Beating death of a Chinese American man in New York
Yao Pan Ma, a 61-year-old Chinese American, was attacked on April 23, 2021, before he was declared dead 8 months later on December 31, as a result of an attack by 49-year-old African American Jarrod Powell in East Harlem, New York City, United States. The racist attack drew national attention as part of a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in America.
Background.
Ma and his wife Chen Baozhen (陈宝珍) moved to the United States in October 2018 from Taishan, Guangdong, where Ma had worked as a dim sum chef. Ma worked at a restaurant in New York City until it closed permanently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As he had not worked long enough to qualify for unemployment benefits, Ma and his wife, who had also lost her job as a home health aide permanently, collected bottles and cans to make money to afford food. With the couple's adult children and grandchildren still in China, they otherwise only received financial support from Chen's retired parents, who were both in their 90s and received a monthly total of $1000 in Social Security.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, there has been an uptick in racist incidents and bullying against Asian Americans. A few months prior to the attack against Ma, 84-year-old Thai-American Vicha Ratanapakdee died after being attacked in San Francisco.
Killing.
On April 23, 2021, Ma was collecting cans along Third Avenue and East 125th Street in East Harlem. Powell attacked Ma from behind and shoved him to the ground. After kicking Ma's head repeatedly, he fled the scene. A nearby surveillance camera showed the attacker stomping on Ma's head.
Ma was moved in and out of multiple facilities during his time in the hospital and eventually died of cerebral hemorrhage in a long-term care center run by The New Jewish Home on December 31, 2021.
Perpetrator and legal proceedings.
Jarrod Powell, a 49-year-old African American man from New York City was arrested. He was charged with attempted murder, bullying, felony assault and hate crime charges. After Ma's death, his family called on the district attorney to upgrade the charges to murder. Charges were later upgraded to second degree murder as a hate crime.
On January 12, 2023, Powell pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
References.
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