| For Immediate Release Case # 12CF2463 August 20, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486 |
HISPANIC WOMAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR UNPROVOKED HATE CRIME BATTERY OF MALE AFRICAN-AMERICAN NURSING ASSISTANT
SANTA ANA – A Hispanic woman will be arraigned today for the unprovoked hate crime battery of an African-American nursing assistant. Rose Mary Ayala, 38, Orange, is charged with one felony count of hate crime battery and faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison if convicted. She is scheduled to be arraigned today, Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
On July 14, 2012, Ayala was admitted into University of California, Irvine Medical Center. At approximately 6:30 a.m., on July 18, 2012, Ayala is accused of using derogatory racial slurs and taunting John Doe, an African-American certified nursing assistant, who was serving coffee to patients in the lounge of the medical center. John Doe ignored Ayala and continued to serve coffee. While John Doe was getting sugar for another patient, Ayala is accused of walking up behind John Doe and pouring hot coffee down his right leg. UCI Medical security notified the UCI Police Department (UCIPD) of the incident. UCIPD investigated this case.
A hate crime battery charge requires the deliberate intimidation and interference with another person’s free exercise and enjoyment of a right, secured by the Constitutions and laws of California and the United States, based on their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.
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