The man accused in the stabbing death of Penn State student Michael Donahue will be charged with murder today, District Attorney Michael Madeira said yesterday.

Donahue, a 22-year-old senior, died at 6:30 p.m. Sunday from a puncture to the heart, County Coroner Scott Sayers determined late Sunday night. Sayers ruled the death a homicide.

Madeira said he would wait until today, when formal charges are scheduled to be filed, to release the degree murder charge Josephy Alberto Ventura, 27, of East Prospect Avenue, will face.

"This is serious. We want to make sure it's being done appropriately," Madeira said.

Madeira said he would prosecute the case. At this point, both the public defender and a private lawyer have contacted Madeira regarding Ventura's representation, but it is unclear who will actually represent Ventura in court.

Donahue was stabbed at about 1:30 a.m. Friday inside Club Love, 129 1/2 S. Pugh St., and remained in Mount Nittany Medical Center's intensive care unit until his death.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon issued a statement on behalf of the university about Donahue's death, calling it a "terrible tragedy."

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to [the family] and to Michael's many friends," he wrote.

He added that the administration is "concerned about the long list of negative results related to the State College alcohol scene," and called the promotional drink specials in town "insane" and "aimed specifically at young people."

State College Police Department Sgt. John Gardner said police are looking into the role alcohol played in the stabbing but have not received toxicology reports. State College Police Sgt. Mark Argiro said police suspect alcohol may be involved because the stabbing occurred in a night club, but the investigation is still continuing and it is too early to say for sure.

"We're not sure if alcohol was a factor. It may have very well been a factor, but again, alcohol didn't stick a knife in somebody's chest," Argiro said.

After the stabbing Friday morning, police questioned Ventura, who had a bloody wood-handled knife with a 3-inch blade in his jacket pocket, according to court documents. Ventura denied stabbing anyone and said the blood on the knife was his own. He remains in Centre County Prison in lieu of $3 million bail.

Police are still trying to piece together the events that led up to the stabbing. Donahue's roommate told police Donahue had been trying to break up a fight when he was stabbed. Police have confirmed that there was an altercation of some kind inside Club Love when Donahue was stabbed, but the details are still under investigation.

When State College Police Detective Bill Wagner reviewed the surveillance tape from inside the bar, he observed Ventura "making a thrusting motion with his hand" toward Donahue's chest.

Gardner said that police interviewed everyone working at Club Love Friday morning, and that police have a list of nearly 20 potential witnesses.

When Donahue arrived at the hospital early Friday morning, doctors had to perform an open-heart massage for more than an hour, according to court documents. He was unable to be moved from Mount Nittany Medical Center to a special care facility because of his severe condition, police said.