Explore every episode of the podcast Inside Murder Trial

Mother and son Renee and Andrew MacRae vanished in the Scottish Highlands in 1976. 46 years on, an 80-year-old man stands accused of their murder. Will justice finally be served?

Renee's BMW is found ablaze in a layby one November night in 1976. She and her young son are never seen again. That same evening, a local resident hears ‘a blood curdling scream’.

Today two men see each other for the first time in 46 years. One man's wife and her child are gone. The other man, who was her lover, is accused of killing them.

Renee’s sister gives evidence. On a quest to find what happened to her only sibling, she details her desperate actions after Renee’s secret is revealed by her closest friend.

Fresh evidence is presented surrounding a clandestine meeting months before Renee and Andrew disappeared. There is an offer of money for a job that needs doing.

We hear from the accused, 80 year old William MacDowell, about his illicit affair with Renee and how he regularly treated her.

Five days after Renee and her son Andrew vanish, the accused makes a most unusual and urgent request for his company car which he is forced to return having being sacked.

For 46 years Rosemary MacDowell has stood firmly by the accused, her husband. Today she takes the stand giving her version of the night when her husband's lover disappeared.

We hear from the person who holds the key to unlocking this decades long mystery, Valerie Steventon. She was Renee’s closest friend and confidante who knew all her inner secrets.

We hear the closing speeches. Lord Armstrong invites the jury to retire and begin their deliberations. Will they find William MacDowell guilty of murdering his lover and their son?

For 25-years, Caroline Glachan's family had no answers on why she died, or who killed her. Her body was found face down in the River Leven. The 14-year-old schoolgirl had been battered, and left for dead. Now - three people stand accused of the crime. Prosecutors believe they acted together, to kill Caroline. But the trio deny any involvement. This series features unique recordings from inside the court room. And it features expert analysis from Tommy Ross KC - one of the defence advocates in this trial. Each episode tells the story of one day in court. By the end, you'll hear what the jury heard. But when it comes to reaching a verdict, what will they decide? What would YOU decide? Season 2 of Inside Murder Trial launches on November 27th. Listen to all episodes first on BBC Sounds.

It's day one of a murder trial at Glasgow high Court. Three people stand accused of the 1996 murder of Caroline Glachan, and as the trial begins, a jury starts to learn some of the facts about the case. First to give evidence is Caroline's mother Margaret, who casts her mind back to the last time she saw her daughter, and the tragic circumstances which led her to find out she had been killed. Also taking the stand - a police diver who recovered Caroline's body from the River Leven, and a witness who reveals that the murder was the only topic of conversation in the area in the days afterwards. Defending Advocate Tommy Ross KC joins journalist Jane MacSorley as they listen to the evidence and break down the tactics as this extraordinary trial gets under way.

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

Day two of the trial centres on evidence from Caroline's best friend, who reveals concerns about one of the three accused. There's also evidence from a witness - potentially someone who heard the attack on Caroline being carried out. And the 999 call, made by the person who found Caroline's body in the River Leven, is played to the court. There are questions about why Caroline's shoes are placed neatly on the riverbank. And theories about whether this might point to the motive behind her murder. But the day begins with evidence from a pathologist, who can explain the range of injuries Caroline sustained, and what they might reveal about the person responsible. Tommy Ross KC, joins journalist Jane MacSorley to discuss the events in court and provide an insight into the trial process.

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

When Caroline Glachan was found murder in August 1996, the police tried to piece together her last movements, working out where she was, and who she was with. In todays' evidence, two witnesses take the stand to explain that they saw Caroline on that night. One, a friend, also makes some alarming claims about one of the accused, while another witness reveals a startling sighting, and the potential that Caroline was being followed. Once again, Tommy Ross KC joins journalist Jane MacSorley to break down the days events in court and explain what's really going on.

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

The police know that Caroline Glachan made her way to the River Leven on the night she was killed. So todays evidence, in which two people claim to have been with her on that walk, could complete the picture and reveal what exactly happened. But when the witnesses offer very different versions of events, will that throw doubt into the mind of the jury? Tommy Ross KC breaks down the events as he and journalist Jane MacSorley listen to the evidence and guide listeners through every twist and turn.

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

Witnesses can come in all shapes and sizes. But in a murder trial it's rare to hear evidence from the voice of a five-year-old. In this episode, we break down the events from a dramatic day-5 in court, as the jury is told that a five year old boy may have witnesses the murder, and revealed who was responsible. But is he telling the truth? The court also hears from witnesses who may have seen, or heard, the suspects leaving an address and heading towards the scene of the murder. But will their evidence prove to be consistent, or pose more questions than it answers? Tommy Ross KC and journalist Jane MacSorley listen to the evidence, and provide the context behind the questions.

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

Did the accused really take a walk with Archie in the middle of the night? And did they really come back to the house, and start arguing? Well - this episode hears evidence form a witness who says she SAW them through her window. The only problem - they never mentioned seeing anything at the time. We also hear evidence from another witness who spent time talking to young Archie Wilson. And - we hear a claim that Caroline was in fear of George Graham - another man once accused of her murder. 

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

What did the three accused say when they were quizzed by detectives? As the prosecution case comes to a close, we hear extracts form those interviews. We learn how all three insist they had nothing to do with Caroline's death. And hear the observations of the officers tasked with obtaining their account. Then - in a dramatic twist - the prosecution announce that one of the charges in the case is set to be dropped. What does this mean for the rest of the trial? 

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

After seven days of evidence for the prosecution, it's time for the defence to lead the evidence. And they start with testimony from one of the three accused. Can their account convince the jury of their innocence? Or will the cross-examination prove to be damning? Also taking the stand are two witnesses who support the idea that George Graham may be culpable. What value will the jury put on these claims?

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

As the trial draws towards a conclusion, the jury are introduced to a science lesson. Can microscopic algae, found in the River Leven, help answer the question of whether any of the accused entered the water? The jury also hears from some police officers involved in the original enquiry, finding out why the accused weren't brought before a court at the time. And as the final witness completes their testimony, the jury are sent away, ahead of the closing speeches, and the opportunity to reach a verdict.

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

After two weeks of evidence, the jury sit down for one last session. Each of the advocates reads a carefully curated closing speech - summarising all the key evidence and reminding the jury of the facts. But who will have the most compelling argument? Will any of the speeches sway jurors one way, or another? With nothing more to be said, the jury step away to deliberate in secret. When they return - the fate of the three accused will be revealed. Innocent, or guilty - do you think justice has been done?

Presented by: Jane MacSorley and Tommy Ross KC Written and Produced by: Darrell Brown Production Manager: Eilidh Hart Executive Producer: Iain Scollay Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-Darling

A Firecrest Films Production for BBC Sounds

Defence witness, Dr Gamblin, who was Renee’s GP gives evidence about an encounter outside his practice that has haunted him for over 40 years.