Man Accused of Biting Wife's Eyelid Takes the Stand

The 33-year-old Clinton Township man accused of biting off his in a Mother's Day assault took the stand in his defense Macomb Circuit Court.

Rahsaan Thedford was called to testify by his attorney, Robert Vandenbroucke, on the second day of testimony in his assault with intent to maim case.

Thedford, dressed in casual clothes including jeans and gym shoes, stated the incident occurred early May 8 after he was awoken by his wife.

The couple had been arguing earlier in the evening before returning to their St. Clair Shores home. Thedford said that he awoke as he was being struck by her.

"It is kind of a strobe light of events," he said on the stand about the events of the evening. "I never bit her eyelid. I bit her eyebrow."

Thedford stated that his wife was biting his thumbs when he tried to bite her hand in self defense, but instead bit her eyebrow during the fight.

After he bit her, she went to the bathroom and Thedford claimed that he did not see any blood at that time. He then fled the home.

On cross examination by Macomb Assistant Prosecutor Gordon Hosbein, Thedford stated that he did not recall seeing any blood on his wife's face.

"I really don't remember it," he testified.

The prosecution then played a nearly 30-minute jailhouse recording between Thedford and his wife.

During the wide-ranging discussion, they spoke about their children who have cerebral palsy but also how Thedford could not recall what happened that evening.

"You bit me," his wife said. He replied with "for real?"

She then stated that she needed to get a skin graft on her eyelid because "I don't have any skin up there."

The couple also then worked on a strategy on how she would say "whatever you want to say" so Thedford could get a bond reduction and be released.

After the tape was completed, the five-woman and nine-man jury was excused for the day. They are scheduled to return Friday for further testimony in the case against Thedford. If convicted, he could spend up to 10 years in prison.

Jurors also heard from Thedford's wife Thursday, who testified that she did not want to press charges against her husband for the Mother's Day assault.

Thedford is free on bond, but is not to contact his wife.