The friend of slain surfer Emery Kauanui, 24, took the stand Wednesday in the trial of Seth Cravens, 22.
Kauanui was beaten to death outside his home on May 24, 2007. A drunken argument outside the Brew House in La Jolla ended in a street fight outside his home, prosecutors said. Cravens allegedly sucker-punched Kauanui, who fell and hit his head. He died in a hospital a few days later.
Dillon Eckard testified Wednesday about the force of the fatal blow that took Kauanui’s life.
“It was one of the hardest punches I've ever seen thrown.” Eckard said. “Emery was on the ground and out, and that was it.”
Cravens is charged with second-degree murder. Four other men pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other crimes in the death. Cravens refused the plea bargain.
He could face 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
