A homeless man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he bit off the fingertip of a Venice restaurant owner in an attack.
Jonathan Lemmons, 31, faces one felony count each of criminal threats and mayhem, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.
The attack happened Saturday shortly after 9:30 a.m. at The Cow's End Cafe, just a few blocks from the Venice Beach boardwalk.
The cafe owner, 72-year-old Clabe Hartley, was dealing with a homeless man who was "causing a scene," officials said.
Lemmons allegedly threatened and assaulted Hartley, prosecutors said. During the scuffle, Lemmons allegedly bit off a portion of the owner's ring finger, which doctors were unable to reattach. The injury required more than 40 stitches.
The recommended bail was $150,000, prosecutors said. If convicted, Lemmons faces a maximum sentence of more than eight years in state prison, according to a news release.
Since Saturday's attack, local business owners have met to discuss growing tensions between shop proprietors and transients who frequent the area. Shop owners have recommended increased patrol and security in the beachfront neighborhood.
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"This incident, as horrible as it is, is not indicative of our community," Hartley said.
