LIHU‘E — An Oregon native camping in the Kalalau Valley got the scare of his life when he was mistaken for Justin Wynn Klein, a fugitive indicted for attempted second-degree murder for throwing a visitor off a cliff. Paul Kemp
LIHU‘E — An Oregon native camping in the Kalalau Valley got the scare of his life when he was mistaken for Justin Wynn Klein, a fugitive indicted for attempted second-degree murder for throwing a visitor off a cliff.
Paul Kemp Gerwig, 33, of Kapa‘a, was camping the night of Jan. 10 when his tent was suddenly surrounded by several officers of the Kaua‘i Police Department.
Police had been tipped off that someone in the area matched Klein’s description, according to State Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Samuel Jajich.
The matter would have ended there, but it was discovered that Gerwig has a warrant in Oregon for testing positive for marijuana while on probation.
After a search was conducted, the police found a small glass bottle containing hashish, a product of marijuana, and charged him with second-degree promotion of a harmful drug and drug paraphernalia.
It turned out to be a one-stop-shop event Gerwig, after Jajich and County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Tobin held a brief bench conference with Judge Kathleen Watanabe.
After an entry of plea, Jajich produced a change of plea form, and the state agreed to drop the charge to fourth-degree harmful drug.
Gerwig said he became a caregiver in Oregon and that complicated his standing with having not reapplied for a medical marijuana card.
He was nearly done with probation when he tested positive for marijuana but moved to Kaua‘i before having to appear in court on a revocation or modification of probation motion.
Jajich said that Gerwig loves Kaua‘i and respects the island.
He said Gerwig planned to return and face the music in Oregon.
Judge Watanabe said that given the circumstances, the court would sentence Gerwig to approximately 10 days time served. She said Gerwig should feel fortunate and it was because he cooperated fully with authorities and without an objection from the state.
Gerwig was also arrested for fourth-degree theft on Jan. 23.
Meanwhile, Klein, 37, is still at large since he allegedly threw Japanese national Azusa Ino off a cliff face in Kalalau Valley on Dec. 16.
Ino, 31 was airlifted from Kalalau and was admitted to Wilcox Memorial Hospital in critical condition. She was released from the hospital on Dec. 26.
Klein was indicted by a grand jury for attempted second-degree murder on Dec. 27.
Police have followed through with several leads and reported sightings of Klein, who remains at large.
CrimeStoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information leading to his arrest. Members of the public should not approach Klein as he is believed to be dangerous.
Any person having information on Klein’s whereabouts should contact the Kaua‘i Police Department immediately at 241-1711 or via CrimeStoppers, 241-1887.
• Island Crime Beat is a weekly column that reflects on the current events and issues regarding the police, courts and criminal justice system of Kaua‘i.
