Senior District Judge Doris James bound Kristin Marie Mancuso for trial following a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Police allege Mancuso bit off two-thirds of ex-boyfriend Matthew Pierce’s right ear. She also allegedly bit Pierce’s right bicep.

Pierce, 19, a F&M student from Hockessin, Del., testified at the hearing. He said during a telephone interview Wednesday he is “recovering” but declined further comment.

Lancaster city police Officer Juanita Schaszberger found Pierce inside Thomas Hall shortly before 6 a.m. Dec. 6.

Pierce told Schaszberger Mancuso attacked him while he slept in his bed.

He said Mancuso entered the room through an unlocked door and lay down with Pierce.

The students had dated for about a year.

Mancuso appeared to be intoxicated, Pierce said, and she vomited. Pierce gave her tissues and a trash can.

The incident suddenly turned violent, police said.

“Pierce insisted Mancuso leave, Mancuso refused to leave and began to hit Pierce,” Schaszberger wrote in court documents.

Mancuso then twice bit Pierce before fleeing the room, police said. The chunk of ear was lost.

A plastic surgeon at Lancaster General Hospital operated on Pierce’s ear.

Mancuso is charged with aggravated assault. She is free on $50,000 unsecured bail to await a Jan. 31 arraignment in county court.

Assistant District Attorney Deborah L. Muzereus is prosecuting Mancuso.

Defense attorney Robert J. Donatoni of West Chester is representing Mancuso. He did not immediately return a telephone message for comment Wednesday.


Brett Lovelace’s e-mail address is blovelace@lnpnews.com.