Brian Damage
09-01-2007, 11:26 AM
Former child star Brian Bonsall, who played Andy Keaton in "Family Ties," was given two years probation Friday under an agreement reached with prosecutors.
Bonsall, 25, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault but three other charges against him were dismissed.
He was arrested in March after his girlfriend told police he poured an alcoholic drink on her face while she slept, put her in a choke hold and threw her onto a bed when she tried to leave.
Bonsall told investigators he pushed her down in self-defense after she cut his arm and face with a steak knife. She denied the claim and wasn't charged in the case.
Bonsall's lawyer, Paul McCormick, said Bonsall went through a 30-day rehab program and has been sober for over five months. Prosecutor Peter Maguire said Bonsall has been compliant with sobriety monitoring.
McCormick said Bonsall, who is working in construction and playing in a band, has gotten back together with his girlfriend and they are in couples counseling.
Bonsall appeared in three seasons of "Family Ties," the NBC sitcom that helped launch Michael J. Fox's career. He later appeared in episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and the 1993 film "Father Hood."
Bonsall, 25, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault but three other charges against him were dismissed.
He was arrested in March after his girlfriend told police he poured an alcoholic drink on her face while she slept, put her in a choke hold and threw her onto a bed when she tried to leave.
Bonsall told investigators he pushed her down in self-defense after she cut his arm and face with a steak knife. She denied the claim and wasn't charged in the case.
Bonsall's lawyer, Paul McCormick, said Bonsall went through a 30-day rehab program and has been sober for over five months. Prosecutor Peter Maguire said Bonsall has been compliant with sobriety monitoring.
McCormick said Bonsall, who is working in construction and playing in a band, has gotten back together with his girlfriend and they are in couples counseling.
Bonsall appeared in three seasons of "Family Ties," the NBC sitcom that helped launch Michael J. Fox's career. He later appeared in episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and the 1993 film "Father Hood."