Woman accused of cutting off husband's penis could face life in prison

(CBS/KTLA) SANTA ANA, Calif. - A 48-year-old woman was indicted on torture and mayhem charges Thursday for allegedly cutting off her husband's penis.

The Los Angeles Times reports Catherine Kieu Becker was ordered held and will face charges in court Monday, Orange County prosecutors said. Becker faces a sentencing enhancement for alleged "personal use of a knife," and if convicted of all counts, she faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Becker is accused of tying down her husband to his bed, cutting off his penis and putting it in the garbage disposal in July 2011. Officers arrived at the home and found a man tied to a bed and bleeding, according to the Garden Grove police.

Becker told police she drugged her 60-year-old husband's dinner to make him sleepy and then proceeded to tie him to the bed.

KTLA Los Angeles reports she then called 911 and told responding officers that he "deserved it."

Her husband was rushed to the hospital but doctors were unable to reattach the body part.

Kieu has plead not guilty to her actions, and she remains jailed on $1 million bail, pending her arraignment Monday.

According to authorities, Becker and her husband had been married for a year and a half, but court records show they began divorce proceedings in May. The record suggests the husband initiated the divorce.

Complete coverage of Catherine Kieu Becker on crimesider