Update on Catherine Kieu trial

[hazbalz (imported)]

California woman sentenced to life in prison for chopping off ex-husband's penis

By Beth Stebner / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

A California woman who cut off her estranged husband's penis with a 10-inch kitchen knife and then threw it in the garbage disposal has been sentenced to life in prison.

Catherine Kieu, 50, had been convicted earlier this week of the brutal crime and appeared in court Friday to receive sentencing.

An Orange County jury had named her guilty of aggravated mayhem and torture in April for the July 2011 assault. However, she can seek parole in seven years.

For Kieu's estranged husband, the sentencing spelled relief after he was mutilated. "I'm hoping this will be the last time I ever have to see her," he told NBC Los Angeles, adding: "I felt some relief, and it was a very sad day for me."

Prosecutors alleged that the Garden Grove resident drugged her ex-husband's tofu with sleeping pills and then tied him to a bed, crying out, "You deserve it!" before cutting off his manhood.

Kieu's defense had argued that she was molested as a child and had mental health issues stemming from the abuse, and said that her estranged husband, known only as "Gary" in the courtroom, had sexually abused her as well.

They added that she deeply regretted her actions.

The victim later told City News Service that he had hoped Kieu was given more time behind bars because of the severity of her crime.

"There may be a situation where I can be happy, but whole? Never."

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/c ... -1.1385799

[C&TL2745 (imported)]

My hubby will be bummed. He was hoping that the court would just give her a slap on the wrist, figuring jealousy was a valid excuse for what she did. That would make his fantasy of having women cut his penis off more credible (and therefore more erotic). But parole in seven years on a life sentence? Does that seem strange to anyone else? I imagine there are probably some women out there who'd figure seven years for the right to chop off an ex's penis while he was tied up and watching would be a trade they'd be willing to make.

Sandi

[kristoff]

My hubby will be bummed. He was hoping that the court would just give her a slap on the wrist, figuring jealousy was a valid excuse for what she did. That would make his fantasy of having women cut his penis off more credible (and therefore more erotic). But parole in seven years on a life sentence? Does that seem strange to anyone else? I imagine there are probably some women out there who'd figure seven years for the right to chop off an ex's penis while he was tied up and watching would be a trade they'd be willing to make.

Sandi

In Minnesota these days, life is life, no parole. They'll regret doing that among other things.

[Dave (imported)]

In Minnesota these days, life is life, no parole. They'll regret doing that among other things.

Wait until those states get 70, 80, and 90 year old inmates who need $100,000 cancer treatments and they can't pass them off on medicare because they are so stupidly vindictive they prevent inmates from having anything. . . . .

[SplitDik (imported)]

Never understood people who had prison penpals or even romances, but with her in prison I now understand! Seven years from now one of the archive members could have a certified penis-chopping wife!

[erikboy (imported)]

What??? Life sentence for penis removal??? May be she got less if she just murdered him.

[Wellesley (imported)]

That is totally what I was confused about.

Manslaughter would get like 7 years?

Seems the penis is over valued.

American penal system is odd.

[Wolf-Pup (imported)]

This was a brutal violent attack. He could have easily died from blood loss. I can't understand why you'd want to minimalize what she did because you don't value your own body part. Same goes for Sandi's husband, brutality and violence isn't the same as fantasy. I did notice Sandi, that you didn't state how you felt about the verdict (although I give you the benefit of the doubt).

[C&TL2745 (imported)]

....

Same goes for Sandi's husband, brutality and violence isn't the same as fantasy. I did notice Sandi, that you didn't state how you felt about the verdict (although I give you the benefit of the doubt).

Neither Tim nor I minimize the gravity of what happened, and I think Tim would agree that a harsh sentence was warranted, given that it was a premeditated, spiteful, vengeful act that could easily have resulted in the man's death. My comment was probably a little too flippant. Tim does have a fantasy about having women tie him up and cut his penis off, and the news account did make the fantasy more credible. If her sentence had been a mere slap on the wrist, that would have further added to the credibility of Tim's fantasy. However, that doesn't mean we don't recognize that it was a heinous act.

Sandi