WATERLOO - A Waterloo man accused of stabbing a man to death at a Cedar Falls party may argue he acted in self-defense.

Joseph Leo Johnson, 20, is charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 19 slaying of Treye Blythe, and his trial is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 16.

Johnson has pleaded not guilty, and his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Matthew Hoffey, filed a notice that Johnson intends to assert a self-defense argument when the case goes to trial.

The notice, which was filed in Black Hawk County District Court Dec. 18, didn't include any further details.

Authorities said Johnson stabbed Blythe, 18, during a party at 501 Clay St. in Cedar Falls.

Johnson, who is black, and his friends were at the party when someone other than Blythe used a racial slur.

There was a verbal argument, and Johnson and his friends left.

They returned about half an hour later with knives and began looking for the person who made the racial comment.

When a fight broke out between Johnson and another person, Blythe was stabbed.

First-degree murder is punishable by a mandatory life sentence without parole in Iowa.

Blythe of Ackley moved to Cedar Falls over the summer. He worked at United Parcel Service and was scheduled to start classes at Hawkeye Community College.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.