SF man sentenced to 9 years for punching death on downtown street corner

A San Francisco man was sentenced to nine years in prison for killing an elderly man with a single punch, District Attorney George Gascón announced Friday. A San Francisco man was sentenced to nine years in prison for killing an elderly man with a single punch, District Attorney George Gascón announced Friday. Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 43 Caption Close SF man sentenced to 9 years for punching death on downtown street corner 1 / 43 Back to Gallery

A San Francisco man was sentenced to nine years in prison for killing an elderly man with a single punch, District Attorney George Gascón announced Friday.

Collin White, 40, was convicted in September of involuntary manslaughter as well as three additional felony counts related to the attack and death of Stuart Jackson, 74.

“There are no words to make sense of this dreadful act,” Gascón said. “Unprovoked acts of violence against the elderly in our city are attacks on our community and have to be punished proportionately.”

Gascón had sought the maximum penalty of 11 years on prison.

White attacked Jackson for no apparent reason while they were at a bus stop at Van Ness Avenue and Market Street about 2 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2015.

White struck the victim on the head with a single punch, knocking him unconscious and unable to catch himself as he fell and then hit his head.

White fled and was captured on nearby surveillance cameras. He was arrested on Jan. 7, 2016 at his home. He was also charged and convicted of assault with force and infliction of injury on an elderly adult, each likely to cause serious bodily injury as well as battery with serious bodily injury, with an enhancement for causing Jackson’s death.

Jackson, who liked to sketch in bars and coffee shops, was transported to San Francisco General Hospital after the assault and died just over a week later.

“Collin White assaulted an elderly man on the streets of San Francisco for no apparent reason,” said Assistant District Attorney Julia Cervantes. “That act resulted in Mr. Jackson’s death. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I hope that they can find some comfort in knowing that our streets are safer after today’s outcome.”

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker