Jenny Myers was walking down a sidewalk on Ocean Avenue near the beach in Santa Monica. She had had a light dinner at Meat On Ocean, or as light a dinner as one can get there. She had purposely parked aways away from the restaurant so she could walk it off before heading home. She also enjoyed walking at night close to the ocean, where the night air was redolent with salty goodness. Before she got to the public parking lot, she heard the sounds of fighting. Against her better judgement, she investigated.

Three men were attacking another man in the alley between the parking lot and a restaurant. The...