Police said the conflict over a girlfriend that led to a Pelham man’s stabbing death last week could have been resolved with just a phone call.

At the probable cause hearing for Scott Hanks, 49, which took place on Tuesday, April 15, Salem police Sgt. Steve Malisos detailed the investigation and interviews surrounding the struggle that led to William Solberg’s death on April 6.

Salem District Court Judge John Korbey set Hanks’$100,000 bail to cash.

“He chose rather than to resolve the issue over the phone or call police ... He came out armed with a samurai sword,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan Morrell said in concluding remarks to amend Hanks’ bail.

According to investigation interviews, Malisos said that when Solberg arrived at Hanks’ Lake Shore Road home that evening at 5 p.m., a shirtless Hanks came out and popped the rear driver’s side tire of Solberg’s truck with a sword.

Solberg then exited his truck and began a struggle that brought both men to the ground, Malisos said.

Malisos said witnesses saw Hanks holding Solberg in a headlock on the ground in a struggle before Solberg grew limp after Hanks hit him in the stomach.

Solberg was pronounced dead within 45 minutes of that moment at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Mass., Malisos said.

The medical examiner’s office identified the stab wound as the cause of death, Malisos said.

Hanks faces felony charges for first-degree assault and negligent homicide after police allege he stabbed Solberg in the abdomen with a 15-inch sword.

Hanks appeared in court clean-shaven with glasses while dressed in a blue sport coat with grey pants.

Solberg’s death was the end of a long-brewing confrontation between the two men, as Hanks told police the Pelham construction worker had been following him and Patricia Walsh as a relationship developed between them.

In the days leading up to the fight, Solberg and Hanks confronted each other outside Levendi’s, a local bar and pizzeria, Malisos said.

Walsh told police Hanks would get especially angry when Solberg would call him “Scooterpie.”

Solberg also showed up at Hanks’ home looking for Walsh and peeled out of his driveway when Walsh wouldn’t come with him the day before the incident. “(Hanks) was somewhat irritated to what occurred the night before,” Malisos said. “He just stated he was very upset and he saw red and went out to confront him.”

Malisos said that when Solberg arrived in his truck on that night, Hanks ignored pleas from Walsh to try and resolve the conflict over her cellphone.

“They never had the opportunity to speak (over the phone),” Malisos said.