Coronado
Three Marines in custody in Hawaii have waived extradition proceedings and will return to San Diego to face charges of attempted murder and committing a hate crime against a gay man who was severely beaten in Coronado.
The three were arrested Aug. 30 in Honolulu after San Diego Municipal Judge Charles Rogers issued a $500,000 warrant for their arrests.
The case involves the July 31 beating and robbery of Samuel Eanker, 34, a homosexual who was severely injured in an alley outside Bula’s restaurant, 170 Orange Ave.
The Marines were identified as Steven Louis Fair, 26; David William Bell, 20, and Jeffrey Martin Davis, 20, all of whom served aboard the aircraft carrier Independence as part of the Marines security detachment.
The district attorney’s office has alleged in court records that Eanker, a Coronado resident, was attacked because he is gay. In addition to being held on suspicion of attempted murder and committing a hate crime, the Marines face charges of assault, robbery and violating Eanker’s civil rights.
Eanker remained hospitalized for two weeks and his spleen had to be removed because of internal injuries.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Luis Aragon said the three Marines should arrive in San Diego Wednesday or Thursday.
Eanker told police he had been drinking with the three men in a Coronado bar before the attack.
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