Mark’s Soap Box

Emery Kauanui Jr, pro surfer beaten to death in San Diego

The lawyers for the spoiled brats who are on trial for killing Pro Surfer Emery Kauanui, are desperately trying to avoid having their clients classified as a gang.

Seth Cravens, 22, Eric House, 20, Orlando Osuna, 22, Matthew Yank, 21, and Henri Quinn-William Hendricks, 22, are charged with murder, assault and gang allegations in the attack that killed Emery Kauanui, 24, last May. The picture coming out is not pretty, and it looks more and more like they are a gang of hooligans, no matter what they say.

NYT has a write up about La Jolla and it’s seamier side.

San Diego Union-Tribune discusses why the “gang” label is important.

A key question in the case – along with whether five young men charged with murder are members of a gang called the Bird Rock Bandits – has to do with whether the fight was a group brawl or a one-on-one confrontation.

The difference matters in terms of whether the men could face a lesser charge such as involuntary manslaughter. However, prosecutors still could argue for a murder charge under a theory of conspiracy or aiding and abetting the crime.

The only way these punks will get anything close to what they deserve is to be classified as a gang. It’s ridiculous. If they murdered Kauai, then they should be sent to the Death House. They might get life, maybe. It’s disgusting.

Attorney Kerry Steigerwalt, who represents Yank, said in court that an expert will testify that the gang allegations in this case are “an absurd stretch of the statute.” Like other attorneys in the case, Steigerwalt has said his client is not a gang member.

Steigerwalt is affiliated with Pacific Law Center, a disreputable group of attorneys who have been the subject of many complaints. Some articles on PLC: PLC paid for non-service, former clients ticked off at PLC, PLC said to be unethical.

Gang or Surfers

Outside seems to be under the impression that it’s a choice between surfers or gang members; as if they are mutually exclusive. They are not. Just because they are surfers does not mean they are not gang members. No doubt this is reactionary attitude by surfers.

The San Diego UT thinks this case is challenging the notion of “gangs”. Not sure how they figure that. Maybe the UT is confused about crime, I’m not.

Experts say gang members commit crimes to boost their reputations within the group and instill fear within the community. Their crimes can run the gamut from drug sales to homicide.

“Most of these crimes are motivated by status,” said Andrew Spear, a San Diego police detective and gang expert who has testified at numerous trials. “It gives the gang member a feeling of empowerment and it elevates the status of the gang.”

Glad someone gets it.

UPDATE

Even the UK is interested in this story. UK’s Independent picks up the story.

Previously on the Island

• Bird Rock Bail Unchanged
• Bird-brain five prelim hearing
• College QB charged in surfer death
• Accused Surfer Murderer checks into Rehab

Tags: Seth Cravens, Eric House, Orlando Osuna, Matthew Yank, Henri Hendricks, hank hendricks, Emery Kauanui, bird rock bandits, la jolla, murder