Murder Trial: The Killing of Dr Brenda Page set to air next week

A Compelling two-part documentary series, Murder Trial: The Killing of Dr Brenda Page, is set to air this week and focuses on the trial of one of Scotland’s most prolific unsolved murders and a family’s quest for justice.

In July 1978, Dr Brenda Page, a 32-year-old leading scientist at Aberdeen University was brutally murdered in her flat.

Over four decades later, her 80-year-old ex-husband Christopher ‘Kit’ Harrisson finally stands trial, accused of her killing.

Filmed over several years with access to the prosecution and defence teams, the police investigation and the victim’s family, this series takes viewers inside one of the country’s most long-awaited murder trials.

While Prosecution lawyer Alex Prentice KC paints a troubling portrayal of domestic abuse, defence lawyer Brian McConnachie KC focuses on inconsistencies in the case against Mr Harrisson.

Murder Trial: The Killing of Dr Brenda Page also hears haunting evidence from the victim herself in a letter she wrote described by Alex Prentice KC as “a letter of a death foretold”. In it, Brenda graphically revealed the physical and mental abuse she suffered at the hands of Harrisson, culminating in the haunting statement “if I do depart this earth rather suddenly, do please make sure I get a good post mortem”.

As well as expert testimony and police insights, the documentary includes interviews with Brenda’s sister Vera and nephew, Chris who reflects: “It’s such a strange feeling coming to court and the guy who is accused of murdering Auntie Brenda is there, walking amongst us. He’s so different from what I remember but he looks so old. In other words, it makes you think what Brenda would be like now.”

In episode two, as the trial continues, we hear dramatic testimony from the accused before the jury is asked to decide whether he is guilty of the brutal murder of his ex-wife, Dr Brenda Page, in 1978.

Centred around the findings of the re-investigation, the trial includes testimony about Dr Christopher Harrisson’s behaviour in the days leading up to and after the murder and the forensic findings from the 1970s and the present day.

Scrutiny of outdated forensics techniques by the defence KC cast doubt about cross-contamination while the prosecution put forward a key witness who provides first-hand testimony of Harrisson’s anger towards Brenda.

The jury hear evidence suggesting Christopher was stalking his ex-wife and was aware of her escorting job. However, for Senior Investigating Officer DI James Callander, this aspect of Brenda’s life was widely misinterpreted: “The story about her [Brenda] working as an escort was huge for the media in Aberdeen and played into a narrative that really wasn’t there. In reality, Brenda was looking for company and, you know, to make some extra money. From a police perspective that did make things harder.”

While it’s not necessary for the accused to take the stand in their own murder trial, in this case Mr Harrisson chooses to testify.

For the family seeking justice, it’s unbearably tense as – after decades of waiting for justice – the jury deliberates their decision and Dr Christopher Harrisson’s fate. Finally…the verdict is in.

Both episodes available on BBC iPlayer from Tuesday, January 23.

Episode 1 is on BBC Scotland, Tuesday 23,10pm and Episode 2 is on BBC Scotland, Wednesday 24 also at 10pm.