SF Shove Case Ends with Not Guilty of Murder for Attacker of Thai Grandfather

A San Francisco jury found Antoine Watson not guilty of murder and elder abuse in the 2021 death of 84-year-old Thai grandfather Vicha Ratanapakdee, instead convicting him on lesser offenses such as involuntary manslaughter and assault. The attack, captured on video and widely shared, helped galvanize awareness of anti-Asian violence during the pandemic. Prosecutors argued malicious intent; Watson’s defense said the act was impulsive. Aggravating factors will be considered later, with potential for up to nine years in prison. Ratanapakdee’s family describes the killing as racially motivated, and his daughter plans to pursue accountability through a lawsuit while continuing advocacy for elder safety; SF tributes to his memory have appeared but one mural was recently removed.