Woman maliciously castrates man on Christmas Eve party

A woman charged with castrating a man at a Christmas Eve party intends to plead not guilty to that charge and others, her attorney said.

Rebecca Arnold Dawson, 34, is innocent of the charges of attacking Kevin Russ, 38, and castrating him with her hands, attorney Jason Wunsch said Thursday.

Dawson is charged with malicious castration, which state law describes as cutting off, maiming or disfiguring a person's genitals with the intent to hurt or render the victim impotent.

She also is charged with assault causing serious bodily injury and injury to personal property. She will plead not guilty to those charges as well, Wunsch said.

"This case has received a substantial amount of attention from the media," Wunsch said. "Ms. Dawson, therefore, requests that the media and public not judge her until all the facts of this case have been put forth."

Russ was treated and later released from Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital. Dawson was released from the Harnett County Jail after posting a $50,000 (EUR 38,214) bond, the AP says.

Dawson is scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause hearing Jan. 17.