This summer, at least five days were set aside for the trial of a Philipsburg man charged with homicide in an August slaying that left one man dead in rural Center County.

The trial of Fernando Rosado-Guzman, 36, is scheduled to begin July 31. It is expected to continue until at least August 4. Senior Judge Pamela Ruest is expected to preside over the trial.

Rosado-Guzman is charged with the murder of Brian C. Lyncha, a 41-year-old son and one of three brothers. He is accused of fatally stabbing Lyncha, of Philipsburg, in the chest during a fight in Rush Township.

Deputy Center County Prosecutor Megan McGoron said Rosado-Guzman had a “specific intent to kill,” while Center County First Deputy Public Defender Lora Rupert described the killing as a “pure matter.” self-defense.

Rosado-Guzman told investigators that Lyncha ran toward him, knocked him off his bike and punched him in the face. He stabbed Lyncha once, saying he “had no choice,” state police in Rockview wrote in a probable cause affidavit.

His passport photo showed him with a black eye.

“I had to stab him,” Rosado-Guzman told a Center County dispatcher during her 911 call. “…He beat my a–.”

John Bratton, a witness and friend of both men, offered differing testimony during Rosado-Guzman’s preliminary hearing.

He testified that Rosado-Guzman threw the first punch and dove at Lyncha. The two then ran down an embankment, where Lyncha straddled Rosado-Guzman and “took over” until he was stabbed,” Bratton testified.

Rosado-Guzman is also charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of criminal instruments. He is being held at the Center County Correctional Center.

Jury selection is scheduled for July 10.