A Butler man defended himself at a Monday preliminary hearing against accusations that he tried to rob someone using a pocket knife.

Despite repeated warnings by District Judge William Fullerton, defendant Richard J. Russell, 23, opted to move forward with the hearing without an attorney.

He attended the hearing virtually, having been placed in Butler County Prison on $75,000 bail following his arraignment June 21 by District Judge Wayne Seibel.

The hearing began with testimony from the man Russell allegedly robbed. The man said he was acquainted with the defendant because he knew Russell's father.

“We were going to go to my house to work on the bathroom I had torn apart,” the man said.

According to the man, the two were in his vehicle when Russell asked to stop at his sister's house for a change of clothes.

The man said Russell went inside and returned to his driver's side window asking for change.

“He went and tried to grab my whole entire wallet,” the man said. “He took a poke (punch) at my face, and then he pulled out a knife.”

The man said Russell then threatened to stab him if he didn't give up the wallet, so he put his vehicle in reverse and escaped.

During cross-examination, Russell did not ask any questions; he instead made a statement.

“That is not correct, not a word he said,” he said.

Making the statement allowed Assistant District Attorney Robert Zanella to cross-examine Russell. He asked Russell if he punched the man, to which Russell replied yes.

But Russell denied ownership of the pocket knife and Bob Marley lighter found in the man's car.

“I never had a pocket knife at all, sir,” Russell said.

Fullerton moved the case forward to the county level. He also denied a bail reduction request by Russell.

“I don't find that anything has changed,” Fullerton said.

Russell is scheduled for a formal arraignment Aug. 24 in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas.