San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that her office secured a conviction of Danic Vaivai (45), after a trial by jury for viciously assaulting a 69-year-old woman in an unprovoked attack. Mr. Vaivai was convicted of elder abuse with an allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily injury on the victim found true. He was also convicted of assault likely to produce great bodily injury with an allegation that he personally inflicted great bodily injury on the victim found true. He was also convicted of battery with serious bodily injury.
“The jury’s verdict delivers justice to the victim in this case who was viciously assaulted in an unprovoked attack,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I hope that the jury’s verdict brings the victim some closure as she heals from this assault. My office will continue to do everything we can to keep our seniors and other vulnerable communities safe.”
According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, on December 7, 2022, Mr. Vaivai viciously and without warning punched the victim, a 69-year-old woman at the time of the incident, on the side of the head as she was walking to the bathroom. The blow to the victim’s head caused her to immediately fall to the ground. Once on the ground, Mr. Vaivai kicked her in the head. She called out for help and a neighbor came out, but Mr. Vaivai told the neighbor to “go back to your room.” Mr. Vaivai then returned to where the victim was still struggling on the ground. She pleaded with him to stop to which Mr. Vaivai responded, “I’m going to hit you again and then again!” Mr. Vaivai then proceeded to brutally kick and punch her again. The victim sustained a fractured jaw, orbital, sinus cavity, and substantial bruising to her right eye.
The case against Mr. Vaivai was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Samantha Adhikari with assistance from District Attorney Investigators Captain Mike Beaver and Lieutenant Glen Pon, paralegal Yesenia Oropeza and IT support from Noaeh Pinaire, Leland Chan and Morris Moore. Victim Advocate Oscar Gonzalez worked closely with the victim throughout the pendency of this case and supported her at trial. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Vaivai based on the work of San Francsico Police patrol officers Central Station.
“I am in awe of the victim’s resilience and power in overcoming a vicious and unprovoked attack,” said Assistant District Attorney Samantha Adhikari. “I am grateful to her for sharing her story and also incredibly grateful to the jury ultimately concluding that the defendant should be held accountable for his conduct.
Mr. Vaivai is currently in custody. Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2025.
Court Number: 22014851