Overview
- The verdict will be read Thursday afternoon in the case of Antoine Watson, who is charged with murder, elder abuse, and assault in the 2021 death of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee.
- Deliberations began Thursday morning after Judge Linda Colfax instructed the jury following closing arguments and the prosecution’s rebuttal.
- Security footage shows Watson sprinting toward Ratanapakdee and violently shoving him to the ground, and Watson, who was 19 at the time, has not disputed the shove.
- The defense urged jurors to consider manslaughter, arguing Watson acted in emotional distress without intent and did not know the victim was elderly or Asian.
- Prosecutors described the act as reckless and deliberate and rejected a stressed-response theory, as the case continues to draw attention tied to anti-Asian-hate concerns and a Chinatown mural honoring Ratanapakdee was recently removed.