The preliminary hearing for a State College man charged with attempting to murder one of his roommates is scheduled for 2 this afternoon in the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.

Robert E. McMillan Jr., 23, 1005 N. Atherton St., will face charges of criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment stemming from an incident with his roommate Rickey Poe in their apartment late Thursday night.

At 11:56 that night, Poe and McMillan, who are not University students, were arguing about McMillan's "not taking care of his end of the rent and McMillan's constant drinking," according to court documents. A fist fight began after McMillan pushed Poe over a coffee table.

When the fight ended, Poe went upstairs for a wet cloth for McMillan's wounds and when he returned, McMillan told Poe "he would kill him," records state. Poe returned upstairs to pack McMillan's belongings and when he came back downstairs again, McMillan's belongings and when he came back downstairs again, McMillan was holding an 8- to 9-inch kitchen knife and threatened to kill Poe again.

Poe attempted to call police but McMillan cut the phone cord, court records said.

McMillan then lunged at Poe and attempted to stab him. Poe yelled for Shannon Tefft, another roommate, to call police. Tefft said she stayed in her room once she heard the fight begin.

Poe grabbed McMillan by the wrists to stop him, but McMillan pulled the knife back through Poe's hands, cutting them severely.

Poe was treated for his hand wounds and released from Centre Community Hospital. McMillan also received treatment for wounds resulting from the fight, hospital officials said.

McMillan has been in Centre County Prison in Bellefonte since early Friday morning, prison officials said. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.