Calif. wife Catherine Kieu Becker, accused of cutting off husband's penis, appears in court

(CBS/KCBS/AP) WESTMINSTER, Calif. - The arraignment Southern California woman Catherine Kieu Becker, accused of cutting off her husband's penis with a 10-inch kitchen knife,  was postponed Wednesday until July 22.

Becker, 48, made her first court appearance Wednesday on charges of torture and aggravated mayhem. She could face life in prison if convicted of the two felonies.  She wore a navy blue jail jumpsuit and hid her face with her long, dark hair during the brief appearance at Orange County Superior Court. She was appointed a public attorney and denied bail.

Becker was arrested Monday night after allegedly drugging her husband, tying him to a bed and then cutting off his penis, reports CBS station KCBS. The man awoke as he was being attacked, say authorities. 

"He was conscious when his penis was removed," said Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale.

Authorities say Becker then threw the sex organ into a garbage disposal and turned it on.

According to CBS station KCBS, Becker called 911 and told responding officers that her husband, whose name has not been released, "deserved it."

When paramedics arrived, they found the man still tied to the bed and bleeding profusely.

The victim was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. He was last listed in good condition.

Prosecutors say an argument over houseguests led to the crime.

The couple filed for divorce in May of this year.

She will enter her plea on July 22.

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July 13, 2011 - Calif. woman Catherine Kieu Becker cut off husband's penis, put it in garbage disposal, cops say