SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The jury has reached a verdict in the murder trial of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old man who was killed in San Francisco’s De Anza neighborhood in 2021.
Antoine Watson is guilty of involuntary manslaughter and guilty of force likely to produce great bodily harm, but not guilty of murder in the first or second degree.
Vicha Ratanapakdee’s daughter told the I-Team’s Dan Noyes that she’s “disappointed and painful.”
It was five years ago this month “Grandpa Vicha” was attacked in San Francisco’s Anza Vista neighborhood.
MORE: 610 days after 84-year-old Thai grandfather was murdered, SF street renamed in his honor
Surveillance video showed Watson running and then pushing Vicha to the ground.
He struck his head and died days later.
Watson was 19 at the time and testified he didn’t call 911 because he was scared the police would arrest him and panicked.
Vicha’s death became one of the flashpoints in the Stop Asian Hate movement during the pandemic.
I’m very surprised by the outcome of this verdict,” said Clark.
“What you saw on that video appears to be an intentional attack of an elderly man. It was a very vicious attack which could suggest implied malice — enough for a second degree murder,” said Clark.
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More than 600 days after the killing of an 84-year-old Thai grandfather in SF, a street in his neighborhood was 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 what the defense was able to demonstrate was this was an impulsive act by a young man, not a targeted attempt to kill,” said legal analyst, Steven Clark.
Watson testified he did not notice Grandpa Vicha’s age or race, but was angry after a bad day.
Experts say Watson may soon be walking out of jail with time served.
“When you look at what he is facing, now that it’s involuntary manslaughter, which is a maximum of four years, he’s likely to receive credit for time served and walk out the door,” said Clark.
RELATED: 610 days after 84-year-old Thai grandfather was murdered, SF street renamed in his honor
Watson has already spent five years in custody while waiting for the trial.
Thursday afternoon, Watson’s mother declined to speak ABC7 News.
The prosecution and the defense in this case return to court Jan. 26.
Thursday night, San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong released the following statement:
“I have no words for the disappointment I feel from the verdict in the murder trial of Vicha Ratanapakdee. Grandpa Vicha inspired me and so many community members to step up, volunteer our time, and Stop Asian Hate. 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.”
Stewart Chen, an adovciate for public safety in Oakland’s Chinatown area, AAPI leader in Oakland shared this text:
“Calling this ‘involuntary’ does not reflect the reality or the fear it caused Asian elders everywhere. Justice should fully recognize the value of our seniors’ lives and send a clear message that violence against elders will not be minimized.”
“The system just told every Asian elder in America: your life is negotiable,” said Forrest Liu, a Stop Asian Hate activist.
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