Mother of dead surfer sues 5 assailants, parents

SAN DIEGO—The mother of a professional surfer who was fatally beaten outside her home in an upscale San Diego neighborhood is suing the five young men -- including a former University of New Hampshire football player -- accused of committing the crime.

The suit, filed Tuesday by Cynthia Kauanui (KOW'-ah-noo-ee), also seeks damages from several parents, whom she accuses of "parental malpractice" for allegedly failing to control their sons' violent behavior.

Kauanui's 24-year-old son Emery died in May 2007 from severe head trauma from a brawl that investigators say followed a dispute over a spilled drink at a nearby bar.

One of the men, Seth Cravens, faces trial on a murder charge. Four others, including Henri "Hank" Hendricks, 22, a former backup quarterback at UNH, pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Hendricks pleaded guilty to being an accessory to the death, a felony.