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Man accused of removing transgender woman's testicles charged with assault, despite victim's wishes

Posted at 12:18 PM, May 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-23 20:10:44-04

DENVER — A Denver man accused of removing a transgender woman's testicles in an illicit surgery now faces a host of charges from the Denver District Attorney, but the victim's lawyer says he shouldn't be charged.

James Pennington, 57, faces charges filed Tuesday of second-degree reckless assault and unauthorized practice of medicine.

But the victim's lawyer, David Beller, says the victim wants charges dropped.

Police reports suggest he removed the transgender woman's testicles using an Army surgical kit inside her apartment. The procedure reportedly took 90 minutes, but the suturing failed to stop a "large amount of blood" pouring from the incision. 

Pennington has already posted $50,000 bond. He will return to court on June 6 at 1:30 p.m. for a second advisement. 

Denver7 knocked on Pennington's door, only to find a posted note referring all inquiries to his attorney. The attorney said he has no current comment on the case. 

ExpressJet Airlines has placed Pennington, a pilot for the airline, on administrative leave.

MORE | Learn details from the original story here.