A local man previously charged with assault with a deadly weapon following a stabbing outside Hamburger Mary’s has pleaded not guilty to an added charge of mayhem involving the same victim.

Matthew James Morrissey, 29, also known as Matthew Witt, appeared in San Diego Superior Court on April 20, and faces a preliminary hearing on May 4. He is accused of stabbing Danny Player, 28, in the stomach and hand after both of them left the restaurant around 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 15 following an argument over the victim’s boyfriend.

The mayhem charge alleges that with the knife wound, Morrissey deprived Player of the use of his hand or arm. Deputy District Attorney Paul Reizen filed the added charge and said he couldn’t comment on the evidence, but he explained that a mayhem charge in general involves “loss of function” of a body part. Reizen said the hand injury could have occurred as a defensive wound to try and stop the attack.

Morrissey remains free on a $15,000 bond, which was posted a day after his Feb. 15 arrest outside the popular restaurant on University Avenue in Hillcrest. A judge has ordered Morrissey to have no contact with the victim and his boyfriend on condition of his bond.

Morrissey’s new attorney, Greg Turner, could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts to contact him. On April 17, Turner replaced another attorney who represented Morrissey for the past few months.

Morrissey denies the felony charges and could face eight years in state prison if he is convicted of mayhem, assault and battery.

Player was taken to a hospital and is recovering. The restaurant’s security personnel held Morrissey for San Diego Police.

Reizen earlier had attempted to raise the $15,000 bail, saying it seemed low, but a judge ruled the bail was adequate. Morrissey has made all of his court appearances. On May 4, a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence for a trial.