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Inset: Vicha Ratanapakdee (GoFundMe). Background: Video footage showing Vicha Ratanapakdee being attacked and fatally pushed by Antoine Watson (KGO/YouTube).
A man from California has taken the stand to testify about an incident in 2021 where he allegedly killed an elderly man, referred to as “grandpa.” During his testimony, he described how he attacked the 84-year-old, pushing him fatally because he felt the man was “staring” at him after his car malfunctioned.
Antoine Watson, now 24, provided his account in court on Tuesday regarding the death of Vicha Ratanapakdee in San Francisco’s Anza Vista neighborhood. According to a report from local ABC affiliate KGO, Watson explained, “I thought he was judging me.”
He further recounted, “I remember a person just staring at me and I remember just running at him and pushing him.”
At the time of the incident, Watson was 19 years old. Until now, he has not publicly discussed his mindset on that day. The victim, widely known as “Grandpa Vicha” by both media and family, was unfortunately the target of Watson’s aggression. Watson shared in court that his girlfriend was present when his car broke down, adding to his feelings of being “judged” for his reaction to the situation.
Watson expressed, “I didn’t want to cry in front of her,” during his testimony.
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.