SAN DIEGO COURTS: Investigators testified yesterday about witness statements stemming from the fight in La Jolla last year that led to the death of a professional surfer.

It was the fourth day of a San Diego Superior Court hearing for five men facing charges including murder and assault and battery. They are Seth Cravens, 22; Eric House, 21; Orlando Osuna, 23; Matthew Yanke, 21; and Henri “Hank” Hendricks, 22.

The men are charged in the 2007 death of Emery Kauanui Jr., 24.

Residents who lived near Kauanui's home on Draper Avenue told police they were awakened May 24 when they heard a commotion in the street. The neighbors described seeing several men punching and kicking Kauanui on the pavement. The men stepped away, and Kauanui was able to stand up.

The witnesses said they then saw a man – later identified as Cravens – punch Kauanui in the face, knocking him down again.

An additional witness, Kauanui's ex-girlfriend, told police that two men continued to kick him as he lay motionless, according to the testimony.

During cross-examination, defense attorneys noted that some witnesses – the neighbors who said they saw the fight from their windows – did not have a clear or uninterrupted view of the incident. –D.L.