Inset: Vicha Ratanapakdee (GoFundMe). Background: Video footage showing Vicha Ratanapakdee being attacked and fatally pushed by Antoine Watson (KGO/YouTube).
This week, a California courtroom bore witness to the testimony of Antoine Watson, a young man recounting the events of 2021 that led to the tragic death of an elderly man in San Francisco. Watson, now 24, described the incident where, as a teenager, he allegedly pushed 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee with deadly force. The reason? He claimed it was because the elderly man was “staring” at him after his car broke down.
According to a report by local ABC affiliate KGO, Watson explained his actions on Tuesday, stating, “I thought he was judging me.” This remark was made in response to questions about the alleged murder that took place in the Anza Vista neighborhood of San Francisco. The victim, affectionately known as “Grandpa Vicha” by his family and the media, became an unintended target of Watson’s frustration.
Watson, reflecting on the fateful day, recollected, “I remember a person just staring at me and I remember just running at him and pushing him.” His actions, described in court, left many questioning the motivations behind such an act of violence.
At the time of the incident, Watson was only 19 years old. He had never publicly shared what drove him to assault Ratanapakdee until now. He revealed that his girlfriend was present during the car breakdown and that he felt judged by her as well, compounding his emotional state. “I didn’t want to cry in front of her,” Watson confessed during his testimony.
Speaking to his public defender, Watson admitted confusion over his actions, saying, “At that moment, I wasn’t thinking.” His candid admission left a somber tone in the courtroom, as it highlighted the senselessness of the tragedy and the deep impact of a momentary lapse in judgment.
The young man told his public defender that he didn’t know why he did what he allegedly did. “At that moment, I wasn’t thinking,” Watson claimed.
Video captured that day shows the alleged push on Ratanapakdee. Prosecutors showed it in court this week during Watson’s murder trial. It shows him running toward the octogenarian before shoving him to the ground. The video sparked protests and a local push to stop anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, local NBC affiliate KNTV reports.
Watson was cross-examined on Wednesday and was asked repeatedly to provide more specific details about what went down.
“You agree that you killed Vicha Ratanapakdee?” asked Assistant District Attorney Sean Connelly, according to KNTV.
“Yeah,” Watson reportedly answered.
“You agree that Vicha Ratanapakdee did nothing to deserve being attacked?” Connelly asked.
“Yeah,” Watson replied.
Connelly fired back, “Did you look him in the eye?”
“I don’t know,” Watson replied.
“Was he asking for help?” Connelly asked.
“I don’t know,” Watson said.
“Did he ask you why you did this to him?” Connelly asked.
“I don’t know,” Watson replied.
Ratanapakdee’s daughter, Monthanus Ratanapakdee, told local media outlets that hearing Watson talk about her father’s death was very “painful” for her.
“When he saw my dad very hurting and bleeding all over his head … he [did] not call 911 or try to help him,” Monthanus Ratanapakdee told KNTV. “He walked back to the car.”
Speaking to KGO, the grieving daughter added, “I think this guy [has] no remorse. … He intend[ed] to assault my father.”
Watson’s trial is scheduled to continue Thursday.
