Seth Cravens Found Guilty For The Murder Of Pro Surfer Emery Kauanui
November 18, 2008 – 9:24 pm PT by MikeTags: Bird Rock Bandits, Emery Kauanui, Guilty, Seth Cravens —
In front of a jury today in a San Diego Courtroom, Seth Cravens was found guilty for the murder of professional surfer Emery Kauanui. Cravens was charged for the murder of Kauanui outside his mother’s home in La Jolla California. Seth and his crew called “The Bird Rock Bandits” tracked down Seth at his mother’s house after an altercation took place at a local bar.
As far as I’m concerned, they should lock up all these stupid ass Bird Rock Bandits for life. Let these Bird Crap scum rot in there. Read the entire article below from signonsandiego.com
SAN DIEGO – A San Diego Superior Court jury found Seth Cravens guilty of second-degree murder Tuesday in the fatal beating last year of a professional surfer in La Jolla.
Sentencing was set for Jan. 12. Cravens’ defense lawyer said they would appeal the verdict.
Prosecutors had contended that Cravens, 22, was one of a group of five men who attacked Emery Kauanui, 24, on May 24, 2007, outside Kauanui’s mother’s home.
Cravens’ attorney, Mary Ellen Attridge, had told jurors that her client acted in self-defense. Prosecutors contended that the only person who acted in self-defense was Kauanui, who suffered a skull fracture and died in the hospital four days later.
The five men, all graduates of La Jolla High School, were called the Bird Rock Bandits and had engaged in many alcohol-fueled fights in the neighborhood over several years, prosecutors said during the trial.
Jurors were instructed to consider lesser offenses of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter if Cravens was acquited of second-degree murder, which carries a possible prison sentence of 15 years to life.
Jurors began deliberating the case on Nov. 10 after a two-week trial. The court was closed on Tuesday for Veterans Day. The panel of nine men and three women deliberated full days on Wednesday and Thursday.
For a time Monday, the jury was split 11-1. Whether the jury was leaning toward conviction or acquittal at that point was not disclosed at that time.
According to testimony, Cravens and four others – Eric House, Matthew Yanke, Orlando Osuna and Henri “Hank” Hendricks – left a La Jolla bar where House and Kauanui had gotten into an altercation.
The men drove to Kauanui’s mother’s home on Draper Avenue in La Jolla, where the fight broke out. At one point during the skirmish, Kauanui rose to his feet after being on the ground, according to testimony. He argued with Cravens, who witnesses said hit Kauanui once in the jaw, knocking him to the ground.
Yanke, House and Osuna pleaded guilty in June to involuntary manslaughter. House and Yanke were ordered to serve 210 days each in county jail. Osuna received the longest jail term at 349 days.
6 Responses to “Seth Cravens Found Guilty For The Murder Of Pro Surfer Emery Kauanui”
Our judicial system is messed up. Whatever happened to self defense? It’s sad for Emmery’s family, but if you can’t fight, don’t open your mouth or attack someone who can.
By Vic (brother in-law) on Dec 5, 2008
Hey Vic. You a tough guy too? How about I show you what a punch feels like. I am sure you wouldn’t stand a chance big mouth. You think you are tough. I dont
By kraz on May 1, 2009
I just saw a TV show of the case and Mr. Craven got exactly what he deserved. I hope he learns his lesson in jail.
By Tom on May 1, 2009
Are you kidding, self defense…they all actually got off easy. They should have been sent to jail to rot for a very long long time. Give me a break with the self-defense crap! Let someone beat the crap out of your son and see whether you scream self-defense then!
By Tammy on May 1, 2009
He won’t be so tough in prison. I wonder if he’s caught the AIDS yet.
By Jim Dandy on May 1, 2009
All those boys are nothing but thugs. Most of them got off light. Cravens should have gotten the death penalty! He will never be sorry for what he did. He’d been getting away with that crap for years! Perhaps his demise will be in prison! The rest will pay over the years…guys like that don’t change!
By Kat on May 2, 2009