A Butler man who allegedly stabbed another man on Butler's Main Street in September pleaded not guilty at a preliminary hearing Monday.

Felony charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault against Paul Lenzi, 68, were held for court by District Judge William Fullerton. Lenzi allegedly stabbed the man on Sept. 28. He has been held in the county prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Two witnesses testified at a hearing Monday. One, Mark Hartley, said he was walking down Main Street when he saw Lenzi speaking with someone in their car. Lenzi allegedly opened the car's hood and the victim got out of his car to talk to him. Hartley said he didn't know what was about to happen until Lenzi allegedly gave a “bear hug” to the victim and dropped him to the ground.

“It seemed to me like a normal conversation,” he said. “Only time I realized the victim was hit was when I saw the blood pull out his neck.”

Butler County probation officer Chad Cammisa also testified, saying he saw Lenzi and the victim on the ground and attempted to help the victim by drawing a gun on Lenzi.

“I saw a guy on top of another guy. At first, I thought it was a fist fight,” Cammisa said. “I was assuming he was trying to kill him.”

Fullerton set a formal arraignment for Nov. 30.