WESTMINSTER, Calif.–A Garden Grove woman who allegedly poisoned her estranged husband, then sliced off his penis and tossed it in the garbage disposal, was charged today with torture and aggravated mayhem.
Catherine Kieu, 48, was expected to be arraigned this afternoon at the Westminster courthouse on one count each of torture and aggravated mayhem, both felonies. She also faces sentencing enhancement allegations of inflicting great bodily harm and use of a dangerous or deadly weapon.
Kieu allegedly cut off the penis of her 60-year-old husband Monday night after tying him down on his bed as he slept, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
The two have been married for about a year and a half, but started divorce proceedings six months ago, Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said. The husband, whose identity has not been released by authorities, let her live with him in the 14000 block of Flower Street because she had nowhere else to stay, Nightengale said.
The man told police he did not feel well after he ate the dinner Kieu made for him and he went to bed, Nightengale said.
When he woke up, his arms and legs were tied to each corner of the bed and Kieu pulled down his pants, grabbed his penis and slashed it off with a 10-inch kitchen knife, Nightengale alleged.
She then allegedly put the severed body part in the kitchen garbage disposal and turned it on before calling 911 and telling officers he “deserved it,” Nightengale said.
It was not clear whether surgeons were able to reattach it, but pieces of the organ were taken to the hospital, Nightengale said. The victim was listed in good condition at UCI Medical Center in Orange today, he said.
Kieu, who is being held without bail, could face life in prison without parole if convicted, according to prosecutors.
