Man charged in couple stabbing pleads not guilty to attempted murder

A Naperville man charged with stabbing a couple as they slept in their home pleaded not guilty Monday morning.

Zachary Machnikowski, 18, of the 1100 block of Spring Garden Circle, is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder after authorities said he entered the home of William and Mary Lenk on the 900 block of Iroquois Avenue and repeatedly stabbed them around 1:25 a.m. on March 31. He also is charged with home invasion and residential burglary.

Court documents indicate Machnikowski attended a party earlier in the evening that also was attended by the Lenks' 16-year-old daughter and a female friend who was spending the night at the Lenks' house.

Machnikowski believed the daughter, who police said sneaked out of her house to attend the party, told another person at the gathering she thought Machnikowski was ugly. He then left the party and entered the Lenks' home through a rear door, which he told authorities he knew would be open.

Prosecutors said Machnikowski told police he entered the home planning to steal liquor, but instead stabbed the girl's parents as a way to hurt her the way he said her comments hurt him.

Machnikowski is being held without bail. His next court date is scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 10 in courtroom 4010.