The preliminary hearing for the man charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Penn State senior Michael Donahue was continued yesterday -- a move that stretches out the process of the case, Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said.

Josephy Alberto Ventura, 27, of the 600 block of East Prospect Avenue, was scheduled to appear before a Centre County judge this morning. Instead, the judge granted the defense council a continuance for Ventura's trial -- postponing the preliminary hearing for nearly four weeks, until March 27.

Madeira said he was unaware of the reason the defense council requested the continuance. Ventura's attorney, Centre County Public Defender Deborah Lux, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Ventura is charged with first- and third-degree murder in connection with the death of Donahue, 22, of Drums. Donahue was stabbed in the heart on Feb. 17 inside Club Love, 129 1/2 S. Pugh St. He died in Mount Nittany Medical Center's intensive-care unit Feb. 19.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers ruled the death a homicide.

Madeira announced at a Feb. 21 press conference that the state would levy a charge of first-degree murder against Ventura. Madeira, the prosecuting attorney, must prove malice and intent -- that the murder was deliberate -- to be granted a first-degree murder conviction.

If convicted of murder in the first degree, Ventura will face life in prison or the death penalty, should Madeira decide to seek it.

Ventura is currently incarcerated in Centre County Prison without bail.

The night of the stabbing, Ventura was retained by bar staff and arrested by the State College Police Department, which found a bloody kitchen knife with a 3-inch blade in the lining of his jacket, according to court documents.

State College Police Chief Tom King said the motive for the murder is still under investigation.

According to court documents, Ventura's friends and Donahue's friends were involved in an altercation when Donahue was stabbed. After he was apprehended, Ventura repeatedly told police and witnesses that someone had hit Penn State student Kristen Fisher, who he referred to as both his girlfriend and wife.

Ventura said Fisher was pregnant, although no information corroborates that statement. Police said they are unsure if Fisher was hit or if she is pregnant. They also could not say for sure what Ventura and Fisher's relationship status was, or to what capacity Donahue was involved in the altercation.