Man Goes On Trial In Surfer Killing Case

Accused faces second-degree murder charge

Opening statements began Monday at the trial of the man accused of delivering the punch that killed professional surfer Emery Kauanui in La Jolla last year.

Seth Cravens, 22,  faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of  Emery Kauanui, 24, a local professional surfer.

Cravens allegedly sucker-punched Kauanui, who fell, hit his head and died in the hospital a few days later.

Orlando Osuna, Eric House, Matthew Yanke and Hank Hendricks all pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the beating death. The four men were sentenced to prison time and years of probation for their parts in the killings.

Osuna was sentenced to 349 days in jail, with credit for time served; Yanke received a sentence of 210 days for one count, with an additional 90 days to be served concurrently on another charge, as well as three years of felony probation. Hendricks, was sentenced to 90 days in prison and three years of probation. House, too, was sentenced to 210 days in jail and three years of probation.

Cravens could face 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

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