Netflix's newest true crime offering, The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, is a cautionary tale that invites the viewer to interrogate viral internet notoriety through an unbelievable (yet true) story.
The 90-minute documentary recounts how a hitchhiker was handed fame on a platter, thanks to producers, journalists and social media fans, after he was branded a 'hero' for apparently saving the life of a bystander by using a hatchet to "smash" her attacker.
After a single TV interview from the scene went viral, the man in question (who became known as "Kai") became the subject of memes, YouTube videos and fan pages, with many – from The Jimmy Kimmel Show to a producer that worked on Keeping Up with the Kardashians – trying to track him down as the hot property of the day.
The buzz lasted for a few months, despite many that came into contact with him experiencing alarm or unease at his behaviour. Then police announced that Kai Lawrence, or Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, was wanted in connection with a murder on the East Coast, and it suddenly turned into a very different kind of manhunt.
The victim was a man in his 70s named Joseph Galfy, who was found dead in his own home in New Jersey.
As is recalled in the Netflix documentary, the police found a piece of paper with Kai's name and number on it at Galfy's home. They also found a train ticket, which led to them pursuing CCTV footage from the train station. It was here that they found video of Galfy and Kai together.
When police picked up Kai, he claimed that the killing had been in self defence. He told a story of how Galfy had let him stay at his house, but that he had drugged and sexually assaulted him.
He left the house the following day to stay with a fan who he'd been communicating with, but when that fell through he had gone back to Galfy's house for somewhere to sleep. Kai alleged that Galfy had attempted to sexually assault him again, but that this time he had fought back.
The police and prosecution have argued that there were no signs of a struggle, and that there were no reports of defensive marks on Kai's body. They also put forward that the injuries sustained by Galfy were extensive and, at trial, it was testified by a medical examiner that they were inconsistent with self defence.
Following Kai's arrest, a number of his fans decided to campaign to raise a legal defence fund, believing in his innocence. But prosecutors believed that they had arrested a dangerous suspect, telling CNN, "the investigation came together very quickly." Kai Lawrence was to be held on $3 million bond before his first court appearance.
As the years passed, many of the fans who were outspoken in their support for Kai online went silent.
Kai Lawrence pleaded not guilty to the murder. He spent nearly six years behind bars while waiting for his trial, and it's been reported that Kai studied law and filed a number of lawsuits making allegations against the authorities for the way he believed the case was handled (via NJ.com).
At trial, Kai's defense attorney John Cito put forward the argument that police had not pursued evidence that would have proved whether the sexual assault had occurred (via NJ.com).
Kai testified at his own trial, but reportedly had to be warned about his behaviour by the judge as he became combative during cross-examination by the prosecution.
In 2019, Caleb 'Kai' McGillvary, aged 30, was found guilty of first-degree murder.
"This was a brutal, vicious, senseless crime, and we are pleased that the interests of justice have been served," Michael Monahan, acting Union County Prosecutor, said at the time. "We sincerely thank the jury for their service and hope that today's verdict brings some measure of solace to Mr Galfy's family, friends, and loved ones."
McGillvary was ultimately sentenced to 57 years in prison.
James Galfy, Joseph Galfy's younger brother, read out a victim impact statement in court which highlighted the deep loss that his family had suffered.
McGillvary told the court of his plan to appeal what he called the "false conviction and worthless sentence" (via NJ.com).
In 2021, Caleb "Kai" McGillvary's conviction was upheld by a panel of New Jersey appeals judges (via NJ.com). He maintains his innocence.
The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker is available on Netflix.
