Trial Underway for Accused Rochester Machete Attacker

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a Rochester man accused of attacking several women with a machete. 

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23-year-old Omar Maani faces three counts counts of second-degree assault in connection with a July 7 incident at the Cascade Creek Apartments in which Maani allegedly chased and attacked several women with a machete-style knife. The criminal complaint says he pursued the women after he fell asleep during a gathering at his apartment and woke up around 2:30 a.m. and became upset because he could not find his vape pen. 

One of the victims suffered a deep slice wound to one of her legs that kept her on crutches for a time and a second one had a deep cut on her arm that required emergency surgery, the complaint states. Two of the Second degree assault charges were amended from First degree assault charges.