Four San Diego Men Sentenced in Fatal Beating
Last Friday in San Diego, four twentysomething men who attended La Jolla High School together were sentenced for their role in the death of 24-year-old Emery Kauanui. What began as a bar brawl in 2007 left Kauanui bleeding with severe head trauma outside his mother’s house. The former professional surfer died at the hospital a few days later after he was taken off life support.
Three of the men pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter: Eric House, 21, Orlando Osuna, 23, and Matthew Yanke, 22. Earlier this summer, Osuna and Yanke also pleaded guilty to unrelated counts of misdemeanor battery. Henri Hendricks, 22, pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the death and to an unrelated misdemeanor battery.
The judge assigned to the case considered the defendants’ previously clean records and the lack of evidence that any of the four had delivered the fatal blow to Kaunanui. They were sentenced to between 90 and 349 days in jail, which was less than the prosecution had hoped for. However, all face three years of probation.
A fifth defendant, Seth Cravens, is thought to be the ringleader of the group and has pleaded not guilty to murder. He awaits trial on October 14.
Jail terms for 4 San Diego men in surfer's death, Associated Press, September 5, 2008
If you face criminal charges such as murder or battery, then trust your case to an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney. Contact Attorney Victor A. Orsatti for a free consultation.
