In 2012, Caleb “Kai” McGillvary gained internet fame when he intervened on a 2012 assault of a California utility worker.
The Canadian man was interviewed shortly after the incident and described using a hatchet to fend off the attacker and save the day.
That interview went viral and he was dubbed “Kai the Hitchhiker,” a lovable and unexpected hero.
However, the following year, McGillvary was back in the news and this time he was far from a hero.
He was arrested in Philadelphia, days after killing 73-year-old Joseph Galfy of New Jersey.
According to authorities, the pair met in New York and the defendant stayed at Galfy’s home.
McGillvary alleged that he had acted in self-defence after Galfy tried to sexually assault him, but prosecutors argued that his statements were inconsistent and cited the victim’s extensive injuries.
Today, the 30-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder.
With files from the Canadian Press.
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