US woman cuts off husband's penis

Catherine Kieu Becker (above), a 48-year-old Californian woman was arrested for drugging her estranged husband's dinner then cutting off his penis, saying he 'deserved it', police said on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

LOS ANGELES - A 48-YEAR-OLD Californian woman was arrested for drugging her estranged husband's dinner then cutting off his penis, saying he 'deserved it', police said on Tuesday.

In an incident recalling the infamous 1993 case of John Wayne Bobbitt - who had his penis reattached after a similar event - Catherine Becker was booked for poisoning and assault with a deadly weapon after she tied her husband to the bed on Monday in Garden Grove, south-east of Los Angeles.

The woman, who was in the process of divorcing her 51-year-old husband, called 911 to declare a medical emergency after throwing his severed member in the garbage disposal, said police spokesman Jeff Nightengale.

'Officers arrived and located a male victim tied to the bed and bleeding from his groin area,' he said. 'The female, identified as his wife, had used an unknown type poison and/or drug in the male's food to make him sleepy. She tied him to the bed and as he woke the female cut off his penis with a knife. The female tossed the penis in the garbage disposal and turned the disposal to the 'On' position.'

Despite that, pieces of the severed member were recovered and taken to hospital, although it was not known if surgeons would be able to re-attach them. After arriving at the scene police untied the man, and seized a rope and 24.5cm kitchen knife as evidence. 'The initial investigation determined that the two are married and going through a divorce,' said Mr Nightengale said.

'The suspect made dinner for the victim and the male told detectives that he believed something was wrong with his food. The victim went to lie down, and he woke up tied to the bed with his wife tugging his clothes off. The suspect grabbed the victim's penis and cut it off,' he said, adding that then 'The suspect called 911 and told responding officers that he 'deserved it'.' The woman, who was also booked for aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment, and spousal abuse, was being kept in custody in lieu of US$1 million (S$1.23 million) bail, he added. The man, whose named was not released, underwent emergency surgery and was listed in serious condition, Mr Nightengale said. -- AFP