Man accused biting off ear lobe pleads not guilty


February 14, 2013 at 10:21a.m.

Man accused biting off ear lobe pleads not guilty

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man accused of biting off his cousin’s ear lobe and swallowing it during a fight over loud music has pleaded not guilty to assault and other charges.

Twenty-seven-year-old Emilio Mendoza, of Stamford, was arraigned Wednesday in Stamford Superior Court and ordered held on $50,000 bail.

The Advocate of Stamford reports that Mendoza’s cousin and roommate, 31-year-old Clemente Perez-Ruiz, also pleaded not guilty Wednesday to assault and disorderly conduct charges connected to the brawl. A good portion of his left ear was missing.

Stamford police say the two men were intoxicated and started fighting after Perez-Ruiz asked Mendoza to turn down the music. Police say Mendoza admitted swallowing the ear lobe.