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The Sad Tale Of Kai The Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker,

The star turn for Kai came in February 2013 during a surfing and hitchhiking stint through California. A driver with whom he had caught a ride suddenly went berserk outside of Fresno and intentionally plowed his car into a utility worker. The 290-pound maniac then tried to smother a female bystander with a bear hug. That’s when Kai, who was 24 at the time, grabbed a hatchet he had tucked away in his backpack and clobbered the driver repeatedly.

These days, Kai begins most mornings inside his cell with a series of sun salutations, burpees, and other calisthenics, he said. When inspired, he will write songs and poems, some of which he’s performed in recorded phone calls with supporters. A small radio allows him to stay connected to the outside world. There’s also plenty of time for Kai to look inwardly—he said he’s worked to develop a daily meditation practice in jail.