The apparent principal suspect in the stabbing death of an East Butler man had noticeable cuts to his hands when state police arrested him on charges he used the victim’s bank debit card at a store, authorities said.

Christopher M. Cannon, 27, of Butler remains in the Butler County Prison on $30,000 bail. He is charged only in the access device fraud case.

But police Monday identified Cannon and his friend, Raheem Rondel Archer, 23, of Butler as suspects in the ongoing homicide investigation of 74-year-old James S. Martin.

“Cannon is the stronger suspect for the violence that occurred in this case,” police Lt. Eric Hermick said.

Archer is free on $5,000 bail. He, too, is only charged with access device fraud. Police said he has denied any involvement in the homicide.

Hermick and other investigators would not discuss evidence gathered against Cannon and Archer, beyond the allegations against them for using Martin’s First National Bank-issued debit card that he co-owned with a woman.

Police said the two men were caught on surveillance video using or trying to use the card at stores in Butler and Center townships on Dec. 31, after Martin was killed.

A female friend who planned to go out with the victim for breakfast discovered the body about 9 a.m. Dec. 31 in the hallway leading to the kitchen. Investigators believe he was likely dead for between six and 12 hours,

Martin died of numerous stab wounds to the head, neck, chest and back, an autopsy ruled.

While police are saying little publicly about the investigation, court-issued search warrants shed some light into what clues they have collected.

Troopers, in connection with the debit card fraud case, took Cannon into custody at his home on Mercer Street where he lives with his girlfriend and daughter.

Police said they noticed cuts and injuries to Cannon’s hands when they found him. Those injuries, according to court documents, “would be indicative of a struggle” with Martin.

In Cannon’s wallet, according to court documents, police also found a Panera Bread user card that belonged to Martin.

Troopers said when they searched Cannon’s home on Mercer Street, they found a pair of bloody jeans.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton on Friday issued a search warrant for Cannon’s DNA to compare with blood evidence at Martin’s home.