BENTONVILLE – A Bentonville man denied Wednesday that he ever attempted to kill his former wife and claimed he unintentionally stabbed her when he tried to ward her off during a struggle over a phone.

Gareeno Mackey, 37, testified Wednesday during his jury trial. He is accused of stabbing his former wife and cutting his then-girlfriend with a machete.

Mackey is charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary, two counts of domestic battering, theft of property and two counts of aggravated assault on a family or household member. Prosecutors also charged Mackey with an enhancement since he's accused of committing the acts in the presence of children.

Police were called to 3757 Baltic St. in Springdale about 8:23 a.m. Sept. 12, 2023, in response to a report a woman

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