Man accused of biting off cousin's 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 (http://bit.ly/12EaWlh ) 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.

Mendoza's lawyer said he hadn't seen the police report detailing the allegations and declined to comment.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://www.stamfordadvocate.com