Attempted Murder Suspect Gibson Again Free on Bail

The Ka`u man accused of attempted murder in a stabbing at a Hilo beach park earlier this month has again been released from custody.

Paul Michael Gibson posted $500,000 Friday and was released from Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

The 46-year-old Gibson, who had been free after posting a $374,000 bond on May 15, was re-arrested on Thursday, May 21, after being indicted by a grand jury on 10 counts stemming from an incident at James Kealoha Beach Park, also known as 4-Mile Beach.

At the time the indictment was returned, Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura granted a motion by prosecutors to raise Gibson’s bail to $700,000, which prompted Gibson’s re-arrest.

However, when Gibson was arraigned on the higher bail amount on Friday, Nakamura granted a request from Gibson’s attorney — over the objection of county prosecutors — to reduce the bail amount to $500,000.

It was not clear whether the additional $126,000 bail was paid in cash or, like the previous $374,000, was covered through a bail bond company.

Trial for Gibson has been set for Oct. 20.

He is accused of stabbing 41-year-old David Coombes and threatening both him and Coombes’ wife with a handgun on May 10.

Coombes’ wife, Alicia, testified in an abbreviated preliminary hearing that Gibson’s provoked the incident.

Gibson’s attorney, Michael Zola, previously told reporters that Gibson was acting in self-defense.