Anti-Asian hate advocates have erupted in outrage after the man who killed a beloved San Francisco grandfather — an attack that helped ignite the Stop Asian Hate movement — was cleared of murder and elder abuse charges.
Antonine Watson, 24, was convicted of the lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault for the unprovoked attack onThai-born 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee on January 28, 2021.
The attack took place during a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes nationwide, following a string of attacks on Asian Americans related to the COVID 19 pandemic. The elder’s death became the cornerstone of the Stop Asian Hate movement, despite prosecutors not charging Watson with a hate crime.
The victim, known as Grandpa Vicha, was on a walk in his neighborhood when Watson suddenly attacked him in an assault captured on surveillance video, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Activists were floored by the decision not to convict Watson on the murder and elder abuses charges.
“The system just told every Asian elder in America: Your life is negotiable,” Forrest Liu, an activist, told the Chronicle following the verdict.
The jury deliberated for six hours and had to weigh differing accounts of the assault. Specifically they had to gauge whether Watson was aware that his actions could result in the death of Ratanapakdee at the time.
Grandpa Vicha was knocked to the ground and went comatose resulting in his death two days later.
The defense argued that Watson noticed Grandpa Vicha on the corner wearing a hat and a surgical mask staring at him and thought he was judging him, according to the Chronicle.
“I thought he was judging me, too, like Maylasia was judging me,” said Watson.
Neighbors in the area testified that they heard Watson shouting, “Why are you looking at me?” or “What the f—are you looking at?”
After that, Watson took off running and pummeled Grandpa Vicha to the ground. Watson told jurors he didn’t know why he attacked. “In the moment, I wasn’t thinking. Looking back at it, I think I did push him hard,” Watson said, according to the Chronicle.
Prosecutors argued Watson was aware that his actions could cause serious harm and even death. Saying that he sprinted 50 yards downhill in the upper body tackle that was in retaliation for “judging” him.
The victim’s daughter, Monthanus Ratanapakdee, burst into tears and was “deeply disappointed” when she heard the verdict, according to the Chronicle.
“At the same time, I acknowledge the conviction for involuntary manslaughter and assault, which affirms that my father’s death mattered and that harm was done. Our family is grieving, and we will continue to honor my father’s life and advocate for the safety and dignity of our elders,” Ratanapakdee said.
Ratanapakdee however, does believe the attack was racially motivated. She said she doesn’t think Watson would have attacked her father if he was a “tall or white man,” she told the Chronicle.
“Grandpa Vicha inspired me and so many community members to step up, volunteer our time, and stop Asian hate,” said Alan Wong, supervisor of the predominantly asian district 4.
“The murder of Grandpa Vicha was malicious, evil and the perpetrator should be dealt an adequate punishment for his crimes. My heart is with the Ratanapakdee family today. No verdict can undo their loss, but they deserved better than this outcome. Justice was not served,” Wong said in a statement to the Chronicle.
Watson’s next court appliance will be Jan. 26 for sentencing. He is facing four years in prison for assault and four years for manslaughter. He faces five more years for rendering Ratanapakdee comatose and for him being over the age of 70.
In California a murder sentence can carry 25 years to life alone, and a felony elder abuse charge resulting in death could add up to four additional years.
By these estimates Watson got off well below the proposed charges. “This was a very big win for the defense today,” legal analyst Steven Clark told NBC Bay.
“When you look at the credit for time served already done, I think Mr. Watson will be leaving jail very shortly,” Clark said.
