Castration case will be back in court this summer

Lillington, N.C. — A woman accused of castrating a man will face a new trial this summer.

Rebecca Dawson, 35, is accused of using her fingernails to tear off Kevin Russ' scrotum at a Christmas party in 2006.

Prosecutors said Russ, 39, and Dawson were drinking at the party and got into a fight.

In a trial last year, Russ said Dawson clawed his face and grabbed his scrotum when he was trying to keep her from driving home because she had had too much to drink.

The defense contended Dawson acted in self-defense because she was being held after Russ wanted her to have sex with him and his girlfriend.

Jurors told Superior Court Judge Steve Balog they were split eight to four – there was no word on whether the majority was for conviction or acquittal – and he declared a mistrial.

Prosecutors expect a new trial to take place in August.