Ark. man to undergo competency evaluation after allegedly stabbing co-worker in face with X-Acto knife

ROGERS, Ark. (TCN) -- A 33-year-old man will undergo a competency exam after he was arrested last month for allegedly stabbing a woman in the face with an X-Acto knife.

Court records show the court ordered Samuel Pletcher on July 16 to be examined by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if he understands the charges against him and whether he will be able to move forward with court proceedings.

According to Pletcher’s probable cause affidavit , on June 6 at 12:23 p.m., Rogers Police Department officers responded to the Kum & Go on West Pleasant Grove Road after a man called to report he "had just stabbed his co-worker multiple times in the head and face area."

Officers arrived and detained Pletcher while others went to check on the victim. She was reportedly "sitting in a pool of blood" on a cooler and wearing a shirt that was "entirely soaked in blood."

The victim held paper towels to her face and told police she thought her jaw was broken. Paramedics transported her to a hospital for treatment. Medics also treated Pletcher for a cut on his hand, then turned him back over to police.

Detectives went back to the convenience store and located an X-Acto knife in the cooler next to a puddle of blood. They obtained video footage from the store that reportedly shows Pletcher following the victim into the walk-in cooler, pulling out the knife, and "quickly leaving the cooler" about four seconds later.

Detectives spoke with the victim June 7 after she was discharged from the hospital. She and her manager reportedly had a meeting with Pletcher on June 5 "where he had been reprimanded for poor performance at work." The victim and Pletcher were friends and she said she "normally 'had his back' in the past but did not on this occasion."

Pletcher reportedly became upset following the talk and was "cursing and shaking."

The next day, he clocked in and picked up a soda, which was his "normal routine," but he reportedly followed the victim immediately after that and attacked her.

When Pletcher spoke with detectives at the police station, he reportedly admitted that he "stabbed her," but then wanted to "plead the Fifth."

Pletcher was arrested June 6 and charged with attempted capital murder.

MORE:

• Order for Fitness to Proceed Examination of Defendant - Benton County
• Statement of Probable Cause - Benton County