Westminster , California ( CNN ) -- The arraignment of Catherine Kieu Becker , the Southern California woman accused of cutting off her husband 's penis and throwing it into a garbage disposal , was continued Friday to September 23 at the request of her public defender . Orange County Superior Court Judge Debra Carrillo also set bail at $ 1 million for Becker , 48 , who had been held without bail since her arrest this month . She is charged with torture and aggravated mayhem . The judge also rejected her attorney 's request to bar cameras from the courtroom . Orange County Deputy Public Defender Frank Bittar unsuccessfully argued that the intense media coverage would jeopardize Becker 's ability to get a fair trial . Bittar also argued that the media coverage could lead to threats against Becker while in jail , but the judge said authorities are n't aware of any such threats . When she entered the courtroom inside a defendants ' cage , Becker draped her long black hair over her face to hide from cameras . She was shackled and dressed in a blue jumpsuit . Though authorities said she speaks English , a translator spoke to her in Vietnamese during the court proceedings . `` At this stage in the proceeding , I believe what we have before me is a citizen accused and not someone presumed guilty , '' the judge told the defense in ruling against the camera ban request . She added : `` There are no threats we 're aware of . '' After the hearing , Bittar declined to comment the day 's events other than to say : `` There 's a lot more to the case than meets the eye . '' The Vietnam-born Becker , who is also known as Que Anh Tran , is also facing special allegations , or sentencing enhancements , for great bodily injury and personal use of a deadly weapon , specifically a knife , according to the felony complaint . If convicted on all counts , she would face a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole , prosecutors said . An initial police investigation alleged that Becker , of Garden Grove , California , put a drug or poison in her 60-year-old husband 's dinner on July 11 to make him sleepy . Senior Deputy District Attorney John Christl said a toxicology inquiry looking into the alleged drugging should be completed in two to three weeks . `` I 'd be speculating as to what the toxicology might show and what drug if any '' may be involved , Christl told reporters after the hearing . The defense sought the delay in the arraignment because Becker 's attorney is new to the case and needs time to review police reports with his clients , Christl said . Becker told authorities her husband `` deserved it '' when officers arrived at the scene after she called 911 , the police report says . The couple married in December 2009 , but separated in April . The husband filed for divorce on May 16 in Orange County Superior Court , citing `` irreconcilable differences , '' according to the divorce papers . They have no children , and their only shared assets are a condominium and a 2010 Toyota Prius , court papers said . He is listed as president of a fabric and design firm whose address is the same as his residence , court papers show . She recently submitted a license application to become a real estate agent , Christl said . On the night of July 11 , Becker and her husband argued about friends staying at their Garden Grove residence , prosecutors said in a news release . Becker served her husband dinner , and after feeling tired at about 9 p.m. , he went to bed , authorities said . Becker then tied her husband 's legs and arms to the four corners of the bed with nylon rope , according to the district attorney 's office . As he woke , she pulled down his pants , grabbed his penis and severed it with a knife , prosecutors said . Becker then took the penis to the kitchen , threw it into the garbage disposal and turned it on , `` mutilating the organ , '' the prosecutors ' statement said . The husband underwent emergency surgery at UC Irvine Medical Center , authorities said . He has since returned home , but prosecutors were n't commenting on the husband 's condition out of respect for his privacy . The Orange County case has been widely compared to the1993 attack against John Wayne Bobbitt by his then-wife , Lorena , who cut off his penis with an 8-inch carving knife while he slept . Lorena Bobbitt then drove away , tossing the penis out her car window . The penis was eventually found and surgically reattached . Lorena Bobbitt was later found innocent by reason of insanity . During her testimony , she tearfully described her life at the hands of her abusive husband . In a separate trial , John Wayne Bobbitt was acquitted of sexually assaulting his wife . He later made appearances on `` The Howard Stern Show . '' He also made a number of adult films .
NEW : A judge sets bail at $ 1 million and rejects a request to bar courtroom cameras . Catherine Kieu Becker , 48 , is charged with aggravated mayhem and torture . She is accused of drugging her husband and cutting off his penis , police say . The couple is going through a divorce .