Former corrections officer accused of biting man's nose

REVERE, Mass. (WHDH) -- A former corrections officer has been charged with assault with the intent to kill after he allegedly bit his former business partner’s nose last week.

The suspect turned himself into police on Monday.

Authorities say the incident occurred at Renzo’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Revere during a business meeting.

In court, the suspect said he acted in self defense.

“Bit him on the nose, and bit at least part of his nose completely off,” said Nick Brandt, prosecutor.

Kenneth Michaud is accused of repeatedly hitting the 43-year-old victim in the back of the head after a business dinner had gone bad. He is also accused of dragging the victim down an alley and eventually biting part of the victim’s nose off.

“Mr. Michaud did what he had to do in order to defend himself. And he went down to the Revere police station several times to inquire about it. Nobody ever said, ‘Hey Kenny, we want to talk to you about it,’” said Gary Zerola, defense attorney.

The suspect’s attorney said his client was attacked first and suffered his own injuries -- including a sprained ankle and an injured eye. He said his client was trying to end a business partnership. Apparently the two men owned Boston Auto Trade in Saugus.

An employee at Renzo’s said both men had been drinking during the meeting.

“We’ll have to wait and see what the medical records but there was a scuffle to be sure, but there was nothing that Mr. Michaud did that was inappropriate. He was defending himself, and that’s it,” said Zerola.

The suspect was a corrections officer for about 20 years before he recently retired.

The suspect is not currently being held. He is scheduled to appear in court next month.

The victim is set to undergo plastic surgery for his nose.