A jury has reached a verdict in the murder case of Vicha Ratanapakdee, 84, who was killed in San Francisco’s De Anza neighborhood in 2021.
Antoine Watson was found guilty of manslaughter and force likely to cause great bodily harm, but not guilty of first- or second-degree murder.
Vicha Ratanapakdee’s daughter told the I-Team’s Dan Noyes that she was “disappointed and hurt.”
Five years ago this month, “Grandpa Vicha” was attacked in San Francisco’s Anza Vista neighborhood.
More: SF street renamed in honor of 84-year-old Thai grandfather, 610 days after his murder
Surveillance video shows Watson running and then pushing Vicha to the ground.
He suffered a head injury and died a few days later.
Watson, who was 19 at the time, testified that he did not call 911 because he was afraid police would arrest him and was panicked.
Vicha’s death became one of the hot spots in the “Stop Asian Hate” movement during the epidemic.
I am very surprised by the verdict,” Clark said.
“What you see in the video appears to be an intentional attack on an elderly man. It was a very vicious attack that may have suggested malice – enough to constitute second-degree murder,” Clark said.
RELATED: 84-year-old San Francisco man killed in horrific daytime attack
More than 600 days after an 84-year-old Thai grandfather was killed in San Francisco, a street near him has been renamed “Vicha Ratanapakdee Way.”
The victim’s daughter and many others believe the attack was because Grandpa Vicha was Asian.
But the case was not charged as a hate crime.
“I think the defense will be able to prove that this was an impulsive act by a young man rather than a targeted attempt to kill,” legal analyst Steven Clark said.
Watson testified that he didn’t notice Grandpa Vicha’s age or race but was angry after a bad day.
Experts say Watson may be released from prison soon after serving his sentence.
“When you look at what he’s faced with, now that’s an involuntary manslaughter charge, which carries a maximum penalty of four years, he’s probably going to get credit for time served and walk out,” Clark said.
RELATED: 610 days after 84-year-old Thai grandfather’s murder, SF street renamed in his honor
Watson has been detained for five years while awaiting trial.
Watson’s mother declined to be interviewed by ABC7 News Thursday afternoon.
The prosecution and defense in this case appeared in court again on January 26.
On Thursday evening, San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong issued the following statement:
“I am extremely disappointed by the verdict in the murder of Vicha Ratanapakdee and I have nothing to say. Grandpa Vicha inspired me and many community members to step up and donate our time to stop Asian hate. Grandpa Vicha’s murder was malicious, evil, and the perpetrators should be appropriately punished for their crimes. My heart goes out to the Ratanapakdee family today. No sentence can undo their loss, but they deserved better than this outcome. Justice was not served.” Service. “
Stewart Chen, public safety advocate for the Oakland Chinatown area and Oakland AAPI leader, shared the following text:
“Calling it ‘involuntary’ does not reflect reality or the fear it inflicts on Asian seniors around the world. Justice should fully recognize the value of senior life and send a clear message that violence against seniors will not be minimized.”
“The system is just telling every older Asian in America: Your life is negotiable,” said Stop Asian Hate activist Forrest Liu.
If you are using the ABC7 News app, click here to watch the live broadcast