FAYETTEVILLE -- A man accused of attacking two people with a machete at a homeless camp pleaded innocent Monday in a Washington County courtroom.
Ashley Kyle Pettey, 36, is charged with one count of first-degree battery and one count of second-degree battery. He was given a Dec. 12 court date. Pettey is being held at the Washington County jail in lieu of $15,000 bond.
Pettey was at his campsite in the woods Sept. 3 when three people confronted him, according to a preliminary police report. The three told Pettey to move his campsite because they thought it would attract unwanted attention.
Police said a fight broke out, during which Pettey took out a machete with an 11-inch blade and struck two people, one in the arm and one on the neck.
The fight spilled onto Razorback Road. Motorists and patrons at a bar and grill went to help the two injured persons. Others went into the woods to find Pettey, according to police. One man held Pettey down until police officers arrived.
Pettey and two others were taken to Washington Regional Medical Center. Pettey had suffered wounds to his left eye during the fight, according to the police report.
Police arrested Pettey at the hospital.
The wooded property is north of 1032 S. Razorback Road. The University of Arkansas leases the property.
Police said earlier this year that the area has long been known as a homeless encampment.
Metro on 10/06/2015