Internet sensation "Kai the homeless hitch-hiker" has been arrested for murder. He was caught Thursday night at a Philadelphia Greyhound bus terminal. He's been charged with the murder of 73-year-old Joseph Galfy Jr., a lawyer and Army veteran.
The so-called hatchet wielding hero's real name is Caleb Lawrence McGillvary. The Union County, New Jersey prosecutor had been looking for the 24-year-old since Monday, when Galfy's body was found inside his Clark home. The coroner says he died from blunt force trauma.
"Kai" took the stand February 21st in Fresno, testifying against Jeff McBride, who is accused of intentionally crashing into PG&E worker Rayshawn Neely. "Kai" says he hit McBride with a hatchet after McBride attacked women trying to help the victim. He's been riding his 15 minutes of fame for months, but on a Facebook page believed to be his, he recently posted that he's been sexually assaulted and asked the question, "What would you do?"
A Fresno resident who lives near the accident site is shocked to hear "Kai" is in trouble.
"Wow, to me, that really surprises me," said Blanca Rodriguez.
She wonders whether his internet fame could be partially to blame.
"Even though he did help, maybe they made something small bigger than it was and now he may have killed somebody," said Rodriguez.
Meanwhile, the case he was supposed to be a star witness in has been turned upside down.
"Obviously this is a big break in the case and we're going to have to see how it unfolds," said Deborah Girard, McBride's Defense Attorney.
Girard says her client will benefit from "Kai's" legal issues.
"Attempted murder charge requires intent to kill and 'Kai' is really the only witness that can show that. So this discredits his testimony," said Girard.
"Kai's" bail is set at $3 million dollars. McBride's trial is set to begin in July.