Ep 6. Peter Manuel

Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook season 2 episode 6, titled "Peter Manuel," delves into the chilling case of a Scottish serial killer who terrorized communities in the 1950s. Peter Thomas Anthony Manuel, known as the "Beast of Birkenshaw," was responsible for the deaths of at least eight people but was suspected of several more.

The episode opens with a recreation of one of Manuel's crimes, which took place in the summer of 1955. The victim was Marion Watt, a 45-year-old housewife who was found strangled in her Glasgow home. Her husband William was initially suspected, but Manuel soon became the prime suspect. Manuel was a known criminal who had been in and out of prison since he was a teenager.

The episode then takes a step back to examine Manuel's early life. Manuel was born in 1927 in New York to Scottish parents who were living in America at the time. The family moved back to Scotland when Manuel was a child, and he quickly built a reputation as a troublemaker. He was sent to a young offenders' institution as a teenager and continued to get into trouble as an adult.

Manuel's first major crime was a burglary in 1946. He was arrested and sentenced to nine years in prison. During his time behind bars, he became friends with another inmate named William Watt, who would later become one of Manuel's victims. When Manuel was released from prison in 1955, he immediately went to William Watt's home and killed him, along with his wife and sister.

As the investigation into the Watt murders unfolded, Manuel continued to taunt the police. He would send them letters and telegrams, bragging about his crimes and even offering to help catch himself. His behavior earned him the nickname the "Beast of Birkenshaw."

The episode explores the different methods police used to try and catch Manuel, including enlisting the help of a criminal profiler and having officers pose as women in bars to try and lure him into a trap. Despite their efforts, Manuel remained at large and continued to commit more murders.

One of the most shocking aspects of the case was the fact that Manuel represented himself in court. He used the trial as a platform to taunt the judge and the witnesses, and even threatened to kill them. In the end, he was found guilty of seven murders and sentenced to death.

The episode ends with a discussion of Manuel's legacy. Some people believe that he was framed for the crimes and that the real killer is still out there. Others argue that Manuel was a psychopath who enjoyed toying with the police and that justice was served when he was executed in 1958.

Overall, Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook season 2 episode 6 provides a fascinating look into the mind of a serial killer and the efforts of law enforcement to bring him to justice. The episode is chilling and informative and will leave viewers with a lasting impression.