A cold killer no doubt, speaking matter of factly and initially leaving out details of the kidnapping/murder. Decent documentary.
8 Reviews
Cold
Calicodreamin28 January 2021
Never let him out!
The_Boxing_Cat8 February 2020
He would be ill prepared for life on the outside.
Joey Murphy wouldn't be an asset to the community, but at least Joey shows remorse and has the blessings of his victim's family.
Tony couldn't even be truthful- the parole board is trained in such matters. And NO way does Johnny Moore want thé murderer out.
What happened to the 2 women who helped Williams? -subtracting points for this omission.
Tony couldn't even be truthful- the parole board is trained in such matters. And NO way does Johnny Moore want thé murderer out.
What happened to the 2 women who helped Williams? -subtracting points for this omission.
Overly sympathetic to the perpetrator
graham_c_read5 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This moving documentary introduces us to 2 key players in the Deborah Moore murder, while leaving much else untouched.
Williams is a disturbed, mentally feeble soul who had a terrible upbringing and spent much of the years from 10-20 in institutions. On release, he was given a job by the Moore family, and within 1 week he was planning not just to rob them, but to kill them as well to remove any witnesses, although he brought along 2 ladies with him, whom we never hear much more of. The plan was ludicrous and failed. Williams is shown to regret this.
The footage of Moore discussing his wife is heartfelt and very sad to watch. His participation in this programme was brave.
We meet a few other bit players who give strangely incomplete accounts Williams current situation.
In the end, Williams is asked how Moore might feel if he was ever released (he has failed numerous parole hearings) - Williams is barely able to answer, he's never considered this. Everything falls apart.
It may be he regrets everything, but if he is unable to have considered this, in his 30+ years in prison, then something is missing in his mind. I found his accounts of events unconvincing, and the film-makers apparent sympathy with such a thoughtless killer is just bizarre.
Season Two Review
southdavid23 April 2024
It's taken me three years to get around to watching the second season of Netflix's "I Am a Killer". Re-reading that review now, I could almost post exactly the same one here as my thoughts are the same.
As with Season One, we meet an inmate who was formally on Death Row, but has had their sentence commuted, usually due to a change in the law regarding sentencing guidelines. The inmate explains their crime from their point of view. From there, we meet other parties in the story, victims, associates, or law enforcement who give their assessment of what happened and either support or (more often) dispute the specifics. Three months later, the inmate is interviewed again and gets to react to the details provided by the other parties.
So essentially, it's ten more stories following the same formula that worked in the first run. Again, generally the criminals were selected because of some aspect of their story that might be considered as a mitigating factor, even if that mitigation is only the difference between first- and second-degree murder. Again, the show leaves the conclusion to you, the audience, as to whether you feel the sentence was/is justified. I can't remember if it was true of the first season, but it certain is striking here how many of the inmates tell a similar story of parental neglect, or abuse, a degree of sexual abuse is often involved too, leading to drug taking from an exceptionally young age and often directly to the crime in question.
I feel about the same here as I did about the first season. It's not particularly revolutionary or memorable, and though I made it through this second run, the fact it took me three years to get back around to it probably tells you something about how enthused I was about the show. I will take another break and get back around to the shorter season three, probably not another three years this time though.
As with Season One, we meet an inmate who was formally on Death Row, but has had their sentence commuted, usually due to a change in the law regarding sentencing guidelines. The inmate explains their crime from their point of view. From there, we meet other parties in the story, victims, associates, or law enforcement who give their assessment of what happened and either support or (more often) dispute the specifics. Three months later, the inmate is interviewed again and gets to react to the details provided by the other parties.
So essentially, it's ten more stories following the same formula that worked in the first run. Again, generally the criminals were selected because of some aspect of their story that might be considered as a mitigating factor, even if that mitigation is only the difference between first- and second-degree murder. Again, the show leaves the conclusion to you, the audience, as to whether you feel the sentence was/is justified. I can't remember if it was true of the first season, but it certain is striking here how many of the inmates tell a similar story of parental neglect, or abuse, a degree of sexual abuse is often involved too, leading to drug taking from an exceptionally young age and often directly to the crime in question.
I feel about the same here as I did about the first season. It's not particularly revolutionary or memorable, and though I made it through this second run, the fact it took me three years to get back around to it probably tells you something about how enthused I was about the show. I will take another break and get back around to the shorter season three, probably not another three years this time though.
Vengeance is not justice
caliranch18 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I find the degree of ignorance exhibited by some who have made comments to be shocking, but reflective of the decline in public education. However, it is unforgivable in cases referencing an individual's "lack of remorse" for a crime as justification for imprisonment. Individuals who have suffered trauma, whether it is abuse, death, violence, war, etc., do not show emotion openly. In Toby's case, his childhood, homelessness, a traumatizing rape, years in a juvenile facility, which did nothing to provide education and job training so that he would be able to gain employment, sabotaged his life. IQ has been declining, but in the 80's/90's, a score of 95-100 would have been average. He demonstrated an IQ under 70, which indicated a huge intellectual impairment; and he had no support from anyone. He is no different than millions of children born to irresponsible girls without the education and financial means to provide for a child; essentially sentencing that child to a life of poverty, crime and incarceration. I absolutely feel for Mr. Moore and the loss he and his son have suffered. But, the state denying Toby parole is cruel and unusual punishment. I would argue that while he took someone's life, he has never been given an opportunity and the support to have a life of his own. He should have that chance. He isn't a threat to anyone, and we need to end the horrid practice of locking individuals up w/out parole which only dehumanizes and warehouses marginalized individuals while profiting private corporations operating or working with prisons.
A man with no real remorse.
rchosen-193-553518 March 2020
Some of these people in the episodes you can tell the murder was an accident or even if it was on purse, they have remorse. But with this man there was no real remorse. Felt just like words coming out of his mouth for the camera (and to sell his book). Only God knows if he is saved or if he really is remorseful.
But going by his actions/words, it doesn't seem so. When asked how did he think he feel the man would feel about him getting out. He sort of chuckled it off and then said anger. He also said he felt bad for what he did to "his wife". Shows a lack of understanding what he did.
"His wife" is gone. You should have said "I am so sorry for what I did to him, his wife and his child. I can't imagine what they have gone through.". Instead he only mentions the wife. So sad. I do believe people should get a second chance, but I don't think he would make good use of it.
But going by his actions/words, it doesn't seem so. When asked how did he think he feel the man would feel about him getting out. He sort of chuckled it off and then said anger. He also said he felt bad for what he did to "his wife". Shows a lack of understanding what he did.
"His wife" is gone. You should have said "I am so sorry for what I did to him, his wife and his child. I can't imagine what they have gone through.". Instead he only mentions the wife. So sad. I do believe people should get a second chance, but I don't think he would make good use of it.
We all want to know our mother.....
Sleepin_Dragon18 February 2021
I'm sorry but I cannot find the degree of sympathy for Toby Williams, he committed a dreadful, cowardly, brutal crime, and tries to justify if by his start in life.
I'm not heartless, he had a dismal childhood, nobody should ever have to go through that, but the idea that he kills people as a cry for help I find absolutely sickening, particularly when those words come from a man who strongly believes in God. He tried blaming his mother????? If everyone that had a bad mother was ok to commit murder, where would we be? Most people know when to draw the line.
Toby is worthy of sympathy????? not in my book, I can't imagine the friends and families of his victims feel the same way, sickening.
The final episode, and I don't know if they'd run out of steam, or just wanted to give a different slant on things, but this was incredibly biased towards Williams, this wasn't balanced, and felt incredibly biased towards Toby.
The speakers are trying to say that Toby is a great guy, even at a young age, we know the difference between right and wrong.
We needed a balanced argument. 5/10.
I'm not heartless, he had a dismal childhood, nobody should ever have to go through that, but the idea that he kills people as a cry for help I find absolutely sickening, particularly when those words come from a man who strongly believes in God. He tried blaming his mother????? If everyone that had a bad mother was ok to commit murder, where would we be? Most people know when to draw the line.
Toby is worthy of sympathy????? not in my book, I can't imagine the friends and families of his victims feel the same way, sickening.
The final episode, and I don't know if they'd run out of steam, or just wanted to give a different slant on things, but this was incredibly biased towards Williams, this wasn't balanced, and felt incredibly biased towards Toby.
The speakers are trying to say that Toby is a great guy, even at a young age, we know the difference between right and wrong.
We needed a balanced argument. 5/10.
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