Crime & Safety

'Free Kai' Petition Started Online

The petition's organizer writes, 'by viewing his Internet famous interview ... you can tell that this man is the farthest thing from a violent criminal let alone a murderer.'

In addition to a fundraiser for 'Kai the Hitchhiker's' $3 million bail, a Change.org petition to free Kai is also making the rounds on the Internet.

Kai, whose real name is Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, went from Internet celeb to accused murderer last week, charged with allegedly killing Clark resident Joseph Galfy.

For his part, in a May 14 post on his Facebook page, McGillvary alleges that he was drugged and raped, and asks readers, "what would you do?"

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“You look in his eyes and you can see he’s a good kid,” petition organizer Donna Miller of Las Vegas told The Star-Ledger.

The petition so far has 109 signers with a goal of 10,000. Miller's call to action says:

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"Free Caleb "Kai" McGillvary who has been arrested and charged with murder for killing someone who drugged and raped him while taking advantage of his free spirit and generosity, because the man murdered was a wealthy white lawyer the court is seeking harsh penalties against Kai, Free Kai and spread the word some may also know him as the home free hitchhiker. By viewing his internet famous interview with the news which shows a harmless peaceful hippy who put himself in danger to save multiple lives, you can tell that this man is the farthest thing from a violent criminal let alone a murderer. Just as the US justice system convicts hundreds of innocent people each year, Kai too will be convicted and sentenced to life in prison if nothing is done. Spread the word invite people and help free this innocent man from persecution!!"

Others have echoed Miller's position in the comments.

"He is an honest kid and loves the freedom hes made for himself," writes Georgi Abrashev from Short Hills. "He loves people and is caring..I remember when I watched his Jimmy Kimmel interview. The show gave him some money and he gave it all away to homeless people he never met within an hour. He's not mentally ill he's just too good of a person and society can't accept that. So I REFUSE TO CALL HIM A MURDER and demand that all the unknowns in his case are uncovered. Free Kai, he did more good to fellow human beings, than some (if not most) cops and politicians have."

"Kai is a noble person, who is incapable of killing an INNOCENT man," writes Laura Mejia from Texas. "The prosecutor has been disturbingly biased and unprofessional in every aspect of this case. He should be forced to resign. Rape is a serious problem in America that is being taken seriously."

In a May 10 Facebook post, McGillvary described an abusive childhood, writing that he was confined, beaten and sexually abused before being put into treatment. He also discussed it in an interview following the Fresno incident. (View it in our gallery, above right.)

What do you think? Tell us in the comments.

READ MORE:

Fans of 'Kai the Hitchhiker' Want to Raise $3M in Bail Money

CAUGHT: 'Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker' Arrested in Philadelphia

UPDATE: 'Suspicious Death' of Clark Resident Now Ruled a Homicide

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