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Sons of privilege

From a San Diego lifeguard boat, Cindy Kauanui spreads the ashes of her slain son as his brother, Nigel, stands at left with arms raised, exulting with hundreds of other surfers who conducted a paddle out ceremony in the surfer's honor.

From a San Diego lifeguard boat, Cindy Kauanui spreads the ashes of her slain son as his brother, Nigel, stands at left with arms raised, exulting with hundreds of other surfers who conducted a paddle out ceremony in the surfer’s honor.  (Nancee E. Lewis / San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Five young men, graduates of La Jolla High School and alleged members of a gang called the Bird Rock Bandits, have been charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of pro surfer Emery Kauanui Jr.

Idyllic

Sandstone cliffs offer a sunset view at Windansea Beach. Five fellow surfers were originally accused of murder in Kauanui’s death. Four of the men have pleaded guilty to lesser charges and now face sentences of three to five years.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Flash point

The events that led to Kauanui’s death began with a fight in the crowded La Jolla Brew House four days before Memorial Day 2007. Lawyers for the defendants said Kauanui’s death was an accident.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

In court

Defendant Seth Cravens, 22, listens to testimony during a bail hearing. He was the only one of the five defendants to not plead guilty in the slaying. Prosecutors allege Cravens threw the punch that resulted in Kauanui’s fatal head injury.  (Sean Masterson / For The Times)

Henry Hendricks

Defendant Henry Hendricks, 22, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of being an accessory in the fatal beating. An honor student in high school, Hendricks received an athletic scholarship to the University of New Hampshire.  (Sean Masterson / For the Times)

Orlando Osuna

Defendant Orlando Osuna, 23, listens to arguments during a San Diego court hearing in September 2007. “They’re just a group of guys having a good time,” said Osuna’s stepfather, Scott Wright. Osuna pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor battery.  (Sean Masterson / For The Times)

Eric House

Defendant Eric House, 21, right, and his legal counsel, Earl Potts, consult at the September 2007 court hearing. House lost a front tooth in the deadly confrontation that ended near Kauanui’s mother’s La Jolla home. House pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor battery.  (Sean Masterson / For The Times)

Matthew Yanke

Defendant Matthew Yanke appears in court in September 2007. “ ‘I’m so scared. This can’t happen to me,’ ” a friend recalled him saying after Kauanui’s death. “He kept begging me to let people know that it wasn’t his fault.” Yanke pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor battery.  (Sean Masterson / For The Times)

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