BREAKING: Suspect in ear-biting case sasses judge

San Benito Police Department Assistant Operations Chief Michael Galvan is seen Thursday quieting suspect Pedro Suarez during his arraignment, in which he was one of three charged with the aggravated assault of a man whose ear was bitten half off. (Staff photo by Heather Cathleen Cox)

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com 

There was no party for San Benito residents Maria Alicia Rodriguez, Pedro Suarez or Maria Elena Machuca on Thursday afternoon when Justice of the Peace David Garza charged them with three counts of aggravated assault, a second degree felony, for the assault of a 40-year-old male at Party Time Nightclub on Saturday morning.

Rodriguez, 25, was arrested on Wednesday along with her common law husband Pedro Suarez, 31, at a residence in San Benito. Machuca, 45, turned herself into law officials on Thursday morning.

It is alleged that Machuca instigated the bar fight on Saturday, which investigators believe makes her a culpable party to the assault, and Suarez is accused of smashing a beer bottle over the victim’s head. Intermittently, Rodriguez allegedly bit off at least half of the victim’s ear.

During Thursday’s arraignment, Suarez was visibly upset and began speaking out of turn. Garza interjected, “Mr. Suarez, you have enough problems already. Don’t raise your voice to me.”

As Suarez quieted down, Garza continued, “Your bond is set. You make bond, or you do not. You stay in county jail until you do.”

Suarez, who was reportedly released from prison recently for charges unrelated to this one, began posturing through cuffed hands and continued speaking to Garza, “I have kids, you know what I mean. I was working; I was doing good, Holmes. You’ve known me since I was a kid, Man.” Suarez also referenced Rodriguez as his wife and mother to said children.

Garza said, “You need to behave, or you’re going to get yourself into more trouble.”

At this time, Assistant Chief of Operations with SBPD, Michael Galvan, stepped in with the assistance of other officers nearby.

Initially, Garza issued bonds of $100,000 each; however, when an outstanding bench warrant for Rodriguez surfaced, Garza said, “Maria Alicia, I have gotten information that Judge Olvera has requested a bench warrant for you. You will be held without bond,” though her charge is also a second degree felony charge of aggravated assault.

“I knew that,” was Rodriguez’s only response.

All three subjects were escorted to police vehicles, to be transported to Cameron County Jail.

Garza explained to the media present, “Ms. Rodriguez was charged previously with a criminal negligent homicide on [October 16, 2005]. Judge Rolando Olvera of district court has requested a bench warrant and she is to be held without bond.”

Garza continued, “Unfortunately, [Rodriguez] is looking at a very serious situation. She was on probation for the criminal negligent homicide.”

Galvan said of Rodriguez’s prior homicide charge, “She failed to yield right away to a motorcyclist coming off the expressway. Because of her negligence, the motorcyclist hit her, and he died because of his injuries.”

Rodriguez’s homicide case was given to the Cameron County District Attorney’s office. Galvan explained, “The DA’s office adjudicated her as guilty. She served a year in county jail and was released on probation.” The man fatally killed in said homicide was Hector Carrizales, 24, of Harlingen. At the time, Rodriguez would have been 18.

Saturday’s victim is reportedly in stable condition and has received surgery to his ear. The victim has reportedly been advised he might need additional cosmetic surgery, and whether or not this instance has affected his hearing remains unknown. It has also been reported that the victim suffered a broken eye socket and lacerations to the head.

The children of common law spouses, Rodriguez and Suarez, are reportedly staying with Rodriguez’s mother.

Read this story in the Oct. 21 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.