NAPLES, Fla. - A trial date has been set for the lead guitarist of the Canadian rock group Rush, who faces assault charges stemming from an altercation with deputies in his hotel. Alex Lifeson, whose real name is Alex Zivojinovich, is accused of pushing a female deputy down a hotel stairwell and spitting his blood on a male officer on New Year's 2004. He is scheduled to stand trial May 16, the Naples Daily News reported.

"I think it's (the case) going to trial," said Jerry Berry, Lifeson's defense lawyer as he left the Collier County courthouse Wednesday.

The trial could be avoided if the state and defense reach a plea agreement in the meantime. A judge can accept a plea agreement during an April 27 hearing.

Berry and prosecutor Rich Montecalvo wouldn't comment on whether plea discussions were under way.

Lifeson faces two third-degree felony charges that could carry five-year prison sentences.

Why can’t celebrities get their legal problems taken care of in a timely fashion? Earlier this week, we found out that the Courtney Love trial was delayed again and now it seems as if the Alex Lifeson saga could drag on forever.

As you may remember, Lifeson (whose real name is Alex Zivojinovich) was arrested on New Year’s Eve after a bar brawl at a hotel in Naples, Florida. A scuffle broke out when Lifeson’s son hopped on stage with the house band and refused to remove himself from the stage. When the police showed up to break up the fight, Lifeson allegedly violently resisted arrest.

Lifeson was arrested and charged with six separate offenses. The Rush guitarist’s list of charges include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and disorderly intoxication. Lifeson broke his nose in the altercation and appears to be bloody in his police mug shot.

Yesterday, the Florida State Attorney’s Office postponed Lifeson’s arraignment for the third time. According to the Associated Press, the state attorney needs to look further into the case before proceeding.

While the court is stalling on Lifeson, they have moved forward on the matter of his daughter-in-law, Michelle Zivojinovich, who was also involved in the fracas. She was charged yesterday with a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest without violence.