Last night’s ITV special Serial Killer with Piers Morgan saw the Good Morning Britain host quiz ‘Kansas City strangler’ Lorenzo Gilyard as the murderer spoke his first words in public since his 2007 conviction.
Gilyard, 67, will spend the rest of his life in prison after being found guilty of the murders of six women, although it is believed he raped and murdered 13.
Despite a reticent interview subject who maintained his complete innocence regardless of the damning DNA evidence that experts said had a ‘one in quadrillion’ chance of being inaccurate, Piers managed to draw out several telling reactions from Gilyard before the murderer wilted under questioning.
Read more: Serial killer walks out of tense TV interview as Piers Morgan goes for the jugular
As well as implying all women are prostitutes and suggesting it is “gay” for men not to view dating as a means to an end to have sex – although he claimed his words had been taken out of context – Gilyard also bristled at being labelled a ‘serial killer’.
Viewers reacted with horror and dark humour on social media to Gilyard’s repeated denials of ever meeting his victims and of how reliable DNA evidence is in the hands of investigators.
He was also roundly mocked for inconsistencies in his claims, but Piers came in for plenty of praise for his interview style – even from those who expected a different approach and expected to “argue against the odds”.
Here are a few observations from Twitter:
Really trying to argue against the odds but you’ve brilliantly executed that interview. Gripped – thank you for your journalism tonight! @piersmorgan
— Lady CLE (@CarolineLambert) March 1, 2018
@piersmorgan #SerialKillerWithPiersMorgan was chilling. Lorenzo is a cold calculated psychopath. Piers did a fantastic job
— Fay-Fay (@Faye_Fishcake) March 2, 2018
Serial Killer with @piersmorgan is such good viewing and gives a fantastic insight into the prisoners! Think Piers handles the interviews brilliantly! #SerialKillerWithPiersMorgan
— Kimberley (@On_This_Day_87) March 2, 2018
Some viewers seemed surprised at the restraint Piers himself exhibited as his questions were constantly stonewalled.
@piersmorgan haha I thought the same. Piers interviewed really well, his DNA on all the victims, yet he was insulted at being called America’s worst killer, Piers kept his calm and explained himself well, great to watch and listen to.
— John Fitzgerald (@john_fitzi) March 2, 2018
People criticise @piersmorgan but it takes a good Journalist to sit opposite the most vile people on earth and get answers out of them without them walking away… #SerialKiller is a real eye opener! Good documentary
— Billy Lewis (@billy_lewis_) March 1, 2018
@piersmorgan Compelling interview excellent journalism, that tone of your voice never changed throughout duration of interview, clear to see that he was a very tormented man & deservedly so
— @MissM.Donoghue (@donoghue_mimi) March 1, 2018
Others admitted they’d be hard pressed to keep their cool in a similar situation.
@piersmorgan morning Piers – great show last night … not entirely sure how you kept your cool for so long with that lying murderer, but credit to you. Have you ever had to scrap an intended interview due to a killer just walking out in a huff?
— Steve Ens 007 (@Ens_007) March 2, 2018
Just watched serial killer with @piersmorgan he’s deffo guilty what a disgusting man but do love how Piers is straight talking with them I wanted to punch his face in @ITV
— zoe ruscoe (@zoe1606) March 2, 2018
The reaction to the interview’s climax – when Gilyard shuffled away – may have come off as intentionally amusing to some.
@piersmorgan do you think i am an idiot Piers Morgan haha comical that was n Lorenzo just started walking off haha #SerialKillerWithPiersMorgan
— dave jones (@davejon49228628) March 1, 2018
One viewer was shocked at the reality of how normal a serial killer can appear, even after conviction.
Once again, a brilliant interview. Lorenzo Gilyard looks so ‘ordinary’. Who is your next interviewee Piers?
— AFCSTU. (@GUNNERSTOO) March 2, 2018
And Gilyard’s view on men’s approach to dating was scoffed at in many tweets, such as these:
Catching up on Serial Killer with Piers Morgan and my good god Lorenzo Gilyard is an absolutely nut job. “If you don’t have sex with a woman on a first date you’re gay” apparently
— JA (@jasanderson_) March 2, 2018
“If you take a girl out and it doesn’t lead to sex, you’re gay” this guy is a psycho #SerialKillerWithPiersMorgan
— Kirsty Smith (@ksmidxo) March 1, 2018
But not everyone appreciated Piers’ approach.
@piersmorgan I have to say Piers Morgan has nothing on Louis Theroux. His style of questioning and judgemental attitudes stinks. Piers, you aren’t that tough. And in response to your question to Lorenzo Gilyard, yes you do look stupid. #SerialKiller
— Jasdip Sagu (@JasdipSagu) March 2, 2018
most certainly not protecting a serial killer in any way but Piers Morgan is making this whole programme worse, he keeps twisting the mans words and putting words into his mouth. Give over #SerialKillerWithPiersMorgan
— C✨ (@chlojwilliams) March 1, 2018
One unimpressed viewer even tweeted a belief in Gilyard’s innocence!
Not impressed with this weeks #SerialKillerWithPiersMorgan I really don’t believe Lorenzo killed them women and Piers Morgan don’t get me started he’s such an idiot
— . (@Corinne_rea) March 1, 2018
But there was one person who certainly loved how the show went down: Piers himself, who claimed a ratings win.
BOOM! Terrible result for Arsenal last night but much better result for my Serial Killer show. Won its slot & 50% higher ratings than BBC1. Thanks for watching! pic.twitter.com/D2IzvoVXrN
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 2, 2018
And if he’s right, this viewer’s request may just be granted.
ITV NEED to keep this Crime and Punishment ting going, like week in week out please. Thanks. #SerialKillerwithPiersMorgan
— Joey Miller (@The_Special1) March 1, 2018
Read more: Piers Morgan cheekily insists Susanna Reid DOES fancy him
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