Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11ZF0127: April 29, 2013

WOMAN CONVICTED OF TORTURING MAN, WITH WHOM SHE HAD A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP, BY CUTTING OFF HIS PENIS AFTER TYING HIM TO BED

SANTA ANA – A woman was convicted today of torturing a man, with whom she had a romantic relationship, by cutting off his penis after tying him to his bed following an argument. Catherine Kieu, 50, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of torture, one felony count of aggravated mayhem, and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. She faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison with the possibility of parole at her sentencing June 28, 2013, in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At the time of the crime, Kieu and 60-year-old John Doe had a romantic relationship and lived together in Garden Grove.

On the night of July 11, 2011, Kieu and John Doe had an argument over the possibility of a friend staying with them at their home at a later date. The defendant then prepared dinner for the victim and laced it with Ambien without the victim’s knowledge.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. John Doe became tired as a result of being drugged and went to bed. As he slept in his bed, Kieu tied the victim’s legs and arms to the four corners of the bed with nylon ropes. When John Doe awoke, the defendant pulled down his pants, grabbed the victim’s penis, and severed it with a knife. Kieu then took the penis to the kitchen, threw it into the garbage disposal, turned it on, and mutilated the organ.

After attacking the victim, Kieu called 911 and reported that John Doe was bleeding. John Doe then spoke to police dispatch and reported that his penis had been cut off by the defendant.

Garden Grove Police Department officers, who investigated this case, arrived at the scene and John Doe was transported to University of California, Irvine Medical Center. He was released from the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery.

During the trial, the defense argued that Kieu was suffering from depression and other mental health issues, and therefore should not be found guilty because she did not have the requisite intent to complete the crime.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Christl of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

###

Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486