Vigil to honor Grandpa Vicha, as jury revisits case

SAN FRANCISCO - A vigil is being held Wednesday night in San Francisco for Vicha Ratanapakdee, also known to many as Grandpa Vicha, the 84-year-old man who was shoved to the ground and killed, five years ago. Meanwhile, a jury decided on aggravating factors that could add to the defendant's sentence in the related criminal case 

Vigil held 

What we know:

Dozens gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the victim. KTVU spoke with the victim's daughter and supporters who say this case highlights the need for change to improve public safety and to hold violent criminals accountable. 

At the vigil, supporters gave comfort to Ratanapakdee's daughter. 

"Painful. My dad never came home that day and today I remember," said his daughter, Monthanus Ratanapakdee. "We miss him a lot." 

The gathering was held on the same street where the victim would take his daily walk in the Anza Vista neighborhood. 

"This wasn't an accident. This was an extreme act of violence," said Julia Quon, a family friend and supporter. 

New jury development

Hours before the vigil, the jury found true, two aggravating factors, that the victim was vulnerable and the crime was vicious and callous. These findings could add time to the suspect's sentence.

The backstory:

Two weeks ago, Antoine Watson, the suspect in that case, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for pushing the elderly Ratanapakdee when the suspect was 19-years-old. The attack was captured on a neighbor's security camera. This happened at the height of the pandemic when Asian Americans were the targets of violence, largely due to racist political rhetoric that blamed China for the COVID pandemic.  

What they're saying:

Prosecutors had been pushing for those aggravating factors, since they could make a difference in terms of how much prison time Watson ultimately serves. 

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said she respects the time and effort the jury spent deliberating on the matter and that the focus now shifts to sentencing. 

"I want to make sure that the message is clear in San Francisco that you don't get to attack anyone, certainly not our most vulnerable," Jenkins said. "What it means is that the defendant is now subject to the aggravated sentence, so the higher sentence for this level of manslaughter, and so we will be making a recommendation to the court for that sentencing of what we believe is appropriate and taking into account that now we can add additional time given those aggravating factors that were about to be true."

Jenkins acknowledged many in the community were disappointed by the verdict, especially within the AAPI community. Watson was charged with murder, but ultimately the jury decided on a lesser punishment, which disappointed the victim's family and friends, who wanted a murder conviction. 

Jenkins said they re-reviewed the charges to see if there was evidence of a hate crime, but sufficient evidence was not found to pursue those heightened charges. 

The other side:

Watson, the defendant, testified that he suffered childhood trauma. the defense said he was upset that day because of a family argument and a car crash. 

What's next:

Sentencing is set for February 19. 

Watson could face eight to nine years in prison. Sentencing guidelines mean he'd serve at least 80% of his time, with five years that he's been in jail. The D.A. said he may not spend much more time behind bars. 

Quon said she has attended court hearings and plans to be at the sentencing. 

"I'm upset with anyone who kills our elders. [He] deserves severe punishment," she said. 

Despite their disappointment with the verdict, the victim's family and supporters hope Ratanapakdee's case will bring change that will improve public safety. 

His daughter said their fight for justice is symbolic that her father's legacy continues.