Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

joeybee12

(56,177 posts)
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 11:31 AM Dec 2014

"Screech" Arrested in Bar Stabbing

The actor best known for playing the character Screech in the '90s sitcom "Saved by the Bell" was arrested Thursday on charges that he stabbed a man with a knife during a fight at a Wisconsin bar, police said.

Dustin Diamond, 37, appeared in court Friday on a charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, a felony, as well as misdemeanor charges of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct, and a judge set his bail at $10,000, according to court records.

Police said Diamond stabbed a man during an altercation at the Grand Avenue Saloon in Port Washington at around 11:15 p.m., and then he and his fiancée fled in a white sport-utility vehicle. Diamond and his fiancée, Amanda Schultz, were taken into custody a short time later, and police said they found a folding knife with a 3.75-inch blade inside the vehicle with what appeared to be blood on it.

The victim suffered a stab wound to his right armpit, but police said the wound was not life threatening and he was recovering at home Friday.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/dustin-diamond-who-played-screech-90s-sitcom-arrested-stabbing-n275306

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Screech" Arrested in Bar Stabbing (Original Post) joeybee12 Dec 2014 OP
Affable nerd on TV. Mondo asshole in real life. marmar Dec 2014 #1
Reminds me of the story of Carl Switzer... Cooley Hurd Dec 2014 #2
He did this on Christmas day? senseandsensibility Dec 2014 #3
 

Cooley Hurd

(26,877 posts)
2. Reminds me of the story of Carl Switzer...
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 12:03 PM
Dec 2014

...better known by his character's nickname, "Alfalfa";



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Switzer#Death

Death

Switzer had agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Samuel Stiltz. The dog was lost, having run after a bear, and Switzer offered a $50 reward for its return. A few days later, a man found the dog and brought it to the Studio City bar where Switzer then worked. Switzer paid the man $35 and bought him $15 worth of drinks. Several days later, Switzer and his friend Jack Piott, a 37-year-old unit still photographer, decided that Moses Stiltz should repay Switzer the reward money for the dog. Shortly before 7:00 that evening, January 21, 1959, Switzer and Piott went to Rita Corrigan's home in Mission Hills, where Stiltz was staying, to collect the money they felt he owed Switzer.

Stiltz later testified before the coroner's jury that Switzer had banged on the front door, saying, "Let me in, or I'll kick in the door." Once inside, he and Stiltz began to argue. Switzer said, "I want that 50 bucks you owe me now, and I mean now." When Stiltz refused to give it to him, the men began to fight. Switzer allegedly struck Stiltz with a glass-domed clock, which caused him to bleed from his left eye. Stiltz retreated to his bedroom and returned with a .38-caliber revolver. Switzer grabbed the gun, resulting in a shot being fired that struck the ceiling. Switzer forced Stiltz into a closet, although Stiltz had regained his revolver. Switzer allegedly pulled a switchblade knife and screamed, "I'm going to kill you!" Fearing Switzer was about to attack, Stiltz shot him in the groin. Switzer suffered massive internal bleeding and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.[7]

Controversy
Since Switzer had allegedly pulled a knife, the shooting was judged to be self-defense.[8] However, during the inquest regarding Switzer's death, it was revealed that what was reported as a "hunting knife" was in fact only a penknife. It had been found by crime scene investigators under his body, but without even a blade exposed.

On January 25, 2001, a third witness came forward and gave his version. Tom Corrigan, 56-year-old son of Western movie star Ray "Crash" Corrigan and stepson of Moses Stiltz, was present the night Switzer was killed.

"It was more like murder," Corrigan told reporters. He said he heard the knock on the front door, and Switzer said "Western Union for Bud Stiltz". Corrigan's mother, Rita Corrigan, opened the door to find a drunk and demanding Switzer complaining about a perceived, month-old debt. Switzer entered the house followed by Jack Piott and stated he was going to beat up Stiltz. Stiltz confronted Switzer with a .38-caliber revolver in his hand. Corrigan said that Switzer grabbed the revolver and Stiltz and Switzer struggled over it. Piott broke a glass-domed clock over Stiltz's head, causing Stiltz's eye to swell shut. During the struggle, a shot was fired into the ceiling and Corrigan was struck in the leg by a fragment. Corrigan's two younger sisters ran to a neighbor's house to call for help. "Well, we shot Tommy, enough of this," he remembers Switzer saying, just before Switzer and Piott started to leave the house.

Corrigan had just stepped out the front door, when he heard a second shot behind him. He turned and saw Switzer sliding down the wall with a surprised look on his face. Stiltz had shot him. Corrigan said he saw a closed penknife at Switzer's side, which he presumed fell out of his pocket or his hand. He then saw his stepfather shove Piott against the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him too. As Piott begged for his life, they heard emergency sirens. Corrigan thought this was the only reason Stiltz did not kill Piott. Corrigan said his stepfather lied in his account of the event before the coroner's jury.[9]

Corrigan says a Los Angeles Police Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge. Corrigan agreed to, but he was never called before the court. "He didn't have to kill him," Corrigan says.[10]


The difference is, of course, that Screech is still alive, but the stories of many former child actors seem to follow the same tack.

senseandsensibility

(16,712 posts)
3. He did this on Christmas day?
Sat Dec 27, 2014, 01:05 PM
Dec 2014

Is this a "thing" now? My neighborhood was very wild and "party-city" on Christmas this year, unlike any other year I can remember. Very different from years past. Luckily, no violence in my neighborhood.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»"Screech" Arres...