The first UK murder trial filmed for TV will air tonight (July 9) on Channel 4.

The programme, called The Murder Trial, documents the Edinburgh High Court case of Nat Fraser who is accused of killing his wife after she decided to divorce him in 1998.

Speaking about the risks of televising trials, the show's executive producer Kate Barker told Radio Times: "It depends on the case. We've been quite careful to make sure we targeted the right ones.

"There are obviously a whole raft of trials we're not going near – where there are vulnerable witnesses, where there are children involved, rape cases, gang-land cases. We're not asking for a free-for-all."

Producers spent three years convincing the opposition and judicial system to gain access for the programme.

John Scott, the defendant's QC, said: "Our main argument was that cameras might affect the way witnesses gave their evidence. And there were also representations from members of Arlene's family that the cameras might be an extra pressure. But it was a matter for the judge."

Scott admitted that as soon as the trial began, he forgot about the cameras as his mind was focused on the case.

He added: "I wasn't aware of anyone who seemed to be acting differently from how I would expect them to act in a murder trial."

100 hours of footage filmed over six weeks had to be cut down to a two-hour summarisation.

The cameras had to avoid filming the jury and witnesses were contacted afterwards for their consent to have their testimonies shown.

Scottish law allows cameras to film inside the court. In May 2012, the British government considered relaxing the ban in England and Wales.

The Murder Trial airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4. Watch the trailer below:

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