FORT SMITH — A judge says a Fort Smith man accused of killing two people with a machete last year will not be forced to have a mental exam.
Defense lawyers say 21-year-old Gregory Aaron Kinsey will claim self-defense in the June 2013 deaths of Brandon Prince and Nathan Young. Prosecutors wanted the judge to order a mental exam for the defendant.
After hearing testimony Thursday, Circuit judge Stephen Tabor said Kinsey didn't have to have a mental exam, according to the Southwest Times Record newspaper at Fort Smith.
Prosecutors intend to seek Kinsey's execution. His trial is set to start Nov. 17.
A witness said the victims confronted Kinsey, believing he was acting suspiciously. The witness said Kinsey pulled a machete from his pants and struck the men.