NYC Woman Says She Stabbed Trans Man on Xmas in Self-Defense

Earlier this week it was reported a woman was arrested on Christmas for stabbing a trans man on a New York City subway after he offered her his seat.

After allegedly saying she didn't want to "sit next to black people" and assaulting Ijan Jarret Sunday when she left the train, Stephanie Pazmino is now saying she acted in self-defense, according to the New York Daily News.

Jarret, 44, says he was heading home from work as a barber when he gave his seat up to Pazmino, 30. After refusing, Jarret said he got up anyway so she could sit with her friend. Pazmino then allegedly attacked him without warning, cutting Jarret's face, hand and arm with a "sharp object used for cleaning fingernails," court documents say.

Pazmino, who reportedly lives in a shelter for women with psychiatric problems, says she attacked Jarret in self-defense because he "tried to take out her eyes with his nails and fingers."

"This was an unfortunate incident on the subway at Christmas time where lots of people lose their tempers," Pazmino's lawyer Elsie Chandler said, according to the NYDN.

Judge Usher Pandit-Durant set Pazmino's bail at $4,000.

She's been charged with assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon.