Police say a man lost his cool and bit off a third of his younger brother’s finger on Thursday night after a vicious family dispute.
A criminal complaint filed in the case said Jose Juarez, 45, got into a fight with his younger brother, Roy Juarez.
Witnesses said Jose Juarez insulted his brother’s daughter, and the fight began. At some point, Jose allegedly bit off a third of his brother’s middle finger on his right hand. According to the complaint, police said Jose appeared to be quite drunk.
Jose Juarez on Sunday night acknowledged that he bit his brother and that alcohol was a factor.
“Yeah, I’m not proud to say I did, but it happened so quick,” he told KMSP-TV of the Twin Cities. “We were both kind of intoxicated. I didn’t sit there chewing or gnawing or anything like this.”
Roy Juarez was taken to Rice Memorial Hospital where doctors reattached the piece of finger. It’s too early to tell if the operation was successful.
Jose Juarez was charged on Friday with two counts of assault and one count of domestic abuse. He was released on his own recognizance. His next court date is Wednesday.