So where is Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker now, 10 years since his arrest?

Netflix has just dropped a documentary about the story of Kai McGillvary, who may be better known as the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker. Kai was travelling with a driver who drove into someone and then threatened a woman who tried to a help. Kai then jumped out of the car and hit the driver with the blunt end of the hatchet on the head.

Kai went viral back in 2013 after he was filmed explaining what had happened and someone decided to make a song out of it and it went on to accumulate 11 million views. The Netflix documentary delves into how Kai, whose real name is Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, went on to be charged and sentenced with murder. Here’s everything you need to know about what happened to Kai after he was sentenced with murder, and where he is now.

In May 2013, Kai was arrested for murder

Three months after Kai went viral, he was arrested for the killing of 73-year-old veteran and lawyer Joseph Galfy from New Jersey. Joseph Galfy was found dead in his home and Kai claimed he met Galfy in Times Square and he had been drugged and raped by Galfy and he killed him in self defence. However, the police claimed that Kai’s statement were inconsistent and the murder was premeditated.

via Netflix

He waited six years for a trial and was convicted in 2019

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After waiting six years for a trial, a judge said Kai was a “powder keg of explosive rage”, and in April 2019 he was found guilty of murder. it was reported at the time that the prosecution said: “This was a brutal, viscous, senseless crime and we are pleased that the interests of justice have been served. 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.”

via Netflix

Kai was sentenced to 57 years in prison

After the trial, Kai McGillvary was sentenced to 57 years in prison and was told by the judge that when he is eligible for parole, he will still be younger than Joseph Galfy when he murdered him. Kai is currently in prison at Trenton’s New New Jersey State Prison and has tried to get his sentence overturned multiple times.

McGillvary has tried for an appeal multiple times

After being sentenced to 57 years in prison, McGillvary posted on his legal defence Facebook page that he was looking for a lawyer for an appeal that he was confident would overturn his conviction. In the appeal, McGillvary and his new lawyer argued 15 total points alleging prejudice during the trial. However, his appeal has been denied.

via Netflix

Kai McGillvary is scheduled to be released in October 2061

According to NJ.com,  McGillvary is still serving his sentence at New Jersey State Prison in Trent and has a release date in October 2061.

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker is available to watch on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

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Featured image credit via Netflix.