Involuntary manslaughter verdict reached in killing of Grandpa Vicha

Reported by Aneela Mirchandani

A jury in San Francisco found Antoine Watson guilty of involuntary manslaughter and “assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm” in the murder of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee.

Watson shoved the 84-year-old grandfather into the hard concrete while he was on his daily stroll five years ago.

The case became a symbol of anti-Asian hate in the community and video of the violent incident went viral worldwide.

The jury of five women and seven men – three Asians, one African American, and four each of Whites and Latinos found Watson not guilty of murder in the first degree and second degree. They also found him not guilty of elder abuse – charges that would have made Watson eligible for a longer sentence.

Ratanapakdee’s daughter wept as she discussed the jury’s decision. Her mother was also present and was led away.

“I’m painfully disappointed that the verdict was not for murder and elder abuse,” said Monthanus Ratanapakdee to reporters.

She has followed the trial closely and said the verdict did “not surprise her” pointing out that the prosecution was not allowed to enter into evidence the suspect’s juvenile record. The jury was also not allowed to see even her father’s photo.

“The jury did not see my father,” she said. “As me as a daughter I can speak for my father. I will commit working for our community’s safety in San Francisco and everywhere. I believe everyone should be safe walking on the street.”

She thanked the District Attorney’s office, the prosecutors, the San Francisco Police Department and the people of San Francisco for supporting her. She said after five years, the case remains very emotional for her and her family.

“I understand that this has been an arduous process for everyone’s families and the community, and I extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Ratanapakdee’s family. While this death was a terrible tragedy and has garnered a lot of press attention, the importance of our legal system is that it gives us a chance to look at the facts in a balanced way,” said San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju. “Mr. Watson’s defense team were remarkable advocates for this young man, who is fully remorseful for his mistake and whom we believe has shown significant personal growth from this process.” 

The judge asked the jury to return on January 26 to discuss an unresolved issue. Sources explained to AsAmNews that this issue was to do with a variety of aggravating factors alleged by the prosecutors that had not been presented to the jury yet. The defense team, as is their right, elected to have those heard by the jury rather than ruled on by the judge.

Watson sat at the defendant’s table as he heard the verdict with a bowed head.

Watson’s mother and older brother also were in the courtroom. The mother was seen weeping. The family declined to speak to reporters.

Following closing arguments late Wednesday, the jury took the case into deliberations and deliberated for about eight hours.

Watson was 19 at the time of the murder. In closing arguments, defense attorney Anita Nabha emphasized the defendant’s traumatic childhood. She called the murder an impulsive act and not premeditated.

In his rebuttal, prosecutor Sean Connolly showed a photo of Ratanapakdee lying in a pool of blood.

“I don’t believe that picture was meant to be his legacy. Let his legacy be that his killer was held accountable,” Connolly said.

(This is a breaking story. More details to come)