MAINE, 1973: In April of 1973, the vibrant college town of Orono, Maine was shattered by a shocking murder that sent tremors through the University of Maine community. The victim was Frederic Alan Spencer, a promising UMaine graduate student with a bright future ahead. When Frederic's roommate came forward and confessed to the killing, it seemed like an open and shut case.
However, as the trial of Richard Westall Rogers Jr. unfolded, it was clear the case was far from simple. Despite his admission of guilt, the proceedings took a surprising turn. Nobody in that courtroom could have known at the time, but the unexpected decisions made in the case of Frederic Spencer would set in motion a chilling and deadly ripple effect that only grew with intensity and consequence over the next few decades.
View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/fredericspencer
Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.
The Disappearance of Ayla Reynolds (Maine)
The Disappearance of Virginia Sue Pictou Noyes (Maine)
The Murder of Pearl Bruns (Maine)
The Disappearance of Amy St. Laurent (Maine)
The Disappearance of Shirley Moon-Atwood (Maine)
The Victims of the River Spree Killer (Maine)
The Murders of Smuttynose Island (Maine)
The Disappearance of Cathy Marie Moulton Part 2 (Maine)
The Disappearance of Cathy Marie Moulton Part 1 (Maine)
The Disappearance of Virginia C. Douglas (Maine)
The Infamous New Sweden Church Poisonings (Maine)
Dark Downeast: Maine and New England's True Crime Podcast
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
CounterClock
Crime Junkie
Park Predators
Cold Case Files
Casefile True Crime