The criminal case against the woman who went viral for accosting and slapping a Latino construction worker just got hit with a delay.
Jeanne Umana, 74, is charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor trespassing in connection to a September incident that took the internet by storm. In a TikTok video, Umana is seen approaching Luis Cervantes, who was doing construction at a neighboring home. “I’m American, you’re a Tijuanan” she says to the man.
After he calls her a racist from behind the camera she responds, “I’m very much against people who break our laws,” and then appears to assault the man.
Immediately following the video going viral, local activist Edin Enamorado — who helped bring the erratic Karen behavior to light — led demonstrations outside of Umana’s apartment, KEYT reports. Enamorado showed up outside the courthouse Nov. 30 when she was supposed to be arraigned.
However, only her attorney, Michael Barmasse, showed up. Read more from “Santa Barbara Independent:”
On Thursday, though Umana was not present in the courtroom, Enamorado showed up to voice his concerns about Umana being let off with what he considers as a “slap on the wrist.”
After the brief court appearance, Enamorado attempted to speak with Barmasse as he made his way across the street to the District Attorney’s Office. Enamorado carried a sign that read “Jeanne Umana Committed a Hate Crime” as he shouted from behind Barmasse: “Just know that you’re defending a bigot and a racist! That’s what you’re doing out here, asking for a slap on the wrist for a racist!”
“I just want to let him know who he’s defending,” Enamorado said. “It’s sad that we have attorneys like him who know that she’s already getting hit with a slap on the wrist and he’s trying to basically make everything go away.”
The Santa Barbara police initially recommended Umana get hit with a hate crime in addition to the two charges. However, there’s been no word of a hate crime enhancement from the DA’s office. Umana’s arraignment was postponed until after the holidays on Jan. 3, according to the report.
This is the latest Karen to face serious consequences for her tantrum beyond being cancelled by the internet. Looks like she might be ringing in the new year with two misdemeanors.