And how could I have missed this?

Right here in North Carolina, we bible banging, red-staters showed some mercy by reducing a felon’s crime from malicious castration to non-malicious castration. Is this a great state or what?

Man sentenced in Durham court for castration, other charges
The Associated Press, December 17, 2004

DURHAM, N.C. -- A man was sentenced to 15 to 21 years in prison after being convicted during the summer of castration and other charges in a gang-related shooting.

Robert D. Johnson was sentenced Thursday for castration, kidnapping, and assault after being found guilty in July. Johnson, a member of the Bloods gang, was free on bond during his trial and disappeared before his trial ended.

Once a jury is sworn in, the court can hold a trial without the defendant. But a judge may not impose punishment unless the defendant is present.
Authorities recaptured Johnson last month in Eutawville, S.C.,

Assistant District Attorney John Phillips said Thursday that the victim apparently was shot because he betrayed the Bloods. Phillips said the victim "tried to extricate himself from the gang," and the shooting was retaliation for the attempt.

"This was a brutal, brutal crime," Phillips added. "It was a crime designed to send a message to anyone who got out of line with the Bloods."

Defense lawyer Robert Harris denied Thursday that the shooting was an act of retaliation.

The victim testified that when he was shot, the bullet went through the leg, his penis and into the other leg. The victim said physicians reattached his penis, but told him he will be unable to have children.

Under state law, castration occurs when one person cuts off, maims, or disfigures a person's genitals "with intent to murder, maim, disfigure, disable or render impotent such person."

Johnson originally was charged with "malicious castration" but jurors downgraded that to "nonmalicious castration," a lesser felony.

Then again, it’s a bit strange that NC has a specific statute on the books regarding castration, rather than, say wounding or something, much less two varieties of castration - malicious and nonmalicious. And let’s not hear any tasteless jokes about guys named Johnson shooting off johnsons. After all, the guy’s crime was nonmalicious.