Man facing charges of biting off West Valley roommate's fingertip

A man who allegedly bit off another man's fingertip has been charged in 3rd District Court.

The man, 25, got into an argument with his roommate at their West Valley house in July 2006, said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan. The man reportedly didn't want his divorced roommate to go meet with the roommate's ex-wife that night, he said. The two reportedly had been drinking.

A fight ensued, and the man ended up biting about a half-inch of the roommate's fingertip off, McLachlan said. Originally the case was filed as a misdemeanor in West Jordan Justice Court. But after reviewing the case, the city prosecutor determined it best be handled by the Salt Lake District Attorney's Office, McLachlan said.

Tuesday, the man was charged with mayhem, a second-degree felony, and two counts of simple assault. It was easy for police to find the man a year after the incident. McLachlan said he was already in the Salt Lake County Jail on an unrelated charge.