Digest

This episode of Small Town Murder Express delves into the chilling cases of Nancy Frenier and Edith Martin, two young women who met tragic ends in Rhode Island during the early 1960s. The episode begins by introducing Nancy, a 19-year-old housewife who vanished on December 22nd, 1961, leaving behind her car, a laundry basket, and wrapped Christmas presents. Despite extensive searches, including dragging the frozen reservoir, Nancy's body wasn't found until March of the following year, when she surfaced, revealing she had been brutally stabbed. The episode then shifts to the murder of Edith Martin, a 38-year-old bookkeeper who was found stabbed over 30 times in her home on January 26th, 1963. The investigation into Edith's murder led authorities to a young man named Tommy Dicknot, who confessed to both murders, revealing a disturbing pattern of violence and a chilling disregard for human life. Tommy's confession detailed his actions, including the brutal stabbing of Edith and the drowning of Nancy after a violent assault. The episode concludes with a discussion of Tommy's motivations and the chilling details of his crimes, leaving listeners with a sense of unease and a reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary towns. This episode continues the story of Tommy Dicknot, detailing his trial, conviction, escape from prison, and eventual suicide. Dicknot was found guilty of Nancy Frenier's murder, but his conviction was overturned due to a lack of evidence that he was read his Miranda rights. He was then extradited to Massachusetts to face charges in the Edith Martin murder, but those charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence. Dicknot was eventually convicted of Frenier's murder again, but he escaped from prison with two other inmates. After a nationwide manhunt, Dicknot was apprehended in New Orleans for armed robbery and eventually committed suicide in prison in 1975.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Announcements

This Chapter introduces the hosts, James Petrogallo and Jimmy Wiseman, and provides information about their other podcasts, Crime in Sports and Your Stupid Opinions. They also encourage listeners to purchase tickets for their upcoming live shows and to support their Patreon page for exclusive content.

00:03:49

The Case of Nancy Frenier

This Chapter delves into the disappearance and murder of Nancy Frenier, a 19-year-old housewife who vanished on December 22nd, 1961. The episode details the investigation, including the discovery of her abandoned car, the search of the reservoir, and the eventual finding of her body three months later. The chapter highlights the brutality of the crime and the mystery surrounding Nancy's death.

00:32:17

The Murder of Edith Martin

This Chapter focuses on the murder of Edith Martin, a 38-year-old bookkeeper who was found stabbed over 30 times in her home on January 26th, 1963. The episode describes the crime scene, the investigation, and the search for the killer. The chapter emphasizes the viciousness of the attack and the seemingly random nature of the crime.

00:40:19

The Confession of Tommy Dicknot

This Chapter reveals the shocking confession of Tommy Dicknot, a young man who admitted to the murders of both Nancy Frenier and Edith Martin. The episode details Tommy's background, his history of violence, and his chilling account of the crimes. The chapter explores the motives behind Tommy's actions and the impact of his crimes on the community.

00:57:38

Tommy Dicknot's Trial and Conviction

This Chapter details Tommy Dicknot's trial and conviction for the murder of Nancy Frenier. The chapter discusses the legal proceedings, including Dicknot's plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, his psychiatric evaluation, and the jury's verdict. The chapter also highlights the controversy surrounding the admissibility of Dicknot's confession and the legal challenges that followed.

01:02:06

Dicknot's Escape from Prison

This Chapter recounts Tommy Dicknot's escape from prison with two other inmates. The chapter describes the escape plan, the stolen weapons and vehicle, and the subsequent manhunt. The chapter also highlights the security breaches that allowed for the escape and the public outcry that followed.

01:08:05

Dicknot's Capture and Suicide

This Chapter details Tommy Dicknot's capture in New Orleans and his subsequent suicide in prison. The chapter describes the circumstances of his arrest, the charges he faced, and the events leading up to his death. The chapter also reflects on the impact of Dicknot's crimes and the lasting consequences of his actions.

Keywords

Q&A

• What happened to Tommy Dicknot after he confessed to the murders of Nancy Frenier and Edith Martin?

  Tommy Dicknot was arrested and charged with the murders of Nancy Frenier and Edith Martin. He was found guilty of Nancy Frenier's murder, but his conviction was overturned due to a lack of evidence that he was read his Miranda rights. He was then extradited to Massachusetts to face charges in the Edith Martin murder, but those charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence. Dicknot was eventually convicted of Frenier's murder again, but he escaped from prison with two other inmates. After a nationwide manhunt, Dicknot was apprehended in New Orleans for armed robbery and eventually committed suicide in prison in 1975.

• Why was Tommy Dicknot's conviction for Nancy Frenier's murder overturned?

  Tommy Dicknot's conviction for Nancy Frenier's murder was overturned because the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence that he had been read his Miranda rights before confessing to the crime. The Miranda Rights are a set of warnings that law enforcement officers must give to a person who is being arrested or detained. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to have an attorney present during questioning. The court determined that Dicknot's confession was inadmissible because he had not been properly informed of his rights.

• How did Tommy Dicknot escape from prison?

  Tommy Dicknot escaped from prison with two other inmates. They stole weapons and a car from the prison grounds and fled. The escape was made possible by security breaches at the prison, including the fact that Dicknot and the other inmates had limited privileges and could have easily walked away from the prison at any time.

• What happened to Tommy Dicknot after he escaped from prison?

  After escaping from prison, Tommy Dicknot was on the run for several months. He was eventually apprehended in New Orleans for armed robbery. He was held on a $200,000 bond and faced charges of armed robbery. However, Rhode Island authorities could have extradited him back to face charges for the murder of Nancy Frenier. Ultimately, Dicknot committed suicide in prison in 1975.

• What was the impact of Tommy Dicknot's crimes on the community?

  Tommy Dicknot's crimes had a profound impact on the community. The murders of Nancy Frenier and Edith Martin shocked and horrified residents, leaving them feeling vulnerable and unsafe. The cases also highlighted the potential for violence in seemingly safe communities and raised concerns about the lack of security and the need for greater vigilance. Dicknot's escape from prison further heightened these anxieties and led to public outcry over the security breaches that allowed for his escape.

• What lessons can be learned from Tommy Dicknot's case?

  Tommy Dicknot's case serves as a reminder that violence can occur anywhere and that seemingly ordinary individuals can be capable of horrific acts. It also highlights the importance of community vigilance, the need for mental health resources, and the challenges of solving crimes, particularly when there is a lack of evidence or witnesses. The case also demonstrates the importance of the criminal justice system's ability to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of the system in dealing with individuals with mental illness.

• What was the role of the media in Tommy Dicknot's case?

  The media played a significant role in Tommy Dicknot's case, reporting on the investigations, the victims, the suspects, and the legal proceedings. The media coverage helped to raise awareness of the crimes and to keep the public informed about the progress of the investigations. However, the media also contributed to the sensationalization of the cases, which could have had a negative impact on the victims' families and the community. The media coverage of Dicknot's escape from prison further heightened public anxiety and contributed to the public outcry over the security breaches that allowed for his escape.

• What was the role of the police in Tommy Dicknot's case?

  The police played a crucial role in investigating the murders of Nancy Frenier and Edith Martin, as well as in apprehending Tommy Dicknot after his escape from prison. The police conducted extensive investigations into both murders, including searching the reservoir, interviewing witnesses, and following leads. The investigation into Edith Martin's murder led them to Tommy Dicknot, who confessed to both murders. The police used a variety of techniques, including polygraph tests and forensic evidence, to gather information and identify suspects. After Dicknot's escape, the police conducted a nationwide manhunt, eventually apprehending him in New Orleans for armed robbery.

• What was the role of the courts in Tommy Dicknot's case?

  The courts played a central role in Tommy Dicknot's case, overseeing the legal proceedings, including his trial, conviction, appeal, and eventual release from prison. The courts also ruled on the admissibility of evidence, including Dicknot's confession, and determined the appropriate sentence for his crimes. The courts also played a role in addressing the legal challenges that followed Dicknot's conviction, including the appeal of his conviction and the legal arguments surrounding his escape from prison.

• What was the impact of Tommy Dicknot's case on the criminal justice system?

  Tommy Dicknot's case highlights the importance of thorough investigations, the need for mental health resources, and the challenges of solving crimes, particularly when there is a lack of evidence or witnesses. It also demonstrates the importance of the criminal justice system's ability to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of the system in dealing with individuals with mental illness. The case also highlights the importance of ensuring that individuals are properly informed of their legal rights and that they are not coerced into making incriminating statements.

Show Notes