SAN DIEGO -- Bail was reduced to $1.5 million Friday for a young man accused of throwing a "sucker punch" that killed a professional surfer as the victim fought with another man in front of his La Jolla home.

Superior Court Judge John Einhorn denied a prosecution request to increase the $2 million bail for Seth Cravens, instead opting to lower the amount by $500,000.

Cravens, 21, is one of five young men charged with murder in the May 28 death of 24-year-old Emery Kauanui.

Also charged are Eric House, 20, Matthew Yanke, 21, Orlando Osuna, 22, and Henri "Hank" Quinn-William Hendricks, 21.

All of the defendants -- alleged to be members of a hard-partying gang called the Bird Rock Bandits -- face a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

On Friday, Deputy District Attorney Sophia Roach unsuccessfully argued that bail should be increased for Cravens because he has also been charged with several unrelated assaults and acts of violence dating back to 2002.

House, Yanke, Osuna and Hendricks also face additional assault charges and gang allegations in connection with a number of unrelated incidents over the past few years.

Roach said Cravens poses the "most significant risk" to the public if freed from jail and has proven his ability to "kill with a single punch."

The incident was "fueled by alcohol," the prosecutor said.

But defense attorney Alan Spears told the judge the case was "extraordinarily overcharged" and was possibly self-defense or involuntary manslaughter.

Spears said both the defendant and the victim had drugs and alcohol in their systems at the time of the fight.

Kauanui's blood-alcohol level was measured at .17 percent after the incident, Spears said.

The attorney said the fight involved "two guys drunk" who got into the tail-end of an argument.

Spears said Cravens wouldn't be opposed to wearing an electronic monitoring device if released.

Einhorn left bail as set for House, Yanke and Osuna. House is free on $1.5 million bail; Osuna is free on $500,000 bail; and Yanke is free on $1 million bail.

Hendricks remains held in lieu of $500,000.

Roach told the judge that some of the defendants are accused of coaching witnesses and have tried to destroy evidence.

The prosecutor said two witnesses -- including the victim's brother -- have moved out of state.

Einhorn said he had been made aware of comments made in the presence of Roach that if true, constituted threats, intimidation or interfering with the judicial process.

Anyone involved in such action will be dealt with swiftly, the judge said.

Kauanui died five days after the attack, which was sparked when he spilled a drink on House at the Brew House, investigators said.

He was driven home by his girlfriend, but the defendants allegedly followed, and House was encouraged to fight Kauanui.

A preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for Oct. 29, but that is expected to be changed at a hearing next Friday.