SAN DIEGO — Four of five young men originally charged with murdering a professional surfer have pleaded guilty to lesser charges in San Diego.

Three defendants pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor battery. A fourth defendant pleaded guilty to a felony charge of being an accessory.

The men had faced up to life in prison if convicted of murder in the beating death of 24-year-old surfer Emery Kauanui, a former Kaua'i resident, outside his mother's home in the affluent La Jolla neighborhood last year.

The beating followed a fight at a nearby bar.

Remaining defendant Seth Cravens re-entered a not-guilty plea at today's hearing after his attorney rejected a plea offer from prosecutors.