Earlier this year, I wrote about the death of professional surfer Emery Kauanui Jr., who was killed by a single punch to the head during a brawl. This week in San Diego, 22-year-old Seth Cravens, who was responsible for the fatal blow, was convicted of second-degree murder: San Diego jury finds man guilty of surfer's murder.
Raised in Kauai, Hawaii, and nicknamed the "Flying Hawaiian," Kauanui was a fixture at San Diego's Windansea Beach, just a few blocks from his house, where his favorite surf break is now called "Emery's Left."
According to prosecutors, an argument that started at a bar led to a confrontation outside the home of Kauanui's mother in La Jolla. Cravens knocked him to the pavement. Hospitalized with severe head trauma, he died a few days later after being taken off life support.
Superior Court jurors deliberated six days before convicting Cravens of second-degree murder. He'll be sentenced on January 12, and could face 15 years to life in prison. More here: Guilty verdict in surfer death.
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