Warner Media LLC

02/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/05/2026 13:00

HBO Original MURDER IN GLITTERBALL CITY, A Two-Part Documentary, Debuts February 19

  • The HBO Original two-part documentary MURDER IN GLITTERBALL CITY, directed by award-winning filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato (HBO's "Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures" and "The Eyes of Tammy Faye") debuts THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO immediately followed by part two. Both parts will be available to stream on HBO Max.
  • Synopsis: The city of Louisville, Kentucky is known for the beauty of its historic Victorian architecture and birthplace of the mirrored glitterball. It also has a reputation for being one of America's most haunted neighborhoods and is the backdrop for a dark tale of murder, lies, and deceit. With a uniquely colorful cast of local residents as tour guides, the two-part documentary explores the shifting landscape of a grisly murder, the toxic relationship of two ex-lovers, a vulnerable victim, and the unreliable accounts of flawed individuals on trial for their lives.

    Inspired by the non-fiction book "A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City" by David Dominé, the film chronicles a 2010 murder case that starts with a 911 phone call that leads police to the gruesome discovery of a body buried in the basement of a Victorian mansion. As two men face police interrogators, a story emerges of twisted liaisons. Each partner points an accusatory finger at the other and their respective accounts brim with glaring inconsistencies and false allegations. As two separate murder trials unfold, key pieces of video evidence emerge, subverting expectations about suspects Joey Banis and Jeffrey Mundt.

    The story is told through the lens of the community, as friends, neighbors, police, attorneys join the author of the book in sharing their perspectives.
  • Episode Descriptions:
    Part 1
    Debut date: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 (8:00-9:20 p.m. ET/PT)
    The film travels back to the night of June 17, 2010, when the body of James Carroll, a gifted hairdresser and drag performer, is discovered. Through video of the police interrogations and courtroom testimony, details are shared of Banis's and Mundt's relationship, revealing both men as complex suspects. Mundt's testimony against his former lover Banis is damning.

    Part 2
    Debut date: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 (9:20-10:40 p.m. ET/PT)
    After Joey Banis is found guilty of the murder of James Carroll, the trial of Jeffrey Mundt begins. Joey Banis's video "confession" is scrutinized and allegedly staged by Mundt. Both men trade damning testimony, and Banis's troubled past becomes influential in the trial. Resting on "he said/he said" allegations, the second trial concludes with a stunning outcome.
  • Credits: HBO Documentary Films presents MURDER IN GLITTERBALL CITY, A World of Wonder Production. Directed and produced by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato; producer, Mona Card; edited by Johanna Gavard and Francy Kachler; cinematography by Huy Truong; music by David Benjamin Steinberg. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez.
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