BELFAST (AP) – A Searsport man who faces a manslaughter charge in the fatal stabbing of his brother told investigators he was tired of being beaten up by the victim and had a knife to defend himself.

Michael Nickerson, 49, also told police investigating Sunday’s slaying that the fatal confrontation started when his brother, 44-year-old Charles Nickerson, ordered him to leave the small house they shared in Searsport.

The brothers’ three children also lived in the house, police said. They included Michael’s 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, and Charles’ 23-year-old daughter.

Nickerson had a black eye when he appeared in district court in Belfast on Wednesday to face the manslaughter charge. He was unable to make bail and was returned to the Waldo County Jail. A police affidavit was filed with the court on Tuesday.

Nickerson told police his brother became upset Sunday when he found a note in which Michael’s daughter insulted Charles’ daughter. Charles then went into Michael’s bedroom, where he was watching television, and physically attacked him after telling Michael to leave the house, according to the affidavit.

“Charles … punched Michael in the face two times, knocking him back in the chair and then fell on top of Michael and continued to punch him,” the affidavit said. “Michael then picked up a knife from a table next to his chair with his right hand and jabbed it two or three times at Charles’ left side.”

Charles ran from the room and collapsed on the living room floor. Michael called police to report what had happened.

In an interview with state police Detective Dean Jackson, Michael Nickerson said he “just snapped and was angry that Charles was assaulting him again,” Jackson wrote.

Another brother, Clyde Nickerson, who lives next door, said Charles had struck Michael in the past. He says the brothers feuded over household chores and the behavior of Michael’s children.

Charles Nickerson had owned the house in which the stabbing took place for about two years. The brothers worked in a painting business.