Originally Aired: January 31, 1950
Philo Vance #82, "Sterling Murder Case,"
District Attorney Markham finds himself dealing with the eccentric Wakefield sisters, Irma and Sarah, two spinsters who routinely confess to murders they believe they've committed through the power of mental concentration. After claiming responsibility for gangster Eddie Rogers' death, the sisters set their sights on a new target: corrupt political boss Joe Sterling, who controls multiple wards with an iron fist. When Sterling is found shot dead at the bottom of the stairs leading from his office, the prime suspect becomes Frank Allen, campaign manager for reform candidate Edgar Lessing and Sterling's bitter political rival. Sterling had even hired Philo Vance to shadow him, convinced someone would try to kill him.
Vance becomes involved when Markham calls about the murder, with only one potential witness: Danny Moore, Sterling's employee, who heard shots but saw nothing. As Vance prepares to question Frank Allen before the police arrest him, the Wakefield sisters ready themselves to confess yet another murder to the district attorney, convinced their concentrated thoughts have eliminated the evil political boss from the world.