Ep 4. A Father's Shadow
A Father's Shadow is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the true-crime documentary series, I AM A KILLER. The show explores the stories of convicted murderers who have been sentenced to death or life in prison. Each episode is an in-depth, emotional interview with the killer, providing insight into their past, their crime, and the aftermath.
In A Father's Shadow, we meet death row inmate James Robertson, who has been in prison for over 23 years. He was convicted of first-degree murder in 1997 for killing a man named Terry Curry during a robbery. Robertson's accomplice, his father, was also involved in the crime but died before being brought to justice. Robertson has always maintained that his father was the mastermind behind the robbery and that he only went along with it because he felt pressured to do so.
Throughout the episode, we see Robertson open up about his family life, his relationship with his father, and how the events leading up to the murder unfolded. He talks about growing up in poverty and how his father was a dominant figure in the household. Robertson describes his father as an abusive man who frequently beat him and his siblings. He also reveals that his father was a drug addict who was often in trouble with the law.
As a teenager, Robertson started getting into trouble himself and eventually turned to drugs. He began stealing to support his addiction, and this is how he became involved in the robbery that led to Curry's murder. Robertson explains that he didn't want to go through with the crime but felt like he had no choice. He felt like he couldn't say no to his father, who had always been his authority figure.
The episode also features interviews with other people involved in the case, including Terry Curry's sister, who talks about the impact of her brother's death on her family. We also hear from the district attorney who prosecuted Robertson, as well as his defense attorneys.
As with all episodes of I AM A KILLER, A Father's Shadow is an emotional and thought-provoking look at the life of a convicted murderer. It raises important questions about accountability, family dynamics, and the impact of poverty and addiction on individuals and communities. Robertson's story is a reminder that there are often complex and tragic circumstances behind even the most heinous crimes.
