Court TV announces new original 10-part docuseries 'Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan,' premiering May 7

Rhea-AI Summary

Court TV reported record viewership highs from the recent high-profile trials of Alex Murdaugh and Gwyneth Paltrow. Following this surge, a new docuseries titled "Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan" is set to premiere on May 7, 2023, at 8 p.m. The series will explore the roles of accomplices in murder cases, featuring stories from individuals connected to infamous trials over the past three decades. The first episodes will cover cases from Florida and Mississippi, highlighting complex narratives involving familial violence and wrongful accusations. Politan, a seasoned legal journalist, hosts the series, aiming to present a broader view of murder cases beyond just the main suspects.

Positive

• Record viewership highs for recent trials boost brand visibility.
• New docuseries may attract a wider audience, potentially increasing ad revenue.

Negative

• No financial metrics provided to gauge potential impact on revenue.

ATLANTA, April 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Court TV saw all-time viewership highs for its live coverage of the recently-completed trials involving Alex Murdaugh and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Coming off the heels of this record-setting growth, Court TV will premiere a new, original 10-episode documentary series "Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan" on Sunday, May 7 at 8 p.m. Preview here.

"Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan" looks beyond the usual suspects to tell the gripping stories of everyday people caught up in a world of deception and manipulation as they become accomplices to murder. Court TV lead anchor Vinnie Politan hosts and travels across the country to speak with the accomplices – the convicted, the condemned as well as the exonerated – who provide a unique window into cases whose verdicts might not be as clear-cut as initially thought. Veteran Court TV producers help guide viewers through the dramatic twists and turns as each trial unfolds. The series was drawn from Court TV's massive library of hundreds of trials spanning three decades.

"So often when we look at murder cases, they are shown through the lens of only the main suspect or mastermind," said Politan. "But what about the other people who played a role in helping to commit these horrible crimes? That is exactly the reason behind 'Accomplice to Murder.'"

Initial episodes:

• Florida v. Kananen (May 7, Series Premiere) - Richard Kananen Sr. beat his wife Marilyn so badly and abused his son and two daughters so horrifically that they spoke of him only as 'it' or 'the monster.' So, when he vanished on a clear day in September 1988, no one in the family bothered to report him missing. But when Marilyn disappeared 15 years to the day after her husband, suspicion soon fell on their son Ricky and youngest daughter Stacey. When both accused the other of the double murder, it was up to a Florida jury to determine who was the mastermind and who was telling the truth about what really happened. 
• Florida v. Gutierrez (May 14) - Paula Gutierrez thought she had found true love at 14 when she met and fell for the much older Nestor "Chino" de Jesus. But their romance soon turned into a nightmare for Paula as Chino's jealous rages made her fear for her life. After their daughter Ashley was born, the couple's bank account soon dwindled to zero, and on a hot Tampa day in July 2001, Chino gave Paula baggy clothes and a bandana and told her they were going to go rob a bank. By day's end, two people were dead and Paula was facing three life sentences as an accomplice to a crime she did not commit. 
• Mississippi v. Edmonds (May 21) - The case against Tyler Edmonds seemed like a slam dunk. When Kristi Fulgham was taken in by police for questioning after her husband Joey was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head, she told them that her half-brother Tyler had done it, shooting Joey to protect her from an abusive husband. The 13-year-old confessed, though saying that he was only an accomplice to the murder that Kristi planned. After a short trial, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. It would take the heroic efforts of his defense lawyer – who took Tyler's case all the way to the Supreme Court – to give his client a shot at redemption and a second chance at life. 

Politan, a Court TV anchor and an Emmy Award-winning legal journalist leads the network's coverage of the nation's most compelling trials. A lawyer and former prosecutor, Politan has been covering the world of crime and justice for over 20 years, also hosting legal and news programs on HLN, Sirius XM, NBC in Atlanta and A&E. Moving from the courtroom to television, Politan's career has included covering trials involving Sean P Diddy Combs, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, Casey Anthony, Jodi Arias, Martha Stewart, the murder of George Floyd, Kyle Rittenhouse and Alex Murdaugh.

Media contact: Jim Weiss, 770-672-6504, jim.weiss@scripps.com 

About Court TV
Court TV (@CourtTV) is devoted to live trial coverage, in-depth legal and true-crime reporting and expert analysis of the nation's most important and compelling cases. The network is available to 97% of U.S. television homes free and over the air via digital antenna, on cable, on mobile with the Court TV app and online at CourtTV.com. It is also carried on connected TVs, including Samsung TV Plus and Vizio, and an expanding array of streaming services and apps, including YouTube TV, SiriusXM, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto TV, Apple TV, Sling and Uma. Court TV is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/court-tv-announces-new-original-10-part-docuseries-accomplice-to-murder-with-vinnie-politan-premiering-may-7-301807002.html

SOURCE Court TV

FAQ

What is the premiere date for 'Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan' on Court TV?

The docuseries premieres on May 7, 2023.

What topics will 'Accomplice to Murder' cover?

The series will focus on the roles of accomplices in murder cases, showcasing their stories.

Who hosts the new Court TV docuseries 'Accomplice to Murder'?

The docuseries is hosted by Vinnie Politan.

What past trials will be featured in the docuseries?

The series will include stories from trials spanning three decades, with initial episodes centered on cases from Florida and Mississippi.

How has Court TV's viewership changed recently?

Court TV reported record viewership highs during the coverage of the Alex Murdaugh and Gwyneth Paltrow trials.