The man accused of slashing another man's throat in Laurel over an argument about which branch of the military is better was in court on Thursday.

63-year-old William Earl Cunningham already plead not guilty to one count of deliberate homicide, and his attorney filed notice they may rely on a justifiable use of force defense.

On August 2nd, shortly before midnight, Laurel police officers responded to a call of an injured man.

Police officers say when they saw Cunningham, he admitted cutting the throat of 40-year-old Nathan Horn, saying, "I cut him, he's dead."

Cunningham also allegedly told police Horn tried to hit him.

Court records indicate the fight stemmed from an argument over which branch of the military was better.

Alcohol was involved in the incident.

Police say both Horn and Cunningham have criminal histories.