san francisco — A man convicted of beating a San Francisco grandmother who later died faces life in prison, a judge said Tuesday.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Eric Fleming said Keonte Guthron, 25, will likely be sentenced to prison without the possibility of parole in the death of Yik Ui Huang. The judge postponed sentencing until next week because the accused did not receive an attendance report The San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Gathron was convicted earlier this month of murder, carjacking, burglary, elder abuse, child endangerment and other charges stemming from a two-week crime spree in January 2019. Authorities say he targeted victims who were of Asian descent or who spoke little English.
Huang, 88, was attacked while walking in the morning. She was found injured on a playground in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood where she lived. Her skull, arms and neck were broken. Her house was burgled minutes later.
Huang received long-term care in hospital however He died in January 2020. Her assault was preceded by the emergence of anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic and rocked the city’s Asian American community.
Gathro represented himself and denied his guilt but offered no evidence. He also accused police of tampering with surveillance video, DNA and other evidence.
Fleming announced that he intends to sentence Gathron to life in prison — one with the possibility of parole — and more than 30 years for other crimes. Guthro plans to appeal.
Huang’s three daughters and several of his grandchildren spoke in court in English and Cantonese. They described Huang as a hard-working wife, mother and garment factory employee in China who made sure her children were fed. She fulfilled her dream of moving to the United States and owning a house in San Francisco.
Through tears, Gathron said he “understood the pain and loss,” but insisted he was innocent.
the The park where Huang died has been renamed Yik Oi Hwang Peace and Friendship Park last year.