AUGUSTA — A murder suspect made a brief court appearance Tuesday to hear a judge set a scheduling conference later this week in his case.

Peter George Bathgate II, 31, of Augusta, is accused of intentional and knowing murder in the slaying of Paul A. Allen, 47, of Hallowell, on Dec. 3, 2010.

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COURT APPEARANCE: Peter George Bathgate II, 31, of Augusta, is accused of intentional and knowing murder in the slaying of Paul A. Allen, 47, of Hallowell, on Dec. 3, 2010. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Bathgate used a walking cane to stab Allen to death in a fit of jealous rage, court documents allege.

Authorities say that Allen had aroused Bathgate’s anger by flirting with Jessica Jones, 23, of Augusta, who has a young daughter with Bathgate, according to the documents.

Allen’s body was found Dec. 5, 2010, along Winthrop Street in Hallowell.

Bathgate has been held in jail since his arrest on Dec. 7, 2010. He pleaded not guilty to the charge nearly one year ago.

On Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court, Bathgate’s attorney, Kevin Sullivan, asked Justice Michaela Murphy for more time in the case schedule while he awaits results of a specialized gene test conducted on Bathgate.

“I thought by today we would have the results,” Sullivan said.

Instead, Murphy set a scheduling meeting for Friday and asked the clerk to notify the Attorney General’s Office, which is prosecuting the case.

He told her the state has made an offer to attempt to resolve the case.

“We have not accepted yet,” Sullivan said afterward.

Murphy said she would try to set a specific date in April for the case.

Bathgate, wearing a green jail uniform and orange sneakers, did not address the judge, but he conferred with this attorney.

Deputy Attorney General William Stokes declined to discuss a potential plea offer.

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