About this episode
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. Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Green Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York on HBO 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. Follow @darkdowneast on Instagram , Facebook , and TikTok To suggest a case visit darkdowneast.com/submit-case Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.