. The boss is Stabbed Brown, Chief
of Detectives.
Speaker 7 (02:15):
My name is Friday.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I was on the way into work and it was
three fifty five pm when I got the room. Forty
two homicide. All right, Joe Ben, Well, here's the file
on the Webster case.
Speaker 7 (02:30):
And I brought all the file ups in me. Yeah,
I got it.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Homicide Friday, Miss Levinson, you know win thirteen j gots
him for you.
Speaker 7 (02:38):
Yeah, Harry, what's doing?
Speaker 8 (02:40):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Dowerny and I are out here on Commas Avenue forty
six fifty six trying to track down a nine year
old boy.
Speaker 7 (02:45):
Yeah, what's the story. The kid's missing, suspicion of foul play.
How long has he been gone? About two hours? Looks
like a chib from the side.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
How do you figure the kid was last scene playing
in the backyard of his home.
Speaker 7 (02:55):
Yeah, we checked over the yard. Did you find anything? Bloodstains,
lots of look new.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Men and I left a message for cheap a detective
stab Brown. Then we went over to the crime lab
and picked up Lieutenant Lee Jones and drove out the
Arroyo Seco Freeway to Collis Avenue.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
Was an average neighborhood.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Number forty six fifty six was a one story green
stucco residence situated on the corner of Collis Avenue and
Harrison Drive. Beyond the backyard was attractive undeveloped land covered
with scrubb o. Harry Levinson from Highland Park Juvenile was
waiting for us in front of the house.
Speaker 9 (03:28):
What's back this.
Speaker 7 (03:29):
Way of us? Coming? Lank?
Speaker 6 (03:30):
They like at my bag?
Speaker 8 (03:32):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (03:32):
Who moified you that the boy was missing? Harry?
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Mother said she went on to do some Christmas shopping
about eleven this morning. He left the boy home, came
back about two this afternoon.
Speaker 7 (03:41):
He was gone.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
What's the name Johnstone? The kid's name is Stanley, nine
years old?
Speaker 7 (03:47):
Was this gate open like this when you got here? Yeah?
I haven't touched the thing. Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Hear the stains over here, Lieutenant Jones along the edge
of the lock.
Speaker 7 (03:54):
See, Yeah, let me see. Yeah, quite a few stains.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Huh yeah, looks like it might be blood ty some
benzeitine on 'em.
Speaker 7 (04:08):
Uh heah, yeah, let's see what happened.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Where's the kid's money? Narrow Harry, Yeah, in the house
stor he's talking.
Speaker 7 (04:20):
He would you talk to any of the neighbors people
next door? Are the ones on this side? They couldn't
tell us anything. Yeah, that's Fellas Yelley. These spots I
covered the benzidine. They're turning blue bloodstains. All right. You
can't say definitely whether it's human or animal blood. You
have to go back to the lab to run it through.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Yeah, a biological precipitum test. Hand me one of those
glass files on my bike. Oh yeah, yeah, sure, okay,
here you go, dang, scrape some flakes off the tests.
Huh yeah, yeah, how soon you can tap the blood
forest name. Precipitant tests won't run more than twenty minutes.
It'll take three or four hours to run a blood
(04:56):
grouping though, and that's it. Anything else you don't wanna
check Levenson anything else?
Speaker 7 (05:04):
Well yeah, uh right here in my handkerchief, empty show
that mark her over there by the rose bush. That's
where I found it. I'm aut twenty two. Huh yeah,
might tie and might not. Well, I get them dumping
in this end. Blop, Really there you go? Are you good?
And she got out a missing blood cast on the
boy here, now Doherty did about a half an hour ago.
(05:26):
Here's a description here. Oh, thank you. My mother know
about the blood stains. No, we didn't tell her. She's
worried enough already and she has no idea what might
have happened to her boy. Uh no more than we do.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
She checked all her friends and relatives recovering the neighborhood
and her cray.
Speaker 7 (05:40):
So far, not much to go up. Blood stains, empty cartridge. Yeah,
it could mean a hundred things. Any ideas, right? It
just one and.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
I don't like it.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Four thirty pm, Thursday, December twenty second, the neighborhood search
for a nine year olds Stanley Johnstone continued. Lee Jones
went back to the crime lab to start the precipitate
test in the blood grouping. Levinson and his partner Dorothy
from Highland Juvenile stood by. We called you, but he
take his fat brown and he ordered up a special
detail to aid in the search for the missing boy. Then,
and I questioned the boy's mother, missus Ruth Johnstone, a
(06:17):
woman in her early forties.
Speaker 7 (06:19):
She seemed fairly calm under the circumstances.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Missus Johnson, is your boy standing in the habit of
wandering off without telling you where he's going?
Speaker 8 (06:25):
No, he's not in the habit of wandering off, but
he has done it before.
Speaker 7 (06:29):
Well, when was the last time, miss Johnson?
Speaker 8 (06:31):
You don't have any children, to your Sergeant Friday, Well,
there might not marry. Well, there comes a time in
every young boy's life when he feels it it's time
to leave home go out on his own. Usually happened
somewhere around eight to ten.
Speaker 7 (06:41):
Think kind of what you mean, I have a boy?
Speaker 10 (06:43):
Well, then you know how it is.
Speaker 8 (06:45):
My husband and our school is standing one afternoon after
school and he was quite put out about it, though
George and I were a fair practic.
Speaker 6 (06:51):
A few of his things left.
Speaker 7 (06:53):
Well how long was he gone?
Speaker 10 (06:54):
Oh, I no time at all, about two hours.
Speaker 8 (06:56):
I was worried about him, but my husband said to
leave him alone, said, every boy had to go through
that stage.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Well, then you think that he's run away from home
again this time?
Speaker 10 (07:03):
Yes, I think so.
Speaker 8 (07:05):
It's been gone about four hours now, I'm we have
a funny feeling about it.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Did you and his father have some misunderstanding with the
boy recently?
Speaker 8 (07:13):
Let's just it we haven't. I don't mind telling you
now that we're talking about it. I I am getting worried.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Is there any place around that he might like to visit?
A hobby shop, playground, some place he might be?
Speaker 8 (07:23):
Yes, there's Jensen's Model shop, Little Shannon Burrows. But if
I've already called there and he hasn't seen all day,
I've called all his friends and they have no idea
where he is either.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
We'd like a list of all of his friends and
the places that he was known to frequent.
Speaker 10 (07:35):
Yes, all right, I'll give him to you. Where do
you suppose he is?
Speaker 7 (07:39):
Where's your husband now, Miss Dahnson?
Speaker 10 (07:41):
It worked? George works at the city. He's a fireman.
Speaker 7 (07:44):
What house is he taking?
Speaker 8 (07:45):
The engine Company twelve? He's working the eight platoon. He'll
be home tomorrow morning. I haven't told him down he's gone.
Speaker 7 (07:52):
Was there any chance the boy might be down at
the firehouse with his father?
Speaker 10 (07:55):
No?
Speaker 8 (07:56):
He sell him goes down there anymore. Nor I don't
think he's there I I'm awfully worried. May I call
my husband?
Speaker 7 (08:04):
Certainly? Right? I had?
Speaker 10 (08:11):
Yeah, I know George will be worried.
Speaker 8 (08:16):
Engine Company twelve, Please, Stanley's been gone too long?
Speaker 11 (08:20):
Hello?
Speaker 10 (08:21):
May I please speak with George Johnstone. This is missus Johnstone.
Speaker 12 (08:25):
Thank you?
Speaker 10 (08:26):
Oh, I hate to call George of his word?
Speaker 7 (08:29):
Yes?
Speaker 9 (08:29):
Not? Uh?
Speaker 7 (08:30):
Does your husband on a gun?
Speaker 9 (08:31):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (08:32):
He does? What caliber? Do you know?
Speaker 10 (08:34):
What's a forty five automatic? You got a knock? George?
Speaker 8 (08:37):
This is ruth h George is standing down there with you?
Speaker 10 (08:40):
By any chance? Oh?
Speaker 8 (08:43):
No, I can't find him anywhere. He wasn't there when
I came home from doing my shopping. There are two
policemen here, No, I said, they're two policemen here, No,
they're I'll call you if we don't find him soon. Alright, dear,
Yes you too, goodbye.
Speaker 7 (09:02):
I didn't think he'd be with George at forty five?
Is that the only gun in the household?
Speaker 10 (09:07):
Yes?
Speaker 8 (09:08):
Why are you asking about guns? Does anything happen that
you're not telling me about?
Speaker 1 (09:11):
No, ma'am, just routine checking. You don't have to take
a leather at at forty five.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
If you don't mind, maybe I should tell you we
do have another gun in the house, but it's all
wrapped up. George brought it for Stanley's Christmas present?
Speaker 7 (09:21):
What will you see at the please?
Speaker 10 (09:22):
Yes, we really have to unwrap it.
Speaker 7 (09:25):
Yes, Maama prinks all send the closet. Thank you.
Speaker 10 (09:32):
Inter you think they had to hide it?
Speaker 7 (09:35):
Let me see?
Speaker 10 (09:37):
Well if the patent was wrapped you.
Speaker 7 (09:39):
Any stamdy up the founder.
Speaker 8 (09:42):
It's cool you see here's the gift card and the
box the gun came in the rifle.
Speaker 7 (09:46):
H I wonder if I coul look at that box now?
Thank you? How about a jump? Twenty two Caliar.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Thursday December twenty second, five fifteen pm was getting dark.
Search for the missing boy continued. We checked the list
of Stanley Johnstone's friends. None of them or their parents
had any idea of his whereabouts. We talked with Levinson again.
He'd been in touch with the detail Combing the neighborhood.
Speaker 7 (10:11):
They'd found nothing.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
They went down to Collis Avenue in tenth Street service
station on the corner one nickle Yo, No, I got one?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Would you watch the fan? Yeah?
Speaker 12 (10:21):
See city Hall to six six seven?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Please do you six six seven?
Speaker 7 (10:43):
I labbed Jones highly Joe Friday. Yeah, Joe, any sign
of the Johnson kidd? No, not yet. How are you coming?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
That's the precipitate test. That's human blood. Yeah, working on
the blood group. Now do you know what type the
Johnson boy has?
Speaker 7 (10:55):
Well, I didn't want to upset his mother. Thought I'd
read the last thing or in the neighborhood.
Speaker 5 (10:59):
Check with the family for the position.
Speaker 7 (11:00):
That's way you won't distab it. Yeah, I figured out that.
U just ad minutely. Yeah, yeah, by lost is pulled up? Okay,
uh fat Brown's out here and now check you lator
lead hright job right by not Oh, there's why Joe callen?
How's it going? We just checked with Lee. Joe's Yeah,
I know it's human blood.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
What do you think We talked with the boy's mother,
Missus Johnstone found a gun missing. Yeah, caliber is the
same as the empty casing Levinson found. It's twenty two
said the gun was missing.
Speaker 7 (11:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
The Johnstones were gonna give it to the boys a
Christmas present.
Speaker 7 (11:31):
They had it hidden, but it's gone. Any idea who
took it? Well up the Christmas wrapping behind.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
I think it was the kid twenty two rapping nine
year old boy. When is he gonna run first. It's
carbine cannons. In the fourth July, the city issued ordinance.
After ordinance, a few thousand kids around the country had
to lose their eyes, fingers, hands before the parents would
give us.
Speaker 7 (11:51):
The folk cooperation outlaw, I know what you meane, sure
you do.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
You and every other cop in the country became the hea.
He's trying to clamp down on him. It was the
same story this time it's guns.
Speaker 7 (11:59):
For christmast What you think, Aylow, We're not sure yet.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Listen, Friday, there's a city ordinance against giving a gun
to a kid.
Speaker 7 (12:04):
You know that? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:05):
I know that was a missing boy and a missing
gun was run on the ground in an empty shell.
Speaker 7 (12:09):
That's enough for me.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
You're only gonna stay away that something's got the break, Yeah,
and I hope it's not the hearts of that kid's parents.
Speaker 7 (12:15):
Hi, shee been looking for you.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Friday, but he got Harry found the gun new twenty
two rifle. I'd ta asked him fired recently? Where'd you
find it? Livingson? Back up there in that squab book
behind the Johnstone house, Missus Johnstone identified it, Buckley.
Speaker 7 (12:27):
He took it down the crimeline.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Thanks Harry, Missus Johnstone, Okay, pretty sick now. Dougherty came
up with something else. What's sent There's another one missing,
an eight year old boy.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Six thirty pm. We talked with Officer Doughty about the
other missing boy. He told us that his name was
Stephen Mooreheim, eight years old. His family had just moved
into the neighborhood. It seemed that no one besides the
Moreheim family knew that the boys played together. Missus Moreheim
told us that Stephen told her that he was going
out to play. They would be home by six o'clock
for dinner. She told us that he was an unusually
(12:59):
prop boy and almost never overstayed his playtime. We got
a description of the Morheim boy and put out a
missing broadcast. We call the Johnstones family.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
Doctor. He told us that Stanley's blood was TYPEO.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
At seven people, we talked again with Missus john Moreheim.
Speaker 6 (13:14):
HM, are you sure Missus Johnstone doesn't know where the
boys are?
Speaker 7 (13:18):
She has no idea. Missus Moreheim, Oh.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
This is terrible, that's awful. I feel there's more of
this thing. Something you're not telling me.
Speaker 7 (13:27):
There's any step set you until we know a few
things for sure.
Speaker 6 (13:29):
And you're holding back since well, no, please.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
Try not to worry, Miss Morheim.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
There are certain things that we're gonna have to ask you,
routine questions and any kind of investigation.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
Is there anything else you wanna know?
Speaker 7 (13:39):
Yes, ma'am. What is your boy's blood type?
Speaker 6 (13:41):
A funny question. Do you think anything's happened to it?
Have you found him when you're not telling him?
Speaker 1 (13:47):
No, ma'am, we haven't found him and we don't think
anything's happened to him.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
It's blood type, yes, ma'am. I think I haven't written
down on Stevie's baby book. Yes, you're any it's type.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
Oh, thank you. I wonder if I might use your phone?
Speaker 10 (14:04):
Yes, of course it's in the hall.
Speaker 7 (14:06):
I'd be right back then.
Speaker 10 (14:20):
City Hall.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
Uh to six six seven, Police to six six seven.
Grandma a banker? All right, this is Joe Friday's Lee
There just a minute, Joe, take totally right, John speaking
checking Backlee.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Did you get the bluff types on two missing boys?
Speaker 7 (14:36):
Yeah? Both type? Oh tell with the stains, Joe Type O.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
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Speaker 3 (16:12):
Eight pm, Thursday, December twenty second, still no sign of
either of the missing boys. Shee did he take his
stad Brown went back to headquarters to direct the search.
From there, he dispatched another detail of fifty men to
aid in the hunt for the missing youngsters. Eight thirty
pm was getting cold. The sires scores were worn to
expect to freeze. We went up the block to see
missus Johnstone. Her husband quit work early and returned home.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
We talked with him.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
He could tell us nothing more than we already knew.
We still have not informed either of the families about
the blood stains and the empty cartridge chasing which had
been discovered in the backyard of the Johnstone home. Was
more than possible that they had a right to know
about our findings, But then and I felt there was
no cause to add to the distress of.
Speaker 7 (16:51):
The two families at this time.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
If the two missing boys were found alive and well,
then the bloodstains and the cartridge should be of no
concern to the relieved parents.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
At eight forty pm, then and I left the Johnstone
house and went to the home of mister and missus
John Morehem. Ms Morehem. You said your husband worked at
a market.
Speaker 6 (17:08):
Yeah, see telephoned about fifteen minutes ago. Said he was
closing up right away. He'll be here any minute. Do
where Stevie would call? Come home? So cold out tonight?
Speaker 9 (17:19):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (17:20):
He had ms Ben cotton jacket.
Speaker 7 (17:21):
We'll try not to worry. We're doing everything we can.
He'll be alright.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
Stevie's father is such a sensitive man. He and the
boy are so close. I know he's terribly upset.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Now you're sure there's no place that you might have forgotten,
someplace where the boy might be.
Speaker 6 (17:33):
No, no place, No, anything's happened to the boy.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
He'll just kill john No, he sit still, I'll get him,
Miss Moreham.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
See joe Yarry Johnstone kid, he's been found.
Speaker 10 (17:58):
He's home, Sergeant, he's come home. Thank god, he's all right.
Speaker 7 (18:02):
Where's he been? Did he tell you?
Speaker 8 (18:04):
No, No, he didn't. His close her alder, it didn't.
He's acting strange. You never seen him like this.
Speaker 7 (18:09):
How do you mean, miss Johnson? Oh?
Speaker 10 (18:10):
He just came to the.
Speaker 8 (18:11):
Front door and said hello, Mom. He sat down a
chair and stared at the floor. And we'll talk to
his father and me.
Speaker 7 (18:17):
Do you mind if I talk to him?
Speaker 10 (18:18):
No, go ahead.
Speaker 8 (18:20):
I asked him about the little more Hime boy, but
he wouldn't tell me a thing.
Speaker 7 (18:23):
Where is he now?
Speaker 10 (18:24):
Right over there in the living.
Speaker 11 (18:25):
Room, milks All, huh, yes, son Son, this is a
police officer. He wants to talk to you.
Speaker 8 (18:40):
Don't be afraid, dear. He only wants to ask you
some questions. Son, you see, Sergeant.
Speaker 7 (18:51):
Stanley, what of my son? Come on, youngster, get your
head up there. That's better.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
He has your mother pretty worried, you know that. Wanna
tell us where you've been?
Speaker 10 (19:01):
We should try to get him to eat a little something.
Speaker 7 (19:04):
You hear that sound? Want something to eat? Stanley?
Speaker 3 (19:09):
There's another little boy after the studio has n't come home.
You know where he is. His father and mother are
worried about him too. It's like your folks wear. We're
gonna ask you to help us find him.
Speaker 9 (19:19):
I killed him. I killed Steve with the twenty two.
We were only playing, but I killed him.
Speaker 7 (19:28):
How do you know you killed him? Maybe he's only
hurt now, isn't that?
Speaker 9 (19:31):
No, he's did and I know he stid. The gun
went off and we forgot. We put bullets in there.
Speaker 7 (19:38):
Where is he standing?
Speaker 9 (19:39):
I hit him? I was scared. I didn't want anybody
to find him.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
Where did you hide him? Son?
Speaker 9 (19:46):
In a cave up on the hill. He didn't mean it.
Speaker 6 (19:49):
He was my pal.
Speaker 7 (19:50):
Do you wanna show us where he is? Stanley?
Speaker 9 (19:52):
Yes, I'll show you. Please don't send me to jail.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Nine fifteen pm Thursday, December twenty second nine, Ye Rose
Stanley Johnstone led the way up the hill behind the
backyard of his home. He showed us the wagon, he
moved the body, and his father came along with us.
About fifty feet from the crest of the hill, a
boy pointed to a thicket of scrub oak. There we
found a small cave holding the body of Stephen Moriin
It was a single bullet wound in his chest, just
(20:23):
below his heart.
Speaker 7 (20:24):
It was dead. He covered the body. Stanley, how did
it happen?
Speaker 6 (20:29):
I knew where.
Speaker 9 (20:29):
Folks were gonna give me the gun for Christmas. I
knew where it was, and I got it. There was
a box of bullets with it. Were you pointing the
gun at Stephen's n No, sir, No, sir, I wasn't.
It was Stee's turned to play with it. I was
cheasing him, tripped over that stump there and he fell.
Gun hit him in the stomach.
Speaker 7 (20:51):
Went off, Well, why do you think you killed him?
If you're telling us the.
Speaker 9 (20:54):
Truth, I'm telling the truth. Yes, that's the truth.
Speaker 7 (20:57):
Well I believe your son, But why do you think
you killed him?
Speaker 9 (21:00):
Was Mike Steve'd still be alive? If I didn't go
and get it, should have waited till Christmas. It's all
my fault. Where have you been all this time in
the keyev with Steve? Well, what were you doing in there?
Speaker 7 (21:16):
Then?
Speaker 9 (21:17):
I was praying. I was praying for God to make
him alive again.
Speaker 7 (21:23):
Well.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
After a thorough investigation, Ben and I were convinced that
the shooting of Stephen Moreheim was accidental.
Speaker 7 (21:33):
Lieutenant Lee Jones finding.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Substantiated the Johnstone Boy's story even to the smallest detail.
We put in a call to the coroner's office and acquainted.
Speaker 7 (21:40):
Him with the facts.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
He designated a local mortuary to handle the body pending autopsy,
and granted us permission to remove the body to the
Morheim home. Missus Moreheim collapsed, a family doctor was called.
Ben and I sat in the living room to wait
for John Moreheim, the dead boy's father, Eada.
Speaker 7 (22:03):
Edith, Uh, mister.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Morehab, Yeah, here's the police. Yes, well where's Edith? Where's
my wife?
Speaker 7 (22:11):
Is my boy? Come home? You found er? Yes? Sir?
Where is he Steve? Steve e? Where where's Steve? He's hurt,
isn't he? Yes? Sir? Yes? Or where is he? Wanna
(22:32):
see him? He hurt bad, mister Morrow, where is he'll
wanna see him? How bad? Pretty bad?
Speaker 3 (22:45):
He's dead? Alright if I go in? Yes, sir, if
you wanna, will you go with me?
Speaker 7 (22:55):
Sure?
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Don't make it any harder on yourself, mister morrim I
wanna see my boy, mister more.
Speaker 9 (23:13):
Just.
Speaker 7 (23:17):
Listen to me, sudden. Oh, we got you a lot of.
Speaker 10 (23:22):
Nice things for Christmas.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
Everything you wanted.
Speaker 13 (23:28):
I got you the three new cars for the train.
Got one with a searchlight on. It really works. Done,
got you that little switch you wanted, a lot more track.
Speaker 5 (23:44):
Oh, now you can have a big lay out.
Speaker 7 (23:48):
And you know that new baseball met result I got
it for it. The cowboy outfit you got just Tomorrow him. Yeah,
what happened?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
It was an accident. He was playing with the Johnstone
boy up the street, playing with a gun.
Speaker 7 (24:14):
It went off.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
What was the other boy's name, Stann at Johnstone. It
was an accident. To morrowm where you going?
Speaker 7 (24:25):
I wanna see that boy.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
We had no idea what the dead boy's father had
in mind. We didn't feel that we should try to
restrain him. We went along with him up the street
to the Johnstone home.
Speaker 7 (24:43):
I'm Stevo's father. Where'sia boy?
Speaker 10 (24:47):
I'm sorry we bought their rifle.
Speaker 8 (24:51):
You were going to time not to use it unless
his father was with him and until he learned how
to treat firearms.
Speaker 7 (24:56):
Worsia boy?
Speaker 10 (24:58):
Right here? Did you come in?
Speaker 7 (25:01):
That's all right? Miss job? Uh? You the boy that
was with Stevie?
Speaker 9 (25:12):
Yes, sir?
Speaker 7 (25:13):
What's your name?
Speaker 9 (25:14):
Stanley?
Speaker 7 (25:17):
I know it wasn't your fault, Stanley? Wonder if you
do something for me? Yes, sir, I got a lot
of nice presents for Stevie and know we'd want you
to have him. I wanna give him to you Christmas.
Speaker 10 (25:33):
Eve, ma'am. I think I would be a fine idea.
Speaker 7 (25:38):
Son, what about it? Well? What did it all approve?
You know you don't give a kid a guy for Christmas?
Speaker 1 (26:04):
The story you have just heard was true, only the
names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
On December twenty fourth, nineteen forty eight, a coroner's inquest
was held in the County Morgue City and County of
Los Angeles, State of California.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
In a moment the results of that.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
Inquest, now here is our star, Jack Webb, thank you
to get year round. Thanks for the gift you give
this Christmas. Give cartons of Fatimas to every long cigarette
smoker on your list.
Speaker 7 (26:32):
Christmas.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Fatimas and the special royal blue slipover jacket make a
perfect gift, just as is and my friends who sell fatimas,
the retail dealers and the wholesale distributors all over America.
To each one of you, a special season's greeting, and
to everyone a Merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
At the coroner's inquest, it was officially recorded that Stephen
Morheim's death was the result of an accident. Stanley Johnstone
was absolved of any legal responsibility for his friend's death.
(27:32):
You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases
from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Of Chief of Police W. H.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
This is Bob Hope.
Speaker 7 (27:50):
Can we steal a second ester?
Speaker 10 (27:52):
Feel Chester? Fe you always in that mile and mild
that I can reason after.
Speaker 7 (27:59):
Sake, open a pack, give him a smell welcome.
Speaker 14 (28:04):
Don't forget to give Crosby for Christmas. I mean a
chest to feel Christmas carton with being as Papa Santa Claus,
see you Tuesday.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Fatima Cigarettes best of all long cigarettes has brought you
a dragonet portions transcribed from Los Angeles.
Speaker 5 (28:36):
We the People is next, with more good times on
NBC
The story you're about to hear is true, only the
names have been changed to protect the innocence.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Fatima Cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you dragne.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. A
small boy is reported missing from his home. His age nine.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Years foul play is suspecting. Your job find him.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
You'll be amazed when you compare Fatima with other long cigarettes.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
You'll find they now cost the same. But in Fatima
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Speaker 4 (00:54):
You see, Fatima is the quality king size cigarette because
it contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos, superbly blended,
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better flavor and aroma than.
Speaker 5 (01:10):
Any other long cigarette.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
So try comparing Fatima yourself. Fatima's now cost the same
as other long cigarettes, but your first part will.
Speaker 6 (01:20):
Tell you ah that different.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
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long cigarettes.
Speaker 5 (01:34):
Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Drag meant 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 transcribed from
official police files, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment,
drag Meth is the story of your police force in action.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
It was Thursday, December twenty second. It was cold in
Los Angeles. We were working a night watch out of homicide.
My partner's Ben Ramel. The boss is Stabbed Brown, Chief
of Detectives.
Speaker 7 (02:15):
My name is Friday.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I was on the way into work and it was
three fifty five pm when I got the room. Forty
two homicide. All right, Joe Ben, Well, here's the file
on the Webster case.
Speaker 7 (02:30):
And I brought all the file ups in me. Yeah,
I got it.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Homicide Friday, Miss Levinson, you know win thirteen j gots
him for you.
Speaker 7 (02:38):
Yeah, Harry, what's doing?
Speaker 8 (02:40):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Dowerny and I are out here on Commas Avenue forty
six fifty six trying to track down a nine year
old boy.
Speaker 7 (02:45):
Yeah, what's the story. The kid's missing, suspicion of foul play.
How long has he been gone? About two hours? Looks
like a chib from the side.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
How do you figure the kid was last scene playing
in the backyard of his home.
Speaker 7 (02:55):
Yeah, we checked over the yard. Did you find anything? Bloodstains,
lots of look new.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Men and I left a message for cheap a detective
stab Brown. Then we went over to the crime lab
and picked up Lieutenant Lee Jones and drove out the
Arroyo Seco Freeway to Collis Avenue.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
Was an average neighborhood.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Number forty six fifty six was a one story green
stucco residence situated on the corner of Collis Avenue and
Harrison Drive. Beyond the backyard was attractive undeveloped land covered
with scrubb o. Harry Levinson from Highland Park Juvenile was
waiting for us in front of the house.
Speaker 9 (03:28):
What's back this.
Speaker 7 (03:29):
Way of us? Coming? Lank?
Speaker 6 (03:30):
They like at my bag?
Speaker 8 (03:32):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (03:32):
Who moified you that the boy was missing? Harry?
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Mother said she went on to do some Christmas shopping
about eleven this morning. He left the boy home, came
back about two this afternoon.
Speaker 7 (03:41):
He was gone.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
What's the name Johnstone? The kid's name is Stanley, nine
years old?
Speaker 7 (03:47):
Was this gate open like this when you got here? Yeah?
I haven't touched the thing. Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Hear the stains over here, Lieutenant Jones along the edge
of the lock.
Speaker 7 (03:54):
See, Yeah, let me see. Yeah, quite a few stains.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Huh yeah, looks like it might be blood ty some
benzeitine on 'em.
Speaker 7 (04:08):
Uh heah, yeah, let's see what happened.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Where's the kid's money? Narrow Harry, Yeah, in the house
stor he's talking.
Speaker 7 (04:20):
He would you talk to any of the neighbors people
next door? Are the ones on this side? They couldn't
tell us anything. Yeah, that's Fellas Yelley. These spots I
covered the benzidine. They're turning blue bloodstains. All right. You
can't say definitely whether it's human or animal blood. You
have to go back to the lab to run it through.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Yeah, a biological precipitum test. Hand me one of those
glass files on my bike. Oh yeah, yeah, sure, okay,
here you go, dang, scrape some flakes off the tests.
Huh yeah, yeah, how soon you can tap the blood
forest name. Precipitant tests won't run more than twenty minutes.
It'll take three or four hours to run a blood
(04:56):
grouping though, and that's it. Anything else you don't wanna
check Levenson anything else?
Speaker 7 (05:04):
Well yeah, uh right here in my handkerchief, empty show
that mark her over there by the rose bush. That's
where I found it. I'm aut twenty two. Huh yeah,
might tie and might not. Well, I get them dumping
in this end. Blop, Really there you go? Are you good?
And she got out a missing blood cast on the
boy here, now Doherty did about a half an hour ago.
(05:26):
Here's a description here. Oh, thank you. My mother know
about the blood stains. No, we didn't tell her. She's
worried enough already and she has no idea what might
have happened to her boy. Uh no more than we do.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
She checked all her friends and relatives recovering the neighborhood
and her cray.
Speaker 7 (05:40):
So far, not much to go up. Blood stains, empty cartridge. Yeah,
it could mean a hundred things. Any ideas, right? It
just one and.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
I don't like it.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Four thirty pm, Thursday, December twenty second, the neighborhood search
for a nine year olds Stanley Johnstone continued. Lee Jones
went back to the crime lab to start the precipitate
test in the blood grouping. Levinson and his partner Dorothy
from Highland Juvenile stood by. We called you, but he
take his fat brown and he ordered up a special
detail to aid in the search for the missing boy. Then,
and I questioned the boy's mother, missus Ruth Johnstone, a
(06:17):
woman in her early forties.
Speaker 7 (06:19):
She seemed fairly calm under the circumstances.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Missus Johnson, is your boy standing in the habit of
wandering off without telling you where he's going?
Speaker 8 (06:25):
No, he's not in the habit of wandering off, but
he has done it before.
Speaker 7 (06:29):
Well, when was the last time, miss Johnson?
Speaker 8 (06:31):
You don't have any children, to your Sergeant Friday, Well,
there might not marry. Well, there comes a time in
every young boy's life when he feels it it's time
to leave home go out on his own. Usually happened
somewhere around eight to ten.
Speaker 7 (06:41):
Think kind of what you mean, I have a boy?
Speaker 10 (06:43):
Well, then you know how it is.
Speaker 8 (06:45):
My husband and our school is standing one afternoon after
school and he was quite put out about it, though
George and I were a fair practic.
Speaker 6 (06:51):
A few of his things left.
Speaker 7 (06:53):
Well how long was he gone?
Speaker 10 (06:54):
Oh, I no time at all, about two hours.
Speaker 8 (06:56):
I was worried about him, but my husband said to
leave him alone, said, every boy had to go through
that stage.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Well, then you think that he's run away from home
again this time?
Speaker 10 (07:03):
Yes, I think so.
Speaker 8 (07:05):
It's been gone about four hours now, I'm we have
a funny feeling about it.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Did you and his father have some misunderstanding with the
boy recently?
Speaker 8 (07:13):
Let's just it we haven't. I don't mind telling you
now that we're talking about it. I I am getting worried.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Is there any place around that he might like to visit?
A hobby shop, playground, some place he might be?
Speaker 8 (07:23):
Yes, there's Jensen's Model shop, Little Shannon Burrows. But if
I've already called there and he hasn't seen all day,
I've called all his friends and they have no idea
where he is either.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
We'd like a list of all of his friends and
the places that he was known to frequent.
Speaker 10 (07:35):
Yes, all right, I'll give him to you. Where do
you suppose he is?
Speaker 7 (07:39):
Where's your husband now, Miss Dahnson?
Speaker 10 (07:41):
It worked? George works at the city. He's a fireman.
Speaker 7 (07:44):
What house is he taking?
Speaker 8 (07:45):
The engine Company twelve? He's working the eight platoon. He'll
be home tomorrow morning. I haven't told him down he's gone.
Speaker 7 (07:52):
Was there any chance the boy might be down at
the firehouse with his father?
Speaker 10 (07:55):
No?
Speaker 8 (07:56):
He sell him goes down there anymore. Nor I don't
think he's there I I'm awfully worried. May I call
my husband?
Speaker 7 (08:04):
Certainly? Right? I had?
Speaker 10 (08:11):
Yeah, I know George will be worried.
Speaker 8 (08:16):
Engine Company twelve, Please, Stanley's been gone too long?
Speaker 11 (08:20):
Hello?
Speaker 10 (08:21):
May I please speak with George Johnstone. This is missus Johnstone.
Speaker 12 (08:25):
Thank you?
Speaker 10 (08:26):
Oh, I hate to call George of his word?
Speaker 7 (08:29):
Yes?
Speaker 9 (08:29):
Not? Uh?
Speaker 7 (08:30):
Does your husband on a gun?
Speaker 9 (08:31):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (08:32):
He does? What caliber? Do you know?
Speaker 10 (08:34):
What's a forty five automatic? You got a knock? George?
Speaker 8 (08:37):
This is ruth h George is standing down there with you?
Speaker 10 (08:40):
By any chance? Oh?
Speaker 8 (08:43):
No, I can't find him anywhere. He wasn't there when
I came home from doing my shopping. There are two
policemen here, No, I said, they're two policemen here, No,
they're I'll call you if we don't find him soon. Alright, dear,
Yes you too, goodbye.
Speaker 7 (09:02):
I didn't think he'd be with George at forty five?
Is that the only gun in the household?
Speaker 10 (09:07):
Yes?
Speaker 8 (09:08):
Why are you asking about guns? Does anything happen that
you're not telling me about?
Speaker 1 (09:11):
No, ma'am, just routine checking. You don't have to take
a leather at at forty five.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
If you don't mind, maybe I should tell you we
do have another gun in the house, but it's all
wrapped up. George brought it for Stanley's Christmas present?
Speaker 7 (09:21):
What will you see at the please?
Speaker 10 (09:22):
Yes, we really have to unwrap it.
Speaker 7 (09:25):
Yes, Maama prinks all send the closet. Thank you.
Speaker 10 (09:32):
Inter you think they had to hide it?
Speaker 7 (09:35):
Let me see?
Speaker 10 (09:37):
Well if the patent was wrapped you.
Speaker 7 (09:39):
Any stamdy up the founder.
Speaker 8 (09:42):
It's cool you see here's the gift card and the
box the gun came in the rifle.
Speaker 7 (09:46):
H I wonder if I coul look at that box now?
Thank you? How about a jump? Twenty two Caliar.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Thursday December twenty second, five fifteen pm was getting dark.
Search for the missing boy continued. We checked the list
of Stanley Johnstone's friends. None of them or their parents
had any idea of his whereabouts. We talked with Levinson again.
He'd been in touch with the detail Combing the neighborhood.
Speaker 7 (10:11):
They'd found nothing.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
They went down to Collis Avenue in tenth Street service
station on the corner one nickle Yo, No, I got one?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Would you watch the fan? Yeah?
Speaker 12 (10:21):
See city Hall to six six seven?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Please do you six six seven?
Speaker 7 (10:43):
I labbed Jones highly Joe Friday. Yeah, Joe, any sign
of the Johnson kidd? No, not yet. How are you coming?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
That's the precipitate test. That's human blood. Yeah, working on
the blood group. Now do you know what type the
Johnson boy has?
Speaker 7 (10:55):
Well, I didn't want to upset his mother. Thought I'd
read the last thing or in the neighborhood.
Speaker 5 (10:59):
Check with the family for the position.
Speaker 7 (11:00):
That's way you won't distab it. Yeah, I figured out that.
U just ad minutely. Yeah, yeah, by lost is pulled up? Okay,
uh fat Brown's out here and now check you lator
lead hright job right by not Oh, there's why Joe callen?
How's it going? We just checked with Lee. Joe's Yeah,
I know it's human blood.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
What do you think We talked with the boy's mother,
Missus Johnstone found a gun missing. Yeah, caliber is the
same as the empty casing Levinson found. It's twenty two
said the gun was missing.
Speaker 7 (11:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
The Johnstones were gonna give it to the boys a
Christmas present.
Speaker 7 (11:31):
They had it hidden, but it's gone. Any idea who
took it? Well up the Christmas wrapping behind.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
I think it was the kid twenty two rapping nine
year old boy. When is he gonna run first. It's
carbine cannons. In the fourth July, the city issued ordinance.
After ordinance, a few thousand kids around the country had
to lose their eyes, fingers, hands before the parents would
give us.
Speaker 7 (11:51):
The folk cooperation outlaw, I know what you meane, sure
you do.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
You and every other cop in the country became the hea.
He's trying to clamp down on him. It was the
same story this time it's guns.
Speaker 7 (11:59):
For christmast What you think, Aylow, We're not sure yet.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Listen, Friday, there's a city ordinance against giving a gun
to a kid.
Speaker 7 (12:04):
You know that? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:05):
I know that was a missing boy and a missing
gun was run on the ground in an empty shell.
Speaker 7 (12:09):
That's enough for me.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
You're only gonna stay away that something's got the break, Yeah,
and I hope it's not the hearts of that kid's parents.
Speaker 7 (12:15):
Hi, shee been looking for you.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Friday, but he got Harry found the gun new twenty
two rifle. I'd ta asked him fired recently? Where'd you
find it? Livingson? Back up there in that squab book
behind the Johnstone house, Missus Johnstone identified it, Buckley.
Speaker 7 (12:27):
He took it down the crimeline.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Thanks Harry, Missus Johnstone, Okay, pretty sick now. Dougherty came
up with something else. What's sent There's another one missing,
an eight year old boy.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Six thirty pm. We talked with Officer Doughty about the
other missing boy. He told us that his name was
Stephen Mooreheim, eight years old. His family had just moved
into the neighborhood. It seemed that no one besides the
Moreheim family knew that the boys played together. Missus Moreheim
told us that Stephen told her that he was going
out to play. They would be home by six o'clock
for dinner. She told us that he was an unusually
(12:59):
prop boy and almost never overstayed his playtime. We got
a description of the Morheim boy and put out a
missing broadcast. We call the Johnstones family.
Speaker 7 (13:07):
Doctor. He told us that Stanley's blood was TYPEO.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
At seven people, we talked again with Missus john Moreheim.
Speaker 6 (13:14):
HM, are you sure Missus Johnstone doesn't know where the
boys are?
Speaker 7 (13:18):
She has no idea. Missus Moreheim, Oh.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
This is terrible, that's awful. I feel there's more of
this thing. Something you're not telling me.
Speaker 7 (13:27):
There's any step set you until we know a few
things for sure.
Speaker 6 (13:29):
And you're holding back since well, no, please.
Speaker 7 (13:31):
Try not to worry, Miss Morheim.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
There are certain things that we're gonna have to ask you,
routine questions and any kind of investigation.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
Is there anything else you wanna know?
Speaker 7 (13:39):
Yes, ma'am. What is your boy's blood type?
Speaker 6 (13:41):
A funny question. Do you think anything's happened to it?
Have you found him when you're not telling him?
Speaker 1 (13:47):
No, ma'am, we haven't found him and we don't think
anything's happened to him.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
It's blood type, yes, ma'am. I think I haven't written
down on Stevie's baby book. Yes, you're any it's type.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
Oh, thank you. I wonder if I might use your phone?
Speaker 10 (14:04):
Yes, of course it's in the hall.
Speaker 7 (14:06):
I'd be right back then.
Speaker 10 (14:20):
City Hall.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
Uh to six six seven, Police to six six seven.
Grandma a banker? All right, this is Joe Friday's Lee
There just a minute, Joe, take totally right, John speaking
checking Backlee.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Did you get the bluff types on two missing boys?
Speaker 7 (14:36):
Yeah? Both type? Oh tell with the stains, Joe Type O.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
You are listening to drag bet for the solution to
an actual case from official police files. Now here's a
real solution to many of your Christmas problems.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
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Speaker 2 (15:08):
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(15:51):
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Speaker 5 (15:54):
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Speaker 3 (16:12):
Eight pm, Thursday, December twenty second, still no sign of
either of the missing boys. Shee did he take his
stad Brown went back to headquarters to direct the search.
From there, he dispatched another detail of fifty men to
aid in the hunt for the missing youngsters. Eight thirty
pm was getting cold. The sires scores were worn to
expect to freeze. We went up the block to see
missus Johnstone. Her husband quit work early and returned home.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
We talked with him.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
He could tell us nothing more than we already knew.
We still have not informed either of the families about
the blood stains and the empty cartridge chasing which had
been discovered in the backyard of the Johnstone home. Was
more than possible that they had a right to know
about our findings, But then and I felt there was
no cause to add to the distress of.
Speaker 7 (16:51):
The two families at this time.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
If the two missing boys were found alive and well,
then the bloodstains and the cartridge should be of no
concern to the relieved parents.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
At eight forty pm, then and I left the Johnstone
house and went to the home of mister and missus
John Morehem. Ms Morehem. You said your husband worked at
a market.
Speaker 6 (17:08):
Yeah, see telephoned about fifteen minutes ago. Said he was
closing up right away. He'll be here any minute. Do
where Stevie would call? Come home? So cold out tonight?
Speaker 9 (17:19):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (17:20):
He had ms Ben cotton jacket.
Speaker 7 (17:21):
We'll try not to worry. We're doing everything we can.
He'll be alright.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
Stevie's father is such a sensitive man. He and the
boy are so close. I know he's terribly upset.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Now you're sure there's no place that you might have forgotten,
someplace where the boy might be.
Speaker 6 (17:33):
No, no place, No, anything's happened to the boy.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
He'll just kill john No, he sit still, I'll get him,
Miss Moreham.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
See joe Yarry Johnstone kid, he's been found.
Speaker 10 (17:58):
He's home, Sergeant, he's come home. Thank god, he's all right.
Speaker 7 (18:02):
Where's he been? Did he tell you?
Speaker 8 (18:04):
No, No, he didn't. His close her alder, it didn't.
He's acting strange. You never seen him like this.
Speaker 7 (18:09):
How do you mean, miss Johnson? Oh?
Speaker 10 (18:10):
He just came to the.
Speaker 8 (18:11):
Front door and said hello, Mom. He sat down a
chair and stared at the floor. And we'll talk to
his father and me.
Speaker 7 (18:17):
Do you mind if I talk to him?
Speaker 10 (18:18):
No, go ahead.
Speaker 8 (18:20):
I asked him about the little more Hime boy, but
he wouldn't tell me a thing.
Speaker 7 (18:23):
Where is he now?
Speaker 10 (18:24):
Right over there in the living.
Speaker 11 (18:25):
Room, milks All, huh, yes, son Son, this is a
police officer. He wants to talk to you.
Speaker 8 (18:40):
Don't be afraid, dear. He only wants to ask you
some questions. Son, you see, Sergeant.
Speaker 7 (18:51):
Stanley, what of my son? Come on, youngster, get your
head up there. That's better.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
He has your mother pretty worried, you know that. Wanna
tell us where you've been?
Speaker 10 (19:01):
We should try to get him to eat a little something.
Speaker 7 (19:04):
You hear that sound? Want something to eat? Stanley?
Speaker 3 (19:09):
There's another little boy after the studio has n't come home.
You know where he is. His father and mother are
worried about him too. It's like your folks wear. We're
gonna ask you to help us find him.
Speaker 9 (19:19):
I killed him. I killed Steve with the twenty two.
We were only playing, but I killed him.
Speaker 7 (19:28):
How do you know you killed him? Maybe he's only
hurt now, isn't that?
Speaker 9 (19:31):
No, he's did and I know he stid. The gun
went off and we forgot. We put bullets in there.
Speaker 7 (19:38):
Where is he standing?
Speaker 9 (19:39):
I hit him? I was scared. I didn't want anybody
to find him.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
Where did you hide him? Son?
Speaker 9 (19:46):
In a cave up on the hill. He didn't mean it.
Speaker 6 (19:49):
He was my pal.
Speaker 7 (19:50):
Do you wanna show us where he is? Stanley?
Speaker 9 (19:52):
Yes, I'll show you. Please don't send me to jail.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Nine fifteen pm Thursday, December twenty second nine, Ye Rose
Stanley Johnstone led the way up the hill behind the
backyard of his home. He showed us the wagon, he
moved the body, and his father came along with us.
About fifty feet from the crest of the hill, a
boy pointed to a thicket of scrub oak. There we
found a small cave holding the body of Stephen Moriin
It was a single bullet wound in his chest, just
(20:23):
below his heart.
Speaker 7 (20:24):
It was dead. He covered the body. Stanley, how did
it happen?
Speaker 6 (20:29):
I knew where.
Speaker 9 (20:29):
Folks were gonna give me the gun for Christmas. I
knew where it was, and I got it. There was
a box of bullets with it. Were you pointing the
gun at Stephen's n No, sir, No, sir, I wasn't.
It was Stee's turned to play with it. I was
cheasing him, tripped over that stump there and he fell.
Gun hit him in the stomach.
Speaker 7 (20:51):
Went off, Well, why do you think you killed him?
If you're telling us the.
Speaker 9 (20:54):
Truth, I'm telling the truth. Yes, that's the truth.
Speaker 7 (20:57):
Well I believe your son, But why do you think
you killed him?
Speaker 9 (21:00):
Was Mike Steve'd still be alive? If I didn't go
and get it, should have waited till Christmas. It's all
my fault. Where have you been all this time in
the keyev with Steve? Well, what were you doing in there?
Speaker 7 (21:16):
Then?
Speaker 9 (21:17):
I was praying. I was praying for God to make
him alive again.
Speaker 7 (21:23):
Well.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
After a thorough investigation, Ben and I were convinced that
the shooting of Stephen Moreheim was accidental.
Speaker 7 (21:33):
Lieutenant Lee Jones finding.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Substantiated the Johnstone Boy's story even to the smallest detail.
We put in a call to the coroner's office and acquainted.
Speaker 7 (21:40):
Him with the facts.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
He designated a local mortuary to handle the body pending autopsy,
and granted us permission to remove the body to the
Morheim home. Missus Moreheim collapsed, a family doctor was called.
Ben and I sat in the living room to wait
for John Moreheim, the dead boy's father, Eada.
Speaker 7 (22:03):
Edith, Uh, mister.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Morehab, Yeah, here's the police. Yes, well where's Edith? Where's
my wife?
Speaker 7 (22:11):
Is my boy? Come home? You found er? Yes? Sir?
Where is he Steve? Steve e? Where where's Steve? He's hurt,
isn't he? Yes? Sir? Yes? Or where is he? Wanna
(22:32):
see him? He hurt bad, mister Morrow, where is he'll
wanna see him? How bad? Pretty bad?
Speaker 3 (22:45):
He's dead? Alright if I go in? Yes, sir, if
you wanna, will you go with me?
Speaker 7 (22:55):
Sure?
Speaker 3 (22:56):
Don't make it any harder on yourself, mister morrim I
wanna see my boy, mister more.
Speaker 9 (23:13):
Just.
Speaker 7 (23:17):
Listen to me, sudden. Oh, we got you a lot of.
Speaker 10 (23:22):
Nice things for Christmas.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
Everything you wanted.
Speaker 13 (23:28):
I got you the three new cars for the train.
Got one with a searchlight on. It really works. Done,
got you that little switch you wanted, a lot more track.
Speaker 5 (23:44):
Oh, now you can have a big lay out.
Speaker 7 (23:48):
And you know that new baseball met result I got
it for it. The cowboy outfit you got just Tomorrow him. Yeah,
what happened?
Speaker 1 (24:08):
It was an accident. He was playing with the Johnstone
boy up the street, playing with a gun.
Speaker 7 (24:14):
It went off.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
What was the other boy's name, Stann at Johnstone. It
was an accident. To morrowm where you going?
Speaker 7 (24:25):
I wanna see that boy.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
We had no idea what the dead boy's father had
in mind. We didn't feel that we should try to
restrain him. We went along with him up the street
to the Johnstone home.
Speaker 7 (24:43):
I'm Stevo's father. Where'sia boy?
Speaker 10 (24:47):
I'm sorry we bought their rifle.
Speaker 8 (24:51):
You were going to time not to use it unless
his father was with him and until he learned how
to treat firearms.
Speaker 7 (24:56):
Worsia boy?
Speaker 10 (24:58):
Right here? Did you come in?
Speaker 7 (25:01):
That's all right? Miss job? Uh? You the boy that
was with Stevie?
Speaker 9 (25:12):
Yes, sir?
Speaker 7 (25:13):
What's your name?
Speaker 9 (25:14):
Stanley?
Speaker 7 (25:17):
I know it wasn't your fault, Stanley? Wonder if you
do something for me? Yes, sir, I got a lot
of nice presents for Stevie and know we'd want you
to have him. I wanna give him to you Christmas.
Speaker 10 (25:33):
Eve, ma'am. I think I would be a fine idea.
Speaker 7 (25:38):
Son, what about it? Well? What did it all approve?
You know you don't give a kid a guy for Christmas?
Speaker 1 (26:04):
The story you have just heard was true, only the
names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
On December twenty fourth, nineteen forty eight, a coroner's inquest
was held in the County Morgue City and County of
Los Angeles, State of California.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
In a moment the results of that.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
Inquest, now here is our star, Jack Webb, thank you
to get year round. Thanks for the gift you give
this Christmas. Give cartons of Fatimas to every long cigarette
smoker on your list.
Speaker 7 (26:32):
Christmas.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Fatimas and the special royal blue slipover jacket make a
perfect gift, just as is and my friends who sell fatimas,
the retail dealers and the wholesale distributors all over America.
To each one of you, a special season's greeting, and
to everyone a Merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
At the coroner's inquest, it was officially recorded that Stephen
Morheim's death was the result of an accident. Stanley Johnstone
was absolved of any legal responsibility for his friend's death.
(27:32):
You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases
from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Of Chief of Police W. H.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
This is Bob Hope.
Speaker 7 (27:50):
Can we steal a second ester?
Speaker 10 (27:52):
Feel Chester? Fe you always in that mile and mild
that I can reason after.
Speaker 7 (27:59):
Sake, open a pack, give him a smell welcome.
Speaker 14 (28:04):
Don't forget to give Crosby for Christmas. I mean a
chest to feel Christmas carton with being as Papa Santa Claus,
see you Tuesday.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Fatima Cigarettes best of all long cigarettes has brought you
a dragonet portions transcribed from Los Angeles.
Speaker 5 (28:36):
We the People is next, with more good times on
NBC
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