# Dragnet: The Big Court (EP4959)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-great-detectives-of-old-time-radio-daily-mystery-dramas-162279/dragnet-the-big-court-ep4959
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-great-detectives-of-old-time-radio-daily-mystery-dramas-162279/dragnet-the-big-court-ep4959.md
Podcast: [The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-great-detectives-of-old-time-radio-daily-mystery-dramas-162279)
Published: 2026-04-23T07:00:03+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/dragnet-the-big-court-ep4959--71508139
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdcn.co/e/pdrl.fm/997ffb/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71508139/gd4959.mp3
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-great-detectives-of-old-time-radio-daily-mystery-dramas-162279/episodes/dragnet-the-big-court-ep4959
Duration seconds: 2146

## Resource

A high-stakes courtroom drama where detectives must navigate unreliable eyewitness testimony to secure a murder conviction. The investigation shifts focus when ballistics evidence suggests the wrong man is being prosecuted.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The prosecution's case relies heavily on eyewitnesses who later admit to misidentifying the suspect
- Failure mode: Relying on visual identification without corroborating physical evidence can lead to the wrong person being arraigned
- Practical takeaway: Ballistics and microscopic examinations serve as the definitive pivot point to uncover the true perpetrator
- Tension: The investigation faces a setback when a key witness, an unidentified sailor, remains missing
- Outcome: The legal process concludes with the execution of the true killer, Lester Jaffe, in the gas chamber

## Topics

Old Time Radio, Crime Drama, Police Procedural, Courtroom Drama, 1950s History, True Crime, Ballistics, Dragnet

## Chapters
- 3:30 — The Arraignment Begins: The court convenes for the case of People vs. St. Clair, with Agnes Holloway called to the stand.
- 6:10 — Eyewitness Testimony: Witnesses describe the presence of a firearm and the threats made during the robbery.
- 11:10 — The Investigation Details: A breakdown of the crime scene involving the fatal shooting of tavern owner Charles Holloway.
- 13:50 — The Ballistics Breakthrough: New evidence from a .38 caliber revolver links Lester Jaffe to the crime, casting doubt on the original suspect.
- 19:20 — The Trial of Lester Jaffe: The prosecution presents autopsy results and crime scene diagrams to secure a murder conviction.
- 27:20 — Justice Served: The verdict and subsequent execution of the perpetrator at San Quentin.

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## Transcript

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