Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Brings your drag man.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Ladies and gentlemen, The story you were about to hear
is true. The names have been changed to protect the innofence.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You're a detective sergeant.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
You're assigned the homicide details. A small boy is reported
missing from his home, his age nine years Foul play
is suspected. Your job find.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Him drag Man.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
The document a drama of an actual crime. For the
next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Will travel step by step on the side of the
law to an actual case. Transcribe from official police silence,
from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Mess is
the story of your police force and action. It was
thirty December twenty seconds with cold wall things, but we
were working at night watch out a homicide divisions. My
(01:12):
fat n is Frank Smiths, the boss of Bad Brown
given he catches. My name is Friday. I was one
the way into work and it was three fifty five
pm when I got to Room forty two homicide. I
don't Franks, what joy it?
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (01:23):
I'm pretty quiet? Imnah like coals still hanging on bad cough.
Doc says lem serious, So my kid's got the same
thing might be some kind of a virus going around. Yeah. Maybe.
So you get all the reports on that websit teat
you Yeah, yeah, I don't think care, you know, I
get it homicide fighting to tell me for you? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Ay? What's doing story?
Speaker 5 (01:45):
You know you're out here on Holli fam and your
four takes the fights.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
They can join the trackdown of nine year old boy?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
What's the story?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Missing a ball flight?
Speaker 6 (01:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (01:52):
How long has he been going?
Speaker 3 (01:53):
About two hours?
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Looks like a john How do you figure it? How
Gid plans you play in the back yard of his hall? Yeah,
checked over the yard if I anything, Frank and I
left the message for chief. Did he take his fat brown?
Then we went over to the crime lab, picked up
Ray Pinker and drove out the Arroyal Seco Freeway to
Holly's Avenue. It was a Maverage neighborhood number forty six
(02:15):
fifty six for the one story green stucco residence situated
on the corner of Hollis Avenue and Harrison Drive. Beyond
the back yard was attractive undeveloped land covered with scrub oaks.
Harry Levinson from Highland Park Juvenal was waiting for us
in front of the house. Practice white fella.
Speaker 7 (02:32):
He come and ray we were got in my bag.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Who replied you the boy was missing?
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Hearing my mother said she went down to some Christmas
shopping about eleven this morning, left the boy home, came
back about two this afternoon. He was gone.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
What's the name Johnstone? A kid? Name is family? Nine
years old? Uh the gate don't unlike this when he's
down here.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Yeah, we haven't touched things. They stands over here, miss
drink along the edge of the walk there you see.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
Yeah, let me see.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
It's quite a few things.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
I h's like a mnd me blood turn some benzdeine
on Ah, yeah, I see what happened? Why is the
kid's mother?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
And I uh see him the house door he's talking
to If you talk to me then he would stay out.
Speaker 8 (03:08):
The people next door, the ones on the shot, they
couldn't tell us anything.
Speaker 6 (03:12):
I just fell its early.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
The spots that covered the bends to the inner tinning
blue blood stains. Are can't say definitely what it's human
animal like. The labs little through yeah biolog.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Precipici in tests. Anyone who's lass violet in a bag
with you well les, yeah thinks take some of these
flakes off the tests anyway, I assume that your types
of blood for a dray pacipic.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
In tests won't run more in twenty minutes. Take three
four eyes to learn a bood grouping though, Yes, that's it.
Anything else you want to check?
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Let don't you see you?
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Right here on there was ten chan anti shell mm
twenty two. Uh yeah, I might die and might now
market and dumb on the bend will but it's sure.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Hey she got out a missing bodcast on the boy hearing.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Yeah, Doughty did about half an hour ago. Heard of
the description right here saying mother know about the blood stains.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
No, we didn't tell her. She's worried enough already. She
has no idea what might happen to her boy us
No more than we do.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Checked all the friends, relatives were covering the neighborhood, no
trade show for not much to go on.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
M blood stains, empty trutridge.
Speaker 8 (04:17):
That could mean a hundred things, any ideas.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Freddy just won him. I don't like it. A four
thirty pm, Thursday, December twenty second, the neighborhood search for
nine year old Stanley Johnstone continued, Ray Thinker went back
to the crime lab to start the precipitate test in
the blood grouping. Levinson and his partner Dougherty from Highland
Juvenile stood by. We called cheap and he take his
(04:42):
sad brown and he ordered up a special detail to
aid in the search for the missing boy. Frank and
I questioned the boy's mother, Missus Ruth Johnstone, a woman
in the early forties. She seems fairly calm under the circumstances.
Missus Johnstone. As the boys Stanley in the habit of
wandering off without telling you where he's going.
Speaker 9 (04:57):
No, he's not in the habit of wandering off, but
he has done before.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
It was the last time that's got up.
Speaker 10 (05:02):
You don't have any children till you touch in Friday.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
You know.
Speaker 9 (05:05):
Well, well, it comes that time in every young boy's
life when he feels that it's time to leave home
go out on his own. Usually happen somewhere around eight
to ten.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
That plan, like, I know what you mean, I have
a boy.
Speaker 9 (05:14):
And then you know how it is. My husband in
high school had done then one afternoon after school and
he was quite put out about it.
Speaker 10 (05:20):
But George and I were unfair, packed a few of
these things and left.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Well how long was he gone? Now, No time at all,
About two hours.
Speaker 9 (05:26):
I was worried about him, but my husband said to
leave him alone, said, every boy had to go through
that stage.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Uh huh. Well then you think he's gone away from
home again this time, do you?
Speaker 6 (05:33):
Yes?
Speaker 10 (05:33):
I think so. He's been gone about four hours now.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
No.
Speaker 10 (05:37):
I have a funny feeling about it.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
But you and his father happen to have some misunderstanding
with a boy, which you want.
Speaker 8 (05:41):
Well, let's just it we haven't.
Speaker 9 (05:43):
I don't mind telling you not that we're talking about it.
Speaker 7 (05:45):
I'm getting worried.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Any place around that you might like to visit, a
hobby shop or a playground, something like that where he
might be.
Speaker 9 (05:50):
Yes, there's Johnson's Model Shop, Little Helen Woods. But I've
already called there and he hasn't been seen all day.
Speaker 10 (05:55):
I called all of his friends and they have no
idea either.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
We'd like a list of all of his friends in
the places that he would known to frequently him.
Speaker 10 (06:01):
Yes, all right, I'll give him to you. Where do
you suppose he is?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Why is your husband? Now'm as the Downstown at work.
Speaker 10 (06:08):
George works for the city. He's a fireman.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Uh huh what house does?
Speaker 9 (06:10):
He stays at Enginey Company twelve. He's working the eighth
platoon and he will be home tomorrow morning. I haven't
told him that Stamiley's gone.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Was there any chance that the boy might be down
to fire house with his fest?
Speaker 4 (06:19):
No?
Speaker 5 (06:19):
He tell him goes down there anymore?
Speaker 10 (06:21):
No, I don't think he's there. I must be worried.
Speaker 9 (06:25):
May I call my husband, sir?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
When you're right a house?
Speaker 9 (06:33):
I know George will be worried. Dam he's been gone
too long. Hello, May I speak with George Johnstone? This
is missus Johnstone.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Thank you?
Speaker 10 (06:44):
I hate to call George of his work?
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Yes? Right? Is your husband only done there? Yes? He does?
What caliber?
Speaker 9 (06:51):
Would you know if forty five automatic?
Speaker 6 (06:54):
He's got an George?
Speaker 8 (06:55):
Well, this is Ruth.
Speaker 9 (06:57):
George's family down there with you?
Speaker 11 (06:58):
Buy any chance?
Speaker 7 (07:00):
Oh?
Speaker 10 (07:01):
No, I can't find him anywhere.
Speaker 9 (07:02):
He wasn't here when I came home from doing my shopping.
Speaker 10 (07:05):
You're a two policemen here? No, I said, there are
two policemen here.
Speaker 9 (07:10):
No, dear, I'll call you.
Speaker 10 (07:11):
If we don't find him.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Soone h.
Speaker 10 (07:15):
Alright, yes you too? By I didn't think he'd be with.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
George, Are that forty five? Is that's the only gun
in the household?
Speaker 7 (07:23):
Yes?
Speaker 9 (07:24):
Why are you asking about guns? If anything happen, you're
not telling me.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
About Oh ma'am, that's throuteen second. We'll have to take
a look at that forty five.
Speaker 9 (07:30):
If you don't mind, maybe I should tell you we
do have another gun in the house, but it's all
wrapped up.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
George about it?
Speaker 10 (07:35):
Fis time these Christmas present?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
What if you look at her?
Speaker 8 (07:36):
Please?
Speaker 10 (07:37):
Yes, but you have to unwrap it.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
I'll play itself.
Speaker 9 (07:45):
I think I can reach it.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
We had to hide at it.
Speaker 10 (07:49):
Let me see.
Speaker 9 (07:52):
Well, he's the paper that was wrapped in sounding like
to fire with the car. You see, he's a gift
card and my box'll come came in rifle.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Uh huh cause I looked at the box lamp. Thank
you about a job. Twenty two calibers. Thursday December twenty second,
five fifteen pm. We were getting dark. The search for
the missing boy continued. We checked the list of Stanley
Johnstone's friends. None of them or their parents had any
(08:21):
idea us whereabouts. We talked with Levinson again. He'd been
in touch with the detail combing the neighborhood, they'd found nothing.
We went down to Hollis Avenue and tenth Street service
station on the corner. When I dine, jout no I
got when we watched The Chief Rounder Death.
Speaker 7 (08:56):
Do you think they seven plays take a grade lay
figure right right, Joe Friday?
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Yeah, joke, kidd, No, not Chad. How are you coming
to the tips the human blood?
Speaker 8 (09:08):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Where now the blood grove down Ewan takes yet the
boy in Well, we didn't want to upset his mother.
They thought, I wait, a little last thing around the neighborhood,
check of the family position, then where you want to
disturb it? Yeah, we figured out there particular way. Yeah, yeah,
I think the boss called up or.
Speaker 7 (09:22):
Get right Ray five rounds out here and now checulated
huh yo, right right?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
What about them? I was a gun well, just checked
his lay thinker. Yeah, I know it's human blood.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
What do you think?
Speaker 1 (09:42):
When we talked for the boy's mother, mister john Stones
sounded the gun missing yep, elevate, the same as the
empty caation of Weavingston found twenty two. He said the
gun was missing. Yeah, well john Stone was gonna give
it to the boys the Christmas present. They had it,
hid him, but it's gone now. Any idea who took it?
Well over it was They left the Christmas wrapping behind.
I think maybe it was a kid.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
Only two white homes and then your old boy. When
are they gonna learn past the scarbyde Cans On the
fourth of July, the city issued ordinance after ordinance, but
a few thousand kids around the country had to lose
their eyes, fingers, hands for the parents that give us
their FO co operation to outlous.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
I know what to me, Sure you do.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
You and every other cap in the country became the
heavy trying to clamp down on him. And that was
the same story.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
This time it's gun for Christmas on the shout keep
But we're not sure you had listened.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Friday.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
There's a city ordinance against giving a gun to a kid,
now you know that.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Yeah, I know that.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
It's a missing boy and a missing gun. There's blood
on the ground on an empty shell.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
That's not for me. I'm gonna stay well it too.
Certing's gotta break hand and I hope it's not the
house of that kid's parents. I see looking for you, Friday.
The wall he got here, he found the gun a
new twenty two roye, so i'd say it been fired recently.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Where'd you finally living?
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Since the back up there in that scrubble behind the
john Stone house. Missus Johnstone identified it, but they took
it down to crime.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Left the place here he miss Jennifer, little kay and
pretty sick.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Now Kiloby came up with something else what's said as
another one missing an eight.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Year old boy? Uh six thirty pm, we talked with
Officer Killoby about the other missing boy. He told us,
but his name was Stephen Martin, eight years old. His
family had just moved into the neighborhood. It seemed that
no one besides the Martin family knew that the boys
played together. Missus Martin told us that Stephen told her
(11:11):
that he was going out to play and he'd be
home by six o'clock for dinner. She told us that
he was an unusually pomp boy and almost never overstated playtimes.
We got a description of the Martin boy and put
out a missing broadcast. We called the Johnstones family doctor.
He told us that family's blood was type O. At
seven PM, we talked again with Missus john Martin.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
Are you sure, Missus Johnston doesn't know where the boys are.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
She has no idea. Missus Martin, Oh, this is terrible.
Speaker 10 (11:35):
That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
I feel there's more to this thing.
Speaker 9 (11:38):
Something you're not telling me.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Now. There's really to upset until we know a few
more things for Sherman.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
When you are holding something back, well.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Please try not to worry, Miss Martin. There's certain questions
we have to ask, routine questions in any kind of investigation.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
Is there anything else you wanna know?
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Yes, ma'am. What's your boy's blood? Time?
Speaker 10 (11:52):
Sunny question?
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Do you think anything's happened to us?
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Have you found him and you're not telling me?
Speaker 1 (11:57):
No, ma'am, we haven't found him, and we don't take
any things happened to him.
Speaker 10 (12:01):
He's third type Huh, that's rightly.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Well.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
I think I have it written down in.
Speaker 10 (12:06):
The Savis Baby books.
Speaker 7 (12:09):
M Yes, yes, here it is.
Speaker 6 (12:13):
The type is old Type O.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Thank you. I wonder if I can use your phone?
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Oh, yes, of course, it's in the hall.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Be right back, Frank, yes, three Hall two six six seven,
Place two six six seven, great lap bigger, alright, right,
(12:42):
it's Friday.
Speaker 7 (12:43):
He did you get the types any boys?
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Yeah? Both Type O? So what it's days at you type.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
You are listening to Ragnet, the authentic story of your
police force din Action. The modern way to sell cigarette
is the Chesterfield way, both regular and king size, and
we're the only one that does it. We tell you
what Chesterfield are made of to give you premium quality
in both popular sizes. Our scientists selects the best materials.
(13:20):
They select for Chesterfield the world's best tobaccos blend them
just right, and they keep Chesterfields tasty and fresh with
the best of moistening agents.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Now here's something else.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
That's completely modern about Chesterfield. People smoke.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Eight pm, thirsty December twenty seconds, still no sign of
either of the missing boys. Cheeth and Detective Sad Brown
went back to headquarters to direct the search. From there,
he dispatched another detail of fifty men to aid in
the hunts of the missing youngsters. Eight thirty pm. Who
was getting cold The citrus scrollers were worn to expect
to freeze. We went back up the block to see
missus Johnstone. Her husband had quit work early and returned home.
(14:05):
We talked with him. He could tell us nothing more
than we already knew. We still had not implormed either
of the families about the blood stains and the empty
cartridge casing which had been discovered in the back yard
of the Johnstone home. It was more than possible if
they had a right to know about our findings, but
Frank and I thought there was no cause to add
to their distress at this particular time. If the two
missing boys were found alive and well, then the blood
(14:27):
stains and the contreege would be of no concern to
the relieved parents. At eight forty pm, Frank and I
left the Johnstone house and went to the home of
mister and missus John Martin. As as Martin. They said,
your husband worked at the market.
Speaker 9 (14:37):
Yes, he tell usphone about fifteen minutes ago and said
he was closing up right away to be here in minutes.
Speaker 10 (14:43):
I do wish Stevie.
Speaker 6 (14:44):
Would call or come home.
Speaker 9 (14:46):
So cold last night, all he had on was a
Sam Cotton jacket.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Return on theory were doing anything again to be alright?
Speaker 9 (14:51):
Stevie saw that such a sensative name in the boy
was so close.
Speaker 10 (14:56):
I know he's terribly usessed.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
That's sad.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Are you sure there's no place you might have forgotten,
someplace where the boy might be No, No, place.
Speaker 9 (15:04):
No, if anything's happened to the boy, will just kill John.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Missus Martin.
Speaker 6 (15:09):
It's a dog, you know, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Joe? Yeah right, johns done.
Speaker 11 (15:16):
Kid, he's been sound, he's home touch and he's come home.
Speaker 10 (15:32):
Thank god, he's all right.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Well, where has he been to the tennis?
Speaker 10 (15:35):
No? No, lidn't his clothes are all that any exact things?
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Strange?
Speaker 9 (15:39):
I I never seen him like this.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
How do you mean, missus Johnstone.
Speaker 9 (15:43):
Well, he just came in the front door and he
said hello, mom, and then he sat down in a
chair and stared at the.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Floor and he talked to his father. I mean matter
if I saw to him. No, go ahead, I.
Speaker 9 (15:51):
Asked him about the little Martin boy. He wouldn't tell
any kings or was he now right over there in
the living for him?
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Looks hold what yeah.
Speaker 11 (16:00):
Son, son, this is a police officers.
Speaker 10 (16:06):
He wants to talk to you. Don't be afraid do
He only wants to ask you some questions, son, And
see sertain.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yes, m Stanley, come on, boy, look at me, Come on,
ext she gets your head out. Uh that's better. You
have your mother, pretty word. You know that you wanna
tell her for your best.
Speaker 10 (16:27):
So we should try to get into eat litt or something.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
Do you hear that South want something? Stanley does? Another
little boy up to street? You as him come home?
Do you know what he is? His father and mother
are worried about him too, just like your folks were
gotta help us find him.
Speaker 10 (16:42):
Son, I killed him.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
I killed Do you with the twenty two? When were
any twin him?
Speaker 1 (16:50):
But I killed him? Oh do you know you're killing
the lady? He's only hurt now, man?
Speaker 9 (16:54):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (16:54):
Do good?
Speaker 5 (16:56):
I really dead? The gun went up?
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Well?
Speaker 5 (17:00):
Forgot what he put boats in it?
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Where is his family?
Speaker 5 (17:03):
I didn't which did?
Speaker 9 (17:06):
I didn't want any body to find him?
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Where did you hide himself in a cave?
Speaker 5 (17:12):
Up on the gist?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
I didn't mean it.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
He was like, now, do you.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Wanna show us where his Stanley?
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Yes, sEH, I'll show you. Please go see me to jail.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Nine fifteen pm, Thursday December twenty second. Nine year old's family.
Johnstone led the way up the hill behind the backyard
of his home. He showed us the wagon he moved
the body in. His father came along with us. About
fifty feet from the crest of the hill, a boy
pointed to a sick of a scrubble. There we found
a small cave holding the body of Stephen Martin. It
was a single bullet wound in his chest, just below
(17:48):
his heart. He was dead, which covered the body. Family,
How did it happened?
Speaker 5 (17:55):
M and you and the folks wouldn't give me a
book of pictures? Cause he knew that doesn't he got it?
He was a box of boats with it?
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Were your pointing the gun Stephen's son?
Speaker 5 (18:05):
No, sir, n no, sir, I will do if we
stee's time play with it. I was chasing you tip.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Give it up.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
Something he saw the gun would.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
In the stomachrat went off, Well, why do you think
you killed him? If you're telling it's the truth here, she's.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
Kill him the truth, honest, it's the truth, alight.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I believe your son? Why do you think you killed him?
Speaker 5 (18:25):
My gun? You'd give you a lighter to them, go
get it. I gived away to Good Christmas, So I'm
my fault.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Where have you been all this time?
Speaker 5 (18:36):
What was the kings with Steve?
Speaker 6 (18:39):
What were you doing in there?
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Sir?
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I was pring, I was prais, But God didn't make
it a lot again.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
After a thorough investigation, Frank and I were convinced that
the shooting of Stephen Martin was accidental. Ray Pinter's finding
substantiated the Johnstone Boy's story, even to the smaller detail.
We put in a call to the corner's office and
acquainted him with a fact. He designated a local mutuary
to handle a body pending on autopsy, and granted this
(19:09):
permission to remove the body to the Martin home. Missus
Martin collapsed. The family doctor was called. Frank and I
sat in the living room to wait for John Martin,
the dead boy's father, Ada Peter, mister Martin, Yes, you're
(19:30):
the police. Yes see, where's Peters? Where's my wife? That's
my boy?
Speaker 10 (19:37):
Come home?
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Where have you found him? Yes? See? Where is he?
Steve steevie? Where's Steve? He hurts me, Yes, you, where
is he? I wanna see him? Sure? Pretty bad? It's money?
(20:00):
Oh well, veree? I want to see him? How bad?
Pretty bad? He staying.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Alright?
Speaker 1 (20:21):
If I go eat that's six. If they want of 'em?
Who do you go with me? Don't make it himy
higher on your doup this money.
Speaker 6 (20:37):
I wanna see my boy, not.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
To be su I don't want a nice thing for Christmas.
Speaker 6 (21:04):
Anything you wanted.
Speaker 10 (21:06):
I could get the three new ties for the train.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
No one would have thick that the grey works.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I could just stri wanted for draft you know me?
Speaker 6 (21:35):
It's spaceful?
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Miss me? Oh, I got it for it's a couple.
I am sorry what happened?
Speaker 6 (22:09):
It was Maxident.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
He was playing with a Johnstone boy up the street
playing with a gun and went, uh, but what was
the other boy?
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Mad?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Family? Johnstone was Maxident? The mart where you going? Then
wanted to see that boy. We had no idea what
the dead boys 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 hall.
Speaker 8 (22:34):
Hi'm Steevie's father.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Where's your boy?
Speaker 1 (22:42):
I don't start, where's your boy?
Speaker 6 (22:44):
He's like here?
Speaker 10 (22:46):
We want you to me if.
Speaker 8 (22:49):
Don like miss Johnstone, you were the boy that was
with Steepee.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
H S what short name am I?
Speaker 8 (23:04):
Sor to do it?
Speaker 6 (23:08):
I know it wasn't yourful to stand.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
I will.
Speaker 8 (23:13):
I wouldn't if you do something for me. Yes, I've
got a lot of nice presents PRIs TV.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
I know who want us to have him? I wouldna
give him to you. Christmas Eve, M.
Speaker 10 (23:34):
I think I'd be a fine idea of some.
Speaker 6 (23:38):
Come on, thank yeah, Well, what's it.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
I'll prove Joe we don't get a kid a gun
for Christmas. Oh, the story you've just heard was true.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
The names were changed to protect the elephant.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
On December twenty fourth, the coroner's inquest was held in
the County Morgue, County of Los Angeles, State of California.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
In a moment the results of that inquest.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
At the coroner's inquest, it was officially recorded that Stephen
Martin's death was the result of an accident. Stanley Johnstone
was absolved of any legal responsibility for his friend's death.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
You have jumped her drag met a series of authentic
cases from official files.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Of Police W. H.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe,
Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Fans. Bracers heard tonight were Ben, Alexander,
William Johnstone Family Odd script by.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Jim Moses, music by Walter Schumann. Hell get Me Speaking
Brings your drag man.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Ladies and gentlemen, The story you were about to hear
is true. The names have been changed to protect the innofence.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You're a detective sergeant.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
You're assigned the homicide details. A small boy is reported
missing from his home, his age nine years Foul play
is suspected. Your job find.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Him drag Man.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
The document a drama of an actual crime. For the
next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Will travel step by step on the side of the
law to an actual case. Transcribe from official police silence,
from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Mess is
the story of your police force and action. It was
thirty December twenty seconds with cold wall things, but we
were working at night watch out a homicide divisions. My
(01:12):
fat n is Frank Smiths, the boss of Bad Brown
given he catches. My name is Friday. I was one
the way into work and it was three fifty five
pm when I got to Room forty two homicide. I
don't Franks, what joy it?
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (01:23):
I'm pretty quiet? Imnah like coals still hanging on bad cough.
Doc says lem serious, So my kid's got the same
thing might be some kind of a virus going around. Yeah. Maybe.
So you get all the reports on that websit teat
you Yeah, yeah, I don't think care, you know, I
get it homicide fighting to tell me for you? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Ay? What's doing story?
Speaker 5 (01:45):
You know you're out here on Holli fam and your
four takes the fights.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
They can join the trackdown of nine year old boy?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
What's the story?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Missing a ball flight?
Speaker 6 (01:52):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (01:52):
How long has he been going?
Speaker 3 (01:53):
About two hours?
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Looks like a john How do you figure it? How
Gid plans you play in the back yard of his hall? Yeah,
checked over the yard if I anything, Frank and I
left the message for chief. Did he take his fat brown?
Then we went over to the crime lab, picked up
Ray Pinker and drove out the Arroyal Seco Freeway to
Holly's Avenue. It was a Maverage neighborhood number forty six
(02:15):
fifty six for the one story green stucco residence situated
on the corner of Hollis Avenue and Harrison Drive. Beyond
the back yard was attractive undeveloped land covered with scrub oaks.
Harry Levinson from Highland Park Juvenal was waiting for us
in front of the house. Practice white fella.
Speaker 7 (02:32):
He come and ray we were got in my bag.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Who replied you the boy was missing?
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Hearing my mother said she went down to some Christmas
shopping about eleven this morning, left the boy home, came
back about two this afternoon. He was gone.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
What's the name Johnstone? A kid? Name is family? Nine
years old? Uh the gate don't unlike this when he's
down here.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Yeah, we haven't touched things. They stands over here, miss
drink along the edge of the walk there you see.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
Yeah, let me see.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
It's quite a few things.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
I h's like a mnd me blood turn some benzdeine
on Ah, yeah, I see what happened? Why is the
kid's mother?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
And I uh see him the house door he's talking
to If you talk to me then he would stay out.
Speaker 8 (03:08):
The people next door, the ones on the shot, they
couldn't tell us anything.
Speaker 6 (03:12):
I just fell its early.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
The spots that covered the bends to the inner tinning
blue blood stains. Are can't say definitely what it's human
animal like. The labs little through yeah biolog.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Precipici in tests. Anyone who's lass violet in a bag
with you well les, yeah thinks take some of these
flakes off the tests anyway, I assume that your types
of blood for a dray pacipic.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
In tests won't run more in twenty minutes. Take three
four eyes to learn a bood grouping though, Yes, that's it.
Anything else you want to check?
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Let don't you see you?
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Right here on there was ten chan anti shell mm
twenty two. Uh yeah, I might die and might now
market and dumb on the bend will but it's sure.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Hey she got out a missing bodcast on the boy hearing.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Yeah, Doughty did about half an hour ago. Heard of
the description right here saying mother know about the blood stains.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
No, we didn't tell her. She's worried enough already. She
has no idea what might happen to her boy us
No more than we do.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Checked all the friends, relatives were covering the neighborhood, no
trade show for not much to go on.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
M blood stains, empty trutridge.
Speaker 8 (04:17):
That could mean a hundred things, any ideas.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Freddy just won him. I don't like it. A four
thirty pm, Thursday, December twenty second, the neighborhood search for
nine year old Stanley Johnstone continued, Ray Thinker went back
to the crime lab to start the precipitate test in
the blood grouping. Levinson and his partner Dougherty from Highland
Juvenile stood by. We called cheap and he take his
(04:42):
sad brown and he ordered up a special detail to
aid in the search for the missing boy. Frank and
I questioned the boy's mother, Missus Ruth Johnstone, a woman
in the early forties. She seems fairly calm under the circumstances.
Missus Johnstone. As the boys Stanley in the habit of
wandering off without telling you where he's going.
Speaker 9 (04:57):
No, he's not in the habit of wandering off, but
he has done before.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
It was the last time that's got up.
Speaker 10 (05:02):
You don't have any children till you touch in Friday.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
You know.
Speaker 9 (05:05):
Well, well, it comes that time in every young boy's
life when he feels that it's time to leave home
go out on his own. Usually happen somewhere around eight
to ten.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
That plan, like, I know what you mean, I have
a boy.
Speaker 9 (05:14):
And then you know how it is. My husband in
high school had done then one afternoon after school and
he was quite put out about it.
Speaker 10 (05:20):
But George and I were unfair, packed a few of
these things and left.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Well how long was he gone? Now, No time at all,
About two hours.
Speaker 9 (05:26):
I was worried about him, but my husband said to
leave him alone, said, every boy had to go through
that stage.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Uh huh. Well then you think he's gone away from
home again this time, do you?
Speaker 6 (05:33):
Yes?
Speaker 10 (05:33):
I think so. He's been gone about four hours now.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
No.
Speaker 10 (05:37):
I have a funny feeling about it.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
But you and his father happen to have some misunderstanding
with a boy, which you want.
Speaker 8 (05:41):
Well, let's just it we haven't.
Speaker 9 (05:43):
I don't mind telling you not that we're talking about it.
Speaker 7 (05:45):
I'm getting worried.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Any place around that you might like to visit, a
hobby shop or a playground, something like that where he
might be.
Speaker 9 (05:50):
Yes, there's Johnson's Model Shop, Little Helen Woods. But I've
already called there and he hasn't been seen all day.
Speaker 10 (05:55):
I called all of his friends and they have no
idea either.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
We'd like a list of all of his friends in
the places that he would known to frequently him.
Speaker 10 (06:01):
Yes, all right, I'll give him to you. Where do
you suppose he is?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Why is your husband? Now'm as the Downstown at work.
Speaker 10 (06:08):
George works for the city. He's a fireman.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Uh huh what house does?
Speaker 9 (06:10):
He stays at Enginey Company twelve. He's working the eighth
platoon and he will be home tomorrow morning. I haven't
told him that Stamiley's gone.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Was there any chance that the boy might be down
to fire house with his fest?
Speaker 4 (06:19):
No?
Speaker 5 (06:19):
He tell him goes down there anymore?
Speaker 10 (06:21):
No, I don't think he's there. I must be worried.
Speaker 9 (06:25):
May I call my husband, sir?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
When you're right a house?
Speaker 9 (06:33):
I know George will be worried. Dam he's been gone
too long. Hello, May I speak with George Johnstone? This
is missus Johnstone.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Thank you?
Speaker 10 (06:44):
I hate to call George of his work?
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Yes? Right? Is your husband only done there? Yes? He does?
What caliber?
Speaker 9 (06:51):
Would you know if forty five automatic?
Speaker 6 (06:54):
He's got an George?
Speaker 8 (06:55):
Well, this is Ruth.
Speaker 9 (06:57):
George's family down there with you?
Speaker 11 (06:58):
Buy any chance?
Speaker 7 (07:00):
Oh?
Speaker 10 (07:01):
No, I can't find him anywhere.
Speaker 9 (07:02):
He wasn't here when I came home from doing my shopping.
Speaker 10 (07:05):
You're a two policemen here? No, I said, there are
two policemen here.
Speaker 9 (07:10):
No, dear, I'll call you.
Speaker 10 (07:11):
If we don't find him.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Soone h.
Speaker 10 (07:15):
Alright, yes you too? By I didn't think he'd be with.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
George, Are that forty five? Is that's the only gun
in the household?
Speaker 7 (07:23):
Yes?
Speaker 9 (07:24):
Why are you asking about guns? If anything happen, you're
not telling me.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
About Oh ma'am, that's throuteen second. We'll have to take
a look at that forty five.
Speaker 9 (07:30):
If you don't mind, maybe I should tell you we
do have another gun in the house, but it's all
wrapped up.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
George about it?
Speaker 10 (07:35):
Fis time these Christmas present?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
What if you look at her?
Speaker 8 (07:36):
Please?
Speaker 10 (07:37):
Yes, but you have to unwrap it.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
I'll play itself.
Speaker 9 (07:45):
I think I can reach it.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
We had to hide at it.
Speaker 10 (07:49):
Let me see.
Speaker 9 (07:52):
Well, he's the paper that was wrapped in sounding like
to fire with the car. You see, he's a gift
card and my box'll come came in rifle.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Uh huh cause I looked at the box lamp. Thank
you about a job. Twenty two calibers. Thursday December twenty second,
five fifteen pm. We were getting dark. The search for
the missing boy continued. We checked the list of Stanley
Johnstone's friends. None of them or their parents had any
(08:21):
idea us whereabouts. We talked with Levinson again. He'd been
in touch with the detail combing the neighborhood, they'd found nothing.
We went down to Hollis Avenue and tenth Street service
station on the corner. When I dine, jout no I
got when we watched The Chief Rounder Death.
Speaker 7 (08:56):
Do you think they seven plays take a grade lay
figure right right, Joe Friday?
Speaker 1 (09:02):
Yeah, joke, kidd, No, not Chad. How are you coming
to the tips the human blood?
Speaker 8 (09:08):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Where now the blood grove down Ewan takes yet the
boy in Well, we didn't want to upset his mother.
They thought, I wait, a little last thing around the neighborhood,
check of the family position, then where you want to
disturb it? Yeah, we figured out there particular way. Yeah, yeah,
I think the boss called up or.
Speaker 7 (09:22):
Get right Ray five rounds out here and now checulated
huh yo, right right?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
What about them? I was a gun well, just checked
his lay thinker. Yeah, I know it's human blood.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
What do you think?
Speaker 1 (09:42):
When we talked for the boy's mother, mister john Stones
sounded the gun missing yep, elevate, the same as the
empty caation of Weavingston found twenty two. He said the
gun was missing. Yeah, well john Stone was gonna give
it to the boys the Christmas present. They had it,
hid him, but it's gone now. Any idea who took it?
Well over it was They left the Christmas wrapping behind.
I think maybe it was a kid.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
Only two white homes and then your old boy. When
are they gonna learn past the scarbyde Cans On the
fourth of July, the city issued ordinance after ordinance, but
a few thousand kids around the country had to lose
their eyes, fingers, hands for the parents that give us
their FO co operation to outlous.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
I know what to me, Sure you do.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
You and every other cap in the country became the
heavy trying to clamp down on him. And that was
the same story.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
This time it's gun for Christmas on the shout keep
But we're not sure you had listened.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Friday.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
There's a city ordinance against giving a gun to a kid,
now you know that.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Yeah, I know that.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
It's a missing boy and a missing gun. There's blood
on the ground on an empty shell.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
That's not for me. I'm gonna stay well it too.
Certing's gotta break hand and I hope it's not the
house of that kid's parents. I see looking for you, Friday.
The wall he got here, he found the gun a
new twenty two roye, so i'd say it been fired recently.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Where'd you finally living?
Speaker 4 (10:39):
Since the back up there in that scrubble behind the
john Stone house. Missus Johnstone identified it, but they took
it down to crime.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Left the place here he miss Jennifer, little kay and
pretty sick.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Now Kiloby came up with something else what's said as
another one missing an eight.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Year old boy? Uh six thirty pm, we talked with
Officer Killoby about the other missing boy. He told us,
but his name was Stephen Martin, eight years old. His
family had just moved into the neighborhood. It seemed that
no one besides the Martin family knew that the boys
played together. Missus Martin told us that Stephen told her
(11:11):
that he was going out to play and he'd be
home by six o'clock for dinner. She told us that
he was an unusually pomp boy and almost never overstated playtimes.
We got a description of the Martin boy and put
out a missing broadcast. We called the Johnstones family doctor.
He told us that family's blood was type O. At
seven PM, we talked again with Missus john Martin.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
Are you sure, Missus Johnston doesn't know where the boys are.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
She has no idea. Missus Martin, Oh, this is terrible.
Speaker 10 (11:35):
That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
I feel there's more to this thing.
Speaker 9 (11:38):
Something you're not telling me.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Now. There's really to upset until we know a few
more things for Sherman.
Speaker 5 (11:42):
When you are holding something back, well.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Please try not to worry, Miss Martin. There's certain questions
we have to ask, routine questions in any kind of investigation.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
Is there anything else you wanna know?
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Yes, ma'am. What's your boy's blood? Time?
Speaker 10 (11:52):
Sunny question?
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Do you think anything's happened to us?
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Have you found him and you're not telling me?
Speaker 1 (11:57):
No, ma'am, we haven't found him, and we don't take
any things happened to him.
Speaker 10 (12:01):
He's third type Huh, that's rightly.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Well.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
I think I have it written down in.
Speaker 10 (12:06):
The Savis Baby books.
Speaker 7 (12:09):
M Yes, yes, here it is.
Speaker 6 (12:13):
The type is old Type O.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Thank you. I wonder if I can use your phone?
Speaker 6 (12:16):
Oh, yes, of course, it's in the hall.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Be right back, Frank, yes, three Hall two six six seven,
Place two six six seven, great lap bigger, alright, right,
(12:42):
it's Friday.
Speaker 7 (12:43):
He did you get the types any boys?
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Yeah? Both Type O? So what it's days at you type.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
You are listening to Ragnet, the authentic story of your
police force din Action. The modern way to sell cigarette
is the Chesterfield way, both regular and king size, and
we're the only one that does it. We tell you
what Chesterfield are made of to give you premium quality
in both popular sizes. Our scientists selects the best materials.
(13:20):
They select for Chesterfield the world's best tobaccos blend them
just right, and they keep Chesterfields tasty and fresh with
the best of moistening agents.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Now here's something else.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
That's completely modern about Chesterfield. People smoke.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Eight pm, thirsty December twenty seconds, still no sign of
either of the missing boys. Cheeth and Detective Sad Brown
went back to headquarters to direct the search. From there,
he dispatched another detail of fifty men to aid in
the hunts of the missing youngsters. Eight thirty pm. Who
was getting cold The citrus scrollers were worn to expect
to freeze. We went back up the block to see
missus Johnstone. Her husband had quit work early and returned home.
(14:05):
We talked with him. He could tell us nothing more
than we already knew. We still had not implormed either
of the families about the blood stains and the empty
cartridge casing which had been discovered in the back yard
of the Johnstone home. It was more than possible if
they had a right to know about our findings, but
Frank and I thought there was no cause to add
to their distress at this particular time. If the two
missing boys were found alive and well, then the blood
(14:27):
stains and the contreege would be of no concern to
the relieved parents. At eight forty pm, Frank and I
left the Johnstone house and went to the home of
mister and missus John Martin. As as Martin. They said,
your husband worked at the market.
Speaker 9 (14:37):
Yes, he tell usphone about fifteen minutes ago and said
he was closing up right away to be here in minutes.
Speaker 10 (14:43):
I do wish Stevie.
Speaker 6 (14:44):
Would call or come home.
Speaker 9 (14:46):
So cold last night, all he had on was a
Sam Cotton jacket.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Return on theory were doing anything again to be alright?
Speaker 9 (14:51):
Stevie saw that such a sensative name in the boy
was so close.
Speaker 10 (14:56):
I know he's terribly usessed.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
That's sad.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Are you sure there's no place you might have forgotten,
someplace where the boy might be No, No, place.
Speaker 9 (15:04):
No, if anything's happened to the boy, will just kill John.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Missus Martin.
Speaker 6 (15:09):
It's a dog, you know, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Joe? Yeah right, johns done.
Speaker 11 (15:16):
Kid, he's been sound, he's home touch and he's come home.
Speaker 10 (15:32):
Thank god, he's all right.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Well, where has he been to the tennis?
Speaker 10 (15:35):
No? No, lidn't his clothes are all that any exact things?
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Strange?
Speaker 9 (15:39):
I I never seen him like this.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
How do you mean, missus Johnstone.
Speaker 9 (15:43):
Well, he just came in the front door and he
said hello, mom, and then he sat down in a
chair and stared at the.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Floor and he talked to his father. I mean matter
if I saw to him. No, go ahead, I.
Speaker 9 (15:51):
Asked him about the little Martin boy. He wouldn't tell
any kings or was he now right over there in
the living for him?
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Looks hold what yeah.
Speaker 11 (16:00):
Son, son, this is a police officers.
Speaker 10 (16:06):
He wants to talk to you. Don't be afraid do
He only wants to ask you some questions, son, And
see sertain.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yes, m Stanley, come on, boy, look at me, Come on,
ext she gets your head out. Uh that's better. You
have your mother, pretty word. You know that you wanna
tell her for your best.
Speaker 10 (16:27):
So we should try to get into eat litt or something.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
Do you hear that South want something? Stanley does? Another
little boy up to street? You as him come home?
Do you know what he is? His father and mother
are worried about him too, just like your folks were
gotta help us find him.
Speaker 10 (16:42):
Son, I killed him.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
I killed Do you with the twenty two? When were
any twin him?
Speaker 1 (16:50):
But I killed him? Oh do you know you're killing
the lady? He's only hurt now, man?
Speaker 9 (16:54):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (16:54):
Do good?
Speaker 5 (16:56):
I really dead? The gun went up?
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Well?
Speaker 5 (17:00):
Forgot what he put boats in it?
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Where is his family?
Speaker 5 (17:03):
I didn't which did?
Speaker 9 (17:06):
I didn't want any body to find him?
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Where did you hide himself in a cave?
Speaker 5 (17:12):
Up on the gist?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
I didn't mean it.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
He was like, now, do you.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Wanna show us where his Stanley?
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Yes, sEH, I'll show you. Please go see me to jail.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Nine fifteen pm, Thursday December twenty second. Nine year old's family.
Johnstone led the way up the hill behind the backyard
of his home. He showed us the wagon he moved
the body in. His father came along with us. About
fifty feet from the crest of the hill, a boy
pointed to a sick of a scrubble. There we found
a small cave holding the body of Stephen Martin. It
was a single bullet wound in his chest, just below
(17:48):
his heart. He was dead, which covered the body. Family,
How did it happened?
Speaker 5 (17:55):
M and you and the folks wouldn't give me a
book of pictures? Cause he knew that doesn't he got it?
He was a box of boats with it?
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Were your pointing the gun Stephen's son?
Speaker 5 (18:05):
No, sir, n no, sir, I will do if we
stee's time play with it. I was chasing you tip.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
Give it up.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
Something he saw the gun would.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
In the stomachrat went off, Well, why do you think
you killed him? If you're telling it's the truth here, she's.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
Kill him the truth, honest, it's the truth, alight.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
I believe your son? Why do you think you killed him?
Speaker 5 (18:25):
My gun? You'd give you a lighter to them, go
get it. I gived away to Good Christmas, So I'm
my fault.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Where have you been all this time?
Speaker 5 (18:36):
What was the kings with Steve?
Speaker 6 (18:39):
What were you doing in there?
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Sir?
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I was pring, I was prais, But God didn't make
it a lot again.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
After a thorough investigation, Frank and I were convinced that
the shooting of Stephen Martin was accidental. Ray Pinter's finding
substantiated the Johnstone Boy's story, even to the smaller detail.
We put in a call to the corner's office and
acquainted him with a fact. He designated a local mutuary
to handle a body pending on autopsy, and granted this
(19:09):
permission to remove the body to the Martin home. Missus
Martin collapsed. The family doctor was called. Frank and I
sat in the living room to wait for John Martin,
the dead boy's father, Ada Peter, mister Martin, Yes, you're
(19:30):
the police. Yes see, where's Peters? Where's my wife? That's
my boy?
Speaker 10 (19:37):
Come home?
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Where have you found him? Yes? See? Where is he?
Steve steevie? Where's Steve? He hurts me, Yes, you, where
is he? I wanna see him? Sure? Pretty bad? It's money?
(20:00):
Oh well, veree? I want to see him? How bad?
Pretty bad? He staying.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Alright?
Speaker 1 (20:21):
If I go eat that's six. If they want of 'em?
Who do you go with me? Don't make it himy
higher on your doup this money.
Speaker 6 (20:37):
I wanna see my boy, not.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
To be su I don't want a nice thing for Christmas.
Speaker 6 (21:04):
Anything you wanted.
Speaker 10 (21:06):
I could get the three new ties for the train.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
No one would have thick that the grey works.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I could just stri wanted for draft you know me?
Speaker 6 (21:35):
It's spaceful?
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Miss me? Oh, I got it for it's a couple.
I am sorry what happened?
Speaker 6 (22:09):
It was Maxident.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
He was playing with a Johnstone boy up the street
playing with a gun and went, uh, but what was
the other boy?
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Mad?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Family? Johnstone was Maxident? The mart where you going? Then
wanted to see that boy. We had no idea what
the dead boys 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 hall.
Speaker 8 (22:34):
Hi'm Steevie's father.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Where's your boy?
Speaker 1 (22:42):
I don't start, where's your boy?
Speaker 6 (22:44):
He's like here?
Speaker 10 (22:46):
We want you to me if.
Speaker 8 (22:49):
Don like miss Johnstone, you were the boy that was
with Steepee.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
H S what short name am I?
Speaker 8 (23:04):
Sor to do it?
Speaker 6 (23:08):
I know it wasn't yourful to stand.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
I will.
Speaker 8 (23:13):
I wouldn't if you do something for me. Yes, I've
got a lot of nice presents PRIs TV.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
I know who want us to have him? I wouldna
give him to you. Christmas Eve, M.
Speaker 10 (23:34):
I think I'd be a fine idea of some.
Speaker 6 (23:38):
Come on, thank yeah, Well, what's it.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
I'll prove Joe we don't get a kid a gun
for Christmas. Oh, the story you've just heard was true.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
The names were changed to protect the elephant.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
On December twenty fourth, the coroner's inquest was held in
the County Morgue, County of Los Angeles, State of California.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
In a moment the results of that inquest.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
At the coroner's inquest, it was officially recorded that Stephen
Martin's death was the result of an accident. Stanley Johnstone
was absolved of any legal responsibility for his friend's death.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
You have jumped her drag met a series of authentic
cases from official files.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Of Police W. H.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe,
Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Fans. Bracers heard tonight were Ben, Alexander,
William Johnstone Family Odd script by.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Jim Moses, music by Walter Schumann. Hell get Me Speaking
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!