BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers teen pleaded not guilty today to felony charges in connection with stabbing two people.
Jorge Daniel Castaneda, 17, is charged with first-and-second degree battery. He is charged as an adult.
He entered the not guilty plea today at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.
Castaneda was arrested last week. He is accused of stabbing Tyler Garska and James Edwards on April 16 at the Regency 7 Motel at 3714 W. Walnut St. in Rogers, according to court documents.
Police have described the incident as gang related. Garska and Castaneda are suspected members of rival gangs, according to police.
Garska had a stab wound in the right shoulder that required surgery. Edwards was stabbed in the right midsection, according to the documents.
Officers received a call at 9:42 p.m. April 16 about a person having a stab wound at 3705 W. Murdock Lane, according to court documents.
The investigation determined Garska and Castaneda were staying in separate rooms at the motel and got into a fight involving several people. Garska was stabbed with a knife and Edwards was cut with a knife while he was leaving the scene with Garska, according to the release.
Edwards didn't receive medical care for his injury, according to court documents.
Castaneda is being held on $75,000 in the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center. Juveniles charged with adult crimes in Benton County are held in the juvenile facility instead of the county jail.
NW News on 04/27/2018