Man charged with biting off part of ear

McHENRY – A 34-year-old Johnsburg man faces up to five years in prison if convicted of biting off parts of another man’s ear Saturday.

James A. Edwards, of 4511 White Tail Lane, was charged with aggravated battery and battery for allegedly biting off two pieces of a man’s left ear and punching him in the face early Saturday, McHenry Deputy Police Chief John Jones said.

Edwards taunted the 34-year-old McHenry man about his martial arts training at a party in the 3300 block of Almond Lane, and followed the man outside as he tried to leave, Jones said. Authorities recovered the pieces of ear but they were too small to be reattached, Jones said.

The man called police from his home nearby about 3:05 a.m. and ultimately was transported to Centegra Hospital - McHenry for treatment.

Police found Edwards at the party; the two men did not know each other, although they both knew the host, Jones said.

“[Edwards] made incriminating statements about biting the man’s ear off,” Jones said.

Edwards posted 10 percent of his $10,000 bail Saturday and is next due in court July 20.