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Calif. woman who allegedly cut off husband's penis gets $1M bail

Woman cut off husband's penis
Catherine Kieu Becker AP

(CBS/AP) WESTMINISTER, Calif. - An Orange County judge set bail at $1 million for a California woman accused of cutting off her estranged husband's penis with a 10-inch kitchen knife and running it through the garbage disposal.

Catherine Kieu Becker's arraignment was rescheduled until September 23 at the request of her attorney.

Becker, 48, is charged with torture and aggravated mayhem,

If convicted on all counts, Becker, who is being held without bail, could face life in prison without parole.

Authorities say Kieu spiked her husband's meal July 11, then tied him to the bed and attacked him with a kitchen knife.

Kieu's husband had filed for divorce in May after 16 months of marriage.

Kieu's attorney, Frank Bittar, declined to comment on the allegations except to say "there's a lot more to the case" than meets the eye.

More on Crimesider
July 14, 2011 - Calif. wife Catherine Kieu Becker, accused of cutting off husband's penis, appears in court
July 13, 2011 - Calif. woman Catherine Kieu Becker cut off husband's penis, put it in garbage disposal, cops say

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