An American university professor has been charged with committing a hate crime after he allegedly hurled racial slurs and spat at a black woman and her daughter because “he doesn’t like black people”.
Alberto Friedmann, 53, whose LinkedIn profile identifies him as a professor at the National University of Health Sciences, was charged with committing a hate crime by a court in Cook County, Illinois.
Friedmann, who was also charged for aggravated assault, allegedly hurled racial slurs at the woman and her daughter outside a supermarket on 7th September.
CBS Chicago reports that Friedmann pulled up behind the woman, who was not named, while she was parked in a car park behind the supermarket.
He allegedly started honking his horn and screaming at her, demanding that she move her car while calling her the N-word.
Friedmann allegedly then jumped out of his car, ran over to the woman and spat in her face while hurling racial slurs at her.
The defendant told the court that he spat at the woman because “he doesn’t like black people”.
After the incident, Friedmann attempted to flee the scene, but the woman stood in his way and threw a water bottle at his car while ordering him to wait for the police to arrive.
Friedmann jumped in his car and allegedly tried to run the woman over, but missed and ended up crashing into her car.
The police arrived and took Friedmann into custody.
Friedmann, who admitted to spitting on the woman and hitting her car, was released on bail after paying USD 2,500 (GBP 1,835).
The National University of Health Sciences told NBC: “We take allegations of misconduct seriously, and therefore have suspended Alberto Friedmann pending the results of a university investigation.”
