Submitted by: jw on Monday September 01st, 2003 at 02:10 PM EST

American illusionist David Blaine shocked a group of journalists Monday when he appeared to cut off part of his ear at a news conference to promote a forthcoming stunt.

The daredevil U.S. magician apparently drew blood after he was asked whether he could show the assembled reporters any new tricks. He borrowed a pocket knife and screamed as he applied it to his left ear.

He left the room holding a bloodied handkerchief to his ear before reappearing and walking past journalists with his ear and the top of his shirt covered with what appeared to be blood.

The event was aimed at publicizing Blaine's next major feat on Sept. 5, when he will be suspended in a clear plexi-glass case by the River Thames in London for 44 days.

The 30-year-old New Yorker will be sealed in a space about seven feet high, seven feet long and three feet wide, hung from a crane near Tower Bridge.

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