War Machine

[GeneChing]

What a piece of work....

UFC’s War Machine: It wasn’t rape because she’s a porn star
By Marnie O'Neill, News.com.au November 25, 2015 | 9:41am
Modal Trigger UFC’s War Machine: It wasn’t rape because she’s a porn star


Porn star Christy Mack (right) cries in court while War Machine looks on during a preliminary hearing on Nov. 14, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: AP
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The charges against him are heinous, but disgraced MMA fighter War Machine’s antics in court, coupled with the sickening defense offered by his legal team, give the impression he’s not taking any of it seriously.

Prosecutors have alleged War Machine — born Jonathan Koppenhaver — brutally raped and bashed his ex-girlfriend, former adult film actor Christine Mackinday, 23, and choked and punched her friend Corey Thomas.

The allegations, dating back to May 2013 and culminating in a near-fatal attack in August last year, amount to 34 charges, including five counts of sexual assault and two of attempted murder. The world saw the results of his alleged frenzy of violence in photographs that Mackinday — better known as Christy Mack — posted to social media from her hospital bed.

But defense lawyer Brandon Sua attempted to undermine those charges as his trial opened this week by arguing that Mackinday’s line of work indicated consent and had instilled in her “the desire, the preference, the acceptability towards a particular form of sex activities that were outside of the norm.”

Sua said the pair had met while Mackinday was filming a pornographic movie and engaged in rough sex throughout their relationship. He told the Clark County District Court she had accused Koppenhaver of sexual assault in the past but had dropped charges rather than face a trial.

The defense ploy sparked a lengthy legal debate during which prosecutors argued that rape shield laws should limit the ability of defendants to introduce evidence of victims’ sexual history and prohibit the defense from revealing details of Mackinday’s movies to a jury, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

“Because she consented to those acts through her course of employment does not mean the defendant is then entitled to think he can do that to her,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Jaqueline Bluth said. “You can’t make that leap.”

District Judge Elissa Cadish questioned whether pornography established consent.


Christy Mack attends a charity event in Los Angeles on Sept. 13, 2014.Photo: Getty Images

“I don’t see how any of those activities that she did in adult movies would ever show her consent to the acts with the defendant that he’s charged with,” she said. “I’m not seeing that connection.”

However, the judge did ask Sua to submit a written motion detailing the sexual history between Koppenhaver and Mackinday.

While this legal exchange was under way — at the point where Sua raised Mackinday’s past and unpursued rape allegations against his client — Bluth interrupted to alert the court of inappropriate behavior by War Machine.

“Judge, for the record, Mr. Koppenhaver just blew a kiss at me,” she said, according to the Review-Journal.

Sua said he did not see it.

“I’m not going to make up that he blew a kiss at me, which I find offensive,” Bluth retorted.

Cadish then turned to address Koppenhaver, seated in the jury box, shackled and dressed in an orange jumpsuit.

“Mr. Koppenhaver, stop. You are not to make any gestures of any kind toward counsel. Don’t go there,” the judge said.

Koppenhaver smiled and replied, “Yes, ma’am.”

A police report tendered to the court described the full horror of Mackinday’s injuries and as well those allegedly inflicted on her friend Thomas, who was present during the alleged Aug. 8 incident.

They stated Koppenhaver attacked Mackinday and Thomas in her home near the Las Vegas National Golf Club.

Koppenhaver burst into the home and accused Mackinday of cheating on him before assaulting Thomas, the report said.

Police allege Koppenhaver choked and punched Thomas for nearly 10 minutes before telling him to leave and warning him not to call police.

The court heard Mackinday dialed 911 while Thomas was being attacked and then hid the mobile phone. Koppenhaver allegedly punched her as they went into a bathroom before he forced her to take a shower.

Mackinday sustained a “blowout” fracture to her left eye and numerous broken bones in her face, two missing teeth, a lacerated liver, broken ribs and serious bruising in several places.

Sua said text messages from Koppenhaver’s phone would call into question the validity of Mackinday’s statements.

He said text messages from the night of the alleged attack showed “ample evidence of (Mackinday) enticing Koppenhaver to come over that evening, ample evidence of her consenting to him being there.”

Prosecutors said they had no idea that Koppenhaver had kept the phone. The ex-Bellator MMA and Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter was arrested in California after going on the run for a week after the attack.

Cadish ordered Sua to turn the phone over to prosecutors by next week after Bluth said she needed to review all of the messages.

The defendant has legally changed his name to War Machine but was referred to as “Mr. Koppenhaver” in court.

[rett2]

http://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/c...-machine-trial

[GeneChing]

The absurd spectacle of reality TV has taken over reality.

MMA fighter accused of beating porn star gets present in court
By Joshua Rhett Miller March 8, 2017 | 9:46am | Updated


Jon Koppenhaver speaks with his attorney. AP

The attempted murder and sexual assault trial of a former mixed martial arts fighter took an unexpected turn on Tuesday when a once-potential juror showed up to court with a gift of sorts for the man who calls himself War Machine.

The unidentified woman arrived with a smile and handed a small manila envelope to the marshal in Courtroom 15B, despite not being selected in the high-profile case, which saw its second day of testimony on Tuesday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. War Machine is accused of viciously attacking ex-girlfriend and former porn star Christine Mackinday in a jealous outburst over a new boyfriend.

The woman had penned a letter with what appeared to be a handmade blue leather bracelet inscribed with the word “grace” on it. The gesture confused both defense attorneys and prosecutors, leading them to approach District Judge Elissa Cadish’s bench to inspect the envelope’s contents.

The letter’s contents were not made public, but attorneys said the woman wrote that she was praying for War Machine — born Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver — and asked others to do the same. She also wrote that someone close to her was serving time behind bars under similar circumstances, the newspaper reports.


Modal Trigger
Christine Mackinday breaks down during a preliminary hearing.AP

Cadish ruled that the woman should be allowed to write Koppenhaver, who remains held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas. The package, however, would need to be mailed and processed to Koppenhaver just as it would any other inmate, she said.

The letter was simply “private thoughts” that the woman wanted to share with Koppenhaver, according to his defense attorney, Jay Leiderman, who called the gesture “very sweet.”

Prosecutor Jacqueline Bluth, meanwhile, objected to allowing the woman to present Koppenhaver with a package, calling it “absolutely inappropriate.”

Witness testimony continued in the case after the onetime potential juror appeared with her note, including that of two officers who responded to the initial 911 call made by Mackinday. One of the cops testified that she was traumatized by seeing the former porn star’s extensive injuries, LasVegasNow.com reports.

“Geez, her face was completely swollen; both eyes just puffy and closed,” said Officer Somalia Shepard. “Her teeth were — two of her teeth were missing. She had dry blood around her mouth and her nose. She had bruising on her leg. She just complained of pain.”

Prosecutors on Monday began their case against Koppenhaver, who legally changed his name during his 19-fight MMA career, with opening statements of his trial on 34 counts, including attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual assault. Roughly an hour before the early-morning attack on Aug. 8, 2014, Koppenhaver and Mackinday — known by her stage name, Christy Mack — had exchanged “I love you” text messages, according to Leiderman.

“And then it all breaks loose,” Leiderman told jurors.

Koppenhaver, 35, has pleaded not guilty and faces up to life in prison if convicted. He was arrested outside Los Angeles a week after the alleged attack in Las Vegas.

[rett2]

The doctor said lesions from traumatic brain injury are visible on MRI scans. Showing the scans in the courtroom, nobody could see the lesions but him. He also implied that the injury together with medications could make someone "just do things" without understanding what they're doing.

Here's an interesting news report called "Who The Heck is This Doctor Testifying for War Machine’s Defense?"

http://lawnewz.com/live-trials/live-...hines-defense/

[boxerbilly]

That is a possibility in contact sports. I probably have some. Messed up other parts of me too. Should have listened to my grandfather.

[rett2]

Jury hung on charges of attempted murder. Found guilty on most other charges. Sentencing June 5.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/watc...hine/676335515

[GeneChing]

[Mor Sao]

Glad to hear the POS is getting what he deserves, jail time.

Act like a dog, get treated like one.

[GeneChing]

Life in prison with possibility of parole for former MMA fighter War Machine
by Antonio Castelan and Phillip Moyer Monday, June 5th 2017

War Machine and his defense team in court for his sentencing on June 5, 2017. (KSNV)



LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) — "It’s been a real long three years. I'm so ready for this to be over."
That’s what Christy Mack said to Judge Elissa Cadish on Monday during the sentencing phase for Jonathan Koppenhaver at the Regional Justice Center.
Koppenhaver — the former MMA fighter also known as War Machine — received life in prison with the possibility of parole after 36 years after being convicted in March on 29 of 34 felony counts tied to the sexual assault and beatings of Mack and Corey Thomas.
Koppenhaver would be 71 years old if he makes parole on the first try.

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Antonio Castelan ✔ @AntonioNews3LV
Aggregate sentence life with possibility of parole after 36 years.
1:59 PM - 5 Jun 2017
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Koppenhaver also spoke during the hearing, emphasizing his self-hatred and his actions.
"Not a day goes by that I don't seriously regret the things I did," he said.
“I should have killed myself. There is no reason right now that I should be in the dirt right now laying next to Aaron Hernandez."

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Antonio Castelan ✔ @AntonioNews3LV
71 is earliest release time for WM
2:01 PM - 5 Jun 2017
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Mack said during her statement that she still remembers getting punched, kicked and raped — but the choking is what bothers her the most.
“Being suffocated was the worst physical feeling I have ever known," she said.
Koppenhaver spoke more about his regrets.
"I hate this happened,” he said. “I hate I hurt the woman I love. I hate I hurt my family ... teammates. I hate I hurt my career."

View image on Twitter

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Antonio Castelan ✔ @AntonioNews3LV
#WarMachine sentencing is set for 10am. Lawyers will be filing request for new trial.@News3LV
8:32 AM - 5 Jun 2017
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Mack said that whatever the sentence imposed would not matter, nor change Koppenhaver.
Mack said, "I don't know if my life will be complete in 12 years or 20 years or 30 years, but I do know when he gets out he will kill me," she said.
The defense says they will appeal.

End of story, hopefully.

[GeneChing]

End of story, hopefully.

I forgot. Reality TV stars keep their story going...

Christy Mack Releases Gut Wrenching Statement On War Machine’s Life Sentence
June 6, 2017

War Machine, the mixed martial artist formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver, was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison for the assault of former girlfriend Christy Mack. Now, Christy Mack has come forward with a statement on the situation.

Christy Mack read the following letter to the court before War Machine’s sentence was stated.

“I just wrote this last night. I’ve been putting it off, obviously. It’s been a really long three years, and I’m so ready for this to be over, and this is the last thing I’m going to say about this case and about how this has affected me personally.

(Reading from letter)

“Last night, I looked back through my journals at the things I had written when I had just needed to get the words out. I kept them so I didn’t actually have to speak the words that I knew were wrong. In reviewing them, I thought it would help me refresh my memory of what it felt like three years ago when everything was so fresh. But as I looked through them, I realized I didn’t need a crash course in my consciousness from years ago. I still carry all those same feelings and memories that I have today.

“I love Jon, and I know in some way he loved me, too. We were far from a conventional couple in an ordinary relationship. We didn’t have normal jobs. We didn’t keep normal hours. We had the opportunity to spend copious amounts of time together, and we shared every aspect of our lives with the entire world. When we met, I wasn’t looking for a relationship or any sort of companionship at all. I was sick the day we worked together; he seemed genuinely concerned for my well-being and continued to check on me for days after. When I felt better, he made plans to see me in (Las) Vegas, and after that the first three months that we were together were beautiful. He was so interesting to me. He was full of energy and so passionate about everything. I was drawn to his tenacity, and Jon was different from anyone I had ever known.

“After the first few months, things began to change. It started with just a slap and rapidly became exponentially worse. I’ve had my head split open from somersaulting into a fireplace. I’ve experienced being lifted from my throat countless times, choked unconscious, or dragged around by my head. I’ve been punched and kicked, smothered and bitten. I have been raped and tortured. (I remember) taking a breath for a scream, only to be met with a hand over my nose or mouth, not knowing if I will ever be able to breathe again. It’s the most terrifying experience of my life, and I was met with this more times than I can count, and I still cry every time I think about how it feels. I flinch when anyone puts their hand near my face. I hold my breath when I hear an unfamiliar noise. I become nearly unconsolable when I hear parents chastise their children, because they’re just saying words that I would hear from my abuser – constantly berating me, asking me what I was sorry for, asking me why I was crying, asking why I had to do these actions. He hit me or smothered me until I stopped crying or passed out.

“Now I feel uncomfortable around men or people in general. I don’t leave my house unaccompanied if at all possible. I have shortened my list to about five trusted people, so that means not leaving the house for days or weeks at a time. I began going to the gym recently and got a trainer as a way of trying to get out of my house, because I know that’s not a way to live.

“I would say these things because I feel I should be generally safe in my house, but that’s not true. I’ve had the police come out more than once for not knowing if the noise I heard was something benign or somebody trying to kill me. I can’t function in a normal way daily any more. I don’t see my friends, and I don’t have relationships. My family has noticed a difference in me and have experienced their own changes. My mother moved to Las Vegas with me when I came from Indiana. She lived with me and watched my relationship with Jon from beginning to end. When I went to the hospital, she truly felt responsible and blamed herself for not reporting the abuse that she had witnessed. As I lay in a hospital bed, she came and I told her not to cry. I hadn’t seen myself, but I knew that I was bloody. From that day, we’ve both lost about 30 pounds each. We both become instantly afraid of our surroundings, and we never truly felt safe again.

“Over the years, I’ve tried to regain my independence. I live alone now, with an advanced security system, and I get to travel sometimes, though never alone. If I go for more than 12 hours without speaking to my mother, she fears the worst. She has to make sure I haven’t been forcibly taken and beaten again. I would say it’s an irrational fear, but after years of being told he would send people after me, or if I ever told someone, I don’t feel like it’s such a stretch.

“Since the day I was able to see the screen on my tablet, I was met with messages and emails detailing what he should have done to me. I was told he should have finished the job and killed me. I was told I was nothing but a *****, and I got what I deserved. It was even implied by the defense team that it wasn’t that bad, and I was just doing it for attention. The tweets came in droves of how he should beat and rape me since he hadn’t completed his task. I live in constant fear of these things coming to fruition, and others acting on this belief that he’s done nothing wrong.

“The only positive that I can mention that’s come from this experience are all of the people that I’ve been able to help. I did not expect so many letters and messages and emails telling me their stories and sharing the most intimate parts of their lives with me. After I left the hospital, I spent hours every day reading these messages and taking on all the deep emotion that they had put into their words to me. It will be with me for a long time, remembering all the terrible things these people have experienced and all the cruelty and hatred in the world.

“I reached the realization that I could have, and I would have died. I don’t know why I got up. As I lay on the floor, beaten and bloodied, I felt nothing. I was totally numb. I could have laid down and died and felt nothing when he’d gotten that knife. But I took those letters as a sign that I could truly help others with my experiences. Years later now, people tell me how much seeing my story unfold and seeing me stand up to my abuser has helped them. I can’t tell you how many women, men and even children have reached out asking for resources and advice. Some of them just want to be heard and share their hardships with someone who understands. This is something that motivates me every day and makes me continue to share my life, even when it becomes nearly unbearable.

“It’s hard to tell people how much it hurts to hear the cruel things that people say to me every day, and how hard it is dealing with triggers, or even being alone in my own home. I don’t get to share my true thoughts or feelings a lot, or talk about the ways this has affected me personally. I feel that I have to stay strong for every woman that draws inspiration to leave their abusive situation and find ways to move on. Every day is a chance to try to improve myself, work toward my mental health, and improve my relationships with everyone around me. I am still a work in progress. I don’t know how long he deserves to be in prison. I don’t know how much time would make me feel good or would make me feel right. When we were in talks before the trial even began, with the plea deals, Ms. Bluth had asked me if 16 years felt sufficient. I thought about it, and I said I could build a really good life in 16 years. How do you really put a time on a life lived. I don’t know if my life will feel complete in 12 or 20 or even 30 years, and neither do you. But I do know that when he gets out, he will kill me.

“The outcome today isn’t my decision, but I have trusted the court through this whole process, and I hope that the justice system won’t let me down after all these years of being a victim. I would really like to be able to say to everyone that they can trust in the justice system, and they should press charges against their abuser. There are so many people, women and men alike, that don’t go the justice route and just let things take their course. And I want them to know there is justice out there. Thank you.”