A grand jury in Hilo indicted a 46-year-old Ocean View man for a May 10 stabbing near a popular Keaukaha Beach.
The nine-count indictment returned Wednesday charges Paul Michael Gibson with attempted second-degree murder, two counts of terroristic threatening, two counts of prohibited ownership or possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded pistol on a public highway, illegal place to keep pistol, third-degree assault and resisting an order to stop.
Gibson is accused of stabbing 41-year-old David Coombes of Hilo seven times during an altercation near James Kealoha Beach Park.
Deputy Prosecutor Kim Angay told 3rd Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura during indictment returns the state was seeking an increase in Gibson’s bail, from $374,000 to $700,000 because of provisions in the indictment which could mean longer sentences for Gibson if he’s convicted, plus Gibson’s financial status as a business owner.
“The reasons for the increase in bail is that the state has just indicted the defendant for seven felonies, all of which include extended terms (for possible sentencing),” Angay said. “The defendant appeared for arraignment May 13 in this case. The defense counsel represented the defendant owned several homes. According to the bail report, he makes between $10,000 and $30,000 per month, and he owns his own home.”
“The defendant bailed out of custody at $374,000 two days after arraignment and … defense believes the increase is warranted,” Angay added.
Coombes’ wife, Alicia Jeremiah Coombes, testified May 13 that Gibson’s attack was unprovoked, and followed a confrontation at a party in honor of a deceased biker. She said that a bottom patch, or “rocker” on Gibson’s vest identified him as a “prospect” for a Hell’s Angels-affiliated motorcycle club.
She also testified her husband had “retired” from a motorcycle club four years earlier but was not wearing club-related attire.
Court documents filed by police indicate Gibson was wearing a black vest when taken into custody, but made no mention of any insignia on the vest. One document, however, referred to the crime as “gang related.”
County Prosecutor Mitch Roth declined to say Wednesday if Gibson was wearing Hell’s Angels’ insignia, saying he won’t try the case in the media.
“I don’t want to say anything that could be construed as prejudicial to either the prosecution or the defense,” he said.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
