Writer/Surfer
Surfing paddle board ocean, travel vacation.

“Today is a good day for the surf community,” Deputy District Attorney Matthew Greco told NBC 4. Photo: Pixabay


The Inertia

A San Diego judge sentenced a paddleboarder, who was found guilty of assaulting a surfer and causing permanent brain damage last month, to five years in prison on Thursday, according to reports.

In April, 34-year-old Paul Taylor Konen was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon over an incident that occurred in June of 2018 in which Konen allegedly struck 56-year-old surfer Kevin Eslinger with his carbon fiber paddle, causing permanent brain damage.

According to an April Fox 5 report, the prosecution alleged in its suit that Konen nearly ran over Eslinger in the lineup at Sunset Cliffs, and the two exchanged words. Then, says Eslinger, Konen ran into his wife and Eslinger confronted him a second time. That’s when Konen allegedly smacked Eslinger over the head with his paddle.

On Thursday, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Robert Trentacosta sentenced Konen to five years in prison for his crime.

“Today is a good day for the surf community,” Deputy District Attorney Matthew Greco told NBC 4. “When people are out in the water, they are safe. The rules on land apply to the ocean.”

After Judge Trentacosta passed the sentence, NBC 4 spoke with Eslinger about the result and his condition nearly a year since the incident.

“My health is generally OK today,” Eslinger said. “My speech is the most notable issue.”

Eslinger said that he hopes the result sends a message to “bullies.”

“Two lives are irrevocably changed,” he said. “But I feel justice was done.”

 
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