Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Penis Chop Trial Begins: Wife Allegedly Cut Off Hubby's Junk, Threw It in Garbage Disposal

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

It's been nearly two years since a Garden Grove woman allegedly chopped off her estranged husband's penis and threw it in the garbage disposal, and now the case is finally going to trial. Opening statements are slated for today in a Santa Ana courtroom.Catherine Kieu, 49, and her husband, then 60, reportedly had an argument at their home, and she served him funny-tasting tofu soup for dinner that may have been tainted. When her husband went to sleep that night, Kieu allegedly tied him up to the bed, woke him, then severed his penis in one cut.

After cutting his genitals, Kieu allegedly put the severed part in the garbage disposal and turned it on before calling 911.

Kieu reportedly told officers her estranged husband "deserved it."

The couple were going through a divorce, though they had only been wed for about 18 months at the time.

Support for LAist comes from

Kieu faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if she is convicted of one felony count each of torture and aggravated mayhem, according to City News Service. She faces a sentencing enhancement allegation for using a knife. Kieu pleaded not guilty in February 2012.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist