‘Saved by the Bell’s Dustin Diamond (Screech) Starts 4 Month Jail Sentence

Dustin Diamond has reported to jail in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. The 39-year-old, who played the perennial nerd, Screech, on Saved by the Bell and its later spin offs, was sentenced to 4 months after being found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct, two misdemeanors that each carry a 60-day sentence. He was found not guilty of the felony charge of reckless endangerment which could have landed him in prison for 10 years.

This latest update ends a long legal drama stemming from an incident on Christmas Day 2014. It was then that Diamond and his fiancée, Amanda Schutz, entered the Grand Avenue Saloon in Port Washington Wisconsin and began arguing with two men and a woman. When a fight eventually broke out, the former child star stabbed one of the men and fled the scene. He was later arrested when police found a 3.75 blood stained stiletto-folding knife in his car.

At his trial in May, the former Celebrity Fit Club participant claimed when the fight started he had planned to use the knife as a deterrent and that the stabbing, which was not life threatening, was accidental. However a group of witnesses testified otherwise and District Attorney Adam Gerol referenced Diamond's acting background claiming, "He's an extraordinarily accomplished liar."

At his conviction in June, which also included a fine of $1500.00 in restitution for the victim, he stated, "I sincerely apologize to everyone involved. This was the single most terrifying experience of my life ... This is all I've been able to think about for the last six months." He was to begin serving his time that summer but he and his lawyer, Thomas Alberti, filed an appeal which they later withdrew in December.

While serving his time in the big house, Diamond, who recently authored the book, Behind the Bell, a tell-all of his 90's sitcom, will be allowed work release.