Blanca Perez-Hernandez appears before Manitowoc County court via Zoom, January 8, 2025. (Manitowoc County court/Zoom)
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A psychiatrist says a woman who invoked “Santa Muerte” – the Saint of Death – after being arrested for a stabbing is not competent to stand trial, but she disagrees, setting the stage for a contested hearing in the case.
Blanca Perez-Hernandez, 48, faces two reckless injury counts after allegedly stabbing a woman who confronted Perez-Hernandez for trying to steal license plates off two vehicles on Jan. 7.
Competency refers to the suspect’s ability to understand the court proceedings and assist in their own defense.
Although Perez-Hernandez was uncooperative with the psychiatrist, Judge Jerilyn Dietz said in court Friday the assessment was that she is not competent.
However, when asked by the judge about it, Perez-Hernandez said “I believe I am competent.”
Perez-Hernandez does not have an attorney, and the doctor wasn’t available for Friday’s hearing, so another hearing was set for March 6.
According to the probable cause statement, police were called by someone who was being threatened by Perez-Hernandez. She later told police she was defending herself but security cameras support that she initiated the confrontation.
One person was slashed with the six-inch knife and another was threatened, the statement says. She told the court needed 10 stitches and may require surgery to repair nerve damage.
Perez-Hernandez told police she worships Santa Muerte, who gave her ownership of all cars in the world.
The victims told police they didn’t know Perez-Hernandez, according to a probable cause statement.
Comments