Edwards Trial Blog Is Research For NET Special

Veteran journalist Bill Kelly says the murder trial of Christopher Edwards provides the ideal opportunity to document the real-life application of forensic science for a special program that will air later this year on Nebraska Educational Television (NET).

Much of the research Kelly is doing for "CSI Nebraska" (the working title for the special) is being shared on a blog on the website of KMTV (Cox Channel 5). The special will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the training of CSI specialists in a unique, masters level program at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Kelly said the strong working relationship NET has had with KMTV - and in particular, managing editor Carrie Murphy - over the years led to the creation of the blog.

"(The idea is that) it would add a web element, give an additional voice to their reporting team - who have enough to worry about preparing their stories for air- and it is a good use of my notes from the trial," Kelly said.

Kelly's experience as a journalist includes nearly 10 years as a reporter at WOWT, where he specialized in local government, politics, and special investigative projects. At NET, his documentary on the notorious crime spree of Charles Starkweather, "Charles and Caril: Starkweather 30 years later," earned him national honors and recognition.

In his account of Tuesday's session of jury selection, Kelly wrote that the most notable moment of complete agreement came when defense attorney Steve Lefler asked the jury pool if they "understand and accept" that the press is not always right.

"Perhaps a little more loudly than the reporters in the room might have thought necessary, the jurors repeated, 'I can accept that' in unison," Kelly wrote.

Notes: For three days earlier this week, fellow Journal Broadcast Group journalist Bill Jensen told listeners on KXSP (590 AM) and KOMJ (1490 AM) that the blog was located at "Action3.com" ... KMTV used two reporters Wednesday to present the opening arguments of the prosecution and defense: Kathy Sarantos Niver handled the prosecution while Michelle Bandur covered the defense.