An Atlantic City man was released from jail last week after he allegedly knocked his wife unconscious and bit off part of her ear during what was categorized as an alcohol-fueled fight between the two.
Juan Prudencio-Martinez, 38, was charged with second-degree aggravated assault causing bodily injury in the Oct. 22 incident.
When police arrived, Prudencio-Martinez claimed his wife's injuries were from a fall, but police noticed she was missing a piece of her ear and still bleeding, Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Lado told the judge. Officers also noticed the defendant had dry blood on his lip.
The couple got into a fight at a nearby bar, when Prudencio-Martinez punched the woman, leaving her unconscious and bit her ear, according to the affidavit of probable cause read by the prosecutor.
Although Prudencio-Martinez has a minimal criminal history, it involved matters "solely with this victim," Lado said.
A simple assault charge from October 2016 alleged he swung his fists at her, trying to punch the woman, Lado said.
But defense attorney Charles Nugent Jr. noted that the previous charged was dismissed February 2017, months after it was filed.
He said his client has been employed for 20 years, currently working for a landscaper in Galloway Township, and is the sole financial support for his wife and their seven children.
"This incident seems to have been fueled by alcohol consumption by both the plaintiff and his wife," Nugent told the judge.
"This victim lost a portion of her ear based off of this assault," Lado said. "I would categorize that as grisly if not brutal behavior. I can't just defer to the fact they may have been intoxicated."
Judge Patricia Wild released Prudencio-Martinez with conditions, noting his lack of criminal history.
He will live with his uncle, and is not to have contact with his wife or children. Prudencio-Martinez must check in with the court once a month in person and once a month by phone.
