The Big Story: Shotgun and Fatal Accident (EP4972)
episode
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
30 min
10 speakers
8 chapters
transcribed 4 months ago
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What happened during the shotgun incident involving Mr. Hodge?
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Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of The Big Story. But first, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. and today i want to highlight one of our other podcasts and today it's going to be the amazing world of radio the amazing world of radio we've got nearly 300 episodes available for your listening pleasure through a variety of genres and over the course of years done quite a few mini series as well as holiday specials and we are kicking off a new series at the end of the month
when we will be bringing you Columbo Killers and Old Time Radio, featuring actors in Old Time Radio performances who went on to play the murderer on Columbo. That series will launch on Wednesday, May 28th. Go ahead and check that out. But now, from July 12th, 1950, here is Shotgun and Fatal Accident.
The Big Story.
Amy, what have I done?
Amy. I heard a shot, sir. What have I done?
Oh, what have I done?
What's the matter, sir?
My wife, look.
Shall I call the police, Mr. Hodge?
Yes.
How does the reporter begin his investigation into Mrs. Hodge's death?
Is she dead?
She must have died instantly. The shot blew half her head off.
Youngstown, Ohio. From the pages of the Youngstown Vindicator, the story of a reporter who made a hunch pay off. Youngstown, Ohio. The story as it actually happened. Bill Griffith's story as he lived it.
The first chill wind of autumn slaps you across the face, Bill Griffith, reporter on the Youngstown Vindicator, as you leave your home that morning, late in October. You hurry to your office, not because you're late, but because you know there's a hot story waiting, made to order for you. The big jewelry store robbery downtown. But you never get to that job because there's something else that happens. It's so big that the boss himself is in your office waiting for you. Oh, oh, hiya, John. Don't take your hat and coat off. Okay, okay, I'll get right over. Did I get much? I'm not putting you on the jewelry job. Lawson's going to cover it. Why Lawson?
What evidence suggests that the shooting may not have been accidental?
You heard of Clive Hodge? Sure, sure, the big mining millionaire. What's the matter with him? Nothing with him. It's his wife. He just blew her head off accidentally. Get down there fast. I'll try to hold the blue edition till I hear from you. I'm on my way.
When you get to the Hodge mansion, Gould, the secretary, suave and courteous, shows you into the huge library. There you see Detective Bromley and a couple of his men sitting around and listening to Mr. Hodge. You've seen Mr. Hodge many times. But never like this. He's slumped in his chair, tortured and dazed. He keeps shaking his head in horror, as if trying to shake the remembrance away. It was after dinner, Detective Bromley. Amy was resting on the left seat. She hadn't been feeling well, hardly ate her dinner. How did you happen to have a shotgun in the library, Mr. Hodge? We were nearly robbed the night before. I had an old shotgun in the storehouse. I carry it for protection. I don't know why I did that.
I never shot this gun or any gun for that matter.
Go on.
Well, she fell asleep on the chair. She looked so uncomfortable, I decided to wake her up and get her to go to her room. I prodded her with a gun. It went off. I never even dreamed it was loaded.
What insights do the witnesses provide about the Hodge's relationship?
Oh. How far was the gun from her head?
About ten inches at most. It was the most awful thing. You look around the room, Bill Griffith. Beautifully furnished, clean. You look at the love seat, a large stain on the side of it and on the rug. Someone had already tried to clean it. Since the accident, someone had been in this room cleaning it up. Even the ashtrays. You wonder, what was the hurry? You get up and think maybe you can look around the mansion, maybe talk to a couple of the servants. Where are you going, sir? Oh, just looking around, Mr. Gould. Oh. Any objections? Oh, no, sir. Go ahead and look all you like.
No, sir, they got along fine. It was always darling and deary and honey.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What happened during the shotgun incident involving Mr. Hodge?
0:05–2:19
2
How does the reporter begin his investigation into Mrs. Hodge's death?
2:19–3:37
3
What evidence suggests that the shooting may not have been accidental?
3:37–5:12
4
What insights do the witnesses provide about the Hodge's relationship?
5:12–6:50
5
How does the investigation reveal potential motives for murder?
6:50–8:06
6
What role does the ballistics expert play in the case?
8:06–9:14
7
What conclusions can be drawn from the experiments conducted during the trial?
9:14–11:02
8
What is the final verdict in the case of Mrs. Hodge's death?
11:02–30:56