Dustin Diamond is claiming he stabbed a man at a Wisconsin bar on Christmas Eve in self-defense, and is “confident” his side of the story will be enough to persuade a judge to dismiss three charges against him stemming from the incident.
“Dustin has absolute faith in our legal system,” attorney Thomas P. Alberti told the ABC News. “We are confident that the truth will prevail.”
The former “Saved by the Bell” star initially appeared in court through video conference on Friday, but is due back on Monday to enter a plea.
According to Diamond, “there was a group of intoxicated people being rude and insulting.” TheOzaukee County district attorney’s report added that Diamond only got involved in the altercation after his girlfriend, Amanda Schutz, began fighting with a female member of the group harassing them. The 37-year-old actor also said he did not intentionally stab the man under the armpit, but “chaos broke out and people were grabbing at him.”
Schutz was released on her own recognizance, while Diamond’s bail was set at $10,000.
On Friday the DA charged Diamond with felony second-degree recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon. Schutz was charged with disorderly conduct.
Diamond’s former “Saved by the Bell” co-stars have not commented on his arrest on social media, with the exception of “Extra” host Mario Lopez, who weighed in on Twitter.
“@steveucnlive: hey, @MarioLopezExtra you gonna go and see this? pic.twitter.com/fhGg1Tk21W” I always knew not to mess with Screech…
— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) December 26, 2014