News

Idaho Man Bites Off Another`s Ear in Fight

09/18/2013

TWIN FALLS -- A man bit the top of an ear off of another man and spat it back at him during a fight, say Twin Falls County sheriff's deputies.

Roger N. Evans, of Twin Falls, was arraigned Sept. 12 on a charge of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement.

Melissa Emerson said she and Evans were in her house in the 500 block of Hankins Road when her brother, Dallis Houle, came by to get some of his belongings just before 10 p.m. Aug. 21.

She said the men fought, but both left.

About 11:05 p.m., police were called to the emergency room at St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center.

Houle was being treated because the top portion of his right ear had been bitten off, deputies said.

He gave officers this account:

Evans had made a fist at him and wanted to fight, so he started to leave. Evans started pushing him backwards, Houle tripped over a barrel and Evans landed on top of him.

As he tried to get away, Evans bit his ear and wouldn't let go. As Houle pulled away, his ear ripped off.

"Dallis went on to state Roger chewed his ear and spit it at him," the report says.

About 45 minutes later, Houle said, he returned to his sister's house to look for his ear.

The next day, deputies questioned her. Asked why she didn't call deputies when her brother returned, she said she just wanted to help him find his ear.

Later that day, police found Evans at his home. He told deputies that Houle had refused to leave the house. He accused Houle of hitting him, throwing him to the ground and shoving his thumb in Evans' eye.

Only then did he bite down on Houle's ear, he told deputies.

A preliminary hearing for Evans is scheduled for Sept. 20.