As you may recall, Seth Cravens of La Jolla, California was convicted for the death of professional surfer, Emery Kauanui on November 18th, 2008. Cravens, 23, was a member of a La Jolly Gang who called themselves “The Bird Rock Bandits” and was today sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. It looks like Cravens will have to continue his Bird Rock Bandit chapter in prison. But I’m not too sure if they will take him very seriously in there. He might be taken seriously for a good fudge packing if you know what I mean.
Check out this article at Sign On San Diego. It sums up Cravens’ sentence plus a few details from the case. But one thing really struck me about his trial besides the fact that Craven looks to be an angst-fueled bro from the rough beachside streets of LA JOLLA California with a lot to prove.
The last sentences of the article say, “Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that the group’s behavior constituted a gang and had added gang allegations to the original charges. But Judge John S. Einhorn ruled that the alliance did not fit the definition of a gang under state law.”
So John S. Einhorn, what exactly constitutes a gang? Are the Bird Rock Bandits not a “gang” because they’re name sounds more like a gay porno? Or is it because the Bird Rock Bandits don’t identify with a specific gang color making them neutral?
I’ll just take a guess as to why they’re not considered a gang in your eyes. It’s probably because they don’t belong to a lower socio-economic bracket in our society considering after all, they do come from La Jolla. What would the rest of the world think if La Jolla was mentioned in the same breath as Watts or Boyle Heights? Honestly, I don’t think the rest of the world really cares. But you should call the Bird Rock Bandits for what they are. A group of low achievers who may be prone to violent or erratic behavior who through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage share a common identity. Or a GANG. At least now Cravens will be part of the gang bang in prison, if you know what I mean.
15 comments
JusticeServed says:
Feb 5, 2009
Justice will be served right up that punk Cravens’ fat a_ _ for the next 20 years! He took the advice of his parents to not take the plea deal and now look at him. With parents who are convicted thieves and liars it’s no wonder why Seth turned out the way he did. They are so arrogant and think they are above the law. His parents have a lot to do with the way he turned out. Partial blame to Seth and the rest of the blame on his parents heads forever! The wanna be rich and upper class Cravens have finally got what they deserved. What a disgrace to the whole Cravens family. The whole world now knows that the Cravens family are convicted thieves and murderers. How shameful and embarrassing for the Cravens family, but with a patriarch like Dad Cravens teaching his famliy through his bad examples and with a wife who backs him up, it really is no surprise that your family has turned out the way it has. Hopefully, you Cravens have been humbled now and will walk with humility. If this does not humble the Cravens family then nothing will. Seth showed no real sincere remorse in his apology in court today. He is so phony just like his parents the wannabe La Jolla high society. Question for Dad Cravens…Was it really worth ripping off millions of dollars from thousands of innocent people so you, your wife and your family could live in upscale La Jolla? Your life has been lived in search for worldly gain and worldly praise. Well welcome to the world you’ve created for yourself and your family.
Ernst Nelson says:
May 1, 2009
These guys were just a bunch of spoiled rich punks who should have all been sentenced to death. Once again the rich buy themselves a lighter sentence. This judge didn’t have the guts to do what was needed. He could have sent a message that this kind of behavior from lowlife scum wouldn’t be tolerated. The parents are just as much to blame. The four who walked are laughing knowing that they got away with muder. I have no doubt they will be back in jail sometime in the future. Maybe next time they will do hard time. They won’t be laughing in a federal prison.
gotitnow says:
May 1, 2009
Yeah, that pudge faced coward Seth got what he deserved. His bird rock ass will be what he fights for in prison. Should have sentenced him to the ring for 1 round with Fedor and let him put his lights out and smash his ugly skull. The other fag boy birds got off light. Besides they are all cry babys. La Jolla jerky parents of Seth, what a joke.
J. Leo Kemper says:
May 2, 2009
What a wimpy a– judge to let the other 4 off with a light slap on the wrist. That’s California justice for you. And that jerk-off bully Cravens should have gotten life. Send him to Texas and let our courts have him and the others! They would be kissing their pampered butts goodbye. And his parents with their sickening whining, YOU are the reason so many young people have no respect for anyone else, not even themselves. How you can stand there and justify a 4on1 beating and them having gone to his house to get him proves 1st degree murder to me. You people make me sick. His mom and dad should have been charged for gross stupidity. Look up the word “moron” in the dictionary, and their faces should be next to it. How much sympathy did you really think you were going to get from this country? Shame on you. I hope the rest of your children learn from this. And in my world, a real man owns up to his mistakes and misdeeds. What a sissy pecker-head you are Seth. I hope you learn the hard way in prison. Maybe somebody in there will do what the state didn’t have the cajones to do.
CarolO says:
May 2, 2009
When you have a select group of people who remain together always, stick up for each other, don’t allow others into your select group and give your group a name, you are a gang……or a pack, whichever word you prefer.This pack had a long reputation of pushing people around, terrorizing people and scaring people.It was their motto.They were a group of rich bullies and everyone of them should have gone to prison.
LynnWantsJustice says:
May 16, 2009
Justice is finally served for that fat @#$ Seth Cravens! How dare this mother go on national television and say that her son only defended himself?!! Hello!! What planet is she living on?! 5 Against one is discusting! She should wake up and relize her son is nothing but a fat loser who brutilizes his way through life. Well I hope he gets a taste of his own medicine in prison where he deserves to be until the day his miserable life ends!!!!
kamtay says:
Jan 10, 2010
I just watched the documentary.Although I think Seth is a bully and exhibited bully type antics for years leading up to this event I couldnt see how he was found guilty.Obviously, they shouldnt have gone to the house.But you know what, he didnt have to come out of the house.They didnt break in and drag him out.He came out on his own.In fact, he came out and knocked the crap out of the Eric kid.Knocked his tooth out.If he was of the mindset im coming out of the house to fight he is just as responsible for his own death as Seth. That’s a fact folks.He didnt have to come out of the house.He did.case closed. He should have gone to bed.
Joe says:
Jan 11, 2010
Kamtay, you’re logic is ridiculous.He was responsible for his own death because he came out of his house?On his own property?Your an idiot
Jebediah Webb says:
Jan 12, 2010
Watched the MSNBC documentary on this case and am a little confused. How come if 4 of those guys were all beating on Emery he had no wounds, cuts, bruises, or anything on his face? I was really surprised the show didn’t address that. I am not saying Seth and his merry band of idiots shouldn’t be in jail, I just find it amazing that after getting beat by 4 people he didn’t appear to have any wounds except for the one on the back of his head.
CJ says:
May 2, 2010
I watched the documentary and the judge was wrong not to convict them as a gang and let the 4 off way to easily. Money makes the world go around and people think they are above the law. People need to realize that the law is there to protect us from these type of people and if the law doesn’t work then it needs to be changed. As for Seth I guess his parent’s set a great example for there family that the only way to make it is to lie, cheat, & steal I guess they needed a way to feed 15 children. Just remember what comes around goes around. Seth’s mom needs a reality check look at the facts 5 against 1 and your son was the one who delivered the fatal punch that knocked him out and is responsible for the injuries, and for the person above if you remember they were kicking him while he was on the ground and he also was defending himself and his mother stated she wasnt able to touch him only his finger so just cause he had no facial damage is no reason to discount what was done to this man. This wasn’t a boxing match this was a provoked calculated attack on another human being for a lousy spilled drink how pathetic is that. Just shows you how stupid and petty people in this world can be.
As for Emery’s mom & his girlfriend I hope they find peace knowing he’s back home and he’s never fully gone people do live forever in the hearts and minds of those he knew and touched.
CJ says:
May 2, 2010
I watched the documentary and the judge was wrong not to convict them as a gang and let the 4 off way to easily. Money makes the world go around and people think they are above the law. People need to realize that the law is there to protect us from these type of people and if the law doesn’t work then it needs to be changed.
As for Seth I guess his parent’s set a great example for there family that the only way to make it is to lie, cheat, & steal I guess they needed a way to feed 15 children. Just remember what comes around goes around. Seth’s mom needs a reality check look at the facts 5 against 1 and your son was the one who delivered the fatal punch that knocked him out and is responsible for the injuries, and for the person above if you remember they were kicking him while he was on the ground and he also was defending himself and his mother stated she wasn’t able to touch him only his finger so just cause he had no facial damage is no reason to discount what was done to this man.
This wasn’t a boxing match this was a provoked calculated attack on another human being for a lousy spilled drink how pathetic is that. Just shows you how stupid and petty people in this world can be.
As for Emery’s mom & his girlfriend I hope they find peace knowing he’s back home and he’s never fully gone people do live forever in the hearts and minds of those he knew and touched.
jr says:
May 7, 2010
if it was my son that was killed because of these idiots i would pray they not get the death penalty. 20 yrs of torture being forced to sexually satisfy men in many ways, getting beat up and used as barter for a pack of cigarettes is worse than death. now 3 more are going to prison for not taking this tragedy serious. i only wish i could hear their screams!
Trevor Read says:
Jul 4, 2010
There’s nothing sadder than a bunch of priviledged white kids trying to act tough. I hope for every single day in prison you fuckers have to look over you your shoulders and watch your backs. If you were still on the street I would find every one of you pussies and rip your fucking skulls out, your the sickest people I have ever seen in my life. When you get out I hope someone jumps you in the middle of the street and leaves you for dead. You fucking white kids are pathetic, if you ever saw a real gang you would shit on your pussy panties. Fuck you, Fuck your parents and fuck La Jolla !!!!!!!!
zvg says:
Jul 5, 2010
First of all, shame on the judge who did not consider them a gang. Because the kids were not your “typical” gang type, came from a higher-socioeconmic class, and were white, is why they were not considered a gang. Second, how dare anyone imply that the victim provoked his own death. You have four piece of $^%^& kids, who are such punks who out-number him four to one and beat him up. What kind of men are you? You are wusses who need back up in order to beat someone up. Just remember, what goes around – comes around. And we will see who is laughing last. As for Seth, you thought you were so tough with that last punch, let’s see how many punches you receive when you are locked up. Do not close your eyes at night so that you can see the punches that are coming your way. As for the other four punks, let this be a lesson, you all lucked out from, that you never act so cowardly again.
Milly Baumgarn says:
Dec 8, 2010
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