TV Actor Dustin Diamond Wants Delay In Bar Stabbing Sentence

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. (AP) — Former "Saved by the Bell" actor Dustin Diamond is asking a judge to delay his sentence for a Christmas Day stabbing in a Wisconsin bar.

Diamond, who played Screech on the popular 1990s TV show, was supposed to report to jail Sunday to begin serving a four-month sentence.

But Diamond's attorney has filed a motion to put the sentence on hold until a potential appeal is filed. If no appeal is filed, Diamond wants to be allowed to leave the state to play comedy gigs he has booked.

Diamond's attorney, Thomas Alberti, tells The Associated Press that the 38-year-old actor is "resolved to serve his sentence and get this behind him."

Diamond was convicted earlier this month on two misdemeanor counts. A hearing on the motion is set for Thursday.