Woman charged with bias crime after allegedly punching a mom in the face

Wypippo

Court records state that Nimo Jire Kalinle, 42, exited a bus in Portland, Oregon, last month and proceeded to repeatedly punch a mother in the face at the bus stop, the Oregonian reported.

The mother — who was with her young daughter and husband at the time — asked why Kalinle was pummeling her, and the suspect's response was, "It's because you're white, and I hate white people," the paper said, citing a probable cause affidavit.

The husband stepped in and restrained Kalinle until officers arrived, and the victim — who stated she had never seen the suspect before and doesn't know her — was taken to a hospital and treated for her injuries, KPTV-TV reported, citing court documents.

The station said the victim had been on the bus with Kalinle.

Kalinle was arrested and indicted on multiple criminal counts in connection with the Jan. 19 incident, the Oregonian reported, citing court documents.

But after Kalinle failed to show up for her Feb. 5 arraignment, authorities issued a bench warrant, the paper said, citing court records.

Finally cops arrested her Sunday on suspicion of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct in a separate incident and booked her into Multnomah County jail, the Oregonian reported.

Kalinle on Monday pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree bias crime, second-degree bias crime, fourth-degree felony assault, and two counts of interfering with public transportation, KPTV reported.

Kalinle previously faced criminal charges for throwing rocks through bus shelters and damaging other bus agency property, the Oregonian reported, citing court records.