Jury indicts Keaukaha stabbing suspect

A Hilo grand jury 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 at a side road near James Kealoha Beach Park, also known as “4-Mile.”

A preliminary hearing for Gibson was to have continued today but the indictment precludes the need for the prelim.

Deputy Prosecutor Kim Angay told Hilo 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 that could mean longer sentences for Gibson if he’s convicted, plus Gibson’s financial status as owner of Built to Last Plumbing in Naalehu.

“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 state believes … bail can be reconsidered due to how … wealthy the defendant is. In this case, the defendant bailed out of custody at $374,000 two days after arraignment and (due to) defense counsel’s representation, defense believes the increase is warranted.”

Nakamura ordered the bail increase.

If convicted of the attempted murder charge, Gibson faces life imprisonment.

Coombes’ wife, Alicia Jeremiah-Coombes, testified May 13 that Gibson’s attack on her husband was unprovoked, and followed a confrontation at 4-Mile during a party in honor of a deceased biker.

She said a bottom patch, or “rocker,” on Gibson’s vest identified him as a “prospect” for the Oahu chapter of 81, a Hells Angels affiliated motorcycle club.

Jeremiah-Coombes also testified her husband “retired” from a motorcycle club four years earlier but was not wearing club-related attire when assaulted.

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.”

David Coombes was admitted to Hilo Medical Center in critical but stable condition with stab wounds to his side. He was discharged two days later, his wife said.

County Prosecutor Mitch Roth declined to say Wednesday if Gibson was wearing Hells 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.