Murder Strikes Three Times

Originally Aired: February 16, 1950

Suspense #372, "Murder Strikes Three Times," stars Marlene Dietrich as Laura, a woman whose husband Robert dies in a suspicious bathtub electrocution after his electric razor malfunctions. When Assistant District Attorney Elmer Garner arrives to investigate, he wastes no time confronting Laura with his theory: she murdered her husband for his hundred thousand dollar estate, using her background as a laboratory technician to tamper with the razor's electrical cord. Despite having no concrete proof, the clever and unscrupulous Garner boldly offers Laura a deal - pay him fifty thousand dollars and he'll make sure she goes free, or refuse and face his prosecution in court.

Laura remains remarkably composed throughout Garner's accusations and attempted extortion, refusing his offer and gambling that he cannot prove his case. The ruthless prosecutor makes good on his threat, taking Laura to trial and demanding the death penalty. But the episode title promises three murders, and this electrocution is only the first, suggesting that Laura's story is far from over and dark secrets remain to be revealed.