On May 24, 2007, professional surfer Emery Kauanui Jr., known to fans simply as "Kauanui," died following a brawl with 5 other men at the La Jolla Brew House near San Diego, California. On November 18, 2008, Seth Cravens was convicted of second-degree murder for delivering a fatal blow to Kauanui during the fight, knocking him down to the pavement. Cravens' attorneys had suggested he acted in self-defense, responding to Kauanui's aggression.
The Bird Rock Bandits
Four other men charged with playing a role in the fatal bar fight pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. They have all been sentenced to between 90 and 350 days in jail. Hank Hendricks plead guilty to being an accessory after the fact and will serve 90 days in jail. All the defendants were allegedly part of a local crew calling themselves the "Bird Rock Bandits," named for an area near La Jolla, which prosecutors had referred to as a "gang."Los Angeles Times: San Diego jury finds man guilty of surfer's murder (November 18, 2008)
References
Fast Facts
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Kauanui was 24 at the time of his death
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He died on Memorial Day from brain injuries
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Accused
Henri Hendricks, Seth Cravens, Eric House, Orlando Osuna, Matthew Yanke
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Suspect Hendricks played for the University of New Hampshire Football team
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