Posted at 1:55 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2007
Bail reduced for men charged in death of Kaua'i surfer
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — A state judge has reduced bail for three of four men charged with murder in the fatal beating of a pro surfer from Hawai'i.Emery Kauanui, Jr., of Anahola on Kaua'i, died May 28 after he was beaten in the upscale La Jolla area of San Diego. He was 24.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Fraser cut bail amounts on Thursday to range from $1.2 million to $2 million for three defendants who remain in county jail. The men had been held on bail amounts ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million.
A fourth man was free on $1 million bond.
Defense attorneys argued for much lower bail amounts, citing their clients' strong ties to the community, family support and lack of criminal history.
Prosecutors have said in court that the men, allegedly part of a group called the Bird Rock Bandits, punched and kicked Kauanui on May 24 after an argument at a local pub and left him bleeding outside the home where he lived with his mother. He died from brain injuries four days later.
All four defendants face possible life sentences if convicted.
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Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune, http://www.signonsandiego.com
