Caleb Lawrence McGillvary

Last updated

Caleb Lawrence McGillvary
Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker.jpg
McGillvary in the viral video "Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker"
Born
Caleb Lawrence McGillvary

(1988-09-03) September 3, 1988 (age 35)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Other namesCaleb Kai Lawrence Yodhehwawheh [1]
Occupation Hitchhiker
Known for Viral video as "Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker"
Conviction(s) First-degree murder
Criminal penalty57 years in prison
Imprisoned at New Jersey State Prison

Caleb Lawrence McGillvary (born September 3, 1988), also referred to as Kai, is a Canadian man who first became known from the internet viral video "Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker", which featured him recounting a crime he witnessed while hitchhiking. McGillvary subsequently received national attention in the press. In 2019, McGillvary was convicted of first-degree murder in New Jersey. He cited the fallout from the video as part of his defense against the homicide charge. [2] In 2023, Netflix debuted the documentary The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker about McGillvary's rise to fame and murder trial.

Contents

Personal life

McGillvary was born on September 3, 1988, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. [3] He has stated that he was raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult, that his parents were divorced, [4] and that he had been molested in his youth. [5] As a teenager, he moved with his family to St. Paul, Alberta, and attended St. Paul Regional High School. [6]

McGillvary has also stated that he adopted the name "Kai" after taking part in a "spirit walk" while living on an Indigenous reservation. [7]

Prior to the Fresno incident in 2013, McGillvary had been living as a transient, which he has described as "homefree". He stated that he did not have health insurance, a social security card, a driver's license, a passport, or any official form of identification. [7]

Fresno incident

In February 2013, McGillvary was interviewed and videotaped by local Fox affiliate KMPH-TV in Fresno, California. McGillvary recounted he had been hitchhiking and was picked up by Jett Simmons McBride, [8] whom McGillvary describes as weighing 300 pounds (140 kg), and who claimed to be Jesus Christ. McBride began telling McGillvary about his background, including having raped a fourteen-year-old girl in the Virgin Islands while on a business trip. While recounting his life story, McBride suddenly crashed his car into a parked utility truck, pinning a worker between his front bumper and the rear of the truck. McGillvary got out to help the man, while McBride remained in the car. When a female bystander arrived on the scene to help the stricken worker, McBride exited the vehicle and attacked her with a bear hug. Believing the woman's life was in danger and that he could snap her neck "like a pencil stick", McGillvary removed a hatchet from his backpack and repeatedly struck McBride in the back of the head. In a "zany" retelling, McGillvary reenacts the overhead swings and describes the hatchet blows as "Smash, smash, SUH-MASH!" [9] McGillvary recounts he was later interrogated by police and set free.

The video was uploaded to YouTube on February 2, 2013, by Jessob Reisbeck, who had conducted the interview for KMPH. [10] As of April 10, 2024, the video has over 8.3 million views. The Gregory Brothers sampled the interview and turned it into a song, furthering the video's reach. [11] As a result of the original video’s viral nature, McGillvary received extensive offers from various news and entertainment sources seeking interviews and appearances. This resulted in his appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 11, 2013. [12] In January 2020, McGillvary was interviewed on Inside Edition , where scenes from the viral video were replayed. [13]

Murder conviction

McGillvary was arrested on murder charges on May 16, 2013, for the death of New Jersey attorney Joseph Galfy. According to McGillvary, Galfy offered McGillvary a place to stay for the night, only to drug and rape him. McGillvary maintained he fought with Galfy in self-defense. Police said the sexual encounter was consensual and the murder premeditated. McGillvary contended that after the viral video in California, he had no need to have sex with men like Galfy, whom McGillvary described as unattractive, stating, "Do you know how many hot chicks—never mind. Even if I was gay, do you know how many hot guys wanted to fuck me after that shit in California? I'm not even being vain. It's just a fact, like—no offense, but he [Galfy] was not a looker". [14] In July 2013, McGillvary was hospitalized after suffering from self-inflicted wounds while awaiting trial at Union County Jail in New Jersey. [15]

After the murder charges, viewership of the Fresno meme video increased substantially, broadening its viral reach. [16] Fans of the video, who considered McGillvary a hero for saving the woman, raised a legal fund for the NJ case. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] McGillvary was imprisoned for over five years while awaiting trial, which began April 1, 2019. [22] [23] McGillvary took the stand in his own defense and was combative during cross-examination. He had an outburst during his defense lawyer's closing arguments, nearly leading to his expulsion from the courtroom. [24] A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to 57 years in prison. He is to serve 85 percent of that term (roughly 43.5 years, after accounting for the five years of pre-trial confinement) before the possibility of parole, with the judge telling McGillvary, "when you become eligible for parole, you will still be younger than Mr. Galfy was when you murdered him". Galfy was 73 at the time of his death. [25] [26] [27] McGillvary appealed the conviction, alleging 15 instances of "misconduct, abuse of discretion, and ineffectiveness of defense counsel", but the murder conviction was upheld by the New Jersey Appellate Court in August 2021. [13] [28]

He has been housed at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton since his sentencing. [29]

Netflix documentary

On January 10, 2023, Netflix released the documentary The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, chronicling McGillvary's story, including interviews with Reisbeck, members of Jimmy Kimmel's staff, McGillvary's family, and law enforcement figures involved in his case. [12] In the immediate days following the documentary's release, media interest in McGillvary's case increased. [30] [31]

In response to the documentary, McGillvary claimed that Netflix exploited him for profit. [32]

Related Research Articles

<i>Unsolved Mysteries</i> American true crime television series

Unsolved Mysteries is an American mystery documentary television series, created by John Cosgrove and Terry Dunn Meurer. Documenting cold cases and paranormal phenomena, it began as a series of seven specials, presented by Raymond Burr, Karl Malden, and Robert Stack, beginning on NBC on January 20, 1987, becoming a full-fledged series on October 5, 1988, hosted by Stack. After nine seasons on NBC, the series moved to CBS for its 10th season on November 13, 1997. After adding Virginia Madsen as a co-host during season 11 failed to boost slipping ratings, CBS canceled the series after only a two-season, 12-episode run on June 11, 1999. The series was revived by Lifetime in 2000, with season 12 beginning on July 2, 2001. Unsolved Mysteries aired 103 episodes on Lifetime, before ending on September 20, 2002, an end that coincided with Stack's illness and eventual death.

Kai or KAI may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John DiMaggio</span> American actor (born 1968)

John William DiMaggio is an American actor. His various voice roles include Bender on Futurama, Jake the Dog on Adventure Time, Marcus Fenix in the Gears of War series, Dr. Drakken on Kim Possible, Hak Foo in Jackie Chan Adventures, The Scotsman on Samurai Jack, Brother Blood on Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!, Shnitzel on Chowder, Fu Dog on American Dragon: Jake Long, Hammerhead and Sandman on The Spectacular Spider-Man, Aquaman on Batman: The Brave and the Bold, King Zøg on Disenchantment, Jocktopus on Fish Hooks, Wakka and Kimahri in Final Fantasy X, Rath in the Ben 10 franchise, Crosshairs, Leadfoot, Transit and Stratosphere in the Transformers film franchise, and Gonza in the English version of Princess Mononoke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim McGreevey</span> Governor of New Jersey from 2002 to 2004

James Edward McGreevey is an American politician who served as the 52nd governor of New Jersey from 2002 until his resignation in 2004.

<i>Cobra Kai</i> American martial arts comedy-drama television series

Cobra Kai is an American martial arts comedy-drama television series and a sequel to the original The Karate Kid films created by Robert Mark Kamen. The series was created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, and is distributed by Sony Pictures Television. The series was released on YouTube Red / YouTube Premium for the first two seasons, before moving to Netflix starting with the third. The series stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, who reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, respectively, from the 1984 film The Karate Kid and its sequels, The Karate Kid Part II (1986) and The Karate Kid Part III (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Booker</span> American politician (born 1969)

Cory Anthony Booker is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from New Jersey since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Booker is the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey. He was the 38th mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013, and served on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002.

Thomas Ian Griffith is an Irish American actor, screenwriter and martial artist. He is best known for portraying Terry Silver in the 1989 film The Karate Kid Part III, a role he reprised in the fourth and fifth seasons of the television series Cobra Kai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Cullen</span> American serial killer (born 1960)

Charles Edmund Cullen is an American serial killer. Cullen, a nurse, murdered dozens—possibly hundreds—of patients during a 16-year career spanning several New Jersey medical centers until being arrested in 2003. He confessed to committing as many as 40 murders at least 29 of which have been confirmed; though interviews with police, psychiatrists and journalists suggest he committed many more. Researchers who are intimately involved in the case believe Cullen may have murdered as many as 400 people. However, most murders cannot be confirmed due to lack of records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel McHale</span> American actor, comedian (born 1971)

Joel Edward McHale is an American actor, comedian, and television presenter. He is best known for hosting The Soup (2004–2015) and his role as Jeffrey "Jeff" Winger on the NBC sitcom Community (2009–2015). He has performed in the films Spider-Man 2 (2004), Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011), Ted (2012), and The Happytime Murders (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Jersey State Prison</span> State prison for men in Trenton, New Jersey

The New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), formerly known as Trenton State Prison, is a state men's prison in Trenton, New Jersey operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections. It is the oldest prison in New Jersey and one of the oldest correctional facilities in the United States. It is the state's only completely maximum security institution, housing the most difficult and/or dangerous male offenders in the inmate population. NJSP operates two security units and provides a high level of custodial supervision and control. Professional treatment services, such as education and social work, are a priority at the facility. The Bureau of State Use Industries operated the bedding and clothing shops that were once located in Shop Hall at the facility. These industries have been relocated to South Woods State Prison.

<i>Hatchet for the Honeymoon</i> 1970 film

Hatchet for the Honeymoon is a 1970 giallo film directed by Mario Bava and starring Stephen Forsyth, Dagmar Lassander, Laura Betti, and Femi Benussi. The story follows John Harrington, a hatchet-wielding madman who murders young brides in an effort to recall a childhood trauma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Williams-Thomas</span> Investigative journalist

Mark Alan Williams-Thomas is an English investigative journalist, sexual abuse victim advocate, and former police officer. He is a regular reporter on This Morning and Channel 4 News, as well as the ITV series Exposure and the ITV and Netflix crime series The Investigator: A British Crime Story.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erin Lee Carr</span> American documentary filmmaker

Erin Lee Carr is an American documentary filmmaker. She is also an author for publications including VICE and her memoir called All That You Leave Behind: A Memoir, a story about love, addiction, and the relationship between father and daughter. In 2015, Variety included Carr as one of its "10 Documakers To Watch". Carr made the 2018 Forbes 30 under 30 list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silentó</span> American rapper (born 1998)

Richard Lamar"Ricky" Hawk, better known as Silentó or Prince Silentó, is an American rapper. He is best known for his 2015 debut single "Watch Me ", which charted at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 when he was 17. He later released a project titled Fresh Outta High School in August 2018 after some delay. He is from Stone Mountain, Georgia.

<i>Making a Murderer</i> 2015 American true crime documentary series

Making a Murderer is an American true crime documentary television series written and directed by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos. The show tells the story of Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, who served 18 years in prison (1985–2003) after his wrongful conviction for the sexual assault and attempted murder of Penny Beerntsen. He was later charged with and convicted of the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach. The connected story is that of Avery's nephew Brendan Dassey, who was accused and convicted as an accessory in the murder of Halbach.

Sean Whalen is an American actor and writer. He is known for his work in numerous TV shows, including Shannon's Deal and Grace Under Fire, as well as movies, including The People Under the Stairs and Twister. He is also known for appearing as a hapless history buff in the first "Got Milk?" commercial, directed by Michael Bay, which aired in 1993.

<i>Dont F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer</i> 2019 American true crime documentary series

Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer is a 2019 true crime docuseries about an online manhunt. It is written and directed by Mark Lewis and was released on Netflix on December 18, 2019. The series chronicles events following a crowd-sourced amateur investigation into a series of animal cruelty acts committed by Canadian pornographic actor Luka Magnotta, culminating in his murder of Chinese international student Jun Lin. It was one of Netflix's Top 5 most-watched documentaries of 2019.

<i>Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez</i> 2020 American true crime documentary

Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez is a 2020 American true crime documentary series about convicted murderer and former professional American football player Aaron Hernandez. The three-part documentary explores his conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd, other murder cases in which he was a suspect, and the factors in his life that shaped his behavior. It premiered on Netflix on January 15, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carole Baskin</span> American conservationist

Carole Ann Baskin is an American animal rights activist and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit animal sanctuary based near Tampa, Florida. She has attracted the attention of local, national and international media outlets to the plight of captive big cats.

Elie Honig is an American attorney and legal commentator. He is the senior legal analyst for CNN. Previously, Honig was an assistant United States Attorney.

References

  1. ↑ Spivey, Mark (May 30, 2013). "Famed 'hatchet hitchhiker' extradited to N.J." USA TODAY. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  2. ↑ "'Kai the Hitchhiker' loses bid to overturn murder conviction". AP NEWS. August 5, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  3. ↑ Boesveld, Sarah (May 23, 2013). "How Canadian YouTube sensation 'Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker' went from hero to inmate". National Post. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  4. ↑ Giordano, Rita (May 3, 2013). "Relatives of 'Kai' McGillivary describe his mental-health troubles". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ Bautista, Camille (February 10, 2013). "Viral Mystery Revealed: The Real Kai, Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker". Mashable. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  6. ↑ "'Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker' once lived in St. Paul". Alberta Prime Times. January 17, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Thomas, Sophie Saint (May 16, 2013). "Catching Up with Kai, the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker". Vice News . Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  8. ↑ Pruden, Jana G. (June 25, 2020). "Hitchhiker, hero, celebrity, killer: The strange journey of the man called Kai". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ Stern, Marlow (January 8, 2023). "A Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker Went Viral. Then He Killed Someone". Rolling Stone.
  10. ↑ Kai, Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, Amazing Interview w/ Jessob Reisbeck. Jessob Reisbeck. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022– via YouTube.
  11. ↑ Van De Peer, Hannah (January 11, 2023). "This is the full story behind Netflix's new true crime, The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker" . Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Camden, Colette (director) (January 10, 2023). The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (Documentary). Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Kai the Hitchhiker Insists He's Innocent of Murder and Vows to File Appeal in Exclusive Interview". Inside Edition. January 3, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ Martin, Laura (January 10, 2023). "What Happened to Kai, The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker Who Went Viral?". Esquire. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  15. ↑ Haydon, Tom (July 18, 2013). "Murder suspect 'Kai the Hitchhiker' in hospital with self-inflicted wounds". NJ.com. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ Rose, Lisa (May 22, 2013). "Parents of Kai the Hitchhiker say the Union Co. murder suspect has had behavioral issues for years". NJ.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  17. ↑ Pearson, Michael (May 19, 2013). "Murder charge stuns some fans of 'Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker'". CNN . Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  18. ↑ "'Hatchet hitchhiker' arrested in US murder". USA Today . AP. May 18, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Hatchet-wielding hitchhiker an internet sensation arrested for murder of NJ man". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  20. ↑ Abad-Santos, Alexander (May 17, 2013). "Couch-Surfing on Viral Video Fame, 'Hatchet Hitchhiker' Arrested for Murder". The Atlantic . Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  21. ↑ Gabbatt, Adam (May 17, 2013). "'Hatchet-wielding hitchhiker' arrested in Philadelphia on murder charge". The Guardian . Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  22. ↑ Tehee, Joshua (June 14, 2018). "Five years ago, he was 'Kai, the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker.' Now he'll be tried for murder". The Fresno Bee . Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  23. ↑ Haydon, Tom (May 12, 2016). "3 years and counting; no trial yet for jailed YouTube star 'Kai the Hitchhiker'". NJ.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  24. ↑ Sophie Nieto-Munoz (April 24, 2019). "'Kai the Hitchhiker' found guilty of beating 73-year-old N.J. man to death". NJ.com. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Former Internet Star 'Kai the Hitchhiker' Found Guilty of Murder". CBS News. April 24, 2019.
  26. ↑ ""Kai the Hitchhiker" sentenced to 57 years in lawyer's beating death". CBS News. May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  27. ↑ Suzanne Russell (May 30, 2019). "'Kai the hitchhiker' gets 57 year prison term for killing Clark attorney". Bridgewater Courier News. Retrieved May 30, 2019– via mycentraljersey.com.
  28. ↑ Shea, Kevin (August 4, 2021). "Viral internet star 'Kai the Hitchhiker' loses appeal of his N.J. murder conviction". NJ.com. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  29. ↑ Venn, Lydia (January 12, 2023). "What Netflix's The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker leaves out about Kai". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  30. ↑ "'Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker': Tragedy Behind Kai Lawrence's Internet Fame". People. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Netflix releases 'Kai the Hitchhiker' true crime documentary about Central Jersey murder". news.yahoo.com. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  32. ↑ Venn, Lydia (January 13, 2023). "Kai Lawrence from Netflix's The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker responds to documentary". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.