Miss Manning's mutilated and partially naked body was discovered floating in the Avon River the day after she was killed.
Today, in a gripping exchange, Fawcett cross-examined Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald who interviewed him during the murder investigation.
Fitzgerald formally interviewed Fawcett under caution at a North Island police station in August 2009 when he put himself at the scene of the brutal murder.
He described how Miss Manning was taken to the gang pad at Galbraith Ave, Avonside, where she was raped, bashed and stabbed. He says he was forced to hit her with a metal pole, even though he thought she was already dead.
"I just shut my eyes and hit it," he said during the interview, which was replayed to the jury.
Fawcett later backtracked from his earlier version of events, saying he wasn't present during the attack.
Today he claimed that other police officers had earlier "softened me up and coached me to say what youse wanted me to say" before that interview.
The reward offer and protection from the gang came in exchange to "nark on the Mob", he claimed.
And when things weren't matching up for the police, "you implicated me in the murder I did not do", he told Fitzgerald.
"That's an interesting statement, but it does not match the facts," the senior police officer replied from the witness stand.
Fitzgerald told the jury there was a "big difference" between being spoken to by intelligence officers and being interviewed formally and under caution.
"When I spoke to you, it was made very clear... I was at pains to make it clear to you about your rights while making a statement."
Fawcett, sitting in the body of court wearing black trousers and a collared black jacket, said softly: "I understand that. But do you also understand I had been through hours of interviews with your officers who had coached me up to say what you wanted me to say. Do you remember that?"
Fitzgerald said he understood why Fawcett "feels the need to say these things", but the facts spoke for themselves.
Human sources officers were tasked early in the murder probe with finding out what Fawcett knew about the suspected gang killing, and with gaining his confidence.
They said he would later be introduced to their boss, Fitzgerald, telling Fawcett the senior officer was a "good bloke" who could be trusted.
"They also said you'd buy big cans of Coke. 'Our friend Tom buys big cans of Coke'," Fawcett said.
The trial before Justice David Gendall, now in its 10th day, continues.
