Assault victim takes a bite out of crime

ALBANY, Ga. – A sexual assault victim provided authorities with DNA evidence against her attacker by biting off a piece of his finger and holding it in her mouth until she could contact police, officials said.

Faced with the evidence, Demetrius Clyde, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of false imprisonment, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit rape, aggravated sodomy, kidnapping and aggravated sexual battery stemming from the May 2003 attack.

Clyde was sentenced to 40 years, said Assistant District Attorney Kathy Fallin. An accomplice is serving a 10-year sentence on a charge of aggravated sodomy.

After Clyde beat the victim with a board and tried to rape her, the woman bit a piece of skin from his finger and kept it in her mouth to provide evidence, authorities said.

Fallin said the victim was in court for Clyde’s sentencing and was pleased with the outcome.