A Butler man accused of stabbing someone with a machete had his preliminary hearing continued until further notice and was released from jail Monday morning.

Lee Hockenberry, 54, was charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault and summary disorderly conduct after an incident at 5:15 p.m. March 15 on Franklin Street, Butler City.

Hockenberry was placed in Butler County Prison on March 16 and appeared before District Judge William Fullerton on Monday. His hearing was continued after a witness failed to attend the proceedings.

Joel Hills, defense attorney for Hockenberry, asked that his client be released.

“My client had nothing to do with the witness not being here today,” he said.

Hockenberry was in jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, and Fullerton allowed him to be released on the grounds that he have no contact with the witness and appear for his next court date.

Police said Hockenberry had been invited to a Penn Street residence March 15. Hockenberry then attempted to rob Preston Bartmas, 40, of Butler, punching him in the head and eventually stabbing him in the right arm and the head, documents showed.

The weapon was left in the apartment when the men moved the fight outside, according to police.

Both were taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for injuries. Police said a machete with a serrated edge that was covered in blood was recovered from the scene.