I Am a Killer Season 2, Episode 6 recap: Pyro Joe

Episode 206 of Netflix and Crime+Investigation UK’s I Am a Killer looks at the story of Joseph Murphy, whose abusive family no doubt contributed to his violence.

The previous episode of I Am a Killer examined the case of Mark Arthur, debating whether he killed Esequiel Fonseca Sr. in self-defense or if it was basically a contract kill set up by Fonseca’s abused wife. Episode 6 is a bit different, though, as there’s no question that Joseph “Pyro Joe” Murphy committed his crime for his own reasons.

However, the question is: Did experiencing extreme abuse and poverty help set him down a destructive, murderous path? The episode begins with Joseph saying he’s treated better in death row (in Ohio) than he ever was before.

In 1987, “Pyro Joe” murdered 72-year-old Ruth Predmore, and it most certainly was not in self-defense. Not only was she elderly, but she did not threaten him with any kind of weapon.

Does he deserve sympathy points?

Murphy spent part of his childhood in Clay County, West Virginia, in a literal tarpaper shack. There was no water, electricity, toilets, a bath or a phone. His father was always drunk and abusive. They received a Social Security check for Joseph’s mental disability, though part of that may have resulted from his being socially isolated.

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He apparently was not allowed to play with his siblings. It’s also claimed (by Joseph Murphy) that he was underfed, then locked in a trunk at night. Not enough? He says his father set him on fire once, which actually led to a social worker taking him to a hospital (and may partially explain the roots of his “Pyro Joe” nickname).

Murphy says that, even though he dealt with sexual abuse, while under foster care, he still preferred it over life at home. In fact, his family moved out of state without him, at first.

Heading to Ohio

Eventually. Joseph was placed back under his family’s “care.” While things weren’t entirely better, their new house at least actually had a bathroom. Joseph Murphy says that, at one point, he accidentally set their house on fire. He adds that the fire made his mom forget to beat him, so he may have seen it as a psychological release.

Still, what made Pyro Joe become a murderer? While one may doubt Murphy’s story, there’s an element of plausibility to parts of it. In 1987, his sister Drema was hospitalized after being hit by a train. Their family had no money for the medical bills (though, as is often the case, his parents somehow always had the money for alcohol).

Joe then decided to steal a VCR from Ruth Predmore, who he had odd jobs for. He says he swung his knife when she startled him, killing her. He then stole a coat, a purse, and a bowl of pennies, only to be arrested 2 days later.

Michael Murphy, Joseph’s brother, corroborates some aspects of the story but denies others. Calling Marion, Ohio “Little Chicago,” Michael tells I Am a Killer that his family were picked on for their “hillbilly accents” and being poor. He definitely admits that their father was abusive, adding that the man sometimes got drunk on rubbing alcohol. However, he adds certain details that make Joseph Murphy look less naïve and innocent.

He says Joey killed his pet dogs and set fires, for example. That makes it harder to say, “Oh, he just went a little haywire once. He also says Joey left a note to get Predmore’s money, ordering her to leave it in a paper bag. When she didn’t, Joey went to kill her. While one may sympathize with certain aspects of his background, this still makes it look like Joseph Murphy was a deviant.

Mitigation

Wayne Creasap, now a retired officer, tells I Am a Killer that Joseph earned the nickname of “Pyro Joe” by setting animals on fire. He also stresses that Murphy left that threatening note, saying to leave money or he’d kill her. It’s added that, rather than taking an unlucky swipe with his knife (which could almost even be considered an accidental, panicked response), her head was “hanging on by a thread.”

Linda Richter, a mitigation specialist, does step in to emphasize parts of his story being real. She shows photos of his previous tar paper shack home. Also, due to the sexual and violent abuse, she does not feel Joey deserved the death penalty.

A story even emerges that, when Joseph Murphy’s father wanted moonshine, he traded a 6-year-old Joe for sexual favors. If that’s not enough, it’s said that Joe was beaten by his mother after he ran home, bloodied. Kathryn Sandford, Joseph’s public defender, used this info for her death penalty clemency appeals.

Differing voices/Has Joe redeemed himself?

Michael Murphy challenges Joseph’s story more, saying it was Joseph who set himself on fire, not his father. He also says their other brother, Darris, was the one who was sexually traded for whiskey. However, Michael Gelbort, a Chicago-based Neuropsychologist, says that Joey’s moonshine story does go with his behavior.

He, and others, question whether Joey (or anyone else) had the capacity to do much better than he did. While Gelbort no doubt agrees than not all abused people become murderers, he says “people like him are closer to the edge.”

This I Am a Killer episode also explores the phenomenon of the offender/victim’s family dialogue. The victim’s niece, Peg Predmore Kavanagh, thinks Joseph Murphy’s abuse should be taken into account.

In fact, when she met with Joseph, she said his parents should’ve been the ones locked up. Even the criminal justice system saw something to this. Joseph Murphy’s sentence was commuted during the very last month before he was to be put to death.

Now Joey says he wants to help other inmates. He adds that he’s adapted to prison and accepts the punishment, On the bright side, he actually has a pet cat now, and apparently he hasn’t resorted to setting it on fire.

Intentionally or otherwise, he does say The Shawshank Redemption like “The Shimshom Redemption.” Still, he’s obviously familiar with the Stephen King story and may have redeemed himself to the point possible.

What are your thoughts on I Am a Killer and the Joseph Murphy story? Let us know in the comments!