大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - Why the gruesome murders and disputed sentence of serial killer Peter Manuel still fascinate us 60 years on

Why the gruesome murders and disputed sentence of serial killer Peter Manuel still fascinate us 60 years on

13 March 2018

In 1958 Peter Manuel was hanged in Glasgow’s Barlinnie prison for the murder of seven people. His infamous trial is the subject of author Denise Mina’s novel, The Long Drop, now serialised for Book at Bedtime.

Manuel had been a violent and sadistic man with previous convictions for rape and sexual assault. And while his death sentence was passed for the murder of seven, it is believed he killed many more.

But the story of Peter Manuel continues to fascinate, particularly since .

It has been suggested that had Manuel’s psychopathic personality been given sufficient weight in court, the outcome may have been different.

Documents relating to the case have been sealed until 2033, further fueling the macabre appeal of Peter Manuel’s case.

Denise Mina re-imagines the trial of Scotland鈥檚 first serial killer, Peter Manuel, in a dark and compelling exploration of truth and storytelling.

Vital information about Scotland's most notorious serial killer may have been suppressed to ensure he was hanged, a legal expert has claimed.
A 大象传媒 Scotland investigation has uncovered new evidence about the case of Peter Manuel, one of Scotland鈥檚 most notorious serial killers.
Actor Martin Compston discusses the challenges of playing serial killer Peter Manuel.
Writer Denise Mina has won The McIlvanney Prize for Scottish crime book of the year for The Long Drop.