NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A jury on Tuesday night returned a guilty verdict against a man who was accused of stabbing a Davidson County sheriff's deputy in 2008.

John David Luther was convicted of attempted voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and reckless aggravated assault after attacking off-duty Deputy Daniel Harding.

The incident occurred in May 2008 at the Greenlands Pub on Nolensville Road when Luther was asked to leave the business. Luther, who was allegedly intoxicated, then began calling a black man at the bar racial names.

That's when, witnesses said, Harding, who is white, defended the black man. Luther then left the bar but returned 20 minutes later with a knife.

Luther stabbed the off-duty sheriff's deputy a number of times in the neck and throat. Some bar patrons, including the pub owner's son, jumped Luther and held him until police arrived. Harding survived the attack.

Luther will be sentenced Dec 2.