Dustin Diamond, who's found it difficult to shake his nerdy image of "Screech" from 1989 sitcom Saved by the Bell, was found guilty of two misdemeanors on Friday: disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon and carrying a concealed weapon.
Both charges branch from a December 2014 stabbing confrontation in Port Washington, WI. After six hours of deliberation, the jury found Diamond not guilty and the child star was able to avoid a conviction on the felony count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, reports The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The actor, who's seen backlash from his personal novel, could have seen ten years behind bars if the jury deliberated differently.
Diamond's fiancé, Amanda Schutz, was found guilty as well of disorderly conduct during the Christmastime stabbing. The couple found themselves in a fight with two men and one woman, ending with a brawl in which one man was penetrated a half-inch with a stiletto-folding knife, notes Rolling Stone. Afterward, the bloodied knife was unearthed in Diamond's SUV upon being pulled over by the police.
As the trial progressed, Diamond testified that the two men and one woman blocked the couple and started to assault Schutz. He continued to explain that the knife was intended to prevent further fighting when instead, an accidental stabbing occurred. Many witnesses, some cousins of the stabbing victim, were present for the prosecution and divulged under oath that Schutz was the cause of the brawl and its central provoker.
"I saw a tall guy holding her arms back, as if to keep her from defending herself," Diamond said. "As she had her arms being held back, she was being struck."
Diamond's story changed over time from when he initially spoke to police during his arrest. Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol didn't forget the change in story, claiming that because of Diamond's acting talents, "he's an extraordinarily accomplished liar."
June 25 will mark Diamond's sentencing for the two misdemeanors.
