CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Thanks for participating in our survey. Did You Watch 'The First 48'? Did you watch Charlotte-Mecklenburg police on 'The First 48'? Yes. No.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police homicide detectives made their television debut Thursday night on A&E's reality show "The First 48."
The show follows homicide detectives in cities across the country during the first 48 hours of homicide investigations. According to the show's website, it gives viewers "unprecedented access to crime scenes, interrogations and forensic processing."
On Thursday's episode, "The First 48" took a look behind the fatal shooting of Jermaine McJunkins. He was killed in May at the West Down Apartments on Mattoon Street in west Charlotte.
"I think what it's going to show is the dedication and work that goes into our homicide investigations," Capt. Ron Golding said when asked what viewers could expect. "People are going to see the unique sense of urgency that we bring and the magnitude of the resources we bring."
"That's going to be different than what they've seen in other episodes," he added.
The reality show's presence in Charlotte hasn't come without some real-life drama of its own. Local attorney Jeremy Smith filed a motion with the district attorney's office asking for access to the footage shot by "The First 48" crews at crime scenes. Smith said there's a chance the video may help his clients' cases. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for December.
Golding said he hopes that viewers will be able to take away some key points from having access to CMPD's work behind the crime scene tape.
"We're working very hard to bring closure to victims' families and also to reduce fear in the community when these crimes occur," Golding said.
"The First 48" aired Thursday at 9 p.m. on A&E.
Previous Stories: October 29, 2010: Attorney Wants Access To 'First 48' Charlotte Footage March 10, 2010: CMPD To Participate In Homicide Reality Show
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