A&E Sets Kobe Special

A&E Network will jump on the Kobe Bryant bandwagon with an Oct. 8 special surrounding the basketball star’s legal troubles.

The one-hour special, In the Kobe Case: A Bill Kurtis Special Report
, will examine the case against Bryant, who is accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel employee from Eagle, Colo.

The special will include analysis of details surrounding the case, as well as comments from Denver trial attorneys about what will happen to Bryant if he is convicted. It will also illuminate the penalties Bryant could face under Colorado sex-offense statutes, which are arguably the harshest in the country.

Bryant is due in court Oct. 9 for a preliminary hearing, at which time a judge will determine whether there will be a trial.

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.