WORCESTER, Mass. -- A Tyngsboro, Mass., man who allegedly damaged a 148-year-old statue of Moses has been committed for psychiatric observation, say prosecutors.
Brendan Pemberton, 42, was committed to a state hospital Monday after allegedly toppling a recently restored statue of Moses at the Worcester Trial Court where he was contesting a speeding ticket, The Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette reported.
Pemberton also threatened to damage works at the Worcester Art Museum, prosecutors said Monday when Pemberton was arraigned on charges of malicious destruction of property, threatening to commit a crime, disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct.
The Moses statue, a replica of Michelangelo's sculpture, was badly damaged last Thursday. The statue had just undergone $20,000 in restoration work and was moved into the courthouse March 10.
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