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Garden Grove woman to be arraigned for spousal mutilation

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WESTMINSTER, Calif.–A Garden Grove woman accused of drugging her estranged husband, slicing off his penis and discarding it in the garbage disposal is scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of torture and aggravated mayhem.

Catherine Kieu, 48, also faces sentencing enhancement allegations of inflicting great bodily harm and use of a dangerous or deadly weapon and could be sentenced to life in prison without parole if convicted, according to prosecutors.

She made her initial court appearance July 13 but did not enter a plea and an arraignment hearing, when Kieu will be called on to enter pleas in response to the charges, was rescheduled for today. She has been held without bail.

Kieu allegedly cut off the penis of her 60-year-old husband Monday night after tying him down on his bed as he slept. The two had an argument that night about friends staying at the residence,  according to Susan Kang Schroeder, chief of staff in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

The two have been married for about a year and a half, but he started divorce proceedings six months ago, Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said. The husband, whose identity was withheld by authorities, let Kieu live with him in the 14000 block of Flower Street because she had nowhere else to stay, he 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 said.

Police believe Kieu may have put something in her husband’s food but are waiting for test results.
After the mutilation, Kieu 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.

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