PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) – A magician facing child sexual assault charges cut his wrists with his false teeth while sitting in a courtroom, according to a report.

Mark Morton, 58, of Pittsfield, was taken to a psychiatric facility after he injured himself Thursday, the Berkshire Eagle reported.

Morton, a children’s magician, pulled his dentures out of his mouth and slashed his arms after pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting a girl between June 1997 and August 1999, the Eagle reported. The alleged victim was 6 or 7 at the time, and recently went to police.

In late July, Morton was also arraigned on similar charges for allegedly sexually assaulting another victim four times between January 1997 and September 1998.

Defense attorney David Pixley said his client was overwhelmed by the charges against him and also suffers from a mental condition.

“I think the combination of his mental state and the new charges was more than he could handle,” Pixley said.

“I also don’t think that his mental health has anything to do with his case it doesn’t prove him guilty.”

Pixley said Morton is a Vietnam War veteran who lost part of his leg while saving two lieutenants during a battle. According to Pixley, Morton received a Purple Heart and Silver Star for his service.

Morton is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 8.

AP-ES-08-04-06 1421EDT

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