San Francisco Judge Frees Man Who Killed 84-Year-Old ‘Grandpa Vicha’ in Unprovoked Attack After Citing Murderer’s ‘Traumatic Childhood,’ Releases Him on Probation
A San Francisco Superior Court activist judge has ordered the immediate release and probation of Antoine Watson, the man convicted in the 2021 unprovoked killing of 84-year-old Thai immigrant Vicha Ratanapakdee, widely known as “Grandpa Vicha.”
On Thursday, Judge Linda Colfax sentenced Watson to a total of eight years but suspended the remaining portion of the term after giving him credit for approximately five years already served in San Francisco County Jail.
Watson, now 25, was released to live with his mother in Hayward on five years’ probation, which includes weekly therapy sessions and regular check-ins.
The high-profile killing was captured on surveillance video and helped lead to the national “Stop Asian Hate” movement in early 2021.
WATCH:
BREAKING – A San Francisco Superior Court judge, Linda Colfax, has suspended the already light eight year sentence of Antoine Watson, a black man who killed an 84 year old man in an unprovoked 2021 attack, citing his “traumatic childhood” as justification for her ruling. pic.twitter.com/xfe9BIcYjL
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) March 27, 2026
On January 28, 2021, Watson, then 19, was recorded on video running full speed and violently shoving Ratanapakdee to the ground as the elderly man took his daily morning walk in San Francisco’s Anza Vista neighborhood.
Ratanapakdee struck his head on the pavement, lost consciousness, and died several days later from his injuries.
Watson was initially charged with murder, assault, and elder abuse.
This January, a jury convicted him of involuntary manslaughter and assault but acquitted him of murder and elder abuse charges.
During Thursday’s sentencing hearing in the San Francisco Superior Court, Judge Colfax explained that she selected the middle term of three years for the assault conviction and added a five-year enhancement for aggravating factors, including the victim being over 70 and suffering great bodily injury.
However, because Watson had already served more than five years, he was eligible for immediate release.
Colfax stated that she believed Watson’s offense was connected to PTSD and trauma from his childhood, that he had expressed remorse, and that he did not pose a danger to society.
The judge decided that “both Mr. Watson and public safety would be served” by probation rather than further incarceration, noting that additional prison time would likely have a “poor impact” on his rehabilitation.
Ratanapakdee’s daughter, Monthanus Ratanapakdee, and other family members expressed deep disappointment outside the courtroom.
After 3 years and 148 days since my father’s tragic death, today the defendant showed no remorse, saying,”Your Honor, the rumor is I didn’t kill him; he died two days later.” His lack of guilt after nearly 4 years in jail is disturbing#JusticeForVictims #StopAsianHate#EndCrime pic.twitter.com/7cFmsnxodJ
— Monthanus Ratanapakdee (@ratanapakdee) June 26, 2024
In a statement released after the hearing, the family said the outcome “sends the wrong message about protecting our seniors and public safety.”
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