The case of Fred and Marie Manning (Murder of Patrick O'Connor)

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In the early 19th century, the rate of crime was high. Some of the top murders that occurred at that time included the murder of Spencer Perceval, the prime minister of the United Kingdom. Before that time, watchmen maintained law and order. They never received pay for their services. The increase of crime at that time led to the formation of the metropolitan police, which is still the modern force in the UK. This time is when the murder of Patrick O'Connor happened.

 Biography of Marie Manning.



We are not sure when she was born, some sources say she was born in 1825, while other sources say she was born in 1821. She was born Marie de Raux in Lausanne Switzerland.There is no information about her upbringing. She loved the finer things that life would offer. Later on in her life, she moved to  SouthEast London, where she became the first maid of Lady Anna Palk. Lady Anna Palk was the wife of Lawrence Vaughan Palk(Member of Parliament Ashburton). In 1846, Marie manning started working for Lady Blantyre at Stafford's house.

 Biography of Fred Manning.

His background is unknown, but he worked as a guard at Great Western RailwayHe was discharged because he was linked to many robberies on the railway.

How did Marie Manning and Patrick O'Connor meet?

The modern-day Boulogne in France


Marie Manning was on a trip with her employer to Boulogne in France. While she was there, she met Patrick O'Connor. He was a 50-year-old man. He was a wealthy and charming man. Marie Manning was attracted to him and asked if they could meet next time. O'Connor promised Marie that he would take her to dinner once he returned to London.

Marie manning's marriage

Patrick O'Connor proposed to Marie Patrick discovered it was too late since she was married to Fred Manning. Marie manning married Fredrick manning for two reasons. One of the reasons was that Fredrick promised her that he would come across a lot of wealth and the other reason was O'Connor was a heavy drinker.

The Murder of Patrick O'Conner

in 1849, Patrick O'conner was invited by the Manning couple for dinner at Miniver Place. The couple's intention was not a friendly dinner, instead, it was a murder plot. During the dinner the couple ganged up and killed Patrick, they later buried his body under the stones in the kitchen.

After the murder

Once they buried the body, Marie got ready and visited O'conner lodgings which were located in Greenwood Street, Mile End Road to steal O'connor's railway scrip and money.

The double-cross

 Even though the Mannings worked together, Marie, later on, double-crossed Fred. Marie told Fred to sell most of the furniture so that they may flee together. Once Fred left, Marie packed all her belongings and money and left. On coming back, Fred noticed he was on his own, he  picked a few of his items and fled to Jersey

The Motive

The common motive of the murder is either love and money. In this case, the driving factor for his murder was money. They knew Patrick O'Connor was wealthy and knew they had to kill him to acquire his wealth. His shares at the railways were part of his wealth.

 The capture and Trial

People noticed that Patrick was missing and it was later on reported to the police. The police discovered that woman that fit Marie's description had ransacked  Patrick's lodge. The police, later on, went to Marie's home at Minivier place and discovered there was a difference in the flagstone in the Kitchen. They dug up the area in the kitchen and found the remains of Patrick O'Connor. The police then went in search of the two suspects. Marie Manning was arrested in Edinburgh while Fredrick was arrested in Jersey. They were trialed in Old Bailey and found guilty. They were sentenced to death by hanging,

The execution

Before the execution Marie Manning and Fredrick Manning reconciled. On the day of execution, 300000 to 500000  people attended since it was a public hanging, Marie Manning wore a black satin dress on the scaffold. They were both executed by William Calcraft at Horsemonger Lane in 1849.

Aftermath

Charles Dickens who was a writer wrote a  letter to THE TIMES on how he was disgusted about the public hangings and it should be abolished , This was his words"I was a witness of the execution at Horsemonger Lane this morning"“I believe that a sight so inconceivably awful as the wickedness and levity of the immense crowd collected at that execution this morning could be imagined by no man.” Charles Dickens with others  campaigned against  public hangings until it was abolished in 1868,


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