Mixed martial arts fighter and self-proclaimed “alpha male” Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver, better known as “War Machine,” was in court June 3 trying to get some of the 34 counts against him dismissed in association with the savage beating of his ex-girlfriend Christy Mack. At one point he demanded Judge Elissa Cadish allow him to take a polygraph test.
"I want to do it," he said rather aggressively. Her response? "I don't care."
The video of War Machine's hearing, posted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, shows the shackled and orange jumpsuit-clad Koppenhaver growing agitated as his attorney, Brandon Sua, argued that there isn't enough evidence to support charges alleging the fighter was trying to kill anyone. The judge shot down his request, meaning all charges stand and trial is set for September.
"He'll take full responsibility for his actions," Sua said outside the courtroom. "But he's sick of the lies. He wants people to know the truth."
The nearly three dozen felony counts stem from August, when Koppenhaver entered Mack's home and found her sleeping in the same bed with friend Corey Thomas, according to Fox Sports. Thomas was left bloody after Koppenhaver attacked him and used the "rear naked choke" maneuver to subdue him several times. He then forced Thomas from Mack's home and threatened to have him killed if he reported to authorities.
In a statement, Mack describes the brutality with which Koppenhaver sexually assaulted and beat her, while photos show her badly swollen face as she lies in a hospital bed after the attack.
An excerpt from her chilling statement reads,
He made me undress and shower in front of him then dragged me out and beat my face. I have no recollection of how many times i was hit. I just know the injuries that resulted from my beating. My injuries include 18 broken bones around my eyes, my nose is broken in 2 places. I am missing teeth and several more are broken. I am unable to chew, or see out of my left eye. My speech is slurred from my swelling and lack of teeth. I have a fractured rib and severely ruptured liver from a kick to my side. My leg is so badly injured, I have not been able to walk on my own. I also attained several lesions from a knife he got from my kitchen.
Koppenhaver attempted suicide in October and left a note that is replete with language associated with the Men's Rights Movement, a reactionary effort to preserve a patriarchal society. He claimed "society has killed men, I was never meant to live in this era anyway. Follow your dreams and think for yourselves.”
If convicted on the most serious charges, Koppenhaver faces life in prison.
Watch the video of the hearing from the Las Vegas Review Journal below.
