SAN FRANCISCO — The man accused of killing an elderly Thai American man was found guilty Jan. 15 of involuntary manslaughter but not guilty of first- and second-degree murder, according to Bay Area media reports.
Antoine Watson, 24, was on trial for the death of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, known as “Grandpa Vicha,” five years ago. He was also found guilty of force likely to cause great bodily harm but not elder abuse.
Ratanapakdee, who lived in San Francisco’s Anza Vista neighborhood, was taking his morning walk on Jan. 28, 2021 when Watson charged at him and knocked him to the ground, causing a traumatic brain injury that proved fatal two days later. The attack was captured on surveillance video and the defense did not dispute that Watson was the assailant.
This was at a time when COVID was referred to as the “China virus” and Asian Americans, many of them elderly, were accused of carrying the disease and physically attacked. Ratanapakdee’s death became a focal point of the Stop Asian Hate campaign.
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus noted at the time that in addition to Ratanapakdee’s death, there were several attacks targeting Asian American seniors in Oakland’s Chinatown as well as a knife attack on a 61-year-old Filipino man in New York City, who was slashed across the face on the subway.
“Justice for Vicha” signs could be seen at community events across the country, including Southern California. Ratanapakdee appeared in a mural at Grant Avenue and California Street in San Francisco and a street in the Anza Vista neighborhood was named Vicha Ratanapakdee Way.
Actor Daniel Dae Kim and other celebrities spoke out about the killing.
However, Watson was not charged with a hate crime. During the trial he said that he acted in a fit of anger but claimed that he did not intend to kill and was not aware that the victim was Asian or elderly.
San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju said that Watson was “fully remorseful for his mistake.”
During the trial, San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt argued that Watson’s actions met the legal definition of murder.
Watson’s testimony that he felt Ratanapakdee was judging him before the attack indicated malice toward the victim, Reinstedt said.
Defense attorney Anita Nabha argued that the prosecution did not meet the burden of proof, noting that two witnesses described Watson’s erratic behavior before and after the attack.
Monthanus Ratanapakdee, the victim’s eldest daughter, has been an advocate for her father, calling for the harshest possible punishment for his killer.
“I am heartbroken and deeply disappointed by this verdict,” she said. “My father was 84 years old and was attacked without provocation while simply walking in his neighborhood. While there has been a conviction, this outcome leaves many questions about accountability and justice for our elders and our residents. I will continue to speak out so my father is remembered and so this never happens to another family.”
She invited the community to show up on Jan. 26 at the Hall of Justice, where arguments on aggravating factors in the case were scheduled to be heard. The District Attorney’s Office said that sentencing will then take place at a later date.
Watson has been in custody for five years, so it is possible that he will be released because the maximum penalty for involuntary manslaughter is four years and probation.
“My heart is with the Ratanapakdee family today,” said San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong. “No verdict can undo their loss, but they deserved better than this outcome. Justice was not served.”
The Asian American Foundation said in a statement, “Our hearts are with the family of Vicha Ratanapakdee as they continue to navigate the unimaginable loss of a beloved father and grandfather following Thursday’s verdict. As one of the first highly visible, anti-Asian hate attacks during the pandemic, Grandpa Vicha’s tragic death and this trial have deeply shaken our community. Over the past five years, the Ratanapakdee family’s advocacy and resilience have raised awareness nationally about the real and urgent safety challenges facing Asian Americans …
“We honor Grandpa Vicha’s life and memory, and we stand in solidarity with the family and our broader community during this difficult time. Let us carry his legacy forward by building a future where every member of our community is seen, valued, and safe.”