NEWPORT BEACH : Marine Arrested in Ear-Biting Incident
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Police arrested a Marine private after a bar fight during which he allegedly bit off a portion of a patron’s ear.
Mark O’Neal, 22, who is stationed at Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, was arrested at Cassidy’s bar, 2605 Newport Blvd., at 11:10 p.m. Sunday, said Sgt. Andy Gonis. O’Neal allegedly was one of about five Marines who were fighting with a bouncer and patrons at the bar, Gonis said.
It was not clear what prompted the fight, Gonis said.
During the brawl, O’Neal allegedly bit off a one-inch piece of Guy Soeder’s left ear, Gonis said. A friend drove Soeder, 22, of Newport Beach, to Hoag Hospital, where he was treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.
O’Neal was booked on suspicion of mayhem at Newport Beach City Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, Gonis said.
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