https://americancommunitymedia.org/criminal-justice/justice-denied-for-late-grandpa-vicha/

Justice Denied for Late Grandpa Vicha?

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Monthanus Ratanapakdee had waited for 5 years to see justice for her late father, who was fatally attacked by then 19-year-old Antoine Watson.

But justice did not arrive to Ratanapakdee’s satisfaction on March 26.

The San Francisco District Attorney’s office and the family of ‘Grandpa Vicha,’ as he was colloquially known around his neighborhood, had recommended a sentence of 9 years in state prison. But San Francisco Superior Court Judge Linda Colfax listened to statements from Grandpa Vicha’s family, Watson’s mother Angela, and Watson himself before sentencing the perpetrator to probation instead of prison.

On Jan. 28, 2021, Vicha Ratanapakdee was taking his daily morning walk around his neighborhood in San Francisco’s Anza District, when Watson, 19 at the time, ran across the street and shoved the 84-year-old Thai man onto the sidewalk. Ratanapakdee died 2 days later of a brain hemorrhage. Watson was arrested 2 days later.

Earlier in the year, a jury had found the 25-year-old man not guilty of attempted murder and elder abuse, which carried a sentence of 25 years in state prison. The jury did find Watson guilty of involuntary manslaughter and assault with intent to cause great bodily injury, both felony charges.

‘Deeply disappointed’

In her ruling, Colfax sentenced Watson to 8 years, but noted he had already spent more than 5 years in San Francisco County Jail, much of it in isolation. If Watson violates the terms of his probation, he could serve the balance of his time in state prison.

“We are deeply disappointed. We do not believe probation reflects the seriousness of what happened or the loss our family continues to live with,” Monthanus Ratanapakdee told ACoM shortly after Colfax pronounced her sentence. She said the family was considering next steps.

“Our family is grieving and processing. This has been a long and painful process, and today is very difficult for us,” she added. “This is not about seeking revenge. It is about seeking accountability.”

In an earlier interview with ACoM, Ratanapakdee had expressed her fear that Watson would be given probation.

’Unimaginable loss

Vicha Ratanapakdee’s son-in-law, Eric Lawson, struggled with his emotions as he read a statement in court. “Losing my father-in-law was unimaginable. The neighborhood doesn’t feel the same anymore.”

”I don’t know what to tell our children when they ask if we are safe,” he said.

Delivering her ruling, Colfax noted that the young perpetrator suffers from PTSD, and had experienced abuse, neglect, and violence in his childhood. She noted that jurors had said he was not a high risk to public safety. The judge also noted that probation would allow Watson access to the treatment he needs to manage his PTSD and childhood trauma.

“Mr. Watson and public safety are both served with Mr. Watson on probation rather than parole,” Colfax stated.

Watson walks free

San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Sean Connolly stated before the sentence was pronounced: “This entire case has been defended on excuses. Mr. Watson is no longer a child. He must be held to understand the consequences of his actions.”

”The defense is proposing that Mr. Watson should walk out of that door today with his mother. That should not be the case,” said Connolly.

Shortly after the sentencing hearing, Watson was released from county jail, and remanded to his mother’s home in Hayward, California. He has been ordered to stay away from the Anza neighborhood where he attacked Ratanapakdee, and specifically to stay away from the victim’s family.

Watson must pay $19,000 in restitution to the victim’s family. He must also attend therapy at least once a week, attend case management hearings, and seek employment. Watson is prohibited from possessing firearms for the duration of his probation.

Perpetrator apologizes

”I think about my actions every day,” said Antoine Watson before his sentence was pronounced. “I am ashamed of myself. Mr. Ratanapakdee had every right to take a walk in his neighborhood. I’m so sorry for the pain I have caused.”

”I’ve had so much anger and pain I didn’t understand. But I’ve had a lot of time to think about it during my 1,888 days in jail,” he said.

Grandpa Vicha’s attack galvanized the Stop AAPI Hate movement, but San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins never added hate crime enhancements to Watson’s case. In court, the perpetrator stated he had not committed a hate crime: he did not know his victim’s race when he attacked him.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta told ACoM in a 2024 interview that hate crime charges are rarely added to criminal cases because they are difficult to prove. The incident must start as a hate-motivated crime, he said.

Angela Watson read a statement in court, on behalf of her son’s family. “We are deeply saddened. Our prayers for you have been continuous. We humbly apologize to your family and we will always share in the pain and suffering that Antoine has caused you.”

’Science and evidence-based sentence’

Public defender Anita Nabha told reporters after the hearing that she has asked for a sentence based not on compassion, but on pragmatism: the understanding that incarcerating an individual does not benefit society at large.

”Today was a big day for Antoine. He’s got a lot of work ahead of him. He will have nightmares, and he will have to absorb the harm he has done.”

“I have met with Antoine weekly over the past 4 years. I see that he has the possibility to make amends in whatever way he can,” said Nabha.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5850757&forum_id=2Elisa#49775356)