March 1, 2021
SAN FRANCISCO, California—Just when you think San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin can’t screw up his job even more, he proves you wrong once again. Boudin managed to infuriate the Asian-American community multiple times in less than a year.
19-year-old African-American Antoine Watson pushed and killed 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee back on January 30. The video went viral.
In a New York Times article, Boudin said Antoine Watson was having “some sort of temper tantrum,” a term more often used to describe toddlers. Or is Boudin saying African-American youths are toddlers?
In the Times article, Boudin cites video evidence where Watson is allegedly seen hitting a car with his hand, according to ABC 7. A clear sign of a “temper tantrum.”
“I don’t buy it for a second, I don’t buy it for a second. He knew what he was doing. Hearing this excuse of a hissy fit is really upsetting,” says Eric Lawson, Vicha Ratanapkadee’s son-in-law.
He’s endured a lot of skepticism since his death and now he and his wife, Monthanus Ratanapakdee, are grappling with feelings of disgust after learning of Boudin’s comments, according to ABC 7.
“It’s breaking my heart” says Monthanus, as she clutches a framed image of her father while dressed in head-to-toe black along Anza Vista and Fortuna Avenues where the incident occurred Jan. 28.
Monthanus does not accept that as an excuse.
“A temper tantrum… you can hit a car…you cannot hit or kill a human,” Monthanus.
ABC 7’s Dion Lim obtained police documents indicating after the crime, Watson was seen on video returning to a BMW, retrieving a phone, walking back to Ratanapakdee and appeared to take photos of his body. He is then seen returning to the vehicle and gets inside.
As Vicha’s loved ones wait for Watson’s next court appearance on Thursday, they expressed their gratitude for the community’s support. And want two things.
“I want to know the truth, a clear truth,” says Eric.
After placing flowers at her father’s makeshift memorial outside a garage where the crime happened, Monthanus made references to the many attacks on Asian-Americans in the Bay Area and around the country.
“I hope my father’s case raise awareness for the Asian community… I wish the Asian community speaks up.”
To make matters even worse, Watson’s family members are downplaying Vicha’s death and believes he should walk free because Asian lives don’t matter, only black lives.
Watson entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder and elder abuse causing death during the brief court appearance. As he was escorted out of the courtroom, an older woman later identified as his grandmother shouted, “I love you Antoine!”
When asked outside the courtroom what she wanted to see happen, Watson’s grandmother arrogantly laughed and said, “To see him walk out this door like I’m walking out right now.”
Watson’s grandmother laughing.
Feature Images via Instagram & ABC 7