Country music star Chris Cagle [ tickets ] will stand trial on a charge of misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a fan in Tucson, AZ.

A City Court judge set a trial date for Sept. 23, after Cagle finishes touring in support of his album, "My Life's Been a Country Song," the Tucson Citizen reported Tuesday (4/22).

Cagle is accused of punching Mark Barry after a Dec. 13 benefit concert. According to published reports, the fight began after Barry's girlfriend was "verbally abusive" when the country star stopped signing autographs for her, police said. He signed several for her.

In a pretrial statement, Cagle's attorney reportedly said he will argue his client acted in self-defense.

Barry named Cagle and his soundman, Kenneth Hoyt in a civil lawsuit filed in Pima County Superior Court. Hoyt suffered a broken wrist during the altercation.