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Ala. Appeals Court Says Teeth Not Deadly Weapon

Montgomery, AL – An Alabama appellate court has ruled that human teeth can't be considered a dangerous instrument or deadly weapon when used to injure someone.

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has reversed the conviction and life prison sentence of Oscar Levell McMillian of first-degree domestic violence. He was convicted in Mobile County Circuit Court of biting his girlfriend's eyeball out of the socket during an argument, leaving her blind in one eye.

The appeals court on Friday ruled 5-0 that a ``deadly weapon or dangerous instrument'' must be used for a person to be convicted of first degree domestic violence. The appeals court said the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled in a earlier case that human body parts can't be considered a deadly weapon.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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