Vicha Ratanapakdee murder trial starts in San Francisco after 2021 elderly shoving attack sparked 'Stop Asian Hate' protests
Nearly five years after a deadly attack on an 84-year-old man in San Francisco started a national movement, his accused killer is finally facing a jury.
Opening statements happened Monday in the trial over Vicha Ratanapakdee's death.
The killing in January 2021 sparked outrage and made headlines around the world.
The elderly immigrant from Thailand, known by neighbors as "Grandpa Vicha," became a face of the pandemic's "Stop Asian Hate" movement.
RELATED: 'Grandpa Vicha' case: Fatal attack on 84-year-old San Francisco man finally headed to trial
Though his accused killer is not facing hate crime charges, legal experts tell ABC7 News the question of motive will have a big impact on this trial.
Ratanapakdee was a father, a husband, and a grandfather.
"He loved to walk on the street -- his routine morning walk," said Monthanus Ratanapakdee.
In January 2021, surveillance video captured the brutal attack - a man shoving Ratanapakdee to the ground in the Anza Vista neighborhood.
RELATED: 84-year-old killed after horrific daytime attack caught on video in San Francisco
He died from his injuries a few days later.
His daughter Monthanus has become a strong voice against anti-Asian violence.
"After five years, it's still painful. We miss him a lot. My son and my mom miss him every day," said Monthanus.
After a series of delays, the suspect's murder trial finally got underway.
Antoine Watson - who was 19 at the time of the incident - faces several charges, including murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and elder abuse.
ABC7 News talked to legal analyst Steven Clark about what to expect in this case.
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"The defense is claiming this was somewhat of an impulsive act -- that it was not premeditated or planned. And for the prosecution, they're saying hitting an 84-year-old man is implied malice and you're guilty of murder," said Clark.
Ratanapakdee's daughter and others believe the violence was racially motivated.
"The big factor was what was the motive. Why was Grandpa Vicha targeted in this case?" said Clark.
Public Defender Anita Nabha, said in June that Watson was going through "mental health issues" when he pushed Ratanapakdee.
"Certainly, the community is outraged by his conduct. But it does not necessarily make it a hate crime unless Grandpa Vicha was targeted because he was Asian. Then, that is going to be a key factor," said Clark.
Ratanapakdee's family say it's been a long and difficult process to get to this point.
"We respect the process. Hopefully the jurors can see the facts," said Monthanus.
