Blanca Perez-Hernandez appears before Manitowoc County court via Zoom, January 8, 2025. (Manitowoc County court/Zoom)
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Another competency exam has been ordered for a woman who invoked “Santa Muerte” — the Saint of Death — after being arrested for a stabbing.
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.
A plea hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, but defense attorney Ann Larson told the court she had concerns about Perez-Hernandez’s competency. That’s a reference to the defendant’s ability to understand the court proceedings and assist in her own defense, court records show.
Accordingly, Judge Jerilyn Dietz ordered a psychiatric review. The results will be discussed July 28.
Competency was raised once before in the case, but Perez-Hernandez was deemed able to proceed with the case.
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. The victim told the court at a previous hearing she 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.
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