Blanca Perez-Hernandez appears before Manitowoc County court via Zoom, January 8, 2025. (Manitowoc County court/Zoom)
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Despite testimony from a psychiatrist to the contrary, a woman who invoked “Santa Muerte” – the Saint of Death – after being arrested for a stabbing is competent to stand trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.
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.
Dr. Ana Tespaso testified Tuesday at Perez-Hernandez lacks the capacity to understand the court proceedings. But Perez-Hernandez told the judge she has been receiving treatment and believes she is competent, court records show.
Judge Jerilyn Dietz deemed Perez-Hernandez competent, and ordered the criminal case to resume. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 1.
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 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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